Biblical Theology: Critical Reflections on the Old and New Testaments

About the Programme

Christians accept the Bible as the Word of God. What does this mean and how are we supposed to interpret the words of Scripture? This workshop will address these questions by first exploring the origins and formation of the Hebrew Bible (which Christians have come to call the Old Testament) and Christian Scriptures (in particular the 4 gospels but with reference to some non-canonical gospels as well). It then looks at the advances made in Biblical scholarship in the last two centuries, especially the tools and methods used by theologians in studying the Bible today. It will do this by examining a few passages from both the Old and New testaments taking into account a contextualist, rather than a literalist, approach to sacred scripture.

Who should attend

This workshop is not meant for beginners wanting to know about what is contained in the Bible. It is meant for those who already have some familiarity with the Bible but wish to reflect on it theologically. It will be most beneficial for those who have a certain degree of critical and questioning spirit and wish to pursue an enlightened appreciation for the Holy Bible.

About the Facilitator

Edmund Chia is originally from Kuala Lumpur where he began his career as a teacher. From 1996-2004 he was the executive secretary of interreligious dialogue for the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences. He then taught at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, a seminary and graduate school of ministry. Since 2011 he has been on the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy of the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne. He has a BA in Psychology, an MA in Human Development, an MA in Comparative Religion (all from the US), and a PhD in Intercultural Theology (from the Netherlands).

When
Thursday, 11 Dec 2014
6.30 pm: Registration
7.00 pm – 10.00 pm: Seminar
Friday, 12 Dec 2014
7.00 pm – 10.00 pm: Seminar
Saturday, 13 Dec 2014
9.00 am – 4.00 pm: Seminar

Where
CCM Ecumenical Center (opposite University Hospital)
26 Jalan Universiti
Petaling Jaya

How much
A contribution of RM80.00 is requested to cover the cost of venue and also lunch & light refreshments for Saturday only. No refreshments will be provided for the Thursday and Friday evening sessions. Those who can afford to pay more are encouraged to contribute to a collection on the third day to help defray other costs.

How to pay
Payment is by cash or GIRO transfer to CIMB Bank A/C No: 7017070353 (Chow Mei Mei). Kindly send registration form and payment details to chowbernie@yahoo.com.

What to bring
Bring your Bible, own writing materials and a shawl/jacket should you feel cold in an air-conditioned room.

Who to ask
Bernie (012-263 7912)
Angeline (03-7955 0845)

New Life in Christ: Mystical Experience of St Paul

About the Programme

The entire theology of St. Paul could be summarized in one phrase: in Christ. The transition from the old to the new has been the well-spring of his life and the basis of his understanding of Christian life as well. This is a deeply mystical experience.

During these two days we shall read the Letters of Paul from the perspective of this transition. We shall examine how this affects our life in Christ: what is the grace, what are the demands?

There will be several sessions of reflection on selected passages from St. Paul’s Letters; there will be a few meditation sessions to interiorize the insights.

About the Facilitator

Fr Sebastian Painadath, a Jesuit priest, is head of the Sameeksha Ashram in Kalady, South India. He is an internationally renowned Asian theologian who frequently lectures in Europe and Asia. He has facilitated in workshops organised by the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs-Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (OEIA-FABC) and the Johor-Melaka diocese. He combines the best of the Asian mystical traditions with Western philosophical traditions in his presentations.

What some past participants have to say:

•    Meditation moves with you – walks out with you into your daily life.
•    Feel refreshed, peaceful, rejuvenated…
•    Presenter exudes a certain aura of calmness and deep spirituality.
•    A wonderful facilitator…. very authentic & sincere.

When
Saturday, 27 July 2013
8.00 am: Registration
8.30 am – 5.00 pm: Workshop
Sunday, 28 July 2013
8.30 am – 4.30 pm: Workshop

Where
Function Room, Level 3
CCM Ecumenical Centre (opposite University Hospital)
26 Jalan Universiti, Petaling Jaya

How much
A contribution of RM100.00 is requested to cover the cost of venue, vegetarian lunch & light refreshments. Those who can afford to pay more are encouraged to contribute to a collection on the second day to help defray other costs.

How to pay
Payment is by cash or GIRO transfer to CIMB Bank A/C No: 12650001973525 (Chow Mei Mei). Kindly send registration form and payment details to chowbernie@yahoo.com.

Who should attend
Those who are interested to have a deeper understanding of New Life in Christ through the life of Paul and his letters, and to reflect on how to bring about this change in their own lives.

What to bring
Bring your Bible, writing materials, shawl and a cushion (if you wish to sit on the floor during the meditation).

Who to ask
Bernie (012-2637912)
Angeline (03-7955 0845)

Closing Date: 14 July 2013

LIMITED PLACES ONLY - PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!

The Role of Women in Early Christian Communities

This one-day workshop will give you an overview of the important role that women played in the earliest Christian communities. It will focus on reconstructing how these early Christian communities functioned and grew by:

a.    Exploring women’s active roles in apostleship and leadership.
b.    Exposing Christian history-writing as male-chauvinistic
c.    Discovering that the contributions of women in the early development of Christian communities have been virtually “wiped out” from Christian history.
d.    Revealing why women continue to be subordinated within the church.
e.    Re-reading biblical texts that give glimpses of women’s apostleship and leadership in the early Christian communities.

The workshop will also help participants understand early Christian beginnings and how this impacts the Church today.

The Facilitator

Ting Jin, a graduate in Bachelor of Divinity, worked as coordinator in Asian Women's Resource Centre, which has its office in Kuala Lumpur from 1995 to 2009. In between that period, she pursued further studies in Master of Theology and Doctor of Ministry program. Currently though retired, she continues to do or facilitate in women's workshops on feminist liberation theology and critical feminist reading of the Bible.

When
Saturday, 16 March 2013
8.30 am: Registration and light refreshments
9.00 am – 5.00 pm: Workshop
5.00 pm: Afternoon tea and departure

Where
La Salle Hall
Jalan 5/15B, Off Jalan Chantek, Petaling Jaya

Registration
A nominal fee of Rm10 is for registration. A collection will be made at the end of the day to help defray the cost of venue, & refreshments & other costs. Your generosity is much appreciated.

How to register
Please complete the registration form and email/send to Bernie at  chowbernie@yahoo.com. The registration fee can be paid on the day of the workshop.

Enquiry
Bernie (012-2637912) Angeline (03-7955 0845)

Closing Date: 12 March 2013.

LIMITED PLACES ONLY - PLEASE REGISTER EARLY

The Lord's Prayer from a Justice Perspective - CANCELLED

IN CONSIDERATION OF THE PRESENTER'S HEALTH, THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN CANCELLED

At the very heart of the Lord's Prayer is the reality of the kingdom of God.   It represents God's vision of the abundant life for humanity, a life that is really meaningful in a society worthy of human beings.  It also constitutes the basic vocation of every disciple of his:  "But strive first for the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well" (Mt. 6:33; Lk. 12:31). 

Divine "righteousness" points to the most important and, today, severely tested Christian concern of social justice -- a recognition of the dignity and rights of one's neighbours or the concern for fellow human beings in the societies in which we live.   Because of this, the Lord's Prayer is worth exploring as starting point and, perhaps, even as a framework in discussing justice matters which the 1971 Synod of Bishops declared as "a constitutive dimension of the preaching of the Gospel."

This two-part presentation will explore both how social justice is rooted in the Lord's Prayer and how it is expressive of social justice. In examining its various petitions from this particular viewpoint, we gain insight into the "why" and the "what" of social justice.

Presenter

José M. de Mesa is a lay theologian, recognized as one of the most important theologians of the world today by the Missionwissenschaftliches Missio in Aachen, Germany. He is presently a University Fellow at De La Salle University, Manila and a Professor of Applied Theology at the Inter-Congregational Theological Centre in the Philippines. He also teaches regularly in Theological Union in Chicago and East Asia Pastoral Institute and is a published author.

Journeying with Jesus (The Gospel of John)

About the Programme

The Gospel of John is the mystical Gospel that describes the inner mystical journey of Jesus. In the Gospel Jesus invites us to enter into the same inner journey. During these sessions we shall reflect over the stages of this spiritual journey of Jesus and meditatively pursue the inward steps.

There will be two reflection sessions and two meditations in the morning as well as in the afternoon.

Father, may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me .I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one. With me in them and you in me, may they be so completely one that the world will realize that it was you who sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me. – John 17:21-23

About the Facilitator

Fr Sebastian Painadath, a Jesuit priest, is head of the Sameeksha Ashram in Kalady, South India. He is an internationally renowned Asian theologian who frequently lectures in Europe and Asia. He has facilitated in workshops organised by the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs-Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (OEIA-FABC) and the Johor-Melaka diocese. He combines the best of the Asian mystical traditions with Western philosophical traditions in his presentations.

What some past participants of his meditation workshop have to say: 

• A balance of meditation & teaching (with discussion).
• Well spaced out programme – not taxing.
• Feel refreshed, peaceful, rejuvenated…
• This retreat has given me new insights into spirituality.
• It has been a God-experience for me.
• A wonderful facilitator…. very authentic & sincere.
• He is a man of grace….

When

Friday, 20 April 2012

8.30 am: Registration

9.00 am – 4.30 pm: Workshop

Saturday, 21 April 2012

9.00 am – 4.30 pm Workshop

Where

Luther Centre (next to Tun Hussein Eye Hospital)

6 Jalan Utara, Petaling Jaya

Tel: 03-79565992

How much

A contribution of RM120.00 is requested to cover the cost of venue, vegetarian lunch & light refreshments. Those who can afford to pay more are encouraged to contribute to a collection at the end of the second day to help defray other costs.

How to pay

Payment is by cash or GIRO transfer to CIMB Bank A/C No: 12650001973525 (Chow Mei Mei). Kindly send registration form and payment details to chowbernie@yahoo.com.

Who should attend

Anyone interested in a deeper understanding of the Gospel of John.

What to bring

Bring your Bible, your own writing materials and a cushion if you wish to sit on the floor during the meditation.

Who to ask

Bernie (012-2637912)

Angeline (03-7955 0845)

Closing Date: 6 April 2012

LIMITED PLACES ONLY - PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!