Christianity Stands Up For The Worldwide Diffusion

     “In every man's success, there is a woman behind”, this was the main thoughts of a one week lessons. Another piece of history was uncovered to me, from that point I myself learned and get some important ideas to consider. From the life of Justinian, his wife was then a big help and plays an important role in spreading Christianity. All over the history, when Rome was intruded with barbarians and strangers. From Rome strategic empire and great power, they were not that easy to be defeated. From their walls that protect them from their enemies, they were attached mainly outside that those Barbarians ambushed and control the supply of water, food, industries, and economy throughout the empire. As a result, citizens became more in crises as Christianity was still on their agenda. What happened is that they lose not of swords but because of their weak body. I learned that from history, men are subjected to be resourceful and was gifted with intellect that could be used for good or bad. Depending on their situations. When Rome fell in the hands of the Barbarians, I concluded that an empire's success does not determine its future destination. We can see Rome as a powerful empire but then when the Supreme Being interceded in man, His plans always prevail.

Let us take part evaluating my spirituality. Before, I take my conversion just a benefit I gained. It’s just an identity from a certain paper. I only acted what I feel and my comrades wanted me to be. However, deep inside there is no conversion happened. I was then really converted when I read the Scripture, facing and living the truth in hand. I learned that it’s not only an identity, but a responsibility with accountability. I have to fight and stand for it. I feared a lot of things before I was really converted. I don’t feel to read the Scripture nor participated in any Bible studies. I don’t know why I behave like that. In other ways it means that its not yet the right time where God wanted me to know the truth. With everything in mind, money, career, and worldly desires are things that occupied my mind. Changed happened when time came to open my eyes for His word. I was really wandering that God changed me. From the very beginning, we had an argument with my father to what career i wanted to accomplished. And now on a candidate for graduation in a Bible School. There is an intended time for everything. Change is the only constant in this world. 

A new creation and with new perspective in life, that was me in the present. With those changes I experienced, i can make it more productively in a specific activities. I got an identity and responsibility as an agent of change for other people, therefore, i need and i must invest time building rapport and relationships with others as the Gospel would penetrate these social communication. In the area of kids ministry, I have to take time in showing and introducing Christ to them. I may not do this alone but with God in our lives all are possible to happen. Bible studies are encouraged that stating from my family, relatives, and neighbors I have the opportunity to involve and gained their interests. 
From a changed perspective about the world, I have to stand within the truth that others could see what was the truth really. I may have lots of priorities but it will never serves as a hindrance not to participate in informing others about Christ. With the presence of other ministers, I could have partnership with them through camps, retreats, seminars, and others. 

The Rise Of False Teaching Amidst Christian Crises

Suiting in the room with breeze, another session for church history. Sitting at the right place, I was able to absorb new lessons which I haven’t gained before. There are lots of information given but then new things arises. For one week I learned that Christian doctrines, principles, and analization was then gathered and talked in the past with different councils. In every council made, certain issues were tried to be solved. So much for that, some existing false teachings like New Age was an adaptation for the past heretical teachings (Gnosticism). One Scripture but lots of interpretation and perspective depending on how it relates a person. There are lots of people who are trying to understand the Bible intellectually, but as they keep on going, increasing personal interpretation was done without and far from the true theme of the author—God. Originality and essence of the Scripture’s message was corrupted by man in trying to comprehend it. But then, apologists and other early Christian fathers help in compiling the truth. I was amazed to be known of Augustine’s life, I didn’t know that he was then a maniac. Therefore, from time to time history was revealed. I also learned that monasticism plays important part of history. Anthony of Egypt founded the unity of monks in a community which was in the present known to be a monastery. History offers us many aspects of civilization that indeed religion and beliefs arises. What was then we are proud and thankful is that we are in the new age that generation of revival and sincerity of faith.

I was really slapped by the reality that a person cannot live by his own, we need someone or others for us to refer our interpretations and ideas whether we are in the truth or not. I had so many personal assumptions that I rely on, which in fact it should not be. Such that I presumed to have a better understanding on some issues which I discovered on my own, without knowing others have a better idea for it. I admit I used to be critical negatively to others. I thought that all doctrines and principle really came up compiled to a specific man. I then realized it came over a long period of time to have these compilation. From all along, I am wrong behaving like “advantage-taker”, because of the contribution of early Christians in the present. The world is not evolving but adapting to what was present in every civilization. All the issues in the past is always possible for us to be taken in the present with different context, name, and approach.

Specifically, I can do change my behavior and principles, but on what specific steps? I will seek partners and look for others suggestions. This could give me the best and well evaluated solution. I will also recognize others work that appreciation and positive compliments could be made. Encourage and build up others with words of affirmation. Although it’s hard for me to do this, but I have to because I need to. As an agent of the kingdom I will take time in compiling interpretations and doctrines based on the Scripture. I will include all minor and major doctrinal issues with the context of Pilipino people. In relation to all worldviews, I will do my best in participating or studying about other religions, for me to have the lessons and information to be shared with others (congregations).  I will not claim any interpretations exhortations to be my own or t be the first to uncover its message, thus, all along all are revealed in the past. As the summary of all thoughts, I will really take time in reading and meditating the Scriptures for it will guide and lead me to the truth. 

Theatrical Moment of the Roman Empire: Constantine’s Uprising Leadership

 “A day when all had begun”, this could be the language I had during the session of Church history class. I wonder how I was caught up with the lesson. Commonly, lots of student would have a hard time participating and listening in a history class. However, this could not be true this time, because I don’t feel it or struggling to it. Studying how Christianity was spread throughout the world with the image and works of prominent personnel were interesting and overwhelming. Every book page I read, it gave me bits and pieces of information that was needed in completing the whole puzzle of Christianity’s history.

Every information I gathered gave me lessons and insights for daily life. I learned that Constantine contributed to the Christian’s growth and progress through the Edict of Milan in 313. It is here where toleration or “permission to practice” for all religions exist. Christians were privileged to have early apologists where specific issues concerning Christian beliefs and teachings were talked and answered in the past. Those compiled defenses were important evidences and resources for our generation today. Although early Christians were persecuted, the persecution itself gave positive influence to the growing Christianity. As long as Roman soldiers continue in killing and torturing believers of Christ, they failed to identify and recognize its publicity for all. Those bloods that shed serves as seeds of the church. It also affected and resulted to the canonization of Scriptures. The life of Constantine had so many issues; one of it was concerning his identity of becoming a Christian emperor. One thing for sure was that it was God who sees his heart whether he was a genuine believer or not. It was God who allows Constantine’s leadership to be part in Christianity’s history. I saw some compromising moments when he was entitled as a Christian emperor, knowing that he was up to politics not religion. The bottom line is that God permits evil people to go against evil nations bringing what God wanted to happen. 

After a week of discussion, the life of Constantine strikes me once for a while. Before, I thought that righteous people were the one responsible in making changes for the evil ones. I was wrong, and rebuked, God also used wicked people to bring goodness and salvation for others. I do believe that Christians should influenced leaders and other ruling individuals. It does not mean that Christian community is neither anti-social nor an organization against the state. We can make a difference by declaring our voice to others as to what should be done. I was once convinced that we should not be in a political positions, however, that should not be. I refused at once the opportunity to be an SK –Sangguniang Kabataan before. I now, realized that it is an important act that there should be Christians in the government offices. We should not block those believers who would have an opportunity to lead us through government agencies.

Christians are not against politics, only the system and programs it matters. As part of the new generation I have to participate in the community development program. This can be done through volunteering in the clean and green activities. If opportunity comes, to be a Barangay captain would be great. Election is fast approaching; I can fulfill all the learning I had by organizing a seminar or a sermon intended on choosing leaders. I have to put and register to all my contacts both children, youth, and adults that it is not about money but what a person may be capable of doing or his visions for the community. I have to encourage others that participating in the politics is good; however, motives and philosophies of life should remain as it is. Temptations are always present in politics that mentor, exhortations, and communication (God) are primary attitudes to have. Unlike Constantine’s strategy—compromising and taking advantage to others, this must not be leaders’ motivation. Make a difference in a corrupt surroundings.

I would mainly focus on the life of Constantine to conclude this article. From his experience, we Christians are just an instrument where God wants us to follow what He wanted. No matter how bad and wicked we perceive to other people, yet it is God who ordered us to reach him—then we have to. God’s work can never be meaningless or useless, in the proceeding situations and events we would know what he is planning. We are bounded with leaders who lead us with laws, programs, activities, business, reforms, as well as beneficial livelihoods; as a person, who knows and believed Christ, we really need to influence and contribute on those works, we are not indifferent that whatever happened in our surroundings we don’t care. We are always be affected on what our leaders decided. “Christian disciplines are always be in hiring to what politics demanded”. Our country needs leaders who will really up to the benefits of its citizens and act according to what is right—and I believe from Constantine’s life, true and genuine Christians are always be qualified for those position.

            

A New Day of Learning: History Unleashed

         Inside   a Church history class, there was a fire that started to spread in me. It’s been a while that I dreamt to be in a Church History class, and finally it came in a sudden. It is important to study and give time in understanding and studying the history of Christianity. It will give us the past presentation on how God works and interfere the life of humanity. Several things that every believer must have known—events in the past that helps us to avoid the traps in the present. I am a young believer in a way that I didn't grasp the whole story of Christianity at first as I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. Because of the classes I had this week I learned new things and new information that was expected to be known by me several years ago. I learned that Church fathers like Ignatius and Polycarp was a prominent and important individuals in the Christianity's history who risk their life and sacrifice everything as on what they are believing for. New things I learned, in fact, both Ignatius and Polycarp was a student of John the Apostle. Significant persons was introduced to me, like Trajan an emperor who ruled during their time. He plays important role in the suffering and spreading of the gospel throughout the Roman citizens. To grasp the idea, this week was meant to give me understanding about Christianity's history from time to time.

         Upon living in a community of Bible students and unbelievers outside, it is important to evaluate our own self. Before, all that I know was that I am a Christian—having Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and that ministers were free to bring souls to God. With that principle and insight in mind, I thought that to be a Christian was so easy. I failed to realize that many people died and suffered for what I am now believing only to spread and made me known for it. I realized that I have to be thankful and proud to what they had done. Not only as Christ died for me, but of individuals that sacrifice their life for it. Many years I was blinded by ignorance, but as of now, from time to time, I have to exert effort in knowing what the history promotes. “From a passive believer to an active believer”, in the area of mentality I need to prepare myself from the battle of faith soon I have to encounter. Lots of time wasted for unnecessary activities, I need to invest time in really knowing my identity as a Christian. Through Ignatius and Polycarp's life I was rebuked and reminded that it is important for a person to really have passion and courage to take risk in proclaiming righteousness and truth to others. As others brought us back to God, as a new convert, we need to do it also. Accepting our new identity in Christ Jesus was accompanied with accountability—ensuring others to hear and make decisions for eternity.

            “From passive to active”, I can accomplish it through reading more books and other resources that offer studies and information for Christianity's history. To be active in teaching other believers about history of Christian martyrs. Including topic of Church history for Bible studies and seminars. Lot of things can be done practically, as to attend some upgrade classes offering course for it, as possible stepping into the real place where the events taken. Evangelization and preaching the gospel to others is a must that every believers must take seriously. I have to start from the children I am ministering as of now towards the surrounding community and to all nation. Some would say that it is hard for me to have a dual work as a teacher and a preacher, but to have a heart for others destination this is so easy to be done. There are some instance that I lose confidence and courage to tell others about Christ, however, I have to really face that fear. What I can do was to prepare myself for any debates or argument trough investing in the Bible College and equipping Godly characters. 

         Therefore, history is important for us to consider. It is the dialogue between the past and the present where we are given hints to avoid the trap of the future. Sometimes education was not that given a high value, but at this very point of time, I could say that we need education. Reading is tiring, but if we are really putting love unto it, we could have a wide understanding on the world around us.