Home昔日真理報2016年 真理報文章2016 年 1 月【開卷有益】 回歸上帝,化解地球危機

【開卷有益】 回歸上帝,化解地球危機

 

book留意欣賞大自然的美麗與精緻,總會令人開心雀躍,驚歎造物主的智慧與奇妙。然而人類在這個巧奪天工、創意無限的地球上活著,欣喜之餘,心靈裡少不免還有些恐懼和擔憂。

當前世界面臨最大的威脅,除了恐怖襲擊,各地戰事一觸即發之外;地球環境的破壞、生態被污染、資源的損耗,亦已向我們響起警鐘,催逼著每個人都須要正視環保的議題。

英國神學家戴夫布克雷(Dave Bookless)二十多年前醒覺到地球正身處於一個千瘡百孔的境況,他同時從聖經的真理中發現自己的信仰和大自然竟然有著千絲萬縷深刻的關聯, 於是他致力投身於環境保育的工作,到世界各地分享來自上帝的訊息,教導人們如何關愛這個受造界。他累積了豐富的經驗,撰寫《耶穌的環保學──活出聖經中神、人、土地的美好關係》(Planetwise: Dare to Care for God's World)一書,論述環境保護不是無關痛癢的話題,而是聖經一直強調的主旋律。

無論你居住在世界上那一個角落,也會意識到氣候變遷帶來的災害,地球變暖、冰河融化,使得某些海洋生物和地上動植物瀕臨滅絕,整個生態循環受到嚴重破壞,可悲的是,人類不能倖免,牽涉其中。

追本溯源,始作俑者還是出於人的自私和貪婪。森林過度砍伐、海洋過度捕撈、資源過度開採,危險的農藥和化學物對生態和人類健康影響深遠。而富裕國家仍然持續消耗地球大量的資源,奢侈的生活方式無視貧困地區糧食和清潔食水的短缺,更嚴重破壞自然界的美好和平衡,最後自食其果的卻是居住在地球上的人們。

地球現時被蹂躪的情況明顯地不是上帝的心意。在創造世界之初,上帝看著一切,滿意地說是美好的。受造物之中,人類是最後被造的,祂賦予我們特殊的任務去治理大地,並管理海、陸、空一切的生物。然而我們卻誤以為世界是為我們而造的,我們可以任意享受並使用其中的資源。

布克雷在書中顛覆我們的想法。聖經說得很清楚:「地和地上的一切都是屬於上帝的。」新約聖經也重申:「萬有都是藉著祂,又是為著祂而造的。」這個世界屬於上帝,不僅因為上帝創造它並維繫它,也是因為世界是為耶穌而造的。我們不是世界的主人,耶穌才是。聖經的說法粉碎了我們一向以人為中心的世界觀。

世界不是為我們而造,我們與萬物一樣,都是被造的,是創造的一部份。然而人類非常特殊,在受造界裡承擔獨特的角色。上帝將人分別出來,給予神聖的使命,與祂同工,一起管治和護理這個世界。

既然世界不屬於我們,我們便要懷著極大的尊重來看待受造界,因為它們全屬耶穌所有。我們不能再漫不經心地濫用木材、石油和天然氣;不能肆無忌憚地捕殺魚類和動物;更不能貪圖方便,使用有害天然環境的化學物品。因為上帝把世界交託給人類,我們就要向這世界的主人負責,遵循祂的心意,維護萬事萬物的美善與和諧。

環境的危機亦起因於人在道德上的敗壞。撒謊、偷盜、殘殺和不道德的行為,不僅破壞人與人、人與上帝的關係,也影響自然界。創世記記載,人類始祖犯罪之後,不單自己承擔惡果,大地也因此長出棘荊和蒺藜,以致農作物的生長倍感艱辛。挪亞時代,人類罪大惡極,洪水毀滅全地,自然生態循環備受嚴峻衝擊。

儘管媒體經常報導地球危機對人們造成的影響,保育人士也大聲疾呼加強環保意識的重要,可是,人們的生活方式仍沒有多大改變。我們必須承認,我們有負上帝所託,沒有照祂的心意好好照料愛護地球,因為我們自私又粗心的生活方式得罪了上帝、受造物以及我們自己。

因此,談及保護環保,最根本之道,就是調整自己的心態,修補我們與上帝的關係,離開惡行,悔改歸向上帝。讓耶穌作世界真正的主人,更是我們心靈的主。每天活出與上帝、與人、與大地和諧美好的關係,帶來上帝國度徹底的更新。我們奉祂之命去服事和照顧這片土地,使受造萬物的潛力得到充份發揮,互相效力,展示上帝的豐富與深邃。

 

      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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