The Tao Te Ching (Scriptures of Dao and De by Lao Tzu) speaks of a Dao (Tao) that cannot be fully named, that precedes heaven and earth, and from which the One, the Two, the Three, and ultimately the ten thousand things (all creation) arise. John’s Gospel opens with the Logos: the Word who was with God, through whom all things came to be. Reading these texts side by side, we will consider this provocative question: If John had written his Gospel in Chinese rather than Greek, what word might he have chosen for Logos? As many Chinese translations of John suggest, Dao is a compelling possibility. We will explore the striking connections between the meanings and realities evoked by Dao and Logos in both readings. From a Christian perspective, we will ask whether Lao Tzu’s writing might reflect a profound inspiration or even a vision concerning the divine mystery and how this possibility may open a culturally rooted path toward dialogue and evangelization.
Dr. Weimao Ke is a professor of information science at Drexel University. Although his academic background lies outside East Asian Christianity, his upbringing in China and his conversion to Catholicism drive his interest in how the Mandarin language intersects with Christian theology and shapes evangelization in East Asia.
To RSVP for the November 6 session of Sun Rises, fill out the form below. Questions? Please email Mary Lee (mlee@collegiuminstitute.org).