Second Q&A Session
Notes
Transcript
Theology
Theology
why is it unfair to say that how you were brought up affects how you are later in life? If a kid only knew violence at home, he would think that was normal. He can change as an adult, but if his upbringing brought him into more sin, why is that his fault?
why is it unfair to say that how you were brought up affects how you are later in life? If a kid only knew violence at home, he would think that was normal. He can change as an adult, but if his upbringing brought him into more sin, why is that his fault?
中文：
所有的罪恶行为都是人内在罪恶本性的体现，我们总认为人们从小受到的教育和成长的环境决定了这个人是一个善良的人或者邪恶的人。然而这样的结论并不准确！因为有的人从小生长在富足的家庭里受到了高等的教育，而他们长大之后仍然成为邪恶的人，比如说有一位名叫Bernard Madoff的人，他从小出生与纽约的稳定家庭中，受过良好的教育。然而就是他造就了华尔街最大的骗局，称为“ Ponzi scheme”，骗取了约650亿美元。这样的例子还有很多很多！
如果一个孩子的教育和他生长的环境不能够保证他长大后不成为邪恶的人，那么说明教育和生长环境并不是决定人善恶的因素。事实上，在神的眼里所有的人都是邪恶的人，都是罪人，唯一不同的是他们邪恶程度不一样。成长在富足健康家庭的孩子，相对来讲，他们身上显明出来的恶会少很多；然而他们许多也是假冒伪善，将自己伪装起来地很好。而生长在贫民窟里的孩子更容易引导作更邪恶的行为，他们本性里的恶更多的展现了出来！
所以高等的教育和健康的家庭能够大大减少邪恶在人身上的彰显，但不能消除人本性中的罪性。
当然我们怜悯那些成长在贫民窟的孩子，因为他们周遭的环境诱使他们的许多恶显露出来！然而他们绝对不是无辜的！一个真正圣洁的人，即便他们成长在邪恶的环境下，他们仍旧不会犯罪；因为他们里面没有恶可以显露；耶稣基督来到世界，和我生活在一样的世界却从未犯罪！因为他本性是圣洁的，他们里面没有恶可以显露。而我们生长在邪恶的环境下就生发恶行，是因为我们里面本身就蕴藏着恶。所以虽然这些成长在贫民窟的孩子很可怜，但他们在神面前不是无辜的；被恶影响就行恶，这不是脱离审判的借口，而我们是罪人的确据。
There are a lot of numbers in the bible, like in Revelation, 144,000 from each tribe. Is this a metaphor, or is it really only 144,000 ? What do other numbers mean, like seven or twelve?
There are a lot of numbers in the bible, like in Revelation, 144,000 from each tribe. Is this a metaphor, or is it really only 144,000 ? What do other numbers mean, like seven or twelve?
Does God choose to harden people’s hearts? How come some people never come to faith despite hearing the gospel? Does God approve this?
Does God choose to harden people’s hearts? How come some people never come to faith despite hearing the gospel? Does God approve this?
What does the Bible say about having women as leaders of the church, and why do some churches not allow it? What if a woman has the gift to lead?
What does the Bible say about having women as leaders of the church, and why do some churches not allow it? What if a woman has the gift to lead?
What does the Bible teach us about using resources like wood, coal, metal, and others that are taken from the world?
What does the Bible teach us about using resources like wood, coal, metal, and others that are taken from the world?
If Satan were an angel, how do we know that it won’t happen again in heaven? Is there free will in heaven? If there is free will in heaven, how is there no sin in heaven?
If Satan were an angel, how do we know that it won’t happen again in heaven? Is there free will in heaven? If there is free will in heaven, how is there no sin in heaven?
中文：
我想列举三种关于人意志的状态，第一种状态是亚当和夏娃的状态，也是撒旦起初的状态。他们拥有自由的意志，这种的意志可以选择正确的道路，也可以选择罪恶的道路。这种自由意志是不受神的保护的（我不想将神的保护说成神对人意志的约束，因为约束不是中性词语，可以是出于善意也可以是恶意，但保护是唯独出于善意的，而神的约束实质上是神对受造之物的保护），而结果无一例外，不管是撒旦还是亚当和夏娃，当神撤去对他们的保护，我都落入了罪的里面。
而第二种人类意志的状态是自从亚当和夏娃犯罪后的状态；人们一旦落入罪中，他们的意志就被罪恶所约束了；人的意志实质上只能在罪恶的范畴中来选择，换句话说，一旦落入罪里，意志将完全被罪恶占据；这也是为何圣经中称我们为罪的奴仆，因为我们受罪的辖制，虽然我们似乎有自由，我们可以做出对罪的不同喜好和偏好；然而我们已经丧失了喜悦圣洁的能力；我们的意志受我们罪恶的天性的管辖，全然彻底的败坏；凭借我们自己的意志我们永远不会选择神，永远不会喜爱圣洁。
第三种的意志状态是我们进入天堂后的状态，那时我们的状态要胜过亚当和夏娃的状态。我们有着在爱和圣洁中自由的意志，是受到上帝保护的意志。我们可以自由地享受在爱和圣洁中，从我们的内在永远没有污秽了；从周围环境中，我们也再也不会遭遇任何的试探，撒旦将不会再像伊甸园时那样出现在我们面前，不管是内在还是外在，我们全然受到上帝的保护；将在圣洁中享受我们的自由。
撒旦与其堕落的天使是同样的道理，他们堕落就不可能再回归了！只有人类的堕落才可能回归，因为神为我们预备了救主，靠着他，人类才能得以回归，但对于天使来说，神没有为他们预备救恩，堕落的天使将进入地狱为他们的选择遭受永远的结局。而没有堕落的天使，他们就与我们进入天堂时的状态一样，他们受到了上帝的保护，在圣经中他们被称为“被拣选的天使”：
【提前5:21】我在 神和基督耶稣并蒙拣选的天使面前嘱咐你：要遵守这些话，不可存成见，行事也不可有偏心。
他们受到神的保护，有圣洁的天性，即便与撒旦征战，他们也不会受到罪的影响。在将来的天国，所有的天使都是圣洁的，我们与天使一同的居住，永远活在圣洁的里面。
Why did God want to “test” Adam and Eve by planting the tree? Did God know that they would eat the fruit?Regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in Eden, why punish us so hard for desiring power?
Why did God want to “test” Adam and Eve by planting the tree? Did God know that they would eat the fruit?Regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in Eden, why punish us so hard for desiring power?
Where do we draw the line in interpreting Biblical events vs poetic? Ex. Noah’s Ark, Adam and Eve, Tower of Babel, etc. Can evolutionary theories be synonymous with the Bible?
Where do we draw the line in interpreting Biblical events vs poetic? Ex. Noah’s Ark, Adam and Eve, Tower of Babel, etc. Can evolutionary theories be synonymous with the Bible?
How come there is only a number of chosen ones to be saved?
How come there is only a number of chosen ones to be saved?
Are we predestined? (will have topic)
Are we predestined? (will have topic)
Did the earliest humans commit incest?
Did the earliest humans commit incest?
If God implanted in every human a moral conscience, how come there are contradictions between what we feel is right vs. what God says is right? ex. Predestination, murder in the Old Testament, different religious opportunities in different nations, etc.
If God implanted in every human a moral conscience, how come there are contradictions between what we feel is right vs. what God says is right? ex. Predestination, murder in the Old Testament, different religious opportunities in different nations, etc.
When it comes to Revelation, what will happen from the beginning of the disaster all the way to heaven on earth?
When it comes to Revelation, what will happen from the beginning of the disaster all the way to heaven on earth?
Pratical
Pratical
Is it a sin to want material things in life? like a cool car or a new computer?
Is it a sin to want material things in life? like a cool car or a new computer?
Sometimes I wonder if it (life) would be easier if I weren’t a Christian, and then I feel bad about thinking that.
Sometimes I wonder if it (life) would be easier if I weren’t a Christian, and then I feel bad about thinking that.
Why is it so hard to believe in God and want God in my life?
Why is it so hard to believe in God and want God in my life?
How do we balance a sense of righteousness and mercy when dealing with people?
How do we balance a sense of righteousness and mercy when dealing with people?
How can I completely surrender myself to Jesus? Why is it so easy to sin and so hard to do what is right?
How can I completely surrender myself to Jesus? Why is it so easy to sin and so hard to do what is right?
Why is life so bitter, feeling often like it’s not worth living?
Why is life so bitter, feeling often like it’s not worth living?
How do you obtain that personal experience of God that many seem to share in their testimonies? How can you be sure it is real?
How do you obtain that personal experience of God that many seem to share in their testimonies? How can you be sure it is real?
Should the government pass laws to enforce moral/religious beliefs? Should abortion be abolished?
Should the government pass laws to enforce moral/religious beliefs? Should abortion be abolished?
Why does it seem like faith opposes rationality? People say it is rational to believe in God, but all other instances of belief in things unseen result in cults and paranoia. Christians seem so skeptical of other world beliefs except their own. How to mediate conflict between Christianity and other faiths, including atheism.
Why does it seem like faith opposes rationality? People say it is rational to believe in God, but all other instances of belief in things unseen result in cults and paranoia. Christians seem so skeptical of other world beliefs except their own. How to mediate conflict between Christianity and other faiths, including atheism.
Why do so many of us have to be crippled or crushed before we follow God? Sometimes it feels so miserable.
Why do so many of us have to be crippled or crushed before we follow God? Sometimes it feels so miserable.
Why do you love us humans so much? like we are so bad and don't deserve. How would you be able to love us?
Why do you love us humans so much? like we are so bad and don't deserve. How would you be able to love us?
Oftentimes, people push other people onto the gospel. What is the most loving way to introduce a person to God?
Oftentimes, people push other people onto the gospel. What is the most loving way to introduce a person to God?
