If you have ever wondered why Presbyterians use the Burning Bush and the Cross of Christ as the defining emblems of the denomination, then this talk is for you. The talk seeks to expalin Covenant Theology as opposed to non-covenantal views. The idea of covenant is crucial not only for the proper understanding of how God interacts with his people throughout history, the establishment of his kingdom, but how it impacts the way we interpret the Bible. The talk concludes with discussion on how our thinking about God’s kingdom impacts one’s Christian life.

Corporate worship takes a central and formative place in Presbyterian Churches. Thus, how Presbyterians view and practice worship is a matter of great importance to our identity as God’s people. This talk addresses the distinguishing elements of Presbyterian worship, the nature of acceptable worship to God, and the practice of worship, both in positive and negative terms. The talk will also review the meaning of each segment of ORPC’s order of worship, including song selection, so that worshippers can come to a greater appreciation of our worship experience.

Christians across denominations and throughout church history widely believe in the sovereignty and grace of God. However we disagree on what these concepts mean in the Bible. This talk focuses on how Reformed people view the priority of these doctrines, as a matters of first importance, according to biblical teaching. How Christians view the sovereignty and grace of God will determine, to a greater extent, how we understand the way in which God rules over every aspect of creation, salvation, providence and human freewill. The talk concludes with a discussion on the implications of these doctrines for Christian living.

The reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of Christianity. With it, everything that the Bible talks about regarding Jesus Christ is true and he is vindicated. Without it, there is no Christian faith. This talk introduces the key evidences that point to the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and implications of this important truth to Christian faith and witness.

One of the most important questions for people living in Asia today is not merely whether God exists, but which god is the one true God. This talk focuses on the challenge of religious diversity and pluralism to Christian faith. How can Christians respond to the typical objection that Christianity is too exclusivist, and that all religions lead to the same god? Can all religions be true? How can we determine that Christianity is the one true faith?

One of the most important debates in the history of Christian doctrine is whether we should establish the deity of Christ prior to talking about his work, or vice-versa. Traditionally, the work of Jesus Christ has been divided in terms of his prophetic, redeeming, and kingly aspects. This talk will focus on some of the theories on what the atonement was intended to accomplish, and the extent to which his death on the cross is efficacious to humanity.

The person and deity of Christ sit at the pinnacle of controversy and belief concerning the Christian faith. The deity of Christ has tremendous value to the believer concerning the knowledge of God, new life, personal relationship with God, and the ability to worship Christ for who he is. This talk examines the biblical data on the deity of Christ, and how this truth is articulated in Christian doctrine (e.g., the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds), particularly from contemporary Asian (i.e., Indian, Japanese, Taiwanese, Korean, and Singaporean) perspectives.

As Christianity spread from Jerusalem throughout the Roman Empire and into the Mediterranean world, many questions were raised concerning the identity of Jesus Christ. This talk examines the emergence of several major heresies, leading to the formulation of the Nicene Creed (325), affirming the deity of Jesus Christ and the Triune God. The talk also provides examples of how some of these ancient heresies “rear their ugly heads” in our present-day theology and practice.

Does God have a mission, a plan, or a purpose that he himself is working toward? The Bible says he does. In Ephesians 1:9-10, one of the most succinct definitions of mission, Paul says: “(God has) made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfilment — to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” God is in the business of bringing all of creation — all things in heaven and on earth — into a healed, reconciled, and restored unity in Christ and through Christ and for Christ. And that is the mission of God. It is cosmic and creational. It begins with creation and ends with new creation, all focused on Jesus Christ. This talk helps us to get a better grip on the whole teaching of the Bible on the mission that God has entrusted to us.

This class examines one of the more, if not the most, difficult challenge facing evangelical Christianity today. David Hume, the 18th century Scottish philosopher and sceptic once lamented, “Is he willing to prevent evil, but not able? then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then is he malevolent. Is he both able and willing: whence then is evil?” (Hume, Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion, part 10). This talk focuses on how Christians can hold simultaneously three concepts: God’s power, God’s goodness, and the presence of evil in the world. It will also offer guidelines on how we can strengthen our faith in Christ, in spite of this vexing intellectual challenge.