Presentation Stanley E. Patterson* presented his research on the topic “Ellen G. White on Leadership and Power". The following exposition summarizes his presentation, giving the main points of his findings. [The presentation was followed by a response. All the presenters of the Ellen White Issues Symposium have the time to revise their papers on the basis of the formal responses to each paper given at the symposium before it will be published in the Ellen White and Current Issues Symposium Journal in March next year, 2013.] Purpose Stan Patterson expressed his intention to offer a sense of structure for several... Continue reading

Presentation Katrina Blue* presented her research on the topic of the Holy Flesh movement in Indiana (1899-1901) and Ellen White’s response. The following text is a summary of the main points of her presentation. Introduction Around the year 1900 a revival took place in the state of Indiana that many contemporaries considered as a special outpouring of the Pentecostal power of the Holy Spirit. However, quite a number of Adventists, including Ellen White, were disturbed and shocked from what the saw or heard. In emotionally charged, out of control worship services people were yelling prayers and praises accompanied by erratic... Continue reading

Presentation Jiří Moskala* presented his research on the topic “Can a Biblical Inspired Writer Use Literary Sources?” The main points of his presentation are given below. Introduction After referring to various biblical passages that affirm the inspiration of the Scriptures (2 Tim 3:15-17; 1 Thess 2:13; 2 Pet 1:21; etc.) the speaker posed the question if an inspired writer may use extra-biblical literary sources, or if he/she receives everything directly from God. Moskala admitted that he grew up with a view that was similar to the dictation theory of inspiration. Yet later he learned that the divine truth is actually... Continue reading

Presentation Jud Lake* presented his research on the topic “D. M. Canright and Inspiration: The Origin of a Crisis”. The following exposition summarizes his presentation, rendering the main points of his findings. Introduction Dudley M. Canright (1840–1919), formerly a well-known Seventh-day Adventist minister, became the most significant detractor of Seventh-day Adventism and Ellen White during the late 19th century and early 20th century. One year after Canright left the Church he published the first edition of Seventh-day Adventism Renounced (1888). In this book he laid down six reasons for his rejection of Ellen White’s prophetic gift and divine inspiration: (1)... Continue reading

Presentation Roger L. Dudley* presented the opening reflection on the topic “Ellen White and Me.” The following exposition summarizes his reflection by rendering the main points of his presentation. Ellen White and Me Dr. Dudley informed the audience that his presentation would primarily not be an informational one, but rather a personal reflection. That includes his way of calling her: he does not call her Spirit of Prophecy since he believes that she was not the Spirit of Prophecy but was rather filled and led by him. Sister White sounds too formal and institutional to him, so he sticks to... Continue reading

Presentation Adriani M. Rodrigues, Ph.D. student (Theological Studies) at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, MI presented his research paper with the title: "The Authoritative Hermeneutics in Irenaeus and Tertullian". The following exposition summarizes his paper, rendering the main points of his findings. Background Adriani Rodrigues pointed to the fact that between A.D. 90 and 150 the Scriptures were interpreted with an approach called "functional hermeneutics" (David Dockery), which basically means that the text was applied to the reader's own situation wihtout giving attention to the original situation and context in which and for which it was written.... Continue reading

Presentation Denis Kaiser, Ph.D. student in Adventist Studies and Historical Theology at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, MI, presented his research on the topic: “The Reception of Ellen White’s Trinitarian Statements by Her Contemporaries (1897–1915).” Introduction Kaiser pointed out that various scholars had already done historical research on the semi-Arian position of the early Seventh-day Adventists, the development to the Trinitarian position, and Ellen White’s role in that developmental process. Researchers who had looked at Ellen White’s writings paid primarily attention to the content of her Trinitarian statements and the authenticity of the original handwritten and typed... Continue reading

Presentation Professional musician David Williams, Ph.D. student in Church History at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, MI presented his research paper with the title: "A Theology of Music Among Sabbatarian Adventists, 1849-1863". Methodology Williams examined the writings and hymnbook publications of the Sabbatarian Adventists from 1849-1863 to derive their theology of music. In order to demonstrate their theology of music, he sought to a) demonstrate the value of music among Sabbatarian Adventists through their prolific hymn publication, b) show from their writings theologies of true and false music, and c) present their belief about music and its... Continue reading

"... a time for every purpose under heaven: ... a time to keep silence, and a time to speak." (Eccl. 3:1+7) In the broad sense of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, there is also a time for going light on blogging - as simply happens during summer, when many of our contributors are gone for study tours, speaking/teaching appointments or are busy with research that had to wait during the time of school. Or they are simply taking some time for vacation and visiting family. The "time of silence" will therefore be some days longer than usual... In the meantime, please take a... Continue reading

By Dr. James J. North, Jr.* This study is an effort to establish what kind of killing is and is not included under the 6th commandment. Based on views passed on from generation to generation, many Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs) have considered the Commandment to prohibit murder, killing in war, suicide, killing in self- and family-protection, etc . . . We have used the commandment to frown on, if not to prohibit, the bearing of arms, guns, as instruments of war, of law enforcement, and of hunting. Many would not have a weapon/gun in their homes as an instrument of self... Continue reading

By Edyta Jankiewicz, Ph.D. cand.* Although Adventists reject a purely Augustinian conception of original sin, the official teaching of the church affirms that Adam’s sin “resulted in the condition of estrangement from God in which every human being is born. This estrangement involves an inherent tendency to commit sin.”[1] This must, of necessity, include children. Despite much discussion regarding the nature of humanity, however, little of the contemporary Adventist debate has pertained directly to children; thus, Adventism does not have a complete or systematic theology of the nature of children. Early Adventists had diverse views on the innocence vs. sinfulness... Continue reading

By Edyta Jankiewicz, Ph.D. cand.* “Even infants bear their condemnation with them from their mother’s womb; for, though they have not yet brought forth the fruits of their own iniquity, they have the seed enclosed within themselves. Indeed, their whole nature is a seed of sin; thus it cannot be but hateful and abominable to God.”[1] Questions: Are children born as sinners, or with an innate tendency to sin, or both? Or are they born innocent, and only become sinners when they reach an age of moral awareness? If they are born innocent, and thus do not need baptism as... Continue reading

Presentation Jiri Moskala, Professor for Old Testament Exegesis and Theology at the SDA Theological Seminary at Andrews University, shared a paper about the characteristics and major roles of prophets in the Old Testament and whether these roles/tasks can be found in the ministry of Ellen G. White.* Testimony. Dr. Moskala started with a personal testimony on how he had gone from a fearful picture of God to the picture a loving, a "smiling" God, who wants the best for everyone and who delights in His children. He found forgiveness, a new picture of God, joy of salvation and assurance of... Continue reading

Presentation Glúder Quispe, currently a Ph.D. candidate in Adventist Studies at the SDA Theological Seminary, and a native from Peru, shed light on early translations of Ellen White into Spanish and the role Eduardo F. Forga played in this process.* He limited his research mainly to the years between the 1890s and 1915, the year in which Forga (as well as E. White) passed away. Translation from White's Books into Spanish from the 1890's to 1907. Quispe pointed to the important role that the literature work played in Adventist missions (Matthew 28:19-20 and Revelation 14:6) in every new global field.... Continue reading

Presentation Ranko Stefanovic, Professor for New Testament at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, traced origin, meaning, and function of the gift of prophecy in the Bible.* The Pre-Prophecy Period. After creation, still in Eden, God attempted to have an intimate relationship with Adam and Eve with straight face-to-face communication (cf. Gen 2:15-17). Since their disobedience and the fall caused a disconnectedness between them and God (Gen 3), the result was a disrupted relationship between Him and whole humanity as well as a destruction of their intimate communication with Him—which ultimately will not be restored until sin is totally removed (Rev... Continue reading

Presentation James R. Nix, director of the Ellen G. White Estate at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, was the first presenter after the devotional. He took the audience back to a series of events that happened in 1899 and that were almost unknown for several decades.* On February 15, 1899, the 33rd General Conference Session of Seventh-day Adventists opened in South Lancaster, Massachusetts. According to a letter of M. C. Wilcox to Ellen White nothing important happened during the first two weeks, but this should change soon with the arrival of Elder Frank H. Westphal and his accompanying guest,... Continue reading

2011 Ellen White and Current Issues Symposium Every year the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, in association with the Center for Adventist Research and the Ellen G. White Estate hosts an Ellen White and Current Issues Symposium in order to highlight current research and discuss new questions relating to her work and ministry. This year, on March 28, 2011, is the seventh such symposium (download the program (PDF) here). In the following days, Memory, Meaning & Faith will give summaries of the proceedings by our web editor, Angelika Kaiser*. Devotional Dwight K. Nelson, Senior Pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church of... Continue reading

By Gorden R. Doss (Department of World Mission, SDA Theological Seminary, Andrews University) As Martin Luther, John Calvin and the other Protestant Reformers developed their theological positions they also developed deep missiological commitments. Millions of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, animists and others knew little or nothing about the Bible and had not accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Reformers knew the history of Roman Catholic missionaries who had served over the centuries among non-Christian peoples. They quickly became convicted of their obligation to proclaim the Protestant way of being a Christian to non-Christian peoples. Therefore, they launched a systematic... Continue reading

By Martin Hanna (SDA Theological Seminary, Andrews University) Many sincere Christians engage in vigorous debate about headship and submission and relations between men and women. This blog seeks to clarify selected issues involved in this debate by surveying some insights on this subject from the Bible and Ellen White’s writings. What the Bible says What does the Bible say? Literally translated, Paul writes about “submitting to one another in the fear of God; wives, to your own husbands as to the Lord” (Eph. 5:21-22). The submission of a wife to one husband is grounded in the headship modeled by Christ... Continue reading

By Lisa C. Diller (Southern Adventist University, History Department) It keeps cropping up in my classes. Perhaps we’re studying about reported visions that the Aztecs were said to have had which predicted the arrival of Europeans in the Western Hemisphere. “Do you think this really happened, Professor Diller?” someone is bound to ask. And then we stop to have the conversation about miracles—a conversation it seems I have almost every semester in all my courses. I see my work as a historian as service to God—an act of worship. But that doesn’t mean that in all my studies I am... Continue reading

By John C. Peckham What is the nature of divine love? From a deterministic perspective God is the only active agent in the universe and, consequently, divine love is unilateral and altogether unconditional. If divine love is altogether unconditional it is predicated solely in the eternal divine will independent of conditionality. This complements classical theism’s supposition of the divine nature as immutable and impassible wherein love is necessarily nothing more than unaffected, unilateral, indifferent, and wholly subjective, beneficence. However, the biblical data challenges such a conception of the God-world relationship and in such a way that it is misleading, at... Continue reading