A friend of mine was speaking and brought the following point: "If you are facing the Red Sea today, you can be sure of this: God has put you there." In Exodus 14, God sets up the Red Sea crisis. He deliberately places his beloved people between an army and a lake. And sure enough, …
Month: August 2015
Fear and Power in Ministry, and Five Encounters
I just recently did a short talk on Folk Islam. Not the center of my expertise, but our regular speaker was not able to make it. So I tried to position the talk from an area of greater strength for me... anthropological reflection. So I showed the classic cultural triangle. "Western" Cultures are more interested …
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Categorizing Missions Theology?
This is more personal reflection than heavy theology. But where should one place Missions Theology in the Taxonomy of Theologies If one considers different types of theology, one could come up with: Biblical Theology (Theology drawn from the Bible and its context) Historical Theology (Theology as it relates to the history of the church) Philosophical …
Supra-cultural Theology and Feelings of Alienation
Many believe that there is a universal Christian theology... or a theological interpretation of the Bible that is unaffected by culture. Western theology (I am here thinking of Reformed Theology, but other Western Theologies can apply as well) typically seems to be viewed as a supra-cultural theology. Those who embrace Reformed Theology tend to think …
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God Never Fails?
I read FB and I see people put up prayer requests or praises. In either case, someone will tend to add a comment such as: --Amen! God never fails! --He never disappoints! --God is always faithful! `.Are these statements true? God is always faithful. I think it could be said to be …
Video on Social and Spiritual Ministry Integration, Part 1
<p>Looks at Christian Ministry and Missions with regard to role of spiritual and social ministries. Focus is on demonstrating the value of Holistic ministry in meeting both felt and real needs of recipients.</p>
Eating Papaya and Peeking Over God’s Shoulder
I have lived here in the Philippines for over 10 years. For more than half that time I did not like the taste of papayas. I generally avoided papayas, but when I had them I was disappointed (or confirmed in my past disappointment). One day, however, a few years ago, I had a papaya and …
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Modern Hero— Joseph Campbell Quote
Regarding the role of major religions today (or at least in 1949) "... they have become associated with the causes of the factions, as instruments of propaganda and self-congratulation. The universal triumph of the secular state has thrown all religious organizations into such a definitely secondary, and finally ineffectual, position that religious pantomime is hardly …
Less Fans, More Supporters
"To support implies to hold accountable. Otherwise, one is not a supporter, only a fan." I remember a saying from the United States. "My Country, right or wrong... My Country." I always hated hated hated that expression. With further thought it occurs to me that it really depends on what is meant. Interpretation #1: I …