Soundings

An ambassador is an official envoy of a country, tasked with representing it by speaking on its behalf and promoting its interests. Paul uses this concept to illustrate the mission of Christians, who are called to represent their Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, through both words and actions.

We live in a culture which, despite its obsessive preoccupation with identity, is suffering from an acute case of identity crisis. In this chaos and confusion about identities that plague the postmodern world, how are Christians to think of their own identity?

In a speech delivered at the launch of National Family Week at Suntec Convention Centre on 4 June 2022, then-Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong, articulated the Singapore government's unwavering commitment to support the family in these memorable words

How does the Church go beyond an attitude of inclusion, and ensure those with disabilities and special needs have a sense of belonging?

It is said that the birth of the modern and postmodern era has resulted in the demise of many concepts and ideals that were once cherished. While this phenomenon is witnessed in many aspects of culture, it is arguably most discernible in the realm of morality.

There is perhaps no better time to examine our priorities than at the beginning of a brand new year. Since ancient times, such an exercise has been deemed beneficial, as clearly articulated in the dictum attributed to Socrates that "the unexamined life is not worth living".

As Christians all over the globe celebrate Christmas this year, they do so in a world that is in turmoil, with many parts gripped by violence and scarred by unconscionable atrocities.

The topic of good stewardship prompts me to reflect on an important aspect of stewardship that has suffered some neglect: the stewardship of the truth that the Church has received from God through his Word.

One of the most distinctive contributions of Roman Catholic moral theology is the enumeration of what is now known as the "seven deadly sins". The origins of the list can be traced to Pope Gregory I (540–604), although it was later developed by the great 13th century medieval theologian, Thomas Aquinas.

The theme that the editors of the Methodist Message have assigned for this issue, "The Sphere of the Church", provides an opportunity to discuss a phenomenon that is becoming more pervasive in evangelical churches in the United States, and which is just beginning to influence some churches in Singapore.

What does it mean to love one's country and one's nation? Does it mean that we should never criticise the state?

Even a cursory glance at the plethora of articles on online news media platforms will show just how much attention artificial intelligence (AI) technology and its impact on society has been receiving of late. Enthusiasts are predictably sanguine about the advance of AI and the way in which it will change the world for the better.