In order to define the inerrancy of the Bible, JETS adopts “The Chicago Statement On Biblical Inerrancy” which was produced by The International Council on Biblical Inerrancy October 26-28, 1978. It warns against the denial of inerrancy, for to deny it is to set aside the witness of Jesus Christ and of the Holy Spirit and to refuse that submission to the claims of God’s own Word that marks true Christian faith.
JETS adopts specific principles for sound hermeneutics of the Word of God. These principles include but are not limited to the following:
First, sound biblical hermeneutics is rooted in the belief that the Bible is inspired by God, and is therefore without error, and has supreme authority in all matters of life. The original manuscripts of the Bible have been copied by hand before the invention of the printing press in the fifteenth century and yet have been divinely preserved in transmission from generation to generation. This is a firm confidence built on a principle of faith that is necessarily in harmony with the nature of God and the activity of all His attributes to care for and preserve His Word. Though the church today does not have the original manuscripts, it possesses the original text in the multitude of manuscripts. This is supported by over five thousand Greek manuscripts, eight thousand manuscripts in Latin translation, in addition to numerous other translations, church lectionaries, and the writings of the fathers.
Second, sound biblical hermeneutics is committed to literal interpretation, i.e., according to the normal and plain sense of the written words. This is in contrast to figurative or allegorical interpretation, which interprets many biblical words in ways other than what the words themselves mean in their natural sense. While the motives of those who use figurative interpretation may be good, this method of figurative interpretation has several weaknesses.
Literal and normal interpretation, on the other hand, adheres to the ordinary and normal understanding of the written words. This is the primary method used in church history for
Literal and normal interpretation, on the other hand, adheres to the ordinary and normal understanding of the written words. This is the primary method used in church history for very important reasons.
While the Preamble of the JETS Statement of Faith delineates our stance on dealing with teaching that preserves the unity of the body of Christ in an interdenominational setting, there are principles that explain in more detail what is involved in this matter. First, JETS always seeks to find the positive elements in opposing systems in regard to uncommon doctrines and to build bridges between their adherents. Second, as mentioned in the preamble to the Statement of Faith, though each faculty member of has the right to express his faith in the uncommon matters, but at the same time he is responsible to fairly teach the other doctrines that do not agree with his own, and to evaluate his students on the basis of the defense and support of their opinions and not on the basis of their agreement with his position. Third, in all matters, believers are to be devoted to each other and maintain their unity in spite of any unshared convictions between them.
While the Preamble of the JETS Statement of Faith delineates our stance on dealing with teaching that preserves the unity of the body of Christ in an interdenominational setting, there are principles that explain in more detail what is involved in this matter. First, JETS always seeks to find the positive elements in opposing systems in regard to uncommon doctrines and to build bridges between their adherents. Second, as mentioned in the preamble to the Statement of Faith, though each faculty member of has the right to express his faith in the uncommon matters, but at the same time he is responsible to fairly teach the other doctrines that do not agree with his own, and to evaluate his students on the basis of the defense and support of their opinions and not on the basis of their agreement with his position. Third, in all matters, believers are to be devoted to each other and maintain their unity in spite of any unshared convictions between them.
JETS is committed the equality of men and women on the one hand and on the clear distinction in roles assigned to each by the Bible on the other hand. The Bible speaks of both the high role of the woman and the loving role of the man. But at the same time, it preserves the authority to the man in both the home and the church. We believe in the equality between men and women in both being created in the image of God, in the possession of all the privileges of salvation, and in the possession of all spiritual gifts. The Bible also presents the woman’s submission as being precious in the sight of God. It also celebrates the role of a woman as a helper to man who needs her abilities to succeed. The New Testament further champions the role of women in childbearing, a role that men cannot fulfill. Equally, the Bible celebrates the headship of men over women by giving it the meaning of providing protection, seeking their excellence, and working towards their perfection. However, the Bible’s emphasis on men’s authority is far from humiliating women or supporting male domination. Rather, these distinct roles between men and women are related to the nature of God, the nature of salvation and the nature of Scripture. As to the nature of God, the submission of women to men is embedded in the Trinity as the basis for all of existence. There is equality in the persons, but distinction in order. The ascending order is: woman then man then Christ then the Father. The Son will always remain the Son, otherwise the result will be the danger of modalism, or the Father is himself the Son and is himself the Holy Spirit. As to the nature of salvation, the attribute of humility that is expressed in submission required of women is also emersed in the divine nature. For it is this humble nature of Christ that led to incarnation and redemption. When women submit, they adorn themselves with the beauty of the humility of Christ.As to the nature of Scripture, the commandment to women not to rule over men at home and church is clear. The New Testament specifies that women are not to teach or exercise authority over men. The reasons are not cultural, but spring from the order of creation and the historical sequence of the fall. It is an abiding principle for all time. Furthermore, what applies to the local church also applies to the parachurch such as the seminary.
It is impossible to sidestep the multitude of references to Israel. Studying the biblical verses that speak of Israel is no different to a large extent than studying the qura’nic verses that speak of Israel. One’s hermeneutics (principles for interpretation) will ultimately determine how one interprets the references to Israel throughout the Bible. In the process of interpretation, JETS has no political affiliation. All it does is try to understand the nature of God through His dealings with people. In this, there must be distinction between two matters. The first is what a believer interprets as a result of objective and inductive study of the Bible. The second is the wisdom and skill in communicating the conclusions arrived at in the proper method. For no person has the right to impose a certain interpretation on another person. But he or she has the responsibility to guide the other person in a way not to cause misunderstanding, especially that eschatological matters can be easily and mistakenly tied to political matters.
JETS adopts biblical balance in its policy regarding reaching out to the majority and preparing those who believe for service. JETS holds to specific principles related to the pros and cons of contextualization, understanding, and expressing doctrine, methods of religious dialogue and healthy communication, methods of propagating the faith, and all stemming from the inspired Bible.
It is a request to study one or more subjects.
It is an application to study in one of the academic programs at the bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level.
إنَّ بيان الإيمان لـ JETS هو بيان مُحافظ وإنجيليّ. بالوقت نفسه، إنَّ JETS مكرسة لوحدة جسد المسيح، وتسعى لبث روح التعاون مع جميع الطوائف الإنجيلية، والحرص على إنشاء علاقات جيّدة مع جميع الذين يعيشون في إطار المجتمع المسيحي الأكبر في العالم العربي. وقد تم الموافقة على بيان الإيمان باشتراك ممثلين من كافة الكنائس الإنجيلية في الأردن بتاريخ ١٣/ ١٢/ ٢٠٠١.
المقدمة
يمثل هذا البيان الإيمان المشترك للكنائس الإنجيلية العربية والذي يشمل أساسيات العقيدة المسيحية كما يعلِّمها الكتاب المقدس. ولهذا، فعلى أساتذة الهيئة الإنجيلية الثقافية الموافقة على بيان الإيمان هذا كمتطلب رئيسي للعمل في مجال التعليم. وهذا بدوره يساهم في الحفاظ على نقاوة الإيمان وانتشاره وانتقاله من جيل إلى آخر. ونحن ندرك أيضًا بأنه هناك عقائد أخرى غير واردة في بيان الإيمان هذا والتي قد لا تكون مشتركة بين كنائسنا. فقد يكون لكنيسة معينة من كنائسنا معتقدات أخرى خاصة بها ومهمة لها، ولكنها قد لا تكون من معتقدات كنيسة أخرى من كنائسنا. ولكن حفاظاً على وحدة جسد المسيح، تحرص الهيئة الإنجيلية الثقافية، والتي تسعى بأمانة أن تمثل وحدة الكنائس الإنجيلية العربية، على أن تلتزم كل كنيسة باحترام حرية أي كنيسة أخرى في التعبير عن إيمانها في غير ما ورد في هذا البيان. ونفس هذا الحرص يمتد إلى أساتذة الهيئة الإنجيلية الثقافية وطلبتها حيث تهتم هذه المؤسسة بتقديرهم بعضهم لبعض وبتعلمهم من بعضهم البعض كتعبير عن الوحدة المسيحية، شهادةً للعالم بأننا تلاميذ المسيح. كما ونؤمن بأن التعهد لوحدتنا وللعمل معًا رغم تنوع المعتقد في العقائد غير المشتركة يساهم في إثراء مستوى الهيئة الإنجيلية الثقافية روحيًا وأكاديميًا. وتطبيقًا لهذه الوحدة ولهذا التنوع، فإن لأي من أساتذة الهيئة الإنجيلية الثقافية الحق في التعبير عن إيمانه في الأمور غير المشتركة، ولكن بنفس الوقت تقع عليه المسؤولية بأن يعرض المواقف الأخرى التي لا تتفق مع موقفه وأن يقيِّم طلبته على أساس الحجة والبرهان في الدفاع عن آرائهم وليس على أساس موافقتهم مع رأيه. فنحن مكرسين للمبدأ القائل: في الأساسيات وحدة، في الثانويات حريّة، ولكن في كل شيء محبة.
1. الكتاب المقدس
Get all the new updates about us
