The Mustard Seed Ministry

As we approach another year, it’s important to pause and reflect on the reality of our world. We often hear the idealistic message of making the world a better place, and while this is an admirable goal, it's essential to recognize that we may never achieve perfection. Despite our best efforts, the challenges we face today will remain, and new ones will emerge for future generations to tackle. As someone who studied mathematics and holds a Christian worldview, I believe it’s crucial to acknowledge this truth while still embracing the responsibility to contribute positively to society. The Struggle for Utopia:  For as long as humanity has existed, there has been an undercurrent of utopianism—a desire to create a perfect world. Yet, no matter how much we progress, the world remains imperfect. Even if we were to eradicate all religious institutions and beliefs, we would still confront persistent issues like inequality, racism, politics, education, and more. Progress can br...

The Christmas season is often a time of joy, family gatherings, and giving. However, for many Christians, it also raises a significant question: Should we celebrate Christmas, considering its alleged pagan origins? This blog post will explore the history, theological implications, and practical considerations of Christmas, helping you prayerfully determine how to approach this holiday. The Origins of Christmas Christmas celebrated on December 25th, is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. Historically, the date aligns with several pagan festivals such as Saturnalia and the winter solstice, which celebrated the return of longer days and light. Early Christians, however, began to observe this date to commemorate the birth of Christ, reframing it as a time to honour the incarnation of Jesus. While it’s true that some traditions—such as decorating trees or hanging mistletoe—have roots in pre-Christian customs, the focus for believers has shifted to celebrating the hope brought...

In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, it is easy to lose sight of its profound meaning. The streets are adorned with lights, carols fill the air, and families come together in joyous celebration. Yet amidst the beauty, one question beckons: What are we truly celebrating—Jesus or ourselves? The Reason for the Season Christmas marks the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior who came to redeem humanity from sin and death. His arrival was not in grandeur but in humility—a baby born in a manger, heralded by angels, and visited by shepherds. The message of His birth is clear: God’s love for humanity is so great that He gave His only Son to bring salvation (John 3:16). The Magi, upon recognizing the significance of Jesus’ birth, journeyed far to worship Him. They presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh—tokens that symbolized His kingship, divinity, and ultimate sacrifice. In their act of worship, they demonstrated the true spirit of Christmas: honoring Christ with...

Christmas is celebrated worldwide, but the question of who we are truly celebrating often becomes a point of debate and reflection. Is Jesus merely a prophet, a moral teacher, or something greater? For some, He is even dismissed as a fictional character. To truly honor the season, we must examine this question closely and understand the identity of the One at the heart of Christmas. Prophet ? Many recognize Jesus as a prophet, a messenger sent by God. Indeed, He fulfilled prophetic roles, declaring God’s truth and calling people to repentance. He foretold events, including His own death and resurrection, and spoke of the Kingdom of God with unmatched authority. But is that all He is? Prophets point to God; they do not claim to be God. Jesus, however, went beyond the role of a prophet. He declared, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30) and “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58), clearly affirming His divine nature. Good Moral Teacher? Jesus’ teachings on love, forgiveness,...

Episode 4: The Right Interpretation While the Bible is trustworthy in its texts and translations, understanding its message hinges on proper interpretation. Episode 4 of "Can I Trust the Bible?" explores how to approach the Scriptures with the right methods and mindset to uncover its intended meaning and avoid common errors in interpretation. The Importance of Hermeneutics:  Hermeneutics is the art and science of interpreting texts, particularly sacred Scripture. It provides principles and guidelines to ensure readers grasp the Bible's original intent, context, and relevance. Without proper interpretation, the Bible can be misapplied, misused, or misunderstood. Key Questions for Interpretation 1. What Did the Text Mean to Its Original Audience? Every passage was written in a specific historical, cultural, and linguistic context. For example, Paul's letters addressed the unique issues of early churches, such as the challenges faced in Corinth or Ephesus. 2....

Episode 3: The Right Translation The Bible is one of the most translated books in history, with over 700 full Bible translations available today and thousands of partial translations. But the process of translating the Bible has always been met with challenges. Episode 3 of "Can I Trust the Bible?" dives into the complexities of Bible translation, explaining how translators work to faithfully render the ancient texts into modern languages, ensuring the message remains accurate and accessible. The History of Bible Translation The effort to translate the Bible began even before the time of Christ. The Septuagint (LXX), a Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, was completed between the 3rd and 1st centuries BC, making Scripture accessible to Greek-speaking Jews in the Hellenistic world. Later, Jerome's Latin Vulgate in the 4th century AD became the standard translation for the Western church for over a millennium. The Reformation in the 16th century sparked renew...

Episode 2: The Right Text The way that the Christian Bible exists today is a product of modern convenience. After the invitation of the printing press in 1440, and the availability of relatively cheap and easy book production, the Bible in a single-bound volume with all 66 books included and indexed became the norm. However, the Bible for the first few centuries of its recognition as scripture existed mostly as independent and separate scrolls and books. Although there were some very early collections of Gospels (𝔓45) and collections of the letters of Paul (𝔓46), most of the earliest copies of these books were individual documents.  Despite existing in this form, the early Christians were very eager to spread the good news of Jesus and so copied and translated the books that we now call the Bible with great speed and regularity. By the 4th century copies of the biblical books existed across the ancient world and in multiple different languages. This meant that the gos...

Episode 1: The Right Books The Christians in the first three centuries after Jesus’ death came to a quick agreement regarding what books did or didn’t have a direct connection with Jesus. First-century Judaism connected its understanding of scripture with God’s promises of deliverance and redemption. We see within the New Testament that, at that time, they were “looking for the Messiah” (John 1:41), waiting for “the redemption of Jerusalem,” and the “restoration of the Kingdom” (Luke 2:25, 38). In other words, the Jews within Jesus’ day did not view scripture as being complete. Rather, the story of Hebrew scripture (the Old Testament) was read within their day as a story in search of a conclusion. This set the stage for the writing of the New Testament books being that conclusion. Jesus established the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31), and the natural question for the Jews of his day would have been “Here is the fulfillment of the promises of deliverance and redemption, so, wh...

The church is one of the most significant institutions in Christian theology, embodying God’s redemptive purposes and reflecting His kingdom on Earth. While its essence is often reduced to a building or a social organization, the church transcends these physical constructs. It is a spiritual entity designed for worship, discipleship, and preparation for eternity. In this article, we will explore the origin, purpose, and functions of the church, and provide a guide for discerning how to choose a church that aligns with biblical principles. The Origin of the Church: A Biblical Perspective The church's origin can be traced back to the earliest interactions between humanity and God, as revealed in Scripture. While the term church (Greek: ekklesia) is not explicitly used in the Old Testament, its essence can be observed in the communal worship and fellowship of God's people. 1. The Garden of Eden: The church’s theological foundation begins with humanity's fellowship ...

Prayer is more than asking; it is a partnership with God. When we pray, we not only open the door for His intervention but also take on the responsibility of stewarding His answers. This truth reminds us that blessings often come with a demand for preparation, diligence, and faithfulness. In Exodus 13:17-18, God’s leadership of the Israelites provides a powerful lesson about what happens after prayers are answered. Let us explore these lessons and discover how to prepare our hearts, minds, and lives to walk in alignment with God’s plans. Lessons from the Exodus 13:17-18 1. God Did Not "God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter." Sometimes, God answers our prayers in ways we don’t expect. The Israelites, after centuries of bondage, were finally freed from Egypt, but God didn’t take them on the shortest or easiest route to their destination. Why? Because He knew their limitations and the challenges they weren’t ready t...

In any civilized society or institution that seeks freedom, integrity, and respect, there are two unshakable foundations that must be firmly established. From a Judeo-Christian perspective, these foundations rest upon the belief that humanity is made in the image of God and the command to love our neighbor as ourselves. These principles are not just theoretical ideas; they are practical, life-altering truths that provide the moral compass for a flourishing, just society. The Image of God: A Foundation of Dignity The concept of being made in the image of God offers a profound and revolutionary truth: every human being has inherent dignity. This truth transcends race, gender, nationality, or social status. The image of God, while not a bodily resemblance, reflects the deeper, intrinsic qualities that define us as human beings—our capacity for reason, creativity, moral awareness, and relational connection. It is through these divine qualities that we connect with one another a...

There are two unshakable foundations that any civilized civilization, institution, or group that desires freedom, integrity, and respect should rest upon: first, from the Judeo-Christian perspective, that man is made in the image of God. The knowledge that we are made in the image of God gives us the reason to love our neighbor as ourselves. The Bible affirms this in Genesis 1:26-27, where it says, "Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness...So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." When we come to realize that the next person beside me is made in the image of God, in the similitude, by the same reason I was made—the same Creator who brought about me also brought about that person—it becomes a great foundation for any serious institution or civilization to set as a foundation for advancement. We can't diminish the fact that when a person is made in the image of G...