MICA (P)087/02/2012 APR 2012

Jeffrey Truscott

W
hy do Christians worship on Sunday morning? There might be many reasons: out of habit, as a
prelude to Sunday brunch with friends, or to receive religious instruction. For some of us, Sunday
worship is so ingrained that we never ask ourselves why we do it. So let us now consider the
reasons why Christians worship.

First, we worship because it is the right thing to do. The holiness and power of God naturally lead us to
bow down before him in praise, adoration and confession. We worship God because we recognize One
who is worthy of the highest forms of honour that we can give.

Second, we worship to meet God. Worship is not just about God; worship is a meeting with God! Indeed,
God is present in worship to bless us through the Word and the Lords Supper. Gods Word proclaimed in
the reading of the Scriptures and preaching creates faith and inspires holy living (cf. Romans 10:17, 2
Timothy 3:16). The Lords Supper is a true communion with Christ who offers forgiveness and his very self
through the bread and cup. Both Word and Supper are means for initiating and sustaining a saving
relationship with Christ.

That worship is full of the saving and sanctifying power of God in Jesus Christ implies two things:

contd

contd
1
1
 contd from p1
contd from p1
First, Christians should avoid being overly-
scrupulous about their own participation in
worship. People sometimes question whether the
worship assembly is simply going through the
motions in worship, especially when making
standard liturgical responses, e.g. saying Thanks
be to God after the scripture reading. Do we
make this response automatically and without
sincerity, such that we invite Gods judgement?
While it is true that God desires the sincere
worship of people who live in full obedience to him
(cf. Psalm 24:3-4), we dare not think that, in this
life, we will worship with perfect sincerity. Rather
than focusing on our own sincerity, we should
focus on what God is saying to us in worship! It is,
after all, Gods Word that will perfect our faith.
Indeed, we do not come to worship because we
have a perfect faith; rather we worship that we
might obtain a more perfect faith.
That Christians will meet together
regularly for worship further implies
that we are all works in progress
when it comes to sanctification
Also, built into worship is the assumption that we
Christians are a pilgrim people making our way
toward the goal of greater perfection and holiness
in Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18) ; if we were already
perfect in Christ, our worship would not include
things like a confession and pardon, and a meal
that proclaims and offers Gods forgiveness. Nor
would the scriptures and preaching encourage us
to live holy lives! Furthermore, the assumption
that Christians will meet together regularly for
worship (cf. Hebrews 10:25) further implies that
we are all works in progress when it comes to
sanctification.
Over time, then, we can hope that participation in
worship will enable us to grow in faith and
sincerity. The roughness of any insincerity will be
worn smooth by the Word and presence of Christ
himself.
Second, worship leaders must focus on the central
things of worship Word and Meal so that God
might speak to us for our perfection. Many worship
22
leaders today, whether of traditional or
contemporary worship, seem preoccupied with
making worshippers feel good or with entertaining
them, especially through music. It would be better
if leaders sought to ensure that the content of
prayers and songs expressed the deepest truths
about God (e.g. Gods triune being). Only theologi-
cally sound, biblical worship will make for biblically
-grounded worshippers who lead holy lives.
As we reflect on worship in light
of biblical teaching, we realize that
worship is more than a lecture
it is an encounter
Additionally, worship leaders must celebrate the
Lords Supper with care and reverence. Especially
in services that devote most of the time to congre-
gational singing and preaching, leaders might be
tempted to rush through the Lords Supper. Yet
worshippers need time to reflect on their need for
the Supper, as well as on the immense gift of
forgiveness that it signifies and offers. Worship
leaders might adjust the time allotted to singing
and preaching when Holy Communion is included,
as well as seek prayer resources that enhance the
Suppers connection to the Bible, e.g. those in the
Worship Sourcebook (Calvin Institute, Grand
Rapids, USA).
As we reflect on worship in light of biblical teach-
ing, we realize that worship is more than a lecture
it is an encounter. Accordingly, we do well as
worshippers to focus on opening ourselves to this
encounter, rather than dwelling obsessively on our
sincerity and worthiness for it. Leaders are
advised to let Word and Meal stand central and
strong so that Gods sanctifying and perfecting
work might touch the heart of each worshipper.
May God help us to do these things.
Rev Dr Jeffrey Truscott
Lecturer in Liturgy and Worship
Chaplain of Trinity Theological College
 A Word from the Principal
AOn
Word from the Principal
Preaching and Listening
The Handheld Device a Tool or Master?
T
he angel said, Do not be afraid. I bring you Fred Craddock in his classic book titled Preaching
good news of great joy that will be for all the says that most congregations are not looking for

W
hile having
people (Luke lunch at a Ever
2: 10). restaurant
Since recently,
that firstI At Sunday skills
oratorical worshipbutit is
fornotsome
uncommon
insight.to hear
People the
noticed atocouple
announcement taking their seats
the shepherds nearby.
in the fields,Soon
the announcement
welcome a messagereminding thehelps
that congregation
them look to either
closerturnat
tidings ofafter placing their
Christmas orders
joy has they each
travelled thetook
world outover.
their off their
their mobile
lives, phones
their or switch
marriages, to silent
their mode.
studies, Still,
their the
jobs,
ipads
In ourand thoughera,
modern seated
the facing
message eachhas
other,
been theyretold,
were companion in every the
their world through pocket
lensand handbag often
of Scripture interrupts
and theology,
engrossed
enhanced with their personal high-tech
by sophisticated electronic equipment
device. Comic and asosilent prayer or the reading of scripture,
that a fresh perspective can be found. Eloquenceincluding the
strips have for some time poked fun at the digital revolu- sermon. Of course there are worshippers whose employ-
media presentations. helps but people are looking for a meaningful message
tion which has brought connectivity to our world but not ment require that they remain in communication 24/7 but
necessarily improved communication between individuals.
which encourages reflection.
many now feel it unthinkable to be out of reach even for a
In fact it was only about
Homiletics it 20 years that
is said ago that the mobile
teachers couple of hours. Yet the fourth commandment (Ex 20:
phone first broke into the consumer market and within 8Craddock adds us
11) exhorts thatto akeep
sermon does notand
the Sabbath in itself make
that means
suchofathe subject
short space ofstill
time,wonder
the handifphone
it can really
has become an impact for the reason that most parishioners
not allowing our handheld device to interfere with the hear a
nearly everyones inseparable companion. sermon ofasourit Lord.
worship is filtered through many sermons and
be taught although those with the
therefore every preacher builds on the work of his
gift of public speaking will find it predecessors.
TTC lecturer, DrInRoland
other words
Chia, we who preach
in Laws of the cannot
Heart
The younger
lessgeneration, also known
of a challenge. as the explains that full
really take the credit
Lords Day is primarily
if our sermon aappearstime for rest and
to have
Game Generation cannot part with it and worship. Consecrated
touched listeners in aforspecial
holy rest,
way. it must
Indeed represent an
there are
interruption
many reference of ourpointsdaily
for routine
the listenerand ofactivities,
a sermon,a
one wonders how all this will impact
deliberate temporary pause on the things
pointing to the memory of the church as a treasury, that occupy us
faith in God as we understand it? and
But preaching continues to be the most effective thusdrive
makingus usduring thericher.
all the hectic week. He elaborates that
means of sharing the good news. Homiletics (or the loss of Sabbath time in the modern world may be an
Technology is no doubt a boon to modern living and as ominous sign, for the essentials of life such as stillness,
preaching) is now a core subject for those preparing
long as it remains servant of those who use it, its future for
for full time ministry. Yet, it is said that teachers of the any sermon
thoughtfulness, gentlenessthatandispatience
communicated are lost in the
humanity is rather promising. According to The Futurist world of multitasking, instant results and bottom
subject
(Jan Febstill 2012),
wonderin ifthe
it can
yearreally
2025,be taught, although
advanced countries with conviction and passion will usually
lines. When we learn to deliberately cease from work
those with the gift of public speaking will
will deploy social robots to solve labour shortagefind it less
and of
to hold the
while at worship, weattention
acknowledge of that
listeners
it is God, and not
a challenge.
do work which its citizens are not willing to perform. us, who sustains the world.
Perhaps this could be true for Singapore as well, with
In our robots
social Protestant
doingtradition, there such
menial tasks seems astosweeping
be an over-
the So is it fair to say that some sermons can be boring? If
The mobile phone allows us to carry the
so, whose fault is it? Thomas Long observes that
emphasis
streets, on sermons
clearing as the
our garbage andhigh
doingpoint for a worship
household chores.
service. Rightly or wrongly, worshippers look towards sermons electronic
often seem version of Gods
more boring thanWord
they really are.
The magazine
the Sunday also projects
sermon that item
as the main by then, your mobile
of worship, while hasistremendous
He quite convinced potential
that it for personal
is actually devotion
rare to find a
phone
other will be the remote
aspects of the control of yourare
service life. considered
It will be so sermon completely devoid
and meditation of inspiration
anywhere or creativity.
in the world, and
advanced that Hence
preliminaries. it can theywarnwaityou if your food
in anticipation is
for an Regardless of that,the
also to share wefaith
knowwiththat congregations
Bible in hand will
contaminated, or whether the surgeon you
inspiring message but are sometimes disappointed consult has an still vote with their feet if sermons are both boring and
unblemished
when the sermonrecord. In the
lacks 2025, you check everything on
punch. long winded.
the spot with your wizard mobile and manage your Thankfully, the tool need not be a master. For instance,
finances the mobile
the phone
call to allows
preachusrequires
to carry one
the electronic
to devoteversion
A lecturerand keep your at
of preaching secrets
EmoryinUniversitys
your own personal
Candler Thus, much
dashboard. Some have already suggested that in the of
timeGods Word, and
in prayerful as manysoversions
reflection we may
as to bring wish to
contextual
School of Theology, in an article Why sermons bore download
future, there will be no need to carry a passport as your
us (Thomas Long), reminds us that its a perennial relevanceonto ourscripture
to the device. This
text.has
Fortremendous
the fact is potential
that any
mobile device will confirm your identity. for
sermon that is communicated with anywhere
personal devotion and meditation convictionin and
the
complaint and centuries of church goers have carped world, and also to share the faith with Bible in hand.
about boring sermons. He so
says that Searchin Commit- passion will usually hold the attention of listeners.
The hand phone has become indispensable daily life,
teeseven
that for pastors often
Christians runhave a wish list
the danger and atenslaved
of being the top of to So just as it was true in previous generations, it is still true
thatmultiple
its list is good preacher.
functions Unfortunately,The
and applications. these com-
younger today, that the world offers us many useful devices for the
mittees would
generation, also report
known as backthe that
Game theGeneration
searches cannot
lead advancement of civilisation. We should make use of them
themwith
part through drywonders
it and one and waterless places!
how all this If faith
will impact good in as Gods gift to humanity, as long as we do not allow them
God as we are
preachers understand
hard to it?
find,Will dependence
could it also be on trueGods
that to turn our eyes away from the One who first loved us and
providential
good listening care be redefined,
is not and how
being cultivated shall
in our we teach
churches? continues to sustain the world and all creation.
young Christians about the presence of the Holy Spirit as
personal counsellorCatholic
In the Roman and guidetradition,
(John 16: a7)?homily would
usually be about 10 minutes duration. Denomina-
Indeed, we shall are
tional churches be challenged to find lasting
used to sermons meaningful rele-
of about
vance of our faith amidst life in a super high-tech
30 minutes. However, in some independent churches, Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian
society. The digital revolution is here to stay and if there is
it is not uncommon for teaching-oriented messages to
a sacred space that has been encroached upon, it has to
be our
as long as service.
an hour. Some have expressed that the Principal
be worship
concern for sermon length is the result of the diminish-
ing attention span of our generation.

The Trumpet is published in both English and Chinese 3

To view the digital version, please visit the TTC website: www.ttc.edu.sg 3
3
TTC Trumpet-Dec2011.indd 3 11/30/11 9:46 AM
 Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) Leaders
Welcomed At TTC
Mark L. Y. Chan

O
ver the years, members of the TTC community
have, in connection with the National Council of
Churches of Singapore (NCCS), been engaged
with leaders of the Islamic community in Singapore on
various issues in society that are of common concern to
the two faith communities.
In the spirit of fostering greater interfaith exchange, a
delegation from MUIS (Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura),
the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore which
included the leadership of MUIS Academy and the
Harmony Centre paid a friendly visit to TTC on 9
February 2012. The Principal and some
faculty members were on hand to welcome
and host a luncheon for our visitors.
Our guests were given an overview of the various
programmes offered by TTC, while they in turn shared
candidly about the challenges they faced in developing
religious leaders. Despite the substantive and important
issues discussed, it must be said that the exchanges
throughout the morning visit were invariably warm,
enlightening and gracious, with a fair bit of humour
thrown in as well. This good visit no doubt contributed
positively to enhancing the relationship between TTC and
MUIS.

The purpose of the visit, according to Mr

Zainul Abidin Ibrahim, MUISs Deputy
Director for Strategic Engagement and leader
of the delegation, was not only to build on the
relationship already established but also to
facilitate exchange of ideas between the two
religious bodies in the interest of promoting
the common good.

After presentations that introduced the work

of the two organizations to each other, the
parties involved got off to a fruitful time of
interaction. Of special interest to our guests
was the process of training that pastors of
Protestant churches have to undergo before The delegation from MUIS including Mr Zainul Abidin Ibrahim
ordination, as well as matters pertaining to (1st row, 4th from right) and Mr Ustaz Hj Mohamed Ali Bin Hj Atan
curriculum planning and academic training. (1st row, 2nd from right) with TTC faculty members

BUILDING BRIDGES
Fostering of inter-religious harmony in Singapore
Leow Theng Huat

O n 3 Feb 2012 at the MUIS Academy at the

Singapore Islamic Hub, a representative each from
MUIS and TTC (representing NCCS) presented
papers describing the status of tradition and authority in
Islam and Christianity respectively. This first engagement
session was followed by a very lively discussion, as the
core representatives from both sides responded to these
papers, and the other invited participants raised their
questions and comments.
Such energetic interaction showed that there was
genuine interest on both sides to understand and learn
from the other faith tradition, especially on the thorny
issue of how we can grapple with the common problem
of the undermining of our respective traditions as a
source of authority in our present age. But the session
was more than just an occasion to understand each oth-
er on an intellectual level. It also gave us the opportunity
to meet members of the other faith tradition face-to-face.
This has enabled us to establish personal relationships,
which promise to endure beyond the holding of these
formal seminars.
This is another step towards the fostering of inter-
religious harmony in Singapore. NCCS (National Coun-
cil of Churches of Singapore) responded to an invitation
by MUIS (Islamic Religious Council of Singapore) to par-
ticipate in a collaborative Building Bridges programme.
This seeks to promote deeper inter-religious understand-
ing between Muslims and Christians, with the aim of
strengthening the social cohesion of our small nation-
state.
It will involve the holding of three engagement sessions,
where representatives of both faith traditions will present
papers on different aspects of the topic Religious

contd
contd

44
 Turning the Hearts of Fathers:
A FaithSOC Forum
Mark L. Y. Chan
This scriptural principle is borne out by ample
research findings. Fathers do indeed make a
difference. For this reason, Wong is spearheading
the national Dads for Life movement that seeks
to inspire, mobilise and involve fathers to become
good influencers in their childrens livesfor life.

A committed Christian himself, the former Deputy

Director and Chief of Staff of the Singapore
Prisons Service and CEO of SCORE (Singapore
Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises), is no
stranger to the dysfunctional side of society.
Rehabilitating prisoners must involve reconnecting
them back to their families and providing opportuni-
ties for them to start afresh. It was with this in mind
that the Yellow Ribbon project was started in 2004
Mr Jason Wong under Wongs watch, a community-based project
that seeks to provide a second chance at life and

T
he health of a nation is dependent in great measure support ex-offenders and their families.
on strong and stable families, which in turn are the
result of parents being committed to each other and Wongs passion in calling fathers to become more
to their children. involved with their children stood out at the forum,
as well as the non-dichotomous way in which his
Yet, as Mr Jason Wong, Senior Director at MCYS Christian faith and his social involvement are held
(Ministry of Community, Youth and Sports) with responsi- in tandem.
bility for abused children and youths at risk in Singapore,
points out, pivotal to the whole process is the involvement
of fathers. Any attempt at addressing the many social
problems facing our nation must entail getting fathers to
be more engaged with their families.

This, in essence, was the thrust of Wongs message

delivered at a FaithSOC (Faith and Society) Forum at TTC
on March 29, 2012 on the topic: The Impact of
Fathers on Families and Society.

Using the words of the prophet Malachi as a springboard,

Wong maintained that turning the hearts of fathers to
their children (Malachi 4:6) is critical to restoring broken
lives and safeguarding the welfare of society.

contd frompp4
contd from 4

Tradition and Authority in the Postmodern World. These

sessions will culminate in a Building Bridges Seminar,
where the fruits of these engagement sessions will be pre-
sented to a wider audience.

TTC works closely with NCCS, towards building of lasting

bridges between the two faith communities. The three core
representatives appointed by NCCS, who have been
tasked to offer the Christian perspective on the chosen
topic, are TTC faculty members, Rev Dr Andrew Peh and
Dr Leow Theng Huat, and TTC guest lecturer, Rev
Malcolm Tan, who is also pastor-in-charge of Barker Road
Methodist Church.

5
5
 Glorious Worship
Part 1: Worshipping in Truth
In this issue of Trumpet, we commence a new series of articles on Glorious Worship. Dr Simon Chan, lecturer in
theology, will address the subject in three parts: 1) Worshipping in Truth; 2) Worshipping in Spirit; 3) Giving God
the Glory.
L
et us worship the Lord in spirit and in
truththis exhortation is frequently
heard in many a modern church service.
For some a lively, spirited service is proof that the
worship is in the Spirit but what about truth?
Leaving aside for the time being the question of
spirit in worship, let us consider the question of
truth in worship. I would like to begin with a simple
proposition: True worship is possible only if we
know who God is.
Christianity is a religion of revelation.
Our knowledge of God does not
come from human ingenuity.
Christianity is a religion of revelation. Our
knowledge of God does not come from human
ingenuity. We know who God is because he
reveals himself. The whole Bible is the story of
Gods revelation. We know God as our creator
from the story of His creation in Gen 1, 2. His
holiness is revealed in his judgment on a sinful
world (the story of Noah, Gen. 6). His love is seen
in his reaching out to a sinful world in much of the
rest of the Bible. God does not give up on humani-
ty, but in order to fulfill his purpose for humanity,
he reveals himself to one man, Abraham, calling
him out of his own country and giving him the
promise: I will make you into a great nation and I
will bless you; I will make your name great, and
you will be a blessing (Gen 12:2).
The story of Abraham is a story of Gods faithful-
ness to his promise. God kept his promise over
many centuries, so that eventually Abraham
became the father of a great nation, the nation of
Israel. But this is not the end of the story. God also
says that through Abraham, all the nations of the
earth will be blessed (Gen 12:3). This promise,
too, was fulfilled when Jesus Christ came into the
world to reconcile all humanity to God through his
life, death on the cross, resurrection, ascension,
6 contd
6
and sending of the Holy Spirit. Through Jesus
Christ, all people who believe become the children
of Abraham.
The coming of Jesus Christ added something new
to the Old Testament conception of God. In the
Old Testament God is seen more like an individual
person, but when Jesus came into the world we
read: In the beginning was the Word, and the
Word was with God, and the Word was God. He
was with God in the beginning. The Word
became flesh and made his dwelling among
us (John 1:1, 2, 14a).
Jesus who is the Word made flesh is with God
and also God. How could that be? To further com-
plicate the matter, towards the end of his ministry
on earth, Jesus spoke of another person who will
take his place among his disciples after his ascen-
sion to heaven. This person is the Holy Spirit who
is also called the Paraclete or Comforter (John 14-
16). This truth concerning Jesus and the Holy
Spirit was to lead eventually to the churchs formu-
lation of the doctrine of the Trinity. This doctrine
says that God is one, yet he is in some mysterious
sense also three: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Thus the Trinity could be said to constitute the full
revelation of God.
Our worship must be governed
by Gods revelation of himself as
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The revelation of God as the Trinity at the same
time shows us Gods true character. It is out of
love for humanity that the Father sent his Son
(John 3:16) and the Spirit. The sending of the Holy
Spirit shows that God is continually and intimately
present among us (John 14:16, 17). Furthermore,
God sends the Holy Spirit to live in us so that we
are enabled to call God as our Father (Gal 4:6).
contd
 contd from p6
contd from p 6
In other words, our ability to worship the triune
God is itself a gift from God through the indwelling
Spirit.
Ultimately, true worship is not a human invention.
In fact, all humanly-contrived worship ends in
idolatry: the worshipping of a god created after
mans image! Our worship must be governed by
Gods revelation of himself as Father, Son and
Holy Spirit. The church throughout its history has
sought to be faithful to this truth in her liturgy by
constantly affirming the Trinitarian faith. She sings
the Doxology which is a Trinitarian hymn. She
baptises the faithful with the Trinitarian formula: in
the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. She
recites the Apostles or Nicene Creed which is a
Trinitarian confession. If God reveals himself to us
in this way that is the way we need to respond in
worship.
True worship must be Trinitarian centred and
Trinitarian in content. In other words, it cannot be
about a generic God or about Jesus or the Spirit
only. If our worship is not grounded in the true
knowledge of God as Trinity it becomes lop-sided
and distorted. We would not be worshipping in
spirit and in truth.
In God as Trinity, his character is also most fully
shown. Both his goodness and holiness are seen
in the mission of his Son which culminates at the
Cross. Christs death is not only an act of sacrificial
love but also an act of divine justice (Rom 3:25,
26). The Cross is where God embraces the sinner
in love and judges sin in holiness. These two
divine characteristics are highlighted throughout
the Christian liturgy. They form a dominant theme
that will be taken up in the next issue.
Rev Dr Simon Chan
Earnest Lau Professor of
Systematic Theology
7
7
 Pastors, Teachers and Mentors @ TTC

Seated (from left): Ms Eunice Low, (Presbyterian); Rev Dr Yu Chin Cheak, (Methodist); Dr Tan Kim Huat, Chen Su Lan Professor of New Testament, Academic Dean, (Baptist); Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian, Principal,
(Methodist); Rev Dr Lim Teck Peng, Associate Dean, (Baptist); Ms Yap Seok Chin, (Presbyterian); Rev Dr Maggie Low, (Presbyterian)

Standing (from left): Dr Leow Theng Huat, (Methodist); Rev Dr Pan Chou Wee, (Anglican); Rev Canon Dr Michael Poon, Director CSCA, (Anglican); Rev Dr Mark Chan, (Independent); Rev Dr Simon Chan, Earnest Lau
Professor of Systematic Theology, (Assemblies of God); Dr Roland Chia, Chew Hock Hin Professor of Christian Doctrine, (Methodist); Rev Dr Andrew Peh, Dean of Students, (Methodist); Dr Liew Yoo Kiang,
Director CDCM (C), (Presbyterian); Mr Chan Yew Ming, Registrar, (Methodist); Rev Dr Jeffrey A Truscott, Chaplain, (Lutheran); Dr Tony Siew, (Evangelical Church of Borneo); Mr Michael Mukunthan, Librarian,
(Roman Catholic); Rev Dr Daniel Koh Kah Soon, Director CDCM (E), (Methodist); Rev Dr Gordon C I Wong, Bishop William F Oldham Professor of Old Testament, (Methodist); Rev Dr Wilfred Ho Wai Tat, (Methodist)

Faculty Academic credentials may be viewed at website: www.ttc.edu.sg

 CSCA Annual Lectures 2012
Michael Poon
T
he Rev. Dr Cao
Shengjie, one of the
most respected and
senior church leaders in
China, has accepted the
College's invitation to give
this year's CSCA Annual
Lectures, to take place in
the week of 3 to 7 Septem-
ber 2012. Dr Cao will speak
on the life and witness of
the Chinese Christian church, with particular
reference to its contribution toward building a
harmonious social and world order at the beginning
of the third millennium.
The experience and struggle of the Chinese church,
especially since the founding of the People's
Republic of China, offers important lessons for the
future of Christianity. This year's lectures give a
valuable opportunity for Southeast Asian church
leaders to engage with an influential leader of the
Chinese church for the past 60 years.
Dr Cao graduated from Nanjing Union Theological
Seminary in 1953. She was conferred the Honorary
Degree of Doctor of Theology, University of Helsinki
in 2005.
Dr Cao was the secretary of Dr Y. T. Wu, founder of
the Three-Self Patriotic Movement from 1962 to
1966. She has served in China Christian Council
since it was founded in 1980: as Associate General
Secretary (1980-1991), Vice President (1991-2002),
and then its first female President (2002-2007). She
has played a leading role in the drafting of the
Church Order, and many Chinese church delega-
tions overseas. Since her retirement, among her
many present responsibilities, she is the director of
the CCC/TSPM Advisory Committee, executive Vice
-President of the national YWCA of China, and an
honorary pastor in Grace Church, Shanghai.
Dr Cao last visited Trinity Theological College in
August 2005 as a keynote speaker in the "Seek the
Welfare of the City" conference. Her coming visit
this September, the first official overseas trip since
retirement, underscores the long-term friendship
between the College and the Chinese church. She
will also serve as senior mentor to a workshop on
"Nurturing a New Generation of Asian Women
Theologians," to take place in the same week.
10
10
The Annual Lectures is a much anticipated event in
CSCA's calendar. Every September, CSCA invites a
renowned scholar in Asia to present a series of
lectures on a contemporary concern in the life and
witness of the Church in Asia. Past lecturers
included Dr Ng Kam Weng (Malaysia), Dr Vinoth
Ramachandra (Sri Lanka), Dr Vishal Mangalwadi
(India), Dr Takamitsu Muraoka (Japan), Dr Carver
Yu (Hong Kong), Dr Roger Hedlund (India), and
Bishop Dr Robert Solomon (Singapore).
CSCA's main task, as a research arm of Trinity
Theological College, is to build up locally based
Asian Christian scholarship. In technical terms, the
aim is to develop the study of Southeast Asian
Christianity to be a credible and 'thick' academic
discipline. CSCA does this mainly through an inten-
tional and multi-prong publication programme.
At present, there are 7 publication series: the
Church and Society in Asia Today Journal that is
published three times a year; CSCA Annual
Lectures Series; CSCA Christianity in Southeast
Asia Series; CSCA Historical Reprints; CSCA
Monographs; CSCA Occasional Papers; and the
recently launched CSCA Chinese Monographs.
CSCA publications offer a much needed platform for
local scholars and church leaders to reflect, collabo-
rate, write, and share their research findings in Asia.
CSCA also aims to publish at the highest academic
level, to equip Asian churches to think long-term
and to see life as a whole amid secular movements
of thought in today's world.
Recent and forthcoming publications include Bishop
Robert Solomon's Understanding Christian
Revivals; Loh I-to's In Search for Asian Sounds and
Symbols in Worship; Secular Gods and Sacred
Politics: Conflict and Civility, co-authored by Mark
Chan, Roland Chia, Vinoth Ramachandra and Ng
Kam Weng, and the revised edition of The Clock
Tower Story: The Beginnings of the Charismatic
Renewals in Singapore, edited by Michael Poon and
Malcolm Tan.
CSCA publications can be ordered through the TTC
website, Saint Andrew's Cathedral Welcome Centre,
and in leading Christian bookshops in Singapore.
 Workshop on Nurturing a New Generation
of Asian Women Theologians
Maggie Low
A
Workshop on Nurturing a New Generation of Asian
Women Theologians will take place at TTC from 3
to 6 September this year. The idea for this Work-
shop originated when CSCA Director, Dr Michael Poon,
interacted with some American and Asian women schol-
ars while he was on his sabbatical in Princeton Theologi-
cal Seminary last year and became aware that women
theologians in Asia often have had little opportunities to
develop their scholarship.
New faculty are often encumbered with administrative
duties that hinder them from pursuing their calling to
become solid theologians and teachers, and to contribute
to the long-term intellectual needs of the churches in
Asia. Ingrained caste and patriarchic outlooks in Asia may
also lure aspiring young theologians to seek better oppor-
tunities in the West.
Upon returning from his sabbatical, Dr Poon shared some
ideas with his colleague, Rev. Dr Maggie Low, who
agreed to take the lead in convening a three-day Work-
shop. Each participant will present a paper on an aspect
of the theme: The Role of Women in the Asian Church:
Perspectives from a New Generation of Asian Women
Theologians, which will be edited and published under
the CSCA Christianity in Southeast Asia Series.
We are delighted that ten women have agreed to partici-
pate in the Workshop. In particular, we are grateful that
Rev Dr Cao Shengjie, former president of China Christian
Council can join us as a senior mentor. The second
senior mentor is Rev Dr Henriette Hutabarat Lebang, a
distinguished Indonesian church leader, theological edu-
cator and former vice president of the World Alliance of
Reformed Churches.
Participants have already submitted stimulating ideas of
their papers:
Asian Composers Forum
Michael Poon
C
SCA and the Methodist School of Music will
jointly organise an Asian Composers Forum
(ACF) from 28 May to 1 June this year on
campus. The ACF is a follow up of a successful
Conference on Church Music in South East Asia,
organised last June by CSCA. The participants saw
a clear need for Christian composers in Asia to
develop a continuing forum for longer-term tasks,
and to use such a forum to nurture a next generation
of musicians for the churches in Asia.
Professor Loh I-to (CSCA Honorary Fellow) and Ms
Judith Mosomos (Lecturer in Church Music, MSM)
will co-chair this event. About 15 accomplished com-
posers from India, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia,
Rev. Dr Septemmy Lakawa (STT Jakarta Theo-
logical Seminary, Indonesia) will examine the
ways in which women theologians shape
theological development in Indonesia.
Rev. Dr Gloria Mapangdol (St Andrew's Theo-
logical Seminary, Philippines) plans to conduct a
study of women seminary graduates in the
Philippines.
Dr Kwa Kiem Kiok (East Asia School of
Theology, Singapore) is writing on womens
involvement in public theology.
Ms Renny Khoo (Sabah Theological Seminary,
Malaysia) will explore the role of women in
national issues.
Dr Meri Kolimon (Artha Wacana Christian
University, Kupang) is presenting a paper on
Christian women in West Timor in absentia.
Dr Shi Wenhua, based in Dublin, Ireland, comes
as an observer and will be comparing structural
issues regarding theological education in the
East and West.
Rev Dr Maggie Low (TTC, Singapore) is writing
on gender and preaching in the Singapore
context.
We are also expecting a couple of colleagues from China
to join us.
We also look forward to having TTC colleagues and other
invited guests join our conversations. Finally, we wish to
express our appreciation to Dr H. S. Wilson and the
Foundation for Theological Education and to Trinity Theo-
logical College for their financial support that makes this
Workshop possible.
the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan and Australia will
attend this first ACF. They will be joined by budding
composers from China, Hong Kong, Singapore,
Indonesia and Malaysia. A concrete task of this
inaugural forum is to begin work on compiling a
supplement to the Sound the Bamboo, a hymnal that
Professor Loh I-to edited some 10 years ago.
Dr Loh will give a public lecture "Can't Something
Good come out of Asia?" on Thursday, 31 May,
8 pm in the Multi-purpose Hall. A Hymn Festival
"Come and See" will take place in the Chapel on
Friday, 1 June at 7:30 pm. All are welcome to
these two public events.
11
11
 Punctuations.In.Time
Archbishop Installed
We congratulate the
Rt Rev Datuk Bolly Anak Lapok
who was elected the 4th Archbishop
of the Province of the Anglican Church
in South East Asia.
He was installed as Archbishop at
St Thomas Cathedral in Kuching, Sarawak
on 12 February 2012.
We Congratulate
Padipat Suntiphada (Ong) (MTS 2011) on his marriage to
Piyanuch Nuchin on 10 December 2011 in Bangkok,
Thailand.
Rev Steven Asirvatham (BD 2011) on his appointment as
Vicar of Christ Church with effect from 1 January 2012.
Rev Lawrence A Visuvasam (BTh 2007) on his appoint-
ment as Vicar of Church of the Epiphany with effect from 1
January 2012.
Rev Anthony (MDiv 2009) and Mrs Valerie Lee on their
new-born baby boy (lst child), Joash Lee on 22 January
2012.
Dr Scott W. Sunquist who has been appointed Dean of the
School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological
Seminary. Dr Sunquist taught Church History at TTC from
1987 to 1995. We wish him Gods blessings as he
assumes this new leadership responsibilities.
TTC Alumni in China
We congratulate the following alumni on their recent
leadership appointments in the Church in China:
Rev Lu Shao Bin (MMin 2002) elected as President of
Heilongjiang Christian Council.
Rev Hu Jun Jie (MTh 1999) elected as President of
Henan Christian Council and Vice-Principal of Henan
Bible School.
Mr Zhu Qingchun (MMin 2003) elected as Secretary
General and Office Director of Henan Chinese
Christian Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee of
the China Christian Council.
Dr Pan Chou Wee was invited to share expertise with 25
Old Testament teachers of Seminaries and Bible Schools
from different parts of China at the inaugural Nanjing Union
Theological Seminary Bible Seminar in February 2012.
For a fuller report, please refer to Trumpet (Chinese version,
p10) or visit TTCs Chinese website at www.ttc.edu.sg
Updates on Alumni and Faculty
News on Alumni are updated on a monthly basis on our website. The TTC website also updates Faculty speaking
engagements at churches, seminars, international conferences and their publications. For more information on
alumni and faculty members, please visit our website at www.ttc.edu.sg
12
Ordination
We congratulate the following alumni on their ordination
Koh Peck Hoon (BD 2007) and Siau Choon Fui (MDiv
2008) on their ordination as church pastors of Renewal
Christian Church on 22 October 2011.
Ian Jew Yun Shern (MDiv 2004) and Ivan Liew Weng
Cheung (MDiv 2004) who were ordained on 8 January
2012 at Woodlands Evangelical Free Church.
Wong Shyun Jye (BD 2007) on his ordination and
installation as Associate Minister of Bethel Presbyterian
Church by the Chinese Presbytery of The Presbyterian
Church in Singapore on 25 February 2012.
Condolences To
Rev Malcolm Tan (BD 1984), who is also a TTC guest
lecturer, on the demise of his beloved father, the late Mr
Tan Hui Pheng, on 12 December 2011.
Rev Michael Wong Chee Wun (BTh 1965) on the passing
away of his beloved wife, Mrs Janet Wong on 2 January
2012. Rev Wong is a retired pastor of the Methodist
Church in Singapore.
Rev Ming Feong Ching (BD 2007) whose mother, Mdm
Lee Hung Lan passed away on 5 January 2012.
Student Hsueh Shu Chen (BD 2) on the passing away of
her beloved father on 14 February 2012.
Thank You
Your prayers and financial gifts have
greatly encouraged us and have enabled our
College to continue equipping people for ministry.
May we invite you to this partnership of
financial support for our ministry.
You may contribute by:
Cheque payable to Trinity Theological College
Mail the cheque to:
Trinity Theological College
490 Upper Bukit Timah Road
Singapore 678093
Bank or ATM transfer to our bank account (please
email info@ttc.edu.sg for bank details)
Thank you for blessing us with your support.
 Leadership and Servanthood
Eeli Pua

Student Council 2012

1st Row (left to right): Karene Ng Hoong Meng, Esther Chew Su Li, Chew Li Geok, Syrena Mae Womack, Rev Dr Ngoei Foong
Nghian (Principal), Eeli Pua Beng Koon (President), Zhu Peijin (Vice-President), Rev Dr Andrew Peh (Dean of Students), Lai
Wei Yen, Yuanita Sulayman, Lam Yin Yin, Katherine Ho Wei Fung, Chew Soon Kong

2nd Row (left to right): Lou Wa Kit, Jeremy-Joe Tan Wei Horng, Tommy Wijaya, Francisco Sanchez, Jeremy Wang Jing-Qi Ong,
Geoffrey Steven Hill, Sundaraj s/o Ramalingam, Yap Chee Han, Choo Xianjie, Jonathan Choy Weng Yew, Simon Cheo Hsun
Shen, John Sihoe Yeen Joong, Adrian Chong Kum Cheong, Yu Reng Ping, Chua Lip Kai, Daniel Tan Chi Min, Phang Seh Bin,
Benjamin Fong Guo Wei

Others not present: Pai Yuh Rong, Joseph Lebani, Zhou Yongjiang, Calvin Tan Jin Kiat

J
esus teaches that the picture of a leader is a picture
of a servant (Matt 20:25-28) - one of humility, does
menial work and follows the instructions of his
master. Oftentimes, the bible shows God using
unexpected people or those who are emptied of notions
of their own capabilities to carry out His purposes.
- When Moses tried to be the deliverer of the Israel-
ites, God did not use him. Forty years later while
tending flock, no longer having grandiose ideas about
himself, God called him.
- King David was an adulterer, schemer and
murderer, an example of how throughout history, God
has used flawed people to serve him.
- Samuel was still a young boy in the temple when
God called him, showing that the young and inexperi-
enced are very much candidates for Gods purposes.
All that God required was a heart that said, Speak,
for your servant is listening.
There are many more examples - the unschooled, ordi-
nary disciples, Simon Peter after his self-confidence was
shaken in denying Jesus and the menace Saul, after
being knocked down on the Damascus road. Subse-
quently, Paul considered his pedigree and glorious
achievements as rubbish (Phil 3:7-8).
Please do not misunderstand. God has similarly used
kings, scholars, prominent men and women in history and
continues to do so. However, God seems to love to use
the flawed, the broken and the unexpected, those contra-
ry to what society looks for, to serve Him. Christian
thinker, Henri Nouwen, wrote of his own experience of
irrelevance (being unable to use his skills and show what
he could do) and vulnerability ministering in LArche com-
munities for mentally handicapped people. He says,
I am deeply convinced that the Christian leader
of the future is called to be completely irrelevant
and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but
his or her own vulnerable self. That is the way
Jesus came to reveal Gods love. The great
message that we have to carry,is that God loves
us not because of what we do or accomplish, but
because God has created and redeemed us in
love and has chosen us to proclaim that love as
the true source of all human life .
Dare we be irrelevant and vulnerable in our service to
Him?

13
13
 More Courses to Deepen your Faith
Since 1975, TTC has been actively providing lay
training courses as part of its continuing education
programme. In 1997, the Centre for the Development
of Christian Ministry (CDCM) was formed to focus
primarily on lay training. Over the years, thousands of
lay people have benefited from TTCs courses for
the laity.
1) Why Is The Church Like That?
Thinking Intentionally About What It Means
To Be The Church Today
Date : 11 Jul - 29 Aug (Wed, 7:30pm - 9:30pm)
Venue : St Andrews Cathedral, Prayer Hall
Instructor : Rev Bernard Chao
For more information on registration and fees,
please visit our website: www.ttc.edu.sg or email: cdcm@ttc.edu.sg
TTC Lecturers Contributions to Christian Scholarship
Michael Mukunthan
T he theological concerns of interspecies
engineering, the age old problem of evil in rela-
tion to the benevolence
of God, and the need for
biblical exegesis that meets
the preaching and teaching
needs of Asian congrega-
tions. Three faculty mem-
bers of the College have
produced new publications
that can assist in our desire
to be better informed in
these specific areas.
The first book, Hybrids,
Cybrids and Chimeras: The
Ethics of Interspecies Research by
Professor Roland Chia deals with growing
research interest on the genetics of inter-
species engineering. Written as an
explication on the position of the National
Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS)
as well as a response to the Bioethics
Advisory Committees report in 2010 on
Human-Animal Combination in Stem Cell
Research, this book looks on how the
church, while appreciating the medical
benefits, should nonetheless perceive the deeper
ethical implications involved and respond cogently
with sound theological thought.
14
We continue to offer evening courses to build up the faith
of Gods people. CDCM courses are organised around
four focus areas. They are The Bible, Christian Doctrine,
Contemporary Issues and Christian Ministry. They are
offered throughout the year in English (8 modules) and
Chinese (4 modules).
We invite you to join us for these two modules (English) for
2012.
2) Preaching by the Book
Date : 5 Jul - 30 Aug (Thu, 7:30pm - 9:30pm)
Venue : Trinity Theological College, LR 2, Level 3
Instructor : Dr Tony Chi
The second publication is by Dr. Leow Theng Huat
entitled The Theodicy of Peter Taylor Forsyth: A
Crucial Justification of the Ways of God to Man.
Here, the author not only offers an introduction into
the life of the Scottish Congregationalist theologian
Peter Forsyth (1848-1921), but also engages his
theological vision as a valued contribution to debates
on the theological dilemma of theodicy that thoughtful
Christians must face.
Professor Tan Kim Huat is the author of the third
book, a commentary on The Gospel According to
Mark. Published as part of the Asia Bible Commen-
tary Series, this book is well designed for
pastors, teachers and lay leaders of Asian
churches as an enabling and contextual
resource for their scriptural study and
reflection.
In summary, these three
publications are valuable
resource materials suitable for
continuing education and faith
formation in churches. They
are also useful for Christians
who wish to grow as better
informed and engaged
disciples committed to living
out their stewardship within
their different spheres of
responsibility.
13
 He Has Shown You What is Good
Old Testament Justice Then and Now
Inaugural Trinity Lectures Published
Tan Kim Huat
W
e are thrilled to break the news
that the inaugural Trinity
Lectures, which were delivered
by Professor Hugh Williamson in July
2011, are now published by Lutterworth
Press. It is apt that these distinguished
lectures are published by a publishing
house that has two centuries of distin-
guished Christian publishing.
The lectures address the important
question of whether the Old Testament
can provide relevant principles for
modern concepts of social justice. This
is so pressing in our day, because citing
our human rights is used as recourse
for anything and everything. Excessive
use has corrupted this high ideal, and
has transmuted what was meant to pro-
tect all of us into something that desta-
bilizes society, resulting ultimately in
harm for all.
To address this Professor Williamson writes an engag-
ing and highly articulate book. Focusing on the
frequently occurring word-pair justice and righteous-
ness, he expounds the relevance of the Old Testament
contd fromp p16
contd from 16 Word on World
much more should racism be confronted in societies
like India and China and Brazil where dark skin is iden-
tified pervasively with inferiority. Is their space in
churches for such inferior people to express their
righteous indignation? Listening to the cries of men
and women who are wronged is where Christian social
action begins.
The anger of Jesus is well-worth studying. Both in his
teaching and his lifestyle he is controversial, disturbing
and dangerous. Hypocrisy and hard-heartedness on
the part of religious professionals are what mostly
elicited the anger of Jesus. White-washed tomb-
stones is what he called the Pharisees who were the
Bible-believing Jews of his day. They venerated dead
prophets but couldnt recognize the prophet in their
midst. To those who were sure that their seats were
booked in heaven, he warned that they would be in for
a shock at the Final Judgment.
This Jesus would not be welcome in many churches
today. He would be a social embarrassment. He would
upset the big donors, the money would dry up. His
tone would be considered unchristian: too provoca-
tive, crude and unpolished. He would be withering in
as a blueprint for a way of life and a
mode of living that developed in accord-
ance with the existence of the ancient
Israelite. The ideal maintained a form
derived from natural law that was
applicable to all creeds and ranks. Its
relevance for us today is immense.
Table of Contents
Preface
1. The Task in Hand
2. Divine Justice and Natural Justice
3. The Individual and Social Justice
4. Prophetic Justice
5. Messianic Justice
6. He Has Shown You What is Good
Bibliography
The Author
H.G.M. Williamson is Regius Professor of Hebrew at
Oxford University, on the faculty of The Oriental
Institute and a Fellow of the British Academy. He is the
author of several books and numerous articles on the
Old Testament, including commentaries on 1 and 2
Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah, and Isaiah.
his scorn for the personality-cults that build up around
popular preachers. He would be angry at the church
divisions and competition that we take for granted. He
would denounce the individualisation and privatization
of the Gospel. He would ask uncomfortable questions:
are mono-ethnic churches simply religious clubs? why
is an incompetent man preferred as a preacher or
leader to a gifted and godly woman? how come there
are so many SUVs in the church parking lot? what pro-
portion of the churchs budget is spent on buildings
and music equipment compared to what is spent on
serving the poor? And so on.
It is salutary to remember that, as Karl Barth put it, It
was the Church, not the world, which crucified Christ.
Dr Vinoth Ramachandra
Secretary for Dialogue & Social
Engagement with the IFES
(International Fellowship of Evangelical
Students), is also an Honorary Fellow
of CSCA, Trinity Theological College
15
15
 Word on World
Tears and Anger
Vinoth Ramachandra
M
y God, my God, why have you forsaken
me?
Why are you so far from helping me, from the
words of my groaning? (Psalm 22:1-2)
Why, O LORD, do you stand far off?
Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?
In arrogance the wicked persecute the poor...
Rise up, O LORD; O God, lift up your hand;
Do not forget the oppressed. (Psalm 10: 1,2,12)
My anguish, my anguish! I writhe in pain!
Oh the walls of my heart!
My heart is beating wildly, I cannot keep silent;
For I hear the sound of the trumpet, the alarm
of war. (Jer.4:19)
These prayers of lament (or protest) express pain,
confusion and a longing for divine justice. They are the
sincere outpouring of men and women wrestling with
the contradiction between what God has revealed of his
character and will and the realities that they actually
experience. These are clearly very far from the jolly
songs, positive thinking and sentimental, sanitized
language that passes for worship in many Christian
circles today.
Behind the protest, indeed rage, against
innocent suffering lies the conviction
that the Creator intends for all his
human creatures a life of flourishing
(shalom) on this earth.
Laments stem, not from unbelief, but from faith in a God
of absolute love and justice. That is why the seemingly
unending evil in the world causes so much pain.
Lament goes beyond the experience of pain to voicing
it, either of the one who laments or of those around him.
He does not trivialise the anguish or deny it outright. By
naming and also owning suffering, we make it part of
the narrative of our lives. And, in addressing that cry of
loss (whether the loss of freedom or life or meaning) to
God, we demand from God his intervention in the world
to put things right. Your Kingdom Come! We want
God to be truly God.
TRUMPET EDITORIAL:
Mr Patrick Lee, Dr Liew Yoo Kiang, Ms Yap Seok Chin, Ms Eunice Low,
Rev. Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian (Editor)
The Trumpet is published in both English and Chinese. To view the Chinese
edition, please visit the TTC website: www.ttc.edu.sg
16
Behind the protest, indeed rage, against innocent suf-
fering lies the conviction that the Creator intends for all
his human creatures a life of flourishing (shalom) on
this earth. Everything that detracts from that cannot be
Gods will. Something has gone terribly wrong with
Gods world so that human persons die before their full
flourishing has been attained, whether through illness,
violence, hunger, accident, or natural disasters. It may
sound pious to say things like Lets thank God for this
suffering or God has ordained everything that
happens, or even Accept Gods will without question-
ing. Pious, maybe, but biblical faith? Definitely not.
Biblical faith learns to argue with God, to wrestle with
the Why? and How long? of rampant evil and mean-
ingless suffering. The closer we reflect Gods outrage at
evil, the more we learn to live with the questions and
not console people with glib, trite answers.
Not only did Jesus weep over Jerusalems impending
judgment (Luke 19:41) and at the tomb of Lazarus
(John 11:35), he was powerfully aroused in the face of
death and bereavement (John 11:33). Sadly, there is a
long Western Christian tradition that sees tears as
worldliness- unless they are shed over sins. Augustine
struggled to restrain his tears at his mothers death
(Confessions, Book IV). He thought that grief was a
sign that our love, eros, was directed not towards the
immutable and indestructible God but towards frail and
transitory creatures. In this he was more Platonist or
Buddhist than Christian.
Tears and anger also need to be expressed when
Christians come together. There are many hurting
people in our churches, hurt by oppressive economic,
social or political structures within which they live.
There are also those hurt by oppressive church struc-
tures and religious professionals. But they are often
told that they must stifle their pain, not give voice to it.
For instance, African-American friends of mine are
generally good-humoured, gentle and tolerant. But
whenever, say in a Christian conference, they express
anger at the continuing institutional racism in American
society, the response of well-to-do whites is to complain
at the unchristian tone of their language. This then
becomes an excuse to ignore altogether the substance
of what they say and the reasons for their anger. How
contd on p15
TRINITY THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE
Address: 490 Upper Bukit Timah Road Singapore 678093
Email: info@ttc.edu.sg Website: www.ttc.edu.sg
Tel: (65)6767 6677 Fax: (65)6767 6477
Printed by C.O.S. Printers Pte Ltd