A Comparative Study on the View of Nature between Christianity and Myeongli-hak

The purpose of this study is to broaden our view of nature by comparing Christianity and Myeongli-hak and their subjects making up nature. The author believes that Myeongli-hak, based on the theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, can be explained within the General Providence of Christianity. And the author also hopes that this article will contribute to removing Christians’ prejudice against Myeongli-hak and reducing the gap between the two. Christianity’s view of nature has been given consideration throughout history, while Myeongli-hak’s view of nature has been overlooked, *as concepts were the main focus of interest in the latter. Depending on the thinking of the times, Christianity viewed nature either as equal to human or as inferior to human. Myeongli-hak s view of nature is composed of the theory of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements (陰陽五行 論), the Samjae theory of three things in heaven, earth, and human (天 地人三才論), and the sexagenary cycle calendar (干支曆法). The subjects that constitute nature were also examined. Godhead (神性) in Christianity can be compared with the Taeyeok (太易) in Myeonglihak; the Trinity (三位一體), with the Taecho (太初), the Taeche (太始), the Taeso (太素), the Taegeuk (太極); and the Holy Spirit (聖靈), with the Ki (氣). In modern Christianity, the ecological view of nature, which emphasizes harmony with nature, has an upper hand. On the other hand, the Northeast Asia view of nature, including Myungli-hak has consistently emphasized the relationship between human and nature. Examining nature from the perspective of Myungli-hak will provide another perspective to the current understanding of nature in Christianity.