The Development of Christian Liberty

Apr. 2012 N&N new format copy

News and Notes from ICSI

ICSI News

Our Spring class has been Four Main Doctrines in Christian History: The Nature of God (Trinity), Jesus, The Bible, and Salvation by Grace.

We have had a challenging and quick series of topic to cover. The main focus was a historical look at how the church refined and perfected the teaching on four important topics.

The first topic was the Trinity. Must of that important understanding of God is found in the definition of how Jesus Christ relates to the Father. In 325 AD, and through a few more church councils, the Nicene Creed defined that Jesus Christ was not just like the Father but he was the same substance.

Next the Deity of Christ was refinied by the church. In the councils from 448 and until 749 AD the teaching of Jesus Christ being a man and being God was refined to explain that he had two full natures in one person. He had a complete human nature and a complete nature of God, in one person.

The third topic is too involved for this letter, but the reliability of the Scripture both Jewish and Christian was very suspect in the 1800′s and 1900′s due to literary criticism of the sources. However, the rise of the modern science of archeology brought whole realms of anvient history to light. The Bible’s historical and cultural reliability was refined and restroed.

Lastly we covered the 1500′s Reformation that clarified forgiveness was a gift of grace and not based on good works or church rituals.

The next class will be June 2nd-June 30th. The topic will be: Jeremiah and the fall of Israel. The class location will be at Ray’s home (29049 Marcus Lane, in Highland) or another home closer to everyone in the class.

Sincerely,
Ray & Becky Ashworth

beaconsoftruth.org