State and Social Christianity in Post-colonial Singapore

State and Social Christianity in Post-colonial Singapore

December 24, 2018
The church building of City Harvest Church, Singapore, photographed from Block 837, Jurong West Street 81, Singapore 640837.
‘The church building of City Harvest Church, Singapore, photographed from Block 837, Jurong West Street 81, Singapore 640837’ by Goh Wei Zhong

Why did Pentecostalism replace liberal Christianity as the dominant form of the religion in Singapore?

In ‘State and Social Christianity in Post-colonial Singapore’ (Sojourn: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia, 2010), A/P Daniel Goh (Department of Sociology) explains this recent history, discussing the rapid decline of liberal Christianity and the dramatic rise of Pentecostalism in post-colonial Singapore. He argues that Pentecostalism grew popular because it replaced liberal Christianity in providing a practical means to make sense of the spiritual goal of the post-colonial nation and engaged the developmental ideals of the Singapore state. Goh also discusses the role of Operation Spectrum, LoveSingapore, and other notable historical movements and moments that shaped how different forms of Christianity are viewed in contemporary Singapore.

Read the article here: http://profile.nus.edu.sg/fass/socgohd/State%20and%20Social%20Christianity.pdf