Church bombings show intention and pattern

The fire bomb attacks on churches were not spontaneous expressions of outrage and violence of common folk, but deliberate, intentional, strategic acts of violence to damage religious harmony that have largely prevailed since the federation was formed. The avoidance of death seemed to be deliberately calibrated to make all parties open to concessions without triggering a religious war. This was probably masterminded by one who knew what he was doing, and he is educated and not a village folk. It was deliberate because it showed a multi-denominational pattern.

One was a charismatic church: the Metro Tabernacle church in Kuala Lumpur. Another was the Assumption Catholic church in Petaling Jaya, though the explosive that was thrown into the church compound did not explode. The third was an attack on a Brethren church called Life chapel in Petaling Jaya where a Molotov cocktail damaged the porch. The latest was a Lutheran church, the Good Shepherd Lutheran church, in south west Kuala Lumpur. Petrol bombs were thrown into the windows of the first and second floors of the buildings but they narrowly missed.

How many denominations are there in Malaysia? Will the Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists or Anglicans be next in line? Watch and pray.

Meanwhile, Rev Ong Sek Leong, the Malaysian pastor of Metro Tabernacle church spoke for all Malaysian Christians and citizens of all races and religions when he responded to what had happened to the church he pastored.

Share this:

Read More →

‘Allah’ should stay in the Bahasa Bible

Dr Tony Siew, New Testament lecturer in Trinity Theological College, has written a coherent case for keeping Allah in the Bahasa bible, and an impassionate plea for reason, calmness and humility to prevail in the wake of the high court decision to uphold the use of ‘Allah’ in the Bahasa bible. His blogpost is titled, “Allah” for Malaysian Christians.

A surprising but refreshing turn of events:  main Islamic party PAS in Malaysia has said the word “Allah” can be used by followers of the Abrahamic faiths to denote God, as long as it is not misused or abused. This came from a written statement from PAS president Hadi Awang. Some would say it is not surprising, as PAS is seeking to put on a moderate face, just as UMNO is seeking to seem more Isalmic. Whatever the case may be this statement by PAS bucked a growing online expression of fury from Malaysian Muslims about the high court decision.

Share this:

Read More →

Will internet church come to our shores?

internet churchIt is hard to believe but it is already happening. Where else but in the land of eternal innovation – USA?  Read this report and let me know what you think of a church using this as an outreach to this internet-savvy generation; as a supplement(not substitute) to actual community.

The Internet has become the hottest place to build a church. A growing number of congregations are creating Internet offshoots that go far beyond streaming weekly services. The sites are fully interactive with a dedicated Internet pastor, live chat in an online “lobby,” Bible study, 1-on-1 prayer through IM and communion. (Viewers use their own bread and wine or juice.) On one site, viewers can click on a tab during worship to accept Christ as their Savior. Flamingo Road Church, based in Cooper City, Fla., twice conducted long-distance baptisms through the Internet. The move online is forcing Christians to re-examine their idea of church. It’s a complex discussion involving theology, tradition and cultural expectations of how Christians should worship and relate. Even developers of Internet church sites disagree over how far they should go. The sites share the same basic approach: rock-style worship music and a sermon recorded at the in-person weekend service that is quickly mixed with live or recorded greetings expressly for online viewers. The phenomenon is so new that no one has an exact count of interactive online campuses. The Leadership Network has found at least 40.

1) What uses do you see in this as the Christian population ages and the shut-ins increase in number?

2) Are there theological “trespasses” or is it all a matter of variable  “methodology/culture”?

3) Can there be true ministry and fellowhip without handshakes and physical presence?

4) Which church in Singapore have the resources and philosophy of ministry in place to make this internet “church plant” offshoot a reality in Singapore?

5) What if this technology could be combined to create an internet church hub with a house church network (in Singapore and beyond) to dispense with the need for expansive and expensive church buildings?

Hmm…all kinds of possibilities and questions running through my mind as I read the above report.

Share this:

Read More →