SBC Pray For Us Issue 225

Page 1

Oct/ No. Dec 225 2010

6,1*$325( %,%/( &2//(*( HIGHLIGHTS

•

Discerning God’s Call: SBC’s Open House

•

New Students’ Testimonies

'

erailment refers to a train being brought off the railway track. It can be due to environmental factors or human error. It often results in loss of property, human injury or death. In Nehemiah chapter 6, Nehemiah had completed his God-given goal of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, but he had not fully fortified the city by setting the doors in the gates. His enemies seized this opportunity to unleash a series of final onslaughts to derail his project. Today, similar onslaughts continue to impede many divinelyordained projects.

and that word had reached the Persian King. The intention was plain: to use the false accusation of treason and the might of the great Persian Empire to break him. Under such pressure, Nehemiah did not buckle! Gossips and rumors are some of the hardest things to deal with. We are often dealing with half-truths and faceless perpetrators, and refuting them seems futile. Nehemiah understood that the rumors and gossips were there to intimidate him and to weaken his will. He looked to God for strength and stayed on track, and that appeared to

1. Distraction (vv 2-4) The enemies tried to distract Nehemiah from his project by inviting him to attend a meeting with them. Four times they dangled the bait before his eyes, but each time he refused to give in to their ploys. Nehemiah chose to press on with God’s agenda. He was committed to complete what he started, which he finally did. Distraction often diffuses our attention and saps our energy. It can derail us as we follow everybody else’s agenda. It is wise for us to stick with God’s agenda and reply as Nehemiah did: “…I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down…” (v 3).

be the best response to gossips and rumors.

Wishing you a Blessed Christmas & Happy New Year!

MICA(P) 173/08/2010 9-15 Adam Road, Singapore 289886 Tel: (65) 6559 1555 Fax: (65) 6559 1550 Email: admin@sbc.edu.sg Website: www.sbc.edu.sg

2. Gossips and Rumors (vv 5-9) When his enemies failed at their first attempt, they became more scheming. They spread rumors that Nehemiah had the intention to be king, producing a witnesses like Geshem and spiritual leaders (prophets). They even provided an unsealed letter suggesting that its contents had been leaked

3. Discredit (vv 10-14) The final assault against Nehemiah threatened his life with the intention to lead Nehemiah to seek refuge in the temple. This would discredit him as a leader, because he would have violated the temple law. The enemies were hoping to see Nehemiah make a mistake, and use it against him to derail his project! In times of fear, our judgment becomes blurry. It was in prayer and reflection that it became clear to Nehemiah’s the ploys of his enemies. Maintaining a clear mind is essential to stay on track when we face opposition, lest we be derailed. See you at the finish line!

Dr Albert Ting, Principal Singapore Bible College

Centre for Continuing Theological Education SINGAPORE BIBLE COLLEGE The church has become worldly, and worldliness in the church is toxic to her health and spirituality. If the church’s sickness is to be cured, and if she is to be revitalized for significant Gospel usefulness, she needs to return to her biblical identity, her biblical mission, and use her God-given methods. The church, in other words, needs to pursue and work on being biblically healthy again before she can be spiritually useful for the Gospel.

Growing Healthy Churches in Challenging Times recent times, some big-name pastors and big-name churches have been in the news – all unfortunately for the wrong reasons. Reading news like this cannot but bring sadness to the heart as they cast an unfavorable light on the Christian religion, the Christian church, and the office of the Christian pastor. They also cause nonChristians to stumble and give them occasion to speak ill of the Christian Faith. Developments like these in the church scene in Singapore should cause every conscientious Christian to reflect on the following questions: • What exactly is the church? • What ought to be the priorities of the church? • Should a local church adopt pop culture in order to grow numerically? • Is it the calling of a local church to amass wealth and go into business? • What ought to be the priorities of a pastor? • How should Christianity relate to other faiths in Singapore? • How can the church engage in evangelism or proselytisation in a winsome way without jeopardizing inter-faith harmony? Whether we are leaders in the church or members in the pew, it’s high time that we take stock and reflect theologically on our identity (who we are), our mission (what we have been called to do), and our methods (how do we do what we have been called to do). Have our identity, mission and methods been shaped by the world around us or by Holy Scripture? Over 200 years ago, Horatius Bonar remarked: “I looked for the Church and I found it in the world; I looked for the world and I found it in the Church.” What Bonar observed of his day and age is, sadly, also true of our day and age. Too often, the church has tried to mimic the ways of the world (think pop culture here) thinking that this will help her to win the world. But as Keith Daniel rightly noted, “If we try to win the world by being like the world, the world will win you.” This, sadly again, is what has happened! And as if this is not bad enough, what has also happened is this: the world has betrayed the church and made a mockery of her!

In

According to Mark E. Dever, this entails that the church return to what he calls the “Nine Marks of a Healthy Church”: • Expositional Preaching which allows God’s agenda to rule the church; • Biblical Theology which is sound doctrine that accords with Scripture; • A Biblical Understanding of the Gospel which is the power of God to save and reconcile sinners to Himself; • A Biblical Understanding of Conversion which clarifies how churches should exhort non-Christians and rely upon God in all of their evangelistic efforts; • A Biblical Understanding of Evangelism which clarifies the church’s role and methods in the mission God has given to her; • A Biblical Understanding of Church Membership which requires every Christian to attend, love, serve and submit to the local church; • Biblical Church Discipline which helps church members to pursue holiness and fight sin; • A Concern for Promoting Christian Discipleship and Growth to help members grow in Christ, imitate other godly Christians, and encourage their fellow believers to pursue growth in Christlikeness; and, • Biblical Church Leadership without which God’s people would be like sheep without shepherds.1 Needless to say, for the church to return to sound biblical health, pastors must lead the way. Unfortunately, as R.

Albert Mohler noted, “today’s pastors are often pulled in many directions simultaneously” and what he calls their theological vocation “is often lost amidst the pressing concerns of a ministry that has been reconceived.”2 Mohler mentions two ways that the pastoral ministry has been reconceived: (1) “The managerial revolution has left many pastors feeling more like administrators than theologians, dealing with matters of organizational theory before ever turning to the deep truths of God’s Word and the application of these truths to every day life.” (2) “The rise of therapeutic concerns within the culture means that many pastors, and many of their church members, believe that the pastoral calling is best understood as a ‘helping profession.’ As such, the pastor is seen as someone who functions in a therapeutic role…”3 and not as a pastor-theologian. If pastors are to lead their churches to health, they must, firstly, return to their calling which, Mohler compellingly argues, is “inherently theological.” “Given the fact that the pastor is to be the teacher of the Word of God and the teacher of the gospel, it cannot be otherwise.”4 Secondly, pastors must also have “a clear sense of pastoral priority, a keen pastoral ear, and careful attention to the theological dimensions of church life and Christian discipleship.”5 Thirdly, “the pastor must be known for what he teaches as well as for what he knows, affirms, and believes. The health of the church depends on pastors who infuse their congregations with deep biblical and theological conviction. The means of this transfer of conviction is the preaching of the Word of God.”6 Fourthly, as the leader of the congregation, the pastor must be a man “possessed by deep theological passion, specific theological convictions, and an eagerness to see these convictions shared by his congregation…[He] should stand ready to define, defend, and document his own deep convictions, drawn from his careful study of God’s Word and his knowledge of the faithful teaching of the church.”7 Pastors play an important role in leading their churches to be biblically healthy churches. But so do the laity. One thing the laity can do is to hold their pastors accountable to their theological calling and pastoral priorities. Another thing they can do is to diligently study and be well-schooled in the Scriptures, theology, church histo-

ry, and other related disciplines. This will make for a healthy laity which in turn will make healthy churches. It is to this end that SBC’s CCTE has been established and we invite churches, pastors and the laity to join and partner

with us so that together we can disciple healthy Christians and grow healthy churches in these challenging times.

2

Rev. Dr. Bernard Low

Director of CCTE

3 4 5

____________________

1 A more detailed exposition of each of these nine

marks can be found on www.9marks.org and also Mark E. Dever, Nine Marks of a Healthy Church (Wheaton, Illinoise: Crossway Books, 2004). R. Albert Mohler, “The Pastor as Theologian,” in A Theology for the Church, ed. Daniel L. Akin (Nashville: B & H Academic, 2007), 929. Ibid. Ibid., 928. 6 Ibid., 932. Ibid., 930. 7 Ibid., 933.

CCTE COURSES FOR TERM I 2011

17 Jan to 3 Mar 2010, 7.30-9.30pm at SBC’s MPH/Lecture Theatre Room 1-302 Mondays (Jan 17, 24, 31; Feb 7, 14, 21) BS01(K): Hermeneutics & Bible Study Methods (Korean) The Word of God is the foundation of every Christian. Through the Word, we can learn His teachings, build a good relationship with Him and discover His will for our lives. Therefore we have to read, study and meditate on the Bible day. This practical course will demonstrate how to interpret and understand the Bible, as well as correct some misconceptions. Through learning how to read the Bible in a Korean way, it is hoped that students will thereby develop a deeper understanding of the Word and experience a growth in their spirituality. LEC TURER: 1 Rev. John Lee, DTh (Trinity Theological College), General Secretary of Asia Mission Partnership in Singapore (A.M.P) and Research Professor of China Theological Seminary in Seoul (CTSS)

NT01: New Testament Survey (Part I) This two-part course surveys the message of each of the 27 New Testament books, their relationships with each other, introductory issues (author, date, occasion, uniqueness) and factors in the first century that influenced not only the life and ministry of the early church, but also affect the mission of the church today. LEC TURERS: 2 Rev. Rick Griffith, PhD (Dallas Theological Seminary), Associate Professor in Biblical Studies at SBC, Coordinator of the New Testament Department and Pastor-Teacher at Crossroads International Church.

Tuesdays (Jan 18, 25; Feb 8, 15, 22; Mar 1) TH01: The Christian Mind This course provides the theological and biblical foundation for developing a “Christian Mind.” Our motivations, views, attitudes and actions can be transformed through the teaching, reflection and meditation on biblical truths. Topics include: (a) the foundation and justification for “the Christian mind”; (b) the nature and practice of theological reflection; (c) the Christian and society; (d) the Christian and the arts; (e) the Christian and science; and, (f ) the Christian and the self. LEC TURER: 3 Rev. Paul R. Woods, PhD (University of Sheffield), PhD cand. (Asia Graduate School of Theology) and Assistant Professor in Intercultural Studies in SBC.

CM12: Children in Families Have you ever wondered why God has placed children in families, especially yours? What is God’s plan and destiny for children in families and in His kingdom? Are they only to just grow up and survive in this world? Worse still, to be exploited by adults and the media? God’s Word tells us that children not only have a special place in God’s kingdom, they also have a special God-given destiny in families - to display God’s glory as models of what it means to be in God’s kingdom. This second module of the Advanced Children’s Certificate in Children’s Ministry course will explore the biblical understanding of the special place and purpose of children in families as well as in the Church Family or God’s kingdom. Parents-to-be will also find the contents of this module educational to prepare them to receive and raise God-fearing and God-loving children in the training and admonition of the Lord.

LEC TURER: 4 Mr David Leong, MCS (Regent College), Executive Director & Principal Trainer of Scripture Union Singapore, 5 Mr Simon Say, MACE (SBC), Children Ministry Staff of Kum Yan Methodist Church & Associate Trainer of Scripture Union Singapore.

Wednesdays (Jan 19, 26; Feb 9, 16, 23; Mar 2) OT11: Old Testament Biblical Theology (Part I) Many Christians (including ourselves) know bits of Narrative, Psalms, Proverbs, Prophets, Gospels and Epistles. But how they fit as part of God’s story of salvation, we have little or no clue! That is why the Bible remains a puzzle, and we remain spiritual paupers. Come and join the first of a 4-part series on Biblical Theology, which will help unlock the riches of each genre, and see how they are actually interwoven threads of one message running through the whole Bible. Discover that the Bible is the One Word of the One God about the

1

2

3

One Way of Salvation.

LEC TURER: 6 Rev. Chris Chia, DMin in Preaching (GordonConwell Theological Seminary), Senior Pastor of Adam Road Presbyterian Centre and Adjunct Professor in Homiletics at SBC.

Thursdays (Jan 20, 27; Feb 10, 17, 24; Mar 3) NT05: Decoding the Book of Revelation (Part I) Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, is a complex piece of writing that has mystified many. Many Christians have wrestled with the book but retired defeated, finding it too confusing and difficult to understand. What is the Beast arising from the sea, with ten heads and seven horns? How should we interpret the visions of the seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls? Who are the 144,000 who are redeemed? What is the mark of the Beast (“666”), or the thousand years, or the New Jerusalem? Drawing on what is now known about apocalyptic literature and the first century historical setting in which Revelation was written, this first of a projected three-part course will help the students to understand (a) the literary genre of Revelation, (b) its historical and social setting, (c) the background of emperor worship and persecution, (d) its authorship, (e) its literary structure, (f ) its theological themes and emphases, and (g) some principles for decoding the book. This will provide the needed framework to begin a detailed study of chapters 1-7 which will help us to answer some puzzling questions like “Who are the four horsemen?” and “Who are the 144,000?”. Contemporary applications will also be drawn from our study. LEC TURER: Rev. Bernard Low, PhD (University of Nottingham), Associate Professor in Systematic Theology at SBC, Director of CCTE and Associate Pastor of Hebron BiblePresbyterian Church. -VY TVYL PUMVYTH[PVU HIV\[ V\Y JV\YZLZ HUK WYVNYHTTLZ HUK OV^ [V YLNPZ[LY MVY [OLT WSLHZL ]PZP[ ^^^ ZIJ LK\ ZN ,UX\PYPLZ JHU HSZV IL KPYLJ[LK [V [OL **;, 6MÄJL H[ JJ[LYLN'ZIJ LK\ ZN VY ;LS!

4

5

6

NEWS FROM SCHOOL OF COUNSELLING Staff Movements Mrs Michelle Lin joined SBC earlier this year as the new School Counsellor (parttime). Michelle graduated from SBC with Master in Pastoral Counselling, from Dallas Theological Seminary with Master in Biblical Studies, and from New York University with Master in Nutrition. She was the Clinical Dietician of Wyman Park Hospital, USA before joining SBC. Michelle worships at Grace Baptist Church and is the wife of SBC’s Chief Strategy & Development Officer, Rev Peter Lin. Esther Tan is the new Administrator of Haven Counselling Centre cum Resident Counsellor of SBC. Esther graduated from SBC with Master in Arts, Counselling and

Short Courses in Counselling Child & Adolescent Therapy Counselling Course Course Description This 3 credit hours course equips mental health professionals to become more competent in therapeutic work with children and adolescents. It prepares counsellors to effectively deal with the challenges commonly encountered by mental health professionals, school counsellors and pastoral counsellors in a wide variety of settings. Using a case study approach and experiential/ interactive methods, the course emphasizes case conceptualization, treatment planning, and empirically validated interventions for problems commonly seen in children and teens. Throughout the course, we will discuss ethical issues and concerns in providing therapy to children and teens as well as issues in counter transference and therapist self‐care. Topics covered in the course include the treat-

from University of South Australia with Master of Social Science (Counselling). She was a counsellor with Church of Our Saviour and Lifelinks Limited before joining SBC, and has many years of experience in counselling. Esther worships at Covenant Evangelical Free Church. After 8 years of service at SBC, God had led our dear co-worker, SOC Secretary Veronica Jacob, to a new workplace in September. SBC is grateful for Veronica’s faithful service over the years, with positions held at the Registrar’s Office, Book Centre, SOTE and SOC. Jen Ng, who joined SBC’s Registrar Office as Admissions Officer in Feb 2010, is the new Secretary of SOC.

Grief Therapy Counselling Course Course Description It is probably not an exaggeration to say that many of those who seek counselling do so because of some loss they have experienced in their life - either a loss that is recent or one that took place sometime in the past. Often the loss is not recognized as such and can be left unacknowledged for a long time. Grief is what accompanies the experience of a loss and in ‘Grief Therapy’ much of what gets to be done has to do with firstly, facilitating a recognition of the loss and then secondly, enabling the client to ‘traverse the multi-faceted nature of their loss(es)’. To facilitate this process we as helpers need to take time to ‘identify’ and ‘to call by name’ the losses we have experienced over the course of our lives. Doing so enables us then to be able to ‘enter into the pain’ of those who come to share with us their stories of loss and we are then privileged to help clients explore ‘the terrain of their losses’. This course is experiential and practice-based with opportunities for role-plays and demonstrations by the trainer. Theory pertaining to grief - its nature, manifestations and resolution will be shared. Appropriate material will be provided for further reading. Participants are encouraged to present situations pertaining to grief encountered in their own work situations.

ment of depression, anxiety, trauma, self‐harm, personality disorders, learning problems, conduct disorders, play therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. About the Lecturer Dr Nenna Ndukwe is a chartered clinical psychologist who completed her training in the UK. She currently contributes to the training of clinical psychologists at the James Cook University Singapore and lectures in the field of clinical psychology. Nenna has an interest in the psychological aspects of physical health conditions and has worked with adults and children with HIV, diabetes, chronic pain, specialist weight management, burns and plastics, forensic and mental health services. Dates & Registration Saturdays, Jan 15 - May 7, 2011, 9am-12pm (No classes on Feb 5 & Mar 19) Venue: SBC Cost (incl course notes) : $350 SBC Alumni / $450 Non-SBC Alumni

About the Lecturer Joseph John was trained as a social worker and subsequently continued his interest in counselling, pursuing training as a hospital chaplain and then later doing a programme in family studies which exposed him to marital and family therapy. He has worked for some thirty years now in counselling and currently teaches counselling modules in different institutions and supervises students as part of their counselling practicums. Dates & Registration Mon-Wed, Mar 14-16, 2011, 8:30am-1:30pm Venue: SBC Cost (incl course notes): $130 SBC Alumni / $150 Non-SBC Alumni To register for the above SOC courses, please download a registration form at www.sbc.edu.sg, or contact Jen via email: deansoc@sbc.edu.sg.

6%& 1RWLFH %RDUG Discerning God’s Call

FACULTY NEWS

SBC Open House: 27 Jan 2011 If you are wrestling with discerning God’s call in your life or trying to decide whether you should go to seminary, don’t miss Singapore Bible College’s Open House on 27 Jan 2011 (Thurs). The event will consist of a workshop on calling and allow a sampling of what seminary life is like. Meet our professors and students, attend our chapel, and sit in some popular classes.

Dr Albert Ting attended and preached at the 1st Taiwan Alumni Retreat in Taipei from 17 to 20 Oct. Չඹ࿚ᅟԫ

To register by 13 Jan 2011, please visit www.sbc. edu.sg for details, or email deaneng@sbc.edu.sg .

ഌೄࠍᇜ

Condolences The SBC community shared the grief of various faculty and staff whose parents recently went home to be with the Lord. Rev Peter Lin’s father was called home to be with Lord on 19 Aug in New York. Rev Dr Donald Leung’s 90 year-old mother went home to be with the Lord on 20 Sep in Hong Kong. Dr Virginia Tsai’s mother was called home to be with the Lord on 30 Oct in Philippines. We are reminded of Eph 6:2-3 – “Honor your father and mother”–which is the first commandment with a promise– “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

Errata: In the last issue, we men- have dedicated many years of their tioned that Dr Florence Tan has lives to equip students at SBC. resigned from SBC. This is inaccurate. Rather, Dr Florence has retired from SBC on 31 May 2010, after 18 Չѱ੖Ӓම years of service. Apart from teaching, Dr Florence was SBC's Director of Field Education and Director of Alumni & Church Relations. She also served on the Doctor of Ministry Programme sub-committee since its inception. Also retiring, at the end of 2010, is Rev Lee Chong Min. Rev Lee ਻ ሳ ୘ ஆ ඟ joined SBC in 1980 and has been instrumental in imparting skills and knowledge in voice and choral conducting to our Church Music graduates. He continues to partner them in their ministry in various countries, and is Music Director of various choirs in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. We thank God that both Dr Florence Tan and Rev Lee Chong Min

Dr Calvin Chong contributed articles in two books launched at the Asia Theological Association (ATA) General Assembly in Hong Kong to commemorate the ATA 40th anniversary. They were "The Church and the Digital Generation" in The Church in a Changing World: An Asian Response, and "The Rise of the Net-Generation: Implications for Educational Renewal in the Seminary Classroom" in Tending the Seedbeds: Educational Perspectives on Theological Education in Asia. Dr Paul Woods also contributed two articles in the book, The Church in a Changing World: An Asian Response, entitled "Singapore: Connecting and Belonging in a Changing Society" and "Teaching Theology in a Globalized World". Dr Samuel Goh’s paper "Grammatical Historical Methods and the Chinese Christian", read at last year's Alliance Biblical Seminary 110th anniversary, was published in ABS journal, Jian Dao 34, July 2010. Rev Dr Bernard Low's article "The Sin Offering and Paul's Atonement Theology" was published in Scripture and Interpretation, Vol. 4, No. 1, June 30, 2010.

New Students’ Testimonies Margaret Lim, Singapore

Nah Kiat Yong, Singapore

࿨ ᇅ ‫ڡ‬ĥ ࿯ ࢨ ృ Ħ

Master of Arts (Christian Education)

Master of Arts in Counselling

2

was born into an average working class family. My father was a bookkeeper and my mother was a housewife. I am the eldest with a sister and two brothers. We were a typical Chinese family; with a mixture of Chinese religions and beliefs such as ancestor worship. When I was eight years old, my father died suddenly of heart attack in the middle of night. This event changed our family circumstances completely. My mother had to be the sole breadwinner, working to support us. Times were hard and my mother was stressed and burdened all the time. Few months later, I first heard about Jesus Christ in history lessons. My teacher told us many stories of Jesus’ miracles; the one that stayed in my heart was the raising of dead Lazarus. In my young heart, I wished I lived in the times of Jesus. Years later when I was in Secondary 4 in school, I attended an Easter service where the death and resurrection of Christ was preached. I finally realized the Jesus Christ I was longing for all these years is alive. I received Christ as my Savior as Lord. The Lord has blessed me with much joy and peace. I also found a heavenly Father who led me in all major decisions. In my Bible Study Fellowship last year on Moses’ life, one of the key points I learnt was how Moses’ life was divided into 3 parts of 40 years, with the last third serving God. God impressed upon my heart that as I reached 2/3 point of my life, I should live the rest of my life differently, to do something fulfilling, ideally something that carries eternal value. I have spent the first 18 years of my adult life working for money, and another 12 years caring for the family. In April this year, while helping my eldest daughter to look for a university course, God led me to SBC, to apply for a counselling course. With this training, I hope to be able to become a counsellor who can make a difference to today’s globalised, competitive and stressed-out workforce, and make my life count for God.

ႏ ത ᒯĥ ૶ ਁ ཨ ၒ Ħ Philip Williamson, New Zealand

Master of Divinity

2

am told that when I was four, I said I wanted to be a part of God’s family. But my earliest recollection of a spiritual event in my life was when I was 7 years old. The preacher at church had a picture of what would happen at the moment of the rapture – planes and cars crashing, smoke everywhere, a world in chaos. That night I was crying because I didn’t want to be left behind when Jesus came. Mum came in and when she found out why I was crying she asked, “Do you believe that Jesus is God, that he died on the cross to take the punishment for your sins and came back to life again?” I remembered this so vividly – I was highly offended that Mum didn’t already know the answer to that. “Of course I do!!!” “Then you don’t have anything to worry about,” she said. And she was right. So sometime between the ages of 4 and 7, I have put my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Since then I have been getting to know Him better. He is my Rock, my Redeemer, my Shepherd, and He means everything to me! During my high school years, I started to study the Bible myself, though I didn’t read through the whole Bible until I was 17. After that the Lord began to give me opportunities to be involved in Bible teaching at Hukanui Bible Church. This was and is a real joy for me: to study God’s Word and help people to realise how awesome He is and to grow in Him. I’m really thankful to the LORD that in His good timing, He allowed me to finish my IT work and come to Singapore Bible College to be better equipped to serve Him to the fullness of the potential He’s given me.

ᇈ୛

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” (John 6:44)

@

hen I was a preschooler, my family lived in a kampong behind Life Bible Presbyterian Church near Newton circus, and I remember peeping through the church windows to observe a wedding ceremony. I also remember being in the fellowship hall to receive sweets at the end of a game. Then we moved away from the kampong. Some 10 years later, I was back in that same fellowship hall, this time attending a Youth Fellowship meeting. That was soon after I had accepted the Lord Jesus as my Saviour. I was then in Secondary 3. There was a group of girls in class who would sing Christian songs whenever the teacher was not around. I remembered that I found them quite annoying. Also, I had attended a Christian service in a house church and felt offended by the preacher who said that those who do not believe in Christ will not go to heaven. I was put off by what I felt was elitist. Yet, out of the blue one day, together with two other girls, I asked the Christian classmates for the gospel to be presented to us. They were so excited they made immediate arrangements for a one-to-one presentation of the gospel. The girl who presented the gospel to me used the Bridge Method to tell me about the God of creation, why people do not know God and how we can be reconciled to God. It all made sense to me, and seemed to answer all the questions about life and death that I used to have as a child. I made a decision then to follow the Lord Jesus and committed myself to Him. My classmate led me in the sinner’s prayer and everything felt new and glorious when I opened my eyes! I did not know what triggered us to ask for the gospel to be presented, or why I believed the Lord so readily. It was later when I came across this verse, that it struck a chord in me. It was simply God’s grace that had drawn me to Him! “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him.” As God draws me to SBC for another exciting phase of my life, may He use me to draw others to Him!

COLLEGE FOCUS enrolled student in the College should be deterred the chance to graduate due to financial difficulties. In memory of Chaplain Tan Cheng Hock and his passion and his hope, Mrs Tan and their family have donated $50,000 as seed money to set up the “Chaplain Tan Cheng Hock Financial Aid” to help students in need of financial assistance to complete their theological education in Singapore Bible College. The family also wishes to encourage fellow

brothers and sisters to give to this Financial Aid so that many more students in need can be blessed by it.

),1$1&,$/ 5(3257 Chaplain Tan Cheng Hock Financial Aid When Rev Tan Cheng Hock retired as Senior Pastor of Orchard Road Presbyterian Church’s Mandarin Congregation (in accordance with the constitution of the Synod of the Presbyterian Church in Singapore), he accepted the invitation to become the first Chaplain of our College. During Chaplain Tan’s five-year service at SBC, both he and Mrs Tan were well-loved and respected by the faculty and student body. Rev and Mrs Tan also truly loved the students and displayed a fervent passion for the furtherance of theological education. It was always their desire that no

+RZ <RX &DQ 6XSSRUW 2XU 0LQLVWU\ ὁৠȵ቎

General Fund ाԪ‫ ې‬ Income ෎ന (01/03/10-30/06/10) Expenditure ለս (01/03/10-30/06/10) Surplus/(Deficit) ჶᄧ Ӥ۲

S$ 1,283,878 1,411,465 (S$ 127,587)

Blk 5 Building Fund ‫؝‬བኸᅟർࣛ቟ࡰण

S$ 8,046,028 7,850 8,053,878

Collection b/f as at ՗ಏ 01/03/10 Donations received ਨࡴ෎ന (01/03/10 - 30/06/10) Less ࣊ : Completion of Nehemiah Blk 5 & Maintenance Work ஦ཨା‫ݟ‬Փ‫؝‬བኸᅟർࢅ༝ဋ Balance as at ᄧ‫ڏ‬ऋሢ 30/06/10

>>

ˇ♡쩓ⅸȼ䇂ưᫀ >>

>>

Donors in Singapore

Cheque donation - please make cheque payable to Singapore Bible College. Cash donation - please deposit cash into our UOB a/c 126-300-592-4 and send us the deposit slip with your name and address.

>>

Donors in Hong Kong

Cheque donation - please make cheque payable to Singapore Bible CollegeHong Kong Alumni Association Ltd. Mail to 1/F Maidstone Apartments 35 Maidstone Road, Tokwawan, Kowloon, Hong Kong

4732 El Rancho Verde Drive, La Palma, CA 90623, USA.

>>

Donors in Taiwan

Cheque donation - please make cheque payable to Singapore Bible CollegeThe Alumni Association in Taiwan. Mail to 221ৢࢋ京ㅴ⿼᫨⨊⯴彂 尣 ⷚ ✤ ߘ༈䘷ᘳ癏ৢ㟐⫁ভ⤵♫. Bank/ATM transfer – please transfer funds to a/c “Singapore Bible College-The Alumni Association in Taiwan” under Mega International Commercial Bank-Taipei Branch (Bank Code 017), bank a/c 20210-31116-7.

(8,040,342) S$ 13,536

Donors in Canada

Check donation - please make check payable to Partners International and indicate “For Singapore Bible College” on check. Mail to Partners International, 8500 Torbram Road, Unit 56, Brampton, Ontario L6T 5C6, Canada.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Donors in Malaysia

Cheque donation (in RM) – please make cheque payable to Singapore Bible College and mail it to us. Bank draft donation (in S$) – please make draft payable to Singapore Bible College and mail it to us. Cash donation - please deposit cash into our Public Bank Berhad a/c 498-58-18-127 and send us the deposit slip with your name and address.

>>

Donors in USA

Check donation - please make check payable to SBC North America Fellowship. Mail to Singapore Bible College, North America Fellowship,

>>

Donors in Other Countries

Bank draft donation (in S$/US$) – please make draft payable to Singapore Bible College and mail it to us. Telegraphic transfer United Overseas Bank Ltd, Bukit Timah Branch, 587 Bukit Timah Road, # 02-16 Coronation Shopping Plaza, Singapore 269707. Bank Code 7375, Branch Code 026. A/c no. 126300-592-4. Swift code: uovbsgsg. Tax-deductible receipts will be issued to donors in Taiwan, USA and Canada.

COLLEGE EVENTS

The SBC family gathered in unity for a Day of Prayer on 6 Oct.

SBC students thanked God for their wonderful teachers and paid tribute to them on Teachers Day on 2 Sep.

A Time of Encouragement, a Time for Fellowship: SBC warmly welcomed returning SBC alumni to its annual Homecoming Day on Sep 27.

GCoMM Asia 2010 The Global Consultation on Music and Missions (GCoMM) Asia 2010 was held at SBC and Bartley Christian Church from 4-7 Jul. More than 300 Christian leaders, missionaries, musicians, creative artists and lay leaders from 28 countries representing over 40 nations gathered to discover how music, creative arts and multimedia are means that God has given to His church for use in missions. Participants were reminded that, in the words of plenary speaker Stan Moore (president of GCoMM and professor of B. H. Carroll Theological Institute), the arts is as an “indispensable means to reach those who do not know Christ and to teach and disciple those who do know Him”; Christian artists therefore have the “responsibility to create or adapt artistic expressions that adequately and embody the Christian message within a given culture,” to “use all possible and worthy means to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all peoples.” Yet, all speakers reminded us that the arts is still merely a

means to call and disciple all peoples to be true worshipers of God. On two evenings, participants and visitors were inspired by the teachings, songs and life example of famous singersongwriter, musician and author, Michael Card. Many saw through his concert and teaching, how music and creative arts can impact lives only if it is an overflow of our relationship with God and our knowledge of His Word. He reminded us to let our attitudes be like Christ—being obedient and humble servants of God. More than forty speakers spoke in 36 breakout sessions which were divided into six tracks: Missionary track, Creative Communications track, Creative Arts Ministries track, Ethnomusicologist tract, Musicians track, and Chinese Ministries track. Through these sessions, the speakers shared the biblical foundations of these ministries, ideas, challenges, resources, and methods that worked for them. Overall, participants were able to share experiences, dialogue with each other, form partnerships, and network through the ministry introduction time, exhibit booths, poster sessions, cultural presentations, testimony times and meal

times. We also had a glimpse of what worship in heaven would probably be like as we were led to worship in unity through songs and other worship art forms from different cultures, languages and styles led by Izibongo (USA), Kaloob (Philippines) and New Heart Music Ministries (Chinese based in Texas and Singapore). Through the generosity of various sponsors, GCoMM was able to support those who did not have the resources to attend. This allowed people from Africa, Pakistan, Jamaica and several countries in Asia to participate in the event. Thanks for giving generously and helping to reap rich fruits throughout the world! Video recordings and proceedings from GCoMM Asia 2010 should be available at http://gcommhome.org over the next few months.

BOOKSHELF

Canaan to Corinth Paul’s Doctrine of God and the Issue of Food Offered to Idols in 1 Corinthians 8:1–11:1

By Rev Dr Michael Shen Canaan to Corinth raises important questions dealing with the nature of food and its relationship to idolatry in 1 Corinthians 8:1–11:1. What is the nature of food sacrificed to idols? Are Christians allowed to eat it? The Corinthians asked Paul, and he searched the Old Testament for his answer in the doctrine of God. This shed light on the idea of idolatry as a wrongful exchange of God for things in creation. Moses faced idolatry in Canaan and became the paradigm for Paul to deal with idolatry in Corinth. This examination clarifies the nature of the Apostolic Decree and the difference between “unclean food� and “idol food� and further suggests the hypothesis that Paul did not teach or practice the conscious consumption of food known to have been sacrificed to idols.� “Canaan to Corinth is a careful, up-to-date study that takes one through the interpretive and theological steps to sort out the advice Paul gives about how to be faithful to God, exercise the freedom Scripture does give to Christians, and yet appreciate the real danger idolatry brings to one’s walk with God. Michael Shen’s study takes us through the passages, views, and debates a step at a time, as well as treating the relevant historical background. It is a solid guide to the issues of the text as well as a gateway to proper application. There is much to learn here.� Darrell L. Bock Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas

To get your copy of Canaan to Corinth, visit SBC’s Book Centre (Tel: 6559 1506/7, Email: books@sbc.edu.sg) or place your order with Peter Lang Publishing USA (Tel: +1 (212) 647-7706, Email customerservice@plang.com). wÖ¸ážŤŕŽ”â€ŤÚ ઠÝ„Ř€â€ŹÄˇŃŽŕŤ§Ř‡ŕśŒ૤ᄲ݄ઠâ€ŤÚ â€Źŕ˛?ࡢ k ᄗ‍࢕ޓ‏ ŕŻ&#x;࿀áˆ?འ؇ࣿ‍׿‏x

ŕś?ŕŠ?Ř…ŕŽ†ŕś&#x; Ó’ම

ŕśžञ҆᎒ࡆඪ؇Ս‍ە‏á€

ŕśžञࡀসমŕ˝?ཤ؇

Theological Seminary“

“It is important to understand what Paul actually taught about eating food offered to idols, as there is often a confusing variety of views among Christians. This book is a helpful resource for pastors, missionaries, Bible teachers, seminary students and interested church members. Dr Shen carefully examines several biblical texts in the light of their historical contexts and the biblical view of God’s absolute uniqueness, and argues that the biblical texts are consistent in their prohibition of idolatry and its paraphernalia in whatever form – a helpful point in similar pastoral situations today in a world of idols, ideologies, addictions, and runaway consumerism. The book points vigorously to a high view of the absolute nature of God and warns against lax and mistaken notions of so-called Christian freedom.� Rev Dr Robert Solomon Bishop, the Methodist Church in Singapore

SBC’s Bible Land Study Tour 2011 Turkey & Greece: In the Footsteps of the Apostle Paul & The Seven Churches of Revelation Dates: 16 May to 28 May 2011 Itinerary: This study tour will bring the participants to places with biblical and historical significance: Istanbul - Thyatira - Smyrna - Ephesus - Laodicea - Sardis - Pergamum - Philippi - Thessaloniki - Delphi - Corinth - Athens and others. Cost: SGD$3,750 (based on 40 pax and exclude airline taxes of SGD$104) Tour Leader: Rev. Dr. Bernard Low, Associate Professor in Systematic Theology, SBC and Director of SBC’s Centre for Continuing Theological Education For more details on the itinerary and a registration form, please visit www.sbc.edu.sg to download the itinerary and registration form. SBC’s last Bible Land Study Tour 2010 to Israel & Jordan was joined by more than 80 participants

р┐првир▒Гр╢МсА▓сЕЯ тАл╪ЭтАмсВд╤ЖсЛВр┤║р▒ЫсВвр┐Р

6,1*$325( %,%/( &2//(*( 6&+22/ 2) &+85&+ 086,&

рпП ╔Р тАл ▐ВтАм сЛЯ риО р╕Ь

рпП ╔Р тАл ▐ВтАм 6RSUDQR 6KDQJ &KHQ )X

╦ж╥з╓╝ 6DQGUD 6KHQ 3LDQLVW

Resounding Praise $ 6DFUHG 0XVLF &RQFHUW %LOLQJXDO

2010ய 嘉声 10/12 ᅧ 225

训 练 耶 稣 基 督 忠 心 的 仆 人

႓༶

•

ഌೄࠍᇜ ࿯ඌঙ‫ۄ‬ഒ

• ࿯ඕ࣐ህ

ቢ‫܀‬ி ඞ‫ױ‬ର‫ژ‬ĩ ࿯ய৛ਣĞ

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Dr Albert Ting Mrs Karen Lee Rev Dr Rick Griffith Dr Myrleene Yap Rev Dr Bernard Low Rev Dr Paul Woods Mrs Serena Chan ҫ ࢂ Ө

Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.