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  Proposed guidelines for developing more effective mission strategies to reach Indo-Fijians in Fiji-Islands

  (Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, 2007-10) Masih, Romina Lata

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  The questions posed in this research are as follows: (1) What are the biblical teachings related to the mission strategy to reach out to the ethnic groups? (2) What cultural elements should be considered to develop the mission strategy of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to reach out to the IndoFijians? (3) To what extent have the mission strategies of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fiji islands been developed in the culturally relevant manner in order to reach out to the Indo-Fijian group in terms of the message, the messenger, the methodology of evangelism, and the knowledge of church members about their mission target? (4) What missionstrategy could be improved biblically and in the culturally relevant manner to reach out to the Indo-Fijians? After detailed study, it was discovered that any strategy to reach out to the Indo-Fijians with the Gospel must consider their cultural background as well as their specific needs. The analysis of the strategies followed by the Seventh-day Adventists lead research to conclude that some of their mission approaches to the Indo-Fijians have not been relevant to their culture. The effectivity of their efforts was in direct relationship to their cultural sensitivity, and understanding of their needs. An evaluation of different approaches to the Indo-Fijians leads this research to highlight that any missionary effort or evangelistic strategy must recognize the religious factor as an integral part of the cultural difference. The evangelistic strategies must not aim to change cultures, but to present the Gospel in such a way that Indo-Fijians be persuaded to become the citizens of the kingdom of God.

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  An Investigation into the motif of works and reward in the letters to the seven churches of Revelation

  (Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, 2007-03) Mandefro, Mesfin

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  The emphasis of works and reward in the letters to the seven churches of Revelation is understood differently by various scholars. While the occurrences of e;rgon in the book of Revelation reaches twenty, however 60 percent of these occurrences are concentrated only in Rev 2 and 3. Twenty apocalyptic imagery of rewards also appeared in these two chapters. The relation of works with the promised reward has also raised theological problems. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine the role of works and reward motif in the letters to the seven churches of Revelation. Does the works and reward motif suggest salvation by works? What kind of works and reward is John talking about? However, based on the theological analysis of these letters, the good works did not initiate the salvation of the believers, but they are evidences of faith-love-saving relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. They reflect that Christ is the Lord of their lives. In the contrary, the bad works are evidences of that Caesar or a different lord is the master of those who did the bad works. On the other hand, the rewards are eschatological in nature. Thus, receiving the rewards is the same as receiving eternal life. Losing them is equivalent to losing eternal life. Therefore, even though the works and reward motif does not suggest salvation by works, it suggests that judgment is according to works and encourages or fosters accountability and holy living. It emphasizes that Jesus is the Lord and saviour of the believer’s life.

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