本文以余英時（1930-2021）、張灝（1936-2022）和陳來（1952-）三位學者的著作為據，分析他們如何理解並發揮「軸心時代」（the Axial Age）的理論，以闡釋古代中國思想文化中的宗教元素。要言之，余英時強調軸心突破後中國「內向超越」所蘊含的宗教性；張灝斷言中國的「不完全超越」形塑後世政教合一的傾向；陳來則凸顯古代中國思想文化的延續性和人文性，質疑軸心突破的觀點。本文認為，透過此學術史考察，我們不僅能更全面理解宗教在古代中國思想傳統中的重要性，也能對近代學人的研究關懷，以及宏大理論和經驗研究的互動，增添更深刻的認識。

This article critically examines the works of YÜYing-shi (1930-2021), CHANG Hao (1936-2022), and CHEN Lai (1952-), focusing on their application of the“Axial Age”thesis to interpret the religious dimensions of early Chinese thought. YÜhighlights the religiosity inherent in the“inward transcendence”that emerged in Chinese thought following the Axial breakthrough. CHANG posits that China’s“incomplete transcendence”facilitated the enduring unity of state and religion throughout its history. In contrast, CHEN emphasizes the continuity and humanistic orientation of early Chinese thought and culture, thereby questioning the validity of the Axial breakthrough thesis. This article suggests that such an examination not only enhances our understanding of the religious elements in early Chinese thought but also deepens our comprehension of the history of modern scholarship and the interaction between grand theories and specific case studies.