MCI (P) 160/02/2014

DEC 2014

Beyond Christian
Triumphalism
and Apathy

INSIDE
Paul and the
Reading of
Scripture(3):

The Churchs
Social
Engagement:

Celebrating 66
Years

On our knees

10

Homecoming

11

Implications

Becoming the Gospel

Welcome to the 15
Faculty
Lim Teck Peng

owadays the world is plagued with ironies if not contradictions: violence done in the name of religion, beliefs
and traditional values suppressed in the name of inclusiveness, vocal minority acting as if representing the
silent majority, and the like. Christians are of course not exempt from the problem of inconsistency, particularly that of
acting in a manner contrary to their professed faith. However, since God in His mercy has given His Word and Spirit
to the church to help her witness in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ (Phil 1:27), we should through reflection
and self-examination strive to bridge the gap between what we profess and how we act and relate to others.
During the seasons of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, Christians around the globe rejoice over the birth and ministry
of Jesus Christ. For many churches, the Christmas period has also become a season of evangelism. Amidst the hype,
a reflective heart in the light of the Gospel remains important during this period. In fact, the impetus for reflection is
already embedded in the collective remembrance of Jesus humble birth and his sacrificial ministry to the world. In
particular, the liturgical seasons provide a pertinent occasion to reflect upon the problem of Christian triumphalism on
one hand, and apathy on the other hand.
Christian triumphalism places exclusive emphasis on Christus Victor, claiming that the resurrected Christ has defeated
all His foes and so will the church in the present age (not in the end, but now). Aiming to transform the world with
Christian values, Christians with such aspiration inject into the practice of Christian witnessing the agenda of changing
the world for Christ. Such ambition, noble in itself and biblical in part, is however vulnerable to a misguided sense of
superiority. It ignores the humble entrance and the challenging journey of Jesus leading Him to the cross, and the
possibility of Gods presence in human suffering.

contd on p2

the
liturgical
seasons
provide a pertinent occasion
to reflect upon the problem
of Christian triumphalism on
one hand, and apathy on the
other hand

In contrast to the zeal of triumphalistic Christians to enter

and transform the world, there is, on the other hand, an
ongoing Christian indifference to the world outside our
own skin, our cell group or the four walls of our church.
Such apathy, displayed most evidently in the scope of
individual and corporate prayer, rises in part from the
biblical teaching of separation between the church and
the world, and in part from the confusion between the
world and the worldly. When leading to a form of social
withdrawal or parochialism, such Christian apathy has
led to an escapist attitude towards the troubled world.
Christian triumphalism and escapism alike have alienated
Christians from the reality of suffering in human existence,
rendering Christians to appear as pilgrims and strangers
in the world, but for the wrong reasons. The irony is this:
it is not uncommon that the more fixated they are on
winning the battle of transforming the world and winning
souls for Christ, the more estranged they may become
from the struggles of others. The humble birth of Jesus,
his baptism that identifies him with both the fallen world
and the will of the Father, and his ensuing journey with
the people, both friends and foesthese stories should
lead us to rethink the manner we relate to the world.

the
apostle
and
great
teachers bring to view the
virtue of appreciating others
outside the church who
have admirable gifts to
contribute to us and society
at large

Commenting on the Christian view of human knowledge,

Augustine in the fourth century wrote that all good and
true Christians should understand that truth, wherever
they may find it, belongs to their Lord (Teaching
Christianity, 2.18). Similarly, John Calvin acknowledged
that in reading profane authors, the admirable light of

The ability to recognise and appreciate others

contributions enables us to go beyond the four walls of
the church when responding to a social reality, such as
the breaking down of social norm in the face of rampant
individualism. In this respect, it is worth mentioning
that traditional conventions and Christian values are
not necessarily mutually exclusive. Albeit with different
undergirding worldviews, values such as integrity,
honesty, compassion, peaceful coexistence with others
are part of our social values as much as they are part of
the Christian ethos.

Christians share a common social space with others.

Hence, there will be times we need to work alongside
others to respond to the social reality we all face. It is
certainly a presumption that Christians are always the
only community providing responses to social challenges
and needs. In this respect, what Paul told the Philippians
remains relevant: whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy think about such things (Phil 4:8).

truth displayed in them should remind us, that the human

mind, however much fallen and perverted from its original
integrity, is still adorned and invested with admirable
gifts from its Creator. If we reflect that the Spirit of God is
the only fountain of truth, we will be careful, as we would
avoid offering insult to him, not to reject or condemn truth
wherever it appears (Institutes of the Christian Religion,
2.2.15). These words of the apostle and great teachers
bring to view the virtue of appreciating others outside
the church who have admirable gifts to contribute to us
and society at large.

It is therefore possible
and in fact necessary for
Christians to work with other
religious and non-religious
communities to maintain
and develop common values
shared by the majority in
Singapore society

It is therefore possible and in fact necessary for

Christians to work with other religious and non-religious
communities to maintain and develop common values
shared by the majority in Singapore society. For example,
the institution of family, constituted by marriage between
a male and female, is not unique to Christians but held
across different ethnic groups, and across the religious
and non-religious divide. The church with clarity and
modesty should therefore strive to work with other
communities in upholding the institution of family and in
forging common values.

So as we participate in the festive season, may our

collective memory of the humble birth and public ministry
of Jesus Christ enable us to recognize truth, beauty and
goodness, to genuinely share others joy and happiness,
and to embrace the reality of suffering, wherever it is
found.

Rev Dr Lim Teck Peng

Associate Dean
Lecturer in Christian Education
and Pastoral Studies

A Word from the Principal

Baby-Boomers And Retirement

in my hands, what shall I do about it?. Indeed, it is

normal to undergo the process, and to revisit such
questions related to self-esteem. Those who have
a positive worldview, and are enjoying good family
relationships, and who already have involvement in
meaningful activities apart from their jobs are likely to
have an easier transition to retirement.

y 2030, one in five people in Singapore will

be 65 years and above and most of them
would have retired from full time employment. This
corresponds with the statistics of one of our governing
denominations which reveal that in the coming years,
the retirement of pastors from active service could
outpace that of recruitment.

to prepare the mind and heart

for the next stage of life is a
mark of spiritual maturity

The baby-boomers (defined as those born between

1947 and 1964) have begun to cross the finishing
line at 65 years. Referred to as the silver tsunami,
the rising numbers of elderly with health problems and
other needs will require coordinated efforts to cope with
a growing ageing population. Retirement is supposed
to be welcomed, but there is concern that many may
not have put aside enough for their old age. This was
brought home recently in a newspaper report which
mentioned that retirees in South Korea are struggling
to make ends meet as their efforts to supplement their
meagre pensions are met with an unwelcoming job
market.

A survey by the Institute of Policy Studies found that

36% of Singapores baby boomers desired to work part
time after retirement. Their hope is for flexible work,
similar income, and fewer hours of employment. Baby
boomers are said to envision their golden years as a
period to spend more time with their families, pursue
their passions, socialise and take care of their health.
But before this dream can come to fruition, one needs
to manoeuvre a transition.
We are told that just like marriage, when the emotional
high of the wedding comes down to earth, many retirees
also have to deal with a feeling of letdown, similar
to that of newlyweds when the honeymoon is over.
Retirement, unfortunately, is not a permanent vacation
for it can bring boredom, feelings of uselessness and
disillusionment.
For those in full time ministry, although we believe that
there is no retirement from Gods calling, yet there
will be a point when we will need to step down from
active service. One will always remain an ordained
clergy person but disengagement from the status and
influence of the pulpit needs to be managed gracefully.
Counsellors say that perhaps the most difficult aspects
of transition is the inevitable question one has to ask
oneself, such as Who am I, now?, Can I still be
useful in some capacity?, There is now much time

The Bible reminds us that there is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven (Eccl
3:1, NIV). The mid or late autumn years of our lives
do have their particular joys and unique experiences.
And even if the re-employment of baby boomers does
postpone retirement for a few more years, that special
day will still come upon us. So to prepare the mind
and heart for the next stage of life is a mark of spiritual
maturity.
How can the church tap into the wealth of experience
and the wisdom of retirees so as to enrich the life of
the congregation? On the other hand, how can retirees
offer their time and advice with good grace and selfassurance? Perhaps, Johns Gospel suggests an
attitude to adopt as we reflect on the words of the
retiring prophet John the Baptist in reference to
Jesus: He must increase, but I must decrease (John
3: 30, ESV). As retirees pass the baton, and humbly
step aside, they ought to cheer on those who take
over the helm, for this is an opportune time to increase
their focus on personal faith even as they decrease in
preoccupation with earning a living.

As retirees pass the baton,

and humbly step aside, they
ought to cheer on those who
take over the helm

So as we approach the closing of yet another year, we

are reassured that there is always a new beginning.
Those who allow our Saviour Jesus Christ to have
an increasing influence over them will be enabled to
better manage the transitions encountered along lifes
journey. May God bless you and your loved ones with
a Merry Christmas and Joyful New Year.

Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian

Principal

Paul and the Reading of Scripture (3)

Implications
ntroduction

Attitude in Reading

This is the last instalment in our series of articles

which discusses Pauls reading of Scripture. In the first
article, entitled Influence, we looked at how the Old
Testament serves as a crucial bridge for Pauls faith
as he reconciles his upbringing as a Jewish Pharisee
with the revelation of Christ. That new revelation, as
Paul realised, was in fact not new. Rather, through
his (re)reading, the gospel of Christ is found to be
consistent with the prior revelation of God in the Old
Testament.
In the second article, entitled Issues, we considered
Pauls hermeneutics, and saw that his interpretation
of Scripture is largely regular, despite our difficulties
in understanding Pauls reasoning in a few isolated
cases. Frequently, on closer inspection, and when we
allow for Pauls reading of Scripture to be understood
on its own terms, we find that his interpretation is not
arbitrary at all. Neither is there a need to think that
Paul has recourse to some special apostolic privilege
in interpreting Scripture. The same point is made by
Francis Watson in his monumental work, Paul and
the Hermeneutics of Faith. This is important because
it determines the extent to which we can learn from
Pauls use of Scripture, as the Church engages in
theological deliberation in a modern context.

Where there are tensions or

difficulties in reconciling the text
with our faith on the surface level,
Paul would continue to engage
with the text by mulling on it,
frequently for a long period of
time

In this third instalment, entitled Implications, I would

like to offer some practical proposals in relation to
what we have observed of Pauls use of Scripture
thus far.

As mentioned previously, when we examine Pauls

use of Scripture closely, we see that his interpretation
is rarely arbitrary. On the contrary, it is often based
on a careful reading of the text. We see this in Rom
4, where Pauls close reading of the text leads to his
realisation that the traditional Jewish understanding
of the faith of Abraham, based on Gen 15 and 17,
needs to be corrected. In 2 Cor 10:8 and 13:10, Pauls
use of the language of Jeremiah in describing his own
ministry in the gospel (building up, and not tearing
down) is drawn from such a deep-seated thematic
emphasis in the prophetic text that it could only have
come about by careful study and prolonged meditation
on the book of Jeremiah itself.
This gives rise to the first implication I would like to
highlighthow are we reading the Bible as Christians?
For many of us, in the midst of our busy lifestyle, to be
able to read the Bible regularly is already a discipline
we struggle to maintain, not to mention having to read
the text carefully. But that is exactly how Paul and his
NT counterparts read Scripture. They not only read
the text; they examine it perceptively and carefully,
paying close attention to the subtleties of what is said
in Gods word.
Where there are tensions or difficulties in reconciling
the text with our faith on the surface level, Paul would
continue to engage with the text by mulling on it,
frequently for a long period of time. This is evident in
his letter to the Romans. Scholars almost unanimously
agree that Pauls use of the OT passages there
must have arisen from his prolonged meditation on
Scripture, as he explains Gods prior revelation in the
light of the gospel of Jesus Christ (especially in Rom
911).
Scripture as Resource
A second implication has to do with the use of
Scripture in our modern theological reflection. For
some Christians, the Bible is little more than a book

that tells of Gods loving salvation of the world. The

world has sinned, and God first chose for himself a
covenant people through which to effect redemption,
ultimately sending his Son to die on the Cross for our
sin. From there, the Church, as the body of Christ,
carries on the mission by preaching the message of
the Cross, while waiting for the Saviours return in
the eschaton. That is well and good, and is what the
apostle Paul understands Scripture to be saying as
well.
However, such a simplistic reading of the Bible does
not reflect exactly how Paul approaches Scripture.
For Paul, the Bible is multifaceted and multi-layered,
containing a reservoir of semantic and theological
resources which are virtually inexhaustible. Holding
on to this perspective, coupled with the careful
reading of Scripture we mentioned earlier, enables
the vast resources of Scripture to be unlocked. While
a text of Scripture may speak on certain issues on one
reading, it offers resources to deal with other issues
when read in a different context.
For example, in Rom 9:6-9, Paul uses materials from
Gen 1821 to explain the promise given to Abraham
and his descendants on the basis of faith. The same
text is also used in Gal 4:21-31 to argue that the
descendants of Ishmael and Isaac are incompatible
because they come from different mothers. Likewise,
while Paul uses Isaiah to depict the ministry of the
gospel in Rom 911, he uses the same text to deal
with the problem of human wisdom pitting itself
against Gods wisdom in 1 Cor 14.
In each of these cases, the same texts of Scripture
are used to deal with different questions. Rather than
thinking of a biblical text in terms of a message it
contains, Paul thinks of Scripture as a vast reservoir of
theological resource for his life and ministry. Different
truths can be drawn from the same texts to answer
different questions!
Application to Preaching
The foregoing discussion has significant implications
for our use of Scripture in ministry. I refer here
particularly to our pulpit ministry, although there are
other areas of application. For those of us who have
undergone training in expository preaching (using,
for example, the methodology delineated by noted
homiletics professor Haddon Robinson) , the desire
to be faithful to the biblical text must not be taken to
mean that it contains only one message applicable to
Gods people today.
Take, for example, Marys song in response to the
annunciation of the birth of Christ in Lk 1:46-55
(traditionally known as the Magnificat). It can be
seen as a programmatic statement of the mission
of the Saviour; it can be understood in terms of

Gods faithfulness as he fulfils his promises (since

many elements in the song can be traced to specific
prophetic texts in the Old Testament); it can be
interpreted in terms of Marys humble attitude towards
Gods will in her life; and it can also be appropriated
in terms of Gods opposition to the proud and mercy
towards the humble.

The written word of God is a

vast theological and ecclesial
resource waiting to be tapped

In addition to these are many other truths embedded

in the text, ranging from the hope Christ brings to the
poor and destitute, to the depiction of God as the
armed warrior who ushers in his sovereign plan of
redemption. In other words, the text is polyvalent, not
monovalent. There is a wealth of theological truths in
this text applicable to Gods people today, and it would
be a tragic misunderstanding to think it contains only
one main point which must be preached each time it
is read!
Conclusion
Paul, as a Jewish Pharisee, understands his encounter
with the gospel of Jesus Christ in the light of Scripture.
As an apostle and pastor-missionary, he also uses
Scripture to address the issues he faces in the course
of his ministry. This should serve as a model for us
as we grapple with the many issues current in our
day. The written word of God is a vast theological and
ecclesial resource waiting to be tapped.
I hope the reader will forgive me for the brief manner
in which I have shared my thoughts in this series of
articles. Students who have attended my courses
on biblical intertextuality in TTC would probably
be appalled at how much I have compressed
my presentation, often at the expense of clarity.
Nonetheless, I hope that some of you have been
stimulated to think more about the use of Scripture in
the life and ministry of Christians, after the example
of the apostle Paul. The Bible as the word of God
deserves to be read closely, with its truths carefully
distilled, to answer the questions posed to the Church
today.

Rev Dr Leonard Wee

Lecturer in New Testament

Word on World

The Churchs Social

Engagement:

Becoming the Gospel

F

or many Christians in Singapore, social

engagement means what they need to do to
help the larger society: setting up a counseling clinic
or drug rehabilitation centre, building a school or a
hospital. Christians have been doing these things
and should continue to do them. Others feel that
beyond doing works of charity, there need to be
more critical engagement. All human institutions
(social, political and economic) even at their best are
run by imperfect people who, if left unchallenged,
could abuse their positions and cause more harm
than good.
In more recent times, a more subtle challenge to
all people of faith (not just Christians) has come
from some who, in the name of neutrality and
inclusiveness, have sought to impose secularism
as the only legitimate voice in the public square. Its
intolerance of real plurality must be exposed and
challenged. These forms of social outreach and
critical engagement are good and necessary.

Christian slaves and masters

ate together at a common
table. The pagans were
forced to concede: Behold,
how they love one another!

But there is also another way of engagement as

the church of Jesus Christ. It was said that what
attracted the pagans to the Christian church in the
6

first three centuries of its existence when it

was under severe persecution was not so
much what the church did for the world as
how it lived out its faith in Jesus Christ.
To be sure, the early Christians did much
good for the world despite the persecution.
They rescued abandoned babies and
fed the hungry. Hospitality was practiced
indiscriminately, following the injunction in
Hebrews to welcome the stranger because
even the most annoying guest may turn out
to be an angel of God (Heb 13:2). But what
attracted the pagans was the Christians
peculiar way of life as a community. Among
other things, Christian slaves and masters
ate together at a common table. The
pagans were forced to concede: Behold,
how they love one another!
This form of engagement goes back to
Jesus Sermon on the Mount. You (plural)
are the salt of the earth. You (plural) are
the light of the world (Matt 5:13, 14). Jesus
is not speaking of individual Christians as
salt and light, but primarily of the Christian
church as salt and light: It is a city set on
a hill. It is their way of life as a community
that marks them out as salt and light.
To be salt is to be the agent that preserves
the world from moral decay; to be light is
to dispel its darkness. This was what an
anonymous Christian writing in the second

century in what is known as the Letter to

Diognetus probably had in mind when he
said: Christians love those who hate them
just as the soul loves the body and all its
members despite the bodys hatred. It is by
the soul, enclosed within the body, that the
body is held together, and similarly, it is by
the Christians, detained in the world as in a
prison, that the world is held together.

their very lives reveal the gospel, so much so that

the gospel shines out of their lives: But we have
this treasure in jars of clay to show that this allsurpassing power is from God and not from us.
We always carry around in our body the death of
Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed
in our body. For we who are alive are always being
given over to death for Jesus sake, so that his life
may also be revealed in our mortal body (vv. 7-11).

The church is called to be the instrument for

the salvation of the world. It is the channel
through which the life of the Spirit flows:
But thanks be to God, who always leads us
as captives in Christs triumphal procession
and uses us to spread the aroma of the
knowledge of him everywhere. For we are
to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among
those who are being saved and those who
are perishing. To the one we are an aroma
that brings death; to the other, an aroma
that brings life. And who is equal to such a
task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the
word of God for profit. On the contrary, in
Christ we speak before God with sincerity,
as those sent from God (2 Cor 2:14-17).

Drawing on this imagery, the late second century

church father Irenaeus pictured the church as a
vessel containing the rejuvenating deposit of the
gospel being in turn rejuvenated by the gospel. It
is not the vessel that shapes its content; it is the
content that shapes the vessel!

The churchs gospel proclamation is an

aroma of life or death: life to those who
receive it and death to those who reject it.
The gospel has the effect of salt: it arrests
the moral decay of the world. It holds back
evil. And as light it exposes the worlds
false value-system and hypocrisy. But for
those who reject the gospel, death and
decay inevitably follows.
But the church is more than just an
instrument of the gospel. We are not just
the salt shaker scattering salt; we are not
just the vessel carrying the oil that gives
light. You are the salt. You are the light.
Our very being as church must demonstrate
the power and truth of the gospel.
Our very life as a community must be so
transformed by the gospel that we become
the gospel to the world. Paul makes this
point in 2 Cor 4:1, 2: Therefore, since
through Gods mercy we have this ministry,
we do not lose heart. Rather, we have
renounced secret and shameful ways; we
do not use deception, nor do we distort
the word of God. On the contrary, by
setting forth the truth plainly we commend
ourselves to everyones conscience in the
sight of God.
Paul is saying in effect that because
ministers of the gospel are entrusted with
proclaiming it, they must live lives that are
consistent with the truth of the gospel by
renouncing secret and shameful ways,
deception and distortion. In so doing,

Irenaeus pictured the church

as a vessel containing the
rejuvenating
deposit
of
the gospel being in turn
rejuvenated by the gospel. It
is not the vessel that shapes
its content; it is the content
that shapes the vessel!

Ultimately, it is what we are that counts. It is not

enough to scatter the salt but to be salt, not just
to convey light but to be light. This is why at the
end of the Sermon in Matthew 7, Jesus sounds a
severe warning to those who heal the sick and cast
out demons, but are in fact evildoers (v. 23). He
follows up his warning with a story of the wise and
foolish men who built their houses on very different
foundations. Both the warning and the parable
highlight the need to embody what we know and do,
so that we become what we are called to proclaim.
The most effective form of social engagement is
not to be found in our activism and social critique,
necessary though these may be. Rather, real, longterm transformation of society comes from the church
shaped by the gospel to become, in the words of
Stanley Hauerwas, the community of character
that implants itself as salt and light in the world.
The church in Singapore has the critical mass to be
effective salt and light; the crucial question is: Is it?
See page 13 for Rev Dr Simon Chans new book

Rev Dr Simon Chan

Earnest Lau Professor of

Systematic Theology
Lecturer in Systematic Theology

Celebrating

66

Years

Thanksgiving Dinner
On a balmy evening on 3 October, a people left behind
the hustle and bustle of the day to gather at Orchid
Country Club. Supporter, student or staff of Trinity
Theological College, each had come to celebrate
TTCs 66th birthday.
The air filled with merry sounds of new friendships
forming and old friendships renewing. Phones and
cameras captured mementoes of the festive event, of
guests decked out in cultural or smartest finery.
The Masters of Ceremonies, Rev Dr Mark Chan
and Rev Dr Wilfred Ho, opened the evening with
words of welcome and wishes for an evening of
food sumptuous, fellowship sweet and conversation
scintillating.
Led by Gabriel Ling, voices rose in energetic worship
to God Almighty. Shepherded by Rev Dr Gordon
Wong, President of the Trinity Annual Conference,
hearts bowed in intercession for those who wanted
to attend this evening but could not. Culinary delights
then graced each table and guests with clinking
cutlery tucked in eagerly.
8

Tay Li Ping is a 2nd year MDiv student

More than simply honing academic aptitude, the Principal
gave glimpses of how TTC nurtures the spiritual, emotional,
social and character development of its students. In turn,
the colleges graduates have indirectly nurtured the soul
of Singapore by ministering to the spiritual wellbeing
of others. TTCs continued witness as a union college
testifies to the power of Christs love to unite in the midst
of a society and church beset with divisions.
Majestic male voices filled the ballroom as the TTC Male
Choir presented the soaring anthem Let the Name of the
Lord Be Praised! Flowing female voices blended in next
for the soothing spiritual My Souls Been Anchored in the
Lord.

Thanksgiving Service
On 3 October, Trinity Theological College celebrated its 66th Anniversary with a Holy Communion Service. Rev
Ranganathan Prabhu, President of the Emmanuel Tamil Annual Conference of The Methodist Church in Singapore
preached on Well Done! Faithful Servant and reminded us not to waste our time waiting for big responsibilities but
to use our gifts in daily life faithfully in order to produce fruitfulness.
The excellent TTC Choir, led by Mrs Simon Chan, gave the choral offering with a touching rendition of O Give
Thanks to the Lord from Mendelssohns Cantata Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise). In recognition of the commitment
of faithful servants several were presented Long Service Awards. They included our cleaners Mdm Lee Su Chin
(5 years) and Mdm Liow Ah Moi (10 years) who received loud applause. Our chaplain, Rev Dr Jeffrey Truscott (10
years), librarian, Dr Michael Mukunthan (15 years) and our inimitable lecturer, the Rev Dr Simon Chan (25 years)
were also recognized.
An alumni couple in their 80s, Lau Kuok Ding and Lilyc Bee Jin came all the way from the United States to join in the
celebration. Others present included Rev Dennis Gimang from Kuching, Sarawak, who graduated in 2002. Another
senior alumnus present was 85 years old Rev Norman Chan, who graduated in 1958! Upon seeing many younger
students Rev Chan said that God is doing a new thing...raising up a new generation with His Word to go into the
world to bear witness.
Aaron Foo is a 3rd year MDiv student

A Day to
Celebrate
& Give
Thanks

The Chaplains prayed for the graduating students, a

bittersweet reminder of this final anniversary dinner outing
as current students. All guests stood and in unison sang
the college anthem.
Rev Dr Chong Chin Chung, President of the Chinese
Annual Conference, gave the benediction and brought to
a close a memorable day of celebration and thanksgiving
to God for his 66 years of faithfulness to TTC.
9

The Fourfold Gospel

Fudan-Trinity Religious Studies Exchange

rofessor Yuan Xin, Executive Dean of the School of

Philosophy at Fudan University, visited TTC from
1 to 4 October. Professor Yuan was accompanied by
Professor Wang Xinsheng, Vice Dean of the School of
Philosophy who came last year for preliminary discussions.
During this visit, TTC and Fudans School of Philosophy
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the
Fudan-Trinity Religious Studies Exchange Programme.
Our guests also attended the colleges 66th Anniversary
Thanksgiving Dinner before returning to Shanghai. This
collaboration between TTC and Fudan aims to promote
scholarly exchange on religious studies between
Singapore and China. The two parties share common
interests in promoting better understanding of Christianity
from an Asian perspective, and the programme will provide
faculty and students of the two institutions the opportunity
to widen their exposure and broaden their perspectives.

Leonard Wee teaches New Testament

he TTC community and the Christian public were treated to a course of five lectures on The Fourfold
Gospel by the renowned biblical scholar, Professor Francis B. Watson, who is currently the Chair
of Biblical Interpretation at Durham University (UK). Delivered in the evenings from 25 September to 1
October 2014 at the Trinity Theological College chapel, the event was held in conjunction with TTCs 66th
Anniversary celebrations.

MOU signed by Professor Yuan Xin and

Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian

Benjamin Lau is a 2nd year BD student

contemplation, and to experience different forms of spirituality in
seven different prayer stations in a Prayer Labyrinth around TTC.
There were stations such as spiritual journaling, personal worship,
stillness and silence, time of contemplation in nature at the prayer
garden, praying for the nations, expressing a Word from God in a
prophetic art or just being prayed for by a faculty member.

his years Day of Prayer has

been a refreshing experience for
both faculty and students in the TTC
Community. The day started with a
heartfelt sharing by our keynote speaker,
Rev Mervyn Moore, the warden of St
Peters Hall. He shared the importance
of Surrendering our lives to God from
Jeremiah 18:1-6 and Romans 12:1-3.
He reminded us that to effectively serve
our Lord and his people in the ministry
to which he has called us, we need to
first come before him on our knees in
humility and with contrite hearts.
After the opening message, there was a
period of time allocated for the individual
to engage in personal prayer and

10

After the time spent in the prayer labyrinth, family groups gathered
together for a time of sharing and prayer for each other. The Day
of Prayer ended with a Holy Communion service, with the Word
preached by Rev Mervyn Moore on Going in the Strength of the
Heavenly Food from 1 Kings 19:8. He shared a personal testimony
of a time when God raised him from the depths of despair to the
mountain top of hope when he encountered Christ in a very real
and meaningful way. The Lords Supper was presided by Rev Dr
Simon Chan.

Being a first year student trying to adjust to theological

studies means my days have been dictated by to-do lists
and seemingly endless readings. But through the DOP I
was reminded that we need to set aside time to slow down,
reflect, listen to God and simply enjoy His presence.

Each of the five lectures carried a separate subtitle as follows:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

On Our Knees

Rev Mervyn Moore addressing Day of Prayer

While the different accounts in the four Gospels have often been seen as a weakness in modern scholarship
and are pitted against one another, Professor Watson argued that it is precisely in their differences that
the Gospels complement each other. The plurality of the accounts is a strength and not a weakness, and
Christians in the early Church since the second century A.D. have looked at these four Gospels as a unity
in diversity, when they collected the canonical Gospels together. A single perspective of the person of
Jesus would not have done justice to the collective traditions on the life and ministry of the Son of God.

- Lau Shi Mei (MDiv, Year 1)

After hearing the message and doing all the Prayer Labyrinth
stations, I felt that prayer didn't keep me away from pain
rather it makes me suffer more when I see the need of
the suffering world. Hence, prayer is entering into God's
intimacy and embracing his call to the suffering world.

- Gladys Grace Caole (MDiv, Year 2)

The Making of a Fourfold Gospel

Matthew: Jesus the Jew
Mark: The Way of the Lord
Luke: Annunciation
John: The Word Made Flesh

In each lecture, Professor Watson used a series of beautiful

pictures taken from the Lindisfarne Gospels and other ancient
drawings to illustrate how the early Christians viewed the
Gospels as a unity, while at the same time recognising their
diversity. The light-hearted nature of these lectures, despite the
scholarly research that undergirded them, was underscored right
at the beginning, when the professor presented a photo of the
magnificent Durham Cathedral. Sensing that the audience might
think that Durham professors lived in opulence, Professor Watson deftly clarified that the grand building
was not his residence!
Over the course of the next
four lectures, Professor Watson
illustrated how the different starting
point of each Gospel is related to
its distinctive presentation of the
Christ, even if they all end with the
trial, crucifixion and resurrection
of Jesus. It is exactly because of
these distinctive emphases that
the Gospels give us a composite,
multi-dimensional presentation of
the Saviour.
There was active participation from
the audience during the questionand-answer
session
each
evening. As the final session drew
to a close, Professor Watson did
something unusualhe allowed
all his lecture slides to be made
available to the audience! Such
was the generosity of a biblical
scholar who graciously shared his
expertise with the public, students,
alumni and faculty.

Artwork from the Lindisfarne Gospels

11

Homecoming

New book by Rev Dr Simon Chan

Grassroots Asian Theology proposes a new way of
doing theology in Asia. It challenges elitist theologies that have hitherto
dominated the Asian theological landscape. It argues that real theology is
the theology that is actually lived out by ordinary Christians in the varied
contexts of Asia and that the task of the theologian is to make explicit the
implicit theology of the faithful. But an Asian theology is not a parochial
theology for the Asian church; if it to be authentic, it must be done in light
of the Great Tradition and contribute to its further development.

Benjamin Fong is a 1st year MTh student

his years Homecoming was held on 2 October, a

day before TTCs 66th Anniversary, and we were
pleased to see the many familiar faces of students who
had graduated in years past. Special mention ought to
be made of the overseas alumni who came back, from
neighbouring countries as well as from the other side of
the globe, such as the United States.
The day began with a lecture on The Four Spheres of
the Christian Life by Professor Francis Watson. Using
Romans 12 and 13, Professor Watson described the
four spheres of life a Christian would be engaged in,
and inferred six Pauline theses with regard to societal
engagement. This led to a rather lively Q&A session,
with questions ranging from whether it was justifiable
for Christians to smash idols as part of home cleansing
rituals, to Christians engaging in civil disobedience and
what would be an appropriate response to ISIS.

Alumni having fellowship lunch

Alumni couple Rev Lau Kuok-Ding and Mrs Lilyc

Lau (from USA) with Rev Dr Yu Chin Cheak

The lecture was followed by an enjoyable

lunch in the dining hall, bringing to mind
memories of the weekly community
lunches that everyone would partake of
after the Wednesday chapel services.
More delightful than the food were the
conversations made with good company,
as alumni and faculty caught up with one
another, sharing stories of both ministry
and family experiences post-graduation.
Homecoming proved to be a welcome
respite from the rush of serving the Lord,
whether in the church or in the marketplace.
Several would also be present at the
Thanksgiving Service and Dinner the next
day (see page 8-9).

Evening Classes (CDCM) : An Invitation

The Centre for the Development of Christian Ministry is the lay training arm of Trinity Theological
College. It aims to serve the Church by providing lay training programmes, seminars and conferences
on the Bible, theology and ministry.
CDCM also offers a Certificate and Licentiate programme to participants. Pitched at a level which is
less demanding than the day-time degree courses, it has been a stepping stone for many to progress
towards a more rigourous degree programme. CDCM will be offering two new courses in January to
March.

Course A: Once Saved Always Saved?

Election, Predestination and the Bible

Course B: A History of Israel

Dates: 8 Wednesday evenings, beginning 7 Jan

Venue: St. Andrews Cathedral
Instructor: Rev Dr Soh Guan Chin

Dates: 8 Thursday evenings, beginning 8 Jan

Venue: TTC Lecture Room 2
Instructor: Rev Chiang Ming Shun

Details are available on our website www.ttc.edu.sg

12

Price: $25
Get your copy online at
books.ttc.edu.sg
or from TTC Admin office

I came away with new topics to wrestle with in my own theological

reflections. Chan is a wise evangelical thinker who points to spiritual
concerns that require creative engagement not only with traditional
Asian religions, but also with Catholic and Orthodox insights that can
enrich our evangelical efforts, especially in drawing on the spiritual
strengths of grassroots Pentecostalism.
Grassroots Asian Theology informs us that the Lord is doing some
wonderful things in local communities in Asia. But Chan does more
than inform. He also teaches some important lessons from Asian
Christians about how to faithfully serve the cause of the gospel in our
own cultural contexts
- Richard J. Mouw is the former president of
Fuller Theological Seminary

CSCA Lectures 2014

he CSCA Lectures for 2014 took place from

22-24 September. We had the pleasure
of welcoming to our college Professor Bernard
Adeney-Risakota, Professor of Religion and
Society at the Indonesian Consortium for Religious
Studies in the Graduate School of Gadiah Mada
University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He spoke on
the theme, Visions of a Good Society in Southeast
Asia: Interreligious Struggles in Religiously Diverse
Societies.
Professor Adeney-Risakota explored the way
in which our imagination of what is real (social
imaginaries) bears upon our cultural, political, and
religious practices. Adopting an interdisciplinary
approach, he offered helpful insights. Having
lived and taught in Indonesia for more than two
decades, he was able to expound on a complex
subject through the use of personal and practical
anecdotes. This real-life quality of the lectures was
particularly appreciated by the audience.
CSCA will publish the three nightly lectures. The
next CSCA Lectures will be held in September
2016.

Dr Mark Chan and Prof Bernard Adeney-Risakota

I must say that the lecture is thoughtful,

empirical and practically relevant. Professor
Risakotta is able to present Christianity to
the marketplace.
- Andreas Hauw

the lecture is best called down to earth

theology. It offers thought-provoking insights
for doing practical theology in the Southeast
Asian context, especially in Indonesia.
- Brury Eko Saputra

13

Punctuations . in . Time
Congratulations to ...
Michael Tan (MTh 1997) who succeeded another
alumnus Peter Chao (MMin 1980) as the new
President of Eagles Communications. The
leadership transition took place on 7 May.

Bishop Low Jee King (BTh 1987) and Bishop Kuan Kim
Seng (BD 1988) on their appointments as Assistant Bishops
of the Diocese of Singapore on 25 Oct.

Daniel Lee Kong Leong (BD 3) on his marriage to

Gervoys Chan Wai Ling on 14 Jun.

Daniel Lim Sze Kai (BD 2008) and Leong Peiyu (MDiv
2012) on the birth of their first newborn girl, Aletheia Min
Xuan, on 26 Oct.

Luo ChengZan (MDiv 2) and wife Wu Rui on the

arrival of their 2nd girl, Lou Shi Lin, on 3 Aug.

Ai Nguyen Tran (MDiv 2011) on his marriage to Ms Van

HongThi Doan in Vietnam on 8 Nov.

Zhang Wenshan (BD 2014) and wife Wang Ruiyu

Rhonda on the arrival of their baby girl, Zhang Xue
Tian, on 21 Aug.

The following alumni on their ordination by the Methodist

Church in Singapore:

Rev Joel Yong (MDiv 2003) and Mrs Arlene Yong

on the arrival of their 2nd child, Declan Knight Yang
Shouyi, on 26 Aug.
Zhang Li (MDiv 2009) on her marriage to Jiang Wei
in Kunming, China, on 6 Sep.
Elaine Lim (BD 2011) and Mr Alex Choo on the
arrival of their baby girl, Wiselyn Choo Xuan Ci, on
7 Sep.

Farewell to ...
We would like to thank alumnus Rev Dr Liew Yoo
Kiang (MDiv 1988) lecturer at TTC since January
2009, for his contributions to our college over the
years. Yoo Kiang who also served as Director
of CDCM (Chinese), has decided to return to
the pastoral ministry. We wish Yoo Kiang Gods
blessings as he continues his ministry at Abundant
Grace Presbyterian Church.

Condolences to ...

Chinese Annual Conference (13 Nov)

Deacon: Rev Irman Halim (MDiv 2005), Rev Edmund
Koh Lik Hng (MDiv 2012), Rev Tack Ng Lai Chun (BD
2011), Rev Eric Soh Wai Foon (BD 2010)
Elder: Rev Ling Tieng Ngung (MDiv 2003)
Trinity Annual Conference (20 Nov)
Deacon: Rev Gladwin Lee Khian Guan (MDiv 2012),
Rev Benjamin Lee Shang Ching (MDiv 2012)
Elder: Rev David Ho Gim Pin (BD 2010), Rev Irene
Thung Mui Cheng (MDiv 2007)

Thank You for Your Partnership

in Theological Education
TTC depends fully on the generosity
of well wishers in Singapore
Your gifts will be used to train
men and women
for Christian Outreach and Ministry
in Singapore and the region

Cho Ai Lin Hannah (BD 2) on the demise of her beloved

father, the late Mr Cho Yong Kwan, on 30 Aug.

We invite you to consider

the following ways
to contribute to our ministry:

Family of the late Rev John J K Lu (TTC lecturer 19551987) on the demise of his beloved wife, Mdm Aw
Cheng Swan (Mrs John Lu), on 2 Sep.

By Cheque payable to Trinity Theological

College Mail to: 490 Upper Bukit Timah Road,
Singapore 678093

Betty Yu Shuet Kuen (BTh 1972) whose mother, the late

Madam Chang Jin Pao, aged 90, was called home to
the Lord on 14 Sep.

By Bank or ATM transfer to our DBS current

account 0330172613

Dr Kwa Kiem Kiok (MDiv 1999) on the demise of her

beloved mother on 30 Sep.
Family of the late Rev Dr Clarence Lim Kim Seng (BD
1970), aged 74, who was called home to the Lord on 2
Oct.
The family of the late Ms Elizabeth Johannnaber, aged
101, who was called home to the Lord on 2 Oct. She
was a former lecturer of TTC.
David Teo Keng Bock (MMin 2004) and Mrs Betty Teo
on the demise of his beloved mother, the late Mdm Mary
Seow Yoke Kum, aged 72. She was called home to the
Lord on 3 Nov.

14

Welcome to the Faculty

Alumnus Rev Dr Jimmy Tan (MDiv
1995), will join the TTC faculty in
January 2015. An ordained minister in
the Presbyterian Church in Singapore,
his PhD from Fuller Theological
Seminary is in the field of spiritual
formation and guidance. Confronted
by
an
increasingly
nebulous
contemporary spiritual climate and
recurring challenges in the field of
pastoral care and formation, his dissertation examined the
historical, theological and practical aspects of guidance in
the Catholic and Reformed traditions.
Jimmy views his appointment at TTC, made possible
by financial support from four Presbyterian churches
and All Saints Memorial Chapel, as a special privilege
to contribute to the academy and beyond. He is deeply
grateful to share in a slice of TTCs history and look
forward to working with faculty and students alike in
the stimulating environment of his alma mater to foster
focused attention on Christian formation and the spiritual
life. Jimmy is married to Soh Kwan and they have three
daughters.

More New Publications

Ming Shun tells Trumpet: I am looking forward

to starting at TTC! I am a church historian and a
military history enthusiast, very much interested
in the story of the church, particularly in Asia.
Although I believe we should not live in the past,
I think we are better and stronger living with the
knowledge of the past.

What Young Asian

Theologians Are Thinking

It is not always easy to discover exactly what young Asian theologians are thinking (to
paraphrase Douglas J. Elwood). Overwhelmed with commitments, young theologians find
it difficult to pursue their research interests. This book is the result of an invitation to
a few young theologians to pause and reflect upon the key theological issues they are
concerned with in their respective contexts.
The nine articles cover a broad range of topics. The first section (Text and Context)
focus on specific portions of the Biblical text and how they speak to various parts of Asia.
The second, entitled Theology in Context, propose ways of meaningfully engaging the
Christian faith with the contributors own contexts in China, Hong Kong and Thailand.
The final three articles On Terminology and Methodology deal with basic issues of how
we should explicate key concepts and undertake the theological task. The last portion
contains three responses from senior scholars.
The book is edited by Dr Leow Theng Huat who teaches Church History and Theology.

Price: $15

The Priesthood of Christ:

Atonement in the Theology of John Owen (1616-1683)

By way of Bequests to TTC. We shall be

pleased to discuss this plan with you.
You may email the principal@ttc.edu.sg or call
us at: 67676677

This book is the first full-scale monograph on the subject of atonement in Owens thought.
Drawing from a wide range of Owens writings and upon recent historiographical studies
on Protestant Orthodoxy, Dr Tay offers a critical exposition of Owens thought on the
said subject. He argues that at the heart of Owens atonement theology is his peculiar
understanding of Christs priesthood.

Thank you for blessing

Trinity Theological College

Edwin Tays book is unique...whoever seeks to find out more about the marriage between
academic theology and puritan spirituality in John Owen, including its relevance for today, is
well advised to study Tays book.

The Trumpet is published in

English and Chinese
To view the Chinese edition,
please visit our website
www.ttc.edu.sg

Alumnus Rev Chiang Ming

Shun is completing his PhD
studies at the University of
Cambridge, UK. He was
previously an administrative
officer at a local university.
Ming Shun graduated from
TTC (MDiv 2000), having
Ming Shun with
also studied at Asbury
wife Po Lin
Theological Seminary in
Kentucky, USA. Since then, he has been a minister
with The Methodist Church in Singapore (TRAC).
He found it a joy and an education to serve as
pastor in two local churches and as chaplain
to Methodist schools, Boys Brigade and Girls
Brigade companies as part of his pastoral duties.

Available from
February 2015

- Willem J. van Asselt, Emeritus Professor of Church History,

Utrecht University, The Netherlands;
Professor of Historical Theology Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Leuven, Belgium

Dr Edwin Tay, the author, teaches Theology.

Books are available online at books.ttc.edu.sg or from TTC Admin office

15

Ever wondered

how you might deepen your understanding of the Christian

tradition and develop a spiritually mature and vibrant faith?

Ever wished

you could receive a theological education that is grounded in

sound and solid Christian scholarship?

Ever contemplated

Gods call upon your life and how you may be equipped to
serve God in church and society?

Consider Trinity Theological College

where you will find study and formational programmes that

sharpen the mind, shape the heart, and strengthen the
hands to serve God in church and world. Together with
other members of the TTC community, you will be
inspired and encouraged to grow in faith and discern Gods
voice and will for your life.

Come join us at our OPEN HOUSE

where you will visit our campus, meet our faculty,

speak with students, sit in on classes, worship and
fellowship with us

To register, email openhouse@ttc.edu.sg or do it

online at www.ttc.edu.sg (deadline: 16 Jan 2015)

TTC offers you the following degree programmes

Basic Theological Degrees

Advanced Theological Degrees

Bachelor of Divinity (BD)

Master of Divinity (MDiv)
Master of Theological Studies (MTS)

Application deadline
International applicants: 31 January 2015
Singapore and Malaysia residents: 15 March 2015

Master of Ministry (MMin)

Master of Theology (MTh)
Master of Letters (MLitt)
Doctor of Theology (DTh)

Application deadline
All applicants: 31 January 2015

We welcome you to apply

for the new academic year
which commences in
July 2015
For more details, please visit our website www.ttc.edu.sg
For enquiries, email to registrar@ttc.edu.sg
TRUMPET EDITORIAL:
Ms Nie Yicong, Ms Dawn Lee, Rev Dr Liew Yoo Kiang, Ms Eunice Low,
Rev Yap Seok Chin (Editor for Chinese),
Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian (Editor)

16

TRINITY THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE

490 Upper Bukit Timah Road

Singapore 678093
Email: info@ttc.edu.sg
Website: www.ttc.edu.sg
Tel: (65) 6767 6677

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