Must We Be Silent? PDF
Preview Must We Be Silent?
Another Probing Book from the Author of Receiving The Word “If God abhors one sin above another, of which His people are guilty, it is doing nothing in case of an emergency. Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis is regarded of God “I know that which I now speak will bring me into confl ict. This I do not covet, for the as a grievous crime and equal to the very worst type of hostility against God.” confl ict has seemed to be continuous of late years: but I do not mean to live a coward —Ellen G. White or die a coward, leaving my work undone. I must follow in my Master’s footsteps.” —Ellen G. White “This volume is not a bedtime story, although some Bible students will stay up late reading it. Neither is it a devotional book, though it will lead some to serious heart-searching. It is certainly not an inspirational volume, although it will fi re up some saints to rejoice and encourage them to hold on. Must We Be Silent? is an apologetic book, to use the technical term, a work designed to defend sound biblical teaching by counteracting the false. For this reason, I expect the book to receive harsh treatment from certain quarters of the church. Let me explain why.” —From “Author’s Introduction” Part I. Born A Gay and Born Again? (The Ideology of Homosexuality) Part II. A Gender Agenda (The Ideology of Women’s Ordination) Part III. Amazing Grace and Our Mazing Race (The Ideology of Racism) Part IV. The Babble Over the Bible (The Ideology of Liberal Higher Criticism) Part V. The Vocal Few and the Local Pew (The Ideology of Congregationalism) Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, Ph.D. in systematic theology, was born and educated in Ghana, West Africa. He holds a degree in engineering from the University of Science and Tech- nology, Kumasi, Ghana, where he later worked as a research and teaching assistant. After accepting the call to the gospel ministry, he served the Central Ghana conference as its Coor- dinator of Campus Ministries. Best known for his book Receiving the Word, he speaks and preaches extensively at camp meetings, ministerial conferences, churches, revival retreats, and schools. He also teaches courses in theology and ethics at different campuses around the world. Dr. Pipim is currently the Director of Public Campus Minis- Homosexuality tries for the Michigan Conference. His offi ce is based in Women’s Ordination Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he ministers to students, fac- ulty, and staff at the University of Michigan. Racism & Racially Separate Conferences Liberalism & The Bible $19.95 ,!7IB8J0-abeadc!:p;L;t;T;p Pluralism, Gospel Gimmicks, & New Worship Styles ISBN 978-1-890014-03-2 General Conference Session Decisions Berean Books Ann Arbor, MI Another Probing Book from the Author of Receiving The Word “If God abhors one sin above another, of which His people are guilty, it is doing nothing in case of an emergency. Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis is regarded of God “I know that which I now speak will bring me into confl ict. This I do not covet, for the as a grievous crime and equal to the very worst type of hostility against God.” confl ict has seemed to be continuous of late years: but I do not mean to live a coward —Ellen G. White or die a coward, leaving my work undone. I must follow in my Master’s footsteps.” —Ellen G. White “This volume is not a bedtime story, although some Bible students will stay up late reading it. Neither is it a devotional book, though it will lead some to serious heart-searching. It is certainly not an inspirational volume, although it will fi re up some saints to rejoice and encourage them to hold on. Must We Be Silent? is an apologetic book, to use the technical term, a work designed to defend sound biblical teaching by counteracting the false. For this reason, I expect the book to receive harsh treatment from certain quarters of the church. Let me explain why.” —From “Author’s Introduction” Part I. Born A Gay and Born Again? (The Ideology of Homosexuality) Part II. A Gender Agenda (The Ideology of Women’s Ordination) Part III. Amazing Grace and Our Mazing Race (The Ideology of Racism) Part IV. The Babble Over the Bible (The Ideology of Liberal Higher Criticism) Part V. The Vocal Few and the Local Pew (The Ideology of Congregationalism) Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, Ph.D. in systematic theology, was born and educated in Ghana, West Africa. He holds a degree in engineering from the University of Science and Tech- nology, Kumasi, Ghana, where he later worked as a research and teaching assistant. After accepting the call to the gospel ministry, he served the Central Ghana conference as its Coor- dinator of Campus Ministries. Best known for his book Receiving the Word, he speaks and preaches extensively at camp meetings, ministerial conferences, churches, revival retreats, and schools. He also teaches courses in theology and ethics at different campuses around the world. Dr. Pipim is currently the Director of Public Campus Minis- Homosexuality tries for the Michigan Conference. His offi ce is based in Women’s Ordination Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he ministers to students, fac- ulty, and staff at the University of Michigan. Racism & Racially Separate Conferences Liberalism & The Bible $19.95 ,!7IB8J0-abeadc!:p;L;t;T;p Pluralism, Gospel Gimmicks, & New Worship Styles ISBN 978-1-890014-03-2 General Conference Session Decisions Berean Books Ann Arbor, MI By Samuel Koranteng-Pipim Berean Books Ann Arbor Michigan MustWeBeSilentTex1t.indd 4/12/2007, 10:59 AM Berean Books seek to restore among Bible-believing Christians the spirit of the early Bereans (Acts 17:11), by subjecting contemporary views to the Bible as advocated and exhibited by the foremost Seventh-day Adventist theologian, Ellen G. White. In addressing today’s critical issues, each book adopts a serious tone, provocative style, and a reassuring outlook. These books are for all who seek the lordship of Jesus Christ in their lives, the sole authority of His inspired Word as their infallible guide, the proclamation of His everlasting gospel as their life vocation, and the revival of primitive godliness as the most urgent need in their churches. Copyright © 2001 by Samuel Koranteng-Pipim Ann Arbor, Michigan Published by Berean Books, P. O. Box 2799, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 www.bereanbooks.org FAX: 734-669-0050 E-mail: [email protected] All rights reserved. No part of this book manuscript may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing by the author. Unless otherwise stated, all Bible quotations are taken from the King James family of translations, King James Version, New King James Version, and Revised Standard Version. For your own copy of Must We Be Silent? or for additional copies, contact your ABC or mail your prepaid order (US $19.95, plus US$3.00 shipping and handling) to: Berean Books, P. O. Box 2799, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106, USA. For quantity discounts to churches or groups, contact author at the above address or FAX: 734-669-0050; E-mail: [email protected] ____________________________________________________________________________ Koranteng-Pipim, Samuel Must We Be Silent? Issues Dividing Our Church / Samuel Koranteng-Pipim 1. Apologetics. 2. Contemporary Issues 3. Doctrines 4. Seventh-day Adventists 5. Theology I. Title BX6154.4 K67 2001 ISBN 1-890014-03-6 ____________________________________________________________________________ Cover Design & Layout by Remnant Publications and PQ Design Cover Photographs Copyright © Corbis & Photo Disc Printed in the United States of America MustWeBeSilentTex2t.-i3ndd 4/12/2007, 10:59 AM Dedication To The Faithful Believers in Congo and Rwanda Your Uncompromising Loyalty to Christ Inspired the Writing of this Book & My Family, Becky, Ellen, & Sam Your Patience and Understanding Made this Book Possible MustWeBeSilentTex2t.-i3ndd 4/12/2007, 10:59 AM Contents Dedication....................................................................................3 Table of Contents..........................................................................4 Acknowledgments.........................................................................6 1. Author’s Introduction....................................................................7 PART I. Born A Gay and Born Again? (The Ideology of Homosexuality) 2. A Brief Background.....................................................................15 3. Why Attitudes Are Changing .....................................................25 4. What Must the Church Do? .......................................................47 5. Common Myths About Homosexuality .....................................57 6. Is the Bible Really Silent?.............................................................79 7. Testimony from an Ex-Gay ........................................................97 8. You, Too, Can Be Made Whole!................................................109 PART II. A Gender Agenda (The Ideology of Women’s Ordination) 9. A Brief Background...................................................................127 10. The Feminist Campaign for Equality........................................137 11. New Light on Women’s Ordination...........................................161 12. Women, Equality, and the Apostolic Church.............................191 13. Speculative and Questionable Interpretations............................215 14. Women As Priests, Apostles, and Ministers in the Bible?...........231 15. Misleading and Erroneous Claims Regarding Early Adventist History......................................................................251 16 To Ordain Or Not To Ordain?..................................................271 17. “My Daughters’ Ordination”—A Testimony.............................291 MustWeBeSilentTex4t.-i5ndd 4/12/2007, 10:59 AM III. Amazing Grace and Our Mazing Race (The Ideology of Racism) 18. A Brief Background...................................................................301 19. Contemporary Racism and the Church.....................................305 20. Racism As A Religion ...............................................................323 21. Why Is Racism Wrong?.............................................................341 22. A Prophetic Voice on Church Race Relations............................353 23. Two Churches—One Black and One White.............................385 24. Is There A Better Way?..............................................................417 25. “No Hutu, No Tutsi!”—A Testimony........................................433 IV. The Babble Over the Bible (The Ideology of Higher Criticism) 26. A Brief Background...................................................................445 27. The Bug in Adventist Hermeneutics..........................................455 28. Embracing What Spirit?............................................................481 29. Key Questions on the Bible’s Inspiration ..................................497 30. “Suffering Many Things”—A Sermon.......................................523 Part V. The Vocal Few and the Local Pew (The Ideology of Congregationalism) 31. A Brief Background...................................................................549 32. Gospel Gimmicks......................................................................563 33. When Error is Legislated ..........................................................579 34. Rebellion in the Spirit’s Name...................................................597 35. Inventing Styles of Worship ......................................................609 Epilogue 36. Why We Must Not Be Silent.....................................................625 MustWeBeSilentTex4t.-i5ndd 4/12/2007, 10:59 AM Acknowledgments Thanks to Good Friends Whose Contributions to this Effort Are Known to the Lord MustWeBeSilentTex6t.-i7ndd 4/12/2007, 10:59 AM 1 AUTHOR’S INTRODUCTION “If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every position of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battle field besides, is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.” —Martin Luther T his volume is not a bedtime story, although some Bible students will stay up late reading it. Neither is it a devotional book, though it will lead some to serious heart-searching. It is certainly not an inspirational volume, although it will fire up some saints to rejoice and encourage them to hold on. Must We Be Silent? is an apologetic book, to use the technical term, a work designed to defend sound biblical teaching by counteracting the false. For this reason, I expect the book to receive harsh treatment from certain quarters of the church. Let me explain why. Homosexuality, women’s ordination, racism and racially separate conferences, liberal higher criticism, and congregationalism are among the hottest potato items on today’s theological menu. They are so hot that anyone attempting to touch them is bound to be burned. Already, in certain quarters of our own Seventh-day Adventist church, individuals who forthrightly express their views on these subjects are considered “divisive,” “controversial,” “intolerant,” “fundamentalist,” “immature,” or even “third world.” These uncomplimentary labels have 7 MustWeBeSilentTex6t.-i7ndd 4/12/2007, 10:59 AM Must We Be Silent? exerted powerful psychological pressure on some church leaders and scholars to either endorse the unbiblical practices or, at a minimum, remain silent. But should Bible-believing Christians be intimidated by these labels? Should they remain silent or neutral when established biblical doctrines are being undermined? Should they uncritically embrace secular ideologies that masquerade in the church as sound theologies? Ellen G. White responds: “If God abhors one sin above another, of which His people are guilty, it is doing nothing in case of an emergency. Indifference and neutrality in a religious crisis is regarded of God as a grievous crime and equal to the very worst type of hostility against God” (Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 281). What the Book Is About. The book you are holding deals with forbidden subjects. Because it tackles the most contentious and politicized issues to have plagued our church in recent times, permit me to explain at the outset what the book is about. First, Must We Be Silent? is an honest attempt by an inquiring Bible student to offer some clarity and direction to some controversial issues in the church. Second, Must We Be Silent? is an evaluation of ideas circulating in certain quarters of our church in North America. But the ideas have also spread to other parts of the world. These views have been put in print and are all in the public arena, where they continue to have influence. Third, Must We Be Silent? is not about personalities, but about biblical truth. Those unfamiliar with scholarly discussions may question the legitimacy of my citing and reviewing published works put out by thought leaders of the church. However, references to these published materials should be seen as objective or scholarly citations. It is a well-established fact that whenever people publicize their views in print they automatically invite others to subject their works to careful scrutiny. Taking issue with published works does not involve questioning the sincerity of their authors as well-meaning thought leaders of the church. Also, the candid evaluation of certain positions does not mean an expression of personal dislike for those whose works are being reviewed. Furthermore, challenging those authors on specific issues does 8 MustWeBeSilentTex8t.-i9ndd 4/12/2007, 10:59 AM
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