Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Some Thoughts on the Inspiration of the Bible.......................1 Annual Council Appoint BRI Scholars for
What is in Your Heart?: Lessons from a Biblical 2016–2020..............................................................................8
Character................................................................................3 Initiatives of the Biblical Research Committee
Scripture Applied of the Inter-European Division...........................................8
Lessons from Daniel 6................................................................5 Initiatives of the Biblical Research Committee of
Book Notes the Southern Asia-Pacific Division....................................8
The Love of God: A Canonical Model......................................7 New Publication.................................................................................9
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he word inspiration can have different defines inspiration as a heightened degree of insight.
meanings. An orchestra can give an The biblical authors were religious geniuses but in
inspired performance. Artists can speak principle no different from other great thinkers, such
about what inspires them. Athletes are as Plato, Buddha or Mohammed. (2) The illumina-
inspired by their Olympic goals. In tion theory allows for the working of the Holy Spirit,
each case inspiration is something quite different but only in heightening the biblical authors’ natural
from what the Apostle Paul meant when he said: abilities. There is no special communication of truth,
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is but merely a deeper perception of spiritual matters.
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for (3) The plenary or dynamic view of inspiration has the
instruction in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16 NKJ) Spirit of God imbuing the writers with the thoughts
Revelation and inspiration in the Bible belong and concepts they are to pass on. This view allows
together. While revelation refers primarily to the con- the writer’s own personality to come into play in the
tents of God’s communication (Rev 1:1), i.e. the actual choice of words and expressions. (4) In the verbal
message; inspiration describes the means God used inspiration theory the Holy Spirit supplies not only
to communicate his message to sinful human beings, the thoughts but also the words and expressions, albeit
for example, in visions and dreams (Num 12:6) or by from the writers own vocabulary and background. (5)
the “moving” of the Holy Spirit on the biblical authors. The dictation theory teaches that the Holy Spirit actu-
Peter says, “Men spoke from God as they were carried ally dictated the biblical books to the various writers.
along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Pet 1:21 NIV). As a leave is “This means that there is no distinctive style attribut-
carried along by the wind, so the writers of Scripture able to the different authors of the biblical Books.”1 In
were carried along by the Spirit, they could not control the last two theories the prophets and apostles can be
the Spirit, they had to proclaim the message from God. compared to God’s pens rather than his penmen.
When the prophet Balaam was hired by Balak, The first two views are generally held by liberal
king of the Moabites, to “curse” Israel, he was promised scholars. The dictation theory goes back to Philo and
earthly riches (Num 22:37). But when, under the inspi- Josephus2 and was held by a few Christians, but is
ration, he tried to curse Israel, he could only proclaim a rarely found today. However, it is often equated with
blessing (Num 23:7-10, 18-24). In Scripture, inspiration verbal inspiration which is the commonly accepted
guarantees the accuracy of that which is revealed. view among evangelical Christians.
Because the Bible does not develop a full theory
of inspiration, various views have arisen in regard Inspiration - The Claims of Scripture
to the nature of inspiration: (1) The intuition theory Any discussion about the inspiration of the Bible
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lose attention to biblical characters can 1. The Heart Counts
provide useful insights for preaching and Many people today do their job just because they
teaching the Bible. This essay illustrates have to do it. It may be difficult enough to find a job.
this claim by looking at the prophet Ezra. So they are forced to take what they can get. They have
Israel had been in the Babylonian exile— to make a living and earn money. Some have the lux-
according to Jeremiah it would last seventy years—and ury of choice and find themselves a career that allows
the Jews were allowed to return to their land under the them to make themselves a name and/or to get plenty
Persian king Cyrus. But this happened only gradually, of money. Apart from the lucrative financial benefits,
with different groups returning. Ezra 7 and 8 reports on their heart may not be with their job.
the journey of one group that returned from Babylon to Ezra 7 tells us that Ezra was a scribe by profession,
Jerusalem. They left on the first day of the first month in but he was more than a professional scribe who did his
the seventh year of Artaxerxes and arrived on the first job because it was his task to do it. Ezra was person-
day of the fifth month. Quite a journey! Today in an ally involved. It must have been his heart’s desire to
airplane it is a matter of one or two hours. be familiar with the word of God. Ezra set his heart to
But the return of the Jews from the exile is men- seek the word of God, do it, and teach it. This phrase
tioned here as the backdrop to better focus on Ezra is primarily talking about commitment, devotion, and
as a person. We appreciate people who have helped dedication. . The heart was not only the seat of emo-
shape our lives positively. We appreciate those who tions but also of the intellect. Thus the heart stood for
have set an example in loyalty, courageous behavior, the mind, will, and determination. Ezra “had ‘devoted
and commitment to a good cause. Biblical characters himself ’ to the three things mentioned”1—studying,
are among them, and often are the first to be listed. observing, and teaching.
Good lessons can be learned from biblical characters. The term “for” connects verse 10 with the preced-
One of them is Ezra. In Ezra 7:1–6 he is described as ing verse: “the good hand of his God was upon him.”
a priest and as “a scribe skilled in the law of Moses Why? Because he had devoted his life to his ministry!
which the Lord God of Israel had given.” In verse His heart was in it! A job performed for a secular
11 this description is repeated in other terms. Ezra company may be done without much of personal
is a priest and “a scribe, a scribe of the words of the involvement, although even then it is better to have a
commandments of the Lord.” The term “scribe” is personal interest in what one is doing.
repeated twice in verse 11. Some translations render This is all the more so when what we do has to do
the second occurrence as “skilled in” the words of with the kingdom of God. Halfhearted service, divid-
the commandments of the Lord. With verse 12 the ed interest is not enough when it comes to God. “You
decree of Artaxerxes begins. Again Ezra is called “the cannot serve two masters.” “Where your treasure is,
priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven.” there your heart will be also.” “Seek first God’s Kingdom
However, most remarkable—in my opinion—is verse and his righteousness, and all the things important to
10: “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the life will be added to you,” Jesus said (Matt 6:21, 24, 33).
LORD and to practice it, and to teach His statutes Ezra’s commitment was paired with God’s blessing.
and ordinances in Israel.”
2. Study Scripture
Lessons to be Learned Ezra felt it important to commit himself to liter-
This text provides us with at least four insights. ally “seeking,” that is, exploring and investigating, the
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reedom of conscience and religious liberty nerability was his religion. Thus Daniel is a
are constantly threatened in this world. remarkable example for believers.
Again and again there are persecution, im- vv. 4–8 How are the governors and satraps in verses
prisonment, and killing of people for their 4–8 depicted?
religious convictions. Daniel 6 describes - Envious, ambitious, egotistic
such a situation. This chapter is the last chapter in the - They wanted to get rid of Daniel.
historical part of the book of Daniel; it deals with the - They were cruel and ready to kill
time of the Medes and Persians. From chapter 7 on we anyone who would interfere with their
will encounter the prophetic part of the book. interests.
- They flattered the king and obtained a
I. Discussion of the Chapter law that was able to harm Daniel.
1. The Historical Background - They were hypocritical and conniving.
vv. 1–3 Under the Medes and Persians Daniel - They were not interested in whether or
quickly rose high in rank. What could the not a person was innocent.
phrase “because an excellent spirit was in - They used Daniel’s different religion to
him” mean? turn against him.
- Wisdom, insight, knowledge How would we characterize the king?
- Faithfulness and reliability - He was flattered.
- Excellent administration and wise lead- - He did not notice that the proposed
ership decree was directed against Daniel, and
- Knowledge of God and knowledge of may have been quite naïve at this point.
human nature - Because the law of the Medes and Per-
sians was considered to be unchange-
2. Intrigues of the Satraps able, by creating a new law the king got
vv. 4–5 Intrigues happened constantly at royal Daniel and himself in trouble.
courts and still happen today in govern- - He was an absolute ruler who may not
ments and business. Daniel also became have cared much about human life.
a target. He was being spied on. Result: v. 9 The decree was signed.
it was found that he was innocent and
righteous in every respect. His only vul- 3. Daniel’s Reaction
5. Daniel and then the Governors in the Li- II. Application
ons’ Den • Religious liberty is an important right. It is indi-
vv. 16, 20 What do these verses reveal about Daniel? rectly mentioned in the Old and New Testaments
- Daniel was highly esteemed by the king. (see Acts 5:29). In many countries it is one of the
- The king recognized Daniel as a servant basic human rights.
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ohn C. Peckham is associate pro- love (chap. 3), the author in chapter four
fessor of theology and Christian addressed the question, does God love
philosophy at the Theological Semi- freely and, if so, what does it mean? The
nary of Andrews University, Berrien foreconditional-reciprocal model posits
Springs, Michigan. The book is based that divine love for creatures is volitional.
on Peckham’s Ph.D. dissertation, which ex- It is neither essential to God’s being nor
plains the scholarly and technical language essential to his existence. God freely loves
of the book. It has nine chapters and three humans and calls humans to freely love
appendices. him in return. God’s love for the world
The first chapter introduces the reader takes place within the context of a bilateral,
to the two prominent but irreconcilable free volitional relationship.
theological models of the nature of divine The evaluative aspect of divine love
John C. Peckman love: (1) the transcendent-voluntarist is dealt with in chapter five. In contrast to
The Love of God: model is the traditional Christian un- the view that God’s love for his creatures is
derstanding of God’s love. It teaches that completely disinterested, the author believes
A Canonical divine love for the world is sovereignly that God delights and takes pleasure in
Model willed, unconditional, unmotivated, un- his creatures and in response to negative
(Downers Grove, IL: IVP merited, freely bestowed, and manifested circumstance may be displeased, vexed
Academic, 2015), 295 pages. ultimately in Christ’s self-sacrifice; (2) the and grieved. Along the same lines is the
US$24.95 modern immanent-experientialist model question in chapter six, whether God’s love
is based on process theology which teaches is emotionally responsive to human dispo-
that God is not omniscient or omnipres- sition and action? Yes, says Peckham, God’s
ent, but part of the historical process, i.e., love is emotional because he has opened
God is bound up essentially with the world himself up to reciprocal relationships with
and dependent on it. This model teaches his creatures. The nature of this mutual love
that divine love is universal sympathy, i.e., relationship is further explained in chapters
God feels all feelings of the world, he is seven and eight. God always initiates the
affected by it and changes accordingly. love relationship with human beings and it
In chapter two the author describes is particularly enjoyed by those who freely
his methodology, the final-form canoni- reciprocate God’s love.
cal approach to systematic theology. This The last chapter summarizes and
approach has a high view of Scripture, it restated that God’s love is volitional,
acknowledges the dual authorship (divine evaluative, emotional, foreconditional and
and human) of the Bible, and uses the ideally reciprocally within the context of
grammatical-historical method of exege- the God-world relationship. This means
sis. Then, in contrast to the two models God does not determine human actions,
in chapter one, Peckham introduces the man and women determine their future.
reader to the foreconditional-reciprocal God is omnipotent but voluntarily limits
model of divine love. By foreconditional the use of his power to allow his creatures
he means God’s “love is prior to all other freedom to make decisions that determine
love and offered to creatures prior to any their future.
conditions but not exclusive of condi- The Love of God may be the most
tions” (p. 66). That is, as far as God’s will scholarly and comprehensive book on the
is concerned his love is unconditional, topic of God’s love. It addresses aspects
but in regard to the ongoing God-world of divine love Christians in general never
relationship it is conditional. consider. Does God chose to love, or
After a study of the biblical words for must he love? Is God’s love emotional and
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he last Annual Council of the General Conference associate director, and Artur Stele, who has served as the
(Oct. 7-14, 2015) appointed the BRI scholars director during the last quinquennium, will continue to
for the next quinquennium. Ekkehardt Mueller, serve BRI as chair of the Biblical Research Institute Com-
Kwabena Donkor, and Clinton Wahlen will serve as mittee (BRICOM) along with his other responsibilities as
associate directors. Elias Brasil de Souza was appointed one of the vice presidents of the General Conference.
as director. Frank Hasel from Bogenhofen was called as
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he Biblical Research Committee (BRC) of EUD be published early in 2017), and marriage and family
is one of the longest standing BRCs of the divi- (volume 3, to be published in 2018).
sions of the world Church. Most likely it is also After finishing the marriage book in French and
the most active one. German the BRC of EUD took on a new project that
It has regularly organized Bible Conference for will be published in English in a book entitled “War
pastors in the division, although divided in three and Military Service.” This is a very timely issue.
different locations. It has responded to request from Many chapters are already written and need to be
the fields, was involved in drafting statements, led out edited.
in dialogues with Adventist theologians, and it has In the meantime, the BRC of EUD has taken on a
published books that were not only sold to church new project, which deals with a theology of work. The
members, but also placed in public libraries for free. title is “Adventist Voices on Work and the Economy.”
The latest finished project was the one on As in the past, EUD has invited scholars of other
marriage, published in French and German, which Divisions to help and write some chapters. While
was given to BRI for publication, augmentation, and the finished product will be a production of the BRC
further development in English. Out of this project of EUD, voices of other Divisions will be heard too.
grew the larger project of BRI that deals with marriage We commend EUD for these initiatives, which may
(volume 1, published 2015), sexuality (volume 2, to become a blessing for the entire Church worldwide.
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he BRC of SSD is a relatively young commit- events. The committee looked at contemporary inter-
tee, but it is also quite active. It has worked on pretations of Daniel 11. Two papers were read dealing
guidelines for Adventists being involved or with this topic, one by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez and
planning to get involved in politics. a second by Miguel Luna. There was also a brief men-
At the last meeting in November 2015 the topic tion of new interpretations of Revelation that include a
for the meeting was Scripture and contemporary focus on contemporary events.
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