Sivin Kit's Garden

Random links 4

The 25 most influential Evangelicals in America
A round of applause for Brian McLaren who's at No. 17 (nice red shirt too!). I think most people will find one of their favorites there. How about the 25 most influential Evangelicals in Malaysia? Anyone from Malaysia want to start that ball rolling .... I'll mention (with no numbers) --> Rev. Dr. Hwa Yung (who's now Bishop of the Methodist church in Malaysia)for a starters ... a bunch of us who are now serving as pastors graduated under the seminary he was principal and sat through his Christian Theology and Asian Theology classes. Anyone want to add on your choice?

Preaching To Create Spiritually Inclusive Worship
I was first introduced to Tim Keller through DJ Chuang's website. This should be an interesting read ... after D.A. Carson's running critique of "emergent" in one of his talks he ended by mentioning Tim Keller as a good "reformed"-"evangelical" example of reaching a postmodern context. It's coming to Chinese New Year soon, if it's good food I'll eat it. Tim Keller has some good dishes I've tasted :-)
(both links above via DJ Chuang)

Forging A Good Critique
My critics should read this. And so do I.

Tsunami Aid Day
a good collection of pictures of that day and a reminder of a song that kept me going when I was in "fear and trembling" figuring out how to plant a church.

Quick survey of the blogosphere
I giggled when I read who he thought was Malaysia's no.1 blogging-pastor.

A series on "The Hermeneutic of the Gospel" Part. 1, Part 2, Part 3 & Final Part
Quality stuff coming from Prodigal Kiwi Blog - which I waited for the final part before posting the links. Quality stuff coming out from New Zealand here.

"I Don't Know"–Faith, Hope and Love in the Wake of the Tsunami

I met this young lad years ago (I think) at a National Youth Convention. His late father spend some time with me discussing matters of ranging from cell churches, metachurches, small groups to more personal aspects of ministry. The last conversation I had with his father ended with an invitation by him for a cup of tea before the accident that took his life. I'm not sure whether this slightly personal connection made me want to read his response to the question "Was God in the Tsunami?" even more. I was really interested with what's going on in his head and heart here. It's also refreshing to listen to a younger thoughtful Malaysian who's studying at a seminary in the USA wrestle with this with words.

I'll just let his piece - "I Don't Know"–Faith, Hope and Love in the Wake of the Tsunami speak for itself.

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Let me be frank. I have a lot of ideas, some of which might actually be good, about why a good God would allow human, moral evil in the world. I've talked, debated, and discussed that particular problem into the wee hours of the morning. I spent four-hundred pages in a yet-to-be-completed thesis re-reading the Adam and Eve story hoping to shed light on the origins of human sin. But in the face of natural disasters like the tragic tsunami that wiped out over a hundred and fifty thousand human beings like us: living, breathing women, men and children who eat, pray, fart, go to work, fall in love, have sex, raise kids, and watch shooting stars at night, I simply have no answer to the philosophical questions. Why would a good God not intervene to prevent a disaster like this? Why did God not send Gabriel to ease the tectonic plate out? So that the two geologers who paid any attention to that particular region wouldn't notice something supernatural going on? If there were any geologers paying attention to that particular plate, we wouldn't be here right now, and so what if some stray geologers happened to notice something weird going on, maybe they might realize what was happening and become theists.

Whether or not we agree on why we help our fellow brothers and sisters; whether we do it out of purely humanistic reasons, or flowing from a life of faith, we all agree that the immediate needs right now far outweigh our metaphysical quarrels; so I too propose a truce. May we never shy away from discussion, dialogue and debate in the name of tolerance; but when there is no time for such luxuries, in the name of Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Kant, Mill or Sartre, let us comfort, feed, clothe and house these people who have had their families torn apart by the tsunami that in time they may be able to piece together their hearts and their lives back together. Let us work side by side, hand in hand, fellow human beings seeking to love fellow human beings.
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Tsunami Talk - the Aftermath

Thanks to my young friend Wai Nyan for entrusting me with the task of "facilitating the session". I thoroughly enjoyed watching the five groups attempting to think through what's going on in their own heads and hearts plus trying to articulate some coherent response. Of course, right from the beginning I wasn't interested in doing a mere "intellectual exercise" in theodicy. I felt it was important to start where everyone was, provide a variety of understandings/approaches on how Christians have tried to "see" God, humanity and the world in the midst of tragedy, suffering and evil, somehow in the midst of searching for some kind of answer, I believed what is more important is for us as Christians to respond in action. I just couldn't help but come back to Christ - his life, death and resurrection and how to be God answer is intimately connected to God's action in and through Jesus Christ. And I strongly believe in the midst of the human cry for answers, I hear God's call for action.

All in all, I'm happy to hear from the mouth of the Christian Fellowship president the meeting was Alright.

Here's an exceprt how he described last Saturday ... I'm really glad that I could play some "catalytic" role.
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And more than 'alright' it turned out to be.

If anything, the open-ended finish on the discussion has left us thinking about the issues involved and will continue to positively 'plague' our minds. At least we don't get spoon fed, and that's a very wonderful relief. Stereotyped answers seem to always gain the worst disdain.
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Random Links 3

Dialogue with Brian McLaren
My wife tells me that sometimes people misunderstand me when I try to explain something. Or at least they catch part of it or miss another part. I don't deny that to be true. I realized that the way I think is very "weblike", "lateral", and I use "Mind maps" (so you can imagine *grin*). Anyway, usually my reply to her is I work best when people ask me questions and have follow up ones to clarify. I need to work on my patience bit and learn to slow down. Hopefully that will come with age as well as my daily practice with Gareth to walk slowly. Anyway, I enjoy reading these mini-dialogues between Brian and those who pose questions. Through his answers, it does clarify a little :-) what he's trying to convey. The questions actually help us locate where we are at too. Enjoy!

Tsunamis, tragedy, and God: Where is our Father when his children hurt? (via Joe Vestal)
Just in time for tomorrow's interactive session with a bunce of future lawyers! I noticed less press coverage in the Malaysian papers on post-tsunami conditions. Hmm...

How Honorable! How Shameful! A Cultural Analysis of Matthew's Makarisms and Reproaches
I know I'm supposed to do a shorter message this Sunday. It's tempting to do a "discount" when it comes to preparation. But that's not my style so this weighty paper is going to be fun ...

Change, Conflict, and Missional Leadership
I see myself as one who enjoys the role as a Catalyst - agent of change. But Conflicts really drain a lot of emotional energy and enduring them is a pain. The quality of writing in Odyssey (Thanks to Chris & Alan wonderful partnership) is just phew! simply Fantastic ... Lord, can I have more than 24 hours a day and extra energy for this.

Actually Listening to William Stringfellow as I Type This
aPoReTiC mentioned Stringfellow to me and I found this one and only book in one of the book shops. I love reading but listening does make a difference. It's the tone, the rhythm, the passion of voice. Paul Fromont also has been writing very quality stuff. I looking forward to him posting the final installment for the Hermeneutic of the Gospel and then read all the posts in one sitting.

I wonder whether people have the impression that I'm more theory than practice because I mention much reading and reflecting in this blog :-) Deep down actually I'm a practioner.

A Prayer for the Church

Lord, do something about your Church.
It is so awful, it is hard not to feel ashamed of belonging to it.
Most of the time it seems to be all the things you condemned:
hierarchical, conventional, judgmental, hypocritical,
respectable, comfortable, moralising, compromising,
clinging to its privileges and worldly securities,
and when not positively objectionable, merely absurd.

Help us to be what you called us to be.
Help us to embody you on earth.
Help us to make you real down here,
and to feed your people bread instead of stones.
And start with me.
~ authored by the Very Rev'd Dr. Jeffrey John
(via Dylan's lectionary blog)

Random Links 2

Brian's Annotation to "The Emergent Mystique" - CT article
I'm still trying to find some time to do my own version by picking out some lines to dialogue with.

Reinventing the Church: An Interview With Brian McLaren (via Fred Peatross)
I was first introduced to this fellow traveller through the book "Reinventing the Church". In fact, a friend bought it especially from the USA and sent it to me. Nice to read some of Brian's older stuff.

My Pilgrimage in Theology
Two words I've grown to love .. Pilgrimage and Theology ... of course, the behind the scenes autobiograhical bit of NT Wright is also attractive.

The Other Journal: An Intersection of Theology and Culture (via emergent-us blog)
A very interesting looking online journal, the content looks juicy too.

Planet Emergent
Emergent related blog reading on steriods :-)

ldiot (Jonny)'s guide to starting a blog (via Maggi Dawn)
I'm glad my young philosopher friend is blogging. I miss two other friends blogs who vanished into thin air. I hope my private school teacher friend and Banker friend will get started again. They do have precious thoughts .. I know the world might want to hear them ... at least I do.

Young children & Worship

I first heard of Godly Play by a veteran children's worker and somehow was drawn to the phrase and the theology & methodology that comes with it. The UK Godly Play site has some good starter information and a cute lamb as well. I just finished the second meeting with those involved in our "ministry to children". We're stumbled and fumbled along the way the past few years.

Looks like I'll plunge in myself to get things started once again. Lord, help me and please add extra strength and bring reinforcements!

The next step is to see how this Christian nurture emphasis can work out in families. One step at a time ... baby steps even for a 32 year old like me who enjoys hanging out with children and tried teaching Gareth to walk slowly yesterday with some success. :-)

I was delighted to pick up more than one new insight as I worked through parts of the book (e.g. the function of silence and the need for economy of words, and the need to pay attention to the sound and rhythm of my words). Insights that aren't just for children but for all. I feel very humbled as I "wonder" through its pages and force myself to think in concrete terms. Good practice after so much of theological reading nowadays.

Random Links

Missiological Implications of Dr. David Yonggi Cho's Theology
I'm not too sure how influential is Dr. Cho's teaching nowadays in Malaysia (apart from being respected as the pastor of the largest church and a man of prayer) but this is a very sympathetic paper.

Endued with Power: The Pentecostal-Charismatic Renewal and the Asian Church in the Twenty-first Century
I suppose Rev. Dr. Hwa Yung (now Bishop! Hmm... my former theology teacher and occassional sage resource *grin*))is addressing a real area that lacks airplay in most Asian Theologies.

Consciousness & Change: Don't tell me, show me.
Ahh .... needed nutrition for my activist side ...

New Way of Being Church in Asia
Saw the book version at the Roman Catholic bookstore last week ... didn't know the author was a Malaysian.

Contextual Theology : A Reading Guide
Nice Bibliography ...

The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC)
Now, I must admit the Asian Roman Catholic Bishops are working hard and with much focus ... we cannot ignore them.

Asian Journal of Pentecostal Studies
The Asian Pentecostals are labouring hard too ... I wonder how the grassroot pentecostals and their pastors view this endeavour.

MANIFESTO for Monday

Thanks to aPoReTiC who's had the chance of meeting Wendell Berry in person (cool! He's also met Brian McLaren and had supper with him :-P ) I agree with him after reading this that Berry is indeed a prophetic voice (in the widest sense of the word) for the USA and beyond. where are the Malaysian prophetic voices? hello?

MANIFESTO : The Mad Farmer Liberation Front

Love the quick profit, the annual raise,
vacation with pay. Want more
of everything ready-made. Be afraid
to know your neighbors and to die.
And you will have a window in your head.
Not even your future will be a mystery
any more. Your mind will be punched in a card
and shut away in a little drawer.
When they want you to buy something
they will call you. When they want you
to die for profit they will let you know.

So, friends, every day do something
that won't compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.
Denounce the government and embrace
the flag. Hope to live in that free
republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot
understand. Praise ignorance, for what man
has not encountered he has not destroyed.

Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.
Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.

Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.
Listen to carrion - put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap
for power, please women more than men.
Ask yourself: Will this satisfy
a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep
of a woman near to giving birth?

Go with your love to the fields.
Lie down in the shade. Rest your head
in her lap. Swear allegiance
to what is nighest your thoughts.
As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the way
you didn't go. Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.

Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front" from The Country of Marriage, copyright © 1973 by Wendell Berry, reprinted by permission of Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc.

Random Thoughts during Sunday Siesta

It's just a reality, it's hard for me to have a Sunday siesta properly. :-)

I read "Robbery, the Rich, and the Children Are Watching" and was challenged to see how all our desire to bring Gareth and No.2 up in the Christian faith can work out in practice. The emphasis on the word practice.

Even though there's a kind of "casual" & "comfortable" atmosphere in our Sunday Worship (and we value and appreciate that accept people as they are approach since we started the church), but then there are times I think we've lost that sense of awe and respect (which we find in more liturgical settings). I think we've stepped over the line when we treat our common time of worship as just another time like we're hanging out in a coffee shop or playing with the kids at home (there's a place for that). Maybe I'm aging or this is simply culturally unacceptable for me. What happened to the word "reverence"? -- Maybe it was highlighted even more because our 1st time Japanese guest for 2005 came with a suite and tie. :-) sometimes, I feel we treat our time with our bosses with more respect then when we spend it in corporate worship with the Almighty. Why can't I get this load off me that something is wrong with us when that happens?

I felt overloaded at least mentally the past week ... there are 101 things on my mind. Cracks to be patched up. Gaps to be filled. Unfinished business to be settled. It was nice to have Gareth and May Chin at least begin the process of helping me sort some long overdue paper work last Friday. That was some nice weight lifted from my shoulders!

Tough decisions are hard to make. The human tendency is to be nice and not rock the boat. But, then again ...dragging on unecessarily and remaining in a status quo will be even more "costly: in the long run and ultimately wasting precious time. So, even though being Mr. Nice Guy is very tempting, maybe it's better to "do what it right" (and take responsibility for it). In preparing to make such hard choices, I find it best to get the best info available and walk through them in detail ... after all is said and done, We still have to make a decision. Being paralysed with analysis is not the way to go, being unthinking is also not an option ... so after all the hard work, one still has to "just do it". (I'm just rambling here ... not too sure whether it's coherent - I do recognize it this seemingly contextless paragraph there's a story behind it)

The only way I can survive is to re-engage into the contemplative way. It's too easy to get sucked into ways that are damaging to the soul and mind (and the whole of human life).

The next step is actually continue to sort out some papers in my thinking room at the church premises and another step is to sort out the books and papers in my Study at home. Chinese New Year is coming in a couple of weeks time so Spring Cleaning is in order. The church AGM is next week so might as well... :-)

Better start the process for my Mtheol program at least brainstroming some ideas and compiling my bibliography. Glanced through some thoughts by my theology teacher in seminary on Asian theology and was surprised to find some of the questions he raised in need of some work. let's see what we can do, huh?

Ah ... it's been some time since I've done some random thoughts ... i think it's pretty random. Faith, family, ministry, study, church, denomination, self, etc. 101 things floating in my head and bubbling in my heart .... I think I need a siesta. I'll try ...

Beyond Children's Ministry ...

I'm seriously wrestling with what does "a family ministry model" mean in our context - especially BLC. We are coming to 5 years old in April. Here are some seed thoughts that's bugging me (Thanks to Faith Inkubators) .

"Christian parents are charged with the honor and responsibility to raise their children to know Jesus. The church should help them, but not do the job for them."

"... parents are the primary faith teachers, mentors and role models for their own children with church as reinforcement - not replacement - of the parent’s duties."

"A living, loving Christian role model in the home is by far the best delivery system for passing on the Christian faith. "

Thanks to Ivy Beckwith who had the link on her site. I found her message on children's Sunday entitled Forming the Soul of the Child very challenging!

What she says here from her blog is spot on ...

"I find the over emphasis on the entertainment environment with "gross" games (for some reason this is a way to worship God - thought I'm not sure I get how - so do the kids really see this as worship?) and the seeming lack of one on one interaction with adults and other kids as not something that can truly contribute to the spiritual formation and soul care of these children.

Sure the kids have fun - what child wouldn't want to come to something like this (shy ones, children with asperger's syndrome, children who have difficulty with environments that over stimulate,childreh with ADHD to name a few). But, what is the hidden curriculum? What are the long term implications for the soul's of our children if this is the community of faith they are exposed to each week?"

I've extremely disatisfied by what I see in many children ministry approaches. And I agree with a friend I was talking over the phone that it's not just changing the packaging or the curriculum. We need to deal with the deeper bigger picture and paradigm issues. Now that's going to be hard work and painful. But necessary. The following quote keeps me alert and ready to pay the price:

"The passing on of the faith to the next generation is much too important a task to be left in the hands of those who are paid to do it." – April Ulrich Larsen

Words we need to hear ...

"Laugh at ministers all you want,
they have the words we need to hear.
the ones the dead have spoken"
~ Rabbit in John Updike, Rabbit in Rich
quoted by Walter Brueggemann,
Spirituality of the Psalms

Confessing Christ in a World of Violence

Got linked to this New Confession of Christ through Brian McLaren who signed it with more than 200 others before last years USA elections. This made me wonder how are we "Confessing Christ" in our World in Malaysia & Asia? Especially just fresh after the Tsunami tragedy ... and next week there'll be a chance for me to facilitate a session for mostly students of law at a local college. How can we "confess Christ in a World of Tragedies"?

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Our world is wracked with violence and war. But Jesus said: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God" (Matt. 5:9). Innocent people, at home and abroad, are increasingly threatened by terrorist attacks. But Jesus said: "Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44). These words, which have never been easy, seem all the more difficult today.

We believe that acknowledging these truths is indispensable for followers of Christ. We urge them to remember these principles in making their decisions as citizens. Peacemaking is central to our vocation in a troubled world where Christ is Lord.
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The Unholy Route

"Can you please put down my proper designation?"

"Oh ... you mean Dr. XYZ?"

When I read the Unholy Route a couple of years back, I really felt sad and angry at the same time about what's going on in church leadership in Malaysia. Here's what I mean ...

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For some time now, reports have been circulating of Christian ministers obtaining their PhDs from institutions – such as churches and para-church organisations – which clearly do not have or lack the credentials to award the title. It is also a fact that there exist seminaries which almost guarantee any applicants their PhD with low entry requirements, cheap fees and little effort.

All these dubious practices have caused people to become suspicious of anyone with a ‘Dr’ to his name. People are now inclined to wonder if the doctorate is genuinely earned or obtained the ‘pasar malam’ (flea market) way, or worse, bought.
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Apparently, I did post something on this here in Free PhD? Short Cut Doctorates? in 2003. Now it's 2005, I guess this kind of practice is here to stay. Unless, more and more Christians in Malaysia are informed and begin asking, "Dr. XYZ, I'm interested to know what was your PhD thesis?
how was the process like? If I'd like to get a copy of it, how should I go about it? .... " (something along those lines.)

I strongly believe that theology and practical(or relevant) ministry are not mutually exclusive. In fact, true theolocial pursuit really deals with down to earth pastoral and ministry concerns. There are legitimate courses that can sere the local church and beyond like what is mentioned in "Redeeming the D.Min." by Dr. Leong Tian Fock Of course, there's ivory tower intellectual approaches (the typical dry professor picture) that doesn't help. The route of anti-intellectualism is going to hurt us in Asia and Malaysia in particular. But, this pseudo-intellectualism will hurt us even more in the long run.

Ok .. I must admit, this post is more for my own therapy ... Read on if you need an extra dose entitled No Short Cuts.. I think for some it will turn out to increase our immunity agaist what will make Christianity sick in our country. I've said enough ... now get ready for the pastors' prayer meeting.

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Title: No Short Cuts
Description: Two local seminary principals share with Berita NECF their concern over Christians’ fixation with the PhD title. DR EZRA KOK of Seminari Theoloji and REV. DR TAN KIM SAI of Malaysia Bible Seminari also call for a re-thinking of giving out honorary PhDs, a practice that is slowly becoming a contentious issue.
Issue: March-April 2003

How is this ‘pasar malam’ PhD trend developing in the Malaysian Church?

EK: Since people always recognise the PhD degree as an academic degree – and no one can actually get the degree overnight without doing some serious studies – there are Christians negotiating for honorary titles, such as Doctor of Divinity or Doctor of Ministry. And some would opt for minimal studies to be awarded a doctoral degree, which has no academic value at all.

Do you think seminaries are lowering their conditions or making it easy for Christians to earn the PhD degree?

EK: No seminaries I know of dare to grant such degree for low academic performance since it’s a recognised academic degree. But there are some seminaries granting Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) for very minimal work or research. Therefore, one must learn to differentiate different kinds of doctoral degrees. I would suggest that one list down exactly what are the degrees and the names of the university or seminary.

TKS: Malaysian seminaries that I know of are not offering the PhD. As for seminaries elsewhere, the tendency and danger (of lowering standards) is definitely there, as education has become big global business today.

How are seminaries that dubiously offer the PhD affecting Christian education at large?

EK: When such seminaries give out low (or no-) standard degrees, it threatens our integrity as a Christian college of higher learning. Such dishonesty only brings shame to us and to God. Secondly, it sends a very wrong message to Christians at large. Some people may think that scholarship is worthless, and is cheap to come by.

TKS: Such seminaries are lowering not only the standard of Christian/theological education, but also the prestige and integrity of the genuine degree holders (which is injustice to them). Consequently our degrees may be despised, bringing down also the name of the Church.

What are the reasonable criteria for one to achieve a PhD degree?

EK: In the British tradition, it requires at least three years of full-time research and a high standard doctoral dissertation. The PhD dissertation is expected to break new grounds in terms of knowledge and is publishable. The entry qualification is a good master degree or first class honours in the bachelor degree. A good PhD dissertation is always internationally recognised.

TKS: Generally speaking, the candidate concerned must have at least five years of substantial post-graduate study. For instance, to qualify for a PhD in theology, biblical studies, or missiology, the candidate must have had at least two to fours years of master’s programme (MA/M.Div/M.Th or equivalent), plus another three years or so of doctoral programme. Of course, the doctoral programme must come out with a substantial academic product. A D.Min. must have at least four years of intensive post-graduate studies, plus a few years of professional experience.

Also, how long does it normally take for one to complete the doctoral programme?

EK: Since it requires at least three years of full-time research, not that many people can complete the dissertation in that time. However, one should aim to complete and defend the thesis within four years. Nowadays, some universities allow students to do the research part-time, which is no shorter than six years. Again, the question is not so much the length of time, but the quality of the product; in this case the dissertation and advancement of knowledge.

TKS: At least about three years of intensive study and research after a solid master’s programme.

What do you think should be the criteria in awarding the honorary PhD?

EK: Personally, I don’t agree with awarding honorary PhD at all. If one wants to be awarded an honorary degree, negotiate for something else and don’t confuse the public.

TKS: I think the PhD should remain as an earned degree and not an honorary degree. In the case of an honorary degree, the word ‘honorary’ should appear with the designation, for instance: Honorary Doctor of Ministry, or Honorary Doctor of Theology.

Do you personally know of any seminaries or institutions or para-church organisations that are conferring PhD (honorary or otherwise) without having the accreditation or rights to do so?

EK: No, but I do hear of schools granting honorary doctorates with very minimal research, and some with so-called recommendation. In some case, all that is required is to pay a small sum of money.

TKS: Not in our Malaysian context. But I have come across a couple of D.Min. holders who obtain their degrees by submitting B.Th-standard papers or through correspondence courses. In the first case, the D.Min. holder only has a B.Th to start with. The one by correspondence was based on a Bachelor in Engineering degree, and was not even a full-time pastor.

What do you say of such institutions?

EK: I think it is better for them to close down. It is shameful. For those who were granted such degrees, may I suggest that they disown the degree for the sake of God and integrity.

TKS: Such institutions are doing harm to Christian theological education and the church.

Do you think the increasing number of people pursuing higher qualifications is due to the higher expectations from the Christian community?

EK: Yes, the Christian community is certainly expecting their leaders or pastors to acquire higher degrees, as does the society. Society is changing drastically, and we need to keep on pursuing knowledge in order to respond to the needs. But we need to look at the challenges in the right perspective. The higher expectations are urging us to give our best to the Lord. We pursue knowledge, not for the sake of knowledge, or for our own fame or popularity, but for God.

TKS: I think a healthy congregation would not expect the pastor to hold a doctoral degree. Rather it would expect the pastor to be a faithful and efficient preacher and teacher of the Word, and a loving dedicated servant-leader worthy of emulation. A doctoral degree is non-essential.

Will achieving higher qualifications really enhance one’s ministry?

EK: No. In fact there are people trying to divert attention from their failure by pursuing higher degrees. Thus, it is important to look at one’s calling to ministry. What is God’s purpose in me? What is the focus of my ministry? Furthermore, pursuing a higher degree does not make one cleverer. One must also learn to integrate knowledge and thus to grow in wisdom. For Christian pastors and scholars, we must integrate knowledge with spirituality and our love for God.

TKS: If (the course is) related and relevant to the ministry, generally speaking, it should help enhance one’s ministry. But enhancement can come by various ways. The most important is life-long spiritual, moral, intellectual, and ministerial pursuit of the pastor himself.

What is your advice to the church and to Christians about academic qualifications?

EK: There is nothing wrong with academic qualifications. We are not anti-intellectual. In fact I always encourage our younger pastors to pursue higher education whenever possible. But one must remember: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Prov. 1:7). As for the church, we must not idolised degrees. Earning a degree, even a PhD, does not make one a spiritual leader, pastor or scholar. At the end of the day, it is who we are, and not what we do or what we acquire, that counts before the Lord.

TKS: Give due respect to hard-earned and recognised degrees. Reject counterfeitsor cheap stuff from ‘pasar malam’ (flea market) type of degree mills and the commerciali-sation of degree within the Christian circle.
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The Melheimian Sabbatiblog

I'm checking out a fellow Lutheran Rich Melheim's The Melheimian Sabbatiblog. One thing for sure both of us seem to like He Qi's Art ...

I like the subtitle of his blog ...

"Every life is a sabbathical, and all ministry is an intentional interim"

It's really nice to read a Lutheran pastor writing stuff that's innovative, integrative and life giving or challenging (especially in relation to the mainline church)! I foresee more links to him in the coming days ...

Moving with the Messiah

Weekly preparations for sunday messages are hard work. We tried some more interactive elements since the year began. We tried quite a bit last year too then fizzled out a bit. It's harder work when I want to encourage more active "participation" from the congregation.

I'm also "fine tuning" much of my thinking in many other areas of BLC this month. Besides that, other little interuptions crop up .. one or two irritations as well ... and other stuff I want to do. I'm surely on the move until I can almost feel the hair dropping as far as loading the thinking faculties is concerned, physically and emotionally there are substantial demands as well and I can feel my heart yearning for contemplation. It's Moving WITH the Messiah not just Moving! I'm reminding myself .. I think He just said STOP. Pause and listen.

Reflections from the Tsunami Aid Day

~ Carmen (BLC) holding a beautifully handmade card by the Sunday School of BLC which will be sent to the Tsunami victims.

Thanks to JJ Resources again ... helping us not to forget how we started off the year. I like what Jo (I think) wrote here ...

"As a result of the recently organized Tsunami Aid Day, it was good to see quite a few people journaling about their thoughts and reflections regarding the event. God has His creative ways of touching lives and inspiring people to react. .... Different hearts and lives were moved, but only one thing remains constant in those hearts – and that is God. In God, we find love, despite the struggles and in the midst of darkness, there is light."

Sandwiched in between are the personal reflections of individuals that were there.

*update: I really agree with what's said in this post "A tsunami every 25 days"

we have short attention spans and a taste for the dramatic. We should do everything within our power to help those in SE Asia right now - and we should continue to help for many years to come!

It would be sad if the Tsunami Aid Day just became an event we organized rather than a "memory" that will keep us "remembering" those who are affected and suffering in the long term.*

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"All those participating in today's event tried to do our "little bit" trusting it will make "a difference" for those in desperate need. For me, I pray that we would also recognize our own frailty." (Rev. Sivin Kit, 2005)

“It is better to give than to receive.” (AL, Jan 2005)

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~ This one of the few times some one else catches me taking pictures .. (and Chin Hor caught me this time!)

Christian Groups Help Raise Funds

Thanks to Jo for putting up the NST report here at JJ Resources. I'm not too sure why New Straits Times didn't put it on their website. hmm ...

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KUALA LUMPUR, Sat.- Members of three Christian organisations in Sentul raised funds from a day-long sale of food, beverage, clothes, greeting cards, hampers, souveniers and handicraft.

* This excerpt was taken from the New Sunday Times article entitled "Christian groups help raise funds" dated January 9, 2005.
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100 ESSENTIAL BIBLE PASSAGES

I googled by way to 100 ESSENTIAL BIBLE PASSAGES. After visiting a LiFE Group last week and then working through their GROW (i.e. Goals, Reality, Options, Will) questions with them - I'm glad to see their desire to know more of the Bible (most of them are new Christians just baptised or reaffirmed). The spark came partly through Conrad's "Starting the "Essential 100" post. I guess somehow we need to start somewhere, some extra guidance and baby steps are always good.

OLD TESTAMENT

The Living Word
51. The Word Became Flesh John 1:1-18
52. Gabriel's Message Luke 1:1-80
53. The Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1-40
54. John the Baptist Luke 3:1-20
55. The Temptation of Jesus Matthew 4:1-17

The Teachings of Jesus
56. Sermon on the Mount-Part 1 Matthew 5:1-6:4
57. Sermon on the Mount-Part 2 Matthew 6:5-7:29
58. The Kingdom of Heaven Matthew 13:1-58
59. The Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37
60. The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-32

The Miracles of Jesus
61. Feeding the Five Thousand Luke 9:1-17
62. Walking on Water Matthew 14:22-36
63. Healing a Blind Man John 9:1-41
64. Healing a Demon-Possessed Man Mark 5:1-20
65. Raising Lazarus from the Dead John 11:1-44

The Cross of Christ
66. The Last Supper Luke 22:1-46
67. Arrest and Trial John 18:1-40
68. The Crucifixion John 19:1-42
69. The Resurrection John 20:1-21:25
70. The Ascension Acts 1:1-11

The Church is Born
71. The Day of Pentecost Acts 2:1-47
72. Growth and Persecution Acts 3:1-4:37
73. The First Martyr Acts 6:8-8:8
74. Sharing the Word Acts 8:26-40
75. Good News for All Acts 10:1-11:18

The Travels of Paul
76. The Road to Damascus Acts 9:1-31
77. The First Missionary Journey Acts 13:1-14:28
78. The Council at Jerusalem Acts 15:1-35
79. More Missionary Journeys Acts 16:6-20:38
80. The Trip to Rome Acts 25:23-28:31

Paul to the Churches
81. More than Conquerors Romans 8:1-39
82. The Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:1-26
83. The Armor of God Ephesians 6:10-20
84. Rejoice in the Lord Philippians 4:4-9
85. The Supremacy of Christ Colossians 1:15-23

Paul to the Leaders
86. Elders and Deacons 1 Timothy 3:1-16
87. The Love of Money 1 Timothy 6:3-21
88. Good Soldiers of Christ 2 Timothy 2:1-26
89. All Scripture is God-breathed 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8
90. The Coming of the Lord 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

The Apostles' Teaching
91. The Most Excellent Way 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
92. A New Creation in Christ 2 Corinthians 4:1-6:2
93. Be Holy 1 Peter 1:13-2:12
94. Faith and Works James 1:1-2:26
95. Love One Another 1 John 3:11-4:21

The Revelation
96. A Voice and a Vision Revelation 1:1-20
97. Messages to the Churches Revelation 2:1-3:22
98. The Throne of Heaven Revelation 4:1-7:17
99. Hallelujah! Revelation 19:1-20:15
100. The New Jerusalem Revelation 21:1-22:21

Lesslie Newbigin's missionary ecclesiology

Thanks to the resource link by John Roxborogh (from New Zealand) I'll be checking out this thesis by Michael W. Goheen 'As the Father has sent me, I am sending you': J.E. Lesslie Newbigin's missionary ecclesiology' definately sometime soon (for a pdf download click here)

A Wet Day of Generous Hearts

~ John Kit (my brother!) standing by the Prayerboard which was made by the Young Adults of Grace Methodist church (GMC) the night before in memory of the Tsunami.

I love this title "A Wet Day of Generous Hearts" by Jochebed Jayasooria who's article in JJ Resources really warmed my heart. Go to the link for the pictures plus article. I'll just cut and paste the raw text below ... enjoy the read.

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A Wet Day of Generous Hearts
Jochebed Jayasooria; 13 Jan, 2005

Despite the constant drizzles which became a bit heavier towards the afternoon, about 250 people including volunteers turned up for the Tsunami Aid Day on the 8th of January 2005.

It was a wonderful event that brought together Malaysians of all ages, races and religions, all there united to help not our own people but our neighbours who were suffering from this tragedy.

This event was held after a series of miracles, firstly the fact that we only had a week to organize it, secondly the fact that 2 Christian churches of different denominations decided to work in partnership together, and thirdly though it was organised by Christian groups nonetheless it was supported by City Hall and the Jalan Semarak Police Division who at the last minute approved our appeal for tents, chairs and tables.

There were all kinds of activities that catered for almost every age group at the event. The food sales generated quite a bit of income especially since it was all sponsored by the members of both churches as well as by parents of Tadika Senyum Manis (a kindergarten run by Grace Methodist Church) and some local restaurants like Syed Restaurant in Bangsar and the Sentul Curry House.

There was also a creatively set up Arts and Crafts section, led by the Sunday school teachers of Bangsar Lutheran Church and Tadika Senyum Manis. It was encouraging to see the dedication put in by the teachers in making bead-bands, in involving the children to participate in the sand art stall and co-ordinating the signing of ‘We're praying for you' cards. A team of balloon men were stationed near the Arts and Crafts section and proved to be one of the more popular draws of the event.

And not to lose focus of the main purpose of the event, which was to remember the victims of the tsunami and to raise awareness of the incident, there was a huge Prayer Board which was pasted with images of the countries and people affected by the tsunami.

Some of you may be wondering what the final amount collected was. Well we're not too sure, as both churches are still collecting donations and selling the remainder dry food/drinks, but the last count was RM13,667.56; so there is a high probability that the total amount collected from this event and the post-event will be RM14,000; not bad at all for 2 small churches!

Isn't it amazing how far a small idea, lots of prayers and plenty of good hearts can take us? I believe that amidst all our self-centeredness and hectic schedules, the tsunami has brought out the best in most of us and most of all has helped us put aside our differences and brought us together.

We would like to extend our gratitude to all the people that joined together to help make this event possible: Pastor Sivin Kit (BLC), Pastor Chew Mae and Pastor Yew (GMC), Mrs. Rose Jayasooria, Missions and Social Concerns Chairperson (GMC), Wong Chin Hor, James Tan, the bands (Fallen Leaves, Sam, Her Reverie, Qings & Kueens), DBKL, Jalan Keramat Police Dept., Sentul Curry House, Syed Restaurant and not to mention all the sponsors and volunteers from Bangsar Lutheran Church and Grace Methodist Church.

(Check How Can We Help?? for more)
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Planet Emergent

Many thanks to Daniel Farrel for setting up Planet Emergent. I signed up partly because it's free and the chance for new connections. As usual, it's a jump first fear later move. But Daniel word's here from Purpose of Planet Emergent comforted me as I suddenly worried about the quality of my writing and content. Opps .. ah! it's ok ... Anyway, I'm just glad Malaysia is represented on this new planet.

Intrinsic Motivation

Ok ... when I hear the phrase "Motivational" talk ... goosebumps emerge :-) But genuine motivation really makes a difference in how we operate at any sort of activity. DJ Chuang's tapping into motivation has some cool links.

This Christian Religious Internalization Scale (CRIS) looks interesting.

These Factors That Encourage Intrinsic Motivation works for both adults and children. When it comes to learning aren't we all kids in some way? :-)

‘Helping is more than donating money’

I'm glad finally Star Metro gave us a bit of press coverage here
‘Helping is more than donating money’ :-) I was nudging the journalist to talk with Chin Hor and Jochebed on that day and glad to read the fruit (though there was much more we told her I think *grin*)! Talking about wanting to do something is one thing, nothing is stopping us from actually doing it! That's what I learnt. Thanks for the nudge from these two young people for a little milestone in my story and the BLC story for 2005.

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RESEARCH assistant Jochebed Jayasooria and her friend Wong Chin Hor wanted to do more than just donate money to the tsunami victims and so they held a jumble sale to raise funds.

Segambut MP Datuk Dr Tan Kee Kwong launched the event.
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TAD - coming together

From Chin Hor's post TAD - coming together (who was in the Star Paper today!!!)

I'll just put different pictures :-) (and bigger ones .. sorry if you have slower bandwidth) - Chin Hor mentions other pictures in his blog post ... you got to go to his post for them. (*update* Here's what Chin Hor wrote ..)

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Reflections. Looking back. Gazing forward.

I'm just thankful as is everyone else, that we have been blessed by God so that we can in turn be a blessing to others. And as the Father has sent Him, He has sent us...

Indeed...
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Leave them behind ...

"Sometimes we have to "step over" our anger, our jealousy, or our feelings of rejection and move on. The temptation is to get stuck in our negative emotions, poking around in them as if we belong there. Then we become the "offended one," "the forgotten one," or the "discarded one." Yes, we can get attached to these negative identities and even take morbid pleasure in them. It might be good to have a look at these dark feelings and explore where they come from, but there comes a moment to step over them, leave them behind and travel on."

~ From Daily Meditation (Henri Nouwen)

Random Thoughts after a pretty good night

My mind was wondering about some floating insights and ideas I might post on with titles like Ugly Christians, Lazy Christians, Busy Christians, Crazy Christians :-) I think it was inspired by Ugly Malaysians :-(

Tonight, we had a good time at our "resurrected" LiFE Group (with Baptism/Affimation Class elements thrown in) and then there would be another set of titles Curious Christians, Laughing Christians, Beautiful Christians, energizing Christians. :-)

I really enjoyed seeing the two smaller groups asking questions and workin on their sample answers around issues raised on the Bible. It's kind of allowing people to try out their "Beta" version answers and then fine-tuning it or even correcting the trial and error answers. Of course, the process is less linear but then it's rewarding. If any one of them blogs about it. It would be interesting to see it from their point of view (*hint hint*)

Finally, I've come to the place where I learnt the first basic moves for the "famous" tambourine dance "Full Gospel move". It was pretty fun (of course we didn't use tambourines). And when we sang the African song together especially when we could manage two parts. Something raw emerged in the simplicity of worship .. which later was I think pretty beautiful later when we moved into the classic "Abba Father".

I was delighted when I saw Gareth just smile at us when we were singing the African song and then later join us in and out of the meeting. At least when the meeting is held here in the house we stay in (note: not our house *grin*) he's close by to Papa.

Well ... it's been a pretty good night.

Good night!

Why don't Christians live what they preach?

For last week's message, Ron sider's article The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience, here's some excerpts ... but the stats in the article is staggering! But even before we Malaysian Christians point a finger to others, may we look at ourselves honestly because very likely we are in the same boat or like one of the desert fathers or abbot told after hearing a young monk complaining about another monk - "Today he, tomorrow I."

"... To say there is a crisis of disobedience in the evangelical world today is to dangerously understate the problem. Born-again Christians divorce at about the same rate as everyone else. Self-centered materialism is seducing evangelicals and rapidly destroying our earlier, slightly more generous giving. Only 6 percent of born-again Christians tithe. Born-again Christians justify and engage in sexual promiscuity (both premarital sex and adultery) at astonishing rates. Racism and perhaps physical abuse of wives seems to be worse in evangelical circles than elsewhere. This is scandalous behavior for people who claim to be born-again by the Holy Spirit and to enjoy the very presence of the Risen Lord in their lives.

... Weeping and repentance are the only faithful responses to the sweeping, scandalous disobedience in the evangelical world today. We have defied the Lord we claim to worship. We have disgraced his holy name by our unholy lives. Yes, we believe he is the Savior. We are Christians, not pagans. But our beliefs are not strong enough to produce righteous lifestyles. We want Jesus and mammon. Unless we repent, our Lord intends to spit us out.

At any time in history, no matter how bad the current mess, no matter how unfaithful the contemporary church, God stands ready to keep his promises. God is eager to do the same mighty deeds today that he has done in the past. All we must do is trust and obey."

A Good 2005 Weekend!

It's just so energizing to hear how things are working "right" for a change when it comes to church, community, worship, friendship, etc. so here's a quick one ...

Gobi's I Have Returned makes me join him in Thanking the Lord too!

Nice to hear a soothing melody in Messy's Good 'ol Sunday ...

Sounds like our good friend Kia Ming visited Si Johnston's church in weekend and protest4

Moh Foong gives us a window into our Saturday Tsunami Aid Day in Weekend in Grace

DB captures his feelings on Saturday with the word Fullfilment and had a nice sequel post he will provide

Alpha draws our attention to what really motivates our actions in tsunami: love compels us

My young friend Ben reminded me of the rain on Saturday and more with God is God

The year 2004 ended with such a dark gloom, it's moments like the ones mentioned above (and I want to savour every bit possible) that allows the light to breakthrough the dark clouds after walking into the second week of 2005.

Emergent Village - Extreme Makeover!

I really like the more-than-a-face-lift Emergent Village Website (I can see more stuff added as well as revised to give us a better picture). Check out the Emergent-Us blog too!

wow! And now ... how shall Emergent Malaysia proceed huh? One step at a time ...

After Tsunami Aid Day ...

When I put on this light blue ribbon today at the beginning of our effort the Tsunami Aid Day, it helped me in a symbolic way to "try to identify" with the victims who lost their lives, and many who are struggling to stay alive.

All those participating in today's event tried to do our "little bit" trusting it will make "a difference" for those in desperate need. For me, I pray that we would also recognize our own frailty.

There's a lot that can be said, I have quite a lot of pictures, and will need not only time to reflect on them but also "post them up". For now, I'm just glad the drizzling rain didn't dampen our spirit, someone who prayed with me at the Prayer Corner actually likened the rain more with "refreshing us" :-)

The total amount collected is pretty good, more than I expected and projected actually (I'll keep the suspense and report this after we have announced it tomorrow at BLC's Worship Gathering!). Oh! Man of little faith that I am ...

I took this "God is Love" picture from one of the big "We're Thinking of You" Cards. My prayer is that after all is said and done this message will shine brighter .... in our personal lives and beyond.

Hari Pembantuan Tsunami Jan 8, 2005

~ From yesterday's The Star newspaper

The Title is Tsunami Aid Day in Malay. A big chunk of us from Bangsar Lutheran Church and Grace Methodist Church with some help from World Vision Malaysia and lots of family and friends are geared up for tomorrow. Thanks everyone (and Bob Jots for the blog support). We'll be at the venue at 9am for briefing and last minute stuff (maybe some foodtasting *grin*) Event to start officially at 10am. The official ending time is 3pm. See ya there!

3 Minute Silence

Thanks Maggi for this (according to her, at Noon today there will be 3 minutes silence across the UK to remember the victims of the tsunami.) ...

"As far as limits are concerned, I think it best simply to remain silent and to leave the unresolvable unresolved. The belief in resurrection is not the 'solution' to the problem of death. The 'beyond' of God is not the 'beyond' of our cognitive capacity. Epistemological transcendence has nothing to do with God's transcendence. God is 'beyond' [in] our lives. The church is found not where human capacity fails, at the limits, but rather in the middle of the village. "

(Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Tegel Prison, 30 April 1944)

Trinity

~ The Baptism of Jesus (I love He Qi's art works)

How does one share about "the Trinity" to a bunch of secondary school students for two Fridays in February without being stuffy and inaccessible?

Thanks Winn for this quote to start the ball rolling:

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The word Trinity is a time-honoured shorthand for speaking about the unique claims of the Christian understanding of God. Because Christians believe that there is only one God, they have typically been classified with other monotheists, such as Jews and Muslims. But, unlike the adherents of these faiths, Christians believe that God has entered fully and directly into the created order, and has become concretely embodied in the world, in two ways: God became incarnate in the womb of a Jewish woman named Mary; she gave birth in Palestine some two thousand years ago, and her child was named Jesus. In addition, God has also been poured out on the world, into the communities of believers known as Israel and the church; this concrete embodiment of God is called the Holy Spirit. These two concrete manifestations of God are considered sufficiently different from the One who forever dwells in 'light inaccessible" that the designation "monotheism" may simply be inadequate as a description of the Christian faith. For Christians, the one God is also three: the Father or Source, who is the origin of all things; the Son or Word, who comes forth from God and takes on human flesh; and the Spirit, the "Giver of Life," who dwells in human hearts and animates the believing community.

While certain strands of Christian faith have explicitly denied a belief in the Trinity, these have always had some difficulty accounting for the special status given to Jesus and to the Holy Spirit among most Christians. If Jesus is not understood as God incarnate, why would his teachings and his actions have any special significance? Nor would it make sense to worship and pray to Jesus, as Christians have done for centuries and continue to do today. Similarly, if the Holy Spirit is not divine, the claim that God dwells within the heart of believers, inspiring and directing them in specific ways, becomes very difficult to sustain. Nor would it make sense for the community of believers to speak of themselves as "the body of Christ" and "the vehicle for God's work in the world." Thus, despite the philosophical difficulties (and even the mathematical ones!) of asserting the simultaneous oneness and threeness of God, the claim is deeply embedded in the Christian faith.

From Kevin J. Vanhoozer, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Postmodern Theology (Cambridge, 2003) 312 pages. (186)
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Random Thoughts after 1st 2005 Toastmasters

It was nice to get reconnected with many of my friends from Bangsar Toastmasters Club. I plan to finish off more speeches this year, is that a new year resolution? I suppose so ...

Today's opening Inspiration really resonated with me especially when there's talk about life and what's it all about and meaning. We were shown pictures of the Asian Tsunami tragedy to connect with what opening speaker was trying to convey in 4minutes or so.

I also used the one minute silence we had in memory of the victims and transformed it to a time of personal silent intercession.

Glad to catch up with one of the club members on the phone and found out he was admitted in hospital for a minor surgery. We laughed over the phone. I promised to pray for him tonight. He's a Hindu.

I find myself again and again enjoying my relationship with other fellow club members old and new. I realize that it had not developed to be very deep but I think there's genuine care.

I still find it a challenge to prepare speeches. I've enjoyed doing evaluations though. I find myself still needing to improve a lot ... My "Ahs" and other speech crutches are not totally eliminated.

I've kind of decided not to enter any competitions therefore volunteering to be context chair for the next speech contest was the best next way that I could contribute to the club I guess. I haven't been doing much especially the second half of 2004 (espcially with the travel to UK and Germany, the pre and post activities).

I found the energy of a couple of new comers very refreshing. New blood is so important for any club and community. I recall many times when it was just the same old faces which was ok but somehow new blood brings new life. The more veteran members bring some continuity.

Hmm.... today they started eating most of the food already and the caterer left by the time we had our break in the middle (that's where we used to have our "makan"/eating time). Indirectly, the effect of this made me want to come earlier the next round. Any lessons here for late birds? no more worms? or left overs? *smile*

Testing times test our belief

Thanks signposts for this article Testing times test our belief by Archbishop Rowan Williams from an excellent post theodicy in the news

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In 1966, when the Aberfan disaster struck in Wales, I was a sixth former beginning to think about studying theology at university. I remember watching a television discussion about God and suffering that weekend with disbelief and astonishment at the vacuous words pouring out about the nature of God's power or control, or about the consolations of belief in an afterlife or whatever.

What can be said with authority about these terrible matters can finally be said only by those closest to the cost. The rest of us need to listen; and then to work and - as best we can manage it - pray.

Rowan Williams is the Archbishop of Canterbury.
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No "Magical" Solutions

As long as people will be careful not to take him out of context, I find the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams response in the Telegraph to be a compassionate and cautious one. I'm glad this whole week through the Tsunami Aid Day preparations and personal reading-reflection-prayer I link arms with others involved in "passionate engagement with the lives that are left"

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The Asian tsunami disaster should make all Christians question the existence of God, Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, writes in The Telegraph today.

Dr Williams concludes that, faced with such a terrible challenge to their faith, Christians must focus on "passionate engagement with the lives that are left".
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Tsunami Aid Day

Please contact me if you'd like to participate in any way. The following is Wong Chin Hor & Jochebed Jayasooria email invite to all.

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Dear all,

Best regards,
Wong Chin Hor & Jochebed Jayasooria
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N.T. Wright BBC - Radio 3 Interview

It would be interesting how some of our own Malaysian or Asian Bishops-theologians-church leaders would perform in a Radio Interview. Here's a conversation between Tom Wright and Joan Bakewell.

N.T. Wright on Christmas & the Da Vinci Code

I was intrigued that the bestselling fiction book according to MPH Malaysia is still the Da Vinci Code (and the book seems to be generatinga lot of discussion and controversy and I heard some seminars coming up in KL/PJ to respond to it.)

Here's NT Wright's take on this in his pieace, Cracking the Christmas code

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In his seasonal message, the Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Dr Tom Wright, contrasts the conspiracy theory of the Da Vinci Code with the stranger-than-fiction truth of the Christmas story.

THE 'hoax' theory about Jesus is big business right now. The Da Vinci Code has hit the best-selling lists on both sides of the Atlantic.

Maybe, we think, Jesus was just an ordinary man after all. Maybe, the later church just made it all up - Christmas, Easter, all that stuff about his being the 'son of God'. Maybe, after all, he was married to Mary Magdalene, travelled about, died a normal death. Maybe, the early church invented an elaborate fiction, and we've been taken in by it all these years.

Great thriller, lousy history. Like most conspiracy theories, this one thrives on the absence of evidence. In fact, some of the key elements of the 'hoax' theory, particularly the idea of Jesus's supposed marriage, weren't even thought of for well over 100 years after his lifetime, quite possibly much later still.

The Christmas story, though, was circulating within the first 60 years of the Christian movement; it was already there in two different versions by the time the gospels were written down (some time between AD 60 and 90), and must have been circulating earlier. The story of Easter, of Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection, goes right back to the beginning, to the earliest Christian traditions we have, dating to within a year or two of the events themselves (roughly AD 30).

Something in our culture today craves conspiracy theories, particularly ones which pretend to debunk the whole Christian story. If you've been keeping an eye on this scene for the last 20 years or so, you will recognise the genre.

In the early 1990s an Australian called Barbara Thiering wrote a blockbuster claiming that she'd cracked the code in the Dead Sea Scrolls and that Jesus was not only married but divorced and remarried. The newspapers gave her serious attention for five minutes; serious scholarship didn't even give her that.

Then in the mid-1990s a book called The Tomb of God cobbled together bits and pieces of recondite texts, and pseudo-archaeology, elaborate guesswork dressed up as historical research, all to make out that the Knights Templar had taken the body of Jesus and buried it in a hill in southern France (where, inconveniently, the owners won't let you dig). Again, the authors claim to have cracked a secret code and so got at the truth which the church had hushed up. Unfortunately, none of the theories agree as to what the code - or the truth, for that matter - was in the first place.

Now we see something similar with the Da Vinci twist. Once you've read one of these books you've read them all. Dan Brown, the best-selling Da Vinci author, is the best writer I've come across in the genre, but anyone who knows anything about first century history will see that his underlying material is laughable.

Truth, as often, is stranger than fiction, and makes its way not with a flourish of trumpets but with the slow, sure tread of actual evidence, accumulating like grains of sand rising into a mountain, while the conspiracy theories build houses of cards which get blown away in the first breeze.

The evidence for Jesus and the origins of Christianity is astonishingly good. We have literally a hundred times more early manuscripts for the gospels and letters in the New Testament than we have for the main classical authors like Cicero, Virgil and Tacitus. Historical research shows that they present a coherent and thoroughly credible picture of Jesus, with all sorts of incidental details that fit the time when he lived, and don't fit the world of later legend.

We are on solid ground when we talk of Jesus of Nazareth announcing God's sovereign rule, clashing with the authorities, and being executed by the most brutal method then available. Still more remarkable, we are on solid ground when we speak of him being raised from the dead three days later, with his dead body transformed into a new sort of physical life which couldn't be hurt or harmed any more. That's another story for another time.

But what about the stories of his birth? Surely (someone is bound to say) they are just the sort of things people might write up later about someone they have come to regard as a hero? Isn't the Christmas story just a mish-mash of pious legend?

That's the really odd thing. The early writers who tell the Christmas story - Matthew and Luke, to be precise - are both very much aware of misleading legend. And they are clear that they want to avoid it.

Matthew's gospel is firmly embedded in the world of Judaism, which was deeply suspicious of pagan culture with its legends of gods and heroes, some of whom of course had been born in, to say the least, unusual ways (Athena springing full-grown from the head of Zeus, for instance). Some of the pagan heroes, it was said, had been born from women without male intervention. This latter story was told of Augustus, who, significantly, was Emperor of the whole Roman world at the time of Jesus's birth. If you'd said the phrase "the kingdom, the power and the glory" around the time Jesus was born, everyone would have thought you were talking about Augustus.

Luke sets the birth of Jesus precisely at that time, playing off Jesus the King of the Jews (and therefore, for someone soaked in the Jewish scriptures, the Lord of the whole world) against the pagan emperor himself. Augustus takes a census, to collect taxes from subjects near and far. As a result, Mary is taken to Bethlehem, the ancient city of the royal house of David, and there her son is born to rule the world.

Both Matthew and Luke knew very well what people might think at the strange story of Jesus's birth. But they go ahead and tell it anyway. This is no fanciful legend, they say. At this point we are on bedrock.

Conspiracy theories are always fun: fun to invent, fun to read, fun to fantasise about. Truth is sometimes a bit bleak and harsh by comparison. That's part of the point; real life sometimes is bleak and harsh. And God came to share it, to take the worst that it could do on to himself. That's the point of the Christmas story.

Nothing Dan Brown or the other hoax-mongers have come up with can match this claim. Christmas isn't about pious legends or cobbled-together conspiracies. When we crack the Christmas code, what we find is truth at once sober and serious and mindblowing in its implications. It's about the living God being born as a baby, and growing up to conquer the world with the power of his death and resurrection.

Thrillers will last you a few days, but the excitement will soon wear off. The gospel story of Christmas, and all that follows from it, will keep you going right through your life. In fact, they'll take you right through into the next one.
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Post Tsunami N.T. Wright Commentary

Thanks to Subvergence for NT Wright's commentary after the Tsunami Tragedy. (subvergence says "his response to be much warmer, empathetic and reasonable than the cold and calloused response" by another popular author.) Hmm ... I personally resonate more with N.T. Wright after reflecting on how I shared the Sunday message yesterday.

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01 January 2005

The ancient Jewish writers saw the sea as evil. It floods and destroys the world. It stands between the Israelites and freedom. It rages horribly; monsters come out of it. There is a hint that God had to overcome the dark primal waters in order to create the world in the first place.

Ancient symbols spring into unwelcome new life. The murderous mountain of water that charged across the Indian Ocean on Boxing Day rivals the Lisbon earthquake of 1755 in its deadly power. Lisbon caused a sea-change in the Enlightenment itself: before it, Bishop Butler could gaze at the natural world and infer Christian theology, but Lisbon drove a wedge between God and the world, giving fresh impetus to the idea of God as an absentee landlord and then, not long after, a mere absentee. Since then, it has been assumed that "God" has a responsibility to stop things like earthquakes and tidal waves; if He doesn't, they constitute a standing disproof. What's the point in saying "The heavens declare the glory of God", if tidal waves declare His incompetence? Western culture hasn't advanced much beyond that sterile stand-off. This week's horror won't change it any more than did the man-made nightmare of 11 September 2001.

People today assume that a "religious" view of life must address "the problem of evil", the toughest part of which is so-called "natural evil". Evil isn't as bad as it seems, say some; or it's all someone's fault (or, with natural evil, Satan's fault); or it offers a chance for greater moral virtue (courage, and so on). One major tsunami does to theories like that what it does to buildings and people: it crushes them to matchwood.

In a culture heavily influenced by Judaism and Christianity, one might have hoped that the Bible would play a part in the discussion. People seem to assume that it's irrelevant. The general view is that the Bible offers an escape from the world into a personal religion. But that view is itself the result of the Enlightenment's reductionism.

The Bible itself resists such treatment. It constantly acknowledges evil - "human" and "natural" alike - as a terrible reality. It doesn't try to minimise it, to explain that good will come of it, or to blame someone (reactions which correspond uncomfortably closely to the excuses offered by immoral or warmongering politicians). It tells a story about the Creator's plan to put the world to rights, a plan which involves a people who are themselves part of the problem as well as the bearers of the solution.

That people, the family of Israel, are brought through the sea to the promised land, despite grumbling on the way. Through long years of Babylonian exile, they cry out for a new Exodus, for their God again to overrule the mighty waters from which came the monsters of pagan empire. This is the people whose prophets tell of God's intention to deal with evil itself, so that the wolf and the lamb would lie down together, and the earth be awash with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. The healing of creation will result from the Servant of the Lord going down to the depths, taking evil's weight on to himself, exhausting its power.

When the early Christians wrote about Jesus, this was the story they believed themselves to be telling. They didn't see him as simply a teacher, a moral example, or even as one who saved people from a doomed world. They told his story as the point where the dark forces of chaos converged, in the cynical politics of Herod and Pilate, the bitter fanaticism of the Pharisees, the wild shrieks of diseased souls, the sudden storms on the lake. They invite us to see his death on the analogy of Jonah's being thrown into the sea, there to be swallowed by the monster called Death. They insist that in this death God has taken upon Himself the full force of the world's evil. As a sign of that, the final book of the Bible declares that in the new world, now already begun with his resurrection, there will be no more sea.

Saying this precisely does not give Christian theology an easy explanation ("Oh, that's all right then") for the continuing presence of evil in the world. On the contrary, it tells a story about Jesus's own sense of abandonment, and thereby encourages us to embrace the same sense of helpless involvement in the sorrow of the world, as the means by which the world is to be healed. Those who work for justice, reconciliation and peace will know that sense, and perhaps, occasionally, that healing.

This isn't the kind of answer that the Enlightenment wanted. But maybe, as we launch into the deep waters of another new year, it is the kind of vocation we ought to embrace in place of shallow analysis and shrill reaction.

Tom Wright is the Bishop of Durham
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Random Thoughts on 1st Sunday 2005

I haven't really written down much as far as "traditional new year resolutions" are concerned. One thing for sure at least for this week is to see how I can support The Tsunami Aid Day project this Saturday January 8th 2005 from 10am - 3pm, initiated by Chin Hor and Jochebed. (please let me know if you are interested to help)

Willzhead talks about investing in some projects in his post "Planning for 2005" sparked me to think about a number of projects I'm already part of for example, catalysing "helpful" changes for the Lutheran Bible Training Institute as well as connecting relevant parties to make these changes good for the long term.

A more personal learning project as far as studies is concerned is my Masters of Theology programme which according to the letter of acceptance I'm supposed to start this month :-) I had a good talk with a wiser sage in this area and thus got a little kick to start off with this here

Family projects would include welcoming Baby no.2, and figuring out how to best to partner with May Chin in terms of Gareth's character formation. :-) which is a massive long term project.

A side project that seems to have emerged is some writing opportunities. I've always been supportive the work of Kairos Research Centre (They did published my first and only book review thus far). Missed out on the last movie review I promised (due to a painful unforeseen circumstance). I hope to make some amends this year. Based on the last friendly phone call, they will give me a second chance. :-) The Bridge (a Chinese Christian Magazine) gave me a chance to respond to with some thoughts on Worship (I replied their interview in English and they translated it into Chinese). I hope to write another piece for a North American Magazine, but let me get it written first and see whether it's accepted before I say anything more.

And then there's the local church project officially known as Bangsar Lutheran Church and affectionately nicknamed The Father's House. There's still a lot of work to be done here.

Beyond the local church, It's going to be interesting to see how the tentatively named Emergent Malaysia project will progress (for some background you can start here).

Got to go ... the Gareth Project is calling. Until the next round ... life is not so neat and tidy!

FutureMe.org

How about creating an e-mail to send to the future? --> FutureMe.org (Thanks to Jen Lemen for a good reminder)

Opening Paragraphs - Here I start!

I think I first got the idea of seeing my life like a storybook where it consists of chapters, characters, plots, twists and development after reading stuff by Lewis Smedes. And through the years as I compile my personal journals, finishing one and then starting another one helps to bring this "story writing" alive in a "concrete" way.

The year 2004 especially the last month passed by too quickly with so many events, experiences, thoughts and insights that I couldn't keep up posting stuff (If I really sat down to do it! Oh yeah I still haven't submitted my Top 5 in 2004) I kind of decided that probably I need to use the "flashback" technique and recapture some of those moments and the meaning I derived from them.

The transition from the 31st December 2004 to 1 January 2005 has been very low key for me. A cancelled dinner appointment but then allowed us to have a Kit family dinner with Gareth enjoying his Japanese flavoured rice while his parents enjoyed seeing him enjoy the food for a change (he hasn't been eating with his usual appetite lately!).

Earlier in the morning it was good to see how baby no. 2 is doing. Before we went for the check up May Chin and I were brainstorming some interesting names inspired by colours when we were watching Blue's Clues with Gareth (If you sit me down, I can tell you 101 thoughts popping up in my mind from personally learning, to preaching to children's ministry, to all sorts of ideas.)

As I was driving back a while ago after shuttling a friend back, my mind had floating ideas on how I should post my first 2005 post. And then impressions on how I see my life as a "never-ending" story still very much in progress emerged. I suppose it has been a kind of organizing device for me all these years unconsciously and now more consciously.

Just looking back the year 2004 has introduced into my story lots of new characters, more than one unexpected twist either comedy or tragedy, multilayered plots here and there, as well as occassional or even regular "writers block" kind of moments.

So with all this in mind, I do wonder how the story will unfold in the new year. I can see some possibilities here and there. In fact, some areas seem to already be in place (e.g. my part time Master's programme, pastoring/leading BLC, involvement in the denomination, etc). There are also seed thoughts on the details. New relationships to grow as well as older relationships to deepen. I'm more than happy that my Sage list has improved where I could draw wisdom and encouragement from. Of course, there are also uncertainties on what are the plots and twists ahead. Being parents to two children will be a big leap according to one wise man in a conversation lately. Learning to focus my energies on the few areas I "feel" called to and juggling various tasks and roles will always be a challenge.

Somehow, there are times I feel that there's wind blowing the pages of my life so fast that I haven't managed to put anything down yet, or some particular part of the story needs more development. And yet, I know - or more of I sense deep down - that there's a way to allow the pages to settle down and begin to "really" write (i.e. live) authentically from my inner life with God, and genuinely out of a sense of mission and vocation to fulfill my part in God's Story which is in progress towards the Finale of Hope I believe in.

I'm not sure how I'm fumbling so far in the opening paragraphs ... but I think I read something on writing yesterday here, “There is no such thing as good writing, only good rewriting”. So maybe some of the writing happens in my imagination and then the rewriting can happen in real life. :-) Because it's a fact I can't rewrite the past as far as the events is concerned. But, I suppose it's possible to rewrite how I interpret and draw insights from the past.

Of course, this storybook or life book of mine there's links to other people's lives, pictures, comments (i.e. very much like a blog) and there's many variables and dynamics that I'm aware of. Adn i guess, that's where the adventure of looking at my "story" and "life" in this way makes it attractive as well.

Well it's a late night hammering these words down with this keyboard. At least it's some opening paragraphs ... I'm not the kind of person that waits for everything to be perfectly formed before I try :-) The sermons are always perfect before we preach them (or at least start working on them!). The plns always look good on paper before we implement them. People are always nice before we really get to know them and vice versa. The list goes on. But, we've got to start somewhere ... so here I start, I can do no other.