Articles — Advent Christian Voices

Some Reflections On John’s Prologue (Of the Father’s Love Begotten)

This time of year I am drawn again and again to the prologue of John’s Gospel. I never get tired reading through it slowly, contemplatively and prayerfully. At times I try to imagine what it must have been like for those early first and second century Christians to have heard it read in their assemblies for the first time or to have had the great gift of setting their eyes on a copy of it. What no doubt would have immediately caught their attention was the phrase “En archē ēn ho logos” (In the beginning was the Word). The Logos would have been somewhat familiar to both Jewish and Gentile believers.

Lou Going, Theology, DevotionalsLouis GoingDecember 7, 2021Comment

“And the dead tree gives no shelter, the cricket no relief”

All good things, when left to adults, become busy, and this is especially true of religion. There is a hysteria about religion in America of having to endlessly improve or else…

Unity, Church Practices, TheologyMark PlumDecember 2, 2021William Miller, Advent Christian, Adventism Comments

Advent, Our Only Hope

Tell me, do you have hope? I like to sift out the fools and the Christians from the rest of the populace in short order.

Devotionals, TheologyThomas LoghryNovember 30, 2021Advent, Christmas, hope, depression, hopeless Comments

Dirt Roads

I've begun to view theology much in the same way. Admiration is a term that comes to mind in describing those who've come before me. The church fathers such as Augustine, the Gregorys, Athanasius, Basil, and Didymus are all crucial thinkers of the Christian thought with whom we should be acquainted. These men helped build roads for the Church to understand God more deeply and fully as they compacted the dirt underneath their tires, forming routes with their faithful exposition of God's Word.

Theology, Unity, Church HistoryErik ReynoldsNovember 23, 2021theological fragmentation, Church History, unity Comment

Do Advent Christians Need Reformation?

I wasn’t planning on publishing a piece for Reformation day, but I read something the other day that really struck a nerve.

Theology, Tom Loghry, Church PracticesThomas LoghryOctober 31, 2021reformation, Stephen Nichols, Martin Luther, Advent ChristianComment

We can change, but will we?

Sometimes there are blog articles that really get you thinking. Nathaniel Bickford’s article, “Solutions?” is just that kind of piece. Honestly, I’ve thought along his lines for awhile, but I couldn’t help noticing how it grabbed the attention of so many of you.

One Millerite Virtue

William Miller and his followers look like a pack of fools - an example of what not to do. However, I would contend that assessing the merits of the movement is a bit more complex. To be clear, date-setting is absolutely not commendable. No, what I have in mind far more basic and entirely orthodox. The virtue I have observed is this…

A Call To Orthodoxy

Imagine if my wife described me as slender, clean-shaven, neatly dressed, short, and quiet. Then you met me and saw that I towered over most people, sported a Dad-bod, wore crocs, and have a beard that hides my chest. You’d think my wife must be talking about her other husband. That’s quite similar to our disagreements regarding the nature of God. Although we maintain denominational fellowship with those who reject the Trinity, we worship a different God because we disagree as to who God is.

What is Practical Theology?

In its most simple terms, theology is the science of knowing God, his creation, and all that is found therein. Practical Theology, then, is the science of applying what one can learn about God, his creation, and all that is found therein.

TheologyErik ReynoldsSeptember 3, 2021Practical TheologyComment

Adventism as Political Orientation

“So…are you a socialist or a capitalist?”Smiling, I respond to my imaginary inquisitor, “I’m an adventist.”

Unite or Die

I believe there is hope because we do have pockets of unity. These strongholds of unity can be found in three areas, which Larkin focuses on and, in my estimation, provides hope for the future.

Exploring the Creeds (Part 1)

Let’s stand in thankfulness for the work done by our Christian forbears and early Church Fathers. They’ve handed down priceless heirlooms born out of the careful study and thoughtful discussion in the early hours of our faith’s birth. Rejection of the creeds is to purposefully separate oneself from foundational Christian orthodoxy carried forward from the days before the legalization of Christianity.

Jesus Didn’t Go to Heaven When He Died

Most of us are familiar with the Easter narrative. In fact, many of us feel so familiar with the details that we don’t suppose there’s anything we have left unconsidered. Jesus died on the cross and rose again - that’s all there is to it. Three days no doubt felt like eternity to the disciples, but it is little trouble for us to rush between the cross and the empty tomb. We always do like to get to the good part.

But would you allow me to trouble you?

Tom Loghry, TheologyThomas LoghryApril 2, 2021Jesus, Death, Harrowing of Hell, ResurrectionComment

On the Inconsistency of Women's Ordination in the Advent Christian Denomination

“Why is there so much inconsistency within the Advent Christian denomination when it comes to the ordination of women?”

This question came to mind recently while watching a live podcast episode of Bible Banter that had Dr. Mark Woolfington on as a guest for the topic of discussion: Ordination Standards.

The broad discussion was centered around what ordination standards are in place currently, what should change, and what is needed in ordination standards for Advent Christians. As I was listening and watching, I made a comment about the need for consistency in ordination standards, which led to more discussion on the need for a commonly identified theological foundation in order to build more consistent ordination standards.

Thinking about the inconsistent ordination standards, methods, processes, and practices got me thinking…

Pastors, Catherine Rybicki, Church Practices, TheologyCatherine RybickiMarch 2, 2021 Comments

Meaningless Authority: Advent Christians and the Bible

Advent Christians managed to make biblical authority meaningless even as it was being celebrated. What will we do today?

Tom Loghry, TheologyThomas LoghryFebruary 25, 2021advent christian, bible, creeds, non-creedalComment

Christian Character Isn’t The Only Test of Fellowship

To define Christian character or biblical morality one must acknowledge that (1) there is absolute truth and (2) there is absolute right and wrong. This begs the question, “From where do we receive truth and our concept of right and wrong?” We need look no further than the nature of God who in Himself is good, just, and moral.

Leadership, Theology, Erik ReynoldsErik ReynoldsFebruary 1, 2021Fellowship, Character, Theological Unity Comment

Advent Christian Identity for the 21st Century

Among the Advent Christian faithful, there has been a palpable sense that we are in the midst of an identity crisis as a denomination. It begins with the common report that the majority of people who fill our pews do not identify as Advent Christians. Of the few who do embrace that identity, many are progressively joining the ranks of the elderly…

Women and the Vote: What Did the Adventist Publications Say?

“What did the Adventist publications say about women earning the right to vote?”

This was one question that came to my mind while I was visiting Aurora University, doing some research in their Adventist archival collection. I was entertaining questions in my mind about how Advent Christians reacted publicly to major current events. Case in point – the ratification of the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution, which gave women (who were legal US citizens) the right to vote. And so, I began to read.

Church History, Catherine Rybicki, TheologyCatherine RybickiNovember 29, 2020Comment

How Can Advent Christians Leverage All Hallow's Eve?

Just over one-third of the way through the fall a holiday makes its annual appearance. For some it is a night of masquerade, mystery and the thrill of trick-or-treat, or harmless pranks. For others it is a night of spiritual significance, both good and bad; and for still others it holds nothing at all. That holiday is Halloween, October 31st.

Church Practices, TheologyDavid DavisOctober 8, 2020halloween, hallow's eve, martin lutherComment

Christ's Obedience and the Salvation of the Ungodly

Here is a question for you. What does God in His holiness require as the cause or basis of His forgiveness of sinners? Is it a life of perfect obedience or faith in Jesus Christ? Yes, this is a trick question but an important one.

Lou Going, TheologyLouis GoingAugust 17, 2020atonement, obedience, cross, Jesus, wrath, propitiation Comments

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