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Hello, I’m Tom J. Cowley, a follower of Christ, businessman, and married for 35 years to my lovely wife Karen. We have two married children, (Allison to Peter and John to Candace) and two grandsons (Miguel and Nicholas). Growing spiritually is important to me as a part of my marriage, family, Church, friends, business, and recreation. I have a passion to simplify spiritual information from the Bible, church history, and worldviews of major religions. My own Spiritual Framework is a great asset for daily living. A Framework is a dynamic process; God wants me engaged in life long spiritual learning and growth. Relating from a systematic spiritual database helps with the challenges of living my faith in Christ. I also value dialog with fellow human beings to exchange spiritual views regarding life and the world around us. This INTRODUCTION hopefully will introduce you to Spiritualinformation.org (Organize your Spiritual information!). One goal is to share a simple, real time system to synthesize and crystallize spiritual data. My hope is to inspire lay persons (and clergy) of all religious backgrounds to use their hearts and minds to store and recall spiritual information. Eleven years ago, at age 50, I had…heard over 2500 sermons, completed years of Bible studies, served as a Church deacon, elder, and Chairman and considered business my ministry. One could say I was Building on the Rock Jesus instructs in Matthew 7:24. Charles Swindoll’s comments in his recent book: "I meet well meaning Christians who are long on zeal but short on facts…foggy when it comes to spiritual truths" applied to me! My spiritual database was little scraps of paper stacked on my desk or lying on the floor. These bits of information were neither organized nor useful to engage others in a spiritual discussion! Spiritualinformation.org is my current thinking on how to build a FRAMEWORK to; organize, store, recall, and share personal spiritual information. This INTRODUCTION outlines data location of Spiritualinformation.org. My son John, (he built this Web-site) and I have tried to make navigation easy. The data locations include information on the Bible, church history, and worldviews. Once you click on a data location from six to twelve additional pages of information will be presented for scrolling. For example you are now reading INTRODUCTION data location and you can scroll the subheadings that cover: INTRODUCTION
– Subject areas Covered DEFINITIONS
- a Spiritual Framework ENVISIONING
CD’s
(COMPACT DISCs) to Store Spiritual Data in our
Minds "INCLUSIVE"
Spiritual
dialog employing and theological
reflection ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
for this work effort
A Spiritual FRAMEWORK as a practical INPUT / OUTPUT model for processing spiritual information. Using this simple FRAMEWORK leads to increased discovery of wisdom and truth in life. A Spiritual Framework is dynamic…new information is constantly being input from experiences, information, teachings. Because of this continued updating, the FRAMEWORK provides a filing system, memory bank if you please, for storing and recalling from our heart, mind, and soul the most important information (our beliefs) we develop for daily living and dialog. Spiritualinformation.org provides a simple learning tool for storing and recalling spiritual information which form the foundation of our individual beliefs. After teaching at my daughter Allison’s Berkeley CA church, she suggested the following graphic to provide a model of the idea of a Spiritual Framework.
We are in a time of great opportunity for spiritual reawakening and increased spiritual dialog. Entering the 21st Century, the Western world is in the Information Age. An agricultural society in the 19th Century, we sped through the Industrial Age in the 20th Century. Computers, high speed copying, the Internet, and the Worldwide Web provide a flood of information. At the mailbox, we face the decision of what mail to open. At least 50% of the mail I receive (including bulk mail) is never opened. President Clinton, in his recent State of the Union message, noted there is 100% more information available today than 5 years ago. He forecasts the amount of information available will double once again in the next five years. To prepare for the Information Age persons of all religious backgrounds can establish a FRAMEWORK to store and recall spiritual information.
Lay persons, (non-Clergy) of all faiths have the challenge of developing and maintaining a spiritual data base for recall and use in daily living. While many of us are conversant on a daily basis regarding occupations or professions; when it comes to spiritual truths and our belief system we struggle with organizing and sorting out all the input we have been exposed to throughout life. For example a plumber or accountant may have a clear picture of how solve the problem immediately presented, (from experience, references to codes, drawings or tables) and respond quickly with dialog outlines his or her current thinking. God has created us with a marvelous memory capability. Our human brain has the capacity for 10 trillion bits of information, facts. Compared to the latest home computers (4-6 gigi –billion- bites), the human brain has 100 times more capacity. The left brain is often thought of as systematic (mathematical, order) while, the Right Brain handles emotions (feelings, touchy). Thomas Armstrong author of Seven Kinds of Smarts, (Penguin Books, 1993) lists; linguistic – word smart, logical/mathematical – number smart, special – picture smart, music – music smart, bodily/kinesthetic – body smart, interpersonal – people smart, and intra-personal – self smart as examples of different ways we learn. For example I have never been good at memorization. Being a gentleman artist and conceptual thinker, the personal framework I visualize and use pictures to input information I hear from sermons, Christian radio, music, study, prayer, experiences, into visual templates. Develop a framework based upon your learning style. I use it to organize spiritual truths. You’ll be surprised, God will move you from "foggy" as Charles Swindoll stated, to "being theologically equipped for ministry" output. Drawing upon the work of Guy R. LeFrancois "A Model for Memory", he outlines THREE TYPES OF MEMORY along with examples, and utilization: Types
of Memory Examples Utilization Sensory,
sensation Sight,
sound, smell, taste, feelings Size
up situation, action immediate Short
term, working memory Capacity
limited, things to do, lists of items, writing down
necessary not to overload Chunking
like items into "families" of information helps;
acronyms, alliterations, visualization, rehearsal
assists recall Long
term memory, stable Main
ideas, beliefs, attitudes, sound bites, take home
messages stored here Scripts,
narratives, stories generated to link items to
short term, working memory I have found Narratives as a way to link information "chunks" (Old Testament, Gospels, Epistles, church History etc.) in my short term memory. Ideas and concepts (for example the importance of moral laws…Moses and the Ten commandments) are stored in my long term memory. I’m more left brain; thus, my frameworks for spiritual data are historical, systematic, chronological. For example, the Foundation (Old Testament) is recalled around eight historical Narratives. The life of Jesus progresses from birth (fully human) the Easter and His ascension (fully divine) around key cities of his ministry. Right brain persons may find organizing their spiritual database by subject (love, grace, prayer, hope, peace, etc.) because of their stronger emotional leanings. I envision of my mind being organized around CD’s (Compact Discs). In prayer, meditation, and daily living it allows me to input, replay, update, and utilize information in "real time". Ten years ago, I started organizing a single CD around the Persons in the Bible. I played and replayed their life stories and how God used them in his Kingdom. Soon I was encountering "extra biblical" (outside the bible) information that needed a categorization such as; church history, worldviews of other cultures, and daily experiences in living. I now picture my FRAMEWORK, much like the six disc CD player used in our home or car stereos.
 The six CD’s (Compact Discs) I currently envision, use and update in my mind are: Used
by Tom J. Cowley 1. OLD
TESTAMENT FOUNDATION 8
Narratives 2. LIFE
OF CHRIST NEW
TESTAMENT – GOSPELS 4
Locations of His Ministry 3. NEW
TESTAMENT Acts,
Personal and General Epistles,
Revelation 4
Groupings of 23 Epistles 4. CHURCH
HISTORY A.
.D. – Alliteration 6
Time Periods 5. WORLDVIEW Major
Religions 6
Grouping of Data 6. LIVING
OUR THEOLOGY Applying
of Beliefs Four
Areas for Reflection Sub categories I am currently using for information on each CD are included on the respective introductory page of the respective section and when you "click on" the data location. These can be quickly changed in my mind and new files are easily created. I mentioned using a FRAMEWORK that fits your learning style. I’m a visual person, thus I utilize six drawings for storage and recall of data. If you are good at filing papers and keeping tract of written materials; employ a filing cabinet rather than an image system in the mind. I maintain files on information; but they are not very well organized. If you are good at memorization build on that learning skill. The format I present in my current CD library, tries to support a variety of learning approaches. Bible verses or Song Titles I have memorized appear as section lead ins. If you are good at memorization build on that learning skill. Musical learners will expand the Song Titles or perhaps build their entire CD library around great church music. Always be open to new teachings from God about your FRAMEWORK. In Old Testament class last fall I learned a new perspective to the theological importance of Job. This information was immediately stored on the Patriarch section of the Old Testament CD I maintain. This past year while facilitating a group in the Holy Land I’m began teaching the Stages of the earthly Life of Jesus around places: Nazareth, Capernaum, Perea / Judea, and Jerusalem. I’m currently organizing the chronology of the life of Jesus around these four geographic areas of the Bible. I used to teach the Bible around "Persons from the Bible" God pointed out His Son, Jesus was the most important person He wanted me to know. That is why I believe the CD system is very helpful; it is easy to envision "updating" and plugging in new experiences or information for "real time" use.
I am calling Christians, as well as persons of other religious beliefs, to learn inclusive dialog (this is what my spiritual walk has taught me…I’d like to review your thinking to include in my framework). Exclusive dialog (these are some things you must believe, too bad you haven’t seen the light) is discouraged. Exclusive dialog minimizes life long learning and open dialog with other persons. An important component of the Framework approach is that one should tailor their own spiritual framework to learning from others of their own faith and other religions. Hebrews 11:1 teaches "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do no see." The author of Hebrews goes on to cite Old Testament narratives concerning Abraham, Moses, Isaac, David, Gideon, Rahab, and a host of others who all who are to be "commended for their faith" even though they did not know Jesus Christ. Today we too are called to commend our fellow humans for their faith. I believe as Christians are called to share from our walk and experiences with Jesus Christ. As a Christian I want people to know the Jesus Christ I have met and followed and the importance of my personal relationship with Him. This is the Jesus of the Gospels (fully human growing to fully divine implanting the Holy "Spirit in His followers). Because of varying cultural and religious backgrounds (just as in New Testament times not all followed Jesus) some will HAVE DIFFERING VIEWS OF JESUS. I want to let Jesus speak for himself. VIEW
OF JESUS EXAMPLE LET
JESUS SPEAK Great
Teacher Rabbi To
a Jew Great
Prophet Mohammed,
last Prophet To
a Muslim Great
Individual Great
Thinkers A
New Ager The work of God’s kingdom is for his people to get to know him and understand God’s purpose in each of our lives. This takes a life long learning attitude and one that utilizes "inclusive" engaging dialog. This takes courage for ordinary man and women…to dialog and share their beliefs. When I first attended Sunday school in the 1940’s, King James Version (KJV) of the Bible had been the accepted English translation for nearly 350 years. Now, in less than 50 years, the RSV, NIV, NASB, and NKJV are accepted English translations and readily available. There is a mountain of information and books available on major religions (Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, and Judaism) as well as from channelers, Eastern spiritualists, liberal socialists. Multiple INPUTS for Christians call upon increased discernment to clarify our beliefs. The opportunity for a variety of OUTPUTS has also increased. Jet travel, CNN, and satellite communication keep us in touch with events and cultures around the world. Battlefield coverage reached a new stage in the Gulf War with near live coverage of events. Some will say they are happy not to face the drug and sexual challenges of our young people. Proverbs 10:23 tells us: A fool finds pleasure in evil conduct, but a man of understanding delights in WISDOM. As we seek wisdom in a jet set world "understanding" and applying spiritual truth is important for a fulfilled life. A Framework for spiritual materials helps us to become an effective Christian on our daily walk if we learn to control the OUTPUT side (how we react, what we say and do, our "body language" etc.). This is a continuing growing area for me. While I have grown in my faith walk with Christ immensely, I continue to error with a quick tongue, bored expressions, etc. Recently in class at GGBTS Dr. Doran McCarty’s Model for spiritual reflection was shared. It is helping me to realize a useful process for handling events (data, facts, etc.) using all my God given resources (Head, Heart, and Holy…my spiritual FRAMEWORK). by Dr.
Doran McCarty From
his Book: Supervision Developing and Directing
People REFLECTION
POINT EXAMPLES
of INFLUENCES History An EVENT,
DATA, Something happens Head Socio,
Economic, Tradition, Culture Heart Emotions,
Feelings, Anxieties, Resistance Holy God,
Jesus, Bible, Holy Spirit, Prayer My capacity to store, recall, and be effective in spiritual dialog has increased geometrically in the last ten years. I credit this to organizing my mind for storage and recall biblical information. As a Christian this is perhaps what Jesus meant when asked by a Pharisee late in his earthly Ministry in the Temple during His last Passover: Matthew 22:34b-40 The Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied, " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ All of the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" As Christians, we love the Lord not only by being students of The Word (INPUT) but having wise OUTPUT among and with our neighbors. Jesus brings focus to Jews today by helping prioritize the Laws of the Old Testament.
My testimony is one of the blessing of being raised in a Christian home by loving parents Ruth and Tom Cowley. "Markers" in my Christian walk include; in church nine months before I was born, infant dedication baptism, confirmation, national Methodist Youth convocations, and marriage to my loving, believing wife Karen. Karen and I experienced an "adult believers conversion" in the home of Dean and Lois Griffith in 1966, two years into our marriage. Having Christ at the center of our marriage family is a joy! Koinonia groups have been a key in our lives. In 1987, our Pastor Ray Johnston challenged me to read the complete Bible over a year for the first time in my life. I found the Bible was a story about persons like you and me, God’s people. The next year I read the Bible again arranging it in my mind about individual persons. I tried to sequence their lives, messages, and contributions to God’s Word. God charged me to know His Son, Jesus, best of all the Biblical persons. I began applying some of the structuring skills I have learned in writing business reports and plans to organizing Biblical materials. A first effort, "Persons of the Bible" received encouraging feedback from lay persons at Marin Covenant Church. I began adding church history information and quickly discovered the Person God really wanted me to know better in the Bible was his son Jesus Christ. Focusing on the red ink words of Jesus in the New Testament, "In the Paint" was developed as a studying approach. About five years ago I felt the calling to attend seminary (GGBTS Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary) to sharpen my knowledge base for teaching His Word to lay persons in the days ahead. I have been richly blessed in Seminary by loving, dedicated Professors and fellow students, often 20 or 30 years my junior, who have encouraged me along the way of continued learning. We are all on a spiritual journey. All of my professors shared generously of their spiritual knowledge. My final paper before graduation, "Building on the Rock" serves as the basis for much of what I teach today and is contained in this web site. As I have grown to understand the Bible, church history, and Worldviews of other Religions, I have found a simple framework created for recall in my mind has helped create a SIMPLE system to store and recall spiritual information. Applying spiritual truths in life is important in continually learning, updating, and refining one’s spiritual Framework. The question in the Western world today is…are we like a sheep without a shepherd? Church surveys indicate of 350,000 churches in the United States; 80% are stagnant or declining. 1956 Gallup polls in United States indicated 6% of adult Americans had – "no religious training". This percent has climbed steadily ( ’65 – 9% ’78 – 17% ’88 – 25% ’93 – 35% est. 2000 – 40%). Church scholar George G. Hunter III notes, "Add to the 40% those, who can’t remember what they learned, and the majority of adult Americans have little religious training. The U. S. is perhaps the 4th largest mission field in world – behind China, India, and Russia." Recent survey of adults in Western European indicates the more than 50% questioned had "Never opened the Bible". On the other hand, interest in Spirituality is up. For example Falun Gong: Religion of the Internet Age has grown by some estimates to be the 6th or 7th largest religion in the world in less than a decade. Recent decades have seen the emergence of New Age activities. On the Christian front Lyle Schaller notes a simultaneous increase in Christian churches with decentralized polity (local churches choose pastor vs. centralized Bishop type organization) and clear theology (vs. ambiguous belief system). The question is (as it was in Jesus time….are the field ripe for harvest….is the cup half empty or half full? My position as we enter the 21st Century is the cup is HALF FULL. The Western World, having established freedom of Religion and separation of Church and State as governing tenants is uniquely positioned in the History of the World to lead a worldwide SPIRITUAL REAWAKENING. Are the WORKERS prepared?
One’s Spiritual database is accumulated through the years. It would be impossible to list all the conferences, retreats, classes, meaningful sermon I have been privileged to attend. When ever possible I have tried to cite references and works that are quoted. Also, the web provides increasing useful spiritual data. My classes at Golden Gate Seminary provided exchange with wonderful professors. In addition to Professors and scholars noted below classes by Oscar Brooks, Thom Wolf, John Shouse, Lyle Schaller, David Black, Rick Melick and Michael Thompson were rich blessings. All of my professors shared generously of their spiritual knowledge. Special acknowledgement of Professors who read selected sections and provided valued comment include: Dr. Rodrick Durst – New Testament / Gospels Professor Sam Williams – New Testament / Epistles Dr. Dwight Honeycutt – Christian Church History Dr. John P. Newport - Worldview Dr. Stanley Nelson – Living Our Theology
Lay persons who have dedicated important time to critique and encouragement of my efforts include, Bud Benedict, Gordon and Sue Gaddy, Judy Hunt, Brice Butler, and Joyce Hinshaw. Also, Jim Mefford, a pastor at our church has been helpful and encouraging. I acknowledge special input from Raul Chacon and Andrea Grossman regarding graphic designs which I find are special visual reminders that assist learning recall for many of us visual learners. A picture is worth a thousand words. I want to acknowledge my family’s encouragement at all levels in this writing effort. Particular thanks go to to my daughter Allison on the Framework approach. My son John has patiently helped build this web site with Dad’s computer frustrations. A number of church families have allowed me to share and teach. Among those are: BayMarin Church (Sam Williams), Squaw Valley Chapel, (thank Bob and Joan Clark and Guthrie - Betty Schwartz), my brother Fred Cowley’s Church and his Pastor Dick Staats, Marin Covenant Church, Berkeley Covenant, Eric Swanson from Campus Crusade, Henry Deneen at Strawberry Community and the Chinese Baptist church of Walnut Creek, CA . My wife Karen’s women’s Bible study Group the Biblets also has provided important feedback through the years. My business office team; particularly, Candace Cowley and Adriana Brown, have assisted with copying previous teaching materials as well as many drafts of teaching materials I have used through the years. Finally, my most encouraging backer and patient wife Karen deserves special mention for the long hours she has spent reading draft material, commenting on improvements, and endured in her own world while I labored over my writing efforts. NIV (New International Version) and RSV (Revised Standard Version) of the Bible are used for scriptural references and paraphrases. The real acknowledgement for Spiritualinformation.org belongs to my Lord Jesus Christ. I pray, as a follower of Christ, this web-site; honors Him. As a Christian apologetic, I try to share the Bible and the life of Jesus in narratives that are transparent so people can see Jesus. The person I want lay persons to meet is Jesus, not me or a web site. His goal must have been to have His workers be the laity (ordinary) as well as the ordained! He called 12 ordinary men (fishermen, tax collectors, zealots, etc.) to follow Him, become disciples, and grow to become the first apostles of the Christian faith. Paul, whom He later met on the road to Damascus, was perhaps the most schooled in formal religious training of the early workers. He too became a believer, spent a number of years in training, (Arabia and other places) and was called out of the church in Antioch to missionary work. These are the stages I identify in my life of following Him, answering the call to be a believer, growing through discipleship, and increasingly becoming prepared to be a fellow worker with Him. In Matthew 9:36-38 Jesus said to his disciples "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." We must acknowledge that he asks the same question of those who follow Him today.
Tom J. Cowley, The Institute for Encouraging Christian Lay Ministry, Inc. Tiburon, CA
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