Browsing by Author "Melak Alemayehu Tsegaw, PhD"

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Biblical Foundations of Giving Insights Through the Seven WH Questions
(Steward Ministries magazine, 2024) Melak Alemayehu Tsegaw, PhD
Giving is a fundamental aspect of God’s kingdom, rooted deeply in the foundation of love. As the saying goes, “You can give without love, but you cannot love without giving.” This principle is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating how God designed His kingdom to operate on the principle of receiving in order to give. Understanding and embracing the concept of giving is crucial for anyone who desires to be part of His kingdom. This article explores the biblical foundation of giving, structured around seven key questions: What?, Why?, Who?, To Whom?, Which?, When?, and Where? From a biblical perspective, we will uncover the importance of giving in the Christian faith and how it should be practiced according to biblical principles.
“Come, Let Us Prostrate and Bow Down”: The Importance of Embodied Worship in The Psalter
(Jurnal Koinonia, 2022-12) Melak Alemayehu Tsegaw, PhD
Biblical worship is the response of created beings to the self-revelation of the Creator, and a proper response in worship engages both mind and body—the whole person. A closer study of the theme of worship in the Psalter elucidates its physical dimension and the relevance of engaging the body in worshiping the Lord. This paper explores the importance of embodied worship as it is purported in the Psalter. First, the connection between biblical anthropology and worship is established. Arguments are presented from the book of Psalms to show how and why the physical aspect of human nature receives attention. Second, the study elucidates practical implications that can foster a deeper biblical worship experience. In particular, the processional movements that are studied in the book of Psalms teach us the proper attitude worshipers should nurture when they approach God in worship. The act of prostration expresses gratitude and ascribes honor to the Lord. Also, the posture of standing can help us to sense our commitment to avail ourselves to God.
Connections Between Wisdom Motifs in Proverbs 1-9 and the Three Angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6-12
(The American Journal of Biblical Theology, 2021-12-26) Agharanya, Obioma; Melak Alemayehu Tsegaw, PhD
Many thematic explorations use inter-textual approaches and attempt to expound on the links between the book of Proverbs and other Old and New Testament writings. Considering the need for further explorations of motifs in wisdom literature, this paper focuses on motifs related to wisdom theme in Proverbs 1-9 in connection with the Three Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14:6-17. Thus, this paper attempts to answers the following questions: What are the connections between motifs related to the wisdom theme in Proverbs 1-9 and the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6-12? The study employs an inter-textual approach and identifies thematic connections between Proverbs 1-9 and Revelation 14:6-12 in the shared motifs such as the messenger(s), the universal scope and the loud nature of their call, the fear of the LORD, creation and Worship, Seductive Woman / Mystic Babylon, and Judgment.
Ordination in the writings of Ellen G. White
(Estrategias para el Cumplimiento de la Misión, 2022) Melak Alemayehu Tsegaw, PhD
Ordination in the Writings of Ellen G. White. Among Seventh-day Adventists, Ellen G. White is believed to possess the gift of prophecy, and her writings have served in organizing as well as nurturing the Church. This article is an inquiry into the concept of ordination as it is presented in her wittings. The following five questions guide the research: (1) What is ordination? (2) Why is it needed? (3) How is it performed? (4) When is it appropriate to ordain a person? and (5) Who should be ordained? A deeper understanding of her writings on the topic of ordination enables the church to avoid majoring in minors and pay the needed attention to its mission.
Refocusing on discipleship: The heart of the Great Commission and the hub of all local church ministries
(Ministry magazine, International journal for pastors, 2019-04) Melak Alemayehu Tsegaw, PhD
Matthew 28:19, 20 captures the Great Commission: “ ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, evento the end of the age.’ ”1 These verses significantly contain three participles and one main verb. “In the Greek, ‘go’—the same as ‘baptizing,’ and ‘teaching’—is a participle. Only the verb ‘make disciples’ is imperative. . . . The main emphasis, then, is on the command to ‘make disciples,’ which in the Greek is one word matheteusate.”2 Unfortunately, it is widely recognized that non-discipleship is the elephant in the Christian church today. Dallas Willard calls this dismal reality the “Great Omission from the ‘Great Commission
Shaped in Iniquity or Knit Together by God? An Inquiry into the Psalmist’s Understanding of Humanity’s Sinful Nature
(Old Testament Essays, 2024) Melak Alemayehu Tsegaw, PhD
Several authors have employed Ps 51:5 as a foundation for teaching the doctrine of original sin, which portrays the complete depravity of human nature (cf. Ps 58:3). Nonetheless, various passages in the book of Psalms offer an alternative portrayal of the moral condition of the same human nature. These passages depict a close relationship between the worshipper and God from infancy (Pss 22:9; 71:6; 139:13). A sound hermeneutical principle necessitates that interpreters analyse both sets of passages rather than emphasising one and undermining the other. This essay endeavours to examine these passages and expound upon a comprehensive understanding of the nature of sinful humanity, as presented in the book of Psalms. Furthermore, it highlights not only the pervasiveness of sin but also the extent of YHWH's hesed, which makes such an intimate bonding with God possible even from the womb.
The divine “Go” commands: Embracing the biblical model of disciple making
(Ministry magazine, International journal for pastors, 2021-08) Melak Alemayehu Tsegaw, PhD
The focus for the 2020–2025 strategic plan of the Seventh-day Adventist world church is “I Will Go.” The “strategic plan is rooted in the Great Commission found in Matthew 28, which calls for Jesus’ followers to go and make disciples of all nations.”1 However, to truly obey the “go and make disciples” command, the church has to emphasize two other “go” directives from Jesus Christ. So what are they, and how are they related to the directive to make disciples?