Thursday, December 29, 2005
Christ-less Christmas and beyond
Had a good time catching up with my predecessor in NIECF. Talked about teaching, ministry, and also her plans for theological studies. Was quite sad to hear about the problems she faces in church, reminds me of my past, but I think she is having a much harder time. With a youth pastor and leaders who are not clear about ministry, often being irresponsible in their duties, it can really get very discouraging. Week after week, the youths come to church but do not learn about the gospel, and fellowship is just meeting up and feeling comfortable with one another. Even so called bible study sessions are just studying the popular 40 days book, and not the bible. Christmas event in church was just a series of performances put up by people of different ages. My dear sister simply felt a sense of shame just sitting down there, sad that the people who came do not even get to hear the gospel being preached. Looking at her, I'm just amazed at her perseverance, being able to endure for so long, and fighting silently. Was encouraged to hear that she has been buying materials from Matthias Media, and at least some people are being built up in the midst. Though it has been heavy on her finances, she is indeed an example of someone who uses her singleness effectively for God and His people. Fighting slowly and patiently behind the scene, that's the way she has been serving for the past many years. Am thankful to God that she doesn't lose heart, but in fact grew even stronger in the years as she continues to run the race, and fight the fight in guarding and passing on the gospel in her church.
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Some thoughts form a passer-by…
Not trying to sound offensive or rude, but pastors (some youth, & even senior, or Pastor-In-charge) and leaders (Elders, deacons) who are not clear about ministry shouldn't be in the Ministry. But by God's purpose (for which we do not know), they are there. For we Christians who are the body of Christ, many a times, people (non-Christians) do not see the Christ-likeness in us. "Do not be conformed to this world (Rom 12:2)." Is what we lack & maybe what we have missed. “To be conformed to the image of his Son” is what we need (Rom 8:29).
Indeed, I agree that it is really sometimes very discouraging, to see numerous youths come to church but do not learn about the gospel, and fellowship is just meeting up and feeling comfortable with one another. This has caused many so called second generation Christians to fall away from the faith. Very often in churches, Biblical and doctrinal teachings are diluted. Sunday schools & Sermon Preaching become story-telling sessions. Often, the Gospel is not proclaimed. The Word of God is not proclaimed. When it is “proclaimed”, it is sometimes done erroneously, or for extrinsic reasons, such as to “manipulate” or “scare” the congregations!! A sad scene! May God revive us!
The 40 days book (Purpose-Driven) is fine for beginning Christians & those who will like to “revisit” their faith. It's not that bad. (Even though there are critics, one should not dismiss its usefulness. The book by Richard Abanes "Rick Warren and the Purpose that Drives Him" proves this point.). Like all books, discernment must be exercised when reading (even from theologians & bible scholars can err. For example, Dr John Sanders at Huntington College is an advocate of open theism, which is unscriptural.). Obvious, for all bible studies, the bible must be the focus. The fault in bible studies is that the bible is often not studied. When they are studied, they are studied inappropriately. Often, the members just take turns giving views. As to whether these views are correct, they are never checked after the session. When Christian literature is used, only popular ones are used. However, the fact that they are popular also almost means that they lack the depth that a mature Christian need. Also, Bible passages quoted in these books are meant to be looked up and studied (to further understand the context which they are in), and not meant to look impressive! But many a times, this is not done! Sad!
I read that your sister has been buying materials from Matthias Media. May God bless her richly for her efforts. Materials from Matthias Media are evangelical in nature and sound, but to save costs (shipping), there are also good books from evangelical publishers such as Crossway, Baker, IVP (both UK & US), B&H (Mainly Baptists writers, esp. from US’s Southern Baptist Convention), Paternoster (Its NIBC Series also offers volumes of sound commentaries.), Zondervan (Gordon Fee’s “How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth”) and Moody. As these books can be bought locally, they are usually cheaper, but not lacking in quality. As usual, discernment must be exercised. Some books from these publishers can have bad theology & not really scriptural.
The publisher Baker has any good books. One of which is D.A. Carson's 'The Cross and Christian Ministry' which you have read. Though first published in 1993. it offers enduring lessons from 1 Corinthians.
IVP, too, has some good books (available locally from the Fellowship of Evangelical Students (FES) which you should be familiar with!! : 1) Michael Green‘s 30 Years That Changed The World: a fresh look at the book of Acts. 2) Graeme Goldsworthy’s According To Plan. 3) John Stott’s Baptism and Fullness. 4) Michael Green’s “But Don't All Religions Lead to God?”. 5) Alex G. Smith’s “Buddhism Through Christian Eyes”. 6) Denis Alexander’s “Can We Be Sure of Anything?” 7) Paul R Stevens’s “Down-to-Earth Spirituality”. 8) The BST’s series (OT, NT & Bible themes available). & many more ….
These publishers publish books from evangelical writers such as J I Packer, J Boice, D A Carson and Millard J Erickson (The “Christian Theology” which he wrote is a classic Evangelical Systematic Theology written from a Conservative Baptist perspective. It also has material for personal application. An easier condensed of this 1300pp++ book would be “Introducing Christian Doctrine” which as only 430pp.). Local publisher such as Armour also have some good books from an Asian (or should I say Singaporean perspective). Egs. are Daniel Tong’s “A Biblical Approach to Chinese Traditions and Beliefs” .
Many popular Christian titles should be read with caution. They are often not written by specialist in their field. Their theology may not be sound (ie. unbiblical). One good eg is "Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul" by John Eldredge. Though not directly stating, the writer seems to advocate an open theist stance.
And yes, of Christ-less Christmas gathering (what an irony!), I agree with you that to proclaim the gospel to friends & relatives isn’t easy. Yes, it can be a test of whether we are ashamed of the gospel. The field of Apologetics may offer some help at this point. Didn’t the Lord say “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”(2 Tim. 4:2) Books by Christian apologists, philosophers & theologians such as Norman Geisler (SES), Josh McDowell (Campus Crusade for Christ), and J P Moreland (Talbot Sch of Theol.) may be useful for this purpose of “reprove, rebuke, and exhort”. The humanistic philosophy that man lives so as to satisfy one’s desires and needs is rampant. May we have the courage to proclaim “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed” (II Timothy 1:12). May God use the words of his servants (writers, bible teachers, pastors, theologians) for the furtherance of his kingdom. May we not be so proud as to think that we alone can understand the truth of the bible, which is simple to the child and yet also profound to the mature and intellectual.
From your blog, I could sense that you feel that a Christmas without the mention of Jesus is a pity. True, for how many Christmas can one have in a lifetime! Maybe sixty, eighty or …? Even though there are that many, the people we meet may be different then & a chance may be missed.
When we say “crude jokes and pagan talks”, we are conforming to the world! And this is also often the reason why Christians are indistinguishable from non-Christians. As Christians, we should aim to be Christ-like. But we need also to know that our sanctifications will never be completed in this life (see Phil 3:21 where the Lord says that he will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body“). But, We should also never say “our sin has defeated me”. Sin will never be allowed dominion of us as scripture tells us that this will not be so (Rom 6:14). I am aware that 1 John 3:6 says “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not.” (KJV), but the present-tense Greek verbs are better translated as indicating continual or habitual activity. The NLT has 1 John 3:16 as it as “So if we continue to live in him, we wouldn’t sin either”. Like the KJV, the NLT isn’t any much clearer. This also points to the fact that those who advocate a KJV-only view should seriously consider their view. The ESV (& NIV) is a much clearer translation: “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps (or continues) on sinning has either seen him or known him.” As the wrier of Ecclesiastes clearly writes, “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.” (7:20) When we study the bible, we seek the whole counsel of God, we do not & should not take things out of context. Yes, a lot of Christians say “we should not take things out of context”, but the reason behind is that God does not contradicts his own words.
You have a wonderful blog. With interesting life stories & happenings, one can see the gospel lived & experienced. May God bless you.
Not trying to sound offensive or rude, but pastors (some youth, & even senior, or Pastor-In-charge) and leaders (Elders, deacons) who are not clear about ministry shouldn't be in the Ministry. But by God's purpose (for which we do not know), they are there. For we Christians who are the body of Christ, many a times, people (non-Christians) do not see the Christ-likeness in us. "Do not be conformed to this world (Rom 12:2)." Is what we lack & maybe what we have missed. “To be conformed to the image of his Son” is what we need (Rom 8:29).
Indeed, I agree that it is really sometimes very discouraging, to see numerous youths come to church but do not learn about the gospel, and fellowship is just meeting up and feeling comfortable with one another. This has caused many so called second generation Christians to fall away from the faith. Very often in churches, Biblical and doctrinal teachings are diluted. Sunday schools & Sermon Preaching become story-telling sessions. Often, the Gospel is not proclaimed. The Word of God is not proclaimed. When it is “proclaimed”, it is sometimes done erroneously, or for extrinsic reasons, such as to “manipulate” or “scare” the congregations!! A sad scene! May God revive us!
The 40 days book (Purpose-Driven) is fine for beginning Christians & those who will like to “revisit” their faith. It's not that bad. (Even though there are critics, one should not dismiss its usefulness. The book by Richard Abanes "Rick Warren and the Purpose that Drives Him" proves this point.). Like all books, discernment must be exercised when reading (even from theologians & bible scholars can err. For example, Dr John Sanders at Huntington College is an advocate of open theism, which is unscriptural.). Obvious, for all bible studies, the bible must be the focus. The fault in bible studies is that the bible is often not studied. When they are studied, they are studied inappropriately. Often, the members just take turns giving views. As to whether these views are correct, they are never checked after the session. When Christian literature is used, only popular ones are used. However, the fact that they are popular also almost means that they lack the depth that a mature Christian need. Also, Bible passages quoted in these books are meant to be looked up and studied (to further understand the context which they are in), and not meant to look impressive! But many a times, this is not done! Sad!
I read that your sister has been buying materials from Matthias Media. May God bless her richly for her efforts. Materials from Matthias Media are evangelical in nature and sound, but to save costs (shipping), there are also good books from evangelical publishers such as Crossway, Baker, IVP (both UK & US), B&H (Mainly Baptists writers, esp. from US’s Southern Baptist Convention), Paternoster (Its NIBC Series also offers volumes of sound commentaries.), Zondervan (Gordon Fee’s “How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth”) and Moody. As these books can be bought locally, they are usually cheaper, but not lacking in quality. As usual, discernment must be exercised. Some books from these publishers can have bad theology & not really scriptural.
The publisher Baker has any good books. One of which is D.A. Carson's 'The Cross and Christian Ministry' which you have read. Though first published in 1993. it offers enduring lessons from 1 Corinthians.
IVP, too, has some good books (available locally from the Fellowship of Evangelical Students (FES) which you should be familiar with!! : 1) Michael Green‘s 30 Years That Changed The World: a fresh look at the book of Acts. 2) Graeme Goldsworthy’s According To Plan. 3) John Stott’s Baptism and Fullness. 4) Michael Green’s “But Don't All Religions Lead to God?”. 5) Alex G. Smith’s “Buddhism Through Christian Eyes”. 6) Denis Alexander’s “Can We Be Sure of Anything?” 7) Paul R Stevens’s “Down-to-Earth Spirituality”. 8) The BST’s series (OT, NT & Bible themes available). & many more ….
These publishers publish books from evangelical writers such as J I Packer, J Boice, D A Carson and Millard J Erickson (The “Christian Theology” which he wrote is a classic Evangelical Systematic Theology written from a Conservative Baptist perspective. It also has material for personal application. An easier condensed of this 1300pp++ book would be “Introducing Christian Doctrine” which as only 430pp.). Local publisher such as Armour also have some good books from an Asian (or should I say Singaporean perspective). Egs. are Daniel Tong’s “A Biblical Approach to Chinese Traditions and Beliefs” .
Many popular Christian titles should be read with caution. They are often not written by specialist in their field. Their theology may not be sound (ie. unbiblical). One good eg is "Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul" by John Eldredge. Though not directly stating, the writer seems to advocate an open theist stance.
And yes, of Christ-less Christmas gathering (what an irony!), I agree with you that to proclaim the gospel to friends & relatives isn’t easy. Yes, it can be a test of whether we are ashamed of the gospel. The field of Apologetics may offer some help at this point. Didn’t the Lord say “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”(2 Tim. 4:2) Books by Christian apologists, philosophers & theologians such as Norman Geisler (SES), Josh McDowell (Campus Crusade for Christ), and J P Moreland (Talbot Sch of Theol.) may be useful for this purpose of “reprove, rebuke, and exhort”. The humanistic philosophy that man lives so as to satisfy one’s desires and needs is rampant. May we have the courage to proclaim “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed” (II Timothy 1:12). May God use the words of his servants (writers, bible teachers, pastors, theologians) for the furtherance of his kingdom. May we not be so proud as to think that we alone can understand the truth of the bible, which is simple to the child and yet also profound to the mature and intellectual.
From your blog, I could sense that you feel that a Christmas without the mention of Jesus is a pity. True, for how many Christmas can one have in a lifetime! Maybe sixty, eighty or …? Even though there are that many, the people we meet may be different then & a chance may be missed.
When we say “crude jokes and pagan talks”, we are conforming to the world! And this is also often the reason why Christians are indistinguishable from non-Christians. As Christians, we should aim to be Christ-like. But we need also to know that our sanctifications will never be completed in this life (see Phil 3:21 where the Lord says that he will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body“). But, We should also never say “our sin has defeated me”. Sin will never be allowed dominion of us as scripture tells us that this will not be so (Rom 6:14). I am aware that 1 John 3:6 says “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not.” (KJV), but the present-tense Greek verbs are better translated as indicating continual or habitual activity. The NLT has 1 John 3:16 as it as “So if we continue to live in him, we wouldn’t sin either”. Like the KJV, the NLT isn’t any much clearer. This also points to the fact that those who advocate a KJV-only view should seriously consider their view. The ESV (& NIV) is a much clearer translation: “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps (or continues) on sinning has either seen him or known him.” As the wrier of Ecclesiastes clearly writes, “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.” (7:20) When we study the bible, we seek the whole counsel of God, we do not & should not take things out of context. Yes, a lot of Christians say “we should not take things out of context”, but the reason behind is that God does not contradicts his own words.
You have a wonderful blog. With interesting life stories & happenings, one can see the gospel lived & experienced. May God bless you.
# posted by 
: 9:50 PM
: 9:50 PM
Thanks for the encouragement! :) I think this is the longest comment I've received so far and a very helpful one indeed. Will check out the books you recommended.
How did you come across my blog? Do you have a blog? :)
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