The Cross & Resurrection
3-6 Sep 2025

For many Christians today, the cross and resurrection are familiar phrases — truths we sing about especially during Easter and easily affirm in creeds. In all honesty though, these central events struggle to be the centre of our lives. When asked how these events shape the way we live, how we suffer and hope, how we worship, we are not always sure.

Given how central these events are to the Gospel, we are not only being vague about that which we should be clear on, but we are also in danger of compromising on the Gospel, and its power in our lives, through reducing it – e.g. in stripping the cross of its offence, and the resurrection of its power, or defaulting to sentimentalism and individualism.

But Scripture will not allow such shallowness. The apostle Paul reminds us that the message of Christ crucified is not just the centre of Christian faith — it is the wisdom and power of God (1 Cor. 1:23–24). The resurrection, he says, is of “first importance” — and without it, our faith is futile (1 Cor. 15:17). To follow Jesus is not to admire Him from afar, but to be united with Him in His death and resurrection (Rom. 6:5), to carry His cross (Luke 9:23), and to be shaped by His pattern.

At this year’s Thinking Theologically Conference (TTC), we will work together at understanding this Biblical pattern for ourselves so we can think theologically and minister faithfully the true heart of the Gospel (2 Tim 1:6–13).

As God’s people, our view of Him and His work must be shaped by His revelation — not our assumptions. Only by the ‘pattern of the sound words’ can we minister faithfully. This means thinking His thoughts as we do His ministry amidst all the challenges and temptations of the Malaysian Christian’s life. That’s what TTC is for: to equip Christians — not just pastors or scholars, but everyday believers — through:

• Starting everyday with careful attention to Scripture.
• Workshopping together through the Bible’s landscape of revelation in small and large groups the biblical material. Here we are guided by carefully written questions and experienced workshop leaders.
• Electives bring the learning to a practical edge, helping us to see implications and uncovering the topic even further.
• Talks hold together all the learning and material, giving the overall frame and vision of the many precious truths.
• The entire conference ends in reflection and prayer, with greater clarity we hope for how we are to do ministry.

Theology is never a distraction — it is the fuel of faith, love, and endurance. TTC exists to help the church regain or retain this clarity — to make our minds bigger, so we love God deeper, and serve His church better.