Firm dedication to the doctrine of biblical inerrancy. This means that our students will always be edified in a way that upholds God’s spoken truth in Scripture. FBI is opposed to the destructive influences such as Historical Criticism and other philosophical systems which undermine the doctrine of biblical inerrancy. At the same time, FBI recognizes that there is a proper use of “Higher Criticism” that examines factors of authorship, etc., while not undermining the doctrine of verbal, plenary inspiration and inerrancy.
Firm dedication to the belief in, and use of “Literal, Grammatical, Historical, Contextual” hermeneutics. This means that our professors will use the time-tested principle of finding the objective meaning of the text by examining the original meaning of biblical words, the grammar of the text as spoken by the Holy Spirit, and the original historical context of when God spoke to His prophets.
Firm dedication to the sufficiency of Scripture. This means that from a careful study of Scripture, students will be shown why God’s Word gives them all they need for life and godliness. Students will be shown why it is neither wise nor right to look outside the Bible for new revelation from God, nor proper to look to philosophical and psychological systems for the truth answers that Scripture alone provides. We recognize that God does enable mankind to search and discover various facts about God’s creation, but such discoveries are not “revelation” (not even in a “General Revelation” sense), and that no such human discoveries (even if apparently “true”) carry authority over the Special Revelation of Scripture.
Firm dedication to the Scriptural distinctions between the church and Israel. While we clearly see various elements of continuity within the testaments involving God’s people in different ages, we also believe that God’s character and promises assure that the nation of Israel that it will see a promised restoration just as the Old and New Testaments have promised (cf. Romans 11:29). God has a plan and purpose for the church as well as for national Israel, and He will bring about a certain, future fulfillment for each and every promise. Studies on issues of continuity and discontinuity between the covenants must be done with extreme care and attention to exegetical details to avoid careless misstatements that would either overstate or understate elements of continuity or discontinuity.
Firm dedication to helping students turn systematic discipleship in the classroom setting into a tool for his/her own future ministry. Many projects will be designed with the goal of becoming future teaching resources. The goal of our instruction is not to produce academicians, but rather godly Christians who know and embrace sound theology, and who know how to use that knowledge to effectively serve the Body of Christ and extend the church.
Firm dedication that students should pursue growing holiness that is driven by their growth in biblical knowledge. FBI firmly believes that growth in sound theology should produce an ever-increasing love for God and desire for obedience. We see this concept as a constant theme in Scripture and will always intend to use the classroom setting as a tool for promoting personal piety and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Firm dedication to the Literal six-day, ex-nihilo creation.
Firm dedication to providing easily accessible theological training and ministry equipping.
Firm dedication to seeing God progressively glorified through the equipping of His people.
Firm dedication to the centrality of the local church in God’s redemptive plan.
