Rev. David Chen loves to claim that the translation of "Vanity" in the Bible, particularly in the first chapter of Ecclesiastes, both in English and Chinese are inadequate (he prefers his own translation: "hardship", which is neither coherent with conjoining verses nor was it any close to the Hebrew term הבל "habel", which means exactly, "vanity" or vapor or breath), basically based on his deep Buddhism influenced vocabulary.
now as Christian, it is as if he wished to abolish everything that has to do with Buddhism, like those who destroyed beautiful Christian sculptures during Martin Luther's time because the Roman Catholics treated these sculptures as idols by praying to the Saints whom the sculptures represented. They couldn't draw a fine line between what is idol and what is art.
So in a way, Rev. David Chen is still trapped in Buddhism. He needs only to seek the truth, that our human limited terminology is limited indeed. If something is easily misunderstood, we must make it clear, instead of ignoring it and as if changing the whole subject completely, such is the role of Satan, hindering the truth. Of course, first, one must have himself cured in this matter before he tries to cure others.
Rev. Chen loves to gather on things that are strange and peculiar and not too popular, so that he has something to say in his sermons. I wouldn't comment too much on the interest, but on the motive, it is very unholy.
For example, one of his famous quotes: The Jews teach that even the animals are created before man, therefore we must be humble.
This statement is only good if we separate it into two different statement. There is no effect in linking them, except for misconception. It is trying to psychologically trick us by relating animals to our elderly, because we are to respect our elderly, honor our parents. And also of course, the fact that we must always be humble. This statement can easily be debunked. If the concept is if we must be humble (especially towards animals) because there are those created before us, should we be proud if there are those who come after us?
Rev. Chen loves to dig up things that have been rejected and squeeze them into credible use, he wanted to exonerate Marcion for being the first to canonize the New Testament Bible. When I corrected him with historical fact that it was Athanasius who first (367) listed the New Testament books, Marcion didn't listed all 27 books as Rev. Chen claimed, he still tried to claim that at least Marcion (110-160) listed some of the books. First of all, Marcion modified the Gospel of Luke, hence the Gospel of Marcion, with this and ten of Paul's epistles he listed as the Bible, rejecting other books as well as the whole Old Testament. I need not argue further with Rev. Chen on this matter, it would be like arguing with someone who thinks that the Chinese was the first to launch rockets into space. I don't know why he loves to do that. Does he really not have anything else to say? or is his orbitofrontal cortex truly damaged? I truly don't know.
With long observation and conversations with Rev. Chen, I find that he is actually a rather mean-spirited person at heart. When in public, he would pretend to be very friendly and enthusiastic, but when compared to his private life, it tells a different story. I believe of all his past unpleasant journey, he has come to believe that when others, pastors or normal Christians, pointed out his problems, his ignorance is his display of suffering for Christ (contrasting 1Peter 2:20).
I was amazed at first at this dual, bipolar personality of his since he's a Christian pastor who has attended the same seminary as I have and many many more than I. But then I was reminded by Rev. Tong's message: Sometimes you see a famous preacher doing something very corrupted, don't say "Oh now I know how wicked he is", but say "Oh, such weakness in man, God is still able to use him, God is great indeed!" Of course, we must not apply this statement to ourselves. We must treat others with God's mercy; yet we must discipline our own selves with God's righteousness.
For now, I think Rev. David Chen is better suited for evangelistic preaching only. Not hermeneutics, not counseling, not teaching. Unless he abolished his anthropocentric view for theocentric theology, his prosperity theology for a living sacrifice for Christ.
I shall not discuss this when not asked. And if asked, may God grant me wisdom, so that I can bring the Truth to light, that the glory of God be known in the clouds of darkness.
This journal applies a technology not just for a testimony of others whom I've encountered, but a testimony of myself, my failures, my happiness and my grief. One I am willing to open to the public, but mainly, as a virtual memory stored around the world.
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