The Meanings of Self-denial in the World Religions ― The Uniqueness of Christianity

서지정보

· 발행기관 : 아신대학교 ACTS 신학연구소
· 수록지 정보 : ACTS 신학저널 / 29권 / 207 ~ 253페이지
· 저자명 : 안점식

초록

The concepts such as “self” and “self-denial” are important in almost every religion. However, just because many religions use the same concept of “self-denial,” it would be naive to think that the concept holds identical meaning for each religion. Self-denial has quite the different meaning in structure of worldview of each religion. The self-denial of Christianity is relational. The self-denial of Christianity is put in an inseparable relation to the historicity of the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The factor that all world religions had in common was the fact that the ordinary self was viewed negatively. The ordinary self distinguishes oneself from others and arouse attachment and desire (Hinduism, Buddhism), seeks self-centered profits instead of righteousness (Confucianism), ties man down to artificiality and the conveniences of civilization (Philosophical Taoism), and follows the worldly values instead of the divine order or the law (Islam). In order to overcome the ordinary self, one is required to deny the individual self (Hinduism, Buddhism), cultivate the heart and follow the Rites (Confucianism), go back to nature by discarding the artificial human works (Philosophical Taoism), and carry out the inner jihād of practicing sharia (Islam). Self-denial is closely related to the existence mode of the ultimate reality. The characteristics of self-denial differs according to whether the ultimate is a personal God or an impersonal ultimate reality. The freedom of the self in Christianity is acquired through the relationship with God, and in the community ruled by the Holy Spirit.

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