MinistryA Magazine for Clergy/July 1 982 ••

Conquering the Clock Letters

Morris Venden s series on What Jesus Said receives both criticism and praise one reader seeing in his March article seeds of ((specious heresy." Computers in the church continue to generate comments.

More on computers in church Therefore, money spent for programs or faith. The seed (justification) or basis of I would like to comment on the pur modifications is usually lost if you decide to our salvation bears fruit (holiness) that chasing of computer services, suggested as buy your own system later. Also, most includes Bible study, witnessing, and an alternative to purchasing hardware in users of data services use telephone com prayer. Dr. Moon's article "Computers Come to munications to achieve reasonable turn I could not say what the author says: Church" (March, 1982). All of the cau around times, and phone-line costs can "When a person has lost his relationship tions given there concerning the acquisi exceed the costs of in-house equipment. with God he has lost his righteousness, as tion of software for your own hardware are The chances of realizing a good return well, as far as God is concerned." A equally applicable when considering the on an investment in computing for Christian's righteousness before the heav use of a computer service organization. churches are best if a local member has the enly Father is much more sure than the The packages offered seldom fit the uses time and aptitude to develop or modify fluctuating state of his commitment to you have in mind. Most successful data programs as needed. I can't imagine a Bible study, witnessing, and prayer. I fear servicers cannot afford to alter their situation in which the minister himself that Venden's emphasis on the relation programs to fit each user. If they are willing should invest the time to program or ship the Christian is to sustain with Christ to provide tailored programs, it is of course operate a computer.—Rod Leiske, Gold- has overshadowed the cardinal doctrine of expensive. Frequently, the programming endale, Washington. Christianity—justification by faith. Com language for the large systems typically munication is certainly important. It is not used by a service vendor is not compatible As a controller of a firm specializing in a substitute for the cross, nor can it ever with a smaller system such as you might the financial needs of churches and clergy, compare with that act. Any emphasis that later decide to purchase for your church. I was delighted with your article on upholds my wormy works of righteousness computers. Dr. Moon is quite right that "a at the expense of Christ's incomparable, An outstretched hand system that almost does what you need soaring works of righteousness is specious If you are receiving MINISTRY could end up costing thousands of dollars heresy, no matter how subtle it is.—Larry bimonthly without having paid for a of additional expense." That is why we Bunnell, Portland, Oregon. subscription, it is not a mistake. offer computerized bookkeeping and We believe the time has come for accounting services designed especially for People too clergy everywhere to experience a large and small churches. We also provide I have particularly enjoyed Morris Ven resurgence of faith in the authority tax preparation, financial counseling, and den's series "What Jesus Said ..." His of Scripture and in the great truths insurance and investment counseling for article "What Jesus Said About Faith and that reveal the gospel of our salva church professionals.—Eugene E. Poteat, Relationship" (March, 1982) did a fine job tion by grace, through faith alone in Downey, California. of illustrating how sin is best represented as Jesus Christ. Since 1928 MINISTRY Readers wishing more information on the separation between man and God. But has been designed to meet the needs services provided by Mr. Poteat©s company nowhere did he speak of the equally of Seventh-day Adventist ministers. can contact him by writing to Clergy Tax and important Biblical revelation regarding sin However, we believe that we have Financial Services, 9625 Lakewood Blvd., between persons. much in common with the entire Downey, California 90240. —Editors. According to our Lord, sin is most fully religious community and want to described as separation not only between share with you our aspirations and Specious heresy? God and persons but also between persons faith in a way that we trust will I found Morris Venden's article "What and other persons. To be out of relation provide inspiration and help for you Jesus Said About Faith and Relationship" ship with God is to be out of relationship too. (March, 1982) interesting, as the author with one's fellow man, and likewise to be We hope you will accept this always is. I have somewhat against the out of relationship with other people is to journal as our outstretched hand to article, however. I would be the first to be out of relationship with God.—W. Jay you. Look over our shoulders, take insist upon the importance of a Christian's Best, American Baptist Church, Miners- what you want and find helpful, and relationship with the Saviour, defined by ville, Pennsylvania. discard what you cannot use. Venden as "Bible study, prayer, and Bimonthly gift subscriptions are Christian witness." Surely nothing is more Belated correction available to all licensed and/or enabling to the struggling Christian and The article "How Old Is the World?" ordained clergy. Each request should more necessary to his advance in holiness (March, 1981) contains two unfortunate be on your church letterhead (if than these three works. I call them errors in column 3, page 25, that require possible) and include name, address, "works," for I believe that Venden does correction. 1. The basic Septuagint text denominational affiliation and posi not see them as such. These are practices specifies the number of Hebrew males who tion. Clergy outside the U.S. and that we do; they take effort and initiative moved with Jacob into Egypt as seventy- Canada please remit $2.00 postage. and continue through our lives. We are five in both Genesis 46:27 and Exodus 1:5. You may receive MINISTRY every assisted by the power of the Holy Spirit to 2. The oldest manuscript of the Samaritan month (the alternate issues as well as do these things, but the Holy Spirit never Pentateuch is in Hebrew, so it is incorrect the bimonthly ones) for only $16.95 does it all. We have a part in this holy to describe this text source as Aramaic.— per year.______living. These actions are the fruitage of R. H. Brown, Loma Linda, California.

2 MINISTRY/JULY/1982 EDITOR—————————————————————— ]. Robert Spangler EXECUTIVE EDITOR B. Russell Holt ASSOCIATE EDITORS Warren H. Johns W. B. Quigley Shirley Welch CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: A Magazine for Clergy/July 1982/Volume 55/Number 7 Robert H. Brown P. Gerard Damsteegt Raoul Dederen .Lawrence T. Geraty Roland R. Hegstad Conquering the Clock/4. You don't have to be a slave to the Arnold Kurtz Leo R. Van Dolson tyranny of the clock. Thomas L. Are is fighting back and CONSULTING EDITORS: regaining control of his life. It isn't easy, but he is making R. A. Anderson progress. C. E. Bradford Mervyn Hardinge, M.D. Struggling With Stress/6. Rebecca E. Hight. Stress is proba Richard Lesher Enoch Oliveira bly the pastor's number one internal enemy. But it can be held N. C. Wilson at bay and even be made to work for you! SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS: Donald Crane What Jesus Said About Perfection/8. Morris L. Venden, Arturo Schmidt Was Jesus serious when He said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even Paul Smith COVER: LUIS RAMIREZ as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48)? EDITORIAL SECRETARY: What did He mean, and how can we? Dorothy Montgomery ART DIRECTOR: Feeding the Sheep or Guarding the Goats?/10. Kevin ]. Byron Steele Howse. The youth pastor has a difficult balancing act to DESIGN AND LAYOUT: accomplish. He is expected to spiritually nurture the religiously Helcio Deslandes Gail Hunt inclined young people while at the same time running a CIRCULATION MANAGER: program that will appeal to the restive youth who are on their Robert Smith way out of the church. And he must do both without INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS: alienating the adult members! Africa-Indian Ocean, N. C. (Ted) Wilson Where Did Jesus Place the Seventieth Week?/12. Hans K. Australasia, A. N. Duffy Eastern Africa, Harry A. Cartwright LaRondelle. Euro-Africa, Johannes Mager Far East, James H. Zachary Spiritural Gifts in the Church Today/15. Richard Hammill. Inter-America, Carlos Aeschlimann The topic of spiritual gifts has been receiving increased North America, William C. Scales, attention by many churches as they seek to help members in Jr., Samuel Meyers Northern Europe, David E. Lawson Christian service. Yet we tend to be selective in the gifts we South America, Daniel Belvedere recognize. The Scriptures seem to indicate that we can expect Southern Asia, John Wilmott Trans-Africa, D. W. B. Chalale all the gifts to remain in the church until the need for them is swallowed up in eternity. Passion: The Indispensable Ingredient/18. Morris Chalfant. If the world is to be won for Christ, there is no substitute for a passion for souls. Reach Out and Touch Someone/20. James Coffin. MINISTRY (ISSN 0026-5314), the international journal of the Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial Should We Have a Loose-leaf Bible?/24. B. Russell Holt. Association © 1982, is published Reflections on the San Diego Congress on the Bible sponsored by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and printed by the International Council on Biblical Inerrancy. monthly by the Review and Herald Publishing Association, 6856 East Esther and History—1/26. William H. Shea. ern Avenue NW., Washington, D.C. 20012, U.S.A. Subscription The Greatest of These/28. Ruthie Self. A loving and lovable price, US$16.95 a year; single copy wife can do more than anyone else to make the parsonage a price, US$1.50. For each subscrip tion going to a foreign country or secure haven. Canada, add US$3.45. Prices sub ject to change without notice. MINISTRY is a member of the Associated Church Press and is indexed in the Seventh-day Adventist Periodical Index. Sec ond-class postage paid at Washing ton, D.C. Editorial Office: 6840 Eastern Avenue NW., Washington, D.C. 20012. Unsolicited manu From the Editor/24- Reader Service Page/30. scripts are welcomed and will be returned only if accompanied by a Biblical Archeology/26. Shop Talk/31. stamped self-addressed envelope.—— Shepherdess/28. Recommended Reading/32.

MINISTRY/JULY/1982 Fighting against the tyranny of time, this revved-up pastor still averages six days and five nights a week at the church. "But I'm doing better," he says! Could you use more control over your life too?____ Thomas L. Are Conquering the dock

w,le had just finished supper, and I was matter of time. He is expected to respond heading for a meeting when my wife to every request for his services, day or grabbed me. "Do you realize that it's been night. "I hate to bother you on your day thirty-two nights since you were home off, but..." constantly invades his private when the children went to bed?" she time. He seldom escapes the frustration shouted. "Where do we fit into your and anxieties of his working day, and more ministry?" ministers than ever are joining that grow I didn't know. "There's only one of me, ing alumni group of ministerial dropouts. you know!" I exploded, already frustrated Others who stick it out find their marriages by the never-ending demand on my time. falling apart. A friend of mine said, "All I get is pressure from home and "Honestly, Tom, if I don't get a break criticism from the church. I just don't have soon, I'm going to hurt somebody. I get so enough time!" angry at times, it frightens me." "You have twenty-four hours a day," she I do too, but I'm doing better. I have shot back, "just like everybody else. It's a made some changes that have put me more matter of priorities." in charge of my life. I never planned She was right, of course. I knew it then, for the rest of the day." We laugh, but we before. Every good manager knows that to and I know it now. If I were not careful, I also groan a little. He describes a bit of fail to plan is to plan to fail. Yet most could spend all my time at the church. I each of us. We seem to think the only way mornings I arrived in the office and picked guess I feel more competent as a pastor to succeed is to rush. up the first thing that caught my attention. than I do as a husband or father. At any An old man carefully drives along the Often before finishing it, I would switch to rate, I manage to average six days and five expressway at 40 miles per hour, cars zoom something else that needed doing. All day nights a week at the church. But even by, and drivers shake their fists as they risk long, I leaped from one chore to another that's better than it used to be! a chance to pass. He is a driving hazard. until time ran out. Then I complained I am the resident theologian, the father Finally, a patrolman pulls him over. about how time flies and what a busy of all church happenings, the local expert "Old man," he asks, "do you know why I person I was! in evangelism, stewardship, church man stopped you?" Of course I kept appointments, usually agement, and worship. I lead small groups, "Sure," says the old man as cars whiz by, five or ten minutes late. I spent half my teach classes, and make calls. Some days I "I'm the only one you could catch." traveling time rushing somewhere to be feel as though I direct as much activity as I'm afraid that if I slow up, I, like that late. It was hard to learn, but I finally had the control tower of the Atlanta airport, old man, will get caught. So I use long to admit that even when I planned a time and the eleven o'clock sermon comes every weekends and daylight saving time to to leave, I seldom left on time. I had week, ready or not. squeeze in more work. Some call it the programmed myself to be late. My second year in the ministry, I went "BMB" syndrome—"Behold Me Busy." Today, I keep a legal pad on which I to see the doctor, complaining of being It's as though I owe it to God to be tired. write out a daily schedule. I make it into a tired. "I even wake up tired," I told him. Yet it's foolish to think God finds joy in desk calendar with a page for each day, a "Tom," he said as he wrote out an my exhaustion. When I'm tired, I don't new pad for each month. I write down unusual prescription, "take this and you'll think clearly or relate well either to God or what I need to do on future days, such as be OK." It read: "Once a day for a week, other people, including my family. I tell prepare for a committee meeting, pick up drive into the heart of Greenwood Ceme myself that I work best under pressure. But shoes at the shop, or write a letter to Mr. tery. Look around. Take your time. Notice that's not true. I may work harder when I Brown. Some things I schedule months the tombstones. Then say aloud, 'Most of am pushing toward a deadline, but that ahead. these folks were convinced that the world doesn't mean I work better. The truth is, I Each morning I check my list for the day just couldn't get along without them.' don't work as well as I would have if I had and add to it the current things I carry in Slow up! You don't have to save the entire managed my time better, or, more accu my mind. I write them down, no matter world, not all by yourself." rately, if I had managed m^se/fbetter in the how impossible they might be to forget. I didn't take his prescription. And I'm time I have. Unlike money or talents, God This simple procedure eases the continual still tired. gives each of us an equal amount of time. rush-hour pace at which I am prone to live. I'm not the only one. Our whole society We are responsible to Him for our use of it. With a list visibly before me, it's easy to runs revved up. One pastor said, "I live at We never "make time" or "save time." We put things in order of importance. I used to such a pace that if I miss the first section of simply fit ourselves into the time we have. tackle the easiest things first, setting no a revolving door, it throws my schedule off Today's pastor is in trouble. One study priorities. Now, I concentrate first on the shows that the average workweek for a things that really count. If some nones- Thomas L. Are is pastor of the Shallowford parish pastor is 66.7 hours. I believe it. sentials are left undone, it's OK. I've still Presbyterian church, Atlanta, Georgia. Every pastor I know struggles with this had a productive day.

MINISTRY/JULY/1982 I even school myself to do the most good meal, go window shopping, spend responsibility is to me. This means I dreaded task first. Whether it's making a some time doing other things, eat blue- sometimes say No. phone call or working on some project I'd berry pancakes for breakfast, and come Even Jesus said No to some who sought rather not do, I get it out of the way first. home. We always have a fuss. Yet we talk His help. For His own reasons, He That makes the going easier for the rest of and share more in this short twenty-four "withdrew himself into the wilderness and the day. Otherwise, I postpone the hours together than we have in the prayed" (Luke 5:16), leaving behind a unpleasant chores and live all day with previous six weeks. At home the only time multitude who had sought Him out for them hanging over my head. we have to talk is late at night when the healing. Jesus paced Himself; He felt His "A clean desk is a sign of a sick mind," I children are in bed. By then we are tired, life was significant. He planned His min once jokingly said. I bragged about having and we just don't feel the same way about istry and took the time He needed for rest. a pile of work on my desktop for all to see. things when we're tired. I believe my life is important too. When But a messy desk clutters. Some of the Four years ago we went through a stage I speak to my governing board about my busiest executives I know keep everything in our marriage in which we had to time on and my time off, it's better for me out of sight except the one project on schedule one night a week to talk. No to announce than to request. No one else which they are currently working. I strive matter how late I came home, she would can possibly know what my commitments for that goal. But I'm not trying to become wait up, and we just talked. We belonged will allow and when my inner being an order nut. I am working for efficiency, to a small group of two members. demands that I have a break. not neatness. A cluttered desk causes I also plan prime time with each of my A pastor's emotional life is like a roller confusion and wastes precious time. children. It's impossible to be available to coaster. In one afternoon I move from the I try to answer or discard all correspond all four of them at once; someone always low of conducting a friend's funeral, to ence as it's received. This keeps me from feels left out. (Usually the older ones, hearing a parishioner's verbal attack, to having to reread it. If I need more because the little ones demand my atten celebrating marriage with a young couple. information before it can be answered, I tion. ) So I have a night out with Tommy. Sometimes I need to get off the track, and begin to research it or schedule in my We go to a ball game or do whatever it's not fair to me to have to get someone legal-pad calendar when I will deal with it. Tommy wants to do. It's just the two of us, else's OK before I can stop for a while. Two other mistakes I sometimes still and we can talk without interruption. The My friend John, who serves a neighbor make have nothing to do with the calen next free night will be dad's night with ing church, limits his workweek to four dar. Martha for shopping or eating out. Gene is teen units. Each day has three units; First, I often eat too much lunch. Then retarded. Going with him to the mall or morning, afternoon, and night. If John for an hour or two, I'm dying to take a nap. watching planes take off at the nearby works Monday night, he will take off Though I stick it out at the office, I'm airport not only gives us time together but Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. sluggish. I feel better if I have a light lunch. allows a more relaxed time back home. He claims seven units a week as his own. My waist does too, but that's another Gene loves to go. Then after special time Another friend in ministry takes the first chapter. with Jim, I start over. seven days of each quarter as vacation. His The most lasting mistake I make and the This kind of private time with dad also contract allows a month each year, so he most difficult for me to overcome is feeling helps the children understand when I say I claims the first week every quarter. No guilty about the things I don't get done. I need some time to be alone with mother. matter on which day it starts, he comes come home at night carrying a burden for On the Christmas tree, I hang lOU's to back on the eighth day. "It's great," he told people I did not see and things I did not do. my family: "This card entitles Jimmy to a me. "I'm always either just getting home If guilt were a positive influence and night of bowling with dad" or "This card is from a vacation or getting ready to go on motivated me to do better, it might be good for one fishing trip." It's imperative one." worth the destructive agony I carry inside. for all of us "too busy" people to make time I don't need, nor can I manage, that But guilt never helps. It blocks. Perfec for our families. And to make it count! much time. But I have discovered this: If I tionism grows out of my insecurity, not my I have learned to so value our time do my job, if I lead exciting worship faith. It's the result of my fear that God together that I caA say No to outsiders. services, if 1 communicate to the members won't accept me unless I earn it. One woman will not speak to me now of the congregation that I care for them, if The good news of Jesus Christ is that we because I once said, "I'm sorry, but I just I plan programs they can look forward to, if are valuable to God because He loves us, don't have time to pray at horse shows!" I see that we have good Christian educa not because we perform. He does not load Sometimes, for the sake of a relationship, I tion and manage to keep a balanced us down; He sets us free. will do things because of a friend's interest. budget, then 1 can do anything else I need to Contrary to the impulse to make every But other times I have to take care of do without criticism. However, let me fail in minute count, I now think it's important myself by not burning out on low-priority any of these "rent-paying" responsibilities, to waste a little time. It keeps rne from requests. and I can't seem to do anything without taking myself too seriously, and it gives me There was a time when I thought it was someone's reaction. My time off relates an opportunity to think and reorganize. A worth any price to have people say, "Tom directly to the quality of ministry I offer. certain subconscious quality comes into sure is a good guy!" But I'm not Superman, These changes I've made in life style play when I am out of gear that enables me and I can't live up to everyone's expecta make me a better pastor than I was when to work more efficiently later. God seems tions. That means I admit rny limitations working thirty-two nights in a row. And to get through to me best when I have and take charge of my own life. Part of my it's better at home, too! stopped. God gives us one day in seven to rest. Even Jesus, with all He had to do in such a short time, took time to rest. He said, "Come . . . apart. . . , and rest a while." Contrary to the impulse to make every Our generation seems to be coming apart; we just don't rest! minute count, I now think it©s important to I have learned to schedule time for rest and to protect it. From time to time, I slice waste a little time. It keeps me from out a day or two. My wife and I get a live-in taking myself too seriously, and it gives me baby sitter and go to a motel. We'll do something together that we like to do: eat a an opportunity to think and reorganize. MINISTRY/JULY/1982 D es this seem familiar? You're sitting new couples who were in church. Oh! I Do you find yourself at your desk preparing next week's sermon. almost forgot. The church board is having But the thoughts swirling through your an important meeting tonight. And this snapping at your mind won't let you concentrate: "I prom sermon isn't falling into place! I wish there spouse or secretary? ised to speak at the nursing home this were more hours in the day!" afternoon. And I haven't visited those two Too much to do, too little time to do it Do you feel under in. This complaint is not unique to the pastoral ministry. Members of other help constant pressure to Rebecca E. Hight, a registered nurse and ing professions—nurses, social workers, pastor's wife, does free-lance writing in her counselors, workers in suicide-prevention do more, try harder, "spare time" from her home in Marion, and drug-abuse centers—recognize the Ohio. phenomenon as "burnout." Demands on go faster? Does their time and energy, combined with everyone, including I their dedication to helping others in need, are causing these talented and committed yourself, expect too • persons to experience stress and burnout at an alarming rate. much of you? Stress is a part of every life. In fact, most of us would be bored if no stressful situations ever enlivened the everyday Rebecca E. Hight routine. Psychologists T. H. Holmes and R. H. Rahe list some of the more stressful stress events of life on their social readjustment rating scale: death of a spouse, divorce, a jail term. But marriage, marital reconcilia tion, and retirement also appear on the list, indicating that events that are usually perceived as happy occasions can produce as much stress as unhappy incidents. So stress in itself is neither good nor bad. It is our reaction to it that makes stress either a positive or a negative influence. If recognized and dealt with in a positive fashion, stress can become a significant growth experience. But if stress is pro longed and unrelieved, if the energy used in dealing with it is turned inward in a nonproductive way, the results can be harmful. The individual may become burned out, disillusioned and discouraged, indifferent to the work he formerly enjoyed. Some years ago, Drs. Meyer Friedman and R. H. Rosenman established that a certain personality (which they called "Type A" behavior) was directly related to a higher-than-average rate of heart dis ease. (See Type A Behavior and Your Heart, [Greenwich, Conn.: Fawcett Publica tions, 1975].) Characteristics of the Type A personality include a compulsion to accomplish several tasks at the same time (such as signing letters while talking on the telephone), impatience, competitiveness, and a constant feeling of time pressure. The Type A person is always in a hurry. He shows tension through posture (sitting on the edge of the chair) and behavior (tapping a foot or a pencil, clenching fist or jaw muscles). His conversation is accented by tense, energetic gestures. Many ministers see some of these characteristics in themselves. With these built-in personality traits, plus the perva sive stress of their profession, such minis ters may be prime candidates not only for heart disease but for other health problems that physicians have linked directly to stress: colitis, ulcers, asthma and other allergies, fatigue, back strain, headache, and depression. Placed in a stress'produc-

6 MINISTRY/JULY/1982 ing situation, the minister may respond longer hours, studied harder]. I must not nonthreatening way. Recognize your tal with hasty and frustrated behavior that fail!" No one can meet all the needs of ents and use them well. Invest in meaning affects not only himself and his family but everyone who comes to him. Yet the ful relationships. Ministers need personal the very persons whom he most wishes to dedicated Christian minister may attempt friends; you may find new contentment in serve. to do just that, with little regard for his cultivating a few close and deep friend What can the busy clergyman do about own or his family's needs. It may be ships. the stress involved in the job? How can he necessary, though painful, to view disap lower his risk factor for physical and pointments and "failures" through the emotional problems? question: "Did I expect too much from I f you spend your lunch hours and It is important, first of all, to recognize myself in this situation?" morning breaks on church business, the sources of stress, to know exactly what If you suspect that you have a Type A change this habit. At least two or three gives you a headache or that feeling of personality, if the stresses and frustrations times a week schedule a quiet luncheon tightness in your chest, or causes you to of life are weighing heavily on you, if you (invite your spouse at least once a week) in snap impatiently at your secretary or your see yourself as a prime candidate for a spot far removed from the church-office spouse. burnout—consider some important revi atmosphere. Ban family and church prob sions in your daily schedule. There is no lems from the conversation. Consciously simple or easy way to change the habits you relax and enjoy this "time out." If you •hree major stress areas may affect the have built up over a lifetime. But a don't protect your time and energy, no one minister: (1) attempts to meet the needs of recognition of the problem, whether incip else will do it for you. many individuals; (2) tensions within ient or full-blown, is an important first A session of goal-setting may also be groups such as boards, committees, or the step. A desire to react to stress in different, helpful. Review your reasons for entering congregation; (3) unrealistic self-expecta more positive and creative ways can lead to the pastoral ministry. What aspects of your tions. a more productive life of Christian service. work do you believe are most important? The pastor's work is primarily that of a Consider awakening a half-hour or so Are you giving a large part of your time and healer, reconciler, and restorer. However, earlier in the morning. Use the extra time talent to those things? If not, what is not every person who comes for help is to eat a leisurely breakfast, read the preventing you from doing this? cured. This "failure" to work miracles may morning paper, or chat with your spouse You will relieve much frustration and cause the pastor/caregiver to feel uneasy, before leaving for work. Drive more slowly; resentment if you can reorder your time so personally responsible, or even subcon break the habit of trying to beat red lights that the things that count are getting your sciously angry toward the one who "re and pass slow drivers. If your busy schedule best efforts. Three questions might put fuses" to take good advice and be made has caused you to eliminate personal Bible your work in perspective: "Is this the most well. Being constantly available to others, study and prayer, try giving top priority important thing I can do right now?" "Will being concerned for their well-being, again to a short devotional time each day. this be important five or ten years from offering spiritual advice, all take their The feeling of peace and relaxation you now?" "Have I carefully considered the emotional toll. Small wonder that some gain may affect your reaction to stressful best way to do this?" pastors become burned out by excessive situations that come up during the day. Share with other ministers your demands (either their own or others') on Another important practice is a daily thoughts about what is helpful in manag energy, strength, and resources. Clergy exercise period. Walk, jog, do calisthen ing the stress of a busy life. They may offer and lay persons need to join together in ics, take up tennis or bicycling. Do new insights, and you may be able to help mutual support as they minister, having whatever you enjoy, but exercise your them as well. kindness and compassion for one another, body! You'll clear cobwebs from your mind If God has called you to your task as a looking out for one another's interests, not as you do. Relaxation is also important. pastor, then time is important and should just each for his own (see Phil. 2:1-4). Allow time for reading, listening to music, be used wisely. But the wisest use of time It is difficult to join individual person learning new interests or hobbies. Many and energy may be to establish priorities, alities, viewpoints, and methods into one pastors have no substantial interest in building in time for your own well-being, cohesive church board, staff, or committee anything besides the work of the church. for your family, and for reflection and that as a skilled team can work effectively Accept criticism without reacting communion with God. Reevaluate your toward common goals. Yet this is exactly defensively. At the same time, try to be perspective on a regular basis. If you what a pastor is often expected to do. objective. Some criticism deserves your approach your work calmly and at a When group members react to situations careful study and may motivate you to measured pace, knowing at the outset what based on their own emotional needs or make helpful changes. Not all criticism, you can realistically expect to accomplish, personal bias, the result may be stress-pro however, is lovingly motivated or well you will be a more effective worker in ducing—intolerant actions, defensive considered. Learn to recognize which kind God's kingdom and will enjoy a new behavior, and arguments. The group as a you are dealing with, and respond accord appreciation of the life He has given you. whole can support the pastor-leader in ingly. If you can make positive changes, do such cases by attempting to defuse the so; otherwise, put harmful remarks out of ' Bible texts credited to T.E.V. are from the situation in the spirit of Galatians 6:1-4: your head and go on about your business. Good ©News Bible Old Testament Copyright © American Bible Society 1976; New Testament: "My brothers, if someone is caught in any Practice expressing your own feelings Copyright © American Bible Society 1966, 1971, kind of wrongdoing, those of you who are clearly and directly, in a nondefensive, 1976. spiritual should set him right; but you must do it in a gentle way. And keep an eye on yourselves, so that you will not be tempted, too. . . . Each one should judge his own conduct" (T.E.V.).* The most demanding form of stress occurs when But the most demanding form of stress occurs when the pastor expects too much the pastor expects too much of himself, setting of himself, setting up a standard of behavior and effectiveness that is humanly up a standard of behavior and effectiveness impossible to achieve. "I must try harder. I that is humanly impossible to achieve. No one could help more people if only I cared enough [were more spiritual, worked can meet all the needs of everyone.

MINISTRY/JULY/1982 As beautiful and important as is the idea of forgiveness, the religion of Jesus encompasses something more a setting free from sin. And this victory is not relegated only to some future life among God and holy angels; Jesus makes it clear that perfection is to be ours here and now in a world given over to evil But even this, we must remember, is Christ©s victory, not ours. The righteousness He works out in us is still His righteousness and comes to us by faith. The moment we lose sight of that fact, perfection becomes perfectionism based on self. Morris L. Venden What Jesus said about perfection

the one who focuses his attention and a person is still gurgling and cooing at age everybody else's attention primarily on 20, we don't like it! perfection. The one who believes in Jesus allowed for stages of growth in the perfectionism is often the one who insists Christian life. This is very clear in Mark that the sinful nature is eradicated before 4:28: "First the blade, then the ear, after Jesus comes again and that we can not only that the full com in the ear." A blade can overcome but become sinless as well. I be a perfect blade, and an ear can be a would like to disclaim any identity with perfect ear. And the full corn in the ear can perfectionism. But the doctrine of perfec be not only perfect but mature as well. It tion is a good Bible doctrine, a solid Bible can be perfect at every stage of develop teaching, and Jesus Himself had something ment, just as we can be perfect at every to say about it. stage. But maturity indicates an ultimate We could begin with the statement that perfection. So, in a sense, when one tries Jesus made on more than one occasion, to explain Matthew 5:48 by exchanging "Sin no more" (John 5:14; 8:11). That the word perfect for the word mature, he has comes close to perfection, doesn't it? Jesus made Jesus' words even stronger. It could said, in Matthew 28:20, to teach them "to be easier to be a perfect baby than to be a observe all things whatsoever I have perfect adult. And I'm thankful for this commanded you." That also is pretty teaching of Jesus that there is perfection for complete. But Jesus made three major each stage of growth, because it just may be that some of us are still in one of these •Ferfection can be a dangerous subject. comments in this connection. The first is Dwelling on the topic can itself be a Matthew 5:48, the second is Matthew stages! One of the questions that usually come discouraging and defeating work. The 22:11, and the third is Matthew 19:21. up when we talk about the idea of reason is that when we talk about perfec Matthew 5:48, "Be ye therefore perfect, perfection is "Who's achieved it?" But that tion, our attention is almost invariably even as your Father which is in heaven is is a foolish question. We never measure focused inward on ourselves, and that's not perfect." It has been said that the word truth by our experience of it or by anybody where the power is. The power is always perfect in Scripture means nothing more else's experience of it. That is a form of outside of us. So, to deal safely with the than "mature." And it's true that the existentialism. It is a very naive approach question of perfection, it must be handled Greek word carries with it the idea of to truth—especially the truth of God—to lightly, once over, and be done with it. maturity. So some say that Jesus doesn't go around saying that a thing is impossible To begin with, we need a clear under really mean "perfect"; instead He means simply because I've never done it myself or standing of the difference between perfec "mature." But the word mature is actually a known personally of anyone who has. tion and perfectionism. Here is where we stronger word than perfect, because mature There are many people, in the generations need a glossary. I will hazard a definition: carries with it the idea of ultimate perfec of this world, who have reached God's The person who is involved in perfectionism tion. You can have a newborn baby, and it ideal. But the nature of perfection is such is the one who usually thinks of little else, can be a perfect baby that gurgles and coos. You can have a perfect 2-year-old, who sits that they would probably be the last ones on the curb and goes "blither, blither" to to know it, and we probably don't know Morris L. Venden is pastor of the College his friends. And he can be a perfect about them, either. But let's not decide it's View Seventh-day Adventist church, Lin 2-year-old. But if he were still doing that at impossible just because of this. coln, Nebraska. age 20, you would be a bit nervous! When In Christ "dwelleth all the fulness of the 8 MINISTRY/JULY/1982 Godhead," and the life of Jesus is "made perfection and the need for perfection, story of the young man who came to Jesus, manifest in our mortal flesh" (Col. 2:9; 2 study carefully Matthew 22. You may very wanting to know what he could do to enter Cor. 4:11). Through connection with well find more answers in that chapter, in into life. Jesus told him to keep the Christ, "the righteousness of the law" will Jesus' parable about the wedding garment, commandments. And the young man said, "be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the than anywhere else. The man who came to "All these things have I kept from my flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:4). the wedding without the wedding garment youth up: what lack 1 yet? Jesus said unto Jesus' life in us will produce the same kind had received the invitation. He had him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that of obedience that we see manifested in His responded to the invitation and was thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou life. accepted at the feast on the basis of that shalt have treasure in heaven: and come The religion of Christ includes more response. His subsequent dismissal from and follow me" (verses 20, 21). than forgiveness, as beautiful as that is. It the feast was because of his dishonoring the includes setting us free from sin, not just in king, and the king's son, by refusing to put some future heavenly life but here and on the garment that had been provided for I had real problems with that text for a now. This doesn't mean that we will no him free of charge. long time, because I said, "How can a longer be sinners. Even the apostle Paul We are all invited to the marriage supper person be perfect, and then come and said that he was the chief of sinners. But he of the Lamb, and all we have to do is accept follow Jesus?" It seemed to me that one didn't mean that he was sinning all the the invitation. Jesus paid it all, and the would have to get with Jesus first or he time. When Paul said in Romans 7:18, friendly arms of the cross still point the way could never hope to be perfect. But as 1 "How to perform that which is good, I find to the heavenly country. When Jesus took a deeper look at that text I began to not," he wasn't talking about external bowed His head and died on Calvary, He see that Jesus was telling him—telling works and performance, because in Phi- purchased the right to forgive everyone us—how to be perfect. Jesus is talking lippians 3 we find recorded a pretty good ever bom in this world who will accept His about much more than just money. Get rid track record of his success on the externals. forgiveness. We are all invited to the of whatever you have. You may be rich in He did not come short there. What Paul wedding. There is nothing that we can add talent. Stop depending upon your talent. was saying was that apart from God, to what Jesus has already done. "For by You may be rich in good looks and are inherently in himself, he was still a sinner. grace are ye saved, through faith; and that overcome every time you look in the And all of us will have to join him in that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not mirror! Get rid of your good looks. I mean, acknowledgment. of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. of course, get rid of your dependence upon 2:8, 9). them. Don't depend on your brains, or But what about the wedding garment? your education, or your social status, or of the confusion on the subject of In Revelation 19:6-8, we find the descrip anything else. Sell all that you have, in perfection comes from a misunderstanding tion of the marriage supper of the Lamb: terms of depending upon it. Get rid of all of the purpose of perfection. Perfection is "And I heard as it were the voice of a great the things that you depend on in any way not in any way the basis of our salvation. multitude, and as the voice of many as a substitute for depending upon Jesus. The purpose of perfection is to bring glory waters, and as the voice of mighty thunder- And come to Him, having given up on and honor to God. Matthew 5:16: "Let ings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God yourself. your light so shine before men, that they omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and And then follow Him. What was that may see your good works, and glorify your rejoice, and give honour to him: for the added for? Jesus said it in another place, Father which is in heaven." Psalm 23:3: marriage supper of the Lamb is come, and "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of "He leadeth me in the paths of righteous his wife hath made herself ready. And to men" (Matt. 4:19). He is talking about ness for his name's sake." The last group of her was granted that she should be arrayed following Him in service. No one can people, just before Jesus comes again, fear in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine follow Christ in service until he comes to God and bring glory to Him (see Rev. linen is the righteousness of saints." The the place of having given up on himself 14:6). One of the dangers of studying this Revised Standard Version says, "The fine and his self-dependence. subject has been the tendency to get the linen is the righteous deeds of the saints." * We will never become perfect by dwell impression that our perfection is what What are the righteous deeds of the ing upon being perfect. Whatever perfec saves us. That's not so. Jesus and the cross saints? What is the righteousness of the tion God has in mind for us will come only is what saves us. Obedience and Christian saints? Jeremiah 23:6 reminds us that it is when we dwell upon Jesus and look to perfection are to bring glory and honor to "the Lord our righteousness." So any kind Him. And the one who is the most Him, and if it is Christ dwelling within of righteousness that is seen in the saints is involved in trying to help someone else that makes it all possible, then it is God's still the Lord's work, isn't it? Therefore, it know Jesus is the one who will be dwelling work through us. We're not doing any of it isn't our righteousness; it's His righteous most upon Jesus himself. As we keep our ourselves (see Gal. 2:20). ness. But He offers to us both His eyes upon Jesus, the work He has begun in The Christian remains sinful by nature righteousness for us, in providing the our lives He will complete (see Phil. 1:6). until Jesus comes (see 1 John 1:8). This invitation, and His righteousness worked should not be a discouragement to the out in us, which is represented by the * From the Revised Standard Version of the Christian, because his standing in Christ wedding garment. Both are of faith, and Bible, copyrighted 1952, 1971 by the Division of rests on God's continuing justifying grace. both come from Him. Christian Education of the National Council of However, the last message of the Bible, in Finally, in Matthew 19 we have the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. the book of Revelation, speaks much about the overcomer. Obviously, it is the sinner who overcomes. What does he overcome? Primarily, he overcomes his practice of depending upon his own power, depending We will never become perfect by dwelling upon himself, and learns to depend upon God's power instead. This does not happen upon being perfect. Whatever perfection God has overnight, but results from the growing experience of the saved sinner as he in mind for us will come only when we dwell continues his daily relationship with God. upon )esus and look to Him. The work He has It is God's work, not ours. If you want to understand the subject of begun in our lives He will complete. MINISTRY/JULY/1982 Kevin ]. Howse Upon the youthful and inexperienced shoulders of the youth pastor rests a heavy load of responsibility. He is expected to have a formidable array of virtues and gifts, and a wisdom matching Solomon's. He is to wear the hats of evangelist, pastor, counselor, teacher, administrator, sports coach, and l(all-around nice guy." All of these expectations can cause an identity crisis. Is he supposed to be ... Feeding the sheep or guarding the goats?

••ach year nominating committees in program that will at the same time meet Some years ago I found myself caught in churches around the world spend a cumu the scrutinizing tastes and standards of the this youth pastor no-man's land betwixt lative millennium of time discussing how adult leadership and membership; (2) these conflicting expectations and pres to fill the youth leadership positions in the relate with the youth no one else can relate sures. For the first month I was besieged by church and with whom. The poor "volun to—those who are socially and religiously young and old, right and left, about what teer" (whose arm is in a cast from being alienated—while also identifying with and was expected of me as the new youth twisted) normally flounders around for supporting the church institution, its pastor. I was delighted with the input but twelve months and hopes for the best. In committee actions, and its ways of doing was skeptical that it was representative. larger churches, meanwhile, nominating things (the very items these alienated Consequently, I developed a simple ques committees clap their hands in joy, sing young people reject); (3) feed the sheep tionnaire that I hoped would give me a ing, "Let the youth pastor do it." who are good at heart and dedicated to the clear picture of the expectations both When this youth pastor (often a young Lord and church and at the same time youth and adults had of my role. The man just beginning his ministry) arrives at guard the goats who are resistive under instrument was not born in a moment of his church, he is frequently confused by orthodoxy and camping on fools' hill genuis, but seemed adequate to the task. the enormity of the congregation, its awhile; (4) speak to contemporary con Four broad categories of a youth pastor's programs, its possibilities, and its prob cerns and yet at the same time preach the work were selected by classifying the lems. Upon these youthful and inex "old, old story"; (5) wear the hats of verbally expressed expectations I had perienced shoulders also rests a heavy load evangelist, pastor, counselor, teacher, received during that first month: of expectations, the likes of which would administrator, sports coach, and "all- 1. Evangelist: coordinate and lead out bring both Atlas and Hercules to their around nice guy," with dignity and humil in personal and public youth outreach to knees. From church members, both adult ity; and (6) be both peer and parent, friend the Christian and non-Christian commu and youth, from the senior pastor, from his and preacher. nity. denominational superiors, and from vari The youth pastor is expected to have a 2. Administrators coordinate and facil ous church officers comes a bewildering formidable array of virtues and gifts, and a itate youth programs, helping the youth to blend of voices demanding that he: (1) run wisdom matching Solomon's. Such pres do for themselves. a contemporary and fast-moving youth sure wears away at the very identity of the 3. Counselor: engage in problem- youth pastor himself. All too often he falls oriented counseling aimed at helping the Kevin J. Howse is a doctoral student at into the youth pastor syndrome, a state of distressed young people of the church. Andrews University, on assignment to confusion that leads to apathy and finally 4- Religious educator: teach and pastor, Newbold College, England. to a disruption in his family, life, and work. preparing and training youth in principles

10 MINISTRY/JULY/1982 of Christian living through seminars, small majority group from undeserved harsh youth-pastor effectiveness, although for groups, lectures, et cetera. judgment and to help those standing on many, including the youth pastor, this is the sidelines to get involved with youth so one of the most important standards. they could see their positive strengths and While it is true that the work of youth I he congregation was asked to rank virtues and thus help this majority grow. ministry is made easier if one's personality these four categories according to the A second observation regarding the is such that friendship and trust are readily importance they placed on each of these survey is that there was considerable developed, it is also sadly true that many functions for the youth pastor. The survey agreement between the youth and the youth pastors never move past the point of was completed by 118 young people and adults. More than 80 percent of both the merely developing their own popularity. 112 adults. I should make it clear at this adults and youths surveyed ranked the The youth pastor is called upon to minis point that the sampling methodology was counselor/religious educator roles as being ter, to serve, to instruct, to counsel, and not as controlled as I would have desired, either their first or second priority. To me even to take firm stands for matters of but it was controlled as much as practica this meant that my function was to be a principle where his popularity may be ble. When the results were tallied, the two teacher/healer to the youth of the church, jeopardized. He is not to draw upon groups gave the following priorities to the and by so doing the expectations of both affirmation and group acceptance as the four activities: youth and adults would be met. motives for his service, but rather he must Third, although administration ranked draw upon his own spiritual commitment Expectation Adult Youth a poor fourth by both adults and youth, I and his dedication to the philosophy of found myself actually becoming more and youth ministry. Youth ministry, like any Evangelist 3 3 more bogged down in paper work, commit other ministry, can be lonely at times; thus Administrator 4 4 tees, fund raising, et cetera. There is often the job requires a strong sense of inner Counselor 1 2 a strong expectation that the youth pastor security, a positive self-concept, and a Religious educator 2 1 will sit on all church committees so that he daily walk with God. knows what is going on. He is invited to Although evangelism rated low in the The first and most obvious observation attend many functions that detract from expectation charts, 1 found that over the that can be made regarding this survey is his central purpose to minister to youth. long haul evangelistic results were that the adult church community thinks One solution is to train young people achieved. This was especially apparent in that youth have more problems that who have the gift of leadership, but this the small group fellowship ministry. These require therapeutic assistance than do the takes the confidence of the church and groups met with the purpose of providing youth themselves. Both in this situation time to develop. These individuals are interpersonal affirmation and support as and in my subsequent ministry I have selected to represent the youth council on well as spiritual guidance through Bible detected a definite feeling among adults the various church committees so that study. When needs were expressed and that youth for the main part have serious when the youth council meets, the activity met in a young person's life, an enthusias problems. As time went by, it became of the entire church is also taken into tic response often led to that person's more and more obvious that this consideration. As the elders function to bringing friends. impression came, not from firsthand con carry some of the administrative load for Some have suggested that there is no tact with youth, but rather from hearing the pastor, so youth leadership can be need for a special pastor to take care of the about sensational situations in which a trained to do likewise for the youth pastor. youth population of the church. 1 agree small number of youth got into difficulty. that ideally the nurture of youth would best In other words, youth at large are often be done in the home or in some intergen- judged by the minority of youth who get Pounseling rated high on both youth erational setting. But we must also recog into trouble. Youth are also often judged and adult lists. But the work of counseling nize that few churches or pastoral teams by criteria of Christian maturity that few and educating youth brings no quick would be ready for such a program. My adults can attain. A later and more results. This fact causes disappointment to survey, limited though it was, confirms exhaustive study of the entire youth many. Church leadership especially seems what we all know—youth are undergoing a population of my church revealed that to expect drastic, fast, and demonstrative once-in-a-lifetime experience that problem youth in that church represented change to take place. Many are tempted to requires all of our best concentrated efforts only 8 to 12 percent of the youth judge the effectiveness of a youth pastor on in nurturing them to full Christian matu population. The majority of the youth, I short-term results. Results do take place rity. Education and counseling combine in am convinced, are sincere Christians; under a competent youth pastor, but often a unique way to give guidance to youth fun-loving, immature, and sometimes they are not obvious, nor do they happen who are in a period of transition from wayward, yes, but sincere Christians none in the way expected. The development of a family- and peer-oriented religion and theless. sound Christian perspective on life takes values to a personal and independent life For me, the lessons were obvious. We do time to develop and nurture. The quality in Christ. our youth a great disservice when we allow of one's ministry in preparing youth for life Youth ministry, correctly implemented, the glaring mistakes of a few to shadow our can be evaluated only when those youth should combine with the agencies of the opinions of the whole. Worse still, we do a move out from home and school and move home, church, and school to build the great disservice to the majority of sincere into the stream of life. character of the church of the next Christian youth when we target our time Popularity, too, is a poor criterion of generation. and ministry primarily toward the minority of youth whose presence is so obvious by their misbehavior.1 Both the "sheep" and the "goats" must be attended to in their own way and with their special diets. We do a great disservice to the majority of Youth ministry, which is always trying to reach fringe groups, is generally reaching sincere Christian youth when we target our time only minority groups and may be neglect ing the solid core of youth who comprise and ministry primarily toward the minority the silent majority. of youth whose presence is so obvious by their Second, as I moved around the church I felt the need to protect and shield this misbehavior. MINISTRY/JULY/1982 11 The Saviour urged His disciples to understand the words of the prophet Daniel But did He place the fulfillment of Daniel©s warning in the first century or at the end of time? Some interpreters believe that His same words mean one thing in Matthew and another thing in Luke! Hans K. LaRondelle Where did Jesus place the seventieth week?

*o the words of Christ in Matthew placed the "abomination of desolation" records. However, dispensationalists 24:15-30 predict a religious persecution of (see Dan. 9:27) in the future, at the end of exclude Luke from their interpretation of Jews in the modem state of Israel within time, "just before His second coming in Christ's Olivet discourse because Luke's seven years after the church has been glory" (see Matt. 24:29, 30).3 account does not favor their exegesis of the raptured from earth to heaven? Yes, say J. F. Walvoord agrees that in Matthew "abomination of desolation." Yet many dispensationalists, pointing to the Sav 24:15-22 Jesus "had in mind the prediction New Testament students consider Luke's iour's references to the "abomination of of the climax of Israel's seventieth week or narrative to be historically more full and desolation," and "great tribulation." 1 seventy sevens of years predicted in Daniel complete than either of the first two Commenting on a future fulfillment of 9:27." 4 And a note at Matthew 24:15-20 Gospels. Luke stands first in length and the seventieth week of Daniel 9, which in The New ScofieU Reference Bibk speaks completeness. dispensationalists dissect from the preced of "a future crisis in Jerusalem after the The New Scofield Reference Bibk even ing sixty-nine and transfer to the end of manifestation of the 'abomination.'" 5 goes so far as to declare that Jesus' words in time (see MINISTRY, May, 1982, pp. 14-17), Do the words of Jesus in Matthew 24 Luke 21:20-24—the undeniable parallel of A. J. McClain states, "Our Lord's great refer to a future, post-rapture tribulation Matthew 24:15-22—predict the very oppo prophetical discourse recorded in Matthew for Jews? Can such a position be sustained site of what He says in Matthew's account! and Mark fixes the time of Israel's final and by careful exegesis of the passage? In my "The passage in Luke refers in express greatest trouble definitely within the days opinion, the dispensational exegesis of terms to a destruction of Jerusalem which of the seventieth week of Daniel's proph Matthew 24 is an amazing example of was fulfilled by Titus in A. D. 70; the passage ecy (Dan. 9:27; Matt. 24:15-22; Mark futurism that denies the clearly recognized in Matthew alludes to a future crisis in 13:14-20).2 According to McClain, Christ complementary function of the Synoptic Jerusalem after the manifestation of the Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke. 'abomination.' See Beast (Dan. 7:8; Rev. Hans K. LaRondelle, Th.D., is a professor Jesus' prophetic discourse is recorded 19:20, note); and Armageddon (Rev. of theology, Andrews University, Berrien by all three Synoptic Gospels and therefore 16:13-16; 19:17, note). In the former case Springs, Michigan. should be studied in the light of all three Jerusalem was destroyed: in the latter it

12 MINISTRY/JULY/1982 will be delivered by divine interposition." 6 Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and states, "The city had rejected the Messiah as her Such a contradiction is the result of a situation presupposed by Matthew corre covenant God. In Matthew 24, Jesus doctrinal assurance that will not submit sponds to what is known about Christian points specifically to Daniel's prophecy of itself to the complementary, yet harmoni ity in Palestine between A.D. 50 and 64." 10 doom for Jerusalem: " 'So when you see ous, points of view of the three Synoptic And in all these upheavals Paul affirmed standing in the holy place "the abomina Gospels on the "abomination of desola that the gospel had "been proclaimed to tion that causes desolation," spoken of tion." Here the dispensationalist position every creature under heaven" (Col. 1:23). through the prophet Daniel—let the can maintain itself only at the cost of These facts allow us to conclude that reader understand—then let those who are breaking up the organic unity of the Matthew 24:1-14 and its parallels in Mark in Judea flee to the mountains. .. Pray that Synoptic Gospels. 13:1-13 and Luke 21:5-19 have found a your flight will not take place in winter or R. H. Gundry, himself a dispensationa- literal fulfillment in the years between on the sabbath. For then there will be great list theologian, acknowledges that it is Christ's death and the destruction of distress, unequaled from the beginning of irresponsible to impose a Jewish applica Jerusalem. 11 the world until now—and never to be tion on Matthew's Gospel (rather than What, then, was Christ's purpose in equaled again'" (verses 15-21). applying it to the church) and thus relate giving all these signs that would lead up to There is no perspective here for Jerusa chapter 24 to another, future, dispensation the "abomination of desolation" in Jerusa lem's deliverance "by divine interposition" after the church has been raptured from lem (see Matt. 24:15, K.J.V.)? as the Scofield Bible claims, but rather the earth. 7 His major argument: "The Olivet He wanted to alert His own disciples to opposite: the faithful remnant must flee discourse appears in substantially the same the truth that His second advent would not out of Jerusalem and Judea when they form in Mark and in a somewhat altered occur at the impending destruction of would see the abominable invader coming form in Luke. Consequently, it may still Jerusalem as they initially had taken for within the land of Israel. Why flee away? relate to the church from the latter granted (see verse 3; Luke 21:6, 7). When Because the Roman desolator functions as gospels." 8 Furthermore, Christ addressed Roman legions besieged Jerusalem, the God's decreed vengeance or punishment the discourse to His apostles who repre Jewish Zealots, inflamed by predictions of on the city and the Temple for her sented, of course, the church, not the miraculous success, maintained their rejection of the Messiah and His apostles Jewish nation. resistance in the false expectation that (see Dan. 9:26, 27 and Luke 21:22). All three Synoptic evangelists record God would supernaturally deliver the city Christ's warning prediction that before the as He had done in the time of King desolating abomination would appear in Hezekiah (701 B.C.). 12 close comparison of the parallel Jerusalem, the Palestinian Christians must Against these false prophets Christ context in the Synoptic Gospels confirms experience the trials of false christs, of urged His disciples not to expect His return this conclusion beyond any doubt. Mark's wars and rumors of wars, of famines and in glory at the coming desolation of record of Jesus' warning states: " 'When earthquakes (see Matt. 24:4-8; Mark Jerusalem. When they saw the desolating you see "the abomination that causes 13:5-8; Luke 21:8-11). These predictions abomination in the holy place, they were desolation" standing where it does not became historical reality between A.D. 35 to know this was the signal to flee belong—let the reader understand—then and A.D. 55.9 Yet Christ had emphasized, immediately from the city and Judea. They let those who are in Judea flee to the " 'All these are the beginning of birth should not expect God to deliver Jerusalem mountains. . . . Pray that this will not take pains'" (Matt. 24:8; cf. Mark 13:8).* as the prophets Joel (chapter 3) and place in winter, because those will be days Christ then mentioned a second kind of Zechariah (chapters 12 and 14) had of distress unequaled from the beginning, trial: Jewish and Gentile persecutions in envisioned. And the reason should be when God created the world, until now— the face of which the Holy Spirit would clear. These apocalyptic prophecies pre and never be equaled again'" (Mark give His disciples an irresistible testimony; suppose a faithful remnant of Israel on 13:14-19). betrayals by relatives and hatred by all for Mount Zion. But this time the faithful Luke's Gospel explains Mark's version of the sake of His name (see Matt. 24-'9-14; remnant was the Messianic flock that was Christ's prophecy more elaborately for the Mark 13:9-13; Luke 21:12-19). Bo Reicke called out of the doomed city. Jerusalem Roman Theophilus (see chap. 1:3): gives a detailed report of the fulfillment of would be destroyed according to the " 'When you see Jerusalem surrounded by all these trials before the destruction of prophecy of Daniel 9:26, 27 because the armies, you will know that its desolation is "Seventy Weeks Are Determined Upon Thy People" "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consumma tion, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate" (Dan. 9:24-27).

MINISTRY/JULY/1982 13 near. Then let those who are in Judea flee readers, would come to Jerusalem with the consequent destruction of Jerusalem as to the mountains, let those in the city get destroying heathen armies (see Luke God's ordained punishment. But the anti out, and let those in the country not enter 21:20). christ of Daniel 7 is predicted to come after the city. For this is the time of punishment If the three Synoptic Gospels describe the Roman Empire has expired in the fifth in fulfillment of all that has been written. one and the same event regarding Jerusa century A.D. Thus, to fit antichrist into the . . . There will be great distress in the land lem—the approaching desolation of the seventh-week prophecy, a portion must be and wrath against this people. They will city and the sanctuary—then Christ carried forward to the end-time. All such fall by the sword and will be taken as placed the fulfillment of Daniel 9:26, 27 in necessities vanish when Jesus' words are prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will A.D. 70, within His own generation (cf. understood in their obvious context and be trampled on by the Gentiles until the Matt. 24:34; 23:36; Luke 21:32, 22). meaning. times of the Gentiles are fulfilled'" (chap. Luke's emphatic declaration that the Understood in this way, the Saviour 21:20-24). destruction of Jerusalem (by Titus in A.D. substantiates the fact that Daniel's seventy It seems impossible to interpret Luke's 70) was "the time of punishment in weeks end, not in a post-church persecu explicit description as referring to any fulfillment of all that has been written" tion of Jews in Israel, but with Messiah's thing other than the destruction of Jerusa (Luke 21:22) is the sealing confirmation coming and the consequences to Jerusalem lem, which soon became historical reality that Daniel's "seventieth week" has been of His rejection. in A.D. 70. Even The New Scofield Reference completely fulfilled in Christ's mission to Bible admits this, as we have seen. Yet, the Israel and in Jerusalem's horrible destruc undeniably parallel passages in Matthew tion by the Romans. 14 24:15 ff. and Mark 13:14 ff. (all three All Bible texts, unless otherwise noted, are G. G. Cohen has argued that the from The Holy Bible: New International Version, Synoptic passages begin with " 'When you predicted "abomination of desolation" was Copyright © 1978 by the New York International see . . .'") are explained as referring to a not fulfilled in A.D. 70, because "history Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan different, future dispensation when the reveals no action by the Roman general, Bible publishers. church is no longer on earth! Titus, which can be identified as the Indeed, the Scofield Bible finds two abomination of desolation of Matthew 1 J. F. Walvoord, The Return of the Lord (Grand future sieges of Jerusalem in the same words Rapids: Zondervan, 1971, fifth printing), Chapter 24:15 or 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4." 13 V. of Christ's Olivet discourse! "Two sieges of Although Christ's disciples were to flee 2 A. J. McClain, Daniel©s Prophecy of the Seventy Jerusalem are in view in the Olivet from the city and Judea prior to its Weeks (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1940), p. 10. discourse, the one fulfilled in A.D. 70, and destruction when they saw Jerusalem sur nbid., p. 40. the other yet to be fulfilled at the end of the 4 J. F. Walvoord, Israel in Prophecy (Grand rounded by the heathen armies, F. F. Rapids: Zondervan, 1974, eleventh printing), p. age. . . . The references in Matthew Bruce reports that "when the Temple area ' 109. 24:15-28 and Mark 13:14-26 are to the was taken by the Romans, and the 5 The New Scofield Reference Bible, C. I. final siege, when the city will be taken by sanctuary itself was still burning, the Scofield, ed. (New York: Oxford University Press, enemies but delivered by the return of the 1967), p. 1034. soldiers brought their legionary standards 6 Ibid. Lord to the earth (Rev. 19:11-21; Zech. into the sacred precincts, set them up 14:2-4)." 13 7 R. H. Gundry, The Church and the Tribulation opposite the eastern gate, and offered (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973), chapter 9, It seems apparent that such an interpre sacrifice to them there, acclaiming Titus as "The Olivet Discourse." tation of Christ' words is guided not by an s lbid., p. 130. imperator (victorious commander) as they ' See detailed report, with historical references, exegesis that takes into account the did so. ... The offering of such sacrifice in by B. Reicke, "Synoptic Prophecies on the context of the Synoptic Gospels, but by a the Temple court was the supreme insult to Destruction of Jerusalem," in Studies in New preconceived futurism that forces on the God of Israel." 16 Testament and Early Christian Literature (essays in Christ's application of Daniel 9:26, 27 for honor of A. P. Wikgren), D. E. Aune, ed. Paul's apocalyptic outline in 2 Thessalo (Leiden: E. J. Brill, 1972), pp. 121-134; esp. His own generation an eschatological nians 2 is based on the antichrist prophe 130 ff. system of dispensationalism for Israel. cies of Daniel, primarily found in chapter w lbid., p. 133. Such an interpretation is saying that Mark 7, where the antichrist ("the little horn") 11 See also The Seventh-day Adventist Bible and Matthew wrote nothing about the Commentary, on Matt. 24:2-14, pp. 497, 498. is explicitly located as arising among ten 12 Josephus, Wars VI. 5. 2, reports that "a large impending desolation of Jerusalem that "horns" after the demise of the fourth number of false prophets . . . announced to them took place in A.D. 70, while Luke wrote kingdom (the Roman Empire) has made [the people] that they should wait for deliverance nothing about the "final" abomination and room for the ten smaller nations, that is, from God." tribulation antichrist has in store for the 13 The New Scofield Reference Bible, p. 1114 (on after A.D. 476 (see Dan. 7:23, 24). Luke 21:20). "finally regathered" Jews. Why, then, does Dispensationalism's unwarranted pro 14 Josephus writes that 1.1 million Jews perished Luke, who largely follows Mark's account, jection of this apocalyptic antichrist back and 97,000 were sold into slavery. He concludes: completely ignore such a horrible tribula into Daniel's seventy-week prophecy is "Accordingly the multitude of those that perished tion for future Jews and focus exclusively therein exceeded all the destructions that either one reason for the separation of the final men or God ever brought upon the world."— on the imminent desolation of Jerusalem week of that prophecy from the former Wars, VI. 9. 4. by Titus and the resulting worldwide sixty-nine and its being placed at the 15 G. G. Cohen, "Is the Abomination of scattering of Jews as the complete fulfill end-time. As given in Daniel 9, the Desolation Past?" Moody Monthly, April, 1975, ment of God's punishment for Jerusalem pp. 31, 34. seventy weeks reach only until the Mes 16 F. F. Bruce, Israel and theNations (Exeter: The (see Luke 21:22; cf. Deut. 28:44-59; Dan. siah's coming to be "cut off" and the Pater Noster Press, 1973), p. 224. 9:26, 27)? Why does Christ in His Olivet discourse give identical instructions about the desolating abomination to His apostles for the church? Not an idol image in the inner sanctuary It seems impossible to interpret Luke©s but the invading armies of Rome in the "holy land" could be seen by all in Judea explicit description as referring to anything (see Matt. 24:15, 16; Mark 13:14). Both Matthew and Mark speak not merely of a other than the destruction of Jerusalem, which coming "abomination" but of a desolating became historical reality in A. D. 70. Even abomination. This horrible desolation, explains Luke to his largely Gentile "The New Scofield Reference Bible" admits this. 14 MINISTRY/JULY/1982 The catholic or universal Church ... is the spouse, the body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all . . . Unto this catholic visible Church Christ hath given the ministry, oracles, and ordinances of God, for the gathering and perfecting of the saints, in this life, to the end of the world: and doth by his own presence and Spirit, according to his promise, make them effectual thereunto. The Westminster Confession of Faith (1647), Chapter XXV.

This We Believe/9 Richard Hammill Spiritual gifts in the church today

•I he desire of our heavenly Father to the Spirit's gifts: "Now there are varieties interpretation of tongues (see verses 8-10). give good gifts to His earthly children is of gifts [charismaton], but the same Spirit; He then cites the cooperative and com emphasized in the New Testament (see and there are varieties of service [did- plementary functioning of the various Luke 11:11-13; James 1:17). Jesus Christ konion], but the same Lord; and there are organs of the human body to illustrate the Himself is called God's gift to mankind. varieties of working [energematon], but it is necessity for persons possessing any Spirit- "God so loved the world, that he gave his the same God who ihspires them all" given grace gift to work in harmony with only begotten Son" (John 3:16, K.J.V.) is (verses 4-6). those possessing gifts different from their one of the best known and most cherished Two observations are in order: First, own (see verses 12-26). There must be passages of the Bible. The Holy Spirit is although we often stress that the charis unity, he says, in the exercise of the diverse also called a gift from God to everyone who matic gifts are bestowed by the Holy Spirit, gifts of the Spirit. repents and is baptized (see Acts 2:38). In here the Lord (Jesus) and God (the Father) sending Jesus and the Holy Spirit from are also mentioned in connection with the heaven to this world, our heavenly Father gifts. In Ephesians 4:7, 8, and 11, Jesus is Nlext, the apostle lists again the Spirit's gave the best spiritual gifts in all the mentioned as the giver of some of the gifts. gifts. It is significant that in this second universe. It seems that all persons of the Trinity are listing in the same chapter Paul definitely In turn, these two divine beings began thought of as the source of the "grace-gifts" ranks the gifts in terms of their usefulness immediately to give their own gifts to the (charismaton), but the Holy Spirit distrib to the church: "And God has appointed in human family. For example, the apostle utes them to various believers for the best the church first apostles, second prophets, Paul insisted that the believers in Corinth good of all (see 1 Cor. 12:7, 11). third teachers, then workers of miracles, not "be uninformed" concerning the spir Second, the threefold categorization of then healers, helpers, administrators, itual gifts the Holy Spirit gives (1 Cor. the gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, although speakers in various kinds of tongues" (verse 12:1). * This negatively worded phrase is a used somewhat as synonyms, do hint of 28). The apostle includes some gifts not typical Pauline expression that the apostle Paul's conviction clearly expressed later mentioned in his first list and omits others. often used when he wished to emphasize that the variety of gifts denotes difference No one has all the gifts, says Paul, but something. If the subject of spiritual gifts not only in function but also in degree of believers are to "earnestly desire the higher was important to the believers in Corinth, usefulness for the upbuilding of the gifts" (verses 29-31). Thus he highlights it is also a vital teaching for the church church. Paul seems to say that all are his emphasis on the usefulness of the gifts today. charismatic gifts but that some are more to the church. The purpose of the gifts is to The apostle stressed the wide variety of service- and action-oriented than are produce spirituality, he says in 1 Corin others. thians 13. The gifts will pass away at the Richard Hammill, Ph.D., served as a The apostle's first list of the gifts eschaton, but their fruit in the lives of vice-president of the General Conference includes: utterance of wisdom and knowl believers will last forever. His point is that of Seventh-day Adventists prior to his edge, faith, healing, working of miracles, the church must value highly those gifts retirement. He now writes from Olympia, prophecy, ability to distinguish between that contribute most to the spiritual Washington. spirits, various kinds of tongues, and growth of believers and to the upbuilding MINISTRY/JULY/1982 15 of the church by the proclamation of the promoted by certain persons (see verses tinue in His church until it comes to full gospel. 14-16). unity of faith and to mature spiritual Paul elaborates on the principle of Among those ministries proving to be development in Christ (see Eph. 4:13). usefulness in chapter 14, where he points most useful to the church was prophecy, The church has not yet reached that stage, out that the gift of prophecy, which which Paul had twice mentioned as second and it still needs all the gifts of the Spirit, instructs believers and nonbelievers alike in rank (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11) and once including prophecy. in the knowledge and love of God (see as first (Rom. 12:6). He had, in fact, Seventh-day Adventists note in the verses 1-3, 24), is much more useful than urged, "So, my brethren, earnestly desire Bible record that the prophetic gift was the gift of tongues: the latter does not to prophesy" (1 Cor. 14:39). manifested in the ministry of many persons significantly edify or strengthen the con Most Christians are familiar with the who gave their messages only orally. They gregation of believers, although it may be phenomena of the Biblical prophets, who did not write down their Spirit-given helpful to the individual (note especially were persons called of God to bear special messages; or, if they did, it was not God's verses 4, 28). He did not explicitly forbid messages from Him to His people. The will that those writings become part of the speaking in tongues (verses 39, 40), for he Holy Spirit spoke to the minds of the canonical Scriptures intended for people of believed that gift was operative in some prophets, revealing to them ideas and all ages. They were God's message to way in his own experience; "nevertheless," instructions God wanted them to give to particular people of a given time (for he wrote, "in church I would rather speak the people. They did not speak or write on example, see 1 Chron. 29:29, 30, and five words with my mind, in order to their own initiative, for, as the apostle other similar Biblical references). instruct others, than ten thousand words Peter put it, "No prophecy ever came by The prophetic gift has not been per in a tongue" (verse 19). the impulse of man, but men moved by the manently withdrawn. It has been opera Then, repeating his contention that Holy Spirit spoke from God" (2 Peter tive at different times since the canon of believers should desire those gifts that were 1:21). Scripture was closed, although on a greatly most useful to all the believers and to the Only a few prophets of New Testament reduced scale because of widespread apos fulfillment of the gospel commission, the times are mentioned by name (see Luke tasy in the church. apostle made this appeal: "Brethren, do 2:36; Acts 11:27, 28; 13:1, 15:32; 21:9- not be children in your thinking; be babes 11), but general reference is made to others in evil, but in thinking be mature" (verse who were prominent in the early church ae gift of prophecy still belongs to the 20). (see Eph. 3:5). The fact that the apostle church today, according to the teaching of Paul usually mentioned prophecy second, the apostle Paul, and it will be manifested or even first, in his list of charismatic gifts whenever and wherever God sees the need a this basis Seventh-day Adventists is evidence of its importance in the for it. (For additional Seventh-day do not participate in what is commonly apostolic church. Adventist perspectives on the permanency called "the charismatic movement," for we of the prophetic gift and its latter-day believe that other gifts of the Spirit are far manifestations, see Carlyle B. Haynes, The more essential for fulfilling Christ's com lenuine manifestations of the pro Gift of Prophecy (Nashville, Tenn.: mand to " 'go into all the world and preach phetic gift occurred also in the post-apos Southern Publishing Association, 1931), the gospel to the whole creation'" (Mark tolic period. The prestigious and scholarly and A. G. Daniells, The Abiding Gift of 16:15). And yet, since all of the gifts of the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament Prophecy (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Spirit are charismata, in a sense we are states that "the prophets did not vanish at Press Publishing Association, 1936). indeed part of the charismatic moving of a stroke," and maintains that prophets According to the book of Revelation, the Holy Spirit in these end-times. were held in high regard in the church when the powers of evil are attacking the In his letter to the Ephesians, written "right up to 300 A.D." (Vol. VI, pp. 859, church in the last days, the prophetic gift seven or eight years after his first letter to 860). The proliferation of false prophets will be active in God's last-generation the Corinthians, the apostle Paul gives led to loss of esteem for prophecy, and people, described as those who "keep the another list of what he calls gifts (dorea) of properly so (see 1 John 4:1). This was commandments of God, and have the Christ (see chap. 4:7 ff.). This list especially the case when the church, after testimony of Jesus Christ" (chap. 12:17, concentrates on the service-oriented min much agitation, repudiated Montanus' K.J.V.). The "testimony of Jesus" men istries to which Paul had previously claim to be a prophet. tioned here is defined in Revelation 19:10 referred in 1 Corinthians 12-14. "And his Most Protestant denominations now by the angel narrator as the "spirit of gifts were that some should be apostles, hold that prophecy ceased at the end of prophecy." The phrase "'your brethren some prophets, some evangelists, some New Testament times, but this claim is who hold the testimony of Jesus'" (verse pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for without Biblical foundation. The necessity 10) is replaced in Revelation 22:9 (a the work of ministry, for building up the for God to communicate directly with His parallel passage) by the expression " 'your body of Christ, until we all attain to the people did not end when the New Testa brethren the prophets.'" This is a weighty unity of the faith and of the knowledge of ment canon was closed. In the crises of the factor in interpreting the words "testimony the Son of God, to mature manhood, to last days the church of Christ especially of Jesus" in Revelation 12:17. Although the measure of the stature of the fulness of needs particular divine guidance. "testimony of Jesus" can properly be Christ" (verses 11-13). The apostle Paul asserted that the translated several ways (see chap. 1:2, 9), Here Paul omits such gifts as healing, charismatic gifts Christ gave would con the explanations of the angel narrator in faith, tongues, helpers, and wisdom, which were mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, and adds two new ones, "evangelists and pastors," which evidently are a further subdivision of "apostles" and "teachers" The charismatic gifts Christ gave would listed in 1 Corinthians 12:28. The passing of time has apparently led Paul, under the continue in His church until it comes to full Spirit's guidance, to emphasize ministries that were proving most productive in unity of faith and to mature spiritual building spiritual life and promoting unity development in Christ. The church still needs by helping believers to avoid various "winds of doctrine" that were being all the gifts of the Spirit 16 MINISTRY/JULY/1982 Revelation 19:10 and 22:9 attest that the ciation by a much wider audience. One of Herald, Jan. 20, 1903; see also Evangelism, phrase was intended in this setting to refer her small books, entitled Steps to Christ, p. 257); but they do not supersede the to the prophetic gift, which was to be has been published in more than one Bible for us. active among God's last-generation people hundred languages, with some 15 million (see chap. 12:17). copies sold to date. Her magnum opus is the Through the "spirit of prophecy" Jesus is five-volume Conflict of the Ages Series, Ahat Ellen White played an important bearing a witness to His "remnant." The which develops the Biblical theme of the part in the development of Seventh-day voice of the prophets is the voice of Jesus. cosmic struggle between God and Satan Adventist doctrines is clearly evident, but And this prophetic activity greatly aug from the latter's rebellion in heaven, down that role was formative, not normative. ments the testimony the "remnant" bears to the eschaton, the inception of God's Her distinctive contributions lay in the about Jesus during the time portrayed by kingdom of glory, and the restoration of secondary stage of theological insight, not the revelator when the great dragon Paradise following the final destruction of in the preliminary stage of exegetical intensifies his attacks against Christ and rebellion from the universe. Though cer interpretation of the Bible. Her insights His followers (chapter 12). tainly not a theologian, Ellen White did were those of the evangelist, the preacher, When Jerusalem had been captured by set forth many creative insights regarding the prophet, and helped form the distinc the Babylonian army, Jeremiah wrote: the nature of God's kingdom and His tive thrust of the Seventh-day Adventist "The law is no more, and her prophets purposes for the human race. Church. But the Bible has always held the obtain no vision from the Lord" (Lam. It is necessary to emphasize two con normative role in Adventist doctrines. 2:9). It is significant that the revelator saw cepts that Seventh-day Adventists do not Second, the writings of Ellen White are the prophetic gift being renewed when the hold concerning the Ellen G. White not an addition to the Bible. Of an "remnant" keeps the commandments of writings. First, her writings do not take the individual who once advanced that view, God. place of the Bible for us. An authoritative she wrote, "In this he presents the matter Seventh-day Adventists believe that Adventist work clearly states: "In accord in a false light." Her writings, she added, the gift of prophecy was active in the with the historic Protestant position, were intended by God "to bring the minds ministry of Ellen Gould Harmon (later SDA's accept the Bible and the Bible only of His people to His Word" (Testimonies, White), who first received revelations as the Christian's rule of faith and practice. vol. 4, p. 246). from God in 1844- From that time till the . . . The canon of Scripture is God's In Old and New Testament times, as close of her life in 1915, she received message to all men of all ages; extracanon- well as since, the prophetic gift was given special instruction from God for His ical revelation belongs to those to whom it to many persons besides those who wrote followers in the Seventh-day Adventist is originally addressed."—SDA Encyclope the Bible. But it was not God's purpose Church. dia, p. 1413. that their messages become a part of the The spiritual guidance Ellen White set Though believing that the Holy Spirit canon of Scripture, which was intended for forth orally and in writing helped the had genuinely spoken through her own all men in every age. These other pro Seventh-day Adventist people avoid writings, Ellen White wrote the following, phetic messages were intended only for the numerous spiritual pitfalls and doctrinal which is typical of many similar state people to whom they were addressed. This errors. It led them to become a missionary ments: "The Spirit was not given—nor can is the conception Seventh-day Adventists church, assisting in carrying the good news it ever be bestowed—to supersede the have of the ministry of Ellen White. The of Christ to all the world. An active leader Bible; for the Scriptures explicitly state phenomenon of revelation and inspiration in the temperance movement, Ellen that the word of God is the standard by in her ministry was the same as that of the White stressed lifelong health education. which all teaching and experience must be Bible-writing prophets, but the purpose or Her counsel led to the establishment of a tested."—The Great Controversy, p. vii. function was different. worldwide system of health care for the She was convinced that the genuineness of Seventh-day Adventists believe that sick. She helped form the Seventh-day her own writings must be tested by except for certain objective revelations Adventist system of Christian education, conformity to the Bible. such as the giving of the Ten Command which presently enrolls more than 475,000 Seventh-day Adventist doctrines are ments, the revelation and inspiration of youth from kindergarten to university based upon the teachings of the Bible, as Biblical prophets was subjective; that is, levels. we understand it. Using the soundest the revelation was given to the prophet, hermeneutical principles that we can find, who then wrote out the God-given ideas in we attempt to interpret passages of the his own words. The writings vary widely in ilthough she never held an official Bible in harmony with their context, style, vocabulary, and logical arrangement position, was not an ordained minister, bringing to our study of the Holy Scriptures of their messages. The Holy Spirit led the and never received a salary from the rigorous analysis and careful investigation prophets so that God's ideas, not their church until after the death of her hus of the meanings of words, sentences, and own, were written down; yet different band, her influence shaped the Seventh- the total message of a given book, and levels of literary training and ability are day Adventist Church more than any indeed, of the entire Bible. The writings of evident in their writings, whether in the other factor except the Holy Bible. Ellen White are, as she herself described simple prose of the evangelist John or the Under inspiration of the Holy Spirit them, "a lesser light" that aids in under involved literary style of Hebrews. Ellen White produced an extensive standing the "greater light" God has sent This same phenomenon was operative amount of literary work from which us in the Holy Scriptures (Review and in the writings of Ellen White. Having had eighty-eight books and more than 4,500 articles have been published, all of them exalting Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord and upholding the high moral and ethical values of the Judeo-Christian tradition. The necessity for God to communicate Her writings emphasize both the sovereignty of God and the free will of directly with His people did not end when the man. They contain a scriptural balance between soteriology and theodicy. New Testament canon was closed. In the Though written primarily for Seventh- crisis of the last days the church of Christ day Adventists, the Ellen G. White writings have been read with great appre especially needs particular divine guidance. MINISTRY/JULY/1982 17 little formal education, her early style of writing was simple, though clear. Over seventy years of ministry, her literary style and vocabulary improved. The process of Passion: the the Holy Spirit speaking through her resulted as the years went by in an increased breadth of understanding and ability to express it. indispensable

•Seventh-day Adventists believe that only God is infallible. Though they think ingredient that, like the Bible, the writings of Ellen White are the result of Spirit-given revela tion, they do not make an issue over questions of inerrancy concerning details but stress that the message of the Bible as a How long has it been since you wept whole and of the Ellen G. White writings as a whole are heaven-sent, true, and over the spiritual needs of your authoritative. We believe the writings of church? How long has it been since you Ellen White are in harmony with the teachings of the Bible, are indeed the were disturbed so much you were unable result of the genuine charismatic gift of prophecy, and meet the Bible test of to sleep and spent entire nights in upholding Jesus Christ as Saviour and Messiah, God's Son who became one of us prayer? It is Jesus© deep, yearning, for our salvation (see 1 John 4:2, 3). We approve of the admonition "Beloved, do compassionate love for men that not believe every spirit, but test the spirits draws them to Him. And to the extent to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the that this same love and compassion world" (verse 1). In regard to the gift of prophecy, the motivate us, men and women will be apostle Paul set forth the test of experi ence: "Do not quench the Spirit, do not drawn to Him by our ministry. despise prophesying, but test everything; hold fast that which is good, abstain from Morris Chalfant every form of evil" (1 Thess. 5:19-22). Concerning this counsel, Ellen White wrote: "There is an evidence that is open to all—the most highly educated, and the most illiterate—the evidence of experi ence. God invites us to prove for ourselves the reality of His Word, the truth of His promises. He bids us 'taste and see that the Lord is good."... 'Do you ask why I believe ^f ohn Wesley tells in his Journal for May in Jesus? Because He is to me a divine 20, 1742, of overtaking a man on the road Saviour. Why do I believe the Bible? and engaging him in conversation con Because I have found it to be the voice of cerning religious themes. After realizing God to my soul.'"—Steps to Christ, pp. the man's views were very different from Ill, 112. We believe, as the apostle Paul his, Wesley suggested that they keep to said to the church at Corinth, that it is practical things lest they grow angry with God's will that His followers be "enriched each other. "And so we did for two miles," in him" and that they not be "lacking in he continues, "till he caught me unawares, any spiritual gift" as they "wait for the and dragged me into the dispute before I revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. knew where I was. He then grew warmer 1:5, 7). and wanner; told me that I was rotten at In view of the predicament of human heart, and supposed I was one of John beings in all ages, and especially in these Wesley's followers. I told him, 'No, I am days of the end-time, every genuine John Wesley himself.' Upon which ... he communication from God must be highly would gladly have run away outright. But, esteemed as an aid for believers in God to being the better mounted of the two, I kept live for His glory and to help accomplish close to his side, and endeavored to show His will on earth as it is in heaven. him his heart, till we came into the street of Northampton." It is such confidence and sheer persist 'Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quota ence—such passion—that explain much tions in this article are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyrighted 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the Morris Chalfant is the pastor of the First U.S.A. Church of the Nazarene, Norwood, Ohio.

18 MINISTRY/JULY/1982 of the power of Wesley's movement. And was moved with compassion on them, unknown by the natural man, that sent it is the lack of these same qualities that because they fainted, and were scattered Whitefield through England and America explains much of the weakness of present abroad, as sheep having no shepherd" preaching and weeping as he preached. Christianity. (Matt. 9:36). Without passion we become And so we might continue. But let this It is good for us to compare our static, and our service for the Lord suffice: There has never been a man or a compassion and concern for others with becomes commonplace. movement that had power with God and that of Jesus. How long has it been since Over the centuries the church has seen with men that did not share this heavenly you wept over the community in which the flame of evangelistic passion rise and vision and this impelling passion. you live? How long since you wept over the fall. There have been days of triumph spiritual needs of your church? How long when it swept over entire continents, has it been since you were disturbed so fanned by the Holy Spirit and fed in the •Hong ago God declared in His Word: much you were unable to sleep and spent hearts of Christians by the words of Jesus: "Where there is no vision, the people entire nights in prayer? "Other sheep I have, which are not of this perish" (Prov. 29:18). One of the primary It was Jesus' deep, yearning, compas fold: them also I must bring" (John 10:16). elements of vision is a passion for souls. sionate love for men that drew them to And there have been times—tragic Unless we have a genuine burden and Him. And to the extent that this same love times—when the flame flickered and passion for souls, we will never have a and compassion motivate us, men and nearly went out. This may be such a time. vision of our field and the task to be done. women will be drawn to Him by our It is certainly true that evangelism is given In the midst of the wail of jet engines, ministry. Every man understands the lan scant notice by much of contemporary the crash of old orders, the mesmerism of guage of love on fire. I am a great believer religion. If evangelism is indeed the materialism, the savage competition of in using the most up-to-date evangelistic heartbeat of the church, the heartbeat is modern life, and the great pull of worldly methods in the most aggressive way possi barely detectable in vast segments of the pleasure and programs, have we lost an ear ble; yet I strongly believe there is one church today. for the cry of millions dying, "having no indispensable ingredient that, when miss When evangelism is a passion, it is hope, and without God in the world" ing, does more to hinder our work than concerned primarily with souls. When (Eph. 2:12)? anything else—a passion for Christ, for evangelism is promotion, it is concerned How is the world to be won for Christ spiritual realities, and for eternal realities. chiefly with statistics. and His kingdom? Jesus said, "Go ye into The attitude of complacency does more to When evangelism is a passion, it is used all the world" (Mark 16:15). That may hinder us than everything else combined. of God to advance His kingdom. When mean next door, the next block, or the evangelism is promotion, it is used by men next row of seats as well as some unfamiliar to enlarge an institution. land on the other side of the globe. It may •ihe early church was born in an age of When evangelism is a passion, joy and mean to speak to the person working at the corruption when every moral law was exhilaration are found in the performance next machine or bench or desk. violated without conscience. Its members of its privileges. When evangelism is General Booth is reported to have said had little wealth, no social prestige, and no promotion, pressure and strain exist in the to King Edward VII: "Your Majesty, some help from Christian institutions. They performance of its duties. men's passion is gold, and some men's were without most of the privileges and When evangelism is a passion, there are passion is fame; but my passion is souls," advantages we have today. But they were spontaneity and urgency in witnessing. Passion! That is the need. We need holy possessed with a passion to save men! When evangelism is a promotion, witness passion. We need a heavenly vision with As we study the Acts of the Apostles, we ing must be coaxed and coached. all its accompanying passion. Such passion become aware of a deep, driving passion in When evangelism is a passion, it is a was characteristic of the early church. We the lives of these early followers of Christ. spiritual exercise of the caring heart. read in Acts 8:1-4, "They that were The fervor with which they delivered the When evangelism is promotion, it is reli scattered abroad went every where message entrusted to them is inspiring to gious "gimmickry" to achieve ecclesiasti preaching the word." If we twentieth-cen behold. They had a passion that made cal success. tury Christians were called upon to face their preaching and witnessing positive, It was a passion for souls that led David such a scattering as this, what would the persistent, and persuasive. Nothing could Livingstone into the jungles of Africa. record be? Would it be, "They went deter them. Threatenings and severe pun Years later when his countrymen sought everywhere, and—backslid?" Not so with ishment only served to fan the flame of his return in order to lavish comforts and those early New Testament Christians. their passion for Christ. Would that we in honors upon him in his declining days, this They had the spirit of their Master. Paul this day might have that same passion! unearthly passion led him to choose rather caught the same spirit and shared it with The word passion is often in bad to pour out the last dregs of life in darkest the young pastor Timothy: "I charge thee company today. It has almost taken on an Africa. therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus exclusively negative connotation. But It was this holy passion that caused Christ. . . preach the word; be instant in passion, of course, refers to any strong Wesley to leave the marble cathedrals of season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, feeling or emotion by which a person is the state church and go out into the fields exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. swayed. And when we look at Christ, we where he could pour out his burdened soul . . . Endure afflictions, do the work of an see passion at its highest. The Bible says of to a spiritually starving populace. evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry" Jesus: "When he saw the multitudes, he It was this spiritual passion, utterly (2 Tim. 4:1-5).

"Were I to let any soul to drop into the pit whom I might have saved from everlasting burnings, I am not satisfied God would accept my plea, ©Lord, he was not in my parish.© "—John Wesley. MINISTRY/JULY/1982 19 When the Bell Telephone system coined this catchy phrase, they probably didnt have pastors in mind. But you will discover, as did this pastor, that the telephone can be an indispensable aid to ministry. James Coffin Reach out and touch someone

I catchy commercial for the Bell Tele Without doubt, it has proved one of the that, due to a particular grievance, they phone system has been admonishing radio choicest bits of advice I've received in had not attended church in weeks, listeners and TV viewers throughout some time. months, or years. The feeling of anonym North America to "reach out and touch As a pastor I've always placed personal ity provided by the phone seemed to make someone." The idea is to pick up the visitation as second only to preaching in some feel less inhibited about lancing their nearest telephone and call someone long my list of priorities. (My performance, boils of grievance. And the result was very neglected—preferably long distance. Bell's unfortunately, has not always reflected my therapeutic. With the problem at least prime motivation is obviously the genera priorities.) But for the busy pastor, particu verbalized, we could work toward a resolu tion of greater revenues. But the sugges larly in a fairly large church, it is nearly tion more quickly when I visited person tion has tremendous possibilities for pasto impossible to visit the parishioners with ally. ral ministry. the kind of regularity one would prefer. Some time ago a disgruntled parishioner Even visiting very diligently, it may well (not of my parish, I am relieved to say) take a year to eighteen months or longer to course, those calls had taken almost complained that it took all the faith he make an initial visit to every member's sixty hours. But during that time I had could muster to believe that his pastor home. Here is where the telephone comes become fairly conversant with the church actually cared about him as an individual. into its own. roll. I had memorized a significant propor Certainly, the pastor gave him a cheery Within a week or two of arriving in my tion of the church members' names before smile and a firm handshake each week. He new parish, I sat down and began phoning ever meeting them. Putting names with likewise always asked a rhetorical, "How every member on the roll. I introduced faces was then relatively simple. A further are things going?" But in the many months myself as the new pastor and told him or benefit was that I could immediately begin since the pastor had arrived at that church, her that I was looking forward to getting sending birthday cards and other special- he had never paid a personal visit to this acquainted. I learned the correct pronun occasion cards to the church's young member. For that matter, neither had his ciation of names, a bit of general informa folks—cradle through college—even predecessor. Nor the pastor before him! In tion such as type of work, and fairly including little personal details gleaned fact, aside from the handshake and greet comprehensive information about chil from my initial phone contact. Many ing after church, the only pastoral interest dren: birthday, year in school, et cetera. I youth were amazed. "How can a minister, seemed to be an occasional appeal for told each to feel free to call upon me if I whom I have seen only once or twice, greater giving or a request for some type of could ever be of service. And, finally, I know that it is my birthday, let alone that I help at the church. encouraged each one to be sure to intro play the trumpet and love snow-skiing?" This very disgruntled parishioner was duce himself to me at church on Sabbath. I have begun to realize how starved concerned. While he tried to be apprecia It took me about fifteen evenings, people are for someone to care about tive of the pastor's heavy load and the working from five to nine o'clock, to make them—not necessarily to do things for congregational high expectations with the three hundred calls necessary to them, just care about them. So I have which he had to contend, he could not contact all of the families. But the good begun to jot down bits and pieces of ignore his own need to be treated as a will that it generated was phenomenal! information that I happen upon. If Mrs. person and not as a mere pawn. Many people hadn't had any personalized Brown is going to have a wisdom tooth "If the minister would just phone attention from a pastor for years. To think pulled in a week, I make a little note of the occasionally, just show a little personal that they had been contacted when the details and phone at the appropriate time interest, I wouldn't feel so taken for minister had been in the area less than six just to see how she's getting along. If the granted and used," he lamented. "Why weeks was almost overwhelming! Since Smiths are taking a trip somewhere, I note can't he arrange his schedule so that he can first impressions are usually lasting ones, their date of return and phone to see how phone two or three families each evening? the speedy contact generated a glow of the trip went. If the Arnolds are going to In four to six months he would be able to good will that could only work to my be grandparents in three months, I check phone the entire church." As I was then in advantage. The telephone introduction to see if the big event has transpired. transit to a new parish, I decided at least to definitely made for a warmer reception Of course, I don't keep up on all the attempt to implement his suggestion. when I visited the home later. comings and goings of my members. By far, Having kept careful notes of our conver the bulk of events goes by unnoticed. Yet James Coffin is associate pastor of the sations, I had a wealth of information almost every working day I spend at least Spencerville, Maryland, Seventh-day jotted down about each family. Many had an hour on the phone making five-minute Adventist church. been very forthright in letting me know (Continued on page 29.) 20 MINISTRY/JULY/1982 The Sabbath in Scripture and History First comprehensive treatment of the weekly rest day since Andrews and Conradi in the earily 1900s. Eighteen scholars have contributed to this 448-page reference work. Chapters include: Biblical Theological Historical • The Sabbath in the Pentateuch • The Sabbath in Modem • The Rise of Sunday Observance • The Sabbath in the Jewish Theology in Early Christianity Intertestamental Period • Contemporary Theories of • The Sabbath in Asia • The Sabbath in the the Sabbath • The Sabbath and Lord's Day New Testament • Reflections on a Theology During the Middle Ages • Sunday in the New Testament of the Sabbath • Sabbath and Sunday in the Reformation Era • The Sabbath in Puritanism

Regular price is $19.95, but until August 31, 1982, you can take advantage of a special MINISTRY Services introductory offer for P.O.Box 217, Burtonsville MINISTRY readers. Maryland 20866. You pay only Please send me _ copies of The Sabbath in Scripture and History at Offer expires the special introductory rate of US$14.95 plus $1.50 postage and August 31, 1982. handling per volume. I understand this is a savings of $5 off the I Good only in the $14*95! regular price. United States and a savings of $5 ! Canada. (Please add $1.50 postage Payment must and handling per book. ) accompany order. A"n~m i^ Jr\L LL 1U.CLL

GROWTH Sponsored by MINISTRY and Andrews University for church professionals of all faiths Come spend five stimulating days August 29 to September 2, 1982 with these specialists in church growth and leadership! Carl F. George, director of the Fuller Insti Sunday, August 29 tute of Evangelism and Church Growth, a Registration: 5:00-7:00 p.m. joint ministry of Fuller Evangelistic Associa Evening keynote address: Carl George, "Releasing tion and Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasa Motivation Through Gift Discovery." dena, California. He is active in leading professional training courses in church growth, conducting on-site parish analysis Monday, August 30 and consultation, and serves as senior edi Motivating and Training the Laity tor of the Church Growth Training Program, a modular system for pastoral in-service Featured speaker: Carl George, "Why Volunteers Don©t education. Perform Well" and "Why Volunteers Don©t." Plus Skip Bell, Robert Dale, Wilbert Shenk. Carl Dudley, professor of church and com Workshops: Carl George, "Using Satisfactory Inventories munity at McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois. An ordained minister in the for Self-development Counseling"; Floyd Bresee, "Role Presbyterian Church, he is author of Making of the Laity"; Monte Sahlin, "Church Renewal." the Small Church Effective (Abingdon, 1978) and Where Have All Our People Gone? Tuesday, August 31 (Pilgrim Press, 1979). His special studies include the dynamics of small churches and Revitalizing the Stagnant Church strategies for churches in changing commu Featured speaker: Carl Dudley, "Making the Small nities. Church Effective." Plus Des Cummings, Roger Dudley, and Henry Feyerabend. Douglas W. Johnson, executive director of the Institute for Church Development, Inc., Workshops: Carl Dudley, "Multichurch Management"; Ridgewood, New Jersey. He serves as a Henry Feyerabend, "Media Evangelism in the Ethnic consultant for church planning, research, Context"; Monte Sahlin, "Motivating Laity in the management, and organizational develop Urban Context." ment and has taught in the area of sociol- Wednesday, September 1 ogy and urban church at Garrett Theological Seminary. He is the author of The Care and Care and Feeding of Volunteers Feeding of Volunteers (Abingdon, 1978), as Featured speaker: Douglas Johnson, "Creative Possibili well as The Challenge of Single Adult Min- ties for Using Volunteers" and "Overall Trends in instry (Judson Press, 1982) and numerous Effective Volunteer Activities." Plus Oscar Heinrich articles. and T. A. McNealy Win Arn, executive director of the Institute Workshops: Douglas Johnson, "Recruiting, Training, and for American Church Growth. He also Rewarding"; Skip Bell, "Volunteer Management," serves as executive editor of Church T. A. McNealy, "Volunteer Training." Growth: America. Dr. Arn conducts semi nars and training sessions in the field of church growth. Books he has authored or Thursday, September 2 coauthored include: How to Grow a Church, Leadership in Mission Ten Steps for Church Growth, The Pastor©s Featured speakers: Win Arn, "Networks Secret for Church Growth Handbook, Back to Basics in Church Growth, Growth: A New Vision for Growth" and "Finding Your Growth Mix"; Dean Kelley, the Sunday School, and The Master©s Plan. "Why Strict Churches Are Strong." In addition, he has produced a wide variety Workshops: Win Arn, "Leadership for Growth"; Des of 16-mm color films in the area of church Cummings and Roger Dudley, "Analyzing Leadership growth. Styles"; Arnold Kurtz, "Conceptualizing a Mission Dean M. Kelley, executive for religious and Statement." civil liberty of the National Council of Churches since 1960. His experience includes thirteen years© service as a pastor Designed to meet the church growth needs of every of local churches (he is an ordained minister pastor who longs to see a resurgence of power-filled of the United Methodist Church) and has ministry in his church, this seminar will be a tremendous authored two books, Why Conservative opportunity for fellowship and learning in a beautiful Churches Are Growing (Harper & Row, campus setting. Take a few days© vacation; bring your 1972) and Why Churches Should Not Pay spouse and share this unique enrichment! Taxes (Harper & Row, 1977). Des Cummings, Jr., director, Institute of Tuition: Church Ministry, Andrews University. With One hour transferable undergraduate or graduate credit: the Institute staff, Cummings is involved in such issues as: indicators of church growth; $110; two hours, $208. the pastoral personality and church growth; Noncredit participation: $80. the pastor and spouse: morale in ministry; Per-day charge for those who cannot attend the entire and the new member: whom are we reach seminar: $25. No tuition charge for spouses who do not ing and how? desire academic credit. Roger L. Dudley, coordinator of research and development for the Institute of Church Meals and Lodging: Ministry, Andrews University. His completed Meal charge per day (3 meals): $9.50. research projects include identifying local Residence hall lodging, two people to a room, per institutional factors associated with rapid church growth. He has also written Why person, per night: $8.50. Teenagers Reject Religion and What To Do Residence hall lodging, one person to a room (when About It (Review and Herald, 1978). available): $12.00. Nearby motels are also available. Plus: Skip Bell, Royd Bresee, Robert Dale, Henry Feyerabend, Oscar Heinrich, Arnold Kurtz, T. A. McNealy, Monte Sahlin, Wilbert Shenk. Seminar on Church Growth IInstitute of Church Ministry 1 Andrews University Berrien Springs, Michigan 49104 Each day©s program features presentations by well-known church growth specialists. In addition, the afternoon workshops I Address_ I will provide opportunities for individualized attention and hands-on City ___ skill building in areas relating to each State___ _Zip_ I day©s topic. For more information call toll-free (800) 253-2874. I Arrival: date_ _time_ In Michigan call (800) 632-2248. Departure: date______time_ D I will be alone D My spouse will be with me LUniversity housing requested? rj Yes D No J From the Editor Should we hove a loose-leaf Bible?

Some feel strongly that the greatest question facing conservative Christianity is the issue of the authority of Scripture. Can we find authority in the Bible if we decide what is truth and what is error?

Ii went to the San Diego Congress on the tions, most of those leading out in the San recent rerouting of a highway may not be Bible in March very uneasy about the word Diego Congress would agree. However, it indicated. But with the exception of these "inerrancy." The congress had been billed seemed that the Congress placed a some few discrepancies, it is accurate and as a gathering of those who want to what greater emphasis than I had usually infallible. "understand and experience the trans allowed on God's role in superintending As he developed this illustration, I forming power of God's inerrant, au the writing of His message. Although God thought, This is almost exactly how I have thoritative Word." It was sponsored by the did not override the human writer's per been viewing Scripture. I'm not so sure International Council on Biblical Iner sonality or cultural and linguistic limita since San Diego that such a position takes rancy. I had no quarrel with the authorita tions, He did actively guide the prophet in God's Word seriously enough. tive nature of the Bible; I believed the writing as well as in the receiving of the On the other hand, there are some implicitly it was God's Word. But the term vision. The result? A Word of God, apparent problems in Scripture that iner- "inerrancy" made me a little nervous. strained through men, that in its original rantists sometimes seem to minimize. I As Seventh-day Adventists, we hold a form (the autographs) said just what God occasionally detected in the congress decidedly high view of the inspiration of wanted said free from error. what looked to me like circular reasoning. Scripture. We believe it is God's Word to It's a position that is difficult to refute "The Bible does not contain errors. man, not man's word about God. We feel logically if we are to take God's Word Therefore anything that appears to be an quite comfortable with the word "infalli' seriously, especially such texts as 2 Peter error in Scripture really is not an error. ble" and apply it freely to the Bible. The 1:21, "No prophecy ever came by the Thus the Bible does not contain errors." Statement of Fundamental Beliefs voted at impulse of man, but men moved by the Such reasoning leads to some rather the 1980 General Conference session in Holy Spirit spoke from God" (R.S. V.). * If ingenious and convoluted scenarios for Dallas declares, "The Holy Scriptures are we believe that the God of the universe such things as how often the rooster the infallible revelation of His [God's] designed and sustains it by His infinite crowed during Jesus' trial or the comings will." wisdom and power; if we believe that He is and goings of the Master at Jericho. Would One seminar leader at San Diego the One who works all things according to it not be better simply to affirm faith in pointed out that for centuries the church His will so that even evil ultimately is Scripture as God's inspired, authoritative used the two words—infallibility and made to serve His beneficent purposes, Word and leave such apparent contradic inerrancy—interchangeably. And in some why should it be difficult to believe that tions and difficulties in abeyance until ways, he said, "infallible" is actually a such a God can also ensure, by the eternity? For some at San Diego, such a stronger word than "inerrant." The former inspiration and guidance of the Holy solution would definitely be considered a means "cannot fail or err"; the latter means Spirit, that frail, fallible man will transmit compromise with error. "does not err." His divine message to other frail, fallible Why, then, do we shy away from the men in the exact form He designs and word "inerrancy"? without error? •he difficulty with comparing Scripture If I am at all representative of Seventh- The alternative for one who wants to to a reliable, but imperfect, road map is day Adventist thinking, I believe we do so take God's Word seriously and yet leave this: Who decides (and on what basis) because we feel that describing the Bible as room for human distortions of a minor where the discrepancies and errors lie? "inerrant" demands accepting verbal inspi nature was well illustrated by another Does not such a view allow each person to ration—a mechanical dictation idea in seminar leader at the San Diego Congress. determine for himself what is true in which each word was whispered by God in Many Christians think of Scripture, he Scripture and what is not, and to do so on the writer's ear. Since San Diego I'm not so said, as a sort of divine road map useful for the basis of his or her own human reason? sure of that. I know I didn't find anyone telling one how to travel from earth to A certain piece of information in the Bible there among the speakers or seminar heaven. It is, in fact, very much like the becomes error if it does not correspond to leaders who would accept such a concept of Rand McNally atlas we use to find our way his experience or knowledge of the world inspiration. from New York to Chicago, for example. It or if it seems contradictory to his mind. Having rejected verbal inspiration, we is accurate, authoritative, and above all Thus human reason presumes to judge the have often called ourselves "thought inspi- pragmatically useful. It is infallible in the Word of God. I may be content under such rationists." By this we usually mean that sense that if we trust it and follow it, it will a view to confine scriptural "errors" to God gave concepts, ideas, and information get us where we want to go. But minor what I feel are a very few, minor inciden to His prophets in dreams and visions and errors of fact may very well occur here and tals. But what is to prevent me tomorrow then allowed them to express these there. The map may show the road from deciding on the basis of my experi divinely inspired messages in their own running south of a little town in Ohio ence and reason that another area of language, style, vocabulary, and personal when it actually goes around on the north Scripture is fallible? ity. side. A secondary road may connect with Ironically, the same month that the I still believe this is basically the way the interstate highway at the interchange Congress on the Bible was meeting in San inspiration works. And from my observa beyond the one shown on the map; a Diego, an article appeared in The Church©

24 MINISTRY/JULY/1982 man by Weston A. Stevens (March, 1982, tionalists who would argue that such a to judge what is or is not true in Scripture. pp. 8, 9) illustrating one possible result of loose-leaf Bible would no longer be the It also illustrates why those sponsoring the allowing human reason to judge the Bible. Word of God?" His reply? "Anyone who congress feel the matter of inerrancy is Stevens suggests that Christians would do calls the Bible the Word of God certainly such a vital issue within evangelical well to have a loose-leaf Bible. Not in the hasn't read it very carefully or discern Christianity today. They see a trend sense of a three-ring binder with punched ingly." After citing several Old Testament among conservative Christians to compro pages, but a "Bible" that would be signifi examples of deception and cruelty, he mise on the inspiration and authority of cant for modern man. (The old one isn't, concludes: "The point is, God isn't to be God's Word. They feel the only bulwark the author believes.) blamed for these holy words. We can against reducing the Bible to "good This loose-leaf Bible would be con blame the old men who made this book advice" is to stand firm on an inerrant stantly changing because it would be built and put their own imperfect voices into the Word from God to man. on the concept that "truth changes." mouth of God. They took their prejudices I came to San Diego uneasy about the Neither would any two people require the and their own private reverges and hatreds word "inerrancy." I'm still somewhat same "Bible." Each would compile his own and trumped them up and called them nervous about some of its connotations— composed of selections from some of the 'God's Word.' It can be safely said that a illogically so, perhaps, since I don't mind better portions of the current Bible (Ste fourth of the Old Testament ascribed to the word "infallible." But I am a lot less vens suggests "the inspired words of Moses God is none other than the imperfect, uneasy about inerrancy since San Diego. and Amos and Isaiah, parts of the Psalms, unworthy, irreverent word of men (maybe And I'm infinitely less uneasy about the some of the Sermon on the Mount, Paul's some women, too). Who knows how much implications of inerrancy than I am about 'Hymn of Love'") along with selected of the teaching and the person of Jesus in any view of Scripture that could lead to the writings from such individuals as Shake the New Testament has been tragically understanding of God's Word held by Mr. speare, Seneca, Socrates, Thomas Mer- warped and misrepresented by albeit well- Stevens. Compared to that, inerrancy ton, Goethe, Lewis Carroll, Ogden Nash, meaning persons?" looks positively captivating!—B.R.H. Emily Dickinson, and perhaps Annie Such an extreme example simply serves Scripture quotations marked R.S.V. are from Dillard. to illustrate the possibilities when one the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Asks Stevens, "What about those tradi begins to use his or her own human reason copyrighted 1946, 1952 © 1971, 1973. Continuing education is for you! Nloncredit continuing education has nars in North America to furnish advanced certificate, and a permanent record of the been the fastest growing segment of educa study opportunities to those engaged in CELJs earned is registered with Andrews tion since the close of World War II. ministry. The program is built upon the University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, a Why this upsurge in noncredit educa premise that unique theological and prac transcript of which is available on request. tion offerings? The need can be traced tical issues and needs arise in the practice Since many of you have requested directly to the rapid expansion of knowl of ministry. The faculty we choose for information about the content and loca edge, and the obsolescence of its long-term these seminars are people of faith, scholars tion of the Professional Growth Seminars, utility. These two factors have contributed who have mastered their academic disci the September MINISTRY will carry a com substantially to the demand for noncredit plines and teachers who are committed to plete listing of the autumn seminar pro continuing education directed toward the Christ and His church. The subjects range grams scheduled to date. rehabilitation and retraining of the exist from church growth to counseling in times In addition, our planning could be more ing worker force. Those in professional of crisis to preaching from the Psalms. This effective if we knew where the concentra occupations find it increasingly necessary intrachurch ministry is especially designed tion of interest resides and what topics you to update and upgrade their knowledge for men and women who are presently in a who are in direct ministry feel would be through continuing education. This effort pastoral role. At the end of each seminar most beneficial. Please help us plan by begins shortly after the completion of their the participants are presented with a filling out the attached coupon. formal education and continues through out their working years. Increasingly, more MINISTRY and more education for specific careers and Professional Growth Seminars job functions has to be obtained after graduation and continues throughout an 6840 Eastern Avenue NW., Washington, D.C. 20012. individual's productive life. The church is not unaffected or I would be interested in attending if a seminar were conducted in: untouched by societal trends. Presently thousands of clergy particpate each year in (City) (State/Province) evening classes, short courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, institutes, and Topics I would like to hear presented: other forms of noncredit continuing edu cation. Professional societies and organiza 1.______tions develop programs and award certifi cates to encourage members to update their knowledge and skills. In many churches evidence of continuing educa tion is required for maintenance of cre dentials, for occupational advancement, Name- and for recognition of personal and profes sional development. Address_ During the past few years, MINISTRY has conducted 185 Professional Growth Semi City__ ^State/Province^ MINISTRY/JULY/1982 25 Biblical Archeology/ William H. Shea Esther and history—1

Jewish rabbis and early Church Fathers debated whether the book of Esther should be included in the canon of Scripture. Today we are faced with a historical question: Did the events described in Esther really occur?

number of debates have swirled the Christian calendar and that may even according to one interpretation of Herodo around the book of Esther in the centuries have had connection with a pagan proto tus, Amestris is supposed to have been his since it was written. type. Esther herself has not escaped queen through that five-year interval, "If Both Jewish rabbis and the fathers of the unscathed. Although she finally emerges Esther is this inaccurate on points in which early Christian Church debated whether it as the heroine of the book, her status as the book purports to provide considerable should even belong in the canon of wife and queen of a pagan king and the way detail," say the critics, "then its historicity Scripture. (One reason that the Christians she obtained that position have come in can reasonably be called into question." questioned its canonicity was that New for occasional criticism. Before taking up some of these detailed Testament writers neither quoted nor Finally is the modem historical ques historical matters, we should ask: Have the alluded to it.) The Essenes of Qumran tion: Did the events described in Esther events of Esther been connected with the apparently had a rather negative view of really occur? It is this question that I want right king? Is the Ahasuerus of Esther Esther as well; it is the only book of the to examine. really the Persian king more commonly Hebrew Bible that is not attested among The nature of extra-Biblical sources for known as Xerxes? the Dead Sea Scrolls—the fragments that Persian history in the fifth century B.C. Linguistic relations between these two have survived from their library. provides only an indirect answer at best. names leave no doubt about their equiva The striking absence of the name of God Yet I suggest that a reasonable context for lence. Besides the Hebrew Bible, Xerxes' from its pages, in spite of the fact that it some of the events Esther describes can be name is attested in texts written in five mentions the King of Persia 190 times, derived from such sources. ancient Near Eastern languages: Old Per raised questions in the minds of some. One of the arguments against the sian, Elamite, Aramaic, Egyptian, and the Certain early Christian writers found historicity of Esther is that its details do not Babylonia dialect of Akkadian. All of Esther nationalistic and anti-Gentile in fit what we know of the career of Xerxes these written forms of Xerxes' name can be tone, as well as describing the origin of a from extra-Biblical sources. The book equated through a few well-known pho Jewish festival that had no relevance for dates Esther's arrival at court in the netic shifts, and they can also be related seventh year of Xerxes (see 2:16) when, directly to the Biblical Ahasuerus. For according to Herodotus, the king was on example, the transliterated form of the William H. Shea, Ph.D., is associate the western battlefront fighting the name in Hebrew,' Achashwerosh, compares professor of Old Testament at Andrews Greeks. Esther is identified in the book as favorably with the Old Persian form, University Theological Seminary, Berrien Xerxes' queen from his seventh year until Khashay&rsha, and the Babylonian, Springs, Michigan. at least his twelfth year (see 3:7), but Ahshiyarshu. (See SDA Bible Dictionary, p.

CO 33 CO

0^X ,^5^^&%v

26 MINISTRY/JULY/1982 22). Whether or not the historical details him into Greece in his sixth year, or 480 anticipation of selecting a new queen, it fit, therefore, it is evident that by using this B.C. The major land battle of that cam obviously does require that he had to be king's name, the author of Esther clearly paign was fought at Thermopylae in back in Persia by the time those candidates intended to locate its events during Xerxes' August, and the major sea battle was appeared before him a year later (see Esther reign. fought at Salarnis in September. Xerxes 2:8-20). Did he make it back in time? While cuneiform sources do help some then left Athens for Anatolia by the first of Xerxes did not return to Greece with his what in determining events during Xerxes' October, crossed the Hellespont by mid- troops when he sent his army off on the reign, they are not nearly so helpful as the November, and reached his winter quar even more disastrous campaign of 479 Greek sources, especially the account of ters at Sardis by the end of that same B.C.., but neither did he leave Sardis for Herodotus, who traveled through the Near month. Persia until a few days after some of the East less than a quarter century after These chronological data bear some Persian survivors from the battle of Mycale Xerxes' death. These Greek sources have relation to the references regarding Xerxes' on the coast of Asia Minor arrived there been the subject of recent major studies by search for a new queen as related in Esther late in August of that year. We may thus A. R. Burn, C. Hignett, and P. Green. 1 if we work backwards from the time that estimate that Xerxes left for Susa around Combined with sources from the ancient Esther went in to Xerxes (his seventh the first of September, which was the Near East, these authors provide us with a year). Esther 2:12 states that the prepara beginning of the seventh Babylonian-Per rather full picture of important events tion period prior to that time was twelve sian month of his seventh year. during the reign of Xerxes. months. The text does not say what day of Because Xerxes probably returned to The first known event of significance in the month Esther went in to the king, but Persia from his Greek debacle in the Xerxes' reign is his suppression of the according to the table on Babylonian autumn of the year, he must have gone to Egyptian revolt. Darius, his predecessor, chronology prepared by R. A. Parker and his winter residence at Susa, as Herodotus died late in 486 B.C. before he was able to W. H. Dubberstein, it could not have been indicates. This also accords remarkably attend to the matter, leaving it for Xerxes later than the last day of the month which well with the Biblical narrative, since to deal with. Since inscriptions dated to corresponded to January 20, 478 B.C. Esther was in Susa/Shushan when she went Xerxes' reign appear in Egypt early in 484 Esther should have commenced her prepa in to him (see 2:8, 16). From the B.C., his suppression of that revolt can be ration, then, twelve lunar months earlier chronological factors involved, Xerxes safely assigned to 485 B.C. at the end of January, 479 B.C. Minor must have had at least three months (or With Egypt under control again, Xerxes chronological variables could alter this five months, if one adopts the Septuagint's was free to direct his attention to the date by a month or so. figures) to return to Susa from Sardis before campaign against Greece. On this basis, it The chronology reconstructed here Esther went in to him sometime in the has been suggested that the 180-day indicates that Xerxes sent out his edict tenth month (or twelfth month according "banquet" in Xerxes' third year (see Esther ordering the beauties of the kingdom to be to the Septuagint) of that seventh year. 1:1-4) be put within the setting of the collected at Susa in preparation for his This comparison of the geographical planning session for his Greek campaign. return while he was still at his headquarters and chronological data given in Esther The presence of the "army" (1:3, Masore- in Sardis during the winter of 480/479 B.C. with information from extra-Biblical tic Text) or the "officers of the army" Does this conflict with any information sources does not prove that the events (Septuagint) in Susa at that time lends from the book of Esther? described in Esther are historical, but it some support to this suggestion. Involved here are two questions, one does demonstrate that they can be placed The capital, Susa or Shushan, was geographical, the other chronological. As in a framework of space and time that is located just east of the Mesopotamian far as geography is concerned, the text of compatible with what we know from plain, and the heat was so intense during Esther does not indicate that Xerxes was secular historians. We can conclude that the summer months that the Persian kings away from Susa when he issued his order, Esther does not contradict Herodotus on resided at higher altitudes on the Iranian but neither does it state that he was in these matters by putting Xerxes at some plateau during that time. Thus it seems Susa. Thus it permits either reconstruc place on a particular date that is incompat reasonable to estimate that these six tion. The chronological references in ible with that historian. months referred to in Esther probably Esther allow sufficient time for Xerxes' The identity of the queen who pre began in the fall and ended in the spring. If edict to have reached Susa before Esther ceded Esther and some other points of so, the seven-day celebration immediately commenced her period of preparation, contention will be examined in a con- following (see verse 5) could coincide with especially in view of the speed with which eluding article. 2 the spring New Year's festival which the Persian courier service is credited. signaled the start of Xerxes' fourth regnal Herodotus' familiar tribute to the Persian 'Burn, A.R., Persia and the Greeks, (Arnold: year. Such a celebration would have been a courier is inscribed today on the New York London, 1962); Hignett, C., Xerxes' Invasion of likely occasion for the participation of the Greece, (Oxford: London, 1963); Green, P., City Post Office building: "Neither snow, Xerxes at Salamis, (Praegen New York, 1970). In entire populace of Susa as described in nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays addition, see G. B. Brundy's 1901 classic, The Esther 1:5: "And when these days were these couriers from the swift completion of Great Persian War, reprinted by AMS in New expired, the king made a feast unto all the their appointed rounds." York, 1969. people that were present in Shushan the 2For a further discussion of this subject the While Esther does not necessarily interested reader is referred to my more detailed palace, both unto great and small, seven require Xerxes to be in Susa when he issued treatment in Andrews University Seminary Studies, days." Xerxes should have started on his his order for candidates to be prepared in 14 (1976):227-246. campaign to Greece shortly thereafter, but he was delayed for another year by a revolt in Babylonia. The reason for this revolt is not known, but possibly it was connected with a refusal by the Babylonians to The comparison of data given in Esther contribute troops to Xerxes' army. With both Egypt and Babylonia now with information from extra-Biblical sources well in hand, Xerxes departed from Persia with his army in the spring or summer of demonstrates that the events described his fifth year, 481 B.C. He arrived at Sardis can be placed in a framework that is compatible in western Anatolia in the fall and spent the winter there. His first campaign carried with what we know from historians. MINISTRY/JULY/1982 27 Shepherdess/Ruthie Self The greatest of these

With. 105,823 tasks demanding daily attention, how is a wife to keep herself loving and lovable? There is one thing that takes first place above all else and will cement the hearts of husbands and wives.

Bob visited him while his wife was busy bailing as fast as we can until we see shopping. After they shared a prayer, the there is no way we can keep out the sea and husband opened his heart. He wanted no we give up. Then, when we have no other part of his wife's religion, he said, because options left, we call on the One who has the church had made no change in her. always been there and who is able to help She was unloving, uncaring of his needs, us at any time. The answer is to put Jesus at and unresponsive to him. the very center and in first place in our How would your husband describe you? lives. How would you describe yourself? It has This experience must take priority. We been said that the strongest argument in cannot wait until the 105,823 necessary favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable tasks are finished, for if we do we will Christian. Do you fit such a description? continue to bail and bail until the liyes During my career as a pastor's wife, I've closest to us are seriously injured. When seen more than one husband get involved we spend quality time with our heavenly with a woman less attractive and less Friend who knows all the answers and has talented than his own wife. And sex didn't all the power, and wisdom, we will know seem the great attraction; rather, the what the most important things should be husband had found someone he could in our lives and homes. He will quiet the communicate with and who was willing to storm of anxiety over a work that is never accept him for what he was. finished; He will give us power to cope with I remember a wife who was intelligent, a the overwhelming responsibility of lives good cook, an immaculate housekeeper, depending on us. His methods will become and very particular about her children. But ours. Ruthie Self, a pastor's wife from Nash she had become a slave to the 105,823 The results of this relationship can ville, Tennessee, is a graduate of Southern things that seem to demand daily atten improve marital relationships. By studying Missionary College with a major in elemen tion. Each of those things was no doubt the methods Christ uses to make us His tary education. Undoubtedly, her training important, but she had forgotten what was friends and lovers, and applying them in has proved to be a help in rearing three most important—being a loving and lova our marriage, we give happiness a head boys! Her spare time is precious, but when ble wife to her husband! Although we can start. availabk is used for practical hobbies such never place all the blame for a failed For example, do we accept our mate and as refinishing furniture and gardening. marriage on one spouse, apparently this love him as he is? Or are we trying to Ruthie, to her credit, considers cooking and wife, in her preoccupation with household change him? God doesn't insist that we baking a hobby! Her practicality will be drudgery, had neglected to fill her hus change before He loves us. He loves us seen in the following article, which band's needs. The case went on the church unconditionally. He loves us while we are addresses a very serious and important sub records as adultery, but "drudgery" could yet sinners. He loves us even when we are ject. Husband-wife relationships constitute well have been listed as accessory to the His enemies. He sees the best in us even the major factor for a happy or unhappy fact. when we fail, and loves us still. Uncondi marriage. But more than this, the role It is no secret that homes are breaking up tional love doesn't demand transforma model of the pastoral team impinges on the at alarming rates today. And these are not tion; it inspires transformation. The hen health of the congregation. Ruthie beauti newly established homes in many cases. pecked husband spends too much time fully points out that a strong relationship Divorce is claiming marriages of fifteen, dodging the pecks to make progress spir with Christ is the foundation of a successful twenty, twenty-five years, and even itually. If he feels condemned and criti marriage. I know you will benefit from longer. Nor is the parsonage exempt. cized rather than accepted and loved, he reading her message Marie Spangkr. Pastors and their wives are finding that will keep his feelings to himself, and their marriages are coming apart almost in communication will be broken. Some the same numbers as the general popula times a husband (or a wife) needs a tion! listener, not a counselor. Mly husband, Bob, was frustrated. How can we become more loving and Yes, we may be all too aware that areas Despite his most winsome invitations, he lovable? The daily demands on a wife of his ministry need improvement: he couldn't get the husband of a church usually are not the priority items in her should spend more time with his family member even to visit our services. One day marriage. Most important are relation (isn't that always at or near the top of the ships. First, our relationship with Christ. list!) and more time visiting. He needs to We become more loving by allowing Jesus be more (or less) aggressive and put more Ruthie Self, a pastor's wife, writes from first place in our life. But like the disciples illustrations in his sermons. He attends too Goodlettsville, Tennessee. in the sudden storm on Galilee, we stay many meetings, dresses sloppily or over- 28 MINISTRY/JULY/1982 dresses. Marriage means communication; Husbands and wives have many pressures kept no record of rights and wrongs. problem areas demand candid discussion, from every direction. Especially is this true Though unappreciated and the recipient of so that each knows how the other feels and of pastors. The pastor-husband needs to few gifts, He served us lovingly, un why. find satisfaction, fulfillment, and ac selfishly. His love is described in 1 Corin But instead of nagging (we usually call it ceptance from a loving wife. The wife who thians 13: ". . . suffereth long, and is kind counseling), should we not give the does not fill her husband's wholesome . . . seeketh not her own, is not easily- problem to the only One who knows the sexual needs may be more responsible for provoked" (verses 4, 5). We need to read answers? God alone can convict of need adultery than she would care to admit. (If this chapter often. and bring about change. And while we're you need a bit of help on the subject, I'd The loving wife. Greater than an seeking for a minor adjustment, God may recommend The Act of Marriage, by Tim immaculate house; greater than 105,823 be working for transformation. So instead LaHaye. If you need more help, don't jobs finished; greater than being a superb of bailing all the time and becoming more hesitate to seek professional counseling.) cook and an excellent nutritionist; greater and more frustrated, cast "all your care Are we continuing the early attentions? than a prestigious career; and even greater upon him; for he careth for you" (1 Peter God Himself wants to continue the "first than being the esteemed minister's wife is 5:7). love" relationship; should our husbands simply to be a loving wife. God created us with the desire to love not expect it? While dating, we learned The strongest argument in favor of the and be loved, and only the Christian can our lover's favorite perfume, color, sports, gospel is a loving and lovable Christian. experience the depth of meaning and and foods. We showed our love by writing The strongest bond of marriage is a loving fulfillment in the marriage relationship. notes and giving him gifts. Has that and lovable wife. The right relationship One reason is that the Christian interprets attitude fallen casually to the years? Maybe with Christ and the right priorities in the love to mean more than two bodies the rut of inattention has become too home can make our homes a shelter from meeting; love—and sex—means commit deep. Maybe we're too busy bailing to the pressures and demands of the outside ment of body, mind, and spirit. We should notice. Perhaps we excuse our lack of world—places where love holds forth be open with our mates in discussing what attention by feeling sorry for ourselves. supreme. "The greatest of these is love" pleases us in sex, a gift God gave not only After all, we are taken for granted too. (verse 13, N.I.V.)." for procreation but for pleasure. Someone Often we don't get gifts or even verbal has said, "Sex isn't the most important * From The Holy Bible: New International Ver thanks. sion. Copyright © 1978 by the New York phase in marriage, but it surely helps grease The word is selfishness. It begins to International Bible Society. Used by permission of the wheels so that all parts run well." creep in. It's the root of all evil. Our Lord Zondervan Bible Publishers. Prayers from the parsonage I want to teach our children so many admit that I'm nagging. Tired and tense, I and shared only what the disciples could things, Lord. Principles such as love for wonder, "Will they ever learn?" absorb. You and for others. Character traits such as "I have yet many things to say unto you, Lord, show me what Lisa and Hans need self-control and obedience. Habits such as but ye cannot bear them now" (John to learn so I can focus on specifics. Keep me cheerfulness and politeness. 16:12). close to them so I can take advantage of And so I advise and admonish through More than anyone, Lord, You had a lot teachable moments. Make me perceptive out the day: "First the blessing; then we to cover in a few years. How much You so I can match my methods to their eat." "You don't both need to play with the longed to teach Your well-meaning but personalities. Let me be quick to praise and same toy." "We don't call people uncomprehending disciples! Had they slow to scold. 'Dummy.' " "No more books out till you've been ready, they could have grasped the When I am overwhelmed by the poten done your chores." "Wipe your feet." most profound concepts as well as all the tial of my example, help me to remember "Take turns." "Don't interrupt." necessary truths. that others also seek my children's good Some days I stay positive and smiling But You accepted the fact that at times and can help in their training. like a good coach. But there are days no amount of discussion helps and even What our family can't achieve, we trust when—if I listen to myself—I have to the best explanation falls on deaf ears. to You. May the Holy Spirit possess our Rather than sigh over their lack of minds, guiding us into all truth, as we are _Cherry B. Habenicht. understanding, You restrained Yourself ready.

Reach out and touch someone Continued from page 20 calls to ten or twelve different people who I fifty or sixty hours on the telephone. The in any way possible. Unfortunately, many think might appreciate being remembered. rewards were just as great as before. I of us have not conveyed this love and Needless to say, the response has been learned about sicknesses, bereavements, concern to them. Undoubtedly, there are encouraging. Further, I find it takes the upcoming surgeries, and a host of other limitless ways whereby we can convince sting out of "request calls" when I ask them things of which I had been totally them of our interest in them and their to do something for the church. They unaware. But with scarcely an exception, lives. Different areas of the world will need know that they are not being taken for the people took it as a great honor to know different methods. But thanks to the granted and that the pastor doesn't just call that a pastor would take the time to wish suggestion of a disgruntled layman, my to "use" them. them a happy holiday and just say that he experience has shown me that one of the With the initial phoning blitz proving so cared. simplest ways to realize a maximum return effective, I decided to have a rerun at least All of us as pastors love each member of for a minimum of effort is the telephone. every six months. When Christmas and our flocks. All of us wish them the very best The Bell Comp? ny is right! It isn't a bad New Year's rolled around I spent another and would be only too happy to assist them idea to "reach out and touch someone"!

MINISTRY/JULY/1982 29 Reader Service Page

This page lists in one convenient place all the ministerial resources currently being offered to our readers. Select from a variety that includes sermon planning, healthful living, archeology, and more.

Steps to Christ. A small devotional treasure that describes the steps in the conversion process and leads the reader to an SUBSCRIPTIONS understanding of the joy of Christian living. By E. G. White. Ministry Tape of the Month. A professional-growth program 134 pp., free, one per reader. Also available in boxes of 100, covering preaching, worship, teaching, leadership, theology, $25 per box. evangelism, and counseling. Twelve months, one 90'minute cassette per month, $45. No. boxes. Total $_ Free copy _ Quantity - Total $_

Smoke Signals. A monthly how-to help, toward nonsmoking that includes scientific information. $4.00 a year. MISCELLANEOUS Quantity ______Total $______Archeology, Bible Study Tools. "What Is New in Biblical Archeology?" by Dr. Siegfried H. Horn, and "Tools and Their Use in the Minister's Workshop," by Dr. Walter F. Specht. BOOKS Originally included in April, 1980, MINISTRY. 24 pp., $1.00. Quantity ______Total $______From Sabbath to Sunday. Investigates the intriguing question of how Sunday came to be observed as the day of rest and Relics of the Past. Description of the important Biblical worship by the majority of Christians. By Samuele Bacchioc- artifacts that repose in the major museums of the world. Dr. chi. 372pp., $7.95. Siegfried H. Horn explains their significance to Bible history. 16pp., $1.00. Quantity ______Total $______Quantity ______Total $______The Desire of Ages. An appealing book that draws spiritual lessons from the life of Christ. Excellent study aid for preach Sermon Plan Book. From Advent through the Trinity season, ing and personal devotions. By E. G. White. 734 pp., $2.00. this new workbook provides one planning page for each religious service regularly scheduled during the entire year. Quantity ______Total $______Each page serves as a practical outline for drafting future Divine Rest for Human Restlessness. Offers a theological sermons, together with all other aspects of the service. $3.95. interpretation of the value of the Sabbath for such contempo Quantity ______Total $______rary problems as human tension and restlessness, human rights, identity crisis, competitive pressures, and marital tensions. By The Complete Plan Book for Sunday Eucharistic Celebra Samuele Bacchiocchi. 320 pp., $7.95. tions. The Catholic version of the sermon plan book described above, edited by the Word of God Institute, and fully reflect Quantity ______Total $______ing the appropriate theology and semantics of the liturgy of the The Great Controversy. Unfolds the drama of the conflict Roman Catholic Church. $3.95. between Christ and Satan, beginning with the fall of Satan Quantity ______Total $______and continuing until the battle is over and the earth has been restored to a perfect state. By E. G. White. 640 pp., $2.00. Packet of Four Pamphlets: "How to Stop Smoking," "If You Smoke," "Alcohol: Ten Reasons Why You Don't Need It," Quantity ______Total $______and "Is Marijuana Really All That Bad?" Plus catalog from Marked! Recent release that explores what the Bible says Narcotics Education, Inc. $1.00. about the "beast" and its "mark." Avoids sensationalism while Quantity ______Total $______focusing on God's most solemn warning. By MINISTRY Editor J. R. Spangler. 156pp., $1.50. Quantity ______Total $______The Ministry of Healing. This health classic has inspired Indicate the items you wish to order, fill your name and many to adopt a more healthful way of life. By E. G. White. address, and mail the entire page (or a photocopy of it) along 383 pp., $1.00. with payment to: MINISTRY Services, Box 217, Burtonsville, Maryland 20866. (Offer limited to U.S. and Canada.) Quantity ______Total $______Name ______Patriarchs and Prophets. The stories of Creation, God's dramatic dealings with Israel, the division of Canaan, and the Address setting up of the kingdom under David are all told with persuasive power. By E. G. White. 647 pp., $2.00. City, State, ZIP _ Quantity ______Total $______Total enclosed U.S. $_ (Checks payable to MINISTRY.)

30 MINISTRY/JULY/1982 Shop talk

The annual Institute on Mental Health is to be held this September in Ohio; the induction loop system can help your hearing-impaired members; and a book is available to help you prepare your church newsletter.

Improving your amplify background sounds assistant professor, Depart and Counseling," and "What newsletter the average person does not ment of Family Medicine, Is the Mind and How Does It A church newsletter is an notice. The volume of most Case Western Reserve Uni Work?" important part of a growing public-address systems is set at versity School of Medicine, Registration fee for the church. Now there is a publi a level acceptable to people Cleveland, Ohio. institute is $80, which cation that can be a great with unimpaired hearing and The institute, which began includes all meals, tuition, help to you in its prepara directed to the back of the in 1955, is designed to bring and educational materials. tion—Editing Your Newslet church. People in front get together pastors and Christian Applications may be obtained ter—A Guide to Writing, little help. mental health professionals to by writing to Medical Direc Design and Production, by There is a solution, how discuss common problems and tor, Harding Hospital, 445 E. Mark Beach. ever. It's called the "induc concerns. Granville Road, Worthing Although not prepared tion loop amplification sys According to George T. ton, Ohio 43085. Or phone: with the church newsletter tem." The mechanism is Harding, Jr., medical direc (614) 885-5381. particularly in mind, it does basically a microphone, an tor, many pastors, administra offer many helpful sugges amplifier, and a wire that tors, and educators have You can help————_J tions. Intended for people encircles the church. The expressed a desire to under Are you receiving more with no training in writing, wire acts like an antenna, stand people and the prob than one copy of MINISTRY design, or production, it leads sending out magnetic signals. lems that arise in their lives each month? If so, would you the reader through the entire If a hearing-aid wearer has a better. "It is our belief that take just a moment to let us process. For the more sophis telephone switch on his aid, there is a distinct advantage know? Drastically increased ticated it has up-to-the- he can pick up the signals in studying mental health postage costs have caused us minute information on word and hear beautifully every issues with people who share to look carefully at such processing. Much of the con thing spoken into the micro a common faith and religious duplication. Just send the tent may involve techniques phone. Most hearing aids point of view," he concluded. address label of the copy you beyond those used by the have such switches, and older Other topics to be discussed want dropped to: MINISTRY, average church and its simple models can usually be modi during the institute are "Signs 6840 Eastern Ave., NW., mimeograph machine; yet fied. of Mental Breakdown—What Washington, D.C. 20012. there are basic elements and The induction loop system Do Symptoms Really Mean?" Mark it "Duplicate copy; considerations that will prove costs between $1,000 and $3,- "What Makes Counseling please delete." We'll do the challenging and helpful. The 000. For additional informa Spiritual?" "Psychotherapy rest—and save postage. 75 pages contain many illus tion, write: Organization for trations, forms, tips, and the Use of the Telephone, examples. Box 175, Owings Mills, in present Christian thought For your copy of Maryland 21117.—Roy Lech- and practice has come to us Editing Your Newsletter send treck, Montevallo, Alabama. from these godly Bible exposi- $7.50 to: Coast to Coast 'tors. You'll be stirred by the Books, 2934 Northeast Six Institute on mental clear manner in which they teenth Avenue, Portland, health dealt three hundred years ago Oregon 97212. "Emotional Factors in Fam with so many of the same ily Conflict" will be the doctrinal and practical ques Your people can hear! theme of the twenty-seventh tions that you face today. An estimated 14 million Institute on Mental Health The English Connection was people in the United States sponsored annually by Hard- written by Bryan W. Ball, alone are hearing-impaired ing Hospital, a comprehensive Ph.D., and published by but not deaf. Many of these psychiatric center located in James Clarke and Company, have only slight hearing loss Worthington, Ohio. The Cambridge, England. Order or an impairment confined to three-day institute will be Discover your Puritan now and take advantage of a one ear. But there may be as held September 19-22 on the roots! special subsidized price for many as 6 million who have a hospital campus. Not many Christians are MINISTRY readers. The usual genuine difficulty hearing in Persons attending the insti familiar with Joseph Alleine, retail price is US$17.25; you theaters, auditoriums, and tute will also participate in a John Owen, Richard Baxter, pay only US$12.95 for this churches. one-day symposium titled John Flavel, Francis Bamp- 256-page hardcover book. Hearing aids and public- "Divorce and the Effects of field, and other sixteenth- Offer good only in the United address systems alone will not Divorce on Families," pre and seventeenth-century Puri States and Canada; expires enable most of these to hear sented by Judith Wallerstein, tan writers. And that's too September 30, 1982. Order what is being said. Hearing Ph.D., School of Social Wel bad. from MINISTRY Services, P.O. aids have the unfortunate fare, University of California, The English Connection Box 217, Burtonsville, Mary tendency to pick up and Berkeley, and Gay Kitson, demonstrates just how much land 20866.

MINISTRY/JULY/1982 31 Recommended reading

Are you bewildered by the seemingly unending stream of Bible translations that pour off the religious press? Have you ever felt you needed a score card to keep track and evaluate? Here's help!

The English Bible From K.J.V. to the short introduction Dr. Craddock church will have the courage to accept a N.I.V.: A History and Evaluation explains the need for interpreting any doctrine so demanding that it even two Jack P. Lewis, Baker Book House, Grand document and the factors that complicate thousand years ago elicited the comment, Rapids, Michigan, 1981, 408 pages, $16.95. the task of an interpreter. He then briefly "If this be the case, it is not good to marry." Reviewed by William H. Hessel, Seminary discusses the formation and the role of the librarian, Andrews University. canon, and concludes by explaining the Church Growth—A Mighty River nature of a Gospel as literature, the special Delos Miks, Broadman Press, Nashvilk, After a short history of the English interpretative problems posed by the four Tennessee, 1981, 167 pages, $5.95 paper. Bible, the author evaluates the following Gospels, and the criteria he used to select Reviewed by Michael J. Lay, pastor, Brewer, translations: King James Version, Ameri certain Gospel passages for inclusion in Maine. can Standard Version, Revised Standard this study. Version, New English Bible, the New In the second and longer part of the This book gives an excellent overview of American Standard Bible, The Jerusalem book, Craddock presents four passages the church growth movement and helps Bible, The New American Bible, the New from each Gospel that are representative of one to become acquainted with its leaders World Translation, The Living Bible, the the individual Gospel writer and that and major features and concepts. Its notes Good New Bible, The New International demand a particular type of methodology. point out significant works of the past Version, and The New King James Bibk. In He shows the problems inherent in the thirteen years. these evaluations Lewis pays attention to passage, explains how to understand the The chapter "Its Biblical Basin" is the intent of the translators while judging point intended by the Gospel writer, and perhaps the most valuable for the pastor the texts used, accuracy, consistency, relates the text to our needs today. who wishes to find sound Biblical princi style, communicability, and possible theo' Scattered throughout his unfolding of the ples to share with a learning congregation. logical bias. Especially helpful are the text Craddock has included sermonic hints As the Word is studied, spiritual growth sections on changes made in later editions like the candy nuggets in a chocolate-chip should occur, which in turn will help lead of these translations. cookie. to numerical growth. Concerned pastors Large sections are given to examples, The Gospels is more than a Bible will want both. sections that do not read easily and are commentary. It is a lode that the pastor more in the nature of reference material. can mine for sermonic ideas that will MINISTRY does not have the facilities to sell or For this reason a scripture and subject confront his congregation with the signifi index would have increased the usefulness order these books for readers. If you wish to cance of Christ. Craddock does not pre obtain a book reviewed here, please order of the book. Guidelines for selecting a sent an outline or write the sermon. He through any bookstore. translation would also have been helpful. does, however, break up the massive Gospel ore so the pastor has ready access to The Gospels the golden veins of the Gospels. Fred B. Croddoclc, Abingdon, 1981, 159 pages, $6.95, paper. Reviewed by Richard W. Marriage, Divorce, and Remar Coffen, book editor, Review and Herald riage in the Bible Publishing Association. Jay E. Adams, Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1980, 99 pages, $3.50, Have you ever tried to wade through the paper. Reviewed by James Coffin, pastor, books Biblical scholars write? If so, you Spencerville, Maryland. probably encountered a deluge of tongue twisters, and figured that Biblical theolo In an increasingly permissive society gians all are endowed with the gift of where greater credence is granted to tongues. Craddock's book is refreshingly psychological evaluation than to divine different. The editors' foreword indicates revelation, it is refreshing to encounter a that the book belongs to the Interpreting book that tries to deal with Biblical Biblical Texts Series, which seeks to speak pronouncements on marriage and divorce "in language that will be understood by as they are, and not as we might like them scholars, clergy and lay persons alike" and to be. While not claiming a facile solution which deals "with concrete texts, actual to the problem of marital breakdown problems of interpretation, and practical within the church today, Adams nonethe procedures for moving from 'then' to less succeeds in establishing a theological 'now.'" framework wherein the moral obligations Craddock has succeeded in reaching of husband, wife, and church are clearly those goals; his book blends current delineated. His conclusions, though pon Biblical scholarship with an understand derous, are exegetically sound; the real able vocabulary and a readable style. issue is whether—particularly in today's The book has two major divisions. In social milieu—husbands, wives, or the

32 MINISTRY/JULY/1982