 This is a story of creation that does not ignore science.
According to the Bible, there has always been one God, the source and end of all things. This God is the Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit), the Creator of our time and space. Out of nothing, God created the universe. As described in the Big Bang, a smaller-than-a-proton component exploded, expanding trillions and trillions of times, and gradually cooled into matter, all as hot gases. Then stars were formed. Some stars exploded and generated stardust, the basic elements of life. Around one of the stars (the sun), earth was formed. With the right amount of light and heat from the sun, earth gave birth to all kinds of plants and creatures. Based on God’s divine plan, one unique creature appeared. They were humans, with consciousness. God breathed into this creature, and they knew God. They could love and worship God, and they knew themselves. God considered this creature to be His image on earth, to rule over and take care of the earth. God saw all that He had made, and it was very good (Genesis 1:31). Over time, humans grew, accumulating knowledge and understanding. Unfortunately, this magnificent creature rebelled and wanted more. They envied and mistrusted their Creator, leading to alienation and destruction of all kinds. But the Creator loved them and would not let go. He wanted to be their God and dwell among them. God chose Abraham and his descendants to be light among nations. But sins continued to spread. To bring salvation to them, God the Son, Christ, came on earth. Through Christ, humans can be restored from decay and back into their true identity, as children of God and as image bearers of God (Romans 8:19-21, 2 Corinthians 3:18). Through Christ, one day, God’s creation will be restored, things made new, with humans shining in their full and true humanity. This is the wonderful news that gives salvation and hope to all who live in the light of God. Summary of a talk by Leonard J. Vander Zee: https://biologos.org/resources/the-big-story-from-stardust-to-the-new-creation  Is Christian faith irrational? No. Otherwise, how can we love God with our whole mind? (Matthew 22:37). Let’s look at a few common questions.
Is the concept of an intelligent designer, with power beyond nature, reasonable? Yes, because: (a) Look at our universe.
(b) Humans are born with a sense of right and wrong (moral laws). Such laws exist throughout all civilizations, though details depend on the society.
How about evolution? God’s creation could include evolution. Many creatures’ genomes provide compelling evidence of their shared ancestry. Complex designs were formed through gradual changes over time, driven by natural selection. Perhaps, after evolution had prepared humans with sufficient neurological brains, God gifted humanity with a soul and the ability to choose, making humans in His image. Unfortunately, we choose to disobey God and violate the moral laws, estranging ourselves from Him. For Christians, Jesus is the solution to our rebellion. Do Genesis chapters 1 and 2 contradict evolution? Regarding the first two chapters, we need to consider the author’s intent and the audience. Maybe they should be read as mystical or poetic documents, but not as scientific documents. Just reading them literally, one finds two different creation stories in the two chapters. In Genesis 1:9-31, plants came much earlier before humans. But in Genesis 2:4-9, humans came before plants and farmed the soil for plants to grow. Since even on their face there are contradictions, we may not want to use science to explain them. Summarized from a talk by Francis Collins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGu_VtbpWhE&feature=youtu.be 神存在吗？进化论又如何？ 基督教信仰是非理性的吗? 如果是的话，我们如何用我们所有的思维爱上帝呢？马太福音22:37。让我们看一些常见的问题。 自然界以外存在智能力量是合理的吗? 是合理的, 因为: (a) 看看我们的宇宙 •大约140亿年前，一种力量（大爆炸）开始了我们的宇宙, 开始了时空。 •满足简单数学定律的宇宙具有15个精确的物理常数，例如光速和重力常数。如果我们稍微改变其中一个，宇宙就不会存在。 •如此惊人而精确的东西不应该能无中生有。 (b) 人天生具有对与错感（道德法则）。虽然这些法则的细节取决于不同的社会，但在所有社会中它们都存在。 有些人解释道德法则和利他主义是为了我们的存在。例如，您希望您的家庭和您的基因得以连续。如果是这样，我们应该对局外人怀有敌意。但是，利他主义者如德兰修女会照顾和自己完全不同的人。 这道德法则不应无中生有。基督徒相信它们是来自我们的创造者。 但是人类不断地违反道德法则。 如果大能上帝创造道德法则，而我们不断地违反它们，那我们应该陷入大麻烦。 基督教解释说，自称为神的基督, 通过祂的牺牲, 为我们的错付出了代价。 进化论又如何解释？ 上帝的创造可包括进化。 许多不同生物有共同基因组祖先. 这提供了令人对进化论信服的证据。由自然选择的驱动, 随着时间的推移, 一些非常复杂的生物逐渐演变而来。 进化为人类提供了足够的神经系统的大脑之后，上帝便赋予了人类灵魂和自由的意志。那时，人类获得了一种特殊的地位--有了上帝的形象。 不幸的是，我们用自由意志违背道德法则, 背叛上帝, 与祂疏离。对于基督徒来说，耶稣是我们叛逆的解决方案。 创世记第一和二章与进化论有矛盾吗？ 关于创世记第一和二章，我们需要考虑作者的意图和听众。 也许我们应该将其视为玄妙的或诗意的文件, 而非科学的文件。 按字面这两章已经有冲突, 有两个不同的创造故事。在创世记1:9-31中, 植物的创造比人类早很多。但在创世记2:4-9, 人类被创造后，耕种土壤才让植物生长。既然甚至在字面上它们已经存有矛盾，我们可能不应该用科学来分析创世记第一和二章。  Let’s try to understand some attributes of our Trinity God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19, 1Peter 1:2, and 2Corinthians13:13.
The Trinity cooperates and shares work. For example, regarding both the creation of the universe and the salvation, Father designed, Son realized, and Holy Spirit supports. Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1-3. The Trinity shows the importance of fellowship. Does God predestine and know everything? Do we have freewill? If God has predestined everything, He should have predestined us good, and not have to suffer through crucifixion. Instead, our outcome depends on our choices. Israelites could choose obedience leading to blessing, or disobedience leading to curse. Deut 28. If God knows everything, why did He pick Job to be His witness before Satan? Remember Job missed the mark. But God knew we would fail and planned for His sacrifice to save us. If God knows our needs, should we still pray and ask? Yes, because through our asking and His response, God can build a more intimate relationship with us. James 4:2-3. Matthew 21:22. If we have special faith, we could even have abnormal request. However, we should couple asking with giving thanks. Out of our human nature, we ask. Out of us being God’s beloved children, we give thank because we know even if we do not get what we ask, God has better things prepared for us. Phil 4:6. Did Christ make mistakes when He grew from a baby and was tempted? John 1:14; Hebrews 4:15. No. He was born, led, and protected by Holy Spirit. The Father and Holy Spirit were with Him. Also, Christ loves following God’s wishes. John 4:34. We can be more like Christ by loving and following God, and being protected by Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit is explained in John 14-16 and Romans 8. Through Christ, the Father sent us Holy Spirit, who teaches, comforts, and helps us, such as conquering the flesh. John 14:16, 26. Romans 8:2-3. Our flesh cannot control us anymore because of Christ. Romans 6:22, 8:12. When tempted by our flesh, we can experience the power of Holy Spirit. Romans 8:11. If we still let the flesh dictate us, we will be enemies of God and die in sin. Romans 8:7, 8:13. But if we follow and set our mind on Holy Spirit, we will live in Christ. Summarized from a sermon by 溫偉耀博士 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58r7_Y2pmPI 体验三位一体的神 让我们尝试了解三位一体的神 （天父，圣子和圣灵）的一些属性（马太福音28:19；彼得1：2；和哥林多前书13:13）。 三位一体分工合作。 比如关于宇宙和救恩，天父的责任是设计，圣子是实现而圣灵是支持 (创世记1：1和约翰福音1：1-3)。 三位一体显示了友谊和合夥的重要性。 上帝预定并且知道一切吗？ 我们有自由的意志吗？ 如果上帝注定一切，那么祂可以注定我们成为好人，而祂不必遭受钉十字架的苦。 相反地，我们的结果基于我们自己的选择。以色列人可以选择顺服而得到祝福，或者选择违抗而得到诅咒 (申命记28)。 如果上帝预知一切，祂为什么要让约伯为祂向撒但做见证？ 记得约伯达不到上帝的标准吗? 但无论如何上帝是知道我们会失败，并计划祂的牺牲来拯救我们。 如果上帝知道我们的需求，那么我们仍然必要向祂祷告祈求吗? 我们还是需要的， 因为通过我们的祈求和祂的回应，上帝可以与我们建立更亲密的关系（雅各书4：2-3；马太福音21:22）。如果我们有特殊信心，我们甚至可以有异常的要求。 不过， 要将祈求和感谢联合在一起。 出于人的本性，我们提出要求。 出于我们是神挚爱的孩子，我们谢恩, 因为就算我们得不到所求，我们知道慈爱的上帝必定会为我们提供更好的安排（腓立比书4：6）。 基督在世上从婴儿到受诱惑, 祂有没有犯过错? （约翰福音1:14；希伯来书4:15）。 祂没有。因为祂是由圣灵所生，被圣灵领导和保护。天父和圣灵与基督同在。另外，基督也喜欢遵循上帝的意愿(约翰福音4:34）。我们可以通过爱上帝与跟随上帝，并受到圣灵的保护而更像基督。 约翰福音从第14到第16章，及罗马书第8章解释圣灵。通过基督，天父差遣了圣灵给我们。圣灵教导，安慰并帮助我们, 例如帮助我们战胜肉体 (约翰福音14:16，26；罗马书8：2-3)。 因为基督, 我们不再被肉体的诱惑控制（罗马书6:22，8:12）。当我们被肉体诱惑时，我们可以体验圣灵的力量(罗马书8:11）。 如果我们仍然让肉体控制，我们将是上帝的敌人，死在罪恶中（罗马书8：7，8:13）。 但是，如果我们跟随并将我们的心放在圣灵上，我们将会活在基督里。  During the time of the New Testament, Corinth was a place of high culture and fast living. Whatever one did was no one else’s business. This led to rampant and unfettered sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:12).
To them, food was for the stomach and the stomach was for food. Both were temporary, similar to body and sex. Another idea was that body and spirit were separate and unaffected by each other. This led to some people only focusing on the mind, while others focused only on the body. Paul disagreed with such beliefs and behavior. He considered our spirit tightly integrated with our body, one significantly influencing the other (1 Corinthians 6:15-20). To him, the body was not meant for sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:13). Our current culture idolizes sex. In 2009, Atlantic reported that more than 90% of Billboard top 10 songs had messages on sex. Some people are even considered inferior if not actively involved in sex, with being celibate or single as boring, broken, and abnormal. But our culture also despises and stigmatizes sex. Some consider the media evil for promoting casual and consequence-free sex. Others blame pornography for causing distorted views on sex and leading to women being sexually assaulted. What should be our attitude towards sex? For Christians, the key is not sex. The key is our identity. We are valuable to God. God sacrificed Himself to wash away our iniquities and to make us holy. Such wonderful gifts were bought at a very high price (1 Corinthians 6:11, 19, 20; Philippians 1:6). Understanding our value is paramount. Sex should not be idolized or stigmatized. It is God’s design and therefore good. It is a gift for marriage. Having said that, being single is wonderful also (1 Corinthians 7). In the 1500 years after Christ, singles sat before the married in church gatherings, illustrating the importance of the singles. Both being married and staying single can be blessed. The key is our identity in Christ. Having been bought at a hefty price, we aren’t our own anymore. We should live a life to glorify God and honor Him with our bodies. God’s ways and designs far exceed ours. Follow Christ and we will flourish. Summarized from a sermon by Nicole Unice: https://menlo.church/series/thats-a-great-question#/modal/message/4946/mlo 上帝反对性欲吗？ 在新约时期，Corinth是一个有高度文化，生活繁荣的地方。无论一个人做什么，都不关别人的事。 这导致猖獗的不道德性行为，没有任何禁忌 （哥林多前书6:12）。 对他们来说，食物是為了肚子，肚子是為了食物。 两者都是暂时性的, 相似身体和性欲。 另一种想法是身体和心灵是分开的，一方不影响另一方。 这导致一部分的人完全专注于精神/心灵，而另一部分的人完全专注于肉体。 保罗不同意这样的信念和行为。他认为我们的心灵与我们的肉体紧密结合在一起，一方对另一方影响很大 （哥林多前书6：15-20）。对他来说，身体不应用于不道德的性行为 （哥林多前书6:13）。 我们现在的文化将性视为偶像，视为极重要的。Atlantic报告说，2009年 Billboard前10首歌曲中有90％以上都带有性爱信息。有些人认为性生活不活跃的人是低等的; 独身或单身的人是无聊，残破和异常的。 但我们的文化也鄙视和诬蔑性欲。有些人认为媒体邪恶因为它们鼓励滥交。有些人责备色情行业歪曲对性的观点，导致妇女受到性侵犯，造成长期创伤后遗症。 基督徒对性欲的态度应该是什么? 对于基督徒, 关键不是性欲。关键是我们的身份。 我们对上帝是非常宝贵的。 上帝牺牲自己来洁净我们的罪孽，使我们成为圣洁。通过这牺牲，我们被接纳成为上帝的儿女，与天父一起到永恒。祂付出高昂的代价使我们得到如此美好的礼物 （哥林多前书6：11,19,20；腓1：6）。 了解我们的地位以及我们为什么能到达那里是非常重要的。 至于性欲，它不应该被偶像化或被鄙视。它是上帝好的设计, 是结婚的礼物。 话虽如此，单身也很棒 （哥林多前书7）。基督之后的1500年里，在教堂聚会中，单身人士坐在已婚者前面, 显示着单身人士的重要性。已婚与单身都同样得到祝福。 因此，关键是我们在基督里的身份。我们是以高价购买的。所以我们不再是我们自己了。我们应该活出荣耀祂的生活。以身体尊敬神。上帝的方式和设计远远超过我们的方式。 跟随基督吧，那么我们也将活得丰盛。  Suffering is pervasive. As history progresses, we experience different forms of suffering. For example, in Medieval days, half of all children died before age 10. Now, with advances in technology, education, and lifestyle, our suffering is more often mental rather than physical. To illustrate, our anxiety towards suffering may have intensified.
Sometimes, we bring suffering onto ourselves with careless decision-making, but often our suffering can seem senseless—the loss of a loved one, natural disasters. The 2004 tsunami, comparable to the power of 550M Hiroshima atomic bomb, killed nearly 250,000 people. Why do these things happen? If God is good and all-powerful, why doesn’t He prevent them? The Bible is filled with writers protesting to God on sufferings, particularly what they considered the sufferings unjustified. Yet the Bible doesn’t explain why there is suffering, other than the world is broken and cursed. How do we cope with it? First, know that our God understands suffering due to His personal experience. Christ went through the ultimate unjustified suffering: tortured, nailed on the cross, left totally alone, and even forsaken by His Father. The resurrected body still carried the scars of the nails, revealing a wounded God. Second, know that God suffers with us. Christ wept when His friends suffered (John 11:33-35). His love is always with us. Christians never suffer alone and are encouraged to seek comfort in friendship with one another. Third, know that there is hope. Christ shows the ultimate hope at His resurrection. One day, He will wipe all tears. Paul described his suffering on earth as light and momentary because eternal glory far outweighed his temporary pain (2 Corinthians 4:16-17). Finally, think beyond yourself. Help the least (Matthew 25:40-46) and suffer with those who suffer. Then we share Christ’s suffering and will share His glory (Romans 8:16-17). Though the Bible does not explain why there is suffering, we know our God understands suffering, and He suffers with us. One day, Christ will heal all wounds. We must learn to help others even in the midst of our own suffering. Summarized from a John Ortberg sermon: https://menlo.church/series/thats-a-great-question#/modal/message/4972/mlo 为什么上帝允许这么多的苦难？ 痛苦是无处不在。随着历史的发展，我们经历不同形式的苦难。例如，在中世纪时期，有50％的儿童在10岁之前死亡。现在，随着科技，教育和生活方式的进步，我们肉体的痛苦减少了，但精神上却没有。比如，我们对苦难的忧虑可能增加了。 有些痛苦是我们做成的，例如超速驾驶导致的意外。但大多数的苦难我们不了解。2004年的海啸相当于550M广岛原子弹的能量，造成近25万人丧生。又譬如我们深爱的人之死。为什么这么多苦难？ 许多人想，如果祂不能停止不合理的苦难，那祂是否还是全能的; 又或者祂是否好和善良如果祂允许不合理的苦难。 圣经中充满了作家向上帝申诉苦难，特别是他们认为那些苦难是没有道理的。 但是，圣经没有解释为什么有苦难，除了世界是破碎和被诅咒的。 那么我们如何应对苦难？ 首先，要知道我们的神了解苦难因为祂自己也受过苦的经历。 基督经历了终极没有道理的痛苦. 祂受的痛苦完全不是因为祂的错。 祂被折磨，孤单地钉在十字架上，甚至被父神抛弃。祂复活的身体仍然带有疤痕，露出受伤的上帝。 其次，要知道上帝是与我们一起受苦。当祂的朋友受苦时, 基督哭泣。祂的爱与理解永远伴随着我们。基督徒不会一个人受苦的。 如果我们可以与他人分享我们的痛苦，那么我们的痛苦会减轻。因此，尝试建立友谊，以免我们独自遭受苦难。 第三，要知道有希望。基督的复活显示出最终的希望。有一天，祂会擦干我们所有的眼泪。保罗将自己在世上的痛苦描述为轻微而瞬间的，因为永恒的荣耀远远超过了他短暂的痛苦 （哥林多后书 4：16-17）。 最后，我们应该想远点，不要只关注自己。帮助卑微的（马太福音25：40-46），并与那些受苦的人一起受苦。那么我们可分享基督的痛苦，也能分享祂的荣耀 （罗马书8：16-17）。 尽管圣经没有解释为什么有苦难，但我们知道我们的上帝理解并且与我们一同受苦。我们也知道基督有一天会治愈所有的创伤。因此，即使我们在痛苦中，也要学会帮助他人。  Having passion for what is good can be a virtue. Some attribute the Christian zeal to always considering themselves being right, and even to the violent crusade. Is that true? Are zealous Christians intolerant of other faiths?
Numbers 25 describes a period of time when many Israelites were unfaithful to their wives and slept with Canaanite women, leading them to idolatry and Israel’s eventual decay. To address God’s anger, Moses demanded death to the Israelites who were ardent followers of the Canaanite gods (Numbers 25:4-5). While Moses and the people were weeping, an Israelite took a Canaanite woman into his tent in full view of Moses. At once the priest Phinehas went in and speared them to death. God commended Phinehas twice for being zealous for His honor (Numbers 25:10-13). The word zealous took on a life of its own. Around 200BC, Maccabees defeated the Syrians, freeing the Israelites. Hanukkah commemorates this event, and Maccabees was praised for his zeal. As God reveals more of Himself to us, we advance in our understanding of Him. He reveals Himself to us through the life of Christ. When Christ was crucified, He didn’t spear His persecutors. Instead, He took a spear from them. Christ shows that zeal for God leads to loving and suffering for our enemies even to the point of death, so as to help them. We should follow Christ. The term zealots was used to describe a group of Jews fighting the Romans. One of them was Saul (later known as Paul), who zealously persecuted the Christians (Galatians 1:13-14, Philippians 3:6). After his transformation by Christ, Paul realized he previously didn’t know God (Acts 9:1-5). Paul described the danger of zeal without true knowledge (Romans 10:2). Such zeal could lead to severe cruelty in the name of God. Remember Christ’s most vivid condemnations were against the religious leaders at that time. We should ground our zeal on solid and true knowledge. Then our zeal will bless and not curse those who persecute us (Romans 12:11, 14). So, we should listen to, learn from, and share with those of a different faith. Don’t just tolerate, but respect and honor them, so that Muslims, Buddhists, Jews, and Christians may come to know Christ. Summarized from a sermon by John Ortberg: https://menlo.church/series/thats-a-great-question#/modal/message/4919/mlo 基督教能容忍其他信仰吗？ 对好的东西充满热情可以是一种美德。那么狂热的基督徒呢？有些人认为这些热情导致到自以为正确, 甚至暴力的十字军东征。 真的吗？ 热情的基督徒不能容忍其他信仰吗？ 民数记 25描述了在一段时间，许多以色列人与迦南妇女发生性关系，使以色列人对他们的妻子不忠，陷入偶像崇拜, 还会导致以色列的衰变。 为了解决上帝对以色列人的愤怒，摩西要求杀死那些热衷于迦南神的以色列人 （民数记25:4-5）。 当摩西与百姓一同在哭泣时，在摩西的视野下，一名以色列人带了一位迦南女子进入他的帐篷。祭司Phinehas立刻进去刺死了他们。古代世界是暴力的。上帝两次称赞Phinehas为神荣誉的热心(zealous) 民数记25：10-13。热情(zeal)这个词变得非常重要。 大约在公元前200年，Maccabees击败了叙利亚, 解放了以色列人 。Hanukkah纪念这一事件。 Maccabees的热情 (zeal) 受到赞扬。 随着上帝给我们更多启示, 我们增进我们对祂的认识。上帝通过基督向我们展示自己。 基督被钉死在十字架上时，祂没有刺死迫害祂的人。反而，让他们把矛刺进了祂。 基督表明，对上帝的热心(zeal)意味着爱我们的敌人，甚至为他们而死来帮助他们。 我们应该跟随祂。 狂热者(zealots)被用来形容一群与罗马人作战的犹太人。保罗就是其中之一。他热情地(zealously)迫害基督徒 （加拉1：13-14; 腓3：6）。 保罗被基督改变后，意识到自己先前不认识上帝 （使徒行传9：1-5）。保罗描述在没有真实知识的情况下, 热心(zeal)的危险 (罗马书10：2)。 这种热心可导致用神之名而做残酷的事。请记住，基督最严厉的谴责是对着那时的宗教领袖。 把我们的热情建立在真实的知识上。那么我们的热情不会诅咒，而会祝福那些逼迫我们的人 （罗马书12：11,14）。 因此要聆听不同信仰的人，向他们学习， 并与他们分享。不仅宽容，而且要敬重他们。 也许穆斯林教徒，佛教徒，犹太人和基督徒都能认识基督。  Does Christianity favor man over woman? Does Christianity encourage husbands to rule over their wives?
God, a spirit, transcends gender. He created male and female in His image, both getting the same blessing and calling to steward His creation (Genesis 1:27-28). After the fall, God proclaimed that the husband rule over his wife (Genesis 3:16). Like death, this is a curse. This is part of the suffering Christ came to save us from. If so, then how about:
Learn from Christ. During those days, woman took care of things while man focused on learning. But Christ commended Mary for sitting at His feet learning instead of preparing the house for Him like Martha (Luke 10:38-42). In Christ’s time, a woman’s highest calling was childbirth and nursing. But Christ defined woman by the life she lived, by hearing and obeying God’s words, not by her husband or her child (Luke 11:27-28). Similarly, Paul commanded the husband to yield his body to his wife, as the wife yields her body to her husband (1 Corinthians 7:4). He endorsed women teaching or delivering messages to the congregation (1 Corinthians 11:5). Paul also taught both sexes to submit to each other (Ephesians 5:21). Therefore, husbands and wives should love, respect, encourage, challenge, serve, befriend, and cherish one another, regardless of gender. Summarized from a John Ortberg’s sermon at: https://menlo.church/series/thats-a-great-question#/modal/message/4893/mlo 基督教重男轻女吗？ 基督教重男轻女吗？基督教鼓励丈夫管轄妻子吗？ 上帝是灵，祂是超越性别的。男和女都是按照祂的形象而造，都得到了同样的祝福，并得到了同样的呼唤/委托来管理祂的创造 （创世记1：27-28）。 在堕落之后，上帝宣称丈夫将管轄他的妻子 （创世记3:16）。 就像死亡一样，这是一个诅咒。这也是基督来拯救我们脱离的苦难。 如果是这样，那为什么:
向基督学习。 在那些日子里，女人应该照顾好家庭的事情，而男人则专注于学习。 但是基督称赞坐在祂脚下学习的马利亚，而不是为祂准备地方的马大（路加福音10：38-42）。 在那时，女人的最高的要求是生育孩子。 但是基督是根据女人如何生活，通过听从和遵守神的话来定义女人，并不是由丈夫或孩子来定义她 （ 路加福音11：27-28）。 同样，保罗命令丈夫将身体交给妻子，就像妻子将身体交给丈夫一样 （哥林多前书7：4）。 他支持妇女教书或向会众传达信息（哥林多前书11：5）。保罗还教导夫妻互相顺服 （以弗所书5:21）。 因此，无分性别，夫妻都应该彼此爱护，尊重，鼓励，挑战，服事，亲近和珍惜。  Christianity encourages learning. Christians founded 92% of the first 138 US colleges. Oxford’s motto is “The Lord is my light” (Psalm 27:1). The verse “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32) is probably on more US university walls than any other statement.
Christianity encourages reasoning. Paul, a man of faith, reasoned, day after day, in Athens’ marketplace with the Epicurean (focused on what one could see) and Stoic (focused on reason/logic) (Acts 17:18). Our life’s foundation should pass through logic and reason. This will help us love God with our whole being, which includes our logical mind. Christians don’t blindly follow authority. For nearly three centuries after Christ, Christianity grew under the hostile Roman Empire. Some believe there is no way to know the truth and treat morality as a matter of opinions, traditions, or preferences. On the contrary, God gives us enough to know Him and lead a godly life (Luke 1:4, 2 Peter 1:3, Romans 1:21). To gain knowledge, some totally depend on science. We rely on science and its method of measurable data to understand the natural world. But science cannot tell us why the universe came into being, the meaning of our existence, whether hope is more valid than despair, or whether people have equal worth. We need to have certain amount of knowledge and evidence of God in our personal experience. This will help us understand the visible and the invisible. Then follow what we have found, wherever it leads. Having said that, acknowledge we can’t fully understand God (1 Corinthians 13:9, 12); and know that God will meet us in our doubts about Him. For example, Christ cured a child though his father asked Christ to help him overcome his unbelief (Mark 9:24). Christ told doubting Thomas to put his finger into His nail wounds, and his hand into His spear wound (John 20:24-29). Furthermore, beware that knowledge can make us arrogant (1 Corinthians 8:1-3). Sometimes, love can be more effective than winning arguments. If we have knowledge but not love, we are nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). In conclusion, Christianity encourages reasoning, knowledge in science, and deepening our personal experience. But we should accept our intellectual limitations and know that without love, we are nothing. Summarized from a John Ortberg’s sermon at: https://menlo.church/series/thats-a-great-question#/modal/message/4870/mlo 基督教是非理性的吗？ 基督教是鼓励学习的。92％的美国头138所大学是基督徒创立的。牛津的座右铭是“耶和华是我的亮光” （诗篇27：1）。 美国大学在墙上最普及的标语可能是“你們必曉得真理，真理必叫你們得以自由”（约翰福音8:32）。 基督教是鼓励推理的。保罗天天在雅典的市场上与 Epicurean（专注于可以看到的）和 Stoic（专注于理性/逻辑）理论 （使徒行传 17:18）。我们生命的基础应该通过逻辑和理性的分析。这可帮助整体的我去爱上帝，包括我们逻辑的头脑。 基督徒不应该会盲目地听从并遵循权威。在公元后头三个世纪，当时权威的罗马帝国不断攻击基督徒, 但基督教还是大大增长。 有些人认为没有办法知道真理, 视道德为观点，传统或偏好。相反，上帝给我们有足够的能力去了解全能的祂而过敬虔的生活 (罗马书 1:21，路加福音 1：4和彼得后书 1：3-5)。明白生命目的和区分对与错是至关重要的。 有些人完全依靠科学来获得知识。我们应该依靠科学及其测量数据的方法去了解自然。但科学不是知识的唯一裁决者。科学无法告诉我们宇宙为什么产生，我们存在的意义，希望是否比绝望更有效，或者人们是否具有平等的价值。 我们需要对上帝及其做事方式有一定程度上的认识, 也要依靠我们亲身的经历。这将帮助我们理解可见到的和不可见到的。然后跟随我们发现的结果. 话虽如此，要承认我们无法完全理解上帝（哥林多前书 13：9,12）；并知道上帝接受我们对祂的怀疑和疑问。例如，基督治愈了一个孩子，虽然孩子的父亲请基督帮助克服他的不相信 （马可福音 9:24）。基督告诉疑惑的托马斯去把他的手指放入基督被钉的伤疤里，将他的手放入祂矛子的伤口里（约翰福音 20：24-29）。 此外，当心知识使我们自大 （ 哥林多前书 8：1-3）。有时爱比争辩胜利有效果。更重要的是如果我们有知识却没有爱，那我们便什么都没有 （ 哥林多前书 13：1-3）。 总而言之，基督教鼓励科学上和信仰上的知识和推理, 及鼓励我们依靠亲身的经验。但要接受我们有限的智力，和要知道没有爱，我们什么都没有。 |