升天与教会
Ascension and Ecclesia
道格拉斯·法罗 / Douglas Farrow
简介 Summary
法罗对基督升天与教会关系的独特神学探讨。升天往往被视为基督生平的"终结"，但法罗论证升天实际上是教会存在的基础和动力源泉。通过升天，基督不是远离世界，而是以新的方式临在于教会中。作者详细阐释了升天如何影响教会的使命、崇拜、牧养和盼望，为理解教会论提供了重要的基督论基础，展示了升天教义的当代相关性。
Farrow's unique theological exploration of the relationship between Christ's ascension and the church. The Ascension is often viewed as the "end" of Christ's earthly life, but Farrow argues it is actually the foundation and driving force of the church's existence. Through the Ascension, Christ does not distance himself from the world but becomes present in the church in a new way. The author elaborates how the Ascension affects the church's mission, worship, pastoral care, and hope, providing important Christological foundations for ecclesiology and demonstrating the contemporary relevance of Ascension doctrine.
📑 章节 Chapters
Ch.1: The Neglected Ascension: A Blind Spot in Modern Theology
法罗指出现代神学普遍忽视基督升天的重要性，将其视为古代世界观的过时残余。然而，升天不是空间意义上的"上升"，而是基督进入了新的存在模式，获得了宇宙性的主权地位。作者论证，忽视升天导致了对基督论和教会论的严重误解，使教会失去了其超验性基础。
Farrow notes modern theology's widespread neglect of Christ's ascension, viewing it as an outdated relic of ancient worldview. However, the Ascension is not spatial 'ascent' but Christ entering a new mode of existence, gaining cosmic sovereign status. The author argues neglecting the Ascension leads to serious misunderstanding of Christology and ecclesiology, causing the church to lose its transcendent foundation.
“The ascension is not about the departure of Jesus but about his universal presence and authority. 升天不是关于耶稣的离去，而是关于他的普世临在和权柄。”
“To neglect the ascension is to fundamentally misunderstand both Christ and the church. 忽视升天就是从根本上误解了基督和教会。”
Ch.2: The Biblical-Theological Foundation of the Ascension
系统考察升天在圣经神学中的地位。从旧约的"升到高处"主题到新约的明确记录，升天是救恩历史的必然高潮。法罗特别分析了路加-使徒行传的升天叙述、保罗的"高升"基督论、以及希伯来书的大祭司升天主题，证明升天是新约神学的核心要素，不可被边缘化。
Systematic examination of the Ascension's place in biblical theology. From Old Testament themes of 'ascending to heights' to New Testament explicit records, the Ascension is salvation history's inevitable climax. Farrow particularly analyzes Luke-Acts ascension narratives, Pauline 'exaltation' Christology, and Hebrews' high priestly ascension theme, proving the Ascension is a core element of New Testament theology that cannot be marginalized.
“The ascension completes the incarnation; it does not negate it. 升天完成了道成肉身；它不是对道成肉身的否定。”
“Without the ascension, the resurrection remains an isolated miracle rather than the inauguration of the new creation. 没有升天，复活就仍然是孤立的神迹，而不是新创造的开始。”
Ch.3: The Ascension and Christ's Kingship
探讨升天如何确立并显明基督的宇宙王权。升天不是基督获得权柄的时刻，而是他本有权柄的公开显明。通过升天，基督作为神人二性的中保，获得了在天地间独特的地位。这种王权的行使方式与世俗政治权力截然不同，是通过圣灵和教会来实现的属灵统治。
Exploring how the Ascension establishes and reveals Christ's cosmic kingship. The Ascension is not when Christ gained authority but the public manifestation of his inherent authority. Through the Ascension, Christ as the divine-human mediator gained unique position between heaven and earth. This kingship's exercise differs completely from secular political power—spiritual rule realized through the Holy Spirit and the church.
“Christ's kingship is not of this world, but it is for this world. 基督的王权不属于这个世界，但却是为了这个世界。”
“The ascended Christ rules not by coercion but by the power of truth and love. 升天的基督不是通过强制而是通过真理和爱的力量来统治。”
Ch.4: The Ascension and the Sending of the Spirit
分析升天与五旬节之间的神学关联。基督的离去是圣灵降临的前提，但这不是简单的替代关系。通过升天，基督获得了差遣圣灵的权柄，而圣灵的降临使升天的基督能够以新的方式临在于教会。这种"临在的缺席"创造了教会生活的独特结构和动力。
Analyzing the theological connection between the Ascension and Pentecost. Christ's departure is the prerequisite for the Spirit's coming, but this is not simple substitution. Through the Ascension, Christ gained authority to send the Spirit, while the Spirit's coming enables the ascended Christ to be present in the church in a new way. This 'present absence' creates the unique structure and dynamics of church life.
“It is expedient for you that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. 我去是与你们有益的；我若不去，保惠师就不到你们这里来。”
“The Spirit makes the absent Christ present and the present Christ absent. 圣灵使缺席的基督临在，使临在的基督缺席。”
Ch.5: The Ascension and the Church's Identity
阐释升天如何塑造教会的根本身份。教会不是人类宗教组织，而是升天基督的身体，是他在世界中继续存在和工作的方式。这种身份赋予教会双重特征：既在世界中又不属于世界，既可见又不可见，既历史又超历史。法罗强调，离开升天就无法理解教会的本质。
Explicating how the Ascension shapes the church's fundamental identity. The church is not a human religious organization but the body of the ascended Christ—the way he continues to exist and work in the world. This identity gives the church dual characteristics: in the world yet not of the world, visible yet invisible, historical yet trans-historical. Farrow emphasizes that without the Ascension, the church's essence cannot be understood.
“The church exists as the body of the ascended Christ, his mode of presence in the world. 教会作为升天基督的身体而存在，是他在世界中临在的方式。”
“The church's identity is not self-derived but Christ-given through his ascension. 教会的身份不是自我产生的，而是通过基督的升天而赋予的。”
Ch.6: The Ascension and the Church's Worship
探讨升天如何影响教会崇拜的结构和内容。地上的崇拜是对天上崇拜的参与，升天的基督是崇拜的中心和主导者。教会通过圣餐等圣礼与升天的基督联合，经历天地之间的交通。法罗批评了将崇拜纯粹人性化的趋势，强调真正的崇拜必须具有超验向度。
Exploring how the Ascension affects the structure and content of church worship. Earthly worship participates in heavenly worship, with the ascended Christ as worship's center and leader. Through sacraments like Communion, the church unites with the ascended Christ, experiencing communion between heaven and earth. Farrow critiques trends toward purely humanizing worship, emphasizing true worship must have transcendent dimensions.
“In worship, the church joins the song of the heavenly host around the throne of the ascended Christ. 在崇拜中，教会加入天军围绕升天基督宝座的颂歌。”
“The ascension lifts our worship beyond the horizontal plane to the vertical dimension. 升天将我们的崇拜从水平层面提升到垂直向度。”
Ch.7: The Ascension and the Church's Mission
分析升天如何界定和驱动教会的使命。大使命是升天基督的委托，"天上地下所有的权柄都赐给我了"是宣教的基础。教会的使命不是自己的事业，而是参与升天基督的工作。这种使命具有宇宙性规模，要延续到基督再来时为止。
Analyzing how the Ascension defines and drives the church's mission. The Great Commission is the ascended Christ's mandate, with 'all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me' as missions' foundation. The church's mission is not its own enterprise but participation in the ascended Christ's work. This mission has cosmic scope, continuing until Christ's return.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations. 天上地下所有的权柄都赐给我了。所以，你们要去，使万民作我的门徒。”
“The church's mission flows from Christ's authority, not from human initiative or need. 教会的使命源于基督的权柄，而不是人的主动或需要。”
Ch.8: The Ascension and Christ's High Priestly Office
详述升天基督的大祭司职分及其对教会的意义。基督不仅在地上献祭，更在天上继续他的祭司工作——为圣徒代求、维护新约的效力。这种天上的事奉为教会提供了持续的救恩保障和属灵供应。教会的祭司职分是对基督大祭司职分的参与和反映。
Detailing the ascended Christ's high priestly office and its significance for the church. Christ not only offered sacrifice on earth but continues his priestly work in heaven—interceding for saints, maintaining the new covenant's efficacy. This heavenly ministry provides the church with ongoing salvation assurance and spiritual supply. The church's priesthood participates in and reflects Christ's high priestly office.
“He always lives to make intercession for those who draw near to God through him. 凡靠着他进到神面前的人，他都能拯救到底，因为他是长远活着，替他们祈求。”
“Christ's priestly ministry did not end at Calvary but continues in the heavenly sanctuary. 基督的祭司职分不是在各各他结束，而是在天上的圣所继续。”
Ch.9: The Ascension and the Church's Hope
阐释升天如何塑造教会的末世盼望。升天是基督再来的保证——他怎样去，也必怎样来。升天的基督为教会预备地方，教会的盼望不是抽象的永恒，而是与升天基督在新天新地的具体团契。这种盼望不是逃避现实，而是改造现实的动力。
Explicating how the Ascension shapes the church's eschatological hope. The Ascension guarantees Christ's return—as he went, so he will come. The ascended Christ prepares a place for the church; the church's hope is not abstract eternity but concrete fellowship with the ascended Christ in the new heavens and earth. This hope doesn't escape reality but motivates reality's transformation.
“This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. 这离开你们被接升天的耶稣，你们见他怎样往天上去，他还要怎样来。”
“The ascension is the guarantee of the parousia and the pattern for the church's ultimate destiny. 升天是基督再来的保证，也是教会最终命运的模式。”
Ch.10: Contemporary Significance of Ascension Theology
总结升天神学对当代教会和神学的重要性。在世俗化时代，升天神学提醒教会其超验性身份；在功能主义文化中，升天神学强调教会的本体论基础；在内在化趋势下，升天神学坚持信仰的客观现实性。法罗呼吁教会重新发现升天的中心地位，以此更新教会论和牧养实践。
Summarizing ascension theology's importance for contemporary church and theology. In a secularized age, ascension theology reminds the church of its transcendent identity; in functionalist culture, it emphasizes the church's ontological foundation; amid internalizing trends, it insists on faith's objective reality. Farrow calls the church to rediscover the Ascension's central place, renewing ecclesiology and pastoral practice accordingly.
“Recovery of ascension theology is essential for the church's self-understanding in a secularized world. 恢复升天神学对于教会在世俗化世界中的自我理解是至关重要的。”
“The ascension is not an appendix to the gospel but the completion of the incarnation and the foundation of the church. 升天不是福音的附录，而是道成肉身的完成和教会的根基。”