“At the time when the Earth was thought to be a flat plate supported by a tower of turtles, God has revealed to us in the OT that the earth is round (Isa. 40:22a) and suspended in space (Job 26:7). Modern observations have shown the remarkable and astounding truth in these verses. The Earth is literally suspended in a vacuum. Today, Science has taught us that the Earth is held in space by some invisible force of gravity as it orbits around the sun.

Perhaps we may find the idea of an infinite tower of turtles rather ridiculous. But should we think we know better? Perhaps fifty years from now, what science tells us may sound as ridiculous as the tower of turtles. In His wisdom, God did not reveal to us how the earth is suspended in space. The Bible is not a book of science. Whatever is difficult and impossible for men to find out or know, God has revealed them very clearly in His Word. The scientific claims in the Bible are true.”

Hoon Khim then went on to illuminate three characteristics of our universe by appealing to Biblical testimonies:

“There is much that we can learn about our universe. Firstly, the Universe comprises time, matter and space. The first verse of the Bible gives us a succinct description of the universe in these terms: ‘In the beginning (time), God created the heavens (space) and the earth (matter).’ (Gen 1:1)

Secondly, the universe is vast. Today, astronomers claim that the universe has some 100 billion galaxies (i.e. 1011 galaxies) and each galaxy has some 100 billion stars (i.e. 1011 stars). So there are some 1022 stars in the universe. Even if we spend a whole life time of 100 years counting stars, we can only count up to 109 stars if one star is counted every second. Imagine how huge the universe is. …It is a humbling thought that we are just a speck of dust in the universe. Nevertheless, each one of us is precious in the eyes of God.”

Thirdly, the universe has a beginning. Time has a beginning. It began at the creation of the universe. Time, space, and matter began at creation. It took a genius like Albert Einstein in the 20th century to show us that time has a beginning. Phrases in the Bible such as ‘in the beginning’ (Gen 1:1), ‘before the beginning of time’ (2 Tim 1:9; Titus 1:2), and ‘before time began’ (1 Cor 2:7) indicate that this is indeed so.”

Informed readers of BTW will know that there is a spectrum of views with regards to how the Christian faith and biblical interpretation relate to the natural sciences. Hoon Khim’s reflection is an example of how a BGST student grapples with her vocational concerns in the course of her studies at BGST. We invite you to do the same.

Chapel On 15 December 2010.
Dr Lai Pak Wah will be the chapel speaker. Chapel begins at 12 pm. You are most welcome to join us.

Academic Successes
Congratulations to Mr Clive Lim, a member of the BGST Council, on the successful defense of his D.Min thesis at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. His thesis was on Leadership and Business Ethics.

Dr Philip Satterthwaite will be speaking at the Annual Teach-In-Conference (ANNTIC) of the Fellowship of Evangelical Students in the Genting Highlands from 6th to 11th December 2010. He and his wife Eileen will be teaching Galatians to about 150 students.

On 12th December Dr Satterthwaite will be preaching on Isaiah 61-62 at Prinsep Street Presbyterian Church.

BGST LIBRARY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE
The server hosting this software was upgraded on Wed, 1st Dec 2010. The new link for BGST’s Online Catalogue is http://bgst.vlibonline.com. Please update the saved links on your computers.

CHANGE OF BUILDING NAME
Please note that Union Industrial Building is now known as Clarus Centre. This will not affect mails to BGST since SingPost uses our current address and postal code as the mailing references and not the name of the building.

Contemporary Issues Facing Counsellors Today
(CO241, 1.5cr);
Mar 28, Apr 4, 11, 18, 25; (Mon 7.15-9.45pm)
Venue: Zion Bishan BP Church, 4 Bishan St 13
Lecturer: Dr Danny Goh

Counselling & Community (CO240, 1.5cr);
Jun 11(Sat 10am-12pm, 12.45pm-3pm),
Jun 21, 22, 23; (7.20pm-10.10pm)
Venue: BGST, Clarus Centre
Lecturer: Dr Rod Wilson (President of Regent College)

HISTORICAL STUDIES
Introduction to Church History II:
Six-Continent Christianities (CH102, 3cr);
Mar 15, 22, 29, Apr 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10, 24;
(Tue 7.15-9.45pm)
Venue: BGST, Clarus Centre
Lecturer: Dr Lai Pak Wah

MARKETPLACE MINISTRIES
Liberating the Laity: Empowering the Whole People of God for Service in the Church & World (MM251, 3cr); (Group Tutorial) by  Prof Paul Stevens/ Tutor: Dr Ng Peh Cheng;
Jan 13, 27, Feb 10, 24, Mar 3; (Thu 7.15-9.45pm)
Venue: Zion Bishan BP Church, 4 Bishan St 13

Globalization & Postmodernity: A Christian Response (MM258, 3cr);  Feb 9, 23, Mar 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, Apr 6; 
(Wed 7.15-10.15pm)
Venue: BGST, Clarus Centre
Lecturer: Mr Ben Pwee

Theology of Work (MM261, 3cr);
May 23, 25, 27, 30, 31, June 2; 7.15-10.15pm, 
June 4 (Sat 10am - 1pm, 2pm - 5pm)
Venue: BGST, Clarus Centre
Lecturers: Prof Paul Stevens & Mr Clive Lim (DMin.candidate, Gordon-Conwell Theo. Sem.)

MISSION & EVANGELISM
Christianity Comes to Asia (ME325, 1.5cr);
(Group Tutorial) byDr Bobby Sng/Tutor: Dr Lai Pak Wah;
Feb 8, 15, 22, Mar 1; (Tue 7.30-9.30pm)
Venue: Telok Ayer CMC, 235 Telok Ayer Street

Introduction to Evangelism & World Mission
(ME101, 3cr); Mar 5 &12 (Sat 10am - 1pm, 2 - 5pm), 
Mar  4, 7, 10, 11; 7.15-10.15pm
Venue: BGST, Clarus Centre
Lecturer: Dr Tan Kang San

THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
The Christian Faith (TS101, 3cr);
Jan 10, 17, 24, 31, Feb 7, 14, 21, 28, Mar 14, 21;
(Mon 7.15-9.45pm)
Venue: Zion Bishan BP Church, 4 Bishan St 13
Lecturer: Dr Edwin Tay

Teaching the Westminster Confession of Faith
(TS216, 3cr);(Group Tutorial) by Dr Douglas Milne/
Tutor: Dr Edwin Tay;
Mar 25, Apr 1, 8, 15, 29, May 6, 13, 20;
(Fri 7.15-9.45pm)
Venue: Prinsep St Presbyterian Church, 77 Prinsep Street

The Christian Spirit (TS251, 3cr);
(Group Tutorial) by Prof James Houston/
Tutor: Mr John Chong Ser Choon;
Apr 5, 12, 19, 26, May 3, 10, 24, 31;
(Tue 7.30-9.30pm)
Venue: Telok Ayer CMC, 235 Telok Ayer Street 

For more information on our courses please visit our website:   http://bgst.edu.sg/courses-and-events