【普世教會動態導讀】

 

基督徒如何應對美國最高法院關於同性婚姻的裁決?

美國最高法院 6 月 26 日裁定同性伴侶有在美國任何地方結婚的權利,對於長期堅持反對同性婚姻合法化的基督徒,特別是保福音派基督徒來說,難免會產生強烈的挫折感。《今日基督教》雜誌總編輯 Mark Galli 在社論中提出了幾點建議,提供給教會領袖和廣大信徒作參考:

1、喜樂:當然不是因此項裁決而喜樂,而是切記使徒保羅的教導,你們要 "常常喜樂","凡事感恩",恰如《馬太福音》第5章第11-12節所說:" 人若因我辱罵你們,逼迫你們,捏造各樣壞話毀謗你們,你們就有福了!應當歡喜快樂,因為你們在天上的賞賜是大的。在你們以前的先知,人也是這樣逼迫他們。"

2、悔改:不要指責各種勢力,諸如政治、社會、哲學思想、靈性等等,雖然我們了解 "那些執政的、掌權的、管轄這幽暗世界的,以及天空屬靈氣的惡魔......"(弗6:12)是一個無法迴避的現實,而是要省察,究竟我們做了什麼而導致如今的局面?如何從自身做起,進而改變我們的週遭環境?

3、反思:如何通過自己的努力改進教會事工,以及婚姻、家庭、兒女的教養,如何在這個混亂的事代堅守基督教的倫理道德原則?

4、再接觸:教會似乎日益被 "邊緣化",但我們不要悲觀,反而要更加積極主動地接觸各個群體,包括 "同性戀、雙性戀及變性人"(LGBT)群體,積極參與各種相關的社會及政治行動。

5、外展:雖然在法律層面失了一城,但我們仍要放下包袱,以更加開放的心態向全社會、全世界伸出友誼之手,做主耶穌的 "和平使者"。詳情請見原文:

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2015/june-web-only/6-things-to-do-after-supreme-court-gay-marriage-decision.html?share=GcNwk5OSRqtLDpuoX/BVPc2cHEBvuJuh

 

 

美南浸信會眾主席號召成員作好公民抗命的準備
歐波(《信報》論壇)
2015 年 06 月 22 日 00:00 (政治)

移民美國前,從來沒有想過要為信仰基督而反抗建制,但美國最高法院對同性婚姻的裁決在即,無論判決如何,最高法院受理此案標誌著負責司法的法庭走自行釋法的路,而不是將權限以外的立法責任交還給國會,美國三權分立制度失守。

我要為十六位美南浸信會主席聯合發表的公開聲明而感恩,也為保守美國立國根基而公民抗命作了準備。

草草將聲明譯作中文:

作為美南浸信會的基督徒,我們委身於聖經的信仰和道德。因此,我們堅守以聖經的權威和神的真理為我們生命的中心。

聖經有關婚姻的真理是清楚的、明確的和不變的。我們肯定按聖經的教導、教會傳統,自然的婚姻是一男一女一生的盟約承諾。聖經中對婚姻的教導沒有討價還價的餘地。神的話語和耶穌的見證是我們生命的依歸。

因此,我們不會接受、也不會遵守,任何政治或司法機構--包括美國最高法院--發出對婚姻的重新法律定義。我們不會承認同性"婚姻",我們的教會不會舉辦同性婚禮儀式,我們也不會主持這種婚禮儀式。

儘管我們確定我們的愛是遍及所有人,當中包括對同性產生性慾的人,我們不能亦不會承認同性戀行為或者各種違背神對婚姻原有設計的行為合乎道德。我們亦相信信仰自由是這重要議題的核心,就是我們的首要責任是愛和服從神,不是人。

因此,我們强烈鼓勵所有美南浸信會的牧師,領袖,教師,和會友公開地反對任何對婚姻定義的強制性法律,並運用各人的影響力去肯定神在生命和人倫的設計。作為有超過一千六百萬成員,全國最大的非天主教宗派,我們擺上自己的生命和未來於神的話語的真理之上。

不管在企業世界,公開市場,教育,娛樂,媒體,和任何地方堅守自然婚姻的,我們都會團結地用禱告,影響力,和資源加以支持。

原文如下:

As Southern Baptist Christians, we are committed to Biblical faith and ethics. As a result, this body of Believers stands on the authority of Scripture and God's Truth as central to our lives.

What the Bible says about marriage is clear, definitive and unchanging. We affirm biblical, traditional, natural marriage as the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. The Scriptures' teaching on marriage is not negotiable. We stake our lives upon the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Consequently, we will not accept, nor adhere to, any legal redefinition of marriage issued by any political or judicial body including the United States Supreme Court. We will not recognize same-sex "marriages", our churches will not host same-sex ceremonies, and we will not perform such ceremonies.

While we affirm our love for all people, including those struggling with same-sex attraction, we cannot and will not affirm the moral acceptability of homosexual behavior or any behavior that deviates from God's design for marriage. We also believe religious freedom is at stake within this critical issue – that our first duty is to love and obey God, not man.

Therefore, we strongly encourage all Southern Baptist pastors, leaders, educators, and churches to openly reject any mandated legal definition of marriage and to use their influence to affirm God's design for life and relationships. As the nation's largest non-Catholic denomination with over 16 million members, we stake our very lives and future on the Truth of God's Word.

We also join together to support those who stand for natural marriage in the corporate world, the marketplace, education, entertainment, media and elsewhere with our prayers and influence, and resources.

Respectfully,

Dr. Bailey E. Smith SBC President: 1981, 1982
Dr. Morris H. Chapman SBC President: 1991, 1992
Dr. James T. Draper, Jr. SBC President: 1983, 1984
Dr. Charles F. Stanley SBC President: 1985, 1986
Dr. Jerry Vines SBC President: 1989, 1990
Dr. H. Edwin Young SBC President: 1993, 1994
Dr. James B. Henry SBC President: 1995, 1996
Dr. Tom Elliff SBC President: 1997, 1998
Dr. Paige Patterson SBC President: 1999, 2000
Dr. James Merritt SBC President: 2001, 2002
Dr. Jack Graham SBC President: 2003, 2004
Dr. Bobby Welch SBC President: 2005, 2006
Dr. Frank S. Page SBC President: 2007, 2008
Dr. Johnny M. Hunt SBC President: 2009, 2010
Dr. Bryant Wright SBC President: 2011, 2012
Dr. Fred Luter SBC President: 2013, 2014
Dr. Ronnie Floyd SBC President 2015

 

 

美最高法院:同性婚姻權適用全美各州
美國之音
2015.06.27 00:12
http://www.voachinese.com/content/supreme-court-marriage-20150626/2838490.html


美國最高法院 2015 年 6 月 26 日裁定同性伴侶有在美國任何地方結婚的權利。這是美國同性戀權利運動的一個歷史性勝利。

該法院以 5 票對 4 票表決裁定,美國憲法對正當程序和依法平等保護的保障意味著,各州不能禁止同性婚姻。目前,同性戀伴侶可以在 37 個州和首都華盛頓結婚,星期五的裁決將同性婚姻權利延伸到所有 50 個州。

美國總統奧巴馬在網絡社交媒體推特上寫道:"今天是我們邁向平等的一大步。現在,同性伴侶就像任何其他人一樣有結婚權利。"

這一裁決結果是最高法院二十年來關於婚姻及同性戀一般權利訴訟的巔峰之作。

安東尼•肯尼迪大法官寫出表決的多數意見,正如他在最高法院早先裁決的三個同性戀權利大案中所做的那樣。那三個案件可追溯到 1996 年。

裁決意見書說:"......這種對同性伴侶婚姻權的否認造成嚴重而持續的傷害。對男女同性戀者強加的這種殘缺構成對其不尊重和貶低。而平等保護條款,亦如正當程序條款,禁止無理侵犯結婚的基本權利。"

這項裁決是最高法院 1967 年就洛非因訴維吉尼亞州案作出具有裡程碑意義的裁決以來,對在美國的婚姻權利所做的最重要擴張。那項裁決否決了禁止異族通婚的州法。

 

      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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