Ang Katotohanang Nagpapalaya- "The Truth that Sets Us Free"

15/11/2023

15/10/2023

That’s why

11/10/2023

"Does Calvinism inhibit apologetics? In short, yes! If you hold to consistent Calvinism, your apologetics will reflect your deterministic soteriology which begs the question, why would you invest time in apologetics if theistic determinism, i.e. Calvinism, is true?"

Does Calvinism inhibit apologetics? In short, yes! If you hold to consistent Calvinism, your apologetics will reflect your deterministic soteriology which be...

11/10/2023

Not a contest of any kind

12/09/2023

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗹 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑬𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆

4 Infographics that my friend Dave Reiffer of Truth Seeker Apologetics made. I put them together as one long infographic.

25/08/2023

"Touch not the Lord's anointed"

Madalas na ipanakot ang Psalm 105:15 sa mga nagki-criticize sa mga katuruan ng ilang mga preachers. Tama ba ang paggamit nila sa verse na ito? Exempted ba ang mga preachers sa mga pagpuna?

Yan ang ating tinalakay sa segment ng "Tanglaw sa Landas ng Buhay" radio program ng Back to the Bible Philippines aired daily (Monday to Friday), 7PM, over 702 DZAS AM sa Metro Manila. Napapakinggan ang segment na ito sa Care 104.3 DWAY FM sa Bicol region tuwing Saturday, 8AM.

* Background Music by Infraction [No Copyright Music] / Skylight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO4Db7MyCvE&t=0s

09/08/2023

𝐈𝐒 𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐄?

Talking snake. Great flood. Dividing the Red Sea. Walking on water. Turning water to wine. Sabi ng mga critics, kung may common sense ka talaga, imposibleng maniwala ka na totoo ang mga yan. How do we respond to this kind of comment?

According to Merriam-Webster, common sense is “sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.” Mahalaga ang common sense kasi sine-save tayo nito sa panganib. Dahil sa common sense alam mong bawal halikan ang plantsa kapag mainit ito. Dahil sa common sense, hindi ka tatawid bigla ng kalsada kung alam mong may 10-wheeler truck na tumatakbo. Though common sense is helpful, there are matters that need more than just "simple perception of the situation or facts".

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐬. Ang common sense ay normally nakabase lang sa personal experience ng isang tao. Ngunit ang personal experience ay masyadong limitado para magbigay ng reliable information para sa lahat ng bagay. Hindi lang basta common sense ang gamit ng mga surgeons sa pag-oopera. Hindi lang basta common sense ang gamit ng mga engineers sa pagplano at pagdisenyo ng mga infrastructures. Deeper understanding of the subject through in-depth studies, training, and practice ang kailangan sa mga ganun. Ang “simple perception” ay hindi sapat para sa mga complex matters. Similarly, common sense is not enough to evaluate whether Christianity is true or not.

𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐞. Base sa common sense, kung ano lang ang nangyayari madalas, yun lang ang totoo. Critics often argue that miraculous events in the Bible are illogical because they violate laws of nature, and so to believe in miracles is to go against common sense. Ngunit dine-describe lang ng laws of nature kung anong mangyayari sa isang particular case assuming na walang supernatural na factor na involved. Sa mga miraculous na events na recorded sa Bible, may ibang factor na kasama (which is God’s power) and so, natural laws do not apply sa mga events na yun. Kung pagbabatayan ang common sense, unusual talaga ang mga yun, pero hindi sapat ito para sabihin na hindi sila totoo. The resurrection of Christ is unusual, yet historical evidence leads us to its reality.

“Christianity may not be a matter of common sense, but it certainly makes rational sense when you consider the many compelling reasons for belief.” (Natasha Crain)

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Heb 11:1

05/08/2023

Paano natin haharapin natin ang akusasyon na "homophobia lamang ang ating pagkontra sa sexual lifestyle ng mga kabilang sa community?

Yan ang ating tinalakay sa segment ng "Tanglaw sa Landas ng Buhay," ang daily radio program ng Back to the Bible Philippines aired daily at 7PM over 702 DZAS. Mapapakinggan din ang segment na ito tuwing Sunday sa Care 104.3 DWAY FM sa Bicol region.

04/08/2023

Naging kontrobersyal kamakailan ang dating Drag Den Philippines contestant na si Pura Luka Vega dahil sa kanyang drag performance ng "Ama Namin." Sumunod dito ang sinasabing "indecent act" ng komedyanteng si Vice Ganda at ang kanyang lover na si Ion Perez sa noontime show na "It's Showtime."

May mga nag-aakusa na "homophobia" lamang daw ang mga negative reactions laban sa ginawa ni Vega at ni Vice Ganda. Ngunit, ano nga ba ang ?

Yan ang ating tinalakay sa segment ng "Tanglaw sa Landas ng Buhay," ang daily radio program ng Back to the Bible Philippines aired daily at 7PM over 702 DZAS. Mapapakinggan din ang segment na ito tuwing Sunday sa Care 104.3 DWAY FM sa Bicol region.

03/08/2023

01/08/2023

What makes Christianity unique

31/07/2023

15/07/2023

Drag Jesus?

Ex-Drag Den Philippines contestant Pura Luka Vega got mixed reactions about his viral (read: controversial) video where he dressed up as the Black Nazarene in drag while he led the audience to sing a punk version of the Lord’s Prayer. (Drag Den Philippines is a local drag reality show.) The video has over 17 million views.

Even the first transgender Filipino lawmaker, Representative Geraldine Roman of the 1st district of Bataan, reacted negatively to the drag performance.

"As a Catholic, I feel offended. Your rights end where the rights of others begin. Umayos kayo. [Get your act together.]"1

Another lawmaker who’s been pushing for the passing of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Equality bill, Senator Riza Hontiveros, disagreed with it.

"As a woman of faith, I admit I personally find this regrettable. Alam ko madami ding miyembro ng [I know that many members of the] LGBTQIA+ community, persons of faith among them, find this regrettable."2

Vega claimed that the negative reactions he got were just because he was q***r, accusing his critics of homophobia or supposedly prejudice against the LGBT community. But Roman countered his claim.

"And I hate to say this ah, Pura please do not use the gender card again. Because your giving the community a bad name. Sa totoo lang. this is simply a case of disrespect for the religious feeling s of other people. Ang masama dito, magkamali ang isang member ng community lalahatin na. [What’s bad is that one member of the community does something wrong, people will generalize.]"3

Vega apologized to those he offended, but remained unfazed by the backlash. He even tweeted in his Twitter account,

"I understand that people call my performance blasphemous, offensive, or regrettable. However, they shouldn’t tell me how I practice my faith or how I do my drag. That performance was not for you to begin with. It is my experience, and my expression, of having been denied my rights."4

He captioned that video this way: “Thank you for coming to church.” He actually claimed it’s his way of worshiping God.

While worship is an experience, that doesn’t mean that it is a free-for-all act. According to our Lord Jesus Christ (the One Whom Vega parodied), “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24, ESV.) The way we worship Him ought to be according to what He has revealed about how He wanted to be worshiped. God has also revealed in His Word how we should practice our faith.

Worship is not for us to begin with. It is for God. So, if our worship is not according to His Word, it will not be acceptable to Him.

Brothers and sisters, let us worship God in truth!



1 Robert Requintina (13 July 2023), “Pura Luka Vega defends drag performance of ‘Ama Namin’”, Manila Bulletin, retrieved from https://mb.com.ph/.
2 Ibid.
3 Marisse Gulferica (14 July 2023), “Geraldine Roman kay Pura Luka Vega: ‘What If, I parody your mom how would you feel?’”, Kami, retrieved from https://kami.com.ph/.
4 Requintina.

📸 Manila Bulletin

28/06/2023

How to have a good online debate: Would you believe Jesus' example applies perfectly still in today's technological world?

02/06/2023

Nang lumabas ang ng Philippine Bible Society noong 2017, naging controversial ang salin na ito sapagkat gumamit ito ng Taglish o kumbinasyon ng Tagalog at English. Subalit may mga hindi nga natuwa sa Pinoy Version sapagkat nilapastangan daw nito ang Salita ng Diyos. Binaboy nga ba ng Pinoy Version ang Salita ng Diyos?

Yan ang ating tinalakay sa (AKN), isa sa mga segments ng "Tanglaw sa Landas ng Buhay," ang radio program ng Back to the Bible Philippines, na ibino-broadcast mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes, 7PM, sa 702 DZAS AM. Napapakinggan din ang AKN tuwing Linggo sa Care 104.3 DWAY FM sa Bicol region.

02/06/2023

Bakit nga ba iba’t iba ang mga translation ng Biblia?

Yan ang ating tinalakay sa (AKN), isa sa mga segments ng "Tanglaw sa Landas ng Buhay," ang radio program ng Back to the Bible Philippines, na ibino-broadcast mula Lunes hanggang Biyernes, 7PM, sa 702 DZAS AM. Napapakinggan din ang AKN tuwing Linggo sa Care 104.3 DWAY FM sa Bicol region.

01/06/2023

"Those who criticize the traditional Christian belief that Jesus is God should bear at least a similar burden of proof as they wish to impose on us. There is no reason why the traditional view should be subject to a different set of rules than contrary views."

Those who argue we shouldn’t believe Jesus is God because he never said the exact words “I am God” are often cutting off the very branch they’re sitting on.

05/05/2023

29/04/2023

Mormons believe that they receive a special revelation to the truth of Mormonism. But there is a question Mormons can't answer.

03/04/2023

"Siya ang larawan ng Diyos na hindi nakikita, ang panganay sa lahat ng mga nilalang". (Colosas 1:15, Ang Biblia 2001 Edition)

Dahil nakasaad dito na Siya "ang panganay sa lahat ng mga nilalang", may mga nag-akala na ang Panginoong Jesus ang unang nilikha ng Diyos at pagkatapos Siya ang lumikha sa iba pang mga nilikha. Itinuturo nga ba ito ng Colosas 1:15?

Yan ang ating tinalakay sa segment ng Tanglaw sa Landas ng Buhay radio program ng Back to the Bible Philippines aired daily, Monday to Friday, 7PM, over 702 DZAS AM. Mapapakinggan din kami every Sunday, 6AM, sa Care 104.3 DWAY FM sa Bicol region.



* Background Music by Infraction [No Copyright Music] / Skylight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO4Db7MyCvE&t=0s

30/03/2023

"The 'thoughts and prayers' verbiage became part of our cultural lexicon because people wanted a way to request help and/or care from a mixed audience of religious and non-religious listeners."

School Shootings and the Mockery of Thoughts and Prayers: A Christian ResponseBy Natasha Crain / March 29, 2023 March 30, 2023In response to the latest tragic school shooting, social media is on a warpath against anyone who dares to offer “thoughts and prayers” for the situation. As a few exampl...

19/01/2023

Please pray for wisdom and strength! Thank you!

14/01/2023

“I never have any difficulty believing in miracles, since I experienced the miracle of a change in my own heart.” ~Augustine of Hippo

05/01/2023

JONAH AND THE BIG FISH: Should We Take It Literally?
-----

Isa sa pinaka paborito ng lahat ang kwento ni Prophet Jonah na nilunon ng malaking isda (probably a whale, though not mentioned) na niluwa rin naman pagkatapos ng tatlong araw. Nakakatuwa ang kwento pero mapapaisip ka kung totoo ba itong nangyari. The event is a bit strange, which is why some scholars argue that this particular story must not be taken literally because it was written allegorically to make a point. Sa ibang salita, totoong nabuhay si Jonah at malamang nagpunta talaga siya sa Nineveh, but some details (like the big fish) were purposely exaggerated. Satires/ parodies based on actual events were common during ancient times, kaya may point din naman ang ganitong view. But there are good reasons to believe that the story of Jonah being swallowed by the big fish is true. Pag-usapan natin ang ilan:

▪History with Morals. Biblical events were recorded not just to narrate what happened but also to teach morals. Hindi natin matatanggi na marami rin namang satires/ parodies (in the form of folktales) sa ancient times pero hindi ibig sabihin ay lahat na ng pieces of literature that time ay matuturing na rin namang fictional. The details given in the book can still be supported by history, giving us good reasons to believe that the whole story of Jonah is meant to be taken literally —not just portions of it. Ang Joppa ay kilalang port sa Mediterranean coast ng Israel in ancient times. May mga s***m whales din naman talaga sa eastern Mediterranean. Dahil binanggit din naman si Jonah sa 2Ki 14:25, scholars assume na nangyari ang kwento sa Book of Jonah around 790-760 BC. Sa panahon na ito ay masyadong maraming revolts sa Assyrian Empire kung saan bahagi ang Nineveh, kaya hindi nakakapagtaka na sineryoso ng mga tao babala tungkol sa pagbagsak ng lungsod dahil malaki ang posibilidad na mangyayari talaga ito sa kanila.

▪Miracles are Real. Not because something is strange we can assume that it is not true. Tinuring ni Jonah na milagro ang pagkakaligtas sa kanya ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng isda (Jonah 2:1-9). At direktang sinabi na kagagawan ng Diyos ang nangyari (1:17, 2:10). The Bible is consistent in presenting the truth that God can use anything to serve His purpose, for the Lord owns the earth (Ps. 24:1). Kung kaya Niyang pagsalitain ang donkey para ituwid si Balaam (Num 22), kaya rin Niyang gumamit ng malaking isda para iligtas at ituwid si Jonah. “If miracles are possible, there is no real reason to deny that Jonah is historical.” (Howe and Geisler, 1992).

▪The Words of Jesus Himself. In Matt 12:40 Jesus said, “For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” Makikita rito kung paanong ginamit ni Jesus ang nangyari kay Jonah bilang pahiwatig (foreshadowing) ng Kanyang death and resurrection. He assumed that it actually happened! Kung alam Niya na hindi naman ito talaga totoo, walang rason na gamitin Niya itong tanda ng mangyayaring pagkabuhay Niyang muli (v.39). Regarding this subject, G.L. Archer comments, "No fictional past episode can serve as a prophetic type of a future literal fulfillment." Sinabi pa ni Jesus na ang mga mga tao sa Nineveh ay huhusgahan ang mga tao sa panahon Niya (Matt 12:41) dahil sila ay nag-repent sa preaching ni Jonah pero sila hindi. If the story of Jonah and the big fish is unreliable, we can also assume other portions of his story, like the repenting Ninevites, are questionable. Christ was sure that the events in the Book of Jonah actually happened.
------

Kung anong isda man ang nasa kwento o kung paano naka-survive si Jonah sa loob nito ay hindi na rin naman importante pang malaman. Uncertainties regarding non-essential matters must never drive us to miss the whole point of the story. Kung iisipin, hindi naman ang isda o kahit si Jonah ang bida ng kwento. It is God who is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Ptr 3:9). For He “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim 2:4). Stay Curious!

02/01/2023

If you're going to make something up about the empty tomb and appearances to the initial appearances, why are you attributing it to women? In the first century, a woman's testimony wasn't worth much at all. In fact, it would have subtracted from the credibility of the accounts, and there were other candidates for talking about an empty tomb and the appearances if you're going to fabricate the story. That is why the fact that both Matthew and John assigned the first appearances of the risen Jesus to two women adds credibility to their accounts.

24/11/2022

Madalas nating marinig ang mga salitang "I-declare mo na yan!" Eto ay ang "name-it-claim-it" o positive confession ng prosperity gospel. Ano ang itinuturo ng Biblia tungkol dito?

Yan ang ating tinalakay sa segment ng Tanglaw sa Landas ng Buhay radio program ng Back to the Bible Philippines noong Huwebes (November 24, 2022), 7PM, over 702 DZAS AM.



* Background Music by Infraction [No Copyright Music] / Skylight https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO4Db7MyCvE&t=0s