| The Chinese ancestral rites, heavily influenced by Confucianism, are often perceived as a major problem for Christianity in East Asia. The intent of this study was to compare and contrast some basic themes in Christianity and classical Confucianism, and to note some of the missiological implications that come from such a study. The study was guided by the following issues: What are the dominant themes, beliefs and values, with significance for ancestral rites, in the Five Classics and the Four Books of classical Confucianism? To what extent do the themes, beliefs and values of the Classics show respect or reverence for the ancestors? To what extent do they reflect worship of ancestors?; In the first section, chapters 2-4 set the basic framework for constituting a review of precedent literature in dealing with Confucian worldview, contextualization, and certain Biblical/theological themes. Chapter 5 presents a case study of Matteo Ricci on contextualization in China as a very useful illustration of the very themes and issues of the study.; In the second major section, as the heart of the study, chapters 6-7 are focused on analyzing the Classics and theological/missiological evaluation of the data relating to filial piety and assumptions underlying ancestral rites. Also, as an incarnational approach to cross-cultural ministry, a critical contextualization is proposed in chapter 8.; A significant conclusion from this study is that Confucius himself and the post-Confucius Confucian tradition (Mencius) put a special emphasis on sincere reverence and vital remembrance with natural affection for the departed as the key elements in performing ancestral rites (Analects, The Doctrine of the Mean, 19:1-5; Great Learning, 9:1; Mencius, 4A:27-28; 5A:1). Burdensome rituals performed by the living in order to receive some benefit from the deceased ancestors were considered irreverence (The Book of Historical Documents, 4:8; Analects, 19:14-17; Mencius, 7B:33). Reverential rites result in peace and harmony among the people (The Book of Historical Documents, 5:8; Great Learning, 9:1). Hence a deeper study of the Classics indeed is a very helpful step in developing a much broader (evangelical) response to the problem of ancestral rites in Chinese/Confucian contexts. |
