Coming from a line of Baptist ministers—from my father to my grandfather—I have observed and curiously sought a distinctively Baptist systematic theology. Part of my observations is that many Baptist ministers, theologians, and church leaders in the Philippines were easily persuaded by other denominations’ systematics, covenant theology, dispensationalism, and other concrete theological underpinnings. I canContinue reading “[Personal Review] Stephen Wellum, Systematic Theology (2024)”
Author Archives: JP Arceno
[Sermon] Remedy for Anxiety, Doubt, and Fear
Ephesians 1:13-14, 13 “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” The Role of the HolyContinue reading “[Sermon] Remedy for Anxiety, Doubt, and Fear”
[Book Review] Martin Chemnitz, The Two Natures in Christ
Martin Chemnitz Martin Chemnitz was born in Treuenbrietzen, Germany, on November 9, 1522. In 1545, he studied at the university in Wittenberg, where he met Philipp Melanchton and heard Martin Luther preach at the chapel. Though the university was disrupted by war, he completed his master’s in Königsberg in 1548 and later became a librarianContinue reading “[Book Review] Martin Chemnitz, The Two Natures in Christ”
[Sermon] Strengthening the Pillars of Assurance
Texts: Romans 7:14-25 and John 10:26-30 Oftentimes, believers feel insignificant, have confused identities, or lack assurance of faith. This assurance is essential to many Christians who lose hope and struggle with faith. Struggling with assurance of faith is a good sign of our Christian life. If we do not struggle, it means that we areContinue reading “[Sermon] Strengthening the Pillars of Assurance”
[Book Review] St. Cyril of Alexandria, On the Unity of Christ
St. Cyril of Alexandria. On the Unity of Christ. Translated by John Anthony McGuckin. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1995. Translator’s Context John Anthony McGuckin, the translator, wrote an introduction to the work of Cyril of Alexandira On the Unity of Christ. He is a patristic and Byzantine scholar who has taught at ColumbiaContinue reading “[Book Review] St. Cyril of Alexandria, On the Unity of Christ”
[Book Review] St. Athanasius, On the Incarnation
St. Athanasius the Great. On the Incarnation. Eastern Orthodox Books: n.d. Author’s Context Athanasius the Great (c. 299-373 AD), also known as Athanasius of Alexandria, “was the formidable opponent of Arianism in the Roman Empire.”[1] In the broad context of Athanasius’ On the Incarnation (318 AD), he was dealing with the Arian controversy throughout hisContinue reading “[Book Review] St. Athanasius, On the Incarnation”
Top 10 Books for the Year 2023
I have been sharing the top 10 books (that I believe are must-read ones) I’ve read since 2020. For this year, most of the books listed are the ones required readings for my PhD seminar classes. In Spring 2023, I took Historical Methodology under Dr. Robert Caldwell, and Contemporary Theology under Dr. Malcolm Yarnell. InContinue reading “Top 10 Books for the Year 2023”
[Book Summary] Transhumanism and the Image of God by Jacob Shatzer
Shatzer, Jacob. Transhumanism and the Image of God: Today’s Technology and the Future of Christian Discipleship. Downers, IL: IVP Academic, 2019. Author and Argument Jacob Shatzer’s goal is to convince his readers to take notice of how technological advancement provides the way toward transhumanism and to engage critically to counter such challenges. Shatzer earned aContinue reading “[Book Summary] Transhumanism and the Image of God by Jacob Shatzer”
[Book Summary] The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism by Dan Hummel
Daniel G. Hummel, The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle over the End Times Shaped a Nation (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 2023). The Author’s Point Daniel Hummel grew up in Germany as a missionary kid. Later, Dan moved to Colorado and then settled in Madison, Wisconsin. His educational background focusesContinue reading “[Book Summary] The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism by Dan Hummel”
Alpaca’s Herd Principle
There is an advantage and a disadvantage when it comes to applying the herd principle. When I visited an Alpaca Farm in New Jersey (with several UCBC churchmates), the farmer told us that Alpacas go together as a herd. Meaning, being isolated is stressful and unnatural for them. It is similar to a sheep. BothContinue reading “Alpaca’s Herd Principle”
John&Paul's Reflections 