Home昔日真理報2015年 真理報文章2015 年 11 月【上帝的幽默感】《第十層地獄》讀後感

【上帝的幽默感】《第十層地獄》讀後感

 

10hell 1在但丁的史詩《神曲》裡有三個部份:「地獄」(Inferno, Hell)、「煉獄」(Purgatorio, Purgatory﹐有譯為「淨界」)和「天堂」(Paradiso, Paradise)。他描述的地獄像大漏斗,中心點在耶路撒冷,從上到下逐漸縮小,越向下所控制的靈魂罪惡越深重,直到地心,由魔鬼路西法掌管。茱迪.皮考特(Jodi Picoult)用《第十層地獄》去形容人類的罪導至的刑罰。

蘿拉是個專門教《神曲》的大學老師,她最喜歡教《地獄篇》,這個故事很簡單:從耶穌受難日到復活節,一連三天,但丁艱苦地跋涉過九層地獄。每一層地獄都裝滿了比上一層更惡劣的罪犯,而最底層的地獄留給路西法。在那裡沒有燃燒不盡的火,也沒有硫磺,只有絕對地,毫無行動的能力之狀態。茱迪用這樣的看法來形容處於中年危機之人,痛苦掙扎的一段過程。用這樣的看法來形容,在中年的父母面對青少年的反叛時所感受到的無奈。

蘿拉的成長過程十分順利,也有令人羨慕的家庭和職業,但是當她的女兒翠西在面對感情的掙扎時,她有了一段婚外情。她愛上了她的學生西斯﹐一個看似完美的人生在心靈感到饑渴時,染上了污點。與蘿拉不同的是她的丈夫丹尼,他有一段痛苦的童年,在成長的悖逆過程裡,可能因為過失殺死唯一的好友肯恩,從阿拉斯加逃到緬恩州。當他遇見蘿拉時,他一見鍾情,洗心革面,成為一個最好的丈夫和父親。他從不提起他的過去,但是藉著漫畫把過去一點一滴地宣洩出來。他是一個漫畫大師。

他也是時下說的宅男,他負責所有家務,包括照顧他們的女兒翠西。翠西是他的寶貝,不折不扣的掌上明珠。但是當她十四歲時,她愛上了一個曲棍球球員傑生。她開始偷蘿拉的化裝品、衣服、鞋子,為了讓自己更有女人的魅力。她順著傑生的要求和他發生關係,最後卻發現傑生只要和她做愛的十五分鐘,卻不肯和她有思想或心靈的溝通,並且他愛上了第三者,要和她斷絕來往。

10hell 2翠西卻覺得沒有傑生不行,她想盡辦法要挽回他的心。於是她開始說謊,指責傑生強暴她,讓傑生被拘控。後來警察在翠西的血液檢查裡發現有吸毒的殘餘,傑生變成真正的罪犯。他失去了某間大學給他的全額獎學金,他將要面對控訴和審判,他覺得自己的人生已經被翠西害到一無所有。然後,他被發現跌死在一條冰河裡。大家先是以為他自殺了,後來被發現是他殺。當警察來到翠西家時,趁著丹尼和警察在談話,翠西逃走了。她以為自己是凶手。

她逃到父親的老家,阿拉斯加。或許憑著父親的本能和直覺,丹尼知道她會去哪裡。此時丹尼已經知道蘿拉的背叛。雖然蘿拉已經懸崖勒馬,發現自己真正愛的還是丹尼,但是兩個人的關係似乎隔著一道走不過的牆。但是當兩個人要一起面對女兒的失蹤時,這道牆逐漸塌陷。當他們找到翠西時,警察也找到他們。翠西被關起來,但是丹尼準備去替她認罪。

此時蘿拉才說出,是她殺了傑生。因為有個晚上翠西失蹤,當他們分頭去找她時,蘿拉來到一道橋上。當她呼喚翠西時,在橋上已喝醉的傑生憤怒地迎向她,指責她的女兒毀了他的人生。在害怕被攻擊之下,蘿拉推了他一把,他失去平衡,翻出橋的欄杆。他的一隻手抓住了欄杆,另一隻手高舉請求救他。蘿拉伸出手去抓住他的手,然後放開。

最底層的地獄,是當你感到無能為力,什麼都不能做的絕望。路西法憑藉的就是行動和能力,去奪取神的位置。所以當他失去行動和能力時,比任何刑罰都痛苦。在《第十層地獄》裡,每個人都想要做什麼,最後什麼也做不了。人有行動和能力時,做出來的盡都是罪惡。這是人自己在理智裡給自己的判決和懲罰。

感謝神,即使我們在最底層的地獄裡,只要轉向神,神也願意救拔我們;在人為的地獄裡,沒有神做不到的拯救。

 

      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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