For Christianity in China, the relationship between Christianity and traditional Chinese culture has become an increasingly significant topic. Professor Lauren Pfister particularly addresses moral cultivation in Ruist tradition and Christian faith in two perspectives: the concept of Christian gracious moral cultivation as an alternative to voluntaristic self-reliance and the interplay between the Ruist "sage" (Shengren) and the Christian "saint" in shaping moral ideals.
Inspired by Tsung-I Hwang’s work, which focused on addressing voluntaristic influences through the lens of Christian gracious moral cultivation, Professor Lauren Pfister, rector of Hephzibah Mountain Aster Academy and professor emeritus of Hong Kong Baptist University, expanded on this topic during a recent seminar presentation titled "Teaching Philosophical and Sinological Perspectives" at the "Theological Reception Histories in Modern & Contemporary China" seminar and workshop held at Chung Chi College, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).
Pfister’s insights delve into how voluntaristic influences, rooted in modern self-help education and the Ruist classic Zhong Yong or the Doctrine of the Mean, impact individuals in contemporary Chinese settings.
At the heart of these voluntaristic influences lies a passage from chapter 20 of Zhong Yong. It encourages not setting aside things that have not been studied, inquired, thought, distinguished, or practiced sincerely, urging individuals to make multiple attempts even if others succeed with fewer efforts. This pursuit is believed to lead to enlightenment and strength.
While such a mindset has energized many Chinese students and Christians, Pfister cautioned that it often lacks reference to a divine relationship or corporate support. When individuals face their intellectual or spiritual limits, relying solely on individualistic and voluntaristic efforts can lead to burnout, emotional depression, and even extreme consequences such as suicidal tendencies.
Pfister raised a critical question: how can Christian moral cultivation, rooted in grace, address these challenges? He emphasized the importance of practical theology in fostering a dynamic relationship with the divine and cultivating communal support within the spiritual family. Such a framework may counter the detrimental drive of “I must do it until I succeed, or burnout, or die,” prevalent among many in the Chinese Christian context.
In addition to voluntarism, Pfister highlighted another significant issue—the differing interpretations of Shengren (圣人) in Ruist and Christian traditions. While commonly translated as “sage” in Ru traditions, sometimes Ru scholars also translated Shengren in Lunyu or The Analects as a saint. This duality has had profound implications, particularly when Zhu Xi’s Neo-Confucianism was dominant.
Historically, in Ru traditions, becoming a sage was the ultimate goal for those immersed in classical texts, starting with Zhu Xi’s Four Books. However, in contemporary Chinese contexts, this ideal has faded. Today, while Ru scholars can identify a junzi (gentleman or exemplary figure), it is rare to name anyone as a sage.
In contrast, the Christian interpretation of Shengren (saint) focuses not on personal achievement but on receiving grace and salvation through Christ Jesus. A Christian saint is based on gracious moral cultivation and a unique relationship with the divine, irrespective of their worldly wisdom or cultural accomplishments.
Pfister drew attention to the distinctions between the two concepts: the Ruist sage is defined by cultural achievement, wisdom, and insight, while the Christian saint derives their identity from divine grace. He questioned whether there is a transformative possibility where these two concepts intersect.
Pfister argued that in the history of Chinese culture, there have been examples of individuals who embodied both sagely wisdom and saintly grace. For instance, Shun, the emperor, in Shangshu or the Book of Documents appealed to Tian (heaven) to overcome existential challenges, making him a potential “saintly sage.” Theistic Ruists in the history of philosophical traditions and minor sub-traditions have also lived, sometimes even within the Roman Catholic context. Figures such as Xu Guangqi and Zhang Juzheng could also be considered saintly sages.
The other side is sagely saints, and Pfister further noted that contemporary Chinese Christian communities include individuals who exemplify this synthesis. Among them are Xu Songshi, a Baptist pastor-scholar in Hong Kong, and Vernon Grounds, a wise and highly educated figure associated with Denver Seminary. He highlighted these examples in his book Vital Post-Secular Perspectives on Chinese Philosophical Issues.
Reflecting on these transformative possibilities, Pfister shared that they opened new avenues of thought. “I was no longer thinking in binary terms,” he explained. “I was thinking in transformative ways that cross-cultural encounters could create new synthetic ways of life and cultural expression and cultural achievement.”
