這是我們的立場:一個福音派關於婚姻的聲明

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(蔡少琪 譯)

【 «時代論壇» 編按:美國最高法院於六月廿六日通過全美同性婚姻合法化,超過一百位當地福音派領袖於同日對此發出公開聲明,蔡少琪牧師翻譯後投稿;有關聲明的英文版本請參閱
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2015/june-web-only/here-we-stand-evangelical-declaration-on-marriage.htmlhttp://erlc.com/erlc/herewestand。 】

道德和宗教自由委員會召集下一個有多元背景的福音派基督徒領袖聯盟發表了以下聲明:

一、作為福音派的基督徒,我們不同意法院對婚姻定義的修改的裁決。

國家沒有創造家庭,也不應該按照自己的形象重新創造家庭。我們不能在婚姻的事上投降,因為聖經的權威要求我們不可以。最高法院對婚姻重新定義裁決的結果似乎代表了半個世紀裡婚姻衰落的結果——藉著離婚、同居和幾乎沒有限制的性自由的世界觀。最高法院的行為對一個已經很動盪的社會結構構成無法估量的風險,會疏遠那些對婚姻有信念的人,這些信念是來自深厚的聖經信念和對公共利益的關心。

二、聖經清楚教導持久有效的真理:婚姻是由一男一女組成的。

從創世記到啟示錄,聖經的權威見證合乎聖經的婚姻是獨特地建立於男人與女人的互補性。這真理是不能討價還價的。主耶穌自己說,婚姻是從開始就有的(太19:4-6),所以沒有人的組織有權重新定義婚姻,正如沒有人的組織能有權重新定義福音,而婚姻奇妙地反映福音的奧秘(弗5:32)。最高法院的裁決重新定義婚姻顯明了他們犯了錯誤的判斷,漠視歷史和無數文明已經傳遞給我們的。但它也代表一個後果:就是福音派信徒自己(很哀傷地)也不能逃避責任,也不是完全沒有罪責。很多時候,自稱福音派的信徒沒有活出我們理想的榜樣,就是我們非常珍惜和相信,並也是關乎福音傳播的榜樣。

三、福音派的教會一定要忠於聖經對婚姻的見證,無論文化會如何改變。

福音派教會在美國現在發現自己處於一個新的道德處境下,這呼召我們要在一個越來越對聖經性倫理敵視的環境裡服侍。這在教會的歷史上並不是新的。從她最初開始,無論是落在社會邊緣或站在有影響的地位裡,教會是被福音定義的。我們堅持福音帶給所有人好消息,無論文化如何看待這信息是好與否。

四、福音必須指導我們如何向公眾作見證。

福音派信徒被福音引導的。這福音指出,神藉著祂的兒子耶穌的生、死和復活,向世人提供和好。我們決心:

1. 尊重在上掌權者,並為他們禱告,並努力以民主過程重建婚姻的文化(羅13:1-7)
2. 教導聖經婚姻觀的真理:對一個性分裂文化帶來醫治
3. 確認聖經原則,就是所有人包括不同性取向的人都是按照神的形象被造的,他們應得到合宜的尊嚴和尊重
4. 愛我們的鄰舍,無論彼此之間關於婚姻的立場有多大的分歧
5. 為了公眾利益,要有尊嚴地和文明地與我們有分歧的人彼此好好相處
6. 培養一個共同的宗教自由文化:容許我們能有自由去活出和相信不同的信念。

五、婚姻定義的修訂不應該帶來對宗教自由的蠶食。

在未來的年日,福音派的組織可能被施壓要犧牲他們對婚姻和性的神聖信念,為要容納文化和法律的要求。若要不違背我們的良心和不放棄福音,我們沒有選擇,我們不能同意這些要求。我們不會容許政府強迫或侵犯福音派組織的權利,就是堅持神聖信念,就是只有男女結合的才能建立婚姻。

六、耶穌基督的福音決定我們事奉的內容和表達。

基督信仰的神學看她關於婚姻的教導是恆久的和不改變的,並因此我們一定要站穩在這信仰上。憤怒和恐慌不是那些對作王的基督耶穌的應許有信心的人的反應。當我們相信最高法院在她的裁決裡犯了錯,我們承諾堅定不移地堅守我們的信念,忠實地見證聖經關於婚姻的教導,就是婚姻是社會的中流砥柱,旨在團結男人、女人和兒童。我們承諾會宣告和活出這真理,無論要付出多大的代價,並有堅定的信念,帶著仁慈和慈愛去交流這真理。

(譯者按:聲明裡,有以下領袖的名字,有很多神學院的院長,宗派和機構的領袖,不少主任牧師和名教授的:B Vines, Afshin Ziafat, Alistair Begg, Andrew T. Walker, Bart Barber, Bruce Frank, Bruce Riley Ashford, Bryan Carter, Bryan Chapell, Bryan Loritts, Bryant Wright, Carmen Fowler LaBerge, Christine Hoover, Christopher Yuan, Clint Pressley, Collin Hansen, D.A. Carson, D.A. Horton, Daniel Darling, Daniel Patterson, Danny Akin, David E. Prince, David French, David Jeremiah, David S. Dockery, David Platt, David Uth, Dean Inserra, Dennis Rainey, Eric Teetsel, Erwin W. Lutzer, Fred Luter, Gabriel Salguero, H.B. Charles Jr., Heath Lambert, Hunter Baker, James MacDonald, J.P. Moreland, J.D. Greear, J.I. Packer, Jason Allen, Jeff Iorg, Jim Daly, Jimmy Scroggins, John Bradosky, John Stonestreet, Johnny Hunt, Jonathan Leeman, Juan R. Sanchez, Jr., Justin Taylor, Karen Swallow Prior, Ken Whitten, Kevin DeYoung, Kevin Ezell, Kevin Smith, Mark Dever, Marvin Olasky, Matt Carter, Matt Chandler, Matthew Lee Anderson, Mike Cosper, Mike Glenn, Naghmeh Abedini, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Nathan Lino, Owen Strachan, Paul Nyquist, Phillip Bethancourt, R. Albert Mohler, Jr., Ramon Osorio, Randy Alcorn, Ray Ortlund, Richard D. Land, Richard Mouw, Robert Sloan, Roger Spradlin, Ron Sider, Ronnie Floyd, Rosaria Butterfield, Russell Moore, Sam Storms, Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver, Samuel Rodriguez, Thomas White, Timothy George, Todd Wagner, Tommy Nelson Sr., Tony Evans, Tony Merida, Tory Baucum, Trillia Newbell, Trip Lee, Vance Pitman)

(譯者注:道德和宗教自由委員會Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission是美南浸信會的一個委員會,他們的網頁提供了不少回應文章;參 http://erlc.com/erlc/scotus。)

(原載《時代論壇》2015-06-27; http://christiantimes.org.hk/Common/Reader/News/ShowNews.jsp?Nid=90027&Pid=1&Version=0&Cid=837&Charset=big5_hkscs

 

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簽署人:(http://erlc.com/erlc/herewestand)

Russell Moore, President, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
Jim Daly, President, Focus on the Family
R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Jeff Iorg, President, Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary
David Platt, President, International Mission Board
Ronnie Floyd, President, Southern Baptist Convention | Senior Pastor, Cross Church
Frank Page, President and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee
Danny Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
David S. Dockery, President, Trinity International University/Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Jack Graham, Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church
Tony Evans, Senior Pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship
Robert Sloan, President, Houston Baptist University
Barrett Duke, Vice President for Public Policy and Research and Director of the Research Institute, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
Matt Chandler, Lead Teaching Pastor, The Village Church
Jose Abella, Pastor, Providence Road Church, Miami
Raudel Hernandez, Pastor, Summit Español Raleigh, NC
Felix Cabrera, Pastor, Iglesia Bautista Central, Oklahoma City
Jack Graham, Pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church
Edgar Aponte, Director of Hispanic Leadership Development, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Samuel Rodriguez, President, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Jason Duesing, Provost, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Jeffrey K. Jue, Provost, Westminster Theological Seminary
Kevin Smith, Teaching Pastor, Highview Baptist Church
Paul David Tripp, Pastor, Author, and International Conference Speaker
Dean Inserra, Lead Pastor, City Church, Tallahassee
John Stonestreet, Speaker and Fellow, The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview
Ramon Osorio, Hispanic National Church Mobilizer, North American Mission Board
Jimmy Scroggins, Lead Pastor, Family Church, West Palm Beach
Jackie Hill Perry, Writer, Speaker, Artist
Greg Laurie, Senior Pastor, Harvest Christian Fellowship
Trip Lee, Rapper, singer, poet and author
Denny Burk, Professor of Biblical Studies, Boyce College
Paul Chitwood, Executive Director, Kentucky Baptist Convention
J. Ligon Duncan III, Chancellor & CEO, John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary
H.B. Charles Jr., Pastor-Teacher, Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church
D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
David E. Prince, Assistant Professor of Christian Preaching, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
A.B Vines, Senior Pastor, New Seasons Church
Mike Cosper, Pastor of Worship and Arts, Sojourn Community Church
Nathan Lino, Lead Pastor, Northeast Houston Baptist Church
Heath Lambert, Executive Director, Association of Certified Biblical Counselors
Tony Merida, Pastor for Preaching, Imago Dei Church
Clint Pressley, Pastor, Hickory Grove Baptist Church
Vance Pitman, Senior Pastor, Hope Church, Las Vegas
Bruce Riley Ashford, Provost, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Phillip Bethancourt, Executive Vice President, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
Jonathan Leeman, Editorial Director, 9Marks
Thomas White, President, Cedarville University
Karen Swallow Prior, Professor of English, Liberty University
Jason Allen, President, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Rosaria Butterfield, Author and Speaker
J.D. Greear, Pastor, The Summit Church
Collin Hansen, Editorial Director, The Gospel Coalition
Eric M. Mason, Lead Pastor, Epiphany Fellowship Church
Eric Teetsel, Executive Director, Manhattan Declaration
Andrew T. Walker, Director of Policy Studies, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
Daniel Patterson, Chief of Staff, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
Daniel Darling, Vice-President of Communications, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
Trillia Newbell, Director of Community Outreach, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
David French, National Review
Paul Nyquist, President and CEO, Moody Bible Institute
Kevin Ezell, President, North American Mission Board
Roger Spradlin, Senior Pastor, Valley Baptist Church, Bakersfield, Calif.
Carmen Fowler LaBerge, President, Presbyterian Lay Committee
Tommy Nelson, Senior Pastor, Denton Bible Church
J. P. Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Biola University
Bryant Wright, Senior Pastor, Johnson Ferry Baptist Church
Matthew Lee Anderson, Lead Writer, Mere Orthodoxy
Gabriel Salguero, President, National Latino Evangelical Coalition
Bruce Frank, Senior Pastor, Biltmore Baptist Church
Afshin Ziafat, Lead Pastor, Providence Church, Frisco, Texas
David Jeremiah, Senior Pastor, Shadow Mountain Community Church
Christine Hoover, Author
Jim Baucom, Senior Pastor, Columbia Baptist Church
Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver, President, Union University
James MacDonald, Senior Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel
Juan R. Sanchez, Jr., Senior Pastor, High Pointe Baptist Church, Austin, Texas
David Uth, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Orlando
Timothy George, Dean and Professor of Divinity, Beeson Divinity School
Alistair Begg, Senior Pastor, Parkside Church
Naghmeh Abedini
Steve Gaines, Pastor, Bellevue Baptist Church
Richard Mouw, Professor of Faith and Public Life, Fuller Seminary
Ron Sider, Senior Distinguished Professor of Theology, Holistic Ministry and Public Policy, Palmer Seminary at Eastern University
Randy Alcorn, Director, Eternal Perspectives Ministries
Kevin DeYoung, Senior Pastor, University Reformed Church
Justin Taylor, Author and Blogger
Dennis Rainey, President, FamilyLife Today
Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Revive our Hearts
Ray Ortlund, Lead Pastor, Immanuel Nashville
John Bradosky, Presiding Bishop, North American Lutheran Church
Matt Carter, Pastor of Preaching and Vision, The Austin Stone Community Church
Owen Strachan, President, The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Richard D. Land, President, Southern Evangelical Seminary
Sam Storms, Lead Pastor for Preaching and Vision, Bridgeway Church
Bart Barber, Pastor, First Baptist Church of Farmersville
Hunter Baker, Associate Professor of Political Science and Dean of Instruction, Union University
Bryan Chapell, Senior Pastor, Grace Presbyterian Church
J.I. Packer, Board of Governors’ Professor, Theology Regent College
Erwin W. Lutzer, Senior Pastor, The Moody Church
D.A. Horton, Director of ReachLife Ministries, National Coordinator for Urban Student Missions
Mark Dever, Senior Pastor, Capitol Hill Baptist Church
Fred Luter, Pastor, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church
Bryan Loritts, Pastor of Preaching and Mission, Trinity Grace Church, Kainos Movement
Mike Glenn, Senior Pastor, Brentwood Baptist Church
Johnny Hunt, Pastor, First Baptist Church of Woodstock
Ken Whitten, Senior Pastor, Idlewild Baptist Church
Marvin Olasky, Editor-in-chief, WORLD Magazine
Todd Wagner, Senior Pastor, Watermark Church
Christopher Yuan, Speaker, Author, Bible teacher
Tory Baucum, Rector, Truro Anglican Church
Bryan Carter, Pastor, Concord Church
Ron Johnson, Senior Pastor, Village Bible Church
Mac Brunson, Pastor, First Baptist Church Jacksonville
Trey Brunson, First Baptist Church Jacksonville
Ray Pritchard, President, Keep Believing Ministries
Erik Reed, Pastor, Journey Church
Nathan Finn, Dean of the School of Theology and Missions and Professor of Christian Thought and Tradition, Union University

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