okay to eavesdrop

It’s not often that I get into a conversation about Asian culture with a fellow Asian, as much as I seek it. Perhaps b/c it is not a comfortable kind of topic, not easy like small talk about weather, sports, or food. Listen in on this excerpt from an IM session today, about a tension between Asian culture and Christian faith — used with permission + reformatted for legibility >>

ExportJoy: do you believe in the notion of “cultural sin”? something that is prevalent amongst a people group that somehow goes unredeemed; that prevents a more full expression of the transforming power of Christ

djchuang: sure, cultural sin, akin to corporate sin; slavery was one, for example

ExportJoy: yes, but i suppose that can be specific to a particular culture; i suppose so

djchuang: slavery was specific to a time and place; it was not universal

ExportJoy: yes, and perhaps there was a cultural matrix to that sin, for it to be rationalized that way; if that makes sense; for instance, i’ll use my own culture as an example; there has been more than a few papers written about how south korea has become one of the young lions of the pacific; and there is a characterization of the korean people as being very innovative, creative, open to change; also a great fighting spirit, and a great deal of pride; even koreans would say that being the hermit kingdom, between china and japan, and withstanding their oppression, has given koreans an incredible strength of character; in any case, it has in many ways, led to more korean leaders than followers
djchuang: yes, I’m listening

ExportJoy: and in the business world and in the ecclesiastical sense, i think the same personality comes through
very prolific [sic]

djchuang: (and it’s much easier for you to say those things about Koreans, than me )

ExportJoy: sometimes very successful; haha; point made; but often times, too much pride to be constructive; a lot of pride that says, “i can do that better than you” “so i’ll just do my own thing”

djchuang: yes, pride kinda comes with the package of having a lot of drive, talent, courage, etc.

ExportJoy: i can’t help but wonder if such a cultural character, if left to continue in an unredeemed state, is the root cause of the conditions that are visible in korean churches today… yes, but when that pride becomes a part of the culture’s calling card, isn’t that a nasty combination

djchuang: but to fair, if i may speak to the human condition of all cultures, all people groups deal with pride
ExportJoy: i used to think that also

djchuang: just that Korean pride does look like what you’re describing; and Chinese pride looks a bit different; and American pride something else

ExportJoy: but i’ve spoken to a few asian workers; i see; but one thing that these workers have told me is that koreans tend to stick to it, a little more; which i found fascinating

djchuang: so, Chinese pride might not show up in the same way– not as much, comparatively, with startups and new church splits

ExportJoy: even other asian cultures notice that koreans are a little stiffer when it comes to letting that sin go; i agree…and that’s definitely something i’d love to hear of

djchuang: but Chinese pride sure shows up in the country’s very name: “middle kingdom” (being translated: center of the world)

ExportJoy: right; and certainly that personality comes out. i’ve seen that side as well

djchuang: well, you try confronting a Japanese, a Chinese, an American, about their cultural sin or pride, they’d be pretty stiff about it too
ExportJoy: haha

djchuang: Chinese would be into the saving face thing, and not be confrontational

ExportJoy: rightly so, it is partly that which gives us a little something to be proud about when the national anthem plays

djchuang: but you watch out for the back talk (talking behind your back), plenty of that

ExportJoy: sure, i bet. i guess that’s actually the core of what i’m interested in as well. i mean, what would it look like to actually repent of that? what would redeemed cultural pride look like? would it lead to the best side of my own korean culture? for instance, the passion for missions, church building ..etc.

djchuang: my theory is this, re: Asian cultural pride … since Asian cultural is hierarchial, the place for repentance and cultural change is at the top; [so] if the person (or few persons) who hold sway and influence at the top is willing to repent, and to call what’s wrong as wrong, then the whole deal can change; so, in a church context,
it’d be the senior pastor acknowledging a wrong, and proposing and taking steps to correct it

ExportJoy: ah yes, i agree; wouldn’t that be beautiful… i’ve seen that done in an “american” church; but never in a korean church; they would rather split

djchuang: and what Asians have in common with Asians is that save face kind of pride; and it is very rare to see open confessions by top Asian leaders

ExportJoy: i can’t say i’ve witnessed that in recent memory; do you think that could change in the next generation of leaders? and would that alter our sense of cultural identity? i mean, would korean christians deem me less korean, if i dared to not save face? to downplay my own culture to lift up my faith? would the church embrace? or push me away?

djchuang: yes, i think that would be the cultural / corporate reaction, to deem you less korean, for changing culture from the position that you have and [to] push you away

- end of excerpt -

[update: for more sound bites from this IM session, see David Park's new blog - entry titled "the conundrum of the Asian-American Christian"]