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Summer 2015 The pirS itual Gift of cholS arship Martin Hanna Andrews University, [email protected]

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Recommended Citation Hanna, Martin, "The pS iritual Gift of choS larship" (2015). Faculty Publications. 128. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/theology-christian-philosophy-pubs/128

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Theology & Christian Philosophy at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE SPIRITUAL GIFT OF SCHOLARSHIP

By Martin Hanna

Christians are sometimes “schizo- of the Bible, we should study diligently Daniel’s three friends in the fiery fur- phrenic” about scholarship. We agree since (as Peter indicates) some mis- nace when king Nebuchadnezzer said: with Francis Bacon that “knowledge is understandings can be catastrophic. “Look! . . . I see four men loose walking power,” and we get as much as we can, The Bible-based spiritual gift of in the midst of the fire and they are not and we use it to defend and proclaim scholarship helps the discern hurt; and the form of the fourth is like gospel truth. At the same time, we rec- the difference between true and false the Son of God” (Daniel 3:25). Similarly, ognize that scholarship can undermine scholarship. Paul warns Christians at “the time of the end” (12:4), “ some of our preferred perspectives. So to: “Beware lest anyone deceive you shall stand up” (12:1) for His people we wrestle with the question: How can through philosophy and empty deceit as He stood up for them in the fiery we wholeheartedly welcome schol- according to the tradition of men, furnace. “Michael the archangel” arship when it sometimes seems to according to the basic principles of (Jude 1:9) is “the Lord Himself” who undermine what we thought was true? the world (kosmos), and not according “will descend from heaven with a An answer to this question may be to Christ” (Colossians 2:8).5 Here, Paul shout, with the voice of the arch- discovered by a study of scholarship is rejecting philosophy that is contrary angel and with the trumpet of God. as a spiritual gift given to the church to Christ while proposing a Christ- And the dead in Christ will rise first” by Christ.1 Through this gift, Christians centered philosophy. (1 Thessalonians 4:16). may safely use scholarship to correct 3. Church growth. While we wait for and deepen our faith without compro- the return of Christ, we are to make mising truth. In subsequent sections use of the spiritual gift of scholarship of this article I propose that a Bible- We are all for the purpose of church growth. In based and Christ-centered spiritual this way, we can become wiser than gift of scholarship empowers church woven together Daniel, who wrote: “Although I heard growth and an international mission I did not understand” (Daniel 12:8). that is cosmic in scope. Daniel was told to “shut up the words 1. Bible-based. The in the web and seal the book until the time of the drama of Daniel and his friends illus- end” when “knowledge shall increase” trates how God is the source of the of (12:4). This is to be fulfilled in spiritual gift of scholarship. “God gave the church since “none of the wicked them knowledge and skill” (Daniel shall understand” (12:10) this increase 1:17)2 so that they were “gifted in all HUMANITY in knowledge. wisdom, possessing knowledge and The spiritual gift of scholarship quick to understand” (1:4). Also, in 2. Christ-Centered. , the supports growth in faith, knowl- the , this spiritual Master Teacher, instructed His schol- edge, and ministry or service. “When gift is indicated in Paul’s statement ars that “the Holy Spirit” “will teach He ascended,” Christ “gave gifts” that “God has appointed teachers in you all things” in a Christ-centered (Ephesians 4:8) to the church “for the the church” (:28; cf. curriculum since “He will testify of equipping of the saints for the work of Ephesians 4:11) along with “the word Me” (John 14:26; 15:26). Therefore, “it the ministry, for edifying the body of of wisdom” and “the word of knowl- is to your advantage that I go away” Christ, till we all come into the unity of edge” (1 Corinthians 12:8).3 because “I still have many things to say the faith and of the knowledge of the One of the reasons this gift is to you, but you cannot bear them now. Son of God” (4:12–13). This involves an needed is because some parts of the However, when He, the Spirit of truth, “increase that is from God” (Colossians Bible are difficult to understand. Peter has come, He will guide you into all 2:19) through Christ. “In Him dwells all writes that “our beloved brother Paul, truth” (16:7, 12–13). Paul also teaches the fullness of the Godhead bodily; . . . has written . . . some things hard to concerning “Christ in Whom are hid all and you are complete in Him” (2:9–10) understand, which untaught and the treasures of wisdom and knowl- since “He is the head of the body, the unstable people twist to their own edge” (Colossians 2:2–3). church” (1:18; cf. 1:24). destruction, as they do the rest of the The spiritual gift of scholarship is 4. International Mission. The pur- Scriptures” (2 Peter 3:15–16).4 While supported by salvation through Christ, pose of church growth is to accomplish only God has perfect understanding as illustrated by the experience of an international evangelistic mission.

46 Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Equipped with spiritual gifts, includ- Christ “all things were created. . . . And mission that is cosmic in scope. With ing scholarship, the church will reach He is before all things, and in Him all such a gift from God, we must dare the nations. “The mystery . . . revealed things consist” (Colossians 1:16–17) to be like Daniel and his friends. “As to His saints” (Colossians 1:26), which and are reconciled (1:20). Christ “is for these four young men, God gave “God willed to make known . . . among the head of all principality and power” them knowledge and skill in all lit- the Gentiles [ethnos, the nations],” “is (2:10).9 As Bruce Norman points out, erature and wisdom; and Daniel had Christ” (1:27). This mission includes “Paul used some of the common cos- understanding of visions and dreams” the scholarship of teaching, because mological terminology” of his time and (Daniel 1:17). “In all matters of wisdom “we preach” by “teaching” everyone infused it “with a different meaning” and understanding about which the “in all wisdom” “in Christ Jesus” (1:28). whereby “Christ” is “the beginning and king examined them, he found them Daniel describes our destiny this way: the end of cosmology.”10 ten times better” than everyone else “Those who are wise shall shine like Inspired by this cosmic Christ, Ellen (1:20). the brightness of the firmament, and White welcomes a two-way illumina- those who turn many to righteousness tion between science and theology. as the stars forever and ever” (Daniel She writes that: “The book of nature 12:3). and the written word do not disagree; Christ-centered scholarship in the each sheds light on the other. Rightly church seeks the profit of all human- understood they make us acquainted ity. Ellen White teaches us that “every with God and His character by teaching church member should feel an interest us something of the wise and benefi- in all that concerns the human broth- cent laws through which he works. We erhood as well as the brotherhood in are thus led to adore his name and to Christ.”6 “We are all woven together have an intelligent trust in his word.”11 in the web of humanity.”7 “Let us bear Conclusion. This same inspiration in mind that Christ is the great cen- actuates an appeal Ellen White made tral heart from which the life-blood at the Battle Creek College in 1883: flows to every part of the great body of “Dear youth, what is the aim and pur- humanity. He is the head from which pose of your life? Are you ambitious for extend the nerves that reach even to education that you may have a name the most minute and most remote and position in the world? Have you 8 parts of the body [of humanity].” thoughts that you dare not express, Martin Hanna, PhD, enjoys serv- 5. Cosmic Scope. In order to effec- that you may one day stand upon the ing as a teacher and as co-editor tively fulfill our mission to the nations, summit of intellectual greatness; that of Andrews University Seminary Studies at the Seventh-day we must increase our understanding you may sit in deliberative and legisla- Adventist Theological Seminary. In of the universal scope of the spiri- tive councils, and help to enact laws his home country—the Bahamas, tual gift of scholarship. While no one for the nation? There is nothing wrong and in Jamaica, he served as a person can perfect even one area of in these aspirations. You may every counselor, dean of men, research scholarship, each Christian is called one of you make your mark. You should center director, and chair of the theology department. He to exercise their gift “for the profit of be content with no mean attainments. enjoys even more his to all” (1 Corinthians 12:7). Anything less Aim high, and spare no pains to reach Henrietta (PhD in Nursing) and is than this is a dishonor to Jesus, our the standard.”12 proud of their children, Pharez, Master Teacher. A Bible-based and Christ-centered Melody, and Zachary. Christian scholarship is as com- spiritual gift of scholarship empowers prehensive as the cosmos because: by a church growth and an international

Endnotes

1 George E. Rice, “Spiritual Gifts,” Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald), 610–650. 2 All Bible texts are quoted from The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982). 3 Robert A. Harris, The Integration of Faith and Learning (Eugene OR: Cascade, 2004). 4 John D. Moores, Wrestling With Rationality in Paul (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995). 5 Abraham J. Malherbe, Paul and the Popular Philosophers (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 1989). 6 Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1962), 7:292. 7 Ellen White, Temperance (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1949), 208. 8 Ellen White, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, October 16, 1894. 9 Martin Hanna, The Cosmic Christ of Scripture (Berrien Springs, MI: Cosmic Christ Connections, 2006). 10 Bruce Norman, “Pauline Cosmology: Relic or Relevant?” Journal of the Adventist Theological Society 3:2 (Autumn 1992), 131–132; John Collins, “New Testament Cosmology,” in Cosmology and Theology, eds., David Tracy and Nicholas Lash (New York: Seabury, 1983), 3–7. 11 Signs of the Times, March 20, 1884; Martin Hanna, The Use of Science in Theology: Case Studies of Langdon B. Gilkey and Thomas F. Torrance (PhD Dissertation, Andrews University, 2004). 12 Ellen White, Messages to Young People (Washington, DC: Review and Herald, 1958), 36.

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