Home昔日真理報2013年 真理報文章2013 年 1 月【事事關心】教會面對的挑戰

【事事關心】教會面對的挑戰

 

聖誕節之前和期間,「聖誕快樂」(Merry Christmas)這句話在美國和加拿大愈來愈被一些追求"政治正確"的人非議,他們認為這樣說是"不尊重其他人有不同的宗教"。基督徒若不加思考便接納這樣似是而非的理論,就正正中了那些敵對基督教人士的詭計。筆者之所以說那是詭計,乃因為那些刁難基督教的人絕不會對其它宗教人士說同樣的話,要求他們去尊重基督徒同等的信仰表達的權利。

這樣刁難基督教的人最近在加拿大中部草原省份的沙斯卡屯市(Saskatoon)出現。市政府經營的公車前面因為顯示出Merry Christmas標語而被一個組織的代表向人權審裁署控告,那人認為這標語「灌輸基督教教條」,形成一種壓迫力量使人改信基督教。也許他以前與一些基督教會有不愉快的經歷,可能產生一種憤恨的心理,認為基督教逼人太甚,因此借故生端,發泄心中不平。

幸而,有一位代表西岸BC省的印度裔國會議員(MP),公開表示歡迎任何人說"聖誕快樂"。她說:"身為錫克教徒,就算基督徒用這句話向我說,我也不覺得被冒犯。真正的多元文化能尊重所有國民的傳統,包括人數眾多的基督徒。"

沙斯卡屯市公車事件只是冰山一角,它只是眾多荒謬案件之表表者。對比美國所發生之類似事件,加拿大的數量可能是小巫見大巫,但可反應出整個北美洲的趨勢。根據《抉擇DECISION》月刊2012/12版當中一篇文章(Fighting back when society censors Christ),全美國當年有超過600宗基督徒的投訴,稱曾被禁制言論或表達信念的權利。舉兩個案例:

一位母親看到兒子的課室內有些家長講述不同的宗教和文化傳統,於是她向老師請求講述聖誕節的故事。最初老師也同意,但當她拿出一本聖經預備宣讀其中一段之時,那老師馬上制止她,叫她把聖經收起來。她隨即找Liberty Institute的律師詢問能否爭取為基督作見證的機會。當她清楚憲法容許宗教表達的權利之時,就回到那學校找校長理論,結果校長承認老師不對,最後她如願以償回到課室講述聖經故事。

有一群德州基督徒學生在一場學校的比賽場地上顯示寫上聖經金句的橫額,原本相安無事,但不久校長受到一個敵對基督教的團體投訴,便馬上下令以後不準他們再這樣做。這一群屬於Kountze中學的基督徒也去找Liberty Institute的律師詢問,能否在球場上爭取為基督作見證的機會,得到律師幫助從法庭取得禁制令,仍然可以繼續在球場上拉起寫上聖經金句的橫額。

以上兩個勇敢作美好見證的例子,非常鼓舞其他美國基督徒作不平則鳴的行動,並且激發一些基督教領袖和教會牧師挺身而出,表達對局勢的關注,並呼籲所有基督徒在其崗位上向社會發出回應的聲音。

其實,過去兩年已有佈道家葛福臨(Franklin Graham,即葛培理Billy Graham之兒子)在其管理之下的《抉擇DECISION》月刊裡好幾次指出,現今北美洲攔阻福音廣傳的光景,提醒基督徒在合理的情況下發出呼聲和行動,並且在去年全國大選前在該月刊裡呼籲,基督徒要積極參與政府選舉,更不斷強調基督徒在公眾地方的言論自由愈來愈被限制。

另外,一位在德州的浸信會牧師於聖誕節之前接收電視台訪問時,呼籲牧師和基督徒不要懼怕討論爭議性社會問題,勇於發言,否則基督徒不能打贏當今的文化戰。這位Robert Jeffress牧師被問到為何在宗教自由受到攻擊之際,基督教領袖如此沉默不語之時,他不懼怕冒犯他的同僚牧師和基督教領袖而這樣指出:

"很多教會領袖都有錯覺,他們只看到耶穌說一些令人感動的好話而永不參與爭議性事情。事實上,耶穌以真理對抗當時的社會文化。"他更提醒所有基督徒,若他們自己不積極爭取根據憲法應有的權利,世俗人士將會得寸進尺,逐漸將教會本來的傳教自由剝削。

從以上的多個案例,我們在北美洲的基督徒應該看到:在聖經裡,使徒保羅在其書信中提到的"打那美好的仗"並非只在個人層面的事情,也同時在社會層面上。當然,後者須要基督徒群體齊心合力去對抗世俗的勢力,否則不能成事。

聖誕節引發的諸如此類的個案,其實是基督徒屬靈戰爭的個別戰役,信徒若能齊心支持一些挺身而出的領袖在社會上帶領與世俗人士的角力,那會是十分美好的局面。這些領袖不能單獨去打這場並非血氣的屬靈戰爭,他們須要很多人在背後的代禱和精神上、言語上的鼓勵,才可以無後顧之憂地往前線作戰。

但願基督徒都領略到,只要我們堅定信念便會經常得勝,更能激勵他人一同努力,因而從今以後能摒棄過往那種"各家自掃門前雪"的心態。使徒行傳第4和5章那裡,彼得已經給我們很清楚的榜樣。

 

      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

Go to top