Dialogue by the River - A Friendly Exchange Between an Atheist and a Christian

Author: Zhao Qizheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features:
Pa: You are an atheist, why are you interested in studying the Bible?
Zhao: When I traveled abroad, every hotel I stayed in had a Bible, so I flipped through it. The Bible is the most printed book in the world, and such a large print run indicates its importance. In China, the total print run of the Chinese version of the Bible has reached 40 million copies. Despite China's large population, this is still a remarkable number. In fact, China has published a very large number of religious works, with hundreds and thousands of titles. You can see them in any major bookstore in China. In Nanjing, there is even a factory dedicated to printing the Bible.
Pa: Indeed, I saw many religious books in bookstores, including works by Krocchi, and I saw them in the Zhongguancun bookstore. I have also visited the company in Nanjing that prints the Bible. Their print volume and quality left a very deep impression on me. Have you read the Bible? I would like to ask, what impression does the Bible leave on you the most?
Zhao: I come from a background in nuclear physics. Newton's laws in physics are very simple, with only three. The Bible is too complex. The Bible should also be like Newton's laws, where you can summarize a few basic principles. But the Bible doesn't just summarize three; I see four. First, God is omnipresent, omniscient, all-good, and all-powerful. Second, humans have original sin, so they cannot communicate with God. Third, God sent Jesus to communicate with humans. Fourth, humans should not attempt to dominate themselves but should rely on Jesus and the Bible to guide themselves.
Pa: Your summary of the key points of the Bible is truly perfect. Even as a preacher, I cannot express it as perfectly or accurately as you have. What you said is better than what I preach. I can't be as concise as you are. Of course, Christian faith also contains many other elements, but you have mentioned the more important perspectives. I think you could preach. So, I can't preach to you. (Audience laughs)
Zhao: Simplicity is a form of beauty! Newton's laws are a form of simple beauty. Newton's laws, Einstein's formulas are simple, but their deductions are rich and varied. Even from a non-theological perspective, the Bible is indeed an important book. I believe it can be understood from multiple angles.
Pa: I hope to learn from your non-theological analysis of the Bible.
Zhao: I think the Bible is the classic of Christianity, the basis of its doctrines. The Bible is also a historical book, recording the lives, thoughts, and expectations of many ethnic groups in the Middle East at that time. It includes not only the Hebrews but also the Egyptians, Canaanites, and Babylonians in that region. The Bible was not the creation of one person. Long before the Bible was written, there was a history of more than 1,300 generations passed down. It can be said that it is also the crystallization of the wisdom of many people. Everything mentioned in the book reflects the lifestyle of that time. For example, it doesn't mention tea because tea had not yet spread to that area at the time; it doesn't mention smoking because smoking was not yet such a bad habit.
Pa: Although the Bible doesn't mention