wfn.org | TCN: Former Taiwanese leader takes a class in theology

["Lydia Ma" <enews@pctpress.org>]

>Taiwan Church News

>2977 Edition

>March 16~22, 2009

Former Taiwanese leader takes a class in theology

>Reported by Li Hsin-ren

>Written by Lydia Ma

Former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-Hui is currently taking a course on  theologies of the Christian Reformation at Taiwan Theological College  and Seminary (TTCS). Lee felt it was important for him to gain more  understanding on the teachings that arose during that era. Upon taking  the course, he reflected that teachings from the Christian Reformation  point to the need for more “justice” in contemporary society  and churches. Churches today must uphold justice and be able to discern  right from wrong, said Lee.

Lee was first awarded an honorary doctorate at TTCS on March 2005 and  has returned to take a class four years later. He admitted he had  limited understanding on the theological thoughts of the Christian  Reformation, but claimed the course is expanding his knowledge. He also  said “justification by faith” was an important concept worth  reflecting time and time again.

“What is justification by faith? What is righteousness?” he  pondered. He would like to challenge local churches to reflect on what  they believe and on the essence of righteousness. “If church  leaders lose their ability to discern right from wrong and act fairly,  how will they preach to others about “justification by  faith”?” he added. He affirmed churches that saw their  shortcomings and engaged in spiritual reform, but also hoped that church  leaders would continue striving toward upholding justice and increasing  discernment.

Lee published a book in Japanese last year on the requirements for  leadership. The book is currently being translated into Chinese and will  be published later this year. In his book, he mentioned that the first  requirement for a leader is to have a religious faith because a leader  must yearn for righteousness. Lee also mentioned that Taiwanese people  lack religious awareness and rarely apply their religious beliefs into  their lives, and without religious faith, it is impossible to discern  right from wrong or know the essence of righteousness.

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