Facebook and Blogger

Burrard Inlet, Burnaby BC

1. Since being invited recently to join Facebook by a friend in England, it has been an educational experience. Many of my good and acquaintance friends from Canada, United Kingdom, United States, Australia and worldwide are on the website, and it provides me with an opportunity to learn about their lives and for them to discover what is going on in my life. Recently on Facebook, I have decided to post a link to a few of my articles from thekingpin68 and satire and theology, and I have noticed through Site Meter that I have received some views from persons on Facebook. Please note that Site Meter does not provide me with the person’s name, so I do not know who is viewing! Most of the friends are Christians, but some are not and it allows me to potentially share Christian theological concepts with those within and outside of the Christian Church. John Calvin explains that although God enlightens the unbeliever to become a believer through the Spirit of God, that preaching is a human means by which this occurs. Calvin (1543)(1996: 164-165). Calvinistic Christianity when properly presented should not be negative towards evangelism and preaching since although God elects persons to salvation, only God knows who shall be elected and therefore Christians should respectfully preach and teach all who are open-minded, humanly speaking. There are multiple reasons why I Facebook, and sharing theological ideas in one of them. God through human preaching and teaching can influence both the regenerate and unregenerate as he desires. Of course with blogging, theological teaching and learning is a major priority for me. I have received some good feedback from my Facebook friends in regard to my blog articles, although I would imagine that there are critics as well, but no one has spoken up as of yet!

2. I have been thinking that God willing, once I am established as a professor, I may consider setting up a website similar to those from Christian Research Institute and John Ankerberg. Contrary to how some televangelists may operate, a multi-million dollar a year salary would not be the objective, but rather it would be to provide a much-needed theology and apologetics ministry and also supplement my income as a professor, as I have spent 16 years as a full-time student. I would be interested in reading comments regarding the idea of me potentially in the future setting up an apologetics ministry where I could provide some free material and sell books, CDs, and DVDs of my own work and other material from legitimate quality Christian teachers and scholars. I could also provide related materials from non-believers as well. I do not think it should be expected of me to set up a ministry without receiving some kind of income, and also do not think it right to be aiming to set up a multi-million dollar, primarily profit orientated corporation that is also a ministry.

CALVIN, JOHN (1543)(1996) The Bondage and Liberation of the Will, Translated by G.I. Davies, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.