Book Circle Recap: October 18, 2025

On October 18, 2025, the US-China Catholic Association Book Circle gathered to discuss the section entitled "Technology and Christian Culture: An Oriental View" (p. 147–157) in John C. H. Wu's Chinese Humanism and Christian Spirituality. More than fifteen participants gathered for this virtual discussion of Eastern and Western approaches to technology and humanism.

Image from Angelico Press

Writing more than 60 years ago, Wu observed distinct approaches to technology in Eastern and Western cultures, each of which might inform Christian ways of living:

My own observation is that the Western mind...is capable of pursuing knowledge for the sake of knowledge, of isolating the means from the end and studying intensely its nature and structure as though it were really independent of the end. In this way it comes to know more potentialities of the means than it would be possible to know if the end were always kept in view. In the Oriental mind, the end seems to dominate. To it, knowledge must minister to Wisdom, so that to pursue knowledge for its own sake would seem to be sheer insanity...The question for us Christians is how does our profession contribute to our sanctification, or more plainly, how can we make our profession a special means and mode of expressing our love of God and neighbor? (p. 153)

Book Circle participants also remarked on Chinese technological advances before and since the time in which Wu was writing; from the invention of gunpowder to modern infrastructure projects, the history of Chinese technology and its applications attests to the potential compatibility and mutual reinforcement of knowledge and wisdom.

Through the course of the conversation, participants brought further technology-related insights gathered from other writers such as Dan Wang, Ananda Coomaraswamy, and Joseph Needham. These modern perspectives were complemented by reflections on the Chinese sages from whom Wu himself drew great inspiration. As the discussion concluded, participants reflected on chapter 80 of the Daodejing, which paints an idyllic image of a small happy community that prefers simplicity to the sophistications of technology.

"Peach Blossom Spring," by Ming dynasty artist Qiu Ying, portrays a peaceful community. We invite you to read more in the Baidu Encyclopedia article on Section 80 of the Daodejing.

The next Book Circle discussion will be held via Zoom on November 8, 2025, at 6 AM PT / 7 AM MT / 8 AM CT / 9 AM ET / 10 PM China Standard Time. We will be discussing the section entitled "Christianity, the Only Synthesis Really Possible between East and West" (pp. 159–172) in John C. H. Wu's Chinese Humanism and Christian Spirituality, which is currently available from Angelico Press for 15% off with the discount code wu15. If you have not yet joined us for a Book Circle discussion, please sign up for Book Circle email updates today and invite your friends to do the same!

For in-person opportunities to learn about theology, history, and the life of the Church in China, we invite you to read about our upcoming 30th International Conference. USCCA programs like the Book Circle and International Conferences are made possible by supporters like you; even if you cannot participate directly, we ask that you please consider how you might contribute to our mission by way of our Annual Appeal.

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