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HAPPINESS 4
TRUTH
involves
know5 is
Well-being, Integral requires
and to
Full Development 6
Theism 26 vs Atheism 26
Worthy of
Self-Revealing God 28 Nonself-Revealing God 27 almighty, loving,
just, &
compassionate,
personal God 37
Critical and
JESUS’ Appeal to
Genuineness 33 includes aided w/ Scientific
RESURRECTION 30 knowledge 34
Investigation 38
affirm done
are on the with with
is
bases of Happened in the
is are course of
history Paul of Tarsus 39;
is & today 35
with Myrna Nazzour 40;
After-Death
Empty tomb 31 and
Appearances 32
is Pio of Pietrelcina 41;
Teresa of Avila 41;
is
Miracle at Calanda 42
is
Zeitun Apparition 42
is Yes 44 God, as revealed by
True 50 Jesus, if real & desires
or humanity to
or acknowledge him, Other Miracles 43
is No 44 must manifest his
False 50
presence and his will 45 Other Visions 43
is
is
Leave something that
draws and bonds His
Transubstantiation 49 EUCHARIST 48 CHURCH 47 people together in him
& make His presence
concrete.46
effects
HOLY SPIRIT
CHANGELOG
February 20, 2016
The first Scribd version of “The Question of God, Religion and Afterlife” was published.
December 2, 2017
a) Lay-out and spacing of some of the “CHANGELOG” entries were modified to be consistent with the
others and to maximize the space;
b) In explanatory note 18, the third sentence, the ‘that’ is dropped and the phrase “and from the principle
that nothing comes from nothing” is added;
c) In explanatory note 28, the original second to the last sentence, was modified by adding the words,
‘most probably’ and bolding the words “concretely evident manifestation of God … is expected to be
found”; also, the statement, “These are to be comprehensively analyze and critically evaluated in
accord with sound reason, knowledge, and understanding of reality” was added;
d) In explanatory note 30, the statement “Of all those who started religious and spiritual movements in
the entire human history in the knowledge and understanding of the author, only Jesus of Nazareth is
claimed to have resurrected from the dead” was added after the fourth sentence;
e) At the end of this work, the indicated maximum height of the ‘EXPLANATORY NOTES,’ ‘CHANGELOG’
and ‘ABOUT THE AUTHOR’ sections were changed from 12” to 11”; and
f) The hyperlink of “Borde-Guth-Vilenkin theorem” in the AutoShape and the link in explanatory note 20
were updated from
“http://web.archive.org/web/20171022003004/http://www.reasonablefaith.org/contemporary-
cosmology-and-the-beginning-of-the-universe” to https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/question-
answer/contemporary-cosmology-and-the-beginning-of-the-universe/.
June 3, 2020
a) In explanatory note 2, first sentence, the words “sign or” were inserted so that the resulting statement
would read as “Miracles if genuine, are the best concrete sign or evidence that humans can recognize in
order to ….”
b) In explanatory note 5, sentence 6, the second word “live” was changed to “life” so that the statement
would read as “A person may live his life here and now….”; also, in the last sentence, the verb “is” was
changed to “necessarily involves”.
c) In the conceptual map, the arrow lines connecting “Live life to the fullest”, “The Ultimate Reason,
Cause, Principle, & Purpose of Life”, and “The Highest Good” were modified; this is to reflect the idea
that to “Live life to the fullest”, we need to unmistakably know “The Ultimate Reason, Cause, Principle,
& Purpose of Life” which is “The Highest Good”. The explanatory note (# 5) was modified accordingly.
d) In explanatory note 28, the words, Nonself-revealing god… do not interfere in human life and the laws
of the universe. At best, we can go as far as philosophy would allow were boldfaced for emphasis; the
layout height of the page was adjusted accordingly.
e) Spelling and grammar were reviewed and corrected through the MS Word checker
Although coming to the point of making the ultimate conclusion in this presentation involves crucial decisions of
affirming and or denying certain claims or propositions, the author does not hold a rigid sequence of necessarily
affirming the earlier steps before the next since reality and his personal experience shows that the discerning
process does not necessarily proceed as presented. One may be interested in a specific question at a particular
time which may not involve or even uninterested in the questions before it. The different arrows that lead to the
answer ‘true or false’ show this. However, logic would necessitate the latter being founded on the former to be
soundly grounded in truth and reality. Hence, two main ways of proceeding are present: a) the latter being
dependent on the former assumes the validity and truth of the former whether consciously or unconsciously
recognized, or b) the latter being dependent on the former endeavors to ascertain the truth or reality of the
former by determining the truth and reality of the latter. Also, if an answer to any question is negative, the
following steps or questions to them become logically unnecessary or irrelevant. On the other hand, positive
answers to the following questions give further support to the preceding ones thereby strengthening them.
The author knows that this work is not perfect and that the search for the whole truth continues accepting truth
whatever and wherever they are found. Hence, comments, suggestions, and recommendations are welcome.
You may e-mail them at lutherodoc@gmail.com.
2. Twila G. Punsalan et al., ed., “Buhay: Pinakadakilang Kaloob ng Diyos sa Tao,” in Edukasyon sa Pagpapahalaga IV:
Sangguniang Aklat, Unang Edisyon, ed. Gloria Baylon (Quezon City, Philippines: DECS- Instructional Materials
Development Center, 1995), 18. Life is the greatest gift. All others are nothing or meaningless without it. There
is no way to experience the treasures and riches the world has to offer if one is not alive. This is realized by
Robert Coon, “The Greatest Gift,” in The Path of the Phoenix: The Spiritual Road to Physical Immortality,
http://www.angelfire.com/in4/alchemy2084/gift.html. This is also affirmed by Dennis P. Kimbro saying, “Life Is
the Greatest of All Statements” in What Keeps Me Standing: Letters from Black Grandmothers on Peace, Hope
and Inspiration, penguinrandomhouse.ca, https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/92570/what-keeps-me-
standing-by-dennis-kimbro/9780767912389/excerpt. Ayn Rand’s philosophical ethics (though the author does
not endorse it,) is founded on this idea. “Objectivism (Ayn Rand),” Wikipedia,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Objectivism_(Ayn_Rand).
3. Life just comes as it is so, make the most out of it. One does not have everything to enjoy but he has life to enjoy
everything. Further, St. Irenaeus said, “The glory of God is man fully alive…” A person may have a good life but
human nature, as experience indicates, asks for a better, to a more better, to the best life possible! When a
person lives his life to the full, he has happiness. Here, the author uses the word ‘fullest’ to indicate the
intention of living our lives to the full not only from moment to moment but throughout all of our life in view
not of a particular moment but of its whole. (“Live life to the full” or near to it, is an expression used by one of
the author’s classmates while they were having a class discussion in Philo 2 (Ethics) at Saint Louis University,
Baguio City in the first semester of the school year 2005-2006. He fully adopted the term since it faithfully
reflects what he believes in); also, “...live a full, excellent and rich existence.” Rosalinda A. San Mateo & Maura
G. Tangco. “Italian or Individual Humanism,” in Foundations of Education II (Historical, Philosophical, & Legal
Foundations of Education), Third Edition (Quezon City, Philippines: Katha Publishing Co., Inc., 2003), 34
4. Every person, in his right mind, wants and needs to be happy! “As a psychological state, happiness is the feeling
of contentment arising from the possession of a good. As a state of being, it is the perfection arising from the
possession of the good. Happiness coming from the possession of the greatest good constitutes man’s
perfection.” Ramon B. Agapay, “The Greatest Good,” in Ethics and the Filipino: A Manual on Morals for Students
and Educators (Metro Manila, Philippines: National Bookstore, Inc., 1991), 35.
5. To live our lives to the fullest, we need to be clear on “The Ultimate Reason, Cause, Principle, & Purpose of Life”.
The author believes that “The Ultimate Reason, Cause, Principle, & Purpose of Life” is “The Highest Good”. A
human person naturally tends towards good and avoids evil. As such, a person lives his life to the fullest when
he strives for the highest good (Summum Bonum). The good necessarily involves truth. A person cannot have a
good life founded on lies and deception. Ignorance may not be an issue for some but there are instances in life
where ignorance is really in a very disadvantageous if not dangerous position. A person may live his life here and
now trying to enjoy each passing moment without considering tomorrow; He decides based only on the present
moment living life with the flow. Life experiences and reason show, however, that a purposeless life tends to be
shallow and imprudent. Eclecticism which appears to be prevalent nowadays looks to be good yet it leads to
erratic, inconsistent actions and purposelessness resulting from vague direction and confusion that drains
energy and strength. Such ways of living are not worthwhile. Striving for the highest good to live our life to the
fullest therefore necessarily involves striving for the truth on which we can best ground, build, and live our
entire life purposefully and meaningfully.
6. The Greatest Good involves also the well-being and full development of the individual person and others. Well-
being is interchangeably used with salvation on page 170 of Believing Unto Discipleship: Jesus of Nazareth – A
Workbook for Theology 2, ed. Lode Wostyn (Quezon City, Philippines: Claretian Publications, 2004). Also, “The
complete salvation which God has planned for every man is a salvation of his all-around nature. God is seeking
to save man physically and mentally, as well as morally and spiritually….” Quoted from Sidney N. Bremer, Ph.D.,
“Infinite Power”, in vol. I of Successful Achievement, Revised 1971 (Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A.: Success
Unlimited Enterprises, 1983), 25. “Well-being, wellbeing, welfare or wellness is a general term for the condition
of an individual or group, for example, their social, economic, psychological, spiritual or medical state; a high
level of well-being means in some sense the individual or group's experience is positive, while low well-being is
associated with negative happenings. In economics, the term is used for one or more quantitative measures
intended to assess the quality of life of a group….” “Well-being,” Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Well-
being. For a philosophical discussion of well-being, see: Roger Crisp, “Well-Being,” in Stanford Encyclopedia of
Philosophy, May 8, 2013, http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/well-being/.
“Full Human Development” is a term used by Prof. Wilfredo Mina in V.E. 135: Organization, Administration, and
Evaluation of Guidance Program course during the First Semester of school 2009-2010 at Benguet State
University, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines where the author was once a student, to designate the goal of
education. Before this, the author has in mind that everyone is called to perfection (Mt 5:48); Also, “The aim of
education is man’s perfection.” Antonio Isidro, “Humanism in Education Considers Man Both Matter and Spirit,”
Principles of Education: Applied to the Philippines (Quezon City, Philippines: Antonio Isidro, 1962), 105.
Everybody needs to be educated, whether through formal schooling or otherwise.
7. To properly strive for and maintain our well-being and attain integral and full development, we need to have
enough, good knowledge of ourselves (and this involves the question, ‘Who am I?’). This would enable us to act
properly, i.e., following what is best for us, effectively and efficiently since trial and error is minimized with a
greater chance of success and achievement. “You must know thyself in order to know your powers, and not until
you know then can you use them wisely and fully.” Ralph Waldo Trine, “Know Thyself,” in vol. I of Successful
Achievement by Sidney N. Bremer (Kentucky, U.S.A: Successful Achievement Inc., 1983), 1.
8. Part of knowing ourselves necessarily includes understanding our human nature.
9. “Philosophy of the mind is a branch of philosophy that studies the nature of the mind.” (“Philosophy of the mind”,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_the_mind )
Considering the well-documented Near Death Experiences (N.D.E.) of people, and the irreducibility of thinking
or non-localization of it in the brain (see Argument from Reason), the author chooses to perceive the human
person as a composite of the material body and trans-physical consciousness/immaterial soul, which separate
during death (see “Seven Proofs for the Natural Immortality of the Human Soul”; also “Body-soul
hylomorphism” in Hylomorphism/Hylemorphism, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hylomorphism).
Winston N. Ros in “Developing & Knowing Personality,” NSTP CWTS (BSU, 2009), p. 32 presented the Human
person as having a physical body and spiritual soul, manifested in the capacity of the intellect and will.
10. “Principle: a fundamental truth or proposition serving as the foundation for belief or action.” Catherine Soanes
and Angus Stevenson, ed., "Principle" in Concise Oxford English Dictionary, Eleventh Edition (Oxford University
Press, 2004)
11. There is a need to have an aim or purpose in life for this sets the point of target to embark on and the reference
to gauge how life is going on. This is noted by Sidney N. Bremer, “Set Your Sails,” in vol. I of Successful
Achievement, 89-226; and Stephen Covey, “Begin with the End in Mind,” in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective
People: Restoring the Character Ethic (New York: Free Press, 1989), 95-144. There is a “need to find a sense of
direction for your life…” (Lavone A. Hanna, “Developing a Philosophy of Life,” in Facing Life’s Problems (U.S.A.:
Rand McNally & Company), 198.
12. The commitments we choose greatly shape the way we live our lives. Borrowing the words of Rok Sivante, in
Human Life Value: MLM Wisdom, Retirement, & The Continuing Journey, posted on November 4, 2009,
http://roksivante.com/tag/human-life-value (accessed Dec. 16, 2009): “Full commitment to a single cause or
business can be extremely powerful. Though, the cost of choosing any path is always saying no to a thousand
others. Had I limited myself to a representative of a single company I had no ownership in, I would be depriving
the world of infinitely more value that only could be utilized through other opportunities.” “Nothing shapes our
life more than the commitment we choose. It can develop or destroy us; either way, they define us.” “If you are
called upon to make the supreme sacrifice, and you may be, it is important that you know what you believe and
have clear understanding of the principles for which you fight and die.” (Hanna, “Developing a Philosophy of
Life.”
Commitments in life reveal what the person values. They are considered to be important for the person. Values
are acquired; they are not inherited like the way genes are passed from parents to offspring yet they could be
passed on from one generation to the next through education and learning. A person needs to clarify his
commitments and therefore his values.
13. In recognizing life’s ultimate purpose, it is important to have clear criteria in mind to be well-grounded. A well-
grounded vision of life is founded and nourished in and by truth. The truth about our origin and destiny is of
utmost importance.
14. Knowing one's origin and destiny greatly helps in understanding oneself and in recognizing our purpose in life. In
turn, a great understanding of oneself and recognizing one's purpose in life enables a person to act accordingly.
15. To know our origin, we necessarily ask questions and broadly, we can summarily ask, ‘Are we purposely created
or merely an accidental effect of mindless evolution?’ (A reformulation of the question ‘Why am I here?’; ‘Why
is there something rather than nothing?’ and ‘What is the ultimate source or origin of all things?’). The question
appears to be simple yet difficult to answer since it covers the complex whole of reality. The answer is clear-cut;
one needs to choose and choosing the other is denying the other one. To accept that we are purposely created
is to deny that we are merely accidental effects of mindless evolution. To answer the question, the (positive)
claim is advanced, and evidence for and against it is analyzed and evaluated, accepting or denying the claim.
This method is employed in the whole presentation whenever and wherever it is possible and proper to do so.
16. To know our destiny, we also necessarily ask questions and broadly, we can summarily ask: ‘What is it after this
earthly life; Is there life after death?’ Others (especially those who believe in ‘eternal oblivion’) assert that once
we die, we end; no afterlife. It is either there is hereafter or none at all. Being able to prove that there is
hereafter is to deny the opposite. The link “Afterlife,” Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afterlife, speaks
about the different beliefs on ‘afterlife/hereafter.’ Since different and even conflicting claims are made, it is
wise to see and weigh the pieces of evidence for and against those claims.
17. The Question of the Creator necessarily involves the question of God and the Absolute. “In philosophy, the
concept of the Absolute is closely related to that of God in monotheism, albeit not necessarily referring to a
personal deity... The Absolute might be (1) the first and greatest being, (2) not a being at all but the “ground” of
being, or (3) both the ground of being and a being.” (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_(philosophy)).
In line with knowing oneself, Bremer in his vol. 1 of Successful Achievement puts: “The starting point of all
Successful Achievement is to know thyself. The starting point of knowing [the] self is to know God. As a matter of
fact, it is absolutely impossible to know thyself without knowing God.” (“Faith in God”, 9) Furthermore, “‘It is
upon a man’s idea of God that his idea of himself really depends,’ said Randall. ‘If his conception of God is
narrow and unworthy, so must be his conception of himself; if, on the other hand, his thought of God is lofty and
noble, his thoughts of himself must inevitably become lofty and noble’.” (“Starting with Confidence is Half the
Job of Growing”, 58). ‘God’ here could also be substituted with ‘god,’ which refers to the center of one’s life like
the self, money, material position, fame, or power since consciously or not, people are generally living their lives
with someone or something dominating it and the focus of their life, the one which is valued the most, the
greatest good for the person. Therefore, two meanings of God are fused in this: a.) God as the necessary, self-
existing being, the ultimate ground of all that is, and b.) god as the ultimate prevailing, driving inner reason in a
person’s life; the ground, bases, center and most valued to a person, which other values are related and
evaluated, operating efficaciously whether the person himself is conscious about it or not. The purpose of this
endeavor is to identify the ‘ultimate ground of all that is’ in reality and be able to adjust ourselves accordingly,
that is, to have our own personal god be in accord with reality or the real God if any.
18. The question of God and the Absolute, if taken very seriously as experienced by the author, is a very tough one.
It demands a lot especially commitment to truth, critical thinking, resourcefulness, humility, and hard work. It
took him years before he came up with this presentation based on his personal experiences, observations,
readings, studies, and necessary research. Religion, reason in general (as used in Philosophy), and science
(especially Cosmology) interlink and intertwine in the process. However, for an easy understanding, this
presentation simplifies it and begins with the most understood and accepted by the world, i.e., cosmology.
19. Cosmology, in general, is “the study of the origin, evolution, and eventual fate of the universe.” (“Cosmology”,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmology).
20. Physical cosmology in particular, “is the scholarly and scientific study of the origin, large-scale structures and
dynamics, and ultimate fate of the universe, as well as the scientific laws that govern these realities”
(“Cosmology”, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmology). At present, the Big Bang Theory is the prevailing
accepted explanation of how our universe began. The Borde-Guth-Vilenkin theorem claims that “any universe
which has, on average, been expanding throughout its history cannot be infinite in the past but must have a
past space-time boundary. In 2012 Vilenkin showed that models which do not meet this one condition still fail
for other reasons to avert the beginning of the universe” (William Lane Craig, “Contemporary Cosmology and
the Beginning of the Universe”, March 17, 2008, https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/question-
answer/contemporary-cosmology-and-the-beginning-of-the-universe; see also “Borde Guth Vilenkin Theorem: Scientific
Evidence for the Beginning of the Universe,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcbFFvVeoAk ).
“The Second Law of Thermodynamics says that in isolated systems, entropy always increases or stays the same,
and never goes down. That is why some processes are irreversible… This is a universal phenomenon. It is why
physicists regard “perpetual motion machines” as impossible. And here is the relevance to the question of
whether the universe had a beginning. If the universe did not have a beginning, then it has been around for an
infinite time. In a sense, the universe is then itself a “perpetual motion machine,” a system that never “runs
down” or “wears out,” which is a violation of the Second Law of Thermodynamics.” (Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D.,
“III, Evidence from Entropy”, Evidence of God from Contemporary Science & Philosophy, May 2016, p. 18,
https://f.hubspotusercontent40.net/hubfs/7693347/Contemporary-Evidence-for-God-from-Science-Philosophy.pdf).
21. Philosophical Cosmology is a discipline directed to the philosophical contemplation of the universe as a totality,
and to its conceptual foundations. This would enable us to have better knowledge and understanding of the
universe as a whole and our origin in particular since we are part of the universe.
For a broader treatment of this topic, see the “Resurrection of Jesus,” Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_of_Jesus
31. The empty tomb is doubted by some scholars; however, the majority would concede it to be historical (“The
Resurrection of Jesus,” Dante’s Inferno, posted September 26, 2008,
http://facilis.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/7/). The link “The Resurrection and the Empty
Tomb,”https://journals.ateneo.edu/ojs/index.php/landas/article/download/338/333 by Joseph J. Smith, S.J.
carries further the discussion of the empty tomb and its significance which takes into consideration the points
raised by William Lane Craig in the original link “The Historicity of the Empty Tomb of Jesus.” Besides historical
evidence, theological reasons are also considered in the article.
The author of this work also believes that knowing and understanding the tomb where Jesus was laid is not
complete without knowing, understanding, and relating it to Jesus’ claimed after-death appearances.
32. The after-death appearances of Jesus are considered to be the primary evidence of Jesus’ resurrection (James
H. Kroeger, M.M.). The author agrees with this since an empty tomb could have many reasons to be so. Besides,
some claim that God could have resurrected Jesus without needing his former material body.
The link “The Resurrection Appearances and the Origin of Easter Faith,”
https://journals.ateneo.edu/ojs/index.php/landas/article/download/339/334 by Joseph J. Smith, S.J. masterfully
tackles in a scholarly manner the topic presenting different perfectives on it including the points presented on
the original link “Is 1 Corinthians 15:3-11 an Interpolation?” in Christian Colligation of Apologetics Debate
Research & Evangelism,
(http://web.archive.org/web/20160502071859/http://www.christiancadre.org/member_contrib/cp_interpolation.html )
by Christopher Price which presents and defends the acclaimed earliest written account of Jesus' resurrection
appearances.
Unlike the historicity of the empty tomb, the possibility and reality of these after-death appearances of Jesus
can be validated not only through the critical analysis of the information handed down to us as presented in the
New Testament but also through visions and apparitions of Jesus in the course of history after his claimed
ascension. Claims of such visions and apparitions of Jesus cannot be taken as true with mere words of claimants.
It is essential that claimed visions and apparitions should be in accord or at least not in conflict with what is
earlier known and established possibilities. Likewise, there must be sufficient evidence that such a vision or
apparition is real and not mere imagination, hallucination, or deception. In such cases (vision or apparition),
miracles play a vital role if they are expected to be accepted as genuine by well-reasoned people. We are back
then to miracles (in general) as the most compelling external evidence of God’s revelation and or manifestation.
33. By this time, it should be clear that to determine the historical reality of the claimed resurrection of Jesus, it is
proper that we determine the historical reality of the basis of such claim most especially the primary evidence
which is the ‘after death appearances’ of Jesus. It should also be clear that the claimed resurrection of Jesus of
Nazareth is considered to be a miracle. Since it (whether true or false,) is unique and cannot be collaborated
with the resurrection of other people, the historical reality of both miracles and the ‘after-death appearances’
of Jesus are to be factually established if Jesus’ resurrection is to be historically established. Side by side and
in collaboration with each other, we evaluate them.
34. Both the miracles and the ‘after-death appearances’ of Jesus, if genuine and if meant to assent belief of rational
people, should have appeal to knowledge. In general, this means that good knowledge of proper science
whether formal, scientific (natural and social), philosophical, or theological, should not be an opponent but
rather a friend in the search for truth even in the realm of faith and religion. In the opinion of the author, they
are even indispensable (see link: Rich Lee Bruce, “Belief in Miracles Implies Belief in Science,” richleebruce.com,
http://richleebruce.com/science/contrast.html). Right and secured belief builds on reason and presupposes
sufficient valid reason/s for believing.
35. Since we are dealing with matters of historical question, appeal to knowledge primarily means that they
should have ‘happened in the course of history and are happening today’ to be valid subjects of historical
inquiry. Some deny miracles immediately based on their conceived impossibility. These are covered in the broad
yet in-depth presentation of Miracle (see link). However, “The Problem Of Miracles: A Historical And
Philosophical Perspective,” http://www.leaderu.com/offices/billcraig/docs/miracles.html by William Lane Craig
presents a more detailed refutation of those conceptions as held by specific persons and as a consequence,
defends the historical possibility of miracles.
36. Appeal to knowledge also means that it should be in accord with the claimed realities related to Jesus whose
resurrection we are trying to establish. As a result, it is conceded that Jesus' manifestation if real, may not be
greater than the claimed way He was taken up (bodily ascending) into heaven for that would be Parousia, his
second coming (Acts 1:11b). Also, good Christian theology will necessarily be considered. Since Christian beliefs
include the possibility and even reality of bad spirits and their manifestation, actual heavenly visions are to be
properly discerned. See Roure, Lucien, “Visions and Apparitions,” in vol. 15 of The Catholic Encyclopedia (New
York: Robert Appleton Company, 1912), http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15477a.htm. Also, Joachim Bouflet
& Philippe Boutry, “1978 Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith document on Apparition Discernment,” in
“Discernment of Apparition Claims,” The Miracle Hunter,
http://www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/discernment/1978_CDF.html.
37. Since in reality, people may or may not believe in god- that humans have free will to choose to believe or not,
should be of great consideration. A true God must be in accord with this. Good Christian theology would say
that God created everything out of love; that humanity being endowed with freewill, rebels against God which
made humanity in general alienate itself from God, himself, and others; that God is just yet merciful and
compassionate which naturally flows out of him being love himself; that Jesus shared the love of God the Father
for humanity that though he is divine, Jesus emptied himself becoming a man to save humanity; that Jesus being
a man was born, live and died as a true human person; that Jesus, as true human person, become in solidarity
with humanity with its weaknesses, brokenness and sufferings; that in being human, Jesus reconciled humanity
with God the Father by being faithful and committed to the will of God the Father from the very beginning until
the end despite the pain, suffering and threat of death he underwent which lead to his crucifixion and death on
the cross; that God the Father in return, glorified Jesus, resurrecting him up from death and putting him in-
charge overall; that being Christian therefore is being faithful and committed to God like Jesus and hoping that
like Jesus, though we die, we will resurrect and be glorified at the end. In short, miracles and ‘after death
appearances’ of Jesus should be ‘worthy of almighty, loving, just, and compassionate, personal God.’ The link
“Free Will & Opposition To The Poem,” http://www.bardstown.com/~brchrys/FreeWill.html, (the authenticity of
which as being supernatural message is set aside,) presents God as having utmost respect for human person’s
free will which (in the opinion of the author) leads to a satisfactory answer as to why God do not force with act
of power those who do not believe him and the religion that truly teaches about him if there is any. This falls
under the belief that God is love and as love, he wants humanity to relate to and acknowledge him as God,
not out of terror or fear of punishment (servile fear) but out of fear of displeasing and separating oneself from
him (filial fear). This kind of relationship that he seeks involves respect, thanksgiving, and joy, and ultimately
finds its root, motivation, meaning, and purpose in, by, and for love. Much of these theologies though, are
influenced by and employed with the aid of philosophy so good philosophical grounding is important.
38. Claims of visions, apparitions, and miracles are to be properly evaluated critically with the aid of ‘scientific
investigations.’ The link “Scientific Investigation of Miracles,” by Father Mateo, in Father Mateo Archives, July
12, 1992, Catholic Information Network (CIN), http://www.cin.org/mateo/m920712a.html, presents how
miracles are scientifically investigated.
39. Paul of Tarsus (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11567b.htm), in the opinion of the author, is the most
dependable witness in the Bible of Jesus’ resurrection for generations who do not belong to the apostolic era.
There are several reasons for thinking this. First, Paul of Tarsus is fully accepted to be a learned and faithful Jew;
he is trained to be a Pharisee, and he has been persecuting the Christians. Second, before his conversion, he
never had any encounter with the earthly Jesus and even so with the resurrected Jesus up to the claimed Jesus’
ascension into heaven and until after the Pentecost. Third, he is fully accepted to be a Christian who has several
writings authenticated to be his. Fourth, his writings are fully accepted to be the earliest writings in the New
Testament Bible. Fifth, his conversion was due to a vision of the resurrected Jesus (I Corinthians 15, 8) which, in
the understanding of the author, is post-ascension and post-Pentecost. Lastly, Paul’s vision involves external
manifestation perceivable to other people (voice is stated in Acts 9, 7 while the light is stated in Acts 22, 9;
either way, it affirms an external manifestation). For these reasons, it is the opinion of the author that Paul’s
experience of the vision of Jesus is the outstanding exemplar of any claimed vision or apparition of Jesus after
him.
40. Myrna Nazzour is claimed to have parallel experiences to that of Paul of Tarsus. She is said to have seen and
heard Jesus in a vision, lost sight, and fasted for three days which also happened in Damascus. Likewise,
miracles are also claimed which if genuine and in collaboration with other similar experiences, could testify to
the reality of the experience. Doctors, theologians, and people of different religious affiliations have been
attending to the phenomena. The link (“The Authenticity of Myrna Nazzour’s Experiences,”
https://www.scribd.com/document/50841912/The-Authenticity-of-Myrna-Nazzour-s-Experiences by the same
author of this work) presents in a scholarly, systematic manner a treatment of Myrna Nazzour's experiences in a
linkable graphic presentation to evaluate their authenticity and hence, the credibility of her visions.
41. To substantiate the ‘after-death appearances’ of Jesus as historical fact, it is also important to have related
credible experiences after Paul of Tarsus until Myrna Nazzour which would testify and collaborate that such is
truly happening. The visions together with the miracles associated with Teresa of Avila and Pio of Pietrelcina
appear to be credible. If stigmata is the most outstanding miracle easily accessible to scientific inquiry that is
related to Pio of Pietrelcina (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pio_of_Pietrelcina), it is an incorrupt body to Teresa
of Avila (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14515b.htm).
42. The miracle at Calanda (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_of_Calanda) and the Zeitun apparition
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Zeitoun) do not include after-death appearances of Jesus but they
appeared to be genuine miracles. Some people, because they held naturalism to be true, dismiss immediately
any talk of supernatural visions and miracles. The referred claims emerge to be credible evidence supporting the
likelihood that there is supernatural reality.
43. For other historical claims of miracles, see “Miracles” at
http://web.archive.org/web/20220319191317/http://overcomeproblems.com/miracles.php; for other claims of
visions and apparitions of Jesus in the course of history after his claim ascension, see “Visions of Jesus and
Mary” at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visions_of_Jesus_and_Mary.
44. A positive ‘Yes’ must be the answer if Jesus’ resurrection is a historical fact. If the conclusion is really yes,
miracles and after-death appearances of Jesus happen in history, and the condition, messages, and related
circumstances of their occurrences are expected to reveal something. Jesus may clarify beliefs about Him and
pinpoint to humanity which belief system he sanctions given the fact that there are diverse and even
contradicting religions and claims about him.
45. The many differing and even contrasting opinions and ideas regarding the reality, identity, characteristics, and
will of God even among people who believe in the resurrected Jesus is one great obstacle among the many in
coming to believing in God, especially the God as claim to be revealed by Jesus. As such a wise or compassionate
God would not leave us alone in confusion without doing something for us to have a “...pillar and foundation of
truth” with a stamp of necessary proof as we go on our way.[ see: Richard Carrier, “Main Argument,” in Why I
Don't Buy the Resurrection Story, 6th ed., 2006, Internet Infidels,
http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/richard_carrier/resurrection/lecture.html. Therefore, if God is the God
as proclaimed by Jesus, who is a compassionate, merciful, and loving God, and he is a God who desires
humanity to acknowledge and come to him, must manifest his presence and his will.
46. Miracles and after-death appearances of Jesus in history, if indeed real and true, are of great value for
manifesting the truth of claims related to Jesus. Great as they are, miracles and after-death appearances of
Jesus in history however, are constrained and limited and therefore could not be the normal way that Jesus
would manifest his presence and God’s will as human experience indicates and human reason demands. To be
consistent with what has been laid earlier, human reason demands that God must ‘leave something that draws
and bonds his people together in him & make His presence concrete’. Since most Christians believe and claim
that the Bible is inspired and that it contains revelations of God, we necessarily look into it and consider its
contents and messages. However, it is a historical fact that what will constitute the books of the Bible or so-
called canon of the Bible was formally and authoritatively decided by members and Councils of the Universal
Christian Church only in the 4th Century C.E. Before this, there were debates prompted by different opinions on
which books are inspired and which are not. The Christian Church then came first before the Bible. Before the
Bible, for people to know and recognize God and his will as revealed by Jesus, normally and concretely relied on
the teachings of the Christian Church as proclaimed and interpreted by the Christian church leaders based on
what is handed over to them. The Bible agrees with this and goes even further as 1 Timothy 3:15 states that the
church is “the pillar and foundation of truth.” Besides, reality shows that the Bible alone cannot be the sole
basis of the truths of the Christian faith since passages in the Bible are prone to misunderstandings and different
interpretations. A teaching authority must exist if we will be consistent with the claim of a Christian God who is
all-knowing, almighty, compassionate, and loving for he will ensure that his revelation will lean on a solid
foundation.
47. Although the Bible states that the Christian Church is “the pillar and foundation of truth,” (1 Timothy 3:15) a
reasonable answer as to why would that be is necessarily expected. Christians claim, and as stated in their holy
book (Bible) that Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to be with them who will guide, remind and teach all the truth
that Jesus told and taught them (John 14:17, 26; 16:13). The Christian Church is said also to be formally born with
the descent of the Holy Spirit during the Pentecost wherein the disciples, initially terrified and frightened because
of what happened to Jesus became courageous, going out in proclaiming that Jesus who was crucified and died
had risen from the dead and is now glorified (Acts 2). Nevertheless, how can we be sure of such a Holy Spirit?
Christian theology considers it to be an article of faith wherein it is believed due to the authority of God/Jesus
who reveals it. Nevertheless, it is the opinion of the author that although such a spiritual reality will remain as an
article of faith, at least perceptible convincing signs must exist which shows that such a Holy Spirit is real and
present. We will then ascertain the truth of such a claim by relating it to his claimed activities, works, or functions
which are concretely evident to human persons. With this, prime consideration goes back to the Church which is
claimed to be born out of the presence of the Holy Spirit and continues to exist through it. Immediately, reality
seems to be saying otherwise since different contradicting Christian denominations exist. It seems that the Holy
Spirit is not effective, or is it real? Christians would argue that God/Holy Spirit does not compel anyone to accept
anything and act in a particular way. This goes back to the idea that God created human beings to choose and act
with free will. As such, people may go against the prompting of the Holy Spirit thereby resulting in conflicts,
disunity, and even separation from the legitimate Church. Well, indeed, Christianity today is widely divided, and
diverse and have conflicts among themselves not only in terms of organization but in their theology and official
interpretation of the Bible. Then from these thousands of groups, which Christian denomination should we trust
and follow? The Bible states in Matthew 16:18 that Jesus built his Church on Peter. However, this is not immune
to different and even conflicting interpretations and applications to the actual situation by different Christian
denominations. Whatever the case, it is clear from the statement that the Church will stand still despite every
difficulty since it is not to be prevailed over by the gates of hell. It is further understood that the church would
exist from the time of Peter the Apostle “until the end of the age” (Mt 28:20). Some Christians, taking the
‘church’ to mean the spiritual unity of all Christians, would interpret this to mean that Christianity as a whole can
never be extinguished. At first sight, such an interpretation seems to be valid yet further scrutiny brings out big
problems. If the Church is equated to Christianity as a whole, which kind of Christianity considering that
thousands of different and even conflicting groups with different beliefs, teachings, worship, and organizations
claiming to be Christians exist? Such a church with conflicting teachings has a fatal blow to 1 Timothy 3:15 which
states that the church is “the pillar and foundation of truth” and consequently undermines the Christian belief
that the message of the Bible is true. Furthermore, is the spiritual unity of all Christians possible, be real and
present? In the opinion of the author, the spiritual unity of all Christians is only a myth without concrete and
actual manifestation in reality. Christians who are in conflict and fighting among themselves are not united
spiritually. Although it is possible that people who have disagreements could be united by other factors, especially
by those which are of greater importance than the cause of disagreements, still that has concrete manifestation in
reality which is perceptible to a normal person. Therefore, the author considers that the Church stated in the
passage would be an actual community of believers united with each other not only conceptually but in actuality.
Now, considering everything that has already been said and done, the following denominations are stripped out
of the choices as the church stated in the Bible: a) those who held sola scriptura; b) those who held the total
apostasy of the early church; c.) those whose origin cannot be trace back to the early church; d.) those whose
teachings contradicts, conflicts, or is not in harmony with the teachings of the early church; and e.) those who
separated themselves because they cannot accept the authoritative decisions of universally recognized
ecumenical councils of the early church which are held to be guided and moved by the Holy Spirit. This would
leave the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church as candidates. Initially, the two are united with each other.
Gradually, differences and misgivings became so enormous that they broke from each other in the Middle Ages
until today. As of this time, is it recognized that what unites the two is still far greater than what divides them.
Concerning the interpretation of Matthew 16:18, Eastern Orthodox theologians agree that "rock" simultaneously
refers to Peter as well as Peter's confession of faith which has ultimate significance in establishing the Church
(Veselin Kesich, “Primacy of Simon Peter,” Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primacy_of_Simon_Peter ).
The declaration of Ravenna which is a Roman Catholic–Eastern Orthodox document issued in 2007, affirms that
the bishop of Rome is indeed Protos, although the concrete ecclesiological exercise of papal primacy is still
unsettled. History itself shows that the pope has an outstanding role in the universal unity, continuity,
development, and progress of Christianity. During the early centuries of Christianity, the pope was instrumental in
the authoritative settlement of issues and disputes concerning morals and doctrines of the Christian faith. His
approval of having a universal ecumenical church council and their final results were looked up to, especially on
the many heresies that arose. It is also a historical fact that the Orthodox Churches who are separated from the
see of Peter became “fragmented along national lines.” (For more information, see Catholic Answers, Eastern
Orthodoxy, https://www.catholic.com/tract/eastern-orthodoxy) Taking into consideration all that has been said
regarding the characteristics of the Biblical Christian Church including the signs in the form of miracles and after-
death appearances of Jesus which accompanies her members (Mark 16:17-18), we can reasonably conclude that
such Church subsists in the Catholic Church as headed by the pope. Richard Bruce in his “Strong Centralized
International Churches are Impossible But the Catholic Church Exists So God Exists,” at
http://richleebruce.com/miracle/evidence.html presents evidence that appears to validate that the Catholic
Church is really of supernatural origin and that the Holy Spirit is dwelling in her. The link “Understanding the
Church,” at https://www.scribd.com/doc/299847699/Understanding-the-Church comprehensively presents a
current theological understanding of the Church by Catholic theologians and biblical scholars as studied and
understood by the author. The author considers it to be the best way so far to understand the Biblical Church.
48. Although it is already rationally convincingly to conclude that the Catholic Church is the Church stated in the
Bible to be the pillar and foundation of truth, it is important to see a contemporary clear demonstration that
such nature of the Church as pillar and foundation of truth is true and actual in reality. It is also important that
such nature be linked as clearly as possible to the Holy Spirit who is believed to be the main reason why the
Church exists in the first place and continues to exist as bearer of the Christian truth. The Catholic Church's
teaching and treatment of the Eucharist arise to be preeminent concerning this. The Catholic Church in her
officially approved Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 1324 states: “The Eucharist is ‘the source and
summit of the Christian life’ (LG 11).” “‘The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works
of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is
contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch’ (PO 5)." In the Catholic
Church's point of view, Sacraments are efficacious signs of grace; they are considered as saving symbolic signs
that bring about what they signify. Jesus is regarded as the primordial sacrament. This means that the invisible
God became visible to humanity in and through Jesus. He is considered the fullness of God’s revelation. After
Jesus is the Church which is regarded as the foundational sacrament. In and through the Church, Jesus is
visibly present in the world. The Church in turn makes present and available the saving acts of Jesus most
especially through the seven ritual sacraments. Of the seven ritual sacraments, the Eucharist takes a central
place. CCC 1327 states further that “...the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith: ‘Our way of thinking
is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking’ (St. Irenaeus, Adv. haeres. 4,
18, 5: PG 7/l, 1028).” Although the Church celebrates the Eucharist and therefore it could be said that ‘the
Church makes the Eucharist,’ it is also equally held that ‘the Eucharist builds the Church’. The celebration of the
Sacrament of the Eucharist is said to commemorate the saving life and acts of Jesus most especially his
sacrifice on the cross and his victory over sin and death. Many Christian denominations recognize the
significance of the Eucharist and even have its celebrations in their gatherings in obedience to what is stated in I
Corinthians 11:23-26. What makes the Catholic Church's teaching on the Eucharist significantly different from
many others is her insistence on the ‘real presence’ of Jesus in the validly consecrated bread and wine. This
belief in the real presence of Jesus in the consecrated bread and wine is argued against mere symbolism to be
the proper understanding based on the Bible particularly in the New Testament and from the belief of the early
Christians before and those who form the Bible. See the link “Eucharist in the Catholic Church,” Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucharist_ in_the_Catholic_Church for further information.
49. Transubstantiation is the belief that the ordinary bread and wine offered in the Mass is truly substantially
transformed (hence, transubstantiation, understood not scientifically but metaphysically) into the body and
blood of Jesus after the prayer of consecration is said by a validly ordained priest and done in accord with
the intention of the Church (”Transubstantiation”, Wikipedia,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transubstantiation). This belief is traced back ultimately to the belief in the
resurrected Jesus who promised the Holy Spirit to the Church; through the Church with the guidance of the
Holy Spirit, the so-called inspired writings are chosen correctly to form the New Testament and the Bible as a
whole. With the continual guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church continues to exist and be true to her mission
in proclaiming and witnessing the truth of Jesus. Because of this, authoritative teachings on faith and morals
are claimed by the Catholic Church and this extends to the use and interpretation of the Bible. One
authoritative teaching in the Catholic Church is the real presence of Jesus in the consecrated bread and wine.
Clarifications against questions, doubts, and objections are made by appealing to history and the Bible. It is
held that the belief in the real presence of Jesus in the consecrated bread and wine existed even before the
actual existence of the Bible as shown by the writings of by the early Christians including those which are part
of the Bible itself and those of the Church Fathers. I Corinthians 11:23-29, Mark 14:22-24, Matthew 26:26-28,
Luke 22:19-20 and especially John 6:47-58 are understood as clearly stating and affirming the real presence of
the Jesus in the consecrated bread and wine and not just symbolic as claim by others. The Celebration of the
Eucharist is held to be a commemoration or remembering. It is claimed that commemoration/remembering as
contextually understood in the Jewish way and as understood on Jesus’s command is not just recalling in mind
what had happened in the past but bringing about and experiencing in the present time and place the past
event. The Eucharist as commemoration is therefore understood as a ritual act of bringing about the saving
act of Jesus on the cross and in doing so, those who partake with faith and in the state of grace become in
communion with Jesus in both his sacrifice and its fruits. This is difficult to accept as much as it is difficult to
understand how such a thing could happen. It is held that such change (transubstantiation) is effected by the
Holy Spirit which is invoked in the prayer of consecration. Thereby, the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist
is held by the Church to be an article of faith and is therefore to be believed in due to the authority of
Jesus/God who has spoken about it. A person could immediately and reasonably believe in as such. However,
such greatness of things requires also an equally great faith to believe. Real-life situations and the author’s
experience showed that good and valid arguments are often not enough for most contemporary people just
like him to be fully satisfied, and stop wondering and questioning. Believing in the real presence of Jesus in the
Eucharist by way of transubstantiation is distinctly equally like believing in the resurrection of Jesus.
Contemporary people need to have empirical pieces of evidence that could validate or demonstrate that such
is real and not just superstition or imaginary. In the opinion of the author, a truly loving and compassionate
God could not easily do away with this desire of people who honestly seek the truth. The author holds then
that empirical pieces of evidence of Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist must be available if everything that
has been positively affirmed prior to and including this belief is true. Eucharistic miracles susceptible to
empirical observations are of significant value in this.
50. The link http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/engl_mir.htm presents “The Eucharistic Miracles of the
World” by Real Presence Eucharistic Education and Adoration Association. It has a listing of documented
Catholic Church-verified accounts of Eucharistic Miracles by Country with hyperlinks that open to a PDF
document.
Following the process undertaken as presented above, the question of transubstantiation could summarize the
question of God and religion. A stance of ‘true’ in transubstantiation necessarily affirms the reality of the
teachings about it and points a clue to those who teach the truth. Also, affirming transubstantiation is
affirming the reality of the Holy Spirit that transforms it. In affirming the reality of the Holy Spirit, we
necessarily affirm the truth of Jesus’ resurrection since it is the resurrected Jesus who introduces and
promises the Holy Spirit. In affirming the truth of the resurrection of Jesus, the reality of miracles is also
affirmed, and ultimately, the one that causes miracles- the God as characterized by Jesus. Although this is a
good way to summarize and conclude the question of God and religion, it is still a way of concluding and it is
difficult to see and appreciate the deep, beauty, and importance of it all without undergoing most or even the
entire process.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Luther Osting Odoc is a native of Benguet, Philippines. As he grew up, he used to attend religious
activities initially because his father willed it, later because he avoided doing household chores, farm work,
and other things being asked of him when he did not go to church, and then because of socialization and fun.
After his high school graduation in March 2003, he entered a diocesan seminary to finish his bachelor’s degree
and left the seminary to take up law. However, after finishing only the first-year philosophy course, he left the
seminary and then attended a ‘catholic’ university for a summer and a semester. In that University, he learns
to doubt everything including his faith in God and Catholicism. His faith in God which gives meaning to his
existence and hope to his life’s struggles was shaken. The influence of his philosophy instructor coupled with
the many attacks on the Catholic Church and her official teachings written in the worktext being officially used
in their religion classes serve as the main factor. He learned to deconstruct everything including his faith and
painstakingly endeavored to establish something that is well grounded in proven truth and reality. The
question of Jesus’ resurrection and miracles in general came to the fore. After a break from non-schooling for
a semester and a summer, the author enrolled in a state university where the question of God and religion lay
low but eventually became very crucial and agonizing. Holding on to the saying: “The truth shall set you free,”
the author had his intense personal inquiry. In his fourth year at the state university, he finally made up his
mind and the blueprint of this presentation is also complete. After obtaining his degree in BSE Physical Science
in November 2010 from Benguet State University, he went in June 2011 to Mother of Life Center and finished
the academic requirements for MA in Religious Education in August 2013. From the academic year 2012 to the
academic year 2015, he had been teaching Christian Living at Colegio de Sta. Monica de Angat in Bulacan,
Philippines.
* The graphic organizer page is laid out in B3 size (width by height: 353 mm/13.9” by 500 mm/19.69”) while
‘EXPLANATORY NOTES,’ ‘CHANGELOG’ and ‘ABOUT THE AUTHOR’ sections have 8.5” width with varying height up to
a maximum of 11”.
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