Seeking the Shalom Jan28 2020 Finaltest
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Seeking the Shalom: A Wholistic Approach to Adventist Urban Mission in the United States Drawing on Ellen White’s “Centres of Influence” Concept. Gary David Krause Masters in Journalism B.A. (Hons) A thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Queensland in 2020 School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry ii Abstract In this thesis, a work of practical theology, I explore Seventh-day Adventist urban mission in the United States within the context of the church’s own history, theology, and practice, and also within the wider settings of Protestant Christianity and American society in general. The thesis includes a proposed theology of Adventist mission, a correlational dialogue with urban studies, and an examination of current Adventist practice in urban mission, including selected case studies of urban centres of influence currently operating in the United States. In developing a new theoretical model for Adventist urban mission, I draw from the resources of Adventist theology and experience, including an Adventist wholistic approach to mission that marries the spiritual with the physical, theology with health, and beliefs with lifestyle. In doing this I explore the concepts of shalom, compassion, salvation, and incarnation. I frame this within the wider context of the historic negativity Adventists have felt toward the city. I examine how this arose, and how an Adventist preference for rural living has led to a reluctance to engage in sustained ways in urban mission. I also draw from the insights of urban studies, particularly in the areas of resilience, sustainability, social and spiritual community, and urban quality of life. Further, I look at how “centres of influence,” a concept drawn from Ellen White’s writings, could be reinvented as a twenty-first century model for Adventist urban mission. I suggest a practice framework for how such centres can serve as a vehicle for Adventist mission in urban areas. I conclude that centres of influence should build on the strengths of Adventist theology and experience as well as the insights of the social sciences, and rather than being event-based, they should be long-term, wholistic, and embedded in the community. These centres should also serve as urban “third spaces,” and serve as platforms for connecting with and serving urban community needs—social, physical, and spiritual. iii Declaration by author This thesis is composed of my original work, and contains no material previously published or written by another person except where due reference has been made in the text. I have clearly stated the contribution by others to jointly-authored works that I have included in my thesis. I have clearly stated the contribution of others to my thesis as a whole, including statistical assistance, survey design, data analysis, significant technical procedures, professional editorial advice, financial support and any other original research work used or reported in my thesis. The content of my thesis is the result of work I have carried out since the commencement of my higher degree by research candidature and does not include a substantial part of work that has been submitted to qualify for the award of any other degree or diploma in any university or other tertiary institution. I have clearly stated which parts of my thesis, if any, have been submitted to qualify for another award. I acknowledge that an electronic copy of my thesis must be lodged with the University Library and, subject to the policy and procedures of The University of Queensland, the thesis be made available for research and study in accordance with the Copyright Act 1968 unless a period of embargo has been approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. I acknowledge that copyright of all material contained in my thesis resides with the copyright holder(s) of that material. Where appropriate I have obtained copyright permission from the copyright holder to reproduce material in this thesis and have sought permission from co-authors for any jointly authored works included in the thesis. iv Publications included in this thesis No publications included. Submitted manuscripts included in this thesis No manuscripts submitted for publication. Other publications during candidature Peer-reviewed papers Krause, Gary. 2014. "Seeking the Shalom: Wholistic Adventist Urban Mission and Centers of Influence." Journal of Adventist Mission Studies 10 (2): 49-61. Krause, Gary. 2019. "Toward an Adventist Theology of Urban Mission." Journal of Adventist Mission Studies 15 (1): 1-22. Contributions by others to the thesis No contributions by others. Statement of parts of the thesis submitted to qualify for the award of another degree No works submitted towards another degree have been included in this thesis. Research involving human or animal subjects No animal or human subjects were involved in this research. v Acknowledgements I am deeply grateful to my father and mother for creating a home environment where reading, education, and study were given a high priority. Their encouragement and support set and kept me on the path of learning. And thank you Wayne, my brother, for always believing I had a PhD thesis hiding in me somewhere. Thank you Neil Pembroke for guiding me through the process. You made my studies a pleasure and a terrific learning experience the entire way. Les Ball, thank you also for your help and guidance. Thank you Jean Silver-Eisenstadt, David Trim, and Reinder Bruinsma for looking at various chapters and giving me helpful feedback. Jean, it’s a privilege to have a gracious scholar such as you as a neighbour. David and Reinder, thank you for your friendship and support. Thank you Monte Sahlin for your long-time focus on urban mission and your ongoing encouragement. Thank you Mike Ryan for helping me translate urban mission ideas into practice. And thank you, G.T. Ng, for approving my study program. Finally, all my love and thanks to you, Bettina and Bethany. Bettina, thanks for reading through the thesis. You are the best editor. You both are my home and my support, and mean everything to me. vi Financial support This research was supported by a grant from the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Keywords centres of influence, church, Seventh-day Adventist, shalom, urban, city, wholistic, practical theology, community Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classifications (ANZSRC) 220401 Christian Studies 50% 220405 Religion and Society 40% 160810 Urban Sociology and Community Studies 10% Fields of Research (FoR) Classification 2204 Religion and Religious Studies 70% 2202 History and Philosophy of Specific Fields 30% vii Table of Contents ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................... V INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 1 DEFINITION OF TERMS .................................................................................................................. 3 Centre of Influence .................................................................................................................. 3 Mission and Ministry ............................................................................................................... 4 Christ’s Method ....................................................................................................................... 4 BACKGROUND TO THE CENTRE OF INFLUENCE CONCEPT ............................................................. 4 A RENEWED INTEREST IN CENTRES OF INFLUENCE ...................................................................... 9 RESEARCH QUESTION ................................................................................................................. 11 SUMMARY OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ................................................................................. 12 CHAPTER 1: METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................. 14 CLEARING THE WAY FOR UNDERSTANDING ............................................................................... 15 LOCAL AND GENERAL HERMENEUTICS ...................................................................................... 17 WIDE THEOLOGICAL ENGAGEMENT ........................................................................................... 18 ADVENTIST HERMENEUTICS ....................................................................................................... 21 GUIDING DIALOGUE METAPHOR ................................................................................................ 25 OSMER’S FIRST AND SECOND TASKS .......................................................................................... 26 OSMER’S THIRD AND FOURTH TASKS ......................................................................................... 30 TWO NOTES: PERSONAL REFLEXIVITY AND USE OF ELLEN WHITE ............................................ 31 Personal Reflexivity .............................................................................................................. 31 Ellen White ............................................................................................................................ 32 CHAPTER 2: BROADER CONTEXTS FOR AND INFLUENCES ON ADVENTIST URBAN MISSION ......................................................................................................................