Jurnal Koinonia: Fakultas Filsafat Universitas Advent Indonesia

The Interpretation of ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8

JEFFIENUS JUAS — 2024-06-27

The Greek word ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8 is semantic in nature. Many scholars agreed to some extent that there is indeed a disagreement among the modern English translation of the Bible in translating the word ta hagia in Hebrews 9:8. Some modern translations, translate it as “Most Holy Place”, some translate it as “sanctuary” and some even translate it as “Holy Place”. This paper clarifies the importance on looking on the grammatical categories of the word ta hagia and its immediate context to determine the correct translation for ta hagia which is a study that involves both lexical and literary contextual analysis. From the study, the Researcher found out that ta hagia should be translated as “sanctuary” or “holy places” in Hebrews 9:8.

Creature or Monster?: A Study of the Four Living Creatures Based on Revelation 4:6-8 from the Perspective of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

Melrindro Lukas — 2024-06-28

In Revelation 4:6-8, some people have the impression that God's throne is surrounded by monsters. The purpose of this research paper is to re-examine the understanding of the four living creatures according to the Seventh-day Adventist view in order to provide clarity. Revelation 4:6-8 refers to the four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. In the Adventist view, the four living creatures are closely related to the identity of the twenty-four elders. However, different scholars have different views on the particular verse. In the modern view of the Adventist church, these creatures make no mention of them being metaphorical, they are genuine, physical entities. They are angels, according to Ranko Stefanovic, exalted angels of God who serve God and are guardians of His throne. The four living creatures are an elevated order of angelic beings known as cherubim or seraphim. The song of these "living ones" is the song of angels, according to William Hendriksen and Ranko Stefanovic in Isaiah 6:1-3. In the traditional view of the four living creatures, it presents some contradicting ideas. The modern view shows that there is a need to study other verse that is parallel to Revelation 4:6-8. It was revealed that the living creatures are an angelic being.

Keywords: Four Living Creatures, Revelation, God’s Throne

Capitalist tendencies in Jeremiah 6:13-20 and the church in economically unstable Nigeria

FAVOUR UROKO — 2024-06-28

This article examines the capitalist tendencies in Jeremiah 6:13–20 and their implications for Nigeria. Jeremiah 6:13–20, in particular, presents a striking critique of the pervasive greed and corruption among the leaders and people of Judah. This passage reveals the prophet Jeremiah's denunciation of materialistic pursuits and unethical practices that prioritise wealth accumulation over justice and righteousness. In Nigeria, the prophets and priests are giving prophecies for self-gain. They prophesy to the people about the number of enemies chasing them or stopping their progress in their bid to get money from the people. Families have been disintegrated because of some of these prophecies. It was on this premise that Jeremiah noted that these prophets practice deceit. This is a qualitative study using the narrative method. The data was from secondary literature. The data was analysed using content analysis. Emerged themes include: a) unrestrained greed and materialism; b) corruption and deception; c) neglect of justice; d) false security in wealth; and d) consequences of unchecked capitalism. Recommendations are discussed.

Self-Sufficiency versus Theosufficiency

JEAN CHRISTIAN ESSO — 2024-06-27

This article entitled: ‘self-sufficiency versus theosufficiency analyzes the notion of self-sufficiency. Notion which has become so valued to our economies, churches and to communities. This concept, although functionally attractive, does not do justice to the nature of the church which far from being an autonomia is a koinomia and theonomia. The article proposes a semantic reappropriation of the nature of the expression in relation to the ontological reality of the body of Christ. The autonomy or self-sufficiency in question in this study refers to the interdependence between a lower structure and another higher one which serves as supervision. This work which compares two concepts and which attempts to situate self-sufficiency in an ecclesiological and theological context will have allowed us to highlight two types of self-sufficiency. Firstly, anthropocentric self-sufficiency: This is what we can call atheistic economics; a kind of humanism centered on the search for vital balance by oneself and secondly theocentric self-sufficiency : where it is God who dictates the attitude to follow and ensures the vital balance “autarkeia” which would therefore be assimilated to a form of Theo-dependence dear to church theocentrism.

Comparison of the Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with Calvinist About the Sabbath, Food, Worship, and Predestination

Donald Loffie Muntu — 2024-06-28

This study intends to examine the differences of the fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA church) with Calvinism traditions about Sabbath, food, worship, predestination. This study concluded that SDA church's understanding or view with the Calvinism regarding the fundamental beliefs about the Sabbath concluded that the SDA church’s understanding is more biblical than the Calvinist tradition. SDA church belief on food is more biblical and the practice is in accordance with the Bible compared to the Calvinism. SDA church’ understanding or views and practices in worship with the Calvinism are almost practically the same in their procedures. SDA church’s understanding or view with the Calvinism regarding predestination differ in view, SDA church is the most in accordance with the Bible. SDA church has their beliefs and practices as well according to the Bible, while the Calvinism has an understanding or belief in accordance with the interpretation of church reformers such as John Calvin and other general church. This study suggests to both denominations regarding Sabbath, food, worship, and predestination to harmonize understanding based on the Bible so as not to increase or reduce the true understanding while there are similarities in implementing their worship. The Seventh-day Adventist church has biblical beliefs and their practices according to the Bible, while the Calvinist tradition has an understanding according to the interpretation of church reformers such as John Calvin and also the general church.