Home昔日真理報2012年 真理報文章2012 年 11 月【開卷有益】貓狗神學大不同

【開卷有益】貓狗神學大不同

 

小貓「天賜」四年多前到我家來的時候,只是一隻初生的貓兒,但深受兒子寵愛,每次回家,都將牠抱在懷裡,又親又吻一番才肯放手。「天賜」也熟不拘禮,自視為我家的一份子,無論我們一家人在客廳或在睡房聊天的時候,牠總是要擠進來湊熱鬧,絕對少不得牠的份兒;牠又愛橫躺於樓梯級上或走廊通道上,攔住過路人;至於餐桌和沙發更是牠專用的睡床,經常被牠霸佔著,那管我們要吃飯或坐下休息。「天賜」唯我獨專的性格可見一斑。

因為和「天賜」相處久了,才比較瞭解貓兒的特性。有趣的是,最近無意中看到一本以貓狗為主題的屬靈書籍《貓狗神學大不同》,其中的描述,頗能引發讀者會心的微笑,更進一步作出自我反省和檢討。

兩位作者蘇鮑伯(Bob Sjogren)和羅傑若(Gerald Robison)都是基督教機構的負責人,鼓勵信徒實踐聖經教導,以榮耀上帝為生活的最大使命。他們根據人類的兩大寵物:貓和狗來反映現今基督徒兩種截然不同的心態:前者以自我為中心,滿足自我的需要為優先考慮;後者以上帝為中心,以上帝的心意為最終極的目標。恰好可用貓和狗的特性作代表說明,實在無意冒犯鍾愛這兩種動物的朋友。

 

「貓狗神學」是用嶄新的角度來審視我們與上帝的關係,藉著日常所見貓狗的習性,重新思考信仰在生命中的位置。有一個關於貓狗的笑話是這樣的,狗兒說:「你寵我、你餵我、你供我吃住、你愛我,你必定是上帝。」貓兒則說:「你寵我、你餵我、你供我吃住、你愛我,我必定是上帝。」

由此看出貓狗對主人的態度有極大的差異。貓從自我出發,狗卻以主人馬首是瞻。回顧自己的生命,從出生至死亡,我們一心追求最安全、最輕省、最容易和最舒適的生活。像極了我家的小貓,好逸惡勞,走不到幾步,便躺在地上休息,餓了渴了便纏磨著人侍候吃的喝的,吃喝夠了,在家裡挑個最舒適的地方,伸伸懶腰睡個午覺,全家人都是牠的僕婢,牠才是家中真正的主人啊!

「天賜」的生活態度是不是我們的寫照?我們期望上帝祝福我們、看顧我們,為我們除去一切的障礙和困難,這不但是我們人生的目的,也正正是我們禱告的內容。我們信耶穌的目的,只在乎上帝能為我們做甚麼,絕不會關心上帝為人類所訂的計劃如何,上帝要我為祂做甚麼?我可以怎樣參與上帝國度的工作?上帝就好像是我們的僕役,給我們使喚,供應我們的需要,滿足我們的願望。歷史上最偉大的宗教改革運動領袖馬丁路德曾說過:「罪的本質是人在一切事物中都要求得到自己的好處,就連上帝也不放過。」

不管你同意不同意,狗卻被公認是人類最忠誠的朋友,牠們既高度服從,更對主人一片丹心,甚至在危難時,犧牲自己,回報養牠、育牠、愛牠的主人。

其實貓兒不是不對,而是不完全。貓兒一族只認識半個上帝,牠們只專注於上帝的愛、憐憫和恩慈上,卻從不去注意上帝給人的工作和使命。他們從不理會耶穌呼招人來跟從祂,是須要付代價、背十架、捨己和受苦的。他們只樂意接受從上帝而來的賞賜和福氣,至於服事、傳福音、宣教,這些又大又難的事,即使努力以赴,也不會有太大成果,還是置身事外,不沾為妙。

於是我們讀經、聽道的時候只是選擇性地接收從上帝而來的信息:上帝愛我,把各樣美善的恩賜給我的經文和詩歌,總會記得一清二楚;而上帝讓人去經歷危難、勞苦工作、承擔使命等艱巨任務,卻聽不進去,即使聽到,也不認為是對自己說的,必定是交託給其他偉大的聖徒和領袖!

想知道自己是狗還是貓?其實每個人都兼有兩者的特性。我們大多數人是貓,偶然進入狗的境界裡;有些人是狗,卻有時落入貓樣的行徑之中。但願我們從狗的特性中得到啟發:對創造我、愛我、供應我一切需用的主絕對順服、忠心不二,努力完成祂的心意!

 

      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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