信条的必要
The Creedal Imperative
卡尔·楚曼 / Carl Trueman
简介 Summary
楚曼对基督教信条重要性的有力辩护。在强调个人经历和反对教义传统的时代，楚曼论证历史信条（如使徒信经、尼西亚信经）对基督教信仰的必要性。作者指出，信条不是束缚自由的枷锁，而是保护真理的篱笆；不是僵化的教条，而是活泼信仰的表达。全书为教会重视信仰告白和教义传承提供了重要的神学论证。
Trueman's powerful defense of the importance of Christian creeds. In an era emphasizing personal experience and opposing doctrinal tradition, Trueman argues for the necessity of historical creeds (such as the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds) to Christian faith. The author demonstrates that creeds are not shackles binding freedom but fences protecting truth; not rigid dogma but expressions of living faith. The work provides important theological argumentation for churches valuing confessions and doctrinal heritage.
📑 章节 Chapters
Ch.1: Why Creeds Still Matter
楚曼开篇论证在个人主义盛行的当代，历史信条仍然具有重要意义。他指出，反对信条往往基于对"传统"的误解。信条不是人为的束缚，而是历代圣徒智慧的结晶，是教会集体辨别圣经真理的成果。
Trueman begins by arguing that in our individualistic age, historical creeds remain vitally important. He points out that opposition to creeds often stems from misunderstanding 'tradition.' Creeds are not human shackles but crystallization of saints' wisdom through the ages, results of the church's collective discernment of biblical truth.
“We all have creeds; the question is whether we are self-conscious about them and whether they connect us to the wider church. 我们都有信条；问题在于我们是否对它们有自觉认识，以及它们是否将我们与更广大的教会联系起来。”
“Creeds are not the end of thinking but the foundation for further reflection. 信条不是思考的终结，而是进一步反思的基础。”
Ch.2: Scripture, Tradition, and Authority
探讨圣经与传统的关系。楚曼澄清改革宗的"唯独圣经"原则并不排斥历史传统的价值。信条作为教会对圣经的集体理解，帮助个人信徒避免解经的主观主义陷阱。传统是圣经权威的仆人，而非竞争者。
Explores the relationship between Scripture and tradition. Trueman clarifies that the Reformed principle of 'sola scriptura' does not exclude the value of historical tradition. Creeds, as the church's collective understanding of Scripture, help individual believers avoid subjectivist traps in interpretation. Tradition serves as Scripture's servant, not competitor.
“Scripture is the supreme authority, but tradition serves as a faithful guide to Scripture's meaning. 圣经是最高权威，但传统作为圣经意义的忠实向导。”
“The choice is not between Scripture and tradition, but between self-conscious use of tradition and unconscious enslavement to contemporary prejudices. 选择不在于圣经和传统之间，而在于对传统的自觉使用和对当代偏见的无意识奴役之间。”
Ch.3: The Enduring Relevance of the Apostles' Creed
详细分析使徒信经的历史发展和神学内容。楚曼逐句解释信经条文，展示其如何总结基督教信仰的核心要素：三一上帝、道成肉身、救赎、教会、复活等。这个古老的信仰告白为今日教会提供身份认同和教义界限。
Thoroughly analyzes the historical development and theological content of the Apostles' Creed. Trueman explains each article clause by clause, demonstrating how it summarizes Christianity's core elements: the Trinity, incarnation, redemption, church, resurrection, etc. This ancient confession provides identity and doctrinal boundaries for today's church.
“The Apostles' Creed connects us to the faith of our fathers and mothers, reminding us that Christianity is not a recent invention. 使徒信经将我们与列祖列宗的信仰连接，提醒我们基督教不是最近的发明。”
“In confessing the creed, we declare our solidarity with believers across time and space. 在宣认信条时，我们宣告与跨越时空的信徒团结一致。”
Ch.4: The Trinitarian Significance of the Nicene Creed
深入分析尼西亚信经对三一论教义的贡献。楚曼解释早期教会如何通过信经来回应阿里乌主义的挑战，确立基督完全的神性。这个过程展示了信条如何在异端威胁面前保护正统信仰，为后世教会提供教义标准。
Deeply analyzes the Nicene Creed's contribution to Trinitarian doctrine. Trueman explains how the early church used the creed to respond to Arian challenges, establishing Christ's full deity. This process demonstrates how creeds protect orthodox faith against heretical threats, providing doctrinal standards for future churches.
“The Nicene Creed was forged in the fires of theological controversy, but it emerged as pure gold. 尼西亚信经在神学争议的烈火中锻造，但它作为纯金出现。”
“Without Nicaea, we would have no clear doctrinal foundation for understanding who Jesus Christ really is. 没有尼西亚会议，我们就没有理解耶稣基督真正是谁的清晰教义基础。”
Ch.5: The Legacy of Reformed Confessions
楚曼转向宗教改革时期的信仰告白，特别是奥格斯堡信条、威斯敏斯特信仰告白等。这些文献不仅澄清了称义等救赎论问题，也为教会治理、圣礼等实践问题提供指导。改革宗传统展示了信条的持续发展和适应性。
Trueman turns to Reformation-era confessions, particularly the Augsburg Confession, Westminster Confession of Faith, etc. These documents not only clarified soteriological issues like justification but also provided guidance for practical matters like church governance and sacraments. The Reformed tradition demonstrates creeds' continuing development and adaptability.
“The Reformation confessions show us how the church must continually reform itself according to Scripture. 宗教改革信条向我们展示了教会如何必须根据圣经持续改革自己。”
“These confessions are not museum pieces but living documents that continue to shape faithful churches. 这些信条不是博物馆藏品，而是继续塑造忠心教会的活的文件。”
Ch.6: Creeds in Practice in the Modern Church
讨论信条在当代教会生活中的具体应用：礼拜仪式、会员制、教牧培训、教义教育等。楚曼提供实用建议，帮助教会在保持历史连续性的同时，有效地使用信条来建立教会认同和教导真理。
Discusses specific applications of creeds in contemporary church life: worship liturgy, membership, pastoral training, doctrinal education, etc. Trueman provides practical advice for helping churches effectively use creeds to build church identity and teach truth while maintaining historical continuity.
“Creeds should be lived, not merely recited; they should shape our thinking, not merely decorate our walls. 信条应该被活出来，而不仅仅是背诵；它们应该塑造我们的思考，而不仅仅是装饰我们的墙壁。”
“A church without creeds is a church without boundaries, and a church without boundaries is not really a church at all. 没有信条的教会是没有边界的教会，没有边界的教会根本不是真正的教会。”
Ch.7: Responding to Common Objections to Creeds
楚曼系统回应现代人对信条的典型批评："死的传统"、"限制自由"、"分裂教会"等。他论证这些反对意见往往基于对信条本质的误解，真正的危险来自缺乏信条导致的教义混乱和分裂。
Trueman systematically responds to typical modern criticisms of creeds: 'dead tradition,' 'restricting freedom,' 'dividing the church,' etc. He argues these objections often stem from misunderstanding creeds' nature, with real danger coming from doctrinal confusion and division caused by lack of creeds.
“The real bondage is not submission to historical creeds but enslavement to the spirit of the age. 真正的捆绑不是顺服历史信条，而是被时代精神所奴役。”
“Creeds do not divide the church; they reveal divisions that already exist and help us address them honestly. 信条不分裂教会；它们揭示了已经存在的分裂，并帮助我们诚实地处理它们。”
Ch.8: Future Confessions
展望信条传统的未来发展。楚曼认为教会可能需要面对新的神学挑战（如性别议题、科技伦理等）制定新的信仰声明，但这必须建立在历史信条的坚实基础上。真正的创新来自对传统的深度理解。
Looks toward future developments in the creedal tradition. Trueman believes the church may need to address new theological challenges (like gender issues, technological ethics, etc.) by crafting new faith statements, but these must be built on the solid foundation of historical creeds. True innovation comes from deep understanding of tradition.
“The church's task is not to abandon the creeds but to extend their insights to new challenges. 教会的任务不是放弃信条，而是将其洞察扩展到新的挑战。”
“Those who would build for the future must first establish themselves firmly on the foundation of the past. 要为未来建造的人必须首先在过去的基础上牢固确立自己。”