“顺服与自由”在加尔文《基督教要义》中的政治神学涵义

The Political Theological Significance of ＂Freedom and Obedience＂ in Calvin's Institutes

欧力仁(Li‐Jen Ou)

《基督教文化學刊》 16期 (2006/12) Pp. 98-130

並列摘要

The purpose of the paper is to highlight the political theology of the historic figure John Calvin, particularly his ideas concerning Christians' freedom and obedience as their civic right and obligation. Nevertheless, the content of this essay is not historical investigation but primarily a theological interpretation of Calvin's two treatises ＂On Christian Freedom＂ and ＂On Civil Government＂ in his opus magnum The Institutes of the Christian Religion. Apart from the interpretation of the two tracts another portion of this essay is consisted of a critique of the contemporary political theorist George H. Sabine's inadequate socio-political criticism of Calvin's theological politics (or political theology). The present writer maintains that it is no exaggeration to regard the aforementioned two treatises as the loci of Calvin's political theology. Inasmuch as the two significant articles plainly point out the fact, the freedom bestowed by God is divine privilege whereas the obedience practiced out of the freedom is divine obligation in the Christian's socio-political life. Accordingly, it is not surprising to conclude that freedom and obedience consist of Calvin's political theology.