Faith, Power and Politics

Another political exercise looms on the horizon and we have been hearing voices presenting various platforms and initializing new strategies to claim the approval of the citizenry. In the midst of all these we want to ask these questions – what role does our faith play in the middle of this political quagmire? How do we redefine church-state relations in a setting where such boundaries are often obscured? Where does real power lie and how do we use it for the greater good? How do I delineate my engagement in the political arenas as a Christian?

The forum will feature Marvic Leonen, Bert Alejo, Fermin Manalo Jr. and Lorenzo Bautista. Atty. Marvic Leonen is Dean of the UP College of Law. He teaches courses in remedial law, constitutional law and natural resources law, among others. Atty. Leonen has also served as the general counsel of the University of the Philippines, and as its Vice President for Legal Affairs. Leonen has also provided legal commentary for television networks such as ABS-CBN and GMA Network. Fr. Albert Alejo, S.J. is Rector of Ateneo de Davao, author of Tao Po! Tuloy (definitive study of Loob) and Renewing Cultural Energies, director of EHEM! - a nation-wide anti-corruption program, and currently heads “Konsult Mindanaw.” Fermin P. Manalo Jr. is Senior Lecturer at both the UP College of Social Work and Community Development and The Center for International Studies. Prof. Lorenzo Bautista is part of ATS Theology Dept.

The forum will be held on February 11 and 12, 2010 at the Union Church of Manila. We are expecting more than 600 participants comprising of theologians, academicians, students, pastors, and lay leaders from different denominations, church and religious organizations to attend and participate in this forum.

You can register below to reserve seats and follow instructions for enlisting. Noel Atienza will be receiving your reservations. For more information, he can be reached at telephone no. 929-7806 during office hours.

Location map

Seven Articles from the 4th Annual ATS Theological Forum: “He Has Filled the Hungry with Good Things…”

• Global Evangelical Understandings of Poverty

by David Parker

• Engaging and Empowering the Poor: Jesus’ Ministry to the Marginalized in the Gospel of Mark

by Narry Santos

• Liberation Theologians Speak to Evangelicals: A Theology and Praxis of Serving the Poor (Abridged Version; Full version is available in the book published by ATS and OMF with the same title)

by Charles Ringma

• Towards Theologizing that Accompanies the Political Struggle of the Poor

by Fermin “Jun” Manalo

• Radio’s Roles in Integral Mission

by Caloy Diño

• Orientation to Social Involvement Related to Eschatological View: A Survey of Filipino Evangelicals

by Christopher Sabanal and Annelle Gumihid-Sabanal

• Revisiting Medical Outreach Programs for the Underprivileged

by Lorenzo “Boy” Bautista, Leah Verdillo and Rommel Verdillo

Not a Forum Paper

• The Metaphor of Cannibalism in Micah 3:1-3: A Re-description of Philippine Society

by Juan Cruz

Watch out for the coming of this issue on January 2009.

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Dear Fellow Ministers,

Asian Theological Seminary faculty, staff and students invite you to attend the ATS Open Campus 2008 from November 10 to 14, 2008 at the ATS Campus. This event is our way of showing our appreciation to God for his faithfulness to ATS and to all our supporters and friends for partnering with us for the past 39 years. This also gives people the opportunity to have a first-hand experience of ATS.

Highlights of this five-day event are:

• a free sit- in of guests in our 6 classes for free
• thanksgiving chapel service of students, faculty, staff and board
• book launching of “The Church and Poverty in Asia, ATS’ 4th theological book
• book sale
• food fair
• other many more exciting activities.

At ATS Open Campus, our guests will have an opportunity to listen to our faculty conduct classes in Counseling, Biblical Studies, Theology, Missions, Christian Education and Pastoral Studies.

The ATS Open Campus is FREE. However, due to limited seats in our classrooms, we will require our guests to register by filling out registration form below. You may also mail or simply call Clark at 928 5117; 411-6104. We would appreciate receiving the registration form on or before Friday, October 31, 2008.

See you at ATS!

Warm regards,

Dr. Jojo Manzano
Associate Dean for Student Affairs