100% of all donations go to the mission of TCN - We are an all volunteer organization!

Personalized Theological Questions and Answers Forum

(Answers will be scholarly in nature rather than promoting a particular denomination.)

Typical questions some people ask:

What are arguments and evidence for the existence of God?

Is the Bible really true?

Have you ever wondered what the Holy Trinity really means?

What is free will in religious thinking?

Does God control everything that happens in my life?

Why does God allow evil to happen?

What is the purpose of the universe?

Is there one true religion?

What are your questions?


Receive a completely confidential response to your theological questions from the staff and faculty of TCN.

Just email your question to Rev. Sam at: info@aaopp.org


Monday, April 11, 2016

Biblical Scholarship Thank You to Moorings Presbyterian



To Nan and the Moorings Adult Christian Education Committee,

Last  Sunday, April third, was the final Biblical Scholarship session for the current semester.

More than two dozen people attended the class this season, with an average attendance of about 12; half being regular Moorings attendees, and half visitors or those coming from outside our congregation.

In October we began with Genesis, and ended at Exodus 25, with a quick review of Joshua, in order to fulfill our promise to the class of getting them back into the Promised Land by spring! Our scholarship curriculum consisted of The Interpreter’s Bible, augmented with maps, charts, and a plethora of research documents from a number of reliable seminary and academic sources.

We were thrilled to observe the excitement and enthusiasm the participants exhibited! We often emailed the handouts for the coming week to the students in advance, so they would have the opportunity to review the materials and be prepared to ask relevant questions. All kept their handouts in folders (one couple even using a three-hole punch and page dividers in their binder) and most came prepared with their own research and queries. Several asked substantive questions, eager to explore more deeply. 

The students remained engaged and involved, expressing appreciation for the information they gleaned about the various topics covered from these early, and often ‘difficult-to-comprehend’ portions of scripture, and for the way in which this background is helping them to understand more of what they are reading in later passages. We frequently asked them to consider how the things they are learning are making a difference in their personal lives. It is a joy to watch sincere students catch on, and delve eagerly into their own spiritual growth!

We are considering the examination of Biblical Literature (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon; although we are drawn perhaps toward also including Ruth and Esther…) beginning in October. We will of course get back to you later on in the summer to let you know what we would like to present in the fall.

Again, Sam and I want to thank you and all responsible for making possible the opportunity for us to participate in teaching Biblical Scholarship at Moorings! We are grateful for your encouragement and support as we share our excitement for the Bible with our church and our community.

In His Service

Bunny<>Sam Sewell
591-4565

PS We have Blind Copied this letter to our students, in order to give them the opportunity to get back to you and/or us with any comments or suggestions they may wish to share.


Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Final Lenten Soup for thee Soul for 2016



















our participants wave goodbye until next lenten season

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

EIGHTEENTH Annual Lenten Soup for the Soul

The Theological Center in Naples
gladly welcomes and invites you, your friends, and your congregations,
to join us for Lenten Soup for the Soul

The first of our gatherings will be hosted by Vanderbilt Presbyterian THIS Wednesday, February 17th, welcoming The Rev Dr Doug Learned, the Senior Pastor of Moorings Presbyterian Church to kick off our inspirational reflections for the 2016 season.

NEW THIS YEAR: At 11:30AM each of the host churches is offering a tour of their facility, followed by the luncheon and Lenten reflection from Noon-1PM. Please share this opportunity with your contacts. 
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The Theological Center in Naples ~ EIGHTEENTH Annual
Lenten Soup for the Soul  ~  2016
A Luncheon Series for the Greater Naples Community  
Sponsored by the Theological Center in Naples

~ This year’s theme ~
“ PERSONAL RESURRECTION ”

The Resurrection of our Lord is more than an historical, political, cosmic, or religious phenomenon.  It comes down through the ages to us even today as a personal invitation to partake in a life-altering transformation.

This year our messages will focus on the deeper relationship each of us can experience as we contemplate the symbolic meaning of Easter. We will be encouraged in our faith as we hear about personal transformations, and how our lives - and the lives of those around us -  can take on a richer meaning as we prepare our hearts for the Celebration of the Resurrection. 

We invite you to join us at 11:30 for a facility tour of each host church, followed by simple meal and inspirational reflection offered by spiritual leaders in our community from Noon-1PM each Wednesday during Lent. There will be signing for the hearing impaired. Your donations to support the mission of The Theological Center In Naples are appreciated.

     February 17
    Presenter:            Rev Dr Doug Learned  (Moorings Presbyterian Church)
       Location:             Vanderbilt Pres (1225 Piper Bv, 34110-off Immokalee Rd-across from Sam’s Club)
    February 24
     Presenter:           Rev Christian Maxwell  (St John’s Episcopal Church) 
Location:          Moorings Pres (741 Harbour Dr, 34103, 1 blk W of 41 at Clive Daniel Furniture)
     March 2
    Presenter:            Father Jim Simko  (St John the Evangelist Catholic Church)
       Location:               St John the Evangelist Catholic (625 111th Ave N 34110-W of 41)                                            
     March 9       
    Presenter:           Rev Jim Thomas  (East Naples United Methodist Church)
       Location            Unity of Naples (2000 Unity Way34112, E of County Barn Rd, off Davis)
    March 16          
    Presenter             Pastor Zenford & Sister Karen Gause  (First Love Family Ministries)
       Location:              New Hope Ministries (7675 Davis Blvd, 34104, E of Santa Barbara)
          March 23
    Presenter:            Rev Nancy Mayeux (First United Methodist Church)
       Location:              Trinity-By-The-Cove (553 Galleon Dr, 34102-off Gordon Dr)

THE THEOLOGICAL CENTER IN NAPLES IS COMMITTED TO RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
AMONG COMMUNITIES OF FAITH, WHILE FOSTERING DIALOG, TOLERANCE, AND HARMONY

http://tcnaples.blogspot.com  contact: Sam & Bunny Sewell  239/591-4565

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Goal – Deliver curriculum that clergy are exposed to in seminary to the person in the pew

Goal – Deliver curriculum that clergy experience in seminary to the person in the pew.  Princeton, Harvard and Yale were all founded by churches and have highly regarded seminaries to this day.  My own denomination is heavily connected to Princeton Theological Seminary and the current pastor at Moorings is a Princeton graduate.  Attempting to provide a postgraduate seminary curriculum to the congregation might seem impossible but Theological Center in Naples has been doing just that for at least two decades.    


Modern Biblical scholarship uses all of the modern sciences.  Archeology, astronomy, physics (carbon 14 dating, creation myths and astrophysics), linguistics, history, critical literary analysis, numismatics, biology including DNA analysis of scrolls made out of animal skins.  I will keep the focus and the academic rather than the religious which is what the subject is really all about. 

Monday, October 5, 2015

Bible Scholarship Class Kickoff a Success!

 Dear Fellow Seekers!

We are excited to be teaching Biblical Scholarship again, and it is a delight to share this curriculum with such eager, well educated adults!

For those of our class who did NOT make it today, including our snowbirds who have yet to make their annual autumn paradise pilgrimage from the chilly north, handouts are available via email. 

Bring your favorite study bible, and your handouts folder, invite those who may also enjoy this exploration as we dig more deeply into HOW our scriptures were assembled, and their relevance for us today.

Feel free to call or email us in between classes with questions which may arise.
Looking forward to being with you again next Sunday.

Blessings! Bunny<>Sam Sewell

591-4565

Friday, September 18, 2015

Biblical Exploration Class - Free Adult Education Opportunity



  

Free Adult Education Opportunity
beginning Sunday October 4th
11:15 to noon – Q and A After
(childcare provided)

The Theological Center in Naples and Moorings Church
invites you to attend a Sunday Morning
Ongoing Biblical Exploration Class
starting with Genesis, led by Sam and Bunny Sewell
TCN is an educational institution not a church

What is Biblical Exploration? It is not a devotional Bible Study,
but rather an academic study of the historical writings of various theologically diverse biblical scholars  (evangelicals, Catholics, mainline protestants, Jewish academics and secular historians.)

What Text is used for this study? The primary source for this extensive curriculum is the twelve volume Interpreter’s Bible. Each volume of this series, used for study/discussion, covers two or more books of the Old and New Testaments, and is a study resource found in the Moorings Church Strozier Library. Bring your Bible.

Facilitators Sam and Bunny Sewell have offered their training and knowledge to the public for more than two decades. Rev. Sam is President of the Theological Center in Naples. 


Classes (open to the public) are held each Sunday at Moorings Church Campus in the Strozier Library, 
791 Harbour Dr, 1 block west of 41

        Register by contacting the Sewells
239/591-4565  or  bunnysam@bestselfusa.com

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Biblical Exploration at Moorings Church

Biblical Exploration at Moorings Church
Click for full view!