Marbaniang, Domenic

A placebo is a non-therapeutic substance administered under the camouflage of medication to deceive patients into believing that they are receiving medications; this done solely for psychological and not for physiological effects. Placebo may usually be used to compare its effects with the effects of other drugs in drug research. Let's take the case of an experiment that tries to establish whether a particular drug, say to treat weariness, is genuine or merely has the effects of a placebo. Suppose 20 candidates are chosen for this experiment. 10 are given the drug and the rest are put on a placebo while they are told that the placebo is a genuine medication. They need to make sure that the deception is well carried on for the success of the experiment. If both the groups make similar improvements after taking the treatments, the new drug seems to only function as a placebo in effect. The basic hypothesis of the placebo raises the question of mind over matter. Of course, this pushes...

JOHN 8:1-12 Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the mids...

"Last Supper" by Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo (1750) Yes, it is. Water baptism identifies one with the redemption work of Jesus Christ, with His death, burial, and resurrection. It is anticipated of visible identification with Christ and His Church. Every person has the personal responsibility to examine him/herself before deciding to partake in the Lord's Table. The Bible makes it clear that those who chose not to be baptized were rejecting the counsel of God (Lk.7:30). In a mixed congregation, it is not possible to always know who is worthy to partake of the Table; however, the minister must encourage only those who have been baptized for remission of sins (not just as a ritual but by faith in Jesus Christ) to partake of the Table. Before Jesus sat down to dip bread in the cup, He washed His disciples' feet. He makes the statement that they are already "washed" and only need feet to be washed. Of course, this may not explicitly/only refer to their baptism, fo...

FATHER Like the sky that burns red so that the earth stays cool, And its bluest color tells how hot is the noon; Like the lightning rod that takes the bolt to the ground, And the concrete slabs that take the beatings of storms, He stands to cover, to comfort, and to calm, And asks for nothing, giving all. MOTHER Her womb is God's crucible where a child is formed, Her bosom is the place where comfort is found, Her lips pour wisdom that guards our soul And sets it on track to reach life's goal. "My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother" (Pro.1:8) (c) June 13, 2017

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Mat 6:31-33) The original sense of nakedness was from that deep insecurity of autonomy that sprung from man's first alienation from God due to sin-- spiritual death. Seeking God marks man's refusal to stay alienated by turning towards His Maker in whom alone is Covering and true Security and no reason to be ashamed anymore.

1 COR 11:23-30 We are called to 1. PARTAKE 2. PROCLAIM The Table Is 1. COMMEMORATION of His Death 2. CELEBRATION of His Life 3. CONFESSION of His Glory 1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TABLE      A. COVENANT IN HIS BLOOD      B. COMMUNION OF HIS BODY     C. CONSOLATION THRU HIS PROMISE 2. SERIOUSNESS OF THE TABLE      A. UNITY OF THE SACRAMENT - "THIS" BREAD... CUP.      B. SANCTITY OF THE SACRAMENT - BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST     C. GRAVITY OF THE SACRAMENT - DISCERNMENT IS EXPECTED, UNWORTHILY PARTICIPATING MEANS DAMNATION

The doctrine of atonement is a stumbling block for some who feel that it not only exemplifies cruelty but also does away with human responsibility. The issue abounds with various questions and attempts to solution. Questions: 1. If God knew that man would sin and fall, why did He create man? 2. Why doesn't God, if He exists, intervene and stop evil; why just be Judge but not be Governor with proper police security system that minimises the possibility of transgression? 3. How can the death of one particular man atone for the sins of many particular men? 4. Isn't it not cruel to punish an innocent man for the sins of others so that they go free? Answers that challenge the Christian doctrine: 1. God does not require sacrifice in order to forgive, He can forgive by sovereign authority. 2. Every man must bear his own guilt so that he has a sense of responsibility and possess a genuine reason to pursue good and turn from evil. Biblical Responses: 1. God's knowledge of human Fall...

It's proper to understand the difference between "Philosphy of..." and "...philosophies". For instance, philosophy of religion refers to the philosophical study of the epistemological, metaphysical, and ethical aspects of the phenomenon and concept of religion, including questions raised by it; whereas a religious philosophy is a particular philosophical viewpoint of a particular religious tradition--examples include samkhya, yoga, advaita, shunyavada. There are religious philosophies in the same manner that there are secular philosophies. While the start point of the former is revelation, tradition, or faith, the start point of the latter is reason. Following are some examples of the above distinctions: 1. Philosophy of Religion - Existence of God, Essence of Divinity, Death and Afterlife, Knowlege of God, etc. Religious Philosophy - Calvinist Epistemology, Advaita, Yoga, Zen 2. Theology of Religion - Essence of Religion, Goal of Religion, Salvation Religious T...

M OLDED - in her womb (Psalm 139:13) O PENED EYES - (received) on her knees (Job 3:12; Gen.30:3) T AUGHT - under her eyes (Prov.1:8; 31:25-30) H ELD - (affection/comfort) in her arms (Psalm 131:2) E NCOURAGED - by her lips (1Sam.1:24-28) R ESPECTED - by her treatment (John 2:5)

India is distinctly the birthplace of certain atheistic or agnostic religio-philosophical systems that have upheld morality without any reference to God as the Moral Governor of the universe. The systems of Samkhya, Yoga, Jainism, and Buddhism didn't find the concept of "God" as necessary for the validation of moral principles. Of course, popular religion as practiced by the masses cannot let go off the personal connection with a Deity or a Revered One, whatever be the theological explanation of the same. Yet, in polytheistic, atheistic, and monist traditions, God is not the source or ground of morality. This seems to pose a pragmatic problem for the Moral Argument which some philosophers, like Kant, have considered to be the only possible argument for the existence of God. The problem, however, only relates to the nature of morality in each system. Most of the Indian systems are karmic in nature, though differing in their cosmological and ontological theories of reality...

SEAT CONDITIONING: Individuals with this condition prefer a particular seat at various places. They can't enjoy food unless they sit on their favorite chair at the table, can't worship well unless they are at their "own" seat at church, can't feel comfortable unless they are sitting in the particular seat in bus, car, train, or flight. : D

The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you are but aliens and my tenants. (Lev 25:23 NIV) The pages of human history are red with the blood of the poor who became poor and were never again given the opportunity to be restored again because of laws or polities that prevented the redemption or restoration of their land to them. In India, for ages, the zamindars (zamin=land; land holders) held large portions of local lands keeping poor peasants in subjection to them. The British colonialists made use of the zamindari system to collect taxes and revenues. After Independence, several land reforms have been attempted to relieve the poor and the oppressed classes. Still, there are millions who continue to be landless and homeless. In Leviticus 25, God pronounces His principles of land acquisition and ownership for the Israelites, with provisions of both redemption and restoration. Of course, selfish humans do not appreciate the divine heart very much when...

The term "cessationism" comes with different shades of meaning. For instance, Classical Cessationism denies the continuation of the prophetic and revelatory gifts while Full Cessationism denies every charismatic gift. However, all these imply one thing in common "cessation" of something. In that case, both Pentecostals and Charismatics who believe in the Final Authority of the Canon and the cessation of Special Canonical Revelation after the Apostles or the completion of the New Testament would be cessationists in that sense of the term; though they would fully disagree that the gifts of the Holy Spirit had ceased since then. Obviously, those who contend that canonical revelation is not closed but continuing are erring; for, all present prophesying even in modern times is called to be evaluated on the basis of the Written Word. The Scripture is Final Authority indeed. Also, teachers on the revelatory gifts would agree that these ministerial revelations are partial a...

I love you (John 3:16) I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. (Isaiah 43:1) Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee. (Jeremiah 1:5) Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you (John 15:16) Since thou wast precious in my sight, and I have loved thee. (Isaiah 43:4) Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. (Jeremiah 31:3) How shall I give thee up? how shall I deliver thee? (Hosea 11:8) Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me. (Isaiah 49:15-16) For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand (Isaiah 41:13) Fear not: for I have redeemed thee. (Isaiah 43:1) for I am with thee (Isaiah 43:5) I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. (Matthew 28:20) Let n...

God didn't use the words "better" and "best" in Genesis 1. He only used the word "good", for He never creates anything less good than any other. It is only SIN that brings feelings of comparison, competition, rivalry, envy, and pride. Therefore, God resists the proud, or those who have a higher opinion of themselves. But, He exalts the humble and lowly.

There is an increasing trend towards becoming trendy at church, which is not always bad. We must make a distinction between faith and culture; culture is dynamic and flexible; faith has to be absolute. The problem rises when faith attempts to claim elements of culture in order to sacralize them and render them inflexible. When faith tries to do that, then the result is a legalistic religious system that is very fundamentalistic. These issues were earlier discussed here. However, grace is not lawless either. The New Testaments cautions us against those who attempt to turn the grace of God into license for evil (Jude 1:4, NET). Take the Example of Clothing Let's begin at the pulpit and one immediately notes at least 5 variants: 1. Those who stick to orthodox robes and cassocks or sacralized color definitions (e.g. white) 2. Those who stress on wearing business suits or traditional suits 3. Those who like to wear designer and more trendy clothes 4. Those who like to wear casuals. 5. ...

I hear You in the thunder, I hear You in the storm, I see You in pitch darkness, I see You where there's no form, I sense You amidst things that hinder, I sense You amidst the throng, I know You amidst deep quietness, I know You in my every song, Lord, You're my heart's Song!

Often times, we are given the choice: To be humanly honored or to divinely love, To be socially accepted or to deny all, To have silver and gold or have joy everlasting, To be renowned in earth or be remembered in heaven, To be treated as kings or hated as refuse, To please men or to please Christ . Blessed are those who choose to follow Christ!

Published in Revive Magazine , Dec 23, 2016 THE titles “ Christos ” (Christ) in the Greek New Testament and “ Mashiyach ” (Messiah) in the Hebrew Old Testament mean “The Anointed One”. While there were many men who were anointed as prophets, priests, and kings in the Old Testament period, it is only Jesus who is particularly referred to as the Anointed One of God. Therefore, the title “Christ” or “Messiah” exclusively applies to Him alone. In this article, we will focus on an attempt to understand Christ as the Anointed One of God. The Unity of Christ’s Anointing A careful study of the Bible shows us the singularity and unity of Christ’s anointing as the Anointed Priest-Prophet-King of God—not three separate anointings, separate of each other, but one. He IS the Anointed One and His anointing includes all the offices of God’s work (of Mediatorship, of Manifestation, and of Mastership) through Him in the world. We can understand Him as the Priest-Prophet-King, the Divine Lord of the uni...

"The LORD is my Shepherd, I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1) You watch over the lily, You watch over the tree, You watch over the grass of the field; But, more over me. You feed the birds, You feed the herds, You feed the fish of the sea; But, more You feed me. You hold each galaxy, You hold the open sea, You hold the fleeting stars of the sky; But, more You hold me. You see through darkness, You see through brightness, You see through every cloud and shadow; But, more see through me. You know the sunrise, You know the falling tides, You know every gust of wind; But, more You know me. You watch over me!