Theological News On-Line

Issue 35    January 2005	'Promoting Biblical Truth by Networking Theologians'

Published by Theological Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance

Editor: David Parker dparker@pacific.net.au
email distribution: Dr.Paul C. Murdoch Murdoch@ead.de

Welcome to WEA Theological News On-Line - this is the on-line version of our printed quarterly, WEA Theological News (ISSN 0260-3705). WEA TN On-Line is issued approximately monthly. The content of the printed and on-line versions overlap but are not identical. We also publish Evangelical Review of Theology. For more information, visit our website www.worldevangelical.org/tcpubs.html#ert

We welcome news reports on theological matters for both versions - they can cover theological institutions, conferences, publications, faculty, trends and developments, etc. of interest to evangelical theologians around the world.

For more information on the work of the Theological Commission, contact the Executive Chair, Dr Rolf Hille at rolf.hille@albrecht-bengel-haus.de

In this issue:

•  Reflections on the Tsunami
•  WEA Secretary General Resigns
•  Lausanne 2004 Forum Reports to be Published On-Line
•  'Life Time'

Reflecting on the Tsunami

by Dr Ken Gnanakan, Vice-Chair, WEA Theological Commission

Being one who is probably closest to some of the disaster hit areas, let me respond as rapidly as possible to your "rapid-response" appeal. Frankly, my immediate thoughts were not "Why did God do this?" or even "Why did God allow innocent people to suffer and die?" As a human being living among other humans, my first reaction was that of shock and unbelief, and this gradually shifted to sympathy as I saw the unbelievable tragedy unfold before my eyes, thanks to the excellent coverage by many TV channels.

Responding theologically, as one gets asked invariably, my immediate response has been "Why blame God, when we humans need to accept responsibility?" God did not do this nor did he demonstrate any act of judgment on evil people. Having made us in his image, he expects us to take responsibility for certain human or natural acts. I am not too scientifically inclined to say this event is due to human tampering of nature. But I feel confident enough to say that most disruptions in our God given environment are taking place because of human violations. Isn't this the consequence of sin? And then, the Christian message, both from the Old as well as the New Testament, is that suffering is a part of our present world, but God is always present in our suffering. He is no distant spectator even in the suffering of those who do not claim to be believers. Humans must face the realities of this world knowing that God is still under control, and we Christians need to be agents to give people this message.

This has not been any single country's tragedy. In an unprecedented level of natural disaster in South East Asia, even Africa, we have seen something of an international human tragedy. We continue to look at it as a tragedy, but God reminds us that it is an opportunity to demonstrate the compassion of Christ through our acts of mercy. Let us not drown in our own theological tsunami, but ask for a touch of Jesus on our hearts sensitizing us to share life to the dying.

Secretary General of World Evangelical Alliance Resigns

Gary Edmonds Served at the Helm of the International Organization Since 2002

Durban, January 17 (idea) ­ Rev. Gary Edmonds, Secretary General of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), is resigning from his post. No reason was given for the decision of the 55-year-old theologian from Seattle, USA.

Edmonds has been at the helm of the WEA since July 2002. His resignation will take effect at the end of February. The WEA is a global network of 7 regional and 124 national evangelical alliances, 104 organizational ministries and 6 specialized ministries serving the worldwide church. It represents approximately 400 million evangelicals.

In accepting the resignation on behalf of the WEA¹s International Council (IC), the chairman, Ndaba Mazabane, Durban, said: "Gary has been instrumental in helping WEA reflect and draw on its rich history in order to build a strong and viable global movement that is relevant to the 21st Century. We are all indebted to his tireless efforts of connecting and working closely with regional alliances and also for his contribution in giving financial stability to the WEA."

As Mazabane continued, "the IC wishes Gary and his wife Tricia God¹s abundant blessings as they seek new opportunities in which to exercise their gifts and abilities in the service of Jesus Christ." The IC is taking "the necessary steps to ensure the WEA continues to serve the global evangelical community."

A German IC-member, Rev. Rudolf Westerheide, told the evangelical news agency idea he had no idea why Edmonds is resigning. As far as he knew he had not discussed any problems ­ financial or otherwise - with members of the IC.

Hartmut Steeb, General Secretary of the German Evangelical Alliance, regrets Edmonds resignation. He had contributed much to the fostering of international cooperation among evangelicals.

Evangelical news agency idea. Wolfgang Polzer

E-Mail: Wolfgang.Polzer@idea.de - Internet: www.idea.de 

Lausanne 2004 Forum Reports to be Published On-Line

Reports from the 2004 Forum on World Evangelization held in Pattaya Thailand will soon be available on-line, according to this report from LCWE's International Director, Tetsunao Yamamori.

Since the 2004 Forum this fall, the new Lausanne administration has been hard at work, attempting to finalize the plans for Lausanne publications. Much discussion has taken place as to the best way to ensure the smooth flow of information to Lausanne constituents and beyond to a larger audience.

Our goal is to reach as broad an audience as possible with the results of the Forum but in a different way than we have published in the past. We thank God for enabling us to complete the Forum with resources to support an aggressive follow-on effort. However, even with these funds, the cost of communicating to the whole world is expensive, and difficult choices need to be made.

With all of these things in mind, arrangements have been made as follows:

1. Lausanne Newsletter. Lausanne and the Billy Graham Center have agreed to work together with the BGC functioning as a communications arm of Lausanne. The Newsletter will be produced electronically once a month beginning March 1, 2005 or April 1 at the latest. Every three years, it is our plan to publish all the issues in one book.

2. Post-Forum Magazine. We will print an attractive magazine about Lausanne and the 2004 Forum in several languages. The magazine will become a tool for spreading the vision of Lausanne. It will become available in early 2005.

3. Post-Forum Video. We are developing an informative and inspirational video about Lausanne and the 2004 Forum. The video will be available in several languages and may be used along with the magazine to share about Lausanne. Like the magazine, the video is scheduled to be completed in early 2005.

4. LOPs and a CD. We will produce LOPs online in English. If capable volunteer translators are available, other language versions will be posted. Plans are being made for LOPs to be presented for purchase on CD. The electronic version of LOPs will become available incrementally as Dr. David Claydon finishes editing. By March 2005, it is our desire to get all the LOPs online so that anyone can download any or all of them. Prints can be made from the electronic master.

5. Forum Compendium. It will be helpful to have all the LOPs in one volume for libraries, mission headquarters, academics for classroom use, and anyone who wishes to keep a bound copy in his/her personal library. The volume will contain over 1,600 pages and will be published in four books. Just a few days ago, I met with Dr. Ralph Winter and his senior staff at William Carey Library in Pasadena, California, to finalize our agreement. WCL, working with a large distributor, can fill the orders and have the books published in any quantity (thus avoiding the cost of storage) and shipped from publishing houses in countries closest to the book orders. WCL will handle everything at no cost to Lausanne.

We are aware that not everyone will be satisfied with these arrangements. But, at this time, it is the best plan available.

More information: www.lausanne.org 

LCWE E-Newsletter - December 2004

Reflection: Some Verse by Garry Harris, Australia

Life-time

That moment of history we call 'a life', 
Is a mere hesitation between birth and death. 
Defined by parameters of beginning and ending, 
Its transitory nature mocks significance; 
Until the spark of faith is ignited by the Eternal.

WEA Theological News On-line

This is an electronic edition of WEA Theological News (ISSN 0260-3705) published by World Evangelical Fellowship Theological Commission; Chair: Dr Rolf Hille http://www.worldevangelical.org/theology.html 

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