Manna issue 71 - Unashamed of the Gospel 不以福音為羞恥
Do you have courage to stand up
for your faith?
C. Ang—Singapore
你有勇氣站起來捍衛你的信仰嗎？
新加坡 C. Ang
Open any university textbook in
foundational studies in biology,
anthropology, or geology and you will
find traces of evolutionist theories,
especially relating to the beginning
of man. The theory of evolution
proposes itself to be the alternative
explanation to biblical creation.
Moreover, modern philosophy and
English literature have their roots in
the humanist movement, involving a
turning away from the Christian faith
toward the individual.
打開大學生物學，人類學或地質學基本學習的教科書，
你會發現進化論的蹤跡。特別是有關人類的起源。
進化論的提出，相對於聖經的創造論而言，提供了另外一種的解釋。
不僅如此，現在哲學思想和英國文學中，都有人本主義運動的根源，
其思想遷涉到把基督教的信仰，轉向以個人為中心的思想。
As the modern day Christian is
bombarded daily with such atheistic
notions and faces an increasingly
ungodly society that mocks at
essential Christian doctrines, how
can we remain assured of our own
faith? Before preaching to others, can
we stand convicted in our beliefs in
Christ?
當現代基督徒每天一直要這種無神論的想法來攻擊時，
或是要來面對有越來越多不信神的社會團體，他們會嘲笑基督徒的基本教義，
我們怎麼可以仍然確定自已的信仰是對的嗎？
在向別人傳福音之前，我們能不能站起來，為我們自已相信基督的信仰來辯護呢？
FINDING YOUR IDENTITY IN
CHRIST
在基督裡找到你的認同
Bearing witness to the gospel by
conduct is no easy task. It always
boils down to the daily basics, such
as how much time we spend in
communion with God and invest in
spiritual nurture.
能夠為傳福音來作見証，有這個行為不是一個容易的工作。
這總是要歸結到每天的基本功夫，
例如，我們花了多少時間來和神交通，並且投下了多少時間來靈修。
The key to shining as a true
Christian depends on how deeply we
know God, whether we are sure of
what we believe in, and, ultimately,
what our identity in Christ is. When
Moses came of age, he refused to be
called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,
choosing to suffer affliction with
the people of God than to enjoy
the passing pleasures of sin (Heb
11:24–26). Because he was nursed
and brought up by his own mother,
a Hebrew woman (Ex 2:7–9, 11),
Moses retained his Hebrew identity
and chose to be with God’s people
rather than to be an Egyptian.
仍夠身為一個真正的基督徒，為主發光的重點是決定在，我們是不是能夠深入的認識神，
無論是否我們可以確信自已所相信的，並且到最後，確認自已在在基督裡有所認知的。
當摩西長大的時候，他拒絕被稱為是法老女兒的兒子，
選擇去和神的百姓一起面對苦難，而不是去享受短暫的罪中之樂。(來 11：24-26)
因為他被自已的母親扶養長大，一位希伯來的婦人(出 2：7-9，11)，
摩西仍然保有自已希伯來人的認同，並且選擇和神的百姓在一起，而不是成為一個埃及人。
Similarly, as Christians of the True
Jesus Church, we should have the
correct faith based on the doctrines
of Christ and understand that it is
true and unique, and not be ashamed
of its differences from other religions
or Christian groups. It is this strong
sense of identity that will keep
reminding us of who we are and
the commission entrusted to us—to
preach the good news.
同樣地，身為真耶穌教會的信徒，我們應該要有根據在基督身上，有正確教義的信仰，
要明白，這是真理，並且很獨特，並且不會因為它和其他宗教，或是其他基督教教派有所差異而感到羞恥。
有強烈的認同感，會提醒我們自已是什麼人，我們身上被託負了什麼重要的使用 - 要去傳福音。
Having this identity will ensure that
we will not easily fall away in the
face of opposing beliefs and theories.
When we have an irremovable
identity in Christ and see ourselves as
part of Christ, there is basis for us to
keep our values.
有這種認同將可確保，我們不會很輕易就在反對的信仰及理論之前消失。
當我們在基督裡有一種不可動搖的認同時，把自已當成是基督，我們就會有根基來保持自已的價值。
BE A CHRISTIAN OF SUBSTANCE 成為一個物質的基督徒
To be a Christian of substance, it is
vital to maintain our stance on our
faith and to know what we believe in
despite opposing beliefs and theories.
We need not necessarily join the
apologetics movement, but certainly
need to know how to defend our faith
when it is undermined by the worldly
knowledge we feed our minds with
at secular institutions.
成為一個物質的基督徒，在雖然有反對的信仰和理論存在，
維持自已的信仰上的立場，以及了解自已為何而信是很重要的。
我們不需要去加入護教的運動，但一定要知道，當我們在世俗學校裡，
自已的信仰被自已所填進腦海中的世界知識所破壞之時，我們一定要知道如何保護自已的信仰。
Find Answers to Prevalent Questions 尋找一般問題的答案
First, we can know and find answers
to prevalent questions regarding the
faith. One of the arguments against
God in my first year Philosophy class
was, “Why does a good God allow
suffering?” At that time, even though
I believed in God, I was unable to
rebut what seemed like a really good
argument against the case for the
existence of God.
首先，我們可以知道有關信仰的一般問題，並尋找其答案。
在我第一年的哲學課程中，針對神爭論的其中一個問題就是，"為什麼一個善神會讓人受苦？"
在那時候，即使我信神，我卻不能反駁看起來好像是一個好的辯論問題，但實際上卻是針對神存在的爭論的案子。
Indeed, to refute philosophical
theories against the faith in academia,
one is often expected to use the tools
learned in philosophy. But this is not
the recommendation given in the
Bible, which tells us to not indulge or
be caught up with men’s philosophies
(Col 2:8). Instead of using the tools
of the world to defend our faith, we
should be equipped with the word
of God, which is fit for reproof,
correction, and instruction (2 Tim
3:16), to fight for our faith.
是的，在學術界上，要反駁針對信仰的哲學理論時，
人們時常想要用哲學課中所學到的工具。
但是這卻不是聖經裡面教導我們的方式，聖經告訴我們不要沉迷，或不要因為人類的哲學而著迷。(西 2：8)
取而代之的不是使用世上的工具來保護我們的信仰，而是我們應該要裝備好神的話，
因為聖經很合適合用來責備，糾正，指教(提後 3：16)，所以很適合用來捍衛信仰。
For example, there are biblical
answers to the question of suffering.
Suffering can be the result of man’s
sin against God, or a trial sent by
God to perfect the faith of a believer.
Examples include the Israelites’
chastisement when they departed
from God’s commandments (Hab
1:5–11; 2:15–16; Hos 2:2–13), and
Job whom God wanted to perfect
by removing his self-righteousness
through sufferings.
例如，聖經裡面有關於受苦問題的答案。
受苦可能是人類犯罪得罪神的結果，或誕這是一個試煉，是神讓信徒的信心可以更加完全。
聖經裡面有很多例子，包括了當以色列人離開神的誡命時，以色列人受了懲罰(哈 1：5-11；2：15-16；何 2：2-13)，
而神藉著受苦要除去約伯的自義，就要要讓約伯更加完全。
In fact, God is good, but man does
not always choose to do good (Jn
1:4–5), thus he suffers. It doesn’t
help that the devil often wreaks
havoc in men’s lives (Job 1:6–12), but
God allows it as a trial to shape us
into a better person.
事實上，神是良善的，但是人類總是不一定去選擇行善(約 1：4-5)，因此他受苦了。
魔鬼時常想要在人們的生活中製造大破壞來報復，但卻是起不了什麼作用，
但神允許這件事，讓它成為一種試煉，來形塑我們成為一個更好的人。
With special regard to the matter
of suffering, sometimes, the Bible
does not always give explicit answers
to specific questions we may have.
When our young child is diagnosed
with a chronic illness or when Dad
is laid off at work without a reason,
we tend to ask God why these
unfortunate events happen to us.
Whether it is to bring one’s entire
household to Christ or to train us to
give up our lives to God, we may not
know at that moment in time. The
search for answers is often a journey
and takes time. In such situations, we
need to look ahead with faith (Job
13:15; Hab 2:4; 2 Cor 5:7) and trust
in the abidance of God (Job 42:5).
若是要特別來討論受苦的問題，有時候，聖經總沒有給我們清楚的回答，來讓我們面對眼前的特殊問題。
當我們的小孩被診斷出有慢性疾病，或是身為父親的，無原無故被裁員的時候，
我們很容易問神，為什麼不幸的事情會發生在我身上。
Discern Right from Wrong 明辨是非
Second, discern right and wrong
by being on the right side. Our
allegiance is towards God; we are not
trying to win a philosophical debate.
When I was younger, I used to think
that the only way to discern between
right and wrong was by having full
knowledge and an understanding of
both sides. But life soon taught me
that I was wrong. Man is fallible.
第二，藉由站在正確的一方來明辨是非。
我們只對神有忠誠心；我們並不是想要來勝過哲學上問題的辯論。
當我還很年輕的時候，我常常會這樣想，唯一能夠明辨是非的方式，就是要有全備的知識，以及對雙邊的情況有所了解。
但是人的生命很快地教會了我，這種想法是錯的。
人們總容易犯錯。
When we incline ourselves to what
is unrighteous, we will gradually be
influenced by wrong concepts and
thus breed wrongdoing in our life.
Putting ourselves in the shoes of
someone who blatantly does wrong
merely serves to blur the boundaries
between right and wrong, making
it difficult to do what is right. This
eventually leads to the corruption of
good values.
當我們自已已經近墨著黑的時候，會逐漸被錯誤的想法所影響，因而我們在生活中衍生錯誤的行為。
若是我們設身處地站在那些會作壞事人的位置上，僅僅只會讓是非的界限變模糊而已，
並且讓自已更加困難來作好事。
最後這會導致一些良好的價值觀，反而變的敗壞。
Thus, I learned that the discernment
between right and wrong is given
by God (Heb 5:12–14) and cannot
be attained through our own vain
pursuit. Moreover, I learned that
whilst we can pursue knowledge to
a certain extent according to the best
of our own abilities, the maturation
of that knowledge involves faith and
waiting for the Lord, the One who
gives fruition to our efforts. Until
then, the only thing required of us
is that we are faithful to the Lord
and remain on the right side of His
commandments.
因此，我學會了，要把分辨是非的事交給神(來 5：12-14)，而分辨是非並不是可以透過自已白費力氣的追求，就可以得到這個能力。
不僅如此，我學會，當我們根據自已最好的能力，來追求知識到一種程度的時候，
對知識了解的成熟度，也遷涉到信仰，以及等候主的開導，而祂才是賞賜我努力成果的主，並不是努力就有成果。
直到那時候，唯一需要我們的是，就是我們要對主有信心，並且持守在祂誡命之上，正確的一方。
Spotting Fallacies of Opposing Theories 發現反對理論的謬誤
As sojourners living in a transient
world, it is useful for Christians to
gain worldly knowledge that can
help us support our livelihood. Yet
how do we find a way from being
influenced by atheistic theories
prevalent in school and society?
While we cannot isolate ourselves
from the world by living in an utopia
in which all of God’s laws are upheld,
there are many ways in which we
can prevent our beliefs from being
compromised, if only we let faith
dictate the way. While we can know
about atheistic concepts, we should
avoid subscribing to them. One way
to achieve this is to be aware of the
flaws of these concepts and why they
are not in line with God’s will.
身為旅人處身在這智暫的世上，基督徒若能得到世上的知識是很有用的，
這些知識可以幫助我們維持生計。
然而，我們要如何作，才會找到一個方法不會受到學校，社會上，所充斥的無神論所影響呢？
當我們還不能把自已從世界上隔離起來，自已住在一個烏托邦內，其中所有神的律法都被緊守著，
當我們身在其中時，有許多方法我們可以防止自已的信仰受到影響，作出一點點的妥協，只要我們能以信仰的指引我們的路。
在我們都可以認識到無神論想法的時候，我們應該去避免持有這些想法。
要能夠作到這一點的一個方法，就是要留意到這些想法的缺失，以及了解為什麼他們和神的旨意並不一致。
For instance, if we are assigned
to write a paper on the theory of
evolution, we can use the opportunity
to find out about the fallacies of this
theory as well as other scientific
findings that are in accordance with
the Bible’s account of creation. There
are times when it may be necessary to
abstain from studying too deeply into
concepts that contradict our faith:
we don’t need to challenge our faith
by purposely picking controversial
fields to expand our knowledge, for
gaining knowledge of the wrong sort
may corrupt good values. Instead,
we should desire to grow in the
knowledge of the grace of the Lord
(2 Pet 3:18, 1:8).
例如：若我們被指派來寫一篇進化論主題的文章，
我們可以用這個機會來找出有關這個理論的缺失，並且同時其他科學性的新發現，
來証明聖經上創造論的說法是有根據的。
有很多時候，看起來有需要來避免太過於深入學習一些和我們信仰觀念矛盾的想法：
我們沒有必要來挑戰自已的信仰，故意去挑選一些具有爭議性問題的領域來增加自已的知識，
若得到錯誤類型的知識，可能會敗壞良好的價值觀。
相反地，我應該要想去得到，在神的恩典知識有所成長。
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT FROM THE WORLD 勇於和世界有所不同
If finding an identity in Christ forms
an intrinsic part of a Christian’s
values, daring to be different is how
we keep those values. As the world
changes and Christianity declines
in the countries where it once
flourished, more and more people no
longer profess to be Christians. Due
to pop culture, the young may find it
to be “uncool” to be a Christian, and
such influence is widespread.
若在基督裡找到認同，會形基督徒價值觀本質的部份，能夠勇於不同才是我們如何保存這些價值觀的方式。
隨著世界的改變，基督徒在各各國家中，雖然曾經很興盛，現在都漸漸減少了，
越來越多的人不再聲稱自已是基督徒。
因為流行文化的關係，年輕人認為成為一個基督徒會很落伍，而這種影響正在四處流行。
In this growing tide of ungodliness,
it is hard to be a Christian and to
profess one’s faith without being
labeled as overly religious. Hence, it
takes courage for a Christian to stand
up for his faith. Youths and adults
alike, but especially youths who are
prone to peer pressure, must dare to
be different from the world, to be
“the salt and light of the earth” (Mt
5:13–14).
在不信神的風氣逐漸增長的潮流中，要讓人成為基督徒是很難的，但要表明自已的信仰，卻不被別人因為過度宗教狂而上了標籤是更難的。
因此，對一個基督徒而言，要有勇氣站出來表明自已的信仰。
青年和成人都一樣，但特別是青年，他們容易受到同學朋友的壓力，
一定要勇於和世人不一樣，成為"世上的光和鹽: (太 5：13-14)
I believe that many of us may regret
when we realize, in retrospect, that
we would have done much better
had we not given in to peer pressure
during our pre-adult years. I draw
this analogy because daring to be
different is just that—being our own
unique selves without succumbing
to more dominant social pressure.
And the challenges it poses to us
don’t just stop during our teenage
years but continue in our quest to be
mature Christians.
我想信，我們許多人在回想的時候，當我們了解到自已在成年之前，
若沒有向同儕壓力屈服，或許可以作得更好的時候，或許就不會後悔了。
我用這個類似的例子，因為勇於不同就好像是 - 自已成為一個獨特的存在，
而沒有去向更多顯性的社會壓力來屈服。
而我們青少年時期，會面對到的挑戰，不僅不要停止，而且要繼續追尋成為一個成熟的基督徒。
We might have sustained or
nurtured a hidden dream or passion
if only we had not given it up just to
blend in with the rest or belong to the
“cool crowd.” Maybe we would have
spoken our minds in class, or perhaps
gotten better grades, or hung out
with that sweet yet unsocialized
slip of a friend whose friendship we
treasured. Daring to be different
is far from claiming exclusivity or
being intolerant of others; nor is it all
about standing out from the crowd.
More often, it is about knowing our
identity and claiming it, even if it
means bearing with inconveniences
and nuances in everyday living.
要是我們沒有去放棄，並且沒有融入其他人，或是屬於那些"冷漠"的群眾，
我們就可以自守，培養自已秘密的夢想和熱情。
或許我們在班上，已經討論過自已的想法，或許得到了好成積，
或許和那個還沒有受社會污染，而且我們非常重視的好朋友在一起玩耍。
勇於不同並不是要著重排他性，或不要忍受別人；
也不是有關要從群眾之中走出來。
大部份的時候，是有關認識自已的身份，可以表明出來，
即使這樣作會遇到一般不方便的事情，或是在每天的生活中會得到一些差別待遇。
Despite censure from unbelieving
parties, we can evangelize powerfully
and keep the faith at the same time,
without compromising it, by being
ready to give an answer for the faith
that is in us (Col 4:6) to anyone who
asks.
雖然未信主的一方會有責難，我們可以用力傳福音，並且同時保守信仰，
不因為信仰而作出妥協，時時為了我們身上信仰的原故，準備好答案來回應任何人的詢問。(西 4：6)
BEING FAITHFUL TO THE WORD 緊守神的話
Finally, we should be faithful to the
word and keep it to the end (1 Jn
3:24). When short-term solutions
cannot solve present problems, one
may have to endure hardship for
the faith. We ought to know that
to apply the Lord’s word in this
world is to first bear the costs of
our decision to follow Him and be
rewarded at the end with the crown
of righteousness—just like Lazarus,
who might have been poor for the
sake of not wanting ill-gotten gain
(Lk 16:19–25), like Paul suffering in
chains, hard-pressed on every side
for the Lord and beaten for the cross
(2 Cor 4:8). Yet a good Christian
should never quail at this prospect. It
is a form of fighting for our beliefs in
a very real way.
最後，我們應該要忠於神的話，緊緊守著直到生命的終了(約壹 3：24)。
有時短期所有的解決方案無法排解現在問題的時候，
我們可能要因為信仰的原故，忍受苦難。
我們應該要知道，在這個世界好好運用神的話語，就是決定跟隨祂首先要付出的代價，
並且在生命結束的時候，得到公義的冠冕為獎賞 - 就像拉撒路一樣，
他可能不想要因為不當方法所得，而變得貧窮(路 16：19-25)，
也像保羅受綑綁受苦一樣，為主的原故受到每一方面的壓迫，為十字架而受到鞭打(林後 4：8)。
然而一個好基督徒在這個方面從未退縮。
這就是為了信仰的原故，真真實實的在各方面，努力奮鬥。
We should resolve to “contend”
(Jude 1:3) and protect the “precious
faith” (2 Pet 1:1; 1 Pet 1:7) by
upholding its tenets in doctrine and
not let God’s name suffer abuse by
blasphemous words. We ought to be
arrows in His quiver, daring to take a
firm stance on church beliefs and fight
for the Lord as one conscripted in the
army (2 Tim 2:3–4).
我們應該要決心去"奮鬥"(猶 1：3)，
保守自已"寶貴的信仰"(彼後 1：1；彼前 1：7)，
堅守教義中的所有信條，不讓神的名遭受別人褻瀆言語的攻擊。
我們應該要成為神袋中的箭，勇於穩固堅定在教會的信仰之前，為主爭戰，就像軍隊裡被征召的士兵。(提後 2：3-4)
Initially, we may employ tact, but in
the face of opposing beliefs, we must
stand up for our faith and not consent to
erroneous teachings. We should point
out where the misconceptions are and
present the teachings of Christ the way
it was imparted to us. It all boils down
to this: not being afraid to be different
from the world and being willing to
suffer for the Lord by offering our lives
to Him. For in living out our faith in this
manner, we take our understanding of
the truth to a different level, a higher
ground in which we can concretely
experience God.
一開始，我們可以運用機智，但在面對敵對的信仰時，
我們一定要為信仰站出來，不可認同錯誤的教導。
我們應該要指出，那個部份的想法有錯，並且提出基督的教導，而這些教導耶穌已經賜給我們了。
總歸而言，不要害怕和世界不同，要願意為主承受苦難，把自已的生命獻給祂。
因為用這種態度來活出自已的信仰，我們就能對真理的了解，達到一種不同的程度，是我們可以實際上體驗到神的一種更高境界。
CONCLUSION 結論
In summary, our daily decisions for
God contribute to our boldness for
Christ. If we can keep our faith over
the little things, we will be trained
in righteousness to handle matters
of greater importance. Let us honor
our status as children of God. May
the influence of the Word pervade
our lives, and the teachings of Christ
translate to godly actions so that when
it is time for us to testify for the Lord,
we can be unashamed like the apostle
who willingly gave up his life for the
sake of the gospel (2 Tim 3:10–12).
總結，我們為主每天所作的決定，歸因於我們為基督的勇氣。
若我們可以在這小事上，保持自已的信仰，我們在公義上就可以受到良好的訓練，來面對更大重要性的事情。
讓我們以身為神的子女來榮耀自已的身分。
願神話語的影響充滿我們的生活之中，而基督的教導可以轉化成神聖的行為，
這麼一來我們要為主作見証的時間來到時，我們就可以像使徒一樣無愧，
可以為了福音的原故，願意放棄自已的生命。(提後 3：10-12)
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)