MORE ABOUT DR. PIPIM

Dr. Samuel Koranteng-Pipim is a Bible-believing scholar, well-known around the world for clarifying, articulating, and defending Christian beliefs and practices. He also speaks extensively in the various world Divisions, teaching or lecturing at several public universities and Christian/denominational institutions, conducting ministerial retreats, preaching at camp meetings, church revival and evangelistic meetings, and speaking extensively at events for youth, students, and young professionals. While greatly appreciated by many Bible-believing church members and leaders around the world, his apologetic writings, candid messages, and influence among young people have not always been appreciated by theologically-liberal thought leaders within the church.

Religious Background:  Born in a small village in Ghana, West Africa, he was introduced to the Seventh-day Adventist faith at a very early age. However, in his search for something "better," he gravitated towards the "gospel of power," becoming an active member and leader of a non-denominational, charismatic-renewal movement. Years afterwards, the diligent study of the Bible and the message of the book The Great Controversy led him to become a committed Seventh-day Adventist--a church he describes as "the most biblically-consistent, Evangelical Protestant denomination."

Professional Training: Dr. Pipim first trained as an engineer at the (Kwame Nkrumah) University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Ghana, where he later worked as a research and teaching assistant. In 1982 he resigned from his work at the university in order to serve the Central Ghana Conference as its coordinator of campus ministry. He later pursued a ministerial training at Andrews University, Michigan, where he received a Masters of Divinity degree (1987) and a Ph.D. in systematic theology (1998), specializing in biblical authority & interpretation and ecclesiology. The title of his 410-page doctoral dissertation was "The Role of the Holy Spirit in Biblical Interpretation: A Study in the Writings of James I. Packer."

Biblical and Theological Scholarship:  Dr. Pipim enjoys theological research and writing. While pursuing his doctoral studies at Andrews University, he was hired by two successive Seminary deans (Dr. Werner Vhymeister and Dr. Raoul Dederen) to serve as their research assistant. The Seminary also employed him as a contract teacher to teach courses in theology, ethics, and church ministry to both its on-campus and off-campus graduate students. Since 1988 he has also lectured and taught courses in ethics and theology on different campuses around the world.

His articles have appeared in both scholarly and popular journals. He has authored and co-authored more than a dozen books. He is best known around the world for his apologetic and inspirational books, including Searching the Scriptures [1995], Receiving the Word [1996], Must We Be Silent [2001], Patience in the Midst of Trials and Afflictions [2003], The Humility of Christ [2004], The Forgotten Grace of Humility [2004], Here We Stand [2005], God Is Faithful [2006]. His most recent book is This Is Love [2007]. These works are available through Berean Books [www.Berean-Books.org] and other Christian Book Centers.

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. His 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.

Practical Ministry: Though he is well-known for his apologetic writings, Dr. Pipim is also a revivalist and evangelist. Over the years, hundreds of souls have been baptized, churches have been organized, and thousands of lives have been positively impacted by his preaching, teaching, and spiritual leadership. Besides his active involvement in the literature ministry, he was also instrumental in the pioneering work of establishing Ghanaian churches in the USA, Canada, and Europe.

Dr. Pipim also loves his church. He is an ordained minister of the Seventh-day Adventist church, currently employed by the Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He has served the world church as a delegate to five General Conference sessions (1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005), the most authoritative convocation of the church. At these General Conference sessions, he has spoken passionately on issues affecting the identity, message, and mission of the church.

Ministry to Youth & Students: Dr. Pipim  speaks extensively at events for youth, students, and young professionals. He has given Bible lectures at Harvard University and on other secular universities around the world. He is greatly respected by young people for his candor and Bible-based messages, as well as his challenge to them to aspire to excellence.

Serving currently as the Director of Public Campus Ministries for the Michigan Conference, Dr. Pipim's office is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he ministers to students, faculty, and staff at the University of Michigan. He is also the Director of the Center for Adventist Ministry to Public University Students (CAMPUS), a unique center dedicated to training young people to minister to students on secular college & university campuses (see, http://www.campushope.org). 

Dr. Pipim's leadership and influence at CAMPUS has played a major role in the birth and growth of the Generation of Youth for Christ (GYC) (formerly General Youth Conference), a grassroots, young people’s movement committed to the message and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist church.  (For more on this see “GYC Statement of Clarification” on the GYC website: http://www.gycweb.org ). CAMPUS is also the sponsor of  A.L.I.V.E. (Africans Living In View of Eternity), a grassroots organization of African students and young professionals' in North America (see, http://www.africansalive.org ). 

"My passion is to inspire and train young people to be brilliant, godly, and effective leaders," says Dr. Pipim. He wants to see the resurgence of a generation of young people who truly love the Lord, who have a respect for Scriptures and learning, and who will dare to stand for truth, no matter the cost.  (For some  of his well-known quotes on leadership, click on "Leadership  Nuggets by Dr. Pipim" under the leadership link on this website)

Critics & Criticisms: In today's climate of theological pluralism and its culture of indifference to truth, those who dare to call others to biblical accountability, particularly on forbidden issues, are seldom appreciated. Thus, while Dr. Pipim's works and ministry have been a blessing to thousands of earnest truth-seekers, there have been some predictable reactions from certain quarters of his church. 

For example, because Dr. Pipim's apologetic writings deal with "hot" issues in the church, some of his critics confuse the task of addressing controverted issues with being “controversial.” Also because he consistently points to the Bible as the litmus test of every new teaching or practice in the  church, some of his theologically-liberal critics label him “ultra-conservative” or describe him as a "happy conservative" (if they are kind to him). Moreover, because he tends to footnote and vigorously critique Biblically-questionable views being pushed by influential leaders, scholars, and interest groups within the church, the advocates of theological pluralism in the church (i.e., those who are pushing the cohabitation of truth and error) try to paint him as "critical," or even “divisive.” Finally, because his Bible-based, life-transforming, and mission-driven messages are resonating with a growing number of young people and students, in a desperate effort to "stop him," some who are promoting other approaches to youth ministry and church growth employ their influence to misinform people about his views and ministry. There are others who oppose him simply because they cannot accept the fact that a black African is capable of serious intellectual or theological discourse.

Response to Critics: While open to correction, Dr. Pipim has not been deterred by his critics' opposition or deliberate misinformation. He welcomes those who make a painstaking effort to refute his biblical and theological arguments, and who offer compelling scriptural correctives to the positions he has advanced on various issues being debated in the church. He, however, ignores all criticisms of himself, and all criticisms of his views that amount to mere general disapproval and denunciation. He argues that such criticisms, labels, and attacks (often carried out behind closed-doors) are the resort only of individuals who are incapable of presenting any serious reply to his biblical positions. 

To his critics who argue that his vigorous challenge of their questionable arguments for higher-criticism, homosexuality, racially-separate church structures in North America, women's ordination, gospel gimmicks, new worship styles, revisionist interpretation of Adventist history, etc. amounts to theological and/or historical-faultfinding, Dr. Pipim responds with the words of A. E. Housman:“I have spent most of my time finding faults because finding faults, if they are real and not imaginary is the most useful sort of criticism.”  

Dr. Pipim believes that the highest expression of church loyalty is to be faithful to the Bible-based message and mission of the church. He rejects the counterfeit unity or theological pluralism being promoted in certain quarters of the church, arguing that faithfulness to the Word of God should be the basis of unity in the church. And instead of "gospel gimmicks," he maintains that the only way to grow churches and keep young people in the church is to preach the Word and train members to be soul-winners.

Consequently, Dr. Pipim typically responds to his critics with the African proverb: "The threatening eyes of the crocodile do not prevent the thirsty frog from drinking from the pond." [Meaning: Fear or intimidation must never be allowed to prevent us from doing the right thing]. He finds great inspiration in one pertinent statement by Ellen G. White, reproduced on the front cover of his apologetic book Must We Be Silent: “I know that which I now speak will bring me into conflict. This I do not covet, for the conflict has seemed to be continuous of late years: but I do not mean to live a coward or die a coward, leaving my work undone. I must follow in my Master’s footsteps.”

Despite the efforts by his critics, Dr. Pipim's stirring messages continue to resonate among Bible-believing church members around the world.  His published works, audio- and video-recorded messages (all of which are publicly available) compellingly refute the claims of his critics. And thousands of people--especially young people, students, and professionals--testify to the life-transforming and spiritual impact of his ministry.
 
Favorite Sayings: Dr. Pipim’s friends, students, and colleagues point to the following statements as some of his memorable sayings:

     --“If addressing a controverted issue makes a person controversial, then putting out raging fires makes a fire-fighter an arsonist.”

     --"Church liberals are nice people with (biblically) bad ideas." 

     --Don’t take yourself too seriously. Take the Lord seriously.”

     --"Why settle for good, when better is available?"

     --"If you want to grow you must know."

     --"Never underestimate the potential of one person--you!"

     --"Don't give the church to young people; give it rather to converted young people."

     --"To change the world, you must first be changed."

     --“The success of any movement is movement.”

     --"A movement that loses its history is destined for nowhere."

     --“Something is happening; the Lord is doing it and let’s be part of it.” 

     --“The Bible is the inspired Word of God; it is the only Book . . . . Let us study the Bible, for if we do so, we shall find rest for our souls.” 

     --"There are too many Obadiahs in the church. We need more Elijahs." 

     --"Those who can't take a stand cannot be trusted."

     --"It is fruiful trees that have stones hurled at them." 

     --"There's nothing wrong with the African mind. Our problem is the African mindset."

     --"Petty jealousies, short-sightedness, and selfishness have produced many of our leading 'African PhDs'--i.e., Africans with 'Pull Him Down (or Pull Her Down) Syndrome'." 

     --“Learn to think for yourself, otherwise somebody will do the thinking for you."

     --"Those who READ are those who LEAD."  

     --“Those who argue that ordaining women as elders/pastors is not a theological issue are either biblically uninformed or simply dishonest.”

  --"Just because a housefly wears a bow-tie or a skirt doesn't mean you should marry it." 

    --"The pen of truth is the most effective weapon against the arrogance of power." 

Hobbies & Interests: Dr. Pipim enjoys reading, writing, good quality music, teaching, and challenging young people to pursue professional and spiritual excellence. He also loves theological research, often tackling unpopular issues being debated in the church.
Some of Dr. Pipim's best known sermons, DVDs, and articles are available through:
    --American Christian Ministries (www.americanchristianministries.org , 1-800-233-4450),
    --Hope Media Ministries (www.hopevideocom), and
    --Adventists Affirm (www.AdventistsAffirm.org ).

His published books can be found on the Berean Books website (www.Berean-Books.org ), and are distributed by Review & Herald Publishing, Remnant Publications, and many Christian Book Centers.

Role Models: Besides the Lord Jesus Christ and some Bible characters, Dr. Pipim counts the following among his positive role-models: John Nevius Andrews, Dr. Kwegyir A. Aggrey, Robert Pierson, Enock de Olivera, Hedwig Jemison, Dr. Gerhard F. Hasel, C. D. Brooks, Paul Nsiah (Sr. & Jr.), Dr. Paul Yeboah, Nancy Leigh DeMoss, and Nelson Mandela. 

His favorite Christian author is E. G. White, the most translated woman writer in the history of literature. (Her works can be read online through the "Devotional Classics " link on this website).