Relocating Christianity in China: A Decolonial Reading of DaTong and Heaven/Paradise

Abstract

As an ancient utopian pursuit, the Confucian idea of Da Tong (大同) deeply shapes and influences Chinese spirituality and society; similarly, the idea of heaven/paradise and the longing evoked by this idea nurtures the Christian spirituality and practices in daily life. Can the Chinese pursuit of a DaTong world walk along with Christian longing for heaven as companions? In the post-colonial world, the passive impacts of colonialism and the precarious international political environment intensify the conflicts between Chinese culture and Christianity, which generate a necessary theological and pastoral need for the answers to this question. As a response to the need, this paper attempts to relocate Christianity through a decolonial comparative reading of the Confucian idea of Da Tong (大同) world and the Christian idea of heaven/paradise. Instead of stressing the differences, this paper focuses on the similarities between those ideas. In addition, Inspired by decolonial theories, the reading of the texts incorporates an analysis of the current reality of the Chinese Christian world and a rereading of history, especially the history of ongoing communication between Christianity and Chinese culture. By carefully reexamining the meaning of Tian (天), Dao/Tao (道), and Li (礼), in “Liyun 礼运,” Liji (Book of Rites, 礼记) the literal context of the DaTong society is unpacked. Reading “Liyun” along with Isaiah 65:17-25, Revelation 21, Matthew 13:24-30, John, Hebrews 11:1-3, and James 2, the idea of DaTong, Dao/Tao, and Li are put in conversation with the idea of Heaven, the Garden of Eden, the Kingdom of God, Logos, and Faith. The reading reveals the role of Da Tong and heaven as gifts of the past and companions to sustain peace and social order in times of crisis. I hope the finding of this paper constructs a common ground for cross-cultural and interfaith dialogue between Christianity and Confucianism in a way that benefits future research on the study of Christianity in China, especially the studies of the sinocization of Christianity.