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In Touch May 2006
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VOL 27 NO 3 • SY 2005-2006
PRINTED MATTER
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Asian Theological Seminary
QCCPO BOX 1454-1154
1102 Quezon City Philippines
Registration:Registration: June 15-17 (Thursday-Saturday) June 15-17 (Thursday-Saturday)
Classes Begin:Classes Begin: June 19 (Monday) June 19 (Monday)
FOR NEW STUDENTSFOR NEW STUDENTSEntrance Exam Dates:Entrance Exam Dates:
May 8, 29 and June 3 May 8, 29 and June 3Entrance Exam Fee:Entrance Exam Fee:
Php500.00 Php500.00Requirements:Requirements:• Transcript of Records • Transcript of Records (Certified True Copy)(Certified True Copy)• Passed the entrance exam• Passed the entrance exam
Tuition aid is also available.Tuition aid is also available.
First Semester SY 2006-07 First Semester SY 2006-07
For more information, please call 928-6717 or For more information, please call 928-6717 or visit us at 54 Scout Madriñan St., South Triangle, Quezon City visit us at 54 Scout Madriñan St., South Triangle, Quezon City
Numbers like these only scratch the surface of the
Forum’s success, however. The near unanimous report of the participants was that they enjoyed the wide variety of topics covered, that they learned much, and best of all, they were able to experience Christian fellowship with pastors, students and scholars they might otherwise never see. “I love hearing from speakers who belonged to many different denominations,” said ATS student Victor G. Bitoon.
The mood in the hallways and fellowship hall, over lunch and coffee, was up beat. The buzz of conversation and laughter was ample evidence that the spirit at the Forum was very warm and loving. As such, the Forum helped bind attendees from many different church backgrounds together. Three plenary speakers delivered keynote lectures. Dr. Hwa Yung, a bishop in the Methodist church of Malaysia and an acclaimed author, spoke of the need for Asian theology to be truly Asian and biblical. Dr. Manfred Kohl is a vice-president of the Overseas Council, an organization devoted to strengthening evangelical seminaries throughout
the world. He made an impassioned plea to Asian
seminaries to meet the real needs of Asian churches, and to discern those needs by listening carefully to alumni and churches themselves. Prof. Emo Yango of Koinonia Seminary in Davao made the case of doing theology with deep love and concern for the “underside” of society—the poor, the alienated, those of other faiths, and the marginalized. ATS faculty members, board members, and students gave almost half of the lectures. Some of their lectures were on very tough, often ignored, topics. For example, Bitoon also noted that, “Professor Boy Bautista taught me the importance of self-awareness and intimacy from the Song of Songs.”
FORUM>>>
The Second Annual Theological Forum
of Asian Theological Seminary,
“Naming the Unknown God,” was a huge
success! Consider:
• Almost 800 people attended.
• Attendees enjoyed thirty-five different
presentations.
• Presenters represented more than
ten countries of origin, and at least
ten different graduate schools and
universities.
• Attendees learned how to minister to
Muslims, to Hindus, to unbelievers, and
to many others not yet ready to join the
Christian church.
• Students and staff who helped to
organize the forum presented ATS
with a 400,000 peso check at chapel
on Wednesday, March 8. The check
represented the amount of money
Forum-related events raised, after
expenses.
SECOND THEOLOGICAL Forum Reaps Success
An alumna told me about ATS. I was very
eager to study in a seminary. But when I was
applying for a visa, the Philippine immigration
office lost my original documents. I was so
discouraged and thought of ending my desire
to enroll at ATS or any seminary because I
couldn’t bear it anymore. But my sister-in-law
encouraged me to trust in the Lord. We prayed
and after one week I was informed that the
immigration office in the Philippines found my
documents. In a few days I got my visa and I
was able to travel to the Philippines. Although
the process was hard, the Lord didn’t leave
me alone. During that period, I learned many
new things that were beneficial to my spiritual
growth.
God helped me to enroll here in ATS.
This is my first time to leave my home and
country. In Pakistan, it is very hard for girls to go
to another country and study about Christian
theology. This is my first semester. I learned
many new things from my counseling class. I
have a lot of expectations from ATS, one of
which is writing good theological papers.
For the first time in my life, I had a
chance to attend a theological forum. I really
enjoyed listening to
the presentations of
papers about naming
the unknown God.
I learned many new
things from my
teachers and senior
students. I observed
that people were very
anxious to know about
Muslim teachings. I was
encouraged and I hope
that someday, I will be
able also to present my
paper about Muslim teachings.
- Neena Edwin, Pakistani
Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies
My parents were ancestor worshippers. On
special days, they would offer food to our
dead ancestors. They would open the gates and
wait until midnight for the spirits to come and
eat the food, believing that with these offerings,
the spirits would protect them from harm.
But the Lord has been good to me. I became a
Christian at the early age of six. I grew up as a
Christian without thinking about the people of
other faiths. I used to disregard non-believers to
the point of being arrogant towards them.
The Theological Forum broadened
my view about other faiths. It elevated my
knowledge about other beliefs, and taught me
tools on how to reach out to others. I have
realized that I can
learn from others
especially on relating
to and sharing my faith
with them. At the
Forum, the unity of the
participating churches,
theological schools, and
mission organizations
was very impressive.
I had never witnessed
this kind of united
effort among Korean
Christians.
As a Korean, I am inclined towards the
spiritual. But ATS taught me to be more holistic
in my thinking and ministry. When I return to
my country, I will be open to learn from others
and cooperate with them—whether they
belong to religious or “secular” groups. At ATS,
I did not only gain knowledge that will equip
me in theological teachings but in relationships
with the broader community as well. In Korea,
professors are the authorities, but in ATS
my teachers are also friends who listen. It
is amazing that their classrooms include the
corridor, canteen, library, bookstore, and
even parking lot. Since ATS is an international
community, my exposure to various cultures
will be a great tool when I teach in different
contexts.
- Jemimah Jeoungim Shin, Korean
M.A. in Christian Education
International Students in Dialogue
God is a God of surprise. And one of the
biggest surprises that I experienced is
being able to study at ATS. This is my first time
to study abroad in a seminary. Three years ago,
before I came here from Indonesia, I asked
God to give me a
chance to study
in one of the best
seminary in Asia.
I thought it would
likely be my first
and last chance to
study at a seminary.
I am very grateful to
Him because these
three years have
been fruitful for my
academic as well as
spiritual formation.
One of the best things I learned is to
become more open minded, humble and loving
to other Christian denominations including
Catholic as well as to people from other faiths.
Also I became more aware that the unity of the
Bible is not without diversity. The diversity of
the Bible is used by God to reveal His manifold
dimensions to humankind. Keeping this in mind,
we have to celebrate and affirm it instead of
diminishing the diversity among us. Diversity
is not something that should divide as much as
unite us.
The Annual Theological Forum enabled us
to engage in dialogue with people from other
“denominations” and faiths in a more generous
and elegant way, not to win them for our own
“kingdom” but for God’s only. I am convinced
that it should be pursued and sustained.
Finally, I would like to thank all of my
professors, supporters, ATS staff and my
classmates. With your support and prayers, I
and my wife are able to finish our studies this
March 2006.
- Triawan Wicaksono N. Kho, Indonesian
M.Div. in Intercultural and Urban Studies
I was born in a Christian family. In 1985, I
accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior in one
of the crusades in our place. From then on,
I became involved in ladies’ ministry among
Christians and Muslims. My work is to arrange
seminars, camps and fellowships among Muslim
ladies and visit them in their houses. There
were times when some ladies asked difficult
questions about the Bible. Sometimes I am
able to answer them, but, occasionally, I failed.
I still remember the time when I debated with
a member of the Jehovah’s Witness. I tried my
best to answer him from the Bible but I felt
inadequate. I believe I needed to learn more
about the Word of God.
International Students in Dialogue
I was born and raised in a Christian family.
I spent most of my time with Christians.
When I became more serious with my
relationship with God, I spent much time with
Christian friends. It was only about eight years
ago that I began to be involved with the work
among people of other faiths. A missionary
helped me to see that I should give more time
in witnessing to people from other faiths. It was
then that I began to realize how little I knew
about other faiths outside of Christianity. But
the most fascinating thing was yet to happen. I
became more aware of my own faith in Jesus.
I found out how little I really knew about Him
after I made friends with non-Christians. For
me, this is one of the most wonderful blessings I
have received along the journey of my faith.
When I came to ATS I was afraid that
I may become a narrow-minded Christian.
I was afraid also that I would be a dogmatist
type. But I was wrong.
Instead I have been
much encouraged and
equipped on how I can
be more contextual in
witnessing to others.
ATS cultivates a sense
of respect, appreciation
and true love for people
from other faiths—a
real human encounter.
In ATS I learned a
genuine friendship
among the bearers of
God’s image. I was taught to give true love from
one who has been saved by His Savior. This was
even more vivid during the Theological Forum.
I was thrilled about this fundamental way of
seeing other people. ATS does not narrow my
mind, in fact, I have been a lot expanded. I really
thank God for this.
I am very excited to return to my country
and serve my people with a changed paradigm,
and most importantly, with a renewed spirit—a
spirit of learning from other people and total
dependence on the grace of God in every work
I do. ATS is special!
- Effendy Aritonang, Indonesian
M.Div. in Intercultural and Urban Studies
InTouch, the official newsletter of Asian Theological
Seminary, is published quarterly by the Communication
and Fundraising Department.
54 Scout Madriñan St., Quezon City • QCCPO Box
1454-1154 Quezon City 1102 Philippines
• Tel 9285105 / 9286709 / 9286717 • Fax (632)
9285114 • Email: info@ats.ph • Website www.ats.ph
year. And for George as he assumes the post of Director of ATS Center for Continuing Studies this June.
• We also praise God for the renovation of the ATS Prayer Room last February 15. ATS family and friends are encouraged to spend time with the Lord in prayer in this refurbished facility.
• Let us continue to pray for Bishop Cesar Punzalan III and Prof. Patti Harris as they lead ATS. May the Lord grant them wisdom and strength as they serve the entire ATS community.
• Our Lord has been good to all our graduates! May God use them mightily in bringing the Gospel in different parts of the world.
• We have seen God’s marvelous hands in all our plans and endeavors throughout the year. May He continually bless the coming school year with more students who are willing to labor for God’s kingdom.
• Let us thank God for the continued support of our donors and supporters. Continue to pray for ATS’ fi nancial needs. We need PhP 1.4 M every month to operate in the black.
THIRD THEOLOGICAL FORUM SET FOR 2007
Catholic, Muslim, various sects and even secular belief and superstition in this area? What is the Biblical message about spirits? How should the Asian church minister to people deeply engaged in pagan spirituality?
Interested individuals (theologians, pastors, missionaries, educators and graduate students) are invited to submit paper proposals and plenary speaker ideas to ATS.
Planning to attend next year’s Forum, but still sad that you missed this year’s? Well, look for the upcoming OMF publication of the most intriguing and important papers from the Second Theological Forum. The book, following on the huge success of the fi rst Forum book, Doing Theology in the Philippines, will be launched next August.
N E W S U P D A T E
Plans for the 3rd Annual Theological Forum are already
under way. Tentative schedule is February 22-23, 2007. The theme will be “The Spirit World: Biblical Refl ections on the Asian Context.” Our ideas and experiences of the spirit world are drawn from sources as diverse as pagan survivals in Roman Catholic and popular practice to thoughtless superstition; from Evangelicalism’s sometimes-overwrought concern with spiritual warfare to scriptural teachings about principalities and powers. The Third Annual Forum will explore questions such as these: How do we give the spirit world its proper due without falling prey to sensationalism or secular media fads? What is the variety of
ATS needs your help. You can send your gifts and donations through any of the following ways:
HOTLINE: 929-1624 (We can pick up cash or check donations within Metro Manila.)
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• Let us thank the Lord for His faithfulness in providing the various needs of our national faculty who pursued higher degrees through the Faculty Development Fund. Madeline Vega completed her Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Cheltenham and Gloucester College of Higher Education, United Kingdom; Athena Gorospe fi nished her Ph.D. in Old Testament from Fuller Theological Seminary, CA, USA; and George Capaque received his Ph.D. in Theology Studies from De La Salle University, Philippines. Let us pray for Madeline and Athena as they prepare to serve the Lord in their teaching ministry next school
GRADUATION RITES 2006N E W S U P D A T E
Will You Pray for ATS?
ATS conferred the Doctor of Divinity degrees to
Dr. Isabelo F. Magalit and Rev. Myron S. Harrison during its 35th commencement ceremonies last March 31 at Every Nation Leadership Institute (formerly known as Victory Leadership Institute). The recipients were unanimously chosen because of their many years of signifi cant ministry to the Christian church at large and specifi cally their notable years of service to ATS. Dr. Magalit as President and Rev. Harrison as board member. ATS also conferred earned degrees to 92 graduates. The message of Dr. John Suk, the commencement speaker, about teaching and preaching the grace of God challenged these graduates as they faced their future ministries. Yearly awards were given to the following outstanding graduates: Triawan Wicaksono Kho, M.Div. in Intercultural and Urban Studies (Faculty Award); Rizal Asuncion, M.Div. in Pastoral Studies (Faculty Award); Larni Zuniga, M.Div. in Pastoral Studies (Pastoral Studies Award); Rodel Orila, M.Div. in Pastoral Studies (Expository Preaching Award); Christopher Chua, M.Div. in Christian Education (Community Service Award); Wayne Rice, M.A. in Intercultural and Urban Studies (Cross-Cultural Missions Award); and Ginnalyn Carag, M.A. in Christian Education (Christian Education Award).
�S P E C I A L I N V I T A T I O N R E S P O N S E :
ATS ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN
FORUM...
ATS students, in particular, handled some fascinating issues: ancestor worship (Kyung Wha [Jamie] Chung), using poetry as a bridge for inter-religious dialogue (Kelvene Requiroso), the Christology of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Benito Divierte III), ministering to victims of HIV/AIDS (Chris Chua), Dialogue with Catholics (Annelle Gumihid and Chris Sabanal), Johannine prologue as a basis for interfaith dialogue (Mark King Li) and the Koran’s portrait of Jesus (Triawan Wicaksono Kho and Effendy Aritonang). One of the more exciting aspects of the Forum was that students pre-sold hundreds of tickets. They did such a great job that the organizing committee was able to invite them all to attend the Forum at no charge. The staff also pitched in in a big way! They handled moving chairs and coffee pots and sound equipment to Union Church of Manila. They staffed the registration table, managed feeding 100 volunteers, moved crowds through crowded hallways, and packed everything up when we were done. We could not have done the Forum without the especially generous participation of Union Church of Manila. Their staff was unfailingly polite, running from one little crisis to another in order to keep the Forum moving along smoothly. ATS graduate and UCM pastor for International Students and Young Adults, Ranier
Pagcaliwagan, was MC for our opening worship. Rev. Steve Ruetschle welcomed participants. Artist in residence Jun
Flores played the organ at our closing worship. At least six UCM attendees delivered papers at the forum. Afterwards, UCM elder Larry Podmore expressed the hope that Union Church and ATS could work together in the future as well. In the middle of this year’s forum, a coup kept participants
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call Donor Hotline No. (632) 929-1624 �Please send me a copy of prayer calendar Thank you for sending your cash gift to ATS with this reply form by mail or fax (632) 928-5114.
ACF_Newsletter Vol.27 No.3 2006
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on edge most of the day. At the opening plenary, Prof. Adonis Gorospe led everyone in communal and small group prayer for peace and justice. Amazingly, attendance was excellent on both days, in spite of the unrest. Perhaps one of the most satisfying aspects of the forum was the opening and closing worship. Members of Asian Institute of Liturgy and Music (AILM) used traditional Asian instruments to bring songs of praise and thanksgiving to God. Participants joined in singing traditional songs from Thailand, Korea, China, Myanmar, and the Philippines. The worship reminded us that some of the most precious and costly gifts we can offer God are the age-old musical heritage of our own Asian cultures. Turning towards this heritage, rather than merely copying Western pop music in worship can also serve as a bridge to people of other faiths who are suspicious of non-Asian traditions.
M e s s a g e f r o m t h e O I C P r e s i d e n t
B I S H O P C E S A R V I C E N T E P. P U N Z A L A N I I I
the milestone of 51,625 churches in 2000. As far as numbers are concerned, this vision has been realized. But as far as impact in transforming the nation is concerned—that is another story. For the same period we planted more evangelical churches, our nation has grown more corrupt, according to global perception surveys. Now there are many factors why a nation becomes more corrupt. There are many discordant voices and schools of thought ranging from lack of systems of transparency and integrity to lack of individual transformation. But all agree that we have a deep-seated culture of corruption. It seems that we planted thousands of churches but we failed to mobilize them for their role in society—that is, to be cultural architects. That is our mandate, for the kingdom of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord. We have planted 51,625 evangelical churches and we are on our way to Vision 2010, that is 100,000 verifi able evangelical churches by 2010. I believe we are
giving the churches the idea that maybe as we grow bigger, we will have a critical mass and can force the Philippines to be righteous. As evangelicals, we were united in our vision to plant 50,000 churches by 2000. As individual churches and denominations, however, it seems, we celebrate our spiritual tribalism more when we elevate the autonomy of the local church over that of coming together in unity and being engaged in transforming the nation. We focus on what makes us different and separate instead of concentrating on the impact we can make in society while awaiting the Lord’s second coming. We have not articulated an ecclesiology and framework of engagement. Neither have we provided a map of that engagement to the Philippine Church. To see the Philippines transformed under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we need to come together and draw up that map of engagement for our generation and beyond.
• Bishop Cesar Punzalan III and Prof. Patricia Harris during the installation service held last January 16, 2006 at the Faith Baptist Church, Quezon City. Bishop Punzalan now serves as the ATS OIC while Prof. Harris is Deputy OIC.
For 25 years, I’ve been praying for an accurate mapping or
navigation system to help the Philippine Church advance and impact society. When I was called by my denomination (Baptist Conference of the Philippines) to be part of the team that would plant churches in Metro Manila in the early 80’s, navigating for me became a bit tricky. I started driving around Metro Manila. I got lost often and ended up missing a lot of turns. Today I experience shock when driving across the United States. The accurate mapping of the country (including that of Canada, Europe and Japan) makes navigation very easy. Precision is the word. According to PCEC (Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches) records, in 1975, there were 4,900 verifi able, evangelical churches that participated in the vision of DAWN (Discipling A Whole Nation) to plant 50,000 churches by 2000. The hope was that there will be an evangelical church in every barangay of the estimated 50,000 barangays in the Philippines by 2000. DAWN 2000 reported that we have achieved
The Functional Church
PLANS FOR CHAPEL RENOVATION PRESENTED THREE NEW MODULES OFFERED BY ATS
Three modules were offered from January-February at
the ATS campus. These modules were Colossians (Dr. Derek Newton, Adjunct Professor); Crisis Intervention (Dr. Jose Andres Sotto, Counseling Center Director); and Jeremiah (Dr. Elmer Martens, Professor, Claremont Graduate School). Dr. Newton emphasized on historical, exegetical and applicatory approaches, with the goal of discovering how the book of Colossians might function transformatively, in the Philippine and Asian contexts, at the levels of the individual, church and society. On the other hand, Dr. Sotto taught the church workers theories and methodologies of crisis intervention and stress management (including critical incident stress debriefi ng). The students of Dr. Martens learned from Jeremiah how to become effective channels of the Lord’s message in this postmodern age.
N E W S U P D A T E N E W S U P D A T E N E W S U P D A T E
• Players from five seminaries (Asian Theological Seminary, Alliance
Graduate School, Asia Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary, Asian Seminary of Christian Ministry, International School of Theology-Asia) showed enthusiasm as the Inter-Seminary Sports Festival (ISSF) opened last January 21 at the Philippine Science High School soccer grounds. The event culminated on February 11 at the Department of Agrarian Reform Gym.
ATS Alumni sponsored the Chapel service last March
8. Rev. Noel Pantoja, the newly appointed General Director of the Conservative Baptist Association of the Philippines (CBAP) and ATS graduate (Master of Christian Leadership, 1989) was the guest speaker. His message on humility before God challenged the alumni to focus on building God’s kingdom. Olga Fernandez, the current ATS Alumni Relations Coordinator, gave a resolution of thanks to the ATS family for supporting and inspiring her in the work of coordination. She hopes to join the Mercy Ships MV Africa as the Mercy Teams coordinator this May.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the plans for the Chapel renovation by Bishop Cesar Punzalan III. The ATS Alumni Association pledged to raise Php 500,000 from the alumni as their contribution towards this project. The total cost for the renovation is Php 1.6 Million.
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