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TBS News, Nov 2024

In this issue

 

The Public Reading of Scripture Forum



On Monday, October 7, we hosted an inspiring PRS Forum, where 12 churches were represented as we delved into the Public Reading of Scripture (PRS). This practice has greatly enriched our faith community at TBS over the past year. In partnership with representatives from the Grace and Mercy Foundation, who visited from New York, this free event introduced participants to the essential elements of PRS and illustrated how it can enhance the vibrancy of their ministries. We were eager to share our experiences and insights, welcoming engaging questions from attendees. The evening prior, on Sunday, October 6, we enjoyed a delightful meal with TBS staff, Grace and Mercy Foundation representatives, and local church pastors and leaders, fostering meaningful connections and collaboration in our shared mission.

 

TBS Spring Semester

The Bible Seminary Spring Semester 2025 graphic featuring the start date of January 27, 2025, with a vibrant, welcoming design. The graphic highlights academic excellence and faith-based education, inviting students to enroll for the upcoming semester at TBS.

Registration for the Spring semester is now open! With options for audit, seminars, certificate, and graduate courses, there’s something for everyone looking to deepen their faith and expand their knowledge—secure your spot today! Spring Semester begins Monday, January 21, 2025.



The Bible Seminary Spring Semester 2025 graphic featuring the start date of January 27, 2025, with a vibrant, welcoming design. The graphic highlights academic excellence and faith-based education, inviting students to enroll for the upcoming semester at TBS.

 

Israel Update with Dr. Scott Stripling

Dr. Stripling speaking at The Highlands Conference
Dr. Stripling speaking at The Highlands Conference

Since May I planned to return to Israel to speak at The Highlands Conference this fall. This is a major archaeology conference, so it gives me a chance to share my Shiloh research with many of my Israeli colleagues. Due to the war, the airlines cancelled my flights to Israel, so I had to fly to Amman, Jordan and then cross into Israel.


In addition to speaking at the conference, I worked a few days at Shiloh to prepare an important area, Area D1, for excavation in May/June 2025. With the help of a few friends, I moved a massive rock pile so that we can excavate underneath it – not exactly the glamorous side of archaeology. Jordan McClinton, TBS graduate and current Teaching Assistant, is the Area supervisor for Area D1, and he is writing his PhD dissertation on the favissa (sacred deposit) in that area. TBS student Dan Lawless serves as Jordan’s Assistant Square Supervisor.


I also conducted some strategic planning with officials from the antiquities authority and ran dig-related errands. Thanks to your partnership, TBS is on the cutting edge of illuminating the Bible through original archaeological research.


Dr. Stripling speaking at The Highlands Conference
Scott Stripling name






Provost & VP of Donor Relations

President, Near East Archaeological Society



 

Book Releases

The Trinity in Eden by Jacob R. Figueroa, published by Nehemiah Press. The cover features a symbolic design representing the Trinity and the Garden of Eden.

Jacob R. Figueroa

Published by Nehemiah Press


Historic Christianity insists that New Testament authors indubitably describe God as three distinct but unified personae: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Although absent from the Bible, the creedal term “Trinity” has become an essential doctrine, while also causing centuries of confusion and controversy among biblical scholars. But, what about the Old Testament? The Trinity in Eden presents linguistic research on the oldest account in the Bible: the Primeval History from creation to the tower of Babel. The author concludes that the names of God, the plural pronouns of God, and the execration of the serpent together affirm that the concept of the Trinity is, at least, as old as the Bible itself.


Author Jacob R. Figueroa based the book on his Capstone project for graduation from The Bible Seminary (TBS) with a Master of Arts in Biblical languages and Cultures (2023). He has linguistic expertise in Arabic, German, Greek, Hebrew, Russian, and German, and has unofficially dabbled in Hungarian, Nahua, Spanish, and Latin.


As TBS Graduate Dean, Dr. Israel Steinmetz, writes in the book Foreword, "By bringing his considerable knowledge of languages and linguistics to bear—to say nothing of his piercing analysis and refreshing wit—Figueroa advances the discussion beyond its well-worn paths into new and exciting territory. Such interdisciplinary study has become vital to our understanding of Scripture and theology and continues to move age-old conversations forward in constructive ways...Figueroa forces me to read the Scriptures afresh. He makes me reconsider my considered opinions and re-imagine what God may have been communicating in his inspiration of the opening chapters of Genesis."


TBS President and Executive Director of Nehemiah Press, Dr. K. Lynn Lewis, served as Managing Editor. The Trinity in Eden is available in paperback and Kindle versions on Amazon.com


Bible Fiber book cover for Shelley Neese

Exploring the Textures and Shades of the Prophetic Tapestry

Shelley Neese


Bible Fiber explores the Twelve Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Often misunderstood biblical heroes, the Minor Prophets served as God’s unfiltered mouthpieces, living on earth but keeping their ear attuned to heaven. This book will help believers comprehend the vibrant messages woven throughout their writings.


Over four chaotic centuries (8th–5th century BCE), God turned up the volume on his prophetic amplifier. As war drums from Assyria and Babylon resounded, the prophets frantically preached repentance. The rallying cry, “Return to me and I will return to you,” epitomized their plea for restoration with God—a timeless message that echoes even today.


Bible Fiber teaches the culture, religion, and politics of the ancient Near East. The prophets confronted social injustice, immorality, idolatry, violence, and empty religiosity. While critiquing their contemporary world, these men of faith delivered a hope-filled dispatch for the world to come. Their oracles granted a sneak peek behind God’s veiled plan of redemption, ultimately fulfilled in the saving work of Jesus.


In the prophetic books, believers have inherited the products of divine revelation. The thread tying the prophecies together is an assurance that, if you seek God, you will find God. I pray that by taking on this Bible reading challenge, diving deep into the prophetic word, you will adopt the anthem of Amos: “Seek me and live!” And you will take on Micah’s call to action: “Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.”


Studying the textures and shades of the prophetic tapestry, you will appreciate even more God’s ultimate revelation in the incarnation. In Jesus, we have all been offered the red carpet leading us to full reconciliation with our creator.


Shelley Neese is president of The Jerusalem Connection, a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and activate Christian support for Israel and the Jewish people. Shelley is the author of The Copper Scroll Project and host of the Bible Fiber podcast. She studied in Israel for three years, where she received her Master of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies from Ben Gurion University. Shelley is now pursuing a Master of Arts degree in Biblical History and Archaeology at The Bible Seminary.


Watch TBS First Friday episode with Shelley and Dr. Stripling.


 

Movie Premiere featuring Dr. Stripling

Patterns Of Evidence: The Israel Dilemma – Ancient Prophecies 


The conflict in Israel today is often linked to the belief that the Bible serves as the Israelis’ claim to the land, based on God’s covenant with Abraham, Moses, and the Israelites. Filmmaker Timothy Mahoney investigates this by exploring ancient prophecies made by Moses, which predicted Israel’s rise as a kingdom, its fall due to breaking the covenant, the scattering of its people, their persecution, an7d eventual return to the land. Using archaeological evidence and expert insights, Mahoney delves into these events, raising deeper questions about Israel’s suffering, their chosen status, and its relevance today. “The Israel Dilemma – Ancient Prophecies” is part one of a two-part film series exploring these themes.


IN THEATERS NOVEMBER 13, 14, & 17 ONLY.

Get your tickets today at PatternsofEvidence.com



 

A promotional graphic for Giving Tuesday at TBS on December 3, 2024, highlighting opportunities to support the seminary's mission and programs.

Mark your calendars on December 3, 2024, for Giving Tuesday, when we’ll share the heart of TBS through powerful stories from students, staff, faculty, and alumni. Our goal is to raise at least $360,000 between now and December 31 so TBS can continue to foster biblical literacy in all 66 books of the Bible, cultivate professional and lay leaders, and deploy trained disciples in service worldwide. Together, with your support, we aim to glorify God by impacting multitudes of souls for Christ and fulfill the Great Commission by the power of God’s Spirit by training at least 5,000 leaders that each reach 200 people for Christ during their lifetime and together impact 1,000,000 souls.

Donate by Mail

The Bible Seminary, 23501 CINCO RANCH BLVD, STE H120-930, KATY TX 77494-3109


Join us in praying and fasting monthly on 2nd Tuesdays for TBS financial provision!

Category

Aug 2024

Sep 2024

Oct 2024

Monthly Income

$100,430

$58,916

$54,112

Monthly Expense

$119,280

$94,956

$85,380

Monthly Balance

-$18,850

-$36,040

-$31,268

Cumulative Balance*

$-324,022

-$360,062

-$391,330

* Cumulative Balance since post-Covid-19 shortfall incurred during 2021-22 fiscal year. Meeting the Giving Tuesday goal would fully replenish all accounts and provide a strong financial position for achieving TRACS 10-year Reaffirmation of Accreditation scheduled for a vote by the accrediting commission in April 2025..



 

Update your contact information with TBS


NOW is the perfect time to update your contact information. Doing so allows us to keep you informed about important updates, events, and opportunities that matter to you. Confirm how we can best reach you and share information you desire. Thank you!





 

The Bible Seminary (TBS) is an independent, non- denominational, 501(c)(3) charitable institution of higher education incorporated in Texas in 2010 to offer training for laity and vocational ministry professionals. TBS is an Accredited member of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) and the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a participant in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) for Distance Education, and an approved CEU provider for the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Goals include helping nurture a biblically literate populace via comprehensive, strategic, Bible-based training through classes and seminars, museum exhibits, productions and publications, and archaeological digs and study tours.


“They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.” - Nehemiah 8:8


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