Secular Adventism? Exploring the Link between Lifestyle and Salvation by Fernando Canale
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Digital product, 1 PDF book, 134 pages.
Secular Adventism? In our hands we hold a book that, from its very title, causes us to reflect on the experience of our church within the framework of postmodernism, globalization, and the current of sociocultural prosperity affecting the lifestyles of people worldwide. It is a book that also seeks to answer a most relevant question: How are we to understand the relationship between lifestyle and salvation?
Dr. Canale, distinguished professor at Andrews University, answers these queries by revealing the causes behind the theological and practical divide existing between lifestyle and salvation. At the same time he complements his views through the exploration of sure biblical foundations that point to the conclusion that lifestyle is, in fact, part of salvation.
The author is not alien to a panorama that, he observes, is accepted within the heart of the Adventist church, where aspects such as worship, music, diet, methods of evangelization and Sabbath-keeping attitudes—to cite a few examples—are increasingly reflecting secular culture and the thinking of secular evangelicalism. Somehow, he states, we have come to believe that lifestyle has little or no relevance on the subject of salvation.
At the same time, Dr. Canale points out that the once clear Adventist mindset, defined by our privileged call to carry a unique message for our times, is becoming foggy at best. Surprisingly, while in the last several decades the church has been strengthened institutionally, her distinctive identity, mission and lifestyle have become weakened.
In this context, nothing can be more timely then the current book by Dr. Fernando Canale, which confronts us with the deep causes behind the adoption of a secular lifestyle within Adventism. However, this book goes beyond highlighting these issues. It also signals the path we must follow. It challenges us to rediscover the relationship, too often ignored, between lifestyle and salvation as a real and tangible experience in the life of each believer.
Above all else, the current book marks a clear course for each leader who desires to see their church rooted in Scripture. In particular, church pastors, leaders and elders must resume the biblical role incumbent upon them to be true “pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11), whose aim is nothing less than to “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (v. 12). This is the true biblical philosophy of pastoral work.
It pleases us to present this work from the well-worn pen of Dr. Fernando Canale. We are assured that this book will provide indispensible reading material for each pastor, leader, and church member, for it reminds us that, while believers are “not of this world” (John 17:16), they must nonetheless confront the challenges of living in this world, until their Lord and Savior returns.
Juan Choque Fernández
Former President Peruvian Union University
Table of Contents
Preface
FIRST PART: SEPARATION
1. The Secularization of Adventism
2. Ministerial Pragmatism
3. Methodological Principles of Evangelical Theology
4. Luther on Justification
5. Justification and Lifestyle
6. Conclusion
SECOND PART: UNION
7. Methodological Ground
8. The Historical-Theological Order of Salvation
9. The Existential Order of Salvation
10. Theological and Existential Levels in Salvation
11. The Fruit of Salvation?
12. Conclusion
THIRD PART: LIFESTYLE AND PASTORAL MINISTRY
13. Pastoral Ministry and the Eclipse of Scripture
14. Ministering the Power of God’s Word
15. Proclamation as Doctrinal Preaching
16. Understanding Salvation as Lifestyle
17. Conclusion
Secular Adventism? In our hands we hold a book that, from its very title, causes us to reflect on the experience of our church within the framework of postmodernism, globalization, and the current of sociocultural prosperity affecting the lifestyles of people worldwide. It is a book that also seeks to answer a most relevant question: How are we to understand the relationship between lifestyle and salvation?
Dr. Canale, distinguished professor at Andrews University, answers these queries by revealing the causes behind the theological and practical divide existing between lifestyle and salvation. At the same time he complements his views through the exploration of sure biblical foundations that point to the conclusion that lifestyle is, in fact, part of salvation.
The author is not alien to a panorama that, he observes, is accepted within the heart of the Adventist church, where aspects such as worship, music, diet, methods of evangelization and Sabbath-keeping attitudes—to cite a few examples—are increasingly reflecting secular culture and the thinking of secular evangelicalism. Somehow, he states, we have come to believe that lifestyle has little or no relevance on the subject of salvation.
At the same time, Dr. Canale points out that the once clear Adventist mindset, defined by our privileged call to carry a unique message for our times, is becoming foggy at best. Surprisingly, while in the last several decades the church has been strengthened institutionally, her distinctive identity, mission and lifestyle have become weakened.
In this context, nothing can be more timely then the current book by Dr. Fernando Canale, which confronts us with the deep causes behind the adoption of a secular lifestyle within Adventism. However, this book goes beyond highlighting these issues. It also signals the path we must follow. It challenges us to rediscover the relationship, too often ignored, between lifestyle and salvation as a real and tangible experience in the life of each believer.
Above all else, the current book marks a clear course for each leader who desires to see their church rooted in Scripture. In particular, church pastors, leaders and elders must resume the biblical role incumbent upon them to be true “pastors and teachers” (Ephesians 4:11), whose aim is nothing less than to “equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (v. 12). This is the true biblical philosophy of pastoral work.
It pleases us to present this work from the well-worn pen of Dr. Fernando Canale. We are assured that this book will provide indispensible reading material for each pastor, leader, and church member, for it reminds us that, while believers are “not of this world” (John 17:16), they must nonetheless confront the challenges of living in this world, until their Lord and Savior returns.
Juan Choque Fernández
Former President Peruvian Union University
Table of Contents
Preface
FIRST PART: SEPARATION
1. The Secularization of Adventism
2. Ministerial Pragmatism
3. Methodological Principles of Evangelical Theology
4. Luther on Justification
5. Justification and Lifestyle
6. Conclusion
SECOND PART: UNION
7. Methodological Ground
8. The Historical-Theological Order of Salvation
9. The Existential Order of Salvation
10. Theological and Existential Levels in Salvation
11. The Fruit of Salvation?
12. Conclusion
THIRD PART: LIFESTYLE AND PASTORAL MINISTRY
13. Pastoral Ministry and the Eclipse of Scripture
14. Ministering the Power of God’s Word
15. Proclamation as Doctrinal Preaching
16. Understanding Salvation as Lifestyle
17. Conclusion