Research Methods 1: Theological Research

Bart B. Tinoy, FdCC

Article Title: Revisiting Historiographies “New Trajectories for Asian Christianity” by: Fr.
Daniel Franklin Pilaro, CM.
Professor: Rev.Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario, CM.
Date: August 23, 2018

Revisiting the Historiographies in Asia’s Christian Faith helps us see its relevance particularly
on how it affects and transforms the life of Christian believers. Fr. Daniel Pilario emphasized the
significant value of the Christian’s historical background. He represented the four distinct parts based
on his discernment process of Christian faith, which endures the challenges as what he witnessed and
encountered in the reality.
Today’s development of Christian faith is also influenced by technology. By doing a method
of examining the possibilities in the future, one can identify the direction of our faith through
understanding the history which includes the source of Christian tradition, culture and practices.
The Historical view which we possess and inherit from Christian Missionaries (from Asia, Europe,
Latin America, and Africa) became part of our identity since we adopted their historical beliefs and
practices.
According to French Annals School, the history is not only about the specific events, but it is
about the sociocultural and economic factors that shape them.
For this reason, history is an open system and it has a constant meaning such as language.
These are the facts to consider in tracing back the foundation and sources of history to consider the
society with diverse view on gender, religious and cultural tradition. Example is the faith in Europe
that has been practiced during the fifteenth century through the help of the European missionary.
This is how the Global Christianity and its influences spread throughout the other parts of the
continents, like in Asia, Africa and Europe. Western and Eastern countries also shared the same global
influences. Asia also looked back at the common ground of Christianity. It includes regaining the
source of tradition not just global but also local.
Another local example is England. England began those practices, teachings of the church
during the fourth century in making a mosaics, tombs and frescos. They had started to have prophets,
ascetics and deaconesses who were established by the missionaries and merchants from the eastern
part. The main goal of the middle eastern Armenian churches why they are promoting and leading the
people especially those who are indigenous people in Asia, was to have a transformation from local
cultures into an indigenous religion; and focus more in an open and non-individualistic Christianity.
These events, discoveries and observations based on the historical point of view were narrated from
their own stories.
They became a source and foundation to see and witness how they nourish their faith in fidelity
in connection to their common way of life as Christian believers. The History of Christianity in this
contemporary time became more aggressive and competent because other sects manifested or shared
their own beliefs and practices.
Pentecostal movements are now becoming more active in convincing and encouraging our
fellow believers through their lively songs, dances, parables and stories that animate the people in
worship. These movements gather, nourish and strengthen the people and faith that they possess.
However, these practices deviated from the reality of poverty and degradation. Unlike the belief of
Filipino Christians. Nationalists viewed these movements as instrument of exploitations, but
Hispanophiles viewed Christian faith as the source of salvation.
But there are some challenges which need not be taken for granted by our historians—the
universal and national belief system, which centered on the issues and problems in writing the local
history. It helps articulating their individual stories of faith. In addition, by the oral history which
analyzes as an eye-witness accounts in oral traditions, like epics, genealogies, hymns and prayers,
popular religious practices and cultural performance. That is one of the ways of knowing and
developing its own context of belief as Catholic Christian in local places.
Having an open relationship with other religions is allowing them to enter in our religious life.
To enculturate them and contextualize by looking the common ground base in our Christian faith and
way of life that we discern, understand, respect and seeking the truth through the heart by way of
looking back in the history.
This Article “Revisiting Historiographies in New Trajectories for Asian Christianity” by Fr.
Daniel Francklin Pillario, CM, it helps me deepen my understanding regarding on how we adopt or
get those belief and practices that I am living. History is not just an account or event that we take for
granted.
History helps us see and explain our own personal background, for us to understand more
who we are. For me, this article shows me the reality of being a missionary and a real believer. Looking
back based on what the author had been researched on this article, that is, when Christianity during
those fifteen centuries or even before that, they became witnesses in a real evangelization not only in
word but also in action through mission.
Despite of the challenges, struggles and difficulties or even in the point of death, they still
proclaimed and lived the Christian way of life. I think, it is a big challenge for me on how to be a
witness and an example to other people especially in living as a religious. In fact, there are a lot of
trials that needed to be faced and encountered along the way like what our missionaries had been
encountered during that time. But still there was a hope and courage in continuing the mission.
The culture, belief, tradition and the language that we learned and inherit from our previous
missionaries from different countries like in Europe and Spain, it was an opportunity for us to know
and discover the source and foundation of our faith. Our faith is a gift from God that needed to be
nourished and nurtured for us to share and spread freely to our brothers and sisters.
I believe that without the root or the source of those beliefs and practices that I have (which
I gained and inherit from my family, grandparents. . . from the different generations that became part
of the story), it became more significant for me to see the history of the faith which now I practice,
live and share.
From this article, it signifies the value and importance of our historical background as a
Catholic believer. Even though there are lot of things which are difficult for me to understand about
this article (on how to find a specific narrative) and for us to trace clearly how our forefathers and
missionaries explain and evangelize the people, I still have the courage to learn more.
Knowing also our local beliefs, culture and tradition in the Filipino context is relevant—
Practicing, living and valuing this faith that I have in this society, they became more concrete and
specific for me in terms of our common way of life. Perhaps, there are still a culture, a language that
we need to consider like our indigenous brothers and sisters who are still practicing and living the
tradition that was adopted for a long generation. Their relevance shows and reminds us how to value
our belief.
Even though there were some religions who were trying to manipulate and use their religion
to have certainties in the future, one thing I want to address regarding my reaction about this article
is, how can I expand or become more creative and sensible to my brothers and sisters for us to be
good examples to our fellow Christian believers?