The Biblical Research Institute consists of a group of biblical scholars with offices located at the headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The main functions of the department are: (1) to be consultants to church administrators and leaders on theological and doctrinal issues; (2) to develop and distribute biblical and theological studies that contribute to a better understanding of Adventist doctrines, theology, and lifestyle; and (3) to prepare responses to critics of the message and mission of the church.

The staff is selected from among Adventist scholars whose theological training and professional experience as church workers qualify them to provide professional, balanced, and appropriate counsel. The staff consists of four scholars whose different fields of expertise cover a broad variety of theological areas: George W. Reid, director, specialist in systematic theology and church history; Ekkehardt Mueller, New Testament and hermeneutics; Gerhard Pfandl, Old Testament and ancient Near Eastern archaeology; and Angel Manuel Rodríguez, Old Testament theology and exegesis. Two other staff members include Mary Lee Keeler, secretary, and Marlene Bacchus, desktop computer specialist.

The staff has produced books on relevant issues for the church (e.g., Jewelry in the Bible, by Angel M. Rodríguez), and in some cases has requested Adventist scholars to produce such materials (e.g., The Millennium Bug, by Jon Paulien). The most recent production is a new volume for the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary Reference Series entitled Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology, whose general editor is Professor Raoul Dederen. Adventist theologians from around the world were involved in the production of this in-depth study of Adventist doctrines, teachings, and theology.

The Biblical Research Institute has produced outreach materials through articles that are published in Adventist missionary magazines and books written for non-Adventist audiences. Staff members are invited as speakers in church evangelism and camp meetings, and they answer correspondence from church administrators, pastors, and laypersons on biblical, doctrinal, or ethical issues. Materials are also prepared to counteract groups with a particular theological or doctrinal agenda within the church. The written responses are distributed as shelf documents wherever they may be needed. Often the institute reviews materials produced by church departments that are intended for publication. Suggestions are given to clarify and strengthen their content in order to express Adventist thought better.

Another service offered to ministe-rial staffs is planning and participating in Bible conferences for world divisions and union conferences. The institute is involved in ministerial councils and workers meetings, giving seminars on subjects of doctrinal and theological interest for church workers and reaffirming the message and mission of the church.

Every year staff members teach courses in one or more SDA seminaries around the world at the request of the local administration of the seminaries (e.g., South America, Philippines, Germany, Russia). This provides an opportunity to share the results of research with those who contribute to the enrichment of theological thinking in the church. Through the Biblical Research Institute the church maintains contact with theologians serving in our institutions of higher education.

In 1984 the church initiated a program of providing seminars in Jerusalem and its surrounding areas for Adventists. The Bible Lands seminars are held in a building owned by the church in Jerusalem that can house up to 30 individuals. More than 2,000 persons from all world divisions have participated in this program. The purpose is to provide opportunities for visiting important biblical sites in Israel accompanied by an Adventist scholar.

Recently the Biblical Research Institute created its own Web site (biblicalresearch.gc.adventist.org) at which people may access information about its work and services. The full texts of many shelf documents are available, and many more will be added. There is also information about books prepared and edited by the staff, book reviews, Bible conferences, and Bible Land seminars. Those interested in writing to the staff will find the e-mail address of the institute on the home page of the Web site.

The Biblical Research Institute serves the world church as a support ministry, integrating theological thinking to the message and mission of the church. In this task it will continue to call on the advice and support of Adventist Bible teachers and theologians from around the world.