基督教对于西方文学之影响,当属外国文学研究领域最富人文学意味的题目之一。然而要在比较根本的层面上提出任何有效的论说,似需作两个方面的先期准备。其一是对基督教神学资源的把握;其二是对西方文学与基督教发生关联的最初形态——中世纪欧洲文学有所了解。中国学人关于西方的一切讨论,当然都无法离开中国自身的背景和经验,当然都会带有某种内在的比较 The influence of Christianity on Western literature is one of the topics of the richest literary meaning in the field of foreign literature. However, to put forward any valid argument at a more fundamental level, it may be necessary to make two preparations in advance. One is the mastery of Christian theological resources; the other is the understanding of medieval European literature, the first form of the association between Western literature and Christianity. Of course, all the Chinese scholars’ discussions on the West can not leave China’s own background and experience. Certainly, there will be some intrinsic comparison