| HIS STORY THROUGH THE AGES SEMINARS This seminar is comprised of two separate seminars - one dealing with history before Christ, and the other from the birth of Christ until now. Each seminar includes five, two-hour sessions, with each session covering approximately a five hundred year time period. The fifth and final session of each seminar is both a teaching and evangelistic message-I will discuss the first coming of Christ in the BC seminar and the Second Coming of Christ in the AD seminar. The purpose of these seminars is not to simply give an overview of world history, but rather to present world history, as we know it, viewed through the eyes of biblical truth. In particular we will be focusing on the development of the religious and philosophical views of mankind down through the ages, and how these views deviate and contradict scriptural truth and the reasons behind that deviation. The aim of this approach, therefore, is to demonstrate that the Bible is not just another religious book among many others, and that the truth presented in scripture is not simply one way among a variety of other ways to approach God. Rather we will see that the Bible is indeed the Word of God, and Jesus is the ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER, and why! Thus, as we examine the deviation from God’s Word throughout history, we will begin with Cain in the biblical record. We will then look at the earliest written deviations from sources outside scripture such as in ancient Sumeria, Egypt, etc., which deviations may be traced from the Tower of Babel onward. We will discover that these deviations from biblical truth have been consistent throughout man’s recorded history in the same way that the biblical message has also been consistent and unchanging. The BC seminar will be divided up as follows: Session One - Pre-history to 1500 BC. In this first session we will discuss not only Genesis, but also we will also look at other writings of the Ancient Near East. We will compare their humanistic and pagan philosophies and religious thinking and behavior with that of the biblical message, and we will see how such pagan thought developed and is still with us today. Session Two - 1500 BC to 1000 BC. During this session we will present the emergence of Israel as a nation. We will also examine other emerging people groups in Asia and the Middle East, comparing their religious and philosophical teachings with that of the Bible, and discovering once again the clear distinction between their teachings and the Bible. Session Three - 1000 BC to 500 BC. In this session we will examine Israel’s rise and fall. We will also take a look at the emergence of Indian, Chinese, Persian and Greek religions and philosophies with a view, once again, of seeing the clear, distinct and consistent message of biblical truth over against the perversion and corruption of man in rejecting God’s Word for man’s word! Session Four - 500 BC to the Birth of Christ. In this session we will see how Daniel’s prophecy of Christ’s first coming is fulfilled, as well as the changes occurring in Judaism, including the influence of Greek philosophical thought and other mystical religious systems, up to the birth of Christ. Session Five - The Birth, Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. In this session I will teach on the first coming of Christ and God’s fulfilled promises for a Savior for the whole world! In this session, the participants will clearly see from the previous four sessions why there is no other way to the Father but through the atonement of Jesus Christ. The AD seminar will be as follows: Session One - From the birth of Christ to 500 AD. In this session we will examine the emergence of the early church, and we will devote special attention to the persecutions and major heresies it confronted and how these confrontations helped to forge orthodox belief, as well as the cannon of the New Testament. Session Two - 500 AD to 1000 AD. During this session we will focus on the rise of the Roman Catholic Church and its gradual corruption, as well as the rise and spread of Islam. We will also see that even in the midst of such confusion, God always has a faithful remnant! Session Three - 1000 AD to 1500 AD. During this session we will examine the Crusades and the continued emergence of Islam; the Catholic Church’s move to its nadir of moral and spiritual corruption, which in turn laid the foundation for the Reformation; the beginning voices of discontent and proclamation of biblical truth, over against a developing philosophical and humanistic emphasis in the Catholic Church that supplanted biblical authority in favor of man made traditions. Session Four - 1500 AD to 2000 AD. We will examine the past 500 years of the evangelical church’s life and history over against the rise and development of humanistic thought and philosophies such as the Higher Criticism of scripture, Darwinism, Communism, as well as the other world religions. We will also focus on the history of the church in America, with special emphasis being given to the spiritual roots of our nation and the growth of evangelicalism in our country and the world. In addition, we will give attention to the changes that have occurred in the last 100 years in the church in America and the world with the emergence of ministries such as Calvary Chapel and others, and how these changes and ministries have impacted our society. Session Five - The Second Coming of Christ. We will look at both the Old and New Testament Scripture with reference to Christ’s Second Coming, as well as a brief overview of historical perspectives on the coming again of Christ that have arisen out of previous, apocalyptic movements. This will give us a good, solid biblical foundation in order to accurately weigh what the scripture teaches, versus the milieu of teaching found in much of the sensational, apocalyptic literature of today. I have taught this seminar in three different formats: 1) Two weekend seminars, beginning with a three hour session on a Friday night, and the remaining six hours on Saturday for the BC, followed by the AD seminar on a subsequent weekend. 2) A week long intensive, usually beginning on a Sunday afternoon or evening, followed up with evening classes and culminating on the following Saturday. 3) Ten two-hour sessions, meeting once a week for ten weeks, or, if it is more preferable, it may be conducted over a longer period of time, say for example over fifteen weeks with the classes lasting up to 1 1⁄2 hours. Whatever is best for you, I will be more than happy to work with your specific needs. In addition, I have taught this at several Schools of Ministry in numerous Calvary Chapels, as well as to entire congregations. Janie and I would be honored to serve you in any way we can. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us, and may the Lord continue to bless you in every way. Thanks for your consideration of and prayers for us. Sincerely in Christ, Justin T. Alfred Contact Information Address: Justin T. Alfred, 39778 Daphne Dr., Murrieta, CA 92563-6538 Phone: (800) 219-2390 Cell: (951) 834-4814 Fax: (951) 696-7140 E-Mail: jtamin@aol.com
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