Do Advent Christians Need Reformation?

I wasn’t planning on publishing a piece for Reformation Day (10/31), but I read something the other day that really struck a nerve.

As part of the introduction to his book “The Reformation: How a Monk and a Mallet Changed the World”, Stephen J. Nichols has this to say about the continued relevance of the Reformation:

“Prior to the Reformation, there were various attempts to reform the church. Some movements addressed issues of church leadership and government, trying to wrest control from the papacy. Other groups tried to reform the extravagance of the church and its pursuit of wealth. Others addressed the lackluster spirituality that was also prevalent. These movement could put their finger on the problem – they just couldn’t arrive at a solution. All these movements failed where the Reformation succeeded. The reason? The Reformation got to the heart of the matter: right theology. The reformers rightly diagnosed a disease, and they rightly administer the necessary cure.

Today we can fall into the same trap as those failed movements that attempted to reform. We can put our trust in programs. We can rely on new leadership with the application of innovative management techniques. We can count on moral reform. The Reformation sounds a clarion call of caution to all such attempts. If we as a church don’t get it right on the doctrines of the Bible, Christ, and salvation, we’ll never head in the right direction, no matter how innovative or energetic or zealous we may be.
(pp. 21-22)

So about that nerve - doesn’t it seem like our denomination has followed the pattern of the Church in those years that preceded the Reformation? In the past 50 years our denomination, deeply needing revitalization, has mostly limited its attention to uniting ministries and deploying and rearranging ministry programs. More recently, some of us have highlighted the need for structural reform. Like Nichols, we can readily grant that these are all real needs. However, even as we look to these, shouldn’t our theology also come into view as a crucial consideration?

In 2017, we took a real step forward when we adopted a Statement of Faith for the Advent Christian church. Most significantly, it provided greater clarity about our official stance on the doctrine of God - that God is Trinitarian in nature. Even so, this has not put to rest all theological consideration on this front. After all, is it vital that all our churches and pastors believe this? Particularly, is it essential that they believe Christ is not only fully Man but also fully God? Our answer here is theologically consequential - it goes to the very heart of the Gospel itself in deciding the source and manner in which Christ’s work of atonement is efficacious on our behalf. Coincidentally, this echoes the concern of the Reformers regarding our apprehension of the efficacy of Christ’s redemption for our salvation; it simply bounces from a different wall.

Additionally, how is it that we have so casually shrugged off continued theological reflection and refinement of our adventist and conditionalist distinctives? Those studies are hardly complete or tapped out; as for every generation, they must now be restated for the 21st century; we must tease out their implications for the Gospel mission. Moreover, there is vast territory to fill out between anthropology and eschatology - why aren’t we filling it out? Yes, we will produce diverse opinions, but this is part and parcel of a process that will lead us toward greater coherence in our theological vision.

As Nichols observes, gaining “direction” requires us to be theologically attentive. No amount of hype can replace the weight and driving force of divine truth. Yes, we need reformation. In less than seven days, I have published two strong appeals (see first here) and you may think I’ve gone hysterical. But please consider this: are my observations true? If I write, it’s only because I see great need all around. It won’t be met overnight. Please pray. Begin studying, writing, and conversing on all matters of theology, especially as it pertains to our life together. Start doing all the little things that will reform our Advent Christian denomination. I can state with confidence that it is God’s will that we would seek to know him in truth and therein obtain our vision and form for ministry. God is for us! Success belongs to him - our only concern is to act.