What is a Bible Chair?

The term “Bible Chair” is an adaption of a term commonly used in colleges and universities. A “chair” can be established in any department to draw students due to the subject matter or the professor teaching in that position. In Amarillo the Bible Chair is not directly on campus but nearby and funded entirely by churches and individuals. Students can obtain an associate degree in religion accredited by Amarillo College. Amarillo Bible Chair is the only Chair at Amarillo College that teaches Bible courses for credit toward a religion degree. The academic classes are taught by William Mural Worthey. These students can then transfer to a university and pursue a bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in religion.

The History of the Amarillo Bible Chair

The Amarillo Bible Chair was founded in 1972 by Gordon Downing and the San Jacinto church of Christ in Amarillo. Brother Downing directed the activities of the Bible Chair for four years, and the San Jacinto church has continued their support of the work for almost fifty years (1972-2022). We have had three churches in Amarillo oversee the Bible Chair over this period. They are San Jacinto church of Christ, Comanche Trail church of Christ, and Bell Avenue church of Christ. We have had a number of directors over the years. Following Gordon Downing, they are Dean Morgan, Wayne Wilks, Jerry Klein, Wyatt Fenno, Mark Johnson, Bobby Boaldin, Frank Bellizzi, Jerry Klein (second term), and Mural Worthey.

SEPTEMBER 2025 REPORTER

The Amarillo Bible Chair facility is located at 2501 S Jackson Street, across the street from Amarillo College. The building is used for students to gather for Christian fellowship, counseling, devotionals, lectures, Bible classes, fellowship meals, and to extend our presence and Christian influence among Amarillo college students, staff and community. We also host a Christian Club on campus known as Kappa Chi, which stands for Christian fellowship. William Mural Worthey is the director of the Amarillo Bible Chair. Mural has been the Bible Chair Director since the summer of 2017 and serves as sponsor of Kappa Chi, our Christian club on campus. He also is an instructor in the Philosophy Department of Amarillo College.

Director's Report

Fall (2) students are now completing their registration for classes that begin on October 27th. 22 students signed up for “Life of Paul” and 25 for philosophy. For both sessions, Fall 1 and Fall 2, I have 99 students for in-person and online classes. I am regularly recording lectures for my online students in the religion courses.

Beginning soon, we plan to add an emphasis on learning some Greek words at each of our Kappa Chi (meaning “fellowship in Christ”) club meetings. I want to introduce them to useful books and doing simple research in the Greek language. Several students have expressed an interest in this area of biblical studies.

In our recent weekly lunch meetings and fellowship, one student asked a thoughtful question about transgenders. That is, how should Christians respond to people involved in same gender and transgender relationships. No doubt this question was of interest due to the recent murder of Charlie Kirk and his teaching on college campuses concerning such behavior. The Bible Chair offers many such opportunities for teaching and pointing students to Christ and Scripture for answers.

Many of these questions occur before and after classes or during informal lunches. Those asking the questions most often are not challenging or opposing but wanting to understand. I appreciate these opportunities to teach that you provide by supporting the Bible Chair.

Crucifying Jesus Again!

“If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance, seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to open shame.” (Heb. 6:6, KJV) The ESV reads, “And then have fallen away . . .”

This is the only text in the Bible that says something about crucifying Jesus again. No, this does not mean that it is done literally or physically. However, it is not just hypothetical or imaginary. It is real and painful to Him.

The sermon to the Hebrews, or young Jewish Christians, is to urge them to go on to maturity and not turn away from the Gospel. He wrote, “We are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of those that believe to the saving of the soul.” (Heb. 10:39.)

We should ask why these sincere, powerful warnings about falling away if such is not possible? Why say anything about crucifying Jesus afresh if no one has ever done it or can do it?

Someone made a ten-point comparison of the first and second crucifixion of Jesus. Here is a summary of some of those points.

The first crucifixion was done by the enemies of Jesus, the Jewish leaders who compelled the Romans to crucify Him. The second one is done by His followers who confessed faith in Him.
The first crucifixion was done in the first century around 30 AD. It was done only once never to be repeated physically. The second crucifixion has been done many times by many followers who turn back to the world.
The first one was necessary for man to be reconciled to God. Jesus prayed, “Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me.” But it was necessary for our salvation. The second one was not necessary and should never happen. The second one is a sin against the Christ and God.
When Jesus was crucified the first time, He prayed from the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34.) Paul likewise wrote that the rulers did not know what they were doing. (1 Cor. 2:8.) The second time it is done consciously and knowingly.
Both crucifixions put Jesus Christ to an open shame before the world and before our friends and families. Jesus feels the pain when we turn away saying, Crucify Him!

Kappa Chi

Kappa Chi has a strong presence on the Amarillo College campus, currently averaging 40 members. Kappa (K) is the first letter in the Greek word for fellowship, and Chi (X) is the first letter in the Greek word for Christ. Thus, Kappa Chi stands for “Fellowship in Christ.”

Membership is open to any AC student who wants to be a member. There are no dues; but the members are expected to help pay for the parties, retreats and trips in which they choose to participate. Club t-shirts are available for purchase. Send an email to amarillobiblechair@gmail.com if you would like to join the club. . Mural Worthey is the faculty sponsor.

On Tuesdays of the regular semester, we have a lunch meal for our Kappa Chi students and enjoy fellowship with one another. This gives us an opportunity to talk about biblical subjects. New students often ask about the meaning of a Bible Chair and how we function on a state college campus.

Our 2024 Fall graduation was held in the Civic Center in Amarillo on Friday evening, December 13. We honored one of our graduates at the Bible Chair on Saturday. Norma prepared a meal for her family and afterward we took pictures with Donna Warner. I expressed to her family that we appreciated her dedication in her biblical studies. For the past several years she completed her studies at AC while battling cancer. She introduced several of her family members to the Bible Chair and our classes. Some of these have plans to enroll for Spring 2025.

I want you to know of my appreciation for your support of the Bible Chair. I let my classes know how the Bible Chair exists at a State Community College. From them, thank you!