Biblical Research Institute: Difference between revisions
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The '''Biblical Research Institute''' (BRI) is a service department of the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]] with the three stated functions of research, [[apologetics]] (defense of the church's beliefs), and service to the church.<ref name="About">{{cite web |
The '''Biblical Research Institute''' (BRI) is a service department of the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]] with the three stated functions of research, [[Christian apologetics|apologetics]] (defense of the church's beliefs), and service to the church.<ref name="About">{{cite web |
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Revision as of 05:41, 10 February 2008
The Biblical Research Institute (BRI) is a service department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with the three stated functions of research, apologetics (defense of the church's beliefs), and service to the church.[1] It serves as a theological consultant to the General Conference. It consists of four Adventist theologians working at the church headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, and is currently (as of 2007) directed by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez. The institute also directs the Biblical Research Institute Committee (BRICOM) which consists of about forty members worldwide, and the Biblical Research Institute Science Council (BRISCO), which investigates the relationship between science and religion.
The institute is an official service department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
It is representative of the conservative end of mainstream Adventist scholarship.
Beliefs
The Biblical Research Institute is an official General Conference body.
Woodrow Whidden has described the work of the Institute as "conservative Adventist scholarship".[2]
History
The Biblical Research Institute was established as a service department of the church on September 25, 1975 by the General Conference. However it has historical roots in a number of other organizations.[3]
In 1943 church leaders established a committee to give defenses to critics of the church, including offshoot groups. This was named the Defense Literature Committee in 1952, and reorganized as the Biblical Study and Research Group in 1956. [4] In 1969 the Biblical Research Committee was formed from a merger between the Defense Literature Committee and the Biblical Study [and] Research Committee, which had previously worked independently. This committee did not have authority to represent the church on theological matters.[3]
The Biblical Study and Research Committee had been created on September 24, 1952. To a certain extent it took the place of the Biblical Research Fellowship, which was being dissolved at the time. The fellowship had been an unofficial society of Adventist Bible teachers, organized in 1940.[3]
As mentioned above the Biblical Research Institute was established in 1975. It has sponsored events such as seminars and Bible conferences. From 1982 to 1992 it published the Daniel and Revelation Series in response to the controversy surrounding Desmond Ford.[4]
Leadership
Directors:
- W. E. Read (1952–1959)
- H. W. Lowe (1959–1969)
- Gordon M. Hyde (1969–1979)
- W. R. Lesher (1979–1984)[3]
- George W. Reid (1984–2001)
- Ángel Manuel Rodríguez, (2001–present)[5]
As of 2007, Ángel Manuel Rodríguez is director, with Kwabena Donkor, Ekkehardt Mueller and Gerhard Pfandl as associate directors.
Biblical Research Institute Committee
The Biblical Research Institute Committee examines theological issues that the Seventh-day Adventist Church faces. Its members are elected at General Conference Sessions. BRICOM members for the 2000-2005 quinquennium included: Niels-Erik Andreasen, John T. Baldwin, Matthew A. Bediako, Ivan T. Blazen, Keith Burton, Lael O. Caesar, Jaime Castrejon, Gordon E. Christo, JoAnn M. Davidson, Richard M. Davidson, Ganoune Diop, Ron du Preez, Larry R. Evans, Francisco Gayoba, Daniel Heinz, Eugene Hsu, Greg A. King, Miroslav M. Kis, George R. Knight, Robert E. Lemon, John K. McVay, Ekkehardt Mueller, Daegeuk Nam, James R. Nix, Brempong Owusu-Antwi, Jon K. Paulien, Jan Paulsen, Paul B. Petersen, Roberto Pereyra, Gerhard Pfandl, George W. Reid, Angel M. Rodriguez, Artur A. Stele, Ted N. C. Wilson, Randall W. Younker, and E. Edward Zinke.
Publications
The Biblical Research Institute regularly publishes academic books and articles that address theological issues. These books include
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- Understanding Scripture: An Adventist Approach (2006)
See also
References
- ^ "About Us". Biblical Research Institute. Retrieved 2006-10-31.
- ^ Interview of Woodrow Whidden by Julius Nam
- ^ a b c d Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald, 1996, p.205-6
- ^ a b "Biblical Research Institute" in Historical Dictionary of Seventh-day Adventists by Gary Land
- ^ "New Director for Biblical Research Institute". Adventist News Network