改革宗神学探讨（旧文整理 08） / Reformed Theology Studies (Archive 08)

经文解释
Explanation

政府的主要职责不是传福音。
The government’s main duty is not to preach the gospel.

政府的职责是维护基本公义、保护人民、惩治犯罪、保存社会秩序。
Its duty is to uphold basic justice, protect people, punish crime, and preserve public order.

因此，判断候选人时，应当认真考虑他是否尊重法律、公义、生命、家庭、财产权和人民的基本自由。
Therefore, when judging a candidate, Christians should consider whether he respects law, justice, life, family, property, and basic human freedoms.

第三原则：宗教自由非常重要
Third Principle: Religious Freedom Is Very Important

支持宗教自由的候选人，通常比想要强迫全国接受某一种宗教的候选人更合适。
A candidate who supports religious freedom is normally preferable to one who wants to force the whole nation to accept one religion.

真正的信心不能靠政府强迫产生。
True faith cannot be produced by government force.

政府可以保护教会自由敬拜、传福音和教导真理。
The government can protect the church’s freedom to worship, preach, and teach the truth.

但政府不能用刀剑使人重生。
But the government cannot use the sword to give people new birth.

约翰福音 18:36
John 18:36

中文（和合本）

耶稣回答说：“我的国不属这世界；我的国若属这世界，我的臣仆必要争战，使我不至于被交给犹太人；只是我的国不属这世界。”

English (ESL)

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not from this world. If My kingdom were from this world, My servants would fight for Me. But My kingdom is not from this world.”

经文解释
Explanation

基督的国不是靠国家强制、军队或行政权力建立的。
Christ’s kingdom is not built by government force, armies, or political power.

基督的国借着圣灵、神的道和福音扩展。
Christ’s kingdom grows through the Holy Spirit, God’s Word, and the gospel.

因此，保护宗教自由并不等于说所有宗教都是真的。
Therefore, protecting religious freedom does not mean that all religions are true.

它只是表示，政府不应强迫人的良心，也不应禁止教会忠心传讲真理。
It means that the government should not force the conscience or forbid the church from faithfully preaching the truth.

第四原则：基督徒候选人若真实可信，通常具有重要优势
Fourth Principle: A Credible Christian Candidate May Have an Important Advantage

如果一位候选人真正敬畏神，并且品格、能力和政策也较好，这当然是很重要的优点。
If a candidate truly fears God and also has good character, competence, and sound policies, this is clearly an important advantage.

出埃及记 18:21
Exodus 18:21

中文（和合本）

并要从百姓中拣选有才能的人，就是敬畏神、诚实无妄、恨不义之财的人，派他们作千夫长、百夫长、五十夫长、十夫长，管理百姓。

English (ESL)

Choose capable people who fear God, who are trustworthy, and who hate dishonest gain. Appoint them as leaders over the people.

经文解释
Explanation

这节经文列出四个重要条件。
This verse gives four important qualifications.

第一，有能力。
First, the person should be capable.

第二，敬畏神。
Second, the person should fear God.

第三，诚实可靠。
Third, the person should be trustworthy.

第四，不贪爱不义之财。
Fourth, the person should hate dishonest gain.

所以，“他是基督徒”并不是唯一条件。
Therefore, “He is a Christian” is not the only qualification.