Tuesday, 9th March 2010, 2331hours...
The plane touched down half an hour late, as the flight was that of a budget airlines, the busy airport resulted in pushing the budget airlines to the back of the queue... I was quickly greeted by a heat never before experienced...
The following day when I was at church, someone told me that this was the hottest in Singapore in 180 years! Suddenly it dawned on me that just as everything had a life, so too the earth must have a life span... Perhaps like an ageing person, the earth is beginning to experience headaches, toothaches, backaches, fever, muscle aches, etc. And all these are reflected in the extreme weather changes, the seemingly increasing instability of the earth... Oh well...
Finally, some of my siblings and I met up today for dinner... Despite all the air-conditioned buildings and public transport, I was simply dripping and melting away...my entire T-shirt was wet with perspiration... and despite having the air-conditioning on throughout the night, I was awakened by the heat, with my hair all wet with sweat... What a Singapore! And so it was with the dinner...by the time I got home, I simply stank!
The rest of the week seems quite busy as well... Wednesday is filled with official meeting and so is considered used up, though dinner might be at the airport where we're supposed to see my brother off. He's making a visit to Canada just to preach, followed by a visit to Calvin College to research on Hebrew language for his book, and to meet his son. Thursday is filled with meeting up with a student, then the senior pastor of Providence Presbyterian Church, followed by dinner with a good old friend.
I must reserve sometime for mother-in-law, who still doesn't know I'm back... Poor mum...at 71, she has to take care of a recently stroke-stricken husband of 79...and a mentally ill daughter... so talk about justice and fairness...I no longer dare ask questions...
Soon I'll be back to Hong Kong, and soon I'll have problem returning to Singapore, with so little left... Friends seem to have all vanished...oh well, they're all simply busy! In my future trips back home, I'll have to check into hotels or theological schools...
But, the more important and immediate thing awaiting me meanwhile is my students' assignments! Oh wow, they're a test of my patience... I can only say, or pray, "Christ, have mercy!"
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Saturday, November 21, 2009
魔鬼在搗亂
週六、2009年11月22日、0937
時常聽不少基督徒說：「讀神學是在成就魔鬼的計畫」、「主日崇拜時powerpoint不運作肯定是魔鬼在搗亂」、「憂鬱症是撒旦的捆綁」等等。當我開始就讀神學時，也聽過有人說「神學思考、神學研究、批判神學等都是魔鬼的作為」，「基督徒只要對聖靈有一定的敏銳度，那就行了」。當時無知的我所得到的一個結論似乎是：「真正的屬靈人是不需要，也不可以思考、讀書、追求學問，全部都必須讓聖靈來帶領、指導、教導等……」。其實，如此理念至今不但沒有減少，而是越來越普遍！這牽涉到幾方面的問題：（1）我們應該如何看待聖經？（2）我們應該如何看待學問？（3）我們應該聽誰的？
第一個問題其實不只是牽涉到一個客觀的問題，它更是直接的關係到個人立場問題。而個人立場也分不同層次：有些人的個人立場較有理性，他們認為既然是立場，就必須有根有據，而不應當是缺乏憑據的。有些人則認為只需要聖靈的帶領，不管其他的事——不管教會歷史、歷史中的神學傳統、神學、神學理念、神學思考，更不應當處理科學和考古所引發的一些問題。就此等人而言，「信心」是根本的要求，「聖靈」是根本的管道，其他一律是來自「人為」和「魔鬼、撒旦」。
有幾個事實我想是理性及非理性的信徒都贊同的，讓我們先列出這幾項有直接關繫的：其一、聖經是由活生生的人所寫的。而「活生生」就代表他們既是感性，也是理性的人。他們在寫作這些聖經中的文獻時也帶有邏輯思考，否則我們就不可能明白其來龍去脈了。其二、聖經中的每一卷書都有其自己的處境、聽眾、讀者、所針對的課題（或問題）、寫作目的等。話句話說，這些書卷的作者在寫作時有一定的信息。其三、聖經中的書卷跟我們相距至少超出1，900年，舊約書卷更長久。這意味著其他的差異，例如：文化、地理、語言、生活習俗等。也就是說，理解這些書卷的信息肯定有一定的難度。其四、聖經中的語言乃屬古代語言，而聖經的原稿已經不存在。我們所擁有的聖經「原稿」其實是「手抄本」，其中也有許多不能確定的字詞和文法。這再一次說明理解聖經書卷所面對的難度是多層面的。其五、越靠近原來的作者的時代的人比較上更能理解聖經的信息，例如：第二世紀的教父可以說是對第一世紀的耶穌和使徒的教導有更清楚的理解和認識。
其實，以上所說只是幾個事實而已。若是把所有的事實列出來，我想「全世界都容納不下」（就讓我借用使徒約翰的話）！然而，以上五點卻是我們必須作出確定性結論的重要幾點，否則我們不可能得到聖經的信息。以上五點其實都需要我們去認識，而上帝所賜給我們的是多么的豐富，是祂讓我們使用的資源。因此，我們若要明白聖經的信息，我們必須認識那些「活生生」的作者，他們的背景，這就牽涉到研究、考察等。我們更要認識聖經中書卷的處境和受眾，而這就牽涉到背景的研究，而如此研究更要求我們對知識帶著一個敞開的態度。再者，我們還需要將聖經書卷和我們在時間上的距離拉近，而這又再一次牽涉到研究、歷史和考古的探討和分析。而若要成功的作出一些如此研究，我們就必須對知識帶著一個開放的態度。當然，還有「原稿」的問題。因為「原稿」已不存在，我們不知道它的內容是什麽，我們只能夠依賴「手抄本」。我們暫且不談文士在「手抄」的過程中犯錯的可能性（實在太多太多了：文士眼睛累了而抄錯；爲了澄清原稿的意思而多加此句等），單單「手抄本」本身我們也沒有全部完整的「手抄本」，再者，同一份聖經書卷的不同「手抄本」也可能有不同的內容，導致我們面對決定哪一份「手抄本」是較接近「原稿」的問題。而我們還要面對古代語文的問題——舊約主要是以希伯來文和亞蘭文寫成，新約則是希臘文。但是我們今天所看的聖經卻是各種各樣的譯本！我們又如何確定我們所擁有的譯本就是原來上帝所要向其子民所說的話呢？不過，感謝神我們還是有教父的著作、講章等。他們引用聖經次數不能計算，但是他們卻是我們認識聖經信息的一個重要橋樑，即他們給予我們一個傳統，是我們必須小心去研究和追求認識的重要知識！
爲了減少這些差距，並縮短時間、文化、歷史等的距離，我們不得不作出研究，並對科學、考古、歷史、文化、語文、神學理念等等作出深入探討。也就是如此的資詢才能幫助我們更加認識我們的聖經，再透過認識聖經來認識其信息。
當然，那些認為「我們只需要依靠聖靈」的人可能認為聖靈自然會將聖經的信息教導給我們（暫且稱他們為「非理性者」）。但是，這些「非理性者」對有關「聖靈」的知識又是從哪裡得著的呢？他們對「信心」、「撒旦」等的知識又是從哪裡而來呢？相反的，若是我們不認識在下之前所說的研究成果，我們將有可能誤解聖經。其實，那些「非理性者」對有關「聖靈」、「信心」、「撒旦」等的認識也多半從他們的牧師那裡聽來的（許多時候，「非理性者」當中似乎表現出一股缺乏謙卑學習的態度，導致他們拒絕「知識」、「神學研究」等。不過，這不是本文的重點）。問題是：既然有關「聖靈」等課題的知識來自聖經，那這不就說明若是我們要清楚明白理解聖經對有關「聖靈」等課題的教導，我們就必須研究、考察聖經嗎？
「非理性者」認為「神學思考」、「聖經研究」、「神學批判」來自撒旦。但是，我倒觀察到他們所拒絕的「批判、聖經研究和神學思考」也就是撒旦所最害怕的！因為一旦我們認識了聖經，我們就不那麼容易被「撒旦」欺騙。不知「非理性者」有否想過：他們如此拒絕「聖經研究、神學思考、學術批判」是否才是真正來自「撒旦」？而當他們把一切他們不喜歡、不能接納的一律歸納在「魔鬼在搗亂」之下，他們其實是在「榮耀」魔鬼！爲什麽他們會如此做呢？答案非常簡單：他們對聖經缺乏認識。以下我就提出一個例子。
在不久前有一群同學要預備去短宣，在討論過程中，電腦出了問題，以至於powerpoint似乎有問題運作，其中一位領導就將這問題怪在魔鬼身上，說是「魔鬼在搗亂」。其實，這是因缺乏預備而導致的問題，也就是說這位領袖將自己不負責任的預備怪在「魔鬼」身上，從而不知不覺的將「榮耀」歸給「魔鬼」！這是一個不負責任的做法，或許這也是一位不負責任領袖的一致性——本來就帶著一個不負責任的態度預備，當然有問題也以一個不負責任的態度怪在「魔鬼」身上了！
這種「把一切人生問題都放在魔鬼、撒旦身上」是一個很嚴重的問題，包括將「恐懼」、「憂鬱症」、「生病」、「傷心、憂傷」等等等列在「魔鬼在搗亂」之下！其實，除了對聖經缺乏認識以外，這更是一種「非信徒」當中的一種理念。許多如此信徒就是因為過去的「非基督徒」背景，加上信主之後不認識聖經（許多時候這是因為懶惰學習、驕傲不謙卑學習所導致），這些「非理性者」其實只是換湯不換藥的「非基督徒」——他們名義上是「基督徒」，但是他們其實仍然是「非基督徒」，他們的方法、理念、態度等等還是跟他們以前當「非基督徒」時完全一樣，只是詞彙稍有修改！——這才是今日教會所必須謹慎、驚醒、努力反駁和拒絕的，因為它們才是真正「撒旦魔鬼」的作為（就讓我借用這些「非理性者」的表達！）
這一切最終牽涉到教會的教導，而教會的教導主要是從牧師傳道開始，而牧師傳道的教導則是來自神學院！換句話說，神學教育在這方面可說是出了問題！我就把這一個課題留在下一次討論再談。
但願慈悲、憐憫我們的上主帶領我們基督徒、教會、神學院！
時常聽不少基督徒說：「讀神學是在成就魔鬼的計畫」、「主日崇拜時powerpoint不運作肯定是魔鬼在搗亂」、「憂鬱症是撒旦的捆綁」等等。當我開始就讀神學時，也聽過有人說「神學思考、神學研究、批判神學等都是魔鬼的作為」，「基督徒只要對聖靈有一定的敏銳度，那就行了」。當時無知的我所得到的一個結論似乎是：「真正的屬靈人是不需要，也不可以思考、讀書、追求學問，全部都必須讓聖靈來帶領、指導、教導等……」。其實，如此理念至今不但沒有減少，而是越來越普遍！這牽涉到幾方面的問題：（1）我們應該如何看待聖經？（2）我們應該如何看待學問？（3）我們應該聽誰的？
第一個問題其實不只是牽涉到一個客觀的問題，它更是直接的關係到個人立場問題。而個人立場也分不同層次：有些人的個人立場較有理性，他們認為既然是立場，就必須有根有據，而不應當是缺乏憑據的。有些人則認為只需要聖靈的帶領，不管其他的事——不管教會歷史、歷史中的神學傳統、神學、神學理念、神學思考，更不應當處理科學和考古所引發的一些問題。就此等人而言，「信心」是根本的要求，「聖靈」是根本的管道，其他一律是來自「人為」和「魔鬼、撒旦」。
有幾個事實我想是理性及非理性的信徒都贊同的，讓我們先列出這幾項有直接關繫的：其一、聖經是由活生生的人所寫的。而「活生生」就代表他們既是感性，也是理性的人。他們在寫作這些聖經中的文獻時也帶有邏輯思考，否則我們就不可能明白其來龍去脈了。其二、聖經中的每一卷書都有其自己的處境、聽眾、讀者、所針對的課題（或問題）、寫作目的等。話句話說，這些書卷的作者在寫作時有一定的信息。其三、聖經中的書卷跟我們相距至少超出1，900年，舊約書卷更長久。這意味著其他的差異，例如：文化、地理、語言、生活習俗等。也就是說，理解這些書卷的信息肯定有一定的難度。其四、聖經中的語言乃屬古代語言，而聖經的原稿已經不存在。我們所擁有的聖經「原稿」其實是「手抄本」，其中也有許多不能確定的字詞和文法。這再一次說明理解聖經書卷所面對的難度是多層面的。其五、越靠近原來的作者的時代的人比較上更能理解聖經的信息，例如：第二世紀的教父可以說是對第一世紀的耶穌和使徒的教導有更清楚的理解和認識。
其實，以上所說只是幾個事實而已。若是把所有的事實列出來，我想「全世界都容納不下」（就讓我借用使徒約翰的話）！然而，以上五點卻是我們必須作出確定性結論的重要幾點，否則我們不可能得到聖經的信息。以上五點其實都需要我們去認識，而上帝所賜給我們的是多么的豐富，是祂讓我們使用的資源。因此，我們若要明白聖經的信息，我們必須認識那些「活生生」的作者，他們的背景，這就牽涉到研究、考察等。我們更要認識聖經中書卷的處境和受眾，而這就牽涉到背景的研究，而如此研究更要求我們對知識帶著一個敞開的態度。再者，我們還需要將聖經書卷和我們在時間上的距離拉近，而這又再一次牽涉到研究、歷史和考古的探討和分析。而若要成功的作出一些如此研究，我們就必須對知識帶著一個開放的態度。當然，還有「原稿」的問題。因為「原稿」已不存在，我們不知道它的內容是什麽，我們只能夠依賴「手抄本」。我們暫且不談文士在「手抄」的過程中犯錯的可能性（實在太多太多了：文士眼睛累了而抄錯；爲了澄清原稿的意思而多加此句等），單單「手抄本」本身我們也沒有全部完整的「手抄本」，再者，同一份聖經書卷的不同「手抄本」也可能有不同的內容，導致我們面對決定哪一份「手抄本」是較接近「原稿」的問題。而我們還要面對古代語文的問題——舊約主要是以希伯來文和亞蘭文寫成，新約則是希臘文。但是我們今天所看的聖經卻是各種各樣的譯本！我們又如何確定我們所擁有的譯本就是原來上帝所要向其子民所說的話呢？不過，感謝神我們還是有教父的著作、講章等。他們引用聖經次數不能計算，但是他們卻是我們認識聖經信息的一個重要橋樑，即他們給予我們一個傳統，是我們必須小心去研究和追求認識的重要知識！
爲了減少這些差距，並縮短時間、文化、歷史等的距離，我們不得不作出研究，並對科學、考古、歷史、文化、語文、神學理念等等作出深入探討。也就是如此的資詢才能幫助我們更加認識我們的聖經，再透過認識聖經來認識其信息。
當然，那些認為「我們只需要依靠聖靈」的人可能認為聖靈自然會將聖經的信息教導給我們（暫且稱他們為「非理性者」）。但是，這些「非理性者」對有關「聖靈」的知識又是從哪裡得著的呢？他們對「信心」、「撒旦」等的知識又是從哪裡而來呢？相反的，若是我們不認識在下之前所說的研究成果，我們將有可能誤解聖經。其實，那些「非理性者」對有關「聖靈」、「信心」、「撒旦」等的認識也多半從他們的牧師那裡聽來的（許多時候，「非理性者」當中似乎表現出一股缺乏謙卑學習的態度，導致他們拒絕「知識」、「神學研究」等。不過，這不是本文的重點）。問題是：既然有關「聖靈」等課題的知識來自聖經，那這不就說明若是我們要清楚明白理解聖經對有關「聖靈」等課題的教導，我們就必須研究、考察聖經嗎？
「非理性者」認為「神學思考」、「聖經研究」、「神學批判」來自撒旦。但是，我倒觀察到他們所拒絕的「批判、聖經研究和神學思考」也就是撒旦所最害怕的！因為一旦我們認識了聖經，我們就不那麼容易被「撒旦」欺騙。不知「非理性者」有否想過：他們如此拒絕「聖經研究、神學思考、學術批判」是否才是真正來自「撒旦」？而當他們把一切他們不喜歡、不能接納的一律歸納在「魔鬼在搗亂」之下，他們其實是在「榮耀」魔鬼！爲什麽他們會如此做呢？答案非常簡單：他們對聖經缺乏認識。以下我就提出一個例子。
在不久前有一群同學要預備去短宣，在討論過程中，電腦出了問題，以至於powerpoint似乎有問題運作，其中一位領導就將這問題怪在魔鬼身上，說是「魔鬼在搗亂」。其實，這是因缺乏預備而導致的問題，也就是說這位領袖將自己不負責任的預備怪在「魔鬼」身上，從而不知不覺的將「榮耀」歸給「魔鬼」！這是一個不負責任的做法，或許這也是一位不負責任領袖的一致性——本來就帶著一個不負責任的態度預備，當然有問題也以一個不負責任的態度怪在「魔鬼」身上了！
這種「把一切人生問題都放在魔鬼、撒旦身上」是一個很嚴重的問題，包括將「恐懼」、「憂鬱症」、「生病」、「傷心、憂傷」等等等列在「魔鬼在搗亂」之下！其實，除了對聖經缺乏認識以外，這更是一種「非信徒」當中的一種理念。許多如此信徒就是因為過去的「非基督徒」背景，加上信主之後不認識聖經（許多時候這是因為懶惰學習、驕傲不謙卑學習所導致），這些「非理性者」其實只是換湯不換藥的「非基督徒」——他們名義上是「基督徒」，但是他們其實仍然是「非基督徒」，他們的方法、理念、態度等等還是跟他們以前當「非基督徒」時完全一樣，只是詞彙稍有修改！——這才是今日教會所必須謹慎、驚醒、努力反駁和拒絕的，因為它們才是真正「撒旦魔鬼」的作為（就讓我借用這些「非理性者」的表達！）
這一切最終牽涉到教會的教導，而教會的教導主要是從牧師傳道開始，而牧師傳道的教導則是來自神學院！換句話說，神學教育在這方面可說是出了問題！我就把這一個課題留在下一次討論再談。
但願慈悲、憐憫我們的上主帶領我們基督徒、教會、神學院！
Saturday, October 31, 2009
A loving and forgiving God...
Saturday, 31st October 2009, 16:30 hrs...
A young man wrote me a letter years ago and confided in me his struggles... Recently while in Singapore we reconnected again and so recounted the event that led to his near moral downfall. At this time while I was back in Singapore, he shared about his own experience of God's forgiveness and offered me the permission to share about him in my preaching or other contexts, as long as I do not divulge his name.
Like many people, this friend of mine (let's call him John) spoke of his lack of discipline and self-control and of his subsequent moral delinquency. Because of the lack of self-control, he got himself into all sorts of compromising situations, many of which were sexual. His first encounter was on a flight with a Spanish woman. He was then young, energetic, and relatively charming. Though he and the woman didn't go much further, unfortunately, their heavy petting on board the flight left him wanting more. This led to more encounters after his flight back. In some of his business trips, he kept getting into many of these situations in which he became involved with various ladies whom he hardly knew. Some at home, some abroad. But because of his fear of sexual diseases, he never got himself into the actual sexual act except thrice, once with a young lady, twice with a same lady. However, in every one of these instances, he felt dirty.
What he felt and still feels is important. For he felt dirty and so the first thing he did was to have a thorough shower and scrubbed himself hard with soap. The other feeling is that of guilt and shame. He felt he'd let God down, since he's a Christian. It was then that I realised, indeed, Christians were never spared the sexual temptations as this friend of mine. John had to fly often for business, and oftentimes he would feel lonely after meeting the business clients. This was where he would feel tempted to link up the computer and find someone to chat, which often led to compromising situations. Those of us who never have to be in such a compromising situation should consider themselves blessed.
Finally, he came before the Lord and went on his knees to pray, yet again. It wasn't his first time praying, but it was another of those moments when he had to resort to prayer in order to rid himself of those feelings of guilt. This particular day, he suddenly felt a certain deep understanding of the love and forgiveness of God, when he said to God something like this (I'm recalling what he said to me), "Lord, I'm so sorry for failing you, and for such shameful deeds. I really am sorry. I don't want to displease you; but somehow I keep falling prey to this problem...". And then, for the first time, he actually felt that everything was over; that he was experiencing a new beginning; that he was definitely going to be different; that God would forgive him if he were to be sincere in confessing his sins and turn over a new leaf...
In tears, John (not his real name, as mentioned earlier) shared with me how touching it was for him. He felt that he couldn't and shouldn't get married, as he was afraid he might become unfaithful to his wife, and that his past didn't qualify him for marriage. All he wanted was to lead a life of purity from now on...for he has experienced the loving and forgiving God.
Many Christians today face such temptations or problems. Some heterosexual, others lesbian or homosexual. Whatever they may be, it is important for us to remember the story recorded in the Gospels: a woman was caught in adultery and brought to Jesus. They said to Jesus that the Law of Moses says such a person should be stoned to death. And we notice that Jesus told the men who wanted to stone her, "Those who do not have any sins may be the first to cast a stone on her". These men walked away one by one. After all had left, Jesus asked the woman where the men were, to which she replied, "They've all left". And Jesus replied, "Nor will I judge you. Go and sin no more".
Indeed, we need to recall that Jesus gives those who sin a chance to turn over a new leaf, and he will not judge such people. What's important is his final words, "Go and sin no more".
When faced with the torrents of sin, let us take courage and be strong. For God will not judge us, and he wants us to go and sin no more, if we are sincere, genuine and want to change over.
God bless us.
A young man wrote me a letter years ago and confided in me his struggles... Recently while in Singapore we reconnected again and so recounted the event that led to his near moral downfall. At this time while I was back in Singapore, he shared about his own experience of God's forgiveness and offered me the permission to share about him in my preaching or other contexts, as long as I do not divulge his name.
Like many people, this friend of mine (let's call him John) spoke of his lack of discipline and self-control and of his subsequent moral delinquency. Because of the lack of self-control, he got himself into all sorts of compromising situations, many of which were sexual. His first encounter was on a flight with a Spanish woman. He was then young, energetic, and relatively charming. Though he and the woman didn't go much further, unfortunately, their heavy petting on board the flight left him wanting more. This led to more encounters after his flight back. In some of his business trips, he kept getting into many of these situations in which he became involved with various ladies whom he hardly knew. Some at home, some abroad. But because of his fear of sexual diseases, he never got himself into the actual sexual act except thrice, once with a young lady, twice with a same lady. However, in every one of these instances, he felt dirty.
What he felt and still feels is important. For he felt dirty and so the first thing he did was to have a thorough shower and scrubbed himself hard with soap. The other feeling is that of guilt and shame. He felt he'd let God down, since he's a Christian. It was then that I realised, indeed, Christians were never spared the sexual temptations as this friend of mine. John had to fly often for business, and oftentimes he would feel lonely after meeting the business clients. This was where he would feel tempted to link up the computer and find someone to chat, which often led to compromising situations. Those of us who never have to be in such a compromising situation should consider themselves blessed.
Finally, he came before the Lord and went on his knees to pray, yet again. It wasn't his first time praying, but it was another of those moments when he had to resort to prayer in order to rid himself of those feelings of guilt. This particular day, he suddenly felt a certain deep understanding of the love and forgiveness of God, when he said to God something like this (I'm recalling what he said to me), "Lord, I'm so sorry for failing you, and for such shameful deeds. I really am sorry. I don't want to displease you; but somehow I keep falling prey to this problem...". And then, for the first time, he actually felt that everything was over; that he was experiencing a new beginning; that he was definitely going to be different; that God would forgive him if he were to be sincere in confessing his sins and turn over a new leaf...
In tears, John (not his real name, as mentioned earlier) shared with me how touching it was for him. He felt that he couldn't and shouldn't get married, as he was afraid he might become unfaithful to his wife, and that his past didn't qualify him for marriage. All he wanted was to lead a life of purity from now on...for he has experienced the loving and forgiving God.
Many Christians today face such temptations or problems. Some heterosexual, others lesbian or homosexual. Whatever they may be, it is important for us to remember the story recorded in the Gospels: a woman was caught in adultery and brought to Jesus. They said to Jesus that the Law of Moses says such a person should be stoned to death. And we notice that Jesus told the men who wanted to stone her, "Those who do not have any sins may be the first to cast a stone on her". These men walked away one by one. After all had left, Jesus asked the woman where the men were, to which she replied, "They've all left". And Jesus replied, "Nor will I judge you. Go and sin no more".
Indeed, we need to recall that Jesus gives those who sin a chance to turn over a new leaf, and he will not judge such people. What's important is his final words, "Go and sin no more".
When faced with the torrents of sin, let us take courage and be strong. For God will not judge us, and he wants us to go and sin no more, if we are sincere, genuine and want to change over.
God bless us.
Friday, September 25, 2009
批改作业之标准何在？
周五，2009年9月25日，8.41pm
在神学院当老师至今已将近九年，不知自己是否有慢下来，抑或是懒散了，但是我必须好好的追求上进，不让任何学生的态度，或学院办事欠佳，或个人偶尔对学院的失望，或对自己缺乏发表等而失望。人生在世，毕竟有不少自己理想中期望能够做而却做不到的事，也有许多自己不想做但是却必须做的事，也有许多自己被逼而做的事等等。最重要的是在做任何事，都当带着勤奋的态度，且专注所做的事，避开闲话。
其中一项在这些年当教师的日子中所面对的事，就是作业批改。多少同学就因着我严格而导致他们拿不到“优”等成绩而感到不满意。有些认为我是个没有“牧者心肠”的老师，有些则认为我没有“恩典”，更有些认为我没有基督！这些主要都是在新加坡的几间学院所经历的，其中最严重的可说是新亚学院。
这是一所自称是有灵命的学院，可做事却没有原则的学院！曾经有一位中国人，李天峰，自以为毕业于北大，就很傲慢，但他的作业是多么的没有水准而只从我这里拿到了一个C的时候，他对我是多么的没有礼貌，甚至不停的在我的背后传播诽谤的谎言！问题是：学院的中文部主任竟然维护他，甚至说他是一个谦卑的同学！
这些不以高要求为水准的学院和主任似乎只是在讨好学生，结果批改作业时也一直给予同学们A，使他们拿A惯了，就不能接受自己是不适合读书的人。我个人认为象李天峰那样的学生，学院应该严重惩罚他，让他学习学习真正的谦卑。
论到批改作业的水准，我想我们真的还在西方后面很远。他们关心水准，而我们却经常讲假话。每当我想起这些事，我就好感恩，因为上帝带我脱离如此的一个学院。感谢主！
在神学院当老师至今已将近九年，不知自己是否有慢下来，抑或是懒散了，但是我必须好好的追求上进，不让任何学生的态度，或学院办事欠佳，或个人偶尔对学院的失望，或对自己缺乏发表等而失望。人生在世，毕竟有不少自己理想中期望能够做而却做不到的事，也有许多自己不想做但是却必须做的事，也有许多自己被逼而做的事等等。最重要的是在做任何事，都当带着勤奋的态度，且专注所做的事，避开闲话。
其中一项在这些年当教师的日子中所面对的事，就是作业批改。多少同学就因着我严格而导致他们拿不到“优”等成绩而感到不满意。有些认为我是个没有“牧者心肠”的老师，有些则认为我没有“恩典”，更有些认为我没有基督！这些主要都是在新加坡的几间学院所经历的，其中最严重的可说是新亚学院。
这是一所自称是有灵命的学院，可做事却没有原则的学院！曾经有一位中国人，李天峰，自以为毕业于北大，就很傲慢，但他的作业是多么的没有水准而只从我这里拿到了一个C的时候，他对我是多么的没有礼貌，甚至不停的在我的背后传播诽谤的谎言！问题是：学院的中文部主任竟然维护他，甚至说他是一个谦卑的同学！
这些不以高要求为水准的学院和主任似乎只是在讨好学生，结果批改作业时也一直给予同学们A，使他们拿A惯了，就不能接受自己是不适合读书的人。我个人认为象李天峰那样的学生，学院应该严重惩罚他，让他学习学习真正的谦卑。
论到批改作业的水准，我想我们真的还在西方后面很远。他们关心水准，而我们却经常讲假话。每当我想起这些事，我就好感恩，因为上帝带我脱离如此的一个学院。感谢主！
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Education Can't be Rushed, and Treatment of Professors Must be Fair
Friday, 25th September 2009, 07:53am
It was with much rushing and flying that I visited Singapore from 17th July to 10th August 2009, and again from 18th to 20th September 2009. During this periods, particularly the former, I had more time to spend time with some friends, most of whom are in education line. One of my purposes in the visit was to preach in Providence Presbyterian Church as part of its invitation preparation to serve full-time there. That is to say, the leadership of the church would like to hear me preach first, before proceeding further. I on my part decided to accept the invitation on a non-committal basis.
It was there that I learnt more about the situation in Singapore a year after I left for Hong Kong. First of all, the church does not seem to know what my role/s would be. This once again re-emerged as an issue during my latter trip. Further, I now understood from the leadership represented by one of its key leaders that theological education would be something the church should not be embarking upon. In addition, the remuneration package would have to be far below my current package. All this is helpful for my own decision making.
Secondly, I came to appreciate my teaching job here in Hong Kong. For during the two trips, I discovered that the Pentecostal College I was working in before my departure for Hong Kong actually invited a former SBC (Singapore Bible College) colleague of mine to be a faculty member and offered him a starting salary of S$4,000.00, which was S$1,000.00 more than what I was offered! This was something I was upset about, for that former colleague of mine holds only a master of divinity degree from Singapore Bible College, and has not been able to complete his PhD at a nineth rate seminary in the States. He has no publications and his PhD does not seem to be near completion anytime now. Yet, that College offered him such a big salary!
I should know better, actually. For when I was there in that Pentecostal College, the leadership actually told a few blatant lies. One of which in fact directly involved me. It was over several 'descriptors' which the leadership had asked others to write, but have my name down as the writer. These were in fact the equivalents of our 'course syllabi', written up as part of the requirement for the application for validation of our BA in theology degree by a UK university. And it was only about an hour and a half before a scheduled meeting with the representatives from the UK university that I was told to lie that I was the one who wrote it, if I was ever asked by any of the representatives. The other lie was about the college not making a single cent from the doctoral programme conducted on behalf of that UK university, when in fact that university gives back to this Pentecostal college two-thirds of what a student pays for the fees. In other words, the Pentecostal college was and is making quite an amount from the PhD programme. But the leaders have lied about it, not once, nor twice, but again and again.
Having learnt about the first incident, that my friend was offered S$4,000.00, I am quite pleased that I have left the college and come to Hong Kong.
But the above issues are not as problematic as the attitude of rushing to get a degree programme validated, while professors and lecturers are being unfairly and unjustly treated. One of these problems has to do with the idolatrous practice of 'worshipping the whites and the west'! If a lecturer comes from the West, then he is better and should be rewarded more. He is even better if he is a white. In the first theological school I taught at, if the lecturer is a white, and comes from some of those schools considered 'elite' by the leadership (but in fact are nineth rate seminaries such as Dallas and Trinity), then that lecturer will have carpet reception, and whatever he says will be treated with more than the gospel truth! Such is the college's idolatry!
In another theological college, if a lecturer is a local but attends one of the 'elite' schools such as RI (Raffles Institute) or ACS (Anglo-Chinese School), and is a member of the Methodist, then he is one-up and will receive better treatment. If he is an Anglican, he too will be well treated. For the bishop of the Anglican church is very much involved in the governance of the college. Better still, if the lecturer has attended an 'elite' university in the UK or a seminary in the States, never mind if he cannot teach, or is hot-tempered or stupid.
It is important for education to be made available to as many as possible. However, education takes time and therefore cannot be rushed. For educating a person is a long and arduous process, and more so theological education. There is a need to know, understand and grasp the philosophy of education of a school, before one proceeds further. In this light, education can never be embarked upon for the purpose of profiteering. This is even more so in theological education. In almost every seminary in Asia, none can survive as a seminary by solely depending on income generated from school fees. For fees only make up about a tenth of the budget in most seminaries. Even in secular universities, none have managed to make its programme part of the overall profit-making strategy. Usually, universities that survive well financially are those that engage in cutting-edge and high level research, which yields original results for the industry. In theological education, seminaries would need to engage the 'industry (i.e. the church)' if they ever want to survive financially.
Further, the professors are the real backbone or software of the seminary. If the professor/lectuers are not respected and given the space to work and develop themselves, then the seminary would have to be prepared for frequent faculty exits! In a sense, education not only involves the persons being educated, but also the faculty who are themselves continually being educated, and self-educating. The progressive ones will want to grow and seek the betterment of the self, while the incompetent ones usually will be content with the status quo. Seminary's leadership that is satisfied with such a state of affairs only destroys the seminary in the long run.
Let us be quick in thinking, just in treatment of professors, but slow to offer more degree programmes, slow to encourage paper chase.
It was with much rushing and flying that I visited Singapore from 17th July to 10th August 2009, and again from 18th to 20th September 2009. During this periods, particularly the former, I had more time to spend time with some friends, most of whom are in education line. One of my purposes in the visit was to preach in Providence Presbyterian Church as part of its invitation preparation to serve full-time there. That is to say, the leadership of the church would like to hear me preach first, before proceeding further. I on my part decided to accept the invitation on a non-committal basis.
It was there that I learnt more about the situation in Singapore a year after I left for Hong Kong. First of all, the church does not seem to know what my role/s would be. This once again re-emerged as an issue during my latter trip. Further, I now understood from the leadership represented by one of its key leaders that theological education would be something the church should not be embarking upon. In addition, the remuneration package would have to be far below my current package. All this is helpful for my own decision making.
Secondly, I came to appreciate my teaching job here in Hong Kong. For during the two trips, I discovered that the Pentecostal College I was working in before my departure for Hong Kong actually invited a former SBC (Singapore Bible College) colleague of mine to be a faculty member and offered him a starting salary of S$4,000.00, which was S$1,000.00 more than what I was offered! This was something I was upset about, for that former colleague of mine holds only a master of divinity degree from Singapore Bible College, and has not been able to complete his PhD at a nineth rate seminary in the States. He has no publications and his PhD does not seem to be near completion anytime now. Yet, that College offered him such a big salary!
I should know better, actually. For when I was there in that Pentecostal College, the leadership actually told a few blatant lies. One of which in fact directly involved me. It was over several 'descriptors' which the leadership had asked others to write, but have my name down as the writer. These were in fact the equivalents of our 'course syllabi', written up as part of the requirement for the application for validation of our BA in theology degree by a UK university. And it was only about an hour and a half before a scheduled meeting with the representatives from the UK university that I was told to lie that I was the one who wrote it, if I was ever asked by any of the representatives. The other lie was about the college not making a single cent from the doctoral programme conducted on behalf of that UK university, when in fact that university gives back to this Pentecostal college two-thirds of what a student pays for the fees. In other words, the Pentecostal college was and is making quite an amount from the PhD programme. But the leaders have lied about it, not once, nor twice, but again and again.
Having learnt about the first incident, that my friend was offered S$4,000.00, I am quite pleased that I have left the college and come to Hong Kong.
But the above issues are not as problematic as the attitude of rushing to get a degree programme validated, while professors and lecturers are being unfairly and unjustly treated. One of these problems has to do with the idolatrous practice of 'worshipping the whites and the west'! If a lecturer comes from the West, then he is better and should be rewarded more. He is even better if he is a white. In the first theological school I taught at, if the lecturer is a white, and comes from some of those schools considered 'elite' by the leadership (but in fact are nineth rate seminaries such as Dallas and Trinity), then that lecturer will have carpet reception, and whatever he says will be treated with more than the gospel truth! Such is the college's idolatry!
In another theological college, if a lecturer is a local but attends one of the 'elite' schools such as RI (Raffles Institute) or ACS (Anglo-Chinese School), and is a member of the Methodist, then he is one-up and will receive better treatment. If he is an Anglican, he too will be well treated. For the bishop of the Anglican church is very much involved in the governance of the college. Better still, if the lecturer has attended an 'elite' university in the UK or a seminary in the States, never mind if he cannot teach, or is hot-tempered or stupid.
It is important for education to be made available to as many as possible. However, education takes time and therefore cannot be rushed. For educating a person is a long and arduous process, and more so theological education. There is a need to know, understand and grasp the philosophy of education of a school, before one proceeds further. In this light, education can never be embarked upon for the purpose of profiteering. This is even more so in theological education. In almost every seminary in Asia, none can survive as a seminary by solely depending on income generated from school fees. For fees only make up about a tenth of the budget in most seminaries. Even in secular universities, none have managed to make its programme part of the overall profit-making strategy. Usually, universities that survive well financially are those that engage in cutting-edge and high level research, which yields original results for the industry. In theological education, seminaries would need to engage the 'industry (i.e. the church)' if they ever want to survive financially.
Further, the professors are the real backbone or software of the seminary. If the professor/lectuers are not respected and given the space to work and develop themselves, then the seminary would have to be prepared for frequent faculty exits! In a sense, education not only involves the persons being educated, but also the faculty who are themselves continually being educated, and self-educating. The progressive ones will want to grow and seek the betterment of the self, while the incompetent ones usually will be content with the status quo. Seminary's leadership that is satisfied with such a state of affairs only destroys the seminary in the long run.
Let us be quick in thinking, just in treatment of professors, but slow to offer more degree programmes, slow to encourage paper chase.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Christian Unequal Treatment?
Saturday, 11 March 2008, 3.23pm...
Today I discovered that a new colleague who came from China is made associate professor of our college. I was of course taken aback, given the fact that he received his PhD in theology only very recently, and one from a nineth-rate university! He has no theological publications, nor theological teaching experience, but has jumped straight to the rank of associate professorship. This upsets me.
I came with a PhD under a top New Testament scholar in the world today, with publications and almost seven years teaching experience, including that of supervising postgraduates. Yet I am not even an assistant professor, a rank given to fresh PhD without work experience and publication. But I am worse than that: I have been made a lecturer, a rank given to a master's degree holder!
Fortunately, I will be leaving this unfair organisation which seems not to value its own people, and which appears to be taking in pseudo-intellectuals and pseudo-scholars. It doesn't seem to care what sort of PhD an applicant has and where it was taken. Thus, a PhD from a little mission centre, validated by one of the lowest ranked universities, seems totally acceptable to the organisation.
Meanwhile, the leaders are hoping that I would remain if my application for employment pass in Hong Kong is unsuccessful. But now I am totally apprehensive. I don't think I would even want to remain, even if I am not successful in my employment pass application.
That's my position for now.
"Dear Lord,
This is an unfair world. Grant me to find peace and joy in you, even if the world is not that friendly. Give me your grace to live my life honourably, to the glory and praise of our heavenly father. In Jesus' name. Amen'.
Today I discovered that a new colleague who came from China is made associate professor of our college. I was of course taken aback, given the fact that he received his PhD in theology only very recently, and one from a nineth-rate university! He has no theological publications, nor theological teaching experience, but has jumped straight to the rank of associate professorship. This upsets me.
I came with a PhD under a top New Testament scholar in the world today, with publications and almost seven years teaching experience, including that of supervising postgraduates. Yet I am not even an assistant professor, a rank given to fresh PhD without work experience and publication. But I am worse than that: I have been made a lecturer, a rank given to a master's degree holder!
Fortunately, I will be leaving this unfair organisation which seems not to value its own people, and which appears to be taking in pseudo-intellectuals and pseudo-scholars. It doesn't seem to care what sort of PhD an applicant has and where it was taken. Thus, a PhD from a little mission centre, validated by one of the lowest ranked universities, seems totally acceptable to the organisation.
Meanwhile, the leaders are hoping that I would remain if my application for employment pass in Hong Kong is unsuccessful. But now I am totally apprehensive. I don't think I would even want to remain, even if I am not successful in my employment pass application.
That's my position for now.
"Dear Lord,
This is an unfair world. Grant me to find peace and joy in you, even if the world is not that friendly. Give me your grace to live my life honourably, to the glory and praise of our heavenly father. In Jesus' name. Amen'.
Of Formal Address
Monday, 4 March 2008, 8.10am...
This morning I received an official and formal email from a college in Singapore, with the opening address as Dr Richard, which upset me. My surname is Phua, not Richard. Richard is my first name. Somehow, this seems to be increasingly getting more popular. Perhaps people who address us by our first name are trying to be friendly. But I fail to understand the rationale behind this move. After all, if one addresses a person by a title, one is being formal. Yet, by calling the person by his or her first name with the title, one is in fact insulting the person so addressed. It is equivalent to changing the surname of the person addressed! In a sense, it is no different from calling that person being addressed a bastard!
In the college where I now teach, this absurd way of addressing people is being practised. And despite the protests of a former Western colleague and a student, nothing changed. What is even more disturbing is the fact that after being told, these people refused to address us properly. Sure, by all means address those who wish to be so addressed. But once a person has expressed his or her preference to be addressed properly, the request should at least be respected! I have often expressed my willing acceptance of being addressed by my first name without the title. In other words, those who address me may freely call me by my name. But, I have insisted, if people should address me by my title, they should and indeed ought to address me by my surname!
Another reason for my insistence is that we are an educational institution. Students will follow us and do the same when they return to their homes or work places. This will not auger well for our reputation as a college. Management consulting companies will readily tell us that the right way of addressing a person by title is "title+surname". Unfortunately, too many Asian companies and leaders are simply unteachable and arrogant.
My brother told me that by insisting on being addressed properly I was making life difficult for the people. Perhaps so. I only hope that this will change over time when people will respite the very simple rule of addressing.
I do recognise the fact that I am serious in everything that I do. Perhaps this has caused unease among the people around me. Resultantly, some colleagues, past and present, are not too happy. Even when things do not concern them! For example, I have been so used to speaking proper English. But this has been an offence to a present colleague that he keeps going around rumour mongering about me speaking good English. While the fact that I speak good English is not an issue, the trivialities he injects into his rumours are certainly not welcome! In addition, since the publication of my PhD thesis, this rather idiotic colleague has been going around telling people that he has written for me my PhD thesis! What an absurd claim! He not only speaks bad English, but also writes exceptionally poor English! How can he ever write my thesis for me?!
Anyway, in every such unhappy occurrence, it is important that I seek to be gracious and magnanimous. As the saying goes, "To err is human; to forgive is divine". May I seek to be like Christ, always forgiving, even when people do not appear to deserve it.
"Dear Lord Jesus,
Forgive me my trespasses, and teach me how to forgive the trespasses of others. Help me to forgive others, and so learn to seek forgiveness from you. Amen".
This morning I received an official and formal email from a college in Singapore, with the opening address as Dr Richard, which upset me. My surname is Phua, not Richard. Richard is my first name. Somehow, this seems to be increasingly getting more popular. Perhaps people who address us by our first name are trying to be friendly. But I fail to understand the rationale behind this move. After all, if one addresses a person by a title, one is being formal. Yet, by calling the person by his or her first name with the title, one is in fact insulting the person so addressed. It is equivalent to changing the surname of the person addressed! In a sense, it is no different from calling that person being addressed a bastard!
In the college where I now teach, this absurd way of addressing people is being practised. And despite the protests of a former Western colleague and a student, nothing changed. What is even more disturbing is the fact that after being told, these people refused to address us properly. Sure, by all means address those who wish to be so addressed. But once a person has expressed his or her preference to be addressed properly, the request should at least be respected! I have often expressed my willing acceptance of being addressed by my first name without the title. In other words, those who address me may freely call me by my name. But, I have insisted, if people should address me by my title, they should and indeed ought to address me by my surname!
Another reason for my insistence is that we are an educational institution. Students will follow us and do the same when they return to their homes or work places. This will not auger well for our reputation as a college. Management consulting companies will readily tell us that the right way of addressing a person by title is "title+surname". Unfortunately, too many Asian companies and leaders are simply unteachable and arrogant.
My brother told me that by insisting on being addressed properly I was making life difficult for the people. Perhaps so. I only hope that this will change over time when people will respite the very simple rule of addressing.
I do recognise the fact that I am serious in everything that I do. Perhaps this has caused unease among the people around me. Resultantly, some colleagues, past and present, are not too happy. Even when things do not concern them! For example, I have been so used to speaking proper English. But this has been an offence to a present colleague that he keeps going around rumour mongering about me speaking good English. While the fact that I speak good English is not an issue, the trivialities he injects into his rumours are certainly not welcome! In addition, since the publication of my PhD thesis, this rather idiotic colleague has been going around telling people that he has written for me my PhD thesis! What an absurd claim! He not only speaks bad English, but also writes exceptionally poor English! How can he ever write my thesis for me?!
Anyway, in every such unhappy occurrence, it is important that I seek to be gracious and magnanimous. As the saying goes, "To err is human; to forgive is divine". May I seek to be like Christ, always forgiving, even when people do not appear to deserve it.
"Dear Lord Jesus,
Forgive me my trespasses, and teach me how to forgive the trespasses of others. Help me to forgive others, and so learn to seek forgiveness from you. Amen".
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