THE BULLETIN OF IBTM
with Douglas Jacoby

24 Sept 2025

Good morning! We hope you are well, enjoying your walk with the Lord.In this bulletin you’ll find two Common Grounds Unity podcasts with my friend Steve Staten, as well as his latest book.

These will be of greatest interest to anyone involved in the Churches of Christ / Restoration Movement. The podcasts examine the roots of the Crossroads Movement, the Discipling (Boston Movement), and ICOC. I myself came to faith in the Crossroads Movement, in the 1970s. Knowing where we’ve come from is integral to a well-formed identity, personally as well as corporately, and Steve does a tremendous job. His research and communication display integrity and a truly irenic spirit.

I’ve also included an interesting piece on dealing with narcissists, plus the final installment in the series on Nicaea, which examines, among other things, church-state relations. Seeds sown as far back as the 4th century AD continue to germinate in our own day!

Lately I’ve been reading Acts, and noticing the behavior of the masses. It strikes me that confusion reigns at a fundamental level—superstition and fickleness are the norm. (See Acts 8:10-11; 19:32; 12:22; 14:2, 11; 17:5; 28:6.) Truth is more a hobby than a pursuit. Chaos and shouting prevail over gentle discourse (Acts 17:21; 21:34). Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised; the Bible describes the world apart from God as darkened in its understanding (Ephesians 4:18). The world desperately needs what we have! To better communicate the message, let’s be thinking Christians. That’s the purpose of this ministry.

Finally, for anyone in a position to give, we seek sponsorship for unlimited website access for Christians in Uganda and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). Scroll down for details. Thank you for your continued support, interest, and trust. — DJ

AT THE CROSSROADS

At the Crossroads: An Exploration into a Flagship Ministry of a Discipling Movement

Watch At the Crossroads, part 1
Watch At the Crossroads, part 2
Buy At the Crossroads

SAY THIS TO NARCISSISTS:
THEY’LL NEVER DISRESPECT YOU AGAIN

A friend sent me a talk by Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson. I found it to be honest and on target. This may be especially relevant if you have to deal with self-centered or overpowering people—at work, in your circle of acquaintances, in the family, even in church. If you’d like to hear Peterson’s advice, click HERE.

CONSTANTINE & NICAEA (PART IV)

The fourth and final installment in a series on Constantine and the Council of Nicea (325 AD) is now available.

The subject matter is hardly dated; it clearly speaks to our present political climate. For the talks—and the PowerPoint—CLICK HERE.

UGANDA & ESWATINI

For anyone interested in providing unlimited website access, plus several books, for Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Uganda, please visit the donation page HERE. In the memo line please indicate which country you’d like to help.

Finally, the early payment discount for the 2026 Biblical Study Tour to Greece and Turkey (October 2026) ends on 1 October. Pay in full by 1 Oct 2025 and save $105.

Next week: Q&A time and“The Bible on Shuffle.”

  • For all bulletins 2004-2025 (100s of pages of biblical material), click here.
  • To access the website, click here. There is new material every week—typically, every day.
  • To become a website member ($0.10/day, paid annually), click here. Your membership is a tremendous boost to this ministry.
  • To donate to the ministry, click here. Special focus: Eswatini (Swaziland) and Uganda