History of Shan Churches in Burma 1861-2001 - Khamkoo

Analysis 198
4. When all Universities in Burma were closed because of political upheaval in 1988, many students
applied to Bible Schools and Seminaries. A lecturer at Bible School said that the applications to
Seminary and Bible Schools are three hundred times more than normal situation.
5. Some have a real calling from God and a genuine heart of serving the Lord.
We give thanks and honor to those who are faithfully and sincerely serving with great sacrifice and
dedications.
Matthew 10:38 Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
4. Opposition to Christianity
Past
Bixby reported on October 25, 1862, “Public sentiment, which is powerful for good or evil
everywhere acts strongly against Christianity here and the fear of ridicule may keep back many for a
time but if they are indeed pricked in the heart not simply cut to the heart sooner or later they will
come.” Bixby reported on January 16, 1863, “Buddhist persecution however is more formidable. It
appeals to superstition, which has at best a strong hold on the native mind. It talks of an awful hell for
all those who turn from the religion of their fathers. It arouses public sentiment, which is more difficult
to stem than a mighty flood, it takes hold of the tender family ties and tears them asunder. Indeed it is
impossible for the people in a Christian land to conceive adequately of the nature and extent of the
persecution to which our feeble disciples are subjected. I often wonder that they stand it so well. It is
only because when the enemy comes in like a flood the Lord lifts up a standard against him. An effort
has been made directly by the priests and others to separate wives from the their husbands whom I had
baptized with the hope, no doubt, of leading them to abandon the faith.” Bixby reported on March 25,
1863, “Since the New Year came in twenty-five adults nearly all heads of families have applied for
baptism, some of them in the midst of great opposition, nineteen of them have been accepted and
baptized while the others remain on trial.”
Rev. Rose reported in November 1868, “Never once we were insulted or treated rudely. The
people listened with attention and treated us with respect and often with kindness. Objections would
sometimes be raised mostly by Burmese officials, messengers or others who are always found about the
Shan courts; these Burman would often ask questions, raise objections, or jump into an argument, as
much for the purpose of displaying before the Shan courts their stock of sacred Gaudama’s lore, as for
defending Gaudama’s religion. But the success of these self-complacent gentlemen was such as to
render them quiet after a few brief encounters.” 15 It was reported by Rev. Cushing in 1870, “The
attendance at Church service was irregular, varying from nine to twenty and more, the irregularity
being occasioned by the opposition of Shan priests, who intimidated the children and their parents.”
and in 1888, “Two persons who seemed to be hopeful inquirers almost ready to receive the truth did not
have the courage to brave the opposition of their heathen relatives and take stand for Christ.”
Rev. W.M. Young reported in 1903, “The first convert in KengTung had to endure severe
persecution but he had proved a steadfast and earnest man. For several months opposition was very
strong. The priests who at first seemed very friendly became openly hostile as soon as active work was
begun. Several had professed to believe that Christ was the true God but the opposition had kept them
from taking a firm stand. Some of them were told they would die in three days if they became
Christians. Satan was powerfully entrenched here and the early converts would have to face bitter
opposition. The Khun are very conceited, bigoted and superstitious. The northern Shan are slaves to
15 Letter From Mr. Rose, Missionary Magazine, November 1868.