I am the “Way”

John 1: 1-2. NIV.
 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning.

 

If our non-Chinese readers have shared the gospel with ethnic Chinese you will be familiar with some of the barriers that are often thrown up.  “Christianity is a foreign religion.”  “Christians have a bad history in China linked to colonialism and the drug trade”.  “We are not sinners!”  “The Bible is not scientific.”  “The Bible teaches that you may have to reject your own family!  Chinese will never do that.” 

An understanding of at least some Chinese history and culture will help us answer these challenges and move the discussion on.

Maybe some common ground can be found in the “Dao”.

In the opening lines of the Gospel of John, God’s eternal presence is translated as “the Word,” based on the original Greek word logos. 

In many translations of the Chinese Bible, including the widely used Chinese Union Version CUVS (quoted above), you will find the “logos” rendered as “Dao” (道).  In English, “Dao” is commonly translated from Chinese as “the Way.”  But to the Chinese, it has a much deeper meaning than that translation conveys.  The Dao is central to the home-grown Chinese religion of Daoism. The classic text, Dao De Jing, defines it as among other things “the source of the universe”.  The Dao refers to the fundamental principle or ultimate reality that underlies and unites all aspects of the universe. It represents the natural order and cosmic flow that guides and harmonizes existence. In Daoism, the Dao is considered beyond human comprehension - the source and pattern of everything in existence. 

So what does the Word of God have to do with the Dao of Daoism? 

Is it legitimate for Christian evangelists to use Daoist concepts to create a bridge for it followers to come to Christ who is truly the Way, the Truth and the Life?  The ONLY Way!

There are divergent views on this.  Historically, many missionaries have used culture as a tool to help explain the truths of Christianity - think of Don Richardson and the “Peace Child” - whilst others consider any links with pagan beliefs to be dangerous.  
There is some Biblical basis for using philosophical traditions to advantage.  For example, Paul, in Acts 17 whilst spending time in Athens, used the inscription of the “Unknown god” to claim Christ as the fulfilment of some of their traditions. 
Daoism and Christianity can be seen as compatible in certain aspects, whilst also having fundamental differences. Daoism emphasizes living in harmony with the Dao.  It values simplicity, balance, and alignment with the natural order.
Christianity, on the other hand, centres on a personal relationship with God, the teachings of Jesus Christ, and the salvation of souls. It emphasizes faith, grace, and the moral guidance found in the Bible.

Most Chinese are to a greater or lesser extent influenced by Daoism.  Comparing the Daoist “Dao” with Jesus may well be a fruitful exercise and as a minimum, our attempt to understand a little of the thousands of years of Chinese culture will not go unnoticed!

Prayer points

Pray for wisdom for all those who God has called to share the Gospel with Chinese whether in China or in our own backyard.

Pray we will all embrace fruitful, God-honouring strategies even if this takes effort and research on our part.

Pray we will all have increasing opportunity to share Jesus with Chinese people, pointing them to the knowable “Way” of the Bible rather than the unknowable “Way” of the Dao.

Daoism, or Taoism, is a philosophical and spiritual tradition originating in ancient China, emphasizing living in harmony with the Dao (or Tao).  Founded on texts like the "Dao De Jing" by Laozi and the "Zhuangzi" by Zhuang Zhou, Daoism advocates simplicity, spontaneity, and alignment with the natural world. Central to Daoist thought is the concept of "wu wei," which means non-action or effortless action, suggesting that one should act in accordance with the natural flow of the universe rather than through forceful or contrived means. Daoism values balance, often symbolized by the yin-yang, reflecting the interconnectedness and interdependence of all things. Through practices such as meditation, tai chi, and traditional Chinese medicine, Daoism seeks to cultivate inner peace and harmony. Its influence extends beyond philosophy into Chinese culture, shaping arts, politics, and daily life.