0215 Philogian - Village Schools of the Bible
February Inside Volume 32 No. 1 VillageSchools oftheBible TeachingGod’sWord& TransformingLives Thank You in Many Languages Warren Coe, Execu ve Director Many years ago, I visited north‐ west Zaire and our church‐ supported missionaries. I also preached at a pastor’s confer‐ ence in Kala, a mission sta on by the banks of the then‐named Zaire River (Congo River today). My first memory was learning to say “hello” in Lingala ‐ “Mbote.” The other word, and more diffi‐ cult to remember, was “Matondi” or “Thank you.” Con nued on Page 2 Village Schools of the Bible Winter - Spring 2015 Calendar Class Dates and Details on Page Five Short Courses Philippians – Living in Joy! Taught by Warren Coe Wayzata Evangelical Free Church, Sunday mornings, April 12, 19 & 26 A Walk Through the New Testament Taught by Dr. Harvey Mar n Philogian VILLAGE SCHOOLS OF THE BIBLE The people at Kala were gracious. Their par ng gi to me was a chicken. It squawked, kicked and tried to fly away. My host family Grace Church, Eden Prairie, January 21 ‐ March 25 Virtual Tour of Israel Taught by Pastor Ryan Habbena Village Center, Minnetonka Date to be determined Prophecy Luncheon, Taught by Dr. Harvey Mar n Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Deephaven First & Third Thursdays Burnsville Second & Fourth Wednesdays Special Events Bondage of Islam and Freedom in Christ Village Center, Minnetonka Wednesday, March 4, 7:30 p.m Village Schools of the Bible 2015 Celebra on and Gradua on Grace Church of Eden Prairie, May 3rd, 6:00 p.m. Jerusalem’s King Feature film by Ryan Habbena ‐ theatrical release. Date to be determined. Inside continued from page 1 taught me to receive the gi with both hands extended—a respec ul and apprecia ve way to receive a gi . Then I said, “Matondi.” Chris Gay once wrote that “Thank you” are probably two of the most powerful words you can use, no ma er what language you speak. When a person says “Thank you” it communicates apprecia on. It says, “I value you.” The Village Schools of the Bible val‐ ues your support. In Hebrew we say, Toda! Because of you, we serve the local churches in the greater Twin Ci es, by teaching God’s Word and trans‐ forming lives. Merci! How You Can Pray It is through you that Chris ans are discovering God’s unfolding plan of redemp on, from Genesis to Reve‐ la on. Danke! Your investment at VSB is trans‐ forming and equipping believers to serve their churches. Spasibo! Enjoy this “Thank You” edi on of the Philogian. Stay Connected! Visit our Website villageschoolso hebible.org Subscribe to the blog and please follow us on our Facebook page to get encouraging posts and updates on classes and special events. Welcome back Trish Alcock Trish has returned to Village Schools of the Bible to manage the day‐to‐day financial records and student registra ons. She worked at VSB under both Monty Sholund and Max Fra‐ zier and is excited to be back again. Trish grew up in South Africa and immigrated with her family Page 2 Please pray for Village Schools of the Bible as we expand our reach to teach God’s Word and transform lives. Pray for open doors. Know that we love you and deeply appreciate your encouragement, gi s and prayers. Gracias! Staff News She has considerable experi‐ ence in office administra on and has worked at a number of Chris an organiza ons both here and in South Africa during her career. She is also a gradu‐ ate of the VSB Cover‐to‐Cover course. Please pray for our teachers and students in the Cover‐to‐Cover Classes. Pray for God’s trans‐ forming power as students en‐ counter His Word during their study. Alumni Survey Thank you to all who took our on‐line Alumni Survey! Your feedback will help us to reach our mission to transform lives with the Word of God. Trish Alcock, VSB Registrar /Bookkeeper to the USA in 1998. She is married to VSB board member, Warwick Alcock. She has two married children and 4 grandchildren. Others may receive the survey by regular mail. Please help us out and complete the survey and return it to us by mail. Thank you in advance! Nancy Malchow P H I L O G I AN Alumni Survey Testimonies My rela onship with the LORD grew stronger ‐ we became be er friends. More faith ‐ more strength to grow in the right direc ons... many things! My life has built on this class that I took years ago. This class propelled me onto a greater experience with God. I recommend it all the me! Amy Lunski Theatrical Release Even as a survey, the major points of His‐Story were covered with enough detail to make the Bible become more and more clear. One of the most important features of the course was the assignments. That alone was worth the cash spent ‐ the discipline, the permanent lessons for life, and sharing our tes monies with others. I have a ended Bible Survey classes before and didn't think I really needed to enroll in this class, but I will be grateful for the rest of my life I did! Peter Gardner It cemented my faith in Christ and gave me an even greater thirst to know Him more. It truly was a life changing experience. Deb Mull A feature‐ length drama c documentary which explores the grand story of redemp on, spanning from Eden to the New Jerusalem, with the land of Israel as the backdrop. A special viewing will be held for the alumni and friends of Village Schools of the Bible. Theatre and Date to be announced. Continued on page 11 Special Event Lecture Bondage to Islam and Freedom in Christ Village Center 7:30 p.m., March 4, 2015 What is Islam? How does it differ from Chris anity? A one me event for VSB family! Registra on informa on on page 5. Featured Speaker: Reuben David About Reuben: A former Visi ng Scholar with The Wilberforce Forum, the Chris an worldview think tank founded by Charles Colson, Mr. Reuben David has spoken in India and America. He has addressed media and religious groups, including a remarkable session en tled, "Understanding Islam: Challenges to Democracy and Diversity," organized by the Associa on of Muslim Social Scien sts in Washington, DC. He also has wri en on world religions. Born and raised in India—home to Islam, Hinduism, and Bud‐ dhism—Reuben is well versed in the prac cal reali es of compara ve reli‐ gions today. His first‐hand knowledge of religions, cults, and the compe ng philosophies and ideologies of our day has made him a popular lecturer and seminar leader with university students and adult audiences alike. He is a regular discussion leader on Hinduism at INSIGHT (Intensive Study of Integrated Global History & Theology) hosted by The Bethlehem Ins tute. Mr. David holds masters’ degrees in mass media, psychology, and religion from Regent University in Alexandria, Virginia, and from Bangalore University in India. A former professor of journalism at the North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he currently divides his me between India and America. Page 3 P H I L O G I AN Evangelical Atheists By Reuben David Some me ago I was at a de‐ bate at the University of Min‐ nesota where two interes ng speakers took on the subject of “Can we be good without God.” Ever since 9/11, the subject of religion and God has come under intense public scru ny. This debate was one such scru ny. Dan Barker, a former evangelical pastor turned atheist apologist, argued that there is no scien fic evidence for God and that God is not necessary for human morality. In his latest book, God‐ less: How an Evangelical Preacher Became One of America’s Leading Atheists, he shares his story of con‐ version to atheism and how we could live without God. Countering Barker’s points was Dinesh D’sou‐ za, author of What’s So Great about Chris anity. D’Souza remind‐ ed the audience of nearly 1,500‐ plus students that modern day sci‐ ence is based on three faith‐based proposi ons: the universe is ra on‐ al, the universe is not only ra onal but also lawful, and the ra onality of the universe mirrors the ra on‐ ality within our own minds. Barker, who is also the co‐ president of the Freedom From But today’s atheists—fierce, passionate and driven by missionary zeal— are proclaiming a new way of living: A life without God. Religion Founda on (FFRF), tried his best to persuade the audience to consider the bankruptcy of reli‐ gion and God. There was the preacher in him coming out when he held the Bible and read a few verses poin ng out the absurdi es, inconsistencies and violence. Now, this is fascina ng. Not many athe‐ ists of the old were enthusias c let alone passionate in spreading a passion for atheism. But today’s atheists—fierce, passionate and driven by missionary zeal—are pro‐ claiming a new way of living: A life without God. A society without reli‐ gion. A world without faith. But is this possible? While everybody is en tled to opinion, not everybody is en tled to facts. Barker’s idea may be ap‐ pealing to the Western world where only a frac on of the world’s popula on resides. Believers in God are plenty and the majority of them live outside the West (although God is s ll popular in the West). For the millions of people who share this earth, no amount of Continued on Page 6 What They are Saying... About VSB’s recent Special Event Lecture with JoAnn Magnuson, Israel: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow “Thank you! I was truly blessed by my me there. I have had the privilege of hearing JoAnn speak to our Navigator class at Wayzata Free Church on more than one occasion and she never ceases to amaze me! Thank you for your good work at Village Schools. Tom & Mary Ann Dahlquist “Thank you so much for having Jo Ann Magnuson come to talk to us. I was so enthused and excited with her knowledge—she could have talked for another hour and I’m sure no one would have le . She gave insight to the truths the media does not—things our Father wants made known. Thank you for bringing such people to Village Schools of the Bible for us. Rose Ann M. Page 4 P H I L O G I AN Winter/Spring 2015 Class Schedule Cover to Cover Cover‐to‐Cover Bible Survey courses are in progress at the following churches: 111 Students Registered! Berean Bap st Church, Burnsville 8 Campuses Bethel Bap st Church, Mendota Fall Enrollment Sta s cs Berean Bap st Bethel Bap st Dassel Covenant Downtown Women’s Five Oaks Maple Plain Community River of Life Woodridge Other Short Classes Over 250 Par cipants! Heights Dassel Covenant Church, Dassel Five Oaks Church, Woodbury River of Life Church, Has ngs Maple Plain Community Church Woodridge Church, Medina Why Study Cover‐to‐Cover Bible Survey at VSB? You will discover God’s unfolding plan of redemp on from Genesis to Revela on. In finding God’s story of redemp on, you will discover the story He wants to write in your life. Philippians ‐ Living in Joy! People want to be happy. You want to be happy and I want to be happy. We know a li le bit about what makes the world happy‐but what makes Chris ans happy? This ques on is answered in Living in Joy: the Source, Secrets and Experience of Joyful Living in Everyday Life. Living in Joy is about searching God’s Word in Philippi‐ ans for God’s joy. No fee. Instructor: Pastor Warren Coe Wayzata Free Church 9:00a.m. & 10:45a.m., Sunday Mornings (3weeks) Starts April 12 River of Life, Has ngs 9:00am, Sunday Mornings (4 weeks) Starts May 3 A Walk through the New Testament Grace Church Eden Prairie 6:30 ‐ 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays Through March 25 We look forward to another great enrollment this winter and spring! Celebra on & Gradua on Sunday, May 3, 6:00PM Please join us in congratula ng our VSB gradua ng students on a job well done! Cover‐to‐Cover students who have successfully completed both Old and New Testament courses by this spring will receive their diploma at this special event. Enjoy special worship music, Speaker: VSB Exec. Director and teacher, Warren Coe. graduates and dessert. Grace Church of Edina Page 5 When Can I start? Cover‐to‐Cover Bible Survey Old Testament will start in late Au‐ gust and early September 2015. Please check our website or the Philogian to learn of a class coming to your area. To register, please see our website: www.villageschoolso hebible.org Ques ons? Call 952‐540‐9460 or email: contact@villageschoolso hebible.org To find out about our current offerings, please see our website and follow us on Facebook www.facebook/villageschoolso hebible Bondage of Islam and Freedom in Christ Village Center, Minnetonka VSB Lecture Event, Free Will Offering Wednesday, March 4, 7:30 p.m. Instructor: Reuben David Limited sea ng, please register. See page 3 for full class descrip on. Prophecy Luncheon Bring a lunch, coffee provided. Teachings on topics related to Bible prophecy and current events. Free‐will offering. Instructor: Dr. Harvey Mar n, Ph. D. 11:30 – 1:00 p.m. New South Loca on! Star ng date and loca on to be announced soon. 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month. Grace Evan. Lutheran‐Deephaven 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the month. P H I L O G I AN Evangelical Atheists continued from page 4 “Within the next 30 years, one-third of China’s population could be Christian, making China one of the largest Christian nations in the world. scien fic evidence or reason is ca‐ pable enough to shake the deeply entrenched and lively belief in God that marks their everyday life. One of the key arguments the new evangelical atheists—men like Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Den‐ ne , Richard Dawkins, Michael Shermer, Sam Harris and others— have been raising is that religion is dangerous and poisonous to socie‐ ty. They are echoing the utopian For the millions of people who share this earth, no amount of scientific evidence or reason is capable enough to shake the deeply entrenched and lively belief in God that marks their everyday life. world that John Lennon sang about in “Imagine.” This is a complete misunderstanding of religions across the world. Except for a small number of religious fana cs, the Page 6 rest of the religious people in the world are to a greater degree living in rela ve calm. The technological sophis ca ons of the 21st digital century have not dampened reli‐ gious revivals across the world. Re‐ ligion is growing like wildfire today as never before. Religion thrives in underground churches of China, par cularly Chris anity as former Time journalist David Aikman re‐ counts in his book, Jesus in Beijing. Aikman predicts, “Within the next 30 years, one‐third of China’s pop‐ ula on could be Chris an, making China one of the largest Chris an na ons in the world. These Chris‐ ans could also be China’s leaders, guiding the largest economy in the world.” In Nigeria, both Islam and Chris anity are growing rapidly. India has never witnessed a decline in religion, and it’s doub ul it ever will because religion and God are part and parcel of Indian life. This does not mean people outside the West are intellectually lacking or simply indulgent in blind faith. Or at worst delusional, as Oxford biologist and prominent atheist Richard Dawkins notes in his best‐ selling book, “The God Delusion.” But rather believers in God world‐ wide have integrated God seam‐ lessly into their lives without caving into atheism even though life is not fair, ques ons abound aplenty and God never seems to grant His ap‐ pearance at every whim and fancy. Belief in God or theism enjoys the world’s highest converts. The reason is simple: Every human being breathes air to live and yet nobody gets to see it. It is invisible. Yet they believe the air exists. We might say, well, we can feel the air. But so is God, many feel Him though they don’t see Him. Belief in God or theism enjoys the world’s highest converts. Billions believe in God without anybody convincing them of God’s exist‐ ence. Why is this so strange and yet so real and prevalent? The subject of God, contrary to what the athe‐ ists have come to believe, is re‐ freshingly alive in the minds of mil‐ lions. Reuben David will be our guest speaker on March 4, 2015 at the Village Center. Support Village Schools of the Bible Did you know that 80% of our student costs are paid for by dona‐ ons? It is the goal of Village Schools of the Bible to make our classes affordable for everyone. If tui on assistance is needed, we also offer par al and full scholar‐ ships for qualifying students. By dona ng financially, you are making it possible for Village Schools of the Bible to teach God’s Word and transform lives. P H I L O G I AN Unceasing Prayer By Thomas Klein, Student Essay Woven throughout the fabric of scripture is the message that God loves his people. One of the most prominent threads is the one indi‐ ca ng God intended to, and will in eternity, always be with his people. The conven onal hermeneu c of Genesis 3:8 consistently focuses on the second half of the verse where “the man and his wife hid them‐ selves from the presence of the LORD.” However, if we consider the first half of the verse we see a different picture and it could be argued that “God walking in the garden in the cool of the day” was a common occurrence in the pre‐ fallen rela onship between God and Adam. To be sure, the first proposi on of this verse is “they heard the sound of the Lord God walking.” The im‐ plica on here is the sound was fa‐ miliar to them. Given the conversa‐ on that follows, it is fair to as‐ sume God walked in fellowship with Adam and Eve. Thus, their fel‐ lowship included direct face‐to‐ face communica on. Inherent to the fall was the severing of the in ‐ macy Adam and Eve enjoyed with God. The sin in the garden wrought havoc on the rela onship. God and man would s ll speak with one an‐ other but the terms of the rela on‐ ship had changed. The means of communica on had also changed. The great narra ves in scripture point to a God who ini ates rela‐ onship with his chosen ones. God is the author and the ones whom he works through are the charac‐ ters in his story. While there are Page 7 many stories of God speaking di‐ rectly to, or through an angel to, someone, the norma ve communi‐ ca on through much of scripture is through prayer. Paul closed his first le er to the Thessalonians by giving them some final instruc ons which included what he knew was norma ve be‐ havior for those who knew the liv‐ ing God. To pray without ceasing is to be in constant communica on with God. Paul had learned to do this. Paul had come to learn that Jesus regularly sought communion with his Father in heaven through prayer. In this regard, to pray without ceasing is evidence of an ongoing dependence on God. If mankind could no longer walk with God in the Garden then walking with God in life through prayer became the means of maintaining and growing in in macy with God. Now all of this begs the ques on: What does pray without ceasing have to do with the Return of Jesus (1 Thessalonians) and Doing the work of Jesus un l he returns? (2 Thessalonians) Paul charged the Church at Thessa‐ lonica to “walk in a manner wor‐ thy of God.” (1Thes 2:12) Prior to the fall it is assumed Adam was walking in righteousness with God. The fall does not change the nor‐ mality of walking with God. To be sure, the fall actually became the defini ve event making it abnormal to be apart from God. In concluding his second le er to the Church, Paul wrote to his brothers, “do not grow weary in doing good.” (2 Thes 3:13) Paul may have been the first person a er Jesus to evidence prayer as the an dote to weariness. The purpose of this reflec on is to demonstrate Paul’s admoni on to pray without ceasing was in fact a summary statement of what he knew men had done throughout all of redemp ve history. Prayer was Continued on Page 8 P H I L O G I AN Unceasing Prayer continued from page 7 the means by which people had walked with God. Prayer was also the remedy to the weariness that would result from doing good for the Lord’s sake. Paul knew the Torah and the story of Abraham. Paul also knew the history of Israel and he would have known the pleadings of people, prophets and kings to God. Paul would have been familiar with Jehoshaphat’s prayer to God refer‐ ring to “the descendants of Abra‐ ham your friend?” (2 Chronicles 20:7) It was Abraham who asked God, “would you sweep away the righteous with the wick‐ ed?” (Genesis 18:23) prior to the destruc on of Sodom. In similar fashion, while Moses was on the mountain communing with God, their conversa on was interrupted when God told Moses about the golden calf. Moses implored God to turn from his anger and to remem‐ ber the covenant He (God) had made with Abraham, Isaac and Ja‐ cob. (Exodus 32) As Paul thought through the whole of scripture, he must have consid‐ ered all those who prayed without ceasing. The precedent for con‐ stant prayer is evident in Jabez call‐ ing on the God of Israel that he might be bless him and be with him and keep him from all harm… And God granted what he asked. (1 Chron 4:3) King Artaxerxes was willing to send Nehemiah to Judah a er Nehemiah “prayed to the God of heav‐ en.” (Nehemiah 2:4) Presumably he prayed silently seconds before he Page 8 presented his request to the king. Nehemiah was praying while in the midst of a discussion. It is conceivable that Nehemiah was a spiritual hero to Paul. A er all, Nehemiah had rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem under great cri cism and opposi on. Yet Nehemiah was not deterred. Whether the author was Ezra or Nehemiah, we are told, “And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protec on against them day and night.” (Nehemiah 4:9) trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shall glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15) when he cried out to Jesus, “Lord, save me.” (Ma 14:30) Furthermore, in part, David must have been considered a man a er God’s own heart because of prayer. Throughout the Psalms we see evi‐ dence of ceaseless prayer. David asked God to “Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.” (Psalm 4:1) He asked God to “Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. Give a en on to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.” (Psalm 5:1‐2) The case could be made that the whole of Psalms is one ongoing prayer in which the rela onship with God is where David finds his refuge. (Psalm 16:1) Paul’s exhorta on to pray without ceasing is evidenced in the pro‐ phe c words of Isaiah when he wrote, “Yet he bore the sin of many and makes intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12) John Piper once referred to the book of Job as the best example of bad theology with regards to Job’s friends. Case in point, Eliphaz tried to suggest that the cause of Job’s suffering was Job’s wickedness. Yet Job responded, “I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments. (Job 23:4) Clearly, Job was a man of ceaseless prayer. The Psalms are saturated with prayers of praise and supplica on. Surely Peter must have known of the cry “Call upon me in the day of Jeremiah had prayed for under‐ standing (chapter 32) and then the word of the LORD came to him say‐ ing: Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hid‐ den things that you have not known. (Jeremiah 33:3) This ceaseless prayer of God’s prophets is also seen in Daniel’s prayer for his people when he la‐ mented: O Lord, hear; O Lord, for‐ give. O Lord, pay a en on and act. Delay not, for your own sake, O my God, because your city and Continued on Page 11 P H I L O G I AN Song of Solomon by Elizabeth Halverson, Student Essay Song of Solomon starts out with a great picture of love itself. 1:2 “for your love is sweeter than wine”. The song con nues on and talks about the girl who is insecure about being different from other women, but Solomon loved her anyway, he thought she was spe‐ cial, and he complimented her, tell‐ ing her that she was a “lily among thistles”. He was speaking encour‐ agement and apprecia on for her, loving words are very important in a rela onship. (2:7) tells us that we shouldn’t hurry the feelings of love, we need to wait pa ently for the love to grow with commitment. Solomon and the girl celebrate their joy and are able to ignore the “li le foxes” or irritants in their rela onship. In chapter 4, Solomon and his girl are admiring and praising each oth‐ er. Solomon is also praising her virginity. God created sex and in ‐ macy, and they are holy and good when enjoyed in marriage. The love between Solomon and his bride did not diminish in intensity a er their wedding night. Devo‐ on and commitment was a key to their rela onship, just as they should be in our rela onships with our spouses and God. The couple’s marriage grew, but so also did some differences, causing some stress, trouble and a brief separa‐ on in their marriage. The wife went searching for Solomon to save their rela onship. Today our marriages tend to lose their sparkle as we let in the stresses of the out‐ Page 9 8:8 the girl is reflec ng on her past and realized that it is because of her morality, that she was favored in Solomon’s eyes. The girl had her own vineyard and gave Solomon it’s fruits. Marriage has no private property, everything is shared. There should be no selfishness. side world. We need to take me remember our commitment to each other and to God, and make me and posi ve changes, to re‐ new the sparkle, and help the love grow even deeper. Solomon considers his wife his friend. In a healthy marriage, spouses are friends, not just lovers. Friendship takes me, but it makes love grow stronger. The girl and Solomon gave themselves to each other only, a complete union of mind, heart, and body. Solomon had access to many women, but his love for this girl did not diminish since their wedding night. The girl loves Solomon so much, that she wishes that she could show in with public displays of affec on. The faithfulness in our marriages should reflect God’s faithfulness to us. Throughout the song, Solomon and the girl praise the beauty, both physical, personality, and moral that they see in each other. They were commi ed to each other. Romance keeps a marriage fun and interes ng, but commitment keeps the romance from dwindling away. A husband and wife honor God when they love and enjoy each other. In 8:6 the final descrip on of their love includes the characteris cs: love is as strong as death, it cannot be killed by me or disaster, and cannot be bought for any price, because it is freely given. Love is priceless and even the richest king cannot buy it. Love must be ac‐ cepted as a gi from God and then shared within God’s guidelines. In P H I L O G I AN The Walk on the Emmaus By Sue Gjertsen, Student Essay Luke 24:13‐35 The tomb of Jesus had been found open and the body of Jesus was gone. Our savior was now resur‐ rected; this had been prophesied long ago and Jesus had also told his disciples this would happen before his death. The people who had observed the empty tomb and those who had heard about it were very confused. This passage in Luke is about two men who walked to the village called Emmaus to‐ gether (about seven miles from Jerusalem), a er Jesus’s resurrec‐ on. These two discouraged disci‐ ples traveled home a er watching this terrible event. I believe that these men were probably friends who had known each other for a long me, who had lived close to one another. This long account is only told in the book of Luke, and is not men oned in Ma hew or John. It is only slightly men oned in Mark (Mark 16:12, 13). These two men walked along the road and talked about everything Page 10 that had been happening. The cru‐ cifixion must have been horrific for these men to watch. They must have shared their thoughts and feelings about what happened. As they were talking, “Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from rec‐ ognizing him.” (Luke 24:15,16) The two disciples told the stranger about “Jesus of Nazareth; …the chief priests and their ruler handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him.” (Luke 24:20) The two disciples told the stranger about “Jesus of Nazareth; …the chief priests and their ruler handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him.” (Luke 24:20) They also shared with this stranger that they had hoped that Jesus was the person who would redeem Israel. The two men were so disappointed that Jesus was not the Messiah as they had hoped he was. As they approached the vil‐ lage of Emmaus, Jesus acted as though he was going to con nue on his journey farther. The men urged him to “stay with us, for it is nearly evening, the day is almost over.” (Luke 24:29) Jesus stayed with them. When they sat down to eat, “Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.” (Luke 24:30) At that moment, their eyes were opened and they knew that Jesus was with them and he disappeared from their sight. (Luke 24:31) The men hurried back to Jerusalem to share (with the Eleven and others) their story about how Jesus had been resurrected for they had seen Him with their own eyes. A significant truth that I discovered as I read this story, is about how Christ wants believers to know Scripture of the Old and New Tes‐ tament. For those of us that have the knowledge of Christ’s crucifix‐ ion, we can spread that knowledge and share our faith with those who do not know Him. In doing so, oth‐ ers may come to know Jesus. Scripture also helps us in our daily lives and to focus on eternity. These two men traveling together could not recognize Christ. These men were kept from recognizing him (Luke 24: 16). I’m not sure that Christ kept them from recog‐ Continued on Page 12 P H I L O G I AN Unceasing Prayer continued from pages 7 and 8 your people are called by your name. (Daniel 9:14) Finally, Joel in calling the people to repentance wrote: And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved…and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls. (Joel 2:32) At the me Paul wrote to the Thes‐ salonians, his scriptural lens was our Old Testament. While he may have heard the sto‐ ries of how much Jesus prayed he would have come to understand the ceaseless prayers of Jesus in the context of the ceaseless pray‐ ers of the scriptures that he knew at the me. Jesus as a man dis‐ played the same behavior Paul would have known about in other men of God. Mee ng the risen Christ must have cemented in his mind the need for ceaseless prayer. POSTSCRIPT In 1977 a er spending two months in Israel and several weeks travel‐ ing through Greece, Crete and Italy I went to L’abri Fellowship in Huemoz, Switzerland. I was a stu‐ dent there for just over the sug‐ gested three month stay. While I went there with the inten on of Seeking answers to deep seeded intellectual ques ons about the existence of God I found there were far more important ma ers that were addressed. To be sure, I came to understand some of the classical arguments for the exist‐ ence of God. Francis Schaeffer’s Presupposi on‐ al Apologe cs was exactly what I needed a er spending 2 years in a secular university. Yet on a deeply personal level the most important thing I studied while at L’abri were lectures related to prayer. I came to learn from Schaeffer, the reason people pray so li le is this: They don’t really believe God is who he says He is. If people really believed God is the God of the Bible, they would pray a lot more. They would in fact live a life of prayer. They would live as Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, they would pray without ceasing. I think I have read Prac cing the Presence of God ,by Brother Law‐ rence, to my wife over 100 mes in the last 5 years. Prayer and life were one and the same to the monk. As I’ve shared in a previous reflec on, Prayer is what sustains me in life. I agree with C.S. Lewis when he writes, “We must lay before Him what is in us, not what ought to be in us.” (From Le ers to Malcolm, p22) Alumni Testimonies cont. from page 3 Volunteers Needed! Warren Coe is an excep onal teacher. He knows the Bible and Are you able to volunteer your me and talents? We’d love your help! Please call 952‐540‐9460. He knows Church History/Chris an Doctrine. He truly is interest‐ ed in his student's progress. Wri ng the papers was invaluable. THE Best approach for this type of class designed for lay people. Thomas Klein The most significant thing I took away from the class was the revelation that God is truly a wonderful, Holy and glorious being. Frank Magnoski I learned so much I did not know before and it created a hunger within me to search the scriptures even more. Karleen Sime Volunteers Hang the White Boards at The Village Center. Page 11 P H I L O G I AN The Walk on the Emmaus Road continued from page 10 nizing him or if their human minds caused them to not see Jesus. The two men were not expec ng to see Jesus. It didn’t occur to them that this was Him, since Jesus was dead. I know that there are mes in my life that God is there with me and I don’t recognize him working in my life‐‐‐I’m not expec ng God. I am blind to him, as these two men were. I only see what I want to see. My personal desires, idols, fears and hurts get in the way. I also desire to see These truths impact my own per‐ sonal walk with Christ as I some‐ mes am also “foolish” and do not see the evidence that God has di‐ rected me to see. The two men on the road to Emmaus, could not see that Jesus was the Messiah‐‐‐‐and were confused about what they God in my daily life, and open my eyes to seek his will in the good and bad times. thought they knew. They had hoped Jesus was the real Messiah and that he would redeem Israel. These two men thought that this hope was ended when Jesus was crucified (not thinking he could be the Messiah), but did not under‐ stand prophesy that Jesus would die and rise again. I also, need to remember these truths. God is always at my side, yet I o en don’t acknowledge him. CTC New Testament Classes at Maple Plain (Above) and Berean Bap st (Below) Page 12 I some mes don’t reach out to him and speak with him. I don’t seek out God as my refuge and my strength as much as I should. There are mes that I don’t think about asking for his wisdom and guidance in all that I do. I have the opportunity to share my faith with others, but I find some excuse not to share. I need to focus on what God would have me do, not what I want to do. I need to allow God to lead and guide me and not become a stranger to me. I also desire to see God in my daily life and open my eyes to seek his will in the good and bad mes. It’s easy to run to God in the bad mes but not as easy to run to him in the good mes also. I will keep my eyes open. Dr. Harvey Mar n (Above) Warren Coe (Below) Highlights of the 2014 Christmas Open House Page 13 P H I L O G I AN Thank You to our Faithful Ministry Partners! Abrams, Dwight & Kaye Adams, Steve Alcock, Warwick &Trish Andersen, Gordon & Pat Anderson, Barbara & Dennis Anderson, Becky & Bruce Anderson, Clarence & Vivian Anderson, Stan & Jean Autry, Joyce Barth, Dick & Lois Basse , William & Lani Beebe, Colleen & Jesus Purisaca Berghorst, Ken & Claribel Bergman, Clinton & Juanita Bergman, Gregg & Nancy Bergstrom, Chuck & Coralyn Besonen, Bob & Catherine Binford, Rusty & Mary Bird, Jeffery & Widdy Black, Sarah & Cur s Blanchard, Glen & Marilyn Blank Family Founda on Bly, David & Norma Brazelton, Eric & Kathy Brown, David & Reba Brown, Faith Brunst, Gary & Laurel Budnik, Marcia & Steve Burrows, Harold & Renee Bye, Del Carlson, Mark & Jan Chamberlain, Paul Christensen, Robb & Jessica Clarke, Ken & Jennifer Cody, Donna Coe, Be y Coe, Megan Coe, Todd & Peggy Coe, Warren & Marlys Conquering King Fellowship Cragg, H. Lannie & Judy Cur s, Les & Martha Dahlen, Bill & Sandy Dahlen, Jacob & Kris n Dahlquist, Mary Ann & Tom Daniels, Tim & Diane Danielson, Lee & Nancy Dawson, Myles & Lenore Degenhardt, Tom & Jackie Dejdar, Bob De loff, Howard & Jean Dewey, Mary DiSanto, Tom & Susan Donnelly, Gregg Duske, Clifford & Wendy FEBRUARY Ellingson, Jodi Elrod, David & Candy Erhard, Angela Erlandson, Rick & Patricia Evans, Richard & Olivia (Chelly) Faith Hope Love Ministries Falk, Milo & Louise Ferrin, Frank & Virginia Ferrin, Russ & Jean Fiedler, Bill & Ginny Flaten, Mark & Sharon Fredin, Joan & Gerald Fruen, Doug & Mona Gaiser, Dave & Paula Giere, Kathy & Todd Gilbert, Bruce & Sandy Gogolakis, Eileen Gold, John & Brenda Gollin, David & Deann Goodwin, James & Pa y Gray, Ron & Marlene Greene, Dr. Richard & Charlo e Gretch, Steve & Barb Grosser, Steve & Liv Gunnary, Be y Hamilton, Mike & Janet Hammerlund, Albert & Linn Hanson, Morris & Suzi Hartmann, Ursula Hauck, Pam & Steve Heitke, Tim & Be y Hendrickson, Are a Hillberg, Karan Hinz, Sharon Horwitz, Art & Mar Hourscht, Steve & Wanda Hultgren, Bill & Kathleen Hunst, Terry & Cindy Hyrkas, John & Teri Ingraham, Rusty & Ann Irwin, Karl & Pam Jacobsen, Helen Jacobson, David & Cheryl Jacobson, Jan Johnson, Brad & Audrey Johnson, Deborah Johnson, Jerry & Anita Diane Johnson, John & Sandra Johnson, Ron & Arlyn Johnston, Martha Jorgensen, Velma Karr, John & Mildred Keister, Beth Kirk, Barbara Kleinschmidt, Bob & Kathy Korstange, Jason & Janice Ko la, Gordon LaBounty, Arlene La , Daniel & Karen La , Janet La , Joseph & Rachel Leonard, Richard Lewison, G.J. & Sharon Lindsay, Mike & Judy Lundquist, Delton & Marilyn Lunski, Dean & Amy Luoma, Roger & Jan Malchow, Sco & Nancy Mannoia, Jack Mar n, Harvey & Grace Mazierski, Rose Ann McCollum, Jon & Diane McConn, Tom & Beth McFee, Wade & Pam McKinley, Dave & Sue Menning, Carl & Be y Meyer, Peter & Jackie Miller, Carroll & Becky Moore, Richard Gary & Taunya Mower, William & Sara Munson, Barry & Christy Murphy, Bill & Joan C. Na onal Chris an Founda on Neufeld, Lillian Niskanen, James & Sharon Norman, Bert & Lyn Oakdale Church Odom, Bill & Cheryl Olson, Barbara & Gerald Olson, Donald L & Kaye Olson, Gen Ortquist, Marvin & Donna Osterby, Jeanne Paulson, Timothy & Candace Pawlak, Steven Pederson, Edward & Dianne Peterson, Doug & Melanie Peterson, Liane & Thomas Peterson, Roger & Mary Peterson, Roger P. & Melanie Pilcher, Virgil & Susan Pitmon, Jerry & Marilyn Plowman, Arnold & Della Prefer, Bill & Colleen Preisler, Mary & Michael Pribble, Bill & JoAnn Robbins, Brent Roberts, Jr., Charles & Lydia Robertson, Greg & Leslie Ross, Robert & Barbara Ryks, Jerry & Margery Schneibel, Dwight & Rhonda Schulz, Rachelle Seanor, Adelle Sholund, Doris (Bequest) Skaalerud, Mike & Lisa Marie Smith, Edward & Janet Songstad, Joel & Margarita Sorensen, Bev Sorensen, Jim & Becky Sorensen, Julie Stark, Harry & Helen Stephenson, Janice Stewart, Floyd & Mary Lou S ef, Marion Sullivan, Timothy & Kendra Svendsen, Shirley & James Taylor, Jim & Jan TCF Founda on Tengwall, Howard Thomas, Daniel & Melissa Thompson, Bill & Patrice Tormanen, Eugene & Katherine Tosse, Darin & Kris ne Tungseth, D. Clarke & Iris Underdal, Stephen & Sarah Vassar, John & LuAnn VerPloeg, Gladys Vetvick, Dennis & Shirley Villars, Jim & Pamela Visscher, Alvin & Elaine Wayzata E. Free Church Webb, Gary & Cyndi Wehling, Reuel J. & Colleen Wester, Merle & Eleda Wheeler, Sco & Roberta Wilkes, Be y Wilks, Robert & Joyce Wood, James & Dorothy Payne Yaeger, Judy & David Zempel, Dick & Jean Zimmerman, Fred & Kay Zischke, Deloris Page 14 Thank you to our volunteers who helped assemble the new Inter-and New Testament Cover-to-Cover books! Our Mission At Village Schools of the Bible, we exist to teach God’s Word and transform lives. We are a discipleship ministry built upon the teaching of God’s Word. Teens, adults, lay people, and church leaders par cipate in classes at Village Schools of the Bible. Our school buildings are church campuses around the Twin Ci es. Our teachers are skilled, experienced, and godly men and women. Our goal is to encourage you to grow, to be familiar with all of the Bible, and to become equipped to serve the Lord in knowing His Word and His Will for your life! Page 15 We invite our Village Schools of the Bible family to join us in reading through the Bible in the new year. Go to our website for details and sign up for daily reading assignments by email or follow us on Facebook. Psalm 119:105 declares, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” James 1:21 says, “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” God’s Word is God’s power and God’s power is God’s Word. Join us in reading through God’s Word in 2015. It will be a great year! Luke 24:6 “ He is not here, but has risen.” He is Risen Indeed! P H I L O G I AN Village Schools of the Bible Non Profit 13815 Ridgedale Drive Organization Minnetonka, MN 55305 U.S. Postage (952) 540-9460 PAID contact@villageschoolsofthebible.org ss a l Bc S a V 15 ! e k Ta in 20 Village Schools of the Bible You are invited to the Village Schools of the Bible 2015 Celebration & Graduation Sunday, May 3, 2015 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Grace Church of Eden Prairie Worship Music, Speaker: VSB Executive Director, Warren Coe, Graduates and Dessert Come Celebrate what God has Done! Village Schools Alumni! When was the last time you took a VSB class? Rediscover the transforming power of God’s Word. Dive into a class this year! Bible survey classes are discounted for you! See what other special classes we offer!
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