The second session of Guangzhou Master's Lectures on the sinicization of Christianity in 2024 was held at a church in Guangdong, with the theme "Zionist Perspectives on the Bible."
Over 70 pastoral staff of the Guangzhou CC&TSPM attended the lecture conducted at Tianhe Church on May 28, reported the municipal CC&TSPM.
This lecture was delivered by Professor Cao Jian, a Ph.D. advisor and professor in the Department of Philosophy at Sun Yat-sen University. Professor Cao's main research interests include Hebrew Bible exegesis, Jewish thought, and modern Chinese Christian hermeneutics.
Professor Cao discussed the origins of Zionism, its construction of the "Jewish nation," and its conceptualization of the "Land of Israel," guiding the pastoral staff through a modern examination and reflection on Zionism.
He pointed out that Zionism, which arose in the context of Western nationalism, was a secular movement aimed at promoting the return of Jews to Palestine. Its ultimate goal was to establish a modern secular state and build a Jewish society based on modern ideas like nationalism and collectivism.
Professor Cao emphasized that in constructing the "Jewish nation," Zionism nationalizes the Bible from a religious perspective. By replacing theological meanings with historical narratives, it highlighted the bravery, sovereignty, and moral strength of the Jewish people in Biblical stories to serve Zionist discourse and provide a rational explanation. It stressed the continuous presence and development of the "Jewish nation," transforming religion into an ethnic identity. In constructing the "Land of Israel," Zionism refines it into a "geographical national concept," encouraging Jews to achieve redemption themselves without waiting for the Messiah, thus realizing the dream of establishing a modern homeland.
In his conclusion, Professor Cao stated that the Zionist movement has brought chaos and war to the world today. Faced with profound disasters and intense conflicts, people should grasp the essence of the Bible and gain contextualized insights from its truths, spreading the ideals of "freedom, equality, and fraternity."
- Translated by Abigail Wu
