Home昔日真理報2012年 真理報文章2012 年 6 月【事事關心】從奧巴馬誤用金科玉律說起

【事事關心】從奧巴馬誤用金科玉律說起

 

GayMarriage250x167上月初 (2012年5月),美國總統奧巴馬公開宣稱:美國法律應該認可同性婚姻。他的意思就是同性戀者的結合可算是婚姻。按照他的說法, 他的論據一部份來自聖經馬太福音第7章12節:

「所以無論何事,你們願意人怎樣待你們,你們也要怎樣待人,因為這就是律法和先知的道理。」

奧巴馬這樣的見解是典型的「斷章取意」:不理文章的上下文,而套上自己先入為主的意思去解釋和應用。他以為這樣看待同性戀者的關係,就是認同大家的平等地位。

主耶穌在這裡所講的話,上文提及神是聆聽人的祈求(馬太7:7-8),而將好的東西(當然是以神的角度看為好的)賜給人(馬太7:9-11),以至人彼此也如此善待(當然是符合神的善的尺度)。

然而,聖經哪裡允許同性戀的結合是婚姻?聖經只清清楚楚地指出一男一女的結合才成就神的美善的婚姻設計。奧巴馬在婚姻觀念上的錯誤乃在於,他沒有對聖經清楚教導的絕對性加以確認,反而隨意套用聖經來允许神不喜悦的關係和行為。這也是值得所有基督徒去反省的事,因為我們也容易犯同樣的錯誤。

奧巴馬若只說他是出於「你好我好」的善意而作如此決定,那筆者不想矯枉過正地刻意評擊他,每個人都有錯誤理解聖經的可能,基督徒絕不例外。但是,明知聖經完全沒有贊許同性戀行為卻扭曲神的教導,則是絕對不能接受的做法,這並非等閒小事!若聖經沒有清清楚楚地指出一男一女的結合才成就神的美善婚姻,那還算是情有可原。所以,奧巴馬如此扭曲聖經教導,簡直是離譜的行為!

若要正確應用這主耶穌說的黃金律(The Golden Rule)於婚姻這命題上,基督徒的見解應該是這樣:我認識到神的婚姻設計(一男一女的結合)是最好的,所以我也希望其他人有同樣的見解和選擇,即一男一女的結合,而非同性戀的組合。既然我覺得異性結合是聖經的教導,我就希望他人也有這樣的領受和取向,這才是真正平等和出於真善美的心,而絕對不是奧巴馬那樣的想法!

環顧今天的北美洲,其實年青一代的基督徒都很容易錯誤運用主耶穌說的黃金律——馬太福音第7章12節。愈來愈多信徒根據馬太福音第7章1節"你們不要論斷人、免得你們被論斷"和12節的黃金律的理解,而不敢對他人違反聖經教導的行為和社會道德做出批評。「我們也是罪人嘛,怎可批評他人呢?我們也是同樣會犯錯的啊!」

其實關於「不要論斷人」這一點,耶穌基督要帶出的意思是:不要取代神審判人的權柄地位,像法利賽人那樣自以為義,好像法官宣判人的那樣心態。他強調的是人人需要自我檢討和反省:「為甚麼看見你弟兄眼中有刺,卻不想自己眼中有梁木呢?」這並非是說,不可以作任何關於道德的評論。你可以從祂多次批判文士和法利賽人的話就可了解到這一點意思。

很可惜,現今不少基督徒都有以上那種誤解,常常錯誤地應用聖經,再加上世俗風氣令人隨意找律師告到法庭,基督徒若為了避免惹火燒身,就更隨意拿馬太福音第7章1節和12節來自圓其說。這結果當然使教會愈來愈被人忽視,甚至於聖經愈來愈被人鄙視!教會就好像失去了味道的鹽,在社會上成為「無用」的一環。

面對放縱情慾的社會風氣,美國和加拿大政府官員大部份都採取了投降或逃避的立場,從法庭的判決和愈來愈多在任和卸任的官員公開支持販賣大麻和經營娼妓合法化便可見一斑。究其原因,只要拿出「我天生就是這樣」、 「你不可以禁制我這種自然的需要」、「你侵犯了我的人權」等這樣的王牌就無人能匹敵,就能通行無阻!

固然,不要說狂吃以致癡肥是不對,因為那是他肉身的自然需要。不久的將來,就算天生的色情狂也沒有人敢去批評,因為那是道德的批判——政治不正確的批評。若那些人懂得說:「是上帝造成我有這樣慾望的人」,有誰敢說色情狂是不對的或不好的呢?

基督徒要認真留意現今在西方社會,包括加拿大開始推動的一種不良意識,比如所謂的「性別頻譜」 (Gender Spectrum),其最終的結果是全盤推翻傳統的倫理觀念和聖經的男女性關係之教導。若不加以阻止,假以時日,其影響可能類似於達爾文所倡導之「進化論」那樣浩大。(若想對此議題多一些認識,可寄電郵至筆者所主理的「基督徒社會關懷團契」:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

任意扭曲神的美善,隨便「斷章取意」去迎合人的自私慾望,這是現今西方世界和世俗人士的光景。當你聽到、知道這樣的事情時,你能無動於衷嗎?你還能滿足於「各家自掃門前雪」那種心態嗎?

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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