Monday, March 13, 2006

新書推荐: 創造與祝福 by Allen P. Ross


創造與祝福--創世記註釋與信息Creation and Blessing艾倫‧羅斯 (Allen P. Ross) 著孫以理、郭秀娟 合譯25K/952頁

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
※艾倫‧羅斯 博士(Dr. Allen P. Ross)小檔案:著名的舊約學者,一九七六年取得達拉斯神學院舊約神學博士之後,與妻子Jan同赴英國劍橋大學深造,艾倫在劍橋獲得希伯來文學博士學位,妻子則獲得英國文學博士學位。艾倫先後在達拉斯神學院、三一聖公神學院,教授希伯來文和舊約課程逾三十年。
著作: 註釋書包括創世記、箴言、利未記和詩篇。 二○○一年將有三本新書問世:Introducing Biblical Hebrew, Recalling the Hope of Glory, Full of Grace and Truth - Developing Spiritual Leadership in a Religious World.
簡介:
文學與神學優美的結合,正是本書作者亞倫‧羅斯博士(Dr. Allen P. Ross) 撰寫的《創造與祝福--創世記的註釋與信息》,最顯著的特點。舊約聖經中的故事文體,在解經上經常使傳道人和主日學老師感到困擾。有人在詮釋時,只是重述故事本身(或戲劇性地加油添醋),然後就導出幾則一般教訓。作者認為詮釋的目的在吸引人閱讀經文,使人學習明白神的旨意,因此信息的詮釋必須證明來自經文。詮釋者不該給讀者一種印象,以為經文的意義至為神祕或可任意擷取。一旦詮釋者展示信息出自經文,自然能帶著權威且令人印象深刻。本書是為牧者、教師、所有認真研讀聖經、想要進一步明白創世記(和一般敘事文學),並加強自己詮釋能力的讀者而寫。作者希望能幫助讀者鑑別形成故事神學觀點的主要文學和神學題旨,並示範如何將這些神學觀點發展成清楚準確的信息。雖然本書包含許多詮釋上的註解,卻不是一本註釋書;本書的定位應該是:創世記研究與信息指南。

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
推薦文:創世記是舊約聖經中最重要的書卷,雖然市面上有關研究多如牛毛,但是有些僅是個人靈修亮光,有些又陷入漫無止盡的學術討論中,使讀者無所適從。羅斯教授的大作,揉和近代學術研究的精華,又不失正統福音派信仰,而他的解經更特別注重經文的文學結構與神學信息,相信牧者、教師及所有認真研讀聖經的人,必可從中獲益匪淺,好按照正意來分解真理的道。
中華福音神學院 教務主任賴建國 博士(美國三一神學院 哲學博士)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
作者自序
舊約聖經中的故事文體,在解經上經常使傳道人和主日學老師感到困擾。有人在詮釋時,只是重述故事本身,或戲劇性地加油添醋,然後就導出幾則一般教訓。事實上,聖經敘事文學是高度發展的複雜體裁,目的在形成神學上的論述,不是僅僅作為教導的例子。將這些故事過度簡化,或者忽視其文學和神學題旨,都是不當的。另一方面,有些詮釋者在解經上學有專精,他們為了詳盡闡釋經文細節,往往忘了綜合經文的神學教訓,也沒有將這些經文適切地應用在今日信徒身上。本書是為牧者、教師、所有認真研讀聖經、想要進一步明白創世記和一般敘事文學,並加強自己詮釋能力的讀者而寫。我希望能作到一點,就是幫助讀者辨識形成故事神學觀點的主要文學和神學題旨,並示範如何將這些神學觀點發展成清楚準確的信息。雖然本書包含許多詮釋上的註解,卻不是一本註釋書;我想將本書定位為:創世記研究與信息指南。前四章是總論部分,介紹創世記一書的性質與結構,同時包括一般創世記註釋書與論文所採行的研究路向簡介。我詳細示範自己的解經步驟,並說明如何善用當代學者研究之長,同時又能持守正統的信仰立場。本書其餘篇幅,就是按照這樣的解經過程,逐一詮釋創世記各段落。創世記經文在數量和類別上相當豐富,足夠讓讀者學會敘事文體的研究和詮釋法則。針對每一段故事單元,我都會根據各段落的文學和神學題旨,來發展解經大綱和信息大綱。對於這些大綱和神學觀點,我並不希望讀者照單全收,而是希望讀者能將這些論點發展得更加完全,在信息大綱和用語上更上一層樓。我最關切的,是盼望讀者多少能捕捉到我所示範的方法論之精髓,我深信這是在仔細閱讀經文之後,最簡單最有效發展解經講道的方式,這樣的詮釋是針對整體經文,並按著經文本意所導出來切合現代讀者的講章。本書所包含的材料,絕對不能取代直接而仔細的經文閱讀,這是任何有效力的解經不可缺少的必要條件。我希望這本書能激發讀者,並幫助讀者,願意更認真的研讀神的話語。為了達成這樣的宗旨,我在每一章結束時都附有詳盡的書目,在全書末尾也附有創世記重要的註釋書書目和論文。引用資料的詳細註解,都在本文內,至於一般性的參考書籍,則列在書末的參考書目內。本書是我過去八年教導五經解經課程的成果。我感謝許多學生,提供我交流的論壇,也感謝他們在課堂上熱烈的討論,幫助我發展許多論點。最後,我要感謝為本書仔細打字的Marie Janeway小姐,還有幫忙為本書編輯和校對的David Aiken和Dorian Coover。

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
譯者導讀
研究聖經文學的專家,例如:加州伯克萊大學希伯來文學與比較文學教授Robert Alter,荷蘭萊登大學的希伯來文學教授J. P. Fokkelman,以色列示劍大學比較文學教授Meir Sternberg,一致讚嘆聖經高度的藝術技巧和結構,在他們論到敘事文學的作品中,被引證最多的例子,要數創世記了。如果創世記真是一部文學作品,又是一卷神學論述,那麼在文學結構與神學主題之間,必然存有緊密的互補關係。文學與神學優美的結合,正是本書作者艾倫‧羅斯博士(Dr. Allen P. Ross) 撰寫的《創造與祝福——創世記註釋與信息》,最顯著的特點,也是譯者我們夫妻倆,前後花了四年功夫,翻譯這本將近一千頁的巨作,最深刻的感受。文學和神學兩個層面,通常被聖經註釋書忽略。一般註釋書花最多的篇幅在文法、句型結構、文化,或者歷史背景和經文的關係上,羅斯博士卻不然。他認為詮釋者誠然必須掌握上述各項資料,但更重要的是要決定經文的文學和神學層面。定下這樣的決心,羅斯博士在詮釋經文時,特別留意文學類型、敘事結構、修辭技巧、故事整體神學要點、經文和整卷創世記神學和整本聖經的相互關係。探討經文的文學特性,有助於神學教訓的發展,而且容易掌握詮釋觀點和大綱。在討論創世記各段故事時,羅斯博士都會陳述經文詮釋發展的邏輯進程,然後再轉化成信息大綱,以說明每段故事如何應用在現代信徒身上,同時又不脫離經文在歷史和語境背景下的意義。在透徹的文學分析之後,他一定發展神學意義;他認為作不到這點,詮釋就變成說故事、歷史探討,或者聖經趣味問答了。這一本創世記註釋與信息,同時兼具正統與批判路向的研究法則。羅斯博士一方面維護聖經的默示性和權威性,另一方面從批判的角度,對經文之性質、目的、組成,作出正確判斷,以滿足文學性的分析檢驗。此外,本書還廣泛論到古代近東文學相似的作品,以和經文相對照。艾倫對於近東文學的神話或傳說,在一一檢驗之後,站在護教學的立場,駁斥新派學者的說法。例如:巴別塔事件的記載,羅斯博士詳述巴比倫文獻中所有相似作品,分析這些文獻與創世記相符與相異之處。他提出創世記作者在闡明神介入巴別塔的遠古故事中,刻意暗示巴比倫的自大,正如他們文學裡所表現的,以此諷刺異教世界所尊榮的事物。聖經作者,自然熟悉巴比倫這種自負的傳統,因此在記錄這段故事時,刻意嘲諷異教文學傳統裡,關於這座古城的記載,予以澄清並記錄實情。羅斯博士主張詮釋的目的在吸引人閱讀經文,使人學習神的旨意,因此信息的詮釋必須證明來自經文。詮釋者不該給讀者一種印象,以為經文的意義至為神祕或可任意擷取。一旦詮釋者展示信息出自經文,自然能帶著權威且令人印象深刻。羅斯博士對每一段故事,所列出的觀點和結論,絕對是徹底完整的解經結果。信主二十多年,筆者閱讀過無數的commentary和expository,前者著重逐節註釋,後者注重信息,很少有兩全其美的作品,羅斯博士的著作卻很平衡地兼顧二者。在本書導論部分,羅斯博士詳細解說研究法則,將自己的方法論一一闡述,然後照著這樣嚴謹的解經程序,在本書逐段示範。在眾多註釋書當中,這是一本絕對不會令你失望的作品。
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Footnote:
This article is originally from a broken web link:
http://www.campus.org.tw:50003/public/book-series/a593.htm

Saturday, January 21, 2006

Some Christian journals and resource websites

海外校園 / 舉目 / 進深特刊 [Big5]
海外校园 / 举目 / 进深特刊 [GB]
生命季刊 / 生命与信仰
中信 / 傳
信仰月刊

中国基督教书刊网站
信仰之门
查经与注经资料汇总
华人基督徒查经资料网站
恩泉宝库
基甸连线
武林英雄帖─中文基督教神學網站
證道信息

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Refreshment Schedule, Spring 2006


- Edited by Lin Chen

Saturday, November 26, 2005

Result of Bible study and leadership Survey, Nov. 11

- 2005BCBSG Believer Group

We had 21 brothers and sisters that took the survey. All of the following results reflect the average of the 21 survey forms.

-A- 请问你最近2个月之内参加周五晚上查经次数的百分率:

结果:
_____11 b/s, 100%
______6 b/s, _70-100%
______4 b/s, ~ 70%
--------------------
_____21 b/s, 80% Average


-B- 请问你对小组周五晚上查经的总体感受:
(0%-不喜欢,没收获;100%-很喜欢,很有收获)

结果:
______5 b/s, 100%
______6 b/s, _90-100%
______4 b/s, _80- 90%
______6 b/s, _60- 80%
--------------------
_____21 b/s, 85% Average

-C- 请对小组查经的看法和效果评分:
____评分标准:
____________4-很有帮助/很好
____________3-有所帮助/还可以
____________2-帮助很少/很一般
____________1-没帮助 /很失望

____[3.4/4.0]: 小组祷告
____[3.4/4.0]: 团契友情
____[3.3/4.0]: 认识圣经知识
____[3.3/4.0]: 圣经真理的理解和解惑

____[3.2/4.0]: 小组分享讨论
____[2.8/4.0]: 对实际生活的提醒和反思
____其它:NO

-D- 你认为有什么其它原因妨碍小组查经效果:

____[7 marked] 缺乏讨论和分享
____[7 marked] 查经偏离实际生活
____[4 marked] 查经带领者:知识和深度
____[4 marked] 查经带领
者:经验和技巧

____[2 marked] 查经方式不适应
____
[0 marked] 查经带领者:预备不够
___其它: 时间太短,有时讨论偏题
--------缺少变化,有些沉闷有时不够认真

-E- 请问你对现在的小组查经有何建议和意见:

____查经带领者应主动分享 (1)
____查经应更灵活,详略得当 (1)
____应该多一些时间在讨论分享上 (1)
____分享,多联系体会,多联系实际生活 (1)
____更多和生活有关的知识和分享 (1)
____希望有新的查经方式 (1)
____希望彼此有更多认识,带来更多分享 (1)
____应用方面需要改善,默想要加强 (1)
____希望更多人参与讨论,需要更长查经时间 (1)
____经文分段不平均 (1)


-F- 目前为止信徒组有朝晖,吴涛,而钧,孙亮,洁萍,Leo,林琛带领小组查经。你可以在此写下你对他们的查经方式技巧及其它方面的看法和建议,以帮助他们以后更好的带领查经。你也可以直接向他们本人提出。谢谢。

____都很会带领小组查经,准备充足。很认真 (1)
____掌握好时间,不要拖堂 (1)
____都很用心,准备得比较好 (1)
____都准备得非常好,非常感谢 (1)
____有些时候问题可以更有深度,更有系统一些 (1)


-G- 如果你有兴趣来带领小组查经,请留下你的名字:
____(I will contact you)


END



Tuesday, October 04, 2005

Plan of Fall outing

Autumn is the most beautiful season in New England. Leaves grow green all summer turn to brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red. The trees, cities, and mountains present spectacular color show. Foliage trip is actually a traditional event for us. I am thinking that the believer group organizes a fall foliage/outing trip for the whole BCBSG. David helped me find the following resources for planning.

1. Picnic and Barbecue

2. Apple Picking

3. Foliage hiking (Leaf Peeping)

I would like to know, if you would like to make the outing,

(1) Which one do you prefer?

(2) On the weekends of 10/15, 10/22, 10/29, 11/5, and 11/12, which weekends are you NOT available for group fall trip?

Please let your group coordinator know of your thought. Any other ideas are very welcomed.

Thank you!

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Fall program of Believer group

VISION
  • To build up a healthy spiritual environment, and to promote stable spiritual lives

1. Buildup of a healthy & spiritual environment:

  • We are inspired by God's words and fellowship, not to take on more burden.
  • We commit to God instead of feeling obligated to fulfill the responsibilities
  • We aim to please God, not people
  • God and His Word are our authority; no other words can take its place
  • We admit we are imperfect but we are all living by God's grace
  • Tolerable to errors, nonjudgmental yet speaking truth in love
  • We are to encourage, not to criticize; we aim to support each other

2. Believers are encouraged to have:

  • Regular spiritual time with God (1).
  • Daily prayers and Bible reading schedule
  • Always to be ready to witness the Lord's Gospel and Grace
  • Long-term spiritual goal
  • Discipleship training
  • To make commitment to BCBSG by:
  • Regular Bible study
  • Help and pray for group fellowship growth of BCBSG
  • Participate in weekly prayer meeting (Friday 7:00 PM at Bible study place)
  • Participate in monthly prayer meeting
  • Arrive on time (7:30 PM) for singspiration

3. Quality Bible study

  • We enjoy Bible study
  • We encourage all believers to prepare for Bible study before Friday, and finish reading outline and questionaire provided by Bible study leaders.
  • Think, ask, share, and learn during discussion.
  • Live out God's words and witness His faithfulness

4. Friends of seekers

  • Help Gospel ministry, pray for Gospel coworkers and Gospel ministry, and assist the evangelical events of BCBSG
  • Learn to love seekers with Jesus' love; develop true friendship with seekers; learn and practice how to bring non-believers to God (2).
  • Care for our community (New students of pickup…)
  • Provide ride services

5. Fellowship

  • Continue the programs "Friends help friends" and "Secret Prayer angels"
  • Quality SGN with specific goals

6. Grouping and group leadership

After summer session, we will have 2 sessions, fall and spring. Each session has own grouping format. This fall we will keep the grouping format in August but with micro-adjustment. Whether we regroup after fall depends on the assessment of fall group fellowship.

We have 2 groups. Each group has 1 group coordinator and 3 Bible study leaders. They make commitment one session a time. The benefits are:

  • They can make their best efforts within a reasonable period of time
  • More b/s have chances to serve

To avoid the overload, the group leaderships are mutually exclusive (3).

Responsibilities of Bible study leaders

  • Regularly participate in pre-study on Thursday evening
  • Help group members to prepare for Bible studies (Outline the passage and distribute it with questionnaire to the group)
  • Lead Bible study on Friday (each Bible study leader takes a turn a month)
  • Lead sharing and prayer after Bible study.
  • Know about b/s' spiritual needs
  • Be witnesses of God’s words.

To improve Bible study skills and help find out the spiritual gifts and talents, we will assess Bible study leadership by the end of each session. The assessment is based on feedback from group members and self-assessment done by Bible study leaders.

Responsibilities of group coordinators

  • Assist the believer group leader for group administration jobs.
  • Promote and follow up the group programs
  • Help new b/s to adjust to the group environment
  • Collect the prayer notes and offering bag after Bible study and hand them into the prayer coordinator and treasurer, respectively.

Footnotes:

(1) We would find resources (web links, books, seminar, or retreat) to promote our daily spiritual time with God.

(2) I am thinking of promoting a program that each member has one or two particular seeker/non-believer friends and help them know God and Gospel, not only by inviting them to evangelic events but also influencing them in daily lives. The program also verifies our faith, daily devotion, and knowledge about God and Gospel. We may share our experience in sharing and prayer time on Friday to pray for and help each other. By the end of April, 2006, we may evaluate the program.

(3) One of reasons is, most of group coordinators and Bible study leaders are actually playing the roles of coworker in BCBSG as well.

Monday, July 25, 2005

Reminder of Fishing and BBQ at Salisbury Beach, Saturday, 7/30

- From David

Below are reminders of this Saturday’s Fishing and BBQ events atSalisbury Beach State Reservation:

A: Suggested items to bring with you:
If you would like to swim or suntan:
- Suntan lotion (I believe someone will be bring this item, thereforeit’s not required for you to bring your own unless you have a personalpreference to do so)
- Swimming Wears.
- Beach Towels.
- Change of clothes.
- Sunglasses.
- Hats.

If you prefer to enjoy/play at the beach:
- Frisbees.
- Beach Balls/Volleyballs.
- Kites.
- Bicycles.
- Beach buckets and shovels (if you like to build sandcastles/sculpture).
- Cameras/Camcorders.
- Binoculars.
- Sunglasses.
- Hats.

If you prefer to fish:
- Fishing Poles.
- Hooks.
- Baits/Lures.
- Sinkers.
- Sunglasses.
- Hats.

B: Important Notices:
- No dogs allowed at the beach during summer months.
- No alcoholic beverages allowed (if you really want to drink you canwalked 20 minutes to town center for this purpose).
- All garbage generated must be takeout of the Reservation.

- Do not bring extra food/drink items unless consulting with Sun Liang<sunliang11@hotmail.com> (857-919-0724).

- Guorong <zgr01@yahoo.com> (978-821-5347) will be coordinating the rideservices. He will finalize the ride coordination later this week andwill be contacting you. If you have not expressed your ride preferenceor confirmation of attendance, please contact him immediately!

- If you need to contact me <davelin@juno.com> or <(781-718-4663">dlin@qcsolutions.com>(781-718-4663).

- See http://lifecommitment.blogspot.com/ for directions and itinerary.

Any other suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. See youall this Saturday! :)