QUESTION: How does the Missouri Synod differ from the Presbyterian Church?
问题：（路德宗）密苏里总会与长老宗教会如何区别开来的？
ANSWER: As is the case with most mainline denominations today, there are specific issues such as the ordination of women, abortion, homosexuality, etc., that divide the distinct Presbyterian church bodies — for example, the Presbyterian Church in the USA (PCUSA) and the more conservative Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).
答：就像今天大多数主流教派的境况一样，一些具体的问题比如：女人按牧，堕胎，同性恋等等，使得比较大的长老宗教会总会分裂开来---例如，美国长老会（PCUSA）与更保守的美国长老会（PCA）之间。
Such differences typically stem from more fundamental differences concerning the authority of Scripture itself. Having said this, the major theological differences between historic Lutheranism and Presbyterianism (and other churches of Calvinistic background and theological orientation) include the following:
这类分歧通常是源于在圣经权威本身方面更基要性的不同。说起这个，历史性路德宗和长老宗（包括其它具有加尔文主义背景及神学倾向的教会）之间的主要神学分歧有下列几点：
1. The centrality of the Gospel. Presbyterian churches tend to emphasize the "glory" or "sovereignty" of God as the central teaching of Scripture, while Lutherans believe that the central teaching of Scripture — and the key to understanding and interpreting the Bible — is the Gospel: the Good News of Salvation for sinners by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
福音的中心性。长老宗教会倾向于强调上帝的“荣耀”或“主权”来作为圣经的中心教导，然而路德宗基督徒相信圣经的中心教导---理解和阐释圣经的关键所在---是福音：就是赐给罪人的救恩好消息，唯独靠赖恩典，唯独基督，唯独藉着对基督的信。
2. The nature of Christ's atonement. Lutherans believe that when Jesus died on the cross He atoned for the sins of all people of all time — even those who have not or will not come to faith in Christ and will spend eternity in hell.
基督救赎的性质。路德宗基督徒相信当耶稣死在十字架上的时候，祂是为所有世代所有人的罪付上赎价---甚至包括那些还没有或将来也不会信靠基督，并且将会永远落在地狱里的人。
Some Presbyterian churches teach a "limited atonement" of Christ, i.e., that Christ's death on the cross atoned only for the sins of "the elect" — those who have been predestined from eternity to believe in Christ and will spend eternity with Him in heaven.
一些长老宗教会教导基督的“有限性代赎”，就是说基督在十字架上的死亡只为“选民”的罪付上赎价---就是那些曾在永恒中蒙拣选要相信基督并且会永远在天上与祂同在的人。
3. Predestination. Most Presbyterian churches teach a "double predestination," i.e., that some people are predestined by God from eternity to be saved and others are predestined by God from eternity to be damned.
预定论。大部分长老宗教会教导“双重预定，”就是说一些人被上帝从永恒中预定要得拯救，而另外一些人被上帝从永恒中预定要得咒诅。
Lutherans believe that while God, in his grace in Christ Jesus, has indeed chosen from eternity to save those who trust in Jesus Christ, He has not predestined anyone to damnation. Those who are saved are saved by grace alone; those who are damned are damned not by God's choice but because of their own sin and stubbornness. This is a mystery that is incomprehensible to human reason (as are all true Scriptural articles of faith).
路德宗基督徒相信上帝出于祂在基督耶稣里的恩典，确实曾从永恒中选择要拯救那些信靠耶稣基督的人，但同时祂未曾预定任何人得咒诅。那些蒙救赎的人是唯独出于恩典获得拯救的；那些遭咒诅的人不是因着上帝的选择（或预定拣选），乃是因着他们自己的罪和刚硬。这是一个人理性所无法理解的奥秘（和所有符合圣经的信经信条一样）
4. The authority of Scripture. A fourth difference has to do with the proper use of reason and its relationship to the authority of Scripture.
圣经的权威。第四个分歧点在于理性的合理使用以及它与圣经权威之间的关系上。
Lutherans look to Scripture alone as the source of all Christian doctrine, and we hold to the teachings of Scripture even when they are incomprehensible to human reason.
路德宗基督徒唯独仰赖圣经为所有基督信仰教义的源头，并且我们会持守圣经的教导，既使当它们就人的理性来说是不可理解（不可思议）的时候。
Some Presbyterian churches tend to place human reason alongside Scripture as a source of doctrinal authority, and they seek to bring seemingly paradoxical Scriptural truths into harmony with human reason in ways that (in our view) undermine the truthfulness and authority of Scripture.
一些长老宗教会趋向于将人的理性与圣经放在一起作为教义权威的源头，他们会去尝试着将看起来矛盾的圣经真理用人的理性调和起来，所用的方式（以我们的见解）损伤了圣经的真理性（信实性）和权威性。
5. The Sacraments. Most Presbyterian churches (to a greater or lesser degree) view the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper merely as "signs" or "symbols" of God's grace.
圣礼（圣事）。大部分长老宗教会（或多或少在不同程度上）将圣洗礼和圣餐礼这些圣事看为仅仅是上帝恩典的“标志”或“符号。”
Lutherans believe Baptism and the Lord's Supper (which is the true body and blood of Christ in, with, and under bread and wine) are actual means of God's grace through which the Holy Spirit works to convey and/or strengthen faith.
路德宗基督徒相信圣洗礼和圣餐礼（就是基督的真身体和真宝血，在饼和酒之内，与饼和酒一起，在饼和酒之下）就是上帝恩典的实在（真实）的媒介，圣灵透过这些媒介来作工，递送或坚固信心。
QUESTION: What are the major differences between the Missouri Synod and Reformed churches?
问题：（路德宗）密苏里总会与改革宗教会之间有什么主要的区别？
ANSWER: Just as there are many significant differences in theology and practice between Lutherans of varying denominations, the same is true when it comes to different churches within the Reformed tradition.
答：正如不同教派的路德宗之间在神学和实践上有许多重要的分歧一样，当谈及改革宗传统内部的不同教会的时候，同样的境况也是真实的。
Differences exist among Reformed churches even regarding such fundamental issues as the authority of Scripture and the nature and centrality of the doctrine of justification.
改革宗教会中间存在的分歧，甚至是关于诸如圣经权威以及称义教义的性质和中心性方面的基要问题。
Historically, however, most Reformed churches adhere to the five points of Calvinist theology commonly summarized by the acrostic "tulip" as these were set forth at the Synod of Dort (1618-19).
然而，纵观历史，大部分改革宗教会依附于加尔文主义者神学五要点，通常会被概况为首字母的组合词“tulip郁金香，”这些是在多特大会（1618-19）上确立下来的。
T (Total Depravity) The Calvinists rightly teach that all descendants of Adam are by nature totally corrupt in spiritual matters. People do not have freedom of the will to turn to God in faith or cooperate in their conversions (Eph. 2:1; John 3:5-6; Rom. 8:7).
T (全然败坏）加尔文主义者正确地教导所有亚当的后裔按照本性在属灵之事上是完全败坏的。人没有意志的自由可以在信心中转向上帝，或在他们的归信（重生）上进行合作（弗2:1；约3:5-6；罗8:7）。
U (Unconditional predestination) Scripture does teach that it is by grace that God has predestinated the elect to eternal salvation and given them justifying faith. It is not because of any condition fulfilled by them (2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 1:4-6; Phil. 1:29). However, the Bible does not teach, as do the Calvinists, that some are predestined for damnation. God wants all to be saved (1 Tim 2:4).
U （无条件的预定）圣经的确教导，上帝预定选民到永恒救赎并赐给他们称义的信心是出于恩典。这不是因为任何他们可以满足（或做成）的条件（提后1:9；弗1:4-6；腓1:29）。然而，圣经并未教导，像加尔文主义者所教导的那样，一些人被预定得咒诅。上帝意愿所有人得救（提前2:4）
L (Limited atonement) It is true that Christ died for the church and purchased it with His blood (Eph. 5:25; Acts 20:28). Furthermore, His atoning death does not mean that all people are saved (1 Cor. 1:18). However, Jesus died for all (2 Cor. 5:15).
L（有限性救赎）基督为教会死，用祂的圣宝血将之赎买回来（弗5:25；徒20:28），这是正确的。进一步地讲，祂的赎罪性死亡并非意味着所有人都得救（林前1:18）。然而，耶稣为所有人死了（林后5:15）。
I (Irresistible grace) We agree that God makes us alive by His mighty power, without our aid (Eph. 2:5; John 1:13). But Scripture warns we can resist God’s gracious call (Matt. 23:37; Acts 7:51; 2 Cor. 6:1). And some people do resist God’s grace, or all would be saved (1 Tim 2:4). Furthermore, God warns us not to resist His grace (2 Cor. 6:1; Heb. 4:7).
I （不可抗拒的恩典）我们认同上帝使我们活过来，是藉着祂的大能，没有我们的协助（弗2:5；约1:13）。但圣经也警告我们，我们能够拒绝上帝满有恩典的呼召（太23:37；徒7:51；林后6:1）。并且一些人的确拒绝上帝的恩典，不然所有人都会得救（提前2:4）。进一步地，上帝警告我们不要抗拒祂的恩典（林后6:1；来4:7）。
P (Perseverance in grace) We affirm with Scripture that those who are predestined to salvation cannot be lost but will continue by God’s power to a blessed end (Rom. 8:30; 1 Peter 1:5). Scripture does not teach, however, that those who come to faith cannot lose that faith (Heb. 6:4-6; 10:26-29; Ps. 51:11). God urges His people not to continue in sin but to live in repentance and faith (Rom. 6:1-4).
P （恩典中的永蒙保守）我们坚证圣经（的教导），即那些蒙拣选到救恩的人不会失丧，却会靠着上帝的权能继续到一个蒙福的善终（罗8:30；彼前1:5）。然而，圣经并未教导，那些得了信心的人不能失去那信心（来6:4-6；10:26-29；诗51:11）。上帝催促祂的百姓不要在罪中继续，却要在悔改和信心中活着（罗6:1-4）。
Churches in America by Dr. Thomas Manteufel; p. 41 (St. Louis: CPH, 1994).
《教会在美国》 托马斯.曼提由菲尔博士；41页 （圣.路易斯：协同出版社，1994）。
For more information about the Reformed Church as well as other denominations in the United States, you may contact Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis at 800-325-3040 or cph.org and ask for Churches in America, by Thomas Manteufel, stock no. 22-2522.
关于长老宗，改革宗及其它在美国的教派的更多信息，你可以联系在圣.路易斯的协同出版社，电话800-325-3040或cph.org,订购托马斯.曼提由菲尔博士写的《教会在美国》这本书 ，库存编号是22-2522.
Lutheran Translation Society (Public Domain) 路德宗翻社 （版权开放）
Translated by 翻译：Gary
主后 2017 年 2月
Email: lutheranchina@gmail.com
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