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THESIS ABSTRACT Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies

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THESIS ABSTRACT Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies THESIS ABSTRACT Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies Emphasis in Church History Adventist University of Africa Theological Seminary TITLE: HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST STATEMENT OF BELIEFS AND ITS THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS Researcher: Tony Ogouma Primary Adviser: Robert Osei Bonsu, PhD Date completed: March 2018 The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a worldwide Church. It came into existence after the Great Disappointment of 1844, in the United States of America. Since its very beginning, the question of doctrines or Fundamental Beliefs has been always in the center of Adventist Theology. However, historical development of Adventist Statement of Beliefs and its theological implications, cannot be enough appreciated because of lack of comprehensive study on the subject. This study, therefore, investigates on the development of the Adventist Statement of Beliefs and its theological implications, from 1872 to 2015. The study was premised on the observation that, in 1872, the Adventist Church had twenty-five Fundamental Principles. In 1889, three more beliefs were added to make it a total of twenty-eight. In 1931, the Adventist Church reviewed its beliefs to twenty-two principles. In 1980, it was made up of twenty-seven principles. And from 2005 to 2015, the official Seventh-day Adventist Fundamental Beliefs was composed of twenty-eight principles. Consequently, the study meticulously and chronologically examines the Seventh-day Adventist Statement of Beliefs of 1872, 1889, 1931, 1980, 2005, 2010 and 2015; and analyses their theological implications. This study employs the historical/documentary method of research and uses published and unpublished primary and secondary resources. The study concludes that throughout their history, Seventh-day Adventist have looked forward to discovering or receiving additional truth that will match with prior truth. Their doctrines have developed from their original distinctive principles of beliefs to some explicit doctrines. Moreover, the study recommends that in-depth studies could be done on the historical development of the Seventh-day Adventist Theology Proper, Christology, Pneumatology, Anthropology, Soteriology, Eschatology, Bibliology, Ecclesiology, Lifestyle, as well as on the Seventh-day Adventist unique doctrines. Also, some studies could be considered on the various debates that influenced Adventist theology, such as the 1888 debates of Minneapolis. An in-depth study on Alonzo. T Jones, Ellet J. Waggoner, and Uriah Smith, who played significant roles in shaping Adventist theology, could be helpful. Finally, the contributions of Ellen G. White on the development of Adventist doctrines and theology could be considered. Adventist University of Africa Theological Seminary HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST STATEMENT OF BELIEFS AND ITS THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS A thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies by Tony Ogouma April 2018 Copyright 2018 © Tony Ogouma All Rights Reserved HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST STATEMENT OF BELIEFS AND ITS THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS A thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies by Tony Ogouma APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Primary Adviser Programme Director, MABTS Robert Osei-Bonsu, PhD Eriks Galenieks, PhD Secondary Adviser Dean, Theological Seminary Paul Ahanda, PhD Sampson Nwaomah, PhD External Examiner Jean Christian Esso, PhD Extension Site: Valley View University Date: April 2018 Dedicated to my wife, Ogouma Grace Doriane, and my child. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................... viii CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 1 Background of the Study ................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem ................................................................................... 2 Purpose of the Study .......................................................................................... 2 Significance of the Study ................................................................................... 3 Scope and Delimitations .................................................................................... 3 Methodology ...................................................................................................... 5 Definition of Terms............................................................................................ 5 2. LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................... 7 Historical Background of the Seventh-day Adventist Church ........................... 7 The Early Church Period (AD 33 – 400) ............................................... 7 The Church in the Medieval Ages (5th – 15th century AD) .................... 9 The Reformation Period in Europe (1517-1648) ................................. 10 The Protestantism Period in America (1800 – 1844) ........................... 12 The Rise of Adventism ........................................................................ 12 Adventist Understanding of Their Doctrinal Development ............................. 16 Creeds in the Adventist Church ....................................................................... 21 The Era of Doctrinal Development .................................................................. 21 The Doctrinal Background ................................................................... 22 The 1888 Minneapolis Conference ...................................................... 28 The Meaning of the 1888 Minneapolis Conference ............................ 32 The 1919 Bible Conference ................................................................. 34 Questions on Doctrines (1955-1956) ................................................... 36 The 1986 General Conference Session ................................................ 37 Summary .......................................................................................................... 37 3. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE SDA STATEMENT OF BELIEFS .... 38 The 1872 Statement of Beliefs ......................................................................... 38 Historical Background ......................................................................... 38 An Analysis of the 1872 Statement ..................................................... 41 The 1889 Statement of Beliefs ......................................................................... 42 Historical Background ......................................................................... 42 Analysis of the 1889 Statement of Beliefs ........................................... 43 The 1931 Statement of Beliefs ......................................................................... 46 v Historical Background ......................................................................... 46 The Trinity debate up to 1930 .............................................................. 47 Analysis of the 1931 Statement of Beliefs ........................................... 49 The 1980 Statement of Beliefs ......................................................................... 54 Historical Background ......................................................................... 54 Analysis of the 1980 Statement of Beliefs ........................................... 55 The 2005 Statement of Beliefs ......................................................................... 58 Historical Background ......................................................................... 58 Analysis of the 2005 Statement of Beliefs ........................................... 59 The 2010 Statement of Beliefs ......................................................................... 60 The 2015 Statement of Beliefs ......................................................................... 61 Historical Background ......................................................................... 61 Analysis of the 2015 Statement of Beliefs ........................................... 62 Minor revisions. ....................................................................... 62 Major revisions. ....................................................................... 64 Summary .......................................................................................................... 65 4. THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS ........................................................................ 67 Theological Implications of the 1872 Statement ............................................. 67 A Theology Arising from Their Immediate Roots .............................. 68 Adventist Bibliology in the 1872 Statement ........................................ 69 Adventist Theology Proper in the 1872 Statement .............................. 69 Adventist Christology in the 1872 Statement ...................................... 70 Adventist Pneumatology in the 1872 Statement .................................. 70 Adventist Anthropology in the 1872 Statement................................... 70 Adventist Soteriology in the 1872 Statement ...................................... 71 Adventist Ecclesiology in the 1872 Statement .................................... 71 Adventist Distinctive Theology in the 1872 Statement
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