QT 13/01/2026 Tue. John 9 Circular Arguments vs. Convincing Attestations 循环论证与有力见证
QT 13/01/2026 Tue. John 9 Circular Arguments vs. Convincing Attestations
READ http://www.esv.org/john9
We do meet convincing illiterate witnesses in court, as well as laughable testimonies from the more educated at the same time.
Key Text: “One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25, ESV)
John 9 records one of the most vivid miracle narratives in the Gospels: Jesus heals a man born blind. Yet the miracle itself is not the center of controversy. Instead, the chapter exposes two very different responses to truth—circular arguments that protect unbelief and convincing attestations that point unmistakably to Christ.
(1) Circular Arguments: Protecting Conclusions Already Chosen
The Pharisees repeatedly interrogate the healed man, not to discover truth, but to defend a conclusion they have already reached: “This man is not from God” (v.16).
Their reasoning becomes circular: (a) God does not work on the Sabbath. (b) Jesus healed on the Sabbath. (c) Therefore, Jesus is not from God.
When the healed man’s testimony disrupts their logic, they shift tactics—questioning his parents, attacking his character, and finally expelling him from the synagogue (vv. 18–34). Circular arguments do not seek light; they exist to avoid it. Pride locks the door before evidence is even considered.
“They loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.” (cf. John 12:43, ESV)
(2) Convincing Attestations: Testimony That Cannot Be Silenced
In contrast stands the formerly blind man. He does not possess theological training, rhetorical polish, or social power. But he has something stronger: firsthand testimony.
His witness progresses: (a) “The man called Jesus” (v.11) (b) “He is a prophet” (v.17) (c) “If this man were not from God, he could do nothing” (v.33) (d) “Lord, I believe” (v.38)
He does not argue in circles. He testifies in a straight line—from darkness to light. His simple confession, “I was blind, now I see,” proves more compelling than the most elaborate objections.
(3) Jesus’ Verdict: True Blindness Exposed
Jesus closes the chapter with a sobering declaration: “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.” (v.39) Spiritual blindness is not merely lack of information—it is resistance to revelation. The Pharisees see the evidence but reject the conclusion. The healed man receives the light and follows it all the way to worship.
Gospel Application: The gospel does not rest on circular reasoning but on convincing attestations: A changed life. A clear confession. A crucified and risen Savior
Believers are not called to win arguments but to bear witness: “You will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8, ESV) Our testimony may be simple, but it is powerful when grounded in what Christ has done.
Reflection Questions
(a) Where am I tempted to defend my assumptions rather than submit to God’s truth?
(b) How has Jesus moved me from blindness to sight?
(c) Do I rely more on arguments—or on honest testimony to Christ’s work in my life?
Closing Prayer: Dear Lord, expose any blindness in us that resists Your light. Free us from circular reasoning that protects pride, and give us boldness to testify to what You have done. May our lives point clearly to You, the Light of the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
QT 13/01/2026 星期二. 约翰福音9 循环论证与有力见证
阅读 READ http://www.esv.org/john9
法庭上既会遇到令人信服的文盲证人，也会同时出现受过更高教育者的可笑证词。
关键经文：“那人回答：“他是不是个罪人，我不知道；我只知道一件事，就是我本来是瞎眼的，现在能看见了。” （约翰福音9:25）
约翰福音第九章记载了福音书中最生动的奇迹叙事之一：耶稣医治生来瞎眼之人。然而奇迹本身并非争议焦点。本章揭示了两种截然不同的真理回应方式——保护不信的循环论证，以及无可辩驳指向基督的有力见证。
(1) 循环论证：守护既定结论
法利赛人反复盘问这得医治的人，并非为探求真理，而是为捍卫他们早已做出的结论：“这人不是从神来的”（第16节）。
他们的推理陷入循环：(a) 神不在安息日行事。(b) 耶稣在安息日治病。(c) 故耶稣非出于神。
当痊愈者的见证打破其逻辑时，他们便转换策略——盘问其父母、攻击其品格，最终将他逐出会堂（18-34节）。循环论证并非寻求光明，而是为规避光明而存在。骄傲在证据尚未审视前便已锁死大门。
“因为他们爱人的荣耀，过于爱 神的荣耀。”（参约翰福音12:43）
(2) 令人信服的见证：无法被扼杀的见证
与此形成鲜明对比的是那位曾被称为瞎子的人。他既没有神学训练，也不擅长修辞辞令，更无社会权势。但他拥有更强大的东西：亲身见证。
他的见证层层推进：(a) “那名叫耶稣的人”（第11节）(b) ‘他是个先知’（第17节）(c) “这人若不是从 神那里来的，他就不能作什么。”（第33节）(d) “主啊，我信”（第38节）
他并非迂回辩论，而是直线作证——从黑暗走向光明。他那句朴素的告白“我原是瞎眼的，如今能看见”，比最精妙的反驳更具说服力。
(3) 耶稣的判决：真盲性暴露
耶稣以震撼人心的宣告结束本章：“我到这世上来是为了审判，使那看不见的能够看见，能看见的反而成了瞎眼的。” (v.39) 属灵的瞎眼并非信息匮乏，而是抗拒启示。法利赛人目睹证据却拒绝结论；蒙医治之人领受光明，便径直跟随它敬拜。
福音应用：福音不倚靠迂回论证，而立于确凿见证：生命被改变，宣告清晰，被钉十字架又复活的救主
信徒的使命不在争辩胜负，而在见证真理：你们要作我的见证人（使徒行传1:8）。我们的见证或许简朴，但根植于基督的作为时便充满力量。
反思问题
(a) 在哪些情境中，我倾向于捍卫己见而非顺服神的真理？
(b) 耶稣如何使我从盲目走向光明？
(c) 我更倚靠辩论——还是倚靠对基督在我生命中作为的诚实见证？
结束祷告：主啊，求祢揭露我们心中抵挡祢光明的任何盲点。求祢释放我们脱离保护骄傲的循环论证，赐我们胆量见证祢所成就的。愿我们的生命清晰指向祢——这世界的光。奉耶稣的名求。阿们。
