Paul Hattaway: Tibet

As I mentioned earlier, the spiritual darkness in Tibet is very strong. Some of this is due to an old religion called Bon, this religion includes both occult practices and demon possession (page 3). The government itself is influenced by darkness. The real leader of the Tibetan people is the State Oracle who is possessed by a spirit name Nechung (pages 4-5). Here is another example of the strength of the powers of darkness in this area. Citing Allan Maberly, the author shares an account in which a doctor could not put a needle into a man’s arm until the man removed a “magic” stone from the belt he was wearing (page 5). A few pages later Hattaway cites Marco Polo, in this account we learn that enchanters in Tibet could move drinking cups by their powers without anyone touching them, this was witnessed by many people (pages 17-18). Taking an excerpt from a book by missionary Blanche Griebenow, we learn about some sorcerers attempts to curse her and her husband, but nothing happened to them (pages 135-136). People being freed from demonic possession served to advance the gospel during the time William Christie served in Tibet (pages 106-107). The gospel prevailed in the midst of darkness.

One very interesting section of the book tells the story of the publication of the Tibetan Bible. It took 92 years to get the complete Bible into print (see link below). This was accomplished amidst very significant obstacles. You can read this story online. The link to access this excerpt is: https://asiaharvest.org/tibet-the-roof-of-the-world

Another interesting piece of information in this book concerns the Dalai Lama. In 1939, when the man who is the current Dalai Lama was four years old, missionary Frank Learner shared the gospel with him (pages 201, 203). Later, when the completed Tibetan Bible was available this same Dalai Lama received a copy of it (page 226).

Like the other books in this series, this volume has pictures sprinkled throughout its pages. It also has very detailed charts in the back of the book noting both census figures and Christian population numbers. Paul Hattaway’s Tibet: The Roof of the World is another great account of what God has done, and is doing, in Asia. I have found this series of books very informative. They are also very challenging. One cannot help but be impressed by the perseverance of the missionaries who have labored in this very difficult mission field.

Reviewed by John Lathrop

 

Publisher’s page: https://spckpublishing.co.uk/tibet-170

Tags: hattaway, paul, tibet

Category: Church History, Fall 2020