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2021-01-13

 

從釋經學看什麼是改革宗神學
What is Reformed Theology? – Hermeneutics

作者:傑瑞德·希伯特(Jared Hiebert
譯者:大迪  校對:誠之
https://www.covreformedchurch.org/post/2016/09/21/what-is-reformed-theology-hermeneutics
https://www.h-land.us/blog/2a076f31-3661-11eb-b522-59e87d3e
 
改革宗對聖經的看法很簡單。我們相信《聖經》是神所默示的,是無謬(infallible)、無誤的(inerrant)、有權威的、充分的、一致的、必要的、有益的、是獨一的真理且大有能力。由於聖經正典已經完成,如今上帝不再繼續啟示,但祂透過聖靈的工作來闡明祂的道,就是使我們因在基督裡活著,而能更深刻地理解聖經。我們的聖經論影響著我們如何讀聖經和進行教會實踐。這就是我們為何要重視在教會中誦讀祂的話語,在主日講道中去宣講教導祂的道的原因。
The Reformed view of the Bible is simple. We believe that the Bible is inspired by God, infallible, inerrant, authoritative, sufficient, unified, necessary, useful, singular in truth and powerful. God does not continue to speak today, since the canon is closed, but he illuminates his word through the work of his Holy Spirit to make us alive in Christ as we deepen our understanding of Scripture. Our bibliology informs our reading of Scripture and church practice. It is why we emphasize the reading of his word in church and the expositional preaching of his word in our sermons.
 
基於上述的概覽,它確立了我們閱讀聖經的方法。雖然改革宗釋經學的內涵要比我們在這裡所能概括的深遠的多,但這些要點將給出重要的原則,將改革宗釋經學與一般福音派的釋經學區分開來。從本質上講,改革宗的釋經學可以被描述為以救贖歷史(下文分解)為特徵,同時包含一些其他的重要理念,例如:
It is the above outlined view that determines how we read the Bible. Reformed hermeneutics is much greater than what we can outline here, but these points will give the important tenets that distinguish Reformed hermeneutics from those of general evangelical interpreters. Essentially Reformed hermeneutics can be described as Redemptive-historical (explained below) and is characterized by a few important ideas, in no particular order:
 
一、歷史文法釋經(Historical-Grammatical──讓我們先把這個弄清楚,因為大多數福音派的聖經解經家會說他們是以歷史文法來解釋聖經的。但這意味著什麼呢?從本質上說,這意味著當我們閱讀《聖經》文本,或任何與此相關的文獻時,「一段話的自然含義是根據常規的語法、語言、語句和語境來解釋的。」(史普羅[Sproul])所以我們讀一段經文時是根據它的文體(詩歌、敘事性、天啟文學等)和規範這種體裁的格式來讀的。我們還要在其歷史和社會背景下去閱讀經文。最後,我們要根據經文的文學背景來閱讀。它在什麼樣的文體中,以及在上下文中所處的位置。從本質上說,合乎歷史與語法的解經能使我們認識人類作者,也認識到理解一個文本就必須對其真實處境做出必要解釋。但是歷史文法的解經只能走到這麼遠,因為聖經還有另一個作者,第一作者是上帝自己。聖經作為上帝神聖救贖歷史的記述,而歷史文法的解經無助於我們從這種整體的大背景下去看見經文的真意;這是一個關於上帝如何通過基督來救贖祂子民的故事。我們必須按上帝的本意去解讀聖經。
Historical-Grammatical - Let's get this one out of the way first since most broadly evangelical Bible interpreters will say that they interpret the Bible this way. But what does it mean? Essentially it means that when we read the biblical text, or any other piece of literature for that matter, the "natural meaning of a passage is to be interpreted according to the normal rules of grammar, speech, syntax and context." (Sproul) So we read a text in light of what it is as a text (poetry, narrative, apocalyptic, etc.) and the rules that govern that genre. We also read the text within its historical and social context. Finally, we read the text according to its literary context in what kind of text and where in that text the passage is located. Essentially, this part of interpretation recognizes the human author and the necessary interpretive realities accompanied with understanding a text. BUT historical-grammatical interpretation only goes so far because Scripture has another author, a primary author - God himself. What historical-grammatical interpretation will not help with is to see the meaning of the text in question in light of the overall context of the Bible as divinely ordained redemptive-history; a story of how God is, through Christ, redeeming a people unto himself. This is something we MUST do in order to understand Scripture as God intends.
 
二、以福音為中心──你有沒有想過為什麼四福音書之外的新約作者很少引用基督的話?你會認為他們會大量地引用祂的話,並用祂的話來解決爭端,引用祂的話來為羽翼未豐的教會建立神學基礎。但他們卻沒有這麼做。相反,他們關注基督的死亡和復活,通過十字架和空墳墓的視角來解釋一切,以及上帝如何利用這些事件來拯救世人歸向祂自己。這樣,對新約作者來說,重要的並不是基督的生活或話語(甚至包括登山寶訓);對他們來說,重要的是祂來到世上的原因:「要捨命做多人的贖價(太廿28)」,以及這在上帝的救贖歷史中意味著什麼。甚至耶穌在祂道成肉身時也親自肯定了這種分別(約六35-40)。
Gospel-centered - Have you ever wondered why the New Testament writers beyond the Gospels rarely quote the words of Christ? With all of the words of Jesus we have recorded, you would think that they would quote him more, use his words to settle disputes and quote him to build a theology for the fledgling church. But they don't. Instead, they focus on the death and resurrection of Christ and interpret everything through the lens of the cross and the empty tomb and how God has used those events to save a people unto himself. In this way, it is not the life or words of Christ (even the Sermon on the Mount) that are important to the New Testament authors. What IS important to them is the reason for which he came - to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28) - and what that means in light of redemptive-history. Even Jesus affirmed this perspective while he was incarnate (cf. John 6:35-40).
 
改革宗神學非常重視聖經中下列的段落,這些段落証實了這是應該閱讀聖經的方式(注:這些很重要,但還不是全部)。簡而言之,我們必須透過基督在十字架上的工作和復活的視角來閱讀聖經──因為這是經文唯一的重點。
Reformed theology takes seriously the following passages of Scripture which confirm this as the way in which Scripture should be read (NB: these are important but not exhaustive). In short, we must read Scripture through the lens of the work of Christ on the cross and his resurrection - for this is the singular point of all of Scripture.
 
耶穌對兩個往以馬忤斯去的門徒說:
無知的人哪.先知所說的一切話、你們的心、信得太遲鈍了。基督這樣受害、又進入他的榮耀、豈不是應當的麼。」於是從摩西和眾先知起、凡經上所指著自己的話、都給他們講解明白了。(路廿四25-27
And he [Jesus] said to them [the men on the road to Emmaus], “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:25-27 ESV)
 
弟兄們、從前我到你們那裡去、並沒有用高言大智對你們宣傳 神的奧秘。因為我曾定了主意、在你們中間不知道別的、只知道耶穌基督、並他釘十字架。(林前二1-2
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:1-2 ESV)
 
弟兄們、我如今把先前所傳給你們的福音、告訴你們知道、這福音你們也領受了、又靠著站立得住.並且你們若不是徒然相信、能以持守我所傳給你們的、就必因這福音得救。我當日所領受又傳給你們的、第一、就是基督照聖經所說、為我們的罪死了.而且埋葬了.又照聖經所說、第三天復活了.(林前十五1-4
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 ESV)
 
神在古時、多次多方藉著先知曉諭我們列祖、就在這末世、藉著他兒子曉諭我們、又早已立他為承受萬有的、也曾藉著他創造諸世界。(來一1-2
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV)
 
這些經文表明,福音是所有經文的核心,因此指導我們解經的原則,既不是基督的話語,也不是基督的生命樣式,而必須是基督的工作──拯救罪人(是救贖歷史的一部分)。基督的話語和生命只有在幫助我們理解基督的救贖之工時才顯出其重要性。這意味著,「基督在新、舊兩約中都處於中心位置,即使當人們討論聖經其他事情的時候也是如此。(McCartney & Clayton)」聖經的中心,它的主題,它的高峰都是耶穌基督的福音。
 These texts point to the reality that the gospel - the work of Christ to save sinners as part of redemptive-history - is the main point of all of Scripture and must therefore guide our interpretation of Scripture, not the words of Christ, nor the life of Christ. These are important, but only as they help us to understand the work of Christ to redeem lost sinners in obedience to his Father. This means that, "[t]he person of Christ lies at the heart of both testaments, even when they are discussing something else." (McCartney & Clayton) The center of Scripture, its main point, and its climax is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
 
三、聖約/救贖歷史──神是通過一系列的約,如:亞當、挪亞、亞伯拉罕、摩西、大衛、新約等,來揭示一件事:基督是救贖主。這就是聖經是如何構建的,也說明救贖故事是如何展開的。我們可以這樣說,聖經的內核是一致的,它聚焦在救贖歷史上,或說聖約歷史上。聖經本身就是啟示,並且它的一致性體現在對上帝啟示的記錄,它專注於記錄上帝在歷史中的救贖之工,而上帝的救贖在基督身上達到了最高峰。這段歷史始於伊甸園中的原始福音(protoevangelium),即第一個福音宣告(創三15),並在基督裡得以完滿成全。因此,聖經的重點就是基督的工作,這是由上帝在救贖行動中對自己的漸進啟示所揭示的──包括歷史上發生的事情,也包括 「歷史」之前的所有事情。總而言之,聖經敘事的語境和文本必須「在救贖或拯救的歷史語境中去解讀,在救贖歷史展開的範圍中理解經文的主題」(葛富恩)。
Covenantal or Redemptive-Historical - God reveals Christ as the Redeemer through a series of covenants - Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, New Covenant. This is how Scripture is constructed and it is how the story of redemption unfolds. (Click here, if you want a good overview of salvation in the Bible - from the ESV Study Bible.) We could say it this way - the material content of Scripture is a unity that focuses on the redemptive-historical or covenant-historical. The Bible is itself revelation and it possesses its unity as a record of the revelatory work of God focused on his redemptive work in history culminating in Christ. This history began in the garden of Eden with the protoevangelium (the first gospel proclamation, Genesis 3:15) and consummates in Christ. The emphasis in Scripture, then, is on the work of Christ as revealed by the progressive nature of God's revelation of himself in redemption - something that happened in history and to which all of history prior pointed. To summarize, the context and text of the Biblical narrative must always be "read in its redemptive or salvation-historical context, understanding the text's subject matter within the horizon of the unfolding history of salvation."(Gaffin)
 
簡單地說,救贖歷史解經就是上帝曾如何向我們啟示,就以此去解釋聖經(啟示)。具體地說,上帝在救贖祂子民的過程中,彰顯了祂是啟示的創造者、作者和闡釋者。因此,救贖歷史解經是最符合聖經的解經方式或講道方法,因為它進入了完全相同的鋪陳模式。在這個模式中,上帝親自記錄了祂無誤的話語,並詮釋了祂的作為。(Dennison
Simply, the redemptive-historical hermeneutic is interpreting revelation in the manner in which it was revealed. Specifically, God is creator, author, and interpreter of his revelation in the process of redeeming his people. Hence, the redemptive-historical hermeneutic is the most Biblical hermeneutic or method of preaching because it enters into the exact same unfolding pattern in which God himself records his infallible Word and interprets his works. (Dennison)
 
四、以經解經──簡單地說,這意味著用經文中較清楚的部分來解釋較不清楚的部分。這一原則對意義進行了管制,將任何經文的意義限制在了與聖經其餘部分相符的範圍內。亦可說,聖經任何部分的意義都必須放在整本聖經的語境中來理解。因此,我們要效法新約作者的樣式,在救贖歷史背景下理解聖經的經文,把經文與在基督裡被實現的終極目標聯繫起來,無論上帝的子民身處何地都能加以應用。
Scripture interprets Scripture - This means, simply, that the clearer parts of Scripture are used to interpret the less clear. This principle places a control over meaning that confines the meaning of any text to that which fits with the rest of Scripture. Or to put it in a slightly different way,  the meaning of any part of the Bible must be understood in the context of the Bible as a whole. In this way we follow the lead of the New Testament writers who understood the texts of the Bible in their redemptive-historical setting, related them to the ultimate biblical goal of fulfillment in Christ and applied them to God’s people wherever they were.
 
、救贖之約(Pactum Salutis)、 救恩歷史(Historia Salutis)和救恩次序(Ordo Salutis):
Pactum Salutis, Historia Salutis and Ordo Salutis - These are very important to understand:
 
1. 救贖之約(Pactum Salutis)──是指在萬有以先(在時間之前),三位一體的上帝,在其內在聖父和聖子兩個位格,就如何通過聖子道成肉身的工作將世人從罪中拯救出來,達成了一致的約定。簡而言之,在時間開始之前,在創世以先,三一上帝彼此立約要拯救罪人。
Pactum Salutis (Covenant of Redemption) - This is the pre-temporal (before time), intra-Trinitarian agreement of the Father and the Son concerning how people will be saved from their sins through the work of the Son incarnate. In short, before time began, before creation, the Godhead covenanted amongst themselves to save sinners.
 
2. 救贖歷史(Historia Salutis)──指的是人類歷史上實際發生的事件,實現了神約定的救恩。創世,墮落,洪水,對亞伯拉罕的呼召,出埃及,以色列的被擄,基督的降生與受死,五旬節,教會的開始,所有這些都是救恩歷史。
Historia Salutis (History of Salvation) - This refers to the actual events in human history to bring about the salvation that the Godhead covenanted. Creation, the fall, the flood, the call of Abraham, the exodus, the captivity of Israel, the life and death of Christ, Pentecost, the beginning of the church, all of these are events of the historia salutis.
 
3. 救恩次序(Ordo Salutis)是指對於罪人的救贖,使他們得以與基督聯合,並且賜給他們所有與之相關的福分。這些包括重生,認信,稱義,立嗣(成為神的兒女),得榮耀。
 Ordo Salutis (Order of Salvation) - This refers to redemption as it is applied to the sinner which brings them into union with Christ and gives them all of the benefits of that relationship. These would include regeneration, conversion, justification, adoption, glorification.
 
讓我們用《以弗所書》一3-10來很快地驗証如何運用以上三點來正確理解經文。第一章清楚地告訴我們,上帝無條件地揀選那些祂所願意拯救的,好叫祂得榮耀,就是在創世以先,因著愛我們,已經在基督裡揀選了我們(救贖之約),好叫祂榮耀的恩典得著稱讚。這種對自己榮耀的追求是上帝所做的一切事情的終極目標; 祂所追求的,並不是來自祂的受造物的對等的愛,或自由意志或其他任何東西。在第一章的末尾和第二章,我們看到,因著上帝的恩典,祂將信心的禮物賜給了祂的選民,使他們得救,就是基督的救贖之工通過聖靈得以施行在我們身上(救恩歷史)。祂還告訴我們,只要我們有信心,就能得著救恩,並且要活出我們的信心,「我們原是祂的工作,在基督耶穌裡造成的,為要叫我們行善,就是神所預備叫我們行的。」(救恩次序)
Let's look briefly at Ephesians 1:3-2:10 to see how these three must be kept in mind in order to understand these verses correctly. We are told clearly in chapter 1 that God has unconditionally chosen those whom he will save so that he will be glorified - in love we are chosen in Christ (pactum salutis) before the foundation of the world, to the praise of his glorious grace. This pursuit of his own glory is God's ultimate goal in everything that he does; not reciprocal love from his creation or free will or anything else. Then in the later stages of chapter one and in chapter 2 we see that he brings about the salvation of his elect by giving them the gift of faith on account of his grace as the work of Christ through the Holy Spirit is applied to us (historia salutis). He also tells us that we need to have faith alone for our salvation and that we need to live out our faith "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (ordo salutis)
 
不幸的是,這種區別經常被人忽略,使得上帝的作為會受到時間的束縛,而不再是發源於永恆的過去;祂的目標受到人類的限制,而不是受祂自己榮耀的限制,如此一來,事實陳述就變成了倫理要求,我們的救恩也變成一種缺乏恩典的行為。聖經學者和教師的任務是把上帝在永恆中所計劃的,以及在歷史中所完成的事,施行到教會生活中。我們的目標不是把救恩次序從神學或解經中剝離出來,而是把它放回原位。
Unfortunately, this distinction is often missed and as a result God's actions are bound by time rather than originate in eternity past, his goals are bound by humanity rather than his own glory, indicatives become imperatives and our salvation becomes works minus grace. The task of the biblical interpreter, and the Christian minister is to bring what was planned in eternity and accomplished in history and apply it to the life of the church. Our goal is not to separate the ordo salutis from the theological or exegetical, rather we ground it there.
 
結論
Conclusion

 
這篇簡短的概述,旨在強調救贖歷史和改革宗釋經學的獨特性。雖然這就如同管中窺豹,但重要的是至少對此有了初步的瞭解。我希望你開始明白改革宗神學並不只是「加爾文主義」或「預定論」或「鬱金香」。我希望你們明白,這是一種古老的、豐富的神學,是符合聖經的神學觀點。
This brief overview is intended to highlight the distinctiveness of redemptive-historical / Reformed hermeneutics. It's like drinking from a firehouse, but it is important to have at least a small understanding of it. By know I hope you are beginning to see that Reformed theology is more than mere 'Calvinism' or 'predestination' or 'TULIP'. I hope you understand that it is an ancient, theological rich and Biblically committed theological perspective.
 
一切榮耀歸於上帝
Soli Deo Gloria
 

作者簡介:傑瑞德·希伯特(Jared Hiebert)牧會許多年,在大學和神學院都有授課。他於2020年五月從費城威斯敏斯特神學院畢業,獲得歷史神學與系統神學博士學位。
 

2020-07-24


从释经学角度看什么是改革宗神学Whatis Reformed Theology? – Hermeneutics

作者: Jared Hiebert    译者/ 校对者:大迪/骆鸿铭

改革宗对圣经的看法很简单。我们相信《圣经》是神所默示的,是无谬(infallible)、无误的(inerrant)、有权威的、充分的、一致的、必要的、有益的、是独一的真理且大有能力。由于圣经正典已经完成,如今上帝不再继续启示,但祂透过圣灵的工作来阐明祂的道,就是使我们因在基督里活着,而能更深刻地理解圣经。我们的圣经论影响着我们如何读圣经和进行教会实践。这就是我们为何要重视在教会中诵读祂的话语,在主日讲道中去宣讲教导祂的道的原因。
The Reformed view of the Bible is simple. We believe that the Bible is inspired by God, infallible, inerrant, authoritative, sufficient, unified, necessary, useful, singular in truth and powerful. God does not continue to speak today, since the canon is closed, but he illuminates his word through the work of his Holy Spirit to make us alive in Christ as we deepen our understanding of Scripture. Our bibliology informs our reading of Scripture and church practice. It is why we emphasize the reading of his word in church and the expositional preaching of his word in our sermons.

基于上述的概览,它确立了我们如何去阅读圣经。虽然改革宗释经学的内涵要比我们在这里所能概括的深远的多,但这些要点将给出重要的原则,将改革宗释经学与一般福音派的释经学区分开来。从本质上讲,改革宗的释经学可以被描述为以救赎历史(下文分解)为特征,同时包含一些其他的重要理念,例如:
It is the above outlined view that determines how we read the Bible. Reformed hermeneutics is much greater than what we can outline here, but these points will give the important tenets that distinguish Reformed hermeneutics from those of general evangelical interpreters. Essentially Reformed hermeneutics can be described as Redemptive-historical (explained below) and is characterized by a few important ideas, in no particular order:

历史文法(Historical-Grammatical)——让我们先把这个弄清楚,因为大多数福音派的圣经解经家会说他们是以历史文法来解释圣经的。但这意味着什么呢?从本质上说,这意味着当我们阅读《圣经》文本,或任何与此相关的文献时,“一段话的自然含义是根据常规的语法、语言、语句和语境来解释的。”(史普罗[Sproul])所以我们读一段经文时是根据它的文体(诗歌、叙事性、天启文学等)和规范这种体裁的格式来读的。我们还要在其历史和社会背景下去阅读经文。最后,我们要根据经文的文学背景来阅读。它在什么样的文体中,以及在上下文中所处的位置。从本质上说,合乎历史与语法的解经能使我们认识人类作者,也认识到理解一个文本就必须对其真实处境做出必要解释。但是历史文法的解经只能走到这么远,因为圣经还有另一个作者,第一作者是上帝自己。圣经作为上帝神圣救赎历史的记述,而历史文法的解经无助于我们从这种整体的大背景下去看见经文的真意;这是一个关于上帝如何通过基督来救赎祂子民的故事。我们必须按上帝的本意去解读圣经。
Historical-Grammatical - Let's get this one out of the way first since most broadly evangelical Bible interpreters will say that they interpret the Bible this way. But what does it mean? Essentially it means that when we read the biblical text, or any other piece of literature for that matter, the "natural meaning of a passage is to be interpreted according to the normal rules of grammar, speech, syntax and context." (Sproul) So we read a text in light of what it is as a text (poetry, narrative, apocalyptic, etc.) and the rules that govern that genre. We also read the text within its historical and social context. Finally, we read the text according to its literary context in what kind of text and where in that text the passage is located. Essentially, this part of interpretation recognizes the human author and the necessary interpretive realities accompanied with understanding a text. BUT historical-grammatical interpretation only goes so far because Scripture has another author, a primary author - God himself. What historical-grammatical interpretation will not help with is to see the meaning of the text in question in light of the overall context of the Bible as divinely ordained redemptive-history; a story of how God is, through Christ, redeeming a people unto himself. This is something we MUST do in order to understand Scripture as God intends.

以福音为中心——你有没有想过为什么四福音书之外的新约作者很少引用基督的话? 你会认为他们会大量地引用祂的话,并用祂的话来解决争端,引用祂的话来为羽翼未丰的教会建立神学基础。但他们却没有这么做。相反,他们关注基督的死亡和复活,通过十字架和空坟墓的视角来解释一切,以及上帝如何利用这些事件来拯救世人归向祂自己。这样,对新约作者来说,重要的并不是基督的生活或话语(甚至包括登山宝训);对他们来说,重要的是祂来到世上的原因:“要舍命做多人的赎价(太20:28)”,以及这在上帝的救赎历史中意味着什么。甚至耶稣在祂道成肉身时也亲自肯定了这种分别(约6:35-40)。
Gospel-centered - Have you ever wondered why the New Testament writers beyond the Gospels rarely quote the words of Christ? With all of the words of Jesus we have recorded, you would think that they would quote him more, use his words to settle disputes and quote him to build a theology for the fledgling church. But they don't. Instead, they focus on the death and resurrection of Christ and interpret everything through the lens of the cross and the empty tomb and how God has used those events to save a people unto himself. In this way, it is not the life or words of Christ (even the Sermon on the Mount) that are important to the New Testament authors. What IS important to them is the reason for which he came - to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28) - and what that means in light of redemptive-history. Even Jesus affirmed this perspective while he was incarnate (cf. John 6:35-40).

改革宗神学非常重视圣经中下列的段落,这些段落证实了这是应该阅读圣经的方式(注:这些很重要,但还不是全部)。简而言之,我们必须透过基督在十字架上的工作和复活的视角来阅读圣经——因为这是经文唯一的重点。
Reformed theology takes seriously the following passages of Scripture which confirm this as the way in which Scripture should be read (NB: these are important but not exhaustive). In short, we must read Scripture through the lens of the work of Christ on the cross and his resurrection - for this is the singular point of all of Scripture.

耶稣对两个往以马忤斯去的门徒说: 无知的人哪.先知所说的一切话、你们的心、信得太迟钝了。基督这样受害、又进入他的荣耀、岂不是应当的么。”于是从摩西和众先知起、凡经上所指着自己的话、都给他们讲解明白了。24:25-27
And he [Jesus] said to them [the men on the road to Emmaus], “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:25-27 ESV)

弟兄们、从前我到你们那里去、并没有用高言大智对你们宣传 神的奥秘。因为我曾定了主意、在你们中间不知道别的、只知道耶稣基督、并他钉十字架。林前2:1-2
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:1-2 ESV)

弟兄们、我如今把先前所传给你们的福音、告诉你们知道、这福音你们也领受了、又靠着站立得住.并且你们若不是徒然相信、能以持守我所传给你们的、就必因这福音得救。我当日所领受又传给你们的、第一、就是基督照圣经所说、为我们的罪死了.而且埋葬了.又照圣经所说、第三天复活了.(林前15:1-4
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 ESV)

神在古时、多次多方藉著先知晓谕我们列祖、就在这末世、借着他儿子晓谕我们、又早已立他为承受万有的、也曾借着他创造诸世界。(来1:1-2
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV)

这些经文表明,福音是所有经文的核心,因此指导我们解经的原则,既不是基督的话语,也不是基督的生命样式,而必须是基督的工作——拯救罪人(是救赎历史的一部分)。基督的话语和生命只有在帮助我们理解基督的救赎之工时才显出其重要性。这意味着,“基督在新、旧两约中都处于中心位置,即使当人们讨论圣经其他事情的时候也是如此。(McCartney & Clayton)”圣经的中心,它的主题,它的高峰都是耶稣基督的福音。
These texts point to the reality that the gospel - the work of Christ to save sinners as part of redemptive-history - is the main point of all of Scripture and must therefore guide our interpretation of Scripture, not the words of Christ, nor the life of Christ. These are important, but only as they help us to understand the work of Christ to redeem lost sinners in obedience to his Father. This means that, "[t]he person of Christ lies at the heart of both testaments, even when they are discussing something else." (McCartney & Clayton) The center of Scripture, its main point, and its climax is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

圣约/救赎历史——神是通过一系列的约,如:亚当、挪亚、亚伯拉罕、摩西、大卫、新约等,来揭示一件事:基督是救赎主。这就是圣经是如何构建的,也说明救赎故事是如何展开的。我们可以这样说,圣经的内核是一致的,它聚焦在救赎历史上,或说圣约历史上。圣经本身就是启示,并且它的一致性体现在对上帝启示的记录,它专注于记录上帝在历史中的救赎之工,而上帝的救赎在基督身上达到了最高峰。这段历史始于伊甸园中的原始福音(protoevangelium),即第一个福音宣告(创3:15),并在基督里得以完满成全。因此,圣经的重点就是基督的工作,这是由上帝在救赎行动中对自己的渐进启示所揭示的——包括历史上发生的事情,也包括 “历史”之前的所有事情。总而言之,圣经叙事的语境和文本必须“在救赎或拯救的历史语境中去解读,在救赎历史展开的范围中理解经文的主题”(Gaffin)。
Covenantal or Redemptive-Historical - God reveals Christ as the Redeemer through a series of covenants - Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, New Covenant. This is how Scripture is constructed and it is how the story of redemption unfolds. (Click here, if you want a good overview of salvation in the Bible - from the ESV Study Bible.) We could say it this way - the material content of Scripture is a unity that focuses on the redemptive-historical or covenant-historical. The Bible is itself revelation and it possesses its unity as a record of the revelatory work of God focused on his redemptive work in history culminating in Christ. This history began in the garden of Eden with the protoevangelium (the first gospel proclamation, Genesis 3:15) and consummates in Christ. The emphasis in Scripture, then, is on the work of Christ as revealed by the progressive nature of God's revelation of himself in redemption - something that happened in history and to which all of history prior pointed. To summarize, the context and text of the Biblical narrative must always be "read in its redemptive or salvation-historical context, understanding the text's subject matter within the horizon of the unfolding history of salvation."(Gaffin)

简单地说,救赎历史解经就是上帝曾如何向我们启示,就以此去解释圣经(启示)。具体地说,上帝在救赎祂子民的过程中,彰显了祂是启示的创造者、作者和阐释者。因此,救赎历史解经是最符合圣经的解经方式或讲道方法,因为它进入了完全相同的铺陈模式。在这个模式中,上帝亲自记录了祂无误的话语,并诠释了祂的作为。Dennison
Simply, the redemptive-historical hermeneutic is interpreting revelation in the manner in which it was revealed. Specifically, God is creator, author, and interpreter of his revelation in the process of redeeming his people. Hence, the redemptive-historical hermeneutic is the most Biblical hermeneutic or method of preaching because it enters into the exact same unfolding pattern in which God himself records his infallible Word and interprets his works. (Dennison)

以经解经——简单地说,这意味着用经文中较清楚的部分来解释较不清楚的部分。这一原则对意义进行了管制,将任何经文的意义限制在了与圣经其余部分相符的范围内。亦可说,圣经任何部分的意义都必须放在整本圣经的语境中来理解。因此,我们要效法新约作者的样式,在救赎历史背景下理解圣经的经文,把经文与在基督里被实现的终极目标联系起来,无论上帝的子民身处何地都能加以应用。
Scripture interprets Scripture - This means, simply, that the clearer parts of Scripture are used to interpret the less clear. This principle places a control over meaning that confines the meaning of any text to that which fits with the rest of Scripture. Or to put it in a slightly different way,  the meaning of any part of the Bible must be understood in the context of the Bible as a whole. In this way we follow the lead of the New Testament writers who understood the texts of the Bible in their redemptive-historical setting, related them to the ultimate biblical goal of fulfillment in Christ and applied them to God’s people wherever they were.

救赎之约Pactum Salutis 救恩历史Historia Salutis和救恩次序Ordo Salutis):
Pactum Salutis, Historia Salutis and Ordo Salutis - These are very important to understand:

救赎之约(Pactum Salutis)——是指在万有以先(在时间之前),三位一体的上帝,在其内在圣父和圣子两个位格,就如何通过圣子道成肉身的工作将世人从罪中拯救出来,达成了一致的约定。简而言之,在时间开始之前,在创世以先,三一上帝彼此立约要拯救罪人。
Pactum Salutis (Covenant of Redemption) - This is the pre-temporal (before time), intra-Trinitarian agreement of the Father and the Son concerning how people will be saved from their sins through the work of the Son incarnate. In short, before time began, before creation, the Godhead covenanted amongst themselves to save sinners.

救赎历史(Historia Salutis)——指的是人类历史上实际发生的事件,实现了神约定的救恩。创世,堕落,洪水,对亚伯拉罕的呼召,出埃及,以色列的被掳,基督的降生与受死,五旬节,教会的开始,所有这些都是救恩历史。
Historia Salutis (History of Salvation) - This refers to the actual events in human history to bring about the salvation that the Godhead covenanted. Creation, the fall, the flood, the call of Abraham, the exodus, the captivity of Israel, the life and death of Christ, Pentecost, the beginning of the church, all of these are events of the historia salutis.

救恩次序(Ordo Salutis)是指对于罪人的救赎,使他们得以与基督联合,并且赐给他们所有与之相关的福分。这些包括重生,认信,称义,立嗣(成为神的儿女),得荣耀。
Ordo Salutis (Order of Salvation) - This refers to redemption as it is applied to the sinner which brings them into union with Christ and gives them all of the benefits of that relationship. These would include regeneration, conversion, justification, adoption, glorification.

让我们用《以弗所书》1:3-2:10来很快地验证如何运用以上三点来正确理解经文。第一章清楚地告诉我们上帝无条件地拣选那些祂所愿意拯救的好叫祂得荣耀就是在创世以先因着爱我们已经在基督里拣选了我们救赎之约),好叫祂荣耀的恩典得着称赞。这种对自己荣耀的追求是上帝所做的一切事情的终极目标; 祂所追求的,并不是来自祂的受造物的对等的爱,或自由意志或其他任何东西。在第一章的末尾和第二章,我们看到,因着上帝的恩典,祂将信心的礼物赐给了祂的选民,使他们得救,就是基督的救赎之工通过圣灵得以施行在我们身上(救恩历史)。祂还告诉我们,只要我们有信心,就能得着救恩,并且要活出我们的信心,“我 ”(救恩次序
Let's look briefly at Ephesians 1:3-2:10 to see how these three must be kept in mind in order to understand these verses correctly. We are told clearly in chapter 1 that God has unconditionally chosen those whom he will save so that he will be glorified - in love we are chosen in Christ (pactum salutis) before the foundation of the world, to the praise of his glorious grace. This pursuit of his own glory is God's ultimate goal in everything that he does; not reciprocal love from his creation or free will or anything else. Then in the later stages of chapter one and in chapter 2 we see that he brings about the salvation of his elect by giving them the gift of faith on account of his grace as the work of Christ through the Holy Spirit is applied to us (historia salutis). He also tells us that we need to have faith alone for our salvation and that we need to live out our faith "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (ordo salutis)

不幸的是,这种区别经常被人忽略,使得上帝的作为会受到时间的束缚,而不再是发源于永恒的过去;祂的目标受到人类的限制,而不是受祂自己荣耀的限制,如此一来,事实陈述就变成了伦理要求,我们的救恩也变成一种缺乏恩典的行为。圣经学者和教师的任务是把上帝在永恒中所计划的,以及在历史中所完成的事,施行到教会生活中。我们的目标不是把救恩次序从神学或解经中剥离出来,而是把它放回原位。
Unfortunately, this distinction is often missed and as a result God's actions are bound by time rather than originate in eternity past, his goals are bound by humanity rather than his own glory, indicatives become imperatives and our salvation becomes works minus grace. The task of the biblical interpreter, and the Christian minister is to bring what was planned in eternity and accomplished in history and apply it to the life of the church. Our goal is not to separate the ordo salutis from the theological or exegetical, rather we ground it there.

结论
Conclusion

这篇简短的概述,旨在强调救赎历史和改革宗释经学的独特性。虽然这就如同管中窥豹,但重要的是至少对此有了初步的了解。我希望你开始明白改革宗神学并不只是“加尔文主义”或“预定论”或“郁金香”。我希望你们明白,这是一种古老的、丰富的神学,是符合圣经的神学观点。
This brief overview is intended to highlight the distinctiveness of redemptive-historical / Reformed hermeneutics. It's like drinking from a firehouse, but it is important to have at least a small understanding of it. By know I hope you are beginning to see that Reformed theology is more than mere 'Calvinism' or 'predestination' or 'TULIP'. I hope you understand that it is an ancient, theological rich and Biblically committed theological perspective.

荣耀归于上帝
Soli Deo Gloria

2020-04-19


正解“无千禧年”末世论(提供具体根据)| 孙宏广

“无千禧年”简称“无千”(Amillennialism),是与“前千禧年”(Premillennialism)与“后千禧年”(postmiliennialism)有别的一种解释末世论思想。

不得不说,有时,“无千”(下同)这个词极容易给人造成一种误解,以为此说是指不承认有千禧年这一回事。其实,“无千”是针对“前千”与“后千”而言的。也就是说,这里的“无千”是指没有“前千”与“后千”所谓的千禧年,不赞同“前千”与“后千”思想对千禧年的解读。

因此,三种说法都没有否认千禧年存在的事实,都承认千禧年存在的真理,“只是对千禧年究竟在哪个阶段”,又或者“到底千禧年指什么”之间看法的不同。

过往,抱持“前千”与“后千”的信徒认为都有足够支持各自说法的理由。而“无千”最为人所诟病的也许就是似乎没有太过充足的理由。但真实情况却并非如此,因为,在三者之间,“无千”或者还真是理由最为充分,且与全本圣经最为和谐一致的。那么支持“无千”思想的理由究竟有哪些呢?

一、“无千”向来都是主流末世观。
二、基督的传道已经拉开了千禧年的序幕。
三、千禧年实际就是“国度”。
四、基督的再临具备“突然性”。
五、相关的末世预言没有一千年的空间。
六、“时间的三重语法”这一事实说明没有千禧年。

一、“无千”向来都是主流末世观。

关于对千禧年的思考,远在教父时期就已开始。虽然最早教导“无千”的是教父俄利根,他认为在基督两次降临之间的现世便是千禧年。但是,堪称最伟大教父的奥古斯丁(354-430)却是则将此观点继续发扬之人。

到了改教时期,除却威廉.丁道尔(William Tyndale)和重洗派(Anabaptists)之外的几尽所有著名改教家都持“无千”立场。其中包括约翰.威克理夫(John Wycliffe)、马丁.路德(Martin Luther)、菲利普.墨兰顿(Philip Melancthon)、约翰.加尔文(John Calvin)以及慈运理(Zwingli)。

后来,改教家所持定的“无千”思想,在教会界一直都是末世论的主流。若不是教导时代论的达秘(John Nelson Darby)兴起,外加司可福圣经注释对时代论思想的传播,“无千”应该一直独占鳌头才对。但随着时代论思想在华语基督教群体中的普及,许多人竟自然而然接受了“前千”的观念,以至于不假思索地反对“无千”,反对这种一直以来的主流思想,甚至视之为洪水猛兽,未免太过先入为主。

由于时代论思想的错谬,因此,时代论前千的错谬则无可辩驳。

尽管在改革宗内部也不乏“后千”主义者,如约拿单.爱德华滋(Jonathan Edwards)、亚历山大.贺智(Archibald Alexander Hodge)父子等人,但随着两次世界大战的爆发,这种看法业已渐趋式微。最为重要的是,较比另外两种思想,“后千”可能是最少圣经根据的思想。因此,“无千”必须被我们所重视开来。

二、基督的传道已经拉开了千禧年的序幕。

在全本旧约预言的指向之下,神子成功道成肉身,降世为人。基督的到来,是对旧约预言的全方面成就。

在耶稣布道的开端,他宣告的第一件事就是有关于禧年的恩惠。正如《路加福音》四章十六到二十一节所言:“耶稣来到拿撒勒,就是他长大的地方。在安息日,照他平常的规矩进了会堂,站起来要念圣经。有人把先知以赛亚的书交给他,他就打开,找到一处写着说:“主的灵在我身上,因为他用膏膏我,叫我传福音给贫穷的人;差遣我报告:被掳的得释放,瞎眼的得看见,叫那受压制的得自由,报告 神悦纳人的禧年。”于是把书卷起来,交还执事,就坐下。会堂里的人都定睛看他。耶稣对他们说:“今天这经应验在你们耳中了。”

这句经文就是主耶稣对千禧年来临的宣告。亦即基督面向大众告知千禧年业已临近。

在这里,主耶稣当然不是说“我再来时千禧年就将成就”。主耶稣也根本没有任何暗示听众需要等候N年外加1000年,方能亲历千禧年恩惠的意思。主耶稣乃是明明“报告 神悦纳人的禧年”,并且声言”今天这经应验在你们耳中了。”!因此,千禧年的确是主耶稣布道时就已经展开的。对于以色列而言,弥赛亚的到来就意味着复兴的到来。

三、千禧年实际就是“国度”。

我想,对于以上的解释,有的人一定会说“主耶稣说的禧年难道就是千禧年吗?就不能是别的什么意思?”

在此,针对这个发问,我们需要考虑两点:

第一,在没有任何其他证据形成完整的证据链,足够帮助我们推翻已经清楚言明的经文时,我们首先要接受经文说明的事实。在那段经文中,耶稣明明说“报告 神悦纳人的禧年”,为此,我们就得先接受耶稣的布道已经带来了禧年的恩惠这一真相,至于这个禧年是不是有别于启示录中的那个千禧年则可另行讨论。但若果完全无视基督带来禧年的事实则是弱化圣经经句本身的权威。

第二,无论是施洗约翰,还是主耶稣本人都在传道之时一再强调“天国近了”。我们知道,这个天国就是国度,国度就是福音带入的一种荣耀阶段。国度虽然有未来的面向,但那是指永世,根本不是指介乎于教会历史与永世之间的一个过度阶段,或者居间状态。

因此,对于施洗约翰与主耶稣那时而言,国度当然不是未来的。不然主耶稣就不会说:“人也不得说,‘看哪,在这里’,‘看哪,在那里’;因为 神的国就在你们心里。”(路17:21

千禧年是有关国度的,这是“前千”主义者都能赞同的道理,只是在时间上,他们后移了很多。

因此,千禧年就是国度。全本圣经中对国度的所有言说都可以用在千禧年上。但这个千禧年则是与神子道的成肉身捆绑在一起的。随着神子的降世,人类在始祖亚当堕落之后的唯一全胜时期随即来临。无需再等一个一千年的时间,也没有必要再来一个一千年的统治。教会历史就是这个千禧年。教会历史向前行进多久,这个千禧年就将持续多久。

四、基督的再临具备“突然性”。

另外,我们务必晓得,基督的再临具备“突然性”。因此,根本没有为一千年的千禧年容留任何可能性。

圣经一再让我们看见,“基督的再临是在许多人意想不到的情况下”,基督是突然闯入这个世界的。如《帖撒罗尼迦前书》五章三节:“人正说平安稳妥的时候,灾祸忽然临到他们,如同产难临到怀胎的妇人一样,他们绝不能逃脱。”;再如《马太福音》二十四章三十六到三十九节:“但那日子、那时辰,没有人知道,连天上的使者也不知道,子也不知道,惟独父知道。挪亚的日子怎样,人子降临也要怎样。当洪水以前的日子,人照常吃喝嫁娶,直到挪亚进方舟的那日,不知不觉洪水来了,把他们全都冲去。人子降临也要这样。”

而今,总有些人以为世界必须得被破坏到无以复加且根本不再适合居住的地步(有如《流浪地球》或者《后天》中所描述的那般),基督才能再临,末日才能到来。其实,这种想法实在是大错特错了!

根据圣经,地球根本不会被破坏到那个地步,只有“前千派”按照字面解释七年大灾难的这种思想,才会认为在大灾难之下地球根本无法适合人类再生存下去。其实,这真的是错解了圣经。要知道,七年大灾难是对《启示录》的错误解读。并且,灾难只有三年半。《启示录》乃是重复谈及这个三年半,因此会给人误以为灾难是七年的印象。在那些经文中,灾难乃是指教会将受的逼迫,而三年半则并非具体的三年半,三年半在《启示录》的用法乃是对整个教会历史的概括性说法。这是非常关键的一点。

其实,基督究竟什么时候再临,主要看福音传播的结果。只要在上帝计划中,被预定得救的外邦人填满了数字,也就说明时间到了。根本不在乎地球究竟是否适合人类居住。反而那时,必将有许多人依旧故我,吃喝玩乐,做着各种美梦,计划着各种计划。

尽管那日来临之前总会有许多征兆,如现在肆虐全球的疫情。但这个世界的环境则绝对不会到山穷水尽的地步。而关于《启示录》里面所谈及的灾难,主要指的乃是属灵层面。至于世界上具体的天灾人祸,都不足以摧毁整个人类的生产生活,不然圣经就不会强调说在那时,有“推磨的”,有“种地的”。人既然还能“吃喝嫁娶”,这就是人正说平安稳妥的时候。所以,基督的再临具备突然性,也就是在不知不觉之间。

由于基督再临具备突然性,而基督再临之后旋即就会展开审判,将人类历史带入永世。这样,哪还有什么为期一千年的时间作为过度呢?

五、相关的末世预言没有一千年的空间。

另外,我们可以看看圣经中有关于末世论范畴的许多著名预言,事实上,无论旧新约哪一处,都根本没有为一千年的千禧年容留余地。我们只需查考以下五处经文即可。

第一处是《但以理书》第二章;
第二处是《但以理书》第九章;
第三处是《马太福音》第二十四章;
第四处是《哥林多前书》第十五章;
第五处是《帖撒罗尼迦前书》第四章。

至于《以赛亚书》与《以西结书》中的相关经文由于篇幅所限,另当别论。

在《但以理书》第二章与第九章,关于“尼布甲尼撒之梦”和“七十个七”的预言都是关乎整个人类历史进程的。解开这两段经文,上帝对于人类历史的计划则昭然若揭、豁然开朗!

先是在《但以理书》二章三十六到四十五节说:“这就是那梦,我们在王面前要讲解那梦。王啊,你是诸王之王,天上的 神已将国度、权柄、能力、尊荣都赐给你。凡世人所住之地的走兽,并天空的飞鸟,他都交付你手,使你掌管这一切。你就是那金头。在你以后必另兴一国,不及于你。又有第三国,就是铜的,必掌管天下。第四国,必坚壮如铁,铁能打碎克制百物,又能压碎一切,那国也必打碎压制列国。你既见像的脚和脚指头一半是窑匠的泥,一半是铁,那国将来也必分开。你既见铁与泥搀杂,那国也必有铁的力量。那脚指头既是半铁半泥,那国也必半强半弱。你既见铁与泥搀杂,那国民也必与各种人搀杂,却不能彼此相合,正如铁与泥不能相合一样。当那列王在位的时候,天上的 神必另立一国,永不败坏,也不归别国的人,却要打碎灭绝那一切国,这国必存到永远。你既看见非人手凿出来的一块石头从山而出,打碎金、银、铜、铁、泥,那就是至大的 神把后来必有的事给王指明。这梦准是这样,这讲解也是确实的。”

在这个梦中,“金、银、铜、铁”分别代表前四国,也就是“巴比伦”、“玛代波斯”、“希腊”与“罗马”。这已成定论。而这四个帝国都是毁于第五国,最后,被第五国所取代。这第五国就是石头所代表的“天国”。

 “天国”的已然形式就是教会。要知道,这个石头是在第五国列王秉政的时期出现的。并非在基督再临之时。

当罗马帝国早期,主耶稣生于屋大维 Augustus 2714 )一朝,死于 提比略(Tiberius1437)治下。这正应验了“石头砸碎所有邦国”的预言。

在石头取代“金、银、铜、铁”之后,其就开始了涨满天下的过程。“于是金、银、铜、铁、泥都一同砸得粉碎,成如夏天禾场上的糠秕,被风吹散,无处可寻。打碎这像的石头变成一座大山,充满天下。”(但2:35)这个国在充满天下之后,将永不败坏。

这些经文显明,根本没有一千年的那个时期。反而,石头所代表的福音广传时代则正是千禧年之时。

至于,“七十个七”的预言,前六十九个七都无甚争议,那代表耶路撒冷被重建与道成肉身的基督受膏之间的整个时长。而只有最后一个七,在学界有些分歧。

在此,我们须知,这“七十个七”是绝对不能全部按照字面理解的。不然,就说明人类历史早已结束。哪还有后来的时日呢?

 “七十个七”前面的每一个七的确是对应具体的一年,但后面则并非如此,因为后一个七被分为“两个一七之半”。很显然,这是作者故意为之,也是出于圣灵的默示,这更是上帝有意要向非信徒隐藏祂的计划,但这些经句对于基督徒而言则很好理解。

对于最后一个七,有一种解释,前三年半是指耶稣布道的时长,而后三年半则是指整个教会历史时期。尽管前三年半怎么归算争议很大,这个我们可以存疑,但后三年半是指教会历史,这是具备充分根据的。如果后三年半是指教会历史,那么,在这三年半结束之时,当然就是永世。根本没有夹在永世与教会历史间的一千年。再者,上面的经文本身也如此说明:“为你本国之民和你圣城,已经定了七十个七,要止住罪过,除净罪恶,赎尽罪孽,引进(或作“彰显”)永义,封住异象和预言,并膏至圣者。(但9:24

这里再清楚不过,“七十个七”是接续永义的,永义是指永世之义。在最后一个七和永义之间,没有空间。

由于最后的三年半是指整个的教会历史,因此教会历史接续的则正是新天新地。这可以从《启示录》得到验证。事实上,《启示录》有关千禧年的经文也正是指向教会历史。

在《启示录》第十章一到六节,约翰用异象的方式交代了整个旧新约背后的属灵原则:“我又看见一位天使从天降下,手里拿着无底坑的钥匙和一条大链子。他捉住那龙,就是古蛇,又叫魔鬼,也叫撒但,把它捆绑一千年,扔在无底坑里,将无底坑关闭,用印封上,使它不得再迷惑列国。等到那一千年完了,以后必须暂时释放它。我又看见几个宝座,也有坐在上面的,并有审判的权柄赐给他们。我又看见那些因为给耶稣作见证、并为 神之道被斩者的灵魂,和那没有拜过兽与兽像,也没有在额上和手上受过它印记之人的灵魂,他们都复活了,与基督一同作王一千年。这是头一次的复活。其余的死人还没有复活,直等那一千年完了。在头一次复活有份的有福了、圣洁了,第二次的死在他们身上没有权柄。他们必作 神和基督的祭司,并要与基督一同作王一千年。”

这一段的背景是《创世纪》三章十五节。这些经文正是指被耶稣展开的国度怎样的持续扩展,怎样不断的得胜再得胜。

在这里,用三年半来代表所有的教会历史时长与全本圣经中涉及末世的用词和谐一致。三年半就是1260天,就是一载、二载、半载,也就是四十二个月。

因此,这里最后一个七的最后三年半与《启示录》十二章第六节一致。也与《启示录》第二十章一到第六节一致。在《启示录》第第十章一到六节,全部经文都是指千禧年,也就是指教会历史。只是前三节是从反面,也就是撒旦的失败来看这段历史(【启20:1-3】我又看见一位天使从天降下,手里拿着无底坑的钥匙和一条大链子。他捉住那龙,就是古蛇,又叫魔鬼,也叫撒但,把它捆绑一千年,扔在无底坑里,将无底坑关闭,用印封上,使它不得再迷惑列国。等到那一千年完了,以后必须暂时释放它。),而后半段,也就是第四节到六节则是从正面,也就是基督与教会的角度看教会历史(【启20:4-6】我又看见几个宝座,也有坐在上面的,并有审判的权柄赐给他们。我又看见那些因为给耶稣作见证、并为 神之道被斩者的灵魂,和那没有拜过兽与兽像,也没有在额上和手上受过它印记之人的灵魂,他们都复活了,与基督一同作王一千年。这是头一次的复活。其余的死人还没有复活,直等那一千年完了。在头一次复活有份的有福了、圣洁了,第二次的死在他们身上没有权柄。他们必作 神和基督的祭司,并要与基督一同作王一千年。)。在此,撒旦的失败与基督的得胜形成了鲜明的对比。

至于《启示录》十二章一到五节,明显是概论基督道成肉身前的旧约历史(【启12:1-5】天上现出大异象来:有一个妇人身披日头,脚踏月亮,头戴十二星的冠冕。她怀了孕,在生产的艰难中疼痛呼叫。天上又现出异象来:有一条大红龙,七头十角,七头上戴着七个冠冕。它的尾巴拖拉着天上星辰的三分之一,摔在地上。龙就站在那将要生产的妇人面前,等她生产之后,要吞吃她的孩子。妇人生了一个男孩子,是将来要用铁杖辖管万国的(“辖管”原文作“牧”)。她的孩子被提到 神宝座那里去了。);而第六节则是概论整个新约历史(【启12:6】妇人就逃到旷野,在那里有 神给她预备的地方,使她被养活一千二百六十天。)。至于第七节往后的经文则是从另一个角度重述这两段历史。

而当我们用线性的视角看待与解读《启示录》这些经文时,则必定认为这些经文具备清楚的先后次序。因此,读出千禧年则不难理解。但这些经文其实乃是采用多元重复的方法描述神的计划,并非遵循循序渐进的前后次序。正如罗伟博士在《启示录注疏》中所解释那样。如图——

在解读第二十章时,我们发现,妇人(指教会)逃到旷野之时长是三年半,这也正是千禧年的时候。

在这个时候,撒旦被捆绑,而这个捆绑显然是指“女人的后裔击碎魔鬼的头”这一预言的具体应验。伤魔鬼的头与撒旦被捆绑是一件事。这些形容显然是指因着基督的得胜,上帝限制牠对福音的破坏,以至于那块“非人手所造的石头”在这一阶段将涨满天下。而撒旦也正是在这个阶段对破坏教会一筹莫展。阴间的权柄不能得胜教会,这是主的应许。这可以通过教会历史,尤其普世宣教运动后导致的福音广传得以证实。

这样,当基督再临之时,根本不会出现另外一个为期一千年的千禧年,只会行经白色大宝座而进入永世。

而再查考《马太福音》第二十四章那段主耶稣亲自讲解的末世论预言,你会发现全章都根本没有为期一千年的千禧年的影子。反而耶稣明明说:“这天国的福音要传遍天下,对万民作见证,然后末期才来到。(太24:14);“那些日子的灾难一过去,日头就变黑了,月亮也不放光,众星要从天上坠落,天势都要震动。那时,人子的兆头要显在天上,地上的万族都要哀哭。他们要看见人子有能力,有大荣耀,驾着天上的云降临。他要差遣使者,用号筒的大声,将他的选民从四方,从天这边到天那边,都招聚了来。”(太24:29-31);“你们可以从无花果树学个比方:当树枝发嫩长叶的时候,你们就知道夏天近了。这样,你们看见这一切的事,也该知道人子近了,正在门口了。(太24:32-33

在这几段经文中,主耶稣向我们透露,“这天国的福音要传遍天下,对万民作见证,末期就会来到。”,这岂不正是强调福音的传播与基督再来是一个连续性的事情吗?在此,福音的传播正是国度的扩张,而国度的扩张正是那块石头的涨大过程。

另外,当主降临的时候,岂不正是“灾难”已过之时?灾难刚过,主就再临,却并非“繁荣的一千年”已过之后。

而“人子在门口”这句话,则充分说明信徒可以判断基督的再临,乃是看见“一切兆头”之时。这些兆头都是在教会历史中发生的,并非在为期一千年的千禧年以后发生的。试问,在那个千禧年里,一切倘若那么美好,何谈灾难,又何谈兆头?

注意,在上段经文中,“无花果树发嫩长叶”绝不是指以色列的复国,这个比喻的意义不外乎就是教导我们当善于“察言观色”。我们看见在教会历史中的一切渐渐发生,就该想到基督再临越发近了。如今岂不是正在逐步应验这些预言?

而在《哥林多前书》第十五章二十节到二十八节,那里保罗极其清楚地谈及了关于复活的次序(但基督已经从死里复活,成为睡了之人初熟的果子。死既是因一人而来,死人复活也是因一人而来。在亚当里众人都死了,照样,在基督里众人也都要复活。但各人是按着自己的次序复活,初熟的果子是基督,以后在他来的时候,是那些属基督的。再后,末期到了,那时基督既将一切执政的、掌权的、有能的都毁灭了,就把国交与父 神。尽末了所毁灭的仇敌就是死。因为经上说:“ 神叫万物都服在他的脚下。”既说万物都服了他,明显那叫万物服他的,不在其内了。万物既服了他,那时,子也要自己服那叫万物服他的,叫 神在万物之上,为万物之主。)。

在这里,这个复活次序如下:基督→属基督的→一切执政掌权者。

要解明此段,首先要理解“再后,末期到了”这句。其实,这句无非就是指白色大宝座的审判,试问,毁灭一切执政的,掌权的还能指什么?岂不就是指唯一的大审判吗?

且看,这个审判是连于前面“在他来的时候”一句的。“在他来的时候”当然是指基督的再临。那时,所有真信徒都会首先复活,也就是下文所指的(【林前15:51-52】我如今把一件奥秘的事告诉你们,我们不是都要睡觉,乃是都要改变,就在一霎时,眨眼之间,号筒末次吹响的时候;因号筒要响,死人要复活,成为不朽坏的,我们也要改变。)。复活后的信徒,会以“陪审团”身份与主共同进入对世人的终审判决当中。因此,在以后随即发生的则是展开的审判,也就是基督对恶人所施行的毁灭。毁灭将引入永世。这样,哪还有为期一千年的千禧年什么事儿呢?

最后,《帖撒罗尼迦前书》第四章说得也是这件事,只不过那里关于复活的次序更加清晰了。

因为保罗进一步讲解了一些复活的细则(【帖前4:14-17】我们若信耶稣死而复活了,那已经在耶稣里睡了的人, 神也必将他们与耶稣一同带来。我们现在照主的话告诉你们一件事:我们这活着还存留到主降临的人,断不能在那已经睡了的人之先,因为主必亲自从天降临,有呼叫的声音和天使长的声音,又有 神的号吹响,那在基督里死了的人必先复活。以后我们这活着还存留的人必和他们一同被提到云里,在空中与主相遇。这样,我们就要和主永远同在。),所以我们可以很容易判断那些字里行间所预告的历史进程。

在这里,保罗使徒明明让我们看见,当基督再临之时,已睡之信徒在基督里会首先复活被基督带来,而那时还活着的圣徒将与他们一起相遇。这样,当这两群人最终汇成一队,就将永不分离。而后来就是前文所说的,行将展开的大审判。这一切连于永世!我们已经看清,圣徒的被提与基督的降临都是在“眨眼之时”完成的,这之前没有为期一千年的千禧年,之后也没有。所以,根本没有那个为期一千年的千禧年。

六、“时间的三重语法”这一事实说明没有千禧年。

此外,根据圣经中频繁出现的“时间的三重语法”这类句式,我们发现有为期一千年的千禧年是说不通的。

首先我们要知道,撒旦一直都是上帝的模仿者。曾几何时,牠还妄图取代上帝。从起初开始,牠就是一心想篡位。但其经过一再努力,既然发现根本无法得逞,以至于换了一种打法,在一切形式上模仿上帝。

这些观察有助我们将上帝的救赎史与撒旦的失败史加以对参。你会发觉,根本没有为期一千年的千禧年。

比如,圣经中称呼上帝为“昔在、今在、以后用在的全能者”,基督自己也如宣告(【启1:4】约翰写信给亚细亚的七个教会。但愿从那昔在、今在、以后永在的 神和他宝座前的七灵;【启1:8】主 神说:“我是阿拉法,我是俄梅戛(“阿拉法,俄梅戛”乃希腊字母首末二字),是昔在、今在、以后永在的全能者。”;【启4:8】四活物各有六个翅膀,遍体)。

而约翰在《启示录》十七章第八节形容撒旦则说:“你所看见的兽,先前有、如今没有,将要从无底坑里上来,又要归于沉沦。凡住在地上、名字从创世以来没有记在生命册上的,见先前有、如今没有、以后再有的兽,就必希奇。”

在此,我们发觉这一形容撒旦的“时间三重语法”与形容上帝的是彼此对立存在的。

在“先前有、如今没有、以后再有”的兽,指的正是其“旧约时有”,“新约教会历史阶段没有”,而“基督再临时再出现”的意思。

当然,这个“有”与“没有”不是指撒旦的存在与否,乃是指牠的活动力,尤其指牠在上帝整体计划中对与福音的作用力。

既然对撒旦的形容位于中间的这一部分是“如今没有”,约翰时的如今正是新约教会初期,因此“如今没有”亦即“新约教会历史阶段没有”。这不正是《启示录》二十章所谈及的撒旦被捆绑一事吗?因此,既然撒旦被捆绑是在千禧年,那么这个千禧年又是教会历史阶段,还哪容留一个为期一千年的阶段给人过度呢?最后,且看罗伟博士的精彩论述——