Which Word? (4)

This is a continuation of a series of writing titled "Which Word?", which explores what Dao (Tao) is. My first article on this subject was written more than two months ago (Feb 2006). It started with an exploration of John 1:1-4. With John 1:1-4 as a foundation, I went on to discribe the differences and similarities btw the dao of the bible (as described by John in the opening of his gospel) and the dao of Lao Zi. There, I described Dao's characteristics. My original goal of this blog was to do a systematic study of the bible, starting with studying who Jesus is, or should I say how he can be perceived/understood by the Chinese as it relates to their culture & ancient writings. To stay with the original goal of this blog, I think I shall not venture too far. Lately, I know I have been writing all sorts of entry, like "Chap Cai" (in case one is not familiar with this term, it is a chinese dialect term for mixed vegetable) ...Hmm, not focused enough, but never mind. Today, I am examining John 14:6 to see how it relates to Dao De Jing, Chapter 25.

3) Dao as Truth

Some views see Daoism as insisting that all values have only subjective and relative standards. But, when read carefully and as a whole, Lao Zi’s view is that dao is the single underlying unity of all things.

Man conforms to Earth

Earth conforms to Heaven

Heaven conforms to Dào

Dào conforms to itself. (Dao De Jing, Chapter 25)

人法地，地法天，天法道，道法自然。

3.1) To conform to Dao

Some Comment on the Text: In this text, there is a series of "conforms to". To "conform to" is "to act or be in accord or agreement; comply". The original Chinese "法" has the meaning of 'model after' and 'follow the example of' (仿效，学习), and especially of others' good points. Another English translation has it as:

Humans model themselves on earth,
Earth on heaven,
Heaven on the Way,
And the way on that which is naturally so.

It says 'Heaven conforms to Dào', I think this is true from a biblical standpoint. As it is clearly expressed in The Nicene Creed, God is the The maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible; And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, light from light, true God from True God, begotten not made, of one substance with the Father. By Him all things were made." God created the Heaven & the Earth, so in a way we can say that they 'conforms to' God. However, one thing different is that I don't think the Scripture says that humans should model themselves on earth. The reason why Lao Zi says that 'Humans model themselves on earth' is, I suppose, because he proposes a return to the more natural state.

God made humans superior to the rest of creation. For the Muslims, they believe that this means humans have been given everything on earth to care for and look after. Muslims see submission as a way of life. In fact, the very name of their religion, Islam, means “to submit.” For them, religion rules every aspect of life—the food that is eaten, the clothes that are worn, even the time taken for breaks at work. Nearly every phrase uttered regarding future plans begins with “Glory to Allah” and ends with “If Allah wills,” and any activity is interrupted if necessary for the five daily prayers.

So..., what about Christians (bible-beliving ones)? What's our standard? I have several points here (exhaustuve? hmm... i think the main ones should be these):

a) Conform to God's way

We should pay heed to His council and always be ready to change our own ways to conform to His. For instance, in Haggai 1 (NIV), we read:

5 Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." 7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways.

Or as the NASB phrase it, “Consider your ways!”

Consider also Exodus 19:3-6 (NIV) which reads:

3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites."

b) Conform to God's Law

but no..., I'm not advocating legalism. In Legalism, one believes that (1) one can use one's free will to earn the favor of God. (2) good works generated with the Spirit's help is what enables them to maintian their salvation. However, we should also not be anti-law. Legalism and antinomianism are two sides of the same coin, they are both errors. A misunderstanding of the doctrine of grace and justification, has (I think) resulted in antinomianism (anti-Law). The Gnostics, in the first centuries of the Christian era, discounted the moral law because they felt it came from the Demiurge, not the true God. (Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 57) We know this is not true, so we shouldn't commit the same mistake again.

c) Conform to God's will

Our values and standards must change to conform to God's kingdom. "What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight" (Lk 16:15). In the book of James, after encouraging Christians to submit to God, James gave these comforting words: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8).

d) Conform to God's holy character/ image

The bible clearly writes that Sin is anything that does not conform to God's holy character or his righteous commands (as described in the Bible). Since man is made in the personal image of God, man is a moral being whom God has given a responsibility to live in a good and ethical way.We should be holy, set apart for this purpose. What's our response? Do we want to look and live like the world or conform to God's ideal image of us? Is our self-perception based on someone else's opinion of us or God's opinion?

3.2) Why should we conform to the Dao?

All things are measured in the light of conformity with Dào, as it is the truth. Lao Zi sees the Dào as the ultimate standard of truth in all things. Jesus said in the gospel of John, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. (John 14:6, NASB) Here, we have the answer why we should conform to Dao. Though Lao Zi acknowledges the Dào as truth, he did not know who Jesus is, but it can be seen from Lao Zi’s writing Dao De Jing that Jesus as the Dao (Word Incarnate) has been acknowledged by we Chinese as the Truth more than 2000 years ago. The only difference is that Lao Zi did not know Jesus was the Dao. The Dào has always been a central concept, something of importance to the Chinese.

Here, Jesus Declares Himself to Be the Way to the Father. The three terms way, truth and life are simply linked together with "and" in the Greek (kai). But the central term is way (道路), because that was the subject of the question (vv. 4-5). Thomas had asked Jesus, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" (John 14:4-5, NASB) Jesus is the way (道路), truth（真理） and life（生命）. The second half of the verse John 14:6 speaks of coming to the Father through Jesus. A little confusing, but that's how the Trinity works.