THE BURNING BUSH Theological Journal of the FAR EASTERN BIBLE COLLEGE Edited for the Faculty Rev Timothy Tow, MDiv, STM, DD Mrs Ivy Tow, BTh Principal, and Lecturer in Systematic Theology Matron, and Lecturer in Greek Rev Jeffrey Khoo, BTh, MDiv, STM, PhD Rev Goh Seng Fong, MA, MDiv, DMin Academic Dean, and Lecturer in New Testament Dean of Students, and Lecturer in Pastoral Ministry Rev Koa Keng Woo, BTh Rev Quek Suan Yew, BArch, BTh, MDiv, STM Lecturer in Bible Geography and Church Music Lecturer in Old Testament Rev Prabhudas Koshy, BSc, BTh, MDiv, ThM (c) Rev Jack Sin, BA, MDiv, DMin (c) Lecturer in Hebrew Lecturer in Church History Rev Colin Wong, BTh, MDiv, ThM Rev Charles Seet, BTh, MDiv Lecturer in Pastoral Ministry Lecturer in Biblical Studies Mrs Jemima Khoo, BTh, MA, MRE Miss Carol Lee, BBA, DipEd, MEd, MDiv Lecturer in Christian Education Lecturer in Christian Education Editor : Jeffrey Khoo Publisher : Far Eastern Bible College Permit : MITA (P) 104/03/2002 Printer : Chung Printing The Burning Bush (ISSN 0219-5984) is published bi-annually in January and July, and contains theological papers, sermons, testimonies, book reviews, College news, and alumni reports. Articles are indexed in the Christian Periodical Index. The journal is distributed gratis to the FEBC family and Bible-Presbyterian churches, and available online at www.lifefebc.com. Local/Foreign subscription rates in Singapore dollars: one year—$6/ $12; two years—$10/$20; back issues—$3/$6 per copy. Make cheques payable to “Far Eastern Bible College.” Please direct all correspondence to: The Editor, The Burning Bush Far Eastern Bible College 9A Gilstead Road, Singapore 309063 Republic of Singapore Dedicated to the Memory of The Rev Dr Carl McIntire (1906-2002) 65 The Burning Bush 8/2 (July 2002) Dr Carl McIntire, Faithful Servant All praise and thanks to Almighty God For Dr Carl McIntire, faithful servant of the Lord, Who was raised up to stand against the apostasy And continue the Reformation in the 20th Century. At the funeral service in Collingswood, New Jersey, The Lord blessed mightily with thanksgiving and victory. To God be the glory, great things He has done For all who have believed in His Only Begotten Son. The highlight of Dr McIntire’s funeral Was the faithful preaching of the Gospel, Just as this dear departed pastor had done so In this Bible Presbyterian Church many years ago. Remembrance is the hallmark of gratitude; We give thanks to the Lord for He is good. We pray that we too will be faithful To proclaim the Gospel and carry on the battle. For the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. Let us persevere in the race set before us, For the defence of the Truth and for the pure Gospel Of our Lord Jesus Christ, the only hope of the world. Lehia Paauwe Tuesday, March 26, 2002 66 Editorial TRUTH UNFAILING: A TRIBUTE TO ALMA MATER Greetings in the blessed name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. This year 2002 is FEBC’s 40th year. It is an occasion for thanksgiving and worship in praise of our wonderful Lord and Saviour who has used our beloved principal, Rev Dr Timothy Tow, to establish this school of prophets for the extension of His kingdom and for the defence of the faith. Historical insights on the genesis of FEBC as recorded in the Malaysia Christian have been reprinted herein for the benefit of the new generation. This 40th year is an opportune time for personal reflection and sharing. Besides hearing from our present president of the board of directors, Dr Tow Siang Yeow, and former president, Dr S H Tow who gave FEBC her name, this special issue features a most timely message by our founding principal to this year’s graduating class, “For We Can Do Nothing Against the Truth, But For the Truth.” Clothing the sermon in flesh are the testimonies of 108 alumni who testify of the power of God’s Truth in their lives and ministries. Will you not join in the fray to proclaim and defend the Truth of God’s Word in these last days? The Lord has blessed my life richly through FEBC, my alma mater indeed. I consider my four years (1985-1989) of theological training at FEBC to be the happiest years of my life. I was like the merchant who had found the pearl of great price (Matt 13:45-46). I found the Truth of God in His Holy Word, and I found a much needed helpmeet in Jemima, the principal’s daughter. Both of us graduated in 1989 with our BTh, got engaged and then went to the States for further studies. We got married in 1991. I did not plan it this way, the Lord knows. It was by His directive and cooperative will (Gen 24:27). You will want to read Peter and Anne Clements’ story. They have six children (we are thankful for our two, Ann and Lynn). We pray they will be future alumni and servants of God. 67 The Burning Bush 8/2 (July 2002) By the grace of God, with this new 40th anniversary graduating class, FEBC’s total alumni would pass the 400 mark. We thank God for our alma mater. The testimonies are our sacrifice of praise to the Lord, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name (Heb 13:15). It is the Lord Himself who has done great things for us. We give Him all the glory and honour. My other alma mater, St Andrew’s, has a motto that says, “Up and On.” May FEBC likewise strive “Up and On” for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ until the day He returns to rule a thousand years. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Heb 13:8). Truth Unfailing! Amen. Life B-P Church and Far Eastern Bible College 68 “EBENEZER, HITHERTO HATH THE LORD HELPED US” (1 SAM 7:12) A Word from the Principal From day one, September 17, 1962, to this day, 40 academic years after, FEBC has looked to the Father Almighty for help. God has delivered us out of every difficult situation so that His Name is forever glorified. The school opened its doors to three students sitting on kitchen stools with the lone Principal speaking on the text, Ps 34:10, “The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.” The first three students were Miss Ivy Tan from Pasir Panjang and Miss Ng Sang Chiew and Eddie Chan from Batu Pahat. The school had no kitchen, and for lunch I asked my brother, Dr Tow Siang Hwa, to instruct his cook to give us fried noodles. After lunch the principal went with Eddie Chan to Chin Lien Bible Seminary to take delivery of six army beds, so the three students might have a place to sleep that night. Rev Peter Ng Eng Hoe, after graduating from Faith Seminary and Dallas Seminary, came back in time to join the staff. The principal himself taught 13 hours a week. He was like a half-back running over every part of the field. Sometimes he shot his own goal! At the end of the first year, Ng Sang Chiew left to study at the Alliance Bible Seminary in Hong Kong, for she came from the Chinese stream. Eddie transferred to Singapore Bible College. A fellow staff member who was supposed to be my friend advised Ivy also to leave, because he said, even the rats would jump out of a sinking ship. Ivy prayed but stayed by God’s restraining hand. 69 The Burning Bush 8/2 (July 2002) However, God sent us three new students the next year. They were Chan Lay Seng, now pastor of Calvary Jurong B-P Church, Miss Peggy Yeo who later obtained a DPhil from Oxford, Mrs Packer, wife of an officer in the Australian High Commission. When Ivy Tan graduated in 1966 and learned all her Greek from Rev John Grauley, and Mrs Packer also; Ivy graduated with the first BTh and Mrs Packer a Certificate. FEBC’s student body grew to over 100 from 18 countries three years ago with 376 graduated by the 39th year. With more than 30 graduating this the 40th year, the total will pierce the 400 mark. Over 65 have been ordained B-P ministers. There has never been a lack financially or academically all these years. “Ebenezer, ... Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.” 70 A TIME FOR INTROSPECTION Eld Dr Tow Siang Yeow President of the Board of Directors Truly The Lord has been good to us in preserving and prospering the Far Eastern Bible College throughout 40 years of earnest endeavour for Him, despite its ups and downs. The 40th year of FEBC hence, is a significant milestone in the history of this “School of Prophets” and calls for not only a time of thanksgiving and praise to God Almighty, but also a time for introspection. God has called our founding Pastor, Rev Dr Timothy Tow, way back in 1962 to establish a Bible college to train workers for the Lord’s vineyard—workers who are faithful to the Word of God and who will “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3) at a time when apostasy and modernistic unbelief were “creeping in unawares” (Jude 4). Starting with just three students and one teacher, the college today is more than 100 strong with a dozen qualified lecturers forming the faculty.