After graduating from USF with an Engineering degree in Computer Science in 1989, I worked for NCNB (now known as Bank of America) in their computer department. Everyday as I drove to work, I would pass by a Christian book store, Tampa Christian Supply, on Hillsborough Avenue. As I entered the store, I was amazed at all the good-quality Christian books, especially the books on Theology. Although I had studied the Bible and memorized Scripture and learned and taught from our church workbooks, a whole new world of Christian scholarship opened up to me. I was looking for a good book that would "piece together" the many Scriptures and teachings that I had learned and to challenge my thinking with various perspectives on the Scriptures. I noticed a Theology book that was newly released called, The Moody Handbook of Theology by Paul Enns. It was amazing! This one book covered Biblical Theology, Systematic Theology, Historical Theology, Dogmatic Theology, and Contemporary Theology. I was hungry for the Word and to read and study it on another level. Over the next month, I had devoured the book and underlined and highlighted every word and sentence that intrigued me in some way. I grew so much from the Biblical truths that this book presented. Excitedly, I bought several copies for some pastors that I knew. Since then, I have bought and read many other theology books from various persuasions. Having worked at NCNB for the next two years (prior to joining GTE), I would visit the bookstore every night after work and often buy one or more scholarly books on each visit. The manager looked forward to seeing me ($$) and would advise me on some books. My library grew from approximately a dozen Christian books to several hundred Christian books during those two years. (As of today, my library is packed with a couple thousand good quality books, most of which are Christian while the rest deal with Computers and Math and other interests.)
A year later in 1992, (three years after graduation), I found out about an excellent opportunity to gain a college Bible degree without having to go to classes on a campus. This was very advantageous now that I was working full time as a computer programmer for GTE, now Verizon. I was excited about the opportunity to systematically learn the Bible and gain college credit at the same time (and be rewarded with good grades on my transcript for the hard work). Not that I was preparing for a full-time ministry position, but I was desiring to be further equipped with Biblical knowledge and experiences that would enable me to be a more effective minister in my teaching, preaching, and witnessing.
Taking wonderful college-level Bible classes was a new experience for me! It was great! I met several of the college professors when I visited Southeastern College, in Lakeland, Florida [now called Southeastern University]. They became my role models in the sense that they were very well educated (especially in Biblical matters) and had a love and devotion for the Lord. Each class had tests and many required an essay. For each essay, I went beyond the "call of duty." I read and quoted from more sources than what was required and I definitely spent more time on the papers than what was expected. Since the college was affiliated with the Assemblies of God denomination, I studied their doctrinal statements and position papers. I noticed that they upheld the integrity of God's Word and placed a great emphasis upon studying it and living it. I soon realized that my beliefs most closely resembled their beliefs--more than any other church group. This was one of the main reasons that I felt led of the Lord to transition into the AG church.
I enjoyed taking courses at my own pace through the Distance Education program at Southeastern University from 1992 - 1996. Unfortunately, Southeastern University had to dissolve its Distance Education program and thus transfer its students elsewhere. Desiring to stay with the Assemblies of God and an accredited university, I was transferred to the Carlson Institute for Church Leadership at North Central University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. On May 4, 2007, I participated in the graduation ceremonies at North Central University in Minneapolis. It was an honor to graduate with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies (with concentration in Biblical/Theological studies), Summa Cum Laude. Likewise, while taking courses through NCU, there were tests that needed to be proctored and 5+ page essays that needed to be completed for each class. The capstone of all the essays was my senior project entitled, “Theology of Work and Its Practical Implications.” The professor said it was “one of the most thorough pieces of work [he] had ever corrected” and that it “should be put into a book or journal.” Throughout the years, all the essays have helped me grow spiritually and grapple with important theological and practical topics. I hope you enjoy reading them almost as much as I enjoyed writing them!
The Modern Language Association (MLA) guidelines have been used when referencing quotes or paraphrased material. Additional MLA standards were applied to the original essays that were submitted for the course; however, it is the author’s prerogative to format the content in a way that best suits the production of this book. Thus, single-spacing is used instead of double-spacing, page numbers are located in the outside bottom corners without the last name of the author preceding them, lines are justified at the right margin, book titles are italicized instead of underlined, and essay titles and subtitles have been made bold. I hope that the contents are visually appealing and aid in the reading of the material.
You may also view any of these essays by visiting my Theology Corner on my web site:
Douglas E. Woolley
May 18, 2007
1. Scriptures to Memorize for Evangelistic Work of the Church ............................................ 1
Evangelistic Work of the Church, 16 Oct. 1992
2. Micah 6:1-8 (Exegesis) ................................................................................................... 6
Minor Prophets, 23 May 1994
3. Outline of the Constitution and Bylaws of the AG ........................................................... 14
History and Polity of the Assemblies of God, 26 June 1994
4. Book Report on Jesus and Power ................................................................................ 20
Life of Christ, 2 Jan. 1995
5. Book Report on The Farewell Discourse and Final Prayer of Jesus ........................... 23
The Gospel John, 9 June 1995
6. Five Major Ideas/Concepts from Creative Bible Teaching ........................................... 27
Methods of Teaching the Bible, 1 Aug. 1995
7. Five Major Ideas/Concepts from Effective Bible Teaching ........................................... 31
Methods of Teaching the Bible, 1 Oct. 1995
8. Five Articles on Teaching the Bible ................................................................................ 35
Methods of Teaching the Bible, 3 Nov. 1995
9. Elements of the Gospel for Young Adults ....................................................................... 40
Methods of Teaching the Bible, 5 Jan. 1996
10. How I Perceive Myself as a Teacher of the Bible .......................................................... 62
Methods of Teaching the Bible, 14 Jan. 1996
11. Exegesis of John 3:1-21 ............................................................................................... 64
Biblical Hermeneutics, 13 Feb. 1996
12. Exegesis of Luke 11:5-13 ............................................................................................. 79
Biblical Hermeneutics, 18 Aug. 1996
13. A Biography of Abraham and Joseph ........................................................................... 91
Pentateuch, 26 Oct. 1996
14. The Characteristics of the Indigenous Church ................................................................ 95
Introduction to Missions, 15 Feb. 1997
15. Ethnocentrism Can Hinder Communication amongst Those with Differing World Views... 99
Intercultural Communications, 19 July 1997
16. Terms that Describe Aspects of Christ’s Accomplishments .......................................... 103
Galatians and Romans, 16 Feb. 1998
17. Salvation: The Roman Catholic View and the Orthodox Protestant View ...................... 108
Soteriology, 25 May 1998
18. The Concept of the Trinity and the Historical Controversy that Revolved Around It ...... 113
Christology, 24 Sept. 1998
19. Crisis Counseling Theory and Intervention ................................................................... 117
Crisis Counseling, 23 May 1999
20. The Key Biblical Aspects of the Second Coming of Christ ........................................... 124
Eschatology, 22 Dec. 1999
21. Theories of Inspiration of the Scriptures ....................................................................... 128
The Bible and the Church, 2 Feb. 2000
22. Book Review of Principles of Conduct ...................................................................... 133
Christian Ethics, 19 June 2000
23. “Bestowal” of the Spirit Subsequent to Salvation .......................................................... 137
Acts, 1 Sept. 2001
24. Adoption of the Declaration of Independence .............................................................. 143
American History I, 18 March 2003
25. Development of Twentieth-Century Musical Composition ............................................ 156
Music Appreciation, 11 May 2004
26. Comparison of the Beginnings of the Assemblies to its Present State ............................. 162
Church History II, 23 May 2005
27. Origins and Early Growth of the Pentecostal Movement and the Assemblies of God ..... 164
Church History II, 10 June 2005
28. Apologetics Explained ................................................................................................. 171
Apologetics, 4 Jan. 2006
29. Comparison of the Novels by C. S. Lewis and Albert Camus ....................................... 180
Value and Meaning in Literature, 17 March 2006
30. Father Zossima's World View in The Brothers Karamazov ........................................ 183
Value and Meaning in Literature, 21 June 2006
31. Theology of Work and Its Practical Implications .......................................................... 187
Senior Project, 15 April 2007