How satisfied are Rockbridge Seminary students with their 100% online seminary experience? Here are the survey results from the most recent term:

YES: 98.0%

NO: 2.0%

Persecutors of the church often had the bodies of martyrs burned and their ashes scattered in the wind or on a river in an effort to discourage belief in the Resurrection. Some theologians thus reason that since God will resurrect the cremated bodies of martyrs, he will do the same for believers [...]]]> Pros and Cons

James Christensen

Persecutors of the church often had the bodies of martyrs burned and their ashes scattered in the wind or on a river in an effort to discourage belief in the Resurrection. Some theologians thus reason that since God will resurrect the cremated bodies of martyrs, he will do the same for believers choosing to be cremated. Those favoring cremation also emphasize that a buried body decomposes to its base elements, and that cremation only hastens what is an inevitable process.

In modern society, cremation has the advantage of being more econo­mical. The average cost for burial runs four to five times the cost of cremation, which brings up concern for stewardship. Cremation also saves space, an added consideration in light of the scarcity of land, espe­cially in urban areas. In addition, some psychologists argue that a clean incineration of a corpse is ther­apeutic for the mourners because it emphasizes separation rather than the illusion that the deceased is “just sleeping.”

On the other hand, burial has been and still is the accepted prac­tice of the majority of Christians. For many, it better symbolizes the hope of resurrection and the prom­ise of eternal life. In addition, burial acknowledges the sanctity of the human body and follows the exam­ple of how Christ’s body was han­dled after his death (Matt. 27:58-59). The best course in considering the disposition of the body is to en­courage sensible choices made ac­cording to biblical principles. It seems best that the decision be made by the family based on the desires of the deceased and the beliefs and traditions of the family, as well as the costs involved.

See Christensen’s chapter “The Purpose of Funerals,” in Leadership Handbook of Preaching and Worship 

Course

This material  is included in the Rockbridge Seminary course “Pastoral Care,” an elective course for the  Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Ministry Leadership (MML) programs.

All Rockbridge Seminary courses are delivered 100% online.

Schedule

2012 Course Schedule for the course “Pastoral Care” (fully online):

• 2012 Term 4 (June 26 – August 20) – MDiv, MML

Links

Course descriptions for all Rockbridge Seminary courses

Leadership Handbook of Preaching and Worship

A NEW PARADIGM SEMINARY to develop servant leaders for NEW PARADIGM CHURCHES.

Here are 5 DIFFERENCES that were designed into the LEARNING INFRASTRUCTURE of Rockbridge Seminary:

The Scriptures contain the words of eternal life – the words, when grasped, that enable the reader to lay hold of Jesus Christ, God’s living Word, in faith.

Of course, grasping the Scriptures, or holding on to Jesus Christ in faith, is only a [...]]]> Grasping God’s Word

by J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays

The Scriptures contain the words of eternal life – the words, when grasped, that enable the reader to lay hold of Jesus Christ, God’s living Word, in faith.

Of course, grasping the Scriptures, or holding on to Jesus Christ in faith, is only a figure of speech. The truth of the matter is that when we grasp the message of God’s love for us, it – or rather God – grasps us.

This is the true end of biblical interpretation: to know as we are known.

Foreword

Contents

How to Read the Book – Basic Tools

• The Interpretative Journey
• How to Read the Book – Sentences
• How to Read the Book – Paragraphs
• How to Read the Book – Discourses

Contexts – Now and Then

• What Do We Bring to the Text?
• The Historical-Cultural Context
• The Literary Context
• Word Studies
• Bible Translations

Meaning and Application

• Who Controls the Meaning?
• Levels of Meaning
• The Role of the Holy Spirit
• Application

The Interpretative Journey – New Testament

• New Testament – Letters
• New Testament – Gospels
• New Testament – Acts
• New Testament – Revelation

The Interpretative Journey – Old Testament

• Old Testament – Narrative
• Old Testament – Law
• Old Testament – Poetry
• Old Testament – Prophets
• Old Testament – Wisdom

Course

That kind of leader … the Jesus kind.

The focus of the evaluation is on LIFE CHANGE rather than on Bible knowledge.

Here are the evaluation questions:

The [...]]]> Evaluation Questions

Rockbridge Seminary students enrolled in the “Preaching/Teaching for Life Change” course are required to present a message, videotape it, and have it evaluated by at least five persons in the audience.

The focus of the evaluation is on LIFE CHANGE rather than on Bible knowledge.

Here are the evaluation questions:

The message related to an issue or concern in my life.

The points of the message were easy to follow and understand.

The speaker used helpful stories and examples to help me understand the message.

After hearing the message I knew what God wanted me to do.

The speaker neither said nor did anything while speaking that was distracting.

The message drew me closer to God.

Overall I thought the message was helpful and interesting.

1=strongly disagree
2=somewhat disagree
3=somewhat agree
4=agree
5=strongly agree

 Course

“Preaching/Teaching for Life Change” is an elective course for the  Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Ministry Leadership (MML) and a required course for the Diploma in Ministry Leadership (DMS). Rockbridge Seminary is a fully online seminary (100%).

Schedule

2012 Course Schedule for the course “Preaching/Teaching for Life Change”

• 2012 Term 2 (Feb 28-Apr 23)-DMS
• 2012 Term 3 (May 1-Jun 25) – MDiv, MML

That’s why every learning objective for Rockbridge Seminary programs includes the word “demonstrate.” Through your Rockbridge Seminary program, depending on which one you choose, [...]]]> READY to Serve or WHILE You Serve?

Traditional seminaries get you READY to serve in ministry. Rockbridge Seminary, a new paradigm in seminary education, helps you learn WHILE you serve in ministry.

That’s why every learning objective for Rockbridge Seminary programs includes the word “demonstrate.” Through your Rockbridge Seminary program, depending on which one you choose, you will demonstrate ministry competence in the following ways:

Master of Divinity

1. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of the nature and content of the Bible, a working methodology for biblical study and interpretation, and a clear formulation and personal integration of the student’s own understanding of the message of the Bible.
2. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of the central doctrines of Christianity and of the historical models that have been used to articulate and apply them. Students will be able to formulate theological and ethical concepts in light of the heritage of the whole church and to apply these concepts in contemporary life situations.
3. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of Christian ministry founded on biblical mandates, informed by the church’s heritage and relevant to its present circumstances.
4. Graduates will demonstrate a commitment to a lifelong, intentional process of spiritual development and professional growth.
5. Graduates will demonstrate growth of the in areas related to God’s personal call that require further development. (Read more about the MDiv program)

Master of Ministry Leadership

1. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of how to lead a church in nurturing the spiritual life and worship God.
2. Graduates will demonstrate understanding in leading a church in developing effective relationships with others.
3. Graduates will demonstrate understanding of how to lead a church or ministry to study the Bible and help others grow spiritually.
4. Graduates will demonstrate how to lead a church in equipping and mobilizing others for ministry.
5. Graduates will demonstrate understanding of how to lead a church in sharing the faith in word and deed.
6. Graduates will demonstrate a commitment to a lifelong, intentional process of spiritual development and professional growth.
7. Graduates will demonstrate growth in areas related to God’s personal call that require further development. (Read more about the MML program)

Diploma in Ministry Studies

1. Graduates will demonstrate a basic knowledge of the Bible and how to study and apply the biblical texts.
2. Graduates will demonstrate a basic understanding and appreciation of church history and historical core doctrines of the Christian faith.
3. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the theology of the five purposes of the church and their application to developing a growing and healthy church.
4. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of how to share the gospel in a variety of forms and mediums.
5. Graduates will demonstrate a commitment to a lifelong, intentional process of spiritual development and professional growth. (Read more about the DMS program)

This example of small group promotion is included in the Rockbridge Seminary course “Building a Small Group Ministry” (a fully online seminary course).

“Building a Small Group Ministry” is an elective course for these programs: Master of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Ministry Leadership (MML). Rockbridge Seminary is a fully online seminary (100%).

Myth #2: That God will ask us to do something irrational by normal standards.

Myth #3: That if there is something we want to [...]]]> Oswald Sanders: 9 Myths about God’s Call

Myth #1: That if we surrender our wills to God He will ask us to do some difficult thing we don’t want to do.

Myth #2: That God will ask us to do something irrational by normal standards.

Myth #3: That if there is something we want to do desperately, the likelihood is that God won’t want us to do it.

Myth #4: That if we make a faulty decision and miss God’s will, we are doomed to second-best life hereafter.

Myth #5: That the normal and adequate mode of guidance is through impressions made on mind and heart by the Holy Spirit.

Myth #6: That our intuitions are the direct voice of God.

Myth #7: That every open door or favorable occurrence of circumstances constitutes a call from God.

Myth #8: That a closed door is the end of the matter.

Myth #9: That we receive guidance from God by making our minds blank.

J. Oswald Sanders identified these myths about God’s call in his book Every Life Is a Plan of God: Discovering His Will for your Life. 

Course

This Oswald Sanders’ material is included in the Rockbridge Seminary course “Developing the Focused Life” (a fully online seminary course). 

“Developing the Focused Life” is the seminary’s Touchstone Course, an entry course required for ALL programs: Master of Divinity (MDiv), Master of Ministry Leadership (MML), and Diploma in Ministry Studies (DMS). Rockbridge Seminary is a fully online seminary (100%).

Schedule

Upcoming Course Schedule for the course “Developing the Focused Life”

• 2012 Term 3 (May 1-Jun 25) – MDiv, MML, DMS
• 2012 Term 4 (Jun 26-Aug 20) – MDiv, MML, DMS
• 2012 Term 5 (Aug 28-Oct 22) – MDiv, MML, DMS
• 2012 Term 6 (Oct 23-Dec 17) – MDiv, MML, DMS

Links

Oswald Sanders (Wikipedia)

Read more about Every Life is a Plan of God: Discovering His Will for Your Life

“Christ Honoring” is one of eight CORE VALUES that guide and influence the global ministry of Rockbridge Seminary.

Review all core values