第18章 我们该怎样查考圣经？
§1
第十八章 我们该怎样查考圣经？
§2
How Shall We Search the Scriptures?
§3
我们该怎样查考圣经，以明白其中的教训呢？我们应该存痛悔的心和虔诚受教的精神来研究上帝的话。我们不要象犹太人那样，以为自己的观点绝无错误；也不要象罗马教那样，以为只有某些个人才是真理和知识的保管者，人无权自己研究圣经，而必须接受教父的解释。我们读经，不要为维护我们的先入之见，而是单单为了知道上帝所说的话。{GW92 125.1}
§4
How shall we search the Scriptures in order to understand what they teach? We should come to the investigation of God’s word with a contrite heart, a teachable and prayerful spirit. We are not to think, as did the Jews, that our own ideas and opinions are infallible; nor with the papists, that certain individuals are the sole guardians of truth and knowledge, that men have no right to search the Scriptures for themselves, but must accept the explanations given by the Fathers of the church. We should not study the Bible for the purpose of sustaining our preconceived opinions, but with the single object of learning what God has said.{GW92 125.1}
§5
有人担心他们只要在某一点上承认自己错了，别人就会怀疑全部的真理理论。所以他们不允许人查根究底，惟恐造成争执和分裂。但是查究的结果若是这样，不久情况就会好转。如果有些人对圣经的信仰经不起查经的考验，那么越早暴露就越好，因为这时就会打开门路，显明他们的错误。我们不该坚持认为，一旦采取了一个立场，倡导了一种观念，在任何情况下都不可以放弃。只有一位是永无错误的。祂就是道路、真理、生命。{GW92 125.2}
§6
Some have feared that if in even a single point they acknowledge themselves in error, other minds would be led to doubt the whole theory of truth. Therefore they have felt that investigation should not be permitted; that it would tend to dissension and disunion. But if such is to be the result of investigation, the sooner it comes the better. If there are those whose faith in God’s word will not stand the test of an investigation of the Scriptures, the sooner they are revealed the better; for then the way will be opened to show them their error. We cannot hold that a position once taken, an idea once advocated, is not, under any circumstances, to be relinquished. There is but one who is infallible,—He who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.{GW92 125.2}
§7
那些让成见阻碍接受真理的人，无法领受上帝的启迪。当一种圣经观点提出来以后，许多人并不问，它是不是符合上帝的话？而是问，是谁提倡的？而且除非这种观点符合他们的心意，他们就不予接受。他们完全满足于自己的观点，不愿以好学的态度查考圣经的证据，仅仅因为自己的成见，就不肯探究。 {GW92 125.3}
§8
Those who allow prejudice to bar the mind against the reception of truth cannot receive the divine enlightenment. Yet, when a view of Scripture is presented, many do not ask, Is it True,—in harmony with God’s word? but, By whom is it advocated? and unless it comes through the very channel that pleases them, they do not accept it. So thoroughly satisfied are they with their own ideas, that they will not examine the Scripture evidence, with a desire to learn, but refuse to be interested, merely because of their prejudices. {GW92 125.3}
§9
主常常在我们最没有想到的地方做工。祂藉着祂所拣选的器皿彰显祂的能力，同时却略过我们所期待传达亮光的人，叫我们感到惊奇。上帝希望我们根据真理本身的价值，因为它是真理而接受它。{GW92 126.1}
§10
The Lord often works where we least expect him; he surprises us by revealing his power through instruments of his own choice, while he passes by the men to whom we have looked as those through whom light should come. God desires us to receive the truth upon its own merits,—because it is truth.{GW92 126.1}
§11
不要曲解圣经以迎合人的观点，无论他们认为这些观点是正确的已有多久了。我们不要把解经家的观点当作上帝的声音。他们也是易犯错误的人，象我们一样。上帝已经把思维的能力赐给我们，象赐给他们一样。我们应该用圣经来解释圣经。{GW92 126.2}
§12
The Bible must not be interpreted to suit the ideas of men, however long they may have held these ideas to be true. We are not to accept the opinion of commentators as the voice of God; they were erring mortals like ourselves. God has given reasoning powers to us as well as to them. We should make the Bible its own expositor.{GW92 126.2}
§13
所有的人在提出有关圣经的新见解时都要小心，在提出新见解之前，先要彻底研究这些见解，做好充分的预备，用圣经来支持这些见解。如果没有清楚的证据证明在这个见解中有上帝赐给当代的特别信息，就不要提出任何会引起争执的见解。{GW92 126.3}
§14
All should be careful about presenting new views of Scripture before they have given these points thorough study, and are fully prepared to sustain them from the Bible. Introduce nothing that will cause dissension, without clear evidence that in it God is giving a special message for this time.{GW92 126.3}
§15
但要当心，别拒绝真理。我们教会的大危险向来就是依赖人，倚靠人血肉的膀臂。那些还没有养成亲自查考圣经或权衡证据之习惯的人，总是信任处于领导地位的人，并接受他们所做的决定。许多人就这样拒绝了上帝赐给祂子民的信息，只因处于领导地位的弟兄们没有接受这些信息。{GW92 126.4}
§16
But beware of rejecting that which is truth. The great danger with our people has been that of depending upon men, and making flesh their arm. Those who have not been in the habit of searching the Bible for themselves, or weighing evidence, have confidence in the leading men, and accept the decisions they make, and thus many will reject the very messages God sends to his people, if these leading brethren do not accept them.{GW92 126.4}
§17
任何人都不得宣称自己拥有赐给上帝子民的全部亮光。主不会容忍这一点。祂说过：“我在你面前给一个敞开的门，是无人能关的”（启3:8）。即使我们所有的领袖都拒绝亮光和真理，那扇门也依然是敞开的。主必兴起把当代的信息传给人们的人。{GW92 126.5}
§18
No one should claim that he has all the light there is for God’s people. The Lord will not tolerate this. He has said, “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” [Revelation 3:8.] Even if all our leading men should refuse light and truth, that door will still remain open. The Lord will raise up men who will give the people the message for this time.{GW92 126.5}
§19
真理是永恒的。它与谬误的斗争只会显示它的力量。我们决不要拒绝与那些我们有理由相信他们想要知道何为真理的人一起查考圣经。假设一位跟你持有不同点的弟兄来到你面前，提议你跟他一起坐下来，研究一下圣经的观点；难道你该站起来，充满成见，并谴责他的观点，同时拒绝给他一个听取意见的公正机会吗？唯一正确的做法，就是以基督徒的风度坐下来，根据上帝的话研究所提出的观点。上帝的圣言会显明真理、揭露谬误。嘲笑他的观点一点儿不会削弱他的立场，就算他的立场是错误的；也一点不能加强你的立场，就算你的立场是正确的。我们信仰的柱石若经不住调查的考验，我们现在就应该知道了。我们中间务必不可抱有法利赛人的精神。{GW92 127.1}
§20
Truth is eternal, and conflict with error will only make manifest its strength. We should never refuse to examine the Scriptures with those who, we have reason to believe, desire to know what is truth. Suppose a brother held a view that differed from yours, and he should come to you, proposing that you sit down with him and make an investigation of that point in the Scriptures; should you rise up, filled with prejudice, and condemn his ideas, while refusing to give him a candid hearing? The only right way would be to sit down as Christians, and investigate the position presented, in the light of God’s work, which will reveal truth and unmask error. To ridicule his ideas would not weaken his position in the least if it were false, or strengthen your position if it were true. If the pillars of our faith will not stand the test of investigation, it is time that we knew it. There must be no spirit of Phariseeism cherished among us.{GW92 127.1}
§21
我们应该以敬畏的心来研读圣经，觉得自己是在上帝面前。一切轻浮懈怠的态度均应除去。圣经中有些部分虽是容易明了的，但其他部分的实义却是不易识别的。所以我们必须耐心地研究默想，并诚恳祈祷。每一个学习的人在翻开圣经时，都应祈求圣灵的启迪。主的应许是可靠的；圣灵一定会赐下。{GW92 127.2}
§22
We should come with reverence to the study of the Bible, feeling that we are in the presence of God. All lightness and trifling should be laid aside. While some portions of the word are easily understood, the true meaning of other parts is not so readily discerned. There must be patient study and meditation, and earnest prayer. Every student, as he opens the Scriptures, should ask for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and the promise is sure, that it will be given.{GW92 127.2}
§23
你研究圣经的态度，会决定由谁来到你身旁帮助。光明世界的天使，必与那些以谦卑的心寻求上帝指引的人同在。但是如果你以不恭敬的态度翻阅圣经，心怀自满，充满成见，那么撒但就在你身旁。他会曲解上帝圣言中明白的句子。{GW92 127.3}
§24
The spirit in which you come to the investigation of the Scriptures will determine the character of the assistant at your side. Angels from the world of light will be with those who in humility of heart seek for divine guidance. But if the Bible is opened with irreverence, with a feeling of self-sufficiency, if the heart is filled with prejudice, Satan is beside you, and he will set the plain statements of God’s word in a perverted light.{GW92 127.3}
§25
有些人放任轻率，讽刺甚至嘲笑那些与他们不同见解的人。有些人对任何新的观点都一味反对；而当他们反对的意见得到圣经话语的清楚解答时，他们却不承认所提出的证据，也不让自己信服。他们提出问题并不是为了明白真理，而只是为了扰乱别人的思想。{GW92 128.1}
§26
There are some who indulge in levity, sarcasm, and even mockery toward those who differ with them. Others present an array of objections to any new view; and when these objections are plainly answered by the words of Scripture, they do not acknowledge the evidence presented, nor allow themselves to be convinced. Their questioning is not for the purpose of arriving at truth, but was intended merely to confuse the minds of others.{GW92 128.1}
§27
有人认为使人对真理产生怀疑，是智力敏锐超群的表现。他们用狡猾的论据，玩文字游戏，以提问的方式不公平地占了便宜。当他们的问题得到了公正的解答后，他们就会转移话题，提出另外一点，以避免承认真理。我们应该当心，不要放纵曾控制了犹太人的那种精神。他们不愿向基督学习，因为祂对圣经的解释与他们的观点不同；于是他们就成了祂路上的奸细，“私下窥听，要拿祂的话柄，好控告祂。”但愿我们不要给自己带来救主可怕的斥责：“你们律法师有祸了！因为你们把知识的钥匙夺了去，自己不进去，正要进去的人你们也阻挡他们”（路11:54;52）。{GW92 128.2}
§28
Some have thought it an evidence of intellectual keenness and superiority to perplex minds in regard to what is truth. They resort to subtlety of argument, to playing upon words; they take unjust advantage in asking questions. When their questions have been fairly answered, they will turn the subject, bring up another point, to avoid acknowledging the truth. We should beware of indulging the spirit which controlled the Jews. They would not learn of Christ, because his explanation of the Scriptures did not agree with their ideas; therefore they became spies upon his track, “laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.” [Luke 11:54, 52.] Let us not bring upon ourselves the fearful denunciation of the Saviour’s words, “Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” [Luke 11:54, 52.]{GW92 128.2}
§29
问出难以解答的问题并不需要很多的学识或能力。一个孩童都能提出最聪明的人都难以回答的问题。但愿我们不要进行这种争辩。我们时代所存在的不信与基督的日子是一样的。现在跟那时一样，贪图名利和称赞的欲望引人远离真敬虔的简朴。没有什么骄傲比属灵的骄傲更危险的了。{GW92 128.3}
§30
It does not require much learning or ability to ask questions that are difficult to answer. A child may ask questions over which the wisest men may be puzzled. Let us not engage in a contest of this kind. The very same unbelief exists in our time as prevailed in the days of Christ. Now as then the desire for preferment and the praise of men leads people away from the simplicity of true godliness. There is no pride so dangerous as spiritual pride.{GW92 128.3}
§31
青年人应当亲自研究圣经。他们不要以为单由较有经验之人探讨何为真理就够了；年轻人只须把它当作权威接受就可以了。古代犹太民族的亡国，是因为他们的官长，祭司和长老使他们离开圣经的真理。他们若注意耶稣的教训，亲自研究圣经，就不至于天亡。 {GW92 128.4}
§32
Young men should search the Scriptures for themselves. They are not to feel that it is sufficient for those older in experience to find out the truth; that the younger ones can accept it from them as authority. The Jews perished as a nation because they were drawn from the truth of the Bible by their rulers, priests, and elders. Had they heeded the lessons of Jesus, and searched the Scriptures for themselves, they would not have perished. {GW92 128.4}
§33
我们中间的青年人正在观察传道人以什么态度来研究圣经。他们是否有一种受教的精神，谦卑到足以接受证据，领受从上帝所拣选的使者所传来的亮光。{GW92 129.1}
§34
Young men in our ranks are watching to see in what spirit the ministers come to the investigation of the Scriptures; whether they have a teachable spirit, and are humble enough to accept evidence, and receive light from the messengers whom God chooses to send.{GW92 129.1}
§35
我们必须亲自研究真理，不该依赖别人替我们思考。无论他是谁，无论他处在什么地位，我们都不要指望任何人作我们的标准。我们要一起商议，也要彼此顺服；但同时我们要运用上帝赐给我们的才干，学习何为真理。我们每个人都必须寻求上帝的启迪。我们每个人都必须培养一种能在上帝的大日经得起考验的品格。我们不可固执于我们的看法，以为谁也不该干预我们的见解。{GW92 129.2}
§36
We must study the truth for ourselves. No man should be relied upon to think for us. No matter who he is, or in what position he may be placed, we are not to look upon any man as a criterion for us. We are to counsel together, and to be subject one to another; but at the same time we are to exercise the ability God has given us, in order to learn what is truth. Each one of us must look to God for divine enlightenment. We must individually develop a character that will stand the test in the day of God. We must not become set in our ideas, and think that no one should interfere with our opinions.{GW92 129.2}
§37
当你开始注意到自己所不明白某一点教义时，就要在上帝面前屈膝，好使你明白何为真理，而不要象犹太人那样与上帝为敌。我们一方面要警告人不要接受除真理外的任何东西，一方面也要警告他们不要因拒绝亮光的信息而危害自己的心灵，却要藉着认真研究上帝的道冲出黑暗。{GW92 129.3}
§38
When a point of doctrine that you do not understand comes to your attention, go to God on your knees, that you may understand what is truth, and not be found as were the Jews, fighting against God. While warning men to beware of accepting anything unless it is truth, we should also warn them not to imperil their souls by rejecting messages of light, but to press out of the darkness by earnest study of the word of God.{GW92 129.3}
§39
当拿但业来到耶稣跟前时，救主感叹道：“看哪，这是个真以色列人，他心里是没有诡诈的！”拿但业说：“祢从哪里知道我呢？”耶稣回答说：“你在无花果树底下的时候，我就看见你了”（约1:47-48）。耶稣也会看见我们在私祷之处，只要我们寻求祂，为要得到亮光，好使我们可以知道何为真理。 {GW92 129.4}
§40
When Nathanael came to Jesus, the Saviour exclaimed, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” Nathanael said, “Whence knowest thou me?” Jesus answered, “When thou wast under the fig-tree, I saw thee.” [John 1:47, 48.] And Jesus will see us also in the secret places of prayer, if we seek him for light that we may know what is truth. {GW92 129.4}
§41
如果有弟兄传讲谬论，负责的人就应该知道这事；如果他是在教导真理，他们就应该站在他一边。我们都应当知道在我们中间正在教导什么；因为如果它是真理，我们就需要明白它。每位安息日学的教员必须明白它，每位安息日学的学员也应该了解它。凡是上帝所传给我们的，我们都对上帝负有需要明白之的义务。祂已经给予我们种种指导，使我们可藉以试验每一项教义——“以训诲和法度为标准；他们所说的，若不与此相符，是因他们里面没有光”（赛8:20）。但是如果它与这标准相符，你们就不可充满偏见，仅仅因为它跟你们的见解不合就不接受。{GW92 130.1}
§42
If a brother is teaching error, those who are in responsible positions ought to know it; and if he is teaching truth, they ought to take their stand at his side. We should all know what is being taught among us; for if it is truth, we need to know it. The Sabbath-school teacher needs to know it, and every Sabbath-school scholar ought to understand it. We are all under obligation to God to understand what he sends us. He has given directions by which we may test every doctrine,—“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” [Isaiah 8:20.] But if it is according to this test, do not be so full of prejudice that you cannot acknowledge a point simply because it does not agree with your ideas.{GW92 130.1}
§43
以人的心智来测透那怕是上帝一个应许的丰富和伟大，也是不可能的。一个人从一个方面发现了它的荣耀，另一个人从另一个方面看见它的美丽和恩惠。这样，心灵就会被天上的真光所充满。我们若看见所有的荣耀，我们的精神是经受不起的。但我们可以从上帝丰盛的应许中获得比如今大得多的启示。我一想到我们曾如何忽略了为我们所预备的丰盛福分，就悲伤不已。我们原可天天行在祂临格的荣光之中。但我们却满足于属灵光辉的闪烁而已。{GW92 130.2}
§44
It is impossible for any mind to comprehend all the richness and greatness of even one promise of God. One catches the glory of one point of view, another the beauty and grace from another point, and the soul is filled with the heavenly light. If we saw all the glory, the spirit would faint. But we can bear far greater revelations from God’s abundant promises than we now enjoy. It makes my heart sad to think how we lose sight of the fullness of blessing designed for us. We content ourselves with momentary flashes of spiritual illumination, when we might walk day after day in the light of His presence.{GW92 130.2}
§45
亲爱的弟兄们，要以空前的恳切态度祈求公义日头的光线照在圣道上，好使你们能明白其真义。耶稣曾恳求让祂的门徒可以藉着真理，就是上帝的道而成圣。我们当恳求那位“参透万事，连上帝深奥的事也参透了的”圣灵。祂的工作就是使上帝的子民想起一切事，并引导他们明白一切的真理。我们可以求祂在我们研究圣经时与我们同在。—《文稿》 {GW92 130.3}
§46
Dear brethren, pray as you never before prayed, for beams from the Sun of Righteousness to shine upon the word, that you may be able to understand its true meaning. Jesus pleaded that his disciples might be sanctified through the truth,—the word of God. Then how earnestly should we pray that He who “searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God,” [1 Corinthians 2:10.] He whose office it is to bring all things to the remembrance of God’s people, and to guide them into all truth, may be with us in the investigation of his holy word.—MS. {GW92 130.3}