Marbaniang, Domenic

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...