Clapping In Seventh-Day Adventist Worship

Clapping is considered as a media of praise and thanks in Christian worship. Some give space to this practice while other reject it. This article tried to identify the biblical foundation of these ideas, and was carried out through the following phases: formulating the problem, preparing the title, and searching the related supporting materials in the library research and electronic facilities. The research focused on three main aspects: the clapping in the Bible, the Christian and practice of clapping in worship services, and clapping in Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is found that there is no Bible text and theological evidence which support the practice of clapping in the place of worship, in other words clapping in the church services is unbiblical, and for this reason clapping in Seventh-day Adventists worship services is not necessary. Instead of clapping, the use of amen is suggested in responding the message or musical presentation. Since clapping has become controversial issue in Adventist worship services, the church leaders need to instruct and guide the church members to the right understanding of clapping. Keywords: clapping; applaus; worship; praise

Homosexual Orientation in Marriage: A Reason for Divorce?

The number of homosexuals in Seventh Day Adventist Church has increased since 1980. It becomes a problem for the church until it was discussed and decided that this practice may as a reason for divorce. However, there is no hint if the case is homosexual in practice. If there is a problem in a newly couple that just married and in the very day one spouse says that he or she has the homosexual orientation what should be done with this couple. Is this confessing could be used as a reason for divorce? There should be a solution for the couple to handle this problem. The Bible clearly rejected homosexuality practices. To help the couple who has problem with homosexuality orientation in marriage, the principles of Bible and Spirit of prophecy should be utilized. This article attempts to expose these principles and helps to restore the proper sexual orientation that a couple should have in marriage. Keywords: homosexual; divorce; marriage; sexual orientation

The Significance of tabnith in the Context of Correspondence of Heavenly and Earthly Sanctuary in Exodus 25:9, 40

The picture of the heavenly sanctuary/temple is that of a model for the construction of the earthly counterpart. This understanding is conveyed mainly by the concept of תַּבְנִ֣ית, “pattern, form, or model” in Exod 25:9, 40 or σκιά, “shadow” in Heb 8:5, or ὑπόδειγμα, “copy” in Heb 9:23, 24. It reveals that the heavenly sanctuary functions as the archetype of the earthly temple. In the context of the book of Exodus, תַּבְנִ֣ית functions as the model of the sanctuary Moses was to build on the earth. Moses was probably shown the heavenly sanctuary and a “model” of what he had to build upon the earth. The תַּבְנִ֣ית thus presupposes an original reality and, at the same time, also suggests an idiomatic correspondence between the heavenly sanctuary and its earthly counterpart. Keywords: pattern; heavenly sanctuary; earthly sanctuary

Contextualized Tirakat Form to Christian Spiritual Formation among Javanese

Tirakat is an important part in Javanese culture. It points to a spiritual path in a sense of a method of a spiritual practice. The ways of tirakat have been an element of the culture for centuries. It is for this situation that evangelizing and nurturing newly non-Christian Javanese converted have been a challenge for Adventist ministry. This research attempts to seek an answer of the church which is expected to find some strategies for nurturing the members from Javanese culture background. The new converts are isolated from their background and stay in a new culture in the church. Consequently, some of the new members cannot survive in the new culture, custom, and rituals. This study addresses the issue of contextualized tirakat form to spiritual formation as a part of discipling new members in the local church. An analysis of both theological-biblical and cultural practice indicates that some elements of the tirakat ritual are strongly correlated with the Christian spiritual formation. The tirakat form can be contextualized in the spiritual formation form to experience spiritual growth. By giving a new meaning and modified form the believers are able to keep the tirakat ritual based on the Scriptures teaching. An evaluation of tirakat practice found some positive elements which can be continued to the form of Christian formation. However, the negative aspects need functional substitutes or discontinued. Through the worldview transformation the tirakat form as spiritual formation activity will lead the Javanese congregation to have good spiritual growth, strong faith, and ability to involve in the church mission and ministry. Keywords: tirakat; discipleship; spiritual formation; Javanese congregation

The Theological-Eschatological Implications of Name Michael in Jude

The pastoral epistle of Jude is shrouded with rich theological significance, in spite of its shortness. Theological themes like order of salvation, faith, mission, worship, judgment, great controversy, second coming, and the end of the world, and others are interwoven in the fabric of Jude. It means that Jude starts with protology and ends with climactic and cosmic victorious eschatology, particularly the resurrection of the righteous. The sudden appearance of Michael, the Archangel heightens the conflict in Jude. Scholars from the different camps admit Jude 9 where Michael appears in contending the devil over the body of Moses, is the most perplexing text in the entire epistle. Jesus Christ eschatological name is: Michael. The name is so significant particularly in the conflict of Moses’ resurrection to glory. Satan by all means struggled to prevent him to be resurrected and taken from his territory, for he claimed Moses belonged to his kingdom because he was a sinner. In epistle of Jude the great controversy does not end of the temporal life, the physical death but even extended until the day of resurrection. Whenever, Michael is referred to in the Bible, are all in the contexts of intense violence, war, death, hopelessness and resurrection and triumph. Michael is the heavenly warrior who defends victoriously for His people who will end the great controversy in grandest victory, is indeed the highlight of Jude’s eschatology. Keywords: Michael; devil; Moses; contending; conflict; struggle; apostasy; the great controversy