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T he Second Annual Theological Forum
of Asian Theological Seminary,
“Naming the Unknown God,” was a huge
success! Consider:
• Almost 800 people attended.
• Attendees enjoyed thirty-five different
presentations.
• Presenters represented more than
ten countries of origin, and at least
ten different graduate schools and
universities.
• Attendees learned how to minister to
Muslims, to Hindus, to unbelievers, and
to many others not yet ready to join the
Christian church.
• Students and staff who helped to
organize the forum presented ATS
with a 400,000 peso check at chapel
on Wednesday, March 8. The check
represented the amount of money
Forum-related events raised, after
expenses.
N umbers like these only
scratch the surface of the
Forum’s success, however. The
near unanimous report of the
participants was that they enjoyed
the wide variety of topics covered,
that they learned much, and best
of all, they were able to experience
Christian fellowship with pastors,
students and scholars they might
otherwise never see. “I love hearing
from speakers who belonged to
many different denominations,”
said ATS student Victor G. Bitoon.
First Semester SY 2006-07
For more information, please call 928-6717 or
visit us at 54 Scout Madriñan St., South Triangle, Quezon City
Asian Theological Seminary
QCCPO BOX 1454-1154
1102 Quezon City Philippines
VOL 27 NO 3 • SY 2005-2006
SECOND THEOLOGICAL
Forum Reaps Success
The mood in
the hallways and
fellowship hall,
over lunch and
coffee, was up
beat. The buzz of
conversation and laughter was
ample evidence that the spirit at the
Forum was very warm and loving.
As such, the Forum helped bind
attendees from many different
church backgrounds together.
Three plenary speakers
delivered keynote lectures. Dr.
Hwa Yung, a bishop in the
Methodist church of Malaysia and
an acclaimed author, spoke of the
need for Asian theology to be truly
Asian and biblical. Dr. Manfred
Kohl is a vice-president of the
Overseas Council, an organization
devoted to strengthening
evangelical seminaries throughout
the world.
He made an
impassioned
plea to
Asian
Registration:
June 15-17 (Thursday-Saturday)
Classes Begin:
June 19 (Monday)
seminaries
to meet the real needs of Asian
churches, and to discern those
needs by listening carefully to
alumni and churches themselves.
Prof. Emo Yango of Koinonia
Seminary in Davao made the case
of doing theology with deep love
and concern for the “underside”
of society—the poor, the alienated,
those of other faiths, and the
marginalized.
ATS faculty members, board
members, and students gave almost
half of the lectures. Some of
their lectures were on very tough,
often ignored, topics. For example,
Bitoon also noted that, “Professor
Boy Bautista taught me the
importance of self-awareness and
intimacy from the Song of Songs.”
FORUM>>>
FOR NEW STUDENTS
Entrance Exam Dates:
May 8, 29 and June 3
Entrance Exam Fee:
Php500.00
Requirements:
• Transcript of Records (Certified True Copy)
• Passed the entrance exam
Tuition aid is also available.
International G
Students in Dialogue
was born and raised in a Christian family.
I I spent most of my time with Christians.
When I became more serious with my
relationship with God, I spent much time with
Christian friends. It was only about eight years
ago that I began to be involved with the work
among people of other faiths. A missionary
helped me to see that I should give more time
in witnessing to people from other faiths. It was
then that I began to realize how little I knew
about other faiths outside of Christianity. But
the most fascinating thing was yet to happen. I
became more aware of my own faith in Jesus.
I found out how little I really knew about Him
after I made friends with non-Christians. For
me, this is one of the most wonderful blessings I
have received along the journey of my faith.
When I came to ATS I was afraid that
I may become a narrow-minded Christian.
International Students
I was afraid also that I would be a dogmatist
type. But I was wrong.
in Dialogue Instead I have been
much encouraged and
equipped on how I can
be more contextual in
witnessing to others.
ATS cultivates a sense
of respect, appreciation
and true love for people
from other faiths—a
real human encounter.
In ATS I learned a
genuine friendship
among the bearers of
God’s image. I was taught to give true love from
one who has been saved by His Savior. This was
even more vivid during the Theological Forum.
I was thrilled about this fundamental way of
seeing other people. ATS does not narrow my
mind, in fact, I have been a lot expanded. I really
thank God for this.
I am very excited to return to my country
and serve my people with a changed paradigm,
and most importantly, with a renewed spirit—a
spirit of learning from other people and total
dependence on the grace of God in every work
I do. ATS is special!
- Effendy Aritonang, Indonesian
M.Div. in Intercultural and Urban Studies
was born in a Christian family. In 1985, I
I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior in one
of the crusades in our place. From then on,
I became involved in ladies’ ministry among
Christians and Muslims. My work is to arrange
seminars, camps and fellowships among Muslim
ladies and visit them in their houses. There
were times when some ladies asked difficult
questions about the Bible. Sometimes I am
able to answer them, but, occasionally, I failed.
I still remember the time when I debated with
a member of the Jehovah’s Witness. I tried my
best to answer him from the Bible but I felt
inadequate. I believe I needed to learn more
about the Word of God.
od is a God of surprise. And one of the
biggest surprises that I experienced is
being able to study at ATS. This is my first time
to study abroad in a seminary. Three years ago,
before I came here from Indonesia, I asked
God to give me a
chance to study
in one of the best
seminary in Asia.
I thought it would
likely be my first
and last chance to
study at a seminary.
I am very grateful to
Him because these
three years have
been fruitful for my
academic as well as
spiritual formation.
One of the best things I learned is to
become more open minded, humble and loving
to other Christian denominations including
Catholic as well as to people from other faiths.
An alumna told me about ATS. I was very
eager to study in a seminary. But when I was
applying for a visa, the Philippine immigration
office lost my original documents. I was so
discouraged and thought of ending my desire
to enroll at ATS or any seminary because I
couldn’t bear it anymore. But my sister-in-law
encouraged me to trust in the Lord. We prayed
and after one week I was informed that the
immigration office in the Philippines found my
documents. In a few days I got my visa and I
was able to travel to the Philippines. Although
the process was hard, the Lord didn’t leave
me alone. During that period, I learned many
new things that were beneficial to my spiritual
growth.
God helped me to enroll here in ATS.
This is my first time to leave my home and
country. In Pakistan, it is very hard for girls to go
to another country and study about Christian
theology. This is my first semester. I learned
many new things from my counseling class. I
have a lot of expectations from ATS, one of
which is writing good theological papers.
For the first time in my life, I had a
chance to attend a theological forum. I really
enjoyed listening to
the presentations of
papers about naming
the unknown God.
I learned many new
things from my
teachers and senior
students. I observed
that people were very
anxious to know about
Muslim teachings. I was
encouraged and I hope
that someday, I will be
able also to present my
paper about Muslim teachings.
- Neena Edwin, Pakistani
Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies
Also I became more aware that the unity of the
Bible is not without diversity. The diversity of
the Bible is used by God to reveal His manifold
dimensions to humankind. Keeping this in mind,
we have to celebrate and affirm it instead of
diminishing the diversity among us. Diversity
is not something that should divide as much as
unite us.
The Annual Theological Forum enabled us
to engage in dialogue with people from other
“denominations” and faiths in a more generous
and elegant way, not to win them for our own
“kingdom” but for God’s only. I am convinced
that it should be pursued and sustained.
Finally, I would like to thank all of my
professors, supporters, ATS staff and my
classmates. With your support and prayers, I
and my wife are able to finish our studies this
March 2006.
- Triawan Wicaksono N. Kho, Indonesian
M.Div. in Intercultural and Urban Studies
M y parents were ancestor worshippers. On
special days, they would offer food to our
dead ancestors. They would open the gates and
wait until midnight for the spirits to come and
eat the food, believing that with these offerings,
the spirits would protect them from harm.
But the Lord has been good to me. I became a
Christian at the early age of six. I grew up as a
Christian without thinking about the people of
other faiths. I used to disregard non-believers to
the point of being arrogant towards them.
The Theological Forum broadened
my view about other faiths. It elevated my
knowledge about other beliefs, and taught me
tools on how to reach out to others. I have
realized that I can
learn from others
especially on relating
to and sharing my faith
with them. At the
Forum, the unity of the
participating churches,
theological schools, and
mission organizations
was very impressive.
I had never witnessed
this kind of united
effort among Korean
Christians.
As a Korean, I am inclined towards the
spiritual. But ATS taught me to be more holistic
in my thinking and ministry. When I return to
my country, I will be open to learn from others
and cooperate with them—whether they
belong to religious or “secular” groups. At ATS,
I did not only gain knowledge that will equip
me in theological teachings but in relationships
with the broader community as well. In Korea,
professors are the authorities, but in ATS
my teachers are also friends who listen. It
is amazing that their classrooms include the
corridor, canteen, library, bookstore, and
even parking lot. Since ATS is an international
community, my exposure to various cultures
will be a great tool when I teach in different
contexts.
- Jemimah Jeoungim Shin, Korean
M.A. in Christian Education
 Will You Pray for ATS?
• Let us thank the Lord for His year. And for George as he assumes • Our Lord has been good to all
faithfulness in providing the various the post of Director of ATS Center our graduates! May God use them
needs of our national faculty who for Continuing Studies this June. mightily in bringing the Gospel in
pursued higher degrees through different parts of the world.
• We also praise God for the
the Faculty Development Fund.
renovation of the ATS Prayer Room • We have seen God’s marvelous
Madeline Vega completed her Ph.D.
last February 15. ATS family and hands in all our plans and endeavors
in Biblical Studies from Cheltenham
friends are encouraged to spend throughout the year. May He
and Gloucester College of Higher
time with the Lord in prayer in this continually bless the coming school
Education, United Kingdom;
refurbished facility. year with more students who are
Athena Gorospe finished her Ph.D.
in Old Testament from Fuller willing to labor for God’s kingdom.
• Let us continue to pray for Bishop
Theological Seminary, CA, USA; Cesar Punzalan III and Prof. Patti • Let us thank God for the continued
and George Capaque received his Harris as they lead ATS. May the support of our donors and
Ph.D. in Theology Studies from De Lord grant them wisdom and supporters. Continue to pray for ATS’
La Salle University, Philippines. Let strength as they serve the entire financial needs. We need PhP 1.4 M
us pray for Madeline and Athena as ATS community. every month to operate in the black.
they prepare to serve the Lord in
their teaching ministry next school

N E W S U P DAT E
GRADUATION RITES 2006
TS conferred the Doctor
A of Divinity degrees to
Dr. Isabelo F. Magalit and Rev.
Myron S. Harrison during its
35th commencement ceremonies
last March 31 at Every Nation
Leadership Institute (formerly
known as Victory Leadership
Institute). The recipients were
unanimously chosen because of
their many years of significant
ministry to the Christian church at
large and specifically their notable
years of service to ATS. Dr. Magalit
as President and Rev. Harrison as
board member. ATS also conferred
earned degrees to 92 graduates.
The message of Dr. John Suk, the
commencement speaker, about
teaching and preaching the grace of
God challenged these graduates as
they faced their future ministries.
Yearly awards were given to the
following outstanding graduates:
Triawan Wicaksono Kho, M.Div.
in Intercultural and Urban Studies
(Faculty Award); Rizal Asuncion,
M.Div. in Pastoral Studies (Faculty
Award); Larni Zuniga, M.Div. in
Pastoral Studies (Pastoral Studies
Award); Rodel Orila, M.Div. in
Pastoral Studies (Expository
Preaching Award); Christopher
Chua, M.Div. in Christian Education
(Community Service Award);
Wayne Rice, M.A. in Intercultural
and Urban Studies (Cross-Cultural
Missions Award); and Ginnalyn
Carag, M.A. in Christian Education
(Christian Education Award).
N E W S U P DAT E
THIRD THEOLOGICAL FORUM SET FOR 2007
P lans for the 3rd Annual
Theological Forum are already
under way. Tentative schedule is
February 22-23, 2007. The theme
will be “The Spirit World: Biblical
Reflections on the Asian Context.”
Our ideas and experiences of
the spirit world are drawn from
sources as diverse as pagan
survivals in Roman Catholic and
popular practice to thoughtless
superstition; from Evangelicalism’s
sometimes-overwrought concern
with spiritual warfare to scriptural
teachings about principalities and
powers. The Third Annual Forum
will explore questions such as
these: How do we give the spirit
world its proper due without falling
prey to sensationalism or secular
media fads? What is the variety of
ATS needs your help.
You can send your gifts and donations
Seminary, is published quarterly by the Communication
through any of the following ways:
HOTLINE: 929-1624 (We can pick up cash or
check donations within Metro Manila.)
DIRECT DEPOSIT: You can deposit at either
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Acct 6854-0011-81. Please notify us of your
deposit through mail or fax (632) 928-5114.
MAIL: Please send your reply form with crossed
check or postal money order payable to:
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PO Box 461 Manila, Philippines
or (QCCPO Box 1454-1154 Quezon City 1102 Philippines)
For US Donors, please send your tax-deductible contributions to:
ATS Foundation, Inc.
PO Box 203 Paoli, PA 1930-0203 USA
(Note change of address) c/o Ton Alcantara
388 Springhouse Road King of Prussia PA 19406 USA
MEANS (Mission East Asian National Support) c/o Carmena Cruz
PO Box 8434 Bartlett, IL 60103 USA
Catholic, Muslim, various sects and
even secular belief and superstition
in this area? What is the Biblical
message about spirits? How should
the Asian church minister to people
deeply engaged in pagan spirituality?
Interested individuals
(theologians, pastors, missionaries,
educators and graduate students) are
invited to submit paper proposals
and plenary speaker ideas to ATS.
Planning to attend next year’s
Forum, but still sad that you
missed this year’s? Well, look for
the upcoming OMF publication of
the most intriguing and important
papers from the Second Theological
Forum. The book, following on the
huge success of the first Forum
book, Doing Theology in the Philippines,
will be launched next August.
InTouch, the official newsletter of Asian Theological
and Fundraising Department.
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1454-1154 Quezon City 1102 Philippines
• Tel 9285105 / 9286709 / 9286717 • Fax (632)
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 FORUM...
ATS students, in particular, handled
some fascinating issues: ancestor
worship (Kyung Wha [Jamie]
Chung), using poetry as a bridge
for inter-religious dialogue (Kelvene
Requiroso), the Christology of
the Iglesia ni Cristo (Benito Divierte
III), ministering to victims of
HIV/AIDS
(Chris Chua),
Dialogue with
Catholics (Annelle
Gumihid and
Chris Sabanal),
Johannine
prologue as a
basis for interfaith
dialogue (Mark King Li) and the
Koran’s portrait of Jesus (Triawan
Wicaksono Kho and Effendy
Aritonang).
One of the more exciting
aspects of the Forum was that
students pre-sold hundreds of
tickets. They did such a great job
that the organizing committee was
able to invite them all to attend
the Forum at no charge. The staff
also pitched in in a big way! They
handled moving chairs and coffee
pots and sound equipment to Union
Church of Manila. They staffed the
registration table, managed feeding
100 volunteers, moved crowds
through crowded hallways, and
packed everything up when we were
done.
We could not have done the
Forum without the especially
generous participation of Union
Church of Manila. Their staff
was unfailingly polite, running
from one little crisis to another in
order to keep the Forum moving
along smoothly. ATS graduate
and UCM pastor for International
Students and Young Adults, Ranier
Yes! I would like to take part in training Christian leaders in Asia
in prayer and in giving. As I pray and give, I shall send my complete contact information and indicate using check mark/s on my giving option below:
Name:
(First Name) (Middle Name)
Mailing Address:
Phone: (Res) (Office)
Mobile:
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With God’s enabling, I am giving (please specify the amount) P/$
Pagcaliwagan, on edge most of the day. At the
was MC for opening plenary, Prof. Adonis
our opening Gorospe led everyone in communal
worship. Rev. and small group prayer for peace
Steve Ruetschle and justice. Amazingly, attendance
welcomed was excellent on both days, in spite
participants. of the unrest.
Artist in Perhaps one of the most
residence Jun satisfying aspects of the forum was
Flores played the organ at our the opening and closing worship.
closing worship. At least six UCM Members of Asian Institute of
attendees delivered papers at the Liturgy and Music (AILM) used
forum. Afterwards, UCM elder traditional Asian instruments
Larry Podmore expressed the hope to bring songs of praise and
that Union Church and ATS could thanksgiving to God. Participants
work together in the future as well. joined in singing traditional songs
In the middle of this year’s from Thailand, Korea, China,
forum, a coup kept participants Myanmar, and the Philippines. The
worship reminded us that some of
the most precious and costly gifts
we can offer God are the age-old
musical heritage of our own Asian
cultures. Turning towards this
heritage, rather than merely copying
Western pop music in worship can
also serve as a bridge to people of
other faiths who are suspicious of
non-Asian traditions.


S P E C I A L I N V I TAT I O N R E S P O N S E :
ATS ANNUAL FUND CAMPAIGN
through Asian Theological Seminary
One-time gift Pledge
Title: Monthly Quarterly Yearly
( Surname)
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Crossed check through registered mail
Bank Deposit at either BPI Peso Acct 6851-0007-37
Fax: or BPI Dollar Acct 6854-0011-81
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Email: Cash through pick up within Metro Manila. Please
call Donor Hotline No. (632) 929-1624
Please send me a copy of prayer calendar
Civil Status:
Thank you for sending your cash gift to ATS with
this reply form by mail or fax (632) 928-5114.
ACF_Newsletter Vol.27 No.3 2006
 Message from the OIC President
B I S H O P C E S A R V I C E N T E P. P U N Z A L A N I I I
The Functional Church
or 25 years, I’ve been praying
F for an accurate mapping or
navigation system to help the
Philippine Church advance and
impact society.
When I was called by my
denomination (Baptist Conference
of the Philippines) to be part of
the team that would plant churches
in Metro Manila in the early 80’s,
navigating for me became a bit
tricky. I started driving around
Metro Manila. I got lost often and
ended up missing a lot of turns.
Today I experience shock when
driving across the United States.
The accurate mapping of the
country (including that of Canada,
Europe and Japan) makes navigation
very easy. Precision is the word.
According to PCEC (Philippine
Council of Evangelical Churches)
records, in 1975, there were 4,900
verifiable, evangelical churches that
participated in the vision of DAWN
(Discipling A Whole Nation) to
plant 50,000 churches by 2000.
The hope was that there will be an
evangelical church in every barangay
of the estimated 50,000 barangays
in the Philippines by 2000. DAWN
2000 reported that we have achieved
• Bishop Cesar Punzalan III and Prof. Patricia Harris during the installation service held last January 16, 2006 at the Faith Baptist Church, Quezon City.
the milestone of 51,625 churches
in 2000. As far as numbers are
concerned, this vision has been
realized.
But as far as impact in
transforming the nation is
concerned—that is another story.
For the same period we planted
more evangelical churches, our
nation has grown more corrupt,
according to global perception
surveys. Now there are many
factors why a nation becomes more
corrupt. There are many discordant
voices and schools of thought
ranging from lack of systems of
transparency and integrity to lack
of individual transformation. But
all agree that we have a deep-seated
culture of corruption. It seems that
we planted thousands of churches
but we failed to mobilize them for
their role in society—that is, to
be cultural architects. That is our
mandate, for the kingdom of this
world will become the kingdom of
our Lord.
We have planted 51,625
evangelical churches and we are
on our way to Vision 2010, that
is 100,000 verifiable evangelical
churches by 2010. I believe we are
Bishop Punzalan now serves as the ATS OIC while Prof. Harris is Deputy OIC.
giving the churches the idea that
maybe as we grow bigger, we will
have a critical mass and can force
the Philippines to be righteous.
As evangelicals, we were
united in our vision to plant 50,000
churches by 2000. As individual
churches and denominations,
however, it seems, we celebrate our
spiritual tribalism more when we
elevate the autonomy of the local
church over that of coming together
in unity and being engaged in
transforming the nation. We focus
on what makes us different and
separate instead of concentrating on
the impact we can make in society
while awaiting the Lord’s second
coming.
We have not articulated an
ecclesiology and framework of
engagement. Neither have we
provided a map of that engagement
to the Philippine Church.
To see the Philippines
transformed under the Lordship of
Jesus Christ, we need to come together
and draw up that map of engagement
for our generation and beyond.
 N E W S U P DAT E N E W S U P DAT E N E W S U P DAT E

PLANS FOR CHAPEL RENOVATION PRESENTED THREE NEW MODULES

TS Alumni sponsored the
A Chapel service last March
8. Rev. Noel Pantoja, the newly
appointed General Director of the
Conservative Baptist Association
of the Philippines (CBAP) and
ATS graduate (Master of Christian
Leadership, 1989) was the guest
speaker. His message on humility
before God challenged the alumni to
focus on building God’s kingdom.
Olga Fernandez,
the current ATS Alumni
Relations Coordinator,
gave a resolution of
thanks to the ATS
family for supporting
and inspiring her in the
work of coordination.
She hopes to join the
Mercy Ships MV Africa
as the Mercy Teams
coordinator this May.
The highlight of the event was
the presentation of the plans for the
Chapel renovation by Bishop Cesar
Punzalan III. The ATS Alumni
Association pledged to raise Php
500,000 from the alumni as their
contribution towards this project.
The total cost for the renovation is
Php 1.6 Million.
OFFERED BY ATS
hree modules were offered
T from January-February at
the ATS campus. These modules
were Colossians (Dr. Derek
Newton, Adjunct Professor); Crisis
Intervention (Dr. Jose Andres
Sotto, Counseling Center Director);
and Jeremiah (Dr. Elmer Martens,
Professor, Claremont Graduate
School).
Dr. Newton emphasized
on historical, exegetical and
applicatory approaches, with the
goal of discovering how the book
of Colossians might function
transformatively, in the Philippine
and Asian contexts, at the levels of
the individual, church and society.
On the other hand, Dr. Sotto taught
the church workers theories and
methodologies of crisis intervention
and stress management (including
critical incident stress debriefing).
The students of Dr. Martens
learned from Jeremiah how to become
effective channels of the Lord’s
message in this postmodern age.

• Players from five seminaries

(Asian Theological Seminary, Alliance
Graduate School, Asia Pacific Nazarene
Theological Seminary, Asian Seminary of
Christian Ministry, International School
of Theology-Asia) showed enthusiasm as
the Inter-Seminary Sports Festival (ISSF)
opened last January 21 at the Philippine
Science High School soccer grounds. The
event culminated on February 11 at the
Department of Agrarian Reform Gym.