Vietnam's Christians: A Century of Growth and Adversity

by Reg Reimer

In 1975, Vietnam, united under communism, fell behind a bamboo curtain. Many feared the worst for churches there. But fifteen years later, churches, especially among Vietnam s ethnic minority mountain peoples, suddenly exploded in number and vitality."

146 pages, Paperback

First published June 27, 2011

Reviews

[Bumble Ho · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to understand Vietnamese Christianity development, you should read this short 130 pages book. Rob did a marvelous overview of the contemporary development of Christianity in Vietnam. I personally know many of the Vietnamese pastors named in the book and can attest for the historical accuracy he researched and reported.

[Lorf Morf · Rating 4 out of 5]

great overview! def want to read up on some more recent material though since i feel like a lot has changed since 2011.

big takeaways:
- oh the cost of following Christ! how easy it is to lose sight of this in my North American comforts...
- what the enemy uses for evil, God is faithful to use for good!

Luke 9:62 "Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'"

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 112 short pages, Reg Reimer gives a compact yet full overview of the story of Christianity in Vietnam. I was glad to have read it; I have three Vietnamese Christian colleagues I work with yet knew precious little of their backgrounds and stories. After an overview of Vietnamese culture and religion, Reimer devotes a chapter to the Roman Catholic missions in Vietnam before focusing on the Protestant church. In dicusssing the latter, he covers the situation during three wars including the "American" War, better known in the U.S. as simply the Vietnam War. Or I should say "situations," since these varied according to geography. Also covered are the "boat refugees," the growth of the house church movement, and the people movement among the Hmong - a people perhaps best known to some Americans from the Clint Eastwood film Gran Torino. A chapter on the Vietnamese diaspora (diaspora studies are increasingly common among missiologists) and a survey of religious freedom (or the lack of it) round out the volume. A bibliography is included.

The most amazing story concerns Phan Thi Kim Phuc, the "napalm girl" whose terrified face was forever captured in one of the most iconic photographs even taken during the Vietnam conflict. It turns out that she became a Christian and now has a ministry of her own speaking worldwide. Yet she is only one of very many, and you will find other stories told in this enlightening book. I recommend it for anyone interested in missions, people groups, or really, just to gain exposure to a Christian movement little known in the West. You may even find some personal action points coming to mind by way of educating others and encouraging Vietnamese brothers and sisters in the Lord.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a rather brief book looking at the history of the growth of the Christian movement in Vietnam with an emphasis on the story and not just facts and figures. This makes the book very readable. The author has, over many years of service both inside and outside of Vietnam, come to a deep personal understanding of the institution of the Church in Vietnam as well as many of its leaders, especially the Protestant side of it. The book is up to date with stories from the Hmong people movement in the northwest and a good assessment of the current government's attitudes and actions towards the Church. An essential read for those interested in the subject or the church in the "Global South."

[Jacob Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated and valued the work the author put into creating this work. Filled with stories, experience, real-world scenarios, people, and sobering facts, it will leave any reader with a greater understanding of the reality of the story in Vietnam in the past, present, and a good projection of the future. If you have any sort of connection to believers in the nation, this is an excellent source to gain understanding and wisdom on the subject

[Nathan Chesney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good read for information on how Christianity started and had spread in Vietnam. I wouldn't reccomend it to anyone not interested in Vietnam though.