Summary: Three courses are being offered in partnership with the Historical Faith Society and the Brookes Bible College to provide training in Worldview Analysis, Relational Wisdom and Conflict Resolution, and Ancient History.
For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. – Ezra 7:10 (ESV)
Three New Live Online Course Offerings at Brookes Bible College
Dear Thinkers, I’m writing to let you know of three new ZOOM-style course offerings that are coming up in the New Year! These courses will be co-sponsored by the Historical Faith Society and The Brookes Bible College of St. Louis, which will also be hosting the courses. Two of these courses are taught by Historical Faith Society Scholars in Residence, Dr. R. Brian Rickett and Dr. Doug Petrovich. Below are the details.
Class 1 – Worldview Analysis
So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. – Acts 17:22, 23
For a lot of people, a worldview is a lot like the mysterious water buffalo in the VeggieTale song:
“Everybody’s got a water buffalo
Yours is fast but mine is slow
Oh, where we’d get them, I don’t know
But everybody’s got a water buffalo.”
The concept may seem elusive and even nonsensical. At the same time, we all know that everyone has one, and we even have the feeling that some worldviews are better than others. But what are they, where do they come from, and why are some faster or slower (that is to say, stronger or weaker) than others? And if we’re not sure about these things, we’re probably not confident in our ability to explain what a biblical worldview is and why a biblical worldview is better than competing options.
Now, however, thanks to a special collaboration between the Historical Faith Society and the Brookes Bible College of St. Louis, you can study with scholars from the Patterns of Evidence films and select other instructors. One of these courses is Worldview Analysis taught by Dr. R. Brian Rickett from The Moses Controversy film.
Worldview Analysis is a core course at Brookes Bible College within the Bachelor of Biblical Studies degree. It is also part of a specialized certificate program in the Institute for Christian Studies Worldview program at Brookes. Dr. Rickett is keenly interested in worldview issues and how a biblical worldview provides the most robust account of the way that things actually are.
This popular course provides an introduction to the elements and formation processes of a worldview, and to major worldview types found in cultural and religious systems. The course will highlight the distinctiveness of the Christian worldview, equip students to analyze the worldview implications of current events, ethical dilemmas, and contemporary socio-political debates.
Other questions that will be answered include: “How many worldviews are there? What is the difference between a worldview and a religion? Are there some worldviews that are better than others?” As well as “What are the tools available for deconstructing unbiblical worldviews?”
Details: For details or to register, see the Registration Page.
Class 2 – Relational Wisdom and Conflict Resolution
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… – 2 Peter 3:18
Conflict in life is unavoidable. Scripture even assures us that when it shows up within the context of the church, there is a larger purpose: “… in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized” (1 Cor. 11:19). Put another way, there is a Christ-honoring way to handle problems within the church and a Christ-dishonoring way to handle them. Those who handle them consistent with biblical principles are “approved,” or are authentic. Those who handle them poorly are also revealed, in terms of their spiritual immaturity or perhaps even as unbelievers.
Growth in grace is a priority for Christians, and the more our surrounding culture degenerates, the more clearly grace may be seen as a mark of authentic Christianity. For the believer, it expresses itself as a characteristic of spiritual development most evidently in the contexts of relationships. Specifically, spiritual maturity means demonstrating wisdom in the contexts of relationships including in the skillful resolution of conflict. After all, this was a characteristic highly esteemed by both Paul and the Lord Jesus.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. – Matthew 5:9
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. – Romans 12:18
The course Relational Wisdom and Conflict Resolution is a core course in the Bachelor of Biblical Studies degree as well as in the Institute for Christian Studies Shepherding Care program at Brookes. Just for our ladies, we are pleased to offer a women’s only cohort taught by Janet L. Rickett, Professor of Biblical Counseling and contributing author to Women Counseling Women: Biblical Answers to Life’s Difficult Problems.
The course provides a biblical theology and methodology for exercising wisdom in relationships and approaching conflict in a way that glorifies the Lord. In particular, the student will consider the characteristics of a godly person promoted in Scripture and be taught a model and a plan for how to think about typical and personal struggles in relationships.
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Ephesians 4:1-3
Details: For details or to register, see the Registration Page.
Class 3 – Ancient History
The Patterns of Evidence films are all about delving into ancient history in search of patterns that help us to correctly understand how events actually unfolded. For those who would love an opportunity to study this important subject at a more in-depth level, and with one of the key scholars from our films, an unprecedented opportunity is now available to do so.
We are pleased to announce a new course at Brookes Bible College on Ancient History taught by Dr. Doug Petrovich! Ancient History is a core course in the Bachelor of Biblical Studies degree and taught by renowned specialist, Professor of Biblical History & Exegesis, Dr. Douglas Petrovich.
The course is available as a substitution elective for the Institute of Christian Studies Certificate in Bible Knowledge. The study aims to provide an introduction to significant developments in the ancient Near East and Mediterranean Basin, addressing the origins of human civilization—including prehistory—to the decline of the Roman Empire.
Details: For details or to register, see the Registration Page.
Keep Thinking!
