Diffusion of Christianity Together With Globalization

           
Considered as the last paper to submit for the church history class, however, i still believed that the 

journey in discovering the truth behind Christianity still goes on. As much as i know, many people tend to 

stop only in reading what every history book offer. It does not end that way, it must also consider the 

present or modern generation of history. Christianity revolve around the past, but still affect the present 

perfection. Lots of people argue whether it was a bad or a good decision that ancient people (Christianity).

 It started in Jerusalem and Israel but along the road it happened to spread around the world until it 

settled in the Philippines. At start Filipino people were into religions, animist and some part was influenced 

with Islamic principles. When Christianity happened to be brought by the Spaniards and Americans, it was 

easy for them to colonized our land through religious actions. In my early days i was convinced enough 

that Magellan came into our country for us to be their slave, but i learned new truth today. The king of 

Spain sent him to Christianize other country, that the main purpose of his expedition. However, it was the 

character of Magellan that made his purpose vanished and substituted with earthly desires---colonized a 

country including its own residents and wealth. 

When America send missionaries to the Philippines Christians were so eager to spread the Word 

of God to all the people. Baptist, Methodists, and other denominations were present in the old days. And 

many Filipinos was converted and found the truth in Christ. Baptist Conference of the Philippines together 

with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines joined together to have an organized and united churches 

in all areas. Do all churches around the country was united. I don’t really think they had. Interdenomination 

was an approach given to all as a pleasing voices, but then there  is really a great disunity inside. Why is it 

that some leaders condemn or destroyed other leaders integrity and standing. We aimed for a unity that 

was based mainly in the Scripture, what happened.

 There is always an advantage and disadvantage in every organizations, i mean strength and 

weakness. One thing i learned from the unity of UCCP is that they got this very strong and applicable aim, 

but in some area, anti--denomination was held. It was not the organization that had the problem, but to 

those personnel involve inside.

 With the reality inside the country’s type of Christianity, i was able to evaluate our church, 

congregation and the leaders we had. I was encourage to determine and evaluate the goals, missions, 

philosophies, as well the integrity of all personnel including myself. If God will allow me to really founded a 

certain organization, i will use all the evaluations i had with this past church history of Christianity in the 

country, both local and foreign. I will be a great revivalist in the church someday and i will really put some 

things in a right way.

Studying history made us conscious with the past and help us to have a better understanding of the present. In this reality phrase, i was reminded and encourage enough to spend time more in reading church 

history books. Its  more fun when we find interest in unlocking history that  some thoughts could withstand in 

the present. As of now i will invest in buying some books about history or other resources that talks about 

truths and other important modern knowledge. Its graduation time but education and learning does not end it yet, the journey still on the way. 

New Age Of Christianity In Modern Reality

            A great day ahead of me, I was so excited to have the retreat with the batches I had. However, I still need to do my part in paying attention to the lessons given in history class. Another three person I met and learned from them. Billy Graham, Charles Spurgeon, and David Livingstone influenced and contributed to what Christianity of today was. It was a boy named Billy that desired to be a great preacher, and that he practiced preaching and speaking with alligators, birds and trees in the jungle. With great desire that the gospel will be preached in the world, he was now known to be the founder of what we so called as, Billy Graham Evangelistic Crusade. I admire in his stand saying, “Only following Christ we can have true peace”. He was driven with his inner inspiration to attain great education and experiences that help him in his ministry. No matter how hard was to conduct and speak with so many people, however, he was eager to really put in every attendees hearts the message of the gospel of Christ.
         David Livingstone—I knew him with a retreat center named after him. However, so much lesson I failed to gain. He was in another field of missions, in an adventure and exploration to South Africa. He was the first to discover the Victoria Falls and medical missions in Africa. From his life, he insists that to serve God does not mean we need to be a pastor or as a minister graduated, in fact whatever degree and courses we are into, God will used it for his kingdom. It was his medical experiences, theology, botanist education that help him survive in the wilderness and challenges in Africa. He advocated anti-slavery in Africa and was approved only after his death. He inspires other through this quote from him, “I am prepared to go anywhere provided it be forward”. Known as the “Man of Peace”.
               Lastly is Charles Spurgeon, I only hear his name from my professors, but I now digging deeper in his life. He was considered as the “Prince of Preachers”, despite his status with no formal education, his desire and passion for His world elevated. Among all preachers, his 3600 sermons was popular to the world. Exposition and commentaries was his life contributions in the present generations. One thing I admired to him was that his excellent sermons although he had no formal education. He only read more often the Puritan’s Doctrine, Natural History, and Latin and Victorian Literature. When he preached, no one would find it boring but of great attentiveness and listening him convert many people. He was popular also with “A Gospel Tract” and a charity organization. 
               I was moved by Billy Graham with his inner desire to preach the Word. I cannot even see myself doing it, i lacked time and confidence to domit. For all of them they seem to show the importance of an inner motivation in doing ministry. People could no longer see Graham when his dead, but with all of his contribution and role in Christianity, he will be remembered. Character and integrity are two important aspect that all believers must be taken seriously. Like David, he pursue education for him to be use in the ministry at present. I was inspired and encourage by them that it was not a waste of time to have a degree or career in different areas, because God used it in a specific purposes. Some would say that to become a minister they have to enroll in a seminary, or even a seminary background, however, i was taught by them that it is our desire enligned with the will of God that we will be effective in the ministry. No matter how we are smart enough in seminary without great passion, against a person who is willing to sacrifice everything only for his faith and commitment in the mission God entrusted to him. 
              Therefore, i am not a perfect person as to be. I cannot acquire all learnings here on earth, but i will do my best in equipping myself in the Word of God, reading reasources, pursuing higher education, and even involving myself in the field. I have to start a legacy of great commitment and faithfulness in God. I may met a lot of people who would oppose my own worldviews, yet i will do right things in a right manner. Like Graham, i will exercise myself in what specific area i was into--teaching, preaching, arts, and even decernment. I planned in the future that i will gather or founded a certain organization or cooperative comprises of many kinds of people in the community. I will led them to Christ and guide them with the principle in the Bible.when thhis happened, economics, politics, ethics, and socialization will be put value. This could be my own plan, but i will give it to God whom the final decision will be made. 
                 Like this people, they were used by God with their own background, and experties. And infact, God will also use as according to the gift we have, we only need to develop and discover what it is. 

                
              

Making Names Around The Alphabets

There are lots of people named George; however, there was this great George Whitefield that contributes in the history of the Church. He was then interested in theater that uses Bible stories and sermons. Being a wealthy person in a well- known family does not serves as a hindrance not to have the interest for evangelism. From a life with richness came to poverty and crisis, it was a time to be discouraged but he remained determined and focus on his goals and dreams. Like any other students, he experienced serving others like bathing other people. Due to some illness like any other historical church fathers, he was converted and known the power and love of Christ. As others or most of us are against with slavery—that should not be, he advocate slavery for legalization. In the Christian world, lots of hymns are known and this person revised one of John Wesley’s hymns, “Hark the Herald Angel Sing”. Benjamin Franklin as of known person watched and hearer and of Whitefield’s revival meeting. A man of great audible voice and emphatic rhythm which made many people turned to God. Three churches was built upon his name that serves and help ministering other believers.

            Another known person is William Carey that changed and influenced most Indians. As we all knew that this country was of great religious hindrances with their traditions and practices. However, William Carey fight and was challenged to influenced them. Thirty-four Bible translations was done through his efforts in Asian languages. Horticultural Society was founded by him. Medical helps are then pondered are seen with importance. He was considered are the Father of Modern Missions, and that his book became the Magna Carta of Missions. He was well known person in the world as well as in India. With the Christians works, the government salutes him as an outstanding individual.

            In the present generations, people are taking advantages only to the efforts taken in the past. Like me, I only sing hymns as what it is without any idea of its history. I normally get hymn book and turn to its pages. But through George Whitefield I have to get information and meditate the meaning of the song. With some provincial persons, we were taught that we need to pursue studies for in that case we can earn money and prestige. However, it not that riches we can get, but of information and learning that applied in daily living. I experienced one time during my young age that we suffer to eat food for chickens because of great crisis, however, it made us to realize great effort and persistence in studies to really know what is going on around. Although we eat chicken food, still there was contentment and joy together. I discovered that as of my young age, I had lots of dreams and visions, but it has changed as my age keep on increasing. It’s not about what I like but of the future issues. Against what George Whitefield advocated, I am against to slavery. I believed that we are all equal, and the basis of slavery here on earth was riches but God created us equally. Great contributions from William Carey, I was encouraged by him to do more in Christian works. One thing I saw both George and William was their great passion and commitment to their vision and mission in life.

            From George’s conversion to faith, his illness helps him to have it. I myself did not have the same thing; I was having great doubts, fear, and of heart seeking the truth that made me come into faith. So much of decision and thinking God still done the right things I my life.

            Starting today I have to really meditate and have a background of the song I have to sing. The message is more important rather than on the kind of genre and the way it was sing. Spending much time in Christian works like making sermons, compiling doctrines and of making tracts could be the best application of this. I will be an advocate of anti-slavery for I have to fight equal right of man. Corruption and abused is lessen if there’s much love and fear of God, so I have to really do best in speaking, and teaching about it. Freedom of information is a great help which I believed applicable to Philippines today. Not only to secular but also to religious sectors in the society.  Strong leadership is needed and I have to start it in myself.

            This two person are some of great persons in the past, while we are to be like them if we are concern and of great affection to other people. We can do it!

Opposition Inside The Opposition: Calvinism Against Arminianism

     I really feel not good in this time, endurance keeps me fighting. However, I have a good time listening and understanding some persons in history. Two important person were introduced and I learned a lot from them. Jacobus Arminius at the start was unfamiliar to me because of his complete name, but then it was the person I known before for Arminianism. Some of my philosophies and beliefs were influenced by him. He then believed that Christ died for all men. For him God is tyrant and executioner. From his educational background he was surrounded with Calvinist teachers and that he remains faithful and does things which he considered right. All along was that his opposed what Calvinists claimed.

        Another person was Jonathan Edward, a revivalist and a protestant theologian. A familiar person related to the third Vice president of US named Aaron Burr. So many protestant missionaries were rooted under him. He was popular and intellectually gifted because of his parents influence and nurtured. His family really shaped his character and gifts. Like me I am interested with sciences. Instead of doing some things, prefer to do experimentations and observations. No wonder, his observations proved that great power and masterpiece of God. He was an organized kind of person that all things are labelled including his note books at school. Going to forests and some quiet places was his hobby in worshiping God, it was then not true to me.

        If I would compare myself to them, there were similarities and differences we had in common. For Jacobus, some doctrinal beliefs we shared the same and with Jonathan with my interest in sciences. I was then taught with virtues and characters. At some point when it comes to my hobbies, I learned and prefer to work in a crowded or noisy place. When Arminius compiled beliefs against Calvinism, I was then come at some point that I was able to compromise and does not stand in the truth. Spiritual growth and even morality understanding fights until the end. I made some mistakes in my life that ruined and leave a lesson for me to take in the journey. However, it still give part in molding and seeing the reality of life. Like what I had written about Jacobus he was surrounded with lot of teachers that was against his beliefs. It was also then true to me, I attended high school and being a new convert in Christ, traditions and other festivities I considered unnecessary. It caused me a lot of troubles and hardships while studying. What had happened was that communications and relationships with my teachers made them respect and treated me as one of them. it came up that I believed they respected me more than others.

         I am so proud to have my parents at some point, they were not perfect but they had contributed to my growth in physical, mental, social, spiritual, and moral aspects of my life. Like Edward he was trained and nurtured by his parents. I see some failures of my parents that makes me a failure today. i believed it was then drived by the existing kind of community during that time. philosophies and beliefs we had disagreements, since i became a Christian. Some family traditions and practices that they inherited in their parents wanted to be passed unto me, but it was against the law of God. I was just so glad that they too became Christian in action and mind. I observe myself that sometimes i am a loner person, i also make organizations in my room and home but not that the same of Edward.

        Through  this insights, i can do change by spending more time in worshiping God in a quiet place having meditation and scripture studies in a place where i can concentrate and spend more time with Him. I prefer to be in the province where there are lots of places where suites for meditation. Even though my family failed at some point, i can correct and made a difference in having relationship with young ones acting as their parent. Of course it not that easy, but then many encourage me to really ponder in planning and praying for my future family, but then i don't want to have it. Well if only i can't discipline my own self I can't do too to them. So why should I? But if God wills it to be, then let it be. To graduate in a seminary school, it does not guaranteed my maturity, in fact i have to still spend time in reading some resources and understand some doctrinal issues. If others does great, there's no reason why God does not allow me to be. 
          No matter what kind of surrounding we are into, we still have to pursue what the truth was. Compromising is not the good idea, what matters most was the truth.

Seven Fold Of Reformation: Knowledge Of All The Age

Six different people in the past, their life and contribution puts significance in compiling history. I learned that it was Wycliffe who translated the Bible into an English language and Luther into a German language. From their time during seventeenth century, Roman Catholic Church finds opposition from its followers and people who really studied the Scripture. Among all the church fathers, they find abuses and unscriptural doctrines that popes and priests proposed. It was a concern of religion and its practices against the truth which the Scripture revealed. They also talked about the salvation and its means. For some are convinced with infant baptism while others are not, only with believers baptism. In ancient history of education, women finds it hard to participate in the learning activities because of gender superiority. However, most men was given freedom to acquire learning and knowledge in different schools and in different philosophies. I also learned that the power and position every king, pope, as well as priest influence all of its constituents. Martin Luther was popularly known as a reformer, however, he does not want revolution but reformation only. What had happened was that people who idolized and accept his philosophies made an action—to have a revolution that would kill and caused great devastation in the empire and society. I was amazed how these people in the past attained great education in variety of courses. Indeed they were influential until today.

From John Calvin’s life, he was the one who introduces having church boards or representatives. Most European really are passionate in knowledge and that was then pass and influence in other neighboring countries. We don’t know much about the reformation, and we only knew some of its contributor like Luther but there’s a lot whom we don’t recognized. I also discovered that in the past plagues are spreading that kills most of the people before. How could that be done? The existing printing press helps on reproducing some of literary works of some philosophers. I just want to ask, what if its existence does not happened? Piety and of great devotion to God characterized in all of this persons reported, they differ with their methods and actions on imposing their beliefs. Other finds it easy in bloody while others were not. What had happened also was that their readers and followers are the one who finds it more destructive and abused not with their founders. Also all of them study and allotted time for their arguments and beliefs, and yet I would say they are victorious with what they attained—influence and contributions.

Again and again this persons reminds me the importance of education in a person’s life, not to boast his achievement but to really gain the knowledge of truth and wisdom. It doesn’t matter what course we are into, the real thing is the compassion, commitment, and determination for it. I don’t know how my life goes in the future, I don’t know what will happen next. Sometimes I consider schooling as a time waster before because it consumes a lot of time and efforts before victory happens. All along I wanted just to spend my time in the field where I can plant some rice and feed some animals. With my parent’s educational backgrounds, they inspires me not to follow their footsteps, but to strive hard and pursue studies. Craving for money and of a wealthy living was my great dream before because of the existing family situations. When I was in high school lots of opportunities to continue my studies in a prestigious universities, but then I found God that supported me all along. I may not be in those universities but I was trained and guided in an institution full of great respect and love of well-being. I dreamed a lot of things when I was young, but as time goes on it all failed and I was into the future dreams which I hoped for. Like any other people and teenagers, I feel no to be bothered with the deceptions of heart, all along I was touched and enlightened by God. I wanted reformation in the family, church, school, as well as in myself. But how could I do it with lots of considerations and factors to be taken? All I need is wisdom and knowledge from God. I cannot do things by my own, I need Him to be in all of my decisions.

Some people believed that knowledge can only be attained by enrolling to some courses in universities, but I tell you the Scripture is the knowledge and truth that God wanted all man to attain for his own benefits. Therefore I need to focus in reading and meditating His word for me to gain wisdom and knowledge. From this point of time I have to really do my best in all of my activities and focus in applying all the learning and lessons in my life. I don’t want to read, but I want to see pictures where I can recognized easily. In fact I need to spend time reading books and other educational materials for me to be used to the knowledge of this world and the knowledge that God had given. I may not absorbed all of those things but I have to as a discipline of my own self. I am about to graduate, and it is the most crucial part of my life whether what’s after next. I must consider to live a life of contentment not with great abundance. I will offer everything to God that every corner and happenings would embrace His lordship and power above all things.  

A Wild Boar In The Backyard: Literacy Vs. Illiteracy

In three consecutive reports for some important persons in Church history, all I know was that many noble sons and poor family are used by God for His glory. In the history of doctrinal synthesis, our early fathers merely do more effort in synchronizing and compiling different doctrines. Lots of sermons and commentaries were spread around the continent that helps bringing many believers in the Church. During the ancient times, ascetic life is prominent among the settlers. Like John Chrysostom although he was a son of a noble man, still finds his way in following God. When he wrote six-hundred sermons, I can’t imagine myself writing. Indeed he is a man of great compassion of writing and speaking. From the Roman Catholics teachings of perpetual virginity of Mary, it was St Jerome that made this proposition in the past. Despite his unaccepted proposition for the evangelicals, he still contributes some of his works: Vulgate Bible, Chronicon, and the Deviris Illustribus. Augustine’s life also teaches us the sins in the past were used by God as part of his testimony among other believers. From immorality to eternity. With these persons involve, I thought church fathers before was then brought to Christianity because of a Christian family, but I was wrong because some of their parents were pagans and are against in their beliefs. Augustine is the product and disciple of St. Ambrose, therefore philosophy of that time really put great impact on the society and neighbouring countries. With all this positive and negative contributions, we are still privilege to use and study their works in the present generations.
           When we speak of insights, I will focus on the area of education and philosophy. From the start, I started schooling in a poor province where learning is limited. I was blessed to have a well rounded family although they are not perfect, but then they taught me have fear unto God. At some point I had lots of disappointments in terms of a province students and a city one. I came from a rural area that not all teachers are doing their job as to teach. I really admire ancient teachers for they really put value in teaching that the society are depending on what kind of students they can produced. Back then in school, I find it hard to write and on grammar skills, what made me interested in school is about arts and of the friends I wanted to have. Those moments I was wrong because those basic skills I failed to catch up are the ones I needed most in the future. How could ancient people arrive to have a willingness in studying, why do they pursue more of it? But in our generation including me finds it useless to pursue studies? All along and what I believed before was that I am contented with what my parents have and believed. I was definitely wrong, knowledge was offered and I reject it in an instance. I really find Chrysostom as a persevering person in the past because of his great number of writings that I could no longer copied.So much about themselves, i really find myself failed to acquire valuable things i really needed in the future.
          Basic steps i could have with those insights i wrote in the second paragraphs. Education is life for what we knew determine how we act and live our lives. I already pass elementary and high school years, but it is not the end for me to really valued knowledge everyday. I have to really pay attention to what my teacher teaches in the class, and evaluate it as on what possible application i could have. I also had the opportunity to teach some students in elementary and others, to inspire them in pursuing studies and not making it as a punishment for they can benefit it in return--sooner. Every day i was surrounded with lots of knowledge and ideas and i have to take it possibly as i can. I need to put interest in making diaries, journals, and writing all the things that i learned everyday. Ever since i don't really find it interesting but now i find it more important. Like any of them they find peace in defending the truth and of the welfare of other people. So do i must be concerned with the truth that i have to defend and stand to it.   

All Along It Was A Lie: Popes Diminishing Authority

 Why did God allow so much interruption in every believers journey? Is there any instances that God failed to response man's activities? The answer is that God purposed everything and we cannot question His plan for he alone understand it. In this session it talked about the power of papacy in the Church. In the past, pope really gained prestige and authority among its citizens. When the great king of England was over powered by the popes, I cannot imagine how it was done when the state and the church had verdict of separation. So much knowledge about the pope and its strategic organization within the church. I thought they are all agent of change and as of respected people, that what I learned in the past. Are we really subjected to obey and respect the popes? They are not God, we are not capable in giving them judgment but we can respect and obey them based on the truth. They are just human being like us claiming authority among others which was against on what the Bible told. However, let us not stereotype everything about the pope, some are living in the truth. 

In the video, I learned that barbarians and other groups merely helps the raging troubles in the state and in the religious aspects. As i evaluate myself i found out that i still under my wrong perceptions of authority. All i know was that popes are really in the good side. Before i was converted into Christianity, i tend to worship and idolized popes or even priests because of their great faithfulness and loyalty to their calling. I failed study how they gained those positions and privileges. Despite by past of being an unbeliever, i still doubt and does not agree giving money for the popes in Vatican. Asking questions is what i had done, but my parents don’t have the answers that i wanted. I was introduced to study about priest and i keep on wearing clothes like them. In fact, my motive was to be like them on how they are devoted in following and rendering their lives only to God. I still don’t know how to gain full attention of my relatives being an active follower of the Vatican propaganda. St. Ambrose of Milan were introduced to me and i can relate how he was living when he was still young. I wanted to be a good preacher or even a speaker where i can put information and truth in my speeches. 

Above statements were broad enough to consider let us take it specifically. To be a good preacher is not an acquired characteristic but of learnable and can be developed. I need to read and make writing, speaking and analyzing an article as a hobby. Popes are just human subjected to lies and error, we can respect them as part of God’s creation but we don’t have to give our worship and of our loyalty to them as God’s ambassador. I do not hated much about pope, only to some instances i feel down about them. I don’t need to gain any position in order to be faithful to God, all i need is to let God living inside me and as my Master. We too are not excuse to be deceived, we need to really read and meditate the Word of God for us to be corrected, be informed, and be nurtured by the truth it offered. It is our task to really do our job not to take it as usual but taking it seriously to minister other religious leaders. I find myself having joy in making some illustration on how the truth was coped up, yet it could be a good state to introduced the Bible. We are not to condemn the popes and other religious leaders who finds its pleasure to deceive other people. We need to pray for them to be unblind and render their service to God alone.