BPCIS: A Work in Progress, BPCIS turns 10!
Read the Editorial on the 10th Anniversary of the BPCIS where we thank God for seeing us through the major milestones in our history. A graphic timeline helps show this in a visual format.
Moving Boundary Stones
MOVING BOUNDARY STONES
Pastoral Word from the BPCIS. 9 March 2022.
“Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.” Proverbs 22.28.
RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE
The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine is clearly a violation of another country’s territorial sovereignty. God’s Word condemns it: “‘Cursed be anyone who moves his neighbor’s landmark.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’” Deut 27:17 ESV Indeed, a loud “Amen” was sounded at the United Nations when Singapore joined 140 other nations in condemning Russia’s action.
RETENTION OF 377A
But the principle of boundary stones goes beyond the physical. Just as lines are drawn on land, showing where we live, boundaries are also marked out in morals, prescribing how we should live. In this regard, we welcome the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in dismissing the latest legal challenge to Section 377A which the Government decided in 2007 to retain in the Penal Code.
Not repealing the limits set on the practice of sexuality respects the moral position of a significant segment of our population. At the same time, not enforcing such limits respects others in our wider society who do not hold to such a moral position. The Government has noted that for a "large majority" in Singapore, “the heterosexual stable family remains the social norm,” and that the current legal position reflects “our society’s norms, values and attitudes”. We stand with and support these observations as reported in the news media.
DIVORCE BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT
One more matter calls for our concern: the boundary stone that governs marriage and divorce. The recent passing of a bill introducing “No-Fault Divorce” or “Divorce by Mutual Agreement” (DMA) aims to reduce acrimony between divorcing spouses and the fallout on children and other affected parties. It makes divorce “a joint responsibility” with both partners taking the blame.
While it sounds humane, it overlooks the sanctity of marriage as a lifelong commitment, not only to each other but also to God. Jesus affirms what was taught by Moses: “So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” On divorce, He adds, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.” Matthew 19:6, 8 ESV
The boundary stone, set “from the beginning” should not be moved. The “joint responsibility” of a challenging marriage should be directed at honouring and safeguarding the union. For the Christian couple whose union is hallowed by God and witnessed by His people, divorce should not be an option. That said, acknowledging our sinful nature (“hardness of heart”), divorce does happen, and as God’s people we want to pray and help towards the healing of all who are hurt.
GOING FORWARD
BPCIS has commissioned Biblical Graduate School of Theology to study the legal and theological aspects of the DMA, and present implications for the church. A seminar will be held on 30 April 2022, 10am, to share their findings. More details later. As for the crisis in Ukraine, BPCIS is sending $10,000 from our Relief Fund through Operation Mobilisation which has been working with local communities there since 1994. Please join us in prayer by referring to the “Prayer for Ukraine” prayer based on Psalm 46 in the next section on this page.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV
Pastor David Wong
General Secretary, BPCIS
Pray for Ukraine
Our Father in heaven , in the midst of chaos in our world today … we pause to lift up to you – the deepening political & humanitarian crisis – in Ukraine. We believe that our prayers make a difference. Forgive us when we think our prayers don’t, help us in our unbelief.
Your Word begins in Psalm 46 …
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
Lord, we live in such uncertain time, and it does feel that the world is giving way, the mountains fall, and waters roar & foam. And yet, the Psalmist draws us back to who you are – you are our refuge and strength, our ever-present help in trouble. Help us to anchor our confidence in you, and find in you – our sure-footing in such chaotic times.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
We pray for the church in Ukraine – that you would remind them, that despite contrary to circumstances, you are among your people, as their fortress, that you will help them, deliver them. Strengthen their faith in you, comfort them in their despair, and enable them to share the hope of Jesus.
Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields[d] with fire.
Lord Jesus, you are the Prince of Peace. Would you make wars cease, break the bow & shatter the spear, and burn the shields with fire? Would you bring an end to senseless violence and destruction in Ukraine? We pray for President Putin of Russia & President Zelensky of Ukraine and their leaders – that you will grant them wisdom to work through the differences and put within them a resolve to work for peace. We pray for a breakthrough. We pray for the people suffering and displaced, that they will find refuge in shelters and adequate food and water. Strength the hands of those who provide relief and aid.
Finally, Lord, your Word says …
… “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
We often apply the verse – “Be still and know that I am God” – for personal devotion & trust. Yet in this Psalm it is in the context war. So calm our fears, to be still, and to know that you are God, before whom – all nations will bow the knee and acknowledge that the Lord God will be exalted above every power, every political structures and ideologies. And so we end this prayer, with confidence and in faith, that the LORD Almighty is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress.
AMEN.
Past Editorials
Sharing Resources Beyond Our Shores
Read the Editorial on the BPCIS' gift of S$10,000 to OM for their work among refugees in West Asia. Earlier on, BPCIS also gave gifts for ministries in Myanmar and Nepal.
Saving our Kindergartens
An account of the BPCIS involvement in the Christian Preschool Alliance by Dr Oswald Goh.
Elder Oswald Goh shares about an initiative to safeguard Christian preschool education so that future generation of children in Singapore can know God at their tender age.