We're exploring the possiblity of starting a 2-day workshop in Melaka. If we can round up 4 or 5 people over a weekend, we'd just do it! Or else, we experiment with day trip first.
“Ambassadors for Christ” workshop
Venue: Dunno Yet
Time: 21 - 22 May (weekend)
Fees: RM10?
Heheh… actually I dun mind FOC but maybe if it costs something, people are not so keen to ‘fong fei kei’?
Suggested Topics:
Essential Skills of an ambassador **
“Is Truth Ice-cream? Is Faith Wishing?” **
What about other religions? **
Tactics to Defending the Faith
The Bible: has God spoken?
Why I’m not an Evolutionist?
** highly recommended topics
It’s probably 40 minutes of listening to an audio presentation by Greg Koukl… followed by interaction, hopefully lots of laughter, questions and discussions…
Monday, January 31, 2005
IS TRUTH INSULIN OR ICE-CREAM? (Outline)
Moral Relativism-“Every man did what was right in his own eyes”
(A) Why we need to know about relativism?
1. To equip us to be an ambassador for Christ.
a) Christianity rests upon moral ideas:-
- Sin : we need forgiveness for our moral wrongs
- Righteousness: Christianity teaches we ought to live in a morally upright way.
2. Relativism is almost completely unexamined, even by Christians.
3. Intertwined with issues such as religious pluralism, tolerance and interfaith dialogues.
(B) Is Truth Insulin or Ice-cream?
1. Ice-cream (flavours) – you choose what you like-what’s true for you.
2. Insulin (medicine) – you choose not what you like, but what heals-what’s true.
3. Moral relativism is the view that morality is like ice-cream, not insulin.
4. There are no true, objective, universal, ethical obligations or moral principles.
(C) Relativism’s Fatal Flaws
1. Relativists can’t accuse others of wrong-doing.
2. Relativists can’t complain about the problem of evil.
3. Relativists can’t demand justice and fairness.
4. Relativists can’t promote the obligation of tolerance.
(D) Tactics in Refuting Relativism
1. “Who could live this way? How could anyone believe this?”
You’ll find out what a person believes about morality more by his reactions than by his actions
2. Show how relativism commits suicide.
“You shouldn’t force your morality on me.”
-always ask, “Why not?”
-usually the response is going to be an example of his/her forcing his/her morality on you.
(E) Morality, Guilt and Forgiveness
1. There are objective moral rules
2. Each of us is privately aware there is something wrong with us.
3. Maybe we feel guilty because we are guilty.
4. What Christianity teaches resonates with our deepest intuitions about the world.
a) the universe is a moral universe with moral laws that apply to human beings.
b) Each of us has violated those laws many times and is guilty of moral crimes against our sovereign, the moral law giver, the Judge.
5. The Christian message makes sense in this world.
a) Justice: Those who commit moral crimes ought to be punished.
b) Love: Amnesty and mercy are offered to anyone who abandons the rebellion and seeks forgiveness on God’s term.
On Christ the solid rock we stand. All other ground is sinking sand.
(A) Why we need to know about relativism?
1. To equip us to be an ambassador for Christ.
a) Christianity rests upon moral ideas:-
- Sin : we need forgiveness for our moral wrongs
- Righteousness: Christianity teaches we ought to live in a morally upright way.
2. Relativism is almost completely unexamined, even by Christians.
3. Intertwined with issues such as religious pluralism, tolerance and interfaith dialogues.
(B) Is Truth Insulin or Ice-cream?
1. Ice-cream (flavours) – you choose what you like-what’s true for you.
2. Insulin (medicine) – you choose not what you like, but what heals-what’s true.
3. Moral relativism is the view that morality is like ice-cream, not insulin.
4. There are no true, objective, universal, ethical obligations or moral principles.
(C) Relativism’s Fatal Flaws
1. Relativists can’t accuse others of wrong-doing.
2. Relativists can’t complain about the problem of evil.
3. Relativists can’t demand justice and fairness.
4. Relativists can’t promote the obligation of tolerance.
(D) Tactics in Refuting Relativism
1. “Who could live this way? How could anyone believe this?”
You’ll find out what a person believes about morality more by his reactions than by his actions
2. Show how relativism commits suicide.
“You shouldn’t force your morality on me.”
-always ask, “Why not?”
-usually the response is going to be an example of his/her forcing his/her morality on you.
(E) Morality, Guilt and Forgiveness
1. There are objective moral rules
2. Each of us is privately aware there is something wrong with us.
3. Maybe we feel guilty because we are guilty.
4. What Christianity teaches resonates with our deepest intuitions about the world.
a) the universe is a moral universe with moral laws that apply to human beings.
b) Each of us has violated those laws many times and is guilty of moral crimes against our sovereign, the moral law giver, the Judge.
5. The Christian message makes sense in this world.
a) Justice: Those who commit moral crimes ought to be punished.
b) Love: Amnesty and mercy are offered to anyone who abandons the rebellion and seeks forgiveness on God’s term.
On Christ the solid rock we stand. All other ground is sinking sand.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Carol's Poem
KEEP GOING
Is the goal distant, and troubled the road,
And the way long?
And heavy your load?
Then gird up your courage, and say 'I am strong,'
And keep going.
Is the work weary, and endless the grind
And petty the pay?
Then brace up your mind
And say 'Something better is coming my way,'
And keep doing.
Is the drink bitter life pours in your cup -
Is the taste gall?
Then smile and look up
And say 'God is with me whatever befall,'
And keep trusting.
Is the heart heavy with hope long deferred,
And with prayers that seem vain?
Keep saying the word -
And that which you strive for you yet shall attain.
Keep praying.
Is the goal distant, and troubled the road,
And the way long?
And heavy your load?
Then gird up your courage, and say 'I am strong,'
And keep going.
Is the work weary, and endless the grind
And petty the pay?
Then brace up your mind
And say 'Something better is coming my way,'
And keep doing.
Is the drink bitter life pours in your cup -
Is the taste gall?
Then smile and look up
And say 'God is with me whatever befall,'
And keep trusting.
Is the heart heavy with hope long deferred,
And with prayers that seem vain?
Keep saying the word -
And that which you strive for you yet shall attain.
Keep praying.
Agora Vision Statement Draft
Who are we?
"The Agora Movement seeks to inspire & train laypeople in the marketplace to live out and proclaim the lordship of Christ over every domain of their life."
Mission
As a grassroots movement, the Agora seeks to encourage Christians in Malaysia to develop a robust and biblical worldview in which we fulfill our different vocations in the public square.
The church in Malaysia faces contemporary challenges to her life and mission in areas such as ethics, modern science, religious pluralism, church-state relations, culture, relativism, economics etc.
It's our conviction that the great challenges for the Church today are widespread biblical illiteracy and inability to engage the culture constructively and critically. As a result, our witness for Christ suffers.
Vision
We seek to establish these values into the sphere of our influence
1. The Contemplative Christianity – to think through the issues of life, faith and culture with a mind submitted to the Word of God. To spend our energy and intellects on knowing God and discerning His will and purpose for our times. To marry thinking to emotive worship, to thus become the wholesome couple God designed them to be. To inform our emotions with our doctrines, and to feed our spirituality with high quality input that will bring about a high quality spirituality and maturity.
2. The Hermeneutic Community – the contemplative Christian is then committed in fellowship with like minded believers to benefit from each other in teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, 17 that he/she may be competent, equipped for every good work.
3. The Mission Dispersion – The community then parts to their various callings and places in the marketplace with a mission focus to bring Christ light into the darkness and to reconcile man to Him. This maybe done indirectly or directly. Pre evangelism is as important as evangelism.
Doctrinal Statement
We are evangelical in that we believe the Bible is trustworthy and reliable, and Jesus is the only way for sinners to be reconciled with God.
We welcome discerning laypeople to work together in a multidisciplinary sharing to cross-pollinate ideas and contribute towards loving the Lord with all our minds.
We are not scholars, though we diligently draw upon scholarly resources. We may not have all the answers, but we shall strive to direct those who ask to those who can answer to the best of our abilities.
We have a bias towards using simple, understandable language in our conversations. But we also seek to elevate people in their understanding to progress and move on to the more complex.
We do not issue theological 'fatwas', but we do hope to bring out issues into open dialogue, even debate, in a spirit of love and respect.
We have a bias towards evangelism and translating theology into practice (praxis).
"The Agora Movement seeks to inspire & train laypeople in the marketplace to live out and proclaim the lordship of Christ over every domain of their life."
Mission
As a grassroots movement, the Agora seeks to encourage Christians in Malaysia to develop a robust and biblical worldview in which we fulfill our different vocations in the public square.
The church in Malaysia faces contemporary challenges to her life and mission in areas such as ethics, modern science, religious pluralism, church-state relations, culture, relativism, economics etc.
It's our conviction that the great challenges for the Church today are widespread biblical illiteracy and inability to engage the culture constructively and critically. As a result, our witness for Christ suffers.
Vision
We seek to establish these values into the sphere of our influence
1. The Contemplative Christianity – to think through the issues of life, faith and culture with a mind submitted to the Word of God. To spend our energy and intellects on knowing God and discerning His will and purpose for our times. To marry thinking to emotive worship, to thus become the wholesome couple God designed them to be. To inform our emotions with our doctrines, and to feed our spirituality with high quality input that will bring about a high quality spirituality and maturity.
2. The Hermeneutic Community – the contemplative Christian is then committed in fellowship with like minded believers to benefit from each other in teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, 17 that he/she may be competent, equipped for every good work.
3. The Mission Dispersion – The community then parts to their various callings and places in the marketplace with a mission focus to bring Christ light into the darkness and to reconcile man to Him. This maybe done indirectly or directly. Pre evangelism is as important as evangelism.
Doctrinal Statement
We are evangelical in that we believe the Bible is trustworthy and reliable, and Jesus is the only way for sinners to be reconciled with God.
We welcome discerning laypeople to work together in a multidisciplinary sharing to cross-pollinate ideas and contribute towards loving the Lord with all our minds.
We are not scholars, though we diligently draw upon scholarly resources. We may not have all the answers, but we shall strive to direct those who ask to those who can answer to the best of our abilities.
We have a bias towards using simple, understandable language in our conversations. But we also seek to elevate people in their understanding to progress and move on to the more complex.
We do not issue theological 'fatwas', but we do hope to bring out issues into open dialogue, even debate, in a spirit of love and respect.
We have a bias towards evangelism and translating theology into practice (praxis).
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
IT'S A BOY
The Jackson's are going to have a boy
Well at least that's what our doctor who harrased the little guy with an ultrasound says. And we have decided to call him "Christian" for that name for us captures all that we wish and hope and dream him to be. He may end up a grabage man or a politician, that matters little, what matters most is that he be a follower of Christ, and a testimony to His name.
Also Steven pointed out that this name will mean that he gets to read the Pilgrim's Progress in wonder that the lead characther has his name.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
What are some books that DG recommends?
What are some books that DG recommends?
A great recommendation of books you need to read in your lifetime.
A great recommendation of books you need to read in your lifetime.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
What Awesome Mercy, What Amazing Grace!
Thy mercy I asked as I thought of Thee,
A Holy and Righteous God art Thou;
Worthless, there nothing art good in me,
The vilest of men; lowest, filthy and foul.
Thy grace not me that worketh here,
To bring me home to Thee at last;
Thy son my Lord, heaven’s Dear,
Upon His Cross to Thee I must.
May Thee keepest Thy fire at bound,
Lest it consume my sinful soul;
God, my Lord, my sin do not count,
May Thee Thy wrath on me withhold.
Let that grace that worketh in me,
Worketh in me reverence and fear;
As my gaze I set on Thee,
May Thee draweth me near.
A Holy and Righteous God art Thou;
Worthless, there nothing art good in me,
The vilest of men; lowest, filthy and foul.
Thy grace not me that worketh here,
To bring me home to Thee at last;
Thy son my Lord, heaven’s Dear,
Upon His Cross to Thee I must.
May Thee keepest Thy fire at bound,
Lest it consume my sinful soul;
God, my Lord, my sin do not count,
May Thee Thy wrath on me withhold.
Let that grace that worketh in me,
Worketh in me reverence and fear;
As my gaze I set on Thee,
May Thee draweth me near.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Is Truth Insulin or Ice-cream?
Have you heard someone say, "There is no absolutes. It's wrong for you, but it's right for me"?
Or perhaps, you've wondered if all of us are like blind men groping different parts of the elephant when it comes to issues like God, faith and truth.
What about "It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're sincere?"
Different cultures have their own moral standards and faiths so we should not claim to 'monopolise' the truth, right?
What does the Bible say about all this?
If these questions sound interesting to you, let us invite you to the next Agora meeting...
Time: 2 pm
Date: 30 Jan 2005 (Sunday)
Venue: City Discipleship Presbyterian Church (Map: www.cdpc.org.my)
The next topic, "Is Truth Insulin or Ice-cream?" deals with some of these issues and welcomes interaction and dialogue from participants.
Look forward to see you for a time of coffee and chat!
Or perhaps, you've wondered if all of us are like blind men groping different parts of the elephant when it comes to issues like God, faith and truth.
What about "It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you're sincere?"
Different cultures have their own moral standards and faiths so we should not claim to 'monopolise' the truth, right?
What does the Bible say about all this?
If these questions sound interesting to you, let us invite you to the next Agora meeting...
Time: 2 pm
Date: 30 Jan 2005 (Sunday)
Venue: City Discipleship Presbyterian Church (Map: www.cdpc.org.my)
The next topic, "Is Truth Insulin or Ice-cream?" deals with some of these issues and welcomes interaction and dialogue from participants.
Look forward to see you for a time of coffee and chat!
Sunday, January 02, 2005
Who Are We?
Who are we?
"The Agora Movement seeks to train laypeople in the marketplace to live out and proclaim the lordship of Christ over the whole of life."
Vision/Mission:
As a grassroot movement, the Agora seeks to encourage Christians in Malaysia to develop a robust and biblical worldview in which we fulfill our different vocations in the public square.
The church in Malaysia faces contemporary challenges to her life and mission in areas such as ethics, modern science, religious pluralism, church-state relations, culture, relativism, economics etc.
Like the Greek market place where citizens could meet to discuss important topics, the Agora was set up in 2004 by a motley crew of evangelicals to facilitate open dialogue and reflection as a learning community.
Our Ethos And Values
We are evangelical in that we believe the Bible is trustworthy and reliable, and Jesus is the only way for sinners to be reconciled with God.
We welcome discerning laypeople to work together in a multidisciplinary sharing to cross-pollinate ideas and contribute towards loving the Lord with all our minds.
We are not scholars, though we diligently draw upon scholarly resources.
We have a bias towards using simple, understandable language in our conversations.
We do not issue theological 'fatwas', but we do hope to bring out issues into open dialogue, even debate, in a spirit of love and respect.
We have a bias towards evangelism and translating theology into practice (praxis).
If you feel a kindred spirit, please feel free to drop a comment or contact us at hedonese@yahoo.com
PS: I penned these random thots after feeling the need to be able to tell others what Agora is all about in less than 2 minutes. Please feedback and critique using the comments below and I'd make the amendments later.
How about 30 Jan (after church) for the next Agora? Han Meng will present stg on relativism...
"The Agora Movement seeks to train laypeople in the marketplace to live out and proclaim the lordship of Christ over the whole of life."
Vision/Mission:
As a grassroot movement, the Agora seeks to encourage Christians in Malaysia to develop a robust and biblical worldview in which we fulfill our different vocations in the public square.
The church in Malaysia faces contemporary challenges to her life and mission in areas such as ethics, modern science, religious pluralism, church-state relations, culture, relativism, economics etc.
Like the Greek market place where citizens could meet to discuss important topics, the Agora was set up in 2004 by a motley crew of evangelicals to facilitate open dialogue and reflection as a learning community.
Our Ethos And Values
We are evangelical in that we believe the Bible is trustworthy and reliable, and Jesus is the only way for sinners to be reconciled with God.
We welcome discerning laypeople to work together in a multidisciplinary sharing to cross-pollinate ideas and contribute towards loving the Lord with all our minds.
We are not scholars, though we diligently draw upon scholarly resources.
We have a bias towards using simple, understandable language in our conversations.
We do not issue theological 'fatwas', but we do hope to bring out issues into open dialogue, even debate, in a spirit of love and respect.
We have a bias towards evangelism and translating theology into practice (praxis).
If you feel a kindred spirit, please feel free to drop a comment or contact us at hedonese@yahoo.com
PS: I penned these random thots after feeling the need to be able to tell others what Agora is all about in less than 2 minutes. Please feedback and critique using the comments below and I'd make the amendments later.
How about 30 Jan (after church) for the next Agora? Han Meng will present stg on relativism...
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