E-pistle for August 19, 2005
Posted by: info <info@...>
Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay
Foundation August 19, 2005
"Pinocchio's Nose
by Dr. Curt Scarborough
"Liar, liar, pants on fire!" seems to be a very appropriate chant these
days . . . and not just at recess on the school playground. It's not only
the noses of politicians that have grown longer than Pinocchio's! Yes
indeed, we've come a long way since a boy named George Washington
reportedly said to his father, "I cannot tell a lie. I did it with my
little
hatchet!" Today, we not only CAN tell a lie . . . we frequently do.
What winning is to a coach . . . what wellness is to a doctor . . . what
justice
is to a judge . . . so TRUTH is to a follow of Christ. It's not the main
thing;
it's the ONLY thing! Not only did Jesus speak the truth, He embodied the
truth.
To me as a Christian teacher, truth is both the subject I teach and the
objective I strive for; truth is my goal. Truth is the desired end and the
means
to reach that end. In short, "Whatever things are true," (Philippians 4:8)
is my core curriculum.
I do not fear that scientific facts will contradict biblical teachings.
True science,
correctly understood, always will square with true religious doctrine,
correctly
interpreted. Any apparent discrepancies between science and the Scriptures
are due to human error.
Paul wrote: "Let God be true and every man a liar," and "The foolishness of
God is wiser than men." (Romans 3:4; I Corinthians 1:25) The prophet Isaiah
puts the issue into true prospective: "For My thoughts are not your
thoughts,
nor your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than
the
earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your
thoughts."
(Isaiah 55:8-9)
The Apostle John reveals this emphasis as the dominant theme of TRUTH shines
forth brightly from his Gospel: "Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ"
(1:17) . . . Those who worship The Father must worship in spirit and truth,"
(4:24)
. . . "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (8:32)
. . . "I
am the way, the truth and the life" (14:6)
PRAYER FOR THE DAY: Lord, because "You desire truth in the inward parts"
(Psalm 51:6), help me to meditate on and speak TRUTH . . . always and only
the truth.
Reflections on Spiritual Warfare
by Dr. Curt Scarborough
Granting the fact of God's sovereignty (Satan only may do what
God permits,
within certain limits and to accomplish the Lord's divine purposes), and
acknowledge
the truth of Christ's ultimate victory over Satan (accomplished through
Jesus' sinless
life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection), let us examine the
proper present-day
perspective on spiritual warfare.
Today, one branch of Christianity sees a demon behind every bush
and beneath
every rock. These well-meaning believers are continually "binding and
loosing" . . . a
misunderstanding of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 16:19. Even more foolish,
however, is
another branch of Christians who have no spiritual discernment at all.
These believers
don't have a clue about the reality of the events going on around them in
the spiritual
realm. The extent of their understanding about spiritual warfare is that
sometimes,
whenever things seem to be going bad in their lives, they entertain the
thought that these
calamities possibly might be a satanic attack . . . and they cry out to God
for mercy.
Today, we need a more balanced view . . . a double-barreled
perspective on
spiritual warfare. It must be seen both as a re-active and pro-active
battle.
Defensively, God's purposes for allowing us to come under
satanic attack may
be: (1) to test us, (2) to teach us a spiritual lesson, (3) to strengthen
us, and-or
(4) to discipline (or punish) us.
Offensively, spiritual warfare also may include these purposes
of God:
(1)to save lost souls, (2) to heal diseases and infirmities of the body, (3)
to free persons
from bondage, and/or (4) to "show up" or humiliate Satan, while glorifying
God.
Jesus, the disciples, and the early church did not "hunker in
the bunker" against
Satanic assaults. Rather, in the power of God, they went on the offensive
against the
powers of darkness. They aggressively attacked satanic strongholds, and
"the gates of
hell could not prevail against them." They spoke to the mountain and it
moved; they
resisted the devil and he fled from them; they cast out demons, who
reluctantly abandoned
their victims; they ordered Satan to "Get behind me!" and he had no choice
but to obey.
Putting on the armor of God is a daily necessity, but then we
ought not strike a
defensive pose and wait for Satan to attack us. On the contrary, we need to
advance
against our evil adversary, attacking him on every occasion in the powerful
name of the
Lord Jesus Christ. In spiritual warfare, the wise proverb is correct:
"THE BEST DEFENSE IF A GOOD OFFENSE!"
Four Questions To Ask Before Enrolling At Pillsbury
1. Why should I choose Pillsbury instead of some on-campus college or
seminary?
Because most mid-career ministers have personal and church obligations that
prevent them from moving their family to become resident students. At
Pillsbury
College & Seminary, you'll get a first class education without having to
quit your
job or leave your church field.
2. How is it possible for Pillsbury to offer a top quality education
through distance
learning, yet at such an affordable cost? ($90 per graduate credit hour)
Pillsbury has established official connections with three of the most
recognized and
reputable suppliers of Christian graduate-level curriculum in the nation . .
. AACC:
American Association of Christian Counselors; NCCA: National Christian
Counselors
Association; and ITS: Institute of Theological Studies. In addition,
Freeway Foundation
has published the president's complete 5-volume Bible Study Series
("Personal &
Practical") as the core curriculum for the school's Expository Studies
track.
Pillsbury College & Seminary is owned and operated by FreeWay Foundation,
which
pays the salaries and benefits of all school personnel. The school occupies
a part
of the Foundation's building in the St. Louis area without charge. The
tuition costs
therefore remain low because overhead costs of the school are minimal.
3. How long does it take to earn a master's or doctorial degree?
Pillsbury offers two master's degrees. The 36 credit hour program can be
completed
within one year, and the 45 credit hour master's takes 15 months. We also
offer two
basic doctoral degree programs. The 48 credit hour doctorate can be
completed
within 16 months, and the 60 credit hour doctorate takes 20 months.
Students take
only one 3-hour course at a time, and most 3-hour courses can be completed
within
30 days.
4. What's the one thing that makes Pillsbury stand out from all
other schools?
Although we are a distance learning institution, Pillsbury truly
makes every effort
To provide up close and personal service. When you telephone, chances are
you'll talk directly to Dr. Sharon Bartlett, the Academic Dean. Or, if you
are
working on licensure and board certification as a Christian counselor, you
may
confer with your clinical supervisor, Dr. Mary Jo Schneller. Also, if you
need
to discuss school policy (or whatever), just ask to talk to the president.
You'll
see how true it is! We really are:
"THE DISTANCE LEARNING SCHOOL, WITH THE PERSONAL TOUCH!"
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