Posts in Theology
The Inspiration of Scripture
The Inspiration of Scripture

Inspiration in the biblical sense that has just been discussed is different from how it is used more commonly today. We might speak of a person being inspired to compose a song, paint a landscape, or simply with a correct interpretation of Scripture. In such instances, the ideas originate with the individual, even though they may have good, even divine, influences: a song written because of God’s amazing grace, a painting brought about by the beauty of creation, or a right interpretation caused by the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit. But only the Bible is directly inspired by God himself: its words are not merely influenced by him, but breathed out by him.

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Nathaniel Bickford, TheologyNathaniel BickfordTheology, Systematic Theology, WDF, Whitefield Declaration of Faith, bible, theological education, InspirationComment
General and Special Revelation
General and Special Revelation

Last November I announced the publication of the Whitefield Declaration of Faith, a tool that I hope will be useful for the teaching ministry of the church. To that end I have been working on a related project: an exposition of the Whitefield Declaration of Faith. The goal is to create a teaching tool that addresses each paragraph of this confession of faith with biblical-theological accuracy, depth, and accessibility to assist in the instruction of God’s people. Each section will contain not only an explanation, but also two verses of a relevant hymn for reflection and a series of study questions.

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Nathaniel Bickford, Biblical Theology, TheologyNathaniel BickfordTheology, Systematic Theology, Whitefield Declaration of Faith, WDF, Confessions, Confession of Faith, Declaration of Faith Comments
Introducing The Whitefield Declaration of Faith
Introducing The Whitefield Declaration of Faith

After more than three years of editorial work, Nathaniel Bickford (General Editor), Lou Going (Contributing Editor), and Erik Reynolds (Contributing Editor) are excited to introduce to you a new confession of faith in the tradition of the historic confessions of faith of the Protestant Reformation. The Whitefield Declaration of Faith (WDF), named after the town where two of the editors have pastored, is a reformed, credo-baptist, conditionalist confession in the tradition of the Westminster Confession of Faith, Savoy Declaration of Faith and Order (our starting document), and the London Baptist Confession of Faith.

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Nathaniel Bickford, Theology, Conditional immortalityNathaniel BickfordComment
An Appeal to all Advent Christians, Who Affirm Christ’s Full Deity and Humanity, A Follow Up
An Appeal to all Advent Christians, Who Affirm Christ’s Full Deity and Humanity, A Follow Up

I am responding to those who asked questions and made pertinent comments about my previous post on ACV’s Facebook page.  I do not have a Facebook account and was not able to respond on that platform. ..If faith is genuine and saving then when it is presented with the truth of Christ being the Great I Am, who, as the Word, became flesh, in order to save sinners, such faith will welcome this glorious truth and not oppose it.   

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Biblical Studies, Biblical Theology, Theology, UnityLouis Going Comments
Church or Movement? Advent Christians Must Decide
Church or Movement? Advent Christians Must Decide

Loosening our grip on some of our distinctives would only amount to extinction if we are a movement, not a church. Movements must be steadfast in maintaining their niche points of concern, but churches need not…If the Advent Christian church shifted to positions of neutrality on certain secondary doctrines we would remain the church no matter the degree to which we redefine Advent Christian identity.

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Tom Loghry, ACGC, Christian life, Theology, AdventismThomas Loghryadvent christian, non-trinitarianism, adventism, declaration of principlesComment
An Appeal to all Advent Christians, Who Affirm Christ’s Full Deity and Humanity
An Appeal to all Advent Christians, Who Affirm Christ’s Full Deity and Humanity

I am writing this as an appeal to my fellow Advent Christians who personally hold to the full deity and humanity of Christ in his one person but who do not want to challenge those in our ranks who have no conviction regarding this teaching or who actually oppose it. Before I make the particular appeal let me state some assumptions and offer two points for you to consider.


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Biblical Studies, Biblical Theology, Discipleship, Spiritual Formation, TheologyLouis Going Comments
My Advent Christian Story: Coming Back and Moving Forward
My Advent Christian Story: Coming Back and Moving Forward

Not all of you know me well...some may wonder about my own history in the denomination and my desires for the Advent Christian church. I thought now would be a good time to share my own story so that you might appreciate the diversity of backgrounds and thought among the “younger” generation. I encourage my peers to do the same.

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Tom Loghry, ACGC, Christian life, TheologyThomas Loghryadvent christian, non-trinitarianism, Rockland Community Church, Oak Hill Bible Church Comment
"What a Loving God Would Not Do"
"What a Loving God Would Not Do"

“Confession: I am an annihilationist. I believe that the wicked will be resurrected on the last day, judged and condemned by God Almighty, and cast into hell to suffer and die. Some of my fellow annihilationists may have just experienced a bit of theological whiplash. You were offering a hearty “Amen” to my belief statement until I threw in the word “suffer.” If that describes you, put on your big boy/big girl pants, because I’ve got something to say that you might not like…”

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Theology, Conditional immortalityLuke Copelandconditionalism, suffering, annihilationism, marcion, justice Comments