Samuel Koranteng-Pipim

Samuel Koranteng Pipim (born December 10, 1957) is a US-based Ghanaian author, speaker, and theologian.

In addition to challenging the method of moderate liberalism, Pipim's book also worked to make a case for his church's 1986 "Methods of Bible Study" statement, which "urge[ed] Adventist Bible students to avoid relying on the use of the presuppositions and the resultant deductions associated with the historical-critical method."

Receiving the Word also claimed the use of contemporary higher criticism (the historical-critical method) was undermining key Seventh-day Adventist beliefs and practices.

The book generated considerable reaction—both for and against.

Some took exception to the book, dismissing it as a "fundamentalist" view.

Scholars who embraced the church's historical positions, however, were more supportive of the book.

In the 1990s, Pipim played a role in the Adventist debate over the Bible's authority and interpretation, an issue that came into greater prominence with the publication of Old Testament scholar Alden Thompson's Inspiration: Hard Questions, Honest Answers (1991).

Perceiving this work "as the archetypical product of historical-critical methodology," Pipim and six other scholars of the Adventist Theological Society issued a rejoinder in their book Issues in Revelation and Inspiration.

An Evangelical publication, Reformation & Revival Journal, describes Pipim's Receiving the Word as "a provocative Adventist treatment which looks at the pros and cons of various methods of Bible study."

'Seeking a Sanctuary describes Pipim as a leading critic of what he deems "liberal Adventism."

In a work on "Adventist Views on Biblical and Prophetic Inspiration," a colleague of Pipim's judged Receiving the Word as "one of the most influential landmarks in that debate" and one of "the two main conflicting poles around which gravitate[d] the contemporary discussions on [the Bible's] inspiration" during the second half of the 1990s.

He later went to the United States to pursue a ministerial training at Andrews University where in 1998 he received a PhD in systematic theology, specializing in biblical authority, interpretation and ecclesiology.

His doctoral dissertation, The Role of the Holy Spirit in Biblical Interpretation: A Study in the Writings of James I. Packer, was under the supervision of Raoul Dederen, with Clark H. Pinnock as the external examiner.

In 1998, his church leadership in Michigan appointed him to direct its newly created department of Public Campus Ministries to cater for the spiritual needs of students on secular university campuses.

Since that time, Pipim's theological ideas and philosophy has had a significant effect on students and young adults the world over.

Between 1999 and 2011 Pipim served as the director of CAMPUS (Center for Adventist Ministry to Public University Students), a division of Michigan Conference Public Campus Ministries department.

It is located near the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

CAMPUS was the department through which the Michigan Conference birthed, sponsored and directed the beginnings of Generation of Youth for Christ, then known as the General Youth Conference or GYC.

For example, Pipim contributed to the book Prove All Things (2000), the most extensive critical appraisal of Women in Ministry, a book by scholars at Andrews University such as Gerard Damsteegt.

He participated in the church's creation-evolution discussions during the "Faith and Science Conferences" in 2002 and 2004.

He has spoken out against the black and white racially-based church structures in North America, the biblical legitimacy of homosexuality, what he calls "unbiblical" divorce and remarriage, certain worship styles, church growth methods that employ gospel gimmicks, prayer warriors and other trends in the church.

Also through his reviews of some scholarly works and his foreword or endorsement of certain published authors, he has also articulated his own views on such topics as the atonement of Christ, abortion, and war.

Pipim has spoken in churches and church gatherings, at schools, civic events and other venues.

He has also appeared on various Christian TV channels including 3ABN, Hope Channel and Amazing Discoveries.

Pipim has spoken in many African Universities giving a lecture series, dubbed the "Why" lecture series, which largely consists of him asking a series of "Why" questions intended to illustrate his points.

Pipim has authored a number of books including Must We Be Silent? and Here We Stand.

Pipim contributed to the Biblical Research Institute's book Interpreting Scripture, published in 2010, a work which attempted to provide answers to questions often raised concerning the Bible.

Besides CAMPUS (Center for Adventist Ministry to Public University Students) and the Emmanuel Institute of Evangelism, Michigan Conference's outreach school, Pipim also taught intensive courses on hermeneutics to students enrolled at AFCOE (Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism), ARISE (A Resource Institute for Soul-winning and Evangelism), and LIFE (Lay Institute for Evangelism), supporting institutes run by Adventist supporting organizations.

Other than his contribution to Adventist discussions on biblical methodology, Pipim has also been involved in some of the most contentious issues in his church.

Trained in engineering and systematic theology, he based his office in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where, up until 2011, he ministered to students, faculty, and staff at the University of Michigan.

He has authored and co-authored more than a dozen books.

He has spoken around the world at events for youth, students, and young professionals.

He helped begin and has sat on the board of directors for the Generation of Youth for Christ organization (GYC), a revival movement of Seventh-day Adventist youth in North America.

He resigned his ministerial credentials in May 2011 and requested to be disciplined according to church protocol.

He was disfellowshipped by his local church on June 15, 2011.

Pipim was disfellowshipped for a second time on January 16, 2021, for "allegations of sexual violence by at least 10 women."

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.

After accepting the call to the gospel ministry, he worked in the Central Ghana conference as its Coordinator of Campus Ministries.