Open Letter FAQ – Schism – Which Christian Denomination is True?
Open Letter FAQ – Schism – Which Christian Denomination is True?
Dear Heads of Bible Schools & Churches in Malaysia,
I know that each of us thinks that our denomination or personal belief is most accurate. However, our theological opponents (Catholic, Protestant or Orthodox) think otherwise. The other pastors and church members assume that their pastors will be able to give the best answers to defend their beliefs.
1) What?
My proposal is to gather various churches under an ongoing ecumenical discussion which covers topic by topic into areas of Christian theology and practice (be it primary doctrines, secondary ones or even tertiary types according to any personal classifications). This will boost evangelism as well since even non-Christians get to see our transparency and varied answers which may ignite a faith in them, God willing.
One need not fear that the Christian flock will be misled by strange and wrong doctrines simply because your highest leaders must be able to reveal their answers openly and publicly which should reassure the faith of their congregation. Why fear? If your belief is certainly right and if your top leaders’ responses seem wrong or not as accurate as other denominations’ view on the same topic when presented, then doesn’t it prove that some may be right on one topic while others on another?
This is not a competition but a needful coalition to combat schism attitude held sadly by many pastors today who are just loyal to their denominations or churches for the sake of rice-bowl reasons and not willing to openly engage in theological issues though they may have been ordained but yet claim to be ready to risk anything for Christ.
How does this edify the Body of Christ?
Christians get to see the somewhat hidden faces at the top leadership of each denomination, church or professors in Bible colleges, schools and universities in the country together with their direct responses to theological and practical questions raised. Let’s recall that Daniel 12:3 [1] reveals that doctrinal insights give final eternal reward and resurrection body glory greater than even converting many to rugged righteousness only.
2) How?
I propose that we meet in person at one of the Bible school or church which is willing to host this and each denominational or church representative expert who participates in it gets an equal uncensored time to reveal his responses verbally. Of course, one can prepare for the given topic beforehand and each person is given the same amount of minutes so that it’s fair to all. I prefer this face to face method (over a written response method which can also be attached as a transcript or posted on website/blogs in a free-copyright for ecumenical evangelism) because that can be recorded via a volunteer Church or Bible college administration and posted say on existing social medias for all participating churches as well as say, on a new Facebook/Instagram/TikTok page for this etc. where people get to see the person and hear them respond.
Please take note that this method reveals the utmost role of a pastor or leader for any Church and Bible school namely, “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” [2]. The aim is not to shame any pastors/leaders because how can it be a shame when you’re the one responding to give your own unedited reply? If you’re unable to do this, how can one be ordained in the first place or claim to be called by God?
By responses, I am not talking about linguistic supremacy but content lest we write errors in perfect grammar. Let us remember that apostle St. Peter was generally uneducated but his theological accuracy was unmatched even when challenged by the more educated religious pHD holders of his time (colloquially speaking) which refers to the Pharisees etc. By content, I am talking about theological interpretation and not about the academic aspect unless it affects the meaning inferred from the text [3].
Let us remember that quoting more non-Christians, pagans and non-Church fathers to advocate new doctrinal practices calling it cultural or progressive is best avoided since God does not respect any human tradition [4]. Let us remember that Christ Himself personally refuted some key Jewish traditions which were thought to be true for a long time prior [5] so God allows errors to be big and held for a long time! [6]. Many may be surprised by how even certain long held traditions does not even have an early key church father quote at all [7] and the idea of representing opposing views fairly within Christianity itself shows the beautiful transparency and pureness of our religion in regard to an honest inquiry as well since both or more sides of views regarding a topic are well represented fairly without prejudice [8].
3) When?
Since every major Church denomination, bible school or seminary in Malaysia is represented in this email (please feel free to forward to anyone whom I may have missed), we can decide say via a Zoom meeting when and how we can proceed to do the 1st round of this.
Suppose none of your good-self wants to engage in this fearing that your flock might leave your denomination or church and go to another etc., then it is best likewise by same judgment not to harass anyone outside your church to follow your own denominational rules (since you’re afraid to defend it in public against John 3:20 – 21 & John 7:51) as long as the Nicene Creed belief is upheld which should qualify others to any Christian job or ministry having freedom in regard to those areas of practice.
4) Why?
I am an Ecumenical Christian and I arrive at this after seeing that even the most faithful early fathers of the Church (for me, the Chiliasm church fathers) seem to have doctrinal differences especially in the areas of eschatology when compared to later church fathers as I have expounded in my recent book.
Here are other Biblical reasons to do this:
i) Christ did not keep silent when challenged theologically by Satan but refuted him with “right interpretation” of Bible verses in His famous temptation verses (Matthew 4). Any pastor that evades theological answers is not following Christ in this.
ii) Since “liars” (those making false claims deliberately) and “cowards” (those who run away from apologetics to defend their faith or deny Christ when confronted) are tossed into the Lake of Fire as it is written in Revelation 21:8, we ought to do our part to defend our faith in public as apostle St. Paul spoke inspired by the Holy Spirit, “26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent[e] of the blood of all men. 27For I have not [f]shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” [9]
iii) The winner of a debate or for each topic is not a concern here since even the approval of many can be wrong while sometimes [10], something believed by the minority may be right as St. Clement of Rome prophesied [11] but at least, we honestly presented it all (even contrasting views) which proves us faithful: “3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human [a]court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the [b]counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” [12]
Even if this ecumenical discussions does not come to pass, it does not matter since those who research and learn their faith by themselves by God’s Grace by “relative measure” subject themselves to personal advancement and the important thing is we tried asking for it. Here’s a quote from my recent research to ponder:
“One might ask, “If God is sovereign, why do some denominations have more converts than others?” My belief is that God allows us to be led by the teachers we deserve. If more Christians were zealous for truth and precision in doctrine—as Irenaeus was—then God might raise up leaders who reflect that same spirit.” [13]
Please bear in mind that I am not saying that I am right and others are wrong since that God decides but doesn’t every denomination likewise think of themselves as “most right” too? So, I respect the zealousness but at the same time I recognize the fairness of God that those more right will shine brighter in His Kingdom.
Shalom & In Christ,
Jonathan
My #ORCID link: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-4669-1077
#Google #Scholar link: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Bv7IFrAAAAAJ
#Academia Link: https://independent.academia.edu/RamachandranJonathan
P/S1: New Book Release! There is also an academic version of this book coming soon! This is the Churchgoer reading edition. Title:
HOPE BEYOND THE ELECT: Revisiting Early Christian Views on Prophecy and Salvation – June 6, 2025
by Jonathan Ramachandran (Author)
Links:
Amazon: eBook, paperback, hardcover, and audio [all Christian publishing House]
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1949586405
CPH Bookstore: Under apocalyptic/eschatology and theology genres
https://www.christianpublishers.org/product-page/hope-beyond-the-elect-revisiting-early-christian-views-on-prophecy-and-salvation
Google eBook
https://books.google.cl/books/about?id=_d1jEQAAQBAJ&redir_esc=y
This book can be an interesting add to your library. I deeply appreciate if you have personally shared this with others and purchased one.
[1] Jonathan Ramachandran, HOPE BEYOND THE ELECT: Revisiting Early Christian Views on Prophecy and Salvation, (Cambridge, Ohio, USA: Christian Publishing House, 6 June 2025), 56-57, 178.
[2] 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV).
[3] Jonathan, “HOPE BEYOND THE ELECT”, 9.
[4] Ibid.,117.
[5] Ibid., 123.
[6] Ibid., 55.
[7] Ibid., 177.
[8] Ibid., 178.
[9] Acts 20:26-27 (NKJV).
[10] Jonathan, “HOPE BEYOND THE ELECT”, 13.
[11] Ibid., 55.
[12] 1 Corinthians 4:3-5 (NKJV).
[13] Jonathan, “HOPE BEYOND THE ELECT”, 56.
P/S 2: My CV (15 June 2025) is on this Google Drive Link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/105_g4FTgii69w-is0HaxzALW7rScvBvT/view?usp=sharing
#CoachJonathanRamachandran #HopeBeyondtheElectBook #Ecumenical #Christian #Protestant #Catholic #Orthodox #BibleSchool #Lutheran #Anglican #Methodist #Pentecostal #Conservative #Liberal #Malaysia #Seminary.
P/S 3: Email was sent to all the following (fyi) on 21 June 2025.
[email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected],
P/S 4: Valid or Invalid Baptism? (added: 23 June 2025)
Some pastors (not all) have question the baptism I did since they said I was not ordained.
I have replied in detail in this post in case if that’s an issue for some (https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/pfbid02gzpCfS7FZKG17e2GAg6uupAgmC1P5mRRbYdM9HszAYeLh9CJGzcGpAkCHvfcrDFVl ). Chief points are Martin Luther (whom all protestants approve as saved) was only baptized as a baby by a roman catholic priest and never re-baptized. If that baptism is valid, so are the ones I did by God’s Grace.
The Great Commission has a command to both “preach” the gospel and “baptize” and Tertullian wrote that “any Christian man” can baptize especially under necessity as my case warrants since these students didn’t want to attend church though they believed in Christ due to bad experience with certain Christians. I always ask them to get baptism done at a nearby church first.
I recently wrote to almost all major denomination or Christian leaders in the country (via email) even bible schools for ecumenical discussion to correct the points which they think I am wrong in a respectful, fair and open forum which may or may not take place by their choice. So, if they are not keen on it, no one is to be blamed either for freedom In these areas as one denomination usually does not recognize the baptism of another denomination either and so, in this, we are equal. Link for that letter: (https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/pfbid0NrrgYaPkpoGys5kherpV9jGzL8uq6513xXaKvtjBbsZBrxMBm4bfiY6LFkhxxu4Xl )
Why do I put these here? I am direct and will not work with any Christian organization that interferes with my right to exercise my faith according to the church fathers writings I follow and bible verses which I quote. I don’t interfere with their ways which I sometimes disagree topic by topic but I can work or fellowship with any Christian without these conflicts which are only held personally as freedom of religion & I expect the same. Faith is most important to me and not work nor ministry.
P/S 5: Ministry Proposal beyond just a General Job Enquiry Earlier (updated: 23 June 2025)
Dear Distinguished Christians,
I am sending this to your distinguished CO so that I am not just sending an empty job seeking email but a ministry proposal. It may be sent to others too so it’s fair & I decide which fits me best (if any).
If none can tolerate my faith or possibilities, it’s okay and I refrain too since faith is more important to me than any ministry or work.
Regardless, the ideas shared in this PPT may help you expand your ministry with others (if applicable) and so, it’s still a sharing!
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely & Servant in Christ,
Jonathan
+6010 – 8803 763
P/S: Google Drive Link for this PowerPoint:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1vrHHmh2ALjJeBGDBhAvcGM2lCiqQTVPZ/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117647441539375745387&rtpof=true&sd=true
My Biography:
Jonathan Ramachandran is a self taught theological enthusiast who loves the Chiliasm Church Fathers and tries to understand Prophecy of the Bible with their writings. He has published with the Journal of Biblical Theology (JBT, 3 levels of peer reviews), the American Journal of Biblical Theology (AJBT, 2 levels of peer reviews) and also with Christian Publishing House (CPH, Cambridge, Ohio, USA). He runs his theology blog being a freelance missionary of tentmaker style at AnonymousChristian dot org and lives in Malaysia where he is an operations manager for an engineering company.
Jon is a freelance preacher who is active both online and offline who has baptised some of his students into Christianity. His varied full time working experience includes working with Christian ministries dealing with charity, seismic engineering, educational centre management, teaching Math at schools (elementary and high school with a competition touch) and is one of Malaysia’s International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) coaches.
Authour buys his own book from Amazon! haha. (Photo is taken on 27 June 2025)
FAQ: How hard is it to sell book in “Christian Eschatology (Books)” category on Amazon? Very hard.
Why? We live in a generation which are more interested say in “music with mundane earthly lyrics”, “movies with made up fake dialogues” to “Tik Tok dirty dancing” rather than “holiness & academic type research” even “among Christians which is evident by high numbers in those views.
Example Proof (in images here): Here’s a renown professor/famous theologian author who wrote a book regarding a similar topic with mine (Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1949586405), namely “end time prophecy including millennium (chiliasm)” (Eschatology Prophecy context). Notice that his good book has editorial reviews from top journals or seminaries, is done by top publisher and also has been in the market for sales since 1999. This Book’s rank (against all categories as of 28 June 2025) is #2,392,275 (notice that Amazon has more than 44 million books listed!) and this is ranked # 3220 in Christian Eschatology (Books) category (which has more than #10,000 books!).
My point: Christians need to buy and invest in books instead of those like the world swayed into earthly music/lyrics and visuals (e.g. Tik Tok dirty dancing) which Christ would neither listen to nor watch (follow Christ!). At least in theology, even if wrong but written honestly has more value in Christ than such earthly “temporal illusions”.
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Against-Christian-Eschatology-Millennium/dp/0802843913
https://www.AnonymousChristian.org
Doctrine or Worship?
Both are important in a Christian walk but, which is more important: Doctrine or Worship?
“Christ taught that “accuracy” in “doctrine/prophecy” etc. is more important than “worship” and so, that’s why we need to strive for it lest our worship becomes vain. So, let’s strive to “follow Christ” in this aspect too since He teaches here that “Doctrine” reveals more of “Heart” which is closer to God than even “Worship or nice words”. Bible Verses:
“8‘These people [c]draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” (Matthew 15:8 – 9, NKJV)
It is to be noted that Christians generally have some degree of accuracy in doctrine (thirtyfold vs sixtyfold vs hundredfold fruits/levels) and so, God decides who is more accurate but we can strive for it by His Grace.
Thank God but whether right or wrong, God Decides.
The main theme: The authour is first to introduce new ideas to allow reading patristic material differently such as: Did you know that the rapture verse (1 Thess. 4:17) and change in the twinkling of an eye verse (1 Cor. 15:52) could be separated by 1000 years instead of referring to the same event as almost all Christians think the latter way today?
Citation:
Ramachandran, Jonathan. “Thousand Year Gap for Prophecy in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and 1 Corinthians 15:52 with Chiliasm Church Fathers.” Journal of Biblical Theology (JBT) Vol 8, no. 3 (1 June 2025): 185-208.
List: https://www.biblicaltheology.com/research.html
FAQ: What if your book sales and rank drop on Amazon? Christian authours should not bother about sales but rather contribution to theology which is eternal if true (that God judges).
Famous doesn’t mean it’s correct. Here are three examples of “Apocalypse” (Book of Revelation) or “Prophecy” (Eschatology) related books from “top publishers” whose ranking is shown here to show that these topics may not be popular but these may hold key rewards in heaven (if right, God Decides) based on major Prophet Daniel 12:3’s Insight-Prophecy gives greater glory than even converting many into Christianity with lesser accuracy, Christ’s accurate-doctrine-more-important-than-worship in Matthew 15:8-9 and Apostle Paul’s “double honour” is only mentioned for those who labour in “word and doctrine” in 1 Timothy 5:17 (if more “accurate”, implied).
As usual, I am not saying I am most accurate etc. but inviting all Christians to fairly decide their beliefs/possibilities so to not lose earthly time on non-eternal value pursuits lest our losses there are permanent.
Examples shown in pictures (screengrab taken on 28 June 2025):
1) The Journal of Biblical Theology, Volume 8, Number 1: January – March, 2025
Publication date: February 10, 2025
Best Sellers Rank: #7,977,925 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#74,146 in Christian Theology (Books)
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Journal-Biblical-Theology-Number-January/dp/B0DWNDXCNH/
2) Reformation Readings of the Apocalypse: Geneva, Zurich, and Wittenberg (Oxford Studies in Historical Theology) 1st Edition by Irena Backus (Author)
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication date: December 7, 2000
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Reformation-Readings-Apocalypse-Wittenberg-Historical/dp/0195138856/,
Best Sellers Rank: #3,977,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#482 in Religious History (Books)
#1,944 in Christianity (Books)
#4,645 in Christian Eschatology (Books)
3) Apocalypse and Millennium: Studies in Biblical Eisegesis by Kenneth G. C. Newport (Author)
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication date: August 28, 2000
Best Sellers Rank: #8,944,468 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
#3,321 in New Testament Criticism & Interpretation
#3,696 in Christian Eschatology (Books)
#10,230 in New Testament Bible Study (Books)
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Apocalypse-Millennium-Studies-Biblical-Eisegesis/dp/0521773342/
Maybe the modern generation is not buying these since as mentioned they’re less interested in “theology books” and are swayed by fiction & other type of books which are not real, unfortunately.
Personal book link: Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1949586405
[Text] An interesting article, to quote (to clarify quantity wise how little of sales and how difficult it is to sell on Amazon):
“… a book with an average rank of 1,800,000. It sells about one copy per month … Millions of books have never sold a single copy on Amazon. If you find a book with a sales rank of 8,000,000 or more, be very wary, as it might not sell in a billion years. …”
Source: https://flipthosebooks.com/faq/what-is-a-good-sales-rank-for-books-on-amazon/
Note: I am not sure how accurate this is but it is surely an interesting read!
TQ.
Photo below taken on 4 July 2025
Ramachandran, Jonathan. ESSAYS IN EARLY CHRISTIANITY: Chiliasm Prophecy Model and Non-Elect Salvation Possibility. Cambridge, Ohio, USA: Christian Publishing House, 13 July 2025.
Links: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1949586421 (Amazon)
https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=0rpwEQAAQBAJ (Google E-Book)
Note: In other bookstores, it may eventually appear (just search for it).
Book Description from Amazon.com:
Is there hope beyond the elect? What did the earliest Christians believe about prophecy, judgment, and salvation?
In ESSAYS IN EARLY CHRISTIANITY, Jonathan Ramachandran explores ancient theological possibilities grounded in Scripture and the writings of the earliest Church Fathers. With careful adherence to the historical-grammatical method and a commitment to literal biblical interpretation, Ramachandran revisits the long-forgotten Chiliasm model—a belief in the literal thousand-year reign of Christ on earth—as taught by voices like Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, and Papias.
This volume offers bold insights into the prospect of Non-Elect Salvation—the idea that some may be saved outside the elect Bride of Christ, not through presumption, but through divine mercy and postmortem judgment. Through in-depth analysis of Scripture and early Christian testimony, Ramachandran raises provocative questions: Are there two distinct resurrections separated by 1,000 years? Do Revelation and 1 Corinthians 15 describe gradations of resurrection glory? Could the “surprised sheep” of Matthew 25 represent non-elect salvation?
Designed for pastors, seminary students, and thoughtful churchgoers, this accessible yet rigorous work is not speculative theology but evidence-driven inquiry. Readers are invited to examine early Christian prophecy with open Bibles and discerning minds—testing all things and holding fast to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
My CV (22 July 2025) Link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PIGhZIauswvIVlE_poOrt4tI4shYVcTi/view?usp=sharing
