The China Aspiration in Light of Jacob’s Narrative (Genesis 25:19-36:43):

Toward a Chinese Public Theology for Human Flourishing in the Third Millennium

Abstract

Compared to the five centuries of global colonial history, China’s (semi-)colonial history lasted only a little over one hundred years (1840-1949). However, since 1949, coloniality, anti-colonialization, anti-imperialism, and decolonization have continued to lurk in ideology, philosophy, politics, and most importantly in Chinese theology. This paper argues by engaging with Jacob’s narrative (Genesis 25:19-36:43), Chinese public theology can adequately engage in meaningful dialogue with the Aspiration, including the China Dream (Zhongguo meng 中国梦) and a Community of Shared Future for Mankind (renlei mingyun gongtongti 人类命运共同体), by articulating a Chinese public theology of human flourishing on domestic and international levels. The paper first analyzes China's (semi-)colonial/anti-colonial history in four stages with its various influences on Chinese theology. Then the paper adopts a three-layered “sandwich” approach to expose the profound epistemic crisis that is deeply embedded in Chinese theology. Finally, the paper attempts at a constructive Chinese public theology for human flourishing in the Third Millennium.