"Seek the Welfare of the City" Conference 《谋求『城市』的福祉》国际会议 10-13 August 2005, Venue: Trinity Theological College, Singapore 490 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 678093, Tel: (65) 6761 3605 Sponsored by the Centre for the Study of Christianity in Asia, Trinity Theological College, Singapore Tyndale House, Cambridge and the National Council of Churches of Singapore

PURPOSE

The purpose of the conference is to examine the contributions and role of Christians and the church in relation to the wider society in East Asia. The conference will reflect on this issue from the biblical, historical and contemporary perspectives, and assist participants to clarify the nature of their contribution to their own society and nation.

KEY PARTICIPANTS

Conference Chairpersons

Rt Rev. Dr John Chew Hiang Chea, President, National Council of Churches, Singapore
Bishop Dr Robert Solomon, Chairman of the Board of Governors, Trinity Theological College
Rev. Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian, Principal, Trinity Theological College, Singapore

Guests-of-Honour

Mr Lim Siong Guan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, former Head of the Singapore Civil Service, Government of Singapore
Mr Ye Xiaowen, Director-General, State Administration of Religious Affairs, People's Republic of China

Keynote Speakers

Rev. Dr Cao Shengjie, President of the China Christian Council, People's Republic of China
Professor Oliver O'Donovan, Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology, University of Oxford
Dr Bruce Winter, Warden & Director of the Institute of Early Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World, Tyndale House, Cambridge
Professor Zhuo Xinping, Director, Institute of World Religions, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, People's Republic of China

Speakers and Session Chairpersons

Rt Rev. Dr Paul Barnett, Retired Anglican Bishop of North Sydney, Australia, Research Fellow in Ancient History, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia & Research Professor at Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia
Bishop Dr Hwa Yung, Bishop, The Methodist Church in Malaysia
Rev. Dr Daniel Koh Kah Soon, Lecturer in Christian Social Ethics & Pastoral Theology, Trinity Theological College & District Superintendent of TRAC District West, Singapore
Fr Kenson Koh,Procurator, St. Francis Xavier Major Seminary, Singapore
Mr Kua Wee Seng, Coordinator of China Partnership, United Bible Societies
Dr Lee Soo Ann, Hon. Research Fellow of Centre for the Study of Christianity in Asia, Trinity Theological College & Senior Fellow in Economics, National University of Singapore
Judge Richard Magnus, Senior District Judge, Singapore
Rev. Dr Michael Poon Nai-Chiu, Director, Centre for the Study of Christianity in Asia, Trinity Theological College
Dr Tan Kim Huat, Dean of Studies & Chen Su Lan Professor of New Testament, Trinity Theological College

Interpreters

Rev. May Tan, Lecturer, Trinity Theological College
Rev. Dr Lim Teck Peng, Director, Centre for Development of Christian Ministry, Trinity Theological College

PROGRAMME

Opening Ceremony 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm Chairperson: Rev. Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian

Welcome Address: Bishop Dr Robert Solomon

Opening Address: Religion in Governing a Country: A Positive or Negative Factor? by Mr Lim Siong Guan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Government of Singapore

Address: A Message of Peace and Harmony from the East to the West by Mr Ye Xiaowen, Director-General, SARA, People's Republic of China

Presentation of Souvenirs

Benediction: Rt Rev. Dr John Chew Hiang Chea

(Refreshment)

Morning, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Biblical Perspectives

Session Chairperson: Dr Lee Soo Ann

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Keynote Address: Dr Bruce Winter, Seek the Welfare of the City - And the Enigma of the First Christians - with Special Reference to I Peter (Abstract)

10:00 -10:30 pm Discussion

(Tea break)

11:00 am - 11:30 am Dr Tan Kim Huat, 'Seek the Welfare of the City': Contributions of Diaspora Jews (323 BCE – 66 CE) (Abstract)

11:30 am - 12:00 noon Rt Rev. Dr Paul Barnett, Paul and Peter and the Roman State (Abstract)

12:00 noon - 12:30 pm Discussion

Afternoon, 2:00 pm - 5:30 pm

Historical and Theological Perspectives

Session Chairperson: Rev. Dr Daniel Koh Kah Soon

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Keynote Address: Professor Oliver O'Donovan, All Authority is from God (Abstract)

3:00 pm -3:30 pm Discussion

(Tea break)

4:00 pm - 4:30 pm Rev. Dr Michael Poon Nai-Chiu, Seek the Welfare of the City - Lessons from the Church Fathers for East Asia Today (Abstract)

4:30 pm - 5:00 pm Bishop Dr Hwa Yung, Civil Society and its Emergence in the Modern World (Abstract)

5:00 pm - 5:30 pm Discussion

Morning, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm

Contemporary Engagement

Session Chairperson: Rev. Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian

9:00 am - 10:00 am
Keynote Address Rev. Dr Cao Shengjie, The Role of Christians in China Today (Abstract)

10:00 am - 10:30 am Discussion

(Tea Break)

11:00 am - 11:30 am Dr Lee Soo Ann, Christian Contribution to Socio-Economic Development in SE Asia (Abstract)

11:30 am - 12:00 noon Judge Richard Magnus, The Christian Role in a Pluralistic Society, with Specific Reference to Singapore (Abstract)

12:00 -12:30 pm Discussion

Afternoon, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Contemporary Engagement (continued)

Session Chairperson: Mr Kua Wee Seng

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Keynote Address: Professor Zhuo Xinping, Christian Contribution to China in History (Abstract)

3:00 pm - 3:30 pm Discussion

(Tea Break)

4:00 pm - 4:30 pm Fr Kenson Koh, Roman Catholic Perspectives on Seek the Welfare of the City (Abstract)

4:30 pm - 4:45 pm Discussion

9:00 am -10:30 am

Panel Discussion:

Moderator: Rev. Dr Michael Poon Nai-Chiu
Panel Speakers: Rev. Dr Cao Shengjie, Professor Oliver O'Donovan, Dr Bruce Winter, Professor Zhuo Xinping

(Tea Break)

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Closing Ceremony

Chairperson: Rev. Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian
Address: Rt Rev. Dr John Chew Hiang Chea
Benediction: Rev. Dr Cao Shengjie

12:30 pm -2:00 pm Farewell Lunch

Afternoon

Free / Departure