以空白搜尋找到 4418 個結果
- 18, 6,回族要接受基督所需的橋樑和所遇到的攔阻(英文)
回族要接受基督所需的橋樑和所遇到的攔阻(英文) 回族要接受基督所需的橋樑和所遇到的攔阻(英文) 中國情況 re faithful at giving to the Mosque; my parents and brother have been to Mecca... When I wanted to leave the Tomb Mosque I study at, the elders begged me not to because they said that my family are so honorable we give the Tomb Complex a good name.” The Ahong who spoke these words has now taken a second wife, without divorcing his first wife. Even at the end of Ramadan festival he was too ashamed to take his second wife with him to the family home for the celebrations. By the grace of God he is beginning to realize that he too is a sinner in need of forgiveness. Many Hui do not know that “no-one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by observing the law rather through the law we become conscious of sin” (Romans 3:20). Like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day some Hui (especially Muslim clergy) are confident of their own righteousness and look down on everybody else (Luke 18:9-14). They have devised a set of rules which are comprised of a mixture of tradition (like green veils for married women, white veils for very old women) and Islamic precepts (like praying 5 times a day and not eating pork). They have detailed rules about how to shower and how to complete the ritual washing before prayers instead of emphasizing the need for purity of heart. Those who keep the rules feel superior and this religious pride prevents them acknowledging their need for a Saviour, as well as causing God to oppose them (James 4:6). The Hui have few models of true godliness in their circle of relationships. This is one reason why there is a great need for more workers among them. The Hui who seek God rarely see a true testimony of Him from the Mosque. If they recognize the genuine godliness of the ambassadors of Christ they are already halfway to receiving Him. Ask God to bring conviction of sin to all Hui people. Ask Him to expose the sins of Hui who are confident of their own righteousness. (Ephesians 5:11) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) In 1943, God said to a Chinese pastor, Mark Ma, that since Pentecost, the gospel had generally spread from Jerusalem in a westward direction all the way to China and now He wants the Chinese to take the gospel from China all the way back to Jerusalem. Here is the conclusion of their conversation: “I (Mark) said, ‘That section of territory is under the power of Islam and the Mohammedans (Muslims) are the hardest of all people to reach with the Gospel.’ The Lord said, ‘The most rebellious people are the Israelites; my own field of labour was the hardest.’ I said, ‘O Lord, if it is not that their hearts are especially hard, why is it that missionaries from Europe and America have established so many churches in China, but are still unable to open the door to Western Asia’ Thank God for giving the Han church a vision for church planting among Muslims. Ask God to strengthen the Han church so that they can fulfil this vision. The Lord said, ‘It is not that their hearts are especially hard, but that I have kept for the Chinese Church a portion of inheritance, otherwise, when I return will you not be too poor’” In the 1940’s, small teams of Han believers who adopted Mark Ma’s vision to reach the Muslims risked their lives by traveling as far as Qinghai and Xinjiang to share the gospel. Some were imprisoned and died in the effort. The vision appeared to die for about 50 years while China went through the pain and upheaval of the Mao years and the church went underground. In John 12, Jesus teaches that, “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” The seeds of the gospel scattered across China in the last centuries and the blood of Chinese and foreign martyrs are fueling God’s work in China today. There is now a huge potential workforce of financially poor, yet spiritually rich Han believers. Many of their leaders have committed to the Back to Jerusalem vision. With foreign workers’ help Han churches have sent workers overseas to plant churches in predominantly Muslim nations. And now they are just beginning to train and send full-time workers to witness among the Muslim and Tibetan minorities within China as well. Unfortunately, although some Han churches realize the value of training their people to reach the Hui and gaining experience at home before sending them overseas, there is generally a lack of commitment to reach the Hui on the part of the Han church leaders. Could it be that God will use the Han and Hui believers to take the gospel out of China to other Muslim people groups Since this vision has been widely publicized in the West, many foreigners want to financially support the Han churches in fulfilling this calling. However, for this vision to become a movement, it must be self-financed. As experience shows, outside financing cripples the growth of local leadership, creating dependency which can last for generations. Ask God to give Han church leaders a vision to reach the Muslims in China. Ask God to give foreigners servant hearts to come alongside the Han churches to facilitate the new thing God is doing rather than to bring in their “answers”. “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19) As many as 5,000 people fought with sticks and burned several houses over a weekend in October 2004, in violence between Han and Hui people. The violence began after members of two families from separate villages fought over a traffic dispute. The fighting resulted in seven dead and forty-two injured. This report is according to residents of a village near Zhengzhou, Henan, interviewed by Fox News. The government longs for harmony among the 56 people groups who call themselves citizens of China, but they have been unable to procure it. Being reconciled to God is the first step for the Han and Hui to be truly reconciled to one another. One of the ongoing concerns of the Chinese government is that Muslims in the northwest of the country will rebel and set up their own Islamic State. As historical evidence reveals, this is a very real threat. In the 1800’s Muslims managed to reign for about a decade in the north-west of China from Lanzhou all the way to Kashgar and in the south-west from Kunming to Dali. The central government employed deceit and brute force to reduce the Muslims to submission, but not without both sides losing millions of lives, as well as destroying the wealth of those regions. This legacy has resulted in continued racial tensions that erupt with the slightest provocation, like the above report of a traffic accident leading to a brawl involving thousands of people! This is the fulfillment of the angel of the LORD’s prophecy about Ishmael before he was born, “He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility towards all his brothers.” Since many Han believers view the Hui (who are Ishmael’s descendants) as fierce fighters they struggle with fear and some doubt that God can save the Hui. The Hui are also slow to make friends with Han people. However, there are a few success stories of Han believers who are making disciples of Hui people. Ask God to help Han believers live out reconciliation by loving and respecting the Hui before conversion. Ask God to help Han churches in predominantly Hui areas to start sensitive gospel outreach to their Hui neighbours and colleagues. “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2) In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s there were a few missionaries who trained in Islamic apologetics as well as learning Arabic and Chinese in order to minister to the Hui and other Muslim minorities of China. Two of the most well known are: William Borden, the rich and godly American who died in Cairo while in training, and George Harris, who saw about 20 Chinese Muslims come to saving faith. However, much of the work among the Hui was characterized by faithful effort (“Master, we have toiled all night” Luke 5:5), failure (“and have taken nothing”) and faith (“nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net”). Following 1951, when all foreign workers were asked to leave China, there were 40 years without foreign outreach to the Hui. In the 1980’s, foreign workers began to trickle back into China. They used creative methods of access, like teaching English or studying the Chinese language at Universities. God shared his heart for the Chinese Muslims with some of these workers. In the last decade, the number of foreign workers focused on the Hui has increased significantly. There are now small teams in at least seven cities focusing on outreach to the Hui. Yet, the ratio of workers to Hui people is still very low. One way to improve this ratio is for foreigners to train Han people to reach the Hui. People who are directly engaged in outreach to the Hui themselves are the best ones to do this training. Most foreign workers face significant linguistic, cultural and climatic hurdles before becoming effective; experience shows that it generally takes 10 years for a cross-cultural missionary to become a fully effective change-agent in the host culture. Since the amount of time taken for a Hui person to believe is related to how long it takes the witness to clearly present the gospel, there is a great need for workers to persevere in the early years of ministry before any Hui come to faith. Ask God to give every good and faithful worker at least three Hui Timothys to disciple. Ask God to bring the right Han and Hui believers to Muslim evangelism equipping centres and pray for effective transfer of knowledge and skills from foreigners to Chinese workers. “To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.” (1 Corinthians 9:20) Between 1965 and 1971, 2 million people in West Java, Indonesia, were baptized and began attending fellowships because of events clearly engineered by God. Most of the converts were Muslims. The westernized Indonesian churches hardly grasped this opportunity because, for the most part, they failed to cooperate with the cultural and political events. They refused to receive people into the church as whole villages even though the traditional pattern of decision making in those communities was by consensus. The churches in Indonesia that made the Javanese feel most at home and least foreign had the most church growth. These churches had conformed culturally to external practices and methods of communication, such as traditional dance and drama, as well as having “Javanesed” the gospel according to three of their religious traditions, one of which was Islam. (Taken from The Challenge of Planting Churches in Muslim Cities by Greg Livingstone) Contextualization is the process of understanding a people group’s worldview and subsequently communicating the gospel message in a way that is faithful to God’s revelation as well as meaningful to the recipients’ cultural and existential contexts. Workers are just beginning to analyze the Hui people’s worldview in an attempt to communicate the gospel message in a more meaningful way. However, the main task of planting contextualized churches will be done by Hui believers. Great discernment and protection from God is necessary as they seek to make biblical truth relevant to their context while maintaining fidelity to Scripture. Despite its potential hazards, contextualization is an important prerequisite to seeing a church planting movement among the Hui. About 99% of Hui believers have either not met with other believers or joined Han fellowships and become absorbed into the culture of those groups rather than starting their own Hui fellowship. Ask God to give Hui believers vision and faith to step out of the relative comfort of Han fellowships to begin completely contextualized Hui fellowships. Ask God to protect Hui believers from syncretism as they start Hui fellowships. “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.” (Mark 12:29) As she read Mark 12:29 A-xi-ya exclaimed, “Then we really are the same as you Christians! I was taught that you believed in three gods: God the father, God the mother (Mary) and God the son (Jesus), but if you believe what your Bible says here then you are the same as us Hui! This is true, God is one. But there are other parts of your Bible that have been corrupted.” The Hui have several misunderstandings about the Christian faith. The vast majority of Hui people have never met a Christian, let alone heard the message of salvation. So they continue to believe what they have been taught at the Mosque or from their parents; namely that Christians worship crosses and statues, believe in three gods, that the Bible has been corrupted, that the Koran supersedes the Bible, etc. Although they recognize Jesus as a prophet and the Bible as a holy book they esteem Mohammed and the Koran as superior to Jesus and the Bible. This discourages the devout Hui (who may be the more spiritually responsive) from reading the Bible and getting to know Christians. They, like the Pharisees of Jesus time, consider it blasphemy when Christians claim that Jesus is God (see John 10). This is probably the greatest triumph of the devil in their lives and we must ask God to overcome this barrier. The Koran contains some truth about Jesus; teaching that He was born of a virgin, led a sinless life, performed miraculous healings and he should be obeyed. Discussing these verses with the Hui is a very helpful bridge to sharing the gospel with them and can evoke an interest in reading the gospel accounts for spiritually open Hui. As the Hui are led in chronological Bible studies or story-telling sessions the truths missing in Islam can be gradually introduced and the misunderstandings about Christianity addressed. Ask God to increase the proclamation of His truth to the Hui, through the Jesus movie, tracts, and the spoken words of workers. In Jesus’ name remove the barrier of the denial of His divinity and invite the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of the Trinity to the Hui as they hear the gospel message. “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” (Jeremiah 24:7) “I am a Hui lady in my twenties. I prayed to receive Jesus as my Lord and Saviour just before I graduated from University. As I returned home my heart was filled with dread; I feared that my new identity in Christ would be discovered so I did everything possible to hide it. But to my surprise after two months of being home, my Mum, a single parent, also prayed the prayer of repentance. I then admitted that I too believed. In my mother’s great joy at her own salvation she told my grandmother. But grandma was drastically opposed to this news. She told the extended family and they put great pressure on my Mum to renounce Christ, which she did through an Islamic ceremony. She then kept close watch over me, confiscating my Bible and few Christian books. I really love my Mum who has sacrificed many things to give me a good education so I cannot bear to hurt her now by continuing to follow Jesus. I feel guilty if I try to meet up with other Christians and I feel guilty if I attend our Hui religious ceremonies. Confusion reigns in my heart!” This young lady has since married and her husband has become interested in the gospel enough to ask for a Bible to read! Praise God for being faithful to her. There are under a hundred known Hui believers (2004 statistics), out of a total population of over 10 million Hui. The Hui who have come to faith in Jesus are mostly young women who are not leaders in their communities. Some of them are no longer in fellowship with other Christians because of family pressure to recant; some of those who have turned back to Islam are now more devout Muslims. Others are in cell groups that use Han or foreign forms of worship that their Hui relatives (if they were to attend) would find very alien. Very few Hui who are decision makers in their communities have heard a clear presentation of the gospel and so far we have yet to see a church planting movement among the Hui, although there is now at least one Hui church plant. Beseech God to enable all Hui believers to maintain a pure and simple devotion to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3). Pray for a re-awakening and recommitment to Jesus for the Hui who have once believed. “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.” (Ephesians 1:13) The workers knew this man was ready to pray the sinner’s prayer and their hearts rejoiced! He had lapped up the truth as they had read and discussed the Bible with him. But suddenly a cloud of fear enveloped his heart and he thought, “What will my family do if I become a Christian” The workers prayed against the fear that was gripping his heart and God’s peace released him to accept the great and glorious message of salvation through Jesus. Although the term Hui is the title given to their ethnic group, the Hui have a very strong corporate sense that to be Hui is to be part of the world-wide Muslim community. Perhaps they have a deep fear of either annihilation after the brutal crushing of earlier rebellions or of being swallowed up by the majority Han culture. This serves as a great barrier to their trusting in Jesus as Saviour. They might like what they hear and see of the gospel as it is lived out before them through the lives of Christians but they fear losing their identity as part of the Muslim community which in China is their lifeline to success, as social success is all determined by whom you know, not what you know. The term “Hui” technically refers to their ethnic identity which cannot change even if their religion changes but in their minds “Hui” is synonymous with “Muslim”. When the Hui are outside their community, studying at University for example, they more readily accept the gospel. But they tend to adapt culturally to Chinese believers and become insensitive to their own people, not knowing how to share their new faith in a culturally sensitive way with their families. Hui believers who return to their communities and share with them often find they bring shame on the family so they leave and go to other cities to work. As the Hui become Christians they face an identity crisis and it is vital that they establish their identity in Christ at that time. In Jesus name tear down the lie that “Hui” equals “Muslim” and pray that He would establish all Hui believers as His children. (Galatians 4:6) Ask God to give the first believers in each community hope and faith to pray fervently for their families and friends to trust in Jesus for salvation. “If the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!” (Romans 5:15) So-fei-ya was glad to be able to work; it took her mind off her parents’ heated arguments and cold silences. She used to love her Dad so much but now hatred for him filled her heart and mind as she pounded the noodle dough. The oil had run out and he had still not given her any money to buy more. As she worked she made spiteful plans to get him to pay for oil: she would serve her family boiled noodles with no salt or oil tonight. “See if he can stomach that!” she thought to herself. She would have to tell her sister and brother to keep their mouths shut and just eat so as not to give the game away. The only alternative was to borrow some oil from the neighbour, but why should she have to humble herself again when he obviously had money because he was buying two packets of cigarettes a day She knew her father was still a Muslim and would be able to get to heaven because he had paid the Mosque annual fee but he had brought their family into poverty by not providing for them. There are several firmly held beliefs in Islam that are barriers to Muslims even wanting a Saviour. The Hui believe that they will go to heaven because they are Muslim. They try to observe the 5 pillars of Islam in their old age in an attempt to reduce the time they spend in hell having their sins purified away, but they are at least superficially confident that they will be received into heaven eventually. This means that many of them are not even looking for the forgiveness of sins. Their concept of sin is different from biblical revelation; they believe that God made us weak and so we are expected to sin. The 5 pillars of Islam are: profession of the creed that there is only One God and Mohammed is His prophet, set prayers at five set times a day, fasting for the month of Ramadan, giving financially to the Mosque and at least one trip to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Ask God to reveal to the Hui that just as Adam was banished from paradise after committing one sin we too cannot get to heaven because of our sin. Invite God to reveal to the Hui that Jesus is the only door to heaven. “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6) Su-mi rehearsed what she would say to her husband when he came home: “Your wife is the only one in your family who does not have fashionable shoes. You should be ashamed of yourself. They are all saying how tight you are! You make a thousand Yuan (US$80) a month as a driver but you gamble it all away.” She looked down at her old shoes and longed for a pair of the long-toed ones that had come into fashion this year. She hated having to squeeze money out of her husband every time she wanted something, especially as he only came home once a month. When she discovered her sister-in-law felt the same they came up with a plan: Su-mi would let her house out to tenants who would lend her capital, her mother-in-law would look after their young children and they would start a restaurant. After much persuasion Su-mi’s husband agreed to let their house in exchange for a loan of 20,000 Yuan. Su-mi and her sister-in-law busied themselves setting up a small hot-pot restaurant, ignoring the frequent disagreements between themselves. The restaurant did good business but the disagreements got sharper and within a few months the partnership broke down. Su-mi pulled out with what money she could take with her and started another restaurant the other side of town. To the outsider it appears that the Hui live in tight-knit communities; even in big cities they tend to live in clusters around the Mosques. However, this story illustrates the hidden problem of broken relationships within the community. The Hui themselves say that where there are 5 Hui they will end up with 3 Mosques because they cannot agree on the practice of their religion. Thank God for the strength of the networked Hui communities as this will aid the spread of the gospel once it has penetrated one Hui community. Ask God to heal broken family relationships as the Hui come to Christ. “When Jesus had called the twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” (Luke 9:1-2) Fa-tu-mei used to have a good job in the hospital but this summer she became oppressed by a demon. She went to the Hui folk doctor who gave her a potion to drink but that did not help. Then she borrowed money from her family and went to a mental hospital. They doped her up with sedatives and she found she stopped being violent. But she felt so drowsy that all she wanted to do was sleep. The doctors said she would have to take the medication for at least two years, but if she had a relapse she would be on medication for life. Since two believers started sharing the truth about Jesus with Fa-tu-mei she has come off the medication completely. Whereas before the demon oppressed her she felt no need for God, now she is so desperate for deliverance that she is willing to pray to Jesus and study the Bible. Many Hui recognize the reality of demons and fear them. In one area of China many of the homeless are those who have become violent because of their demon possession. Their families generally do all they can but if the person is violent they often end up on the streets to fend for themselves as best they can. Rural Hui admit that they know little about their religion, and actually many of their practices are more akin to superstition or animism than Islam. Many of the Hui in the north-west of China are folk Muslims who, in times of need, go to the tombs of Muslim saints to burn incense and pray. They ask the dead saints to intercede for them, not knowing that God is close enough to hear their prayers. The sacrifices they offer at these “holy” places can bring them under bondage to demons. These Hui firmly believe that what their ancestors have passed down to them is the best and right way to live. Their bondage is more to tradition and demons than to the false religion of Islam. Ask God to prepare workers' hearts to receive the power of the Holy Spirit so that they can heal the sick and deliver the demon possessed. (Luke 4:14 and John 14:12) Ask God to deliver Hui like Fa-tu-mei from demons as they turn to Jesus for help. “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” (Joel 2:28) From snowy winter days to the sweltering heat of summer Mai-er-yan can be found, sometimes knitting, sometimes chatting to friends, occasionally selling some embroidery or ornamental souvenir to a tourist passing by her little, open-fronted shop. Mai-er-yan and her husband rely on their business to send their two children to the Han schools, where the educational level is better than that of the local Hui schools. About 8 years ago, Mai-er-yan met her first Christian foreign friend. Since then a number of Christian families and singles have moved to her area. They visit and chat with her regularly. Around two years ago, Mai-er-yan had a dream in which she saw two of those friends and a third person, whom she recognized as Jesus. She told those two friends about her dream and they gladly took this long-awaited opportunity to clearly explain the gospel message to her. A week later she rang one of them to say that she was not able to turn her back on her heritage, her culture and her family in order to follow Jesus. “Please do not expect me to become a Christian,” she said. Generally the Hui recognize that God can speak through dreams and other forms of supernatural revelation because Mohammed received the words of the Koran while in a trance. Mai-er-yan is just one of many Hui to whom God has given dreams of Jesus, and like her few of the others have turned from Islam to follow Jesus after one or two such dreams. In Daughters of Islam the Muslim women who became Christians all had numerous supernatural encounters with God before finally surrendering to His lordship in their lives. Workers need great perseverance and faith to continue reaching out to the Hui because it often takes many months for them to completely accept the claims of Jesus. Thank God for giving the Hui a respect for dreams and visions. Ask God to give all workers perseverance as they love the Hui. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27) Zai-nai-bai was too angry to eat again tonight, she told her daughter to prepare enough noodles for the three children and she went out to the road to see if her husband was going to make an appearance. She hated it when he stayed out all night with another woman. She felt so helpless to change the situation, even her brother, an Ahong, said she should just accept his infidelity and not make a fuss. When he had broken her rib by kicking her in the back her family had at last stepped in and reported him to the police. But since his rich sister paid bail for him the few months he spent in prison had not changed him much. She worried about what he might be doing… Was he still selling drugs with that woman from Dongxiang If she divorced her husband he would take her only son and she would be left with no one to care for her in her old age. Her tears fell as hopelessness and frustration overwhelmed her. The Koran teaches that the testimony of one man is worth as much as that of two women. It also teaches that women should be beaten if they are not submissive. Mother-in-laws often tell their sons to beat their wives. For rural Hui women, their only hope of an easier life is to have a son who will eventually marry and bring a wife into the family home. This young bride becomes the unpaid slave of her mother-in-law and cares for the elderly parents when her husband is out working. Many Hui men live and work in big cities far away from their home villages and towns. They see their wives irregularly and thus infidelity is a big temptation. The Hui women who lack education or money do not have the option of leaving their unfaithful husbands. Fewer Hui men have responded to the gospel than women; perhaps fear of the equality they see in Christian marriages prevents Hui men accepting the claims of Christ. Ask God to enable Hui believers to value women as much as men. Ask God to heal Hui women as they come to Christ, from all their past emotional wounds and to lead them into the good works He prepared for them to do in Christ. “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.” (Proverbs 3:1) A-li woke up at the first light of dawn with a beating heart; he crept out of bed and untied the family dog. Er-sa was waiting for him at the end of the lane and the two of them walked across town to the bus station. They found a man who would give them thirty Yuan for their dog and with that money they boarded a bus for Lanzhou. A-li had had enough humiliation at school and at age 12 he wanted to start earning money so that his family could eat meat every day. He and his teenage neighbour ran away to the big city to find jobs. Their little money was soon gone, however, and they did not have a clue how to find a job in the daunting metropolis of fast cars and busy people. Thankfully a kind-hearted man noticed them hanging around the railway station and he paid their bus ticket home. The literacy level among most rural (and some urban) Hui is very low. Many Hui boys only complete primary education as their families want their help as free labour in corner shops, small factories, restaurants or other businesses run by their parents. In the villages short term financial needs often take precedent over the long-term development of the family through education. There are some Hui villages where not one single girl goes to school, and only some of the boys go. This makes it hard for the Hui to prosper as a people; low education levels keep them in low-paying manual jobs. But more importantly the lack of literacy among the Hui is a barrier for them becoming familiar with the commands of Jesus as written down in the Bible. Those who are illiterate are unable to read the Bible for themselves. The danger of semi-literacy and illiteracy is seen in rural Han believers – they are susceptible to the teachings of pseudo-Christian cults, like the Lightning from the East, as they cannot check what they are being taught with what the Bible itself says. Pray that the Hui who trust in Jesus would learn to read the Bible even if it is hard work for them because of illiteracy. Ask God to break the cycle of poverty and the mindset that seeks short term solutions instead of investing now for the future. “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.” (Matthew 10:40-41) Course, after steaming course, the food kept coming. There were only 5 guests at the table but Mrs. Ma produced dumplings, boiled mutton, fried chicken, a fish, three different vegetable dishes and steamed buns. Mr. Ma did not have a seat at the table; he scurried around topping up the tea cups and bringing the dishes in from the kitchen. His daughter carried the guest’s baby so that they could eat without being disturbed. Only after the guests had eaten their fill and gone home did the Ma family sit down to finish off what was left of the 8 course meal. Mr. Ma has only a school teacher’s salary but he served his guests generously and graciously. God has preserved the Hui people’s culture of offering the best one has to guests, and serving them by preparing delicious food and drink, as this will help them to receive His ambassadors and thus hear the gospel message. At present the Chinese all look to developed countries with a mixture of envy and admiration. The Hui too, recognize that most foreigners come from developed countries and many want to broaden their horizons by getting to know foreigners. Often their desire is to learn English from foreigners. The Hui also view Christians as people of the Book, and thus feel a greater affinity with them than with Buddhist or Communist Han people. Many Hui communities are at first suspicious of Christians who begin to live and work among them but in time relationships of trust are built that provide an opportunity to share the greatest news of all. Thank God for giving the Hui such an exemplary gift of hospitality. Pray that the Hui would receive Christians into their hearts as well as their homes, so that they may hear the message of Truth. “What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ ” (Matthew 15:11) “Lai, lai, lai!” Men with white hats bid passers-by to come and eat strips of mutton on skewers, sizzling over hot coals at the tiny stalls along the Hui food market street. Spicy aromas fill the night air, mixing with the shop-keepers cries and the pounding of noodles being stretched and banged down on the kneading boards. It is 8 at night. The stall sellers and restaurateurs are at their busiest, enticing all those who venture out for the evening breeze to taste their dishes. These Middle Eastern flavors, along with the religion of Arabia, came first to China on the backs of camels along the famous Silk Road. Today in China almost every provincial capital has Muslim restaurants displaying the two Chinese characters: “Qing Zhen”, literally meaning “pure and true” but actually signifying that the food is Halal (the Muslim version of Kosher). Some Hui will not even mention the word “pig”, using two hands behind their ears to express their meaning instead of uttering the word. Other Hui, even many of those who have come to faith, are willing to eat in non-Halal restaurants but will not eat any pork served to them. Most Hui people will not eat in Han people’s houses. In a country where eating together is a prerequisite to becoming friends, this causes problems for Han who want to reach out to the Hui. Many workers using friendship evangelism with the Hui need to consider making their homes pork-free so that their Hui friends can eat in their houses. Many secularized Hui adhere to no Islamic precepts except abstinence from pork. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for paying too much attention to the outward issues of the law to the exclusion of heart issues. Ask God to reveal to the Hui that speaking sinful words (e.g. lies) make them “unclean” in God’s sight. Ask God to call Hui believers to take the message of Jesus back along the Silk Road to the nations of their ancestors. “Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” (Matthew 20:25-28) For most of China’s history she has been ruled by a small elite group of people who wield complete power. It appears that this power-hungry force affects the ordinary people in the country too. In rural communities the Hui clergy wield a lot of control over their flock. The Koran is in Arabic and the Chinese translations are hard to understand for the semi-literate. So the Ahongs (who study 5-10 years to memories the Koran) are the ones the whole community looks to for religious direction and wisdom. This is not the case in urban communities. All Christian workers come to the field with their own problems and many of them struggle with issues of control. To see a church planting movement workers must release and empower new believers by training them to obey Jesus and giving them opportunities to lead. They must trust God to lead the Hui believers. There is a danger and tendency for workers to unknowingly make the new believers dependant on them rather than on God. This happens when believers who come to ask the foreign “expert” what God wants them to do are given man’s opinion rather than being taught to recognize God’s voice for themselves. Dependency can also be created by the funding of work from foreign coffers rather than from the local church as the locals forfeit the opportunity to step out in faith through having their financial needs met by the foreigners. A key element in church planting movements is the availability of a large number of lay Christians who are equipped to lead cell churches. Controlling workers are threatened by other leaders and therefore resist the training and releasing of young leaders. These dangers are also all relevant for the Hui believers who work as church planters. Pray that all workers and Hui believers would model Jesus standard of servant leadership becoming the servant of all as they lead their churches. (Matthew 20:24-28 and John 13:1-17) Ask God to teach all workers and Hui believers to trust Him so that they can train and release many new leaders. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2-3) Xiao Wang grew up in the village where her father is the Ahong. God orchestrated the circumstances of her life to prepare her heart so that when she heard the gospel she readily accepted it. She became a Christian in the city away from her family but as soon as they heard the news they called her home. Her Bible was confiscated and she had to stay at home under the supervision of her family for six months. After that her family let her go, saying that they did not mind her being a Christian. However, the other villagers disapproved of her release and kidnapped her. She was forced to attend Islamic classes at the Mosque and made to veil, but after four months she escaped to the city again. The Hui network which operated even in the city found her and kidnapped her again. This time they took her out of the province and made her get a job. God is faithful and has now given her a ministry right where she is. In the 1920s there was a group of twenty Hui believers who met secretly on Sundays to read from a large Arabic Bible. They did not make themselves known to the American and Chinese missionaries in the city as they carried out open-air evangelism in the Muslim quarter of the city. It was several years after the American worker left the city that he heard about this group, as their leader came forward for baptism in another province. Now, too, there may be many “hidden” Hui believers who fear taking a public stand for their faith because of the inevitable persecution they will experience from their community. Hui believers expect persecution but God always uses it for good. Persecution serves the purpose of separating the genuine followers of Christ from the people who are unwilling to die to their own flesh (in the form of wanting the praise of people, wanting a good job, etc). This produces a smaller but more deeply committed and united body of believers. Ask God to pour out His Holy Spirit on all Hui believers giving them the boldness to testify about Jesus despite persecution (Acts 4:23-31). Ask God to commune with all “hidden” Hui believers in isolation giving them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that they may know Him better (Ephesians 1:17). “‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 29:13-14) “I grew up in Xinjiang and was bombarded from a young age by the atheism of communism through my school and classmates. My mother taught me only the rudimentary basics of our faith. When my family moved to this city I started to recognize the falsity of atheism and so I attended a Mosque class on Saturdays. I became a true Muslim then, as they taught me how to pray and read the Koran.” Some Hui have gone through a period in their lives when they genuinely sought God and the only testimony they heard of his existence and character was from the Mosque class, so they became more devout Muslims despite the inconsistencies they could see within the followers of their own religion (like infighting between different sects who say all Muslims are brothers). Cornelius was a God-fearing Gentile who prayed faithfully and gave to the poor. God gave him a vision telling him where to go to find out more about Himself, so he sent for Peter and before Peter had finished his sermon the Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius and most of his household. There are a number of Hui who genuinely fear God, pray faithfully and give to the poor. In Jeremiah 29:13 God promises the Israelites that if they seek Him with all their hearts they will find Him. Surely this is His invitation and promise to the Hui too, for “God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” (Acts 10:34-35). Praise and thank God that there are some Hui who do fear Him, pray to Him and give to the poor. Pray for the Hui who are like Cornelius; pray that they would have perseverance to keep seeking God until they meet Jesus. Has God touched your heart as you have prayed for the Hui people Continue this powerful ministry of prayer and sign up to receive regular prayer updates and praises. Join with others in praying for specific needs and celebrating God’s work to bring the Hui to Himself. Bridges and Barriers is a prayer guide that will take you on a fascinating journey of discovery to meet a Chinese Muslim people group — the Hui. Through true stories of individual Hui you will be inspired to intercessory prayer that can remove the barriers preventing a church planting movement among them.
- 941, 1,穆斯林背景的信徒分享齋月期間的經驗
941-1 穆斯林背景的信徒分享齋月期間的經驗 文章 941 1 作者 穆斯林背景的信徒分享齋月期間的經驗 2022年4月1日 當亞當和他的妻子伊娃把車開到他媽媽家的時候,他深吸一口氣。今天是Idul Fitri(開齋節) ( https://www.expat.or.id/info/lebaran.html),齋月(https://prayforindonesia.org/what-is-ramadan/)的最後一天。這應該是一年中最好的日子之一,他們在這一天與家人慶祝齋戒月的結束。 他們習慣於享受這一天,拜訪家人,吃好吃的。但今年卻不同。他們現在成了家庭的棄兒。家人不是問候和歡迎他們,而是疏遠和羞辱他們。這就是亞當和伊娃為成為耶穌的追隨者所付出的代價。 作為穆斯林背景的信徒,亞當和伊娃經歷了迫害。他們曾有一段時間是秘密信徒。但在告訴他們的家人他們不再是穆斯林後,他們就不想和他們有任何關係了。許多年來,他們的家人都不跟他們說話。 但今年,亞當的母親出人意料地邀請他們參加「開齋節」。他們知道關係會很緊張,因為他們給家庭帶來了如此多的恥辱 。再也不與他們交流、並且逃避迫害會更容易。但亞當和伊娃想與他們的家人分享耶穌的愛。 好消息 亞當和伊娃信主後,他們欣喜地發現神已經打破了他們生命中的束縛。伊斯蘭蒙蔽了他們生命中的大部分時間,使他們相信他們必須做足夠的善事來消除他們的罪。慢慢地,他們意識到這永遠不足以讓他們進入天堂。 神在他們的生活中帶來了耶穌的追隨者,他們分享了耶穌( https://prayforindonesia.org/how-to-share-the-gospel-with-a-muslim/)如何來使我們回到神身邊。祂用祂完美的生命、死亡和復活償還了我們永遠無法償還的債務。在聽到這個好消息後,他們相信耶穌赦免他們的罪。他們的生活被永遠改變了。 亞當和伊娃為他們的家人心碎。他們看到,他們迷失了,沒有希望。神給了他們救贖的禮物,他們也想把它提供給他們的家人。 當他們走進房子的時候,他們受到了冷眼和沙啞的聲音。一些人尷尬地與他們打招呼,而另一些人則無視他們。隨著慶祝活動的繼續,他們對自己受到的待遇感到受冷落。 在這個節日裡,每個人都會互相請求寬恕(sungkem)。當有人向他們的父母請求寬恕時,這總是一種情感體驗。當他們在父母面前鞠躬以示敬意時,每個人都會哭。然而,亞當的媽媽今年甚至不允許他這樣做,因為他給他的家庭帶來了巨大的恥辱。 耶穌說過會發生這種情況 亞當和伊娃為他們給家庭帶來的恥辱感到悲痛。但他們永遠不會放棄跟隨耶穌。他們預計會發生這種情況,因為耶穌說: 「你們不要想我來是叫地上太平;我來並不是叫地上太平,乃是叫地上動刀兵。因為我來是叫人與父親生疏,女兒與母親生疏,媳婦與婆婆生疏。人的仇敵就是自己家裏的人。」馬太福音10:34-36 當天晚上他們離開家庭聚會,騎著摩托車回家時,亞 當祈禱道:「耶穌,請照亮我們,向我的母親、兄弟姐妹、姑姑、叔叔和堂兄弟姐妹揭示你自己。他們已經迷失,沒有永恆的希望。主啊,請使用我們,與他們分享」。當神提醒他這節經文時,他得到了安慰,感覺到神的平安沖刷著他: 「為義受逼迫的人有福了!因為天國是他們的。人若因我辱罵你們,逼迫你們,捏造各樣壞話毀謗你們,你們就有福了!應當歡喜快樂,因為你們在天上的賞賜是大的。在你們以前的先知,人也是這樣逼迫他們。」馬太福音5:10-12 這篇文章翻譯自在線文章「Muslim Background Believers Share Experience During Ramadan」 https://prayforindonesia.org/muslim-background-believers-share-experience-during-ramadan/
- 16-16馬大的事奉
馬大的事奉 馬大的事奉 荒漠生機 書 一個婦女的看法 具有多任務處理能力的馬大,那就是我。我喜歡一箭雙雕。對我而言,幾乎沒有甚麼事情比同一時間完成幾項任務更能讓我快樂。高效率的感覺真是棒極了…既然我喜歡這樣,我便選擇讓我的鍛煉計劃跟宣教事奉搭配一起同時進行。所以與溫迪一邊走路,或者在女泳池裡一邊游泳時,我能一邊跟我當地的朋友聊天。今天上午我在寫這篇文章的時候,我剛從泳池裡出來,頭髮還是濕漉漉的。溫迪和南希今天跟我一起去游泳。我們玩的很開心,在游泳池裡來回地游,幫溫迪提高踢水的技術,學做「埃及人」(我們跳進游泳池裡,彎曲雙臂和雙腿,看起來就像呆板的埃及人畫像。) 游完泳之後,我們坐在長椅上,享受著一杯出自蘇 丹的酸酸甜甜的一種飲料Karkaday,一邊與我那幾個常來的泳伴朋友談天說地。玩得開心,分享生活是件很喜樂的事情。正是在這樣的時刻,屬靈的交通就會自然而然地發生。 被回應的禱告 幾年前,我們禱告請求神派一個尋道者住在我們附近的一個特定房子裡。神答應了這些禱告。溫迪住在了那個房子裡。給她一本路加福音的時候,她大叫說:「我要吃透這本書!」最近,我和我的一個隊友簡打算去看看溫迪,跟她一起喝上午茶。我感覺神在告訴我說,讓簡單獨去她那裡,使她與溫迪能很方便地進行卓有成效的交流,而我則和我的兒子及簡的三歲小孩在家。下面是簡對她們這次相聚的描述。 一個真理的尋求者 昨天上午我(簡)跟我的朋友進行了一次令人興奮的討論 … 我們正一起閱讀路加福音,所以我順便帶了一本路加福音註解書。我所解說的部分是「神的兒子」。我叫她跟我一起讀,幫我共同解釋好它。 我們讀到第一段的時候,我問她知不知道我們 說「神的兒子」指的是甚麼意思。她說知道,她讀完這部分,理解了我們的意思不是指一個肉身的兒子。 當我們開始談論舊約中的眾先知的時候,她打斷我的話,問我聖經裡哪裡提到了古蘭經和穆罕默德。我告訴她聖經裡根本沒有提到過。她坐在那裡發楞了片刻,便又問我是否信古蘭經和穆罕默德呢。我說我不認為古蘭經是一本聖書,因為啟示錄裡已經告誡了這點,這是我們以前已經討論過的。我還儘量向她表明說,舊約前五卷書(Torah)、詩篇和福音書的信息都前後一致,而古蘭經卻不同。 我心想這會不會成為她的一個障礙呢,但她用很真誠的語調說:「要是我成為了一個基督徒,會有甚麼狀況發生呢?我怕他們會 …」(她做了一個割斷喉嚨的動作。)我向她保證說神一定會保護她的,而且這裡已經有許多穆斯林成為了基督的信徒。 她沒有被我們所談論的話題所觸怒,反而似乎非常高興。我將要離開的時候,我鼓勵她禱告,鼓勵她追求真理不要洩氣。請為她和她的家人持續禱告。我們正在禱告希望有些男人也能去認識她的丈夫。 走出去 我(馬大)參加完阿拉伯普世差會(AWM)在另一個國家召開的一個婦女大會,從那裡剛剛回來。這是我十多年後第 一次回到那裡,漫步在我們以前住的老社區,得到一些老朋友的消息,這一切讓我感慨萬千,心情無比愉快。我本希望能聯繫上我的三個穆斯林朋友,但是遺憾的是,我一個也沒辦法找著。我跟我們以前樓上的鄰居聊天的時候,打聽到其中至少兩人的消息。 大會開的很順利很成功,受到所有參會者的高度評價。我在研討會和靈修會期間,像蜜蜂一樣忙得團團轉,儘量發揮自己的作用。大會安排我帶領福音傳教研討會。像往常一樣,主題講授員受益最多。 我的個性,生活境遇,和與我丈夫馬克的共同事奉影響了我在阿拉伯婦女中的事工,因而影響到我在研討會上所分享的東西。雖然如此,許多問題在福音事奉中卻是普遍存在的。福音傳道的上半場戰鬥就是走出門與群眾在一起。尋找事奉的時間不論對居家良母,或對帶職事奉的工人來說都是一個重大的問題。在福音傳教研討會上,我們大家一起出點子想方法怎麼「走出去」,並鼓勵我們的隊友最有效地利用與我們和阿拉伯朋友在一起的時間。 一旦能與阿拉伯的穆斯林「出去走走」的時候,下半場的戰鬥就是打開我們的嘴去宣講真理了。我們應該怎樣在我們的交談中談論起這些話題呢?我們要將真理的信息情境化,用我們的朋友能聽懂的方式講給他們聽。例如,我們不要解釋我們在神面前會如何受到審判,而是談論怎樣淨化和清洗我們的罪;不要按我們的對錯標準來說話,我們可以試圖用榮辱的角度來分享觀點。 我們需要研究我們的阿拉伯穆斯林朋友所使用和理解的詞彙。我們應該提前準備神要我們跟他們分享的東西。只有當你思考過一遍,並準備好了打算怎麼說的時候,分享的機會似乎來得更容易一些。當我提早做了準備的時候,這些屬靈的話題就會變得很新鮮,並且就在我的嘴邊。我掌握了所有必要的詞彙和特定的用語,它們可以讓我的阿拉伯穆斯林朋友聽懂我跟她所分享的一切。 我對這次婦女大會非常滿意,感覺收穫頗多。現在我回到我家人中,我們又回到常規路線了。齋月已經過了,所以馬克和孩子們又回到學校正常上課,我們又可以在公共場合吃喝東西了。天氣也變得越來越美麗了,我們希望多花些時間去戶外活動。回到了我們的常規事奉,忙碌的聖誕節又快到了,請你們禱告,但願所有的婦女將繼續貫徹神在婦女大會上對我們的教導。 知識圈 我與弗勞爾去了一趟商店剛回來。 她為了參加一個稱為知識圈的伊斯蘭學習研討會買了黑色的手套和不透明的黑色襪子。真正聖潔的穆斯林婦女不但穿黑色的長袍(abaya)和戴遮頭髮的頭巾,而且還要用面紗遮臉,戴手套,和穿黑襪,不讓有一點點的皮膚露在外面。弗勞爾是最近才開始參加這些研討會的,她告訴我說她們正在討論穆罕默德生命,這專題系列是為期五年的。她們也學習古蘭經裡的詞句的準確發音,而且隨著齋月的臨近,她們正學習如何準備齋戒。 弗勞爾在給幾個基督徒工人輔導阿拉伯語,這幾個人包括納迪亞和我。在我們上課的時候,我們總是會給她灌輸一些屬靈的事情。請為她禱告。過去,她從來沒有表示過對基督有任何興趣,在屬靈的交談中,她總是成為「開小差」的一個人。 神可能會喚醒她對屬靈事物的興趣。當我聽說她非常有興趣地參加伊斯蘭的課程時,我覺得很難過,但我還是為這事禱告,希望神正在她的良心上作工。也許她逐漸對屬靈的事情認真,所以她透過她唯一知道的伊斯蘭道路來追求屬靈的事。 我饒有興趣想跟她一起去參加幾次這樣的伊斯蘭課程。我想看看穆斯林婦女盼望在這像聖經學習的研討會學到甚麼。請為我禱告,讓我在這件事上聽到神的聲音。溫迪和南希去年也常參加這個學習團。我不想因我的出席而鼓勵她們回去這個聚會。我情願開創我們自己的知識圈,在這個圈裡我可以影響討論的內容。我想成為一個積極的影響者,使我周遭的人漸漸感受到基督。 同樣為弗勞爾禱告。願她看到伊斯蘭和基督之間的顯明對照,並且被基督的愛和恩典所吸引。 16 : Go Go Go Go
- 1a-19古蘭經的英文譯本
古蘭經的英文譯本 古蘭經的英文譯本 穆罕默德和伊斯蘭教 書 1. 亞歷山大羅斯和喬治薩爾的英文譯本 亞歷山大羅斯在1649出版了古蘭經的第一本英文譯本,並且命名為穆罕默德的古蘭經。它並不是直接從 阿拉伯原文翻譯過來的,而是從早幾年出版的法文譯本翻譯過來的。不幸的是羅斯不認識阿拉伯文、法語也不精 通,以至譯文本身就存在著很大的缺陷,有好幾處全然未抓住原文的意思。不過,它總算把伊斯蘭的經典引進了 說英語的國家,而且成為將近一百年裡唯一可以使用的英文譯本。 今天,這個譯本的主要作用,是反映當時整個英國對伊斯蘭的看法。羅斯還寫了一篇 「致基督教讀者」 的序言介紹他這本英文譯本,他在序言中如此論到古蘭經︰ 你們將發現它十分粗俗而且又呈現出不協調的狀態,內容充滿了矛盾、褻瀆的話、淫穢的言辭、以及荒謬 的神話;因此有些謙遜、較為有理性的穆罕默德教徒為它辯護……因此正如我展示給你們看的,我不畏艱辛地把它 從法文翻譯成英文。毫無疑問,它是毒藥、有著巨大的影響力、卻是世界上最不可靠的書籍之一,但它也許是一種 幫助你確信基督教有益處的良方。 (羅斯,穆罕默德的古蘭經,A2,A3頁) 這本書以一個簡短的穆罕默德傳記結尾,並且提出一個 「警告」 ,要讀者思考一下 「哪些是有用的,否 則在閱讀古蘭經時會遇到各種各樣的危險」 ,他在書中努力為自己將一本 「土耳其人」 的聖書翻譯成英文譯本 的事實辯護,因為他料到有人會批評他開了一條路令英國進入 「穆罕默德教徒可怕的黑夜」 (出處同前書,Ef3 頁) 。他在其它地方把古蘭經描述為 「錯謬的大雜燴」 ,並且繼續警告說︰ 如果你簡短地了解古蘭經,你將發現它是由這四種成份組成的大雜燴︰1.自相矛盾。2.褻瀆的言辭。3.荒 謬的神話。4.謊言。 (羅斯,出處同前書,Ff2頁) 直到1734第一本真正的古蘭經英文譯本才面世,雖然這書的作者也是完全依賴於另一本著作。喬治薩爾以 一個簡單的標題古蘭經出版了他的英文譯本,在書中還有一個通常稱為 「穆罕默德的古蘭經」 的副標題。正如 在扉頁中所說明的,他的英文譯本確實是直接從原始的阿拉伯文版本翻譯過來的,但是他的翻譯受到由 Marracci 翻譯的拉丁文版本相當大的影響。 由於在薩爾之前已經有羅斯的譯本,因此他在譯本中補充了一些其他的資料。他在著作中加插了一個相當 冗長的前綴初步的論述來介紹伊斯蘭,這大約在六十年前綴單獨出版,但是在早期的譯本中通常是包含這個前綴 的。他也用 「選自最具權威的註釋家的註釋」 來補充這本著作。在1898年,他的英文譯本分為四冊重新印刷出版 ,這個版本補充了大量由 E. M. Wherry 所著、稱為 「古蘭經綜合註釋」 的註解。薩爾的譯本與羅斯的譯本不 同之處,在於他的譯本和初步的論述都非常精確,並且經得起時間的考驗。 順帶一提,我們從薩爾的英文譯本中選取一部份進行研究,並把它們與 Marracci 的拉丁文譯本進行比較 ,發現這本在兩百多年前的作品是多麼的謹慎和仔細,在那個時候,學習阿拉伯文的學生幾乎沒有像今天那樣有各 種字典或文法書的工具書使用,不像今天那樣有各種歐洲語言的工具書。 (希勒別,「薩爾的古蘭經可信嗎?」 穆斯林世界,卷二十一,142頁) 然而,薩爾翻譯的古蘭經卻受到穆斯林作家的抨擊。例如有些人反對他常常把為真主奮鬥和戰爭解釋為實 則上的戰爭,不合許多現代穆斯林註釋家的註解,這些註釋家總是設法緩和這些經文的意思,提出它們只有屬靈 爭戰的意思。然而,這 些通常引自原文的意思卻一點都不清楚,這樣的解釋不過暴露了那些人的目的,是渴望消 除這個在今天不受人歡迎的主題;但這種解釋在穆罕默德時代卻被視為完全符合真正的信仰。薩爾在他的譯文中通 常用斜體字來表示這樣的解釋,或者在他的腳註中加以註釋;這些註解常常不是他自己提出的假定,而純粹是早期 註釋家的解釋,特別包括非常受尊敬的巴大維,它們在 Marracci 的原本拉丁文版本中就有記載。有一個作家如 此評論薩爾的翻譯和註解︰ 薩爾的翻譯非常通俗易懂,但實際上,他用斜體字表示的附加內容幾乎都是加入了巴大維的註釋,令它對 讀者更有價值。 (池維謀, 「古蘭經的翻譯」 ,穆斯林世界,卷五,251頁) 穆斯林普遍反對薩爾的翻譯和註解的真正原因,似乎是因為這些翻譯和註解是第一次一個基督教作家對古 蘭經認真的評價,而這位基督教作家沒有努力掩飾書中不足以反映它自稱具有神聖根源的教導和教條。因為像這 種對古蘭經的教導、原始資料和倫理進行的批判或客觀的分析,至今仍不為穆斯林世界所知。事實上,任何有勇氣 進行這種研究的穆斯林作家都會馬上受到猛烈的抨擊,被視為叛徒。主要因為薩爾希望通過他發表的論文和翻譯、 使人們能夠客觀地認識伊斯蘭的遺產,所以他的翻譯得不到穆斯林作家的認同。 2. 古蘭經的第一本穆斯林譯本 直到1905年,第一本由穆斯林翻譯的古蘭經英文版本才問世;但直到1920一個被廣泛接受的版本才終於出 版。它就是由穆爾維穆罕默德阿里出版的神聖的古蘭經,穆爾維穆罕默德阿里是 Ahmadiyya 運動中溫和的拉合 爾分支。這個譯本是以英文與阿拉伯文對照的形式出版的,並補充了很多腳註來解釋正文。它也是以一個冗長的序 言 (約九十頁) 來論述古蘭經的教義及其資料的收集。儘管這個譯本相當準確地根據阿拉伯原文翻譯,但在某 些章節中,常常會暴露作者的主觀信念,似乎是作者偏好的解釋,而不是根據原文客觀的翻譯。 Ahmadiyya 運動 否認了穆斯林一般的信仰 - 認為耶穌 (爾撒) 不被釘十字架而活著升入樂園,而同時另外一個看上去跟他很像 的人在十字架上被釘死;他們教導說他從十字架上活著下來,但在許多年後死於印度的斯利那加。古蘭經只有一節 經文提到釘十字架,經文否認了猶太人曾經把耶穌 (爾撒) 釘在十字架上或者殺死他之後,就說︰ 「 wa laakin shubbiha lahum 」 (古蘭經4︰157) 。這句話的意思是︰「對他們看來確實是這樣了」,即對猶太人看來確實 是他們已經把耶穌 (爾撒) 釘死在十字架上。阿里避開了這個事實,把這個短語翻譯為︰ 「但是這件事對他們 來說是可疑的」 。他用了以下的註腳來評論整節經文︰ 這個詞語並沒有否認耶穌 (爾撒) 被釘在十字架上,但是卻否認了他是因為被釘十字架而死……有人說 某個人被看為像耶穌 (爾撒) 來代替他,從古蘭經的用語我們找不到這個意思。 (阿里,神聖的古蘭經,241, 242頁) 一個名為榮耀古蘭經的意義的英文譯本,由一名皈依伊斯蘭的英國人畢克夫翻譯的,於1930年出版;隨後 在1934年,又有另外一部由作家阿卜杜拉優素福阿里翻譯的版本,並且命名為神聖的古蘭經。雖然這兩個英文譯本 仍有一些嚴重的缺陷,但在穆斯林世界裡卻成為最受歡迎的英文版本。 優素福阿里的英文譯本成為穆斯林當中最廣泛被認可的古蘭經譯本,因此這本書全部都是使用這個譯本( 除非特別指明) 。這譯本確實值得受歡迎,儘管作者是一個什葉派的穆斯林,但是他的作品卻有清新的風格,而 且在他的作品中也很少顯示出存在於許多其他穆斯林譯本中的教派偏見。它主要的缺點 (讀者可能已經注意到) 是︰他的翻譯偶爾會不流暢,而且過多的使用大寫字母。作者在翻譯基本的阿拉伯文法時,有時也過於自由發揮, 例如把 Rabb 譯作︰ 「愛護者和維持者」 (古蘭經1︰2) ,但這個話語的意思純粹是 「主」 。 優素福阿里的著作是根據穆罕默德阿里的模式。他在他的譯本中用許多按順序編號的註釋補充,但這些註 解通常都是說教性的,並顯示了他的目的就是要啟發他的讀者從屬靈上去理解古蘭經的內容。以下是一位西方作 者對這本書總體上的評論︰ 這位作者顯然是一個信仰虔誠的人,他竭盡全力將他的信仰應用於生活的問題上,正如他自己所發現這些 問題,並告訴我們他從哪些地方得著幫助和啟示去追求更美好和滿足的生活。他作品的整體思想是值得讚美的,也 令它成為有真實宗教價值的文獻。由於這本書被放置於學術界中,必須通過評論鑒定,但是這評論員會是第一個對 作者明顯的真誠表示敬意的人。 ( Jeffery ,「優素福阿里的古蘭經譯本」 ,穆斯林世界,卷三十,55頁) 然而,他補充一個簡潔的短評︰ 「他的建議是智慧的、且有著崇高的道德水準 - 甚至有人會懷疑比他所 注解的那文本更高」 (出處同前書,58頁) 。然而,就像在他之前的穆罕默德阿里一樣,他的註釋大部份都是辯 護性的,偶爾也會挑起爭端,基督徒讀者會發現許多疑問,特別是他在註解中運用了聖經,使得人們不禁認為︰「 他在引用聖經時運用了某些巧妙的手法。」 ( Jeffery ,出處同前書,61頁) 優素福阿里的英文譯本已經經歷了時間的考驗,直到今天,即使在穆斯林世界有其他的譯本存在,它仍是 首選的版本,這點最能證明它大體的可信性。然而,我們認為它確實存在許多缺點,本書已經指出它某些缺點,因 此它並不可以算是經典。 3. 更後期的英文譯本的選品 十九世紀晚期,另外兩本著名的英文譯本在英國出版。第一部是由 J. M. 羅德威爾於1861年出版的古蘭經 ,它是第一部由譯者嘗試按年代順序排列的古蘭經。對於那些熟悉古蘭經文本的人、或者成長時就懂得其阿拉伯原 文的人,這種努力最終就大打折扣了,因為他們很難查找出特定的段落。由於作者決定只為每章的每隔十節的經文 編號,令這個問題更複雜。 這個譯本在時態和語氣的運用上也有一些錯誤 - 但是在它選擇最能表達阿拉伯原文意思的詞彙上這點卻得 分不少。本人認為羅德威爾的譯本是所有英文譯本中其中最好的一本。它除了有一點點語法錯誤外,確實是一本好 書,讀時很有樂趣。 第二部英譯本是1880年由 E. H. 帕默發表的,書名叫古蘭經譯本。這個版本專注於盡一切可能把阿拉伯原 文明顯、表現有力的語氣譯成英文。它是第一部努力呈現穆罕默德原本演說的精神的譯本。因此,帕默的譯本對這 個領域來說是一個重大的貢獻。 儘管羅德威爾的譯本更接近阿拉伯文,帕默說在這個版本裡面 「用了太多文藝風格」 。在他自己的譯文中 ,他嘗試把貝多因阿拉伯人粗魯、強烈的雄辯言辭翻譯成英語,並且我相信他成功達到了像道蒂所著的 「阿拉伯沙 漠旅行記」 的程度。在阿拉伯文中所出現難聽的話或口頭禪,它們也被翻譯成類似的英文;有時按照字面的意思翻 譯甚至可能會令讀者大吃一驚,就像最初聽到這信息的那些人的感受。 (池維謀,「古蘭經的翻譯」 ,穆斯林世界 ,卷五,251頁) 在這個世紀,由英國作家註釋的譯本只有兩部面世。第一部是由理查德貝爾翻譯的古蘭經譯本。它於1937出 版,與許多其他版本一樣,也遭到了各種各樣的對待。這個譯本也企圖按原文的年代順序排列,但它與羅德威爾的 版本不同,它聰明地保留了古蘭經章節原有的順序。正如我們在這書中所指出的,大部份的章節,特別是一些較長 的章節,都是把穆罕默德不同傳教時期的章節合起來的。貝爾單獨竭力把古蘭經分解成它們的組成部份。他也在他的 著作中補充了註解,但是它們只是簡單地解釋特殊的字句,而不像我們所看到的大多數穆斯林譯本那樣對文本進行註 釋。別人通常對他這著作的評論,是認為他建議的分段沒有根據、有許多值得爭議的地方。作者自己在他的譯本中並 非沒有察覺到可能會有這種情況,因此這樣評論說︰ 重組原文的結構看來無疑看來是武斷的,因為沒有提出證據支持它們。在某些情況中,作者是第一個承認這 種不確定的人,但是他希望通過研究顯出許多充分的結果,來證明他採用的方法是正確的,而另外在其他情況中他也 會得到嘉許,因為他在冒險重組它們之前已經盡力去理解這些經文。 (貝爾,古蘭經譯本,卷一,8頁) 但他的著作仍然是這個領域裡的一大貢獻,對定出原先啟示的可能劃分很有用。譯文本身很注重原文的精確 性,因此是一本頗有價值的參考書。 另一部近代著名的譯本是由 A. J. 阿巴利翻譯,名為古蘭經譯本。這本書的主要特點是作者盡力用英語來 表達古蘭經在阿拉伯語原文裡相當引人注目之處 - 就是讓聽眾銘記它的精神和韻律。我們已經看到,古蘭經是被 朗誦和閱讀的;幾百年來,許多人認真聆聽別人朗讀古蘭經時,被它阿拉伯原文予人印象深刻的特徵迷住了。阿巴 利在他的譯本中企圖達到這種效果,就抓住了這個特點,並且也相當的成功。它唯一的缺點就跟羅德威爾的的譯本 一樣,沒有為每一節編號,除了在每章的每隔五節才加以編號。然而,它幾乎肯定是古蘭經中最好的英文譯本,如 果有人要尋找一本既有原文精確性又抓住原作精神和動力的英文譯本,我就會推薦這一本。 4. 更近代的古蘭經穆斯林譯本 最近這幾十年,有很多來自穆斯林世界的古蘭經新譯本問世。 N. J. 達烏德在1956年出版了古蘭經,值得 注意的是它首先在英國出版。這本書跟羅德威爾的的譯本一樣,它的章節沒有按照原來的次序,而是按照推測的年 代順序排列,並且這些章節沒有逐節編號。這部作品有著令人愉悅的文學風格,卻缺少了原文的銳利風格。 後來又有兩個譯本在1971年面世。一部是 Maulaaa 阿卜杜 Majid Daryabadi 的譯本,名為神聖的古蘭經, 在巴基斯坦分兩冊出版。它與穆罕默德阿里和優素福阿里的一樣,正文是用英文與阿拉伯文對照的形式,並在文中 加入了豐富的註釋。他的 作品是一部引人注目的貢獻,因為它主要是比較性,並且大量地引用聖經。這個譯文本身 特別受許多正統的印度穆斯林喜愛,比他的兩位前輩更受他們歡迎。雖則以前的作品略帶解釋的性質, Daryabadi 的譯本卻嚴格按照阿拉伯的原文翻譯。在沒有註釋的單行本中有以下的按語︰ 這部英文譯本是阿拉伯原文的譯本,而不是它的釋義或改編本。 (前言) 然而,這個譯本存在一些嚴重的英文文法錯誤。我們可將疑點的益處歸給它,因為在許多情況下,為了精確 的翻譯原文,它缺少令人愉悅的風格,但是這令那些以英語為母語的人覺得難以閱讀。這部作品會留在優素福阿里 那比較流行的版本的影子之下,但是一些正統學校優先選擇 Daryabadi 的版本,給予它在這方面的研究的領域中 一個重要的地位。 另外一個在1971年出版的譯本簡單地命名為古蘭經,它是由 Ahmadiyya 運動的追隨者、巴基斯坦的著名作 家 Zafrulla Khan 爵士翻譯的。它是由一個典型的冗長序言開始。這部英文譯本有一種與許多譯本非常相似的文學 風格,同時失去了許多原文的特徵。只有阿巴利能夠成功地將兩者結合起來。 Zafrulla Khan 的作品整體來說是對 原文進行隨心所欲的解釋,因此帶有教派偏見。我們可以將他譯本的4︰157與我們已經引用過的穆罕默德阿里版本 進行比較。它這樣談到猶太人聲稱他們把耶穌釘死在十字架上︰ 「他們沒有殺死他,也沒有把他釘死在十字架上, 只是他從表面上看來像一個被 釘死在十字架的人」 ( Zafrulla Khan ,古蘭經,96頁) 。這很難說是一種客觀的 翻譯或者說是純粹地譯自原文,反而是典型根據作者的喜好而將一些自己教派的教條放在古蘭經的正文中。 在1980年,由一名皈依伊斯蘭的猶太人穆罕默德艾塞德翻譯的版本問世,它似乎是一部完整的作品,書名為 古蘭經的信息。作者是現代伊斯蘭學派的一位學者,他從理性的角度去解釋古蘭經中的大部份教導,並竭力以二十世 紀的現代思想去展現其教導,他對歷史上被視為超自然的事的真實性表示懷疑。大部份穆斯林世界對這部譯本都有著 負面的反應,因為它否認了正統派所珍愛的奇蹟,例如耶穌 (爾撒) 和穆罕默德肉身上的升天。這個譯本帶有傳統 的穆斯林風格,字裡行間充滿了大量的註解。這位作者的翻譯又是受到他的信念影響,因此他的譯文通常是表達了自 己偏好的解釋,而不是客觀地闡述原文。他支持那類認為耶穌 (爾撒) 沒有升入樂園的學派,因此他是如此翻譯4 ︰158︰ 「真主在自己面前高舉了他」 、而不是在絕大部份的譯本中所用的譯法「真主把他升到自己那裏」 。他還 加入了一個令到正統派的分子強烈地反對的腳註︰ 在古蘭經中,沒有任何證據證明一般人所相信的事實 - 在耶穌生時真主取耶穌的肉身升天。 (艾塞德,古 蘭經的信息,135頁) 在1979,另一部由 Mufassir 穆罕默德艾哈邁德所著的古蘭經譯本在倫敦出版。它奇怪地聲稱自己是 「第一 部英文經註 」 ,大概的意思是說自己是第一部英文註釋。這部作品沒有註腳,但是作者把他的解釋不受限制地寫入 正文本身,閱讀起來就好像是一部詳細解釋版本的聖經。 許多年前,一個伊斯蘭學生向哈特福德神學院的學生發表自己得出的有趣觀察報告︰ 就像舊約聖經的情況一樣,至今仍然沒有一個譯本稱得上大概是準備的,古蘭經沒有能夠讓你信賴的譯本。 這個工作仍然沒有人做……無論你持哪種觀點,古蘭經的這個翻譯仍然沒有做。 (麥唐納,伊斯蘭的面貌,88頁) 有關舊約的這種主張不再是正確的,但是這位作者確信直至今天古蘭經的適當譯本仍有待出版。因為沒有一 部譯本稱得上是經典之作,儘管羅德威爾的和阿巴利的譯本是傑出的個人成就。這種特性的事實說明了為甚麼沒有一 部古蘭經的譯本可以與聖經的譯本相比 - 例如修正標準版或美國更新標準版。這些版本是由學者委員會翻譯的,譯 本是非常一致和準確的根據原文的精確翻譯。但每一部著名的古蘭經譯本都是個人的作品,因此,最後整部作品的價 值因作者自己個人的確信和解釋或多或少而被減低了。也許某一天西方作家和穆斯林學者會聚在一起共同翻譯一部標 準的古蘭經英譯本。然而,只要穆斯林對西方的伊斯蘭學者感到懷疑,這個願望就很難實現。 1a : Go Go Go Go
- 164, 1,池維謀論護教/辯論
164-1 池維謀論護教/辯論 文章 164 1 作者 池維謀論護教/辯論 今天好 些討厭所謂「爭辯」的人,都反對上一輩所用的護教法、辯論法,但他們應該想一想,就是我們的主自己,還有祂的門徒偶爾也會用這種方法的。再者,辯論有時候的確是講論真理的好方法。比如費斯克(Fiske)就曾說:「我們針對形而上學的辯論,使歧異或錯誤概念難以立足。」這也是范德爾(Pfander)寫《真理的平衡》(Mizan-al-Haqq)之目的。 赫胥黎(Huxley)教授曾寫過一篇精采辯證,駁史賓莎(Herbert Spencer)的生物觀點。如果這樣的方法可以建立物理與形而上學理論,為甚麼宗教思想的範疇要摒除它呢?在宗教思想的範疇裡,我們也有真假之辨,而且議題還更無比地宏大得多呢! 史上好幾次重要的宗教爭論,造就了如尼西亞及亞他那修等大公信經,皆堪稱思想里程碑。某程度上,宗教改革也是一次宗教爭辯,要證明初期教會的教義與做法有別於羅馬教廷。護教史雖有其不幸的缺失,卻也包含著好幾個精采篇章。 基督是如何教導法利賽人和撒都該人的呢?就是當祂還小的時候,已經在殿裡聽道、發問。四福音所記載的對話裡充滿著與當時正統宗教辯論,而當時正統宗教的樣式,與今天的伊斯蘭很相似。司提反講的道是大師級的護教文章,他最終因此殉道,同時為掃羅的皈信埋下種籽。如此大胆論道,難道是錯的嗎? 保羅在各會堂(使徒行傳17:17)、在推喇奴學房裡論道,三個月 來天天如是(使徒行傳19:9);在耶路撒冷他又與說希臘話的猶太人論道,最後他們想要殺他(使徒行傳9:29)。還有保羅書信,那是他懷著愛心護教的論點,以福音真理勸服眾人;哥林多後書、加拉太書和歌羅西書皆堪稱第1世紀的議論文。在腓立比書保羅說他以「辯明證實福音」為自己的護教任務,聲稱是神定了他要為自己的信息爭辯(腓立比書1:7,17)。這裡他所用的軍事用詞,證明他在屬靈上不主張息事寧人,卻要極力抵擋基督十字架的敵人,還有一切傳「另一種福音」的人,打那美好的仗。 早期護教家捍衛真理,他們認為這種仗值得打,甚至不惜性命,見證者變成殉道者。如果向穆斯林傳福音的宣教士,所傳教義不太堅實,他自己也熱情缺缺,還不如正統穆斯林對信仰忠心,這個宣教士就有禍了。人道主義者或那些小信的人,是永遠無法贏得穆斯林的心的,因為穆斯林相信一位活的真主,信神蹟,信啟示可靠,信審判日,也信身體復活與永恆的賞罰。伊斯蘭是夠堅實的信仰,基督教也一樣。 讀范德爾(Karl Gottlieb Pfander)的生平與信息,令人想起本仁約翰(John Bunyan)著作其中一章:「就在小信之前遭刧掠的地方,站著一個人,他滿臉血跡,手中持劍。仁愛問:『你是誰?』那人答道:『我是堅忍勇士。』」節錄自池維謀:〈范達爾君〉,《穆斯林世界》第31期(1941)(Samuel Zwemer,''Karl Gottlieb Pfander'',The Moslem World),頁224~225。這篇文章翻譯自文章「Samuel Zwemer on apologetics/polemics」
- 29-3第三部分:翻譯哲學
第三部分:翻譯哲學 第三部分:翻譯哲學 基督徒與穆斯林屬靈用語歧義 書 威克里夫等機構對於聖經裡家族稱謂譯法之爭議,引起全球討論,令人思考「功能對等」翻譯哲學的可行性,就是用意譯方式,取代傳統的逐字直譯。本文之討論,盼引發各界反思其立場,深願公開討論有助發展出更健康的譯經理論。 語言之複雜性 自有人在,就有語言。這是我們在人際間、社會裡的溝通工具。對語言之一般理解,限於口頭與書寫模式,但傳播的媒界則很多。可以說,幾乎每種傳播方式在某程度上都涉及語言,舉例說,手語也是語言,不過用手和動作做符號傳遞意思。 我們用複雜的符號系統輸出與接收、編碼 與解碼,傳遞實物或抽象想法之意象。換言之,語言乃是以可觸的符號傳遞不可觸及的意思。在傳意未發生之時,意思本身同時存在傳遞者與接收者的意念裡,語言是大家交流、或交換意思的渠道。沒有語言的話,就無法溝通,心裡的意念是封存的。 符號系統可以視覺、語文、聽覺、觸覺或其他形式出現。據傳理學專家說,非文字傳意系統較文字或書寫媒介可傳遞更強烈情感信息,在不知不覺間影響溝通,可以削弱、或加強我們意識到的語文傳意。 溝通是個複雜課題,換了另一種語言不會變得簡單些;那麼跨文化傳意就更複雜了。 譯經之難正在於此,用穆斯林語言翻譯則尤其困難。中東基督徒和穆斯林是「兩種人」,兩者文化傳統可能一樣,所用語言系統也一樣,卻因為宗教不同引發語言差異,兩者間有著一堵厚厚的牆,容易造成誤解。過去十四個世紀以來,兩個族群在同樣的文化環境並存,但兩者之間的鴻溝依然大。基督徒的語言符號含義與穆斯林的語言符號差異甚大,儘管符號看來相似,甚至是一樣的。所以聖經譯者必須小心,不要混淆聖經與古蘭經的用語。 形式與意義 聖經譯者都很熟悉這兩個詞。過去40多年來,在Nida等的影響下,譯經理論都集中講文字其形與 意的關係。形式是包裝,意義是內涵。此語言二元論,令等義活譯法,或稱功能對等譯法崛興。 此理論說,形式是可變的,意思卻不變;所以可將意思從其形式抽離,以另一種形式呈現。且以翻譯「安拉」一詞為例。安拉是阿拉伯文,對譯希伯來文的Jehovah(耶和華),西班牙文的Dios,希臘文Theos,或波斯文的Khoda。據功能對譯倡導者的說法,為穆斯林翻譯時,可以「安拉」對譯「神」字。 在理論上,我同意。但這是過分簡化了譯經問題。對等活譯或功能對譯無疑較逐字直譯跨進一大步,可惜卻將問題過分簡化了,甚至可以說,這種譯法造成過去半個世紀之聖經誤譯問題。 文字與含義 「太初有道」,「神說」,「主耶和華如此說」。 神說話,會使用文字,也用上多種溝通方法,不過本文將集中討論文字。無論是講或寫的文字,本身並不具備意義,只是傳意者用以向接收者傳遞信息的工具,必須二人對所傳之意都有一樣的看法,才有真正溝通。這看似不可能,然而我們就是這樣溝通的,就這樣工作,完成買賣,簽合同,達成協議等等。溝通之所以可能,因為傳意符號是可以學會的。大腦有神奇的編碼與解碼能力,能傳送與接收信息。語言學家都同意,世上有某種統一的文 法,助人了解彼此,有時甚至在缺乏文字的情況下也溝通得來。 文字與意思之間的能動 我開始接觸形意二元論的時候,就覺得中間缺了點甚麼。於是志切研究這種學說,探究其限制,因為過去半個世紀這種學說造成不少聖經誤譯問題。 以下解釋文字與意思之間的能動,目的是令讀者更明白問題之複雜性。 文字的形式,通常指如形象、拼法、讀法、聲調等外在特點。而意思就更複雜了。以下所列因素,皆影響文字、句子、故事、喻言、詩句,或其他文學形式之含義;文字可具備以下一種、或多至21種含義: 語源學意義:文字原意或歷史上的用法 指示義:字面上的意思,字典裡的定義 隱義:暗示、或關聯其他意義 經典或歷史意義:因歷史上某一時段之語言或文化發展而有的字詞或諺語 文理意義:關乎上文下理或文章處境 文化意義:關乎特定族群文化 相對意義:不同人士對相同文字之傳與受有不同理解 歸屬意義:在乎接收者觀感的意思 成語:約定俗成之表達 隱義:隱含而不明說的意思 明義:明顯而平白的意思 情感含義:引發情感反應的意義 傳達者意:傳意者有意傳遞的意思 接收者意:接收者所理解的意思 象徵意思:字句的象徵(非字面)意思 寓意:關涉寓言或箴言的字義 藝術含義:文字的詩意,或修辭含義 術語:僅在某群體內使用的意思 技術用語:如科學、醫學、工程學、宗教用詞等 主位意義:本地人,或文化圈內人從小就懂的理解 客位意義:文化中立者、或圈外人對某字之理解 許多字詞都受上述一或多種因素影響,在跨文化場境更是如此。以下討論穆斯林/基督徒如何在圈內外使用字詞,更顯問題之複雜性。 穆斯林/基督徒的宗教術語 穆斯林與基督徒用語分歧相當大,譯經者必須留意;且差異不僅在乎字面意思,卻關乎十四世紀以來兩個群體在神學、哲學,並生活方式上之分歧,各有一套世界觀。我曾作研究,發現基督徒與穆斯林據聖經與古蘭經所用詞彙,含義迥然不同,因此,以古蘭經用語表達基督教概念很可能造成誤解。 明顯例子之一,見Accad博士寫的《穆斯林/基督徒七大原則》(Seven Muslim / Christian Principles)。他引述聖經金句,與相似的古蘭經文對照,兩者用詞都一樣,Accad博士因此天真地說,兩部經書有一樣的概 念,企圖以此說服穆斯林和基督徒說,其實兩者差異不如他們想像中大。 我在研究裡處理過百多個詞語,這裡篇幅所限,僅舉數例說明。我會闡述例如「伊斯蘭」一詞從不同角度看,如何讀出多重含義。為簡便之故,其餘詞語僅作概述,並提前述21項因素逐一探討,從中可見,就算意思很簡單的詞彙,背後問題也涉複雜問題。將按四大類因素作基本結構分析: 原本/歷史上的用法所蘊含的語源學、文字學意義 穆斯林對此字的理解(按他們所聲稱、或表意的出發點理解) 基督徒(身為圈外人)對此字的理解(歸屬意義) 基督徒所用之同義詞,附字義與字源評價 伊斯蘭 (數 字對應上列項目) 語源學含義(1):Islam,字根由三個元音S-L-M組成,衍生某組字詞。此字根組合讀作SALAMA,衍生字各有含義,不一定與字根相關。舉例說,iSLaM、SaLaaM、SaLeeM分別指降服、平安,與健康,意思各不同。 Muslim:動詞Aslama的主動分詞。 指示義(2):據字典,Islam是名詞,意為降服或順從。 隱義(3):所有伊斯蘭著作,及此類著作大多數英譯本,還有很多西方作者(包括韋氏字典[Webster's Dictionary])都定義Islam為「順服安拉」。也有進一步定義為「順從安拉旨意」。 歷史意義(4):伊斯蘭征服者往往給當地人兩個選擇:Aslim Taslam,字面意思是「投降你就安全」。Aslim是Islam的命令語法。Islam是主格形式,指順服而成為穆斯林的人,歸屬伊斯蘭者;此詞也適用於軍事場境。 文化意義(6):許多掛名穆斯林視伊斯蘭為文化身分,他們雖不禱告卻會守節,正如掛名基督徒也會和家人一起過聖誕、復活及感恩節。這類穆斯林可能也會在齋月守齋;他們平時未必守五功,卻會和親友一起守習俗,作為社交禮儀。 相對意義(7 )(類似接收者意,14): 穆斯林學者常將Islam一字含義擴充至所有源於SLM字根之字詞,包括順服、平安、安全、健康(整全),並由此推論,指伊斯蘭蘊含上述種種,因此也能賜予一切美善。 在穆斯林眼中,常與Islam關切的,是Salam-平安一字。從技術上言,Islam並不包含平安(salam)之意;從政治角度看卻有此意,因為穆斯林征服者賜予降者平安(即安全);Taslam意思是你會安全。 然而在基督徒眼中,伊斯蘭是壓迫者、迫害者的宗教。大多數基督徒對Islam一字都沒有好感,令人有情緒(12)反應,聯想到多個世紀以來穆斯林和基督徒的緊張關係。 歸屬意義(8): 此外,基督徒也不會認為這個字指神而言。對他們來說,伊斯蘭的意思是投降,這是軍事用語,描述被打敗者在征服者面前的舉動。若以此形容與安拉關係,則有「盲從」之意,不必然有順服「安拉旨意」的含義。西方基督徒以為這個字有「順服神旨」的意思,是以基督教的概念來解讀。 術語(18):對穆斯林而言,Islam是其宗教的稱號,所有穆斯林在此名下團結一致,成為烏瑪、或全球群體,成員都奉安拉為真主,奉穆罕默德為先知,奉古蘭經為經書;不 如此認信者即為「外人」。據此世界觀,非穆斯林都是不信道者、瀆主者,Kafirs。 「穆斯林」是「順服者」「Aslama」的主動分詞。 Aslama有肇因的含義,意為使…順服,或使…降服。 當基督徒以反身形式用這個詞,即變成Sallama-使己…順服。譬如Aslama nafsahu就是反身義(由己而致,或由己所加)。 基督徒的用法: 阿拉伯文聖經出現Aslama最少60次,多數以肇因形式出現,附直接賓語,如「賣耶穌的加略人猶大」(馬可福音3:19)。 阿拉伯基督徒常用Islam一字諸形式,但含義卻與穆斯林所言完全不同,為區分兩者,會以非穆斯林用語來形容,如基督徒說順服神旨意,會用「taSLeeM」,此字源於字根「iSLaM」,指「甘心順服神旨」,基督徒使用Tasleem作為合乎聖經教導之順服,有別於穆斯林的用法。從語源學上言,兩個詞的字根一樣,意思相約。 安拉/神 語源學意思:阿拉伯文安拉一字由定冠詞「al」,及「Ilah」(意為「神 」)組成,Al-Ilah縮寫成Allah。[9] 指示義:安拉是阿拉伯文,指至高主。對譯「神」字。 隱義:對大多數非阿拉伯語人士而言,安拉指伊斯蘭的神。 相對意義/術語:對不同人士而言,安拉一詞有不同含義。在部分伊斯蘭國家,使用這個字牽涉社會與政治,是敏感議題。舉例說,1989年11月,馬來西亞政府頒佈憲法,禁止當地基督徒使用這個字。在阿富汗、印度、伊朗、巴基斯坦、北非帕帕爾人地區、土耳其庫爾德人區、與伊拉克等地,基督徒與穆斯林常為此激辯,問題在於,究竟伊斯蘭的Allah是否等於基督教的神。在上述國家大部份情況,基督徒往往會避用這個字,譬如說波斯語的基督徒會改用Khoda一字,是古波斯語的「神」字。這個字大概令庫爾德族穆斯林最為難,我翻譯庫爾德語新約聖經時就遇過一大難題-如何用索蘭尼方言(Sorani)譯「神」。傳統而準確的庫爾德語「神」字是Khwa,可是用這個字,是政治不正確;當時北伊拉克政治局勢改變,許多人都不敢用這個字,怕招惹殺身之禍。1970年代伊拉克與庫爾德人戰爭時,伊拉克的阿拉伯政府就以這幾個字區分派系,用khoda者即親伊朗,用Khwa者親庫爾德革命黨,用Allah者親阿拉伯政府。 經典/歷史含義:大多數研究員都同意,Allah一詞出現時期早於伊斯蘭。早在伊斯蘭創教前數世紀,居於阿拉伯的基督徒已用Allah一字稱呼神;伊斯蘭崛 興後,這個字關涉伊斯蘭,卻非此教獨有。在阿拉伯世界,基督徒與穆斯林都常用Allah一字。 神學含義:穆斯林認為真主(安拉)獨一,反對稱真主為三位一體。真主高高在上,遠離世人,並要求人絕對順從。他是「全能」的,人必須敬畏他。人認識安拉,主要因其所非,不因其所是。人是甚麼,他就不會是甚麼。穆斯林的安拉是超然、高高在上而不可即的。 基督徒的神觀與此迥然不同,他們的神不僅超然,也常在;他似遠還近,且人神之間可以靠耶穌作中保而接觸。 翻譯安拉一詞備注:為穆斯林譯經者,對於將神字譯作Allah此做法並無異議,其中最主要理據是,如上所言,阿拉伯世界的基督徒和穆斯林都一直沿用這字。可是倡導者似乎並不知道,阿拉伯基督徒雖然也用這個字,讀法卻有別於穆斯林。基督徒強調/A/音,讀Allaaah,穆斯林則用/o/音,讀Allowwwh,當然這只是讀音上的分別。另外,阿拉伯基督徒也避免用包含這個字的、穆斯林慣用之語句,如inshallah,福音派基督徒寧願說Iza Allah raad(主若許可)。 波斯基督徒會避免用Allah一字,認為這個阿拉伯字與伊斯蘭有關,寧取Khoda,正如土耳其人寧取Tanri(i字母不附點)。 因此我建議,若是使用Allah翻譯神字,也僅限於阿拉伯文,這是從語言的角度出發。Allah是阿拉伯語,當地基督徒與穆斯林都會用。但對非阿拉伯語人士而言,這個字卻與伊斯蘭相關,會造成混亂,故寧取當地土話的「神」字。 Kufr/不信道者 Kufr源於字根KFR,字面意思是「遮蓋」,類似希伯來語的「贖罪」KOFER,但在阿拉伯語字義卻相反。Kufr是Kafara的不定式,字典釋義指褻瀆、咒詛、否認。 Kufr或不信道者,即掩飾身分者。其穆斯林含義是,真主安拉使人先天傾向伊斯蘭。Mawdudi說,人的「天性滿有『伊斯蘭』」,而Kaafer不信道者,就是抗拒伊斯蘭的人。Mawdudi指Kufr還有其他含義,如某種形式的無知,他的意思是,那些知道伊斯蘭是如何奇妙的人,是不會拒絕它的。 因此按伊斯蘭概念,Kufr或不信道,就是拒絕伊斯蘭,掩蓋與生俱來的「伊斯蘭」傾向者,這就是無知。 然而基督徒看Kufr這個字,意思全不一樣,這是指褻瀆。基督徒所說的「不信」,就是「信」的相反,信與不信,皆直接關乎神。不信,是不信任神。基督教比較強調信,較少強調不信。阿拉伯基督徒會用'Adam Iman來形容,字面意思是「缺少信心」,字眼完全不同。Kufr是與信心相反的主要教義。 Iman/信 信(Iman)字在伊斯蘭裡,指「認識、知道」,知道有真主,並以他為獨一主。信伊斯蘭者,就是不否定伊斯蘭。猶太人與基督徒不信道,因為當穆罕默德呼籲他們接受伊斯蘭時,他們並未這樣做。 按基督教,信神,是指信靠神;其含義是,神是可靠的,信徒可靠賴他所應許,知道必會兌現。 必須謹記,belief(信)與disbelief(不信),只是英語對阿拉伯語的翻譯。在英語裡,「不信」是「信」的相反。然而在阿拉伯語裡,兩個字不同字根,伊斯蘭分別稱為Kufr與Iman(字面意思是「否定」和「相信」)。基督徒說「信」與「不信」時,寧取Iman與'Adam-Iman(信,與缺乏信心)。 按基督教神學,不信是信的反題;在伊斯蘭裡,信是Kufr的反題。換言之,按基督教信仰,信是有意識、用意志採取的行為;然而據伊斯蘭,則信或iman,是人的天性。人人天生都是信道者、Mu'min,是穆斯林。基督教概念則相反,我們天生是罪人、不信者,必須運用信心,才能成為真正的基督徒。 Rasul/先知 穆斯林用兩個字形容先知,Rasul與Nabi,兩個詞字義一樣,可互換。穆罕默德同時被視為Rasul及Nabi。我讀過一本書形容得好,他們所說的先知,就是安拉向他傳遞知識與智慧的使者。穆斯林學者說,曾有124,000位先知降世,古蘭經僅提及三十位,大部分都是聖經裡的先知。但嚴格的說,真主給世上每個民族都派遣先知,用該民族語言寫一部經書。此說乃為抗衡聖經所說,所有先知必須是猶太人。眾先知的「封印」是穆罕默德,他是最後一位先知,也是惟一不限於對一國傳信息的先知,乃是為世界而來,並為人類帶來屬天的話語,讓世人學習、敬拜。 細看相關概念,可見穆斯林認為先知是滿有領導能力與智慧的人,Mawdudi說過:「先知有別於世人…其天資聰敏,且能順天性過虔誠、有意義的生活。」 基督徒則沿用猶太人對先知的看法,就是神所膏立的人,有超自然能力,能預見未來。他們用Rasul一字,乃指使徒,而使徒就是基督的跟隨者,「蒙召」、受命成為傳信息者。 Khatiya/罪 伊斯蘭並沒有「罪性」觀念,卻有多個詞語形容「罪行」。與基督教相反,穆斯林認為人並沒有罪性,雖然古蘭經也載有亞當故事,卻沒有原罪觀念。古蘭經所載故事,並未說亞當或夏娃犯罪,卻歸咎撒旦,因為是牠引誘他們的。伊斯蘭認為罪只是軟弱,而人是軟弱的,所以會犯錯。吃豬肉是犯罪,因為這是禁戒的食物。罪並非屬靈狀態,而是行為,或違犯誡律。你要是喝酒、不禱告、抗拒伊斯蘭,就是犯罪。 基督徒相信因為亞當犯罪,令全人類都陷入罪中,我們都生而有罪。罪的定義,是悖逆神,違逆祂的話,或犯種種過錯。罪必須以超自然的方法來解決,人是無法處理自己的罪的,但靠著神的介入、並人的悔改,就可以除掉罪。 雖然穆斯林有很多形容罪的詞彙,卻沒有清晰的罪觀,只有善惡觀念。 Sharr/邪惡 穆斯林相信世上有惡、或Sharr。真主創造善也善惡,人遭遇好事或壞事,但憑真主意欲。惡是由撒旦、或Shaytan造成的;事實上,所有人都擁有善惡兩種力量,就是光明與黑暗天使,兩者交戰決定了穆斯林的命運。但當中仍然有空間讓至仁主來施恩,他可能赦宥,又或者不會,但憑他的喜好而作。穆斯林死的時候,兩方天使會用天秤「衡量」此人的善行與惡行,以決定他下火獄或是進天園。 據基督教神學,惡乃是隨著路西弗墮落而來的,他就是引誘亞當夏娃的天使。由於二人受引誘,從此令人類有了罪性。因為世界裡有惡,從此而致罪。據基督教理解,耶穌死在十字架上的時候就勝過撒旦-邪惡之源,人只以相信耶穌,以祂為救主,就解決了惡的問題。 Salat/禱告 Salat是「禱告」的阿拉伯文,穆斯林用以指每日五次在安拉面前所做的敬拜儀式,是伊斯蘭最重要的要求之一,是穆斯林之義務,不可推卸。穆斯林會在特定時間、以特定方式禱告,有劃一標準的誦念禱文,都是古蘭經句。穆斯林不認為真主在認真聽禱告內容,不過他要求信士禱告,他們也就這樣做了,也不必明白禱告內容意思。舉例說,印尼穆斯林用外語-即阿拉伯文-禱告,他不必理解內容,卻要字字誦念準確,不能念錯一個字。 基督徒相信,人禱告時是與神說話,和神在一起,所以禱告必須從心而發,因為神在乎你說的話,會垂聽你的禱告。 Ibada/敬拜 「敬拜」的阿拉伯文是Ibada,源於字根ABD,Ibada指人是奴隸。Mawdudi曾經從多角度解釋這個字,將其含義延至語言之極限。無論如何,伊斯蘭所說的敬拜就是禱告。穆斯林禱告,必須俯伏,額觸地,露出頸項,雙掌按地,全身重量聚於雙掌。這是古時阿拉伯社會奴隸對主人表順服的姿勢。 基督徒也會用Ibada一字,含義卻有別。他們所說的敬拜,是指屬靈上轉向神,覺知祂臨在,聚焦於祂。基督教所言敬拜含義很廣,包括禱告、讚美,卻又不止於此。舉例說,信 徒什一奉獻,也是敬拜方式之一。而敬拜的重點,乃在乎誠心,「用心靈誠實敬拜」。 總結 穆斯林和基督徒就是用相同術語,含義也迥異,造成溝通鴻溝;許多偏見與誤會,皆因對若干共有詞彙之誤解而產生。有時是概念相同,兩個族群卻有不同詞語表達;有時詞彙相同,意思又不一樣。 然而,將穆斯林和基督徒所用的詞彙混同,並不能彌補已存在十四個世紀的鴻溝。用穆斯林的術語表達基督教概念,只會有反效果。穆斯林和基督徒必須了解大家思想之異同的真相,不要假裝想法一樣。了解雙方分歧以後想辦法和平共處,總比假裝一致,騙人騙己更好。 我們必須按整本古蘭經的脈絡、並伊斯蘭神學與世界觀,來理解個別字眼。同樣地,必須從整本聖經、並基督教神學與世界觀,以理解基督教用語。借用古蘭經詞彙翻譯聖經,會造成不必要的語言及神學上的混亂。 [9] 穆斯林學者不會認同這種分析,他們認為「安拉」一字是真主尊名。 29 : Go Go Go Go
- 1273, 1,什麼是基督教護教學?運動類比
1273-1 什麼是基督教護教學?運動類比 文章 1273 1 作者 什麼是基督教護教學?運動類比 2023年9月15日 當我剛開始攻讀碩士學位時,我記得我告訴父親我在攻讀基督教辯護學(apologetics)學位。他笑著說:「嗯,你們基督徒也該開始道歉(apologizing)了。」我嬉皮笑臉地反駁道:「爸爸,你知道我不是這個意思。」我向他解釋了我接下來要與你們分享的內容,即護教學需要為基督教信仰提供理由,並回答反對基督教信仰的觀點(見《哥林多後書》10:5和《彼得前書》3:15)...這樣做時要溫柔和敬畏。 我父親是個超級體育迷,就像他一樣,任何一支運動隊的教練都知道,要想在比賽中做好充分準備,就需要有好的進攻和好的防守。爸爸經常抱怨他當時正在觀看的球隊缺少其中之一。如果一支球隊在比賽中不知道如何防守自己的球門,他們就會輸掉比賽。如果一支球隊只知道如何防守,卻不知道如何通過進攻策略贏得分數,那麼他們也會輸掉比賽。雖然基督教與這種「輸贏」無關,但在我們自己的人生遊戲中,如果我們沒有有意識地建立起類似的進攻和防守,我們就會遇到困難,感到措手不及。 在防守線上 基督教辯護學可以幫助人們理解疑慮、問題和反對意見,這些都是1)個人成長和成熟的一部分;2)生活在一個日益後基督教社會的一部分。 當我們年輕的時候,我們傾向於相信生活中的權威人物。我們相信他們所說的話,並努力讓自己活得像那些教導是真的一樣。隨著年齡的增長,我們開始在生活中遇到更多的經歷,我們自然會開始質疑我們迄今所學到的東西。當我們對痛苦、苦難和死亡的體驗較少時,神的良善等概念還比較簡單,而現在卻變得複雜得多。這種質疑並不是壞事,相反,它是人類思想成熟的一部分。 隨著我們的社會文化變得越來越相對主義、後基督教和社交媒體/娛樂化,深奧的基督教哲學概念開始失去其可理解的複雜性,變得越來越漫畫化,甚至淪為荒謬。對信仰深思熟慮的質疑和理解往往被快速、煽動性的聲音和口號所取代。隨著這些簡短、不加批判的觀點在各種社交媒體上流行開來,它們變得越來越難以應對。護教學可以幫助信徒回應這些基督教的大眾化形象,並應對生活中更深層次的問題。 在進攻線上 當信奉基督教的人不知道自己相信什麼或為什麼相信時,他們對神的信任和信心就會受到影響。例如,有時當我與離開基督教和教會的人交談時,我問他們過去相信什麼,結果他們會說:「好吧,我也不相信神。」我相信出現這種情況有很多原因,但在我接受的教會教育中,我很少接觸到關於基督教基本神學、教會歷史或哲學方面的深入教導,如基本邏輯(善於思考)和生活中的難題。我注意到,信徒們只能在自己的經歷、斷斷續續的聖經學習、專題佈道和/或系列佈道、教會文化興趣和整體文化影響之間拼湊基督教。這往往使他們的基督教變得乏善可陳,失去了對人類經歷的深層解釋力。 通過為信仰神建立一個正面案例,基督徒可以開始發現為什麼他們相信神是人類生活的意義、目的和價值等基本問題的答案。人們可以了解到,神不僅值得我們信任,也值得我們敬拜和愛(約翰一書第4章)。 什麼是護教學?戰術計劃 基督徒在建立強大的護教攻防戰時,要為理解和傳達自己的信仰制定一個戰術計劃。學習如何為我們的信仰辯護並不是「人生得勝的十步計畫」,而是一個在基督裡成熟的信徒全面發展的重要一環。正如使徒彼得告誡我們的那樣,我們「要常作準備,以溫柔、敬畏的心回 答(apologia)(護教、論據)你們心中盼望的緣由」。這個緣由就是耶穌通過復活和救贖人類為我們帶來的盼望。雖然我們不是在為自己的信仰道歉,但在某種程度上,我們是在說:「對不起,不是對不起(Sorry, not sorry)」,因為我們在一個需要看到真正的基督徒活出他們所信奉的真理並將其付諸行動的社會中,堅持著這一救贖的盼望。 *作者注:在今後的文章中,我將討論護教學的重要方面,即以「溫柔和敬畏」的態度傳達我們的信仰。 這篇文章翻譯自Mary Jo Sharp的在線文章「What is Christian Apologetics? A Sports Analogy」 https://maryjosharp.com/what-is-christian-apologetics/
- 508, 1,伊斯蘭國說慶祝新年相當於偶像崇拜
508-1 伊斯蘭國說慶祝新年相當於偶像崇拜 文章 508 1 作者 伊斯蘭國說慶祝新年相當於偶像崇拜 2017年1月1日 Vicky Nanjappa( http://www.oneindia.com/authors/vicky-nanjappa.html) 伊斯蘭國恐怖主義頻道敦促各處穆斯林都要無視新年慶祝活動,因為慶祝活動就像「與異教徒一起進行偶像崇拜」。 華盛頓12月1日:伊斯蘭國說慶祝新年就是進行偶像崇拜。伊斯蘭國在警告穆斯林反對慶祝新年的同時,還說這相當於與異教徒進行偶像崇拜。 在宣傳伊斯蘭國的英文頻道的聲明中,伊斯蘭國說:『同卡菲爾(非穆斯林)慶祝新年除夕就是接受他們的偶像崇拜和異教信仰並逃避我們主的統治。 安拉說:「信道的人們啊!你們不要以猶太教徒和基督徒為盟友(朋友、保護者、幫助者)。他們各為同教的盟友(as Auliya')。你們中誰以他們為盟友,誰是他們的同教。真主必定不引導不義的民眾(多神論者和錯誤的行為者和不公正者)。」(古 蘭經5筵席:51) 沒有什麼可以慶祝的。西曆(Gregorian Calendar)是植根於異教徒(kuhr),並公然無視月曆,月曆介紹我們跟隨可敬的先知(祈主福安之)的遷徙/希吉拉。 我們也不慶祝新一年的開始。相反,我們看重神聖的聖月和爾德節('Eids),這也是看重我們穆斯林兄弟和我們自己的時候。如果一個穆斯林發現自己在這樣的慶祝活動中,必須避免異教徒所犯的各種各樣的罪-飲酒、淫亂和放蕩。』 這篇文章翻譯自 Vicky Nanjappa 的在線文章「Celebrating New Years amounts to practising idolatry says Islamic State 」 http://www.oneindia.com/international/celebrating-new-years-amounts-practising-idolatry-says-islam-2305614.html
- 275, 1,十字軍的背景
275-1 十字軍的背景 文章 275 1 作者 十字軍的背景 作者: 保羅‧史丹侯斯博士(Dr. Paul Stenhouse)( http://answering-islam.org/Authors/Stenhouse/index.htm) 版權為Chevalier Press所有。本文已獲版權。2007。 按當代的見識,穆斯林與基督徒之間『五個世紀以來的和平共處』是被政治事件和帝國主義的教廷權力遊戲引至完結。這也帶來多個世紀之久連串的所謂「聖戰」,使基督教敵對伊斯蘭,並留下一個長久的誤會和誤信的遺孽。(註一) 澳大利亞的維多利亞州出版了一本八年級課本 《活着的人性(2)》 ,把反基督教/反西方的論題帶進更深入的討論: 既然那些炸毀世貿中心的人被指為恐怖份子,那麼,攻擊那些居住耶路撒冷的穆斯林的十字軍也是恐怖份子,這樣說是否才算公平?(註二) 穆罕默德在公元632年六月八日死於麥地那。直到公元1095年,八次的十字軍的首次出征,為要使巴勒斯坦的聖地從穆斯林的控制權下得解放,並給基督教朝聖者一條安全的通路前往聖地。這樣說可能有點學究口吻,但要指出的是,那個被質疑的時期不 是五個世紀,而是四百六十三年;在這些年日當中,我們堅信,並沒有『和平共存』的徵象。(註三) 伊斯蘭對基督教的攻擊 穆斯林經常非組織性地(和偶有組織性地)入侵與地中海邊界連接的基督徒國家,連續四百六十三年。穆斯林多次的血腥入侵主要是來自阿拉伯和柏柏爾的海陸軍。這些人不單是為了勝利品-金、銀、寶石和奴隸,也為了毀滅被視為異教徒(非伊斯蘭)的教堂、修道院和祭壇,以及在他們自地中海至亞得里亞海(Adriatic)沿岸的基地,遠至整個歐洲,傳播政教合一的伊斯蘭教。 在穆罕默德逝世的年代,阿拉伯以及整個波斯王國的主要中心,都有龐大的基督徒和猶太團體。地中海的歐洲、亞洲和非洲旁邊的地域,主要人口都是基督徒。 那些來自阿拉伯的穆斯林部落民族,受穆罕默德的啟示和模範所激勵,只用幾年就入侵了東羅馬或拜占庭王國,而當代的拜占庭國王把時間放在宗教爭議上,比保衛國家更多。公元633年,美索不達米亞 (Mesopotamia)敗倒。幾年之後,整個波斯王國被阿拉伯的部落民族掠殺而傾倒。年青的波斯國王亞達捷(Yazdagird)被驅趕到國土最偏遠之地索格底亞納(Sogdiana,即烏茲別克斯坦),最後在一間磨坊內被他的韃靼人保鑣刺殺。 大馬士革在公元635年陷落,而耶路撒冷在公元638年,即是穆罕默德死後五年後向敵方投降。 亞歷山大省(Alexandria)在公元前643年的陷落,是上千年的希臘古文明的喪鐘之聲,因希臘古典文化學術曾使整個近東的文明更添豐富。按享利‧丹尼奧-若斯(Henri Daniel-Rops)的聲明,從文明歷史的觀點來看,亞歷山大省陷落的重要性,尤如八百年之後君士坦丁堡被土耳其人攻陷一樣。(註四) 公元648至649年,塞浦路斯陷落;公元653年,羅得島(Rhodes)陷落;公元698年,整個北非失陷。 西班牙被入侵 公元711年,穆罕默德死後不足八十年,穆斯林從丹吉爾(Tangiers)湧過十三公里闊的直布羅陀海峽到達西班牙。公元721年,這些阿拉伯-柏柏爾人群情洶湧,推翻了信奉天主教的西哥特人(Visigoths)統治,當薩拉弋薩(Saragossa)陷落,這個入侵群族的目標指向南法國。 公元732年初春,普蒂亞斯(Poitiers)牆外的長方形教堂被拆毀;阿杜‧拉曼‧伊本‧阿卜杜拉(Abd al-Rahman ibn Abdullah al-Ghafiqi)更前去圖爾(Tours)。該地收藏了聖馬丁(死於公元397年)-法蘭克斯使徒和守護神-的遺體。 公元732年十月其中一個星期六,正是穆罕默德死後一百年,阿杜拉曼在由普蒂亞斯往圖爾的路上被查理斯‧馬特(Charles Martel)和他的法蘭克軍打敗而死。這場戰爭被英國歷史學家吉本(Gibbon)譽為扭轉穆斯林進侵歐洲之勢的決定性勝利。 雖然如此,穆斯林對法國的攻擊仍繼續。公元734年,阿拉伯軍搶奪了阿維尼翁(Avignon)。公元743年,里昂(Lyons)失陷。直至公元759年,阿拉伯人才被驅逐於奈爾邦尼(Narbonne)境外。可是,公元838年,馬賽(Marseilles)被他們掠奪。 自公元九世紀初的年代,穆斯林入侵意大利早已成為當代社會生活的特徵。在蓋達(Gaeta)外面的寵沙(Ponza),和在那不勒斯(Naples)外面的以赤阿(Ischia)島嶼早已被攻陷。到公元813年,古羅馬皇帝圖拉真(Trajan)所建的羅馬港口斯弗達域基亞(Civitavecchia)被阿拉伯人洗劫一空。 公元826年,克利特島(Crete)淪落於穆斯林軍隊火下,且成為他們的軍事基地,直至公元961年。自公元827年前後,他們開始蠶食西西里島(Sicily)。公元842年,他們掠奪了墨西拿(Messina),並控制了墨西拿海峽。而且,在恩拿(Enna)陷落之後,公元859年,他們最後掠奪了整個島。 公元836年,那不勒斯人(Neapolitans)為了私利,邀請穆斯林軍隊協助對抗倫巴弟人(Lombards);就讓他們在亞得里亞海(Adriatic)沿岸進行突擊,包括毀滅安科納(Ancona),超過百 年之久。當年穆斯林的進攻已遠達普奧(Po)口。那不勒斯之南的『撒拉遜人塔』(Saracen Towers)(註五)建於第九世紀,用以警告當地人阿拉伯軍由西西里及非洲進攻。這些塔如今仍使那不勒斯海岸的訪客迷惑。 巴里,現為原『聖誕老人』的米拉的聖尼古拉(St. Nicholas of Myra)遺跡之鄉,在公元840年,因另一個背叛行為,淪陷給一個柏柏爾官長卡爾分(Khalfun)。自公元853年至871年,臭名遠播的穆斯林強盜穆發拉(al-Mufarraj bin Sallam)與他的後繼人-另一個名叫思梭登(Sawdan)的巴巴里人,自巴里(Bari)至勒佐卡拉布里亞(Reggio Calabria),控制了整個沿岸地區,並恐嚇意大利南部。他們甚至攻陷高康怒山(Mt Gargano)上的聖米高修院。他們聲稱為在巴勒莫(Palermo)獨立的埃米爾(Emir)。 聖彼得教堂的洗劫 公元837年,那不勒斯也要抵抗穆斯林的攻擊,打敗驅趕他們。但羅馬並不那麼幸運。公元846年八月二十三日,阿拉伯軍由非洲抵達台伯(Tiber)河口的奧斯提亞(Ostia)。他們有七十三艘戰艦,阿拉伯人的軍力中有一萬一千戰士,五百頭戰馬。(註六) 聖地外面最受尊崇的基督教陵墓-聖彼得和保羅的墳墓-被褻瀆,而它們尊貴的巴西里佳(Basilica)教堂和拉特蘭皇宮(Lateran Basilica)連同很多其他教會及公共建築也全被洗劫。 聖彼得遺體之上的祭壇被擊碎;聖彼得教堂大門的銀片被剝掉。羅馬人變得悲慘淒寂,而基督徒都因穆斯林軍隊的野蠻行為而震驚。 三年後教皇尼奧四世[847-855]與那不勒斯(Naples)、亞馬非(Amalfi)和蓋達(Gaeta)聯盟。當阿拉伯軍在公元849年再於台伯(Tiber)河口出現,教庭軍隊與聯軍驅逐了穆斯林軍。穆斯林軍逃回去時因遇上狂風雷暴全軍覆殁,就如很久以前法老王的軍隊一樣。 戰後生還者都被送到羅馬,加入建造梵諦岡(Vatican)里昂拉(Leonine)牆的隊伍。這牆有十二呎厚,近四十呎高,由四十四座塔保衛。直至如今,梵諦岡的訪客仍可看見大部份的城牆和兩座圓塔。這些保衛國土的城牆,於公元852年建成並受教皇尼奧四世祝福。 公元846年,阿拉伯軍戰勝了在亞普利亞(Apulia)的塔蘭托(Taranto),並佔領該地直至公元880年。 公元870年,穆斯林搶奪了馬爾他(Malta)。公元871年,在意大利的阿拉伯人視為首都的巴里(Bari),被國王路易士二世從穆斯林手中奪回。翌年,他再打敗撒拉遜(Saracen)軍,把他們驅離卡布阿(Capua)。 十字軍首次出征前223年 我們檢視穆斯林謢教論者之所謂『和平共存』的歷史 ,來到這個時期,仍距離十字軍首次出征兩百二十三年。 或許應先讓讀者明白,為何處身第九世紀又作為查理曼大帝的孫子的國王路易士二世,絕對確定十字軍的需要。『他甚確定必要把伊斯蘭逐出歐洲。 (註七)。但當時仍沒有號召十字軍。』 我還未提到穆斯林對拜占庭帝國的攻擊,其實這在準備十字軍出征的舞台也佔上一部分。當代的東羅馬帝國,肩負保衛西方免受穆斯林入侵的責任,雖有可誇炫的軍力和政治勢力,整體來說卻是失敗而終。 公元673年,君士坦丁堡(Constantinople)曾受攻擊;隨後五年,阿拉伯海陸軍欲衝破拜占庭的防線不遂。『希臘之火』這神秘的東西在水上燃燒,擊倒了穆斯林軍艦,為防衛軍贏得一朝一夕。 然後,公元717年,穆斯林因西班牙之役報捷而膽壯,回頭再攻擊。 命運干預了戰情。尼奧(Leo the Isaurian)國王[717-740],就像公元732年在普蒂亞斯的查理斯‧馬特(Charles Martel)和他的法蘭克軍,扭轉了穆斯林入侵的狂潮。君士坦丁堡有過一段太平日子。然而,尼奧雖統領軍力有法,卻是一個篡位者,亦是一個叛逆者。縱使他打敗了穆斯林,他的國策始終使東、西羅馬帝國進一步變弱。 公元870年,來自不列顛的貝爾納.得.偉思(Bernard the Wise)想造訪巴勒斯坦,得先獲得在亞得里亞海岸的巴里的穆斯林當局發出的通行證。(註八) 公元873年,意大利南部的卡拉布里亞(Calabria)被穆斯林軍蹂躪至一個地步,尤如「經受挪亞時代的洪水淹沒後」的光景。而撒拉遜人更表示他們意欲毀滅羅馬-『那個無能的老彼得』之城。(註九) 公元874年,教皇約翰八世鼓其三寸不爛之舌,極力勸阻亞馬非(Amalfi)、那不勒斯(Naples)、貝尼文特(Benevento)、卡布阿(Capua)、沙萊諾(Salerno)、史波尼陶(Spoleto)與阿拉伯人(Saracens)為了利益而結盟。各國當中只有亞馬非(Amalfi)、卡布阿(Capua)和沙萊諾(Salerno)為着基督教的團結而聽從他的請求。 公元876年末開始,教皇約翰八世向四面八方寄信求助抵抗阿拉伯軍隊。那時阿拉伯軍正在摧毀意大利南部,甚至威逼着羅馬。他向米蘭的波臣尼(Bosone)公爵求助,因他是北意大利的國王查理斯.得.波特(Charles the Bald)所指派的使節,但並沒有獲得援助。他寫信向西班牙的加里西亞(Galicia)王艾方索三世(Alfonso III)要騎兵戰馬,向拜占庭人要戰艦。自公元876至877年5月,他寄出極多的信給法蘭西國王,求他援助意大利的天主教徒。 這國王事實上只是脆弱的蘆葦枝,公元879年他死後,史波尼陶公爵讓教皇約翰八世知道,他因無力應付撒拉遜人和史波尼陶人兩方,立即要每年向阿拉伯人進貢二萬五千個曼客斯 (mancus) 。當年一個銀曼客斯約值二十五澳元(一百三十九元人民幣)。這情況維持了兩年。 公元881年,意大利那不勒斯的穆斯林同盟佔領了加域利安奴(Garigliano)(古代的利域思(Liris))上的城堡,那地位於蓋達(Gaeta)以東十四公里,接近安思奧(Anzio),正位於那不勒斯(Naples)以北。那些穆斯林盟軍在四周的邊地毫無顧忌搶劫長達四十年之久。 公元882年二月,教皇約翰八世從拉文納(Ravenna)的教會會議回來,發現如他所說的「撒拉遜人住在分狄(Fundi)和泰拉仙那(Terracina)兩地,尤如住在非洲的家鄉。」(分狄(Fundi)位於拉可姆國中,靠近羅馬。泰拉仙那(Terracina)則位於羅馬東南部以外八十公里。)當年教皇寫下「雖然我們狀態極之不佳,但我們帶軍前往戰場,擄獲十八艘敵軍戰艦,殺死大量敵軍。」(註十)並且,六百名撒拉遜人的俘虜得以釋放。 公元878年,經過九個月的圍攻,西那庫斯(Syracuse)敗在穆斯林手下,只有少數人逃脫生還。拜占庭城被搶掠拆毀。它的塌下,使無數的穆斯林搶掠群隊對意大利各城鎮更放縱地搶奪。 公元880年,拜占庭將領看到在那不勒斯對抗撒拉 遜軍的勝利,且看到巴茲爾(Basil)國王派來的戰船來到羅馬城外海域。那些戰船是來給教皇保衛『聖彼得的土地』的。(註十一) 同時,撒拉遜人再把目標轉向法國南部和意大利北部。他們在公元734年及838年先後已攻取了亞威農(Avignon)和馬賽(Marseilles);他們最重要的基地是費先尼陶(Fraxineto)或弗朱斯(Frejus)。這兩地離土倫(Toulon)不遠,而土倫是他們在公元889年掠奪的。 公元942年,亞耳(Arles)的休(Hugh)派他的海軍和自己海陸夾攻穆斯林軍,穆斯林軍只好暫時逃離基地。休沒有掃走那些嗜血的穆斯林入侵者,反而讓他們停在原地任意妄為,以防他的對手-艾維雅(Ivrea)的貝倫爵維士.馬圭斯(Berengerius Marquis)-回意大利作『意大利王』。賀瑞斯.曼(Horace Mann)評論(註十二)這是當代掌控歐洲命脈的務實領袖的毛病。 貝倫爵維士.馬圭斯在公元945年由德國返回意大利;直至公元972年,才由意大利和普羅旺斯的王子將所有穆斯林捕拿並驅逐出境,這已是費先尼陶(Fraxineto)被佔將近百年之後了。 同一時期,穆斯林的暴行污染了阿爾卑斯山脈的通道,他們搶劫和殺害往羅馬的朝聖者。公元921年,在阿爾卑斯山路上,一大隊前往羅馬向十二門徒墳墓朝聖的英國朝聖者被撒拉遜人推下滾石壓死。(註十三) 十字軍首次出征前174年 在這個被指為穆斯林與基督徒和平共存的時期,仍距離十字軍出征解放聖地之年有一百七十四年。 同時,公元902年,位於希臘國中部的狄瑟利(Thessaly)的德米特里阿斯(Demetrias),被穆斯林軍艦攻陷毀滅。拜占庭的第二大城市帖撒羅尼迦(Thessalonica)在公元904年也被攻陷。公元887年,穆斯林軍攻取了卡斯安那(Carsiana)的希斯拿(Hysela),以及在小亞細亞島的本都(Pontus)的一個大都市安曼西亞(Amasia)。 安曼西亞的主教名叫馬勒純路斯(Malecenus),他想贖回他那些被擄掠的人民,但他知道拜占庭國王里奧六世不會幫助,於是他訴諸於羅馬教皇本尼迪克特四世。 教皇仁慈地接見他,並給他一封通諭。通諭是寫給所有主教、修道院院長、伯爵、法官,以及所有宣認正統基督教信仰的領導,要求他們給馬勒純路斯提供所有方法,並確保他安全地走過每個城市。 公元905年,教皇塞爾吉烏斯三世(Sergius III)幫助斯爾華.康蒂坦(Silva Candida)的主教希爾德布蘭德(Hildebrand)修復他的教區部份損壞的地方,因該教區鄰近羅馬,被那些曾毀壞斯爾華‧康蒂坦(Silva Candida)教堂的撒拉遜人毀壞了。 公元915年,教皇約翰十世得助於拜占庭艦隊總司令貝斯格里(Picingli)和他的軍隊,成功創立基督教同盟。甚至那些爭吵的意大利南部王子,連同北意大利的國王巴勒加域斯(Berengerius)和軍隊,也一同加入對抗撒拉遜人的軍團。敵軍被圍困在那不勒斯北面、接近蓋達的加域格利安努(Garigliano)的城堡內。他們經受三個月的封鎖,嘗試殺出一條出路,卻終被基督教盟軍驅趕出去。 公元934年,法蒂瑪王朝的伊瑪目卡伊曼(al-Ka'im)計劃由亞古別․本․伊斯哈格(Ya'kub bin Ishaq)領軍大胆進侵利古域阿(Liguria),並功擊熱那亞(Genoa),在935年攻取了。 直至公元972年,普羅旺斯的威廉公爵才能成功地把撒拉遜人從化仙里陶(Fraxineto)的要塞驅走。公元976年,埃及法蒂瑪(Fatimid)王朝的哈里發(Caliphs)派出新的穆斯林遠征隊到意大利南部。起初總部在羅馬的德國國王奧非奧二世(Otho II)成功打敗這些撒拉遜軍,可是,及至公元982年七月,他被伏擊,他的軍隊也被打得支離破碎。 公元977年,大馬士革(Damascus)的大主教塞爾吉烏斯(Sergius)被穆斯林驅離他的教區。教皇本尼迪克特給他在羅馬的艾奮泰(Aventine)山上聖阿力斯艾思(St. Alexius)古老教堂設立修道院。他在那裡任首任院長並設立了本尼迪克特式教規。 教皇約翰十八世[1003-1009]的職位受到旱災和瘟疫、以及撒拉遜人的搶掠黨所損害。撒拉遜暴徒由薩丁島的大本營侵掠意大利沿岸各地,由比薩到羅馬。 公元1010年,撒拉遜人搶掠了意大利南部的科森察(Cosenza)。公元1015年,薩丁島敗落在阿拉伯人手上。根據拉丁文編年史,是次戰役由阿布.侯賽因.莫柱海特(Abu Hosein Mogehid)率軍。但按阿拉伯資料,我認為入侵統領是穆扎海特.本.阿卜杜拉(Mujahid bin 'Abd Allah)。撒拉遜軍以薩丁島為基地。隨後幾年,他們燒毀比薩(Pisa),搶奪塔斯卡尼(Tuscany)北部的倫那(Luna),摧毁土地。教皇本尼迪克特八世(Benedict VIII)集合海軍軍力,挑戰撒拉遜人首領。那首領逃回薩丁島,遺下的軍兵只能待勝利的教廷從輕法落。 穆扎海特.本.阿卜杜拉派人送給教皇一袋栗子及信息:他會在快來臨的夏天帶同和這袋栗子一樣多的軍人再來。本尼迪克特接受了栗子,回贈一袋米。他對那驚愕的信差說:「若你的主人對他在聖徒產業上所造成的破壞還不滿足,讓他再來吧,他將會看見有如這袋米粒般多的武裝戰士在這裡。」 教皇不待答覆,馬上到敵軍領土作戰。他聯合比薩和熱那亞的軍隊,於公元1017年,帶軍向薩丁島出航。抵達該島時,只見穆扎海特正在把基督徒釘十字架。這穆斯林領袖逃到非洲,而薩丁島由比薩人統領。穆扎海特多番嘗試取回薩丁島;直至公元1050年,他被比薩人捕拿,而教皇把該島特別賜與比薩人。 公元1003年,穆斯林自西班牙攻陷了安提比斯(Antibes)。公元1005年及1016年,他們攻陷了比薩;公元1020年,那邦尼(Narbonne)也被攻陷。 公元1025年前後某時某日,教皇約翰十九世(John XIX)賜予西班牙東北的吉拉拿(Gerona)的彼得大主教一件大披肩(教會審判權的表徵),條件是他要實踐他在探訪中對教皇所作的承諾:贖回撒拉遜人擄掠的基督徒。 十字軍首次出征成為現實 在穆罕默德逝世的公元632年和號召十字軍解放聖地的公元1095年之間,這四百六十三年的流逝歲月,並不是穆斯林和歐洲或拜占庭基督徒的『和平共存』時代;而且,對於住在穆斯林擁有之地的基督徒,也不是和平的年日。他們只能盡力抱着最低的姿態生活,繳納截斯阿(jizya)(丁稅)或人頭稅,卻要接受在土地上沒有任何名份和地位,而那些土地在穆斯林入侵者來到之前,都是基督徒的土地。他們這樣受屈,才能享受『和平』。 新的千禧年的前景,是更壞的情況。公元1009年,埃及花蒂理王朝的哈里發阿布.阿里.曼舒阿(abu-'Ali Mansur al-Hakim)命令拆毀耶路撒冷的聖冢。拆毀的敕令是由他的基督徒秘書伊本-阿巴登(ibn-'Abdun)簽署的。那些穆斯林摧毀了耶穌的墳墓、教堂的圓頂和上面部分,直至腳邊的瓦礫 堆積如山才停止。他們禁止基督徒去察看殘餘物,禁止他們到廢土堆中祈禱,長達十一年之久。 教皇塞爾吉烏斯四世(Sergius IV)得知基督教的至聖陵墓被毀,大為震驚。他上書求助前往巴勒斯坦重建。他的請求進入了聾子耳朵。 五世紀初,即是穆罕默德出現之前二百年,有七百位天主教主教在非洲。(註十四)公元535年,這些主教中有二百位參加迦太基(Carthage)公會會議。十世紀中葉,只餘下四十位主教。及至公元1050年,『和平共存』的結果是他們當中只餘下五位主教。公元1076年,餘下的只有兩位主教,這是我們從教皇格列高利七世(Gregory VII)-即是「希爾德布蘭德(Hildebrand)」-在公元1076年六月寫給迦太基的大主教西里阿克斯(Cyriacus)的信得知的。當年由於新主教的職位須有三位已授有聖職的主教祝聖才能成立,因此格列高利請西里阿克斯派給他一位適合的教士到羅馬,好使該教士成為已授聖職的助理主教。這樣,在毛里塔尼亞(Mauritania)的布思雅(Buzea)任主教的西里阿克斯和塞爾文特斯(Servandus)就可聯同新的主教,去為非洲天主教會的其他主教祝聖。(註十五) 公元1085年,格列高利七世在他的臨終牀上,夢見成立基督教聯盟對抗伊斯蘭,他說:「我寧願冒生命危險去救助聖地,也不願統管宇宙。」(註十六) 看來在公元1076年塞爾柱王朝(Seljuk)的土耳其人刧掠耶路撒冷的一役發生,終於搖動了局勢的平衡,使歐洲基督徒不能忍耐下去,並使格列高利七世的願望成真。當年朝聖者前往聖地變得更加困難;到訪該地的人要繳交人頭稅。那些胆敢去當地旅遊的人則被欺凌、搶劫,有些甚至被捉為奴。 教皇烏爾班二世(Pope Urban II)召喚的皮亞純沙(Piacenza)會議並在公元1095年三月舉行。會議中拜占庭特派員們強調穆斯林的擴展帶給基督教各界迎面的危險,以及東方的基督徒正在面對的苦難,這些危難在那些不信者被驅逐回國之前不會終止。(註十七)他們重申國王阿歷斯埃思(Alexius)向孚尼得思(Flanders)的羅伯(Robert)的請求,請他和一些武士回到東方,去為拜占庭助戰,對抗穆斯林。 這年將完結時,烏爾班二世在法國的克拉倫芒(Claremont)召喚另一個會議,會中他接受了建議並催促歐洲的基督徒「走上前往聖冢之路…讓每個人捨棄自己,背起十字架」。會內群眾都站起來喊叫「(我們這樣做是)神願意的('God wills it')」。 穆罕默德死於公元632年六月八日。歐洲的基督徒用了四百六十三年才能集合他們的軍力,起來保衛他們自己和他們的信仰。 註釋 [註一] 約翰.鄂恩普寺土, 《伊斯蘭: 那條直路》 ,第三版,OUP,1998,頁58。 [註二] 參閱〈東西方戰爭後遺影響文明化〉 《澳洲人週末》 ,2006年三月,頁18-19。 [註三] 本文的討論只限於正反兩面的聲明。我們計劃將發表討論其他富爭議性題目的文章,例如有關基督徒和其他民眾為了政治和有時為了宗教原因,在穆罕默德逝世後和伊斯蘭擴展初期,如何與穆斯林軍協作。我們將會正視指斥十字軍反伊斯蘭的聲明,把十字軍和拜占庭的關係,以及耶路撒冷和君士坦丁堡被掠奪,放在歷史的情勢中審視。我們將會估量自十六世紀反天主教的言論,這已成為現今激進伊斯蘭份子手上的武器。 [註四] 《黑暗時代的教會》 J. M.丹特和申斯,倫敦,1959,頁336。 [註五] 『撒拉遜人塔』譯自『Saracen Towers』;『Saracen』一詞有時被人誤會源自『阿拉伯沙爾其』(Arabic Sharqi)或『東方人』。聖傑羅姆(St. Jerome)認為它是阿拉伯人給他們自己的族群稱號,這字源自亞伯拉罕的正室撒拉(Sarah),而不是他的婢女夏甲(Hagar)。在我們所用的很多資料中,有關源自夏甲的詞彙如『Agareni』或『Hagarines』也可找到。 [註六] 《由愛杜伯、塔斯卡尼的馬奎斯和科西嘉島的教廷土地守衛給教皇塞爾吉烏斯二世的信》, Liber Pontificalis ,n. xliv,編者:發尼思阿拿(Farnesiana)。 [註七] 享利.丹尼爾-羅思(Henri Daniel-Rops), 《黑暗時代的教會》 ,頁472。 [註八] 引自: 溫斯曼(Runciman), 《十字軍的一段歷史》 ,劍橋大學出版社,1951,第一輯,頁43。 [註九] 參閱:賀瑞.斯曼(Horace Mann), 《中世紀初期教皇的生活》 , 12輯,科根.保羅(Kegan Paul),倫敦,1906,第3輯,頁321。 [註十] 使徒書信334-給國王的信的片段。 [註十一] 使徒書信296-給拜占庭國王巴澤爾(Basil),公元880年八月十二日。 [註十二] 同上,前,第四輯,頁10。 [註十三] 傅勞杜阿持(Flodoard)[894-966] 《法國編年史919-966》 ,記載公元921的部分。 [註十四] 享利.丹尼爾-羅思(Henri Daniel-Rops), 《黑暗時代的教會》 ,頁340,344。 [註十五] 格雷戈里七世,三世的登記簿。 [註十六] 享利.丹尼爾-羅思(Henri Daniel-Rops), 《大教堂與十字軍》 ,J. M.丹特和申斯(J. M. Dent and Sons),倫敦,1957,頁434 [註十七] 史提芬.溫斯曼, 《十字軍的一段歷史》 ,1951,第一輯,頁105。 這篇文章翻譯自Dr. Paul Stenhouse的在線文章「THE CRUSADES IN CONTEXT」 http://answering-islam.org/Authors/Stenhouse/crusades.01.htm
- 332, 14,穆斯林教長:穆斯林可裝扮成牧師或拉比進行聖戰屠殺
332-14 穆斯林教長:穆斯林可裝扮成牧師或拉比進行聖戰屠殺 文章 332 14 作者 Robert Spencer 穆斯林教長:穆斯林可裝扮成牧師或拉比進行聖戰屠殺 2016年12月8日 作者:羅伯特·斯賓賽(Robert Spencer)( https://www.jihadwatch.org/author/Samir) 震驚:穆斯林教長允許偽裝實施恐怖襲擊-英文字幕( https://vimeo.com/194829217)來源:Al Hayat頻道( https://vimeo.com/hayatv)Vimeo(https://vimeo.com) Shocking: Sheikh Allows Fake Clothing for Terror Attacks - English Subtitles from Al Hayat Channel on Vimeo . 沙特教長瓦利德·瓦達安(Walid al-Wadaan)解釋道,這是因為穆罕默德允許在作戰時說謊。聖訓中記錄了穆罕默德允許欺詐存在於「戰爭中,和解人與人關係時,丈夫對妻子說話時,妻子對丈夫說話時(為了達到和好的目,以扭曲的形式)」。(穆斯林聖訓6303)另外,他還說:「戰爭是詐術」。(布哈里聖訓4.52.268) 這篇文章翻譯自Robert Spencer的在線文章「Muslim cleric: Muslims may dress as priests or rabbis to carry out jihad massacres」 https://www.jihadwatch.org/2016/12/muslim-cleric-muslims-may-dress-as-priests-or-rabbis-to-carry-out-jihad-massacres
- 421, 1,土耳其
421-1 土耳其 文章 421 1 作者 土耳其 多年來,土耳其政治鬥爭持續,教派之間,城巿溫和派與農村的伊斯蘭主義者不斷爭奪政府控制權。國家自1924年起正式實施世俗體制,但全國97%人口是穆斯林;宗教在社會上角色為何是公眾熱門議題。土耳其國會正設立委員會修憲,一般相信將改善人權狀況,包括宗教自由。然而,土耳其政府仍然全權管制國民宗教事務各方面。近年敘利亞內戰,土耳其是受影響較大國家之一。至2012年10月中,土耳其已接收近十萬敘利亞難民。敘利亞一次跨境迫擊砲襲擊導致五名土耳其人喪生後,土耳其國會下令向敘利亞動武。 土耳其政府及該國憲法雖聲稱維護宗教自由,但政府並未完全承認宗教少數群體之法權,包括基督徒群體。非穆斯林沒權訓練神職人員,提供宗教教育,擁有並管理敬拜場所。改皈不違法,但改皈者將面臨「侮辱土耳其文化」指控。當地基督徒屢遭歧視、誹謗,基督徒及教堂常受襲擊。土耳其傳媒偶爾會將基督徒描述成為禍土耳其的外國間諜。 這篇文章翻譯自在線文章「Turkey」 https://www.vomcanada.com/turkey.htm
- 9999, 72,為馬來西亞人和馬來西亞客機失蹤事件代禱
9999-72 為馬來西亞人和馬來西亞客機失蹤事件代禱 文章 9999 72 作者 為馬來西亞人和馬來西亞客機失蹤事件代禱 載有239名乘客的馬來西亞客機失踪事件,令全球信徒禱聲不絕,盼望事情會水落石出!在馬來西亞國內,國人紛紛上清真寺、佛寺、印度廟,與為數不多的基督教堂禱告。該國人口約二千九百萬,奉伊斯蘭教的馬來人佔六成,有佛教徒19%,基督徒9%(約260萬),印度教徒6%。馬來人以外也有華人、印度人等各族。近年當地伊斯蘭政府向當地基督徒愈加施壓,如保守派穆斯林不許基督徒再用「安拉」稱呼神。當地伊斯蘭主義領袖指,「安拉」是馬來穆斯林對創造主的稱呼,只有伊斯蘭教可以使用,非穆斯林不能這樣稱呼。當地說馬來語的基督徒數百年來無論唱詩、禱告都會用這個阿拉伯語-「安拉」-稱呼神,聖經也用這個字「安拉」。然而當地穆斯林政府官員恐怕國民將聖經與伊斯蘭讀物混淆了,遂下此禁令,不少聖經因而遭沒收,藏於政府倉庫,當地基督徒正申請取回。馬來西亞政府提出允許當地基督徒繼續使用有「安拉」字樣的聖經,但要求印上「僅供基督徒使用」字樣,且每本附以編號,方便追查。一旦發現穆斯林擁有聖經,即可追蹤上一手物主,並控以「勸穆斯林改皈」罪名。當地一名基督徒說: 『在馬來西亞,政府規定隨後可能被扭曲。20年後政府可能會說,當時大家都同意,只有基督徒才使用聖經,因而禁止我們與其他信仰人士分享聖經。因此,在慶祝成功爭取可以在聖經裡使用「安拉」一詞之前,我們要多禱告,了解政府建議時要有智慧。』 當 地人很需要認識天父的權能與安慰。試想像一下,設若馬來西亞基督徒不能直接引用聖經,和穆斯林分享神(安拉)那安慰人心的話語,不能告訴他們如約翰福音16:33等經文,情況會怎麼樣? 「我將這些事告訴你們,是要叫你們在我裡面有平安。在世上,你們有苦難;但你們可以放心,我已經勝了世界。」(約翰福音16:33) 請為馬來西亞客機失踪事件代禱,求主垂聽,叫事情會水落石出,乘客(包括十四個國家,大部份是中國人)的家屬得安慰。 願更多馬來西亞人認識天上的神,也願神鬆開當地政府對基督徒的限制。 以下為馬來西亞基督徒領袖近日提出的代禱事項,請記念: 願馬來西亞眾教會以堅忍的心,一起懇切尋求神的面,求神使天開了,向國家彰顯祂的榮耀與能力。 願牧者、教會領袖及會友歇力在家中、教會、工作場所及公開場合都活出聖潔生命。 願全時間教會領袖與平信徒領袖靈命進深成熟,為基督作真牧人。願他們深深渴慕神的話,委身真理,立志靠神的真理而活,也願他們有勇氣教導群羊認識和委身於真理。 願當代領袖奮力為國內教會及基督教機構奠立根基,作虔敬、謙恭的僕人,作工有智慧,並培育新一代領袖,做好接棒工作。 請繼續記念馬來西亞人,他們有很大需要! 2014年3月