PCT holds forum on public theology and church’s social calling ahead of national elections
From "Taiwan Church News" <enews@pctpress.org>Date Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:12:45 +0800
3117 Edition November 21-27, 2011 Headline News PCT holds forum on public theology and church’s social calling ahead of national elections Reported by Sam Lee Written by Lydia Ma Tainan Theological College and Seminary (TTCS) and Sinlau Hospital co-sponsored a training seminar for pastors called “Public Theology In These Ever-changing Times” on November 14-15, 2011, and invited notable academics and pastors to comment on various current issues, including globalization, theology, history, and cross-strait relations, based on both PCT’s perspective and how public theology would apply in these issues. Various speakers commented on the importance of the upcoming presidential and legislative elections in determining the future of Taiwan and highlighted PCT’s key role as well. Speakers invited to speak at this seminar included former PCT General Secretary C.M. Kao, TTCS Church History Professor Rev. Cheng Yang-en, and other academics. After reviewing PCT’s participation in Taiwanese political and social issues from 1971, when it drafted and published the “Statement On Our National Fate”, to the present time, Kao went on to stress that Taiwan faces even grimmer circumstances today as the CCP and the KMT seek to hijack the country’s future. “If we choose the wrong candidate on January 14, 2012, Taiwan will be plunged into a period of darkness. We pray that God will grant us discernment to know the difference between right and wrong, truth and falsehood, good and evil, and help us to elect the right candidate for the presidency,” Kao said. He added that voting was an important means for Christians to participate and witness in the public arena and urged people to elect a “just, honest, talented, and pro-Taiwan candidate”. In his opinion, presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen fit all of these criteria well. The seminar’s convener, TTCS Professor Yang Shun-tsun, remarked that public theology had become increasingly important in face of recent natural disasters, financial crises, food shortage crises, and soaring energy prices, which together had precipitated a “global social crisis”. As a church rooted in Taiwan and identifying with Taiwanese people, Yang hoped that this seminar and ensuing discussions would inspire people to think of new approaches in which the PCT could take to influence Taiwanese politics and society and contribute to the future and wellbeing of Taiwan. ******************** Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages. You may translate and re-use our articles online only if you acknowledge the source as "Taiwan Church News" and list the names of the reporter and writer. Contact us before reprinting any of our articles for print publications. Direct comments and questions about this article to: enews@pctpress.org Visit our website for more news at: http://enews.pctpress.org/ (English) or http://www.tcnn.org (Chinese) ********************