The General Conference, and West Africa Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church are sponsoring the event.
11th July 2023
No fewer than 1,600 participants from 22 countries in Africa have converged on Babcock University (BU), Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, for the first International Conference on Faith and Science.
The conference runs from July 5 and 15, 2023, and it brings together eminent scholars, adept theologians, notable scientists and outstanding faith leaders to explore the intersections of faith and science.
The objective of the conference is to interrogate perspectives and consider how best to promote a harmonious understanding between faith and science to enrich the understanding of the world.
The wide diversity of belief in the Protestant churches is regarded by many as decisive proof that no effort to secure a forced uniformity can ever be made. But there has been for years, in churches of the Protestant faith, a strong and growing sentiment in favor of a union based upon common points of doctrine. To secure such a union, the discussion of subjects upon which all were not agreed—however important they might be from a Bible standpoint—must necessarily be waived.
The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan by Ellen G White
Charles Beecher, in a sermon in the year 1846, declared that the ministry of “the evangelical Protestant denominations” is “not only formed all the way up under a tremendous pressure of merely human fear, but they live, and move, and breathe in a state of things radically corrupt, and appealing every hour to every baser element of their nature to hush up the truth, and bow the knee to the power of apostasy. Was not this the way things went with Rome? Are we not living her life over again? And what do we see just ahead? Another general council! A world’s convention! Evangelical alliance, and universal creed!”—Sermon on “The Bible a Sufficient Creed,” delivered at Fort Wayne, Indiana, Feb. 22, 1846. When this shall be gained, then, in the effort to secure complete uniformity, it will be only a step to the resort to force. GC 444.2 – GC 444.3
The conference focuses on exploring the relationship between science and faith, as well as the profound questions of existence and purpose that have puzzled great minds throughout history.
The General Conference, and West Africa Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church are sponsoring the event.
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Vice-chancellor of BU, Professor Ademola Tayo, called on participants to re-affirm their faith in God as his message is being shared around the world.
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Romanism is now regarded by Protestants with far greater favor than in former years. In those countries where Catholicism is not in the ascendancy, and the papists are taking a conciliatory course in order to gain influence, there is an increasing indifference concerning the doctrines that separate the reformed churches from the papal hierarchy; the opinion is gaining ground that, after all, we do not differ so widely upon vital points as has been supposed, and that a little concession on our part will bring us into a better understanding with Rome. The time was when Protestants placed a high value upon the liberty of conscience which had been so dearly purchased. They taught their children to abhor popery and held that to seek harmony with Rome would be disloyalty to God. But how widely different are the sentiments now expressed! GC 563.1
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“With the increase in knowledge, technology, economy and research on learning, there was a need to re-examine and re-affirm our faith in God as we share the message to others at the same time,” he said.
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According to him, if there was any time in the history to reignite faith in the author of creation and nature, it was now.
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The West Central Africa Division (WAD) president, Pastor Robert Osei-Bonso, represented by the executive secretary, Pastor Selmon Sessou, urged the participants to engage in thoughtful conversations that bridge the gap between faith and science.
When the leading churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions, then Protestant America will have formed an image of the Roman hierarchy, and the infliction of civil penalties upon dissenters will inevitably result. GC 445.1
He noted that faith in God would continue to play a big role in improving education, adding that the conference marked a milestone as it offers participants the opportunity to delve into the intersection between faith and science.
With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his. Job:12:16
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon:
́
pharmakeia
1) the use or the administering of drugs
2) poisoning
3) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it
4) metaphorically the deceptions and seductions of idolatry
Part of Speech: noun feminine
Relation: from G5332
Usage:
This word is used 3 times:
Galatians 5:20: “Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions,”
Revelation 9:21: “murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their”
Revelation 18:23: “of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations”
For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.
Jeremiah:16:9
And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
Revelation:18:22-23
As one of the signs of Jerusalem’s destruction, Christ had said, “Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” False prophets did rise, deceiving the people, and leading great numbers into the desert. Magicians and sorcerers, claiming miraculous power, drew the people after them into the mountain solitudes. But this prophecy was spoken also for the last days. This sign is given as a sign of the second advent. Even now false christs and false prophets are showing signs and wonders to seduce His disciples. Do we not hear the cry, “Behold, He is in the desert”? Have not thousands gone forth into the desert, hoping to find Christ? And from thousands of gatherings where men profess to hold communion with departed spirits is not the call now heard, “Behold, He is in the secret chambers”? This is the very claim that spiritism puts forth. But what says Christ? “Believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” DA 631.1
That night I dreamed that I was in Battle Creek looking out from the side glass at the door and saw a company marching up to the house, two and two. They looked stern and determined. I knew them well and turned to open the parlor door to receive them, but thought I would look again. The scene was changed. The company now presented the appearance of a Catholic procession. One bore in his hand a cross, another a reed. And as they approached, the one carrying a reed made a circle around the house, saying three times: “This house is proscribed. The goods must be confiscated. They have spoken against our holy order.” Terror seized me, and I ran through the house, out of the north door, and found myself in the midst of a company, some of whom I knew, but I dared not speak a word to them for fear of being betrayed. I tried to seek a retired spot where I might weep and pray without meeting eager, inquisitive eyes wherever I turned. I repeated frequently: “If I could only understand this! If they will tell me what I have said or what I have done!”
I wept and prayed much as I saw our goods confiscated. I tried to read sympathy or pity for me in the looks of those around me, and marked the countenances of several whom I thought would speak to me and comfort me if they did not fear that they would be observed by others. I made one attempt to escape from the crowd, but seeing that I was watched, I concealed my intentions. I commenced weeping aloud, and saying: “If they would only tell me what I have done or what I have said!” My husband, who was sleeping in a bed in the same room, heard me weeping aloud and awoke me. My pillow was wet with tears, and a sad depression of spirits was upon me. 1T 577.2 – 1T 578.1
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Sessou said though from inception faith and science has been seen as contradiction, but that the Adventists, however, believe that there is harmony between the two spheres.
Who can now feel sure that they are safe in respecting the voice of the General Conference Association? If the people in our churches understood the management of the men who walk in the light of the sparks of their own kindling, would they respect their decisions? I answer, No, not for a moment. I have been shown that the people at large do not know that the heart of the work is being diseased and corrupted at Battle Creek. Many of the people are in a lethargic, listless, apathetic condition, and assent to plans which they do not understand – Special Instruction Relating To The Review And Herald Office And The Work In Battle Creek, pp. 19, 20 (1896)
By Ellen G White
After the truth has been proclaimed as a witness to all nations, at a time when every conceivable power of evil is set in operation, when minds are confused by the many voices crying, “Lo, here is Christ; Lo, he is there; This is truth, I have the message from God, he has sent me with great light.” and there is a removing of the landmarks and an attempt to tear down the pillars of our faith – then a more decided effort is made to exalt the false sabbath, and to cast contempt upon God himself by supplanting the day he has blessed and sanctified. – To Brethren In Responsible Positions, 1892.
There seems to be a burning desire to get up something fictitious and bring it in as new light. Thus men try to weave into the web as important truths a tissue of lies. This fanciful mixture of food that is being prepared for the flock will cause spiritual consumption, decline and death. When those who profess to believe present truth come to their senses, when they accept the Word of the living God just as it reads, and do not try to wrest the Scriptures, then they will build their house upon the eternal Rock, even Christ Jesus.
There are those who say, not only in their hearts, but in all their works, “My Lord delayeth his coming.” They show the effect of error upon them by smiting their fellow servants and eating and drinking with the drunken. As in the days of Noah, those who have had great light will show their inconsistency. Because Christ’s coming has been long foretold, they conclude that there is a mistake in regard to this doctrine. But the Lord says, “If the vision tarry, wait for it: for it will surely come. It will not tarry past the time that the message is borne to all nations, tongues and people.” – Testimony To Elder A. G. Daniells, October 14, 1900. PC 422.8 – PC 423.3
He thanked the Ilishan community for their support to Babcock University and pleaded with the university to continue to offer higher quality education to all and sundry.
And many are doing the same things today, in 1897, because they have not had experience in the testing messages comprehended in the first, second and third angels’ messages. There are those who are searching the Scriptures for proof that these messages are still in the future. They gather together the truthfulness of the messages, but they fail to give them their proper place in prophetic history. Therefore such are in danger of misleading the people in regard to locating the messages. They do not see and understand the time of the end, or when to locate the messages. The day of God is coming with stealthy tread; but the supposed wise and great men are prating about “Higher Education.” They know not the signs of Christ’s coming, or of the end of the world – Testimony dated December 20, 1896
PC 424.1
Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Mr. Ogunleye also noted that faith and science were important to our daily lives, as both could co-exist without any contradiction.
According to him, the conference would help to broaden our knowledge about the intersection between faith and science. He said the council would continue to give total support that would aid institutional development.
Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD? And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
1 Samuel:15:19-23
Oba of Ilishan, Oba Michael Sonuga thanked the organisers for choosing his domain as the venue for the conference and wished them well during their stay in Babcock.
The 10-day International conference will end on Friday this week.
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