The second session of Guangzhou Master's Lectures on the sinicization of Christianity in 2024 was held at a church in Guangdong, with the theme "Zionist Perspectives on the Bible."
Over 70 pastoral staff of the Guangzhou CC&TSPM attended the lecture conducted at Tianhe Church on May 28, reported the municipal CC&TSPM.
This lecture was delivered by Professor Cao Jian, a Ph.D. advisor and professor in the Department of Philosophy at Sun Yat-sen University. Professor Cao's main research interests include Hebrew Bible exegesis, Jewish thought, and modern Chinese Christian hermeneutics.
Professor Cao discussed the origins of Zionism, its construction of the "Jewish nation," and its conceptualization of the "Land of Israel," guiding the pastoral staff through a modern examination and reflection on Zionism.
He pointed out that Zionism, which arose in the context of Western nationalism, was a secular movement aimed at promoting the return of Jews to Palestine. Its ultimate goal was to establish a modern secular state and build a Jewish society based on modern ideas like nationalism and collectivism.
Professor Cao emphasized that in constructing the "Jewish nation," Zionism nationalizes the Bible from a religious perspective. By replacing theological meanings with historical narratives, it highlighted the bravery, sovereignty, and moral strength of the Jewish people in Biblical stories to serve Zionist discourse and provide a rational explanation. It stressed the continuous presence and development of the "Jewish nation," transforming religion into an ethnic identity. In constructing the "Land of Israel," Zionism refines it into a "geographical national concept," encouraging Jews to achieve redemption themselves without waiting for the Messiah, thus realizing the dream of establishing a modern homeland.
In his conclusion, Professor Cao stated that the Zionist movement has brought chaos and war to the world today. Faced with profound disasters and intense conflicts, people should grasp the essence of the Bible and gain contextualized insights from its truths, spreading the ideals of "freedom, equality, and fraternity."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
广州基督教中国化名师讲坛2024年第二讲举行，主题为《犹太复国主义的＜圣经＞观》。
据广州市基督教两会，5月28日，广州市基督教两会全体教牧同工逾70人参加在天河堂举行的讲座。
本次名师讲坛，由中山大学哲学系教授，博士生导师曹坚主讲。曹主要研究方向为希伯来圣经诠释、犹太思想、近现代汉语基督教释经。
曹教授从概述犹太复国主义缘起、犹太复国主义对“犹太民族”的构建以及犹太复国主义对“以色列地”的构建等方面展开论述，引领一众教牧同工展开犹太复国主义的现代审视与思考。
曹教授指出，犹太复国主义作为一场旨在推动犹太人回归巴勒斯坦的世俗运动，是在西方民族主义思潮的孕育下兴起。其最终目标是要建立现代世俗国家，并在民族主义、集体主义等现代理念的基础上建构犹太社会。
曹教授强调，犹太复国主义对“犹太民族”的构建进程中，从宗教的角度切入，将《圣经》民族主义化。通过历史叙事替代信仰，剥离原有神学意涵，转而强化《圣经》故事中凸显民族的英勇、主权以及道德力量的典范。促其话语体系为犹太复国主义服务以及提供一种合理的解释，并且强调“犹太民族”始终在场和发展的同种连续性，并把宗教族群化。而犹太复国主义对“以色列地”的构建中，则把“以色列地”转变提炼为“地理民族概念”，犹太人不必等待弥赛亚的拯救，促成人为救赎，从而实现建立现代家园的梦想。
曹教授在总结中指出，犹太复国主义运动对当今世界带来了混乱和战争。面对深重的灾难与激烈冲突，我们更需要回归《圣经》本源，在《圣经》真理中获得境遇化的启示，播扬“自由、平等与博爱”的理念。
广州基督教中国化名师讲坛（2024年第二讲）| 曹坚教授
The second session of Guangzhou Master's Lectures on the sinicization of Christianity in 2024 was held at a church in Guangdong, with the theme "Zionist Perspectives on the Bible."
Over 70 pastoral staff of the Guangzhou CC&TSPM attended the lecture conducted at Tianhe Church on May 28, reported the municipal CC&TSPM.
This lecture was delivered by Professor Cao Jian, a Ph.D. advisor and professor in the Department of Philosophy at Sun Yat-sen University. Professor Cao's main research interests include Hebrew Bible exegesis, Jewish thought, and modern Chinese Christian hermeneutics.
Professor Cao discussed the origins of Zionism, its construction of the "Jewish nation," and its conceptualization of the "Land of Israel," guiding the pastoral staff through a modern examination and reflection on Zionism.
He pointed out that Zionism, which arose in the context of Western nationalism, was a secular movement aimed at promoting the return of Jews to Palestine. Its ultimate goal was to establish a modern secular state and build a Jewish society based on modern ideas like nationalism and collectivism.
Professor Cao emphasized that in constructing the "Jewish nation," Zionism nationalizes the Bible from a religious perspective. By replacing theological meanings with historical narratives, it highlighted the bravery, sovereignty, and moral strength of the Jewish people in Biblical stories to serve Zionist discourse and provide a rational explanation. It stressed the continuous presence and development of the "Jewish nation," transforming religion into an ethnic identity. In constructing the "Land of Israel," Zionism refines it into a "geographical national concept," encouraging Jews to achieve redemption themselves without waiting for the Messiah, thus realizing the dream of establishing a modern homeland.
In his conclusion, Professor Cao stated that the Zionist movement has brought chaos and war to the world today. Faced with profound disasters and intense conflicts, people should grasp the essence of the Bible and gain contextualized insights from its truths, spreading the ideals of "freedom, equality, and fraternity."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Guangzhou Conducts Lecture on Christian Zionism
