A STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD OF ELDERS ON THE RELATIONS OF LIFE B-P CHURCH WITH FAR EASTERN BIBLE COLLEGE

In a statement that was made on 8 November 2005 (see http://www.lifebpc.com/ourstand/stmtfaith.htm ), the Board of Elders had declared: 

However, for the sake of brotherly love and harmony, we do not want to discriminate against any persons who, on grounds of their own personal conviction, would choose to believe that the texts or copies underlying the KJV are an exact replica of the original autographs. We believe "there are truths and forms with respect to which men of good character and principles may differ. And in all these, we think it the duty both of private Christians and societies to exercise mutual forbearance toward each other." (Article 5.5, Constitution of the Life Bible-Presbyterian Church). 

This was stated in the context of the teaching of VPP by the Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC). However, since then, it has become increasingly evident that FEBC regards VPP not merely as personal conviction, but as dogma and as a touchstone of Christian fundamentalism. Those who disagree on VPP are unkindly branded by the college as Neo-Evangelicals, Neo-Fundamentalists, Agnostics and Modernists, and believing that the Bible has many mistakes.  

Its insistent dogmatic promotion is unedifying to Lifers and has also had destructive effects on the peace and unity of many churches. This, together with the fact that it is new and infectious, has made VPP, as taught and promoted by FEBC, a heresy. Since it is not based solely on the Word of God, but must lean heavily on human conjecture to identify the text which is word-perfect identical to the autographs, the college has tried to strengthen its VPP position by claiming eminent theologians and institutions among its adherents. Upon closer scrutiny and inquiry however, these claims are found to be false. 

While we in Life B-P Church have been forbearing, allowing the college to continue using our premises as its campus without any charge, we cannot continue to exercise the same forbearance any more with a good conscience. To do so would only make Life Church a passive participant in the destructive work of the college and delinquent in its stewardship of the premises. The time has come for us to part ways as Amos 3:3 says, “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” The irreconcilable differences between the church and college are highlighted by the following: 

1.   VPP is contrary to our doctrinal position as given in our Church Constitution, article 4.2.1 (“We believe in the divine, verbal and plenary inspiration of the Scriptures in the original lan­guages, their consequent inerrancy and infallibility, and, as the Word of God, the Supreme and final authority in faith and life.”) and in our Doctrinal Positional Statement (“We do believe that the Hebrew and Greek texts that were used for the King James Version of the English Bible (KJV) were providentially preserved by God and are therefore closest to the original autographs of the Bible.”). 

      FEBC’s position has led to the amendment of article 4.2.1 of the Constitution of its own affiliated church to include VPP (see http://www.febc.edu.sg/truelife%20doctrine.htm). 

2.   Since last year FEBC had refused to give Life B-P Church an undertaking that they will not promote the VPP doctrine if they wish to use our sanctuary for night lectures. Instead our Chinese Service hall was used; and some who attended complained that the lecturers lambasted the church during the night lectures.

3.   FEBC has registered itself as a separate and independent legal entity on 26 January 2004. Thus it is no longer affiliated with Life Church. The spirit of cooperation under one administrator who was both pastor of the Church and principal of the College no longer exists. The Board of Directors of the College now consists of members who are no longer in the Church.  

4.   FEBC has not ceased to undermine the peace and leadership of Life B-P Church with false and unkind allegations. In a True Life B-P Church Weekly article published on 18 March 2007 entitled Multiversions Onlyism our pastors were misrepresented as recommending a book that gives reasons why the KJV ought to be replaced with modern versions. We have been portrayed as rebels who ousted Rev (Dr) Timothy Tow and caused the church to split. The truth is that our founding pastor tendered his resignation on 24 August 2003 and left to start True Life B-P Church. Out of gratitude we have continued to grant him free usage of the church parsonage and also supported him for the past 4 years and 5 months with monthly love gifts amounting to $264,700 (or $4,900 a month). The parsonage will still be available to Rev (Dr) Timothy Tow notwithstanding our disagreement with FEBC. 

In view of the above, Life B-P Church will request FEBC to give an undertaking that they will not promote the VPP doctrine in our premises; otherwise we will have to ask the college to vacate the premises. Please pray that the Lord will grant us an amicable resolution in the coming months. 

- The Board of Elders of Life B-P Church, 25^th January 2008