Series: Points of Contact
Filial Piety (1)
Many Chinese consider filial piety to be the crown jewel of their civilization. The core of Confucius’ teaching, some aspects of filial piety reach back into the dawn of Chinese civilization, centuries before Confucius himself. Just what is “filial piety”?... continued »
Yin and Yang
Yin and Yang One of the most pervasive, and most profound, of all ancient Chinese concepts is that of yin and yang. You see its pictorial representation in the circle with two parts, one black and one white, arranged in... continued »
Names for “God”: Shen
We have seen that the name Shang Di has grave limitations as a direct translation of either Hebrew Elohim or Greek Theos. In particular, (1) it refers to a particular deity, and not to a kind of being (“god”); and... continued »
Names for "God": Shang Di
Perhaps the most obvious point of contact is the presence in Chinese of several names used to refer to “supernatural” beings whom they have worshiped. Two of these are Shang Di and Shen, though the word for “Heaven” (Tian) is also sometimes used. continued »
Introduction to Pressure Points
We have seen that traditional Chinese culture contains many “hints and shadows” of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now let us look at ways in which modern Chinese society prepares the way for the light, life, and love of God... continued »
Introduction to Hints and shadows
In past letters, we have looked at various methods of reaching Chinese around the world with the Gospel of Christ. Now we shall begin a new series on “Points of Contact” with Chinese people and their culture, hoping to explore ways in which Christians can speak to existing conditions and concepts. continued »