People tend to associate the name and some physical objectives with their feeling and reaction. It is probable that the negative reaction can be created if your name has been called many times due to your problems. For instance, my name were called many times by my teacher because the trouble I made. Every time I was called I realized that something wrong must happen to me and the likelihood of punishment was very high. That situation had lasted over many years until I went to the university.
The totally new environment in the university offered me the chance to get back myself in part because i could not find my past in the eyes of the people around me. They knew little about my past and therefore the my image was not so negative. I took back the confidence again and started the new life which would never be forgotten in my life. People treated me almost equally and I was not the bad boy any more. I am very thankful at this moment that my sincere classmates then embraced me and I was lifted up again with their unconscious support. For instance, I was despised by so many classmates in the high school, which caused the low self-esteem. However, less worry in my mind when I interacted with my classmate in the university.
They are not perfect, but they deserve me to remember and thank in my life.
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Saturday, 25 February 2012
Thoughts about Romans 13
The confusing verse from Romans 13 have been interpreted differently by many people. Some governing authorities even make use of this verse to support their actions against people. I am also subject to this controversial words in the Bible for long time and have been refused to accept the interpretation that we should be subject to every governing authority without any condition.
First of all, the following words by Paul in the Romans 13 states that the governing authority should reward the people who do something right and punish people who do something wrong. In this way, the authority is following God words and we should follow the rules made by the authority in order to honor our Lord. That is our responsibility for all the Christians.
Second, the behavior of Paul and Peter have shown us that they never shown the absolute obedience to the authority then. Especially, Paul did applied his law knowledge to defend himself when he was put in prison. Besides, our Lord Jesus spoke out all the things either right or wrong in front of people. Some of his words were apparently against the authorities. There are more situations in the Bible that people against the authorities were finally rewarded by God because they were following God's word.
Some great figures in the history of human beings have demonstrated their disobedience to the government during their time. The historical effects have proven that their behaviors made this world better and show God's image to the people in the world. They showed their braveness to fight against the evil authorities and the malicious rules. Washington launched independence war against British government and built the greatest country in the history of human being. God's words have been executed well in the country and this country has become the world police to deliver the justice and protection to the people mistreated by the evil authorities. Dr King's campaign to take the equal rights for the blacks have brought the revolutionary effect to American society over the last few decades. Their testimonies have honored God and make more people can realize God.
First of all, the following words by Paul in the Romans 13 states that the governing authority should reward the people who do something right and punish people who do something wrong. In this way, the authority is following God words and we should follow the rules made by the authority in order to honor our Lord. That is our responsibility for all the Christians.
Second, the behavior of Paul and Peter have shown us that they never shown the absolute obedience to the authority then. Especially, Paul did applied his law knowledge to defend himself when he was put in prison. Besides, our Lord Jesus spoke out all the things either right or wrong in front of people. Some of his words were apparently against the authorities. There are more situations in the Bible that people against the authorities were finally rewarded by God because they were following God's word.
Some great figures in the history of human beings have demonstrated their disobedience to the government during their time. The historical effects have proven that their behaviors made this world better and show God's image to the people in the world. They showed their braveness to fight against the evil authorities and the malicious rules. Washington launched independence war against British government and built the greatest country in the history of human being. God's words have been executed well in the country and this country has become the world police to deliver the justice and protection to the people mistreated by the evil authorities. Dr King's campaign to take the equal rights for the blacks have brought the revolutionary effect to American society over the last few decades. Their testimonies have honored God and make more people can realize God.
余 杰：使公义如江河滔滔 - 论基督徒如何处理政教关系
余 杰：使公义如江河滔滔 - 论基督徒如何处理政教关系
惟愿公平如大水滚滚，使公义如江河滔滔！——《阿摩司书》五章二十四节
对“顺服掌权者”的误读
基督徒从来都生活在一个有“政治”的世界上。 政治与信仰的纠葛，任何一名基督徒都无法回避。《罗马书》是保罗书信中最重要的一篇，它的十三章一至七节，阐释了基督徒与掌权者的关系，也就是基督徒的政 治观。这是保罗书信中最受争议也最难理解的部分。神学家库尔曼（Oscar Cullmann）在《罗马书》的注释中说：“新约经文中恐怕没有几段，比本段遭受更多的误用。”神学家艾伦也说：“罗马书十三章所写的，也许是历代以来 对政治思想史最重要的话。”
“顺服掌权者”是保罗反复强调的核心要点。然 而，保罗没有想到这段话居然被历代统治者当作奴役基督徒的最佳借口。历代以来，许多教会疏离于主流社会之外，许多基督徒对政治生活持冷漠乃至恐惧的态度， 均与对这段经文偏颇和错误的理解有关。以中国为例，近年来当局对家庭教会的逼迫愈演愈烈，大部分教会和基督徒对此保持死水般的沉默。有的教会和基督徒遂引 用此段经文，为其沉默和软弱开脱，并因此而心安理得。圣经是全备的真理、是整全的真理，绝对不能凭着个人的喜好，从中抽取某一句话或某一段落来支持本人的 观点。这种“圣经注我”的办法，其实是出于某种下意识的“自我保护主义”。
中国的历史是由“臣民时代”和“暴民时代”交 替出现而构成的。在中国由专制社会向公民社会转型的焦点时刻，教会和基督徒如何发挥灯台的作用，如何“行公义，好怜悯”，如何成为权力肆虐的最后一道防 线，已经成为不容回避的议题。回归保罗原初的思想、回归圣经信实的教导、回归耶稣生前身体力行的榜样，中国教会方可突破“自我放逐”的传统，也是教会成为 又真又活的教会、基督徒成为又真又活的基督徒的必由之路。
首先，我们要明白保罗为何要求信徒“顺服掌权 者”？保罗对掌权者的权柄有无限定？对基督徒的顺服是否规定了前提？联系上下文便可以确信，保罗所描述的掌权者，是特指权柄来自于上帝、并按照上帝的启示 谨慎地使用此权柄的政权。保罗说：“作官的原不是叫行善的惧怕，乃是叫作恶的惧怕。”（《罗马书》十三章三节）他又说：“他是神的用人，是伸冤的，刑罚那 作恶的”（《罗马书》十三章四节）他从正反两个方面界定了政府存在的缘由，即行使扬善惩恶的功能。反之，如果掌权者违背了“扬善惩恶”的法则，便违背了上 帝的旨意。
特别值得注意的一点是：保罗在这里使用了“原 不是”这样一个极具转折意义的词语。也就是说，保罗已经意识到，虽然掌权者的权柄无一例外地来自于上帝，但他所生活的那个时代的政权以及人类历史上大部分 时代的政权，都违背了上帝赐予其权柄的本义——人的罪性渐渐渗透到由人组织而成的政权之中，使政权本身走向败坏和堕落。这些政权非但没有为民伸冤，反倒制 造大量的冤屈；这些政权收取民众的粮和税，却不向民众提供必要的公共服务；非但没有彰显上帝的荣耀，反倒危害人民的信仰自由、禁止人民敬拜上帝。所以，保罗所指示的基督徒必须无条件顺服的政权，只存在于理想状态之中，而非人间的现实。
其次，保罗要求基督徒顺服掌权者的教导，还有 其特定的历史背景：公元五十一年或五十二年，哥林多的犹太人在迦流面前控告保罗，说他宣传非法的宗教。迦流不予理会。对迦流而言，保罗是犹太人，与告他的 人一样，他们之间的争论，只是犹太人对犹太律法的解释不同。迦流的决定成了重要的先例。约十年之后，保罗运用此模式所提供的保护，继续从事使徒的工作，不 仅在罗马帝国的各省中，也在罗马市内传福音。
但是，我们一定要看到，这是上帝对保罗特别的 恩赐，并不是所有基督徒的遭遇。即便在保罗的生命历程中，也不是每一次面对掌权者的时候都有如此愉快的经历：他本人曾被下狱，他并没有安于下狱的命运，而 是在狱中大声歌唱直到将监门唱开、将枷锁唱掉；他在被诬告时也没有沉默似金，而是坦然宣布要上诉于最高统治者凯撒。保罗是学者，也是出色的律师，他懂得如何运用法律武器与敌人周旋。保罗善用人间的法律捍卫信仰自由的做法，与中国教会某些先辈宣扬的“基督徒不要上法庭”、“基督徒不要当律师”的教导截然不同。在保罗看来，法律并非仅仅是统治者个人心意的体现，法律背后是一整套的自然律，以及上帝与人所立之约。因此，法律可以被用来作为福音工作的坚强保障。
另一方面，保罗关于“在上有权柄的，人人当顺服他”（《罗马书》十三章一节）的教导，应当与彼得“顺从神，不顺从人，是应当的”（《使徒行传》五章二十九节）的教导结合起来领受。保罗的教导从正面展开，彼得的教导则从反面展开，两方面的教导结合起来，便是耶稣基督亲自的教导：“凯撒的物当归给凯撒，神的物当归给神。”（《马太福音》二十二章二十一节）耶稣的教导将保罗和彼得两人看似对立的教导完美融合在一起。我们应当将这三处圣经结合起来思考，方能明白上帝的话语的深邃与完全。
在如何处理政教关系上，耶稣基督本人即为我们 作出了表率。耶稣是如何面对罗马帝国在耶路撒冷的最高权力代表——总督彼拉多的呢？彼拉多审问他的时候，耶稣毫不畏惧地说：“若不是从上头赐给你的，你就 毫无权柄办我，所以把我交给你的那人，罪更重了。”（《约翰福音》十九章十一节）显然，耶稣的这句话，从根本上否定了彼拉多的权柄、否定了彼拉多有给自己 定罪的权力。在生命的最后时刻，耶稣在罗马帝国的代表彼拉多面前保持了独立而高贵的态度，让彼拉多不知所措。
以罗马法之观点来看，耶稣是因煽动叛乱的罪 名，被罗马审判、定罪、处死。耶稣的罪名被简要地写在木板上，钉于十字架上：“犹太人的王。”不论耶稣对他的王权怎样解释，对于罗马法律而言，他惟一的记 录是：领导一个运动，向凯撒的王权发起挑战。多年之后，罗马历史学家塔西陀想要向读者解释耶稣是一个怎样的人，他认为只要这样说一句就够了：“他们的名称 来自基督，他在提比留任皇帝时，被当地的官员本丢彼拉多处以死刑。”在此意义上，基督徒称耶稣为“王”，本身便无可避免具有挑战意味。
另一方面，尽管当时犹太民族处于被殖民的悲惨 地位，耶稣本人也是犹太人，但他并没有满足那些在压迫之下挣扎的同胞们的期望，他拒绝带领他们揭竿而起、反抗罗马、建立自己的王国。耶稣不是一个持“武装 斗争”路线的奋锐党人，即便在兵丁赶来逮捕他的时候，亦制止了门徒彼得的拔刀对抗。耶稣本有能力战胜那些兵丁，他却对彼得说：“收刀入鞘吧！”（《约翰福 音》十八章十一节）遂束手就擒。最后，耶稣被钉上了十字架。耶稣之死创立了人类历史上非暴力反抗的开端，也为人类社会的更新和嬗变指出了一条新路。
当然，耶稣不是虚无主义者，他多次涉及“公 义”的问题。他从不隐讳对各种不义的社会现象的批判，他的言词比历代的先知还要尖锐。对于那些不义的政权、君王与官吏，他的话语具有颠覆性的力量。但是， 耶稣又是和平的使者，他反对使用以暴易暴的手段改变现存的社会秩序。他要求门徒根除各自内心的怨恨与愤怒，教导他们说，只有“爱人如己”的人才能获得“公 义的冠冕”。
仿效耶稣基督，基督徒在该顺服的时候便顺服、在该谴责的时候便谴责、在该躲避的时候便躲避。基督徒的顺服是出于良心的顺服，而不是出于恐惧的顺服；前者顺服的是耶稣基督，后者顺服的是魔鬼撒旦。所以，可以清楚地判断：那种声称对掌权者绝对的、无条件的顺服，是对圣经的偷梁换柱，是以“君权”取代“神权”—— 如果有忠于耶稣基督的基督徒，稍稍向极权政府作出抵抗，这个政府的代表、或勾结他们的神学顾问，就会诉诸保罗的这几句话，仿佛基督徒就因此受命，应当认可 和允许专制国家的一切罪恶。此看法完全不符合圣经。在某些状况下，基督徒违背政府的命令，不仅是权利，也是责任，如在希特勒的德国、斯大林的苏联和毛泽东 的中国，抵抗邪恶是基督徒对信仰“尽忠职守”的最佳方式。
上帝爱他的儿女，上帝赋予人类宝贵的自由与公义。因此，政府不能危害任意一个公民的自由与人权，一旦政府那样做了，便玷污了从上帝而来的权柄，便自动处于某种非法状态。不 服从此类非法政权的命令，不仅不违背保罗关于“顺服掌权者”的教导，反倒正是保罗的真义所在。这便是基督教世界里的君臣关系与儒家世界里的君臣关系之间最 重大的差异：在儒家世界里，君王便是权力的神圣源泉，臣民是君王的奴隶，“君叫臣死，臣不得不死”，因为在君王之上只有一个抽象的、对人间无动于衷的 “天”；而在基督教世界里，君王的权力来自于上帝，君臣之间的关系是由“约”所界定的，这个“约”在上帝与人类所定的神圣之约之下，“君叫臣死，臣完全可 以不死”，因为在君王之上，有一个具备了位格的上帝在。
一个典型的例子便是：虔诚的基督徒、伟大的思 想家爱德蒙•柏克（Edmund Burke），在《致布里斯托城行政司法长官书》中，为当时争取自由和独立的美洲殖民地辩护，他运用了“自然自由权”的理论，也就是说，人拥有先于政府 的、既非政府创设、政府也无权取消的自由，如信仰自由权。柏克的这一理论来自于圣经真理，他论述道：“设立安息日是为了人，创造人不是为了安息日；与安息 日相比，政府并无更高的根源与权威。换言之，安息日是上帝定的，政府不过是人定的。所以政府应当顺应时代的紧迫需要，顺应它治下的人民的气质与性格，不能 动辄施强施暴，力图使人民的性格曲顺于他们那待民以奴才的理论。”也就是说，上帝的公义衍生出个人的人权，世俗政权不仅要遵循上帝的公义，还要尊重个人的 人权。违背了这两个原则的政权，便失去了被其统治者“顺服”的资格。
基督徒不能放弃争战的使命，以及对公义的坚守
圣经真理是全备的、融会贯通的真理。基督徒在 领受《罗马书》十三章的时候，必须参考其他章节——与之最富于对称性的，便是《启示录》十三章。这不是偶然的巧合：《罗马书》十三章与《启示录》十三章， 其内容看似矛盾，实则互相补充，它们共同揭示了政府对上帝意志的扭曲及其善恶无定的本质。
当使徒约翰在上帝的启示下写作《启示录》时， 罗马皇帝多米田（Domitian）正在大规模迫害基督徒。政权不再是上帝的仆人，不再执行上帝的权柄，而沦为魔鬼的帮凶。约翰用“大红龙”和“从海中升 起来的兽”这两个形象的比喻，来形容迫害信徒的政权。龙和兽都具有莫大的权柄，但它们的权柄是从撒旦而来，而非从神而来。但是，当时的人民对此缺乏基本的 判断力：“全地的人都希奇跟从那兽，又拜那龙，因为它将自己的权柄给了兽，也拜兽说：‘谁能比这兽，谁能与它交战呢？’”（《启示录》十三章三至四节）龙 和兽还建立了一套对人类实施统治的、严密的制度，“它又叫众人，无论大小贫富，自主的、为奴的，都在右手上或是在额上受一个印记”。（《启示录》十三章十 六节）基督徒难道要心甘情愿匍匐在这邪恶的权势之下吗？
中世纪伟大的教父奥古斯丁（Aurelius Augstinus）说过：“若没有公义，国度岂不是成了大强盗窝？”基督徒必须挺身反抗那自身作恶、并强迫所有公民作恶的政权。基督徒难道要遵从掌权者 的要求，去敬拜那形形色色的偶像吗？当某个世俗政权要求公民参与拜偶像活动的时候——在毛泽东时代，中共强迫包括基督徒在内的所有公民对毛像鞠躬行礼，即 所谓的“早请示”、“晚汇报”。那么，基督徒应该怎么办呢？难道要不假思索地顺服吗？库尔曼（Oscar Cullmann）一针见血地指出：“对于国家要求敬拜凯撒像的问题，保罗的看法不会与《启示录》的作者约翰有任何的差别。”
基督徒应当坚守上帝的公义并为此争战，保罗说：“我们并不是与属血气的争战，乃是与那些执政的、掌权的、管辖这幽暗世界的，以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战。”（《以弗所书》六章十二节）近代以来，人类科技的发展和生产力的提升，并没有解决日益激化的社会矛盾及社会不公。然而，教会和基督徒没有及时应对社会的不义，坐视激进思潮乃至激进革命的崛起。于是，十八世纪晚期有法国大革命，二十世纪初期有俄国十月革命，马克思主义和法西斯主义相继蓬勃兴起。马 克思提出的阶级斗争和暴力革命的学说，为列宁、斯大林、毛泽东、波尔布特（Pol Pot）等独裁者所汲取，成为其夺取权力、满足私欲的工具。他们建立起集中营制度，制造阶级屠杀的惨剧。而法西斯主义以激进的进化论——人种优劣论为基 础，成为墨索里尼、希特勒等人建立“动物庄园”的理论依据。法西斯政权由此制造了种族屠杀的滔天罪行。这两种意识形态的相似之处，都是将人当作历史的工具，与耶稣倡导的“爱”的价值背道而驰。
本来，爱比暴力更有力量。爱是人身上接近神性的存在，暴力则是人身上接近撒旦的成分。但 是，当教会和基督徒们爱心冷淡、闻“政治”色变、把良心问题归诸于“政治”加以排斥、以“顺服”为托词掩盖自身懦弱的时候，马克思主义和法西斯主义便攫取 了无数底层民众绝望的心灵。二十世纪人类之所以沦陷于专制暴政的深渊，很大程度上是因为教会和基督徒未能坚守公义、未能像朋霍费尔那样“圣洁地入世”。朋 霍费尔指出，教会应当站在社区的中央，基督徒则要生活在这个世界里。与其去辩解、维护基督教，不如好好去了解这个世界。因为世界并不能真正了解自己，世界 不知道自己跟基督信仰之间的关系。基督徒靠着福音和基督的光照，却能比世界更了解世界。遗憾的是，中国教会长期被迫或自觉处于地下状态，以为封闭便可免受 政权的压迫。然而，正因为这种封闭，才导致教会与现实生活失去有机联系，才导致教会无法在大风暴来临时立定根基。
顺服权柄与持守公义之间的冲突，时刻都会摆在基督徒面前。我们不必一听“政治”便为之色变，“政治”不是政治家的特权，参与“政治”也是上帝赐予基督徒的神圣权利。“政治”不是肮脏的交易，参与“政治”是基督徒行公义时不可分割的部分。当一个政权滥用权柄、颠倒黑白、漠视公义的时候，基督徒不能无原则地顺服于它。顺服政府的要求，只有在不对顺服上帝的前提构成冲突的时候才算有效。如果政府强迫基督徒做上帝禁止的事情，或者阻拦基督徒做上帝命令的事情，基督徒最明显不过的责任，便是抵抗和不服从，宁可违背政权，也不违背上帝。如果教会和基督徒选择胆怯和妥协，便是放下耶稣的十字架。
在种族隔离时代的南非，就有两个著名的案例。 其中之一是：一九五七年，南非的土著事务部长维沃尔德颁布了一份种族隔离的修正案，这个修正案涉及到教会，“在教会、学校、医院等所有一切的公共机构和娱 乐场所，禁止不同种族的人员进行接触”。政府颁布这个法令时，以《罗马书》十三章为先导，要求教会无条件接受。当时，开普敦圣公会大主教是克雷顿，他是一 位性格温和的神学家，已经身患重病。教会内的大部分人因为畏惧政府的权势，纷纷劝说大主教默认该法令。但是，克雷顿最后拒绝遵行此法令，并在给政府的信件 中宣称：“我不能接受这样的法律，我也不会建议我们的神职人员遵行它。”第二天清晨他就去世了。
第二个案例是：一九八五年十月八日，南非总统 博塔（P.W. Botha）接见了著名的NGO组织“非洲事业”的创办人凯西迪。长期以来，凯西迪致力于实现国家的和解，并希望作为白人统治者代表的总统能够对种族隔离 制度悔改并废除之。但是，那天当凯西迪一进入总统的会客室的时候，便发现事情完全不是他所想像的那样。博塔总统站起来，对凯西读出了《罗马书》十三章的部分经文。这位总统居然将圣经的话语拿来作为对南非政府实施种族隔离制度的支持。凯西迪断然拒绝了博塔总统所要求的、而不是上帝说要求的顺服，继续为南非黑人的人权而斗争。作为一名虔诚的基督徒，他深知在总统和他本人之间，究竟谁才是圣经真理的实践者。
克雷顿和凯西迪忠诚地奉行了耶稣基督关于顺服 与公义的教导。无疑，基督徒无法回避政治——此处的“政治”一词，指的是如何实现人的自由与神的公义，而非权力的分配与运作。在此意义上，德兰修女 （Mother Teresa of Calcutta）介入了政治，罗马教宗约翰•保罗二世（John Paul II）介入了政治，马丁•路德•金（Martin Luther King）更是介入了政治。没有德兰修女及仁爱修女会，成千上万的被遗弃者将凄凉而孤独地死去，他们接触不到上帝，也得不到永生；没有教宗约翰•保罗二 世，波兰以及苏联东欧国家的人民，不会如此顺利和迅速地埋葬共产极权制度；没有马丁•路德•金，美国黑人争取实现基本人权、废除种族歧视的斗争，将不可能 如此深刻地改变美国社会。在美国若干智库任职的政治学家毕思齐（Robert Beschel Jr.），同时也是一位杰出的神学家，他回顾说，基督徒对政教关系有三种回应方式：一些人如贵格会、门诺会及重洗派的信徒，会选择远避他们视为邪恶的制度 及活动，把自己分别开来。另一些著名的美国现实主义者摩根道，则抱怀疑态度，认为信仰与政治实践两者是不可调和的。毕思齐认为这两种极端都是不可接受的， 他宁愿在欠缺实效的道德主义，与死不悔改的现实主义两者之间模糊不清的地带寻求中庸之道，借用尼布尔的话来说便是：“在辽阔而道德标准含混的政界领域中尽量保持正直，同时以谦卑的心，体会到政体上各种对立的观点都难免有瑕疵。”
如果说《罗马书》十三章是从神的角度来描述政权的本质，那么《启示录》十三章则是从魔鬼的角度来描述政权的本质，两章的内容同样无比真实。根据政权是否超出界限，基督徒不是把它形容为神的仆人，就是把它形容为魔鬼的工具。保 罗要求我们顺服的掌权者，是作为上帝的仆人的掌权者，是伸冤的掌权者，是惩罚作恶的掌权者。所以，不能认为希特勒、墨索里尼、斯大林、毛泽东、波尔布特、 萨达姆的政权是上帝亲自任命的，也不能认为他们的权柄体现了上帝的公义和慈爱。相反，他们是撒旦在这个世界的代表。我们必须与之争战，朋霍费尔、马丁•路 德•金便是如此争战的。经历了纳粹黑暗统治的德国神学家莫特曼（Jürgen Moltmann）反思说：“我们这一代，被国家的政府如此恶待过，被驱赶向死亡与战争，我们怎能再坐在象牙塔里，安然地从事与政治无关的神学呢？”针对 某些基督徒指责他过度政治化，莫特曼给出了一个有趣的结论：“我们并不是要把教会政治化，而是要把教会政治与基督徒的政治观基督化。”
基督徒的政治观是什么，以及何谓“政教分离”
我们确信：基督徒理应有自己的政治观。那么，基督徒的政治观是什么呢？基督徒的政治观就是“与神同行”，让上帝的公义在政治领域得以彰显——如果在政治领域之中，上帝“缺席”了，那么上帝还是全能的上帝吗？
基督徒积极参与政治活动，并不是违背“政教分离”的原则——“政教分离”的真实意思是：国家（或作为国家权力体现的政府）与教会分离。换言之，国家机器与宗教机构（教会）互相没有权威性，国家机器不能强迫国民信什么或不信什么；宗教机构也不能以权力的形式干涉国家法律的制定、税收及军队的管理等。美国的开国元勋们制定“政教分离”的原则，主要是确保国家机器不得不能规定某一宗教为“国家宗教”，不得将宗教经典当作世俗社会的法律来向全体公民强制实施，不得压制少数派的宗教信仰。
所以，如果我们了解了“政教分离”的真意，便 不会认为基督徒不能涉及任何政治事务。基督徒完全可以从政，并在政治活动中彰显上帝的公义与慈爱。“政教分离”在西方国家中有不同的表现和不同的尺度。比 如，德国的主流政党中便有高举基督教价值的，如目前执政的“基民盟”，德国居民还必须缴纳宗教税，以维修教堂和供养神职人员。瑞典前几年才废除了基督新教 的路德宗教派作为国教的地位。从表面上看，在这些欧洲国家之中，宗教介入政治的程度极深；但另一方面，它们又是最世俗化、最自由化、基督教精神最为衰落的 国家。大多数人不会认为它们是“政教合一”的国家。相反，在美国，“政教分离”的界限似乎更清晰，美国的政党不可能以基督教来命名，美国政府更不可以向居 民征收宗教税，教会想要影响国家政策，只能通过游说团体的方法进行。但是，美国却比大多数欧洲国家更具有基督教精神。近期美国一家民调机构的调查显示，几 乎全部受訪者都赞同布什总统在公开场合的信仰表达。有一半的人认为布什的信仰表达恰恰好，有百分之二十四的认为布什做得过头了，有百分之十四的人则认为布 什做得还不够。可见，“政教分离”是一种动态之中的平衡。
教堂是敬拜上帝的地方，但牧师不能在讲台上只 讲述抽象的道理而不敢触及基督徒如何在世上度日的难题。同样一份调查报告显示，在美国，政治和社会问题是教堂里经常讨论的议题。比如，在那些过去一个月中 至少去过一次教堂的人中间，有百分之五十三的人说牧师提到伊拉克战争，百分之五十九的人说讲道中有提到堕胎，百分之五十二的人说牧师有提到同性恋，百分之 四十八的人说讨论过环境保护。显然这些都是具有争议的政治性议题。为什么要在教堂中讨论这些问题呢？因为这些问题与基督徒的信仰息息相关。
圣经中说：“马岂能在崖石上奔跑？人岂能在那 里用牛耕种呢？你们却使公平变为苦胆，使公义的果子变为茵陈。”（《阿摩司书》六章十二节）基督徒不能无视外部世界世俗化的汹涌潮流。莫特曼经历了德国教 会在纳粹时代整体性的失败，他呼吁说，既然这个世界还没有成为神的国，基督徒就不能采取被动等候的姿态。“基督徒的神学……在面对社会与教会中的政治宗 教，必须采取一种批判的态度。十字架的政治神学必须能解放国家摆脱政治上的偶像崇拜，并且也必须使人从政治的疏离与失去权益中得到解放。”也就是说，基督 徒和教会在公共生活中行公义，改善包括政治在内的社会生活的各个层面，乃是主所喜悦和赞赏的，也正如陈佐人牧师所说：“神学无疆界，爱心无惧怕。”基督徒 和教会固然不应充当“政治反对派”的角色，但基督徒和教会不能容忍政治按照违背神的公义的原则去运行。面对公然宣称与神为敌的邪恶政权，面对被罪恶所捆绑 的不义的政府，面对类似于将同性恋婚姻合法化的法案，基督徒当然要义无反顾地施行监察、督促和抵制，并使之转化得符合神的心意。
今天，面对着“下流人上升”的中国社会，面对 着纵恶欺善的中共政权，面对着遍地偶像崇拜和敌基督的时代氛围，中国的教会和基督徒实在是过于软弱了。某些教会和基督徒为掩饰内心的软弱和恐惧，甚至不惜 曲解圣经真理，将《罗马书》十三章搬出来作为遮羞布，这是对圣经的亵渎，这是基督徒身份的羞辱。那么多的基督徒对正在发生的政府主导的犯罪保持沉默：在天 安门屠杀中沉默，在孙志刚事件中沉默，在广东汕尾武警杀害维权农民的事件中沉默，在蔡卓华牧师因传播圣经而被陷狱的案件中沉默……沉默，山一样沉重的沉 默，海一样的沉默，这难道是在荣耀主吗？对教会和基督徒来说，即便不对外面的世界发言，但对蔡卓华这样的主内弟兄的冤屈，为何仍旧沉默？我听到过一些风言 风语，有人批评说：“蔡弟兄本来就不该私自印刷圣经和属灵材料，如果需要的话，我们可以去三自教会买啊，何必故意与政府作对呢？”还有人批评我和北村联合 起草的呼吁当局释放蔡牧师的公开信，认为这种作法违背了保罗关于顺服掌权者的教训，会让政府更有理由来加害蔡弟兄及其他教会。
当我所在的方舟教会，因为接纳某些参与过天安 门学生运动、长期遭受官方迫害的弟兄，而被警察骚扰和冲击。我们遵照圣经的教导和宪法的规定，针锋相对地与警方辩驳。此后，我们又撰文发表在网络上，主动 呈现事情的真相，并呼吁北京警方尊重公民的宗教信仰自由。遗憾的是，来自家庭教会内部的，不是支持、鼓励和安慰，是第一块石头：某些家庭教会的弟兄姊妹， 站着说话不腰疼地批评这是“凭借血气来反抗”。他们自以为义地评论说，当局的骚扰和冲击亦是上帝所设定的，你们应当好好学习顺服的功课。
这是一种乌龟的生存本能。在蔡卓华案件中，是 非曲直再简单不过了：阅读、印刷和传播圣经，难道不是上帝赐予每个基督徒不可剥夺的权利吗？在方舟教会受骚扰和冲击的事件中，是非曲直同样再简单不过了： 既然连中华人民共和国宪法都明确规定公民有宗教信仰自由，这种自由难道不是任何人在任何适当的场所敬拜上帝的自由吗？教会难道不该向所有愿意倾听福音的人 敞开大门吗？如果教会全盘接受官方所谓“敏感人物”的名单，拒绝“敏感人物”前来接受福音，这样的教会还有真理的同在吗？教会可以接纳一个受洗归主的、从 前的黑帮分子，比如台湾黑帮头目、后来成为牧师的吕代豪，为什么不能接纳曾经参与或正在参与民主人权事业的弟兄姊妹？难道在圣经中，参与民主人权事业，是 比杀人放火更重的罪吗？即便我们不同意他们的做法，即便我们认为他们的政治色彩过于强烈，但耶稣不也接纳了作为奋锐党人的西门彼得、并将他指定为教会的基 石吗？
中国从来便是一个“全能政治”的社会，一九四 九年以来中共的统治更是如此。宗教信仰自由被当局当作“政治”的一部分。当公民的宗教信仰自由遭到非法剥夺时，基督徒为什么不能依法维权、争取和捍卫上帝 所赐予的基本人权呢？有人说，这样做便与“政治”发生了关系。他们将凡是有一定危险的事情都归结到“政治”这个无所不包的范畴里，他们希望信仰是安安全 全、稳稳当当的。但我又注意到另一个很有意思的现象：某些基督徒在传福音时，喜欢使用孙中山是基督徒的例子。因为孙中山是“国父”，强调孙中山是基督徒， 似乎能让人们对基督教产生兴趣。我在这里不对孙中山作全面评价，但有一点是肯定的：孙中山是政治家，也是革命者——甚至不惜采取暴力手段的革命者。基督徒 是否可以参与暴力革命、暴力的限度在哪里，这是另一个值得讨论的问题。我举这个例子，只是想说明：那些口口声声说“不谈政治”的基督徒，却喜欢拿一个作为 政治家和革命者的基督徒的例子来传福音，这难道不是赤裸裸的功利主义和实用主义吗？其内在的矛盾又如何解决呢？
我还发现，即便在自由的国土上，那些信仰松动 的、挂名的“基督徒”，依然被恐惧和怯懦所捆绑。我在一所美国华人教会中有一段经历：牧师带领会众为中国大陆的统治者江泽民和胡锦涛祷告，希望他们早日认 识主，早日推动宗教信仰自由。为在上掌权者祷告、为逼迫基督徒的人祷告，是圣经中的教导，没有什么错。但是，当我建议为天安门母亲祷告时，却遭到断然拒绝。牧师告诉我，这样做会引起“争议”。我不知道为那些被下在狱中的同胞祷告会引发何种“争议”，我发现此种解释背后透骨的虚伪。可以为加害者祷告，却不能为被害者祷告，信仰在此发生了断裂。求上帝怜悯那些被恐惧压垮的基督徒，求圣灵充满他们惊慌失措的心灵，求上帝赐他们怜悯和慈爱的心肠。
保罗的一生充满了为主打那美好的仗的勇气与力量。保罗的勇气与力量从何而来？显然从上帝而来。美国开国元勋、《独立宣言》起草者托马斯•杰斐逊（Thomas Jefferson）说过：“我已经在永生神的坛前起誓，要与一切暴政对垒，不让它辖制人的心灵。”他又说：“反对暴政就是向神顺服。”事 实上，真正的基督徒，既是信仰的人，也是政治的人、经济的人和文化的人。一个信仰纯正、生命丰满的基督徒，其政治观和政治实践必然“稳行高处”，必然顺从 那从天上而来的权柄并同时不屈不挠地追求公义和自由。求主赐予我们捍卫信仰、坚守公义、追求自由的勇气，让我们用真理当作带子束腰，用公义当作护心镜遮 胸，又用平安的福音当作预备走路的鞋穿在脚上，然后迎着暴风骤雨走在那永生的义路之上。
聖經建議人們順服掌權者嗎？
你大概听過有基督徒聲言︰聖經說要人們順服掌權者。我個人不認同這個說法。而我的依據，都是來自聖經經文。
先說說我對神學理論的如下看法︰
1）發現或發明一個理論，不該與聖經記載的上帝認可的行為相違背。對于理論性文字，要放在上下文和情境里理解。而行為具備傳達情境的優勢，一個故事，通常 會包含更多的相關信息，比如時間、地點、對象、人物心理、前因後果、反應等等。因此我相信，如果一個理論與上帝認可的行為矛盾（如耶穌基督的行為），理論 無效。
2）發現或發明一個理論，需要證據，和清晰邏輯的論證。即便是神學理論，即便是被稱為從聖經來的理論。而從個人信仰的角度說，我認為那些被稱為來自聖經的 理論，更加要有充足的證據和清晰邏輯的論證。原因？如果那理論這麼重要，這麼正確，上帝為什麼不直接在聖經里說，而要讓人猜謎語一樣四處尋找蛛絲馬跡，連 猜帶蒙的解釋一番？要知道根據聖經，這關乎人們的永恆，上帝如果跟我們出謎語，或者自己前後矛盾，讓我們無所適從，然後還要根據我們的行為審判，那就不大 公平了。而理論復雜到只有少數聰明的神學家才能理解，對大多數普通人不大公平。所以我相信，從聖經來的道理，應該是清晰的，合乎理性的，不自相矛盾的，普 通人可以理解的。否則即便正確，也是可有可無，沒有什麼實際操作意義。神學家自己練習大腦可以，大肆傳播毫無必要，要求大家接受是庸人自擾。
耶穌自己沒有一味順服掌權者
如果聖經建議人們順服掌權者，那麼聖經認定的基督耶穌，他自己的行為就不合聖經的教導。
當耶穌被抓捕以後，"大祭司就以耶穌的門徒和他的教訓盤問他。耶穌回答說，我從來是明明地對世人說話。我常在會堂和殿里，就是猶太人聚集的地方，教訓人。 我在暗地里，並沒有說什麼。你為什麼問我呢？可以問那听見的人，我對他們說的是什麼。我所說的，他們都知道。耶穌說了這話，旁邊站著的一個差役，用手掌打 他說，你這樣回答大祭司嗎？耶穌說，我若說的不是，你可以指證那不是。我若說的是，你為什麼打我呢？"（《約翰福音》18︰19-23）
這里耶穌反問掌權者大祭司，並且質問毆打他的人。耶穌自己並不是一味順服掌權者對他的不公處置。
後來羅馬總督彼拉多審問耶穌，耶穌"被祭司長和長老控告的時候什麼都不回答。彼拉多就對他說，他們作見證，告你這麼多的事，你沒有听見嗎？耶穌仍不回答， 連一句話也不說，以致巡撫甚覺希奇。"（《馬太福音》27︰12-14）誠如彼拉多自己所說，"你不對我說話嗎？你豈不知我有權柄釋放你，也有權柄把你釘 十字架嗎"（《約翰福音》19︰10）彼拉多就是掌權者，而耶穌沒有順服听話，他拒絕回答這個掌權者的問題。要知道在文革時期，幾乎每個挨整的人，都選擇 了低頭認罪，而不是拒絕回答問題的不合作。如果他們的做法是"順服"，耶穌的做法是不是更像是"頑抗"？
其他聖經人物也沒有一味順服掌權者
聖經是一套書的集合，全部66卷書是由40位作者，歷時大約1600年，分頭獨立寫作而成的。但以理（Daniel）是40位聖經作者之一，這位先知寫作 了舊約《但以理書》（Daniel）。這本書里記錄了公元前六世紀左右發生的這麼一個事件︰當時猶太人遭受了亡國的災難，很多猶太人被擄到巴比倫。巴比倫 王尼布甲尼撒（Nebuchadnezzar）造了一個金像，要求境內的人都要向金像"俯伏敬拜"。但是三個猶太人沙得拉，米煞，亞伯尼歌 （Shadrach，Meshach，Abednego）不遵從掌權者的命令，拒絕向金像敬拜。他們不是普通的公民，他們是巴比倫國王任命的官員，負責" 管理巴比倫省的事務"，這說明他們基本上認同當時的政權。這三個人不順服掌權者的原因，恰恰是來自他們對聖經教導的認同，即十誡里的不可敬拜偶像。如果他 們不順服掌權者的行為不合聖經，上帝應該不會通過施行神跡來拯救他們。但結果是，"這三個人都被捆著落在烈火的窯中"，而且"那抬沙得拉，米煞，亞伯尼歌 的人都被火焰燒死"，可是這三個人卻毫發無損。聖經把這歸結為上帝的大能。（《但以理書》3章）
問題︰如果這三個人不順服掌權者的做法不合上帝的心意，我們該如何解釋這個事件？
再看看耶穌以後的新約時代，《使徒行傳》第四章記載了這樣的情節。耶穌揀選的十二使徒當中的彼得和約翰，在最神聖的猶太聖殿傳講耶穌就是大家期盼的基督， 而他從死里復活。這不為當時掌握教權的祭司階層所容，于是祭司"叫了他們來，禁止他們，總不可奉耶穌的名講論教訓人。彼得約翰說，听從你們，不听從神，這 在神面前合理不合理，你們自己酌量吧。我們所看見所听見的，不能不說。"就是在彼得、約翰等使徒的帶領下，基督信仰迅速傳播開來。沒有跡象顯示，彼得和約 翰的不順從掌權者的行為不被上帝認可。（《使徒行傳》4章）
另外一個使徒保羅，在耶路撒冷曾經有羅馬的千夫長"叫人用鞭子拷問他，要知道他們向他這樣喧嚷，是為什麼緣故。剛用皮條捆上，保羅對旁邊站著的百夫長說， 人是羅馬人，又沒有定罪，你們就鞭打他，有這個例嗎？"保羅的做法好像不是很順服，而是據理力爭。（《使徒行傳》22章）
如果從舊約的先知到新約的耶穌的使徒，都沒有在實際操作里采取順服掌權者的態度，而這些行為都直接間接的作為正面事例描述，我們如何可以斷定聖經建議人們順服掌權者？
經文到底怎麼說？
聖經主要有兩處經文提及順服和掌權者，都是出現在新約聖經，但都不是出自耶穌基督的口，而是出現在使徒彼得和保羅的書信里。在前面已經提到，彼得和保羅都有不順服掌權者的行為。他們難道是言行不一的偽君子？到底我們該相信他們的行為，還是他們說的原則？
還是結合上下文，看看他們到底是怎麼說的。
《羅馬書》13︰1-5︰
1 在上有權柄的，人人當順服他。因為沒有權柄不是出于神的。凡掌權的都是神所命的。
2 所以抗拒掌權的，就是抗拒神的命。抗拒的必自取刑罰
3 作官的原不是叫行善的懼怕，乃是叫作惡的懼怕。你願意不懼怕掌權的嗎？你只要行善，就可得他的稱贊。
4 因為他是神的用人，是與你有益的。你若作惡，卻當懼怕。因為他不是空空的佩劍。他是神的用人，是伸冤的，刑罰那作惡的。
5 所以你們必須順服，不但是因為刑罰，也是因為良心。
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
《彼得前書》2︰13-17
13 你們為主的緣故，要順服人的一切制度，或是在上的君王，
14 或是君王所派罰惡賞善的臣宰。
15 因為神的旨意原是要你們行善，可以堵住那糊涂無知人的口。
16 你們雖是自由的，卻不可借著自由遮蓋惡毒（或作陰毒），總要作神的僕人。
17 務要尊敬眾人。親愛教中的弟兄。敬畏神。尊敬君王。
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
使徒保羅說"在上有權柄的，人人當順服他。因為沒有權柄不是出于神的。凡掌權的都是神所命的。"僅僅這麼一句，字面看起來很像是說"順服掌權的"。但是很快下面第三節，就說道"作官的原不是叫行善的懼怕，乃是叫作惡的懼怕。"
是不是歷史上所有"做官的"都"不是叫行善的懼怕，乃是叫作惡的懼怕"呢？明顯不是。希特勒不是，斯大林也不是。
是不是現實里所有"做官的"都做到了"你只要行善，就可得他的稱贊"呢？明顯不是。金正日不是，卡斯特羅也不是。
不是所有"做官的"都"是神的用人，是伸冤的，刑罰那作惡的"。
聖經里就有例子。
舊約《列王紀》23︰31-32
31 約哈斯登基的時候年二十三歲，在耶路撒冷作王三個月。他母親名叫哈慕她，是立拿人耶利米的女兒。
32 約哈斯行耶和華眼中看為惡的事，效法他列祖一切所行的。
舊約《列王紀》24︰8-9
8 約雅斤登基的時候年十八歲，在耶路撒冷作王三個月。他母親名叫尼護施她，是耶路撒冷人以利拿單的女兒。
9 約雅斤行耶和華眼中看為惡的事，效法他父親一切所行的。
這些猶太國王，聖經斷言他們"行耶和華眼中看為惡的事"。如此掌權者，怎麼可能"是神的用人，是伸冤的，刑罰那作惡的"呢？
新約耶穌時代羅馬政權在巴勒斯坦地區的代理人希律王，"因他兄弟之妻希羅底的緣故，並因他所行的一切惡事，受了約翰的責備，又另外添了一件，就是把約翰收 在監里。"（《路加福音》3︰19-20）施洗約翰是先知，他"曾對希律說，你娶你兄弟的妻子是不合理的。"（《馬可福音》6︰18）這個希律王，像是 個"伸冤的，刑法那作惡的"掌權者嗎？難怪耶穌都用負面的"狐狸"稱呼他。（《路加福音》13:32）使徒彼得在經文里提到"尊敬君王"，耶穌對希律王表 達的不是"尊敬"，而是蔑視。還有保羅自己，他並未行惡，可他得到的不是稱贊，而是死亡的處罰。
彼得所說"你們為主的緣故，要順服人的一切制度，或是在上的君王，或是君王所派罰惡賞善的臣宰。"，但下一句就是"因為神的旨意原是要你們行善，可以堵住那糊涂無知人的口。"根據邏輯，"順服"這個選擇，不該與"順服"的原因，也就是"神的旨意原是要你們行善"相矛盾。
如何理解上面保羅和彼得的話呢？"法律是為了伸張正義"，這話常見，毫無錯誤。而常識的解釋，不會是所有世間出現過的法律都是為了伸張正義，而是世間的法律，應該是為了伸張正義。同樣的方式，我寧可把保羅的話理解為"做官的應該不是叫行善的懼怕，乃是叫作惡的懼怕"。
面對相反類型的"做官的"，那些不是叫作惡的懼怕，乃是叫行善的懼怕的人，我們該怎麼做？掌權的要求我們做邪惡的事情，我們是該順服，還是違抗？舉個例子︰納粹政權讓交出所有猶太人送到死亡營，我們是順服遵命，還是抗拒不從？
彼得說"因為神的旨意原是要你們行善，可以堵住那糊涂無知人的口。你們雖是自由的，卻不可借著自由遮蓋惡毒（或作陰毒），總要作神的僕人。"而我更要參照耶穌基督自己是如何做的。他有順從惡者行惡嗎？沒有。
忍受對自己不公不義的待遇，並不等于順從和認同不公不義，更不等于順從和認同對其他人的不公不義。對于殘忍處死的懲罰，耶穌忍受了，可他拒絕認同那個處 罰。在自己沒有實踐有人強逼我走一里路，我就同他走二里之前，我似乎不該鼓勵甚至要求別人走二里。（《馬太福音》5︰41）耶穌曾說，"你們用什麼量器量 給人，也必用什麼量器量給你們。"（《馬太福音》7︰2）
前後一致，不應該嗎？
在無法解釋全部相關經文之前，在仍然存在解釋困難的經文的時候，是不是寧可選擇暫時放棄神學理論的提出，而面對人的心智能力有限的現實呢？畢竟來日方長，或許將來的人能夠參透更多聖經的奧秘。
我對聖經的理解當然不必然正確，或許，聖經就是讓人們無條件順服一切地上的掌權者。但是，一個人一方面相信聖經建議人們順服掌權者，一方面贊美喬治-華盛 頓是偉大的基督徒，認為美國的建立是因為創立者按照聖經行為，那就有自相矛盾的嫌疑了。因為華盛頓的之所以是華盛頓，就是他領導了反抗當時地上的掌權者 --英國國王--的獨立戰爭，美國的開國先賢，都是用實際行動反抗當時地上的掌權者的斗士。如果他們在這個最重要的人生選擇上都不合聖經，他們如何還能夠 成為遵從聖經的榜樣呢？那麼美國就不是遵從聖經的典範，而是悖逆聖經的典範了。同樣的邏輯，拒不順服掌權的羅馬教廷的改教主力馬丁-路德，也該被當作悖逆 聖經的典範了。這個名單可以很長。
不管怎麼樣，一個人在觀點上前後不一好像總該算是個邏輯故障。
先說說我對神學理論的如下看法︰
1）發現或發明一個理論，不該與聖經記載的上帝認可的行為相違背。對于理論性文字，要放在上下文和情境里理解。而行為具備傳達情境的優勢，一個故事，通常 會包含更多的相關信息，比如時間、地點、對象、人物心理、前因後果、反應等等。因此我相信，如果一個理論與上帝認可的行為矛盾（如耶穌基督的行為），理論 無效。
2）發現或發明一個理論，需要證據，和清晰邏輯的論證。即便是神學理論，即便是被稱為從聖經來的理論。而從個人信仰的角度說，我認為那些被稱為來自聖經的 理論，更加要有充足的證據和清晰邏輯的論證。原因？如果那理論這麼重要，這麼正確，上帝為什麼不直接在聖經里說，而要讓人猜謎語一樣四處尋找蛛絲馬跡，連 猜帶蒙的解釋一番？要知道根據聖經，這關乎人們的永恆，上帝如果跟我們出謎語，或者自己前後矛盾，讓我們無所適從，然後還要根據我們的行為審判，那就不大 公平了。而理論復雜到只有少數聰明的神學家才能理解，對大多數普通人不大公平。所以我相信，從聖經來的道理，應該是清晰的，合乎理性的，不自相矛盾的，普 通人可以理解的。否則即便正確，也是可有可無，沒有什麼實際操作意義。神學家自己練習大腦可以，大肆傳播毫無必要，要求大家接受是庸人自擾。
耶穌自己沒有一味順服掌權者
如果聖經建議人們順服掌權者，那麼聖經認定的基督耶穌，他自己的行為就不合聖經的教導。
當耶穌被抓捕以後，"大祭司就以耶穌的門徒和他的教訓盤問他。耶穌回答說，我從來是明明地對世人說話。我常在會堂和殿里，就是猶太人聚集的地方，教訓人。 我在暗地里，並沒有說什麼。你為什麼問我呢？可以問那听見的人，我對他們說的是什麼。我所說的，他們都知道。耶穌說了這話，旁邊站著的一個差役，用手掌打 他說，你這樣回答大祭司嗎？耶穌說，我若說的不是，你可以指證那不是。我若說的是，你為什麼打我呢？"（《約翰福音》18︰19-23）
這里耶穌反問掌權者大祭司，並且質問毆打他的人。耶穌自己並不是一味順服掌權者對他的不公處置。
後來羅馬總督彼拉多審問耶穌，耶穌"被祭司長和長老控告的時候什麼都不回答。彼拉多就對他說，他們作見證，告你這麼多的事，你沒有听見嗎？耶穌仍不回答， 連一句話也不說，以致巡撫甚覺希奇。"（《馬太福音》27︰12-14）誠如彼拉多自己所說，"你不對我說話嗎？你豈不知我有權柄釋放你，也有權柄把你釘 十字架嗎"（《約翰福音》19︰10）彼拉多就是掌權者，而耶穌沒有順服听話，他拒絕回答這個掌權者的問題。要知道在文革時期，幾乎每個挨整的人，都選擇 了低頭認罪，而不是拒絕回答問題的不合作。如果他們的做法是"順服"，耶穌的做法是不是更像是"頑抗"？
其他聖經人物也沒有一味順服掌權者
聖經是一套書的集合，全部66卷書是由40位作者，歷時大約1600年，分頭獨立寫作而成的。但以理（Daniel）是40位聖經作者之一，這位先知寫作 了舊約《但以理書》（Daniel）。這本書里記錄了公元前六世紀左右發生的這麼一個事件︰當時猶太人遭受了亡國的災難，很多猶太人被擄到巴比倫。巴比倫 王尼布甲尼撒（Nebuchadnezzar）造了一個金像，要求境內的人都要向金像"俯伏敬拜"。但是三個猶太人沙得拉，米煞，亞伯尼歌 （Shadrach，Meshach，Abednego）不遵從掌權者的命令，拒絕向金像敬拜。他們不是普通的公民，他們是巴比倫國王任命的官員，負責" 管理巴比倫省的事務"，這說明他們基本上認同當時的政權。這三個人不順服掌權者的原因，恰恰是來自他們對聖經教導的認同，即十誡里的不可敬拜偶像。如果他 們不順服掌權者的行為不合聖經，上帝應該不會通過施行神跡來拯救他們。但結果是，"這三個人都被捆著落在烈火的窯中"，而且"那抬沙得拉，米煞，亞伯尼歌 的人都被火焰燒死"，可是這三個人卻毫發無損。聖經把這歸結為上帝的大能。（《但以理書》3章）
問題︰如果這三個人不順服掌權者的做法不合上帝的心意，我們該如何解釋這個事件？
再看看耶穌以後的新約時代，《使徒行傳》第四章記載了這樣的情節。耶穌揀選的十二使徒當中的彼得和約翰，在最神聖的猶太聖殿傳講耶穌就是大家期盼的基督， 而他從死里復活。這不為當時掌握教權的祭司階層所容，于是祭司"叫了他們來，禁止他們，總不可奉耶穌的名講論教訓人。彼得約翰說，听從你們，不听從神，這 在神面前合理不合理，你們自己酌量吧。我們所看見所听見的，不能不說。"就是在彼得、約翰等使徒的帶領下，基督信仰迅速傳播開來。沒有跡象顯示，彼得和約 翰的不順從掌權者的行為不被上帝認可。（《使徒行傳》4章）
另外一個使徒保羅，在耶路撒冷曾經有羅馬的千夫長"叫人用鞭子拷問他，要知道他們向他這樣喧嚷，是為什麼緣故。剛用皮條捆上，保羅對旁邊站著的百夫長說， 人是羅馬人，又沒有定罪，你們就鞭打他，有這個例嗎？"保羅的做法好像不是很順服，而是據理力爭。（《使徒行傳》22章）
如果從舊約的先知到新約的耶穌的使徒，都沒有在實際操作里采取順服掌權者的態度，而這些行為都直接間接的作為正面事例描述，我們如何可以斷定聖經建議人們順服掌權者？
經文到底怎麼說？
聖經主要有兩處經文提及順服和掌權者，都是出現在新約聖經，但都不是出自耶穌基督的口，而是出現在使徒彼得和保羅的書信里。在前面已經提到，彼得和保羅都有不順服掌權者的行為。他們難道是言行不一的偽君子？到底我們該相信他們的行為，還是他們說的原則？
還是結合上下文，看看他們到底是怎麼說的。
《羅馬書》13︰1-5︰
1 在上有權柄的，人人當順服他。因為沒有權柄不是出于神的。凡掌權的都是神所命的。
2 所以抗拒掌權的，就是抗拒神的命。抗拒的必自取刑罰
3 作官的原不是叫行善的懼怕，乃是叫作惡的懼怕。你願意不懼怕掌權的嗎？你只要行善，就可得他的稱贊。
4 因為他是神的用人，是與你有益的。你若作惡，卻當懼怕。因為他不是空空的佩劍。他是神的用人，是伸冤的，刑罰那作惡的。
5 所以你們必須順服，不但是因為刑罰，也是因為良心。
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
《彼得前書》2︰13-17
13 你們為主的緣故，要順服人的一切制度，或是在上的君王，
14 或是君王所派罰惡賞善的臣宰。
15 因為神的旨意原是要你們行善，可以堵住那糊涂無知人的口。
16 你們雖是自由的，卻不可借著自由遮蓋惡毒（或作陰毒），總要作神的僕人。
17 務要尊敬眾人。親愛教中的弟兄。敬畏神。尊敬君王。
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
使徒保羅說"在上有權柄的，人人當順服他。因為沒有權柄不是出于神的。凡掌權的都是神所命的。"僅僅這麼一句，字面看起來很像是說"順服掌權的"。但是很快下面第三節，就說道"作官的原不是叫行善的懼怕，乃是叫作惡的懼怕。"
是不是歷史上所有"做官的"都"不是叫行善的懼怕，乃是叫作惡的懼怕"呢？明顯不是。希特勒不是，斯大林也不是。
是不是現實里所有"做官的"都做到了"你只要行善，就可得他的稱贊"呢？明顯不是。金正日不是，卡斯特羅也不是。
不是所有"做官的"都"是神的用人，是伸冤的，刑罰那作惡的"。
聖經里就有例子。
舊約《列王紀》23︰31-32
31 約哈斯登基的時候年二十三歲，在耶路撒冷作王三個月。他母親名叫哈慕她，是立拿人耶利米的女兒。
32 約哈斯行耶和華眼中看為惡的事，效法他列祖一切所行的。
舊約《列王紀》24︰8-9
8 約雅斤登基的時候年十八歲，在耶路撒冷作王三個月。他母親名叫尼護施她，是耶路撒冷人以利拿單的女兒。
9 約雅斤行耶和華眼中看為惡的事，效法他父親一切所行的。
這些猶太國王，聖經斷言他們"行耶和華眼中看為惡的事"。如此掌權者，怎麼可能"是神的用人，是伸冤的，刑罰那作惡的"呢？
新約耶穌時代羅馬政權在巴勒斯坦地區的代理人希律王，"因他兄弟之妻希羅底的緣故，並因他所行的一切惡事，受了約翰的責備，又另外添了一件，就是把約翰收 在監里。"（《路加福音》3︰19-20）施洗約翰是先知，他"曾對希律說，你娶你兄弟的妻子是不合理的。"（《馬可福音》6︰18）這個希律王，像是 個"伸冤的，刑法那作惡的"掌權者嗎？難怪耶穌都用負面的"狐狸"稱呼他。（《路加福音》13:32）使徒彼得在經文里提到"尊敬君王"，耶穌對希律王表 達的不是"尊敬"，而是蔑視。還有保羅自己，他並未行惡，可他得到的不是稱贊，而是死亡的處罰。
彼得所說"你們為主的緣故，要順服人的一切制度，或是在上的君王，或是君王所派罰惡賞善的臣宰。"，但下一句就是"因為神的旨意原是要你們行善，可以堵住那糊涂無知人的口。"根據邏輯，"順服"這個選擇，不該與"順服"的原因，也就是"神的旨意原是要你們行善"相矛盾。
如何理解上面保羅和彼得的話呢？"法律是為了伸張正義"，這話常見，毫無錯誤。而常識的解釋，不會是所有世間出現過的法律都是為了伸張正義，而是世間的法律，應該是為了伸張正義。同樣的方式，我寧可把保羅的話理解為"做官的應該不是叫行善的懼怕，乃是叫作惡的懼怕"。
面對相反類型的"做官的"，那些不是叫作惡的懼怕，乃是叫行善的懼怕的人，我們該怎麼做？掌權的要求我們做邪惡的事情，我們是該順服，還是違抗？舉個例子︰納粹政權讓交出所有猶太人送到死亡營，我們是順服遵命，還是抗拒不從？
彼得說"因為神的旨意原是要你們行善，可以堵住那糊涂無知人的口。你們雖是自由的，卻不可借著自由遮蓋惡毒（或作陰毒），總要作神的僕人。"而我更要參照耶穌基督自己是如何做的。他有順從惡者行惡嗎？沒有。
忍受對自己不公不義的待遇，並不等于順從和認同不公不義，更不等于順從和認同對其他人的不公不義。對于殘忍處死的懲罰，耶穌忍受了，可他拒絕認同那個處 罰。在自己沒有實踐有人強逼我走一里路，我就同他走二里之前，我似乎不該鼓勵甚至要求別人走二里。（《馬太福音》5︰41）耶穌曾說，"你們用什麼量器量 給人，也必用什麼量器量給你們。"（《馬太福音》7︰2）
前後一致，不應該嗎？
在無法解釋全部相關經文之前，在仍然存在解釋困難的經文的時候，是不是寧可選擇暫時放棄神學理論的提出，而面對人的心智能力有限的現實呢？畢竟來日方長，或許將來的人能夠參透更多聖經的奧秘。
我對聖經的理解當然不必然正確，或許，聖經就是讓人們無條件順服一切地上的掌權者。但是，一個人一方面相信聖經建議人們順服掌權者，一方面贊美喬治-華盛 頓是偉大的基督徒，認為美國的建立是因為創立者按照聖經行為，那就有自相矛盾的嫌疑了。因為華盛頓的之所以是華盛頓，就是他領導了反抗當時地上的掌權者 --英國國王--的獨立戰爭，美國的開國先賢，都是用實際行動反抗當時地上的掌權者的斗士。如果他們在這個最重要的人生選擇上都不合聖經，他們如何還能夠 成為遵從聖經的榜樣呢？那麼美國就不是遵從聖經的典範，而是悖逆聖經的典範了。同樣的邏輯，拒不順服掌權的羅馬教廷的改教主力馬丁-路德，也該被當作悖逆 聖經的典範了。這個名單可以很長。
不管怎麼樣，一個人在觀點上前後不一好像總該算是個邏輯故障。
Friday, 24 February 2012
The up and down make me confused and erratic sometimes. I tend to talk more and listen less if I am in a good mood. In contrary, I am likely to keep silent without much words. This behavior is a sign of self-protection. Generally, I prefer to be myself and hold all the words inside myself in part because I am reluctant to share my thoughts with anyone else. At that moment, I think I am more passive than being active as most time I act like.
Leadership is so important to the gathering group. The good leader is able to set the direction and build the atmosphere which is so crucial to retain people. The leader should follow God and at the meantime he or she is capable of handling the relationship among members. In addition to learning God's word, the leader should make almost every member feel comfortable. Love is essential to retain the group but is not the all elements. Knowledge, the way of dealing with issues, attitudes and values are the deciding factors to contribute to the success of the group gathering. Possibly, it can explain why some sisters who have all the love and the best heart fail to keep more people, especially the male members. They lack some elements, like values, knowledge and attitudes to have some meaningful communications with brothers.
What is the purpose of God to put me in this group?
Leadership is so important to the gathering group. The good leader is able to set the direction and build the atmosphere which is so crucial to retain people. The leader should follow God and at the meantime he or she is capable of handling the relationship among members. In addition to learning God's word, the leader should make almost every member feel comfortable. Love is essential to retain the group but is not the all elements. Knowledge, the way of dealing with issues, attitudes and values are the deciding factors to contribute to the success of the group gathering. Possibly, it can explain why some sisters who have all the love and the best heart fail to keep more people, especially the male members. They lack some elements, like values, knowledge and attitudes to have some meaningful communications with brothers.
What is the purpose of God to put me in this group?
Thursday, 23 February 2012
Stay with the sufferings
Generally, people tend to have some relationship with other people who are enjoy success and honor. That is easy and normal. However, to stay with the people who are suffering from pain and failure could be a challenge. Only do the people with strong faith and personality could stand up from the crowd to demonstrate their special quality to love in that situation. Spending time with someone people tend to stay away should be appreciated and memberized and encouraged. The reason is that offering help and comfort in the tough situation is more precious and special.
Linsanity have been going for a few days and many followers have been enjoying the heat and his performance with high expectation. In contrast, some people who hold the hostile attitude to him have hope this to come. Apparently, tonight does not belong to him. Every player, even every person have to experience this up and down in their life. Therefore, we should offer our encouragement to him especially after his bad performance. The comfort and encouragement from his teammates, like Antony and Chandler should be appreciated. The comforting words at this moment values much more that the praising comments from many people.
God please comfort him and stay with him, and Guide him
Linsanity have been going for a few days and many followers have been enjoying the heat and his performance with high expectation. In contrast, some people who hold the hostile attitude to him have hope this to come. Apparently, tonight does not belong to him. Every player, even every person have to experience this up and down in their life. Therefore, we should offer our encouragement to him especially after his bad performance. The comfort and encouragement from his teammates, like Antony and Chandler should be appreciated. The comforting words at this moment values much more that the praising comments from many people.
God please comfort him and stay with him, and Guide him
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
More pain than the beginning
The famous word that the beginning of every thing is difficult has been proven right for many years. Lack of knowledge and experience is the deciding factor causing this tough situation. However, there is one thing more difficult than the beginning; that is the process of deciding the direction.
No direction could bring chaos and frustration because it is unlikely to see the consequence of your effort. It is very hard to concentrate on one problem. Therefore, the possibility of ending up with nothing but frustration is very high. However, if you are persistent in one area or one direction for a long period, you are likely to be rewarded with success which could be knowledge, experience or skills. In contrast, idling between directions could cause catastrophic effect.
Actually, I have been advised for many times that the worst thing for immigrants is to walk beside many area but never going inside. In this way, time is most likely to be wasted and no one can benefit from this period.
Pray for God's guidance.
Michael
No direction could bring chaos and frustration because it is unlikely to see the consequence of your effort. It is very hard to concentrate on one problem. Therefore, the possibility of ending up with nothing but frustration is very high. However, if you are persistent in one area or one direction for a long period, you are likely to be rewarded with success which could be knowledge, experience or skills. In contrast, idling between directions could cause catastrophic effect.
Actually, I have been advised for many times that the worst thing for immigrants is to walk beside many area but never going inside. In this way, time is most likely to be wasted and no one can benefit from this period.
Pray for God's guidance.
Michael
Monday, 20 February 2012
Number 1 importance for a family
People tend to pursue career development and financial success rather than other valuable issues. Unfortunately, the timing could be too late when this issue is realized. Actually, I am one of these people who could put health at the second or late order. Generally, people fail to realize the importance of life to them until they have the day when they have to face the situation where they could lose life or be suffering. I could clearly remember that nothing is attractive to me than staying with my wife when the doctor told us that she has a tumor in the head. Possibly, our family have to withstand this tragic situation. At that point, it seems like nothing is meaningful to me and everything is meaningless compared to her health.
However, she never successfully fulfill her objective to make her health condition better. She is not a committed person unless the teacher order her to finish the homework. Otherwise she fails to keep doing something to have a change. For instance, she could sit on the bed for a whole day without going down and going outside to do some exercises. Most likely, so many excuses could be used to explain why she has not done that. Her personality plays the decisive role on that. However, her behavior leads to the consequence that she is so weak that even a little bit tiredness can cause her to faint.
I pushed her and hope she can follow my words.
I pray for God be with her and with my family!
However, she never successfully fulfill her objective to make her health condition better. She is not a committed person unless the teacher order her to finish the homework. Otherwise she fails to keep doing something to have a change. For instance, she could sit on the bed for a whole day without going down and going outside to do some exercises. Most likely, so many excuses could be used to explain why she has not done that. Her personality plays the decisive role on that. However, her behavior leads to the consequence that she is so weak that even a little bit tiredness can cause her to faint.
I pushed her and hope she can follow my words.
I pray for God be with her and with my family!
Sunday, 19 February 2012
God First Not Me
Intelligence of human beings is not enough to understand the words in the bible. Some words are so wise that we are likely to treat it as the stupid words. I could clearly remember that I thought the word" love God more than your family ' is ridiculous. The reason is in part because family could not be placed at the level. However, the likelihood of going in the wrong direction should make people suffer from their own choices because our intelligence could not guide us in this earthly life. The priority of God in our life enables us to stay in the right way of life.
In contrary, we will go and follow ourselves and our family. These could be a big problem because our sinful nature prevent us from being right. Mostly our choice for life, like career and private life are decided by our own appetite and temptation. Eventually, our own choice are most likely to destroy our life. For instance, owning material property and pursuing social honor and status have driven so many people to even spend out all their life. Even some people luckily and successfully achieved the objective, they are most likely to be disappointed and to be filled with the feeling of being lost. God say ' there is no thing in the world that could make people satisfied'. Therefor, from this point of view, our own choice and pursuit could ruin our life and make us lost if our objective and our ways are not from God.
Pray for God's peace with me and my family.!
In contrary, we will go and follow ourselves and our family. These could be a big problem because our sinful nature prevent us from being right. Mostly our choice for life, like career and private life are decided by our own appetite and temptation. Eventually, our own choice are most likely to destroy our life. For instance, owning material property and pursuing social honor and status have driven so many people to even spend out all their life. Even some people luckily and successfully achieved the objective, they are most likely to be disappointed and to be filled with the feeling of being lost. God say ' there is no thing in the world that could make people satisfied'. Therefor, from this point of view, our own choice and pursuit could ruin our life and make us lost if our objective and our ways are not from God.
Pray for God's peace with me and my family.!
Saturday, 18 February 2012
Pray for God's guidance
So many worries could prevent people from making the right judgments. There is a proverb say so many wise people are admiring the happiness of the fool. Sometimes, our intelligence that we have always relied on many years are more likely to delay or direct us in a wrong way. Being living here is a totally new style of life for me and many immigrants, especially for the people who did not have the so specialized experience which could enable them to land a professional job direct. It is almost impossible for me to be a professor here and have to face the reality to give more thoughts about my future career. Actually, this is not difficult for me to work out the answer. However, two things make this very hard to make the final decision, being with my family and be with God. Especially, the later one plays the more critical role in leading me to make the decision.
The key reason is that being faithful to God cause me to be consistent with my past and to be honest. However, my past experience is not strong enough for me to land a professional job in the industry world here. The fact is that so many people have the industrialized experience and may fabricate the strength to demonstrate their competition. This could easily put me in the disadvantage. Therefore, my difficulty relies in this dilemma and God's guidance could give me the peaceful situation.
Staying away from my little one is the situation that I do not want to witness. I understand what I should work for. Unfortunately, this kind of lifestyle seems tough for me to have as a new immigrants. Like so many other immigrants, I have to struggle with this kind of work and life trying to find out the balance. This is the true situation that I have to confront with. I know my willingness and God know me more than myself.
I pray for God to guide me and hope HE like my objective.
The key reason is that being faithful to God cause me to be consistent with my past and to be honest. However, my past experience is not strong enough for me to land a professional job in the industry world here. The fact is that so many people have the industrialized experience and may fabricate the strength to demonstrate their competition. This could easily put me in the disadvantage. Therefore, my difficulty relies in this dilemma and God's guidance could give me the peaceful situation.
Staying away from my little one is the situation that I do not want to witness. I understand what I should work for. Unfortunately, this kind of lifestyle seems tough for me to have as a new immigrants. Like so many other immigrants, I have to struggle with this kind of work and life trying to find out the balance. This is the true situation that I have to confront with. I know my willingness and God know me more than myself.
I pray for God to guide me and hope HE like my objective.
Friday, 17 February 2012
Being angry with myself
It is hard to being a very good person by relying on my own ability. Sometimes, i find myself in a dilemma that i am not able to figure out the right way to deal with relationships. For instance, being active or being neutral or even silent sometimes, which one should be better. From the worldly perspective, the better way is to keep silent and to remain secret. In contrast, from godly view, we should be honest and expose ourselves to others. There is nothing we could hide from our inside. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to handle the balance between this two views. The transaction is hard and we are likely to fall into the confusing situation.
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
God be with us
For Lin, I am able to see the real difference between him and other people in terms of the attitude and the way to play and work. It is believed by me and many other people that the personality plays a decisive role in determining the success. There are so many people who are talented with physical ability; however, they fail to play the way people expect. Even though, some played greatly and achieved success in eyes of people, they are not winner in their life and fail to deal with other issues. They could be lost or be trapped in the trick they may never know.
Lin's difference relies on his faith. The committed belief on God enable him to understand life and know how to rely on God. First, he believe that God has HIS own purpose on him and the only thing he need to do is to do his best. The purpose should be closely associated with God's will. Lin talked about his faith and intention of pursuing basketball dream mainly because he loves the sports and tend to preach by making use of his popularity one day. Unlike many other guys whose objective are either confused or for girls and money which go in the wrong direction of God. Therefore, he prayed and felt peaceful and made his efforts. When the chance came, he grabbed the opportunity and be himself to show God's will.
From this point of view, he has did a great job as God's example. Hopefully, he could spread gospel to more people.
God be with us!
Lin's difference relies on his faith. The committed belief on God enable him to understand life and know how to rely on God. First, he believe that God has HIS own purpose on him and the only thing he need to do is to do his best. The purpose should be closely associated with God's will. Lin talked about his faith and intention of pursuing basketball dream mainly because he loves the sports and tend to preach by making use of his popularity one day. Unlike many other guys whose objective are either confused or for girls and money which go in the wrong direction of God. Therefore, he prayed and felt peaceful and made his efforts. When the chance came, he grabbed the opportunity and be himself to show God's will.
From this point of view, he has did a great job as God's example. Hopefully, he could spread gospel to more people.
God be with us!
Monday, 13 February 2012
Debat on Polictics
So many hold the idea that talking about politics publicly should be avoid in part because your opinion is likely to be against the feeling of other people. Actually, I have already realized this consequences and have experience it a lot. Many times,I asked myself if I should continue talking about my opinion or not; however, every time when that topics arise, I could not hold myself not to be involved.
The reason why I want to participate the talk is that I want to present the my opinion and list some factual evidences to help others who have been not indepedently thinking to realize some thing else. Perhaps, that talk could give them the opportunity to critically think what they supposedly think of. Other they are likely to continue in their own way and lost the chance to be a independent thinker. If many people could think normally rather than taking what the ruler infused to them, the community, the nation I am living will have hope in the future. The future and quality of life are actually controlled by people themselves. Their attitude and responsiveness have descive impact on the quality of their lives.
Every educated person should have this kind of responsibility in the society.
The reason why I want to participate the talk is that I want to present the my opinion and list some factual evidences to help others who have been not indepedently thinking to realize some thing else. Perhaps, that talk could give them the opportunity to critically think what they supposedly think of. Other they are likely to continue in their own way and lost the chance to be a independent thinker. If many people could think normally rather than taking what the ruler infused to them, the community, the nation I am living will have hope in the future. The future and quality of life are actually controlled by people themselves. Their attitude and responsiveness have descive impact on the quality of their lives.
Every educated person should have this kind of responsibility in the society.
Sunday, 12 February 2012
Weekend Passing Quickly
Generally, the joying time seems pass much quickly than the time when we are struggling with difficulty. This situation looks like the days I experienced many years ago when I were studying at high school. I can clearly recall that I started counting the days from every Monday in hope that Friday should come earlier. However, the days seemed go very quickly and could not realize and enjoy the time when Friday really came.
Today, I am facing the similar situation. I always hope that I could have a good sleep without worrying about the alarming clock ringing at the early morning. I could be freed at weekend and really enjoy the relaxation. What I am concerned is that I can dispose the time with my wills. Unfortunately, weekends seem to be full of busying things and the schedule sometimes is more tight that weekdays.
Maybe, as an average person, I do not have other choice than lead a lifestyle like this. After all, this kind of schedule lead to the positive lifestyle which could reduce the chance of being idling for long time. I am more likely to be involved in studying and working either actively or passively. The outcome is that I have more time spent on improving myself, which is good for me and my family.
Today, I am facing the similar situation. I always hope that I could have a good sleep without worrying about the alarming clock ringing at the early morning. I could be freed at weekend and really enjoy the relaxation. What I am concerned is that I can dispose the time with my wills. Unfortunately, weekends seem to be full of busying things and the schedule sometimes is more tight that weekdays.
Maybe, as an average person, I do not have other choice than lead a lifestyle like this. After all, this kind of schedule lead to the positive lifestyle which could reduce the chance of being idling for long time. I am more likely to be involved in studying and working either actively or passively. The outcome is that I have more time spent on improving myself, which is good for me and my family.
Saturday, 11 February 2012
Miss my Little Ones
Many times, I feel I own somethings to my little ones. As the father of them, I think I should pay more attention to them, should let them enjoy what other child could enjoy. I am wondering if every parent has this kind of thought and sorry for their child if they really love their little ones. Unfortunately, most of time, we are sure to end up with more sorry. The way of educating child and loving them is so complicated that no one in the world is able to master. For instance, it is almost impossible to balance the time allotted to stay with them and to earn necessary materials for them. On the one hand, we are trying to grab as much as we could in order to offer our little ones more quality life. On the other hand, the importance of spending time with them is more evident and more bigger than materials. Therefore, this dilemma gives rise to more pain and inner conflicts among parents. I am one of them.
This pain have been with me for a long time since my first one came to me 5 years ago. She is my angel and no one could replace her in my mind. The spot for her in my heart is unique and special, which is so different from the spots for my wife, my mother, my second little one. Everyone has their uniqueness and I always try to make them happy and offer what I can do for them. However, sometimes, I suffer from the struggling situation that I should go out,or stay with them. My objective is to maintain the two sides of life, which is very hard to achieve at this point.
God be with my family.
This pain have been with me for a long time since my first one came to me 5 years ago. She is my angel and no one could replace her in my mind. The spot for her in my heart is unique and special, which is so different from the spots for my wife, my mother, my second little one. Everyone has their uniqueness and I always try to make them happy and offer what I can do for them. However, sometimes, I suffer from the struggling situation that I should go out,or stay with them. My objective is to maintain the two sides of life, which is very hard to achieve at this point.
God be with my family.
Friday, 10 February 2012
God be with us
Generally, the possibility of great accomplishment should be pretty high if so much efforts could be spent on the objective persistently. However, the miracles and sensation should come with God's promise and support. Our so limited capability and intelligence prevent us from being beyond our limitation. There are so much situations and circumstance where we feel so desperate that something lost control. We could neither foresee the future and even are not sure what we are doing is in right direction or not. Therefore, being with God could bring peace to our life.
Lin's instance has been proven to be a perfect testimony in the eyes of many people. He came out from the end of bench and has caused sensation in New York and even around the world thanks to his great performance in the last games. His games have attracted my concern in part because he has shown his strong faith in Jesus. In my opinion, liking him should be proven worthy.
God be with him!
Lin's instance has been proven to be a perfect testimony in the eyes of many people. He came out from the end of bench and has caused sensation in New York and even around the world thanks to his great performance in the last games. His games have attracted my concern in part because he has shown his strong faith in Jesus. In my opinion, liking him should be proven worthy.
God be with him!
Monday, 6 February 2012
无知导致无畏，无知导致迷信，无知导致狂妄。
无知导致无畏，无知导致迷信，无知导致狂妄。这一段经历让我发现，无论是普通大学生还是著名学者，都自觉不自觉地成为中共长期愚民教育和愚民宣传造就的废物。对于那名无知的大学生和同样无知的杨帆教授来说，杨显惠的《定西孤儿院纪事》应当是一本“脱盲”的启蒙读物。
This excerpt is taken from an article written by Yu Jie who is respectable in my eyes. He is familiar with Chinese culture and is a believer of Christianity. Therefore his perspective deserves more value than people who are just an educated in school system for many years.
There is no doubt that ignorance leads to braveness, superstition and arrogance. As a person with normal conscience and knowledge, we usually face the stupid questions from these ignorant people. They are victims of the schooling education imposed by the government. They seldom think back and give thoughts to some phenomena and live with same intelligence as three years old children.
Generally, three factors give rise to these foolish people. Some people were born with lack of conscience which in my opinion make people really different. The conscience is the evidence to prove people come from God's creation from the beginning. Duo to this characteristic, they show no or little sympathy to other people. In other words, some things happening to them make little impact on them and they are not likely to reflect on those cases. Therefore, gradually, they lost the basic ability to think to realize the reality in terms of society and God's heaven.
The second factor is that people's tendency sometimes are driven by their pursuit. From this point of view, these kind of people are active victim compared to the people who are really ignorant to the reality. The active victims trade their human rights and respects with social status and money. In their eyes, they are rewarded with the materialistic and earthly values. However, in addition to their loss of being a real person, they are slaves of their pursuits. Their situations are worse than the passive victims.
This excerpt is taken from an article written by Yu Jie who is respectable in my eyes. He is familiar with Chinese culture and is a believer of Christianity. Therefore his perspective deserves more value than people who are just an educated in school system for many years.
There is no doubt that ignorance leads to braveness, superstition and arrogance. As a person with normal conscience and knowledge, we usually face the stupid questions from these ignorant people. They are victims of the schooling education imposed by the government. They seldom think back and give thoughts to some phenomena and live with same intelligence as three years old children.
Generally, three factors give rise to these foolish people. Some people were born with lack of conscience which in my opinion make people really different. The conscience is the evidence to prove people come from God's creation from the beginning. Duo to this characteristic, they show no or little sympathy to other people. In other words, some things happening to them make little impact on them and they are not likely to reflect on those cases. Therefore, gradually, they lost the basic ability to think to realize the reality in terms of society and God's heaven.
The second factor is that people's tendency sometimes are driven by their pursuit. From this point of view, these kind of people are active victim compared to the people who are really ignorant to the reality. The active victims trade their human rights and respects with social status and money. In their eyes, they are rewarded with the materialistic and earthly values. However, in addition to their loss of being a real person, they are slaves of their pursuits. Their situations are worse than the passive victims.
Saturday, 4 February 2012
Follow Up Step for Job Hunting
Job hunting could be the most difficult job for many job seekers these days. In addition to anxiety and impatience, we are most likely to spend much time and efforts to learn and research different information, ranging from company activities and resume customization. These kind of work sometimes could be overloading and take most of our time.
What makes it worse is that the performance or achievement are very hard to assess until you eventually land an expectant job. However, the lucky one is very rare and most of job seekers end up with some job they are not satisfied or interested in. After all, the unexcited job may be the one you really need.
Even writing the follow up letters is time costly for me. The challenge is to build links among interest, experience, education and the potential job. Every job needs to be focused on a certain parts and to be explored. What's more is that you have to be very careful to prepare this documents. Even very little mistake could cause your big price in the end.
Job hunting is totally new to me and I have realized there are too many I need to learn and improve. There is no choice and you have to face it.
What makes it worse is that the performance or achievement are very hard to assess until you eventually land an expectant job. However, the lucky one is very rare and most of job seekers end up with some job they are not satisfied or interested in. After all, the unexcited job may be the one you really need.
Even writing the follow up letters is time costly for me. The challenge is to build links among interest, experience, education and the potential job. Every job needs to be focused on a certain parts and to be explored. What's more is that you have to be very careful to prepare this documents. Even very little mistake could cause your big price in the end.
Job hunting is totally new to me and I have realized there are too many I need to learn and improve. There is no choice and you have to face it.
Friday, 3 February 2012
conflicts inside family
My parents have no idea of educating children. What they have in their minds is that we should be fed and should not steal others. They never focus on our personality and the relationship between ours siblings. This cultivation has led to very negative family environment that we have suffered for many years. My sister, my younger brother and I are victims and feel lonely and frustrated when we stay at the family. Therefore, our affection could not be satisfied and we have been very eager to find out more affection outside. We are vulnerable and sensitive compared to our spouses who come from the families with better atmosphere.
However, my parents fail to realize the consequence even though I have informed them many times. They continue the way of educating to children of my younger brother. I am so helpless when I witness this happens to my dear nephew and my niece. I love my niece very much partly because she is always like my own child. I will try my best to prevent she became the second generation victims.
God help us!
However, my parents fail to realize the consequence even though I have informed them many times. They continue the way of educating to children of my younger brother. I am so helpless when I witness this happens to my dear nephew and my niece. I love my niece very much partly because she is always like my own child. I will try my best to prevent she became the second generation victims.
God help us!
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