The Redoubtable Examiner

CAUTION: Examination Questions Ahead.

Strictly meant to be undertaken alone. No consultations allowed, no checking with AI tools.

Take your time; read everything carefully before you start.

Ready? Go!

1. Assuming you have bought a Bible before – do you intend to read it right through? Have you even once read from Genesis to Revelation? Of course you are familiar with John 3:16 and Psalm 23 but what makes you think you can live without the rest?

How long have you owned that copy? Does it still look new, or more exactly, untouched? Do you find yourself picking out only the verses that convey the Promises but not the Commands? Are the latter meant for missionaries and pastors/preachers only?

2. Do you pray every day or only when an occasion calls for it, like in situations of heightened need or stress, like exams or feeling unwell? Is there a prior relationship so that the “connection” feels natural? Some people feel that since God knows everything, prayer seems pointless – why tell God what He already knows?

Are we not already living in a high-pressured and stressful society? There are those who feel that prayer releases their hold and control over the matter – like handing over the reins – which surprisingly leads to even more cares, worries and anxiety. Strange?

3. Attending church every Sunday is now “old-school” – good for those early days when people needed fellowship and community to sustain each other. Dull work weeks needed a companionable and social weekend to compensate?

Today, wonderfully, we can be there and yet not be there (not referring to falling asleep during the sermon time), thanks to various platforms like live-streams and pre-recorded services. Think of the travelling time saved, and reduced parking woes (the bane of most churches locally).

4. Are you a member of a cell, home group (“oikos”), or discipleship huddle? Were you aware that they kept the number small (usually less than 20) so that your absence will be noticeable? You will run out of excuses and embarrass yourself for a commitment that originally looked simple enough (“just turn up”, they say).

Of course, have you considered the tactic of “coming late and going off early”? It improves with practice until each time you have to leave, people show concern for your “packed schedule”. Has anyone on Sunday said to you, “Your face looks familiar? Have I seen it somewhere before?” and you were tempted to truthfully reply, “Friday small group”. (Actually, “my face is always in front of my head” is correct but that would sound rude!)

5. Does your church still collect the offering by passing the plate or bag around the congregation? Has the modern method of digital giving encouraged you to give more? Or has it become more “de-personalised"?

Are you tempted to keep all your money for yourself? Your retirement is your own ”business” and even the authorities want you to have enough when you stop having active income. This knowledge should cause you to save more? Similarly, what do you need to know empathetically to give more to the church, missionaries, christian organisations and charities? What the head knows, is the heart moved to act – do something practical?

6. Do your neighbours or office colleagues know you are a believer? Do they need to know? Why must it be your responsibility? Surely, you’re not the only Christian around? Would it not be better for them to approach you rather than the other way around – less a busybody and not “imposing” on other people? Look inward: who already has embraced the Gospel (Good News)?

Have you signed up for a mission trip (yes, a Holy Land tour qualifies)? After all these years you have not embarked on one yet? Do you recognise how one mission trip can impact your life for both time and eternity? While on earth, we are all on His team. Did Lord Jesus not tell His disciples to go into the WHOLE world (WHERE?) and preach the Gospel (WHAT?) to every creature (WHO?) – Mark 16:15? Hello?

7. Have you heard what someone once said, that while we are more interested in our Comfort, God is more concerned with our Character? That our Lord Jesus is not looking out for fans but followers? Are you submitting yourself daily as clay in the divine Potter’s hands?

Have you paid heed to what Phylicia Masonheimer said that “Half-gospels will be preached as long as we are on this earth, but believers don’t have to settle for them”? Sermons are for teaching, not to entertain, but intended to build you up?

Final instruction: Now that you’ve read them all carefully, answer only Question 7.

---

What's inside this latest issue?

VOL. 49 NO. 5 of IMPACT Magazine

SUPERFICIALITY... Its cause and cure

By Eugene Low

AND THAT'S HOW WE GREW

Four contributions

THE DOPAMINE-(SIDE)-EFFECT

By Mark Tan

BETTER SAVED THAN SORRY?

By Peter Teagle

WHY MORE AND MORE KNOW LESS AND LESS

~ The Impact Panel responds ~

TRANSFORMATION, NOT MORE TECHNOLOGY

By Nicholas Ho

THE DRAGON OF REVELATION AND

THE DRAGON OF CHINESE CULTURE

By Kua Wee Seng