在這記念神子降生的歡騰節期中，讓我們一同來深思並應用基督道成肉身，帶來在神學教育的兩個重要引導原則。

(一)神的超越性與內貫性——「道成肉身」就是超然的神降世生活在人間，以完全的神，完全的人的身份完成救贖的工夫。主自稱是那「從天降下仍舊在天的人子」(約3：13），主是「內貫」而同時又是「超越」的。在神學教育上，這眞理提醒我們要着重從上而下，所謂「交接式」神學(transactional theology)，同時也要着重横切面的所謂「人際式」神學(interpersonal theology）叫神學生懂得如何與神和與人建立關係。

從聖經眞理的角度看，一個愛神的人必定會愛弟兄，可是在實行上，很多神學畢業生在工場上的失敗卻在於人際關係上。本來是一番熱誠，也有滿頭腦知識和事奉的技巧，但卻不懂得如何與人建立關係而一敗塗地。

(二)眞理的命題性與個人性——「道成肉身」是神將永恒的眞理在人的生活上表彰出來，這就是主所說的：「我就是眞理。」(約14：6)。這眞理提醒我們，傳福音不能單傳講福音的眞理，更重要的是在生活上活出福音的喜樂、平安和慈愛。二者的配合是重要的。道成肉身也提示我們身教必須配合言教，以身作則是最有效的教導，課室的學習必須配合教會的實習；再者，知識和熱心是相輔相承的，而且知識(眞理)在熱心之先，否則變成了「不是按着眞知識的熱心」(羅10：2)。

The Incarnation and Theological Education / Dr. James Cheung

When we consider the doctrine of incarnation, especially in this joyous Christmas season, let us follow its important implications for theological education.

(1) Transcendence and Immanence – The Incarnation means that the transcendent God became flesh and lived among men. Christ accomplished His redemptive work as fully God and fully man on earth. He claimed to be “the one who came from heaven – the Son of Man who is in heaven” (John 3:13).

In theological education, this reminds us that transactional theology and interpersonal theology are both important. Theoretically speaking, one who loves God also loves his brother; but in practice, one does not always follow the other. We always find young preachers who have the zeal for the Lord, equipped with knowledge and ministry skills but quickly become a failure because they do not know how to get along with others. Theological education must train servants of God to relate both to God and to men.

(2) Truth is both propositional and personal – The incarnation, among other things, means God revealing His eternal truth in human flesh. This was what Christ meant when He claimed to be the truth (John 14:6).

In theological education, this means we must train men and women to be able to live out the truth of the Gospel in joy, peace and love; and not just be preachers of joy, peace and love. At the same time, the Incarnation also teaches that we must teach both by word and example. Classroom learning must go hand in hand with practical work in the church. Moreover, zeal and knowledge should always go together, and knowledge is always before zeal; otherwise we might fall into the same sin as the Israelites whose zeal was not based on knowledge (Romans 10:2).

原載於《建道通訊》66期，1986年12月，頁1。