I N T E R N A T I O N A L

J O U R N A L F O R P A S T O R S

FEBRUARY 2009

the Trinity FIRSTGLANCE Ministry® is the international journal of the Seventh-day Adventist® Ministerial Association and has been published since 1928. Association Secretary James A. Cress Editor Nikolaus Satelmajer Associate Editor Willie E. Hucks II The Trinity in Seventh-day Consultant to Editor Myrna Tetz 5 Adventist history Editorial Assistant Sheryl Beck Database Assistant John Feezer IV Adventist doctrines have undergone stages of development Student Assistant Evan Knott since the inception of the church. The doctrine of the Trinity Professional Growth Anthony Kent IN Contributing Editors Jonas Arrais, Sharon Cress, is no exception. John M. Fowler, Clifford Goldstein, Anthony Kent, EVERY Peter Prime, Kit Watts ISSUE Merlin D. Burt International Editors Chinese Robert Wong Indonesian Edwin T. Pandjaitan Letters A trinitarian view of the Cross Japanese Yukio Ebihara Korean Sung Sun Hong 3 9 The Cross represents one of the primary modes of Portuguese (South America) Zinaldo Santos Russian Ilie Leahu revelation concerning the triune God. Spanish (South America) Marcos Blanco Editorial Spanish (Inter America) Fernando Zabala John C. Johnson International Advisors Ron Clouzet, Daniel Duda, 4 R. Danforth Francis, Passmore Hachalinga, John Kakembo, Ilie Leahu, Miguel Luna, Bruno Raso, Hector Sanchez, Houtman Sinaga, Bruno Vertallier, Gary Book Reviews The trinitarian basis of Christian Webster, Measapogu Wilson 13 community Consulting Editors Leslie Baumgarter, S. Peter 27 Campbell, Ben Clausen, John C. Cress, Raoul Dederen, A trinitarian understanding of God has important Ron Flowers, Jeanne Hartwell, Michael Hasel, Roland Hegstad, Mitchell Henson, Gerry Karst, Kathleen Pastor’s Pastor implications for the entire range of beliefs, but its Kuntaraf, Ekkehardt Mueller, Norma Osborn, Jan Paulsen, Robert Peach, Leslie Pollard, Ángel Manuel 28 connection to the doctrine of the church is particularly Rodríguez, Fredrick Russell, Maylan Schurch, Loren Seibold, William Shea, Penny Shell, Dan Smith, Russell significant. Staples, Richard Tibbits, Steve Willsey, Edward Zinke Dateline Richard Rice Advertising Editorial Office Subscriptions/renewals/address changes 30 [email protected] (email); 301-680-6508 (phone); 301-680-6502 (fax) Reading about the Trinity: A list Ministerial Resource Center Cathy Payne 19 for additional research 888-771-0738, 301-680-6508 Cover Illustration 316 Creative Resources for the Bible student who wishes to gain a better Layout 316 Creative understanding about the Trinity. Subscriptions 12 issues: US$32.50; Canada and overseas US$45.50; single copy US$3.00. Rollin Shoemaker To order: send name, address, and payment to Ministry® Subscriptions, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600 U.S.A. Improving the nominating Web site www.ministrymagazine.org To Writers We welcome unsolicited manuscripts. 23 committee process: Broadening Before submitting, review the writers’ guidelines at www.ministrymagazine.org. Please send manuscripts our vision of volunteer support via email with your name, address, and telephone number. Send editorial correspondence to in the church [email protected]. Ministry® (ISSN 0026-5314) is a journal of the Filling volunteer positions of responsibility can be a Ministerial Association, © 2009, published monthly by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® and challenging task. Here are some suggestions that can make printed by Pacific Press® Pub. Assn., 1350 N. Kings Road, that task more manageable. Nampa, ID 83687-3193. Member Associated Church Press. Standard mail postage paid at Nampa, Idaho. Curtis Rittenour Adventist®, Seventh-day Adventist®, and Ministry® are the registered trademarks of the General Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists®. PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. Vol. 81 Number 2 Bible credits Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Scriptures quoted from NKJV are from The New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers. Scripture texts quoted from NRSV are from the New 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 USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

2 MINISTRY February 2009 Letters

“It gave a direction to my ministry that made me productive, efficient, confident, and dedicated.”

Communion and the issue of redemptive value, but could bring God’s Keep advising the world ministry of unworthiness chastisements, according to Paul? the necessity of planning, organizing, appreciated Roberto Iannò’s article —Dan Augsburger, email actuating, debriefing, and evaluating. I(“The Communion Service and the Is- —Duane Anderson, email sue of Unworthiness,” December 2008) Twelve questions for and the positive focus given. I am grateful December Pastoral response to suffering that Christ’s worthiness is the message s I read Dr. Satelmajer’s editorial quite enjoyed Aleksandar Santrac’s especially conveyed when participating A(“Twelve Questions for December,” Iarticle about a pastoral response to in the Communion service. December 2008), I recalled a somewhat suffering (“Why Do You Permit This, Oh I wonder, however, why there was no similar article by a Ministry editor [from] Lord? The Problem of Evil and Pastoral mention or discussion of 1 Corinthians about 1953 or so. It had the same helpful Practice,” December 2008). He covered 11:30—“For this reason many are weak suggestions [on] how to be organized and a difficult subject concisely, giving the and sick among you, and many sleep” self-disciplined. It gave me an impetus to most plausible theodicy to explain it: [NKJV]. Checking several commentaries, study and apply such principles [as] orga- Alvin Plantinga’s free will solution. I found consistent agreement that the nization and planning. It gave a direction However, the most interesting aspect phrase refers to God’s chastisements to my ministry that made me productive, of Santrac’s discussion was the insights for a casual participation that failed efficient, confident, and dedicated. Ellen White has on this problem with her to distinguish between the common Your article is very timely and needed. statement about God’s purpose. He has table and the Lord’s table. If that is the If beginning ministers follow these prin- allowed Satan to develop his plan to matu- case, it suggests God sometimes sends ciples, they will find their ministry more rity so that the whole universe may see the unmistakable wake-up calls, including enjoyable and productive [in] service. In consequences of sin. This permission has sickness and death, for a problematic the nearly 20 years since I retired, I have resulted in an excess of evil, beyond what participation in the Communion service. seen both sides of the equation. There are would seem reasonable. And through it The author is correct in pointing out those disciplined, organized workers who all, Satan’s character is revealed. that Judas participated in the first Com- nobly serve. And there are also those who Shakespeare said, “[All] the world’s munion service in spite of the nefarious desperately need organization in their a stage.” Indeed our little world is a ideas simmering in his heart. However, lives. It is my opinion that accountability stage for the whole universe, and our the service did him no enduring good. is lacking. We never should have removed experiences teach them about sin and We are quite right in allowing the report system that was required by about how God works to save us. anyone to participate, but are we as the conference in my earlier years as a —Allen Shepherd, MD, Hobart, , right in not warning attendees that a worker. No accountability can mean little United States casual participation not only has no or no productivity.

February 2009 MINISTRY 3 Editorial Sound theology builds healthy churches

church can appear to be successful Nikolaus Satelmajer who have a high view of their positions without sound theology, but ac- can often bring much harm both to the A cording to Scriptures, a truly healthy church and themselves. But does not church must have a sound theology. The such a position stifle reform and change New Testament writings show us that the if change is needed? Not necessarily. early church spent considerable time deal- Consider well-known Reformers such ing with theological topics. The Gospel as Martin Luther, John and Charles writers, Paul, and others realized the need Wesley, and William Miller. Their primary to have a theology that would serve the contribution to reform was not so much church under all circumstances. History church members and recognize that in pointing out the errors of the church; shows us that whenever the church did not some of these positions can be very rather, they shared their spiritual renewal have sound theology, daily life was compro- harmful to the congregation. and the reform they were experiencing. mised. The pioneers of the movement that That approach becomes much more developed into the Seventh-day Adventist The role of the Spirit effective than dwelling on the errors Church studied, debated, and wrote about If divergent theological views have of others and the “rightness” of one’s theological issues as if the life of the church always existed, and continue to exist in own position. depended on the outcome. the church, how do we reach a consensus Secondly, the church belongs to If a healthy church needs sound theol- so that we can function as a healthy spiri- our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Paul ogy, how does the church develop this? It tual body? Jesus promised that “ ‘when reminds us that “he [Jesus Christ] is the seems to me that some principles need to he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide head of the body, the church” (Col. 1:18, be followed with sound theology as the you into all truth’ ” (John 16:13, NIV). NIV). That’s encouraging and should outcome. Let me suggest some ways of Listening to the Spirit does not always lead give us confidence that the Lord will developing a sound theology: to speedy resolutions of theological issues, not allow the church to fail. The church but we have the promise that the Spirit remains much safer in God’s hands than Recognize the role of the local will guide us, just as the Spirit has guided in our hands. congregation those before us. This approach requires This issue of Ministry has several The local congregation is essential in patience and trust, but if followed, the articles about the Trinity and a list the development of sound theology. The outcome will make the church stronger. of resources on the topic. Why this church needs individuals who specialize This approach means that individuals focus? We know that in the history of in theological issues, but their work has who hold theological positions that are our church this topic, at one time, was to be understood, appreciated, and different from the church body must debated, but the church, under the guid- accepted by congregations. During seriously ask themselves where the Spirit ance of the Spirit, reached a consensus the New Testament period, theology is leading them. based on sound biblical teachings. was conducted within the context of Some of our readers—conference the congregations. Paul, for example, God assumes responsibility for leaders, theologians, and others—have entered into a detailed theological His church shared with us their concerns that some discussion with the church in Galatia. No matter the approach used, individuals are beginning to advocate “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched sometimes it appears difficult, if not antitrinitarian views not supported by you?” he asks them (Gal. 3:1, NKJV). impossible, to reach a theological Scripture. I hope that the articles will Paul recognized that theological issues consensus. What then? Sometimes the be helpful in addressing the topic and impact the local congregation. alternatives are not appealing, but I am that the resources listed (pp. 19–22) will With theology deemed important suggesting that we need to keep several provide additional material for you. in the local congregation, then the points before us. Sound theology is critical for a healthy pastor performs a vital theological role. First of all, it’s important to realize church. This body—the church—will be The pastor has many responsibilities; that the church is not always wrong. healthy if we allow the Spirit to guide one of them equates with preaching If you find yourself in opposition to a us in our theological journey. That’s the and teaching sound theology, for most position of the church, it’s not safe to promise that God has made to us. members often believe the pastor to conclude that you are right and every- be the primary source of theology. one else wrong. On what basis can you Tell us what you think about this editorial. Email us Additionally, the pastor must deal with conclude that you are right and all others at [email protected] or write to us divergent theological positions held by wrong? We have seen that individuals at 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

4 MINISTRY February 2009 A small, though significant and growing seg- ment of “historic” Adventists, are advocating a return to an antitrinitarian stance. Sabbatarian and Seventh-day Adventists have always been Bible-centered in their theology and doctrine. They have rejected a static creed and have ever sought to study, understand, The Trinity and follow the Bible as the source of doctrine and the guide for experience. Consequently, it should not be surprising that Adventist doctrine has developed over time building upon previous in Seventh- and new Bible study. As Sabbatarian Adventism emerged during the late 1840s, it brought various Christian truths and placed them in the framework of day Adventist fulfilled prophecy and ongoing discovery of biblical teachings. A cluster of biblical teachings explained what had happened in 1844 and why Jesus had not come. The , history the end-time ministry of Jesus in the Most Holy Place, and the Sabbath as the seal of God were a particular focus. Adventist understanding of various theological perspectives continued to Merlin D. Burt he last decade has seen increased anti- develop and improve over time. Two examples trinitarian activity within the Seventh- are the Sabbath and tithing. Early Adventists day Adventist Church. Four reasons for initially concluded, through ’s influ- this activity should be mentioned. (1) ence, that the Sabbath should begin and end at The availability of information through 6:00 p.m. It was in 1855, nearly a decade after theT Internet. (2) Several other Adventist groups that the initial Sabbath emphasis, that J. N. Andrews’s emerged from the Millerite movement continue biblical and historical presentation influenced to hold to an antitrinitarian perspective. Examples believers to adopt sundown as the correct time would be the Church of God (Seventh Day), also to begin and end the Sabbath. Tithing first began known as the Marion Party; the previous view of in 1859 as systematic benevolence and had little the Worldwide Church of God; the Atlanta Church or no link to the biblical teaching of 10 percent. of God in Georgia (formerly of Oregon, Illinois, It was not until the 1870s that a careful restudy or the Age to Come Adventists), and Jehovah’s of the topic led Seventh-day Adventists to adopt Witnesses (that branched from the Advent Chris- the tithing framework we practice today. A similar tian Church). It should be noted that the Advent process is evident in Adventist understanding on Christians, like Seventh-day Adventists, have em- the nature of God and the Trinity. braced the trinitarian view. (3) Some think that the The purpose of this article is to outline the Trinity doctrine comes from Catholic theology and historical development of the Trinity view of Merlin D. Burt, PhD, therefore must be false. Many have not realized Seventh-day Adventists from its beginning to is director of the that the Catholic doctrine of the Trinity has dif- the present day. Center for Adventist ferences from the Seventh-day Adventist biblical Research, doctrine of the Trinity. These include eternal gen- Up to 1890: Antitrinitarian period , eration of the Son and Divine impassibility, which Until near the turn of the twentieth century, Berrien Springs, are influenced by Greek philosophy. (4) Perhaps Seventh-day Adventist literature was almost Michigan, most significant, over the last few decades, some unanimous in opposing the eternal deity of Jesus United States. Seventh-day Adventists have thought to return to and the personhood of the Holy Spirit. During the early historical Adventist faith, or what might be earlier years, some even held the view that Christ called neo-. was created. It is very important to understand Some have failed to recognize the dynamic that Adventist views were not homogeneous. nature of Seventh-day Adventist theology. Theological tension within Adventism began Historically, our doctrines have developed in the during the Millerite movement and is illustrated context of the original distinctive core of the by the two principal leaders, William Miller and three angels’ messages and kindred concepts. Joshua V. Himes.

February 2009 MINISTRY 5 Miller, being a Baptist, was a trinitar- Though James White rejected the the Father by blurring the distinction ian. He wrote, “I believe in one living doctrine of the Trinity, he did believe between Them. While the early positions and true God, and that there are three in the three great Powers in heaven on the Trinity and deity of Christ were persons in the Godhead. . . . The reflected in his first hymnbook.6 Though flawed, there was a sincere attempt to three persons of the Triune God are opposed to the Trinity, he did not believe oppose certain legitimate errors. connected.”1 Himes, a close associate that Christ was inferior to the Father. In By about 1890, Adventists had come of William Miller, was of the Christian 1877 he wrote, “The inexplicable trinity to a more-or-less harmonious position Connexion persuasion. The northeast- that makes the godhead three in one that viewed Jesus as the begotten or ern branch of the Christian church and one in three, is bad enough; but originated Divine Son of God. He was “rejected the Trinitarian doctrine as that ultra Unitarianism that makes Christ seen as the Divine Creator with the unscriptural.”2 It is important to note inferior to the Father is worse.”7 Father. The nature of the Holy Spirit that Millerite Adventists were focused Not all agreed with James White on was lightly discussed, though the Holy on the soon coming of Jesus and did the equality of Father and Son. During Spirit was generally considered to be the not consider it necessary to argue about the 1860s, , long-time editor omnipresent influence from the Father the Trinity. of the Review and Herald, believed that or the Son rather than a person.

We must acknowledge that the development of Adventist theology has usually been progressive and corrective. This is clearly illustrated in the doctrine of the Trinity.

Two of the principal founders of the Jesus was “the first created being.”8 By From 1890 to 1900: Seventh-day Adventist Church, Joseph 1881, he had changed to the belief Emergence of trinitarian Bates and James White, like Himes, had that Jesus was “begotten” and not sentiment been members of the Christian Con- created.9 As the 1890s began, two of the key nexion and rejected the doctrine of the A selective list of Adventists who thinkers on each side of the righteousness Trinity. Joseph Bates wrote of his views, either spoke against the Trinity and/ by faith/law in Galatians issue agreed “Respecting the trinity, I concluded that or rejected the eternal deity of Christ on the derived divinity of Jesus. E. J. it was an impossibility for me to believe include J. B. Frisbie, J. N. Loughborough, Waggoner wrote in his 1890 Christ and that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the R. F. Cottrell, J. N. Andrews, D. M. His Righteousness, “There was a time Father, was also the Almighty God.”3 Canright, J. H. Waggoner, and C. W. when Christ proceeded forth and came James White wrote, “Here we might Stone.10 W. A. Spicer at one point told from God . . . but that time was so far mention the Trinity, which does away A. W. Spalding that his father, after back in the days of eternity that to finite [with] the personality of God, and of his becoming a Seventh-day Adventist (he comprehension it is practically without Son Jesus Christ.”4 Both Bates and White was formerly a Seventh Day Baptist beginning.”12 In 1898, Uriah Smith were anxious to maintain the separate minister), “grew so offended at the wrote in Looking Unto Jesus, “God alone is personalities of the Father and the Son. antitrinitarian atmosphere in Battle without beginning. At the earliest epoch This concern was caused, in part, by the Creek that he ceased preaching.”11 when a beginning could be,—a period so strong spiritualizing influence among In surveying the writings of various remote that to finite minds it is essentially Bridegroom Adventists during 1845 and pioneers, certain concerns frequently eternity,—appeared the Word.”13 1846. A similar problem would resurface appear. In rejecting the Trinity, some saw The period after the 1888 Min- around the turn of the twentieth century the orthodox Christian view as pagan neapolis General Conference saw a with the de-personalizing of God and tritheism. Others argued that the Trinity new emphasis on Jesus and the plan J. H. Kellogg’s pantheistic views.5 degraded the personhood of Christ and of salvation. This led to a consideration

6 MINISTRY February 2009 of His deity and what it meant for the continued to be avoided. W. W. Prescott papers. Irrespective of individual dif- redemption of humanity. A. T. Jones was and A.T. Jones, both editors of the Advent ferences on details, Adventist ministers among the first (with the exception of Review and Sabbath Herald, were key pulled into line against liberal views. Ellen White) to suggest that Christ was supporters of the full and eternal deity Naturally, those who rejected the eternal eternally preexistent. Jones emphasized of Jesus. During the 1890s, Prescott was preexistence of Christ did not want to Colossians 2:9 and the idea that in slower than Jones to accept the new view. speak of His beginning and weaken the Christ was the “fullness of the Godhead But after 1900, as editor of the Advent argument against higher criticism. Even bodily.” He also described Christ as Review and Sabbath Herald, he published articles on the Trinity were tolerated.22 “ ‘the eternal Word.’ ”14 Though he articles on the personhood and eternal The result was an increased appreciation avoided the word Trinity, of the full deity of the Son in 1899 he wrote, “God is of God. one. Jesus Christ is one. The Holy Spirit is one. And these From 1931 to 1957: three are one: there is no Acceptance of the dissent nor division among trinitarian view them.”15 F. M. Wilcox was crucial in Ellen White played a facilitating the final transition prophetic role in confirming to an accepted Seventh-day the eternal deity of Jesus and Adventist view on the Trinity the Three-Person Godhead. through his guidance in the As early as 1878, she referred 1931 Statement of Funda- to Jesus as the “eternal Son mental Beliefs and his articles of God.”16 In The Desire of in the Review and Herald.23 Ages, she wrote, “[Christ] Doctrinal summaries were announced Himself to be carefully avoided during the the self-existent One” and first decades of the twentieth “In Christ is life, original, century, due in part to con- unborrowed, underived.”17 flict on the Trinity. According She wrote of the Holy Spirit to L. E. Froom, Wilcox was as the “Third Person of the “respected by all parties Godhead.”18 Ellen White for his soundness, integrity, played an important role in and loyalty to the Advent urging the church toward a Faith—and to the Spirit of biblical trinitarian position. Prophecy—he, as editor of However, for years after the the Review, did what prob- publication of The Desire of ably no other man could Ages, the church generally have done to achieve unity avoided these and other in acceptance.”24 It was not statements. While she never until 1946 that the General used the term Trinity in her published nature of the Father, Son, and the Holy Conference session officially voted a writings, she repeatedly conveyed the Spirit.20 Still Prescott believed that Jesus Statement of Fundamental Beliefs.25 concept. had a derived existence from God the During the 1940s, an ever-increasing M. L. Andreasen questioned whether Father. At the 1919 Bible Conference, he majority of the church believed in the Ellen White had actually written some of presented a series of eight devotionals eternal, underived deity of Christ and her statements in The Desire of Ages and for the conference titled “The Person of the personhood of the Holy Spirit, yet other books. During 1909, Andreasen Christ” that expressed this view. Careful there were some who held back and spent three months at Elmshaven, discussion at this conference showed even actively resisted the change. These California, and was convinced of the that there were varying opinions.21 were mainly comprised of a few older accuracy of her published position.19 The early twentieth century saw ministers and Bible teachers such as Adventists and Protestant Fundamen- J. S. Washburn, C. S. Longacre, and From 1900 to 1931: Transition talists battling higher criticism and W. R. French. In 1944, Uriah Smith’s and conflict the “new modernism” growing in Daniel and the Revelation was revised and During the first three decades of the . Liberalism rejected the deity his comments on the derived nature of twentieth century, the church remained of Jesus and His virgin birth. Adventist Christ’s divinity were removed.26 divided in its position on the deity of articles defending the Bible view began In 1957, the book Questions on Christ. The use of the word Trinity in print to appear more frequently in church Doctrine anchored the doctrine of the

February 2009 MINISTRY 7 Trinity or Godhead for Adventists. While 1 Sylvester Bliss, Memoirs of William Miller (Boston: White Estate Document File 961, October 15, 1953. the book produced theological conflict Joshua V. Himes, 1853), 77, 78. 20 W. W. Prescott, Review and Herald, April 4, 1896, 2 Joshua V. Himes, “Christian Connexion,” in 232; General Conference Committee Minutes in other areas, there was virtually no Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, ed. J. Newton for February 15, 1902, cited in Gilbert Valentine, dissent on the book’s clear teaching of Brown (Brattleboro, VT: Brattleboro Typographic, William Warren Prescott (PhD dissertation, Andrews 27 the Trinity. The current unambiguous 1838), 363. University, 1982), 351; W. W. Prescott, “Studies in statement on the Trinity in the Seventh- 3 Joseph Bates, Autobiography of Elder Joseph Bates the Gospel Message,” Advent Review and Sabbath day Adventist Fundamental Beliefs was (Battle Creek, MI: Steam Press, 1868), 205. Herald, September 2, 1902, 4; ibid., “Our Place as 4 James White,”Preach the Word,” Advent Review Sons,”Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, September revised and voted at the 1980 General and Sabbath Herald, December 11, 1855, 85. 23, 1902, 6; ibid., “The Eternal Purpose,” Advent Conference Session. 5 See J. H. Kellogg, The Living Temple (Battle Review and Sabbath Herald, December 23, 1902, 4; The process of adopting the Trinity Creek, MI: Good Health, 1903), 26–36, 396–398, ibid., “Our Personal Saviour Jesus Christ,” Sabbath continued from 1900 to 1950. Key influ- 450–460, 484–486. School Lesson Quarterly, first quarter, 1921, 2, 9, ences in the change were (1) repeated 6 Arthur L. White to Hedy Jemison, July 2, 1969; 20; ibid., The Doctrine of Christ (Washington, DC: James White, comp., Hymns for God’s Peculiar Review and Herald, 1920), 3, 20, 21. published biblical studies on the topic, People (Oswego, NY: Richard Oliphant, 1849), 47. 21 Donald E. Mansell, “How the 1919 Bible Conference (2) Ellen White’s clear statements, (3) 7 James White, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Transcript Was Found,” Unpublished Paper, Ellen G. Adventist response to the attacks of November 29, 1877, 72. White Estate Document File, July 6, 1975. modern liberalism on the deity of Christ 8 Uriah Smith, Thoughts, Critical and Practical on the 22 Stemple White, Canadian Watchman, September and His virgin birth, and (4) F. M. Wil- Book of Revelation (Battle Creek, MI: Steam Press, 1923, 18; C. P. Bollman, Advent Review and Sabbath 1865), 59. Herald, March 15, 1923, 4; Lyle C. Shepard, cox’s statement of Fundamental Beliefs 9 Smith, Thoughts, 1881, 74. Canadian Watchman, September 1927, 12. and his Review and Herald editorials. 10 J. B. Frisbie, “The Seventh Day Sabbath Not 23 F. M. Wilcox, “Christ as Creator and Redeemer,” We may learn several lessons from Abolished,” Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, March 23, 1944, the history of the development of March 7, 1854, 50; J. N. Loughborough, 2; ibid., Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, January doctrine of the Trinity in the Seventh- “Questions for Brother Loughborough,” Advent 3, 1945, 5, 6. Review Sabbath and Herald, November 5, 1861, 24 L. E. Froom, (Washington, day Adventist Church. First, we must Movement of Destiny 184; R. F. Cottrell, “The Trinity,” Advent Review DC: Review and Herald, 1971), 413, 415. acknowledge that the development of and Sabbath Herald, July 6, 1869, 10, 11; J. N. 25 Robert Olson and Bert Haloviak, “Who Decides Adventist theology has usually been Andrews, “Melchisedec,” Advent Review and What Adventists Believe: A Chronological Survey progressive and corrective. This is clearly Sabbath Herald, September 7, 1869, 84; D. M. of Sources, 1844-1977,” Unpublished paper, Ellen illustrated in the doctrine of the Trinity. Canright, “The Personality of God,”Advent Review G. White Estate Document File 326, February 24, and Sabbath Herald, August 29, 1878, 73, 74; The leading of the Holy Spirit is dynamic. 1977. September 5, 1878, 81, 82; September 12, 1878, 26 Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation (Nashville: Other doctrinal concepts developed 89, 90; September 19, 1878, 97; J. H. Waggoner, Southern Publishing, 1941), 400; ibid., The in a similar manner. This development The Atonement (Oakland, CA: Pacific Press, 1884), Prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation (Nashville: never supposed a paradigm shift that 164–179; C. W. Stone, The Captain of our Salvation Southern Publishing, 1944), 391. contradicted the clear biblical teaching (Battle Creak, MI: n.p., 1886), 15–20. 27 (Washington, DC: Review 11 A. W. Spalding to H. C. Lacey, June 2, 1947. of the heavenly sanctuary ministry of and Herald, 1957), 30, 31, 36. 12 E. J. Waggoner, Christ and His Righteousness 28 Proverbs 4:18, KJV. Jesus and the prophetic foundation of (Oakland, CA: Pacific Press, 1890), 21, 22. the church. Second, the development 13 Uriah Smith, Looking Unto Jesus (Battle Creek, MI: Tell us what you think about this article. Email us at of the Trinity doctrine demonstrates that Review and Herald, 1898), 10. [email protected] or write to us at 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904. doctrinal change sometimes requires 14 A. T. Jones,“The Third Angel’s Message Number the passing of a previous generation. 20,” General Conference For Seventh-day Adventists, it took Bulletin, February 27, more than 50 years for the doctrine of 1895, 378; ibid., “The the Trinity to become normative. Third, Third Angel’s Message Ellen White’s unambiguous statements Number 17,” General subdued controversy and provided Conference Bulletin, February 25, 1895, 332. confidence to transition to our current 15 A. T. Jones, editorial, view. Finally, Adventist theology is always Advent Review and supremely dependent upon Scripture. Sabbath Herald, January The Bible tells us that the “path of the 10, 1899, 24. 16 Ellen G. White, just is as the shining light, that shineth Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, 28 more and more unto the perfect day.” August 8, 1878, 49. Hebrews 2:1 reads, “Therefore we ought 17 Ellen G. White, The Desire to give the more earnest heed to the of Ages (Washington, things we have heard.” It was ultimately DC: Review and Herald, 1898), 470, 530. the Bible that led Seventh-day Adventists 18 Ibid., 671. Visit our newly redesigned Web site at: to adopt their present position on the 19 M. L. Andreasen, Godhead or Trinity. “Testimony of M. L. www.ministrymagazine.org Andreasen,” Ellen G.

8 MINISTRY February 2009 Jesus at Gethsemane Let us first look at some key biblical passages that illuminate the activity of the Trinity at the Cross.1 A few portions of Scripture stand out: the account of Jesus’ prayer at Gethsemane, His cry of dereliction on the cross, and Hebrews 9:14. Howard Marshall places the real struggle for Jesus at the moment of His prayer to the Father when He asks that the cup be taken from Him. Here Jesus comes to terms with His fate, so to speak—and, having done so, is then able to A trinitarian endure with incredible poise what lies ahead.2 For Marshall, this makes sense because, after this moment, Jesus’ will is in total alignment with the Father’s and He sets His eyes on the goal for view of the which He came. In other words, this change does not diminish the utter desolation and anguish of the Cross but simply portrays Jesus’ mind as made up.3 Cross Peter Bolt notes the allusion to Psalm 42 in Jesus’ “agitation” and “distress,” with the “where-is-your-God” cry asked by the psalmist.4 Bolt explains this instance as when Jesus prepares John C. Johnson Editor’s note: The following article was one of for the cosmic battle, which mandates some our ministerial student writing contest winning kind of disruption between Himself and the submissions. Father.5 Not only must there be a disruption, but the future of the entire world, the future of ver since Georg Hegel, Karl Barth, the human race, our whole existence is wrapped and Karl Rahner, the doctrine of the up in this passionate exchange between the Son Trinity has enjoyed a recent surge and His Father.6 in theological reflection. However, John Nolland believes, however, that Jesus the issue of the Trinity at the specific made up His mind well before the prayer at momentE of the Cross—where the purpose of the Gethsemane. Rather, while the disciples at Incarnation climaxes—has been rarely touched. the Last Supper participated in the benefits There have been a few notable contributors, of Christ’s death, Jesus drank the cup of such as Jürgen Moltmann and Eberhard Jüngel, commitment—commitment to His coming death but otherwise the topic, for the most part, has on the cross.7 been left alone. Many reasons exist for this void; Further clarification of what unfolded in however, many abound for why we should Jesus’ prayer can be gleaned from the imagery penetrate the depths of the relational trinitarian of the “cup.” In the biblical world, the cup dynamic present at the Cross. could convey the benefits that God provides, First, the Cross represents one of the primary such as love, comfort, strength, and fellowship John C. Johnson is modes of revelation concerning the triune God. (Pss. 16:5; 116:3; 1 Cor. 10:16).8 The cup pursuing a Master of Second, our knowledge of the nature of God can can also represent, and more often does, the Divinity degree, be greatly enriched by a deeper understanding judgment of God upon sin (Isa. 51:17, 22; Jer. Assemblies of God 9 Theological Seminary, of what happened at the Cross. And, finally, the 25:15, 16; Eze. 23:31–34; Mark 14:36). In these Springfield, Missouri, realization of the magnitude of what transpired at examples, God punishes people by making United States. the Cross is more than worth the effort in terms them drunk (a seemingly mild consequence of teaching and preaching value. for many). In context, however, God plays the This article, then, will examine three significant role, not of the generous host who welcomes biblical passages on the issue of the Trinity at the guests but, rather, as the One who hands down Cross, explore the relevant theologians on the destruction.10 Thus, when Jesus cries out to the topic, and offer feedback on the proposals of these Father to take away the cup, it must be seen as theologians in the discussion. Further, I will make the growing anguish (emotion) from the full one addition concerning the current discussion on weight of the Father’s anger against sin that will the role of the Holy Spirit at the Cross. soon fall on His shoulders.11

February 2009 MINISTRY 9 Jesus on the cross as we would like) with the relationship This fact serves as a pivotal reminder Jesus knows this anger, because He between the Father and the Son at the that as the Christ, God in the flesh, experienced it Himself on the cross when Cross. needed the Holy Spirit to walk with He cried out, “My God, My God, why Hebrews 9:14 gives us an insightful Him daily for ministry, so do we, but have You forsaken Me?” Many have glance into what or where the Holy ever more so. struggled with the meaning of this cry. Spirit was during this moment: “the Donald Hagner laments the impossibility blood of Christ, who through the eternal The Trinity and Calvary of understanding what this meant to Spirit offered himself without blemish to After this brief overview of three Jesus; for, he asserts, these words contain God.”16 Here the Holy Spirit is seen as main texts concerning the personal one of the most impenetrable mysteries continuing His empowering work that relationship between Father, Son, and of the entire Gospel narrative.12 Hagner had been carried out throughout Jesus’ Spirit at the Cross, we can unpack the further says that, perhaps, the words ministry, even up to Christ’s death.17 dynamic a little more.21 Moltmann should stand as they are—stark in This must be seen as a mission of the sees both the Father and the Son their incomprehensibility to our finite Holy Spirit, that is, to empower Christ, suffering at the Cross and detects that minds.13 as He does all believers, yet on the scale the divine consistency is at stake, the However, much can be deduced from of par excellence. inner life of the Trinity. At the Cross, the the cry. For instance, there’s the obvious This two-directional hermeneutic self-communicating love of the Father connection to Psalm 22 from which Jesus (Christ’s and the Spirit’s missions) does becomes infinite pain over the death of quotes.14 Indeed, these words of Jesus not threaten Christology or the Cross, the Son. Likewise, the responding love have had many and varied interpretations, when positioned within the salvific of the Son converts into infinite suffering but no substantial reasons exist for not paradigm of “from Father back to over being forsaken by the Father. What reading the pessimistic pathos literally Father.”18 In fact, the Spirit’s mission happens at the Cross reaches into the in which Jesus expresses torment on here must be interpreted this way or very depths of the infinite Godhead account of the Father forsaking Him.15 the Trinity collapses on the side of and, therefore, puts its impress on the subordinationism.19 McDonnell writes, trinitarian life of God for eternity.22 The Holy Spirit and Calvary “both Christ and the Spirit are at the Thus, for Moltmann, an almost Thus far, the first two passages have center but in different ways: Christ as drastic shift exists from apatheia (the dealt specifically (perhaps not as specific the ‘what’ and the Spirit as the ‘how.’ ”20 idea that God cannot suffer) to suffering,

10 MINISTRY February 2009 which becomes the foremost aspect The impact of this constant inner voice At such a crucial time, when the unity of the trinitarian doctrine. Moltmann must not be understated or neglected in of the Godhead is most at jeopardy claims a God who cannot suffer cannot the light of Him being the One and only because of the necessary abandonment, love, and that a God who cannot love elect of God in such communion with the Spirit becomes the link, the glue is a dead God. Thus, a self-imposed the Father and Spirit that this would that preserves the blessed unity of the limitation surfaces that makes the indeed be a severe struggle within the Trinity.31 With Moltmann, one finds that relationship within the Godhead, and inner-trinitarian life. the Spirit is the link, but he gives more with us, meaningful. God has something The struggle is clearly felt not only focus to the communion of the wills as at stake in all this.23 Further, this God- on one side but among both the Father pointing to the Divine Unity at the Cross. forsakenness and patricompassionism and the Son. Gérard Rossé points to Also, the Spirit for Moltmann plays a are not merely mirages with which to the non-intervention of the Father on vital role in the action of bringing all identify, but rather events that take the cross as a revelation of Himself, not God-forsakenness into the divine being place in God, a dialectic where He takes despite His silence but because of His and transforming it.32 Thompson gives a everything of the “far country” (all that inactivity. The abandonment of the warranted critique of Moltmann on this is opposed to God) into Himself in order Son should be seen positively as the point, recognizing that for Moltmann to overcome it.24 culminating expression of the Father’s the triune God is an evolving subject

What happens at the Cross reaches into the very depths of the infinite Godhead and, therefore, puts its impress on the trinitarian life of God for eternity.

Moltmann is not the only theologian love for the Son.28 By not intervening who in Moltmann’s theology borders on taking up the theme of suffering at the at the Cross, the Father actually carried tritheism (three separate gods).33 Cross. Hans Urs von Balthasar contends out the sacrifice that Abraham almost We move back now to Hebrews 9:14. that, in some way, all Three Persons did with Isaac, an act that certainly If Jesus was empowered throughout His of the Trinity suffer at the Cross.25 For caused the Father great suffering. John ministry from baptism through the Jüngel, there seems to be an implicit 3:16 says that God the Father gave His healings, teaching, and raising others suffering in the very fact that God is love. only Son, and Brown notices that in this from the dead, then surely the Holy Barth exclaims, unconditionally, that, as verse, the role of the Father becomes Spirit contributed more in the ministry a sinner, God rejects Jesus. Jesus stands prominent.29 In this act, the Father of the Cross than simply being glue. not only under the wrath of God, but gives His Son and risks, as Moltmann Rather, without the empowerment of because wrath is necessary, Jesus stands would argue, the very consistency of the Holy Spirit living within Jesus, and under God’s sentence and judgment. 26 the inner-trinitarian life itself. in complete unity, perhaps Christ would Further, He knows that He must perish; The Holy Spirit also takes part in this have succumbed to pushing the cup He considers that He must die and, thus, risk during those few short hours at the aside. In all Three Persons, the total He is not merely in the grip of death, Cross. If the Father risks something by self-giving is so evident that, in this but from the depth of His election, He standing by idly, then the Holy Spirit case, the Holy Spirit gives of Himself must constantly hear the voice that has just as much at stake. Jüngel sees fully to the Son in order to strengthen reinforces the knowledge that He is in the Holy Spirit at the Cross as the bond Him for what lays ahead—the Cross. the grip of death, and that He is lost.27 of love that holds the Trinity together.30 Thus, while the Spirit may be the bond

February 2009 MINISTRY 11 of love between the Father, Son, and 12 Donald Hagner, Matthew 14–28, Word Biblical Press, 1974); John Thompson, “A Trinitarian Spirit at the Cross,34 He also became the Commentary, eds. Bruce Metzger, et al. (Dallas, Theology of Cross and Resurrection,” in Modern TX: Word, Inc., 1995), 844, 846. Trinitarian Perspectives (Oxford: Oxford University empowering Presence within Jesus that 13 Ibid., 846. Press, 1994), 61. Others would disagree with enables His humanity to endure the cup 14 Raymond E. Brown, “Jesus Crucified, Part Three: Moltmann on this point of God taking into of suffering and triumph faithfully. Last Events, Death,” in The Death of the Messiah, Himself the opposition. For example, Barth in vol. 2 (: Doubleday, 1994), 1044. dealing with the communicatio idiomatum thought Conclusion 15 Ibid., 1047. Brown in typical fashion gives that God had in His nature those aspects which the gamut of arguments against the literal enable Him to remain Himself while entering A trinitarian look at the Cross gives interpretation of which none are compelling. into the human predicament as reconciler. Jüngel us an insight into the community that Most frequent is that Jesus is quoting the psalm then would say that “God is able to suffer and die is the Trinity, and this can serve as the and the listener/reader should immediately as man,” while remaining ontologically Himself. paradigm for our communal thinking know and jump to the last verse of the psalm. Quoted in Thompson, 56, 57. (eternal self-sacrifice). A beneficial While this hermeneutic principle is valid in some 25 Although for Balthasar the nature of God’s New Testament instances, in this case it would love is also transformed at the Cross, becoming approach to the issue of the Trinity at necessitate the reader recognizing the one verse somehow greater, at least enriched. Hans Urs the Cross is one that adopts a modified as a psalm, knowing which psalm, know the von Balthasar, Mysterium Paschale, trans. Aidan 35 Moltmannian view, which takes more entire psalm, detect in the agonizing reference an Nichols (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1993), seriously the work of the Holy Spirit at allusion to the triumph, and finally, in essence, 136–147. the Cross. The components of Jesus’ read the exact opposite meaning into the words 26 Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics, trans. G.W. than what is there. Further, taking the words Bromiley, vol. 2, pt. 1 (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, bearing the cup of suffering and the literally does not in any way diminish Christ’s 1956). anguish it caused Him, the suffering of deity. Bolt also gives a good summary of the 27 Ibid. the Father in giving up His one and only attempts to evade the literal meaning in The Cross 28 Gérard Rossé, The Cry of Jesus on the cross: A Son, and the Spirit’s empowering bond From a Distance, 127–30. As does John Stott— Biblical and Theological Study (New York: Paulist are all pivotal factors in God’s work of pointing out the claims that the cry is simply a Press, 1987), 133. cry of anger, unbelief, or despair; that it is a cry of 29 Raymond E. Brown, The Gospel According to John, redeeming a lost race. At the Cross we loneliness; or the common, cry of victory. John 2d ed. (New York: Doubleday, 1970), 147. have the clearest exposition of who our R. W. Stott, “Looking Below the Surface,” in The 30 Eberhard Jüngel, God as the Mystery of the World, sacrificing God truly is. Cross of Christ (Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity trans. Darrell L. Guder (Grand Rapids, MI: As Alister McGrath stated, the Cross Press, 1986), 63–84. Moltmann in a different Eerdmans, 1983). forces us to make a decision: To seek approach gives six answers to the question of 31 Badcock asserts that Jüngel’s approach in defining where God is during the cry. Jürgen Moltmann, God at the event of the Cross is both the strength God here, in the apparent defeat of the The Way of Jesus Christ, trans. Margaret Kohl and the weakness of his argument. For the God-man and abandonment of the Son (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1993), 151–211. relation between the immanent and economic by the Father at the Cross, or to seek 16 It is no coincidence that in regards to the Holy Trinity must be recognized, but to say that God Him elsewhere.36 Spirit, we are nearly relying on one word, dia, for is ontologically defined by actions in time and our perspective of the action of the Holy Spirit at space is to make Him contingent on His own the Cross. For of the Three Persons of the Trinity creation. Moltmann also makes clear in his 1 All Scripture quotations have been taken from the the Holy Spirit is the One who is completely writings that the triune God is to some extent ESV unless otherwise noted. intangible and unseen, distinguished from the not complete until the end. Gary D. Badcock, 2 I. Howard Marshall, The Gospel of Luke: A humanity of Jesus and the frequent interaction “The Holy Spirit in Contemporary Trinitarian Commentary on the Greek Text, The New with YHWH, the Father of Jesus. This study is Theology,” in Light of Truth & Fire of Love: A International Greek Testament Commentary, eds. somewhat of an effort to find what the role of the Theology of the Holy Spirit (Grand Rapids, MI: I. Howard Marshall & W. Ward Gasque (Grand Spirit was in the moment of the Cross. Precious Eerdmans, 1997), 170–211. Rapids, MI:Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1978), 828. few ideas have been offered, namely from 32 Moltmann, The Trinity and the Kingdom, 122–128. 3 Ibid. Moltmann and Jüngel. 33 Thompson, 51. 4 Peter G. Bolt, “The Cross: Where God Comes 17 Anthony D. Palma, “The Spirit and the Messiah,” 34 I think it better to simply add the Holy Spirit Close,” in The Cross From a Distance: Atonement in The Holy Spirit: A Pentecostal Perspective to the objects being bonded. Then there is a in Mark’s Gospel (Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity (Springfield, MO: Logion Press, 2001), 51. self-inclusive union and no implicit diminution. Press, 2004), 109. 18 Kilian McDonnell, “A Trinitarian Theology of the It is recognized that there is not intended 5 Ibid., 108, 109. Holy Spirit?” Theological Studies 46, no. 2 (June subordination but the language is hard to escape 6 Ibid., 110. 1985): 210–212. especially if you are building the trinitarian 7 John Nolland, The Gospel of Matthew: A 19 Ibid., 226. doctrine from the event of the Cross (Jüngel). Commentary on the Greek Text, The New 20 Ibid., 227. 35 Namely the idea that the Trinity is an evolving International Greek Testament Commentary, eds. 21 I will from here on assume the position with event not yet complete and the warning that he I. Howard Marshall & W. Ward Gasque (Grand Moltmann, Barth, Jüngel, and others that the is often too focused on the Three separate Persons Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2005), 1099. Trinity is the mystery of salvation and the while the unity slips away must be heeded. 8 Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, eds. Leland salvation comes through the Cross and thus 36 Alister McGrath, “The Crucified and Hidden Ryken, James C. Wilhoit (Downer’s Grove, IL: the Cross is the basis/key for understanding the God,” in The Mystery of the Cross (Grand Rapids, InterVarsity Press, 1998), 186, s.v. “Cup.” nature and acts of the triune God. However, His MI: Zondervan, 1988), 102. 9 Ibid. being is not determined by these acts at the Cross 10 Ibid. as others will say. 11 Ibid. It should also be noted that those who 22 Moltmann, The Way of Jesus Christ, 173. do not take Jesus’ sacrifice seriously or reject it 23 Moltmann, The Trinity and the Kingdom (London: Tell us what you think about this article. Email us at completely will drink the cup of God’s judgment SCM Press, 1981), 38. [email protected] or write to us at (1 Cor. 11:27–30; Rev. 17:3–6; 18:6–8). 24 Moltmann, The Crucified God (London: SCM 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

12 MINISTRY February 2009 Trinity. God works through both the Son and the Spirit to bring the church into existence. As Martin Luther asserted, “It is the proper work of the Holy Spirit, to make the church.”2 This joint activity is sometimes described as “two divine missions”—the sending of the Son and the sending of the Spirit—and these two missions The trinitarian are closely related.3 The Spirit’s role in the events of the early church is well known. The book of Acts begins with the promise of the Spirit’s coming (1:5, basis of 8). Soon after, Pentecost empowered the early believers, enabling them to speak in other tongues and “[proclaim] the word of God with boldness” (4:31).4 Time and again, Acts Christian describes Christians as being “filled with the Holy Spirit” (2:4; 4:31; 7:55). The Holy Spirit directed Christians to travel and preach, fell on Gentile believers, and convinced church leaders community what sort of obligations Gentiles should assume when they joined the Christian community (15:28, 29). The sheer number of references suggests that the central character in the book is Richard Rice n contrast to some other Seventh-day actually the Holy Spirit, rather than the apostles Adventist doctrines that have undergone and the others who followed Jesus. change, the Trinity has not been a source Although we think of the Holy Spirit as of notable controversy over the years. descending on Jesus’ followers after His earthly The church’s affirmation of righteousness ministry was over, the Spirit’s activity in the early Iby faith emerged during the 1888 General church was really a continuation of the Spirit’s Conference, remembered for sharp interactions activity in Jesus’ life. Indeed, the overall purpose and subsequent turmoil. The discussions of Christ’s of Luke and Acts may well be to show that nature that followed the publication of Questions the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of early on Doctrine in the 1950s, were particularly strident. Christians really became an extension of the Holy But the church’s progress toward full-fledged Spirit’s work within the life of Jesus Himself. trinitarianism never generated, or degenerated, The Holy Spirit was a factor in Jesus’ life into similar disputes. Though it has been relatively from beginning to end. The activity of the Spirit quiet, no development in Adventist history has surrounded Jesus’ birth. In the early chapters greater theological significance, for nothing is of Luke, we read that John the Baptist (1:15), more fundamental to any version of Christian Elizabeth (v. 41), and Zechariah (v. 67) were all faith than its understanding of God.1 filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gave A trinitarian understanding of God has Simeon special insight and prompted him to go Richard Rice, PhD, important implications for the entire range of into the temple at the right moment (2:25, 26).5 is professor of beliefs, but its connection to the doctrine of the And of course, in the middle of all this was the theology, Loma Linda church is particularly significant. In fact, the Trinity greatest manifestation of all—the miraculous University, Loma and the church are intimately connected. It was birth of Jesus. “The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Linda, California, the experience of God within the community of Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the United States. faith that gave rise to the trinitarian understanding Most High will overshadow you; therefore the of God. And a trinitarian understanding of God child to be born will be holy; he will be called illuminates the origin and the nature of the church, Son of God’ ” (1:35).6 Jesus would be full of as well as having important implications for the the Holy Spirit from His birth, just as John the practical life of the Christian community. Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit while in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:15; cf. Judg. 13:3–5; The Trinity and the origin of the 16:17; Isa. 44:2). church According to Acts 10:38, God anointed Jesus According to an ancient formula, all of God of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. is involved in the activity of each Member of the The Spirit descended on Jesus at His baptism

February 2009 MINISTRY 13 and remained for His entire earthly life. the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. Barth, “God is amongst us in humility, Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit,” and According to both Paul and John our God, God for us, as that which He is the Spirit led him into the wilderness, (see Gal. 4:4–7; John 14:26; 15:26), in Himself, in the most inward depth of to be tempted (Luke 4:1, 2; Matt. 4:1). the sending of the Spirit parallels the His Godhead. . . . In the condescension In His synagogue sermon at Nazareth sending of the Son. And John attributes in which He gives Himself to us in Jesus (Luke 4), Jesus announced, “ ‘The the sending the Spirit to both the Father Christ He exists and speaks and acts as Spirit of the Lord is upon me. . . .’ ” and the Son. the One He was from all eternity and (v. 18).7 Later on, Jesus “rejoiced in The designations of those who will be to all eternity.”13 For Eberhard the Holy Spirit,” following the mission send, “God the Father” and “Christ,” Jüngel, the Incarnation is “not a second of the seventy-two (10:21).8 The Holy and of the ones who are sent, the thing next to the eternal God but rather Spirit was also active in Jesus’ death “Son” and “the Spirit,” indicate that the event of the deity of God.”14 For and resurrection. According to Hebrews all of God—Father, Son, and Spirit—is Wolfhart Pannenberg, God’s actions 9:14, Christ offered Himself to God involved in salvation history. The in salvation history reveal that God’s “through the eternal Spirit.”9 And in community created by the Holy Spirit as inner reality consists of “concrete life Romans 1:4, Jesus “was declared to the continuation of Christ’s mission to relations.”15 And for Jürgen Moltmann, be Son of God with power according the world thus owes its existence to the “As God appears in history as the to the spirit of holiness by resurrection salvific activity of the triune God. sending Father and the sent Son, so he from the dead.” must earlier have been in himself. . . . On the day of His resurrection, Salvation and the life of God The relations between the discernible Jesus “breathed” on His followers The close association of Father, Son, and visible history of Jesus and the God and said, “ ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’ ” and Spirit in the plan of salvation tells us whom he called ‘my Father’ correspond (John 20:22). The same power at work something important about God’s own to the relation of the Son to the Father during His earthly life continues in the life. Early Christians arrived at this insight in eternity.”16 life of the community He founded, and as they worked out their understanding If the events of salvation’s history through the Spirit, Christ maintains His of Christ’s divinity. Behind the question, have their counterpart in God’s own presence in the world. Accordingly, Is Jesus Christ divine? lay a more basic life, then the Christian community Christ’s followers live by the power of question: Is salvation God’s own work, owes its identity, as well as its origin, the Holy Spirit. Paul puts it this way: or did God send a subordinate to carry to its unique relation to the triune “The Spirit of him who raised Jesus it out? In upholding Christ’s full divinity, God. God’s activity as Father, Son, and from the dead dwells in you, he who the early church affirmed that salvation Spirit not only brings the church into raised Christ from the dead will give life is God’s very own work, not that of a existence, the love that characterizes to your mortal bodies also through his secondary or subordinate being.11 In God’s eternal existence imparts to the Spirit, that dwells in you” (Rom. 8:11). other words, God loves us so much that church its essential character. Through the Holy Spirit, therefore, God Himself entered human history in believers live the resurrection life now, the person of the Son in order to effect The Trinity and the nature of not just in the future. The Holy Spirit our reconciliation. the church gives them a new dynamic for living, a If true, then there must be an The conviction that the founding new inner power, a new life, the life of intimate connection between God’s events of the church, the missions of the the resurrection (see 2 Cor. 5:17). saving activity and God’s inner life. Son and the Spirit, are manifestations of Moreover, the Holy Spirit binds As Jesus declared to the disciples, God’s own life leads to dramatic insights Christ’s followers to Him with ties that “ ‘Whoever has seen me has seen the into the nature of the church. The close can never be broken. He lives in them Father’ ” (John 14:9). In other words, connection between the Christian (“Christ in you”); they live in Him God revealed Himself in Jesus as He community and the life of God becomes (“the life I now live I live by Christ”), really is. The plan of salvation manifests apparent in the “farewell discourses” of and because of its connection to something that has always been true of the fourth Gospel and in 1 John. Christ’s ministry in the world, the Holy God—love is the central characteristic The various statements about Spirit receives a new identity—the of God’s own being. God has always love in these documents seem to “spirit of Christ.” We can see these existed as Father, Son, and Spirit, as an follow a “fugal” pattern. They keep interconnecting ideas at work in everlasting community of love. moving among the following themes, passages such as Romans 8:9, 10. As The conviction that God’s revelation connecting them in more and more one biblical scholar puts it, “Abiding in in Jesus Christ was a genuine self- complex relations: the love that church Christ . . . is also abiding in the Spirit, revelation pervades recent discussions of members have for each other; their or the abiding of Christ in us is also the the Trinity. Karl Rahner puts it this way: love for God and God’s love for them; abiding of the Spirit.”10 “the ‘economic’ trinity is the ‘immanent and the love that unites God Himself, Other passages, too, show evidence trinity,’ and the ‘immanent’ trinity is the namely, the love between the Father of the close connections among God ‘economic’ trinity.”12 According to Karl and the Son.

14 MINISTRY February 2009 International Journal for Pastors Ministerial Student Writing Contest Ministry, International Journal for Pastors, announces its second Ministerial Student Writing Contest. All students enrolled in a ministerial preparation program on the undergraduate or graduate level may participate. Submission requirements 1. Writers must choose a category from the list below for their submission. a. Biblical studies b. Historical studies c. Theological studies (includingInternational ethics) Journal for Pastors d. Ministry (preaching, leadership, counseling, evangelism, etc.) e. World missions 2. All submissions must follow the Writer’s Guidelines as to length, endnotes, style, and other features of the manuscript. Please carefully read the guidelines found at www.ministrymagazine.org. 3. Submit your manuscript in MS Word to [email protected]. Please include the following information at the top of the manuscript: your name, address, email address, telephone number, category for which you are submitting (see above), religious affiliation, name of college/ university/seminary you are attending, and title of your manuscript. 4. Ministry will accept only one submission per writer. Prizes

Grand prize: First prize: second prize third prize $750 $500 (five possible): $400 (five possible):$300

The evaluation panel will determine if all prizes will be awarded. The decisions of this panel are final. Publication 1. All submissions become the property of Ministry and will not be returned. 2. Writers who are awarded a prize give the rights to Ministry as outlined in the Writer’s Guidelines. While the editors intend to publish such manuscripts, publication is not guaranteed. 3. Manuscripts that are not awarded a prize may be purchased at a price to be negotiated. Submission deadline All submissions must be received no later than June 30, 2009. First of all, the distinctive quality of one’s life for one’s friends’ ” (15:12, 13). and the Father have for each other. For life within the Christian community is Jesus’ followers should be prepared to His followers present and future, Jesus that of love. “ ‘By this everyone will know love one another to the end, just as He prayed, “ ‘As you, Father, are in me and that you are my disciples, if you have “loved them to the end” (cf. 13:1). I am in you, may they also be in us. . . . love for one another’ “ (John 13:35). Third, Jesus’ love for the disciples The glory that you have given me I have Love becomes the essential feature expresses the Father’s own love for given them, so that they may be one, that sets Jesus’ followers apart from them. “ ‘For the Father himself loves as we are one, I in them and you in me, other human groups. Consequently, you, because you have loved me and that they may become completely one, those who think they are part of the have believed that I came from God’ ” so that the world may know that you community and don’t love each other (16:27). The Father’s love flows through have sent me and have loved them even are deceiving themselves. “All who do the Son into the Christian community. as you have loved me’ ” (17:21–23). not do what is right are not from God, Indeed, Jesus’ statements about His First John 1:3 speaks of fellowship nor are those who do not love their relation to the Father and His relation to with one another and fellowship with brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:10). On His followers indicate that Jesus wants God this way: “that you also may the positive side, “We know that we His followers to enjoy the same relation have fellowship with us; and truly our have passed from death to life because to God that He enjoys. Just as the Father fellowship is with the Father and with we love one another” (v. 14). comes to the disciples in the person of his Son Jesus Christ.” Thus the divine Second, it is not love per se, or just Jesus, therefore, Jesus brings the disciples love that creates Christian community any sort of affection that identifies Jesus’ to the Father. “ ‘Those who love me manifests and extends the love that followers but the specific love that Jesus will be loved by my Father, and I will constitutes God’s own life. has for them sets the standard for their love them and reveal myself to them’ “ This line of thought leads to a love to one another. “ ‘Just as I have (14:21). “ ‘Those who love me will keep dramatic conclusion. The central loved you, you also should love one my word, and my Father will love them, dynamic of the Christian community another’ ” (John 13:34).17 “ ‘This is and we will come to them and make our not only resembles the essential my commandment, that you love one home with them’ ” (v. 23). dynamic of God’s own life, but its another as I have loved you. No one Fourth, the love that Jesus has for members actually share in that life. has greater love than this, to lay down His followers reflects the love that He The love that flows between Father and Share the Hope Our desiire iis to reach as many peoplle as possiiblle iin 2009.. 1 Year • 1 Goal • 100,000 Souls Every Pastor Holld a Spriing and Fallll Evangelliistiic Seriies.. www.sharethehope2009.com

Support for your Church � N ational website for � Free eNewsletter: Register meeting locations at sharethehope2009.com � A dvertising on media � Download a copy of “How Sharethe ministry programs to Conduct a Successful � M onthly interactive pro- Evangelistic Series” grams on the Hope Church � P rofessional brochures Channel (and on the web) available The 2009 Initiative of the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists.

16 MINISTRY February 2009 Son flows through the church. The idea the Son, the Son returns this love, and makes God one, and the Holy Spirit that the church participates in God’s the Holy Spirit is the love itself between makes us one with God.22 life flows naturally from Jesus’ parting them. So, the Spirit who proceeds from words to His disciples. In the life and the Father and the Son constitutes the Practical implications of a ministry of Jesus, and its continuation unity of the divine being as that event trinitarian ecclesiology in the community He founded, we truly which is love itself.”20 “So what?” questions are always encounter “God with us.” Such descriptions of the relations important for theology, and in the case For many who share this conviction, within God suggest ways for us to of the Trinity, they are more important the essential link between Christian envision the church’s role in the divine than usual. To dismiss reflections on community and the life of God lies in life. Through the Spirit, as Stanley the Trinity as speculative intrusions the work of the Holy Spirit. For one Grenz describes it, those who are “in into the nature of God is tempting, thing, the Holy Spirit makes the church Christ” come to share the eternal even though the church’s earliest

The church is a fellowship created by the Holy Spirit, a community that extends the mission of Christ in this world, drawing its members into a circle of love both characteristic of and constitutive of God’s own life.

a true community. As Robert Jenson relationship that the Son enjoys with trinitarian thinkers anchored their says, “the church exists as a community the Father. Because participants in understanding of God firmly in the and not as a mere collective of pious this new community are co-heirs with history of salvation. What practical individuals,” because the Spirit unites Christ, the Father bestows on them difference does a trinitarian ecclesiology the Head with the body of Christ.18 what He eternally lavishes on the Son. make? Why is it so important to ground Also, the Spirit gives the church its And because they are “in Christ” by the the church in God’s own life? distinctive identity. Every community Spirit, they participate in the Son’s act of First of all, trinitarian ecclesiology that is not just an aggregate has a “spirit” eternal response to the Father.21 emphasizes the importance of the of some sort—we speak of “team spirit” To summarize, the church owes church to God. If God’s acts in salvation and “school spirit,” for example. But in its existence to God’s salvific activity history express God’s true nature, then the case of the church, this corporate and derives its essential character God has always been relational, from spirit comes, not from the people who from God’s own identity. Through the all eternity an everlasting community belong to it, but from the Spirit that sending of the Son and the Spirit, God of love. This means that God creates creates it. To quote Jenson again, it is enters the world in order to create a out of love, He embraces the created the church’s “founding miracle” that her community that reflects and extends world within the divine life, and from communal spirit is “identically the Spirit the love that constitutes God’s own the moment of its existence, God made that the personal God is and has.”19 reality. The central dynamic of Christian His relation to the world the center of As many interpreters see it, the community thus corresponds to the His concern, not unlike the way parents Spirit’s role in the church bears a essential dynamic of God’s own life. place a beloved child at the center of close resemblance to the Spirit’s role And participating in the Christian their home. God values the world He within the Trinity. The Spirit creates community results in nothing less than loves so much that He even takes His community within God’s own life. As a participation in God’s own life. The identity from His relation to it. (God is Jüngel describes it, “the Father loves Holy Spirit makes us one, the Holy Spirit the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,

February 2009 MINISTRY 17 the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.) of the church’s life. The gathering of 3 “The two missions may be understood as Moreover, God’s commitment to the community to remember God’s interconnected moments of the one self- communication of God to the world.” Karl creation is permanent. He risks His own acts of self-giving love, to recommit its Rahner, Encyclopedia of Theology: The Concise contentment—if not His own life—for members to embody that love in all their Sacramentum Mundi, ed. Karl Rahner (New York: its welfare. All this means that God relationships, continues as emblematic Seabury Press, 1975), 1760. places immense value on the church, of the church’s entire existence. It 4 All Scripture verses are from New Revised and that aspect of creation attracts celebrates, crystallizes, realizes Standard Version. 5 Gerald F. Hawthorne, The Presence and the Power: His particular attention. As Ellen White everything the church involves. The Significance of the Holy Spirit in the Life and says, the church is the object of God’s An appreciation for the trinitarian Ministry of Jesus (Dallas, TX: Thomas Nelson, 23 “supreme regard.” basis of Christian community thus helps 1991), 54. If so, then salvation involves us avoid inadequate and misleading 6 Hawthorne, 65. participating in the fellowship that concepts of the church. The church is 7 Hawthorne, 133. 8 Hawthorne, 148. defines God’s own life, and one does this not an organization preoccupied with 9 Hawthorne, 183, 184. by participating in the community that expanding its membership and its 10 Eduard Schweizer, “Pneuma, pneumatikos,” God’s love established. The experience budget. The church is not a collection in Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, of salvation is therefore social as well of individuals who assent to the same 10 vols., ed. Gerhard Friedrich, trans. Goeffrey as individual, with a public as well as set of beliefs. The church is not a group W. Bromiley (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1964–1976), 6:433. a private dimension. It changes our of people who gather to meet their 11 See Richard Rice, “Trinity, Temporality, and Open relations to others as well as to God. This emotional needs. The church is not Theism,” Philosophia: Philosophical Quarterly of exposes the fundamental inadequacy a meeting of intellectuals who enjoy Israel, special issue on “Models of God,” 35:3, 4. of all individualistic interpretations of tossing around ideas. The church is not 12 Karl Rahner, The Trinity, trans. Joseph Donceel Christian faith. Salvation is not merely, a multilevel marketing program, social (New York: Herder & Herder, 1970), 22. 13 Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics, trans. Geoffrey or even primarily, a matter between an club, recovery group, or academic Bromily and Thomas Torrance (T & T Clark, individual and God. Salvation involves seminar. The church is a fellowship 1956), IV/1:193. relationships with other people and created by the Holy Spirit, a community 14 Eberhard Jüngel, God as the Mystery of the World: seeks social, not merely personal that extends the mission of Christ in On the Foundation of the Theology of the Crucified transformation. this world, drawing its members into a One in the Dispute Between Theism and Atheism, trans. Darrell L.Guder (Grand Rapids, MI: This also means that the purpose of circle of love both characteristic of and Eerdmans, 1983), 372. the church should reflect and project the constitutive of God’s own life. 15 Wolfhart Pannenberg, Systematic Theology, 3 vols. care and concern for others that God trans. Geoffrey W. Bromiley (Grand Rapids, MI: shows, that God is. To the extent that 1 To a certain extent, the growing interest in the Eerdmans, 1991–1998), 1:335, 323. the church, the Christian community, Trinity among Adventists parallels a renewal of 16 Jürgen Moltmann, The Church in the Power of interest in the Trinity within Christian thought the Spirit, trans. Margaret Kohl (San Francisco: embodies the love that radiates within generally. In fact, the doctrine has attracted HarperCollins, 1977), 54. the life of God, it provides the world so much attention in recent decades that it 17 Compare Paul’s exhortation: “Therefore be the clearest manifestation of God’s looks to some less like a renaissance than a imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in nature and character, and the clearest bandwagon. “ ‘Once threatened by its relative love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for evidence of God’s reality, evidence scarcity in modern theology, the doctrine of the us” (Eph. 5:1, 2). Trinity now seems more likely to be obscured 18 Jenson, 2:182. stronger than philosophical arguments by an overabundance of theologians clustered 19 Jenson, 2:181. could ever be. around it’.” David S. Cunningham, These Three 20 Jüngel, 374. If this is true, then the cultivation Are One (Oxford: Blackwell, 1998), 19, quoted 21 Grenz, 326. of true community, the development in The Social God and the Relational Self: A 22 Theologians sometimes debate the organization of caring relationships among people Trinitarian Theology of the Imago Dei (Louisville, of the Apostle’s Creed. Does it comprise three KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2001), 24. articles or four? Does belief in the “holy catholic in the church, is the most important This is a striking contrast to the role that the church” elaborate or add to belief in the Holy work of the church’s ministry. Church Trinity played in liberal theology, which is to say, Spirit? Our reflections suggest the former. The growth is not merely, or even primarily, hardly any. Friedrich Schleiermacher postpones church is the creation of the Holy Spirit, and a matter of increasing size, but a matter a discussion of the Trinity until the very last the creation of the church is the Spirit’s most of developing among the church’s section of The Christian Faith. Although Paul important work. To appreciate the importance Tillich employs a trinitarian motif in the central members relationships of mutual of Christian community, we must recognize its sections of his Systematic Theology—“Being and basis within and its intimate connection to the care and concern, encouraging the God,” “Existence and the Christ,” “Life and the dynamic reality of God’s own life. manifestation of qualities embodied in Spirit”—and makes some interesting comments 23 Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (Mountain Jesus’ life. As the members of the church about its historical significance, volume 2 View, CA: Pacific Press, 1911), 12. exhibit these qualities, their display of contains a short chapter on “The Trinitarian Symbols,” the doctrine does not make a notable Christ’s character will naturally attract contribution to his theology. new participants. 2 In Robert W. Jenson, Systematic Theology, 2 vols. Tell us what you think about this article. Email us at These reflections also suggest that (New York: Oxford University Press, 1997–1999), [email protected] or write to us at corporate worship is the central act 2:197. 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

18 MINISTRY February 2009 20. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1967, 140–159. Calvin defines the Trinity to be the Father, the Son coming forth from the Father, the Holy Spirit coming forth from the Father and the Son (143). In §§ 16–20 Calvin writes about the distinction and unity of the Three Persons. In §§ 21–29 Calvin refutes Reading antitrinitarian heresies. Canale, Fernando L. “Doctrine of God.” Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology. Edited about the by George W. Reid, 12. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2000, 105–159. Canale comments directly Trinity: on the Trinity in “Affirmation of the Biblical Trinity” (149, 150).

A list for additional Dederen, Raoul. “Reflections on the Doctrine of the Trinity.” Andrews University Seminar Studies 8 (1970). Dederen states that the doctrine research of the Trinity lies at the root of theology and affects one’s creed and practice. He discusses the doctrine of God and the biblical view of Rollin Shoemaker Bauckham, Richard. The Theology of the Book of the Spirit. According to the author, there Revelation. New Testament Theology. Edited are clear trinitarian confessions in the New by James D. G. Dunn. Cambridge: Cambridge Testament. He then gives a brief history of University Press, 1994. Bauckham points out discussions on the Trinity. The section on the that Revelation has the same fundamental relationship between the Father, the Son, and belief in the Trinity that led to the early the Spirit is helpful. development of the trinitarian doctrine. In fact, on page 164 he writes, “Revelation Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology. 2d ed. has the most developed trinitarian theology Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1998. in the New Testament, with the possible The author’s goals in regard to the Trinity exception of the Gospel of John, and is (346–367) are as follows: “1. To understand all the more valuable for demonstrating and explain the biblical teaching on the the development of trinitarianism quite Trinity in three aspects: the oneness of God, independently of hellenistic philosophical the deity of three, and three-in-oneness. 2. categories.” (See specifically pages 23–25 To list and explain the historical constructions and 164.) of the Trinity, such as the ‘economic’ view, dynamic monarchianism, modalistic Bickersteth, Edward. The Trinity. Grand Rapids, monarchianism, and the orthodox view. 3. Rollin Shoemaker, MI: Kregel Publications, 1971. Bickersteth To describe the essential elements of the DMin, STM, is a pastor writes in the preface “That the one Infinite doctrine of the Trinity and explain why they with the Southern God claims our supreme and undivided are so vital to the Christian faith. [And] 4. New England confidence; that the same confidence is, on To articulate the various analogies used in Conference of the warrant of Scripture, to be reposed in the describing or clarifying the doctrine of the Seventh-day Father, and in the Son, and in the Holy Ghost; Trinity” (346). The author ends this chapter Adventists, and that therefore Father, Son, and Spirit, with an interesting comment: “Try to explain United States. are equally God over all, blessed for ever, it, and you’ll lose your mind;/But try to deny the Triune Jehovah, in whose name alone it, and you’ll lose your soul” (367). we trust, on whose arm we rely, and whose majesty alone we adore and love” (7). ______. Making Sense of the Trinity: Three Crucial Questions. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, Calvin, John. “Institutes I.” The Library of 2000. The book is divided into three parts: Christian Classics. Edited by John Baillie, (1) “Is the Doctrine of the Trinity Biblical?” John T. McNeill, and Henry P. van Dusen, (2) “Does the Doctrine of the Trinity Make

February 2009 MINISTRY 19 Sense?” and (3) “Does the Doctrine describes the history of the events beyond rupture, in self-fulfillment of the Trinity Make Any Difference?” surrounding the development of the and for the sake of the world” (255). The author states in his introduction, doctrine of the Trinity. In my view, a very interesting and “The doctrine of the Trinity is a major informative article to read. distinguishing feature of Christianity Küng, Hans. Christianity: Essence, History, which sets it apart from these and Future. Translated by John Ministerial Association, General other religions. On the one hand, Bowden. New York: Continuum, Conference of Seventh-day it clearly distinguishes Christianity 1995. Küng (95–97; 297–305) Adventists. Seventh-day Adventists from the strongly monotheistic states on page 95 under the title Believe: A Biblical Exposition of religions such as Judaism and Islam. “No doctrine of the Trinity in the Fundamental Doctrines. 2d ed. On the other hand, it separates New Testament,” “In short, in Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Pub. Christianity from polytheistic and Judaism, indeed throughout the Association, 2005. The article on the pantheistic religions such as the New Testament, while there is belief Trinity (23–33) begins by stating the Eastern religions” (14, 15). The in God the Father, in Jesus the Son position of Seventh-day Adventists. author not only demonstrates the and in God’s Holy Spirit, there is no It reads, “There is one God: Father, Trinity’s biblical basis but he also doctrine of one God in three persons Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three demonstrates its relevance for the (modes of being), no doctrine of a co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, world of today. ‘triune God,’ a “Trinity.’ ” On page all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, 305 he states, “In light of the New and ever present. He is infinite and Hall, Douglas John. The Cross in Our Testament, no more is required than beyond human comprehension, yet Context: Jesus and the Suffering that the relationship between Father, known through His self-revelation. World. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Son and Spirit should be interpreted He is forever worthy of worship, Press, 2003. Hall has a short section in a critical and differentiated way for adoration, and service by the whole which he has entitled “The Trinitarian the present. The ‘heart’ of Christian creation.” The chapter continues Presupposition of the Theology of faith is not a theological theory but with the topics “Knowledge of the Cross” (83–88), in which he belief that God the Father works in a God,” (God can only be known states, “If Jesus Christ is the Revealer revealing, redeeming and liberating by His self-revelation, which is of God and not merely a subordinate way in us through his Son Jesus primarily in Christ Jesus but also in who, finally, submits to the will of Christ in the Spirit. Any theological the sacred writings of the Bible), his superior (The Father Almighty), theory must not complicate this “The Existence of God,” (evidenced then the cross must be understood basic statement; rather, it must be by creation and Scripture); “The to apply to God’s own being and seen simply as an instrument for God of the Scriptures,” (Scriptures acting and not only to that of the clarifying it against differing cultural use of God’s Names, God’s Christ” (84). horizons.” Activities, and God’s Attributes), “The Sovereignty of God,” (the Hatton, Max. Understanding the Trinity. Lewis, Alan E. “From God’s Passion meaning of “Predestination and Grantham: Autumn House, 2001. to God’s Death.” Between Cross Human Freedom”), the “Dynamics & Resurrection: A Theology of Holy Within the Godhead,” (how the Heick, Otto W. A History of Christian Saturday. Grand Rapids, MI: William Godhead functions); and the “Focus Thought. Vol. 1. 2 vols. Philadelphia, B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, on Salvation.” The chapter also PA: Fortress Press, 1973. Heick 2001, 197–257. Lewis has divided addresses the trinitarian statement discusses the history and the chapter into three parts (“I. The of Matthew 28:19. The article notes, development of the doctrine of the Trinity and the Passion of God,” “Looking at the cross, we gaze into Trinity in a section entitled “The “II. The Trinity and Death in God,” the heart of God” (32). Doctrine of the Trinity” (143–169). “III. The Trinity and the Death of He notes that both the conservatives God”). His central thesis “is that Moltmann, Jürgen. The Crucified God: and progressives looked upon the this promise [“one who loses life The Cross of Christ as the Foundation doctrine of the Trinity as the “very shall find it”], from the lips of Jesus, and Criticism of Christian Theology. foundation of the biblical history of is a true statement about God. God Translated by R. A. Wilson. New York: redemption” (166). is the one who knows how to die and Harper & Row, 1974. Moltmann knows that in accepting death there notes that it was the doctrine of the Kelly, J. N. D. “The Doctrine of the is life, and life only through accepting Trinity that marked Christianity off Trinity.” Early Christian Doctrines. death. In the Father’s surrender of from polytheism, pantheism, and New York: Harper & Row Publishers, the Son, and the Son’s raising by monotheism. Moltmann discusses 1960, 252–279. In this chapter on the Spirit, God brings about this the meaning of the Cross in light “The Doctrine of the Trinity,” Kelly life-through-death, this resumption of the Trinity in the section entitled

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“Trinitarian Theology of the Cross” (103–124), the Trinity is discussed. (235–248). He states that “The place The book’s statement on the origin of the doctrine of the Trinity is not of the Trinity is “The Father is the ‘thinking of thought’, but the absolute origin, from Himself . . . the cross of Jesus. . . . The perception of Son is born from the Father, from the trinitarian concept of God is the eternity . . . the Holy Spirit proceeds cross of Jesus. . . . The theological from Father and Son” (105). concept for the perception of the Advance crucified Christ is the doctrine of Pfandl, Gerhard. The Doctrine of the Trinity the Trinity. The material principle Among Adventists. Silver Spring, MD: Your Career of the doctrine of the Trinity is Biblical Research Institute, 1999. the cross of Christ. The formal Pfandl gives a brief outline of the Prepare principle of knowledge of the cross development of the doctrine of is the doctrine of the Trinity” (240, the Trinity within Adventism. He for Service 241). He also discusses “Trinity and notes that many Adventists up until Study in Eschatology” (256–278). the 1890s advocated an Arian or semi-Arian position. Pfandl cites the Germany ______. The Trinity and the Kingdom of positions of various early Adventists New programs God: The Doctrine of God. Translated who held these views. He then taught in the English language: by Margaret Kohl. London: SCM, outlines Ellen G. White’s view. The Master of Theological Studies 1983. The theology of the Cross author notes the official statements (M.T.S) with concentrations in undergirds all of Moltmann’s on the trinitarian doctrine after 1900, Adventist Studies or Mission Studies understanding of the Trinity. He as well as the struggle between the Master of Arts International writes, “On the cross the Father and trinitarians and the antitrinitarians Social Sciences (M.A.) the Son are so deeply separated that within the Adventist Church up to 7 reasons to study at Friedensau: their relationship breaks off. Jesus the publication date of this article. ■ Get to know Germany – died ‘without God’—godlessly. Yet right in the centre of Europe on the cross the Father and the ______. The Trinity in Scripture. Silver ■ Make life-long friends with other Son are at the same time so much Spring, MD: Biblical Research international students one that they represent a single Institute, 1999. Pfandl addresses ■ Live on a beautiful campus, surrendering movement. ‘He who the Old and New Testament witness just an hour from Berlin, the capital has seen the Son has seen the in regard to the Trinity. He also looks ■ Study with an internationally trained and highly qualified faculty Father.’ The Epistle to the Hebrews at some difficult texts and shows ■ expresses this by saying that Christ how they support the trinitarian Use the brand new library and its superior research facilities offered himself to God ‘through doctrine. ■ Discover the historic heartland the eternal Spirit’ (dia pneumatos of aioniou) ([Heb.] 9.14). The surrender Rice, Richard. The Reign of God: An ■ Benefit from the university’s through the Father and the offering Introduction to Christian Theology low-price policy of the Son take place ‘through the From a Seventh-day Adventist Spirit.’ The Holy Spirit is therefore Perspective. Berrien Springs, MI: the link in the separation. He is Andrews University Press, 1985. ACA the link joining the bond between His article on the Trinity (88–92) accredited the Father and the Son, with their states that the Trinity represents the separation” (82). Moltmann also distinctively Christian understanding believes that the doctrines of the of God. He poses some frequently Trinity and Christology go together, asked questions about the Trinity. He and that they cannot be separated notes the genuine self-revelation of since God cannot be understood God is in Christ Jesus. He writes, “the without Christ, and Christ cannot be doctrine of the trinity expresses the understood apart from God. belief that the one God is present in Jesus through the Holy Spirit. . . . It Neuner, J., and J. Dupuis, eds. The is the belief that God is Father, Son, More information at Christian Faith in the Doctrinal and Spirit in himself, as well as in our www.friedensau.eu Documents of the Catholic Church. experience of him” (90). He tells us or write to New York: Alba House, 1990. In that there are only two trinitarian [email protected] chapter II entitled “The Triune God” passages in the New Testament,

February 2009 MINISTRY 21 Matthew 28:19 and 2 Corinthians open in order to fulfill its original Whidden, Woodrow Wilson, Jerry Allen 13:14. He mentions that there were function—to express in embracing Moon, and John W. Reeve. The Trinity: some heretical views espoused. He symbols the self-manifestation of the Understanding God’s Love, His Plan of then talks about how the Eastern Divine Life to man.” Salvation, and Christian Relationships. and Western churches addressed the Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald concept of the Trinity. Last of all, he ______. A History of Christian Thought. Publishing Association, 2002. The talks about the terms used in trying New York: Harper & Row, 1968. book is divided into four sections: to explain the Trinity. In the end, he Tillich notes Tertullian’s and (1) “The Biblical Evidence for the writes, “The doctrine of the trinity Irenaeus’s views on the Trinity Full Deity of Christ, the Personality is one of those areas where faith in the section entitled “Trinity of the Spirit, and the Unity and affirms what reason cannot totally and Christology” (46–48). He also Oneness of the Godhead,” (2) comprehend” (92). reviews the historical development “The History of the Trinity Doctrine of the Trinity and the events that From a.d. 100 to a.d 1500,” (3) Strong, Augustus Hopkins. Systematic surrounded the development of the “Trinity and Anti-Trinitarianism Theology. Vol. 1. 3 vols. Old Tappan: doctrine. From the Reformation to the Advent Fleming H. Revell, 1970. Chapter Movement,” and (4) “The Doctrine II, “Doctrine of the Trinity,” is Toon, Peter, and James D. Spiceland, of the Trinity and Its Implications thoroughly done and demands eds. One God in Trinity: An Analysis for Christian Thought and Practice.” knowledge of Greek from those of the Primary Dogma of Christianity. There is a very interesting discussion who wish to study it. It covers pages London: Samuel Bagster, 1980. The on two key councils (Nicaea a.d. 325 304–352. However, the book was purpose of the book “is to commend and Constantinople a.d. 381) and written more than a century ago. the orthodox doctrine as being more their aftermath on pages 139–145, But note: Systematic theologies faithful to the biblical witness than 150–155 respectively, and the role usually have a section on the Trinity. either unitarianism or binitarianism” of Arius and others. The book lays The systematic theologies of the (xii). The origin of the book is from a out the issues and its relevance for following authors could also be conference held in Durham in 1978. today. recommended: K. Barth, C. Hodge, The chapters originated for the N. Geisler, and W. Grudem. most part from papers given at the White, James R. The Forgotten Trinity: conference. The book is composed Recovering the Heart of Christian Tillich, Paul. Systematic Theology: Three of ten chapters, an introduction, Belief. Grand Rapids, MI: Bethany Volumes in One. Chicago: University and an epilogue. Chapter 1, “The House Publishers, 1998. The author of Chicago Press, 1967. In volume Meaning of the Trinity,” by Roger makes a statement that he reiterates three, section IV (283–294), Tillich Nicole. Nicole defines the Trinity as throughout his book: “God revealed addresses the trinitarian issue “1) There is one God and one only. this truth about himself most under the title “The Trinitarian 2) This God exists eternally in three clearly, and most irrefutably, in the Symbols.” The chapter is divided distinct persons: the Father, the Son Incarnation itself, when Jesus Christ, into three parts: “A. The Motives and the Holy Spirit. 3) These three are the eternal Son of God, took on of the Trinitarian Symbolism,” “B. fully equal in every divine perfection. human flesh and walked among us. The Trinitarian Dogma,” and “C. They possess alike the fullness of the That one act revealed the Trinity to Reopening the Trinitarian Problem.” divine essence” [1, 2]); Chapter 2, us in a way that no amount of verbal Under part A, Tillich writes, “. . . “The New Testament,” by Bruce N. revelation could ever communicate” the trinitarian doctrine is the work Kaye; Chapter 3, “The Discernment (14). The author defines the Trinity of theological thought which uses of Triunity,” by Christopher B. as “Within the one Being that is God, philosophical concepts and follows Kaiser; Chapter 4, “The Patristic there exists eternally three coequal the general rules of theological Dogma,” by Gerald Lewis Bray; and coeternal persons, namely, the rationality. There is no such thing Chapter 5, “The Filioque Clause,” Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit” as trinitarian ‘speculation.’ . . . The by Alasdair Heron; Chapter 6, (26). The book has many insightful substance of all trinitarian thought is “Karl Barth,” by Richard Roberts; footnotes. given in revelatory experiences, and Chapter 7, “Bernard Lonergan,” by the form has the same rationality Hugo Meynell; Chapter 8, “Jürgen that all theology, as a work of the Moltmann,” by Richard Bauckham; Logos, must have.” Tillich concludes Chapter 9, “Process Theology,” by under part C with “The doctrine of James D. Spiceland; Chapter 10, the Trinity is not closed. It can be “Recent British Theology,” by Brian Tell us what you think about this article. Email us at neither discarded nor accepted in Hebblethwaite; and the introduction [email protected] or write to us at its traditional form. It must be kept and epilogue by Peter Toon. 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

22 MINISTRY February 2009 further? Cast a vision with your committee that helps them see the importance of matching members’ gifts with ministries. Discuss the impor- tance of confidentiality. Guide them through tips Improving the that will help them know how to invite people into ministry. Thank members for serving. One of the nominating simplest and overlooked parts of volunteer service in the church is affirmation. People want to make a difference but often feel overworked and under- thanked. There are many creative ways to thank committee process: members for serving. How about having the NC write personal Thank-You cards to all volunteers? Also, encourage all calls to serving members to Broadening our vision begin with a sincere, “Thank you for serving.” You will be surprised at how many people will respond by saying, “No one has ever thanked of volunteer support in me for serving in our congregation.” Review offices with the board. Before the NC begins its work, go over all the current the church offices and positions with the church board to determine if there are any changes that need to be made (additions or deletions). There may be Curtis Rittenour eventh-day Adventist churches often new ministries that need to begin. Perhaps some find the nominating committee (NC) ministries have fulfilled their purpose and need process challenging. To find volun- to be retired. teers for ministries seems more difficult, Consider a two-year term. The Seventh- leaders are burning out, new ministries day Adventist Church Manual* allows for a one- or flounder,S members are unaware of their spiritual two-year term for offices in the church. This gifts, and some do not serve at all. We could can save a lot of NC work, especially in larger also mention the power struggles, the need for churches, and a two-year term allows ministry clear ministry descriptions, the lack of training, teams to grow. Not all ministries may fit a two- the importance of affirming volunteers, and the year term (such as school board positions). Some missing element of ongoing support. churches conduct a midterm evaluation to see if Hence, we need a broader view of strategic there are issues that need attention. volunteer support. Placing people in service Interview last year’s leaders. How many consists of more than getting a “Yes!” from a times have you sat on a committee and heard member and handing them a key to a Sabbath people say, “I wonder what the needs are in School classroom. People need to be guided into that ministry?” or “I think—but I’m not sure— the ministry that matches their God-given gifts maybe that leader wants more help”? Instead of and then supported in that ministry. The NC does guessing, why not ask? Use a simple interview Curtis Rittenour, not (and was not meant to) “do it all.” tool, determine who the ministry leaders are and MDiv, is associate Here are 25 tips to broaden and strengthen interview them. Have NC members each contact pastor, Spokane the work of the NC. Some of these ideas precede one or two leaders and then report back at the Valley Seventh-day committee work, some happen within the com- next committee. Tell leaders, “We are not calling Adventist Church, mittee, and some are critical follow-up steps to to ask you to serve—though that may happen. Spokane Valley, help sustain members in their ministries. We are first collecting information so we know Washington, Educate your board. If you plan to make what the needs are in each ministry.” United States. changes in how you do the NC, educate your Work on leadership positions first. If you board, get their support and make moderate are building a ministry team, first changes. Modifying the NC seems to be a hot find the leader and then invite that leader to the button for some members. Misunderstandings NC to give input. These leaders will need to work can easily happen. Lay out a clear plan and with the people you suggest. Let them have a say. proposal. They are not voting members, but will probably Train the NC. We assume everyone knows have good ideas. If a leader suggests people who how to “do” the NC. But why not go a step are not a good match, work with them on this.

February 2009 MINISTRY 23 Identify equippers and doers. from the NC. One extra tip: do not a comfortable atmosphere for mem- Ephesians 4:11, 12 speak of some gifted advertise leadership positions. They are bers and guests to fellowship in after people who “equip the saints for the “by invitation only” jobs. You might find services?” The essence of each ministry work of ministry” (NRSV). Leaders in the a willing person who is a poor match to helps communicate to members that church help to equip team members in lead a ministry. Rather, advertise assistant every job builds up the body of Christ. ministry. Leaders think “we,” not “me.” positions. Analyze “No” responses. When a These equippers are cheerleaders of their Invite people to prayerfully NC member calls and invites someone to team and work to help each member consider a position. When a NC prayerfully consider serving in a ministry successfully do their part. A “doer” tends member calls to talk with someone, and they receive a “No” answer, don’t to focus on their single area service on ask them if this is a good time to talk. drop it. Think about what this “No” the team. We need doers, but equippers After presenting the position, say, “We means. For instance, “No” could mean: make better leaders. “Not now, this is bad With a doer placed as timing.” (Then ask, a leader, the ministry “When do you think may suffer and die. One of the simplest and would be a better Encourage gifts- time?”) Or, “No, I based ministry. overlooked parts of don’t feel qualified.” Help the committee (Then ask, “If training members to “match” volunteer service in the was provided, would members with min- that make a differ- istry positions based ence?”) Or, “No, on spiritual gifts. Print church is affirmation. People I’m not interested.” and hand out a list (Then ask, “What of spiritual gifts (and want to make a difference, ministry area would definitions) for the interest you?”) committee to use but often feel overworked Deal with poor while searching for matches. What if the right fit. Discour- you have members age “filling the slots” and underthanked. with long tenures in and “getting the job positions that don’t done,” which has less really match their to do with developing members and would like you to prayerfully consider gifts? Try exploring their gifts and more to do with efficiency. this position. You can call me back after telling them, “We are not maximizing Leave openings. Is it better to fill you’ve prayed about it.” Demonstrate to your gifts in this position. Your gifts every position even if the match is not your members that they are considering would better be used in this other good? It depends. There are ministries spiritual ministry. position.” Also, remember that a poor that would die or negatively impact Use ministry descriptions. We call match is different from a poor attitude the church if they were left open (for them “ministry” vs. “job” descriptions in (or other issue). example, the church treasurer). But order to help members know they are Use a database to track gifts. other ministries may not be crucial, espe- truly “ministers” in the body of Christ. Most church database programs allow cially if you placed the “wrong” person You can find many samples of these. The you to create custom fields. Use this in that position. We’ve all heard stories North American Division, for example, feature to track the spiritual gifts of your of enthusiastic new members serving as has created a set called “Responsibilities members, especially after conducting elders. Not a good idea. Even the Church in the Local Church” (available through a gifts seminar. This database can be Manual discourages this. If a ministry www.adventsource.org). Determine if invaluable to your NC. needs someone, but a match cannot be the church organization in your area has Clear children’s workers. Every made, ask a seasoned member to carry such resources. If you hand these to a adult that works with children should be this ministry until someone else can be potential volunteer, you might say, “This cleared in order to avoid problems with found and trained. is a broad description to give you an idea convicted sex offenders, for instance. Advertise ministry openings. about this ministry. We don’t expect you For example, the Upper Columbia Create a place on your bulletin board to follow every detail.” Conference provides volunteer service (or put up a table in your foyer) and Help people see the essence information forms that must be filled call it, “The Service Center.” Advertise of each ministry. What statement out by anyone working with children ministry openings with clear job descrip- would attract you more to a ministry ages 0–18. Check with your conference tions. Interested members are then position? “Would you wash tables after for similar forms. A shorter form is used interviewed and placed by someone potluck?” or “Would you help provide for annual updates.

24 MINISTRY February 2009 Ask everyone in the church to are serving apart from the body, not “Here is the minimum involvement serve. Every part of the body of Christ connected to the vision. Encourage we hope for from every member. ONE is important. Don’t overlook inviting all every ministry leader to consider how stands for everyone attending our members to serve somewhere. When their work is a part of the larger body. weekly worship services. TWO represents you finish your work, review all the active Broaden support. Ongoing help two more ways to be involved. One way members and divide their names and will strengthen your volunteers. Consider is to be in a ministry that FEEDS you (like interview them for service. Use an “Invit- providing training (seminars, materials, a small group). The other way is to be ing People Into Ministry” interview form. on-the-job, periodicals, etc.), affirmation in a ministry where you SERVE. Everyone You may expect some “No” responses, (words of appreciation), feedback (both needs to serve somewhere. It may but you will still communicate to these encouraging and guiding), and evalu- be only one hour a week (minimally) members that “we need you.” ation (a 30-minute annual meeting to or four to five hours a week (heavier Provide several avenues to review their ministry). responsibilities).” service. The NC is one way to invite Teach and preach about spiri- Pray for the leading of the Holy people into ministry. But it can be a tual gifts. If you suddenly expect all Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Giver of limited way (for instance, meets once a your members to be clear about gifts all good gifts. Pray before every NC for year, doesn’t teach people about gifts). during the NC process, you will be the Spirit to lead and guide in selecting A gifts class can be another avenue for disappointed. Preach about Romans members for positions. We want the people into ministry. Also, for some 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. right people, in the right places, for the positions, a leader’s initiative in finding Provide a spiritual gifts class at least once right reasons, at the right time! people to serve can be valuable. Make a year to help members understand how sure you have a system for clearing these God has gifted them. Use resources like * Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, 17th volunteers. Connections (available through www ed. (Silver Spring, MD: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 2005), 49, 153. Discourage silos. Most of us have .creativeministry.org). seen silos—tall round structures used by One plus two. Here’s a short vision Tell us what you think about this article. Email us at farmers to store silage for winter feeding. statement to encourage everyone to [email protected] or write to us at Some members function in silos. They serve in the church. Tell your members, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

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their perspective, the authors probe one of America’s mainstream churches” Book Review why Adventism in North America (since (145). Adventists appear to be best at 1955) has entered “a long period recruiting outsiders and, over two to of decline relative to the rest of the three generations in their alternative world” (143). (One must wonder if system, deposit them on a higher socio- Seeking a Sanctuary: Seventh- economic status. Adventists live longer day Adventism and the than the general population (chapter 9 is American Dream, 2nd ed., about the “science of happiness”), advo- by Malcolm Bull and Keith cate religious liberty (chapter 10), and Lockhart, Bloomington, IN: appear to be prone to schism (chapter Indiana University Press, 2006. 11). Ultimately, Adventism reproduces “a parallel version of American society” s a relatively new pastor, I have won- that becomes a “separate organism Adered how people in the community within the larger body” (247, 248). I serve view Seventh-day Adventists. Of The third part, the “Adventist subcul- course, as Malcolm Bull and Keith Lock- ture” (259–347), has helpful chapters on hart maintain in Seeking a Sanctuary, most gender, race, ministry, medicine, educa- people have not heard of Adventism. tion, and the self-supporting movement. Those who have most likely have either Readers of Ministry will find chapter had a negative encounter with a church 16, dealing with ministry, particularly member, or they have been positively poignant. The authors contend that impacted through one of our Adventist Adventist churches have a higher level institutions. Seeking a Sanctuary will chal- of conflict, yet the personal bias of the lenge Adventist ministers to better authors, as former Adventists, understand how those outside of comes through in instances like our religious community view our this. However, my experience denomination and thereby be- Seeking a Sanctuary with other congregations in our come more sensitive to our public community is that many congre- persona. will challenge gations from other denominations The first part of the book are far more conflicted than our focuses on Adventist theology. Adventist ministers to church. Bull and Lockhart maintain that Significantly, of the major Adventists are not a part of the better understand how groups from the nineteenth cen- general mainstream because tury, Bull and Lockhart argue of their belief that America will those outside of our that Adventism is the only one someday become intolerant. The to develop a professional clergy authors continue their argument religious community (292). As such, a great deal is that “There is very little . . . to sup- view our denomination expected of Adventist ministers. port the widely held contention Unfortunately, research shows that Adventists have moved from and thereby become that ambivalence exists in the role the margins of society toward the of a pastor. mainstream” (108). Instead, they more sensitive to our I recommend to clergy that suggest that Adventist theology they read Seeking a Sanctuary. has developed in parallel with that public persona. In all probability, you won’t of the mainstream. agree with all of the candid and In part two (113–255), Bull sometimes even critical analysis, and Lockhart describe the Adventist this is actually a period of decline, or but you will be more attuned to the experience and the American dream. simply the expansion of Adventist mis- sociological trends that drive Seventh- Chapter 7 describes Adventism as “an sions?) The authors state that although day Adventism. alternative social system that can meet Seventh-day Adventism has become the the needs of its members from the twenty-seventh largest denomination in —Reviewed by Michael W. Campbell, PhD, cradle to the grave” (114). Chapter 8 the United States, it has not, however, pastor of the Montrose Seventh-day Adventist showcases patterns of growth. From “developed the demographic profile of Church, Montrose, Colorado, United States.

February 2009 MINISTRY 27 Pastor’s Pastor

Reconnect, reclaim, reflame

s we launch this year of evange- help is needed! Your congregants know lism, we must confront the reality James A. Cress the very ones we need. While we have Athat many who once worshiped the names and addresses of some of with us, now, for a variety of reasons, no those who should be contacted, many longer fellowship with our church, or any names and addresses are unknown to other denomination. While we emphasize the church office, even though they reaching the lost—sometimes termed are individuals whom your members our “unsaved loved ones”—we ought know personally. Never assume that to remember the needs of former, miss- the church has accurate or up-to-date ing, or inactive members—our “unloved information. If you know someone who saved ones”! These numbers, tragic as they are, should receive a gracious contact along Of course, free choice mandates that reveal only part of the story. Also, with a no-pressure invitation to resume each individual’s right not to worship thousands of individuals are still on the fellowship, please let us know. must be respected, but many of these membership rolls who never worship In our last pastorate, Sharon and I individuals do not participate in worship with other believers—only about 50 intentionally concentrated on reclaiming or other church activities because they percent of all members actually attend our former and inactive members, as well have been hurt, disappointed, or disil- weekly worship services. Granted, as establishing contact with those we lusioned at some point along the way. In many are ill, elderly, or traveling. This could not have known, such as those who many cases, we have been the cause of still leaves a vast potential audience of had moved to our area without initiating fellow believers leaving active fellowship individuals whom God loves and for involvement with the church. We mailed a by our coldness or indifference to their whom His church ought to feel passion request to every church in our conference needs. to love back into fellowship. and to every conference in North America Why they leave. While doctrinal The great evangelist, Fordyce Deta- requesting help in identifying individuals differences, heretical breakaway groups, more, used to emphasize the reachability in our metropolitan area who no longer or disagreements over worship styles and of former members as his “best potentials” participated in church activities. In just standards have caused some people to for bringing them to a new relationship a few weeks, we received the names of leave, others depart due to boredom, with Jesus. So if we want to add 100,000 over 200 such individuals to whom we poor preaching, and inadequately active members to our churches during prioritized low-key, encouraging spiritual planned services. However, the vast this year, we might well start by reaching nurture. We focused our energies and majority leave due simply to a lack of our “unloved saved ones” with renewed resources toward those whose lives friendship. They have been wounded hope in the soon return of Jesus. were once united in fellowship with the in the church. Whatever the cause for While we recognize that some who Adventist Church, and within a short their absence, two things are certain. have left our fellowship would choose time, we experienced more than four The back door still swings and solutions not to return, many have left because dozen individuals who had returned to lie far more within our power as active of interpersonal difficulties—loneliness, our church. members than we might wish to think. alienation, boredom, lack of spiritual God loves the missing! One of In North America alone, nearly food, criticism, rejection, etc. Thousands the clearest lessons Jesus ever taught 300,000 members officially have been are waiting on the verge of the kingdom was our heavenly Father’s concern for removed (and not because of death) to be invited back. Among these, we can those missing from the fellowship of from our membership in the past 20 make a difference as we allow the Spirit believers. Luke 15 records three different years. That total equals 40 percent of our to work in our lives. We can, and must, stories that demonstrate this point—the total membership at the beginning of actively search for them, listen to them, missing sheep, the missing coin, and the these two decades—a tragedy of great- and hopefully reclaim them into a vital missing son. Interestingly, each story tells est proportions, especially when we have relationship with Christ and His church. a different path by which someone ends not maintained even basic information You know who we need! One up among the missing, often without like a mail or telephone contact. This of the first steps in reclaiming those even realizing their situation. The sheep equals a total loss similar to that of the who were once part of our fellowship wandered off alone. The coin never left ten largest conferences in the division is to identify their names and mailing the premises but remained separated. simply disappearing. addresses so we can contact them. Your The prodigal son deliberately chose to

28 MINISTRY February 2009 leave in rebellion and ended up alone. made the choice to start back toward Mike’s sermon, “Enduring to the End,” While we diligently search for missing home. Then he ran out to greet his calculated to retain current members and former members and collect names prodigal. God will meet any returning while encouraging the discouraged and and accurate addresses, remember that soul more than half way. disenchanted to return, can be viewed some, much like the story of the coin, Pray. You need not wait in idleness. online at www.ministerialassociation might remain in our midst, yet alone. If Prayer is the key in the hand of faith that .com and Paul Richardson’s Center for you think of someone like this whom you unlocks heaven’s storehouse of blessings! Creative Ministry presents excellent know, why not give them a telephone When I pray for missing members, I Homecoming Sabbath resources at www call right now, and let them know they do not pray to change God’s attitude .creativeministry.org. are missed. Never underestimate how toward the lost; God changes my What’s next? Now that we’ve much influence your personal contact attitude toward the lost. seen the potential to reconnect/reclaim/ might have. Love unconditionally. Never impose reflame inactive and former members, And in my congregation’s weekly criteria on someone else in order for we must “put shoes on the process” and newsletter that we targeted to hundreds them to become recipients of your love. make a concentrated effort to reconnect of readers beyond our active member- Express your love unreservedly! Accept relationships, reclaim fellowship, and ship, I wrote the following, “If you them even as they stink from the reflame discipleship. I recommend the are reading this and feel all alone, pigpen; then love them into life- following process: please know that our intent changing sanctified living. 1. Appoint a central site for a master is stronger than our follow- Welcome. Joyously express list of inactive and former members through in too many cases. This your pleasure when a missing (The for North is your personal invitation. We friend returns to fellowship. America). Other divisions can insti- want you back to a far greater Make them feel wanted and tute and develop a similar plan for extent than we are capable of welcomed! Encourage even their territory. expressing. God’s love for you is their very first steps toward 2. Publish the following announce- even greater than our concern. R e c o n n e c t heaven. The prodigal received ment in every church bulletin and Please don’t wait for someone Reclaim shoes, a ring, and a robe from newsletter for six consecutive weeks: to call you! Give us a call! Better Reflame his father at the moment of Searching for former and inactive yet, come rejoice with us in return. Adventists. Do you have a friend or renewed fellowship!” The very next Sab- Restore. Those who return have noth- relative who used to be a member or bath, a family showed up at church and ing to prove. The prodigal expected to be active in church activities? We need stated, “We understand you’re looking a servant; he was restored as an heir! The their name, mailing address, email for us—we have not attended church in lost have nothing to prove to the church. contact, and telephone. Each person over twenty years.” We must prove our love and concern to will receive an attractively designed, How to reclaim? Nine principles for those who have been wounded. sensitively written packet of materials reclaiming those who are missing from Celebrate. Make every restoration inviting them to re-establish contact fellowship are outlined in Luke 15: a joyous occasion. All heaven rejoices with the nearest Adventist church. Count. The good shepherd knew that when one individual returns. We could Send all information to: Attention: Pas- one sheep was missing because he kept at least host a fellowship luncheon! What tor Fred Kinsey, The Voice of Prophecy, careful count on those who were with better occasion to party? Box 53055, Los Angeles, CA 90053 him. Direct your elders to work with you Prioritizing reclamation. Mike Jones, (www.vop.com/reflame). in spiritually nurturing every member. who possesses the unique capability of 3. Pray for the Holy Spirit to warm the Risk. The shepherd left the 99 sheep thinking like a successful pastor, which heart of every individual who will exposed to danger in the wild places as he once was, and responding like a receive a gracious invitation to attend he went searching for the one who was reclaimed inactive member, which he worship services and to reconnect missing. He risked the group’s security experienced for himself, states, “If the with the church of their heritage. and convenience for the one most in church wants to maximize its results for 4. Print the display advertisement on need! Prioritize. the Year of Evangelism, I make three sug- the following page in the “Weekend/ Labor. When the homemaker discov- gestions. (1) Local congregations should Entertainment” section of Friday news- ered her coin was missing, she worked make themselves more user-friendly, (2) papers for eight consecutive weeks. long and diligently. Nothing of value evangelistic emphasis should include For a version that you can adapt, visit comes easily! This parable also expresses printing small, low-budget newspaper www.ministerialassociation.com and God’s intention for all members to be ads that intentionally invite inactive and click on the Reflame Logo. represented in ministry. Jesus framed the former members to visit, (3) and pastors 5. Conduct a “Love Them Back” seminar Divine Sweeper as a woman. and elders should lead in planning an for every church in which pastors will Wait. Never give up! The prodigal’s annual Homecoming Sabbath for those instruct members on how best to father had to patiently wait until his son who have become inactive and missing.” encourage and engage with those who

February 2009 MINISTRY 29 Friends fellowship is a powerful social Family component and Adventists, at Seventh-day Adventists Former Members You’re their best, do this very well. Disenfranchised welcome! i. Simplify your own life to take Discouraged time to greet at least one or two Searching individuals you don’t know every [ ] Sabbath. These connections make Your Seventh-day Adventist Church Name Sabbath School time high impact. Worship time Your street address 6. Restrain those who reject such Your special event information Your city, state, postal code training from imposing their antiso- Your directions and additional details. cial attitudes, speculative ideas, or fanciful heresies on those who visit will return to attendance. Mike Jones ended questions are better. “How your church. recommends that this seminar include did you come to be in this city?” 7. Follow Jesus’ model—the only way to the following practical methods: or “How do you feel about our reach the heart and mind of seekers. a. Make eye contact with each visitor worship services?” Once you’ve “Christ’s method alone will give true to your church. asked, listen. Suture your mouth success in reaching the people. The b. Add a welcome smile to your eye shut and you will learn much from Saviour mingled with men as one contact. what they share. who desired their good. He showed c. Touch your visitors with warmth f. Talk to your visitors. Easy conver- His sympathy for them, ministered and welcome. A handshake or sations such as, “Good morning, to their needs, and won their confi- squeeze on the shoulder gives my name is Jim” will get the job dence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow positive impact. done. At first, strive for a friendly Me’ “ (Ministry of Healing, 143). d. Ask questions designed to open relationship and nothing more. 8. Ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to conversation. “Do you folk live g. Defer investigating their motive be a loving and loveable Christian around here?” (Never ask if they for attending or their challenges who will appropriately interact are “visiting,” which might easily of the past. Over a period of time, with all whom God will help us offend someone who attends they may share how they have felt reclaim. regularly and believes you should wounded or became disenfran- Tell us what you think about this editorial. Email us already know them.) chised from the church. at [email protected] or write to us e. Listen to your visitors. Open- h. Feed your visitors. Food and at 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

Dateline

Seven ways to make your Community Health and Enterprise days, pray together at the beginning, we pray week great Mondays now see Spanish classes taught together at the end.” Kobe, one of our by Angela Lake, alongside an arts and unchurched participants will tell you, “I ennington, England—From small crafts class taught by Cecilyn Williams. look forward to coming every week.” Kbeginnings on a deprived housing Urban Youth Ministry takes precedence He says, “Here are my friends; here is estate in 2001, the Kennington Com- on Tuesdays. “Food 4 da Brain” and a my community.” munity Fellowship (KCF), based opposite basketball ministry attract an average of That is exactly the reaction that the Oval Cricket ground in London, took 25 unchurched members of the commu- pleases their pastor, Paul King-Brown. a new step last autumn to expand its nity. Wednesdays see vibrant “connect He says, “The intention and endeavor community outreach. groups” of prayer and Bible study, while of KCF is to be an active and effective Under the heading of ‘’Seven Ways on Thursdays Jermaine Wong leads an influence for Jesus Christ within our com- to Make Your Week Great,” four new exciting drama class. munity.” That seems to be happening, ministries have been launched as the Why is KCF now running seven days he says, as members are “recognizing local church seeks to encourage local a week? Seyi, who runs the basketball that we are His hands and His feet.” community participation in its quest to on Tuesdays responds, “We have created For more information on KCF, visit reinstate church as the hub of the com- a nice environment for the young boys their Web site: www.kenningtonlife.com munity. Adding to the already successful of the community to come into. We or phone 07810560495. [BUC News]

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