Christian Education (Teen/ Young Adult Problem) Sunday School
Kerry Bader
03/25/2012
Christian Education (Teen/ Young Adult Problem) Sunday school
As a recently appointed pastor at a local Nazarene church in a small rural community I was given a couple of letters in private from fellow member Christians that were concerned about the new Teen/ Young Adult Sunday school teacher. I opened the letters and read the questions: How do you handle a situation in which Calvinist beliefs are being introduced and taught in my Sunday school class by my Sunday school teacher? I let the concerned members now that I will talk to the Sunday school teacher personally. And to the question is Calvinism scriptural? According to the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance Calvinism (also known as the Reformed Faith) is a branch of Christianity mostly shaped by John Calvin in the 16th century. This alternative approach to the Christian faith is founded on the Five Points of Calvinism. ( Robinson) Then I explained to t hem that Bible-reading Christians are starting to see Calvinist and other non-scriptural beliefs infiltrate their churches today. But is Calvinism scripturally based? To know this, we must refer to the Bible at each of the 5 points of Calvinism to find appropriate scriptures to back it up and then see if it logically fits in with the message of the Bible. According to the book Christian Education: “1. Biblical and theological soundness are important to assure what is taught in the curriculum is genuine Christianity.”(Clark) I confronted the Sunday school teacher with the written letters and concerns as stated in the 2009-2013 Nazarene manual. I brought their attention to page 228 Section 505.1 and I quote” If a member of the clergy is accused of misconduct unbecoming a minister, or teaching doctrines out of harmony with the doctrinal statement of the Church of the Nazarene, or of serious laxity in the enforcement of the Covenant of Christian Character or the Covenant of Christian Conduct of the church,
03/25/2012
Christian Education (Teen/ Young Adult Problem) Sunday school
As a recently appointed pastor at a local Nazarene church in a small rural community I was given a couple of letters in private from fellow member Christians that were concerned about the new Teen/ Young Adult Sunday school teacher. I opened the letters and read the questions: How do you handle a situation in which Calvinist beliefs are being introduced and taught in my Sunday school class by my Sunday school teacher? I let the concerned members now that I will talk to the Sunday school teacher personally. And to the question is Calvinism scriptural? According to the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance Calvinism (also known as the Reformed Faith) is a branch of Christianity mostly shaped by John Calvin in the 16th century. This alternative approach to the Christian faith is founded on the Five Points of Calvinism. ( Robinson) Then I explained to t hem that Bible-reading Christians are starting to see Calvinist and other non-scriptural beliefs infiltrate their churches today. But is Calvinism scripturally based? To know this, we must refer to the Bible at each of the 5 points of Calvinism to find appropriate scriptures to back it up and then see if it logically fits in with the message of the Bible. According to the book Christian Education: “1. Biblical and theological soundness are important to assure what is taught in the curriculum is genuine Christianity.”(Clark) I confronted the Sunday school teacher with the written letters and concerns as stated in the 2009-2013 Nazarene manual. I brought their attention to page 228 Section 505.1 and I quote” If a member of the clergy is accused of misconduct unbecoming a minister, or teaching doctrines out of harmony with the doctrinal statement of the Church of the Nazarene, or of serious laxity in the enforcement of the Covenant of Christian Character or the Covenant of Christian Conduct of the church,
Cited: Blevins, Dean Gray. "Judicial Administration (500 Series) - 505.1." Manual, 2009-2013, Church of the Nazarene: History, Constitution, Government, Ritual. Kansas City, MO: Nazarene Pub. House, 2009. 228-29. Print. Clark, Robert E., Lin Johnson, and Allyn K. Sloat. "Understanding and Using Curriculum." Christian Education: Foundations for the Future. Chicago: Moody, 1991. 499. Print. NIV“Bible Online, Bible Prayer Room, Christian Community, Market Place and More.. “ Bible.com Ministries. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. . Robinson, B. A. "Belief Systems within Christianity." Calvinism: A Christian Belief System about Salvation. Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, 20 July 2004. Web. 18 Mar. 2012. .