Rev. Dr. Jacob Tomatala

Yesterday, I and my colleagues were asked to accompany Rev. Dr. Jacob Tomatala for lunch. He is teaching a graduate program in our institute this week. He is one of the leading figures in the subject of Christian leadership in Indonesia. Dr. Tomatala got his doctorate from Fuller where he studied Christian leadership under Professor Clinton. He has been leading a philosophy and leadership institute in Jakarta for years. Dr. Tomatala’s passion for Christian leadership is undoubted.

I met Dr. Tomatala several times. Let me highlight some of those meetings. In February 2003, Compassion Indonesia invited me to facilitate a discussion on ‘Church, Children and Mission.’ Dr. Tomatala and Dr. Dan Brewster (also a Fuller graduate) were the main speakers in that event. He was very friendly and warm to such a younger ‘scholar’ like me. He treated me like his old friend, though he actually is 21 years older than me. He encouraged me to develop myself in every aspect so that my ministry would be more effective. He shared me his life and invited me to follow his steps. Though His advice was rather general, it was interesting that he figured himself and acted like a father who is motivating his own son to always move forward in life.

In 2005, I was with him again. This time, I had a private lunch with him. I remember picking him up from a small hotel in Sukajadi, and then bringing him into a Sundanese restaurant in Jalan Riau. There again, he served me with a very gentle shepherding unending ‘sermon.’ The meals seemed to be no longer important. The conversation however, was so valuable. Dr. Tomatala again shared his life and motivated me to sharpen my vision in the ministry of the Kingdom. This time, knowing that I got married, he also gave some tips for a happy family.

In our meeting yesterday, Dr. Tomatala did what he usually does. He was friendly and warm. He kept motivating us to develop ourselves. He spoke like a father to his sons. His motivation words sounded familiar. He shared what he had achieved: publishing books, delivering lectures, leading institutions and others. He kept asking, 'What have all of you achieved?' He encouraged us to start now for a change and growth in our ministry and life.

I was amazed though that he remembered my name. The first question he asked me was: ‘Any progress pa Ery?’ I was to be honest not quite sure with his question. Progress? In what area? I mentioned to him that I had completed my degree in the UK, and now I am applying what I have studied in the church and the institute where I am working with. I also shared my desire, my effort and my strategy to pursue a doctorate somewhere sometimes. He seemed to be happy knowing that ‘progress.’

For me personally, it is always good to have someone who rigorously motivates me to move forward in fulfilling God’s calling in me. Dr. Tomatala always shares his own life to the younger generation he meets. He does that passionately, enthusiastically and energetically. His sharing and motivation are eternal investment to those who are listening to him and make positive responses. He said: ‘You are what you perceive (your response) of what someone else says about you.’

This time, Dr. Tomatala said something significant for me. I perceived his words as a message from God. A vision of a leader, he said, has to be: (1) Glorifying God; (2) Benefiting others; (3) Fulfilling our most inner being. His message renews my vision about my family, my ministry and my own self in relationship with God. His words have helped me to boldly and optimistically continue my life in fulfilling the precious call of God.

At the end of our conversation, Dr. Tomatala shared about the unexpected death of his son. After lunch, he asked me personally, ‘How many children do you have, pa Ery?’ I said two, but one died earlier this year. His mimic changed; He stopped his step and said, ‘We experienced the same lost pa Ery: the same sadness of loosing our loved ones.’ I said to him and to myself, ‘Yes, but God is always faithful to us; His plan is wonderful and beyond our expectation.’ May these words be a blessing and motivation for both of us!

This post pays respect to Dr. Tomatala, a true motivator and father to many younger scholars. His friendship and warmness to everybody he meets are always available. To me personally, he is also truly a friend and a brother who have been going through similar difficult experiences.

Grounds for Effective Leaders

Two days ago, I taught Christian Leadership for about 50 child social workers. This lecture was part of Holistic Child Development (HCD) program sponsored by Compassion Indonesia and Pelayanan Desa Terpadu (PESAT). This actually was not my first to deliver lecture on Christian Leadership for HCD program. This time, however, I shared new material developed few weeks ago by myself and my wife. Let us say: The Prasadjas on Effective Leadership. In my conversation with my wife on effective leadership, we posed a question: What are the true grounds that create an effective leader.

We found four foundations. First, effective leaders know the true meaning and value of life they live. Paul said, ‘Yet if I live, that means fruitful service for Christ’ (Phil 1.22a). The primary task of Christian living, the very existence of our life, is to bear fruit in good works, so that others are able to taste the goodness of God. Effective leaders, I think, are not called to live in self-centered spirit; effective leaders are the channel of God’s blessing. Without this spirit, we may be trapped in pursuing positions for our own benefit. Effective leaders live in a very strong conviction of their calling, and their understanding of the meaning and value of life

Second, effective leaders are men and women with consistent spirit of excellence. The very dream of effective leaders is to complete what have been assigned to him or her, not in second best quality, but in the best quality possible. Hard work and discipline are then required. For me, people cannot pursue success. Success comes and goes; we do not know when it comes and when it goes. Those who are ready to take success in life are those who discipline themselves to work hard.

Third, integrity stands as one of the most significant foundations for effective leaders. I mentioned five most important lifestyles related to integrity:

• Live what you believe and live what you say. Faith and action are not to be separated: be consistent!

• Be honest! Remember that politic is good only when it is used to pursue good purposes for all!

• Do not make any promise that you are not able to fulfill!

• Do not sacrifice your idealism for money!

• Keep your spirit of excellence in all situations and in all time! (Phil 2.12-18)

Fourth, effective leaders are leaders who are continue to develop themselves and their skills as leaders. Self development and skill development are two most important areas to be developed. Learning is an unending process. Learning is not limited by age, degrees, money or even positions. Effective leaders know that live to learn and learn to live go together hand in hand. When the rich say that they are rich enough, and therefore feel that working is no longer necessary, then they are falling into poverty. And when scholars say that they are smart enough, and therefore feel that studying is no longer necessary, then they are falling into a brainless lifestyle. Similarly, when leaders say that they are good and effective enough, and therefore feel that learning is no longer necessary, then they are going away from true effective leadership.

This posting goes with our prayer that readers will make a step forward towards effective leaders.

The 7th Congress and Symposium of PASTI (Nov 19-21, 2007)

I was in Surabaya for a congress and symposium of The Fellowship of Evangelical Colleges and Seminaries in Indonesia (PASTI). There, I met many scholars and leaders from about 45 evangelical institutions. I was glad to meet colleagues from different institutions: some of them were my former students, others were old friends, and of course some other were new to me. Bethany Theological College hosted the meeting.

I was asked to deliver a sermon in the first evening. I tell you what! Preaching (or let me use another friendlier word: sharing the word of God) to (evangelical) scholars was to be honest a new excited and challenging experience for me. Many of them are with doctorates and most of them hold masters degree from various prestigious institutions. I was a bit intimidated. God however was so gracious: it went well.

I was trying to stick and be faithful to the passage I chose (Hebrews 4.14-5.10). I had no personal interest and ambition, but to share the word and to touch the lives of the audience. My aim was to amplify the theme of the meeting: 'The Finality of Christ and its Implication to the Evangelical Mission.' Second to that, it was necessary for me to share a sermon that helped the forum to elect the new PASTI committee members. The election itself was one of the most important agendas of the congress.

The greatest experience however is to meeting different people from different institution. I humbled myself to learn the diversity of churches, seminaries, institutions and individuals. Talking about someone is completely different from talking with someone. Talking about one church is totally different from talking with someone represents that church. Similarly, talking about one college, seminary or institution is a far different experience from talking with someone who is representing those institutions. I asked God for his forgiveness, because we (or I) often do premature and unfair judgment towards people or institution without any effort to listen and understand them first.

This congress somehow opened my eyes and my heart not to be self-righteous. In our strengths, we know that we are to help others. And in our weaknesses, we know that others are available to help. We are not to boast our own strengths, and ignore others; and at the same time, we are not to walk in our weaknesses alone. The congress was such a wonderful time, where we, scholars (from different theological perspective), were able to sit and to worshipping God together.

Some people may say that a congress like this is full of political interests. That opinion may not be wrong, but I decided to view this occasion differently. I came to this congress to sharing life with others and to enjoy the process of learning from others. It is that decision that helped me to stay in that meeting with such of enjoyment and thanksgiving. Hallelujah!

Major Commentaries on Romans

Paul’s letter to the Romans is perhaps one of the most influential documents in the Bible. F. F. Bruce mentioned in the preface of his commentary that St. Augustine, Martin Luther and John Wesley are among the giants of faith whose journey of life had been significantly enlightened by the verses of Romans. It is not surprising that commentaries and studies on Romans are flourishing. Popular opinion says that the accomplishment of a New Testament scholar is not complete without publishing a commentary on Romans.

Below is the list of major commentaries on this amazing document available in English:

• Paul J. ACHTEMEIER. Romans (Interpretation). Atlanta: John Knox (1985)

• Charles Kingsley BARRETT. The Epistle to the Romans (BNTC). London: A&C Black (1957)/Peabody: Hendrickson (1991)

• Karl BARTH. The Epistle to the Romans. Oxford: OUP (1968)

• Matthew BLACK. Romans (NCBC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans (1986)

• F. F. BRUCE. Romans (TNTC). London: Tyndale (1963)/Grand Rapids: Eerdmans (1990)

• Charles. E. B. CRANFIELD. Romans 3 Volumes (ICC). Edinburgh: T&T Clark (1976)

• James D. G. DUNN. Romans 2 Volumes (WBC). Waco: Word (1988)

• Robert K. JEWETT. Romans (Hermeneia). Philadelphia: Fortress (2006)

• Ernst KASEMANN. Commentary on Romans. London: SCM (1980)/Grand Rapids: Eerdmans (1994)

• Douglas MOO. The Epistle to the Romans (NICNT). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans (1996)

• Douglas MOO. Romans (NIV-AC). Grand Rapids: Zondervan (2000)

• Leon MORRIS. Epistle to the Romans (PNTC). Grand Rapids: Eerdmans (1988)

• Grant OSBORNE. Romans (IVP-NTC). Downers Grove: IVP (2003)

• Thomas R. SCHREINER. Romans (BECNT). Grand Rapids: Baker (1998)

• John R. W. STOTT. The Message of Romans (The Bible Speak Today). Leicester: IVP (2001)

• Peter STUHLMACHER. Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Edinburgh: T&T Clark (1994)

• Ben WITHERINGTON III. Paul’s Letter to the Romans: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans (2004)

Cranfield, Dunn and Jewett’s are I think the first choices for those who want to dig this letter seriously (from the academic side). Greek and basic New Testament knowledge are required to read those three commentaries above. Barth, Kasemann, Stuhlmacher (all German), and Achtemeier’s offer so many fresh unthinkable insights from this epistle. An interesting social exegetical approach is to be found mostly in Witherington’s commentary. Moo (NICNT) and Morris’ are very theological and friendly to the evangelicals. Moo (NIV-AC), Osborne and Stott’s are the most useful commentaries for pastors and lay ministers.

Relationship and Acceptance

In our staff’s meeting this morning, Pastor Bambang Widjaja, our senior pastor and the president of the institution, shared us an interesting topic on parameter for healthy Christian living. He reflected on Mark 12.28-31. If I understand correctly, he shared his belief that righteous Christian living equals to (means/results in) healthy relationships. If I were allowed to amplify his message, ‘Christianity is all about relationship.’

He mentioned three dimensions of relationship. Relationship with God signifies our spiritual fitness. Relationship with our own self signifies emotional fitness. Lastly, relationship with others signifies social fitness.

Pastor Widjaja also mentioned another catch word: ‘Acceptance.’ If we fully understand that through his love, God has accepted us, then we should have less (no) problem in accepting our own self. Subsequently, if we are able to accept our own self, we should have less (no) problem in accepting other people.

For me, relationship and acceptance are two very strong interrelated words. Pastor Widjaja concluded that our relationship with God is inseparable from our daily life. Prayer may be one indicator of healthy spiritual life, but it is not all. Yet, our relationship with God is determinative to the other two relationships. If our relationship with God is inharmonious, we could not expect healthy relationship with our own self and others.

I am so blessed with Pastor Widjaja’s message this morning. It reminds me on, and confirms my own favorite wisdom: ‘True Christian spirituality should be manifested (effective) in social realities.’

The Gift of Tongue

In my New Testament Theology class this morning, I and my students were involved in a very interesting dialogue on the gift of tongue (glossolalia). Among the gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12 are the gift of tongue (speaking in unknown language) and the gift to interpret those unknown languages.

Few years ago, there was controversial story about one charismatic church: The church stressed that the gift of tongue is a must for all believers. That understanding led the church to offer a training school in order that the believers can learn how to speak in tongue (let say: “Tongue Training School”). I am not sure if the story is true, but it sounds natural in the charismatic circle. Speaking in tongue is in the charismatic churches considered as the most important or powerful among the gifts of the Spirit. Therefore all believers should possess and practice this phenomenal gift.

In our class this morning, we discussed the last gift listed in 1 Corinthians 12: the gift to interpret that unknown language (the gift of tongue). We have so many people (more than a thousand, I think) speaking in tongue during the Sunday services in our local church. And we may have some people who believe that they are able to interpret that unknown language.

I encouraged my students to do a field research. Recording people who speak in tongue individually, using the best tools (recorder and other electronic devices), and then ask those who believe to possess the gift of interpretation to translate those unknown languages.

The first task of the research is to discover the validity of the interpretation and/or translation. Will different people results in different interpretation/translation. If yes, can it be justified? The following task is to propose a dictionary of Tongue.

This posting sounds crazy doesn’t it? I myself am afraid of being too challenging towards God and the Holy Spirit. Yet, I feel that the idea is very natural, especially because we live in the era when technology might be called as the greatest miracle. And I think (seriously) that if the gift of tongue really is to build others (the congregation), which I strongly believe, then the dictionary should be a very helpful tool in nurturing the faith of the believers.

Let God and the power of the Holy Spirit prevail!

Charles Francis Digby Moule

We have lost another giant in New Testament Studies, the Reverend Professor C. F. D. Moule. He died on the 30th of September 2007 at the age of 98. Moule had 'produced' the finest scholars in New Testament field through doctoral supervision he provided while serving as professor at the university of Cambridge. James D. G. Dunn (Lightfoot Professor Emeritus at Durham), Nicholas T. Wright (Bishop of Durham) and Robert Morgan (New Testament Professor at Oxford) are among others who benefited Moule's insight, wisdom and friendship.

Times (Oct 5, 2007) writes: 'With the death of Professor C. F. D. Moule the academic world has lost a fastidious scholar who combined a passion for exact truth about the New Testament with modesty and a capacity for friendship with people of very different types and ages.'

Guardian (Oct 24th, 2007) writes: 'In the faculty, his wisdom usually prevailed, showing gentleness and humility are not to be confused with weakness.'

Daily Telegraph (Oct 2th, 2007) writes: 'An attractive personality allied to great erudition and exceptional gifts as a teacher made him a popular Cambridge figure for more than 40 years, and his influence in the field of NT studies was considerable.'

Moule was to spend most of his life in Cambridge, first as tutor and vice-principal of Ridley Hall, 1936-44; then as Dean of Clare, 1944-51; then as Lady Margaret’s Professor of Divinity (one of the most prestigious chairs in the United Kingdom) until 1976, when he moved back to Ridley Hall. From 1955 to 1976 he was also canon theologian (non-residentiary) of Leicester Cathedral. He became an honorary Doctor of Divinity of St Andrews in 1958 and of Cambridge in 1988. He was a Fellow of the British Academy, 1966, and president of the International Society for New Testament Studies, 1967.

For the last four years of his life he lived in a residential home in Dorset. Moule was unmarried.

Psalm 120 and 1 Timothy

This week, I was asked to deliver two different sermons for two different occasions, and I could not refuse those requests. First, one of my dear friends in the church, Retty, who was scheduled to preach on Tuesday morning staff chapel, physically was not well enough to lead the service. For that morning chapel, I read Psalm 120 pointing out David as an extraordinary example of how one should be honest and open to God. Our God is great enough to understand and to embrace us all. There is no need for us to live in a spirit of denial.

Yesterday, I was asked to deliver a sermon in celebrating the 64^th birthday of Rev. Gunawan Tijono (one of our senior pastors). I did not dare enough to refuse to preach in such a special occasion. For that birthday dinner, I read Paul’s first letter to Timothy, arguing that Christian faith and life should be based on the purity of heart and conscience. This sermon challenges the natural interpretation of 1 Tim 3.1. Unlike the traditional approaches, I showed that 1 Tim 3.2-7 is far more important than 1 Tim 3.1. The very task of Timothy was to attack those who wished to exercise authority, yet neglecting the very key point of conscience (1 Tim 1.18-20). My approach and interpretation also boldly tackle the difficulties of understanding the relationship of men and women in this epistle (1 Tim 2.8-15) and other polemical issues in the Pastoral Epistles. It is a reminder that legal position or authority is deceiving without the active presence of sincere conscience.

I presented the sermon as a kind of festschrift to Mr. Tijono. It was fresh from the oven. This sermon was also a result of a relatively long struggle (6 years) in finding the answer of a simple question posed by Dr. Bambang Widjaja. In 2001, after dinner, he asked me, ‘Ry, what do you think about 1 Tim 3.1?’ I do not remember what my answer was, but I had not been satisfied until the light touched my heart while reading this most controversial Pauline epistle, yet it is truly my favorite. Eureka!