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Andrews University Seminary Announces Launch of Student Journal

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The Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University has announced the publication of the inaugural edition of the AU Seminary Student Journal. The AUSSJ website describes the venture this way: 

"The Andrews University Seminary Student Journal (AUSSJ), established in 2014, is an online, open access, multi-disciplinary, peer-reviewed journal that is led, edited, and reviewed by a team of doctoral students and faculty members of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. The purpose of the journal is to disseminate scholarly contributions of graduate students. Submissions may be made in the area of Systematic Theology, Philosophy, Ethics, Hebrew Bible, Jewish Studies, New Testament, Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies, Church History, Applied Theology, Mission, and Religious Education." 

The following editorial by Jiri Moskala, Dean of the Seminary and Professor of Old Testament Exegesis and Theology, introduces Andrews University Seminary Student Journal Volume 1, Number 1.

Congratulations! It is a great pleasure to introduce a new journal initiated by the Seminary doctoral students and produced at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. Its particularity lies in the fact that it is a student journal sponsored by the Seminary faculty. This is a historical moment because a student journal has never been published at the Theological Seminary. The journal’s name echoes and is deliberately associated with Andrews University Seminary Studies, the official Seminary journal. At first glance, it may look like AUSSJ is a child of AUSS. The acronym of this newborn journal may be puzzling and misleading for some, because the first guess is to interpret it as a junior journal of AUSS. However, the last letter J in the acronym of AUSSJ simply stands for journal.

The acronym AUSSJ stands for Andrews University Seminary Student Journal. It will be mainly published semiannually online. The play with AUSS is intentional in order to demonstrate its close affinity to Andrews University and the Theological Seminary. This new endeavor by students is jointly sponsored by the Andrews University School of Graduate Studies and the SDA Theological Seminary.

The first issue presents a powerful medley of important issues. The sponsoring faculty member for this special introductory volume is Dr. Denis Fortin, professor of Theology, and his insightful article deals with “Historical and Theological Perspectives on the Rise of Arminianism and the Place of Seventh-day Adventism in the Calvinist-Armenian Debate.” Four bright students publish their fine studies: (1) Sergio Silva argues for the importance of perceiving a close relationship between biblical Creation and Covenant. He approaches this topic from an exegetical angle and offers answers to the principle question of what is the correlation between the seventh day and the biblical Sabbath. (2) Erick Mendieta engages the readers’ attention with a pertinent problem that lies at the core of our Seventh-day Adventist self-understanding when he deals with our interpretation of typology in relationship to Adventist eschatological identity. (3) Abner Hernandez explains in his article the need for careful prophetic interpretation and articulates the historicist understanding of the 1290 and 1335 days/years of Daniel 12 and formulates this historical study especially against the futuristic interpretation. (4) Kevin Burton underlines the importance of studying early Adventist history and draws crucial lessons from the life and struggles of Wolcott H. Littlejohn whom he presents as a defender of the faith.

It is a joy to be at the birth of this students’ journal and wish it a safe, meaningful, and fruitful journey through real life. May its sailing always be under God’s guidance, leadership, and abundant blessings. May this journal inspire many to do solid, accurate, and balanced scholarship, and bring many into a closer relationship with God and a better understanding of the Holy Scriptures. May its pages guide its readers to unfolding deep mysteries of God’s Word, be a force for courageous and bold actions, and lead to faithful advancement of the mission of the Church. Let this journal grow and become a powerful theological resource for exploring God’s truth with passion and joy. May its contributions speak powerfully to the mind, answer pertinent questions, and touch the hearts of its writers and readers.

 

Jiri Moskala is Dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. This editorial was reprinted by permission.

 

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