Tseng vs. Tong

Rev. Laura Lin once asked me, if Alex was still posting things regarding Dr. Tong, because I told her once that Alex criticized Dr. Tong's Christology and so on online. I thought things have subsided, so I said, probably no more.

But just very recently, it appears that it may not be the case. Though Tseng has not mentioned any name now, I believe one could guess that he was referring to Dr. Tong. Excerpt pasted below.

I do lament for this, at the same time I am also kindled with anger. I have assumed the case to be true, so I lamented for Tseng & Tong's broken relationship. I had briefly witnessed their supposedly close tie before all this happen, before I even know who Alex was. At Dr. Tong's Summer classes back in 2002-2003, I had heard how Dr. Tong loved to ask someone by the name of Alex certain questions during the class. I couldn't see anything from the back of the class. But I remember one exchange, that Alex attributed to Dr. Tong the fact that he knew Tchaikovsky used a beggar's tune in the subway? to write the second movement of his Piano Concerto No.1. I remember this because I was fascinated by the story. But I also wanted to validate it because I know if I share this story, I am responsible for it's authenticity. After reading Tchaikovsky's diary, I noted there's a slight error in the story, that in fact, it was the first movement that used such tune, not the 2nd. A minor issue I noted in my journal before. Bottom line, I felt a special connection between the two. I would say I even admire, if not envy them. No, not jealous, because I was very aware of my jealousy instinct at that time and beat it down during those cherished classes I took.

Later in a more recent time, Alex revealed in his website in an article which he may have taken out already, that during his trip to Indonesia, possibly invited by Dr. Tong, how he enjoyed the company of Dr. Tong and his church, while he shared a little bit about some controversies surrounding Dr. Tong. Such as money Tong refused as "offering" but then did not(forgot) to give back. I would think that Alex took it personally when he also revealed that the one who made the offering also financially supported him. Their "friendly" theological debates involving Michael Liu & David Tong, Christology argument (which I'm inclined, ironically, to agree with Alex, but it does not mean I abandoned Dr. Tong's reasoning in this all together) was also mentioned where he called Dr. Tong "humble" enough to admit lack of understanding in the subject. All of the above, I'm sure, was taken less dramatic than now by Tseng.

However, I do not believe the spark of conflict started between Tseng and Tong alone. Contrary to the belief of the majority of the past, present and future. My own theory though very loose, is what I have come to hold strongly. If I am wrong, I am ready to recant this belief. Therefore, I do not intend to publicly slander with this theory, but merely for my own record and growth. The theory follows:

I am angry because Rev. Laura Lin (bff to Rev. Tong's wife) and Elder Lyna Lim (sister of famous conductor Jahja Ling) of CCCNY were human reputation oriented, instead of being godly. When Dr. Tong sent Michael Liu to this local church for his growth, he was hoping that he could entrust Liu into the care of those he trusted in New York. Those who have showed strong support to his ministry. Unfortunately, this "instruction" from Tong has been received uncomfortably by first Elder Lyna, then Rev. Laura Lin. Lyna appeared to be reluctant since the beginning, while Rev. Lin was still willing to seek out Liu's potential until perhaps much of disagreement from the consistory and Michael Liu's scheduling. Perhaps they felt that Dr. Tong was looking down on their church to suggest Michael Liu to teach the Sunday School.

I say reputation oriented because they began to promote young people they personally know (since they did not know Michael Liu personally as to take credit for Liu's Christian life), people they know, as in vaguely accredited to them (stronger sin in Lyna in this matter) for their young Christian upbringing. This is why I immediately cut ties with them in any fellowship of the saints since even before this. I am quite sure they promoted Alex's name to Dr. Tong after the story with Michael Liu, which was why Alex was invited to Indonesia by Dr. Tong. They certainly had mentioned my name and attempted to take me closer to Dr. Tong. Alex was a frequent guest and even member of CCCNY and I have been with CCCNY long enough. So my name was also brought before Dr. Tong by Lyna, perhaps even by Rev. Lin. I would say, this is a lie, especially in my case, that I am planning to Dr. Tong's seminary in Indonesia, which Lyna presented to Dr. Tong, resulting in Dr. Tong trying to talk to me about enrollment, twice (once in Flushing, another time in Jakarta). I would guess that the motive of this lie is due to the fact that Lyna knew that CCCNY could not honestly produce preachers and pastors, never has. They would show great support to outside ministries, but they have never had any strong growth in the Bible, preaching, fellowship (not even the two main leaders are in good fellowship with each other), etc. Merely the textbook declaration of being a reformed church. I wouldn't be surprised that they were involved in the ignition of the controversies regarding the assumption that Michael Liu will become Dr. Tong's successor. Why should I be surprised? Lyna has said it, insisted upon such assumption. I am not surprised because I know she is high on human reputations, royal successors, etc. This is not to say that there's no justification for having a famous reputation, which I'm sure Lyna would use. But I've spent enough time and seen enough through layers of onion skins. Yes, there are layers of onion skins, so many would not see. Though they could not see through certain motive, it is wise for them to take caution, but not skepticism. I've had my share of such lesson before.

Because the promotion of Alex to Dr. Tong was not genuine (Alex did not grow up in CCCNY, nor was CCCNY the chief ecclesiastical relationship for Alex, nor did Alex need such promotion, and many other issues), the problem between Tseng and Tong began to ignite and became worse. We need to learn to discern signs and times according to God's will, not our own judgment.

Just because they show great support and kindness to those serving the Lord, it doesn't mean they are genuinely supported by Mark 9:41. Note "in My name" & "because ye belong to Christ", not because ye are young and gullible nor because ye are simply in need. The further discernment of this is important, if I do not want to repeat the same mistake in 1Kings 13. This teaches us how to discern good fellowship among the saints.

So, no, I am not going to be appreciative for a lie or vain glory even if the intention is good for my sake. In fact, I must incur holy anger. And now I have to lament about the brokenness of the relationship between two great minds and personalities, all thanks to the unholy alliance with the "friendship/reputation lovers". I would only seek to love these hypocrites, but I would never associate with them in any of my ministries.

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On FB, Alex commented on his post regarding Mark Driscoll:

...潘師母：謝謝您的安慰。

我心裡難受，主要不是因為過去的陰影，而是現在正準備站出來指出華人教會某「偉大領袖」的罪。

我已私下與他溝通過很多次，被他用詭詐的伎倆對付過，更見識到持守正統信仰的美國神學院在需要錢的時候會變什麼樣子[Westminster Theological Seminary?]。

我一位摯友曾以「electric meltdown of a garage door」跟「nuclear meltdown」來描述我從前在教會的經歷，以及我現在即將面臨的挑戰。我預計我會再次面對孤立無援的景況，不過這次會受到的傷害，可能遠比上次來得深。

當然，願神憐憫，說不定我新加入的屬靈大家庭，能夠帶給我精神上的鼓勵支持。

...

我跟羅馬的溫州教會還算熟。

再怎麼令人震驚的醜聞，總會被人遺忘。在教會史上會被人記得的，只有異端份子與捍衛正統的信徒（除非是與女學生通姦因而被貴族家長的屬下閹割這種戲劇化的情節）。

某華人教會領袖的醜聞，即將要被公諸於世，會震驚整個華人教會。然而，幾十年後，他在基督論上所持的異端見解，才會是他死後繼續備受爭議的主要原因。

同樣地，幾十年後，極少人會記得羅馬教會與潘牧師之間的事，但華人教會都會記得麥種傳道會如何捍衛宗教改革的正統神學。