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'.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
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".
Saturday, March 31, 2007
中国神学教育
最近有机会认识更多来自国内的基督徒，并从他们身上更加体会到中国神学教育的需要。中国是如此的庞大，而神学教育的需要也就自然的庞大了。目前三自教会是中国基督教前程的唯一希望，故此，其属灵、道德、培训、领导等等的责任之重要性是大不可想象的。尽管“家庭教会”有其自己的“使命”与“信仰理念”，但是其教导、培训、领导等之缺乏已经导致一个及其危险的状况，即与异教难以分辨。俩会－－“中国基督教三自爱国运动委员会”与“中国基督教协会”－－在中国可算是上帝所托付的器皿，为要把上帝在耶稣基督里给人类的福音传开来。而其中最重要的责任之一乃是培训教会领袖；而此责任跟神学教育是不能分开的。神学教育如何，教会也必将如何。以下有几个要点，是俩会必须专注的。
其一、神学教育只能提升。金陵神学院目前是全中国规模最大，水准最高的神学院。自二零零五年初，其新的校园也已经快要完成。新的图书馆可容纳三十万本书，整个学院可容纳五百位学生。若是到其网站御揽，便可看到这是一间充满潜能的学府。因此，它更必须勇敢的提升学院每一方面的设备。而最重要的乃是软件，即教职员。是的，学院的新校舍、宿舍、图书馆、电脑设备等等可说是做出了一个难以想象的跳跃了！可是硬件的发展必须有软件的发展支撑着。
目前金陵神学院之教职员有三十位，可没有一位教职员拥有大学哲学博士学位。当然这并不说明没有博士学位的老师就无能力作深入的研究。主要是大学的哲学博士学位的课程一般上是比较有学术水准，又比较有客观的批判标准，且有几年的研究要求和发表，因此，凡是受过如此严格训练和装备的学者都是会给他们所任教的学府带来更高深的研究和学习标准。若金陵要在国内以及国际的神学领域上有所贡献，其中一项重要的计划应当是有系统的召进拥有大学哲学博士的老师，以及有计划的栽培如此的老师。
其二、语言的提升。若是按人数来说，普通话可算是全世界最通用的语言之一。然而，英文在国际各个领域之广泛的应用使其位置被提升到一个不可缺乏学习的语言之一。况且绝大多数的神学书籍和刊物都是以英文著作，西方之神学研究也比全世界其他地方来得早、来得深入。既然中国一直在向外开放，神学研究就更加必须与外界有深入的交流。为此目的，国内的神学教育应当强烈的提倡外语的学习（当然，学生必须有加倍小心的指导，以避免不良好的价值观之影响）。
其三、提升与西方直接的交流。中国人是有独立且批判的能力，我们是能够直接与西方神学做出直接的交流，不需要透过第三者，除非这“第三者”是中国神学界必须有交流的对象。新加坡是一个在不少领域上跟中国都有交流的国家，尤其是政治和商业。近年来，其宗教的交流也增加了不少。论基督教神学教育，中国跟新加坡更是越来越靠近。可是新加坡之神学教育却是缺乏本色化。因着它太过受西方的影响，其神学教育、教会等也受了西方神学很大的影响。既然新加坡之神学教育主要是西方神学，中国到不如直接的与西方神学教育做出直接的交流。这也将为中国神学教育的前途打开一道很大的门－－以后的神学储备师职可直接送到这些西方的大学。
其四、神学院的领袖更新。任何成功的组织都必须有计划、有系统的领袖更新。其目的有三。一、领袖更新为组织带来年轻的接棒人，而随着年轻的接棒人的到来，也就有更新鲜的思路和想法。二、年轻一代毕竟对新一代的神学生之装备的需要比较清楚和了解。如此，教会与社会的需要也就比较被多加考虑。三、领袖更新将会驻使组织的继续提升。当然，话虽如此，一个组织仍然必须有长辈的智慧与指导。换言之，神学院的领袖更新不是指全面的更新，而是指有计划与系统性的更新。
中国教会之需要是很迫切的。中国在文化革命之下失去了多年的文化价值。如今，中国人因经济与科技的发展、国家硬件的发达，其文化是必须面对重建的。基督教之道德理念与福音的盼望可成为中国文化重建的一个亮光。但愿上主祝福他所爱的中华人民共和国。
“爱中华人民共和国的上主，
求您按着您的怜悯、慈爱、恩典，眷顾中国。求您透过中国的每一间神学院来装备新一代的教会领袖和神学教授。愿您祝福金陵神学院的扩建计划，赐其领导者属天的智慧，也带领适合的哲学博士加入其社体。祝福及带领俩会的所有成员，好叫您自己的名因他们在基督里的事奉得着荣耀。阿门。”
二零零七年四月一日，凌晨十二点三十八分。
其一、神学教育只能提升。金陵神学院目前是全中国规模最大，水准最高的神学院。自二零零五年初，其新的校园也已经快要完成。新的图书馆可容纳三十万本书，整个学院可容纳五百位学生。若是到其网站御揽，便可看到这是一间充满潜能的学府。因此，它更必须勇敢的提升学院每一方面的设备。而最重要的乃是软件，即教职员。是的，学院的新校舍、宿舍、图书馆、电脑设备等等可说是做出了一个难以想象的跳跃了！可是硬件的发展必须有软件的发展支撑着。
目前金陵神学院之教职员有三十位，可没有一位教职员拥有大学哲学博士学位。当然这并不说明没有博士学位的老师就无能力作深入的研究。主要是大学的哲学博士学位的课程一般上是比较有学术水准，又比较有客观的批判标准，且有几年的研究要求和发表，因此，凡是受过如此严格训练和装备的学者都是会给他们所任教的学府带来更高深的研究和学习标准。若金陵要在国内以及国际的神学领域上有所贡献，其中一项重要的计划应当是有系统的召进拥有大学哲学博士的老师，以及有计划的栽培如此的老师。
其二、语言的提升。若是按人数来说，普通话可算是全世界最通用的语言之一。然而，英文在国际各个领域之广泛的应用使其位置被提升到一个不可缺乏学习的语言之一。况且绝大多数的神学书籍和刊物都是以英文著作，西方之神学研究也比全世界其他地方来得早、来得深入。既然中国一直在向外开放，神学研究就更加必须与外界有深入的交流。为此目的，国内的神学教育应当强烈的提倡外语的学习（当然，学生必须有加倍小心的指导，以避免不良好的价值观之影响）。
其三、提升与西方直接的交流。中国人是有独立且批判的能力，我们是能够直接与西方神学做出直接的交流，不需要透过第三者，除非这“第三者”是中国神学界必须有交流的对象。新加坡是一个在不少领域上跟中国都有交流的国家，尤其是政治和商业。近年来，其宗教的交流也增加了不少。论基督教神学教育，中国跟新加坡更是越来越靠近。可是新加坡之神学教育却是缺乏本色化。因着它太过受西方的影响，其神学教育、教会等也受了西方神学很大的影响。既然新加坡之神学教育主要是西方神学，中国到不如直接的与西方神学教育做出直接的交流。这也将为中国神学教育的前途打开一道很大的门－－以后的神学储备师职可直接送到这些西方的大学。
其四、神学院的领袖更新。任何成功的组织都必须有计划、有系统的领袖更新。其目的有三。一、领袖更新为组织带来年轻的接棒人，而随着年轻的接棒人的到来，也就有更新鲜的思路和想法。二、年轻一代毕竟对新一代的神学生之装备的需要比较清楚和了解。如此，教会与社会的需要也就比较被多加考虑。三、领袖更新将会驻使组织的继续提升。当然，话虽如此，一个组织仍然必须有长辈的智慧与指导。换言之，神学院的领袖更新不是指全面的更新，而是指有计划与系统性的更新。
中国教会之需要是很迫切的。中国在文化革命之下失去了多年的文化价值。如今，中国人因经济与科技的发展、国家硬件的发达，其文化是必须面对重建的。基督教之道德理念与福音的盼望可成为中国文化重建的一个亮光。但愿上主祝福他所爱的中华人民共和国。
“爱中华人民共和国的上主，
求您按着您的怜悯、慈爱、恩典，眷顾中国。求您透过中国的每一间神学院来装备新一代的教会领袖和神学教授。愿您祝福金陵神学院的扩建计划，赐其领导者属天的智慧，也带领适合的哲学博士加入其社体。祝福及带领俩会的所有成员，好叫您自己的名因他们在基督里的事奉得着荣耀。阿门。”
二零零七年四月一日，凌晨十二点三十八分。
Friday, March 30, 2007
感谢上主怜悯
人生在世，无非是短短的几十年，转眼间就过去了。为何人必须诞生在这世界里？此短短几十年的目的何在？或许我们没有选择的余地。圣经的教导是人来到世上，是因为上主在亘古时创造了人类，并将他的气息吹入人里面，人就成为有气息的人。以后人类就一直继续在这世上为上主管理这世界。
根据犹太教和基督教的教导，人类犯了罪，没有顺服上主所吩咐的。故此，人的悖逆引进了其他的问题：人与人之间的怀疑和钩心斗角导致人与人之间的自相残杀、因着人对上主的悖逆人的身体也成为一个悖逆自己的问题导致病魔的搅扰、苦痛、死亡。从此，人类历史就完全改变了。人打从出世哪一日开始，可以说即是往向坟墓的小道奔跑。死亡从一个人呱呱落地时就开始其工作－－从长大到老化死亡无不停留的将他带领到最后的一个站。
可是尽管人类是堕落的，上主却没有因此而完全的毁灭了我们。他继续赐人类机会来弥补自己的过错，也给予人类一个改过自新的机会。此乃上主之基本怜悯。
上主不但给予人类改过自新的机会，他更加给予人类机会学习、创新、彼此关怀、建立社体。再透过社体，他给予人类机会做出对社体有贡献的事件，因而使人类有希望，并且能够在短短的生命活得有意义。此乃上主之怜悯。
更重要的是上主给予人类一个对自己的来源与未来的认识的渴望。人类是所有动物界里的唯一一个能够追求认识自己的来源与未来的“动物”。透过如此的渴望，上主再进一步的把自己敞开来寻找人类。《约翰福音》提到上主“道成肉身”，来到这世界。这世界是黑暗的，而上主却是光。光照在黑暗里，黑暗却不认识光。“道成肉身”其实是指上帝的儿子耶稣基督，他来到这世界，主要是要把上帝启示给人类，好叫人类能够认识创造我们的上帝。此乃上主之怜悯。
以上乃几个有关上主对人类之怜悯的简单及归纳式的小点，以后本人会再继续把自己的心得在此与各位分享。希望读者看了之后，也认识上主，即是“道成肉身”的耶稣基督，并且因信了他而得救。
“上主，
感谢您在创造人类之后继续给予我们改过自新的机会。我们的祖先背叛您，没有遵守您的指示，导致今天人类的堕落与败坏。感谢您赐我们怜悯，因为我们本来就有如孤儿，又有如迷路的羊，在黑暗里寻找我们的出路。我们不认识自己的来源，更不知道自己的将来。然而，您按着您的怜悯寻找我们，把您的光照在我们的道路上，好叫我们的黑暗不再是黑暗，而是光明。感谢您的怜悯。求上主牵着我们的手，带领我们走您永生的道路。阿门。”
二零零七年三月三十一日，中午十二点四十分。
根据犹太教和基督教的教导，人类犯了罪，没有顺服上主所吩咐的。故此，人的悖逆引进了其他的问题：人与人之间的怀疑和钩心斗角导致人与人之间的自相残杀、因着人对上主的悖逆人的身体也成为一个悖逆自己的问题导致病魔的搅扰、苦痛、死亡。从此，人类历史就完全改变了。人打从出世哪一日开始，可以说即是往向坟墓的小道奔跑。死亡从一个人呱呱落地时就开始其工作－－从长大到老化死亡无不停留的将他带领到最后的一个站。
可是尽管人类是堕落的，上主却没有因此而完全的毁灭了我们。他继续赐人类机会来弥补自己的过错，也给予人类一个改过自新的机会。此乃上主之基本怜悯。
上主不但给予人类改过自新的机会，他更加给予人类机会学习、创新、彼此关怀、建立社体。再透过社体，他给予人类机会做出对社体有贡献的事件，因而使人类有希望，并且能够在短短的生命活得有意义。此乃上主之怜悯。
更重要的是上主给予人类一个对自己的来源与未来的认识的渴望。人类是所有动物界里的唯一一个能够追求认识自己的来源与未来的“动物”。透过如此的渴望，上主再进一步的把自己敞开来寻找人类。《约翰福音》提到上主“道成肉身”，来到这世界。这世界是黑暗的，而上主却是光。光照在黑暗里，黑暗却不认识光。“道成肉身”其实是指上帝的儿子耶稣基督，他来到这世界，主要是要把上帝启示给人类，好叫人类能够认识创造我们的上帝。此乃上主之怜悯。
以上乃几个有关上主对人类之怜悯的简单及归纳式的小点，以后本人会再继续把自己的心得在此与各位分享。希望读者看了之后，也认识上主，即是“道成肉身”的耶稣基督，并且因信了他而得救。
“上主，
感谢您在创造人类之后继续给予我们改过自新的机会。我们的祖先背叛您，没有遵守您的指示，导致今天人类的堕落与败坏。感谢您赐我们怜悯，因为我们本来就有如孤儿，又有如迷路的羊，在黑暗里寻找我们的出路。我们不认识自己的来源，更不知道自己的将来。然而，您按着您的怜悯寻找我们，把您的光照在我们的道路上，好叫我们的黑暗不再是黑暗，而是光明。感谢您的怜悯。求上主牵着我们的手，带领我们走您永生的道路。阿门。”
二零零七年三月三十一日，中午十二点四十分。
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