About TMF

The Institute for Third Millennium Faith was launched in January 2007 on the campus of Wesley Biblical Seminary and today it is a signature program of the school. It was birthed as the result of a long and growing burden in the heart of its founder Steve Blakemore, Ph. D. Central to the mission of the institute is the desire to bridge the gap that so often exists between the practice of Christian ministry and the activity of theological reflection. We strongly believe that the only way for Christians of Western Culture in the 21st century (the third millennium of Christian history) to overcome the corrosive effects of postmodern ideology and superficial spirituality is through a rediscovery of the historic faith of the Church, coupled with a renewed commitment to practice moral and intellectual virtues that are based on the theological vision of God and life in Christ which informed the life of the Church in its first millennium.

The first millennium is not chosen arbitrarily nor sentimentally -- as though it were a time with an unambiguous practice of Christian faith. Rather, this era represents the time of the undivided church (before the split between East and West) during which there was a much greater unity of faith before the Church of Jesus Christ began to be fragmented.

During the first 500 years of Christianity, not only was the canon of scripture decided, but also through many councils the leaders and theologians of the Church defined the essence of orthodox faith. Subsequent Church councils further spelled out the theological implications of Christian doctrine. This ancient practice of calling councils produced a "consensual Christianity," expressed most fully in the theological declarations of the first seven ecumenical councils.

  • The First Council of Nicaea -- 325 AD
  • The First Council of Constantinople -- 382 AD
  • The First Council of Ephesus -- 431 AD
  • The Council of Chalcedon -- 451 AD
  • The Second Council of Constantinople -- 553 AD
  • The Third Council of Constantinople -- 680-1 AD
  • The Second Council of Ephesus -- 787 AD

Whether we speak of Evangelicals, mainline Protestants, Anglicans, Roman Catholics, or the Orthodox there is a core of doctrine that is life-sustaining and which has serious implications for our living and our proclamation which must be rediscovered. Third Millennium Faith as an organization is motivated by the conviction that the Church of the 21st century must rediscover the essence of the "faith once delivered to all the saints" as revealed in the witness of Holy Scripture and codified in the ecumenical councils, commented upon by the early Fathers of the Church and expressed in ancient liturgies. This conviction shapes not only our sense of mission, but guides our values, and emboldens our ecumenical spirit. As a theological "think-tank" and teaching ministry rooted in the Wesleyan tradiation, we will make common cause with any and all who desire to confess the orthodox faith, "once delivered to all the saints."

What must be rediscovered in our age by believers is that Christian faith is not primarily a system of belief or a worldview, much less a "spiritual experience." Our faith is a way of life that lays claim upon on us intellectually, volitionally, politically, culturally, and morally. Third Millennium Faith wants to play a strategic role in the recovery of the true theological-spiritual task of being the Church.