Taiwan Church News 3858 Edition 2 ~ 8 Feb, 2026 Weekly Topical PCT Youth Read the Romans at the 63rd Biblical Theology Study Camp Reported by Chiu Kuo-rong from Hsinchu PCT’s 63rd Biblical Theology Study Camp for University Student, sponsored by PCT Campus Ministry Committee, was held at Presbyterian Bible College in the afternoon on January 26. This biblical studies camp for college student, entitled as “Whose iniquities are forgiven?”, focuses on doctrines of Christian faith such as sin, forgiveness, salvation and etc. The opening service was hosted by Rev Cheng Kai-chia, pastor of Shian-Rong Church of Taichung Presbytery. He pointed out in his sermon that contemporary society is filled with many sensational temptations with attractive options and material satisfactions. “In a society highly manipulated by algorithms and modern technology, people are very easy to lose themselves, alienate themselves with others, and even overlook their own identities and social responsibilities,” he warned. “The modern mind set, refusing to understand others and pursuing the political power and modern technique as the ultimate good, becomes a grave sin unnoticed,” he reminded the audience. “Violence not only exists in physical fights, but also lies in the invisible words of hatred. If Christian faith can do nothing other than delivering moral advice, the church will be impossible to touch the truth of life and invite the youth to the real faith and act accordingly.” Mentioning about the contexts of Paul’s letter to the Romans, he explained that it was written in a intense context between the Jews and the Gentiles. Claiming his apostolic status and the messages of the gospel, Paul wrote the letter to the Romans for helping his further travel to Spain on the itinerary mission. Quoting Paul’s powerful messages: “it is the power of God for salvation to reach everyone who has faith, as the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith.”(Romans 1:16~17), he reiterated Paul’s stress that the gospel is inclusive and not biased toward any ethnic group. At the end of his sermon, Rev Cheng shared the story of the candlelight prayer vigil in the Church of Nicholas at East Germany, indicting how Christian faith could change society with non-violence and eventually led to the collapse of the notorious Berlin Wall. “This is a story that the gospel not only renews the individual person, but also shakes up the world order,” he said. A total of NT$ 7,418 was collected during the opening service, all of which was donated to the non-profit online media “The Reporter”, which has been independently engaged in investigative journalism, in-depth uncovering, and social justice issues in Taiwan society. During the session of public prayer, the participants prayed for world peace, global economy and those in sufferings. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s national security, political status quo and economic prospects were earnestly interceded. There are five lectures in the Biblical Theology Study Camp(BTSC), introducing the audience to main theologies of the Romans. Speakers and their lecture themes are as follows: Rev Lu Chiun-yih, a retired pastor of Chi-Hsin Presbytery, gave a lecture on “from the past of BTSC to its Future”; Rev Liang Cher-mau, pastor of Yen-Han Church of Tainan Presbytery, lectured on “Introduction to the Letter of Paul to the Romans”; Rev Sih Suh-ying, doctor of theology of Heidelberg University in Germany, gave a lecture on “Sin and Justification by Faith”; Rev Chang Chi-wei, assistant professor of the Taiwan Graduate School of Theology, lectured on “New Creation in Christ”; Evangelist Song Yin-husan, assistant professor of Graduate School of Tainan Theological College, addressed on “Obedient to Power? Christian Identity in the Romans.” In addition of these lectures, to serve the youth with insights in faith, culture, Taiwan society and church practices, BTSC also held many work-shops with diverse themes, including: talking about discrimination from Harry Potter; church liturgy; worship is an adventure to meet God; Taiwan Christian Student Movement; gender violence cannot bully you away from God’s love; the theological evolution and missionary reflection in the ecumenical church on issues of LGBTQIA ; the ecumenical mission; what is the theological nuance of New Perspective on Paul; creative hymn singing of the PCT youth; TCP’s publications of ”You Shall See Visions” and “Ken-Sin”; Christian retreat; justification by faith; why Christian should read the Bible, assemble and pray; how to evaluate the issues of ethnicity and language within the PCT; Good housekeeper of God; basics of financial management; making musics from the scriptures; learning deep between human and God; knowing good friends of Christianity from otherdenominations; talking about the difference between inductive reading and theological reading of the scriptures and etc. Translated by Peter Wolfe |