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Editorial
Reinder Bruinsma
doi dx.doi.org/10.17613/t8hr-ng23
First Published June 2020; pp. 3-4
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Adventist Ethics? Laying the Groundwork for an Evolving Field
Stefan Höschele
doi dx.doi.org/10.17613/kp2k-s557
First Published June 2020; pp. 5-40
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Adventist ethics is an evolving field that, thus far, has lacked comprehensive theoretical grounding. Publications in this academic area fall into six major categories that reflect the importance of the Bible, denominational tradition, and cultural contexts; however, meta-ethics of an Adventist kind is yet to be developed. Therefore, this article proposes a paradigm building on the emphases of the extant body of literature, and calls this paradigm missional ethics. This approach is consistent with the essential aspects of Adventist theological tradition, is already exemplified in several significant publications, and encompasses themes of moral concern that are prevalent in the denomination’s Fundamental Beliefs.
A Theology of Pastoral Ministry from an Adventist Perspective
Walter M. Alaña Huapaya
doi dx.doi.org/10.17613/1469-cp08
First Published June 2020; pp. 41-70
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This article aims to review the main biblical texts that refer to the pas-toral function in the Old and New Testaments. In reviewing these texts as a whole, it is possible to identify a series of orientations that can contribute to the elaboration of a Theology of Pastoral Ministry from an Adventist perspective. There are some essential concepts that emerge from this study: (1) Jehovah is the pastor of his people par ex-cellence. (2) God decides to share the pastoral ministry with human pastors who are sovereignly elected by Him. (3) These human pastors are in charge of leading the church in fulfilling the mission that God shares with them. (4) The concept of pastoral leadership in the NT reaches its climax with the incarnation of the Son of God. (5) After the ascension of Christ, the apostles are in charge of leading pastorally the new church. (6) With the ministry of Paul, a ministerial paradigm focused on the fulfilment of the world mission was strengthened. (7) Later, the pioneers of the Adventist movement, with the guidelines of Ellen G. White, developed a pastoral model following the Pauline example.
The Dilemma of the Pastor in a Post-Modern Society
Rudy Van Moere
doi dx.doi.org/10.17613/cvf4-7726
First Published June 2020; pp. 71-84
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To what extent can the Bible, the Christian message, and especially the ministers, as their public representatives, have an impact upon our post-modern society? As public role models of God’s pathos, some leading biblical prophets demonstrated a strong conviction nourished by the basic texts of Israel’s heritage. Consequently, they stood firm for the authentic practice of God’s Torah with a stress on genuine tsedaqa or righteousness as the fundamental principle of social justice. Pastors, who see themselves as God’s servants, should therefore consult anew their own heritage, i.e. the roots of the faith of Jesus of Nazareth and of early Judeo-Christians. Their sympathy with God’s pathos for humanity will make them understand that the main point in religion is ethics, which need to be given priority above worship and dogmatism. It will help them to become effective debaters and strong partners of culture and therefore increasingly relevant public pastors.
Authority and Conscience: The Authority of the Denomination and the Freedom of the Pastor
Reinder Bruinsma
doi dx.doi.org/10.17613/vbnw-mw88
First Published June 2020; pp. 85-102
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The article firstly deals with church authority in general and with the way this is understood and functions in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. All church authority is delegated authority, and the church’s authority is always subject to God and the revelation in his Word. The Adventist governmental structure has not always sufficiently resisted authoritarian and hierarchical tendencies. The second part of this article focuses on the relationship between the pastor and his employing church entity. His freedom is limited, in terms of church policies and in expressing theologically unacceptable opinions. On the other hand, he cannot be expected to show blind obedience, and some forms of dissent can actually enrich the community. The pastor must listen to his conscience, but must in some cases expect to be disciplined. Any discipline requires great care, lest political elements and a denial of the right of critical thinking obscure the real issues.
Millennial Leadership: People, Participation, and Plurality
Bjørn Ottesen
doi dx.doi.org/10.17613/10zy-7p60
First Published June 2020; pp. 103-122
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This study attempts to find and describe a leadership style for a church organization that matches the needs and expectations of the generation called “Millennials.” Lessons are drawn from the work-place where employing entities have had to adapt to the strengths, weaknesses, demands and expectations of a generation that carries particular cultural trends. Leaning on research from the employment context and adding insights from two major theories on leadership, conclusions are drawn on how to lead, involve, engage and include Millennials in the life of the church. Conclusions point in the direction of a “softer” and more “feminine” approach to leadership, emphasizing collaboration, consensus, cooperation, accepting personal autonomy and participation – displaying modesty and humility.
Seeing is Believing: The Digital Bible and Bible Verses Online
Tom de Bruin
doi dx.doi.org/10.17613/5ba3-8477
First Published June 2020; pp. 123-152
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Millions of Bible verses are shared on Twitter every year. This article examines the Bible on Twitter, by looking at Bible verse images produced by three organisations: Faithlife/Logos Bible Software, Dutch Bible Society, and Graceway. I examine the way these three organisations mediate the Bible on social media. The outputs of these companies form the basis for an analysis of the hermeneutics of a visual, digital Bible. I analyse the way engagement with the Bible changes due to digitalisation, and in which ways the digital Bible influences (theological) authority. Ultimately, the power that the illustrator has in influencing the interpretation of biblical texts is emphasised.
Book Reviews
For the Least of These
Nathan Brown
Nampa: Pacific Press, 2019. 120 pp.
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Adventists and Military Service: Biblical, Historical, and Ethical Perspectives
Frank M. Hasel, Barna Magyarosi, and Stefan Höschele, eds.
Madrid: Safeliz, 2019. 225 pp.
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1919: The Untold Story of Adventism’s Struggle with Fundamentalism
Michael W. Campbell
Nampa: Pacific Press, 2019, 124 pp.
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J. N. Andrews: Mission Pioneer, Evangelist, and Thought Leader
Gilbert Valentine
Nampa: Pacific Press, 2019. 733 pp.
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Heavenly Realities: Temple/Sanctuary Cosmology in Ancient Near Eastern, Biblical, and Early Jewish Literature
Kim Papaioannou and Ioannis Giantzaklidis, eds.
Berrien Springs: Andrews University Press, 2016. 367 pp.
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Revelation
Sigve K. Tonstad
Paideia: Commentaries on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2019. 398 pp.
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L’Apocalypse de Jean
Richard Lehmann
Collonges-sous-Salève: Faculté adventiste de théologie, 2018. 602 pp.
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