Less is More While as a Christian thinker and writer I have many ideas about hundreds of biblical themes, teachings, and implications, a lengthy statement of faith quickly becomes a quagmire of explanations. The theological position is evangelical. That is, Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Bible is the Word of God, and all men and women must be willing to become children of God. To put it succinctly, as succinctly as did the apostle Paul, this ministry acknowledges one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God (Ephesians 4:4-6).
The Threefold Ministry Ephesians 4:11 describes the leadership ministries of the church in the apostolic age. Today, there are no apostles or prophets, which leaves preachers (evangelists), teachers, and shepherds. A mature church should embody all three ministries. They are complementary, not competitive. That is, elders and evangelists and teachers are a team.
For more on this vital threefold cooperation, click here.
"The Issues" People often ask me where I stand on various issues. In my replies, I always strive to distinguish between the classical core doctrines of the Christian faith and everything else. Not every doctrine is equally important, nor are all doctrines equally obvious. For this reason we must show grace towards those with whom we may disagree, especially in the "gray areas." (This reasoning is expanded in the audio set Anchored for Life.)
So what do I say in a statement of faith? What represents the conviction of the International Bible Teaching Ministry?
How about the 4th-century Nicene Creed? This captures the heart of the Christian faith, as I understand it. In keeping with the content of this creed, I teach that in order to become a Christian, one must turn in faith and repentance to God, be born again of water and Spirit through Jesus Christ, and live a life of faith.
In scripture, I would point to Ephesians 4:4-6 as one of many passages highlighting the essentials of the faith.
Last, I do not believe it is right to draw lines of fellowship around any non-essential doctrine or practice. Statements of faith are always problematic, since through most of church history they have become instruments of disunity as much as tools for unity. For further sentences expressing this viewpoint succinctly, click here.
In my teaching ministry, the approach is heuristic. Rather than “give a man a fish,” I prefer to “teach a man to fish.”
Born: 13 August 1959, Jacksonville, Florida, USA. Marriage: 17 August 1985 to Victoria Gibbs; three children (ages 21, 19, 16) Church membership: North River Church of Christ, Marietta, Georgia Residence: Marietta, Georgia
I. EDUCATION
1971-77
The Ranney School, Tinton Falls, New Jersey: Valedictorian, Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout), Mathematics Honor Society, National Latin Honor Society, Football team, Yearbook Literary Editor, School Magazine Sports Editor, Episcopal Young Churchmen, Drama Club, President of Latin Club.
1977-80
Duke University, Durham, NC: Angier B. Duke Memorial Scholarship, B.A. (History) Cum Laude.
1980
Oxford University, Oxford, England (New College): summer course in British Political History, in conjunction with A. B. Duke Scholarship.
1980-82
Harvard Divinity School, Cambridge, Massachusetts: M.T.S. in New Testament, chaplain for local hospital, player in local children’s theater group.
1982-85
University of London (King’s College, Department of Biblical Studies): postgraduate study in New Testament.
1989-92
Swedish language tutorial (private study).
1996-99
Drew University, Madison, New Jersey: D.Min. degree.
II. WORK EXPERIENCE
1975-76
Counselor, Boy Scouts of America. Camp located in Catskill Mountains of New York.
1977
Food service, Great Adventure Amusement Park, Jackson, New Jersey.
1977-80
Duke University Department of Mathematics, Teaching Assistant
1979
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina: collegiate summer program, medium industrial work in consignment shipping.
1980-82
Secretarial work, Kelly Services (shorthand, typing, etc), Boston area.
1981
Harvard Law School, custodial work.
1982
University of London Senate House, secretary, Finance Department.
1983
Ministerial internship program in Central London Church of Christ. Beginning of 20-year employment with the Churches of Christ (and later International Churches of Christ)
1984-2003
Ministerial work within the International Churches of Christ.
1984-89
London. Appointed evangelist, 1985.
1989-92
Stockholm. Oversaw churches in Sweden, Denmark, Finland.
1992-93
Philadelphia. Campus ministry. Recognized as International Teacher, 1993.
1993-94
Washington DC. Campus ministry.
1994-96
London. Churches in London, Manchester, Dublin.
1996-2002
Washington DC. Appointed Director of Education for British Commonwealth, 1999.
2002-03
Sydney, Australia. Teacher and Ministry Consultant.
2003-
Teaching Consultant, T&R, Inc; principal instructor for the Athens Institute of Ministry; Director, Biblical Study Tour; work in 88 nations to date.
Director, International Teachers’ Seminar:
1995—London, UK
2000—Paris, France
2005—Athens, Greece
1996—London, UK
2001—Berlin, Germany
2006—Washington, DC
1997—London, UK
2002—Athens, Greece
2007—Ephesus, Turkey
1998—Herzliya, Israel
2003—Chicago, USA
2008—Cairo, Egypt
1999—Jerusalem, Israel
2004—Rome, Italy
2009—Atlanta, USA
III. LINGUISTIC FACILITY Ancient language facility: Latin, Greek, Hebrew Years of language study: 10 (ancient languages); 8 (modern languages besides English)
IV. BOOKS & AUDIO Books Advanced Christian Training (1986) Shining Like Stars (1987, 1990, 2000, 2006). Also available in Vietnamese. The Powerful Delusion (1987) I Was Hungry! The Christian Response to Poverty (1987, 1988) True and Reasonable: Reasons for Faith in an Age of Doubt (1988, 1994, 1999, 2005). Also available in Russian, French, Vietnamese, and Spanish. The Spirit: The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Lives of Disciples (1998, 2005). Also available in Spanish. Equipping the Members (Doctoral Dissertation) (1999) Q&A: Answers to Bible Questions You Have Asked (2001) Q&A II: More Answers to Bible Questions You Have Asked (2002) Genesis, Science, and History (1997, 2004) Foundations for Faith: Old Testament Survey (2004) The Faith Unfurled: New Testament Survey (2005) The Quiver: Christian Parenting in a Non-Christian World (2005, 2007). Also available in Spanish (La Aljaba, 2009) The Letters of James, Peter, John, Jude (1995, 2006). Also available in Chinese. The Bible Quiz Book (2008) Jesus and Islam (2009) Why Believe in God? (2010)
Audio & DVD Sets The Spirit: How the Holy Spirit Works in the Lives of Disciples (1998) Adventures in Apologetics (2000) (DVD) The Wisdom Literature (2004) Foundations for Faith: Old Testament Survey (2004) From Facts to Faith: Evidences in Defense of the Faith (2005) The Faith Unfurled: New Testament Survey (2005) How We Got the Bible (2005) The Psalms (2005) What Happens After We Die? (2006) The Lost Books of the Bible (2006) Revelation & the End of the World (2006) Anchored for Life: Faith Without Compromise (2006) New Testament Leadership: Preachers, Teachers, Elders, Servants (2007) 1-2 Timothy & Titus: Culture, Conformity, or Conviction (2007) Take AIM! (DVD set) (recorded 2004/2005 and again 2007/2009) The Quiver: Christian Parenting in a Non-Christian World (2007) Who Is My Brother? (2006 International Teachers' Seminar, 2007) Does God Exist? - debate with Michael Shermer (2007) (DVD) Understanding Islam (2007) (DVD) Friend or Foe? (2007) (DVD) The True Legacy of Abraham - Debate with Shdmuley Boteach and Shabir Ally (2008) (DVD) Egypt in the Bible (2008 International Teachers' Seminar) Thy Kingdom Come! (2008) Early Church History (2008) Baptism: The Water that Divides (2009) Evolution & Creation - 2nd debate with Michael Shermer at the U. of Florida (2009) Judaism & Christianity: Which is the Religion of Peace? - 2nd debate with Shmuley Boteach and Elie Abadie (2009) Jesus: Man, Myth, or Messiah? (2010) -- debate with Robert Price at Houston Baptist University V. AFFILIATIONS 2005-09—Member, American Scientific Affiliation 2000-09—Member, American Association of Christian Counselors 2009-10—Advisory Board, Strength in Weakness Ministries 2009-10—Member, Biblical Archaeology Society 2009-10—Member, Evangelical Philosophical Society
A brief history of the International Teaching Ministry
1985 -- Douglas recognized as evangelist (staff member 1983-2003)
1986 -- International teaching trips commence
1986 -- First book published, Advanced Christian Training
1992—Jacobys relocate to US from Sweden to begin international teaching ministry
1993—Recognized as international teacher
1994—Vision for international teaching program
1995—1st Annual International Teachers' Seminar, London
1995-2002—Founds Ministry Teaching Program (90-hour diploma program -- 400 graduates).
1997—Appointed teacher in UK
1998—Appointed teachers in India, Indonesia, Singapore
1999—Appointed teacher in US
1999—Doctorate in Christian Education
2002—Appointed teacher in Australia
2003—End of employment with International Churches of Christ. Launch of an independent teaching ministry and www.douglasjacoby.com
2004—Athens Institute of Ministry founded (150-hour diploma program with students in 30 nations). Website www.AthensInstitute.org. DVDs released under title "Take AIM!" in 2007.
2004—Certificate in Christian Counseling, AACC
2005—North River church (Marietta, GA) becomes home base for the ministry
2008—14th Annual International Teachers' Seminar, Cairo
2009—Teaching materials: (total) 18 books, 20 audio sets, and 20 AIM DVD sets produced
