【事事關心】寬恕與公義

 

Forgiv230x180今年以來,釣魚島(或釣魚台)成為日本與中國兩國關係的磨心,近日在該海域的對抗更日益加劇。固然爭執的原因是該海域底下的豐富石油和天然氣的利益,但我們在這裡所關注的不是天然資源這利益問題,而是從寬恕與公義角度去看國家民族之間和社群中的恩怨。

談及寬恕,聖經多處強調:人人都需要常常反省、知罪而悔改,從而得到上帝的赦免,可以說這是 "大善" 的表現。所以,大衛王雖然犯了奸淫和主謀殺人罪行,基於他的懺悔,上帝還是寬恕了他。然而,神寬恕了他,並不是讓他不用面對懲罰。雖然神赦免了他,他仍然要受到家散人亡這種懲罰。政府元首不單為自己常作反省,更要代表國民認罪悔改,這一點在舊約聖經裡表露無遺。

對比德意志(德國)民族,日本民族沒有懺悔文化,以致今天日本政府沒有認真表達出對於 1931 年至 1945 年侵略中國和二次世界大戰時侵略東南亞的罪行懺悔。雖然偶然有一兩個官員作口頭上的道歉,但一般人都看得出只是一種政治手段,讓世人以為他們(日本政府)知道其罪過,但骨子裡卻沒有真誠的悔過,這從每年去靖國神社參拜的政府人員可見一班。

1945 年日本戰敗投降,中國本有好機會要求日本為了屠殺了千萬中國人而追討它應該付上的責任,要求日本作出賠償。然而,當時執掌國民政府的蔣介石基於以德報怨的想法而沒有追討(當然,面對中共日見壯大的挑戰使他無心去向日本追討也是事實)。有說法認為由於蔣公是基督徒,所以寬恕了日本,因此不再追討。即使這是事實,筆者也不認同這種處理手法,我的立場可以從剛才談到大衛王的例子去瞭解。就算日本認罪,也不能免除其對中國應有的賠償。

從近來日本政府的行動和言論可以看得出:主管日本政府的人忘記了 1945 年中國伸出帶恩之手這回事。

回頭再看寬恕與公義這題目。基督徒(包括代表華人信徒的教會)大多混淆了私德與公義,完全忽略了公共領域中之義的彰顯;甚至有基督徒還自以為完全不追討犯罪者的責任是唯一絕對的"屬靈"表現。對此,筆者不能認同。假如教會缺少了公義的教導,就造成不少基督徒自以為眾多人的私德表現就能解決社會問題和拯救世界的幼稚想法。

從啓示錄,我們可以知道上帝沒有廢除懲罰這回事。人間的惡行,上帝不是輕輕地放過,這是上帝公義的本質。所以,若我們相信地上政府是履行上帝所授與的權柄,那政府就有權去追討責任,以至達到公義的實踐。這權柄可用於社會上和國際之間的爭執上,代表一個國家的政府便有責任和權柄去達致公義的目標。

沒錯,寬恕使基督徒能從憤怒和怨恨中解放出來,這是主耶穌在登山寶訓中的教導。作為信徒,我們個人可寬恕自己的敵人和以德報怨。然而,論到社會和國際問題,基督徒不應只從個人靈性和私德去看問題,更應該以公義角度作宏觀思考而分析問題,因為那是關係到整個社會的問題而非一個人的事,故此需要顧及到一件事對整個社會的影響,這是所有基督徒都應該有的觀念。然而,不少信徒卻完全缺乏這樣的見地。

要瞭解到這一點,我們可從 1946 年在德國紐倫堡(Nuremberg)和日本東京的國際戰犯法庭,這兩處審判中明白饒恕與公義的關係。一方面,西方盟國於第二次大戰之後願意協助德、日兩國重建,以表達饒恕之心。另一方面,盟國也不遺餘力地起訴日德兩國的推動侵略戰爭的主謀者,為千萬無名的亡魂取回一點公道,以顯出對公義的重視。這兩處的審判足以教導世人如何處理國際間的怨恨。

關於寬恕與公義這個議題,近來還有另外一件事值得一提。一個多月前(2012年6月)柴玲發表了一篇關於寬恕的文章,引來很多的批評。非基督徒中有認為她的信仰膚淺兼幼稚,她的寬饒更是錯誤地運用了聖經的教訓。筆者的見解是:作為六四受害者,她有應份的權利和自由去原諒任何曾經傷害她的人,她的饒恕既符合聖經教導,也合乎現今西方社會的個人權利那種邏輯。只不過,正如她後來所做的補充,她自己饒恕那些人不等於那些人的責任就馬上消失、不等於她會與對方有什麼 "復和" 的關係。

這真正是每個基督徒都應該認識和明白的重要道理。長久以來,太多信徒被一種不分好歹、不講公義的"認罪悔改,接納和好"模式所困擾。柴玲作出寬恕,我們不能看作她認為所有六四受害者要照樣做是惟一正確的處理方法。人各有感,若你自己沒有受到傷害,你批評受害人為何不能寬恕也是不公平的行為。火不燒到肉你會感覺痛嗎?

反過來說,柴玲經歷過那麼大的內心創傷,仍然能夠這樣公開表達內心已改變了的感受,可以說,她所作出的是不一樣的寬恕。從她後來的補充來看,筆者相信她對公義沒有太大的混淆。相信日後她大有可能再次公告,希望大家拭目以待。

 

      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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