Valentine’s Day And Christianity

Did you know that centuries before Christ, the pagan Romans celebrated February 15 and the evening of February 14 as an idolatrous and sensuous festival in honor of Lupercus, the “hunter of wolves”? 

The Romans called the festival the “Lupercalia.” The custom of exchanging valentines and all the other traditions in honor of Lupercus – the deified hero-hunter of Rome- was also linked anciently with the pagan practice of teenagers “going steady.” It usually led to fornication. 

Today, the custom of “going steady” is thought very modern. It isn’t. It is merely a rebirth of an old custom “handed down from the Roman festival of the Lupercalia, celebrated in the month of February, when names of young women were put into a box and drawn out by men as chance directed.” That’s the admission of the Encyclopedia Americana, article, “St. Valentine’s Day.”

When Constantine (who lived as a pagan mostly of his life and died as an Arian sympathizer) made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire there was some talk in church circles of discarding this pagan free-for-all. But the Roman citizens wouldn’t hear of it! So it was agreed that the holiday would continue as it was, except for the more grossly sensual observances. 

It was not until the reign of Pope Gelasius that the holiday became a “Christian” custom. ” As far back as 496, Pope Gelasius changed Lupercalia on February 15 to St. Valentine’s Day on February 14.” (p. 172 of Customs and Holidays Around the World by Lavinia Dobler). 

But how did this pagan festival acquire the name of “St. Valentine’s Day”? And why is the little naked Cupid of the pagan Roman so often associated today with February 14? And why do little children and young people still cut out hearts and send them on a day in honor of Lupercus the hunter of wolves? Why have we supposed these pagan customs in honor of a false god are Christians?

Why February 14? 

But why should the Romans have chosen February 15 and the evening of February 14 to honor Lupercus – the Nimrod of the Bible? (Remember that day in ancient times began at sunset the evening before.) 

Nimrod – Baal or sun god of the ancient pagans – was said to have been born at the winter solstice. In ancient time the solstice occurred on January 6 and his birthday therefore was celebrated on December 25 and now called Christmas. 

It was the custom of antiquity for, the mother of a male child to present herself for purification on the fortieth day after January 6 – Nimrod’s original birthdate – takes us to February 15, the celebration of which began on the evening of February 14 – the Lupercalia or St. Valentine’s Day. On this day in February, Semiramis, the mother of Nimrod, was said to have been purified and to have appeared for the first time in public with her son as the original “mother and child.” 

The Roman month February, in fact, derives its name from the februa which the Roman priests used in the rites celebrated on St. Valentine’s Day. 

The febru were thongs from the skins of sacrificial animals used in rites of purification on the evening of February 14. 

Cupid Makes His Appearance 

Another name for the child Nimrod was “Cupid” – meaning “desire” (Encyclopedia Britannica, article “Cupid”). It is said that when Nimrod’s mother saw him, she lusted after him – she desired him. Nimrod became her Cupid – her desired one – and later her Valentine! So evil was Nimrod’s mother that it is said she married her own son! Inscribed on the monuments of ancient Egypt are inscriptions that Nimrod (the Egyptians called him Osiris) was “the husband of his mother.” 

As Nimrod grew up, he became the child-hero of many women who desired him. He was their Cupid! In the Book of Daniel he is called the “desire of women” ( Dan. 11:37). Moffatt translates the word as Tammuz – a Babylonian name of Nimrod. He provoked so many women to jealousy that an idol of him was often called the “image of jealousy” ( Ezekiel 8:5). 

Nimrod, the hunter, was also their Valentine -  their strong or mighty hero! No wonder the pagans commemorated their hero-hunter Nimrod, or Baal, by sending heart-shaped love tokens to one another on the evening of February 14 as a symbol of him. Nimrod, the son of Cush the Ethiopian, was later a source of embarrassment to the pagans of Europe. 

They didn’t want an African to worship. Consequently, they substituted a supposed son of Nimrod, a white child named Horus, born after the death of Nimrod. This white child then became a “fair Cupid” of European tradition. It is about time we examined these customs of the pagans now falsely labeled Christian. 

It is time we quit this Roman and Babylonian foolishness – this idolatry – and get back to the faith of Christ delivered once for all time. Let’s stop teaching our children these pagan customs in memory of Baal the sun god – the original St. Valentine – and teach them instead what the Bible really says!

What Is A Protestant?

Etymology

The etymology of the word “Protestant,” is derived from Latin, Pro “for” and testari “witness,” and/or protestatio meaning “declare.” The Protestant Church encompasses the Christian doctrines and practice that separated from the Roman Catholic Church emanated from the Reformation of 16th century. Although reform movements have been a feature of the Christian church throughout its history and were particularly evident in the 14th and 15th centuries, most Protestants date the beginning of their movement to 1517.

The Reformation

 The Protestant Reformation was a transition in Europe that began with Martin Luther’s activities in 1517, with roots further back in time. It ended with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. The movement began as an attempt to reform the Roman Catholic Church. Many western Christians were troubled by what they saw as false doctrines and malpractices within the Roman Catholic Church, particularly involving the teaching and sale of indulgences. The term Protestant was formerly applied to followers of an Augustinian monk Martin Luther, who protested at the Diet of Spires (1529) against the decree that prohibited all further ecclesiastical reforms, which reaffirmed the edict of the Diet of Worms against the Reformation. Since that time, the term Protestantism has been used in many different senses, often as a general term to refer to Western Christianity that is not subject to Roman Catholic and papal authority. Other influential reformers included John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, and John Knox. Protestantism rejected attempts to tie God’s revelation to earthly institutions and strictly adhered to the Word of God as sole authority in matters of faith and practice (sola scriptura).

When the Protestant Reformers of the 1500s began to emphasize justification by faith alone, the universal priesthood of the believer and the authority of scripture alone, they did not mean that individual Christians should dethrone the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3) through the Roman Catholic Church. On the contrary, Reformers such as Luther and Calvin discovered these doctrines through reading both the Scriptures and the writings of the Church fathers. They found that in Augustinian Christianity — sola gratia, sola fide, sola scriptura; were well known doctrines.

The Protestant Reformation Doctrines

The doctrines of the Protestant church which began from the Reformation can be summarized as the Five Solas (“only” or “alone”) and these are:

1. Sola Scriptura — Means, Scripture Alone,  is authoritative for the faith and practice of the Christian. The Bible is complete, authoritative, and true. “All Scripture is ‘God breathed’ (given of inspiration of God) and is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16). No traditions of churches  are nedeed. God’s Word is sufficiently enough.
2. Solo Christus – means by faith in Christ’s Alone are we saved. Thus, no need wasting our time in doing good deeds and asking forgiveness to a priest, hoping that you’ll eventually end up in heaven. It is enough by having your trust and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Church cannot help you. No churches, no pastors, no elders, no institutions, or priests or anybody else can save us from our sinful state but Christ alone. Pope cannot help you but Christ alone!
3. Sola Gratia — means Salvation by Grace Alone A central cry of the Reformation was salvation by grace. The biblical doctrine of salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 1:3-8). Our righteous standing before God is imputed to us by grace because of the work of Christ Jesus our Lord. In contrast to the doctrines of self-merit taught by the Church of Rome.
4. Sola Fide — Of course means, Justification By Faith Alone. The “Material Principle” of the Reformation was justification by faith alone. For those who are not familiar with the meaning of “justification by faith alone,” is God’s act of declaring or making a sinner righteous before God. Justification, from the Greek (dikaio¨­), “to declare/make righteous”, is a Scriptural term, occurring in the books of Romans, Galatians, Titus, and James; the root noun righteous occurs throughout both Old and New Testaments.
5. Soli Deo Gloria — means, Glory To God Alone, is the teaching that all glory is to be due to God alone. We should not rob God from our praise. Only God deserves our recognition and worship. The pope does not deserve to be praised nor worship or any other human being, because, this alone belongs to God our Savior.

The five solas above are the marks of an uncompromising Protestant and was stressed by the great reformers. Not only was the five solas emphasized and preached, it is also most likely what the Scripture teaches. While the faiths and churches born directly or indirectly of the Protestant Reformation constitute Protestantism, in common usage, the term is often used in contradistinction to Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy. The Anglican Church (also called Episcopalian Church), although born of the Protestant reformation, differs from the reformation principles of mainstream Protestants and is referred to as a middle path (a via media) between Roman Catholic and Protestant doctrines. Yet some other groups, such as the Mormons and the Jehovah’s Witnesses, reject Protestantism as having deviated from true Christianity and see themselves as restorationists. More radical style of Protestantism appeared on the left wing of the movement. Anabaptists, Mennonites, and others rebaptized Christians and initiated them into a reconstruction that drastically rejected Roman Catholic practices even where Lutheranism, Calvinism, and Anglicanism did not.

Protestant Denominations

Protestants often refer to specific Protestant churches and groups as denominations to imply that they are differently named parts of the whole church.There are many denominations within the Protestant church alone.  According to one source, there are 8,196 denominations within Protestantism. There are about 590 million Protestants worldwide. These include 170 million in North America, 160 million in Africa, 120 million in Europe, 70 million in Latin America, 60 million in Asia, and 10 million in Oceania. Nearly 27% of the 2.1 billion Christians in the world are Protestants. Each denomination has its own distinctive beliefs or practices, but they are commonly considered branches of the same religion because they agree on such fundamentals as the Bible, the Trinity, and the teachings of the Nicene Creed.

As far as I know the Protestant Reformers restored to the body of Christ the doctrine of sola scriptura. Christ and his majesty has been lifted up to its right place and so is the Bible. God gives a man right standing with Himself by mercifully accounting him innocent and virtuous. But this is not so with the Roman Catholic Church (RCC). The RCC teaches that If the sinner is granted right standing with God through faith (“born-again”), he will then experience transformation of character. The Protestant position, however, concludes that sinner becomes “born-again” (the regenerating, transforming process of character), he will achieve right standing with God. Finally, Protestant conveys that we receive right standing with God by faith alone and we achieve right standing with God by accepting the fact that He obeyed the law perfectly for us.

America The Beautiful!

An Islamic Mosque is being built at Ground Zero (WTC) where Muslim terrorists flew two hijacked airplanes and murdered thousands of civilian lives. This is scandal of the highest sort. The building in itself is despicably, outrageously and disrespectfully awful act. How can the majority of Americans just let this kind of humiliation to happen? Is the U.S. on its way to Islamization? God forbid! 

America is a Christian nation–or at least she was built that way. But since Americans has abandoned Yahweh, America is now sure its way to become a secular nation and a peculiar politically correct, multicultural country I might add. U.S. was founded by Christian priciples despite what President Obama (Big O) has said and/or been telling others about U.S.A. for instance, not being and/or never have been a Christian nation. Sorry Mr. Big O, America was founded by overtly religious individuals. These individuals who founded and built America were Christians and Deists [link], NOT Muslims! Therefore, no honest, revisionist historians will support Big O’s claim about America purportedly having any Islamic influence. It is really mind-boggling how, Big O, as a President of the U.S. can speak of such lies and diatribes towards his own country.

My question is, if the Big O isn’t successful with his teleprompter how can he even be successful about American history? This guy is a total humiliation and a disaster and my advice to him is that he should start reading American History 101 (history written by a non revisionists and non socialists political agendas of course!) for his own sake and for the sake of those who blindly follows him. I’m not American. But I have always admired the U.S. as a stalwart and a great Christian nation ever to exist on this planet Earth.

Truly, America is a great nation (or once a great nation) and no other countries can compare with its greatness. Therefore, I’m not surprised when idiots in the Middle East, Western and Eastern Europe harbors cynism, jealousy, hatred, mockery, and other anti Americanism sentiments towards the nation of America. Sad enough though that American themselves, not to mention the Big O, obviously solicits hate towards his (many questions Obama’s presidential eligibility and demands for his impeachment.) own country. His radicalism made him to become an America denier. I believe and everybody else with me that the Big O himself is a dishonest and a coward person (at least he appears to be) who would rather kiss someone elses behind just to appease those who hate the U.S.

For instance, the current American President called terrorist-sponsoring Iran a “great civilization” and proclaimed it has “earned the respect of the United States and the world”!

No doubt, when Obama won the presidential election, Americans and others such as Arabs, Africans and Europeans alike have high hopes for a great blessed future–sort of heaven on earth– under Big O’s administration. He was something people on earth has been waiting for. The last awaited messiah whom everyone should take a bow and worship. The cult-like admiration towards him from laymen to politicians is scary to say the least! Christians, who had a euphoric-like experiences and voted the Big O for the highest position on earth should perhaps take heed; “Thou shalt not have no other gods before me.” It is dangerous to deify any human being. Yes, Obama is a good rhetorician. Yes, Obama have charisma. And so was Hitler!

In addition, not only it is blasphemous to worship a human being like the present President (or any president for that matter) of the United States it is also undoubtedly pathetic. Big O and anyone else human or otherwise are not worthy worshipping no matter what ethnic, race, age, height, gender, or what position a person might have. The only worthy of any consideration for worship is none other but God: The God of the Judeo-Christian. I apologize if I ever sounded to be preachy. I do not hate Obama. I just diametrically oppose his policies about homosexuality, abortion, economical theory and his religion.

Like I mentioned earlier, America is a Christian nation or what is left of it. And it is a great nation too. It is bad enough that the Big O and his ilk (liberal socialists) hates their own country and aspiring to destroy the Christian foundation of the U.S. Even Europe in general and Sweden in particular as we speak had a Christian influence. Sweden was not built and became civilized under paganism. It didn’t became civilized under the Scandinavic mythological religion of Thor. Sweden flourished under the influence of the Christian faith–Lutheranism.

While Sweden has become secularized and evidently so, America has a long way to be totally secularized and this is for a good reason. The U.S. is not even close to be counted as a secularized country in contrast to irreligious nations such as Denmark, Finland and Norway. The aforementioned nations have not the same greatness and power comparing to that of North America. I’m not speaking of its size nor of its grandeur not even by its military power, and technical prowess but by simply being America. There are ample reasons why the United States of America is a great nation in which I’m not going to discuss in this article.

There are also ample reasons why East and Western Europe, and other countries hate America and why it is always being blamed for the ills of the world. It is because of JEALOUSY, ENVY and HYPOCRISIES. Let me give you a lengthy quote from a source;

Indeed, the U.N. did little to alleviate this suffering upon mankind. While the U.N. seems to condemn the U.S. at every opportunity, it has been silent about the gross violations of human rights in each and every communist country that has existed on the face of the earth. In the eyes of the world, it seems, the policy mistakes of the U.S. easily obliterate the extermination of 100 million people in the forced imposition of the criminal communist philosophy. Unfortunately, many members of that supposedly respected body are coming from authoritarian, dictatorial, tyrannical and totalitarian communist regimes in which individual freedoms and human rights don’t exist. Yet they condemn us. In my opinion, the U.N. has become ineffective and irrelevant and more accurately should be called the United Anti-American Nations (UAAN), since that seems to be its united cause. That united front of anti-Americanism has developed a history of looking the other way when the enemies of the U.S. enslave, torture and murder their citizens. As a matter of fact, that is what they have done in the case of Cuba. They would rather abstain, vote against or veto the condemnation of those barbaric acts against humanity for the simple reason of going against the U.S. They have even expelled the U.S. from the Human Rights Commission while other criminal regimes that systematically violate human rights, like Libya – clearly a terrorist state – were admitted. The hatred that has followed this worldwide envy for America’s progress and standard of living has been the end result and legacy of 70-some nefarious years of the application of Marxism-Leninism in the most perverse and destructive ways. [link]

Majority of Swedes (politicians or not) are not exempt from the vitriol hypocritical polemics against the U.S. They hated (during pre Bush administration) America too for what  this nation stands for. I don’t remember how the political fascists of the left and the majority of liberals wallowing, and grudgingly hated George W. Bush during his presidency. Most of these anti America sentiments coming from Swedes are mostly from self-proclaimed Marxists and Pro-Palestinian regiment. Majorities of Swedes are so proud, self-righteous, holier-than-thou and yet ignorant when it comes to U.S. policies and its uncompromising stand for capitalism.

Don’t misunderstand me. I do not hate Sweden. I do not hate my fellow Swedes. I love Sweden and I have grown and adapted the culture and love many other remarkable Swedish tradition. But this, in itself doesn’t stop me from criticizing those who opposes my political and religious view. I think that Sweden has a potential to become a great nation among European countries. Yet, Sweden, for time being, as a country is wrong-headed because of its insistence in being a supremely politically correct, multicultural state and liberalism. A multicultural country, such as Sweden is in danger of being over-run by foreigners who will never compromise their culture and religion such as the present fanatical Islamists. Sweden aside.

America as a nation is not perfect and so is Sweden, France, Germany and Finland. While being imperfect, the U.S. has always been a front with an uncompromising attitude towards dictators. But Europe on the other hand, not only being imperfect but also embarrassingly sissy. European countries has always been hiding behind the principle of the so-called pacifism. Liberals know, whether one lives in America or not, pacifism do not always work. War is sometimes necessary in confronting threats and securing genuine freedom for its citizens. Simple talks will not work. The likes of Saddam Hussein cannot have been pursuaded by simple peace-talk. The nefarious Muslim and terrorist, Osama Bin Laden, will undoubtedly kill more civilians (non Muslim) without having any second thought about civility. Obviously, Osama will not give it a second thought by murdering those who avowedly are secular including pacifists themselves. Liberals, America-haters, and  Islam appeasers are willing to die on their knees than to fight on their foot. Islam is not a peaceful religion (Oops! I’m no politically correct guru). The Religion of Islam will not tolerate nor compromise the either or principle: either you’re Muslim or an infidel. There’s no in between! You don’t believe me? Try to live for a while as a liberal Christian or secular socialist in countries like Afghanistan, Iran or Pakistan then you’ll really see the “tolerant,”  and “peaceful” nature of Muslim religion.

‘Tis not so in America. Religious liberty and freedom is practiced by various of deferring faiths without experiencing Fatwa or any kind of death threats. Everybody has a right, in the name of democracy, to enjoy and worship whom ever they liked without any kind of  interference from the U.S. government. But time has change. The majority of liberal Americans no longer tolerate religion specifically Christian religion. Ironic isn’t it. The stalwart of religious freedom, such as the U.S. is now intolerant and suppressive of freedom of speech and freedom of expressing religion. Big O as a commander-in-chief didn’t make the situation better. In fact, he will destroy America. If the people of God IN America will not repent and do some thing about it then, America as we know it and its  principles and values it was established on will no longer exist.

Retired Army officer Allen West says, “”If we are not willing to take a stand right now and take this country back and put it back on the right track with the principles and values it was established on, you’re complicit, it’s your fault.”

Cynicism towards America may abound but the fact still remains that, U.S.A. as a nation, IS still the best place in the world. Radical Lefties may accuse America for imperialism, racism, and capitalism. They still, however, have to provide explinations as to why America is imperialist, racist, and why socialism is better than capitalism. In addition, we ought thank and appreciate America for using its unmatched military power to liberate the oppressed rather than claim dominion over others. The only remedies from halting the corruption of the now present U. S. A. is only possible by means of repentance from any kind of inclination to sin and through fasting and prayers. Only then God will heed the prayers of HIS people and heal the nation of America. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Judge Not?

Skeptics, atheists, liberals and in fact Christians do love to use/misuse the “Judge not, that you may not be judged” principle. When I try to correct someone in a brotherly and friendly manner they often sarcastically reply, “who are you to judge me?” “Jesus commanded you not to judge others now did he?”

They simply doesn’t want us to tell them that abortion is murder, having sexual relationship outside marriage is adultery, and that same-sex marriage is abominable, and that cheating in their income-tax is stealing. Not only that these people feel uncomfortable when we try to judge them they also unfortunately, misunderstood Jesus when he said;

“Judge not, that ye be not judge” (Matt. 7:1).

Despite of what Jesus told us are we really not to judge? Are we just to set by and watch others doing immoral actions? Are we just going to close our eyes between what is good and evil?

There are two ways to respond to this objection. First, let us read again on what Jesus really meant by “not judging others.”

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. (Matt.7:1-6)

Now, as we read the verse above surely Jesus did not told us not to judge per se, but, that we are not to judge hypocritically judgements. We are not to judge on outward appearance nor do we as a Christians judge others by which we ourselves lives under God’s judgement.

In short, we are to judge righteously, and lovingly with our fellow Christians and to non-Christians. This means to tell us that we are to correct them by God’s standards without committing hypocrisy.

Besides, people who habitually misuses the verse are inconsistent after all Jesus did judge in vv. 6 in the same chapter by calling people ” swine, and dogs!” Even more, Jesus commanded us to judge people as false prophets (Matt. 7:6-20). He told us to judge righteous judgement (Jn. 7:24).

Our Lord actually never have problem judging people (Matt. 23:13-39) So, please read the whole context lest ye be judge taking text out of context which is pretext!

In addition, if we are not to judge how can we discern from what’s right and what’s wrong, what’s evil and what’s good? How can we know justice from injustice? The holy from the profane; the clean from the unclean; the righteous from the wicked and those who serve our God and those who do not serve and worship God? Surely, this is a gross misinterpretation and misunderstanding by “not judging others.”

Second, the Bible repeatedly commands us to judge. ” Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgement” John 7:24 and in 1 Corinthians 2:15 tells us that, “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judge of no man.”

The apostle Paul commanded us, “I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say” 1 Cor 10:15. These are just a few verses that command Christians to determine or judge between right or wrong.

An apologist and philosopher Dr. Robert Morey has something to say how absurd it is not to judge.

A non- judgmental view of life is also absurd. If we did not judge whether people were saved or not, no one could be baptized or join the church. There could be no church discipline if we did not judge people. No criminals would be tried o convicted. Lazy people could not be fired if we could not judge them as lazy. Sick people could not be treated unless we judge them sick…human society would be destroyed if everyone was non-judgmental.

If he/she still insisting “not to judge him or her” simply show them their inconsistencies by pointing them how self-refuting they are, namely if judging them is error then why do they judge you in the same breath telling you not to judge them? That is they are judging you not to judge them. They fall and self-refute in their own false standards by “not judging” them.

New Year Resolution?

As you, probably already know by now, New Year resolution is not a modern practice, it started way back about 3000 years to the ancient Babylonians. There is just something about the beginning of a New Year that gives us the “feeling” of a fresh and a new start. 

In reality, there is no difference between December 31st and January 1st. Nothing mystical or magical occurs at midnight on December 31st. The Bible does not speak for or against the concept of a New Year’s Resolution. Nor, will I condemned or condone it. However, if a Christian determines to make a New Year’s Resolution, what kind of resolution should he or she make?

The typical New Year’s resolutions are: to manage your money (more books pls) or economy better, to quit lying, to quit drinking, to quit smoking and stop flirting. By far, the most common New Year’s Resolution is to lose weight (I have to get rid some of the waistline or the “lovehandle”), in conjunction with exercising more (I hate waking up early in the morning for cardio) and eating healthier (isn’t always successful). These are all good goals to set. 

However, 1 Timothy 4:8 instructs us to keep exercise in perspective: “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” The vast majority of New Year’s Resolutions, even among Christians, are in relation to physical things. And this should not be.

Many Christians make New Year’s Resolutions to pray more, to read the Bible every day, to attend church more regularly, etc., etc. These are fantastic goals! However, these New Year’s Resolutions fail just as often as the non-spiritual resolutions. Why? Because there is no power in a New Year’s Resolution. 

Resolving to start or stop doing a certain activity has no value unless you have the proper motivation for stopping or starting that activity. For example, why do you want to read the Bible every day? Is it to honor God and grow spiritually or is it because you have just heard that it is a good thing to do? Why do you want to lose weight? Is it to honor God with your body, or is it for vanity, to honor yourself?

Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” John 15:5 declares, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” If God is the center of your New Year’s Resolution, it has chance for success – depending on your commitment to it. If it is God’s will for something to be fulfilled, He will enable you to fulfill it. If a resolution is not God honoring and/or is not in agreement in God’s Word – we will not receive God’s help in fulfilling the resolution. 

So, what sort of New Year’s Resolution should a Christian make? I cannot answer that question for you. My advice to you is this: (I adopted the lists below by another Christian website)

(1) Pray to the Lord for wisdom (James 1:5) in regards to what resolutions, if any, He would have you make;

(2) Pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives you;

(3) Rely on God’s strength to help you;

(4) Find an accountability partner who will help you and encourage you;

(5) Don’t become discouraged with occasional failures, instead allow them to motivate you further;

(6) Don’t become proud or vain, but give God the glory. Psalm 37:5-6, “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” 

The Nativity Story

Thought the probability of Jesus being born during winter time are small, some or most of us doesn’t even know the real story behind the Christmas scene and why Jesus had to be born. Perhaps many of us has been thought about an infant named Jesus being born and that “three wise men” visited him with gifts during evening in Bethlehem of Judaea and that’s the end of the story. Is this the whole picture? What was the real purpose of Jesus being born?

Most people usually sing Christmas carols. Swedish tradition celebrates Christmas festivity together with  their families to celebrate Christmas holiday and this of course includes eating traditional Swedish cuisine and share Christmas presents with each other later on that day(at 4 p.m.). But what is really behind all this celebration. Surely there are more than eating Christmas cuisine, family gathering, laughter, joy and sharing gifts. Christmas is not even about Santa Claus (a mythical person) which is frequently told to our little children and which is really sad. Why? Because it undermines and obscure the real meaning or ought to be the true purpose of Christmas .

The Nativity

Let me tell you something about the real story behind our Christmas celebration [see Should Christians celebrate Christmas? ] in which this saga happened two thousand years ago in a small town called Bethlehem. We can read this fascinating narrative accounts of Jesus being born in our New Testament Bible and these story are found in two synoptic Gospels of mostly Matthew and Luke. The account of Matthew and Luke tells us that somewhere in a small town of Nazareth two thousand years ago an Archangel spoke to a young virgin lady whom was called Mary and told her that she was chosen by God to give birth (through virgin birth) and she was to call him Jesus, “for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). After this, Joseph was flabbergasted knowing that Mary was already pregnant yet he marries her. Joseph and Mary travelled and went to Bethlehem just to evade paying a special tax. When they arrived in Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary couldn’t even find a suitable place for both of them because they were all crowded, there were simply no room for them to stay. By God’s provision, an innkeeper told Joseph and his wife Mary where they could stay and they where to stay in a stable (not in a cave).

To make a long story short, both Mary and Joseph departed from Nazareth for a while then went to a small town called Bethlehem to finally give birth to Jesus and placed him in a manger full of hay. By the guiding star Wise men arrived with their gifts at the stable and worshipped Jesus along with the shepherds who heard an angel spoke to them and telling them that a child was born, that cool evening (Matt. 2:11). The Wise men (actually, there were zero wisemen when our Savior was born. Jesus were old enough to be able to walk and talk when they arrived) gave gifts to Jesus and these were gold, frankincense and myrrh. This is the real story of Christmas we often tell our kids but is this all? If we read the entire book of Matthew and Luke, Jesus did not, of course, remained as a baby but actually grew up and did lots of marvelous deeds that no mere human being could perform like healing sick, casting out demons, helping, forgiving sins, debating, walking on water, resurrecting people from the dead, and he even end up being falsely accused and get beaten and finally was sentenced to death by crucifixion. Then after three days Jesus was resurrected from the dead and went back to heaven and shall return again.

Theological Significant of the Nativity

The point behind the Christmas narrative is that something happened in time past, a miraculous event did occur and that God was about to enter the scene and evade time to become human and have personal relationship with us and call us out from the shackles and bondage of sin. God call us to have a personal relationship with Him and that we ought to acknowledge God and to worship Him. God is not just some sort of a transcendent or distant deity but has immanently reached down to us by entering time and space in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, born us one of us just so we could know him in a very personal and intimate way. The little baby who was born in the town of Bethlehem was not just an ordinary infant but was or is God (the Word became flesh and dwelt among us as the disciple John wrote in Jn. 1:14) who created the universe including us. The same baby Jesus who was placed in a manger will someday going to judge each one of us.

For me, the greatest gift God has given to mankind is His unique Son Jesus Christ who by his own admission was crucified and died in order for us to be forgiven and be reconciled with God. Those who believed in His Son are no longer condemned but forgiven unto eternal life. The Christmas story I think did not ceased in Bethlehem but actually continued to Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension.

Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?

There are Christians who have qualms over in celebrating Christmas. Christians believe it is wrong-headed to participate Christmas because it has roots in paganism and therefore should not be practiced. Christmas, having a pagan roots is hardly undisputed. But should Christians shun Christmas because of its heathen-like elements? There was, for example, a saturnal celebration around the time of Christmas that pagans celebrated. Christmas came from the Roman feast of the Unconquered Sun (Lat. Sol Invictus) celebrated on December 25th. Later, Constantine replaced this non-Christian feast with a celebration of “Christ’s birth.”

The other reason why few of these Christians does not participate Christmas is due to the fact that Jesus of Nazareth wasn’t born in December 25th; Lukan narrative tells us that, “There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over there flock by night” (2:8).

Shepherds would normally not be in the fields so late in the year. The Scripture is silent about what date Jesus was born. Besides, nowhere in the Bible that commands believers to “celebrate” Christmas or even to celebrate Christ’s birth. So what is the proper answer to this question?

While I disagree with my fellow brothers in their argument for not celebrating Christmas, I however, show respect for their commitment.

I do not see any reason why the body of Christ should be divided in this issue. While there are few Christians who believes that celebrating Christmas is un-Christian, other believes that it is okay to celebrate Christmas (I belong to this camp).

But what about the objections above, sincere Christians has objected against Christmas? Isn’t Christmas unbiblical? My first answer to this is that since the Bible didn’t explicitly forbid or condone Christmas I think it can be very legalistic to say that sincere Christians should not celebrate Christmas.

Being legalistic means that we adjudicate rules that aren’t God’s rules, but in fact man-made rules, and we try to make our own rules equal with God’s rules. For example, we take man-made rules that Christians should be prohibited going movies, or play Xbox games. The Bible did not say that you shouldn’t smoke, it doesn’t say we shouldn’t train martial arts.

We take our own rules that we apply in our church, and apply it all to Christians. That’s a type of legalism. In other words, we make things wrong that the Bible doesn’t make wrong. Further, just because the Scripture do not mention about Christmas is not to be equated as a prohibition.

The Bible does not mention many good things the church does (choir, sunday-school etc.,). Are we then to stop these activities just because the Bible did not mention these things? Of course not! Also, the fact that we cannot be absolutely certain about our Savior’s date of birth does not negate the possibility of celebrating His birth.

By not celebrating Christmas because its has elements from pagan is the position known as “guilt by association.” Certainly there is no scriptural command to celebrate Christmas, but there is no warrant for saying that to do so is forbidden. I believe that celebrating Christmas is fully legitimate even though there may have some pagan elements that were rooted with Christmas.

That doesn’t make our celebration of Christmas the same as pagan celebration. In fact, it’s quite different. We are celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. In addition, it is good to celebrate Christmas because we are celebrating the resurrection and birth of Christ by doing so.

However, whatever it is we are celebrating we must be sure that our practices are consistent with the Scripture’s explicit commands, and principles, but we are being illogical and legalistic to say that we cannot do something if it is not mention in the Bible.

Was Jesus A Socialist?

“Christian Socialism” is neither Christian nor Socialism …. It is disappointing to Christians and irritating to Socialists. – R. A. Torrey

Socialist propagandists for over four centuries have claimed that the Bible teaches socialism, but we have yet to see a single Bible commentary written by a socialist. If the Bible teaches socialism, where is the expository evidence? – Gary North

Time for me to write this untimely subject and most misunderstood among professing Christians which is of course about Jesus and its supposedly correlation with socialism. Socialism is very attractive and popular not only among the secular but also among Christians as well. Christians who adhere to socialism, unfortunately, and misleadingly so believes that socialism champions the poor and that its opposite view such as capitalism encourages greed and envy and therefore, they believe, to biblically incoherent.

Either, Christians misunderstood its ideological stance on the account of what socialism is, or they just plainly ignore the fact that socialism goes against the teachings of the Scripture. In despite of many professing believers in Christ who thinks and believes that socialism is compatible with the Christian faith, I would, however, argue otherwise.

I believe that socialism or collectivism will corrupt both the free-market enterprise and human freedom. I also believe that socialism is a nonbiblical teaching and I doubt that Jesus and his disciples adopted some sort of socialistic/communistic ideology. However, I will be very careful not to confine Jesus and his followers as hardcore capitalists. Yet, by a thorough exegesis of the Scripture I believe that they have more in common with capitalism than with socialism.

It really bothers me when well-intentioned Christians practices Marxism. Because it, certainly is a non-biblical ideology. Socialism as such is no more than biblical than the belief in anarchism (extreme anti government). It is sad to see that Christians seems to have been bewitched with the delusion that socialism and communism fights for the destitute which is, of course false if not misleading. All I can see and comprehends about socialism is that it deprives the individual’s freedom and self-worth. Without furthermore complications let us first study, in brief, about what socialism really represents.

Understanding Socialism

It is evident that Socialism is to be distinguished from Communism with which it is often confused. The latter advocates a collective ownership of all wealth. Socialism does not deny the right of private property, but of private capital. Socialism is an economic and social system based upon the political and economic theories of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Socialism is system of social organization in which private property and the distribution of income are subject to social control. In a lay person’s language this simply means that all people having all things in common, It also is used to refer to a government taking things and redistributing them as the government sees fit. Either way, socialism, so defined, denies private ownership. But, ’tis not so, since the Scripture clearly endorses private ownership (see Exo. 20:15; 2-17, Deu. 22:1, Lev. 19:35-36, Pro. 3:9).

Moreover, in a socialist country, the state is sovereign. Such an all-powerful state views itself as the grand authority. It is not surprising, therefore, that the Communist Manifesto calls for abolishing family, marriage, countries, and religion as well as private property. Under the socialist system the state determines what is right and wrong — without any competing loyalties to the Judeo-Christian God, family, or country. As you and I understands, surely, socialism is irreconcilable with Christianity. Not to mention that the founder of socialism/communism were atheists if not antitheists. Winston Churchill rightly says, “Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy.”

Christian Socialism ?

Socialist and dictator Hugo Chavez once commented that “Jesus was the greatest socialist in history.” I cannot, to be honest, see why he made such a ludicrous statement! In disagreement Christian evangelist R.A. Torrey wrote;

That He [Jesus] insisted upon justice, and brotherhood, and love, and self-sacrifice is evident; but to suggest that these virtues are the monopoly of any one political or economic party is presumptuous, and to prove that Christ advocated “collective ownership of property” is impossible. The fundamental economic problem relates to the division of wealth; and as to that Christ refused to speak. He rebuked social sins and injustice and selfishness, but when requested to divide a possession on a certain occasion He asked, “Who made Me a judge or a divider over you?” and that question has wide implications for the present day. (emphasis mine)

Christians who have been persuaded by the socialist mind will argue that Jesus and in fact the New Testament teaches socialism if not communism. Christian socialists attempts to combine the fundamental aims of socialism with the religious and ethical convictions of Christianity, promoting cooperation over competition as a means of helping the poor. Christian socialism generally refers to those on the Christian left whose politics are both Christian and socialist and who see these two philosophies as being interrelated. This category can include Liberation theology and the doctrine of the social gospel.

Heterodox Readings of the Holy Scripture

Of course, those who believe that socialism is compatible with the Christian faith are anxious to defend their faulty understanding of the Bible by quoting couple verses building their own arguments for collectivism. I can assure you that no such verses that supposedly supports socialism can ever be found in the mouth of Jesus, disciples, apostles and certainly not in the Bible. 

Market enterprise during the Old and New Testament time reflect the social and economic practices of the day without meaning to say that these particular practices are to be universal. But when immorality is practised in biblical culture, it is always condemned by Scripture. If private ownership and wealth were sinful and in themselves oppressive to the poor, Scripture would condemn these. Scripture, however, never condemns wealth – it speaks of wealth as a blessing, and actually protects the concept of private ownership.

Socialists maintains and advances arguments by using biblical texts to support their misconceptions. For instance, in Matt. 19:21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Does the texts above supports the socialist view? Not if you’re willing to read the texts out of contexts. First of all, the Bible is evidently clear how we can attain salvation–by faith. Salvation is not to be achieve by being rich or by being poor. No. You’re saved by having faith and trust in Christ. Besides, Jesus didn’t rebuked the man by being rich per se. But rather, Jesus saw the rich man failed by not loving his neighbour. His unwillingness to relinquish his wealth showed he did not love his neighbour as himself. His reliance upon his wealth only showed that he loves more the mammon than righteousness. Again, the verse (as shown above) has nothing to do with being rich but having more to do with idolatry and trust in wealth for salvation instead of having faith in God and live a righteous life.

What about Acts 2:44-45 it reads, “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” Does the passage above support the primitive communist mind-set? Again, I doubt it. There are difference between voluntary and obligatory. The former teaches and demonstrated their love for one another by giving self-sacrificingly. The latter, on the other hand, teaches that in socialists or communists regime the state uses the authority to accomplish the desired result.

 Acts 4:32 is yet another text that has been abused by the Christian socialist it says, “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.” It amazes me how this passage at hand can ever be reconciled with the socialistic mind-set. Furthermore, just because the early NT Christians gave and shared their positions in common with each other doesn’t concludes socialism at large! After all, they didn’t only shared their positions in common but also “believed with one heart and soul.” The verse at hand is more characteristically spiritual and not an economical proposal. In addition, Torrey commented,

When we read the story of the early Church there are statements which suggest Socialism or even Communism, as for instance when we read that “they had all things common,” but a fuller investigation shows their Communism was local, voluntary, occasional, temporary. It was practiced only in Jerusalem, no one was compelled to divide or sell his property, not all adopted the practice, but many like Mary the mother of Mark kept their homes in the city. Furthermore, this Communism was only practiced for a time. It was prompted by love and designed to meet a special crisis, but never admitted or established as an abiding principle of Church life. 

Closing Statement

Biblical Christian orthodoxy should not compromise by correlating the secular ideology with socialism and communism which is the very antithesis of the Christian faith. I, among many believers in Christ Jesus stands firmly in the conviction that socialism as such is a non-Christian discipline and ought not to be in courage to adopt within the Christian community. Socialism as an economical, materialist theory goes against the biblical teaching of “justification by faith,” and not by works. A true Gospel of grace is inseparable from a Gospel of good works. Christian doctrines and Christian duties cannot be divorced. At last but not least, socialism is in a strong contrast with Christianity. Again, Torrey said that,

It insists that better social conditions will produce better men; Christianity teaches that better men are needed to produce better conditions. Socialism endeavors to elevate individuals by elevating society; Christianity contends that society can be elevated only by the regeneration of individuals. To secure such regeneration is the supreme effort and function of the Church, and its chief message to Socialism is that the “life is more than meat and the body than raiment.”

Suggested Readings

R. A. Torrey: “The Church and Socialism.” Bible Institute of Los Angeles.

Ronald H. Nash; Social Justice and the Christian Church

David A. Noebel; The Battle For The Truth

What Is A Worldview?

What Is A Worldview?

What it is a worldview? Weltanschauung or worldview in German simply means a person’s thinking or understanding is the sum total of everything that person believes. There are many ways we want to interpret our world and it really depends upon your presuppositions; for example, you can be an anarchist, communist, Nazi, guru, and even a satanist. Let me provide you with an illustration. I was a satanist before I came to finally acknowledge Christ as my Lord and Savior. My weltanschauung was satanism (read my testimony for more details) to explain my understanding of  “reality” as I lived my life.

I thought that the world, as I saw it then were meaningless and purposeless if not also dreadfully uninteresting. I saw Christians, according to my worldview, as my enemies because first, they were hypocrites and did not live according to what they preach and second, they worshipped my arch-enemy–God. Within my world and life view, compassion, love, and mercy was for the weak and should be ignored by a satanist (I’m not speaking for all satanist). Satanist worldview helped me to understand what was true and real back then.

A New Pair of Christian Eyeglass

Worldview can be similar or analogous to a pair of intellectual eyeglass. I had a satanist eyeglass to view my world but this eye glass was, as I know it now, did not helped me to see more clearly about reality and truth. It was Jesus Christ who took away my satanistic eyeglass and gave me a new pair of Christian eyeglass and it did change my worldview and remarkably so. Not only that Christ administered me with a new lens, he also forgive my sins. I never took off the eyeglass of Christian worldview since then and I see more clearly that life has a meaning and is purposefully handed to us by our Creator. As a Christian my worldview holds to a belief that Satan will be conquered and the world is more than just the physical. And since a God of life, righteous, goodness, and truthfulness exists then life has its meaning, objective truth and moral values undeniably exist. This is now my weltanschauung and it is pretty much consistent with reality.

Are There Contrasting Worldviews?

Satanist worldview, as I see it now, did not conform with the reality and structure of how things work. Satanism is one among many ways one tries to explain and accept as reality of the world. It is of most importance what kind of worldview we embrace because what ever one perceives the world consciously or otherwise have consequences for ill or for good. Our particular ways of understanding of the world does not only affect ourselves but also affects those whom we love as well.

I believe and argue that not all welstanschauung are comparable with each other system of thought because they remarkably contradicts with each other. Put this simply, one of these competing worldviews are wrong and should not be embrace. So, “choose you this day!” which worldview fits and conform with reality. Before we can even take our first step in chosing worldview we must identify these contrasting way of perceiving our world. There are various system of thought out there: Atheism, Pantheism, Deism, and Agnosticism. We will try to investigate some of the predominant worldviews mentioned above. Let us first consider the worldview of atheism.

• Atheism

Atheism believes that God or gods does not exist, either beyond the universe (transcendent) and within it (immanent). They contend that the universe is self-sustaining apparatus.  According to a atheistic explanation of the universe, either the universe is eternal or it came about by random chance–by accedent–through billions of years ago. Humans wasn’t created by a fiat God but evolved unaided through natural selection decades ago, and does not have a soul. There are no such thing as absolute virtue in morality because morality of evil and goodness is part of our evolutionary make-up. Thus, God is not needed to tell us what is right and what is wrong. The destiny of humanity is neither heaven or hell but grave that’s it and that’s that plain and simple, says atheistic worldview. Atheism is also some form of a religion (naturalism) in a sense like Jainism or Buddhism.

• Pantheism

Another major worldview is pantheism, the belief that God is the universe and humans true self is God. according to pantheism God is one, infinite and usually impersonal; he is the universe. The materialistic universe is an illusion, God alone is the ultimate reality. Evil, pain, and suffering are nothing but illusion caused by errors of the mind. Pantheism are represented by certain forms of Hinduism, Zen Buddhism and the New Age.

• Deism

Deism postulates that a supernatural being such as God created the universe to only left it out to work for itself. For a deistic mind, God is somehow disinterested and inactive when it comes to human affairs. He is just only a spectator who observes His creation but do not interacts. So, the God of deism is wholly transcendent and not immanent. God created us and leaved us on our own.

• Agnosticism

The worldview of agnosticism does not exhaustively roll out God’s existence but that we as humans cannot know for sure that there is such a God (soft agnosticism). Even if there was one we cannot know it for sure (dogmatic agnosticism) says the agnostic. Thus the worldview of agnostics pleads ignorance, and even paves the way to atheism.

• Christian Theism

Christian theism believes that the observable material universe is not eternal nor did it came by chance. The universe including us was created by God a finite time ago. God is not part of the universe but apart from His creation (transcendent). Humans, did not evolved through painful gradual step of evolution but was created in the image of God (imago de) and therefore, humans are intrinsically valuable. Unlike the god of deists God deals with humanity and even interacts with them (immanent). God is one, personal, morally perfect, holy, just and infinite in all His attributes. The worldview according to a Christian believes that evil, suffering and pain is not an illusion but rather real caused by our own choice. Furthermore, evil in its presence form will be defeated by God sometimes in the near future. Morality is not relative but objective, absolute, prescriptive and is grounded in the nature of God.

I haven’t summarized these worldviews in a deeper lever and in a more concise way but my objective is to give you, at least, a simple overview and I advise you to further study these worldviews later in depth if you want. Remember though, that chosing a particular worldview does not make it your own reality because as I emphasized earlier not all of these predominant worldviews applies to reality since they all contradicts with each other. Not all can be correct at the same time in the same respect, some of these understanding of the world is in grave error. Again, the probability that the Christian weltanschauung are more coherent with the universe and all of its reality are more plausible is beyond any doubt.

My Testimony

From Satanism to Jesus Christ

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Eph. 5:11

 “Kill the Christian” – Glen Benton of Deicide

Someone ask me to write and publish my testimony. Well, here it is. This is my testimony and my personal story of my journey from my miserable life to the life of freedom from darkness and to forgiveness, joy and victory thanks to my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

I did not wrote this testimony in details (I wasn’t planning to write an entire biography) because I did not want this to be a lengthy testimony. I believe testimonies should be short but concise. Nevertheless, since, I’m not a good and gifted writer, I only hope and pray that this testimony will be readable.

Early Years

I was one among many, young kid who was raised in an unorthodox, legalistic, very religious environment back in the Philippines. I was thought to fear god and obey his rules. Due to my father’s negligence and irresponsibility towards his family, my parents eventually separated and my mother remarried a Swede and adopted us as his own kids. But, later in my life, as I lived in Sweden however, I became indignant and apathetic and eventually detested the religion I was raised as a kid and became disgusted by all sorts of religion in general and Christianity in particular. Why just Christiany?

Good question! Christianity for me back then was the very back bone of all religions and it was supposedly to be the religion I was raised to obey (I was wrong). I thought, in my benightedness that all religions were basically the same. Besides, I was an ignoramus about other religions too. I never heard about Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam nor did I care about the theological details about these differing faiths. 

So, in other words Christianity or not, they were all the same. I hated people who worshiped God or any kind of gods. I was consummed by hate against the God (as I have known him) that I have known and and came to learn that he was nothing but a dictator a tyrant who enjoys in my sufferings. I believed that this same God was the author of all wars, genocides, pain and evil that constantly happens in our world.

I was first an agnostic (although I never knew the terminology of it before) during my fifteen years of age  and became atheist later (I loved rock n’ roll music and was a rockabilly and listened to and idolized Elvis Presley, Stray Cats, Johnny Burnette, Eddie Cochran, Chuck Berry, etc, etc, during this years). I became an atheist for some obvious reasons. Even though I cannot say that I lost the sense of what is right and wrong. Me and my brother got into trouble in our pre-highscho0l years from stopping bullies from bullying me, our classmates and other students. We knew that bullies and bullying was and still is ill-conduct and unpassionate. So, we got into the situation where we have to fight in the school. And, obviously, bullies didn’t appreciate it so it became “war” within the school’s peremeters. They were many. We were only three! So we fought back and from that moment on they never bothered us again and other just as long we were there. From fighting bullies to city riots fighting, throwing stones both at the police authorities and neo-nazis.

Anyway, I choosed not to believe in a god who was suppressive and who did not need my worship anyways. The god I knew became an obscure type of deity and who in turn became irrelevant in my life. In short, atheism was freedom from the shackles of my childhood cultic religion. No more fear for condemnations in every little mistake I made.

And so I was free from a god who didn’t allow me to be a child. A child who needed to think childish thoughts. Then eventually, I became a devout satanist for no obvious reason. I did not plan to be part of this urban culture nor did I wished for it. I just became satanist. I was a satanist most of my early twenties. I was a satanist who did not believe in a personal existence of Satan however. 

I believe Satan to be just a mere force in nature. My conception of satanism or Satan was more like Anton La Vey’s Satan. And I was also a huge fan of Aleister Crowley. I did wished that Satan existed as a person so that I could worshiped him. Satanism made my life more sensible since the world (as I saw it) was rather dark, devoid of meaning and rather hopeless after all!  I was a hateful, aggressive, and a cynical person. Life for me was hopeless, incomplete of meaning and even useless. Suicide was the best of all options and so I believed. Music has been a factor (I listened ENDLESSLY and idolized Deicide, Cradle of Filth, Cannibal Corpse, Marduk, Hypocrisy, Morbid Angel, etc) in my life or it is still to me now, though I have radically change my preferences when it come to music (thanks Christ for this).

I had long hair, only and always dressed in black and never let go of my black leather Jacket (no matter what the weather circumstances were) and always had a inverted pentagram (as a sign of rebellion or religious identification, the three downward points symbolising rejection of the holy Trinity.) necklace. I was also fascinated with death which is why most motives of my ink-art (tattoes) are skulls one way or the other. I prefered to read satanistic literature, nude magazines, books about necromancy, witchcraft and black magic.

I also went to satanistic concerts on several occations and did my part in headbanging and stage diving. It was fun then. I did my own occultic ” ritual” every October 31st which is otherwise widely known as Halloween.

Again, I listened and idolized satanistic music (right after my rockabilly years). Without these music I listened too I though I would literally die. Satanic music was the very air I breathed. It was my life. Satanic music was the very pillar and even fueled my hate even more. Music gave me the rush in my blood (endorphin like experience) and made me think I was invincible. 

Satanic music was my power and strength. Now, I don’t necessarily say that satanist at large have the same experiences when they listened to these kind of music. I’m telling you from my own personal experiences. Satanistic music made me more hateful. 

Besides from being toxicated with hate I was also a blasphemous and filthy in every way back then. I indulged in promiscuity, pornography, witchcraft, and satanic rituals. Sex was important part of my life. I even had vivid dreams having sex with a beautiful girl (demonic experiences I pressumed). Been into numerous sexual relationships with lots of girls I came to know. I was abusive in my early relationships. I was also a moderate alcoholic and my parents never new about this but they do now and I have quit drinking alcoholic beverages since my conversion.

Turning Point 

I thought that I have found the meaning of my life. The way of life for me back then was satanic, and nihilism. It never came to my mind to alter my way of life nor did I ever thought that my life would actually change. My conversion to Christianity happened in Monrovia, California 1997. It was Sunday afternoon when it happened. My dear aunts (devout Christians) always invited me to go to church with them every Sunday morning and which I always refused. Never would I set my foot in a church much less worship a god. I’m not sure if I already told them about this.

Note: my relatives treated me with respect and love during my visit there. I stayed with them for several months yet no one pushed their religion down to my throat. They didn’t nagged at me to change my life style. All they did but love me as I was then. God bless them all!

I always got the chance to listen to my “music” every Sunday since they were at church during that day. I usually do not do anything but listen to satanistic music every Sunday. But, this particular Sunday was somehow different. For some reason I decided not to listen to any music but to watch a video film about Jesus.

I wanted to watch Jesus film not because I was interested to know about Him and His teachings. I wanted to watch it just to find something to laugh at and to find a way to ridicule it. I watch the film with no anticipation at all about its contents and messages. And so I was there sitting down, rather bored watching the Jesus film. After an hour or so, I went out to smoke a cigarette as I habitually do every hour. 

And so I went back to finish the movie. I don’t exactly remember which part of the film made me feel crying and sorry. I was sitting down watching the film and it brought tears to my eyes for some reason. I cried and sobbed then I felt that someone made my heart feel lighter and easier. It felt like someone took off all the burdens out of my heart and soul. All the anger, hate and evil thoughts disappeared at once! I felt empty yet full with an uncompassing joy that I never felt before.

My tears didn’t stop to fall from my eyes. I was crying literally crying. And it felt good crying (I thought that crying was for sissies). I ran out through the kitchens door and kneeled myself to the ground. I felt awkward of course and it was really weird. I felt very weak. So I kneeled down and asked,” why me Lord? “I blasphemed and cursed at you.” I even ripped and destroyed a bible due to my madness and idiocy.” “Why me Lord?” And so I asked for forgiveness. At the same moment, all the guilt that I had within me was obliterated.

How did I know that my experience that day made me realized that it was God who touched me? 

I just know it was God who spoked and touch my rebellious untamed soul. This kind of experience I had is difficult to share and describe exactly what was going on. From that moment on forward I rushed to my room where I slept and took every satanistic materials (books, cd’s, magazines, etc) and burned it all in just a few second. All was gone. The music that I have listened and idolized was gone. The literatures that I use to read was burned and gone. These only happened in a few minutes. Right there where I stood, I felt forgiven and cleansed from my unrighteousness.

My heart burned for Jesus Christ until now. I still asked this question until this day “why me Lord?” I live and I will die for Christ. Now I’m not telling you, my reader, that I became perfect and sinless. The fact is that I still do sin. I still have to combat with my old sinful nature. But I do trust that God will make me perfect and sinless and He is still working within my life.

This is my new life. My new passion is to share and tell people about Jesus Christ who saved me from my own folly and destruction. Jesus forgave me even though, He was my enemy (unconsciously). Now He is my best friend and my companion. He is my strength and my shield. Jesus Christ my Lord and my Savior!

As a Christian, purchased by the blood of Jesus, I spend reading amounts of time by reading and studying my Bible  and academical books. I purchase lots of books. I never cared much about education and higher learning (not my parents fault) during my troubled years. But now I do thanks to Christ and Christianity. It was my conversion that made me interested in higher learning.

Comments 

I mentioned earlier that all religions were basically the same. Whether you are a Muslim, Hindu or Christian these faiths teaches basically the same. Well, my comment is no, all religions are not or do not teach the same theologically speaking. 

These religions may appear the same on the surface but at the core of each dogmas they all contradict each other. Examine the conception of God, sin, salvation in these religions then one well find that they are not at all the same. If a good God exist why is there pain and suffering. This is an old question which is called in technical term “Theodicy” and which has already been answered by theists philosopher.

Let me give you my own point of view about this question. If you are an atheist asking this question then my answer would be in a question format “whence is goodness?” One cannot deliberately suppose that evil exist unless one knows goodness exists. In an atheistic universe no good nor evil exist. There is no contrast between this two. All is part of the cycle of life. There are lots of good reason why God allow pain and suffering. 

Further, pains are not necessarily evil. Pains in our life as a result of bad consequence can enable us to be a better person. A sick and injured man having without pain would certainly not seek for a physician. 

Anton Svandor LaVey’s Church of Satan’s disciples are deceived in believing that Satan is nothing but a mere force in nature. According to the Scripture Satan exist. He is a creature (Ezek. 28:14) and a spirit being (Eph. 6:11-12). Satan or Lucifer is a murderer (John 8:44), liar and an accuser (Rev. 12:20). Satan in his representation as a serpent (Rev. 12:9), the dragon (Rev 12:13), and the angel of light (2 Cor 11:14). The Bible teaches as that Satan is the evil one (1 John 5:19), the tempter (1 Thess 3:5), prince of this world (John 12:31) and the god of this age (2 Cor 4:4).

Fellas, beware, Satan exist and he hates your guts! Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). If you want to share your testimony to others please feel free to send it to me and I will publish it on my web site. It is of vital importance that you tell others how Jesus Christ can change life. Soli Deo Gloria!