Volume 4 Issue 1

Last year, on January 1, 2000, people around the world welcomed in the new millennium. Newspaper and magazine features and television documentaries looked back at the achievements of the 20th century in various areas, from the top 100 movies to the top 100 sports figures. People prepared for the looming catastrophe surrounding the Y2K computer glitch by stocking up on supplies, some even moving away from the city, and by cancelling airline flights scheduled for January 1. We gave 2000 all this attention even though we were told over and over that since there is no year zero between the BC and AD separation of the calendar, the 21st century really wouldn't begin until January, 2001. Thus, in our efforts to celebrate the actual entrance of humanity into the 21st century on January 1, 2001, SCJ presents our millennial issue.

The first two articles are the primary focus of the millennial perspective of this issue of SCJ. The first article, by Robert Wetzell, President of Emmanuel School of Religion, presents his keen insights on the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ (independent) and where this affiliation of churches represented by SCJ has come at the dawn of a new millennium. His focus is on how well they faired among themselves in showing the unity they espouse and looks to areas of theological unity as the key to current and future success.

Our second article comes from Keith Schoville, Professor Emeritus of Hebrew and Semitic Studies, University of Wisconsin at Madison. Dr Schoville, one of the finest archaeologists in the Stone-Campbell Movement, ranks the top ten archaeological finds of the twentieth century which relate to the biblical world. In this fascinating and informative article, he carefully describes the discovery of each artifact and then explains its significance to the Bible.

In the third article, the millennial focus is left behind to feature documentation and analysis of John Wesley's unsuccessful missionary trip to Georgia from Jody Owens, Adjunct Professor of History, Johnson Bible College.

In the fourth article, I. Howard Marshall, Professor of New Testament, University of Aberdeen, does a thorough job of exploring what it means to be made in the image of God and draws out practical, relevant implications. Marshall delivered this paper at Lincoln Christian College last spring, when he toured the U.S, speaking also at Cincinnati Bible Seminary, Saint Louis Christian College, Denver Seminary, Covenant Theological Seminary, and the Midwest Evangelical Theological Society Meeting.

The last two articles in this issue come from people who have published previous articles in the SCJ. Carl Bridges, Professor of New Testament, Johnson Bible College, who placed an article in the very first issue of SCJ (Volume 1, Issue 1, Spring, 1998) teams in this issue with Ronald Wheeler, Professor of English and Literature, Johnson Bible College, to explore the meaning of “the evil eye” by employing a variety of methodological approaches, including historical-critical, socialscientific, and literary. This article compliments one by David Fiensy, “The Importance of New Testament Background Studies in Biblical Research: The ‘Evil Eye’ in Luke 11:34 as a Case Study,” which appeard in the Spring, 1999, issue of SCJ. John T. Willis, Professor of Bible, Abilene Christian University, who placed an article in the Fall, 1998, issue of SCJ, once again provides a thorough lexical study of an important OT phrase, this time “lifting up holy hands.”

In the way of business, I am thrilled to report that out of 330 people who needed to renew their subscription for SCJ with the Fall, 2000, issue, only 7 declined, with the second notice for about 60 still in the mail. If you haven’t noticed it before, a notice for renewal comes with your last issue. If you fail to return this within a month, we will follow up with a phone call, followed by a second mailing if we can’t reach you or haven’t heard back from you. If we phone you, we will always offer the opportunity for you to choose automatic renewal to save you and us hassle at the next renewal period.

William R. Baker, Editor