第724号 信心与证据的关系
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第724号 信心与证据的关系
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MR No. 724 - Relation of Faith to Evidence
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你在那封就证言问了许多问题的信中说：“我必须查明这一切事的真相，确知我站在何处。”{9MR202.1}[1]
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In your letter wherein you ask a number of questions about the Testimonies, you say, I must go to the bottom of all these things, and know just where I stand. {9MR 202.1}[1]
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在我的书籍和文稿中，我发现了下述内容，心想会帮助你解决目前的困惑：{9MR202.2}[2]
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In my books and manuscripts I find the following which I think will help you in your present perplexities: {9MR 202.2}[2]
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“上帝从来没有要我们相信而不给我们足够证据作为我们信仰的基础。祂的存在，祂的品格，祂话语的真实性，都有合理而充分的证据。但上帝也从未排除疑惑的可能性。我们的信心必须依靠证据，而不是根据论证。要疑惑的人总是有机会的。但是真心希望明白真理的人，一定会找到充足的凭据，来确立他们的信心。{9MR202.3}[3]
§8
God never asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith. His existence, His character, the truthfulness of His Word, are all established by testimony that appeals to our reason; and this testimony is abundant. Yet God has never removed the possibility of doubt. Our faith must rest upon evidence, not demonstration. Those who wish to doubt will have opportunity, while those who really desire to know the truth will find plenty of evidence on which to rest their faith. {9MR 202.3}[3]
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“有限的头脑不可能充分领会无穷者的品格或作为。即使是对于最聪明，受过最高教育的人，上帝仍裹罩着一层神秘的外衣。‘你考察就能测透上帝吗？你岂能尽情测透全能者吗？祂的智慧高于天，你还能做什么？深于阴间，你还能知道什么’(伯ll:7,8)？{9MR202.4}[4]
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It is impossible for finite minds fully to comprehend the character or the works of the Infinite One. To the keenest intellect, the most highly educated mind, that holy Being must ever remain clothed in mystery. Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? (Job 11:7, 8). {9MR 202.4}[4]
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“使徒保罗感叹说：‘深哉，上帝丰富的智慧和知识。祂的判断何其难测，祂的踪迹何其难寻’！虽然‘密云和幽暗在祂的四围，’但‘公义和公平是祂宝座的根基’(罗ll:33；诗97:2)。我们从上帝待我们的恩典，和祂行事的宗旨中，可以看到祂无限的权能是与无穷的仁爱慈悲深相结合的。关于上帝的旨意，凡知道便于我们有益的，我们都能明白。超过了这个范围，我们就应交托上帝全能的圣手和祂充满慈爱的心。{9MR202.5}[5]
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The apostle Paul exclaims, O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out! (Romans 11:33). But though Clouds and darkness are round about Him; righteousness and judgment are the foundation of His throne (Psalm 97:2, R.V.). We can so far comprehend His dealing with us, and the motives by which He is actuated, that we may discern boundless love and mercy united to infinite power. We can understand as much of His purposes as it is for our good to know; and beyond this we must still trust the hand that is omnipotent, the heart that is full of love. {9MR 202.5}[5]
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“上帝的圣言象它神圣作者的品性一样，包含着有限的心智所永远无法充分明白的奥秘。圣经所论罪恶进入世界，基督道成肉身，重生，复活和其他许多问题，是人所无法解释或充分领悟的太深的奥秘。但是我们没有理由因不能明白上帝旨意的奥秘，而怀疑上帝的道。在自然界中，我们一直被无法测透的奥秘所包围，连最小的生物也能给最聪明的哲学家提出他们所无法解释的问题。到处都有超越我们知识范围的奇迹。既然如此，我们在灵界也发现了无法测透的奥秘，又有什么奇怪呢？问题只是出在人心的软弱和狭隘上。上帝已经在圣经中赐给我们有关祂神圣品格的充足凭据。我们不要因无法明白祂旨意的一切奥秘，就怀疑祂的道。……{9MR203.1}[6]
§14
The Word of God, like the character of its divine Author, presents mysteries that can never be fully comprehended by finite beings. The entrance of sin into the world, the incarnation of Christ, regeneration, the resurrection, and many other subjects presented in the Bible, are mysteries too deep for the human mind to explain, or even fully to comprehend. But we have no reason to doubt Gods Word because we cannot understand the mysteries of His providence. In the natural world we are constantly surrounded with mysteries that we cannot fathom. The very humblest forms of life present a problem that the wisest of philosophers is powerless to explain. Everywhere are wonders beyond our ken. Should we then be surprised to find that in the spiritual world also there are mysteries that we cannot fathom? The difficulty lies solely in the weakness and narrowness of the human mind. God has given us in the Scriptures sufficient evidence of their divine character, and we are not to doubt His Word because we cannot understand all the mysteries of His providence. . . . {9MR 203.1}[6]
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“有一个凭据是每一个人都可以获得的——不论他有很高的学问，还是没有受过什么教育——就是经验的证据。上帝愿意我们亲自去试验祂话语的真实性和祂应许的准确性。祂吩咐我们‘尝尝主恩的滋味，便知道祂是美善’(诗34:8)。我们不要依赖别人的话，而要自己去品尝。祂说‘你们求，就必得着’(约16:24)。祂的应许必定实现。这些应许从未落空，也决不会落空。当我们就近耶稣，并在祂丰盛的爱中得到喜乐的时候，我们的疑云和幽暗就会在祂临格的荣光中消散净尽。（《拾级就主》105-107,111-112页）{9MR203.2}[7]
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There is an evidence that is open to all--the most highly educated, the most illiterate--the evidence of experience. God invites us to prove for ourselves the reality of His Word, the truth of His promises. He bids us taste and see that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8). Instead of depending upon the word of another, we are to taste for ourselves. He declares, Ask, and ye shall receive (John 16:24). His promises will be fulfilled. They have never failed; they never can fail. And as we draw near to Jesus, and rejoice in the fullness of His love, our doubt and darkness will disappear in the light of His presence.--Steps to Christ, pp. 105-107, 111-112. {9MR 203.2}[7]
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那些经过奋斗已经超越疑惑与推测之境的人，认识到：“上帝虽已赐人充分的凭证，作为信心的根据，但祂总不会为不信之人除去一切怀疑的藉口。人若想找疑惑的托辞，总是可以找到的。如果非等到每一个反对的意见圆满解决而再无怀疑的余地之后就不肯接受并顺从圣经，这样的人是永远不能得见光明的。”（《善恶之争》527页）{9MR204.1}[8]
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Those who have passed through a struggle to rise above the realm of doubt and conjecture, realize that while God has given ample evidence for faith, He will never remove all excuse for unbelief. All who look for hooks to hang their doubts upon, will find them. And those who refuse to accept and obey Gods Word until every objection has been removed, and there is no longer an opportunity for doubt, will never come to the light.--Great Controversy, p. 527. (Italics authors.) {9MR 204.1}[8]
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对圣经怎样，对证言也是怎样。“想要疑惑的人，总有许多可乘之机的。上帝无意消除一切怀疑的因素。祂提出证据，是应当存谦卑的心、受教的精神认真查验的。大家都应按照证据的分量作出选择。”（《证言》卷三255页){9MR204.2}[9]
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As with the Bible, so with the Testimonies. Those who desire to doubt will have plenty of room. God does not propose to remove all occasion for unbelief. He gives evidence, which must be carefully investigated with a humble mind and a teachable spirit; and all should decide from the weight of evidence.--Testimonies for the Church, Volume 3, p. 255 (Italics authors.) {9MR 204.2}[9]
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“撒但虽在旁边暗示多种怀疑，但你若本着信心张开眼睛，就会见到足资相信的凭据。但上帝决不会消除任何人一切疑惑的因由。……{9MR204.3}[10]
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Satan is at hand to suggest a variety of doubts; but if you will open your eyes in faith, you will find sufficient evidence for belief. But God will never remove from any man all causes for doubts. . . . {9MR 204.3}[10]
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“上帝赐充足的证据可供无偏见的人相信；但那些因为还有若干是人有限的悟性所不能明白的事，便不顾这证据之分量的人，却要被撇在疑惑不信的冷颤气氛之中，而终于信仰破灭了。”（《证言》卷四232,233页）{9MR204.4}[11]
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God gives sufficient evidence for the candid mind to believe; but he who turns from the weight of evidence because there are a few things which he cannot make plain to his finite understanding, will be left in the cold, chilling atmosphere of unbelief and questioning doubts, and will make shipwreck of faith.--Testimonies for the Church, Volume 4, pp. 232, 233. (Italics authors.) {9MR 204.4}[11]
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“什么样的声音，你才愿意相信出自上帝？上帝要用什么能力来纠正你的过错，指引你所当行的路呢？在教会中，又该以何种能力为主做工呢？如果你要等到每个半信半疑的阴影、与每项可能的疑惑都消除后再相信，那么你永远也没有相信的机会。那要求全知道的疑惑，绝不会向信心屈服。信心依赖证据而非论证。当我们的周围，环绕着许许多多催促我们走相反道路的声音时，主上帝要求我们听从责任的呼声。我们需要认真注意，以识别来自上帝的声音。我们要抗拒并制胜本性的倾向，听从良知的呼声，决不协商或妥协，唯恐良心的提示停止，意愿和冲动支配了我们。主的话临到我们一切还没有因决意不听也不顺从而拒绝祂的灵的人。我们可以从警告、劝勉和责备中听到祂的声音。这是主赐给祂子民真光的信息。我们若要等待更大的呼声或更好的时机，这光就会收回，我们就会被撇在黑暗之中了。”（《证言》卷五68,69.页）{9MR205.1}[12]
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What voice will you acknowledge as the voice of God? What power has the Lord in reserve to correct your errors, and show you your course as it is? What power to work in the church? If you refuse to believe until every shadow of uncertainty and every possibility of doubt is removed, you will never believe. The doubt that demands perfect knowledge will never yield to faith. Faith rests upon evidence, not demonstration. The Lord requires us to obey the voice of duty, when there are other voices all around us urging us to pursue an opposite course. It requires earnest attention from us to distinguish the voice which speaks for God. We must resist and conquer inclination, and obey the voice of conscience without parleying or compromise, lest its promptings cease and will and impulse control. The word of the Lord comes to us all who have not resisted His Spirit by determining not to hear and obey. This voice is heard in warnings, in counsels, in reproof. It is the Lords message of light to His people. If we wait for louder calls, or better opportunities, the light may be withdrawn, and we left in darkness.-- Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, pp. 68,69. {9MR 205.1}[12]
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我们正生活在末后日子的危险中。不久凡能被震动的都要被震动。世人正迅速地在善恶大斗争中采取立场。仇敌正用他一切邪恶的手段积极活动为要网罗灵魂。他已影响了许多知道真理之人的心思，以致他们与上帝所赐的亮光背道而驰。甚至当上帝发给他们警告时，他们也塞耳不听，继续走自己发明的道路。那些对于上帝所赐的警告信息持不确定态度的人，不久就会采取要么支持要么反对真理的立场。{9MR205.2}[13]
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We are living amid the perils of the last days. Soon everything that can be shaken will be shaken. The world is rapidly taking sides in the great conflict between good and evil. The enemy with all his satanic craft is working diligently to secure souls. He has influenced the minds of many who know the truth, so that they have walked contrary to the light God has given them. And even when God has sent them warnings, they have closed their ears and walked on in ways of their own devising. Those who are in a state of uncertainty regarding the messages of warning that God is sending will soon take their stand either for or against the truth. {9MR 205.2}[13]
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主将许多人在被撒但试探时否认信仰的情形显给我看。他们为一种未成圣、不圣洁的热情所激动，必把其他人引入歧途，而且许多人在他们的领导下必落入仇敌似是而非的陷阱。{9MR206.1}[14]
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Many souls have been presented before me as being tempted by Satan to deny the faith. Fired by an unsanctified, unholy zeal, they will lead others in strange paths, and under their leadership many will become entangled in the specious snares of the enemy. {9MR 206.1}[14]
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主号召祂沉睡的子民觉醒。许多人出于无知而认为自己很聪明——像比喻中那五个愚拙的童女——没有意识到自己的灯要熄灭了。当他们觉悟自己的状况时，就会为时太晚，不能及时得到油，他们就会没有准备好迎接新郎。{9MR206.2}[15]
§32
The Lord calls upon His slumbering people to awake out of their sleep. Many who in their ignorance consider themselves to be wise--like the foolish virgins in the parable--do not realize that their lamps are going out. When they awake to their condition it will be too late for them to obtain a fresh supply of oil, and they will be unready to meet the Bridegroom. {9MR 206.2}[15]
§33
对于那些到了要做决定的时候的人，我们要说：“要存谦卑的心认真地寻求主。”你走在怀疑和困惑的道路上越久，就会越少感到上帝之灵的影响。你若是等着直到每一个问题都有了令你完全满意的答案，你就永远不会相信。信心往往有必要先于证据。（《信函》1906年234号第1-6页，致威廉.萨德勒医生，1906年7月9日）怀爱伦著作托管委员会1979年4月24日发表于美国首都华盛顿{9MR206.3}[16]
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To those who have come to a time of decision, let us say, With humility of heart seek the Lord earnestly. The longer you tread the path of doubt and perplexity, the less will you feel the influence of the Spirit of God. If you were to wait until every question had been answered to your complete satisfaction, you would never believe. It is often necessary that faith shall precede evidence.--Letter 234, 1906, pp. 1-6. (To Dr. William Sadler, July 9, 1906.) White Estate Washington, D. C. April 24, 1979 {9MR 206.3}[16]