Soundings
The Lutheran Tradition
The term ‘Lutheran’ refers to the teachings and practices associated with Martin Luther and the reforms he initiated MOST HISTORIANS OF WESTERN CHRISTIANITY would mark Oct 31, 1517 as the beginning of the great intellectual and religious movement called the Protestant Reformation. On that fateful day, Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk posted his famous Ninety-Five Theses on […]
Think
Video games are not necessarily bad for kids: It’s all about balance
WE MAKE MANY ASSUMPTIONS about video games, which can influence the way we view our children’s involvement with them. Some parents ban games altogether as “evil”. Others let their kids have a free run because they think of games as “harmless”.
Think
Obligatory behaviour is a Christian value
WORD FROM THE EDITOR WE ARE OFTEN OBLIGED TO ACT in ways which are not directly or materially beneficial, but are morally and socially desirable behaviours. Many of them can be traced to long-held values derived from a variety of sources. One of them is derived from the notion held in European tradition that noble […]
Film / Book Reviews
A spiritual doctor’s prescription for Singapore Christians
“ This book has the power, unlike so many other books, to take you beyond mere Christian sentimentality and teach you something of eternal value.” From Ear to Heart – Sermons on Spiritual Formation Author: Bishop Dr Robert Solomon. Edited by Tong Suit Chee Published by: Graduates’ Christian Fellowship 180 pages, $15 Available […]
Soundings
How Christians can contribute to society
Can politics be separated from religion, according to the Christian perspective? Can politics be separated from religion, according to the Christian perspective? THE SEPARATION OF RELIGION FROM POLITICS, resulting in the notion of “private religion”, is the outcome of the secularism associated with the 18th century European Enlightenment. Before that time, religion was always a […]
Soundings
Evangelical Free Church began in Scandinavia
THE EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH is a Christian denomination that traces its roots to the 16th century Protestant Reformation in Europe. In its concrete historical form this denomination began in the Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Norway and Denmark and later spread to America and Canada. The Evangelical Free Church therefore is broadly located within the theological and […]
Think
Giving space to our teens
“WHEN MY TEENAGER IS ASLEEP, I check his mobile phone to see who and what he has been messaging.” Sounds familiar? Or perhaps it’s trying to enter their Facebook or reading their diaries … maybe these thoughts have crossed your minds or you may even plead guilty. I’m sure as parents of teens we […]
Think
Respect builds up people and nation
WORD FROM THE EDITOR CHINESE NEW YEAR’S DAY, also known as chun jie or Spring Festival in China and to Chinese emigrants in all parts of the world, falls on Feb 14 this year. As Chinese everywhere, including ethnic Chinese worshipping in our churches in Singapore, celebrate this major Chinese festival, it is perhaps timely […]
Soundings
Every Christian must submit himself to the governing authorities
How should Christians understand the meaning and responsibilities of citizenship? THE WEBSTER DICTIONARY defines a citizen as “an inhabitant of a city or a town, a member of a country, native or naturalised, having rights and owing allegiance”. Broadly speaking, therefore, citizenship has to do with the relationship between an individual and a community. In […]
Think
HOW TIME FLIES!
WORD FROM THE EDITOR THE EXPRESSION “time flies” is atranslation of the Latin tempus fugit, and is no stranger to all who live in this age of speed. We live in a global culture where virtually everything must be done as speedily as possible, and if possible, instantly. To help achieve the virtually impossible, we have […]
Soundings
The Church of the Brethren
The Church of the Brethren THE ORIGINS OF THE BRETHREN MOVEMENT can be traced to 18th century Germany. The draconian control that the government of the day exercised over the established church and the little tolerance for religious diversity had driven some dissenters to take refuge in the German town of Schwarzenau. There these non-conformists […]
Think
A NEW CHRISTMAS CAROL
WORD FROM THE EDITOR “BAH! HUMBUG!” Those familiar with Charles Dickens’ tale of Ebenezer Scrooge will understand the emotions behind his savage outburst at the carollers. His very name has become synonymous with meanness and greed. Visited by ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come, it was the last who terrified […]
Soundings
Secularism asserting its superiority to the religious traditions
How should Christians respond to the growing influence of secularism? THE WORD “SECULAR” comes from the Latin saecularis which means of an age or of a generation. This term points to concern for this world and for the affairs of our time as opposed to other-worldly concerns. Traditionally, the term secular has a negative connotation in […]
Young Voices
Encounters with God: He is real
I AM JILL KOH, 17, a Year 1 student in Catholic Junior College. I serve in the Youth Ministry of Trinity Methodist Church (TMC) as a youth group leader as well as a drummer in the youth worship team. This year, I will also be leading a group of youths to Cambodia for our annual […]
