https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/1861 A joint publication of the Institute for Advanced Theological Studies (IATS) and College of Theology, Central Philippine University Sun, 05 Apr 2026 18:09:10 GMT 2026-04-05T18:09:10Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/1891 Journal of Theology Volume 4: Bible in faith and practice Arandela, Milanie C.; Diel, Domingo J. Jr.; Fabula, Nathaniel M. Journal of Theology is published by Institute for Advanced Theological Studies and College of Theology, Central Philippine University. This Journal is supported by the Evangelisches Missionswerk in Deutschland (EMW), Normannenweg 17-21, D-20537, Hamburg, Germany. Journal issue Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/1891 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/1890 Creation in the Book of Job Siacor, Mona Lisa P. The Book of Job read today at face value features a blameless character befallen with misfortune after misfortune. That he was vindicated in the end, his well-being restored, features relatively little in the entire story line, considering that the narrative telling of it is only part of one of the forty-two chapters comprising the book. Since Chapters 38 to 42 are speeches by God and Chapter 28 is a description of Wisdom, about thirty-five out of forty-two feature depressing moods. An obvious characteristic of the book is the speaking back and forth between Job and his three friends, with one more joining belatedly. These speeches, always groups of verses at a time, are expressive of deep hurt/pain, hopelessness, bewilderment, varying degrees of condemnation, and supplication. Many of these expressions are couched in a language presenting violent or heartrending pictures to the mind. Thus, it is a book of strong emotions on the negative side, a common theme among wisdom writings in the Bible. Nevertheless, as attested by various comments, the Book of Job stands as among the best literary works in the world of all time. The author of the book has been referred to as the Shakespeare of the Old Testament in the superlative extent of his vocabulary as well as in his show of “vast resources of knowledge, a superb style of forceful expression, profundity of thought, excellent command of language, noble ideals, a high standard of ethics, and a genuine love for nature.” One other feature that makes this book persistently interesting is the difficulty of the literature itself. That the main character Job was thus vindicated in the end and restored to his former status has made the book redeemable after all to any reader sympathizing with him. Thus, it is made clear that suffering borne with faith may have its rewards in the end – but, only but, to those who endure. Personal and vicarious suffering in the world today makes the Book of Job enduringly relevant. This paper will present a general description of the Book of Job. Then it will deal summarily with creation in wisdom literature. After doing so, it will pick out passages that have to do with creation in Job. It is hoped that, by looking at these specific passages, a meaning will be reached connecting Job’s suffering and Yahweh’s creation. Journal article Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/1890 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/1889 St. Paul’s concept of skenopoiia (tentmaking) and its implications to the churches of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches in Western Visayas Kole, Armando S. This dissertation seeks to explore the following problem: What are the implications of Paul’s concept of skenopoiia to the current perceptions on bivocational ministry among the churches of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches in Western Visayas? The first sub-problem is as follows: What is Paul’s concept of skenopoiia? The second sub-problem is as follows: What are the current perceptions on bivocational ministry among the churches of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches in Western Visayas? The third sub-problem is as follows: What implications can be drawn from Paul’s concept of skenopoiia to the current perceptions on bi-vocational ministry among the churches of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches in Western Visayas? Journal article Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/1889 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/1888 Local autonomy: Historico-critical review Geromiano, Elizer G. The Need for the Study The Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches (CPBC) Board of Trustees formed a committee to study the issue of Local Autonomy. Unfortunately, the committee did not work as expected. Consequently, on the 69th General Assembly of the CPBC, “a resolution for the study of the definition, scope, and limitation of the Baptist’s Local Church Autonomy” was passed and adopted. Two years later, on the 71st General Assembly of the same, another resolution was passed and approved for CPBC “to pursue the attempt to study Local Autonomy and come up with an official interpretation.” These were official initiatives to resolve the growing problem among CPBC member churches’ and CPBC-related institutions’ attitude, participation, and support to the Convention. The hands of CPBC leadership are apparently tied up that they cannot right away intervene on the problems of their members. This is because local leaders or some involved parties would often invoke Local Autonomy as basis to push the CPBC leaders away. Apparently, most problems such as conflict management, property management and the like are prevalent among local churches. There are numerous cases that have ended up in civil courts, local church split, and other unpleasant outcomes. Indeed, Local Autonomy is one of the historic Baptist’s principles. Baptist history, since Europe and USA can attest to this. This principle is enshrined in the Constitution and By-Laws of CPBC. However, the charter up to its latest amendment is silent about the nature of Local Autonomy as a Baptist principle. It is probable that the absence of standard definition (scope and limitation) is the cause for relative interpretation and practice among CPBC constituents. Thus, there is an urgent need to conduct an investigation on the history and development of Local Autonomy, as one of the Baptist principles and to uncover fundamental issues undergirding it. This paper is an attempt to respond to that need. The Objectives This study is an attempt to respond to the resolution passed and approved during the 69th CPBC General Assembly calling for the study of the definition, scope, and limitation of the Baptists local church autonomy. The urgency of such need was augmented when after two years another resolution was passed and approved on the 71st CPBC General Assembly. The other resolution, however, was more specific – to study Local Autonomy and come up with an official interpretation. Also, it is on this mandate that this study responds. To do so, this paper attempts to review the history of Local Autonomy since the Sixteenth Century Reformation to the present, highlighting its development from Europe (Old World), North America (New World) and the Philippines (CPBC). Facts and data would not be novel to informed readers, only new interpretations will be. Since the problem of Local Autonomy is fundamentally linked with ecclesiology, this paper also attempts to reconstruct the Baptist understanding of the church in the light of the New Testament. The outcome of this paper will be offered humbly to CPBC as a suggested reference for institutional and organizational action on the issue at hand. Journal article Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/1888 2008-01-01T00:00:00Z