Theology Digest Summer 2010

We Are, Practicing Theologians

Theology Digest, 3504 Great Neck Road, Amityville, NY | (631) 842-7091 | www.theologicalintensives.com

THEOLOGY DIGESTSummer 2010

Results of the Reformation by Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min.

LEAD STORIES THIS MONTH

CAN TECHNOLOGY BE A FRIEND TO THEOLOGYAt the close of the 20th century, with fear about Y2K d i s r u p t i n g g l o b a l communities and bringing

civilization to a halt, or at the very least a major interruption, many personalities in the pulpit had taken to criticizing the growing dependency that modern societies had established upon computers and digital related products.

Read More on Page 3

HOW TO BE A PROPHETIC TEACHERThe need for powerful, prophetic teaching in the church and academia is

evident by the decreasing level of maturity of today’s Christians. There are many voices vying for the attention of our people.

Read More on Page 4

EDUCATION PRODUCES ORDERIn most circles, there are no theological discussions or debates about issues which face the modern church. There is very little defense of the gospel.

Read More on Page 6

Welcome to our ministry news magazine for the Summer of 2010.

We trust you will enjoy what we are bringing to you this month

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3 5 0 4 G r e a t N e c k R o a d

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Martin Luther at the Diet of Worms

The Angels Blow the Prophetic Trumpets Victor Pulpit

Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min.Publisher

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Theology DigestStaff

Bishop Paul S. MortonInternational Presiding Bishop

Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min.Publisher

Pastor Justin Cohen, Ph. D.Editor

Contributing WritersBishop Arthur House

Bishop Dwayne C. Debman, D. Min.Bishop Dennis Golphin, Th. D.

Bishop Lester Williams, D. Min.

Theology Digest is publication of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Department of Christian Education that is published three times a year. It is intended to be a reflective journal on matters of theological concern and is intended to be general reading for members of the church universal.


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THE COMPUTER AND THE PULPITIn August of this year, I will join Dr. Jeanette Wilson of Chicago, IL as an academic mentor and adjunct faculty member of the Apex Theological Seminary in their Doctor of Ministry Program.

The specific program that I will be teaching in is the “Usage of Digital Tools in 21st Century Ministry”. My participation in this doctoral program helps me to raise the very necessary question of whether or not digital technology can function as an ally and friend of theology and those who work in ministry.

At the close of the 20th century, with fear about Y2K disrupting global communities and bringing civilization to a halt, or at the very least a major interruption, many personalities in the pulpit had taken to criticizing the growing dependency that modern societies had established upon computers and digital related products. Well, the Y2K scare passed and the internet continued to grow and blossom into activities that now include Facebook, Myspace and Twitter.

Computer savvy ministries now have developed a series of strategies that take advantage of social networks

and the proliferation of smart phones and other hand he ld dev ices. Most ministries now see such devices as powerful tools that help to create c o m m u n i t y a n d communicate the gospel to audiences that might n o t h a v e e v e r considered reading or relating to the Bible before.

That brings us to the specific arena of theology and technology. I have currently used computer technology to effectively teach theology classes online to students who find it impossible to attend my church-based Bible Colleges in person. In addition, by using web conference applications that are resident on the internet, I am able to give special attention to students who require a more hands on format for learning theology.

Finally, with the rapid growth of videos online and video streaming with websites like “youtube”, “livestream” and “ustream”, I am able to post a number of video lectures that can be used to stimulate discussions in my various cell groups being built all across Long Island, New York. While I am convinced that there is no substitute for live, in-person interactions between a student and their teacher, the usage of technology is the next best thing to being there.

Perhaps, the time has come to still the war against technology and increase our exploration of using technology as an ally and partner in the mission of taking the gospel to the world and studying to show ourselves approved.

From the Desk of the Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min.

Apple IMac Computer

Can Technology Be A Friend to Theology



The need for powerful, prophetic teaching in the church and academia is evident by the decreasing level of maturity of today’s Christians. There are many voices vying for the attention of our people. If you are a Pastor-Teacher called by God, you are no doubt searching for creative ways to impact your audience with the life changing Gospel of Salvation.

Aside from tips and tricks, gimmicks and games, homiletical hoops and hype, there are some principles which we can employ in our personal and professional lives which will impact our teaching ministry. Remember, if you prepare yourself, God will prepare the message!

Let’s look at the prophetic t e a c h i n g ministry of Ezekiel.Below is an outline taken f r o m t h e b e g i n n i n g chapter o f Ezekiel which

describes his calling, preparation, instruction, message and method.

P e r h a p s t h e r e a r e s o m e encouraging points which you can utilize as a frame of reference to keep yourself encouraged as you fulfill the teaching role unto which the Lord has called you.

Remember That You Have Been

Sent By God (Ezekiel 2: 3 + 7)

We are reminded in scripture to “make our calling and election sure” and that “the gifts of God are without repentance”. Reminding ourselves of that experience, encounter, or moment which God, by His Spirit called, commissioned, and anointed us to preach and teach the Gospel is the one and only confidence booster you will ever need.

That memory will increase your faith, which will increase the anointing and you will boldly flow in your unique manner.

“Eat The Scroll” (Ezekiel 3:1)

We must continually feast on the written Word of God.

We also must continually feast of the rhema revelation which comes from the illumination of the Holy Spirit who quickens the Word in us.

The interesting point in this instruction which God gave to Ezekiel is that the Hebrew word which is translated into English as “eat” has a deep meaning; it is actually two words; the extrapolated interpretation would be to “freely, fully, and continually consume and make it a part of yourself ”. Wow!

Forcefully

Present The Word(Ezekiel

3:8-11). In conjunction with pr inc ip l e #1 w h i c h i s a n empowerment, God also gives us the power to face event the toughest audience. In verse 8 where God tells Ezekiel that He has made his face “strong” – the meaning of that word is “hard, bold, mighty, and loud”.

Pastor Justin Cohen, Ph. D.

How To Be A Prophetic TeacherBy Pastor Justin Cohen

The Angelic Hosts Blowing the Prophetic Trumpets of God





In a culture where there are many voices, we must realize that it consists of both skeptical and a relativistic people who have a tendency to believe whomever is the most passionate, this c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c a n n o t b e overemphasized. The day and time for candy coated messages is over. To be prophetic in your teaching, you must be passionate and confrontational. Be bold!

Be Led By The Spirit (Ezekiel 3:12, 14, 22, 24)

We have at least 4 explicit times where Ezekiel can specifically cite that he was led by the Spirit and given example, instruction, and vision; he

saw and he heard – in other words, he perceived.

In order to be a prophetic teacher, we must rely upon the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit to anoint our gift of perception so that we too may see and hear the examples, instructions, and visions which God wants us to experience.

It is possible to manifest the gifts of the Holy Spirit while you are teaching!

It is possible to have a healthy b a l a n c e o f i n f o r m a t i o n a n d inspiration.

Words of Wisdom and Words of Knowledge can be commonplace in the ministry of a prophetic teacher. The Holy Spirit is still speaking today!

Utilize Vivid IllustrationsThe Tile And The Pan (4:1-8)The Defiled Bread (4:9-17)The Razor And The Hair (5:1-4)The Scattered Remnant (6:8)

The use of illustrations is in itself a prophetic method. When we speak of visions, we are speaking of that which is visual, not only with the mind’s eye but with our natural eye as well. We have a tendency to relegate the use of illustrations to Sunday Schoo l and Ear l y Ch i ldhood Educat ion , however we mus t recognize that it can have an impact on adults too!

Understanding Teaching By Gregory C. CarlsonA biblical understanding of teaching brings appreciation for this spiritual gift. Approaching this task biblically involves empowerment from the Holy Spirit, insight into God's Word, sharp communication skills, and accurate

interaction with students. Many engaged in Christian teaching do so for years without weary spirits. Others, who were once earnest, give up in despair. What makes the difference? To understand the teaching ministry is to realize its significant impact on the spread of the Gospel.

Teaching Youth With ConfidenceBy Harley AtkinsonWhat are we trying to do with our teenagers? If this question was posed to a number of youth workers and teachers, a variety of answers would surely be given, and it is rather certain that most of the answers would be in some manner on target. However, it seems clear the one overall purpose of youth education is to fulfill the biblical

mandate from Christ to change lives by making disciples.

Unfortunate ly, i t appears that contemporary churched youth are ambivalent and confused about truth as they grow up in a climate where the possibility of knowing absolute truth is denied. It is the responsibility of the teacher to help his or her students respond to these urgent life-related issues in a biblical way.

Recommended Readings

Continued From Page 4





.P i g m e a t Markam, a famous comedian b a c k i n t h e d ay, b e c a m e f a m o u s

with this one liner. “Here comes the judge. Here comes the judge. Everybody knows that here comes the judge. Court is now in session and the honorable Pigmeat Markam is presiding.” We use to get such laugh as he began to tickle our fancy. He poked fun at everything and everybody. He could do that in his court room. But in the spirit realm, I don’t find any humor in people of God who are out of order. It’s a spirit of deception that is plaguing the church and education is the answer.

One of the b i g g e s t theological misnomers of the modern church is that a Pastor is

bishop over his own house. It’s this type of ignorance permeated by over achieving and over zealous leaders that is spilling over into the congregation. Each leader that willfully does a thing that is generally accepted as a norm in the Christian church causes followers to stumble. Our people come to us confused and in need of help. It is our responsibility not to mask their confusion and exacerbate their problems. We should be the ones who

to help them out of their ball of confusion.

Only in the black church where there are disproportionate numbers of untrained leaders do we find horrendous errors in the faith. It seems now that the emphasis is more on a title than it is on doing the work. There was a time when we could say that we didn’t know a certain thing and had to wing it for the s a k e o f n o t b e i n g embarrassed. This is a different day and time in which we live. We live in a time a place where opportunity for learning abounds. Yet, some remain deadlocked in their own educational biases. I know what I know and that’s all I know.

In most circles, there are no theological discussions or debates about issues which face the modern church. There is very little defense of the gospel. Traditionally and without any processes, testings, case studies or research. I know that there are those that say that you need no other book than the Bible. I agree that the Bible is our main source. But I don’t think that God will be upset if you get more out of it than just a sermon or a Bible study every week. It is our job as teachers to exhort with the word of God along with the tradition and practices of our faith. I am not the foremost authority on the church. But I know what I know. I know that we must soon bring ourselves under

subjection to the authority of God or else we are going to perish. Our people perish for a lack of knowledge. It ’s not the unsaved and the unchurched that are perishing. It’s the saints that are perishing and dying. Most members know only

what their pastors tell them. If their pastors are limited in their studies, the sheep will be limited. That’s why there is so much tension in ministry.

The local church must return to order so that the universal church can flourish as God intended.

Education produces order. The only way that the church can survive, we must return to scripture. It is a sad day when we throw scripture out of the window just to satisfy our own whims and fancies.

E d u c a t i o n p r o d u c e s excellence in ministry. I think that God ordained it and expects it from each of us. To remotely suggest that it should be any other way is blasphemous.

Education Produces OrderBy Bishop Lester Williams, D. Min.

Bishop Williams Joins Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Jesse Jackson

Around the Church





On August 17th, many of us will be gathering on the campus of Yale University to participate in the 2010 S u m m e r T h e o l o g i c a l Intensive.

T h i s i n t e n s i v e w i l l concentrate on examining the Protestant Reformation and its historical impact upon Christianity and the C h u r c h C o m m u n i t y. Several scholars will address

the topic from a number of different perspectives.

However, I would like to take just a few moments to point out some of the more permanent influences and outcomes of the Reformation

• The Reformation Promoted Individualism- Prior to the Reformation, people saw themselves as more of the collective general population, the reformation encouraged people to see themselves as individuals.

• Increased Personal Piety and Morality- With a greater sense of self people became more concerned with their personal piety and relationship with God.

• Break-up of European Latin Church- Roman Catholic Church in Europe becomes extremely fragmented, a reality that remains even today.

• Rethinking of Human Freedom- Vast ideological changes results in new notions of freedom and free will on the part of mankind.

• Re - e x a m i n a t i o n o f A u t h o r i t y - T h e Reformation, with its expanded thinking results in many people questioning the historical authority of both the church and that of government.

• Global Activity of Christianity- The Reformation would bring Pilgrims to North America, Jesuits to India and China and establish new religious traditions in places where it had not been before.

• Changes in our Way of Life- because religion is rooted in every aspect of our lives, the Reformation would change what we eat, when we eat, public order, holidays and our weekly religious schedule.

• Enormous Bloodshed and Wars- With the Crusades having been waged a few centuries earlier, religious hostilities becomes a natural outlet for military aggression in the name of Christianity.

Church History

“RESULTS OF THE REFORMATION”

Martin Luther on trial at the Diet of Worms Students at the Wall of Wittenberg

Excerpt of A Theological Essay By

Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min.

Martin Luther attaches his 95 Thesis on the Wall of Wittenberg



COME JOIN US

For The 2010

Summer Theological Intensive

On The Campus Of

Yale Divinity School

Tuesday, August 17, to Wednesday, August 18, 2010For More Information Please Contact

Tonya Lewter, Intensive Coordinator

(516) 223-3855, email: [email protected]


Documents

Theology Digest Summer 2010