Theological News On-Line

Issue 51    April 2007	'Promoting Biblical Truth by Networking Theologians'

Published by Theological Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance

Editor: David Parker tc@worldevangelicalalliance.com
email distribution: Dr.Paul C. Murdoch Murdoch@ead.de

Welcome to WEA Theological News On-Line - this is the electronic 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.worldevangelicalalliance.com/commissions/tc 

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:

•  George Vandervelde: A Tribute
•  TC-07: Studying Political Responsibility in Philadelphia
•  TC Study Units: HIV Curriculum development and other projects
•  TC Shares with Lausanne Theology Working Group in Africa Consultation
•  Verbum: The Gospel as Public Truth, by Dr Brian Edgar

George Vandervelde- A Tribute

The death of our friend and longtime colleague George Vandervelde on January 19, 2007, means deep pain and a great loss for us in the Theological Commission (TC) of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). His severe illness and sudden death were a great shock to us. Still, we would like to give thanks to our Lord for a warm human being and fine Christian brother who was a rich blessing to us all personally and spiritually.

George was still with us in September 2006 at our annual study conference and business session. As always, he was a real enhancement to our sessions with his competence and his warm, friendly sense of humor. George was an excellent theologian, well-grounded in the Scriptures, and he had a broad perspective. He could critically analyze problems and give precise theological assessments.

This was especially evident in the way he handled the delicate contacts with representatives of the Roman Catholic Church as coordinator for the TC's ecumenical relations. He knew exactly the doctrinal differences between the two groups and was well aware of the detriments Evangelical Christians in countries with Catholic majorities have suffered throughout history and, to some extent, still suffer today. As a result, he also understood the great misgivings that exist in some national Evangelical alliances toward any dialogue with the Vatican's Council for Christian Unity. Nevertheless, this did not discourage him to seek dialogue in openness and mutual respect. Thus, he became a very respected partner, trusted by all. The seriousness with which he took his responsibility and the thoroughness with which he tacked the questions became apparent over the ten years of dialogue, which resulted in the production of the Koinonia document in the end.

This solid study shows ways how Evangelical and Roman Catholic Christians can further interact with one another in the future. I sincerely hope that the path George has forged will be taken in the long run by the entire WEA family. We are deeply grateful to George Vandervelde for his courage and his prudence and we see in the Koinonia document a lasting legacy which we are committed to keep alive.

Our prayers and sympathies go to his widow and to his children. We wish them the experience of comfort through the Risen Christ. George may now see what he believed.

by Dr. Rolf Hille, Chairman, Theological Commission, World Evangelical Alliance, Tübingen, Germany

Dr Vandervelde, Th.D. (Vrije Universiteit) and B.D. (Calvin Seminary), served on the faculty of the Institute of Christian Studies, Toronto Canada for 27 years from 1977 until his retirement when he was made Emeritus Professor. He wrote Original Sin: Two Major Trends in Contemporary Roman Catholic Reinterpretation, and other books, and many articles on the nature, mission and unity of the church. A book of 17 essays on mission and unity, That the World May Believe, edited by Margaret O'Gara and Michael Goheen was published in 2006 in his honour.

TC-07 Studying Political Responsibility in Philadelphia

Dr Ronald Sider, head of the WEA's initiative on civic engagement, will be a keynote speaker at the WEA Theological Commission's annual session, TC-07 to be held in Philadelphia, USA July 30-Aug 3. A one-day consultation on 'providence and political involvement' will be held at Palmer (Eastern Baptist) Theological Seminary on July 31,where Dr Sider, a faculty member of the seminary, will speak. The second key-note speaker will be TC Member, Dr Claus Schwambach of Brazil, and discussion will be led by Dr Brian Edgar, Director of Public Theology for the Australian Evangelical Alliance. Expressions of interest for other short papers and contributions are also invited. The consultation will produce a statement for wide distribution and will also consider further study of the topic by the TC. Papers will be published in Evangelical Review of Theology.

Dr Sider was recently appointed by the WEA to head up a global effort to help national alliances in addressing the respective theological, political, ethnic, geographic, and gender issues of their country as they develop their own framework for evangelical civic engagement. He is president of Evangelicals for Social Action and co-author of 'A Framework for Evangelical Civic Engagement', a public policy statement developed for the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE). Other key local officials will also be invited. Others interested in the topic should contact the TC office for more information.

The three-day meeting of the Theological Commission will also feature networking sessions where the TC will meet with local theologians and other leaders to share information on current trends, and its regular planning and strategy discussions. An important item for consideration this year will be the appointment of new members for the TC to expand its scope and to fill vacancies. There will also plans for transitioning the leadership as the TC seeks to move forward into a new era of service. Invitations are extended from interested people for submissions about potential members and leaders of the TC.

Attendance at TC-07 will include TC Commissioners, participants in its Global Membership scheme involving National Fellowships, seminaries and individual theologians and invited guests. Registrations are now open. For more information, submission of ideas for TC work and networking, and registration, contact Dr David Parker, tc@worldevangelicalalliance.com

TC Study Units: HIV Curriculum development and other projects

The HIV and AIDS Study Unit set up at last year's TC meeting in Kenya has progressed with a workshop held recently in Nigeria. The workshop, led by Dr Ken Gnanakan (India), met at the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomosho, with over thirty participants. There was fruitful discussion following on from the keynote paper, and numerous ideas were presented to develop the guidelines established at the initial Kenya workshop (the Nairobi statement is on-line at www.worldevangelicalalliance.com/tcstatements/ ).

The consensus indicated the need for continued emphasis on workshops and development of curriculum materials. The International Council for Higher Education (ICHE) headed up by Dr Gnanakan will work on behalf of the WEA TC to produce a curriculum to integrate AIDS and HIV issues into regular courses and to encourage students and churches to initiate relevant action in their own areas. The curriculum will be made available to interested seminaries. Dr Gnanakan and Dr Danny McCain will work on developing a text book and a course studying the book of Romans in relation to the topic.

The TC is also sponsoring a Study Unit on Contextual Exegesis, led by Dr Matt Cook of Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire. The aim of this project is to develop insights, guidelines and material that will assist people in understanding and preaching Scripture within their own cultural context. Other TC projects currently underway or in planning include a dialogue with the Seventh Day Adventist Church (Session II to be held August 2007), a task force on the Uniqueness of Jesus in relation to Jewish Evangelism (due in 2008) and the next phase of the World Evangelical Alliance-Roman Catholic talks, recently approved by the WEA International Council. The TC invites submissions on other topics of concern that could become subjects of study for the TC.

TC shares with Lausanne Theology Working Group in Africa Consultation

The WEA TC contributed strongly to the first consultation of the recently reconstituted Lausanne Theology Working Group (LTWG) which attracted about 25 theologians from 15 countries to study the theme, 'Following Christ in a Broken World.' Dr Chris Wright, convenor of LTWG, who is also International Director of Langham Partnership International, led the conference which met 12-17 February at the Jumuia Conference Centre, outside of Nairobi, Kenya. Dr Rolf Hille, Rektor of Bengel Haus, Tubingen, Executive Chair of the WEA TC, was unable to attend, but was represented by Dr David Parker, WEA TC's Director of Publications and Administration. The TC team included Dr Matt Cook (Senegal), Dr Mike Glerup (USA) and Professor Yusufu Turaki (Kenya). Rev Doug Birdsall, Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization (LCWE) Executive Chair, was also an active participant through out the consultation. Professor Esther Mombo of St Paul's University, adjacent to conference venue, was the local organizer assisted by Mercy Ireri.

Six major papers were given over the course of the five day conference, supported by more than twice as many case studies drawn from the practical experience and ministry contexts of participants. Papers considered issues involved in discipleship in contexts such as areas of Power and Violence (J Bonk), Suffering and Disaster (I M Dau), Ethnicity (D Hughes), the Globalised Marketplace (C Wright), and questions related to the Uniqueness of Christ (J Azumah) and Jesus as the Truth in the Postmodern world (MLY Chan).

Case studies varied from those dealing with children and migrant workers, through 'the challenge of reaching the reached world' of Europe, mission in post-genocide Cambodia and in post-communist Romania, to ethnic reconciliation in Kenya and pluralism and post-modernism in Japan. Participants' experiences and insights from countries like Kenya, Senegal, Ghana, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, and various parts of East and Northern Europe as well as the United States, Britain and Australia provided considerable extra material and understanding. TC contributions included case-studies by Dr Matt Cook on relativism in Senegal, Dr Turaki on Paganism in Africa and ministry amongst the aged by Dr David Parker. Numerous issues were raised that could not be covered in the time or within the framework of the consultation. A detailed summary of the various presentations and resultant discussion was developed and became a working document for the conference. It is planned to publish the major papers in their revised form in the WEA TC's 'Evangelical Review of Theology'. It is also expected that some of the case studies will circulate in regional and specialist journals. Material will also be posted on the LCWE web site, www.lausanne.org.

The consultation, the first to be held since the LTWG was reformed under the leadership of Dr Chris Wright, aimed to identify key theological issues relevant to the task of world evangelization in the lead up to the Lausanne III conference to be held late in 2010. The theme of the conference was therefore broad and the discussion comprehensive. Several common and important themes emerged during the proceedings which will become the subjects of further consultations to be held in succeeding years-focusing on the Whole Church (2008), the Whole Gospel (2009), the Whole World (2010). At the conclusion of the intense and wide-ranging theological discussion, the final session was spent considering the strategic and practical implications of the ideas and convictions which had been raised.

Verbum: The Gospel as Public Truth

No 8: April 2007

By Dr Brian Edgar, Director of Public Theology, Australian Evangelical Alliance.

The term 'public theology' is increasingly being used to make the point that biblical and theological principles have relevance outside the four walls of the church. Christian ministry to the world in which we live is more than ethics and evangelism. 'Public theology' covers social and cultural analysis, workplace ministry, political involvement and social ethics. It deals with the public relevance of Christian doctrine and aims at overcoming the privatized and domesticated view of faith which has long restricted Christian influence. A privatized view of faith has suited both secularists and many Christians who have accommodated to this demarcation of life's issues and focused on personal and family issues while leaving broader issues of public life alone.

But the past few years has seen a significant change in attitude, evidenced in the politicization of evangelical groups previously committed to being (at least nominally) a-political. Theologically, this fits well with the claim of theologian and ethicist Oliver O'Donovan in Desire of the Nations that 'theology must be political if it is to be evangelical.' Neither 'evangelical' nor 'political' is meant in a narrow way. By 'evangelical' he is referring to a way of thinking biblically and theologically and by 'political' he means the whole of our shared, corporate, social life together. It is a reminder that the gospel relates to all of life and that Christ is Lord of all. If theology it is not 'public' then it can be 'a good secret' but it cannot really be 'good news' for the poor, release for the captives, sight for the blind or freedom for the oppressed (Luke 4:18).

This new found freedom for involvement in the public sphere has brought a degree of political power to Christians and churches. This is attractive to many but it also constitutes a great danger as wielding political power as a means of social change can be inimical to the way that the gospel works. Jacques Ellul warned of Christians being drawn inappropriately into the political sphere 'like iron filings to a magnet' because of an unconscious mentality that public social action and political involvement by the church is the only real activity which will prevent the church becoming impotent.

One evidence of this sort of political seduction is the identification of 'the Christian position' with a specific place on the political spectrum. At different times Christian principles have been seen to be equated with both leftist, radical Christian socialism and rightist, conservative Christian nationalism. Individuals and, at times, Christian organizations or churches may align themselves with particular stances in order to achieve goals which are congruent with the gospel, but being authentically evangelical does not mean having a particular position on a left-right political spectrum. That sort of approach limits one's understanding of the work of God and, at the same time, is insufficiently radical in that the gospel must be seen as critiquing the most basic presuppositions on which our society operates.

Another indication of political seduction is the belief that it is appropriate that Christians control society. This sort of control existed in a medieval Christian imperialism and there are trends today towards various forms of Christian nationalism in which Christian principles are associated with a particular vision of a nation under Christian control. But as missiologist Rene Padilla has said, "There is no basis to believe that our duty as Christians is to install a State that will impose Christian morality." In an even stronger fashion O'Donovan reminds us that it is precisely the Antichrist who claims to 'unite earthly political rule and heavenly soteriological mediation'.

A genuinely evangelical public theology is one that maintains the supreme importance of 'the evangel', the gospel, the good news, for individuals and society. This not the same as the supremacy of the church or of Christian organizations. It is all about the supremacy of the gospel in the life of the church and in the church's public proclamation - in word and deed - of the good news of Jesus Christ.

Verbum: Welcome to Verbum-a page of thoughtful comment and insight giving perspectives and overviews of topical issues. It appears in both our print and electronic editions. Reproduction and wider circulation is encouraged. Please acknowledge as "Verbum: WEA Theological News April 2007". Contributions from readers of ideas and articles (700 words) are warmly welcomed.

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  www.worldevangelicalalliance.com/commissions/theological.htm

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