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Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into [your] house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

(2 John 1:9-11)

Eastern Philosophy V The Bible

Confucianism

 

M.O.G.'s impression of the religion:​

  1. This is a system and not a religion.

  2. What is it?

    1. The belief in a transcendent moral order.

    2. Confucianism is a system and a philosophy recorded by Confucius, where the individual and society are governed by a moral order. This order is how the heavens operate, and a disciple of Confucius lives for the pursuit and implementation of this order.

  3. What is the end result?

    1. Perfectly mirroring the transcendent moral order on earth.

  4. What is the end goal as an adherent?

    1. To be a good citizen.

    2. To find your place in society and perform your duty to the best of your ability.

    3. To be moral.

    4. To be educated.

    5. The manifestation of Confucianism is perfect governance on an individual and societal level, including high education and morality.

  5. Is there a deity?​

    1. The system does not require a deity, but recognizes concepts from China's religion, Tian (Heaven) and Shagdi (Lord above). This "heaven" and "lord" appears to be the source of the transcendent moral order.

    2. Worship does not seem to be part of Confucianism. The hope is to mimic the perfect order. In a way, mirroring the "heavenly way" as perfectly as possible constitutes worship.

  6. Is there an afterlife?

    1. Confucianism does not bother itself with the afterlife. Confucianism does not deny existence of the afterlife, but believes the ideas are too high for man's understanding.​​​​​​​

Taoism

 

M.O.G.'s impression of the religion:​

  1. This is a discipline and not seen as a pure religion.

  2. What is the End Result?

    1. There is no end result.

  3. What is the end goal as an adherent?

    1. Harmony with the Tao (known as effortless action).

  4. Is there an afterlife?

    1. No afterlife, but a belief in "eternity" and "cycles". The individual believer has no hope in this department, except that his spirit is incorporated into system (earth). Individuality appears to be lost.​​​​​​​

Philosophy and the Bible:

  • The Bible compared to Confucius:

    • Confucius teaches the pursuit of perfection; he teaches to pursue through the observation of the world and the heavens. There is a desire to find truth, a desire to leave the world better off than you found it and a desire to guide and teach others to do the same.

    • The Bible claims to contain the very things Confucius desires and pursues. The perspective is what is in opposition: Confucius is looking up and attempting to understand and apply what he observes to man and his many devices; the Bible came from the ruler above and provides man with instructions and symbols to bring understanding and to guide man's way of living.

    • If Confucius' observations are true, his testimony of what was observed should align with the Bible, as the Bible says "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" (Rom 1:20) .

    • Confucius' applications of these truths are also counter-intuitive to the Bible. He wants to build up the city as a working example of the "heavenly way" and wants the individuals to become a part of a city-sized model of Heaven. The Bible never requires this; the Old Testament emphasizes the sin of man before a sinless and perfect God, not the perfect operations of Heaven. And, the New Testament emphasizes the grace of a sinless and perfect God toward helpless sinners through Jesus Christ -- the Savior of Sinners.

  • The Bible compared to Tao:

    • Tao is aligning you to the swells and motions of the earth, in the hope of achieving a frictionless life. Man is outside the rhythm of the earth and he must strive to align himself to this rhythm.

    • The Bible says the earth will hate you and identify you as something that does not belong. The Bible says to align yourself to the Heavenly, through the instructions found in the Bible and the perfect teaching and life of Jesus Christ, who entered in to the earth from Heaven.

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