BATTLE FOR THE FAITH
Impressions by Richard Tiu on the life and ministry of the Rev Dr Timothy Tow taken from his book Disciples of McIntire
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2). Thus wrote the mentor to his young protégé. The history of the Christian church is replete with faithful men having the same teacher-student relationship that Paul and Timothy had. Another example in the early church would be the apostle John and his disciple Polycarp. During the 16th century Protestant Reformation, Luther had Melanchthon, Zwingli had Bullinger, Calvin had Beza, and Knox, Melville. And these teacher-student tandems all suffered great persecutions in earnestly contending for the faith. I cannot but have the same impression of the relationship that Timothy Tow had with his seminary professor, Carl McIntire. From its founder, the Bible Presbyterian (BP) movement with its strong fundamental and separatist stand flourished in other parts of the world under his student, persecutions, heartaches, and sufferings notwithstanding. There can be no success without any successor.
1940s
It all began in January 1948 when Timothy Tow was studying at Faith Seminary in America. There, he caught on the spirit of the 20th Century Reformation, out of which the Bible Presbyterian (BP) movement was born. McIntire sounded out the call for an urgent need to combat the ecumenical movement of the World Council of Churches (WCC) which sought to unite all denominations, and eventually Catholics and Protestants with the view of returning to Rome. To counter this apostasy, McIntire called for all the fundamental and Bible-believing churches to separate from the WCC and form the International Council of Christian Churches (ICCC). Aside from Tow, another Singaporean, K C Quek, responded to this call. Later, another McIntire disciple and fellow Singaporean, C T Hsu, joined in the fray and they became known as “The Three Musketeers” of the ICCC. Perhaps they were the pioneers of biblical separation in the Far East and were the first to expose modernism and liberalism in the region.
1950s
With a brilliant mind and prolific with the pen, Tow’s writing prowess was employed in the battle for the faith. For the pen is indeed mightier than the sword. And when the truth is behind the pen, it is packed with such mighty power. A quarterly newsletter, the Malaysia Christian, was launched in late 1951 uncovering the errors of certain publications that sought to undermine the pure gospel of Christ. The alliance of the Malayan Christian Council (MCC) with the WCC in ecumenical union was also exposed. Now this certainly was no small matter as this newsletter will soon stir a big hornet’s nest in no less than the Bishop of Singapore, H W Baines. Baines was as ecumenical as the WCC, and labeled those who opposed the WCC, “extremists.” This was just a preview of things to come in the ministry of the author. The author could not be cowered. “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Tow followed this precept to the hilt. “WE MAY BE REPROACHED BUT NOT OUR LORD” was the bold banner that headlined the Malaysia Christian in defense of its anti-ecumenical stand.
The 20th century Reformation movement received God’s stamp of approval when the BP church was blessed with a 38,000 sq ft property bequeathed by an Indonesian pastor. Out of this property the BP church in Singapore expanded to three by 1958. The author, being an indefatigable missionary, would soon launch into missions near and far. Early in his pastoral ministry, he would venture into the villages of Malaya. Together with his comrade, C T Hsu, they evangelised 60 new villages in that place in just two missionary journeys. His love for missions not only took him to Singapore’s Judea and Samaria but also into the uttermost parts of the world including the Philippines. Being a Filipino, I am very thankful to know that my country is close to the heart of the movement. In fact the First General Assembly of the Far Eastern Council of Christian Churches (FECCC) was held in Manila where the assembly sought to disassociate itself from the WCC and its local affiliates in the Far East. Inevitably, the movement had to separate from the Synod of Churches back in Singapore due to serious theological differences. Thus, Life Church became Life Bible-Presbyterian Church in January 1955 and the BP Church movement in the Far East was born. Separate from that which is false to propagate that which is true. This was exactly how the BP mustard seed grew to become what it is today under the leadership of Timothy Tow.
1960s
The 60’s was a time to “lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes” as Tow was given the vision to build the church and the founding of a Bible college to train “faithful men, [and women] who shall be able to teach others also.” In due time this will address the dilemma of having to send students abroad since there was no sound English Bible college in Singapore at that time. This required Tow to return to his alma mater once again for further training. Before he could even depart, the Lord had already prepared the realisation of this vision when the government granted a 52,233 sq ft of prime land, fulfiling the BP principle that every congregation should own its own property – not centralisation but decentralisation. These events gave way to the Lord’s blessing on the new Life BP Church and Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) building which has since become a landmark at Gilstead Road.
In order to prepare himself for the teaching ministry in the Bible college, Tow pursued further studies at Faith Seminary for the degree of Master of Sacred Theology. He wrote on The Law of Moses and of Jesus for his required thesis. This would later become a 168-page book an excellent refutation of dispensational theology that teaches the abrogation of the moral law together with the ceremonial and civil laws of the Old Testament. Thus the author was conferred the STM degree in May of 1959 but not without much difficulty both academically and financially. He recounted taking in odd jobs to be able to survive financially – including washing toilets. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (cf Luke 19:17). His humble labours would soon pave the way for an even greater work to “lengthen and strengthen” the ministry upon his return to Singapore. Life BP Church will be dedicated and the Far Eastern Bible College will be inaugurated. From this twin lighthouse, the light and truth of God’s words will shine forth in the coming decades in spite of dissension and opposition both from within and without. A bulwark for the truth it will be. “Holding forth the Word of Life” (Phil 2:16). “Holding fast the Faithful Word” (Tit 1:9).
In the 70’s the BP movement continued to flourish locally as well as abroad. The movement went as far as West Kalimantan, North Sumatra, and the Riau Islands in Indonesia. In places inaccessible by aviation Tow would venture by boat, sometimes sailing for days, just to reach the remotest villages of Southeast Asia. “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Rom 10:14-15). Today, thriving fundamental churches exist in far-flung places such as Tanjung Pinang, Pontianak, Medan, Kuching, Rawang, Kelapa Sawit, and Batam among others. This Samarian ministry took the author many trips across rivers and seas, propagating the gospel in obedience to the Lord’s Great Commission and expanding the ICCC and the BP movement beyond Singapore.
1970s
In the late 70’s, Tow received an urgent request from McIntire to teach at Faith Seminary. One proverb posted at the FEBC bulletin board near the kitchen reads, “The inexorable law of filial piety.” Without a doubt, Tow, the principal of FEBC, has this law written in his heart. Thus Tow left for America together with his family for a one-year teaching stint at his alma mater. Aside from teaching at the seminary, this one-year break would take them to many cities in Europe and America for various conferences and preaching engagements, visiting many friends. There were side trips to the Philippines and Japan too. Now the battle is being waged on all fronts. From Judean Singapore and Samarian Indonesia, it has now gone into all parts of the world. But traveling to all these places especially as a family was costly. Tow quotes a Christian saying, “God is the best paymaster. He is never man’s debtor.” I say “Amen” to that! When the prophet Jonah fled from God’s call and went instead to Tarshish, he paid his own fare (Jon 1:3), and even almost ended up paying for it with his life. But when we obey God’s call, He will take care of everything – fare, food, everything including our health!
1980s
A bigger battle was waiting for Tow in the 80’s as the church grew in Singapore. By this time the Bible-Presbyterian Church of Singapore had established 25 churches with over 6,000 members. However, together with growth came dissent. Irreconcilable differences in interpreting the doctrine of separation, fundamentalism and neo-evangelicalism gave no other recourse but to dissolve the BP Synod of Singapore. The “Mount” BP churches had vouched for tongues-speaking and charismatism and had to be opposed. A true disciple of McIntire would never take this sitting down. The line of biblical separation had been breached from within and the parting of ways in obedience to God was inevitable. Like teacher like student. McIntire staunchly stood for biblical separation. Tow did likewise.
2000 and Beyond
As the 21st century ushered in, the BP movement in Singapore marked its 50th anniversary since its inception. About two years later on March 19, 2002, McIntire, the founder of the worldwide BP movement went home to be with the Lord at age 95. The FEBC, in which Tow, McIntire’s loyal disciple, is both founder and principal, together with BP churches that have remained faithful to her Statement of Faith continues with the struggle to fight the good fight of faith. The battle has since shifted into the arena of Bible preservation. Neo-fundamentalism has cropped up at the turn of the century giving rise to the denial of the Verbal Plenary Preservation of the Scriptures which is a backdoor attack on the Verbal Plenary Inspiration of the Scriptures. The Authorised Version of the Bible (KJV) is being undermined by advocates of Westcott and Hort and the modern versions. There is “death in the pot.”
The 16th century Reformation battle-cry Sola Scriptura continues into the 21st century. As long as God’s words are attacked and the Lord is betrayed, the fight goes on. And though weakened by his long years of labour for the Lord, this McIntire disciple refuses to give up the fight. I have always thought it prudent for him to ride out the battle in peace and silence and be spared the heartaches. But his steadfastness to the truth best exemplifies what it is to have fellowship in Christ’s sufferings. To me, his example is a lifelong exposition of this verse, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake” (Phil 1:29). The Rev Dr Timothy Tow is a pastor, author, and theologian par excellence, faithful to the Lord he loves and serves. May there be a steady stream of Tow’s disciples in the generations to come.
