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1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the
believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
eat rice”). This aphorism should men is the gray head.” The gray head Editorial: When Things 2
Go Wrong
be familiar to most of us. is symbolic as it reflects wisdom, Jason Liew
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-[ Editorial ]-
WHEN THINGS GO WRONG
Dear FCMers,
In recent months, many things seemed to have
gone wrong. In September alone, mortgage titans Fannie
Mae and Freddie Mac were nationalised, brokerage Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy protection,
Merrill Lynch was forced into a takeover by Bank of America, giant insurer AIG nearly collapsed
despite its US$1 trillion asset worth, Washington Mutual acquired by JP Morgan after its shares
plunged 90% and the historic 778-point drop on Wall Street prior to the $700 billion bailout, not to
mention the 159,000 jobs lost. Structured deposits continue to go bust and investment banks such as
Goldman Sachs are reinventing themselves into commercial banks in order to keep afloat.
Closer to home, AVA rigorously recalled legions of melamine contaminated dairy products
due to China’s milk scandal. The Straits Times Index plummeted to a three-year low. Amidst the
crisis, calamities and catastrophes continue. Marriot Hotel, Pakistan was bombed and hurricanes
horrendously devastate cities and destroy homes. Inflation rate persists at 7.5% and it was not too
long ago when food and oil prices rocketed sky high. Around the globe, civil upheaval, infuriated
taxpayers and screaming residents spontaneously spice up the pesky political climate as nations have
yet to recover from the subprime saga. With all these “hoo-haas” hogging the headlines, Iran silently
changes its “friends with Israel” position and charts a collision course for the Jewish nation.
What is happening? Friends, these are historic phenomenon and nothing short of an
apocalyptic alarm from the Almighty. It’s only beginning. The worst is yet to be. Think about it. At
present, America howls a US$10 trillion (and increasing) colossal debt. Who will bail the US
Government out when it goes broke? I do not wish to over-spiritualize or speculate but global
planners have long understood there can’t be a new one-world system until the old order has failed
and completely undone. Only time will tell.
2 Corinthians 4:8, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in
despair.” With all these happening around us, why are we not in distress or despair? Do we really
have that blessed assurance or could it be that we couldn’t care less? It’s happening in America and
not in Singapore, mind you! I have better things to worry about like my examinations in November. If
it were not apathy, could it be that sense of false security which easily envelops everyone who is in
their comfort zone? Texas is now submerged under water, but Singapore is still floating. The money
we put in banks didn’t disappear. So we’re alright! We let the safety, security and sovereignty of
Singapore give us a peace of mind instead of seeking refuge from God and acknowledging His
supremacy in our lives.
Friends, what do we do when things go wrong? It could be anything like a project group
squabble, broken friendship or even the loss of a loved one. Dr SH Tow, Senior Pastor of Calvary
Pandan BPC, coined an interesting epigram, “When the outlook is bad, try the uplook!” As to the reason,
Corrie Ten Boom (1892-1983) rightly remarked, “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed; if you look
within, you’ll be depressed; but if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.” In times like these, may we find
ourselves “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2) and let “Be Thou My
Vision” be our heart’s humble cry, for Christ alone has the power to deliver. Ephesians 3:20-21, “Now
unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that
worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
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« continued from page 1 Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us?
Whence then hath this man all these things?” The
word “son” is significant as it is used in the
derogative sense, indicating someone who is
still a student, apprentice or protégé; young,
inexperienced and questionable. Jesus was
slightly over 30 at this time and it was not
very long ago that he was just a little boy. The
villagers watched Him grew up. Many of them
were much, much older than He was. Who is
He to come and teach them how to live? They
were probably offended and didn’t take Him
very seriously. And so they doubted His
credibility in the above two verses and
dismissed Him.
Why are Youths Despised? In like manner, Timothy, like Jesus was,
in his early thirties and was considered young
Have you ever asked yourself this by the standards of Greek culture which
question, “Why are youths despised?” To the placed great value on age and experience.
young, why do you think the older despises Furthermore, his appointment for the office
you? Is there something that is corrupt and of Pastor was set over the presbyters (elders)
innate within us that deserve to be loathed? who were way older them him—some
To the older ones, is there a reason why you probably twice his age. Therefore, Paul
look down on young people? Especially for exhorts Timothy to conduct himself with that
fresh graduates who have just entered the gravity, prudence and decorum which might
workforce or even those on internship stint, gain him respect, notwithstanding his
they would have encountered how their youthfulness, and give no man an occasion to
seniors gave them “the look.” If eyes could think or look down on his ministry with
speak, it would probably exclaim something contempt. No matter what his age may be,
like… “You’re so young and inexperienced! A boyish playfulness must now be put away and
complete greenhorn! What do you have to since he was been set as an elder, he should
offer? Haha noob! I think I know better than act as an elder. Doing so will stop the mouths
you!” Yes, knowledge puffeth up indeed. “So of gainsayers and obtain a good report of
what if you graduated from NUS or NTU them that are without. To the church at
with a First Class Honours? I’ve been in this Corinth, Paul penned the same advice in 1
business for over 30 years…” Friends, these Corinthians 16:10-11, “Now if Timotheus come,
are deadly forces not to be reckoned with. see that he may be with you without fear: for he
Those seniors may be very “deep,” but not worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no
“wide” enough; tremendously experienced, man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in
but not accommodating enough. In the peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him
corporate world, we see it happening all the with the brethren.”
time. Hence the controversial “office
politics,” backbites and bickers. In the Jul-Sep ’08 issue of Read, Pray &
Grow, my Pastor, Rev Dennis Kwok, wrote,
In fact, we already see this happening “Being young in age does not mean one is immature in
at the time of Jesus. Matthew 13:55-56, “Is not faith. In the same manner, mature in age does not
this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? mean mature in faith. Maturity has to do with one’s
and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and
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level of wisdom, knowledge, value, spirituality and A Word Spoken
ability to make good decisions in life.” No matter A careless word may kindle strife,
our age, may we learn to heed the words of A cruel word may wreck a life;
Spurgeon, “Let the oldest saint look well to the A bitter word may hate instill,
fundamentals of his piety, for grey heads may cover A brutal word may smite and kill.
BUT
black hearts: and let not the young professor despise
A gracious word may smooth the way,
the word of warning, for the greenness of youth may be A joyous word may brighten the day;
joined to the rottenness of hypocrisy” (SME, Dec 18). A timely word may lessen stress,
To the older ones, please don’t despise youths A loving word may heal and bless.
like us. By the same token, youths must not ~ Anonymous ~
despise the elderly too. They have so much to
offer—all the years of experience. They have
gone through the school of hard knocks. The
practical wisdom they have is invaluable. We
have much to learn from them.
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shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; there be any praise, think on these things.” Pure in
and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful Body -- 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, “Flee fornication.
unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Will Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but
you be faithful unto death? The Lord he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own
promises those who do, a crown of life. May body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple
we “earnestly contend for the faith which was once of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of
delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). May the Lord God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with
find us faithful in passing down the historic a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your
reformation tradition lest the future spirit, which are God's.” Are you pure in purity?
generations be enjoined to Rome and the Titus 1:15, “Unto the pure all things are pure: but
ecumenical order. Adam Clarke (1762-1832), a unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing
British Methodist Theologian, astutely advised, pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”
“Be faithful to thy trust, to thy flock, to thy domestics,
to the public, to thy God. Fidelity consists in honestly
keeping, preserving, and delivering up when required,
whatever is intrusted to our care; as also in improving Youths can do Great Things for
whatever is delivered in trust for that purpose. Lose the Lord too!
nothing that God gives, and improve every gift that he
bestows.”
William Carey
(1761-1834), Father of
6) Example in Purity – is to keep
Modern Missions, has
ourselves pure in the chastity of life.
an interesting epigram:
Chemistry teaches us that impurities can be
“Expect great things from
destructive when they obstruct the working
God, attempt great things
nature of the material. Similarly, being defiled
for God.” God can use
by fornication, adultery and lasciviousness will
both the young and old.
hinder our walk with God. It is also
Therefore age cannot be a definitive
interesting to note that no matter the method
barometer of spiritual maturity and grace.
used, it is impossible to separate an impurity
Sometimes, younger saints have been cut
completely from a material. What chemists
down providentially in their prime and hence
can do is to increase the purity of a material to
their faithful testimony though short in
as near 100% as possible or economically
duration. Church History is strewn with
feasible. In like manner, the Christian is in a
youths across the spectrum who are willing to
sanctification process. We may not be perfect,
“spend and be spent” (2 Cor 12:15) for the Lord
but we must strive towards purity – in heart,
and have demonstrated, by God’s grace, a
words, thoughts and body. Pure in Heart --
remarkable witness for Christ whether it is in
Psalms 24:4, “He that hath clean hands, and a pure
life or death. Allow me to name a few.
heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor
sworn deceitfully.” Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the
1) Lady Jane Grey
pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Pure in
(1537-1554), Queen of
Words -- Proverbs 15:26, “The thoughts of the
England, having ascended to
wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the
throne for only nine days in
words of the pure are pleasant words.” Pure in
1553, was arrested by Queen
Thoughts -- Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren,
“Bloody” Mary and given
whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are
the choice to either recant her Protestant
honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things
beliefs and live or face execution. She chose
are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
the former and died at the age of 16.
things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if
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2) Margaret Wilson (1667-1685), 6) Jim Elliot (1927-1956), American
Scottish Covenanter, was tied to a stake and Missionary, was gruesomely
drowned for refusing to swear that King speared to death at 29 years
Charles II was head of the Church rather than old, along with four others,
the Lord Jesus Christ. She died at the tender while attempting to evangelise
age of 18 with these words from Psalm 25:7 the Huaorani savages in
on her lips, “Remember not the sins of my youth, Ecuador through efforts
nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy known as “Operation Auca.”
remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O They carried guns for protection against wild
LORD.” animals and yet retaliated not in human attack.
Equally astounding were the missionary
3) Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), widows, who undeterred by their personal
American Theologian, penned loss, boldly ventured into the Ecuadorian
his renowned resolutions in jungle again with their young children to face
1722 when he was 19 and their husbands’ murderers with the power of
became Senior Pastor of the God’s love to turn violence, fear and tragedy
Congregational Church in into hope, forgiveness and reconciliation thus
Northampton, Massachusetts eventually winning the entire tribe for Christ.
(the most influential church in New England Elliot insists, “He is no fool who gives what he
at the time), in 1724 at the age of 21. He was cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
also instrumental in two revivals, including the
Great Awakening of 1740-1741.
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12:34) Dear friends, have you been using your faithfully. Give out tracts to your whole class
time, talent and treasure to build the kingdom and invite them for gospel rally or Christmas
of this world or the kingdom of God? cantata (I did this in poly and I found 2 other
B-Ps in my class of 16!) or go on a mission
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, trip together and it will surprise you what the
Only what's done for Christ will last. Lord can do through and in your life.
Remember, if you don’t do it now, then when?
Mark 8:36-37, “For what shall it profit a Before you realise it, your youth will soon be
man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own over.
soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his
soul?” King Solomon, who literally had an Should youths be despised? Of course
entire kingdom before him, having realised not! Age does not determine spiritual maturity.
“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of Young or old, what matters most, is to glorify
vanities; all is vanity” in Ecclesiastes 1:2, begins
God. If you honour the Lord, the Lord will
his conclusion of the last chapter with these
words, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of honour you… even in the days of your youth.
thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years May we be inspired by the lives and
draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in testimonies of Lady Jane Grey, Margaret
them” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). How can we Wilson, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon,
remember our Creator in the days of our John Calvin and Jim Elliot and make our lives
youth? Start by attending the Youth count for Christ. 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no man
Fellowship (YF) regularly, if you have not. If
despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the
you are studying in a polytechnic or university,
may I encourage you to attend the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit,
Fundamental Christian Ministry (FCM) in faith, in purity.” AMEN.
01 Study with an objective and attain it. Never read aimlessly. Summarise, summarise, summarise.
02 Your teacher is the Holy Spirit. (Jn 14:26; 15:13)
03 Always pray before, during, and after studying.
04 Memorise Scripture. (Ps 119:11)
05 Live the Word. (2 Cor 3:2,3)
06 Never spend time to debate with heretics.
07 Do not strive. Be gentle. (2 Tim 2:24,25)
08 Never “wrestle Scripture.” It is fatal. (2 Pet 3:6)
09 Be humble. (1 Pet 5:5)
10 Be a soul winner, to the glory of God.
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A REPORT ON
FCM COMBINED MEETING & RETREAT 2008
TEXT CHARLENE TAN PHOTOS JOEL LIM & JAMES TAN
4th Row: Samuel Goh, Leow Beng Wee, Leong Kin Meng, Lim Hong Zhuang, Elliot Chin, Jeremy Chan
3rd Row: Karen Lee, Debbie Tay, Teo Shulin, Laura Tan, Zhou Yuheng, Eileen Chee, Ko Lingting, Cindrey Liu, William Quah, Lim Zhongyan, Elvin Siew, Eugene Oon
2nd Row: Sophia Huang, Joy Ng, Charlene Tan, Teo Jun Zi, Sharon Leong, Carol Leong, Elena Ang, Serena Ng, Abigail Quek, Alanna Quek, Jonathan Ng, Jason Liew
1st Row: James Tan, Aunty Helen, Rev Wee Eng Moh, Paul Ferguson, Ko Ling Kang, Joshua Yong
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(taken from 1 John 5:4) was a (4) Failure to being an
call to obedience unto the Overcomer – love for the
Lord as we build our faith in world, erroneous doctrine,
Christ. Brother Paul taught us lack of faith
that the audience whom the
(5) Consequences of failure
Apostle Paul was writing to
– wasted years, defective
was being enticed by false
character, affects others
teachers who had left the
church. He urgently wrote a (6) How to overcome the
letter to them to assure them world – Word of God,
of the truth they had embraced Obedience, Power of Holy
- Christ. Spirit
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(1) Vessels are made by a we should always strive to
Potter – God is Sovereign in choose spiritual things over
election, all souls are His (Eze fleshly pursuits.
18:4), no evolution
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And that is none other than work/schoolwork and a time to slumber. It is my hope and
the giving of ourselves to the recharge on the Word. Other prayer that the FCMers
Lord. For our reward is in snippets to take home from the who came and have been
heaven, therefore, work for retreat and enrich our learning blessed might continue to
what will last through to were the passages by Spurgeon be mindful of the lessons
eternity and be careful on the sweetness in persevering which we have learnt. Let
stewards of our time, in prayer and shining forth for us all press on and enjoy a
continually growing and Christ. Helpful also, was close spiritual walk with
maturing in the grace of God. Brother Joshua Yong’s morning God through much prayer
devotion on being watchful so and the reading of His
Truly, the FCM retreat
as not to fall into spiritual Word.
was a comforting respite from
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New Testament and Greek at Wheaton
College, a neo-evangelical school. At Wheaton,
he began to question the inerrancy of
Scripture when one of his professors
suggested that there are mistakes in the Bible.
Finally he went to a notoriously liberal
seminary—Princeton Theological Seminary—
where the inerrancy of Scripture is totally
denied. At Princeton, his study of historical
GOD’S PROBLEM? criticism and textual criticism under
BY REV DR JEFFREY KHOO unregenerate professors like Bruce Metzger
led him to reject that Jesus Christ is God and
Saviour altogether. Here is a man
God’s Problem (HarperCollins
who started off as a fundamentalist,
Publishers, 2008) is the title of a
became a neo-evangelical,
book written by Bart Ehrman. So,
degenerated into a liberal, and ended
God has a “problem”? What
up an agnostic.
then is “God’s problem”? The
subtitle of the book answers: Actually it is quite ironical that
How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Ehrman should call himself an agnostic
Most Important Question—Why because an agnostic is one who says
We Suffer. God cannot be known and His existence
cannot be proven. If you were to ask
Ehrman this question: “Does God exist?” He
will reply, “I don’t know, probably not; but if
Who is Bart Ehrman? He does exist, we cannot know who or what
Bart Ehrman is He is.” But this one thing Ehrman knows for
James A Gray sure, “This God, if He exists, cannot be Jesus
distinguished professor Christ, or the God of the Bible.” Now, how
of the Christian Religion can Ehrman know this for sure if in his mind
at the University of God cannot be known in the first place? This
North Carolina, Chapel begs the question: How can you know what
Hill, USA. He is something is not when you do not know what
someone who knows it is? Well, this is the self-refuting and self-
the Bible and theology inside and out. But his defeating thinking of Bart Ehrman. God
story is quite a sad one. He testified how he describes such thinkers well, “Professing
became a “born again” fundamentalist as a themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Rom 1:22).
teenager, and believed in the total infallibility Ehrman began his treatise on “God’s
and inerrancy of Scripture. His commitment Problem” by asking this question, “If there is
to the Christian faith led him to study an all-powerful and loving God in this world,
theology at Moody Bible Institute, a why is there so much excruciating pain and
fundamentalist school. Later he studied the unspeakable suffering?”
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Why Suffering? They are all gone out of the way, they are together
become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no,
Yes, no one denies that suffering is a not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their
fact of life. Why is there so much suffering in tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is
this world? Where is God in all this? What is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and
He doing about it? Where are the answers? bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Only God has the answers and He has given Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the
us the answers in His Word. The Bible tells us way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of
that suffering in this world is due to a number God before their eyes. … For all have sinned, and
of reasons: the primary reason being Sin (with come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:10-23).
a capital S). God created this world very good,
but man made it very bad by sinning against
God (Rom 5:12). Our first parents—Adam
and Eve—broke God’s law by eating the
forbidden fruit (Gen 2:16-17, 3:1-7). Their sin
and disobedience plunged the whole of
humanity into misery, pain and death (Gen
3:16-19, Rom 6:23). Human beings
throughout the ages experience suffering
because they are living in a sin-cursed world
which is populated by sinful people who are
bound by sinful thoughts and feelings and
bent on doing sinful things (Rom 3:10-18) .
No one is innocent; all without exception are
guilty (Rom 3:23). God, being holy and just,
has to condemn and punish sinners, and the
judgement began from the time man fell in Ehrman’s Problem
the Garden, and continues until the present, Who is good? Only God is good and
and will end in the fiery destruction of world, just; all men are bad and wicked. No matter
and the casting of the finally impenitent into how good any man might appear outwardly,
the lake of fire for all eternity (2 Pet 3:7-12, God sees the heart (1 Sam 16:7), and God
Rev 20:11-15). “It is a fearful thing to fall into the tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and
hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31). desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer 17:9).
The Bible makes it very clear that the Nonetheless, in Ehrman’s mind, there are
problem of suffering is man’s problem, not good people who do not deserve the pain and
God’s. Ehrman keeps questioning why the misery that they go through. Although there
wicked prosper and the innocent suffer? Why are other biblical reasons why bad things do
do bad things happen to good people? But in happen to “good” people (e.g. Job), he
God’s sight and by His standard, none is good questions why God permits suffering and
or innocent. “As it is written, There is none does not intervene to punish the wicked and
righteous, no, not one: There is none that deliver the righteous immediately. For this
understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. reason, Ehrman feels that the God of the
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Bible cannot be truly almighty, loving and that it would have been no more difficult for
good since He does not intervene to stop all God to preserve the words of scripture than it
the suffering right here, right now. would have been for him to inspire them in
the first place. If he wanted his people to have
The problem of suffering has led
his words, surely he would have given them to
Ehrman to lose his faith. What Ehrman
them. … The fact that we don’t have the
thinks is “God’s Problem” is actually his very
words surely must show, I reasoned, that he
own, which is the problem of not believing
did not preserve them for us. And if he didn’t
what God has said in His written words. He
perform that miracle, there seemed to be no
confessed, “I came to a point where I could
reason to think that he performed the earlier
no longer believe … I realized that I could no
miracle of inspiring those words.” In Ehrman,
longer reconcile the claims of faith with the
we see a clear case of how the logic of
facts of life. I could no longer explain how
unbelief in denying the Biblical doctrine of
there can be a good and all-powerful God
Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP) would
actively involved with this world, given the
naturally and eventually lead to a denial of the
state of things. For many people who inhabit
doctrine of Verbal Plenary Inspiration (VPI).
this planet, life is a cesspool of misery and
suffering. I came to the point where I simply
could not believe that there is a good and
kindly disposed Ruler who is in charge of it.”
God’s Solution to Man’s Problem
Ehrman’s problem is the same
problem of many unbelieving people who do How do we respond to Ehrman’s
not believe the whole Bible to be the 100% attack on VPI and VPP? The only biblical way
perfect Word of God without any mistake to to respond to such an attack is to quote the
the last word and letter, and therefore Scriptures, “let God be true, but every man a liar”
absolutely and supremely authoritative in all (Rom 3:4). We will all become like Ehrman if
matters of faith and life. Ehrman himself we do not live by faith, and faith alone (sola
confessed that he sees the Bible as “a very fide). The sinner or the unbeliever lives by
human book with all the marks of having sight, or by “science” so called—“I see in
come from human hands: discrepancies, order to believe.” But the saint or the child of
contradictions, errors, ….” God lives by faith, “For therein is the righteousness
of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written,
In an earlier book
The just shall live by faith.” (Rom 1:7). If we
of his titled—Misquoting
want to see and know God, we must begin
Jesus—he argued, “If one
with faith, “I believe in order to see.” And
wants to insist that God
the Christian faith is not blind because it
inspired the very words of
is based on the truth. What is truth?
scripture, what would be the
God’s Word is truth (John 17:17).
point if we don’t have the very
How can we know the truth about
words of scripture? … This
origins: how did the world begin,
became a problem for my view of
and where did we come from? It is only by
inspiration, for I came to realize
faith, “Through faith we understand that the worlds
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were framed by the word of God, so that things which blames God and finds fault with His claims.
are seen were not made of things which do appear” Indeed, “Professing themselves to be wise, they
(Heb 11:3). We simply believe the words of became fools” (Rom 1:22); “Ever learning, and
our Creator who said that He created the never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2
whole universe out of nothing by the power Tim 3:7). Ehrman has become too clever for
of His Word in the space of six literal 24-hour his own good.
days, and all very good (Gen 1).
The only way to please God is by faith, God’s Word is 100% perfect, without
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for any mistake, forever infallible and inerrant to
he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and the last syllable and letter, even today. How
that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” do we know this? God says it in Psalm 12:6-7,
(Heb 11:6). We must begin with faith and we “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver
must end with faith if we are to live and not tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou
be lost forever. shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them
The problem with Ehrman is his from this generation for ever.” Jesus said, “For verily
blindness towards God and His Truth I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or
because of His intellectual pride. He gives his one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be
own distorted definition of who and what fulfilled” (Matt 5:18). “Heaven and earth shall pass
God is; and when his own idea about God away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt
does not square with his worldview, he 24:35).
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Applying the logic of faith based on our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
God’s truthful words and promises, we who “died for our sins according to the scriptures;
believe that the Bible was not only very pure And that he was buried, and that he rose again the
in the beginning, but also very pure today. By third day according to the scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4).
so believing, we are very sure of the 100%
Let us then live by faith in Christ and
inspired and 100% preserved words of God—
His words, and not by “science” or
what they are and where they are. We are very
“scholarship” so called. “Let God be true, but
sure of who God is. He is none other than
every man a liar” (Rom 3:4).
Rev Dr Jeffrey Khoo is the Academic Dean of Far Eastern Bible College and Elder at True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church.
The above sermon was preached at True Life BPC on September 14, 2008, originally published in their Church Weekly
(Vol V No 52) dated September 28, 2008 and is reprinted here by permission of the author.
Congratulations to Benson Ang, FCM NTU/NIE (2004-2008), and Felicia Ong who were
united in Holy Matrimony on September 6, 2008. They are both members of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian
Church. The wedding was officiated by their Pastor, the Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy.
The second FCM Combined Meeting 2008 was held at Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church on
September 19, 2008. Paul Ferguson, a Doctor of Theology (ThD) candidate at the Far Eastern Bible College
(FEBC), delivered the Lord’s message. He spoke on the topic, “Victory in Christ: Rising from Spiritual Defeat.” It
was the first ever back-to-back event with the FCM Retreat 2008 which was held within the same premises on
September 20, 2008. The second message Paul delivered was “Vessels for Christ: Meet for the Master’s Use.”
Calvary Tengah Bible-Presbyterian Church inaugurated its Mandarin Worship Service on October 5,
2008 under the charge of Preacher Kelvin Wong, a Master of Divinity (MDiv) graduate of FEBC. A mandarin CD
entitled “重温主恩” was also released on the same day and contains 17 tracks sung by Elder Boaz Boon. Kindly
approach any of the Student Coordinators if you have not obtained a copy of the CD.
“The neglected heart will soon be a heart overrun with worldly thoughts;
the neglected life will soon become a moral chaos;
the church that is not jealously protected by mighty intercession and sacrificial labors
will before long become the abode of every evil bird and the hiding place for unsuspected corruption.
The creeping wilderness will soon take over that church that trusts in its own strength and forgets to watch and pray.”
A.W. Tozer
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LATEST CD RELEASES
BY CALVARY TENGAH B-P CHURCH
重温主恩
Track Listing
01. 人算什么
02. 神爱世人 + 诗篇一二一
03. 上帝有情,人生有望 (闽南语)
04. 山区教会
05. 纪念恩主歌
06. 诗篇一三三
07. 田地里的庄稼
08. 中国的早晨五点钟
09. 走进新的一天
10. 恩雨(广东语)
11. 主耶稣啊想起了祢
12. 再不为自己活
Price: Free for FCMers 13. 最知心的朋友
Availability: In Stock
Format: Audio CD
14. 耶和华祝福满满(闽南语)
Discs: 1 15. 给我一颗中国心
Released: October 5, 2008
Language: Mandarin 16. 主我们深深的知道
Description: Male Solo 17. 相约在主里
Total Running Time: 71:45mins
Previous Releases
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A STUDENT’S PRAYER
BY ANONYMOUS
”
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The FCM Family AY 08/09
Contact Information & Bible Study Groups
Overall FCM Coordinator Eld Dr Boaz Boon (Calvary Tengah B-P Church)
℡ 9824 7681
boazboon@mytengah.com
Student Coordinator James Tan, BTh cand (Calvary Tengah B-P Church)
jamestty@gmail.com [for RP, TP, NYP @ RP]
Teo Jun Zi
℡ 9299 9501 Student Coordinator
teojunzi@gmail.com
Samuel Goh
Venue & Time ℡ 9181 7471
Blk 63, NTU Hall of Residence 13 (Eld Sim’s Home)
eleven_blue@yahoo.com.sg
32 Nanyang Crescent, #03-1255, Singapore 637658
Venue & Time
¡ Every Monday, 6.30pm / Dinner @ 5.30pm
Ngee Ann Poly (Teaching Hub, Blk 56, Study Area near Canteen 1)
535 Clementi Road, Singapore 599489
¡ Alternate Wednesdays, 7pm / Dinner @ 6.15pm
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