第42章 上帝在自然界中
§1
第42章 上帝在自然界中
§2
Chap. 42—God In Nature
§3
在罪进入之前，我们始祖的心中没有一点乌云蒙蔽他们对上帝品格的理解。他们与上帝的旨意完全相符。他们披着一层荣美的亮光，就是上帝的亮光环护着他们。这种清明完美的亮光照亮了他们所接近的一切。{8T 255.1}[1]
§4
Before the entrance of sin not a cloud rested upon the minds of our first parents to obscure their perception of the character of God. They were perfectly conformed to the will of God. For a covering a beautiful light, the light of God, surrounded them. This clear and perfect light illuminated everything which they approached.?{8T 255.1}[1]
§5
大自然乃是他们的课本。在伊甸园中证明了上帝的存在，他们周围的自然景物显示了祂的属性。他们的眼目所及的万物都在向他们讲话。上帝的不可见的事，就是“祂的永能和神性，”原是明明可见的，藉着所造之物就可以晓得。{8T 255.2}[2]
§6
Nature was their lessonbook. In the Garden of Eden the existence of God was demonstrated, His attributes were revealed, in the objects of nature that surrounded them. Everything upon which their eyes rested spoke to them. The invisible things of God, “even His everlasting power and divinity,” were clearly seen, being understood by the things that were made.?{8T 255.2}[2]
§7
【罪的结果】
§8
然而虽然在起初确实可以在自然界中看出上帝，但在人类堕落后，自然界就不能向亚当和他的后裔显示关于上帝的完全认识了。在人无罪时，自然界可以向人传达她的教训。但犯罪给大地带来了打击损毁，并且介入了自然界和自然界的上帝之间。要是亚当夏娃从未不忠于他们的创造主，要是他们始终行在完全正直的路上，他们原会继续藉着上帝的作为学习上帝。但是当他们听从了那试探人的并且得罪了上帝时，那属天无罪的光袍就离开了他们。既失去了属天的亮光，他们就不能再从上帝之手的作为中看出上帝的品格了。{8T 255.3}[3]
§9
【Results of Sin】
§10
But while it is true that in the beginning God could be discerned in nature, it does not follow that after the Fall a perfect knowledge of God was revealed in the natural world to Adam and his posterity. Nature could convey her lessons to man in his innocence. But transgression brought a blight upon the earth and intervened between nature and nature’s God. Had Adam and Eve never disobeyed their Creator, had they remained in the path of perfect rectitude, they would have continued to learn of God through His works. But when they listened to the tempter and sinned against God, the light of the garments of heavenly innocence departed from them. Deprived of the heavenly light, they could no longer discern the character of God in the works of His hand.?{8T 255.3}[3]
§11
而且人的背命也给自然界本身造成了改变。既被罪的咒诅所损害，自然界就只能对创造主作出不完全的见证，不能显示祂品格的完全了。{8T 256.1}[4]
§12
And through man’s disobedience a change was wrought in nature itself. Marred by the curse of sin, nature can bear but an imperfect testimony regarding the Creator. It cannot reveal His character in its perfection.?{8T 256.1}[4]
§13
【一位神圣的教师】
§14
我们需要一位神圣的“教师”。为了使世界不留在黑暗中，不留在永远的属灵黑夜中，上帝在耶稣基督里会见了我们。基督乃是“真光，照亮一切生在世上的人”（约1:9），“叫我们得知上帝荣耀的光显在耶稣基督的面上”（林后4:6）。基督的亮光既启蒙了我们的悟性，并照在自然界的面上，就能使我们再从上帝的创造之工中读懂上帝之爱的教训。{8T 256.2}[5]
§15
【A Divine Teacher】
§16
We need a divine Teacher. In order that the world might not remain in darkness, in eternal spiritual night, God met us in Jesus Christ. Christ is “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”?John 1:9. “The light of the knowledge of the glory of God” is revealed “in the face of Jesus Christ.”?2 Corinthians 4:6. The light of Christ, illuminating our understanding, and shining upon the face of nature, enables us still to read the lesson of God’s love in His created works.?{8T 256.2}[5]
§17
【自然界证明上帝】
§18
今天我们所看到的自然万物只能隐约地反映伊甸园的美丽和荣耀。然而自然界仍然保留了许多美丽。自然界向我们证明有一位能力无边、伟大良善、怜悯仁爱的主造了这世界，把生命和快乐充满其间。万物即使在受到破坏的状态下，仍体现出那位艺术大师的手艺。罪虽然损毁了自然界事物的形状与美丽，虽然可以它们身上看到那空中掌权者首领行事的痕迹，但它们仍在讲述上帝。在荆棘，蒺藜和莠草中，我们虽可读到定罪的律，但我们从自然的美物，从它们奇妙地适合我们的需要和我们的幸福上，可以认识到，上帝仍然爱着我们，还在向世人彰显祂的仁慈怜悯。[6]
§19
【Nature Testifies Of God】
§20
The things of nature upon which we look today give us but a faint conception of Eden’s beauty and glory. Yet much that is beautiful remains. Nature testifies that One infinite in power, great in goodness, mercy, and love, created the earth and filled it with life and gladness. Even in their blighted state all things reveal the handiwork of the great Master Artist. Though sin has marred the form and beauty of the things of nature, though on them may be seen traces of the work of the prince of the power of the air, yet they still speak of God. In the briers, the thistles, the thorns, the tares,?we may read the law of condemnation; but from the beauty of natural things, and from their wonderful adaptation to our needs and our happiness, we may learn that God still loves us, that His mercy is yet manifested to the world.?{8T 256.3}[6]
§21
“诸天述说上帝的荣耀；穹苍传扬祂的手段。这日到那日发出言语；这夜到那夜传出知识。无言无语，也无声音可听”（诗19:1-3）。{8T 256.3}[7]
§22
“The heavens declare the glory of God;?And the firmament showeth His handiwork.?Day unto day uttereth speech,?And night unto night showeth knowledge.?There is no speech nor language,?Where their voice is not heard.”Psalm 19:1-3.?{8T 257.1}[7]
§23
【人没能解释自然】
§24
离了基督，我们仍不能正确地解读自然界的语言。人不得不学会的最难堪最羞辱的教训，就是自己依赖人的智慧是无效的，靠自己努力正确地解读自然界是必定失败的。人出于自己解释自然界就必将之置于上帝之上。他的处境就与雅典人的处境相似，他们在奉献用于敬拜自然界的祭坛中，有一个题着说：“未识之神”（徒17:23）。他们确实不认识上帝。凡没有那神圣“教师”指导而从事自然研究的人，都不认识祂。他们必会得出错误的结论。{8T 257.1}[8]
§25
【Man’s Failure to Interpret Nature】
§26
Apart from Christ we are still incapable of interpreting rightly the language of nature. The most difficult and humiliating lesson that man has to learn is his own inefficiency in depending upon human wisdom, and the sure failure of his efforts to read nature correctly. Of himself he cannot interpret nature without placing it above God. He is in a condition similar to that of the Athenians, who, amidst their altars dedicated to the worship of nature, had one inscribed: “To the unknown God.” God was indeed unknown to them. He is unknown to all who, without the guidance of the divine Teacher, take up the study of nature. They will assuredly come to wrong conclusions.?{8T 257.2}[8]
§27
世人本着人间的智慧不认识上帝。世上的智者从上帝的创造之工中收集了关于祂的不完全的知识；但这种知识远远没有使他们推崇关于上帝的概念，远远没能提拔人的心智与灵魂，使人完全与上帝的旨意一致，反而倾向于使人成为偶像崇拜者。他们因盲目而推崇自然和自然律在自然界的上帝之上。{8T 257.2}[9]
§28
In its human wisdom the world knows not God. Its wise men gather an imperfect knowledge of Him from His created works; but this knowledge, so far from giving them exalted conceptions of God, so far from elevating the mind and the soul, and bringing the whole being into conformity with His will, tends to make men idolaters. In their blindness they exalt nature and the laws of nature above nature’s God.?{8T 257.3}[9]
§29
上帝已允许在科学和艺术的发现上将大量的亮光倾照世界；但当自称为科学家的人们仅仅从人的观点思考这些题目时，他们就必犯错误。即使是最伟大的心智，若无上帝圣言的指导，也会在试图调查研究科学与启示的关系时迷失方向。创造主和祂的作为超过了他们的理解力；这些事既不能用自然律解释，他们就把圣经历史宣布为不可靠的。{8T 257.3}[10]
§30
God has permitted a flood of light to be poured upon the?world in the discoveries of science and art; but when professedly scientific men reason upon these subjects from a merely human point of view, they are sure to err. The greatest minds, if not guided by the word of God, become bewildered in their attempts to investigate the relations of science and revelation. The Creator and His works are beyond their comprehension; and because these cannot be explained by natural laws, Bible history is pronounced unreliable.?{8T 257.4}[10]
§31
凡质疑圣经记载之可靠性的人，是已放开了他们的锚碇，任由他们的航船撞在不信的暗礁上。当他们发现不能用自己不完全的科学知识测度创造主和祂的作为时，他们就质疑上帝的存在并将无穷的能力归于自然。{8T 258.1}[11]
§32
Those who question the reliability of the Scripture records have let go their anchor and are left to beat about upon the rocks of infidelity. When they find themselves incapable of measuring the Creator and His works by their own imperfect knowledge of science, they question the existence of God and attribute infinite power to nature.?{8T 258.1}[11]
§33
真科学和圣经的教训是没有矛盾的。因为它们出于同一位作者。对它们的正确理解总是会证明它们是和谐一致的。无论在自然界还是在启示上，真理本身在其所有表现上都是和谐一致的。然而没有受上帝之灵启迪的心智对于上帝能力的认识总是暗昧不明的。这就是为何人关于科学的想法往往与上帝圣言的教导相抵触的原因。{8T 258.2}[12]
§34
In true science there can be nothing contrary to the teaching of the word of God, for both have the same Author. A correct understanding of both will always prove them to be in harmony. Truth, whether in nature or in revelation, is harmonious with itself in all its manifestations. But the mind not enlightened by God’s Spirit will ever be in darkness in regard to His power. This is why human ideas in regard to science so often contradict the teaching of God’s word.?{8T 258.2}[12]
§35
【创造的工作】
§36
创造的工作是决不能用科学来解释的。有什么科学能解释生命的奥秘呢？{8T 258.3}[13]
§37
【The Work of Creation】
§38
The work of creation can never be explained by science. What science can explain the mystery of life??{8T 258.3}[13]
§39
上帝创造世界时并未创造物质之说是毫无根据的。上帝创造我们的世界，并未凭借原已存在的物质。反之，一切事物，不论是物质的或精神的，都随着主耶和华的话而出现，也都是因祂的旨意而受造的。天和天上的万象，地和地上的万物，不单是祂亲手的作为；也都是藉祂口中的气而成的。{8T 258.4}[14]
§40
The theory that God did not create matter when He brought the world into existence is without foundation. In the formation of our world, God was not indebted to pre-existing matter. On the contrary, all things, material or spiritual, stood up before the Lord Jehovah at His voice and?were created for His own purpose. The heavens and all the host of them, the earth and all things therein, are not only the work of His hand; they came into existence by the breath of His mouth.?{8T 258.4}[14]
§41
“我们因着信，就知道诸世界是藉上帝话造成的，这样，所看见的，并不是从显然之物造出来的”（来11:3）。[15]
§42
“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”?Hebrews 11:3.?{8T 259.1}[15]
§43
“诸天藉耶和华的命而造；万象藉祂口中的气而成……因为祂说有，就有；命立，就立”（诗33:6-9）。{8T 259.1}[16]
§44
“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made;?And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth....?He spake, and it was done;?He commanded, and it stood fast.”Psalm 33:6-9.?{8T 259.2}[16]
§45
【自然律】
§46
在论到物质的定律与自然界的定律一事上，许多人如果不是故意否认，便是忽视上帝继续不断的直接作为。据他们所表示的意见，认为自然界是独自行动而与上帝无关的，据其自有的范围及权力而工作。在他们的意识中，自然与超自然二者之间，有显著的区别。自然的事物归于一般的因果，而与上帝的权能无关。他们将生命之能归因于物质，并使自然成了神。他们以为物与物之间存有种种的相互关系，并依据各种固有的定律而运行，就是上帝自己也无法干预；自然界因赋有种种特性，并受各项定律之管制，而不得不服从这些定律，以执行其原始所命定的任务。{8T 259.2}[17]
§47
【Laws of Nature】
§48
In dwelling upon the laws of matter and the laws of nature, many lose sight of, if they do not deny, the continual and direct agency of God. They convey the idea that nature acts independently of God, having in and of itself its own limits and its own powers wherewith to work. In their minds there is a marked distinction between the natural and the supernatural. The natural is ascribed to ordinary causes, unconnected with the power of God. Vital power is attributed to matter, and nature is made a deity. It is supposed that matter is placed in certain relations and left to act from fixed laws with which God Himself cannot interfere; that nature is endowed with certain properties and placed subject to laws, and is then left to itself to obey these laws and perform the work originally commanded.?{8T 259.3}[17]
§49
这乃是虚伪的科学；在上帝的圣言中是毫无根据的。上帝并未废去祂所定的规律，乃是继续以之作为工具而使用。这些定律并不能自起作用。上帝不断地在自然界中运行。自然乃是祂的仆役，祂可按自已的意思指挥它。自然界的作用，无非是证明有一位全智全能的神在那里随自己的旨意安排主持并运行一切。大地之所以年年生产百物，而且绕日旋转不已的，并非靠赖大自然原有的能力。乃是那位无限权能者的手，在不息地引导这个行星。地球之所以维持它转动的方位，全赖乎上帝所时刻施展的大能。{8T 259.3}[18]
§50
This is false science; there is nothing in the word of God to sustain it. God does not annul His laws, but He is continually working through them, using them as His instruments. They are not self-working. God is perpetually at?work in nature. She is His servant, directed as He pleases. Nature in her work testifies of the intelligent presence and active agency of a being who moves in all His works according to His will. It is not by an original power inherent in nature that year by year the earth yields its bounties and continues its march around the sun. The hand of infinite power is perpetually at work guiding this planet. It is God’s power momentarily exercised that keeps it in position in its rotation.?{8T 259.4}[18]
§51
天上的上帝是工作不息的。草木的滋生繁盛，每一片树叶的产生，每一朵花儿的开放，都是上帝的神能使然，每一滴雨点，每一片雪花，每一茎草苗，以及一叶，一花，一木，都无不证明上帝的存在。我们四周所见的微物，也无不教训我们，任何事物都在无穷上帝的照顾之下，没有什么微小的事物是祂未予注意的。{8T 260.1}[19]
§52
The God of heaven is constantly at work. It is by His power that vegetation is caused to flourish, that every leaf appears and every flower blooms. Every drop of rain or flake of snow, every spire of grass, every leaf and flower and shrub, testifies of God. These little things so common around us teach the lesson that nothing is beneath the notice of the infinite God, nothing is too small for His attention.?{8T 260.1}[19]
§53
人体的机能是不能全部明了的；其间的神秘即使最有智慧的人也不能了解。心脏的跳动，气息的接续，并不是什么一经发动就能自行工作的机械作用。我们的生活，动作，存留，都在乎上帝。每一呼吸，每一心跳，都不断地证明无所不在之上帝的神能。{8T 260.2}[20]
§54
The mechanism of the human body cannot be fully understood; it presents mysteries that baffle the most intelligent. It is not as the result of a mechanism, which, once set in motion, continues its work, that the pulse beats and breath follows breath. In God we live and move and have our being. Every breath, every throb of the heart, is a continual evidence of the power of an ever-present God.?{8T 260.2}[20]
§55
那使太阳升在天空中的是上帝，那敞开天上的窗户使雨降在地上的也是祂。祂使草生长在山上。“祂降雪如羊毛，撒霜如炉灰。”“祂一发声，空中便有多水激动……祂造电随雨而闪，从祂府库中带出风来”（诗147:16；耶10:13）。{8T 260.3}[21]
§56
It is God that causes the sun to rise in the heavens. He opens the windows of heaven and gives rain. He causes the grass to grow upon the mountains. “He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes.” “When He uttereth His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; ...He maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of His treasures.”?Psalm 147:16;?Jeremiah 10:13.?{8T 260.3}[21]
§57
主是经常地运用并且维持祂所造的事物，正如使用仆役一般。基督也曾说：“我父作事直到如今，我也作事”（约5:17）。{8T 260.4}[22]
§58
The Lord is constantly employed in upholding and using?as His servants the things that He has made. Said Christ: “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”?John 5:17.?{8T 260.4}[22]
§59
【神能的奥秘】
§60
耶和华彰显在自然界的奥秘，即使世上最聪明的人，也不能了解。神圣的启示中含有许多问题，纵是最渊博的学者，也无法解答的。然而提出这些问题，并非要我们答复，而是要唤起我们注意上帝极深的奥秘，并教导我们知道自己的智慧是有限的，在我们日常生活环境中，有许多事物是我们这有限的心智所不能了解的。上帝的判断和旨意，难以探寻。祂的智慧无法测度。{8T 261.1}[23]
§61
【Mysteries of Divine Power】
§62
Men of the greatest intellect cannot understand the mysteries of Jehovah as revealed in nature. Divine inspiration asks many questions which the most profound scholar cannot answer. These questions were not asked that we might answer them, but to call our attention to the deep mysteries of God and to teach us that our wisdom is limited; that in the surroundings of our daily life there are many things beyond the comprehension of finite minds; that the judgment and purposes of God are past finding out. His wisdom is unsearchable.?{8T 261.1}[23]
§63
怀疑论者拒绝相信上帝，因为他们有限的心智，不能了解上帝将自己显示给人的无限神能。然而我们应当从上帝所未曾显示祂自己的事物上，较比从祂已向我们有限智力所显明的事物上，更加认识祂。在神圣的启示和自然界中，上帝向人显示祂的奥秘以博取他们的信仰，这是必然如此的。我们尽管永久探寻，永久追求，永久学习，仍是无穷无限的。“谁曾用手心量诸水，用手虎口量苍天，用升斗盛大地的尘土，用秤称山岭，用天平平冈陵呢？谁曾指示耶和华的灵，或作祂的谋士指教祂呢？……看哪，万民都象水桶的一滴，又算如天平上的微尘；祂举起众海岛，好像极微之物。“黎巴嫩的树林不够当柴烧；其中的走兽也不够作燔祭。万民在祂面前好像虚无，被祂看为不及虚无，乃为虚空。“你们究竟将谁比上帝，用什么形像与上帝比较呢？……你们岂不曾知道吗？你们岂不曾听见吗？从起初岂没有人告诉你们吗？自从立地的根基，你们岂没有明白吗？上帝坐在地球大圈之上；地上的居民好像蝗虫。祂铺张穹苍如幔子，展开诸天如可住的帐棚……那圣者说：你们将谁比我，叫他与我相等呢？你们向上举目，看谁创造这万象，按数目领出，祂一一称其名；因祂的权能，又因祂的大能大力，连一个都不缺。“雅各啊，你为何说，我的道路向耶和华隐藏？以色列啊，你为何言，我的冤屈上帝并不查问？你岂不曾知道吗？你岂不曾听见吗？永在的上帝耶和华，创造地极的主，并不疲乏，也不困倦；祂的智慧无法测度。疲乏的，祂赐能力；软弱的，祂加力量。就是少年人也要疲乏困倦；强壮的也必全然跌倒。但那等候耶和华的必从新得力。他们必如鹰展翅上腾；他们奔跑却不困倦，行走却不疲乏”（赛40:12-31）。{8T 261.2}[24]
§64
Skeptics refuse to believe in God because with their finite minds they cannot comprehend the infinite power by which He reveals Himself to men. But God is to be acknowledged more from what He does not reveal of Himself than from that which is open to our limited comprehension. Both in divine revelation and in nature, God has given to men mysteries to command their faith. This must be so. We may be ever searching, ever inquiring, ever learning, and yet there is an infinity beyond.“Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,?And meted out heaven with the span,?And comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure,?And weighed the mountains in scales,?And the hills in a balance??Who hath directed the Spirit of Jehovah,?Or being His counselor hath taught Him? . . .?Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket,?And are accounted as the small dust of the balance:?Behold, He taketh up the isles as a very little thing.?“And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn,?Nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.?All the nations are as nothing before Him;?They are accounted by Him as less than nothing, and vanity.“To whom then will ye liken God??Or what likeness will ye compare unto Him? ...?Have ye not known??Have ye not heard??Hath it not been told you from the beginning??Have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth??It is He that sitteth above the circle of the earth,?And the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers;?That stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain,?And spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in....?To whom then will ye liken Me,?That I should be equal to him??Saith the Holy One.?Lift up your eyes on high,?And see who hath created these,?That bringeth out their host by number;?He calleth them all by name;?By the greatness of His might, and for that He is strong in power,?Not one is lacking.?“Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel,?My way is hid from Jehovah,?And the justice due to me is passed away from my God??Hast thou not known??Hast thou not heard??The everlasting God, Jehovah,?The Creator of the ends of the earth,?Fainteth not, neither is weary,?There is no searching of His understanding.?He giveth power to the faint;?And to him that hath no might He increaseth strength.?Even the youths shall faint and be weary,?And the young men shall utterly fall:?But they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength;?They shall mount up with wings as eagles;?They shall run, and not be weary;?They shall walk, and not faint.”Isaiah 40:12-31, A. R. V.?{8T 262.3}[24]