FAR EASTERN BIBLE COLLEGE

New Prospectus

Prospectus 2016-2020The new FEBC Prospectus 2016-2020 is out, hot off the press.

Of significance in the new prospectus is FEBC’s revised in-ministry programme offered through distance learning. Our graduates who are now in full-time ministry and wish to upgrade themselves academically but unable to return for full-time residential studies can now take advantage of this programme to earn their BMin, MMin, or DRE. The revised in-ministry programme now takes a more structured form which requires students to fulfil course requirements semester by semester. FEBC alumni can download the prospectus from www.febc.edu.sg and start applying if they are interested. Graduates from other Bible Colleges who meet the academic standards of FEBC are also welcome to apply. The courses will commence in January 2017. Further details will be published in the July 2016 issue of The Burning Bush.

The history of the College has been updated. There is no increase in tuition fees. FEBC remains extremely affordable for those called to full-time service to receive their training and earn their degrees. This is only possible because of the generous giving of many who love and support the College which continues to stand foursquare for the 100% infallibility, inerrancy and authority of the Holy Scriptures which we have in our hands today (VPP).

If you wish to have a printed copy of the FEBC prospectus, you may get it at the reception table, or at the FEBC Office/Bookroom.

Corrigendum to “Board of Directors” (p50): At FEBC’s Board meeting on April 23, Eld Dr Boaz Boon decided to step down as director. Eld Boon came on board in 2003 and was appointed Secretary in 2008. He has served the College with distinction all these years especially during the period when LBPC sued FEBC. He was one of the three directors the Attorney-General gave consent to seek a declaration from the High Court that FEBC cannot be evicted by LBPC. Eld John Leong Kit Hoong of Tabernacle BPC has been appointed the new Secretary.

End-of-Term Thanksgiving

FEBC concluded the term with a thanksgiving dinner and service on Friday evening, April 29.

The service was held at the FEBC Hall. The Rev Tan Kian Sing, pastor of Berean Bible-Presbyterian Church, was the Lord’s messenger. He spoke on “Directions for Serving the Lord”. Graduating student Zakharia Suhartono of Pontianak, West Kalimantan, gave his parting testimony. The students from Indonesia, Japan, Korea and Myanmar presented song items. Deborah and Judith sang. The students also presented a humorous yet meaningful skit called “Remember or Regret”. It was a pleasant night of worship and fellowship.

41st Graduation Service

We are grateful to the Lord for the successful and peaceful completion of another academic term. This evening will see 21 graduating with their hard-earned diplomas. As usual, it will be held at Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church, 6 pm. The Rev Dr Koa Keng Woo will be the Lord’s messenger and he will speak on “Pay or No Pay, We Preach” (1 Cor 9:16-18). A dinner reception to follow. All are welcome.

From True Life (members and/or those under our scholarship), we have the following graduands: Jane Goh Tsui Keng (CertRK), Romeo Faustino Larano (CertRK), Lam Chew Ying (CertBS), Shobastian (BTh), Alice Lee Guek Eng (DipTh), Joycelyn Chng (MDiv), and Joshua Yong (ThM).

We thank the Lord for the True Life-FEBC symbiosis which is producing workers for His kingdom. Joycelyn Chng will be employed as full-time staff of True Life. She will assist in administration and education not only in church but also at FEBC. Joshua Yong has served well in our Adults Sunday School, and has joined Calvary Pandan full-time. Shobastian will continue his studies at FEBC. Romeo Larano who took up online courses with our support is a Baptist pastor from Mindanao. Alice is a regular at our prayer meetings. Both Jane and Chew Ying serve in the children’s worship. Chew Ying is also our church/college bookkeeper.

Shobastian together with Mega and Murni will be returning to their hometown in Nias to conduct a VBS for the young people there. Joycelyn will start work in June and has been tasked to compile all the hymns of our late founding pastor Timothy Tow and other new hymns. Our brother Christopher Tan, a True Lifer and CertRK graduate of FEBC, is also involved in this work.

God willing, Jose Lagapa will be serving with us full time pending approval of his work permit. He has completed eight years of graduate and postgraduate studies at FEBC, earning his MDiv and ThM, and is now a candidate for the ThD. He still needs further work on his dissertation and fulfil certain language requirements. During the college break, Jose and family will be going back to the Philippines to conduct a Teens’ Camp, VBS and Bible Seminar in Gingoog City, Mindanao (May 11-31).

Daily Vacation Bible College

The Daily Vacation Bible College (DVBC) was held at the Resort Lautan Biru in Mersing, from May 2 to 5. Joshua Yong conducted a ThM colloquium on “God’s Covenant with Israel: Past, Present, Future” which was based on his ThM thesis entitled “The Compatibility of Dispensational Premillennialism with Covenant Theology: An Exegetical Case for a Pro-Israel Premillennial View.” A total of 66 participated.

Here is a synopsis of his thesis: “Advocates of Covenant Theology usually reject a premillennial view which recognizes Christ’s future 1000-year reign on earth. Also rejected is God’s special plan for Israel as a nation during these 1000 years in fulfilment of the Covenant promises God made with Abraham and David. Yet this anti-Israel stance is not, in fact, inherent in this theological system.

“Covenant Theology views the unifying theme of Scripture to be God’s redemptive plan throughout history. This theme is expressed in the form of the Covenant of Grace, which is differently administered in the Old and New Testaments. While a Reformed view sees the focus of the Covenant as soteriological and ecclesiological, the eschatological aspect of the Covenant is seldom recognised. As a result, Covenant theologians usually fail to see God’s future plan for Israel; and the prophecies and promises regarding Israel are thus interpreted symbolically or typologically.

“This prejudice against Israel is actually inconsistent with Covenant Theology. One of the key tenets of Covenant Theology is the faithfulness of God. If Covenant theologians are able to recognise that God will fulfil His redemptive plan for man because of His faithfulness, they must also recognise that God will fulfil His Covenant promises made with Israel. What are the Covenant promises God made with Israel? Are the Covenant and its promises conditional or unconditional? Are they to be understood literally, symbolically or typologically?

“Covenant theologians generally adopt and apply the grammatical-historical, literal method of hermeneutics when interpreting the non-eschatological portions of Scripture. But when dealing with prophecies concerning future Israel, an anti-Israel method of hermeneutics is applied. Covenant theologians argue that they are applying the literal method of interpretation consistently even though they interpret the eschatological, prophetic and apocalyptic passages symbolically or typologically. The issue therefore lies not only in the hermeneutical principles adopted, but also the application of those principles.

“The aim of this study is to conduct an exegesis of key eschatological passages, while maintaining consistent hermeneutics. One of the principles of Reformed hermeneutics is ‘Scripture interprets Scripture,’ and since Revelation 20:1-10 is a crucial passage in millennial studies, Covenant promises must be studied in its light. By showing the link between Old Testament prophecies and promises of a restored kingdom to Israel, and the distinctive statements of Revelation 20, one will see that the pro-Israel premillennial position is compatible with Covenant Theology.”

The Rev Dr Timothy Tow’s book—Prophescope on Israel—was the assigned reading. Those interested to read Joshua’s thesis can do so at the Timothy Tow Memorial Library.

3rd Reformation Pilgrimage

FEBC embarks on its 3rd Reformation Pilgrimage from May 9 to 20. According to Church historian Philip Schaff, the 16th century Protestant Reformation was next to Pentecost the greatest revival the Church had ever experienced. It started 499 years ago, in 1517. So this year is the eve of its 500th anniversary. As we visit the famous historical sites of the Reformation in Germany, France, Switzerland, Holland and the Czech Republic, we shall review the life and work of Martin Luther, John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, William Farel, John Knox, John Hus, and others.

There are a total of 44 pilgrims from six churches. We shall study Church History live and look forward to a blessed time of holy worship and Christian fellowship. That is why we call our trip a pilgrimage and not a tour. Pilgrims who submit a research project after the trip will earn two credits (due: 11 November 2016). “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Heb 13:7-8).

Courage to Stand

Dear Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Khoo (Principal), Rev. Dr. Quek Suan Yew (Academic Dean), Board Members, Mrs Tow (Matron), Lecturers, Administration Staff and Students of F.E.B.C. and families,

Greetings in the blessed name of our risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Far Eastern Bible College is known as the “School of prophets” and praise the Lord for His goodness and faithfulness to FEBC throughout the years, also for the understanding and the stance upon God’s Sovereignly Preserved Word in the KJV.

May this time of exams be a fruitful time of learning and lessons learned be applied faithfully throughout ministry.

May those graduating at the 41st graduation of FEBC in this the 54th year since inauguration be a thankful people to a Sovereign God for His Word and may you remember respectfully your “Alma Mater” the Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC).

By God’s grace Robyn and myself have just returned from a one week visit to Nairobi/Kenya where I had the privilege of ministering at the East African Christian Alliance (EACA) Pastor’s Conference, at the Bible College of East Africa (BCEA) whilst Robyn ministered to the ladies. We had a blessed time of fellowship with Bishop Kivai and other FEBC graduates. Likewise briefly with Dr Mark Kim and BCEA students who remained at the College during the semester break who served faithfully during the Pastor’s Conference.

May graduands have the faithfulness and courage to stand upon the KJV understanding the consequences of not doing so (Rev. 22:18-20)

In His Service,

Rev. Errol D. Stone.

Pastor: Faith Presbyterian Church-Perth

Chairman: Faith & Freedom Ministries-Perth (Jude 3)

27 April 2016