BARRICADE OF FAITH

By Shanie Alondres

Many of us lack the confidence to discuss our beliefs, but it is crucial for us to have trust in everything in order to succeed in life. We must clearly define our goals so that we won't look back on our actions and can face any obstacle that comes our way with confidence.

But there are lots of ways to express your enthusiasm for the future of your faith in a way that is obvious, compelling, and powerful, and it just might provide you with the solution to your problems.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Dec 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9781470946852

Book preview

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

DEDICATION

CHAPTER 1

WHO IS GOD?

CHAPTER 2

PROCESS OF LEARNING THE TRUTH

CHAPTER 3

ESSENTIALS POF RIGHTEOUSNESS

CHAPTER 4

HAPPINESS THROUGH FAITH

CHAPTER 5

PURPOSE OF LIFE

CHAPTER 6

FAITH TESTING

CHAPTER 7

BARRICADE OF FAITH

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION

Why are there so many of us who are so suspicious of religion? It all stems from the fact that some people, especially when it comes to the subject of religion, are open-minded while others are not. I also have my own religious and philosophical convictions that I inherited from my family's culture. I grew up in the Philippines, one of the Asian nations with the highest percentage of Roman Catholics—more than 86% of the total population.

The Philippines were colonized by Spain, and Miguel Lopez de Legazpi's arrival in 1565 signified the country's conversion to Christianity. Before colonization, the Filipinos had a pantheon of gods, natural elements, and spirits, but the most revered of them was called Bathala in the local language, which is another term for GOD.

Beginning in Indonesia, the Islam religion began to spread throughout the archipelago of the Philippines in 1350. Prior to the advent of the Spanish in the 16th century, Islam had already taken root on Mindanao and Sulu.

Many protestant instructors and pastors traveled to the Philippines when the United States occupied the country in the early part of the 20th century. Some of these educators disagree with Catholic doctrine. Felix Manalo Ysagun formed the Iglesia ni kristo Christian sect during the American colonial era, which was followed by the Rizalist (Folk catholicism), which was founded by Ruben Edera Ecleo Sr., the leader of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association. His followers consider Jose Rizal, the Philippines' national hero, to be divine, second to God, and they refer to him as the son of god. Up to that point, several Christian sects were also growing, and they are the ones that go against catholic teachings today.

Starting at a young age, I was influenced by various Christian religious sects' teachings, but my faith in the Creator God never wavered. Even though I had many questions about the teachings, I firmly believed that I would find the truth about whom I should truly praise, the Creator GOD alone or the Christian Trinity god (Father, son, and the Holy Spirit).

I'd like you to read the Divine Creator's Scriptures, especially the passages that He gave to His firstborn son, Israel (Israelites).

For Further Reference

Agoncillo, Teodoro.A Short History of the Philippines. New York: Mentor Books, 1969.

Carroll, John J., and others.Philippine Institutions. Manila: Solidaridad, 1970.

Chaffee, Frederic H., and others. Area Handbook for the Philippines. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1969.

Corpuz, Onofre D. The Philippines. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall; Spectrum Books, paper, 1965.

Gowing, Peter G., and Robert D. McArnis, eds. The Muslim Filipinos. Manila: Solidaridad, 1974.

Mercado, Leonardo N., ed. Filipino Religious Psychology. Tacloban City, Philippines: Divine Word University, 1977.

Ramos, Maximo D. Creatures of Philippine Lower Mythology. Quezon City, Philippines: University of the Philippines Press, 1971.

Sturtevant, David R. Popular Uprisings in the-Philippines, 1840-1940. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1976.

PREFACE

To everyone's knowledge, this book was created through my strong belief in God and studying the divine scriptures for many years, I decided to write all the things I have discovered and all questions that need to answer.

Everything we've been taught and learned from our ancestors and tradition is not enough to stop us from discovering the truth. I am Hopeful, that through this book we will learn more about God, to be open to other opinions so that our knowledge can deepen in knowing about the history of our beliefs and that truth shall give us the freedom to righteousness.

FOREWORD

Life is a great mystery for everyone. We are shaped by deep, invisible currents, and the environment is replete with hidden laws and regulations. In response to all this mystery is to see it as a problem that needs to be resolved and to take all reasonable steps to be knowledgeable and in charge. We should acknowledge our ignorance and admit our limitations. A combination of depth knowledge, faith, and beliefs is needed to ignite our spiritual purpose.

Individuals all over the world are abandoning religions in disgust and rage today. Nonetheless, everyone has a desire for transcendence. Individuals understand the importance of having a spiritual life, so many people are exploring on their own or joining new churches and communities. They distinguish between their spirituality and the religious institution they have abandoned.

CHAPTER 1

WHO IS GOD

In various religions, God is known by various names. But there is only One Almighty who created us in Judaism (Adonai, Elohim, Eloah, Hashem, Yhwh), Islam (Allah), and Christianity (Jesus, Jehovah, Lord). Many people are unaware of who God truly is.

Here are some Bible verses that explain who God is.

According to the Bible's Old Testament (Torah and Tanakh) there is only one Almighty God and one Savior.

Let us examine what the Hebrew Bible says about God.

Scripture says,

Isaiah