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Iglesia ni Cristo

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The Iglesia ni Cristo (IPA: [iːˈglɛ.ʃɑː niː ˈkriːstəʊ]) (also known as INC or Iglesya ni Kristo ; literally Tagalog for Church of Christ) is a politico-religious sect [1] that originated in the Philippines[2] The INC was incorporated in the Philippines by Felix Y. Manalo on July 27, 1914;[3] The church professes to be the reestablishment of the original church founded by Jesus and teaches that the original church was apostatized. It does not teach the doctrine of the Trinity, as well as the Divinity of Jesus.[4][5]

The Iglesia ni Cristo's architecture is notable for the narrow-pointed spires of its chapel buildings. In the Philippines, these are considered landmarks of major cities and provincial capitals.[6]

Background information

The historical context of the Iglesia ni Cristo lies in a period of the early 20th century characterised by a variety of rural anti-colonialism movements, often with religious undertones, in the Philippines. At this time, U.S. missionary work was exposing Filipino culture to many alternatives to the Catholicism installed under earlier Spanish rule.[7]

After Felix Manalo joined and left many religious organizations as a young adult,[8] he declared that God gave him a mission to preach the gospel and to reestablish the first church founded by Jesus.[9]

Iglesia ni Cristo's first chapel

The INC began with a handful of followers on July 27, 1914 in Punta, Santa Ana, Manila; with Manalo as its head minister.[10] Manalo propagated his message within his local area, growing the Iglesia ni Cristo and converting members of other religions. As membership increased, he delegated others to spread the teachings of the INC and it eventually spread throughout the Philippines and to other countries. After Felix Manalo's death in 1963, his son Eraño took over duties as executive minister and Eduardo V. Manalo is the deputy executive minister.[11] The Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity,in the chapter of Southeast Asian Christian religions names the INC as the most important of "quasi-Christian" churches,[12], a term used by the religious community to classify groups whose beliefs differ from the organizations belonging to mainstream Christianity.[13][14]

By 1988, INC has grown to about 2,635 congregations called locales, in which 220 of them cover sixty-seven countries outside the Philippines.[15] According to various sources, including the 1997 Britannica Book of the Year, INC had a worldwide population of over one million members by the early 1980s. [16][17] According the 2000 census of the Philippine National Statistics Office, 2.3 percent of the population in the Philippines are affiliated with the Iglesia ni Cristo.[18].

The Manila city government declared July 27th a holiday, and allowed members of the Iglesia ni Cristo paid leave, in order to celebrate the anniversary of the Iglesia ni Cristo. On July 27, 2006, the Philippine House of Representatives passed a resolution commending the INC on its 92nd anniversary.[19].[20]

Missionary activities

File:FelixManalo.jpg
Felix Manalo on the cover of the Pasugo

INC members are instructed by their administration to invite people to Bible Studies and evangelical missions (known as Pamamahayag in Filipino), and to distribute magazines and pamphlets which are given to them by the administration.

In the Philippines, radio and television programs are produced, and they are broadcast on 1062 kHz DZEC-AM radio, DZEM 954kHz, the Net 25 television station operated by Eagle Broadcasting Corporation, the broadcast division of the Iglesia ni Cristo and GEM TV, the sister station to NET 25, also owned by the INC and broadcast on cable.

In North America, a television program called The Message is produced in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is currently aired in the United States and Canada and some parts of Europe. Each 30-minute program is hosted by one of a panel of INC ministers, who share the main beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo with a television audience.[21] Worldwide, the INC maintains an hour long time slot on The Filipino Channel and airs two among many of its programs including the INC Chronicles and Ang Tamang Daan.[22][unreliable source?]. More recently, GEM-TV began broadcasting on DirecTV channel 2068.

The official INC magazine available to INC congregations worldwide is entitled God's Message or Pasugo. For many years the INC published the bilingual Pasugo for the Philippines and a separate all-English God's Message International Edition for usage abroad. In January 2004, the administration of the INC began to publish only one magazine both in the Philippines and abroad bearing the name God's Message. While predominantly English, the latest version contains a Filipino Section. The magazine consists of letters to the editor, news from locales worldwide, religious poetry, articles relating to INC beliefs, a directory of locales outside the Philippines and would also feature a schedule of worship services until recently.

Membership and doctrines

For more details on this topic, see Fundamental Beliefs of Iglesia ni Cristo.

Membership in the INC is conferred through baptism. People who wish to be baptized in the INC must first submit to a formal process taking at least six months. Once someone officially registers with their locale, the person is given the status of Bible Student, as they are called within the Iglesia ni Cristo, and taught the twenty-six lessons concerning fundamental doctrines of the INC. In the United States, there are an additional three lessons taught for a total of twenty-nine, which mainly contain information about the Church and its beginnings in the Philippines. These lessons are contained in the doctrine manual written by Eraño G. Manalo entitled Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ). This book is given to ministers, evangelical workers, and ministerial students of the INC. Each lesson is usually thirty minutes to one hour in length.

After hearing all of the lessons, the students enter their probationary period during which they are obliged to attend fifteen once a week group prayer meetings, wherein they are taught to pray and are guided in their adjustment to the INC lifestyle.

When the sixth month comes, the students who have been active in attending the twice a week worship services and whose lifestyles are in accordance with INC doctrines are screened before being baptized. During the screening they are asked questions about the doctrines taught to them. Those who pass the screening are scheduled to be baptized.

Since understanding is necessary before being baptized in the INC, the minimum age for baptism is set at around eleven and at least the 6th grade. Newborn children of members are instead "offered" during the worship service. The child offering in the INC is done through a prayer led by an ordained minister of the INC.[23]

Members who are not living in accordance with the doctrines taught in the INC are admonished. Those who continue in violation of INC doctrines after being admonished are expelled from the INC. Certain violations, such as eating blood or marrying non-members may result in mandatory expulsion.[24][4]

Central office

File:Central temple.JPG
Iglesia ni Cristo Central Temple in New Era, Quezon City, Philippines

The INC's Central Administration is the Iglesia ni Cristo Central Office; a large, secured complex located on Commonwealth Avenue, New Era, Quezon City, Philippines. An editorial in the July 25, 2004 issue of Philippine Panorama Magazine described the complex as including: the six-story Central Office Building; the 7,000-seat Central Temple; the Tabernacle, a multi-purpose hall; the 30,000 seating-capacity Central Pavilion; the College of Evangelical Ministry; the New Era General Hospital; and the New Era University. There is also a residence for the family of Executive Minister, Eraño G. Manalo on the premises as well as one for the family of Eduardo V. Manalo, the Deputy Executive Minister.

Political Influence

Ever since former Philippine president Manuel L. Quezon created a lasting friendship after asking Félix Manalo for advice, the INC has been known for its strong political influence. It exercises its political clout by influencing the appointment of key officials and promising to deliver votes in exchange for concessions to the church and church-linked businesses and interest. While it strongly maintains a close "friendship" with incumbent administrations, the INC also sees to it that they do not lose "discreet connection" with the opposition. [25] It was well-known for its support of President Ferdinand E. Marcos until his ousting during the EDSA Revolution of 1986.[26]

File:Iglesia Ni Cristo Central.png
Aerial photo of Iglesia ni Cristo Central Complex in New Era, Quezon City, Philippines
INC members are noted for their bloc voting in Philippine elections,[27][28][29] [30] although INC has the biggest conversion turn-out, between sixty-eight and eighty-four percent of their members voting for candidates endorsed by its leadership, according to comprehensive surveys conducted by ABS-CBN.[31] This is in part due to their doctrine on unity, which puts the penalty of expulsion on anyone swaying from the doctrine. Some Philippine media credit the INC bloc vote for the presidential campaign victory of Joseph Estrada in 1998,[26] and the election for the full term of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2004.[32]

This has given INC strong political influence on elected officials. Newspaper reports say that the Philippine Congress decision to uphold the decision on September 2005 to reject the Arroyo impeachment complaint was swayed by largely by INC influence. One newspaper reported that Erano Manalo personally called each and every lawmaker.[33]. However, Behn Fer. Hortaleza Jr. claims otherwise. He wrote an op-ed piece for The Sun·Star Pangasinan claiming that Representative Joey Salceda "had wanted to pit the INC against the Catholic church by so timing the congressman's "news" with another expose on the bishops' receiving Pagcor "sin money" for their projects."[34] Others, however, argue that the INC vote is only significant in close-run elections, noting that INC-supported candidates, Senator Sergio Osmeña Jr. lost in 1969 to Marcos and businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr. lost to Fidel Ramos in 1992.[35]

Not all candidates in Philippine politics embraced support from INC. Macapagal-Arroyo's father, Diosdado Macapagal has refused INC's preferred support during his runs for Vice President in 1957, and re-election for President in 1965 – in which he incidentally lost to Marcos. According to Macapagal's official website, he declined support in order to "advance the maturization of Philippine democracy."[36]. There is no evidence of public claims of such political influence outside the Philippines.

The INC also maintains a party-list, called Alagad.

Controversy and criticism

The Iglesia ni Cristo has come under fierce criticism from apologetics groups and other religions mainly due to disagreements over their doctrines and beliefs regarding the interpretation of the Bible. They have also been criticized by non-religious groups for their political influence and supposed restraint of press freedom.

Incidents

In September 1972, INC members shot at and killed three Marine soldiers who were part of a contingent sent by Marcos to shut down the church's DZEC radio tower.[26]

On March 8, 1992, twelve members of the Iglesia ni Cristo were angered about losing an altercation during a basketball game against the PUP students. They physically assaulted the other team which fueled the conflict. A rumble took place afterwards where the INC members were badly beaten. As revenge, the INC members kidnapped eight students but later released the three after threatening them not to tell anyone. The five PUP students who were left captured were later killed inside the chapel of Iglesia ni Cristo in Sta. Mesa, Manila. [37]

In October 2007, members of the Iglesia ni Cristo in Tondo, Manila assaulted three preachers of the Pentecostal Missionary Church of Christ (PMCC) after a religious debate. [38]

Christian religious criticisms

Dr. Karl Keating, the founder of Catholic Answers claims that Dr. Jose Ventilacion, an INC minister and one of their chief debaters, broke an agreement in 1990 for a one-on-one debate made by the two organizations in National City, California. Instead of a one-on-one debate, Keating states that Ventilacion had three helpers assisting him, and that they were shouting at him during the debate. He also claims that God's Message magazine is dedicated more to criticizing and attacking Catholic and Protestant beliefs and doctrines (by referring to them as "tools of Satan" for example), rather than explaining their own positions.[39]

The Catholic Church refutes INC's claim that the beast of Revelation is the Pope, a belief shared by some other Christian religious movements. INC claims that the pope's title, Vicarius Filii Dei, Latin for Vicar of the Son of God, adds up to 666 which is the "Number of the Beast", and the Iglesia ni Cristo also allegedly claimed that it is engraved on the Pope's tiara, a charge that has been proven false[39] and a claim formerly shared by some in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but now officially rejected.[40] The Catholic Church also declared that Vicarius Filii Dei has never been an "official title" of the pope.[40]

Catholic Answers also rejects the INC's doctrines of apostasy within the Catholic Church and does not consider the verses used to support the doctrine of the Iglesia ni Cristo being prophesied nor the apostasy of the Catholic church are used in the right context. It contends that other verses are difficult to reconcile with the views of the Iglesia ni Cristo.[41]

Let Us Reason Ministries, an online apologetics research group, criticized the INC for holding the belief that it has the sole authority from God to interpret and preach the Bible, while other religions do not. They also claim that the INC intentionally misinterprets and misappropriates verses to agree with their doctrines and that they use fallacious arguments against other religions,[42] stating: "Unfortunately they ignore the whole history of the Church in the zealous rebuttals against Catholicism. Nothing is out of reach of their researchers to demean and belittle. Some of the greatest scholars in languages and history are ignored or misrepresented as they present what they believe is correct. I suspect that many know better in what they teach."[43] They also reject the INC's doctrine that one can only be saved if they are a member of the Iglesia ni Cristo.[44] According to The Bereans Apologetics Research Ministry, some of the beliefs of INC are contrary to mainstream Christianity.[45]. However, the Iglesia ni Cristo claims through biblical prophesies, that it was elected to be "the nation of God," as the Israelites were, and that God chose them to serve him.[5]

Dr. Charles Caldwell Ryrie has criticized the INC for allegedly misquoting his Ryrie Study Bible regarding John 1:1 in the May/June 1984 issue of the Pasugo. Ryrie has been quoted as saying, in a letter to Robert Elliff, the author of the book, Iglesia Ni Cristo: The Only True Church? "Anyone can look in my Study Bible and see how conveniently this author [the INC] omitted the last phrase in the note of John 1:1."[46]

The Members Church of God International has been in a long standing rivalry with the Church as shown in their television programs Ang Dating Daan (ADD) and Ang Tamang Daan. Brother Eliseo Soriano posted a paid advertisement in Manila Times broadsheets and invited the camp of Iglesia ni Cristo in a one on one debate and discussion. The Iglesia ni Cristo answered Soriano on their program by asking him to debate first with Pope John Paul II which was bedridden at that time and died a few days after this was posted. One notable incident between the two groups transpired on April 18, 2005 when a violent conflict occurred during a supposed peaceful familial negotiation between a convert of the Members Church of God International and their INC relatives. [47][48] Following an investigation, it was reported that the fight was initiated by INC members when an ADD supporter began shouting during negotiations with the local police department of where the event would take place. [49]

Secular criticism

The main accusation of restraint of press freedom arises from the church's seeking of prior restraint on Ross Tipon's book, The Power and the Glory: The Cult of Manalo) for alleged gross inaccuracies,[50][51] Critics claim that the INC is stifling free speech by banning an unpublished book, and Tipon claims infringement on his free speech rights. An attorney representing the INC, Abraham Espejo states "The publication of the criminal manuscript will trigger social unrest, Millions of people may come out in the streets and this may lead to violence." The Iglesia ni Cristo alleges that the book has defamed its organization and Félix Manalo. The INC seeks PHP1,000,000 in damages from Tipon and the unknown publisher.[50]

Military intelligence sources say that the Church has thousands of high-caliber firearms in its armory, apart from guns owned by individual members who include soldiers and policemen.[52]

See also

References

  1. ^ Ando, Hirofumi (1969). "A Study of the Iglesia Ni Cristo: A Politico-Religious Sect in the Philippines". News Bulletin Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 334-345. Pacific Affairs, University of British Columbia.
  2. ^ Sanders, Albert J., "An Appraisal of the Iglesia ni Cristo," in Studies in Philippine Church History, ed. Anderson, Gerald H. (Cornell University Press, 1969)
  3. ^ Tipon, Emmanuel (Jul 28, 2004). "Iglesia Ni Cristo celebrates 90th anniversary". PhilippineNews.com. Retrieved August 19, 2005
  4. ^ a b Shepherd, Harvey (July 30 1994). "Millions mark Church of Christ's 80th anniversary; Founded in Philippines by Brother Manalo". The Gazette (Montreal). pp. H.7. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |qccessdate= ignored (help) (as cited by ProQuest)
  5. ^ a b Aromin, Rubin D. "God's Own Special People", God's Message (Manila: Iglesia ni Kristo, July 2001) cited by Student621. Bible Students Page at tripod.com. Retrieved July 6 2005.
  6. ^ About the Philippines: The Official Government Portal of the Republic of the Philippines
  7. ^ Partridge, Christopher (Ed.) (2004). Encyclopedia of new religions, new religious movements, sects and alternative spiritualities. (Oxford: Lion Publishing, 2004) ISBN 0-7459-5073-6.
  8. ^ '25 Years in the West, God's Message (Manila: 1993)
  9. ^ Crisostomo, Isabelo T. 'Felix Y. Manalo and the Iglesia ni Cristo', Pasugo (May-June 1986)
  10. ^ Suarez, E. T. 'Iglesia ni Cristo turns 91 today' Manila Bulletin (July 27, 2005)
  11. ^ "'Iglesia ni Cristo 92nd Anniversary" Manila Bulletin Online (Jul 27, 2006)
  12. ^ McManners, John (Ed.) (2001). The Oxford Illustrated History of Christianity. p. 503, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001) ISBN 0-19-285439-9.
  13. ^ Crampton, Gary W. "A Biblical Theodicy" The Trinity Review] (PDF)
  14. ^ Robinson, B.A. "Who is a Christian", Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, March 19, 2000
  15. ^ 'Who Are They' Let Us Reason Ministries (2002); cited by the Adherents.com religious geography citations database
  16. ^ 1997 Britannica Book of the Year; pg. 781-783; cited by Adherents.com religious geography citations database
  17. ^ Turner, Harold W. "New Religious Movements in Primal Societies" in Hinnells, John R. (ed). A Handbook of Living Religions, Penguin Books: New York (1991) [reprint; 1st published in 1984]; pg. 449; cited by Adherents.com religious geography citations database
  18. ^ Results from the 2000 Census of Population and Housing, NSO
  19. ^ 'Special holiday today for INC in Manila,Malabon' The Manila Bulletin Online (July 27, 2006)
  20. ^ 'House greets Iglesia ni Cristo on its 92nd anniversary' The Manila Bulletin Online (July 27, 2006)
  21. ^ 'Mosaic Christian Programs', Vision TV (2005). Retrieved August 13 2005.
  22. ^ 'TFC Program Guide' TFC (2006)
  23. ^ Manalo, Eraño G., 'Baptism', Fundamental Beliefs of the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ), Leksyon #22 (In Filipino, the corresponding lesson is lesson #19, 'Ang Bautismo' (Manila: Iglesia ni Cristo, 1989)
  24. ^ ‘Ang Pinakamabigat Na Parusa Na Maaaring Igawad Sa Isang Iglesia Ni Cristo’, Leksyon #10, Doktrina 3b (Doctrinal lessons for third year ministerial students), 1998 Iglesia ni Cristo
  25. ^ [1]
  26. ^ a b c Mangahas, Malou; "Church at the Crossroads", Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, April 29, 2002
  27. ^ an article in Pasugo (Manila: Iglesia ni Kristo, 1986) cited by "Pepe" 'Iglesia ni Kristo - religion and politics in Philippine society' Pepeslog (Berkeley: University of California, 21 February 2001). Retrieved July 3 2005
  28. ^ 'Indigenous Christian Churches' Philippines: A Country Study, (Washington, DC: US Library of Congress, 1993 4th ed.) A representative of the INC Administration states that this site contains gross inaccuracies.
  29. ^ Tubeza, Philip C. 'SC ruling sought on sects' vote', Inquirer News Service, (Manila: April 1, 2004). Retrieved February 6, 2006
  30. ^ http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=emilJurado_mar7_2007 Jurado, Emil. 'The so-called command votes', Manila Standard Today, (Manila: March 7, 2007)]. Retrieved August 13, 2007
  31. ^ Day-of-Election Survey, ABS-CBN/SWS, May 14, 2001. Retrieved February 6, 2006.
  32. ^ 'INC throws support behind Macapagal, De Castro' Inquirer News Service, (Manila: May 6, 2004)
  33. ^ Tubeza, Philip C.; Cabacungan, Gil Jr., 'INC tipped balance for GMA, says solon' Philippine Daily Inquirer (Manila: September 7, 2005) p. A1
  34. ^ Behn Fer. Hortaleza Jr, 'Hortaleza: Salceda's gambit on Iglesia role' SunStar Pangasinan Sun·Star Pangasinan (Sunday, November 20, 2005]
  35. ^ Danao, Efren L.; Cruz, Maricel V., 'INC vote may be overrated factor' The Manila Times (Manila: May 04, 2004)
  36. ^ Macapagal, Diosdado 'Autobiography'
  37. ^ Filipino Supreme Court ruling.
  38. ^ Philippine's Iglesia Ni Cristo members beat up Pentecostal preachers, The Philippine Star, (Oct. 2, 2007)
  39. ^ a b Keating, Karl 'Into the Maw of the Cult' This Rock (San Diego: Catholic Answers, February 1990) - Retrieved May 17, 2006
  40. ^ a b 'Quick Questions' This Rock (San Diego: Catholic Answers, 1992) as cited by NewAdvent.org's Catholic Library
  41. ^ 'Iglesia ni Cristo', Catholic Answers (San Diego: Catholic Answers, August 2004). Retrieved July 5 2005.
  42. ^ Oppenheimer, Mike "How the Church teaches", Let Us Reason ministries (2002). Retrieved July 27, 2005.
  43. ^ Oppenheimer, Mike "Who Are They?", Let Us Reason ministries (2002). Retrieved [[September 22, 2006.
  44. ^ Oppenheimer, Mike "Salvation", Let Us Reason ministries (2002). Retrieved July 28, 2005.
  45. ^ 'Iglesia Ni Cristo' The Bereans Apologetics Research Ministry. Retrieved July 9, 2006
  46. ^ Elliff, Robert 'Iglesia Ni Cristo: The Only True Church?' (1989) - Retrieved September 10, 2005
  47. ^ Isip, Rendy "Religious confrontation gets physical in Apalit" Manila Standard April 23, 2005
  48. ^ Abao, Jane "All Roads Lead to Apalit Mystery of 'Woman in Labor' Revealed" Believer Magazine April 2005
  49. ^ Roxas, Fred "Followers of Dating Daan and INC clash in Pampanga; cops accused of partiality" Manila Bulletin April 22, 2005
  50. ^ a b Echeminada, Perseus. 'Iglesia seeks TRO vs publication of 'blasphemous' book', The Philippine Star (Manila: May 24, 2005)
  51. ^ Robles, JoJo. 'INC against free press?', Manila Standard Today Online (May 25, 2005). Retrieved July 3 2005.
  52. ^ Church at the Crossroads

Pro

  • Unique bible study A bible study containing some typical INC doctrines in the same question and answer format used by its ministers. There seems to be no explicit reference to the Iglesia ni Cristo on this website.
  • Truthfinder's INC Page Site by INC member: INC profile, basic teachings, history etc.
  • Food for the Soul Poetry and reprints of God's Message articles

Con

  • GEM-tv Global Exansion Media Television - Broadcasting religious programs as well as news and entertainment 24/7. Channel 2068 on Direct TV. See also DWDM-TV
  • DZEC live audio webcast - religious programs in Tagalog are broadcast weekdays, 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight Philippines local time.
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