Must We Be Silent?

642 Pages·2015·6.65 MB·German

by  Dan Hall

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: [phone]
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: [phone]; 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
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