雖說您將離開台灣，但台灣永遠不會離開您！祝福酈英傑處長鵬程萬里！
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轉載 @美國在台協會 AIT 貼文

📝酈英傑處長給台灣人民的道別信
「隨著我擔任美國在台協會處長的日子即將畫下句點，我也即將離開台灣，我想藉這個機會和大家分享，這一番歷練對我來說的意義是什麼。當我說擔任AIT處長其實是我這輩子的榮幸，也讓我得以實現長期職業生涯中的抱負與理想，這麼說一點也不為過。
我19歲時第一次離開家鄉，就是來台灣。對年輕的我來說，從那時起，台灣就成了交流與理解、探索與冒險的同義詞。台灣不僅有著讓人眼花撩亂的異鄉風情，也代表著意想不到的嶄新機會。我在這裡嘗試新奇的食物，像是水餃和臭豆腐，並且學習如何在擠滿單車和機車的大街小巷穿梭自如。一方面，我努力用我粗淺的中文，讓別人聽懂我說的話；但同時我也發現，無論走到哪裡，迎接我的都是滿滿的親切友善與熱情好客。
因此，在成為美國外交官後，能夠以台灣作為我派駐海外的第一站，真是再適合不過了。畢竟，是台灣首先點燃了我對亞洲、尤其是台灣的畢生興趣，也激發了我對跨文化理解和共享目標——也就是外交工作——的終身熱忱。此後，我也曾派駐其他地點，多數是在大中華區域，但我的台灣經歷與回憶始終常存我心。最終我能以美國駐台最高層級外交官的身分回來這裡，可說是我多年職涯的高峰。顯然，我這一生注定與台灣有著深刻的連結，或者也叫作「緣分」吧，才會讓我一次又一次不斷地回到台灣。
常有人問我，為什麼我這麼喜歡台灣。我總覺得：「答案不是很明顯嗎？」不過如果一定要我從個人與專業的角度，解釋我對台灣的喜愛與敬佩之情，我通常會提到以下幾個領域：
首先，台灣兼具活力與穩定、進步與延承、還有創新與傳統。每次回到這裡，我都對台灣社會在各個方面日新月異的進步感到驚艷不已。台灣的民主更臻成熟，經濟益加蓬勃，環境保護更受關注，藝術文化發展也生生不息。
台灣在許多最先進的科技產業上持續為全球創新樹立標竿，但與此同時，台灣的社會穩定和文化傳承依舊令人欽羨佩服。儘管生活充裕且形象良好，台灣人民卻依然謙虛樸實、平易近人。在台灣，最古老的傳統薪火相傳、歷久彌新。文化和歷史古蹟受到妥善的修復與保護；年輕人也可以學習代代相傳的書法技巧，接著再把作品秀在Instagram上。
再者，對美國來說，台灣正是共享利益與共享價值交集的典範。美台夥伴關係的重點在於確保科技發展能夠嘉惠、而非傷害我們雙方的經濟，科技突破則應被用於鞏固、而不是破壞我們的原則。美台之間自由、多元、平等及透明等共享價值，時時激勵我們努力在世界各地打造民主社會的韌性。而我們也持續尋求新的方式，為解決全球問題做出貢獻，這麼做不僅是因為能夠造福我們自己的人民，也是因為我們相信，身為21世紀敦親睦鄰的好夥伴，就是該這麼做。
最後，每當我想到台灣、以及整體美台關係，我總會想到希望、光明和成長。美台的情誼在過去40年來不斷拓展與茁壯。我相信每任處長都會同意，他們離開台灣時的美台夥伴關係，比起他們剛上任時都更上一層樓。同樣的，當我向AIT告別的那一天，我的心中將充滿肯定與成就感，因為我知道，美台夥伴關係比以往都更加深刻和強健，我也對自己能為美台關係今天亮眼的進展小有貢獻，而深感驕傲。
但是，比起這些事情，我想我更難忘的是台灣在我生命中所留下的深刻印記。我永遠會記得我在台灣度過的第一個聖誕節，還有第一個農曆新年。我永遠會記得台灣朋友的真摯與溫暖、教會同伴堅定的信仰、炎炎夏日來一碗芒果冰的沁涼、資源回收車沿街播放《給愛麗絲》的回音，還有巷弄中撲鼻而來的茉莉花香，這些都會是我畢生珍藏的美好回憶之一。我也會記得好友間的餐聚、充滿歡笑和故事的夜晚、以及一路以來我受到過的無數的善意與關懷。我更會永遠記得，是各位台灣朋友們，你們以各種不同的方式，讓我和我家人的生命更加地豐盛美好。對此，我要衷心地謝謝大家。
雖然我將離開台灣，但台灣不會離開我。」
— 美國在台協會處長 酈英傑
✅信件全文亦可至AIT官網查看：https://bit.ly/2TSkLDF
📝A Farewell Letter from AIT Director W. Brent Christensen
"As my time as AIT Director draws to a close and I prepare to leave Taiwan, I want to take this opportunity to tell you what this experience has meant to me. It is not an exaggeration to say that this has been the honor of my life and the fulfillment of a career-long aspiration.
The first time I left my hometown at age 19, it was to come to Taiwan. From that early age, Taiwan became synonymous for me with the ideas of exchange and understanding, exploration and adventure. Taiwan represented both disorienting foreignness and unexpected opportunity, as I tried new food – like shuijiaos and qiu doufu – and learned to navigate my way through streets crowded with bicycles and scooters. And struggled to make myself understood with my rudimentary Mandarin. But all the while discovering the kindness and generosity that welcomed me wherever I went.
It felt appropriate for me to serve my first tour as a U.S. diplomat in the place that first sparked in me a lifelong interest in Asia – and in Taiwan in particular – and in cross-cultural understanding and shared purpose, or in other words, diplomacy. After that, my career took me to other places, but mostly still in the China region. But the memories of my experiences in Taiwan stayed with me. And finally having the opportunity to serve as the top U.S. diplomat to Taiwan was the culmination of all the years that came before. It is clear that I have a lifelong connection to Taiwan, or “yuanfen,” that has led me to return again and again.
People often ask me why I have such a fondness for Taiwan. “Isn’t it obvious?!” I always think. But when forced to explain my affection for and professional fascination with Taiwan, I usually come back to a few themes.
First, dynamism and constancy; progress and preservation; innovation and tradition. Every time I return to Taiwan, I am immediately struck by the many ways Taiwan has advanced as a society. Taiwan’s democracy grows more mature, its economy more prosperous, its environment more cared-for, and its arts and culture more vibrant.
Taiwan’s industry continues to set the benchmark for global innovation in some of the most sophisticated technologies, but at the same time, Taiwan society is remarkable for its stability and cultural continuity. Taiwan’s people, despite their relative wealth and stature, continue to be modest and unassuming. Taiwan’s most ancient traditions are alive and well. Cultural and historic sites are restored and preserved. Young people may learn calligraphy techniques handed down for generations, but then share their work on Instagram.
Second, for the United States, Taiwan exemplifies the intersection of shared interests and shared values. Our partnership is about making sure our economies are beneficiaries rather than casualties of technological development and ensuring that technological development advances rather than undermines our principles. Our shared values of freedom, diversity, equality, and transparency inspire our efforts to build the resilience of democracies around the world. And we continue to find new ways to contribute to global problem solving, both because it benefits our own peoples and because we share the belief that this is what it means to be a good neighbor in the 21st century.
Finally, I associate Taiwan – and the broader U.S.-Taiwan relationship – with hope, promise, and growth. This friendship has expanded and flourished over the past 40 years; I believe every person who has done this job walked away knowing they left this partnership better than they found it. I will similarly leave AIT with a sense of accomplishment and success, knowing that the U.S.-Taiwan partnership is deeper and stronger than ever, and feeling immensely proud of my small role in getting us there.
But more than any of these things, I will remember the ways that Taiwan has touched me personally. I will always remember my first Christmas in Taiwan – and my first Chinese New Year. I will remember the warmth of Taiwan friendship, the faith of my fellow church members, the taste of a mango bing on a hot summer day, the echo of “Fur Elise” from the recycling truck, the fragrance of jasmine blossoms in village alleyways – these are just some of the memories I will treasure. I will remember the long dinners with dear friends, full of laughter and stories. And I will remember their many kindnesses. I will remember all the ways big and small that you, the people of Taiwan, touched my life and the lives of my family. And for that, I thank you.
I may be leaving Taiwan, but Taiwan will never leave me. "
-- AIT Director William Brent Christensen
✅Read the letter: https://bit.ly/3hUrsgw

📝酈英傑處長給台灣人民的道別信

「隨著我擔任美國在台協會處長的日子即將畫下句點，我也即將離開台灣，我想藉這個機會和大家分享，這一番歷練對我來說的意義是什麼。當我說擔任AIT處長其實是我這輩子的榮幸，也讓我得以實現長期職業生涯中的抱負與理想，這麼說一點也不為過。

我19歲時第一次離開家鄉，就是來台灣。對年輕的我來說，從那時起，台灣就成了交流與理解、探索與冒險的同義詞。台灣不僅有著讓人眼花撩亂的異鄉風情，也代表著意想不到的嶄新機會。我在這裡嘗試新奇的食物，像是水餃和臭豆腐，並且學習如何在擠滿單車和機車的大街小巷穿梭自如。一方面，我努力用我粗淺的中文，讓別人聽懂我說的話；但同時我也發現，無論走到哪裡，迎接我的都是滿滿的親切友善與熱情好客。

因此，在成為美國外交官後，能夠以台灣作為我派駐海外的第一站，真是再適合不過了。畢竟，是台灣首先點燃了我對亞洲、尤其是台灣的畢生興趣，也激發了我對跨文化理解和共享目標——也就是外交工作——的終身熱忱。此後，我也曾派駐其他地點，多數是在大中華區域，但我的台灣經歷與回憶始終常存我心。最終我能以美國駐台最高層級外交官的身分回來這裡，可說是我多年職涯的高峰。顯然，我這一生注定與台灣有著深刻的連結，或者也叫作「緣分」吧，才會讓我一次又一次不斷地回到台灣。

常有人問我，為什麼我這麼喜歡台灣。我總覺得：「答案不是很明顯嗎？」不過如果一定要我從個人與專業的角度，解釋我對台灣的喜愛與敬佩之情，我通常會提到以下幾個領域：

首先，台灣兼具活力與穩定、進步與延承、還有創新與傳統。每次回到這裡，我都對台灣社會在各個方面日新月異的進步感到驚艷不已。台灣的民主更臻成熟，經濟益加蓬勃，環境保護更受關注，藝術文化發展也生生不息。

台灣在許多最先進的科技產業上持續為全球創新樹立標竿，但與此同時，台灣的社會穩定和文化傳承依舊令人欽羨佩服。儘管生活充裕且形象良好，台灣人民卻依然謙虛樸實、平易近人。在台灣，最古老的傳統薪火相傳、歷久彌新。文化和歷史古蹟受到妥善的修復與保護；年輕人也可以學習代代相傳的書法技巧，接著再把作品秀在Instagram上。

再者，對美國來說，台灣正是共享利益與共享價值交集的典範。美台夥伴關係的重點在於確保科技發展能夠嘉惠、而非傷害我們雙方的經濟，科技突破則應被用於鞏固、而不是破壞我們的原則。美台之間自由、多元、平等及透明等共享價值，時時激勵我們努力在世界各地打造民主社會的韌性。而我們也持續尋求新的方式，為解決全球問題做出貢獻，這麼做不僅是因為能夠造福我們自己的人民，也是因為我們相信，身為21世紀敦親睦鄰的好夥伴，就是該這麼做。

最後，每當我想到台灣、以及整體美台關係，我總會想到希望、光明和成長。美台的情誼在過去40年來不斷拓展與茁壯。我相信每任處長都會同意，他們離開台灣時的美台夥伴關係，比起他們剛上任時都更上一層樓。同樣的，當我向AIT告別的那一天，我的心中將充滿肯定與成就感，因為我知道，美台夥伴關係比以往都更加深刻和強健，我也對自己能為美台關係今天亮眼的進展小有貢獻，而深感驕傲。

但是，比起這些事情，我想我更難忘的是台灣在我生命中所留下的深刻印記。我永遠會記得我在台灣度過的第一個聖誕節，還有第一個農曆新年。我永遠會記得台灣朋友的真摯與溫暖、教會同伴堅定的信仰、炎炎夏日來一碗芒果冰的沁涼、資源回收車沿街播放《給愛麗絲》的回音，還有巷弄中撲鼻而來的茉莉花香，這些都會是我畢生珍藏的美好回憶之一。我也會記得好友間的餐聚、充滿歡笑和故事的夜晚、以及一路以來我受到過的無數的善意與關懷。我更會永遠記得，是各位台灣朋友們，你們以各種不同的方式，讓我和我家人的生命更加地豐盛美好。對此，我要衷心地謝謝大家。

雖然我將離開台灣，但台灣不會離開我。」

— 美國在台協會處長 酈英傑

✅信件全文亦可至AIT官網查看：https://bit.ly/2TSkLDF

📝A Farewell Letter from AIT Director W. Brent Christensen

"As my time as AIT Director draws to a close and I prepare to leave Taiwan, I want to take this opportunity to tell you what this experience has meant to me. It is not an exaggeration to say that this has been the honor of my life and the fulfillment of a career-long aspiration.

The first time I left my hometown at age 19, it was to come to Taiwan. From that early age, Taiwan became synonymous for me with the ideas of exchange and understanding, exploration and adventure. Taiwan represented both disorienting foreignness and unexpected opportunity, as I tried new food – like shuijiaos and qiu doufu – and learned to navigate my way through streets crowded with bicycles and scooters. And struggled to make myself understood with my rudimentary Mandarin. But all the while discovering the kindness and generosity that welcomed me wherever I went.

It felt appropriate for me to serve my first tour as a U.S. diplomat in the place that first sparked in me a lifelong interest in Asia – and in Taiwan in particular – and in cross-cultural understanding and shared purpose, or in other words, diplomacy. After that, my career took me to other places, but mostly still in the China region. But the memories of my experiences in Taiwan stayed with me. And finally having the opportunity to serve as the top U.S. diplomat to Taiwan was the culmination of all the years that came before. It is clear that I have a lifelong connection to Taiwan, or “yuanfen,” that has led me to return again and again.

People often ask me why I have such a fondness for Taiwan. “Isn’t it obvious?!” I always think. But when forced to explain my affection for and professional fascination with Taiwan, I usually come back to a few themes.

First, dynamism and constancy; progress and preservation; innovation and tradition. Every time I return to Taiwan, I am immediately struck by the many ways Taiwan has advanced as a society. Taiwan’s democracy grows more mature, its economy more prosperous, its environment more cared-for, and its arts and culture more vibrant.

Taiwan’s industry continues to set the benchmark for global innovation in some of the most sophisticated technologies, but at the same time, Taiwan society is remarkable for its stability and cultural continuity. Taiwan’s people, despite their relative wealth and stature, continue to be modest and unassuming. Taiwan’s most ancient traditions are alive and well. Cultural and historic sites are restored and preserved. Young people may learn calligraphy techniques handed down for generations, but then share their work on Instagram.

Second, for the United States, Taiwan exemplifies the intersection of shared interests and shared values. Our partnership is about making sure our economies are beneficiaries rather than casualties of technological development and ensuring that technological development advances rather than undermines our principles. Our shared values of freedom, diversity, equality, and transparency inspire our efforts to build the resilience of democracies around the world. And we continue to find new ways to contribute to global problem solving, both because it benefits our own peoples and because we share the belief that this is what it means to be a good neighbor in the 21st century.

Finally, I associate Taiwan – and the broader U.S.-Taiwan relationship – with hope, promise, and growth. This friendship has expanded and flourished over the past 40 years; I believe every person who has done this job walked away knowing they left this partnership better than they found it. I will similarly leave AIT with a sense of accomplishment and success, knowing that the U.S.-Taiwan partnership is deeper and stronger than ever, and feeling immensely proud of my small role in getting us there.

But more than any of these things, I will remember the ways that Taiwan has touched me personally. I will always remember my first Christmas in Taiwan – and my first Chinese New Year. I will remember the warmth of Taiwan friendship, the faith of my fellow church members, the taste of a mango bing on a hot summer day, the echo of “Fur Elise” from the recycling truck, the fragrance of jasmine blossoms in village alleyways – these are just some of the memories I will treasure. I will remember the long dinners with dear friends, full of laughter and stories. And I will remember their many kindnesses. I will remember all the ways big and small that you, the people of Taiwan, touched my life and the lives of my family. And for that, I thank you.

I may be leaving Taiwan, but Taiwan will never leave me. "

-- AIT Director William Brent Christensen

✅Read the letter: https://bit.ly/3hUrsgw

〈基督教失敗主義〉

作者：陳韋安

香港教會近年出現「基督教失敗主義」（christian defeatism）的風氣。所謂「失敗主義」，意指全然接受失敗，毫無反抗掙扎，舉手投降。「基督教失敗主義」比「失敗主義」更糟糕。因為它錯誤地將「失敗主義」的精神美化為屬靈美事。

首先，基督教失敗主義以失敗為美。他們認為，失敗乃是跟隨基督、十字架、窄路、困苦的記號。因此，他們認為，失敗不僅是基督徒正常的遭遇，更是基督徒的屬靈美事。失敗不僅是正常的，更是應當的。當然，某程度來說，基督教失敗主義是成功神學的反動力。它拒絕成功神學錯誤地追求成功。不過，它卻本末倒置地以失敗為榮。

另一方面，基督教失敗主義也是「基督教民粹主義」（christian populism）。基督教民粹主義強調基督徒的普遍性，強調沒有屬靈超人，反而歌頌基督徒的軟弱，甚至以此為普羅大眾的屬靈標準。「我只是普通基督徒，靈命不是很好。」「我只是教會小傳道，講道有很多缺點。」當然，有誰不軟弱呢？不過，甚至，他們不只以自己的軟弱誇口，他們更以自己的軟弱與失敗當作武器。

基督教失敗主義最大的問題是，他們以自己的失敗來推翻別人的成功。基督教失敗主義者將自己的失敗歸咎於世界、制度、甚至教會體制的不義，卻沒有任何改變現狀的打算。久而久之，失敗成了自義：我愈是失敗，就愈顯世界對我的不公，更突顯自己為主受苦。同時，這邏輯的反面更是可怕：你愈是成功，就愈顯得你愈邪惡。因此，建制總是邪惡的；大牧師總是腐敗的；有名望的總有不可告人之隱情的。如此，失敗打倒成功，軟弱高於剛強，nobody壓倒一切。

我不是為成功說好話，更不是推舉成功。事實上，基督信仰沒有歌頌成功，也沒有歌頌失敗。

或者說，問題的關鍵不是「成功」還是「失敗」，而是為著甚麼成功？為著甚麼失敗？贏甚麼？輸甚麼？成功本身是沒有甚麼可歌頌的，因為成功在本質上是沒有價值的。成功乃是從「潛在性」（potentiality）變成「實在性」（actuality）。因此，重點不是「成功」本身，而是成功了甚麼。自己成功了？革命成功了？正義成功了？追求成功本身是沒有錯誤的。因此，成功神學的問題乃是錯誤地追求個人財富與世界目標的成功，認為俗世的成功乃是屬靈的祝福。

同樣，基督信仰也不歌頌失敗。十字架不是失敗的記號。相反，聖經常強調，十字架是基督戰勝世界的記號。「靠著愛我們的主，在這一切的事上已經得勝有餘了。」（羅八37）「在世上，你們有苦難；但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。」（約十六33）基督得勝——這是基督教非常重要的信仰根基。從尚未發生的「潛在性」轉變為「實在性」，正是上帝國度的降臨。因此，「失敗」本身沒有值得可歌頌的。邏輯理應相反：因為基督的得勝，俗世的失敗全然不足掛齒。

因此，「真正不計較輸贏的人，才可以坦然無懼地爭取輸贏。」這是本文的主旨。

我強調，我不是那種膚淺地追求成功卓越的人，也絕對無意要故意詆毀失敗的人。事實上，稱呼別人「失敗」——無論是真失敗還是假失敗，本來就是一件很不禮貌、很不舒服的事。然而，我只想指出一個問題：如果有人用自己的失敗來咒詛別人的成功，甚至借用失敗來自我為義，這正是「基督教失敗主義」的問題。

基督信仰不歌頌個人的成功，也不神聖化自己的失敗。相反，基督徒理應是世上最能經歷失敗的人。或者，讓我更直接的說，基督徒是世上最懂得輸的人。不過，何謂「懂得輸」？讓我們先探討坊間一些錯誤的看法：

一）否定失敗的存在。這本來是一句很勵志的說法：「失敗不存在」、「沒有人是失敗的」、「沒有輸這回事」。當然，這說法的意思是，不能用「失敗」標籤任何人。這是正確的。沒有人配得上永久的「失敗」標籤。不過，沒有「失敗」這標籤，並不代表要否定失敗的存在。失敗是存在的。我們無需亞Q精神地無視、否定失敗的存在。虛構出一個沒有失敗，全然勝利積極的世界觀，其實是不必要的。相反，誰否定失敗的存在，誰就正正離不開失敗的陰霾。

二）將失敗正義化。這可能受到近年文化的影響——主流總是邪惡，邊緣卻是正義。無論是史村翔的日本漫畫《流氓俠醫》、人們對流行普及文化的批評、抑或弱勢社羣的關懷，正義與「邊緣」、「弱勢」逐漸成為同義詞；相反，因着Donald Trump、教會的Megachurch 現象、高官權貴的批評，成功與邪惡逐漸扯上關係。因此，不知不覺，所謂「懂得輸」，就是甘於失敗，甚至鎖定失敗乃是正義的必然結果；相反，誰萬一成功了，成為主流了，誰就被扣上腐敗的帽子。

我認為，基督徒是最懂得面對失敗的人——不是基於成功神學，不是亞Q 地否定失敗，也不是屬靈地美化失敗。基督徒不被成敗所困擾，所以才會真正地努力改變成敗。

十字架告訴我們「輸的藝術」。我們可以輸。我們絕對可以直接面對失敗。正正因為我們可以輸，我們才會嘗試爭取勝利。真正「輸得起」的人，首先必需是曾經願意爭取勝利的人。誰不計較成敗，誰就一開始已經非常計較成敗了。因此，基督徒是認真地爭取成功，卻快樂地接失敗的人。這是「唯獨恩典」的人生，贏了是恩典，輸了也是恩典。基督徒人生是一場「恩典遊戲」。這遊戲要求我們盡心、盡性、盡意地玩。但是，盡力的同時，我們卻不可忘記，它仍然是一場遊戲。這正是基督徒人生的熱血與淡然——努力地玩，卻不被成敗所困——無論是自己的成敗，還是別人的成敗。

邱吉爾曾說：「成功就是歷經一次又一次的失敗卻不失熱忱。」（Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm）丘吉爾沒有為「成功」下定義。他所講的「成功」，是「經歷失敗的熱忱」：努力、熱血地追求成功，卻承認、接受每一次失敗，卻繼續承認自己渴望成功。這熱忱，正是基督徒對生命的熱忱。

因着這份來自上帝的熱忱，基督徒不會對成敗犬儒。「真正不計較輸贏的人，才可以坦然無懼地爭取輸贏。」你明白我的意思嗎？