March 2009

Living in the so-called “Bible Belt” of the United States for several years now, I am accustomed to the large lighted signs churches there use to draw attention to their services. Some signs even offer a concise message—a saying—to prod thought and promote faith. One church sign I saw stated, “Satan Subtracts and Divides, God Adds and Multiplies.” Another sign warned, “Forbidden Fruit Creates Many Jams.” Another sign promised, “God Answers Knee- Mail.” Still another sign advised: “Read the Bible: Prevent Truth Decay.” What a worthy message when so many unbiblical notions are widely voiced and steadily promoted in our syncretistic and religiously muddled society. Our textual passage, 1 Timothy 1:12–17, shares a saying first century Christians joyously voiced as they worshiped, and it was their word of witness as they evangelized. Paul has preserved that saying here, and he commended it as "sure and worthy of full acceptance … Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (v. 15).

This ministry does more than just respond to disasters. ADRA is the Adventist Church’s clearest expression of its commitment to acts of justice, poverty reduction, and responding to human needs and human rights.

Who benefits from forgiveness? And why is this so important for the Christian?

There’s no denying the fact that many pastors face sexual temptation. How does one recognize the warning signs? What can be done about it?

In Revelation 14:6, 7, John offers an integrative framework for worship leaders to forge authentic worship services. How does this text inform our thinking?

Mentoring is a critical element in pastoral development. How is this accomplished? How does it impact the mentor and the one being mentored?

Wesley Carr considers the pastor as theologian.

Ben Witherington’s third volume of a three-volume commentary on the Pastoral Epistles, the Johannine Epistles, Hebrews, the Petrine Epistles, James, and Jude.

Religious Freedom, Lifesaving Seminars, Growth in the Netherlands

Our recent elections have moved us to a post-racial era where skin color is not the first criterion for evaluating a person’s potential.