^ h r iô t ia n _ j^ ô t y c h o (o f f iÿ in the f - 'h ih ^p p in e ó
.By Vidal R. Dangaman
I N presenting the glorious gospel of the living Christ to any group or in dividual, it must be remembered that it is the “ dynamite” of God, and there fore apt to work miracles and override any or all rules of psychology. Many sto ries of its success in bringing light and conversion arc amazing and incredible— indeed, SUPERnatural. However, it is necessary for us to study the NATU RAL, and the general laws of presenting anything to the human soul, in order that the Spirit.of God may use those laws as He will. The Filipinos are musical and will lis ten to or follow any singer or instru- .mentalist. Many believers among them I testify that they first were impressed by the gospel in song. Wise evangelists will train themselves well in singing and playing, and have all the Iquipment pos sible. The Filipino people are religious as well, as civilized. This is due to some ex tent to the natural mysticism of the Ori- entai, and to the importation over 400 years ago of Roman Catholic. Christi anity by Spain. Since they call them- % selves “ Christian,” the Filipinos are like ly to either welcome any other Christian doctrine that seems similar to theirs, or to resent being considered fertile soil for any teaching when they have been in the “true Church” (as they are taught) all their lives. • • Therefore, it takes careful and prayer ful planning to present evangelical, Biblical truth to such minds. Certain rules should be followed: 1) Do not condemn the Roman Catho lic Church. This usually sets up a de fense in the mind; it hurts the soul, be cause to many, their church ancTtheir re ligion are their life. We have to be care ful not to antagonize, and to be positive rather than negative. 2) Probe deeply, to reach the human soul. It is covered up by formal religion and the trappings of the Roman Catho lic Church. We need to search for what *• these so-called “ Christians” lack. And we soon find it. They lack the true gos pel of salvation by grace through faith. They lack reality in the Christian life. This is a deep appeal—joy and peace and victory and assurance. They lack knowledge of all Biblical truth, such as the person and work of Christ, the Holy Spirit, forgiveness of sins, the new birth, eternal life, etc. They lack fellowship— they need and quickly respond to gath erings where joyous fellowship in Christ reaches their hearts. Several methods of reaching the Fili pinos have been found successful. The characteristic hospitality and friendli ness is met by presenting Christ in the home and social gatherings, and by life rather than by precept. Filipinos are F E B R U A R Y , 1 9 4 9
quick to see the difference between homes and social life dominated by the living Christ and those that are not so influenced. Their passion for education is met by opening schools and classes of all kinds. If they are studying, or ac quiring learning of any kind, they are happy and proud. Much gospel teaching can be put across by appealing to this side of their nature. It is easy to get
Because of ignorance of the Bible and lack of higher education among the masses, the Oriental is very supersti tious. The Roman Catholic Church, sad to say, has capitalized on this, and much of their religion is mere paganism. Many Filipinos in remote areas really believe that on some dark night the mis sionary will kill their children and eat their livers. It is hard for them to break away from fear of evil spirits. They are afraid to cut down a banyan tree which is supposed to be the abode of spirits. They dare not stop the pumohat, the sacrifice of the blood of an animal by which spirits are believed to be appeased if there is misfortune or sickness. They are terrified to walk by the bamboo thickets whispering in the night wind. Therefore, it is easy for them to believe a tiny wooden image of the Virgin was found inside a papaya, and to flock to the home of the poor farmer who claimed he found it; pi fact, to gather in such crowds that police have to be called to direct traffic. It is not difficult for them to believe that a certain spring of water has miraculous medicinal powers, and to tramp to it over a man’s camote patch until his livelihood is destroyed. There is the case of the woman who died and was buried, and when disinterred, her body was not found in a state of de terioration—miraculous! So the priest charged admission to see the casket, (Continued on Page 17)
Vidal R. Dangaman ’50 who is in training at Biola for mission ary service to his own people in the Philippines. Filipinos to enroll in a school, and sev eral of our best preachers of the gospel were not even saved when they enrolled in such institutions. Good preaching is very successful, as the Filipinos themselves speak well in public, and greatly admire good oratory. They love oratorical tilts and debates. They are also greatly interested in Eng lish, so that a gifted American preacher has a good advantage. The idealism of the people gives them an interest at once in spiritual topics, so different from ma terialistic Americans. • It is easier to get male audience and interest, than female, in the Philippines. The Roman Catholic Church holds wom en with a strong hand. They are the real devotees, and the strength of the Church. Religion means more to them than it does to men, and they let go slowly and reluctantly. So, the evangelical mission ary must somehow make a stronger ap peal to women than has yet been done. One method of reaching them is the building of a girls’ dormitory run by missionaries near any school or college. The daily life and teaching in such a Christian home wins more than any oth er agency.
THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS A strategic mission field
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