加爾文主義與阿米年念主義的共同點

WHAT CALVINISTS AND ARMINIANS SHARE IN COMMON

林慈信

背景﹕海外華人基督教圈子裏，有些同工同道關注基督徒對加爾文主義的興趣日增，可能對教會的合一性有害。筆者寫了這份備忘錄，寄給一位資深華人教會領袖，強調加爾文主義與阿米念主義之間的共同點。

Background:  There is concern in certain Chinese Christian circles that the

increasing interest in Calvinism today may be harmful to the unity of the church. 

I wrote this memorandum to a Chinese church leader stressing the many points on which Calvinists and Arminians agree on, and share in common.   

各位主內同道，我們不論是加爾文主義者或是阿米念主義者，只要真正相信《聖經》的默示與無謬誤和我們主耶穌基督的神人而性和已完成的救贖大工，在我們的信仰上是有很多共同點的。我願意指出一些共同點，以表示我們在主裏的合一。

Friends, we have a lot in common, Calvinists and Arminians – those of us who truly believe in the utter inspiration and infallibility of the Bible, and in the person and finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I would like to bring the following thoughts to your attention, to stress our unity as we have occasion to discuss some of our differences.

我們必須用愛心說諏嵲挘�指出我們的共同點與分歧之處。大部分的加爾文主義者與大部分的阿米念主義者，在很多教義上是同意的。讓我之處十三點﹕

We need to be honest as well as thorough in our statement of our commonalities, as well as of our differences.  There are many, many points on which the majority of Calvinists and Arminians agree on, or share in common.  Let me list thirteen which I am aware of:

1. 「叫一切信祂的」﹕福音諔┑暮粽倥c白白的邀請  

WHOSOEVER WILL:

GENUINE CALL AND FREE OFFER OF THE GOSPEL

我們同意福音是上帝的呼召、邀請、和吩咐。上帝諔┑匾�求罪人認罪悔改，信靠耶穌基督完成的大工（祂在十字架流出的寶血和祂的復活），以致得救。所有悔改信靠基督的人，上帝真實賜給他們救恩，永生。

We agree that the gospel is God’s call, invitation, command, and earnest appeal to sinners to repent of his/her sin and to trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ (his blood shed on the cross and his resurrection) for salvation.  To any who repent and believe, God genuinely offers salvation and eternal life.

我們可能不同意人有沒有能力回應福音。可是我們同意，福音是上帝真實，諔┑难�請。我們都應該毫無保留地宣講《約翰福音》3﹕16。

We may disagree about man’s ability to respond to this gospel.  But we agree that there is

a genuine, good-faith invitation in the gospel.  All of us should preach John 3:16 with no reservation.


2. 耶穌是人的唯一救主 

JESUS THE ONLY SAVIOR FOR MEN/WOMEN

我們同意，死在罪中的人獲得稱義、成聖、和永生的唯一方法，乃是信靠耶穌基督代罪的的死和祂的復活。

We agree that trusting in the substitutionary death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the only way through which sinners, dead in our sins, receive the justification, sanctification and eternal life.

3.  聖靈在罪人生命中工作

THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKS ON SINNERS

我們同意聖靈以祂的大能感動、光照人的心思意念，與真理的福音同工，叫罪人扎心知罪，認識真理。

We agree that the Holy Spirit moves and illumines the sinner’s heart and mind with his power, working with the gospel of truth to convict sinners of truth.

我們可能不同意聖靈的工作能否被人的自由意志（或道德意志）抗拒。我們也可能不同意聖靈工作的結果，是否罪人完全，徹底的改變。可是我們同意，我們乃靠聖靈的大能得救。

We may disagree whether this work of the Holy Spirit can be resisted by the free will (or moral agency) of man, or whether there is a total, radical transformation in the sinner's life as a result of this work of the Holy Spirit.  But we do agree that we depend on the power of the Holy Spirit for salvation.

4.  人的歸正信主是有起點的

CONVERSION HAS A BEGINNING

我們同意在基督裏的新生命是有一個起點，這起點有不同的名稱﹕「歸正」，「回轉」，「重生」，「呼召」或「甦醒」等。這起點之後，有一段長進，成聖的過程，直到死亡結束。

We agree that there is a beginning point of the new life in Christ (variously called “conversion,” “regeneration,” “calling” or “quickening,” etc.), followed by a life time of growth in sanctification, which is completed at death.

我們可能不同意，應否稱此起點為「重生」，其後有信心。我們可能不同意，應否稱整個過程為「得救」或「與基督聯合」。可是我們同意，我們必須依靠聖靈，而且我們的得救，歸主是有起點的。

We may disagree whether we call this beginning point “regeneration,” followed by faith; or we call the whole process “salvation” (de jiu) or “union with Christ.”  But we do agree that we depend on the Holy Spirit, and that there is some beginning point in our salvation/conversion.


5.  悔改是必須的

REPENTANCE IS NECESSARY

我們同意，罪人被稱義、成聖，必須認罪悔改。

We agree that sinners must repent of our sin for justification and sanctification.
我們有人不同意，悔改在什麼時候發生；是與信心同時，在信心之前，或之後。但我們同意上帝稱罪為罪，因為上帝願意赦免所有信靠基督，認罪悔改的人的罪。

Some of us disagree as to when repentance should take place; whether it is simultaneous with faith, prior to faith, or after faith.  But we do agree that God calls sin sin because he wants to forgive the sins of men and women who truly repent and trust in Christ.


6.  自由選擇是真實的

FREE CHOICES ARE REAL

我們同意，人每天都使用自己的意志，作出真實的選擇。奧古斯丁，加爾文，和衛斯理都同意這一點。

We agree that man and woman make real, genuine choices from the will of man every day.  Augustine, Calvin as well as Arminius, Wesley all agree on this.

雖然我們不同意人在墮落之後能否選擇行善，可是我們同意人的意志是真實的，墮落之後，和考慮回應福音的時候，並沒有減少其功能。

Although we disagree on whether man can choose to do good after the Fall, we do agree that the will of man is real, and does not diminish or disappear, after the Fall, and as man considers and responds to the free offer of the gospel.

7.  傳福音是必須的

EVANGELISM IS A MUST

我們同意，在上帝對教會的呼召與計劃中，佈道與宣教（宣告福音的真理），和憐憫的善行，都是必須的，不是可有可無的。

We agree that evangelism and missions, understood as the proclamation of the truths of the gospel accompanied with deeds of mercy, are imperatives, not options, in God's calling and plan for the church.

8. 陡姗s我們完全依賴上帝；工作﹕我們為上帝竭力獻上一切  

PRAYER: WE UTTERLY DEPEND ON GOD;

WORK: WE GIVE OUT UTMOST FOR GOD

我們同意，陡婧驮谝磺兴�作的事上依靠上帝，是必須的。我們也同意，基督徒��

須在事奉和傳福音事上作出選擇與決定，並須幹勁十足。

We agree on the importance of prayer and total dependence on God for everything we do, and we agree that Christians need to make choices and decisions and take great initiative (gan jing) in ministry and outreach.

我們可不同意，如何在神學上表達人在事奉上如何依靠上帝又採取主動，我們也可能不同意如何表達上帝的主權與人的自由意志之間的關係。可是我們都跪下陡妫�都站起來，竭力為基督而活��

We may disagree on how to formulate this total dependence and initiative in theological terms, and disagree on the relationship between the sovereignty of God and the free will of man, but we do kneel down to pray, and get up and live for Jesus with all our strength and enthusiasm!

9.  我們為復興陡妫�我們為復興感恩

WE PRAY FOR AND REJOICE OVER REVIVAL

我們同意，教會有時候經歷聖靈的來臨和祂特殊的工作，一般稱為「復興」。我們祈求上帝賜下復興；這些特殊日子來到的時候，我們會歡喜快樂向祂感恩。

We agree that the church sometimes experiences a special work and visitation of the Holy Spirit which is commonly called “revival.”  We pray for, and rejoice over these special moments in the life of the church.

我們可能不同意，復興究竟是什麼；人可否計劃復興邉樱粡团d之前和之後有什麼現象。可是當聖靈工作，使罪人歸向基督，又以祂的大能使基督徒生命更新的時候，我們都歡喜快樂讚美主。

We may disagree on exactly what a revival is; whether men can plan a revival; what it is preceded by, and what follows it.  But we all rejoice when the Holy Spirit works to convert sinners and renew Christians by his power.

不論我們是加爾文主義者或阿米念主義者，我們身為華人基督徒，都是好幾個復興邉拥膶凫`後裔﹕宗教改革，清教徒邉樱�荷蘭敬虔邉樱�德國敬虔邉樱�大覺醒（衛斯理，愛德華茲，懷特菲德），第二次大覺醒，芬尼和慕迪先生帶領的復興邉樱瑢W生志願海外宣教邉樱�威爾斯復興邉樱�和二十世紀的復興邉拥取�

Whether we are Calvinists or Arminians, we Chinese Christians are the spiritual descendants of several revival movements: the Reformation, Puritanism, Dutch Pietism, German Pietism, the Great Awakening (Wesley, Edwards, Whitefield), 2nd Great Awakening, the revivals of Charles Finney and Dwight L. Moody, the student missionary movement, the Welsh revival, and 20th century revival and renewal movements.


10. 聖潔 HOLINESS

我們同意，所有基督徒的生活都必須聖潔。所有基督徒必須與罪掙扎，在成聖的功夫上有所長進。

We agree that holiness is an imperative for all Christians, and that Christian should struggle with his sin and make progress in sanctification.

我們可能不同意應該稱此為「聖潔」，「敬虔」，「愛主」，或「屬靈」等。我們也可能不同意，什麼是理想的基督徒生命狀態。我們用不同的名詞來形容一個成熟的聖潔狀態﹕「得救的確據」，「無罪完全」，「得勝」，「屬靈」等。不過我們同意，上帝的旨意乃是要我們愛主基督，完全奉獻自己給祂，離棄罪惡、魔鬼與世界。這些不是可有可無的，乃是必須的，並且是一生必須追求的。

We may disagree on what we call this: holiness, godliness, piety, etc., and may disagree on what an ideal Christian state looks like.  We use different labels to describe the mature conditions of sanctification, such as “assurance of grace and salvation,” “sinless perfection,” “a victorious life,” or “the spiritual man.”  But we agree that to love Christ, to totally devote and consecrate ourselves to him, and to forsake sin, the devil and the world are not options, but God’s will for all Christians, all our lives.

11.  上帝在基督裏揀選了我們

GOD CHOSE US IN CHRIST

我們同意，上帝在基督裏揀選了我們。

We all agree that God chose us in Christ. 

我們不同意，上帝的揀選是否無條件的，上帝是揀選個別的罪人，還是揀選所有信基督的人。可是我們同意，《聖經》清楚教導「揀選」的真理。

We disagree as to whether this election is unconditional, whether this election is of individuals or of groups of people.  But we do agree that election is a truth taught clearly in the Bible.

12.  《聖經》是一切教義的基礎與審判者

BIBLE THE FOUNDATION AND JUDGE OF DOCTRINE

所有教義上的表達與爭辯必須以解釋《聖經》為己任，必須訴諸《聖經》為最高的審判官。我們同意，我們對《聖經》的了解是有限的，有修改和糾正的餘地，不過我們都希望在研究上帝在祂話語中啟示的旨意上，不斷有所進步。

All doctrinal formulations and debates must appeal to the Bible, and to exposition of the Bible, as the supreme and final judge.  We agree that our understanding of the Bible is limited and open to revision and correction, but have the hope of continually making progress as we search the whole counsel of God revealed in His Word.

是的，我們之間有不少的爭辯與分歧是無法忽視的，因此我們必須繼續討論。或者我們需要被提醒，這是「家裏人」的討論。我們是家人，不是仇敵。真正的敵人是那些對我們共同信仰不認同的，特別是那些在《聖經》的權威上妥協的人士。

Surely there are many differences which we cannot ignore, therefore continued discussion is needed.  Perhaps we can be gently reminded that this is an “in house” discussion.  We are family, not enemies.  The real enemies are those who disagree
with any of the above, especially those who compromise on the authority of the Bible as God’s Word.

13.  教會的合一UNITY OF THE CHURCH

我們同意，基督為祂教會的合一陡妗�

We agree that Christ prays for the unity of the church.

我們不同意，教會與宗派應有怎樣的組織，牧師和教師是否必須簽名認同信條，哪些信條士宗派與教會之間必須同意的。不過我們同意，所有信靠基督，愛主基督，完全順服在《聖經》的權柄之下的都是弟兄姐妹。

We disagree over how churches and denominations should be organized, whether creeds are required of our pastors and teachers, and what are those doctrines which all must agree upon in our churches and denominations.   But we do agree that all who trust and love Jesus and submit to the full authority of Scripture are brothers and sisters
in Christ.

林慈信

Samuel Ling

January 24, 2008

March 19, 2008 中譯，修訂於馬來西亞檳城