Website Purporting
The website “Bro. Eli Soriano: Steward of the Mysteries of God” purports to offer accurate information on Christianity. I have chosen, investigated and analyzed it on the bases of the course lectures, discussions, and reading assignments. I looked closely at the site’s relative reliability, apparent sources, and particular perspectives, biases and errors – as presented / discussed below.
Eliseo Soriano, Presiding Minister of the Members, Church of God International (www.mcgi.org), is the author of the website. He is a known expert and practitioner on religion, especially in the Philippines and abroad. He claims to be the bible truth caster and steward of the mysteries of God .
The information on the website of Eli Soriano focuses on the bible as the primary source whenever appropriate – as evident from the catchphrase: “Ask Soriano, The Bible Will Answer.” When I visited Soriano’s blog, he uses chapters and verses from the bible, as well as, refers to the original manuscript whenever necessary. His site is popular among many people because his site is informative, useful, scientific, and more importantly, biblical. It seems that the author is its own publisher.
Aside from the fact that the website is an acceptable source of information for Christianity because it uses the bible as its primary source, it likewise uses other legitimate sources such as scientific journals, reputable news agencies, and other relevant links. When I explored the site more closely, it has many contents such as the author’s biography, worldwide broadcast, awards and recognitions, latest news, video testimonials, question and answer section, contact details, and online social networks.
The information presented in the site seems to be at a “high level” because Soriano discusses in details questions concerning the Christian faith. I have not noted reduction, glossing over, or lost of information for simplification purposes. More importantly, the information is well presented and well organized. The website even provides multiple perspectives because Soriano answers questions posed by people from all walks of life during bible expositions and debates as recorded in videos and even when there are live streams.
The information offered at the website is also accepted by government and non-government institutions, and other award-giving bodies . The author, who has served for 48 years (and still ongoing), has already received various awards both locally and internationally (e.g., Philippine Web Award, Gawad Amerika, Shorty Awards, etc.).
In recap, the motive of the author or creator of the site is to sow the seeds of truth on the web . Soriano’s motive seems to be in spreading the Good News across the world. Although his site is not sponsored by any government agencies, its own MCGI members is its only supporters / sponsors. Soriano’s site is also linked to his other sites. I found no indication of the least bias. Soriano seems to expose only religious misconceptions. Further, in the website, a site visitor will never find a donation button. I have also not seen any advertisements in his site. Thus, I found the site of Eli Soriano worth my visit. I think I have never seen a site like any other before because its contents deal with important issues in this life and about the hereafter.
Works Cited
Members, Church of God International. Members, Church of God International. 2013. Web. 4 April 2013.
Soriano, Eliseo F. Bro. Eli Soriano: Steward of the Mysteries of God. 2013. Web. 23 April 2013.
—. Bro. Eli Soriano: Steward of the Mysteries of God. 2013. Web. 24 April 2013.
—. Truthcaster.com: Sowing the Seeds of Truth on the Web. n.d. Members, Church of God International. Web. 20 April 2013.
