Berita NECF Newletters

Recovering Biblical Direction for Present Issues

Description: Book

By Steven Wong

As Christians, do we think too little? Or do we think too much? If we are indeed thinkers, then are we only thinkers, or, also people of action? Is fasting and prayer the final answer to the moral wickedness and corruption of our times? Or is it the surrendering of ourselves in order to enable the answers to prayer to be worked out through us? Ought we to be a ‘sleeping Jesus’, calm and confident in the storms of adversity in life, or an ‘angry Jesus’ who acts clearly and unambiguously against oppressors and unjust ‘moneychangers’ in the world? How do we decide what to be and when? Is the Kingdom of God still to be ushered in or is it already here?

Christians are divided on every one of these questions and have been for centuries. Not only do our worldviews differ, but we have often shown a tendency to defend them fiercely, gracelessly and, at times, unrighteously. We seek to be ‘salt and light’ to a tasteless and darkened world but end up many times being anything but. It does not help that relatively few of us today know much Church history. In our ignorance, we deprive ourselves of a valuable body of knowledge to help us understand the past, walk in present repentance and humility and make godly choices for the future.

Biblical standards and teachings are absolute and eternal, but much of how we think and act is not; they are shaped by the political, economic, social and cultural circumstances of our times. By emphasising some parts of Scripture and downplaying others, we are, wittingly or unwittingly, relativising it. The things that we accept or reject thus often really amount to nothing more than what our environment, needs and interests dictate.Thus, we need constantly to cross-check our assumptions and norms against the unchanging Word of God. We need the whole counsel of God.

Given this, there is really little ground to be doctrinally or theologically arrogant, superior and condemning. We would do well to remember Paul’s reminder that, for now, we “see but a poor reflection as in a mirror” and can only “know in part” (1 Cor. 13:12). We would do well also to note that the unity of the Church is not founded on the supremacy of a doctrine but of love and service to Almighty God. God, in His omniscience and sovereignty, has used, is using, and will use those of practically every stripe and inclination to accomplish His good purposes in restoring this fallen world.

The NECF Malaysia Research Commission is dedicated to helping recover biblical direction, meaning and applications to issues of life. From the latest Harry Potter movie offerings to breakthroughs in genetic engineering and stem cell research, there are myriad concerns that Christians face. It should be obvious from the foregoing that we cannot and, indeed, do not, consider ours to be the final word on the matter. Nevertheless, however flawed and disjointed, we believe that the process of quiet reflection and (quite often heated) discussion by members – themselves quite diverse – produces what are comparatively fair and balanced viewpoints. These, we hope, can be useful references for Christians who are struggling with the very same issues in their lives.

The 11 essays in this volume revolve around the theme of the realities of Christian living in Malaysia. The first three are held together by a common thread – that of addressing practical issues. They ouch on the knowledge-based economy, education and vocation, and cronyism. (If the topics in this volume seem rather eclectic, this is because the interests of the Research Commission members are so.) This reading is likely to be of interest to those about to enter or who have just entered the workforce.

This is followed by four essays in the area of social concerns. They include the widespread practice of feng shui, media and culture, entertainment and youth and earthkeeping. These are of importance not only to believers in general but pastors and church leaders. The final four essays cover matters of religious liberty, politics, Christian intercultural communication and apologetics. Christians in Malaysia are uniquely blessed but the environment also poses special constraints and challenges. These have to be understood by all in order to discharge our duties as both Christians and citizens. Also included are selected statements and reports that have been issued in the past two years to address issues of global and national concern, and of those to the Malaysian churches.

Christians can take two approaches in the matters raised. They can ignore them and thus run the risk of being ignorant or they can engage them and open themselves to the possibility of being engaging. Of the two, we obviously prefer the latter route. Our deliberations are meant not only to add to the miniscule storehouse of Christian knowledge in Malaysia; they are also meant to instigate action. We also work closely with the NECF Prayer Commission, believing strategic and knowledgeable intercession to be the key to changing this world of which we are God’s stewards.

After all the intellectual cogitation and discourse are over, it is only by prostrating ourselves as supplicants before God that we will find true peace and fulfilment. – Steven Wong is the Chairman of the NECF Research Commission


Doing The Right Thing, published by Kairos Research Centre, is priced at RM15 each and not RM10 as stated in our previous issue.



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