"The Discovery of Genesis" By C.H. Kang
"The Discovery of Genesis: How the Truths of Genesis Were Found Hidden in the Chinese Language" by C.H. Kang is a thought-provoking and controversial work that seeks to establish a connection between the biblical Book of Genesis and the ancient Chinese language. Kang's central argument is that the Chinese characters, or logograms, contain evidence of biblical narratives and that the Chinese language encodes truths from the Book of Genesis. This assertion is presented in a rather unorthodox and unconventional manner, challenging the established linguistic and religious paradigms.Kang begins by examining the Chinese characters and comparing them to stories from Genesis. He claims that many Chinese characters can be deconstructed into smaller components that, in his view, correspond to elements of the biblical creation account. For instance, Kang suggests that the character for "boat" resembles the story of Noah's Ark, and the character for "garden" mirrors the Garden of Eden. While these comparisons might be intriguing, Kang's method of analysis lacks the rigor and objectivity typical of scholarly linguistic studies. His interpretations often rely on vague visual resemblances between characters and biblical events, and he does not provide a comprehensive linguistic or historical analysis to support his claims.One of Kang's central arguments is that the Chinese characters contain references to a singular, supreme God, which he associates with the God of the Bible. He points to characters such as "shang" and "di" to argue that they denote a higher, heavenly power. Kang suggests that these characters are evidence of an ancient belief in the one true God in Chinese culture, which predates the introduction of Confucianism and Daoism. This interpretation, however, is highly speculative and lacks solid linguistic and historical evidence.Another aspect of Kang's thesis is the idea that the Chinese language provides insights into the events of the Garden of Eden, the fall of humanity, and the Tower of Babel. He claims that the characters for "beginning," "tempter," and "to enclose" allude to these biblical stories. Yet, these interpretations are subjective and open to wide-ranging interpretations, as the characters' meanings can vary significantly depending on context. Kang's arguments are based more on conjecture than on a rigorous linguistic analysis, making it challenging to accept his claims as compelling evidence.Furthermore, Kang argues that the Chinese language conveys moral principles and teachings found in the Bible. He suggests that the characters for "righteousness," "filial piety," and "covet" reflect biblical values and commandments. While it is true that moral principles can be found in many languages and cultures, Kang's assertions about a direct connection between Chinese characters and the Bible lack substantiation.One of the most significant limitations of Kang's work is the absence of historical and archaeological evidence to support his claims. He does not offer a comprehensive analysis of the historical development of the Chinese language, which is essential for assessing his hypothesis. Additionally, he does not consider the rich history of Chinese culture and religion, including Daoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism, all of which have influenced the language and its symbols.Kang's work has been met with skepticism and criticism from both linguists and biblical scholars. While the idea of hidden biblical messages within the Chinese language is intriguing, it is essential to approach this concept with caution and skepticism. Without a more rigorous linguistic analysis, historical context, and empirical evidence, Kang's claims remain speculative and unconvincing.In conclusion, "The Discovery of Genesis: How the Truths of Genesis Were Found Hidden in the Chinese Language" by C.H. Kang presents a provocative and unconventional thesis regarding a connection between the Chinese language and the biblical Book of Genesis. However, Kang's arguments lack the necessary linguistic rigor and historical evidence to support his claims. His interpretations of Chinese characters as encoding biblical narratives are highly subjective, and his ideas about the language reflecting moral principles are not substantiated. While the book may be of interest to those intrigued by the intersection of linguistics and religion, it falls short of providing a compelling case for the existence of hidden biblical truths within the Chinese language.
