Ralph Neall
Ralph Neall, Ph.D., is a retired professor of religion at Union College, Lincoln, Nebraska, and now teaches pastors in Cambodia.
So You're Up For Ordination!
WHAT is the significance of ministerial ordination in the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Is it the church's recognition of a divine call to "preach the word" (2 Tim. 4:2), or is it simply a recognition of faithful service? Should a man who is not a full-time preacher be ordained to preach? Should we ordain institutional workers, teachers, doctors, departmental men, and conference officers whose primary work is not preaching?
The Advent near
Our church rose in a context of expectancy regarding the coming of Christ. What began as a sprint may have taken on characteristics of a marathon, says the author. Nevertheless, the spiritual attitudes of the sprint must be ours throughout the race, no matter how long it may be. Always we must keep the coming of Christ near and let it influence every decision of our lives.
Have we delayed the Advent?
While Ellen G. White wrote that we can hasten or delay the Lord's return, she also wrote that Jesus would come "at the appointed time." What did she mean?