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Medical notes

Medical Students /Paediatric notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Publications

Random Musings from a Doctor's Chair

A Christian Doctor looks at life and other stuff

Editorial Reviews
 
Book Description
A musing doctor? That's amusing. A very early meaning of the word 'muse' comes from the old French 'muser', to waste time. A doctor wasting his time from his chair? More amusing still! But we do know the correct meaning in English is that to muse is to ponder, reflect and gaze meditatively.

This books is a compilation of a doctor's musings of a faith journey- faith in God. Read his ponderings on the human drama of life in which he has sectioned into three areas; the daily life, the medical life and the spiritual life.

About the Author
Alex Tang MD is a Consultant Paediatrician in Johor Specialist Hospital in Johor Bahru, Malaysia and Director of the Spiritual Formation Institute in Malaysia.

 

Product Details
 
  • Paperback: 90 pages
  • Publisher: Armour Publishing Pte Ltd (February 12, 2005)
  • ISBN: 9814138347

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Boldness , May 24, 2006
 

Reviewer: vic "torian" - See all my reviews
Dr Alex reflects on the spiritual, daily and medical aspects of life.

In these reflections, he writes on how everyday life's situations are viewed from a Christian's perspective.

For example, can a Christian practise Taiji? How does one raise a genius child?

He also points out what is missing in church life in his topics, where relevant. In the chapter on 'Someone to watch over me', he sets out the rationale for spiritual direction and formation. On the medical side of life, he reflects on difficult subjects like euthanasia, depression and cloning - what is the Christian's response?

In choosing his topics, Dr Alex has shown a boldness in tackling issues of current interest and controversy.

Though the subjects may be controversial, he has shown the ability to simplify his arguments and is readable for everyone. However, one is not to be deceived; from the sources and references that

 he provides, one can see the depth of his thoughts and research. The references are useful for any reader who wishes to pursue the subject himself.
Enjoyed it.

Book Reviews and Comments

Victorian Times Interview

Text of interview

 


 

Amazon Online reader for this book

A Good Day to Die

A Christian Perspective on Mercy Killing

Editorial Reviews
 
Book Description
Euthanasia or mercy killing is an emotive and controversial subject. Tremendous advances in medical sciences and biomechanical technologies have prolonged our lives. Unfortunately, these same knowledge and technologies have prolonged our dying. Many today struggle with the issue of euthanasia or mercy killing, either for themselves or for their loved ones. Alex Tang MD approaches this issue from different perspectives. He uses examples from patient case histories to illustrate his points. This book will help those who struggle with euthanasia or mercy killing to come to some resolution of death with dignity.

From the Publisher
"Today is a good day to die" is the rallying cry of the Klingons, a warrior race in the science fiction worlds of Star Trek. To the Klingons, what is important is glory and honour. To die in battle is to die with full honour and much glory. Hence the embracement of death. Even Christians have assimilated this culture, and live in fear of death though the Bible teaches us that there is nothing to fear. God in His sovereignty determines the times of our birth and of our death.If He has chosen that day for us to die, then it is a good day to die.

When we bring about our own death, however, the day of dying is not of God's choosing but of ours. Do we have the right to choose when we are die? Do we have the right to determine the way we are to die? And do we have the right to ask someone to kill us?

From the Back Cover
This book is the result of Dr.Tang's own experience of facing life-and-death issues and in it he explores theological, medical,ethical, moral and legal issues. He takes the reader from historical perspectives to contemporary issues that defy black-and-white definitions. Dr.Tang addresses some very thorny issues in euthanasia which he approaches from various angles. He contends that being contemporary is not necessarily being right.

Dr.Tang's extensively referenced book is timely indeed, at a time of rapidly increasing knowledge and understanding of the human body. It helps the Christian reader to make important decisions in an informed manner;decisions surrounding sickness and death.

--Datuk Dr, Alex Mathews Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist Chairman, Home Council of Malaysia Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF)

 

Product Details

  • Paperback: 133 pages
  • Publisher: Armour Publishing Pte Ltd (May 12, 2005)
  • ISBN: 9814138479

 

 

 

 

 

Customer Reviews

 
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

Boldness, May 24, 2006
 

Reviewer: vic "torian" - See all my reviews
The author dives into suicide, euthanasia, suffering, right to die and the biblical perspective on each of these topics, offering various angles, sources of references and thoughts on these topics.

Drawing on his own medical experience, he is bold in offering his own stance on these subjects, a rare peep into a medical doctor's mind on such matters. It is rare to have a doctor be so open in his or her stance on such matters.

Very readable, extensively researched with source references for the reader. Enjoyed it.

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Asian Notes, Volume Two (contributor)

A Year's Devotional Bible Reading

Product Details

  • Paperback: 402 pages
  • Publisher: Scripture Union (2002)
  • ISBN: 9839843338

 

 

 

Live and Let Live

A Christian Perspective on Biotechnology

Editorial Reviews
 
Book Description
This is the age of cutting edge biotechnology. With the completion of the mapping of the human genome in 2000, we are poised for a great leap in life-changing biotechnological discoveries and innovations. Some of the many issues Christians shall face at the dawning of the 21st Century are:

• When does a human life begin?
• Is abortion allowed?
• Should Christian couples consider In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) or ‘test tube babies’ for their infertility problem?
• Should we allow ‘embryo reduction’ if there are too many embryos in successful IVF?
• What shall we do about ‘spare embryos’?
• What is therapeutic and reproductive cloning?
• Should human cloning be allowed?
• Is a ‘human’ clone a human being?
• Shall we allow embryonic stem cell research to continue?
• What are the promises of stem cell research?
• How will the practice of medicine be changed by new discoveries in biotechnology?
• Will you like to grow a new heart?
• Should scientist be allowed to make changes or ‘improve’ the human blueprint?
• Design your own baby?
• What is human eugenics?

The Bible does not give specific answers to these questions. Using biblical principles, this book seeks to help Christians to understand and be informed about these issues. Some of these questions may sound like science fiction. We have seen the way the silicon revolution of computers; mobile phones and the Internet have changed our lives within a decade. The biotechnology revolution has already begun. We are just beginning to experience its effect. We are living in ‘interesting times’.
 

Product Details

  • Paperback: 98 pages
  • Publisher: Kairos Research Centre  Sdn Bhd (June 2006)
  • ISBN: 9839506080

 

 

Book Review and Comments

SKS Books Online (Singapore)

 

Synopsis from SKS Books: 

"Informed minds, hearts on fire and who are contemplatives in action".

Bold...visionary...words on a mission.  

In this new book by bible teacher and writer Alex Tang, he brings to the grind the many presuppositions undergirding the modern biotechnological revolution which has inundated the postmodern world.

Written from the perspective of a Christian and a practicing medical doctor in the area of paediatrics; be engaged with the related issues of abortion, stem cell research, reproductive cloning, etc.

A daring and modest attempt to think as a Christian on the pervading culture of our times.

 

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Spiritual Formation on the Run

Meditations to Build a Busy Life

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Many of us live life on the run. But busyness is not an excuse to neglect the spiritual formation of our souls. In fact the busier we are, the more we need spiritual formation. This book allows us to practice lectio divina, which is the Latin for spiritual reading. Lectio divina opens us up to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and instills in us the disciplines of reading/listening, meditating, praying and contemplation. Short and crisp, the meditations and stories in this practical and thought-provoking book will give you focus in your life, rejuvenate your soul and draw you closer to God.

About the Author
Alex Tang is a consultant paediatrician in private practice and director of Kairos Spiritual Formation Ministries in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. He earned his medical degrees from Malaysia and the United Kingdom and his theological degrees from Malaysia and the United States. Alex is active as a Bible teacher, preacher, blogger, spiritual director and writer. His personal passion is to nurture disciples of Jesus Christ to develop informed minds, hearts on fire and contemplative actions.

 

Product Details

  • Paperback: 169 pages
  • Publisher: Armour Publishing Pte Ltd; 1st edition (January 1, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9814222895
  • ISBN-13: 978-9814222891

Comments

"your Spiritual Formation on the Run, which in both inspiring and enlightening. Chapter 35 is particularly thought-provoking!"

Dr. Tan Kim Sai.
Principal,
Malaysia Bible Seminary.


"It's a great book! I love it and I will now be disciplined and take my time reading it the way the author recommends! "

Paul Long
Pastor
Kelston Community in Kelston
New Zealand
Paul Long's Rambling

More of Pastor Paul Long's reflections using this book

Why the Hulk should be Red not Green

How expensive is your church?

How heavy is your burden?

Shout to the world

The silence in the noise

Omission and Commission

A Burning Bush

Just do it

"Beware the Dark Side" and "You become what you do"



"I am beginning to read this book at once; I know it will make me think and reflect and also that it will be interesting as I have read other books and reflections by Dr. Alex Tang. I have no hesitation about adding this book to my list of books for Spiritual Reading."

Dr Helen Rosenthal RSCJ
Coordinator of Spirituality Studies
School of Theology and Ministry
St. Thomas University
United States of America
Reflections of an RSCJ

 

 

 

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Tending the Seedbeds (contributor)

Educational Perspectives on Theological Education in Asia

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This volume explores the educational perspectives on the task of Christian theological education. It is designed to stimulate the thinking of leaders in theological training institutions and to motivate critical reflection on current practice, in order to enhance the effectiveness of the instituitons in equipping people for relevant ministry and leadership of the church.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 306 pages
  • Publisher: Asia Theological Association; 1st edition (2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 978719480327
  • ISBN-13: 978-971-94803-2-7

 


 

Tales from the Monastery: Spiritual Formation the Asian Way [Paperback]

Alex Tang (Author), Hai Seng Lim (Illustrator)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Book Description

February 29, 2012
All of us perceive the world through a set of filters which are determined by our worldviews. These filters are essential for us to make sense of the world we live in and our place in this world. Unfortunately, they also remove anything that does not fit well and prevent it from entering our consciousness. Stories have a wonderful way of bypassing these filters to reach our consciousness. Aside from entertainment value, stories are effective in teaching spiritual truths; they reveal and invite us into new ways of perceiving the world and God's presence. This book is a collection of stories about little monks and one girl in a fictional monastery in the Sow Lin province of China, who are being taught the spiritual life by their mentor Abba Ah Beng.

Editorial Reviews

Review

In this book, Tales from the Monastery, my old friend, -Alex Tang, is seeking to follow our Lord by using stories and parables to impart spiritual truths which are at once so simple, yet so difficult to understand and live by.... This is indeed a most commendable effort at communicating and teaching gospel truths contextually in -Asian forms! --Bishop Rev. Hwa Yung, The Methodist Church in Malaysia
 

About the Author

Alex Tang is a consultant paediatrician in private practice and director of Kairos Spiritual Formation Ministries in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. He earned his medical degrees from Malaysia and the United Kingdom, and his theological degrees from Malaysia and the United States. Alex is active as a Bible teacher, preacher, blogger, spiritual director and writer. His personal passion is to nurture disciples of Jesus Christ to develop informed minds, hearts on fire and contemplative actions. Alex is married with two daughters.
 

Product Details

  • Paperback: 106 pages
  • Publisher: Armour Publishing Pte Ltd; 1st edition (February 29, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 9814305812
  • ISBN-13: 978-9814305815

 

 

Till We are Fully Formed: Christian Spiritual Formation Paradigms in the English-speaking Presbyterian Churches in Malaysia

 

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Malaysia Bible Seminary. 1st ed. 30 August 2014
  • ISBN 978-981-4597-55-5
  • ebook available

 

 

Conversations with my Granddaughter

 

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 95 pages
  • Publisher: Armour Publishing, Singapore. 25 December 2014
  • ISBN 978-981-4597-81-4

 

A People Apart

Product Details

  • Softcover: 56 pages
  • Publisher: Armour Publishing, Singapore. 2016
  • ISBN: 978-981-47-6509-01
  • e-ISBN: 978-981-47-6510-7
  • eBooks available

Amazon Kindle http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EBKIUHO

Apple iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1108775229

Google Play Books https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Alex_Tang_A_People_Apart?id=g3n4CwAAQBAJ&hl=en

Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/a-people-apart

Starhub Bookmate https://bookmate.com/books/rJ1soeKv

 

 

Photobooks

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 40 pages
  • Publisher: Enterprise Publishing, Malaysia. January 2015

 

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 40 pages
  • Publisher: Enterprise Publishing, Malaysia. 2015

 

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 100 pages
  • Publisher: Enterprise Publishing, Malaysia. 2015

 

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 80 pages
  • Publisher: Kairos Spiritual Formation Ministries, Malaysia. 2015
  • ISBN: 978-981-09-8774-9

Preface for Meditations in Autumn 2015

“What is this life if, so full of care, We have no time to stand and stare” as written by Welsh poet W.H.Davies  is so apt for our times. Our lives are so much hustle and bustle. Hence there is a need to slow down, to appreciate life as it unfolds and to see its deep relevance in our beings. These photographs were taken during the autumn of 2015 in Kyoto and Kawaguchico areas of Japan. Meditating on these prints evoke a deep resonance within me. I hope it will do the same for you. To assist you, I have written a few lines of what they mean to me. Take your time with each print: look, observe and embrace the warm autumn foliage. Slow down your mind and soul and let the prints speak to you. It is my prayer that these prints will deepen your spiritual life in some way.

 

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 80 pages
  • Publisher: Kairos Spiritual Formation Ministries, Malaysia. 2016

Preface for Faces of Angkor

I have the privilege to visit Siem Reap during the hot and dry season in April 2016. There is a drought and the water level of the rivers and the lake Tonle Sap is alarmingly low. The sleepy town of Siem Reap is buzzing with construction as numerous large international chains are building new hotel-resorts along the new main road that leads from the town to the Angkor temples.

However as we move away from Siem Reap towards the smaller villages near Tonle Sap, life seems to have settled into a timelessness associated with rural communities. Certain areas only began to enjoy electricity the last two years. Water is from wells and has to be carried to fill large earthen water jars in the front of each house on the main street. Household members wash and bath there. Call of nature is answered in the bushes under or behind the houses.

I am captivated by the faces of the people I met. In spite of their minimalistic lifestyle and having survived a genocidal civil war, the people are warm, cheerful and hospitable. They break easily into genuine smiles. I sense that in many ways they are contented and happy which is rather puzzling to my materialistic mind. Their material poverty challenged me and shook me out of my comfort zone. Yet their acceptance of life reaffirm my faith in the human spirit. I have tried to capture the shadow of their smiles. Our faces reveal our inner selves. I have learnt much about the human spirit from their faces. Life goes on.

 

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 80 pages
  • Publisher: Kairos Spiritual Formation Ministries, Malaysia. 2016

 

 

Product Details

  • Softcover: 218 pages
  • Publisher: Armour Publishing 2017
  • ISBN 978-981-47-8948-6 (Paperback)
  • ISBN 978-981-47-8965-3 (eBook)
  • ebook available

Google Play Books https://play.google.com/store/ books/details/Alex_Tang_Into_ the_Depths_of_Living_Water?id= IoQ4DwAAQBAJ

Apple iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/into-the-depths-of-living-water/id1293045694?ls=1&mt=11

Amazon Kindle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0765XGBF3

Kobo https://www.kobo.com/sg/en/ebook/into-the-depths-of-living-water

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

eBooks

My Retreat with John O'Donohue (2010)                                                                                                                                                   

A Good Day to Die

Spiritual Formation on the Run

Tales from the Monastery

Life in Christ: Beginning Christian Life Studies (2011)

free ebook, download here

Till We are Fully Formed

available from

    Amazon  http://www.amazon.com/Till-We-Are-Fully-Formed-ebook/dp/B01DLHCW0O?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0

A People Apart: Spiritual Formation of a People of God (2016)

Amazon Kindle http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EBKIUHO

Apple iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1108775229

Google Play Books https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Alex_Tang_A_People_Apart?id=g3n4CwAAQBAJ&hl=en

Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/a-people-apart

Starhub Bookmate https://bookmate.com/books/rJ1soeKv

 

 

Articles Contributed to Asia Beacon

1.                  How to Raise a GENIUS child (April/May 2004)

2.                  Can Christians Practice Tai-Chi? (Feb/March 2004)

3.                  Getting Under the Skin of Depression (August/Sept 2003)

4.                  The Christian and Depression (vol. 31/1 1999)

5.                  To Clone or Not to Clone (August/September 2002)

6.                  Christians Concerns on Cloning (October/Nov 2002)

7.                  Assisted Suicide (June/July 2002)

8.                  The Fast Alternatives: Myth and Fallacies (vol. 31/4 1999)

9.                  Someone To Watch Over Me (vol.31/5 1999)

10.              Are You Ready for the Next Millennium? (vol.31/6 1999)

11.              Beyond 2000: Our Spiritual Journey (Dec 2000/Jan 2001)

12.              One Flow Over The Spider's Web ( August/Sept 2000)

13.              Riding the Winds of Change (June/July 2001)

14.       Blogging for God (April/May 2006)

15.       Understanding the Darkness Within (Aug/Sept 2006)

16.      Thou Shalt Not Covet (Aug/Sept 2006)

17.      The Caffeine-Driven Life (Oct 2006/Jan 2007)

18.      The Divine Suffering of God (April/May 2007)

19.      The Prophecies come true at the Birth of Christ: What Christmas teaches me about God (Dec 07- Jan 08)

20.     Not Just For Monks (Feb-Mar 2008)

21.     Illness and the Human Psyche (June/July 2008)

22.    Biomedical Ethical Decision Making (Dec 2008/Jan 2009)

23.    Let Me Die, Let Me Die (April/June 2018)

 

 

Articles published in Understanding the Modern World Through Christian Eyes (Kairos Research Centre)

1.                  Please Let Me Die…I Have the Right to Take My Life (April 2004)

 

 

The Great Commission: Building Movements Everywhere (Malaysia Campus Crusade for Christ)

1.    'Please let me die...' (March 2006)   

2.    Mentoring and Spiritual Formation (March 2007)

3.    Conflicts in the Church (September 2007)

 

Journal of Asian Evangelical Theology

1.                  A Critical Evaluation of the Use of Genesis 1 in the Creation Evolution Debate (13:1   June, 2005)

 

The Ooze

1.        Understanding Spiritual Formation (17 January 2007)

2.        The House with the Golden Windows (21 March 2007)

 

ESPress: The English Speaking Presbytery magazine

1.        Spiritual Formation of Our Souls (June 2005)

2.       A Fishing Story (September 2005)

3.       Busy, Busy, Busy (January 2006)

4.       Sorry, We're Closed! (May 2006)

5.       The Caffeine Driven Life (October 2006)

6.       Hands (April 2007)

7.       The Habit of Familiarity (September 2007)

8.       The Religious KISS (December 2007)

9.      Seven Reasons Why I Like the Apostle Paul (October 2008)

 

Conference

John Sung of Asia presented in Wondrous Fear and Holy Awe, The Society of the Study of Christian Spirituality, University of Notre Dame, United States (2013). Unpublished paper.

Medical Utopias: Christian Ethical Reflections on Emerging Technologies presented in Christian Responses to Global Health Issues, Jakarta, Indonesia. (2015). Published in Proceedings.

 

 

My author's page at Amazon.com

My book reviews on Amazon.com

 

 

 

 

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