Faith without (Political) Power - with Marcus Dip Silas

Justin and Stephen talk about last week’s attempted insurrection in Washington, D.C. Then, Marcus Dip Silas joins to discuss Christianity from a Malaysian perspective. They talk about what it means to learn from the church that lives without political power, in the shadow of colonization. They also discuss contextual theology and continue the ongoing conversation about Christian nationalism. Marcus reflects on the journey of living with a refugee that was in the process of resettling, the way of Mercy, and abiding in prayer and lament. We have show notes for you at profsinrooms.com and bonus material on Patreon! To donate to production costs, visit profsinrooms.com or become a patron.Resources from this episode: • Background episodes: ◦ Profs in Rooms Season 2 Episode 9: Jesus, Lament, and Advent Hope - with D.L. Mayfield ◦ Profs in Rooms Season 2 Episode 8: Bonhoeffer and Living for Others - with Joel LawrenceAbout Marcus Dip SilasMarcus Dip Silas is an aspiring interculturalist of Chinese, Punjabi, and Pakistani-Malay descent. Malaysian by nationality, He grew up in his home country as a third culture person for 19 years of his life, before pursuing his undergraduate studies at Crown College where he graduated with two bachelor's degrees - one in Intercultural Studies and the other in Biblical and Theological Studies with an emphasis in Greek. At Crown, Marcus was an active part of student life on campus as Student Senate VP in 2013-2014, and Member at Large of MuKappa, Crown's international student community. He was also a worship leader and played a key role in organizing Missions Festival, Crown's student-led missions conference. After graduating in 2015, Marcus moved back to Southeast Asia and embarked on a 4 year nomadic journey, immersing himself in numerous Christian communities across 18 different countries in Asia, America, and Europe, listening and retelling the stories of international workers and local believers alike. In 2018, he obtained a Graduate Diploma in International Development from the London School of Economics. He was also certified a Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Continuum. As a graduate of a Christian and Missionary Alliance college, the CMA has a special place in his heart and he has retained a close connection with the CMA, cultivating relationships especially with members of CAMA and Envision. He has also come alongside international workers from organizations such as YWAM, Novo and Interserve. Marcus works as a creative, telling stories through videography, photography, and writing. During the Covid-19 movement restriction in Malaysia, Marcus started a home bakery for three months, selling basque burnt cheesecakes. He is currently writing a book on technology and engineering founders in the Malaysian state of Penang. He also writes a mish-mash of topics ranging from public health, local government policy in sustainability, and food and culture, for a local publication called Penang Monthly. Marcus is the founder of The Dips Collective or The Dips.Co, a bootstrapped non-profit business focused on refugee advocacy. The Dips.Co partners with refugees to tell their stories and raise funds to support Syrian refugees in Germany, Malaysia, and Brazil, as well as Kurdish and Ismaili IDPs in Northern Syria. Find out more about his work at www.thedips.co Marcus married Lauren in May 2019, whom he met at Crown in 2014. The couple moved to Kulim, Malaysia after the wedding and Lauren works at a language center as an English teacher. They serve the local church that his parents pastor and are also part of the community at the Penang House of Prayer or PenHOP, a prayer house connected to the International House of Prayer global network. Together, they frequently open up their home as a place of rest for ministry workers, and organize community nights often. • Marcus’s Website • Find him on Instagram

Credits: Regular Theme Music by Josiah Enns. This episode was recorded on the land of the Wahpekute, Anishinabewaki, Očeti Šakówiŋ (Sioux), and Semang Kensiu and Kintaq peoples. We may receive commission from Amazon or Bookshop.org for purchases made through some of our links. Thank you for your support.