Theology in Crisis

The Theology Crisis THEOLOGY IN CRISIS OR ELLEN G. WHITE’S CONCEPT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH AS IT RELATES TO CONTEMPORARY SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST ISSUES ARTHUR LEROY MOORE Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the School of Education of New York University 1979 Note to the reader: The Author’s permission to make this dissertation more widely available has been granted on condition that it be understood that no endorsement by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists or any of its officers has been sought. We believe, however, that the concepts set forth are worthy of serious examination by everyone-Adventist or non-Adventist-who is concerned with contemporary Issues involving how God saves men and women. The Publishers Copyright by Arthur Leroy Moore January, 1980 All rights reserved. Reproduction or translation of any, part of this work beyond that permitted by Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act without the permission of the copyright owner is unlawful. Requests for permission or further information should be addressed to the author, in care of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 6840 Eastern Avenue, N. W., Washington, D.C. 20012 Publisher: Life Seminars, Incorporated 302 Stages, Corpus Christi, TEXAS 78412 Printer: Southwestern Publishing Company, Post Office Box 9357. Amarillo, TEXAS 19105 1 The Theology Crisis ACKNOWLEDGMENTS My pre-conversion efforts to establish some basis for acceptance with God precipitated a search for answers which intensified as I later wrestled with the problem of believer assurance in light of personal weakness and failure. Thus I was predisposed when in 1950 Felix Lorenz very briefly introduced the question of what happened in the 1888 Minneapolis conference, to take a serious interest in the subject of righteousness by faith. Sharpened a few Months later by the reading of A.G. Daniells’ Christ Our Righteousness, that interest was further whetted by discovery of Taylor G. Bunch’s “The Exodus Movement In Type and Anti-type.” The decision to pursue the study on an academic basin resulted, later in the decade, from a growing conviction that intensifying discussions on several vital issues were producing considerable confusion because they lacked adequate insight into the nature of man. A master’s thesis, completed in 1966, “Ellen G. Whites Concept of the Nature of Man as It Relates to the Objectives of Bible. Teaching,” became the preliminary step toward this study. It would be impossible to list all who in some way contributed to that study or to concepts developed since-these include parishioners and students, who helped sharpen issues and questions, as well as teachers, writers and other participants in dialogue. It is my privilege to express appreciation for the help of dissertation committee chairman, Lee- Belford, who chose to assume this responsibility in spite of his impending retirement, which meant he had to serve a number of months beyond that time. Also appreciated was the service of committee members Thomas Colvell and Constantine Georgiou, who have uncomplainingly read this study which because of the nature of the issues has been permitted to expand considerably more than the average. Among those offering vital suggestions was Paul Cordon, who represented the Ellen G. White Estate. J. J. Blanco and David Duffle provided particularly valuable assistance by reading each chapter Immediately and forwarding their helpful suggestions while the issues were still fresh in mind. My thanks also go to Desmond Ford, who took considerable time from his very heavy schedule of activities for personal interviews which were both congenial and helpful. Leslie and Evelyn Fisher and their don Franz, as well as Arnie and Millie Isaacson, offered very special personal assistance by providing a home away from home during those return trips to NYU for study. Their gracious hospitality and loving care will long be remembered with appreciation. Also greatly valued is the kind ness of Rogers Wilcox and the General Conference Committee in arranging help at a critical time, with final costs of the study following my employment as Coordinator of Native American Work of the North American Division in July, 1979. This study has been a family project. Without the financial assistance of my mother, [1] four sisters, and their spouses, the project could never have been completed. Of greatest significance wad the assistance of Millicent and her husband Richard Westmorelands who offered an apartment for use during the writing of the dissertation and assumed primary responsibility for the typing. Last, but by no means least, was the assistance and support of my wife, Patricia, who not only provided the only source of Income for a year and one half and did a considerable amount of typing, but also, gave continual encouragement toward completing the doctoral studies throughout a period of nearly a decade. 1. At age eighty-three, my Mother has just completed a book manuscript, “Our Rose Haven.” For the past two decades, following the decease of my father she has continued their practice of taking into the home students and other youth-of all races-many with special-problems and needs (thus “Our Rose Haven”). This book is designed to encourage others to take a special interest in children and youth all of whom need the love and understanding of committed Christian friends that they may find true meaning and success in life. The stories of some of the approximately one hundred young people “adopted” into the family form the central part of the book. An earlier book, My Son Dan, (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1978), presented the story of Dan Collins, who was thus reclaimed from alcohol and is now an SDA evangelist. 2 The Theology Crisis FOREWORD Leroy Moore’s doctoral dissertation, here entitled Theology in Crisis, emerges upon the denominational scene at a time when both its content and its-spirit are urgently needed. Nothing comparable to it has thus far appeared. Several of the issues raised by proponents of the new or “reformationist” theology have previously been addressed, but never with that degree of respect, empathy and forth rightness which characterizes Moore’s thesis. It is a model of the fairness, humility and courage with which theological controversy should be carried on by Christian brethren whenever it has reluctantly been decided that controversy can no longer be avoided-as is now the case. One here detects no “drums playing and flags flying.” [1] On the contrary, one senses a humble solidarity with the church’s Laodicean condition, which in delaying completion of the Lord’s work on earth now gives rise to a state of uncertainty and concern regarding how the church is to fulfill Its mission. Moore is convinced that “the message of righteousness by faith has never” been adequately perceived and received by any significant segment of the body largely because the prevalence through the decades of a general feeling that it Is already understood and accepted. Any ‘all is well’ signal would thus betray the primary thrust of this study.” He “suggests that ‘our’ failure to grasp Ellen White’s insights is a prime factor in stimulating some concerned Adventists to seek within Reformation-theology the key to the dilemma. A work of this nature unavoidably deals with published statements and views of specifically- named individuals. The focus of this study, however remains consistently upon issues rather than upon personalities. There Is no judging of motives, nor impugning of sincerity. 1. Francis Schaeffer, The Church Before the Watching World, 74. Chapter II is especially noteworthy in that it reflects Moore’s “serious attempt to understand Reformed theology and psychology” and to “‘walk in Ford’s shoes’ [whose views are compared with E. G. White’s] intellectually and emotionally so as best to understand what he is trying to say,” and to feel his concern. It thus affords a most valuable overview of their posit ion at its best, and not as the straw man which It is sometimes caricaturized to be. That accuracy of Moore’s portrayal-and-its overall fairness-has been acknowledged by Ford, makes all the more telling the evidence which he marshals elsewhere throughout the thesis (but not in Chapter II) to demonstrate the inadequacy of the “new theology” to express-the main thrust of Ellen White’s larger view. Regardless of whether he agrees with Moore’s conclusions, the reader of Theology in Crisis will obtain a clearer understanding of the issues underlying what may well prove to be one of the most decisive dialogues in the history of the Adventist Church. When we as a people both-understand what constitutes the heart of the gospel and experience union with Christ through the ‘Holy Spirit, important divisions among us will cease. We shall then be privileged to participate in the finishing of the mystery of God (Revelation 10:7) and the fulfillment of the opening verses of Isaiah 60: Arise, shine; for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. David Duffle, M.D. Assistant Professor of Health Sciences School of Health, Loma Linda University INTRODUCTION The church of God now faces the greatest crisis in its history in which its unity and even its very existence are at stake. In this crisis hour two forces threaten its integrity. With a focus upon our time, Jesus warned that “many false prophets [would] arise and mislead many”-would in fact, “if possible, deceive the very elect.” He also warned that “many [would] fall away,” and that a “lukewarm!” people’s love would “grow cold.” Prom lukewarmness to coldness-heart rending words! Unfortunately this very condition makes God’s church a prey to false prophets.

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