中欧社会论坛 - China Europa ForumThe Problem of Translation and Absorption of Christian Theology and Philosophy in China
Authors: He, Guanghu
Extract from ” Studies in World Religions, 2003, No. 1, pp.55-63“
This article argues that Christian theology and philosophy exist as an alternative tradition in China. In the process of broad translation and absorption, the Chinese intellectuals who have mastered the written language, will thus have a social impact and they will play an important intermediary role. Also, it indicated that in ancient China traditions and modern traditions, the greatest impact on the intellectuals were Confucianism and empirical rationality. This article starts from this position, analysing the problems and adaptation in the process of translation and absorption of the basic concepts of Christianity, including the concept of God, Genesis and Original Sin. It lists ten preferable options of this process and explains the reasons for preference. Finally it stresses the high significance of the translator as an open explorer.
1) To understand another tradition
The spread and absorption of Christian theology and philosophy in China, inevitably involves the comprehension of survivors of the old traditions on another tradition. On the one hand, the contemporary Chinese readers of Christian writings are more open in their living environment. They hold varying degrees of “questions about the past, the confusion of reality, and future expectations”, which constitutes to the possibility of their understanding of another tradition. On the other hand, their understanding of the Christian tradition must live with their experience of traditional Chinese culture and ways of thinking. While they proceed, they are also carrying the load of cultural traditions of the Chinese language, which contains elements of ancient Chinese and modern Chinese.
2) The written language and intellectuals
Intellectuals usually obtain the great respect from people who are unable to grasp the written language, and thus create a huge social impact. The extent and manner to which the Chinese society understand and accept the foreign tradition received is greatly affected by the intellectuals, because the translation and interpretation of the foreign traditions are mostly carried out through written language.
3) Two types of Chinese traditions
The Confucian tradition, known as the “great tradition”, shows that it has fundamentally occupied the dominant role of traditional society for two thousand years. So, Buddhism, Taoism and Chinese folk religions basically in an unofficial status are known as the “little traditions”. If Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism and Chinese folk religions reflect that the religions of Chinese people are known as the “ancient traditions”, then rationalism, positivism, materialism, scientism and others, which have greatly transformed the thinking of Chinese people since the beginning of the 20th century can be called the “modern traditions” of China.
4) Confucianism and rationality
Nestorianism first entered China to seek the “mutual rationale” that China should convert to Confucianism, rather than Buddhism. From mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, there was freedom to spread Christianity. At the same time, the Chinese society was progressively receiving concepts of rationalism and positivism from the West, which was of great impact. At present, Confucianism is once again entering the intellectual’s scope of thinking. To have developed to this point, the Confucian tradition and rationalism occupy the position of significant influence.
5) The transfer and absorption of the six concepts
The primary one is the concept of God who is the origin, the creator or the master of all things. Another important idea or theme of Christianity is “creation”. The third important concept or notion is “sin” or “original sin”, which is slightly related to what is known as the phenomenon of “evil”, which is a “theological problem”. There is also another core and extremely important topic in Christian theology, the two issues of the Word made flesh and the two natures of Christ. Last but not least, the Christian concept or topic that should be mentioned is eschatology.
6) The ten choices
I describe philosophical theology, moral theology and cultural theology as the “bottom-up” of Chinese theological approach. It is the same as the so-called “area-to-point” approach, which is the approach for the Doctrine of God to the Christology.
7) The translator and the seeker
Translation is an introductory work from the outside in. However, the translation cannot be without absorption, and the translated work is something like a guest, and the reader is like a master, and the translator is like a guide. Interpretation and translation determine the religious history of the world.