Bible Study Guides on Genesis
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Ministry Ministry is the international journal of the Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial Association and has been published since 1928. Association Secretary Pastoral Assistant Editors James A. Cress John C. Cress, Fredrick Introducing this issue Russell, Maylan Schurch. Editor Loren Seibold An important overview of the theme Willmore D. Eva International Advisors and structure of this special issue of Ministry Assistant Editor A. Abdulmajid, Alejandro Bullon, Julia W Norcott Will Eva Jairoe Castreion, Victor P. Editorial Assistant Krushenitsky, Gabriel Maurer, Sheila Draper Joel Musvosvi, David Osborne. David Parks, Paul Ratsara, Professional Growth and Peter Roennfeldt, John Willmott, Inter-church Relations Eric Winter, R. A. Zeeman Nikolaus Satelmajer Pastoral Advisors An approach to the historical-critical method Contributing Editors Leslie Baumgartner, S. Peter A centrist but more "conservative" view of hermeneutical questions Sharon Cress Campbell, Miguel A. Cerna, Peter Prime Jeanne Hartwell, Mitchell Roy Gane Joel Sarli Henson, Greg Nelson, Norma Kit Watts Osborn, Leslie Pollard, Dan Consulting Editors Smitb. Steve Willsey Matthew Bediako, Ben Advertising Clausen, Raoul Dederen, Ministry Editorial Office 10 Teofilo Ferreira, Ron Flowers, John M. Fowler, Subscriptions anil Circulation The case for a balanced hermeneutic Michael Hasel, Roland jeannette Calbi A centrist but more "progressive" view of the issues Hegstad, Kathleen Kuntaraf, Resources Ekkehardt Mueller, Robert Cathy Payne Peach, George Reid, Angel Robert M. Johnston Cover Design Rodriguez, Penny Shell, Harry Knox William Shea, Russell Staples, Richard Tibbits, Cover Photographs 13 Edward Zinke Masterfile and Photodisc Nine foundations for an Adventist hermeneutic Subscriptions: For 12 issues: United States us$29,95; Canada and overseas us$30,95; airmail us$39.95; Bringing the views together single copy U5$3.00. To order, send name, address, William G. Johnsson and payment to Jeannette Calhi, Ministry Subscriptions, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904 U.S.A. Subscription queries and address changes: 18 E-mail: [email protected].; fax: 301-680-6502; How Scripture should function in theology telephone: 301-680-6503. Doing theology while respecting the authority of the Bible To Writers: We welcome unsolicited manuscripts. Editorial preference is to receive manuscripts on Fritz Guy diskette with name, address, telephone and fax numbers and Social Security number (if U.S. citizen). Send all editorial correspondence to 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600. 24 Phone: 301-680-6510; fax: 301-680-6502; E-mail: [email protected] or The Word and the cross, part 1 [email protected] (editorial offices). Preaching in a postmodern world Writer©s Guidelines available on request. Timothy S. Warren Ministry (ISSN 0026-5314), the international journal of the Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial Association 1999, is published monthly by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and printed by Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1350 N. Kings Road, Nampa, ID 30 83687-3193. Member Associated Church Press. The disaffected matriarch Standard mail postage paid at Nampa, Idaho. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. The pastor©s day Vol. 72 Number 3 Donald J. Gardner Bible credits: Texts credited to I\IIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. Bible texts N EVERY ISSUE credited to NRSV are from the Wew Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. Bible texts credited to RSV are from the Revised Standard 3 Letters 28 Pastor©s Pastor Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, 1971, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by 4 Editorials permission. 2 Ministry/March 1999 September 1998 Not once is the phrase used to include If the church were to take a more Bright Halwindi©s "The Challenge sanctification, and for good reason. active role on a wide range of policy and Reward of Prison Ministry" was Righteousness by faith is the issues, several problems would arise. very moving. In the Old Testament righteousness by which we stand First, the legislative answers are not class I teach, we had been discussing justified and accepted of God. Once always clear. For example, it is clear to the relationship between faith and sanctification is included, it means we many Adventists that abortion is a faithfulness in the time of the are justified and accepted partly by moral evil. It is far less clear that patriarchs. I read the article to my Christ©s imputed righteousness for us prohibition is the answer. If class, and they too were moved. and partly by imparted righteousness prohibition is the answer, then how far I©ve often heard people say that it wrought in us by the Holy Spirit a do we criminalize the behavior? Do we wasn©t fair of Christ to save the thief subtle form of righteousness by works, treat abortion as first-degree murder? on the cross, but it was the thief©s which is pure Council of Trent and Just because we can articulate a clear faithful confession of Christ that Galatianism, but seldom seen as statement of biblical morality brought salvation to him. Likewise the such. M. D. Marsh, Palm Springs, abortion is evil doesn©t mean that we salvation that Christ promises led the California. have answered the public policy Zambian murderer to Christ. In turn, question: What should the his own faith and hope as he died November 1998 government do about it? brought other prisoners to Christ. "Legislating Morality: How Far Second, public policy positions Who knows what effect the story will Do We Go?" by Gary Gibbs is right on would often reflect the views of only a have on my students? target in its analysis and application of portion of our members and hence In the face of religious perse the meaning of Ellen White©s counsel would tend to be divisive the very cution, it is tempting to think, "If I and example regarding temperance thing Ellen White counseled against. compromise my beliefs a little, I©ll be work. Adventists should participate in Finally, it cannot be said too free to continue to share my faith, but public life on behalf of biblical moral strongly that many positions taken by if I don©t, my witness will end." The issues like temperance, pornography, Christians today reflect bad theology refusal to compromise and the abortion, and the like. The author and bring disrepute to the gospel. We determination to be faithful unto rightly draws the distinction between must be exceedingly careful, therefore, death may lead to a harvest far beyond the role of government in legislating and avoid mixing the sacred and the what it would be if we held our morality, which is permissible, and in profane, lest we disgrace the gospel. tongues to save our lives. It is the legislating religious observance, which Nevertheless, Adventists must death of martyrs not the long lives of it has no jurisdiction to do. build bridges with other Christians those who recanted that still calls us In our departmental work in who are active in the cause of to Christ. Ed Christian, Ph.D., public affairs and religious liberty, we upholding the moral foundations of Kutztown, Pennsylvania. do not generally get involved in moral our society. In the United States, for issues. We lack the resources and example, while many Adventists are Thank you for Errol Webster©s expertise on a wide range of public afraid the religious right will eventually article "The Jesuits and the policy issues. Thus, our public affairs seek to legislate religion, and rightly so, Reformers." For years, Adventists work is largely limited to protecting that fear should lead us to improve have confused righteousness by faith and advancing the cause of religious our ties, not alienate ourselves. Only with sanctification. The phrase is used freedom. If the Adventist Church is to by building bridges of friendship, only nine times by Paul, two times make an impact on public moral understanding, and true Christian indirectly and seven times directly for issues, it will be the result of sound fellowship will they be willing to listen justification. Paul also adds some biblical teaching provided by our to our prophetic warnings when these variation to the phrase: "righteousness pastors. Such teaching will guide our warnings become most urgent and by faith" or "the righteousness which members who serve in professional timely. Alan J. Reinach, Esq., director, is of faith" or "the righteousness policy roles, either in elective office or Public Affairs and Religious Liberty, which is of God by faith." However it legislative staff positions, as well as Pacific Union Conference, Angwin, is used, it is used only for justification. others who are active as volunteers. California. If you©re receiving Ministry bimonthly and haven©t paid lor a subscription, it©s not a. mistake. Since 1928 Ministry has been published tor Seventh-day Adventist ministers. Free Subscription We believe, however, that the time has come for clergy everywhere to experience a resurgence of faith In the authority of Scripture and in the great truths that reveal the gospel of our salvation by grace, through faith alone in Jesus Christ We want to share our aspirations and faith in a way that will provide inspiration and help to you as clergy. We hope you will accept this journal as our outstretched hand to you. Look over our shoulder, take what you want and find helpful, and discard what you can©t use. Bimonthly gift subscriptions are available to all licensed and/or prdained clergy.