The denial of guilt or the effort to reduce ethics to psychiatry is as unsound and unscientific as the error of denying that there are genuinely mental troubles or the reduction of psychiatry to ethics and moral theology. In actual fact, no moral theologian denies the validity and necessity of psychiatry; but since many analysts do deny the realms of the moral, the Divine, and the supernatural, it is important to continue stressing the difference between the two.
Even when a client has his or her psychoanalyst's encouragement to laugh off the possibility of moral evil or a sense of guilt as the cause of his or her worries, his or her rejection of ethical standards is still a form of escapism. In such cases, it is vain for the frustrated soul to say that he or she will work the problem out "for himself or herself." For the soul that relics upon itself is unrealistic. Cure is conditioned upon the realization of two basic facts: There is some evil in the soul; and the perfection and cure are not to be sought in the person. Just as medicine must come from outside of the body, so moral healing must come from outside of the soul. Yet many modern men and women run to the ends of the earth to escape the one source of health or recovery.
Escapists refuse to face the fact that their own lives are disordered; or else they try an "easy" way out of their misery that lands them into worse confusion. Some of the "easy" ways out are the escapism of scandal-mongering which seeks to find others who are worse than the self and thus make the self seem good by comparison; the escapism of ridicule, which makes fun of the virtuous and religious to avoid the reproach of their goodness; the escapism of noise, of drowning oneself in excitement, crowds, collective trances, so that the sweet, low voice of conscience, through which God speaks, is never heard; the escapism of atheism, an anarchical revolution by which one covers up one's own need of personal, inner, spiritual regeneration by revolutionizing everyone else.
For by pointing out the wrongs of others, the atheist avoids the need of righting himself or herself; by spreading the ideology of class conflict, he or she creates the illusion that the evil he or she hates is not within himself or herself, but in the social system. The social conscience thus dispenses many people today from any compulsion to set right their individual consciences. There is also the escapism of calling religion "escapism." This atheistic at riposte is the most wrongheaded of them all - to throw it at a distraught friend, is like telling a person whose house is on fire that he is an "escapist" if he or she calls the fire department.
The real escapists follow many different routes, but none of them are humble enough to admit that there is some evil in them; all of them are too proud to admit that they need outside help to cure their misery. By denying guilt, they show that they are cowards; by denying any perfection outside themselves, they become snobs. The last, desperate stage of escapism is religious persecution; hatred of religion is projected self-hatred. It is not easy for normal persons to understand how goodness and truth can be hated, but they are.
Truth can be hated because it implies responsibility. Goodness is hated because it is a reproach. If the Lord Jesus Christ had been tolerant and broad minded, He would never have been crucified; it was the perfection of His virtue that constituted a judgment of the wicked. But since those who persecute religion as a form of escapism must constantly think about God and His universal Church, it follows that they are often closer to conversion than the indifferent person of a Liberal Civilization, who does not trouble making up his or her mind on any ultimate question.
Escapism never succeeds. In every sinner whose frustrations and neuroses are due to a burdened conscience, there is a latent contradiction. The person is pulled in two directions. He or she is not so much at ease with sin as to be able to make it his or her definite vocation, nor, on the other hand, is he or she so much in love with God as to disavow his or her faults. The dualism arises from a desire of God, on the other hand, and a turning from God on the other. Such people have insufficient moral energy to be bad or to be good; they have not enough religion to find peace of soul, yet quite enough of it to intensify their sense of frustration after they have sinned.
Those who live.......
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Friday, September 2, 2016
If only. If only people just behave. You see, I actually do not need to control my anger, everyone around me just need to avoid annoying me. Is that not how some of us feel?
Tonight we turn to yet another work of mercy which is to bear wrongs patiently and forgive offences willing.
What does it mean to say bearing wrongs patiently and how is that different from forgiving offences willingly? Let us just say that wrong is not always wrong. As a priest once said to me, left is right and right is wrong. Confusing as it sounds, that was basically an instruction given to someone whilst driving. What I am trying to say is that wrong is not always wrong. The other way of phrasing this spiritual work of mercy is to be patient with those in error. When I state that wrong is not always wrong I am saying that firstly, nobody intends to be wrong and secondly, some people are just “wrong” FOR US. The operative words are “FOR US”. Let me explain.
If you have gone to Thailand before, you would have seen T-shirts, “Same same but different”. The original phrase describes “lady-boys” who have added female features yet retaining the OEM—Original Equipment from Maker! It illustrates a subtle nuancing whereby we may like to think that we are all the same but really what appears to annoy me might not be what irks other—thus wrong is not always wrong. Think pilgrimage and as the Ringgit swims underwater, not infrequently strangers are forced to share rooms. I had one pilgrimage where a cough threatened to derail our journey.
In an uber-sensitive world, anything can upset anybody not solely because we are different but because we have developed this overwhelming sense of uniqueness that is our individuality is expressed to the extreme. And the older you are, the more set you are in your ways. For example, poor as I am as a religious, I do not like a stranger to sit beside me during a Economy flight. I like my space. The Teochews have a word for it “Kou Tuck”.
When we are set in our ways, we often like to impose on others our norm as if it is the only norm or standard there is. This is made even more pronounced when our social space is organised according to the principle of me. It is all about me.
Why me? Whenever sorrow strikes us, many a complaint will be “Why me”? Apart of the celebration of victimhood, we are basically children of our age. What gives this “why me” syndrome? A possible explanation is the shift that took place almost 400 years ago and ever since that tumultuous upheaval, the universe has gradually moved at a pace almost imperceptible that has transformed truth to meaning, from a heteronomous perspective to an autonomous worldview. Truth is no longer a question at the top of our minds, meaning is. Simply put: Heaven is not important, earth is. Salvation is not important, liberation is.
You can count the number of young people here every day. For many of them, Mass is boring because the truth of the Mass is not as important as the meaning of the Mass is to them. Meaning is premised on personal satisfaction. It does not interest me. I do not feel a thing coming here. The transformation from truth to meaning changes the question “What is it?” to “What is in it for me? When “I, me and myself” is the centre of the universe, the only result of that is an increased in irritation when the world does not conform to my expectations.
You know OCD? It does not stand for Ordo Carmelitarum Discalceatorum (or Order of Carmelites Discalced). OCD is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Do you realise that so many people are suffering from OCD? Cleanliness and Orderliness are two common expressions of OCD behaviour.
I think that OCD is a form of hungering for God. The more we make ourselves the focus and the more we banish God from the centre of the Universe, the more OCD we will witness because this desire to be “ordered” is a divine innate quality bestowed by God. When we do not know who the Author of order is, we will go out of our way to be more ordered thinking that that is what Godliness is. And for that, the world has to suffer our “disordered” orderliness, our OCD.
Look at the servers. Are they an expression of OCD? I am impressed by the deliberate and regimented steps that make them sway in unison. The first day I came, I was fascinated and I tried to sway with them but I am always out of synch. This is just one example of the way they serve. The question here is this: Is their way of serving an expression of a priest, namely your parish priest’s psychosis or OCD?
As previously stated, if order is a reflexion of God then chaos must be the product of the Devil. Order points us in the direction of God and the liturgy is musical in the sense, according to Pythagoras, as music properly composed according to mathematical principles, is one of the best measure for an ordered universe. Perhaps you can make the connexion between a beautiful rhythmic swaying of the entrance procession as an example that reflects the order of the universe.
The tricky part here is that the line between God’s order and OCD is rather thin which brings us back to Truth as a communal search. It is not just “my” search for Truth. In all that we do as Church, there has to be dialogue and conversation amongst us. But, it is not restricted to just amongst us meaning it is also not just “our” search for Truth. This dialogue or conversation must, in addition, take place between us and the Magisterium and the Tradition amongst others.
Yesterday, I mentioned about the Church in heaven, the Church in purgatory and the Church on earth. Each time Catholics speak of Tradition with a capital T, it means our communal search cannot be independent of the Church in heaven and the Church in purgatory. Perhaps you appreciate why the Church does not change her practices willy-nilly just because time has changed or just because fads have shifted.
In this search, bearing wrong or errors patiently is an expression charity as we communally search for truth. We do not possess the truth. We need to bear in mind that some people can seem more arrogant than others. Some people speak differently from others. People are definitely not copies of me. When you work together, this will come out. People are not as clever as I am. People are not as generous as I am. And my irritation grows. It is not always easy. And sometimes, I guess it takes heroic strength to bear the wrongs of another person. There were two professors—one a chemist and the other a philosopher. They are known to have called each other by name. The Chemist to the Philosopher: Navel Contemplator. The Philosopher to the Chemist: Shit Analyser. Both are priests. Both are Jesuits. Both live in the same community. Not easy right because both are headstrong. But nonetheless, they are not excused from a very important Spiritual Work of Mercy because bearing wrongs patiently is pre-requisite for the next work of mercy.
Bishop Fulton Sheen makes an interesting distinction and let me paraphrase him: “Tolerance applies to the erring, intolerance to the error meaning be kind to those who are in the wrong but be firm about the truth we want to stand with because we do not possess the truth.
This brings us to forgiving others willingly. The difference between bearing wrong patiently and forgiving other willingly lies in deliberation. Wrongs are not intentional—they are just things out of order. If you think about it, no one wakes up in the morning and the first thing he does, like Mr Burn of The Simpsons who drums his fingers and say in a most wicked quivering voice: “Let me see, today I am going to irritate my husband”. It is not malice even if sometimes we ascribe malicious intent to the offending person. In short do not flatter yourself—the wicked world does not revolve around you. (Only victims do lah).
If wrongs are not deliberate, offences are in the sense that an injury has been done to us. And for that, forgiveness is demanded of us. I have heard it mentioned that it takes a lot of strength to hang on. But it takes so much more to let go. When our sense of justice is warped by revenge then forgiveness will come across as weakness.
Unforgiveness may be emblematic of love. If we love deeply, it follows that the cut will be just a deep. And, the more we love, the greater will our struggle be to forgive. Perhaps the difficulty of letting go of hurt in order to forgive is symptomatic of our hoarding culture. One of the side effects of a consumeristic culture is the need to hoard. If we hoard things, we can also hoard resentment and unforgiveness and we can nurse them like they are our treasures.
Forgiveness does not mean that we forget totally as Dr Martin Luther King said: Certainly one can never forget, if that means erasing it totally from his mind. But when we forgive, we forget in the sense that the evil deed is no longer a mental block impeding a new relationship.
Finally, there is freedom involved in forgiving. At times, unforgiveness can constrict our vision so much so that we cannot see the truth of what our enemy is saying. If the Devil can say something which is true, what is more, our mortal enemies. Of course, the Devil cannot be trusted to be truthful but he can still say something which is true. The very people we hate or are angry with are capable of truth. So, without forgiveness, we destroy our freedom to hear the truth. Funny thing is that the very people whom we cannot forgive may just sleep well at night and the one who hurts is the one who does not know how to forgive. From bearing wrongs patiently to forgiving willingly, we know that an inability to bear with one another and a heart unwilling to forgive will definitely consume our energy and drain us of the motivation to do other more important works of mercy be they spiritual or corporal.
BY REV. FR. SIMON YONG KONG BENG S.J.
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
Tonight we turn to yet another work of mercy which is to bear wrongs patiently and forgive offences willing.
What does it mean to say bearing wrongs patiently and how is that different from forgiving offences willingly? Let us just say that wrong is not always wrong. As a priest once said to me, left is right and right is wrong. Confusing as it sounds, that was basically an instruction given to someone whilst driving. What I am trying to say is that wrong is not always wrong. The other way of phrasing this spiritual work of mercy is to be patient with those in error. When I state that wrong is not always wrong I am saying that firstly, nobody intends to be wrong and secondly, some people are just “wrong” FOR US. The operative words are “FOR US”. Let me explain.
If you have gone to Thailand before, you would have seen T-shirts, “Same same but different”. The original phrase describes “lady-boys” who have added female features yet retaining the OEM—Original Equipment from Maker! It illustrates a subtle nuancing whereby we may like to think that we are all the same but really what appears to annoy me might not be what irks other—thus wrong is not always wrong. Think pilgrimage and as the Ringgit swims underwater, not infrequently strangers are forced to share rooms. I had one pilgrimage where a cough threatened to derail our journey.
In an uber-sensitive world, anything can upset anybody not solely because we are different but because we have developed this overwhelming sense of uniqueness that is our individuality is expressed to the extreme. And the older you are, the more set you are in your ways. For example, poor as I am as a religious, I do not like a stranger to sit beside me during a Economy flight. I like my space. The Teochews have a word for it “Kou Tuck”.
When we are set in our ways, we often like to impose on others our norm as if it is the only norm or standard there is. This is made even more pronounced when our social space is organised according to the principle of me. It is all about me.
Why me? Whenever sorrow strikes us, many a complaint will be “Why me”? Apart of the celebration of victimhood, we are basically children of our age. What gives this “why me” syndrome? A possible explanation is the shift that took place almost 400 years ago and ever since that tumultuous upheaval, the universe has gradually moved at a pace almost imperceptible that has transformed truth to meaning, from a heteronomous perspective to an autonomous worldview. Truth is no longer a question at the top of our minds, meaning is. Simply put: Heaven is not important, earth is. Salvation is not important, liberation is.
You can count the number of young people here every day. For many of them, Mass is boring because the truth of the Mass is not as important as the meaning of the Mass is to them. Meaning is premised on personal satisfaction. It does not interest me. I do not feel a thing coming here. The transformation from truth to meaning changes the question “What is it?” to “What is in it for me? When “I, me and myself” is the centre of the universe, the only result of that is an increased in irritation when the world does not conform to my expectations.
You know OCD? It does not stand for Ordo Carmelitarum Discalceatorum (or Order of Carmelites Discalced). OCD is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Do you realise that so many people are suffering from OCD? Cleanliness and Orderliness are two common expressions of OCD behaviour.
I think that OCD is a form of hungering for God. The more we make ourselves the focus and the more we banish God from the centre of the Universe, the more OCD we will witness because this desire to be “ordered” is a divine innate quality bestowed by God. When we do not know who the Author of order is, we will go out of our way to be more ordered thinking that that is what Godliness is. And for that, the world has to suffer our “disordered” orderliness, our OCD.
Look at the servers. Are they an expression of OCD? I am impressed by the deliberate and regimented steps that make them sway in unison. The first day I came, I was fascinated and I tried to sway with them but I am always out of synch. This is just one example of the way they serve. The question here is this: Is their way of serving an expression of a priest, namely your parish priest’s psychosis or OCD?
As previously stated, if order is a reflexion of God then chaos must be the product of the Devil. Order points us in the direction of God and the liturgy is musical in the sense, according to Pythagoras, as music properly composed according to mathematical principles, is one of the best measure for an ordered universe. Perhaps you can make the connexion between a beautiful rhythmic swaying of the entrance procession as an example that reflects the order of the universe.
The tricky part here is that the line between God’s order and OCD is rather thin which brings us back to Truth as a communal search. It is not just “my” search for Truth. In all that we do as Church, there has to be dialogue and conversation amongst us. But, it is not restricted to just amongst us meaning it is also not just “our” search for Truth. This dialogue or conversation must, in addition, take place between us and the Magisterium and the Tradition amongst others.
Yesterday, I mentioned about the Church in heaven, the Church in purgatory and the Church on earth. Each time Catholics speak of Tradition with a capital T, it means our communal search cannot be independent of the Church in heaven and the Church in purgatory. Perhaps you appreciate why the Church does not change her practices willy-nilly just because time has changed or just because fads have shifted.
In this search, bearing wrong or errors patiently is an expression charity as we communally search for truth. We do not possess the truth. We need to bear in mind that some people can seem more arrogant than others. Some people speak differently from others. People are definitely not copies of me. When you work together, this will come out. People are not as clever as I am. People are not as generous as I am. And my irritation grows. It is not always easy. And sometimes, I guess it takes heroic strength to bear the wrongs of another person. There were two professors—one a chemist and the other a philosopher. They are known to have called each other by name. The Chemist to the Philosopher: Navel Contemplator. The Philosopher to the Chemist: Shit Analyser. Both are priests. Both are Jesuits. Both live in the same community. Not easy right because both are headstrong. But nonetheless, they are not excused from a very important Spiritual Work of Mercy because bearing wrongs patiently is pre-requisite for the next work of mercy.
Bishop Fulton Sheen makes an interesting distinction and let me paraphrase him: “Tolerance applies to the erring, intolerance to the error meaning be kind to those who are in the wrong but be firm about the truth we want to stand with because we do not possess the truth.
This brings us to forgiving others willingly. The difference between bearing wrong patiently and forgiving other willingly lies in deliberation. Wrongs are not intentional—they are just things out of order. If you think about it, no one wakes up in the morning and the first thing he does, like Mr Burn of The Simpsons who drums his fingers and say in a most wicked quivering voice: “Let me see, today I am going to irritate my husband”. It is not malice even if sometimes we ascribe malicious intent to the offending person. In short do not flatter yourself—the wicked world does not revolve around you. (Only victims do lah).
If wrongs are not deliberate, offences are in the sense that an injury has been done to us. And for that, forgiveness is demanded of us. I have heard it mentioned that it takes a lot of strength to hang on. But it takes so much more to let go. When our sense of justice is warped by revenge then forgiveness will come across as weakness.
Unforgiveness may be emblematic of love. If we love deeply, it follows that the cut will be just a deep. And, the more we love, the greater will our struggle be to forgive. Perhaps the difficulty of letting go of hurt in order to forgive is symptomatic of our hoarding culture. One of the side effects of a consumeristic culture is the need to hoard. If we hoard things, we can also hoard resentment and unforgiveness and we can nurse them like they are our treasures.
Forgiveness does not mean that we forget totally as Dr Martin Luther King said: Certainly one can never forget, if that means erasing it totally from his mind. But when we forgive, we forget in the sense that the evil deed is no longer a mental block impeding a new relationship.
Finally, there is freedom involved in forgiving. At times, unforgiveness can constrict our vision so much so that we cannot see the truth of what our enemy is saying. If the Devil can say something which is true, what is more, our mortal enemies. Of course, the Devil cannot be trusted to be truthful but he can still say something which is true. The very people we hate or are angry with are capable of truth. So, without forgiveness, we destroy our freedom to hear the truth. Funny thing is that the very people whom we cannot forgive may just sleep well at night and the one who hurts is the one who does not know how to forgive. From bearing wrongs patiently to forgiving willingly, we know that an inability to bear with one another and a heart unwilling to forgive will definitely consume our energy and drain us of the motivation to do other more important works of mercy be they spiritual or corporal.
BY REV. FR. SIMON YONG KONG BENG S.J.
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Christians need to be truthful and to be extremely careful not to be deceived and to be influenced into saying and thinking that comparing the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible to others similarity is legitimate and the same. "IT IS NOT."
To pay attention to why we believe, what we believe, how we believe, in whom we believe is definitely not 'spiritual narcissism' but is the source for speaking credibly and communicating effectively "the word of life" and "the word of God."
In this context, saint or apostle Paul's doctrine reveals explicitly, and clearly founded on divine [God] revelation. His own apostolic experience made it explicit to him that it is not human wisdom and eloquence but only the force of the Holy Spirit that builds the Universal Church.
Thus, 'I believe in order to comprehend' and 'I comprehend in order to believe.' Saint Augustine of Hippo begins to comprehend that things said simply can be true, while things put eloquently may be lacking in substance. In other words, the harmony between faith and reason means above all that God is not far away; He is not far from our reasoning or from our love; God is intimately connected to every human being, very close to our hearts and close to our reason if we truly believe and follow His path.
Faith and reason are not alien or separated to each other. Accordingly, all our experiences must be subjected to the canon of reason, and reason in most cases is basically scientific reason whose foundation for knowledge is based on observable data. When reason is restricted positivistically, then, everything else becomes a matter of personal judgment or opinion. But, reason is not just restricted by the criteria of science.
Faith is a form of reasoning too. It takes the assumption from the experience that the order can be trusted. You ask a child to jump off a ledge and the child will hesitate but once the child knows that you can be trusted, he will jump without thinking, without 'reasoning' be he knows that the one who asks for it can be trusted. In fact, in many cases, when you play with a trusting child, he will jump even when you are not ready to catch him. This shows that belief or faith is a form of reasoning which cannot always be explained scientifically.
The most emphatic reason atheism is on the rise is that more and more people desire to live without accountability and consequences. They desire and want to do whatever they please, regardless of the consequences. Therefore, they choose not to entertain the truth and the idea of God who calls them to a life of holiness, humility, and compassion.
Sadly, atheists have no absolute standards of right and wrong, good and evil, since they do not believe in God. As a result, they will justify their actions whether right or wrong, good or evil, and will always not own up to their actions. Apparently, it is not a matter of the absence of evidence of a supernatural God, but rather of choosing the easy way out.
On the contrary, advances in science and the ability to do and think critically have actually divulged overwhelming evidence of "Omnipotent" [God] and in fact, many from the scientific fraternity concede that it is becoming harder to maintain a stand for the absence of God in the light of such evidence. However, for many or most of them, the cost of living according to God's way and truth is too high a price to pay, and so they choose to turn a blind eye to the evidence.
"We have no power to resist the truth; only to further it. Must I go on boasting, though there is nothing to be gained by it? But I will move on to the visions and revelations I have had from the Lord. From Paul's, an apostle who does not owe authority to men or his appointment to any human being but who has been appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ and by God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead.
I am astonished at the promptness with which you have turned away from the one who called you and have decided to follow a different version of the Good News. Not that there can be more than one Good News; it is merely that some troublemakers among you want to change the Good News of Christ; and let me warn you that if anyone preaches a version of the Good News different from the one we have already preached to you, whether it be ourselves or an angel from heaven, he or she is to be condemned.
I am only repeating what we told you before; if anyone preaches a version of the Good News different from the one you have already heard, he or she is to be condemned. So now whom am I trying to please - man, or God? Would you say it is men's approval I am looking for? If I still wanted that, I should not be what I am - a servant of Christ.
The fact is, brothers and sisters, and I want you to realize this, the Good News I preached is not a human message that I was given by men, it is something I learnt only through a revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We wish you the grace and peace of God our Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ, who in order to rescue us from this present wicked world sacrificed Himself for our sins, in accordance with the will of God our Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. - " - Gal. 1:1-12 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
To pay attention to why we believe, what we believe, how we believe, in whom we believe is definitely not 'spiritual narcissism' but is the source for speaking credibly and communicating effectively "the word of life" and "the word of God."
In this context, saint or apostle Paul's doctrine reveals explicitly, and clearly founded on divine [God] revelation. His own apostolic experience made it explicit to him that it is not human wisdom and eloquence but only the force of the Holy Spirit that builds the Universal Church.
Thus, 'I believe in order to comprehend' and 'I comprehend in order to believe.' Saint Augustine of Hippo begins to comprehend that things said simply can be true, while things put eloquently may be lacking in substance. In other words, the harmony between faith and reason means above all that God is not far away; He is not far from our reasoning or from our love; God is intimately connected to every human being, very close to our hearts and close to our reason if we truly believe and follow His path.
Faith and reason are not alien or separated to each other. Accordingly, all our experiences must be subjected to the canon of reason, and reason in most cases is basically scientific reason whose foundation for knowledge is based on observable data. When reason is restricted positivistically, then, everything else becomes a matter of personal judgment or opinion. But, reason is not just restricted by the criteria of science.
Faith is a form of reasoning too. It takes the assumption from the experience that the order can be trusted. You ask a child to jump off a ledge and the child will hesitate but once the child knows that you can be trusted, he will jump without thinking, without 'reasoning' be he knows that the one who asks for it can be trusted. In fact, in many cases, when you play with a trusting child, he will jump even when you are not ready to catch him. This shows that belief or faith is a form of reasoning which cannot always be explained scientifically.
The most emphatic reason atheism is on the rise is that more and more people desire to live without accountability and consequences. They desire and want to do whatever they please, regardless of the consequences. Therefore, they choose not to entertain the truth and the idea of God who calls them to a life of holiness, humility, and compassion.
Sadly, atheists have no absolute standards of right and wrong, good and evil, since they do not believe in God. As a result, they will justify their actions whether right or wrong, good or evil, and will always not own up to their actions. Apparently, it is not a matter of the absence of evidence of a supernatural God, but rather of choosing the easy way out.
On the contrary, advances in science and the ability to do and think critically have actually divulged overwhelming evidence of "Omnipotent" [God] and in fact, many from the scientific fraternity concede that it is becoming harder to maintain a stand for the absence of God in the light of such evidence. However, for many or most of them, the cost of living according to God's way and truth is too high a price to pay, and so they choose to turn a blind eye to the evidence.
"We have no power to resist the truth; only to further it. Must I go on boasting, though there is nothing to be gained by it? But I will move on to the visions and revelations I have had from the Lord. From Paul's, an apostle who does not owe authority to men or his appointment to any human being but who has been appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ and by God the Father who raised Jesus from the dead.
I am astonished at the promptness with which you have turned away from the one who called you and have decided to follow a different version of the Good News. Not that there can be more than one Good News; it is merely that some troublemakers among you want to change the Good News of Christ; and let me warn you that if anyone preaches a version of the Good News different from the one we have already preached to you, whether it be ourselves or an angel from heaven, he or she is to be condemned.
I am only repeating what we told you before; if anyone preaches a version of the Good News different from the one you have already heard, he or she is to be condemned. So now whom am I trying to please - man, or God? Would you say it is men's approval I am looking for? If I still wanted that, I should not be what I am - a servant of Christ.
The fact is, brothers and sisters, and I want you to realize this, the Good News I preached is not a human message that I was given by men, it is something I learnt only through a revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We wish you the grace and peace of God our Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ, who in order to rescue us from this present wicked world sacrificed Himself for our sins, in accordance with the will of God our Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. - " - Gal. 1:1-12 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
Monday, August 8, 2016
In the Old Testament, Gideon - (Warrior) - is a military hero and spiritual leader who delivered Israel from the oppression of the Midianites. As a young lad, Gideon had seen the land oppressed by the Midanites and Amalekites for seven years. Like invading locusts, the roving bands camped on the land of the Israelites. At harvest time, they destroyed the corps and animals and plundered the farmers' houses. Israel misfortune was apparently caused by their spiritual relapse into Baal worship. ( Israel relapses into idolatry )
The Israelites did what displeases Yahweh; Yahweh gave them over for seven years into the hands of Midian. - Judg. 6:1 -
As young Gideon was threshing wheat, the angel of the Lord appeared with strong words of encouragement: "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor and surely, I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man. Gideon then asked the messenger for a sign that God had selected him for divine service.
The angel of Yahweh came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah which belonged to Joash of Abiezer. Gideon is son was threshing wheat inside the wine-press to keep it hidden from Midian, when the angel of Yahweh appeared to him and said, 'Yahweh is with you, valiant warrior!' Gideon answered him, 'Forgive me, my lord, but if Yahweh is with us, then why is it that all this is happening to us now? And where are all the wonders our ancestors tell us of when they say, "Did not Yahweh bring us out of Egypt?" But now Yahweh has deserted us; he has abandoned us to Midian.'
At his Yahweh turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength now upholding you, and you will rescue Israel from the power of Midian. Do I not send you myself?' Gideon answered him, 'Forgive me, my lord, but how can I deliver Israel?' My clan, you must know, is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least important in my family.' Yahweh answered him, 'I will be with you and you shall crush Midian as though it were a single man.' Gideon said to him, 'If I have found favour in your sight, give me a sign that it is you who speak to me. I beg you, do not go away until I come back, I will bring you my offering and set it down before you.' And he answered, 'I will stay until you return.' - Judg. 6:11-18 -
After Gideon had crushed Midian and returned from the victory. he then, prepared an offering and placed it on an altar. The angel touched the offering with his staff, and fire consumed it. - Judg. 6:19-21 - Gideon then recognized his personal call to serve God.
Gideon's first assignment was to destroy his father's altar of Baal in the family's backyard. This act required great courage, for Gideon feared his father's house and the men of the city who must have worshiped at the altar. For this reason, Gideon and ten servants destroyed the altar of Baal and a wood idol by night and erected an altar to the Lord. Gideon immediately presented an offering to the Lord on the altar.
When they discovered that the altar to Baal had been destroyed, the household and the community were outraged. When it was learned that "Gideon the son of Joash has destroyed the altar of Baal." Joash was called to account for his son's action. To his credit, Joash defended Gideon by implying that an authentic god should require no defense. "If he is a god, let him plead for himself." From that day on, Gideon was called Jerubbaal, meaning "Let the Baal plead." - Judg. 6:25-32 -
As the oppression of the Midianites intensified, Gideon sent out messengers to all Manasseh and the surrounding tribes to rally volunteers to Israel's cause. When Gideon's volunteers assembled, about 32,000 citizen soldiers stood in the ranks. Although there were 135,000 Midianites camped in a nearby valley, God directed Gideon to thin out the ranks. After dismissing the fearful and afraid, only 10,000 remained. Gideon's band was now outnumbered about 13 to 1.
"There are still too many." God told Gideon. "Bring them down to the water and I will test them for you there." Those who lapped the water with their hands, never taking their eyes from the horizon, were retained in Gideon's army; those who got down on their knees to drink, forgetting to keep watch for the enemy were dismissed. Now only 300 soldiers remained. The Midianites outnumbered Gideon's band 450 to 1. But God and Gideon had a secret plan!
Gideon divided the army into three companies. Then he gave each man a trumpet, a pitcher, and a torch. At the appointed time, 300 trumpets blasted the air, 300 hands raised their pitchers and smashed them to bits, 300 burning torches pierced the darkness, and 300 warriors cried, "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon."
The Midianites were thrown into panic. In the confusion, some committed suicide or killed their comrades. The remaining soldiers fled. The enemies of Israel were completely routed, and Israel's homeland was secure. It was a glorious victory for God and for Gideon, who became an instant hero.
Gideon and his men pursued the fleeing enemy. Many of them were killed or captured by Gideon's allies. Two Midianites kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, were captured and killed for their murderous deeds.
As a conquering warrior, Gideon was invited to become king, but he declined. Modest and devout, he was careful not to grasp at the power and glory that belonged to God. After he retired to his home, Israel was blessed with 40 years of peace.
Through the life and exploits of Gideon, God reveals much about Himself and the preparation which His leaders need for divine service. Gideon shows that God calls leaders from unlikely situations, Gideon was a poor farmer's son who worked with his hands, and his father was an idol worshiper. Still, he was an effective leader in God's service.
Gideon teaches that God prefers a few dedicated and disciplined disciples to throngs of uncommitted workers. God can win victories with a fully committed minority. Another leadership lesson from Gideon is that a leader's spiritual life is sustained by regular worship. Devout Gideon appears to have worshiped God frequently - in times of personal crisis as well as celebration. - Judg. 6:1 to 8:35 -
After Gideon's death, the people of Israel again began to prostitute themselves to the Baals, and took Baal-berith for their god. The Israelites no longer remembered Yahweh their God, who had rescued them from all the enemies round them. And towards the family of Jerubbaal-Gideon-they remained ungrateful for all its good deeds to Israel. - Judg. 8:33-35 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
The Israelites did what displeases Yahweh; Yahweh gave them over for seven years into the hands of Midian. - Judg. 6:1 -
As young Gideon was threshing wheat, the angel of the Lord appeared with strong words of encouragement: "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor and surely, I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man. Gideon then asked the messenger for a sign that God had selected him for divine service.
The angel of Yahweh came and sat under the terebinth at Ophrah which belonged to Joash of Abiezer. Gideon is son was threshing wheat inside the wine-press to keep it hidden from Midian, when the angel of Yahweh appeared to him and said, 'Yahweh is with you, valiant warrior!' Gideon answered him, 'Forgive me, my lord, but if Yahweh is with us, then why is it that all this is happening to us now? And where are all the wonders our ancestors tell us of when they say, "Did not Yahweh bring us out of Egypt?" But now Yahweh has deserted us; he has abandoned us to Midian.'
At his Yahweh turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength now upholding you, and you will rescue Israel from the power of Midian. Do I not send you myself?' Gideon answered him, 'Forgive me, my lord, but how can I deliver Israel?' My clan, you must know, is the weakest in Manasseh and I am the least important in my family.' Yahweh answered him, 'I will be with you and you shall crush Midian as though it were a single man.' Gideon said to him, 'If I have found favour in your sight, give me a sign that it is you who speak to me. I beg you, do not go away until I come back, I will bring you my offering and set it down before you.' And he answered, 'I will stay until you return.' - Judg. 6:11-18 -
After Gideon had crushed Midian and returned from the victory. he then, prepared an offering and placed it on an altar. The angel touched the offering with his staff, and fire consumed it. - Judg. 6:19-21 - Gideon then recognized his personal call to serve God.
Gideon's first assignment was to destroy his father's altar of Baal in the family's backyard. This act required great courage, for Gideon feared his father's house and the men of the city who must have worshiped at the altar. For this reason, Gideon and ten servants destroyed the altar of Baal and a wood idol by night and erected an altar to the Lord. Gideon immediately presented an offering to the Lord on the altar.
When they discovered that the altar to Baal had been destroyed, the household and the community were outraged. When it was learned that "Gideon the son of Joash has destroyed the altar of Baal." Joash was called to account for his son's action. To his credit, Joash defended Gideon by implying that an authentic god should require no defense. "If he is a god, let him plead for himself." From that day on, Gideon was called Jerubbaal, meaning "Let the Baal plead." - Judg. 6:25-32 -
As the oppression of the Midianites intensified, Gideon sent out messengers to all Manasseh and the surrounding tribes to rally volunteers to Israel's cause. When Gideon's volunteers assembled, about 32,000 citizen soldiers stood in the ranks. Although there were 135,000 Midianites camped in a nearby valley, God directed Gideon to thin out the ranks. After dismissing the fearful and afraid, only 10,000 remained. Gideon's band was now outnumbered about 13 to 1.
"There are still too many." God told Gideon. "Bring them down to the water and I will test them for you there." Those who lapped the water with their hands, never taking their eyes from the horizon, were retained in Gideon's army; those who got down on their knees to drink, forgetting to keep watch for the enemy were dismissed. Now only 300 soldiers remained. The Midianites outnumbered Gideon's band 450 to 1. But God and Gideon had a secret plan!
Gideon divided the army into three companies. Then he gave each man a trumpet, a pitcher, and a torch. At the appointed time, 300 trumpets blasted the air, 300 hands raised their pitchers and smashed them to bits, 300 burning torches pierced the darkness, and 300 warriors cried, "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon."
The Midianites were thrown into panic. In the confusion, some committed suicide or killed their comrades. The remaining soldiers fled. The enemies of Israel were completely routed, and Israel's homeland was secure. It was a glorious victory for God and for Gideon, who became an instant hero.
Gideon and his men pursued the fleeing enemy. Many of them were killed or captured by Gideon's allies. Two Midianites kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, were captured and killed for their murderous deeds.
As a conquering warrior, Gideon was invited to become king, but he declined. Modest and devout, he was careful not to grasp at the power and glory that belonged to God. After he retired to his home, Israel was blessed with 40 years of peace.
Through the life and exploits of Gideon, God reveals much about Himself and the preparation which His leaders need for divine service. Gideon shows that God calls leaders from unlikely situations, Gideon was a poor farmer's son who worked with his hands, and his father was an idol worshiper. Still, he was an effective leader in God's service.
Gideon teaches that God prefers a few dedicated and disciplined disciples to throngs of uncommitted workers. God can win victories with a fully committed minority. Another leadership lesson from Gideon is that a leader's spiritual life is sustained by regular worship. Devout Gideon appears to have worshiped God frequently - in times of personal crisis as well as celebration. - Judg. 6:1 to 8:35 -
After Gideon's death, the people of Israel again began to prostitute themselves to the Baals, and took Baal-berith for their god. The Israelites no longer remembered Yahweh their God, who had rescued them from all the enemies round them. And towards the family of Jerubbaal-Gideon-they remained ungrateful for all its good deeds to Israel. - Judg. 8:33-35 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
Saturday, July 16, 2016
To understand the principle of the Virgin Mary is to understand the Christian religion. In part, this is because an understanding of the principle of the Virgin Mary depends upon some understanding of other aspects of Christian practice.
What the Catholic Christian faith believes about Virgin Mary is based on what it believes about Christ Jesus, and what it teaches about Virgin Mary illuminates in turn its faith in Christ Jesus. - CCC 487 -
Saint Cyril of Alexandria understanding of the significance of the title Theotokos ( Mother of God ) is given succinctly in his Third Letter to Nestorius which is included in the documents of the ecumenical Council of Ephesus. In the passage quoted below, Saint Cyril's explains that the title indicates Virgin Mary's status as the one who conceived and bore the Word of God incarnate, in consequence of which all human life has the possibility of being sanctified from the moment of conception.
Therefore, because the holy virgin bore in the flesh God who has united hypostatically with the flesh, for that reason we call her Mother of God ( Theotokos ) not as though the nature of the Word had the beginning of its existence from the flesh:
In the beginning was the Word:
the Word was with God
and the Word was God. - John 1:1 -
He made the ages and is co-eternal with the Father and craftsman of all things, but because, as we have said, He united to Himself hypostatically the human and underwent a birth according to the flesh from her womb. This was not as though He needed necessarily or for his own nature a birth in time and in the last times of this age, but in order that He might bless the beginning of our existence, in order that seeing that it was a woman that had given birth to Him, united to the flesh, the curse against the whole race should therefore cease, which was consigning all our earthly bodies to death, and in order that the removal through Him of the curse, - Gen. 3:16 - should demonstrate the truth of the words of the prophets, - 1 Cor. 15:54; Is. 25:8; Rev. 7:17, 21:4 - and again, it is for this cause that we say that in His economy He blessed marriage and, when invited, went down to Cana in Galilee with His holy apostles. - John 2:1-11 -
To the woman God said;
'I will multiply your pains in child bearing,
you shall give birth to your children in pain,
Your yearning shall be for your husband,
yet he will lord it over you.' - Gen. 3:16 -
He will destroy Death for ever,
The Lord Yahweh will wipe away
the tears from every cheek;
he will take away his people's shame
everywhere on earth,
for Yahweh has said so. - Is. 25:8 -
When this perishable nature has put on imperishability, and when this mortal nature has put on immortality, then, the words of scripture will come true: Death is swallowed up in victory. Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? - 1 Cor. 15:54 -
They will never hunger or thirst again; neither the sun nor scorching wind will ever plague them, because the Lamb who is at the throne will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. - Rev. 7:17 -
He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; their will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness. The world of the past has gone. - Rev. 21:4 -
Three days later there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' Jesus said, 'Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.' His mother said to the servants,'Do whatever he tells you.' There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablution that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water' and they filled them to the brim. 'Draw some out now' he told them 'and take it to the steward.' They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from - only the servants who had drawn the water knew - the steward called the bridegroom and said, 'People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now.'
This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and the brothers, but they stayed there only a few days. - John 2:1-12 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
What the Catholic Christian faith believes about Virgin Mary is based on what it believes about Christ Jesus, and what it teaches about Virgin Mary illuminates in turn its faith in Christ Jesus. - CCC 487 -
Saint Cyril of Alexandria understanding of the significance of the title Theotokos ( Mother of God ) is given succinctly in his Third Letter to Nestorius which is included in the documents of the ecumenical Council of Ephesus. In the passage quoted below, Saint Cyril's explains that the title indicates Virgin Mary's status as the one who conceived and bore the Word of God incarnate, in consequence of which all human life has the possibility of being sanctified from the moment of conception.
Therefore, because the holy virgin bore in the flesh God who has united hypostatically with the flesh, for that reason we call her Mother of God ( Theotokos ) not as though the nature of the Word had the beginning of its existence from the flesh:
In the beginning was the Word:
the Word was with God
and the Word was God. - John 1:1 -
He made the ages and is co-eternal with the Father and craftsman of all things, but because, as we have said, He united to Himself hypostatically the human and underwent a birth according to the flesh from her womb. This was not as though He needed necessarily or for his own nature a birth in time and in the last times of this age, but in order that He might bless the beginning of our existence, in order that seeing that it was a woman that had given birth to Him, united to the flesh, the curse against the whole race should therefore cease, which was consigning all our earthly bodies to death, and in order that the removal through Him of the curse, - Gen. 3:16 - should demonstrate the truth of the words of the prophets, - 1 Cor. 15:54; Is. 25:8; Rev. 7:17, 21:4 - and again, it is for this cause that we say that in His economy He blessed marriage and, when invited, went down to Cana in Galilee with His holy apostles. - John 2:1-11 -
To the woman God said;
'I will multiply your pains in child bearing,
you shall give birth to your children in pain,
Your yearning shall be for your husband,
yet he will lord it over you.' - Gen. 3:16 -
He will destroy Death for ever,
The Lord Yahweh will wipe away
the tears from every cheek;
he will take away his people's shame
everywhere on earth,
for Yahweh has said so. - Is. 25:8 -
When this perishable nature has put on imperishability, and when this mortal nature has put on immortality, then, the words of scripture will come true: Death is swallowed up in victory. Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? - 1 Cor. 15:54 -
They will never hunger or thirst again; neither the sun nor scorching wind will ever plague them, because the Lamb who is at the throne will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water; and God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. - Rev. 7:17 -
He will wipe away all tears from their eyes; their will be no more death, and no more mourning or sadness. The world of the past has gone. - Rev. 21:4 -
Three days later there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee. The mother of Jesus was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited. When they ran out of wine, since the wine provided for the wedding was all finished, the mother of Jesus said to him, 'They have no wine.' Jesus said, 'Woman, why turn to me? My hour has not come yet.' His mother said to the servants,'Do whatever he tells you.' There were six stone water jars standing there, meant for the ablution that are customary among the Jews: each could hold twenty or thirty gallons.
Jesus said to the servants, 'Fill the jars with water' and they filled them to the brim. 'Draw some out now' he told them 'and take it to the steward.' They did this; the steward tasted the water, and it had turned into wine. Having no idea where it came from - only the servants who had drawn the water knew - the steward called the bridegroom and said, 'People generally serve the best wine first, and keep the cheaper sort till the guests have had plenty to drink; but you have kept the best wine till now.'
This was the first of the signs given by Jesus: it was given at Cana in Galilee. He let his glory be seen, and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and the brothers, but they stayed there only a few days. - John 2:1-12 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
Monday, July 11, 2016
The practice of laying hands on someone or something occurs frequently in the Old Testament - particularly the laying of hands on the head of an animal intended for sacrifice. In the account of the ritual of the 'Day Of Atonement' the priest laid his hands on the Scapegoat. This probably symbolized the transferral of the sins and guilt to the people to the goat which was taken away into the wilderness.
The act of laying on of hands in the Old Testament was also associated with blessings, installation to office [ serves as a form of ordination ] and the setting apart of Levi. These passages indicated the transferral of authority and quality, symbolizes God's sovereign power. The hand of God, [ laying on of hands ] a prominent Jewish symbol and later, 'the laying on of hands' was promulgated and perpetuated by the Christians.
Joseph saw that his father was laying his right hand on the head of Ephraim, and this upset him. He took his father's hand and tried to shift it from the head of Ephraim to the head of Manasseh. Joseph protested to his father, 'Not like that, father! This one is the elder; put your right hand on his head.' - Gen. 48:17-18 - Deut. 34:9 - Num. 8:10-11 -
In the New Testament, the placing of hands upon a person by a body of believers [ The Church ] in ceremonial fashion to symbolize that person's authority or his appointment to a special task. The Lord Jesus Christ laid his hands on children and on the sick when He healed them. In the early Church the laying on of hands was also associated with healing, the reception of the Holy Spirit, the setting apart of persons to particular offices and work in the Church, the commissioning of apostle Barnabas and apostle Paul as missionaries, and the setting apart of apostle Timothy. The ritual was accompanied by prayer.
When Jesus was speaking to them, up came one of the officials who bowed low in front of him and said, 'My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and her life will be saved.' Jesus rose and, with his disciples, followed him. - Matt. 9:19-19 -
People brought little children to Jesus, for him to lay his hands on them and say a prayer. The disciples turned them away, but Jesus said, 'Let the little children alone, and do not stop them coming to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.' Then Jesus laid his hands on them and went on his way. - Matt. 19:13-15 - Mark 5:21-24 - Mark 1:31 -
One Sabbath day Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who for eighteen years had been possessed by a spirit that left her enfeebled; she was bent double and quite unable to stand upright. When Jesus saw her he called her over and said, 'Woman, you are rid of your infirmity' and Jesus laid his hands on her. And at once she straightened up, and she glorified God. - Luke 13:10-13 -
The whole assembly approved of this proposal and elected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, together with Phillip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these to the apostles who prayed and laid their hands on them. - Acts. 6:5-6 -
The Lord replied, 'You must go all the same because this man is my chosen instrument to bring my name before pagans and pagan kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show how much he himself must suffer for my name. Then Ananias went. He entered the house, and at once laid his hands on Saul and said, 'Brother Saul, I have been sent by the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on your way here so that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' Immediately it was as though scales fell away from Saul's eyes and he could see again. So he was baptized there and then, and after taking some food he regained his strength. - Acts 9:15-19 - Acts 19:6 -
Make use of the time until I arrive by reading to the people, preaching and teaching. You have in you a spiritual gift which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the body of elders laid their hands on you; do not let it lie unused. - 1 Tim. 4:13-14 -
That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God's gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. - 2 Tim. 1:6-7 -
Let us leave behind us then all the elementary teaching about Christ and concentrate on its completion, without going over the fundamental doctrines again: the turning away from dead actions and towards faith in God; the teaching about baptisms and the laying on of hands; the teaching about the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. This, God willing, is what we propose to do. - Heb. 6:1-3 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
The act of laying on of hands in the Old Testament was also associated with blessings, installation to office [ serves as a form of ordination ] and the setting apart of Levi. These passages indicated the transferral of authority and quality, symbolizes God's sovereign power. The hand of God, [ laying on of hands ] a prominent Jewish symbol and later, 'the laying on of hands' was promulgated and perpetuated by the Christians.
Joseph saw that his father was laying his right hand on the head of Ephraim, and this upset him. He took his father's hand and tried to shift it from the head of Ephraim to the head of Manasseh. Joseph protested to his father, 'Not like that, father! This one is the elder; put your right hand on his head.' - Gen. 48:17-18 - Deut. 34:9 - Num. 8:10-11 -
In the New Testament, the placing of hands upon a person by a body of believers [ The Church ] in ceremonial fashion to symbolize that person's authority or his appointment to a special task. The Lord Jesus Christ laid his hands on children and on the sick when He healed them. In the early Church the laying on of hands was also associated with healing, the reception of the Holy Spirit, the setting apart of persons to particular offices and work in the Church, the commissioning of apostle Barnabas and apostle Paul as missionaries, and the setting apart of apostle Timothy. The ritual was accompanied by prayer.
When Jesus was speaking to them, up came one of the officials who bowed low in front of him and said, 'My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and her life will be saved.' Jesus rose and, with his disciples, followed him. - Matt. 9:19-19 -
People brought little children to Jesus, for him to lay his hands on them and say a prayer. The disciples turned them away, but Jesus said, 'Let the little children alone, and do not stop them coming to me; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.' Then Jesus laid his hands on them and went on his way. - Matt. 19:13-15 - Mark 5:21-24 - Mark 1:31 -
One Sabbath day Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who for eighteen years had been possessed by a spirit that left her enfeebled; she was bent double and quite unable to stand upright. When Jesus saw her he called her over and said, 'Woman, you are rid of your infirmity' and Jesus laid his hands on her. And at once she straightened up, and she glorified God. - Luke 13:10-13 -
The whole assembly approved of this proposal and elected Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, together with Phillip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these to the apostles who prayed and laid their hands on them. - Acts. 6:5-6 -
The Lord replied, 'You must go all the same because this man is my chosen instrument to bring my name before pagans and pagan kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show how much he himself must suffer for my name. Then Ananias went. He entered the house, and at once laid his hands on Saul and said, 'Brother Saul, I have been sent by the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on your way here so that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' Immediately it was as though scales fell away from Saul's eyes and he could see again. So he was baptized there and then, and after taking some food he regained his strength. - Acts 9:15-19 - Acts 19:6 -
Make use of the time until I arrive by reading to the people, preaching and teaching. You have in you a spiritual gift which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the body of elders laid their hands on you; do not let it lie unused. - 1 Tim. 4:13-14 -
That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God's gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. - 2 Tim. 1:6-7 -
Let us leave behind us then all the elementary teaching about Christ and concentrate on its completion, without going over the fundamental doctrines again: the turning away from dead actions and towards faith in God; the teaching about baptisms and the laying on of hands; the teaching about the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. This, God willing, is what we propose to do. - Heb. 6:1-3 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
Friday, July 8, 2016
The two historical 'Books of Chronicles' of the Old Testament which may characterized as "Books of Hope." In broad selective strokes, these books trace the history of the nation of Israel [ Jacob ] from Adam to the 'Captivity and Restoration.' Almost all of this material is a repetition of that found in the books of '1 and 2 Samuel' and '1 and 2 Kings.'
The author/writer of 1 and 2 Chronicles apparently wrote his history to encourage the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem after more than 50 years of captivity in Babylon. In fact, this selective history reminded them of Israel's glorious days from the past and gave them 'Hope' for the future as they pondered God's promises to "His Covenant People."
The Books Of 1 and 2 Chronicles were written originally as one unbroken book. In later translations of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, however, this ling narrative was divided into two shorter books. Each of these books falls naturally into two major divisions.
For instance, the nine chapters of 1 Chronicles contain long genealogies, or family histories, that are composed of information from the earliest historical books of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible. These genealogies take every reader from the descendants of Adam up through the ancestors of king David.
Apparently, special attention is given to the families of ordained priests and Levites. - chapter 6; 9:1-34 - Israel's first king Saul's family, and particularly to the family of David. - chapter 2 to 3 - The second major section of the book ( chapters 10 to 29 ) focuses on the reign of king David. This long account begin with the death of Saul - chapter 10 - omitting the historical facts that preceded this event. Saul's death is reported to establish the fact that he was unqualified for office and that David was God's choice for this responsibility.
Saul died because he had shown himself unfaithful to Yahweh: he had not kept the word of Yahweh; he had even questioned and consulted a necromancer. He had not consulted Yahweh, who therefore put him to death and transferred the monarch to David son of Jesse. - 1 Chr. 10:13-14 -
The account of David's reign is presented in a positive light, with all the details about David's great sin omitted. First Chronicles also lists the names of all those associated with him as mighty men - chapters 11 to 12 - and records his great victories. - chapters 14, 18 to 20 - This section of the book also lists the names of the Levites, priests, and musicians in David's administration - chapters 23 to 26 - as well as other state officials. - chapter 27 - King David's work is included, in establishing Jerusalem as his capital city and as the center of worship. - 11:4-9, chapters 13,15,16,22,28,29 -
The Book Of 2 Chronicles also contains two major sections. Chapters 1 to 9 focus on the rule of king Solomon, whose greatest accomplishment was the building of the 'Temple' in Jerusalem and included is correspondence between Solomon and Hiram, king of Tyre, about building materials - chapter 2 - as well as a full account of the dedication service when the Temple was completed. - chapters 5 to 7 -
The second major section chapters 10 to 36 is a highly selective account of the kings of Judah - from Rehoboam - chapters 10 to 12 - until the time of the 'Captivity' - chapter 36 - Kings given prominence in this narrative include Abijah - chapter 13 - Asa - chapters 14 to 16 - Jehoshaphat - chapters 17 to 20 - Joash - chapters 23 to 24 - Amaziah - chapter 25 - Uzziah or Azariah - chapter 26 - Hezekiah - chapters 29 to 32 - and Josiah - chapters 34 to 35 - The book ends with the proclamation of king Cyrus of Persia allowing the return of the Jews to rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem. - 36:22-23 -
On particularly interesting fact about the Book Of 2 Chronicles is that it comprises little information about the kings of the northern kingdom, Israel. And the facts which it gives about the kings of Judah are mostly positive. This indicates the author/writer was interested in tracing the line of David and showing that Judah was the nation which remained faithful to the 'Covenant' between God and His people. This fact would have been encouraging to the exiles who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. They felt they were continuing the forms and traditions which set them apart as the true worshipers of God and gave them a sense of identity as "God's Covenant People."
The author/writer of the Books Of 1 and 2 Chronicles is unknown, although Ezra, the priest and scribe seems the most likely possibility. As in 1 and 2 Chronicles, the Book Of Ezra and Nehemiah were written originally as one unbroken book in the Hebrew language. And the last two verses of 2 Chronicles are repeated in the first three verses of the Book Of Ezra, probably indicating they went together in the original version.
The Books Of 1 and 2 Chronicles cover several centuries of the history of 'God's Covenant People' from the founders of the nation until the end of their captivity in Babylon and Persia about 538 B.C. But the books were written with a specific purpose in mind - to give 'comfort and hope' to those who returned to Jerusalem.
The Books Of 1 and 2 Chronicles tie the entire sweep of the Old Testament together into one great affirmation of hope. These books should not only be read as histories, but for their insights into how God has kept faith with His Covenant People across the centuries. By selecting events that show how God has kept His promises, the author/writer presents a beautiful doctrine of hope that begins with Adam - 1 Chr. 1:1 - and stretches to the end of the Captivity of God's people thousands of years later - 2 Chr. 36:22-23 -
The clear implication for Christians today is that He is still a God of hope whose ultimate purpose will prevail in the world and in lives of His people.
How rich are the depths of God - how deep his wisdom and knowledge - and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen. - Rom. 11:33-36 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
The author/writer of 1 and 2 Chronicles apparently wrote his history to encourage the exiles who had returned to Jerusalem after more than 50 years of captivity in Babylon. In fact, this selective history reminded them of Israel's glorious days from the past and gave them 'Hope' for the future as they pondered God's promises to "His Covenant People."
The Books Of 1 and 2 Chronicles were written originally as one unbroken book. In later translations of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible, however, this ling narrative was divided into two shorter books. Each of these books falls naturally into two major divisions.
For instance, the nine chapters of 1 Chronicles contain long genealogies, or family histories, that are composed of information from the earliest historical books of the Sacred Scripture/Holy Bible. These genealogies take every reader from the descendants of Adam up through the ancestors of king David.
Apparently, special attention is given to the families of ordained priests and Levites. - chapter 6; 9:1-34 - Israel's first king Saul's family, and particularly to the family of David. - chapter 2 to 3 - The second major section of the book ( chapters 10 to 29 ) focuses on the reign of king David. This long account begin with the death of Saul - chapter 10 - omitting the historical facts that preceded this event. Saul's death is reported to establish the fact that he was unqualified for office and that David was God's choice for this responsibility.
Saul died because he had shown himself unfaithful to Yahweh: he had not kept the word of Yahweh; he had even questioned and consulted a necromancer. He had not consulted Yahweh, who therefore put him to death and transferred the monarch to David son of Jesse. - 1 Chr. 10:13-14 -
The account of David's reign is presented in a positive light, with all the details about David's great sin omitted. First Chronicles also lists the names of all those associated with him as mighty men - chapters 11 to 12 - and records his great victories. - chapters 14, 18 to 20 - This section of the book also lists the names of the Levites, priests, and musicians in David's administration - chapters 23 to 26 - as well as other state officials. - chapter 27 - King David's work is included, in establishing Jerusalem as his capital city and as the center of worship. - 11:4-9, chapters 13,15,16,22,28,29 -
The Book Of 2 Chronicles also contains two major sections. Chapters 1 to 9 focus on the rule of king Solomon, whose greatest accomplishment was the building of the 'Temple' in Jerusalem and included is correspondence between Solomon and Hiram, king of Tyre, about building materials - chapter 2 - as well as a full account of the dedication service when the Temple was completed. - chapters 5 to 7 -
The second major section chapters 10 to 36 is a highly selective account of the kings of Judah - from Rehoboam - chapters 10 to 12 - until the time of the 'Captivity' - chapter 36 - Kings given prominence in this narrative include Abijah - chapter 13 - Asa - chapters 14 to 16 - Jehoshaphat - chapters 17 to 20 - Joash - chapters 23 to 24 - Amaziah - chapter 25 - Uzziah or Azariah - chapter 26 - Hezekiah - chapters 29 to 32 - and Josiah - chapters 34 to 35 - The book ends with the proclamation of king Cyrus of Persia allowing the return of the Jews to rebuild their Temple in Jerusalem. - 36:22-23 -
On particularly interesting fact about the Book Of 2 Chronicles is that it comprises little information about the kings of the northern kingdom, Israel. And the facts which it gives about the kings of Judah are mostly positive. This indicates the author/writer was interested in tracing the line of David and showing that Judah was the nation which remained faithful to the 'Covenant' between God and His people. This fact would have been encouraging to the exiles who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple. They felt they were continuing the forms and traditions which set them apart as the true worshipers of God and gave them a sense of identity as "God's Covenant People."
The author/writer of the Books Of 1 and 2 Chronicles is unknown, although Ezra, the priest and scribe seems the most likely possibility. As in 1 and 2 Chronicles, the Book Of Ezra and Nehemiah were written originally as one unbroken book in the Hebrew language. And the last two verses of 2 Chronicles are repeated in the first three verses of the Book Of Ezra, probably indicating they went together in the original version.
The Books Of 1 and 2 Chronicles cover several centuries of the history of 'God's Covenant People' from the founders of the nation until the end of their captivity in Babylon and Persia about 538 B.C. But the books were written with a specific purpose in mind - to give 'comfort and hope' to those who returned to Jerusalem.
The Books Of 1 and 2 Chronicles tie the entire sweep of the Old Testament together into one great affirmation of hope. These books should not only be read as histories, but for their insights into how God has kept faith with His Covenant People across the centuries. By selecting events that show how God has kept His promises, the author/writer presents a beautiful doctrine of hope that begins with Adam - 1 Chr. 1:1 - and stretches to the end of the Captivity of God's people thousands of years later - 2 Chr. 36:22-23 -
The clear implication for Christians today is that He is still a God of hope whose ultimate purpose will prevail in the world and in lives of His people.
How rich are the depths of God - how deep his wisdom and knowledge - and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen. - Rom. 11:33-36 -
Page 1
Faith . Hope . Love - Welcome donation. Thank You. God bless.
By bank transfer/cheque deposit:
Name: Alex Chan Kok Wah
Bank: Public Bank Berhad account no: 4076577113
Country: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
I have through years of reading, pondering, reflecting and contemplating, the 3 things that last; FAITH . HOPE . LOVE and I would like to made available my sharing from the many thinkers, authors, scholars and theologians whose ideas and thoughts I have borrowed. God be with them always. Amen!
I STILL HAVE MANY THINGS TO SAY TO YOU BUT THEY WOULD BE TOO MUCH FOR YOU NOW. BUT WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL LEAD YOU TO THE COMPLETE TRUTH, SINCE HE WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AS FROM HIMSELF, BUT WILL SAY ONLY WHAT HE HAS LEARNT; AND HE WILL TELL YOU OF THE THINGS TO COME.
HE WILL GLORIFY ME, SINCE ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS IS MINE; THAT IS WHY I SAID: ALL HE TELLS YOU WILL BE TAKEN FROM WHAT IS MINE. - JOHN 16:12-15 -
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