A number of Bible instructors have asked the Ministerial Association for suggestions on reading aids to help them understand their work. The problems usually center around approaching various types of believers with an understanding of their backgrounds. During the student's college training the study program does not always cover such needs, and they become acute when the worker must face a situation in the field. Lacking experience, the Bible instructor must draw on the information that others in the profession have gathered.
We here wish to recommend a few books of the type we now consider musts in evangelism. There are, of course, many other helps that we might consider in this connection.
The young worker who has the background of a theological training is not destitute of good sources from which to draw for teaching the Bible. We assume that there is an acquaintance with prophecy, history, and archeology. Frustration becomes more evident, however, when the young worker does not know how to meet such groups as present definite problems in evangelism. For instance, it is important today to know how to meet the widespread dispensational teachings in an intelligent way. Again, the Jehovah's Witnesses cannot be handled with flimsy or unprepared argument. In some areas Mormonism demands a worker's understanding of this group. Christian Science and its kindred metaphysical beliefs must be recognized, and we might name many others. To reason that this is not necessary would mean defeat in reaching some deceived yet very sincere people. True, the Bible instructor does not plan to spend much time learning the intricacies of any of these beliefs, but on the other hand she must take some time to acquaint herself with those she is bound to contact.
Here are just a few practical helps that we hope to enlarge upon in the future:
I. For a broad yet brief acquaintance with the Protestant Calvinistic churches that represent a very large sector of Protestant thought, we would recommend the book Calvinism, by A. Dakin, The Westminster Press, Philadelphia, Pa.
The next mentioned books are perhaps the best in their fields. We feel that every worker, beginner or experienced, can ill afford to be without them, at least in America, where the problems they discuss must be handled. We can merely mention them, however.
7. The American Church covers the following: The Moravian Church, The Lutheran Church in America, The Mennonites, The Presbyterian Church in America, The Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, The Reformed Church in America, Unitarianism, The Congregational Christian Churches, Baptist Churches in America, The United Presbyterian Church in America, The Society of Friends in America (Quakers), The Evangelical Mission Covenant Church and the Free Churches of Swedish Background, The Church of the Brethren, The Evangelican and Reformed Church, Methodism, The Universalist Church of America, The Evangelical United Brethren Church, Seventh-day Adventists, Disciples of Christ, Churches of Christ, The Church of God (Anderson, Indiana).
Perhaps the most valuable contribution of these books is the fact that these religious groups are not discussed by antagonistic writers, but rather by one of each group's outstanding historians. Again, these works have been checked for their accuracy.
For the Worker Without College Preparation
The foregoing list is equally a must for the conference employed Bible visitor, full- or part-time, without a college education in our own schools. Such workers may be drafted because of their soul-winning ability. Usually they have received no special preparation for a profession that requires intelligent background, not only for our present-truth doctrines, but for the entire Bible. A worker of this type may be employed temporarily, although some Bible visitors will develop into capable Bible instructors. These workers should be made cognizant of their need and should continue to study to become well-trained, skilled workmen. Today it is as equally important for the Bible instructor to be a master of the Bible as for the minister. It is understood, of course, that the Spirit of prophecy furnishes a most valuable set of commentaries on our doctrines, but it must also be kept in mind that the Bible teacher must be able to meet those who are not yet committed to this special gift for the church.
In the preceding suggestions we have merely begun to inform our Bible instructors of what we consider very important and informative books that they should have for real study. The excuse that the worker finds no time for study is a reflection on her own mental limitations. Even though we admit that there are seasons when her program must concentrate on houseto-house visiting in order to harvest the results of a campaign, it would be difficult to convince our more studious workers of experience that such a program remains uninterrupted by days when study is convenient. No, it simply depends on what we consider of greatest importance.
Again we would suggest that the studious worker is the person who will be giving many years of service to our cause, progressing each year to larger responsibilities. It is recognized that our workers generally, both men and women, are not applying themselves to the study of great books. Too many seem to have become stagnant in their study of the Bible and of informative books that must serve as study helps. An intelligent ministry is one of the objectives of the Seventh-day Adventist program, and this must include the Bible instructor as well as the minister Shall we prayerfully ponder this problem for ourselves, and with Christian determination find a way to devote some time each week to diligent study?
L. C. K.
Note:
Educational Plans for Bible Instructors
IN THE January issue of THE MINISTRY we brought to your attention the recommendations of the 1954 Autumn Council, actions that brought new courage to our Bible instructors around the world. Since these resolutions were passed at the council some of our Bible instructors may have been invited by their conferences to attend the spring quarter of the Theological Seminary, March 2 to May 17, 1955. Others, we know, will be hoping to have this privilege in the near future. Our Bible instructors have waited patiently for this broad consideration, and we are sure that they will welcome this good news.
These special Bible instructor and personal work classes at the Seminary are not intended to help our sisters alone; today we are in need of developing many younger ministers into strong personal workers. Bible teaching and personal work is the foundation of all successful evangelistic work. New lines are opening up to young women right in the Bible work, and our fast-growing Bible correspondence schools around the world present much variety. Then too, our expanding health instruction connected with city evangelism calls for combined interests tied in with bringing people into the full message. Men and women with musical talents are limited in their service in evangelism unless they are also capable personal workers. Lines will need to be drawn evenly, for no phase of our work today can be an isolated endeavor.
Bible instructors and personal workers of various types will need to communicate with the Theological Seminary before coming to Takoma Park. Please send for a catalog in good time, and when you arrive for your classwork, make certain that you are receiving what you came for—instruction and training for Bible work. The Seminary has a well-balanced program, and various teachers integrate their instruction with an emphasis on Bible work.
Bible Instructor Correspondence Courses
Because conferences cannot send all the workers at the same time, some Bible instructors who are hoping to attend the Seminary may need to wait awhile. At present we can merely hope to make a beginning in carrying out these Autumn Council plans. But while you are waiting, why not improve your time by taking a Home Study Bible instructor course by correspondence? True, you will not have the inspiration of the instructor in person, but the course is considered to be invaluable, and it will help you toward your objectives immediately. Do not put it off, for there is never a better opportunity than the present. If you are not listed to attend the Seminary soon, send to the Home Study Institute for your correspondence course at once. Those who have taken this course find in it more than elementary techniques. While the writing out of the answers to the questions of these lessons is kept at a minimum to save time, various practice methods for developing skill in organizing sound, decision-producing Bible studies is kept at a maximum. This basic course can save you time for another course when you attend the Seminary.
Because the lay field continues to provide Bible instructor prospects, a plan that has always been urged by the Spirit of prophecy, we are depending upon our conferences to help us find promising workers for the Bible work. Our experienced Bible instructors take pride and have joy in developing good lay Bible instructors and lay preachers. They, with their ministers, instruct these laymen by conducting Bible training classes. To assist these busy workers in this added responsibility in their churches we are preparing a shorter and more simplified course of instruction for the Home Study Correspondence School. We hope that this course will be ready at an early date.
Since the 1954 Autumn Council a new impetus has been given to the varied work of the Bible instructor in connection with modern evangelism. We invite every minister and Bible instructor to keep in step with these larger plans for a greater Bible work. Feel free to write to us about your personal interests.
L. C. K.
