恩典與善行──基督教救贖論與中國文化的衝突/邢福增
撮要
回顧百多年來的中國教會歷史,基督教要不是被視為威脅社會穩定的異己力量,就是被指控為帝國主義侵華的工具。面對二十一世紀,筆者相信,文化差異將取代秩序意識及國家主義,成為基督教在中國傳播的主要難題。
一直以來,基督教人士為了化解基督教與中國文化的衝突,均主張從「求同」的進路入手。不過,在思考如何協調中國文化時,我們不能單以「求同」作為自己的基調。因為中國文化需要的,正正是基督教的獨特性或異質性。如何在多元文化裡,堅守我們的信仰立場,向國人提供基督教的選擇,正是我們不可或忘的使命。
本文以救贖論為中心,突顯基督教與中國文化(包括大傳統與小傳統)間的衝突與張力。耶穌基督的救贖恩典,不僅與人文主義相衝突,也不見容於民間信仰的報應觀念。筆者深信,我們與其企圖在理念層面建構一套系統,自詡可以根本解決基督教與中國文化的張力,倒不如承認兩者間的「不可共量性」。我們的工作,是在張力與衝突裡,知己知彼,不以福音為恥,說明基督教的立場,及其對中國人的意義與價值。
ABSTRACT
As we look back to the history of Christianity in China, we can see that Christianity is frequently condemned as the alien forces that threaten the stability of Chinese society, or is accused as the tools of western imperialism that invade China. However, when we look forward to the 21st century, the author believes that it is cultural conflicts, rather than social order and nationalism, that become major obstacles to the development of Chinese Protestantism.
In order to accommodate cultural conflicts between Christian faith and Chinese ethos, many Chinese Christians advocate to seek a common ground of the two. However, this approach or strategy that focuses merely on similarities actually cannot solve the problem. It is the uniqueness and heterogeneity of Christian faith, that can meet the urgent need of transforming Chinese culture.
This article tries to analyze how Christian doctrine of salvation reflects such a cultural tension. The redemptive grace of Jesus Christ is ridiculous not only to those who hold a humanistic point of view, that emphasize good works of individual, but also to those who believe in retribution, that is embodied in popular religions. The author believes that we must recognize the incommensurability between Christianity and Chinese culture, rather than constructing a theoretical or theological framework at macro level. We shall not be ashamed of the gospel. And our major task is, in spite of the conflicts and tension, to proclaim the meaning of Christian faith to Chinese people.
原載於《建道學刊》19期(2003年1月),頁39-58。
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