Johnson Philip

Johnson C. Philip (born 3 April 1954) is an Indian physicist and Christian theologian. As of 2016, he is Principal of Brethren Discipleship Training Institute in Madhya Pradesh,^[1] and one of the most prominent contemporary figures in the Indian Brethren movement and also in Christian apologetics^[2] and creationism .^[3]

Philip was born in the State of Kerala, and subsequently lived in Chennai, Kota (Rajasthan), and Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh).

Theological views

Philip is a strong proponent of creation science and has written several books promoting creationism as opposed to evolution.^[4][5][6][7]

Philip opposes both strict Calvinism and strict Arminianism, and has spoken against what he sees as increasing Calvinist influence among the Indian Brethren.^[8] He accuses Calvinists of making God the author of sin and of undermining the Dispensationalist theology of the Plymouth Brethren. A supporter of Israel, he claims that many Calvinists are anti-Israel and promote supersessionism, the doctrine that the Church has replaced Israel in God's redemptive purpose, which he believes is a false teaching. He also opposes Open Theism, a theory that God's foreknowledge of the future is limited, that is promoted by some of the more radical Arminians. Philip states that he stands midway between Calvinism and Arminianism, accepting some tenets of both theological systems.

By international standards, Philip is considered to be a conservative influence in Open Brethren circles.

Philip opposes the Charismatic movement^[9] and has co-authored (with Saneesh Cherian) a book arguing for a cessationist understanding of the New Testament — the opinion that the so-called sign gifts like miracles, divine healing, and speaking in tongues were given only to the early Church for the purpose of authenticating the apostles, and "ceased" on the death of the last apostle.

Philip also lectures in Christian apologetics. He argues that Christians should evangelise non-Christians such as Hindus, Muslims, and believers in evolution by emphasizing what he sees as the uniqueness of Biblical revelation and of Jesus Christ, not by attacking other religions and philosophies directly.^{[10][11][12][13][14][15]}

Philip also opposes syncretism and has spoken out against a teaching promoted by some preachers, including some Brethren, that equates the Hindu god Prajapati with Jesus Christ.^[16][17][18]

Academic career

Philip lectured at the Brethren Bible School in Pathanamthitta, Kerala, from 1989 to 2002. He lectured in apologetics, theology, communication, and counselling. From 1994 he was Academic Dean, and Vice Principal Cum Academic Dean from 1995. He was also Acting Principal from 1999 through 2002. In 2002, he founded Rehoboth Theological Institute in Trichur, and served as its Principal from 2 June 2002 to 21 June 2005. In 2011, he became the Founding Principal of Brethren Theological College in Kerala.^[19]

Philip is a member of the Creation Research Society, the Indian Physics Association, and the Indian Association of Physics Teachers.^[19]

Philip was a Research Fellow and UGC (University Grants Commission of India) honorary distinguished Visiting Professor at the School of Advanced Studies and Research in Physics, Jiwaji University, from 1976 to 1994.^[19]

Philip is a voting life-life member of the Creation Research Society, life member of the Indian Physics Association, and life member the Indian Association of Physics Teachers.^[19]

Founder of institutions

Philip founded several academic research institutions between 1970 and 2005. He established the Creation Research and Apologetics Society (CRASI) in 1971. In 1990 he formed Philip Communication, a correspondence school to train Christian journalists. In 1996 he formed the Calvin Research Group as an umbrella organization for his ministries.^[19]

Along with Saneesh Cherian, Philip founded the Brethren Research Group to publish booklets on fundamental doctrines. He also established Brethren Theological Institute in 1999 with the help of Saneesh Cherian for imparting distance and residential theological education in evangelical conservative theological tradition.

Publications

Since 1971, Philip has published more than 100 books and 10,000 articles in six languages, covering theology, apologetics, counselling, and communication. He has also published a number of academic papers in apologetics and information technology as applied to information technology in India. Philip co-authored India's first Systematic Theology and Christian Apologetics in Malayalam. He is the Chief Editor of a four-volume Bible Encyclopedia, and a one-volume Encyclopedia of Theology in Malayalam.^[19]

Some of his publications are:

• Does God Exist, Philip Communications, 1984 (www.amazon.com, ASIN: B00C4CVI44)
• Bible And Science, Philip Communications, 1984
• Evolution Or Creation, Philip Communications, 1984
• Introduction To Christian Apologetics, Philip Communications, 1985
• The Importance Of Christian Apologetics Philip Communications, 1985
• Classification Of Christian Apologetics, Philip Communications, 1985
• Historical Apologetics, Philip Communications, 1986
• The Canon Of The Bible, Philip Communications, 1986
• Revelation And The Pagans, Philip Communications, 1987
• Bible Difficulties, Philip Communications, 1987
• Errors of Bible Interpretation, Philip Communications, 1987
• Analysis Of Science, Philip Communications, 1987
• Logic And Fallacies, Philip Communications, 1988
• Resisting Propaganda Techniques, Philip Communications, 1988
• Resisting Mind Manipulation Techniques, Philip Communications, 1988
• Analysis of Debating Techniques, Philip Communications, 1988
• Formulation of Leading Questions, 1988
• Does God Exist [Malayalam language], Sathyam Publications, 1993
• Bible And Science, Araba Publications, 1994
• The God of Peace [Editor, Malayalam language], SLS Publications, 1994
• Christian Family [Malayalam], GLS Publishers 1995
• Systematic Theology [Malayalam], SLS Publishers, 1997
• Cloning [Malayalam], SLS Publishers, 1997
• Cloning [English], Philip Communications, 1997
• Importance Of Biblical Archeology, Calvin Research Group, 2005
• Biblical Archeology And Historical Apologetics, Calvin Research Group, 2005
• Introduction To Biblical Archeology, Calvin Research Group, 2005
• Dating Techniques In Archeology, Calvin Research Group, 2005
• Inscriptions in Biblical Archeology, Calvin Research Group, 2005
• Christian Faith and Biblical Archeology, Calvin Research Group, 2005
• Justification By Faith [Malayalam], Indus Media, 2005
• Justification By Faith [English], Calvin Research Group, 2005
• How To Prepare To Become An Apologist, Calvin Research Group, 2006
• Introduction To Tools Of Integrated Apologetics, Calvin Research Group, 2006
• Things Which A Christian Apologist Should Avoid, Calvin Research Group, 2006
• What Is Right And What Is Wrong, Calvin Research Group, 2006
• If You Remain Silent On Moral Issues, Calvin Research Group, 2006

External links

• BrethrenAssemby.com
• Philip's Free Apologetics Courses
• Free Courses on Bible/Theology
• Biography by Brethrenpedia
• Free Graduate Theology Programs
• Authorized information

References