It had to happen.My one and only child, Ella is turning fourteen and despite her exposure to better Christian education, her inquiring mind raises questions that only she can deal with, by reading and seeking the Living God. The usual questions have already come up, and more besides. "How do we know that God is there?" "If God created the universe, who created God?" "How do … [Read more...]
The danger of an overly rational mind
One of my recent word studies in the NT texts involves the distinction of the greek "pneuma" (spirit), "sark" (flesh), and "psyche" (mind/soul). The Hebrews as well as the 1st century Christian Jews had accepted these distinctions when defining the separate characteristics of the human being, which they believed was composed of these three elements. As apologists, we rely … [Read more...]
The Transforming Power of Study
"Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2 Anakainosis is the Greek word for renewal. And the Greek equivalent of "transformed" is metamorphoo. Properly understood, it implies a "changing form in keeping with … [Read more...]
Credentials or Competencies
Several years ago, I was invited to help train a set of agents for a call center. It would have been easy if not for the fact that the people we had to train thought in a different language (Visayan), and had to communicate in English to serve (American) English-speaking callers. It was quite a task, but we managed to get a good team working in around three months. My … [Read more...]
The online forum – engaging in the new public square
Of late, I have been challenged regarding a few worldviews that I hold, and mostly by fellow believers - or those who profess to believe in our Risen Lord. I say this because in our online engagements, it has become pretty clear that most of them hold on to what I refer to as dogmatic views or rhetoric - views that are anchored on cliches that they absorbed from their … [Read more...]
The Controversy (and confusion) that is Christmas
Inevitably, as I drive through bumper to bumper traffic that comes with every December evening, I start muttering: "It's the most horrible time of the year...." Lest I be misconstrued, I also enjoy the season. But I draw the line when the circumstances border on the absurd - the traffic on the roads are practically unbearable. Everything comes to a standstill, simply because … [Read more...]
Defending Which Faith?
Discussions involving religion are never that easy to navigate, which is why I don't initiate them. That being said, when they do occur, and an unsubstantiated remark comes out of nowhere, I find it absolutely necessary to respond - though in the most gracious and considerate way possible, without taking away from the truth that has to be made clear. In Cebu City, in the … [Read more...]
Mismatching Scriptures or Where is it actually said?
(Some supposed contradictions in the Bible) Being a member of the Christian Apologetics Alliance has some benefits for it's challenges. Being compelled to write more makes you have to read more and more substantively. I've always come across portions of scripture that skeptics love to point out as parts that are errouneous and hence, you cannot trust the Bible. Well really, … [Read more...]
Mentoring a mathethes
Nothing beats the feeling of fulfillment in seeing a mathethes (disciple in greek) performing beyond his own expectations. I have the rare privilege of mentoring a college sophomore son of a very good friend. Part of his subject requirement for his engineering degree are subjects in Religious Education, or Re Ed. Nothing to be alarmed about, except that the setting is a … [Read more...]