Shandong Theological Seminary held a class comparing Chinese classics with the Bible, more than 30 teachers and students attending it on November 17.
The seminary established the interest group for Chinese studies in 2017 as a way to promote the Sinicization of Christianity in theological education and incorporate Chinese traditional culture into the class. Led by Teacher Liu Lili, each week they carry out research and contrast between the Analects of Confucius and other Chinese classics with the Bible, according to the CCC&TSPM.
Teacher Liu led the students in reading the Weizheng Pian of the Analects. Liu gave explanations and provided a vernacular translation, which combined with historical and cultural background helped to further interpret the classic content. In the activities period, the class followed specific educational methods. Liu guided the students in reciting the classics, helping them understand the reason, function, and significance of why Confucius advocated the rule of virtue at that time.
Afterward, they had a group discussion. One of the students, Yang Ziyou, spoke on behalf of the group, saying that a kind father and a filial child, mentioned in the Confucian Analects, could maintain family harmony and also indirectly maintain national security and social stability. As pastors in China, they are able to love their country by actively learning and inheriting excellent Chinese traditions, running a church well in the new era, and striving to maintain religious harmony.
Li Fei, speaking on behalf of the group, said that Confucius’s rule of virtue was consistent with the teachings of the Bible. According to the Bible, the king is to manage the people on behalf of God, and the people should respect and obey those in power. Therefore, pastors should actively guide believers to love the country and religion and be faithful and righteous.
The students said that as the future pastors, they would actively learn and inherit the excellent traditional Chinese culture and inherit the fine moral traditions such as strict self-discipline, self-cultivation, filial piety and respect for the elderly, and helping others. According to the Bible’s teachings of obedience to authority, filial piety to parents and helping neighbors, etc., they would continuously improve their overall quality and service ability through learning and service practices.
-Translated by Abigail Wu
2020年11月17日，第四届国学研修兴趣小组举办本学期首次国学经典著作和圣经对读的活动，共30多位师生参加。
据中国基督教网，为坚持基督教中国化方向办好神学教育，推进中华优秀传统文化进校园，山东神学院于2017年成立了国学研修兴趣小组，由刘力力老师负责带领每周小组活动，主要致力于《论语》等国学经典著作和《圣经》的对读与研修。
刘老师首先带领同学选读了《论语·为政篇》的内容，并进行了字词解释和白话文翻译，结合历史文化背景对经典内容作了进一步解读。在活动中，运用“学而时习之”和“启发式”的教学方法，引导学生对经典内容反复诵读，了解孔子当时主张“德治”的原因、作用和意义。
随后，大家进行了分组讨论。杨子友同学代表小组发言，认为《论语》中提到父慈子孝，努力维系家庭和睦，就是间接维护国家治安与社会稳定。对于中国的牧者来说，积极学习与传承中华优秀传统文化，办好新时代的教会，努力维护宗教和谐，即是爱国的表现。
李非同学代表小组发言，认为孔子主张“德治”是与《圣经》思想相契合的，按照《圣经》的教导，君王是代表上帝管理人民，人民当尊重和顺服执政掌权者，因此，教会牧者要积极引导信徒爱国爱教、正信正行。
同学们表示，作为中国教会未来的牧者，将积极学习和传承中华优秀传统文化，结合严以律己、修身养性、孝亲敬老、助人为乐等优良道德传统，按照圣经关于顺服掌权者、孝敬父母、帮助乡邻等教导，在学习与服侍操练中不断提升自身综合素质和服务能力。
http://www.gospeltimes.cn/portal/article/index/id/54355
山东神学院举办第四届国学研修兴趣小组活动
Shandong Theological Seminary held a class comparing Chinese classics with the Bible, more than 30 teachers and students attending it on November 17.
The seminary established the interest group for Chinese studies in 2017 as a way to promote the Sinicization of Christianity in theological education and incorporate Chinese traditional culture into the class. Led by Teacher Liu Lili, each week they carry out research and contrast between the Analects of Confucius and other Chinese classics with the Bible, according to the CCC&TSPM.
Teacher Liu led the students in reading the Weizheng Pian of the Analects. Liu gave explanations and provided a vernacular translation, which combined with historical and cultural background helped to further interpret the classic content. In the activities period, the class followed specific educational methods. Liu guided the students in reciting the classics, helping them understand the reason, function, and significance of why Confucius advocated the rule of virtue at that time.
Afterward, they had a group discussion. One of the students, Yang Ziyou, spoke on behalf of the group, saying that a kind father and a filial child, mentioned in the Confucian Analects, could maintain family harmony and also indirectly maintain national security and social stability. As pastors in China, they are able to love their country by actively learning and inheriting excellent Chinese traditions, running a church well in the new era, and striving to maintain religious harmony.
Li Fei, speaking on behalf of the group, said that Confucius’s rule of virtue was consistent with the teachings of the Bible. According to the Bible, the king is to manage the people on behalf of God, and the people should respect and obey those in power. Therefore, pastors should actively guide believers to love the country and religion and be faithful and righteous.
The students said that as the future pastors, they would actively learn and inherit the excellent traditional Chinese culture and inherit the fine moral traditions such as strict self-discipline, self-cultivation, filial piety and respect for the elderly, and helping others. According to the Bible’s teachings of obedience to authority, filial piety to parents and helping neighbors, etc., they would continuously improve their overall quality and service ability through learning and service practices.
-Translated by Abigail Wu
Shandong Theological Seminary Holds Chinese Classics Study
