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A Study of the Theory of Human Nature based on the Christian Ethical Perspective: Focusing on Ernst Faber, a Chinese Missionary on the 19th Century

Seol Choongsoo 1

1숭실대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This research delves into the theory of human nature in order to develop Christian ethical argument as it concentrates on Ernst Faber. Faber had mainly worked for literary mission in China. His main argument, in terms of Christian ethics, is his theory of ‘Confucius and Jesus’ during the 19th century, as a turning period of Chinese protestant mission as he tried to a common ground between the protestant theology and Confucianism. Furthermore, he argued that protestant theology may help the reformation of the rotten Confucianism as such that the social influence of Confucianism was diminished. He compared Jesus with Confucius as he argued the superiority of Jesus as the foundation of mission. He also tried to show the way to develop human nature toward Chinese intellectuals who have moral false‐awareness, that is, the development of human nature through gospel. He criticized that Mencius’s good nature theory made humanity ignore the existence of God because Mencius emphasized humanity’s moral endeavor. This Mencius’s interpretation could not fully grasp the doctrine of sin of Christianity in that it did not pursue moral remorse. Therefore, Faber argued that humanity could obtain the way of character maturity through the personal relationship with God. This is the essence of the Western tradition as well as the foundation of Christian ethics. Chinese intellectuals have to learn about this essence and foundation. Thus this article shows the relationship between the theory of human nature and Christian ethics.

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