Word Studies: Ecclesiology

Class: Ecclesiology

Week #8: April 2-6
Professor: Pastor Bob Snell

Assignments: Read chapters 69-76 from Basic Theology by Charles Ryrie.

Pastor Snell grew up in New Brunswick in a godly pastor’s home and was converted as a young boy. From 1972 – 1976 he attended the University of Guelph where he received an Honours BA in sociology and history. Between 1977 and 1980 he studied at London Baptist Bible College and Seminary graduating with his Masters of Divinity. In August of 1980 he was married to Joanne Higginson in Meaford, Ontario. He has pastored for more than 30 years in southern Ontario at Emmanuel Bible Church in Simcoe and First Baptist Church in Waterloo, where he currently ministers. Pastor Snell has been privileged to travel worldwide to places like Bolivia, Israel and the Philippines in service for the Lord. He has spoken often at conferences, retreats and Bible Colleges. He also serves as a member of the Word of Life Canada Board of Directors and is a Corporation Member of ABWE Canada.

study of the Church, including organization, ordinances, purpose, destiny

What is the church? Many people consider the church as the a large stone building they go to every Easter and Christmas holidays. However, according to the scriptures, the church is much more than a building. The church constitutes not only the universal body of believers but also the local body. Pastor Snell seeks to help each student understand the different aspects of the church. The Spiritual gifts, offices, ordinances, types of government, mission, discipline and future of the church are detailed and explained so that the students are able to know what the Bible says about each aspect. One can appreciate the perspective with which the teacher approaches this class. Pastor Snell lists the Word of God as the first textbook to be used in the course. This emphasis on scripture shows his passion for teaching the truth. Pastor Snell left this message for the students:

"This past week, not only have I been impressed with the students and their maturity, I have also been blessed with the engagement in class fellowship and company. I enjoyed my time with the guys in devos and am glad I was able to be involved in the lives of the students."

- Pastor Snell, Waterloo

The students said:

"It was a very interesting to learn about the different church offices and the various styles churches have practiced. The varying views on communion helped me consider what scripture had to say about it."
- Ryan, Wyoming

"Ecclesiology was a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of God's purpose for the church. I really appreciated Pastor Snell's teaching and walked away with a new appreciation for my local church and my place in it."

- Heather, Owen Sound


Scripture needs to be the foundation not only for doctrine but also your life....

Get a foundation in God's Word at the Word of Life Bible Institute.

Word Studies: Theology

Class: Theology

Week: This class spans the entire academic year.
Professor: Mr. Doug Reider


Assignments: Read assigned chapters from Basic Theology by Charles Ryrie every week. Write one Theology Essay and one Position Paper per semester.

Mr. Reider was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and raised in Maryland. After high school, he attended George Washington University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He later received a Master of Divinity at Capital Bible Seminary. He acted as Assistant Pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Desiring to become involved as a missionary in Eastern Europe, Mr. Reider attended Word of Life Bible Institute, graduating in 1992. He was soon accepted as a missionary to Poland. After Mr. Reider and his wife, Sue, were married, they headed to Poland three years later. Because of medical difficulties, the Reiders returned in 1999. In 2000, Mr. and Mrs. Reider, along with their two children (Sam and Daniel), moved to Owen Sound to head up the Bible Institute project. Mr. Reider is our Academic Dean and one of our professors, teaching Systematic Theology and Greek.

This course is designed to study the biblical doctrines of orthodox Christianity concerning five areas of Systematic Theology: Bibliology (the study of the Bible), Theology Proper (the study of the Godhead), Anthropology (the study of man), Hamartiology (the study of sin),Christology (the study of Christ), Soteriology, Angelology, Pneumatology, Ecclesiology, and Eschatology. The desire is to take our knowledge of Scripture and from that come to understand what we believe and, therefore, discern the difference between truth and error.


“The Bible is the greatest of all books; to study it is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals.”

― Charles C. Ryrie

Part of the mission statement of the Word of Life Bible Institute is that each student comes to intimately know the Word of God. One cannot go through life believing something without foundation to what he believes. Theology class provides each student with that foundation. Mr. Reider teaches through the basics of Systematic Theology, scratching the surface of the major doctrines. Later on in the year, several guest lecturers come on campus to teach Eschatology, Ecclesiology and Pneumatology which allows Mr. Reider to teach through the book of Romans in the spring semester. Theology class helps students not only understand the Bible but able to apply doctrine to practice. This class also helps students come to an understanding regarding why they believe rather than just what they believe. Here's what the students had to say:

"Mr. Reider's enthusiasm makes class fun and engaging!"

- Nick, Arthur

"Theology class with Mr Reider definitely sparked my interest in theology. Before coming to the BI, I never knew much of what theology was or why we study it, but going through it I learned many things My favourite areas to study were Angelology,  Hamartiology and Eschatology, I can now recognize many different beliefs and am now able to clarify what I believe and why I believe what I believe."

- Jaramie (Alumni), Muskoka

"Going through theology with Mr. Reider has given me the opportunity to see all the view points on major issues facing the Christian in the world today. Furthermore, I now have clearer and deeper understanding of the Bible and better knowledge of Christ."

- Lucas, Wyoming

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Word Studies: Pneumatology

Class: Pneumatology

Week #3: February 13-17
Professor: Dr. Marshall Wicks


Assignments: Read the section in Basic Theology by Charles Ryrie on the Holy Spirit.


Dr. Marshall Wicks received a BA in Bible from Tennessee Temple University, MDiv and ThM from Grace Theological Seminary, and a PhD from Baptist Bible Seminary. Dr. Wicks is one of the resident professors at WOLBI, teaching in both the 1st and 2nd years, and teaches Theology at the Florida campus, where he is the Associate Academic Dean.

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;"

- John 14:16

Pneumatology is the study of the Holy Spirit and It's work in the body of Christ. This would involve many aspects including the spiritual gifts and the many ministries which the Holy Spirit is involved. As in all the classes here at WOLBI, Dr. Wicks stresses the importance of what God's Word says on the subject. Systematically teaching through the scripture, he covers every aspect of Pneumatology, giving each student the opportunity to grasp the study. Another focus of Dr. Wicks, is that of the practical as opposed to just doctrinal. He instructs why it is important to know what the Bible says and also how to apply it to daily living.

"Dr. Wicks was a very knowledgeable teacher. It was very interesting to learn about the various ministries of the Holy Spirit."
- Marcel, Kitchener

"I really enjoyed Pneumatology becasue it was very practical. It gave me a better understanding of salvation and the Holy Spirit altogether."
- Sophia, Waterloo

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Learning the Word: Eschatology - The Study of End Times

From WOLBRANOS

Mr. Strout attended our New York campus of Word of Life Bible Institute in 1982, after which he was a youth pastor for 8 years at Huntingville Community Church in Sherbrooke, Quebec. He went on to pastor 3 years at Grace Chapel in Sherbrooke. Mr. Strout joined the new French ministry of WOL at Parole de Vie and served as the director of the Bible Institute at PdV from 1994 until 2002.  During that time he obtained his Master of Ministry degree from Baptist Bible Seminary. In July of 2002 he assumed the role of Director of Francophone Ministries for Word of Life Canada. In August 2010, Mark and his wife Laurie relocated to Schroon Lake (NY) where he is the Executive Dean of the Bible Institute.  This week he will be teaching us Eschatology.

"As I am teaching through Eschatology this week I am so impressed once again with the total consistency of God's Word from start to finish.  God knows what He is accomplishing in human history and you can trace so many strands through His Word that fit perfectly together if you are willing to just take what He says at face value.  I have taught this course over 20 times and every time I go through it, I find new portions of Scripture to add to the picture.  One of the really awesome things about studying God's Word is that you honestly never reach the end of what you can learn.  My challenge to everyone is to be a perpetual student of the Bible.  You'll always be making new discoveries.  Just be sure to apply them to life to get the blessing out of them!"

We loved the class this week!

"This week I have learned new insights into the end times and its sweet to realize the truth that I never knew before."

"[Mr. Strout] clearly explained and gave a good overview for the end times and different views on them.  His teaching just makes us excited for it!"