Basic Library Marker Resource, what is it?

Ok, thanks PetaChristian and Craig for the clarification.

A little off topic: Do you know of any good resource that describes varied curriculum in different areas?

E.g. Biblical studies, systematic / Biblical theology, Church history and Patristics, Moral theology / Christian ethics, Ministry / outreach, etc.

How do professors go about knowing what is important to know in an area? is there a resource that clarifies that?

Thanks ahead of time for the input.

Thank you Donald for the tip.

Many years ago there was a tv program made in Argentina called "Creencias" (something like "Beliefs").

In the program, a topic was chosen, and Jewish, Catholic, Hinduism, Islam, secular and other experts were invited to discuss the topic from the different perspectives.

Most of the time, the Catholic theologian blew people away with his answers. I was really impressed by how thoroughly the Catholic Priest had studied the subject, and nailed the key issues. I wonder where he studied, but was not able to find out.

I tried to find out with my Catholic lay leader friends about how to be able to study subjects so systematically. Most of the time the answer was the same:

In their view, one had to become a Priest, and particularly a theologian to be able to do such studies.

I was surprised that even they as lay leaders did not have access to the awesome curriculum / systematic knowledge, even though they are involved in different ministries like youth, marriage, small group, etc.

I hope the situation is not the same in the U.S., as I know that curriculum for lay leaders is very advanced there.

I am surprised that no guidance on how to effectively study systematics, moral theology, etc. is easily found.

Logos is helping making good resources available, But world class curriculum is still lacking.

For a change, I decided to take a look at the Ultimate Collection product page, and look at the different categories there. Then to look at the resources in a particular area, and pick some that seem important to my context and interest.  That way I can get some key elements (in my view) on that particular area.

Now with your advice, I will also look at the Bibliography to expand areas of interest, as curriculum does need to be contextualized.

Blessings.

Craig: thank you for a very constructive answer.

See I have high regard for true Catholics (devoted to God and Jesus Christ above all). The problem is that even if I am not a protestant, I do believe in the priesthood of all believers.

The gifts of the Spirit were given by Him to whoever He wanted, not to just some. 

We are to teach people to obey what Christ has commanded and to help facilitate having them be Christlike.

If through God one has been able to have a useful understanding (very contextual by the way) of God's reality and the study of it, I understand from the Bible that we are to put the light high so the whole place is lit and darkness dispersed.

There are true sheep out there that God wants to be cognizant of the truth. And I would not be surprised if there are more outside than in secluded seminaries.

To me is not understandable that persons charged with the teaching of things of God, at times seem to make it difficult. 

Faithlife in my view is doing a superb job, facilitating the availability of a huge library.

In my view now they only need to make a resource that touches upon the different curriculums and syllabi for different tracks, and for different traditions and / or denominations.

We are living more and more in an intercultural situation, and any person with a basic teaching background, knows that there is always the explicit, the implicit, and the ignored knowledge.

Many times some traditions are very good at something, they explicitly teach it, and at the same time are very ignorant of other areas relevant to the ministry.

Lay persons have a God given right to browse and study the full spectrum of traditions, and theological systems, so they are aware of the key points different views bring to the conversation. Such study is an undelegable responsibility of each individual believer, as salvation is individual, and we are expected to inquire about such important subject.

In theory one should at the very basic level do some research, as we may be getting theological constructs incompatible with the revealed truth of Scripture, or with the nature and character of God.

Denying the sheep the tools and information needed to do a rational inquiry to see if "things are so" is unethical and do not jibe with the Bible or the intent of God as transmitted by Jesus.

All of the above is of course an opinion from a non-expert sheep, that truly thinks that we were given rationality to inquire into things of God for salvation, for edification, and for helping with the Kingdom work, regardless of our status with respect of human made institutions.

Bonhoeffer seems to have thought that face to face instruction was needed for effective religious education. Then some modern thinkers think that platforms like Logos Bible software are useful to try to spread the Word and facilitate ministry work, is there a third option? is there a middle ground?

Change to have more technical support but within a local church setting would seem to fit the times, yet few sheep are encouraged to think about it and get involved:

https://faithlife.com/lexham-survey-of-theology/activity

http://www.cc-amesdsm.org/download/paradigmPapers/1_Creating%20a%20New%20Paradigm.pdf

https://faithlife.com/7506257/topics/7613?groupId=7506257&offset=0#latest

Like someone said before: Are we going to be part of the solution? are we going to get involved?

Pentecostals seem to be taking the lead:

https://faithlife.com/bible-engagement-project/activity

Resources plus curriculum, plus local church... seems like a winning combination.

Thanks for the input and the link.  Peace and grace.

Hi MJ:

Totally agree with the facts you presented. I do think that anyone can become a theologian (even if amateur), and contrary to my Catholic lay leader friends (not sure where they got the info), females can also study. [they may not be ordained as Priest, but not sure if they can serve as Chaplains).

And my original question stands: can Logos Bible software help persons in their quest to become a(n) [amateur] theologian?

If so, why isn't someone making a detailed curriculum (together with the individual syllabus), to aid in the process?

To my understanding the world will eventually be filled of the Glory of God, and many if not all will know about God. Hopefully that time is arriving soon.

I did look at the At seminary curriculum you posted elsewhere. I could not find the details of the courses. I did find a Thomas Aquinas college (seems to be different), and they focus more on liberal arts education, and use a wide array of secular books.

Secular books are to me like auxiliary ones, but I would like to see some of the fine resources in L8 as the primary texts in courses.

John Kelly and Paul Costa in their book "End Time Warriors" made an analogy to US Special Forces. That got me thinking:

US Special Forces (Green Berets), do have working knowledge on weapons, demolitions, engineering (combat), medical, intelligence, etc.

They are not experts like an engineer in the Corps of Engineers would be, but know enough to get the job done in a mission.

Same for medical knowledge, not a MD, but more of an advanced paramedic, that can save lives in real life.

So in the "priesthood of all believers" something similar can be paralleled: 

Leaders that while not experts in original languages the way an academician is, can have sufficient knowledge to get to propositional truth, etc.

While not a fully systematic theologian, can take into consideration the whole counsel of God, and see the Diachronic relations and the intertextuality of concepts.

While not a fully fledged counsellor, can detect when a case is solvable, and when needs further referral.

While not a civic action expert, can organize and support community to achieve worthy goals (chosen by the community itself), while at the same time evangelizing.

While not a Liturgical / worship expert, can plant and help with healthy growth of a congregation.

While not an enthusiast, enough knowledge, experience with God and anointment, to wage basic spiritual warfare with spiritual forces of evil when needed...

And so on, so forth.

Peace and grace.

PetaChristian:

A degree is one thing, actually achieving the goals of a Christian education is another.

Many men of God were self-learners, and lo and behold Apostles (like no one in the modern world) had no studies at all and they all put us all to shame.

Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia had a curriculum module, you could browse the different curriculums available and they would indicate what articles from the encyclopedia to go to. It even had an area where you could gather the info including websites visited.

If secular systems can help humanity learn a bit, should not a Christ following one?

That mentality that sheep cannot learn on their own is part of the problem with people leaving Christendom, it is like if secular systems have more hope for humanity than religious institutions themselves (how un Jesus like).

PetahChristian said:

Amateur theologian? Can a person consider themselves a theologian without (pursuing) a theological degree?

Again, there have been men and women of God that could put us all to shame and never visited a seminary, college, etc. think about it.

If we take some of the Scripture literally, then in order to be Jesus like, all we need is home training and local church, because He never went to college.

Small minds, equals very restrictive paradigms. God has the hugest mind, and He does not restrict us, but encourages us to learn more.

Kind Regards.

With all due respect SineNomine:

tell that to Peter, John, James, Jesus, Stephen the deacon, etc. 

The Holy Spirit bestows gifts as He wants and to who He wants.  Was St. Francis a theologian by training? or was the power of the Holy Spirit moving in his life?

Kind regards.

PetaChristian:

For the first two comments you make: my pont indeed. We should explore ways to allow greater acquaintance with theological subjects. Maybe at home with the help of Logos, or in the Local Church (small groups, lay leader training, etc).

PetahChristian said:

If sheep could merely learn on their own, they wouldn’t need a shepherd to watch over them.

There is a difference between shepherding, and indoctrinating into wrong doctrine.

Want an example of good watch overs:

Noble Synagogue Bereans: they took a proposed theological construct (Paul's) and searched the Scriptures to see if things were so. {note that the leaders did not reject the proposed constructs just because "it was not developed / invented here".

How can a sheep develop enough critical thinking that can tell when someone is trying to brain wash them vs. really empowering to find the truth for themselves?

To me Faithlife through Logos seem to be wanting to foster sheep's individual exploration to see if things are so. 

Most experiences I have had with groups / traditions, lean more into authoritarian imposition of beliefs, that unfortunately most of the time do no jibe with the thrusts of the Bible nor with the Character and nature of God.

Then there are some groups that are solid doctrinally, but then want to rule your life like if they owned you (but did not pay the ultimate price for one's life like Jesus did).

A good watch over person understands that the sheep are not the Church's, nor Pastor's but God's, so we can only empower them to see the light for themselves, as salvation is individual responsibility, and each person will have to give account of what they understood of the Bible, not of what a group or supposed watch over person indoctrinated them in. Luke 10: 25 - 27.

Is it not curious that Jesus did not ask the person: What does Gamaliel think, what is the accepted doctrine of the Pharisees? have you checked the creed of the Saducees? etc.

We now have the doctrine of the Apostles, but if you take a look closely to what it entails, you will see far difference to what is taught now.

Just one example of the difference in focus that a true watch over person should have when teaching:

Church Members                                                                                   Outreach Disciples 

Committed to the church                                                           Committed to Christ                                                     

Managing committees                                                               Deploying missions                                                      

Holding offices.                                                                          Doing hands-on ministry                                                                  
Making decisions                                                                       Making disciples 

Trained for membership                                                             On a life-long quest for quality

Serving at the church                                                                Serving in the world 

Preoccupied with raising money                                               Preoccupied with rescuing people 

Doing church work                                                                    Finding personal fulfillment 

Retiring from church work                                                        Pursuing constant personal growth 

Surveying internal needs                                                          Sensitized to community 

Eager to know everyone                                                          Eager for everyone to know God

Loyal to each other                                                                  Drawn to the unchurched 

Building faith on information                                                   Build faith on experience with Christ

Perpetuating a heritage                                                           Envisioning a future

Thanks to David Mulder in "Outreach discipleship" for opening my eyes to the above.

Is there a subtle sheep abuse in the system ? consider:

HOW TO EMPOWER OTHERS                    HOW TO EXPLOIT OTHERS

allow them to function                                          give them functions

believe in them                                                     make them believe in you

delegate authority                                                require submission

further God’s plan for them                                make them part of your plans

invest in them                                                      use them

love them, and say so                                          love the task more than the people

give them what you have                                    take what they have to give

discuss with them                                                preach at them

freely spend time with them                                 require appointments

give them the keys now                                       make them wait until you retire

serve them                                                            let them serve you

praise them                                                          accept their praise of you

transfer masterhood                                             demonstrate masterhood

 Simson, W., & Barna, G. (2015). The house church book: rediscover the dynamic, organic, relational, viral community jesus started. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale.

Critical thinking of things about God (theology) is very important, and mostly at the sheep level, because God wants us to be informed so we can make correct decisions.

Watch over people? yes, but look at the fruit they produce. If they are on the left of the above comparison charts, stay away.

If they are to the right, (like I think Faithlife does), stick with them.

Peta, this is not the place to be talking about this. I do it out of genuine concern for the common sheep (like myself), and I write with the hope people will further research, reflect and constructively comment, not to start polemics.

David Ames said:

Interesting discussions.  And Yes, we get further along with a guide. [Mentor / Spiritual adviser]  

Yes, but the right kind of mentor / spiritual advisor.

There comes a point when persons flee from perceived indoctrinators. We are in the 21st century, people want to be empowered to be able to decide and act for themselves.

It seems that the command was to make all believers (not just a few seminarians) into the image of the firstborn Jesus Christ, and that seems something that some groups seem to not grasp.

Do I admire the theology, research, language abilities of posters here? of course, they are like role models.

Do I approve of authoritarian, indoctrinating type input that does not jibe with the thrusts of the Bible or the Character and nature of God? no way. I prefer to fly solo than to submit to persons that are on the left in the contrast lists in a previous post.

No human is perfect, but those that are humble enough to change and accept when mistaken, specially when the heart of the matter is presented to them, are the ones I can see as good mentors, watch overs, etc.

We are all under particular contextual understanding of God and His reality, the only fully Orthodox Being in the Universe is God. So we should proceed humbly, kindly cooperating in the elucidation of Truth, and thanking the fellow pilgrims helping us in the way to such.

DIsciple II said:

It is always great if we can attend a class, but those don’t make us theologians in the formal sense of the word. i have studied a number of classes through bible colleges to add to my independent learning.  But for those of us not called to be formal Theologians , most of us at least, can not possibly attend all of the classes we would need to do so due to time, money and availability of classes. That does not mean we should stop our learning efforts and sell our Logos libraries to formal theologians. I don’t know if I will ever get to attend in person a Greek or Hebrew course but I have a vast wealth of material available to me that I can educate myself about the basics of these languages in order that I am better able to engage with commentaries and theilogical articles in area of interest that I am drawn to study. What I do learn about the languages and other theological topics only serves to keep me honest and remind me there is so much more for me to learn not only about the topic, but about myself, my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, particularly those of a different fairh tradition to mine, but also those within, and so much more to learn about God.

Even though the above not written for me, I agree, like, cherish, etc.

Maybe if some of the books in Faithlife were deliverable to my region, I would not need to bother people in the forums:

https://ebooks.faithlife.com/product/167480/the-bible-and-the-university

Peace and grace.