Our ministry is a 'virtual campus.' We provide
Christian education programs complete with instructional material,
testing and grading.
Our primary work is in providing a
unique worldview testing and training service to private schools,
churches, homeschoolers, and other Christian ministries. Programs
are designed for junior high through adult ages.
The Institute was founded in 1986
as a non-profit private foundation to aid in restoring our nation to
a biblically-based society as it once was . The Institute is
operated with input from a 15-member advisory council consisting of
theologians, ministry leaders, and other professionals.
We
get our name from Nehemiah of the Old Testament who led the mission
in rebuilding fallen Jerusalem. Today's ''Jerusalem" for the church
is the whole world.
Our mission verse is:
"You see
the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its
gates are burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of
Jerusalem that we may no longer be a reproach to God." Nehemiah 2:17
If you need to download the Powerpoint Viewer, click here.
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The Institute has a 3R's method of operation:
1.
RESEARCHING
Research work is accomplished by conducting a
worldview testing program known as PEERS Testing. This 'test'
evaluates an individual's belief in five major areas of life:
Politics, Economics, Education, Religion and Social Issues (PEERS).
Views in each category are identified as belonging to one of four
major worldview philosophies: 1) Biblical theism, 2) Moderate
Christian, 3) Secular Humanism, or 4) Socialism.
Click here for description of worldview categories.
Results of
the test are returned to the individual on a PEERS Scorecard giving
complete information on their views. For group testing (six or more)
a wide variety of analysis reports are also included showing the
strengths and weaknesses of the group as a whole. There is no extra
charge for group reports.
The purpose of the research is to
help individuals and organizations identify key areas where their
views of life are contrary to Biblical reasoning. The test serves as
a survey of the 'damage to our walls.'
The challenge to
change our thinking, in becoming a Christian, was made by the
Apostle Paul:
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what
the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
Romans 12:2
2. RETHINKING
Position Papers are
offered on test items most frequently missed. The papers provide
scriptural support for why we should agree or disagree with the test
item. The papers challenge the person taking the test to rethink why
they believe what they believe. They challenge the person to answer
such questions as: Where do my views come from? What assumptions do
I hold causing me to believe these views? What leading thinkers in
the past held to the views I believe to be true? What are the
arguments against the views I hold?
Position Papers are
available in three levels: junior high, high school, and
college/adult.
Scripture commands us to rethink-
"We
are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against
the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the
obedience of Christ." II Cor. 10:5
"See to it that no one
takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according
to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of
the world, rather than according to Christ." Colossians 2:8
3. REBUILDING
The Institute offers a self-pace study
course entitled, Developing a Biblical Worldview (DBW). The course
is designed to lead an individual into thinking biblically about
major areas of life with the goal of building a biblically-based
culture. Some of the key topics in study include:
Biblical principles for flow of government (family, church and state)
Concept of limited civil-government
Biblical principles of money, causes of inflation and taxation
Education-responsibility and character of
Key attributes of God; on becoming a Christian
Family, social and nation relationships; resolving conflicts
Stem-cell research
Biblical foundations of America
Action required to maintain freedom in Christ
DBW includes a lesson on the Christian history of
our nation and a lesson on major events of world history from a
biblical point of view.
A helpful bibliography on 26 key
individuals used of God throughout history is also included.
See "Online Store" page for details of courses offered.
Worldview Lab
We are busy, busy conducting a complete worldview
training program to give your students the very best materials
in learning how to think biblically about major areas of life.
Our goal is to assist educators in training their students to
become producers of their own education work, not just
consumers of others work.
In addition to our worldview testing program, we offer several items for teaching on 'biblical worldview' understanding. You can see a list of these by clicking here.
Teaching Philosophy
We hold to a strict biblical philosophy
of life. We accept the scriptures as inerrant, unequal in authority
and inspired by God.
We believe that all individuals are
called to bow before God, to seek Him daily and to live in a manner
that intentionally glorifies Him alone.
We believe Jesus
Christ is God's only Son, that he is truth (as he personally stated,
John 14:6) and that only through a right relationship with Him, can
one gain a proper understanding of God, culture and eternal life.
Our philosophy of teaching includes an emphasis on
self-government, ownership of academic work and being well-read from
both contemporary scholars and those of the past.