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CREATIVE COOPERATION

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  After publishing “Who Killed the Bible College?” I heard from several individuals concerning the continued prosperity of some schools. That was great news because the success of biblical institutions of higher learning is exactly what I would like to see, and is the reason I wrote the book. One of those individuals was my friend Rick Brooks who has served with Word of Life Bible Institute for many years. It has just been announced that Word of Life has formalized a new partnership with Dallas Theological Seminary. This involves three primary components. Word of Life and DTS will become symbiotic partners across all Word of Life regions. This involves unity and continuity theologically, ministerially, and philosophically. Secondly, the two entities will provide a united framework for collaboration in biblical and theological education worldwide. And finally, it will allow regional agreements to be formed as opportunities develop. This is already underway in Brazil and Argentin...
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CREATIVE MUSEUM

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  One of the blessings of working with the Golden Agers at Fourth Baptist Church is the privilege of discovering sites here in Minnesota which I never knew about before. One of the places we visited recently was the Bible Museum in Apple Valley. Although the Museum is small and could certainly use more room, it is full of fascinating and insightful information concerning the Bible. Our host began by taking us into the art gallery. He introduced just a few of the many reproductions of famous paintings depicting scenes from the Bible. We could have spent the entire day just gazing at the ways artists have brought Bible events to life through painting. Next, we visited the Bible exhibit. A display of the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls at Qumran explained that more recent discovery. Codex from Sinai, numerous copies of the Bible from various time periods, and a model of the Gutenberg press brought the history of the Bible to life. The museum is open on weekdays from 10 to 4 ...
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CREATIVE SCHOLARSHIP

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  The germination of a scholarly book takes time. Seeds were planted during the process of writing a doctoral dissertation at Dallas Seminary in 1999. Growth came through the development of a presentation for the MacDonald Lectures at Central Baptist Seminary and the preparation of articles published by Shepherd’s Seminary, the Detroit Baptist Seminary Journal , and Gloria Deo Journal of Theology. Now the full plant has emerged in the form of a new book called My Sheep Follow Me , published by Kregel Academic. Dr. Jon Pratt explained the process in an interview with Micah Tanis on the Central Seminary Podcast Videos, episode 79, which can be viewed on You Tube. The subtitle for Dr. Pratt’s book is “A Study of Perseverance and the Threat of Antinomianism.” The book surveys New Testament teachings about sanctification. It explores what progress toward holiness looks like and reminds Christians that all those who belong to Christ, who are His sheep, will follow Him by living h...
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CREATIVE EASTER HYMN

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  The sermon abounded with Easter imagery, hosannah, cross, and empty tomb. But one phrase caught attention: He came with the lambs. Bethlehem, surrounded by shepherd’s fields. Shepherd boys rushing to discover the babe in the manger. He came with the lambs. Jerusalem, sacrificial lambs crowding the very streets where a donkey carried Christ for the triumphal entry. Preparations for the Passover. He came with the lambs. The lyrics and music flowed. Allow the theme and thought to penetrate your heart and soul as well. Click the following link and make “He Came With the Lambs” part of your Easter celebration. Sing it. Offer it to one of your soloists at church. Include it free of charge in your Easter services. https://drive.google.com/file/d/18pph-V6ayL7Z6F7qnzHY6waQ-Rt2OebM/view?usp=sharing “Behold! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 NKJV). He came with the Lambs.
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CREATIVE INVESTIGATION

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  The Bible College movement has supported and furthered the work of the church for many years. Now, some of those schools have closed.   Who Killed the Bible College?   suggests a lineup of (un)usual suspects, not for the purpose of assigning blame, but in the hope that further deaths may be avoided. It would be easy to focus on one culprit and make that suspect the scapegoat. Extensive research reveals a cumulative effect from many problems Bible colleges face. By considering each subject in the lineup sequentially, it is hoped that decisions in many individual areas may prevent that cumulative effect leading to further demise. Churches today desperately need the pastors, missionaries, musicians, teachers and biblically trained laymen historically produced by the Bible College movement. Perhaps by taking an honest look at the past we can solve potential problems before they take an even greater toll on our schools. Twenty-four (un)usual suspects are listed, along with a...
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CREATIVE PRAISE

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              We entered the auditorium of Fourth Baptist Church in Plymouth, Minnesota, in great anticipation. Let the Children Praise, a choir directed by Al Hawkins, would be performing. We had heard the choir before and knew the afternoon would be a tremendous blessing.             To our surprise, another performance would make the day even better. The first part of the concert featured soloists who had sung with the children’s choir in previous years. One of those soloists was someone we recognized immediately.             Brianne Ulrich presented two piano solos, Liebestraum , by Franz List, and All Creatures of Our God and King , by Ralph Vaughn Williams.             Brianne’s mother came from our church in Missoula, Montana, to Pillsbury Baptist Bibl...
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CREATIVE CARE

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  When I pastored the Bible Baptist Church of Missoula, Montana, Judd Lee served as our bus captain, bringing many children to hear the Word of God. Though many years have passed, the Lees have proved faithful to God in their care for those in need of the gospel. Judd’s wife Lisa returned recently from a trip to Kenya with her church. Their work lay primarily in the Mathare Valley where roughly 600,000 people live in only six square miles. Hope’s Promise works there to provide care for many orphans. Statistics do not tell the whole story. One of those with whom Lisa worked described the experience this way. “You have to walk there, your feet treading the dirt, the trash, the sewage. You must be taken by the hand by your 13-year-old guide and led like a child through the bustling, crowded paths. You must stand in the church in the midst of it all, lift your hands and sing.” The ministry included serving at the Sanctuary of Hope, one of the Hope’s Promise orphan care homes. Lis...
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