This text presents excerpts from a theological college essay that analyses the closing chapters of the Book of Judges (17–21), focusing on the repeated phrase, "In those days Israel had no king."
This text presents a theological college essay that examines the final chapters of the Book of Judges (17–21), focusing on the recurrent phrase, "In those days Israel had no king," to critique leadership and justice. The analysis breaks down these chapters by examining a series of failed human leaders—the Father, the Priest, the Man, the General, and the Wise Man (Uncle)—and links their shortcomings to different forms of skewed human justice, such as the pursuit of approval, legitimacy, love, success, and happiness. Ultimately, the essay contends that the chaos and injustice described highlight the profound need for divine justice and leadership rather than the flawed human attempts at rulership. The paper uses modern analogies and cultural references, such as The Godfather and the comedian Uncle Roger, to illustrate the enduring relevance of the biblical critique.
It's 6am, I can't sleep, I have to do an essay. So here is a podcast on Judges 17, a weird story about a guy who starts his own religion but still wants God's approval over his cult.
Compilation of daily reflections on Philippians Chapter 2.
To the world, Cambridge University is a symbol of academic excellence and historic prestige, its ancient colleges and manicured lawns representing the pinnacle of intellectual pursuit. Yet for many international students, particularly in the latter half of the 20th century, this esteemed environment could also be a place of profound cultural displacement and loneliness. It was into this specific context of need, the intersection of academic pressure and cultural alienation, that the Cambridge Chinese Christian Fellowship (CCCF) was born in 1973. More than a mere social club, the CCCF emerged as a spiritual home, a missional outpost born from a deep, personal understanding of the diaspora experience. Its story, however, does not exist in a vacuum. It resonates with the wider historical patterns of the Chinese church in the United Kingdom and reflects the spiritual DNA of the sending churches in Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia.
Prep for CUG PJEFC Talk tonight on Theodicy.
Prep for talk on Theodicy this Friday at CUG PJEFC
Heaven motivates Paul in ministry but ministry - and particularly the challenges and frustrations of serving in gospel work - motivates Paul to look forward to heaven.
The point is: Ministry is meant to be tough. We should be careful not to turn ministry into a career path, expecting things to get easier or more lucrative.
If anything, Paul reasons that God designed it to be this way - that the frustrations of this life would make us long for the permanence and joys of the life to come.
F = Focus
E = Entrust
N = No Tai Chi
G = God is Boss
Based on 2 Kings 22
Remembering Raymond Chiew who died on Good Friday (18 April 2025)
How does the arrest of Jesus reveal his purpose, his divinity and his love at Easter?
Thaipusam attracted an estimated two million visitors to Batu Caves this year (2024) making it the largest religious gathering in Malaysia, a remarkable turnout considering how Tamil observants make up less than 6% of the predominantly Muslim population. Amidst the throng are Hindu devotees carrying the kavadi (or burden) - a structure made of wood and metal, decorated with flowers and peacock feathers - symbolising a portable altar of worship. Some kavadi can weigh up to 30 kg. To bear this burden is to take upon oneself a spiritual debt and it is not uncommon for devotees to pierce themselves in the tongue, cheek and skin. It is this experience of pain - this bearing up of a physical burden - that is offered up to their deity, Lord Murugan, to elicit a response to their prayers for spiritual intervention, healing and assistance.Extract from Christian Theology (Interfaith) Essay at St Paul's Theological College, Kuala Lumpur
Pai Tee Kong is a celebration of the Jade Emperor’s birthday. Significantly, this falls on the ninth day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, a date so momentous for the Hokkien Chinese that they claim it as the “proper” start to their New Year. Offerings of food and incense are laid out on a makeshift altar made up of two tiers of red benches - the lower for roasted meats, while the upper level, symbolising the elevated status of heaven, consists of vegetarian dishes to be consumed by the deity also known as the God of Heaven (Pai Tee Kong is Hokkien for “Worshipping the God of Heaven”). Additionally, two stalks of sugar cane are tied to each end of the altar.
Hokkien Chinese believe this was the day that the Jade Emperor saved their descendants from death in the Fujian province of China. Located along the coast of the South China Sea, their villages were subject to regular attacks by pirates back in the 16th Century. In one particularly vicious raid, the villagers were forced to flee into the sugarcane forests, where they waited and prayed for God’s help to save them. When it was finally safe to leave, the villagers realised it coincided with the birthday of the Jade Emperor. And so the legend goes.
Live talk at SPTC
For Advent talk at SPTC
Like when Park Seo-Joon arrived in Malaysia last year, he came to KLIA, and thousands and thousands of people were waiting at the airport for the Advent, not of Jesus Christ, but of Park Seo-Joon.
But imagine, what if one month before Park Seo-Joon arrived, you were at the airport? He’s not there yet, but you are waiting for him. That’s crazy, right.
But that’s Advent for us as Christians.
Because one month before December 25th, we are waiting for Oppa Jesus. It’s a whole season of waiting.
And the question is: Why? Why start so early?
19 min on Judges 19
Part 1
Practice run for chapel talk at Bible college