Our Vision

The End-Time Reformation

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.... The Bible foretells a reformation that will occur in the church of the Last Days, to be centered on the Person of Jesus Christ. As such, it will be the great defining event of church history and of the ages. This reformation will spring from a hermeneutic called ‘The knowledge of the Son of God’ or, ‘the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord’ (Ephesians 4:13; 2 Peter 1:2).

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.... A ‘hermeneutic’ is a method for interpreting the Bible. The end time herme- neutic, first of all, will seek the testimony of who Jesus is: His heart, mind and Divine nature, as shown to us through the Scriptures; and secondly, it will apply those concepts to us as we abide in Him. The entire concept is highly relational as opposed to being merely religious. For a fuller description of this reformation, please click on the break-out module for the The End Time Church.

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.... But how does a reformation begin?

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Berry’s Vision

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.... Berry Alvis is my work fellow and a major inspiration behind this site. He envisions blogging as a catalyst for the end time reformation, and uses an interesting example to explain his concept:

..... "Who created the Linux software?" He asks, "Or who created Mozilla Firefox?" These are the popular OS and browser softwares that are available free online.

.... The answer is that nobody created them - and everybody! Both programs were the product of an online, relatively open collaboration. Someone began with a basic template and other software engineers added new capabilities as their contributions.

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. .... In a similar way, the basic lessons of this course should be viewed as a template, and each lesson remains open for discussion in the ‘comments’ section. Through thoughtful insights, challenges, questions and the examples of sincere Christians everywhere, a better ‘feel’ for each lesson will emerge. This will make them far more effective for discipling new believers. Also, through the best of these comments, the basic course itself will be subject to future revision.

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.... (note: the entire basic discipleship course has now been posted online, and we are currently on our third round of revisions. These lessions can be viewed under the Table of Contents, and we will be updating these articles as future insights warrant.)

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Rules for Participation

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.... In the same passage that foretells the end-time reformation, the rules for participation are given:

.... "but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-- Christ."

(Ephesians 4:15)

.... The discipleship course on this blog is open for the suggestions of authors, editors, theologians, evangelists, psalmists, pure-hearted zealots, and most importantly, for new Christians who tend to ask the most piercing and pertinent questions of all. Questions, in fact, are completely open, and no subject is off limits as long as it’s not too much of a rabbit path. There is no such thing as a stupid question if sincerely asked. But making comments, suggestions or other insights requires special consideration:

.... First, any comments or suggested revisions must be based on Biblical truth. This is not a course in worldly philosophy, medieval church tradition or new age liberalism, but in who Jesus is, as the Scriptures portray Him.

.... Second, everything in the basic template was authored for the purpose of pointing us to Jesus more clearly, and the aim of each comment and suggested revision must always be the same. So if you want to suggest a change, let’s think about this. If it already points to Jesus, why would you want to change it? So we are looking for a clearer perspective than we have seen, an improved explanation, correction where necessary, or viable alternate perspectives. These entries will be very earnestly considered, for the truth is in Jesus and in our heart-of-hearts we are seeking to learn of Him (Ephesians 4:20-21)

.... Third, the truth must be spoken in love. Even in disagreements, our love and respect must be shown to others so a bond of good will, and a basis for a new consensus, can be promoted.

.... Finally, if you wish to participate, you may comment on the main postings or in relation to the comments of other participants. But in the event of a disagreement, please site Scriptures to explain why you think a point that was offered was wrong. Then offer in it’s place what you believe to be the true perspective, again supported by Scriptures, and explain how it points us to Jesus more clearly. If this is done in love, no one should have a problem considering it fairly.

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.... Through comments, and possibly through additional break-out modules, help from other sincere Christians is needed and appreciated. Please pray about joining us and tell a friend who may also be interested. And if you lead someone to the Lord, please think about sending them here for their most basic lessons.

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Yours in Christ,

Loren D. Bishop

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For further information on the structure and use of this basic discipleship course, please click here.