Elias Ayala

By Elias Ayala (MDiv & M.A.T.) The science of interpretation is called hermeneutics. When we are seeking to interpret what we are reading we are engaging in a hermeneutical procedure. Every person who seeks to read the Bible properly must utilize the proper tools of interpretation if we are to get at what the scriptures are intending to teach us. It is often because of a lack of understanding as to how we are to interpret the scriptures, or any piece of literature for that matter that people come to … Read More »

By Elias Ayala (MDiv & M.A.T.) In light of current events surrounding the nation-wide or even world-wide pandemic COVID-19, emotions are running high along with the fear of uncertainty and rapidly changing information. Furthermore, social media is ablaze with all sorts of conspiracy theories and proclamation of doom and gloom and warnings of impending prophetic fulfillment of the end-times. There are many who see these current events as “signs of the times” and are drawing all sorts of unwarranted and ill-thought out conclusions with regards to what they think the … Read More »

By Elias Ayala (MDiv & M.A.T.) Jesus often found himself in dispute over the Law with the religious leaders of his day. He had to constantly correct their misapprehensions and misinterpretations of the heart of the Law often times exposing their true legalistic and often sinful motives. This is hardly surprising to the believer who understands that in comparison to Jesus our works are but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). In the presence of pure holiness and righteousness we are like the prophet Isaiah who when confronted with the presence of … Read More »

By Elias Ayala (MDiv & M.A.T.) We need to remember that “faith” within the biblical context is “trust”. It is not a blind leap of belief based on irrationality or a lack of evidence. Within the Christian faith men are sinners all of which have fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Because this is the state of man, he is unable to save himself since the requirements of God are perfection (Matthew 5:48) and no one is perfect. Furthermore, sin is equated with “debt” (Matthew 6:12) in … Read More »

By Elias Ayala (MDiv & M.A.T.) Science has disproven Christianity Science is a method of empirical investigation. How can an empirical methodology disprove an entire worldview system such as Christianity? Furthermore, empirical investigation is not separated from interpretation of empirical data. Science is a methodology and how the data of our empirical investigation is interpreted will depend upon the intellectual framework or worldview that one holds. Our worldview affects how we interpret data. This is why it is so important to recognize that “science” does not tell us anything, “scientists” … Read More »

By Elias Ayala (MDiv & M.A.T.) Yes, it can still be our guide to truth. The fact that students may give different answers to a question on a test does not mean that there is no correct answer. In like fashion, the reality of many competing interpretations of the Bible does not mean there is no correct interpretation, nor does it mean that the correct interpretation is impossible to attain. The fact that there are different interpretations of the Bible does not necessarily speak to the ambiguity of the Bible … Read More »

By Elias Ayala (MDiv & M.A.T.) No! God did not change his nature because God cannot change his nature. God in his essence is immutable; that is, God does not change. This is the clear teaching of the Bible: “For I the Lord do not change; therefore, you, O Children of Jacob, are not consumed” (Malachi 3:6). An important aspect of God’s immutability (unchangeableness) is that not only does God’s nature not change, but because he does not change we can trust in his promises, since for God to change … Read More »

By Elias Ayala (MDiv & M.A.T.) No, that is not the biblical idea of faith. Faith in the Bible is more in line with “trusting”. We have faith in God in the sense that we trust him. He has proven reliable in the past and therefore we can trust in him in the present, and in the future fulfillment of his promises. The mistake is to suggest that faith in the Bible primarily refers to the idea of having “faith” (or a belief without evidence) that God exists. However, the … Read More »

By Elias Ayala (MDiv & M.A.T.) 1) Stay Committed to your Christian Convictions: Recognizing that there is no neutrality between the believer and unbeliever is extremely important. Indeed, we see and understand the world in a completely different way than the unbeliever. We see and understand all things as created by God and hence all things are given their proper meaning and interpretation by God Himself. We do not engage with the unbeliever as though this is not true. For the believer, all things have the meaning and connections that … Read More »

By Elias Ayala (MDiv & M.A.T.) In a recent debate I had with a YouTube skeptic, a very interesting argument was brought up in an attempt to show a logical inconsistency within the concept of God’s inherent goodness. The skeptic argued that since God can only create what is consistent with his nature, and God “created” evil as per (Isaiah 45:7), that therefore it seems to follow that God is evil. But, since the Christian conception of God is that he is all good, then this seems to demonstrate a … Read More »