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2017-07-21

从“限定性原则”谈起

/张亮

 近来在改革宗学习者中,有关“限定性原则”(Regulative Principle,也称“清教徒原则”或“约定性原则”)的争论非常热烈,具体问题不在于一个改革宗信徒是否应该相信并接受“限定性原则”(对于一个认信历史性的改革宗神学的信徒而言,“限定性原则”是改革宗神学的基本教义之一),而是在于“限定性原则”究竟包括哪些方面,以及应该如何看待在“限定性原则”方面与自己不同的其他肢体。

那么,什么是“限定性原则”呢?简单来说,就是改革宗相信在教会治理和敬拜的事情上,圣经对此都有明确的命令和教导,信徒应该按照圣经明确的命令来进行教会治理和敬拜,而不是随从己意。这是改革宗教会与新教其他宗派(如路德宗,圣公会阔派和高派等)的最大区别之一。

在教会治理和敬拜的领域,马丁•路德,以及圣公会的改教家们,允许那些没有圣经确保的宗教惯例,只要这些惯例不被圣经明显的禁止,将举证责任(onus probandi)推给那些反对这些惯例的人。简单来说,就是相信“在敬拜和教会治理上,凡是圣经没有明确反对的,我们都可以做。”

但是“限定性原则”则认同加尔文的意见,在教会治理和敬拜上,加尔文想要知道来自圣经的确切许可,这也是英国的加尔文主义者所提出的在教会治理上的“神圣法律”(Jus Divinum)理论(参考William Cunningham,《改教家与限定性原则》,见于《教会改革》杂志,4338页)。简单来说,就是相信“在敬拜和教会治理上,凡是圣经明确认可的,我们才可以做。”

加尔文在他的著作《论教会改革的必要》(1543年写给斯拜耳会议)中,清楚的表明了他的立场:“我知道要说服这个世界,相信上帝不赞成没有被他的话语明确认可的所有敬拜方式,有多困难。”他继续引用了撒母耳记上15:22和马太福音15:9

那么,改革宗为什么如此强调“限定性原则”呢?这里涉及到改革宗自身神学的强调以及有关圣经的信念。

首先,改革宗尤其强调人性的全然败坏,这种败坏不仅仅体现于所有在亚当里的人,也体现在一个重生之后的人身上,这使得一个败坏之人若按照自己的想法去进行教会治理和敬拜,其结果就是拜偶像(罗1:21-23)。而这也得到圣经自身的支持:当上帝在颁布摩西律法时,不断地强调:敬拜的规范,“都要照着在山上指示你的样式。”(出25:4026:3027:8等),而以色列随从自己的心意敬拜耶和华,却被耶和华神所愤怒和咒诅(出32章,请注意他们当时所敬拜的,仍然是那位“领他们出埃及地的神”)。在新约中,耶稣也强调:“时候将到,如今就是了,那真正拜父的,要在灵和真理中拜他,因为父要这样的人拜他。【约4:23 ”而唯有神的话才是真理(约17:17)。因为我们内心的败坏和对上帝有关知识的无知,因为我们内心所隐藏的拜偶像的倾向,所以,改革宗相信,除非是上帝所明确认可的敬拜方式,我们不可以自己创造敬拜方式,否则就是在拜偶像(或者是有意,或者是无意)。

那么,上帝真的对所有敬拜的方式(教会治理也属于敬拜的一部分)都有明确的命令吗?改革宗是如此相信的。这里涉及到改革宗有关圣经的信念,即圣经启示的“完备性”,根据威斯敏斯特信条1:6:

上帝全备的旨意,也就是关于祂自己的荣耀、人的得救、信仰和生活所必需的一切事,或已明确记载于圣经之中,或可用合理的推论,由圣经引申出必然的结论;不论是所谓的圣灵的新启示,还是人的遗传,都不得于任何时候加入圣经(提后3:1517;加1:89;帖后2:2)。

那么,有关“敬拜”的所有细节都记载在圣经中了吗?也不是。改革宗承认,有一些细节性的东西是上帝让信徒自身来决定,圣经没有进行限定,可以根据对一般启示的回应来确定,如敬拜的具体时间安排,敬拜时怎么坐等,威斯敏斯特信条1:6接着如此说:

有若干关于敬拜上帝和教会治理的细节,与人类日常生活和社会团体有相通之处,所以可以根据自然之光和基督徒的智慧予以规定,但总要遵照圣道的通则(林前11:131414:2640)。

简单介绍过“限定性原则”之后,我要进入今天所要讨论的重点,就是“限定性原则”究竟包括哪些内容,以及应该如何看待同样相信“限定性原则”,但与自己的理解不同的其他改革宗肢体,最后,应该如何看待在“限定性原则”方面与自己不同的其他宗派的肢体。

一、“限定性原则”究竟包括哪些内容?

改革宗强调“限定性原则”包括两个大的方面:敬拜和教会治理,在这两个方面我们不可以随从自己的心意去做,而是要严格按照圣经明确的启示去行。但改革宗也承认有些细节是可以让信徒根据“自然之光和智慧”予以规定。这里问题就来了,在敬拜和教会治理的具体细节方面,哪些是属于“限定性原则”所明确限定的,哪些则是属于信徒可以根据“自然之光和智慧”来规定的呢?判断的标准在于:第一,这个细节是否已经在圣经中有了明确的命令,如果有,则属于“限定性原则”所明确限定的;第二,这个细节在圣经中是否有根据不同情况的不同处理方式,如果有,则不属于“限定性原则”所限定的,因为“限定性原则”在新约下是通则,不会随境况而改变,如关于妇女再嫁的问题(林前7:40,提前5:14);第三,这个细节是否是一些“细枝末节”的问题。如主日崇拜究竟几个小时等。

正因为这种复杂性,同样相信“限定性原则”的改革宗神学家,对于某些细节仍然会有不同的看法。比如,“守主日”是否属于“限定性原则”呢?我在这篇文章中已经表明,在改革宗传统中,有两派观点,一派人认为“守主日”不属于“限定性原则”,而是一种具体的应用;而另一派则认为属于。再比如,“长老制原则”是否属于“限定性原则”呢?(不是指是否应该由长老制会,这一点显然是属于“限定性原则”。而是指圣经是否明确规定了“堂会”、“区会”、“总会”的划分,以及各自的职责)同样在长老会传统中,也有两派,一派认为属于“限定性原则”,另一派则认为不属于,只是根据“自然之光和智慧”所得出的最好的应用。

实际上,不仅如此,对于某些具体的细节,其“限定性原则”究竟该如何理解,改革宗神学家之间也有争论。比如,执事的选立是由“限定性原则”所限定的,这一点所有的改革宗学者都承认,但究竟执事是否可以有女性,则有不同的争论了(这里涉及到非常具体的解经。有意思的是,加尔文自己认为有女执事这个职分,参看其《罗马书注释》)。在我眼中,是否只唱诗篇也属于此类。作为改革宗信徒,我完全相信圣经已经规范了我们唱诗敬拜的范围和内容,不可以随便唱诗就当作敬拜。因为保罗在以弗所书和歌罗西书,先后两次将其明确规定为“限定性原则”:

【弗5:19】当用诗章,颂词,灵歌,彼此对说,口唱心和的赞美主。

【西3:16】当用各样的智慧,把基督的道理,丰丰富富的存在心里,用诗章,颂词,灵歌,彼此教导,互相劝戒,心被恩感歌颂神。

这里的问题在于如何理解“诗章、颂词、灵歌”?在改革宗传统中,一派认为这里的三个词都是指“诗篇”,是属于“同义反复”,意味着强调,所以只能唱诗篇。但问题真的这么简单吗?“诗章”原文就是“诗篇”,这个没有问题;“颂词”怎么看呢?七十士译本用这个词来翻译“诗篇”,圣经其他出现这个词的地方似乎也有指“诗篇”的(太26:30),但证据仍然不足够,最大的不足在于如何肯定“颂词”只是指“诗篇”(加尔文在其《以弗所书注释》中也承认不能肯定),而不是指其他赞美神的诗歌(如马利亚颂,或早期教会的圣诗:腓2:6-11等)。另外,“灵歌”又该如何理解呢?“灵歌”原文是指“属灵的歌”,“属灵”一词在新约中,其主要意思是“圣灵所教导,所引导的”,有时是指圣灵所默示的(罗7:14),但有时则是指圣灵引导下所教导的真理(林前9:11)。我们不能那么肯定的说“灵歌”就一定要是圣灵所默示的歌,而不包括那些圣灵所感动人写下合乎真理的歌。实际上,在改革宗传统中,也有另一派认为应当唱诗篇和圣灵所教导写下的合乎真理的圣诗,比如怀特斐德、爱德华兹、梅钦、范泰尔、约翰慕理、杨以德、弗莱姆等。

二、应该如何看待同样相信“限定性原则”,但与自己的理解不同的其他改革宗肢体?

对于我来说,只要一个人是真诚的认信“限定性原则”,并且愿意按照圣经明确的命令去行的,他就是我的改革宗肢体。虽然我们对于一些“限定性原则”的认识,因为彼此解经的不同而有所差异,但这不应该成为我们彼此团契和接纳的障碍。请永远记得,真正具有绝对权威的是圣经的教导,传统必须是明确记载于圣经之中,或可用合理的推论,由圣经引申出必然的结论我们才可以接受其权威,我们的良心唯独向圣经降伏(威斯敏斯特信条20:2)。

我所忧虑和担心的是,听说一些地方甚至有人以“是否只唱诗篇”来界定是否属于改革宗,这是我研究改革宗历史中从来没有发现过的事情。按照这些人的理论,怀特斐德、爱德华兹、梅钦、范泰尔、约翰慕理、杨以德、弗莱姆等都不是改革宗!这实在很荒唐!在改革宗历史中,无论是只唱诗篇的改革宗宗派,还是唱诗篇和圣诗的改革宗宗派,只要是真心相信并实践“限定性原则”,都是彼此尊重和接纳的。比如在美国,有一个改革宗宗派(RPCNA)是坚持只唱诗篇的,但是他们仍然尊重那些在此观点上与他们不同的其他改革宗宗派(如PCAOPC等),他们自己的神学院也非常推荐读其他改革宗宗派的学者的书籍。

请永远记得,我们每一个人都是一个在上帝主权性的恩典中不断归正的人,我们必须让自己向圣经敞开,不断接受圣灵的光照,不断学习并明白神的话语,不断顺服他的话语,也在这个过程中不断认识自己,认识自己的败坏、污秽、不洁、诡诈、软弱,不断的悔改,不断的认识神的恩典,不断的被恩典更新,更加谦卑,更加感恩,更加认识自己在虔诚敬畏中隐藏的自义和骄傲并深深憎恶之,也不断的将荣耀都归给他。

在我们都认同并真诚活出改革宗神学的精髓的前提下,一个人的观点和我不同,也许是我错了,也许是他错了,也许我们都错了,但这又何妨呢?请永远记得,一个人生命的成长唯独在乎神,主权在神。只要他真正明白神主权性的恩典,只要他真正向神降伏,我们就应该为此而感恩,为此而喜乐,为此而欢呼,无论在一些具体观点,他和我有多少不同。我们只要尽我们的本分,以爱人和维护真理的心彼此探讨,以温柔的心彼此劝诫,互相学习,这位主权的上帝会在他自己无限的美意中引导我们不断归向真理,而这正是保罗在罗马书14章所讨论的核心。实际上,当我们让一个信徒不是从自己对圣经的理解,而是强迫其完全接受我们的观点时,这反而是在让他犯罪(罗14:20-23)。

三、应该如何看待在“限定性原则”方面与自己不同的其他宗派的肢体

我在这篇文章和这篇文章中已经基本表明我对此类问题的立场,简单来说,就是相信主权在神,我们的责任是爱人如己,并切实去爱。在“恒久忍耐”和“又有恩慈”中“喜欢真理”,传讲真理,在“爱中说真理”,但又“不嫉妒,不自夸,不张狂”。钟马田曾经说(大意):一个真正在上帝主权性恩典中的人,当他看到一个生活在错谬之中的人,他的第一个感受是“怜悯”。我们这些自称完全相信上帝主权性恩典的改革宗信徒,我们有这样的心吗?而且,这绝对不是说其他宗派的神学思想里就没有我们可以学习的地方了,这种观点太荒谬,也不值得一驳。不要说其他宗派的弟兄姐妹,甚至那些不信的自由派学者的著作中,也有我们可以学习和借鉴的地方。改革宗的圣经神学就是在研究、接纳和批判自由派圣经神学的过程中发展起来的,改革宗学者对福音书的理解从“编修评鉴学”(Redaction Criticism)那里受惠良多。伯撒在担任“日内瓦学院”院长时,要求每一个神学生必须专心学习希腊哲学著作,加尔文甚至说:“当我们看到真理之光在异教作家的著作中表现出来,就要知道,人心虽已堕落,不如最初之完全无缺,但仍然禀赋着神所赐优异的天才。如果我们相信,神的圣灵是真理唯一的源泉,那么,不论真理在何处表现,我们都不能拒绝或藐视它,除非我们敢于侮辱神的灵……,如果神愿意藉着非信徒的劳力与服务,使我们得着物理,逻辑,数学,和其他文艺与科学的援助,我们就当接受。”(《基督教要义》第2卷第2章中15-16)


愿不同宗派的弟兄姐妹,都可以在神主权性的恩典里,在彼此相爱尊重,持守合一圣洁,在谦卑中互相学习,共同在神的真理上不断成长!

清教徒的敬拜規範性原則


敬拜規範原則(RPW, Regulative Principle of Worship)是17世紀的英國改教人士,在1689年西敏斯特信條第21章所提出來的信仰宣言,其目的是要改革歸正當時英國、蘇格蘭、愛爾蘭三國的教會,藉著統一的教義(doctrine)、教會治理(government)、敬拜規範(directory of worship)和要理問答(catechism)形成在聖經真理上合一的教會,清除潔淨羅馬天主教和英國國教不合聖經的世俗腐敗陋習。這些保守的英國改教人士因此被稱作「清教徒」(Puritans)

《基督教要道初階》的作者魏廉森(G.I.Williamson)於2001年向改革宗教會國際會議(ICRC, International Conference of Reformed Churches)提出了他支持RPW的論文。他的論述包括五部份:

第一,RPW是一個使徒性的原則,在新約中所清楚教導的,舊約中也如此。此敬拜的規範原則是教會的準則,直到基督再來。

他指出:舊約的敬拜清楚地教導了這個原則,所有與會幕和聖殿有關的獻祭敬拜都必須按照神所指示的方式來敬拜。至於新約的教導,耶穌在馬太福音28章託付使徒們的大使命: “「凡我所吩咐你們的,都教訓他們遵守」,我就常與你們同在,直到世界的末了。” 明白指出使徒們沒有權柄按照自己的意思和想法去完成使命,而是要忠心把耶穌託付給他們的教訓傳遞下去。使徒保羅也特別在歌羅西書第2章警告不要順服「人吩咐的規條」用「私意崇拜」(self-imposed religion)。他接著提出了一系列經文作為間接支持RPW的證據。

第二,約翰加爾文的教導和實踐。

威廉森引述了加爾文的話:「我知道要說服世界,神不同意任何不受神的話所制裁的敬拜形式是多麼難的一件事。但相對的,就如同抓住骨髓和經脈一樣深刻的那種信念就是:他們無論做什麼事,本身就具有一種足夠的約束,其熱誠是為了彰顯神的榮耀。既然神對我們熱心帶到祂的敬拜中的那些事,若是與祂的命令相違,不但視為是無果效的,並且是可憎的,那我們為什麼要違背祂的命令呢?神的話是那麼清楚明白:“聽命勝於獻祭” 和“他們將人的吩咐當作道理教導人,所以敬拜我也是枉然。”(撒上15:22;太15:8)」

對加爾文而言,改正羅馬天主教腐敗的唯一良藥,就是回歸到使徒的教訓和實踐。當問到加爾文,關於宗教改革最重要的是什麼的時候,他說:「第一,就是對神之合宜的敬拜;第二,就是得救恩的源頭。當這些被忽視的時候,我們就成了空有其名的基督徒。」加爾文把神的榮耀放在首位,甚至高過因信稱義的教義,因此合神心意的敬拜形式,被視為是改教運動最優先的考量。

第三,RPW是改革宗要理問答和信仰宣言中清楚說明,並且實行於歷史當時的長老會和改革宗教會的。

在這段論述中,威廉森提出了許多教會歷史文獻,證明16世紀的歐陸改革宗(Continental Reformed)傳統與17世紀的清教徒一樣,把RPW實踐在教會中。特別是廢除天主教所訂的節日,以及《詩篇》在敬拜中的超越地位。

接著,他駁斥了改革宗教會總會在1956年的大會所通過的《三一神詩歌》(Trinity Hymnal),其中包括了沒有默示的詩歌,以及少數的詩篇;並且反擊了他們所提出支持沒有默示的詩歌的論述。他呼籲學者們不要用模糊的「多數學者同意」作為定論;如果歷史的RPW的意思是它所表示的,那麼公眾敬拜的每一部分都需要受到聖經清楚的約束(sanction)。今天的教會須要誠實的回歸到這個原則上。

第四,現今的長老教會和改革宗教會已經把RPW帶到了一個失喪的地步。

威廉森指出,當我們看到了長老會和改革宗所遺留的產業,就會發現今天非常清楚的一件事就是:許多這些教會已經用了所有的創新,取代了古舊改革宗的單純。150篇神所默示的《詩篇》已經被上百的無默示的詩歌所遮蔽了。許多長老會和改革宗教會的神學家,甚至一些比較保守、正統的宗派,對RPW的看法,都與我們長老會和改革宗的先驅們大相逕庭。今日改革宗傳統所面臨的一個事實就是:改革宗教會要用重新定義的方式,除去RPW

第五,提出結論並且建議需要急切歸正的地方。

威廉森引用大衛高登(T. David Gordon)的話:「討論改革宗對敬拜的理解,若要合理、有結果的話,就必須充分的尊重改革宗的傳統,並針對那些重要的、已經公開的傳統論述提出辯論。」

他指出:長老會和改革宗教會正站在一個叉路口上,必須要選擇走那一條路,沒有一條路是容易和討喜的。我們若是繼續納入越來越多明顯抵觸傳統RPW的解釋的作法,或是至少是把RPW曲解到一個垮掉的地步,那麼我們就必須跟隨那些要藉著重新定義,把RPW廢掉的人;或是加入那些宣稱他們已經被解放的人。既然這二者的結果其實是相同的,威廉森把他們看為是單一的選項。

另一選項,當然就是開始這個艱鉅的工作,除去那些違反我們的信仰宣言的作法。這從來都不是一件容易的事。在加爾文的時代就不是容易的事,在此時此刻也是如此。但是此選項的確有明顯的優勢:「做這件事是對的」,並且做對的事最後會產生豐富的益處。

威廉森最後認為,改革宗先祖們單純的敬拜方式,會重新成為吸引人之處。許多的基督徒已經對那些誠心好意的人,對教會敬拜所帶來的改變、花招和創新感到憂心忡忡。他相信那一天將會很快到來, 歷史改革宗在聖靈和真理中的敬拜,會被認為是最新奇的事,甚至認識到這是最蒙福的敬拜!


清教徒的敬拜規範性原則The Regulative Principle inWorship: A Brief Article

作者:C. Matthew McMahon

敬拜的規範性原則(The Regulative Principle in Worship)在十七世紀的改革宗信條中明確地及經典性地被列明出來。在1689年威斯敏斯特信條第二十一章第一段及1689年倫敦浸信會信條第二十二章第一段都 有著相同的言語。以下的聲明是取自1689年倫敦浸信會信條:The Regulative Principle was given its classical and definitive statement in the reformed Confessions formulated in the 17th century. It is stated in Chapter 21 paragraph 1 in the Westminster Confession:
 
大自然的啟示顯明有一位神存在,祂有主權並統管萬有;祂是公正、良善及恩待萬物;所以我們應當盡心盡性盡意地敬畏、愛慕、稱頌、呼求、信靠、事奉祂。但是蒙神接納的敬拜方法是由神所指定的,所以它只能在神已顯明的旨意之中;即是我們不能用人的想像或計劃,或出於撒旦的任何視覺表象,或任何聖經沒有指示的方法來敬拜神。The light of nature showeth that there is a God, who hath lordship and sovereignty over all, is good, and doth good unto all, and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the heart, and with all the soul, and with all the might.[1] But the acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture.[2]

1. Rom. 1:20; Psa. 19:1-4a; 50:6; 86:8-10; 89:5-7; 95:1-6; 97:6; 104:1-35; 145:9-12; Acts 14:17; Deut. 6:4-5
2. Deut. 4:15-20; 12:32; Matt. 4:9-10; 15:9; Acts 17:23-25; Exod. 20:4-6, John 4:23-24; Col. 2:18-23
 
簡單來說,敬拜的規範性原則就是:神所命令的才是真正的敬拜,神沒有命令的就是假的敬拜。這是清教徒對敬拜的觀點。撒母耳華津(Samuel Waldron)說:「一個妨礙人接受敬拜規範性原則的主要理性的絆腳石似乎是它所提出教會之敬拜方法要受規範的主張,與我們日常生活的規則不同。在日常生活中神給予世人祂偉大的教訓及一般性的聖經原則,在這些指引的範圍內容神容許他們按著他們認為好的去安排他們的生活。神沒有給他們仔細的指引如怎樣興建他們的房屋及如何找尋屬地的職業。然而,敬拜的規範性原則卻在人創作的自由加上限制,與人日常生活的特性不一致。它清楚假定教會的敬拜規範與人類社會及其品德的規範是有所不同。所以敬拜的規範性原則很容易令人感到壓制、怪異,甚至令人懷疑它根本與神對人類及其生活的處理手法不協調。這也是真的。Simply the Regulative Principle States this: True worship is only commanded by God; false worship is anything not commanded. This was the Puritans view of worship. As Samuel Waldron has said, “It seems that one of the major intellectual stumbling blocks which hinders men from embracing the Regulative Principle is that it involves the idea that the church and its worship is ordered in a regulated way different from the rest of life. In the rest of life God gives men the great precepts and general principles of his word and within the bounds of these directions allows them to order their lives as seems best to them. He does not give them minute directions as to how they shall build their houses or pursue their secular vocations. The Regulative principle, on the other hand, involves a limitation on human initiative in freedom not characteristic of the rest of life. It clearly assumes that there is a distinction between the way the church and its worship is to be ordered and the way the rest of human society and conduct is to be ordered. Thus, the Regulative Principle is liable to strike many as oppressive, peculiar, and, therefore, suspiciously out of accord with God’s dealings with mankind and the rest of life.” True enough.
 
然而,神的家該受神的規則來管理,這是合宜的。神之民該受神的規則來管理,這是合宜的。用作表達向神之尊敬、虔敬、愛心、渴慕及喜樂的敬拜也該按著神的話話及聖經中的原則來安排及管理,這也是合宜的。基督徒的敬拜應該是向神表達祂自己的心意。我們應當向神回應祂是如何的奇妙及該受讚美。我們不可能用人設計出來的東西來敬拜神。我們不可能用人的聰明來敬拜神。我們不可能在一個沒有按著神及祂話語來安排及管理的環境氣氛中敬拜神。在聖經中及在清教徒的表達中清晰看到的敬拜規範性原則不應因著我們現代的文化越來越迷醉於娛樂過於敬拜神的緣故而被撇在一旁。It should be seen as appropriate at that house of God be ordered by Gods rules. It should be seen as appropriate that Gods people are to be ordered by Gods rules. It should be seen as appropriate that worship, that which shows reverence, piety, love, desire, and joy in God, be structured and ordered according to God’s word and His biblical principles lying therein. Worship for the Christian should be an expression of God’s heart back to God. We ought to reflect back to God how wonderful and most blessed He is. It is impossible to worship God by human invention. It is impossible to worship God by human ingenuity. It is impossible to worship God in an atmosphere that has not been structured and ordered by God and His word. The Regulative Principle which is found in the Bible and expressed clearly in its climactic expression by the Puritans should not be placed by the way side because we and our contemporary culture are more fascinated and captivated by being entertained rather than by worshipping God.
 
長老宗的清教徒在商議威斯敏斯特信條及改革宗浸信會清教徒在1689年商議倫敦浸信會信條時,他們一致地朝向一個相同的目標:合基督心意之敬拜。讓我們首先看看那1689年的信條,跟著再從聖經看看支持它的根據。這信條首先說:「大自然的啟示顯明有一位神存在,祂有主權及統管萬有;祂是公正、良善及恩待萬物;所以我們應當盡心盡性盡意地敬畏、愛慕、稱頌、呼求、信靠、事奉祂。」The Presbyterian Puritans, in assembling the Westminster standards, and the Reformed Baptist Puritans, in assembling the 1689 London Baptist Confession, were both aiming at the same thing: acceptable worship to Christ. Let us first look at the WCF and then we will look at the Biblical arguments which support this statement of worship. The Confession first states, “The light of Nature shews that there is a God, who hath Lordship, and Sovereignty over all; is just, good, and doth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the Heart, and all the Soul, (a) and with all the Might.”

這裏我們在敬拜神之前找到聖經及哲學的理據證明有神。若有人想用護教學來辯論,大自然的啟示已能說明這個世界有神。這位神是全宇宙的掌權者。這聲明不單說出神有主權,它更是指出神有全權管理一切。祂是一位管理及控制全宇宙所有活物、所有生物、所有石頭及所有原子的神。神在一切之上。因為我們有這樣一位良善、公正、善待萬物的神,祂是該受我們敬畏、愛慕、稱頌、呼求、信靠及盡心盡性盡意的事奉。若這位神是聖潔的,這就意味著必然有一個正確或錯誤的途徑去接觸神。在神的話語中耶穌基督不單給予世人能力去接觸神,祂也給予我們指引指示我們如何接觸祂。祂的救贖確保那些蒙揀選的達到這目標。這信條說出神該受事奉的最根本的原因,就是因為祂是神。因此我們看見清教徒從不會在討論敬拜的安排及管理之前,不先講論一些關於這位該受敬拜之神的事情。這段的第二部分接著說:「但是蒙神接納的敬拜方法是由神所指定的,所以它只能在神已顯明的旨意之中;即是我們不能用人的想像或計劃,或出於撒旦的任何視覺表象,或任何沒有在聖經中列明的方法,來敬拜神。」採用「蒙神接納」這個詞是有用意的,表示有一些敬拜真神的方法是不蒙神接納的。他們小心地選用他們的用詞來說明敬拜神要用神自己指定的方法。正因為是神自己指定的,它就被規範在神自己的啟示內。Here we find the biblical and philosophical arguments for the existence of God preceding the worship of that God which exists. The very light of nature, if one was to argue through in his apologetics, would come to the conclusion that there is a God. This God is the Sovereign Lord of the universe. Not only does this statement say that God is sovereign, but also that God is sovereign over all. He is the God who rules and who reigns over every living thing, every creature, every rock, every atom, anywhere in the entire universe. He is God over all. Because there is such a God who is good, just, does good unto all, or at least may do good unto all, he is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served with all the heart, might and soul. If this God is holy, then there is a right and wrong way of approaching this God. In God’s word Jesus Christ has given mankind not only the ability to approach God but also all of the directives are by which we may approach him. His atonement assures this to the elect. The confession states that God is to be served, in essence, because he is God. So we see that the Puritans could not begin by just stating how worship is to be ordered and structured without first stating something about the God who is to be worshipped.

 
只有聖經中那些明顯說及敬拜條件的事才是蒙神接納的敬拜。那些人的製作、人的設計、人的增添、人的刪減或是人聽從魔鬼試探而作的,都不蒙神的接納。而清教徒明確地指出我們不能用任何視覺的表象及其他聖經沒有說的方法來敬拜神。如此他們與天主教的偶像膜拜(畫像及聖像)及所有私意崇拜宣戰。(我們稍後會看看甚麼是私意崇拜)。所以,從1689年的浸信會信條中我們看到清教徒立志要追求敬拜的純潔;一個令神喜悅的敬拜,一個完全及單單依據聖經的敬拜。他們的良心不能容許有罪的人來指教神罪人該如何親近祂。而任何一個良善的基督徒亦不會想像自己已經遠在罪惡之上,能有資格告訴神他應怎樣親近神。只有神,這位聖潔及純全的神能夠決定人該如何接近祂。It should be seen as appropriate at that house of God be ordered by Gods rules. It should be seen as appropriate that Gods people are to be ordered by Gods rules. It should be seen as appropriate that worship, that which shows reverence, piety, love, desire, and joy in God, be structured and ordered according to God’s word and His biblical principles lying therein. Worship for the Christian should be an expression of God’s heart back to God. We ought to reflect back to God how wonderful and most blessed He is. It is impossible to worship God by human invention. It is impossible to worship God by human ingenuity. It is impossible to worship God in an atmosphere that has not been structured and ordered by God and His word. The Regulative Principle which is found in the Bible and expressed clearly in its climactic expression by the Puritans should not be placed by the way side because we and our contemporary culture are more fascinated and captivated by being entertained rather than by worshipping God.
 
1689年浸信會信條舉出四個論點支持清教徒主張的敬拜規範性原則:第一,決定罪人如何敬拜及親近神之方法是神獨有的權利。撒母耳華津引用雅各曼爾(James Man)所寫關於規範性原則的小冊說:「在所有關於集體敬拜的禮儀的討論中,最基要的原則是,它是神的職責,不是我們的職責去決定它的方式。親近神的道路已經因著人犯罪的結果而關閉及攔阻:人絕不能重新開啟因審判使他們與神的同在及喜悅隔絕的通道。這路能否重開;神與人的相交又能否再次更新?這個問題只有神自己能決定。若能,這更新又是按著甚麼條件而發生,而被造之物與造物者的相交又該怎樣地維持?這個問題的答案亦如上題一樣,只有神自己來解決。但神不單在祂的特權上是公正的,聖經告訴我們神在這特權上也運用得洽到好處。(4:1-5;出20:4-6)。若神定規我們要穿白色短袖衫來敬拜祂,祂也權這樣做。若神真是定規了所有基督徒要穿白色短袖衫來敬拜祂,我想每一個真正愛主的基督徒必會大量採購它們,保證他們永不缺白色短袖衫穿。他們會穿著它們來教會,因為這是神命令他們敬拜時要穿的。神是唯一能夠命令我們該如何敬拜祂的。人是何等的自大,竟以為自己有丁點兒的份兒去決定神該怎樣受敬拜!The Presbyterian Puritans, in assembling the Westminster standards, and the Reformed Baptist Puritans, in assembling the 1689 London Baptist Confession, were both aiming at the same thing: acceptable worship to Christ. Let us first look at the WCF and then we will look at the Biblical arguments which support this statement of worship. The Confession first states, “The light of Nature shews that there is a God, who hath Lordship, and Sovereignty over all; is just, good, and doth good unto all; and is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served, with all the Heart, and all the Soul, (a) and with all the Might.” Here we find the biblical and philosophical arguments for the existence of God preceding the worship of that God which exists. The very light of nature, if one was to argue through in his apologetics, would come to the conclusion that there is a God. This God is the Sovereign Lord of the universe. Not only does this statement say that God is sovereign, but also that God is sovereign over all. He is the God who rules and who reigns over every living thing, every creature, every rock, every atom, anywhere in the entire universe. He is God over all. Because there is such a God who is good, just, does good unto all, or at least may do good unto all, he is therefore to be feared, loved, praised, called upon, trusted in, and served with all the heart, might and soul. If this God is holy, then there is a right and wrong way of approaching this God. In God’s word Jesus Christ has given mankind not only the ability to approach God but also all of the directives are by which we may approach him. His atonement assures this to the elect. The confession states that God is to be served, in essence, because he is God. So we see that the Puritans could not begin by just stating how worship is to be ordered and structured without first stating something about the God who is to be worshipped.
 
清教徒的敬拜規範性原則之第二點是:引入聖經以外的敬拜方法往往有廢棄及削弱神指定之敬拜的傾向(15:3, 8, 9; 王下16:10-18)。對於王下16:10-18這段經文撒耳母華津有很好的解釋。他指出這是一個極佳的例子說明聖經以外的敬拜方法無可避免的將神指定的敬拜狡滑地取替了。他指出當背道的亞哈王與亞蘭王聯盟時,他想望擁有一個他在大馬色看到的祭壇。他便吩咐人建築這壇並將它擺放在以前放置銅壇的地方。這壇取替了舊壇的位置,那原是人早晚獻祭的地方;然而神指定的那個舊壇卻沒有被毀滅。當然沒有,它只是被放在一旁罷了(14)。在他命令作成這事的口喻上,亞哈王加上一個註腳使那些較為保守的臣民覺得他並無意冒犯神所指定的舊壇。那個指令最後是這樣總結:「只是銅壇我要用以求問耶和華。」(15)。人的發明者表面上贊同神指定的敬拜,但同一時間又用他們的行為廢棄它們。這個事例何等有力地說明聖經以外的方法確有取替神所指定之敬拜的傾向!這個傾向也在今日的福音派教會發現到,如那些世俗及無聊的報告、特備音樂、見證時間、話劇默劇、布偶表演、禮儀舞蹈及基督教電影等。這些項目不是完全取替了神指定的敬拜部份,便是嚴重也限制了它。舉例說,以上所舉出及其他人為的傳統,經常只容許二十分鐘作講道時間。The second Puritan principle of the regulative principle in worship is this, 2) The introduction of extra Biblical practices into worship inevitably tends to nullify and undermine Gods appointed worship. (Matthew 15:3,8,9; 2 Kings 16:10-18) 2 Kings 16:10-18 demonstrates that there is a way in which extra biblical practices inevitably, but often with great subtlety, displaced the appointed worship of God. King Ahaz in his apostasy from God and alliance with Assyria set his heart on having another alter like that which he saw in Damascus. He ordered the construction of such an altar and that it should be placed in the central place occupied by the old bronze altar. This altar displaced the old altar as the place upon which the regular morning and evening offerings shall be offered; but the old God appointed altar is, however, not destroyed. Of course not! It is simply placed in a corner, verse 14. In a footnote to his decree on this matter, King Ahaz assures his more traditional subjects that no insult was intended to the old God appointed altar. That decree concludes, “But the bronze altar shall be for me to acquire by”, verse 15. Human innovators pay lip service to the God appointed elements of worship and simultaneously, in the very act, nullify them. How strikingly this illustrates the subtlety with which extra biblical practices have the tendency to displace the divine the appointed altars of biblical worship! This tendency is illustrated in evangelical churches today where mundane or silly announcements, special music, testimony times, mime, puppet shows, liturgical dance and Christian movies either completely replace or severely restrict the ordained parts of worship. These or other traditions of men, for instance, often leave only 20 minutes for preaching.
 
清教徒的敬拜規範性原則之第三點是:若有罪的人私自加添任何神沒有指示的元素於敬拜中,他們就是用行為來質疑耶穌基督的智慧及聖經的全備性。提後3:16-17說:「聖經都是神所默示的,於教訓、督責、使人歸正、教導人學義,都是有益的,叫屬神的人得以完全,預備行各樣的善事。」經文提及的「屬神的人」主要不是指每一個基督徒。我們有原因相信「屬神的人」是指那些好像提摩太一樣在神的教會中作管理及帶領的人。教會的長老須用聖經來管理及決定應有的敬拜方式。這不是說讓長老實行他們設計的敬拜模式,而是藉著他們對神話語忠誠的固守,將神指示及期望祂子民的敬拜實行出來。所以聖經能夠叫屬神的人得以完全,在教會中行各樣的善事,叫神在敬拜中得榮耀。The third principle the Puritans drew from the Scriptures is this, 3) That if sinful men were to add any unappointed elements into worship, they would, by this action, be calling into question the wisdom of Jesus Christ and the complete sufficiency of the Scriptures alone. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states this, “all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that a man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” The man of God referred to in this text is not a reference to every individual Christian. There are compelling reasons rather to identify “the man of God any”, as the man who like Timothy was charged to provide order and leadership to the Church of God. The elders in a church are to use the Scriptures in such a way to dictate what the order and structure of worship is to be. It is not that the elders implement their own worship, rather, by holding steadfastly to the word of God, they implement what God states and desires for worship for the people of God. The Scriptures then, are able to fully equip the man of God for every good work in the Church of God, for the glory of God in worship.
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第四,清教徒非常堅決地引證聖經明顯地將任何沒有神命令的敬拜定罪。證明這點的經文如下:利10:1-3;申17:3;申4:2;申12:29-32;書1:723:6-8;太15:13;西2:20-23。讓我們先看利未記10:1-3,然後再看那歌羅西書及馬太福音的那兩節新約經文。Fourthly, The Puritans were very adamant to prove that the Bible explicitly condemns all worship that is not commanded by God. Scriptures proving this are the following: Leviticus 10:1-3; Deuteronomy 17:3; Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 12:29-32; Joshua 1:7; 23:6-8; Matthew 15:8-13; Colossians 2:20-23. We will look Leviticus 10:1-3 and then two New Testament verses that are listed here both in Matthew and Colossians.
 
利未記10:1-3說:「亞倫的兒子拿答、亞比戶,各拿自己的香爐,盛上火,加上香,在耶和華面前獻上凡火,是耶和華沒有吩咐他們的,就有火從耶和華面前出來,把他們燒滅,他們就死在耶和華面前。於是摩西對亞倫說:「這就是耶和華所說『我在親近我的人中要顯為聖;在眾民面前,我要得榮耀。』」亞倫就默默不言。」Leviticus 10:1-3 states, And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.
 
經文首先告訴我們拿答及亞比戶向神獻香。他們所獻的香神沒有接納。神不喜悅他們所獻的。他們獻上凡火。這是一句很奇特的說話。神從來沒有告訴他們不可獻這凡火。你尋遍整本聖經也找不到禁止他們這樣作的命令。我們只找到神告訴他們該作的事。雖然神沒有明文禁止獻上凡火,但我們從聖經中看到神並不同意它,並且就地處決了他們。拿答及亞比戶按著他們的私意獻上神沒有明文要求的東西,神就因這件事擊殺他們。這個原則在今天並沒有廢棄。神要那些就近祂的人「顯祂為聖」。其意思即是祂要被尊為聖潔,完全與祂的百姓分別出來。神要得著祂的榮耀;若不能從正確的敬拜中得到,就要從審判拿答及亞比戶獻凡火這件事上顯明出來。拿答及亞比戶的罪就是獻上神沒有吩咐的東西。神從來沒有說若他們獻凡火便會擊殺他們,但祂還是這樣作了。這事又告訴我們必須小心地分解神的話去找出它的正確意思,免得我們成為祂忿怒下的受害者。神對於祂的敬拜是非常挑剔的。And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.” The text first shows us that Nadab and Abihu came to offer incense to God. They offered incense and God did not accept it. God was not pleased with what they offered. The offered “strange fire”. Now this is somewhat of an odd statement. God never told them that they could not offer this strange fire. You would look through the Scriptures in vain to find the commandment which stated they were not allowed to do this. Rather, we do find what God does tell them. Though God did not expressly forbid this strange fire to be brought, we see from the text that God did not approve of it, and killed them on the spot for offering it. Nadab and Abihu took it upon themselves to offer to God something He did not expressly ask for and God “smote” them for it. The principle here does not die. God will be “sanctified” by those who draw near to Him. That means He will be regarded as holy, utterly separated by His people. God will receive His due glory whether it be in justice upon Nadab and Abihu for offering strange fire, or by right worship. They did not offer right worship and so were consumed. God desires right worship. Nadab and Abihu’s sin was offering that which God did not command. God never threatened to kill them if they offered strange fire, but He killed them nonetheless. This would also show us that God’s Word must be careful exegeted to find its proper meaning, least we ourselves become the victims of His wrath. God is very picky about His worship.
 
(耶利米巴羅士(Jeremiah Burroughs) 在他所著的《福音敬拜》一書中對這段經文有很精湛的解釋。耶利米巴羅士就這短短幾節經文寫出了很多篇解經式的講章,足足有四百頁。) (This text has been masterfully exegeted by Jeremiah Burroughs in his book Gospel Worship. Burroughs gives a number of expository sermons on these few verses numbering over 400 pages. The first sermon will be on this section of the web page soon. An excellent treatment of these verses.)
 
第二段我們要看的經文是馬大福音15:8-9:「這百姓用嘴唇尊敬我,心卻遠離我。他們將人的吩咐,當作道理教導人,所以拜我也是枉然。」這是一個驚人的宣言。耶穌指出有些人雖然口裏承認祂,卻沒有真正得著祂,因為他們沒有真正地敬拜主。他們只用嘴唇尊敬祂及見證祂。他們自稱是基督徒,他們說他們愛祂,他們說了許多東西。(請注意,耶穌正是在這樣的情況下評論法利賽人,他們的宗教包裝到好像甚麼都是「純粹為主」)但耶穌卻指出他們的心遠離祂。他們的心是在別處地方。他們並不屬於基督。他們沒有真正敬拜基督。反之,他們在敬拜神的事上私意地增添,並將人的吩咐當作道理教導人。人發明出來的法則(如敬拜上任何的加添)是被神定罪的,因為它們不能真正的榮耀基督。神沒有給予人權柄去創作敬拜及親近神的環境。耶穌將人在這方面的任何創作定為罪。The second Scripture to look at is Matthew 15:8-9, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” This is a very striking statement. Jesus explains that the people, though they profess Him, really do not possess Him because they do not truly worship Him. They honor Him with their mouth by their testimony. They say they are Christians, they say they love Him, they say many things. (And please note, that in this context He is speaking about the Pharisees who seem to have their religion neatly packaged “just for God”.) But Jesus goes on to say that their hearts are not near Him. Their hearts are somewhere else. They do not belong to Christ. They do not really worship Christ. Rather, they add things to God’s worship and thus teach as “doctrines” (or Gospel truths) the vain imaginations of men. The commandments which men make up (like additions to worship) are condemned here because they do not truly honor Christ. Man is not given the right to create the ambience of worshipping and drawing near to God. Jesus condemns any creation of this on the part of man.
 
第三段我們要看的經文是歌羅西書2:20-23:「你們若是與基督同死,脫離了世上的小學,為甚麼仍像在世俗中活著,服從那不可拿、不可嘗、不可摸、等類的規條呢?這都是照人所吩咐所教導的。說到這一切,正用的時候就都敗壞了。這些規條,使人徒有智慧之名,用私意崇拜,自表謙卑,苦待己身。其實在克制肉體的情慾上,是毫無功效。」保羅在這裏反對那些由人發明出來並加諸於其他人的虛假敬拜。不是按正意從聖經中分解出來的敬拜稱為「私意敬拜」。它的本質其實是從己及己所愛的而來。私意敬拜就是當人的因素成為操控敬拜的主因。這事的發生通常是當會眾控制講台該講甚麼道,敬拜該如何安排。許多時候教會為了吸引人來聚會,不惜千方計去迎合世界及製造一個「不冒犯人」的氣氛。不幸地,教會不但沒有藉著拯救靈魂而使世界變為教會,反而是自己變成好像世界一樣。敬拜就成為講求品味及方便的事情。人的主意成為決定性的因素。試想像拿答及亞比戶被容許到來觀看現今的教會—他們必然仆地哀哭,看見他們當日的罪竟然延續到今時今日,仍然有人去犯。The third Scripture to examine is Colossians 2:20-23, Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” Here Paul is refuting the false worship which men may impose on others. Worship not rightly divided from the word of God is called “will-worship”. It is, in essence, a worship of the self, because it is a worship from the self and what the “self” likes. Will-worship is when the human factor is the agent by which worship is dictated. Often, this is when the pew dictates to the pulpit what is preached, and how the worship is structured. Oftentimes churches cater to the world and create an atmosphere “unthreatening” to the world so they fill up the church. Unfortunately, the church then becomes like the world, instead of the conversion of souls to make the world the church. Worship then becomes a matter of taste, and convenience. Human desire becomes the deciding factor. Imagine if Nadab and Abihu were allowed to come and visit the contemporary church—they would fall to the ground and weep bitterly knowing that their sin is still carried on today with acceptance.
 
清教徒渴望一個簡樸、符合聖經的敬拜。他們用聖經代替己意來規範他們的敬拜。他們沒有意慾去獻上凡火,儘管那凡火對旁觀者來說是多麼的吸引。他們對於這些「表演」完全沒有興趣。當以利亞在迦密山上(看王下18),他問群眾準備跟從神還是跟從巴力。當他們被問及這個問題時,他們都鴉雀無聲。當以利亞提出他想與那些祭師來一個競賽(一場「表演」),群眾的反應怎樣?他們為此感到異常興奮。「好啊!來看表演吧!」他們也真的這樣作了。今天的教會也是這樣。他們想要看表演。他們盼望有火從天而降。他們想要一個使人驚嘆,最低限度也要使人高興的「無所謂教會」。但神很不喜悅。而是若不是因著神的恩典,大部分的「教會」都會好像拿答及亞比戶一樣被神消滅。The Puritans desired simple, biblical worship. They regulated their worship by the Bible instead of their own wills. They had no desire to offer strange fire no matter how exciting the strange fire would be to the spectators. They were not interested in putting on a show. When Elijah was on Mt. Carmel in 1 Kings 18, he asked the people if they were ready to follow God or Baal. When posed with the question, the people were silent. When Elijah said he wanted to have a “contest” with the priests (a “show”), what did the people do? They were all excited about it. “Yes! Let’s have a show!” And so they did. The “contemporary church” is the same today. They want a show. They want fire to fall from heaven. They want the spectacular, or at least as entertaining as “church may be”. But God is displeased. And if it were not for the grace of God, most “churches” today would be consumed as Nadab and Abihu were.
 
願那配受敬拜的神開啟瞎子的眼睛,使他們能看見。May the God of worship open the eyes of the blind that they may see.


(譯者按:敬拜的規範性原則的確是一個很榮耀的真理。在以往的世代一直被敬虔愛主的聖徒所持守,如清教徒、弟兄會、司布真、王明道、倪柝聲等等。他們對這真理的領悟程度有所不同,再加上各人的限制及虧缺,所以表達這真理的時候不盡相同及完美。這個我們是可以諒解的,畢竟他們(我們)都是有罪性的人,總會盲點及偏見。但總來說,神的確曾重用這些人,他們作工的果效有目共睹。為甚麼呢?因為他們對神及祂話語的尊重超乎一切之上。他們要完全遵照聖經的原則來事奉及敬拜。對他們來說,在敬拜及事奉的事上加添人的意見是對神一種極大及無可忍受的冒犯。神就是看中他們這樣敬畏祂的心志。時移世易,這個可貴的原則在今天再沒有多少人持守。仍然持守的少數人反遭一些「有識之士」批評及譏諷,說他們驕傲及極端。奇怪的是,在敬拜及事奉上反對任何人意的加添就 說是驕傲,就受批評,在敬拜及事奉上任意加添己意的就是謙卑,就能容忍,這是甚麼道理?舉例說,聖經說不可祭祀死人。對於那些清心愛主及尊重神話語的人,一句簡單的命令便足夠了,根本不需多辯論。但對於不少所謂客觀的「聖經學者」,他們卻千方計將這個命令處境化,倫理化,最終結論就是信徒在「某些情況」下也可以祭祖,無傷大雅。那些堅持甚麼情況下都不可祭祖的人(因為是神的命令),在他們眼中就自然而然成為驕傲自大及固執極端。可歎哉!今天教會充滿著這麼多人意的事奉及敬拜,教會這麼世俗化,娛樂化,都是因為人不再注重這個寶貴的敬拜規範性原則。當然,這個原則不是真理的全部。聖經中還有許多重要的聖經原則我們該去持守,我們不是要顧此失彼。但對於一個清心愛主的人來說,聖經中眾多的命令,都是「一個都不能少」,更何況這個是關乎我們如何敬拜及事奉神的真理!

但願清教徒的敬拜規範性原則在這世代再一次被高舉,願我們都像清教徒那樣尊重及謹守神的話語,不增添、不刪減,讓神在我們的敬拜及事奉上得著最大的滿足及喜悅,阿們。)