Vision
The Verax Institute empowers Christians to shape their spiritual lives on the basis of sound biblical teaching and to proclaim the Gospel within their sphere of influence.
Mission
The Verax Institute is a theological institution dedicated to exploring the question of human salvation. Amidst the diversity of religious views, the Institute provides spiritual guidance from a Baptist-Reformation perspective.
Values
- The glory of God — God is at the centre; He created humankind, and to Him be the glory.
- Love for one’s neighbour — Concern for and commitment to one’s fellow human beings, so that they may find peace with God and be spiritually edified.
- Biblical orientation — God has revealed Himself in the Bible; it is the foundation of faith.
- Healthy congregations — The Reformation writings and the Baptist understanding of baptism contribute to a life pleasing to God.
- Resistance to spiritual deceptions — The study and analysis of trends lead to a deeper understanding of undesirable developments in communities and society and encourage people to form their own opinions.
Foundation of Faith
The Bible – the Old and New Testaments – is, in all its statements, divine revelation inspired by the Holy Spirit and is therefore the sole authoritative source of truth and faith, and holds unrestricted authority in every respect. It is the Word of God, which is completely reliable, factually accurate, true and free from contradiction in all areas.
Activities
The Verax Institute fulfils its mission under the slogan “Orientation in an Age of arbitrariness,” focusing on two key areas:
Promoting an understanding of the Bible:
Amidst the diversity of religious views, the Institute provides spiritual guidance. It does so through biblical teaching, exploring theological themes and assessing trends within church communities.
Researching and assessing global trends:
As a Christian apologist, Dr. Martin Erdmann takes a particular interest in the historical and conceptual development of various ideologies that have, over the past three centuries, alternately risen to become the dominant ideology in the Western world, taking forms shaped by their respective cultures and eras, with the aim of realizing utopian goals. Against this backdrop, he examines current affairs and addresses issues such as transhumanism, liberalism, and progress. In recent decades, mercantilism has reemerged as a dominant ideology, gaining significance as a religious, sociopolitical, and economic movement. Therefore, it is important to provide a well-founded Christian response.
Name
The term “verax” comes from the Vulgate, the Latin translation of the Bible, and means “true.” This word appears in the last book of the New Testament, Revelation (19:11), among other places. There, a rider seated on a white horse is described as such. The context makes it clear that this refers to Jesus Christ, who will return to earth with judicial authority. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Institute’s work is dedicated to this ruler of the world, who is also the savior of his people.