All posts by mhchin

As many as there are minds there are Theologians – Part 3

Calvinism and Arminianism, two major theological systems within Protestant Christianity that address God’s role and human responsibility in salvation. Calvinism, named after John Calvin, emphasizes God’s absolute sovereignty, teaching that God unconditionally chooses who will be saved.  Arminianism, from Jacobus Arminius, focuses on God’s universal love and goodness, proposing that salvation is a cooperative process between God’s enabling grace and a person’s free choice. (Source: christianpure.com – “Calvinism vs. Arminianism: Differences Explained” article.)

Different denominations have evolved out of these two major theological systems. For a good concise summary of denominations and their differences, christianpure.com has compiled their “Denominations Compared” web page which presents a concise summary and comparison highlighting core beliefs held and being more alike than different. However, the Christian Pure Editorial Team (biblical scholars, theologians, and Christian writers) stop short on highlighting variants of denomination and sects that deviates and preaches a gospel different from the one preached primarily by Apostle Paul & Peter.

Can we say that this or that Scholastic Theology System is so air-tight that it account for all realities? That is a misstatement. There are a lot of loose ends out there, a lot of ambiguities as there is a lot of stuff God doesn’t tell us. At best, a theological system can only be “almost biblical”.

As many as there are minds there are Theologians – Part 2

Mindsets on Learning as suggested in the book
by Adam Grant, “Think Again “

Mindsets that fail to find truth:

  • Preachers: Only his own ideas
  • Prosecutors: Only want to win every argument
  • Politicians: People pleasers

Scientist Mindset:

Being a scientist means conducting experiments, testing hypotheses, abandoning old beliefs, and embracing new truths. Having a change of heart and reconsidering isn’t a weakness. It validates your intellectual development.

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Understanding from Sermon on “The Fear of the LORD is the Beginning of Knowledge (Proverbs 1:1-7)”.

Fear of the LORD

  • is NOT the Notion of Fear;
  • acknowledges our deficiencies;
  • acknowledges that we do know it all;
  • acknowledges that we need God to understand;
  • acknowledges a connection to God in order to understand what God has in store for us;
  • it requires humility, question what we think we know;
  • embraces continual Learning;

As many as there are minds there are Theologians – Part 1

Over many year since the 1st century onwards, we have the writings and thoughts of Theologians. From them, sprouted different Schools of Theology, Movements, Denominations and Seminary’s adoption of a selection of School of Theology.

How are the lay person to make sense out of all these differing views, prepositions, positions and doctrines?

Our Intentions

We are in the midst of gathering like-minded followers of Christ residing in city of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia. Regardless of your country of origin and your Christian background and experiences, if you finally arrived at a point in your walk of Faith having the conviction that a Christian’s main priority is to proclaim Christ then this Ekklessia may well become the community that we can spent precious time in proclaiming the Gospel principally preached by Apostle Paul and Peter.

How, What, Where and When?

We can become absorbed in denominational and Church-centric endeavours; our spiritual lives is just centred on church activity and we measure our spirituality by our involvement in and commitment to the church. Huh?

Drop us an email and share your thoughts/ queries. May the Holy Spirit guide us moving forward.