In the Shadow of War

A Letter from Jonathan and Emily Seitz, serving in Taiwan

Winter 2022

Subscribe to our co-worker letters

Dear friends,

As I write this, Ukraine is being invaded, and it is unclear what the days ahead will bring. The world watches, fearing an escalating war and also anxiety over the rise of autocratic governments. As media discuss the possible effects of these actions, Taiwan often appears. Although the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan have not shared a government for 75 years (and then only briefly), Taiwan is still one of a handful of fringe states not fully recognized by international bodies. During the last weeks I’ve seen frequent comparisons between Ukraine and Taiwan: on late night television (here and here), in newspapers (here, here, and here), and in family members’ somewhat concerned emails or calls. I was moved by a short letter from the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, encouraging prayer, beginning the move towards relief, and asking Christians to advocate with their government. What are we to make of the shadow of war?

Taiwan’s most famous skyscraper, Taipei 101, recently displayed the Ukrainian flag

Recently, I was talking to a theological professor as he drove us past an air force base in southern Taiwan. Like most men in his generation, he spent several years in the military, in this case doing mechanical work in the air force. He commented that the U.S. sells a lot of military equipment to Taiwan. I wasn’t sure how to take this comment, so I asked him how he felt about it. He answered that he was grateful for it. I gave him a little spiel I’d learned in seminary about how in the Reformed tradition it is sometimes said we have three traditions: holy war, just war and pacifism. I asked him what he thought. He said in theory, he’s a pacifist, but, waving his hand, he said that this was just theoretical; in practice he believes that those who are threatened must be able to defend themselves. I’ve thought about this conversation over the last weeks as I wonder what will happen in Ukraine and in other similar countries.

The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan’s identity here has been formed by a deep parallel conversation between faith and public life. Presbyterians have a reputation as being those who advocated for human rights, local languages and national sovereignty. We have recently celebrated the 2/28 holiday, which remembers a historic tragedy but has also become part of Taiwan’s effort to remember its history; it is officially known as “Peace Memorial Day.” When I came to Taiwan, I learned that almost everyone had a family history of dislocation and loss—the indigenous people, those who migrated centuries ago, and those who came after World War II. Taiwan, in its own way, is also an immigrant nation, and one that has lived between many empires. Its modern history is sometimes described as a “miracle,” as it moved from autocracy to democracy. For a while, historians assumed that this path from dictatorship to democracy was a new historical process, but recent events call it into question.

Seitz family on a rainy, winter day

Recently our partner church here celebrated the 50th anniversary of a famous document: “Statement on our National Fate by the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.” This statement came as Presbyterians sought to assert Taiwan’s identity against the backdrop of autocracy, and as Taiwan became a kind of pawn between countries. Before we came to Taiwan, I did not know that the Taiwanese church had this history. Our partner has its own confession of faith. It has modeled the kind of plodding, determined grassroots work that can sometimes bend the violent towards peace.

In Taiwan, we continue to feel pretty safe. I love the city where we live, and people are kind. My kids happily ride a city bus every morning on their own, Emily feels comfortable grabbing some groceries at 11p.m. in Taipei, and the police and military tend to stay in the background most of the time, helping resolve conflicts and deal with accidents.

Today, I ask you to join me in praying for those in Ukraine,
For those in broken states,
Or threatened states,
For those who live between empires,
But faithfully, peacefully live out their vocations. Amen.

After three years away, we have been planning to return to the States this summer and hope to visit congregations, presbyteries and other church bodies. If you would like to connect with us, we are happy to visit you. We hope to rotate between Atlanta, Cincinnati and Birmingham but are happy to visit areas beyond that.

Jonathan and Emily