Fifty-Seven Bible Conferences Slated So Far

Members of the Biblical Research Institute are taking an active role in scores of Bible conferences that will be held during this quinquennium. In 2011, nine Bible conferences were held in six divisions: Euro-Asia, Inter-American, South American, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean, Southern Asia, and Southern Asia-Pacific. Thirteen are planned for 2012. Their scheduling reflects the needs and circumstances of the various regions. Euro-Asia, for example, held a division-wide pastors’ congress in Zaoksky, Russia, where 1,500 pastors and church administrators gathered to hear fifty-minute presentations on a broad range of practical and theological topics by representatives from the General Conference Ministerial Association, Adventist Mission, Education, and Family Ministries departments, in addition to the Biblical Research Institute. In Bangalore, India, Southern Asia organized a Bible conference for its southern region, the first of three that are planned.

Reports from ESD, EUD, and SID Biblical Research Committees

Just prior to the Euro-Asia Division Pastors’ Congress, the ESD Biblical Research Committee met in Zaoksky, Russia. Committee members listened to a theological presentation on the judgment and a report of the many BRC activities for the preceding sixteen months that included teaching, publishing, conducting seminars, making presentations at conferences, and an evangelistic effort. Plans for the future were also discussed, including the preparation of additional books in the series “Defense of Biblical Truth.” Four short books in this series have already been published, numbers three and four since last May: “The Three Angels’ Message as a Sign of Adventist Identity” (96 pp.) and “The Son of God and Son of Man” (192 pp.). The next book in the series will deal with the doctrine of the Holy Spirit.

The EUD BRC, which meets biannually, is currently working on a new book entitled Adventism and Military Service. The book deals with issues pertaining to participation of Adventists in war, including aspects of war from the perspective of the Old and New Testaments, theology, ethics, history, and sociology, as well as addressing other practical questions such as the role of chaplaincy. During a recent meeting in Berne, Switzerland on March 7-8, 2011, the committee voted to adopt the BRI document “Suggested Procedures for Hearings on Theological Questions Requested by Members of the Church.” The EUD BRC is also involved in organizing the three Bible Conferences scheduled for 2012 in its territory: July 1-5 in Darmstadt, Germany; August 26-30 at Adventist University of France, in Collonges-sous-Salève, France; and September 2-6 in Cernica, Romania.

The SID BRC is currently finalizing two vital papers, one dealing with politics in Africa and the other dealing with homosexuality in Africa. Due to the complexity of politics on the continent, it is important to establish guidelines on how Adventists can be involved in politics. The fact that an Adventist is running for the presidency of Zambia, the territory of our largest union, could serve as a test case and may shed some light on these guidelines.

Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary Receives First-Time Accreditation

At a recent meeting, the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools voted to grant initial accreditation to the Inter-American Adventist Theological Seminary (IATS) for a period of seven years, giving recognition to the Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology and Doctor of Ministry degree programs. This represents an important step in the theological development of the Inter-American Division. Although IATS is headquartered in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, many of the courses for its degree programs are taught at satellite locations throughout the division and serve more than four hundred pastors. According to Efraín Velázquez, vice-president for academic affairs, “The Inter-American Division has been a world leader in church growth and intends to continue providing a solid theological infrastructure for its members.” Velázquez and IATS president Jaime Castrejon are also pursuing the accreditation of IATS by the Higher Education Council of Puerto Rico, which has recognized the progress made toward providing excellent ministerial education within the varied cultural contexts within IAD.