Hill Road Journal

Religious Commitment in a Pluralistic Society: An Old Testament Perspective

WONG Fook Kong

This essay begins with Brueggemann's observation about the “amazing pluralism” both within and without the Church. I agree with this statement with the qualification that this has been the experience of Asian churches all along. Pluralism both within and without its ranks is not new to Asian churches. When we look at the Old Testament against the background of the ancient Near East, it is evident that ancient Israel also lived in a pluralistic society. Different gods competed for loyalty among the nations. Within Israel too there were different views about YHWH . It is against these competing ideologies that the authors of the Bible affirmed their commitment to worship YHWH as the one and only God. Thus pluralism should not be a reason for abandoning one's commitment to worship YHWH as the one and only God. Rather, it is exactly in face of alternatives and competing claims that one needs to make a firm commitment to worship YHWH.

The Challenge of Religious Pluralism: The Book of Acts as a Test Case

Poling J. Sun

Since the 80s of the last century the issue of plural religiousism has become a challenge to Christian communities. Granted the highly developed connections among nations in this electronic age resulting in conversations and mutual influences, a plurality of cultural and religious phenomena seems inevitable. This is similar to the situation in which the early Christian communities found themselves, addressing and being addressed by a world characterized by cultural inter-penetration. With this in view, this article offers a study of several passages in the Book of Acts, attempting to explore how the early Christian communities encountered their surrounding culture in the course of finding their identity and appropriating their mission.

The Church and Pluralism in the Patristic Period: A Reconsideration of the Progress of Christianization of the Roman Empire during the Time of Constantine

Nathan K. Ng

The reason for the conversion of Constantine has long been a matter of scholarly debate. Traditionally, the emperor is believed to have been converted religiously by the power of Christ. Modern scholarship, however, tends to attribute the conversion to political reason. This article intends to reevaluate the controversial conversion through a reexamination of the progress of christianization of the Roman Empire.

The first section tries to show that the political stature of paganism was actually at that time much higher than the church. It would be very difficult to explain why Constantine chose to become a Christian if, as many modern scholars suggest, political stability was his sole concern. On this foundation, the second section argues that the emperor's bias towards Christianity was at least partially religious. Putting all evidences into consideration, a proposal of the spiritual journey of Constantine is tentatively reconstructed at the end of the discussion.

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Ye Qisen

Master of Divinity students

Kai-sum Yip

M.Div. Student

Sacred music has played a crucial role in my spiritual growth and ministry. For me, it's not just a tool for worship; it's a vital avenue for drawing closer to God, refreshing my heart, and strengthening my faith. Sacred music imbues me with God's truth and word, and the power of the Holy Spirit, allowing me to deeply experience God's presence and teachings as I listen and sing.

First, sacred music helps me grow spiritually because it wraps God's Word in melodies that make it easy to remember and reflect on its truths. Often, when I'm feeling down, struggling, or doubtful, a familiar hymn suddenly rings in my heart, reminding me of God's faithfulness and love.

Furthermore, sacred music makes it easier for me to enter God's presence during meditation and prayer. Sometimes words fail to express my inner feelings, but music can penetrate the soul, helping me to express my truest feelings to God. Worship songs serve as a bridge, connecting my heart with God's, allowing me to more deeply appreciate His love and calling.

In terms of ministry, sacred music is a crucial tool for me. Whether I'm singing songs in the worship team, leading a choir, or leading brothers and sisters in song, I've found that sacred music can unite people and focus their attention on God. It's not just an artistic expression; it's a spiritual service. When I worship God in spirit and truth during my ministry, I deeply feel His presence and see Him touching lives and healing broken hearts through music.

In the process of preparing for the sacred music retreat, I learned to entrust myself more deeply to God, rely on Him, collaborate with my brothers and sisters, and hone my obedience and sensitivity to Him. These aren't just improvements in technique; they're also spiritual disciplines. Seeing brothers and sisters moved and edified through my musical ministry has intensified my desire to be a vessel fit for God's use.

Therefore, sacred music is not just a sideshow in our lives of faith, but a constantly flowing wellspring of spiritual life. It fills me with the Holy Spirit in worship, comforts me in times of hardship, and allows me to experience miracles in my service. Sacred music is a treasure bestowed by God upon the church and believers, an indispensable blessing on our path of growth.

Church music has played a significant role in my spiritual growth and ministry. For me, it is not only a tool for worship but also a vital way to become closer to God, to be renewed in my heart, and to be strengthened in my faith. Church music conveys God's truth and word, and the power of the Holy Spirit. As I listen to and sing hymns, I profoundly experience God's presence and teaching.

First of all, church music helps me grow spiritually because it presents God's word melodically, making it easy for me to memorize and ponder the truth over and over again. Often times, in moments of depression, inner struggle, or doubt, a familiar hymn would suddenly ring out in my heart, reminding me of God's faithfulness and love.

Moreover, church music makes it easier for me to enter into God's presence during meditation and prayer. Sometimes it is hard to express my innermost feelings with words, but music can penetrate my heart and help me pour out my true feelings to God. Worship songs are like a bridge between my heart and God's, enabling me to realize His love and calling more deeply.

For ministry, church music is an important instrument in my service. Whether I am leading singing in the worship team or leading the brothers and sisters to sing praises, I find that church music can unite the hearts of the congregation and shift their focus to God. It is not just an artistic expression but a spiritual service. When I worship God in spirit and truth in my service, I deeply feel God's presence and see Him touching people's lives and healing broken hearts through music.

In preparation for the previous Spiritual Revival Concert, I learned to trust and rely on God more, to work with brothers and sisters, to practice my obedience, and to be sensitive to God. This is not just personal growth but the practice of spiritual discipline. In the music ministry, I regularly see brothers and sisters being touched and edified; it makes me eager to become a vessel fit for God.

Church music, therefore, is not an “accompaniment” to our Christian life, but an ever-flowing source of spiritual life. It enables me to be filled with the Holy Spirit in worship, to find comfort in difficulties, and to experience miracles in service. Church music is a treasure that God has given to the Church and believers, and it is an indispensable blessing to us on our way to growth.

Ke Zhaotian

Timmy Or

Looking back on my own spiritual growth, sacred music has always played a crucial role. Here, I would like to draw on British Baptist scholar Paul Fiddes' observations on Baptist theology to examine how God has nurtured my spiritual life through sacred music. Fiddes points out that, within the context of a specific faith community, Baptists engage in theology in three ways: experiential, confessional, and storytelling.^*

On an experiential level, looking back on my years growing up in my home church, the epic musical experience of traditional hymns—including those from anthologies like "New Hymns to the Lord" and "Century Hymns"—shaped my impression of church music and cultivated my appreciation for how worship music conveys the message through music. In my current church, the lyrical musical experience of contemporary pop hymns—both international and local—has broadened my imagination of church music and allowed me to appreciate the faith expressions of different brothers and sisters.

On the confessional level, I believe that both traditional and modern church music convey the same Christian faith and contribute to our spiritual growth. Therefore, choosing between traditional and modern music styles is a false proposition. In fact, regardless of the style of church music, I have experienced a process of edification. Through the songs, we learn about the true nature of the Triune God we believe in; moreover, through the songs, we confess and profess our faith—as the Bible says, by these we teach and admonish one another and sing praises to God (see Colossians 3:16).

Finally, on a storytelling level, God has used sacred music to build my spiritual life. Not only does sacred music allow me to engage emotionally in worship and grow in my faith and knowledge, but in a way, it connects me to my own spiritual growth, becoming part of my life story. I believe many of you have experienced this: in your journey through God's guidance, a particular song has become a source of help, reminder, and encouragement. From then on, this song became more than just another song for me; every time I hear it, it brings back my own experiences in God's presence. Sacred music and my life story have become intertwined.

May the church’s sacred music continue to be used by God and build up our spiritual life through our experiences, confessions and stories, to the glory of the Triune God!

____________________________________________

^* Paul Fiddes, Tracks and Traces: Baptist Identity in Church and Theology (Carlisle: Paternoster, 2003), 4-12.

Reflecting on my spiritual journey, I realize that church music has always played a significant role. Here, I would like to draw upon the insights of British Baptist scholar Paul Fiddes on the Baptist way of doing theology to examine how God has molded my spiritual life through church music. Fiddes points out that in the context of faith communities, there are three ways of doing theology among Baptists: experience, confession, and stories.

In terms of experience, as I look back at my days of growing up in my mother church, traditional hymns, including those in such hymn books as New Songs of Praise and Century Praise, have created for us epic-like musical experiences, which have shaped my understanding of church music and cultivated in me an appreciation of how music in worship can be used as a vehicle for the Word. In the church which I now serve, modern popular hymns, whether foreign or local, have brought us a lyrical musical experience that has broadened my imagination of what church music can be and allowed me to recognize diverse expressions of faith amongst my fellow Christians.

In respect of confession, I believe that both traditional and modern styles of church music possess the same content of the Christian faith, which is equally beneficial to our spiritual growth. Therefore, it is a false proposition that one must choose between traditional and modern musical styles. In fact, regardless of the style, I have been equally edified by different styles of church music. We learn from hymns about the Triune God in whom we believe, and we profess and confess our faith through our singing—teaching and admonishing one another through hymns singing to God, just as the Bible says (cf. Col 3:16).

Finally, in terms of stories, God builds up my spiritual life through church music. Not only does church music help me worship passionately and grow in my knowledge of my faith but also, to a certain extent, it is connected with my personal spiritual growth and has become a part of my life story. I believe that many brothers and sisters have also experienced a time when a hymn has helped them by acting as a reminder or an encouragement to us in God's providence. Afterward, that hymn becomes more than just an ordinary hymn; every time we hear it, it will remind us of our own experiences before God. Church music and our life stories are beautifully intertwined in this way.

May the church's music remain in God's use to build our spiritual lives through our experiences, confessions, and stories. Glory be to the Triune God!

Li Tianhui

Alumni Association Choir Member

Grace Lee

HKBTS Alumni Choir member

Tianhui and her mother

When we or those around us are in the valley of the shadow of death, and when human words can no longer bring comfort, hymns can become a way to turn our hearts and minds to God, helping us to express our deepest desires to God and pray to Him.

Nine years ago, my mother fell ill and became so frail that she could no longer receive further treatment. While lying in her hospital bed, she requested the song "How Great You Are." Together, we praised our Heavenly Father, and my mother, suffering through physical pain, immediately felt God's presence and was filled with hope. A few days later, God took my mother home to heaven. In my grief, God constantly comforted me through the song "Blessings" by gospel singer Laura Story. Here are some lyrics that particularly touched my heart (with Chinese translations):

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things.
But You only want the best for us because You love us so much.

And when darkness seems to win,
we know the pain reminds this heart
that this is not, this is not our home.
When darkness seems to prevail,
These pains remind us that
This world is not our home.

And what if trials of this life,
the rain, the storms, the hardest nights,
are Your mercies in disguise?
Perhaps the trials of this life,
Those wild winds, rainstorms, sleepless nights,
It turns out that your grace and mercy are hidden behind it.

These lyrics give me perspective on eternity, reminding me that the Lord is still in control and that I must choose to continue to trust Him because He loves me and my family. He will not give us anything that is useless.

I believe others have had similar experiences. God brings help, peace, and comfort through song. I once sang hymns to a Christian brother with dementia. Although his brain function was declining, the hymns I sang truly awakened this brother who seemed to be "fading away." I experienced the power of song. Thank the Lord for song, which allows us to connect with Him: to praise and worship Him in truth with our hearts and emotions.

Grace and her mother

In times when we are in the darkest valley and human words can no longer comfort us, hymns can be a means of turning our hearts and minds to God, helping us to express our deepest longing to Him and to pray to Him.

Nine years ago, my mother became seriously ill and was too weak to continue treatment. While resting in her hospital bed, she asked us to play the hymn "How Great Thou Art." As we worshiped our Heavenly Father together, my mother—despite her intense physical pain—immediately sensed God's presence. Her heart was filled with hope. Just a few days later, God called her home to heaven. During my time of grief, I continually experienced God's comfort through Laura Story's hymn “Blessings.” Here are some lines from the hymn that deeply moved me:

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things.
And when darkness seems to win,
we know the pain reminds this heart
that this is not, this is not our home.
And what if trials of this life,
the rain, the storms, the hardest nights,
are Your mercies in disguise?

These lyrics gave me insight into eternity and reminded me that the Lord is in control and I must choose to trust Him because He loves me and my family. God never gives us challenges for which He has not already prepared us.

I am sure many others have had such experiences. God offers us help, peace, and comfort through hymns. I once sang a hymn to a brother in Christ who was suffering from dementia. Even though his brain was failing, the hymn I sang at that time did awaken that seemingly “disappearing” brother.

Kit-ying Law

Assistant Professor of Practical Theology (Worship and Sacred Music)
75th Anniversary Celebration Organizing Committee. Executive Committee Member

羅潔盈

Assistant Professor (Worship and Church Music)
75th Anniversary Organizing Committee Executive Member
75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service and Concert of Praise Conductor

Earthly Rehearsal for Heavenly Worship

Reflections on the preparations for the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Worship and Musical Praise Meeting

Earthly Rehearsal for Heavenly Worship

Thoughts on the Preparations for the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service and Concert of Praise

Prayer and Imagination

Next year will be the 75th anniversary of Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the preparations for the anniversary celebration and to conduct the Thanksgiving Worship and Musical Praise Service in April of next year.

The 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Worship and Music Praise Meeting was themed "Standing in Christ, Facing the Future".May the Lord continue to protect and guide us, so that we can serve the churches through the theological education of our college, cultivate God’s workers, and enable them to shepherd the flock based on a firm foundation of faith and bravely face the challenges of the future.Here, in addition to wanting to talk about some of the concepts, arrangements, musical forms, lyrics, etc. of this Thanksgiving worship, I also sincerely hope that everyone can receive the Lord's revelation together, renew ourselves together, and establish our common imagination of this Thanksgiving worship - this is my prayer to the Lord.

Christ the Lord, the Cornerstone

　　First, let us recall how we (including preachers from different churches) are built on the same foundation by Christ, and then imagine together how we can continue to preach this eternal and unchanging gospel in this changing world by the power of the resurrected Lord.Indeed, Christ is the foundation of our faith, our cornerstone. Therefore, we plan to sing "Christ the Lord, the Cornerstone" during our Gratitude Service. A year ago, the College Choir began practicing this four-part a cappella sacred work, composed by Christian composer Dr. Chen Weiguang. The hymn leads us to confess that Christ is our cornerstone, and that salvation is found in no other:

Christ the Lord—the chief corner stone! Christ the Lord—the chief corner stone!
The stone (the corner stone) which the builders rejected,
It has become the cornerstone!
There is no salvation in any other;
For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we can be saved!

The phrase "Christ the Lord" is first sung by the female voice with vibrant syncopation, while the male voice responds with "cornerstone" in an even rhythm, with a distinct and resolute emphasis (marcato). This echoes the biblical text of Ephesians 2:20, expressing the importance of Jesus Christ himself as this solid foundation. The music then expands into a four-part chorus, emphasizing "the stone which the builders rejected, the same has become the chief cornerstone" (see Psalm 118:22; Acts 4:11). The harmony, with its clash of suspense and delayed resolution, expresses the tension between the current cultural context and Christ's dialogue.

Worship is the occasion of public proclamation of the Christian faith.We pray that during the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Celebration, the Lord will gather us together once again to listen to His Word, express our thanksgiving, prayers, and praises, and publicly demonstrate our faith.Through the pursuit of excellence, generations of sacred music pioneers have used music, worship, and the arts in worship to express the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Triune God, both economically and immanently. Aesthetics itself reflects the beauty of Heavenly Father's creation, but it also needs redemption. The truth of Christ makes us a holy, royal priesthood. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we strive to live out goodness, build a community of love belonging to God, and bear witness to His presence and grace.

Light and Renewal

　　Second, examine the foundation of the truth we believe in.The College was founded in 1951, and next year will mark its 75th anniversary. What needs to be reminded? What has been forgotten? What needs to be illuminated and renewed? At the Last Supper, when Jesus broke bread and took the cup, he instructed his disciples to do this “in remembrance of me” (see Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25). The Greek word for “remember,” anamnesis, means “lest you forget.”

Sometimes change can bring us fresh perspectives, new discoveries, and new reminders. Another song we will sing, "Bearing the Unfinished Mission," is a case in point. It's a new arrangement of the congregational hymn "The Foundation of the Church," with new lyrics. This isn't just a shift in style; it offers a fresh perspective on how we continue to belong to Christ's church.

The choir of the Academy and the United Choir will sing "Harry, Harry, Harry" and "Christ the Lord, the Cornerstone" in unison, and together they will confess with song and faith that this "stone which the builders rejected" is our only support.Even if the building on this stone is demolished or experiences darkness, it will surely be able to see the light again through the resurrected Christ—the morning light—and become a living stone, being built into a place where God the Father dwells through the Holy Spirit, and obtain ultimate salvation and hope.

Earthly Rehearsal for Heavenly Worship

The 75th anniversary celebrations truly required considerable effort to plan. May we all be called together to share a common vision of Baptist Theological Seminary and the church we serve. This is more than just an event; each joint choir practice or performance can be considered a "rehearsal for heavenly worship on earth." Let us exercise the gifts God has given us, through biblically-centered worship, to reiterate and express our praise and gratitude to Him together, and continue to participate in His work of renewal and creation. The Triune Lord we believe in is both transcendent and indwelling.We need to pool our gifts and imaginations to see the way “above the sun” and become living sacrifices, going into the world together with the peace from above (go in peace), to love and serve the Lord!May He receive the greatest glory!Soli Deo gloria!

Be Thou Our Vision

Next year will be the 75th anniversary of the Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary. I am grateful to have the opportunity to participate in organizing the celebration and conducting the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service and Concert of Praise to be held in April of next year.

The 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service and Concert of Praise will be held with the theme of “Stand Firm in Christ, Advance Toward the Future.” We pray that the Lord will continue to keep us and lead us to serve churches through our theological education and to nurture servants of God, so that they can tend the flock on a firm foundation of faith and bravely face the challenges of the future. Here, I would like to talk about the ideas, arrangements, music, and lyrics of this Thanksgiving Service. I sincerely hope that we shall all receive the Lord's revelation, are renewed together, and are united through this Thanksgiving Service. This is my prayer to the Lord.

Lord Jesus, the Cornerstone ^*

　　Firstly, let us recall how we, including ministers from different congregations, have been built up by Jesus Christ on the same foundation, and together we can imagine how we will continue to preach the everlasting Gospel by the power of the risen Lord in this ever-changing time and age. Truly, Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith, our cornerstone. Therefore, we will be singing “Lord Jesus, the Capstone” at the Thanksgiving Service. A year ago, the HKBTS Choir began practicing this four-part a cappella music piece written by Christian composer Dr. Victor Wai-kwong Chan. The hymn leads us to confess that Jesus Christ is our cornerstone and that apart from Him, there is no salvation (English translation of the quoted Chinese lyrics as follows):

Lord Jesus, the cornerstone! Lord Jesus, the cornerstone!
The stone that the builders rejected (the cornerstone)
Has become the cornerstone.
There is salvation in no one else,
For there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved.

The phrase “Lord Jesus” is first sung by female voices in an energetic syncopation, while the male voices sing “the cornerstone” in an even meter with a distinct and firm marcato. This is in harmony with the Bible passage in Ephesians 2:20, which expresses the importance of Jesus Christ as the solid foundation. The music then expands into a four-part chorus emphasizing “the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (cf. Ps 118:22; Acts 4:11). The harmonies, with their suspensions and delayed resolution of dissonance, demonstrate the tension within dialogues surrounding contemporary cultural contexts and Christ.

Worship is a public proclamation of the Christian faith. We pray that the Lord will gather us together in our 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service to hear the Word of God and to express our thanksgiving, prayers, and praises while we make public professions of our faith. Through the pursuit of excellence, the predecessors of church music have used music as well as worship and visual and literary arts to express the truth, goodness, and beauty of the economic and immanent Trinity in worship. Aesthetics itself reflects the beauty of God the Father's creation, but it still needs to be redeemed. The truth of Christ makes us a holy, royal priesthood, so that the Holy Spirit may guide us in our efforts to live out the good, to build up a community of love that belongs to the Lord, and to witness to His presence and favor.

Enlightenment and Renewal

　　Secondly, let us examine the foundation of the truth we believe in. The seminary was founded in 1951, and it will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year. Is there anything we need to be reminded of? Is there anything that we have forgotten? What do we need to be enlightened and renewed? When Jesus broke the bread and took the cup at the Last Supper, He commanded His disciples to do this “in remembrance of me” (cf. Lk 22:19; I Cor 11:24-25). The Greek word for “remembrance” is anamnesis, which means “reminder.”

Sometimes changes can bring us new insights, discoveries, and reminders. An example of this is the other hymn we will be singing, "Facing a Task Unfinished." It is a new arrangement of the congregational hymn, "The Church's One Foundation," with new lyrics. It is not only a change in style but also gives us a new perspective on how we keep on being the church of Christ.

On that day, the hymns “Halle, Halle, Halle” and “Lord Jesus, the Capstone” will be sung by the HKBTS Choir and the joint choir will echo each other; together we will declare in praise and in faith that this “stone that the builders have rejected” is our only dependence. Even if the building on this stone is torn down or endures the darkness of night, it will surely see the light again through the risen Christ, the morning light, and become a living stone to be built into a place where God the Father dwells through the Holy Spirit, enjoying the ultimate and salvation hope.

Earthly Rehearsal for Heavenly Worship

It does take a lot of energy to prepare for our 75th anniversary celebration. May we all be summoned to share a common vision for HKBTS and the churches we serve. This is not just an event; in fact, every practice or performance of the joint choir can be imagined as “earthly rehearsal for heavenly worship.” Let us use our God-given gifts to offer our praise and thanksgiving to Him together through Bible-centred worship, and to participate in His ongoing work of renewal and creation. We believe in the Triune God, who is both transcendent and indwelling. We have to bring together each other's spiritual gifts and imaginations in order to see the way “above the sun,” to become living sacrifices, to go into the world together in peace from above, and to love and serve the Lord! Let Him be glorified to the fullest! Soli Deo gloria!

____________________________________________

^* Or capstone; also in the following paragraph.

Michelle Chan

Biblical Studies Lecturer, Course Director of the Centre for Continuing Pastoral Education, and Director of Student Affairs
Convenor of the 75th Anniversary Celebration Preparatory Committee

陳合英

Lecturer (Biblical Studies)
Director of Pastoral Continuing Education Program
Director of Student Affairs
75th Anniversary Organizing Committee Convener

Sticking to the mission on the thorny road

Looking back, fifteen years have already passed since I returned to serve at my alma mater, Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary, at the end of 2010. My first and foremost task then was organizing the 60th Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Since then, I've also celebrated the 65th and 70th anniversaries, and now, next year, we're approaching our 75th anniversary, a year worth celebrating and thanking!

2011 marked the School's 60th Diamond Jubilee anniversary and the second anniversary of Professor Cao Weitong, the sixth President of Baptist Theological Seminary. During that time, the School, having once again stood firm in the Lord amidst adversity, gradually launched the "Faith, Hope, and Love Project." Mr. Li Jinhong, then-President of Times Forum, penned the theme for the School's anniversary celebration:"Spread your wings, faith, hope, and love", meaning that Baptist Theological Seminary rises on the wind of the Holy Spirit, in the faith, hope, and love of Christ. One of the most unforgettable moments during the anniversary celebrations was the joint choir of Baptist churches singing "A Prayer of Thanksgiving," a new song composed by Dr. Mei Guangwen specifically to celebrate Baptist Theological Seminary. The context of the college at that time was just like the lyrics, which roughly translate as follows: We, Baptists on a pilgrimage, have experienced God's rescue from Hades, so we honor Him! We have also cried out to God in the depths of the pit, and received His grace, transforming our mourning into dancing. For this, we thank and praise Him!

In 2016, HKTSB joyfully celebrated its 65th anniversary. Thanks to the support and trust of Baptist churches, the College was successfully registered as a legal entity in Hong Kong in 2013. Under God's guidance, the College embarked on a new journey and assumed new responsibilities."Honor the Lord, Transcend the Lineage"It was the theme of the anniversary celebration that year, and it was also our resolve: whether in times of peace or hardship, our hearts are willing to honor the Lord and cultivate faithful servant-leaders for God's house; and our teachers and students must inherit the Baptist tradition, transcend the boundaries of time, space, and various differences, continue to follow the Lord, and embark on the path we should run.

During the pandemic, HKBS celebrated its 70th Platinum Jubilee in 2021. At that time, society was in turmoil, waves of epidemics broke out one after another, the economy continued to decline, and interpersonal relationships were torn apart. Under such a haze, the college"Seventy Years of Blessings: A Legacy of Faith, Hope, and Love"The theme of the anniversary celebration is to declare faithfully to the Lord who called us: no matter good times or bad times, we will never forget God’s grace and guidance to the college in the past years; we still rely on the Lord wholeheartedly and strive to build a group of disciples marked by "faith, hope and love".

For the past fifteen years, I've been fortunate to witness the journey of our alma mater. Despite the challenges, we've remained steadfast in our mission, nurturing successive generations of workers for the Kingdom of God. When I learned I had been selected to convene the 75th Anniversary Celebration Preparatory Committee, I accepted the task with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. I felt a sense of trepidation, fearing that I would be overwhelmed by the added burden of my already demanding duties. However, the thought of participating in the celebration of our alma mater's 75 years of grace lifted my spirits and I resolutely accepted this honor.

Standing in Christ and facing the future

The first task of the Anniversary Preparatory Committee was to determine the theme and logo for the 75th anniversary celebration. After a round of heated discussions, we finally decided on "Standing in Christ, Embracing the Future" as the theme for the anniversary celebration. During the discussion, we came to the mind of the theological education philosophy of "HKTS" proposed by President Cao: to cultivate a group ofServant Leaders with the Mindset of Jesus Christ, that is, to build a community of disciples who know the heart and mind of Jesus Christ, imitate His actions, and are filled with practical wisdom. As we approach our 75th anniversary, we remain true to our original aspiration and firmly declare:Baptist Theological Seminary stands on the solid, reliable, and eternal rock of Christ, and relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we soar with faith, love, and hope toward the future that God has prepared for us.

With the theme decided, work began on the emblem design. Key elements of the design were the "75th Anniversary" (the number "75") and the HKBS emblem. The cross in the emblem symbolizes Jesus Christ as the College's eternal and unchanging foundation. The horizontal lines above the numbers "7" and "5" incorporate wings, while the diagonal lines continue to the emblem, symbolizing HKBS's fearless flight into the future, riding the wind of the Holy Spirit.

Come together to worship and praise the true God

Next, the organizing committee will be responsible for organizing various activities for the anniversary celebration."75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Worship and Music Praise Meeting"The prelude is here, for nothing is more important than offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the true Triune God. Baptist Theological Seminary is the seminary for all Baptist churches. Therefore, the seminary hopes to gather members of the Baptist Church to form a large united choir, to sing with us in praise of God's power and glory.

This is a joyous occasion that all Baptist members should participate in with humility and gratitude. We sincerely hope that all Baptists will support the theological education ministry of HKTS and actively participate in the various activities commemorating the College's 75th anniversary, bearing witness to God's presence in our midst.

Upholding the Mission Despite the Thorny Path

It has been fifteen years since I returned to my alma mater, the Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary (HKBTS), and began serving as a full-time staff member at the end of 2010. At that time, my first and foremost task was to organize the 60th Diamond Jubilee Celebration. As time went by, I also witnessed the 65th and 70th anniversaries. Now we are approaching the 75th anniversary next year. It will certainly be a year of thanksgiving and celebration!

The year 2011 marked HKBTS's 60th Diamond Jubilee, and it was also the second year since the sixth President, Professor Joshua Cho, took up his post. At that time, the seminary reestablished itself in the grace of the Lord amid difficulties and launched the “Faith, Hope, and Love Project.” Mr. Kam-hung Lee, the then Publisher of the Christian Times, proposed the theme of the seminary's anniversary celebration: "Soaring High in God's Faith, Hope, and Love." It signified that HKBTS rode on the wind of the Holy Spirit and spread its wings to soar in the faith, hope, and love of Christ. One of my most memorable moments in organizing the celebration was when a joint choir formed by members of the Baptist churches sang "A Prayer of Thanksgiving," a new song written by Dr. Cainan Mui in celebration of the seminary. At that time, the situation of the seminary was just like the lyrics of the song: As we Baptists on a pilgrimage have been delivered by God from Sheol, we must exalt Him! As we have cried out to God from the depths of the pit, and in His grace, God turned our weeping into dancing, we must give thanks and praise to Him!

In 2016, HKBTS celebrated its 65th anniversary with joy. Thanks to the support and trust of the Baptist churches, the seminary was successfully registered as a corporate body in Hong Kong in 2013, embarking on a new stage and assuming new responsibilities under God's guidance. The theme of that anniversary celebration was “Magnifying God the Almighty, Preaching the Gospel across Boundaries.” It was also our heart's desire: whether in times of peace or hardship, our hearts would magnify the Lord and cultivate faithful servant-leaders for churches; and our teachers and students would carry on the Baptist tradition, transcending the barriers of time, space, and differences, to follow the Lord and run the race set for us.

In 2021, HKBTS celebrated its 70th Platinum Jubilee during the pandemic period. In the midst of social unrest, pandemic outbreaks, economic downturns and severed relationships, the seminary celebrated its 70th anniversary on the theme “Endowed in Grace for 70 Years; Forward with Faith, Hope, and Love,” proclaiming faithfully to the Lord who called us that we would never forget God's grace and guidance to the seminary in the past regardless of the ups and downs; and that we would continue to rely on the Lord and strive to build up a disciple community with "faith, hope, and love" as our beacon.

Over the past fifteen years, I have had the privilege of witnessing the progress my alma mater has made. Despite the thorny path, HKBTS remains steadfast in its mission to nurture workers for the Kingdom of God. When I learned that I had been selected to serve as the convener of the 75th Anniversary Organizing Committee, I accepted the appointment with trepidation and excitement. I trembled because I was afraid that I would not be able to cope with the additional amid work my existing duties, which are already quite demanding. But considering that I could have a part to play in organizing the celebration of my alma mater's seventy-five years of blessings from the Lord, I immediately perked up and resolutely took this honor.

Stand Firm in Christ, Advance Toward the Future

The first task of the Organizing Committee was to determine the theme and logo of the 75th Anniversary Celebration. After a vigorous discussion, we finally decided to adopt the theme of “Stand Firm in Christ, Advance Toward the Future.” During the deliberation, HKBTS's core theological education concept, which President Cho created, came to mind: to nurture a group of servant-leaders who “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” That means building a disciple community that knows the heart and mind of Jesus Christ, imitates His example, and is filled with wisdom in praxis. As we move forward to our 75th anniversary, we will not forget our fundamental aspiration and firmly proclaim that HKBTS stands on the solid, dependable, and eternal rock of Christ, and that we rely on the Holy Spirit's gracious guidance to spread our wings and soar with faith, hope, and love into the future that God has prepared for us.

With the theme set, we began work on the logo design. The main elements of the design are the “75th Anniversary” (the number “75”) and the HKBTS emblem. The cross in the logo symbolizes that Jesus Christ is the unchanging foundation of the seminary. The horizontal lines in the upper part of the numerical “7” and “5” are designed with wings, while the diagonal line extends to HKBTS's emblem. HKBTS is riding on the winds of the Holy Spirit and flying toward the future without fear or hesitation.

Come, Worship, and Praise the Lord Together

Next, the Organizing Committee will take up the task of organizing various activities for the celebration. The celebration will begin with the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service and Concert of Praise because there is nothing more important than offering thanks to the Triune God. HKBTS is a seminary for all Baptist churches; therefore, the seminary is looking forward to gathering members of Baptist churches to form a single united choir to sing with us in praise of God's power and glory.

This is a joyful event that deserves the humble and thankful participation of all Baptists. We hope that all Baptists will support the theological education ministry of HKBTS, participate wholeheartedly in the activities of the 75th anniversary of HKBTS, and witness God's presence in our midst.

Next year, Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary will celebrate its 75th anniversary. The Seminary is actively planning this new chapter through sacred music and worship. This issue of the Seminary Newsletter features Ms. Chan Hop-ying, Convenor of the 75th Anniversary Celebration Organizing Committee, sharing her reflections and introducing the celebration's theme and emblem. Dr. Law Kit-ying, Executive Member of the Organizing Committee and Conductor of the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Worship and Musical Praise Service, also discusses the design of this service. Three members of the Seminary who participated in the anniversary worship service will also share how sacred music has impacted their lives. We sincerely invite you to join us for this grand celebration of sacred music and worship next April.

Next year, the Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary (HKBTS) will be celebrating its 75th anniversary. The seminary is currently preparing for the start of this new chapter with church music and worship. In this issue of the Newsletter, we have invited Ms. Michelle Chan, the convener of the 75th Anniversary Celebration Organizing Committee, to share her thoughts and introduce the theme of the anniversary celebration. We have also invited Dr. Kit-ying Law, one of the executive members of the Organizing Committee and the conductor of the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service and Concert of Praise, to talk about this upcoming service. In addition, three members of the serving team will share with us the impact of church music on their lives. You are cordially invited to join us in this worship service to be held in April of next year.

From the Hebrew Bible to the New Testament: Reflecting on the True Meaning of Messiah

WONG Tin Sheung

Many people understand the Messiah mostly from the perspective of the New Testament. As a result, they often regard the Old Testament passages as typology of Jesus Christ. There are two problems with this approach: first, it ignores the contexts of the Old Testament passages; second, they understand the passages solely from the perspective of the New Testament while ignoring the theological development in the intertestamental period.

The purpose of this article is to investigate, with the perspective of the Hebrew Bible as the starting point, the development of different messianic concepts during the Second Temple period, and thereby identify those messianic concepts which were prevalent at the time of the New Testament and were revealed in Jesus Christ. The Messiah as shown by Jesus Christ becomes believers' basis of hope in any situation.

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Ye Qisen

Master of Divinity students

Kai-sum Yip

M.Div. Student

Sacred music has played a crucial role in my spiritual growth and ministry. For me, it's not just a tool for worship; it's a vital avenue for drawing closer to God, refreshing my heart, and strengthening my faith. Sacred music imbues me with God's truth and word, and the power of the Holy Spirit, allowing me to deeply experience God's presence and teachings as I listen and sing.

First, sacred music helps me grow spiritually because it wraps God's Word in melodies that make it easy to remember and reflect on its truths. Often, when I'm feeling down, struggling, or doubtful, a familiar hymn suddenly rings in my heart, reminding me of God's faithfulness and love.

Furthermore, sacred music makes it easier for me to enter God's presence during meditation and prayer. Sometimes words fail to express my inner feelings, but music can penetrate the soul, helping me to express my truest feelings to God. Worship songs serve as a bridge, connecting my heart with God's, allowing me to more deeply appreciate His love and calling.

In terms of ministry, sacred music is a crucial tool for me. Whether I'm singing songs in the worship team, leading a choir, or leading brothers and sisters in song, I've found that sacred music can unite people and focus their attention on God. It's not just an artistic expression; it's a spiritual service. When I worship God in spirit and truth during my ministry, I deeply feel His presence and see Him touching lives and healing broken hearts through music.

In the process of preparing for the sacred music retreat, I learned to entrust myself more deeply to God, rely on Him, collaborate with my brothers and sisters, and hone my obedience and sensitivity to Him. These aren't just improvements in technique; they're also spiritual disciplines. Seeing brothers and sisters moved and edified through my musical ministry has intensified my desire to be a vessel fit for God's use.

Therefore, sacred music is not just a sideshow in our lives of faith, but a constantly flowing wellspring of spiritual life. It fills me with the Holy Spirit in worship, comforts me in times of hardship, and allows me to experience miracles in my service. Sacred music is a treasure bestowed by God upon the church and believers, an indispensable blessing on our path of growth.

Church music has played a significant role in my spiritual growth and ministry. For me, it is not only a tool for worship but also a vital way to become closer to God, to be renewed in my heart, and to be strengthened in my faith. Church music conveys God's truth and word, and the power of the Holy Spirit. As I listen to and sing hymns, I profoundly experience God's presence and teaching.

First of all, church music helps me grow spiritually because it presents God's word melodically, making it easy for me to memorize and ponder the truth over and over again. Often times, in moments of depression, inner struggle, or doubt, a familiar hymn would suddenly ring out in my heart, reminding me of God's faithfulness and love.

Moreover, church music makes it easier for me to enter into God's presence during meditation and prayer. Sometimes it is hard to express my innermost feelings with words, but music can penetrate my heart and help me pour out my true feelings to God. Worship songs are like a bridge between my heart and God's, enabling me to realize His love and calling more deeply.

For ministry, church music is an important instrument in my service. Whether I am leading singing in the worship team or leading the brothers and sisters to sing praises, I find that church music can unite the hearts of the congregation and shift their focus to God. It is not just an artistic expression but a spiritual service. When I worship God in spirit and truth in my service, I deeply feel God's presence and see Him touching people's lives and healing broken hearts through music.

In preparation for the previous Spiritual Revival Concert, I learned to trust and rely on God more, to work with brothers and sisters, to practice my obedience, and to be sensitive to God. This is not just personal growth but the practice of spiritual discipline. In the music ministry, I regularly see brothers and sisters being touched and edified; it makes me eager to become a vessel fit for God.

Church music, therefore, is not an “accompaniment” to our Christian life, but an ever-flowing source of spiritual life. It enables me to be filled with the Holy Spirit in worship, to find comfort in difficulties, and to experience miracles in service. Church music is a treasure that God has given to the Church and believers, and it is an indispensable blessing to us on our way to growth.

Ke Zhaotian

Timmy Or

Looking back on my own spiritual growth, sacred music has always played a crucial role. Here, I would like to draw on British Baptist scholar Paul Fiddes' observations on Baptist theology to examine how God has nurtured my spiritual life through sacred music. Fiddes points out that, within the context of a specific faith community, Baptists engage in theology in three ways: experiential, confessional, and storytelling.^*

On an experiential level, looking back on my years growing up in my home church, the epic musical experience of traditional hymns—including those from anthologies like "New Hymns to the Lord" and "Century Hymns"—shaped my impression of church music and cultivated my appreciation for how worship music conveys the message through music. In my current church, the lyrical musical experience of contemporary pop hymns—both international and local—has broadened my imagination of church music and allowed me to appreciate the faith expressions of different brothers and sisters.

On the confessional level, I believe that both traditional and modern church music convey the same Christian faith and contribute to our spiritual growth. Therefore, choosing between traditional and modern music styles is a false proposition. In fact, regardless of the style of church music, I have experienced a process of edification. Through the songs, we learn about the true nature of the Triune God we believe in; moreover, through the songs, we confess and profess our faith—as the Bible says, by these we teach and admonish one another and sing praises to God (see Colossians 3:16).

Finally, on a storytelling level, God has used sacred music to build my spiritual life. Not only does sacred music allow me to engage emotionally in worship and grow in my faith and knowledge, but in a way, it connects me to my own spiritual growth, becoming part of my life story. I believe many of you have experienced this: in your journey through God's guidance, a particular song has become a source of help, reminder, and encouragement. From then on, this song became more than just another song for me; every time I hear it, it brings back my own experiences in God's presence. Sacred music and my life story have become intertwined.

May the church’s sacred music continue to be used by God and build up our spiritual life through our experiences, confessions and stories, to the glory of the Triune God!

____________________________________________

^* Paul Fiddes, Tracks and Traces: Baptist Identity in Church and Theology (Carlisle: Paternoster, 2003), 4-12.

Reflecting on my spiritual journey, I realize that church music has always played a significant role. Here, I would like to draw upon the insights of British Baptist scholar Paul Fiddes on the Baptist way of doing theology to examine how God has molded my spiritual life through church music. Fiddes points out that in the context of faith communities, there are three ways of doing theology among Baptists: experience, confession, and stories.

In terms of experience, as I look back at my days of growing up in my mother church, traditional hymns, including those in such hymn books as New Songs of Praise and Century Praise, have created for us epic-like musical experiences, which have shaped my understanding of church music and cultivated in me an appreciation of how music in worship can be used as a vehicle for the Word. In the church which I now serve, modern popular hymns, whether foreign or local, have brought us a lyrical musical experience that has broadened my imagination of what church music can be and allowed me to recognize diverse expressions of faith amongst my fellow Christians.

In respect of confession, I believe that both traditional and modern styles of church music possess the same content of the Christian faith, which is equally beneficial to our spiritual growth. Therefore, it is a false proposition that one must choose between traditional and modern musical styles. In fact, regardless of the style, I have been equally edified by different styles of church music. We learn from hymns about the Triune God in whom we believe, and we profess and confess our faith through our singing—teaching and admonishing one another through hymns singing to God, just as the Bible says (cf. Col 3:16).

Finally, in terms of stories, God builds up my spiritual life through church music. Not only does church music help me worship passionately and grow in my knowledge of my faith but also, to a certain extent, it is connected with my personal spiritual growth and has become a part of my life story. I believe that many brothers and sisters have also experienced a time when a hymn has helped them by acting as a reminder or an encouragement to us in God's providence. Afterward, that hymn becomes more than just an ordinary hymn; every time we hear it, it will remind us of our own experiences before God. Church music and our life stories are beautifully intertwined in this way.

May the church's music remain in God's use to build our spiritual lives through our experiences, confessions, and stories. Glory be to the Triune God!

Li Tianhui

Alumni Association Choir Member

Grace Lee

HKBTS Alumni Choir member

Tianhui and her mother

When we or those around us are in the valley of the shadow of death, and when human words can no longer bring comfort, hymns can become a way to turn our hearts and minds to God, helping us to express our deepest desires to God and pray to Him.

Nine years ago, my mother fell ill and became so frail that she could no longer receive further treatment. While lying in her hospital bed, she requested the song "How Great You Are." Together, we praised our Heavenly Father, and my mother, suffering through physical pain, immediately felt God's presence and was filled with hope. A few days later, God took my mother home to heaven. In my grief, God constantly comforted me through the song "Blessings" by gospel singer Laura Story. Here are some lyrics that particularly touched my heart (with Chinese translations):

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things.
But You only want the best for us because You love us so much.

And when darkness seems to win,
we know the pain reminds this heart
that this is not, this is not our home.
When darkness seems to prevail,
These pains remind us that
This world is not our home.

And what if trials of this life,
the rain, the storms, the hardest nights,
are Your mercies in disguise?
Perhaps the trials of this life,
Those wild winds, rainstorms, sleepless nights,
It turns out that your grace and mercy are hidden behind it.

These lyrics give me perspective on eternity, reminding me that the Lord is still in control and that I must choose to continue to trust Him because He loves me and my family. He will not give us anything that is useless.

I believe others have had similar experiences. God brings help, peace, and comfort through song. I once sang hymns to a Christian brother with dementia. Although his brain function was declining, the hymns I sang truly awakened this brother who seemed to be "fading away." I experienced the power of song. Thank the Lord for song, which allows us to connect with Him: to praise and worship Him in truth with our hearts and emotions.

Grace and her mother

In times when we are in the darkest valley and human words can no longer comfort us, hymns can be a means of turning our hearts and minds to God, helping us to express our deepest longing to Him and to pray to Him.

Nine years ago, my mother became seriously ill and was too weak to continue treatment. While resting in her hospital bed, she asked us to play the hymn "How Great Thou Art." As we worshiped our Heavenly Father together, my mother—despite her intense physical pain—immediately sensed God's presence. Her heart was filled with hope. Just a few days later, God called her home to heaven. During my time of grief, I continually experienced God's comfort through Laura Story's hymn “Blessings.” Here are some lines from the hymn that deeply moved me:

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things.
And when darkness seems to win,
we know the pain reminds this heart
that this is not, this is not our home.
And what if trials of this life,
the rain, the storms, the hardest nights,
are Your mercies in disguise?

These lyrics gave me insight into eternity and reminded me that the Lord is in control and I must choose to trust Him because He loves me and my family. God never gives us challenges for which He has not already prepared us.

I am sure many others have had such experiences. God offers us help, peace, and comfort through hymns. I once sang a hymn to a brother in Christ who was suffering from dementia. Even though his brain was failing, the hymn I sang at that time did awaken that seemingly “disappearing” brother.

Kit-ying Law

Assistant Professor of Practical Theology (Worship and Sacred Music)
75th Anniversary Celebration Organizing Committee. Executive Committee Member

羅潔盈

Assistant Professor (Worship and Church Music)
75th Anniversary Organizing Committee Executive Member
75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service and Concert of Praise Conductor

Earthly Rehearsal for Heavenly Worship

Reflections on the preparations for the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Worship and Musical Praise Meeting

Earthly Rehearsal for Heavenly Worship

Thoughts on the Preparations for the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service and Concert of Praise

Prayer and Imagination

Next year will be the 75th anniversary of Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in the preparations for the anniversary celebration and to conduct the Thanksgiving Worship and Musical Praise Service in April of next year.

The 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Worship and Music Praise Meeting was themed "Standing in Christ, Facing the Future".May the Lord continue to protect and guide us, so that we can serve the churches through the theological education of our college, cultivate God’s workers, and enable them to shepherd the flock based on a firm foundation of faith and bravely face the challenges of the future.Here, in addition to wanting to talk about some of the concepts, arrangements, musical forms, lyrics, etc. of this Thanksgiving worship, I also sincerely hope that everyone can receive the Lord's revelation together, renew ourselves together, and establish our common imagination of this Thanksgiving worship - this is my prayer to the Lord.

Christ the Lord, the Cornerstone

　　First, let us recall how we (including preachers from different churches) are built on the same foundation by Christ, and then imagine together how we can continue to preach this eternal and unchanging gospel in this changing world by the power of the resurrected Lord.Indeed, Christ is the foundation of our faith, our cornerstone. Therefore, we plan to sing "Christ the Lord, the Cornerstone" during our Gratitude Service. A year ago, the College Choir began practicing this four-part a cappella sacred work, composed by Christian composer Dr. Chen Weiguang. The hymn leads us to confess that Christ is our cornerstone, and that salvation is found in no other:

Christ the Lord—the chief corner stone! Christ the Lord—the chief corner stone!
The stone (the corner stone) which the builders rejected,
It has become the cornerstone!
There is no salvation in any other;
For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we can be saved!

The phrase "Christ the Lord" is first sung by the female voice with vibrant syncopation, while the male voice responds with "cornerstone" in an even rhythm, with a distinct and resolute emphasis (marcato). This echoes the biblical text of Ephesians 2:20, expressing the importance of Jesus Christ himself as this solid foundation. The music then expands into a four-part chorus, emphasizing "the stone which the builders rejected, the same has become the chief cornerstone" (see Psalm 118:22; Acts 4:11). The harmony, with its clash of suspense and delayed resolution, expresses the tension between the current cultural context and Christ's dialogue.

Worship is the occasion of public proclamation of the Christian faith.We pray that during the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Celebration, the Lord will gather us together once again to listen to His Word, express our thanksgiving, prayers, and praises, and publicly demonstrate our faith.Through the pursuit of excellence, generations of sacred music pioneers have used music, worship, and the arts in worship to express the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Triune God, both economically and immanently. Aesthetics itself reflects the beauty of Heavenly Father's creation, but it also needs redemption. The truth of Christ makes us a holy, royal priesthood. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we strive to live out goodness, build a community of love belonging to God, and bear witness to His presence and grace.

Light and Renewal

　　Second, examine the foundation of the truth we believe in.The College was founded in 1951, and next year will mark its 75th anniversary. What needs to be reminded? What has been forgotten? What needs to be illuminated and renewed? At the Last Supper, when Jesus broke bread and took the cup, he instructed his disciples to do this “in remembrance of me” (see Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25). The Greek word for “remember,” anamnesis, means “lest you forget.”

Sometimes change can bring us fresh perspectives, new discoveries, and new reminders. Another song we will sing, "Bearing the Unfinished Mission," is a case in point. It's a new arrangement of the congregational hymn "The Foundation of the Church," with new lyrics. This isn't just a shift in style; it offers a fresh perspective on how we continue to belong to Christ's church.

The choir of the Academy and the United Choir will sing "Harry, Harry, Harry" and "Christ the Lord, the Cornerstone" in unison, and together they will confess with song and faith that this "stone which the builders rejected" is our only support.Even if the building on this stone is demolished or experiences darkness, it will surely be able to see the light again through the resurrected Christ—the morning light—and become a living stone, being built into a place where God the Father dwells through the Holy Spirit, and obtain ultimate salvation and hope.

Earthly Rehearsal for Heavenly Worship

The 75th anniversary celebrations truly required considerable effort to plan. May we all be called together to share a common vision of Baptist Theological Seminary and the church we serve. This is more than just an event; each joint choir practice or performance can be considered a "rehearsal for heavenly worship on earth." Let us exercise the gifts God has given us, through biblically-centered worship, to reiterate and express our praise and gratitude to Him together, and continue to participate in His work of renewal and creation. The Triune Lord we believe in is both transcendent and indwelling.We need to pool our gifts and imaginations to see the way “above the sun” and become living sacrifices, going into the world together with the peace from above (go in peace), to love and serve the Lord!May He receive the greatest glory!Soli Deo gloria!

Be Thou Our Vision

Next year will be the 75th anniversary of the Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary. I am grateful to have the opportunity to participate in organizing the celebration and conducting the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service and Concert of Praise to be held in April of next year.

The 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service and Concert of Praise will be held with the theme of “Stand Firm in Christ, Advance Toward the Future.” We pray that the Lord will continue to keep us and lead us to serve churches through our theological education and to nurture servants of God, so that they can tend the flock on a firm foundation of faith and bravely face the challenges of the future. Here, I would like to talk about the ideas, arrangements, music, and lyrics of this Thanksgiving Service. I sincerely hope that we shall all receive the Lord's revelation, are renewed together, and are united through this Thanksgiving Service. This is my prayer to the Lord.

Lord Jesus, the Cornerstone ^*

　　Firstly, let us recall how we, including ministers from different congregations, have been built up by Jesus Christ on the same foundation, and together we can imagine how we will continue to preach the everlasting Gospel by the power of the risen Lord in this ever-changing time and age. Truly, Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith, our cornerstone. Therefore, we will be singing “Lord Jesus, the Capstone” at the Thanksgiving Service. A year ago, the HKBTS Choir began practicing this four-part a cappella music piece written by Christian composer Dr. Victor Wai-kwong Chan. The hymn leads us to confess that Jesus Christ is our cornerstone and that apart from Him, there is no salvation (English translation of the quoted Chinese lyrics as follows):

Lord Jesus, the cornerstone! Lord Jesus, the cornerstone!
The stone that the builders rejected (the cornerstone)
Has become the cornerstone.
There is salvation in no one else,
For there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved.

The phrase “Lord Jesus” is first sung by female voices in an energetic syncopation, while the male voices sing “the cornerstone” in an even meter with a distinct and firm marcato. This is in harmony with the Bible passage in Ephesians 2:20, which expresses the importance of Jesus Christ as the solid foundation. The music then expands into a four-part chorus emphasizing “the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (cf. Ps 118:22; Acts 4:11). The harmonies, with their suspensions and delayed resolution of dissonance, demonstrate the tension within dialogues surrounding contemporary cultural contexts and Christ.

Worship is a public proclamation of the Christian faith. We pray that the Lord will gather us together in our 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service to hear the Word of God and to express our thanksgiving, prayers, and praises while we make public professions of our faith. Through the pursuit of excellence, the predecessors of church music have used music as well as worship and visual and literary arts to express the truth, goodness, and beauty of the economic and immanent Trinity in worship. Aesthetics itself reflects the beauty of God the Father's creation, but it still needs to be redeemed. The truth of Christ makes us a holy, royal priesthood, so that the Holy Spirit may guide us in our efforts to live out the good, to build up a community of love that belongs to the Lord, and to witness to His presence and favor.

Enlightenment and Renewal

　　Secondly, let us examine the foundation of the truth we believe in. The seminary was founded in 1951, and it will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year. Is there anything we need to be reminded of? Is there anything that we have forgotten? What do we need to be enlightened and renewed? When Jesus broke the bread and took the cup at the Last Supper, He commanded His disciples to do this “in remembrance of me” (cf. Lk 22:19; I Cor 11:24-25). The Greek word for “remembrance” is anamnesis, which means “reminder.”

Sometimes changes can bring us new insights, discoveries, and reminders. An example of this is the other hymn we will be singing, "Facing a Task Unfinished." It is a new arrangement of the congregational hymn, "The Church's One Foundation," with new lyrics. It is not only a change in style but also gives us a new perspective on how we keep on being the church of Christ.

On that day, the hymns “Halle, Halle, Halle” and “Lord Jesus, the Capstone” will be sung by the HKBTS Choir and the joint choir will echo each other; together we will declare in praise and in faith that this “stone that the builders have rejected” is our only dependence. Even if the building on this stone is torn down or endures the darkness of night, it will surely see the light again through the risen Christ, the morning light, and become a living stone to be built into a place where God the Father dwells through the Holy Spirit, enjoying the ultimate and salvation hope.

Earthly Rehearsal for Heavenly Worship

It does take a lot of energy to prepare for our 75th anniversary celebration. May we all be summoned to share a common vision for HKBTS and the churches we serve. This is not just an event; in fact, every practice or performance of the joint choir can be imagined as “earthly rehearsal for heavenly worship.” Let us use our God-given gifts to offer our praise and thanksgiving to Him together through Bible-centred worship, and to participate in His ongoing work of renewal and creation. We believe in the Triune God, who is both transcendent and indwelling. We have to bring together each other's spiritual gifts and imaginations in order to see the way “above the sun,” to become living sacrifices, to go into the world together in peace from above, and to love and serve the Lord! Let Him be glorified to the fullest! Soli Deo gloria!

____________________________________________

^* Or capstone; also in the following paragraph.

Michelle Chan

Biblical Studies Lecturer, Course Director of the Centre for Continuing Pastoral Education, and Director of Student Affairs
Convenor of the 75th Anniversary Celebration Preparatory Committee

陳合英

Lecturer (Biblical Studies)
Director of Pastoral Continuing Education Program
Director of Student Affairs
75th Anniversary Organizing Committee Convener

Sticking to the mission on the thorny road

Looking back, fifteen years have already passed since I returned to serve at my alma mater, Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary, at the end of 2010. My first and foremost task then was organizing the 60th Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Since then, I've also celebrated the 65th and 70th anniversaries, and now, next year, we're approaching our 75th anniversary, a year worth celebrating and thanking!

2011 marked the School's 60th Diamond Jubilee anniversary and the second anniversary of Professor Cao Weitong, the sixth President of Baptist Theological Seminary. During that time, the School, having once again stood firm in the Lord amidst adversity, gradually launched the "Faith, Hope, and Love Project." Mr. Li Jinhong, then-President of Times Forum, penned the theme for the School's anniversary celebration:"Spread your wings, faith, hope, and love", meaning that Baptist Theological Seminary rises on the wind of the Holy Spirit, in the faith, hope, and love of Christ. One of the most unforgettable moments during the anniversary celebrations was the joint choir of Baptist churches singing "A Prayer of Thanksgiving," a new song composed by Dr. Mei Guangwen specifically to celebrate Baptist Theological Seminary. The context of the college at that time was just like the lyrics, which roughly translate as follows: We, Baptists on a pilgrimage, have experienced God's rescue from Hades, so we honor Him! We have also cried out to God in the depths of the pit, and received His grace, transforming our mourning into dancing. For this, we thank and praise Him!

In 2016, HKTSB joyfully celebrated its 65th anniversary. Thanks to the support and trust of Baptist churches, the College was successfully registered as a legal entity in Hong Kong in 2013. Under God's guidance, the College embarked on a new journey and assumed new responsibilities."Honor the Lord, Transcend the Lineage"It was the theme of the anniversary celebration that year, and it was also our resolve: whether in times of peace or hardship, our hearts are willing to honor the Lord and cultivate faithful servant-leaders for God's house; and our teachers and students must inherit the Baptist tradition, transcend the boundaries of time, space, and various differences, continue to follow the Lord, and embark on the path we should run.

During the pandemic, HKBS celebrated its 70th Platinum Jubilee in 2021. At that time, society was in turmoil, waves of epidemics broke out one after another, the economy continued to decline, and interpersonal relationships were torn apart. Under such a haze, the college"Seventy Years of Blessings: A Legacy of Faith, Hope, and Love"The theme of the anniversary celebration is to declare faithfully to the Lord who called us: no matter good times or bad times, we will never forget God’s grace and guidance to the college in the past years; we still rely on the Lord wholeheartedly and strive to build a group of disciples marked by "faith, hope and love".

For the past fifteen years, I've been fortunate to witness the journey of our alma mater. Despite the challenges, we've remained steadfast in our mission, nurturing successive generations of workers for the Kingdom of God. When I learned I had been selected to convene the 75th Anniversary Celebration Preparatory Committee, I accepted the task with a mixture of trepidation and excitement. I felt a sense of trepidation, fearing that I would be overwhelmed by the added burden of my already demanding duties. However, the thought of participating in the celebration of our alma mater's 75 years of grace lifted my spirits and I resolutely accepted this honor.

Standing in Christ and facing the future

The first task of the Anniversary Preparatory Committee was to determine the theme and logo for the 75th anniversary celebration. After a round of heated discussions, we finally decided on "Standing in Christ, Embracing the Future" as the theme for the anniversary celebration. During the discussion, we came to the mind of the theological education philosophy of "HKTS" proposed by President Cao: to cultivate a group ofServant Leaders with the Mindset of Jesus Christ, that is, to build a community of disciples who know the heart and mind of Jesus Christ, imitate His actions, and are filled with practical wisdom. As we approach our 75th anniversary, we remain true to our original aspiration and firmly declare:Baptist Theological Seminary stands on the solid, reliable, and eternal rock of Christ, and relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we soar with faith, love, and hope toward the future that God has prepared for us.

With the theme decided, work began on the emblem design. Key elements of the design were the "75th Anniversary" (the number "75") and the HKBS emblem. The cross in the emblem symbolizes Jesus Christ as the College's eternal and unchanging foundation. The horizontal lines above the numbers "7" and "5" incorporate wings, while the diagonal lines continue to the emblem, symbolizing HKBS's fearless flight into the future, riding the wind of the Holy Spirit.

Come together to worship and praise the true God

Next, the organizing committee will be responsible for organizing various activities for the anniversary celebration."75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Worship and Music Praise Meeting"The prelude is here, for nothing is more important than offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the true Triune God. Baptist Theological Seminary is the seminary for all Baptist churches. Therefore, the seminary hopes to gather members of the Baptist Church to form a large united choir, to sing with us in praise of God's power and glory.

This is a joyous occasion that all Baptist members should participate in with humility and gratitude. We sincerely hope that all Baptists will support the theological education ministry of HKTS and actively participate in the various activities commemorating the College's 75th anniversary, bearing witness to God's presence in our midst.

Upholding the Mission Despite the Thorny Path

It has been fifteen years since I returned to my alma mater, the Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary (HKBTS), and began serving as a full-time staff member at the end of 2010. At that time, my first and foremost task was to organize the 60th Diamond Jubilee Celebration. As time went by, I also witnessed the 65th and 70th anniversaries. Now we are approaching the 75th anniversary next year. It will certainly be a year of thanksgiving and celebration!

The year 2011 marked HKBTS's 60th Diamond Jubilee, and it was also the second year since the sixth President, Professor Joshua Cho, took up his post. At that time, the seminary reestablished itself in the grace of the Lord amid difficulties and launched the “Faith, Hope, and Love Project.” Mr. Kam-hung Lee, the then Publisher of the Christian Times, proposed the theme of the seminary's anniversary celebration: "Soaring High in God's Faith, Hope, and Love." It signified that HKBTS rode on the wind of the Holy Spirit and spread its wings to soar in the faith, hope, and love of Christ. One of my most memorable moments in organizing the celebration was when a joint choir formed by members of the Baptist churches sang "A Prayer of Thanksgiving," a new song written by Dr. Cainan Mui in celebration of the seminary. At that time, the situation of the seminary was just like the lyrics of the song: As we Baptists on a pilgrimage have been delivered by God from Sheol, we must exalt Him! As we have cried out to God from the depths of the pit, and in His grace, God turned our weeping into dancing, we must give thanks and praise to Him!

In 2016, HKBTS celebrated its 65th anniversary with joy. Thanks to the support and trust of the Baptist churches, the seminary was successfully registered as a corporate body in Hong Kong in 2013, embarking on a new stage and assuming new responsibilities under God's guidance. The theme of that anniversary celebration was “Magnifying God the Almighty, Preaching the Gospel across Boundaries.” It was also our heart's desire: whether in times of peace or hardship, our hearts would magnify the Lord and cultivate faithful servant-leaders for churches; and our teachers and students would carry on the Baptist tradition, transcending the barriers of time, space, and differences, to follow the Lord and run the race set for us.

In 2021, HKBTS celebrated its 70th Platinum Jubilee during the pandemic period. In the midst of social unrest, pandemic outbreaks, economic downturns and severed relationships, the seminary celebrated its 70th anniversary on the theme “Endowed in Grace for 70 Years; Forward with Faith, Hope, and Love,” proclaiming faithfully to the Lord who called us that we would never forget God's grace and guidance to the seminary in the past regardless of the ups and downs; and that we would continue to rely on the Lord and strive to build up a disciple community with "faith, hope, and love" as our beacon.

Over the past fifteen years, I have had the privilege of witnessing the progress my alma mater has made. Despite the thorny path, HKBTS remains steadfast in its mission to nurture workers for the Kingdom of God. When I learned that I had been selected to serve as the convener of the 75th Anniversary Organizing Committee, I accepted the appointment with trepidation and excitement. I trembled because I was afraid that I would not be able to cope with the additional amid work my existing duties, which are already quite demanding. But considering that I could have a part to play in organizing the celebration of my alma mater's seventy-five years of blessings from the Lord, I immediately perked up and resolutely took this honor.

Stand Firm in Christ, Advance Toward the Future

The first task of the Organizing Committee was to determine the theme and logo of the 75th Anniversary Celebration. After a vigorous discussion, we finally decided to adopt the theme of “Stand Firm in Christ, Advance Toward the Future.” During the deliberation, HKBTS's core theological education concept, which President Cho created, came to mind: to nurture a group of servant-leaders who “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” That means building a disciple community that knows the heart and mind of Jesus Christ, imitates His example, and is filled with wisdom in praxis. As we move forward to our 75th anniversary, we will not forget our fundamental aspiration and firmly proclaim that HKBTS stands on the solid, dependable, and eternal rock of Christ, and that we rely on the Holy Spirit's gracious guidance to spread our wings and soar with faith, hope, and love into the future that God has prepared for us.

With the theme set, we began work on the logo design. The main elements of the design are the “75th Anniversary” (the number “75”) and the HKBTS emblem. The cross in the logo symbolizes that Jesus Christ is the unchanging foundation of the seminary. The horizontal lines in the upper part of the numerical “7” and “5” are designed with wings, while the diagonal line extends to HKBTS's emblem. HKBTS is riding on the winds of the Holy Spirit and flying toward the future without fear or hesitation.

Come, Worship, and Praise the Lord Together

Next, the Organizing Committee will take up the task of organizing various activities for the celebration. The celebration will begin with the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service and Concert of Praise because there is nothing more important than offering thanks to the Triune God. HKBTS is a seminary for all Baptist churches; therefore, the seminary is looking forward to gathering members of Baptist churches to form a single united choir to sing with us in praise of God's power and glory.

This is a joyful event that deserves the humble and thankful participation of all Baptists. We hope that all Baptists will support the theological education ministry of HKBTS, participate wholeheartedly in the activities of the 75th anniversary of HKBTS, and witness God's presence in our midst.

Next year, Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary will celebrate its 75th anniversary. The Seminary is actively planning this new chapter through sacred music and worship. This issue of the Seminary Newsletter features Ms. Chan Hop-ying, Convenor of the 75th Anniversary Celebration Organizing Committee, sharing her reflections and introducing the celebration's theme and emblem. Dr. Law Kit-ying, Executive Member of the Organizing Committee and Conductor of the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Worship and Musical Praise Service, also discusses the design of this service. Three members of the Seminary who participated in the anniversary worship service will also share how sacred music has impacted their lives. We sincerely invite you to join us for this grand celebration of sacred music and worship next April.

Next year, the Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary (HKBTS) will be celebrating its 75th anniversary. The seminary is currently preparing for the start of this new chapter with church music and worship. In this issue of the Newsletter, we have invited Ms. Michelle Chan, the convener of the 75th Anniversary Celebration Organizing Committee, to share her thoughts and introduce the theme of the anniversary celebration. We have also invited Dr. Kit-ying Law, one of the executive members of the Organizing Committee and the conductor of the 75th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service and Concert of Praise, to talk about this upcoming service. In addition, three members of the serving team will share with us the impact of church music on their lives. You are cordially invited to join us in this worship service to be held in April of next year.

From the Hebrew Bible to the New Testament: Reflecting on the True Meaning of Messiah

WONG Tin Sheung

Many people understand the Messiah mostly from the perspective of the New Testament. As a result, they often regard the Old Testament passages as typology of Jesus Christ. There are two problems with this approach: first, it ignores the contexts of the Old Testament passages; second, they understand the passages solely from the perspective of the New Testament while ignoring the theological development in the intertestamental period.

The purpose of this article is to investigate, with the perspective of the Hebrew Bible as the starting point, the development of different messianic concepts during the Second Temple period, and thereby identify those messianic concepts which were prevalent at the time of the New Testament and were revealed in Jesus Christ. The Messiah as shown by Jesus Christ becomes believers' basis of hope in any situation.