Bible Heaven/Bible Heaven.iso/inform/revival2/intro.txt

Text File | 1993-09-30 | 25KB | 680 lines

                              INTRODUCING...




                   THE FELLOWSHIP FOR REVIVAL ACADEMY.




                     Guided Private Study Programmes.

                         Correspondence Courses.

                    Apprenticeships in Christian Work.




Copyright (c) 1991,93 by the Fellowship For Revival.  All Rights Reserved.




                                * * * * *




Thank you for your interest in the various possible opportunities for
private study, and for correspondence courses, being offered by the
Fellowship For Revival Academy.

There are a number of options open to you, depending upon what kind of
study you want to pursue, and upon what degree of commitment to study you
are able to make.



GUIDED PRIVATE STUDY PROGRAMMES.


The Fellowship For Revival Academy's courses are well suited to be used by
someone who simply wants some notes on a subject, and a list of books to
be read, which will introduce that person to the subject in question.

The student can set his or her own pace in doing the reading, answering
the questions, and doing the other requirements of a course of study which
will open up a subject, or which will further develop the student's
insights into an issue.  The student can do parts of the course, at his or
her own discretion, or can do a complete course.

Once a student has broken into a subject, and has gained an insight into
its related matters of interest,  so that the subject can be looked at in
a proper perspective, using such a guide as is provided by these courses,
the student will be able to take charge of his or her own studies of the
subject, and explore it further in a time and manner of the student's own
choice.

This is adult self-education, pure and simple.

Naturally, undertaking study in this manner implies that the student is
able to motivate himself in studying the subject, and knows how to carry
out his own research, and can find his own resources.

This kind of study can also be much cheaper, because it does not involve
the costs of postage on many packages of written materials, or any
possible tutoring costs.

While this kind of self-education has many factors to commend it,
nevertheless it is true that it is a kind of self-controlled study which
many people find very difficult to maintain.  Either they are not self-
disciplined in the manner required to carry out such a programme of study,
or else they are not experienced enough in academic studies to do what is
required to complete the work to a satisfactory standard.

Many people find that they cannot study well unless they have an
examination to face, or have to hand in some written answers, or have some
other expectation imposed upon them.

Also, unless a student is very careful, or else has particular gifts of
insight, it is easy to gain a mistaken view on a matter, from simply
reading books on the subject, without having anybody on hand to enlighten
us about the mistake we have made.

As a result, these courses of study offered by the Fellowship For Revival
Academy are also designed to be used as correspondence course materials.



CORRESPONDENCE COURSES.


The notes used for the guided private study, and for the correspondence
courses are, in fact, the same.  The difference is in the way the student
approaches the work.

Correspondence courses are done in a more formal manner, and place certain
expectations upon the student.

The student accepts the discipline of having to send in written work, to
be marked and corrected.  This helps to overcome any natural lack of
discipline that even the best of us may have.  And, in this way, mistakes
can be discovered and rectified.

A correspondence course also provides us with somebody (the tutor) with
whom we can interact, even if only by correspondence or by telephone, in
studying our subject, and this is an additional help in the learning
process.

It may also be possible to meet with a tutor, and with others who are
studying the same subject, from time to time, and this can be a most
valuable experience in our learning, as well.

Despite what has just been said about the value of meeting with others who
pursue the same studies, these courses can be used by anyone who lives at
such a distance that such meetings are not possible, and who relies upon
correspondence only.

Certificates and diplomas can only be awarded to those who do the studies
in such a way as to be able to demonstrate that they have gained
sufficient scholarship by their own original work.

Generally, this can only be done through the correspondence courses, or
under some other form of direction by a tutor which includes the
submission of written work.

Answering the following questions can help you to decide just what you
would like to do:

1.  Do you want to study one of these subjects, using only the book of
    notes, book-lists and questions, and without the help of a tutor or
    correspondence course structure?  Do you want to be in complete
    control of your study programme?

2.  Do you want to use the help of a correspondence course structure, and
    the help of a tutor?

3.  Do you want to study one subject at a time, or more than one?

4.  Do you want to study against a timetable?  (This is an optional extra,
    and is purely your own choice.)

5.  Do you want to sit for examinations?  (This, also, is an optional
    extra.)

6.  How many hours per week do you hope to spend on these study
    programmes?

7.  A further possibility is for you to undertake some part-time parish
    work while you do one of these study options which are available to
    you.  This would serve both as a means of gaining an income while you
    study, and could be looked upon as a kind of apprenticeship in
    christian pastoral and evangelistic work.  It would also allow you to
    live near the person who was to be your tutor, or near to the F.F.R.
    study centre, or some other suitable library.



WHAT SUBJECTS ARE AVAILABLE?


There are EIGHT subjects in which courses are available.  These are:

o  Old Testament.

o  New Testament.

o  Theology (Biblical and Systematic).

o  The History of Theology.

o  The Mature Christian Life.

o  Revivals.

o  Christian World-View Philosophy.

o  Christian Literature.


Other subjects will be added to this list as the possibility to do so
arises.  These will hopefully include such subjects as:

o  Theory and Practice of Evangelism.

o  Church History.

o  Pastoral Theology and Skills.

o  Christian Education.

o  History and Theology of Christian Missions.

o  Christian Ethics.



COMMITMENT TO PRAYER.


The Fellowship For Revival Academy takes the view that the pursuit of
knowledge is NOT a goal of sufficient worth in itself, but should always
be part of the practice of devotion to God, and the seeking of God's will
being done on earth as it is in heaven.

Consequently, all students doing these courses are asked to pray about
their studies, and about the influence it should have upon their lives.
They are asked to pray for their tutor, and for the Academy.  They are
asked to pray for all the other people who do any of the Academy's
courses, and a list of names for prayer may be supplied for this purpose.
(First name, town of residence, and course being done, only, will be
provided.)

Prayer is requested on some regular basis, such as, daily, every second
day, weekly, etc.

Academic studies should not be allowed to overpower the student's
practices of private devotion to God, or public worship or serving of God.
Such things are sinful, and will be relatively of little use for God's
glory.

Academic studies should be set in a context of prayer, and be dedicated to
God's service and glory.  Anything less than this is little different from
secular education.



BASIC FACTORS ABOUT THESE COURSES.


(a.)  Length of Course.

These are substantial courses.  If it is assumed that a course is being
attempted seriously and fully, then, each course contains enough work to
occupy an advanced undergraduate university student full-time for at least
one half of an academic year.

Six of these courses would contain an amount of study, and at sufficient
depth to be equivalent to what a university student would need to do to
obtain a bachelor's degree in an Australian university.

However, a student may choose whether to do a course full-time or part-
time.  Any length of time may be taken to do a course, unless the student
chooses to accept a time limit.  If desired, parts of any course can be
done without doing the whole of the course.

Additional work in optional areas are also available in each subject.

Study in each subject is also available at a much higher, post-graduate
standard.

So, there is much flexibility available about the length of any of these
courses.


(b.)  Academic Standard of Study.

Each course contains a number of parts or units.

First Level.

Basically, the first section of each course is of an introductory nature,
and is set at upper high school standard (Australia), or at early College
standard (USA).

Some of the courses then contain parts which are at a more advanced
standard, but which help prepare the student for the demands of the later
parts of the course.

Second Level.

The main sections of each course are contained in what is called the
"second level" of the course.  These are all set at advanced undergraduate
standard (Australia), or at the bachelor's degree graduating standard of
the better quality universities in the USA.

However, each course can have its standard adjusted to suit the abilities
of each student.  Therefore, students with less ability can still get a
great deal out of the course, without being defeated by academic standards
being required of them which would be impossible for them.  On the other
hand, students with greater abilities can have greater demands placed upon
them.  The supervisor has the right to control these factors for each
student, and will help each student to attain the best academic level that
is possible.

Any diploma or certificate will indicate the standard of work achieved by
the student.

The post-graduate studies in these subjects are set at Master's degree
level, or higher.


(c.)  Educational Principles.

The correspondence and reading courses are designed according to an
educational principle called Resource-Based Learning.

The idea is that the student is brought into contact with various books,
and other resources, suitable for self-teaching, and he or she is brought
face to face with as wide a view of the subject-matter as the scope of the
course, and the available resources, will allow.

The supervisor's task is to guide and encourage, and to mark any answers
to questions, etc.

 o  There are no classes or lectures.

 o  There are no school buildings or classrooms.

 o  There are no teachers, as normally thought of.

 o  There are no semesters or terms, or starting or ending of academic
    years.

 o  There are no examinations (unless you choose.)

 o  There is no set timetable for study other than what you choose to
    place upon yourself.

 o  The student has to teach himself or herself.

 o  It is adult self-education.

 o  The courses can be done at home by correspondence, at the F.F.R. study
    centre, anywhere else, or any mixture of these.

 o  Each student is provided with a list of books to study, brief notes
    for guidance, and other suitable resources.

 o  The books must be bought or borrowed, or consulted at a suitable
    library.

 o  After the resources have been read and studied, etc., a number of
    questions are required to be answered, or other set work.

 o  So, basically, the educational procedure requires the student to teach
    himself from the available books, and to answer questions.  The
    supervisor's task is to help and guide the student in this work.


(d.)  Resources.

The availability and good use of resources provide the key to the doing of
these courses.

The resources which are listed in these course materials can all be
obtained for study by one means or another.

Some of the titles are commercially available, and so may be bought by the
student.  All students are encouraged to develop their own private
library, as much as they can.

The Fellowship For Revival is seeking to establish a small research
library in which will be held copies of the resources needed for all these
courses, and as much as possible of what is required by those studying at
higher academic levels.  The embryo of this library exists, but its proper
development will be a long and continuing task.

The library is divided into two parts.

 o  Books owned by the library.

 o  Book collections which are privately owned, but which are available
    for the Fellowship's use.

At present, the Fellowship has access to two private libraries in the
field of theology, one of which is much larger than the other.  Also
available is a multi-media collection on revivals, which, whilst not
large, is probably the best general collection in the southern hemisphere
on that subject.

Other private collections will also be available, as time goes by.


(e.)  Availability of Library Resources.

Basically, all listed books are held at the Fellowship's study centre, or
in private collections open for use by the Fellowship.

Those books which are owned by the library are housed at the study centre,
and can usually be borrowed by anyone doing any study with the Fellowship,
regardless of the distance they may live from the centre, or else a
photocopy of it may be used.

Photocopies may be supplied if the library does not have duplicate copies
of the book, and if it is out of print.

Those books which are privately owned can be consulted by arrangement, and
are usually held at the owner's private address.  Generally, they can not
be borrowed, but it may be possible to arrange to borrow a photocopy if
the book is out of print.

In so far as the law allows, photocopies of many of the older required
books may be available for study.  Generally, photocopies will only be
used as a last resort.

Some books can be consulted or borrowed from public library sources
through the local public library and the inter-library loan service, or
from some other public library.  This can be a fruitful source, but some
books will not be available because they may not be held in any Australian
public library, or they may have been got rid of - due to their age.

Theological libraries belonging to one or other of the denominations may
also have some of the books, and sometimes these libraries will loan books
to members of that denomination to which the library belongs.  But, do not
expect too much from these libraries.  They often do not have very
extensive book collections on any and every aspect of christianity, and
they have to cater for their own students and lecturers first.  Many of
these libraries simply do not have extensive collections at all.  Again,
older books may have been disposed of.  In some instances, these
theological libraries do not loan books out at all, but their books may be
studied and copied (within the law) by any student in the library.

The Uniting Church in New South Wales has a library associated with its
Centre for Ministry.  This is a public library, in the sense that its
purpose is to serve the whole membership of the Uniting Church.  Any
member may use it, and borrow from it.  Efforts are now under way to
develop this library as a post-graduate research library.  This is a very
costly procedure,  but, if successful, this will create a marvelous tool
for christians to use for their own benefit, for the benefit of the work
of God, and for the ultimate glory of God.

Some of the listed books will be available commercially, and so may be
purchased, if the student desires to do so.

Consult the supervisor about these matters.

However, we have made sure that at least one copy of every listed book is
available to be consulted, in one way or another.  Many of these are at
the F.F.R. Study Centre.


(f.)  Entry to Courses.

Entry is open to ANY person, regardless of previous educational experience
or expertise.

Naturally, the supervisor may see the need to take additional steps to
help a student reach the stage where he or she can profit most from the
course.

Where a student has little or no previous tertiary or higher secondary
educational experience, then the tutor may choose to make the early parts
of first level of a subject into an introduction for a student into
methods of study, and of preparing essay-type answers to questions.

The general principle will always be followed, however, that the best
academic standards will always be aimed at which are possible in any given
situation.


(g.)  Cost.

The basic cost in each course is the cost and postage of buying the course
notes.  This will vary from as little as four dollars, plus postage,
depending upon which course is involved.

Other costs will be negotiated at a later stage, depending upon what kind
of supervision the student requires in doing his or her study programme.

In doing a correspondence course, there will naturally be costs of postage
and packing in sending and returning answers to questions being marked by
the tutor.

Some tutors may also require some refunds on personal expenses, which will
need to be negotiated with their students.

Cost of postage and packing for all books or photocopies borrowed from the
F.F.R. library must be repaid.  Also, a contribution toward the existence
and upkeep of the library will be negotiated with the student.

Some students may be able to study directly at the F.F.R. study centre.
It would be natural to expect them to make some suitable contribution
toward the existence and upkeep of the library. This will also be a matter
of negotiation.

Costs of all books, etc., (and postage,) purchased through the F.F.R. must
be repaid.

The student may also incur costs for books purchased elsewhere, for
membership in other libraries,  and for inter-library loans.

In these ways, the total cost of each course will vary greatly from course
to course, and from person to person.


(h.)  When to Start.

Any time at all.


(i.)  How Long Will the Course Take?

The length of time spent doing any of these courses depends entirely upon
how much time per week each student is able to spend doing the course, and
how much of the course the student wants to do.

As mentioned elsewhere, each course represents a full-time study load for
half an academic year by an undergraduate university student.

But, each student will be able to determine their own pace in doing any of
these courses.


(j.)  Accreditation.

There is, at present, no plan to seek accreditation for these courses, for
several reasons.

Firstly, although the courses are generally set at tertiary level, the
academy is trying to accommodate students with a variety of levels of
academic ability and attainments.

Secondly, the school is not yet established well enough to provide a basis
for any application.

Thirdly, accreditation can place undesirable restrictions upon the freedom
and creativity with which subjects can be taught, and also restricts the
introduction of new subjects which may not be taught elsewhere.

Fourthly, the Fellowship believes firmly that all courses will be taught
from the basis of a christian world-view.  It is possible that
accreditation requirements may involve the partial adopting of a stance
based upon a secular world-view, in the name of what some see as academic
excellence (of a more secular kind.).

However, a number of accredited courses will be designed, and offered, as
soon as this becomes a practical possibility.


(k.)  Academic Excellence.

1.  Excellence in scholarship is one of the major goals of the Fellowship
    in the entire conduct of these courses.

2.  Of very great importance in this regard is the Fellowship's aim to
    achieve the very best standards of balanced and thorough scholarship.

3.  The academic excellence envisaged here, however, differs in one
    fundamental aspect from the academic excellence which is sought in
    most universities and institutes of higher learning.  That is, that
    all the courses offered by the Fellowship assume the basis of a
    christian world-view.  The best scholarship, and the careful study of
    all points of view, will be sought on that basis.

Most universities and institutes of higher learning function on the basis
of a secular world-view.  A great many of the subjects are taught and
studied from the standpoint that religion is either irrelevant or
unimportant.  As a result, basic questions about the meaning of life,
about a true scale of values, and about a true standard of morality,
cannot be satisfactorily dealt with in such institutions.

And, where religion is itself a subject of study, secular academic
excellence usually assumes that all religious views are equally valuable,
truthful, or equally without support.

The academic excellence that we seek studies all religious views,
and indeed all views of any kind, as carefully and as sympathetically as
possible, and seeks to discover what evidence there is to support each of
these ideas, both from a christian stand-point, and from the stand-point
of someone who held the other view.


(l.)  Awards.

First Level Awards.

The Fellowship For Revival Academy offers a certificate to anyone who
completes First Level studies in any of the subjects.  This certificate
will indicate which subject, and at what level, the student has gained
success.

This will hopefully act as an encouragement to anyone who, for any reason,
cannot pursue the subject at the second level.

Basic Bible College Diploma.

Anyone who gains EIGHT first level certificates in different subjects will
receive the Fellowship's Basic Bible College Diploma.

Second Level Awards.

The Fellowship For Revival Academy offers a certificate to anyone who
satisfactorily completes Second Level studies in a subject.

This certificate will indicate which subject, and at what level, the
student has gained success.

Full Diploma.

The Academy's Full Diploma will be awarded to any student who completes
SIX of the subjects at the Second Level.

As indicated previously, these certificates and diplomas can only be
gained by students who pursue these courses in such a way as to be able to
demonstrate that they have gained a sufficient standard of scholarship
through their own original work.

Honours and Post-Graduate Awards.

The Fellowship For Revival Academy seeks excellence in scholarship, and
will therefore encourage higher academic studies in all of the subjects in
which it offers courses.

Certificates describing the quantity and quality of work done in these
areas will be given to any suitably qualified student who pursues honours
or post-graduate studies with the Academy.



APPLICATION FORM.


Name:  ...........................................................

Address:  ........................................................

          ........................................................

          ........................................................


INFORMATION.

1.  What subject, or subjects, would you like to study?

2.  What formal study, or private reading, have you already done in these
    areas?

3.  What educational qualifications do you have?  At what stage did you
    leave school?  What tertiary studies (if any) have you done?

4.  Do you want to study privately in these subjects, without the help of
    a tutor, and without handing in assignments?

5.  Do you want to pursue these studies in the form of a correspondence
    course?

6.  Do you want to have a time-schedule set for you?

7.  Do you want to do examinations?

8.  Do you intend to do a whole course, or a part only?

9.  Do you want to start a course, and decide upon how much you will do at
    a later stage?

10. How close are you to a university library?
               ...... to a public library from which you can borrow?
               ...... to a theological library?
               ...... to any other library?
    (Please indicate the name of each library as well as the distance.)

11. Make a general comment about how many books, and of what kind, you own
    personally.  (especially in the areas which relate to the studies you
    wish to pursue.)

12. Would you be willing and/or able to purchase some books in the process
    of doing this course?

13. Are you willing to be part of the Academy's prayer commitment, on a
    regular basis, while you are doing a course?

Send your application and answers to:

     FELLOWSHIP FOR REVIVAL ACADEMY
     Rev Robert Evans
     63 Cassilis St
     Coonabarabran  NSW  2357
     AUSTRALIA