PERSPECTIVE//METANARRATIVE

Announcement: Moving house

Dusting this cyber-home isn't the easiest of jobs, especially when my cyber landlord doesn't make this the most user-friendly place in the world. So I've been looking around some real estate, and decided on becoming a tenanat at a place that is both well-known and reliable.

I did a little sprucing up of my new place, but apart from a new blog title, a fancier-looking header, and (hopefully), making my sidebar look a little neater, it's not that different.

So from here on, you can now find me at http://justbk.blogspot.com. Adios.

The Agora

I've been formally invited to contribute to The Agora, a group blog of young Malaysian Christians seeking to work out their faith in every facet of their lives. It's certainly quite a privilege! Hmm....my contributions are likely to very sparse and found wanting, but oh well... :-) Make sure you do go and check them out.

Here is their vision statement in full:

"The Agora Ministry seeks to inspire & train laypeople in the marketplace to live out and proclaim the lordship of Christ over every domain of their life."

Mission

As a grassroots movement, the Agora seeks to encourage Christians in Malaysia to develop a robust and biblical worldview in which we fulfill our different vocations in the public square.

The church in Malaysia faces contemporary challenges to her life and mission in areas such as ethics, modern science, religious pluralism, church-state relations, culture, relativism, economics etc.

It is our conviction that the great challenge for the Church today is the call to engage contemporary culture in a constructive and critical manner through a biblically faithful vision.

Unless we do so, the Church�s witness for Christ suffers.

Vision

We seek to establish these values in our life, family and community

1. Thinking After God�s Thoughts � to think through the issues of life, faith and culture with a mind submitted to the Word of God. To integrate our minds, emotions, wills and strength in holistic worship of God and discerning His purpose for our times.

2. Learning Community � to learn and live in context of community, fellowship and accountability with other believers to benefit from each other in teaching, correction, and training in righteousness, that we may be equipped for every good work.

3. Mission in The Marketplace � To be accurately informed, winsome and wise ambassadors for Christ within our various callings and places in the marketplace as �little platoons� of mercy and truth.

Values And Convictions

We are evangelical in that we believe the Bible is trustworthy and reliable, and Jesus is the only way for sinners to be reconciled with God.

We welcome discerning laypeople to work together in a multidisciplinary sharing to cross-pollinate ideas and contribute towards loving the Lord with all our hearts and minds. We are not scholars so we may not have all the answers. To the best of our abilities, we seek to diligently draw upon scholarly resources.

We have a bias towards using simple, understandable language in our conversations. But we also seek to grow together in our understanding of God�s word and God�s world.

We have a bias towards evangelism and translating theology into practice (praxis).
We do not issue 'fatwas', but we do hope to bring out issues into open dialogue, even debate, in a spirit of love and respect.

A week in West Malaysia

When I've seen KLIA more times this year than I've seen my own sister, then you know I've been doing a fair bit of travelling.

I had a really good and interesting time last week in West Malaysia. I went to Ipoh first to see my sister and her new son, who's a couple of months old, and of course to make sure that my position as favourite uncle is retained among my two nieces. The trick is to brings lots and lots of soft, cuddly toys. I have also discovered that Channel 63 on Astro, better known as Playhouse Disney, is essential for harangued mums.

This was my first proper visit to Ipoh, and it seems like a pleasant enough town. I can see why a lot of people with young families might choose to settle down here. My big sister is the main reason why I'm beginning to see more of West Malaysia - the only reason I've been to Penang is also because of her, when she was based there. I went down to KL, after meeting the most careful Malaysian bus driver I've ever seen; I was actually willing him to go faster! The toilet break we took was so long that I'm half-wondering if the driver went to pay some of his friends a courtesy call.

The other reason I was in KL besides seeing friends was to attend the Klang Valley Bible Conference, and that time did not go wasted. Michael Raiter, former missionary, Moore Theological College lecturer in missions and principal-designate of Victoria Bible College, Melbourne, spoke on Luke's gospel, with the theme being 'People of the Way'. This will mean nothing to you if you haven't heard them, but his preaching style was a cross between Vaughan Roberts and David Jackman, I thought. His second and third messages were ones that I particularly took to heart, as he ably demonstrated the imperative that we be like children to enter the kingdom of God, and then showing how we need to make the most of our gifts.

Another reason I'm proud of myself: for three days straight, I was exposed to a huge number of books at fairly reasonable prices, and didn't succumb to the temptation to make an impulse buy! Now if the conference had been longer...

But probably the best times were bumping into some old friends, and getting to meet new people (or perhaps more accurately,meeting a few bloggers face-to-face for the first time) including Hedonese, Chris, Mr. Personal Chauffeur and Tea Tycoon, and having very good chats over supper at the mamak. Now I'm the first person to shy away from meeting people I don't really know, so I was quite surprised that I wasn't hyperventilating at the end; thanks for putting me at ease immediately!

It was really interesting to hear what life at local varsities, especially UM, was really like, and the struggles that Christians face, as well as what a lot of these people perceived as problems within the Malaysian church in general. In particular, I picked up a lot of frustration with the charismatic churches. Now all of these Christians I met defined themselves as broadly charismatic, in that they considered spiritual gifts to be for today, but they despaired at what they simply saw as sub-biblical teachings such as the health-and-wealth gospel, along with other things they saw as destructive, such as the wanton abuse of prophecy. Anti-intellectualism was another point that was brought up again and again. But I also discovered just how passionate this lot of Christians were in sincerely desiring to make an impact, however negligible it seems, for Christ, and to serve the Malaysian church, which was quite humbling. Nice shock to the system for someone who has been insulated from the situation in Malaysia for so long!

I also discovered just how powerful our perception of where our roots lie are. Throughout the week all I had to do was to say that I come from a particular university and all of a sudden there's this glow that shines around me...

I think that disappeared because we lost in a 'friendly' debate at Sunway College to our archrivals on Friday.

But yeah, it was good. I was sorry to see the week come to a close. In fact, I think I'm suffering a bit from a hangover, since my house suddenly seems very empty and I've been brought low in spirit.

The wrap: Hurricane Katrina

There were two especially powerful, evocative scenes in Steven Spielberg's latest offering, War of the Worlds. One of them is when Tom Cruise and his family approach a railway crossing and watch silently as the bell tolls, and a train, completely on fire, passes them by. The other sees Cruise and his family in the only working car for miles, trying desperately to put as much distance between them and the monster tripods as possible, only to encounter the monstrous side of humanity - they are surrounded by an angry, desperate mob, who do all they can to try to get their hands on the car, and ends in the murder of the initially victorious car-jacker.

Death and desperation. Despair and desolation. Two twin themes of that film now engulf the city of New Orleans as much as the hurricane did in the past couple of days. I know that fiction often points to truth, and I have never recognised that more than in watching the scenes unfold on the East Coast of the most developed nation of the world.

Our thoughts are with you, Big Easy.

A collection of photos of the hurricane's impact

First, we lament - a reminder that the lament is a legitimate expression

A descent into indecency - from the Wall Street Journal

Sam Storms on Katrina and common grace - really good. (HT: Justin Taylor)

When the Knees of New Orleans bucked - very thoughtful meditation from Scot McKnight

Michelle Malkin - the best blogging coverage, though some of us might not always agree with her tone.

Happy birthday, Malaysia

I'm currently a mass of contradictions when it comes to you. But it's not you, it's me.

I pray that the next 12 months will be good to you, Malaysia.

Love,
BK - definitely a Malaysian

Is this classified as fiction or non-fiction?

Today I would like to specifically address all those who believe that they have been victims of alien abduction and operated on in some form or another. Fear not, for I bring good news! I have solved the mystery for you. It appears that you might have mistaken extraterrestrial kidnappings and paranormal activity for...a visit to the dentist. Such confusion is understandable as a visit to the personal representative of the tooth fairy is surely no less traumatic than being beamed up into space for the amusement of tentacled green men.

Notice the similarities. The whitewashed walls of a dentist's office is surely as blinding as the transfixing glow of the sunbeam so beloved of aliens everywhere. One could easily confuse the two. The amnesia suffered by those waiting in the dentist's office and those who believe themselves the prizes of the fishermen who roam about in space are startlingly alike, for neither can recall anything between the moment they were dazzled by the aurora of waxen white and the next instance where they were strapped onto a bed or reclining seat of some sort. Here the two versions, the two tales, amalgate into one, perhaps pointing to evidence that the source material of this narrative is the one and the same. For both testify to their faces facing upwards, with a bright lamp shining down onto them, and the blurred heads of strange beings picking and poking at them with strange tools. Both recount details (with the appropriate shuddering of shoulders) where their muffled screams are soundless, and unable to release their pent-up feelings of terror, it is left to stew within, becoming a growing cesspool of fears, of panic, of dread, all mixed together, with no outlet to let loose. The dam erected by these surgeons are too strong.

Then all of a sudden, it's over. Both suddenly find themselves in the real world again, the occasion in which they transcended reality feeling both compressed and elongated all at the same time. This is likely to be because they momentarily left the world of clock-hands and changing digits. Notice the words used here: "compressed", "elongated", "at the same time", "momentarily". We cannot escape from using words in relation to time, which is why the patients/victims are unable to adequately decribe their harrowing experience. So when they return, they feel as if nothing has changed...and yet something has.

Again, note the ellipsis.

Of course, the alternative hypothesis is that dentists and aliens are one and the same.

Merdeka - 48 years on

Malaysia's races live peacefully - but separately
Malaysia bills itself as a model of peaceful multiculturalism, but despite nearly half a century of nationhood, the races that make up its population have never been further apart.

Separate schools, separate friends, separate social lives -- Malaysia marks 48 years of independence Wednesday but many citizens lament the lack of ties between majority Malays and the Chinese and Indians living alongside them.

Read on here...

Malaysia agonises over race policy
...Though not unique in the world, Malaysia's affirmative-action program was born out of bloody racial riots in 1969 to help address economic imbalances between the Malays and other races.

Malays, known as Bumiputras or sons of the soil, think of themselves as the country's indigenous race, live mainly in the countryside and make up just over half the population.

Ethnic Chinese, whose ancestors came centuries ago as traders or as mine workers shipped in by colonial rulers, make up a quarter but hold about 40 percent of the nation's wealth.

But despite the racial peace of the last three decades, there are growing doubts, within both Malay and Chinese communities, whether the affirmative-action plan is still working...

Read more here

As we approach 48 years of independence, where do you see Malaysia now, and in the future?

Football: a cruel, cruel game

Just finished watching the Chelsea-Wigan game, and I feel so gutted for Wigan. Beaten by a world-class goal with only 30 seconds left in the game. It's been a long time since I watched such a gutsy performance from an underdog. The gulf between the two teams were so wide that if any of Chelsea's substitutes were in the opposing squad, they wouldn't only get into the first eleven, they would be superstars!

What impressed me most about Wigan was their willingness to have a go at Chelsea. Most teams the size of Wigan would normally have parked plenty of people behind the ball and just hope for the best on the counter-attack. Instead, they were willing to go forward whenever they could while still being sensible about the need to defend well and deep. Del Horno, the Chelsea leftback, did find the pace a little torrid in the first half and as soon as Wigan latched onto that, they attacked Chelsea's left flank, and tried to free up their tricky little striker Camara to havea go one-on-one at defenders whenever he could. It's a credit to Wigan that I thought Chelsea's best player of the night was John Terry; the fact that he was pressed into action so often tells you something about Wigan.

Even in the second half, when Chelsea upped the tempo, especially with substitute Wright-Phillips proving a tougher customer than the surprisingly subdued Robben, Wigan withstood the initial wave of pressure, and again resisted succumbing to the temptation of an all-out defense. They made sure Chelsea didn't have too much time on the ball, and Damien Francis even managed to head against the bar. In fact, when a Lampard freekick was blasted against the wall and you suddenly had a 3-on-2 situation for Wigan, it just seemed as if maybe a fairytale ending was in store.

The thing that separates top sides from the bottom sides have always been good strikers, and the ability to take their chances. Wigan missed a couple of chances, and at this level, the sides that go down are always those that never were able to put away the opportunities that came their way. Hernan Crespo hadn't been doing too much other than getting caught offside all the time, but with the clock counting down, he got the ball, swivelled, and then produced a world-class strike from outside the box which the Wigan goalie had no chance of saving.

Cruel, cruel game. A little bit like life, sometimes.

---

Btw, since I'm a Man U fan, have to say that I was glad they put up a solid enough performance on Saturday in beating Everton 2-0. I never understood those who said it was time to sell Van Nistelrooy - sure, he had a bad season, but then he was out for a long time with injury, and he still got a decent haul of goals considering the circumstances. Van Nistelrooy is the best predator in the box, period. Not the best striker in the world, maybe, but when chances come a-begging in the penalty area, I wouldn't have anyone else. New boy Park Ji-Sung wasn't too bad, showing impressive work-rate and good off-the-ball movement, although his touch let him down sometimes. And Rooney? Scary, he's only 19, and already I'm beginning to take for granted the sort of performance he produced on Saturday.

Postscript

JollyBlogger on finding the will of God

Doug Groothuis on calling

Cause and effect

Today.
I sat on the bed.
Said bed collapses.

Logical conclusion?