The Sinner’s Prayer and Easy Believe-ism [Thai]

In this chapel message, Larry teaches on the sinner’s prayer and easy believe-ism.

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The Two Trees of Christmas

I, Larry Dinkins, stayed in a Bangkok Hotel and was amazed to find a Christmas tree had been put up in the lobby since early November (long before my Thai church put up their tree). When I asked the manager the meaning of the tree, I received the same response that I have received for the last 42 years of my ministry with the Thai, “I don’t know.”

You see Christmas trees in most every mall and many businesses around Thailand during this season. I always get a kick out of hearing “Jingle Ben” playing over a loudspeaker as I shop. The Thai associate Christmas trees with “Farang Pi Mai” (Foreign New Year) and they especially like the idea of decorating with bright lights and the giving of presents. Also, many have been invited to Christmas celebrations in churches where they hear the Christmas story of the Jesus being born in a manger. For the Thai, the baby Jesus lying in a manger is a much more acceptable and less threatening portrayl of Christianity than when we celebrate Easter with its emphasis of Jesus dying as an adult on a wooden cross. It is unfortunate that the Thai equate Christianity with a Christmas tree, rather than the tree on which He was crucified. The positive aspect of Christmas is that it acts as a conversation bridge to deeper discussions of the real reason why Jesus was born as a man on earth. Pray that Thai churches will take full advantage of the many opportunities there are to share the good news not only of Jesus birth, but also of His death, burial and resurrection.

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การทรงสร้างกับวิวัฒนาการ (Creation vs. Evolution) [Thai]

In this video, Larry teaches on Creation vs. Evolution.

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How to Share the Bible Using Memorized Stories

In this interview, Larry teaches how to share the Bible using memorized stories.

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Orality vs. Word-for-Word Bible Memory

Josh Summer of www.biblememorygoal.com interviews Larry Dinkins – “Orality” vs Word-for-Word Bible Memory.

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Anti-cheating hats

 

A university professor in Thailand decided to reduce cheating in her class by requiring all students to wear “anti-cheating hats”, affectionately called “blinkers”. An engineering professor in the Philippines saw what Thailand had instigated and allowed her students to design their own hats and as engineering students their results turned out to be very creative. Their hats went viral on social media and produced quite a few chuckles by viewers. However, such behavior is not just found in the East but is all too prevalent in the West as well.  One of the first commandments that every Christian should be taught comes from the Ten Commandments:  “Do not steal” (Ex. 20:15). In Thailand  there are five main precepts in Buddhism, the second of which is “No stealing”.  I once asked a Thai merchant that I was trying to bargain with about how well she followed the five precepts. She was very honest and said, “I do fine with four of them, but there is one that I just can’t seem to follow.” I asked her, “Which one would that be?”  She replied with a grin,  “Well, my occupation is to be good at lying.”  We both laughed, but the sad reality is that “All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory” (Rom. 3:23).  Cheating on an exam or fudging on the price of a souvenir are merely a couple of examples of the sin problem that affects the whole of mankind.  Pray that God’s Holy Spirit will do its special work of “…convicting the world of sin, righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8) and that the Thai would acknowledge that they have fallen short of God’s standard and seek out the only sin bearer – Jesus.

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Integrating Chronological Teaching with Bible Stories

Larry presents at Evangelical Mission Society’s Annual Conference on the topic of integrating chronological teaching with Bible stories:

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Tribute to Two Great Monarchs

The world’s attention has been drawn to the passing of a Great Monarch: Queen Elizabeth.  However, her reign was just 88 more days than King Bumiphol of Thailand and so it seemed fitting to remember his reign as well.

King BumipholQueen Elizabeth

The United Kingdom was shocked today by the loss of a beloved monarch, Queen Elizabeth. She reigned just 88 more days than King Bumiphol of Thailand, making both of them the longest reigning monarchs of their respective countries. Both represented the quintessence of duty and selfless service and both are sorely missed. It also marks the passing of an era with both being members of the “Great Generation” who started their reigns after WWII and then amazingly lived through five successive generations: Baby Boomers, Generation X, Y (millennials), Z and now Alpha. Queen Elizabeth was a true believer in Jesus Christ and expressed her faith on many occasions, “”For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ’s example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people, of whatever faith or none.” The passing of Queen Elizabeth should remind all Christians to pray first and foremost as Paul exhorted Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2.

“Therefore, I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority” (1 Tim 2:1-2)

Thus, as believers we need to also pray according to these verses for their successors who are very similar in age: King Charles (73) and King Vajiralongkorn (70).

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Place of the Greek Language in Bible Education in Thailand

“Studying the Bible in English is like watching television in black and white. Studying the Bible in the original languages is like watching television in color.” Dr Gary Staats

I just finished taking a Greek exegesis class on the book of Romans at Dallas Theological Seminary, by a professor who has taught Greek for over 40 years. This exposure underlined the need for the original languages in our Bible schools in Thailand. One Greek professor at McGilvary Seminary admitted to me that in 40 years they have only produced maybe 4 Thai students who went on to be able to teach it. His school used to require two semesters but are now down to one. When I taught Greek at the Bangkok Bible College, I found myself trying to explain all the English grammatical terms as well as Greek. These obstacles make many wonder if it is even necessary for Thai preachers to study Greek. However, at a minimum, knowing the Greek alphabet and rudiments of the language allows a Thai student to have an appreciation of verbal plenary inspiration and the authority of the scriptures in the original autographs. After all, Buddhists monks study Sanskrit and pali extensively.

Today there are many digital helps to study the original languages. All these aids can enhance the communication of God’s Word by Thai preachers. Though they may not be able to do deep exegesis, they can with some exposure to Greek at least perform word studies and add accuracy and insight to their preaching.

Pray that Biblical educators in Thailand will be able to equip their students with the necessary tools so that they can effectively “Preach the Word” (2 Tim. 4:2)

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7 Churches of Revelation (#1-3) – Part 2 [Thai]

Larry presents the second part of a chapel message on the 7 Churches of Revelation (#1-3):

If you missed the first part, check it out here.

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