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- Pan-African Journal for Health and Environmental Science (AJHES) The Pan-African Journal of Education and Social Sciences (PAJES) Pan African Journal of Theology (PAJOT)
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Recent Submissions
A program for empowering pastors and local church leaders in Nekemte District to develop effective discipleship strategies for their churches
(Adventist University of Africa, 2024-10) Daka, Geremew Biru
The study assessed discipleship practices in Nekemte District churches, identifying challenges, providing training, and enhancing accountability among pastors. It aimed to offer tools for monitoring and evaluating initiatives, fostering mutual support in discipleship efforts. Using a multiphase methodology, the study involved identifying problems, analyzing the target population, and developing a discipleship plan. Data collection included questionnaires to assess congregation awareness and expectations, with effectiveness evaluated through pre- and post-intervention questionnaires.
While college degrees are not a must to be a disciple, promoting gender diversity and discipleship growth is essential. Notably, 75% expressed eagerness to learn new techniques, and 25% were aware of local training resources. Churches should implement structured plans to foster diverse leadership and ongoing training.
An Adventist response to Elizabeth Mburu’s African hermeneutical principles
(Adventist University of Africa, 2025-05) Mapa, Collen
This thesis investigated a Seventh-day Adventist perspective on Elizabeth Mburu’s principles of African Hermeneutics, as presented in her model of African Biblical Hermeneutics (ABH). Mburu advocates for grounding biblical interpretation within the African cultural context, employing a four-legged stool analogy that balances the biblical text, the African situation, theological contemplation, and community application. While acknowledging the significance of interpretation that is sensitive to context, this study evaluates Mburu’s methodology through the lens of Seventh-day Adventist beliefs, the generally understood approach to Adventist hermeneutics particularly focusing on the role of Scripture as the ultimate authority and the Adventist comprehension of mission.
The research performed a comparative theological examination, utilizing both primary and secondary sources to discern areas of agreement, conflict, and possibly a workable approach towards bible interpretation. The findings indicate that, although Mburu’s model provides valuable perspectives for enhancing biblical interpretation in African settings, an Adventist response necessitates a more precise protection of sola scriptura and a historical grammatical viewpoint. The thesis advocates for a hermeneutic that can be practiced by an African yet distinctly Adventist, with the aim of empowering the church in Africa to uphold biblical truth while engaging meaningfully with its cultural circumstances.
A program for enhancing competency in interpreting Ellen White’s writings on foods and diet among gospel workers in the South-Central Ethiopia Field
(Adventist University of Africa, 2024-09) Borku, Dawit Guduno
The Holy Bible teaches us that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit that we have received from God for which we are steward not owner of it. Believers are responsible to keep their body healthy, and keep it from different things that affect its purity and healthiness. Ellen White’s teaching on diet and food is one of teachings in Seventh-day Adventist Church that enable the believers to take responsibility of their own body which was written in 1 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 19. This teaching bases on the one of the three messages of the Angels that was revealed to Apostle John and wings of teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Ellen White explained on her writings to understand her writings and teachings on diet and food as writings that give explanation of the Holy Bible teaching, not as the Bible itself.
However, the gospel workers in the South-Central Ethiopia Adventist Field face a significant challenge in interpreting Ellen White's writings especially on food and diet. Only few Gospel workers got formal theological training which caused significant gap in understanding, interpretation, and application of Ellen G. White teachings on diet and food. This in turn causing significant problems ranging from minor to major problems among believers like separation among followers due to extremist’s views ad teachings due to gap in understanding, interpretation and application of Ellen G. White’s teachings.
It is fact that without proper guidance, many workers struggle to grasp the nuanced meanings and theological implications of White's writing on food and diet, leading to potential misinterpretations and theological errors. The gap in awareness among Gospel workers about interpretation of Ellen White’s writing on food and diet is believed to be major cause of the above-mentioned consequences among churches in South-Central Ethiopia.
There are 76 gospel workers in South-Central Ethiopia Field comprises, yet only a one-third of them (25) has received formal theological training, with even fewer holding a BA in theology (12). Consequently, a large portion of the workforce lacks the foundational knowledge required to interpret Ellen White's writings accurately. This deficiency in training has led to various challenges, including the propagation of non-biblical teachings by splintering groups who misinterpret White's writings. Such misunderstandings can hinder the church's growth and mission, lead to theological confusion highlighting the urgent need for a solution.
To address this problem effectively, there was a need for a workshop-based program that provides gospel workers with the skills and knowledge necessary to interpret White's writing on food and diet accurately. The accurate interpretation of
Ellen White's writing on food and diet is crucial for the growth and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
This project was designed and delivered to mitigate this problem by delivering training to the Gospel workers in South-Central Ethiopia Field. The training workshop was implemented at Wolaita Sodo Adventist Church compound. The checklist with questions was administered to assess pre-training and post-training understanding of trainees on Ellen G. White’s writings on diet and food.
Faced with significant challenges in interpreting White’s writings, many gospel workers lacked formal theological training, which led to widespread misconceptions regarding her health principles. The intervention successfully engaged participants in interactive sessions that fostered a deeper understanding of her dietary teachings, resulting in notable positive shifts in knowledge, attitudes, and practices before and after the workshops. The findings revealed that while initial perceptions were mixed, the post-training survey results demonstrated a remarkable increase in the recognition of Ellen White’s teachings as essential to spiritual well-being and community health. This comprehensive program not only addressed the urgent need to clarify and unify interpretations of White’s counsels but also empowered gospel workers to effect meaningful change in their congregations, thereby reinforcing the church’s mission and enhancing overall community health.
Participants voiced concerns about prevalent misinterpretations of dietary principles, such as the misconception that consumption of certain foods directly affects salvation status. Insights from the training emphasized the need for unity and better comprehension of Ellen White’s writings to mitigate division within the church. Moreover, the expressed desire for continued educational support illustrates a proactive approach to furthering understanding and adherence to Ellen White’s
counsel. The participants’ reflections on the misinterpretations and the recommendations for ongoing training suggest a pathway toward a more unified application of dietary teachings within the Adventist community.
To build on the momentum generated by the workshop and further enhance the understanding of Ellen G. White’s dietary counsel among gospel workers and church members, ongoing education and training, integration of Ellen White’s dietary teachings in various church activities, support and resource provision and monitoring and research is recommended.
Biblical and theological analysis of interfaith and interdenominational marriages: Pastoral implications for Esmirna District churches in Angola
(Adventist University of Africa, 2025-03) Domingos, Samuel Mahamba Máquinas
Interdenominational and interfaith marriages have compromised the tenets and mission of the Adventist Church in the District of Esmirna Cuíto, Central Mission of Angola. With the coming of peace, increased movement of people and goods, the growth of various evangelical religious movements, charismatic Pentecostalism, the cautious introduction of Islam, as well as urban growth and globalization, a variety of viewpoints have emerged regarding the choice of spouses for marriage among some Adventist members.
Furthermore, the pressure Christians face today in striving to live a religious life in a postmodern context is challenging biblical doctrines such as “Be not yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Cor 6:14). This concept and its practice have caused major misunderstandings among believers regarding how to choose a marriage partner. While some believe such decisions should be guided strictly by the Word of God, others advocate for a different, more flexible approach. This new approach has had a major negative impact on Adventist members who have entered into mixed marriages, leading the church to lose a significant portion of its membership—especially at a time when it is actively seeking to retain existing members.
The main objective of this study was to engage in a biblical and theological analysis of marriage principles and their pastoral implications, with a particular emphasis on the importance of correct doctrinal understanding for the advancement of the Adventist Church’s mission. The study also examined diverse perspectives while employing various theological and biblical tools, such as a brief exegesis of Greek texts, grammar, lexicons, and commentaries. The writings of Ellen G. White were consulted, as well as religious views on the issue.
Religion, culture, and doctrine were found to form a crucial religious trinity that requires a high level of sobriety, comprehension, and clarity in order to contribute to the development of corporate/denominational spirituality and to enhance pastoral effectiveness in ministry. While contributing to the body of knowledge within the Adventist Church, this study aimed to be both doctrinally and theologically accurate, and to properly account for and integrate the cultural component in a way that harmonizes symmetrically with theology and the Bible.
The researcher is a frontline Adventist minister serving in the Central Mission of the Southwest Union of Angola of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit: A comparative analysis of Anthony D. Palma's Pentecostal approach and Ellen G. White's interpretation
(Adventist University of Africa, 2025-05) Chisala Chrispine
This study addresses the lack of a systematic comparative theological analysis between Pentecostal and Seventh-day Adventist perspectives on the baptism of the Holy Spirit, specifically through the writings of Anthony Palma and Ellen G. White.
The study employed a comparative analysis methodology to examine and contrast the theological perspectives of Anthony Palma and Ellen G. White on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Utilizing an interpretive approach to the writings of Palma and White, the research focused on four key areas: presuppositions, subsequence and separability of Spirit baptism with respect to conversion, the initial physical evidence of Spirit baptism, and the results of Spirit baptism. The study systematically analyzed each author's position across the four categories, then synthesized the findings to uncover deeper theological patterns and relationships that influenced their positions. The comparative analysis revealed both convergences and divergences in their theological perspectives on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Despite denominational differences, both uphold the authority of Scripture as foundational, reflecting a shared Protestant commitment to sola scriptura. However, their distinct hermeneutical methods—Palma’s narrative-theological focus versus White’s systematic synthesis—lead to differing conclusions.
Palma distinguishes Spirit baptism from conversion and identifies speaking in tongues as normative initial evidence, aligning with classical Pentecostalism’s emphasis on charismatic gifts. In contrast, White emphasizes the fruit of the Spirit as the true evidence of the baptism of the Spirit. She further identifies this fruit as the character of Jesus Christ which everyone who has been baptized in the Spirit must exemplify.
Both theologians view Spirit baptism as transformative and empowering, but Palma prioritizes external manifestations for mission, while White highlights internal sanctification and reflection of the character of Jesus. These differences illustrate broader tensions between charismatic expression and moral formation within Christian pneumatology, shaped by differing interpretive frameworks.
This study contributes to contemporary theological discourse by illuminating both shared foundations and critical differences in Pentecostal and Adventist understandings of Spirit baptism. It highlights the potential for constructive dialogue between these traditions, rooted in a mutual commitment to the authority of Scripture. The research challenges assumptions that Adventists neglect the doctrine of Spirit baptism, revealing instead a rich, though terminologically distinct, pneumatological framework. It also underscores a shared belief in the transformative evidence of the Spirit’s presence—whether expressed through charismatic gifts or moral character.
Finally, the study demonstrates how hermeneutical method profoundly shapes doctrinal outcomes, reinforcing the importance of methodological clarity in interdenominational and academic theological engagement.