Shiao Chong

Mississauga

Editor in Chief at The Banner Magazine

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Articles

Is the ‘Sin of Empathy’ a Biblical Teaching?

2 weeks ago | thebanner.org | Shiao Chong |Big Questions

I see Christians debating about the “sin of empathy.” Is that a biblical teaching? I think the phrasing might be deliberately provocative, verging on clickbait. But the point, I believe, is that any virtue, even empathy, can be twisted and weaponized. Although that is true, I worry that some people use that to disparage calls for genuine empathy and compassion or to justify behaviors lacking in empathy and compassion in the name of zeal for God’s truth.
How to Stay Connected With Family in a Health Crisis

1 month ago | thebanner.org | Dean R. Heetderks |Loren Haarsma |Brian Clark |Shiao Chong

Do you have any tips for staying connected with family members through a health crisis? There’s nothing like a crisis to expose the weaknesses in any system—and that includes family communication systems. With all the technological options available to us, you’d think we would have this down pat, yet often it’s not so easy. Families are made up of different people, each with their own preferences and varying degrees of comfort with one technology or another.
Anti-echo Chamber

Nov 25, 2024 | thebanner.org | Shiao Chong

Christ brings his peace, not through coercion or silencing other voices, (but) with words and deeds full of grace and truth. In our divided world and divided church, we need media that break down divisions, not reinforce them. This is my vision for The Banner: to be an anti-echo chamber for the Christian Reformed Church. In news media and social media, an echo chamber is an environment where someone encounters only information or opinions that reflect and reinforce their own.
The Elder Brother

Nov 5, 2024 | thebanner.org | Shiao Chong

Though both ways are equally wrong, the elder brother’s lostness is more dangerous because most elder brothers are blind to their condition. My favorite book by the late Timothy Keller is The Prodigal God (2008). In it, Keller dives into the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), or as Keller calls it, the parable of the two lost sons. For Keller, both the younger brother and the elder brother in Jesus’ parable are lost, but in different ways.
The Banner Team

Oct 7, 2024 | thebanner.org | Shiao Chong

Wonder who makes up the team putting together the news, features, media reviews, and ads that make up The Banner in print and online each month? CHONG: Shiao Chong (who goes by “Chong”) has been The Banner’s editor in chief since 2016, after 15 years in campus ministry. Born and raised in Malaysia, Chong studied in Canada and immigrated there after graduation. He lives in Mississauga with his brilliant scientist wife, Martha, and three daughters.
Elephants in the Room

Sep 30, 2024 | thebanner.org | Shiao Chong

I have been thinking a lot recently about Jonathan Haidt’s book, The Righteous Mind: Why Good People are Divided by Politics and Religion (2012). Although I don’t agree with everything in his book, I do think there is a lot of truth in the moral psychologist’s central metaphor about the human mind: “the mind is divided, like a rider on an elephant, and the rider’s job is to serve the elephant” (p. 12).
Reaching Ukraine’s Military Spouses

Jul 24, 2024 | thebanner.org | Brian Clark |Victoria Veenstra |Shiao Chong |Susie Vander Vaart

Angelina was beginning to dread the calls. What used to be a highlight in her otherwise horrible days had become a regular reminder of just how much the war in Ukraine had already changed her beloved husband. “His psychological condition isn’t good,” Angelina said.
God Is Still With Us

Jul 15, 2024 | thebanner.org | Shiao Chong

I might not understand why God allows crisis and upheaval, but I trust the promise that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” There are two competing narratives about Synod 2024. According to one narrative, this is the culmination of a godly revival; the Christian Reformed Church chose to stand firm on biblical truth, even when it was painful—but necessary and overdue—to discipline erring churches and officebearers.
Soft on Sin?

Jun 10, 2024 | thebanner.org | Shiao Chong

They called Jesus a “friend of tax collectors and sinners.” I think the Pharisees perceived Jesus to be soft on sin. After all, they complained about Jesus eating with “tax collectors and sinners” (Matt. 9:11; Mark 2:16; Luke 5:30; 15:2). In Jesus’ ancient culture, “table fellowship indicated intimate relations among those who shared it” (The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament). Rules for Jewish rabbis at the time would prohibit sharing meals with known unrepentant sinners.
Jesus’ Selective Reading

Apr 22, 2024 | thebanner.org | Shiao Chong

Jesus casts a more inclusive vision of God’s kingdom. I was often puzzled by the sudden turn in the crowd’s mood in Luke 4:16-30. Jesus was in his hometown, Nazareth, and read the scroll of Isaiah 61 in the synagogue. Verse 22 says, “All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips.” But within a few minutes, the mood suddenly turned from praise to rage and an attempt to kill Jesus! What did Jesus say that incited them so?