Page 35 - THBI Student Handbook - 2020

HEAD KNOWLEDGE or TRUE FAITH?

Does having a religious degree make one more worthy in the sight of God? Certainly not!
➢ Theological education without personal devotion to Christ is null and void. In fact, you can
have your head crammed full of Biblical facts, yet if your heart is full of sin, you will go straight to
Hell, John 9:41.
➢ If a Bachelor, Master, or Doctoral degree is going to foster a sense of egotism and conceit in you, it
can result in your downfall as Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty
spirit before a fall.”
We might feel satisfaction from a job well done, but we must never swell with pride for, “a proud look is
an abomination to the Lord.” Prov. 6:16-17. Jer. 9:23-24. But fools glory in either their ignorance or their
learning.

Your degree must never hinder you from relating to uneducated folks for whom Christ died, as Rom.
12:16 says, “Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.” Other translations say, “Associate
with ordinary people." In other words, don’t be a snob!

➢ Remember, you may teach what you know, but you invest what you are.
➢ Most people don't care how much you know; they just want to know how much you care.

 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth
up, but charity edifieth.
And if any man thinks that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 1 Corinthians 8:1-3
One work of the Holy Spirit is to guide us into all truth. John 16:13. He can teach you more by Divine
revelation in a few moments than you can learn by earthly education in a lifetime. Jn. 14:26. If your heart
is filled with love, your mind will always contain spiritual light, by which you can walk with God and work
for the Lord.

The philosophy of True Hope Bible Institute is education without dogmatism, indoctrination without
denominationalism, and honor without vainglory. Our courses are intended to not only promote intellectual
development, but to produce spiritual fruit. It's good to be enlightened, and seek academic excellence, but
most of all we want you to experience Christian character. Studying the Word of God sharpens the mind,
but it must be infused deep down in your spirit to purify your soul. Jn. 15:3

➢ Endeavors without understanding can be disastrous
➢ Illumination without application fails to serve its purpose.
James 1:22 says, “Be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
In other words, if you don’t incorporate the Word into your own daily situations, you’re only fooling
yourself.
Learning and life must be integrated. True Christianity is a life, not an intellectual pursuit apart
from heart experience, nor experiences that excite emotion apart from gaining reason!

We will not be judged only by our doctrines and creeds, but also by our works and deeds. II Cor. 5:10. We
should pray as much as we read, and worship as much as we study. Therefore, True Hope Bible Institute
stresses spiritual maturity first and mental merit second.

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