Volume 19 Issue 2

To many it looks boring. To others it seems it would wreck our faith. Why are some of us, like readers of SCJ, drawn to deep study of the Bible and theology? Almost everyone else we know seems mystified by our devotion to extensive reading, research, and thought in matters related to the Bible. How would you answer? What has drawn you in and keeps you coming back to the fount of scholarship to drink?

A recent, fascinating collection of autobiographical testimonials from eighteen noteworthy biblical scholars about their faith and their academic lives (John Byron and Joel Lohr, eds., I (Still) Believe, Zondervan: 2015) includes Beverly Roberts Gaventa’s unequivocal answer (90) that probably speaks for most of us: “For the sheer joy of it!”

However much we want to talk about deep study benefiting our teaching, our students, and the church—all of which is true—the true payoff first and foremost is personal, isn’t it? Perhaps it’s our own personal histories, natural inquisitiveness, or devotion to extensive reading, but we need to dig and discover answers for ourselves, for our faith. Getting a handle on a perplexing exegetical matter or grasping a fuller understanding of God and the world gives us a positive feeling, and joy is as good a word as any for it. And when this happens early in our student life, we can be hooked and enter the academic path that leads to providing us more tools and methods to experience more of that “sheer joy.” Our life can become a quest for more of that joy, driving our academic pursuits throughout our careers. And, you know, maybe God just delights in providing us that window into understanding too.

Makes me wonder what each of us is working on discovering currently that is providing these moments of "sheer joy."

Our goal in this issue, as well as every issue, is to offer up some joy of discovery for every reader through the various articles and book reviews we publish. What is in this issue will do so again.

Gary Holloway leads off by providing a comprehensive history of the World Convention, the regular gathering of all those affiliated with the Stone-Campbell Movement that is not as widely known as it should be. John Kern analyzes the skirmishes over the rise and influence of the charismatic movement in the 1960s. Though gleaned from Churches of Christ (a cappella) resources, the debate depicted also mirrors what occurred in other streams of the movement. Stacy Abernathy argues for a backdrop of formal skepticism helping to explain the post-resurrection concerns of Thomas in John 20. John Nugent in his plenary address from the 2016 SCJ Conference in April, at Johnson University, Knoxville, wishes to make the case for pacifism with a full canonical approach that is more convincing than current approaches. J. David Stark presents a philosophical perspective in understanding how Old Testament scripture is Christian. Carl Bridges and Steve Cook provide a fascinating study comparing Old Testament Sabbath-day instructions with current, traditional rest-day observances in select African tribal groups.

The 16th annual SCJ Conference will take place April 7-8, 2017, at Johnson University, Knoxville, Tennessee (Friday, 8:00 AM–8:00 PM; Sat, 8:00 AM–1:00 PM). The theme, Communicating the Old Testament. Featured speakers include: Ellen Davis, Amos Ragan Kearns Distinguished Professor of Bible and Practical Theology (Duke Divinity School) who will present "The Old Testament—Does It Preach? . . . and How?" and "Reading the Old Testament as Christians"; Chris Heard, Associate Professor of Religion (Pepperdine University) who will present "Drowning in Cuteness: How the Flood Became a Children’s Story," and "The Lord Chooses How the Dice Fall: Using Games to Teach Old Testament"; and Jason Bembry, Professor of Old Testament (Emmanuel Christian Seminary) who will present "The Old Testament Prophetic Tradition—Wide A-'woke' in America." The conference will also be a celebration of the 20th anniversary of SCJ. For more information on parallel sessions, student paper competitions, study groups, registration, and accommodations, see our website: stone-campbelljounal.

Finally, I am pleased to introduce John Nugent (Great Lakes Christian College) and James Gorman (Johnson University) as Assistant Editors of Stone-Campbell Journal. John will begin handling the editorial process for Old Testament and also for theology submissions. James (Jamey) will be handling submission in Stone-Campbell history and theology. I am look forward to working with them. All article submissions should continue to be directed to me as the initial contact point.

William R. Baker, Editor

SCJ 19.2 Quotables
Chosen by Ryan Shirck
Emmanuel Christian Seminary

Featured Quote:

"The notion that the Sabbath was a day of worship in OT times is a common misconception."

Carl B. Bridges and L. Stephen Cook, Jr. "Tribal Sabbaths" (SCJ 19.2:243)

"Christian unity is both a gift and a calling from God."

Gary Holloway, "The World Convention of the Churches of Christ" (SCJ 19.2:174)

"The Word Convention is an inclusive circle, large enough to include all our members within its fellowship."

Gary Holloway, "The World Convention of the Churches of Christ" (SCJ 19.2:165)

"He argued that there was a spiritual deficiency in the churches largely because they only read Scripture for church or as a task rather than as spiritual food for the soul."

John Kern, "The Spirit Blows Where it Wills... but Only Through the Word of God?" (SCJ 19.2:184)

"For Smith, rejecting the importance of the Holy Spirit’s activity ignored the real spiritual thirst Christians have for the Spirit."

John Kern, "The Spirit Blows Where it Wills... but Only Through the Word of God?" (SCJ 19.2:183)

"Jesus could have, in every case, begun with explanations and moved to concise statements. Instead, he provokes interlocutors with ambiguous assertions. Thus, the misunderstanding provoke inquiry."

Stacy Abernathy, "Thomas as Sextus Empiricus’s Arch Skeptic" (SCJ 19.2:200)

"The Fourth Evangelist emphasized these commemorative signs while the other evangelists did not. He intended to speak to people with skeptical tendencies and, through Thomas’ experience and conclusions, bring other skeptics to belief."

Stacy Abernathy, "Thomas as Sextus Empiricus’s Arch Skeptic" (SCJ 19.2:197)

"Our respectful disentanglement from running our host nations frees us up to welcome and assimilate those who are a burden or a threat to our unbelieving neighbors."

John Nugent, "Beyond Liberal Pacifism and Justified Militarism" (SCJ 19.2:216)

"The present form of this world is passing away, but most people are oblivious to it (1 Cor 7:31). They still think the powers bear the meaning of world history. So God commissioned his people to serve as ambassadors: citizens of one kingdom who represent their government to citizens of other kingdoms."

John Nugent, "Beyond Liberal Pacifism and Justified Militarism" (SCJ 19.2:213)

"Orthodoxy and orthopraxy go hand in hand, and the rule of faith guides the church both in preserving proper belief and keeping faith by proper obedience. Thus to speak of a Christian "rule of faith" is to speak of a canon that applies both to doctrine and to practice."

J. David Stark, "What Makes Jewish Scripture Christian?" (SCJ 19.2:228)

"Canonical texts continuously come into new contacts with new groups of readers in new generations. These new readers must decide for themselves how they will regard the traditions they have inherited."

J. David Stark, "What Makes Jewish Scripture Christian?" (SCJ 19.2:220)

"The notion that the Sabbath was a day of worship in OT times is a common misconception."

Carl B. Bridges and L. Stephen Cook, Jr. "Tribal Sabbaths" (SCJ 19.2:243)

"Ritual motives are seen in Sabbath-keeping as a way to honor the God who created the world and rescued Israel from slavery.

Carl B. Bridges and L. Stephen Cook, Jr. "Tribal Sabbaths" (SCJ 19.2:249)