WELCOME TO THE NEW ISSUE OF CIBREST SCHOLAR: VOL.1, NO.5
By Prof Dele Alaba Ilesanmi
Abstract
The current structure of epistemic authority is dominated by three classical philosophical traditions, such as empiricism, rationalism, and constructivism, which have shaped modern research paradigms, including theology and biblical studies. These paradigms often operate independently of divine revelation, treating Scripture as secondary data, while non-Scripture-governed literature and methodologies function as primary interpretive authority. The purpose of this study is to develop Scriptural Realism as a theo-theoretical framework for constructing a Scripture-governed ontology, epistemology, and research paradigm within Biblical Research Studies. The paper argues that Scriptural Realism, as proposed in this study, asserts that reality is objectively created and sustained by God, partially accessible through general revelation, but fully and authoritatively known through divine revelation as inscripturated in Scripture and interpreted Christocentrically. The study avers that while secular research paradigms such as empiricism, rationalism, and constructivism offer partial accounts of knowledge, they remain insufficient for theological inquiry due to their exclusion of divine revelation as epistemic authority. The research argues for a reconfiguration of these foundational constructs under the authority of Scripture, proposing that reality (ontology) is God-defined, knowledge (epistemology) is divinely revealed, and research paradigms must be faith-governed. The research adopts a Scripture-governed methodology, employing Scriptural Review as its primary methodological tool, together with exegetical and conceptual analysis. It concludes that Scriptural Realism provides a coherent, Christocentric, and revelation-governed framework in which ontology, epistemology, and methodology are unified under Scripture as the final interpretive authority.
Keywords: scriptural realism, theo-theoretical framework, scripture-governed research, ontology, epistemology, research paradigm, biblical research studies, christocentrically.
NOTICE OF MASTER'S, DOCTORAL AND POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP 2026
International Journal of Biblical Research Studies (IJBRS) publishes Scripture-Governed Research Papers monthly free of charge with an affordable APC.
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👉Submission Deadline: 15th of every month 2026 👈
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ChristoPress Institute of Biblical Research Studies and Theological Education (CIBREST) provides a progressive scholarly pathway for those called to Biblical Research, Theology, Biblical Christian Education, and Scripture-Governed interdisciplinary scholarship. Our programmes are Scripture-governed and research-based from Certificate to Doctoral and Postdoctoral levels in any field: sciences, arts, humanities,etc.
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CIBREST — Advancing Knowledge Under the Supreme Authority of God’s Word and Raising Scripture-Governed Research Scholars for Kingdom Impact.
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For further details, contact:
President-Chancellor, Professor Dele A Ilesanmi on +234-8062197040 (WhatsApp only)
CIBREST announces its Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
🎓 FREE POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
As the CIBREST Postdoctoral Research Scholars Set 2026 begins its Scripture-Governed Research Voyage, we warmly invite doctoral degree holders to advance their scholarly expertise, strengthen their research capacity, and deepen their contribution to biblical and theological scholarship through the CIBREST Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Appointment.
📚 PROGRAMME DETAILS
– Monthly Stipend : Available after the fellow meets the requirements for qualifying publication(s), in accordance with the fellowship’s terms and conditions.
For full programme details, eligibility, structure, and fellowship information, visit here.
🚀 JOIN THE 2026 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH SCHOLARS SET*
👉 Join the CIBREST Postdoctoral Research Scholars Set 2026: 👇👇👇
WhatsApp here
Orientation begins soon!
Do not miss this opportunity to join a community of scholars committed to rigorous, Scripture-Governed research and the advancement of knowledge under the supreme authority of God’s Word.
Our mission: Advancing Knowledge Under the Supreme Authority of God’s Word and Raising Scripture-Governed Research Scholars for Kingdom Impact.
Motto: Changing the World Through the Word
🎓 CIBREST Postdoctoral Research Scholars Set 2026
📖 Scripture-Governed Research Voyage
🌍 Scholarship • Research • Excellence • Kingdom Impact
Welcome aboard!
WELCOME TO THE NEW ISSUE OF CIBREST SCHOLAR: VOL.1, NO.4
Abstract
The biblical legitimacy of polygamy and polygyny remains one of the most contested questions in Christian theological ethics and biblical interpretation in recent times. While the Scriptures record multiple instances of plural marriages among patriarchs, kings, and covenantal figures, the theological significance of these narratives remains debated. Does the biblical presence of polygamy and polygyny imply divine approval, or does Scripture merely describe such arrangements without prescribing them as normative? This study addresses that question through a Scriptural Realist Approach, integrating the Delean Laws of Scriptural Review, the Grounded Truth Theory (GTT)’s Seven-Dimensional Analytical Matrix, and the Law of Scriptural Descriptive–Prescriptive Distinction as complementary hermeneutical and theological tools. The study argues that the mere biblicality of polygamy or polygyny does not automatically establish its biblical legitimacy. Through scriptural review, canonical synthesis, and theological discernment, this paper demonstrates that plural marriage in Scripture is predominantly descriptive rather than prescriptive and that the canonical trajectory of Scripture consistently points towards monogamous covenantal union as God’s creational, Christological, and eschatological ideal. By distinguishing divine accommodation from divine endorsement, this study seeks to provide a Scripture-governed framework for evaluating difficult ethical issues and contributes to the advancement of Scriptural Review as a distinct biblical research methodology.
Keywords: biblical legitimacy of polygamy and polygyny, a scriptural realist approach, delean law of scriptural descriptive-prescriptive distinction, casuistic law, apodictic law, delean laws of scriptural review, delean grounded truth theory (gtt).
WELCOME TO THE NEW ISSUE OF CIBREST SCHOLAR: VOL.1, NO.3
Abstract
Grounded Truth Theory (GTT) is a faith-governed research theory designed purposely to guide biblical-theological inquiry. This paper aims to introduce GTT as a biblical-theological research model with methodological functions, utilising two epistemic modes—inductive and deductive modes—to discern, test, and validate theological truths from a biblical frame of reference. Unlike secular models, which often rely on human reasoning or social data, GTT prioritises Scripture as the primary source, standard, and validator of truth. The theory asserts that all truth claims must be inductively derived, deductively tested, and validated from Scripture under the authority of divine revelation. The study introduces GTT, outlining its philosophical and theological underpinnings, highlighting its methodological function, and demonstrating its practical application across canonical texts. By integrating scriptural review, critical exegesis, and canonical coherence, the study adopts biblical-theological methodology grounded in the principles of sola scriptura. GTT enables scholars to construct theological knowledge in a manner faithful to divine authority while remaining rigorous, systematic, and academically credible. The work positions GTT as a framework for biblical research, displaying its relevance, applicability, and potential to advance faith-centred scholarship. The findings reveal that GTT prevents scriptural distortion, supports scriptural fidelity, and facilitates theological understanding. The paper recommends GTT for all theological institutions, churches, and Christian ministries. Read the details here
WELCOME TO THE NEW ISSUE OF CIBREST SCHOLAR: VOL.1, NO.2
This edition explores Bibliogogy as an emerging Scripture-governed educational discipline: its purpose, conceptual foundations, theological architecture, methodological commitments, and implications for biblical education, discipleship, and theological institutions.
The author of this work, Professor Dele Alaba Ilesanmi, develops Bibliogogy as a Scripture-governed discipline of Biblical Education. The central argument is that biblical education needs a comprehensive framework whose assumptions about the learner, knowledge, instruction and educational purpose arise from divine revelation rather than merely importing secular educational assumptions.
The study presents Bibliogogy as more than a teaching technique. It proposes an overarching educational discipline that studies, develops, and applies biblical principles of teaching, learning, interpretation, application, spiritual formation, and faith transmission.
The article places Bibliogogy within a wider family of concepts associated with the author’s work, including Theogogy, Christogogy, Pneumagogy and Apostogogy, presenting these as foundational instructional realities that can be integrated within a broader biblical educational framework. Read more here
What is Bibliogogy: A Scripture-Governed Discipline of Biblical Education
By Dele Alaba Ilesanmi
WELCOME TO THE FIRST ISSUE OF CIBREST SCHOLAR: VOL.1, NO.1
CIBREST Scope and Scripture-Governed Research Statement
Prof Dele A Ilesanmi, President-Chancellor/Disciplementor
Is CIBREST Only for Theologians, Bible Scholars, and Biblical Educators?
In this CIBREST Scholar Newsletter edition, Professor Dele Ilesanmi explains that CIBREST programmes, including its postdoctoral programme, are not exclusively for theologians, biblical Christian educators and scholars, but are open to scholars and researchers across disciplines. Read the details here
Institutional newsletter
CIBREST Scholar
The official newsletter of the ChristoPress Institute of Biblical Research Studies and Theological Education
- Publisher
- CIBREST
- Frequency
- Fortnightly
- Format
- Online, PDF
- Published in
- Nigeria
CIBREST Scholar carries the Institute's regular record of biblical research and theological education: research in progress, scholar profiles, institutional developments, academic programmes, conferences, seminars, workshops, fellowships, publications, scholarly achievements and open research opportunities.
Each issue combines original articles written by scholars in the field with notices of what is coming next. A new issue appears once every two weeks. Special Bulletins are issued between numbers whenever an institutional, scholarly or public-interest development calls for it. Every issue is free to read online and free to download as a PDF bulletin for circulation, teaching and citation.
Current issue
Grounded Truth Theory in the classroom: first reports from the pilot cohort
The lead article reports how the Institute's testing methodology is being taught to first-year research students, with responses from three supervising faculty.
- Editorial: what a research institute owes its students
- Scholar profile: Prof. Dele A. Ilesanmi on Bibliogogy
- IJBRS call for papers, closing 15 September
- Fellowship intake: what the review panel looks for
- Diary: seminars and workshops to December 2026
CIBREST Scholar Newsletter Archives - Hosted in IJBRS and CIBREST Scholar Repository - Coming Soon!
2026
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Vol., No.
The Theory of Progressive Learning (TPL): A Scripture-Governed Theo-Theoretical Framework Derived from Proverbs 1:5 for Biblical Education and Lifelong Learning
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Vol., No.
Writing Effective Abstracts in Scripture-Governed Research: A Biblical Research Scholar’s Guide
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Vol., No.
Writing Effective Keywords for Academic Papers in Scripture-Governed Research: A Biblical Research Scholar’s Guide
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No.
Theological education and the question of method
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No.
Faith theology and the limits of empirical enquiry
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No.
Inside the Biblical Research Summit: fifty scholars, three questions
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No.
Inaugural issue: why CIBREST publishes
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