Course Description

The 21st century is marked by growing disruptions and uncertainties both globally and locally. This poses significant challenges for marketplace Christians seeking to apply their faith to their work, and to understand how to engage emerging cultural and social trends ethically.

In this course, we shall explore the theological and ethical frameworks needed for Christians to discern their moral choices in their workplace and communities, particularly given our Asian context. Issues to be discussed include what makes a good business, sustainability and environmental ethics, corporate governance, the ethics of consumerism, and human resource issues such as compensation, diversity, equity and inclusion.



Registration closing date:
10 Jan 2025

Register

  • Dates : 2025

    Jan: 13, 20
    Feb: 3, 10, 24
    Mar: 3, 17, 24
    Apr: 7, 14, 21
    May: 19

  • Time (Day)

    7:15–10.00PM
    Monday

  • Location

    Online via Zoom

Instructor(s)

Dr Lai Pak Wah

Principal and Lecturer in Church History and Historical Theology

Dr Lai Pak Wah is BGST’s Principal and Lecturer of Church History and Historical Theology. He also serves as an elder at Mt Carmel Bible Presbyterian Church where he worships and oversees the church’s Hybrid Church Initiative. His interest is the very heart of BGST’s mission: which is to help Christians make sense of their faith at work, church and society. Previously, Pak Wah engaged in investment promotion work with the Singapore Economic Development Board (SEDB) and was a full-time lecturer at the School of Business, Singapore Polytechnic. He is the author of The Dao of Healing: Christian Perspective of Chinese Medicine, and a certified Belbin coach. Pak-Wah holds a PhD from Durham University, UK. He enjoys engaging in Chinese culture and playing the cello.

Dr. Jeremy Gwee

Lecturer

Jeremy Gwee is an experienced global business leader with a heart to teach and demonstrate how God’s principles for work build trust in the world of global finance. Prior to his current role, Jeremy was Chief Operating Officer for HSBC Asia Pacific Finance and Head of Capital Management and Financial Compliance in HSBC Asia Pacific finance. He has been in financial services since graduating from the University of Singapore in 1980. Prior to joining HSBC Jeremy worked with IBM, Ernst and Young, Deutsche Bank, and Malayan Banking. Jeremy has worked in various areas in banking namely treasury, finance, compliance, regulatory reporting, operations, and technology. In the course of his work, Jeremy also worked in New York, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, South Asia, ASEAN, and Hong Kong

Dr Jasmine Foo

Associate Lecturer

Dr Jasmine Foo was a former BGST student, before eventually completing her PhD in Biblical Studies at King’s College London, researching on the concept of Jewish identity during the Second Temple Period depicted in the Dead Sea Scrolls. In London, she attends All Soul’s Church, Langham, famously known as John Stott’s church. Previously a lawyer, polytechnic lecturer, strategic planner at the State Courts, while being a staffworker at the Fellowship of Evangelical Students (FES), Jasmine’s varied experiences has helped developed her passion for learning and teaching the Bible and also equipping all Christians in the practice of their faith in society. She double-hats as the Marketplace Research Editor for the BGST column in Salt&Light and is running a social enterprise in sustainability.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    General

  • 2

    Topic 1: Redeeming the “Christian” from Ethics? - Live on Zoom

    • Redeeming the “Christian” from Ethics? [JF]
  • 3

    Topic 2 & 3: What Makes a Good Business: Perspectives on Capitalism? - Live on Zoom

    • What Makes a Good Business: Perspectives on Capitalism? [JG/ LPW]

    • Why Power Corrupts- What to do about it?
  • 4

    Topic 4 & 5: Business Unusual: Ethical Self-Regulation & the Internal Conscience of the Company (Corporate Social Responsibility) - Live on Zoom

    • Business Unusual: Ethical Self-Regulation & the Internal Conscience of the Company (Corporate Social Responsibility) [JG/ JF]
  • 5

    Topic 6: Sustainable for the Company and/the Earth: Environmental Ethics (ESG) - Live on Zoom

    • Readings
  • 6

    Topic 8: Rights or Responsibilities: Governance, Law and Politics, Board Misbehaviour, Conflict of Interest and Corruption - Live on Zoom

    • Rights or Responsibilities: Governance, Law and Politics, and Board Misbehaviour [JG/ JF]
  • 7

    Topic 9: Human Relations and Business Human Rights (including Guan Xi and Diversity, Equality & Inclusion, DEI) - Live on Zoom

    • Discussion Topic

    • Readings on EU Directives on Due Diligence
  • 8

    Topic 10: The Christian as Consumer and Worker- live on Zoom

    • The Christian as Consumer and Worker [JF]
  • 9

    Course Evaluation

    • Course Evaluation