Safespace

In the middle of 2019, Malaysia’s Health Ministry under the previous government announced the process of decriminalising drug possession for personal use. 

One of the main reasons for this was that putting drug abusers into prison doesn’t solve the problem. Relapses still happen without suitable recourse. Former Health Ministry Dr Zulkefly presented the paradigm that drug abusers were not to be treated as criminals but people with “complex chronic relapsing medical condition with many factors”. In short, drug addiction should be seen as an illness that needs treatment. This is expected to reduce barriers for people with drug abuse problems to seek help.

Debbie chats with Samuel Lim, Coordinator for Community Development with Malaysian Care, on this matter.

Contemporary church life is often tested with goodbyes and farewells, and is particularly trying when church members leave for reasons related to conflict, disagreement, differences or misunderstandings. This episode is a heartfelt conversation on what draws people to the churches they choose, why they leave, where they go, and how to navigate these movements. Debbie chats with with two pastors from quite different contexts - Pr. Fergus Ong from SIBKL and Rev. Paul Lau from the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia based in All Saints Church Cheras.

In the early 2000's, Alexa along with her then-cell group and church embarked on a discipleship course called Project Timothy, headed by Dr. Ron Choong, where she discovered a theological safe space to ask questions about God and the Bible. Her encounter with Ron Choong has also shaped her approach to ministry, particularly in the area of gracious and humble discipleship. 

Incidentally, Ron was mentored by the late John Stott, who, in 1984, encouraged him to start a "ministry of the mind" in New York city. Ron is now well-known as an independent interdisciplinary researcher studying ancient civilizations. As the Director of the Academy of Christian Thought, Ron has journeyed with young pastors and leaders in grappling with their questions of God and the Bible in what he calls a “theological safe space”.

Hear Alexa's conversation with Ron as they recount Project Timothy, and how discipleship can provide a theological safe space for minds that seek to be transformed by God.

Our news feeds all over the world are gripped with various global concerns - the impact of plastics on ocean creatures, unusual flooding activity in unusual times and places, sinking cities, political showdowns between people and politicians, various issues of injustice such as racial discrimination, the abuse of children, conflict and wars. Governments band together against each other to display their power and eminence, and the people face the consequences of these actions. 

In such a scenario, the Christian cry is naturally, “Come, Lord Jesus.” As we look helplessly into the global situation and yet play our tiny parts in promoting responsible, sustainable living, the recurring question in our heard is “how can we put things right?” That is of course an eschatological longing as we wait for the return of Christ to fully reign as our just and righteous King.

On this side of eschatology, it is fitting for us to ask the question “how can I live today in light of eternity?” Which extends to the questions of “how can I run my business, or lead a company, or lead my family, or ministry, or even how do I influence others along the journey towards becoming or bringing about righteousness and justice today?” 

The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, are made up of 17 goals for transformation, that nations can pursue according to their unique priorities. The 17 sustainable development goals are developed acknowledging the serious costs and damage that unbridled development has done to people and planet for the sake of economic growth. Incidentally, it is our 17 episode and that was purely unintentional 

In the recent SDG Summit in early November, the Minister of Islamic Affairs Mujahid Yusof Rawa presented the Islamic perspective of sustainable development. And so in this episode we take the opportunity to also lend the Christian voice to unpack what good governance, or right living is about in light of Scripture.

For this, Rev. Fr. Clarence Devadas, Director of the Catholic Research Centre has graciously recorded his view for us on the area of good governance. In this address he talks about 3 Scriptural concepts to look at: humanity’s responsibility to be stewards, God-given political authority, and the common good.

Clarence is actively involved in Kairos Dialogue Network, an ecumenical network of Christian thinkers and leaders dedicated to the strengthening and advancement of Christian-Muslim relations in Malaysia. Kairos Dialogue Network believes that the peaceful coexistence of the two religious communities is entirely possible and greatly beneficial to the progress of civil society.

On Rev. Fr. Clarence Devadas:

Rev Fr Dr Clarence Devadass, a Catholic Priest of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, holds a Doctorate in Theology (Moral Theology) from the Academia Alfonsiana, a Roma, Italia (2004).

He is currently the Director of the Catholic Research Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Executive Secretary of the Office of Theological Concerns in the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC) and a Visiting Research Associate at the University of Nottingham, Malaysia.

In 2013, Pope Francis appointed him as a Consultor to the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and in 2017, was a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Apart from teaching, speaking at conferences and writing regularly in some publications, he recently contributed and also co-edited the book ‘The Future of Evangelization in Asia’, published by Urbaniana University Press.

As a Diocesan Priest, he also engages in some pastoral work in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur.

What is the duty of Christian people towards their country? Is “making a better place for future generations” the primary motivation? What is the Scriptural understanding of the Christian’s responsibility towards the nation? Is evangelisation the work of all, and working for the common good the work of some?

Dr. David Tan, a policy researcher with the United Nations University shares his personal story on why he returned to Malaysia after 10 years living and working in the United States. He shares from Jeremiah 29 and 1 Peter how the people of God had been called to seek the good of the surrounding nation, even as a minority people.

Full episode summary here.

How do we treat persons experiencing suicidal tendencies as people, and not as projects? How do we patiently love them and contribute to their lives for good?

Finally, we grapple with the question that surfaces in every Christian conversation on suicide: Does a Christian who takes his own life sin, and is he saved?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chan Lai Fong is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Consultant Psychiatrist at UKM, and is the Malaysian representative of the International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP). Dr. Alwyn Lau is presently the Dean of University-College Fairview’s Center for Post-Graduate Studies, and spent over 16 years as an educationist in various education and learning institutions.

Full episode summary here.

With the suicides of public profiles surfacing from time to, coupled by controversial TV series such as 13 Reasons Why, there has been a buzz of discussion as to how to talk about suicide among youth. What does suicide mean in some segments of popular youth culture? What is the driving force?

According to the World Health Organisation, 1 person dies every 40 seconds by suicide. On its website it says that, “Suicide was the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15-29 years, after road injury.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chan Lai Fong is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Consultant Psychiatrist at UKM, and is the Malaysian representative of the International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP). Dr. Alwyn Lau is presently the Dean of University-College Fairview’s Center for Post-Graduate Studies, and spent over 16 years as an educationist in various education and learning institutions. 

Full episode summary here.

Archaeology is crucial to the reconstruction of any story, particularly those set in ancient times, by providing a backdrop from where the story emerges. Much more than a document of propositional truths or an index of instructions, the Bible is told in story and linked together to form a grand narrative that is set in real places and real times. 

Rev. Dr. Lim Kar Yong sits down with Debbie on the occasion of the release of his new book, Following Jesus, to talk about his book and how archaeology can help to enliven our appreciation of what happens in the Scripture texts. Because much of Scriptural truth is told in story form, it is an unlikely ally in understanding that story better. Along with the interview are recommended resources for Christians to partner with archaeology as an aid to studying the Bible. (Full episode summary here.)

Rev. Dr. Lim Kar Yong is well-known as a scholar of the New Testament, in particular his work on 1 Corinthians and the Gospels. Apart from lecturing in New Testament studies Kar Yong is Director of Postgraduate Studies and Director of the Centre for Bible Engagement for Seminari Theoloji Malaysia. Part of his activities at the CBE include study tours to biblical sites and hosting tours at their recently launched Biblical Studies Room which features various replicas and displays. Kar Yong is ordained as a Priest in the (Anglican) Diocese of West Malaysia.

How curious that Jesus likens the people of the Kingdom of God as those who are like children in Mark 10. There must be something in their spirit and demeanour for us to capture once again. In this episode, Debbie speaks to two child singers of the 95th Watoto Children's Choir - Matthew Kamukama (11) and Faima Brenda Nalalembe (9); a young adult singer and graduate of the Choir Livingstone Muwezera; along with their lead coordinator Edwin Naijuka.

Also, the Watoto Children's Choir treat us to a beautiful tune, "Holding on to Your Love." Full episode summary here.

Recently adding a Master of Theology under her belt from Princeton Theological Seminary, Pr Melissa Chan talks to Alexa about the adventures (and misadventures) of being a female pastor, ranging from stories about stereotyping to being a single woman pastor. (Full episode summary here.)