Fulfilling the Commission
Institute Catalog
Fall 2011 – Spring 2013
Mailing Address:
1518 9th St. Marysville WA 98270
Main Campus:
1502 Walnut St. Everett WA 98201
Telephone: (360) 659-8874
Website: http://www.FCS.org/ E-mail: FCS@FCS.org
Colville Campus - Office of Distance Education:
846-A Arden Hill Rd. Colville WA 99114
Telephone: (509) 684-8700 Fax: (509) 685-1809
Website: http://www.FCS.org/ E-mail: disted@FCS.org
Institute Catalog
Fall 2011 – Spring 2013
"The Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board has determined that Freedom Covenant Seminary qualifies for religious exempt status from the Degree Authorization Act for the following programs:
Associate of Biblical Studies (A.B.S.), Associate of Christian Leadership (A.C.L.), Associate of Ministry (A.Min.), Associate of Missions and Evangelism (A.M.E.), Bachelor of Biblical Studies (B.B.S.),
Bachelor of Ministry (B.Min.), Bachelor of Christian Leadership (B.C.L.), and Bachelor of Missions
and Evangelism (B.M.E.). The HECB makes no evaluation of the administration, faculty, business practices, financial condition or quality of offering. Any person desiring information about the requirements of
the act or the applicability of those requirements to the institution may contact the board at P.O. Box 43430,
Olympia, WA 98504-3430."
This catalog is certified to be true and correct in content and policy as of the date of publication.
Rev. David L. Lathrop
Founding President
February 2011
Fulfilling the Commission
Institute Catalog
Fall 2011 – Spring 2013
Volume 5 Revision 1
Published February 2011
2
This catalog contains current information regarding Freedom Covenant Seminary (referred to herein as
FCS) admissions, diploma and degree programs, fees, policies, and procedures. The policy of FCS is to
give advanced notice of change, whenever possible, to permit adjustment. However, FCS reserves the right
to modify, revoke or add policies, procedures and programs at any time. If a student drops out of FCS or
becomes inactive and later returns, he is under the jurisdiction of the policies and procedures of the catalog
in effect at the time of his return.
Unless otherwise noted:
All Scripture is taken from the New King James Version.
Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
This catalog is copyrighted © 2003 - 2011 by Freedom Covenant Seminary.
All Rights Reserved.
INDEX
Message from the President
5
Board of Directors
6
Message from the Board of Directors
6
Legal Standing
6
Mission
6
Purpose
6
Statement of Faith
7
Nondiscrimination Policy
12
Accreditation
12
Memberships
12
Transferability
13
Entrance Requirements
13
Graduation Requirements
13
Student Records
14
Curriculum
14
Tuition
15
Refund Policy
15
Books and Supplies
15
Faculty
16
3
Degree Programs
16
Overview of Degree Requirements
16
Course Numbers, Titles, and Descriptions
20
Student Application
55
Student Covenant
58
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Greetings to all perspective students:
Thank you for your interest in FCS. It is with great excitement and joy that we offer you this opportunity to
secure quality Bible training. We believe that this is a very important need for all Christians living in the
present time. As we move on into this millennium, we of the church are facing many challenges to our
faith.
One such challenge is how to present the gospel of Jesus Christ effectively. We at FCS believe that we
must go back to the basics and build on a sound foundation in order to be most effective. In keeping with
that belief, FCS is here to work hand in hand with you to help you develop effective Christian witnessing
skills to meet this ongoing challenge of presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In Matthew 11:28, Matthew recorded Jesus as He said, 28Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest. We, as believers, are called to join together with our Savior to labor with
Him and find our rest in Him. Let us work together to fulfill His commission.
Matthew 28:19, 20: 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
As you get to know us, you will find that FCS has been designed with a different approach in mind. It is not
just another “cookie cutter” Bible school teaching traditional head knowledge. The goal at FCS is to train
up workers for the Kingdom of our Lord who can and will put legs to their faith and carry the gospel to a
lost and dying world, albeit it one person at a time.
Please feel free to discuss with us any questions you may have regarding our programs of study. We at FCS
are here to help you become the witness that our Lord Jesus wants all of us to be for Him. God bless you
and we look forward to working with you in this pursuit.
In His service,
Rev. David L. Lathrop
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Founding President
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
V.P. / Dean of Ed. Services
Dean of Students
Registrar
Bishop Rev. David L. Lathrop, B.Ch.Min., M.B.S., D.B.S
Bishop Rev. Sam T. Leigh, B.Th., B.C.Ed., M.C.Ed., D.D.
Pastor Rev. Linda S. Mason, A.T.A.
Rev. David E. Gould
MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We would like to join with our president in thanking you for taking the time to explore FCS as a source of
Christian learning and training. It is our goal to provide quality education in the practical aspects of ministry to the future leaders of the church.
Our belief is that in order to help Christians of today to become better-equipped witnesses for our Lord, we
must help them understand the rudiments of the faith in order that they might verbally share with others in
confidence the hope that is within them. It is with this goal in mind that we have developed these programs
of study.
We would like to let you know that each member of our Board of Directors is dedicated to helping you
become the most effective witness for our Lord that you can possibly become. With hard work and dedication, together we can reach out into the harvest field and bring more people to the saving knowledge of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
God bless you as you strive to serve Him,
FCS Board of Directors
LEGAL STANDING
FCS is a Washington State Non-Profit Corporation, founded in July 2001 by Rev. David L. Lathrop. FCS is
also a Chartered Affiliate of Freedom Covenant Global Ministries under Charter Number 010729-BI-01,
and therefore is covered under I.R.S. 501(c)(3) Group Exemption Number 3659.
MISSION
The mission of the church is to preach and teach the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of
God to the entire world, to make disciples in all nations, and to care for those disciples. As an educational
arm of the church, FCS has answered the call of God to "teach the nations."
PURPOSE
The specific and primary purpose of FCS is, as nearly as possible, to represent in all detail the Body of
Christ as described in the Word of God, recognizing the principles inherent in that Body as also inherent in
FCS; particularly the principles of Christian unity, cooperation, and service. FCS shall maintain conditions
under which it can, as a Bible Institute, demonstrate these principles and subsequent development.
Matthew 28:19, 20: 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things
that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
The primary mission of the Church has been to go into the entire world, making disciples of all nations by
teaching them the Word of God. FCS has answered the call of God to "teach the nations." Our programs are
designed to help develop within the student a thorough understanding of the Word of God, mastery in the
5
art of ministry and demonstrated scholarship. This training is to be through solid academic studies and
preparation for "real world" ministry. Only when a student has been trained in both is he fully equipped for
ministry to this generation.
Therefore, the further purposes/prerogatives for which FCS is formed are:

To operate as a Full-Gospel educational institution that would serve all born-again, Spiritfilled believers. Its purpose is to provide undergraduate level programs for the practitioners of
Spirit-filled, faith-oriented ministry. These programs may be effectively administered through
on campus, online, or correspondence studies.

To establish and maintain such departments as may be necessary for the propagation of the
Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and the work of FCS.
FCS is organized exclusively for religious, charitable, and educational purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code. All
funds, whether income or principal, and whether acquired by gift, contribution, or otherwise, shall be devoted to said purposes.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
As a Chartered Affiliate of Freedom Covenant Global Ministries, FCS subscribes to the following Statement of Faith as published by FCGM.
*Taken directly from the Constitution and Bylaws of Freedom Covenant Global Ministries
ARTICLE III - STATEMENT OF FAITH*
Freedom Covenant Global Ministries embraces the following Statement of Faith concerning the Truth
of God’s Word. The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. This Statement of Faith is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us (i.e., that we all speak the same thing, (1 Corinthians
1:10; Acts 2:42).
No claim is made that it contains all Biblical truth, only that it covers our needs as to these fundamental doctrines. We do not presume to say the terminology employed in this Statement of Faith is inspired or that it is the final work on Biblical truth. However, we are persuaded it is proper and consistent with the Holy Scriptures to “set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us.” (Luke 1:1)
1.
INSPIRED WORD OF GOD
The Holy Scriptures, both the Old and New Testaments were written by holy men of God, as they were
inspired by the Holy Spirit and are God’s revealed word to man. They are the sufficient, infallible rule
and guide to salvation and all Christian worship and service, and are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Timothy 3:15-17;
1Thessalonians 2:13)
2.
THE TRIUNE GODHEAD
The one true God, the eternally self-existent, self-revealed “I AM,” is all loving, omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. He reveals Himself to man as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence, or being, thereby embodying the principles of relationship and association. (Exodus 3:14; Deuteronomy 6:4; Luke 3:22; Mark
12:29; Isaiah 43:10, 11; Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7)
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3.
DIVINITY OF CHRIST
The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal, Divine Son of God, and is the second person in the triune Godhead. He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was approved of God by miracles, was crucified,
buried, raised bodily from the dead, and exalted to the right hand of the Father. (John 1:1; Luke 1:3035, 3:22; Hebrews 4:15; Acts 2:22, 32, 33; Matthew 27:35, 57-60; 28:19; Luke 24:39; Acts 2:32, 33)
4.
CREATION, FALL AND REDEMPTION OF MAN
Man was created in a state of innocence, for God said, “Let Us make man in Our image according to
Our likeness...” Man, by voluntary transgression, fell, and his only hope of redemption is through the
shed blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Genesis 1:26-31; 3:17; Romans 3:20-26; 5:8-10, 12-21;
Matthew 26:28)
5.
SALVATION OF MAN
A. Conditions of Salvation
The Grace of God, which brings salvation, has appeared to all men, through the preaching of repentance toward God and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; man is saved by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, and being justified by grace, has become an heir of God according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 2:11; 3:4-7; Romans 10:13-15; Luke 24:46, 47)
B. Evidences of Salvation
The inward evidence to the believer of his/her salvation is the direct witness of the Spirit. (Romans
8:16) The outward evidence to all men is a life of holiness. (1 Thessalonians 4:7; 2 Timothy1:9; Romans 6:19-22)
6.
WATER BAPTISM BY IMMERSION
The ordinance of water baptism by immersion, signifying our burial with Christ should be observed [as
commanded in the Scriptures] by all that have repented of their sins and in their hearts have believed
on Christ as their Savior and Lord. In doing so, they declare to the world that they have died with
Christ and that they have also been resurrected to walk with Him in newness of life. (John 3:22; Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 10:47, 48; Romans 6:3-6)
7.
THE LORD’S SUPPER (COMMUNION)
The Lord’s Supper, consisting of the elements, bread and fruit of the vine, is the symbol expressing our
sharing in a memorial to His suffering and death, and a prophecy of His second coming, and is enjoined to all believers “until He comes.” (John 6:48, 51, 53-57; Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:2326)
8.
BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. Promise of the Father
All believers are entitled to, and should earnestly seek the Promise of the Father, which is the baptism
with the Holy Spirit and with fire. While speaking in other tongues ‘as the Spirit gives utterance’ is an
endorsement of having received this baptism, the principal focus should always remain on the Words
of our Lord Jesus who said, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the
earth.'' (Acts 2:38, 39; Luke 3:16; 24:49; Acts 1:4-8)
7
B. Purpose and Distinction of the Promise
The primary purpose of the baptism with the Holy Spirit is the infilling of power for life and service,
and the bestowment of the gifts and their uses in the work of His ministry that we might be bold witnesses for Him, beginning at home, and then reaching out as the Holy Spirit gives opportunity. This
experience is distinct from and may be subsequent to the experience of the New Birth. (1 Corinthians
12:1-31; Acts 1:4-8; 8:12-17; 10:44-47; 11:13-17; 15:7-9)
9.
SANCTIFICATION PROCESS
By the power of the Holy Spirit we strive to obey the command, “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” Sanctification is a definite, yet progressive work of grace leading to holiness, is the will of God for all believers, and should be earnestly pursued by walking in obedience to God’s Word. (Romans 6:20-22; 12:1,
2; Hebrews 12:12-16; 1 Peter 1:13-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24; 1 John 2:6)
10. DIVINE HEALING
Divine healing from sickness is provided for in the atonement of Christ and is the privilege of all believers who will accept it. It is wrought by the power of God and may be experienced through such avenues as the prayer of faith, the laying on of hands, and fervent prayer. (Isaiah 53:4, 5; 1 Peter 2:21-25;
Matthew 8:16, 17; James 5:14-16; Luke 4:40)
11. THE CHURCH
The church is the holy Body of Christ, of which He is the Head, the habitation of God through the
Spirit, with divine appointments for the fulfillment of her great commission. Each believer is an integral part of the church, and their names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The church is to be an
agency for evangelizing the world, to be a corporate body in which man may worship God, and to be a
channel of God's purpose to build a body of saints being perfected in the image of His Son. (1 Thessalonians 2:4; Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Hebrews 10:19-25; Ephesians 4:11-13)
12. FIVE-FOLD MINISTRY
The divinely called and scripturally ordained five-fold ministry, embodying both male and female, as
the Holy Spirit may desire, has been provided by our Lord, and equipped with power, talents, wisdom,
and gifts pertaining to their particular office or offices for a two-fold purpose: (1) The evangelization
of the world, and (2) The edification of the Body of Christ. (Mark 16:15, 20; Ephesians 4:11-16; I Corinthians 12:28)
13. FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF GOD’S WORK
Both tithing and giving of offerings are taught in Scripture and should be the cheerful practice of all
Christians. (Malachi 3:7-12; Matthew 23:23; Luke 6:38; 11:42; Romans 11:16; 2 Corinthians 9:7)
14. THE BLESSED HOPE
The resurrection of the dead in Christ and their translation, together with those who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord is the blessed hope of the church. (1Thessalonians 4:16, 17; Romans
8:23; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52)
15. THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
The revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven, the pre-millennial “catching up” of the saints, the
salvation of national Israel, and the millennial reign of Christ on the earth are Scriptural promises and
our hope. (1Thessalonians 4:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-7; Romans 11:2527)
8
16. THE LAKE OF FIRE
The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the
Lamb’s Book of Life shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns fire and
brimstone, which is the second death (Revelation 19:20; 20:10-15).
17. THE NEW HEAVENS AND NEW EARTH
We, as promised in the Scriptures, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness
dwells. (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1)
ARTICLE IV – ORDINANCES*
1.
WATER BAPTISM
The ordinance of water baptism by immersion shall be administered by all FCGM established and/or
chartered places of worship to all those who have repented of their sins and who have believed on the
Lord Jesus Christ to the saving of their souls. (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12)
2.
THE LORD’S SUPPER
The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper shall be observed regularly by all FCGM established and/or chartered places of worship, as enjoined in the Scriptures. (Luke 22:19, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
We hereby certify this to be an accurate copy of the Statement of Faith and Ordinances as subscribed
to by Freedom Covenant Global Ministries by affixing our signatures this 12 th day of January in the
year of our Lord 2008..
_____________________________
Bishop Sam T. Leigh
Founding President / Presiding Bishop
_____________________________
Bishop David L. Lathrop
Executive V.P. / General Secretary
NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
FCS admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, and programs
made available to the students of the institute. FCS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin. It is our conviction that there is no place for any type of racial prejudice in the Body of
Christ!
ACCREDITATION
FCS is not formally accredited by any institution or governing body. Government recognized accreditation
is not necessary for the vocations in which we are training people, including: Biblical Studies, Christian
Leadership, Ministry, and Missions and Evangelism. Individuals may function and hold jobs in all of these
areas without government recognized accreditation.
9
However, individuals seeking employment in government licensed positions such as public school teachers,
state licensed psychologists or psychiatrists, and non church related counselors definitely need government
recognized accredited degrees.
The degree programs at FCS are not designed to meet any of these local, state, or national licensing or credentialing regulations, nor to meet any requirements established by any schools, or public, private, or independent organizations or associations.
Therefore, if you are seeking a degree for licensing purposes, FCS advises you to check with that association, state, or school district to determine if our degree programs are acceptable and meet their requirements. This should be done before applying for acceptance into any degree program at FCS.
MEMBERSHIPS
Freedom Covenant Seminary is a member in good standing of the following:
Freedom Covenant Global Ministries
846-A Arden Hill Rd. Colville WA 99114
(509) 684-8700 Fax: (509) 685-1809
The Western Collegium of Bible Schools
1209 S 3rd Ave. Kelso, WA 98626
(360) 577-0586 Fax: (360) 578-2528
TRANSFERABILITY
While FCS makes no guarantees, various colleges may accept a transcript from Freedom Covenant Seminary.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Those considering enrollment in FCS must possess a willingness to learn, a desire to grow and become a
mature Christian, and be committed to a local church. Since FCS maintains a strong Christian position and
integrates Christian spirituality into each of its courses, students need to be open to this educational emphasis, or they will find themselves at odds with their entire learning experience.
The entrance requirement for our undergraduate (degree) programs is a High School Diploma or General
Education Diploma (GED). Any student without such a diploma may only enroll in one of our certificate
programs. This requirement may be waived by recommendation of the President upon successful completion of a FCS competency exam.
The minimum age for enrollment in FCS is eighteen. This requirement may be waived by recommendation
of the President for qualified younger students. However, the younger student will initially be received on a
probationary status and must demonstrate the ability to handle the workload before being granted permanent student status.
A computer and an Internet connection are required for all students, unless extenuating circumstances require that a special waiver be approved. A computer and an Internet connection will allow students to access faculty and each other through e-mail and permit discussion forums. They will also be able to receive
e-mail messages from the President and administrative offices. This is the key way in which FCS will
keep in touch with its student body.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
It should be noted that most post-secondary institutions will not allow credit for any course in which a
grade lower than “C” was received. However, FCS is committed to training leaders, and leaders are not
10
average people. Students are therefore expected to achieve “A” or “B” on all course work (i.e., above average). All work submitted that is “C” (average) or lower will be returned to the student for further completion before a final grade is awarded.
In certain instances, an “I” (incomplete) may be given to the student. The “I” is a temporary grade limited
to a course in which a student has been granted an extension to complete the required assignments or exams
due to personal illness, family crisis, or other faculty-accepted reasons.
Graduation requirements include completion of all required classes, tests, attendance, labs, and other student ministry requirements. The final grades are based on averaged scores on workbooks, reports, theses,
and tests, as well as lab or other student ministry requirements. Tests are based on reading assignments,
workbooks, class lectures and other student ministry requirements.
Attendance and attitude of the student may also have an effect on the student’s grades. Students are required to be knowledgeable of all classroom, attendance, and ministry policies. The classroom and attendance requirements may be fulfilled through e-mail and discussion forums for the correspondence student.
Assignments received two weeks after assigned deadline for turning in will not be considered for grading.
When students apply for graduation, an application must be completed and submitted along with the graduation fee of $25.00 to the registrar. Upon receipt of application and graduation fee, all transcripts and student accounts will be closely reviewed before approval is granted. Students with any unpaid balances due
to FCS will not receive grades, certificates, diplomas, or degrees until such time as all balances are paid in
full.
STUDENT RECORDS
All student records are to be held in confidence. Student records may be released only with the signed authorization of the student. The student has the right to review his own record on written request. Copies of
student records are available to individual students.
CURRICULUM
The FCS educational model utilizes the Biblical and historically proven “discipling approach” used by Jesus. ALL training rests upon the Bible and the Holy Spirit, and will empower you to be a leader who moves
with authority. Your in-depth exploration of what the Bible says about the vocation or ministry area you
pursue enables you to become an empowered leader who disciples in that area.
The basic standard at FCS is to teach what Jesus taught, that which took men who were fishermen, tax collectors, etc., and changed them into reproductive Christians who reached their world with the Gospel in a
demonstration of power. The objective of our training is to move believers from visualizing through deputizing, multiplying, organizing, and mobilizing to achieve the goal of evangelizing.
Toward that end, FCS currently offers degree programs in a variety of majors. Curriculum pertaining to
each degree has been established and divided into two-year (Associate) and four year (Bachelor) programs.
While FCS does not offer Master or Doctorate level programs at this current time, the staff is working hard
toward the goal of offering them in the future.
While individual classes may be taken, resulting in a Certificate of Completion, the conclusion of an entire
degree program, either through correspondence or classroom attendance is recommended. Course or class
schedules may be changed without prior notice. Courses and classes may be added or changed at the discretion of FCS.
For those students entering FCS through correspondence, there is no specific order in which you must take
the majority of our courses. The guiding rule is to take those courses within your chosen program that most
interest you, when they interest you and stick with the topics until you have mastered them. Learning is
best when interest is high. Therefore, follow your interest. It will usually lead you to every piece that is
11
important for you to absorb in order that you may become an effective leader. Upon acceptance into FCS,
you may make arrangements by letter, fax, phone or email to have your first courses sent to you.
TUITION
Application Fee (1st time enrollment)
$ 35.00
Matriculation Fee (1st time enrollment)
15.00
Registration Fee (per course)
5.00
Tuition (per credit hour)
Free
Course Materials (i.e., textbooks, audio tapes, and/or video tapes)
Varies per course
Graduation Fee
25.00
Insufficient Funds (per check)
15.00
REFUND POLICY
Students may change or drop a program at any time during the first three (3) weeks after notification of
their acceptance into FCS. When a program is dropped or withdrawn from and no substitute taken, the following refund policy applies:
1.
No refund will be made on application, matriculation, and/or registration fees.
2.
Refund of tuition is not applicable since we currently offer free tuition.
A student must notify the Registrar’s Office of his intention to withdraw. The withdrawal date will be the
date the notification is received by FCS, and this date will be used in calculating the amount of any item
that is refundable.
BOOKS AND SUPPLIES
Books and supplies used by the student, other than the course syllabi (provided by FCS), are the responsibility of the individual student.
FACULTY
Instructors and staff of FCS are Spirit filled ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and are in agreement
with the Statement of Faith of FCS. Each instructor is gifted to teach and is dedicated to the building up the
body of Christ through proper biblical standards and ministerial ethics.
DEGREE PROGRAMS
FCS offers programs of study designed to give the student a firm understanding of spiritual principles, together with the ability to apply those principles to their daily lives. FCS programs may be taken through
classroom or correspondence. Certificates or Diplomas will be issued as earned. Degrees may be earned in
the following areas:
Associates:
Associate of Biblical Studies (A.B.S.)
Associate of Christian Leadership (A.C.L.)
Associate of Ministry (A.Min.)
Associate of Missions and Evangelism (A.M.E.)
Bachelors:
Bachelor of Biblical Studies (B.B.S.)
Bachelor of Christian Leadership (B.C.L.)
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Bachelor of Ministry (B.Min.)
Bachelor of Missions and Evangelism (B.M.E.)
OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
ASSOCIATE OF BIBLICAL STUDIES (A.B.S.)
CREDITS
Core Requirements
DEP-113 Basic Bible Survey I
DEP-115 Basic Bible Survey II
SUP-103 Battle for the Body
DEP-111 Creative Bible Study Methods
DEP-101 Foundations of Faith
DEP-103 Kingdom Living
DEP-109Knowing God’s Voice
DEP-107 Ministry of The Holy Spirit
SUP-101 Women, A Biblical Profile
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
In addition to the required core courses listed above, the student must complete 30 hours of electives
and write one term paper, valued at 3 credits, for a total of 60 semester hours of credit.
BACHELOR OF BIBLICAL STUDIES (B.B.S.)
CREDITS
Core Requirements (Student must possess Associate degree [or equivalent number of credits] in acceptable field of study, in addition to the following requirements)
31-1 Commentary (Genesis Chapters 1-11)
50-2 Proverbs (Two Paths in Life Chapters 12-21)
70-1 Gospel of Matthew (Chapters 1-7)
71-4 Gospel of Mark Volume 4 (Chapters 13-16)
72-3 Gospel of Luke Volume 3 (Chapters 13-18)
73-1 Gospel of John Volume 1 (Chapters 1-5)
81 Philippians
90-1 Commentary (James by Doctor JohnMcEwan)
90-2 Commentary (James by Paull R Oost [Dip Theo])
116 Prophecy (250 Biblical Prophecies and their Fulfillment)
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
In addition to the required core courses listed above, the student must complete 27 hours of electives
and write one term paper, valued at 3 credits, for a total of 60 semester hours of credit.
ASSOCIATE OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP (A.C.L.)
CREDITS
Core Requirements
DEP-113 Basic Bible Survey I
DEP-115 Basic Bible Survey II
ORG-201 Biblical Management Principles
DEP-101 Foundations of Faith
DEP-109 Knowing God’s Voice
ORG-205 Management by Objectives
MOB-201 Mobilization Methodologies
MUL-105 Multiplication Methodologies
MUL-107 Power Principles
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
13
ORG-203 Principles of Environment Analysis
3
In addition to the required core courses listed above, the student must complete 27 hours of electives
and write one term paper, valued at 3 credits, for a total of 60 semester hours of credit.
BACHELOR OF CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP (B.C.L.)
CREDITS
Core Requirements (Student must possess Associate degree [or equivalent number of credits] in acceptable field of study, in addition to the following requirements)
20 Church History Outline Notes
21 BTB Omnibus Edition 2006
24 Bible Characters
25 BTB Biblical Chronology
27 Systematic Theology Course Using Bible Topics
46 Nehemiah (The Leader, the Mentor, and the Wall Builder)
46-1 Nehemiah’s Leadership Style
112 Christian Leadership
131 The Heavens Declare the Glory of God (Study of Biblical Astronomy)
149 The Tabernacle of God
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
In addition to the required core courses listed above, the student must complete 27 hours of electives and
write one term paper, valued at 3 credits, for a total of 60 semester hours of credit.
ASSOCIATE OF MINISTRY (A.MIN.)
CREDITS
Core Requirements
DEP-113 Basic Bible Survey I
DEP-115 Basic Bible Survey II
MUL-101 Developing A Biblical Worldview
DEP-101 Foundations of Faith
SUP-203 Intercessory Prayer
DEP-103 Kingdom Living
DEP-109 Knowing God’s Voice
EVA-201 Leaven-Like Evangelism
DEP-107 Ministry of The Holy Spirit
DEP-105 Spiritual Strategies: A Manual of Spiritual Warfare
MUL-103 Teaching Tactics
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
In addition to the required core courses listed above, the student must complete 24 hours of electives
and write one term paper, valued at 3 credits, for a total of 60 semester hours of credit.
BACHELOR OF MINISTRY (B.MIN.)
CREDITS
Core Requirements (Student must possess Associate degree [or equivalent number of credits] in acceptable field of study, in addition to the following requirements)
17 Systematic Theology
18 Pastoral Theology
20 Church History Outline Notes
27 Systematic Theology Course Using Bible Topics
38 Ruth (A Verse by Verse Study)
45 Ezra (The Man Who Stood up to Religious and Moral Compromise)
46 Nehemiah (The Leader, the Mentor, and the Wall Builder)
74-1 A Harmony of the Gospels Volume 1 (The Coming of Christ)
14
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
75-2 Books of Acts Volume 2 (Chapters 8-14)
131 The Heavens Declare the Glory of God (Study of Biblical Astronomy)
149 The Tabernacle of God
3
3
3
In addition to the required core courses listed above, the student must complete a volunteer non paid
9 month internship under the direct supervision of a Senior Pastor approved by Freedom Covenant
Global Ministries Council of Bishops, under authority of the Board of Directors, and write one term
paper, combined value of 27 hours, for a total of 60 semester hours of credit.
ASSOCIATE OF MISSIONS AND EVANGELISM (A.M.E.) CREDITS
Core Requirements
DEP-113 Basic Bible Survey I
DEP-115 Basic Bible Survey II
MUL-101 Developing A Biblical World View
DEP-101 Foundations of Faith
DEP-109 Knowing God’s Voice
EVA-201 Leaven-Like Evangelism
MOB-201 Mobilization Methodologies
MUL-105 Multiplication Methodologies
VIS-101 Strategies For Spiritual Harvest
SUP-201 You Came Unto Me…A Jail and Prison Ministry Manual
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
In addition to the required core courses listed above, the student must complete 27 hours of electives
and write one term paper, valued at 3 credits, for a total of 60 semester hours of credit.
BACHELOR OF MISSIONS AND EVANGELISM (B.M.E.) CREDITS
Core Requirements (Student must possess Associate degree [or equivalent number of credits] in acceptable field of study, in addition to the following requirements)
49-9 Psalms 58-72 (The Exodus Psalms) Rosh Hashanah – Feast of Trumpets
49-15 Psalms 135-150 (The Deuteronomy Psalms)
94-1 Commentary Second and Third John [Dip Theo]
103 Sixteen Deadly Devices of Satan
104 Conquering Sin the Biblical Way [Dip Theo]
109 God the Jehovah Jireh
132 Genesis and the Chinese Language [Dip Theo]
143 A Brief Exposition of Satan, Demonism, and Spiritism [Dip Theo]
144 Spiritism in Africa
150 The Cult of Spiritualism
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
In addition to the required core courses listed above, the student must complete 27 hours of electives
and write one term paper, valued at 3 credits, for a total of 60 semester hours of credit.
COURSE NUMBERS, TITLES AND DESCRIPTIONS
ASSOCIATE DEGREES
DEP-113 BASIC BIBLE SURVEY I:
Three Credits
This survey provides an overview of the entire Bible. Study outlines of each book of the Bible are provided for further development by the student. Volume One: Introduction and Old Testament (ISBN #19030703-09-0).
15
DEP-115 BASIC BIBLE SURVEY II:
Three Credits
This survey provides an overview of the entire Bible. Study outlines of each book of the Bible are provided for further development by the student. Volume Two: New Testament. (ISBN #1-9030703-10-4)
SUP-103 BATTLE FOR THE BODY:
Three Credits
A study of all the Bible teaches about divine healing. Complete guidelines for receiving and ministering
healing. (ISBN#1-930703-21-x)
ORG-201 BIBLICAL MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES:
Three Credits
A review of Biblical management principles with emphasis on servant leadership, Biblical leaders, and
Scriptural strategies for success. (ISBN #1-9030703-15-5)
DEP-111 CREATIVE BIBLE STUDY METHODS:
Three Credits
This course equips students for personal study of the Word of God after the conclusion of Institute training.
Students learn how to study the Bible by book, chapter, paragraph, verse, and word. Other methods taught
include biographical, devotional, theological, typological, and topical. Special guidelines for studying Bible poetry and prophecy are presented and students are taught methods of charting and outlining. (ISBN #19030703-08-2)
PSM-101 DAVID: A BIOGRAPHICAL STUDY: Three Credits
The purpose of this biographical study is not only to acquaint you with the historical facts
of David’s life, but to transform you into a man or woman “after God’s own heart” who, like David, can
fulfill their God-given destiny in this generation. (Supplemental)
MUL-101 DEVELOPING A BIBLICAL WORLD VIEW: Three Credits
This course examines the Biblical world view from Genesis through Revelation. God's plan for the nations
of the world from the beginning of time is detailed. Current worldwide spiritual need is also presented.
(ISBN #1-9030703-11-2)
DEP-101 FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH:
Three Credits
This course stresses the importance of proper spiritual foundations for life and ministry by focusing on
foundations of the Christian faith identified in Hebrews 6:1: Repentance, faith, baptism, laying on of hands,
resurrection, and eternal judgment. (ISBN #1-930703-03-1)
SUP-203 INTERCESSORY PRAYER:
Three Credits
An intercessory prayer guide that includes guidelines on how to pray, what to pray for, when not to pray,
resources for prayer, international intercession, and factors that hinder prayer. (ISBN #1-9030703-23-6)
DEP-103 KINGDOM LIVING:
Three Credits
The "Gospel of the Kingdom" shall be preached in all the world before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ
(Matthew 24:14). Understanding of Kingdom principles is necessary if one is to spread the Gospel of the
Kingdom. This course focuses on patterns and principles of Kingdom living applicable to life and ministry.
(ISBN #1-9030703-04-x)
DEP-109 KNOWING GOD'S VOICE:
Three Credits
16
This course explains how God speaks to men today and how to find His general and specific plans for life.
A Christian model for decision making is presented, along with guidelines for overcoming wrong decisions, steps to take if you have missed the will of God, and methods for dealing with questionable practices.
(ISBN #1-9030703-07-4)
EVA-201 LEAVEN-LIKE EVANGELISM:
Three Credits
The Gospel of the Kingdom spreads throughout the world as leaven in bread dough: The leaven is small
and hidden, but its impact is unlimited. Effective evangelism strategies are taught, including detailed instruction on the deliverance ministry, church planting, and techniques of networking between ministries.
(ISBN #1-9030703-19-8)
ORG-205 MANAGEMENT BY OBJECTIVES:
Three Credits
Everything Jesus did centered on the great purposes of God. This course analyzes Christ's objectives for
ministry and teaches students to institute management by objectives in their own life and ministry. (ISBN
#1-9030703-17-1)
DEP-107 MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT:
Three Credits
This study focuses on the ministry of the Holy Spirit, spiritual fruit, and spiritual gifts. Students are guided
in discovery of their own spiritual gifts and position of ministry in the Body of Christ. (ISBN #1-903070306-6)
MOB-201 MOBILIZATION METHODOLOGIES:
Three Credits
This course presents methods for mobilizing spiritual forces for God and explains the practical application
of the Harvestime vision to specific areas of ministry. Referral courses in various areas of ministry are also
available through this module. (ISBN #1-9030703-18-x)
MUL-105 MULTIPLICATION METHODOLOGIES:
Three Credits
God's plan for spiritual multiplication is presented. This study reveals how a single Christian can be responsible for the multiplication of thousands of trained and motivated believers. Church growth principles
are emphasized. (ISBN #1-9030703-13-9)
MUL-107 POWER PRINCIPLES:
Three Credits
The early church was born in a demonstration of the power of God. Power principles taught in this course
equip students for spiritual harvest and moves them from being spectators to demonstrators of the power of
God. (ISBN #1-9030703-14-7)
ORG-203 PRINCIPLES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
Three Credits
Students learn environmental analysis on an individual, church, and organizational basis. They learn how
to analyze the spiritual environment of a village, city, state or nation prior to penetrating it with the Gospel
message. (ISBN #1-9030703-16-3)
PSM-201 PSALMS - THE EXPOSITORY STUDIES I:
Three Credits
Jesus Christ is the central subject of the Psalms. In Luke 24:44, Jesus mentions the things written about
Him in the Psalms. Psalms is a hymnbook and a HIM book – it is all about Him! The Psalms teach us how
to approach God in prayer, how to praise and worship God, how to live a holy and righteous life, what to
do when we fail, and how to deal with every human emotion we experience. Covers Psalms 1-41. (Supplemental)
17
PSM-203 PSALMS - THE EXPOSITORY STUDIES II:
Three Credits
Jesus Christ is the central subject of the Psalms. In Luke 24:44, Jesus mentions the things written about
Him in the Psalms. Psalms is a hymnbook and a HIM book – it is all about Him! The Psalms teach us how
to approach God in prayer, how to praise and worship God, how to live a holy and righteous life, what to
do when we fail, and how to deal with every human emotion we experience. Covers Psalms 42-89. (Supplemental)
PSM-205 PSALMS - THE EXPOSITORY STUDIES III: Three Credits
Jesus Christ is the central subject of the Psalms. In Luke 24:44, Jesus mentions the things written about
Him in the Psalms. Psalms is a hymnbook and a HIM book – it is all about Him! The Psalms teach us how
to approach God in prayer, how to praise and worship God, how to live a holy and righteous life, what to
do when we fail, and how to deal with every human emotion we experience. Covers Psalms 90-150. (Supplemental)
DEP-105 SPIRITUAL STRATEGIES: A MANUAL OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE: Three Credits
This course moves participants beyond the natural world into the realm of the spirit. Tactics of the enemy
are analyzed and strategies of spiritual warfare assuring victory over the principalities and powers of the
spirit world are explained. (ISBN #1-9030703-05-8)
VIS-101 STRATEGIES FOR SPIRITUAL HARVEST:
Three Credits
The initial call of Jesus Christ to men was to be spiritually reproductive: "Follow me, and I will make you
fishers of men." His final command, that of the Great Commission, also challenged followers to spiritual
reproduction. Using the analogy of the natural harvest, this course focuses on promises of spiritual harvest,
things that prevent harvest, and keys to effective harvest. It communicates the vision which the remainder
of Institute training equips students to fulfill. (ISBN #1-930703-02-3)
MUL-103 TEACHING TACTICS:
Three Credits
This course examines the methods Jesus used to teach and preach the Gospel. Students are taught how to
prepare and present lessons and how to teach and preach the Gospel. (ISBN #1-9030703-12-0)
PSM-103 THE SELAH PSALMS:
Three Credits
Through these examples of comparing scripture with scripture and noting a word's context, we can discover
the true meaning of words. Since the Hebrew word “calah” means to measure, as in weighing something in
the balances, we can better understand the meaning of the word “Selah” [celah], from which it is derived.
We learn that “Selah” means we should pause to carefully examine, measure, and value what has been said.
(Supplemental)
SUP-201 YOU CAME UNTO ME....A JAIL AND PRISON MINISTRY MANUAL: Three Credits
A complete guide to jail and prison ministry. Includes guidelines for writing and visiting inmates, conducting group services inside an institution, reaching out to families of inmates, and ministering on death row.
(ISBN #1-9030703-22-8)
SUP-101 WOMEN, A BIBLICAL PROFILE:
Three Credits
A study of all the Bible teaches about women and their role in ministry. Also includes a study of the Bible
books bearing women’s names--Ruth and Esther--and resources for biographical study of all of the women
of the Bible. (ISBN #1-9030703-20-1)
BACHELOR DEGREES
18
**Required core class for one or more of our Bachelor degrees. Check degree requirements to see if
class is required for your desired degree.
Our Bachelor degrees are designed to be practical and not just academic. They are also very writing
intensive and consideration should be given to that aspect when considering registering for any of
our Bachelor programs.
NOTE: Course numbers are not indicative of level of study, but rather are numbers assigned to each
textbook used in the study of each course.
For sake of brevity, only those courses that are required core classes will have an introduction printed in this catalog. All prospective students will be provided with introductions for any course in
which they are interested.
Please note that the only textbook necessary for any of these classes is the course syllabus/textbook
provided by FCS and a Holy Bible provided by the student himself/herself.
**17 Systematic Theology Seminar ~ Three Credits
The Seminar presents an overview of Systematic Theology. It has been conducted with delegates from Bible Schools and Churches in both Zambia and the Philippines.
The Seminar is presented by a mentor or facilitator who initially presents a couple of topics. Delegates are
then allocated topics which they prepare overnight and then present before their peers. This assists in a
cross cultural situation where accents or dialect often cause problems.
**18 Pastoral Theology ~ Three Credits [Required Prerequisite – Systematic Theology]
Required: 4 x 2000+ word assignments are required to be completed as follows:
Read set texts, research; then write Biblically based responses explaining the reasons for your answers with
reference to the Pastoral Epistles, and to your local church situation.
Select four topics.
I. Discuss the Biblical qualities required for pastoral leadership. Develop a weekly timetable for ministry
work that provides for family, study, visitation, teaching and meetings.
2. What should be done by you before and during your takeover of a new church? Develop a list of priorities for action in the weeks and months after the takeover.
3. Develop a visitation plan for the church which mobilizes the members and reaches the lost/needy without
violating Biblical principles.
4. Discuss the Biblical basis for the congregational meeting and develop a set of principles for operation, so
as to avoid any disruption and keep Holy Spirit control.
5. What are the Deacons, Elders and other officers to do in the church? How do you as pastor co-ordinate
this?
6. What personnel management techniques could be followed to ease tensions and facilitate function within
church administration?
7. What is a woman to do in the church? Discuss the role of women in the New Testament church and in
your congregation.
19
8. Develop a training plan for your Deacons to assist them in their Biblical function.
9. What factors and principles should be covered in the Constitution, and why?
10. What is involved in worship? Develop a worship service format which meets these, and give an example you have tried, with an assessment of its value from the congregation.
11. What do you consider as important in a Christian wedding? Develop a list of principles with Biblical
justifications for each.
12. The Baptismal service and the Lord's Supper are important teaching services. Discuss.
13. Student's own choice (requires approval of topic)
**20 Church History Outline Notes ~ Three Credits
The Church is the body of Christ; (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18), that is all the born-again believers. (Romans 8:9; John 3:5; Matthew 3:11) This is sometimes called the "invisible church", because we
cannot see who of all the Christians are really true, born again believers. (Matthew 22:1-14)
What we can see is the Church in its organisations; congregations; denominations, etc. This we can call the
"visible church" This visible church is the subject of this study.
The Church begins at Pentecost (Matthew16:18) “On this rock,(Christ) 1 will (future tense) build my
church” (Acts 1:4-5; Acts 2:41)
The Church ends at the rapture.(l Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
**21 Bible Topic Book / Omnibus Edition 2006 ~ Three Credits
This edition of the Omnibus Bible Topic Book provides a significant number of topics but also makes some
grouping of topics to provide easily accessed material in critical areas. The major groupings are:
ANGELS – including the person of Satan and the conflict between angels and God’s plan for the human
race
BIBLE – dealing with the Word of God and its application to our understanding of the mind of God
CHRIST – concentrating on the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the prime focus of the Word of God
CHRISTIAN LIVING - a large selection of topics to enhance the understanding of our life in Christ
CHURCH -relating to the Church, its government and biblical principles in its function
COVENANTS - reviewing the conditional and unconditional promises made between God and man.
DISPENSATIONS - an overview of the history of man from a Biblical perspective.
GOD - looking generally at the Father, the Trinity and the divine structures set up by God for the benefit of
man
HOLY SPIRIT: grouping together of topics dealing with the ministry of the third person of the Trinity.
ISRAEL: examining the nation selected for the promotion of the truth in the second dispensation.
PROPHECY: dealing with Biblical prophecy and its historical and future fulfillment.
20
SALVATION AND SIN: reviewing God’s provision of salvation to the sinful human race.
There are smaller groupings such as JUDGEMENT, MIRACLES and PRIESTS
**24 Bible Characters ~ Three Credits
As God, Jesus Christ has existed eternally with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit (John 1:1-5). As
the God-man, Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20), born of a Jewish virgin, Mary
(Matthew 1:18) in Bethlehem of Judea in 6 BC. His legal father was Joseph. Both Joseph (Matthew 1:16)
and Mary (Luke 3:23), were descended from David, through Solomon and Nathan. Circumcised on the
eighth day (Luke 2:21-24). He grew in knowledge and grace.
He was baptised by his kinsman, John the Baptist, in the Jordan (Matthew 3:13-17) at the commencement
of His ministry, and then went into the desert to be tempted by the devil for 40 days and nights (Matthew
4:1-11). Jesus spent the next three years in a ministry ranging throughout Palestine, healing the sick,
preaching, teaching and encouraging those to whom He ministered that they turn to God.
Betrayed by one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, He suffered six trials before Jewish and Roman dignitaries
before being condemned to death. He died on the cross on the Passover in AD 32, completing His perfect
ministry and life on earth, and securing salvation. God raised Jesus from the dead on the feast of first fruits
three days later. He ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives ten days before Pentecost (Acts 1:8-1
1). In heaven He was given the place of commendation at the right hand of the Father, where He makes
intercession for us and waits for His enemies to be made His footstool.
Jesus Christ will return with His saints to reign for 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-6) and will judge unbelievers at the last judgment (Revelation 20:1 1-15). Believers will spend eternity with Jesus Christ.
**25 Bible Topic Book / Biblical Chronology
Chronology means to determine the proper sequence according to the order of occurrence. In this volume
this has been done together with the dating of the various events. The source of the framework is in the
Bible. The time period covered is from eternity past to the start of the Church Age. How good is our data?
As Christians we are extremely fortunate to have an absolutely accurate set of data from which the dates of
various historical events can be deduced.
It is clearly stated that the real author of Scripture is the Holy Spirit. This is shown in 2 Peter 1:21 which
states "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were
moved by the Holy Ghost."
As the Holy Spirit is God; and totally accurate, the dates given in the Bible are absolutely accurate.
**27 Systematic Theology Course Using Bible Topics ~ Three Credits
This course is for a teacher to present an overview of Systematic Theology using texts from the Bible and
Bible Topics. This has been adopted from seminar notes used with Bible Schools and Churches in both
Zambia and the Philippines. This course could be an invaluable one book resource for producing Biblically
based messages on these important subjects.
**31-1 Genesis 1 – 11 / In the Beginning ~ Three Credits
Moses started the book of Genesis with the statement that 'In the beginning God created the heaven and the
earth'.
21
The Hebrew scholars even today stand in awe at these first words in the Hebrew Bible. It only occurs once
"In the beginning". However there is a very similar commencement to John's gospel where we are again
face to face with eternity (John 1:1-3).
31-2 Genesis 12:1 - 25:11 / The Life of Abraham ~ Three Credits
31-3 Genesis 25:12 – 36:43 / The Life and Times of Isaac and Jacob ~
Three Credits
31-4 Genesis Chapters 37 – 50 / Joseph ~ Three Credits
32-1 Exodus Chapters 1-13 / Out of Egypt ~ Three Credits
32-2 Exodus Chapters 14-27 / Worship in the Wilderness ~ Three Credits
32-3 Exodus Chapters 28-40 / By the Mountain of God ~ Three Credits
33-1 Leviticus Chapters 1-17 / The Way to God ~ Three Credits
33-2 Leviticus Chapters 18-27 / The Walk with God ~ Three Credits
34-1 Numbers Chapters 1-12 / Forward to Kadesh Barnea ~ Three Credits
34-2 Numbers Chapters 13-24 / Hard Lessons on God’s Tough Route March to the Land of Promise
~ Three Credits
34-3 Numbers Chapters 25-36 / On the Plains of Moab ~ Three Credits
35-1 Deuteronomy Chapters 1-11 / To Advance – We Must Learn From History ~ Three Credits
35-2 Deuteronomy Chapters 12-26 / Love and Obedience in All Areas of Life ~ Three Credits
35-3 Deuteronomy Chapters 27-34 / Two Paths for God's People – Blessing or Cursing ~ Three Credits
36-1 Joshua Chapters 1-12 / The Conquest of the Land of Promise ~ Three Credits
36-2 Joshua Chapters 13-24 / The Division and Consolidation of the Land ~ Three Credits
37-1 Judges Chapters 1-10 / The Early Judges ~ Three Credits
37-2 Judges Chapters 11-21 / The Later Judges and the Chaos that Led into the Days of Samuel ~
Three Credits
**38 Ruth / A Verse by Verse Study ~ Three Credits
Ruth is a lovely, gentle book, yet it is an important part of Scripture. Alongside Esther it is one of only two
books in the Bible devoted to the story of a woman. The book originally formed part of the book of Judges
in the ancient Hebrew Canon, supplementary to that book, and it forms a connecting link between Judges
and Samuel. Ruth is a book that is not quoted in the New Testament, unless the genealogy in Matthew 1
draws from it.
We do not know who wrote Ruth, but Judges is often ascribed to Samuel, so if it truly started life as an appendix to Judges then it is possible that Samuel was the author, but this is no more than conjecture. As a
part of Holy Scripture, the canonicity of Ruth has never been seriously questioned.
22
As to when it was written, it is implied from chapter 1:1 that it was after the crowning of Saul as king, given that it appears to look back to the period when the judges ruled. It seems to have been written after the
birth of David, for he is mentioned twice in chapter 4, but probably before the birth of Solomon, for he
would probably have been mentioned had he been born.
A further reason for this was that the prejudice against Moabite women became more intense as time
passed, so it is unlikely that a book like this would have been written, or if it had it would not have been
incorporated into the canon of Hebrew Scripture, had it been written after the time of David.
The fact that David sent his own parents into Moab for safety (1 Samuel. 22:3) would tend to confirm that
Israel was not unduly at odds with Moab around this time. It is also likely that Ruth was written some time
after the period to which it referred, because in 4:7 it refers to the type of contract that was common “in
earlier times”, thus suggesting that culture and society had moved on since then.
Ruth was one of the five scrolls sung at the great festivals of Israel. It was to be read at the Feast of Pentecost along with the story of the giving of the Law at Sinai, and thus it becomes part of the great story of
God’s salvation of His people. It has an underlying theme of God providentially guiding and blessing His
people.
We know from verse 1 that the story is set in the time when the judges ruled in Israel, but we are not told
when exactly the incident occurred. It must have been towards the beginning of the judges' time, for Boaz,
who married Ruth, was born of Rahab, who received the spies in Joshua's time. Some think it was in the
days of Ehud, others of Deborah; others suggest it was in the days of Gideon, because in his days only we
read of a famine by the Midianites' invasion, (Judges 6:3, Judges 6:4.).
However, Josephus places it in the government of Eli, but that is too late for Boaz, the grandfather of Jesse,
the father of David, to live. Some Jewish writers, as Jarchi, say it was in the times of Ibzan, who they say is
the same with Boaz as both came from Bethlehem, but without proof, and whose times are too late also for
this history. The Jewish chronology comes nearer the truth, which carries it up as high as the times of
Eglon, king of Moab, when Ehud was judge, which would place it in the period of Judges 3.
The book is set in Bethlehem, which is south of Jerusalem. It is normally a fruitful land and quite well watered. Moab is on the other side of the Dead Sea, towards the south-east. It also is a fertile and productive
land when well cultivated.
There are many pictures of Christ and His church in Ruth, which will unfold as we work through the book.
At its simplest, the book is about a wealthy, influential Jewish man taking a Gentile bride. There are similarities with both Joseph and Moses, who also took Gentile brides, and who were both types of Christ.
As mentioned above, the book was read as part of the celebrations at the Feast of Pentecost, which is generally acknowledged to be the birthday of the church in the year that Jesus Christ was crucified. Obviously
the Feast has its roots in Jewish history, but the church has become largely gentile over the centuries, and is
described in the New Testament as the Bride of Christ. As such, Boaz wooing and taking his gentile bride
can be seen as a picture (in embryo) of Christ taking the church as His bride.
There are, however, other themes that can be drawn from the book, including the lesson that there is a dignity in what we might call the ordinary things of life, and that God is interested and involved in these. God
is interested in ordinary family life, which He wants to see lived out in humble submission and obedience
to Him. We also learn that God exercises watchful care over those who trust and fear Him, even in times of
adversity. God’s care extends to foreigners outside the house of Israel, thus confirming His concern for all
mankind, and His desire to see all nations come to him. A further aspect that comes from the book is that
we learn more of the pedigree of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
39-1 1 Samuel Chapters 1-15 / Samuel the Judge, Saul the King (Leadership in Times of Oppression)
~ Three Credits
23
39-2 1 Samuel Chapters 16-31 / Saul and David (Leadership in Contrast) ~ Three Credits
40-1 2 Samuel Chapters 1-13 / David’s Early Reign ~ Three Credits
40-2 2 Samuel Chapters 14-24 / David’s Mature Years ~ Three Credits
41-1 1 Kings Chapters 1-11 / Solomon's Reign ~ Three Credits
41-2 1 Kings Chapters 12-22 / In the Shadow of Giants ~ Three Credits
42-1 2 Kings Chapters 1-13 / Decline and Fall ~ Three Credits
42-2 2 Kings Chapters 14-25 / Into the Valley of the Shadow of Death ~ Three Credits
**45 Ezra / The Man who Stood Up to Religious and Moral Compromise ~ Three Credits
The time period we enter with Ezra the great Scribe is a period where we see the great flowering of the
civilizations that will dominate the world until the last days. The great empires of the world are seen by the
prophet Daniel in the years before Ezra’s day, and he gets a glimpse of the entire panorama of world history from that time to our own today. The previous civilizations of the Fertile Crescent have gone into the
dust of history, having played their part and been supplanted by newer and more vigorous peoples. The
people of Sumer and Accad are gone, Ur of the Chaldees is a ruin by this time, the Assyrians are gone, and
the power of the Canaanite and Syrian kings are the stuff of history.
We enter the period with the book of Ezra that introduces our modern world, and sets the stage for the
“Last Days” of man. Many will feel that I am far too dramatic in my language here, for we still have 2500
years from the start of Ezra’s history until our own days, and then whatever time is to be played out until
the Lord returns. However, the stage is set in these days for the first advent of the Messiah, and the stage
remains set for His second advent. The nations that move to central stage now will remain at the center of
world events until the end. Throughout this study I will underline words that are worth referring to in a Bible Encyclopedia, or searching on the internet, to get additional background material on our journey
through Ezra and Nehemiah. As to authorship of this book, I accept that it is the work of the historic figure
Ezra, who lived and wrote in the fifth century BC.
Who are the players and what is their role? First let us be clear on this man Ezra, for he sets up what we
now know as “Rabbinic Judaism” after the Exile, and ensures by his reforms, his assembling of the canon
of the Old Testament, and by his own writings, that the Jewish people never enter into idolatry towards any
gods again. Sadly, his system will become over the subsequent centuries fixed in the concrete of LEGALISM and lead to the rejection of the Messiah by the majority of the Jewish people in the first century of our
era. However, his words and life example will be the encouragement to those who do accept the Lord Jesus
Christ as the Messiah.
We will not blame Ezra for the evils that are worked out in the Sanhedrin in the days of Jesus once we have
read and studied his words and seen his work. This man prepares the path for Messiah to come, and establishes the work of the local synagogues so that they will become the centers of Judaism for the rest of history, and the focal point for evangelism in the early Jewish Messianic Assemblies. For further study, we recommend you refer to the book by Dr Arnold Fruchtenbaum, “Hebrew Christianity”, as it forms the best
simple explanation of the Jewish origins of the early church. The wonderful work of Ezra finds its fulfillment in the early Messianic Synagogues established by the early Apostles, all of whom were Jewish.
Ezra lived in the fifth century before the Lord, and his history covers the period from the decree of Cyrus
the Great around 536 BC, until the decree of Artaxerxes Longimanus around 445 BC. Nehemiah will take
the story onwards until around 415 BC. Ezra is a leader of the Babylonian Jewish Community, born into a
family that did not return with the first exiles under Zerubbabel and Joshua the High Priest in 535 BC. He
grows up under the Medio-Persian rulers of the new Empire established by Cyrus the Great. The foolish
citizens of Babylon rebelled against the Persian rulers in the early years of the fifth century (482 BC) and it
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is probably as a result of the aftermath of this rebellion that was brutally put down by the Persians, that
Ezra and many other Jews in Babylon realize that the Lord’s place for them is back in Jerusalem with the
descendents of those who returned in 535 BC.
Ezra leads a second group back in around 458 BC and establishes worship in a godly fashion and brings the
needed revival of spirituality and holiness. The priesthood membership that had returned initially had become quite corrupt through the first decades in the land, especially due to the intermarriages amongst the
pagans who dwelt in the land. Marriages amongst pagans were forbidden for Israelites, and all marriages
that are spiritually “unequal” remain forbidden for believers today. 2 Corinthians 6:14. For God’s people
there are to be no compromises with the world, the flesh, or the devil. Galatians 5:17-24, 6:8-13. Refer to
the BTB study of SEPARATION, for this is a major theme of Ezra’s history. He is ably supported in his
work by Nehemiah, who is the Jewish Persian Governor of the province of Judah through part of the time
Ezra lives in the land.
Ezra’s work is not a history in the traditional sense as we understand history. He does not give us the facts
and figures relating to the settlement of the land, indeed he ignores everything that does not refer directly to
the worship of the people. His sole focus is the godly, pure, and proper re-establishment of worship in the
rebuilt Temple. Ezra is fixated on getting worship right, and getting the priesthood and the people “right”
before the Lord. He sees with absolute clarity that all believers who are serious about their service of the
Lord need to get a grip on themselves and every detail of their daily lives. He sees that it is righteousness
that exults a nation! We need to fully take onboard Ezra’s heart for the Lord, for we all need to stand before the Lord our God with holy heart and holy hands. The need for personal and corporate holiness is at
the highest level of concern when we approach the worship of the Lord.
This remains a major concern for the church today as it was for those who entered the Temple in Ezra’s
day. Those today who approach the Communion Table in a spirit that is less than holy are in grave danger
of judgement. 1 Corinthians 11:20-34. Do a short study now of the following New Testament verses to see
that this theme of holiness before the Lord remains central for our own worship, as it was in the days of
Moses and then Ezra. Look at the following verses, 1 Corinthians 3:17, Ephesians 1:4, 5:27, 1 Timothy 2:8,
2 Timothy 1:9, 1 Peter 1:12-16, Jude 20, Revelation 4:8. Let us ensure that we are as “fanatical” as Ezra
was in regard to dealing with personal sin, for only then are we walking in the place where we can worship,
serve, and be blessed by the Lord. Refer to the BTB studies below.
The time period we move into here sees the birth of the future great European nations that will bring European Civilization as we know it to Europe. Rome is established as a vibrant village by the River Tibur in
the mid 700s, and by the years of the fifth century has expanded and is on its path to domination of its surrounding area. By the second century it will have eliminated the threat of Carthage on the coast of North
Africa, and the Greek city States in the south of Italy, and begin to control the western Mediterranean area.
Between Rome and Persia the new and vibrant Dorian Greek culture is emerging from the dying days of
the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures. These Greek tribes arriving in the years around 1000 BC, establish
themselves in the cities of Greece and build their strength and power. They will fight each other, and join
together only to take on the might of the Persian Empire in the days of Ezra and the century after him. The
great battle of Marathon; that we still remember today from the epic run of the Athenian messenger, is
fought by the Greeks against the Persians in 490 BC. The next round of the titanic struggle between the
west and the east occurs under the next Persian leader, Xerxes. He wanted to avenge the defeat at Marathon, and so he formed a vast army to invade and conquer Greece. In 480 BC he built a pontoon bridge
across the Hellespont, and marched his army of as many as 200,000 men, across into Europe where he
meets and fights the 300 Spartans in the pass at Thermopylae.
Led by their king Leonidus the 300 Spartans fight to the last man and buy the time the other Greek States
need to re-organize their defenses. Xerxes seizes Athens and burns the entire city that is made of wood at
this time (the Athenians will later celebrate their victory by rebuilding in marble). The entire population of
Athens has already used the time Leonidus bought them and relocated to the island of Salamis, and it is off
this island that the Athenian Admirals win their great naval victory against the Persian fleet.
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The next year, 479 BC, the Persian Army meets the Greek combined army at Plataea for a bloody and close
fought battle. The great Persian prince and general Mardonius leads his men from the front on his white
horse surrounded by his 1,000 man guard of a section of the famous “Immortals”, the Persian body guard
of the king. He is killed at a crucial point in the battle and the Persian host flees the field. Such is the wealth
in the Persian camp that the Greeks spend ten days on the field looting the dead and their camp.
This wealth ensures that the Greeks have the money to rebuild their cities and their naval forces. They also
become the mercenary forces for a number of Persian kings in the future and some of the great literature of
the Greek world comes from the journeys of Greek mercenaries in this period. Xenophon’s book Anabasis
(“The Persian Expedition” of around 401 BC) records the exploits of one such Greek mercenary army. The
Greek historian and traveler Herodotus also travels the Persian Empire in this century and all these books
have survived and may be referred to as background reading to the Biblical texts before us.
The Persian king Xerxes is else-where fighting with another Persian Army when he hears the news of the
defeat of his Greek expedition. When he returns to the Persian capital he is depressed and drinks more and
more to deal with his depression. We meet him in the scriptures, for he is the man referred to by his Persian
title of Ahasuerus. Esther will be led by the Lord to marry this man to stop a planned program against the
Jews by a faction of the Persian nobility led by Haman. Jewish people were active in the politics and administration of the Persian Empire and were resented for their power and influence as we will see in the
book of Nehemiah.
The three books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Esther are grouped for the historic reason that they are all contemporaries. They each, with Daniel earlier, illustrate the new role of the Jewish people within the new Gentile
Empires. Jewish people from the falls of Jerusalem in 606, 597 and 586 BC, have become a secondary
force in the politics of the world, but individuals will play key roles in Gentile kingdoms to fulfill the Plan
of God. They will play key supporting roles in the dramas of the rest of history, and it will only be under
the returned Lord Jesus Christ that they will become as a nation, the leader of the nations that they briefly
were under David and Solomon.
The very language of the scriptures will change through this period also. Hebrew is the dominant language
of the Old Testament, but Aramaic is the language of diplomacy in the Middle East and is the one used by
the administrators of the Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian Empires in the entire Middle Eastern area. It is
written the same way as Hebrew and to the untrained eye it looks the same, but its presence in the books of
Daniel and Ezra is the sign that the prophetic “Age of the Gentiles” has begun, and it will run until the
Lord’s return. Luke 21:24.
Aramaic will be the daily language used by the Jewish people of Jesus day, in association with the Greek
language that Alexander the Great will introduce after his defeat of the Persian Empire in the 330s. By using the language of their conquerors and making it their own, the Jewish people of Ezra’s day through until
Jesus day demonstrate that their independent power is over, and they are under the political control of others. In the Luke passage above, Jesus notes that the city of Jerusalem will be “trodden down” by Gentile
boots until that time of His final return to rule over this earth.
This “Age of the Gentiles” began at the fall of Jerusalem in 606 BC, and from that point the great Gentile
Empires rule the earth until the Lord’s return. The dream of Nebuchadnezzar, that Daniel interprets, Daniel
Chapter 2, makes this clear to Jew and Gentile alike.
The spiritual “Age of Israel” continues until it is broken by Messiah being “cut off” as Daniel predicted he
would be, Daniel 9:26, but politically the centre of world history moves westwards through the centuries
from the days of Ezra. He is born into the “Silver Age” of Medio-Persia, and within four centuries the Empire of Iron (Rome) is on the scene, and is the final oppressor and destroyer of Jerusalem in 70 AD. Rome’s
modern derivative nations (modern Europe and North Africa and the Levant) are the key players in history
until the end when the entire edifice of man is brought down by the ROCK that is Christ. Daniel 2:44-45.
Within the book of Ezra, the decrees of the Persian monarchs are written in Aramaic (also referred to as
Chaldean), Ezra 4:8-22, 5:6-17, 6:6-12, 7:12-26, and the section on the rebuilding of the Temple are also in
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Aramaic. Ezra 5:23-6:18. This indicates Ezra’s closeness to the Monarch, and makes me believe that these
sections are either copies of official records, or official records sent back to Persia to report progress. Ezra
was very likely given the role he has by the Persian King, who took a great deal of interest in the religious
affairs of his peoples. We will see this when we get to the appropriate section. It may be that both Nehemiah and Ezra were Persian officials as well as being Jewish leaders. Persia brings peace to the region, and
with that it brings prosperity which the Jewish community benefits from through their involvement in trade.
Jewish entry into world trade and banking begins at this time period and continues into the next time period, the Greek Empire of Alexander the Great. This book follows on from Daniel and describes a great turning point of history. As we will see, this man Ezra has much to teach his people about holiness and righteousness, and his words burn down through the centuries and teach us today with the same power they did
2500 years ago.
**46 Nehemiah / The Leader, the Mentor, and the Wall Builder ~ Three Credits
In the Hebrew Canon of Scripture this book forms the second half of the story that begins with Ezra. There
is present debate about which man precedes the other into the land of Judea and does his work, but the Hebrew order in the scriptures would indicate that Ezra is first. Let us return to that question by the time we
have gone through the thirteen chapters and see what our conclusion is at that time. All the evidence from
the text and history would place this little book in the Persian period. I will highlight these little pieces of
evidence as we go through. No plausible attack upon the historicity of this book has been sustained, and my
position is that it is good history, not later “mythic history” written to teach some principle or another by a
person centuries after the events described. That being said, we must recall the words I wrote at the end of
the book of Ezra. Biblical history is not like secular history; as it does not follow all the events of the life of
people, but only the actions and events that are central to the Plan of God.
Nehemiah’s story is the account of the historical actions of the man who is the human means of beginning
the final ticking of God’s prophetic clock for the history of man upon this temporary planet we call “earth”.
The prophetic revelation of Daniel had made it clear that seventy weeks were determined for Israel until the
end and Messiah came; 69 weeks until his first advent, and then an indeterminate gap, and then the final
week before His arrival upon the earth to rule as King of kings. Daniel 9:24-27.
The clock for this time frame begins with the decree to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and Nehemiah is the
Jewish leader who gets to fulfill that decree, and see the clock begin its path towards the arrival of Messiah.
Once again as we go through this book we will see the differences in the way the Lord tells a story, and the
way we tell stories. As with the account of Ezra, there is much that we wish was here, but isn’t recorded.
Our central character is Nehemiah, the Jewish Persian Governor of the province of Judea for two periods in
the later years of the fifth century BC. He is an example of how high many Jews had risen in the Persian
Empire, and a reminder that the nature of the Exile in Babylon had changed the demographics of the Jewish
people. In and after the exile, the Jewish people excel in government, military, trading, and cultural
spheres, and they excel way out of proportion to their small numbers. The reason for this historic phenomenon is found in their “selected” gene pool.
Nebuchadnezzar’s deportations had been targeted to the upper echelons of society; only the best, the most
intelligent, and the most technically gifted, had been deported. The vast majority of the population; in the
middle and at the bottom of society, were killed in the battles and sieges that raged through the land during
the period 606 – 586 BC. The result of the two great Jewish rebellions against Nebuchadnezzar, (ending
597, and finally in 586 BC) was that only the best from the Jewish gene pool survived the invasions and
destruction and ended up in Babylon. The vast majority of the bottom and middle of society was swept
away in death through the sword, famine or disease. Jeremiah 5:3-25, 9:16, 14:11-18, 21:7-10, 24:1-10. As
in the last parable of Jeremiah, only the “good figs” survive, and so the entire nation is transformed by the
Exile. Ezekiel 5:2-17, 6:3-12.
This meant that when the Jewish people rebuilt their strength in the Exile in Babylon and later Persia, their
population contained only people from the top ten percentile of the population, and so the average intelligence and genetic origin technical ability of the Jewish population was, and remains, far higher than any
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other nation in the history of man. Whereas all other nations have a bell curve of intelligence and abilities
in the arts and crafts, the Jewish people are heavily loaded towards the top end.
The actions of Nebuchadnezzar led to the phenomenon we see today, where the Jewish people, at a fraction
of the world total population have produced the largest number of Nobel prizes, and have the highest tertiary qualifications per head of any people. Their gene pool simply contains more intelligence than any
other nation as a result of Nebuchadnezzar’s selective culling action. This changes the course of Jewish
history, and the prophetic clock begins to tick for this completely changed group that returns from Babylonian Captivity.
They are not the nation any longer that David led, or Isaiah preached to, or even Jeremiah tried to warn.
They are now a transformed group of mainly highly intelligent people, descended from artisans, army officers, priests, nobles, and other leaders. Most of the thick and stupid members of their society are dead,
and their inferior genetic inheritance is gone forever, and as a result, these new families of intelligent survivors will demand intelligent leadership, not the thick kings of yesterday. Zerubbabel, Joshua, Nehemiah,
and Ezra gain respect, not by their lineage, but by their Holy Spirit controlled nature and their intelligence
and abilities.
The Jewish people will value only intelligence and competence from this period onwards in their history.
This will lead to a pride centered problem that will plague them through their history, but it will also open
the door to their impact on the later Greek and Roman worlds. The great classical cultures knew that this
nation was quite different to any other they had ever come across. Let us see the life of one of these intelligent and able Jews of the Persian period; a man who rises to the top in the Persian Government, as Daniel
had done before, and whose position opens the door for him to be used in the Plan of God.
**46-1 Nehemiah’s Leadership Style ~ Three Credits
Nehemiah is one of the leaders in the Bible that achieved much as far as the rebuilding and restoration of
worship in Israel. His leadership style made it possible to finish building the broken walls of Jerusalem and
its burnt gates.
His leadership style has been that of a simple humble person. Copying some of the things that he did to
achieve and accomplish his vision will not be a waste of time. Spending time reading the book of Nehemiah is quiet enriching as far as growing in leadership is concerned.
In this document I will try to look at Nehemiah and his relationship with God and the People he led. What
style did he use to lead the people in building the walls and after he finished building?
47 Esther / A Verse by Verse Study ~ Three Credits
48-1 Job Chapters 1-14 / The Problem of Pain ~ Three Credits
48-2 Job Chapters 15-31 / The Theology of Error ~ Three Credits
48-3 Job Chapters 32-42 / The Last Words of Arrogant Man, and God’s Final Answer ~ Three Credits
49-1 Commentary / Psalms 1-8 ~ Three Credits
49-2 The Psalms of David / Psalms 9-16 / A Verse by Verse Study ~ Three Credits
49-3 The Psalms of David / Psalms 17-20 / A Verse by Verse Study ~ Three Credits
49-4 The Psalms of David / Psalms 21-25 / A Verse by Verse Study ~ Three Credits
49-5 The Psalms of David / Psalms 26-31 / A Verse by Verse Study ~ Three Credits
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49-6 The Psalms of David / Psalms 32-36 / A Verse by Verse Study ~ Three Credits
49-7 The Psalms of David / Psalms 37-41 / A Verse by Verse Study ~ Three Credits
49-8 Psalms 42-57 / The Exodus Psalms ~ Three Credits
**49-9 Psalms 58-72 / The Exodus Psalms / Rosh Hashanah – Feast of Trumpets ~ Three Credits
When you lead people you will find that many people don’t like being led! You may have passion, focus,
energy, righteous intentions, and a clear purpose, but there will always be people in your “congregation”
who will think they know better and resent being led by you or any other person. What you will discover
over time is that the weaker the individual, and the less abilities they have, the more they will often think
they are capable of.
Do not expect Holy Spirit inspired leadership to do any better than pagan leaders, for in the church we often come under even harder pressures than the pagans, as Satan really attacks us and our churches. Opposition must be faced, and we see David doing that in this Psalm. Let us read and learn as leaders, and if we
are followers, let us ensure we are good ones as a result of reading these words.
49-10 Psalms 73-89 / The Leviticus Psalms / Feast of Sukkot – Tabernacles ~ Three Credits
49-11 Psalms 90-106 / The Numbers Psalms ~ Three Credits
49-12 Psalms 107-118 / The Deuteronomy Psalms ~ Three Credits
49-13 Commentary / Psalm 119 ~ Three Credits
49-14 Psalms 120-134 / The Songs of Degrees / The Deuteronomy Psalms ~ Three Credits
**49-15 Psalms 135-150 / The Deuteronomy Psalms ~ Three Credits
This is a not a psalm that you will read and feel a freshness of ideas, for every verse is an echo of an earlier
one, from either the Mosaic Law or other Davidic Psalms. The author is in doubt, and many jumped to the
conclusion that the Psalm was written by an author in the second temple period, but it is most likely from
the days of Hezekiah, and the king himself may be the author, as he was of many of the Songs of Degrees.
There are thirty eight references to God in the twenty one verses of the psalm. It is a very godly psalm and
the Lord is at its center. It is also a psalm that refers to or sums up many of the great doctrines of the scriptures and so the follow up doctrinal study section to this psalm is extensive.
This Psalm begins the last section of the Deuteronomy Psalms, and as such it is a formal and very powerful
call to praise the Lord. If the Lord is the center of our life and worship we will be stabilized on the path of
life. Hezekiah is the king who leads the people through its darkest hour in the Assyrian Invasion, and its
brightest revival under Isaiah. If this is his psalm, we see him here at his spiritual best; drawing the great
words of the past into a hymn of praise and honor to the God who has delivered him and the nation. He
knows that only in Christ Centeredness is there any hope for their future also.
50-1 Proverbs Chapters 1 – 11 / God’s Command Manual for Soldiers in the Angelic Conflict ~
Three Credits
**50-2 Proverbs Chapters 12 – 21/ Two Paths in Life ~ Three Credits
The two ways of life are again contrasted in this chapter. The wise man loves the instruction of the Lord
and prospers in all he does as a result, but the wicked loves evil and brings destruction in his wake in all he
does. The wise man and woman is prepared to rise early and work hard every day they are given upon the
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earth, but the evil person is lazy and seeks the easy route through this life. God calls us to walk uphill, but
the devil encourages his people to coast downhill right into the Lake of Fire.
Wisdom means teachability and so the wise person becomes wiser, but the fool and evil person hates instruction in their self centered arrogance, and so they fall into the snares that the devil uses to destroy his
own foolish followers. The hatred of the devil for his own people is one of the great mysteries of this present world; Satan cannot be loyal and faithful to his own people to save himself! The sign, or fruit of the
Holy Spirit’s presence in a life is characterized by love, loyalty, teachability and humility, and the sign of
satanic influence is hatred, arrogance, and stupidity. The two paths lead to either blessing in time and eternity, or to devastation and destruction in time and eternity.
50-3 Proverbs Chapters 22 – 31 / Straight Talking about Fools and Friends ~ Three Credits
51-1 Commentary / Ecclesiastes Chapter 1 ~ Three Credits
51-2 Commentary / Ecclesiastes Chapter 2 ~ Three Credits
51-3 Commentary / Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 ~ Three Credits
51-4 Commentary / Ecclesiastes Chapter 4 ~ Three Credits
51-5 Ecclesiastes Chapters 5-12 ~ Three Credits
52 Song of Solomon / A Verse by Verse Study ~ Three Credits
53-1 Isaiah / Volume 1 – Chapters 1-13 ~ Three Credits
53-2 Isaiah / Volume 2 – Chapters 14-26 ~ Three Credits
53-3 Isaiah / Volume 3 – Chapters 27-39 ~ Three Credits
53-4 Isaiah / Volume 4 – Chapters 40-52 ~ Three Credits
53-5 Isaiah / Volume 5 – Chapters 53-66 ~ Three Credits
54-1 Jeremiah / Volume 1 – Chapters 1-10 ~ Three Credits
54-2 Jeremiah / Volume 2 – Chapters 11-20 ~ Three Credits
54-3 Jeremiah / Volume 3 – Chapters 21-29 ~ Three Credits
54-4 Jeremiah / Volume 4 – Chapters 30-39 ~ Three Credits
54-4 Jeremiah / Volume 5 – Chapters 40-52 ~ Three Credits
55 Lamentations / A Verse by Verse Study ~ Three Credits
56-1 Ezekiel / Volume 1 – Chapters 1-10 ~ Three Credits
56-2 Ezekiel / Volume 2 – Chapters 11-20 ~ Three Credits
56-3 Ezekiel / Volume 3 – Chapters 21-32 ~ Three Credits
56-4 Ezekiel / Volume 4 – Chapters 33-48 ~ Three Credits
57 Commentary / Daniel ~ Three Credits
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58 Hosea / A Verse by Verse Study ~ Three Credits
59 Commentary / Joel ~ Three Credits
60 Amos / A Verse by Verse Study ~ Three Credits
61 Commentary / Obadiah ~ Three Credits
62 Commentary / Jonah ~ Three Credits
63 Micah / A Verse by Verse Study ~ Three Credits
64 Nahum / A Verse by Verse Study ~ Three Credits
65 Commentary / Habakkuk ~ Three Credits
66 Commentary / Zephaniah ~ Three Credits
67 Commentary / Hagaii ~ Three Credits
68 Commentary / Zechariah ~ Three Credits
69 Malachi / A Verse by Verse Study
**70-1 Gospel of Matthew / Volume 1 - Chapters 1-7 ~ Three Credits
The Messiah is offered and the Messiah is rejected; this is the message of Matthew. This is the most Jewish
of the gospels. It is for the Jews but not necessarily those in the land. This is the gospel to give to the Jews,
especially if you can get a Modern Hebrew edition.
We need to think of this gospel as the link between the Old and the New Testaments; the person of the Lord
and the work of the Lord. The Old Testament prophecies which are fulfilled, is one of the main themes of
this gospel. He is more than Messiah of Israel, He is the Saviour of the world. Matthew is saying to Israel,
“behold your king/Messiah, but he is even more!”
70-2 Gospel of Matthew / Volume 2 – Chapters 8-14 ~ Three Credits
70-3 Gospel of Matthew / Volume 3 – Chapters 15-21 ~ Three Credits
70-4 Gospel of Matthew / Volume 4 – Chapters 22-28 ~Three Credits
71-1 Gospel of Mark / Volume 1 – Chapters 1-4 ~ Three Credits
71-2 Gospel of Mark / Volume 2 – Chapters 5-8 ~ Three Credits
71-3 Gospel of Mark / Volume 3 – Chapters 9-12 ~ Three Credits
**71-4 Gospel of Mark / Volume 4 – Chapters 13-16 ~ Three Credits
As the Lord Jesus was leaving the temple area for the last time before His death on the Cross one of his
disciples enthusiastically pointed to the architectural marvels of Herod’s temple which had been over 40
years in the making. They were amazed at the size and beauty of it.
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Jesus however points out that the buildings they are admiring are not permanent; in fact they are going to
all be totally destroyed within the generation with not one stone remaining on another. This would be literally fulfilled when the Roman legions destroyed the city of Jerusalem in 70 AD.
Many people are engrossed with the works of man to such an extent that they put their trust in the apparent
solid foundations of human society. We should not place our faith in man for situations can change drastically and rapidly. We should place our trust in the Creator rather than the creation for the Word of God
lives and abides forever. The Word of God is surer than anything we can see however permanent those
things appear.
72-1 Gospel of Luke / Volume 1 – Chapters 1-6 ~ Three Credits
72-2 Gospel of Luke / Volume 2 – Chapters 7-12 ~ Three Credits
**72-3 Gospel of Luke / Volume 3 – Chapters 13-18 ~ Three Credits
In this volume the text of the Gospel of Luke is reviewed verse by verse but parallel texts are noted at the
start of each section and the application and doctrines relate to the whole story by using material from the
other gospels.
72-4 Gospel of Luke / Volume 4 – Chapters 19-24 ~ Three Credits
**73-1 Gospel of John / Volume 1- Chapters 1-5 ~ Three Credits
In this volume the text of the Gospel of John is reviewed verse by verse but parallel texts are noted at the
start of each section and the application and doctrines relate to the whole story by using material from the
other gospels.
In John 20:26-31, 21:24-25 we have the last authoritative testimony of resurrection faith and the need for
all people to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. The gospel of John and the letters could have
been written after the Revelation. This appears to be the last testimony of John regarding the Lord.
In John 1: 1 - 18 we see that from both the beginning and end we have a theological and interpretative gospel rather than the simple story telling of the synoptic gospels which are more involved in the action and
discourses alone. John is not only interested in the action but adds things that the others had not included,
and gives a theological explanation for each thing recorded.
73-2 Gospel of John / Volume 2 – Chapters 6-11 ~ Three Credits
73-3 Gospel of John / Volume 3 – Chapters 12-17 ~ Three Credits
73-4 Gospel of John / Volume 4 – Chapters 18-22 ~ Three Credits
**74-1 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 1 – The Coming of Christ
Within the Bible there are many parallels giving different aspects of the same thing. The four gospels of
course have the same focus, that on the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. The different authors have different
emphasis but have a common story.
As one approaches a harmony of the gospels the concept adopted is that all Scripture is God Breathed and
as the Holy Spirit has put all the books together there is a harmony amongst them all. This can been seen in
prophecies in the Old Testament being fulfilled literally centuries later and reported on in the New Testament
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By comparing events in the four gospels simultaneously a more complete picture of the life and work of the
Lord Jesus Christ is obtained so that we may more fully appreciate what He has done for us and the magnificence of the Plan of God.
The analysis of the four gospels will be on a verse by verse basis, examining the key words, background,
application, prophecies and doctrines together with a harmonised version of the King James Version as
well as examining problem areas of so called contradictions.
74-2 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 2 – John the Baptist and Nicodemus ~ Three Credits
74-3 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 3 – Early Ministry in Galilee ~ Three Credits
74-4 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 4 – Healing and the Sabbath ~ Three Credits
74-5 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 5 - Sermon on the Mount ~ Three Credits
74-6 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 6 – Ministry in Galilee ~ Three Credits
74-7 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 7 – Opposition from the Pharisees ~ Three Credits
74-8 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 8 – Parables & the Kingdom of Heaven ~ Three Credits
74-9 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 9 – Miracles ~ Three Credits
74-10 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 10 – Ministry of the Disciples
74-11 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 11 – The Bread of Life ~ Three Credits
74-12 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 12 – Mount of Transfiguration ~ Three Credits
74-13 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 13 – The Last Journey ~ Three Credits
74-14 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 14 – Feast of Dedication ~ Three Credits
74-15 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 15 – Ministry in Perea ~ Three Credits
74-16 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 16 – Raising of Lazarus ~ Three Credits
74-17 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 17 – The Rich Young Ruler ~ Three Credits
74-18 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 18 – Presentation of the King ~ Three Credits
74-19 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 19 – Conflict with Authority ~ Three Credits
74-20 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 20 – The Olivet Discourse ~ Three Credits
74-21 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 21 – The Last Passover ~ Three Credits
74-22 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 22 – Preview of the Church Age ~ Three Credits
74-23 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 23 – Betrayal and Trials ~ Three Credits
74-24 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 24 – The Death of Jesus Christ ~ Three Credits
74-25 Harmony of the Gospels / Volume 25 – Resurrection ~ Three Credits
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74-26 The Four Combined Gospels ~ Three Credits
75-1 Book of Acts / Volume 1 – Chapters 1-7 ~ Three Credits
**75-2 Book of Acts / Volume 2 – Chapters 8-14 ~ Three Credits
Acts completes Luke’s account of the history of the early church from the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ
through until Paul stands trial before Caesar in Rome in the early 60s of the first century. It was the second
part of Luke’s record, the first being the Gospel of Luke itself. It was prepared for Theophilis, who may
have been the lawyer defending Paul for his trial before the highest Roman court. Luke 1:1; Acts 1:1. It is
also possible that because the name means, “lover of God”, that Luke simply writes to all people who love
God and desire the truth about the story of the growth and spread of the Christian faith.
The two books of Luke give evidence of a careful and thorough historian, who has personally spoken to as
many people in the story as was possible. Luke joins Paul at one point in the narrative of Acts, where the
text moves from “Paul did” to the abrupt change, “we did.” Acts 16:6–8; then verses 9–13. Luke certainly
spent a great deal of time speaking to the sources, as he has little details in his gospel that the others do not
mention, and they tend to be things that only the actual people involved in the story would have remembered and told.
Luke certainly spent time with Mary, as her story is told by Luke far above the other writers. Church tradition records that Mary lived into the 70s of the first century, dying and being buried finally in Ephesus,
where she had been taken by the Apostle John, who had her care since the day of the crucifixion. John
19:25-29.
75-3 The Books of Acts / Volume 3 – Chapters 15-21 ~ Three Credits
75-4 The Book of Acts / Volume 4 – Chapters 22-28 ~ Three Credits
76-1 Commentary / Romans Chapter 1 ~ Three Credits
76-2 Commentary / Romans Chapter 2 ~ Three Credits
76-3 Commentary / Romans Chapter 3-4 ~ Three Credits
76-4 Commentary / Romans Chapter 5 ~ Three Credits
76-5 Commentary / Romans Chapter 6 ~ Three Credits
76-6 Commentary / Romans Chapter 7 ~ Three Credits
76-7 Commentary / Romans Chapter 8 ~ Three Credits
76-8 Commentary / Romans Chapters 9-16 ~ Three Credits
77 Commentary / First Corinthians ~ Three Credits
78 Commentary / Second Corinthians ~ Three Credits
79 Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, a Study ~ Three Credits
80 Commentary / Ephesians ~ Three Credits
**81 Commentary / Philippians ~ Three Credits
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The city of Philippi was named after the father of Alexander the Great who rebuilt Philippi in 350 BC. This
city was the site of a major battle in the Roman civil war between the Republicans and Augustus who with
Mark Anthony gained a great victory here in 42 BC. Here Brutus and Cassius, defeated by Augustus and
Anthony committed suicide. Augustus made Philippi a Roman colony with its citizens having full rights of
citizenship.
The city was on the Ignatian way, one of the major roads in the ancient world thus much trade passed
through Philippi. When Paul arrived at Philippi some 90 years later it was therefore a Roman city but Greek
speaking. Philippi had a population of 200,000 to 500,000 at the time of Paul and therefore was a substantial city.
The Jews were few and had no synagogue but were allowed "a place of prayer" outside the city gates on the
banks of the Gangites. Paul visited Philippi in 52 AD and at "the place of prayer" converted Lydia of Thyatira [Acts 16:11-15].
Also as a result of exorcising a demon possessed girl he and Silas were brought before the magistrate condemned, scourged and imprisoned. During the night they were miraculously freed which resulted in the
conversion of the Philippian jailer and a faithful Christian community was thereby founded. [Acts 16:1640]
The next morning Paul let them know that he was a Roman and the magistrates become anxious as you can
beat up a Jew and get away with it but you cannot go around beating up Roman citizens. They begged them
to leave the city without any more fuss.
Paul visited Philippi twice again, first awaiting the arrival of Titus from Corinth [2 Corinthians 2:13, 7:5-6]
and afterwards staying to keep the paschal feast on his way to Asia Minor. [Acts 20:5-6]
Whilst this is not a church with problems there was some dissension between the ladies in Philippians 4:2
showing that even in a mature church you will get personality conflicts. We need to bury these conflicts
and move on together. We need to love all believers in Christ but you are not commanded to like them all.
82 Commentary / Colossians ~ Three Credits
83 Commentary / First Thessalonians ~ Three Credits
84 Commentary / Second Thessalonians ~ Three Credits
85 Commentary / First Timothy ~ Three Credits
86 Commentary / Second Timothy ~ Three Credits
87 Commentary / Titus ~ Three Credits
88 Commentary / Philemon ~ Three Credits
89 Commentary / Hebrews ~ Three Credits
**90-1 Commentary / James / Dr John McEwan ~ Three Credits
“One of the greatest needs of the churches today is biblical preaching based on historical exposition"
(Moody, 1970, p.1). This comment by Dale Moody is most relevant when we consider the use and abuse
of these letters before us. Understanding the historic and cultural background of these letters adds significantly to their power and impact and gives us the clue to interpretation and application of so called “difficult” passages. These letters can be, as Michael Green observes, “a very obscure corner of the New Testament” (Green, 1968, p.11), but that is only because too many pastors have not taken the trouble to find out
the Jewish frame of reference of the writers, and have thereby robbed their congregations of vital parts of
God’s revelation for them.
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**90-2 Commentary / James / Paul R oost ~ Three Credits
Someone has said that Christians need to be natural in their spiritual lives, and spiritual in their natural
lives. This book of the New Testament addresses the second half of that statement – the need to let our
Christian faith be visible in the ordinary, everyday events of our lives.
Too often, Christianity is viewed as a faith that only operates in a sterile environment. It looks good in a
Sunday morning worship service, but it doesn’t hold up well when:
The refrigerator goes out, and the car needs repair, and the boss is breathing down your neck, and all the
family is coming to your house for the reunion – all in the same week!!
Too often in such situations, Christians act and react just like the unbeliever. Anxiety keeps them awake at
night. Their temper gets the better of them. They gripe and complain, bicker and argue, become critical
and sarcastic. James informs us that these things ought NOT to be.
A relationship to Christ should make a visible difference to the way we respond to the twists and turns of
life. It should bring peace when we are persecuted. In times of conflict, it should be a source of selfcontrol. One who belongs to Christ should demonstrate His compassion, confidence, honesty, humility,
and integrity.
James is practical, but hard-hitting. It challenges us to rise above a level of mediocrity and strive for excellence in our Christian lives. Boldly, forcefully, it tells us how our Christian faith should be practiced in the
rough and tumble reality of our everyday living.
However, if we are to understand its message, we need to know the author and try to get an overall view of
his book. Beginning a study of a book of the Bible is something like preparing for a trip. You like to know
where you are going and what you can expect to see. Perhaps the best way to launch a study of the Epistle
of James is to answer some important questions.
91 Commentary / First Peter ~ Three Credits
92 Commentary / Second Peter ~ Three Credits
93 Commentary / First John ~ Three Credits
**94-1 Commentary / Second and Third John ~ Three Credits
John wrote to the Elect Lady to encourage an ever-closer walk in truth and love, but also to prevent their
Christian hospitality being abused by those who claimed that Christ had not come in the flesh. We also
should be warned from extending hospitality or wishing God speed to those who deny the deity of Christ.
“Irenaeus reported that one of the reasons John wrote his Gospel was to refute the views of Cerinthus, an
early Gnostic. Over against the Gnostic assertion that the true God would not enter our world, John stressed
in his Gospel that Jesus was God’s incarnate Son.”
95Commentary / Letters of John ~ Three Credits
96 Commentary / Jude ~ Three Credits
97-1 Commentary / Revelation – Condensed ~ Three Credits
97-2 Commentary / Revelation ~ Three Credits
98 Church Age Teachings in the Four Gospels
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101 The Christian Believer ~ Three Credits
102 Twenty Vitals Keys for Christian Assurance and Victory ~ Three Credits
**103 Sixteen Deadly Devices of Satan ~ Three Credits
As shown by the typical cartoon concept, most of the world today pictures Satan as a medieval and mythical 2-horned, fork-tailed impish creature, dressed in red flannel underwear, busily pitching coal into the
furnaces of hell. Some time ago an article was published entitled, “If I Were the Devil.” Let me briefly
quote from it:
“If I were the devil, the first thing I would do is to deny my own existence! “I would deny my existence in
the world and downplay it in the local church, thus freeing me to go about my business unheeded, unhindered and unchecked!’”
It might surprise some to know that some time ago a national secular magazine took a poll of some 5000
American clergymen and discovered that a full 73% ridiculed the concept of a personal devil of any sort!!
Satan’s existence is doubted, denied, or downplayed in the world of men, but quite the opposite is true in
the Word of God.!!
Satan is mentioned in 7 Old Testament books: Genesis, 1 Chronicles, Job (12 times), Psalms, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah. He is to be found in 19 New Testament books, and is referred to by every New Testament writer. He is mentioned by the Lord Jesus Christ some 15 times. This devious approach to deny his
existence is, of course, the absolute opposite of that used by God Who desires, perhaps above all else, to be
fully believed in!!
Hebrews 11:6:- “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe
that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” But this is NOT so with Satan.!!
This disciple of doubt seems to thrive best when he is underestimated, ignored or denied.
Suppose there is a Bible-believing church which is going through a spiritual crisis. For some months many
diverse problems have occurred. The attendance and offerings are also down and the members are becoming restless. Finally, and in desperation, a special committee is appointed by the congregation to discover
the source of this coldness and lifelessness. After considerable prayer and deep soul searching, the committee submits its report. What are its findings?
I believe it may be safe to assume that the average committee would lay the blame on one or more of the
following: the pastor; certain officials; a cold congregation; or a difficult neighborhood.
But what fact-finding group would return the following indictment? “‘We believe the main source of our
heartaches for the past few months is satanic!! We believe the reason our church is experiencing these
problems is due to an all-out attack on our church by Satan, and or, demons!!” “We close our report with a
strong recommendation that the congregation call a special meeting…”
**104 Conquering Sin the Biblical Way ~ Three Credits
It has been said that Christianity has not failed, it has never been tried. There may be some truth to that
statement because a lot of what passes for Christianity is not Christianity at all. But we think that there is a
better explanation.
The explanation that we would like to propose is that Christianity has seldom been understood. This is certainly true in our contemporary society.
There are hundreds of thousands of “religious” people in this country of ours and countless millions in other lands, who are staking their eternity upon the notion that they are Christians because they try to lead their
own peculiar interpretation of a Christian lifestyle.
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But if that were possible, why do you suppose the Apostle Paul, the greatest Christian theologian and missionary of all time, would have spent three chapters talking about justification before he ever got to the
subject of how to live the Christian life? The simple truth is that you can imitate a Christian life, and you
can FAKE a Christian life, but you cannot really LIVE a Christian life until you ARE one.
105 Depression / How to handle It ~ Three Credits
**109 God the Jehovah Joreh ~ Three Credits
When it comes to adequately describing God’s unfathomable love for His redeemed children, even the Bible must admit defeat!! God’s love for YOU extends far beyond the bounds of human comprehension. Yet,
through a spiritual miracle we can gain personal insight into the incomprehensible.
You know, I can easily believe that the atom-holding, earth-spinning, galaxy-sustaining, life-giving Source
of everything wonderful can do whatever He likes – don’t you?? Even Satan fully believes in God’s power.
Our difficulty is in really believing that God’s special love for ME makes Him long to use that power on
MY behalf.
Now, few of us doubt that God can do some pretty amazing things. The weak link in our faith is in not believing that He really would do such things for ordinary, inconsequential people like YOU and ME. We
suspect we are not sufficiently special in the Almighty’s eyes to warrant such attention.
Oh yes, “God loves everyone,” but we have a hunch that by the time that love reaches US it has spread
pretty THIN. “I’m just 1 of billions….Why would God want to focus His omnipotence on me?” If we could
only grasp the enormity of God’s love for us, our faith would sky-rocket.
111 Messages of Encouragement ~ Three Credits
**112 Christian Leadership ~ Three Credits
This study was suggested as an aid for training of leaders in a biblically sound manner, and as a Bible study
based correction to the many false views of leadership that abound within modern church contexts. This
subject matter is at the heart of our philosophy, our daily practice and our work around the world. Unless
we all understand this subject thoroughly we will fall short of the Lord’s call upon our lives, and fail to
serve him as we should.
Many today follow the examples of management manuals from the world of unsaved men, and too many
who profess to follow the one who was a carpenter, live like kings rather than servants. We have in some
churches today the spectacle of ministers, who claim to represent the Lord acting more like King Herod,
dressed in all his splendor, than Peter or Paul. Acts 12:1-2, 20-25.
The men of Christ, and the Lord himself walked through this world, taking transport when it was required,
and not being attached to physical assets at all, unless they enhanced their ministry to the lost and service
for the saints. They wore appropriate clothes for the situations they were involved in ministry within, and
they wore good clothes, but not the purple of kings. They were neither embarrassed of their poverty when it
came at times, nor ashamed of their wealth when the Lord provided great wealth, for their eyes were on
their Savior and King. Philippians 4:11-13.
113 Revival and Renewal ~ Three Credits
**116 Prophesy (250 Biblical Prophecies and Their Fulfillments) ~ Three Credits
Prophecy features strongly in the Bible and the prophecies are often very specific. Why would God provide
so many prophetic statements in the Bible which are unique among “holy books” in their specific details?
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In order to answer that question we need to realize that God is outside time. God does not need time; He
was before time and will be after time. Man however is constrained by time.
An example of God being outside time is the fact that sins we have committed in this century were judged
and paid for in full when our Lord Jesus Christ died on the Cross some 2000 years ago and made the once
and for all sacrifice that satisfied God.
In order that we in our century are able to be saved demonstrates clearly that God is outside time. We live
in a four dimensioned world with length, breadth, depth and time being our constraints.
If we met a person who came from say a two dimensional universe we would know much more and be able
to share this knowledge with them in a clear way so that they would recognize us as being very different
but real.
It is clear therefore that God using His unique book the Bible is able to demonstrate to use that He exists,
that He is aware of history past, present and future and is able to identify the Lord Jesus Christ as the true
Messiah and only Son of God.
In addition He shows what will happen at various times during the history of man. He names specific people, places and incidents and they are fulfilled perfectly.
By studying and seeing past prophecies being fulfilled we can not only recognize the Lord Jesus Christ for
whom He is but see the overall plan of God for the future.
This book is divided into three sections, two of which have been fulfilled which should give us total confidence that the third section which we believe is still future and will be fulfilled as promised in His Word.
**131 The Heavens Declare the Glory of God (A Study of Biblical Astronomy) ~ Three Credits
This course will examine how God through the stars and constellations gave man the good news
of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, His life, death, His return in glory to reign and many other
items of Biblical truth before the Word of God appeared in written form.
NOTE: This is not a course on astrology or fortune telling; nor has it any connection with the occult. What we are considering is Scripture, the Bible in picture form provided by God in the heavens.
**132 Genesis and the Chinese Language, a Study ~ Three Credits
China boasts 4500 years of unbroken civilization and history which as a nation probably makes it unique
with the possible exception of Japan. By its geographical isolation China was left undisturbed for 2000
years.
Its history is dated as starting in the middle of the third millennium before Christ and as such coincides with
the Flood and the Tower of Babel which are dated at 2400 BC.
In this study the Chinese language pictures will be examined to demonstrate that the Chinese had the story
of Creation, The Fall, The Gospel, Noah’s Ark and the Tower of Babel some 700 years prior to Moses recording these events in his writing of the Torah.
By implication if the Tower of Babel is true all the nations on earth had the same stories when they spread
out across the earth from Mesopotamia
It is also of interest that the Chinese from ancient times had a seven day week.
**143 A Brief Exposition of Satan, Demonism, and Spiritism ~ Three Credits
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In this hectic turbulent and ever changing world, more than ever before people today are faced with many
questions that demand factual answers. The most important of these questions are:
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Is there a God? Does He really exist?
What is the make-up of man?
Is there really life after death? Or, is death the end of it all?
Can the souls of departed loved ones "come back" and communicate to us through mediums?
(Channellers)
Is reincarnation true?
Does Satan really exist?
Do demons really exist?
Does extra-terrestrial life exist in the universe?
Is there really a place called "Heaven" and "Hell" as defined by the Bible?
Was Jesus Christ really the Son of God?
**144 Spiritism in Africa ~ Three Credits
Demons are real and the Bible is very clear about this subject. The devil has tried to blind a lot of people by
making them believe that he and his angels do not exist.
It is therefore imperative that we examine this subject in detail. Let us examine the following:
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Where did they come from?
What are their titles?
How do they function?
How can we identify those who are possessed?
How do people get possessed?
Who can be possessed?
**149 The Tabernacle of God ~ Three Credits
In our age, we are blessed because we have the written Word of God. We can simply read the Bible to
learn about God and His purpose for us.
But before the time of Moses (about 1500 BC), men did not have the written Bible. It was Moses who
wrote the first books of the Bible – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy – which we
call “the Law of Moses”. The Tabernacle, with the priests, the rituals and all of the instructions associated
with it, was a part of the Law of Moses.
God used the Tabernacle to teach people about Himself. The people had to observe many rituals. They
had to wash themselves in special ceremonies, offer animal sacrifices, and make offerings to God. God
used these things to teach men about His holiness, and what God required of them. As men performed the
rituals, they learned about God, and they demonstrated their obedience to Him.
But all of these things were “shadows” of the real things to come. God was using these “pictures” to teach
men about greater truths (Colossians 2:16-17, Hebrews 8:5, Hebrews 9:9-10).
In this study we will see that the Tabernacle teaches about
 the holiness of God
 the sinfulness of man
 the plan of redemption through the Messiah
 the desire of God to be with His people
We will also see that the Tabernacle is a picture of
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God coming to earth as a man (Jesus) to pay the penalty of sin
the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer in the New Testament
heaven itself, and the New Jerusalem, where God will dwell with His people forever
**150 The Cult of Spiritualism ~ Three Credits
The first thing to know about Spiritualism is the fundamental difference that distinguishes this religion
from many others, which is the concept of contact with the deceased. Now as you know with anything spiritual, you never get satisfactory results from scientific testing so there is no concrete proof that the dead are
in fact contacted by the living.
The Bible tells us that all who die are met immediately by one of two situations: either they are taken to be
with God because they are Christians, or they are sent into Hades where they will suffer torment on account
of their sinful rejection of God. The sovereign will of God decides where they go; it is not a choice on the
part of the deceased once they have died. The time for choice expires when a person dies; this is why we
are encouraged to choose today how we wish to spend eternity. You never know when your number will be
up!
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Fulfilling the Commission
Application For Admission
Mailing Address:
1518 9th St. Marysville WA 98270
Main Campus:
1502 Walnut St. Everett WA 98201
Telephone: (360) 659-8874
Website: http://www.FCS.org/ E-mail: FCS@FCS.org
Colville Campus - Office of Distance Education:
846-A Arden Hill Rd. Colville WA 99114
Telephone: (509) 684-8700 Fax: (509) 685-1809
Website: http://www.FCS.org/ E-mail: disted@FCS.org
Personal Information
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Social Security #: _____________________ Home Phone: ________________________
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If yes, what Church do you hold credentials with? _______________________________
Write short testimony of your Christian experience. (Add extra pages if necessary)
______________________________________________________________________________________
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List all schools attended (including High School) and credits and/or degrees earned.
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Please have official transcripts for all colleges attended sent to the School Registrar.
Enrollment
1. Check the appropriate diploma or degree program desired below.
Degree: [ ] Certificate [ ] Associate [ ] Bachelor
2. Check the appropriate area of concentration desired below.
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3. Calculate Enrollment Fees using the following:
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0.00
Total Amount Due:
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**Although there is currently no charge for tuition, all application, matriculation, and registration fees must
be paid by student at time of enrollment unless prior payment arrangements have been made and approved
by the President. No student will be allowed to graduate, and any transcripts, certificates, or degrees earned
will be held until all fees are paid in full, regardless of payment arrangements.
[ ] I have enclosed a check or money order for the total made payable to:
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Signature: ________________________________ Date: _________________________
Please enclose two passport size photos with your application.
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I am in agreement with Freedom Covenant Seminary Statement of Faith and I agree to abide by the policies
of the Institute as outlined in the catalog at the time I enrolled. I also agree to lift the Institute, its professors, staff and students up before the Lord in prayer daily.
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