Product Review: Basic Church History Timeline

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I love the idea of reviewing the Universal Church’s history in a chronological order. At times it can be cumbersome when studying the Scriptures to understand which events are parallel to one another. A timeline is a valuable resource by showing how different event coincide.

The Basic Church History has a diagonal time line starting with “The Life of Jesus and the Early Church” and extends to this millennium. There is a ledger of symbols to identify Bible Development, Key People, Key Events, and Church Council. Due to the numerous events from 1 AD to our current millennium, I can understand the challenge in finding a suitable format that allows for highlighting significant historical people and events visibly.

One of the biggest problems that I experienced as I examined the timeline is the diagonal format. Some of the events overlap time periods which is evidently the reason for the diagonal format. The font is small; therefore, it requires some manipulation to zoom in on specific detail when viewing in a .PDF format. When printed the timeline can also be a bit difficult to view due to the small font size.

I am hoping that this timeline will be revised. This timeline can be a good resource if you are aware of the era that you are researching. I believe as a pamphlet this timeline do not really work effectively. It may be better to use a chronological Old/New Testaments Stages with the associate events and people in a vertical format. An index would be helpful in quickly identifying when key events and people within their respected timeframes. Additionally, identifying scriptural references when applicable would be a bonus and the font size needs to be increased.

Product Review: How We Got the Bible Video Study Series

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Dr. Timothy Paul Jones, addresses the concerns that many have concerning the authenticity of the Bible within six session video series. There are numerous translations and many different reports on how the books of the Bible were organized and the responsible parties for this collection of books known as our Bible. Many question whether the events recorded in the Bible are fictional. Is it possible that over hundreds of years that the accuracy of the Holy Scriptures be preserved? Another area of concern for many including scholars relates to the writers who wrote the Scriptures years after the events occurred.

How can we be assured that the Bible we read today is the accurate and infallible word of God? Dr. Jones thoroughly explains how the Bible was meticulously translated and verified through the testimonies of eyewitness accounts. He describes a culture of memorization with people who were diligent and dedicated to learning and maintaining biblical truths. Although events were record years after they occurred, the eyewitnesses were still living to verify and affirm the accuracy of the events. Dr. Jones provides prime examples of writers of the Scriptures verifying facts with eyewitnesses and encouraging readers of the Scriptures to verify the accuracy with these witnesses.

I found the teachings on this topic persuasive and answers questions that many Christian have relating to trusting the authenticity of the Bible. Dr. Jones makes the study relevant to our modern day practices and experiences and expounds upon the culture and age that the Scriptures were written. His presentation is enthusiastic and is not monotone. This series contains an animation video would be great for children as it provides a comprehensible lesson on the origins of the Bible in a relatable fashion. The animation video is fun while being educational. I would definitely recommend this series for all Christians. This is a great series especially for Bible Study, Sunday School, and/or New Members Classes.

Product Review: Understand Baptism – Believer’s Baptism

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The Believer’s Baptism pamphlet issued by Rose Publishing is an invaluable resource for New Believers who desire to make a public proclamation of their faith in Jesus Christ. The Believer’s Baptism is an important sacrament to all Believers and symbolizes our new identify with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection thus unifies us with the Body of Christ. In addition, it provides guidelines for those considering rededicating their lives to Christ and some of the circumstances in which people may consider

New Believers can expect to receive an overview of the history to this special sacrament, general information on what to expect during the sacrament, and answers to frequently asked questions. Not only will this prove instrumental to educating on the sacrament, but it with provide a synopsis on the Apostle’s Creed that summarizes the teachings of the apostles passed on to Believers. The pamphlet covers most concern and is a good conversation starter for addressing additional concerns. It is well written in a non-denomination yet biblical sound fashion allowing room for leaders to add emphasis on any unique elements that are specific to their beliefs or local assembly. I would encourage New Membership Class Leaders to utilize this pamphlet as a tool to educate New Believers or those considering being baptized again.

Product Review: Understanding The Book Of Revelation PowerPoint

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The Book of Revelation is one of the most controversial books in the Bible. This book is one of the primary causes of major divisions between denominations. Despite the promise of being blessed as stated in Revelation 1:3, it is often misunderstood and causing many Christians to avoid reading it. Rose Publishing has produced a PowerPoint that explains the four viewpoints: Historicist, Preterist, Futurist, and Idealist. Additionally, it synopsizes the messages of the seven churches, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven symbolic histories, seven bowls, seven messages of judgement, and seven vision. I would recommend it to any theologians who teaches about prophecy especially when addressing the future of the Universal Church.

For personal study, the PowerPoint could be used as “cliffs notes” to obtain insight into the different viewpoints, events, and imagery expressed the writer of the Book of Revelation, John. However, if new to studying God’s word I would recommend that attending a biblical study class on prophesy or on the Book of Revelation. The “Understanding The Book of Revelation PowerPoint” provides discussion questions with answer keys included to review highlights of the study. The “discussion questions” reiterate the fundamentals of what the PowerPoint has offered. Overall, the PowerPoint provides an objective training and does not support one viewpoint over the other. As a course, it could be used by any denomination that utilizes the Holy Bible.