A Study on Young J. Allen's Concept of God with the Integration of Chinese and Western Cultures

Abstract

Compared with the practice of merely using certain concepts of traditional Chinese culture to interpret the Christian God, Young J. Allen started from the specific situation in China at that time and constructed a concept of God that neither violates Christian doctrines nor conforms to Chinese practice. Therefore, Young J. Allen's concept of God is both in line with religious principles and opportune, and also a combination of Chinese and Western cultures. Specifically, Young J. Allen's God is a God who is in charge of creation and integrates traditional Chinese ethical spirits such as “reverence” and “filial piety” into the creation process. Young J. Allen's God is also a God who is “in accordance with the golden mean”, advocates the separation of politics and religion, and is a symbol of modern society that strives to promote social innovation. Moreover, in order to promote the development of science and technology in China, Young J. Allen's God is also a God who serves as the efficient cause of investigating things. Whether it is the image of the creator, the image of a symbol of modern society, or the image of the efficient cause of investigating things, they are all constructed by Young J. Allen through in‑depth integration of China’s specific national conditions or traditional Chinese culture with Christianity.