Reformed Theological Seminary's Virtual Campus
Guess who I've been jogging with lately? How about John Frame, Simon Kistemaker, and Douglas Kelly? They all fit into my IPod on reformed Seminary's Virtual Campus. It's 100% FREE OF CHARGE. You can even enroll in a Masters Program from the online school, fully accredited.
Here are some of the courses to choose from:
- Old Testament
- New Testament
- Church History
- Practical Theology
- Theology
- Various Chapel Messages
- Selected Topics
We own a debt of gratitude to RTS for offering these courses online. It seems their burden to train pastors, leaders and lay persons takes precedence over any monetary considerations. Students of the Bible who want to grow in their faith and sit under skilled seminary professors should take advantage of this opportunity.
So how does this work? Click here to go to the site. You must have ITunes installed on your computer. You can download ITunes on the same page of the link just above. Once there, simply follow directions.
While you may not always agree with every viewpoint, these professors will challenge you to stretch yourselves to new levels of biblical understanding.
Book Spotlight: Salvation Belongs to the Lord by John Frame
Here is an excellent summary and introduction to systematic theology by professor John Frame. Bibletruth recommends this book as an excellent reference for beginning to intermediate students of theology. Professor Frame does not disappoint us at all, and presents a balanced summary of the key teachings of Scripture, all in a readable format.
Click here to purchase.
updates
New Section on Providence
We have created a new page on Providence, the newest Bibletruth update. Click here to go to the page. Does God really control all things, or has He just set in motion certain laws that more or less run the universe?
We have also recently added a page on salvation. Click here to go to the page.
About Bibletruth
My name is Sam Petitfils, and I serve as webmaster of Bibletruth. At Bibletruth we value and explore the great themes of Scripture. We believe Scripture is central to a correct understanding of our world and our role as believers. We have chosen to emphasize theology as a key and valid discipline for our day.
We hope you will browse the site and look over some of the resources and links.
I have graduate degrees from Talbot and Westminster (in California) seminaries and have pastored in California for many years. Please contact me if you have questions or comments.
The Conservative Bible Project: A Lesson in Skewed Methodology
While Bibletruth holds to a straightforward conservative plank, we consider the "Conservative Bible Project" a misguided effort that will work more harm than good. It's stated goals (see them here) reveal a flawed approach to biblical translation: an effort to advance an ideology on the sacred text. Its editors want to correct "translation bias" of the liberal sort while inserting their own conservative bias, always a bad idea. No, the science of biblical translation aims at precision, not political spin, of whatever sort.
This effort, led by Andy Schlafly, son of conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly, will not advance conservative causes beyond the propaganda stage. Again, we commend people for applying biblical principles to all realms of life and thought, including political theory, but we equally chastise the Conservative Bible Project for intruding into regions best goverened by skilled scholars with years of training in textual criticism and translation.
Systematic Theology
A Website for Students of Theology
Welcome to Bibletruth! You'll find resources on this site that will help you study God's Word and reflect on His truth. We provide doctrinal summaries, helpful links, and reflect on some key theological issues. To begin your journey, we suggest our theology page. Though our site is for serious students, we do not necessarily mean "experienced" students only. In fact, new believers grow best when they obtain a solid grounding in the truth of God's Word.
What is Systematic Theology
Here's a simple definition of systematic theology: "What does the Bible teach us about a given topic?" (from Robert Reymond, A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, xxv). "Biblical theology" examines truth in its historic unfolding (for example, the "Old Testament doctrine of the Holy Spirit," or "Paul's doctrine of the church"). Systematic theology, on the other hand, takes the completed revelation, or the Bible, and applies it to various topics. Professor John Frame puts it this way, "Theology is the application of Scripture to all areas of human life" (Salvation Belongs to the Lord, 72).
In order to effectively study theology, one needs to:
- Submit to God, and be willing to discard old biases and accept truth as God reveals it in his Word.
- Pray for insight and illumination.
- Commit to a disciplined and systematic habit of serious study.
- Walk humbly with God, and allow His truth to shape all of life.
- Compare your work with others in the field (see the previous point).
Blessings to Students of Theology
God promises rich reward to those who seek Him (John 7:17; Ps. 119:130), and those who do will find Him (Jer. 29:13). Furthermore, doctrinal correctness furnishes structure to life, something we can ill-afford to live without. With God-given truth and boundaries, the child of God no longer walks around in darkness, but instead has the "light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor. 4:6). Additionally, students of theology can detect false teaching much more quickly than the typical Christian, who is often left to the mercy of unscrupulous "teachers" with mixed motives. Finally, theologically sensitive Christians notice the link between their growth in knowledge and Christ like character. They add knowledge to the other virtues of the sanctified life (2 Pet. 1:5-8).
Blessings to the Church
When lovers of God search His Word for truth then begin to apply that truth to church practice, everyone benefits. One problem today is church "practitioners" seek to build their ministries apart from biblical principles. I would caution students of theology to approach such ministries humbly and with a servant's heart. After all, they are doing God's will. Equally, however, church pastors and elders should welcome the concerns of theologians and not assume they don't need any help. Unfortunately, these two groups sometimes section off into two "camps," having no other dialogue other than near hostile exchanges. Internet forums will make no progress in influencing others if they adopt defensive and even offensive tones that do anything but encourage healthy exchanges.
Nevertheless, theology must govern all areas of church life and even life itself. Theologians call this the theocentric or "God-centered" life. It's the life we need to follow today. In a day of shifting winds and philosophies to match, we need to anchor our faith in that body of truth, "once for all delivered to the saints"(Jude 3).