I. Development of Christianity
1. Christianity is a religion with Jesus Christ as its savior, which is mainly divided into three major factions: Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant. The spread of Christianity in China has experienced ups and downs, which has had a far-reaching impact on China's society, culture and education.
2. According to historical records, Christianity was first introduced into China from Persia in 635 AD, when Nestorianism was introduced, which was brought by Aroben, a Persian monk. Aroben was welcomed by Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty, and was allowed to establish Daqin Temple in Chang 'an, where he translated the Bible.
3. During the Song Dynasty, Nestorianism was suppressed, but it was not completely extinct. In the Yuan Dynasty, a large number of Semu people (people from western regions) came to China, which made the number of people in the suburbs of Beijing pick up. Kyle Poirot and some medieval western scholars pointed out that there are many Nestorianism groups in China and Mongolia, especially the Keleti and Wangguti tribes in Mongolia believe in Nestorianism most.
4. At the same time, the Yuan Dynasty was also the period when Catholicism was introduced into China. 1289, Mont corvino, a priest of Catholic Franciscans, came to Beijing, was received by Yuan Chengzong timur, and was allowed to preach freely in Beijing. He established two parishes, and more than 30 thousand people joined the church, which once reached its peak.
Second, the integration of Christianity and China.
1. Christianity, as a foreign religion, is facing the problem of conflict with local culture in China. After the introduction of Christianity, it kept communicating with Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, trying to find similarities and adapt to the needs of China society.
2. Therefore, in order to spread the gospel better, Christian missionaries not only learn Chinese, but also learn the history, philosophy and literature of China. , trying to find something consistent with Christianity. For example, Matteo Ricci of Jesuits thinks that the natural laws of Confucianism are the same as those of Christianity, and the gods believed by Confucianism are similar to those of Christianity.
3. However, after the introduction of Christianity, it was also resisted by the traditional culture of China. In the traditional culture of China, polytheism or atheism is advocated. Everything in the world is spiritual, and human beings are just one of them. We need to follow heaven and human feelings, and achieve harmony between ourselves and society through self-cultivation, keeping the family in order, governing the country and leveling the world.
4. This fundamental difference leads to the conflict between Christianity and China traditional culture, especially in etiquette. Since ancient times, China people's offering sacrifices to ancestors and Confucius is a form of filial piety and loyalty, not idolatry. Christianity, on the other hand, believes that this is an act against God and must be prohibited.