When studying a batch of stone carvings of Eastern Han Dynasty
(25-220 AD) stored and exhibited in the Museum of Xuzhou Han Stone
Carvings, Christian theology professor Wang Weifan was greatly
surprised by some stone engravings demonstrating the Bible stories
and designs of early Christian times.
Further studies showed that some of these engravings were made in
86 AD, or the third year under the reign of "Yuanhe" of Eastern Han
Dynasty, 550 years earlier than the world accepted time of
Christianity's entrance into China.
The 74-year-old professor, who is also a standing member of the
China Christian Council, showed reporter a pile of photos of Han
stone carvings and bronze basins taken by him. He also compared the
designs on them with that of the Bible, composed of fish, birds,
and animals demonstrating how God created the earth.
Designs on these ancient stones displayed the artistic style of
early Christian times found in Iraq and Middle East areas while
bearing the characteristics of China's Eastern Han times.
The stone carvings, being important funeral objects, are mainly
found in four cities, and Xuzhou is one of them. It is reported
that more than 20 intact Han tombs have been found, from which
nearly 500 pieces of engraved stones were discovered.
It
is globally accepted that Christianity was first carried into China
by a Syrian missionary Alopen in 635 AD, the ninth year under the
reign of "Zhenguan" of the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD).
Some experts once raised doubts that Christianity may have entered
China in an early time as the Eastern Han, but lack evidence.
Nevertheless, professor Wang's discovery serves to strongly back up
the theory and the earlier works of his own.
(
August 2, 2002)