My confession: Comparing the requests of Moses and Solomon and the Presence of God

 

Due to recent departures in my department and changes in my family, I can see a rapid increased in workload before me. As I prayed, I wondered what I should ask from God. 

Should I asked for strength to meet the challenges, or a reduced commitments?

At first I referred to what King Solomon asked for:

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant David my father, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward you. And you have kept for him this great and steadfast love and have given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?”

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” - 1 Kings 3: 5-14, ESV

Ordinarily, I would have asked for wisdom and discernment to prioritize what is right and important. However, in a recent sermon on the presence of God by Pastor Francis Chan, I changed my perspective.

Moses said to the Lord, “See, you say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.” And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people? Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct, I and your people, from every other people on the face of the earth?”

And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” - Exodus 33: 12 -17, ESV

Moses had simply asked for God to accompany him through the journey to the Promised Land. He stated in "if your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here." (Exodus 33:15).

And I realised I want the same thing. Even if I relied on renewed intelligence and wisdom, I am prone to folly and flaws and sin. So this is what I pray for - for God to be with my family and I, till the end of time.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.  -- Psalms 23:4

My Confession: My reflection on Job 11

 

I continue my reflections on Job.

Zophar's retort
Zophar, Job's friend, simply state that Job deserves much worse than what Job was facing now. Bear in mind that Job has lost his children and wealth, and was suffering from sores.

For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure,
    and I am clean in God's eyes.’
 But oh, that God would speak
    and open his lips to you,
 and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom!
    For he is manifold in understanding.
Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves. -- Job 11: 4-6

He continues, stating that God's reasoning is higher than Job's.

Can you find out the deep things of God?
    Can you find out the limit of the Almighty?
 It is higher than heaven —what can you do?
    Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? -- Job 11: 7-8

His solution for Job was to therefore turn to God and confess his sins.

If you prepare your heart,
    you will stretch out your hands toward him.
If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away,
    and let not injustice dwell in your tents.
 Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish;
    you will be secure and will not fear.  -- Job 11: 13-15

Zophar's theology assumes the guilt of Job
What is worrying is that we can fall into the trap of fallacy of correlation thinking. If Job is suffering, he must have committed some great sin. In fact, Job deserves much worse in Zophar's eyes. If only Job would confess admit his guilt, then God would restore Job.

However, at no point of time has Job's guilt been clearly pointed out. Zophar just assumes and asserts it. While Zophar is mainly correct in the nature of God (his omniscience, omnipotence and omnibenevolence), he was too hasty in condemning Job.

What I can learn from Job 11
Often, I too can commit the errors of Zophar by assuming someone's guilt before I even have the details. 

In the words of the Apostle James,

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. -- James 1: 19 -20

Theology 1.0: How did Christianity arrive in India?

 

An exhibit from the Indian Heritage Centre

India is one of the most populous countries in the world. Approximately 26 million of Indians profess the Christian faith (in 2011), which makes up about 2-3% of the population.

So how did Christianity first appear in India?

Earliest speculation
The first written record about Christians in India was in the 4th century document called Church History. Written by Eusebius of Caesarea (a Bishop), he stated that Saint Bartholomew (one of the twelve apostles) travelled to India for mission work after Jesus's death.

If true, then than Christianity might first arrived in India shortly after 30 AD. However, there is few supporting evidence that Saint Bartholomew did so.

In another tradition, St Thomas Christians of India claimed that Saint Thomas (another of the twelve apostles) came to the southwestern Indian state of Kerala in 52 AD and spread the gospel until his martyrdom in Chennai in 72 AD.

Stronger claims
Nevertheless, the first strong evidence of Christianity in India came as early in the 2nd Century. Saint Pantaenus (a Christian philosopher) travelled to India in about 180 AD, and found Christians in Kerala. The Indian Christians were using the Gospel of Matthew in Hebrew letters. This hinted that Syriac-speaking Christians (who used a Hebrew script) had somehow evangelised to the Indians before Pantaenus's arrival.

Conclusion
It is hard to confirm when Christianity arrived in India. Nevertheless, Christians should continue to pray for growth of Christianity worldwide.

Alternative Culture: 2023 Gaza-Israel War and the responses of Christian organisations

Rockets fired from Gaza, photograph taken 7 October

Recently, Israel experienced wide-scale attacks from the neighbouring territory of Gaza. Led by the Islamic Palestinian organisation Hamas, the attackers launched operations over land, sea and air. As of 8 October 2023, about 600 Israelis have been killed and thousands wounded.

In response, Israel described this as a "war", and bombed Gaza after warning of a revenge strike,. This retaliation killed abut 370 people.

In this post, I want to briefly summarised how Christian organisations have responded in this crisis.

Responses from Christians
As with any wars, there is a tendency to be partitioned in the support. Certain Christian organisations, like Christianity Today is explicit in its support for Israel. This is unsurprising as there are calls by Muslim leaders to support Hamas based on religious brotherhood alone.

Nevertheless, majority of the Christians I see are praying for a quick end to the bloodshed, with most condemning the killing of innocents. Both the Pope and the Latin Patriarch of Jersualem (Roman Catholic leader of Jerusalem) called for descalation. The Patriarch's official statement is here.

The Archbishops of York and Canterbury have called for restraint and a quick path to peace. The Lutheran World Federation also called for international efforts for a swift ceasefire.

Despite differing attitudes with regards to the methods of peace, it is obvious that we should desire a peaceful outcome. As Jesus said,

Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
 Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
 Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.  -- Matthew 5: 7-9

Alternative Culture: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once and Always - Theological review

The long-awaited reunion? Sort of...

Early this year, I managed to catch the long-awaited 30th anniversary reunion film of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. I remembered watching the series in my childhood, and enjoyed the cheesy and action scenes.

Thus I leapt at the chance to see my childhood heroes again. And of course, a theological review follows.

Synopsis
The 2023 movie starts with the resurrection of a classic villain, Rita Repulsa. This time, she is partially mechanical and is thus dubbed "Robo-Rita". She caps off her return by killing the Yellow Ranger Trini, leading to her daughter Minh being an orphan. The Black Ranger Zach and the Blue Ranger Billy then step up raise Minh. 

A year later, the Rangers are ambushed at Trini's death anniversary but are ambushed by Rita. She captures the Pink Ranger Kimberly, the Green Ranger Tommy and the Red Ranger Jason. The remaining heroes retreat, and call in the reserve Rangers for help. Rocky and Kat come in as the replacements for the Red and Pink Ranger respectively.

After a heart-to-heart talk with Minh, the Rangers induct Minh as the new Yellow Ranger. Together they defeat Rita and free the captured Rangers.

What the film does well
The film captures the feel of the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers in its cheesy dialogue and action scenes. The film also takes into account continuity, noting that Kat and Tommy were in a relationship prior to the movie and that Rocky finally managed to pull of a difficult action move (that he originally failed in the TV series).

The film also handles the death of Trini respectful (original actress Thuy Trang died in a car accident in 2001) and her replacement by her onscreen daughter Minh (Charlize "Charlie" Kersh).

It was also good to see the reserve Rangers come back. In addition to Rocky and Kat, Aisha and Adam (who were the second Yellow and Black Rangers respectively) made an appearance.

Minh receives news of her mother's death

What the film does poorly
As we all expect from reunion films, some were done a little too late. Some of the actors and actress were not able to maintain a reasonable physique for an action role. Others were unavailable to return for various reasons.

Amy Jo Johnson who was the original Pink Ranger Kimberly felt that she was out of the acting game for too long and did not return.
Jason David Frank (who was the original Green Ranger Tommy) rejected the return citing "broken promises" and "lies". He committed suicide in November 2022 just as filming wrapped up.
Austin St John (who was the original Red Ranger Jason) was indicted in 2022, and was thus not allowed to leave Texas for filming.

That left only two of the original six Rangers available for the reunion.

Actors Walter Jones (Black Ranger) and David Yost (Blue Ranger) are the only original Rangers to return

 The other issue was the mixed messaging given by the movie. For instance, Billy warns Minh in a scene against taking the lives of their enemies and living for revenge. Yet late in the movie, the Power Rangers literally perform lethal moves in front of her. 

Furthermore, Zack and Billy regularly reminds Minh of their  responsibilities of adults and her guardians, but the issue of them finding Minh's father (or addressing his absence) is never addressed.

What can Christians learn from reunion films?
First off, it is blatantly obvious that our time on earth is finite. We should not delay in doing the stuff we ought to do, whether it is reuniting with friends or making peace with past grudges.

What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. - 1 Corinthians 7: 29 -31

Thus, in the light of this, it is important to prepare our successors well before we leave. This may include the deliberate mentoring or training our successors, or having children to continue our legacy.

When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.

“I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go and that the Lord may keep his promise to me: ‘If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’ - 1 Kings 2: 1- 3

Lastly for the Christians, our final reunion is not on earth, but in heaven. God has promised that we will all meet each other again in the final age.

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. - 1 Thessalonians 4:17

My Confession: My reflection on Job 9-10

 

I continue my reflections on Job.

Synopsis
After Bildad's simplification of God's justice in Job 8, Job expressed his understanding that it is impossible to show your innocence in the light of God's power and wisdom.

Then Job replied:
“Indeed, I know that this is true.
    But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God?
 Though they wished to dispute with him,
    they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.
 His wisdom is profound, his power is vast.
    Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?" - Job 9:1-4

Yet Job maintains his innocence.

“Although I am blameless,
    I have no concern for myself;
    I despise my own life." - Job 9: 21

In addition, there is no point repenting because he has already been deemed guilty and he has no way of addressing his charges.

"If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint,
    I will change my expression, and smile,’
I still dread all my sufferings,
    for I know you will not hold me innocent.
 Since I am already found guilty,
    why should I struggle in vain?" - Job 9:27-29

“He is not a mere mortal like me that I might answer him,
    that we might confront each other in court.
 If only there were someone to mediate between us,
    someone to bring us together,
 someone to remove God’s rod from me,
    so that his terror would frighten me no more" - Job 9: 32-35

Job therefore chooses to complain. He questions God, on why Job was born and then made to suffer.

“I loathe my very life;
    therefore I will give free rein to my complaint
    and speak out in the bitterness of my soul." - Job 10:1

“Your hands shaped me and made me. 
    Will you now turn and destroy me?
 Remember that you molded me like clay.
    Will you now turn me to dust again?" - Job 10: 8-9

Job also demands an answer to whether he is guilty or innocent. He also recognsied that there is no apparent difference between his fate whether he had sinned or not.

"If I am guilty—woe to me!
    Even if I am innocent, I cannot lift my head,
for I am full of shame
    and drowned in my affliction." - Job 10: 15

Reflections
What strikes me is that Job did not take the easy way out and just agree with his friends. To Him, God is a living all-powerful entity. He did not want to pay lip-service to God and suffer in silence over his innocence.

He also brings up an important message - what is the point of being innocent or guilty if the result is the same? Yet Job rightly points out that he has no entitlements; God does not have to answer his demand for a mediation.

Thus in a way, Job respects God's demand for authenticity (by being honest) and respect (by recognizing his status with God).

It would be easier if you were just a thought in my head
Simply something that I once read
A belief needing my defense

And it would be easier if you were something I once knew
A hope just to hold on to
But you're holding out your hands -- Tenth Avenue North (from the song The Truth Is Who You Are)

Alternative Culture: A theological view of recent moral scandals of Singapore politicians

 

According to Arthurian legends, the illicit affair between Lancelot and Queen Guinevere led to fall of Camelot and King Arthur. This screenshot is from the game Pendragon.

Recently, my country Singapore has been hit by a wave of scandals. These incidents involved Transport Minister S Iswaran, Speaker of House Tan Chuan-Jin, Member of Parliament Cheng Li Hui, Member of Parliament Leon Perera, and senior member of the Workers' Party, Nicole Seah. 

The purpose of this post is to provide a theological view of the incidents. I am not here to give a political analysis or probe into their personal lives. I will also not be speculating on the character of those involved. For a factual view, I attached links from Channel News Asia in the first paragraph.

Here are my theological reflections:

These incidents are not unique or as rare as we think
This is definitely not the first time such scandals had arose from positions of power. In 2012, Speaker of the House Michael Palmer was also caught in an affair and resigned his post. American President Bill Clinton used his position of influence to have an sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky. Even in Biblical times, King David (paragon of faith) had an affair with a married woman.

One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her. (Now she was purifying herself from her monthly uncleanness.) Then she went back home. The woman conceived and sent word to David, saying, “I am pregnant.” - 2 Samuel 11: 2-5

As Canadian businessman Stewart Butterfield noted "It [Power] makes you more than who you already were.". In other words, being in positions of power increases the resources and opportunities to sin. Power amplifies our flaws.

A common theme in the Soul Calibur fighting game series is the corrupting influence of power.

We should use such incidents to reflect and repent of our own sins

Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
- Luke 13:2-3

While it is tempting to join the bandwagon and condemned moral failures, we must be on guard for our own potential failures. If we are being honest with ourselves, we all are 2-3 small mistakes from our moral atrocities made public.

Prior to controversy, Tan Chuan Jin claimed that he had to be even more vigilant as a Christian in public office because his "own vanity, ego, social pressures and expectations" are now in the open. This is echoed in the Casting Crown song, Slow Fade, warning on how easy it is to slip into sin if we are not careful.

For the Christian, these incidents are reminder to remember how much we need Jesus.