Online Christian Learning Resources

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Administrator

Hi all. Thought I would pass on some learning resources that I am using now or have used in the past. Technology has changed the way we learn radically, and many good Christian ministries have taken advantage of the internet to make their materials more easily available, and the information easier learn and retain. The links below are some that I have used, and I recommend all of them. I pray they will be a blessing.

Ligonier Connect – I have been using this tool a lot lately. Ligonier Connect has about 35 different courses available online. They include audio or video teaching, recommended reading materials (which so far have all been available in e-book format, which I love), learning projects to help you understand the lessons more thoroughly, and quizzes at the end of each lesson to make sure you are retaining the information. You can either pay for the classes individually (they are not that expensive), or, for a donation of $9 a month, you can have unlimited access to all the courses. Check it out. You won’t be sorry.

BiblicalTraining.org – This is another great learning resource. You can, and probably should, buy the books to supplement the materials available online, but the class lectures, all seminary level, are free. You can download them, put them into your phone, iPod, MP3 player, etc., and take them on the road so you can learn as you go. I’m trying to get back into learning Greek on their site.

Columbia Evangelical Seminary - This is a non-accredited, email and regular mail based seminary education. I was a student here for quite a while, and although life became to busy for me to continue, and it’s wasn’t the best match for my learning style, the educational potential is excellent. The program is mentor-based. When you enroll you will be assigned a mentor (the mentors are listed on their web page, and many are highly trained and respected teachers and pastors), who helps you put together your program, gives advice and classes and materials, and guides you through the learning process. This is an excellent option if you are self-motivated, but are not able to move yourself and your family to a live-in seminary situation.

This is just a taste, of course. There are many good learning resources available, and I plan to share more in the near future. If you have found a page or ministry you find particularly helpful in building your faith and studying to show yourself approved, please pass it on and I will consider including it in my next post.

Evangelism Resources from CARM

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Administrator

Hello all! It’s 2013, and after several months off (I work in retail so Christmas time is crazy), I’m finally getting back to posting. I’m working on a longer post, but thought I’d start with something simpler. I’m praying that this will evolve into something of more encouragement and more frequency. My pride tells me I have to make sure all my posts are complete and polished before I can post them. In reality, I need to remember that the work is God’s and not mine, and to post as I feel led. I don’t want to post junk, of course, but one post every few months doesn’t help much either. So, here goes.

The link below is linked to the Evangelism section at CARM (Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry). It is a great resource for information on a wide variety of subjects, whether or not you are a believer. I have been using their materials for years. But now, they have dramatically expanded their evangelism section in particular, with many of the new articles being written by my friend and evangelism mentor Tony Miano. I would encourage you to read through some of the articles, and to share them on your social network sites. You can also buy tracts that he has written, and visit his personal blog. Links to those are also below. If you would like to be encouraged and equipped to share your faith, I know you will be encouraged.

http://carm.org/evangelism

http://www.crossencounters.us/

http://www.shop.onemilliontracts.com/Tracts-By-Tony_c31.htm

Building Blocks for Biblical Evangelism

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Administrator

Hi all! Wow, it has been a while since I posted anything, and by God’s grace, I hope to be finishing up some posts I have been working on for a while, and adding more links to my What Abouts page. In additional, I plan to add reports on a couple interesting conversations I’ve been having online. I won’t be giving details or names, but they address some interesting issues I think would be useful to anyone believer who wants to share their faith. Specifically, they deal with the exclusivity of the Christian faith, and the challenge of Gnosticism. Gnosticism in particular is a subject I have limited experience with, and it has been very enlightening digging into some of the details.

More recently (yesterday in fact), I had the privilege of stepping into the pulpit at my home church for the first time to speak on the subject of evangelism. God was good, and I believe it went well I am posting it here since a number of people expressed interest in hearing it. There is also an outline available for anyone interested. Just go to the CONTACT page and send me an email. I pray it is a blessing to you, and would love to hear (constructive) feedback.

Additionally, I have to acknowledge that what knowledge of evangelism is due to God blessing me with the friendship and mentor-ship of some very Godly men and women who, like me, have a passion for the lost. Links to several individuals and groups who have had a particularly large impact are below the message. I highly recommend visiting theirs sites and, if appropriate (not all take donations) supporting their ministries.

Living Waters/The Way of the Master

Norcal Seedsowers Evangelism Team

Cross Encounters (Tony Miano)

King James Onlyism and the Origin of the Bible

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Administrator

The videos below deal primarily with the issue of King James Only theology, but I am not posting them primarily for that reason. Although King James Onlyism is an important issue that has gained ground within the church, I think one of the most valuable aspects of this series is to give you a better idea of how our modern Bibles actually came together, and how God has chosen to preserve His word. Dr. James White, who gives the presentation, is a scholar in this area and I believe is able to present very the problems with the view by giving an outline of how Biblical scholarship is actually done. This is also not for the purpose of attacking the King James version. The King James is a good version, and anyone reading it alongside one of the other solid modern translations with come to the the same theological conclusions from both. But I believe a deeper understanding of this subject will be edifying to believers and will strengthen their faith, and will give non-believers a better understanding of how Bible translation actually works, particularly if they have been frustrated by professing believers who have tried to explain this subject from a position of ignorance.

You can get more good materials by James White here: http://www.aomin.org/

Calvinism vs. Arminianism – How Should We Address the Differences?

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Administrator

Discussions of Calvinism vs. Arminianism are becoming more common, and more heated, within the Christian church. While I have met many professing believers who do not even know the meanings of the terms, those who do often hold very strongly to their positions, even to the point of ostracizing those on the other side, or even declaring them to be idolaters. And while I think think the issues surrounding how God saves us are important, even vital, to a right understanding of who God is, I will not immediately declare someone unsaved who disagrees with me on the fine points. But I do think every Christian believer needs to think deeply about them.

I began my Christian walk, as I believe most Christians do, leaning heavily toward an Arminian perspective, but am now strongly Calvinistic. By God’s grace, when I became aware of what are commonly called the Doctrines of Grace, I was introduced to them by men who, though uncompromising, believed in and practiced courtesy and respect in presenting and defending those doctrines. The first two videos below are a good example of the right and Biblical way of approaching disagreements about important, but secondary, issues of debate within the church. The third is the closing statement from a debate on the subject, and I think is a good presentation of what I believe and why I believe it. I pray that they will help inform and encourage you.

Format Update and More What Abouts

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Administrator

Hello all. Just finished changing out the template for Your Soul Matters. I think it’s much cleaner and more professional looking than the last one. I would love to hear your feedback. I’ve also added a few more links to the What Abouts page, which are also listed below. I know there are a lot of the common questions that I still have not addressed yet, but I am still working, as time allows, to get the best articles, audio files, and videos I can dealing with these subjects. If you have any suggestions, or any additional questions, be sure to send them my way. Thanks!

Dan

Christ’s Unique Claims

Truth in All Religions

http://www.onthebox.us/2011/08/is-there-truth-in-all-religions.html

Yes, Jesus Claimed to be God

http://www.onthebox.us/2011/10/yes-jesus-claimed-to-be-god.html

Who Made God?

http://www.onthebox.us/2011/04/who-made-god.html

The Un-evangelized

http://www.onthebox.us/search/label/%22The%20Un-Evangelized%3F%22

Mission Good Friday 2012 – Testimony Report

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Administrator

The link below is from Project Ezra, a weekly public evangelism blog I write. Project Ezra is dedicated to encouraging and equipping believers in Christ to read the word of God in public as a method of evangelism. Please take a few minutes to read through it. I pray it will be an encouragement. The address for the weekly posts is projectezra.blogspot.com. Or, if you are on Facebook, you can follow the group HERE.

Mission Good Friday 2012

Why I Choose To Believe the Bible

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Administrator

The series of videos below is one of my favorites. Voddie Baucham is a very intelligent, very articulate, and on occasion very funny speaker, and this presentation of the reliability of the Bible is excellent. I would encourage you to spend the time to listen to the entire message. It is well worth the time. If you are a believer in Christ, it will strengthen your faith and give you a better foundation for defending the Bible. If you are not a believer, it should give you something to think about. Be sure to visit his ministry at:

On Facebook

At their web site

The Gospel Burst My Sanitized Christian Bubble | Dena’s Testimony

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Administrator

If you haven’t done so already, take 40 minutes (believe me, it’s worth it) to watch my friend Dena’s testimony video. It’s very powerful, particularly if you grew up in the church. In fact, it could just change your life. Watch it, and share it with your friends. When you’re done, I’d love to hear your comments. Thanks to Jared Duba of Depraved Wretch for putting it together. If you’ve ever seen any of the other videos from our team (Norcal Seedsowers), they were probably done by him. He specializes in this type of work.

Norcal Fire – Our First Annual Evangelism Conference!