The Role of Jesus in Salvation: A Confucian Soteriology of Wu Leichuan

The Role of Jesus in Salvation: A Confucian Soteriology of Wu Leichuan

Kwong-pui CHAN

This article examines the soteriology of Wu Leichuan. Wu's soteriology is different from traditional Christian understanding in that he integrated the anthropology of Zhu Xi in his formulation. He recognized that every one needs others to stimulate his own goodness in the process of becoming a saint. Jesus serves an important and valuable role in the process of people's awareness and sanctification. Nevertheless, Wu ascertained that human beings could become saints through their own effort. The author concludes that Wu failed to achieve a coherent integration of the emphasis on Jesus' unique role in Christianity with the emphasis on human effort in Confucianism.