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Spes Christiana
Table of Contents Download
Editorial
Reinder Bruinsma
First Published June 2021; pp. 3-6
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Second Journey
Michael Pearson
doi 10.17613/yaba-r551
First Published June 2021; pp. 7-26
This article describes in an essay-style the spiritual journey of the author since mid-life. It includes changes in ideas, practices, questions, and also answers. This whole journey is guided by the desire to encounter God on a personal level and to be authentic at every step. A relentlessly honest essay about the love of God and a love for God’s family.
Spiritualität als Beziehung:
Das Gott-Mensch-Verhältnis unter der Perspektive der Relational Models Theory
Philip Nern
doi 10.17613/qsra-5e07
First Published June 2021; pp. 27-60
Eine bedeutsame Perspektive auf Spiritualität ist die der Beziehungsgestaltung zwischen Gott und Mensch. Die Relational Models Theory ermöglicht, die Sprache über diese Beziehung vier grundlegenden menschlichen Beziehungsverhältnissen zuzuordnen. Im Neuen Testament sowie in modernen Spiritualitätsentwürfen wird die Gott-Mensch-Beziehung demnach primär sowohl durch eine Sprache der Nähe als auch der Autorität bzw. Größe umschrieben. Diese Spannweite wird durch die Transzendenz Gottes sowie die Inkarnation Jesu plausibel. Andere Beziehungsmuster, die auf der Gleichwertigkeit oder aber eine Kosten-Nutzen-Kalkulation zwischen beiden Parteien aufbauen, können nur sekundär identifiziert werden. Insgesamt zeigt sich, dass Relationale Spiritualität nach biblischer Tradition einen dynamischen und vielgestaltigen Charakter aufweist, dabei aber nicht beliebig wird. Kritik an bestimmten Praktiken und Ansätzen tritt meist dann auf, wenn die Spannweite ungesund hin zu einer Seite aufgelöst wird.
Emerging Church and Seventh-day Adventist Spirituality
Peter Roennfeldt
doi 10.17613/p21t-pp66
First Published June 2021; pp. 61-86
Postmodernism challenges the church. The complexity of late 20th and early 21st century American evangelicalism was the environment for fresh Emerging Church conversations. Interest in Americanized Church Growth was waning, and church attendance was continuing to decline in spite of charismatic renewal. There was increasing frustration with the evangelistic ineffectiveness of the mega-church seeker models in reaching postmoderns, together with the growing realization that there were alternatives to inherited Constantinian models of church. It is a complex conversation. Some, who are faithful to biblical authority, doctrine and the eternal gospel of Jesus Christ, have sought to keep the focus on being both a missional and missionary movement. This article does not simply list what is right or wrong with Emerging Church, nor confine discussion to certain practices. It examines how Adventists have assessed this movement, and, in reflecting the author’s academic, professional and personal journey of ministry, it represents an Adventist response.
Adventism, Postmodernity and Spirituality
Reinder Bruinsma
doi 10.17613/5jcv-q078
First Published June 2021; pp. 87-112
This article explores to what extent postmodern thinking has impacted the way in which spirituality is defined and experienced within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Before proceeding with the argument that we can indeed see a definite and substantial impact, the three essential terms (Adventism, postmodernity and spirituality) are defined and a short overview is given of the impact of postmodernity on life in the era in which we now live. Then attention is given to developments (under the influence of postmodernity) in the domain of spirituality, and, in particular, to the increase of spirituality outside the church. Some wider trends in the ecclesial world are reflected in Adventism.
Of special importance is the fact that most expressions of Adventist spirituality have traditionally been channeled into institutionalized forms and, in general, the church’s leadership has become extremely concerned about new approaches they cannot control and that emphasize religious experience at the expense of doctrine. This concern, the author contends, has manifested itself very clearly in reactions toward Spiritual Formation and The One Project. The author believes this is one of many clear indications of a deep divide between modern and postmodern Adventism. Further study would be needed to either prove or disprove whether his thesis is correct and/or to what extent other factors, besides postmodernism, help to explain recent and contemporary developments in the domain of spirituality.
What Do You Do When Your Prophet Dies?
Abigail, the Medium of Endor and the Raising of Samuel
Laurence A. Turner
doi 10.17613/kd16-6t55
First Published June 2021; pp. 113-136
1 Sam. 28:3‒25 has long been a controversial biblical narrative. This narrative-critical analysis suggests that readers may gain insight into its meaning by reading it within the context of the books of Samuel. I argue that 1 Sam. 25 and 28:3‒25 share many common thematic and linguistic details which invite an intratextual comparison of the two narratives. In particular, the characters of Abigail and the medium of Endor, when read in light of each other and considering the characteristics of other adjacent chapters, as well as biblical representations of the practice of necromancy, predispose readers to be sceptical about the claims of the medium.
Kunstfehler Spiritualität
Andreas Bochmann
doi 10.17613/6zk1-f843
First Published June 2021; pp. 137-152
In seinem dialektischen Vortrag vertritt der Autor als Theologe die These, dass die Einbeziehung von Spiritualität in die Beratung ein Kunstfehler sei. In der Gegenthese argumentiert er als Sozialwissenschaftler empirisch, dass die Exklusion von Spiritualität in der Beratung ein Kunstfehler sei. In seiner Synthese empfiehlt er einen kritisch reflektierten Umgang auf der Metaebene, der ritualisiert und selektiv begrenzt ist.
Book Reviews
Is God Colour-Blind? Insights from Black Theology for Christian Faith and Ministry (Second edition)
Anthony G. Reddie.
London: SPCK , 2020. 152pp.
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Trust and Doubt: Perceptions of Divine Inspiration in Seventh-day Adventist History
Denis Kaiser.
St. Peter am Hart: Seminar Schloss Bogenhofen, 2019. 453pp.
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Ellen G. White: A Psychobiography
Steve Daily.
Conneaut Lake: Page Publishing, 2020.
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Bavinck: A Critical Biography
James Eglinton.
Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2020. 450 pp.
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The Doctrine of God: Introducing the Big Questions
John C. Peckham.
London: T&T Clark, 2020. 262 pp.
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Genesis: Seventh-day Adventist International Bible Commentary
Jacques B. Doukhan.
Nampa: Pacific Press, 2016. 544 pp.
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