A Christian think tank formed by the National Council of Churches of Singapore, Trinity Theological College and The Bible Society of Singapore.
February 2019 Feature Article
Inter-Religious Dialogue: Compromise of Faith or Expression of Conviction?
By Dr Leow Theng Huat
In recent years, I have had the opportunity to engage in several inter-faith activities, often as a representative of the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS). A few well-meaning Christians have privately expressed to me the discomfort they feel: Was I compromising my Christian faith by participating in these activities? This concern stems from a particular perception of inter-religious dialogue, one based on a model promoted, perhaps most prominently, by the philosopher of religion John Hick. Hick teaches that the major world religions all point to the same reality, which the various religions have described using different terms (e.g. “God”, “heaven”, “nirvana”). In the end, “all roads lead to Rome”, and we end up at the same destination, whichever religious path we follow.
February 2019 Credo
Is Jesus God? A Historical Evaluation Concerning the Deity of Christ
By Dr Andrew Loke
Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most significant and controversial figures of human civilization, and billions of people throughout history have regarded him as divine. But where did this astonishing idea come from? How did a human Jewish preacher come to be regarded as God?
Option #1: Jesus was divinized during the time of Constantine in the fourth century; the New Testament we read today—which claims that Jesus was divine (e.g. John 20:28-29)—have been significantly changed from the originals in the first century.
February 2019 Pulse
Descent into Barbarity
By Dr Roland Chia
Last month, Democrats in New York passed a bill that allowed women to abort their infant for any reason and at any point of pregnancy up to the moment of birth.
‘A standing ovation for abortion?’, writes Ashely McGuire in USA Today. ‘That’s what New York’s Reproductive Health Act got in the Senate chamber when it passed last week. Lawmakers and bystanders stood and applauded a law that legalized abortion all the way up until birth, for any reason.’
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Every month the ETHOS Institute publishes five articles on a variety of topics on its website. These articles have attracted many readers who find them informative and engaging.
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Yours sincerely in Christ,
Dr Roland Chia
Theological and Research Advisor
ETHOS Institute for Public Christianity
TESTIMONIES
... your writings and works have built up many aspects of my interior foundation as relating to God’s words and also the meaning of being a Christian.
The article “Divine Genocide” is extremely helpful and insightful to aid me in my understanding regarding Joshua 's 'brutal' military actions against the Canaanites - in relation to the 'occasional' and 'general' command. Something I will share with my cell members tomorrow evening.
Very interesting topics and relevant issues in today’s generation.
Excellent overview of ideas and views from all sides of the debate.
Upcoming Events
- 20 Mar 2019: ETHOS Conversation 2019 : Nurturing the Future Generation
Panelists: Mr Desmond Lee (Minister of Social and Family Development) & Rev Christopher Chia (Senior Pastor/Moderator from Adam Road Presbyterian Church)
Venue: Bible House, Level 5
Time: 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Click here for registration details.
- 7 May 2019: The Threat of Transnational Terrorism to Southeast Asia: A Christian Response
Speaker: A/Prof Kumar Ramakrishna from S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University
Venue: Bible House
Time: 7.30pm - 9pm
More details coming soon.
- 28 Sep 2019: Seminaries Conference 2019 : Dei Verbum: The Bible in Church and Society
Speakers: Dr Lee Chee-Chiew (SBC), Dr Lai Pak Wah (BGST), Dr Daniel Wu (BTS) and Dr Lewis
Winkler (EAST)
Venue: Bible House
Time: 9am – 5pm
More details coming soon.
- 24 Oct 2019: Annual ETHOS Lecture 2019 : The Internet Age and Plastic Self: Reshaping Personal Identity through Christian Practice
Speaker: Rev Dr Simon Chan from Trinity Theological College
Venue: Bible House
Time: 7.30pm – 9pm
More details coming soon.