NECF Malaysia remains steadfast in its evangelical distinctiveness and will continue to pursue its evangelical objectives. In a February circular to its members, the fellowship maintained that NECF Malaysia "has not compromised on spiritual views based on the Bible."
The circular was responding to a letter by a Christian brother that appeared in the "Letters" section of New Straits Times on February 16, 2001. The letter was intended to congratulate NECF Malaysia for sponsoring the recent WEF-organised International Consultation on Globalisation that received much media coverage. However, it contained two statements that were erroneous.
The first statement said that WEF and NECF Malaysia "are now willing to accept pluralism" because of their invitation to the Prime Minister (a Muslim) and Minister for Transport Dato’ Seri Dr Ling Liong Sik (a member of the "liberal Methodist Church") to respectively open and close the Consultation.
NECF’s circular pointed out that both Dr Mahathir and Dr Ling were invited to the consultation based on their roles as national government leaders and not their religious convictions. Furthermore, Dr Mahathir is well-versed on the subject of globalisation. Dr Ling, on the other hand, has played a facilitating role as a national government leader in matters affecting the Church in Malaysia.
In response to the second erroneous statement that "NECF has now become more open, accommodating and willing to compromise", the circular upheld the authority of the Bible without compromise. In fact, the "very Christian content and push at the opening and closing ceremonies speak clearly of our evangelical commitment."
NECF has to exercise great wisdom in working towards nation-building within a multi- ethnic and religious community while maintaining racial harmony without compromising on Christian imperatives, the circular said. |
