大卫.史特劳斯(David Friedrich Strauss),在1835年出版的《基督生平批判研究》中总结道:“我们现在的研究结果,显然湮灭了基督徒过往相信的、关于救主耶稣基督最重要且最宝贵的部份,根除了基督徒从信仰获得的生命力的动机,使他一切的安慰都枯萎了。18个世纪以来喂养人类的真理与生命的无限宝库,似乎无可挽回地消散了。至高超然者变得与尘土同等。上帝的恩典、人类的尊严,皆被剥夺。天地之间的连结,也被切断了。”(注1)
若这些宣告与报导有虚构或错误,我们还能如此火热地发出赞美吗?正如我此处所见证的经历,若有任何虚构或错误,被读者得知,读者还会接受我的见证吗?恩师巴刻博士那句名言说得好,“神学的目的就是赞美上帝”(The purpose of theology is doxology)!他毕生捍卫“圣经无误”,正是因为“圣经无误”是我们认识上帝、赞美上帝的前提。若圣经有误,那我们信的基督是哪个基督?我们的火热,与北韩那些被愚弄而崇拜最高领袖的人,有何区别?被圣经感动,与被矫情小说感动,又有何区别?若圣经有误,我们每人随己意建构神学,又如何引导自己与别人敬拜三一真神呢?
注:
1. David Strauss, The Life of Jesus Critically Examined, Volume 3, trans. George Eliot (London: Continuum, 2005), 396. 笔者译。
2. J. I. Packer, Truth and Power: The Place of Scripture in the Christian Life (Downers Grove: IVP, 1999), 77. 笔者译。
3. Tertullian, Five Books Against Marcion, IV.ii. 笔者译。
4. 同上,IV.i.
5. Norman Geisler, Inerrancy (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1980), 310. 笔者译。
6. 例:J. K. S. Reid, The Authority of Scripture: A Study of the Reformation and Post-Reformation Understanding of the Bible (London: Methuen, 1957), 72.
7. Julius Kostlin, The Theology of Luther in its Historical Development and Inner Harmony, 2 Volumes, trans. Charles Hay (Philadelphia: Lutheran Publication Society, 1897).
8. 例:Adolf von Harnack, Outlines of the History of Dogma, trans. Edwin Mitchell (Boston: Beacon Press, 1957), 561f.
9. WA, 2. 618. 笔者译。
10. Heinrich Bullinger, “Die Erste Dekade,” in Heinrich Bullingers Hausbuch: Eine Untersuchung über die Anfänge der reformierten Predigtliteratur, ed. W. Hollweg (Gießen: Münchowsche Universitätsdruckerei, 1956), p. 365. 笔者译。
11. Institutes 3.2.6. 笔者译。英译:“It is not even enough to believe that God is trustworthy, who can neither deceive nor lie, unless you hold to be beyond doubt that whatever proceeds from him is sacred and inviolable truth.”
12. 例:Jack B. Rogers, Scripture in the Westminster Confession: A Problem of Historical Interpretation for American Presbyterianism (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1967).
13. The Works of John Flavel, Vol. 4 (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1968), 144. 笔者译。
14. Practical Works of Richard Baxter, Volume 4 (London: John Childs and Sons), 74. 笔者译。
15. 同上。
16. 见John Locke, The Reasonableness of Christianity in Works, Volume 6 (London: Rivington, 1824).
17. T. F. Torrance, Space, Time and Resurrection (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1976), 2.
18. Die Kirchliche Dogmatik I/1, 55; 英译 55。笔者译。
19. 同上, 113; 英译 119-120。笔者译。“Die Bibel wird also Gottes Wort in diesem Ereignis”;英译:“The Bible, then, becomes God’s Word in this event.”