Systematic Theology 系統神學

Transcription

1 Systematic Theology 系統神學 Bread of Life Theological Seminary ST

2 Any questions regarding our study of the doctrine of creation from last week? 對於上週主題創造的教義有任何問題嗎?

3 Note: I find it more helpful to hold off on our discussion of providence and humanity (free will) and providence and sin or evil 我建議這堂課不要提出有關神的天命和 人性 ( 自由意志 ) 神的天命和罪惡或邪惡的討論 Why? 為什麼呢? We have not yet discussed the doctrine of Humanity or the doctrine of Sin 我們還沒有討論到 人性或罪論的教義 Therefore, we will discuss these two issues in the next course in relation to our understanding of divine providence 因此, 我們將於下 一學期再討論有關這兩個問題與神的天命的關係

4 The Doctrine of God s Providence 神的天命的教義 Providence is the continuing act of God whereby he makes all the events of the physical, spiritual, and moral universe fulfill the original and eternal plan with which he created them 神的天命是指神持續地參與在祂的受造界中, 在物質, 屬靈, 和道德的層 面實現祂創造萬物時原有的, 永恆的計劃 God created and called everything into existence that did not exist (creation) 神從無有中創造萬有 ( 創造 ) And he continues acting alongside what has been called into existence (providence) 神持續地參與在祂的受造界中 ( 天命 )

5 The etymology of providence refers to foresight 神的天命是指 先 見之明 God s knowledge and plan for the future 神知道並規劃未來 Yet, the intended and traditional meaning goes much deeper than foresight 原意和傳統意義遠遠超越 先 見之明 It means that God is actively working toward the realization of his eternal plan 神積極地實現祂永恆的計劃 Therefore, theologians have tended to focus on God s provision (or preservation) and government of all creation 神學家們傾向於強調神供應 ( 保守 ) 和管治受造萬有

6 Divine providence overlaps with God s sovereignty, but is distinct from it 神的天命與神的主權有相似之處, 但不同 Sovereignty speaks more to the scope of God s control and authority 神的主權意指神的控制和權柄的範圍 Providence adds the aspect of God s care and guidance of creation toward its ultimate goal 神的天命還包括神眷顧引導受造萬有, 朝著受造萬有最終的 目標發展

7 False ideas of providence 有關神的天命的誤解 Deism 自然神論 God is the watchmaker who created and designed creation to run on its own without him 認爲神如同鍾錶製造者, 最初設計並創造了世界, 便不再參與, 讓它 自 己運作 Indeterminism or chance 非決定論或隨機偶發 An overemphasis on the independence of creation or the free will of humanity 過分強調受造物的獨 立性和 人類的 自由意志 Some Atheists hold this view 一些無神論者持此觀點

8 Determinism or Fatalism 決定論或宿命論 Everything is determined or up to fate. An overemphasis on God s control 一切都是命中註定 過分強調神的控制 我已經決定要成為 一個 宿命論者 所有事件都已註定, 不可改變. 我們只有聽天由命. 如果有什麼不好的事情發 生 都不是我的錯. 是命運! 太糟糕了, 這是你命中註定的! 這是不是命運!

9 God s providence in 神的天命的範圍 : All of creation (the scope of his providence) 受造萬有 ( 神的天命的範圍 ) Lifeless matter, living plants, animals, and humanity 無 生物, 有 生命的植物, 動物和 人類 All of history (guidance, direction) 所有的歷史 ( 引導, 方向 ) Contrary to Deism, God is active and present in all aspects of his creation 與 自然神論相反, 神活躍地參與受造萬有的每 一個層 面

10 God s providence through 神的天命的渠道 : Again all of creation 受造萬有 Lifeless matter, living plants, animals, and humanity 無 生物, 有 生命的植物, 動物和 人類 God executes his eternal purposes through his creation, not apart from it 神通過祂創造的萬有來實現祂永恆的 目的 Miracles 神蹟 Special acts of providence not explicitly on the basis of the usual patterns of nature 比較不尋常的神的作為, 並 非按照 自然界的正常模式

11 God s providence toward 神的天命的 目標 : His glory 神的榮耀 Our good 我們的益處 His eternal purposes and plan 神永恆的 目的和計劃

12 Reformed/Calvinist and Arminian/Wesleyan views 改 革宗 / 加爾 文主義和阿 民念主義 / 衛斯理觀點 Questions for the class 課堂討論問題 : Aside from the issue of free will in humans, what were your inclinations and perspectives on the two views Grudem presented? 除了 人的 自由意志的問題, 你對古德恩的兩種觀點有什麼 立場? What is the scope of God s providence? Is it general? Specific? Broad, or detailed? 神的天命的範圍有多 大? 是 一般的? 具體點? 廣泛的還是詳細的?

13 The Theological Meanings of Divine Providence 神的天命的神學意義 Creation does not have self-existence 受造萬有不是 自存的 It owes its existence to God 受造萬有的存在仰賴於神 But, not in a deistic manner as though God created it to exist apart from him 不是 自然神論的 方式, 好像神創造後不再參與, 任其 自 行存在 God secures the results of his divine purposes 神必定達成祂的 目的

14 In the material world, God immediately works in and through material properties and laws. In the mental world, God immediately works in and through properties and faculties of mind. Preservation never runs counter to creation. God does not violate in providence what he has established in creation. 在物質的世界中, 神藉著物質的特性和定律例來達成祂的 目的 在屬靈的世界裡, 神藉著 人 心的屬性和功能來達成祂的 目的 神的保守不會被受造萬物背道 而 行 神的天命不會違反祂在受造界中的建設 (William Shedd, Dogmatic Theology, p. 413) 石威廉, 教義神學

15 The Importance of this teaching 這個教學的重要性 No part of Christian teaching is more pertinent to pastoral care than the classical view of providence. Many practical questions of care of [people] amid sickness, personal crisis, poverty, and death hinge on how well one understands the pivotal issues. From a right understanding of providence follows a more realistic assessment of human limitations, sin, and the meaning of suffering in relation to the goodness of God. 神的天命是基督教教義中與牧養最息息相關的教導 很多實際問題, 例如疾病之中, 個 人危機, 貧窮和死亡都取決於我們如何理解這個關鍵的問題, 正確的理解神的天命有助於我們認識 人類的有限, 罪和苦難與神的善良之間的關係 (Oden, Classical Christianity, p. 144) 奧頓, 古典基督教

16 The implications of Divine Providence 神的天命的涵意 We can be patient when things go against us, thankful when things go well, and for the future we can have good confidence in our faithful God and Father that nothing in creation will separate us from his love. For all creatures are so completely in God s hand that without his will they can neither move nor be moved. 在逆境中我們可以忍耐, 在順境中我們可以感恩, 面對未來時我們有 足夠的信 心, 相信天 父上帝的信實, 因萬有都在天 父 手中, 天 父若不准許, 沒有 一件事能動, 也沒有 一件事能被動搖, 所以沒有任何事能使我們與天 父的愛隔絕 (Heidelberg Catechism, Question 28) 海德堡要理問答

17 Providence and Prayer 神的天命和祈禱 What does a deistic view of prayer look like? 自然神論觀點的祈禱是什麼樣 子的祈禱? What if it is all left to chance? 若萬事都是偶發 ( 隨機 ) 決定的? What if it is all fate? 若萬事都是命運決定的?

18 Recommended reading 推薦閱讀 Paul Helm, The Providence of God. InterVarsity Press, Calvinist! Thomas Oden, John Wesley s Teachings, volume 1: God and Providence. Zondervan, Arminian/Wesleyan! Terrance Tiessen, Providence and Prayer: How Does God Work in the World? IVP Academic, 2000.

19 Questions? 有任何問題嗎?

20 Questions for the class regarding the entire course 課堂討論問題 : What recurring themes have you noticed throughout this course? 你注意到哪些重複出現的主題? What tensions, difficulties, or challenges have you encountered? 你有沒有遇到過什麼樣的張 力, 困難和挑戰? What difficulties still remain? 哪些困難仍然存在? What questions still remain? 哪些問題仍然存在?

21 Final assignments Quiz 測驗 #8 Due on September 14 th by 5pm (Pacific Standard Time) 截 止 日期為 9 月 14 日太平洋標準時 5pm. Doctrinal Statements 教義論 文 Due on September 18 th by 10pm Pacific Standard Time 截 止 日期為 9 月 18 日太平洋標準時 10pm. ed to me Emily will translate as needed and I will you with my feedback