on Syncretism and Superstition

hmm, seems like my household is not the only household that "kenah" "exciting times" during the Chinese New Year period. My friends and colleagues around me have been sharing stories of accidents that happened to their loved ones and friends over the past 2 weeks. Not sure whether it's a "natural drawing/rallying point" or "conversation starter" because of my mom's accident, but somehow the vibes I get from these talks are "ya lor, ya lor, 'jin sway la' (真衰啦), this year of the rat"... :D

 

Anyway, as a Christian, dun think we should hang the word "luck" around our thoughts and speech too much. Here's what one of the pastors wrote in "This Week's Heartbeat" in the church bulletin last Sunday:

 

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"by Pastor Ann Chan,

Associate PAstor, CG Pillar

 

Introduction

"Those born in the year of the rat are charming and intelligent but aggressive..." Sound familiar? This is part of a popular Chinese folk belief based on using twelve animal signs as yearly horoscopes, like the monthly horoscopes of the West. These horoscopes then generalise a profile to guide the individual's path to seek fortune, avoid pitfalls and shape his future and destiny.

 

Syncretism and Superstition

 

While most Christians do not subscribe to this belief system, there remains an insidious thread of subtle syncretism in our subconscious. Syncretism takes place when

 

elements of one religion are assimilated into another religion, resulting in a change in the fundamental tenets or nature of those religions. It is the union of two or more opposite beliefs...so that the synthesized form is a new thing. (John N. Todd III ) 

 

When Christ is embraced fully as Saviour and Lord of our lives, it means that we have transferred our trust entirely to Christ. When this is not the case however, the subtle taint of superstition, belief in horoscopes and the influence of "feng shui", as well as other forms of syncretism will seep into the life of the believer,  resulting in a life of fatalism or of manipulative attempts to control his or her destiny.

 

The doctrine of sola fide of "faith alone" contends that our lives should be based exclusively on faith in God's grace. Historically, the concepts of sola fide was the basis for Martin Luther's challenging of the Roman Catholic practice of indulgences for penance. Ultimately, we must believe that there is no other saviour, no other force which can control our destiny and no other allegiance - except Jesus!

 

What beliefs can we live by then to avoid syncretism and superstition?

 

1. Every day is a good day. The Bible says in Ps 118:24 "This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Every day is ordained by the Lord and is auspicious.

 

2. We live under grace and are not just "plain lucky". Luck speaks of an arbitrary God who chooses to bless only some.

 

3. We are not under the domain of darkness. Walk away from all thoughts of superstition,all actions of fear and all manner of doubt.

 

The "rat" year will come and go. Let us not be rattled by the smallness of folk religion but come back to embrace an awesome God fully!

 

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