SBC Pray For Us Issue 258 by SBC Communications

ISSUE

258

S ING APOR E B I B L E CO L LEGE Training faithful servants of Jesus Christ

Sep/Oct 2016

MCI (P) 151/08/2016

PRAY FOR US

THE INAUGURATION SPEECH OF THE 7th PRINCIPAL

A SUBMISSIVE FAITH:

The Greatest Freedom in Christ

ow blessed we are as we stand here this morning to worship our almighty God, who has displayed His wonderful works before us.

At this juncture of history, we have witnessed six principals who served by leading this College faithfully for the last six decades. I am quite sure that anyone who comes here to study or work will soon find their “fingerprints” on every part of this College in one way or another. Moreover, you will find yourself standing on the shoulders of these spiritual giants, from which you can see your place in this College and also your own life from a new perspective. I did not realize the privilege of this vantage point until I enrolled in this College as a Master of Divinity student in 1993. During those formative years, I learned so much about the stories of the founders of this College. These stories gradually informed, formed and reformed my conviction of being a faithful servant of Jesus Christ in advancing theological education for the church and the mission of God in the world. That is why, after ministering in the church for almost ten years, I joined SBC after completing a PhD in the year 2008. In the last eight years, I have been a faculty member, a director of field education, an associate dean of students, before I was assigned the deanship of the School of Theology (Chinese) six years ago. However, taking up the principalship of this College, which is such a heavy responsibility, was utterly an unimaginable move in my life. I remember my struggles in the days before I accepted this position, praying continuously that the Lord would take away this bitter cup. Instead, the Lord gave me the opportunity to grow and to have a breakthrough. At that time, I was supervising a graduate student who was studying the topic of freedom in the Bible. Unexpectedly, I discovered something. I realized that what I had been struggling about was wanting the freedom to make my own decisions. That is, I wanted to decide the direction of my life for myself. Is this autonomous freedom in accord with God’s purposes? At the same time, I was preparing a Sunday sermon according to the lectionary of a church, which included a passage from Hebrews 5:7–8:

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered.

This passage helped me to see my true self through Jesus the Son of God: I had not understood the freedom that God gave me. True freedom lies in submitting to God’s will; true freedom is to choose to walk the path of the Son of God; the greatest freedom is to set aside one’s own choices, to completely let God the Father guide us. When I finished preparing that sermon, I gave it the title, “Submissive Faith,” and added a song as its conclusion. This song was written by the missionary Pastor Bian Yun Bo, who in 1948 went to Yunnan province in China. The night before he set off, he wrote the song, “For the Anonymous Preacher”:

Indeed, when dawn breaks the world seems even darker and more difficult. However, you have said this before: By your own hands, you willingly lay down the enjoyments of this world. By your own feet, you willingly embark on this difficult journey. “Choosing” this freedomless path is not out of helplessness; Rather, you’re exercising your own freedom courageously! Therefore, even if I have to face hidden sorrows alone, Looking towards Calvary, even till the day I die — I will never turn back! The last line, “I will never turn back even if it costs my life,” struck me hard! It has been said that there are only two kinds of courage: the courage to die and the courage to get up in the morning. Can I make it and finish well on this journey I now embark on? I surely cannot do it without my Lord Jesus Christ who calls me, affirms me and empowers me. And I need all of you: my wife, my children, my pastors, and my fellow co-workers in Christ, to join me on this journey through your prayers and generous support for the tasks that lie before me. How then should I carry out the tasks of the 7th Principal of SBC? I will do it by standing on the shoulders of my predecessors. The first thing they enabled me to see is: this college was founded 64 years ago for a historical and theological reason — to hold fast to the Bible as the authoritative Word of God, which is truth spoken by the true Father God. He reveals Himself fully in his Son Jesus Christ — the incarnate Word of God — who in His power allows the people of

SINGAPORE BIBLE COLLEGE 9-15 Adam Road Singapore 289886 Tel: +65 6559 1555 Fax: +65 6559 1550 Email: comm@sbc.edu.sg Web: www.sbc.edu.sg

A Submissive Faith: The Greatest Freedom in Christ God to see, teach and preach the Gospel authoritatively. I uphold the Bible as the foundation of the Christian belief and worldview, and I will ensure that this biblical worldview will be cultivated in this College. The second thing I see from my predecessors is that this College was founded for a mission, which is none other than to train faithful servants of Jesus Christ for the edification of the church and the urgent evangelization of the unreached. I will uphold the mission of this College by doing theology for the church and with the church, so that the church is empowered to evangelize the unreached. I am committed to do theology for the church, together with my fellow faculty members. We teach, preach and write for the church and for society. The third thing I see from my predecessors is the balanced pursuit of knowledge, spirituality and ministry in this institution of theological education. I will uphold this balanced pursuit by forging a community of worshipful learners who love God and one another. As a theological educator, I reckon that no Christian can grow alone. I will work with the academic and administrative teams to cultivate a space in which knowledge, spirituality and ministry are integrated in each of the faculty, staff, and students in this community. To forge a learning community, I will strive amidst this community to be a learner of truth myself, a true learner of the Word of God, and a scholar-pastor.

Please keep praying for me as I consecrate my three resolutions to the Lord. May I: be a servant of Christ do theology for the church care for society My brothers and sisters in Christ, once again, I thank you for being here this morning to bless this College and myself. Your presence is a witness to God’s love and grace for this College and for my fellow faculty, staff, and students. May God bless you abundantly for all your endeavours for His glorious Kingdom. Lastly, please pray for us without ceasing.

Rev Dr Clement Chia, Principal Singapore Bible College

THE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY (ENGLISH)

HOW THE BIBLE CONTEXTUALIZES THE GOSPEL FOR ALL NATIONS

he School of Theology (English) held its annual theological conference on 16 and 17 August 2016. The theme was “How the Bible Contextualizes the Gospel for All Nations” and the speaker was Dr. Jackson Wu, author of Saving God’s Face: A Chinese Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame and One Gospel for All Nations: A Practical Approach to Biblical Contextualization. Mr. Derek Brotherson (theological educator) and Dr. Jerry Hwang (OMF; faculty) gave responses on Day One, and Dr. Philip Marshall (SIM) and Dr. Samuel Law (faculty) on Day Two. Participants had time to pose questions. Dr. Wu conducted four sessions: (1) Reinterpreting contextualization (2) How does the Bible frame the Gospel? (3) How does the Bible explain the Gospel? (4) A practical approach to biblical contextualization His message is that all acts of interpretation, communication, and application are filtered through cultural lenses, which colour how and what humans see — often resulting in oversimplification of culture and the Gospel. He thus urged listeners to discover the richer expressions of the Gospel found in Scripture.

Arguing for a process of contextualization upholding biblical faithfulness while remaining culturally meaningful, Dr. Wu drew attention to creation, covenant, and kingdom as “framework themes” inherent in Scripture and the message of the Gospel. These three framework themes constitute a firm approach by which Paul could claim there was only one Gospel. As these framework themes shape the grand biblical narrative, they provide flexibility when preaching the Gospel in various cultural contexts. This flexibility is in the many relatable “explanation themes” in both biblical and contemporary cultures. Dr. Wu illustrated healthy contextualization with a model that identifies biblical themes, interconnects with cultural themes, interprets the biblical text, and infers for cultural significance. Using the honour-shame motif, he guided participants through steps for effective contextualization of the Gospel. All in all, Dr. Wu shared many useful insights and practical handles for missions contextualization in a pluralistic, globally connected world. Reported by Dr. Calvin Chong

Missions: To lead others into “a God-saved life” “… I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life.” 1 Cor 9:22 (The Message)

he exhibition title caught my eye — Christianity in Asia: Sacred Art and Visual Splendour. In an overly secularised world, it was refreshing to see Singapore’s Asian Civilizations Museum taking into account the historical and societal implications of a migrant religion on the nations of Asia. Among the exhibits was a rubbing of a stone stele 2.7 metres tall. It was built in Xi’an, China in 781 to commemorate the arrival and history of the “Luminous Roman Religion” during the Tang dynasty. There are inscriptions in Chinese and Syriac, the latter a dialect of Aramaic, the language of Jesus. At the apex of the stele is the symbol of the Christian cross, set upon a lotus blossom, an influence of Buddhism. One could not help but feel missionally motivated by the myriad methods used to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Chinese. During the Yuan dynasty, some produced bronze seals styled as “crosses of the East.” During the Ming dynasty, the Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci dressed like the literati of the day, in order to reach royal courtiers with the truths of Jesus Christ. Many of these means were culturally relevant, while aiming to remain biblically authentic and truthful. We would do well to ask if the church is currently presenting the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in a form commonly comprehended by the people of this postmodern age. Are Christians equipped to present the full euangelion (“good news”) through their lives, speech and attitude, in forms and structures that are understood by this generation?

The apex of the original stele

Discipleship and evangelism comprise an unchanging commission to the church, with or without walls. This call impacts all who are followers of Jesus Christ. The church can be dangerously distracted by good church activities such as preaching, counselling, pastoral care, and music and other creative arts. Yet, we can fall into the danger of not being culturally understood by the people we intend to reach. In our attempts to remain biblically authentic and truthful, we, the leaders of the church, must seriously consider the delivery modes of our sermons, music, counselling methods, or pastoral care. May we, like Paul and the early missionaries to China and Asia, be driven to our knees to ask for godly wisdom in order to reach a world which seems wise in its own eyes. May we ask for boldness and courage to reach a generation with means which will present God’s truth honestly and without shame. May we become that “every sort of servant” by whom someone will meet the God of salvation through Christ Jesus and Him alone!

Pastor Joseph Lee

Assistant Professor School of Church Music

COLLEGE AND ALUMNI NEWS 学院与校友消息 PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE 院长室 Rev. Dr. Clement Chia spoke on “Marriage and Family” at the public conference “Human Sexuality, Marriage and the Church” hosted by the Ethos Institute for Public Christianity on 6 July. Dr. Chia also gave four sessions on “Gospel for Postmodernity” at Logos Christian Church from 17 July to 7 August. Representing SBC, he attended the Combined Worship for the 135th Anniversary of the Presbyterian Church in Singapore on 14 August.

谢木水院长 7 月 6 日在“ 思潮 ”基督教公共学术中心举办的公开讲座“ H u m a n Sexuality, Marriage and the Church”中分享“ 婚姻与家庭 ”；7 月 1 7 日至 8 月 7 日于圣道基督教会主讲四堂“ 给后现代的福音 ” 系列；8 月 1 4 日代表学院参加新加坡长老会设教 1 35周年庆。

In appreciation to our Interim Principal, Rev. Dr. Michael Shen, and to welcome Rev. Dr. Clement Chia, our new principal, our Board held a Thanksgiving dinner on 14 July. It was a joyous and heartwarming event well attended by faculty and staff.

董事会于7月14日晚为卸任的暂院长沈立德牧师/博士及新上任的谢木水院长举行感恩晚宴，全体教师与职员踊跃参加，场面温馨欢愉。

SBC celebrated her 64th Founders’ Day on 11 August. Rev. Dr. James Lai, our Board member and the CNEC Director, shared with us on the topic “CNEC: Empowering Locals for Missions Then and Now,” reminding SBC to partner with mission agencies to edify the church and evangelize the unreached.

新神于 8 月 1 1 日欢庆创院 6 4 周年。新神董事及福音自传会（新加坡）主任赖木森牧师 / 博士与我们分享“ 福音自传会：宣教策略继往开来 ”，再次提醒新神与宣教伙伴一起完成“建立教会、奋得万民”的使命。

FACULTY MOVEMENT 讲师动向

Rev. Dr. Valentino Gonzales, the Interim Dean, has been appointed as Dean of the School of Counselling with effect from 1 July 2016.

暂主任龚华礼牧师/博士于2016年7月1 日受委为辅导系主任。

Condolences: Mdm. Henny Lo, the mother of Rev. Dr. Samuel Goh (SOTC BTh 1989, SOTE MDiv 1991, our SOTE faculty) went home to be with the Lord on 17 July 2016. She was 78. Mr. Casa Lee, father-in-law of Rev. Dr. Samuel Cheung (our SCM faculty) went home to be with the Lord on 2 August 2016. He was 92. 致哀：英文神学系老师吴仲诚牧师 / 博士 (华文神学系 1 9 8 9 年神学学士、英文神学系 1 9 91 年道硕 ) 的母亲陈瑞英女士7月17 日安息主怀，享年 7 8 岁。圣乐系老师张世明牧师/ 博士的岳父李延更先生 8 月2日安息主怀，享年 9 2 岁。

BOARD 董事会

Mr. William Lai, the second brother of our board member, Rev. Dr. James Lai, passed away on 1 August 2016. May the Lord comfort the bereaved family.

董事赖木森牧师/博士的二哥赖木泉先生于 8 月 1 日过逝。愿上帝安慰丧家。

SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY (ENGLISH) 英文神学系

Rev. Dr. Clive Chin attended the Asia Theological Association (ATA) Triennial General Assembly at Chongshin University and Theological Seminary in Seoul from 25 to 29 July, where he presented his paper “Challenges in Asia” at a plenary session. The paper will be published as an ATA monograph in 2017. Dr. Calvin Chong served as a Singapore delegation mentor at the 2016 Lausanne Younger Leaders Global Gathering in Jakarta from 3 to 10 August, where he also conducted a session at the Advanced Orality Workshop. Rev. Dr. Samuel Goh published his article “Whose Imagination After All?: Revisiting the Bicolon Parallelism in Hebrew Poetry” in Hill Road 37 (Jul 2016), a Chinese journal by Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary.

( 吴仲诚老师的〈希伯来双诗行“ 平行体 ”的再思 : 是谁的想象力？〉发表于《山道期刊》第 3 7 期。)He also attended the Society of

Biblical Literature (SBL) International Meeting in Seoul from 2 to 7 July, where he presented his paper “Ecclesiastes 1:4–7 and Qoheleth’s Contradictions.” Finally, he conducted a seminar on “Jesus’ Second Coming and World Events Today” at Ebenezer Evangelical Free Church on 13 August. Rev. Dr. Samuel Law attended the 14th Assembly of the International Association for Mission Studies (IAMS) in Seoul from 12 to 16 August, where he presented on “Complex Systems Science-Framed Paradigms for Revitalization Studies.” Rev. Dr. Desmond Soh spoke at the 2016 Conference of the Eagles Proclamation and Persuasion Institute (EPPI) on “Preaching Difficult Issues: Challenges, Context and Communication” on 22 July. He also preached at the Baptist Theological Seminary chapel service on 2 August. Finally, he attended the 9th Chinese Congress on World Evangelization in Taipei from 22 to 26 August, where presented his evaluations as the Report Analyst on “Marketplace and Mission.” Dr. Brian Thomas spoke on “Science and the Christian Faith” in a three-session Bible conference for the Fairfield Preaching Point on 22 August.

SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY (CHINESE) 华文神学系

陈恩慧老师 8 月 20 – 21 日在马来西亚新山和平长老会担任儿童主日讲员及主日学老师训练。8月13日在新加坡长老会生命堂担任主日学老师退修会讲员。吴国安老师的〈书评：《仄径舛途》〉发表于《山道期刊》第 3 7 期；7月9日在亚洲文明博物馆演讲，题目“君自海上来：近现代亚

洲基督宗教的历史回顾”；8月四周主日在长老会正道堂教授主日学，题目“危机与转机”。梁以利亚老师7–8月在怀恩堂华语崇拜的成人主日学教导六堂“加拉太书轻松读”。

柯哲辉老师7月14日于新加坡福音堂联谊会担任“门徒建造” 讲座讲员；7月17至9月4日在长老会恩泽堂乌节路聚会成人主日学教导“护教学”；7月30、31日担任长老会恩泽堂教牧长执营的讲员。杨金兰老师8月在怀恩堂粤语崇拜的成人主日学教导四堂“保罗的祷告”。

SCHOOL OF CHURCH MUSIC 圣乐系

Dr. Myrleene GraceYap presented “Trends in Congregational Song” and led worship at the New Millennium Evangelical Church in Manila from 30 to 31 July. Rev. Dr. Samuel Cheung and his wife Susan held a thanksgiving praise concert on 21 August, alongside the entire SCM faculty. Pastor Joseph Lee preached at the New Millennium Evangelical Church on 31 July.

SCHOOL OF COUNSELLING 辅导系 Rev. Dr. Val Gonzales spoke on “Wholeness” at Bethesda Pasir Ris Mission Church from 26 June to 17 July, and “Signposts of Wholeness in Emotional and Psychological Health” for the English Presbytery of Singapore on 12 July. He facilitated a seminar on “Understanding of and Response to Depression” for Paya Lebar Methodist Church on 24 July.

ALUMNI NEWS 校友消息 Condolences: Mr. Chi You Sing, father of Ms. Chi Pin Hwa (SOTC BTh 1978, SOTE BTh 1983, MDiv 1997) and Ms. Chi Pin Hoon (SOTE BTh 1983, MDiv 1997) went home to be with the Lord on 17 July 2016. May the presence of the living Lord Jesus bring comfort and peace to the bereaved families. 致哀：纪滨华校友（华文神学系 1 9 7 8 年神学学士、英文神学系 1 9 8 3 年神学学士、1997 年道硕）及纪滨云校友（英文神学系 1983 神学学士、1 9 9 7 年道硕）的父亲纪友兴先生 7 月 1 7 日安息主怀。祈愿复活主的同在，把安慰与平安带给他们的家人。

按牧：校友杨秀珠（华文神学系 1996 年神学学士）7 月 1 7 日被按立为汶莱诗里亚伯特利教会的牧师。校友吴天德（华文神学系 2006 年神学学士）现任华人福音普世差传会宣教士，于 8 月 1 3 日被按立为牧师，在乌干达坎帕拉基督教会服事。

「新神吾家」 COLLEGE DAY RETREAT REPORT 全院退修日：

he new academic year began with much fun and laughter as the four schools gathered for our annual College Day Retreat on 8 July 2016, with the theme “SBC, My Family.” With SBC approaching her 65th anniversary in 2017, the activities of that day were all geared towards helping the SBC community reflect on major milestones from the past and face the future together as one. The day commenced with sharing by Rev. Dr. Clement Chia, our 7th Principal, at the Opening Chapel. Although the students came from diverse backgrounds, Rev. Dr. Chia encouraged us to view ourselves as one family of “SBCians,” with every SBCian training to be faithful servants of Jesus Christ in this worshipful and loving community. To break the ice, the entire SBC family was divided into 20 English- and Chinese-speaking groups. In every group, faculty members and students were given an hour and a half to introduce themselves and share one thanksgiving item and goal for the new semester. It was a meaningful time for the SBCians, as members of the various schools got to know each other more and encourage one other with what the Lord had done for them. Thereafter, the 20 groups were combined to form 10 groups, and each was tasked with presenting a skit according to a given topic. This was either on the history of SBC or the formal, non-formal and informal training carried out in the College. To add to the challenge, groups were required to make mention of the SBC mission statement or fundamentals, employ at least two languages, and include comical items such as socks and umbrella in their skits. What seemed like an impossible task to achieve in the beginning started to take shape as the SBCians put their hearts and minds together. The Worship Hall was full of laughter that evening while hidden talents were revealed through the performances. “It was such a relaxed and impressive night,” reflected a student. Indeed, it was a whole day full of joy and fellowship. Above all, we give thanks to God for His faithful guidance through the years. Let us now continue on this journey together with Him, hand-inhand, to build a worshipful and loving SBC.

月 8 日新加坡神学院新学年开学礼当日，为要帮助大家以合一的心志，开始一个充满敬拜与互爱的新学年，学院特别举行了以“新神吾家”为题的退修日。当天的活动以小组方式进行，由各院系老师亲自带领，借此增进师生间“ 牧人与羊”的关系。退修日的活动以“ 圣经故事笔划 ”的破冰游戏开始，以此促进组员间的初步认识及相互配搭。随后，每位老师带领一个以新生与旧生共同组成的小组，大家分享自己的生命故事和对新学年的期望。作为回应主呼召的同路人，我们彼此鼓励、互相代祷。在愉快的午餐团契后，大家用特别的方式来迎接明年的建校 6 5 周年：新神大家庭的成员以整齐的队形组成“ 6 5 ”这个数字，合影留住这值得记念的时刻。最精彩的莫过于晚上各小组的表演节目：大家在有限的道具和标语 ( 雨伞、袜子、圣经、 “ 新神，谢谢你 ”）以及简短的排练下，演出“ 认识新神 ”的各个层面。师生们可说是竭智尽力地发挥出各样的创意：简单的一双袜子，在小组表演中竟分别变身为考古文物、大厨手套、医用绷带等。同时，各小组也演绎出新神人在以往年日的课程学习、教会实习、宿舍生活及球场运动中鲜活的一面，在在反映出真实的挑战。难能可贵的是，在种种挑战下，新神人坚持互助互勉，处处流露出基督工人相爱相顾的生命。当晚，每组的表演都有其难忘的独特性，其中大家印象最为深刻的表演节目是“ 认识各届院长 ”。演出的同学与其演绎的院长，在神态与脸型上皆高度相似，令人惊叹，犹如实景呈现一般。高潮落在最后扮演沈院长的同学手中，他将接力棒真实地递交给在座的谢院长，使这项节目瞬间从历史穿越到现实。透过这些小组的演绎，大家在轻松喜乐的氛围中，更深体会上帝的厚赐，更认识学院的使命与信念。整个退修日在感恩的诗歌与祷告中圆满结束。

MISSION FOCUS MISSIONS AND MONEY

his issue of “Pray For Us” focuses on the fourth fundamental of SBC — Missions-directed: We resolve to proclaim and demonstrate the truth and compassion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to individuals, families, and communities, in Singapore and beyond, and partner with churches, mission agencies, and Christians who do the same. The founding members of SBC include the major mission agencies, Christian Nationals Evangelism Commission (CNEC) and Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF). One distinctive of SBC training is the emphasis and focus on missions through intercultural studies and mission field education. Moreover, international faculty and students enrich the multicultural environment and enlarge the vision for missions. I asked Dr. Clive Chin, Dean of the School of Theology (English), to elaborate on the understanding of missions for us: Evangelical missiologists typically differentiate the terms “mission” and “missions.” “Mission” refers to God’s sending of His people to participate in His purpose to renew His whole creation. This term, used in the generic sense, denotes purpose and goal-orientation. A good definition of mission is found in the sixth paragraph of the Lausanne Covenant: “World evangelization requires the whole church to take the whole Gospel to the whole world.” The term “missions,” on the other hand, refers specifically to the various activities that God’s people can engage in, such as proclamation, evangelism, and church planting, as they participate in the missio Dei (“mission of God”). With more than two-thirds of all humanity yet to be

From the Desk of the Director of Development evangelized, the global church should make the task of evangelism a high priority by partnering with mission agencies and theological training institutions like SBC. However, it must be noted that the urgent task of evangelization is eased and facilitated by effective Christian witness, and the church taking social responsibility in society. In a polarizing age, Christians must take a holistic approach to world evangelism. Missions, in referring to activities, and money, to facilitate those activities, are closely connected and inextricably linked. “No money, no missions” may sound simplistic and secular. But the reality is you need money to be involved in missions. However, the reverse is also true: “No missions, no money.” If your missions are not worthy or worthwhile, then it would be hard to raise money. On the issue of money, A. W. Tozer, gifted author of the classic Pursuit of God, once wrote, “The whole question of the believer and his money is so involved and so intimate that one hesitates to approach a consideration of it. Yet, it is of such great importance that one who desires to qualify as a good servant of Christ dare not avoid it, lest they be found wanting in the day of reckoning.” How we handle money in terms of giving and receiving is important. Our stewardship is a measure of our spirituality. Your giving of money is not simply transactional but can be transformative, both for the giver and receiver. Your money connects you to the causes and outcomes of the mission of God.

By supporting SBC, you are entering into a partnership to fulfil her mission — to glorify God by training faithful servants of Jesus Christ for the edification of the church and the urgent evangelization of the unreached. Ten thousand thanks to you for “your partnership in the gospel” (Phil 1:5)!

Billy Chiang 蒋福裕

Director of Development 拓展部主任

宣教动态宣教与金钱

本

宣教。

期《通讯与代祷》的主题将聚焦在新神信念的第四项：奋力

我们与众教会、宣教机构以及基督徒个人携手，一同致力于宣讲和见证耶稣基督福音的真理，以及这福音向新加坡海内外的个人、家庭和团体所显明的怜悯。

新神的创办者包括主要的宣教机构，如福音自传会和海外基督使团。透过跨文化课程和实地短宣使学生注重宣

教，是新神训练的一大特色。此外，来自各国的老师和学生营造了多元文化的环境，也使宣教异象得以扩展。

我邀请英文神学系主任陈焯权博士就宣教的含义做了详细的解释：

福音派宣教学者通常区分“ 使命 ” 和“ 宣教 ”。

“ 使命 ”指上帝差遣祂子民参与在祂更新全世界的目的当中。一般而

言， “ 使命 ”一词表明意图和目标。洛桑信约第 16 节对使命有很好的定义： “普世宣教需要全教会将整

全福音带至全世界。”另一方面， “

拓展部主任专栏宣教 ”一词特指上帝子民履行上帝

如何奉献及接受金钱是个重要课题。

讲、传福音及植堂。全球超过 2 / 3 的

况。奉献金钱不单是一项给出的行

使命时所从事的各项活动，如宣人口仍未听闻福音，普世教会应当

重视福音工作，与宣教机构以及像新神这样的神学训练机构合作。但

也应当指出，基督徒的美好见证及教会承担起社会责任，都成为宣教这一紧迫任务的有力支持。在这两

极分化的时代，基督徒必须开展全方位的普世宣教。

宣教涉及活动，活动耗费金钱，因此宣教和金钱紧密相连，不可分割。 “没钱就无法宣教 ”的讲法也许让人感到

使命：为荣耀神而训练耶稣基督忠心的仆人，去建立教会，奋得万民。

由衷感谢您与我们在“ 福音的事工上一同有份 ”（腓 1 : 5 ）！

关于金钱，经典作品《渴慕神》的作者、满有恩赐的陶恕写道： “信徒和他们的钱之间的关系错综复杂，以致人们不愿触及这问题。但这问题太重

要，渴慕做神忠仆之人不敢逃避不理，以免在交帐时显出亏欠。”

Donors in Canada

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 202-1031116-7.

支持新神，您就是与新神携手实践这

就更形困难。

Donors in Malaysia

北市汐止區林森街31號2樓新加坡神學院台灣校友會收.

果。

活动并不恰当或不切合需要，筹款也

Donors in USA

Cheque donation - please make cheque payable to Singapore Bible College-The Alumni Association in Taiwan. Mail to 221新

参与在上帝宣教使命中的促因和结

教就不会有钱 ”。如果你进行的宣教

Donors in Singapore

Donors in Taiwan

和接受者皆然。奉献金钱使我们得以

要金钱。这句话也可反过来讲： “不宣

诚邀您支持我们的事工

Cheque donation (in RM) or Bank draft donation (in S$) – please make cheque or bank draft payable to Singapore Bible College and mail it to us at 9-15 Adam Road, Singapore 289886.

动，它更具有转化的力量，对奉献者

过于简化和世俗，但推动宣教确实需

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY 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.

是否善尽管家职分反映出灵命的状

Check donation - please make check payable to SBC North America Fellowship. Mail to Singapore Bible College, North America Fellowship, 4732 El Rancho Verde Drive, La Palma, CA 90623, USA. 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.

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, #02-25/26/27/28 Coronation Shopping Plaza, Singapore 269707. Bank Code 7375, Branch Code 026. A/c no. 126-300-592-4. Swift code: uovbsgsg. Tax-deductible receipts will be issued to donors in Taiwan, USA and Canada.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. ~ Proverbs 3:27

FINANCIAL REPORT 财务报告 General Fund 经常费 Income 收入

(01/05/16 - 30/06/16)

S$ 695,041 Expenditure 支出 (01/05/16 - 30/06/16) S$ 762,872 Deficit 不敷

S$ 67,831

Inauguration Service of the 7th Principal

n 14 July 2016, the long-anticipated Inauguration Service of the 7th Principal of Singapore Bible College got underway. Pastors, students, alumni and faculty crowded into the Worship Hall to witness this historical moment. Following a time of worship, Dean of the School of Theology (English), Rev. Dr. Clive Chin, and Dean of the School of Theology (Chinese), Rev. Dr. Jacob Hwang, each gave a prayer for the service. The 4th Principal and Principal Emeritus, Rev. Dr. Maak Hay Chun, and the 6th Principal, Rev. Dr. Albert Ting, who currently reside in Hong Kong and the U.S., respectively, appeared in videos to encourage and bless our new Principal. General Secretary of the Chinese Coordination Centre Of World Evangelism (CCCOWE), Rev. Dr. Joshua Ting, and Senior Pastor of Logos Christian Church, Rev. Dr. Wong Chiau Yau, delivered congratulatory messages in person. General Director of the Christian Nationals’ Evangelism Commission (CNEC), Rev. Dr. James Lai, preached the sermon. Drawing from the words of Jesus to Peter in John 21 to “feed my sheep”, Rev. Lai expounded on the theme of “Passing on a Spiritual Legacy.” He exhorted the SBC community to continue the mission of those who came before them, establish firm foundations in discipleship training, and become “shepherds who feed the Lord’s sheep.” After the sermon, the Inauguration ceremony itself began. SBC Board Chairman, Elder Arthur Lim, conveyed his sincere gratitude to the Interim and 5th Principal, Rev. Dr. Michael Shen, before giving a formal introduction to the new Principal, Rev. Dr. Clement Chia. Rev. Dr. Chia was solemnly sworn in as the 7th Principal before an expectant and glad congregation. Next, Rev. Dr. Shen presented to Rev. Dr. Chia the College medallion, which is a symbol of spiritual inheritance, thus solemnly handing over the principalship to him. He then laid hands and prayed for him together with the congregation. As the new Principal, Rev. Dr. Chia, spoke about the difficult process of deciding to accept the role of Principal, drawing from Hebrews 5:7–8. When challenged by God’s Word, he had to resolutely set aside his own plans, and even worries, so as to single-mindedly respond to God’s call. Pertaining to the College’s future, Rev. Dr. Chia spoke on three areas: first, that SBC must continue to adhere to the Bible; second, that SBC must fulfil its founding mission and do theology for the church; and third, that SBC must pursue balanced knowledge, spirituality and service, as well as integrate them. He also shared three personal prayer requests: to be a servant of Christ for life, to do theology for the church for life, and to care for society for life. The Inauguration Service concluded with the College anthem, “Be Thou My Vision,” and a benediction from our new Principal.

第七任院长就职典礼 0 1 6 年 7 月 1 4 日上午十时，期盼已久的新加坡神学院第七任院长就职典礼，在学院崇拜厅隆重举行。众教会的牧者同工、新神校友以及全院师生，共同见证了这一历史性事件。

在万众同心敬拜的歌声后，英文神学系主任陈焯权牧师 / 博士及华文神学系主任黄志伦牧师/博士分别为本次就职典礼献上祷告。身在香港的新加坡神学院第四任院长（现任荣誉院长）麦希真牧师 / 博士及远在美国的第六任院长陈世协牧师 / 博士，透过网络送来了他们对新任院长的劝勉和祝福。而华福总干事陈世钦牧师 / 博士及圣道基督教会的主任黄昭耀牧师则在现场致辞祝贺。随后，福音自传会总主任赖木森牧师 / 博士为本次盛会证道。赖牧师回顾了新加坡神学院的历史，并引用约翰福音二十一章耶稣与彼得对话的经文、以“属灵遗产的传承”为题，劝勉神学院应当承传先辈们的使命，扎根于门徒培训，致力培育“喂养主羊群的牧者”。证道结束后，新任院长就职仪式正式开始。董事会主席林英贤长老首先向学院代理院长暨第五任院长沈立德牧师/ 博士致以诚挚的感谢，尔后便是对新任院长谢木水牧师 / 博士的隆重介绍。接下来，谢木水牧师在众人期盼而又兴奋的目光中，庄严宣誓就职。前任代理院长沈立德牧师把作为属灵传承象征的新加坡神学院院徽，郑重地传交予新院长，并与众人一同为新院长按手祝福。随后，新任院长谢木水牧师引用希伯来书五章 7 至 8 节，分享了他最终接受院长职分的一段艰辛之心路历程：面对神话语的挑战，他毅然放下自己的计画、甚至担忧，为要单单回应上帝的呼召。至于神学院的未来，谢院长谈到了三个方面：第一，神学院当持守圣经；第二，神学院乃是为使命而创建，即为教会做神学；第三，神学院在知识、灵命和事奉的培育上需保持平衡，并将三者结合。同时，他也提出了三项个人的代祷事项，即“ 一生为基督做仆人 ”、 “ 一生为教会做神学 ”和“ 一生为社会做关怀”。最后，院长就职典礼在院歌《成为我异象》的歌声及新任院长谢木水牧师的祝福下圆满结束。

沙勿略的宣教洲文明博物馆 2016 年 5 至 9 月以“ 圣辉艺彩 ”为题，举办基督教文物展。我受馆方导览员邀请，于 7 月 9 日发表“ 君自海上来：近现代亚洲基督宗教的历史回顾 ”演讲。观赏来自包括罗浮宫、里斯本博物馆等处的珍藏之余，我也得与各方专家交流，收获颇丰。重温历史，我再次深思基督宗教的宣教底蕴及宣教士们的美好榜样。

亚

成立以来，基督宗教就着眼向外宣教。古代东方教会

(Oriental Orthodoxy) 秉持此精神，将福音传至叙利亚、波斯、中亚、印度，甚至远达中国。16 世纪罗马大公教

会乘地理大发现的浪潮，开启有史以来最大规模的宣教行动，其中尤以耶稣会 (Societas Iesu, est. 1540) 对亚洲造成深远影响。

耶稣会创始者之一的方济各沙勿略 ( Francis Xavier, 1506-1552 ) 就是一位远赴亚洲的宣教士，他的足迹遍布印度果阿（ 1542-1545）、马六甲与摩鹿加群岛（ 15061545）、日本（ 1549-1551），并于 1552 年计划进入中国广州未果。1 观诸沙勿略为时不长但影响深远的宣教，可归纳出以下几个可供学习的原则。

第一，跨出舒适圈，与低阶层人士认同。1542 年沙勿略虽以“ 宗座大使 ”( papal nuncio) 的尊贵身分进入印度，他却放弃教宗和葡王授予的各种特权，跨出舒适生活的“ 高墙 ”，选择住在简陋小屋，以便更有效服事麻风病人、奴隶、赤贫者。

第二，身体力行，深入前线。沙勿略最让人钦佩的一点就是他不满足于现况，反而不断向前，探索未知。1542 年他受邀往果阿南部 450哩的沿海渔村科摩林角 ( Cape Comorin) ，坚固已有的渔民信徒，也向未信者宣教。1545 年底他前往马六甲，停留三个月。1546 年 1 月他又转赴摩鹿加群岛，学习马来文，一年半之久教导当地无人牧养的信徒。他不断往北、往东，深入蛮荒，遭遇天然环境的威胁（湿热、卫生差、地震、海啸、火山爆发），原始部落的危险（有些部落吃掉战死的敌人，或“ 易父而食 ”），也卷入政治斗争，但他宣教之心却愈发坚定。日后沙勿略远赴日本，且计划前往中国，都是这种不畏艰难、坚勇奋进精神的展现。第三，与时俱进，灵活变通。15 4 9 年到日本鹿儿岛 ( Kagoshima ) 后，沙勿略发现日本人的生活习惯、思想文化比印度人复杂得多，不能沿用此前已习惯且有效的宣教方法。沙勿略开始积极学习日本语言和文化思想。为了接触日本地方实际统治者 —— 大名 ( daimyo，即各地诸侯 ) ，沙勿略转采“ 由上而下 ”的策略，不再维持以往的寒酸形象，开始用华服、侍从、乐器、时钟、手表、长枪、天文学知识等以取得日本人的尊敬， “从一

个虚己、服侍穷人的形式（虽然他更喜欢这种身分）转变为一位大使 —— 代表基督、教宗及印度的总督 ”。2 此种“ 调适 ”( accommodation) 策略为耶稣会后来的宣教士继承，在亚洲基督宗教宣教史上有着不可抹灭的影响。沙勿略的宣教行动不但对亚洲宣教的大历史贡献良多，在他个人生命史进程中也饶富意义。沙勿略生于距今 510年前、1506年的 4月 7日；不知巧合或刻意，他常在生日前后踏上重要宣教旅程：

1541 年 4 月 7 日—— 35 岁生日当天他离开葡萄牙里斯本，启程前往印度； 1549年4月15日——42岁生日8天后他离开果阿前往日本； 1552 年 4 月 17 日—— 46 岁生日 10 天后他启程向中国进发；同年12月病逝广东台山市正南方的上川岛。

就在一般人习与家人亲友欢度生日的时刻，沙勿略却常孤独地搭上船，前往未知的国度， “并不珍惜自己的性命，只求跑完〔他〕的路程，完成〔他〕从主耶稣所领受的职分，为上帝恩惠的福音作见证。” （徒二十 24 ）上帝使用他，完成了非凡的宣教事工。

參贝万斯和施罗德，《演变中的永恒：当代宣教神学》，孙怀亮等译（香港：道风，2011），176以下；莫菲特，《亚洲基督教史卷二：1500-1900》，中国神学研究院中国文化研究中心译（香港：基督教文艺出版社，2012）， 77以下、83以下；冈萨雷斯，《基督教史上卷：初期教会到宗教改革前夕》，赵城艺译（上海：三联，2016），481以下。

莫菲特，《亚洲基督教史卷二》，88 。

吴国安博士华文神学系助理教授（神学、历史）

嘉声

258

新加坡神学院训练耶稣基督忠心的仆人

九/十月

2016

MCI (P) 151/08/2016

通讯与代祷

第七任院长就职讲词顺服之信：

基督里最大的自由今

早在这里，我们敬拜全能的上帝，是何等地蒙福。上帝在我们眼前彰显了祂奇妙的工作。

在这历史性时刻，我们见证了过去六任院长如何忠心地服事，在过去的六十多年中带领本院。我能确定，任何人若来到本院读书或工作，不久后就会发现本院各处都在各方面留下他们的“指纹”。此外，你会发现自己是站在这些属灵巨人的肩膀上，并从此处看到自己在学院中的位置，也会以新的视角看你自己的生命。我并没有意识到这个制高点的特权，直到我在 1 9 9 3 年报读本院的道学硕士课程。在那些塑造我的年日中，我学习了许多有关本院各位创办人的故事。这些故事逐渐地塑造与重造我的信念，就是有关身为耶稣基督忠心的仆人，如何为教会推动神学教育，以及如何在世上履行上帝的使命。因此，服事教会接近十年后，我于 2 0 0 8 年完成博士课程，随即加入新神。在过去八年，我曾担任讲师、教会实习部主任、训育处副主任，并在六年前被委任为华文神学系的教务主任。但是，担任院长这重责大任，是我难以想像的呼召。记得在接受委任这职分之前的好些日子，我几番挣扎，不断祷告，求主挪去这苦杯。但主给我成长与突破的机会。在那一段日子，我指导一些学生研究圣经中的自由观。我不期然有了一个“发现”。我发现自己在挣扎着的，居然是自己要自作主张的自由，就是可以任由自己作出人生方向的决定。这样的个人自主的自由（autonomous freedom），是否符合上帝的目的？与此同时，我按照某家教会的主日经课准备讲章，其中一段经文取自希伯来书五章7 至8 节：

基督在世的时候，曾经流泪大声祷告恳求那位能救他脱离死亡的上帝；因着他的敬虔，就蒙了应允。他虽然是儿子，还是因着所受的苦难学会了顺从。

这段经文让我从上帝的儿子耶稣看见自己的本相：我不认识上帝给我的自由。原来真自由是顺服上帝的旨意；原来真自由是选择走上帝儿子的道路；原来最大的自由是放下自己种种的选择，完全让父上帝引导自己。完成那一篇讲章之后，我以“顺服的信心”为题，再加上一首诗歌作为结束（取自 1 9 4 8 年往云南宣教的边云波弟兄，出发前的晚上写下的《献给无名的传道者》）：

是的，当黎明快要来临的时候，人世间便越显得黝黑，艰难，幽暗；但是，你却这样地说过：是自己的手甘心放下世上的享受；是自己的脚甘心到苦难的道路上来奔走！ “选中”这条不自由的道路并非出于无奈，相反地却正是大胆地使用了自己的“自由”！所以，宁肯叫泪水一行行地向内心涌流，遥望着各各他的山顶，就是至死── 也绝不退后！最后的几个字“ 就是至死也绝不退后 ”深深地打动了我的心！曾有人说，勇气有两种：死亡的勇气和每天早上起身的勇气。抚心自问，我能够好好地完成我现在开始的这个路程吗？若没有呼召我、肯定我和赐我能力的主，我绝不能做到。而且，我需要你：我的妻子、儿女、牧者、主里的同工们，伴我同行，借着你们的代祷和慷慨的支持，帮助我执行摆在我面前的任务！身为新神的第七任院长，我当如何执行这些任务呢？我会站在先贤们的肩膀上。首先，他们帮助我看见的是：本院是在 6 4 年前，因为历史和神学的缘故而创立的 —— 就是要持守圣经为上帝的权威之道，是出自真实的父上帝所说的真理之道。祂借着祂儿子全然彰显了自己，就是道成肉身的耶稣基督，在权能中让上帝的子民看见、传讲与教导的福音真

新加坡神学院 9-15 Adam Road Singapore 289886 Tel: +65 6559 1555 Fax: +65 6559 1550 Email: comm@sbc.edu.sg Web: www.sbc.edu.sg

院长就职讲词理。我持守圣经为基督信仰和世界观的基础，并且我会确保这样合乎圣经的世界观会在本院中继续地被培育。第二，我看见的是：本院是为一个使命而创立的，就是训练耶稣基督忠心的仆人，去建立教会，奋得万民。我会持守本院的使命，借着为教会并与教会来做神学，以致教会有能力向未得之民宣讲福音。故此，我委身与我的老师们一同为教会做神学，为教会和为社会而教导、宣讲和撰写。第三，我看见的是：神学教育需要在培育知识、灵命和事奉上保持平衡。我会借着打造一个敬拜上帝、爱上帝和爱人的学习群体，来持守这样的平衡。身为神学教育者，我意识到基督徒的生命无法独自成长。我会与教师和行政团队一同打造一个空间，帮助在其中的老师、同工和学生能整合知识、灵命和事奉。为培育一个学习的群体，我会在这个学习群体中，努力成为一位真理的学习者，做个真实学习上帝话语的人，追求成为一位学者牧人。

请为我的三个心志祷告，我愿意一生：为基督做仆人为教会做神学为社会做关怀

感谢弟兄姐妹出席就职礼，以此祝福本院与本人。您的出席见证了上帝对本院老师及同学们的爱与恩典。愿上帝丰丰富富地赐福予您为祂国度摆上的一切。最后，请继续为我们祷告。

谢木水牧师/博士新加坡神学院院长

新加坡神学院第十四届

日期：2016年11月7-10日 ( 周一至周四) 地点：新加坡神学院

叶恩汉纪念讲座

百

闻不如一见！为何有些教会看似充满再生能力，无论是人数或事工都源源不绝地取

得发展呢？大会期间特别安排观摩教会时段，让

赴会者前往实地交流。面对社会结构巨大的转变，信徒敬虔生活复杂的挑战以及治理教会越来越棘手的环境，我们当如何在上帝的面前领受新异象、接受新挑战，为教会重新启动再生力呢？

工作坊：（3选 1）

教会宣教事工再生力（廖启发牧师）教会社区事工再生力（孙培胜牧师）教会青少门训再生力（李南缗牧师）

观摩教会（5 选1）

长老会恩泽堂：借着清楚的愿景和使命宣言建立聚会，发展为两千多人和建立宣教据点的教会。

女皇镇浸信教会：透过全面改组和整合资源，为教会寻求突破和注入更生能力。

长老会真恩教会：重视个人布道与青少年培育事工，成为不断增长的教会。新加坡生命堂：整全组织配合创意事工，让教会成为亲福音的信仰群体。

宏茂桥卫理公会：透过小组和门训事工，培育教会信徒活泼成长。

日间教牧领袖研讨会

一．面对危机的幽谷二．面对痛苦的世代三．面对干渴的世界四．面对捆绑的宗教

晚间公开聚会

一．教会更新的基础二．教会更新的动力三．教会更新的表现

讲员：邵晨光博士

报名与费用

(菲律宾圣经神学院院长)

校友与学生配偶：$130 公众：$150

特别优惠：若10人一组报名，一位免费。

集体报名请由一位负责报名和缴费。

请从速报名！

详情请参 www.sbc.edu.sg 询问电话：65591518 电邮：yuhconf_reg@sbc.edu.sg