![]() One of Mukhanyo’s annual highlights is the Bible College Consultation, which this year took place from 19 to 21 June in Pretoria. It was attended by some hundred delegates from more than thirty evangelical and reformed Bible colleges, as well as other Christian missionary institutions, from twelve countries all over Africa. All together they represented many thousands of theological students. The theme was “Theological education for God’s mission in Africa.” In total, eighteen sessions were held in addition to a number of discussions, and of course plenty of time for fellowship and networking. The purpose was to discuss what the Bible teaches us about the preparation for ministry. To serve the church to equip all believers and to spread the Word. What did all these Bible colleges in general – and Mukhanyo in particular – learn from this consultation? A few important points are:
What is the purpose of theological education? Theological education serves the Church by training church leadership, to equip the saints for ministry work, to prepare believers to fulfil their mission. Theological education is more than an educational exercise. It must get the student to understand God’s spiritual visions and mission, thinking God’s thoughts and doings God’s deeds. It must touch the student’s heart, head and hands.
Academic training is only a tool that the church uses to prepare its members for ministry. Bible colleges have a higher calling than academic training: revival, reformation, spiritual transformation; to understand and know God, to look after God’s flock. Although the accreditation of courses with the authorities has its place, it is not the main priority. Much can be done by local churches, for example training elders and deacons and also pastors. And one church can do it for others. Colleges can do it for many churches. The priority should be to be faithful to the Word of God and get well-trained and qualified church leaders. Some cautions for theological education Words of warnings were sounded in many of the presentations at the Bible College Consultation this year. To name a few:
Facing the clash of cultures The Book of Daniel can be seen as a case-study on how to handle a clash of the Christian culture against a secular culture, while you know there is only one way and that is through Jesus Christ. Or how to remain a faithful African Christian and still under Western influential multilateral organisations with their own worldviews. Daniel and his friends were forcefully removed from their own culture and brainwashed. How did they react?
How did they do that? By praying for the people and culture around them – their enemies. By telling them the shortcomings of their culture. By telling the king that they will only listen to and believe in God. The challenge of the Prosperity Gospel was addressed during several presentations and workshops at the Bible College Consultation. It is not a gospel at all. It teaches a false religion that God wants all his children to experience health, wealth and happiness. And if this does not happen to you, you are told that you lack faith. But the Bible teaches something completely different.
Bible texts used to preach the promise of prosperity include Deuteronomy 15:4 and 28:1, Job 36:11, Psalms 23:1 and 91, Proverbs 18:21, Luke 6:38, Philippians 4:13 and John 1:2. But these texts are read out of context. The Bible is misused to enable the preacher to say what he wants to say for selfish reasons. He (or she) distorts the Biblical view of God, of man and of the Scripture. It gives the impression that God needs us. It leads to disappointment and disillusionment. It is a lie. How should we respond to and confront these heresies? With Scripture: texts such as Matthew 6:19 and 24, Luke 12:15, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Ephesians 5:5-7, 1 Timothy 3:3 and 2 Timothy 3:12. Keep Jude in mind. Also the history of God’s church through ages of hardship and persecution. Satan greatest weapon Our homes, churches and schools have become battlefields of the mind. Therefore, people should study the Bible to be armed against Satan’s attacks. Christian education is to tell God’s grand story which is the story of the whole world. It is the only true story. We need to equip our children for this battle by giving them knowledge of God and his Word. Remember, the greatest weapon of Satan is ignorance of the Word of God. And if God’s children reject knowledge of Him, He will reject them (Hosea 4:6, Acts 26:18, 2 Corinthians 4:4). Shaping the Christian worldview Your worldview determines how you see reality, how you see who is man, what is right and wrong, the answers you give to questions such as the purpose of your existence, how you should live, why there is suffering and evil, what happens to you after death, etc. There are many different worldviews. To name a few: liberalism, post-modernism, humanism, materialism, African traditional beliefs, socialism, capitalism and communism, each one with its own answers to the above questions. All are wrong and lead nowhere but to immorality, inequality, idolism, chaos, destruction, power struggles, war and bloodshed. See Galatians 6:7. History proves it again and again. The Christian worldview is the only way to be able to give the right answers. It is primarily formed when everything we learn is framed within the context of God’s truth is found in the Bible, and formed through Christian training, teaching, time and practice. The whole Bible is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness – so that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16). Look also at Psalm 36:9, Luke 24:44-45, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 2:14-16, 2 Corinthians 3:14, 4:4, 10:4 and 11:3. The church must reclaim all the Bible’s important doctrines. Pastors and other church leaders must be motivated to go and teach these doctrines to their congregations.
This was done by a pastor’s conference hosted by Mukhanyo’s Johannesburg campus in June. Over 80 pastors, church leaders and students gathered to speakers elucidating the theme, rediscovering the doctrines that shook the world since the Reformation started in 1517. A video DVD of the conference’s proceedings will be made available soon. The following topics will be on the DVD:
One of Mukhanyo’s annual highlights is the Bible College Consultation, which this year took place from 19 to 21 June in Pretoria. It was attended by some hundred delegates from more than thirty evangelical and reformed Bible colleges, as well as other Christian missionary institutions, from twelve countries all over Africa. All together they represented many thousands of theological students.
The theme was “Theological education for God’s mission in Africa.” In total, eighteen sessions were held in addition to a number of discussions, and of course plenty of time for fellowship and networking. The purpose was to discuss what the Bible teaches us about the preparation for ministry. To serve the church to equip all believers and to spread the Word. What did all these Bible colleges in general – and Mukhanyo in particular – learn from this consultation? A few important points are:
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