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)

Spirituality & Consciousness in a Changing World

About the Programme

Dr Chia’s talks will focus on what it means to be Christian in the modern and increasingly postmodern world with its mind-boggling changes in almost every field of human activity. He will address transitions in the science, religion, politics and cultures of the world and discuss what has come to be known as World Christianity.

This workshop will explore developing fields in the area not only of Catholic theology but also of humanity's collective consciousness. He will draw on the groundbreaking works of transpersonal theorist Ken Wilber as well as the integral vision of the holistic health physician Deepak Chopra. These works are helping us to cross borders that divide and bring people together in God's loving embrace.

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 B.A. in Psychology, an M.A. in Human Development, an M.A. in Comparative Religion (all from the U.S.), and a Ph.D in Intercultural Theology (from the Netherlands).

When
Thursday 19 June    7.30 pm – 10.30 pm [Registration at 7pm]
Friday 20 June        7.30 pm – 10.30 pm

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

Registration
RM 20 for both the talks (inclusive of light refreshment during breaks) which can be paid on the first evening. Kindly complete & return the form via email to chowbernie@yahoo.com to confirm your attendance.

Closing Date: June 14, 2013

Enquiries
Angeline (03-7955 0845); Bernie (012-2637912)

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!

Exploring the History of God: Towards an Integral Spirituality

About the talk

This talk explores the evolution of humankind’s understanding of the concept of God as part of human culture and how these ideas shape our collective and individual religious consciousness. The first part of the talk will provide you with a “big picture” of the evolution of concept(s) of God through the ages.  The second part will look at how these ideas influence an individual’s development and religious consciousness throughout his/her lifetime.

The talk will draw from ideas put forth mainly by Karen Armstrong in her books "A History of God" and "The Case for God" as well as Ken Wilber in his books "Integral Spirituality" and "A Brief History of Everything." Armstrong and Wilber are two of the world's leading scholars in comparative religions.

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 B.A. in Psychology, an M.A. in Human Development, an M.A. in Comparative Religion (all from the U.S.), and a Ph.D in Intercultural Theology (from the Netherlands).

When
Saturday 6 July        9am - 5.00 pm
Sunday 7 July          9am - 12.30 pm

Where
Dignity International
A-2-7 Pusat Perdagangan Seksyen 8 (Behind Mammoth Court/Giant Supermarket)
Jalan Sg Jernih 8/1
46050 Petaling Jaya

Registration
RM 60 (inclusive of 2 lunches, coffee and tea breaks)
Payment is by cash/GIRO transfer to CIMB Bank A/C No: 12650001973525 (Chow Mei Mei). Kindly send registration form and payment details to chowbernie@yahoo.com.

A voluntary collection will be made to cover costs for the workshop.

Please bring own writing materials

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

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.

Thinking Theologically - Why? How? - CANCELLED

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

Life is filled with decisions to be made whether these are matters that are personal, communal or societal.  Such decisions are influenced by certain beliefs and values that people presuppose.  This is true for both people of faith and those who do not believe.

How then is the Christian different when quite often such decisions are made without any reference to or consideration of what one believes.  Financial decisions may rely simply on economic data and opinions.  The use of money is, for instance, ordinarily not seen in the light of faith.  Social decisions may be based on one’s knowledge of society and social relations.  What influences one’s affective life may draw mainly from insights gained from psychology.  Faith, while claimed to be supremely important in Christian life, often hardly affects decisions that Catholics make.  Faith then turns out to be inoperative in practice.  It is merely given lip service.

Theologizing or doing theology is what enables every Catholic and the church as a whole to see the necessary connections between life and faith.  It is the process of deliberately and consciously relating faith to human experiences so that the former can impact the latter.  Far from an activity engaged into only by church professionals like the clergy and religious brothers or sisters, theological reflection is part and parcel as well as the responsibility of being a Christian for the following reasons.

First, doing theology enables us to rationally comprehend what we believe.
While faith is not based on reason, it is not irrational.  To learn in theology that apart from being called “Father,” for instance, God is also regarded as “mother” is to discover the church’s judicious use of human language to comprehend who God is for us.  To provide a further example, such thoughtful reflection would probe into the rights and responsibilities of every member of the church arising from baptism as the fundamental vocation of Christians. 

Second, reflecting theologically strengthens our faith by deepening our understanding of it.
To understand why Catholics gather for the Eucharist on Sundays, not merely to fulfil an obligation but to experience their being church, is a good example.  Being able to articulate theologically the significance of what we practice actually deepens our sense of faith.

Third, to do theology is to intentionally relate the faith to the challenges of our contemporary globalized world.
Is occasional financial help to the poor all that our faith requires of us today as the official church sees it?  Is environmental irresponsibility indeed a new form of sinfulness?  Are our cultural traditions as distinct peoples of any importance in being Catholic?  What has Catholicism to do with people of other faiths?  How should we regard and relate to them as believers?

Those who follow Jesus are asked to love God not only with their whole heart, but also with their whole mind.  Engaging in serious theological reflection is an expression of our love for God.

About the facilitator

José M. de Mesa, a lay theologian, is 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.