I do wonder whether there is a tendency to place Ethics as a last, and sometimes elective topic in various ministries and professions. My evidence is a bit anecdotal... but please bear with me. #1. I used to be a mechanical design engineer. I earned a four year degree in mechanical engineering. I took another …
Month: July 2024
Glass Half-Empty Theology
Years ago, I recall reading a statement that most philosophers are optimists. There have been exceptions--- Arthur Schopenhauer for example. In more recent years, it seems like there is a larger number of philosophers who could be seen as pessimistic--- some existentialists and some nihilists and perhaps others. Does this mean that there is a …
Gentle Responding to “Rejecters”
There are a lot of different ways to respond to those who reject us--- perhaps because of our faith, or because of our message, or because of a group we are part of... or just because. Our ministry involves training chaplains. In the Philippines, often a chaplain is seen as a religious salesman. This is …
Dumping Mission Organization “Hype”
Here is a quote from Gary Corwin, on “Mission Hype.” “The presence of too many examples to cite of exaggeration and truth shading by leaders of mission organizations has troubled me for years. The hubris evident in the predictions and pronouncements concerning the year 2000, for example, was breathtaking. We should know better and do …
Voting to Disempower— and Ministerial Powerlessness
As an American, I am sometimes asked what politicians do I like, what party to support, or who will I vote for. My response is, "What do I care, I live in the Philippines!" Sometimes, I am asked what politicians, or politics I support in the Philippines. My response is, "What do I care, I …
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One Cross-cultural Minister’s Reflections on Legacy
I have been thinking on the term "Legacy." This is a case of thinking about it without reading other people's thoughts on it--- at least not in a long time. Because of this, anything I say here is a work in progress that perhaps needs to be bounced off the minds of others who have …
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Soon to Publish— Philippine Journal of Religious Studies, Vol. 4
The "Philippine Journal of Religious Studies" has been a journal of Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary (PBTS). It came out very sporadically. Well, Volume 4 is coming out in a few days. We are also starting work on the Volume 5 (2025) journal... with the hopes of publishing before midnight on December 31, 2025. We shall …
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“Word Salad” and Statements of Faith
"Word Salad" is an unintelligible jumble of words and phrases. It is traditionally used to describe a symptom of neurological problems, such as aphasia. However, in common usage now the term can mean, "Language that obscures its meaning." As such, it is more akin to "Double Talk." Double talk, according to Merriam-Webster has two meanings: …
Hadrian Saravia. 16th century Protestant Mission Theologian
Until about 48 hours ago, I had not heard of Hadrian Saravia (1530-1612. Dates vary slightly). He was a Protestant leader who was involved, among other things, in the translation of the King James Version Bible. He was, apparently, the only non-Englishman who worked on the translation--- supporting the translation of the first third of …
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Yes… Choosing a Symbol Carefully Matters
I would like to use the example of a ministry I am involved in, to support the title of this post. Back in 2011 we founded CPSP-Philippines. CPSP (College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy) is an organization based in the United States that deals with accreditation and certification for CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) training centers, …