Reflections on Life and Spirituality 101

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Truth, Isa al-Masih and the Qu'ran

I recently attended a seminar on 'Understanding Islam' and found it fascinating. Isa al-Masih (Jesus) is of course mentioned in the Qu'ran and I had a glimpse of what the Islamic texts had to say about Him.

What I discovered was somewhat surprising and I saw God's sovereign Hand at work in the Islamic world. Between Islam's call to acts of piousness, the September 11 incidents and global terrorism, one can lose sight that Christ is actually a very important figure in Islam.

The following was what I discovered about Jesus in the Qu'ran, which amazed me...

Jesus is referred to in the Qu'ran as a "Word from God" and Messiah

"When the angels said: O Marium [Mary], surely Allah gives you good news with a Word from Him (of one) whose name is the '. Messiah, Isa [Jesus] son of Marium, worthy of regard in this world and the hereafter and of those who are made near (to Allah)". (Qu'ran - Al-Imran 3:44-45, SHAKIR)

Contrast this to Jesus being called the "Word of God" in John 1:1-18

The Qu'ran refers to God killing Jesus

"And when Allah said: O Isa, I am going to terminate the period of your stay (on earth) and cause you to ascend unto Me and purify you of those who disbelieve and make those who follow you above those who disbelieve to the day of resurrection; then to Me shall be your return, so I will decide between you concerning that in which you differed." (Al-Imran 3:54-55, SHAKIR)

I find it interesting that the Qu'ran has a concept which is so biblically accurate!

God's sovereign plan in Christ is also for the Muslims

Lastly, Christians may be tempted to view Muslims as the enemy, but in actual fact, they are as much the victims of deception, thrown off by lies from the evil one. Millions of Muslims, when they read and find out about the Jesus of the Bible, fall in love with Him. God loves a sincere Muslim seeking for the Truth -- all around the world, Muslims are finding Jesus -- or should we say that Jesus is finding them, appearing to them supernaturally in dreams and visions.

A stat I heard quoted recently:

Since 1991, annually, 2,750,000 people leave their religion to become Christians, and most of these people are Muslims. On the other hand, 750,000 a year leave Christianity -- so there is a net gain of 2million Christians annually (most of them Muslims). Does it make you wonder why there is a jihad against the "enemies of Islam"?

I had not realise the extent of God's hand is already working. I am reminded that we need to pray against the spirit behind the facade of this religious ideology, but at the same time, love the people that are caught under its grasp. Sometimes this is easier said than done -- we ourselves come with so much misconceptions. In all of this, I have come see the revelation of Christ that God is giving to Muslims through THEIR own book. That to me, is totally astonishing -- considering the barriers that their religious and political authorities have put in place to "retain the sheep in the fold".

In the Bible, Isaiah 66:18-20 provides us with prophetic hints as to what is to come. In the seminar, I was informed that almost all the nations mentioned in it (when mapped to current day countries/ regions) are Islamic nations - places like modern day Algeria, Iraq, Iran, Libya and Indonesia.

"For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory. I will set a sign among them; and those among them who escape I will send to the nations: to Tarshish and Pul and Lud, who draw the bow, and Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off who have not heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. Then they shall bring all your brethren for an offering to the Lord out of all nations, on horses and in chariots and in litters, on mules and on camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem," says the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord.

These are perhaps 'early days' yet to see the Lord's hand unfold, but I am reminded of how sovereign God's plans are. I am reminded of how much he loves even the Muslims, who in many instances are a people under bondage. In Christ, the captives will eventually be set free. And make no mistake, the Truth will set them free. Watch this space.

For more information, see http://www.answering-islam.org/

Labels: Current Affairs, Other Religions, Prophecy, Truth

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Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Equality, tolerance, and freedom of speech and religion

Secularism: the freedom of religion, and freedom from religion, within a state that is neutral on matters of belief, and gives no state privileges or subsidies to religions.

Conventional wisdom says that secularism is the 'freedom' from religion. Is that really true? Seems right at first glance. But in actual fact, secularism itself is a system of thought not unlike a religious one. Secularists believe that by being free of religion, they are not confined to any one set of beliefs. That is, of course, erroneous thinking.

Even people who believe that they do not subscribe to any religion - they practice their own form of philosophy of life, and "religion". In fact, every secularist holds a set of beliefs - the difference is that they pick and choose what suits them, and this may change over time depending on circumstances and what's convenient.

With recent debates in the media, it brings up a question: What gives secularists the right to impose their doctrine on anyone else?

BA worker loses appeal in row over cross

Students sue over Christian rights at colleges

With the one related to Christian Unions on university campuses being discriminated against, this seems to carry an air of hypocrisy, perpetrated by secular-minded student guilds and university authorities.

The secular authorities are imposing their worldview and philosophy on the Christian Unions - but the irony is that they are doing it in the name of freedom of speech and religion. It seems like in their eyes, the freedom of speech and religion ONLY APPLIES if it agrees with their philosophy and way of life.

If there are groups (also includes humanists, freethinkers, aetheists) that reject what's written in the Bible about what is sin and what is not, then they should find some other book to believe in, or create their own religion that suits their needs. The Bible is God's word to man. You can reject it, you can walk away from it, but one have no right to say that other people (Christians and the Christian Union) cannot base their belief and lives on it.

It has become a strange world to live in....

Labels: Current Affairs, Philosophies, Truth

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Thursday, June 29, 2006

Enigmas

I was reflecting about how the world around us is full of contradictions but yet we learn to accept it, often without questioning it.

Indeed it may sometimes be too 'painful' to ask questions because that would mean we have to open our eyes to see truth, to embrace it, and finally we have to do something about it. This can be too much hassle for us so we often learn to assimilate or live with these contradictions rather than act to counter it.

A few of these 'small mysteries' have jumped out at me over the past weeks. If anyone has others that they have observed, please do share and comment on them.

History has shown that many people have tried to turn history in the gospels into fiction. Now with Da Vinci Code, some now want to turn fiction into history. [Michael Eaton, speaking at Westminster Chapel]
We are sung to sleep by philosophies that save the trees but kill the children [Casting Crowns, Christian Music Group].
The modern life is rich with conveniences but yet we are still time poor. We have more TV channels but yet there seems to be nothing on and everyone is still searching to fill the emptiness inside.
More prayers are probably spoken by people for their teams to win football, than for the poor, oppressed and downtrodden which God has a heart for.

We have more information but do we have more wisdom? What gives us most pleasure is not necessarily what is most important. More often than not, more is not necessarily more.

"Don't let anyone lead you astray with empty philosophy and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the evil powers of this world, and not from Christ. For in Christ the fullness of God lives in a human body, and you are complete through your union with Christ. He is the Lord over every ruler and authority in the universe." (Colossians 2:8-10, New Living Translation)

Labels: Current Affairs, Truth

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Friday, March 03, 2006

The Stronghold of Wrong Thoughts

I just watched Steven Spielberg's latest movie, Munich -- which is about the events involving the massacre of Israeli athletes by a Palestinian terrorist group during the time of the Munich Olympics. How close is the storyline to actual events I am not sure, but it was a powerful and realistically filmed tale. There was one line in the movie which jumped at me. In the ending, a statement was made, saying,

"Sometimes, you have to kill for peace...."

I wonder if everyone reading this statement had a similar instinctive reaction to me when I first heard it -- that is, to agree that the above statement 'is true, somewhat'. This reminded me of the power that is inherent in wrong thoughts, in the context of the conflict in Israel, or even for our own lives personally.

"You have to kill for peace" -- From this single line of thinking, can stem justifications for terrorist acts, violence and war in so many ways: that righteousness and justice can be gained from revenge and bloodshed; that one can do anything at all costs, including kill, to gain peace. Is this be the right way of thinking about this?

Considering this further, I realize the above statements are one of the biggest lies that Satan can ever lead people to believe. It is a lie because righteousness and justice can never be gained from killing, not when it is one sinful person killing another. That is why the situation in the Middle East is escalating. Certain groups think that current bloodshed avenges the bloodshed of the past. As much as this line of thinking feels intuitive, and perhaps even carries a certain perverse "logic" in it, the reality is very different. Bloodshed involving imperfect human beings, who do not have the strength to forgive, only results in bitterness, which gives birth to the desire for revenge, and then vengeful behavior. In line with what the movie is trying to convey, there is no righteousness produced here.

A wise person once said that we cannot change behavior without changing our thinking first. Behind every wrong attitude or line of thinking (that leads to unholy behavior), there is a pre-supposition. A pre-supposition is what we tell ourselves (directly or subconsciously) as "absolute truth".

Back to the story in the Munich movie: How do we stop sinful behavior? I don't know. All I know is the solution to bad behavior is not good behavior, but righteous thinking. And righteous thinking is gained from the wisdom in God's word, guided by the promptings of His Holy Spirit. All I know is that the pre-supposition underpinning the violence, that "you have to kill for gain peace....", is not righteous thinking. Therefore strongholds need to be broken down at this level if anything is to improve.

The stronghold of wrong thoughts -- On a personal level, if we consider and want to tear down the behavioral strongholds in our lives, we have to first identify, confront and replace the pre-suppositions with God's truth. And more often than not, these pre-suppositions are hidden and at times, deceptive. As Christians, the Bible calls us to cast down every argument that sets itself up against the knowledge of God - and these include arguments that poses itself as "conventional wisdom".

What thoughts or presumptions are we feeding ourselves? What assumptions do we hold from what the world, our society and the media that is being sold to us as "absolute truth"? That is a question we need to honestly ask ourselves, often.

[Related post: Present Day Gaza & the Hope of 2000 Years]

Labels: Current Affairs, Philosophies, Truth

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Monday, February 27, 2006

The Bible speaks on a modern day issue

There are some who hold the opinion that God's word in the Bible is somehow less relevant for modern day issues. We often think that things change and we "progress", but there are many things that change in form but not in essence. This weekend I received a perspective which I didn't see before - let me explain: I used to read verses in the Old Testament about how pagans conduct child sacrifices to their gods to appease them, and think, "Why would a mother even think of sacrificing and killing their own child?"

This week past, with new eyes, I realised that this abomination has not changed after thousands of years past. People still sacrifice their children on the altars. How? You may ask.

It's called abortion. The sacrifice here is of course children. The god to be appeased is self - my 'rights' as a women to live the way I choose to. The altar is the seedy corridors of so-called doctors, and in some countries within a legal backdrop.

(Click image to read)

You can always argue "rationally" for the case for abortion and of course, many do. But I think that if you're rational, then it is entirely reasonable to consider the implications of pregnancy and not getting pregnant in the first place if one is not ready to be responsible for a baby. In other cases, whatever the 'good' reasons - of rape, incest, fetal handicap, financial challanges - the case for abortion as a principle cannot be justified.

The bible does not talk about abortion directly, but implies against it. It gives a view on the baby in the womb and the sanctity of human life, as the Psalmist expresses here:

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them."

Ps 139:13-16

As the above UK news article says, the majority of women (where are the fathers?) are seeking the termination of their babies out of convenience. This is scary: with the compromise and removal of the compass of God's word in people's hearts/minds, none of the government's measures at this stage will cure these 'diseases of the soul'. In God's word, it says that without revelation, people perish. The implications here are that if we trample on God's revealed wisdom and first principles to us, that is our choice. However, this choice is not without consequences -- we will evetually perish by the folly of man's wisdom and reap what we choose to sow. It's akin to a navigation system of a plane that goes astray -- it will fly for a while, but eventually it will crash. All nations need to get back to first principles.

In relation to myself (and others who follow Christ), it is a reminder: Have I been too "clever" and are there portions of God's Word which I have implicitly relegated to the "not relevant for today" category? What first principles do I need to get back to? Have I compromised?

Labels: Current Affairs, Truth

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Sunday, February 05, 2006

In Search Of Truth

Over the past few weeks, I have been exposed directly to the elements in this fierce battle that is raging between intelligent design (ID) and the theory evolution in order to establsh truth. Because of a recent Richard Dawkins documentary, I have now discovered the ID movement and have been on a wonderful journey of (re)discovering science.

Here, I have noted some common misconceptions (both spoken and unspoken), which I stumbled upon in my readings and interactions with various people...

Science is pure fact and religion is pure faith. I am not a scientist, but have studied sciences all my life, and to make that black and white separation is nonsensical. In debates, evolutionists often portray themselves as the purveyor of objective fact and religion as mythical faith. That is as far away from the truth as some may want it to be.

The Devil's Chaplain

"What matters is not the facts, but how you discover and think about them."

"God does not exist until proven that he does, and therefore I can live my life without Him".

arbitrary

"God does exist until proven otherwise",

with

Evolution is the only "scientific way" to think about the natural world. In many ways, especially in developed nations, evolution-based thinking has absorbed itself into our way of seeing the world, so much so that it even operates below the line of conscious thought of an intelligent person. The theory of evolution often portrays itself as the only "fact-based" framework to interpret the data and see the world, whereas in reality, this is not the case.

Intelligent design is equal to biblical creationism. Again, untrue – as someone quoted, ID is a systematic evaluation of observed biological phenomena resulting in the logical conclusion that design is inherent in living systems. And it stands apart from biblical creationism as a non-religious approach to origins. ID does not align itself to any scriptures or holy books. So, let's not make it a religion vs. science debate. Rather, let's look at the merits and worthiness of ID within a scientific framework - one that is open to the possibility of nature being designed by an intelligent agent.

At the very least, the so-called 'debates' will drive more attention to substantiating the claims of evolution based on evidence (and not conjecture) esp. macro-evolutionary type claims. At the same time, the scientific community who have the "evolution turf" to defend, have to move beyond their misconceptions, and give ID a fair hearing instead of the mud slinging clichés that debates often deteriorate into (e.g. ID being a religious idea based on faith, a conspiracy agenda to get religion back into schools, etc).

What are evolution scientists so afraid of? Losing their reputations? Losing face? Losing their jobs? Perhaps all these are at stake, but I suspect that most have a noble desire towards the pursuit of truth, so these hurdles need to be overcome. I personally have been awakened in my interest in exploring some of these avenues towards truth.

In the realm of evolution, the "meme", which Richard Dawkins defines as "words, ideas, faiths, mannerisms and fashions" that can be reproduced, transmitted, and disseminated, almost in epidemic fashion across cultures and between generation (presumably to ensure survival), is an intriguing concept which brings up a thought in me.

Does the formation of the theory of evolution itself constitute a meme? In my understanding, it does. In addition to using this concept as a tool against religion and its origins in general, evolution needs to play fair and apply this concept to itself. In doing so, it raises interesting questions in my mind: Why was the theory of evolution, a meme of sorts, created and propagated by groups of people?

Don't have conclusive answers yet. Perhaps it is to fulfil an intellectual need. Or perhaps it is to avoid needing to face the reality of a Creator God: to run away and hide; to live apart from Him; to be self-sufficient in our own wisdom and reasoning; and to avoid responsibility / accountability for personal sin. Maybe the ultimate reason is not intellectual, but rather moral and spiritual.

Sound familiar? Cause it is not that different from the SELFISH survival instinct (read: ME, ME, ME) of the first man in the Garden of Eden. In this respect, the human race has not evolved very far. As for this meme that is the theory of evolution, it will itself need to evolve to ensure survival, otherwise it may just have passed its time.

[Related post: Richard Dawkins' New Religion]

Labels: Current Affairs, Other Religions, Philosophies, Truth

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Saturday, August 20, 2005

Present-day Gaza and the Hope of two thousand years ago

I was watching Israel withdraw from the Gaza with interest. The pictures were of people clinging to what they consider holy land which God has given them. The scenes that flashed live before me through 24 hour television was surreal - to see a synagogue turn into a place of conflict. It imbued a sense of paradox - a holy place of worship that should be a symbol of hope and peace, became an alter of strife and despair.

Rationally I understood why men and women would fight for their possessions, that is not a surprise. Yet, at an emotional level, it was disturbing to see both the fervour and the distress present in the josling of crowds.

I didn't understand. As the rolling cameras recorded this historic event, I was asking myself: How do I get into the mind of each and every one of these Jewish protestors trying so hard to cling on to Jewish land? What is it that they are actually clinging on to?

The land is just land. What's the big deal?

Then, a moment later, I see with a new eyes.

The physical land, represents generations and generations of promises - which God (YAHWEH) has bestowed upon the Jewish people - promises of hope (tiqvah), promises of blessing (barachah), promises of peace (shalom), and promises that 'God is with us'.

I read yesterday in Luke 7:16-23, how Jesus in His day, caused a stir amongst His own Jewish countrymen. In times of trouble, John the Baptist send his disciples to inquire of Jesus: "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?"

Judging from these events in Gaza, I believe the above question still reverberates in the minds of the Jews. What was asked two thousand years ago, continues to resonate in a different way in the recesses of the heart: Where do we find the Messiah (the Coming One)? Are the promises symbolized by God's holy land to us merely in the land itself?

The promises of hope, blessing and peace by having God with us -- Is that not who the prophets and the Jewish New Testament writers recognize Jesus Christ to be during the times surrounding His birth?

"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet [Isaiah], saying: "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us."

Matthew 1:21-23

It does indeed feel like the world is walking on thin ice -- fear, uncertainty and doubt pervade the times we live in. Where is the hope?

Do we see it? Especially in the current times of shaking: Do the Jews recognize it?

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice. From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."

Isaiah 9:6-7

Those prophecies point to the One who is the Prince of Peace, of whom the government will be on His shoulder. Those who have the eyes to see, and ears to hear, shall recognize the times.

Labels: Current Affairs, Prophecy, Truth

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Monday, July 25, 2005

The Bible reads like news?

This time of shaking, in London and the world at large, is prodding people out of complacency and indifference, to ask what's really going on: Where is our source of security? What does the Koran really say? If we didn't think religion was relevant to the public sphere (either positively or negatively), do we need to think again?

I was just thinking, the Bible now reads more like the news rather than a book written about 2000 years ago.

Terrorism in London and Egypt, earthquakes in South Asia, Japan and Sumatra, devastating monsoon rains in India, and severe famines in North Korea and Niger (with the latter, I understand partially because of massive swarms of locusts! Talk about biblical imagery coming alive...).

Jesus' words in resonate with real significance in the light of modern day developments:

"When you hear of wars and rebellions, don't be alarmed; because these things must take place first, but the end won't come right away." Then He told them: "Nation will be raised up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be violent earthquakes, and famines and plagues in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven. But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you. They will hand you over to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of My name. It will lead to an opportunity for you to witness"

Luke 21:9-13

God's Word says it is only the beginning before the end comes. A sobering thought, but the very fact that Jesus foresaw events back then indicates God is sovereign over the bigger history we see 'unfolding before our eyes'.

It's too easy to say 'if I ignore it, it will go away', or to dismiss this as coincidental. We need to take a closer look, a second look, and third if required. And heed accordingly.

Labels: Current Affairs, Prophecy, Truth

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