From faulty atheistic beliefs to unbiblical Catholic practices, causes of sufferings to the labours of Apostle Paul written in the Bible, readers were treated with insightful blogs penned by Bro. Eli Soriano, published in his controversyextraordinary.com website all throughout the month of April this year.
Hypocrites Themselves Are to Blame
Setting the tone of what to expect from his blog in April this year, Bro. Eli published “It’s Not God’s Fault; Blame the Hypocrites” on April 1, exposing the foolishness of agnostics and atheists.
“God has been the subject of criticism among the agnostics, atheists, the not-so believing, and the innocent. Whenever natural calamities strike humanity, the enemies of God have a ready target in the person of somebody who they do not believe to exist — rendering themselves as idiots,” started Bro. Eli started in this article.
Another highlight of this blog follows the first paragraph:
“If only they are using their power to think, their allegation that ‘if there is a God, why is he permitting these things to happen?,’ they should have realized the truth that there are things that happen on earth beyond the control of all humanity — proving that somebody more powerful than man is doing such thing. Their criticism, if investigated, will compel them to believe in the existence of God.”
“God is a just God that executes loving kindness and justice upon the earth,” wrote Bro. Eli, quoting the verse from Jeremiah 9:24.
The international televangelist ends his blog with these thoughts:
“If we are wisely looking for the cause of all these unfortunate things that are now affecting humanity: sickness, natural disasters, wars, discontent – we have nobody to blame but ourselves.”
In this article, he challenged atheists, agnostics, and those who say they believe in God but disobey Him to ask themselves: Is God to be blamed for all of these?
“No! Blame yourselves, atheists! Blame yourselves, hypocrites!,” ended Bro. Eli.
Eucharist, Catholic Mass, etc.
A week later, Bro. Eli published “Still Stuck on Mass and the Eucharist,” in response to a letter sender who questioned the preacher’s way of doing a jeremiad or criticizing other religions’ unbiblical doctrines.
“It’s not just me and my own; it is Christ’s way of liberating people from errors and fallacies! It is from Him we pattern our interactions, especially as he said in MARK 7:7,” the preacher wrote as a response.
In order to prove his point, Bro. Eli continued: “Jesus Christ criticized the man-made doctrines of the Jews! So we also criticize the practices of some – not to waste our time – but for errors and fallacies to be highlighted – so that people will be liberated from their ignorance of Christ’s way.”
It is in the same blog that the televangelist responded to another reader’s criticism of MCGI or Members Church of God International beliefs and practices.
Bro. Eli wrote: “It is your own belief that all religions were invented by men! Where did you base that claim? The Bible teaches a religion established by God and not by men!”
Ignorance and Delusions in Religion
“To be ignorant may be pardonable because it is not being hopeless, but to delude oneself is something else”, opens “A Bunch of Ignorance and a Mammoth of Delusion,” the preacher’s blog article published last April 15.
This blog continues his discussion about the Catholic practice and beliefs about eucharistic rituals, which their apologetics described as “an unbloody manner of sacrificing Jesus Christ – something they do again and again.”
“Still and all, even to the uninformed, that (transubstantiation in the Eucharistic rituals) is ambiguity in the highest degree and thriving in delusion, just so to continue in a practice not commanded in the Bible,” Bro. Eli wrote.
In the same blog, he argued the fallacy in the reasoning of some Catholics that Malachi 1:11 is a prophecy meant for the Roman Catholic Church.
Bro. Eli explained, “The incense mentioned in the prophecy is not the literal incense that Catholic priests burn in their altars! Notice what is said in this verse.”
Mentioning 1 Corinthians 15:50-51, he elaborated about the mystery Paul revealed: “that flesh and blood will not enter into the kingdom of heaven; that is something corruptible will not inherit that which is incorruptible!”
Justice and Power in Politics, Religion
Published in April 22, Bro. Eli revealed in “Where Can There be More Evil” if God will have his way, “the earth will surely be a very nice place to live in,” contrary to the reality that “there are places on earth which can be considered hostile to live in physically and spiritually.”
He further explained why he called some places to be physically hostile, saying this was the result of the prevalence of crime and moral decadence; “and spiritually because of governmental and religious corruptions.”
Quoting Matthew 23:15, he exclaimed, “Biblically, religious leaders are agents of hell and satan who are the most venomous makers of evil people.”
Bro. Eli addressed that, whether in politics or religion, leaders can be influenced by the roots of evil, comparing them to Herod who, by the threat of being replaced, butchered many innocent children’s lives!
“And what is the root of these evils that plagues the minds and hearts of ungodly leaders? Money and power!” wrote Bro. Eli. in the blog which served as eye-opener.
The Labours of Apostle Paul
The last of the month, “Paul Labored More Abundantly Than the Other Apostles,” was written in response to a reader who questioned Bro. Eli’s statement that Paul’s efforts is incomparable to that of other Apostles and if it is any rightful for Paul to claim that he labored more than any of the apostles.
The blogging-preacher advised the letter-sender to conduct a thorough search of the Scriptures instead of criticizing the authors in the Bible.
“It is a brotherly advice I am giving you that instead of doubting those who were instrumental in writing the word of God (like the Apostle Paul), search the Scriptures instead, to find the ‘real score’ of the truth,” said Bro. Eli.
Even other apostles testified that Paul had labored more than themselves, such as what the Apostle Luke’s accounts in the Book of Acts. However, Apostle Paul credited his labors to the grace of God in him.
Bro. Eli later provided proofs from the Bible why the Apostle Paul mentioned on why he labored more than the other apostles during those times.
“Considering the scope of the jurisdiction given to him, it is but prudent to believe that he labored more than the other Apostles. The verses that you cited in 1 Corinthians 4:8, 11, 13 are not confusing. Paul is speaking of his condition in comparison with the condition of the members of the Church. He is just the opposite of modern day leaders — they are overfed. Members are underfed —even deprived of the precious word of God because of their self-interest,” one of the biblical statements Bro. Eli wrote in the same article.
Other issues raised by the anonymous reader were clarified in the same blog, which include questions whether Apostle Paul was insulting his enemies, and the likes.
Writing as Mr. Controversy, Bro. Eli posts weekly his article for readers across the world. Today, his website has garnered over eight million page views. He has earned a strong followership via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Written by: Ma. Therese P. Quita
