More than Evangelical...Advent Christian
In my recent post introducing The Enduring Resolution for the 2026 Advent Christian Ministers, I provided commentary explaining that the proposed resolution intends to grandfather in credentialed ministers who hold certain convictions at odds with the 2026 Declaration of Principles. The qualification in this clause is that they must be able to affirm our Statement of Faith and the current Enduring Resolutions.
As many are aware, our SOF is the same statement offered by the National Association of Evangelicals. Anyone who looks at that statement will realize it is very broad, encompassing a diverse variety of denominations who differ with each other in numerous ways. As I have said elsewhere, we would certainly concede that our denomination does not contain all whom we would call Christian - the Kingdom is bigger than that. In like manner, we would concede that evangelicalism extends beyond the bounds of Advent Christian identity - we are not the only evangelicals.
That said, we do aspire to be more than merely evangelical. There are certain errors allowed within the boundaries of evangelicalism that we would not want to see be included in Advent Christian identity. The outline of that identity is provided in the 2026 Declaration of Principles. More than evangelical, we want to be Advent Christian.
Even so, I do think the measure of evangelical identity captured in the SOF is a useful tool for us as we transition into the future. Because we have had no official standards of belief up to this point, the breadth of diversity among our pastors has been just as broad as evangelical identity itself and wider still given the inclusion of nontrinitarians. This is why I have sounded the alarm concerning the dissolution of our identity.
However, given that this denomination already exists and contains such breadth, it raises the question as to how we might charitably course correct. I certainly don’t suppose those who convictionally disagree with the 2026 DOP will vote in favor of it. I am supposing a circumstance in which the sufficient majority (at least 75%) do affirm the 2026 DOP; the question is how we do rightly treat the remaining credentialed ministers in that case. As Advent Christians, we are not aspiring to be merely evangelical, but we should certainly be at least that. This recommends utilizing the SOF as our guide in defining tolerable boundaries for those already credentialed as Advent Christian ministers.
I acknowledge Erik Reynolds’ recent attempt to disparage the proposed enduring resolution. My reply is very simple, because there is a basic disagreement between us. In light of the NAE definition, contextually understood, I do believe that evangelical identity can include various forms of trinitarianism and those who are functionallly miaphysitist/monotheletist. Erik either disagrees such individuals are evangelicals or believes that should not matter. As he himself cites, he is effectively disputing the evangelical standing of the likes of William Lane Craig, Wayne Grudem, J.P. Moreland, Stanley Grenz, and Bruce Ware.
To be clear, I agree with him that the positions he repudiates are erroneous, that they should not be included in our expression of Advent Christian identity, and that their adherents should not be willfully added to our number of ministers moving forward. Nonetheless, by definition, I do think those who hold such positions can be considered evangelical Christians.
Erik is right that social trinitarianism “risks” tritheism, but if it were already tritheism then there would be no speaking of risk. The same can be said for those who deny that Christ has two natures/two wills - there is a risk that has not necessarily arrived. If that risk has arrived, if someone is in fact a tritheist or maintains that Jesus is less than both fully human and fully divine, then our ministerial committees must be prepared to exercise discernment (as they should always) and not grant an exception in such cases, whatever such ministers would call themselves. As the resolution states, “[T]he Advent Christian General Conference is committed to being an evangelical Christian denomination.”
I believe evangelical identity matters in this case because, if we are to show charity in this moment, we must be able to easily conceptualize our boundaries of tolerance under this resolution. If we cannot simply point to our SOF as that boundary, then we would need to create an entire list of views we would tolerate in this circumstance of transition. Obviously, this would open up another wide-ranging debate as to what should be included/excluded. If we cannot do that, the only realistic alternative is to offer no formal charity at all, a shortcoming that will inevitably tempt our ministerial committees to ultimately bend standards behind closed doors, thereby forming a grievous precedent and habit for the foreseeable future. In light of all this, it makes much more sense that we would simply point to the SOF and move forward.
In short, it is easy to throw stones. Developing solutions? That is the more difficult task. I know this denomination and I know our people will want to show charity - as they should. This is my proposal, recommended by the Executive Council, for how we can do so in an orderly, responsible fashion.
Erik can debate the breadth of the evangelical consensus if he so desires. I am prepared to accept that consensus and move forward. We intend to become more than merely evangelical, and if the 2026 DOP is adopted the proposed resolution aligns with that purpose. In that case, our regions, conferences, and churches must still uphold the 2026 DOP. All newly credentialed ministers must affirm the 2026 DOP (remember: 60% of our pastors are over age 60). Beyond 2027, all presently credentialed ministers will be expected to affirm the 2026 DOP, except for any areas of difference they reported before that time. These ministers will not retain a lifetime privilege of increasing deviation - they will be held to their own word.
Far from drifting, we are course correcting. If at least 75% of our delegates vote in favor of adopting the 2026 DOP, such that this enduring resolution proves to be relevant, it would be manifestly clear we are not drifting at all. More than merely evangelical, the future for us will be thoroughly Advent Christian. By God’s grace, the 2026 Declaration of Principles will be our voice in the 21st century. Showing charity in a moment of transition to the otherwise evangelical ministers among us will not change that.
Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.