P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202
P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202
Oni od nas koji poučavamo da će vjernici biti nagrađeni za svoja dobra djela u kraljevstvu često su napadani. Govori nam se da je živjeti za nagrade sebično. Ponekad nam […]
If you have been following our blogs, you know that GES is holding our 40th anniversary and national conference this May. We are also offering a VBS for kids during the week. The theme of the […]
Noi, cei care afirmăm că credincioșii vor primi răsplată pentru faptele lor bune în Împărăție, suntem adesea criticați. Ni se spune că a trăi pentru răsplăți este egoist. Uneori ni […]
During the GES national conference this May, we will be hosting a Vacation Bible School (VBS) for kids. The theme is “The Crowns in the Kingdom.” Over the week, the kids will learn about the importance of […]
那些教导信徒将在神的国度中因善行得奖赏的人，常常受到批评。有人说，为了得奖赏而生活是自私的；有时甚至认为，这样的动机反映出属灵上的不成熟。有人主张，我们应当因爱神而行善。加尔文主义者则会认为，善行在信徒生命中是自然而然产生的。那么，既然所有信徒都会行善，神又为何要加以奖赏呢？他们认为，所有信徒最终都会得到同样的奖赏。 大多数圣经教师主张，我们应当拒绝“奖赏”的观念，因为这会导致竞争与骄傲。他们认为，随着成圣的进展，人们会逐渐认识到，“奖赏”的教义在心理上是不健康的。 我最近读到一篇由艾莉·史蒂文斯-斯特拉斯曼（Ellie Stevens-Strathman）撰写的文章i，她是一位获得认证的精神科医生。该文章预计将发表在《恩典福音协会期刊》（Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society）的下一期。我并非精神科医生，也相信有其他人能比我更好地解释她的观点。不过，我想简要总结其中的几个要点。 艾莉指出，为奖赏而活在心理上是健康的，这是由人脑的运作方式所决定的。当一个人追求即时满足时，他是在以精神科领域所称的“热系统”（hot framework）运作；而当一个人追求延迟满足时，则是在“冷系统”（cool framework）中运作。这种状态有助于促进“最佳的大脑功能和自我调节能力”。 为基督将来国度中的永恒奖赏而活，显然属于延迟满足的范畴。这样的信徒愿意放弃眼前的满足，以换取将来更美好的回报。而不为奖赏而活的人，则更容易受当下情绪驱动，追求即时的愉悦。 艾莉举了一个现代例子来说明“热系统”下的情绪驱动行为：例如，有人会因为自己在 Instagram 上获得的点赞数量而感到焦虑。当点赞数上升时，他会获得情绪上的兴奋感。即使是不相信奖赏观念的信徒，也能看出那些过度在意点赞数量的人在心理上并不健康。 当然，最重要的并不是医学科学如何评价为永恒奖赏而活所带来的心理益处，而是圣经本身如何教导。圣经确实教导“奖赏”的教义，并且有许多经文涉及这一主题。在《马太福音》6:2中，主指出那些追求即时满足、处于“热系统”状态之人的愚昧；祂也鼓励门徒为那在将来国度中积存的奖赏而活，也就是追求延迟的满足。祂教导他们要将心（我也会说，包括思想）放在那里（太6:19–21）。 主的话本身就足以激励我们为永恒的奖赏而活。而这种生活方式同时还能促进“大脑最佳功能”，并有益于心理健康，这不过是额外的益处。我也鼓励各位在下一期刊物出版时，亲自阅读艾莉的这篇文章。 i 她在25年年会上也对这一主题发表了演讲: https://youtube.com/live/VMbKgRNGCLk?feature=share
At the GES national conference this May, our VBS theme is “Crowns in the Kingdom.” Throughout the week, the children will be learning a truth many adults never clearly grasp: […]
Noi che insegniamo che i credenti nel regno saranno ricompensati per le loro buone opere, siamo spesso oggetto di critiche. Ci viene detto che vivere in vista di una ricompensa […]
Тех из нас, кто учит, что верующие будут вознаграждены за свои дела в царстве, часто критикуют. Нам говорят, что жить ради наград это эгоистично. Иногда нам говорят, что такие желания […]
A los que enseñamos que los creyentes serán recompensados por sus buenas obras en el reino, a menudo se nos ataca. Se nos dice que vivir con la mirada puesta […]
Yung mga nagtuturong ang mga mananampalataya ay gagantimpalaan para sa kanilang mabubuting gawa sa kaharian ay madalas na ina-atake. Sinasabihan tayong ang pamumuhay para sa mga gantimpala ay makasarili. Minsan […]
Welcome to the Grace in Focus podcast. All this week, Bob Wilkin and Sam Marr will be answering questions and responding to a video sent...
In Isa 58:1-5, the prophet is commanded to tell Israel to turn from her sins so the nation can experience God’s blessings (vv 8-11). Unfortunately, most in the nation thought that religious rituals would secure God’s pleasure, even if they continued rebelling against Him. They sought...
“Do your parents know the Lord?” If your friend asked that, you’d assume he was asking whether your parents were believers. It would be equivalent to “Are...
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