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Changing China "by faith" is indeed a fascinating notion. There are, to be sure, some nasty people who don't want it to happen. China's Communist Party leaders are profoundly aware of the role that Christianity played in the downfall of Communism in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. They are determined to prevent a repetition in China.

The bold "above-ground" approach by lawyers has brought risks. Gao Zhisheng's family has been intimidated by police, who have followed his daughter to school, and he has also had cars try to force him off the road. After Gao Zhisheng began videotaping the officials watching his family, he was arrested for several days. He has said, "I predict one of three possible outcomes for me: death, prison, or a change that gives me and the population of China the rights we should have."

Those rights, almost certainly, will come. With the emergence of Yu Jie and dozens of other "Martin Luther Kings" in the country, China's rule by the Communist Party may not be fixed in eternity. China's Christian faith, of course, is.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

More about David Aikman is available from his website. He is author of Jesus in Beijing and A Man Of Faith: The Spiritual Journey of George W. Bush. His latest book Qi, a novel, is now available.

David Aikman's previous Global Prognosis columns for Christianity Today include:

An Ugly Phoenix Reborn | European anti-Semitism is more widespread than has been let on. (June 6, 2006)

Previous CT coverage of China includes:

Palau Pulls Back | Evangelist had told Chinese house churches to register with government. (Jan. 5, 2006)

U.S. Court Calls for Deportation of Chinese Christian | Court believes Christian's story, says China has the right to maintain social order. (Sept. 6, 2005)

Escapee Denies Rape Charge | Star witness in criminal case against prominent Chinese pastor alleges officials tortured and sexually abused her to gain false testimony. (Feb. 14, 2005)

Behind China's Closed Doors | Newly confident house churches open themselves up to the world. (Feb. 07, 2005)

A Look Of Love | Persecuted priest's smile planted faith in a Chinese activist. (Feb. 07, 2005)

North Korean Refugee Advocates Roughed Up | Security officers forcibly break up Beijing press conference that called for 'compassion.' (Jan. 13, 2005)

House-Church Leader Arrested | Zhang Rongliang has a high profile in China and internationally. (Jan. 05, 2005)

The Chinese Church's Delicate Dance | A conversation with the head of the Protestant Three-Self Patriotic Movement. (Nov. 11, 2004)

Loose Lips | Christians in Hong Kong worry over remarks by broadcaster. (Aug. 13, 2004)

A Captivating Vision | Why Chinese house churches may just end up fulfilling the Great Commission. (April 14, 2004)

China Arrests Dozens of Prominent Christians | At least 50 detained in fresh crackdown on house churches, reportedly promoted by new video and book releases. (Feb. 18, 2004)

The Red Glowing Cross | A veteran journalist makes vivid the hidden and expanding world of Chinese Christianity (Feb. 18, 2004)

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August 2006, Vol. 50, No. 8