Friday, August 19, 2016

Sports in Singapore

Recent Olympic Gold Medal by Joseph Schooling renewed a flurry of words on Sports in Singapore. Many again brought up the issue of Foreign Talent Scheme while some others simply point out the fact that there are more Chinese players than the Chinese (Country) players.

It has been an issue to some in Singapore about bringing in foreign sports person to represent Singapore. They keep hurling insults to these players who pledged their loyalty to Singapore so that they can represent Singapore in its Olympic medal dream. J.Schooling is the only local Gold medalist since Ang Peng Siong time in 1982.

I am surprised that many say that they are not "true blue" and that Government should spend the money to train locals instead. Others nationals also openly say that Singapore "bought" the medals.

I must say that it is totally biased. We did not have a single medal since 1982. Our locals have plenty of time to prove themselves capable for the last 30 years. None is able to produce any. When the government brings in FT (foreign talent) they start to say that government is wasting money.

Did J.Schooling and Ang PS get a lot of money and support from the government? They even have to struggle to get NS exemption to train. What are they talking about spending money to train locals?

If you are good enough to beat the FT then do you think government would not be interested in you. If you can't even beat the FT then why would government consider you? FTs already have the skill enough to earn the government interest before they come to Singapore. If you have that skill comparable to FTs and yet being neglected then I would say that the government is not looking at the locals.

For those who are biased on FT, I would sincerely ask you this question. How many foreigners have been given citizenship? I have mentioned the figures in Facebook before. It is up to you to find out. I only want to point out that these FTs are just like any professionals who are given citizenship. They are contributors to Singapore in their own specialty and skill. If you can't beat them in their own game, then ask yourself whether you are just whining because of your incapability and jealousy.

One final fact that I would like to point out. There are plenty of foreign corporate companies in Singapore. They are foreign owned and have not pledge loyalty to Singapore. Many of the so call "true blue" are employed by them. They get government grants too you know? Local companies have no chance to compete against them. Why is it that nobody ever complain? I am not saying that you should. Its just for comparison purpose.



Friday, August 05, 2016

1 Cor 2:15

Tichendorf 8th Edition reads  δὲ πνευματικὸς ἀνακρίνει πάντα, αὐτὸς δὲ ὑπ’ οὐδενὸς ἀνακρίνεται. 
KJV reads "But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man."
NASB reads "But he who is spiritual appraises all things yet he himself is appraised by no one."
NET reads "The one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is understood by no one." 

"He that is spiritual judges all things." is easily understood. "Yet he himself is judged by no one" is a bit hard to grasp.  Clarke's Commentary uses "convict". Barnes' Notes uses "discern". Wesley's Notes also uses "discern".

I personally liked the NET version. However, I am also convinced that using the word "judge" is still valid. Matt 7:1 specifically speaks of a person judging against other people judging him. Luke 6:37 also says the same thing. Rom 2:1 also refers to the same sense. All the three verses talks about judging others in the wrong way. Paul in 1 Cor 4:5 also says "judge nothing". Obviously, it is a different things that 1 Cor 2:15 is referring to.

Paul in 1 Cor 6:1-5 says that we "shall judge the world". Rom 16:17-18, 2 Cor 6:17, 2 Tim 3:5-6, 1 John 4:1 also refers to judging.

I am convinced that "we should judge" but we also must "judge ourselves" so that we will not be judged by others (1 Cor 11:27-31). Zech 3:7 "If you walk in my ways, and if you will keep my command, then you shall also judge my house".