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Journal of Adventist Mission Studies
Number of Followers: 0  Open Access journalISSN (Print) 1553-9881 Published by Andrews University  [5 journals]
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- The Contribution of Paul Hiebert to Folk Religion: A Missiological Study
among the Dendis of Northeast Benin
Authors: Michée Badé
Abstract: Completed in September 2022 with the department of Practical and Missional Theology of the University of the Free State, South Africa.
PubDate: Tue, 10 Jan 2023 07:30:08 PST
- Ellen G. White’s Statements in Their Original Context on the Heathen
Being Saved
Authors: Andrew Tompkins
Abstract: This article is a study of a number of statements found in the writings of Ellen G. White on the experience of the heathen who have not heard about Jesus or God’s law. A brief section on the historical theological setting during the lifetime of Ellen White, specifically as it relates to the question of the eternal destiny of the heathen, will preface the primary portion of the study. The question of the eternal destiny became a major discussion issue, in the wider Protestant world, during the lifetime of Ellen White. It was also an issue that John Wesley addressed on a few different occasions in his sermons. The Wesleyan approach to the issue is mirrored in many ways in the writings of Ellen White. This article seeks to highlight some of these.The main sections of the study contain analysis of three chapters in White’s writings, one from each of the following: The Desire of Ages, Christ’s Object Lessons, and Prophets and Kings with a few additional notes on some other passages she wrote. The goal is to place the statements of Ellen White on the heathen within their literary context in order to have a more complete understanding of these statements. Part of the reason this is needed is because these quotations are often quoted without reference to their wider setting, and sometimes in contradictory ways.For Seventh-day Adventists the question of the unevangelized has not always been clearly answered either from Scripture or the writings of Ellen White. This article seeks to shed some light on Ellen White’s understanding in order to create a balanced view of Ellen White’s statements on the eternal destiny of the heathen.
PubDate: Tue, 10 Jan 2023 07:30:03 PST
- Anti-urbanism in Culture and in the Adventist Church: Advocacy and Action
for Urban Ministry In the Twentieth Century—Part 2
Authors: Jerry R. Chase
Abstract: This article explores the response within the Seventh-day Adventist Church after Ellen G. White’s death to the dual emphases in her writings on the city and rural living. On one hand she strongly encouraged large Adventist institutions and families raising children to locate out of the cities. This was because of the advantages natural surroundings have on physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, and to shield children and young adults from the evils and temptations of the city. While she recognized the evils in the city and God’s impending judgments, she aggressively pushed church leaders to take a more active role in evangelizing the cities, precisely because of their great need.The church was slow to respond to her plea for greater mission to the cities during her lifetime. Once she passed away, the gains made in city mission during her lifetime were gradually lost. Leadership focused on foreign missions but work in the cities seem to have fallen by the wayside, being replaced with a drive for all Adventists to move to the country. This paper’s focus is on the period from the 1910 through the 1990s.
PubDate: Tue, 10 Jan 2023 07:29:57 PST
- How to Engage Voluntary Spirit Possession Rituals in Mission: The Case of
the Dendi Adorcism Ritual
Authors: Michée Badé
Abstract: Missionaries face unique challenges when confronted with spirit possession rituals. Because not all spirit possessions are regarded as negative in some cultures, some spirit possessions are sought through adorcism rituals. Such spirit possessions are considered advantageous for the individual or the community. Contrasted with exorcism which is to expel or bind troublesome or uninvited entities, adorcism creates or strengthens beneficial ties between the possessed person and the spirits (Openshaw 2020:6).This article seeks to show that the practice of adorcism rituals, as is the case among the Dendi people in the northern part of Benin, presents a unique challenge to Christian mission. Therefore, the classical approach to spirit possession with exorcism needs a critical evaluation.
PubDate: Tue, 10 Jan 2023 07:29:51 PST
- Footholds and Strongholds
Authors: Kelvin Onongha
Abstract: At creation God made humans in His image and likeness, endowing them with powers and abilities akin to their Creator. One distinguishing quality which humans alone possessed, unique from all other creatures, was the power of choice—the will. This unique attribute made humans the only creatures with the ability to say yes or no to God. Since the devil’s fall from glory, it has been his mission to deceive and enlist others in his rebellion against the sovereignty of God. Continuing the work of deception and rebellion he began in heaven before he and his confederates were forcefully expelled, he seeks in his wrath against the Creator to totally deface the image of God from the lives of His children (Rev 12:17). To achieve these objectives Satan seeks inroads into people’s lives; means by which he can obtain a foothold, which could later become a stronghold, to gain total control or subordination of the human will to his whims and pleasures. Ultimately, as Jesus stated, his mission is to “kill, and steal, and destroy” (John 10:10). The beginning point for his objective is finding a foothold to obtain access into the lives of God’s creatures, for whom He sent His Son to die on the cross.As a result of the great conflict which broke out in heaven (Rev 12:7-11), the devil and his evil angels were expelled from their former abode and became vagrants in need of new habitations. This problem was solved when the devil tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden to disobey God. By complying to the counsel of the deceiver, the earth’s dominion was ceded to the usurper (Gen 3). The fall of Adam and Eve occurred because the devil found a foothold, an entry point into the heart of Eve. This foothold was the sin of covetousness. Eve apparently coveted the adulation and glory only God should have; she desired to be worshiped (v. 5). Eve was deceived by Satan who thereby gained control of her and subsequently used her as an agent to tempt Adam to join in the rebellion against God. Adam, on his part, apparently chose to join his wife in her disobedience rather than to obey God and live. In attempting to be godlike Adam and Eve lost their paradise home, their dominion over the entire creation, and their position as custodians of God’s world entrusted to them. Intriguingly, the same unholy ambition which Satan had nursed—the desire to have the position, dominion, and glory belonging to the Creator—he transmitted to Adam and Eve.
PubDate: Tue, 10 Jan 2023 07:29:45 PST
- Discerning the Condition: Disease or Demonic
Authors: Ugochukwu Elems
Abstract: Psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, anthropologists, some pastors, and other related professionals tend to go to the other extreme and dismiss the reality of demonic manifestations. They often explain that the Bible narratives of demonic encounters are myths, hence the need to demythologize the Scripture’s claim. Yet it is not possible to deny the historicity of the biblical claims, nor can any objective reader of the Scriptures ignore the existence and influence of demons among people today. In fact, the Bible clearly asserts the reality and existence of demons.The dividing line between disease and demonic possession is very thin, which poses problems for pastoral and clinical professionals on the where, how, or when they can properly function within their given boundaries without encroaching into one another’s domain. This understanding is particularly relevant in the African context where the supernatural is intrinsically linked to almost every aspect of life and natural occurrences.Hence, this chapter is based on two assumptions: that disease is real and that demonic possession is real. However, it is vitally important for Christians to know the difference. Therefore, every section of this chapter will serve the purpose of helping the reader develop principles for discerning pathological cases from demonic possessions.
PubDate: Tue, 10 Jan 2023 07:20:28 PST
- Deliverance Ministry Among Adventists in the North American Context
Authors: Conrad Vine
Abstract: Deliverance Ministry (DM) among Adventists in North America is a rarely discussed topic. In North American Adventism, it is uncommon for those who do experience demonization to openly discuss their spiritual plight with fellow Adventists, or even with their pastors. Empirical feedback from those who seek deliverance, and from the participants at the International Fellowship of Adventist Mission Studies / Swallen Mission Conference organized by the Department of World Mission at the Adventist Seminary, Andrews University (September 2015) indicates that many Adventist pastors and seminarians in North America feel relatively unprepared to respond to requests for deliverance from members.
PubDate: Tue, 10 Jan 2023 07:20:22 PST
- The African Worldview and Belief in the Demonic
Authors: Kelvin Onongha
Abstract: The African continent displays rich diversity in geography, culture, history, and language. In spite of this heterogeneity in several respects it still has many similarities. These similarities are to a great extent evident in its rich cultures, but especially in its religious worldview. For that reason, the debate still rages whether the religion appertaining to the region should be referred to as African Traditional Religion (ATR), or African Traditional Religions. The arguments on both sides are compelling. A close examination of the worldviews held by a large portion of Africans however reveals amazing similarities. The African worldview associated with the religious beliefs of the people is one that contributes greatly to belief in the reality, power, and working of demons in the daily lives of its people. To better understand how a worldview contributes to belief in the demonic the religion and corresponding aspects of the African worldview will be examined.
PubDate: Tue, 10 Jan 2023 07:20:16 PST
- Can Christians be Possessed by Evil Spirits'
Authors: Kelvin Onongha
Abstract: In the African ministry context, accusations of demon possession are commonplace. It would appear that every strange, bizarre, or abnormal form of behavior is attributed to demon possession. Unfortunately, in many cases there is a very thin line between occurrences of mental disorder and demonization. This is because the symptoms in several instances are quite similar, and the precursors may be quite complex. For these reasons, another article in this issue sought to address the issue of discerning whether certain conditions were caused by mental disorders or demonization.In addition, the predisposition to regard every unexplained behavior as having a demonic origin was also addressed in this issue and described “the expanded middle.” However, one debate that has continued for decades and which is the concern of this chapter is, Can Christians be possessed by evil spirits'
PubDate: Tue, 10 Jan 2023 07:20:11 PST
- Demonization of Christians: Missiological Perspectives and Implications
Authors: Michée Badé
Abstract: This article is a missiological reflection on the phenomenon of Christian demonization from a Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) perspective. The article argues from the four voices approach in theology (see Cameron et al. 2010; Cameron and Duce 2013), and contends that Christians can be demonized, have been demonized throughout the Christian church history, and are still demonized today across all Christian denomination lines. This is the position that appears in a few SDA publications, and is not in contradiction with the Scriptures. I suggest that demonization and demon possession are etymologically and phenomenologically the same. Thus, this paper builds on the assumption that Christian demonization is not just a claim from deliverance ministry practitioners with an operant theology but a missiological phenomenon with inreach and outreach dimensions. The phenomenon is encountered in formal and normative theologies as well, as it is an exposed theology from an operant theology.As such, this article points out that many mainline Christian denominations (Roman Catholics, Protestants like non-charismatic evangelicals, Seventh-day Adventists, etc.) have recently emphasized practical ministries in their denominations to face the needs of their members struggling with demonization. These denominations have moved from an attitude closed to the possibility of ministry to demonized members to a more open attitude with a willingness to consider the issue and explore potential solutions.The article first addresses briefly the seeming controversy on the translation of the Greek terms daimonizomenos (participle), and daimonizomai (verb). These terms, together with echo/echei daimonion, are translated in some Bible texts “possessed with the devil” (Mark 5:15, 16, 18, KJV), “demon- possessed” (Matt 8:28–32; Mark 5:15, 16, 18, Luke 8:27, NKJV or NIV etc.). Second, this article asserts that Christians are best categorized by the centered set theory and not otherwise (see Hiebert 1978, 1994, 2008). Consequently, this missiological reflection emphasizes that Christian demonization has missiological implications for Christian mission in general and SDA mission in particular. Finally, the article argues that theological research is enriched when the four voices of theology–the formal or academic theology, the espoused theology, the normative theology, and the operant theology are brought “into conscious conversation so that all voices can be enriched” (Cameron and Duce 2013:xxxi). This means that each theological voice must interpenetrate the others and influence them (xxx).
PubDate: Tue, 10 Jan 2023 07:20:05 PST
- Editorial
Authors: Bruce L. Bauer
PubDate: Tue, 10 Jan 2023 07:19:59 PST
- Spiritual Warfare
PubDate: Tue, 10 Jan 2023 07:19:53 PST
