3 - College and University Dialogue - Seventh-day Adventist Church

40 Pages·2002·0.6 MB·English

Contents
Essays
Regional Representatives
AFRICA-INDIAN OCEAN DIVISION
@22 Boite Postale 1764, 5 How to talk to someone you love
Abidjan 22, Cote d’Ivoire
uJapheth L. Agboka Ten guidelines to develop a more mature and meaningful relationship.
[email protected]
— Roger and Peggy Dudley
EASTERN AFRICA DIVISION
@H.G. 100, Highlands, Harare, Zimbabwe 8 The four faces of Jesus
uHudson E. Kibuuka
[email protected] Each of the four Gospel writers has a unique witness to Jesus and His
EURO-AFRICA DIVISION
@P.O. Box 219, 3000 Bern 32, Switzerland message.
uRoberto Badenas
[email protected] — Robert K. McIver
EURO-ASIA DIVISION
@Krasnoyarskaya Street 3, Golianovo, 12 Faith and science: Can they coexist?
107589 Moscow, Russian Federation
uHeriberto Muller The approach of faith and science involves different worldviews, but
[email protected]
scholarship and integrity can help one understand the other.
INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION
@P.O. Box 140760,
— Leonard Brand
Miami, FL 33114-0760, U.S.A.
uCarlos Archbold
15 How to choose what we watch
[email protected]
uBernardo Rodríguez
The subtle and the not so subtle values promoted in television and
[email protected]
NORTH AMERICAN DIVISION movies present the Christian with a challenge as to what and how to
@12501 Old Columbia Pike,
Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600, U.S.A. watch. Some guidelines.
uGerald Kowalsky
[email protected]
uRichard Stenbakken — Daniel Reynaud
[email protected]
NORTHERN ASIA-PACIFIC DIVISION
@Koyang IIsan, P.O. Box 43,
783 Janghang-Dong, Ilsan-Gu, Koyang City,
Kyonggi-do 411-600, Republic of Korea Editorial Books
uShin, Dong Hee 3 At peace: Iacta alea est 28 Highly Effective Marriage (Van Pelt)
[email protected]
— Alfredo García-Marenko — Lucio Altin
SOUTH AMERICAN DIVISION
@Caixa Postal 02-2600, 4 Letters 28 Israel and the Church (Doukhan)
70279-970 Brasilia, DF, Brazil — Clifford Goldstein
uRoberto de Azevedo and José M. B. Silva Profiles 29 Our Awsome God: A Refresher Course
[email protected]
18 James Graves (Bruinsma)
SO@UTHLo PckAeCdIF BICag D 2IV0I1S4IO, NWahroonga, — Audrey Stovall — Enrique Espinosa
uNGi.lSb.eWrt. 2C0a7n6g,y Australia 20 —Vir Lginincioaln-G Seteneed Rittenhouse Campus Life
[email protected] 30 Faith on trial
uNemani Tausere Logos — Michelson Borges
[email protected]
SOUTHERN AFRICA UNION 22 Where is God when life hurts? First Person
@P.O. Box 468, Bloemfontein 9300, — Steve Grimsley 32 The hidden Bible
Free State, South Africa
uJongimpi Papu Open Forum — Robert Wong
[email protected] 24 Light on the first day of Creation Action Report
SOUTHERN ASIA DIVISION — Richard M. Davidson
@P.O. Box 2, HCF Hosur, 34 Nigeria
Tamil Nadu 635110, India For Your Information — E. N. Nwaomah
uJjuussttuussd [email protected] 25 Water is good for your heart! 35 Bulgaria
— Dustin Jones — Ventsislav Panayotov
SOUTHERN ASIA-PACIFIC DIVISION
@P.O. Box 040, Silang, Viewpoint Insert Interchange
Cavite, 4118 Philippines
uOliver Koh 26 Responsible proselytism: An inter-
[email protected] religious statement
TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION
@ 119 St. Peter’s Street, St. Albans,
Herts., AL1 3EY England
uPaul Tompkins
[email protected]
uOrville Woolford
[email protected]
2 Dialogue 14:3 2002
Editorial
At peace: Iacta alea est
This international journal of faith,
thought, and action is published three
times a year in four parallel editions
(English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish)
I
t was the year 49 B.C. Julius Caesar’s troops were marching toward Rome, defying by the Committee on Adventist Ministry to
College and University Students (AMiCUS)
his powerful rival Pompey and the corrupt Senate. However, there was a law that
of the General Conference of Seventh-day
prohibited a general to advance with his army beyond the northern border of Adventists.
the republic.
VOLUME 14, NUMBER 3.
After considerable discussion and against the advice of some of his strategists, Copyright © 2002 by the AMiCUS
Caesar ordered his troops to cross the Rubicon stream and march south. At that Committee. All rights reserved.
moment, according to the historian Suetonius, he uttered the words that echo DIALOGUE affirms the fundamental beliefs
down through history as an adage of irrevocable decision: Iacta alea est. of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and
supports its mission. The views published in
“The die is cast.” “I can’t go back.” “What I’ve done is done.” Centuries later, in this journal, however, are the independent
1521, Martin Luther concluded the courageous defense of his biblical convictions thoughts of the authors.
before the emperor with similar words: “Here I stand. I can do no other.” We Chris-
Editorial Board
tians have cast our lot irreversibly. Our Lord and wonderful Master is Christ. We Editor-in-chief: Humberto M. Rasi
Editor: John M. Fowler
have decided that nothing and no one will move us from whom we have believed.
Associate Editors: Alfredo García-Marenko,
As a result of this decision, we have a certainty firmly anchored in Jesus, the Richard Stenbakken
Managing Editor: Julieta Rasi
Author and Finisher of our faith. We enjoy a peace that transcends time and space.
Senior Consultants: James Cress,
For this reason, we daily receive an abundant supply of peace that manifests itself in George Reid
Copy Editor: Beverly Rumble
our relation to the world, to ourselves, and to God.
Editorial Secretary: Esther Rodríguez
The peace mentioned is very real. It is transcendent. It covers every aspect of our International Editions: Julieta Rasi
existence. Here are some of the “symptoms” of the inward peace that we receive International Copy Editors:
Corinne Hauchecorne
from Jesus: and Louise Geiser (French)
César Luís Pagani (Portuguese)
• A perpetual endowment of the ability to enjoy every moment we live. Julieta Rasi (Spanish)
• A tendency to think and act spontaneously, without reference to past nega-
Editorial Correspondence
tive experiences. 12501 Old Columbia Pike;
• A loss of interest in interpreting critically the actions of others. Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600; U.S.A.
Telephone: [phone]
• A gradual loss of interest in creating conflicts. Fax: [phone]
• A growing inability to worry. E-mail: [email protected] or
[email protected]
• Frequent and overwhelming urges to express sincere appreciation for others’
contributions. AMiCUS Committee
Chairman: Leo Ranzolin
• Feeling of harmony with other humans and the rest of God’s creation.
Vice Chairmen: Baraka G. Muganda,
• Frequent attacks of joyful emotion and a smiling face. Humberto M. Rasi, Richard Stenbakken
Secretary: Julieta Rasi
• A growing susceptibility to accepting love from others, and the urgent desire
Members: John M. Fowler, Jonathan
to share that love. Gallagher, Alfredo García-Marenko,
Clifford Goldstein, Bettina Krause,
• An endemic tendency to prayer-itis.
Kathleen Kuntaraf, Vernon B. Parmenter,
Gerhard Pfandl, Virginia L. Smith, Gary
I trust that, as you savor each part of this issue of Dialogue, you will find new
B. Swanson
affirmation of this wholesome peace offered by the Prince of Peace.
CIRCULATION INQUIRES should be
At peace: Iacta alea est.
addressed to the Regional Representative
located in the area where the reader resides.
See names and addresses on page 2.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: U.S. $13 per year (three
issues, airmail). See coupon on page 8 for
details.
Alfredo Garcia-Marenko Dialogue has received
Associate Director for Senior Youth, correspondence from readers
General Conference Youth Department in 115 countries around the
world.
Dialogue 14:3 2002 3
Letters
An attractive perspective ever, the article does not address a if you trust me, your very suffering becomes
As a student attending a large gov- (seemingly) historical paradox: God al- strategic in advancing my kingdom of love
ernment university, I am grateful that a lows tragedy at certain times and pre- even in this life (i.e., you win); and secondly,
magazine like Dialogue exists. Its con- vents it at other times, still remaining a I will have the last word and will restore to
tent not only interests and encourages merciful, just, and loving God, who you in eternity what the enemy has robbed
the members of our local Adventist stu- does not deny the totality of finite you of in this life (i.e., you win). In the stories
dent association, but also allows us to choice. This apparent dichotomy does of Job and Jesus human suffering and divine
share an attractive perspective of the not help the adjustment to or the accep- mercy both triumph.
Christian faith with our colleagues who tance of the continuum of grief which Dwight K. Nelson
espouse other beliefs. strikes humans day after day, Berrien Springs, Michigan
David C. Ahamba Two questions can, then, be asked: U.S.A.
Abia State University Has God intervened since creation to al-
NIGERIA ter events, thereby tying the hands of An expanding global
[email protected] human free choice? Or, did God, at cre- circle
ation, include all possible interventions There is no other journal that is more
Help in my that are selected out over time through attractive to Adventist university stu-
discouragement the dynamic interplay of variables, in- dents and teachers than Dialogue, at
I am serving as a volunteer English cluding the most important variable— least in Africa. The few copies of the
teacher and Bible instructor in Sanyang- prayer? I prefer the latter, for it gives French edition that reach us irregularly
ri, South Korea. Since I am from the me assurance that God is absolutely find broad circulation in the various
Philippines and don’t speak Korean, I fair in allowing all possible degrees of campuses of our university. The journal
often feel quite lonely. One Sabbath finite freedom, embedded in the infi- keeps us in touch with the cultural, sci-
morning, I didn’t go to church for wor- nite boundaries of grace. entific, and spiritual issues that are of
ship because I can’t understand the lan- David Hutchins interest to our colleagues in other parts
guage and was discouraged at my mis- Little Rock, Arkansas of the world. The fact that it is pub-
sion assignment. In fact, I began pack- U.S.A. lished in four parallel language editions
ing my few belongings, planning to go makes our Adventist global circle even
back home. While doing it, I found a The author responds: wider. Congratulations!
copy of Dialogue that I had brought Is God capricious in His providence? How Jerry Kalonji
from my homeland. As I opened it I can we explain the loss of the four aircraft on University of Lubumbashi
found the article, “Jack, an incredible September 11, and the subsequent saving of DEM. REP. OF CONGO
story,” by Jolena Taylor King (Dialogue the “shoe bomber’s” aircraft in December? [email protected]
11:2). Reading about the marvelous The “historical paradox” the reader notes is
providence of God in the life of this addressed in the biblical story of Job, where
young man brought healing to my bro- human pain and suffering are the vortex of a
ken spirit. I sensed that God was still my raging cosmic struggle. The otherwise arbi-
trusted companion. My courage has trary loss of life in Job’s opening chapter
been renewed to face the difficulties would remain inexplicable were the veil not
that I may still encounter in my isolated drawn aside and the reader introduced to
mission post. Thank you! the cosmic battle for human loyalty and
Sarah S. Delgado trust, played out in the “great controversy”
Write to us!
Sanyang-ri, SOUTH KOREA between God and his arch-nemesis Satan.
We welcome your comments, reac-
[email protected] How many times over has the same spiritual
tions and questions, but limit your let-
war been the “unhidden” agenda behind
ters to 200 words. Write to Dialogue
Human freedom and the litany of human suffering and woe! Such
Letters: 12501 Old Columbia Pike; Sil-
God’s power knowledge doesn’t lessen the pain of suffer-
ver Spring, MD 20904; U.S.A. You can
I read and enjoyed Dwight Nelson’s ing, nor does it explain suffering’s apparent
also use fax: [phone], or e-mail:
article, “Through grief and beyond” (Di- randomness. But it does elevate the sufferer
[email protected] Let-
alogue 14:1). There is no question that, into a circle of notables likes Job and Jesus,
ters selected for publication may be
in order to survive in these stormy who as the best suffered the worst. And to
edited for clarity or space.
times, the safest sanctuary is Jesus. How- every sufferer God makes two promises: first,
4 Dialogue 14:3 2002
How to talk
to someone you love
H
by Roger and Peggy Dudley e: Where is my blue shirt? relationships. However, the guidelines we
She: I didn’t have time to iron it. will discuss are good for any relation-
It’s been a hectic day. ship in which two people care about
He: What do you mean you didn’t each other. We can apply these to par-
have time? You’ve been home all day! ents and children, courting couples,
She: Look, Buster, I’ve been busy. I’ve roommates, work associates, fellow
had plenty to keep me occupied. church members, and close friends. Ev-
He: Doing what? I’m out working eryone has someone that he or she
hard all day to put bread on the table cares about. So everyone needs to know
Ten guidelines to develop a
while you just lie around here and how to talk in a way that enhances the
watch soap operas. relationship. Here are 10 guidelines for
She: You’re crazy! You haven’t got a talking to someone you love.1
more mature and meaningful
clue of what it means to run a home:
cooking, cleaning, washing, ironing, 1. Listen carefully for both
taking care of the kids! thoughts and feelings.
relationship.
He: That’s a bunch of bunk! You “You must understand this, my be-
have the easiest life of anybody I know. loved: let everyone be quick to listen,
You need to know what real work is slow to speak, slow to anger” (James
like. 1:19, NRSV). If we are to build loving
She: Oh, and you do, I suppose. You relationships, we must become good
sit in your fine office all day except to listeners before we can even think of
take your clients out to lunches and how to talk. Loving communication in-
play golf with the boss. Then you come volves an understanding between two
home at night, demand to be fed, and minds and two hearts. We absolutely
watch TV while I clean up. You are im- have to know what the other person is
possible! thinking and feeling in order to re-
spond in a relationship-enhancing
One of the main problems in a rela- manner.
tionship is the failure to communicate. Listening is an art that does not
Communication means to express your come naturally but has to be learned.
thoughts and feelings so the recipient First, don’t interrupt until the other
understands what you mean. Well, by person has finished talking. When we
that standard the above couple are cer- are listening, the temptation is to think
tainly communicating, but not in a of responses and rebuttals. So we may
way that will improve their relation- break in to get our point of view across.
ship. How can we communicate in a This sends the message: “I care more
way that will enhance significant rela- about what I am thinking than what
tionships? How do we talk to someone you are saying.”
we love? Second, give your full, undivided at-
As we search for answers, many of our tention to what your loved one is say-
illustrations will be taken from mar- ing. This is more difficult than it
riage—perhaps the most crucial area of sounds, for it is so easy to become dis-
Dialogue 14:3 2002 5
tracted and let your mind wander on to have our own tastes. But we can accept pointment because I feel that I have in-
other things. Ruth Graham, the wife of the judgments and feelings of others as convenienced the person we were to
the famous evangelist, illustrates this representing their thoughts and feel- see. Can you help me make an adjust-
point: “My husband is frequently pre- ings. Mother would be wiser to reply: ment?”
occupied. Understandably. He has a lot “I’m sorry that you don’t enjoy the Actually, no one can make us experi-
to be preoccupied about. We were ex- soup. I personally enjoy it, but you can ence anger or any other emotion. We
pecting company for dinner, and I probably find some other things to eat are responsible for whatever emotions
asked him what he would like to have that you will like better.” we have.
on the menu. Fourth, check out the meaning of
“‘Uh-huh,’he grunted. I knew he the message you are receiving. Since 3. Don’t turn minor points into
was with me in body only and decided words mean different things to differ- major ones.
to have some fun. ent people, it is easy for meanings to Nobody is perfect. Your loved one
“‘I thought we’d start off with tad- get garbled in passing from one person will probably have habits that you find
pole soup,’ I began. to another. We can check out our un- disagreeable. Some people tend to ex-
“‘Un-huh.’ derstanding by paraphrasing. “You are pand these to characterize the whole
“‘And there is some lovely poison frustrated and angry because the boss relationship by free use of the words al-
ivy growing in the next cove which unfairly blamed you for the mistake.” ways and never. “You are always late.”
would make a delightful salad.’ “You’re afraid it may threaten our rela- “You never treat me with respect.”
“‘Un-huh.’ tionship if I appear to be too friendly These are pretty extreme terms that are
“‘For the main dish, I could try with Sue.” The sender then has oppor- probably not true.
roasting some of those wharf rats we’ve tunity to confirm that the receiver has Edith Shaeffer once said: “If you de-
been seeing around the smokehouse gotten the intended message or to cor- mand perfection or nothing, you will
lately and serve them with boiled crab- rect any misapprehension. get nothing.” Important relationships
grass and baked birdseed.’ need to be based on honest communi-
“‘Un-huh.’ 2. Be slow to speak. cation. So we must not exaggerate the
“‘And for dessert we could have a Think through things carefully. other’s faults but speak only the truth.
mud souffle and…’ My voice trailed off Speak in a way that the other person But note: Truth must always be spoken
as his eyes began to focus. can accept what you say. in love. “Love…. does not hold grudges
“‘What was that you said about Listening carefully will help us for- and will hardly even notice when oth-
wharf rats?’ he asked.”2 mulate the best response. It will help ers do it wrong” (1 Corinthians 13:5,
Focused listening is very wearing, prevent the tendency to say what TLB). To be totally honest and yet to be
but set aside some time to concentrate pops into our minds without thinking totally kind is the genius of true com-
on the messages from your loved one. through. munication.
Third, accept the thoughts and feel- One sure way to gain the support
ings of your loved one as genuine, and of the listener is to take responsibility 4. Don’t frustrate your loved one
do not try to deny him or her or talk for feelings expressed. This can be with the silent treatment.
the person out of them. Statements achieved through the use of “I” mes- A person might choose to remain si-
like, “You shouldn’t feel that way,” or sages by: (1) giving a non-blameful lent for a number of reasons. One may
“Don’t ever say that,” or “That’s the description of what is being said or want to punish the other person, hope
most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard” done that is causing the problem, (2) the problem will disappear if ignored,
fracture the conversation and the rela- sharing the feelings you are experienc- feel that silence is golden in that it
tionship. For example, at supper Bobby ing now, and (3) explaining why this gives the problem time to resolve itself,
takes a spoonful of soup and com- behavior causes you a problem. or feel that nothing said will make any
plains: “This tastes terrible!” Mother For instance, if I am feeling frustrat- difference. None of the above reasons
will be tempted to say: “No it doesn’t; ed because someone is late in meeting work—they just build walls and bar
it’s delicious!” But tastes are personal. If an appointment, I could respond in communication.
he doesn’t like it, no objective evidence two different ways: I could say: “You It is important to explain why you
will be convincing. Bobby hears: “I am make me so angry by being late again. are hesitant to talk at this time and use
not interested in your opinion.” Why aren’t you more considerate?” Or the three suggestions for how to use “I”
Of course, that doesn’t mean that we I could say: “I am frustrated because it messages under guideline 2. This can
agree with every statement we hear. We really bothers me to be late to an ap- result in improved understanding and
6 Dialogue 14:3 2002
working through issues so they don’t In fact, he was telling her that he cared strong and loving.
crop up again. for her even though he didn’t feel lov- And when someone you love con-
ing. Sometimes we won’t feel loving. fesses to you and asks for forgiveness,
5. Learn to disagree without Sometimes our relationship will seem offer it freely. Don’t wait until you feel
quarreling. flat. Sometimes we will be angry with like it. Once you forgive someone, for-
“Stop being mean, bad-tempered each other. That’s when real love rises get about it and don’t bring it up again.
and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, above the emotional level and signals Re-visiting past hurts prevents a rela-
and dislike of others should have no to the other that we care. tionship from growing.
place in your lives” (Ephesians 4:31,
TLB). Two people will not always agree 6. Do not respond in anger. 8. Avoid nagging.
on everything. But when you do dis- “A gentle answer turns away wrath, “It’s better to live in the corner of a
agree even with someone you love, it is but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov- flat roof than to share a large house
possible to do this in calm, caring man- erbs 15:1, NIV). “In your anger do not with a nagging wife” (Proverbs 25:24,
ner—concentrating on the problem sin: Do not let the sun go down while The Clear Word). If you have ever tried
and not attacking the person. you are angry”(Ephesians 4:26, NIV). nagging, you have probably discovered
Love is not a warm, fuzzy feeling al- Edgar N. Jackson in The Many Faces that people only become defensive.
though such feelings, may result from of Grief offers these four A’s to manage People don’t change because someone
love. Love is a decision to care about anger. We have adapted them to fit this else wants them to change. People
another and to promote his or her wel- model. change when it becomes an inner moti-
fare. Nearly a hundred years ago, the 1. Admit it (this is often difficult to vation. Cecil Osborne suggests that “we
noted psychiatrist, Harry Stack Sulli- do). We need to take responsibility for cannot change another person, either
van, defined love as follows: “When our emotions. by direct, overt action, or through ma-
the satisfaction or the security of an- 2. Analyze it objectively. Ask your- nipulation.”4 “In the marriage relation-
other person becomes as significant to self, Why am I so upset? Why this burst ship, instead of waiting for our needs to
one as is one’s own satisfaction or secu- of emotion? Does it make sense? be met, we must seek to meet the needs
rity, then the state of love exists.” We 3. Act it out in a wise and healthful of the other.”5
will not always feel loving, but we can manner so the adrenalin level can be If there is a need for change, one op-
make a determination to act in a loving reduced to normal by walking, chop- tion is to sit down with the person in-
manner. ping wood, playing golf, cleaning the volved and in a loving way (using the
In No Longer Strangers, Bruce Larson closet, or journaling out your feelings. three steps from guideline 2 about how
relates a conversation he had with a 4. Abandon it after realizing that to use “I” messages) ask for help and
friend: “That particular morning when your anger is not worth what it costs in suggestions about how to accomplish
I asked my friend how he was doing, he stress and damaged relationships. We the task or the change. If it is a family
said, ‘Terrible. I had a fight with my can’t change what has already hap- situation, family council time is the
wife last night and we went to bed not pened, but we can choose our response ideal setting for this type of discussion.
speaking to each other, sleeping back to to it.
back. But this morning she gave me a 9. Look for the positive.
kiss and said, “Honey, I love you.”’” 7. Confess and ask for forgiveness. Perhaps certain behaviors or traits in
“‘What did you say?’”I asked eagerly. When two people are in a close rela- the one you love rub you wrong. The
“‘I said, “Well I don’t love you and I tionship, inevitably, they will hurt each natural human tendency is to criticize
don’t love myself and I don’t love God. other at times. When you know you are the person. It is easy to blame the other
I can’t think of anybody that I do love. in the wrong, admit it and ask for for- for unsatisfactory situations. But it sim-
But I’ll tell you this: I’m going to pray giveness. Even if you think you are not ply doesn’t work. We tend to think that
this morning and I believe that some- the offender, express sorrow that your if we point out the faults in another, he
time in the near future God will relationship is damaged and offer to do or she will be grateful for the help and
straighten me out because He loves me. whatever you can to mend the damage. will reform. In fact, the person will al-
He will make me able to love again. “Confess your sins to one another, and most always raise a defense and retreat
And when He does, I promise to put pray for one another so that you may into the problem. It never helps a rela-
you first on the list!”’”3 be healed” (James 5:16, NRSV). This is tionship to blame the other partner.
Note that in spite of the negative what people who really care about each Rather, people grow when they are
words, this man really did love his wife. other must do to keep the relationship affirmed for what they are doing right.
Dialogue 14:3 2002 7
Locate the strongest character points in 10. Recognize that the one you
Roger L. Dudley (Ed.D., Andrews Uni-
the one you love and affirm that point. love has a right to be different
versity), professor of church ministry, emer-
Relationships grow when we tell spous- from you.
itus, at the Andrews University Theological
es, children, or whomever why we love God values diversity. We see it in all
Seminary, and Margaret [Peggy] Dudley
them and how valuable they are. When of creation. No two persons or snow-
(Ph.D.), a licensed professional counselor,
people realize that they are valuable, flakes are alike. Everybody doesn’t have
have been married to each other for 50
they behave in valuable ways. to be like us. Though we are one (as
years. Their second book on marriage, Inti-
Ellen White comments on how Jesus husband and wife or as family), yet we
mate Glimpses: 29 Couples Share the
looked for the positive in others. “In are each unique and separate. If we val-
Secrets of a Happy Marriage, is sched-
every human being He [Jesus] discerned ue these differences, we can broaden
uled for publication by the Review and
infinite possibilities. He saw men as our experience and learn to grow.
Herald in 2003.
they might be, transfigured by His Where diversity is respected and
grace.… Looking upon them with uniqueness affirmed, love will flourish.
Notes and references:
hope, He inspired hope. Meeting them Review these 10 guidelines and mark
1. The 10 guidelines given here are adapted
with confidence, He inspired trust.… In one or more where you would like to from H. Norman Wright, Communication:
His presence souls despised and fallen make improvement. With God’s help, The Key to Your Marriage (Glendale, Calif.:
Regal, 1974), pp. 188, 189, but the
realized that they still were men, and make a concerted effort to develop new
material is largely our own.
they longed to prove themselves wor- and improved ways to communicate 2. Ruth Graham, It’s My Turn (Old Tappan,
thy of His regard. In many a heart that with those who are important to you. N.J.: Fleming H. Revell, 1982), p. 67.
3. Bruce Larson, No Longer Strangers (Dallas:
seemed dead to all things holy, were Psychologists say it takes 30 days to cre-
Word Books, 1971), p. 67.
awakened new impulses. To many a de- ate a new habit. Just think—in only 4. Cecil Osborne, Understanding Your Mate
spairing one there opened the possibili- one month, new habits can become es- (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1970),
p. 109.
ty of a new life.”6 tablished, and the old ones will die
5. Ibid., p. 141.
from disuse. 6. Ellen G. White, Education (Mountain
View, Calif.: Pacific Press Publ. Assn.,
1903), p. 80.
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8 Dialogue 14:3 2002
The four faces of Jesus
W
by Robert K. McIver hy are there four Gospels in While most of this article will be de-
the New Testament? Surely voted to looking at each of the four Gos-
one would have been enough. pels separately to discover what is dis-
Such, at least, was the opinion of the tinctive about it, it must not be forgot-
second-century church father Tatian, ten that there is a basic harmony be-
who produced the Diatessaron, a transla- tween the Gospel accounts of Jesus. For
tion of the Gospels into Syriac. Rather example, they agree on many of the de-
than translate all four Gospels, he pro- tails of His ministry. Matthew and Luke
duced a “harmony”—taking one of the record that He was born in Bethlehem,
Each of the four Gospel writers
versions of each of the important sto- and all four agree that He grew up in
ries, and linking them together into a Nazareth, and that His ministry was lo-
harmony of the Gospels. John Calvin cated in the small towns and villages
has a unique witness to Jesus
wrote a commentary on each of the Bi- around the northern end of the sea of
ble books except the Gospels, for which Galilee. Most significantly, all four Gos-
he worked out a harmony and then pels share in the conviction that the
and His message.
wrote a commentary on it. most important thing to know about
Yet, Tatian and Calvin are excep- Jesus is the events surrounding His cru-
tions. Four Gospels have been in the cifixion, death, and resurrection. They
New Testament from the very first time all agree that the significance of the
anybody thought to ask which writings cross lay in who Jesus is, and that what
should be included in it. The reasons happened there was the result of God’s
why the earliest Christians choose to will and not blind fate. All the Gospels
keep all four Gospels in the New Testa- note the link between the cross and the
ment are not known. But because they Passover, and that Jesus was crucified as
did so, we now have four slightly differ- king of the Jews, which is rather ironic,
ent witnesses to Jesus. Just as several because the cross did in fact inaugurate
witnesses called in a court case give the kingdom of God. Further, they all
their individual perspectives so that stress that Jesus was raised with a real
truth might emerge with greater clarity, body, and that the death and resurrec-
so too, the four evangelists provide four tion of Jesus provide the impetus for the
different perspectives of Jesus. Between missionary activity of the earliest (and
them, we see Jesus in four dimensions, latest) Christians. These concepts, and
as it were. In fact, at one stage I had more, are shared by all four Gospels. Yet
called my book on the four Gospels, each has a distinctive view of Jesus.
“Jesus in Four Dimensions.” The editors
decided that The Four Faces of Jesus The Gospel of Matthew
would be a better title, and indeed, this John 21:25 expresses a frustration
title expresses the same idea—that each that must have been true of all four
of the Gospel writers has a unique wit- evangelists: “Jesus did many other
ness to Jesus and His message. What do things as well. If every one of them were
they all think is important? written down, I suppose that even the
Dialogue 14:3 2002 9
whole world would not have room for Matthew is also very interested about ly than in the other Gospels, using more
the books that would be written” (NIV). how Christians should react to the fact words to include details lacking else-
All of the evangelists knew a lot more that Jesus would return soon. In Mat- where. There is also more action hap-
about Jesus than they were able to in- thew 24 and 25 he attaches to Jesus’ say- pening in Mark, which is why it is often
clude in their Gospels. So they needed ings about the signs of the end of the suggested as the best Gospel of the four
to be selective in their material. Conse- age (which are also found in Mark 13 to recommend to anyone who is plan-
quently, it is interesting to look at what and Luke 21) four parables that deal ning to read one of the Gospels from
each Gospel writer includes that is not with how Christians should behave be- beginning to end for the first time.
in the other Gospels. In Matthew and tween now and the Second Coming: the Among other things, Mark emphasizes
Luke in particular, this methodology parable of the faithful and unfaithful the really human Jesus together with
gives a good insight into their special servant (24:45-51), the parable of the 10 the fact that He was the unique Son of
interests and emphases. For example, maidens (25:1-13), the parable of the God. He portrays Jesus as teacher. Above
Matthew’s interest in the community of talents (25:14-30), and the parable of all, Mark stresses that Jesus cannot be
believers is revealed by the fact that sev- the judgment of the nations (25:31-46). understood apart from His suffering,
eral sayings of Jesus that are unique to Three of these parables are unique to death, and resurrection, and the fact
Matthew deal with the community of Matthew. that He will return soon. Each reader of
believers. In Matthew 18:15-18, which Matthew also emphasizes that Chris- his Gospel experiences what the first
is unique to Matthew, Jesus outlines tians should act righteously. They will disciples experienced—a call to minis-
what should be done if there is a dispute even keep the law better than the Phari- try.
between two members of the communi- sees (5:20). Matthew illustrates how this
ty. The need for forgiveness is stressed is so. Jesus says that as well as not com- The Gospel of Luke
by the parable of the unforgiving ser- mitting murder, His disciples will not The stories at the beginning of Luke
vant (18:21-35) that immediately fol- get angry (5:21-26); as well as not com- reveal many of the differences between
lows the statement about community mitting adultery, they will not even lust this Gospel and that of Matthew. When
discipline. This parable is found only in (5:27-30). Indeed, they will love their Matthew deals with the infancy of Jesus,
Matthew. Furthermore, Matthew 23: 1- enemies and be perfect just as God is he recounts that kings and wise men
3, 5, 8-10, 15, 16-21, 27, 28, 32, and 33, perfect (5:43-48). Along with this strong from the East were involved. The char-
which are all unique to Matthew, high- emphasis on the need for Christians to acters that we meet in Luke, on the oth-
light how the Christian community live righteous lives, the truth that we are er hand, are the poor and outcasts of so-
should conduct itself differently than saved by faith apart from what we do is ciety—a poor country priest and his
the community of Pharisees. found in several places in the material wife, shepherds, an elderly prophet in
Matthew also has a great interest in unique to Matthew. It is perhaps clearest the temple, and, of course, women. The
matters that relate to the relationship in the parable of the workers in the status of women in any first-century so-
between Jews and Gentiles, presumably vineyard (20:1-16). In the kingdom of ciety, including that of Judaism, would
because this was an issue that was of God, as in the parable, the reward given not be envied by most modern women.
concern to his community at the time at the end of the day is not related to Yet, unlike just about all other ancient
he was composing the Gospel. It is Mat- the amount of work performed, but to literature, Luke not only records the say-
thew that traces Jesus’ genealogy back to the graciousness of the Lord. ings and deeds of women (Luke 1:39-56
Abraham (Matthew 1:1; see Luke 3:23- are devoted to the deeds and words of
38, which traces Jesus’ genealogy to The Gospel of Mark Mary and Elizabeth), but throughout
Adam. It is Matthew that gathers the Only 30 of the 609 verses in the Gos- the Gospel, he recounts several places
teachings of Jesus about the law into pel of Mark are unique to that Gospel. where Jesus has special dealings with
what we know as the Sermon on the So, in contrast to Matthew, Luke, and women (e.g., Luke 7:36-50; 10:38-42;
Mount (Matthew 5:17-48). Likewise it is John, the character of Mark is not re- 13:10-19).
Matthew that shows that the mission of vealed by the material that is unique to Luke also has an eye for some of the
Jesus was first directed only to the Jews it, but rather by a comparison that is best parables. Without Luke we would
(Matthew 10:5, 6), although it is made more subjective. Mark, the shortest of not have the parables of the Good Sa-
clear in chapter 28:19, 20 that the mis- the Gospels, records fewer events than maritan (10:25-37) and the prodigal son
sion of the disciples was to go into all the other Gospels, and less of the teach- (15:11-32). He also includes three para-
the world and tell all the nations about ings of Jesus. Yet those events that are bles that deal with prayer that are not
the good news of salvation. recorded are usually done so more vivid- found in the other Gospels (11:5-13;
10 Dialogue 14:3 2002