Adventist Today FORUM presents:
Reflections On Adventism
an interview with DR. DESMOND FORD
| Intro
| Part 1
| Part 2
| Part 3
| Follow up |
Introduction
Dr. Desmond Ford is an accomplished Adventist theologian
and scholar who has addressed many tens of thousands of persons through
seminars, sermons and lectures, as well as through books, magazines, radio,
and television. His Gospel ministry takes him throughout the United States
and to numerous foreign countries on a regular basis. He is also the President
and Founder of Good News Unlimited, a non-profit, non-denominational gospel
ministry headquartered in Auburn, California. Dr. Ford’s gospel-focused
magazine, entitled Good News Unlimited, is
distributed in over 80 countries. Dr. Ford’s web site may be found
at www.goodnewsunlimited.org.
Over the years, Dr. Ford has written many books on
the Gospel and Christian lifestyle including separate commentaries on Daniel
and Revelation as well as the seventh day Sabbath and preventive health.
He recently authored a 382-page, easy-to-read commentary on Romans, Right
with God, Right Now. Dr. Ford holds two doctorate degrees - one
in New Testament studies from The University of Manchester in England under
the renowned Protestant theologian, the late Dr. F.F. Bruce (1910-1990)
and the other in Rhetoric from Michigan State University at Lansing.
>Prior to 1980, Dr. Ford had a distinguished career
with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. He was head of the Religion
Department at Avondale SDA College in Australia from 1961-1977 as well
as a committee member for the Denomination’s Biblical Research Institute.
In 1977, Dr. Ford came to the United States to teach Religion at Pacific
Union College until late in 1979 when, at the request of the General Conference,
he moved to Takoma Park, Maryland in order to defend his "advanced" position
concerning Daniel 8:14 and the doctrine of the "Investigative Judgment."
During this period, the Seventh-day Adventist denomination had become involved
in a divisive debate over the definition of the "Gospel." Dr. Ford’s uncompromising
defense of this historic Protestant doctrine as reflected in his interpretation
of Daniel 8:14 led to his surprising dismissal from Denominational employment
as a Theology Professor and Minister in August of 1980. His controversial
termination was reported around the world by such magazines as Time,
Newsweek,
and Christianity Today.
Almost two decades have passed since Dr. Ford took
his courageous stand for the Gospel. Since that time, it has become obvious
that Dr. Ford’s teachings have led many Christians to a better understanding
of personal salvation and the Scripture. In fact, many within the Seventh-day
Adventist church have adopted his view of the Gospel and his advanced position
on the Investigative Judgment. Although it has been almost two decades
since Dr. Ford has been exiled from the Denomination, he is still a Seventh-day
Adventist who personally supports a vegetarian lifestyle as well as such
fundamental doctrines as the seventh day Sabbath, Second Coming, Judgment,
state-of-the-dead, new earth, etc. We are grateful that Dr. Ford has agreed
to participate in this Adventist Today
forum interview. Dr. Ford has also agreed to come on-line after the interview
is posted to answer some follow-up questions.
For convenience, a table of general topics has been
added below.
General Topics - Table of Contents
Part 1 - Discussion
of events surrounding Glacier View
1. Seventh-day
Adventism
2. Glacier
View & The Investigative Judgment
3. Investigative
Judgment
4. Glacier
View Aftermath
5. Investigative
Judgment Cover Up
6. The Investigative
Judgment Doctrine
7. Prophetic
Interpretation
Part 2 - Discussion of other Adventist
doctrines
8. Spirit
of Prophecy and Ellen White
9. Seventh-day
Sabbath
10. Second
Coming
11. Messianic
Judaism
12. Time
of Trouble
13. The New
Earth
Part 3 - Discussions on Adventism's
future, present struggles, and prospects for reform
14. The Future
of Adventism
15. Guidance
to the Church
16. Advice
for Individuals
17. Women’s
Ordination
18. The 27
Fundamental Beliefs
19. The Gospel
and Adventism
20. Adventist
Reform
Follow-Up - Dr. Ford answers
questions from the aToday forums
21. Investigative Judgment
in the Old Testament
22. Year-Day Principle
23. The 2,300-Day Prophecy
24. Updated Doctrine to Replace
the Investigative Judgment
25. The Judgment
26. The Mediatorial Judgment
Gap
27. Definition of Good
28. Dr. Ford’s Teaching Style
29. Doctrinal Dogmatism
30. The Judgment Debate
31. Bible Study
32. Lutheran-Catholic Accord
on Justification by Faith
33. Adventist Reform
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