UPDATE ON PRICING: Illumination Publishers is offering holiday pricing until about December 13, 2019 – the 3-volume print set is only $15 (regular $45); digital ebook volumes are $7 each (regular $13.99).
For the past three years I have been the instructor for the “Christian History and Doctrine” course at Sunset International Bible Institute. But my love and study of Christian history (often called church history) goes back to my own Bible college days at Florida College in 1969-70. There for the first time I took a course on church history which was taught by Harry Payne, Sr. I can’t say it was my favorite class (Hermeneutics by Roy Cogdill and Minor Prophets by Homer Hailey were in that category), but the seed was planted.
Both the Old and New Testaments are full of mentions of cities, mountains, rivers, valleys and other places which are part of the “lands of the Bible.” A great way to enhance the teaching of the historical sections of Scripture is to spend at least some time helping students and church members know WHERE these places are on a Bible map and, if possible, provide through a PowerPoint®, or other visual presentation, images displaying what those places LOOK LIKE today.
I was taught early on in my ministry to consult the commentaries about a passage only after doing all my own research and study, and have followed this pattern almost without fail. This includes studying the historical and cultural background of a Bible book or passage, doing word studies of the key words, outlining to discern the biblical author’s flow of thought, and seeking to fully understand the meaning and application to the original audience. Only then do I feel the need to access those who have studied the text before me, particularly widely respected, (usually) conservative commentators. Those writers which I consult or read after most often include the older College Press series (i.e., “green commentaries”), Warren Wiersbe’s “Be Series,” Albert Barnes, Baker’s New Testament Commentary Series (Hendrikson & Kistemaker), and William Barclay’s original Daily Study Bible.
The story of three Jewish expatriates cast into a fiery furnace for their refusal to worship a statue of their Babylonian king is one of the best known and loved in the Old Testament. It is recorded in Daniel chapter 3 and involves the young men, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (given the Babylonian names Shadrach, Mishach and Abednego). I had the opportunity to speak in chapel at Sunset International Bible Institute about this story and what we can learn from it. 
Modern technology has made it possible for any Christian in western culture to have an extensive Bible library and resources on their smartphone, tablet or computer. Being something of a computer geek (I work in IT support at SIBI), I am no exception.
Studies, polls and personal observation all confirm that the concept of “church” in western Christianity is in decline. Reasons are probably many: divisions, controversies, traditionalism, man-focused leaders. Let me suggest one more: failure to see the church as God has designed it! Anyone who has watched the long time popular PBS TV series, Antiques Roadshow, knows that what often looks to be of little value may actually be of very great worth when it is more closely examined! That is the case with the true church. Today’s lesson points out five reasons the church is the most valuable institution in the history of the world! 
I am a fervent believer in listening to podcasts. These free online video and audio series allow me to learn, grow and even be entertained by listening while driving. My favorite podcasts include those by good Bible teachers, on technology, and other topics I have a particular interest in. One I always listen to without fail comes out every Wednesday, entitled, “5Minutes in Church History.” It can be found through the podcast apps on iPhone, iPad, Google Play store, etc. It can also be accessed through Dr. Nichols’ website, 
Attendance at churches in America is in a downward spiral. Religious critics increasingly malign and belittle people of faith in Christ who do attend. More and more professed Christians have essentially joined them by abandoning their participation in “church.” Why? Did God make a mistake in creating the church? Has the gathering together of believers become optional as public attendance seems to indicate? While I may not be able to answer these and other questions to everyone’s satisfaction, I would like to share with you today why I have neither abandoned nor given up on the church. Here is why I go to church. 
Here are four messages I delivered in 2010 exalting the Bible’s view of the Church. It was originally planned as a 7-lesson series, but was shortened to four. Following this series I will post two additional sermons I delivered in 2012 and 2013 as follow-ups to this series.
Ever since the movie industry began, stories from the Bible have provided the scripts for movies, even before sound and color were a part of film-making. But of all the movies about Jesus I have watched and/or own, by far my favorite is 