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EDITORIAL
C
to s ta is to
h isia e i o e t toda is ei g i elessl polluted da ke fo es a d ele e ts that o k o t a to the light of the gospel of Jesus Ch ist. The o ld of Ch iste do is illed ith “uspe ded Pa i ulate Mate of he es a d do t i al e o that o sta tl e it i fu es. It had ee a lo g i e si e Ch isia s ha e eathed f esh ai a d elt the f ag a e of t uth. Ch isia t uth a d i tues toda a e highl o i ated. We ha e adapted ou sel es to li e i a o ld of elai e t uth. T uth eithe o side ed i al o uli ate. T uth s i t i si alue is g eatl edu ed e e elai is .
Please do t do it, it s ot ight! But h ? What s o g? This is the a t o people s u de sta di g is pe ei ed. Mo e ote , it egi s i ou ho es. “adl though, it fo s its ase i a Ch isia ho es he e hild e a e aised. Ea h o e s o e ie t u de sta di g is pe ei ed as t uth. God e plai s the o diio of His o people th ough the p ophet Je e iah: I ha e liste ed ate i el , ut the do ot sa hat is ight. No o e epe ts of his i ked ess, sa i g, What ha e I do e? Je . : . Ch isia s speak of T uth as God o igi ated hi h is e e the i e io of
a .
The uesio , What is truth? is u hi ged f o its He e o otaio of stailit o depe da ilit . No it is tu ed i to a pu el ideologi al uesio , What he e it i is good fo goal? The da ge of plu alis is ot just that e e es t uth ith falsehood, ut it o diio s us that e o lo ge k o the dife e e et ee the t o. Ha i g eje ted the gi e ess of God s e elaio , ou age see s to e d a i g this o fusio upo itself, as it e e, ith oth ha ds. I hea d a Bishop sa this du i g o e of ou ate his lasses. A si e is o e ho alls hi self a sai t a d a sai t is o e ho alls hi self a si e . But “ ai Vi eka a da said: To all a a si e is si ! You o o du t a d a io s ha e ought this upo ou. This is ou pu ish e t. Ho ite it is! Ho it pie es to the hea t Je . : .
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If a is God- atu ed, h a e the e at o iies, ga g- apes, othe fo of i ked ess that a ou ds i ou so iet ? Paul sa s i ‘o a s hapte i si ful atu e.
:
: Ik o
u de s a d e e
that othi g good li es i
e, that is,
Do e see the poi t? Whe e e e i d this ki d of plu alisi ie of eligio , a gi es the dei iio of t uth. Fo Vi eka a da, e e thi g a d e e od is God. God is i ou . Dis o e ou self . You a e that. These a e the asi te ets of Ad aii philosoph . Toda Tele isio e a gelists ha e pi ked up these o epts a d p o ide oi aio al talks that i es up a it of Ch isia eligio ith tea hi gs that a e ot Bi li al. Fo e a ple, Dis o e What s I side You! is a popula ook/DVD p odu ed Joel Ostee i ist ies that has se e al illio ie e s a d eade s o ld ide. I I dia, Ch isia a e all too ui k i i ki g the este p ea he s. P a e To e s e e uilt he e i itai g O al ‘o e ts. A U i e sit i the U“ is epli ated i I dia ith a a ii ial Ch isia olo i g sta ted ith I dia a e de oi g o passio , just e ause so e A e i a p ea he did that i the U“. As fa as I o se e a d u de sta d, i Ta il Nadu, the e a e at the o e t t o so- alled Ch isia tele isio ha els that ause o e spi itual da age to the Ta il speaki g Ch isia o u it . I do ot k o u h a out othe states. The e a e o d-pulle s, i a le- o ke s, p ospe it p opo e ts a ou di g e e he e. “o e eade s a e al ead a ge ed hat I a ii g he e. Ho da e ou speak agai st a oi ted se a ts of God? - so eo e is ute i g! The a e p ea hi g the o d of God a d people a e lessed - the lai . But hat ki d of lessi g? To k o hat su h people a e p ea hi g , o e eeds to e o e a se ious stude t of the o d of God. Besides, he/she ust e e ise spi itual git of dis e e t so as to disi guish o dife e iate t uth f o e o . The olf i sheepski o fo the o po ates i tellige t Ch isia se ula so iet that o e a d de ei e us
is hat those ust i fo o k agai ith a lie.
e i d a o g the hi-te h se i a s o ga ized , ho lai to ha e k o the A t of li i g! E e hi self/he self to all the g o i g t e ds i the st the t uth of God. The de il does ot si pl He o es to us a ed ith t uth! He is so gited
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that k o s he e the t uth a e disto ted. Did God e e sa that? is ho he egi s. Late o , he p o eeds to ask: What is good fo ou goal? He does ot a e to ask: What is good fo ou soul? No a s e : Of all those p ea he s e hea , hi h of the a o e t o thi gs do the e phasize? Ma ea s ago, e ha e had the fa ous No a Vi e t Peale ho as k o fo his Po e of Posii e Thi ki g hose ooks, adio talks a d se i a s e e e popula . He as k o fo uoi g of the Bi le e ses e te si el . Not a dis o e ed that No a Vi e t Peale as t i g to se the old i eski ith that of the e . The e a e a othe A e i a p ea he s ho a e t i kste s. ‘o e t “ hulle is o e a o g the . Toda , o e a d o e se i a s a e ei g o du ted Gu us of A e i a o igi . The see to ha e the a s e fo a s p o le s! Easte M si is at a ted A e i a s a ea s efo e. T a s e de tal Meditaio , Yoga a d a othe gu u o e e ts sill ha e thei oots i A e i a soil. Hu d eds of ults o igi ated f o A e i a a d had go e i to the o ld i o de to o upt the est of a ki d. I the s the Hipp Mo e e t aught the ate io of the o ld. Behi d e e e out-it as so e ki d of eligious thought hi h as late o o o ated to a s ste . I I dia, e ha e the Yogis, “a asis a d the gu us. Ea h has his o tea hi g, dis o e a d the a to t uth. Whethe it is east o est, su h ults al a s ou te ed the gospel. But the did it all too detl a d de eifull . E e o a d the he a hits a oadopio fo his a out. I I dia, the e a ose i g ‘eiki a d othe ui k a d athe ua of eligious editaio a d ps hologi al a
lo k i his life, the e o es a e a ta t as su h as, P a i Healk soluio s sp a g up ith a ga ipulaio .
But these people ha e stu o a d e ellious hea ts; the ha e tu ed aside a d go e a a . The do ot sa to the sel es, Let us fea the Lo d ou God. Je . :
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No i the est, the NLP Neu o Li guisi P og a e , is aki g its head a a d i di g its sho es i “outh-East Asia. I ould, ithout hesitaio all it as Day light ro ery. The see to i o po ate e e it of a aila le s ie ii esou e a d le e l le d it ith a it of ps holog ut ithout efe e e to God Hi self. Cle e l do e ai - appi g akes people elie e as if help is just a all a a . If a a i d uli ate soluio to hu a p o le s, h a t NLP ofe it to the s hools i the U“ he e gu - t oi g ultu e a ou ds? Wh i po t it to the gulli le “outh-East Asia ultu es? Wh a t the use this ta t a to the so io-e o o i p o le s i the U“? If su essful, h ot the White House t it? Behi d e e ate pt a d oi e of eligious o ps hologi al a ipulaio , lies the lu e of o e . A d those ho get t apped i to these eligious s ste s o Mi d Po e te h i ues a e the i i s of i a ial f auds. Agai , a of the s eisi eligious s ste s a e stal lea o t o thi gs: Fo the Ch ist is di i e ut ot u i ue, He is ot the o l Wa , fo the e ae a a s to i d God. This a the du p Ch ist a a f o thei s ste . The eate , thei tea hi gs ill ha e o uli ate t uth o o alit . Ate esta lishi g this p e ise, e e eligious s ste ith a plu alisi g ou d ate pts to ofe its o i te p etaio of hat is t uth.
a k-
The pe ish e ause the efused to lo e the t uth a d so e sa ed. Fo this easo God se ds the a po e ful delusio so that the ill elie e the lie, a d so that all ill e o de ed ho ha e ot elie ed the t uth ut ha e delighted i i ked ess. Thess. : A Ch isia eeds to pe so all k o a d u de sta d t uth efo e he ou te s falsehood. Ma Ch isia s do ot ha e the fou daio al le el k o ledge of the t uth of God s Wo d. The eed to e a a e of the ta t as of the de il. The de il had ought o e a d o e p ea he s i the West a d ha e p o ided the ith a s eisi gospel. Ma ea s ago, a u atu al h pe as aused he the Pu pose D i e Life ook pu li aio had hit ook-sto es i I dia. But the e as a g eat pai a d distu a e i hea t at that i e. Although othi g see ed to e a ith ‘i k a e s ii g, hea t did ot see to setle do to a ept the o te ts of the ook. I stood as a odd a out i deed! The hole o ld goes ate a g eat a , a d o e a ith o
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sig ii a e aises his litle i ge at this gia t , ust ha e ee the o e t. Whe folks e e th illed, I as puzzled! No , that sa e o d that eated a lute of e ite e t is a ge ed a out hat e t o g ith ‘i k Wa e . Paul a s Ti oth : Wat h ou life a d do t i e losel . Pe se e e i the , e ause if ou do, ou ill sa e oth ou self a d ou hea e s. Ti . : . I a hea i g of o e a d o e godl e of God i the West slo l slippi g a a to o p o isi g ith the Ne Age Mo e e t a d othe ult g oups. This is the heighte ed de epio of the de il. The e is also a hea sa / u o that Bill G aha E a gelisi Asso iaio is egi i g to e do se a d suppo t those ho a e Mo o s. I a ot authe i ate it u less I ead ate ials that a e depe da le. Ne e theless, the pi tu e is g i . The hu h i I dia has o o igi alit , although e oast a out the fa t of “t. Tho as o i g to I dia i A.D . The e essi e i o po ai g of este izaio i to ou o ship o dou t had ought i u ious o looke s a d ou gste s i to the hu h. But the a e ot ade as dis iples of Ch ist. Ma o i ue as u ious o looke s. Bei g i atu e i spi itual ate s, the a ot possess the a ilit to dife e iate t uth f o e o . Ask a uesio su h as this: Most ou g people a d Ch isia s- at-la ge ho e e sho ed a i te est eadi g the Bi le fo the sel es, e e sudde l fou d ieldi g a op of Pu pose D i e Life i thei ha ds, Wh ? What is the p i a
sou e? The Bi le o The Pu pose D i e Life?
A IT p ofessio al ho as a ii of Ch isia faith ou te ed e ith Da B o e’s Da Vi e Code that defa ed the tea hi gs of the Bi le. I si pl told he to go to the p i a sou e – the Bi le a d the to ead Da Vi e Code. “he, to so e e te t, as saisied ith a s e. Is the e o al i Gilead? Is the e o ph si ia the e? Wh the is the e o heali g fo the ou d of people? Je . : .
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As I g o old, I a lea i g fe thi gs. It see s ise to ut do o Tele isio e e e it Ch isia ! It ould e ete to edu e too a de oio als, too a spi itual ooks. ‘ead o e of the Bi le. C oss- he k ith elia le tools a aila le su h as o e ta ies. Whe o e s spi it is dull, it is ad isa le to ead issio a iog aphies. It ill i deed oost the spi itual passio of those ho ead the . It is ot health to u i dis i i atel too a DVD s/Audio essages a d ooks. It ust e do e ith dis eio o ith so e guida e of a atu e Ch isia . It is as good as eai g a health - holeso e eal ooked at ho e as agai st the ui k ite at a fast-food hai ! Those ho a e old a e p odu i e a d health o ki g fo the t uth of God s o d. The a help the poo , a e fo the o pha ed a d the desitute, o ga ize eigh o hood f ie dship e a gelis , isit ho es a d p o ide lo e a d o passio to those i eed. B doi g this, alli g i self-pit of o e s o self ould e go e! Let us ot get too ig-headed ith ou studies. Th ough hat e e p ess, let people e og ize that e ha e dei ite e pe ie e. The est a to ou te a he es o false tea hi g – Go to the p i a of t uth hi h is the Wo d of God. Do ou est to p ese t ou self to God as o e app o ed, a o k a ot eed to e asha ed a d ho o e tl ha dles the o d of t uth :
sou e ho does Ti .
- Joshua Dha a ala )N NEED!
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The shephe ds a e se seless a d do ot i a d all thei lo k is s ate ed. Je . :
ui e of the Lo d; so the do ot p ospe
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LIGHT VS DARKNESS "If ou e es a e good, ou hole od ill e full of light. But if ou e es a e ad, You hole od ill e full of da k ess. If the the light ithi ou is da k ess, ho G eat is that da k ess!" Mat. :
I
sho t, the a o e e ses talk a out spi itual isio a d spi itual pe epio . The est is self-e pla ato . To fu the la if this, he e is a e a ple. The e a e a Ch isia s ho ead thei Bi les ut u a le to u de sta d the o ds the ead. I the Ne Testa e t, e i d Jesus ith e t ao dia spi itual isio a d pe epio a d e plai ed the thi gs of God that e e si ple folks ould u de sta d. He took the Old Testa e t la s ith spi itual autho it a d e-i te p eted the . Ma k e o ds i his gospel sa i g that Jesus taught ith autho it u like the Pha isees. The Pha isees ould ot authe iate thei essage. Mk. : . The e e ou d ith the lete of the la . Jesus as o e ed ith the spi it of the la . I the e sui g a gu e t et ee Jesus a d the Pha isees, Jesus alled the li d. Joh : ; Mt. : . A o di g, to Jesus, the ould ot si pl pe ei e spi itual thi gs. Jesus uoi g f o Isaiah said i Joh : : He has li ded thei e es, a d deade ed thei hea ts, so the a eithe see ith thei e es, o u de sta d ith thei hea ts… T uth A d Light: These a e i sepa a le ualiies a d o e ted to ea h othe . Whe e t uth e ists, the e is light – hi h ea s k o ledge a d u de sta di g. Paul e plai s it fu the i this a : Fo God, ho said , Let light shi e out of da k ess, ade his light shi e i ou hea ts to gi e us the light of the k o ledge of the glo of God i the fa e of Ch ist Co . : . People ho a e saisied ith elai e-t uth e d up seei g o l the i age. T ue light t a s e ds hu a a e, ultu e a d glo . Paul li ed i a i e he the Thei to gue is a deadl a o ; it speaks ith de eit. With his outh ea h speaks o diall ith his eigh o , ut i his hea t he sets a t ap fo hi . Je . : .
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Je ish a e talked a out God as the Light of sal aio . ‘o e oasted i he glo . The G eeks took p ide i thei k o ledge. Li i g i a t ia gula ultu e a d thought, Paul su s it up a d sa s that the light, glo a d k o ledge sho e i the hea ts of those ho tu ed to the gospel of t uth. The e ha e ee ou tless e a d o e i the histo of the hu h, ho ould tesif to the fa t of the gospel i gi g t a sfo aio to thei li es. Ma ha e oldl de la ed that the ha e ee ought f o da k ess i to a elous light. T uth E pe ie ed: We ust e auio ed he e agai st possessi g so e ki d of i telle tual u de sta di g a out t uth. T uth is, i othe We must be o ds, fa t e o i g lesh. The e fa t of Jesus Ch ist, cautioned here ho as, a d is, a d is to o e e ai s the Wo d f o the egi i g. He is the pe so ii aio of T uth. The eagainst fo e, Jesus ould lai : I a the Wa ! Whe t uth is possessing some pe so alized e pe ie ed , the Wo d e o es lesh – kind of hi h is to sa that Jesus Ch ist - o es to li e a o g us. intellectual What appea ed t a s e ded e a e o des e ded . understanding That is, the steppi g-do of God th ough His “o f o His highest glo . The , the fa -a o e -d elli g God o es do a d ea hes us. T uth the e o es ealit . To ake it plai , Joh e plai s it i a la guage si pl u de stood
about truth. e e o e:
That hi h as f o the egi i g, hi h e ha e hea d, hi h e ha e see ith ou e es, hi h e ha e looked at a d ou ha ds ha e tou hed – this e p o lai o e i g the Wo d of life. The life appea ed, e ha e see it a d tesif to it, a d e p o lai ete al life, hi h as ith the Fathe a d has appea ed to us. We p o lai to ou hat e ha e see a d hea d, so that ou also fello ship ith us I Joh : - .
to ou the a ha e
Authe i Message: I a o ld of plu alis , he e u i ue ess of Ch ist is uesio ed, ou e pe ie e of the li i g Ch ist ust e e p essed oldl . You ha e pla ted the a d the ha e take oot; the g o a d ea f uit. You a e al a s o thei lips ut fa f o thei hea ts. Je . :
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Is Ch ist ele a t fo the st e tu ? A e people illi g to liste to ou lai s? Is ou s a authe i it ess? A elde l lad ho had ee i the Lo d s o k fo a ea s told e this ate I had p ea hed o a “u da o i g se i e e e tl . “he said hat e speak as the Wo d f o the pulpit ust e o e lesh. If so eo e e el eads out a ite essage, she told e, it is as good as o d e o i g o d! “he a ated ho D . “ta le Jo es o e t ied to e plai a a ith i u e a le uotaio s f o the Bi le to his uesio : Ho to i d God? The a as i paie t ith “ta le s le gth e pla aio of the t uth. He i l asked hi : Tell e ho did ou i d God? I othe o ds, the a a ted a i st-ha d e pe ie e of D . “ta le ha i g fou d God. Ou essages a e dull a d o solete. We la k d a is si e dail e ou te ith Ch ist is a se t. Pasto s, Bi le-tea he s, se i a stude ts a d p ofesso s ha e a speial espo si ilit of gua di g the gospel. He e is a ha ge of Paul to Ti oth : Ti oth , gua d hat has ee e t usted to ou a e. Tu a a f o godless hate a d the opposi g ideas of hat is falsel alled k o ledge hi h so e ha e p ofessed a d i so doi g ha e a de ed f o the faith Ti . : What ou hea d f o e, keep as the pate of sou d tea hi g, ith faith a d lo e i Ch ist Jesus. Gua d the good deposit that as e t usted to ou – gua d it ith the help of the Hol “pi it ho li es i us Ti . : . Da ke Deeds: “ata is su tle, at a d de epi e. The Bi le depi ts hi as the a gel of light. He is also alled as the te pte . Ch ist p e ailed he he as te pted sata . He te pted the dis iples. The e as o e fall-out: Judas. I the ea l hu h, he te pted A a ias a d “apphi a. Both fell a p e to his plo . He aised Ne o a d a othe e pe o s to pe se ute the hu h of Ch ist. Jesus said: The gates of hell ill ot p e ail agai st the hu h.
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I this dispe saio alled the Chu h Age, the de il s ate io is o e losel di e ted to the Bod of Ch ist, hi h ep ese ts oth the lo al a d u i e sal Chu h. is s f o ithout a d Mo e le e l , the de il i gs i to the hu h a s his s. f o ithi . The o e su tle o e is the i d of se ula izaio . The so io-polii al e oluio s of the i e epla ed e tu ies old st u tu es a d alues that e e dis a ded o e ight e e , o e d a i s ste s. “e ula izaio as the esult also of the all-pe adi g te h ologi al e oluio , tha ks to hi h atu e, u tou hed a d fea ed thus fa , o e a e a s hu le se a t a d tool. Va Leeu e . The I te aio al Missio Co fe e e held i the ea i Je usale had its the e The Ch isia Life a d Message I ‘elaio to No -Ch isia s ste s of Thought a d Life o luded that the g eat e e ies of the gospel e e ot heathe , de o i eligio s, ut se ula is a d s eis . The th eat of ate ialisi se ula is as so ethi g the de il had ought i to the hu h a d so iet . Co u is itself - a p odu t of Ch isia it i a se se, had e o e a i-theisi i its o ld- ie . The ate ialisi i te p etaio of a a d histo a d its all o su i g utopia goal a d zeal had ade it the fo ida le fo e agai st all eligio s i ge e al a d Ch isia it i pa i ula . Alo gside, theologia s ho e e so aught up ith the e oluio s of thought ega to i te p et s iptu es i the so io-polii al o te ts. The follo i g theologia s a e out ith ode i te p etaio of the gospel i lue ed hu a isi philosophies of Eu opea E lighte e t. Rudolf Bult a – de
thologizi g theolog
His t o ost i lue ial o ks e e the History of the “y opi Tradiio , pu lished i ,i hi h he as o e of fou Ge a P otesta t “ iptu e s hola s to i t odu e the fo - ii is of the Ne Testa e t, a d his essa o The New Testa e t a d Mythology, i hi h he alled fo the "de thologizi g" of the Ne Testa e t. I his p og a of "de thologizi g," he alled upo F o the least to the g eatest all a e g eed fo gai ; p ophets a d p iest alike, all p a i e de eit. The d ess the ou d of people as though it e e ot se ious... The do ot e e k o ho to lush. Je . : -
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Ch isia s hola s a d p ea he s to i g the Gospel essage ho estl i to o fo it ith hat the o k e f o the esults of histo i al ii is as ot histo i all t ue i the Gospels a d, the efo e, to adjust thei Ch isia appeal to a e e iste ialist theolog . E st T oelts h – Relai izaio of the Ch isia eligio T oelts h's theologi al o it e ts ade it dii ult fo hi to dispe se e i el ith Ch isia it 's u i e sal t uth lai s, a d he g appled th oughout his life ith the p o le of Ch isia it 's histo i al elai it . This p o le as elated to his ea l i te est i the histo -of- eligio s s hool. His posthu ousl pu lished o k o histo i is a d its p o le s as a full stud of these pe spe i es a d thei elaio ship to his theologi al o e s. Although he a e i easi gl to a ept the histo i al elai it of Ch isia it , it is ot lea that he e e full esol ed the te sio s et ee a tho oughgoi g elai is i the o pa ai e-histo i al stud of eligio a d the idea of Ch isia it as a u i e sall alid sal aio eligio hose esse e as, i so e se se, al a s p ese t despite its a ied a ifestaio s u de dife i g histo i al i u sta es T oelts h . Ho e e , fe autho s ha e o f o ted these issues so di e tl a d efe i el as T oelts h, a d his o k e ai s a o e sto e i the edii e of the so iolog of eligio . Ka l Bath – U i e salisi Ch istolog Theolog of i te p ei g God s f eedo
of u i e sal sal aio .
Paul Tilli h – E iste ial o tologi al theolog a d ethodolog A ethod of o elaio et ee Ch isia e elaio a d e iste ial philosophies. While these e e po e ful e ho i lue ed theologi al thi ki g i the est, I dia Ch isia theologia s too ha e t ied shapi g theologi al thi ki g ased o thei so io-polii al st uggles. M.M. Tho as as o e su h pe so alit ho i iiated dialogue ith othe ideologies a d philosophies a d e e ted g eat i lue e at the Wo ld Cou il of Chu hes. Till toda , the e see to e ast has s of u de sta di g a d dife e es that e ist i i te p ei g dife e t s hools of thought – The A e ia s Ma s f eeill e phasis a d the Cal i ists E phasizi g the “o e eig t of God e ist side side.
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Agai , the e a e those ho a e alled as the E a geli als ho e phasize o the i e a of the “ iptu es a d those ho a e alled as the Li e als ho uesio the histo i it a d adhe e to hat is alled the te tual ii is of the “ iptu es. Quite a fe of the ha e dou ts o Vi gi i th, i a les a d so o . We ha e Bi le s hools a d olleges that tea h eithe o oth – so the s hola is a le to disi guish dife e t le els of de elop e t i theologi al thought eated o e the e tu ies a oss dife e t o i e ts. I pla es like Lai A e i a, he e polii al st uggle as the issue, the o te t of i te p ei g Ch ist as the Li e ato e a e u ial. ‘a e Padilla as a Lai A e i a theologia hose ii gs ele t thei o so io-polii al st uggle. “u h o asio s ga e a fo the i th of e s ste s of theologi al thought – su h as the Li e aio Theolog . I I dia, i e e t i es, theologi al olleges ha e de eloped a e st ea of stud alled the Dalit Theolog . E e Ch isia ust u de sta d ho the s iptu al i te p etaio goes th ough t e e dous ha ge i the so io- ultu al a d polii al o te ts. Mate ialisi Vie of Life: I the thi d o ld ou t ies he e the o e s a e po e t a d health, a d pa i ula l i the U“ he e the e is e o o i e essio , people th o g to eligio fo o fo t. The o u ists said lo g ago: ‘eligio is the opiu of the asses. I a se se, it holds t ue! People th o g ate a p ea he fo a ui k-i soluio to thei p o le s. Whe the e is po e t a d si k ess, p ospe it gospel p o ides people a soothi g efe t. Jesus taught: “eek i st God s Ki gdo . He also said: Ma shall ot li e ead alo e, ut th ough God s Wo d. Ho e e , the p opo e ts of health, ealth, p ospe it ha e so ethi g else to sa . It is sad that a Pe te ostal hu hes a ou d the o ld ha e got i to the t ap of ate ialis a d God ill p ospe ou ki d of tea hi g. Blessi gs to a of those hu hes ea “upe -po e ega- hu h uildi gs, ai - o diio ed halls, supe a ie e, ualit sou d s ste s, ostl pulpits – just to ea that these e e o l possi le the lessi gs of God. The e is a u health e phasis i thei tea hi gs hi h fo uses ot o God ut a . Ma is e do ed ith ho ou , po e a d autho it . He is ee e po e ed to eig a d ule o e e e thi g. These a e so o t a to the u de sta di g of God s so e eig t a d a s su issio to His Lo dship.
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E e elie e eed to look fo do t i al de iaio f o the a tual o d of God. We ust e those ho should e a le to lea l dete t disto io i i te p etaio . A o e ho d a s o ds to hi self a d he su h a a s i te t of p ea hi g the gospel is oi ated ea thl alues, the auto ai all people a e at a ted to su h ass- allies. Lea i g, eli uishi g, ea i g the oss, sa ii i g, sufe i g fo Ch ist s sake, dis ipleship, ste a dship a e su je ts that a e safel o ited these p ea he s. The ha p ostl o o e thi g: God ill less ou! Ch isia s eed to he k out the o te ts of these essages to k o if the a e liste i g to a spu ious gospel. Whe e do ou sta d? What, he ou e pe taio s fail? Life ought o e of disappoi t e t. Nothi g fa o a le e e happe ed e e though ou ha e sought God. Ad e sit took a s eep o ou life. You a ot feel God s p ese e. But ou k o th ough faith God p e ails o e the situaio a d His p ese e is eal. Paul o i s: "A d e k o that i all thi gs, God o ks fo the good of those ho lo e hi , ho ha e ee alled a o di g to his pu pose. ‘o . : . Agai st i ds of ha ge Paul e i ds us that e ust e i . The , e ill e o lo ge e i fa ts, tossed a k a d fo th the a es, a d lo he e a d the e e e i d of tea hi g a d the u i g a d atiess of e i thei de eiful s he i g…. e ill i all thi gs g o up i to hi ho is the Head, that is Ch ist. Eph. : , - JD
Woe to hi ho uilds his pala e u ighteous ess, his uppe oo s i jusi e, aki g his ou t e o k fo othi g, ot pa i g the fo thei la o . He sa s, I ill uild self a g eat pala e ith spa ious uppe oo s. “o he akes la ge i do s i it, pa els it ith eda a d de o ates it i ed. Does it ake ou a ki g to ha e o e a d o e eda ? Did ot ou fathe ha e food a d d i k? He did hat as ight a d just, so all e t ell ith hi . He defe ded the ause of the poo a d eed a d so all e t ell. Is that ot hat it ea s to k o e? De la es the Lo d . Je . : - .
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IS YOUR CHURCH IMMOBILE?
H
a e ou a i e o de ed a out the da ge s of ou hu hes eo i g stai ? E e si e the ega- hu h o ept had ee ade popula i st i the est a d late the est of the o ld, o e a d o e people get- i a d get-out of the hu h. But the hu h he self is ot o i g out i to the o ld.
O e of the ital spi itual o epts e i d i the Old Testa e t is the fa t that the A k of the Co e a t kept o i g alo g ith the people of God. It i di ated God s p ese e of goi g ahead of the . The A k as al a s kept i a o a le te t. As the Is aelites got o e setled, thei desi e to ha e a ki g as e p essed the . God as thei Ki g i deed. Ne e theless, the idea as ooted people a d God ele ted. Ea lie o , all th ough thei ilde ess jou e , the A k of God God never lays e t f o pla e to pla e. At i es, he road-blocks to all the Is aelites diso e ed God, the e e outthat we do, but ed i the atle, as God ga e the up to thei e e ies. O su h o asio s, the A k of He simply the Co e a t as also aptu ed. Whe e e , permits them. the et ie ed it a k, the e as da i g, ejoi i g a d ele aio . Fo the people of God i the Old Testa e t, it a ked the e p ese e of God. Most of us a e fa ilia ith i ide ts i ol i g the A k hi h as ought a k f o O ed-Edo s house to Je usale Ch o . - . It as f o the o , Da id s eig as esta lished i Je usale . He e a e st o ge a d o atles. Whe the la d as uiet f o a s, Da id s ate io as tu ed to a d the A k of God. He uilt a pala e fo his o . He thought he ight as ell uild a te ple a pe a e t st u tu e , fo the Lo d. Thei to gue is a deadl a o ; it speaks ith de eit. With his outh ea h speaks o diall ith his eigh o , ut i his hea t he sets a t ap fo hi . Je . : .
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Not God’s Idea! I the Old Testa e t, he e e God a ted His hild e o du t the sel es i e tai a s, He i di ated it th ough His p ophets. ga e lea i st u io s to Moses a out ho the Ta e a le ust e set up. told lea l ho the A k had to e uilt a d i st u io s that p o ided fo people i a i g it f o pla e to pla e. I deed, it had ee spe ii all sig ed to e po ta le E , : .
to He He His de-
Du i g the eig of Da id, he i st uilt the pala e a d ega a u ulai g gold, sil e , sto es a d i e fo the uildi g of the te ple. “i e he shed u h lood i the atle, God pe ited that Da id s so – “olo o a p o eed ith the pla of uildi g the te ple. Posii e Da ge s: God e e la s oad- lo ks to all that e do, ut He si pl pe its the . It appea s that God as sile t o all of Da id s pla s. He did ot e ui e ot o a d Da id to uild a te ple. To lai so ethi g that God had ot de la ed ould e a da ge ous thi g fo ou li es. It is al a s ete to ask: Is this hat God telli g e to do? Behi d e e thi g that Da id e e uted, o e thi g as lea : He as e passio ate a out the hole p oje t! He did it ithout k o i g o e og izi g the i pli aio s that e e fa -fet hed. His oi e i i iiai g the te ple –p oje t as ot out of p ide o his po e . It as all his lo e fo the Lo d, ho ade a shephe d- o to e a Ki g Ch o . . O e the A k had ee i l e s o ed, ot just i the te t p o ided Da id, ut i the te ple uilt “olo o , it ga e ise to a elief, hi h, though i o e se se t ue, ould lead to false o lusio s. Thousa d ea s late , a “a a ita o a ould tell Jesus O “a ta “i pli itas! – that the disi io et ee He e eligio a d othe s as a ate of hat e ight all a geog aphi al g a e: He as a Je , she said, ould atu all hold that Je usale is the pla e he e e ought to o ship, hile ou fathe s o shipped o this ou tai Ge izi Mi hael Wil o k – The Message of the Ch o i les –p . If Is aelites thought that the A k as the s ol of God s g a e, the the alte as a s ol of a s espo se. The e e al a s fou d to e i sepa a le. Ma a e e espo d to God u il God Hi self gi es hi so ethi g to espo d to. At the i e of Moses he the aki g of the ta e a le a d all th ough the e tu ies he the dest u io of the te ple took pla e , the a k a d the alte e e p a i all fou d togethe . But i the ea l ea s of Is ael s o a h ,
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he the t o e e sepa ated. It as du i g the t ial of Jesus, the Je s ought up a ha ge agai st Hi that He a ted to dest o this pla e Mt. : - . Befo e Stephe
as
sa i g
a t ed, he ute ed these o ds a d said:
Ho e e , the Most High does ot li e i house ade e . As the p ophet sa s: Hea e is th o e, a d the ea th is footstool. What ki d of house ill ou uild fo e? “a s the Lo d. A ts. : Lo g ate the o a h disappea ed, a d the te ple itself dest o ed, he the people of God take as api es to a fo eig la d, he e e e the t o s ols the A k a d the alte ? Looki g Be o d Spi itual S olis : Whe e e thi g as lost o dest o ed, ho did Da iel a d his “True worshippers f ie ds o shipped Yah eh i Ba lo ? Da iel did will worship God in fa o e ete tha a Is aelite a k at ho e. He p a ed th i e hi h e da ge ed his e life. The spirit and in truth” th ee ou g e , ould ot o to a idol eated the Ki g. God s p ese e a d a s espo se o ked ell e e i the a se e of the a k a d the alte . We ust ust o pe s ill de o
e a eful ot to e ou d spi itual s ols alo e. Ou spi itualit e e o d these. Ou Lo d taught the “a a ita o a : T ue o shipo ship God i spi it a d i t uth Joh : . The ill e e e ou d i aio alis , geog aphi al ou da ies, la guage o ultu e.
Da ge s of Mega- hu hes Toda : The ea l hu h et i ho es. The o shipped God, oke ead, taught the apostles a d li ed i u it of spi it. The i situio alizaio of the Ch isia hu h is a a athe a to ou o life a d it ess. Pete said: “il e a d Gold, I do ot ha e. But hat I ha e I gi e… He had spi itual i hes a d the po e of the Hol “pi it. I due ou se of i e, the ‘o a Chu h s apostas e t e fa a d it e a e i h a d po e ful. I the lete to the se e hu hes, Jesus sa s: You sa , I a i h; I ha e a ui ed ealth a d do ot eed a thi g. But ou do ot ealize that ou a e et hed, piiful, poo , li d a d aked… ‘e . : .
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We eall a e asto ished at the o ept of Gothi st u tu e of hu hes, pa i ula l i the est hi h to e s a o e e e othe o ei a le uildi g. People elo gi g to a e tai athed al o a ega- hu h had a spe ial ide it – so the thought. La ge pla es of o ship at a ts people – ut ot fo too lo g. If e el too u h o s ols o st u tu es, he t ue life a d it ess fails, the st u tu e itself ould ollapse. A out the te ple i Je usale , Jesus oldl de la ed: Not a si gle sto e ill e ai o it . It e a e t ue i A.D. he the ‘o a s totall dest o ed it. Jesus as talki g a out t ue elaio ship ith the Fathe a d the “o . Wo ship to Hi as a ate of pe so al o u io . O o e o asio , lea i g the te ple Jesus said: M house shall e alled the house of p a e , ut ou ha e tu ed it i to a de of o e s. It is a da ge ous thi g to ope ate hu hes o o e ial a d usi ess pate s. We ha e hu hes toda he e s ipe a d a hi es a e kept fo people to ofe thei gits, ithes a d ofe i gs. O -li e ooki gs a e ade du i g the eek fo the up- o i g “u da se i e. Vi tual hu h-se i es a e ei g o du ted glo all . Toda , it is su h a fa iful t e d fo so e pasto s as Bi le- eadi g is epla ed the hile the sta d i the alte eadi g out “ iptu e passages do loaded i thei o iles! Is t it t ue that the spi it of the o ld is aught up so ell ith Ch isia s? Wh o l o e ig hu h? Wh ot uild a s alle hu hes i lo aliies he e eigh o hood hu hes a g o ? I so e iies Buses pl o “u da s to fe a k-a d-fo th elie e s f o thei ho es to gathe i a e t all lo ated eei g pla e fo o ship. Do t e see ho da ge ous this is? It is like Ca the Ethiopia ha ge his ski o the leopa d its spots? Neithe good ho a e a usto ed to doi g e il. Je . :
a
ou do
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Je o oa s golde alf he set up – o e i Bethel a d the othe o e i Da Ki gs : . It as his st ateg f o di e i g people ot to go to Je usale just to e su e his o polii al sta ilit . The e is a a ho is uildi g a assi e , people. I o uildi g fo p a e i south Ta il Nadu to house o e de if this God s pate ? Ho o ea th do people ofe o e to su h p oje ts? M people do ot k o the e ui e e ts of the Lo d Je . : . I the UK a d othe pla es, hu hes ha e dii ult ai tai i g thei e old st u tu es. Fe olde folks ate d these othe ise dilapidated, dull hu hes. “o e uildi g ha e ee eithe au io ed o sold out to those ho u pu s, o ie-halls et , It as God s pate that the hu h ust e diaspo a i atu e. All th ough the ea l hu h, e i d that the hu h as dispe sed – e e s ate ed. Not a dis iples e ai ed i Je usale . The Je usale ou il, though fu io ed ith Pete a d othe apostles p o idi g spi itual leade ship to the up- o i g hu hes else he e A ts : . God e e used pe se uio as a ea s to Chu h G o th. Pe haps, ot a of us ha e go e th ough this p o ess! Those of us ho li e i pla es like Che ai a e e ited ith the o ept of egahu hes. If God ould jolt a d up oot us, o he pe se uio of so e so t is pe ited God, the o e hu hes ould e e ge i stead of o e o olithi st u tu e. Dis ipleship Misu de stood: The G eat Co issio as e ote des i e, it i ol es u h a out Goi g Out. I elo g to a hu h hi h is o e ea s old. Most of us take p ide i sa i g that ou s is o e a o g oldest hu hes i the it of Che ai. But I al a s use if ou hu h had pla ted a out s alle hu hes i the last te de ades! We spe d illio s of upees e e o a d the to keep the old pipe-o ga lo i g. We a e too a eful to i g i a a f o the UK ho ould e-i stall the dilapidated i st u e t. If the e is o pipeo ga , the ou o ship is u a epta le to God. This is the a I ha e ee ought up i a hu h-t adiio . I elie e, that the e a e so e e good t adiio s. But I ha e p o le a epi g t adiio s su h as these. The a e eithe i li al o appeal to o o se se. If ou o o se se is ot e lighte ed, the these t adiio s a e i te p eted as godl . “adl though, I i d the oi e s i the o itees i ou hu hes ho a e e i e t e -do to s, la e s,
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ha te ed a ou ta ts a d the like. Alas, ho the , do the la k spi itual illu iaio a d isdo ? I telle tualis a d spi itual isdo a e like too poles apa t. God is ot agai st good i tellige e. But t i g to i o po ate se ula e talit i to spi itual aspe ts a e o pa ed to Jesus pa a le of se i g old i eski s ith that of the e !. Jesus said: Make Dis iples! Ma hu hes a e ot i ol ed i dis iple- aki g usi ess. It i ol es the task of sha i g the Good Ne s, tea hi g, apizi g a d u tu i g. Ma pasto s ha e ot ee good e a gelists. The do ot sho a i te est i the sha i g of the gospel to a o -Ch isia . E e the deli e of a good se o o a “u da o i g se i e e o es a he ulea task fo a of the . The leade of the hu h as a shephe d ust e a le to e to , oi ate a d o ilize the o g egaio i to dis ipleship aki g. If dis iple- aki g is ot ei g do e o if e hu hes do ot sp i g out of the othe - hu h, it is i da ge of d i g out soo e o late . Wo ship a d it ess a e t o i po ta t aspe ts of Ch isia life that go togethe . We o e i to o ship a ise “a iou ho is ou Lo d. I the sa e ou t, e go out. to it ess a d p o lai the gospel. Of late, hu hes a d elie e s ha e egu o i g out – ut i a dife e t a e . Ma of the ha e e a ked o a jou e – a pilg i age as fou d i othe eligio s. It is e o i g a oo i g usi ess to o ga ize tou s to Is ael – Je usale a d Jo da . The i ale of the p og a e is he a pilg i takes a hol dip - o athe , apis i Jo da i e . Ho stupid a d u i li al o e a e e e! Jesus taught: Wo shippi g i Je usale is a go e e e t. You a oship the Fathe a he e. God is “pi it a d e ust o ship Hi i spi it a d t uth! Do e see the poi t? Cu sed a e those ho ha e a a d eed . A d o e u sed The ust i stead spe d thei is o l he ou p a i g: You
assed ealth a d a ot sha e it ith the poo a e the that spe d thei o e o su h tou s! o e to esta lish a d e te d God s Ki gdo . It Ki gdo o e, e o es ea i gful.
If ou hu hes a e i o ile a d ot o i g out i the ight i li al se se, the ill uli atel sufe f o spi itual d st oph a d aste a a ! - JD
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MICRO MANAGEMENT - GOOD OR BAD?
I
u de sta d that this is a e e tl de eloped o d, p o a l the A e i a e sio o out of the glo al te h olog o the i fo aio te h olog . I also o e to u de sta d that this is so ethi g that ost te hies dislike. What do the dislike? The dislike ei g told hat o hat ot to do. A o g the te hies, Please ea ith e! , the e is a p e ale t idea that the k o a thi gs fa too ete that othe s do ot k o . Ma e this is t ue a out thei te h i al k o ledge hi h o e s thei do ai !
But, hat a out the do ai alled life? Ho o e he it o es to ha dli g thei life?
e pe ie ed a e these
e a d
Let e sha e a illust aio . “o e o ths ago, ife a d I t a elled to a eigh ou i g dist i t fo eek-e d i ist . We took alo g a e elie e ith us. We ha e ee tea hi g hi ho to e a dis iple a d issues that a e i ol ed i ei g a dis iple. We ot o l tea h, ut e pose ou ge e to e situaio s i life a d i ist . We sta ed o e - ight ith ou host. The e t o i g e alked do -stai s a d g eeted ou host ith a Good- o i g!. Ou ou g f ie d a te hie, too! , a e do , ut stood aze l looki g at ou host ithout sa i g a o d. “i e tole a e le els to these ki ds of eha io is too lo – a d I had ee ought up i a st i t fa il e i o e t i ea l ea s. I ui kl ut u tl looked at ou g f ie d a d said: Would ou sa , Good o i g ? M host, u de stood the situaio a d asked e i a lighte ei , Wh , this i o- a age e t? No , the uesio : Is
i o- a age e t, good o
ad?
Yea s ago, he I o ked as a ield staf i a hild e /Youth i ist , e to ep i a ded e ith a aised oi e, si e I failed to take fe e uip e ts a d ate ials i i ist t ip. He as i to i o- a age e t. Whethe I liked it o ot, I as o g at that i e. Ho he s olded e a ha e othe ed e. But late , I dis o e ed that i o- a age e t akes us hu le, tea ha le tha e o i g a oga t o self-depe de t. No e of us ould ha e o e this fa , if
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o o e had e e o e ted, taught o guided us i ou life s jou e . Whethe it is p ofessio al t ai i g o o aio al t ai i g, e all had go e th ough so e o e io – hi h e all toda as i o- a age e t. Whethe e i a d i i g s hool o t i g to a ui e a e skill i a ield- it atu all i ol es i o- a age e t the e to . The e a e do s a d do ts. The e is a g o i g te de a o g e told hat is ight o good fo the Ho ould the k o ithout ha i i sist that the k o – ut the pa thought o a ted i su h a a e .
the ou ge ge e aio that the eed ot . The al a s eto t a d sa : I k o it! g go e th ough the o deals of life? The at i es a e huge ost fo ha i g said,
Jesus’ Mi o-Ma age e t: Ou Lo d ha d-pi ked t el e e a d dis ipled the . The e e ought togethe f o dife e t alks of life – ishe e , ta olle to s, polii al zealots a d so o . He alled the . E a led the to e ith Hi , lea o se i g Hi . He taught the the alues of the Ki gdo of God. He se t the to p ea h the gospel. “o ei es, he e uked the sa i g: Oh, ou e of litle faith! At othe i es, he hided the he the ould ot e e ise thei faith. If Jesus had pi ked up so e te h o ats of ou i es, the ould ha e i stead egu tea hi g Jesus! “o eho , the hu ilit to lea p ia thi gs of God is o e looked ode e . The ui kl o e o to iial a al sis of e o i ist , hile thei o k o ledge a out fou daio al t uth of the s iptu e is la ki g. “u h e a d o e e te hu hes to se e its oa d o ou il. Paul’s Mi o-Ma age e t: The g eat apostle Paul t ai ed ou g i iste s of the gospel su h as Ti oth , Titus a d Epaph oditus. He kept telli g the , Do ot possess a spi it of i idit . Co du t ou sel es i a a e o th of God s se a t. Flee f o outhful lusts. He guided Ti oth to e e o su e a litle i e o health g ou ds. Basi fou daio al tea hi g is i po ta t i Ch isia dis ipleship. It is al a s p efe ed he so eo e olde o ise i pa ts su h tea hi gs. If ou ha e a ed ith e o foot a d the ha e o ou out, ho a ou o pete ith ho ses? If ou stu le i safe ou t , ho ill ou a age i the thi kets the Jo da ? Je . : .
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I a ultu e he ou ge ge e aio despise i o- a age e t st le of e to i g, the e a e o e a d o e ases of asted ste a dship i te s of i e, tale t, f ie dship, i a e – et all the hile, the ould o i ue to ute the usual o ds: We a e ot just kids, e k o – ou do t ha e to tell us! If ou o ldl lea i g akes us shu the a s of God a d the p o ess of dis ipleship – e a e e get i to that posiio of de isio - ake s o leade s i the hu hes o i ist ies. God a ts us to e se a ts i the i st pla e. The o po ate ultu e is all a out up a d o ilit – a ui k as e t of po e a d pe ks. “o o t ais the fa t of Ch isia dis ipleship he e o e des e ds a d e o es the se a t of all. No e othe tha the e a ple that ou Maste a d Lo d p ese ted to His dis iples o es to us st o gl as a e i de . “pi itual dis e e t o es th ough ha dship, e du a e, lea i g, dis ipli e a d ute depe de e o God. Te h i al k o ledge should ot p o ide a false- o ide e o a u due dis ega d to spi itual isdo . The do t i es of ital i po ta e eed to e u de stood as the hole ou sel of God as o e e gages i de oted stud of the s iptu e. “o e ui k googli g a d i fo aio sought o so e do t i es does ot ake a o e e pe t o spi itual ate s. Ade uate k o ledge o God is : - .
o e tha just ei g a u ate Pl. ead A ts
- JD
BLESSINGS UNTOLD Christians can easily become accustomed to the hum-drum of their daily lives. When our lives become too mechanical, we fail to recognize that God bears our burdens “daily.” He provides for us “daily.” His protection is there “daily” amidst dangers. Perhaps, some of us may be walking through the “Valley of Death”, God is there already, walking with us. Let us never take God’s goodness for granted. His bounteous resources are adequate more than sufficient to all our needs. In the sunshine and rain, through the seasons of our lives – there remains the abundance of God’s grace. What should we say then? Should we murmur and question the ways of God? A heart that knows the heart of God will never fail to thank Him always!
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GOOD NOT GOOD ENOUGH Ma Ch isia s a e ought up i a st i t Ch isia e i o e t f o a ea l age. A d fo that easo , I a ei g o e a o g the . M “u da egi e of eligious a i iies hi h i luded goi g to hu h, e o izi g Bi le- e ses, ate di g “u da s hool si gi g i the hoi , si gi g at ho e plus a host of othe thi gs. These e e e pe ted pa e ts. No o e e e e plai ed h I ust do su h thi gs. “i pl o e the o de s – as the u ite la . E e o e si pl follo ed it. F o the Olde to the ou gest. U fo tu atel , o o e e e t ied uesio i g the hole p og a e. Who is this God? Wh does He e pe t us to do these thi gs? What does He ea to us? A e e i pe so al elaio ship ith Hi a e thi gs e si pl e e thought a out, ot e e i agi ed. No dou t, the e e e so e spa ks of t uth that lighted o a d the . But soo it got e i guished! Ne e theless, i ol i g i su h eligious a i iies ought so e jo a d ps hologi al saisfa io of ei g godl . A se se of o ide e p e ailed that e a e good. At i es, it e a e a it too pha isai al. We a e ete -of tha those ho do ot ead thei Bi les, o go to hu h! Toda , e ha e Ch isia s ho ha e de eloped this aitude. The do e tai eligious thi gs that othe s do ot do. But i hat a does that ake the supe io ? What a out thei o al a d ethi al life? What a out thei hoi es, p io iies o p efe e es i a o ld of o upio ? Do the sta d out i a so iet that is ooked a d pe e ted? We te d to dis o e latel that Ch isia Dis ipli es a d “pi itual Dis ipli es a e t o dife e t thi gs
CH‘I“TIAN DI“CIPLINE
“PI‘ITUAL DI“CIPLINE
Goi g to Chu h
Liste i g
P ese i g Tithes a d Ofe i gs
Lea i g to do God s ill
Fasi g a d P a e
Lea i g to o e God s pu poses
Good o ks
Willi g ess to
“e i g i a Boa d/Co
itee
Pe
ake sa ii es
ii g God to ‘e e us
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ei g too e oio al
At ost, Ch isia s fall i to t o atego ies: The a e eithe o too i telle tual i thei faith.
KNOWING ABOUT GOD
KNOWING GOD
I -depth I telle tual K o ledge of “ iptu es
I i ate Co
Me e Me tal E e ise
“pi itual u de sta di g
U a le To Dis e
“u
I C isis
u io
ith God
ii g to God s Co t ol i C isis
‘eligio No ‘elaio ship
Pe so al ‘elaio ship ith God
God s Wo d e ai s a o d
God s Wo d e o es Flesh
A ua
Ade ua
of Fa ts
“elf- ighteous
“i
of spi itual k o ledge
e sa ed
God s g a e
What is e ui ed is a pe so al su je i e , i tellige t o je i e faith – hi h is the o igi of t ue k o ledge of God. The “ iptu e p o ides oth of these fo ou faith a d o du t. Whe people talk a out thei faith, the e is a ast dife e e et ee those ho k e thei Maste pe so all a d those ho k e Hi o d of outh! - JD
DFC wishes to appoint committed men/woman - trained, with ministry experience as part-time Field Associates in Chennai Full-time may be considered . Opportunities provided through Disciples For Christ ministries to those who are mission-minded for North )ndia ield exposure & training. Equal opportunity is provided for those interested in reaching States in South )ndia.
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The hea t is de eiful a o e all thi gs a d e o d u e, Who a u de sta d it? Je . : .
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Please Pray for: -Our country, political leaders, all those who are responsible for ruling this nation. - Let us pray for corruption to be rooted out at all levels. -Those in authority to care for the poor and needy, make policies and programmes that reach the down-trodden. -States that are reeling under drought. -Farmers plight and poverty. -Crops failure – that God may send rain where the land is parched. -Tamil Nadu power situation to improve. -The aged, sick, destitute and orphans. -Our churches may be the agents of change in a corrupt society. -That those who are in the vocation of serving the Lord may be above reproach. - Sexual violence on the increase. Moral standards lost. Pray for conscience that God had put within each man may be revived.
CREATIVE WRITING ATTENTION
TOPIC: How To Be Just In An Unjust World? (1500 words) The first three winners will be notified and awarded prizes containing books for spiritual growth. The article that secures first place will be published in the forth coming issue of CTS. Articles type-written with double-space must reach the following office on or before June 15th,2013. Those wish to send their article by Word document through e-mail may kindly do so. Pl. clearly indicate your name, age, profession, postal address, telephone number/e-mail and any other useful information to Christian Thought Series, C/o Joshua Dhanabalan, 1/3, Happy Home Flats, 17, Balfour Road, Kellys, Chennai 10. Email: joshbalu@yahoo.com; Mobile: +91 9380709875
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Are You a Secular-Minded Christian? Check If These Are True With You: All through your career you have lived in peaceful coexistence with your colleagues. You have either contributed, promoted, participated in unchristian, ungodly activities with those who merely stood for secular spirit and had no concern or consideration for God or godliness. You never even once attempted to share with the nonChristian colleagues what it meant to you following Jesus Christ. You have wrongly understood “tolerance” and compromised godly values. You have never once uttered before your non-Christian colleague what your Christian convictions were. Daniel in a heathen court, made the highest moral judgment – it even meant want or rejection of food, clothing, finances – almost every decisions were made in and with reference to God and to His glory alone. Where do we stand? In India, ‘Sarva Dharma Sama Bhave’ is something that sounds logically reasonable. Not many of us understand that it would ultimately lead to spiritual catastrophe. Perhaps, with this background, you are probably serving a church board or council now. Just imagine what would come out of your decisions if there were more people like you! This is one reason why most churches and Christian institutions suffer for want of godly leadership. It is very dangerous to handle the things of God with a technical or a secular mind-set. Technical expertise is required for God’s Kingdom.
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But first, it must be offered at the alter of God. It is then, a Christian would possess the mind of Christ - of emptying, surrendering and submitting (Phil.2)
- JD P aise God fo f uiful i ist i Che a d Ka ataka i the last ua te
ai, Chhaisga h, Ka ataka, Ti upatu
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To ho a I speak a d gi e a i g? Who ill liste to e? Thei ea s a e losed so the a ot hea . The o d of the Lo d is ofe si e to the , the i d o pleasu e i it. Je . :
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Attention Dear Readers…..
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