92 完全成聖説Perfectionism
作者: 史鮑爾 (R.C. Sproul)
譯者: 姚錦榮
摘自《神學入門》《Essential Truths of the
Christian Faith》244頁, 更新傳道會出版
按完全成聖說（perfectionism)的教義，神的恩典能讓每一 個基督徒在今生經歷完全聖潔和愛的生活，並能脫離故意犯的罪。這教義是從約翰斯理的教導所演變出來的，一直延續至早期的五旬節運動。完全成聖可視為神恩典的第二次作為，是神在信徒心中一種立時完成的工作。
經過修訂的完全成聖說，其觀點是信徒在經歷第二次的祝福（secondblessing) 後，會愈來愈能勝過「故意犯的罪」，從 此以後，這人身上所存留的罪只會是無意所犯，或是因無知而犯的。這觀點的基本錯誤有二 ：第一是 低估了神律法的嚴格要求。我們若真明白神律法的廣度和深度，便會排除完全成聖的教義。第二是它過度高估人的屬靈成就，若持這觀點，人便無可避免地必須高估自己的義。
在歷史上，大多數福音派的教會和改革宗教會都認為這樣的觀點錯誤，連新五旬節運動也幾乎已經摒棄了這個教義。馬丁路德教導說，重生的人同時是義人，也是罪人。信徒在神的眼中被稱為義，乃是因為救贖的功效和基督的義，神乃是在基督裏稱信徒為義。若 不 靠 基 督 ，而 單 靠 自 己 ，我 們 仍 然 是 罪 人 。雖 然 成 聖 的 過 程 會 使 信 徒 愈 來 愈 減 少 犯 罪 ，但是這成聖 過程一直到信徒死時—即信徒得榮的那一刻—才完成。
事實上，完全成聖是基督徒的生活目標。我們不可能達到完全聖潔的地步，但這並不能成為是我們繼續犯罪的藉口，身為基督徒，我們必須以達到基督至 高的呼召為目標。
總結
1 .完全成聖說認為恩典有第二次的工作，使信徒在今生經歷完全的聖潔和愛。
2 . 修訂的完全成聖說認為基督徒能勝過故意犯的罪。
3 . 完全成聖說的基礎建立在低估神律法的標準，和高估人的行為上。
4 .神在我們還是罪人的時候便稱我們為義 。
5 . 在人被稱義的那一刻，歷一生之久的成聖過程便開始了。
6 .基督徒只有在死後得榮時才成為完全聖潔。
思考經文：
羅5 ：8；林前15:42- 57；林後7 : 1；腓3 ：7-14；約壹1 ：5- 10
92.
Perfectionism
The doctrine of perfectionism holds that
holiness or perfect love, brought about by the grace of God, is attainable by
every Christian in this life and sets believers free from willful sin. The
doctrine grew out of the teaching of John Wesley and continued through the
early Pentecostal movement. This attainment of perfection is seen as a second
work of grace that is wrought instantaneously in the heart of the believer.
A more modified view is that after this second
blessing the believer is more and more victorious over “willful sin.” Whatever
sin remains in such
a
person is either accidental sin or sin committed in ignorance. The difficulty
with this view is that it stems from two primary errors. First, it diminishes
the rigorous demands of God’s law. Any real understanding of the breadth and
depth of God’s law would preclude the perfectionist position. Second, it has an
inflated view of one’s own spiritual achievement. To hold such a view one must
necessarily overestimate one’s righteousness.
The vast majority of evangelical churches
throughout history, and the Reformed church in particular, find such a view
abhorrent. Even the NeoPentecostal movement has nearly abandoned the doctrine.
Martin Luther taught that regenerate human beings are at the same time
justified and sinners. Believers are deemed just in the eyes of God by virtue
of the Atonement and the imputed righteousness of Christ. God counts believers
righteous “in Christ.” In and of themselves, without regard to the work of
Christ, believers remain sinners. Though the process of sanctification means
that the believer is becoming less of a sinner, that process is not complete
until death, when the believer is glorified.
Perfection is indeed a goal of the Christian
life. That we fail to achieve it is not to be taken as an excuse for sin. As
Christians we must continue to press forward to the mark of our high calling in
Christ.
Summary
1.
Perfectionism teaches that there is a second work of grace whereby believers
experience perfect holiness or love in this life. 2. Modified perfectionism
teaches that Christians can be victorious over willful sin. 3. Perfectionism
rests upon a low view of the law of God and an exalted view of the performance
of human beings. 4. God justifies us while we are yet sinners. 5. At the
instant of justification, the lifelong process of sanctification begins. 6.
Christians are only made perfect in glorification after death.
Biblical
passages for reflection:
Romans
5:8 1 Corinthians 15:42-57 2 Corinthians 7:1 Philippians 3:7-14 1 John 1:5-10
