From NAD News Notes this morning:
8-28-14 Andrews Theological Seminary Releases Major Statement on Headship
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By Julio C. Muñoz
The faculty of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary voted and released a statement on August 21, which unequivocally reaffirmed Christ as the head of the church and sought to be a unifying voice in the church regarding the current debate on leadership.
The statement, which went through a rigorous vetting process by the faculty of the Andrews University-based seminary, warned against the teaching of male headship in the church. Introducing such teachings into the church, according to the theologians, may result in “significant doctrinal aberrations.” It also cautioned against the misuse of authority.
“As the faculty of the SDA Theological Seminary we affirm that Jesus Christ is the only head of the Church and to Him we are totally submitted,” said Dr. Jiri Moskala, Dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, in an exclusive interview with NewsPoints. “We are committed to follow His leadership. He can delegate authority of leadership, but it is always a servant (and not a headship) leadership role.”
The document, in very clear language, states that only Christ can be the head of the church, “…while there exists legitimate leadership in the Church, no other human being may rightfully claim a headship role in the Church.”
Dr. Moskala stated that the Seventh-day Adventist Church, like several of the early protestant reformers, agree that Christ is the only head of the church. He cited the example of Jan Hus, the 15th Century Czech reformer, who was the first to write a theological treatise on godly headship, and it cost him his life. In 1415 Hus was burned at the stake in Germany.
“Now we need to put it on another level. No human being – either male or female, in whatever capacity, pastor, church elder, Conference, Union, Division or General Conference president, may usurp this position from Christ,” said Dr. Moskala. “It means that we need to be consistent and should not speak about male or female headship in the church.”
The process of developing this statement was thorough and included “very careful study of the Scriptures and the Spirit of Prophecy.” The document underwent several drafts.
“It represents a consensus of the Seminary faculty who created this document as a service to the worldwide Church,” said Dr. Moskala. “It was discussed at the Theology and Christian Philosophy Department, the Seminary SDA Faith Committee, the Dean’s Council, and two faculty meetings. It was passed by overwhelming vote.”
The faculty of the seminary and its leadership hope the document will be a unifying element in the current leadership debate.
“I am excited to offer to the worldwide Church this biblical-theological study that uplifts the unique headship of Christ in the Church. It is my hope that it will significantly and positively contribute to the current debates on servant leadership,” said Dr. Moskala.
“I am grateful,” Dr. Moskala continues, “for the faculty that is dedicated to the Church and its mission, and worked diligently and prayerfully to produce this statement. I praise the Lord for their commitment to God’s cause and unselfish service, and wonderful spirit of cooperation among my faculty. I pray that this document will play and prove to be a unifying influence in the Church.”
“Now we need to put it on another level. No human being – either male or female, in whatever capacity, pastor, church elder, Conference, Union, Division or General Conference president, may usurp this position from Christ,” said Dr. Moskala. “It means that we need to be consistent and should not speak about male or female headship in the church.”
And these people train theology students. Satan has his minions well placed within the ivory towers of our theological institutions. Not only do they create an erroneous interpretation of Scripture and the Spirit of prophecy, but they also tell us not to speak of it.
Galatians 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Jeremiah 5:21-31 - Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: Fear ye not me? saith the LORD: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it? But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?