Capernwray Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers
Encyclopedia
Capernwray Missionary Fellowship of Torchbearers (CMFT), more recently known as Torchbearers International
is an evangelical
Christian
educational organization. The headquarters is at Ravencrest Chalet, Estes Park, Colorado, USA.
Torchbearers International's goal is to provide practical Christian education to develop personal spiritual growth, prepare people for an effective Church life, and teach a working knowledge of the Bible
. The organization works by providing a number of bible schools and Christian conference centres around the world. Their mission statement is: "Our Mission is to proclaim the transforming presence of Jesus Christ through Biblical teaching and practical training, equipping men and women for service in His Church worldwide."
Torchbearers was founded by Major W. Ian Thomas
, an evangelical teacher often identified with the Keswick Convention ministry. The main thrust of their theology is that of the exchanged life or 'Christ in You'.
, which Thomas had been a featured speaker for. His advocation of Keswick theology earned him the label of a "strict Keswick" by M. James Sawyer Th.M., Ph.D in his article concerning the Keswick movement. While there is no end to the verbiage and metaphor used to describe this process of Christ living through you (Thomas himself never used the term "extinguish oneself"), Major W. Ian Thomas states it in the following manner in the foreword he wrote for well-known Higher Life proponent Bob George in his Higher-Life opus "Classic Christianity".
It is also seen in the above quote that it is part and parcel of Thomas' theology to reject the theology of Lordship salvation
. In Thomas' view, one may be a believer saved from eternal hell, but not truly living as a full Christian. In this view those who are saved, but live as if they were unsaved are referred to as "carnal" Christians. This doctrine has been heavily criticized by Evangelical teachers such as Brian Schwertly:
This doctrine has also been criticized for creating a division in the church of first-class "spiritual" Christians and second-class "carnal" Christians. As those who have found the principals of the "Higher Life" and put them into practice are those who are "Spiritual", and those who disagree with the "Higher Life" are carnal, they have come under the charge of having a certain spiritual smugness, and an unwillingness to entertain debate and discussion.
It is further observed that it is man's consent that is the efficacious will that moves GOD to accomplish sanctification in the life of the believer:
was first used as a Bible School in Autumn 1947, to meet a demand for sound Bible teaching for the many new converts from holiday conferences held at the hall. The school has matured and grown over the years so that in the first decade of the 21st century, each Winter, the Hall fills to its capacity of 190 students, from sometimes as many as 30 different nations. During the Summer, Easter and Christmas breaks the facilities are used for Christian conferences and holidays.
Torchbearers International
Torchbearers International consists of more than 25 bible schools and educational centers around the world. Torchbearer International was founded by speaker and author Major W...
is an evangelical
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
educational organization. The headquarters is at Ravencrest Chalet, Estes Park, Colorado, USA.
Torchbearers International's goal is to provide practical Christian education to develop personal spiritual growth, prepare people for an effective Church life, and teach a working knowledge of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
. The organization works by providing a number of bible schools and Christian conference centres around the world. Their mission statement is: "Our Mission is to proclaim the transforming presence of Jesus Christ through Biblical teaching and practical training, equipping men and women for service in His Church worldwide."
Torchbearers was founded by Major W. Ian Thomas
Major W. Ian Thomas
W. Ian Thomas was a Christian evangelical writer, theological teacher and founder of the Torchbearers bible schools.- Early life :...
, an evangelical teacher often identified with the Keswick Convention ministry. The main thrust of their theology is that of the exchanged life or 'Christ in You'.
Theology
Central to Torchbearers' theology is the belief that the way in which one lives the Christian life is by quieting or extinguishing the self, and allowing Christ to live his life through you in a very literal way. This is the essential teaching of the Keswick ConventionKeswick Convention
The Keswick Convention is an annual gathering of evangelical Christians in Keswick, in the English county of Cumbria.- History :The Keswick Convention began in 1875 as a catalyst and focal point for the emerging Higher Life movement in the United Kingdom. It was founded by an Anglican, Canon T. D....
, which Thomas had been a featured speaker for. His advocation of Keswick theology earned him the label of a "strict Keswick" by M. James Sawyer Th.M., Ph.D in his article concerning the Keswick movement. While there is no end to the verbiage and metaphor used to describe this process of Christ living through you (Thomas himself never used the term "extinguish oneself"), Major W. Ian Thomas states it in the following manner in the foreword he wrote for well-known Higher Life proponent Bob George in his Higher-Life opus "Classic Christianity".
There are those who have a life they never live. They have come to Christ and thanked Him only for what He did, but do not live in the power of who He is. Between the Jesus who "was" and the Jesus who "will be" they live in a spiritual vacuum, trying with no little zeal to live for Christ a life that only He can live in and through them, perpetually begging for what in Him they already have!
It is also seen in the above quote that it is part and parcel of Thomas' theology to reject the theology of Lordship salvation
Lordship salvation
The "lordship salvation" controversy is a theological dispute regarding key soteriological questions within Protestantism, involving some non-denominational and Evangelical churches in North America since the 1980's...
. In Thomas' view, one may be a believer saved from eternal hell, but not truly living as a full Christian. In this view those who are saved, but live as if they were unsaved are referred to as "carnal" Christians. This doctrine has been heavily criticized by Evangelical teachers such as Brian Schwertly:
In such a scheme, professing Christians who refuse to submit to Christ as Lord and who refuse to lead lives characterized by obedience and holiness are called 'carnal Christians.' This heretical teaching has been called 'easy believism' and 'the carnal Christian heresy.' Sadly, such teaching has led countless thousands of poor souls down the broad path that leads to destruction.
This doctrine has also been criticized for creating a division in the church of first-class "spiritual" Christians and second-class "carnal" Christians. As those who have found the principals of the "Higher Life" and put them into practice are those who are "Spiritual", and those who disagree with the "Higher Life" are carnal, they have come under the charge of having a certain spiritual smugness, and an unwillingness to entertain debate and discussion.
Man in NORMALITY is to be distinguished from the animal kingdom by a quality of life and behavior, that can have no possible explanation apart from God Himself in the man.
This fact is TRUTH! It is not subject to debate nor dialogue
It is further observed that it is man's consent that is the efficacious will that moves GOD to accomplish sanctification in the life of the believer:
The One who calls you to a life of righteousness is the One who by our consent lives that life of righteousness through you!
Capernwray Hall
Capernwray HallCapernwray Hall
Capernwray Hall is a former country house situated 3 miles ENE of Carnforth, Lancashire, England, and is currently used as a Christian bible school and holiday centre. The house has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building...
was first used as a Bible School in Autumn 1947, to meet a demand for sound Bible teaching for the many new converts from holiday conferences held at the hall. The school has matured and grown over the years so that in the first decade of the 21st century, each Winter, the Hall fills to its capacity of 190 students, from sometimes as many as 30 different nations. During the Summer, Easter and Christmas breaks the facilities are used for Christian conferences and holidays.
Capernwray Harbour Bible School
Capernwray Harbour Bible School offers a unique mix of indoor and outdoor classes, hosting students from over 20 countries. During the summer recess period, over 3,000 participants engage in predominantly Christian-oriented holiday courses.Bible Schools
- Albania
- Udhëkryq - Erseka, Kolonjë
- Australia
- Austria
- Tauernhof, Schladming, Styria
- Schloss Klaus, Klaus, Upper Austria
- Canada
- Capernwray Harbour Bible Centre, BC
- Porteurs du Flambeau, Quebec
- Costa Rica
- Portantorchas, San Jose
- England
- Capernwray HallCapernwray HallCapernwray Hall is a former country house situated 3 miles ENE of Carnforth, Lancashire, England, and is currently used as a Christian bible school and holiday centre. The house has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building...
, Lancaster
- Capernwray Hall
- France
- Champfleuri - Le Champ prés Froges
- Germany
- Bodenseehof, Lake Constance
- Klostermühle, Koblenz
- Greece
- India
- Himalayan Torchbearers
- Indonesia
- Pondok Kepenrey
- Japan
- Torchbearers Yamanaka, Mount Fuji
- New Zealand
- Monavale, Cambridge
- Romania
- Purtatorii de Faclie - Brasov
- Spain
- Rio Vida, Alicante
- Switzerland
- Hinterholz
- Sweden
- U.S.
- His Hill, Texas
- Ravencrest Chalet, Colorado
- Timberline Lodge, Colorado