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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.”

Introduction

There is a common Chinese saying, “我吃的盐比你

吃的饭还多” (Translation: “I have eaten more salt than you eat rice”). This aphorism should be familiar to most of us. Having grown up in a typical Singaporean Chinese household, we would have either heard that coming from our grandparents, parents, Chinese teachers, Chinese drama serial actors or even “Ah Peks” in coffee shops. Such is the culture of our society, where the older generation grew up going through much hardships and turmoil amidst a nation’s transition from third world to first. It is without a shadow of doubt that those who are more elderly would have

“eaten more salt,” endured much more sufferings and accumulated much more experiences in life. Proverbs 20:29 illustrates a nice contrast, “The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.” The gray head is symbolic as it reflects wisdom, understanding, experience and prudent counsels as opposed to youthful vigor and vitality. This is exactly the picture painted in 1 Timothy 4:12 where the aged Apostle Paul now addresses his spiritual son, the young Pastor Timothy, to whom he wrote, “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.”

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Inside this issue…

Let No Man Despise Thy Youth Jason Liew

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Editorial: When Things Go Wrong Jason Liew

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Bible Students’ Golden Rules Rev Dr Tow Siang Hwa

8

Report on FCM Combined Meeting & Retreat 2008 Charlene Tan

9

God’s Problem? Rev Dr Jeffrey Khoo

13

News & Notes 17

Latest CD Releases Calvary Tengah BPC

18

A Student’s Prayer Anonymous

19

We Value Your Feedback!

Email: fcmnewsletter@gmail.com

2008/4 FCM Newsletter Oct – Dec 2008

LET NO MAN DESPISE THY YOUTH BY 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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Why are Youths Despised? Have you ever asked yourself this question, “Why are youths despised?” To the young, why do you think the older despises you? Is there something that is corrupt and innate within us that deserve to be loathed? To the older ones, is there a reason why you look down on young people? Especially for fresh graduates who have just entered the workforce or even those on internship stint, they would have encountered how their seniors gave them “the look.” If eyes could speak, it would probably exclaim something like… “You’re so young and inexperienced! A complete greenhorn! What do you have to offer? Haha noob! I think I know better than you!” Yes, knowledge puffeth up indeed. “So what if you graduated from NUS or NTU with a First Class Honours? I’ve been in this business for over 30 years…” Friends, these are deadly forces not to be reckoned with. Those seniors may be very “deep,” but not “wide” enough; tremendously experienced, but not accommodating enough. In the corporate world, we see it happening all the time. Hence the controversial “office politics,” backbites and bickers.

In fact, we already see this happening at the time of Jesus. Matthew 13:55-56, “Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and

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.

In like manner, Timothy, like Jesus was,

in his early thirties and was considered young by the standards of Greek culture which placed great value on age and experience. Furthermore, his appointment for the office of Pastor was set over the presbyters (elders) who were way older them him—some probably twice his age. Therefore, Paul exhorts Timothy to conduct himself with that gravity, prudence and decorum which might gain him respect, notwithstanding his youthfulness, and give no man an occasion to think or look down on his ministry with contempt. No matter what his age may be, boyish playfulness must now be put away and since he was been set as an elder, he should act as an elder. Doing so will stop the mouths of gainsayers and obtain a good report of them that are without. To the church at Corinth, Paul penned the same advice in 1 Corinthians 16:10-11, “Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with the brethren.”

In the Jul-Sep ’08 issue of Read, Pray &

Grow, my Pastor, Rev Dennis Kwok, wrote, “Being young in age does not mean one is immature in faith. In the same manner, mature in age does not mean mature in faith. Maturity has to do with one’s

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level of wisdom, knowledge, value, spirituality and ability to make good decisions in life.” No matter our age, may we learn to heed the words of Spurgeon, “Let the oldest saint look well to the fundamentals of his piety, for grey heads may cover black hearts: and let not the young professor despise the word of warning, for the greenness of youth may be joined to the rottenness of hypocrisy” (SME, Dec 18). To the older ones, please don’t despise youths like us. By the same token, youths must not 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. Youths are to be Examples of the Believers

Apostle Paul, having instructed Timothy to give no man an occasion to despise his youth, now lists six areas where youths such as himself may be an example to the believers – in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith and in purity.

1) Example in Word – means watching what we say. In Ephesians 4:29 we read, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Not only so, the Christian must be conscious to “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6). To accomplish this, we must think before we speak. Very often we are opposite of being “swift to hear, slow to speak” (James 1:19). Perhaps for this reason God gave us two ears and one mouth. Our speech is so important that Paul puts it first in this list and also repeats it in his other pastoral epistle to Titus. Titus 2:8,15, “Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you … These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”

A Word Spoken A careless word may kindle strife, A cruel word may wreck a life; A bitter word may hate instill,

A brutal word may smite and kill. BUT

A gracious word may smooth the way, A joyous word may brighten the day;

A timely word may lessen stress, A loving word may heal and bless.

~ Anonymous ~

2) Example in Conversation – refers to our actions and behaviour. Those unfamiliar with archaic English might be misled to think that the “conversation” here refers to our speech and justifies the “word” prior to this as doctrine instead of speech. This is clearly not the case as the Greek word used for “conversation” refers to behaviour: how we converse with one another and how we conduct ourselves. This makes perfect sense because not only must we talk the walk, we must walk the talk. I must say, walking the talk is not easy because of the sinful human nature which still resides within us. However, even though we are not sinless, we can sin less! Ephesians 4:22-24, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Sinners saved by grace must no longer behave like sinners but saints. “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (1 Peter 1:15). We may be in the world, but let us not behave like the world.

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3) Example in Charity – is to love God and man. John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” How did the Lord love us? By the greatest love ever! John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Christ did not just die for His friends, but His enemies! Romans 5:6-8, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The Greek word for “charity” is agape i.e. unconditional and sacrificial love. Paul described the characteristics of Christian charity in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” Remember Paul said, “without love, I am nothing.”

4) Example in Spirit – refers to the manner and disposition in which we do things. (For your information, some Greek manuscripts have omitted this word.) How often is a holy or charitable work done in an unholy, uncharitable, and peevish spirit? To the doer, such work is unfruitful. To the Lord, such work is unacceptable. If we have sinned, may we like David pray in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Because “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud” (Proverbs 16:18-19). We may have the right intentions and godly desires, but we must not do God’s work by trusting the chariots of our qualifications, “But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet

spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Peter 3:4). Last but not least, we must be “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11). Will you serve God today with a right, humble and fervent spirit?

Job VS Ministry If you are doing it just because no one else will, it's a JOB. If you are doing it to serve the Lord, it's a MINISTRY. If you quit because somebody criticized you, it was a JOB.

If you keep on serving, it's a MINISTRY. If you do it only as it does not interfere with your other

activities, it's a JOB. If you are committed to staying with it even when it means

letting go of other things, it's a MINISTRY. If you quit because no one praised you or thanked you, it

was a JOB. If you stay with it even though nobody recognises your effort,

it is a MINISTRY. It's hard to get excited about a JOB.

It's almost impossible not to be excited about a MINISTRY.

An average church is filled with people doing JOBS. A great and growing church is filled with people involved in

MINISTRY. Where do we fit in? What about us?

If GOD calls you to a MINISTRY, don't treat it like a JOB.

If you have a JOB, give it up and find a MINISTRY. God does not want us feeling stuck with a JOB,

but excited and faithful to Him in a MINISTRY. ~ Anonymous ~

5) Example in Faith – means simply

to be faithful. “Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:10). In our time and age, faithful men are few. Fidelity is often

regarded as contempt. Many lack the courage to stand firm and hold fast to the profession of our faith. Take our denomination for example. How art the B-Ps fallen! How many B-P churches today still uphold the present-day inerrancy and infallibility of the Holy Bible and use the KJV which is

the most faithful and accurate English translation? How many will the Lord find finishing well? Revelation 2:10, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil

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shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Will you be faithful unto death? The Lord promises those who do, a crown of life. May we “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). May the Lord find us faithful in passing down the historic reformation tradition lest the future generations be enjoined to Rome and the ecumenical order. Adam Clarke (1762-1832), a British Methodist Theologian, astutely advised, “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 whatever is delivered in trust for that purpose. Lose nothing that God gives, and improve every gift that he bestows.”

6) Example in Purity – is to keep ourselves pure in the chastity of life. Chemistry teaches us that impurities can be destructive when they obstruct the working nature of the material. Similarly, being defiled by fornication, adultery and lasciviousness will hinder our walk with God. It is also interesting to note that no matter the method used, it is impossible to separate an impurity completely from a material. What chemists can do is to increase the purity of a material to as near 100% as possible or economically feasible. In like manner, the Christian is in a sanctification process. We may not be perfect, but we must strive towards purity – in heart, words, thoughts and body. Pure in Heart -- Psalms 24:4, “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.” Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Pure in Words -- Proverbs 15:26, “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.” Pure in Thoughts -- Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if

there be any praise, think on these things.” Pure in Body -- 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” Are you pure in purity? Titus 1:15, “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” Youths can do Great Things for the Lord too!

William Carey (1761-1834), Father of Modern Missions, has an interesting epigram: “Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God.” God can use both the young and old. Therefore age cannot be a definitive barometer of spiritual maturity and grace. Sometimes, younger saints have been cut down providentially in their prime and hence their faithful testimony though short in duration. Church History is strewn with youths across the spectrum who are willing to “spend and be spent” (2 Cor 12:15) for the Lord and have demonstrated, by God’s grace, a remarkable witness for Christ whether it is in life or death. Allow me to name a few.

1) Lady Jane Grey (1537-1554), Queen of England, having ascended to throne for only nine days in 1553, was arrested by Queen “Bloody” Mary and given

the choice to either recant her Protestant beliefs and live or face execution. She chose the former and died at the age of 16.

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2) Margaret Wilson (1667-1685), Scottish Covenanter, was tied to a stake and drowned for refusing to swear that King Charles II was head of the Church rather than the Lord Jesus Christ. She died at the tender age of 18 with these words from Psalm 25:7 on her lips, “Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.”

3) Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), American Theologian, penned his renowned resolutions in 1722 when he was 19 and became Senior Pastor of the Congregational Church in Northampton, Massachusetts (the most influential church in New England at the time), in 1724 at the age of 21. He was also instrumental in two revivals, including the Great Awakening of 1740-1741.

4) Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892), Prince of Preachers, then only 20 in 1854, just four years after his conversion, became Pastor of London’s famed New Park Street Church (formerly

pastored by the famous Baptist theologian John Gill) and frequently preached to audiences numbering more than 10,000—all in the days before electronic amplification.

5) John Calvin (1509-1564), French Reformer, was at the age of 27 when he wrote the Institutes of the Christian Religion, his magnum opus, which is considered by many to be the finest theological work in the history of the Christian Church. Calvinism, or “Paulinism systematised” (as what Rev Dr Timothy Tow calls it), forms the theological pillar of our Bible-Presbyterian belief. Calvin himself is also the French root of our B-P heritage.

6) Jim Elliot (1927-1956), American Missionary, was gruesomely speared to death at 29 years old, along with four others, while attempting to evangelise the Huaorani savages in Ecuador through efforts known as “Operation Auca.”

They carried guns for protection against wild animals and yet retaliated not in human attack. Equally astounding were the missionary widows, who undeterred by their personal loss, boldly ventured into the Ecuadorian jungle again with their young children to face their husbands’ murderers with the power of God’s love to turn violence, fear and tragedy into hope, forgiveness and reconciliation thus eventually winning the entire tribe for Christ. Elliot insists, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Conclusion

As you may have already noticed, these people who honoured the Lord in their lives, no matter their age, nationality, denomination or differences, have been used by Him to do “great and mighty things” (Jeremiah 33:3). Similarly, can the youths of our Bible-Presbyterian Churches in Singapore accomplish great things for the Lord today? YES! Don’t give ourselves excuses saying “Here am I, send him” because he is an Edwards or Spurgeon. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). The Lord gave to you and me the same 24 hours / 1440 minutes / 86400 seconds per day as He did to Lady Jane Grey, Margaret Wilson, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, John Calvin and Jim Elliot. Although some of their testimonies were short-lived, they made their lives count for the Lord. And so the proper question we need to ask ourselves is, “What have we been doing with our lives?” How have we been using our time? Jesus warned, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21, Luke

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12:34) Dear friends, have you been using your time, talent and treasure to build the kingdom of this world or the kingdom of God?

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.

Mark 8:36-37, “For what shall it profit a

man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” King Solomon, who literally had an entire kingdom before him, having realised “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity” in Ecclesiastes 1:2, begins his conclusion of the last chapter with these words, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Ecclesiastes 12:1). How can we remember our Creator in the days of our youth? Start by attending the Youth Fellowship (YF) regularly, if you have not. If you are studying in a polytechnic or university, may I encourage you to attend the Fundamental Christian Ministry (FCM)

faithfully. Give out tracts to your whole class and invite them for gospel rally or Christmas cantata (I did this in poly and I found 2 other B-Ps in my class of 16!) or go on a mission trip together and it will surprise you what the Lord can do through and in your life. Remember, if you don’t do it now, then when? Before you realise it, your youth will soon be over.

Should youths be despised? Of course not! Age does not determine spiritual maturity. Young or old, what matters most, is to glorify God. If you honour the Lord, the Lord will honour you… even in the days of your youth. May we be inspired by the lives and testimonies of Lady Jane Grey, Margaret Wilson, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon, John Calvin and Jim Elliot and make our lives count for Christ. 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.” AMEN.

Jason Liew is the Overall Student Coordinator of FCM and a member of Truth Bible-Presbyterian Church.

BIBLE STUDENTS’ GOLDEN RULES BY REV DR TOW SIANG HWA

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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Supper was a highlight for this year’s FCM’s first ever back-to-back Combined Meeting & Retreat, as campers were surprised with a spread of delicious night snacks such as fancy doughnuts, chicken nuggets from McDonald’s and specialty egg tarts. It was a test to resist the mouthwatering temptations.

This was of course not before our spiritual feeding along the lines similar to overcoming and resisting the temptations of the world. We know that with Christ, we shall overcome the world, even our faith, which overcometh the world (1 John 5:4).

The two messages delivered at FCM Combined Meeting 2008 by Brother Paul Ferguson, an FEBC ThD candidate, was an encouragement to continue persevering for Christ till He comes again. The first exhortation, entitled “Victory in Christ: Rising from Spiritual Defeat”

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 call to obedience unto the Lord as we build our faith in Christ. Brother Paul taught us that the audience whom the Apostle Paul was writing to was being enticed by false teachers who had left the church. He urgently wrote a letter to them to assure them of the truth they had embraced - Christ.

Likewise, the snares that threatened the church then, are similar to what we face today in the 21st Century. For example, being overcome by the world’s practices in terms of dressing, music and the company we keep. Amidst all these, we believers must be convicted to stand firm and keep God’s commandments. Failing which, we would fall into the same predicaments of Bible characters such as Samson, Lot and Abraham who were disobedient to God, even if but for a brief moment. Brother Paul stressed that every detail and character penned down in the Bible is selected to teach us important lessons. Thus, we should wisely take heed.

The Apostle John revealed in 1 John 5:4 that the surest way to overcome the world is by our faith in Christ alone. In earlier references in 1 John, other practical “tips” John offers are to keep God’s Word (1 John 2:5), do the will of God (1 John 2:17) and a reminder from 1 John 2:27 that we are given the Holy Spirit, to be equipped to be found faithful in obedience to God’s Word. In his notes, Brother Paul point out 6 important things concerning a believer:

(1) Belief – Must have had experience of New Birth in Christ alone

(2) Obedience – We must not only know our doctrine but we must obey it

(3) Overcome the world – We are called to this

(4) Failure to being an Overcomer – love for the world, erroneous doctrine, lack of faith

(5) Consequences of failure – wasted years, defective character, affects others

(6) How to overcome the world – Word of God, Obedience, Power of Holy Spirit

After pondering on how we can overcome the world, we were ready bright and early on Saturday morning to receive more of God’s Word as Brother Paul brings to us the FCM Retreat 2008 message, “Vessels for Christ: Meet for the Master’s Use” (taken from Jeremiah 18:1-6) and encouraged us to be effective vessels for the Master’s use. He explained to us the reality of how much we needed Christ because Jesus is the Master Potter and we are but vessels. In his notes, he pointed out the following about these vessels:

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(1) Vessels are made by a Potter – God is Sovereign in election, all souls are His (Eze 18:4), no evolution

(2) Vessels can be good or evil – wheat and tares, carnal and spiritual, etc

(3) Vessels are for the use of the Master (v21) – we are God’s servants or slaves

(4) Vessels can be marred by misuse – dishonour Christ (Jer 18:4). There are things we are to (i) flee, (ii) avoid (iii) follow

(5) Vessels need to be prepared and moulded – “purged” and “prepared unto every good work” (v21) and Jer 18:3. This requires sanctification and the Hands and Feet of the Potter

(6) Vessels have no use without being filled from an external source – Holy Spirit, Christ

(7) Vessels when used properly can affect others (v25) – being used by God is the greatest honour

(8) Vessels can be discarded if they become worthless (Jer 18:6) – we are in God’s Hand

We are reminded that God is the one in control of our lives. Our practice of life reveals the doctrine of our heart and reflects the extent to which we believe this truth. The spiritual battle becomes more challenging when the lie Satan throws at us is the delusion that we are in control. Brother Paul cautioned us to be wary because Satan offers the good things to keep us from the Best things (which are God’s).

In 2 Timothy 2:20, a strong cautionary to be aware of is that vessels can be both for honour or to dishonour. Brothers and Sisters–in-Christ,

we should always strive to choose spiritual things over fleshly pursuits.

The warning given to us in 2 Timothy 2 is to flee youthful lusts, avoid foolish and unlearned questions but instead to follow after righteousness, faith, charity, peace (2 Timothy 2:22). Thus, we are admonished to cleave to the Lord because apart from Christ, ye can do nothing (John 15:15), and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

In closing, Brother Paul challenged us to give of our life, youth and time to something that will last.

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And that is none other than the giving of ourselves to the Lord. For our reward is in heaven, therefore, work for what will last through to eternity and be careful stewards of our time, continually growing and maturing in the grace of God.

Truly, the FCM retreat was a comforting respite from

work/schoolwork and a time to recharge on the Word. Other snippets to take home from the retreat and enrich our learning were the passages by Spurgeon on the sweetness in persevering in prayer and shining forth for Christ. Helpful also, was Brother Joshua Yong’s morning devotion on being watchful so as not to fall into spiritual

slumber. It is my hope and prayer that the FCMers who came and have been blessed might continue to be mindful of the lessons which we have learnt. Let us all press on and enjoy a close spiritual walk with God through much prayer and the reading of His Word.

Charlene Tan, FCM NTU/NIE, is a member of New Life Bible-Presbyterian Church.

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GOD’S PROBLEM? BY REV DR JEFFREY KHOO

God’s Problem (HarperCollins Publishers, 2008) is the title of a book written by Bart Ehrman. So, God has a “problem”? What then is “God’s problem”? The subtitle of the book answers: How the Bible Fails to Answer Our Most Important Question—Why We Suffer.

Who is Bart Ehrman?

Bart Ehrman is James A Gray distinguished professor of the Christian Religion at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, USA. He is someone who knows

the Bible and theology inside and out. But his story is quite a sad one. He testified how he became a “born again” fundamentalist as a teenager, and believed in the total infallibility and inerrancy of Scripture. His commitment to the Christian faith led him to study theology at Moody Bible Institute, a fundamentalist school. Later he studied the

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 criticism and textual criticism under unregenerate professors like Bruce Metzger led him to reject that Jesus Christ is God and

Saviour altogether. Here is a man who started off as a fundamentalist, became a neo-evangelical, degenerated into a liberal, and ended up an agnostic.

Actually it is quite ironical that Ehrman should call himself an agnostic because an agnostic is one who says 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 He does exist, we cannot know who or what He is.” But this one thing Ehrman knows for sure, “This God, if He exists, cannot be Jesus Christ, or the God of the Bible.” Now, how can Ehrman know this for sure if in his mind God cannot be known in the first place? This begs the question: How can you know what something is not when you do not know what it is? Well, this is the self-refuting and self-defeating thinking of Bart Ehrman. God describes such thinkers well, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Rom 1:22).

Ehrman began his treatise on “God’s Problem” by asking this question, “If there is an all-powerful and loving God in this world, why is there so much excruciating pain and unspeakable suffering?”

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Why Suffering?

Yes, no one denies that suffering is a fact of life. Why is there so much suffering in this world? Where is God in all this? What is He doing about it? Where are the answers? Only God has the answers and He has given us the answers in His Word. The Bible tells us that suffering in this world is due to a number of reasons: the primary reason being Sin (with 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 the Garden, and continues until the present, and will end in the fiery destruction of world, and the casting of the finally impenitent into the lake of fire for all eternity (2 Pet 3:7-12, Rev 20:11-15). “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Heb 10:31).

The Bible makes it very clear that the problem of suffering is man’s problem, not God’s. Ehrman keeps questioning why the wicked prosper and the innocent suffer? Why do bad things happen to good people? But in God’s sight and by His standard, none is good or innocent. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood: Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. … For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:10-23).

Ehrman’s Problem

Who is good? Only God is good and just; all men are bad and wicked. No matter how good any man might appear outwardly, God sees the heart (1 Sam 16:7), and God tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer 17:9). Nonetheless, in Ehrman’s mind, there are good people who do not deserve the pain and misery that they go through. Although there are other biblical reasons why bad things do happen to “good” people (e.g. Job), he questions why God permits suffering and does not intervene to punish the wicked and deliver the righteous immediately. For this reason, Ehrman feels that the God of the

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Bible cannot be truly almighty, loving and good since He does not intervene to stop all the suffering right here, right now.

The problem of suffering has led Ehrman to lose his faith. What Ehrman thinks is “God’s Problem” is actually his very own, which is the problem of not believing what God has said in His written words. He confessed, “I came to a point where I could no longer believe … I realized that I could no longer reconcile the claims of faith with the facts of life. I could no longer explain how there can be a good and all-powerful God actively involved with this world, given the state of things. For many people who inhabit 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.”

Ehrman’s problem is the same problem of many unbelieving people who do not believe the whole Bible to be the 100% perfect Word of God without any mistake to the last word and letter, and therefore absolutely and supremely authoritative in all matters of faith and life. Ehrman himself confessed that he sees the Bible as “a very human book with all the marks of having come from human hands: discrepancies, contradictions, errors, ….”

In an earlier book of his titled—Misquoting Jesus—he argued, “If one wants to insist that God inspired the very words of scripture, what would be the point if we don’t have the very words of scripture? … This became a problem for my view of inspiration, for I came to realize

that it would have been no more difficult for God to preserve the words of scripture than it would have been for him to inspire them in the first place. If he wanted his people to have his words, surely he would have given them to them. … The fact that we don’t have the words surely must show, I reasoned, that he did not preserve them for us. And if he didn’t perform that miracle, there seemed to be no reason to think that he performed the earlier miracle of inspiring those words.” In Ehrman, we see a clear case of how the logic of unbelief in denying the Biblical doctrine of Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP) would naturally and eventually lead to a denial of the doctrine of Verbal Plenary Inspiration (VPI).

God’s Solution to Man’s Problem

How do we respond to Ehrman’s attack on VPI and VPP? The only biblical way to respond to such an attack is to quote the Scriptures, “let God be true, but every man a liar” (Rom 3:4). We will all become like Ehrman if we do not live by faith, and faith alone (sola fide). The sinner or the unbeliever lives by sight, or by “science” so called—“I see in order to believe.” But the saint or the child of God lives by faith, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” (Rom 1:7). If we want to see and know God, we must begin with faith, “I believe in order to see.” And the Christian faith is not blind because it is based on the truth. What is truth? God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). How can we know the truth about origins: how did the world begin,

and where did we come from? It is only by faith, “Through faith we understand that the worlds

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were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear” (Heb 11:3). We simply believe the words of our Creator who said that He created the whole universe out of nothing by the power of His Word in the space of six literal 24-hour days, and all very good (Gen 1).

Without the light of God’s Word, and without believing in the veracity of God’s Word, man will only misinterpret the facts and evidences in the world. Man in his intellectual folly thinks that he comes from the apes. He thinks that since he looks like them, he must be in some way related or linked to them. Therefore, based on human observation and reasoning, the apes must have been man’s ancestors. Thanks to evolution, human beings are actually glorified monkeys! It is no wonder God says this of sinful men, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things” (Rom 1:21-23).

The only way to please God is by faith, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb 11:6). We must begin with faith and we must end with faith if we are to live and not be lost forever.

The problem with Ehrman is his blindness towards God and His Truth because of His intellectual pride. He gives his own distorted definition of who and what God is; and when his own idea about God does not square with his worldview, he

blames God and finds fault with His claims. Indeed, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Rom 1:22); “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim 3:7). Ehrman has become too clever for his own good.

Logic of Faith

Let us not end up like Ehrman who “lost his faith” (theologically speaking, he never had it in the first place). Let us make sure we have the right starting point which is faith in God’s Word. In all our thinking and reasoning, we must begin and end with God’s Word, believing in all that it says without question, without doubt. Faith is “God says it, that settles it, I believe it.”

God’s Word is 100% perfect, without any mistake, forever infallible and inerrant to the last syllable and letter, even today. How do we know this? God says it in Psalm 12:6-7, “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” Jesus said, “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matt 5:18). “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt 24:35).

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NEWS & NOTES

Applying the logic of faith based on God’s truthful words and promises, we believe that the Bible was not only very pure in the beginning, but also very pure today. By so believing, we are very sure of the 100% inspired and 100% preserved words of God—what they are and where they are. We are very sure of who God is. He is none other than

our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who “died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4).

Let us then live by faith in Christ and His words, and not by “science” or “scholarship” so called. “Let God be true, but 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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Onward Christian Soldiers

Price: Free for FCMers Availability: In Stock Format: Audio CD Discs: 1 Released: February 29, 2008 Language: English Description: Choir Total Running Time: 55:18mins

Track Listing 01. Is Your All On The Altar? 02. Take My Life And Let It Be 03. Am I A Soldier Of The Cross? 04. Lord Here I Take My Cross 05. Sound The Battle Cry 06. Marching To Zion 07. Lead On, O King Eternal 08. Onward Christian Soldiers 09. Who Is On The Lord's Side 10. Hold Forth The Word Of Life 11. A Mighty Fortress Is Our God 12. God The Omnipotent 13. The Banner Of The Cross / Stand Up For Jesus Medley 14. Faith Is The Victory 15. Pressing On 16. Hold The Fort 17. Day By Day 18. Safely Through Another Week 19. May The Lord Find Us Faithful 20. Lord Dismiss Us

重温主恩

Price: Free for FCMers Availability: In Stock Format: Audio CD Discs: 1 Released: October 5, 2008 Language: Mandarin Description: Male Solo Total Running Time: 71:45mins

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 13. 最知心的朋友 14. 耶和华祝福满满（闽南语） 15. 给我一颗中国心 16. 主我们深深的知道 17. 相约在主里

Previous Releases

LATEST CD RELEASES BY CALVARY TENGAH B-P CHURCH

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Lord, grant me a quiet heart, before the exams start.

Lead me to use my leisure hours, to invigorate my powers.

My mind from daydreams liberate, give me the will to concentrate.

From all distractions set me free; that in my studies I may be

a student with a sole fulfillment, to make my work a sacrament.

From my faint heart in love expel, all failures fears that therein dwell. And from my pillow drive away, all dark foreboding of the day.

Help me in faith to rest so deep, that I may have untroubled sleep.

While notes and lectures I prepare, may I not lost my zest for prayer.

And may I not forget to look, for guidance in Thy Book. And may I ever grateful be, to all who daily pray for me. While for myself I intercede,

for other students too I plead; so may exams find

each one alert in heart and mind.

Thus inward joy and peace possessing, May exams prove a source of blessing.

Amen.  

A STUDENT’S PRAYER BY ANONYMOUS

“

”

To all FCMers this poem is affectionately dedicated. Let us pray

for one another. -Editor

Psalm 94:19, “In the multitude of my thoughts

within me thy comforts delight my soul.”

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Overall FCM Coordinator Eld Dr Boaz Boon (Calvary Tengah B-P Church)

℡ 9824 7681 boazboon@mytengah.com

Assistant Advisor Dn Peter Phoa (Calvary Tengah B-P Church) ℡ 9758 1469 peterphoa@mytengah.com

The FCM Family Contact Information & Bible Study Groups

Bible Study Leader Ko Ling Kang, BTh cand (Calvary Pandan B-P Church) kolingkang@gmail.com

Student Coordinator Joy Ng ℡ 9112 1760 ngwenlijoy@gmail.com

Venue & Time School of Computing, NUS, Block AS6 (Room 0208) Computing 1, Law Link, Singapore 117590 Every Wednesday, 5.30pm / Dinner @ 7.30pm

FCM NUS

Bible Study Leader Joshua Yong, DipTh, BRE, MDiv cand (Truth B-P Church) yongbkj@hotmail.com

Student Coordinator Jonathan Ng ℡ 9190 0473 jonathanng.2006@business.smu.edu.sg

Venue & Time Home of Mr & Mrs Arthur Ng (Dining Area) 32 Burgundy Crescent, Singapore 658745 Alternate Fridays, 4.00pm

FCM SMU/UniSIM/LaSalle

Bible Study Leader Rev Wee Eng Moh, BTh, MRE (Berith B-P Church) emwee@singnet.com.sg

Student Coordinator Teo Jun Zi ℡ 9299 9501 teojunzi@gmail.com

Venue & Time Blk 63, NTU Hall of Residence 13 (Eld Sim’s Home) 32 Nanyang Crescent, #03-1255, Singapore 637658 Every Monday, 6.30pm / Dinner @ 5.30pm

FCM NTU/NIE

AY 08/09

Bible Study Leaders Lim Jun Sheng, BEng, CertRK (Calvary Tengah B-P Church) sa_jurong@hotmail.com [for SP, NP @ NP]

Student Coordinator Samuel Goh ℡ 9181 7471 eleven_blue@yahoo.com.sg

Venue & Time Ngee Ann Poly (Teaching Hub, Blk 56, Study Area near Canteen 1) 535 Clementi Road, Singapore 599489 Alternate Wednesdays, 7pm / Dinner @ 6.15pm

FCM Poly

Newsletter Advisor : Eld Dr Boaz BoonEditor : Jason Liew

Overall Student Coordinator Jason Liew (Truth B-P Church) ℡ 9017 8213 jasonliewyf@gmail.com

James Tan, BTh cand (Calvary Tengah B-P Church) jamestty@gmail.com [for RP, TP, NYP @ RP]

Republic Poly (Outside Main Library) 9 Woodlands Avenue 9, Singapore 738964 Alternate Wednesdays, 6pm