Inculturation or Contextualization: Interpretation of Christianity in the Context of Chinese Culture
In the paper of “Inculturation or Contextualization: Interpretation of Christianity in the Context of Chinese Culture,” the author reflects on the pertinence of Christianity in contemporary China. Although in some respects Christianity has very much (perhaps too much) adapted to the Chinese context, in other respects it has also remained unacceptable. According to the author, a solution to both problems lies in a nonreligious interpretation of Christianity. A theology that is not restricted to the actual church of believers can guide the way to some universal human needs, such as the pursuit of truth, the imperative of goodness, and deep spiritual longing. These three needs imply that there is something—albeit something that is never fully expressed or made visible—that leads our search for truth, morality, and aesthetic experiences. This Christian message, devoid of its actual Christian parochialism, can result in a theological axiology that is able to both find a foothold in the Chinese cultural context and respond to the challenges of the Western world.
