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I.

Introduction:
A. What is Contextualization?
Context comes from the Latin contexere which means to weave or join together. The noun form
contextus refers to what is woven together, what is held together as a connected whole. In relation
to a text, the context may be a unit of words or sentences in which the text is set and to which it is
connected (literary context). It may also refer to the historical situation (a set of events) in which the
text was set and out of which it arose (historical context) or to the cultural situation in which the text
was staged (cultural context).
Example of Literary Context: black
Contexts:
1. red, brown, blue, black - color
2. the blacks were oppressed by the whites - race
3. a black, stuborn heart - attitude or condition
Example of Historical Context: Noli Me Tangere
Contexts
1. Spanish Regime
2. Oppression of Filipinos by Spaniards (e.g., tributes and forced labor)
3. Tension between the illustrados (the elite Filipinos who had education in Manila and Europe) and the
friars who owned larged tracts of land which were leased to Filipinos.
So a text can only be understood properly when it is interpreted according to its context, not according
to the context of the reader. This is Hermeneutics; the concern is on the interpretation of the text. But in
the subject of contextualization, the concern is on the application of the text in the context of the reader.
Hermeneutics and Contextualization

Interpretation

Application

Context of
the Scripture

Context of
the Reader

Definiton: Contextualization is the process by which Christian truth is embodied and translated within
a concrete historical situation. (Dr. Rodrigo Tano)
Contextualization is the process ...
Process is a method of doing something, with all the steps involve.
Since it is a process, it requires careful study or analysis. The text (Christian truth) must be studied
carefully as well as the context (the historical and cultural situation of the reader). Dont think that since

you are a Filipino and was born in the Philippine soil you dont need to study your own culture. Try to
read books about Filipino history and culture, and you will be surprised that there are things that you
dont really know about your culture.
... by which Christian truth ...
The subject of contextualization is the Christian truth. Our concern is not how to apply science
or philosophy in our own culture, but how to apply the Christian truth (the Scripture) in our Filipino
experience. Since we are dealing primarily with Christian truth, the text, it is important that we must
study it carefully. Here you can apply your knowledge on Exegesis. Dont just apply the text in your
own context without studying it first in its own context. So the first question is not How do I
understand this? but How did the original readers understand this? For example the word peace.
Dont understand the word the way English readers understand it, but understand the word the way
Jews understood it. Then after knowing its correct meaning, then thats the time that you apply it. This is
the principle that we follow in Bible translation.
First we understand the meaning of a word in the time of the author and then translate it in Hiligaynon in
a natural way. Thats why in translation exegesis is important; you dont just translate the English words
to Ilonggo, but you have to analyze the words carefully.
For example:
... is embodied ...
To embody means to give a definite form or appearance. To embody something is to give it
a form or an expression. In some culture Christianity comes in different forms. For example, some
Christians in Africa do tribal dance in their worship or they use native instruments in worship. That is
their form of worship or that is the embodiment of Christian worship in their cultural situation.
So what must be the form of Christianity in the Philippines? How are we going to embody the
Christian truth in our own culture? What must be the form of worship in our localities? Or the form of
evangelism? Or the form of preaching? Or the form of discipleship? These are the things that we are
going to explore in this course.
... and translated ...
This is not about Bible translation, although Bible translation is a form of contextualization,
because the Scripture is embodied in the language of the people. When we talk of translating the
Christian truth in a concrete historial situation, we are referring to the declaration or exposition of the
truth in a form which is understandable to that situation. We have so many words and concepts in the
church that are not fully understood by people. We speak of justification, sanctification, kingdom of
God, or salvation, which are not really clear to the people. Even salvation is misunderstood. I will be
using salvation as an example of how Western views influenced us. Truth must be expressed clearly and
understandably.
... within a concrete historical situation.
The Christian truth must be embodied and translated within a concrete or specific historical situation.
The historical situation is the object of contextualization while the subject is the Christian truth. The
historical that is being referred here is the culture (like American or Filipino culture) or the social setting
(like the urban setting or rural setting). So in contextualization it is important to know the culture or
social setting where the Christian truth is communicated.
B. The Need for Contextualization

Christian in the Third World (underdeveloped countries of the world, especially colonized by strong and
developed countries) have long been passive and uncritical recepients of the ready made theological
systems transmitted from the West (Europe and Northern America). They have been believed that the
only valid way of doing theology or doing evangelism or other form of ministry is that which conforms
to the Western style of doing it. We try to imitate everything that comes from the West. Examples:
1. Sequence of Sunday Service:
Sunday School
Sunday Service
Singing
Announcement/Offering
Special Number
Preaching
Closing
2. Evangelism
Sharing of the Gospel
Lead the person in sinners prayer
(Some people think that salvation will not take place without sinners prayer.)
3. Liturgy
Communion once a month
First the Scripture is read, prayer for the bread, and then partaking of the bread
4. Songs
We always watch for new tapes in the market and introduce the songs to the members. Some
dont even understand what they are singing. Some songs are only meaningful in Jewish contexts:
Shalom Jerusalem.
What factors have contributed to this attitude among the churches in the Third World?
1. Monocultural (single culture) system - at the height of the modern missionary movement in the latter
part of the nineteenth century, it was held by mission boards that the churches in the mission fields be
modelled after the churches at home. Church architecture, hymnology, liturgy, musical instruments,
church programs were brought unchanged to the native churches and were readily adopted by the new
Christians. Even in the establishment of Bible Schools and seminaries, these too were patterned after
theological schools in the West in terms of curriculum, textbooks, and methods of teaching. These
missionaries brought their church culture into these new churches. For example, in Nigeria, missionaries
from North America prevented the use of the African native drum and dance in church worship there.
2. Cultural superiority - The great technological achievements and advancements and the affluence and
the sophistication of western countries bred a feeling of cultural superiority. So they consider the culture
of the Third World countries as inferior. Some missionaries even told their converts that their culture is
demonic and urged their destruction. These missionaries lack the sensitivity to, and apprreciation of,
non-western cultures.
3. Misunderstanding of culture - These missionaries overlooked the truth that God works in and through
all cultures. They thought that God can only work through their cultures, and cultures that are different
from them should be rejected. They dont realize that God can work even in the culture of non-western
countries. They forget the fact that even the Bible has its own culture. It was written in the context of
Jewish culture. It simply shows that God worked in that culture.

4. Misundertanding of the nature and function of theology - they think that theology are just set of
beliefs or doctrines that can be transmitted from one culture to another without modification or
reformulation. They dont realize that theology can only be perceived correctly when it is interpreted and
translated within the experience and cultural frame of reference of the recepient; otherwise it will be
irrelevant to him.
Wrong Model
Word of God

Western Culture

Third World Culture

Correct Model
Western Culture
Word of God
Third World Culture
Biblical Basis for Contextualization: 1 Cor. 9:20-23. The best example of contextualization is Jesus
himself. Though he came from heaven, he did not come with a culture of his own, but he lived within the
culture of the Jews, relating and interpreting to them the truth in their own cultural experience.
What is the goal of contextualization; why is it needed? To make the Christian truth relevant and
understandable to the people.
What contextualization is not:
1. Not nationalism - this is not devotion to ones nation or patriotism. This is just a recognition that God
has given us a culture through which he can deal with us, and we dont need to seek God in a foreign
culture.
2. Not syncretism - this is not a mixing of Christian truth and unbiblical culture, like the folk Christianity
in our country. Some attempts to adapt the culture at the expense of Biblical truth. For example, there
are theologians in India who present Christ as one of the gods of Hinduism in order to bring them to
Christ. Culture must be subservient to Christian truth not the other way around.
3. Not purism - although contextualization tries to Filipinize Christianity, it does not attempt to make
Christianity purely Filipino. There is no such thing as pure culture. Every culture has been influenced by
other cultures. It is like a language, you cannot find a pure language. Every language has borrowed
terms. And culture changes from one generation to another. And culture varies in different social setting,
urban and rural. In some rural areas there are still so many superstitious beliefs, but no longer in the
cities. So in contextualization, you have to look at cultural situation that you are in. Contextualization is
the inter-action of the Christian truth with the present culture not the culture of the past. You must know
where your people are.
II. An Example of Contextualization: Salvation

What is salvation? For evangelical Christians, it is redemption, salvation from sin. Salvation is
just spiritual in most of the evangelical denominations. This is what they had learned from western
missionaries or preachers, and also books from the West. We need to realize that these countries are
economically prosperous, and salvation is not so relevant to their economic condition, thus they tend to
focus more on the spiritual aspect of salvation.
But what is really salvation in the Scripture?
1. Old Testament Concept
The most common word used in the Old Testament to describe salvation is the

yasha (to save, to deliver, to rescue). The noun is yesha or yeshua


(salvation, deliverance).
Salvation in the Old Testament includes the following:
deliverance from danger (Jer. 15:20)
deliverance from an oppressor (Ps. 35:9-10)
the healing of sickness (Isa. 38:20)
salvation from sin (Ps. 39:8)
national deliverance from military threat (Ex. 14:13)
freedom from captivity (Ps. 14:7)
deliverance from death (Jos. 2:13)
salvation from Gods wrath (Ezek. 7:19)
Salvation for the Jewish people is not just spiritual but salvation from anything that destroys
them spiritually, emotionally and physically.
2. New Testament Concept
The most common word for salvation in the New Testament is sodzo (to save, to deliver, to
rescue, to heal). The noun is (salvation, deliverance). The meaning of sodzo and yasha
is identical.
Salvation in the New Testament includes the following:
deliverance from danger (Matt. 8:25)
deliverance from an oppressor (Lk. 1:71)
the healing of sickness (Matt. 10:52)
salvation from sin (Matt. 1:21)
deliverance from death (Heb. 5:7)
salvation from Gods wrath (1 Thess. 5:9)
eschatological (future) salvation (1 Pet. 1:5)
salvation from hell (Jude 1:23)
Conclusion:
Salvation, in its theological sense, refers to the restoration of Gods creation into its original state. Some
of the things to be restored are:
1. Mans moral perfection (2 Pet. 3:13, Rev. 21:27)
2. Mans eternal and perfect existence (Rev. 21:4)
3. The relationship between God and man (John 1:12, Rev. 21:3)
4. Harmony within society as a whole (Isa. 65:25)

5. Perfect creation (Rom. 8:20-21)


So salvation is not only a soul salvation it is a Total Salvation. The object of salvation are the whole
person, all kinds of people, and the whole created universe.
Implication:
1. Christians must not only be concerned on the saving of the soul, but also on the saving of the physical
condition of man and also the saving of creation. We should be involved in the preservation of life and
nature. We should fight against anything that destroy the body (drugs, pollution), and anything that
destroy the nature (illegal loging, irresponsible mining, dynamite fishing). Our gospel must be holistic
because salvation is total salvation.
If salvation is total salvation then we cannot really say that our salvation is already complete. We cant
just say that we are already saved. This is the reason why salvation that comes through Christ is
described in three tenses:
past (Eph. 2:5,8) = we have been saved = justification/conversion/forgiveness of sin
present (1 Cor. 1:18, 2 Cor. 2:15) = we are being saved = sanctification/spiritual and
physical deliverance
future (Matt. 10:22, Phil. 1:28) = we shall be saved = glorification/perfection
How are we going to explain salvation in the Philippine context?
1. God wants to save the Filipino people from their sins, sufferings, poverty, struggles, from harm, and
from anything that will destroy them.
2. God wants also to save his creation. So encourage them to be active in the preservation of life and
nature.
3. This salvation may be experienced now or in the future. Dont give the impression to your
congregation that Gods blessings can only be experienced here on earth. Give them the hope that
someday God will going to give them complete and absolute salvation from everything sin, pain,
poverty, etc. If they are not delivered here on earth, they will in heaven.
4. This salvation may come in a supernatural or natural way. God may stop illegal loging through prayer
or through confronting the people responsible for this act. He may heal us through laying on of hands or
by taking medicine. He may heal a drug addict through prayer or through a rehabilitation center. We can
experience Gods saving grace through natural and supernatural means.

III. Filipino Values and Christian Faith


It is important that we know the values of the people whom we communicate the Christian truth
with. Since we are working with Filipinos we are going to look at closely our values and how are we
going to relate the Christian truths to these values. This is very important because our preaching and
teaching must focused on this aspect if we want to make the Christian truth relevant to our people.
Values refers to the aims and aspirations, beliefs and convictions, norms and principles at work in
a society. The values of a social group expresses dominant motivations and basic principles underlying
their patterns of behavior.
Aims and Aspirations:
The aims and aspirations of the Filipinos are: social acceptance, economic security, and social mobility.
1. Social acceptance refers to the recognition one is accorded by others for what he is. The goal of social
acceptance is achieved through smooth interpersonal relationship (SIR). Smooth interpersonal
relationship includes:
a. getting along with others - pakikisama in order to be accepted. Like for example you dont have a
plan to go to a party, and then some friends invited you to go. To gain acceptance you will accept the
invitation. If you dont go some friends might think of you indifferently. Pakikisama (conformism) is
expressed by conformity to group standards and expectations. It also includes concession--that is, giving
in to the group. This attitude needs to be given attention because some Christians compromise the truth
for the sake of pakikisama.
b. avoidance of disagreement or conflict - in order to be accepted a person will just agree to what is
suggested eventhough he is not totally convinced. It is difficult for a Filipino to say no or to disagree.
This is important in decision making. How can you decide correctly if you are overpowered by this
attitude.
c. symphatizing with people - this is evident when someone dies. As much as possible you do something
to the bereaved not really for the sympathy per se but for the people to think good of you -- that you
really care. If you dont help or visit the bereaved, the people will think that you are not a good person.
This is also evident in the church. A father or mother who will not go to church expresses his sympathy
with the group will send his child on his behalf. He will do this because he wants to be accepted in the
group. The common expression Daw kalwa-ay man ina nga indi ka magkadto. Daw kalaw-ay is an
indication that you dont like other people to think of you negatively. This attitude sometimes conflict
with sincerity. The Bible tells us to be sincere in every thing that we do. What motivates us to do
something is it really because that is what we really want to do or just because of what others will think
of us.
Smooth interpersonal relationship is maintained by
a. euphemism - In order to please and avoid hurting others, the Filipino employs euphemistic
expressions or indirect language. When a person does not want to go, he will not say it directly but he
will say, Tan-awon ko lang. If a friend ask you how his looks looks like, if does not look good, you
will not say Kalaw-ay but Okey lang. We do this because we try to maintain SIR. This is different
from Western attitude.
b. go-between - serves as an intermediary to conduct difficult transactions. There are some reasons why
we employ this:
to avoid direct confrontation - if your relationship with a person is not good, but you have
something to discuss with him or something to give to him, you usually send a person on your
behalf to avoid confrontation.

to avoid risk of refusal - for example somebody owes you money, you are afraid that he will refuse
to pay, so you will send somebody to get the money for you.
to ensure success in negotiations - sometimes you send an important person that will speak on your
behalf so that you can get what you want. Like applying a job, a Filipino might ask an influential
person to speak to a manager.

The desire for social acceptance is reinforced by the avoidance of personal rejection which would result
in a deep seated sense of shame or embarassment. Due to a high sense of self-esteem (amor propio - self
worth, the way we value ourselves), the Filipino is sensitive to insults especially open insult. When amor
propio is violated or threatened, it is accompanied by hiya (shame, embarrasment). When a person is
laughed at in the group, he is deeply embarassed. As Christians we must know how to handle our selfesteem. What is the proper way to respond to insults?
2. Economic security consitutes another set of goals for which the Filipino strives. Economic security
means the ability to meet material needs without borrowing; that is, through ones own resources.
Filipinos strive to improve their economic condition so that they will not need depend on others for their
needs, because of hiya. Kahuluya nga maghulam kita. Economic stability is what forces the parents
to put their children to school inspite of financial difficulties.
3. Social mobility - is advancement to a higher status. Another reason why Filipinos strive to improve his
economic condition is to have a higher social status. For they observe that rich people are being looked
up, respected, and has the power and prestige. For example, a poor person who was able to work
abroad as a seaman or a worker whose economic condition improved is looked up by his community and
receives social acceptance.
Beliefs and Convictions
In the Philippines, the belief-system is still basically animistic and personalistic in spite of the influence of
technology and modernization. The universe is viewed as governed directly by personal beings other
than man, as opposed to the mechanistic view that the universe is governed by impersonal laws which
men can discover and harness. The Filipino farmer may rely more on a planting ritual or luck than on the
use of fertilizer. The concept of suerte (luck or fate) and bahala na (fatalistic resignation) expresses this
outlook. Success is due more to suerte or panalangin (Gods mercy). Failure, on the other hand, is due
not so much to natural causes (e.g., lack of fertilizer or irrigation) as it is to malas (bad luck) or gaba
(curse). Even in basketball, Ive heard many times from the commentator the word malas. But
everything has its own time; one must be resigned to whatever occurs. Failure today may turn to success
tomorrow.
Norms (Standards) and Principles (Rules of Conduct)
1. Strong Family Orientation - This is a conduct which is almost uniquely attributed to Filipinos. The
family provides status and emotional and physical protection. In time of crises especially the Filipino
does in fact find both physical and emotional security in the support of relatives. On the night, for
example, of the eruption of the Taal Volcano in 1965, 48% of the refugees found their way to the homes
of their families and relatives, 28% to the homes of friends who were members of the extended family
(in-laws, maninoy/maninay; compadres/comadres), and only 12% made use of the public evacuation
centers.
Because of the strong feeling of family loyalty and solidarity, the individuals interests are often
subordinated to those of the family. Upward social mobility through education, acquisition of land, or
government position is made possible through family connections, and such upward movement in turn
enhances the status of all members who are eventually to share in the benefits. On the other hand

improper or antisocial behavior by a family member discredits the entire family. This brings stern censure
and serves as an effective mechanism of social control. The sense of family solidarity often leads to
serious conflicts with outsiders who treaten any family member and also makes possible the
circumventing of legal involvement.
Non-relatives are brought into quasi-kinship relations through the compadrazgo system. At
baptism or marriage, individuals are ususally sponsored by godfathers (padrinos, ninong, maninoy) and
godmothers (madrinos, ninang, maninay). The male sponsor becomes a compadre (cofather) and the
female sponsor comadre (comother). This compadrazgo system brings nonrelatives into a social
relationship which approximates the sense of solidarity and mutual obligation that marks natural kinship.
2. Filipino Hospitality
Due to the innate family consiousness and the pakikisama system, the Filipinos developed the attitude of
hospitality. The Filipino places his home and food at the disposal of everyone no matter if he be a
stranger. Sometimes he would even give his guests more than what they give to their families in order to
have a little show-off. Hospitality is the Filipino trait that is most admired by foreigners. Listen to the
interviews to the visitors.
3. Utang Na Loob (Reciprocity)
It refers to the feeling of obligation to repay a favor of service done. Based on this principle, every
service rendered demands a return according to the statuses of the of the persons involved and the kind
of service done. The debt need not be paid in monetary terms since there is no formal agreement on the
amount or form of payment. Repayment in full is not expected but the sense of indebtedness takes on a
deep emotional dimension. Unwillingness to repay is a source of hiya (shame, embarassment). Thus a
farmer may render service repeatedly to his landlord (e.g., plowing his field, hauling firewood) for the
latters kindness in lending him money or sending his child to school.
TOPIC 1: Lusot, Lakad, & Lagay
Lusot - a mentality that is concerned with getting away from an undesirable or unpleasant situation in the
fastest, and least painful manner possible.
My wife told me about some Bible students who rode a boat by faith without money to pay for the fare,
and they were able to escape the ticket inspector by moving from one place to another inside the boat.
And after the inspection of the ticket, they were glad nga nakalusot sila.
I know a Christian who by forging her papers nakalusot sa embassy and was able to go abroad.
Sinfulness:
1. Lying
2. Maneuvering
3. Deception or Trickery
Biblical Principles:
Ps. 101:7 - I will not allow deceivers to serve me, and liars will not be allowed to enter my presence.
Prov. 12:22 - The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful.
Lakad/Lagay

Lakad - an attempt to smooth out difficulties by using a network of connections or go-betweens. In


Ilonggo this is described as pagpatigayon in the context of transaction: Ako ang bahala; ako ang
magpatigayon.
Lakad can be viewed with ambivalence. There appears to be nothing wrong or immoral in social
networking. To a great extent, life in our culture is a mesh of interrelationships--we need one another
especially our relatives in timeof need. So there is nothing wrong when we call upon our friends or
relatives to assist or to make personal follow-ups in a transaction. Using a go-between is an
acknowledged social process. But resorting to fixers and making under the table deals with them by
processing your papers immediately or forging your documents is morally questionable. Connections
or fixers are almost always oiled by the use of grease money or lagay.
Whats the difference between suhol and lagay? Suhol is the money that you give to a person who
helped you in an honest and descent way. Lagay is the money that you give to a person who will help
you in an illegal or unjust way.
Another point that needs to be raised in relation to connections or go-betweens is the issue of
personalism. Personalism is our tendency to recommend, appoint or employ a person whom we know
(as a close friend or relative) for a particular job or responsibility even though he is not fit or qualified
for the work.
Sinfulness:
1. Maneuvering - forging of papers,
2. Discrimination/Unfairness - prioritizing your papers over the others; or prioritizing your relatives over
the other inspite of the formers defficiency.
3. Bribery
4. Corruption - it feeds on greed; a person wants to get what he wants in an easy way.
Biblical Principles:
Deut. 10:17 - The Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God mighty and
awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribe.
Ecc. 7:7 - Extortion turns wise people into fools, and bribes corrupt the heart.
Exod. 23:8 - Take no bribes, for a bribe makes you ignore something that you clearly see. A bribe
always hurts the cause of the person who is in the right.
Preaching Topics:
1. Lusot, Lakad, and Lagay
2. The Evil of Bribery
3. Personalism--a Form of Discrimination and Favoritism
4. Beware of Fixers!
5. Non One Can Make a Lusot Before God

Topic 2: Bahala Na
Bahala na is an expression of fatalism which means that life is determined by an impersonal force called
fate (kapalaran or suwerte).
How does the fatalistic outlook shape the Filipinos attitude and behaviour?
1. The Filipino is constantly under the grip of fear. Uncertain of the future, the Filipino fears for what
will happen tomorrow.
2. The fatalistic outlook shapes the Filipino to an unlucky victim of an unavoidable and unbending fate.
Here, man ceases to be the rational, moral being God intended him to be, capable of making responsible
choices that could shape his destiny.
3. This mentality is behind the Filipinos lack of initiative and foresight. It explains the do-nothing or dolittle attitude that produces an unwarranted sense of dependence on awa or the dole out.
What is the difference between Bahala na and Gods will?
The difference is in the object of resignation: in bahala na the Filipino yields to fate while in Gods
will the Filipino yields to God. So is it okey then to say Bahala na ang Dios?
It depends on how you say it. If you say it as an expression of
1. true faith
2. presumptous faith - an arrogant expression of faith. For example, you cross the water even though the
boat is overloaded.
3. passive faith - example, you just yield a thing to God without doing nothing.
Biblical Principles:
Psa. 138:8a - The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me ...
Eph. 1:11 - In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who
works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.
Phil. 2:12,13 - ... continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works
in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Preaching Topics:
1. Bahala na and Gods Will
2. Faith not Fate
3. Is it Suwerte or Gods Will?
4. Kapalaran and Gods Purpose
5. Bahala na ang Dios--What does it Mean?

TOPIC 3: Pakikisama
Pakikisama is getting along with others.
Negative meaning: conformity to group standards and expectations, and giving in to the group.
Example: barkada (especially evil company)
Positive meaning: friendship, pakikipagkapwa-tao, neighborliness
Examples: bayanihan, damayan
Biblical Principles:
For Bad Pakikisama
Ps. 1:1 - Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of
sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
1 Cor. 15:33 - Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character
Prov. 28:7 - Young people who obey the law are wise; those who seek out worthless companions bring
shame to their parents.
These passages do not imply that it is wrong to socialize with unbelievers. Jesus ate with the sinners and
the tax collectors. What is not allowed is to have a close companionship or friendship with the
unbelievers.
For Good Pakikisama:
The author made mention that our pakikisama whether with Christians or not, should have a salting
effect. This means that our presence, views and dealings should help fight off the influence of corruption
and evil. At the same time our pakikisama must somehow light up others as well. So by our words and
our deeds, our companions are led towards constructive, meaningful lives. The goal of our pakikisama is
a transformation in peoples lives, not just harmony of the temporary and superficial kind.
Matt. 5:13-14 - Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your
Father in heaven.
Col. 4:5-6 - Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity.
Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone.
Preaching Topics:
1. Pakikisama in the Right Way
2. Jesus Pakikisama With the Sinners
3. Who Are Your Barkadas?
4. What Does Scripture Say About Pakikisama?
TOPIC 4: Bayan Ko: Strengthening Our Weak National Consciousness

Nationalism - a condition of mind in which loyalty to the ideal or fact of ones national state is superior
to all other loyalties, and in which pride for ones nationality and belief in its intrinsic excellence and its
mission are integral parts. (Carlton J.H. Hays)
The Positive Side of Nationalism:
1. It makes oppressed and colonized people fight for their freedom, democracy, and independence.
Because of our forefathers nationalistic sentiments they constantly struggled for our independence from
the domination of Spaniards, Japanese, and Americans.
2. It gives the people a sense of pride for their freedom and sovereignty.
3. It preserves the peoples culture and values. It makes one protect his cultural heritage in order to
maintain his national identity.
The Negative Side of Nationalism:
1. Nationalism is a divisive factor in international relations. Nationalism causes disagreement,
dissensions or wars among countries. Take for example the case in Yoguslavia the Serbs because of their
nationalistic sentiments they tried to wipe out ethnic Albanians in Kosovo. During Second World War,
the Germans destroyed millions of Jews in Germany and Poland because of nationalistic passion; they
dont want Jews part of their race.
2. Sometimes nationalism makes the people arrogant. There are people who because of their
nationalistic pride dont want to accept the deficiencies of their culture. They dont want to learn from
the culture of other people. For examples, we Filipinos easily accomodate the culture of the Americans
but how many Americans accomodate our culture?
What is a Christian Nationalist?
A Christian nationalist is a person who loves his own people and country, but ...
his nationalism is subject to Christ - our loyalty must first be to Christ. If our country will do
something contrary to the Scripture then we should not embrace it or tolerate it but we must go
with the truth. For example in a communist country, Christians cannot be 100% loyal to their
country, they have to share Jesus even though it is illegal.
he does not tolerate any principle, system, or practice in his country that is contrary to the Scripture.
If the goverment legalize abortion or divorce we have to oppose it.
he does not hate other nationalities and races. We should treat all people equal in Gods sight. Scriptures
teach us that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile (Rom. 10:12) for Christ died for all
mankind.

Biblical Principles:
God created all the nations: Acts 17:26
The Jewish people love their nation Israel and they take pride in their Jewishness.
Although Paul was a Roman citizen, he never denied his Jewishness: Acts 21:39, 22:3; Phil. 3:5-6.
Simon, one of Jesus disciples, was a Zealot: Matt. 10:2-4; Lk. 6:12-16. The Zealots was a subversive
political group whose goal was to free Palestine from the power of Rome.
Preaching Topics:
1. Should Christians be Nationalistic?
2. Is Nationalism Biblical?

3. Bayan Ko, Bayan ng Dios


4. Are you a Christian Nationalist?

TOPIC 5: Nakakahiya
Hiya has three possible meanings:
1. shyness - Example: When a person is requested to sing in public without his knowledge, would refuse
out of hiya, and would say huwag na, nakakahiya indi ako nakapag-praktis. Is hiya or shyness an
indication of pride? This the thing that I discussed with an American. I think, it depends upon the
situation. If you are shy to sing because you are not prepared, I dont think it is really pride.
2. embarrasment - loss of face or deflation of ones self-esteem. Example: A child who was kicked out
from school is nakakahiya. Sociologists say that this concern for saving face stems from our being
others-directed. That is we tend to base our judgment based on what other people would think or say:
Tan-awa ang natabo sa imo, ano na lang ang isiling sang iban?
3. impropriety - being improper or unbecoming or inappropriate. Example: A person would not visit a
friend during siesta time, because it is nakakahiya (inappropriate).
When is hiya a sin?
1. Hiya is sin when your concern is what others would think of you rather than what God would think of
you.
2. Hiya is sin when you cease from doing what God wants you to do.
3. Hiya is sin when you depreciate yourself. We must consider ourselves special in the sight of God. God
made us his children so there is no reason why we should consider ourselves low or insignificant.
These three attitudes are seen in the life of Moses:
Exod. 3:11,10 - #3
Exod. 4:1 - #1
Exod. 4:13 - #2
Biblical Principles:
2 Tim. 1:7 - God did not give us a spirit of timidity (cowardice, shyness), but a spirit of power, of love
and of self-discipline.
2 Tim. 2:15 - Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need
to be ashamed ...
Mk. 8:38 - If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son
of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
Preaching Topics:
1.What Must be the Attitude of Christians Towards Hiya?
2. Overcoming Hiya
3. Dont Be Shy, Youre Special
4. Hiya--A Spiritual Sensitivity?

TOPIC 6: Whos the Boss in the House?


Three Types of Family Leadership in the Philippines:
1. Patriarchal - the husband is the head of the family. Some Filipino families are male-dominated, the
fathers word is the law, the dispenser of discipline as regards the children, and has always the final say.
2. Matriarchal - the wife is the head of the family. Some families are female-dominated. She holds the
finances, she manages the family affairs, she is the one who usually discipline the children, her decision is
always followed by the husband and the children. This happens when the wife is usually the bread winner
of the family.
3. Egalitarian - the husband and wife share the leadership in the family. The desicions in the areas of
finances, family affairs and discipline comes from both of them.
Biblical Perspective:
1. Eph. 5:22 - The husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of
which he is the Savior.
The husband is the head of the wife, but the husbands headship must be patterned after Christs
headship over the Church not after the pattern of the male-headship in the world which is domineering,
selfish, and unloving.
Eph. 5:23-29
1. Headship of Love: Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church ...

2. Headship of Service: ... and gave himself up for her. The husbands headship highlights his
responsibility not his authority.
3. Headship of Source: The husband is to be the main provider, the moral and spiritual source, the
strength to his wife and family.
Moral and Spiritual Source: to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through
the word ...
Material Source: After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as
Christ does the church (Eph. 5:29)
2. Eph. 5:22, 24: Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord ... Now as the church submits to
Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
So since this is the kind of headship God wants for a Christian husband, wives should submit to
their husbands in everything (that is good). This does not mean that husbands should not listen to their
wives. Remember that husbands headship is a headship of love, which means that husbands should be
considerate also to their wives. The term submit is not used on the part of man because Paul wants
to emphasize that husband has the role of leadership in the home, and the wife as the subject must
submit. Like the relationship between the king and his subjects. We cannot say that the king and his
people must have mutual submission. Being subjects, the duty of the people is to submit, and the duty of
the king is to love and take care of his people. When President Erap listens to the voice of the people, he
is not submitting himself to the people, but he is expressing his love and concern for people. Like also
Jesus and the Church, we cannot say mutual submission between Christ and his church. Also in parentschildren relationship. The role of submission is given to the the children, and the parents role is to show
love to their children. Therefore the word submission is only used in the context of leadership and
authority.
So, in the husband-wife relationship, the husband being the head, the wifes role is to submit to
her husband and the husbands role is to love his wife. Thats why Paul did not say, Husbands submit
also to your wives rather Husbands, love your wives.
How about if the wife is the pastor of the church? Since she is the leader does it mean that the husband
is to submit to her? Some would say that in the church, the husband must submit to the wife, but in the
house the other way around. But this is impossible because the ministry and the family life are
interrelated. Some decisions in the family affect the ministry and some decisions in the ministry affect the
family. For example if the wife decides to pastor a place, it must also be considered where the family will
stay or where the children will go to school. Or for example, when the family decides to have a vacation,
it must be decided who will take care of the church or who will be responsible to preach. Like for
example when you went to convention, you had to think who will take of your children when you are
gone and how their food will be provided. So ministry and family life are interrelated. So if the wife
decides something which for her is good for the ministry but for the husband it is not good for the
family. Who is to be followed? For example, the wife wants to buy a guitar because she needs it for the
ministry but the church does not have the money. Now the husband has a money because he has a work,
and the wife ask money from her husband to buy a guitar. But for the husband the money is not enough
for the needs of the family. But the wife insists, saying God will provide for our food. But the husband
refuses. Just because she is the pastor the husband must submit? Or for example, the wife wants to
pastor to another place but the husband refuses because his work is in that place, should the husband
submit to her wife? So it is really difficult to have a shared leadership between a husband and a wife.( I
think this is also one of the reasons why Jesus did not chose a female apostle.) Personally, every decision
of the wife in the ministry that affects the family must be subject to the evaluation of the husband.
This is a difficult situation and we cannot just give a quick solution to this. The best thing to do
is to bring the matter to the Lord in prayer. Submit first your decisions to the Lord for we know that it is

he who works in us that we might do his good pleasure. As time passes, and if both of you sincerely
seek the Lords will, this will become clearer and clearer for we know that he is our guiding light who is
faithful to lead us in the right path.
Preaching Topics:
1. Whos the Boss in the House?
2. A Biblical View on Family Leadership
3. Padre de Familia According to the Bible
4. Are You Ander-De-Saya?
TOPIC 7: Brocades, Facades and Edifice Complex
Brocade - literal meaning: a cloth with a raised design or embroidery
figurative meaning: an appearance engaging attention; hence, pa-impress
Facade - literal meaning: the front of a building
figurative meaning: a false, superficial, or artificial appearance or effect;
hence, palabas
Edifice - literal meaning: a large elegant building
figurative meaning: a projection of elegance; hence, pabongga
What are the reasons why Filipinos have these attitudes?
1. social acceptance - Remember that in our society those who are financially prosperous are
being looked up and well-accepted. The more you are rich, the more you are accepted and recognized.
So some people will project an image of being rich so that he will be accepted by many. For example, a
poor pastor wearing a barong or neck-tie are met by people with respect. When I went to British
Embassy, Ive noticed that most of the applicants were wearing formal dress, just to show that they are
affluent and has the money to go abroad.
2. praise and recognition - when you have the biggest house in your community, you will become
well-known. Or if you have the most expensive car in your place people will praise you. When you have
the biggest church in the city you will be famous and praised by everybody.
3. pride and arrogance - he wants to show that he has the money to buy expensive things. King
Nebuchadnezzar made great accomplishments in Babylon and arrogantly declared, I, by my own mighty
power, have built this beautiful city as my royal residence, and as the capital of my empire.
4. envy and jealousy - if a neigbor has a new and a big TV, a neigbor might also buy a new one
and a bigger one.
Biblical Principles:
1 Sam. 16:7b - The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward
appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
Luke 16:15 - Jesus said to them, You like to look good in public, but God knows your evil hearts. What
this world honors is an abomination to the Lord.
1 Pet. 2:1 - Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every
kind.
Preaching Topics:
1. Paporma, Pabongga, Pasikat
2. Is God Impressed with Your Pa-impress?
3. Filipino Facades
4. Sikat sa Tao, Pero Hindi sa Dios
5. Not The Outside, But The Inside

TOPIC 8: Utang na Loob


Utang na loob refers to the feeling of obligation to repay a favor of service done.
Utang na loob can be ...
1. burdensome - if you cannot help the person that has helped you before, it makes you feel heavy and
disturbed. Daw indi ka mapakali ukon indi ka mapahamtang, especially during the time when he badly
needs your help.
2. enslaving - the person helped feels bound to pay back the helper.
3. manipulative - this is common among politicians. As the election is approaching, the politician will do
many good things to the community, and when the campaign period comes, they will remind the people
of the good things that they have done to them. And because they have utang na loob, they are bound to
vote the politician. So the politicians were able to manipulate the people.
Christian Principles:
1. Christians are not to expect anything in return for the service that they render to other people.
Lk. 6:33,34 - If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you?
Even `sinners' lend to `sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them,
and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will
be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
2. When Christians do good things, they must do it for the Lord not for repayment.
Col. 3:17 - Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
3. When Christians received help from other people, he should be grateful to God and to the people
whom God has used to help him.
Eph. 5:20 - always giving thanks to God the Father for everything
Rom. 16:3-4 - Greet Priscilla and Aquila. They have been co-workers in my ministry for Christ Jesus.
In fact, they risked their lives for me. I am not only the one who is thankful to them; so are all the
Gentile churches.
4. Christians should try to help also those people who have helped them, not as a repayment or out of
utang na loob but as a gesture of helping someone in need.
Preaching Topics:
1. Utang na Loob and the Scripture
2. Should Christians Expect Repayment?
3. The Negative Implications of Utang na Loob
4. Utang na Loob and Gratefulness
TOPIC 9: Filipino and His Time
The Cyclical and Linear Concepts of Time
cyclical - time is repetitive

day and night; birth and death


linear - time moves forward
the persons age
A calendar is a good example of a combination of cyclical and linear. If we focus on the months, it is
cyclical but if we focus on the year it is lineal.
Some Filipino values and beliefs demonstrate the cyclical concept of time:
Manana habit - karon na lang, buwas na lang because for a Filipino time is never ending. If
there is a 24 hours today, tomorrow has also 24 hours. So for example if a Filipino has something to do
today, he might change his mind and do it tomorrow because time is still there the next day. Time will
not be gone.
Lateness - This is also the reason why Filipinos are always late: because time is always there, it is
repetitive, what you cannot do at 8:00 you can do at 9:00. If they cannot make at 8:00 then make it at
9:00. Time is abundant, it is never ending.
But some of our values or beliefs demonstrate also the linear concept of time:
Like for example a person lost a big money in business, his wife will say anhon mo pa to indi mo na man
to mabalik.
Also we say, Pabay-i na lang to ang mga nagliligad. Because we feel we can no longer bring back the
past. Time is moving forward.
Thats the reason why we have the concept of hingagaw. Hingagawon ko ni kay wala na sing oras.
In the lineal concept, time has limitation; it is not abundant.
When there is no strict deadline, Filipinos live in the cyclical concept of time; if there is a strict deadline
of time the Filipinos turns to the linear concept of time. Because if it is not strict you know that you still
have another time to pass it, but if you know that it is really strict you know that no more time will be
given to you.
For example the plane: Why is it that you try to arrive in the airport on time? Because you know that the
plane will go at the departure time. It will not wait for you.
Thats the reason why Americans are disciplined in their time because deadlines and due dates are strictly
implemented.

Are there positive sides in these Filipino concepts of time?


1. Filipinos have more time to relax. For example when the meeting or the class dont start on time, you
have time to relax especially when you have just finished doing something. Compare the situation in the
states: You end up in one appointment at 3:00 P.M. then the other appointment starts at exactly 3:15
p.m.
2. Less pressure - for example you have a meeting at 9:00 a.m. and you are still in your house at 9:00
a.m. because of an important matter, even though you have to attend the meeting you are not so

pressured because you know that the meeting will start late. You can relate to what I am talking when
you are in other countries, especially in America. The pressure is great.
3. time is adjustable - we can move the meeting from 8:00 to 9:00 or even up to 10:00. This is helpful in
case of emergency when some people would not be able to come.
What are the negative sides?
1. much time are wasted - for example the meeting starts at 8:00, and you went there at 8:00, but the
meeting started at 10:00. You wasted two hours. We need to remember that we are stewards of
everything that God has given us, including time. So we must educate ourselves and our people to be
good stewards of time. But since the culture of lateness cannot be changed overnight, you have to think
of ways that you can make use of your time. I usually bring some of my teaching or preaching materials,
or some books to read, so that if I cannot waste my time.
2. it results to inefficiency - Because of this attitude of Filipinos towards time, those things that can be
done for just a minimum period of time cannot be done. Like in the church, young people prepares for a
Sunday presentation on Friday. The meeting is scheduled to start at 5:00 p.m. but then they start at
6:00 p.m., after 7:00 p.m. they decided to stop the practice because it is time to go home. So they will
continue to practice next day, and the practice will start again at 5:00 p.m. but because most of them are
late they started at 6:30, and since the next day is the presentation day, they decided to extend the
practice up to 8:30. They only spent three hours in practice for two days. Actually they dont really need
to go back the next day, if they only started at 5:00 p.m. and stopped at 8:00 pm.
3. damaging to other people - some people try to make use of their time in a responsible manner. For
example, a person needs to leave an important matter in the house just in order to attend a meeting and
then everyone comes late. Or you expect the meeting will end up at 10:00 and it ends up at 11:00 which
affects your next appointment.
4. it results to cramming - doing something in a hurried way. When the due date for submission is near,
students are cramming. Why? Because they did not do their work in advance. Because of the cyclical
concept of time. Always expecting that there is still much time. Three months before, there is still much.
Two months before, there is still much time. One month before, there is still time. Two weeks before,
there is still few time left. Three days before, no more time!
Biblical Principles:
Ps. 90:12 - Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.
In order to make the most of our time:
1. we need to manage our time. Let us make a schedule of our time, for we can accomplish many things
if we budget our time. Personally, since I became a pastor, even when I was still a Bible student I make a
schedule of all my activities everyday. It is very difficult for me without this schedule.
2. we need to discipline our time. This means that we should minimize lateness. Let us teach our
members to be time conscious. We pastors should serve as a model. Let us start on time and end on
time. I really like the way Doanne Baptist Church manages their time during Sunday. They start on and
end on time.
Job 14:5 - Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits
he cannot exceed. This truth should encourage us to make the most of our days because we can only
live according to the number of years that God has given us. In other words, we cannot extend our life

how hard we may try. So it is only proper that we use our time wisely. If you waste 1 hour a day, from
the age for example of 20 up to 70, you will waste at least 18,250 hours. How many things you can do
for the Lord in this period of time.
Preaching Topics:
1. The Filipino and His Time
2. Late Na Naman!
3. Filipino Concepts of Time
4. Filipino Time and Christian Time
5. Filipino Time Wasters

TOPIC 10: Western and Filipino Worldviews


Worldview - the concepts of reality which are generally agreed to by the members of a culture
(Charles Kraft)
Western Worldview

Natural
(this worldly)
sciences

Supernatural
(other worldly)
spirit-beings
--- God, Satan, angels, demons

Beliefs:
1. The belief in the existence of spirit-beings are not so strong, especially on angels and demons. They
are not denied, rather, they are ignored. They are considered other worldly which means that they are
not part of this world; they belong to a different sphere or realm. This was not the case in the past. Many
people before believed in witches (the practitioners who used the power of demons). In America in
1692, twenty alleged witches were executed for witchcraft. The belief in the ability of the living to
contact spirits of the dead and other spirits was very popular in the United States. But because of the
rise of modernisn and intellectualism and the rising interest in science, this worldview changed.
For the non-Christian western mind, spirits do not exist because everything this worldly has
perfectly logical and natural (scientific) explanations. To believe in the existence of this spirit-world

would bring judgments of ignorance and superstition and make a persons intellectual credibility suspect
(Pat Robertson). Many of them consider spirit-beings as myth, supersitition.
Filipino Worldview

Natural
(this worldly)
sciences

Supernatural

(other worldly)
God, Satan

(this worldly)
angels, demons,
ancestral spirits,
dwende, capri, tamawo
and other spirit-beings

Beliefs:
For the more practical affairs of everyday living, the Filipino believes that God is too big to be
intimately concerned. So He has lesser spirit-beings to handle these more pragmatic and mundane
concerns. This is still part of the belief of pre-Spanish Filipinos who belived on the anitos (lower
gods). These spirit beings were in charge of the affairs of everyday life. They controlled such things as
birth, death, sickness, war, weather, agriculture, spiritual relationships, human relationships, protection
of the family and village, fishing, hunting, and giving information for difficult situations. These spiritbeings filled nature by living in trees, caves, and rivers. People felt that these beings would try to harm if
they got the chance. Angels (good) and demons (bad) are influence of Christianity. In Filipino animistic
they dont group the spirits in this way. They consider ever spirit has good and bad tendencies. The
spirits may do good to you or harm you (e.g. duwende, capri).
Variety in the angelic world: archangel (1 Thess. 4:16), seraphim (Isa. 6:2), cherubim (Gen. 3:24),
living creatures (Ezek. 1:5-6, Rev. 4:6).
Variety in the demonic world: lilith (Isa. 34:14; NIV: night creature;
NASB: night monster); sair (Lev. 17:7; NASB: goat demon).
These are not difficult to establish, but we know that it is possible for demons, as spiritual beings, to
manifest in many forms like angels. Since spirit beings like duwende and capri are common to Filipino
beliefs, the devil can use those images or forms to harm people.
Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
Biblical View:
1. Demons are real spirit-beings and they are this worldly. They can attack people and affect them
mentally, morally, physically, and spiritually, and they are frequently described as "unclean" (Matt 10:1;
Mark 1:27; Luke 4:36; Acts 8:7; Rev 16:13 KJV; NIV renders "evil"). They cause fleshly uncleanness
and base sensual gratification (Luke 8:27), and gross carnality and sexual sin (2 Tim 3:1-9; Rev 9:2021).

Filipinos must not fear demons or evil spirit-beings because their power had been broken (1 John
3:8; Col.2:15).

Filipinos must realize that the demons power is limited by the will of God: Simon, Simon! Listen!
Satan has received permission to test all of you, to separate the good from the bad, as a farmer
separates the the wheat from the chaff (TEV, Lk. 22:31; see also Job 1:9-12, 2:4-6). Satan could
not touch none of Jobs possessions nor his person, until God gave him permision.

2. Angels are also real spirit-beings and they are also this worldly. They assist, protect, and deliver
God's people (Gen 19:11; Ps 91:11; Dan 3:28; 6:22; Acts 5:19; Heb 1:14). They guided Philip to go into
the desert (Acts 8:26) and encouraged Paul in Corinth (27:23-24). Sometimes they interpret God's will
to people (Dan 7:16; 10:5, 11; Zech 1:9, 13-14, 19), and execute God's will toward individuals and
nations (Gen 19:12, 13; 2 Sam 24:16; Ezek 9:2, 5, 7; Acts 12:23). The affairs of nations are guided by
them (Dan 10:12-13, 20). God uses them to punish his enemies (2 Kings 19:35; Acts 12:23).
Preaching Topics:
1. Filipino Beliefs on Spirit-Beings
2. Angels and Demons in Filipino Worldview
3. Spirit World in the Minds of Filipinos
4. Natural and Supernatural

THE FILIPINO CHURCH


We have discussed some Filipino values that need to be corrected or improved. These are the things that
should be given attention in our churches in order for the Christian truth to be relevant to them. This
time we will discuss about the church life and ministry in our context. The first thing that we will discuss
is about our preaching:
1. PREACHING
The ABC of preaching:
A - Anointed. I am hesitant to use this term because it sometimes misused by many preachers. But let me
use this term to mean empowered. Anointed preaching is a preaching soaked in prayer, empowered by
Gods Spirit. So our preaching must be powerful. Powerful preaching does not necessarily mean a
preaching that can make people cry or a preaching that can make people fall down, but a preaching that
can change lives.
B - Biblical. When I say, biblical Im not just referring to preaching based from the Bible but based from
the correct interpretation of the Bible. This means that we have to study carefully the Scripture using all
the principles that youve learned in Bible interpretation.
This means spending time in study.
C - Contextualized. It is a preaching that is relevant to the needs of the Filipino people, a preaching that
touches on their values and worldview. You can develop all the materials that weve discussed in the
class on Filipino values.
You can contextualized also the style of your preaching.Our style of preaching has been patterned from
the West. The preacher stands at the pulpit and then talk until he finished his sermon. There is nothing
wrong we that, but we can modify it that will fit your situation.
1. Remember that in order for the Christian truth to be relevant and well understood by people, it must
speak to their situation or to their experience. And once you deal with Filipino experience, the people
can relate to it. So one possible thing that you can do is to let a person share his experience, the
problems and trials that he encountered, and then make it as your subject for discussion. Filipinos love
to listen to the experience of other people. This makes the show Mel and Jay famous. In this program,
their guests express their experiences in life and then they discuss it. Many people like to watch it
because most Filipinos can relate to their experiences.
If you notice this is the strategy that Jesus used. His exposition of the truth is based on a
situation or an experience of a person. One time a rich man came to Jesus and said what good thing
must I do to get eternal life? And then Jesus had a conversion with Him, when Jesus told him to sell his
possessions and give them to the poor, he went away sorrowful. Then Jesus used that situation to teach
his disciples that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
This strategy requires preparation. Assign a person in advance to share his or her experience, and
then discuss that experience in your sermon. Be sure that the person had already shared his experience
to you so that you can prepare what you are going to say. And make sure that you give the person a time
limit, so that you have enough time to preach. For example, about a situation on lusot and lagay.

2. Another strategy is using a play. Filipinos love to watch drama. You can assign a group of people to
act out a situation. And then make you discuss the situation in your sermon. For example you let them
play a situation about a Filipino value.
2. THEOLOGY
It is also our task to teach people about theology or biblical doctrines. In teaching about doctrines in
Filipino context:
1. Filipino theology should lead Filipinos to the knowledge of the true God, the God of the Bible. It
should also encourage them to experience God in a deeper way in their own existence as a Filipino.
2. Filipino theology should not only be informative but also corrective. We should put the Scripture
above culture. Our goal in theology is to conform the culture to the Scripture not the other way around.
3. Filipino theology must be proclaimed with simplicity and clarity. Make theology simple as much as
possible. Use terms that are simple and understandable. Explain theological concepts as practical as
possible. For example the concept of justification. You can use the situation in the court to explain this.
4. Filipino theology must be relevant to the worldview, experiences, and religious beliefs of the people.
For example you can discuss about the theology of Gods will in view of Bahala na concept. Or you can
discuss the theology of demons in relation to the view of Filipinos on spirit world.
5. Filipino theology must be given practicality. Make theology practical. Help them to apply theology in
their daily living. One of the reasons why the church seems uninterested in theology is because it is
presented in such a way that it only opens the minds of the people to the doctrine but it doesnt touch
their needs.
6. Filipino theology should lead the Filipinos into spiritual maturity, into a life in conformity with the life
of Christ.

3. LITURGY (WORSHIP)
1. The Filipino Church is not bound to the form of Sunday Service from the West.
Program:
1. Praise & Worship
2. Pastoral Prayer
3. Announcement/Offerings
4. Special Number
5. Preaching
6. Closing Prayer
2. The Filipino Church should explore the indigenous art forms of communication for more meaningful
and relevant worship. Part of this I have already discussed in the style of sermon. Remember that it is
easy to communicate with people when you deal with their experience. So you can spend one Sunday
for just sharing their experiences.

3. The Filipino Church should give visual arts a definite place in worship. People learn also by what they
see. So what way to do it for example is to have a play in your church. This is attractive especially when
you are preaching from a narrative or story. Instead of reading the story from the text have some people
portray the story. For example The Prodigal Son. Or during the Holy Week, instead of traditional seven
sayings let some members portray the sufferings of Jesus.
In the visual arts you need to include also the physical arrangement of your church. The physical
structure and arrangement of our churches are monotonous, and this sometimes affect the mood of
worship. You can encourage your members to bring decorations with spiritual signifance to create an
atmosphere of worship, like dove or cross or light. Some of the members are gifted in arts, so we can
encourage them to produce some decorations. God wants to be worshipped in beauty, thats the reason
why the temple was very beautiful. I am not saying here that our priority is to make our church buildings
beautiful. Remember that the most acceptable worship is the worship from the heart. But if we have the
resources and the people, than can make our church beautiful then lets do it. This does not need to be
expensive, and the church need not to spend for it.
4. The Filipino Church should have songs that are understandable to the Filipinos and are relevant to
their experiences. Starting this week why dont you go over the songs and study them carefully. Look at
also some Tagalog and Ilongo Praise songs in the store.
5. The Filipino Church should be creative and explorative in Filipino style of worship.

4. Its Evangelism & Discipleship


The methods of evangelism and discipleship should be ...
1. relational - Filipinos are relational people. Pakikisama, social acceptance, smooth interpersonal
relationship, utang na loob, these are all an indication that for Filipinos what is important is the
relationship. We cannot convince Filipinos through discussions and arguments but through establishing a
good relationship with them. When we have established that relationship, evangelism or discipleship
would not be difficult.
2. liberal (generous) - once you help a Filipino you will get his sympathy. Thats why evangelism
coupled with social concern is effective. The 700 Clubs Operation Blessing is a good example, many
people have come to know Christ through material assistance providing them with food, clothing and
medicine. So when you plan to evangelize for example a depressed area bring something that you can
give to people because that is a gesture of a good intention. The same also in discipleship, when you
disciple a person also be concerned of his material needs especially if he is financially hard up. For
Filipinos, a true friend is a friend who can help in times of need.
3. practical - in evangelism dont be too theological in your approach. For example, dont immediately
introduce him to the 4 spiritual laws or throw Biblical passages on him, instead start with his experience.
Let him share his experiences, his problems and struggles in life, and then let him see the solution.

We must also show practicality in discipling people. When we nurture our disciples with the
Scriptures make the truth practical, dont just fill his minds with doctrines without telling him how he
can apply it to his life. Christian truth is easier to understand when it is presented with practicality.
4. biblical - this is the most important. All methods and strategies must be biblical. I am not saying that it
must have a scriptural support. But it is in line with biblical principles. Dont do any method which is
unscriptural even if it is effective. For example, evangelism is relational, so you need to pakikisama.
Youre pakikisama of course should be right. If he does evil like sugal you should not follow him.
5. Its Financial Support
When the American missionaries came here, they did not work for their support. They were being
supported by their Christian friends in the States. So when Filipino minister pastors a church he does not
work even if his family is starving to death. In way should the Filipino minister be supported. First lets
look at how the ministers of God in the Bible were supported.

The Old Testament Ministers Support


A. Prophets
1. by working
Elisha - farmer (1 Kings 19:16)
Amos - shepherd (Amos 1:1)
2. through the generosity of other people
1 Kings 17:8-24 - the widow in Zarephath provided food for Elijah
1 Kings 18:1 - Obadiah supplied food and water to the prophets who hid in the cave
3. through Gods miraculous provision
1 Kings 17:1-6 - Elijah fed by ravens
1 Kings 19:5-6 - an angel provided Elijah with food
B. Priests (Aaron and all his descendants)
1. From the different kinds of offerings of the people of Israel
from the grain offering (Lev. 2:2-3)
from the sin offering and the guilt offering (Lev. 7:7)
from the peace offering (Lev. 7:31-34)
from the wave offering (Num. 18:11)
2. The firsfruits (Num. 18:12-13)
3. The cherem - things totally devoted to the Lord (Num. 18:14)
4. The firstborn, man and animals (Num. 18:16)
- the meat of the firstborn clean animals belong to them as well as the money paid for the redemption
of the firstborn children and unclean animals - Num. 18:16-18

6. The tenth of the tithes given to the Levites - Num. 18:25-29


C. Levites (All the descendants of Levi except Aaron and his descendants)
Tithes (Num. 18:21, 24) - the tenth of the produce of the land and the animals (Lev. 27:30-32) not the
tenth of the peoples money.

The New Testament Ministers Support


1. from the people who receive the ministers preaching or teaching:
Gal. 6:6 - Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
1 Cor. 9:11 - If we have sown spiritual seed among you is it too much if we reach a material harvest
from you?
1 Cor. 9:13-14 - Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and
those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has
commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
NOTE: In all of these passages, tithing is never mentioned.
2. from Christian friends
When Paul was in Corinth, some Christian brothers who arrived from Macedonia supported him (2 Cor.
11:9)
Jesus and his disciples were supported by some women (Lk. 8:2-3)
3. from churches in other places
When Paul was imprisoned in Rome, the church at Philippi sent him gifts (Phil. 4:18). They also
supported him when he was in Thessalonica (Phil. 4:16).
4. by working
Simon Peter and the other disciples - fishing (John 21:1-3)
Paul - tentmaking (Acts 18:3)
When Paul was in Thessalonica, he did not received support from the believers there but he worked hard
for his food so that he can serve as a model for the timid believers:
You yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8
nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring
and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have
the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. 10 For even when we
were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat." (2 Thess. 3:7-10)

When Paul was ministering to the poor Christians in Ephesus, he did not receive support from them,
instead he worked hard so that he would not be a burden to them, and that he would be able to help
them. He said to the Ephesian elders:
I have never coveted anyones money or fine clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine
have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. And I have been a constant example of
how you can help the poor by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: It is
more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:33-35).
Filipino Ministers Financial Support
1. If the church is poor or financially hard-up, pastors should not be a burden to the members. This was
always Pauls principles: And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to
anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. I have kept myself from
being a burden to you in any way, and will continue to do so. (2 Cor. 11:8) Paul worked so that his
needs will be provided, and that he would be able to help his poor members: It is more blessed to give
than to receive.
A principle to follow in working is this: No one serving as a soldier gets involved or entagled
(emplekomai) in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer. (2 Tim. 2:4). The soldier
must not be entangled in secular pursuits, and the Christian minister must be willing to do the same.
Gets entangled translates a rare verb that occurs only here and in 2 Peter 2.20, and refers to the act of
getting so involved in something that one becomes restricted and controlled, no longer free to do what
one should.
2. Churches who are financially stable can support pastors.
3. Individual Christians who have money or the resources should be educated to help other pastors and
ministries.

Sermon Paper
8 pages sermon, double space
1. Topic: Filipino Values
2. Title: Make your title catchy
3. Introduction
4. Body of Sermon
5. Conclusion/Application
Note: Passages must be interpreted correctly. I will check your exegesis.
Due Date: October 18, 1999. This time I will be strict.

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