Faith Seeking Understanding

Hello everyone,


My name is Jon-Michael Ward and yes I go by Jon-Michael in case you were wondering. I am originally from West Virginia. I went to University of Houston my first year of College, and I transferred to HBU when I decided to pursue studies in Philosophy and Christianity. I am a junior at Houston Baptist University majoring in Philosophy and Biblical Languages. And if you haven't guessed it, I am deeply passionate about both philosophy and theology. It was during my time at the Honors College at UH that I came face to face with the anti-theism rampant throughout college campuses both here in America and abroad. This academic assault against our Faith is primarily through rational argumentation. Because they presume that most Christian's adhere to the notion that Faith and Reason are incompatible, they ridicule our lack of knowing why we believe what we believe. They assume that foundations of a Christian's faith are easily shaken by reason, and sadly I saw many such individuals fall to this tactic of the enemy by allowing their worldview to be reshaped by the lies of these Professors. However, it is my strong conviction that they are blind to the true reality that rational thought can be, to an extent, harmonized with our Faith, such as many Christian intellectuals have proven time and time again in the past. It is our calling in this new generation to fight against this intellectual tyranny and provide our brothers and sisters with the necessary discipleship that will enable them to answer these tough questions and to testify of the veracity of the Biblical Truths that they affirm by Faith. Furthermore, the President of HBU has made it quite clear that he envisions HBU becoming a center of Faith and Reason. Thus, I hope this group will be one means of achieving this particular pillar of the President's vision for the future of HBU in becoming a Light that shines throughout Houston and beyond.

In Christ,
Jon-Michael Ward




:::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Motto :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

These studies will revolve around the Augustinian motto of "faith seeking understanding." Thus, we will actively engage in theological and philosophical discourses that will only serve as a means to our end of glorifying our Creator with the thoughts and ways of our minds and bear witness to those Truths He reveals to us through this journey.

I hope that the intellectual aspect of this group does not prevent you from realizing that the chief aim of this group is spiritual up-building and discipleship. Philosophy and Theology are only means to the greater end of living out a life truly driven by the fires of our faith, which is fueled by God's Grace. True faith is one that permeates our soul (mind/heart) and revolutionizes our desires, affections, passions, aspirations, thoughts, ways, and motives, and these make up our identity and determine our effectiveness in accomplishing those tasks God has assigned us. Thus, faith seeking understanding in a way is the pursuit of gaining a rational mindset based upon the conception of the mind of Christ presented by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians. This verse affirms the object of this group, to come to a greater understanding of the wisdom of God, so that this wisdom can illuminate our mind's eye providing us with a place to stand. This firm place to stand will provide us with a systematic, coherent, and harmonious theology that we can access on a daily basis as we make choices, judgments, and determinations of what is right and wrong.


::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Vision Statements ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

1) To assist in forming and shaping a theological worldview fashioned in accordance with the Cannon of Truth. The aim of this Bible Study is developing a place to stand that is firmly planted upon the rock of our Faith, Jesus Christ who is the Truth, whereby we can gain a spiritual perspective of this world, the human situation, and our individual identity. By God's grace this will allow us to individually and jointly pursue a greater understanding of what is Christianity by bringing the words of scripture into direct correspondence with our present situation as college students living in the 21st century.

"For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook shaped by the things of the Spirit. For the outlook of the flesh is death, but the outlook of the Spirit is life and peace, because the outlook of the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to the law of God, nor is it able to do so." (Romans 8:5-7, NET)

2) To pursue true knowledge and spiritual discernment from the Throne of God for instilling in us a mindset illuminated by the Light that radiates from the Logos, which directs us in living a purpose driven life of eternal value and serves to expose the darkness of the thoughts and ways of the world.

Seeing as the heavens and the earth testify to the undeniable truth that divine reasoning coordinates this ever-changing system, we will be pursuing rational understanding of this world through the eyes of faith. This lens by which we discern what truly is, is only made possible by the divine assistance of the Holy Spirit. His assistance grants us access to the Mind of Christ, whereby we can comprehend those mysteries hidden to the prophets and saints of God before the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which was made possible by the Ascension of Christ after His resurrection.

"Now we do speak wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are perishing. Instead we speak the wisdom of God, hidden in a mystery, that God determined before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood it. If they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But just as it is written, “Things that no eye has seen, or ear heard, or mind imagined, are the things God has prepared for those who love him.” God has revealed these to us by the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the things of a man except the man’s spirit within him? So too, no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things that are freely given to us by God. And we speak about these things, not with words taught us by human wisdom, but with those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is understood by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, so as to advise him? But we have the mind of Christ." (I Cor. 2:6-16, NET)


::::::::::::::::::::: Other objectives of this Group :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

To equip the saints with weapons of argumentation to both expose the depravity of the empty philosophies of the world and tear down those arguments that the enemy erects to keep people closed to contemplating the truths of Christianity; to prepare ourselves to be able to engage the prominent worldviews of our day; be able to discern those false teachings that are fabricated by the enemy, which often closely resemble authentic Christianity on the surface, and to be equipped to effectively expose the heretical content of these teachings to those who are searching for Truth. Remember, Christ and Paul warned us that many would gather to themselves teachers who would tell them what they wanted to hear and would set forth a "truth" that supports the ends of fabricated visions of prosperity, fulfillment,spiritual virtue, and happiness, originating from the illusions and deceptions of the Enemy.

"Therefore, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and firm in your faith just as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." (Colossians2:6-8, NET)


"For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standard, for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ." (II Cor. 10:3-5, NET)

" For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." (Matt. 24:24, NET)


"For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths" (II Tim. 4:3-4, NET)



:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: My Thoughts ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I will endeavor to lead this journey of wrestling with the tough issues, questions, and concerns of our generation and of humanity throughout the ages. For the past year and a half I have been working on a comprehensive literary compilation in philosophical theology, and as such, it is my firm intention to help my brothers and sisters grow in their relationship with God by coming to know our Creator and His creation in a new light via rational deliberation, spiritual discernment, and reflection upon Scripture.



:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: P.S. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::



Also please do not feel intimidated, for this group is first and foremost a spiritual up-building Bible Study. As such, we will endeavor to meet each of you where you are on your spiritual walk. We will not look down on you in any way but seek to assist you in any way we can. I personally enjoy bringing rational thought to a more digestible level for those who do not care to think too much. Though I should make it known that although you will receive the milk of our Faith, we will endeavor to feast upon those elements with more spiritual substance.

"On this topic we have much to say and it is difficult to explain, since you have become sluggish in hearing. For though you should in fact be teachers by this time, you need someone to teach you the beginning elements of God’s utterances. You have gone back to needing milk, not solid food. For everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced in the message of righteousness, because he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, whose perceptions are trained by practice to discern both good and evil." (Heb. 5:11-14, NET)



::::::::: Final Words to those interested in joining me on this journey ::::::::::

I am always interested in discussing deeper into any topics, issues, or questions we come across. I spend much of my free time writing and studying on various topics in theology and philosophy. Hopefully by next semester I will have some of my material ready to share with you all, which I am eagerly looking forward to. But as of this semester, I will only refer to it throughout the course of our Bible Study, or whenever anyone of you are interested in discussing them with me, i.e. in preparation for a paper, questions that are weighing heavy on your mind, just interested in gaining a more rational understanding of convictions that you hold concerning the Faith, or if you would like assistance in giving a sound answer for the hope that is within you.


:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Download Links ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
NET Bible Download
http://www.bible.org/page.php?page_id=3086

Interlinear Scripture Analyzer
http://www.scripture4all.org

Hebrew and Greek Lexicons
http://www.studylight.org/lex

Greek and Hebrew Fonts
http://www.bibleworks.com/fonts.html

:::::::::::::: My Method ::::::::::::::

Read Chapter

Outline verses by subject or topic

Address one verse at a time: Look over NET Bible Notes, decide which words I want to go back to the original text to get a better understanding of, Study up as much as I can on each word using lexicons and the interlinear scripture analyzer.

Writing process:

First: Aim is understanding through thinking and/or writing (this process can be compared to understanding a formula in Calculus or a proof in Geometry or Trigonometry, understanding is reached when you grasp the concept and are able to use it effectively to solve problems (you understand how it works and can make use of it)

I usually refer to the notes on the text from the Study Aids I use, if I am not able to understand the text just by reading it or just want a fuller understanding.

Second: Aim is thinking or writing for comprehension (this is like comprehending a formula or proof, whereby you grasp more fully the concept that you are not only able to use it to solve problems but grasp the reality that the symbols (numbers or letters) point to, you are able to derive the formula or proof yourself and are able to use it effectively to develop further proofs and formula

I usually do this process of comprehending by going back to the original text and doing research into the key words in the text. I then develop comprehension through thinking and writing on this information.


Third: posing inquiries, questions, commentary, and possible contradictions (in view of other passages)

Fourth: attempt to resolve or address as much as I can in view of my own understanding of Truth and knowledge of Scripture


Fifth: attempt to integrate this comprehension in my worldview (how the light of this text illuminates my understanding of myself, others, the world around me, God, etc...)

Sixth: if possible attempt to derive conclusions from using the insight gained by this study as premises or proofs and seeing what theological realities can be derived from them

Lastly: pose any unresolved issues, questions or enigmas.