An Analysis of A Malicious Blog Created by a Catholic Priest, Fr. Abe Arganiosa

INTRODUCTION

Growing up in a Catholic family within a Catholic Society has provided first hand information of what kind of Religion Catholicism is. In this write-up we shall examine some of the things that a Catholic Priest has said on a blog in order to attack the beliefs of the Christian Church now being preached by brother Eli Soriano through his radio and television program, Ang Dating Daan. It is noticeable that this priest invented arguments we never asserted just to have something to bash. Instead of bringing his arguments in the most proper forum, he choose the world wide web as the battle arena. So let us examine how lame are the arguments made by this priest and let us also resolve the doubts that he tried to instill in the minds of his readers.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AFTER THE SPANISH PERIOD IN THE PHILIPPINES?

After so many years, there are organizations that made the Catholic Unity in the Philippines weak. One of them was led by Isabelo delos Reyes and Gegorio Aglipay. Their success in establishing a church apart from Catholicism has two reasons: the Patriotism of the Filipinos and their ignorance about the differences between the Philippine Independent Church and the faith of our forefathers.

Another threat to the Catholic Unity is the faith brought by the Americans through Protestant Missionaries. They served as teachers in our schools during the time of American Colonization. They were successful in establishing Protestant Movement which are now headed by Filipino Pastors today.

Another organization was also like the first, which was established in our Country. The founder of this organization is Felix Ysagun (Manalo) before the first world war began. However, it did not became popular until the end of the second world war. Today, it is one of the strongest enemies of the Catholic Church in the Philippines.

The organization which Mister Abraham “Abe” Arganiosa, the Catholic Priest tried to bash on his blog is the Members of the Church of God International. This organization is one of the most prominent and well-established religious congregations in the Philippines today. The organization maintains steadfast efforts in carrying out its task of delivering the Gospel of Jesus Christ to mankind.

Existing for more than 40 years in the Philippines, the Members Church of God International upholds the teachings of the apostles, prophets and teachers, among others established in the city of Jerusalem.

It’s name, “MEMBERS CHURCH OF GOD INTERNATIONAL” is based on the following Biblical passages: Ephesians 3:6; 1 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Corinthians 1:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 4.

http://www.angdatingdaan.org

THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF OUR REPLIES ABOUT THE ARGUMENTS ON HIS BLOG

http://thesplendorofthechurch.blogspot.com/2009/11/update-on-church-of-god-international.html

This is a link to a write up made by a Catholic priest on his blog. Contrary to the doctrine of Ecumenism taught by Pope Benedict XVI, this priest wrote something that doesn’t promote peace among people professing to be Christians.

Ecumenism & Unity

Pope Benedict XVI on Ecumenism
Church Committed to Ecumenism, Says Pope
And Calls for Growth in Dialogue With Muslims

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 25, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI confirmed the Catholic Church’s “irreversible” commitment to ecumenism and appealed to believers of all religions to become promoters of peace.

http://www.holylove.org/ecumenism_unity_pope_benedict_XVI.php

Let us answer the allegations on his blog for the sake of responsible journalism on the Internet. Mister Abe has the right to say whatever he wants and I have seen him writing on some official publications of the Catholic Church attacking other sects. Let’s read what he has to say regarding ADD.

A neophyte Catholic Apologist named Beltran O.P. informed me the other day that Ang Dating Daan preacher Eli Soriano, who is now hiding somewhere for rape case of a male victim, lost his constant companion in debates and in public fora, Bro. Willy Santiago.

A terrible mistake that this Catholic priest had said is to say that brother Eli Soriano is now hiding somewhere for a rape case of a male victim. Mister Abe could have been very ignorant of the alleged rape case which was dismissed by the Fiscal’s Office of Apalit, Pampanga for lack of substance.

http://jakeastudillo.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/portrait-of-the-raped-man-for-whom-the-interpol-would-mobilize/

Before judging other religion of a rape issue which was dismissed, mister Abe could have taken a glimpse of the Catholic Church’s age-long scandal of rape and pedophile done by Catholic Priests. http://www.priestsrapeboys.com/

According to my friend Eugene, who is also also blogger…

“He is saying that Bro. Eli is a rapist? He must not forget that until now, that is an apparent accusation. Unlike the Irish priests of the Catholic church, they were proven of doing malignant acts that have brought shame to your robes. I hope he is reading the news. In addition to it, we are not yet talking about the crimes done by the Catholic Church.”

I definitely agree with what Eugene said.

Who is hiding by the way? Can a preacher who manages the affairs of the church despite the long distance be hiding? Can a preacher who preaches the word of God and still faces the adversaries of truth on other parts of the globe be hiding? Can a preacher who can be seen preaching on TV worldwide and is still able to answer queries from a live audience be hiding? Mister Abe could have faced the mirror first before typing something on his keyboard that he doesn’t really understand. The fact still remains that Catholic Priests are prohibited from challenging other religion in a debate which is the reason why he is hiding inside his Parish to avoid an ecumenical dialogue or debate.

What the bible states about the leaders of Babylon greatly fits the character of Catholic Priests.

(Jeremiah 51:30)

The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken.”

Will this Catholic Priest be willing to face Bro. Eli Soriano in a debate to prove that he is not hiding?

The viewers of ADD programs will easily remember Willy Santiago as the guy who has special talent in opening the Sacred Scriptures and read it for Bro. Soriano. It is noticeable that while Soriano was speaking and mentioning a Biblical passage, Bro. Willy was ahead of him in finding the chapter and the verse.

Mister Abe must have not realized that Wilfredo Santiago has learned it from somebody who taught him. However, he did not continue on the things that he has learned from his mentor which is the reason of his fall. Just like Timothy to Paul, a student has to continue to what he has learned and not instigate a rebellion against it.

King James Bible
(2 Timothy 3:14)

But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Wilfredo Santiago was not the only student of Bro. Eli if Mister Abe is not aware of it. Some students come and go but most of them still continue and remains to what they have learned from their mentor unlike the traitor Wilfredo Santiago.

Wilfredo Santiago can read verses before it was mentioned by Bro. Eli because before airing in programs, Bro. Eli tells Willy of the succeeding verses to be read, and not because he has special talents. You can also notice that there are times when the verse opened by Willy is not the same verse read by Bro. Eli. Our preacher just shows Willy that there are verses that were not revealed to him.

Another thing to consider, from the start, Bro. Daniel is one of the man behind the scenes directing ADD Programs. He is in the war room helping to maintain the smooth flow of the shows, this foolish priest doesn’t know that. He doesn’t even know how Bro. Daniel was well-trained in discussions and debate, he doesn’t just show that out of his humbleness. But if that priest wants to discover the skills of Bro. Daniel, why not try him?

Now, Willy left Soriano due to, according to many in the web world, power struggle. Because as Soriano is getting older and is hampered by so many legal cases the one being groomed to be the successor in Soriano’s throne is his favorite newphew, Daniel Razon. This is allegedly unacceptable to many followers, especially to the trained ministers like Willy because Razon is pre-occupied with many businesses and doesn’t show extraordinary talents on Sacred Scriptures as well as public debates. He stresses that Razon never joined the public fora of ADD wherein Soriano or the ministers answer questions on the spot from the audience. And he never joined them in squaring it off with the pastors of opponent religions in public plazas. In short, Willy claims that Daniel Razon got no balls according to ADD criteria. That is a very drastic revelation… tantamout to pulling off the guy’s pants down. Manny Pacquio will not accept that because that is below the belt. Don’t you think so?

The elected Vice Presiding minister is Bro. Daniel Razon – not Wilfredo “Willy” Santiago. Razon is the most acceptable leader next to Bro. Eli Soriano based on the votes cast by members in 1998. Contrary to Wilfredo Santiago’s allegation, Bro. Razon is a church worker even before he became a member.

Bro. Daniel even spoke in public gatherings at a very young age of 9 and is one of the people behind the success of ADD programs. There were only three people then in the production of ADD programs from the start. Bro. Eli as the speaker and consultant; Brother Daniel Razon as the program director, cameraman, light man, and editor; and Sis. Luzviminda Cruz as the executive producer, researcher, set decorator, and even as make-up artist. Wilfredo Santiago was not even part of the pioneer team of ADD. Take note of that.

http://elisoriano.com/life/broadcast_years/television_broadcast.html

From the humble beginnings of Ang Dating Daan (The Old Path), the longest-running religious program in the Philippines, to the international recognition it has today, Bro. Daniel has been there to make it happen, with God’s help.

http://www.danielrazon.com/bio.aspx

Bro. Daniel Razon still speaks on Bible Expositions, gatherings, youth talks and marriage counseling with Bro. Eli Soriano as the main speaker. What Bro. Razon wants is for people to hear Bro. Eli preach and not to present himself as the preacher. He wants Bro. Eli to continue his task of answering queries from people who wants to learn many things regarding religion and not to present himself as someone who could also give answers. Wherever Bro. Eli goes, Bro. Daniel Razon is always of assistance to give Bro. Eli a helping hand. He is not ambitious like Wilfredo Santiago is.

This priest really doubts how well Bro. Daniel is when it comes to debates. We asked him once to try Bro. Daniel if he wants to discover the skills of Bro. Daniel. Thus, he could be rational, at least a bit, in what he is saying. Then, just to make avoidance, he points to different persons first to face Bro. Daniel. Apparently, if he cannot show himself to challenge Bro. Daniel, how much more against Bro. Eli?

No wonder he cannot directly answer the challenge laid before him concerning a debate between him and Bro. Eli. What a coward!

I also want to say, so that you will not look ridiculous, Mister. Abe, Bro. Daniel is not just busy behind the camera, he is also busy in front of the camera preaching.

Anyway debating is very important for them. Because the sect prided itself on their claim that Soriano is undefeated in debates and that he can answer all questions. So, if ever the successor cannot perform the same then he will be an impotent duck undeserving of respect and loyalty of their seasoned debaters. So, Razon could be good for Peking Duck menu but they prefer one who debates. Imagine, Willy and the ministers are veteran in the battle of the streets and plazas, and suddenly nepotism is creeping in to take away the glory from them. Interesting indeed. He, he, he…

Brother Eli Soriano still debates and he is very eager to face a Catholic Priest like Mister Abe. His young protege who was trained from youth is able and will also debate as sharp as Bro. Eli Soriano unlike the allegation of an ambitious person. Bro. Daniel Razon knows that Bro. Eli Soriano still performs his function and there is no need to immediately replace him. The seasoned debaters which Mister Abe is referring to were just recent members of the Church while Bro. Daniel Razon is a pioneer, has served as church worker and a student of God’s preacher.

Nepotism is not the basis of Bro. Daniel Razon’s election into his position. Let this be said, although it doesn’t violate any prohibition from the bible. Solomon was the son of David and was the heir of the throne and also became a preacher of God like his father.

Bro. Daniel Razon has made innovations regarding church activities and the structure of carrying out various tasks. He sees to it that whatever he does is still aligned with what Bro. Eli Soriano teaches. He was entrusted to oversee the Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal Division at the age of 25. He is unlike the ambitious Wilfredo Santiago who was never entrusted to oversee a single locale congregation. Not even one.

To say that Wilfredo Santiago is a veteran in battle is incorrect. Wilfredo Santiago is just a mere reader and was never assigned to face anyone in a debate to correct what Mister Abe has stated on his blog.

Now, to aggravate the situation few months ago Willy and his cohorts abandoned Soriano and are now appearing in another TV progam in IBC-13 to reveal, guess what, the erroneous doctrines and unchristian activities of Soriano. How kind of him to do that? But of course, Soriano is fuming mad and as a retaliation he issued a Fatwa… I mean Excommunication in a very Christian form worst than the Anathema Sit of the Council of Trent against the Protestants and heretics. Soriano preferred the Pauline language of: “Giving over to Satan”. It means that he was entrusting Willy and his rebel companions to the devil.

Surely, Willy answered. He satirically responded that Eli Soriano could do that because he is on pact with the devil, otherwise how can he be sure that the devil will accept his entrustment. Very reasonable, isn’t he? How can he turn over to Satan his beloved Willy and companions unless he has direct communication with the Angel of Darkness. Very revealing!

Could Mister Abe have misunderstood what St. Paul has said?

(1 Corinthians 5:1-5)

1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh , that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

To say that Bro. Eli Soriano has a pact with Satan and based on biblical verses is the same way of saying that St. Paul also had a pact with Satan in order to deliver a person to him. This is very idiotic and does not conform to biblical sense. Christians doesn’t have to have a pact with Satan to deliver a person to Satan. There are people who already belongs to Satan because they want to follow what Satan wants them to do.

(1 Timothy 5:15)

For some are already turned aside after Satan.

These people are delivered to Satan because they want to follow Satan by their own free will. I can say that Wilfredo Santiago followed Satan which is exactly the reason why he was given into Satan’s hands. Wilfredo Santiago has failed miserably to prove that he is revealing erroneous doctrines of the person who taught him. He did not continue with what he has learned and now fabricates things to malign the very person who used to feed and help him. Such an ungrateful act of an ungrateful person who was blinded by ambition!

To complicate the matter Soriano made Jane Santiago, Willy’s own wife, to appear on national TV to denounce her husband, narrate her ordeal from the so-called battering hand of Willy and his plans to wrist control of ADD from Soriano. How touching! Family matters when mixed with religion and faith always make a melodramic touch on any story. This one is no exception, even with Eli Soriano as its script writer and director. I am almost tempted to believe that the preferred theme song for the program should be Barbara Streissand’s version of Send In The Clown with some touch of The Days We Were. Ha, ha, ha… Bro. Mars will love that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rXstDcODg8

Mister Abe could not have realized that what’s happening to Sister Jane Angeles Santiago is biblical.

(Matthew 10:34-37)

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

The only script writer to what is happening is God. A christian should love God above everyone else. Christ has forewarned the Christians that He has come to set variance or enmity between members of their own household. Sis. Jane Angeles Santiago has chosen the side of truth and has chosen to love God more than she loved her husband. Wilfredo Santiago’s statements was belied by his wife which is a strong evidence that what he does is evil.

Willy insists that his reasons to breakaway is purely doctrinal and not carnal in anyway. He listed a lot of doctrinal reasons but I will only point some of them:
1. Soriano’s command that the members kneel in worship ONLY facing the Sun, according to Willy is unbiblical. Really? Ha, ha, ha… Where did Soriano get that doctrine? Guess who?

2. Soriano’s claim that “MAY PUWIT ANG DIOS” [God has a Butt!]. O no, I already pointed out that there should be no hitting below the belt. These two must be very malicious in their actions. Soriano speaks of Butt… very improper especially when applied to the Most High.

So, better for me to stop here. If you want to check their WORD WAR you can check the You Tubes. And if you want to read Willy’s Blog [at least supportive of him], please check this: http://exegesis.weebly.com/index.html

His reason of breaking away is because of his ambition to be a leader which really is not the rightful place for him. Wilfredo Santiago and his companions were given to the hands of Satan as of October 31, 2009 because of rebellion and coveting the position of the Presiding Minister. Mister Abe has believed the statement of the liar that we worship the Sun. We don’t have a doctrine to ONLY face the sun when praying. What we face is the direction of the east and not the sun.

Mister Abe doesn’t really know what he is saying. He defended their practice of idolatry by using passages from Old Testament Books to justify his ignorance. But if we will observe, he doesn’t really answer the question.

The question is simple, “Why do you kneel before graven images?” His answer is on affirmative side, this only verifies their belief on the practice of kneeling before images. Anyway, did he really answer the question?

“Why do you kneel before graven images?” According to him, it is because God ordered Moses and Solomon to make graven images to be put inside the Temple etc. But he didn’t show proofs that God ordered Moses and Solomon “to kneel” before graven images. Besides, what we can read is God prohibited His people to make graven images then kneel before them.

(Deut. 5:6-9)

I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have none other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,

He didn’t even order Moses to kneel before the images ordered by God to make.

But let us follow his argument. Moses made graven images because God ordered him, does it follow we must also make graven images? Are we Moses? Moses was even ordered to slay the Canaanites.

Beware of this priest. It’s not surprising if he can also have you slain because God ordered it to Moses.

But wait, we can read verses that shows Moses knelt even before angels. Does that mean we must also kneel before creatures or even graven images like what these Catholic Priests are doing? If you will apply the understanding of Moses in executing Christian doctrines, then you are surely outdated like these priests.

(Col. 2:18)

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

In the New Testament era, you can never read something about a Christian commanded to kneel before graven images nor angels.

(Rev. 22:8-9)

And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

If you will follow the commandments of Moses in our time, you will not be justified either.

(Acts 13:39).

And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

This priest is challenging us of showing the verse, “Where can we find in the bible the teaching that the believers of God must kneel facing the sun?” Obviously, he is very ignorant of what he is asking. We are not commanded to face the sun while kneeling. What we are doing is facing the east to have a uniformity of direction to maintain the orderliness when praying.

(I Cor. 14:40)

Let all things be done decently and in order.

(I Cor. 1:10)

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Having unity and orderliness are being taught in the Bible. Also, east is very significant in Christian faith.

Then, let us ask this priest, where can you find in the Bible that Christians were commanded to make graven images then kneel?

Second, Wilfredo Santiago never disputed the belief that God has a butt just like what he does. Probably, Mister Abe’s God doesn’t have a butt contrary to the images depicted on Catholic Church’s pictures.

Let us use biblical verses to prove that God has a butt.

In the bible, God has eyes to see.

(Proverbs 15:3)

The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

God has ears to hear.

(1 Peter 3:12)

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

What did God used to sit?

(Matthew 23:22)

And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

Did God used his head to sit? Mister Abe is not critically thinking the biblical sense written in the scriptures. God cannot use anything to sit except his butt. Probably, Mister Abe uses his tongue to walk and his feet to smell. That’s weird!

(Psalms 94:9)

He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?

He that formed the butt, shall he not sit? Mister Abe has just joined the bandwagon of people who does not understand the belief that God has a butt because of their nonconformity to biblical standards.

SECOND INSTALLMENT OF OUR REPLY ABOUT THE ARGUMENTS ON HIS BLOG

Now that we have successfully bashed the things written on his article let us examine and resolve his reply posted on the comments section of his blog. We noticed that most comments were erased and were not approved by this hallucinating Priest.

THERE IS NOTHING IN THAT VERSE THAT SHOWS IT IS IMPERATIVE TO FACE THE EAST IN ORDER TO HAVE UNIFORMITY OF DIRECTION.

THE TRUTH IS YOU ARE IGNORANT THAT THE MOSLEMS ARE BOWING AND PROSTRATING IN WORSHIP FACING THE EAST. BECAUSE MECCA IS IN THE EAST. SO, WHY DO YOU HAVE TO IMITATE THEIR DIRECTION?

Notice that the text written on a comment made by him was written in ALL CAPS. In the Internet, if a writer uses ALL CAPS in writing, it literally means that he is shouting. I should advice him to drink a cup of warm water in order to calm him down from his terrible delusion.

It is his delusion that we copied the direction of Moslems in facing the east which he claims to be the direction of Mecca. The problem with his argument is that he is taking it literally. However, please remember that in the literal sense, the Earth is round and not flat. If we are going to take the direction we are facing literally, we can come up with the inevitable conclusion that we are also still facing the direction of the Philippines whenever we face the direction of the East, on the premise that the Earth is round.

In the bible, a uniformity of direction whenever the people of God are praying is clearly written.

(2 Chronicles 6:4)

If thy people go out to war against their enemies by the way that thou shalt send them, and they pray unto thee toward this city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name;

When the people of Israel go to war in a far place, they still make it a point that they are facing a uniform direction which is the direction of the city that God has chosen. However, we as Christians do not literally face the direction of Israel whenever we face the East. We are just taking the biblical essence that whenever the people of God pray, they are facing a uniform direction.

YOU ARE FACING THE EAST WHAT AND WHOM DO YOU FACE THERE? A BLANK SPACE? THAT IS SATANIC. IF YOU DO NOT FACE THE SUN, THEN YOU ARE FACING DARKNESS, THEN YOU ARE FACING OBJECTS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU. O HO, THAT IS IDOLATRY BY YOUR STANDARD.

SO FAR YOU HAVE NOT PROVEN TO US THAT THE TRUE BELIEVERS OF GOD MUST FACE THE EAST ALONE DURING WORSHIP.

Let us remind Mister Abe that we do not face the sun as the congregation still faces the direction of the East even at night. If we literally face the sun, it is logical to face the direction of the west and not the east. Where did you get the idea that facing a blank space is satanic? The God in the bible cannot be seen in the first place.

(1 Timothy 6:16)

Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

That is the reason why whenever we close our eyes and pray, what we see is the image of nothingness or a blank space. That is not satanic and has a biblical basis.

We also have no claim that Christians face the East Alone whenever they pray so there is no point of insisting for us to prove that. Mister Abe is just inventing things that he can bash. We also stress to Mister Abe that we have no claim that it is imperative for Christians to face the East.

ORDERLINESS YES, BUT NOT KNEELING EASTWARD ALONE. THAT IS A DOCTRINE INVENTED BY SORIANO AND NOT BIBLICAL AND THEREFORE SATANIC BY YOUR OWN STANDARD

Orderliness itself is a doctrine being taught in the bible and not just by Soriano.

(1 Corinthians 14:40)

Let all things be done decently and in order.

On the premise that orderliness is biblical, facing the direction of the East for the sake of orderliness is also biblical and not Satanic contrary to what this Catholic Priest claims.

THE COMMAND FOR THE DESIGN OF THE TEMPLE, ALTARS AND SANCTUARIES ARE APPLICABLE FOR CHRISTIANS STILL. AND THEREFORE THERE IS NO NEED TO REPEAT THE COMMAND GIVEN BY GOD TO HIS PEOPLE.

Christians in the bible did not even build any temple or altar. They gather whenever there is a suited place for them to gather.

(Acts 2:1)

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

The laws regarding the design of the temple, altars and sanctuaries were given to Moses and not to Christians. In the Christian dispensation, the law of Moses is not applicable to Christians contrary to what this Catholic Priest claimed.

(Hebrews 7:11-12)

11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

There is a change of the law. The law which was changed is the law of Moses according to the bible. If we are going to follow the law of Moses, we will no longer be justified.

(Acts 13:39)

39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

What Christians should follow is the law of Christ.

(Galatians 6:2)

2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

The law of Moses was not even given to Christians. The law of Moses was given to the people of God Israel. Therefore it was not the Christians who have an obligation to follow the things written in the law of Moses but Israel. What this priest has said is clearly wrong based on the biblical context. Christians were not commanded to build temples according to the design given by God to Moses. What Christians follow is the law of Christ and not the law of Moses.

When it comes to Baptism, there is no payment at all. The sponsors are the one giving ‘offering’ for the child. So, that is the gift of the sponsors or godparents to the child or the catechumen. Even in the Bible, Mary and Joseph brought gifts to the Temple when Jesus was offered. Don’t pretend that you don’t have that because the money being asked of your religion is being announced by Soriano right on TV. He was asking P1,000 pesos per member in your religion..

As regards Weddings. There is a public wedding that is free for all. The wedding is expensive only if the couple wanted an engrande type which is the effect of their own decision to look rich and cozy to the public. But the wedding itself is free. The couple donates to the Church for the use of electricty, the flowers, token to the cantors and for the use of Alfombra or red carpet. If they don’t want these things then there is no need to spend.

Is there really no payment when it comes to Catholic Rites and teachings? Let mo quote what the Philippine National Here have said in his letter to the young women of Malolos.

http://joserizal.info/Writings/Other/malolos_english.htm

“Saintliness consists in the first place in obeying the dictates of reason, happen what may. “It is acts and not words that I want of you,” said Christ. “Not everyone that sayeth unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in Heaven.” Saintliness does not consist in abjectness, nor is the successor of Christ to be recognized by the fact that he gives his hand to be kissed. Christ did not give the kiss of peace to the Pharisees and never gave his hand to be kissed. He did not cater to the rich and vain; He did not mention scapularies, nor did He make rosaries, or solicit offerings for the sacrifice of the Mass or exact payments for His prayers. Saint John did not demand a fee on the River Jordan, nor did Christ teach for gain. Why, then, do the friars now refuse to stir a foot unless paid in advance? And, as if they were starving, they sell scapularies, rosaries, bits, and other things which are nothing but schemes for making money and a detriment to the soul; because even if all the rags on earth were converted into scapularies and all the trees in the forest into rosaries, and if the skins of all the beasts were made into belts, and if all the priests of the earth mumbled prayers over all this and sprinkled oceans of holy water over it, this would not purify a rogue or condone sin where there is no repentance. Thus, also, through cupidity and love of money, they will, for a price, revoke the numerous prohibitions such as those against eating meat, marrying close relatives, etc. You can do almost anything if you but grease their palms. Why that? Can God be bribed and bought off, and blinded by money, nothing more nor less than a friar? The brigand who has obtained a bull of compromise can live calmly on the proceeds of his robbery, because he will be forgiven. God, then, will sit at a table where theft provides the viands? Has the Omnipotent become a pauper that He must assume the role of the excise man or gendarme? If that is the God whom the friar adores, then I turn my back upon that God.”

Not less than the National Hero is a witness that teachings from the Catholic Church requires its members to pay for baptism, mass for the forgiveness of sins of the dead and even weddings. It is a fact that Catholics are required by their Church to pay for such doctrines as stated by our National Hero. The Christian doctrine is given for free contrary to the Catholic doctrines.

(Matthew 10:7-8)

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

It is also not true that Bro. Eli was asking each of our members to give 1000 pesos monthly. He was simply citing a hypothetical example that if each 1000 members will give 1000 pesos in order to pay for the expenses for the gospel propagation of the Church, then it would be nice. We have now the KAPI that does that out of their own volition.

Nowhere in the video will you hear Bro. Eli requiring each member to give 1000 pesos. While the true Christian Church does not require people to pay for baptism and other teachings, it does require Christians to help, share and love one another specially those people teaching them in all good things. Bro. Eli uses his personal money in funding much projects – much different from other pastors who receive instead of give.

New International Version (©1984)
(Galatians 6:6)

Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.

Gospel propagation nowadays, specially if we are using modern technology requires money. Money that is used for the salvation of souls of more and more people who will know the truth unlike the money collected by Catholic Priests that only goes to their belly.

Now, you are complaining of injustice for Eli Soriano. When Soriano was attacking our faith, our Pope, our priests and Bishops where were you? You were enjoying it. You didn’t bother to give the benefit of the doubt to others. Now that we learned to return fire with fire you feel the pain.

Return fire with fire? Let me remind this Priest that Pope Benedict XVI calls for ecumenism for the sake of peace.

Ecumenism & Unity

Pope Benedict XVI on Ecumenism
Church Committed to Ecumenism, Says Pope
And Calls for Growth in Dialogue With Muslims

VATICAN CITY, APRIL 25, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI confirmed the Catholic Church’s “irreversible” commitment to ecumenism and appealed to believers of all religions to become promoters of peace.

http://www.holylove.org/ecumenism_unity_pope_benedict_XVI.php

What this Priest had written contradicts what the Catholic Pontiff  tries to teach to a majority of Catholics. Reading his article gives me doubt that he is really a Catholic Priest. He sounds like more of an INC member pretending to be a Catholic because he borrows some of his bullets from the INC.

Nevertheless, since he is the one who wrote this article and claims to be a Catholic Priest, will he accept a challenge for a debate with ADD on National Television?

How nice of you to use Ecumenism and Unity on this Blog. Now you are making it look as if Eli Soriano is after Ecumenism and Unity ha.

Pope Benedict XVI is teaching Ecumnism and Unity and indeed that is a pastoral concern of the Catholic Church. And Pope Benedict is living that. If you are truly reading regularly Zenith News you will notice that Pope Benedict does not attack other faith.

You yourself have said that Pope Benedict XVI does not attack other religions contrary to what you are doing right now. We are not making Bro. Eli Soriano look as if he is after Ecumenism and Unity. It was the Catholic Pontiff who seeks that which does not manifest in you as a Priest.

But, can we say the same thing with Eli Soriano? Definitely not. Soriano demonized and is demonizing the Pope and the Catholic Church. And therefore, the concerned Catholics are necessitated to defend the faith and to respond to these attacks.

So, you want us Catholics to be Ecumenical while Soriano is free to destroy our faith and take away Catholic souls to his heresies, eh? How nice of you.

It was not us who wants Catholics to be ecumenical; It was your pope who wants that and not us. You better tell the pope to retract his declaration first before doing a counter-attack against other religions who criticize the Catholic Faith. The defense of Catholics is more than welcome and we are willing to take your responses and respond back. However, with you doing this violates what the Pope in Rome had said who calls for ecumenism.

A CHALLENGE FOR A DEBATE

Apparently this Catholic Priest made a challenge to brother Daniel to face a rising Catholic Defender in a debate base on the reply that he made on his blog.

http://thesplendorofthechurch.blogspot.com/2009/11/update-on-church-of-god-international.html#comment-form

“How about the ongoing challenge of Atty. Marwil Llasos, the rising star of Catholic Apologetics nowadays? Will Daniel Razon be generous enough to accept it?

DON’T TELL ME THAT RAZON IS BUSY BEHIND THE CAMERA. For sure you can hire people to do the dirty works at the backstage rather than Mr. Daniel Razon.”

As a counter-challenge, I asked him if he is willing to debate ADD on National Television.

“Nevertheless, since you are the one who wrote this article and you claim to be Catholic Priest, will you accept a challenge for a debate with ADD on National Television?”

Since Mister Abe is a Catholic Priest and made an article against ADD, let’s see if he himself can accept a challenge for a debate. After informing him of this challenge, I sense that there is hesitation on his part base on his reply.

“Concerning Debate: Before I answer your question, I want to know who you are first and what is your relation with the ADD. I DO NOT ENTRUST MY ACTIVITIES ON STRANGERS LIKE YOU. The problem is that there are so many anonymous who are PRETENDING to be spokesperson of certain religions but in actuality they are mere PARASITES claiming to be part of such a body.”

Will a Catholic Priest finally face Bro. Eli Soriano in a debate or just pussy foot on it? I hope that what the bible says concerning some people will not apply to him.

(Jeremiah 51:30)

30 The mighty men of Babylon have forborn to fight, they have remained in their holds: their might hath failed; they became as women: they have burned her dwellingplaces; her bars are broken.

I’ve just finished reading the accusations of Mr. Abe and they contain lots of loopholes and arguments without substance. Some are just mere sarcasms and trash talks of a priest pretending to be decent. I met a lot of apologetics and arguers that know how to be a gentleman and be decent but this priest is like a teasing child. It reminds me of the adage, “Class clowns are usually the weakest link in a group.” It will never even pose a threat for he cannot persuade an intellectual and fair reader.

By force of circumstances, Bro. Eli was compelled to go abroad in order to avoid unnecessary things to happen. There are threats in his life and adversaries are planning schemes to muzzle his mouth for they cannot refute what he is teaching. They even sued him of many charges he had never done. In spite of that, he is not afraid of being killed while performing his duty. But there are brethren who are willing to die just to save his life. Bro. Eli doesn’t like someone to sacrifice for him. Though, for a caring member, to die out of concern for a person like Bro. Eli is Biblical. Let us read Romans 5:7,

(Romans 5:7)

“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.”

At the height of persecutions, Bro. Eli fled for abroad, not because he is guilty of wrongdoings like the narrow-minded one is accusing; he fled because he is an obedient preacher. Let us read the commandment of Christ for persecuted preachers.

(Matthew 10:23)

“But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.”“

Escaping is not a sign of guilt; Bro. Eli’s fleeing is a sign of obedience. But if you will follow Mister Abe’s thinking, apostles ordered by Christ to flee were guilty for escaping as a sign of guilt.

Mister Abe said:

“Don’t you know that escaping and hiding are signs of GUILT. Jesus, Peter and Paul didn’t hide. They courageously face their accusers and persecutors. Ninoy Aquino and Jose Rizal didn’t hide. They faced the accusations.”

If that is Mister Abe’s belief, I would rather choose to believe Jesus than he who is not approved.

It is also true that Jesus, Peter and Paul are courageous persons in the Bible. They were engaged in debates and they are brave enough to face other preachers. I wonder that Mister Abe didn’t learn from Jesus, Peter and Paul for he evades the challenge to debate with Bro. Eli. He consistently points to others to debate instead of him. If we will borrow Mr. Abe’s word, it is nicely fitted to him.

Mister Abe said:

“Soriano has every opportunity to show courage and moral ascendancy on the face of his accusers but he preferred the cowardly way of escaping and hiding. That is very low of him.”

This could be true if we will change Bro. Soriano to Mister Abe. Mister Abe has every opportunity to show courage and moral ascendency on a one-on-one debate against Bro. Eli but he preferred the cowardly way of pointing to others instead of him. That is very low of Mister Abe hiding behind the skirt of INCM and Wilfredo Santiago.

Mister Abe doesn’t know what hiding really means. If Bro. Eli is hiding, then this priest has already had his edge. But why until now is he afraid to engage on a one-on-one debate? Besides, can he prove that Bro. Eli is hiding? Is he hiding if he is always exposed exposing false teachings in Bible Expositions at least three countries or continents a week?

Is Bro. Eli hiding if he travels in public vehicles to reach many souls asking for his service? Is he hiding if in spite of his being abroad, you can still talk to him personally? Is he hiding if he has not failed to preach in every gathering at least thrice a week? Is he hiding if he doesn’t almost sleep in caring for the welfare of his brethren?

Or indeed Mr. Abe is such a blind person for he cannot see Bro. Eli. Or Mister Abe is the one hiding for he cannot accept the challenge to debate with Bro. Eli. Can you consider Mister Abe a courageous man if every time he is challenged, he consistently diverts it to others?

Mister Abe has a serious disease – excusitis, the disease of making excuses to avoid obligations. I think we are hopeless with this coward priest to have such confrontation. His attitude is not new to us; it only reminds us of the INCM ministers who evade debate against Brother Eli.

Once and for all, our challenge is very simple. A “yes” or “no” answer can solve it. Is Mister Abe ready and willing to argue against Bro. Eli on a debate? If yes, then let’s set it up immediately. If no, then let’s praise Mister Abe for his honesty. But if we analyze his consistent excuses, I think Mr. Abe will answer “or”.

MR. ABE, YES OR NO?