Preview

Confucius and Christ

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2022 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Confucius and Christ
Chapter Two
Confucianism and Christianity

Confucius and Christ

Colin Hoad

“As to being a sage, or a man of virtue, how dare I presume to such a claim? Striving thereafter unwearyingly, and teaching others therein without flagging – that can be said of me, and that is all.”

[Confucius, “The Analects” 7:33]

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

[John 11:25]

Spring & Autumn Period China and First Century Palestine

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and for ever.”[i] These prophetic words of the Old Testament are taken by Christians to mean the foretelling of Jesus Christ’s birth and his subsequent message of salvation, not only for Israel, but for all mankind. Like Jesus, Confucius’s birth was prophesied. In Chinese legend, a Ch’i Lin (Unicorn) appeared with a jade tablet in its mouth, the following words being inscribed upon it: “A child as pure as crystal will be born for the continuation of the declining Chou[ii], to become a King without a kingdom.” Similarly, Jesus is reputed to be a direct ‘descendent’ of King David[iii], Confucius’s mother Yen Chêng Tsai is believed to have been descended from the Duke of Chou, thus giving Confucius an element of aristocratic blood. That said, both Confucius and Jesus were brought up in relatively poor families, neither being born into riches.

Both men showed a keen interest in religion at an early age. Confucius showed a keen awareness of the Rites at a very early age, and Jesus himself is recorded to have stayed

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Han China and Ancient Rome both demonstrated prosperous, influential religious systems that influenced other religious systems. In Han China, many followed Confucianism as a religion. Confucian teachings emphasized strong rulers and the consolidation of political power. Confucianism was not a religion, but a philosophy. It advocated rule by the highly educated, male elite, and it was primarily an ethical system. Respect for elders, art, music, and elegant calligraphy in the cultivation of scholar-bureaucrats were all important. Other Confucian teachings were Legalism, Daoism, and Buddhism. Confucianism has exerted a pervasive influence on other societies throughout Asia. Confucianism has affected and been incorporated in nearly every aspect of life. Education, government, behavior, and how the people should live their lives are all connected and Confucianism provided a code and a guide to have effective government and education, and lead a happy, successful life. China’s Confucian ideals, technological advancements, and prosperous agrarian state captivated major thinkers in Europe and the United States. The Roman Empire provided an arena for the spread of Christianity and the interaction of numerous diverse cultures.…

    • 1195 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Confucius was born in 51 BC and grew up in poverty. His real name is Kong Zi, the name Confucius, catholic priests finding it easier to use, gave it to him. The causes were that, Confucius said, and wrote in his books, that the past was better than the present. Emperor Qin didn’t like his teachings and burned all his books but that didn’t stop Confucius’s ideas. He said that an Emperor should listen to his people and make them happy. He believed that the Emperor had broken the ways of haven and the soil would not be plentiful and crop would not grow. He said that they should have a good emperor, an emperor that follows the ways of heaven, and that they need a better emperor, one who could be trusted by the people and come from a powerful family. That emperor was Liu Bang, who made the country peaceful again and built schools for the ways of Confucius. Confucius said that people should find happiness in life and find the right way to live in life. He taught people about peace and said that educated people acted and were better than uneducated people. He said, “In a Chinese family, the child should give the parents a constant love and obedience. In return, the parents should give the child a constant love and protection. The Consequences were that China improved and became a more civilized civilization. Confucius’s ways are still being taught today.…

    • 701 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    “Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow” (31).…

    • 712 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    ▪ "Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow." [Can use perhaps the second half of this quote]…

    • 659 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    After the Qin Dynasty was replaced by Han Dynasty, Han Dynasty started to adapt Confucianism, and it had already become political elite in Han Dynasty. Even though Confucian scholars were in a low political status, it also provided them with more time to study on the Confucian classics, teaching apprentices; thus they had a more profound understanding on society and politics. Through their constantly of efforts, transformation and development of Confucianism, Emperor Han adapted their doctrine of Confucianism that was conducive to the ruler to rule the country. After that, Confucianism doctrines was not only expanded throughout the China, but increasingly introduced to Korea, Vietnam and Japan. It was the period called Confucianism as Proper…

    • 154 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Han Empire had its primary reason of its succession for building the empire. The development of the bureaucracy was the main reason for the empire’s rise. The bureaucracy was able to help run the entire empire without any trouble of rebellions at the time. Early Taoism during the Han Dynasty there was an acceptance for economic rehabilitation and following up Taoism remained as an ideology for religion. Exterior Confucianism and legalism became an impact on the ruling of the empire. Confucianism became a partner with the autocratic Legalists state structures and Confucianism ended staying the ideology view for the government. The concept of the Mandate of Heaven. This concept was created by The Zhou and the idea of it was that there shall…

    • 154 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Christianity and Jesus

    • 748 Words
    • 2 Pages

    This teaching can be used across the board for all worldviews. Although, these are the characteristics of Jesus’ teaching, these characteristics should be used by all. These are great morals that one should have regardless of the worldview.…

    • 748 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    He thought of many rules and even a version of the golden rule saying, "What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others." (The World Book Encyclopedia – 2004 – World book, Inc. – Chicago IL. – Volume 4) Many consider Confucianism as a religion, but it has no clergy and doesn't involve any type of worship. It is more of a guide to mortality and good government. Confucianism originated about 500 BC, and from 100's BC to the 1900's AD Confucianism was the most important single force in Chinese life. This religion influenced education, government, personal behavior, and the individuals' duty to society. Confucianism started because of a philosopher named Confucius, born about 551BC. He believed his society could be saved if it emphasized sincerity in personal and public conduct. The Confucian's believed the key to orderly social life was gentlemen. Confucius believed they were rulers. He wasn't very well known when he came to his death. It was his followers that spread his ideas, Mencius, (390?-305? BC) and there was Xunzi (mid 200s BC). Mencius believed that you were to be born good and he stressed the need to preserve "the natural compassion of the heart" that makes people human. He also emphasized the past as an ideal age and a model for examining present problems. And Xunzi believed "people could be good and live together peacefully only if their minds were shaped by education and clear rules of conduct". (The World Book Encyclopedia – 2004 – World book, Inc. – Chicago IL. – Volume…

    • 812 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    During the Han Dynasty is when confucianism became the dominant political standpoint for the next 2,000 years. Confucianism, which revolves almost entirely around issues related to family, morals, and the role of the good ruler. In the short reading of “The Responsibility of Rulership” by Dong Zhongshu it explains that confucianism is a unifying idea and heaven upholds its rule, which is why the leaders must rule with firmness. Without humans, earth, and heaven fathers will not be able to control the sons and the ruler can not control his people. This is called an “empty settlement” without rule and heaven it creates complete chaos for everyone on their own.…

    • 636 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Confucianism In China

    • 773 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Looking back on the first civilizations of China provides a reflection of modern Chinese and East Asian societies.…

    • 773 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Confucius was born in 551 BCE in northeast China. He was educated and was a member of the lower-nobility. When Confucius was young, his father died, so he knew what it was like to be without. Confucius didn't believe in an afterlife, and in the Analects, he was quoted as saying, "How can you understand death if you cannot understand life?"…

    • 1313 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    "Neither his kind, nor his kind of thinking will survive long. They are the crown of creation, they are ambition fulfilled - they have nowhere more to go. But life is change, that is how it differs from the rocks, change is its very nature. Who, then, were the recent lords of creation, that they should expect to remain unchanged?"…

    • 454 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Assisted Suicide

    • 862 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Assisted suicide is the best option for the terminally ill people that want to put an end to their suffering. Terminal ill patients should be allowed to request assisted suicide to end their life in a painless, humane, and cheaper way.…

    • 862 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    In thinking of this passage, I very much share the same attitude as Confucius. I feel that actions speak louder than words, because it takes the same amount of energy to utter highly self-flattering statements as it does to speak precisely of your actual abilities. The end result is self-defeat if someone is in the habit of exaggerating his or her words. Moreover, I feel an innate respect for a person whose actions are regularly surpassing their comments, because it shows their modesty. Confucius…

    • 1661 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The founder of this particular religion is named Confucius, which was stated earlier. This man was born in five hundred fifty one B.C. in the the state of Lu which is modern day Shantung Province. He lived during the Chou dynasty. As he grew older, he traveled through China and gave advice on how to live to rulers and many people. The last few years of Confucius' life was spent in Lu where he taught students. He taught them of individual morality and ethics, and the proper exercise of political power by the rulers. Confucius finally died in 479 B.C. which was was found on calendarmine.com.…

    • 865 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays