Tag Archives: doctrine
How’s About a (Mostly) Free Course on Doctrine??? (2nd Notice)
Friends: I’ve written four books over the last few years that I believe are worthy of an online course. Here are those four books:
If a total of ten to twelve sign up for this online course, we will study the first book, DocTALK, together for ten Sunday nights. We will meet every other Sunday night for one hour on Zoom beginning on September 5.
Although most of us appreciate what we’ve paid something for, there is no charge for this course. If you wish to make a donation, that money will be sent to Christian workers in Ethiopia or Myanmar.
You may purchase a copy of DocTALK directly from me for $10 or on Amazon. If you and a friend together sign up for this course, I will send each of you a copy of DocTALK free.
If this first course is “successful,” I would consider moving on to the next book (DocWALK) for the next online course.
Interested? I need ten to twelve signed up and committed to do this online course by August 15th. To sign up or to ask questions, email me at theoprof@bellsouth.net. Or call me: 803-201-9745.
How’s About a (Mostly) Free Course on Doctrine???
Friends: I’ve written four books over the last few years that I believe are worthy of an online course. Here are those four books:
If a total of ten to twelve sign up for this online course, we will study the first book, DocTALK, together for ten Sunday nights. We will meet every other Sunday night for one hour on Zoom beginning on September 5.
Although most of us appreciate what we’ve paid something for, there is no charge for this course. If you wish to make a donation, that money will be sent to Christian workers in Ethiopia or Myanmar.
You may purchase a copy of DocTALK directly from me for $10 or on Amazon. If you and a friend together sign up for this course, I will send each of you a copy of DocTALK free.
If this first course is “successful,” I would consider moving on to the next book (DocWALK) for the next online course.
Interested? I need ten to twelve signed up and committed to do this online course by August 15th. To sign up or to ask questions, email me at theoprof@bellsouth.net. Or call me: 803-201-9745.
Five Truths You Need to Believe about . . . An Introduction to the Series
Introduction to the Series:
These posts are in preparation for my writing a series of 30-page booklets which will be designed to teach and apply fundamental truths of the Christian faith. While they do not pretend to address all the issues in a particular area of Christian belief, they will cover some of the basics which every Jesus-follower should affirm and put into practice.
Theology — the study of God and the things of God — is, for most people, as attractive as an appointment for a root canal. But I have often said that “Theology is not boring. Theologians are boring!” The precious truths given to us by a loving and powerful God should excite us and empower us to live for Him. Spiral bound, these lay-flat booklets will provide space for study notes and exercises.
Unfortunately, many Christians look like they’ve been baptized in lemon juice. Some act as if, when they came to Jesus, He gave them a misery pill and told them to go out and medicate the world!
Professional Christians (pastors, missionaries, Bible college and seminary professors) often seem to reflect the idea that doctrine is boring or irrelevant. Listen to what Dorothy Sayers said about such ministers:
“It is not true at all that dogma [doctrine] is ‘hopelessly irrelevant’ to the life and thought of the average man. What is true is that ministers of the Christian religion often assert that it is, present it for consideration as though it were, and, in fact, by their faulty exposition of it make it so. The central dogma of the Incarnation is that by which relevance stands or falls.” (from Creed or Chaos).
We will show the biblical basis for each of the five truths we will discuss in each of these booklets. We will also take seriously the “So what?” factor. In other words, if I really believe X, what difference ought that to make in my life? Right here? Right now?
So, we will list and discuss the five truths about a particular area of Christian belief, investigate some of its practical implications for the believer, and recommend several resources for further study.
We will begin with . . . FIVE TRUTHS YOU NEED TO BELIEVE ABOUT . . . FAITH! in our next post.
Today’s Challenge: Ask yourself the question: Do you really believe the fundamental truths of the Christian faith? How can your beliefs be tested and lived out?
Know WHAT, WHY, and IF You Believe (A Course in Basic Doctrine): First Things First!
Friends: I am developing a survey of Bible doctrine course I’m calling “Know WHAT, WHY and IF You Believe.” Here’s my first class video (which is just over 11 minutes’ long). I would really appreciate any feedback you care to give me!
Know WHAT and WHY and IF You Believe (Introduction)
Friends: I am developing a survey of Bible doctrine course I’m calling “Know WHAT and WHY and IF You Believe.” Here’s my introductory video (just over four minutes’ long). I would really appreciate any feedback you care to give me!
A Theological Check-Up: Do You Really Believe? Part 2: Truth
The late Paul Little wrote several key books for my young Christian life, including How to Give Away Your Faith and Know What and Why You Believe. My question for my readers — and myself — is: Do I really believe what I say I believe? Or am I, like the runaway missionary Jonah, just mouthing orthodox statements unsubstantiated by my personal life?
Do I believe in TRUTH? When the Lord Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me,” (Jn. 14:6), do I believe Him? Is He my source of truth? Do I affirm all that the Bible affirms? Do I submit my daily decisions, my carefully-thought-out priorities, to the principles of God’s Word? Do I really believe that God has spoken in the Old and New Testaments without stuttering?
IF I believe in TRUTH, I will affirm that it can be known and it has the power to set me free! Free from my self-deception, free from being squeezed into this world’s mold, free from the ever-changing circumstances of life which can erode one’s faith like a levy gradually washed away by a hurricane.
Part of the TRUTH that Christians must affirm is the existence and reality of the devil. Yes, you read that right! He is not the skinny guy wearing red leotards carrying a pitchfork. He is a formidable foe who is an expert at masquerading as an angel of light — and he hates you and me! He wants to gobble us up!
Jesus says to Israel’s religious leaders in John 8- “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” There is a professional LIAR who denies God’s Word and wants us to do the same. But we belong to the One who is TRUTH!
Today’s Challenge: In our world of conflicting opinions, take the time to share one indisputable TRUTH with someone today. It may be the simple fact that God loves them. But purpose before God to share that TRUTH. Today. Deal?
An Examination of I Timothy 3:12-16 (Part 9-Final): A Great Creed!
This is our last post on our study of I Timothy 3. We are looking forward to our trip to New Jersey, September 28 to October 7. For our Sunday School on October 6 we will be looking at the 2nd half of I Timothy 3. Let’s look at our passage one last time —
Verse 16 concludes this chapter and Paul’s instructions about overseers, deacons, deaconesses, and behavior in the “household of God.” And what a marvelous concluding verse it is! Here’s what we read:
“Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.”
If that doesn’t sound like an early Christian creed, I don’t know what would be! The editors of the NIV (and other translations) center the 2nd half of this verse, indicating that it was perhaps a commonly-used statement of faith which believers recited! Here’s my suggestion concerning these six great affirmations:
Finding Deep Joy in a Sad, Shallow World (A Study of Philippians) Part 7 JOY and the Christian Faith
We are studying the theme of JOY as 
expressed in the epistle to the Philippians. Used 16 times (with its variants), the term JOY reminds us of what is important in life. We have seen from the first use of the word (1:4) that we should pray for others with JOY. Is prayer a drudgery to you? Start praying for others . . . with JOY!
The second use of the term JOY is found in 1:18 and concerns the preaching of the gospel. We rejoice that the gospel is preached, but we do not affirm the many false gospels that are out there!
Yesterday we noticed the third use of the word JOY and that was also in 1:18. Paul says he will “continue to REJOICE.” Deep, biblical JOY allows us to praise and serve the Lord even in the worst of circumstances.
This morning we will look at the fourth use of the word JOY and that is also in chapter one:
25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. (ch. 1)
Paul’s desire is that the Philippians would advance in their progress and JOY in the faith. The term “faith” is sometimes used in Scripture to refer to our confidence in God, but here (as in Jude 3) it is used to refer to the content of truth that God has revealed to us. We believe the truths of the Christian faith. And those truths ought to bring us JOY!
Let’s think about several
of the Christian truths that ought to bring us JOY. Do you rejoice in the character of God (His love, holiness, mercy, sovereignty, presence, etc.)? Do you finding yourself praising Him for His leading and guiding you in the daily affairs of life? Are you grateful that He knows the end from the beginning and nothing takes Him by surprise? Are you excited to be part of His rescue mission to reach others with the incredible news of the gospel? These and may other truths ought to bring JOY to our hearts! Someone has said that the mentally and emotionally healthy are those that have learned when to say Yes, when to say No, and when to say Whoopee! (Willard S. Krabill, M.D.)
Think about and study one of the truths of the Christian faith that brings you JOY. And progress in that truth today!
Dr. Larry Dixon
larrydixon.wordpress.com 