Berean Books

• Pope John Paul II shocks Bible-believers by embracing the physical evolution of man and other species, claiming that the theory of evolution is "more than a hypothesis";
• In Bill Moyers's 2-month PBS series called Genesis: A Living Conversation (the most ambitious Bible-study class ever broadcast nationally on USA television), an influential body of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim scholars and writers dismisses parts of the book of Genesis as a mixture of myth and legend;
• Newsweek, Time, USA Today, and U.S. News & World Report have all featured the conclusions of the "Jesus Seminar," a group of New Testament scholars questioning Christ's virgin birth, miracles, and bodily resurrection, claiming that only about 18% of the Gospel accounts is trustworthy;
• A widely publicized news release by the Associated Press (August 31, 1996) unfavorably spotlights the insightful Bible-study book God's Answers, an abbreviated copy of the well-known volume Bible Readings for the Home (first published in 1915). In this press release, some Catholic and Protestant leaders denounce the historic Protestant and Seventh-day Adventist belief linking the papacy to the little horn of Daniel 7 and the first beast of Revelation 13 as "outrageous," "inflammatory," and "typical anti-Catholic bigotry."

• What is behind these startling news headlines? and why is an increasing number of Bible teachers, preachers, and even church leaders doubting the trustworthiness and reliability of the Bible?
• Why are articulate voices within Christian churches claiming that fulfilled prophecies of the Bible were actually written after the events took place, that the Bible's history is not historical, its science is not scientific, its stories are myths, its facts are fables, its heroes were immoral, and its ethics are not practical today?
• How is this skepticism towards the Scriptures manifesting itself in the contemporary Seventh-day Adventist church?
• Why are some Adventist scholars also calling for a revision, if not a repudiation, of our Bible-based understanding of the facts of creation, redemption, and end-time prophecies of Daniel and Revelation? And how are the new approaches to the Bible threatening the identity, mission, and unity of the Seventh-day Adventist church?
• The above questions and others are addressed in the provocative new book Receiving the Word. This timely work is for every serious church member, pastor, student, or scholar who seeks to understand and speak knowledgeably about critical issues presently confronting our church.

• Why are Seventh-day Adventist scholars and institutions divided into "conservative" and "liberal" theological camps?
• What is behind the perceived polarization between "the church of the West" and "the rest of the church" on some divisive theological issues?
• How are inadequate and superficial answers to the following questions undermining the faith of many youth and new believers, including students studying in our own institutions:
  • Is everything in the Bible inspired and trustworthy?
  • Did the New Testament writers misquote the Old?
  • How do we deal with apparent mistakes and discrepancies in the Bible?
  • What about the debate over the King James Version Bible and recent English translations?
  • Must the Bible remain our only authoritative norm?
  • How should we interpret the Bible? "Principle" or "literal" approach? Higher-criticism or plain-reading?

• For those unaware of the internal sophisticated challenge to our distinctive doctrines and lifestyle, this book will be a disturbing eye-opener.
• For those seeking to understand the underlying causes of recent theological conflicts in the Seventh-day Adventist church, this volume will provide a probing explanation.
• For those who believe in the "progressive" ideas of theological liberalism and its method of higher criticism, this book will present a biblically compelling alternative.
• And for those who have always accepted the Bible as God's inspired, trustworthy, and solely-authoritative Word, this work will be reassuring.
• Receiving the Word will stimulate and encourage readers to develop the spirit of the early Bereans (Acts 17:11), by adopting only those views which have passed the careful scrutiny of biblical investigation.

"This is 'must reading' for every Seventh-day Adventist. It is well written and documented, and sets out convincingly the current crisis in the church." --Norman R. Gulley, Professor of Systematic Theology at Southern College

"I commend the author for his forthright presentation of the pros and cons of the various methods of Bible study. Seventh-day Adventists have been known historically as a people who believe in the Bible as the inspired Word of God. We must not deviate from this belief." --Paul Gordon, Ellen G. White Estate, Silver Spring, Maryland, MD

"An amazingly clear and competent presentation which will supply Seventh-day Adventists with a reasoned statement of their own position and challenge liberals to reexamine their fundamental presuppositions. I wish it the widest circulation." --Raoul Dederen, Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University

"This is an invaluable work for those interested in one of the most crucial issues facing Seventh-day Adventists. I highly recommend this work." --Clifford Goldstein, Editor, Liberty Magazine

"Receiving the Word is one of the few provocative books that has actually succeeded in moving beyond surface labels and rhetorical intimidations into the very core of the present Seventh-day Adventist identity crisis. No committed Seventh-day Adventist should miss reading this extremely insightful work." --Alberto R. Timm, Professor of Church History and Historical Theology, Brazil Adventist College (Central Campus)

"We need the Holy Spirit to direct our minds to follow after God's thoughts; without Him we can easily misunderstand the Bible's content. Samuel Koranteng-Pipim has brought this aspect of biblical study strongly into view, and he is to be thanked for doing so." --William H. Shea, Associate Director, Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference

"In an age when the historical-critical method urges each biblical interpreter 'to do what is right in his/her eyes,' it is refreshing to see one who is brave enough to redirect our focus to the unchanging principles of God. I highly recommend Receiving the Word to every honest seeker for truth." --Keith Burton, Assistant Professor of New Testament, Oakwood College

"Receiving the Word will prove to be a major contribution in the history of Adventist theology and hermeneutics which cannot be ignored. The author's courage and fidelity to the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy deserves our deepest gratitude." --C. Raymond Holmes, Pastor, Retired Professor of Worship and Preaching, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University

"Finally, we have a work which calls upon the Seventh-day Adventist church at the crossroads to 'look, and ask for the ancient paths where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls' (Jer 6:16 RSV)." --Artur A. Stele, President, Zaokski Theological Seminary, Russia

"Koranteng-Pipim represents a growing number of young, perceptive, Bible-believing scholars who, while not afraid to 'call it as they see it,' present challenging issues with a spirit of love and compassion. He correctly perceives that the key issue that causes division among many of us is how we view God's Word and the way we interpret it. This book is a 'must read' for anyone who wants to be aware of the critical issues confronting our church in these days just prior to our blessed Lord's return." --Randall W. Younker, Director, Ph.D./Th.D. Program, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University

• This significant 368-page volume retails at an incredibly low price of $10.95. For your personal copy of Receiving the Word, contact your local Adventist Book Center or school bookstore.
• If your favorite bookstore does not have it yet, and if you want a prompt delivery, mail your prepaid order ($10.95) plus shipping and handling ($3.00 within the USA; $5.00 to Canada and Mexico) to:

  Berean Books
  P. O. Box 195
  Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103-0195, USA

• All checks and money orders are payable in US currency. Credit card orders (Visa and Mastercard), are available through 1-800-233-4450.
• For quantity discounts to churches or groups, or for information about shipping to all other countries, contact author at the above address or:
  Phone: 616-471-6749
  FAX: 616-471-4305
  CompuServe: 105323,612
  Internet: 105323.612@compuserve.com
  Or: pipim@compuserve.com
  WWW: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pipim or http://www.andrews.edu/~pipim

Your heart will be thrilled as you read this biblically compelling book. For, "in this volume we have sought to challenge liberal thinking in the hope that you will appreciate more fully how the Bible deserves to be accorded the first and highest authority in your life and, in so doing, be led to love and experience fellowship with its divine Author" (Receiving the Word , p. 338).