FGA Conference and An Intro to Bibliology

If you couldn't make it to the Free Grace Alliance conference this year, you were really missing out! It was the first time I went, and I must say, the lineup of speakers was incredible, the fellowship and the cool people I met there was incomparable, and I'll definitely be back again next year! FGA's own blog summarized it nicely (thanks Dr. Chay!) ...:

"Dr. Dave Anderson taught from the book of Hebrews and lifted our souls to heaven to worship the Cosmic Christ. Dr. Jody Dillow explored the problematic sections of the Sermon on the Mount and its impact on rewards. Our special guest, Dr. Michael Eaton, reminded us of the historical and theological realities of the doctrine of the assurance of salvation. Dr. Larry Moyer and Dr. Charlie Bing challenged us all to do the work of an evangelist and “get the gospel out” both in our “Jerusalem” and to the “uttermost parts of the earth”. Additionally the fifteen workshops that included topics on Evangelism, Ecclesiology, and Grace Theology provided valuable teaching.

At the banquet a presentation of the FGA Trophy of Grace Award was made to author and theologian Dr. Renald Showers, for his service with the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.

Finally, the biggest delight of the conference was hearing from Dr. Charles Ryrie as our banquet keynote speaker. What a delight to see grace personified both in word and deed in the life of one of the Lord’s choice servants. (http://thefreegracealliance.blogspot.com/)"

Dr. Dave Anderson's message on Hebrews 1 made me want to be able to read the original languages that the Bible was written in (Hebrew and Greek) and to teach and understand the text as he did because he sure tore it up! I also want to check out Grace School of Theology now too. lol. He's the president there (http://gsot.org/). I can definitely say that this conference equipped and inspired me and it called me to continue to rely on the Word of the LORD in teaching, life, evangelism, and discipleship (2 Tim. 3:16-17). It is for that reason and for many others that I want to explore Bibliology (the study of the Bible). A few other reasons are:

- When I heard Geisler speak just a couple of weeks ago he reminded us that our country's deviation from the Word of God (which, when you do the history research, is really what our country's based on as found in the Mayflower Compact and Declaration of Independence and documents like it) has led to it's quick and sudden demise throughout the past only perhaps half century when the Scriptures were taken out of schools and have been continually trampled in the name of "political correctness".

- Alex Kennedy's (pastor of Kingsland Baptist, where I'm a member) message on Amos today reminded me of the reason (well, one of many) that Israel (the Northern Kingdom) fell to Assyria in 722 (the passage actually refers to Judah, the Southern Kingdom, but you can rest assured that these two accusations by God (Amos 2:6 for Israel) are somewhat interchangeable and build off of one another, aka not knowing and living the Word will lead to injustice as you see in the passage to Israel):

"Thus says the LORD, "For three transgressions and for four I will not revoke its punishment, because they rejected the law of the LORD and have not kept His statutes; Their lies have led them astray, those after which their fathers walked. So I will send fire upon Judah and it will consume the citadels of Jerusalem (Amos 2:4-6 NASB)."

- Anyway, much more can be said about this, but I've been wanting to do my own research on Bibliology recently anyway, so this will be the perfect avenue to do so. While I think Free Grace Soteriology (understanding that we're saved by grace through faith alone in Christ's death for our sin and resurrection; Eph 2, 1 Cor 15, etc) and Dispensationalism (Correctly understanding that God's dealing with people have not been the same throughout history and that, most importantly, we are to read his word literally which proceeds forth the truth's that Israel is separate from the Church and that everything that God does is for His Glory) are extremely important, they are both theologies and concepts built on from the Bible: The Word of the LORD. Without a correct understanding of the Word of God, there will not be a correct outworking in these other important areas of theology.

So, it would be of incredible value for us to venture in that direction for the next few posts on this blog.

In the Sovereign name of the LORD, be blessed. Seek His face often, let Him control you day to day (Gal 5) that you may please Him in all that you do. May His richness bless you this week.

FOR HIS GLORY

-Phil