Home昔日真理報2013年 真理報文章2013 年 4 月【開卷有益】信心,不怕懷疑

【開卷有益】信心,不怕懷疑

 

Book假如一位甚具影響力的教會領袖告訴你一個秘密:在信仰的道路上,他也曾有懷疑,你會感到驚訝和震撼嗎?約翰.奧伯格(John Ortberg)是美國加州門洛帕克長老教會(Menlo Park Presbyterian Church)的牧師,也是多本著名基督教暢銷書灸手可熱的作者,他一輩子都在研究和思想上帝的話語,閱讀和講授上帝的真理,他竟然也有懷疑的時候!

信心與懷疑好像是兩個互不相干、勢不兩立的死敵,可是,卻同時存在於一個人的思想裡,鬥個你死我活,分不出高下,叫人不知何去何從。身為基督教知名領袖的奧伯格坦承:他也有同樣的掙扎,透過不斷求問、反思的過程,對信仰有更深切的認識和瞭解,寫成了《信心,不怕懷疑》(Faith and Doubt/Know Doubt),幫助讀者在疑惑的陰霾之中,仍心存盼望。

事實上,在我們認識的人當中,很多人是一面懷疑,一面相信。每當有小生命誕生,我們會歌頌生命的奇妙,造物主的偉大;然而一個小生命的夭折、災難的突襲,也會讓人質疑上帝是否存在,上帝是否美善。

信心與懷疑常常是共存於每個人的心坎裡。不過有些人選擇相信一位無法看見、無法觸摸、無法聽見、也無法證明的上帝,並以生命作賭注,認定這位上帝存在。有些人卻選擇以生命作賭注,斷定世上沒有這樣一位上帝。

有時,我們會非常困惑:如果上帝真的存在,為甚麼祂不為自己多說幾句話?為甚麼祂不提供更充份的證據,一次過解決世人對祂的種種疑惑?

其實,自從造天地以來,上帝的永能和神性是明明可知的,雖是眼不能見,但藉著所造之物,就可以曉得,叫人無可推諉。上帝在歷史之中留下的痕跡是如此清晰可見,以致信的人深信不疑,誓死跟隨;至於不信的人,即使有再多的證據,再多的神蹟奇事,也不能讓他們放下成見,虛心接受。耶穌也曾對當代的人感歎地說道:「若不聽從摩西和先知的話,就是有一個從死裡復活的,他們也不聽勸。」

面對同樣的證據和歷史事實,有人選擇相信,有人拒絕。正如不幸和苦難,能使一些人失卻信心,卻激發另一些人生出信心和勇氣,面對逆境。

不過,信與不信反映在人的生命裡,卻有天壤之別的效果。因為相信上帝,生命被澈底改變,從消極沮喪變得積極樂觀、自私自利變得慷慨付出、從無望絕境變得充滿希望,數之不盡活生生的見證有如雲彩般圍繞,讓人心悅誠服。相反,卻從沒有聽聞過:一個人因為證實沒有上帝,相信人死如燈滅,而改變了他做 人處世的態度,找到生命的方向和意義,活出有理想、有價值的人生。因為只有創造生命的上帝才有這股神奇的力量,讓人渙然一新。

不得不承認信仰當中有不確定的因素,就是因為不確定,繼續不斷推動我們研究和學習。由於疑惑,一些妨礙我們信仰成長的錯謬觀念才得以濾清;由於懷疑,我們才不再驕傲,心存謙卑,尋求事實的真相,宗教改革家馬丁路德說得好,信心的敵人是驕傲,而不是懷疑。

一生中有許多至關重要的事,也包含了不確定的原素,諸如:上那一間大學?唸那一科系?選擇那一個行業?跟誰結婚,組織家庭?雖然我們對未來沒有百份百的把握,但我們仍懷著信心和盼望踏上人生的旅程,展開一頁又一頁的新生活。

就如婚姻的盟誓一樣,我不知道將來前景如何?是疾病、是健康;是貧窮、是富有;是順境,還是逆境;我仍需要向對方作出百份百的承諾:絕對忠誠,完全信任,終生不渝。在相信上帝的決定上,也是如此。畢竟人的智慧有限,無法清楚掌握上帝的存有,並有關祂的事情;但就在這困惑的空間,押上我們信心的一票。耶穌也曾應許說,你若尋求真理,就必定尋得見。在疑惑、提問、尋求和思考的過程中,終必明白祂是全然真實。

 

      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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