A Christian think tank formed by the National Council of Churches of Singapore, Trinity Theological College and The Bible Society of Singapore.
April 2019 Feature Article
Towards an Ethos of Responsibility in Southeast Asia
Dr Tan See Seng
Are member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) accountable actors that care and provide for their own peoples and societies? Do they conduct themselves in ways that reflect a felt sense of obligation toward their neighbours? In a word, are ASEAN countries hospitable, are they responsible?
The violence perpetrated against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar’s Rakhine State by their own government, and the tepid responses of many ASEAN countries toward Myanmar vis-à-vis the resulting refugee crisis, appear to suggest otherwise. Indeed, the Rohingya crisis, some would say, is but the latest in a long litany of travesties in the region. They are rendered the more tragic, so critics have contended, because of the apparent refusal by countries to protect not only their own populations, but those of their neighbours, from plights and tribulations whether natural or manmade.
April 2019 Credo
Science and Theology as Analogous Research Programmes
Dr Ng Kam Weng
Richard Dawkins, the famous British atheist, famously asserts that since science works, it must be true and we must believe what it says. If Christianity clashes with science, so much the worse for Christianity. For this reason, some college students are persuaded to abandon their Christian faith once they conclude that it has been discredited by science.
The perception that science has discredited Christianity is based on two assumptions. First, the results of science are empirically verified and indubitable in contrast to the unverifiable claims of Christianity. Second, Christianity not only lacks explanatory power; it is in conflict with the empirical findings of science. For example, God becomes redundant once evolution explains the origins of species and inflationary cosmology explains the origin of the multiverse. We are reminded of the famous incident when Napoleon Bonaparte questioned Pierre Laplace why his large book on cosmology never mentioned the Creator, to which Laplace retorted, “I had no need of that hypothesis.”
April 2019 Pulse
An Anatomy of Hate Speech
Dr Roland Chia
On 19 March 2019, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam disclosed that there are plans to conduct a ‘proper debate’ in Parliament on issues such as race, religion and hate speech. This announcement came in the wake of the horrific shootings in two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, which claimed the lives of 50 Muslims. A 28-year-old Australian man, whom media describe as a white supremacist and a member of the ‘Alt-right’, is responsible for the brutal massacres.
Minister Shanmugam states that tough laws must be put in place to tackle and curb hate speech, but rightly emphasises that this must be the work of everyone in society. ‘So, we have been (actively working on), and we have to continue to actively work on, bringing people together. Without that, it will not work. Who is the we? It is all of you. Every community, every group, every religious leader and, of course, the Government. All working together to achieve this.’
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Dear Readers,
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
Very well and needfully stated, Dr Leow (Theng Huat). Exactly the very same concern I have deep in me.
... 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
- 25 Apr 2019: ETHOS Forum: Religion in the Public and Private Spheres
Panelists: Dr Mathew Mathews, Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon and Dr Goh Wei Leong
Venue: Trinity Theological College
Time: 7.30pm to 9.30pm
Click here for details and registration.
- 7 May 2019: ETHOS Lecture: 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
Click here for details and registration. - 16 July 2019: ETHOS Lecture - Trinitarian Ethics: Implications for Christian Formation
Speaker: Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon
Venue: Bible House
Time: 7.30pm - 9pm
More details coming soon. - 5 September 2019: ETHOS Lecture - The Old Testament as Asian Contextual Theology
Speaker: Rev Dr Jerry Hwang, Singapore Bible College
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: ETHOS Annual 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.