Cong Fang

改革宗神学常常与 “圣约神学” 联系在一起。
Reformed theology is often associated with “covenant theology.”

如果你仔细听讲道，就会常常听到牧师和教师称自己是 “改革宗并持守圣约的”。
If you listen carefully, you’ll often hear pastors and teachers describe themselves as “Reformed and covenantal.”

“改革宗” 和 “圣约” 这两个词被如此广泛地一起使用，我们有必要了解它们为何相关联。
The terms Reformed and covenant are used together so widely that it behooves us to understand why they are connected.

圣约神学 与 加尔文主义

圣约神学是加尔文主义者关于圣经的一项基本信念。
Covenant theology refers to one of the basic beliefs that Calvinists have held about the Bible.

所有忠于其传统的新教徒都认同 “唯独圣经” (sola Scriptura) 的信念，即圣经是我们最高且无可质疑的权威。
All Protestants who have remained faithful to their heritage affirm sola Scriptura, the belief that the Bible is our supreme and unquestionable authority.

然而，圣约神学通过强调 神的圣约 统一了整本圣经的教导，从而使改革宗对圣经的看法区别于其他新教观点。
Covenant theology, however, distinguishes the Reformed view of Scripture from other Protestant outlooks by emphasizing that divine covenants unify the teachings of the entire Bible.

改革宗对圣经的圣约性理解在早期的发展中，于十七世纪的英国达到高峰，当时出现了 1646年的《西敏信仰告白》(1646)、《萨伏伊宣言》(1658)、《伦敦浸信会信条》(1689)，分别代表说英语的不同加尔文主义群体。
Earlier developments in the Reformed, covenantal understanding of Scripture reached a high point in seventeenth-century England with the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646), the Savoy Declaration (1658), the London Baptist Confession of 1689, and each representing different groups of English-speaking Calvinists.

这些文件之间虽然有些微差异，但都用整整一章来阐述神与人立约的方式，揭示圣经教导的整体统一性。
With only slight variations among them, these documents each devote an entire chapter to the way God’s covenants with humanity reveal the unity of all that the Bible teaches.

圣经统一性

比如，《西敏信仰告白》提到，神屈尊通过圣约向人启示祂自己。
For example, the Westminster Confession of Faith speaks of God condescending to reveal Himself to humanity by means of covenant.

它随后将整本圣经的历史划分为两个圣约：“行为之约” 是在亚当里面的， “恩典之约” 是在基督里面的。
It then divides the entire history of the Bible into just two covenants: the “covenant of works” in Adam and the “covenant of grace” in Christ.

“行为之约” 是神与亚当和夏娃在他们堕落之前所立的安排。
The covenant of works was God’s arrangement with Adam and Eve before their fall into sin.

“恩典之约” 则主导了圣经其余部分的内容。
The covenant of grace governed the rest of the Bible.

在这种观点中，恩典之约的所有阶段在本质上是相同的。它们唯一的差别是：在整段圣经历史中，神以不同方式施行祂在基督里的那一个恩典之约。
In this view, all stages of the covenant of grace were the same in substance. They differed only as God administered His one covenant of grace in Christ in various ways throughout biblical history.

圣约 与 神的国

同样地，一些较近代的改革宗神学家，也通过将特定的圣经圣约与新约所说的 “神的国” 联系起来，来肯定圣经在圣约上的统一性。
Along these same lines, a number of more recent Reformed theologians have affirmed the covenantal unity of Scripture by relating particular biblical covenants to what the New Testament calls “the kingdom of God.”

耶稣在主祷文的开头提到神国的重要性：“我们在天上的父，愿人都尊祢的名为圣。愿祢的国降临，愿祢的旨意行在地上，如同行在天上” (太 6:9-10)。
Jesus indicated the importance of God’s kingdom in the opening words of the Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:9–10).

耶稣的话首先表明，历史的首要目标是神自己的荣耀与尊崇。
Jesus’ words first indicate that the foremost goal of history is the glory and honor of God Himself.

不过，祂的话也表明，神将借着祂的国度降临在地上如同在天上，从而得着这荣耀。
Yet, His words also indicate that God will receive this glory through the coming of His kingdom to earth as it is in heaven.

神的目标始终是通过在地上建立祂荣耀的国度，使一切受造物都永远赞美祂。
God’s goal has always been to receive the eternal praise of every creature by establishing His glorious kingdom on earth.

正如 启示录 11:15 中那句 “著名” 的颂赞所说，在历史的终结，“世上的国成了我主和主基督的国，祂要做王，直到永永远远。”。
To borrow from the well-known praise of Revelation 11:15, at the end of history “the kingdom of the world [will] become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”

近来的考古发现表明，神的圣约与祂地上的国度之间有密切关联。
Recent archaeological discoveries have shown how God’s covenants related to His earthly kingdom.

在圣经时代，以色列周围许多国家的君王是通过国际条约来扩展他们的国度。
In the days of the Bible, many kings of nations surrounding Israel administered the expansion of their kingdoms through international treaties.

圣经学者注意到，这些古代条约与神和亚当、挪亚、亚伯拉罕、摩西、大卫以及基督所立的圣约之间有惊人的相似之处。
Biblical scholars have noticed remarkable parallels between these ancient treaties and the biblical covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, and Christ.

这些相似之处表明，圣经将圣约呈现为神在地上扩展祂国度的方式。
These similarities indicate that the Scriptures present covenants as God’s way of administrating the expansion of His kingdom on earth.

圣约在神国度的不同阶段

圣经的圣约强调，在神国度的不同阶段，需要哪些具体内容，而这些内容是透过推进之前圣约的原则来实现的。
Biblical covenants emphasized what was needed at specific stages of God’s kingdom by furthering the principles of previous covenants.

神从亚当开始，启示祂自己的王权、人类的角色，以及祂为这世界所预备的命运 (创 1–3)。
God started with Adam to reveal His own kingship, the role of humanity, and the destiny He had planned for the earth (Gen. 1–3).

当神在与挪亚立约时，祂承诺自然界的稳定，以支持人类的使命，这些原则也就得以延续 (创 6, 9)。
These principles were then carried forward as God promised stability in nature for humanity’s service in Noah’s covenant (Gen. 6, 9).

接着，神在亚伯拉罕的圣约中进一步推进祂先前的应许，承诺亚伯拉罕的后裔将成为大国，并将神的祝福带给万国 (创 15, 17)。
God enhanced His previous covenants by promising that Abraham’s descendants would become a great empire and spread God’s blessings to all other nations (Gen. 15, 17).

在摩西时期，神赐下律法，进一步建立在这些圣约之上，赐福以色列 (出 19–24)。
God built on these covenants by blessing Israel with His law in the days of Moses (Ex. 19–24).

当神设立大卫的王朝，并应许他的一个后裔将以公义治理以色列和全世界时，之前的每一个圣约都被推向新的高峰 (诗 72; 89; 132)。
Every previous covenant was taken to new heights as God established David’s dynasty and promised that one of his sons would rule in righteousness over Israel and over the entire world (Pss. 72; 89; 132).

旧约中的一切圣约都在基督里得以推进并成就 (耶 31:31; 林后 1:19–20)。
All Old Testament covenants were then furthered and fulfilled in Christ (Jer. 31:31; 2Cor. 1:19–20).

作为大卫的伟大儿子，祂的生命、死、复活、升天与再来，永远确立了整个地球转变为神荣耀国度的计划。
As the great son of David, His life, death, resurrection, ascension, and return eternally secure the transformation of the entire earth into God’s glorious kingdom.

圣约神学连贯新旧约

圣约神学使改革宗神学家能够看见，新约在这三个方面其实与旧约非常相似。
Covenant theology has enabled Reformed theologians to see that the New Testament is actually quite similar to the Old Testament in these three areas.

首先，在这种观点中，借着信靠基督得救的恩典之道，是旧约和新约中唯一的得救之路。
First, in this view salvation by grace through faith in Christ was the only way of salvation in both Testaments.

整本圣经都呼召信徒行善，因为得救的信心总是结出顺服神的果子。
The entire Bible calls for good works because saving faith always yields the fruit of obedience to God.

第二，圣约神学帮助我们看见，新旧两约都论到人与神之间的个人关系和集体关系。
Second, covenant theology helps us see that both Testaments speak about individual and corporate relationships with God.

神所立的每一个圣约都在这两个层面上处理人类的关系。
All of God’s covenants deal with people on both levels.

第三，圣约神学指出，神的国度一直都是属地又属灵的。
Third, covenant theology has shown that God’s kingdom has always been earthly and spiritual.

旧约和新约都关注我们在这两个领域中的侍奉。
The Old and New Testaments focus on our service in both realms.

通过这些方面，以及其他许多方面，圣约神学对更广泛的福音派群体有极大的贡献。
In these and other ways, covenant theology has much to offer the broader evangelical community.

我们需要圣约神学

与此同时，今日的改革宗圈子也越来越需要重新坚定地肯定圣约神学。
At the same time, there is also a growing need for covenant theology to be strongly reaffirmed in contemporary Reformed circles.

近几十年来，许多新一代改革宗神学的倡导者忽视了圣约神学。
In recent decades, many newer advocates of Reformed theology have neglected covenant theology.

我们越来越常看到，改革宗神学被简化为我们常说的 “恩典教义” ——即那些耳熟能详的信念，如全然败坏、无条件拣选、有限代赎、不可抗拒的恩典，以及圣徒的坚忍。
More and more, we find that Reformed theology has been reduced to what we often call the doctrines of grace — familiar beliefs such as total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints.

当然，我们应当珍视这些出自圣经的真理，
Of course, we should value these truths of Scripture,

但若我们忽略了圣约神学所提供的更宏大的结构，我们对圣经的理解就很快会在那三个关键领域上受到损害。
but when we fail to stress the larger framework that covenant theology provides, our understanding of the Bible soon begins to suffer in the same three areas.

首先，缺乏圣约神学的恩典教义，使一些人认为改革宗神学的核心，就是教导神的恩典从始至终维系着基督徒的生命。
First, the doctrines of grace without covenant theology have led some to believe that Reformed theology is primarily concerned to teach that God’s grace sustains the Christian life from beginning to end.

这当然是正确的。然而，新旧两约的圣约却始终教导，神的子民在回应祂的恩典时，神总是要求他们付出坚定的努力，祂也会奖赏顺服、惩罚悖逆。
Of course, this is certainly true. Yet, the covenants of both testaments consistently teach that God has always required determined effort from His people in response to His grace and that He will reward obedience and punish disobedience.

第二，若没有圣约神学，我们这一群体中的许多人似乎会认为，改革宗神学的全部重点，是为个人与神建立关系寻找独特的改革宗方式。
Second, apart from covenant theology, many people in our circles seem to think that our theology is all about finding uniquely Reformed ways for individuals to improve their relationships with God.

在我们这个时代，许多通往个人圣洁与敬虔生活的路径，已被当作改革宗神学的核心内容来对待。
In our day, a number of paths toward personal holiness and devotion have been treated as the central features of Reformed theology.

虽然圣经对个体的确十分重视，
As important as individuals are in the Bible,

圣约神学同时强调我们与神之间的集体关系。
covenant theology highlights our corporate relationship with God as well.

圣经中没有任何一个圣约是单单与一个人立的。
No biblical covenant was made with just one person.

每一个圣约都涉及神与一群人建立关系。
They also involved God establishing relationships with groups of people.

因此，新旧两约都教导我们，信徒的家庭是圣约群体，神的怜悯就是在这样的群体中一代代地传承下去。
For this reason, both testaments teach us that the families of believers are covenant communities within which God’s mercy is passed from one generation to another.

此外，新旧两约中的可见教会，都是圣约群体，是我们领受福音和蒙受普通恩典途径的所在。
Moreover, the visible church in both testaments is the covenant community within which we receive the gospel and the ordinary means of grace.

第三，恩典教义很容易让人产生一种印象：改革宗神学只关注属灵的事务。
Third, the doctrines of grace easily give us the impression that Reformed theology is only concerned with spiritual matters.

我们当中许多人都十分关注借由真正理解圣经而带来的内在更新，
Many people in our circles are deeply concerned with inward transformation by a true understanding of Scripture.

但我们却常常忽略罪与救恩在物质和社会层面所带来的影响。
Yet, we often neglect the physical and social effects of sin and salvation.

圣约神学为我们作为基督徒的盼望，提供了一个更宏大、更有说服力的愿景。
Covenant theology gives us a far larger and more compelling vision of our hopes as Christians.

在新旧两约中，信徒都将神的国度扩展到属灵与属地的领域。
In both testaments, believers extend God’s kingdom both to spiritual and earthly realms.

我们要把基督的福音传给万民，使人灵命更新，
We are to teach the gospel of Christ to all nations so that people may be transformed spiritually,

但这种属灵的更新，目的是为了将基督的主权扩展到世界各地文化的每一个层面。
but this spiritual renewal is for the sake of extending the lordship of Christ to every facet of culture around the world.

所有这些都表明，圣约神学对每一位基督徒都有极大的价值。
All of this is to say that covenant theology has much to offer every Christian.

所以，当我们问自己：“什么是改革宗神学？” 我们若回答：“改革宗神学就是圣约神学”，这是非常有益的。
So when we ask ourselves, “What is Reformed theology?” it will serve us well to respond, “Reformed theology is covenant theology.”