- Explanation of Title

An Explanation of the Title

It is necessary to give an explanation for the title ‘A Pruning of Seven Deformed Branches’ lest anyone misunderstands or takes unnecessary offence at it. The seven deformed branches refer to the seven theological statements issued by Pastor Peter Kek on ‘behalf’ of the seven men and their churches. The seven deformed branches do not in any way refer to the seven leaders or the seven churches represented by them. Like Elder Lam has said, “We recognize that the issue at hand is about doctrinal differences and not anything personal, so let us just focus on the doctrinal issue alone.” It is possible that even good men may embrace deficient and inconsistent doctrines with genuine sincerity.

Pruning is a laborious but a necessary task that a good and diligent farmer would perform. I do pruning regularly on my little farm of fruit trees. It is laborious work because it involves much time, diligence, and careful effort. Carelessness may do damage to good branches. Just the right amount of pruning will bring the most advantage to the plant. It is necessary because sometimes branches that are unhealthy and sickly, under-developed, diseased, stunted and deformed are found growing on good healthy plants. If left alone, they will eventually harm the plant itself, sapping life out of it. Pruning is always a constructive task, not destructive. Branches that are deformed or barren, crooked or diseased need to be removed with the hope that new and well-formed branches may come forth, bearing fruit to the delight of the owner of the orchard. This little work must be seen in this constructive light. What it attempts to do is modest – pruning of those branches that I believe are deformed because they do not conform to the pattern of sound words, 2Tim 1:13. It is my humble request that the Lord may grant me to see some good healthy branches coming forth from this pruning exercise.

No offence is intended toward any brother when I attempt to demonstrate that the teachings embraced are quite inconsistent and contradictory to the testimony of Scriptures, and as summarized in their Church Doctrinal Standard, the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (i.e. the 1689 CoF. The First London Baptist Confession of Faith was issued in 1644/46). I am only interested in theological principles, and not personality. When names are mentioned, it is in order that it may be known who said and/or did what. These esteemed brethren are able defenders of the ‘standard reformed position’ and are thoroughly convinced that their theological statements are faithful to and consistent with the Scriptures as summarized in the 1689 CoF. Therefore, quoting their theological beliefs for all to read is really doing them a big favour in publicizing their theological beliefs!

I have included the relevant chapters (10-14, 20) of the 1689 CoF for easy reference. Do remember that these chapters were framed and signed by no less than 100 theologians at Westminster Assembly in 1647, and adopted by no less than "37 leading Particular Baptist ministers" with the needed additions and corrections in the 1689 CoF. These godly men declared that the Scriptures alone are the source of authority for faith and practice, “The supreme Judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Scripture delivered by the Spirit, into which Scripture so delivered our faith is finally resolved” 1689.1.10. Therefore, considering their thoughts and convictions summarized in these chapters of the 1689 CoF is useful to help us to appreciate how our Particular Baptists forefathers have understood the Bible on the various doctrinal issues that are being disputed. The leaders of the seven churches have claimed and described their view as the ‘standard reformed position’. I believe their ‘standard reformed position’ differs greatly from the beliefs of our Particular Baptist forefathers summarized in the 1689 CoF.

At the Gospel Missions Fund’s AGM on 25th Jan 2005, I informed the leaders present at the meeting of my intention of putting this examination of their seven theological statements into print for free circulation. The leaders were agreeable to this course of action. They are very convinced that I am in ‘fundamental and serious’ errors on those seven doctrinal points that they have officially lodged with SDC against me. And they insisted that these errors ‘cannot be brushed aside and pretend that they do not exist.’ I am humbly complying with their demands. So, I am gladly giving out the evidence of the so-called ‘fundamental and serious errors’ here – all in black and white – to assist these pastors and leaders to examine them and warn their flock of what they consider ‘serious errors’ and ‘heresies.’ Perhaps, by God’s grace, some Spirit-led believers may find that the ‘fundamental and serious’ errors sit squarely on the shoulders of these pastors and leaders. I will leave it to the Berean minded believers to judge for themselves. May the Lord grant each one light to discern, rightly understand and believe the truth of God.