Theological News On-Line

Issue 40    September 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 six-weekly. 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 http://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 r.hille@bengelhaus.de 

In this issue:

•  TC Meeting in Korea
•  Bible Studies and papers on Pastoral Ministry needed by ERT
•  Concerns for Pastoral Training
•  ICETE announces plans for 2006 Consultation
•  Wesleyan Theological Society to discuss Friendship and Hospitality
•  Missiologist critiques Mission and Dialogue, and the Millennium Development Goal
•  WEA Leaders on the World Summit
•  Book Review: "Same Gender Unions: A Critical Analysis"

TC Meeting in Korea

The WEA Theological Commission is holding its annual planning and strategy meeting in South Korea commencing on Sept 27 and running through to Sept 30. Planning is complete for this key event for the life and work of the Commission. The session is being hosted by the Korea Evangelical Theological Society under the supervision of local TC member and KETS Secretary, Dr Kim Jae Sung of Hapdong Theological Seminary. The changes to the World Evangelical Alliance since the last meeting in October 2004 in Bangkok will be important factors in the decisions of the TC. Other items include ideas for new study units, relationships with other organisations, expansion of membership, future consultations and the updating of the by-laws in the light of the new environment.

The TC meeting will be followed by a joint consultation with the Korea Evangelical Theological Society (KETS) on the theme for the Consultation is 'The Task of Evangelical Theology for the Church of the 21st Century.' The conference will be held at Sung Kyul University at Anyang City, south of Seoul. In a busy schedule each of the TC members will deliver a lecture to the conference, and a number of Korean theologians will also make presentations. Each of the lectures, which cover a range of disciplines, will have one or two responses. The TC members will also be visiting seminaries to deliver lectures and to meet with seminary students and faculty.

Korea Evangelical Theological Society held its first joint meeting for reading of theological papers on April 15th to 17th, 1982. This meeting was held at Dogo Hot Spring, Chung Nam, South Korea. The President is t Dr. Jung, Kyu-Nam, President, Kwangshin University, and Vice-Presidents are Dr. Kim, Eui-Won and Dr. Kim, Sung-Young. The General Secretary is Dr. Kim, Jae-Sung. Its website is www.kets.or.kr 

Evangelical Review of Theology seeking Bible Studies and papers on Pastoral Ministry

The editor of Evangelical Review of Theology, Dr David Parker, is seeking papers on Pastoral Ministry for a future issue of the journal. He said, "In the early days of the journal, one whole section of each issue contained articles on this area, but we have neglected it of late. So I am looking for material of a biblical, theological and spiritual nature that reflects an evangelical perspective on pastoral ministry. I will leave the more practical "how to" articles to other forums. We aim to be a journal reflecting global evangelical scholarship for our international readership of theologians, missionaries, students, pastors, church leaders etc. In keeping with this aim, I am looking for material that reflects on aspects of the biblical principles of pastoral ministry as it is worked out in various contexts around the world. It needs to be theologically and spiritually robust and yet oriented to real issues of the day. I can use articles, Bible studies, and book reviews, and leads to potential writers and resources."

Dr Parker also said that in each issue of the journal he wants to include a Bible study article. He explained, "This type of article looks at a specific passage of Scripture and engages in serious, but not necessarily specialised or technical, exegesis, interpreting it for our readers who are involved in leadership, study and ministry. These articles could well address some topic issue of interest but do so from an exegetical and expositional basis. These articles are typically shorter than the usual, say about 3500 words. They can be original or re-published (provided appropriate permissions are available).

Readers with ideas and possible papers are invited to contact Dr Parker on wef-tc@pacific.net.au 

Concerns for Pastoral Training

A conference taking place in the Philippines is addressing issues of pastoral training in areas of the world where the church is growing rapidly. The event is being spearheaded by the Trainers of Pastors International Coalition (TOPIC) and Ramesh Richard Evangelism and Church Health (RREACH). Leaders from around the world are gathering this week in Manila in an effort to reduce the number of pastors in need of training in developing economies around the world. Dr. Ramesh Richard says there is great need for pastoral training in developing nations. "For example, there are parts of Africa where pastors are preaching that you climb trees in order to meet Jesus, because Zaccheus did that. I even heard of a pastor in Nepal who did not know that Jesus is coming back because they're semiliterate -- 70 to 80 percent of pastors in Nepal are semiliterate and therefore can't read their Bibles." The program of the conference, which wraps up today, included Christian leaders from around the world who shared their experiences and plans for pastoral training efforts in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Agape Press on Crosswalk Religion Today Summaries, September 20, 2005

ICETE announces plans for 2006 Consultation

The distinguished international scholar Philip Jenkins, author of the widely-acclaimed The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity (Oxford, 2002), will be a principal speaker at the forthcoming ICETE International Consultation 2006. Jenkins will be addressing the Consultation's theme: "Global Christianity and the Role of Theological Education." Also addressing crucial aspects of the Consultation theme in plenary sessions will be: Carver Yu, professor of dogmatics at China Graduate School of Theology in Hong Kong; Chris Wright, Ministries Director of John Stott's Langham Partnership International; and Carlos Pinto, Rector of the Seminario Biblico Palavra da Vida, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Additional participants in the Consultation programme will include, among others: Dieumeme Noelliste of the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology in Jamaica; Douglas Carew of the Nairobi Graduate School of Theology in Kenya; and Brian Stiller, President of Tyndale University College & Seminary in Canada.

The Consultation will focus on the emerging global character of Christianity and the implications of this for theological education. Since by its nature theological education is meant to serve the church, the fact that the Christian community is now global necessarily affects the shaping of our theological education. The 2006 Consultation is designed to assist theological educators around the world in reflecting on the nature this new framework, in addressing together its implications, and in understanding ourselves freshly within this context of service. ICETE's most recent Consultation was at High Wycombe, UK, in 2003.

The Consultation will place 07-11 August 2006 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The ICETE Consultation is intended for the ICETE constituency throughout the world. Available space will be limited, so priority will be given to representatives from schools affiliated with one of the eight continental associations that make up the ICETE family. For more information, contact ICETE Consultation Directorate at Consultation2006@icete-edu.org 

ICETE News September 2005

Wesleyan Theological Society to discuss Friendship and Hospitality

The 41st annual meeting of the Wesleyan Theological Society will take place in Kansas City, Missouri, March 2-4, 2006, with the theme, "Friendship and Hospitality: Wesleyan Perspectives."

In a call for papers (visit http://wesley.nnu.edu/wts/annual_meetings.htm) organisers explained, "Our gathering in this august body as Christians in the Wesleyan/Holiness tradition is as much a 'friendship convocation' as it is for the benefit of theological, philosophical, psychological discussions and the interaction of Wesleyan/Holiness communion globally. The mystique 'friendship' is a profound and multifaceted aspect of life. And also is the grace of 'hospitality'. The giveness of friendship and hospitality is in the interaction between God and humans, between humans themselves, whether individuals or groups, and between humans and the creation of God in nature. This interact-on is ongoing. "

"From antiquity the concept of friendship and hospitality has been dynamic, profound and highly esteemed in both religious and secular thought. Thus the topic 'Friendship and Hospitality: Wesleyan Perspectives'. The task is for us to be bold and authentic as Wesleyan/Holiness practitioners and scholars to address the topic from our various disciplines of study, vocational activities and areas of special interest. Such reflections should provide insight and wisdom in the relationship God envisions to have with us and our relationships with each other/"

The last conference of WTS was held in Seattle, Washington, March 3-5, 2005 and focused on the theme of the Church. The Korean chapter of the society held a conference in May 2005 on "Wesley, Holiness and Culture: Trans-Pacific Perspectives for the 21st Century."

Missiologist: Do Not Replace Mission With Dialogue: Millennium Development Goal Not Well-Grounded In the Bible

Blankenburg, September 16 (idea) ­ Professor Peter Beyerhaus, one of the best-known German missiologists, has urged Christians not to replace the proclamation of the Gospel with religious dialogue. Evangelicals should seek dialogue without neglecting mission, said Beyerhaus at a meeting of evangelical theologians in Bad Blankenburg, Thuringia, in September.

It would be detrimental for the church to neglect or disregard the Great Commission, emphasized Beyerhaus. Christians should not bow to the pressure of popular expectations but rather preach an unabridged biblical message. He criticized liberal theologians who reject the message of Christ's atoning sacrifice as an affront to modern thinking. It is inevitable - said Beyerhaus - that Christians meet with opposition. Jesus does not promise evangelistic success, but he takes responsibility for the fruit of evangelism.

According to Beyerhaus the most important task of a missionary is to translate the Gospel message in such a way that it is clearly understood without harming the biblical content. Missionaries should take care not to embrace unbiblical cultural or ideological concepts. Beyerhaus also sees the danger that the justified involvement in the alleviation of social need leads to a reduction of the Gospel message. As one example Beyerhaus mentioned the Millennium Development Goal of halving extreme poverty by 2015. Some evangelical organizations had turned this into a missionary objective. But this is ­ according to Beyerhaus ­ not well grounded in the Bible.

Evangelical news agency idea.

WEA Leaders See Great Potential In the World Summit

"The United Nations World Summit has produced one change that could be meaningful, and that's in the language of the U.S. presidency," said Michael Smitheram, International Coordinator of the Micah Challenge – the Global Poverty advocacy arm of the WEA. During his address to the United Nations on Wednesday, President Bush for the first time said he would be committed to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which is an ambitious agenda that includes cutting poverty and hunger in half, ensuring that every boy and girl in the world has access to primary education, and halting the spread of AIDS -- all by 2015. "What we want to see now is the U.S. actually implementing those goals," said Smitheram who challenged the Bush administration to quickly back these words with action.

Earlier that day, WEA leaders took part in a memorial service to raise awareness about poverty and its devastating effects on humanity. The service was part of a three-day campaign against global poverty that was organized in part by the Micah Challenge. From Sept. 14-16, international and American religious leaders called on the U.N. – and specifically the U.S. – to meet the Millennium Development Goals to halve poverty by 2015.

"We mourn for the 800 million people worldwide who are malnourished and over 1 billion people living on less than $1 a day and fight daily for their survival," said Geoff Tunnicliffe, International Director of the WEA. He went on to say "We must demand that all governments keep their promises in responding to the impoverished of the world." He adds, "However, it is not just up to governments to respond. The church must rise up to her full potential and obey the biblical imperative of caring for the poor."

According to Richard Cizik, Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals, one of the most important parts of the rally was the participation of evangelicals at the table.

"We know that 30,000 children die everyday from global hunger," said Cizik. "Can an evangelical – or any other religious person – close his eyes to that tragedy? "The answer is no," he said. "Evangelical Christians will not close their hearts and minds to this incredibly tragic truth. We are here to bear witness to the evangelical Christians' commitments to the MDGs to end poverty in our lifetime."

Ndaba Mazabane, Chair of the International Council for the World Evangelical Alliance, who spoke at the rally on Thursday, also said the world is facing a "kairos moment" that can mark a watershed moment for the global community. "If we grab this moment together, we can make a difference," said Mazabane, who added that this watershed moment can be explained by playing on the word, G-R-A-B. Mazabane said this is the moment for the church to be Gracious, Relevant, Available, and Biblical. "The Bible is our road map. The only way to provide the needed answer," he explained. "A Biblical mandate tells Christians to first love the Lord and secondly your neighbor. Our call is to grab this moment together!"

WEA News Release Sept 19, 2005 Contact: ssoon@worldevangelical.org 

Keeping up with Africa--Reviews of Recent Books

"Same Gender Unions: A Critical Analysis" Mbugguss, Martha, Zacharia Samita, Ogova Ondego, Kiragu Wachira, Peterson Wangombe, and Oliver Kisaka. Nairobi: Uzima Press, 2004. 146 pp, pb, about $7.

This book, written entirely by Africans residing in Nairobi, is a response to the tensions in the worldwide Anglican Communion regarding homosexuality. The summary statement notes, "This book seeks to analyse same gender unions from a traditional, societal, legal, medical and biblical perspective through a balanced and objective approach, while clearly showing that, whichever way you approach it, homosexuality has seriously damaging consequences." The authors include journalists, lecturers and church workers who write on their areas of expertise with clarity and depth.

This is no right wing diatribe but is rather a thoughtful analysis of a pressing issue that is increasingly affecting the African church. The preamble, written by the Anglican archbishop of Kenya, gives a historical overview of recent developments in Canada, the US and the UK, and documents decisions of the 1998 Lambeth conference, showing that some western communions defied the worldwide church's earlier position that practicing homosexuals must not be ordained as priests. Several authors blame the western media for making homosexuality such an issue in Africa because it is almost unknown in African society (a Kenyan study is cited). The courage of African Anglicans is also underlined because some African communions have already lost western financial support as a result of their stand.

Every section is done well, including a survey of African literature that quotes widely from African writers and political leaders. The legal chapter develops a response based on Kenyan law and notes that human rights are for all, not particular groups; the author also insists that African societal values should be the basis for its legal code, rather than the individual approach that is common in western societies. The final chapter outlines a biblical basis for the writers' position and gives a solid interpretative framework for the book.

This book is an important and timely addition to the debate over Christian attitudes toward homosexuality because the African Anglican communion, led by Nigeria's Archbishop Peter Akinola, has been leading the fight for Anglicans to remain biblical in their approach. Theological libraries in Africa should all have a copy, and this book may also be helpful in the West because (ironically enough) it is politically correct to listen to African perspectives on worldwide church debates. Such African input could therefore be very significant for the direction taken by the Anglican communion in the next Lambeth conference.

From ACTEA eNews, No. 26 Contact: acteajos@yahoo.com 

[Review supplied by "BookNotes for Africa"]

WEA Theological News On-line

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