Jesus Bhagavat? : exploring indigenous Adam Christology in the seventh century Jingjiao document 'on one God' / Jason Lam (Lam Tsz Shun 林子淳)

Monumenta Serica, Volume 74, Issue 1 (2026), Pages 27-42

Available through

Taylor & Francis

Abstract:

In the 7th century Jingjiao document Yishenlun 一神論 (On One God), we come across a surprising occurrence: Shizun 世尊, the Chinese translation of Bhagavat, was attributed to Jesus. This unique title, borrowed from Buddhism, carries multifaceted meanings, encompassing references to the Lord and Son of God, as evidenced by comparisons with quoted scriptures. The author delves into Adam Christology to underscore the significance of Christ’s resurrection, reflecting a pivotal perspective revered in Syriac Christianity. This endeavour stands as a notable effort to convey Christian concepts to Chinese readers with limited exposure to the faith, utilizing available resources effectively. Consequently, it seems improbable that this document is a later fabrication by Christians of subsequent generations. Rather, it potentially represents one of the earliest ventures into Chinese Christian theology, predating the works of Catholic missionaries in the Ming dynasty by a millennium.

Moltmann and China : theological encounters from Hong Kong to Beijing / edited by Jason Lam and Naomi Thurston ; with contributions and a preface by Jürgen Moltmann.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Tao, the Chinese mystery of the world : Lao Tsu's Tao Te Ching read with Western eyes / Jürgen Moltmann -- Moltmann and China : when logos meets Tao / Jason Lam and Naomi Thurston -- Introduction to the Hong Kong Forum of 2018 / Jason Lam -- On the subject of hope : a reflection on the proximity between theology and philosophy in Moltmann's thought / Jason Lam -- On the subject of hope : response to Jason Lam / Jürgen Moltmann -- The Chinese church and its mission : in dialogue with Moltmann's ecclesiology / Kwok Wai Luen -- The Chinese church : response to Kwok Wai Luen / Jürgen Moltmann -- In dialogue with Moltmann on Ethics of hope / Lai Pan-chiu -- On ethics of hope : response to Lai pan-chiu / Jürgen Moltmann -- Introduction: the Beijing Summit of 2014 / Naomi Thurston -- Political theology and contemporary China : 2014 Beijung Summit, morning session / Jürgen Moltmann -- Political theology and terrorism : Chinese scholars respond to Moltmann / Li Qiuling, Zhuo Xinping, Gao Quanixi, Peng Xiaoyu, and Li Bingquan -- The theology of hope and the future of China : 2014 Beijing Summit, afternoon session / Jürgen Moltmann -- The theology of hope and the future of China : scholars respond to Moltmann / He Guanghu, David Jasper, You Bin, Jason Lam, Zhang Baichun, and Zhang Xu -- Thinking means transcending : on the philosophy and theology of hope / Jürgen Moltmann -- Introduction to the essays collected / Jason Lam -- A culture of life in the dangers of this time : public lecture, 21 April 2018 at the China Graduate School of Theology, Hong Kong / Jürgen Moltmann -- What can we learn from Moltmann today? : a response to Moltmann, 21 April 2018 at the China Graduate School of Theology, Hong Kong / Hong Liang -- The reception of Moltmann's thought as perceived from his published Chinese translations : a talk delivered at Tao Fong Shan, internal seminar, Hong Kong, April 25, 2018 / Jason Lam -- Moltmann's theology in the context of Christianity's Sinicization / Yang Huaming -- How can faith discourse intervene in the world? / Jürgen Moltmann and the significance of "hope" / Yang Huilin -- Jürgen Moltmann in Chinese scholarship : from import to dialogue / Naomi Thurston.

"In this volume, Lam and Thurston present a series of important theological debates between Jürgen Moltmann, the contemporary German Reformed theologian, and humanities scholars based in Chinese metropolises from Hong Kong to Beijing between 2014 and 2018. Featured, along with original essays and newly edited contributions by Moltmann, are the voices of such renowned Chinese scholars of religion as He Guanghu, Lai Pan-chiu, Zhuo Xinping and the contemporary comparativist Yang Huilin. These debates matter because they shed light on themes rarely explored in cross-cultural theological dialogue as it unfolds, showcasing the ongoing relevance of theological critique in and with the contemporary humanities. Contributors to the volume are: Hong Liang, Kwok Wai-luen, Lai Pan-chiu, Jason Lam, Jürgen Moltmann, Naomi Thurston, Yang Huaming, Yang Huilin"-- Provided by publisher.

Local access dig.pdf. [Lam-Thurston-Moltmann and China.pdf] 

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