What does Spirit-filled education look like around the world? The principal of Filadelphia Bible College, Finny Philip, tells us about this ministry training center in Udaipur City in Rajasthan, India. Part of the Pentecostal Theological Education Around the World series from PneumaReview.com.

PneumaReview.com: How readily available is theological education for Pentecostals in India? 

Finny Philip: There are many Pentecostal theological colleges and training centres in the country and most of them are located in the south of India. Most of these institutions, particularly the smaller ones, follow the traditional Pentecostal style of training (Bible institutes with a ministry focus). Indian Pentecostalism has not achieved the theological vigour of North American & European Pentecostalism. Filadelphia Bible College is exceptional for having highly trained faculty, two of whom studied at the University of Birmingham under Prof. Allan Anderson.

PneumaReview.com: What are some of the greatest obstacles to Spirit-filled theological education in your nation? 

Finny Philip: 1. In India, theological colleges/institutions are accredited to either Serampore University (started by William Carey, but now controlled by liberal/liberation stream) or Asia Theological Association (an evangelical stream). Most of the Pentecostal colleges are part of ATA but most of the faculty comes from Serampore or ATA stream and does not have a Pentecostal outlook. Although they are Pentecostals, their thinking has been moulded by either liberal theology or non-charismatic evangelical orientation. This is reflected in the courses offered by Pentecostal colleges, they are general courses which any evangelical seminary in the West might offer. Further, there is little development in Pentecostal thinking or reflection about the Spirit experiences in our communities. This is an issue that hinders theological education.

2. As an indigenous Pentecostal institution, we have our struggles since we are not part of a Pentecostal denomination. Because we are in a mission context, we are by nature involved in both evangelism and discipleship. At many times we have to re-invent the wheel and we lack resources.

3. Our students come from backgrounds where we have persecution. And we are passionate about (and empowered for) mission, our graduates face a lot of persecution once they are back in the fields.

PneumaReview.com: Do you have access to good theological study materials?             

Finny Philip: No, unfortunately we don’t have good theological study materials available. Everything has to be imported.

PneumaReview.com: What are the greatest doctrinal challenges that you face in your country? 

Finny Philip: Prosperity theology is an emerging threat, but mostly it is biblical illiteracy. Since ours is in a mission context challenges are mission related. Pluralism, syncretism, culture and gospel engagements etc.

PneumaReview.com: What major themes do you stress as you train students for ministry? 

Udaipur City, India

Finny Philip: Character, knowledge and skills are given a significant place in the life of our students. But when it comes to themes, our greatest emphasis is on Biblical subjects, then theology and then mission. The primary reason for this focus is that almost all of our students are first generation Christians. Therefore, our priorities are right interpretation, right doctrine and right passion for reaching out.
PneumaReview.com: What fruit have you seen in the lives of those who have prepared for ministry at your school?

Finny Philip: Over the past 32 years of training, God has enabled us to produce over 1500 graduates who are leading thousands of churches in north India made up of about 300.000 believers. These churches are known as Filadelfia Fellowship Church of India.

Filadelphia Bible College may be found online at: FBCUdaipur.com

What does Spirit-filled education look like around the world? Seasoned missionary Dennis Balcombe introduces us to Shiloh Bible College in Shenzhen, China. Part of the Pentecostal Theological Education Around the World series from PneumaReview.com.

PneumaReview.com: What does Pentecostal Theological Education look like in China?

Dennis Balcombe: For this answer I will focus on Shiloh Bible College which is located in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province in China.  We do have a branch of the school in Hong Kong, but it is presently only part time with a few classes a week and mainly for training people in our own local churches in the Hong Kong SAR.

The Shenzhen SBC is for training Chinese students from all over China, and is a full time school in which most of the students live in the school. The school offers a recognized Bachelor of Theology degree. In 2011, the first class in this program graduated with 24 students receiving the degree.

PneumaReview.com: Do you have access to good theological study materials? 

Dennis Balcombe: In Chinese evangelical theological study materials are sufficient. But there is a lack of good Pentecostal/Charismatic theological study materials.  Thus we provide the students with evangelical materials (those that do not contradict our beliefs) but have to supplement them with our own notes which we produce for all classes.

PneumaReview.com: What are the greatest doctrinal challenges that you face in your country? 

Dennis Balcombe: There is a very strong and widespread anti-Pentecostal theology throughout the Chinese churches worldwide promoted mainly by one man, Stephen Tong of Indonesia. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Tong)

He is an extremely well known Chinese evangelist and teacher, and monthly conducts meetings in many Asian nations such as Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, etc.  He frequently openly attacks all leading Pentecostal ministers by name. He also attacks the government of China, thus he is not allowed in China (cannot get a visa). But through DVD teachings, his doctrine floods China and has done unbelievable damage to the Chinese church worldwide.

His doctrine is basically that of Reform Theology which totally denies the work of the Holy Spirit and he strongly promotes the cessation theory which claims all gifts of the Holy Spirit and apostolic ministry, etc., ceased with the death of the apostles in the 2^nd century.

Added to this he teaches philosophy mixing his theology with that of Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, etc.  This deadly brew of reform theology and philosophy, once it is accepted by Chinese church leaders, will usually result in tremendous decline in numbers or even closure of churches in a year or so.

One reason is he teaches those who have not had theological training and graduated from his school or a school he will recognize (those who teach reform theology) are not qualified to be leaders. But due to various reasons, few of the hundreds of thousands of house church leaders in China have been through formal Bible School or Seminary.

There are innumerable presentations, articles, and books being written on the subject of the Millennials and the Church. These angles include the Church’s lack of connection with the Millennials and the Millennials lack of interest in the Church. Or, more specifically, the approach recently presented in an article by Joe Hepler in Vital Magazine, “Four Ways To Connect With College Students In Church.” While reading this article, I find simple insights that could assist the Church to see from the collegiate Millennial’s perspective. The author is recently out of College himself and offers a unique look at the topic at hand.

The reason for the article is stated clearly in the title, the intent being to connect with college students “in Church.” The practicum offered by Hepler in the first point of his article is on point. It makes sense that if college students are studying at a College or University near a Church of choice, they have some level of interest in academics and growth. Capitalizing on that interest to increase their spiritual formation is noteworthy.

Image: Inbal Marilli

In the last point that Hepler makes concerning involving college students in leadership positions or roles in the Church, the structure and phrasing of the paragraph is a bit ambiguous. I sensed he had much more to say on this point but the article was rushed at this point. Still, his point is a good one. He uses the statement, “Many will give their hearts and souls to the churches they attend during college, and still many more may stay long after they have earned their degrees.” There are many avenues to developing young adults to lead in the local Church, including those that can be used with a transient crowd such as college students. Hepler seems to be leaning toward patience in discipleship, waiting before involving them. This is definitely the safest way to assure that they are quality leaders of integrity and understand the mission of the Church once they do get involved and lead.

Reviewed by Jeff Grenell

Read the full article: https://vitalmagazine.com/Home/Article/Four-Ways-to-Connect-with-College-Students-in-Church/