Professional Dissertations DMin
A Biblical Model Testing Visions And Dreams In Christian Ministry In The Bahamas
Date of Award
2011
Document Type
Project Report
Degree Name
Doctor of Ministry
College
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Program
Doctor of Ministry DMin
First Advisor
Bruce L. Bauer
Second Advisor
Martin F. Hanna
Third Advisor
Bruce Moyer
Abstract
Problem
A survey conducted in Nassau, Bahamas, between December 2004 and January 2005, showed that of those surveyed, 80 percent believed in visions and dreams. This supports the idea that culturally, the majority of Bahamians accept most visions and dreams as divine in nature. However, many pastors show fear and doubt toward church members who are having such experiences which are viewed as wholly psychosomatic.
Method
The task of this dissertation is to develop and implement a biblical model for testing present-day visions and dreams. The model will be based on Bible principles and will be evaluated to determine its value among pastors and church members in Christian ministry in the Bahamas primarily, and in other fields of the Christian church.
Results
The results of the field-study indicated that in three different surveys conducted the biblical model was evaluated as: (1) ‘very helpful’ by 86% of the conference workers including, administrators and pastors; (2) ‘helpful’ by 93% of persons from mixed cultures, that is, North America, Africa, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico; and (3) ‘very helpful’ by 40% and ‘helpful’ by 28% of persons who responded in a random survey. Pastors are open to seminars and the use of the model within their churches.
Conclusions
Among the seven church groups surveyed it was unanimous that present-day visions and dreams are to be tested according to the Bible (Deut 13:1-5; 18:15-22; Jer 28:9, 32; Matt 7:15-22; and 1 John 4:1-3) in order to ascertain the true from the false. Testing visionary manifestations will affirm that God continues to speak to humans today by these means of communication in fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32.
Subject Area
Visions; Dreams; Church work--Bahamas
Recommended Citation
Adderley, Wilfred T. Sr., "A Biblical Model Testing Visions And Dreams In Christian Ministry In The Bahamas" (2011). Professional Dissertations DMin. 387.
https://dx.doi.org/10.32597/dmin/387/
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/387
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.32597/dmin/387/