Controversy at Calvin Theological Seminary

I happened to see a table by a representative from Calvin Theological Seminary last week, to publicise their programs, especially their doctoral programs since Regent does not offer doctoral degrees. Incidentally, I came across this recent controversy, which is still going on in the South. According to a Grand Rapids Press, Dr Ruth Tucker, a prominent professor at Calvin Theological Seminary has charged a sexual discrimination at her institution's administration. According to the Grand Rapids Press article,

"I was being held to a different standard than my male colleagues," Tucker, 61, said. "I do not believe that, had I been an insider and a man, that this ever would have happened to me."

In a lengthy, hard-hitting account on her Web site, Tucker, who taught missions and church history, calls her experience a "nightmare" and accuses administrators of covering up her appeals of a demotion three years ago.

"I hope that by telling my story no one else will ever have to endure such a painful ordeal as I have and that positive changes will come to the school," Tucker writes at www.ruthtucker.net.

Though unwilling to go into details, seminary officials deny Tucker was discriminated against at the seminary founded in 1876.

"I believe that Professor Tucker as our first woman faculty member was really important to Calvin Theological Seminary, and we continue to be intent on using the gifts of women," said the Rev. Cornelius Plantinga Jr., president of the 300-student seminary.

The head of the seminary board said a committee thoroughly investigated Tucker's allegations, and trustees had hoped to promote her.

"I feel she was treated properly, especially by giving her accusations full review," said board President Sidney Jansma Jr.

Dr Ruth Tucker apparently felt the GR article above did not fully represent her view, hence she made her blogsite public.

Apparently, the CTS administration chose to remain silent. Lacking information, I suspend my judgment on such matters and prefer to pray for all parties concerned at this point. Let me know if you have further information on this.

Regent Can be Fun.

Who says Regent students cannot be fun? For those who missed this at the Warmbeach Retreat 2006, here is a nice clip.

ks

Thoughts on Augustine Confessions

"People are moved to wonder by mountain peaks, by vast waves of the sea, by broad waterfalls on rivers, by the all-embracing extent of the ocean, by the revolutions of the stars. But in themselves they are uninterested." (Augustine Confessions, X.viii.15)

But my God, Who created the highest mountains, the deepest seas, the broadest waterfalls, the widest oceans, the amazing stars, and yet so intensely interested in the humble human race, including me. Such manifestations of love lifts me up when felt in the heart.


ks

Church a Self-Satisfaction Enterprise?

People know how to claim to come to Church to worship God. Many say they live by faith, and that nothing is more important than knowing God's Word.

What about churches that has the situation of having Marriage Enrichment classes that are full, while those dealing with inner city projects, missionary focus and prayer meetings are in danger of being scrapped due to lack of interest!

A famous preacher even confessed that contrary to popular saying, adult Bible studies are not well attended, resulting in it being terminated in favour of other more 'popular' sessions like marriage, seminars on time and stress management, Da Vinci code and various things related to self fulfilment.

What kind of a Church are we dealing with? Maybe we can start calling them Community Centers instead. It seems to me that there are people who are itching all over but are being rubbed on the wrong side! Or people wanting to satisfy a deep internal felt need, but under the guise of an externally presentable platform of 'going to church.' Best of both worlds situation? Nope. That is the worst of both worlds.

In the first case, it is worse because self-fulfilling is never possible. They will always thirst. (John 4:13).

In the second, the Christian faith is either all or none, never half and a half. how can one put his hand in the plow and look back? (Luke 9:62)



ks

FEER Banned in Singapore (again!)

Another publication has been banned in Singapore. This time it is the Dow Jones publication, FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW. I remember my literature school teacher in Primary (Elementary) School who lavished praise on its reporting. Those days, banning of any publications is largely unheard of. According to the Asia1 report,

Far Eastern Economic Review (FEER) can no longer be sold or distributed in Singapore from today, as the government has revoked the permit given to the Hong Kong-based monthly magazine.

This follows the failure by the publisher of FEER to comply with the conditions imposed under the Newspaper and Printing Presses Act (NPPA), said the Ministry for Information, Communications and the Arts (Mica).

The government announced on Aug 3 that FEER was deemed an "offshore newspaper" and it must comply with the requirements before it could be circulated in Singapore.

This means it must appoint a representative here on behalf of the publisher and submit a security deposit of $200,000. FEER was given up to Sept 11 to meet the requirements.

That is for failing to appoint a legal representative as well as to put up a huge deposit in order to get a license for circulation in the country. What this means is that in the event the FEER puts up any 'irresponsible' articles, they can be sued for libel in the country, which can inflict large financial damages. Currently, Singapore is restricted to banning them, and not able to sue them for more money outside Singapore courts.

Should a press be completely free? Is it qualified for self-censorship? Is Singapore fair in their approach to muzzle the press this way?

1) Asia1
2) Bloomberg
3) Channelnewsasia

For me, I think it is only fair to play by the rules according to the rules of the country. For anyone who wants to criticise the Singapore government, remember that arsons are people who set fire deliberately and expect others to put out the fire. Though I may not fully agree with the methods used by the government, I understand where they are coming from.

ks

Etcetera This Week (26-30 Sep 06)

This is Week 3 of Fall Term 2006, and the Regent student newsletter "Etcetera" carries with it an interesting article entitled: "Out of Lebanon". Written by a fellow student, it is a first hand perspective of the war in Lebanon few weeks ago between Israel and the Hezbollah. It is a condensed version but, the main gist of it is that the war there has been grossly misrepresented by the American mass media. The one in the Etcetera is a condensed version from the actual. Read the full version here.

Movie: "Entertaining Angels"

A memorable quip:

"Do you know what is the problem with the world? Those who act, don't think, and those who think don't act!" (Peter Maurin, played by Martin Sheen)

This movie is about Dorothy Day, a courageous woman, determined to help the poor started the Catholic Worker movement. A person who experienced personal failures in relationships, she learnt that work done for a community must always be done by a community, never an individual crusade.

The beginning was noisy. The middle was depressing. The end was touching.

ks