Abstract
The essay reads the Analects and the Epistle to the Galatians intertextually to examine the concept of trust-xin 信and πίσтις (pistis) respectively. The paper seeks to show that Confucius speaks of trust of trustworthiness (xin) as the glue that holds a society together, without it all live in fear of betrayal. Paul argues that the Christians' faith (πίσтις) in Christ and their trust (πίσтις) in the faithfulness (πίσтις) of Christ are windows that bring light to the dark world of fear. For Paul the phenomenon of faith itself, and its existential implications, viz., being in Christ, bearing the fruit of the Spirit, etc., is the identity marker, and it supplants any work of the law. The fruit of the Spirit is a sign of faith, but it is not the faith itself. This ”faith” is in God as revealed in his Messiah (Christ). Faith and grace of God are fully expressed to individuals in community. In contrast, Confucius does not discuss faith (xin) in Tian, but he requires something like faith or belief in the moral order of Tian for one to become his best moral self. This faith (xin) is embodied aesthetically in the power of music, communally in the ritual propriety, and relationally in the cultivation of virtues. Virtues, rites, and music are rooted in Tian, for the order and goodness of Tian are implanted in human nature.
Published Version
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