TIU Chapel: Asian Heritage Festival Week | Part One | Greg Jao (April 9, 2014)

Summary

The speaker shares a personal journey from a family of Chinese doctors to becoming a Christian professional, navigating cultural expectations and family disapproval. He discusses the tension between biological family and spiritual calling, using the story of Jesus in Mark 3 to illustrate the priority of obedience to God's will over family ties. The talk emphasizes the importance of the church as a spiritual family and the need for cross-cultural understanding in interpreting scripture and living out discipleship.

Takeaways

• 🙏 The speaker reflects on their unexpected journey from a Chinese doctor family to becoming a Christian professional, emphasizing the honor of sharing their story at Trinity Chapel.
• 👨‍⚕️ The speaker's family background is deeply rooted in the medical profession, with 23 doctors in their extended family, creating a strong expectation for them to follow the same path.
• 🌐 The speaker's family immigrated from China to the Philippines and then to the United States, with a strong emphasis on education and career success for future generations.
• 😳 The speaker's decision to not pursue medical school was met with shock and disappointment from their family, highlighting the cultural and generational gap in career expectations.
• 🔄 The speaker's transition from considering law school to working with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship represents a significant shift in life direction and values.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The script discusses the cultural importance of family in Asian societies, where family is central to one's identity and societal expectations.
• 📖 The speaker uses the Gospel of Mark to illustrate the tension between Jesus' biological family and his spiritual mission, suggesting that following Jesus may require prioritizing spiritual family over biological ties.
• 🏡 The script contrasts the cultural values of duty and responsibility with the Western emphasis on rights and self-actualization, showing the challenges of reconciling these values in the context of faith and family.
• 🎓 The speaker's personal struggle with the decision to attend law school as a means to honor their parents while also feeling called to full-time ministry illustrates the complexity of navigating cultural and spiritual obligations.
• 🌟 The story of the speaker's parents' eventual acceptance and understanding of their calling to ministry underscores the transformative power of faith and the importance of mutual discipleship within families.
• 🌏 The speaker concludes by emphasizing the global and eternal nature of the Christian community, suggesting that understanding our primary family as the body of Christ can reshape our approach to mission, cultural engagement, and personal discipleship.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's personal story in the script?

The main theme of the speaker's personal story is the conflict between cultural expectations and personal calling, particularly the struggle of choosing a religious vocation over a traditional career path expected by the speaker's family.

Why does the speaker mention the number of doctors in their family?

The speaker mentions the number of doctors in their family to emphasize the cultural and familial expectation of pursuing a medical career, which contrasts with their eventual choice to become a Christian professional.

What does the speaker's family background reveal about their cultural values?

The speaker's family background reveals a strong emphasis on education, professional success, and the perpetuation of these values across generations, which are typical of many immigrant families and particularly prominent in Chinese culture.

How did the speaker's decision to not pursue medical school initially affect their family?

The speaker's decision to not pursue medical school was met with shock and disappointment from their family, particularly their father, as it diverged from the expected path and the family's investment in their education.

What biblical passage does the speaker reference to discuss the tension between family and faith?

The speaker references Mark 3, where Jesus' family attempts to take charge of him, believing he is out of his mind due to his religious fervor and unconventional behavior, to discuss the tension between family and faith.

How does the speaker interpret Jesus' family's reaction to his ministry in the script?

The speaker interprets Jesus' family's reaction as a judgment of his ministry, suggesting that they saw his actions as fanatical and not of God, highlighting the theme that even within a deeply religious family, there can be conflict over one's calling.

What does the speaker suggest is the priority in the Christian faith when it conflicts with family expectations?

The speaker suggests that the priority in the Christian faith should be obedience to God's will and the teachings of Jesus, even if it means going against the expectations and desires of one's biological family.

How does the speaker describe the concept of 'family' in the context of Christianity?

The speaker describes the concept of 'family' in Christianity as transcending biological ties, being defined by obedience to God's will and the shared commitment to faith, which forms a spiritual family that includes all believers.

What cultural differences does the speaker highlight in the interpretation of scripture?

The speaker highlights the cultural differences in interpreting scripture by pointing out how Asian-American friends emphasized honoring parents, while Western friends focused on following Jesus' call above all else, showing the influence of cultural paradigms on scriptural interpretation.

How does the speaker's personal experience with their family and career choice illustrate the broader theme of discipleship?

The speaker's personal experience illustrates the broader theme of discipleship by showing how their decision to follow a religious calling, despite family opposition, ultimately led to a deeper understanding of their faith and the importance of prioritizing spiritual family over biological ties.

What is the speaker's conclusion about the relationship between cultural identity, family, and faith?

The speaker concludes that while cultural identity and family play significant roles in shaping an individual's life, the ultimate priority for a Christian should be their faith and the spiritual family that it creates, which transcends cultural and biological boundaries.