关于当代中国圣经研究的谈话

Dialogue on Contemporary Biblical Studies in China

钟志邦(Choong Chee Pang) ； 游斌(You Bin)

《聖經文學研究》 6輯 (2012/02) Pp. 34-54

摘要

最近，著名华裔圣经学者钟志邦教授就当代中国圣经研究的若干问题回答了中央民族大学游斌教授的提问，涉及他本人的学术自传、他研究圣经的学术经验、国内圣经研究与国际的差异、《新约》与《旧约》研究的异同、国内学者应当如何扬长避短、如何处理“汉语基督教神学“与”汉语基督教经学”的关系、如何面对中国本土的文化资源等问题。

關鍵字

当代中国圣经研究 ； 国际圣经研究 ； 《新约》 ； 《旧约》 ； 神学 ； 经学 ； 本土文化资源

並列摘要

Professor Choong opens the dialogue with some autobiographical notes, in response to Professor You Bin's question about his academic career. Trained in the areas of theological , biblical and religious studies , Prof Choong honestly confesses that he is ＂a man of many interests＂, rather than a ＂specialist＂ in any particular academic field. It was the invitation to teach a course on ＂History of Christian Thought＂ (基督教思想史) at Peking (Beijing) University in 1988 that marked the historic turning point in his academic life. and which eventually led to his most fruitful and challenging networking with the Chinese academia in the last twenty-three years. In terms of publications, the most encouraging and satisfying accomplishment was the publication of his two-volume Commentary on the Gospel of John (《約翰福音注释》(上下卷) by Shanghai' s San Lian Publishing House in April. 2010. On biblical studies in the West in the last few decades. Prof Choong thinks that while a great deal could be learnt from Western scholarship by Chinese scholars, they must not be ＂enslaved＂ by it, or adopt Western methodologies and approaches blindly or uncritically. On the other hand, the pitfall of short cuts must also be avoided. Chinese biblical scholarship has a long way to go, in comparison to what has been done and achieved abroad. Some recent and current trends in Western biblical scholarship have also been noted. In response to Prof You's question on differences between Old Testament and New Testament studies in the Chinese academia, Prof Choong points out that differences in studies between the two are many, and holds the view that Chinese scholars, as East Asians, are actually in a better position to study and appreciate the Old Testament, a book of West Asian or Near Eastern origin, In comparison. the number of up-and-coming Old Testament scholars In China far out-numbers its New Testament counterparts, due particularly to the conscious and consistent efforts of a couple of individual scholars and institutions outside Mainland China over the last couple of decades. The lack of learning in biblical languages such as Hebrew and Greek have been a big problem in serious biblical studies in China until recently, when more and more young scholars are acquiring them both at home and abroad. While Chinese scholars are very much lagging behind in biblical archaeology, archaeology in general is in fact quite advance in the Chinese academia. Given the right opportunity and conducive environment, the potentials of biblical archaeology among Chinese scholars could well be developed. Prof You has rightly observed that the gap between theology and biblical studies seems to widening in some very disturbing ways. Prof Choong suggests that there are several reasons for it, such as, 1. The weakening of traditional authority of the Bible, especially in the West after more than a century of critical biblical scholarship which continues to challenge it. 2. The dominance of humanistic philosophy over theology in the last couple of centuries in the West. Despite this disturbing trends, Prof Choong is of the strong opinion that the Bible remains the sole foundation upon which all Christian theologies are built. As such, biblical studies, with the accompanying biblical languages, should have priority over all other Christian studies. This point is particularly crucial for the future development of Chinese biblical studies and theology (汉语圣经研究和神学). Prof You has also keenly felt that biblical studies in modem China is not just an ＂academic＂ exercise, but highly sensitive socio-politically. As such, it must be handled with great sensitivity and care. Prof Choong could not have agreed more with him on this. A very good example of this would be the issue of ＂ harmonious society＂ (和谐社会), which has been a major concern of the Chinese government. A serious biblical response to it would necessarily touch on the sensitive issue of socio-politico-economic ＂justice＂ (公义或公正), without which there can be no real and lasting ＂harmony＂ (和谐). The same is largely true in dealing with the controversial subjects of freedom, human rights and democracy from the biblical perspective. Lastly, Prof You believes that China has vast resources in its cultural traditions which have yet to be utilized to enrich Chinese biblical studies. Prof Choong agrees with him completely on this, and seriously suggests that in-depth engagement and dialogue with China's cultural traditions. including the present revival of classical national learning (国学), will be very challenging and enriching for future biblical studies in China.

並列關鍵字

contemporary Chinese biblical studies ； international biblical studies ； Old Testament ； New Testament ； theology ； indigenous cultural resources