Having Two Legs

In Reformation in Foreign Missions, Bob Finley describes the problems with the modern tradition of foreign missions. In particular, he points to the stumbling blocks created by the vast economic disparity between most western missionaries and the people they minister to:

“Missionaries’ houses served to assist the Communist cause in China. Zealous young Marxists would point out the mission compounds and ask, ‘Where do all these rich foreigners get all their wealth? They don’t work at any job or profession. They are not engaged in business. There is only one answer. They are spies sent here by the CIA.’ And most people would believe these allegations. To follow the Communists (at the time) was considered patriotic because they were exposing these foreigners as enemies of China…

Individuals who have above average property and power are assumed to be working with the government (even more so after World War II when so much foreign aid was doled out to socialistic government bureaucrats by industrialized countries) unless they are land-owners who rent to sharecroppers. They are universally envied and despised by the poor. So when foreign missionaries build spacious houses, drive around in cars, and seem to have abundant money for food, clothing, special schools for their children, medical care and plane tickets, it is assumed that they have been sent here by their governments or are absentee landlords. This assumption hurts the cause of Christ in many nations because it identifies the Christian faith with the wealthy class of people who are usually hated.” (39-40)