On February 26, 2019, Professor Dr. Stephen Chan lectured on the topic "The Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love written by St. Augustine" at the Fujian Theological Seminary, according to the seminary.
In the first lecture of the seminary's 2019 Fuwan Rostrum, the professor from the Theology and Religious Studies Department of Seattle University in the United States, who holds a doctorate in theology from Chicago University, talked about soteriology and the doctrine of the Christian faith as seen from Augstine's perspective on faith, hope, and love.
His introductory remarks focused on "grace" that is offered, for example, between the giver and the receiver who is not deserving of it and is unable to repay it. This is opposite to the Chinese concept of "grace". By using Ephesians 2: 8-9, he showed the inner connection between grace and faith and then went on to explain the essence, the function and the mediating significance of grace.
He stated that the three, "faith, hope, and love" in 1 Corinthians 13:13 express the relationship between Christian faith and God. In St. Augstine's eyes, "love" was sacred and "hope "beautiful, but "faith" worked as the foundation. "Faith" seemed insignificant, but its work was "redemptive" and "cognitive " in gaining salvation. It promoted building the connection between men and God. Dr. Chan combined the three elements with Christian life and reflected on the importance of theological practice and education through the explanation of a "Christian triology".
Later a "Q&A" time followed the lecture.
Founded by the Fujian China Christian Council (CCC) and Three-Self Patriotic Movement (TSPM) in 1983, Fujian Theological Seminary was the first provincial seminary established on the Chinese mainland after the Cultural Revolution.
