Resource Archives - Page 26 of 26 - The Artios Center for Vibrant Leadership

What is the Gospel?

Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:39:03-06:00

By Martin Cicero My church family and I have been talking about things these last few weeks that lead up to a very important question, “What is the gospel?” Before I answer that, we need to understand that many people answer the question with much excess baggage. In Section 3 of Steps to Sharing Your Faith, we read, Sometimes a theme in the Scriptures so captivates us that we are tempted to make it part of the essential message. It might be God’s love for the poor and oppressed, or His promise of prosperity to Israel, or His command to be stewards of the [...]

What is the Gospel?Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:39:03-06:00

Everyone’s A Theologian

Brian Franks2022-06-27T10:01:12-06:00

By Whaid Rose Theology is simply thinking thoughts about God, which makes all of us theologians. So invest in yourself theologically by taking Artios’ THE 201: Christian Theology. Time’s running out; register right away! “Everyone’s a leader” is a well-placed mantra within the Artios Christian College community. Because “leadership is influence” and all of us influence someone some way, everyone’s a leader. So let me be bold to suggest another line that deserves mantra status at Artios College: “Everyone’s a theologian!” The exclamation point seems necessary since many find the word “theology” intimidating. This is driven by the misconception that theology is the business of [...]

Everyone’s A TheologianBrian Franks2022-06-27T10:01:12-06:00

Mining the Old Testament for Treasure

Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:38:22-06:00

By Loren Gjesdal Have you ever heard anyone express thoughts like these? Maybe you have had them yourself? “I’m a New Covenant Christian, so all I really need to study is the New Testament.” “Jesus and the Apostles are the final word on theology, life and living. The Old Testament just confuses the gospel.” “Jesus did away with the law so there is no point in learning what it said.” So why do we keep publishing the Old Testament in our Bibles? Should New Covenant Christians find any value in studying books of the Bible written before Jesus was born? The answer [...]

Mining the Old Testament for TreasureBrian Franks2022-07-12T12:38:22-06:00

How Does Prayer Transform You? Part 2

Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:38:06-06:00

By Loren Gjesdal “TO PRAY IS TO CHANGE” The intimacy of knowing God personally transforms us. Paul says in his second letter to the Corinthians, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:18). The access we have to the father through Jesus allows us to view God as he is, that is to get to know him in a personal way, in a relational way. As we get to know him, we learn [...]

How Does Prayer Transform You? Part 2Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:38:06-06:00

Why You Should Care About Theology

Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:38:39-06:00

By Amber Mann Riggs For years, the word “theology” made my spiritual stomach churn. It was like putting the Bible on a lab table to be dissected like a dead, formaldehyde soaked frog, its cells being torn apart until they no longer resembled the organs and ligaments that had once made the frog bound with life. Then I transferred to a Christian university. And what was the very first course on my schedule? None other than Introduction to Theology. My bias against theology shattered like the clay pots covering the torches of Gideon’s army. Suddenly, everything became brighter. Theology – “the study of God” – is far from lifeless. [...]

Why You Should Care About TheologyBrian Franks2022-07-12T12:38:39-06:00

Who Cares About Theology?

Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:37:53-06:00

By Loren Gjesdal How has doctrine ever helped anyone? Haven’t theological disputes been at the heart of many church splits and even bloodshed over the centuries? Can’t we just agree to disagree, and all get along? Isn’t Jesus all that really matters? Maybe you have heard someone ask questions like this, or maybe you wonder yourself just what benefit there is to doctrinal statements of faith, creeds, and systematic theologies. Personally, I enjoy delving into esoteric discussions of Bible prophecy, end time events and doctrinal distinctives. But I have also thought of them as matters of personal curiosity without much relevance [...]

Who Cares About Theology?Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:37:53-06:00

Is Critical Thinking Important Today?

Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:37:32-06:00

By Martin Cicero With all the information that is available to us today, we can’t believe something just because it is in writing or because someone on TV or the internet says it is so. Then what are we to do? Many times during Jesus’ ministry here on earth, He asked the question, “What do you think?” Seven times in the gospels Jesus asked or is asked the question, “What do you think?” Do you just accept what you hear and read, or do you take time to think about it? Do you look to see if there is an alternate view? How [...]

Is Critical Thinking Important Today?Brian Franks2022-07-12T12:37:32-06:00