Home昔日真理報2015年 真理報文章2015 年 4 月【開卷有益】 邪惡與上帝新世界

【開卷有益】 邪惡與上帝新世界

 

Book放眼世界,環顧四周,所見所聞盡是世紀大災難洶湧而至。十多年以來,相繼有南亞海嘯蹂躪印度洋沿岸、卡崔娜颶風淹沒紐奧良和墨西哥灣地區,還有中國四川汶川大地震,平民百姓家園盡失、死傷無數。除了天然的災害之外,還有人為的恐怖浩劫:九一一事件、金融風暴、伊斯蘭國的殘忍殺戮,一幕一幕令人矚目驚心、慘不忍睹。

我們無法否認我們是活在一個邪惡的世界裡。當代的基督徒作家賴特(N. T. Wright)在他的著作《邪惡與上帝新世界》(Evil and the Justice of God)裡公開向所有人呼籲:「別以為沒有受邪惡威脅,就可以當它不存在;別以為對於邪惡束手無策,就可以不用負責任。」這是一個值得每個人都關注的切身問題。

每日從不同渠道耳聞目睹天災肆虐,殺害、暴力等恐怖活動不停衝撃社會安寧的時候,我們不禁要問:上帝美善的創造往那裡去了?公義的上帝為甚麼容忍邪惡存在,並允許它損害祂一手所造的美麗世界?一向循規蹈矩的我們,既不作奸犯科,也不傷害無辜,為甚麼要與作惡者一同受苦?

對現實世界來說,罪惡從來都不只是抽象的課題,個人的惡行,延伸至群體的災害;人類自私自利的行徑,過度使用資源,破壞生態環,讓「天然的惡」與「道德的惡」互為因果,人心的貪婪與剝削使得大地受到咒詛,造成一波又一波災難的降臨。

《邪惡與上帝新世界》的作者賴特指出:人類也許能夠勉強處理邪惡所導致的種種問題,卻無能處理「邪惡」本身。人無論如何努力,所設計的制度如何完善,都無法根治邪惡的問題。

上帝看見祂所造的人在地上罪惡很大,終日所思想的盡都是惡,祂又豈能袖手旁觀,任其自生自滅?作為聖經學者,賴特努力從舊約經文之中,尋找上帝如何回應人類的罪惡問題,如何介入歷史,澈底終止邪惡本身並它所帶來毀滅性的禍害。

上帝是如何對付邪惡的呢?祂一方面挑戰邪惡、審判邪惡、不讓邪惡得逞;另一方面,上帝施行新事,展開新的工作,藉此以祝福來取代根本的咒詛和人類家庭的不和。

伊甸園的故事告訴我們,上帝對罪惡毫不留情,予以重刑:包括人類被逐出樂園、背負許多的惡果。這樣的懲罰目的是要在邪惡變得不可收拾之前阻止它。但在放逐的日子,人仍然帶著祝福的記號,生養眾多,遍滿全地的應許並沒有因此而撤銷。

洪水又一次讓我們看到上帝如何回應邪惡。上帝施行嚴厲的審判,以傾洩的洪水消滅全地和所有動物。另一方面上帝以恩典拯救一個家庭,顯示祂對創造的心意將持續下去,上帝雖然懷著憂傷和難過的心,但仍決意要完成祂起初創造的計劃。

上帝其後揀選了亞伯拉罕、以色列民族承擔使命,在世間彰顯上帝的公義,讓受造的世界恢復本身的美善。可是原本受命解決問題的子民,卻成了製造更多問題的子民。

耶穌基督親臨世間,為我們解決邪惡的問題,在十字架上,終結了罪惡帶來的審判和刑罰,重整世界的和諧與美好,恢復創造時的秩序。也因為上帝對我們的饒恕,以及我們對他人的饒恕,使得邪惡緘默無語,不得再在上帝的管治之下橫行逞強。

上帝公義的新世界,絕對不是寄望將來的新天新地。賴特在書中要強調的是:耶穌為了戰勝邪惡,已經承擔了上帝子民所有的失敗,向罪惡誇勝,不再受到它的轄制,完成了新的創造。萬事萬物並不是在世界的終局才被更新,而是透過基督徒群體的生命,在此時此刻此地得著更新。

上帝在聖經故事中,向我們展現祂是如何痛恨邪惡,十架受死澈底瓦解邪惡的力量,給予我們勝過邪惡的應許,讓我們有能力足以在現今的世界,用饒恕與復和來克服邪惡無止境的蔓延和傷害。現在,就讓我們一同活出上帝公義的新世界吧!

 

      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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