One day I picked up a newspaper, which was thrown at the road side, and I started to read, lo and behold, and there was an article written by some badly mental ill patients. The head line of the article is "I have no problem !" I am very disturbed by this article, and felt those who wrote this article is actually the greatest maniac, they probably the greatest terrorist in our generation, beware of them! This is the article I read in that newspaper:
*************************begining of the article:
"I have no problem !"
I have no mental disorder, I am not crazy, if you disagree with me, you are crazy.I agree totally with the mission statement below, and I will keep silent, when anyone do these things, if anyone disagreed with me, it is because he or she is crazy, it is because he or he is having problems, I have no problem, my mission statement has no problem!
My Mission Statements:
1. Blowing up oneself and killing other is not a madness...if I can say, "God is great."
2. Shooting rockets everyday to disturb other is not a madness...if I can say, "I hate my neighbours."
3. 911 incident is not a madness...if I can say "Do not blame the pilots."
4. Corruption is not a madness...if I can say "I do not know what is corruption."
5. Racist is not a madness...if I can say "I am colour blind."
6. Taking more wives is not a madness...if I can say "I pay you."
7. Child abuse is not a madness...if I can say "I care for you."
8. Oppression is not a madness...if I can say "I love you."
9. And murdering is not a madness, if I can say "I am for peace."
10. Witchcraft is not a madness, if I can say "Amen."
11. I am always correct and right, because I have a perfect book in my hands and you do not!
My Schizophrenia is not a madness to me, it is your problem, it is not my problem! See how clever I am, I can still tell good lies, and nobody find it out, so I had no problem at all. I am not mad or crazy. because all my friends and families do these things, I am not crazy or sick, but you are!
****************************************end of the article.
Questions,
1.Do you think this is a good mission statement?
2.Do you see the problems of the author?
3.Where is the author now?
4.How to treat this author?
22.2.09
16.2.09
A cruel and murderous Indian nurse
There is a male Indian nurse living in a small town, and the poor christian came to know about him, the male nurse is working hard and earning money to sent his son to study medicine oversea.
People called this nurse as "doctor." He was only a nurse, looking after mental ill patients in the small town. One day the christian met a long time Chinese friend, she was very sad and angry about the Indian male nurse, because he had raped and molested her younger sister, her younger sister is having mental sickness, since her younger sister divorced with her husband, she went in and out from the hospital. She was under medications for a long time, once she was put under this nurse supervision, anyhow, she was raped and molested by the male nurse, because she was quite a good looking girl, the male nurse was tempted to do such a cruel thing on a sick and poor woman. The nurse raped many other women patients in his life as a nurse. And he punched and bitten those women, to silent those poor and helpless women, and he undercover his rape by using drugs on those poor women. The christian came to know about this matter. The christian is very sad about this nurse.
The male nurse became richer and richer, day by day he is happy with his life, never regret a bit about his wrong doings. One day, the nurse came to know that his wrongdoing was made known to the christian, the nurse started to become an enemy to the christian, and the nurse threaten to kill the christian and family, and he had done many things to disturb the poor christian mentally and physically, the poor christian pray to God until today, may God protect the christian from evil nurse and his harms.
Now the Indian said, it is becoming the christian's problem!
Who is seriously sick and need to be treated, the raped young woman, the nurse or the christian..
May God bless the nurse!
People called this nurse as "doctor." He was only a nurse, looking after mental ill patients in the small town. One day the christian met a long time Chinese friend, she was very sad and angry about the Indian male nurse, because he had raped and molested her younger sister, her younger sister is having mental sickness, since her younger sister divorced with her husband, she went in and out from the hospital. She was under medications for a long time, once she was put under this nurse supervision, anyhow, she was raped and molested by the male nurse, because she was quite a good looking girl, the male nurse was tempted to do such a cruel thing on a sick and poor woman. The nurse raped many other women patients in his life as a nurse. And he punched and bitten those women, to silent those poor and helpless women, and he undercover his rape by using drugs on those poor women. The christian came to know about this matter. The christian is very sad about this nurse.
The male nurse became richer and richer, day by day he is happy with his life, never regret a bit about his wrong doings. One day, the nurse came to know that his wrongdoing was made known to the christian, the nurse started to become an enemy to the christian, and the nurse threaten to kill the christian and family, and he had done many things to disturb the poor christian mentally and physically, the poor christian pray to God until today, may God protect the christian from evil nurse and his harms.
Now the Indian said, it is becoming the christian's problem!
Who is seriously sick and need to be treated, the raped young woman, the nurse or the christian..
May God bless the nurse!
A good and kind doctor
There is a doctor living in a small town, he is very well known, people around the town talked about him, they are saying the doctor is a good doctor and a kind one. The christian one day visited him, and personally come to understand that, this doctor is really as kind as people said about him.
One day, this poor christian went to his clinic. The poor christian was asked by a friend, to sent 2 old man and wife to see that doctor. The christian waited with the old couples in the clinic. The old couples insisted the christian to see the doctor, since the christian was not feeling well at that moment.
The christian whispered to the old couples, that we had only a 10 bucks note in his wallet, it was not enough to pay the doctor. But the old couples told the christian, ".. need not worry about the money, the doctor is kind, tell him that you are poor." the christian was afraid that he will be mistreated. The old couple explained to the poor christian. People knew the doctor's father well, he was a very poor man, working hard to earn money, rising his family and one of his son became a doctor, the son was sent to oversea to study medicine, at last the son becomes a good doctor, the father knew that is not enough, before he passed away, he called his son the good doctor to his sick bed, and advice him, "You must help the poor, remember once we were also poor like them, when you were still very young, we were very very poor. Remember to help the poor and sick in your clinic" Later, the father passed away. The son, as a good doctor, remembered his father's word well, he became a kind doctor. He had been good and kind to the poor and sick for so many years in the town. This is a true story, the good and kind doctor is still living in the mountainous town, people still talk about him until today.
So after sometime of waiting, it was the christian's turn to see the doctor, the christian went into the doctor room, the doctor was a middle aged man, and he asked the christian, what is wrong with him, and the christian told him, he was not well for few days, and he told the doctor how he felt, and the doctor type into his computer, and without any hesitation and delay, the christian told the doctor, he is poor and he had only 10 bucks in his wallet, the doctor listen carefully, silently and noded a little bit, and still typing and typing. And prescribed the suitable medicine for the christian, and doctor gently, let the christian went out. The christian went out from the room, and later he was asked by the doctor's nurse, to pay a small amount of money to take his medicine. The doctor had done a good thing to a total stranger!
The christian went home with the old couples, comforted, and now he knew there is still, and believe there are some good and kind doctor on this earth, and the story about this kind and good doctor is true. The old couple told the christian nothing but the truth. The old couples need not to swear or take an oath in telling his truth, the doctor need not to swear and take an oath to say he is good, but by his kindness and goodness, people believe in him, and he had faithfully keeping his father's words, "Help the poor and sick, remember how poor we were."
A good doctor is not good enough? The father asked his son to be a kind doctor! Believe it or not?
One day, this poor christian went to his clinic. The poor christian was asked by a friend, to sent 2 old man and wife to see that doctor. The christian waited with the old couples in the clinic. The old couples insisted the christian to see the doctor, since the christian was not feeling well at that moment.
The christian whispered to the old couples, that we had only a 10 bucks note in his wallet, it was not enough to pay the doctor. But the old couples told the christian, ".. need not worry about the money, the doctor is kind, tell him that you are poor." the christian was afraid that he will be mistreated. The old couple explained to the poor christian. People knew the doctor's father well, he was a very poor man, working hard to earn money, rising his family and one of his son became a doctor, the son was sent to oversea to study medicine, at last the son becomes a good doctor, the father knew that is not enough, before he passed away, he called his son the good doctor to his sick bed, and advice him, "You must help the poor, remember once we were also poor like them, when you were still very young, we were very very poor. Remember to help the poor and sick in your clinic" Later, the father passed away. The son, as a good doctor, remembered his father's word well, he became a kind doctor. He had been good and kind to the poor and sick for so many years in the town. This is a true story, the good and kind doctor is still living in the mountainous town, people still talk about him until today.
So after sometime of waiting, it was the christian's turn to see the doctor, the christian went into the doctor room, the doctor was a middle aged man, and he asked the christian, what is wrong with him, and the christian told him, he was not well for few days, and he told the doctor how he felt, and the doctor type into his computer, and without any hesitation and delay, the christian told the doctor, he is poor and he had only 10 bucks in his wallet, the doctor listen carefully, silently and noded a little bit, and still typing and typing. And prescribed the suitable medicine for the christian, and doctor gently, let the christian went out. The christian went out from the room, and later he was asked by the doctor's nurse, to pay a small amount of money to take his medicine. The doctor had done a good thing to a total stranger!
The christian went home with the old couples, comforted, and now he knew there is still, and believe there are some good and kind doctor on this earth, and the story about this kind and good doctor is true. The old couple told the christian nothing but the truth. The old couples need not to swear or take an oath in telling his truth, the doctor need not to swear and take an oath to say he is good, but by his kindness and goodness, people believe in him, and he had faithfully keeping his father's words, "Help the poor and sick, remember how poor we were."
A good doctor is not good enough? The father asked his son to be a kind doctor! Believe it or not?
14.2.09
A doctor or a debtor ?
For so many years of Bible reading, I never come across Paul calls himself as a doctor, doctor of theology, or Phd, ThM, or medical doctor...but I remember he called himself as a debtor, a debtor of the Gospel, paying the debt of the Gospel.
Are you pursuing a Christian life? Or you are pursuing to be a theologian rather than a Christian? Are you pursuing to be a doctor or a debtor like Paul? Read the article below, about Paul, a debtor...
Life’s Greatest Adventure
by Dr. Adrian Rogers
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth . . . Romans 1:14-16 (emphasis added)
I believe that the greatest Christian who has ever lived was the apostle Paul. Before he was saved, he persecuted the Church of Jesus Christ — hauling Christians into prison and watching while some of them were literally put to death. But he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, and when Paul — who was then called Saul — saw Jesus, he asked Him the two greatest questions anyone can ever ask: “Who are You, Lord?” and “What would You have me to do?” He spent the rest of his life discovering the answers to those two questions.
Paul became the greatest missionary the world has ever known. What was it that so transformed him? I think the key is found in Paul’s repeated use of the phrase “I am …” to describe himself in the first chapter of Romans.
I Am a Debtor
First, Paul said, “I am a debtor …” He was faithful to the obligations of the Gospel. But to whom or to what was Paul indebted?
He was a debtor to Christ. In verse one, Paul introduced himself as, “Paul, A servant of Jesus Christ . . .” He saw himself a bond slave to the One Who had died for him.
He was a debtor to the conquerors of the past. In verse eight Paul said, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” Paul realized that there were others who had suffered, bled, and died that he might know the Lord Jesus Christ — including Stephen who had died a martyr’s death as he watched.
He was a debtor to those around him. He said, “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians . . .” Paul owed a debt to share the message of Christ with those around him.
I Am Ready
Not only was Paul a debtor, but he was flexible and ready for the opportunities of the Gospel. He was ready to preach the Gospel whatever it took.
He was ready to live. I hear people say, “I would die for Jesus.” But I want to know, “Will you live for Jesus?”
Paul was also ready to die. He was ready to preach the Gospel in Rome where I believe he lost his life. He knew the dangers, but he was ready to die for His Lord.
He was ready to go. In verse thirteen he said, “. . . I purposed to come unto you . . .” Are you flexible enough that God could step in and interrupt your plans and totally change the course of your life? Would you go where God leads?
Or he was ready to stay. In verse thirteen, he added, “. . . I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto) . . .” He was kept back or restrained. We don’t just up and go. Sometimes, God says, “go,” and sometimes He says, “stay.” Paul was ready — as we should be — to do whatever
I Am not Ashamed
Finally, Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ . . .” There is one Person Who stands out above all of those who have ever lived or who ever will live, and His name is Jesus Christ. The purpose of the Gospel is to bring people to Him for salvation. And the Gospel, as we see in verse sixteen, is “the power of God unto salvation.” I am grateful for that divine dynamite. An atomic bomb with all its power could not blow the sin out of your heart; but there is a power that can make drunkards sober, crooked men straight, and profane men pure. And all anyone has to do is believe in Jesus. That’s it! All of the other religions of the world are spelled D-O, but Christianity is spelled D-O-N-E. It’s done! It is finished! Simply “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Thankfully, Paul was not ashamed of this powerful Gospel.
Paul lived his life to bring others to Christ. He knew his obligation; he was ready; and he was not ashamed? Jesus transformed his life, and he wanted to tell the world about it. Are you ready for an adventure?
Find this article at: http://www.crosswalk.com/ministryaudio/love_worth_finding/1201/
Are you pursuing a Christian life? Or you are pursuing to be a theologian rather than a Christian? Are you pursuing to be a doctor or a debtor like Paul? Read the article below, about Paul, a debtor...
Life’s Greatest Adventure
by Dr. Adrian Rogers
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth . . . Romans 1:14-16 (emphasis added)
I believe that the greatest Christian who has ever lived was the apostle Paul. Before he was saved, he persecuted the Church of Jesus Christ — hauling Christians into prison and watching while some of them were literally put to death. But he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, and when Paul — who was then called Saul — saw Jesus, he asked Him the two greatest questions anyone can ever ask: “Who are You, Lord?” and “What would You have me to do?” He spent the rest of his life discovering the answers to those two questions.
Paul became the greatest missionary the world has ever known. What was it that so transformed him? I think the key is found in Paul’s repeated use of the phrase “I am …” to describe himself in the first chapter of Romans.
I Am a Debtor
First, Paul said, “I am a debtor …” He was faithful to the obligations of the Gospel. But to whom or to what was Paul indebted?
He was a debtor to Christ. In verse one, Paul introduced himself as, “Paul, A servant of Jesus Christ . . .” He saw himself a bond slave to the One Who had died for him.
He was a debtor to the conquerors of the past. In verse eight Paul said, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” Paul realized that there were others who had suffered, bled, and died that he might know the Lord Jesus Christ — including Stephen who had died a martyr’s death as he watched.
He was a debtor to those around him. He said, “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians . . .” Paul owed a debt to share the message of Christ with those around him.
I Am Ready
Not only was Paul a debtor, but he was flexible and ready for the opportunities of the Gospel. He was ready to preach the Gospel whatever it took.
He was ready to live. I hear people say, “I would die for Jesus.” But I want to know, “Will you live for Jesus?”
Paul was also ready to die. He was ready to preach the Gospel in Rome where I believe he lost his life. He knew the dangers, but he was ready to die for His Lord.
He was ready to go. In verse thirteen he said, “. . . I purposed to come unto you . . .” Are you flexible enough that God could step in and interrupt your plans and totally change the course of your life? Would you go where God leads?
Or he was ready to stay. In verse thirteen, he added, “. . . I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto) . . .” He was kept back or restrained. We don’t just up and go. Sometimes, God says, “go,” and sometimes He says, “stay.” Paul was ready — as we should be — to do whatever
I Am not Ashamed
Finally, Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ . . .” There is one Person Who stands out above all of those who have ever lived or who ever will live, and His name is Jesus Christ. The purpose of the Gospel is to bring people to Him for salvation. And the Gospel, as we see in verse sixteen, is “the power of God unto salvation.” I am grateful for that divine dynamite. An atomic bomb with all its power could not blow the sin out of your heart; but there is a power that can make drunkards sober, crooked men straight, and profane men pure. And all anyone has to do is believe in Jesus. That’s it! All of the other religions of the world are spelled D-O, but Christianity is spelled D-O-N-E. It’s done! It is finished! Simply “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). Thankfully, Paul was not ashamed of this powerful Gospel.
Paul lived his life to bring others to Christ. He knew his obligation; he was ready; and he was not ashamed? Jesus transformed his life, and he wanted to tell the world about it. Are you ready for an adventure?
Find this article at: http://www.crosswalk.com/ministryaudio/love_worth_finding/1201/
10.2.09
Psalm 12 vs Proverb 12
Open your Bible to Psalm 12, the FEBC theologians used this Psalm to support VPP!
I proposed them to read Proverb 12, to refute their wrong view, the Verbal Plenary Preserving the Underlying text, greek and hebrew Text of the KJV!
Proverbs 12:1, talk about instruction,
12:2, some will be condemned.
12:3, there is wickedness, do not say none.
12:4, where is virtuous woman.
12:5, there is deceit.
12:6, for blood, not for peace.
12:7, they will be overturned.
12:8, HAVING perverse heart.
12:9, who is honouring himself?
12:10, THEIR mercies are cruel!
12:11, void of understanding!
12:12, TAKEN THE net of the evil man.
12:13, HIS LIPS. LOOK!
12:14, fruit of his mouth.
12:15, fool is right in his eyes.
12;16, a fool's wrath.
12:17, a false witness.
12:18, VPP, A piercing of a sword.
12:19, a lying tongue.
12:20, AN imagineD evil.
12:21, A mischief.
12:22, this is abomination.
12:23, proclaimeth foolishness.
12:24, I am slothful.
12:25, heaviness!
12:26, THEY ARE seduced.
12:27, slothful man.
12:28, there is life in the pathway.
Where is wisdom in these Theologians in FEBC, you know why they become like this? Is Proverb 12 mentioning them? What good manner in these theologian, in dealing with fellow Christian, even FIGHTING in court room, to witness about Christ? Do you still want to follow these theologian until to the court room? Stop!
If they do not know why they become like this, there is another verse, perfect description about them,
Proverbs 13:10, ONLY BY PRIDE COMETH CONTENTION, BUT WITH THE WELL ADVISED IS WISDOM.
Why these theologians become like this, today? Answer is "Pride," but they will say they are humble, they are faithful. BUT they are "PROUD," AND BEHAVING LIKE THOSE MEDICAL DOCTOR.THESE THEOLOGIANS WHO ARE TEACHING VPP, IS GIVEN DRUGS AND PILLS, BY A MEDICAL DOCTORS, SO THEY LOST CONTROL, INSANE, HAVING FALSE IMAGINATION, CONTROLLED INDIRECTLY BY A MEDICAL DOCTOR. PRAY FOR THESE THEOLOGIANS, SO THAT THEY WILL Stop TAKING those DRUGS AND PILLS any longer.
WHAT KIND OF PILLS, THEY ARE Taking? Since YOU ASKED ME, LET ME TELL YOU, PILLS OF 'PRIDE,'Tablets of "pride," Soup of "pride."
Pride, pride, pride. Not VPP, but PPP!
I proposed them to read Proverb 12, to refute their wrong view, the Verbal Plenary Preserving the Underlying text, greek and hebrew Text of the KJV!
Proverbs 12:1, talk about instruction,
12:2, some will be condemned.
12:3, there is wickedness, do not say none.
12:4, where is virtuous woman.
12:5, there is deceit.
12:6, for blood, not for peace.
12:7, they will be overturned.
12:8, HAVING perverse heart.
12:9, who is honouring himself?
12:10, THEIR mercies are cruel!
12:11, void of understanding!
12:12, TAKEN THE net of the evil man.
12:13, HIS LIPS. LOOK!
12:14, fruit of his mouth.
12:15, fool is right in his eyes.
12;16, a fool's wrath.
12:17, a false witness.
12:18, VPP, A piercing of a sword.
12:19, a lying tongue.
12:20, AN imagineD evil.
12:21, A mischief.
12:22, this is abomination.
12:23, proclaimeth foolishness.
12:24, I am slothful.
12:25, heaviness!
12:26, THEY ARE seduced.
12:27, slothful man.
12:28, there is life in the pathway.
Where is wisdom in these Theologians in FEBC, you know why they become like this? Is Proverb 12 mentioning them? What good manner in these theologian, in dealing with fellow Christian, even FIGHTING in court room, to witness about Christ? Do you still want to follow these theologian until to the court room? Stop!
If they do not know why they become like this, there is another verse, perfect description about them,
Proverbs 13:10, ONLY BY PRIDE COMETH CONTENTION, BUT WITH THE WELL ADVISED IS WISDOM.
Why these theologians become like this, today? Answer is "Pride," but they will say they are humble, they are faithful. BUT they are "PROUD," AND BEHAVING LIKE THOSE MEDICAL DOCTOR.THESE THEOLOGIANS WHO ARE TEACHING VPP, IS GIVEN DRUGS AND PILLS, BY A MEDICAL DOCTORS, SO THEY LOST CONTROL, INSANE, HAVING FALSE IMAGINATION, CONTROLLED INDIRECTLY BY A MEDICAL DOCTOR. PRAY FOR THESE THEOLOGIANS, SO THAT THEY WILL Stop TAKING those DRUGS AND PILLS any longer.
WHAT KIND OF PILLS, THEY ARE Taking? Since YOU ASKED ME, LET ME TELL YOU, PILLS OF 'PRIDE,'Tablets of "pride," Soup of "pride."
Pride, pride, pride. Not VPP, but PPP!
9.2.09
A VERY SAD STATE OF THE BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SINGAPORE TODAY
copied from http://www.gracebpc.org.sg/weekly/2009/Jan%202009/1101/gwc.htm
A warning from Pastor
I was raised a B-P Church member since 1960 when I first attended Galilee B-P Church in Pasir Panjang. I got to know Rev Timothy Tow at a very young age. I remembered Rev Tow visiting our family when we were living in No. 5 Pasir Panjang Road.
In 1974 the Lord called me into the full-time Christian ministry and I began my theological education in the Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC). I graduated in 1977 and served in Grace B-P Church. I have been in the B-P Church ever since.
I have seen the many good sides of the B-P Church. I have been blessed by her strong doctrinal teachings. FEBC was once a strong school of theology, producing many Bible believing pastors and full-time workers for the church. I am thankful to the Lord for FEBC and her fundamental teachings in those days.
The changes today in the B-P Church
Something has gone terribly wrong with the B-P denomination today. Just about six years ago, a new teaching was introduced into FEBC by some young lecturers. The Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP) teaches that God has preserved certain Greek and Hebrew manuscripts which underline the King James Version (KJV). So these people say that God has given the English speaking world only one Bible, the KJV. To them, the KJV is the "inspired" Bible for the English speaking church. All other versions namely NKJV, NASB, NIV, ESV, etc, are corrupt versions. They will condemn anyone or any church that uses a version other than the KJV. They have even gone to the extreme to say that other Bible versions present a different Jesus from the KJV.
I have never, in all my life, in the B-P Church seen such extreme teaching which had led to church splits, name calling, and the soon to be, public court battle between FEBC and Life B-P Church.
This VPP teaching has been a curse in the B-P Church. Once upon a time, we were all united and growing strong together as a denomination. Today it is a laughing stock to the Christian community in Singapore.
This year especially is bad for the B-P Church as news of both FEBC and Life B-P Church's public court case have been announced in the papers. This is against God's Word. See what the apostle Paul has to say about this matter in 1 Cor. 6: 1- 6
"Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!"
(NKJV)
How could believers who know God's Word do such a thing?
The VPP teaching has not been a blessing to the B-P denomination. Instead it has caused trouble and disunity.
For your information, a large majority of B-P Pastors are not supporting this teaching. We strongly oppose it. Very few B-P Pastors and B-P Churches are for this teaching. They should rightly call themselves the VPP B-P Church and not be confused with those of us who are the original B-P Church.
Churches which are for VPP:
" Calvary-Pandan BPC, Calvary Tengah BPC, Gethsemane BPC, True Life BPC, Truth BPC, Berean BPC
B-P Churches that are not for VPP:
" Life BPC, Olivet BPC, Grace BPC, Shalom BPC, Nazareth BPC, Galilee BPC, Maranatha BPC, Sharon BPC, Gospel Light BPC, Moriah BPC, Emmanuel BPC, Herald BPC, Calvary-Jurong BPC, Eden BPC, Jireh BPC, Macedonia BPC, Sembawang BPC, Zion BPC (Serangoon Gardens and Bishan), Faith BPC, All the Tamil B-P Churches, All the Mountain B-P Churches (i.e., Hebron, Herman, Mt. Carmel BPCs etc).
Be watchful
We live in the last days. The Bible warned of many false teachers coming into the church who will deceive even the elect. And sad to say, many will follow their pernicious way (2 Peter 2: 1-2).
The VPP Traits
We should know that these people are a very combative group.
One of the traits in this group of VPPers is to fight anyone who disagrees with them. The recent and earlier editions of "The Burning Bush", a publication of FEBC, and the writings and the correspondences of some of these advocates of VPPs resonate their argumentative attitude. "The Burning Bush" is targetted to combat non-VPPs. It was once an edifying magazine, but today, it is used to put down B-P pastors and elders who are not supportive of their cause. There is nothing edifying in this magazine which publishes only about VPP.
"The Burning Bush" has also been blasting the newly setup "Asia Seminary for Ministry" (ASM), in which Rev. Goh Seng Fong, Rev. Tan Choon Seng, Rev. Yap Beng Shin, Dn. John Chin and myself are the founding members. "ASM" has been accused of being neo-evangelical and ecumenical.
The aggressive nature of their correspondences in the many emails I have read is unbecoming of a Christian leader.
Split Churches
The issue of VPP creates a huge problem and results in split of Churches. This is witnessed in the States as well as on our own shores. Since the day VPP came to the B-P Church in Singapore, we had seen with our own eyes the problems encountered by Life B-P Church, Calvary-Jurong B-P Church and Calvary-Pandan B-P Church.
A Lack of Love
Another of their trait is the lack of love in dealing with fellow B-P pastors and elders over this issue. To them, this matter of VPP is life and death. If the B-P Pastor or Elder is not supporting them, they are swiftly condemned as neo-evangelicals or neo-fundamentalists. Their names are highlighted in their magazines and church weekly, etc. There is no personal and friendly conversation over how to solve this issue in a loving manner.
Name Calling
They are quick to call anyone who are not for their cause, neo-evangelicals, neo-fundamentalists, ecumenical, etc. They have also labelled fellow B-P pastors as liars. They have published openly the names of Bible colleges, seminaries and gave them such names.
Claim to possess the truth
They claim to have the perfect Bible. They have the "inspired" KJV with them. So long as other Christians do not use the KJV, they do not have the truth. To these people, all other Bible versions are corrupt and don't have the the Word of God. They are the only ones who have it because they use the KJV. So they have the truth. Is that so?
Martin Luther, the reformer, did not use the KJV. Did he have the truth of God's Word? What about Christians of other races, like the Indonesians, for example, whose Bibles are in the Indonesian language, do they have the truth of God's Word? What about Christian leaders like John MacArthur who uses ESV or NASB? Is he teaching the truth from God's Word?
Do not fear at all, my brethren! We have the truth of God's Word in other Bible versions and diverse languages. God did not give us one Bible version only, i.e., the KJV, even though we may love this version.
"In the first place, then, let it be said that we believers in the plenary inspiration of the Bible do not hold that the Authorized Version or any other form of the English Bible is inspired. I beg your pardon for saying anything so obvious as that, but, do you know, my friends, it is necessary to say it. There are scarcely any limits to the ignorance which is attributed to us today by people who have never given themselves the trouble to discover what our view really is. Let it be said then very plainly that we do not hold that the Authorized Version or any other form of the English Bible is inspired. We are really quite well aware of the fact that the Bible was written in Hebrew and in Greek. The Authorized Version is a translation from the Hebrew and the Greek. It is a marvelously good translation, but it is not a perfect translation. There are errors in it. The translators were not supernaturally preserved from making mistakes. It is not inspired."
"Is the Bible the Word of God?"
(A quote by J. Gresham Machen taken "The Christian Faith in the Modern World" 1936)
Claim to defend the truth?
VPPers like to see themselves as defenders of the truth. It seems that they see themselves as the only ones who have the perfect and "inspired" Bible (the KJV) and they are defending this Bible version. Anyone who speak against this version is immediately taken to task.
Conclusion
Has not the original B-P Church been defending the truth since the days of Rev. Timothy Tow? We have been taught and we will continue to teach our B-P Church members that God has given to us the inspired, inerrant Word of God in the original autographs. This is VPI (Verbal Plenary Inspiration). We have never heard of VPP which is a new and strange teaching that has infiltrated the B-P Church some years ago. We have defended the truth of God's Word and we will continue to do so. We will defend our flock against this teaching of VPP. That is what the original B-P Church is doing today. So who is the original B-P Church? Are we not the ones?
Rev Tan Eng Boo
Pastor, Grace B-P Church
January 2009
p.s. please read other articles at his website.
A warning from Pastor
I was raised a B-P Church member since 1960 when I first attended Galilee B-P Church in Pasir Panjang. I got to know Rev Timothy Tow at a very young age. I remembered Rev Tow visiting our family when we were living in No. 5 Pasir Panjang Road.
In 1974 the Lord called me into the full-time Christian ministry and I began my theological education in the Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC). I graduated in 1977 and served in Grace B-P Church. I have been in the B-P Church ever since.
I have seen the many good sides of the B-P Church. I have been blessed by her strong doctrinal teachings. FEBC was once a strong school of theology, producing many Bible believing pastors and full-time workers for the church. I am thankful to the Lord for FEBC and her fundamental teachings in those days.
The changes today in the B-P Church
Something has gone terribly wrong with the B-P denomination today. Just about six years ago, a new teaching was introduced into FEBC by some young lecturers. The Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP) teaches that God has preserved certain Greek and Hebrew manuscripts which underline the King James Version (KJV). So these people say that God has given the English speaking world only one Bible, the KJV. To them, the KJV is the "inspired" Bible for the English speaking church. All other versions namely NKJV, NASB, NIV, ESV, etc, are corrupt versions. They will condemn anyone or any church that uses a version other than the KJV. They have even gone to the extreme to say that other Bible versions present a different Jesus from the KJV.
I have never, in all my life, in the B-P Church seen such extreme teaching which had led to church splits, name calling, and the soon to be, public court battle between FEBC and Life B-P Church.
This VPP teaching has been a curse in the B-P Church. Once upon a time, we were all united and growing strong together as a denomination. Today it is a laughing stock to the Christian community in Singapore.
This year especially is bad for the B-P Church as news of both FEBC and Life B-P Church's public court case have been announced in the papers. This is against God's Word. See what the apostle Paul has to say about this matter in 1 Cor. 6: 1- 6
"Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!"
(NKJV)
How could believers who know God's Word do such a thing?
The VPP teaching has not been a blessing to the B-P denomination. Instead it has caused trouble and disunity.
For your information, a large majority of B-P Pastors are not supporting this teaching. We strongly oppose it. Very few B-P Pastors and B-P Churches are for this teaching. They should rightly call themselves the VPP B-P Church and not be confused with those of us who are the original B-P Church.
Churches which are for VPP:
" Calvary-Pandan BPC, Calvary Tengah BPC, Gethsemane BPC, True Life BPC, Truth BPC, Berean BPC
B-P Churches that are not for VPP:
" Life BPC, Olivet BPC, Grace BPC, Shalom BPC, Nazareth BPC, Galilee BPC, Maranatha BPC, Sharon BPC, Gospel Light BPC, Moriah BPC, Emmanuel BPC, Herald BPC, Calvary-Jurong BPC, Eden BPC, Jireh BPC, Macedonia BPC, Sembawang BPC, Zion BPC (Serangoon Gardens and Bishan), Faith BPC, All the Tamil B-P Churches, All the Mountain B-P Churches (i.e., Hebron, Herman, Mt. Carmel BPCs etc).
Be watchful
We live in the last days. The Bible warned of many false teachers coming into the church who will deceive even the elect. And sad to say, many will follow their pernicious way (2 Peter 2: 1-2).
The VPP Traits
We should know that these people are a very combative group.
One of the traits in this group of VPPers is to fight anyone who disagrees with them. The recent and earlier editions of "The Burning Bush", a publication of FEBC, and the writings and the correspondences of some of these advocates of VPPs resonate their argumentative attitude. "The Burning Bush" is targetted to combat non-VPPs. It was once an edifying magazine, but today, it is used to put down B-P pastors and elders who are not supportive of their cause. There is nothing edifying in this magazine which publishes only about VPP.
"The Burning Bush" has also been blasting the newly setup "Asia Seminary for Ministry" (ASM), in which Rev. Goh Seng Fong, Rev. Tan Choon Seng, Rev. Yap Beng Shin, Dn. John Chin and myself are the founding members. "ASM" has been accused of being neo-evangelical and ecumenical.
The aggressive nature of their correspondences in the many emails I have read is unbecoming of a Christian leader.
Split Churches
The issue of VPP creates a huge problem and results in split of Churches. This is witnessed in the States as well as on our own shores. Since the day VPP came to the B-P Church in Singapore, we had seen with our own eyes the problems encountered by Life B-P Church, Calvary-Jurong B-P Church and Calvary-Pandan B-P Church.
A Lack of Love
Another of their trait is the lack of love in dealing with fellow B-P pastors and elders over this issue. To them, this matter of VPP is life and death. If the B-P Pastor or Elder is not supporting them, they are swiftly condemned as neo-evangelicals or neo-fundamentalists. Their names are highlighted in their magazines and church weekly, etc. There is no personal and friendly conversation over how to solve this issue in a loving manner.
Name Calling
They are quick to call anyone who are not for their cause, neo-evangelicals, neo-fundamentalists, ecumenical, etc. They have also labelled fellow B-P pastors as liars. They have published openly the names of Bible colleges, seminaries and gave them such names.
Claim to possess the truth
They claim to have the perfect Bible. They have the "inspired" KJV with them. So long as other Christians do not use the KJV, they do not have the truth. To these people, all other Bible versions are corrupt and don't have the the Word of God. They are the only ones who have it because they use the KJV. So they have the truth. Is that so?
Martin Luther, the reformer, did not use the KJV. Did he have the truth of God's Word? What about Christians of other races, like the Indonesians, for example, whose Bibles are in the Indonesian language, do they have the truth of God's Word? What about Christian leaders like John MacArthur who uses ESV or NASB? Is he teaching the truth from God's Word?
Do not fear at all, my brethren! We have the truth of God's Word in other Bible versions and diverse languages. God did not give us one Bible version only, i.e., the KJV, even though we may love this version.
"In the first place, then, let it be said that we believers in the plenary inspiration of the Bible do not hold that the Authorized Version or any other form of the English Bible is inspired. I beg your pardon for saying anything so obvious as that, but, do you know, my friends, it is necessary to say it. There are scarcely any limits to the ignorance which is attributed to us today by people who have never given themselves the trouble to discover what our view really is. Let it be said then very plainly that we do not hold that the Authorized Version or any other form of the English Bible is inspired. We are really quite well aware of the fact that the Bible was written in Hebrew and in Greek. The Authorized Version is a translation from the Hebrew and the Greek. It is a marvelously good translation, but it is not a perfect translation. There are errors in it. The translators were not supernaturally preserved from making mistakes. It is not inspired."
"Is the Bible the Word of God?"
(A quote by J. Gresham Machen taken "The Christian Faith in the Modern World" 1936)
Claim to defend the truth?
VPPers like to see themselves as defenders of the truth. It seems that they see themselves as the only ones who have the perfect and "inspired" Bible (the KJV) and they are defending this Bible version. Anyone who speak against this version is immediately taken to task.
Conclusion
Has not the original B-P Church been defending the truth since the days of Rev. Timothy Tow? We have been taught and we will continue to teach our B-P Church members that God has given to us the inspired, inerrant Word of God in the original autographs. This is VPI (Verbal Plenary Inspiration). We have never heard of VPP which is a new and strange teaching that has infiltrated the B-P Church some years ago. We have defended the truth of God's Word and we will continue to do so. We will defend our flock against this teaching of VPP. That is what the original B-P Church is doing today. So who is the original B-P Church? Are we not the ones?
Rev Tan Eng Boo
Pastor, Grace B-P Church
January 2009
p.s. please read other articles at his website.
7.2.09
True color
The brown color face brother is good at politic, and the yellow color face brother is good in bussiness, and the black color face is good at philosophy..and the other small brothers have their talents each. They are living in a small long house, so they grumble and grumble, because, their parents did not have enough food, drink and clothing for each of them. Later they separated, and build their own family.
One day I met the black color face brother in the town, he is selling cars in the town this moment, and he smiles to me because he find out that I am sick and weak, he told me, in order to have better life, he said it is better for a man to take more wives, he had 2 wives, and going for the third, he said, more wives, means he can get more services and cares from his wives, and his health is better taken cared by those wives! More wives, he said, longer life. I look at him with a shock. Cultural shock!
Another day, I met with the yellow color face brother, he told me another story, he said, the feng shui teacher and sin sheh in his town, told him, due to the feng shui in the town, the man in this town and the nearest coastal areas are encouraged to take 2 or 3 wives. More wife, more luck, means more money! I look at him with a shame. Cultural shame!
No matter what the color of a snake, to kill a snake, we must strike the head, not the tail, smash the snake's head, the body and tail may continue to move, later it will be stopped. When the head is striked, the snake is finished! No matter how big is the snake, we must strike the head first. Do not just look at the skin color, the vernom is in his feng! Do not just look at the human skin, the evil heart is hidden under his chest, no one know that heart, accept God Himself.
One day I met the black color face brother in the town, he is selling cars in the town this moment, and he smiles to me because he find out that I am sick and weak, he told me, in order to have better life, he said it is better for a man to take more wives, he had 2 wives, and going for the third, he said, more wives, means he can get more services and cares from his wives, and his health is better taken cared by those wives! More wives, he said, longer life. I look at him with a shock. Cultural shock!
Another day, I met with the yellow color face brother, he told me another story, he said, the feng shui teacher and sin sheh in his town, told him, due to the feng shui in the town, the man in this town and the nearest coastal areas are encouraged to take 2 or 3 wives. More wife, more luck, means more money! I look at him with a shame. Cultural shame!
No matter what the color of a snake, to kill a snake, we must strike the head, not the tail, smash the snake's head, the body and tail may continue to move, later it will be stopped. When the head is striked, the snake is finished! No matter how big is the snake, we must strike the head first. Do not just look at the skin color, the vernom is in his feng! Do not just look at the human skin, the evil heart is hidden under his chest, no one know that heart, accept God Himself.
3.2.09
Yes, yes, Yes, 3 times yes!
This is a true story, I heard this, and I am telling you now, once upon a time, there were 3 big brothers in a family, there were other small brothers....
All brothers can speaks the same native language, the first brother is called the "yellow colored face," the second brother called "brown colored face." And the third brother is called the "black colored face."
One day, three of them went to see the head man for favor and asking the head man for helps and protections, the head man likes the brown color faced brother very much, but he dislikes the other colored brothers especially the “yellow colored face”.
The head man summons all three brothers together, and he spoke like this, "We are for peace, we are one family, we must be united, we care for one another, we are fair and just, clean, fast and right, we can, we did, we can do, we will do, we have done...we are good and we are mighty, we are one."
After long lecture with the three brothers, the head man let them went home and promised each of them helps, money, protections and favors.
Silently, the head man ordered all his officers, his armies, his spies, his labor men, the head man said, "If the yellow colored face brother came to ask any thing or any favor from you, you must say, yes, yes, yes, 3 times yes, ok, ok, ok, 3 times OK, but you do not do anything for him or give him anything. Just do nothing."
And then he continue, "If the black colored face brother came to ask any thing or any favor from you, you must say, yes, yes, yes, you said 3 times yes, ok, ok, ok, 3 times ok, but you do not do anything for him or give him anything. Just do nothing."
And the head man continues, 'If the brown colored face brother came to ask any thing or any favor from you, you must say, yes, yes, yes, 3 times yes, ok, ok, ok, 3 times ok, but you must give everything he wanted from you, if he ask any favor from you, you must give him every favor and if he asked any help from you, you must give him every help you can give. Just do everything." The head man asked, "Understand?" The men under him said, "We understood, master!"
This is called the three stooges with different colored faced. It happened here and now, believe it or not? The head man said with a brown greedy face, he said “You asked for it!”
May I know your face color? And what is the color of your heart, darken, brownish, reddish, yellowish? What English version, you are reading! ESV, are you OK or not? Same kind of rice can be fed to hundred races of human, but still they cannot be united, becuase they had diffirent heart and mind. Understood? Even you have a perfect Book, and you will still be quarreling all the time!
All brothers can speaks the same native language, the first brother is called the "yellow colored face," the second brother called "brown colored face." And the third brother is called the "black colored face."
One day, three of them went to see the head man for favor and asking the head man for helps and protections, the head man likes the brown color faced brother very much, but he dislikes the other colored brothers especially the “yellow colored face”.
The head man summons all three brothers together, and he spoke like this, "We are for peace, we are one family, we must be united, we care for one another, we are fair and just, clean, fast and right, we can, we did, we can do, we will do, we have done...we are good and we are mighty, we are one."
After long lecture with the three brothers, the head man let them went home and promised each of them helps, money, protections and favors.
Silently, the head man ordered all his officers, his armies, his spies, his labor men, the head man said, "If the yellow colored face brother came to ask any thing or any favor from you, you must say, yes, yes, yes, 3 times yes, ok, ok, ok, 3 times OK, but you do not do anything for him or give him anything. Just do nothing."
And then he continue, "If the black colored face brother came to ask any thing or any favor from you, you must say, yes, yes, yes, you said 3 times yes, ok, ok, ok, 3 times ok, but you do not do anything for him or give him anything. Just do nothing."
And the head man continues, 'If the brown colored face brother came to ask any thing or any favor from you, you must say, yes, yes, yes, 3 times yes, ok, ok, ok, 3 times ok, but you must give everything he wanted from you, if he ask any favor from you, you must give him every favor and if he asked any help from you, you must give him every help you can give. Just do everything." The head man asked, "Understand?" The men under him said, "We understood, master!"
This is called the three stooges with different colored faced. It happened here and now, believe it or not? The head man said with a brown greedy face, he said “You asked for it!”
May I know your face color? And what is the color of your heart, darken, brownish, reddish, yellowish? What English version, you are reading! ESV, are you OK or not? Same kind of rice can be fed to hundred races of human, but still they cannot be united, becuase they had diffirent heart and mind. Understood? Even you have a perfect Book, and you will still be quarreling all the time!
22.1.09
Test Drive
When we wanted to buy a car, firstly we will do a test drive, careless is if you buy a car you do not like...because you do not do a test drive in the begining.
Do a test drive on yourself and others....
Let other come and test you, see how good you are, and how bad you are, proven you are somebody or no body, in front of God.
We are under a test too, other will drive you like a car, test you, and ride on you like a donkey...until they know in and out, and you are living in a glass house like living in the civil court room.
The lawyers will do test drive on the doctor of theologian this year, so called theologians...see how good they are...testing 1,2,3.
We are under test drive! Do not say, you are depressed, you will be punished for saying this, the tester will oppress you, test you until you give up, and if they do not like you when they had tested you, they will knock you down.
Their medical doctor will say, "if they cannot defeat you, they have to kill you by all mean."
The doctor of theology will say, I have phd, PhD, PHD, I execute you by the sword! You Bth and MDiv!
Do not fear these doctor of theologians. Do a test drive on them, and on the Verbal Plenary Preservation, for more testing method you may visit:
http://www.truth.sg
http://valiantfortruth.tripod.com/id15.html
Balaam was tested by a donkey, the donkey can speak like me too!
From the desk of,
Depression
Legal Action
Quoted from:
http://tnp.sg/printfriendly/0,4139,187013,00.html
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20081217-108546.html
Church sues Bible college directors
It sends writ to college telling them to leave premises
A CHURCH and its affiliated Bible college have gone to court after they fell out over each other's interpretation of a particular doctrine.
By Arul John
17 December 2008
A CHURCH and its affiliated Bible college have gone to court after they fell out over each other's interpretation of a particular doctrine.
Life Bible-Presbyterian Church (Life BPC) is suing the board of directors of the Far Eastern Bible College to stop what it considers to be deviant Bible teachings and to leave their current location.
In response, the directors of the college have stated that it is an independent organisation with its own rules and regulations and does not have to follow instructions from the church.
They also claim that the college is entitled to operate on its current site as it is among the trustees of the site.
Since it was founded in 1962, the college has operated with the support of the church.
Both are on a plot of land owned by the church on Gilstead Road, near Newton Circus.
The church issued a writ of summons against the board of the college in September and a pre-trial conference was held on 12 Nov.
Lawyer Ang Cheng Hock, who is representing the college, said another pre-trial conference is to be held soon.
The case focuses on how each party interprets a doctrine relating to the Bible.
This doctrine, known as Verbal Plenary Preservation, is at the centre of the conflict.
According to Bible study websites, this refers to the belief that God has preserved, down to the last detail, all of Scripture without any loss of the original words, prophecies, promises, commandments, doctrines, and truths.
Only one version
Believers in the doctrine use only the King James version of the Bible because they believe it exactly replicates the original books of the Bible.
They deny the accuracy of other English versions of the Bible.
According to a Lianhe Zaobao report on 11 Nov, Dr Jeffrey Khoo, one of the respondents in the writ and a lecturer at the college, started propagating an extreme view of the doctrine at the college in 2002.
This view was unacceptable to the church, and some other lecturers who disagreed with the extreme version resigned.
Another respondent in the writ, Rev (Dr) Timothy Tow, founded the church in 1950.
After resigning in 2003, Rev Tow, who is also a lecturer at the college, founded another church called True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church.
In January 2004, the True Life church registered the college as a charity organisation without Life BPC's knowledge.
On 8 Nov 2005, the elders of Life BPC stated that they had earlier agreed to bear with the doctrinal differences for the sake of church harmony and 'greater benefit of the Christian belief' as long as the college agreed not to use the church's premises to push its agenda.
If it did, the elders said they would ask the college to leave the Gilstead Road premises.
In July last year, Life BPC stopped the college from having free use of its premises, saying the college was no longer linked to it as it was now a charity organisation.
In March this year, the church wrote to the college board telling it to leave the Gilstead Road site by the end of June.
When the board did not move, the church took legal action.
Life BPC claims the college has deviated from the role that the church originally planned for it because of its extreme view of the Verbal Plenary Preservation doctrine.
The college board has appealed to the church to respect an agreement made between the two in 1970 which allowed both groups joint trusteeship of the site where the college building sits.
When contacted, both parties declined to comment as the case is before the courts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn. No. 198402868E. All rights reserved.
Privacy Statement and Conditions of Access
http://tnp.sg/printfriendly/0,4139,187013,00.html
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20081217-108546.html
Church sues Bible college directors
It sends writ to college telling them to leave premises
A CHURCH and its affiliated Bible college have gone to court after they fell out over each other's interpretation of a particular doctrine.
By Arul John
17 December 2008
A CHURCH and its affiliated Bible college have gone to court after they fell out over each other's interpretation of a particular doctrine.
Life Bible-Presbyterian Church (Life BPC) is suing the board of directors of the Far Eastern Bible College to stop what it considers to be deviant Bible teachings and to leave their current location.
In response, the directors of the college have stated that it is an independent organisation with its own rules and regulations and does not have to follow instructions from the church.
They also claim that the college is entitled to operate on its current site as it is among the trustees of the site.
Since it was founded in 1962, the college has operated with the support of the church.
Both are on a plot of land owned by the church on Gilstead Road, near Newton Circus.
The church issued a writ of summons against the board of the college in September and a pre-trial conference was held on 12 Nov.
Lawyer Ang Cheng Hock, who is representing the college, said another pre-trial conference is to be held soon.
The case focuses on how each party interprets a doctrine relating to the Bible.
This doctrine, known as Verbal Plenary Preservation, is at the centre of the conflict.
According to Bible study websites, this refers to the belief that God has preserved, down to the last detail, all of Scripture without any loss of the original words, prophecies, promises, commandments, doctrines, and truths.
Only one version
Believers in the doctrine use only the King James version of the Bible because they believe it exactly replicates the original books of the Bible.
They deny the accuracy of other English versions of the Bible.
According to a Lianhe Zaobao report on 11 Nov, Dr Jeffrey Khoo, one of the respondents in the writ and a lecturer at the college, started propagating an extreme view of the doctrine at the college in 2002.
This view was unacceptable to the church, and some other lecturers who disagreed with the extreme version resigned.
Another respondent in the writ, Rev (Dr) Timothy Tow, founded the church in 1950.
After resigning in 2003, Rev Tow, who is also a lecturer at the college, founded another church called True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church.
In January 2004, the True Life church registered the college as a charity organisation without Life BPC's knowledge.
On 8 Nov 2005, the elders of Life BPC stated that they had earlier agreed to bear with the doctrinal differences for the sake of church harmony and 'greater benefit of the Christian belief' as long as the college agreed not to use the church's premises to push its agenda.
If it did, the elders said they would ask the college to leave the Gilstead Road premises.
In July last year, Life BPC stopped the college from having free use of its premises, saying the college was no longer linked to it as it was now a charity organisation.
In March this year, the church wrote to the college board telling it to leave the Gilstead Road site by the end of June.
When the board did not move, the church took legal action.
Life BPC claims the college has deviated from the role that the church originally planned for it because of its extreme view of the Verbal Plenary Preservation doctrine.
The college board has appealed to the church to respect an agreement made between the two in 1970 which allowed both groups joint trusteeship of the site where the college building sits.
When contacted, both parties declined to comment as the case is before the courts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn. No. 198402868E. All rights reserved.
Privacy Statement and Conditions of Access
20.1.09
Lawyer saluted!
I read somewhere in the blog space, talking about the VPP, in the civil court, in Singapore, the blogger wrote...there is a man with a Bible in his hand, and there is another man with a Bible in his hand, they had read the Bible for so many years, and here they are going to the civil court to settle their quarrels, the blogger said it is very sad to see this thing happened, the Bible in their hands cannot settle their quarrels, are the lawyers better than pastors in settling church problems? The law books are better than their perfect Bible? The court room is better than their church? Who will win the case, and who will be glorified in the end?
18.1.09
Pastor
When I was a child, i heard father scolded his children as rascal, i am very afraid to hear that word, but it was said again and again, until it shoot in my young brain, unforgettable word until I die?
When I was young, i heard many a time, when people were quarreling, they like to use this word, "bastard" to scold one another. I was too young to understand the meaning this word. I understood this is not a good word to use in our conversation.
When i was older I heard this word again, this time, it was being used by the unbeliever to call a pastor, as "bastard" sound familiar with "pastor", listen carefully, you may cut into your hearts and ears. The highly educated men like to tease those young pastors in South East Asia, calling them "bastard!" Instead of "pastor," they called them "bastard" Insulting their parents! Even insulting their God the Father in heaven!
The words "bastard" (or "bastardy") are widely considered pejorative, especially because of their informal meanings, which refer to people thought to be obnoxious. However, these words were always considered offensive, even before the informal meaning came out. In informal terms, the word "whoreson" is used as an abusive term for only men thought to be vicious. A bastard could not be ordained as a priest.
And I heard many years ago, a Christian old pastor called another young pastor as "poster," teasing him for not performing well in life and character. Maybe too much insulin injected in the old pastor's blood vain! He lost control of his tongue!
But the Chinese like to use good and nice words during the Chinese New Year, they say "Kong Hi Fa Cai, wan xi ru yi" wishing one another for more prosperity and well being.
How about Chinese Christians, how do you call your friend and brother in Christ! How about calling our pastor as "father?" Forbid to call anyone as bastard, in and out of the church during the new year.
Say, "grace and peace to you?"
When I was young, i heard many a time, when people were quarreling, they like to use this word, "bastard" to scold one another. I was too young to understand the meaning this word. I understood this is not a good word to use in our conversation.
When i was older I heard this word again, this time, it was being used by the unbeliever to call a pastor, as "bastard" sound familiar with "pastor", listen carefully, you may cut into your hearts and ears. The highly educated men like to tease those young pastors in South East Asia, calling them "bastard!" Instead of "pastor," they called them "bastard" Insulting their parents! Even insulting their God the Father in heaven!
The words "bastard" (or "bastardy") are widely considered pejorative, especially because of their informal meanings, which refer to people thought to be obnoxious. However, these words were always considered offensive, even before the informal meaning came out. In informal terms, the word "whoreson" is used as an abusive term for only men thought to be vicious. A bastard could not be ordained as a priest.
And I heard many years ago, a Christian old pastor called another young pastor as "poster," teasing him for not performing well in life and character. Maybe too much insulin injected in the old pastor's blood vain! He lost control of his tongue!
But the Chinese like to use good and nice words during the Chinese New Year, they say "Kong Hi Fa Cai, wan xi ru yi" wishing one another for more prosperity and well being.
How about Chinese Christians, how do you call your friend and brother in Christ! How about calling our pastor as "father?" Forbid to call anyone as bastard, in and out of the church during the new year.
Say, "grace and peace to you?"
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