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ABSTRACT

With Colossians 2 : 1-10 as a prologue , Packer points out that according to the teaching of the Apostle Paul , Colossians were to build up wisdom and knowledge that were Christ – centered . The author suggests that what it means by ” evangelicalism ” is Christianity that preached by Paul, emphasizing that men have to repent and convert. In the discussion, Packer traces the origin of the terminology ” evangelicalism, ” and he expounds the theology of Paul from a doctrinal perspective. Moreover, the author points out that there are three versions of contemporary Christianity, namely Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox, evangelicalism , and liberal Protestantism .

The number of evangelicals has been steadily ascending in the twentieth century, and the number of seminaries and para – church ministries are also increasing, Packer regards these good news. However, he reminds evangelicals to be alert , be watchful of Satan’s destructive work , and be cautious of spiritual and moral deterioration . He also encourages believers to be diligent in cultivating their minds, and to reflect more on faith and lives. Packer restates the examples of churches of Pergamum, Sardis and Laodicea in the Book of Revelation, to remind believers the importance of holiness, and to encourage the churches to reflect on whether their ministries are of the apostolic pattern. Besides, the author observes that there are four crises brought forth by contemporary ideologies, namely intellectual relativism, religious pluralism , ethical consequentialism , and unworthy individualism . While facing all these crises, Packer insists that the gospel of Christ be the only hope for men, and that the salvation of Jesus Christ is an expression of God’s wisdom. It is Jesus Christ who reveals to us a true humanism.

撮要

巴刻以歌羅西書二章1至10節為引言，指出保羅教導歌羅西教會要建立以基督為中心的知識和智慧。巴刻認為「福音派」所指的意思，就是保羅所傳揚的基督教，強調人要經歷悔改歸信。他又追溯福音派一詞的緣起；並從教義的角度整理保羅神學，和指出基督教現存有三大版本——天主教和東正教，福音派及自由主義基督教。

巴刻指出，二十世紀福音派信徒人數不斷增長，神學院數目和跨宗派的合作事工也相繼增加，這是令人欣喜的現象。不過，他提醒福音派信徒須慎防撒但機破壞，要留心屬靈及道德的墮落，切勿懶於思考，要深思信仰與生活的關係。他特別提出啟示錄中別迦摩，撒狄和老底嘉等教會的例子，提醒信徒持守聖潔的重要，並反思教會是否按照使徒教導的樣式事奉。

最後，他指出當代思潮對福音派帶來四種危機：理性上的相對主義，宗教上的多元主義，倫理上的後果論，價值失落的個人主義。面對眾多危機，巴刻強調基督的福音是人類唯一的希望，主耶穌的救恩是神智慧的表現，主耶穌基督更為我們展示了真實的人性。

原載於《建道學刊》23期（2005年1月），頁65-83。