I’m Back, with Questions on Doctrine!
I apologize for several months of silence during my family’s move from Berrien Springs, Michigan (Andrews University) to Beaumont, California (Loma Linda University). I am now Dean of the School of Religion at Loma Linda, a health science university affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Helping to guide and develop the teaching of religion in the context of the scientific enterprise is a unique and exciting venture for me. Recent studies indicate that the quality of one’s religious experience may be a large factor in one’s relative health and resistance to the harmful effects of stress and aging. Loma Linda, California was recently named by National Geographic one of the longest-lived communities on earth, because of the uniquely healthy lifestyle of the thousands of Seventh-day Adventists who live in the area. It’s exciting to be part of this. Maybe I’ll even live longer.
Anyway, the stresses of moving and acclimating to a completely new kind of job are beginning to abate and I hope to be back in the blogging saddle from here on. I intend also to catch up on reading and responding to comments that have been added to the Armageddon web site over the last several months.
On a different note, I have just experienced an historic event. This last week a major conference occurred in my old bailiwick at Andrews University (October 24-27). A collaborative effort between Loma Linda and Andrews Universities (along with Oakwood College in Alabama), the conference marked the 50th Anniversary of the publication of the book Questions on Doctrine. This book has been described as “the most divisive book in Seventh-day Adventist history.” Print debates about the issues raised in the book have seriously divided Seventh-day Adventists and also involved significant figures in the evangelical world, such as Donald Barnhouse, Walter Martin, Kenneth Samples and Donald Dayton.
For the first time since the book was published in 1957, this conference brought together most of the major living figures in the, at times, rancorous debate. All major viewpoints were represented. Every participant that I spoke with was very nervous going into the conference. But instead of shouting and name-calling, all participants spoke with passion and conviction, but also with respect and kindness. The discussion exhibited a level of scholarship and maturity I would not have expected. Viewpoints were clarified. People listened carefully and openly to those opposed to them. Everyone seems to have come away with a fresh appreciation for the intentions and perspectives of those they disagreed with.
But the highlight of the whole conference occurred on the last morning. The organizers took the unique and risky step of concluding the conference with a communion service (Eucharist or Lord’s Supper to many), experiencing together the bread and cup of our Lord. Standing on the platform leading out were George Knight, Angel Rodriguez and Colin Standish. Among the deacons distributing the elements were Russell Standish, Arthur Patrick, Larry Kirkpatrick, Roy Adams and Woody Whidden. If you know even half of these names you will understand how historic this event was. Dave Larson (a colleague of mine at Loma Linda) and I completely lost it. We wept unashamedly at this enactment of the unity for which Jesus prayed while He was on earth (John 17:20-26). For many years I have dreamed, hoped and prayed for reconciliation in my community of faith. Yet I was blindsided by the moment, thinking that the age of hostile discourse we see in the public square has so permeated people of faith that the answer to my prayers would be unlikely or even impossible. But with God, nothing is impossible!
I cannot guarantee that the participants in this conference will not go home and write articles and blogs that reopen old wounds and paint a negative picture on the conference or on various of the participants. But I return home rejoicing in what occurred. I return with hope that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is entering into a new era of humility, honesty, openness and mutual respect. In such an atmosphere we can all learn much, not only intellectually, but also in terms of character and relationships. It seems to me that Pentecost must have been a little like this.
Jon
Amen!! Amen!! Amen !!
This Church, with her flaws, still has some who exhibit and internalize the character that Jesus Prayed for.
Praise God again.
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I know more than half of the names you shared, many of them personally. I can say with you that commUNION was truly a major break through event for our beloved church! It brings a bit of midst to my occular sites as well. I do pray that that wonderful experience will continue to cascade into true healthy dialogue and especially a pure spirit of love and acceptance of each other. Enough with the divisions over theological fine points (as most of the debate over D & C are) and onward in trust and faith in the Lord of lord and Kings of kings so that this work can be completed in our life times. That would truly be heroric!
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I was not able to attend this conference. Thank you for sharing the experience! I believe that we Adventists need to have "Ecumenical Movement" within.
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Dr.paulien,I have read some of your books and I found them a blessing.I wonder if you could publish those books in spanish.I go to a spanish church and I see a lack of knowledge ,we are still on Uriah smith ,daniel and revelation.I konw its sad.
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I heard from Macio, the video man in the seminary,that there will be DVDs available. I hope he has recorded the historical weeping of the audience as well.
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I too had a brief misty moment at hearing the report! Have been listening to the Oregon Conf EGW Summit and to the response to it. Appreciated Jon P's common sense approach. Am excited to learn of appointment at LLU. Spent 19+ years there from '56 to '75. Look forward to Jon P's contribution & leadership.
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I have always sensed that QOD was Adventism's first faltering steps toward an embracing of the "reformation gospel." Recent experiences have indicated to me that we still have a long way to journey, especially when denominational leaders attempt to convince us that the question of the nature of Christ is of no consequence. (ouch) Perchance Walter Martin and Donald Barnhouse suffered in vain to defend our church.
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The view that Barnhouse and Martin, two Sunday keeping "Evangelicals", were ever needed to defend the historic first fifty year beliefs of the SDA Church, is in itself a gross error worthy of the worst condemnation. The facts are inescapable after reading these words of Jan Paulien:
1.) True SDAism will continue the downward slide to perdition unless this book with all its false assumptions are reputiated.
2.) One must either reject Ellen White as a prophet or embrace this QOD book's teachings, to think that both support the truth is the worst form of conflict of spiritual interest in the history of religion.
3.) At some point in every SDA member's existence as a church supporter, these things, no matter how controversial or how much they are avoided by the leadership, must be addressed.
4.) To pass this work off until a later date as unimportant or non-critical to salvation would mean accepting beast-power religion by default.
5.) These things are being kept under the radar by the leadership because they fear the consequences of being viewed as upholding a movement of apostasy.
GG
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