1. Hello, listening friends.
亲爱的朋友，你好！
2. We welcome you to this second in the series of messages entitled, “Know Your Bible;”
欢迎你收听“认识圣经”系列的第二讲。
3. and, today, I want to begin by telling you that, while education has accelerated in the past hundred years,
首先，我要提到的就是，近百年来人类的教育制度不断地进步，
4. knowledge of the Word of God has dwindled down.
人们对神话语的认识却越来越贫乏。
5. Our Bible knowledge, today, is far less than our parents’ and grandparents’ generation.
我们这一代人对圣经的认识，远远不及我们的上一辈。
6. There is one reason for this.
造成这种现象是有原因的。
7. Historians tell us that we live in what they call “post-modern culture.”
历史学家告诉我们，我们生活在一个称为“后现代文化”的时代。
8. Have you heard the term, “post-modern culture?”
你有没有听过“后现代文化”这个名词呢？
9. Many of you probably are studying it in history.
也许你在学历史的时候听说过。
10. Let me explain to you why it has served to isolate us from the Word of God.
我来解释给你听，为什么后现代文化让我们远离神的话语。
11. The Bible said, in 1 Chronicles, Chapter 12, verse 32,
圣经在历代志上12：32节这里说：
12. that the men of Issachar were men of wisdom,
以萨迦支派的族长都是一些有智慧的人，
13. and, the reason they were men of wisdom is because they understood the times.
他们满有智慧，是因为他们了解所处的时代。
14. The problem with many of us is that we do not try to understand the times.
今天，我们的问题就出在，我们不愿意认识我们的时代。
15. Whether you are 19 years old or 90 years old,
不管你是19岁还是90岁，
16. you need to understand the times in which we live,
你都要认识你所处的时代是如何的，
17. because understanding the times will help us understand what’s going on around us.
因为明白了我们所处的时代，我们就能明白周围所发生的一切。
18. Historians have divided the history of Christendom into three periods-
历史学家把基督教文明的历史分成了三个阶段──
19. what they call the “pre-modern,” the “modern,” and the “post-modern.”
他们称之为“前现代”、“现代”和“后现代”。
20. The “pre-modern” times began with the collapse of the Roman Empire in the beginning of the 4th century.
“前现代”时期是从第4世纪初，罗马帝国崩溃的年代开始算起。
21. In the beginning of the 4th century, people interpreted reality in terms of their knowledge of the Word of God.
在4世纪初的时候，人们根据他们对圣经的理解来解释现实世界的一切。
22. Their worldview was dominated by the knowledge of the Word of God;
因此，他们的世界观完全建基于圣经的教导上；
23. but, gradually, people got away from the Word of God.
但是，渐渐地，人们开始远离神的话语。
24. After that came the “modern” period in the beginning of the 14th century.
在14世纪初叶，历史进入“现代”时期。
25. During the “modern” period, there were two competing ideas.
“现代”时期出现了互相对抗的两大思想派别。
26. There was the Reformation, and, there was the Renaissance.
一个是宗教改革运动，一个是文艺复兴运动。
27. The Reformation placed God supreme, and, therefore, man had the power to glorify God in every human endeavor.
宗教改革把神放在首位，因而主张人应当尽一切努力来荣耀上帝。
28. The Renaissance, on the other hand, gradually placed man at the center of the stage.
而文艺复兴却逐渐地把人推崇到历史舞台的中心位置。
29. The cry of the time was, “I think, therefore I am.”
当时的口号就是：“我思，故我在。”
30. One historian put it right when he said the following:
一位历史学家说得好，他说：
31. “That was the beginning of when God was dethroned and man was enthroned.”
“从此，人代替神，坐上了至高的宝座。”
32. The “modern” era is when humanism and the physical and the natural world grew larger in society,
在“现代”时期里，人文主义和物理、自然科学都大幅度的发展，
33. while God and the supernatural were marginalized;
神和一切超自然的事都被搁置在一旁；
34. but, by the end of the 19th century
可是，到了19世纪末，
35. and the beginning of the 20th century,
20世纪初的时候，
36. came the third period in modern history.
近代历史的第三个阶段开始了。
37. This is the time we call, “post-modern.”
这就是我们所说的“后现代”。
38. The “post-modern” period ushered in the attitude that man can do anything, if he puts his mind to it.
“后现代思想”让我们觉得，只要人类想做的事，就没有做不成的。
39. Here’s what I really want to tell you.
我今天所要告诉你的就是：
40. The “post-modern” thinking has now filled the atmosphere.
如今天下充满了“后现代”的思潮。
41. It’s all over the world, not just in the West.
它已经渗透到世界各地，并不只限于西方世界。
42. What is this “post-modern” thinking?
那么，“后现代”思想到底是什么呢？
43. Here it is:
这就是：
44. they say that the pursuit of truth is meaningless.
他们认为，追求真理本身是没有意义的。
45. The idea of morality? It is an obsolete.
对道德伦理的要求也已经是陈腔滥调了。
46. The concept of authority is outmoded.
至于“权柄”这个概念，已经陈旧过时了。
47. Truth is relative.
真理是相对的。
48. Everywhere you go, “post-modern” thinking is permeating the world.
无论你走到那里，都会发现，“后现代”思想已经渗透到世界的每个角落。
49. We are exposed to “post-modern” thinking 16 hours a day.
每一天，我们有三分之二的时间在和“后现代”打交道。
50. How can you recognize this false way of thinking?
那么，怎样可以辨别这些错谬的思想呢？
51. Let me give you some practical ways to recognize this in your life.
我给你提供几个生活中实际的例子。
52. The first symptom of post-modern thinking is that every opinion is equally right.
首先，后现代主义认为，世上所有的观点都同样的正确。
53. Another symptom is that those who assume authority have no right to do so.
他们也认为：世上不可以有绝对的权威。
54. The absolutes of God are open to interpretation.
连神的绝对性也可以随意加以解释。
55. They say the Bible is an archaic book.
他们认为，圣经是一本过时古老的书。
56. The second way “post-modern” thinking has invaded our minds is this:
“后现代”思潮泛滥的第二种现象是：
57. outward appearance is far more important than inward commitment.
一个人表面的东西要比内在的品格更为重要。
58. “Post-modern” thinking says that you create the impression that you want to create,
“后现代”思想认为，你可以随心所欲地塑造自己的形象。
59. and, the third symptom is this:
第三种现象：
60. in the “post-modern” world, words have no inherent meaning.
在“后现代”的世界里，文字本身并没有固定的意义。
61. A word can mean one thing to me and mean something else totally different to someone else.
同一个字，你我的用法可以完全不同，不同的人可以有不同的理解。
62. Everyone wants to interpret life in their own way.
每个人都可以按着自己的喜好来诠释生命的意义。
63. The fourth symptom is the contrast between the intellect and feeling.
第四种现象，在于理性和感性的对立越来越大，
64. In modernism, 500 to 1500s, logic, reason, intellect, were valued;
在现代时期里的人，崇尚逻辑、推理和理性思维。
65. so, Christians were able to appeal to the mind, to the logic, and to the reason of the supernatural;
因此，基督徒可以从知识、逻辑和理性的层面来述说超自然的事；
66. but, now, in “post-modern” culture,
然而，在当今“后现代“文化中，
67. feelings, emotions, individual values dominate our environment.
感觉、情绪和自我观影响着我们整个社会。
68. In “modernism,” which is 500 to 1500,
在现代时期里，
69. when people disagreed, they considered the other person’s view to be in error.
当人们的意见有了分歧的时候，他们认为，总有一方是错误的。
70. In “post-modern” culture, when people disagree, they assume that all views are correct.
而在“后现代”文化中，无论意见是多么的千差万别，他们认为大家都是对的。
71. In “modernism,” knowledge was vitally important.
从前，人们注重的是知识。
72. In “post-modernism,” one’s opinion is of uttermost importance.
而“后现代”的今天，个人的意见才是至高无上的。
73. My listening friend, please listen carefully to what I’m going to tell you.
我亲爱的朋友，请留心听下面我要讲的话。
74. All of this thinking has kept people from believing and obeying the Word of God.
以上所有这些现象都导致我们远离神的话语，甚至违背神的话语。
75. They have given up understanding the power that is in the Word of God.
他们根本不愿意明白，神的话语本身就带着能力。
76. They have given up the treasure of the Word of God.
他们情愿放弃，神话语中的宝藏。
77. My listening friend, I’m sure you agree with me when I tell you that, if you spend more time watching television than reading the Word of God,
亲爱的的朋友，相信你会同意我的说法，如果你看电视的时间要比研读圣经的时间多，
78. sooner or later, you’ll believe the fantasy on the screen more than the Word of God.
迟早你会相信萤屏上的幻象世界，却不相信神的话。
79. Today, Satan is succeeding in neutralizing the power of the Word of God by getting people addicted to television,
其实，撒但一直都想借着电视上的花花世界来引诱信徒漠视神的话语，在这方面撒但成功了。
80. just as he succeeded in the Garden of Eden in neutralizing the power of the Word of God to Adam and Eve.
正如当年它在伊甸园中，成功地引诱了亚当、夏娃，同样也是使他们忽视神话语的能力。
81. Back then, he brought doubt about what God said.
当年，它是怎样让人怀疑神话语的？
82. He said to them, “Did God really say that?”
它说：“神真的是那样说的吗？”
83. and, today, he is bringing doubt to what God said.
今天，它也同样让人对神的话语产生质疑。
84. Back then, he convinced Adam and Eve that what God said was not relevant to them,
那时，它说服亚当、夏娃，神的话不见得与他们相关，
85. that what God said was inadequate for them and their needs,
神的话不能满足他们的需要，
86. that what God said was not really for their happiness;
神的话不能带给他们快乐；
87. and, here, what he tells us, thousands of years later,
在几千年之后的今天，撒但也使出同样的花招，
88. he comes to us and says, “Do you want to be happy?
它常常对我们说：“你希望自己快乐吗？
89. Don’t read the Bible.
那就别再读圣经了。
90. You cannot be happy and believe this.”
相信我，你不会快乐的。”
91. My friend, if the main focus of your life is happiness,
亲爱的朋友，如果你人生的目标就是追寻快乐，
92. the only happiness that you are going to bring about is the happiness of Satan;
那么，你所追求的快乐，只能让撒但来享受；
93. but, if your focus is holiness,
但如果你人生的目标是追求圣洁，
94. then, God is going to give you happiness as a bonus.
神会把喜乐连同圣洁一同赏赐给你。
95. Satan’s deception has not changed in thousands of years.
几千年来，撒但欺骗人的伎俩跟当初没什么两样。
96. It is happening, today, before your own eyes.
这情形就在我们眼前。
97. From the time of Adam and Eve to our time, Satan’s deception is exactly the same,
从亚当、夏娃的年代直到今天，撒但的骗术都是一贯不变的，
98. and, there is something of uttermost importance that I want to tell you.
我要告诉你一些非常重要的事情。
99. Listen carefully.
请仔细听我说。
100. Do you know how often Satan kept on pestering Adam and Eve,
你知道撒但是怎么纠缠亚当、夏娃的吗？
101. how often he kept trying to confuse and distract them?
你知道它是怎样费尽心机来迷惑他们，分散他们的注意力吗？
102. The Bible is very clear that it was continuous bombardment,
圣经清楚记载说，撒但接二连三地向他们进攻，
103. just like we have today.
就好像今天对付我们一样。
104. Everywhere you go, it is continuous bombardment.
无论我们在哪儿，随时都会遭受撒但的诱惑。
105. 16 hours a day, day in and day out, Satan bombarded Adam and Eve with lies;
当年，撒但从早到晚地搅扰亚当、夏娃；
106. and, then, finally, Eve got weary and gave in;
终于，夏娃屈服了，不再抗拒；
107. and there are so many people, today, who become weary of the bombardment of the enemy’s attack,
同样，今天也有无数的人遭受撒但不停的攻击，而感到疲倦，
108. and they just gave up.
他们只好屈服，束手就擒。
109. Satan asks us, “Why do you read the Bible?”
撒但常常试探我们说：“你为什么要读圣经呢？”
110. Why would you read the Bible when It tells you that sin is lawlessness,
既然圣经说：“罪就是无法无天，
111. that sin is an affront to a holy, righteous, sinless, pure God?
犯罪，就是得罪那位圣洁、公义、完全的神”，那你为什么还要读圣经呢？
112. Why would you believe that?
你为什么要相信圣经呢？
113. Why would anyone believe and obey the Bible, when It says that immorality is rebellion against God and Hell is its reward?
圣经说，犯罪就是悖逆神，其结局就是死亡，为什么还有人要相信那一套，甚至还肯顺服圣经所讲的呢？
114. Why would anyone read, believe and obey the Bible, when It says that God’s Word is the final authority,
圣经说，神的话具有至高无上的权威，你为什么还要读，甚至还要信从圣经呢？
115. when it is easy to accept the “post-modern” culture deception that says you are the final arbitrator?
而“后现代”文化主张，你拥有绝对的主权判断一切，这听起来多么顺耳啊？
116. Why would anyone read the Bible, when It tells us what is right and what is wrong, when “post-modern” culture says, “Do what feels right?”
“后现代”文化告诉我们，“只要跟着感觉走”， 圣经却总是在指出是非正邪之分，那你为什么还要读圣经呢？
117. My listening friend,
我亲爱的朋友，
118. the Bible answers “post-modern” culture’s deception.
圣经一眼就看穿了“后现代”文化欺骗人的谎言。
119. The Bible has the answer, and here it is:
圣经清楚地告诉我们：
120. Proverbs 14:12:
箴言14：12节记着：
121. “There is a way that seems right to a man, but, in the end, it leads to death.”
“有一条路人以为正，至终成为死亡之路。”
122. It leads to death.
这是引向死亡的一条道路。
123. If you want life, read the Word of God daily.
如果你想得到生命，必须每天读神的话语。
124. Believe It and obey It;
相信并听从神的话语；
125. but, if you want death, keep on ignoring It.
如果你愿意走向死亡，尽管把神的话语搁在一旁。
126. If you want life, feed upon Its riches every single day;
如果你想得到生命，就必须每天吸收属灵的养份；
127. but, if you want death, then, be indifferent to It.
但如果你选择死亡，就不用理会神的话了。
128. If you want to choose life, drink deeply from the Bible and let It satisfy you on a daily basis;
假如你选择生命，就要每天从圣经里汲取活水，来满足你心灵的饥渴。
129. but, if you choose the wilderness of death, then, stay in the desert of “post-modernism.”
然而，如果你执意要选择死亡的话，你可以继续待在让你干渴至死的“后现代”主义里头。
130. If you want life, then, allow the Word of God to change your behavior,
如果你要得生命，就要容许神的话来改变你的生活方式，
131. because the Word of God has the power of God in It;
因为神的话语本身就带着神的大能；
132. but, if you want death, follow Satan’s deception of doubting the Word of God.
然而，如果你要选择死亡，就让自己落在撒但的骗局里，继续怀疑神的话。
133. If you want life, treasure the Word of God as your daily possession;
如果你要得到生命，就该好好珍惜神的话语；
134. but, if you choose death, devalue It and squander It.
但是，如果你厌弃神的话语并丢弃它，你定要死亡，
135. If you want life, let the Word of God strengthen you to stand up against the current of culture;
如果你要得生，就让神的话语坚固你，使你能抵挡世俗的潮流；
136. but, if you choose death, then, go with the flow and with all the dead fish in the sea;
如果你要选择死亡，尽管随从今世的风俗；
137. and, so, my listening friends, I want to tell you from the very beginning, God gave us a choice.
所以，我亲爱的朋友，神从一开始就给予我们选择的自由。
138. In the Garden, He gave our first parents a choice,
在伊甸园当中，神就给我们人类的始祖一个自由选择的意志，
139. and they chose death;
可他们却选择了死亡；
140. and, through their sin, we all inherited their sin-genes;
因着他们犯罪，罪性也就一代代传了下来；
141. and that is why, without Jesus Christ, we can never be delivered from that with which we are born.
所以，若不是通过耶稣基督的拯救，我们不可能脱离罪性的辖制。
142. In the wilderness, through Moses, God gave His people a choice.
当年，神借着摩西在旷野给以色列人一个选择的机会，
143. He said to them, “Choose between life and death…”
神对他们说：“你可以选择生或死。”
144. and many of them chose death,
可惜大多数人选择了死亡，
145. and they were buried in the wilderness and never made it to the land.
因此，他们倒毙在旷野，没能进入神的应许之地。
146. Joshua said to them,
约书亚曾经对他们说：
147. “Chose this day to read, believe and practice the Word of God,
“今天你们要选择谨守遵行神的话语，
148. or, chose guilt and pain and confusion in your life
或是选择生命中的罪疚、痛苦和混乱，
149. and receive eternal torment.”
你们将速速的灭亡。”
150. I’ll make you a promise that comes from the testimony of thousands of people.
成千上万的人已经证实了这一点。
151. If you make the decision to read the Word of God, study the Word of God and obey the Word of God,
如果你决心要研读，并谨守遵行神所吩咐你的一切话，
152. It will change you for good-
你的人生会产生彻底的改变──
153. not only that, It will bless you in ways you never thought possible.
不仅如此，神也会在各个方面都赐福给你，让你得到意想不到的福气。
154. Until next time, I wish you God’s richest blessing.
好，我们下次再见，愿神大大地赐福给你。
