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.
Monday, 14 July 2008
Friday, 27 June 2008
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.
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).
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.
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?
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.
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.
Thursday, 19 June 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, 25 May 2008
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?
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.
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.
Tuesday, 20 May 2008
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 ...
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.
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.
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.
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.
Monday, 17 March 2008
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.
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.
Friday, 14 March 2008
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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, 6 March 2008
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, 21 February 2008
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?
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
"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.
Thursday, 14 February 2008
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."
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."
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