Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Samuel Koranteng-Pipim is a Seventh-day Adventist theologian. As of 2008 he is the Director of Public Campus Ministries for the Michigan Conference. His office is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he ministers to students, faculty, and staff at the University of Michigan. He speaks extensively at events for youth, students, and young professionals and also sits on the Board of Directors for the Generation of Youth for Christ organization.

Biography

Pipim was born in Ghana, West Africa. He holds a degree in engineering from the University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, where he subsequently served as a research and teaching assistant. Having been a leader in a non-denominational, charismatic movement, Pipim later became a Seventh-day Adventist, joining a church he terms "the most biblically-consistent, Evangelical Protestant denomination." [ [Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, "The Power of the Gospel or the Gospel of Power?" Adventists Affirm (Spring 1997): 15-16. See also Michigan Conference Camp Meeting Ordination Brochure, June 29, 2002; www.drpipim.org—"More About Dr. Pipim"] ] After accepting the call to the gospel ministry, he served the Central Ghana conference as its Coordinator of Campus Ministries. He later pursued a ministerial training at Andrews University, Michigan. In 1998 he received a PhD in systematic theology, specializing in biblical authority and interpretation and ecclesiology. His doctoral dissertation was titled "The Role of the Holy Spirit in Biblical Interpretation: A Study in the Writings of James I. Packer."

Influence and Writings

Pipim’s apologetic writings, notably his well-publicized book Receiving the Word (1996), have distinguished him as a conservative theologian. [ [For conflicting reviews of the Pipim’s Receiving the Word, see George W. Reid (pro) and George R. night (con) in Ministry, December 1997, pp. 30-31.] ] In 2007 one Adventist historian listed Pipim among the 20 “most influential Adventists in America,” explaining that Pipim’s “books and global speaking ministry have provided a strong argument for the maintenance of traditional, conservative Adventism. He is the singular force behind the successful General Youth Conference ministry which has led to a revival of conservative movement among Adventist young people, especially in North America, linking those in formerly disenfranchised independent ministries to the mainstream.” [ [Julius Namm. http://progressiveadventism.com/2007/03/23/who-are-the-most-influential-adventists-in-america/#more-269, accessed March 28, 2007] ]

Besides youth and young professionals Pipim’s conservative influence also extends to church leadership circles. Between 1995 and 2000, he served as a member of the General Conference's Biblical Research Institute Committee (BRICOM), the highest theological body of his church. Pipim’s name is listed as one of the denominational theologians who reviewed the scholarly articles contained in the Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology [2000] , which is volume 12 of the "Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary" series. Pipim has served as a delegate to five General Conference sessions (1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005), the most authoritative convocation of his church. At these General Conference sessions, he has spoken passionately on issues affecting the identity, message, and mission of the church.

Beliefs

In his writings, Pipim has questioned what he describes as progressive changes, or "liberal" beliefs and attitudes, in the Seventh-day Adventist church. His form of questioning includes such methods as the labeling of those who share his "conservative" positions as "Bible Believers," in contrast to "liberals" and "moderates," whom he terms respectively, "Bible Rejectors" and "Bible-Doubters."cite web | work=DrPipim.org | publisher=ministrywebdesign.org | url=http://drpipim.org/index.php?Itemid=54&id=91&option=com_content&task=view | author=Koranteng-Pipim, Samuel | title=The Babble Over the Bible | accessdate=2007-12-28 ] His criticism extends to certain Seventh-day Adventist theologians whom he finds to be "liberal"; [cite book | last = Koranteng-Pipim | first = Samuel | title = Receiving the Word: How New Approaches to the Bible Impact Our Biblical Faith and Lifestyle | publisher = Berean Books | date = 1996 | location = Berrien Springs, MI | pages = 198-200 | id = ISBN 1-890014-00-1, OCLC|36080195 ] Alden Thompson's examination of Pipim's "Receiving the Word" reveals that " [t] he footnotes label some 66 Adventist scholars, authors, administrators as being on the wrong side of the [liberal/conservative] divide." [ [http://people.wwc.edu/staff/thomal/unpub/futur_adventism.htm AldenThompson.com ] ]

Pipim takes stances on issues such as Biblical inspiration, [ [http://drpipim.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=4&id=21&Itemid=54 www.drpipim.org - The Bible ] ] homosexuality, [ [http://drpipim.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=4&id=13&Itemid=47 www.drpipim.org - Homosexuality ] ] women's ordination, [ [http://drpipim.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=4&id=14&Itemid=46 www.drpipim.org - Women's Ordination ] ] racism, [ [http://drpipim.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=4&id=18&Itemid=51 www.drpipim.org - Church Racism ] ] worship and church growth, [ [http://drpipim.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=4&id=15&Itemid=48 www.drpipim.org - Worship & Church Growth ] ] creation and evolution, [ [http://drpipim.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=4&id=17&Itemid=50 www.drpipim.org - Creation and Evolution ] ] prayer warriors and other prayer ministries, [ [http://drpipim.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=4&id=19&Itemid=52 www.drpipim.org - Prayer Warriors ] ] and divorce and remarriage. [ [http://drpipim.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=4&id=16&Itemid=49 www.drpipim.org - Divorce / Remarriage ] ]

Publications

He has written several books including:
* "Searching the Scriptures" [1995]
* "Receiving the Word" [1996] ( [http://www.atoday.com/magazine/1997/03/interpreting-bible-receiving-word-0 Review] in "Adventist Today")
* "Must We Be Silent" [2001] ( [http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/endtimeissues/eti_70.html excerpt] , halfway down page)
* "Patience in the Midst of Trials and Afflictions" [2003]
* "The Humility of Christ" [2004]
* "The Forgotten Grace of Humility - The Cure for Cancer of the Soul" [2004]
* "Here We Stand" [2005] , General Editor
* "God is Faithful" [2006]
* "This Is Love" [2007] [ [http://www.Berean-Books.org www.Berean-Books.org] ]

Liberating the African Mind

One of Pipim’s present passions is to contribute to the intellectual and moral development of the African people, by inspiring, cultivating, and training a new generation of African leaders. His stirring calls for “mind liberation” is resonating with African students, young professionals, and intellectuals who are dissatisfied with the mediocre and incompetent leadership often displayed by many African leaders—both within and without the church.

Explaining why Africans need “mind liberation,” Pipim argues that the challenges facing contemporary Africa—e.g., misplaced priorities, corruption, nepotism, tribalism, war, hunger, disease, culture of dependency, abuse of power, etc.—can only be effectively addressed by a new breed of Africans who think and act differently. “Our problem is not the African mind, but the African mindset,” he insists.

He repeatedly tells his audiences: “Whereas post-colonial education may have helped to emancipate the African mind from the metal chains of traditional idol worship and its superstitious beliefs and practices, this formal education has not succeeded in liberating us from the mental chains of contemporary secularism and its attendant ethos of selfism.” As a result of this “endemic malady of selfishness and jealousy,” the continent has been severely handicapped by many “African PhDs”—people suffering from a “Pull Him Down (or Pull Her Down) Syndrome.” [See, for example, his three presentations at the 2007 convention of ALIVE (Africans Living In View of Eternity), titled “What’s Wrong with Our Mind?”, “The Greatest Mind,” and “The Transformed Mind.” These messages can be accessed through the websites of ALIVE (www.africansalive.org), Hope Media Ministries (www.hopevideo.com), and www.drpipim.org-- Audio & Video sermons.]

Pipim contends that “African PhDs” who hold positions of power—whether in society or church— have stifled the cultivation, development, and fruition of mature and responsible African leadership. Pipim refers to such dysfunctional leaders as “African black beans”: They are black on the outside, but white on the inside. “Pigmentally and geographically, these African leaders may be classified as black; but they have the same mindset of their former—and present—colonial masters,” he insists.

In his ministry to his fellow Africans—both those on the continent and those living, studying, and working abroad—Pipim prescribes “mind liberation” as the cure to the malady of “African PhDs.” As he sees it, what Africa needs is not simply more educated minds, but more transformed minds—“not merely mind improvement, but mind replacement.” The mind liberation that is needed is one which is radically committed to biblical excellence—academic, professional and spiritual excellence.

Pipim regrets that African society and church leaders seldom tolerate people who think and act on the principles of biblical excellence. But he counters: “If we don’t think for our selves, someone will do our thinking for us. And if we don’t strive for excellence, we shall pay the high price for mediocrity.”

To cultivate a new generation of African thought leaders who think and strive for excellence, Pipim conducts regular Bible Lecture series on major African university campuses, both secular and religious. [As of August 2008 Pipim has given Bible lectures at the following African institutions of higher learning: Babcock University, Nigeria (2001), Helderberg College, Somerset West, South Africa (2003), University of Eastern Africa, Baraton, Kenya (2003), University of Ghana, Legon (2004), University of Cape-Coast, Ghana (2005, 2007), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana (2006, 2008), University of Education, Ghana (2007), Tshwane University of Science & Technology, Pretoria, South Africa (2007), Valley View University, Ghana (2007), University of Lagos, Nigeria (2008), University of Zambia (and Evelyn Horne College), Lusaka, Zambia (2008), and Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria (2008).]

Bible Lectures

Since 2006, Pipim’s name has become well-known in secular university circles of Africa because of his unique one-week Bible Lecture Series on “WHY” and “Excellence.” These lectures grew out of presentations he first gave to different groups in the United States, but which he now adapts for students, faculty, and staff on African university campuses.

Pipim considers the “Why” & “Excellence” Bible lecture series as his personal contribution to the intellectual and moral transformation of the African people. Believing that “there's nothing wrong with the African mind, and that our problem is the African mindset,” Pipim’s lectures his audiences to think differently, take responsibility for the destiny of their lives, their institutions and their nations. He tells his audiences: “To change the world, you must first be changed.” [From quotes printed on his “Why Lecture Series” invitation bookmarks.]

The titles of his “Why” lectures are rhetorical in nature, providing biblical solutions to everyday questions of relevance to the African society. They include such topics as:

* Why Dwell on A Written Past, When You Can Write the Future?
* Why Worry About Tomorrow, When You Can Know the Secret?
* Why Settle for Good, When Better Is Available?
* Why Suffer A Broken Heart, When You Are So Special?
* Why Fear Evil Forces, When Supernatural Help Is Near?
* Why Try to Look Good, When You Can Easily Be Good-Looking?
* Why Be Afraid of Death, When There Is Hope?
* Why Be Confused, When the Bible Is So Plain?
* Why Be Perplexed, When There's A Plan?
* Why Should You Fail, When Success Is Guaranteed?

As the title of the “Excellence” series suggests, Pipim invites Africans to strife for excellence in all aspects of life—academic, professional, and spiritual. For example in his lecture titled “Shine Like Gold” (in which “gold” is a metaphor for such desirable virtues as diligence, integrity, selflessness, simplicity, compassion, patience, kindness, and others), he urges his fellow Africans: “Don’t lose your gold; don’t substitute brass for gold; and don’t be content with anything less than gold.”

Pipim asserts: “Excellence is a Christian obligation. To settle for anything less is a denial of faith.” [Ibid.] He, therefore, wants to see 21st century Africans who will respond to the challenge identified by one of the pioneers of his Seventh-day Adventist church, Ellen G. White (1827-1915):

“The greatest want of the world is the want of men-- men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.” [Ellen G. White, Education, p. 57. ]

The ultimate goal of the “Why” and “Excellence” lectures is to equip university students, faculty, and staff so that they can effectively compete in the global world—an objective that dovetails with the mission statements of many African universities. Judging from the large turnouts at his lecture series, it appears that Pipim’s message of “mind liberation” is being taken to heart in Africa.

See Also

* Biblical Research Institute (BRI)
* Generation of Youth for Christ (GYC)

References

External Links

* " [http://people.wwc.edu/staff/thomal/writings/published/conversations.htm Conversations with the Other Side] " by Alden Thompson, published in "Spectrum" 31:4, 54-59.