It is with pleasurable alacrity and gratuitous reciprocity to introduce myself, and to write, a somewhat brief synopsis about my life, education, writing history, hobbies and interests.
Biography
In the world of my deepest being, there is a bubbling, burning fire— a fever to tell what I see at random. The appearance of what flashes and flows in the recesses of my imaginative world, is like sparks of fire, sprouting and shooting from a ceaseless source. What I write is often the aftermath of experiences in life’s twists and turns – whether from my spiritual, social, academic or even from reflecting on life as a whole.
Oft, I try to trace the tracks of where my inspiration comes from. The truth is— I am hesitant to provide an answer based on my pre-suppositions. That said, I can with certainty affirm that the backdrop of my childhood exposure and experiences, has a definitive influence. The natural question could be— ‘what is the backdrop of your childhood life?’ I answer: it is a hybrid- childhood life (a mixed background).
Unequivocally, the fear of God was instilled in me at a very early stage of my childhood. That fear, mysterious as it has always been, continues to spur questions to life’s unfolding, hidden mysteries. Raised Catholic, I did not necessarily have direct access to reading the Bible. So, I relied on what the priest would tell me— and this, only when I would find an opportunity to ask him.
The remaining recollection of what I experienced as a little boy, while I reflected about God and the devil, is how afraid I was when the thunder roared and the lightning clapped its hands. My fear about the thunder was further fueled by my fearful mother, who oft covered herself from head to toe with a blanket when the lightning flashed and the thunder popped and exploded with a blast of doom. My mother would even go under the table to hide from thunder’s fury, which in a way caused me to think that God was angry with all of us and that is why— the thunderbolts!!!
It was uncommon, after the angry storm had abated, that news spread all over our vicinity about how a certain tree was smote down by the fury of an angry lightning bolt or how a mother, a father, a child or even a herd of cows was killed by the vicious thunderstorms.
This fear led me to imagine the devil, as it were, who under God’s employ—standing with a huge beam and hurling it on the base floor of the sky, if you will, – and the aftermath was, the thunderous boom we all were hearing! Begging for God’s mercy, and seeking to woo His love and forgiveness for me and my father’s household, I would kneel and pray asking Him to spare our lives and would promise not to be naughty again. Thereafter, I made a cross out of planks and planted it in the ground near our house.
My insatiable quest to know God and His Son Jesus Christ, let alone the mysterious relation and workings of the Holy Spirit, has always been and continues to be a fascinating mystery. When I was in grade twelve, my English teacher who is of Islamic faith, said to me that the reason why Islam does not recognize Jesus to be God’s Son is because God does not have a wife. My response to him was, “God does not need a wife in order to have a Son.” Later on during my theological journey as a postgraduate student I often wondered if in human terms it were not logical to view the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit as “God’s Wife” or the feminine aspect of the divine God? In summation, it is that early fear of God and an insatiable thirst to know Him, if that was at all possible, that prompted me to pursue theological and philosophical studies.
Education
Today my education can be summed up into four main categories: Business; Law; Philosophy and Theology. Even though my first area of study was in business at Helderberg College, in Somerset West, South Africa, pursuing theology as my postgraduate field, was inevitable. After graduating from Helderberg College, with a major in Marketing Management, I worked for a roof manufacturing company that offered me a post as Marketing Manager. That job only lasted for six months and I subsequently joined a Real Estate Agency, company. Having worked there for six months also, I passed the South African Real Estates Agency Board Exam and obtained a certificate in real estate practice. That meant, I could then own and operate my own estate agency business ― which I did successfully. The local newspaper had it as, ―the first real estate agency business to be owned by a young man of my age and race in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga South Africa.
Albeit being successful in the real estate business, the burning voice to go to America and study Theology could not be silenced! It is that voice of calling, that prompted me to leave behind, a thriving business, including a white Mercedes Benz of the later models at that time, and as it were― forsaking my three brothers and only sister, my mom and dad, and embarked on what would become an extra-ordinary long journey that lasted for almost four days and four nights, by both air and land. I went to Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, USA in the fall of 1994. It is there where my spiritual and academic life was enriched to an unprecedented level. During the American Summer break, I did a religious tour of approximately ten countries. Visiting those biblical historical sites and what is commonly called the Holy Land, the Bible came alive and God became ― a tangible reality!
Later on, I furthered my theological training through Southern Adventist University in Tennessee, USA. While at Southern, and with the approval of the faculty board to take on an abnormal load of studies (doing two years in one year), I was also doing correspondence studies through Griggs University in the US.
After graduating from Southern Adventist University, I returned home to South Africa and continued with my real estate business, which was at that time, weak and flickering. Still feeling the multifaceted flames of academic desires, I pursued a Master’s degree program through Business School Netherlands. Having completed the MBA certificate in Organizational Behavior, I registered for a Master’s degree in Theology through the University of South Africa while concurrently, also pursuing law studies through the University of Pretoria and the University of South Africa. Subsequent to that, I registered with Trinity Theological Seminary in the USA, for a Master’s degree in Pulpit Communication. Immediately after completing my Master’s degree in Theology, I pursued a Doctor’s degree in Theology – specializing in Systematic Theology, which I completed and graduated from in 2010. Currently I am pursuing a second Doctorate in Communication (Doctor of Literature and Philosophy).
Why I wrote the book ‘Decoding Jesus’, is to help people, better understand and know who Jesus Christ is and how He fits into and relate to God, mankind and the created cosmos. The book inextricably deals with the mystery of the ‘Trinity.’ The idea that God is three persons but one God, though it is reasoned out to some satisfaction to some people— to others it remains a contradiction and a non-satisfactory explanation that requires further and clearer explications. Having being raised Catholic and having converted from Catholicism to Protestantism during my later stage of high school, it would almost seem unlikely that the Trinity notion would go unabated without a thorough theological enquiry. The epitome is to lift Jesus up to the world. Fore He said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself” (New American Standard Bible).
Writing History
Albeit, it being my first book to be published, I have two typewritten dissertations available on the internet: 1). Jesus Christ – A Differentiated Prism Or The Reductionist Logos/Rhema of God’s Salvation; 2). The Centrality of Jesus Christ in God’s Acts of Creation, Reconciliation, Renewal and Fulfillment – The views of John Calvin and Ellen G. White. Three other books are soon to be published. Furthermore, I have several papers and articles as well as many sermons which have not yet been published. The aforementioned writings are in the areas of Race, Religion, Politics and Business Economics.
Hobbies and Interests
Family: Spending time with my kids affords me the greatest joy. This is especially so when the entire family (my brothers and sister together with their kids), congregate at my mother’s house. If not reading some factual or historical book, I am often watching CNN or Sky News, while simultaneously fiddling on my phone and iPad. I enjoy the outdoor life, – especially watching the wild-life in the Kruger National Park which is the world-famous game reserve in South Africa.
In sport: soccer is my favorite game and I am currently offering sponsors to young teams as a way to give some underprivileged children self-worth and to curb crime by keeping them off the streets. Personally I go to gym, walk, swim, play tennis, soccer and squash. My favorite Spanish soccer team is Real Madrid, while my favorite English soccer team is Chelsea. Ironically, my favorite soccer coach is Jose Marino.
Music-wise, I love Negro-Spirituals. When I listen to that kind of Gospel, I am inspired beyond human language. However, I do listen to various types of music and try to understand what the singer or artist is all about and the message he or she is trying to convey.
Travel: I am very much a lover of traveling abroad and I have a keen interest in art, museums, historical sites, and I enjoy history, geography, science, astronomy, astrology, theology and philosophy!
Fascinations: My current fascination is the universe and its dynamic formations. Watching planets and commits is awe inspiring. The past five years I devoted a lot of time thinking and reflecting on the universe and its relation to God.
Possessions: One may find my interest in collecting exclusive cars as an interest that is rather contradictory to my long term investments business and my Christian faith. After all, I have an obsession for prime property and have a vivid imagination for developing property. I am on a campaign of procuring prime real estates throughout the world. My theme for the decade “Wealth Development” is already beating the drum with the rhythmic pulse of triumphalism. The reason for me to be driving only top of the range auto-mobiles, ―currently driving the latest, Porsche (Cayen- GTS), is merely — self-actualization!
My favorite clothing is Italian and French brands. Dress code of good taste is a way of life for me. So how do I resolve this seeming contradiction? I answer: Jesus’ robe was not cheap! If it was, why would pagan soldiers fight over it? From the cross to the tomb where He was buried are traits of wealth! He is the author of wealth! He was buried in a wealthy man’s tomb. I had the honor and privilege of visiting that tomb and I took pictures of myself with my hand touching that empty tomb! In essence, I do not teach and preach poverty and weaknesses! I believe, preach and teach prosperity: health wealth and strength! After all, God’s Ideal for His children is to aspire to the majestic heights of not just a heaven, but — the heaven where —God is!