{"id":18700,"date":"2025-07-28T01:55:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T05:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nycphantom.com\/journal\/?p=18700"},"modified":"2025-08-03T02:16:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-03T06:16:06","slug":"journal-of-the-week-75","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/nycphantom.com\/journal\/?p=18700","title":{"rendered":"Journal of the Week"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>8\/2\/2025 Saturday<\/strong> Just came across the pastor's uncle's sermon in 2020: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gbfbayonne.org\/images\/Pastor_Basile_May_3,_2020-_AudioTrimmer.com_.mp3\">Pastor_Basile_May_3,<em>2020-_AudioTrimmer.com<\/em>.mp3<\/a> who saw <strong>Jesus' strongest anger against Peter by calling him Satan<\/strong> @9:00. I didn't listen the entire thing. Was just trying to hear what our pastor's uncle's sounded like. And I do like this part of his sermon. I remember our pastor once tried to play down Jesus' anger (\"Jesus was likely saying that in a kindly low tone) against Peter when I mentioned that Jesus' strongest rebuke was against Peter, much more than the Pharisees. Joseph Basile was also <a href=\"https:\/\/abc7ny.com\/post\/home-of-pastor-outspoken-against-proposed-bayonne-mosque-vandalized\/1697818\/\">known for opposing the plan for mosque in Bayonne<\/a>: <a href=\"https:\/\/abc7ny.com\/post\/home-of-pastor-outspoken-against-proposed-bayonne-mosque-vandalized\/1697818\/\">Media file<\/a>: \"Home of pastor outspoken against proposed Bayonne mosque vandalized in New Jersey - ABC7 New York.mp4\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>8\/1\/2025 Friday<\/strong> I foolishly, I think, set my notification to 7\/30 for <strong>FIGMA IPO<\/strong> date, a day too early, and now I missed it by a day. <a href=\"https:\/\/techcrunch.com\/2025\/07\/31\/figmas-stock-soars-in-its-highly-anticipated-ipo-market-cap-instantly-hits-45b\/?utm_source=tldrdesign\">It went from $33 to $122<\/a> in just two days. This is my fault. Let's see if I can be more disciplined on coming Monday for this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stephen Tong on John Calvin's Institutes of the Christian Religion and why Calvin, Karl Barth and Augustine <strong>did not use the term Systematic Theology<\/strong> (Because it is connected to Rationalism of the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_time_periods\">Enlightenment Movement<\/a>):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\uff03\u52a0\u723e\u6587\u662f\u5982\u4f55\u7aed\u529b\u9032\u5230\u5b8c\u5168\u7684\u5730\u6b65\u2753\uff08\u5e0c\u4f2f\u4f86\u66f8\u8981\u7406\u554f\u7b54 \u7b2c783\u554f\uff09<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\uff03\u52a0\u723e\u6587\u662f\u5982\u4f55\u7aed\u529b\u9032\u5230\u5b8c\u5168\u7684\u5730\u6b65\u2753\uff08\u5e0c\u4f2f\u4f86\u66f8\u8981\u7406\u554f\u7b54 \u7b2c783\u554f\uff09\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/O5fFWW6_H10?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Tong on correcting today's Christian view (Roman Catholics, work-based fundamentalists, etc.) from reformed theology on <strong>sanctification - It's quantitative, no longer qualitative. Qualitatively, we can be no better than the first day of our conversion<\/strong>, the new <strong>quality <\/strong>of the reborn <strong>will <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">never degrade<\/span><\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I think today's hard Calvinists and Fundamentalists either justify their <strong>complacency from not living a triumphant Christian life<\/strong> because they <strong>can only see the qualitative but not the quantitative<\/strong>; or that they try <strong>to get others to work like themselves<\/strong> because they <strong>can only see the quantitative but not the qualitative<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you only see the qualitative (justified by Christ forever), then you will justify your laziness, your pride, from doing anything that you think might jeopardize your \"qualitative\" value by working \"too\" hard and fail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you only see the quantitative (work for the Lord as sanctification), then you will justify your work and your demand for others (attend Church, do not work on Sundays, do this, do that) lest your\/their lack of this quantitative will \"degrade\" your\/their qualitative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\uff03\u70ba\u4f55\u57fa\u7763\u5f92\u7684\u5b8c\u5168\uff0c\u4e0d\u662f\u9760\u529f\u5fb7\uff0c\u4e5f\u4e0d\u662f\u7528\u9760\u6c34\u6d17\uff0c\u800c\u662f\u55ae\u9760\u8036\u7a4c\u57fa\u7763\u7684\u6551\u6069\u8207\u5bf6\u8840\u2753\uff08\u5e0c\u4f2f\u4f86\u66f8\u8981\u7406\u554f\u7b54 \u7b2c782\u554f\uff09<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\uff03\u70ba\u4f55\u57fa\u7763\u5f92\u7684\u5b8c\u5168\uff0c\u4e0d\u662f\u9760\u529f\u5fb7\uff0c\u4e5f\u4e0d\u662f\u7528\u9760\u6c34\u6d17\uff0c\u800c\u662f\u55ae\u9760\u8036\u7a4c\u57fa\u7763\u7684\u6551\u6069\u8207\u5bf6\u8840\u2753\uff08\u5e0c\u4f2f\u4f86\u66f8\u8981\u7406\u554f\u7b54 \u7b2c782\u554f\uff09\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/U_Axeu8lGQw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7\/31\/2025 Thursday<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Bible Study, Tom asked @57:46 \"Isn't it, pastor, God, immediate family, church...am I wrong?\" And the pastor responded \"I don't think there's a passage that ranks it that way...\" <strong>My correction @59:15 \"God, then God's family and then immediate family...\" as I believe many Christians make this mistake. I didn't quote the verse, but the foundational verse for this would be Matthew 12:50<\/strong>. The <strong>definition of God's people or the Church<\/strong> in this case obviously is thus defined by Jesus: \"<strong>Whosoever does the will of my Father<\/strong> which is in heaven...\" and therefore, would not be referring to some stranger down the street or some \"Christian\" on paper. And the context would not really be about \"helping\" others (thus neglecting servicing one's own immediate family) but more of a relationship. Sure, some would claim what if immediate family is already Christian, which fits perfectly to Jesus' principle, because if they are not, then make them Christians [so they would do the will of my Father] @59:55.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I think this is also a good reflection and for discernment. How church members treat each other and how they treat their own family. Compare and contrast. Then you know who does the will of the Father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Frank's first murder trial was interesting @51:25. I wasn't listening before. But it's about the wife becoming Christian and wouldn't give the husband a divorce so that she could keep putting [Gospel] tracks on the bathroom door when he was in it, so he killed her. It's interesting because there's so many variables from just this surface of the story. It could be God's way to convert this man and he would regret not seeing his wife's love; <strong>It could also be the wife's shallowness, unwise approach, perhaps even in a very twisted sense of Christianity, that elicited more annoyance than love to her husband.<\/strong> So the pastor was right, to just leave this to God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7\/29\/2025 Tuesday<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On Hebrews 6:1 <strong>Paradoxical Perfection<\/strong> ~ Stephen Tong: The more perfect, the less perfect you are. Once you get this paradox, you will harmonize the perfection, with Christ as the purpose, to be perfected progressively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\uff03\u57fa\u7763\u5f92\u7684\u5b8c\u5168\uff0c\u5982\u4f55\u4e5f\u662f<strong>\u53cd\u5408\u6027<\/strong>\u7684\u3001<strong>\u548c\u8ae7<\/strong>\u7684\u3001\u4ee5\u57fa\u7763\u70ba<strong>\u76ee\u6a19<\/strong>\u7684\u3001<strong>\u9032\u53d6<\/strong>\u7684\u5b8c\u5168\u2753\uff08\u5e0c\u4f2f\u4f86\u66f8\u8981\u7406\u554f\u7b54 \u7b2c780\u554f\uff09<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\uff03\u57fa\u7763\u5f92\u7684\u5b8c\u5168\uff0c\u5982\u4f55\u4e5f\u662f\u53cd\u5408\u6027\u7684\u3001\u548c\u8ae7\u7684\u3001\u4ee5\u57fa\u7763\u70ba\u76ee\u6a19\u7684\u3001\u9032\u53d6\u7684\u5b8c\u5168\u2753\uff08\u5e0c\u4f2f\u4f86\u66f8\u8981\u7406\u554f\u7b54 \u7b2c780\u554f\uff09\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zxWKjv8XLh8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The secret to a Christian life: <strong>Only to please Jesus<\/strong> ~ Stephen Tong:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\uff03\u300c\u60df\u7368\u8a0e\u57fa\u7763\u7684\u559c\u6085\u300d\u9019\u52d5\u6a5f\u7684\u5b8c\u5168\uff0c\u5982\u4f55\u4fdd\u5b88\u5510\u7267\u5e2b\u4e00\u751f\u4e8b\u5949\u70ba\u4e3b\u6240\u7528\u2753<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\uff03\u300c\u60df\u7368\u8a0e\u57fa\u7763\u7684\u559c\u6085\u300d\u9019\u52d5\u6a5f\u7684\u5b8c\u5168\uff0c\u5982\u4f55\u4fdd\u5b88\u5510\u7267\u5e2b\u4e00\u751f\u4e8b\u5949\u70ba\u4e3b\u6240\u7528\u2753\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Lx-qK6p2caY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If nobody can be perfect, why God demanded perfection<\/strong> (Genesis 17:1, Matthew 5:48)  [Sounds like Augustine vs. Pelagius]~ Stephen Tong: <strong>Qualitative perfection \u672c\u8cea\u7684\u5b8c\u5168, not quantitative perfection \u5206\u91cf\u7684\u5b8c\u5168<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\uff03\u4e0a\u5e1d\u8981\u6c42\u4eba\u5b8c\u5168\u662f\u9059\u4e0d\u53ef\u53ca\u7684\u55ce\u2753\u57fa\u7763\u6559\u7684\u5b8c\u5168\uff0c\u5982\u4f55\u50cf\u521d\u751f\u5b30\u5b69\u822c\u7684\u672c\u8cea\u6027\u5b8c\u5168\u2753\uff08\u5e0c\u4f2f\u4f86\u66f8\u8981\u7406\u554f\u7b54 \u7b2c778\u554f\uff09(\u6b64\u8b1b\u6c92\u6709\u5f71\u7247\uff0c\u800c\u5f9e\u9304\u97f3\u5e36\u8f49\u9304\uff1b\u54c1\u8cea\u4e0d\u826f\uff0c\u8acb\u591a\u770b\u6587\u5b57\u5167\u5bb9\uff09<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\uff03\u4e0a\u5e1d\u8981\u6c42\u4eba\u5b8c\u5168\u662f\u9059\u4e0d\u53ef\u53ca\u7684\u55ce\u2753\u57fa\u7763\u6559\u7684\u5b8c\u5168\uff0c\u5982\u4f55\u50cf\u521d\u751f\u5b30\u5b69\u822c\u7684\u672c\u8cea\u6027\u5b8c\u5168\u2753\uff08\u5e0c\u4f2f\u4f86\u66f8\u8981\u7406\u554f\u7b54 \u7b2c778\u554f\uff09(\u6b64\u8b1b\u6c92\u6709\u5f71\u7247\uff0c\u800c\u5f9e\u9304\u97f3\u5e36\u8f49\u9304\uff1b\u54c1\u8cea\u4e0d\u826f\uff0c\u8acb\u591a\u770b\u6587\u5b57\u5167\u5bb9\uff09\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FBGrAMcaAKE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Martin Luther vs. Roman Catholics<\/strong> (Catholicism) ~Stephen Tong:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\uff03\u99ac\u4e01\u8def\u5fb7\u662f\u5982\u4f55\u52c7\u6562\u6301\u5b88\u5f97\u6551\u60df\u7368\u6069\u5178\u3001\u60df\u7368\u4fe1\u5fc3\u7684\u8056\u7d93\u771f\u7406\u2753\uff08\u5e0c\u4f2f\u4f86\u66f8\u8981\u7406\u554f\u7b54 \u7b2c777\u554f\uff09(\u6b64\u8b1b\u6c92\u6709\u5f71\u7247\uff0c\u800c\u5f9e\u9304\u97f3\u5e36\u8f49\u9304\uff1b\u54c1\u8cea\u4e0d\u826f\uff0c\u8acb\u591a\u770b\u6587\u5b57\u5167\u5bb9\uff09<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\uff03\u99ac\u4e01\u8def\u5fb7\u662f\u5982\u4f55\u52c7\u6562\u6301\u5b88\u5f97\u6551\u60df\u7368\u6069\u5178\u3001\u60df\u7368\u4fe1\u5fc3\u7684\u8056\u7d93\u771f\u7406\u2753\uff08\u5e0c\u4f2f\u4f86\u66f8\u8981\u7406\u554f\u7b54 \u7b2c777\u554f\uff09(\u6b64\u8b1b\u6c92\u6709\u5f71\u7247\uff0c\u800c\u5f9e\u9304\u97f3\u5e36\u8f49\u9304\uff1b\u54c1\u8cea\u4e0d\u826f\uff0c\u8acb\u591a\u770b\u6587\u5b57\u5167\u5bb9\uff09\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kQ7DLcQEm0g?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Low level graphics programming<\/strong>: Interesting <strong>PyroWave<\/strong> video codec that <a href=\"https:\/\/themaister.net\/blog\/2025\/06\/16\/i-designed-my-own-ridiculously-fast-game-streaming-video-codec-pyrowave\/?utm_source=tldrwebdev\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/themaister.net\/blog\/2025\/06\/16\/i-designed-my-own-ridiculously-fast-game-streaming-video-codec-pyrowave\/?utm_source=tldrwebdev\">streams fast<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have at least 2 <strong>SVG related tutorial<\/strong> links in the past here. Here's another one: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.joshwcomeau.com\/svg\/friendly-introduction-to-svg\/?utm_source=tldrwebdev\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.joshwcomeau.com\/svg\/friendly-introduction-to-svg\/?utm_source=tldrwebdev\">A friendly Introduction to SVG by Josh W Comeau<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7\/28\/2025 Monday<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today I've learned from my cousin Grace, that her father, <strong>my last uncle, has passed away<\/strong>. I've saved the details onto my Drive's HOME folder. I know not how I could have talked to him. I want to. I supposed it's too late now. It would seem that he was a Christian. These are things I must always keep in prayer and ponder upon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What an interesting coincidence that while I came across <a href=\"https:\/\/idiallo.com\/blog\/dont-download-apps?utm_source=tldrwebdev\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/idiallo.com\/blog\/dont-download-apps?utm_source=tldrwebdev\">this article<\/a> about choosing web apps (when available) over standalone client apps, Greg insisted that I test the Citrix client app of a consultant having issue with Citrix Workspace when I told him I've already instructed her to use the web app. Our conflict is <strong>I prefer web app while Greg prefers the client app<\/strong> (i.e. Outlook, etc.) and looks like more could be on my side. I promised him that I would go according to his plan...\"eventually\": It's not like the client app going to halt anything important anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7\/27\/2025 Sunday<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I fed today's Sunday School into <strong>chatGPT <\/strong>for comment and here it is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This lecture script titled <strong>\u201cThe Medieval Church - Week 02\u201d<\/strong> is rich in historical content, theological reflection, and pastoral commentary. Below is a <strong>commentary and fact-check<\/strong> with constructive notes, highlighting both strengths and any areas that may need clarification or balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>STRENGTHS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. <strong>Balanced Historical Overview<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The teaching gives a comprehensive overview of the transition from the early church to the medieval period.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It recognizes both strengths (e.g., sincere missionary efforts, preservation of Scripture) and corruptions (e.g., simony, ritualism, monastic wealth).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emphasis on the <em>shift of authority from Scripture to councils and traditions<\/em> is well-aligned with Reformed concerns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. <strong>Engaging Pedagogy<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Personal anecdotes, humor, and rhetorical questions keep the lecture engaging and relatable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The use of examples like \u201c65 Ways to Give Evangelistic Invitations\u201d effectively highlights dangers of replacing Scripture with emotion-driven methods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. <strong>Sound Theological Warnings<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Warnings against elevating tradition or ritual above Scripture are classically Reformed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The critique of territorial or cultural Christianity is strong and appropriately tied to historical events like mass baptisms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FACTUAL ACCURACY &amp; CLARITY<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Generally Accurate Points<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pope Gregory I <strong>did fight simony and heresies<\/strong> like Donatism and Arianism.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Monasticism under Benedict of Nursia<\/strong> emphasized work, study, and self-sufficiency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Islam\u2019s early spread was not uniformly coercive; <strong>many Christians under Muslim rule were tolerated<\/strong> but restricted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u26a0\ufe0f <strong>Areas to Clarify or Nuance<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. <strong>Gregory\u2019s View on the Papacy<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\"Gregory was sincerely devout. Protested titles and spoke against being supreme pontiff.\"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2714\ufe0f Correct that Gregory I resisted the title <em>universal bishop<\/em> and showed humility,<br>\u26a0\ufe0f <strong>However<\/strong>, he did <strong>expand papal influence<\/strong> politically and spiritually, which laid groundwork for future papal supremacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. <strong>Islamic Doctrine: Allah as \u201cCause of Evil\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cAllah causes evil, even though Allah is apparently good.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u26a0\ufe0f Islamic theology (especially Ash'arite) teaches <strong>divine determinism<\/strong>, but \u201cAllah causes evil\u201d may be overly simplistic or misunderstood by Muslims. A better phrasing:<br><strong>\u201cIslam teaches that both good and evil are ordained by Allah\u2019s will, without distinguishing between primary and secondary causes as Christianity does.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. <strong>Claim: \u201cAll Muhammad\u2019s original writings were destroyed\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cAll the writings that come from Muhammad have been destroyed.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u26a0\ufe0f Not entirely accurate. Muhammad was mostly illiterate; <strong>the Quran was preserved orally and compiled after his death<\/strong>, reportedly under Caliph Uthman (~650s AD). It\u2019s true that <strong>some variant recitations were destroyed<\/strong>, but there is <strong>no claim that Muhammad himself wrote them<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. <strong>Quranic Origin of \u201cAllah\u201d as Moon God<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cAllah has its origin as a moon god\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u26a0\ufe0f This is a common claim in polemics but <strong>not well-supported by mainstream scholarship<\/strong>. \u201cAllah\u201d was the Arabic word for \u201cGod\u201d even <strong>before<\/strong> Islam and was used by Arab Christians and Jews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. <strong>Muhammad\u2019s View of Trinity<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2714\ufe0f Accurate that Muhammad misunderstood the Trinity (e.g., assuming Mary is part of it, see Quran 5:116).<br>\u2714\ufe0f Also accurate that Islam emphasizes a strict monotheism and rejects incarnation and divine suffering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>CHILDREN\u2019S TEACHING CONSIDERATIONS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Since you mentioned wanting to adapt content for <strong>children under 12<\/strong>, here are some quick notes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Great stories<\/strong> to keep: Benedict\u2019s monastery, Patrick &amp; Columba, the \"mass baptism\" of Poland (with visual aid).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skip or simplify<\/strong>: speculative claims about Muhammad\u2019s nonexistence or \u201cmoon god\u201d origins\u2014too complex and debated for kids.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rephrase<\/strong> for kids: Instead of \"Islam causes panic like Babylon\", say something like <em>\"a new religion spread fast and made many Christians afraid and confused, like in Bible times.\"<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Introduce key lessons<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Always test ideas with God\u2019s Word.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Doing rituals doesn't mean loving God.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Being a Christian is about following Jesus from the heart, not just what country you're in.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>FINAL EVALUATION<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a <strong>thoughtful, pastorally aware, Reformed-oriented<\/strong> lecture that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Shows historical insight.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is sensitive to spiritual lessons.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Generally accurate, with a few overstated or debated claims that could be improved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Another <strong>fun fact today<\/strong> was I learned that \"Francis\" and his big family (10+), which I kept seeing growing in numbers every week, have all came from our previous OPC church in Westfield. During lunch refreshment, I talked to the whole family for the first time, with great excitement due to our shared criticism on Pastor Ferguson's leadership and theology. Nadia was incensed when I told her Ferguson allegedly suggested that if you are still feeling sad of your grandma's passing (due to Covid19), then you're worshipping your grandma too much. We talked for at least an hour, I think. They asked me of pastor Chris. I only hinted subtly that I have only a few minor disagreements with him, i.e. picturing Jesus (and P showed me his tattoo of Jesus on his left arm, I wonder if that was based off of Greek Orthodox icon).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While discussing about how Ferguson viewed his own church so narrowly that anything outside of his small circle (i.e. having your own family dinner rather than attending some church held gathering) would apparently seem not Christian or not obeying the CHURCH. I used that opportunity to emphasize what I think American churches, and perhaps Catholics as well, getting this from the theme of Fast &amp; Furious movies (it's all about family ~ Dominic Toretto), is that God's family comes first, God's family comes before our own family. The way to make sense of it is to make our family become God's family (only the Gospel can do that, not some threats for obedience). However, I feel I need to clarify it to P, as he may think that I was criticizing him for not seeing the point with God's family, which far from it, I was agreeing with him against Ferguson's alleged view. One way to clarify, the next time I see P, is to say: <strong>God's family is my family<\/strong> is the chief principle which all Christians would have no problem agreeing to. However, it <strong>does not imply<\/strong> that <strong>my family is God's family<\/strong>! Which would be where Ferguson failed at understanding. It's not tautologous. You cannot be certain that your family is God's family! And Ferguson also runs the risk of tribalism. Nadia and I have been thinking of them these few days. I pray that by God's grace, we can keep this family. Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>8\/2\/2025 Saturday Just came across the pastor's uncle's sermon in 2020: Pastor_Basile_May_3,2020-_AudioTrimmer.com.mp3 who saw Jesus' strongest anger against Peter by calling him Satan @9:00. I didn't listen the entire thing. Was just trying to hear what our pastor's uncle's sounded &hellip; <a href=\"http:\/\/nycphantom.com\/journal\/?p=18700\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42,15,6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-18700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-computer-science","category-faults","category-theologization"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/nycphantom.com\/journal\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/nycphantom.com\/journal\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/nycphantom.com\/journal\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/nycphantom.com\/journal\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/nycphantom.com\/journal\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=18700"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"http:\/\/nycphantom.com\/journal\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18700\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18787,"href":"http:\/\/nycphantom.com\/journal\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18700\/revisions\/18787"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/nycphantom.com\/journal\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=18700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/nycphantom.com\/journal\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=18700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/nycphantom.com\/journal\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=18700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}