Atlanta Bible College
Box 100,000
Morrow, GA 30260

404-362-0052
800-347-4261
404-362-9307 (fax)

B161 - Basic Bible Doctrine

Sir Anthony Buzzard
404-362-0052
800-347-4261

Anthony Buzzard was born in Surrey, England and educated at Oxford University and later at Bethany Theological Seminary, Chicago. He holds Master's degrees in languages and theology. Anthony has traveled widely, including visits to Malawi for purposes of evangelism. He has written two full-length books, The Doctrine of the Trinity: Christianity's Self-Inflicted Wound and Our Fathers Who Aren't in Heaven: The Forgotten Christianity of Jesus the Jew, and many booklets and articles, some of which have been published in international theological journals. In 1996 he was a nominee for the Templeton Prize for progress in religion. He is co-editor of A Journal from the Radical Reformation, published by the Church of God General Conference.

COURSE OBJECTIVE:

The course aims to equip students with an understanding of the fundamental doctrines of Holy Scripture, with special emphasis on the distinctive doctrines of the Church of God (Abrahamic Faith). Interaction with one of the classic Bible Dictionaries will introduce us to the various topics for lecture and discussion. Students are expected to have read and digested the Dictionary’s account of the relevant topics for lecture and discussion. 

   The basic teachings of Scripture provide an indispensable foundation from which students may subsequently proceed to their mastery of the Bible as a whole. Our hope is that all doctrines will be conscientiously verified on a daily basis by participating students. The recommendation of Acts 17:11 where the people “searched the Scriptures daily to see if these things were true” remains one of the Bible’s most sage pieces of advice.

TERMINAL COURSE OBJECTIVES:

To give students the scriptural basis of the principal Christian doctrines; to promote reflection on these teachings; to encourage the personal search for truth, rather than mere rote learning; to prepare students to speak these truths in the course of their daily interaction with others at whatever level; to give some idea of common objections raised against these doctrines, including some reference to church history; to foster an attitude of questioning and examination of all teachings so that the student may appropriate them at first hand from the Bible.  To promote an enquiring approach to Bible study so that the student may enjoy the excitement of the discovery of Truth and be able to share his findings with others (evangelism).

The Bible in a standard version (NASV, ASV, RSV, NIV, JB , NEB , NAB). Scofield or other annotated Bibles should be handled with critical care. Students are strongly advised to obtain a Bible with good marginal references since these provide one of the very best built-in commentaries. It is most important to take notes of the various verses presented, in a systematic way. It will be impossible to retain, unwritten, the various patterns of scriptural reference and explanation offered in the class. Note-taking (even in the Bible) will save hours of preparation time in the future when the demands of preaching/teaching are pressing. All the doctrines presented are for future preaching and teaching at any level, for adults or children. There are people who are hungry for understanding. You may be the one to feed them. A course like this provided a training/ coaching session. Study must be directed to benefit not only ourselves but others (Matt. 24:14). Memorizing where to find texts on a particular subject is most valuable as a weapon in your teaching armory.

Hastings One-Volume Dictionary of the Bible, pub. Hendrickson  

Other Materials (from ABC):

Who is Jesus?
What happens when we die?
The Coming Kingdom of the Messiah
Various articles

WRITTEN WORK:

For distance learners, summaries covering what you have learned, up to a page long, should be submitted weekly, related to the various topics. These should be attached via email to anthonybuzzard@mindspring.com, including any questions or comments.

Two three-page papers will be required on topics researched in the library (locally in the case of distance learners. Libraries contain a limited number of commentaries and Bible Dictionaries). Footnotes to at least two sources will show interaction with authors of articles, books, journals etc. Students are encouraged to explore topics of particular interest to them. Subjects must be related to topics dealt with in class.

Ongoing memorization

1/3 on texts/quizzes. 1/3 on papers 1/3 on participation and preparation. Written work must be decently spelled and proofread and may be emailed by attachment to anthonybuzzard@mindspring.com. Answers to quizzes may also be emailed to the teacher.

DAILY SCHEDULE:

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