E-pistle for September 2, 2005
Posted by: info <info@...>
Dr. Curt Scarborough, President
FreeWay Foundation September 2, 2005
"Says Who? . . . So What?"
Dr. Curt Scarborough
How do we decide what is right and what is wrong? Rotary
International
suggests asking these four questions: (1) Is it based on truth? (2) Is it
fair? (3) Does
it build goodwill? (4) Is it beneficial? Similarly, in FreeWay Foundation's
violence
prevention curriculum, The Peacemaker, I established these actions as
out-of-bounds
(wrong): illegal acts, verbal abuse, hurting others, and injuring myself.
Jesus asked, "Why . . . do you not judge what is right?" (Luke
12:57) Peter and
John told the court, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to
you more than to
God, you judge." (Acts 4:19) Peter warned Simon the Sorcerer, "Your heart
is not right
in the sight of God." (Acts 8:21) Paul wrote, "Children obey your parents
in the Lord, for
this is right." (Ephesians 6:1)
In each of these examples, "RIGHT" is determined in the context
of God's values.
A major problem in today's society is that we are wishy-washy on making any
kind of
value judgment. Yet our Lord commands us to "judge what is right,"
according to the
above verse quoted from Luke's Gospel. Philippians 4:8 instructs us to
meditate on the
things that are "RIGHT".
"SAYS WHO? . . . SO WHAT?" These two basic questions must be
settled before
we truly can know and live "RIGHT." Moses wrote, "Do what is good and right
in the
sight of the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 12:23) Two generations later
during Israel's
"Dark Ages," it was written of God's chosen people, "Everyone did what was
right in
his own eyes." (Judges 21:25)
Then a godly man with a divine mission arrived saying, "I will
teach you the
right way." (I Samuel 12:23) These teachings of the prophet Samuel helped
mold
King David, who "did right in the eyes of the Lord." (I Kings 15:5, 11) It
was testified
about one of David's successors (Hezekiah), "He did what was good and right
and true
before the Lord his God." (II Chronicles 31:20)
As Christians, we cannot function without establishing some
standards of
"RIGHT" for our actions, including how we conduct business. Further, it is
my opinion
that a major responsibility of believers is to help establish and reinforce
right values
in our community, nation, and world . . . by our right words and by our
right deeds.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY: Lord, because You are the One who "says
so," help
me to apply the "so what"
by choosing to live as a
"right" example every
day.
Faith Pleases God
(Hebrews 11:1-3, 6, 13)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
1. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen.
2. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of
God, so that
the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
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.
13. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having
seen them
afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were
strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
I. Concentration: on faith is believing
1. God exists: "HE IS," v. 6b.
2. God acts: "REWARDER," v. 6b.
3. God is good: (rewarder), v. 6b.
4. God reveals Himself: to "THOSE WHO DILIGENTLY SEEK HIM," v. 6c.
II. Meditation: on faith's paradoxes
1. Experiencing (now) the future: "SUBSTANCE HOPED FOR," v. 1a.
2. Proving the impossible: "EVIDENCE NOT SEEN," v. 1b.
3. Understanding the unfathomable: "WORLDS CREATED BY GOD' WORD," v.
3b.
4. Seeing the invisible: "THINGS NOT SEEN," 1b, 3b.
III. Revelation: on persons with faith in God's promises
1. See afar off, v. 13b.
2. Are assured (confident) v. 13b.
3. Embrace (receive intimately) v. 13c.
4. Confess (witness; testify) vv. 13c, 2.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. See: God exists . . . seeing the invisible.
2. Be assured: God acts . . . proving the impossible
3. Embrace: God is good . . . experiencing future blessings now.
4. Confess: God reveals . . . understanding (testifying to) the
unfathomable.
Pillsbury College & Seminary
Statement of Faith
Pillsbury College & Seminary subscribes to the following
Statements of Faith of the National Association of Evangelicals
WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE TO BE THE INSPIRED, THE ONLY INFALLIBLE,
AUTHORITATIVE WORD OF GOD.
WE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ONE GOD, ETERNALLY EXISTENT IN THREE
PERSONS: FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT.
WE BELIEVE IN THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, IN HIS VIRGIN
BIRTH, IN HIS SINLESS LIFE, AND HIS MIRACLES, IN HIS VICARIOUS AND
ATONING DEATH THROUGH HIS SHED BLOOD, IN HIS BODILY
RESURRECTION, IN HIS ASCENSION TO THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER,
AND IN HIS PERSONAL RETURN IN POWER AND GLORY.
WE BELIEVE THAT FOR SALVATION OF LOST AND SINFUL PEOPLE,
REGENERATION BY THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL.
WE BELIEVE IN THE PRESENT MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BY WHOSE
INDWELLING THE CHRISTIAN IS ENABLED TO LIVE A GODLY LIFE.
WE BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION OF BOTH THE SAVED AND THE LOST;
THEY THAT ARE SAVED UNTO RESURRECTION OF LIFE AND THEY THAT
ARE LOST UNTO THE RESURERCTION OF DAMNATION.
WE BELIEVE IN THE SPIRITUAL UNITY OF BELIEVERS IN OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST.
TUITION FEES FOR 2005
Christian Doctor of Philosophy (C.PH.D.) or Doctor of Christian Counseling
(D.C.C.)
NCCA: 60 credit hours - $5,400
Terms: $900 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 30 months
Christian Master of Arts (C.M.A.) or Master of Christian Counseling (M.C.C.)
or Master of Christian Psychology (C.Psy.M.)
NCCA: 45 credit hours - $4,050
Terms: $750 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 22 months
Doctor of Christian Psychology (C.Psy.D.) (Second Doctorate Only)
NCCA: 48 credit hours - $4,320
Terms: $870 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 23 months
Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
in Biblical Counseling, Expository Studies, or Christian Theolory
48 credit hours - $4,320
Terms: $870 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 23 months
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