Recent debates concerning the theological orientation of the King James Bible translators necessitate a careful examination of historical evidence regarding their doctrinal positions. Historical records strongly indicate that a significant majority of the translators adhered to Calvinist theology or demonstrated strong Calvinistic leanings in their soteriology. Historical Context and Anglican Identity The theological landscape of the Anglican Church during the Elizabethan era, which immediately preceded King James's reign, shows substantial Calvinist influence. Gerald Lewis Bray, a prominent British theologian and Anglican priest, provides crucial insight into this historical reality:"The Thirty-nine Articles of Religion follow the outline of Calvin's Institutes to a surprising extent, and their content is similar... the theologians who shaped Anglican identity in the Elizabethan era were deeply indebted to Calvin, whose major works were quickly translated into English to become the … [Read more...]
Is There Really an Unbroken Succession of Baptist Churches Since Christ?
The concept of Baptist Church Perpetuity, also known as Baptist Successionism, has been a subject of intense debate within Baptist circles. This theory posits that Baptist churches have existed in an unbroken line since the time of Christ and the apostles. However, this claim is not without its critics. Let's examine the arguments for and against this controversial idea. The Case for Baptist Church Perpetuity Proponents of this theory argue that: Jesus promised church perpetuity when He said, "upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). The church is defined as a local, visible entity composed of properly baptized, organized groups of people, given the exclusive right to propagate in perpetuity until Christ's return. This perpetuity is claimed because it is promised by an all-powerful God. Even in the absence of historical documents, faith in Jesus' promise is sufficient. Various historical groups, such as the … [Read more...]
How to Pick a Stock Market Broker: Practical Tips
More people, especially younger folks, are getting interested in the stock market these days. With so many brokers out there (about 132 in the Philippines, with 21 offering online services), choosing one can be tricky. Here are some tips to help you decide: 1. Old School or Online? First, you need to decide between traditional and online brokers. Traditional brokers are the ones you call on the phone to buy or sell stocks. They're good if you like talking to a real person, but they charge more for each trade, up to 1.5%. Online brokers, on the other hand, let you buy and sell stocks on a website. It's faster and gives you quick information, plus they charge less, sometimes as low as 0.25% per trade. 2. Reports and Analysis Next, think about what kind of information you need. Some brokers give detailed reports about companies, while others focus more on charts and graphs. Pick a broker that gives you the kind of information that helps you make decisions about stocks. 3. How … [Read more...]
Seven Arguments Against Applying Psalm 12:6 to the King James Version
Question: Does Psalm 12:6 refer to the KJV version? "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." (Psalm 12:6)As Christians we are supposed to study, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. I am sorry to say that the KJV-Only camp does one of the worst exegeses of this verse. In some sense I am not surprised as a lot of people in the KJV-Only camp is fond of eisegesis instead of doing proper exegesis. (May God forgive them for mishandling His Words, adding to what His Words really mean... for they know not what they do... or do they?)Arguments that Psalm 12:6 does not apply to the KJV are as follows: ARGUMENT #1 – This is a completely wrong interpretation of the verse. Frankly speaking, I am ashamed to call myself a pastor if this is the way I interpret the verse. Such interpretation of the said verse that it refers to the KJV is one of the many lies, illogical fallacies, and serious misinterpretations of Scripture that the KJV-only … [Read more...]
In Defense of Cognitivism
Since time immemorial, studies on any field relating to cognition, the view of the human mind, is that it is both a storehouse and a processing center of whatever we experience with our senses. Nobody can know what anybody is thinking or what goes on inside somebody’s head, however a person’s thought processes are reflected on their actions. However, “mental abilities” and “mental processes” have always been viewed as “all in the head.” This paradigm of the human mind has persisted even though the metaphor used to describe the human mind has changed throughout the years, from a bucket to contain information, a filing cabinet, and in recent decades a computer. This paradigm is what is known as cognitivism, and it has been the foundational paradigm upon which any studies relating to human cognition stands on. A recent increasingly influential school of thought is countering this paradigm. According to this view, the mind is embodied, extended, and distributed and that mental … [Read more...]