基督教与中国文化的对话——论林语堂的《信仰之旅》

A Dialogue between Christianity and Chinese Culture——On Lin Yutang's From Pagan to Christianity

林语堂作为中国近代化进程中知识分子的独特典型,在他晚年的精神自传《信仰之旅》中,描述了他“从基督徒到异教徒,再从异教徒到基督徒”的内心旅程,其中对儒、道、佛等哲学和宗教体系及其与基督教之间的相异与互通之处,多有独到的发掘与心得。本文以该书为探讨对象,结合林语堂人生和创作活动,说明中国近代知识人为什么和怎么样来面对基督教的体认以及“信仰回归”的基本主题。

Lin Yutang, a unique example of intellectuals in the course of China＇s modernization, describes in From Pagan to Christianity, a spiritual autobiography in his late years, his heart journey ＂from a Christian to a pagan, and from a pagan back to a Christian. ＂ Lin discloses his original explorations and gains with regard to such philosophical and religious systems as Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, and their similarities as well as dissimilarities to Christianity. Taking Lin＇s autobiography as a case study, this paper attempts to illustrate, based on Lin＇s life and creation, why and how contemporary Chinese intellectuals will have to face Christianity, and the fundamental theme of ＂Faith Regained.＂