ibc perspectives - vol. 23 no. 816

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focused on the process of correctly discerning the times we live in, including WKH�DOLHQ�SKLORVRSKLHV�RSSRVHG�WR�*RG¶V�truth, as well as understanding the antidote RI�ERWK�NQRZLQJ�*RG¶V�WUXWK�DQG�EHLQJ�WKH�WUXWK�LQ�RXU�KRPH��QHLJKERUKRRG�DQG�FXOWXUH��1RZ�LV�WKH�WLPH�IRU�XV�WR�DQVZHU�WKH�FDOO��WR�EH�PRWLYDWHG��HTXLSSHG�DQG�GHSOR\HG�LQWR�RXU�ZRUOG�DV�radical change agents working to show the power of Apostolic GRFWULQH�DQG�WUXWK�WR�UHGHHP�WKLV�EURNHQ�ZRUOG�ZH�OLYH�LQ�

:H�DUH�IDFLQJ�UDGLFDO�DQG�PDOLJQDQW�FKDQJHV�LQ�RXU�FXOWXUH��There has been a comprehensive shifting of values, worldviews DQG�ZD\V�RI�OLIH��:KLOH�PRVW�&KULVWLDQV�KDYH�VRPH�LGHD�RI�WKLV�radical drift toward cultural decay, it is important to know how to assess the situation effectively and not only neutralize these forces in our own lives but also take a hope of redemption to our world. This is what God is calling this generation to. The time to H[HUFLVH�WKLV�SRZHU�LV�QRZ��7KH�WLPH�IRU�EHLQJ�HTXLSSHG�WR�UHDFK�LQWR�WKLV�KHPRUUKDJLQJ�FXOWXUH�ZLWK�KHDOLQJ�DQG�KRSH�LV�QRZ�

,Q�WKH�7KHRORJ\�SURJUDP�DW�,%&��\RX�ZLOO�EH�VWXG\LQJ�the distinctives of Apostolic doctrine including the Doctrine RI�6DOYDWLRQ��WKH�2QHQHVV�RI�*RG��&KULVWLDQ�:RUOGYLHZ��Holiness, the Doctrine of the Spirit and other basic essentials HTXLSSLQJ�\RX�WR�KDQGOH�REMHFWLRQV�WR�RXU�ELEOLFDO�EHOLHIV��Further, you will be exposed to other classes like Science and WKH�%LEOH�GHDOLQJ�ZLWK�PRGHUQ�REMHFWLRQV�WR�WKH�%LEOH�DQG�Christianity. Classes such as Systematic Theology 1 & 2 show WKH�LQWHUFRQQHFWHGQHVV�RI�DOO�ZH�VD\�DERXW�*RG�DQG�+LV�:RUG��while classes such as Contemporary Theology highlight where we are today in terms of the current wider ideologies of the world and how we got there. Classes such as Apologetics,

Joseph Florea IBC Graduate�ă�It is hard to express how ,QGLDQD�%LEOH�&ROOHJH¶V�theological courses have impacted me over the past four years. How-ever, I can say I would not be where I am now

without them. The Theology program has pro-

pelled me forward these several years and launched me into the ministry. These classes have helped establish me biblically in the doctrine and knowledge that I did not have while growing up. I am forever LQGHEWHG�WR�,QGLDQD�%LEOH�&ROOHJH�IRU�WKH�impact it has had on my life through the WDXJKW�:RUG�RI�*RG�

Clayton Wetzel IBC Graduate - Theology

LV�GHILQHG�DV�³WKH�VWXG\�of the nature of God DQG�UHOLJLRXV�EHOLHI�́ �1RW�RQO\�GLG�,%&�JLYH�PH�D�greater understanding of *RG¶V�:RUG��EXW�LW�JDYH�me clarity about the truth

UHJDUGLQJ�RXU�EHOLHIV��$QG�%LEOH�FROOHJH�helped propel my ministry forward with the many types of practical theological ministry opportunities. Through MSA, I have grown through the hands-on training, preaching in UHDO�FKXUFK�VHUYLFHV�ZKHUH�SHRSOH¶V�OLYHV�DUH�forever changed. Right theology is useless without the real practice of that theology. 1RZ�JUDGXDWHG�IURP�,%&��,�DP�VHUYLQJ�full-time in my local church, and getting chances to help churches all over my state. 7KLV�KDSSHQHG�EHFDXVH�,%&�ZDV�ZLOOLQJ�WR�passionately teach me, just as much as I was willing to learn.

Andrew Herbst IBC Graduate - The Theology Depart-PHQW�DW�,%&�LQFOXGHV�numerous events and activities outside of the classroom. Every spring semester it hosts a Theology Conference

focused on Apostolic doctrine. Furthermore, various designated nights throughout the \HDU��,%&�RIIHUV�PRUH�LQWLPDWH�WHDFKHU�VWX-dent sessions, which includes a lesson by %UR��.LOOPRQ��%UR��6OHHYD��RU�D�JXHVW�DQG�FRQFOXGHV�ZLWK�VWXGHQW�SUD\HU��$V�DQ�,%&�graduate, I would encourage all students, ZKHWKHU�:RUVKLS�6WXGLHV�RU�%LEOLFDO�6WXGLHV�major, to invest themselves in the Theology Department. These sessions and events are voluntary, but they will expose you to issues that will get you outside of our Apostolic shell, and thus gain essential knowledge for success in and out of the classroom.

$UFKHRORJ\�DQG�WKH�%LEOH��5HOLJLRQ�$QDO\VLV�DQG�others show the best ways to reach the world we OLYH�LQ�WRGD\�ZLWK�WKH�WUXWK�RI�*RG¶V�:RUG��

$W�,%&��RXU�7KHRORJ\�'HSDUWPHQW�HTXLSV�students to be effective in the following roles: pastor,

DVVLVWDQW�SDVWRU��\RXWK�SDVWRU��HYDQJHOLVW��%LEOH�WHDFKHU�RU�instructor, outreach and evangelism coordinator, Sunday school director, author and more. This is shown to be true by the myriad of alumni filling these positions across our movement. $OVR��DIWHU�UHFHLYLQJ�D�GHJUHH�IURP�,%&��VWXGHQWV�DUH�HOLJLEOH�WR�apply for a general license from the UPCI, bypassing the initial SKDVH�RI�ORFDO�OLFHQVLQJ�UHTXLUHG�IRU�PLQLVWHUV��

If you will give yourself to our guidance, we can help you become a rich asset for a church to reach their goals in the .LQJGRP��:H�KDYH�,%&�DOXPQL�LQ�HYHU\�DYHQXH�RI�OHDGHUVKLS�LQ�WKH�83&,��$/-&��DQG�RWKHU�$SRVWROLF�RUJDQL]DWLRQV�VHUYLQJ�at local, national and international levels. The strength of any Theology program is shown in its ability to produce leaders and ODXQFK�WKHP�LQWR�PLQLVWU\��2XU�WUDFN�UHFRUG�DW�,%&�LV�VWURQJ��Simply look around and see.

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of sound doctrine that is the foundation for a life of teaching DQG�SUHDFKLQJ�*RG¶V�:RUG��/HDUQLQJ�WR�SUHDFK�WUXH�WR�WKH�%LEOH�LQ�DQ�HIIHFWLYH�ZD\��$FTXLULQJ�WKH�ULJKW�WRROV�WR�SUDFWLFH�VROLG�hermeneutics and exegetical soundness so you can rightly divide WKH�:RUG�ZKHQ�DSSURDFKLQJ�WKH�%LEOH��/HDUQLQJ�WKH�GLVFLSOLQHV�RI�study and critical analysis to handle the challenging issues today in ministry both in the church and our world. Understanding the right principles that should guide students in ministry, effective evangelism, Christian living, holiness, sound doctrine, handling spurious claims regarding Scripture, and much more.