Daily Devotion

“Christians should approach the ancient wisdom of the East with reverence and humility. Our purpose is not to destroy, but to bring about. We must prove to the Chinese that we are not here to take away their Confucius or Mencius, but to guide them toward a higher truth. If those sages were alive today and witnessed this light, they would surely accept it with joy.”

James Legge · Theory of Achievement

Scripture

Acts 17:23 As I was traveling and looking at the things you worship, I came across an altar that was inscribed with the words, 'The unknown God.' Now I will tell you about the things you worship without knowing them."

Reflection

The wisdom of James Legge and Paul reminds us that the Gospel is not a bulldozer of culture, but a harvester of truth. Faced with ancient Eastern wisdom, Christians should not arrogantly dismiss it, but humbly "claim" the spark of universal revelation within it. We must learn to seek the "unknown God" within our cultures, proving that Christ did not seek to take away people's forefathers, but to fulfill their yearning for eternity. The transmission of faith should guide souls from glimmer to blazing sun, perfected in respect, and complete in love.