Writing from Durham finally....

Greetings from Durham! Time has gone by quickly and I now find myself not only at the end of my first academic term in Durham but also near the boundary of a new year. Settling into a new place and pace has been challenging. But I have discovered joys in the midst of trials that comes with this new vocation in a new location.

Most have described Durham as small and quaint. There is also a dictum here, "It's always uphill wherever you are in Durham." Admittedly, I have yet to explore the city's impressive sites and scenes adequately. Perhaps, I'll keep that for the summer when I have visitors and when the day is longer and warmer.

I have spent much of my first term brushing up my Hebrew, figuring out what is theological hermeneutics, attending biblical theology lectures and being bemused by Alasdair MacIntyre's dense prose. The highlight, however, has to be working under the guidance of my inspiring and encouraging supervisor, Prof. Walter Moberly.

Many have asked what my research is all about. Well, I am asking three related self-critical and self reflective questions concerning the task of biblical interpretation. First, what does the Bible say what a good interpreter of the Bible is? Secondly, what are the factors that will enable (or disable) an interpreter towards valid and deepening understanding of the Bible. Thirdly, how should insights from the questions above inform or reform the task of biblical study in contemporary academic context? My intuition is that interpreting the Word of God is intimately and inextricably linked to the fundamental issue of what it means to be human (but more on that next time).

In my previous entry, I’ve used the journey metaphor to speak of one’s relationship with God. As a pilgrim on this journey, it is vital that we have some idea where the journey will lead us to ultimately. When the people of God reached Sinai, they were given the reason of their travel experiences: You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself (Ex. 19:4). The end of the journey is the dwelling of and with the Lord himself.

As we approach Christmas, we are rightly reminded that in Jesus Christ, God showed the cost of making this growing intimacy a reality: "in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation" (2 Cor. 5:19). What seemed insignificant at that time radiated into boundless, unimaginable and unspeakable joy.

Visitors

A few brave souls summoned enough courage to put my hospitality to the test. Here are those who visited in the months of July and August, and survived.

Peter, Tracy and Bak Kut Teh

Jenny on a Ferry to Butterworth

Keith, Tung Tung and St. George's Anglican Church

Rowland the Welshman in Teluk Bahang

With Daniel, Janet and Keith in Hong Kong

Looking Back

My short teaching stint at Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary is coming to an end and soon, I will have to move on again. As I look back on my journey (both literal and spiritual) over the last eight months, there were often times when I felt overwhelmed by the combined demands of ministry, change and travel. The terrain was rougher and more perplexing than I anticipated and I often deliberated if I could and should go on. But here I want to share two passages of Scripture that came as a relief helping me to map out my otherwise rather baffling journey.

The first is Psalm 84:5 - 7: "Blesses are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs, the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion". The path of discipleship, leading to increasing intimacy with the One who invites us to himself, is fraught with hazards and obstacles. There are overwhelming terrains to traverse and individual limitations to face which may leave us exhausted, unrelieved, perplexed and disheartened. Yet, it was under a harsh and unrelenting circumstances that the persevering pilgrims were enabled to bring astonishing transformation and refreshment to the most demanding part of their journey, the arid Valley of Baca, and were miraculously strengthened, apart from their inner resources, to persevere in their journey towards God who was, is and will be with them all along the way (cf. 2 Cor. 4:7 – 12).

The second is Ex 16, especially Ex. 16:35. "The Israelites ate the manna for forty years until they arrived at the land where they would settle down. They ate manna until they reached the border into Canaan." Manna was no luxury but God’s measured sustenance pointing to His faithfulness (Ex. 16:16 – 18). It was meant to teach His people the priority of life and the meaning of living, i.e. attentiveness and obedience to God (cf. Dt. 8:2 – 5). Reflecting on this exodus passage, I felt that my own little passage was meant to redirect my attracted and distracted desires on to the One who first desired me.

So I thank God that He has used my attachment to and service with the seminary as a context for His fatherly guidance and discipline. May He continue to do so in every context of our lives and ministries.

There is a first time for everything....

I am a novice as far as this sort of thing is concerned and I wonder if I'll keep this up. Time will tell I suppose.

In any case, I hope that this is a small beginning of what I hope to do (and to keep on doing) when I eventually re-enter student life at Durham University in Oct 2007, i.e. keeping a regular record of my journey to and from that time and place.

The point here is not to publish my most intimate experiences and thoughts. That would be unappealing and unwise to say the least. Rather, I hope that this may be a context where my family and friends can catch glimpses of my footsteps.

So how do I feel as I look towards that time and place? I can only echo the prayer of St. Augustine:

Father,
I am seeking:
I am hesitant and uncertain,
But will you, O God,
Watch over each step of mine
And guide me

(Confession, 11.17)