The World Evangelical Alliance’s Journal of Theology and Contemporary Application Volume 44•No.4•November 2020 Evangelical Review of Theology A Global Forum Volume 44 • Number 4 • November 2020 Published by Published by To order hard copies, contact [email protected] ISSN: 0144-8153 ISBN: 978-1-7252-8949-9 Volume 44 • No. 4 • November 2020 Copyright © 2020 World Evangelical Alliance Department of Theological Concerns The free pdf of this journal is distributed under the following conditions: The pdf may not be sold or used for profit except with written consent. The pdf may be printed only for private use, not for profit. The only printed copies that may be used in public are those obtained from the publisher, Wipf & Stock. General Editor: Thomas Schirrmacher Executive Editor: Bruce Barron Assistant Editor: Thomas K. Johnson Book Review Editor: Peirong Lin Committee Executive Committee of the WEA Theological Commission Dr Rosalee V. Ewell, Brazil, Executive Director Dr Thomas Schirrmacher, Germany, Executive Chair Dr James O. Nkansah, Kenya, Vice-Chair Editorial Policy The articles in the Evangelical Review of Theology (ERT) reflect the opinions of the authors and reviewers and do not necessarily represent those of the Editors or the Publisher. The Editors welcome both unsolicited submissions and recommendations of original or previously published articles or book reviews for inclusion in ERT. Manuscripts, reviews, queries and other communications may be addressed to the Executive Editor at [email protected]. Printed by Wipf and Stock Publishers 199 West 8th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97401 wipfandstock.com ERT (2020) 44:4, 291–291 Table of Contents Editor’s Introduction: Is Our Quality Higher Than That of the US Presidential Campaign? ................................................................................ 292 Evangelicals and Elections ............................................................................................. 293 Efraim Tendero, WEA Secretary General The Protester, the Dissident and the Christian .......................................................... 294 Thomas K. Johnson The Invisible Global War: An African ‘Theocological’ Assessment of Responses to COVID-19 ........................................................................................... 302 Ebenezer Yaw Blasu Reflecting the Image of God through Speech: Genesis 1–3 in James 3:1–12 ......... 313 Andrea L. Robinson Evangelical Engagement with Barth: A Modest Proposal ......................................... 324 C. Ryan Fields The Puzzle of Institutional Inertia in Theological Education .................................. 336 Jana Holiday and Linda Cannell with James D. McLennan What Are the ‘Gates of Hades’ in Matthew 16:18? .................................................... 351 Chris Gousmett Observations on Apologetics and Its Relation to Contemporary Christian Mission ............................................................................................................ 359 Thomas Schirrmacher The Reconstruction of Evangelism by Liberal Protestants: An Evangelical Response ............................................................................................... 368 Elmer Thiessen Book Reviews ................................................................................................................... 374 Editor’s Introduction Is Our Quality Higher Than That of the US Presidential Campaign? As I write this introduction, we are nearing the end of a US presidential election in which, according to social media reports, I can choose between a narcissistic bully and a man in severe cognitive decline. (Actually, I have another choice. In my state, rapper Kanye West is on the ballot. I’ve already ordered my bumper sticker reading ‘Don’t blame me, I voted for Kanye.’) How the US political system ended up in its current dysfunctional status, and how US evangelicals have become widely credited with (or blamed for) a major role in placing America’s most unusual president in office, is a long story to which I cannot do justice on this page. (We would welcome thoughtful submissions for our next issue analysing US evangelicals’ political behaviour and how to move forward constructively from the November election, however it turns out.) But many of the comments I’ve heard during this campaign have expressed disappointment about the quality of the candidates. Amongst the general public, many regret that one candidate is erratic and rude while the other often seems past his prime. Plenty of evangelicals wish they had more options than either an incumbent president of limited policymaking competence and questionable character or a political party perceived as a threat to mainstream Christian views of family, sexuality, the sanctity of life and religious freedom. I am not in a position to fix that problem, as I am not active in either party at this time and the US has not seen the successful emergence of a new political party in 160 years. But I have been inspired to ensure that whatever work I am responsible for is done with the highest possible quality, as unto the Lord (Col 3:23). Journal editors, unlike democratic electoral systems, can set high standards for acceptance and make their decisions based on merit. That’s what we are trying to do with the new, open-access Evangelical Review of Theology. Except for the two contributions by our two World Evangelical Alliance Theological Commission leaders (Thomas Schirrmacher and Thomas K. Johnson), every article that appears in this issue has gone through extensive review and revision as we work with our authors to develop broadly relevant, clearly understandable and highly instructive content. One other aspect of editorial quality that we intend to uphold (unless the growing number of submissions overwhelms us) is to give a thoughtful, sensitive response to every submission. Few things are as exasperating to a writer as an unexplained rejection. Along with publishing the work of globally prominent Christians, we also want to nurture the next generation of promising thinkers. We hope this issue meets your quality standards too. Either way, we’d love to receive your feedback. Happy reading! —Bruce Barron, Executive Editor ERT (2020) 44:4, 293–293 Evangelicals and Elections Efraim Tendero, WEA Secretary General The US presidential election has drawn much attention to the question of what evangelicals should do in elections. The WEA does not endorse candidates, of course, but Christians have often exerted great impact on the political realm. I would like to articulate some principles that I believe we should all support, regardless of our particular policy views or electoral preferences. Although all forms of human governance are flawed, democracy, by giving all people a voice, best embodies our conviction that all people are created equal and in God’s image. Since making every decision by popular vote is impossible, for purposes of order and efficiency we elect representatives to direct the functions of government. We should seek to elect leaders of exemplary character and high moral standards, trusting that they will not be corrupted by the temptations of power. In our voting decisions, we should balance considerations of policy positions, character, wisdom and competence. I would argue that character, wisdom and competence are the most essential qualifications, because the people we elect will encounter newly emerging policy challenges not foreseen at the time of the election. However, policy stances can give us a good sense of the values and principles that a prospective leader would apply to any issues. Campaigns should not be acrimonious. Elections should build up a nation, not exacerbate differences or bring discord and tension to relationships, friendships or even fellowships. Disagreements must be discussed with mutual respect and civility. Election processes must be honest and secure. Any effort to manipulate an election through coercion or fraud is not only illegal but immoral, because it seeks to subvert God’s will and the will of the people. Every qualified citizen should be enfranchised to vote, each ballot should be accurately counted and recorded, and voting should be by secret ballot to ensure freedom of choice. In many situations, Christians may honour God and serve the people just as effectively by working to ensure free and fair elections as by campaigning for a preferred candidate. All candidates and citizens should respect the will of the people as reflected in the election results. Though our political party and candidate preferences may sometimes differ, our common desire for the ultimate good of the country and our willingness to put national benefit above personal gain should unite all evangelicals in public service. After an election has been decided, we should pray for and support the elected leaders as God has commanded us, even if they are not the ones we campaigned or voted for. We should also be quick to forgive anyone who may have hurt us or seek forgiveness from anyone we may have hurt in the heat and divisiveness of the political process. Whatever our differences, let us pray and work together towards the goals of peaceful elections and good governance in every nation. ERT (2020) 44:4, 294–301 The Protester, the Dissident and the Christian Thomas K. Johnson When and why should Christians protest? How can we turn the hearts of other protesters towards the hope offered by the Christian gospel? This article, revised from a sermon originally preached