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2021-07-06

 

約神學不是替代神學
Covenant Theology is Not Replacement Theology

作者Scott Clark  譯者:誠之
https://heidelblog.net/2013/08/covenant-theology-is-not-replacement-theology/
https://yimawusi.net/2021/07/04/covenant-theology-is-not-replacement-theology/
 
最近有人問我,「聖約神學」是不是所謂的「替代神學」。那些批判改革宗聖約神學的時代論評論者,指控聖約神學的教導,說新約教會已經「取代」(replace)了以色列。其實,這是他們不明白歷史上改革宗的聖約神學。他們把一種更接近時代論的思維方式,加在救贖歷史上,而不是從改革宗神學的角度來看這個問題。
Recently I had a question asking whether “covenant theology” is so-called “replacement theology.” Those dispensational critics of Reformed covenant theology who accuse it of teaching that the New Covenant church has “replaced” Israel do not understand historic Reformed covenant theology. They are imputing to Reformed theology a way of thinking about redemptive history that has more in common with dispensationalism than it does with Reformed theology.
 
首先「替代」這個用詞本來就不屬於改革宗神學因為它預設了一種時代論的思維方式把以色列當成中心。它的假設是,那暫時的、國家性的民族,實際上要成為一種永恆的安排。這種思維方式與創世記三章15節的應許是相反的,那就是將會有一位救主,這個國家性的民族只是達到這個目標的手段,不是目標本身。根據保羅在以弗所書而章11-22節所說,在基督裏那中間隔斷的牆已經被拆毀了。它不能再被重建起來。這兩個民族(猶太人和外邦人)在基督裡已經歸為一體。在所有唯獨靠著恩典,唯獨藉著信心與基督聯合的人當中,不再有猶太人或外邦人的分別了(羅十12;加三28;西三11)。
First, the very category of “replacement” is foreign to Reformed theology because it assumes a dispensational, Israeleo-centric way of thinking. It assumes that the temporary, national people was, in fact, intended to be the permanent arrangement. Such a way of thinking is contrary to the promise in Gen. 3:15. The promise was that there would be a Savior. The national people was only a means to that end, not an end in itself. According to Paul in Ephesians 2:11-22, in Christ the dividing wall has been destroyed. It cannot be rebuilt. The two peoples (Jews and Gentiles) have been made one in Christ. Among those who are united to Christ by grace alone, through faith alone, there is no Jew nor Gentile (Rom. 10:12; Gal. 3:28; Col. 3:11).
至少,某些形式的時代論曾暗示,上帝有意使祂與以色列所立的國家性聖約成為永久的約。然而根據聖約神學,摩西之約從來不是永久性的。根據加拉太書第三章(和第四章),摩西之約只是亞伯拉罕之約的附文(codicil)。附文只是添加在原來文件上的,並不會取代原有的文件。但時代論卻把它們弄顛倒了。它把亞伯拉罕之約變成摩西之約的附文。希伯來書第三章說到摩西只是耶穌家裏的一個工人,而時代論卻把耶穌變成了摩西家的工人。
At least some forms of dispensationalism have suggested that God intended the national covenant with Israel to be permanent. According to Reformed theology, the Mosaic covenant was never intended to be permanent. According to Galatians 3 (and chapter 4), the Mosaic covenant was a codicil to the Abrahamic covenant. A codicil is added to an existing document. It doesn’t replace the existing document. Dispensationalism reverses things. It makes the Abrahamic covenant a codicil to the Mosaic. Hebrews 3 says that Moses was a worker in Jesus’ house. Dispensationalism makes Jesus a worker in Moses’ house.
 
其次,從救恩來看,改革宗聖約神學並沒有把以色列和教會並列在一起。對聖約神學來說,教會一直是上帝的以色列,而神的以色列一直就是教會。改革宗聖約神學把舊的約和新的約(old and new covenants)作出區分(林後三章;來七~十章)。它同意這個說法,就是教會是暫時透過一個預表性的、國家性的民族而施行的,但教會從亞當、挪亞、亞伯拉罕起就存在了;在摩西和大衛時期也存在;在基督之下也存在。
Second, with respect to salvation, Reformed covenant theology does not juxtapose Israel and the church. For Reformed theology, the church has always been the Israel of God and the Israel of God has always been the church. Reformed covenant theology distinguishes the old and new covenants (2 Cor. 3; Heb. 7-10). It recognizes that the church was temporarily administered through a typological, national people, but the church has existed since Adam, Noah, and Abraham; and it existed under Moses and David; and it exists under Christ.
 
第三、教會從來就只有一個,雖然在不同的治理方式下,在不同的預表和影子下,而現今是在基督的實體之下,因為信心的對象一直只有一個。耶穌這位彌賽亞一直是預表性的教會信靠的對象(來十一;路廿四;林後三),至今祂仍是信心的對象。
Third, the church has always been one, under various administrations, under types, shadows, and now under the reality in Christ, because the object of faith has always been one. Jesus the Messiah was the object of faith of the typological church (Heb. 11; Luke 24; 2 Cor. 3), and he remains the object of faith.
 
第四、雖然國家性的聖約已經被基督的順服、死與復活廢除了(西二14),但新約教會仍然沒有 「取代」猶太人。保羅說神把外邦人「嫁接」(graft)到神的子民裏(羅十一23)。嫁接不是取代,而是加上。
Fourth, despite the abrogation of the national covenant by the obedience, death, and resurrection of Christ (Col. 2:14), the NT church has not “replaced” the Jews. Paul says that God “grafted” the Gentiles into the people of God. Grafting is not replacement, it is addition.
改革宗神學家一直主張,猶太人會有一次大悔改。有些人稱此為「反猶主義」。這不是反猶主義,這是基督教。耶穌說,「我就是道路,真理,生命。若不是藉著為我,沒有人能到父那裡去。」(約十四6)聲稱耶穌是唯一的道路的替代方案就是普救主義,這不過是在攻擊基督的位格和祂所完成的工作。其他改革宗作者認識到羅馬書第十一章的應許只是指所有選民的救恩(羅二28),而不是指猶太人未來的歸信。無論如何,改革宗神學不是反猶主義的。我們一直盼望並祈求上帝所有的選民,無論是猶太人還是外邦人,都能在基督裏得到救贖,唯獨靠著恩典,唯獨藉著信心。
It has been widely held by Reformed theologians that there will be a great conversion of Jews. Some call this “anti-Semitism.” This isn’t anti-Semitism, it is Christianity. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The alternative to Jesus’ exclusivist claim is universalism, which is nothing less than an assault on the person and finished work of Christ. Other Reformed writers understand the promises in Rom. 11 to refer only to the salvation of all the elect (Rom. 2:28) rather than to a future conversion of Jews. In any event, Reformed theology is not anti-semitic. We have always hoped and prayed for the salvation, in Christ, sola gratia et sola fide, of all of God’s elect, Jew and Gentile alike.
 
 

2021-03-11


「美國不是以色列」:有人敢說這是頭腦不清嗎?
None Dare Call It Confused: USA is Not Israel

作者Scott Clark  誠之譯自
https://heidelblog.net/2010/03/none-dare-call-it-confused-usa-is-not-israel/
https://yimawusi.net/2021/02/02/scott-clark-2/
 
顯然,基督教右派計劃在201051日,即2010年的勞工節開一場大會。按照2010年五一節網站(http://mayday2010.org/)的說法,這場大會是「為一個陷於困境中的國家向上帝呼喊」。他們呼籲「愛神的各宗派基督教領袖要謙卑自己,禱告,尋求神的面,並轉離我們的惡行,無論個人還是國家」。在這方面,他們引用了《詩篇》一〇六篇44-45節:
Apparently the Christian right has planned an event for May 1, 2010—May Day 2010 (HT: Allan Bledsoe). According to the May Day 2010 site this event is “a cry to God for a nation in distress.” They call “Christian leaders of all denominations who love God to humble ourselves, pray, seek the face of God, and turn from our wicked ways—individually and as a nation.” In this context, they quote Psalm 106:44-45,
 
然而,祂聽見他們哀告的時候,就眷顧他們的急難,為他們記念祂的約,照祂豐盛的慈愛後悔。
But he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented.
這個大會是以一個全國盟約的名義召開的。我有點驚訝,也感到失望,他們沒有引用歷代志下七章14節的內容,直到我在教會主日週報的夾頁裏才看到他們引用了:
The event is cast in terms of a national covenant. I was a little surprised and disappointed not to see a quotation from 2 Chron 7:14 until I looked at the bulletin insert (for churches):
 
這稱為我名下的子民,若是自卑、禱告,尋求我的面,轉離他們的惡行,我必從天上垂聽,赦免他們的罪,醫治他們的地。
“If My people who are called by My name will humble them-
selves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked
ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin
 
這裏最大的難題是,雖然上帝在美國有祂的子民……但美國本身並不是「我名下的子民」。從耶穌被釘在十字架上的那一刻起,就再也不可能有另一群「我的子民」了。事實上,在一些重要的方面,早在十字架之前,以色列民就不是「我的子民」了。當耶穌降世的時候,祂就是上帝所立的「我的子民」。耶穌是「上帝的以色列」。自從以色列民之後,上帝就沒有和另一個民族立過約。
The great difficulty here is that while God has people in the USA the USA, as such is not “my people.” From the moment Jesus was nailed to the cross there could never be another “my people.” Indeed, in important ways, long before the cross national Israel was “not my people.” When he came, Jesus was God’s “my people.” Jesus is the Israel of God. There has been no covenant between God and a national people since national Israel.
 
話說回來,我是贊成禱告的。基督徒應該聚集在教會中禱告,改革宗基督徒聚集在教會中禱告是合適的。聖經中命令我們為那些在上有權柄的人禱告(提前二1-2),改革宗教會的做法也是如此。基督徒應該參與公民社會,設法在這個關乎道德、創造性的、自然法的領域中發揮影響力。他們應該呼籲執政掌權者履行維護公義的職責(羅十三),但我們要以順從的態度來呼籲(多三1)。
Now, I’m in favor of prayer. Christians should gather in congregations to pray and it is appropriate for Reformed Christians to gather in congregations to pray. We are commanded in Scripture to pray for those in authority over us (1 Tim 2:1-2) and it is the practice of Reformed congregations to do so. It is appropriate for Christians to be involved in civil society, to seek to bring to bear in that sphere the moral, creational, natural law. They ought to call on the magistrate to fulfill his duty to uphold righteousness (Rom 13) but we do so submissively (Titus 3:1).
 
基督徒擁有雙重公民身份。按照保羅的說法,我們是「天上的國民」(腓三20)。當然,我們在這裏也是公民,在這世上。我們的雙重公民身份意味著我們必須排定好我們各種忠誠的優先順序。我們必須作我們所生活的世俗政體的好公民,但很明顯,合乎聖經的順序是優先考慮我們的身份是天上的公民。我無法想像使徒會支持腓立比基督徒舉行大規模的示威,反對羅馬的獨裁統治。安靜地主張合法的權利,是的。保羅在要求一個公正審判的時候就這樣做了,這是他在羅馬法律下的權利。
We Christians have a dual citizenship. According to Paul, our “citizenship is in heaven” (Phil 3:20). Of course, we are also citizens here, in this world. Our dual citizenship means that we must prioritize our loyalties. We must be good citizens of the earthly polities in which we live but clearly, the biblical priority is upon our heavenly citizenship. I can’t imagine the Apostle countenancing a mass demonstration by Philippian Christians against the Roman dictatorship. The quiet assertion of legal rights, yes. Paul did so when he asked for a trial—which was his right under Roman law.
 
這裏的修飾詞「安靜地」很重要。安靜地生活不是寂靜主義(quietism),什麼都不作。在有人說我是虔誠主義者之前,要小心謹慎一些。上帝的話語這樣說道:
The modifier “quiet” is significant here. To live quietly is not quietism. Before anyone calls me a pietist, be careful. God’s Word says:
......又要立志做安靜人,辦自己的事」 (帖前四11
“…and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs” (1 Thess 4:11)
 
「我們靠主耶穌基督吩咐、勸戒這樣的人,要安靜做工,吃自己的飯。」(帖後三12)。
“…and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs” (1 Thess 4:11)
 
“Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living” (2 Thess 3:12)
 
我可以想像有人會反對說:「但保羅在帖撒羅尼迦後書中只希望某一類人安靜」。的確,保羅是針對帖撒羅尼迦人中的一個具體問題,但他並不是只想讓他們安靜地生活。我們已經看到了這一點。所以我再回到提摩太前書二章12節的其餘部分。我們要為那些在我們之上有權柄的人禱告。
I can imagine someone objecting, “But Paul wants only a certain class of people to be quiet in 2 Thess.” True, Paul is addressing a specific problem among the Thessalonians, but it’s not as if he wants them only to live quietly. We’ve seen that already. So I go back to the rest of 1 Tim 2:12. We are to pray for those in authority over us
 
......使我們可以敬虔端正,平安無事的度日」(提前二2
“…that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Tim 2:2)
 
換句話說,保羅的盼望是沒有人來管基督徒,讓我們在這世上活出我們的信仰,帶著「真實世界」(什麼,天堂不是「真實」的?希伯來書十一章說是!)的一切後果。沒錯,但我們的眼睛要注目那座城,它的建築師和建造者是上帝(來十一10)。我們的眼睛要專注於「永生上帝的城邑」(來十二22),因為「我們在這裏本沒有長存的城,乃是尋求那將來的城」(來十三14)。
In other words, Paul’s hope is that we Christians will be left alone to live out our faith, in this world, with “real-world” (what, heaven isn’t “real”? Hebrews 11 says it is!) consequences yes, but with our eyes fixed on that city whose architect and builder is God (Heb 11:10). Our eyes are to be focused on the “city of the living God” (Heb 12:22) because “here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come” (Heb 13:14).
 
是的,要為國家禱告,但要舉行大規模示威?五一節網站上說,這不是給媒體或政客看的?真是這樣嗎?從什麼時候開始,聚集在華盛頓的人,有誰不希望媒體或政客的關注?難怪人們會對教會抱著懷疑態度!在世人看來,這場集會如果不是為了爭奪權力和影響力,那就什麼都不是。如果這真的只是為了禱告,就不必在華盛頓聚集,而是在教會中安靜地聚集。是的,要為國家禱告,但不要把美國人民當成上帝的約民。我們不是。祂在這裏有約民,但祂給以色列國的應許已經應驗了。在出埃及記第二十四章3節,作為上帝的國民,以色列民起誓立約說:「耶和華所吩咐的,我們都必遵行。」 然後,根據聖經的記載,「摩西將血灑在百姓身上,說:『你看,這是立約的血,是耶和華按這一切話與你們立約的憑據』。」
 
Yes, pray for the nation but in mass demonstration? The May Day website says that this is not for the media or the politicians? Really? Since when did anyone gather in DC who did not want the attention of the media or the politicians? No wonder folks are cynical about the church! To the world this will look like nothing if not a grab for power and influence. If this was really and only about prayer there would not gathering in DC but rather there would be quiet gatherings in congregations. Yes, pray for the nation, but not as if Americans are God’s covenant people. We aren’t. He has covenant people here but national promises have been fulfilled. In Exodus 24, as God’s national people, Israel swore a covenant saying, “‘All the words that the LORD has spoken we will do.'” Then, according to Scripture, “Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, ‘Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.'”
 
你讀過大先知書嗎?你讀過小先知書嗎?你知道以色列的歷史嗎?以色列沒有遵守與耶和華立的約,但耶穌卻遵行了。祂為祂的父從永古以來賜給祂的所有子民遵守了律法的一切吩咐。這個國家需要的不是華盛頓特區的又一次禱告集會,而是在神聖的崇拜服事中真心的禱告,承認教會的罪,呼求教會的主的赦免。這些罪中最主要的是沒有考慮到上帝的聖潔律法是什麼,也沒有從律法中看到我們自己真正的光景。與這些罪相伴的是上帝話語僕人的罪,他們沒有傳講福音,也就是基督已經為祂的子民遵守了榮耀的律法,為他們受死,並且為他們復活了。
Have you read the major prophets? Have you read the minor prophets? Do you know the history of Israel? Israel did not keep her covenant with Yahweh, but Jesus did. He kept all the words of the law for all the people his Father gave to him from all eternity. What this country needs is not another prayer rally in DC but heartfelt prayer in divine services, confessing the sins of the church and calling out to the Lord of the church for forgiveness. Chief among those sins is failing to reckon with God’s holy law for what it is and for failing to see ourselves in light of that law for what we are. Concomitant with those sins is the sin of our ministers of failing to preach the gospel of Christ’s glorious law keeping, death, and resurrection for his people.
 
我們所宣講的救主將要在榮耀中降臨,是的,但現在還不是時候。我們所傳講的救主曾在降卑和苦難中降臨,但現在還不是勝利神學和榮耀神學的時刻,如今還為時尚早。當萬王之王帶著榮耀和權柄降臨的時候,我們就會知道那個時候到了。現在,我們所能提供給罪人的,就只有上帝的公義律法和祂絆腳跌人的石頭,即世人看為愚拙的福音:一位被釘在十字架上的救主,卻在第三天復活了。
The Savior we preach will come in glory, yes, but now is not that time. The Savior we preach came in humiliation and suffering. Now is not a time for a theology of triumph and glory. It’s too soon for that. We’ll know when that time is, when the King of the Nations comes in glory and power. Now all we have to offer to sinners is God’s righteous law and his stumbling-block foolishness, the gospel of a crucified Savior raised on the third day.

2021-02-07

 

「美國不是以色列」:有人敢說這是頭腦不清嗎?
None Dare Call It Confused: USA is Not Israel

作者:Scott Clark  誠之譯自:
https://heidelblog.net/2010/03/none-dare-call-it-confused-usa-is-not-israel/
https://www.facebook.com/peddrluo/posts/10159376487219653
 
顯然,基督教右派計劃在201051日,即2010年的勞工節開一場大會。按照2010年五一節網站(http://mayday2010.org/ 的說法,這場大會是「為一個陷於困境中的國家向上帝呼喊」。他們呼籲「愛神的各宗派基督教領袖要謙卑自己,禱告,尋求神的面,並轉離我們的惡行,無論個人還是國家」。在這方面,他們引用了《詩篇》一〇六篇44-45節:
Apparently the Christian right has planned an event for May 1, 2010—May Day 2010 (HT: Allan Bledsoe). According to the May Day 2010 site this event is “a cry to God for a nation in distress.” They call “Christian leaders of all denominations who love God to humble ourselves, pray, seek the face of God, and turn from our wicked ways—individually and as a nation.” In this context, they quote Psalm 106:44-45,
 
然而,祂聽見他們哀告的時候,就眷顧他們的急難,為他們記念祂的約,照祂豐盛的慈愛後悔。
But he took note of their distress when he heard their cry; for their sake he remembered his covenant and out of his great love he relented.
 
這個大會是以一個全國盟約的名義召開的。我有點驚訝,也感到失望,他們沒有引用歷代志下七章14節的內容,直到我在教會主日週報的夾頁裏才看到他們引用了:
The event is cast in terms of a national covenant. I was a little surprised and disappointed not to see a quotation from 2 Chron 7:14 until I looked at the bulletin insert (for churches):
 
這稱為我名下的子民,若是自卑、禱告,尋求我的面,轉離他們的惡行,我必從天上垂聽,赦免他們的罪,醫治他們的地。
“If My people who are called by My name will humble them-selves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin
 
這裏最大的難題是,雖然上帝在美國有祂的子民......但美國本身並不是「我名下的子民」。從耶穌被釘在十字架上的那一刻起,就再也不可能有另一群「我的子民」了。事實上,在一些重要的方面,早在十字架之前,以色列民就不是「我的子民」了。當耶穌降世的時候,祂就是上帝所立的「我的子民」。耶穌是「上帝的以色列」。自從以色列民之後,上帝就沒有和另一個民族立過約。
The great difficulty here is that while God has people in the USA the USA, as such is not “my people.” From the moment Jesus was nailed to the cross there could never be another “my people.” Indeed, in important ways, long before the cross national Israel was “not my people.” When he came, Jesus was God’s “my people.” Jesus is the Israel of God. There has been no covenant between God and a national people since national Israel.
 
話說回來,我是贊成禱告的。基督徒應該聚集在教會中禱告,改革宗基督徒聚集在教會中禱告是合適的。聖經中命令我們為那些在上有權柄的人禱告(提前二1-2),改革宗教會的做法也是如此。基督徒應該參與公民社會,設法在這個關乎道德、創造性的、自然法的領域中發揮影響力。他們應該呼籲執政掌權者履行維護公義的職責(羅十三),但我們要以順從的態度來呼籲(多三1)。
Now, I’m in favor of prayer. Christians should gather in congregations to pray and it is appropriate for Reformed Christians to gather in congregations to pray. We are commanded in Scripture to pray for those in authority over us (1 Tim 2:1-2) and it is the practice of Reformed congregations to do so. It is appropriate for Christians to be involved in civil society, to seek to bring to bear in that sphere the moral, creational, natural law. They ought to call on the magistrate to fulfill his duty to uphold righteousness (Rom 13) but we do so submissively (Titus 3:1).
 
基督徒擁有雙重公民身份。按照保羅的說法,我們是「天上的國民」(腓三20)。當然,我們在這裏也是公民,在這世上。我們的雙重公民身份意味著我們必須排定好我們各種忠誠的優先順序。我們必須作我們所生活的世俗政體的好公民,但很明顯,合乎聖經的順序是優先考慮我們的身份是天上的公民。我無法想像使徒會支持腓立比基督徒舉行大規模的示威,反對羅馬的獨裁統治。安靜地主張合法的權利,是的。保羅在要求一個公正審判的時候就這樣做了,這是他在羅馬法律下的權利。
We Christians have a dual citizenship. According to Paul, our “citizenship is in heaven” (Phil 3:20). Of course, we are also citizens here, in this world. Our dual citizenship means that we must prioritize our loyalties. We must be good citizens of the earthly polities in which we live but clearly, the biblical priority is upon our heavenly citizenship. I can’t imagine the Apostle countenancing a mass demonstration by Philippian Christians against the Roman dictatorship. The quiet assertion of legal rights, yes. Paul did so when he asked for a trial—which was his right under Roman law.
 
這裏的修飾詞「安靜地」很重要。安靜地生活不是寂靜主義(quietism),什麼都不作。在有人說我是虔誠主義者之前,要小心謹慎一些。上帝的話語這樣說道:
The modifier “quiet” is significant here. To live quietly is not quietism. Before anyone calls me a pietist, be careful. God’s Word says:
 
......又要立志做安靜人,辦自己的事」 (帖前四11
 
“…and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs” (1 Thess 4:11)
 
「我們靠主耶穌基督吩咐、勸戒這樣的人,要安靜做工,吃自己的飯。」(帖後三12)。
“…and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs” (1 Thess 4:11)
 
我可以想像有人會反對說:「但保羅在帖撒羅尼迦後書中只希望某一類人安靜」。的確,保羅是針對帖撒羅尼迦人中的一個具體問題,但他並不是只想讓他們安靜地生活。我們已經看到了這一點。所以我再回到提摩太前書二章12節的其餘部分。我們要為那些在我們之上有權柄的人禱告。
I can imagine someone objecting, “But Paul wants only a certain class of people to be quiet in 2 Thess.” True, Paul is addressing a specific problem among the Thessalonians, but it’s not as if he wants them only to live quietly. We’ve seen that already. So I go back to the rest of 1 Tim 2:12. We are to pray for those in authority over us
 
......使我們可以敬虔端正,平安無事的度日」(提前二2
“…that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Tim 2:2)
 
換句話說,保羅的盼望是沒有人來管基督徒,讓我們在這世上活出我們的信仰,帶著「真實世界」(什麼,天堂不是「真實」的?希伯來書十一章說是!)的一切後果。沒錯,但我們的眼睛要注目那座城,它的建築師和建造者是上帝(來十一10)。我們的眼睛要專注於「永生上帝的城邑」(來十二22),因為「我們在這裏本沒有長存的城,乃是尋求那將來的城」(來十三14)。
In other words, Paul’s hope is that we Christians will be left alone to live out our faith, in this world, with “real-world” (what, heaven isn’t “real”? Hebrews 11 says it is!) consequences yes, but with our eyes fixed on that city whose architect and builder is God (Heb 11:10). Our eyes are to be focused on the “city of the living God” (Heb 12:22) because “here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come” (Heb 13:14).
 
是的,要為國家禱告,但要舉行大規模示威?五一節網站上說,這不是給媒體或政客看的?真是這樣嗎?從什麼時候開始,聚集在華盛頓的人,有誰不希望媒體或政客的關注?難怪人們會對教會抱著懷疑態度!在世人看來,這場集會如果不是為了爭奪權力和影響力,那就什麼都不是。如果這真的只是為了禱告,就不必在華盛頓聚集,而是在教會中安靜地聚集。是的,要為國家禱告,但不要把美國人民當成上帝的約民。我們不是。祂在這裏有約民,但祂給以色列國的應許已經應驗了。在出埃及記第二十四章3節,作為上帝的國民,以色列民起誓立約說:「耶和華所吩咐的,我們都必遵行。」 然後,根據聖經的記載,「摩西將血灑在百姓身上,說:『你看,這是立約的血,是耶和華按這一切話與你們立約的憑據』。」
Yes, pray for the nation but in mass demonstration? The May Day website says that this is not for the media or the politicians? Really? Since when did anyone gather in DC who did not want the attention of the media or the politicians? No wonder folks are cynical about the church! To the world this will look like nothing if not a grab for power and influence. If this was really and only about prayer there would not gathering in DC but rather there would be quiet gatherings in congregations. Yes, pray for the nation, but not as if Americans are God’s covenant people. We aren’t. He has covenant people here but national promises have been fulfilled. In Exodus 24, as God’s national people, Israel swore a covenant saying, “‘All the words that the LORD has spoken we will do.'” Then, according to Scripture, “Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, ‘Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.'”
 
你讀過大先知書嗎?你讀過小先知書嗎?你知道以色列的歷史嗎?以色列沒有遵守與耶和華立的約,但耶穌卻遵行了。祂為祂的父從永古以來賜給祂的所有子民遵守了律法的一切吩咐。這個國家需要的不是華盛頓特區的又一次禱告集會,而是在神聖的崇拜服事中真心的禱告,承認教會的罪,呼求教會的主的赦免。這些罪中最主要的是沒有考慮到上帝的聖潔律法是什麼,也沒有從律法中看到我們自己真正的光景。與這些罪相伴的是上帝話語僕人的罪,他們沒有傳講福音,也就是基督已經為祂的子民遵守了榮耀的律法,為他們受死,並且為他們復活了。
Have you read the major prophets? Have you read the minor prophets? Do you know the history of Israel? Israel did not keep her covenant with Yahweh, but Jesus did. He kept all the words of the law for all the people his Father gave to him from all eternity. What this country needs is not another prayer rally in DC but heartfelt prayer in divine services, confessing the sins of the church and calling out to the Lord of the church for forgiveness. Chief among those sins is failing to reckon with God’s holy law for what it is and for failing to see ourselves in light of that law for what we are. Concomitant with those sins is the sin of our ministers of failing to preach the gospel of Christ’s glorious law keeping, death, and resurrection for his people.


我們所宣講的救主將要在榮耀中降臨,是的,但現在還不是時候。我們所傳講的救主曾在降卑和苦難中降臨,但現在還不是勝利神學和榮耀神學的時刻,如今還為時尚早。當萬王之王帶著榮耀和權柄降臨的時候,我們就會知道那個時候到了。現在,我們所能提供給罪人的,就只有上帝的公義律法和祂絆腳跌人的石頭,即世人看為愚拙的福音:一位被釘在十字架上的救主,卻在第三天復活了。
The Savior we preach will come in glory, yes, but now is not that time. The Savior we preach came in humiliation and suffering. Now is not a time for a theology of triumph and glory. It’s too soon for that. We’ll know when that time is, when the King of the Nations comes in glory and power. Now all we have to offer to sinners is God’s righteous law and his stumbling-block foolishness, the gospel of a crucified Savior raised on the third day.

2020-08-05


你所属的堂会是绿洲还是海市蜃楼?Is Your Congregation An Oasis Or A Mirage?

作者Scott Clark   译者/校对基甸/诚之

小时候,我经常跟着大人去堪萨斯西南部祖父母的农场。我在那里学会了开车、搭栅栏、打捆乾草、嚼烟草。最后一项不建议大家学。在旅途中,赶上一个十分酷热的日子,远处就会出现海市蜃楼的景象。只见热浪在柏油路面不停的翻腾,看上去仿佛眼前的道路已经融化了一样。
When I was boy we made frequent pilgrimages to my grandparent’s farm in Southwestern Kansas. That is where I learned to drive, put up fence, buck bales of hay, and chew tobacco. I do not recommend the latter. On the trip, on a really hot day, a mirage would appear in the distance. The road seemed to melt ahead of us as heat waves rose from the asphalt.

沙漠中的旅行者渴望两样东西:水和绿荫,而这两样东西只有在绿洲里才能找到。旅行者心中渴慕绿洲,因为沙漠中的温度可以达到48.9摄氏度(120华氏度),非常的危险。所以看到远方的绿洲,可以给人盼望。但如果绿洲变成了海市蜃楼,就会让人非常失望,非常痛苦。
Travelers in the desert long for two things: water and shade, two things offered by an oasis. An oasis is desirable because traveling in the desert, where temperatures can reach 120F can be dangerous. To see an oasis in the distance offers hope. An oasis turn out to be a mirage is a bitter disappointment.

基督徒生活也是如此。圣经把基督徒生活描绘成一段旅程、一段朝圣之旅,而把基督徒描绘成客旅和天路客。在《利未记》2523节,耶和华称我们为“寄居的”。在《诗篇》3912节中,大卫称自己是寄居的。《希伯来书》1113节说道:“这些人都是存着信心死的,并没有得着所应许的,却从远处望见,且欢喜迎接,又承认自己在世上是客旅,是寄居的。”在《彼得前书》211节,使徒劝勉信徒说:“亲爱的弟兄啊,你们是客旅,是寄居的。我劝你们要禁戒肉体的私欲;这私欲是与灵魂争战的。”
So it is in the Christian life. The Scriptures picture the Christian life as a journey, a pilgrimage and believers as sojourners or pilgrims. In Leviticus 25:23 the Lord called us “sojourners.” In Psalm 39:12 David described himself as a sojourner. Hebrews 11:13 says, “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth” (NASB). In 1 Peter 2:11, the Apostle exhorts believers, “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul” (NASB).

虽然现在已经不流行再说这个世界非我家,但这世界确实并非我的家。使徒保罗提醒腓立比人,他们的国籍在天上(腓3:20)。我们的主耶稣向彼拉多承认他的国“不属这世界”(约18:36)。祂说如果祂的国属这世界,祂就会召成群的天使为祂的国而战,但祂的国并不属这世界。可以肯定的是,三位一体的上帝创造了这个世界,所以从本质上来说这个世界是好的。针对诺斯底主义,我们承认这点。针对摩尼教,我们不承认这世上存在善恶对立的两套原则。我们认为因果报应是一种谎言。这个世界是属上帝的,祂把它借给我们,让我们在目前的居间状态下,对这个世界进行治理。因此,我的建议不是逃离这个世界,而是设定这个世界的优先次序,并承认我们的双重公民身份。我们基督徒是肯定受造万物的,但是我们也否定这个世界(《约翰福音》意义上的世界)。我们不是在改造这个世界,但也不只是“一个过客”。我们这些朝圣者是在一个背叛上帝的世界里建立天国的大使馆。每一寸土地都是属基督的,但祂现在是以双重方式在治理这片土地,而且只有在新天新地里,才会最终成全祂的统治。
It is not fashionable now to confess that this world is not our home, it is still true. The Apostle Paul reminded the Philippians that their citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20). Our Lord Jesus confessed to Pilate that his kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36). He said that were his kingdom of this world he would call down legions of angels and fight for it, but it is not. To be sure, our triune God created this world and made it essentially good. We confess this against the Gnostics. Against the Manichaeans we confess that there are not two dueling principles in the world, good and evil. Karma is a lie. This world belongs to God and he has loaned it to us to manage, as it were, in the interim. So, mine is not the counsel of world flight but one of setting priorities and recognizing our twofold citizenship. We Christians are creation affirming and world (in the Johannine sense of word) denying. We are not transforming the world but neither are we “just a passin’ through.” We pilgrims are establishing kingdom embassies in a rebellious world. Every square inch does belong to Christ but he governs those inches in a twofold way and will only consummate his dominion in the new heavens and the new earth.

朝圣客和寄居者都需要一个歇脚的地方。他们需要一片绿洲。凡是作过长途旅行的人都知道,如果中途能够下车伸伸懒腰,提提神,就会觉得无比的舒畅。如果沿途没有休息站和咖啡馆,还会有旅客吗?基督徒也是如此,他们需要沙漠中的绿洲。圣经称我们为客旅(朝圣者),就仿佛把我们放在了出埃及的路途中。我们已经通过红海(《比利时信条》第34条说基督就是我们的红海),走在旱地上,藉着洗礼与基督同死同活(林前10:1-4;罗6[一整章];西2:11-12)。
 Pilgrims and sojourners need a place to rest. They need an oasis. Anyone who has ever taken a long road trip knows how pleasant it is to get out of the car for a bit to stretch one’s legs and to refresh one’s self. Where would the traveler be without truck stops and cafes? So it is for Christians, who need an oasis in a desert. By calling us pilgrims, the Scriptures are placing us, as it were, in the Exodus. We have come through the Red Sea, which our Belgic Confession says is Christ (Art. 34), on dry ground, identified with Christ in our baptism (1 Cor 10:1–4; Rom 6 [all]; Col 2:11–12).

然而,很多时候,朝圣客所找到的并不他们所需要、所渴望的绿洲,而是海市蜃楼。它看起来很像是可供人歇脚、让人得到更新的地方,但其实不然。我的意思是基督已将几件事托付祂的教会,要她忠心地去执行,其中最重要的就是宣讲律法和福音。通过律法,我们知道了我们的罪和愁苦是何等的大(《海德堡要理问答》第2和第3条),而通过律法的第三重功用,得赎的人明白了他们对上帝和邻舍的责任,但只有通过福音,我们才能找到绿洲。福音是一个独特的措词。我们承认圣灵上帝正是借着这个词,将新生命(重生)和真信心赐给人。
Too often, however, what pilgrims find is not the needed and desired oasis of refreshment but a mirage, something that looked like a place of rest and renewal but turned out to be more of the same. What I mean is that Christ has commissioned his church to do a few things faithfully and chief among them is to preach the law and the gospel. Through the law we learn the greatness of our sin and misery (Heidelberg Catechism 2 and 3) and through the third use of the law the redeemed learn their duty to God and neighbor but only through the gospel do we find an oasis. The gospel is a unique word. We confess that it is the only word through which the God the Spirit operates to bring new life (regeneration) and true faith. In Heidelberg 65 we confess:

在《海德堡要理问答》65条,我们认信到:我们既然是单单因着信而与基督和祂一切恩惠有份,那么,这信心又是从何而来的呢?
 Since then we are made partakers of Christ and all his benefits by faith only, whence does this faith proceed?

答:是圣灵藉着福音的宣讲,在我们心里生发信心,又藉着圣礼的施行,确认并坚固这信心。
 From the Holy Spirit, who works faith in our hearts by the preaching of the gospel, and confirms it by the use of the sacraments.

正是通过福音的宣讲,圣灵在我们心中生发信心;也正是通过原本算不得什么而只能显明福音的圣礼(加尔文),即洗礼和圣餐,福音的应许才得到证实。
It is through the preaching of the gospel that the Spirit works faith in our hearts and it is through the use of the holy sacraments (baptism and the Lord’s Supper), which are nothing but the gospel made visible (Calvin) that the promises of the gospel are confirmed.

正如我的朋友、老师兼同事鲍勃·戈弗雷(Bob Godfrey)常说的那样,如果我们不给穷人提供食物,就会有别人提供;如果我们不去教育无学问的人,别人会去教育;但如果我们教会不去宣讲福音,就不会有其他人去宣讲。
 As my friend, teacher, and colleague Bob Godfrey has often said, if we do not feed the poor, someone else will do it. If we do not educate the ignorant, someone else will do it but if we, the church, do not preach the gospel, no one else will do it.

基督唯独将宣讲福音的使命托付给了有形的建制教会,除此之外并无其他实体(太28:18-20)。宣讲福音对有形教会的使命和身份来说如此重要,以至于改革宗教会认信说,一个教会的福音宣讲若不“纯正”(pure preching of the gospel),就算不上真教会。同样,他们也认为,圣礼的施行,以及使用教会纪律来纠正圣徒若不纯正,也算不上真教会。
The visible, institutional church is the only entity to which Christ entrusted the official proclamation of the gospel (Matt 28:18—20). The preaching of the gospel is so central to the mission and identity of the visible church that the Reformed Churches confess that where the “pure preaching” of the gospel is absent, there is not a true church. They say the same about the “pure administration” of the sacraments and the use of church discipline for correcting the saints.

若没有纯正的福音宣讲,堂会就不算是一片绿洲,而是一种海市蜃楼。这只会让朝圣者承受更严重的酷热和更多的风沙,根本无法为客旅们减轻难耐的酷热,也无法为他们带来生命的泉水。这一点虽然非常基本,也很明显,却经常发生,因为纵观整个教会史,我们可以看到教会常常忽略了她的首要使命。在我们现今这个时代,堂会利用成打的不同方式来吸引人,却忘了使他们成为真教会所必不可少的那一件事,就是福音。在沙漠中一个没有绿荫、没有水泉的地方,无论它看起来多么吸引人,都不会给沿途的客旅带来真正的帮助。
 Without the pure preaching of the gospel a congregation is not an oasis. It is only a mirage, which has nothing to offer the pilgrim but more heat and sand when what the sojourner needs is relief from the heat and the water of life. This is a basic point and obvious but it bears repeating because throughout the history of the church she has often lost sight of her prime mission. In our age congregations busily make themselves attractive in a dozen different ways but forget the one thing that makes them a true church: the gospel. A place in the desert without shade and water, however attractive, is no real help.

作为一个代表所有困苦的基督徒写信的朝圣者,我请求牧师、长老和会员们,你们一定要确保自己的堂会不是海市蜃楼,不只是外表看起来像教会,却缺乏唯有福音才能带给人安慰和生命的地方。请务必确保你们的教会是能够给身为客旅的基督徒带来盼望、帮助和生命的真正绿洲。
 As a pilgrim writing in behalf of needy Christians, I am asking pastors, elders, and members to make sure that their congregations are not mirages, places  that look like churches but that lack the relief and life that only the gospel gives. Please be sure that yours are real oases of hope, help, and life for pilgrims.

基督徒啊,请问你的堂会是否通过了这个基本考验?我知道,你的堂会可能有耀眼的灯光、婆娑的影像,但它有福音吗,有每周宣讲上帝的话语,宣告人子上帝为拯救罪人道成肉身,并为罪人的缘故主动顺服,为他们受苦、受死、埋葬,又从死里复活,为要叫他们称义,现在又坐在全能父的右边作他们的中保吗?
 Christian, does your congregation pass this basic test? Does your congregation may  have flashing lights and whirling sights but does it have the gospel, the weekly announcement from God’s Word that God the Son became incarnate for sinners, that he obeyed on their behalf, suffered for them, died, was buried, and was raised for their justification and no mediates for them at the right hand of the Father.

这是你们堂会事工的主要内容吗,还是你们仅仅假设了福音的内容,却很少(如果有的话)详细加以阐述?试问,如果你邀请慕道友到教会,教会的讲道能清楚地将他引向恩慈的救主耶稣吗,还是他不过听到了一些让他感觉更加良好的“医治”信息?他会听到基督是谁、基督做了什么,这类的信息吗,还是只会听到关于社会弊病的说教?当然,你的非基督徒朋友需要听到律法,但最不可少的是他必须听见福音,他要亲耳听到清晰、直白、大有荣耀的福音。愿今天及以后的每个主日,我们的教会都能成为福音的绿洲。
Is that the staple of the ministry of your congregation or is the gospel assumed but rarely, if ever, articulated? If you brought a non-Christian friend to church would he be pointed clearly and graciously to Jesus the Savior or would he only hear a therapeutic message about how to feel better about himself? Is he likely to hear about who Christ is and what Christ has done or a lecture about the evils of society? Your non-Christian friend needs to hear the law but it is essential that he hear the gospel, the clear, plain, glorious sound of the gospel, in his ears. May our churches be gospel oases today and every Lord’s Day.


2020-03-25


上帝要透过冠状病毒告诉我们什么What God Is Telling Us ThroughThe Corona Virus

作者:Scott Clark   译者:诚之

每当有大规模的、令人恐惧的事件(例如恐怖攻击或疫病爆发)发生时,总是会有人宣告说,这是上帝在审判我们的罪孽。毫无疑问,就本质来说,堕落之后,我们所有的人都当受永恒的定罪,无论是因我们的原罪还是本罪。
Whenever there is a dreadful, large-scale event, e.g., a terrorist attack or the outbreak of disease, someone is sure to announce that this is God’s judgment on the world for our sins. Without a doubt, by nature, after the fall, we all deserve nothing less than eternal condemnation for our sins both original and actual.

集体的罪咎和集体的福音
Corporate Guilt And Corporate Gospel

根据圣经神的话,所有的人都是由首先的人亚当所代表。无论是就基因来说,还是就律法来说,我们都在他里面。他代表我们接受神的考验;而我们当时也在场。我们是在公义和真正的圣洁中受造的(海德堡要理问答 6)。圣经说:「神看着一切所造的都甚好。有晚上,有早晨,是第六日。」(创一31)。亚当有顺服的能力。他被造时并没有堕落。他被造时也没有邪情私欲(concupiscence),即堕落的欲望。
According to God’s Word, all human beings were represented by the first man, Adam. We were in him both genetically and legally. He stood in our place. We were there. We were created in righteousness and true holiness (Heidelberg Catechism 6). Scripture says, “And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day” (Gen 1:31; ESV). Adam was created with the ability to obey. He was not created fallen. He was not created with concupiscence, i.e., a corrupt desire.

在创世记第二章和第三章中,亚当代表全人类,因为在创三14-15中宣告的判决是集体的:
It is implicit in Genesis chapters 2 and 3 that Adam represented all of humanity, since the judgment pronounced in 3:14–15 is corporate:

「耶和华 神对蛇说:你既做了这事,就必受咒诅,比一切的牲畜野兽更甚。你必用肚子行走,终身吃土。我又要叫你和女人彼此为仇;你的后裔和女人的后裔也彼此为仇。女人的后裔要伤你的头;你要伤他的脚跟。」
Yahweh Elohim said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall strike your head, and you shall strike his heel.”

被诅咒的不仅是夏娃和毒蛇:「在你的后裔和她的后裔之间」,使亚当成为了一个公众人物,即代表人物。我们与亚当的关系,就如同我们与曾祖父母的关系一样。亚当的所作所为确实影响了我们所有的人。他招惹的审判,也是我们招惹的。
It was not only Eve and serpent who were cursed: “between your offspring and her offspring” makes Adam a public, i.e., representative person. We are as related to Adam as we are to our great grandparents. What Adam did affects us all. The judgment that he incurred, we incurred.

经文清楚地表明,罪的工价就是死(罗六23)。上帝与亚当立约,要以永生来奖赏他的顺服,并以死亡来诅咒他的不顺服:「你吃的日子,必定死。」(创二17)这就是为什么伊甸园里有两棵树的原因:一棵是生命树,另一棵是死亡树。令人不解地,亚当悲惨地选择了死亡,在我们的周围都可以看到并感受到这个选择的后果。在申命记二十七章26节中,上帝在堕落之后重复了对完全顺服的要求,祂也重复了诅咒:
Scripture is clear that the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). God had covenanted with Adam to reward his obedience with eternal life and to curse his disobedience with death: “the day you eat thereof you shall surely die.” That is why there were two trees in garden, a tree of life and the tree of death. Mysteriously, tragically, Adam chose death and we see and feel the consequences all round. In Deuteronomy 27:26 God repeated the demand for perfect obedience after the fall and he repeated the curse too:

「『不坚守遵行这律法言语的,必受咒诅!』百姓都要说:『阿们!』」
(申廿七26
‘Cursed be anyone who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen’ (Deut 27:26; ESV)

在加拉太书三章10节中,使徒保罗引用了这节经文,解释了罪恶的后果以及甚至在堕落之后,律法所作的持续要求。律法是圣洁、公义、良善的。律法会追究它所要求的,因为上帝不悖乎祂自己。
In Galatians 3:10 the Apostle Paul quoted this very verse in explaining the consequences of sin and the continuing demands of the law even after the fall. The law is holy, just, and good. It demands what it demands because God is what he is.

然而,圣经也同样清楚地表明:「惟有上帝的恩赐,在我们主耶稣基督里,乃是永生」(罗六23)。好消息是,福音的应许不是个别地只给了亚当和夏娃:「女人的后裔要伤你的头,你要伤他的脚跟。」(创三15)立约和守约的上帝耶和华,向那恶者作了一个应许。牠最终将受审判,而根据此判决,上帝允许牠击打那胜利者的脚跟,但胜利者会击打或碾碎牠的头。再一次,这工作不是为一个人作的,而是为凡是胜利者要为之而来的人而作的,也就是凡天父赐给祂的,祂都为他们而死。祂会以一次的顺从来拯救他们众人(罗五19)。祂代表祂全体百姓行事。在海德堡要理问答60问中,改革宗教会承认,对于那些相信基督的人来说,「好像我从来没有犯过罪,也不曾是罪人,好像我已经完全顺服,像基督为我顺服一样。」
Scripture is equally clear, however, that the “gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). The good news is that the gospel was also promised to more than to Adam and Eve individually: “ he shall strike your head, and you shall strike his heel.” The covenant-making and covenant-keeping God, Yahweh Elohim, made a promise to the the Evil One. He would be finally judged and in that judgment, he would be allowed to strike the heel of his conqueror but the conqueror would strike or crush his head. Again, this work was not for one but for all those for whom the conqueror would come, whom the Father gave him, for whom he died. He would save them all in that one act of obedience (Rom 5:19). He acted on behalf of all his people. In Heidelberg Catechism 60 the Reformed Churches confess that, for those who believe in Christ, it is as if “as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner, and as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me.”

对于那些在基督里的人,唯独靠恩典(sola gratia),唯独藉着信心(sola fide),就不定罪了(罗八1)。耶稣亲自说,在祂的十字架上,已经执行了对恶者的审判:「这世界的王要被赶出去」(约十二31)。信徒已经不在审判之下。耶稣说:「我实实在在告诉你们,那听我话、又信差我来者的,就有永生;不至于定罪,是已经出死入生了。」(约五24)。
For those who are in Christ, by grace alone (sola gratia), through faith alone (sola fide), there is now, therefore no condemnation (Rom 8:1). Jesus himself said that, in his cross, the judgment against the Evil One was executed: “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out” (John 12:31; ESV). Believers are not under judgment. Jesus said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24; ESV).

然而,还有最后的审判,是给那些在基督之外的人的定罪。我们的主说:「你们不要把这事看作希奇。时候要到,凡在坟墓里的,都要听见祂的声音,就出来:行善的,复活得生;作恶的,复活定罪。」(约五28-29)。那些在基督里的人已经「行善」。祂就是我们的善。那些在基督之外的人,面临的是永恒的定罪。要是你正在阅读此文,但尚未承认自己在上帝律法下的罪恶和苦难,并转向基督,现在就请这样作吧!
There remains yet a final judgment, a condemnation for those who are outside of Christ. Our Lord said, “Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment” (John 5:28-29; ESV). Those who are in Christ have “done good.” He is our good. Those who are outside of Christ face eternal condemnation. If you are reading this and you have not acknowledged your sin and misery under the law of God and turned to Christ, do it now!

关于楼房与瞎眼的
Of Towers And Blindness

因此,毫无疑问我们都是有罪的。救恩之道是毫无疑义的。此外,毫无疑问,罪的后果仍然在荼毒这个世界。当我在写作本文时,美国的城市、企业正在关闭当中,崇拜服事也被推迟,很明显,这都是由于病毒从中国武汉的「海鲜市场」传播到世界各地。对那些本身就罹患疾病(如呼吸系统的疾病)的人和老年人来说,这种病毒特别致命。
So, there is no question of our sinfulness. There is no question of the way of salvation. Further, there is no question that the effects and affects of sin still plague the world. As I write cities in the USA are being shut down, businesses closed, and worship services postponed because of the virus that spread, apparently, from a “wet market” in Wuhan, China to the rest of the world. This virus is particularly deadly for those who have an underlying illness (e.g., a respiratory ailment) and seniors.

对此,可以预见地,有些人宣称这是上帝的审判。可以肯定的是,上帝以前曾对世界施行审判。耶和华用洪水淹没了大地(创六~九章),祂用十灾惩罚埃及,直到法老(暂时)释放了神的子民(出六~十四章)。耶和华在一些事件中使迦南人罹病,他们是旧约时代围绕着上帝子民的民族。有几个情节是耶和华击打一些个人,例如亚拿尼亚和撒非拉(徒五)和希律(徒十二23)。
In response, some have predictably announced that this is a divine judgment. To be sure, there have been divine judgments in the world. The Lord flooded the earth (Genesis chapters 6–9) and he plagued Egypt until Pharaoh released the (temporarily) national people of God (Exodus chapters 6–14). There were episodes when the Lord afflicted the Canaanites, who surrounded the Old Testament national people of God. There are a couple of episodes where the Lord struck down individuals, e.g., Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) and Herod (Acts 12:23).

然而,我们的主耶稣亲自警告我们,不要从灾难中推断出灾难与一群人的罪恶之间有直接的因果联系,甚至有任何关联:
Nevertheless, our Lord Jesus himself cautioned us about inferring from calamities a direct causal link or even a correlation between a calamity and the sins of a group:

就在那时候,有几个在那里的人,把加利利人的事告诉耶稣,就是彼拉多把他们的血和他们的祭物搀在一起的事。祂回答∶「你们以为这些加利利人比其他的加利利人更有罪,纔这样受害吗?不是的,我告诉你们,你们若不悔改,都要这样灭亡。你们以为从前西罗亚楼倒塌的时候,压死的那十八个人,比一切在耶路撒冷的居民更有罪吗?不是的,我告诉你们,你们若不悔改,也都要这样灭亡。」(路十三1-5;《新译本》)。
There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish (Luke 13:1-3; ESV).

这是个堕落的世界。荆棘、蒺藜、花粉、病毒就在我们四周。正如有普遍恩典,上帝借此限制堕落带来的一切邪恶后果,也有普遍苦难。忠心的、虔诚的信徒也会得癌症。有些彻底败坏的人却看似毫发无损地度过今生(耶十二1)。他们向上帝交帐的日子被推迟了。
This is a fallen world. Thorns, thistle, pollen, and viruses are all around us. Just as there is common grace, whereby God restrains the evil consequences of the fall, so too there is common suffering. Faithful, godly believers get cancer. There are thoroughly rotten people who seem to get through this life without a scratch (Jer 12:1). Their day of accounting is postponed.

我们的主耶稣在这里警告我们,不要把一个民族的罪恶及其苦难直接拉上关系。加利利人并不比其他人更恶劣。约翰福音第九章中那个生来就瞎眼的人也是如此:
Our Lord Jesus here warns us against drawing a correlation or a causal link between the sins of a people and their afflictions. The Galileans were not worse sinners than anyone else. So it was with the man born blind in John 9:

「耶稣过去的时候,看见一个人生来是瞎眼的。门徒问耶稣说:『拉比,这人生来是瞎眼的,是谁犯了罪?是这人呢?是他父母呢?』耶稣回答说:『也不是这人犯了罪,也不是他父母犯了罪,是要在他身上显出神的作为来。』」(约九1-3
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:1-3; ESV).

门徒犯了同样的错误。他们认为他们也可以解释上帝的护理之工,可以直接把特定的罪恶和特定的审判拉上关系。
The disciples made the same error. They thought they too could interpret providence, that they could draw a correlation and a causal link between particular sins and particular judgments.

这里有个诀窍:上帝的道路不是我们的道路;祂的意念不是我们的意念。盟约会众的召集人传道者这样解释说:
Here is a tip: God’s ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. Qoheleth, the convener of the covenant assembly, explained:

世上有一件虚空的事,就是义人所遭遇的,反照恶人所行的;又有恶人所遭遇的,反照义人所行的。我说,这也是虚空。(传道书八14)。
There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity (Ecclesiastes 8:14; ESV).

耶和华亲自警告我们不要如此愚蠢,想要猜测祂的旨意:
The Lord himself had warned us against the folly of trying to outguess him:

「耶和华说:『我的意念非同你们的意念;我的道路非同你们的道路。天怎样高过地,照样,我的道路高过你们的道路;我的意念高过你们的意念』」(赛五五8-9)。
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares Yahweh. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9.

主从开始就知道结局。但我们不知道。
The Lord knows the end from the beginning. We do not.

解读上帝的护理之工
Interpreting Providence

解释上帝的护理之工是一个极大而危险的诱惑。当地震打断对约翰•威克里夫(John Wycliffe)在伦敦的审判时,他的敌人将其解释为对他的判决,而他却将其解释为对他的控告者的判决。当我们尝试从一般启示中汲取特定信息时,就会发生这种情形。
Interpreting providence is a great but hazardous temptation. When an earthquake disrupted the trial of John Wycliffe in London, his enemies interpreted it as a judgment against him and he interpreted it as a judgment against his accusers. So it is when we try to draw specific messages from general revelation.

耶稣确实教导我们如何解释神的护理。这里的关键词是「普遍」。在这两种情况下,我们的主耶稣都实实在在告诉我们,当我们看到苦难时应该作出怎样的推论。对于那个生来瞎眼的,主说他是瞎子,好叫祂——耶稣——可以医治他,以彰显神的能力。这种解释是特殊启示,不是一般启示,因为我们的主耶稣今天并不是以肉身与我们同在,医治人、使人从死里复活(对那些声称有能力这样做的人,我们十分怀疑)。然而,在路加福音十三章中,祂确实对特定事件作了普遍应用:「我告诉你们,不是的!你们若不悔改,都要这样灭亡。」这是一个普遍的应用,适用于我们所有的人。
Jesus did teach us how to interpret providence. The key term here is general. In both cases our Lord Jesus did tell us what sorts of inferences we should draw when we see affliction. In the case of the man born blind, the Lord said that he was blind so that the he, Jesus, could heal him and demonstrate God’s power. This interpretation is special, not general since our Lord Jesus is not with us bodily healing and raising (and we may fairly doubt those who claim the power to do the same). In Luke 13, however, he did give a general application of the specific episode: “ No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” This is a general application that applies to all of us everywhere.

Covid-19告诉我们什么?它告诉我们,我们往往自以为手中掌握一切,但事实并非如此。它告诉我们,上帝从未缺席。它提醒我们上帝的大能,祂只要轻轻挥动一根手指,就能打乱正常事物的走向。这不是说上帝以前不在场,今天才进行干预(这叫偶因论,occasionalism),而是说上帝在一切发生的事情中,都一直在工作。这就是基督徒所谓的「上帝与人同工」(concursus;直译作:协同)的教义。
What does Covid-19 tell us? It tells us that as often as we think that we have everything under control, we do not. It tells us that God is not absent from us. It reminds us of his power to disrupt the ordinary course of things with, as it were, the flick of a finger. It is not that God was absent and then intervened (occasionalism) but that God is always working in and through all things that occur. This is the Christian doctrine of concursus.

就像我们都会背诵的其他故事一样,这个插曲提醒我们,这是个堕落的世界,而我们都是软弱的。看看囤货者在恐惧中清空货架的情况。看看现代生活可以多快地还原到一些基本需求:食物、蔽身之处和洗手。我们用自以为强大的美梦来欺骗自己,然而事实上却敌不过一只小小的病毒。你现在可能就是个带菌者(带原者),连你自己都不知道。尽管有国家的医疗照护(或因这个医疗照护)和高科技的现代医学,全球仍然有成千上万人丧生。我们嘲笑中世纪的落后和瘟疫,直到我们发现麦当劳的每个触控荧幕都覆盖着病毒。这是启蒙时代的幻觉。我们嘲笑中世纪的人猎巫,却坐待人提出关于人类活动与「气候变化」之间的因果关系的问题;相比之下,猎巫还比较合理。
This episode, like many others we can all recite, remind us that this is a fallen world. That we are frail. Look at the hordes emptying the shelves in panic. Look how quickly late modern life can be reduced to basics, food, shelter, and washing one’s hands. We delude ourselves with the dream that we are mighty and powerful when in fact we may be felled by a tiny little virus. You might be a vector (a carrier) right now and not even know it. Thousands have already died across the globe despite national health care (or because of it) and high-tech late, modern medicine. We mock the medieval world for being backward and plague-ridden until we discover that every touch screen in McDonalds is covered in filth. This is the illusion of Enlightenment. We mock the medievals for witch trials but just let someone raise a question about the causal link between human activity and “Climate Change” and witch trials look positively rational by comparison.

有一场审判就要到来,但这场瘟疫还不是。这只是对即将发生的事的轻微警示。上帝的儿子为了拯救罪人而道成肉身。值得注意的是,因为祂说的是真理,所以我们就把祂钉死在十字架上,但祂并没有留在坟墓里。祂已经复活了。祂今天依旧藉着祂的话晓谕我们,警告我们悔改,并邀请一切会来到祂面前的人。正如祂以前藉着先知以西结所说的,
There is a judgment coming but this is not it. This is only a mild warning of what is to come. God the Son became incarnate to save sinners. Remarkably, we crucified him for telling the truth but he did not remain in the grave. He was raised. He still speaks to us in his Word. He is still warning us to repent and inviting all who will to come. As he said through his prophet Ezekiel,

「人子啊,你要对以色列家说:『你们常说:我们的过犯罪恶在我们身上,我们必因此消灭,怎能存活呢?』你对他们说,主耶和华说:我指着我的永生起誓,我断不喜悦恶人死亡,惟喜悦恶人转离所行的道而活。以色列家啊,你们转回,转回吧!离开恶道,何必死亡呢?」(以西结书三十三章10-11节)
“And you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, Thus have you said: ‘Surely our transgressions and our sins are upon us, and we rot away because of them. How then can we live?’ Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:10-11; ESV)

耶和华对祂旧约的百姓说了这些话,但这些话在今天仍然适用。使徒彼得写道:「主所应许的尚未成就,有人以为祂是耽延,其实不是耽延,乃是宽容你们,不愿有一人沉沦,乃愿人人都悔改」(彼后三9)。
The Lord spoke those words to his Old Testament national people but they apply today. The Apostle Peter wrote, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9; ESV).

这些话是针对所有人而写的。我们与挪亚和「当时的世界」(彼后三6)处于同样的光景。即将到来的审判如今正在宣告出来,有些人仔细倾听,有些人却嗤之以鼻。那些聆听的人要登上方舟,基督就是那救赎的方舟。现在就来寻求祂,以免为时已晚。
These words were written in regard to all. We are in the same condition as Noah and “the world that then was.” The coming judgment is being announced and some are listening and some are not. Those who listen will climb aboard the ark and Christ is the ark of salvation. Come to him now before it is too late.