Logos, Tao, and Christ: From Justin Martyr's use of logos to a Christology of Tao

The purpose of this dissertation is to construct a Tao-Christology. This construction is an effort toward a Chinese Christian theology. This study seeks to be historical by taking Justin Martyr's Logos-Christology as a precedent. It also seeks to be contextual by incorporating the idea of Tao in Lao Tzu to describe the person and work of Christ. Moreover, it seeks to be biblical by constantly concurring with the Bible.;The study first analyzes the main features of Justin's work of constructing a Logos-Christology. Second, the book of Lao Tzu is interpreted from a Christian perspective. Third, a construction of Tao-Christology is undertaken. The construction is a cord of three strands. First, it is guided by insights taken from Justin. Second, it uses conceptual tools of Lao Tzu. Third, it seeks to retell in a new way the biblical revelation of Jesus Christ.;The result of this study is a Christology that uses the terminology and concepts of Lao Tzu. The Triune God is represented by Tao- Wu for the Father, Tao-Yu for the Son, and Tao- Te for the Spirit. The use of these terms can be justified by both Lao Tzu and the Bible.;Jesus Christ is Tao-Yu who becomes a human being. This Christology shades new light on Lao Tzu by showing that Christ is the real and historical embodiment of Tao. It also gives new light to Christian theology by seeing Christ and God from a new perspective provided by Lao Tzu. Some aspects of biblical revelation become clear and shining when seen from this new perspective.;The basic sources of this study are the two Apologies and Dialogue with Trypho the Jew by Justin, the Chinese classic--- Lao Tzu, and the Bible.;The construction is closely connected to Lao Tzu and firmly rooted in the Bible. On the one hand, it has evangelistic value in approaching persons who come from Taoist background. On the other hand, it is a contextual development of doctrine that is faithful not only to the Bible but also to the Christian tradition. Though the Tao-Christology investigated in this study is only a small step of theological effort in response to the huge challenge from the Chinese culture, it will hopefully function as a stimulus to further development of Chinese Christian theology.