Traillblazer Tony Smits Bible College Certificate Of Biblical Studies Subjects 1 To 10

This beautiful term, “through a glass darkly” is found in the Old King James Bible and it is referring to looking into a poor quality mirror getting some distortion in your reflection or as the Darby translation puts it, “through a dim window obscurely”. The “glass darkly” effect of seeing the truth of the Bible only in part is caused by the lapse of time, the history of the Church, non-Spirit led people, a denominational accommodating theology to justify a particular stance and our fallibility as humans. In many cases these factors have caused us at times to be unfaithful to His Word. Some may read this book and say I am a literalist or purist but before you judge me please consider God’s Word when it says in Ephesians 4:5, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism”, which could be a catch-cry for unity in the Body of Christ the Church, but sadly many differ in what even this statement means. A rhetorical question, “Who can say they are 100% correct in their perspective of understanding Scripture?” Here is the challenge; could we make a statement of faith based on Ephesians 4:5 that will bring unity? And if most of us are honest we will say, “I am right and if you adopt what I say then everything will be fine”. Of course this position is unworkable when viewing an attempt of unity. A synergistic understanding of the Bible requires a three point perspective. One, the Bible is God’s Word. Two, the Bible is settled whether I understand it or even believe it. Three, I am blessed if I believe it and follow its direction for my life. While reading this book please consider that God has placed in creation and in His Word a synergy when adhered to will bring a unity.

Prayer is about being sensitive to the leading of God’s Spirit and our brothers and sisters around us in a group situation. The content of this book is aimed at arriving at a place where a church groups will be in one accord when operating in the field of Evangelism. But this field of study can lend itself to unlimited areas of concern in our collective church family. The aim of this study is to look at how a group of people coming together in pray can be effective in making supplication and requests to God.

 The book you hold in your hands is an ambitious attempt to draw a contrast between the simplicity and certainty of the gospel and the complexity and obscurity of secular philosophies. Some readers may find the sections on philosophy difficult, especially if they have no prior knowledge of the various schools of philosophy. Yet Ian Traill has given a succinct outline of each brand of philosophy, and recourse, say, to the online Wikipedia, will enable any reader to clarify what may at first seem obscure. The apostle Paul boldly declares that philosophers are unable to find God through their arguing because God himself has decreed their failure! (1 Cor 1:19-20) That is why even the most brilliant minds have been unable to penetrate the truth by thought alone. It is why, as the 19th century English jurist, Lord Charles Bowen, once said, philosophers are “like a blind man in a dark room feeling for a black hat – that isn’t there!” But he was preceded, fifty years before Jesus was born, by the Roman orator Cicero: “There is nothing so ridiculous but some philosopher has said it.” Likewise, the intellectual 20th century philosopher and mathematician, Lord Bertrand Russell, talking about the seeming certainties of mathematics, had to confess that “mathematics may be defined as the subject in which we never know what we are talking about, nor whether what we are saying is true.” Human philosophy, despite its fascination and genius, must be included with those uncertainties. In the end, absolute truth rests only in the glorious gospel of Christ. Ian’s book offers a fine explanation of this marvellous reality. Rev Dr Ken Chant (M.R.E., Ph.D) Principal Emeritus, Vision Christian College Inc, Australia.

What is understood as the traditional belief in some cases is actually a break away from what Jesus taught and what Paul wrote. I believe we need to make a paradigm shift, so that we can remove or readjust to a more contemporary understanding of theology. We should examine the assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that have influenced the history of theology in the Church and go through a period of Biblical pursuit, to find out what Scripture truly says.