Andy Naselli Isn't Talking About the Brookside Institute in This Video. But in a Lot of Ways, He Could Be.

Recently, I ran across this video featuring Andy Naselli, Assistant Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology at Bethlehem College and Seminary (BCS) in Minneapolis.  Of course, Dr. Naselli is talking about their program at BCS - he's not talking about the Brookside Institute.  Don't expect 100% overlap.  There are certain things they've chosen to do there that we've chosen not to do at the Brookside Institute.  But there's still A LOT of overlap.  

Let me piggy back on this video by adding my hearty "Amen" to four things Andy says about (1) the role of teaching in the church, (2) what they teach, (3) how they teach, and (4) why they teach:

The role of teaching in the church

Andy says, "Our role as teachers helps fulfill the Great Commission - helping others obey everything Jesus commanded.  We make disciples by teaching."  Now, to be sure, other things are needed - community, mission, service, and so on.  Teaching isn't the only thing.  But teaching is still an essential thing.  (Think of how teaching informs and guides community, mission, and service, for example!)  Amen, Andy.

What We Teach

Andy says, "We teach the Bible and classes with a biblical worldview."  In teaching the Bible, "we want to teach what the original writers meant to communicate."  In the same way for the Institute, we work to make our classes overwhelmingly biblical.  Not overwhelming in the bad sense (like defeated or steamrolled), but overwhelming in the good sense - you can't take our classes without looking at the Bible, and digging into the Bible, and learning fresh things from the Bible.  "We teach the Bible."  Amen, Andy.

How We Teach

Andy says "We have an intentional strategy."  He then goes on to highlight key features of their strategy:  They're firmly located in the local church.  Teachers are a team.  They teach in such a way to help students think and communicate clearly and accurately. 

These strategies I've explicitly mentioned here overlap very closely with teaching strategies we work to employ in the Institute, as we seek to faithfully honor God not only in what we teach but also in how we do so.  Amen, Andy.

Why We Teach

Andy says "we want students who can build up the body of Christ [with what they're learning] and refute those who oppose sound doctrine."  He adds that "we want to train the types of leaders who we'd want to be our own church leaders" someday.  We teach to raise up godly leaders.  We teach to raise up men and women who know God's Word and can protect faithful teaching in a way that is both loving and courageous (those aren't opposites, by the way).  Amen, Andy.

One last note - don't forget Fall Institute classes start soon, and deadlines are fast approaching!  Check out what's coming this Fall and get signed up here.

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What else did you resonate with from this video, that you won't want us to miss?