Genuine Hope 真正的盼望

[Dexu Xia]

He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.  1 Peter 1:3

In the early 1960s, the US was filled with anticipation of a bright future. Youthful President John F. Kennedy had introduced the New Frontier, the Peace Corps, and the task of reaching the moon. A thriving economy caused many people to expect the future to simply “let the good times roll.” Then the war in Vietnam escalated, national unrest unfolded, Kennedy was assassinated, and the accepted norms of that previously optimistic society were dismantled. Optimism simply wasn’t enough, and in its wake, disillusionment prevailed.  

Then, in 1967, theologian Jürgen Moltmann’s A Theology of Hope pointed to a clearer vision. This path wasn’t the way of optimism but the way of hope. The two aren’t the same thing. Moltmann affirmed that optimism is based on the circumstances of the moment, but hope is rooted in God’s faithfulness—regardless of our situation.

What’s the source of this hope? Peter wrote, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). Our faithful God has conquered death through His Son, Jesus! The reality of this greatest of all victories lifts us beyond mere optimism to a strong, robust hope—every day and in every circumstance.

Whether you’re an optimist or a pessimist, what situations cause concern in you? Why is hope better than either optimism or pessimism?

God, this world is distressing and confusing, and many voices want to drive me to a perspective that feels void of hope. Help me to root my heart in the promise and power of the resurrection of Jesus, who holds the future.

祂曾照自己的大怜悯，藉耶稣基督从死里复活，重生了我们，叫我们有活泼的盼望。—彼得前书1章3节

在1960年代初期，美国举国上下都对未来充满盼望，觉得前景一片光明。年轻的总统肯尼迪（John F. Kennedy）提出了“新疆界”、“和平工作团”，以及登陆月球的计划。蓬勃发展的经济，使许多人期盼未来的好时光能持续不断。但不久后越战升温，国内局势动荡，肯尼迪遭人暗杀，而原本乐观的社会所接受的一些常态，也就此瓦解。持乐观主义并不足以面对现况，随之而来的是盼望的幻灭。

接着，在1967年，改革宗神学家于尔根 · 莫特曼（Jürgen Moltmann）在其著作《盼望神学》（A Theology of Hope）中提出了更清晰的观点。我们所走的道路，并不是乐观主义，而是盼望之路，两者截然不同。莫特曼认为，乐观主义取决于当下的环境，但盼望却是奠基于上帝的信实，而不受处境左右。

这样的盼望从何而来呢？彼得写道：“愿颂赞归与我们主耶稣基督的父上帝。祂曾照自己的大怜悯，藉耶稣基督从死里复活，重生了我们，叫我们有活泼的盼望”（彼得前书1章3节）。我们信实的上帝已经藉着祂的爱子耶稣，胜过了死亡！这个史上最伟大的胜利，使我们能超越单纯的乐观主义，并能在每一天与每个处境中，持守坚定、活泼的盼望。

不论你是比较乐观或悲观的人，
有哪些事情会使你忧心？为何怀抱着盼望，
会比持乐观或悲观的态度都来得更好？

上帝啊，这个世界令人沮丧和迷惘，
有各种声音试图使我失去一切盼望。
求祢帮助我，让我的心坚定地信靠复活耶稣
所赐的应许和大能，因祂是掌管未来的主。