The Biography of Abraham Part 1 or 4

I love to read biographies. In my younger days, I read lots of biographies. I read about the lives of Stalin, Lenin, Mao Tze Dong, and of course Lee Kuan Yew and others.

But none of the biographies or autobiographies I have read can compete with the Biography of Abraham. Between Genesis 11 and Genesis 25, the story is fast-moving, detailed, full of surprises, and never a dull moment.

You should read it. This is one of the best biographies I have read.

In this and next 3 blog postings, I will talk about Abraham.

As you read the biography of Abraham, you will wonder why God is so 'friend' with him. God spoke to him as a friend. Friends some times play prank and hurt each other, but always forgiving and not take heart. Friends sometimes betray one another, but in the end always remain loyal.

In the other chapters of Genesis, we confirmed that the Jews and the Palestinians were all decendants of Jacob and hence decendants of Abraham. Perhaps all Jews and Palestinians can take a DNA test to confirm this. They all should have some traces of Abraham's DNA. Then, perhaps, Jews and Palestinians should stop fighting each other in view of the common heritage.

Look out for the next 3 blog postings.

What is 'Time'?

What is Time?

Our life spans 60 to 100 years. Do we have to plan meticulously to maximise all the time available?

I understand that some insects have a lifespan of less than 10 days. Do they rush through the 10 days to accomplish all they want in their 'short' lifetime?

Will Time Travel be a reality?

Is it true that a thousand years on Earth is but a day in Heaven?

The great Albert Einstein told us that 'Time is relative'. And that is true.

After God created the Heaven and the Earth, the Earth rotates around the Sun, giving us a measure of year, month, day, hour, minute and second.

However God is not subject to the dimension of Time! God created the stars and the planets and hence the concept of Time. But God is not part of what He created. God is above what He has created. God is above Time. God is 'outside' the Time dimension.

God said His name is "I AM WHO I AM". It is in the present tense. There is no past tense or future tense.

To God, there is no past and future. All events happen in the present tense. So the existence of Adam and Eve, of David and Solomon, of Jesus, and of your own self is not over a period of time.

When the Bible provides a perspective of Time and historical events, the writers were simply writing in human perspective, in human language. It is not in God's perspective.

Our Time is from God. So what if we die at 100 year old, or 10 days old? It's only relevant while we are human and finite. It's not relevant when we are no longer human.

But God is infinite.

Don't listen to Good News only

In recent years, more and more people are going for Lasik Treatment to correct their shortsightedness or other eye problems.

There are tons of advertisements and happy stories on Lasik Treatment. The cost is also getting lower, doctors are confident that the risk of complications is getting lower and, the impression is, more and more, and everybody is putting his trust on Lasik.

But Sunday Times, 7 Dec 08, is kind enough to provide the other side of the story -- samples of Bad News.

The article on page 34 "Lasik clinic's hard sell left her confused and fuming" is a good reminder that the risk is not that low.

An accompanying article by Catherine Lee on the same page:

"Is Lasik surgery really safe?
I once intended to go for such a procedure but changed my mind after talking to some friends and colleagues.
One colleague had a friend who went for Lasik surgery 10 years ago.
Everything was fine until about two to three years ago, when she developed problems -first in one eye, then the other. She could not regain her sight totally even after some operations, and ended up blind in one eye and partially blind in the other..."

Please note that when someone wants to earn your money by selling a product or service to you, his job is to tell you one side of the story only, the side that sells, not the side that don't sell.

Go and find out the other side of the story too.

Higher Risk does not mean Higher Return

I watched the program "Cents and Sensibilities" over TV ChannelNewsAsia yesterday, Wednesday 10 Dec 08. It's about investing your money.

It reminded me:

Higher Return must come with Higher Risk.

BUT, BUT, BUT:

Higher Risk does not mean Higher Return!!!

I hope my readers will remember what I have highlighted.

I asked a question, an interesting answer

I emailed to Dr KK Tan, a highly respected expert in meditation;.

Question:

Dear Dr. Tan
May I ask you :
1 whether rocks have souls?
2 whether trees have souls?
3 If yes, than if a tree is cut down and made into 10 chairs, will the tree-soul be 'split up' into 10 chair-souls?
4 Does insects like ants, mosquitoes and wasps have souls?
5 If yes, than since there are trillions of insects, there would be trillions and trillions of souls in the world ?
6 What DOES NOT have a soul then?
Thank you for your time and teaching.

Answer:

Dear Pat,
Almost everything that is natural occurring has a soul. Minerals includung rocks have souls. All
vegetation including all plants have souls. Then come animals and lastly humans. However if a human is killed, his soul leaves him. Similarly this appies to animals and trees. If you chopped a tree down, you kill it. Thence the piesces of wood do not contain any soul. Trillions of insects also possess souls. All natural occurring
things have souls, but when a man is killed or a tree is felled or an animal is killed, all these three will be deprived of souls. I assume when a large rock is pulverised into tiny pieces, it would have lost its soul as well. That means almost everything on earth does possess a soul until it is destroyed or killed.
K.K.Tan

Conclusion:

Haha. It's up to you whether or not to believe in the answer. But I just find it amusing.

Thanks to Dr KK Tan.

Signing the Advance Medical Directive?

I am considering whether or not I should sign the AMD.

2 weeks ago, I visited an aunty who was on wheelchair. Her husband passed away about 7 months ago.

That afternoon, my aunty told me that her late husband's sister had passed away 5 months ago too. Besides, another of her late husband's brother had passed away 2 months ago. Another brother was now in hospital, feeding through a tube and breathing through a hole through the neck. In all, 3 members in that family died within 7 months and another going going soon.

Hospitals are now quite good in prolonging life. A seriously ill person can be forced fed and forced to continue breathing. Life expectancy is getting longer, medical cost is getting higher, and quality of life during the disability period, is getting worse.

All of us want a 'rectangular life'. If we were to die, we hope die quickly, in dignity, not prolonged and die off so slowly that someone has to care for us for years and years. Having a helper to change your diapers, wipe your ass, bathe you and at most trying moments lose their temper on you is most un-dignifying.

I believe that the best way to die is through a massive heart attack. Life is gone within 3 minutes, without prolong suffering. It would be good if heart attach or pneumonia is the top killer disease and not cancer.

Well, how will the AMD help? Does it mean that I am refusing artificial respiratory aids after I sign up AMD? Does it help me to die quickly when there is 'no hope'? Who would decide that there is 'no hope', and give permission to disconnect the life-supporting apparatus?

I will like to know more. Do you know more?

A Lesson In Giving

Goh Sin Tub died 5 to 10 years ago. Before he died, he wrote this inspiring article for us:

SOME PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS BE RICH, NO MATTER HOW LITTLE THEY HAVE

In the early '80s, Brother Kevin Byrne, then principal of Singapore's St Joseph's Institution, and I started raising money from alumni and the other supporters for the school's new campus on Malcolm Road (near Toa Payoh). Our campaign was based on an optimistic premise that we could convince our supporters to give the school the biggest charity donation of their lives -- at least $1000, a generous sum in those days. Our target was to recruit 3000 such supporters, which would raise $3 million.

As the ambitious scheme gathered momentum, we had our low moments -- but we had our high ones too.

I remember when the first replies arrived. Brother Kevin and I were working on our newsletter, which would serve as a reminder of our appeal. We stopped to read the mail.

One of the first envelopes gave promise of good things. The backflap presented the sender's particulars in embossed letters, including a personal logo in color. I recognised the name: a successful and academically accomplished graduate of the school. The address was in the affluent District 10. Though still young, the sender was already a high-income earner, and we thought he was good for at least $10,000, most likely more.

I let Brother Kevin have the pleasure of opening the letter to receive the big donation. He was silent as he scrutinized the contents.

The man did not donate even one cent. "Still," the saintly Brother Kevin said, "at least he took the trouble to write to us - explain his situation and wish us well."

The man wrote that right now things were tight. He had just invested over $500,000 in a condo. He concluded sadly, "So it looks as if for the next few years, until I have paid off my mortgage, I won't be able to give anything to charity. Nevertheless, I shall pray for you. May God bless you."

"And we expected a bonanza from him," I said, expressing my disappointment.

One of the next letters we opened rewards us. But that initial donation to our cause filled me with both awe and misgivings.

"A thousand-dollar cheque!" said Brother Kevin, so delighted he did not at first notice who sent it. I did. It was from Joe Gomes - someone I knew well.

I did not recall including his name on our 'hit' list; someone else on our committee must have added it. Yes, Joe had always been well-disposed toward our school, but in my mind I had him classified as someone who help out in funfairs and charity shows rather than hefty direct donations - he was definitely not in the four-figure league that was our target.

Joe was not your average well-off alumnus (or your average academically successful Josephian, for that matter). Indeed, at the time he sent us his donation, he was working as caretaker of the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, for which the church provided him a modest allowance and an equally modest behind-the-church accomodation. You could say he was as poor as the proverbial church mouse.

I expressed my concern to Brother Kevin. "Why, when Joe needed a heart-bypass a few years back, we passed the hat around to help him pay his bills. I'll have to speak with the man. We may have to discreetly hand him back his donation." Brother Kevin agreed.

The next morning, which happened to be Sunday, I caught Joe alone after the last church service.

"Joe, we want to thank you for your generous donation, but..." I began.

"Have to help, what! My duty, you know. You're all doing good work, helping to build our new school, helping so many students in future. How can I just stand by, not do my bit - as far as I can?"

I cleared my throat and lowered my voice. "Please don't be angry, but I have to ask you, Joe. A thousand dollars is a lot of money. Can you really afford to donate such a big sum?"

Joe did not reply at once. His eyes searched mine. Was he insulted by what I said? My question suddenly seemed so offending! I hope he did not think I was looking down on him. I looked back at him anxiously.

I was relieved to see a twinkle in his eyes - and to hear his light-hearted reply:

"Don't worry Mr Goh. I'm not kosong (empty), you know. I still have a few hundred dollars left in my savings account!"

Brother Kevin's eyes also glistened when I told him what happened.

Joe's reply became a spring of encouragement to all of us involved in the fund-raising. Now we knew for sure: our cause had strong support. With people like Joe on our side, we are invincible. In time the school was built.

We had learned much from our close encounters with the rich and poor. Brother Kevin summed it up for us: "Being rich isn't about having money, is it? Some of us will always be poor, some always rich - no matter how much or how little we have."

What I have been teaching in my workshops - T-shirt Printing

Physicist Stephen Hawking

In an interview with Reuters last year, Hawking, author of the best selling "A Brief History of Time", said:
1 "I believe the universe is governed by the laws of science,"
2. "The laws may have been decreed by God,"
3. "But God does not interviene to break the laws."

This is also what I believe, except that, in time past, God did intervened now and then to break the laws. But not anymore, in this Dispensation of Grace.

The drying of the Red Sea for Moses/Jews to cross on their way out of Egypt, and stopping the Earth's rotation for a day, were 2 examples given in the Bible.

God is capable of breaking the laws of science. He may do that again in His own time and own judgement. Yes, there can be MIRACLES.

The Most Difficult Religious Question

HOW CAN THERE BE AN ALL-LOVING AND ALL-POWERFUL GOD IF THERE IS SO MUCH SUFFERING IN THE WORLD?

There is a article on this in the Catholic News, 12 October 2008.

Since the day I believe in the existence of God, I have been asking this question. I have not found a satisfactory answer. But after several years, I have stopped asking this question.

During the Old Testament times, God responded to the pleas of His people to deliver them from disasters. For example, God, through Esther, delivered the Jews from Haman's plot to exterminate them (Esther 3). Another example, God answered the prayers of Moses when Joshua was fighting the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-13).

With the birth and then the resurrection of Christ, the 'Age/Dispensation of Grace" had commenced. Before this new era, I noticed that God would deliver his chosen people (Jews) from disasters when they prayed for help. Now, in the Dispensation of Grace, God does not seem to respond to prayers to avert natural disasters and suffering anymore. Not that I know of. After the Auschwitz Holocaust during the second World War, someone asked how is it still possible for Jews to believe in God! But they do.

When Hurricane was expected to devastate the land in 2 days time, and Christians knelt down to pray, the hurricane still came and caused loss of lives and properties. When earthquake victims prayed for no more aftershocks, the aftershocks still continued to cause casualties and damages.

Many writers had given their views on God's seeming inaction in the face of suffering and evil. A few perspectives were also given in the Catholic News article.

But for sure, there is an All-loving and All-powerful God. He was here among His people. He even sent His Son to died on the cross for our sins. It was a mystery to my finite human mind why He allowed sufferings to persist. You can pray to Him for help, but He will not always help you the way you would expect. However, if you pray to Him for comfort and inner peace - these, the Holy Spirit will always grant you.

Praise the Lord. He is real.

Alzheimer's Disease - When a Person's Soul Hibernates

The Straits Times carried a report on Alz Disease Last Saturday, 27 Sep 08.

My mother suffers from Alz for over 10 years. This disease degenerates the mind, the soul and finally the physical body progressively. In fact, the mind and the soul is dead long before the physical death.

At the start of the illness, forgetfulness and absentmindedness set in. The mind fails, along with the nervous system fail gradually. The patient regresses to the mental state and the faculty of a 3 years old, then a 2 years old, then a 6 months old child. Finally, the patient does not know how to open her mouth to suck or swallow food, the stomach and intestines do not know how to digest food. And then, the body succumbs to malnutrition or failure to breathe...

Unlike other illnesses, the patient has to be cared for 24 hrs by 7 days a week. It takes one to two full-time caregivers to manage one patient at the ending stages.

Looking at the situation my mother is in, I could see the different entities of the human being -- the physical body, the mind, the soul and the spirit. My mother is a non-christian, so she may not have the spirit. With the mind 90% destroyed, she is only capable of basic involuntary functions like breathing, digestion, slow walking, and secretion of waste matters.

Since she is without a lucid mind, I would not detect her soul. There is no expression of joy or sadness, no thoughts of goodness or evil, no thoughts of love or hatred, no thoughts of earthly or spiritual things, no thoughts of right or wrong...

Without a mind capable of thoughts, I believe an alz person's soul is de-activated. One day, when the soul is liberated from this earthly body, it would recall or be aware of the eternity of life again.

Alz is a terrible disease. Honestly, it's a mystery why we are plagued by it.

Different levels of understanding

When we read the Bible, we can experience different levels of understanding.

We can understand it at the 'textual' level. We can understand at a deeper level after considering the setting and circumstances at the time the verses and stories were written. We can also understand at the intense level, guided by the Spirit.

Today, Numbers 21:4-9 were read in Church:

"The Israelites left Mount Hor...to go around the territory of Edom. But on the way the people lost their patience and spoke against God and Moses. They complained 'Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die in this desert, where there is no food or water? We can't stand any more of this miserable food!' Then the LORD sent poisonous snakes among the people and many Israelites were bitten and died. The people came to Moses and said, 'We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Now pray to the LORD to take these snakes away.' So Moses prayed for the people. Then the LORD told Moses to make a metal snake and put it on a pole, so that anyone who was bitten could look at it and be healed. So Moses made a bronze snake and put on a pole. Anyone who had been bitten would look at the bronze snake and be healed."

Well, reading the 'text', we understand a simple story and glean a simple lesson. Naturally the people got tired of eating the stale food that they brought out of Egypt months ago. And so they complained. The LORD found them ungrateful and so punished them with poisonous snakes. They realised that they had been whiny and ungrateful and so they regretted their actions and asked Moses for a solution. God is merciful and provided a solution to those who were willing and humble enough to accept God's cure.

It is enough to understand the Bible at the textual level. God's Word in the Bible is meant for people with 'normal intelligence' to read and understand. It's unnecessary to dig deeper and deeper just to understand the hidden meanings. No need to ask 'Why punish using poisonous snake and not aedes mosquitoes? Why cure using a bronze snake, and not a wooden snake? Why not cure by praying 3 times a day instead! Why not...'

There is no need to analyse God's Word on and on till the cows come home. God will speak to us and teach us even if we interpret the Bible at the superficial textual level.

But when there are contradictions and we do not understand those contradictions, it's all right to delve deeper and seek understanding. This is one of the purpose of this blog.

So read the Bible on your own. It's better than listening to any well-researched and well-delivered sermons.

Positive Thinking, Superstition or Faith?

There was this story about contrasting attitude:

At the changing room just before a game of golf, the American player was boasting: "Today I am going to hit the furthest I ever did man! I am going to hit a hole-in-one too. You can bet on it..." The Singapore player modestly said to his friends: "Let me do my best today. If I could go round the 18-holes without any problem, I will consider it a good day..."

Some people call the American's attitude as Positive Thinking. Modern management promotes Positive Thinking - "Think big, Think high, Think you can, Be Gung-ho."

Chinese has its own form of Positive Thinking - sometimes label as superstition. Some Chinese like the number 8, and like to be numbered 8 in everything. By oft repeating '8' or 'fatt' he aim to be rich all the time, or in time to come. Chinese like to think and repeat "Fu Lu Shou". By wishing each other FU and LU and SHOU during birthdays and Chinese Neww Year, they hope these will materialise in their lives.

The meta-physical dimensions works mysteriously. Some people do benefit from positive thinking, from superstition or whatever you call it. Others are neutral to these. Yet others even experience the opposite effects.

Now, what about prayers to the God and other spiritualities? Most of us have stopped believing the idea that "God answers all our prayers - but the answers could be yes, no, wait and maybe."

The reality is that 'sometimes God does not answer prayers'. (Like the time when my godly friend prayed for journey-mercy, and yet suffered a road accident.) We don't know why. But our believe in God is not based on how our prayers are answered, but on faith in Jesus Christ, and these faith must grow over time as we experience God.

Do not give up. Keep up your faith. And you will experience God more and more.

Interesting: Veneration of Dead Relatives

I wish to capture Mr Lionel De Souza's letter to the ST Forum printed on 15 Aug 2008:

I am Roman Catholic and write from this Christian perspective. I am sure that we are conversant with the Bible's fourth Commandment: "Honour your father and your mother."

The Liturgy Commission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore felt it necessary to consider Chinese customary rites, because of the many queries Catholic priests have received on this matter. It is well known in Singapore's Catholic community that many "old" Catholics, as well as new converts, whose family members are mostly non-Catholics, are still confused about what they can do or should not do on the occasion of Chinese funerals and on the commemoration of ancestors.

That is why the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore clarified that the veneration of ancestors refers to rituals performed to express honour or respect for the dead by the family members; and that in such rituals, filial piety is, and always has been, at least to some extent, the motivating factor.

In 1964, seven Chinese bishops in Taiwan met officially with a Vatican representative. They resolved the following regarding the practice of venerating one's ancestors:

a) Burning of joss papers for the dead is forbidden because of its superstitious nature.
b) Offering of fruit or other food in front of the ancestor tablet or at the grave is no longer forbidden;
c) In rememberance of the dead, the setting up of a tablet (bearing his name without the addition of superstitious inscriptions) by family members is no longer forbidden;
d) It is allowed to bow or prostrate oneself in front of the ancestor tablet, photograph or coffin.

These instructions combine Catholic tradition with ancestor veneration and were issued by a conference of Chinese bishops in Taipei, 10 years later.

They are practised by Chinese Catholics in Singapore. Lionel De Souza

Images - Dolphin

Heart Versus Mind

In my blog entry dated 5 Mar 08, I wrote about "slain in the spirit". I mentioned that these manifestations occur in churches of different denominations.

As christians and muslims are supposed to be worshipping the same God, I posed a question in an "Ask the Expert website" whether such manifestations occur in muslim communities as well. The "Expert Website" replied that muslims do not experience speaking in tongues or 'slain in the spirit'.

So why speaking in tongues, and 'slain in the spirit' take place in the different christian denominations? I believe it is a sign of God's acceptance, inspite of all the differences in teachings, precepts, practices and dogmas of the different christian denominations.

No denominations can claim that all their teachings and beliefs are accurate. And that the conflicting teachings of other denominations must be wrong.

There is only 1 condition to be a child of God and that is 'Whoever believes in Jesus Christ should not perish, but have eternal life" John 3:16. So fulfilling this one condition, and then not committing the Unpardonable Sin (see blog entry below), should be enough for us to be accepted into God's kingdom.

Apart from these 2 requirements, we may be misled by deviant teachings, we may advertently or inadvertently believe in cultist heresies, or even committed abominable sins. But we are still saved by the redeeming blood of Christ! How generous is God's grace!

So, in our relationship with God, the knowledge in our brain is secondary. Knowing the differences between right and wrong teachings, and differentiating what are heresies or wrong concepts, are not that important.

What lies in our heart is of primary importance. Faith and love is a matter of the heart. We seek God with our hearts. God looks in our heart for sincerity. We feel God's grace in our hearts.

Use our hearts more.

The Assumption of Mother Mary

Someone asked DEAR PADRE "What Does Mary's Assumption Means?" I read the answer by Dear Padre. But when I searched Wikipedia, it gave a more informative answer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assumption_of_Mary

The Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and the Coptic Orthodox Churches believe in the Assumption of Mary. In short, it means that Mary was transported into Heaven with her body and soul united.

There are other interesting information related to this belief in Wikipedia. You can read about it.

There are volumes of answered prayers and petitions attributed to the intercessory prayers of Mother Mary. Just attend the Novena sessions at Novena Church, Thomson Road on Saturdays, or view the Novena Church website to be convinced.

It is up to you whether to believe in the Assumption of Mary. But I believe God answers the prayers and petitions of the faithful and the sincere-hearted , regardless of whether christians pray directly or through the intercession of Mother Mary or any of the Saints.

Isn't it comforting to know this?

A Mystery: What Happen When A Christian Commits That One Unpardonable Sin?

I remember that my Bible study group asked this awkward question about the "Unpardonable Sin" many years ago.

Once a person accepts Christ and invites the Holy Spirit into his life, he becomes a child of God and the Holy Spirit would dwell in him. So what would happen if he turns against God sometime later and commits the One Unpardonable Sin - Mark 3:29 "Truly I say to you, all sins shall be forgiven... but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin..."

My Bible study group did not find a scriptural answer to this question. The logical conclusion was that God will 'call this christian home' (i.e. take this christian away) . After all, the Holy Spirit already dwells in him. God is unlikely to let such as sinful child remain on Earth any longer.

Without a better answer, I still hold onto this logical conclusion today.

Remember, we must never commit this Unpardonable Sin.


God bless you.

Taking Risks. Living On The Edge.

We born to life. Life is a journey with an end. At the end we embark on another life, another journey again.

Today, 5 Aug 08, the newspapers announced that 11 mountaineers had perished in an avalanche just below the summit of K2, the second highest mountain in the world. Some climbers were still missing.

So far there were 284 ascents and 66 deaths on K2. These climbers know the dangers of climbing. But their attitude is "Hope for the best. But if I perish, so be it."

This Friday 8 Aug 08, TOTO is offering a Special Draw with price money of $8 Million. 3 quarters of Singapore are queueing at TOTO booths to place bets of tens or hundreds of dollars, hoping to win a million bucks. Their attitude is "Hope for the best. But if I lose, so be it."

Perhaps that is life. 1 Cor 13:13 says "But now abide faith, hope, love..." Humans need to exercise the element of hope. If there is no risk, no danger, no pain, no uncertainty, then hope is not needed.

I too have several hope. An urgent one is that my investments in the banking and SingTel shares will be profitable soon.

If you have nothing to hope for, then something is wrong with you. Better get out of your comfort zone and start living.

Ask Father John Part 3: Know God, and You Will Know The Answer !

It is disheartening and disturbing to read Father John's answer to the question on whether suicide bombers go to 'paradise'. (See blog entries below.)

If Father John had considered the God's "personality" and God's "character", he would not give such an ambivalent reply.

After living with our earthly parents or spouse for a number of years, we will know how they act and react with certainty. For example, if the shopping mall is just 50 metres away, I know for sure, with 99.99% certainty, that my wife will walk there. My wife will not ride a bicycle or take a cab there.

When you have a personal relationship with God for many years, and when the Holy Spirit dwells in you to guide your heart-mind-conscience; and when you have been diligent seeking to know God better by attending Sunday School, learning from sermons, reading God's Word, you will know God enough to answer the question regarding suicide bombers.

God is Holy - Ex 15:11, God is good - Ps 102:26-27, God is compassionate - 1 Kings 8:23, God is Upright - Ps 25:8, God is righteous - Ps 116:5.

God's grace will not lead to, or condone, a sinner who kills tens, hundreds or thousands of innocent people. If there is a Hell, what is Hell for ? Hell will be empty if flagrant sinners go to Heaven.

If we believe in the Bible and believe there is Hell, and if we have a personal relationship with God as Abba-Father, then surely we will know with certainty whether suicide bombers go to Heaven or Hell.

I must qualify that we cannot be absolutely 100% certain. But 99.99% certainty is good enough.

There is no need to ask your priest 'whether suicide bombers go to 'paradise'. Read the Bible, and the Holy Spirit will illuminate your heart and mind to the truth.

Read the Word of God for answers.

God Bless.

Ask Father John Part 2: How Can It Be ? Father John ?

See previous blog entry regarding suicide bombers. The same article goes on to question Father John's thinking (Catholic News 20 July 2008).

Writer:

I take exception to your answer about suicide bombers. The wording of the Catholic Catechism, which you quote, is carefully chosen. It says those who through no fault of their own do not know the Gospel or the church, but who seek God with a sincere heart and "moved by grace" try to do God's will as their conscience dictates can be saved.

Those words "moved by grace" are important. If we think God's grace would lead us to kill ourselves and slaughter innocent people, we make Christ's victory over evil meaningless. A person could do these things and not be eternally condemned only if he is mentally ill or cannot choose between good and evil. It is unthinkable that a same person could believe God is leading him to wipe out dozens or thousands of people. This is the core of our faith in God's power over evil.

Ask Father John Part 1: Do Suicide Bombers Go To Hell? - Depends on Conscience

This article appeared in the Catholic News, dated Sunday 20 July 2008.

Question:

How does God deal with suicide bombers who believe they will go to 'paradise' and be with Allah? How can they go to hell if they don't even believe in it? ...

Answer by Father John Dietzen:

Contrary to the assumptions of many, including even to this day a fair number of Catholics, the Catholic Church holds that all persons who sincerely attempt to follow the dictates of their conscience, what they believe to be right and good, are saved.

This concept is by now well entrenched in church teaching. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says it clearly:

Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - these too may achieve eternal salvation" (No. 847, quoting the Vatican Council II Constitution on the Church).

All this assumes, of course, for all human beings whatever their culture or background, a diligent and honest attempt to inform one's conscience with all the grace and wisdom possible, and then to live one's life in accord with what is seen a "religious duty," however the individual sees that duty.

Some will claim, of course, that no human being could honestly envision as morally good inhuman and appalling acts of cruelty - acts which are perpetrated in countless nations of our world to this hour by people other than Muslims.

Many people among them religious leaders, have publicly proclaimed that all the dead terrorists are burning in hell, and those still alive will do so. Arrogance like this is unworthy of any thoughtful human being, let alone any Christian.

Judgments like this about the condition and fate of other people's souls are wholly beyond our reach. The pretense of having sufficient knowledge and wisdom to make such judgements invades territory that belongs to God alone....(other text not included due to space constraint).

No Need To Consider Moral Issues in 'Organ Trading'

In my blog entry dated 19 May 08, I wrote on the morality of Lesbian Marriage.

I suggested that "In the end, when no harm is done, or when there's less harm than good, there is no need to consider the issue of morality. Morality will be a vague and obsolete concept in the coming decades. Perhaps in a hundred years time, this concept of morality will vanish from the face of the earth."

Today's newspaper brought up the issue of Sales of Kidney. Those who need kidney transplants ( in order to continue living) would like to buy a kidney (from the poor). The government has legislated against this, mainly on moral grounds. If 'kidney trading' is allowed, then the poor will ultimately be selling their kidneys to the rich. "It is dehumanising - life can be bought with money, at the expense of another life."

But there is another point of view. "It is also morally wrong to let a person suffer and die when something can be done to save his life. If a person X willingly sells one of his kidneys to person Y to save Y's life, why not?"

Our government is made up of humans too. They are pragmatic on moral issues. The garmen had legalised gambling, legalised abortion of foetal lives, semi-legalised prostitution, maybe legalising homosexual marriage in future.

The trend is to legalise 'Organ Trading' in future.

It supports the view that morality is becoming obsolete, in years to come.

They Died Young Due To Poisoning

While at the National Palace Museum of China, I learnt something very interesting. For very long, I was wondering why in olden times, the lifespan of Chinese were only 50 to 60 years. I found the answer.

6200 - 1600 BC - called the Neolithic period
1600 - 221 BC - called the Bronze Age
221 BC - 220 AD - Chin and Han dynasties
220 AD - 1906 AD - Yuan, Tang, Ming, Ching dynasties

Ceramics were not used during the Bronze Age. The utensils, including wine cups were made of bronze.

Olden Chinese loved to drink wine. When wine was poured into bronze cups, there was chemical reaction. Over time, wine drinkers poisoned themselves by drinking poisoned wine.

After the Bronze Age, utensils were made of ceramics. The lifespan of Chinese was increased.

I also read that, during the Han, Tang dynasties and after, there were 'Qigong adepts' who could cultivate and replenish their 'Qi', and perfected the way of longevity. These adepts could live for more than 200 years.

Well, like the olden Chinese, we have much to learn about what is poisoning our lives. Why does it take so long for human beings to find out what cause cancer and Alzheimer's disease?

National Museum in Peking became National Palace Museum in Taipei !!

I visited the National Palace Museum when I was in Taipei.

The National Palace Museum was originally founded in 1925 in the Forbidden City in Peking.

Apparently when General Chiang Kai-Shek moved to Taiwan during the years of civil war leading to communism, he crated about 600,000 of the treasured objects to Taiwan.

China was depleted of the priceless national treasures. Most of them are now in Taipei's National Palace Museum. Some must have been 'lost' or converted to wealth.

If not for what the General Chiang did, most treasures would have been lost or destroyed during the Chinese revolution.

I find this story very interesting. No wonder China is so adamant in claiming Taiwan as a province of China. China will never allow Taiwan to seek independent when all of China's treasures are there.

Looking at the artifacts in the Museum, I enjoyed the rare sight of what human beings consider as treasures. But they are just treasures of this lifetime only. Nobody can bring the treasures of this life to the afterlife - except one. That special one treasure is the Love of God. The Love of God is the only treasure that we can bring and experience to our next life.

Feng Shui or Geomancy

I was in Taipei earlier this week for a '4 days 3 night' tour. The package included a 1-day guided city tour. The tour guide took the opportunity to bring us to a Feng Shui Master, hoping to sell us some geomancy services.

The talk by the Feng Shui Master went against logical thinking. He sold the idea that, depending on when a person is born, he has a certain 'good-luck' colour, number, direction (i.e. North, South, East West), etc, etc.

While I have written about Qigong a few times in this blog, and I believe that we can improve our health by cultivating 'Qi', I do not find Geomancy believable. There is no end to these wishy washy ideas! Believe in Feng Shui, and you will end up choosing your life-partner based on compatibility of birthdates, or choosing friends based on the compatibility of the names.

There are only 4 forces to determine and direct our fate:
first is ourselves and our free will,
second is the forces of people around us,
third is the force of nature, and
fourth is the will of God.

We can choose to strive to work hard and choose what we want to do with our lives.

The people around us, our parents, our government, can influence what we do with our lives.

Nature can cause disasters, such as earthquakes, lightnings, floods and fires, and frustrate or hurt us.

God or gods can help us, guard us, and bless us.

But Feng Shui - Wind and Water - is not religion. It has no bases in controlling our lives.

Earthquakes & Nature Disasters - The Spiritual Dimension

The earthquake on 12 May 08 in China, and the Cyclone Nargis disaster in Myanmar may be viewed as 2 natural disasters.

But natural disasters always have a spiritual dimension in the Bible. There are 2 protagonists that 'control' natural disasters: God and Nature. (I spell both in Capital letters.)

Natural disasters may occur at the command of Nature. But God has the authority to stop Nature from launching a natural disaster.

Also, sometimes God initiates natural disasters by commanding Nature to show its fury. Nature simply obeys God.

Natural disasters always result in mass destruction. Sadly from our perspective, the ignorant and the innocent always perish and suffer with the sinful in natural disasters.

If we read the 'natural disasters' in the Bible, we will always see the spiritual dimension and the reasons behind natural disasters. It may be the great Flood during Noah's time, or it may be the collapse of the Tower of Babel, or it may be any of the 10 plaques Egypt suffered during the time of Moses. There are reasons for each of them.

One of the most vivid description of earthquakes is captured in Numbers 16: 28-33. "Then it came about as Moses finished speaking all these words, ...the ground that was under them split open; and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men who belonged to Korah, with their possessions. So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol..."

Now back to the natural disasters in Myanmar and China. In China, close to 100,000 lost their lives. For every one who died, another 10 were injured and another 20 suffered pain due to the lost of their loved ones. So as many as 3 million had suffered directly in the disaster.

What are the spiritual messages of the natural disasters in Myanmar and China? What is God trying to warn us? Unless we understand the messages, and heed the warnings, our people in Myanmar and China had died or suffered in vain.

Is it really so difficult to realise the spiritual dimensions of these 2 recent natural disasters?

A tribute to my grandfather

So far, I have avoided discussing personal matters about myself in my blog.

But tonight, while watching the TV programme "Chinese Restaurants' it struck me that I should tell the story of my grandfather's chinese restaurant too.

It was around the year 1940. China was in turmoil as communism swept across every nooks and villages. Unable to withstand the hardship, my grandfather, Choe Lan, left Guangdong province for 'Nanyang' translated as "the place in the Southern Ocean".

I do not know how many months he took to travel south. By and by, he settled in an area south of Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. There, together with 2 or 3 partners, he started a chinese restaurant.

In those days, there was really not much a unskilled migrant could do to earn a living. Either you worked in the tin mines, became a farmer, became a hawker, set up a provision shop, or set up a restaurant. If not, you would need to join a street gang, or, for a female, worked as a maid or offered prostitution. There were no 'factories' to work in.

My father worked in my grandfather's restaurant.

After a few years, business did not do very well, the restaurant partners bickered against one another, and the restaurant was sold off.

My grandfather and father packed their bags and ventured further south - they came to Singapore. After they found a place to stay, my mother, my grandmother and all her children, took a train out of Ipoh and joined my father and grandfather in Singapore.

I was born in Singapore.

My grandfather died in 1966 after being paralyzed and bedridden for 2 years due to stroke.

This must be a typical poignant migrant's story. (Actually I left out the poignant parts.) As I pieced together the roots of my earlier 2 generations, I was deeply humbled that my grandfather, perhaps compelled by painful circumstances, had greater drive, took greater risk, and achieved much more than I. In that sense, I have failed to do better, to achieved more, in life than my grandfather. I do hope I have inherited more of his survival instinct, ability and courage.

Let this blog entry be a Tribute to my grandfather.

Ellen Degeneres to Marry Her Girlfriend

I heard that the 'Ellen Degeneres Show' is popular in USA.

In Singapore, Ellen's show is broadcast on Mediacorp Channel 5 too. Sometimes I tuned to Channel 5 and happened to glimpse at the show.

It was well known that Ellen is a lebian.

And just a few days ago, Straits Times reported that Ellen Degeneres is going to marry her longtime girlfriend in a few months time. It is something expected to happen.

It sets me thinking. In a few years time, several countries will accept same-sex marriages. Once the number of early adopters pass a certain 'critical number', most other countries will have no choice but to adopt the same practice. Then same-sex marriages will be a worldwide norm .

Then the next phase of moral degeneration will commence. 'Why can't I marry my pet monkey?' Human being is basically an animal too. So why can't I marry an animal? My animal companion (dog, Ah Meng-type gorilla, parrot) offers me love, shares my joy and sadness. My parrot even talks to me! I want to marry him!!!

And so it will happen! It's a matter of time!

Morality is always relative, never absolute. Morality is always coloured grey.
What is immoral about same-sex marriage?
Does it harm me? No.
Does it harm anybody? No.
Does it make me happy? Yes.
Then don't deny me. Let me do it. It's my free will!

In the end, when no harm is done, or when there's less harm than good, there is no need to consider the issue of morality.

Morality will be a vague and obsolete concept in the coming decades. Perhaps in a hundred years time, this concept will vanish from the face of the earth. Just some thoughts ...

How Much Do We Know God ? Progressive Revelation?

How much do you know about your best friend? 10% ? 20%?

How much do you know your spouse? 30%? 40%?

How much do you know God? 0.01%? 0.1%? 0.5%?

If God is infinite, then as finite beings, our knowledge of God must be very small.

So it is logical that God will reveal Himself to us, His created beings, more and more over time. God's revelation must be on-going and progressive. It cannot stop with the death of a certain prophet or even with the first resurrection of Jesus Christ.

So who are God's prophets after Christ? In the last 2000 years, perhaps there are a few. Perhaps there are none. But I am sure there are many false prophets in our midst.

I believe there are new things about God that we can learn or experience in our lifetime. We should be open to God's revelations through godly people. Surrender our heart to God, and let our heart guide us in discerning who are God's messengers and who are not.

May God guide us in knowing Him better.

We are like Ants

Lately, the newspapers are splashed with aerial pictures of disaster areas in China Sichuan (12 May) and Myanmar's cyclone Nargis-hit areas.

Amidst backdrops of crumbled-buildings and rubbles, you can see struggling human beings in extreme angish.

The pictures reminded me again that human beings are like ants, with absolutely no power against Nature and against God.

The psalmists had again and again dwelled on this point. Who am I, Lord? We are mere dust.

It's not humiliating. We are nothing in the first place, so there is nothing to feel humiliating. It's just humbling that, though we think so highly of ourselves, we are nothing.

Thank you Lord that Singapore is spared of these natural disasters.

Obama - the next President of USA

Sometime ago, I commented in this blog that junior senator Obama is likely to be the next President of USA.

Indeed the time is near that he will be nominated as the Democrat candidate for the next presidential election. He is gifted with eloquence and rhetoric, and this is what the USA voters are impressed about.

He will win the vote for Presidency. His opponents, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican McCain will not stand a chance because USA voters are impressed more impressed with fresh youngish faces, not with any wrinkled faces or someone trying to be the oldest-first-time-president of the USA. Experiences, credentials and age are not highly valued in the society anymore.

So senator Obama, all the best as you take on the heavy responsibilities. Lead USA, and lead the world, to be a better place for humankind.

Fight a good Fight - Resist Temptations, Remain Faithful

Personally, I do experience ups and downs in my christian life.
So when I saw some of my friends turned cold or left the church altogether, I understand the inner challenges they faced.

At the spiritual level, we all experience doubts, temptations, trials and testings. I believe even committed servants of God, those who forsake all, wealth, career, family, to serve Christ wholeheartedly, would experience the same difficulties now and then; and probably in greater intensity since the evil one will target them with vigor.

In 1 Tim 1:18, Paul urged Timothy to "fight a good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience..." My friends and I living in Singapore do not have to physically fight off persecutors and murderers. For us, we have to fight off temptations at the mental or intellectual level. We have our doubts about God, about his existence, providence and provision.

Once a long while, God grant us a miracle and 'lead us across a Red Sea'. But like the Israelites on their way out of Eygpt, we soon forget such red-sea-experiences, and wallow in doubts again. We are born human, even though now the Holy Spirit has come upon us.

There is no easy way out as we live life as christians. Paul exhorted us to fight till the end - and fighting requires stamina, strength, endurance and discipline. It is not going to be easy. Just praying to the Holy Spirit to fight for us will not work. We have to take on the task of fighting ourselves.

Persist. Remain faithful.

Reincarnation - Epilogue: The Mysteries Remain

I have gone through several Rounds in this series of study. Not to drag on and prolong the discussion, I shall close with this Epilogue.

Just as there are many denominations of christianity today, there were many Hebrew sects during the time of Christ. There were the Orthodox, the Pharisees, the Sadducees. Then, there sprout different christian sects too, such as Ebionites, Elkasaites, Nazarites, Essenes. In such diverse backgrounds, there were confusion and differences in their beliefs.

The writers of the Bible scriptures were influenced by the beliefs prevalent at that time. For example, the books of 1 Peter, 2 Peter and Jude were heavy on gnostic ideas and concepts (with imageries of angels, 'prisons', hell, etc). At times, the concept of reincarnation was subtly interwoven into the scripture texts. For example:

1 Pet 3:19-21, 2 Pet 2:4-9: Jesus made proclamation to those in 'prison'.
Psalms 107:10-22: What happens in the other world.
Amos 9:2: Bringing the sinners up and down.
James 3:6: 'Wheel of nature'.
Gen 28:12: Angels travelling up and down Heaven.
Matt 5:25-26: How to get out of 'prison'.

So far in this series of study, I have not cited examples of any 'Near-Death Experiences' of christians who claimed that they witnessed 'bright lights, tunnels, and spiritual beings as guides' while travelling out of this world, to support or refute the concept of reincarnation. I have not brought in ideologies from the eastern religions which strongly support the concept of reincarnation. I will leave such investigations and considerations to you, the readers.

In closing, I see no harm in accepting the concept of christian reincarnation.
With reincarnation, our souls could dwell on earth through one or more incarnations, that is, physical rebirths.
With resurrection, in time to come, our souls will 'born again or spiritual rebirth' through Christ, and dwell with the Father.

One day in Heaven, we will know the truth. But while we are on earth, we must hold steadfast to Christ and worship Him. If we draw close to Him, He will surely draw close to us -- even though mysteries remain.

Reincarnation Round 5: Without Reincarnation, we cannot explain parts of the Bible

Some parts of the Bible could only be explained logically using the concept of Reincarnation.

Example 1:

Matt 26:52: Jesus said "All who take the sword will perish by the sword." This statement is not true in one lifetime. Anecdotally, many criminals are not caught and not punished in their lifetime. For this statement to be true, it must stretch over more than one lifetime.

Gal 6:7: "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap." Realistically, this is not true in a single lifetime. Anecdotally, many people do not reap the 'good' that they sow; and many people do not suffer the 'bad' that they sow. Perhaps they would do so in future lifetimes.

This principle of divine justice is consistently mentioned in the Bible. But in real life, we all know that more often than not a man will not "reap he sow".

Example 2:

Mark 10:29-30: Jesus promised that, "...there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children...for my sake and for the gospel's sake, ...he shall receive a hundred times as much NOW IN THE PRESENT AGE, houses, and brothers and sisters and mothers and children...and in the world to come, eternal life."
We all know of christians who had been persecuted and suffered or martyred. They did not receive a hundred times what they had given up for Christ's sake. For this promise to be true, perhaps they will be rewarded in their other lifetimes.

Example 3:

Job 14:14 Job asked and answered himself, "If a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my struggle I will wait, until my change comes." Here Job appeared to say that he was waiting to live again upon his death.

These are just some examples. There are other passages in the Bible that appeared confusing if the concept of reincarnation is totally rejected. (see also 1 Pet 3:18-20, Jude 6 )

So in Round 5 of this series of study, I conclude that the concept of Reincarnation was indeed a christian belief during the time of the apostles, and there is no good reason for us to reject it today.

Reincarnation Round 4: Is Reincarnation against Biblical Teaching?

Some christians feel that the concept of Reincarnation conflicts with the doctrine on Resurrection. Following is one such argument:

"If reincarnation is (or was) a central part of the original Christian gospel, then historic, orthodox Christianity has veered significantly from its original course. Historic Christian orthodoxy has vigorously denied reincarnation for two principal reasons. First, Christianity has taught a doctrine of resurrection: the human soul does not return to earth after death, but is resurrected as an individual personality to face judgment. Second, it has taught that God forgives and extends mercy in the face of human sin and shortcomings. There is no forgiveness and little, if any, mercy connected with the idea of reincarnation. Each soul pays the inevitable price for its own failings and misdeeds, in hundreds or thousands of existences. "

Somehow I am baffled by this view. To me, Reincarnation and Resurrection can co-exist perfectly, without conflict. Christ had promised me that he is my personal saviour, and through Him, I will be resurrected and have everlasting life with the Father. However, if I would like to be reincarnated and live another period on earth, there is nothing wrong with that. It does not go against the fact that, ultimately, I will still be with God the Father.

In Heb 9:27, it says "...man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgement." Some christians quote this verse to refute reincarnation, which implies more than one lifetime, and hence dying not once, but as many times as the number of lifetimes.

I do not have a good interpretation for this verse. I am puzzled because there are people, notably Enoch and Elijah, who did not die at all. Also Paul died twice. (He went to paradise and returned. See 2 Cor 12:1-4). Perhaps this verse suggests that man, in each lifetime, die once. Upon reincarnation, he is another man, and subject to death again.

So in Round 4 of this study, I could not conclude whether or not reincarnation is advocated in the scriptures. But I honestly do not see a conflict between reincarnation, which is the soul taking on another physical body; and resurrection, which is the soul dwelling in God's kingdom forever ultimately.

Reincarnation Round 3: Jesus promised many people that they will see his 2nd Coming. How?

What Jesus said, must be true. Jesus had promised many people that they would witness His 2nd Coming. How ? These people are all dead !

Episode 1:

In Rev 1:7, it says "Look He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced him." How? Perhaps those who pierced Him will be reincarnated in time to watch His 2nd Coming.

Episode 2:

In Matt 24:30-34, it says, "... then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, ... and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds......Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place..." How? Perhaps, the people of 'this generation' died 2,000 years ago, will be reincarnated in time to watch Christ's 2nd Coming.

Episode 3:

In John 21:21-23, it says, "Jesus said to Peter "If I want him (a disciple) to remain until I come (again), what is that to you?..." How can that particular disciple live till Christ's 2nd Coming? Perhaps that particular disciple will be reincarnated at the time of Christ's 2nd Coming.

Episode 4:

In Matt 16:24-28, it says, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.." How? Perhaps 'some of those' would, in their future incarnation, see Christ coming in His kingdom in future.

Episode 5:

This last episode is in the old Testament Ezekiel 11: 17-20. God through prophet Ezekiel told the people that the Israelites would be exiled, but would be gathered as a nation again. "I will gather you from ...the countries you have been scattered, and I shall give you the land of Israel..." How ? All these people died over 2,000 years BEFORE Israel was re-established as a nation in 1948. Perhaps these same people were reincarnated around 1948, to witness the new nation of Israel in 1948.

Hence, there are several incidences in the Bible that could not be explained meaningfully, except using the concept of reincarnation.

So in Round 3 of this series of study, I am inclined to conclude that the Bible is generally NOT AGAINST the idea of christian reincarnation.

Reincarnation Round 2: Jesus DID NOT REFUTE the idea of Reincarnation

During Jesus' time, it is common for people to believe in reincarnation. Jesus did not refute with this belief in the gospel text.

Example One:

In John 9:1-3, Jesus' disciples asked Him whether the blind man was born blind because of sin in his previous lives. "...who sinned, this man or his parents, that he should born blind?" Jesus did not refute the disciples' concept of 'sin-before-birth', or sin in previous lives. But He answered that in this particular case, the man's blindness was to display God's work.

Example Two:

In Matt 16:13, Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"
The disciples replied that He was regarded as the reincarnation of someone else. "Some say (you are) John the Baptist, others say Elijah; and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." On hearing this reply, Jesus did not say this concept of reincarnation is fallacious, nor did He refute this concept.

Apparently, in Jesus' time, the people, including the Pharisees, believed in the concept of reincarnation.

So in Round 2 of this series of this study, I conclude that reincarnation had been a common christian belief.

Reincarnation Round 1: Jesus said John the Baptist is Elijah

In the old Testament, Mal 4:5 mentioned that Elijah would come before the coming of Jesus Christ.

In the new Testament, Luk 1:17, the angel told Zacharias that his son (John the Baptist), is the forerunner Jesus Christ. Luk 1:76 says "you child will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the LORD to prepare His ways."

In Matt 11:14 and Matt 17:12, Jesus explicitly explained to his disciples that he (John the Baptist) is Elijah.

The prophesy in Mal 4:5 that Elijah must come before Jesus Christ must be fulfilled. Elijah's spirit/soul came in the physical body of John the Baptist. This is an example of reincarnation.

So in Round 1 of this series of study on Christian Reincarnation, I conclude that reincarnation is possible.

Christian Reincarnation - Start

I intend to explore the topic of Reincarnation in the next few blog entries.

I am actually quite puzzled why most christian churches and organisations do not like to discuss this topic openly.

Over the years, as I read the bible, I come across several incidents that touch on this topic.

I understand that in 553AD, the Roman (Empire) Church declared reincarnation teaching as a heresy, but that was done very long ago under very different political and somewhat discomposing situation. There is no harm in re-visiting this topic with the help of biblical text and other records available today.

I will be very happy to read the comments of readers on this subject.

Slain in the Spirit

I just learnt that when someone falls backward during a christian healing service, healing mass, or prayer service, this is known as 'slain in the spirit'.

As far as I know, this phenomenon occurs often, and not restricted to any christian denomination. It happens in catholic, methodist, anglican, pentecostal and most other denominations.

Does this mean that God would manifested Himself, regardless of christian denominations?

I wonder whether the same phenomenon occurs in other religions, such as Islam, too.

Below is the text from wikipedia:

Slain in the Spirit -

Being slain in the Spirit is a term related to the Charismatic movement and Pentecostalism which describes a religious phenomenon in which a person enters a state with loss of all motor control over their body and falls to the floor during an event perceived as a personal encounter with God's glory power, usually associated with occasions of public prayer ministry when the laying on of hands is practiced.
Being slain in the Spirit occurs in many contemporary Charismatic or Pentecostal church meetings. It was also extremely common in early American (late eighteenth-century) Methodism, particularly at camp meetings and love feasts. Many refer to the phenomenon as "falling under the Spirit's power", "falling before the Lord" or "resting in the Spirit".
On occasions of public prayer ministry when the laying on of hands is practiced, church members or attendees come forward to the front of the church to receive a special work of the Holy Spirit from the Pastor or service leader. Often a significant amount of time is spent singing and praying during the church service before this point. Attendees are then prayed over and touched by the service leader, they perceive the Spirit of God upon them, and they fall, usually onto their backs. In most cases, their fall is broken by deacons, catchers, ushers or orderlies behind them to prevent injury.
Many Christians who experience this believe that they have been healed or given a special blessing by God. Others report seeing visions or hearing God's voice although some Christians claim that these experiences have ceased with the death of the apostles.
Whether voluntary or involuntary, "falling before the Lord" as a human response to the manifestation of the Holy Spirit is seen by many Pentecostals and Charismatics as a phenomenon that is in harmony with the Scriptures. In the Bible, falling while in the presence of God was at times also accompanied by manifestations of trembling, physical weakness and deep sleep.

No more shark fin soup

My family and I have decided not to buy and consume any shark fin food products from now on. We consider it inhumane to hunt for sharks, slice off their fins and dump the sharks back to sea to die a horrible death.

We have been conditioned to believe that shark fin soup is a chinese delicacy. But really, the shark fin itself is insipid, and the taste of the soup actually comes from other accompanying soup ingredients.

You can do without shark fin soup too.

The ex-biblical life of Abraham

Abraham grew up in Ur approximately 3,800 years ago. Idolatry was widespread there at that time.

Legend tells that Abraham's father Terah was an idol maker. But after some time, Abraham realised that there must be a God that is far greater than all the deities being worshipped. Abraham discovered God.

At that time, most people napped during the afternoon heat. One afternoon, while his father Terah was asleep, Abraham took a hammer and smashed all te idols, except the largest of idols, in his father's workshop. He then placed a hammer at the base of the remaining idol. When his father awoke, he was appalled. Abraham explained that the big idol, in a fit of jealousy had smashed all the others. "Don't be a fool," said his father, "These are merely carved stones." "If they are only stone, father," counter Abraham, "then why do you worship them?"

Terah realised Abraham was correct. Later, Terah brought Abraham to Canaan and Haran, the place where monotheism was to be nurtured.

So you see, it was Abraham who chose God first. After that, God chose Abraham to be the father of nations.

This story is from the book "The Science of God". The author attributed the story to Talmudic legend.

Interesting?

Humans Before Adam and Eve

The following is postulated from the book "The Science of God" by Gerald Schroeder.

10 - 18 Billion years ago: Creation / Big Bang
4.5 billion years ago: Solar System / Earth
150,000 yrs ago: Neanderthal Hominids existed
50,000 yrs ago: Cro-Magnon Hominids existed
10,000 yrs ago: Farming and agriculture existed
8,000 yrs ago: Pottery existed
6,000 yrs ago: Adam and Eve (Neshama-Human) created
5,000 yrs ago: Bronze Age
4,000 yrs ago: Noah Flood
3,800 yrs ago: Abraham lived

While 'Hominid-Human' existed since the Neanderthal period, 'Neshama-Human' came into existence when God breathed His spirit into Adam and Eve. (Note: Neshama is the spirit of God)

Please read the book if you are interested to find out more.

Adam and Eve made a mistake

We are all familiar with Gen 2:

"And Lord God planted a garden..and there he put Adam...And the Lord God made grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food; the tree of life within the garden and also the tree of the knowledge of good and evil...And the Lord God commanded Adam saying of every tree of the garden you may certainly eat but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you may not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die...When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was tempting to the eyes and suited to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate and gave to her man with her and he ate..."

Now, there are all kinds of wonderful trees in the Garden, even one that gave eternal life. Only the fruit of one tree cannot be eaten, else the punishment for eating from this tree was death. Luckily there was a LOOPHOLE ! If they eat from the tree of life FIRST, and then from the tree of knowledge LATER, they could not be punished by death ! But Adam and Eve did not do that.

In basic terms, the choice was between life and death, not between knowledge of good and evil.

Adam and Eve acted out their free will -- they chose death. They did not even use the loophole (to eat from the tree of knowledge without the punishment of death).

In the first 5 books in the bible, there is ONLY ONE place that we must make a choice:

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse; therefore choose life that you may live, you and your progeny." Deut 30:19.

Dear readers, if you have yet to accept and believe in the Lord God, make the choice now. Choose God. Choose Life.

God Bless.

We are not decendants of Adam and Eve

In this blog entry, I continue to share some contents of the book 'The Science Of God' by Gerald Schroeder.

The author explained that when God created within '6 days' in Genesis 1, the '6 days' are in fact 6 different periods, each of millions of years. I will share more about this in future blog entries.

By summing the generations in the Hebrew Bible, Adam and Eve were estimated to be created around 23 October 4004 BC. Now it is really not possible for Adam and Eve to multiply and multiply and produce 15 billion human beings within 6000 years till today.

The author gave an interesting explanation on page 141 of his book.

Adam and Eve first had Cain and Abel. Cain murdered Abel, and Cain was punished. The Bible mentioned that "Adam 'had relations with his wife again' and she gave birth to a son Seth...' after another 130 years (Gen 4:25, 5:3).

The author wrote " ...the answer the Talmud supplies is that during those 130 yeaars of separation, Adam had sexual relations with other beings (the nature of those beings is not clear). From these unions came children that 'were not human in the true sense as they did not have the spirit of God...) ( I just refer them as human-without-spirit.)

Here we have ancient accepted sources (the Talmud) that describe human-without-spirit. Suddenly, cave paintings that pre-date Adam by 20,000 years...become understandable. There are human tribes on earth all along. What these humans lacked was human spirituality.

This explains that the human race did not come from Adam and Eve. The human race is there all along. Most of us belong to this human race that existed long before Adam and Eve were created.

Follow my future blog entries for more logical explanations.

Noah's Flood (Revisit)

I am now reading a book "The Science of God" by Gerald L Schroeder and will be discussing some of its contents in the next few blog entries.

Please refer to entry "Noah's Flood" dated 13 January 2008 in the Archive.

It was revealed in Gen 6-8 that during Noah's Flood about 4,100 years ago, only Noah's family survived.

The author Gerald Schroeder had observed that native civilizations in America did not show a break in lineage about 4,100 years ago.

The Ark had supposedly rested on a mountain in Ararat (Armenia ) when the flood water subsided. But there were many other mountains in the world higher than those in Armenia! Hence there may be persons/tribes, other than Noah and his family, who had survived the Flood.

The author also noted that the Hebrew text used to indicate the flooded Earth was 'Aretz', whereas the Hebrew text used to indicate the face of the Earth was 'Adamah'. It is possible that Noah's Flood was not over all the face of the Earth, but only a limited geological area only.

Hence the Earth was not re-populated on Noah's family ALONE after the Flood.

Mystery solved.

In The Beiginning...(What Beginning?)

I am now reading a book "The Science Of God" by Gerald L Schroeder. I will be discussing some of its contents in the next few blog entries.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Beginning of what? Most of us will conclude that it is 'In the beginning of time...'

In around 1917, Vesto Slipher, with data based on Einstein's Law Of Relativity, concluded that the Universe was expanding. But refusing to accept Vesto's conclusion, Einstein subjectively changed his equation so as to describe a static Universe instead.

However as more data accumulated indicating that the Universe was indeed expanding, Einstein was regretful. He wrote to fellow Nobel Laureate Max Born, saying that his denial of his own theory (that the Universe was expanding) was "the biggest blunder of my life."

Einstein realised that if the Universe was expanding, getting larger day by day, then what about yesterday, a year ago, a millenium ago, a hundred million years ago? The Universe must be smaller as we go back in time! Until billions of years ago, the Universe must be only a point - a point that marked the beginning of the Universe.

That point -- is Genesis 1:1. Someone must have created that point.

It's God the Eternal.

SundayTimes 10Feb08: Work on gambling related-projects? A matter of principle.

The Sunday Times carried an article on "Work on gambling projects? No thanks".

Several firms are turning down IR jobs because gambling goes against their business ethics.

There are also those who have no qualms about doing business in the gambling industry.

I applaud those who stand by the principle that gambling is morally wrong, and are prepared to forsake opportunities of material gains for their belief.

Personally, I have told myself not to seek employment or buy shares in companies associated with gambling or other non ethical business. Otherwise I would be abetting sinful activities knowingly.

I have also told my children not to seek employment in places associated with gambling activities.

If we profess to be Christians and truly believe in a living God, then we should live according to our conscience. The small voice within us will tell us what is right or wrong. Like Daniel in Dan 3:4-18, have faith in doing right and resist doing wrong. Trust God.

Dan 3:16-18: "O King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this.
IF IT BE SO, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire...
BUT EVEN IF He does not, let it be known to you O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

Amazing Las Vegas !

I visited Las Vegas about 20 years ago. Till today, it was the most amazing city I have visited.

I travelled to Las Vegas by road. It was really a city in the middle of the desert. I could imagine that everything had to be 'imported' and 'transported' to this city to make it habitable.

Never before had I seen a city so beautiful. I was there on vacation, so the 24-hours entertainment and service at the hotels really impressed me. The all-u-can-eat-buffet spreads costing just US$5.99 made me feel life was happy and relax all the time.

I was amazed that here was a city that could camouflage gambling, a 'sin industry', into something so enjoyable. Here, gambling is not evil. It is honourable. It provides livelihood. It makes the world and makes life beautiful.

I guess this is another irony of life. The 'bad' can do 'good' . The 'good' can look 'bad'. The evil can be worshipped as gods. And sometimes the righteous suffers the most.

Las Vegas is amazing ! It's prosperity and success challenge our views of good and evil.

Interesting.

Prosperity and Little Ironies

It's the second day of Lunar New Year 2008 today. I wish readers a Happy and Prosperous Lunar New Year.

Last Sunday, at the worship service at AMK Methodist Church, Rev Wee Boon Hup gave a sermon on Prosperity. God had assured us of prosperity, not necessarily material prosperity, but non-material properity.

In actual fact, God had promised us many things, but not material richness. He promised us the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, a place in His house in Heaven. He will also spare us from being tested beyond what we can bear.

The irony is, he also promised us sufferings. All the apostles suffered for their belief in Christ. They also warned us about sufferings and testings in 1 Peter 4, James 1 and the other epistles.

Like Abraham and Job, all of us have to face the ironies of God's testings and God's blessings in our own time. You will really need the help of the Holy Spirit to go through the trials in your life's journey, and emerge victorious.

Tom told Dick how bad Harry was !

During my first few years of employment in SingTel, I was fortunate to work with a lady called Maureen.

Maureen was a wise woman and she could read the character of a person very well. She herself was of excellent character. By nature, she was kind. She would not harm another person by saying bad things about him.

After so many years, I could not remember many of the wisdom Maureen had shared with me. But there is one phrase she had taught me which I have not forgotten: '...poison his mind...'.

When one person TOM says to a second person DICK something bad about a third person HARRY, Tom is 'poisoning' Dick's mind. It may be just casual remarks like: "Dick, you know, Harry was so unco-operative!"

Be careful! Little by little, Tom is inserting an ugly picture of Harry into Dick's mind!

Thanks to Maureen's advice, when someone tells me negative remarks about a third person, I am always suspicious. I don't believe them; or believe just 10%.

Make sure your mind is not unconsciously or subconsciously poisoned by others' remarks. Think for yourself, and make judgements based on your own experiences.

Guard against Stroke - do breathing exercises

(Please click, on the right, the 'play' button twice to enjoy the 2 songs I have selected for you.)

I am now reading a book titled "TAKING CARE: Self-Care for 100 Common Symptoms and 20 Long-Term Ailments. One of the chapter is on STROKE. I would like to share some information with readers of my blog, particularly those who are above 50 years old and are prone to Stroke.

A Stroke is brain damage resulting from either an obstruction of the carotid artery (at the neck) or an artery in the head, or a bleed into the brain that destroys nearby delicate brain cells and nerves. Because brain cells cannot regenerate, the damage is often serious and may be permanent.

About 80% of strokes result from blocked arteries. One type of blockage is cerebral thrombosis, in which clots form in the artery and impede the passage of blood.

In another book, I wish to share the following:

"It's a sobering fact that the overwhelming majority of fatal strokes occur between 8.00 and 9.00 a.m. when up to half the body's blood is still 'asleep' in the liver and pancreas. Some prelimary 'breathing' and 'stretching' exercises in bed (before a person gets up in the morning) is a good prevention against such strokes..."

I wish to share the case of the death of a colleague some years ago.

It happened at the time when I was working in SingTel Paging. It was a morning management meeting in the early morning. Mr Cheah, excused himself from the meeting and walked to the toilet. While walking back from the toilet, he collapsed backwards onto the carpeted floor. The time was about 8.45 a.m.

Mr Cheah had a stroke and died on the way to the hospital. He was only 42 years old. He was a heavy smoker. Smoking must had been a cause of the stroke.

So friends, be careful in the morning, especially if you feel fainting, dizziness or experience mental confusion. Slow down, breathe hard, and be prepared to seek help.

God Bless.

The world is changing

I am watching the USA 2009 Presidential Election with interest. Today's news bulletin mentioned that Obama won a landslide victory in the primary election in the State of South Carolina.



I don't know what Obama stands for, or what ideas he has if he is the President of United States. I only know he has been shouting about 'change' all the time, but change to what... nobody seem to know. I also know he can speak very well, and I believe this is what the American people are impressed about.



I believe strongly in the value of experience and wisdom. So I am worried if a junior senator were elected as President of North America and entrusted with the responsibility to lead the world. Even with years of experience as a statesman and politician, President Bush's performance is dismay during his second term in office. I am disappointed with his leadership.



But knowing how Americans vote, I think Obama has a good chance to be voted in as the first USA President of African-Negro decent. And like the multitude of climbers who conquered Mount Everest following the success of Sir Edmund Hillary, there will be many non-white USA Presidents for the rest of the century following the success of Obama.



So the world is changing quickly. Within 20 years, America will probably relegate from its position as the Top Nation in the world. The world's centre of gravity relating to finance, power and authority will drastically shift away from North America, and a new, more complex world order will evolve.



All these, I believe, are brought about by human beings themselves, but allowed by God because He has the final say. Regardless what men do, finally, God Reigns.

A Scarlet Thread for Safety and Peace

Moses died before entering the promised land. Joshua took over the leadership from Moses. He sent 2 spies to Jericho to spy on the land. A harlot named Rahab hid the 2 spies in her house so that they would not be discovered. During the night, Rahab let them down by a rope through the window so that they could escape. (Joshua Chapter 2:1-18)

And the 2 spies said to Rahab, "... one day when we return to attack this land, you tie this cord of scarlet thread in the window through which you let us down, and gather into your house ...your father, mother... and all your father's household. And if any of them (in this house) is hurt we shall bear the responsibility..."

Not long after, Joshua led the army to conquer Jericho. Only Rahab and all who were with her in the house were unharmed, because she had assisted the 2 spies earlier on. (Josh 6:17)
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Sometimes when friends and neighbours died, we could go over to attend 'nightwatch' to pay our respect prior to the funeral. Before you leave the 'nightwatch', you would be given a scarlet thread. It was meant for Safety and Peace after the 'nightwatch' visitation.

You see, the origin of the scarlet thread was in the Bible.

Hallelujah

Floods: Part 2 - Noah's Flood and re-start of the Human Race

Please refer to and read first the story of Floods: Part 1, below.

Today, I am writing about the second Flood.

Dake's Annotated Bible describes the second Flood as the one that Noah was instructed to build an Ark for.

Genesis Chapter 5 gives the detailed genealogy. Adam was the first generation. Noah was the 10th generation. Noah was born 1056 years after Adam was created. The Flood came when Noah was 600 years old. By then, the human race had became so corrupted that it had to be re-started again.

So Noah and his family ( I believe not more than 50 persons), together with all animal species, either in pairs or in sevens, entered the Ark. They survived the Flood, and went forth to multiply after the Flood. That must be around 4,300 years ago, or around 2,300 BC. Supposedly, only the living things on land perished during the Flood. The creatures in the ocean were not destroyed.

But this Bible story cannot be refering to the whole earth than we know today. There are many well-documented historical records to show that human tribes already existed in many parts of the world, in North Asia, East Asia, Africa, North America, during that time. And these tribes are the ancestral lineages of the indigenous peoples in these areas today.

It is not possible for the few members of Noah's family to in-breed and multiply to the world population of 6 billion today.

Perhaps the Biblical story refered to a localised flood in the Biblical part of the world only, and NOT refering to a flood that covered the whole world. ONLY the Jewish and Arabic lineage were destroyed and re-started via Noah's family after the Flood. The rest of the world were not affected by the second Flood.

I am a Singaporean and of Chinese descent. Could I be a descendant of Noah's family members? I don't think so.

Then who am I? I don't know.

I only know that God in His mercy and grace, granted me the faith to believe in Christ, and so, one day when my journey on earth ends, I will be in God's Kingdom in gloryland. Meanwhile, He walks with me and cares for me every minute of the day.

(Like my ancestors 4,300 years ago, the cockcroaches and the mosquitoes must had avoid Noah's Flood, and survived to this day to irritate me . )

Praise and thanks to God, for the little I know, and the much that I do not know, including the unquestionables.

Hallelujah.

Floods: Part 1 - The Pre-Adamic and Post-Adamic Age

DAKE's Annotated Bible was one of my favourite book. It has helped me to understand the Pre-Adamic period (that is, the dispensations before Adam and Eve).

There were 2 major floods in the Bible. First the Pre-Adamic Flood, the flood just before Adam and Eve were created. In this Flood, all living things were destroyed. The earth started on a clean slate again after that. God created Adam and Eve to populate the earth with the human race. By following the genealogies in the Bible, Adam and Eve were estimated to live about 6000 years ago.

The Bible did not provide a view on what was like in the 'Pre-Adamic' Ages or dispensations.

Perhaps hundreds of million years ago, the earth was teeming with dinosaurs. Perhaps a few million years ago, the earth was inhabited by ape-like 'Early Man'.... Let the archeologists dig up the fossils and tell us.

The Pre-Adamic Flood neatly separates God's revelations after Adam and Eve; and God's non-revelations before Adam and Eve.

However I can't help but ponder how, during the Pre-Adamic Flood, cockroaches and mosquitoes managed to survived, and continued to irritate me up till this day. Or did God allowed these vermints to be created ( or re-created) on Day 5, before Adam and Eve were created on Day 6? (Gen 1: 1-31)

Again, this is just a question of a seeking mind. No answers yet. But don't be afraid to ask.

Read about Flood: Part 2, soon.

Still, Hallelujah

The Gift Of Healing

Now and then, there are healing services organised by the churches. Sometimes it is held in church premises, sometimes in public auditoriums and even in the Indoor Stadium.

Some claimed that their infirmities were healed during these healing sessions. I believe them.

However, I have not come across physical miracles. I mean, I have not encountered someone with one leg, and after attending a healing session, miraculously a second leg appeared for all to see.

I have the opportunities to witness the healing service at Novena Church (Thomson Road) once a month. Normally the service is well attended.

I am always puzzled how, when the priest 'touch' a person, he would fall back and collapse onto the hands of some helpers who lower him to lie and rest on the floor till his energy returns.

Some time ago, my daughter attended this healing service at Novena Church too. She could not explain what happened, but when Father XXX prayed and touched her, she simply collapsed like so many other people there.

I take this as a spiritual manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit. There are certain things that the Holy Spirit would do, or not do. The Holy Spirit may heal some, and yet do not heal some. The Holy Spirit may heal a diseased part of the body, yet will not replace an amputated leg with a new one.

God's mysteries are boundless. We have to accept our limitations in knowing God fully.

Alleluia.

Mira asked, "Can non-Christians get to heaven? "

Can non-Christians get to heaven ?

I am always intrigued by this questions. Many of you have family members and friends who are non-Christians and we hope that they would be in heaven with us one day.

I was taught in bible studies to believe that non-Christians CANNOT go to heaven. John 14:6 "I am the Way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father, but through me."

This is what Jesus said ! The questions on everyone's mind were:
-How about the babies and young children who died without an opportunity to accept Christ?
-How about the patriarchs of olden times, of Abraham, of Moses, all the prophets, all the old Testament heroes and godly people? They do not know Christ. The idea of a Triune God only pop up in the New Testament times.
-How about the godly and holy Jews today, who love and serve God, but do not accept Christ?
-How about the wonderful people of other religions, the buddhists, the muslims, who live lives of humility, selflessness and servitude, but who do not accept Christ.

In recent years, I am aware that many Christian groups adopt the idea that Christ is not the only way. Non-Christians can get to heaven.

I keep a copy of 'DEAR PADRE (Nov 20, 2005 issue)'. This is how Father Joseph Nolen, C.Ss.R. replied to Mira's question...
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Dear Mira,
Put your mind at ease. A person who is not a Christian CAN go to heaven. I imagine we will see many more people than we think in heaven. Heaven is not just for Christians, but for everyone who loves God and responds to God's will in his or her life.
We know that God wants all people to be saved, not just Christians. Jesus began a church to help people achieve salvation. What I know as a Catholic is that God called me into the Church. It is there that I will work out my salvation. I do not know why there are some people who have never heard of Jesus or who do not have the faith to join the Church. I do know that God wants them in heaven just like God wants me in heaven.........
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Personally, I do not know whether Father Joseph Nolen's view is the official position of the Catholic Church.

But I know God is kind, merciful and fair.

By my accepting Jesus, I am a child of God, and heir also, and fellow-heir with Christ. Roman8:17.

But others who did not accept Jesus, they are not children of God. But they still can be citizens of Heaven. (Sounds like heresy to some ?)

I am of the view that there is hope that the little children who died before knowing Christ could be in heaven also; and my non-Christian friends could be too.

What do you think ?

End