賀治：論阿米念主義

阿米念主義

ARMINIANISM

 

取自﹕賀治Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology

 

 

            十七世紀初，阿米念在荷蘭的改革宗教會介紹一套新的教義。…因為提倡新教義的一派，提出一份「抗議書」反映他們從已定的信仰偏離，因此他們被稱為「抗議派」，不過後來他們比較普遍的稱號是阿米念派。…他們的教義嚴重地偏離奧古斯丁的教義係統，後者乃是歷年來教會的生機。阿米念主義的信念包括下列﹕

            In the early part of the seventeenth century Arminius introduced a new system of doctrine in the Reformed churches of Holland. …  Because the advocates of the new doctrine presented a “Remonstrance” which reflected their divergence from the established belief, they were at first called Remonstrants, but in later years their more common designation has been Arminians. …  A serious departure from the system of Augustinianism, which in all ages had been the life of the Church, the tenets of Arminianism include: 

 

1. 人類從亞當獲得一個敗壞的人性，因而有犯罪的傾向；雖然如此，這敗壞本身並不包含罪的本性。人隻為自己自願犯的罪，和這些罪的後果負責。

While all men derive from Adam a corrupt nature by which they are inclined to sin, this corruption is not itself of the nature of sin.  Men are responsible only for their own voluntary acts and the consequences of such acts. 

2. 人並沒有因為墮落的緣故失去行善的能力。這能力（阿米念主義者稱之為「自由」）是我們人性本質的一部分；若失去，就失去人性。

Man by his fall has not lost his ability to do good.  Such ability, or liberty as the Arminians call it, is essential to our nature and cannot be lost without the loss of humanity. 

3. 可是，這行善的能力並不能保證人的靈魂回歸上帝。聖潔的人若要歸正，需要上帝先前帝，激動人的，幫助人的恩典。

This ability, however, is not of itself sufficient to secure the return of the soul to God.  For their conversion and holy living men need the prevenient, exciting, and assisting grace of God. 

4. 這從上帝而來的恩典充足地賜給全人類，叫他們能悔改，相信，和遵守上帝所有的誡命。

This divine grace is afforded to all men in sufficient measure to enable them to repent, believe, and keep all the commandments of God.

5. 那些憑自己自由意誌，用自己的能力（就是墮落後屬於他們的能力）與上帝恩典合作的人，能歸回上帝而得救。

Those who of their own free will, and in the exercise of that ability which belongs to them since the fall, cooperate with this divine grace, are converted and saved. 

6. 那些這樣相信的人，是被預定得永生的，可是不是個人被預定，乃是整類人（信徒）被預定。上帝揀選的預旨不是關乎個人帝，隻不過是上帝要拯救信徒的一般旨意罷了。

Those who thus believe have been predestinated to eternal life, not however as individuals, but as a class.  The decree of election does not concern specific persons, but is simply the general purpose of God to save believers. 

 

Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology.  Abridged edtion, ed. Edward N. Gross.  Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1988.  Part III, chapter 1 (The Plan of Salvation), pp. 327-328.