Home昔日真理報2012年 真理報文章2012 年 7 月【院牧行蹤】我的幾個印度同工

【院牧行蹤】我的幾個印度同工

 

我剛參加在泰國芭堤亞舉行的第六屆亞裔信義會國際大會回來,與會的百餘位代表中有一半是美國去的傳道牧師,而另一半則是由亞洲各處來的同工。跟我同房的是一位從事護理教育的女青年。Ms.Christina Soren 在北印度信義會福音站的醫院護士學校工作,她除了教書還要指導實習130位護理學生。她覺得自已很幸運能在教會醫院工作;又在一間八萬人的教會任義工(82,000 members),且代表教會去日內瓦開世界性年會。雖然如此,她還是想到政府機構去工作,那她的薪津會比現在多三、四倍<現約每月$200>。對一個年青夫婦及五歲半的小女兒而言,究竟是現實生活的需要重要?抑或是犧牲自我去事奉主更逼切呢?這也是許多在北印度基督徒的挑戰!

摩尼迦(Rev. Dr .Monica Melanchthon)說得一口好標準英文,她在大會的學術演講和示範非常突出。我們閒談時我問她:「你怎樣在印度爭取到平等呢?」摩尼迦在南印度的神學院及研究中心工作(Gurukul Lutheran Theological College and Research Institute)任教。她說:「我花了廿年才被肯定,我得到博士學位才被接納。因此我年紀很大了才結婚,自然也不能生小孩了。」女人、牧師、學者,在以男性社會為主流的印度是何其難爭取到平等啊!

在大會中我擔任司琴,Rev. Edwin Fernando ARUMANAYAGAM 用小提琴伴奏,也跟我們一起敬拜讚美。Edwin興緻勃勃地告訴我:「我母親最近從印度來看我,帶了好多印度文的聖經,我可以在教會用了!」Edwin是1994年受職為副牧,1995年為牧師在印度牧會。2003到費城信義神學院進修2005年獲神學碩士學位。現在新澤西州牧會,專做向西南亞新移民之宣道工作。Edwin說:「印度人之文化、語言、宗教、習俗各自有別,再加上新移民在美國的新適應,傳道困難,但我常以聖經故事為主來傳福音。」在南印度長大的Edwin,外公是衛理公會的宣教士,當地受1947年教會合一『教會只有一個』(One church Body in Christ)的影響,因此教會有了合一傳福音的自由;雖然大家神學觀點和立場不同,但只有一個聯合的宣教管理機構。

在南印度出生的 Rev. Daniel Peter ( Daniel Penumaka),現在是紐約聖保羅國際禮拜堂的牧師( St. Paul International Church, Floral Park, NY)。他是生長在一個虔誠的基督徒家庭,是第五代的信義會傳道。他們的教會是在1842年,由從美國費城德裔信義會差傳去到印度而建立的。Daniel 的父母都是非常積極事奉的基督徒,父親是主日學校長,母親是主日學老師,他說:「我們主日學有22班。在復活節前的40天,每天來參加預苦期崇拜的就有600人」。這樣的成長環境,使 Daniel 有堅固的信仰背景。

Daniel 唸完人類學後,父母要他奉獻唸神學,在那時他在學術和人文思想並進薰陶之下,更啟迪他對婦女和黑人神學有了新的瞭解,這當然與傳統教導有好大的不同。1987年畢業了,在城市長大而受高等教育的Daniel 被派到鄉下的一個小教會去工作;同時他要管理及牧養10個教會,每個星期天負責三個堂會,早上在主堂事奉,下午騎單車到其他兩個教會去事奉,直到晚上才回家。

Daniel說:「在那些日子裏我學習到印度的實際情況:『社會階層之分割及無法接觸之痛!』(Untouchable & Segregation)少數的上層社會掌控著整個印度,而我們卻無能為力去改變它。這種不公平的對比是30%vs70% 雖然如此,但一般鄉村的人都願意來教會聽福音,因為基督賜給我們新生命新方向!請為我們禱告、請為印度禱告!這是Daniel的呼聲也是印度的呼聲。

附註:印度受天主教及基督教傳入的影響

1) 公元52年多馬(Thomas)將福音傳入印度,許多人跟從多馬去傳福音,這些人共分成三個組織即大公教 Catholic,東正教 Orthodox 及復原教 Protestant。在印度有許多上層社會的人願跟隨,因此在印度大約有 2千到 3千萬信徒。

2) 14 世紀羅馬天主教開始與印度教對話因而進入了印度。

3) 公元 1706 年信義會 Lutheran 宣教士到印度宣教(現在 Lutheran 有1千萬),後浸信會Baptist、美以美會 Methodist 及聖公會接踵而來。現在印度有10%基督徒(政府只說有3%)。

 

      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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