Manna issue 79 - Editorial 編輯的話
Religious Education 宗教教育
by Samuel Kuo 郭霈信傳道
Scripture reveals to us that at one point in Jewish history God lamented, “There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of
God in the land” (Hos 4:1). He further mourned, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hos 4:6a). Note
that these grievances were not directed at the entire world; they were specific charges against God’s chosen people. God
had an expectation of His beloved people, and they did not live up to it. Rather than walking in His ways, they betrayed
the true and living God to join themselves to idols, harlotry, and wickedness (Hos 4:2,12). No wonder God’s “heart
churns within [Him]” (Hos 11:8).
聖經告訴我們，在猶太歷史上的某個時刻神覺得很哀痛，"因這地上無誠實，無良善，無人認識神。"(何 4：1)
祂又哀嘆道，"我的民因無知識而滅亡。"(何 4：6a)
另人注意的是，這些悲傷並不是針對整個世界；
這些是特別針對神選民的指控。
神對祂蒙愛的子民，有一些特別的期望，但是他們在生活上確作不到。
不但沒有走到祂的道路上，而且還背叛了又真又活的神，去加入那些拜偶像，犯姦淫，作壞事之人的行列。(何 4：2，12)
難怪神"回心轉意"(何 11：8)
The apostolic church also stressed the importance of growing in spiritual knowledge. In the middle of a discourse
concerning Jesus Christ as our High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, the author of Hebrews digresses to
reprove the members for their declining faith. The author bemoans, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers,
you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God” (Heb 5:12). It is clear the apostles
also had expectations of the members. A lengthier time in Christ should naturally beget knowledgeable and mature
believers—believers who would be able to instruct others. Instead, the members remained unskilled in the word, unable
to discern, and dithered on the elementary principles of Christ (Heb 5:13–14; 6:1). The way the author continues also
suggests these believers had regressed to the point of being borderline apostates (cf. Heb 6:4–8).
使徒教會也列調，屬靈知識成長的重要性。
在他們的談話中，有一段是關耶穌基督，若根據麥基洗德的等次，耶穌就是我們的大祭司，
希伯來書的作者講到一半離題，就責罵信徒，因為他們的信心退步了。
作者感嘆說到，
12看你們學習的工夫，本該作師傅，誰知還得有人將神聖言小學的開端另教導你們，並且成了那必須吃奶，不能吃乾糧的人。(來 5：12)
很明白地，使徒對信徒也有期待。
在基督裡一段時間之後，應該自然成為一個有知識和成熟的信徒 - 是可以教導別人的信徒。
而事實反而是，信徒仍然在學習神話語的上面，仍然不熟悉，不能分辨，在基督裡基本原則的道理上動搖了。(來 5：13-14；6：1)
作者接著說的情況也暗示，這些信徒信仰退步了，到達了一種快要離教越過界限的程度。
The people of God were “destroyed for lack of knowledge.” What about us? What are the things that we must
know to ensure our salvation? Do we lack this knowledge? Do our children lack knowledge? Does our church lack
knowledge? God was pained over that generation. How does He see ours?
神的子民是因為"缺乏知識而毀滅"。
那我們呢？
有什麼是我們一定要知道的事，可以確保我們可以得救呢？
我們是不是缺乏了這些知識？
我們的小孩是不是缺乏知識？
我們的教會是不是缺乏知識？
經過一代又一代，神很難過。
祂又是怎麼看我們的呢？
The members of the apostolic church were admonished for their anemic growth. What about us? Are we growing in
spiritual knowledge? In all of our years in Christ, have we graduated from milk to solid food? (Heb 5:12–14).
These historical incidents are not isolated cases. In fact they can be, and are, repeated in the church today. They thus
highlight the great importance of a continual and comprehensive religious education for all believers. Clearly, it is not
only for children, but also for adults. It is not only imparted in church classrooms, but also in the home. It is not only
church workers who instruct, but parents are key in the molding of spiritual environments for their children.
使徒教會的信徒，因為成長營養不良，而被警告。
那我們呢？
我們的屬靈知識是不是也有成長？
在我們所有在基督的日子裡，我們是不是已經長大不用吃奶，可以吃乾糧了呢？(來 5：12-14)
這些歷史上的事件並不是單一的事例。
事實上他們不但有可能一直在今日的教會重覆出現，搞不好早就發生了。
因此他們強調要為全部的信徒，提供持續並容易理解的宗教教育的重要性。
Religious education is not only about imparting knowledge as an end-game. The knowledge eventually percolates
into all aspects of living out our life for Christ. For how can we love someone we do not understand? How can we obey
what we do not know? And how can we share what we do not comprehend? The foundation of all of these practical
manifestations of faith is knowledge and understanding. Therefore, indeed, “Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge
of the LORD” (Hos 6:3).
宗教教育不只有關要以灌輸知識為最終目標。
到最後要讓知識滲透進入我們生活中的各各方面，讓我們可以為基督活出新的樣式。
因為若我們不能了解知識，如何能夠愛別人呢？
我們怎麼可能去遵守自已都不知道的事情呢？
我們怎麼可能向別人去分享一些自已都不了解的事情呢？
這些一切可以實際表現出來行為的根基，就是先有知識和了解。
所以，是的，"我們務要認識耶和華，竭力追求認識他。"(何 6：3)
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)