What Kind of Time Are We Living in? A Meditation amidst the Pandemic

Professor Deng Shaoguang, Christian Thought (Theology and Culture) What kind of generation is this? The political movement that lasted for more than half a year had not completely subsided before the novel coronavirus epidemic emerged. What kind of generation does Hong Kong society live in? Regardless of natural disasters or man-made disasters, they are not what we want to see. Who likes to be in panic? Who wants to live in panic and fear? However, do humans have no responsibility at all for the situation we find ourselves in today? Or, we have to admit that whether it is a natural disaster or a man-made disaster, it is only because people themselves did not treat human society and the natural world well, which led to today's results, and ultimately they bear it. This is the judgment of “leaving it to corruption” spoken of in the Bible. God does not need to take the initiative to punish us. He only needs to hide His face for a moment, limit His protection, and do not prevent us from doing evil, so that we can suffer the consequences and fall into panic and confusion all day long. ...
Read More

The Arts of Losing

Assistant Professor of Christian Education She Zhifeng We, a group of people who have always been able to move around, have been stopped by the epidemic since the beginning of the Lunar New Year: we have lost the routine of our daily life, lost some areas of activity, lost most social opportunities, and lost face-to-face classes I also lost the opportunity to study and even attend church gatherings. Perhaps, at this time, we can learn a life skill from our disabled friends, called "the lost skill" (the...
Read More

... Those Who Kill the Body but Cannot Kill the Soul

Professor Wu Guojie of Christian Thought (Church History) Following the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003, the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has recently emerged. raging around the world. The epidemic is out of control and the virus is spreading everywhere. People in many affected areas are feeling uneasy, including Hong Kong residents. Among the people rushing to buy masks, disinfectant, bleach, rice, and paper towels are many Christians who have believed in the Lord for many years. Faced with this situation, pastoral leaders, in addition to adjusting the arrangements for church gatherings, must also actively think about how to provide appropriate pastoral care to believers under the threat of disaster and isolation and epidemic prevention. In fact, looking back on the two thousand years of church history, the church community has been hit by plagues many times; the experiences, testimonies, and teachings of our predecessors can indeed serve as valuable reminders today. ...
Read More

Perspectives on Suffering and Pastoral Care

Assistant Professor of New Testament Lu Yunxi Last year, Hong Kong Christians and other people in society experienced various difficulties due to social unrest caused by different political opinions, and their lives were greatly affected. Now, the outbreak of COVID-19 seems to be further prolonging these days of uncertainty and fear. Perhaps now is an appropriate time to think about what the Bible says about suffering so that when we do minister to those who suffer, what we say is not only inspiring but also has theological implications—so that those we minister to , not only can you get comfort, but you can also better understand who God is and what He is like, and therefore trust Him. ...
Read More

Chicken Soup for the Soul: A Helping of Jeremiah 29 for COVID-19

Wong Fook-Kwong Old Testament teaches two natural reactions. When faced with danger, humans always tend to fight or flee. This phenomenon is also relevant to our current situation. Panic buying, protests against neighboring locations becoming quarantine camps, are all examples of a "militant" response. Medical staff voluntarily take on dangerous work and take care of infected patients, which is the more positive side of this "combat" model. Evading the quarantine order, or simply fleeing to other places, is an "escape" mode. There is nothing inherently wrong with these reactions. However, it would be wrong if, for example, the action endangers others or harms the well-being of the general public. ...
Read More

The Essence of Worship: Worship Service Primacy?

Professor Wu Guojie of Christian Thought (Church History) The recent outbreak of the new coronavirus has forced the cancellation of many mass gatherings. Although many local churches have suspended various gatherings such as fellowship, Sunday school, special lectures, etc., they still insist that "only Sunday worship cannot be stopped"; even if physical worship may be suspended due to the seriousness of the epidemic, they will try to change it as much as possible Conducted online. The reason is that worship gatherings are a sacred moment for believers to worship God and are the core activities of the church. In addition, the Chinese churches in Hong Kong are paying more and more attention to worship, and there are more and more teachings and discussions on worship. In the early days of the craze for worship and praise, hymn leading training almost became a must-have service equipment for the younger generation of the church. As pastoral leaders criticize modern poetry for its lack of content, traditional hymns and worship services are showing signs of regaining importance. In the current trend of paying attention to worship gatherings, many scholars have tried to reflect on music, liturgy, theology, pastoral care, etc., hoping to build a more practical foundation for public worship and set a more accurate direction. What is the true meaning of worship throughout the ages? The author would like to point out here that the modern church’s understanding of public worship deviates to a considerable extent from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the historical traditions of the church. ...
Read More

Church Unity in a Turbulent Age

Dean Cao Weitong Lu Yunxi Assistant Professor of New Testament Cao: What you mentioned just now is all about the drama of salvation in Ephesians. What light do you think this drama of salvation has on the church in Hong Kong today? Woolen cloth? Lu: A few years ago, I preached at a music and praise meeting in our college. The scripture I preached was Ephesians 1:3-14. The scripture mentions that our sins are forgiven because of our beloved Son Jesus Christ, but this is only the message expressed at the beginning; later, it mentions the theme of "unity", and all things are united in Jesus; then, it points out that our existence is For the glory of God, to praise Him; and finally, mention of “the Spirit who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s people to the praise of His glory” (verse 14). The NRSV translates verse 14 as: “this...
Read More