Verses linking: Holiness, Secret Faults vs Known Faults

Posted on July 20, 2009 by timlyg

David Spoke of secret faults in Psalms 19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

A good example of acheiving Holiness.

Thought secret faults and know faults are different and the resulting judgments are therefore different as well, the secret faults are not to be treated lightly.

Luke 12:47  And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
Luke 12:48  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. 

Therefore, teachers are not the same as commoners: James 3:1  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

 

Posted in Theologization | Leave a comment

On Trinity VS Mormon's GodHead

Posted on July 20, 2009 by timlyg

Reading an article on a Mormon's page shows how a misunderstanding of Trinity, whether it be deliberate or not, can lead someone to boldly but false proclaim she knows the truth.

Here Jenny Evans seems to hint the concept of Trinity is just another word for Modalism. And attribute some major principles of the doctrine of Trinity to Mormonism's godhead principle instead. I've heard of plagiarism, but accusing the original author of a different doctrine after plagiarizing the original work from the author and calling it their own, that is just as perverse as it can be. As much as they are willing to reject Modalism, the "Latter day saints" still have difficulty understanding the meaning of "God" and Divinity.

The Christian cults couldn't understand the concept of trinity because they refuse to believe that the Godhead exists not in the boundaries of time and space. Therefore, they could never explain the three persons without having to deal with time (Mormon: Jesus exists after the Father) and space (Mormon: God has physical body).

What's the harm in this system, one might ask. First, it is a false testimony against the Truth. Therefore, undermining the full sovereignty of God, resulting in a polytheistic faith as well as devaluing the Godhood of Christ.

Posted in Theologization | Leave a comment

Reformers in Pentacostal Churches

Posted on July 18, 2009 by timlyg

Despite the growing number of religious hooligans in the charismatic churches, I believe there are some in those churches who remain true to the reformed teachings.

As to why they are not counted among the reformed church members, I would say it is due to the aristocratism practised by most more conservative reformed churches of the West today. I would emphasize only the West because of its europian aristocratism heredity, which still exists today, if observed carefully. It would be a great sin for the ministers to have cover this up as they would misrepresent Christ.

I see aristocratism very common in certain "traditional" churches not long after my arrival in the States. They are those whom I often called, Uzzah.

This is the secret how I can so easily despise commendations and reject vain aids. The temptation, would be to use these fools. But how then are they fools for those who admire under social dignity have certainly acheived better than street bums; and those who admire desirously have the heart of a child.

So, there is no way for me to use these. Yet the temptation is calling me like a siren, so that should I kindle my anger against it, I would loose sight of my true calling. So help me God. Amen.

Posted in General | Leave a comment

I'm not a Computer Scientist

Posted on July 16, 2009 by timlyg

Silverlight, C#, AJAX, etc. new jargons superceding older ones as time passes.

A good computer scientist should keep up with these.

Although I have the key knowledge mastered which could easily unlock these new doors for me, I'm not one interested in stepping through and find it interesting how some just couldn't stop trying all these doors.

I believe in pursuing that which has a more "eternal" unchanging value. Astronomy, physics, mathematics, etc.

I'd rather be a theorist, in the area of science.

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Christian Colleges for Muslims

Posted on July 15, 2009 by timlyg

Reading this article on HBU (Houston Baptist University) reminds me of Ouachita Baptist University of Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

Very good principle for an academic institute for learning on Evangelical foundation.

I believe the requirement of Christian faith in enrollment admission is only good for Seminary institutes. While theological studies should not be restricted from public access in the academic community.

A college with both functions of Seminary institution and academic school must obviously be very careful on where it stands.

A Christian School, should not be afraid of bold evangelical pursue, such as having OT and NT surveys and Chapel hours as requirements for graduation, while showing no discrimination on the persons of other faiths.

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Theocentric vs Anthropocentric

Posted on July 15, 2009 by timlyg

In Luke 13, the Galilaeans and those 18 under the Tower of Siloam were used as examples of tragic events.

Human responses to tragic death events are often indulged in compassion towards the victims. Hence, Anthropocentric.

But Jesus however, corrected this by bringing up repentence of the living as priority. Theocentric.

Anthropocentric principles could only lead to vanity and death; Theocentric attitude sees light and life.

Posted in Theologization | Leave a comment

Constantine and Theodosius

Posted on July 13, 2009 by timlyg

Although Theodosius made the church a state religion (A.D.380), Constantine’s
Christian era lacked a pious pursue of the Word of God. Instead, it was
more of a military cause, legal sponsorships and relics, which no doubt
could easily result in a state religion around 50-60 years later, when
defense of faith began to fall behind.

Nonetheless, this is not to discredit Constantine’s effort in his
Edict of Milan in 313. Which allowed many Christians to come out of hiding. A
Brave move by a Christian king.

It is good to support Christianity, but it is better to hear God’s word and do them.

Posted in General | Leave a comment

Economic Disaster: Scholars helpless

Posted on July 13, 2009 by timlyg

Reading the situation for graduates in China, no doubt other countries are no exception, I thought to myself, "Is it really that hard? Why can't these scholars use their heads for once instead of their certificates. I'd be damned if I'm called to China."

Then again, don't be too hasty. Don't "think" too soon. May God pardon my fault.

Posted in News | Leave a comment

Albireo A, a binary star

Posted on July 11, 2009 by timlyg

It appears that there's a very popular misconception on the web that Albireo A & B are a binary star system. And even more interesting that those who disagree, and call them a mere double star ignore any "binary" terminology in this beak of Cynus the Swan. I've searched everywhere with google image with the added keyword "binary" and the resulting photos are always the yellow and blue stars.

Last night, there was night observing at the roof of Columbia University's astronomy building. I asked if they were binary, one said double star, another thought to be binary. And the discussion on how the A and Be stars may be binary if one doesn't mind the possible thousands of years per orbital.

Finding the discussion intriguing, I searched the web immediately when I got home, a little after midnight, thanks to Wikipedia, the yellow star, Albireo A, is known to be a binary star itself. One quote: "In 1976, component A was itself discovered to be a binary star, using speckle interferometry and the 2.1-meter telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory." (Speckle interferometric measurements of binary stars. VI, H. A. McAlister and E. M. Hendry, Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series 48 (March 1982), pp. 273–278.)

And another interesting fact is the fact that the current angular separation of roughly 0.4 arcseconds makes it hard to be visually observed with instruments smaller than 20". Where can you get a 20" telescope? The two larger ones in Columbia University's observatories are only 14" and 12", and mine's only 6". Not to mention the city light pollution and a construction which will block the west view...poor Pupin's astrolab.

With the 0.4 arcseconds information, I examined it with Stellarium, my favorite skymap FREEWARE. And at first, I just thought maybe Stellarium isn't that sophisticated enough as I was getting tired of zooming in. But when it reached 0.2 arcseconds, WOW, the big bright star which was filling my entire screen actually splits into two (Labelling them as HIP95947 A and 95947 C)! Amazing indeed!!!

Posted in Astronomy | Leave a comment

Persecution

Posted on July 10, 2009 by timlyg

I dream of a day, that even jellyfish would raise its sting so venomous as a serpent against me.

Posted in General | Leave a comment