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Beauty as Glory and Unity in Diversity: A Bavinckian Retrieval of Reformed Catholicity and Theological Aesthetics for Sino-Reformed Theology

美作為榮耀與多樣中的合一:巴文克取徑的改 革宗大公性與神學美學回溯——面向漢語改革 宗神學

In: Journal of Chinese Theology
Author:
Sheng-Yu Peng Associate Professor; Director of Academic Development Center, Taiwan Baptist Christian Seminary, Taipei, Republic of China

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https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6000-466X
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Abstract

Reformed theology in China faces twin risks: sectarian confessionalism and culturally thin transplantation. This article argues that Sino-Reformed doctrinal development requires retrieving Reformed catholicity and cultivating a Reformed theological aesthetics. Drawing primarily on Herman Bavinck’s account of catholicity as unity-in-diversity and of beauty as divine glory, and secondarily on John W. Nevin and Abraham Kuyper, I propose a “retrieval-for-construction” method: Scripture remains the supreme norm, while consensual tradition serves as a subordinate guide for reception and contextual articulation. Three case studies – Chinese Trinitarian terminology (sanwei yiti 三位一體), Chinese hymnody and word-centered visual motifs (Canaan Hymns and calligraphic Scripture), and the rendering of Logos as dao () in the Chinese Union Version – show how catholic retrieval and aesthetic attentiveness can deepen confession, shape ecclesial imagination, and support culturally resonant worship without surrendering Reformed distinctives. I conclude with criteria for discerning contextual innovation and indicate how Chinese retrieval can enrich Reformed catholicity.

摘要

中國處境中的改革宗神學面臨雙重風險:狹隘宗派的認信主義(sectarian confessionalism)與文化上單薄的移植。本文主張,漢語改革宗的教義發展需要回溯改革宗的大公性(Reformed catholicity),並培育一種改革宗的神學美學。本文主要借鑑赫爾曼•巴文克(Herman Bavinck)關於大公性作為「多樣中的合一」以及美作為「神聖榮耀」的論述,並輔以約翰•W•納文(John W. Nevin)與亞伯拉罕•凱波爾(Abraham Kuyper)的思想,提出一種「藉回溯以建構」(retrieval-for-construction)的方法:以聖經為最高規範,同時將教會之共識性傳統視為從屬性指引,以促成忠實領受與處境化表述。透過三個個案研究——漢語三一論術語「三位一體」、漢語聖詩與以聖言為中心的視覺母題(尤指《迦南詩選》與書法經文),以及《和合本》將 Logos 譯為「道」——本文論證,大公性的回溯與美學上的關注如何能深化認信、形塑教會想像力,並在不放棄改革宗特質的前提下支持具有文化共鳴的敬拜。結論部分提出分辨處境化創新的判準,並說明漢語語境下的回溯如何豐富改革宗的大公性。

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