Demand for Theology classes

[William Hunter]

In one of Thom Rainer's books of research he stated tht newer Christians are not interested in the name over the door, or a shopping mall appraoch to doing church, etc. They are interested in bing part of an extended family with the love and support found there, and which has a pastor who preaches doctrine ("tell us what God ways"). Well, I have interesting situation here. It may be as many as 15 of my congregation want a theology class that covers many basics. When looking over my many theology books they settled on our old books, "Survey of the Old Testament," "Survery of the New Testament," and "Exploring Our Christian Faith." I still have some of my notes from those classes back in the mid-sixties, but I've put in a call to Olivet to see if they have any teaching material I can purchase or obtain to help me in this effort. If we do it, I beleive we'll start right after school begins here, have it in our adult Bible study each Thursday evening, and go until we finish months later.

I find this rerquest of a growing number of my people very interesting. I preach expositionally most of the time for they do not need to hear what I have to say, but what God has to say in His Word. It seems there is a growing desire here for a deeper and fuller insight into God and His Word. Now, how refreshing that is for a pastor to realize!

Do any of you teach this material in your churches? If so, do you have any lesson outlines, etc. you could share with me or sell me at a nominal cost?

[Jeremy D. Scott]

Do any of you teach this material in your churches? If so, do you have any lesson outlines, etc. you could share with me or sell me at a nominal cost?

William -

I have looked at the two texts put out by NPH recently (2003 and 2005) - Discovering the Old Testament: Story and Faith and Discovering the New Testament: Community and Faith. I have found them to be short, to the point, very informational, visually stimulating (important for today), and unavoidant of important issues raised by scripture. I know you said you were looking to teach a theology class, but these two texts may help. I usually am wary of some NPH material, but having looked in depth at these, I'm very excited about them.

Incidentally, sometime this summer a single text will be coming out that combines the two. I'm surprised to find myself using this text for the intro to scripture class I'm teaching at ENC this fall.

You can click on any of the pictures below to see the description.

Also, if you end up buying the two separate texts, be sure to take advantage of the two-for-one deal that NPH offers (both for $75 as opposed to each for $50).

http://www.nph.com/vcmedia/2355/2355633.jpg (http://www.nph.com/nphweb/html/nph/itempage.jsp?itemId=083-411-9943&nid=srch&catalogId=NA&catSecCd=NA&subCatSecCd=NA&subSubCatSecCd=NA)http://www.nph.com/vcmedia/2368/2368003.jpg (http://www.nph.com/nphweb/html/nph/itempage.jsp?itemId=083-412-0933&nid=srch&catalogId=NA&catSecCd=NA&subCatSecCd=NA&subSubCatSecCd=NA)http://www.nph.com/vcmedia/2372/2372857.jpg (http://www.nph.com/nphweb/html/nph/itempage.jsp?itemId=083-412-2472&nid=srch&catalogId=NA&catSecCd=NA&subCatSecCd=NA&subSubCatSecCd=NA)

[Cindi Hammons]

Dr. Varughese taught History and Faith and Christian Beliefs when I attended MVNU. I did not have him, I had Dr. Sanders.

To respond to Bill...I think this is true. I am looking for a SS/Small Group format class explaining why we are Wesleyan/Arminian. I can find all sorts of books covering that but none with a teacher's guide. Our pastor was very, very good to teach doctrine and explain Biblically why we believe that way, but I have been blown away with the number of folks in our local church who have no idea why we are different from Calvinists or other denominations! That becomes extremely scary when they start talking about things they want to see in a new pastor!!!

I'm sure Dr. Varughese has provided some fantastic material...let me know if there is ever a teacher's guide to go along with it. If any of you know of material that fits what I need...and has a teacher's guide, I'd be very interested in that as well.

Cindi H.

[Royce Chesser]

"Exploring Our Christian Faith"; now there is a book that I have not heard mentioned in quite a while. I had Dr. Lawhead for that class when I went to MVNU. I am trying to remember the author's name. Was that Purkeiser? Not sure if I spelled that correctly. I heard Dr. Lawhead left MVNU a few years after I graduated to teach at NTS.

[Barb Bouldrey]

Probably during the night it will come to me, but a couple of years back we discussed a book out explaining why we believe what we believe compared to some other doctrines. I know we bought it and used it.

Maybe another NazNetter can remember.

Give me time...it will come to me....LOL

Barb

[Royce Chesser]

The only book that comes to my mind was written many years ago called, "Why I Am a Nazarene". I belive the author was William Fisher.

[Gerald Spear]

Barb,

Try, "What is a Nazarene"

Wes Tracy and Stan Ingersol

NPH # 083-411-5999

[Barb Bouldrey]

Yep..that is the one. Only it does not have a leader's guide.

"I Believe, Now Tell Me Why" is a theology book written in plain
English and is a CLT book with leader's guide.

I thought I posted both those books, but I must had hit the wrong button because it did not appear posted. LOL

Barb

[Marsha Lynn]

Are you thinking of Here We Stand by Wes Tracy & Stan Ingersol? It's not a theology book by any means but it is very useful for understanding how the various denominations are related and how the beliefs of each compare with those of the Church of the Nazarene. Much less condescending than the old William Fischer book explaining why being a Nazarene is so much better than being part of other religious groups.

Marsha

Probably during the night it will come to me, but a couple of years back we discussed a book out explaining why we believe what we believe compared to some other doctrines. I know we bought it and used it.

Maybe another NazNetter can remember.

Give me time...it will come to me....LOL

Barb

[Cindi Hammons]

Yep..that is the one. Only it does not have a leader's guide.

"I Believe, Now Tell Me Why" is a theology book written in plain
English and is a CLT book with leader's guide.

I thought I posted both those books, but I must had hit the wrong button because it did not appear posted. LOL

Barb

That's what I needed! Thanks!

Cindi H.