About CIB

Welcome To

Charnock Institute of the Bible

 

It is our privilege to present our Institute and programs so that you might make an informed decision concerning your future with CIB.  Here you will find basic information which will introduce you to Charnock’s unique goals.

Our Beliefs

  1. There is One true God and Creator of all, existing as a Trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit) but one God who is Creator of all.
  2. The Bible truly is the Word of God. Its teachings are true on whatever it teaches on. Therefore, its teachings are binding upon those who confess to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
  3. All men are under the just judgment of God because of their sin and worthy of judgment. God sent Jesus Christ to pay the penalty of this judgment fully by dying in our place in judgment.
  4. Men are saved from sin and its penalty by Jesus Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone.

CIB began in June of Summer Session of 2006 with a vision for a Bible College & Seminary where students would translate (Read/Gloss) the entire Hebrew and Greek Bible as part of the regular curriculum.  Where students would also: address a truly Biblical Worldview, read the entire body of Early Church writings up to A.D. 325 for themselves, learn from the best texts available, use technology, and be in active ministry the entire time.  We informed our first students that we were not sure if the curriculum was actually doable since no one had ever attempted it.  It has now been attempted and accomplished!

 

To the best of our knowledge, no other Institute of Biblical higher learning has our Inductive approach to Scripture, Church History, and a truly Biblical Worldview.  Much here is old . . . much is new . . . but all is Biblical.  Students love the curriculum; although it is difficult and demanding. “I thought I knew God and my Bible until I came to Charnock,” is something we hear every year.  God’s person, character, attributes, and His eternal plan are all given great attention.

Come join us!

  • Translate (technically called glossing) the entire Bible from the Greek, Hebrew & Aramaic Texts for yourself as part of your regular curriculum.
  • Prepare to be a Translation Checker with Wycliffe Associates. You will go to the mission field for several weeks at a time to help Translators with problem passages and check their translation work.
  • Read all known Church writings up to A.D. 325. See for yourself what the early Church did and did not teach, know, practice, etc.
  • Using the Hebrew text, learn to see Jesus Christ in every passage of the Old Testament (It takes the Hebrew text for this!).
  • Handle manuscripts which are hundreds of years old in class.
  • And much, much more…

 

Who/What Is Charnock?

Do not let a name throw you! It was simply a choice to emulate the attitudes and focus of a great saint of God–a pastor named Stephen Charnock. Stephen Charnock focused on high scholarship and on God’s person, character and attributes, as few others have. This focus and attitude is our desire. For him the University was a place to come alive spiritually and draw near to God. We desire that CIB be the same.

Stephen Charnock“Let us delight in the knowledge of Christ crucified, and be often in the thoughts and study of him.”

-Stephen Charnock (1628-1680) from “A Discourse of the Knowledge of Christ Crucified”

Some may be surprised to find that we do not read the works of Stephen Charnock at CIB. Stephen Charnock was a Puritan pastor who lived in the 1600s.  He was dedicated to understanding God–His attributes and character.  He was highly educated with a great understanding of the original languages of Scripture.  He lived his faith by laying his education, talents, abilities, and all of his treasures at the foot of the cross. “The regulating principle of his whole life was embodied in the apostolic injunction;- ‘Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men'” (William Symington, 1860).

Immense learning and thought were marks of the Puritan divines and Charnock was second to none.  His greatest work was, and is, the monumental, The Existence and Attributes of God (1,130 pages).  This classic text has never been equaled in depth or breadth; and even today it stands as the standard for this subject. He is known and read by the greatest conservative scholars of many theological backgrounds.

Charnock died while in the midst of His discourses on The Existence and Attributes of God.  How befitting of Charnock that the final days of his life were spent in an intense study of God’s character so that men would better know who it is that they call God and Lord.

It is our desire to take this spirit of Charnock and imitate it at Charnock Institute of the Bible. For Stephen Charnock, the college and university were a place of ‘spiritual-birthing’ – a place to see God.  This is our foundational goal.

 

Student Philosophy

“No man shall see the Lord without holiness.”

-Hebrews 12:14

“Blessed are the pure in heart, they (alone) shall see God.”

-Matthew 5:8

    The Bible presents a REVEALED God.  God cannot be known unless He chooses to reveal Himself; but He has told us that certain things are necessary to place us in a context to see and know Him.

Students who are not, “pure in heart” and practicing “holiness” cannot see God regardless of their education; and regardless of reading, memorizing and studying the Bible. Charnock begins with a FIRST YEAR approach and curriculum which addresses this up front. Holiness and purity are required for a student to understand Scripture, encounter God, and receive the wisdom, guidance and power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

The goal is to have the first year student:

  1. Come to know the God of the Bible with Scriptural clarity.
  2. Become capable of entering into lively discussions defending a truly Biblical Worldview (not all Biblical World Views are equal).
  3. See God in all of creation, and see creation in light of God.

In a world created by God, no creature is, or can be, independent of Him.  CIB believes that all humans are responsible and accountable before God for their lives.  Because of this, the first year of study will focus heavily on ‘Practical Theology.’  Students must learn to ‘live out’ the Scriptures by demonstrating a life of purity, faith, and Biblical holiness.

 

Educational Philosophy

  1. As Colossians 1 states, it is the will of God that Jesus Christ be preeminent in ALL THINGS.  He is to be Lord of Education. At CIB, students will learn to see all things in their rightful relationship to the Creator and to see the Creator in His rightful relationship to all things.
  2. Most first year students of College/Seminary are simply not ready to enter into intelligent discussion of the Bible and God.  With this in mind, first year students at CIB will be required to complete the “Knowing God” series of classes.  This first year instructs students about life, purity and holiness and prepares them for the Internship program in the second year. Old and New Testament Surveys will require first year students to read the entire Bible in the First Semester. Their Professor will also incorporate instruction taken directly from the Original Texts of Scripture (Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic).
  3. In the English translation of the Bible many important distinctions of meaning have become hidden. For example, the Greek N.T. has 24 words for “the,” 27 words for “receive,”etc.  Only in the original languages can these distinctions be seen clearly.  All Degree seeking students will translate the entire Old and New Testament from the original languages. So also, for 2,000 years Latin has been the language of Education and Theology. At CIB, the study of Latin is required for the reading of the major works of History and Theology. Many of the other works studied at Charnock will require an understanding of Latin.
  4. All students remaining beyond the first year will be required to enter into an Internship. All Interns will have 5-10 hours of ministry each week under qualified supervision. The Internship will continue for three years throughout the remainder of the program that includes summer ministry and language studies.

Curriculum Philosophy

The entire curriculum will be built upon a specific Educational Philosophy as described below.

Biblical Authority

The Bible is the ultimate authority and its teachings on ANY and EVERY subject are held to be binding upon both Staff and Students.  Each trustee, officer, faculty member, as well as other employees and agents of CIB, shall fully and enthusiastically subscribe and submit to this proposition (or they shall not hold ANY position).

Biblical Text(s)

The Bible will be taught in and from its original languages (Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic).  Professors not having translated the New Testament will not teach the New Testament.  The same will hold true for the Old Testament. Students will translate the entire Bible as part of their core curriculum.

Source Texts

Source Texts on historical matters are the only reliable texts and will be preferred over any and all others.  Unless good reason is provided, Source Texts will be the primary texts used in classes (primarily in areas of history.  E.g. Church History will use the writings of Eusebius, Bede, Luther, etc.)  This does not necessarily mean the Source Text must be in its original language (e.g. French, German, Aramaic, etc., with the exception of Scripture).

Best Texts

The Institute will give preference to the best texts available.  The terms “Old” and “New” do not mean “Best.”  There are acknowledged Classical Works which have stood the test of time as being great works.  Many of these will be used in classes at CIB.

Early Church Fathers

The writings of the Early Church are extremely relevant in establishing what the original Christians did and did not believe; what they knew about and did not know about; what they practiced or did not practice.  The entire body of Ante-Nicene literature (all writings up to a.d. 325) will be read and studied.

Original Languages

Texts in their Original Languages will be preferred when possible.

Technology

With today’s Information Explosion, the Internet is a tool which must be understood and used.  The very idea of a Library has changed.  Each student must have a Lap-Top computer (APPLE brand) with Wireless capabilities.  The Institute will make High Speed Wireless Internet available.  We prefer that you use an APPLE brand which will allow the Institute to make sure that all staff and students are using the same Hardware, Software and Operating System so there are no unnecessary conflicts.  Research on-line will be required in many classes.

Ministry

All students must be in ministry while attending CIB. Some travel for ministry opportunities will be required in some classes. This is the only way to assure that studies are practical. Jesus taught the Disciples while they ministered. After the first year, Interns will be in ministry with full time Pastors, Missionaries, Etc. at least 5 – 10 hours per week for the next three years. Interns are expected to become a part of the ministry they are working in. All travel, housing, and meal expenses, both within and outside of the country, are the responsibility of the Student.

Thank you for allowing us to present Charnock’s approach to education.

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