This chapter explores the contribution of the Seventh-day Adventist theologian/preacher Ellen White to Black Theology by comparing her early 19th century work to the later writings of James Cone. An argument is put forward that White intuited many of the insights that Cone would later formulate, demonstrating both that White can be a valuable…[Read more]

According to popular scholarly consensus, the role of the classical prophets ceased following the rebuilding of Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. This paper will attempt to propose an explanation of 1 Maccabees’ comments about the cessation of prophecy by undertaking a careful and broad examination of the dynamics involved in the Hebrew B…[Read more]

An analysis of William Foy’s visions are compared with Ellen White’s, noting that the two shared the same vision. Both visions are ultimately traced to the apocryphal work of 2 Esdras, popular among Millerites, allowing us to analyze how both Foy and White utilized the Apocrypha in their visionary renditions. Furthermore, this analysis sheds light…[Read more]

The White Estate early on was aware of a report by some Adventists that claimed, as eyewitnesses, that Ellen White had (during a camp-meeting during May 1-10 of 1908) declared that: “Any one killed from an aeroplane would be lost.” Although considered apocryphal by the Estate when first heard, it turns out that this statement is likely not fic…[Read more]

Within the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a common conception is that Ellen White, one of the denomination’s three founders and a 19th-century female theologian, warned of a singular time in the future when a theological “shaking” would occur. However, by comparing all possible references to the word “shaking” (as well as associated ideas) in…[Read more]

A short peer-reviewed essay exploring my pedagogical approach at teaching a required Introduction to New Testament course for students at a Criminal Justice program. It outlines creative ways to engage students in biblical material by focusing attention on those aspects of it that directly relate to the legal profession and sensibility.

Our earliest Christian sources suggest that it was common for Christian communities in the first and second century to disregard or ignore statements by Jesus that were perceived to be problematic, even at times claiming they originated with their enemies. This paper turns attention to this early Christian phenomenon of rejecting Jesus’ sayings, e…[Read more]

In this short article, the later views of Ellen White toward the Apocrypha are explored, building on previous studies that have demonstrated her continued utilization of apocryphal works past 1850. It is argued that by examining her views on inspiration and a reference she makes to the Septuagint, a plausible understanding of her views about the…[Read more]

An article that explores the theology of Sabbath keeping, and the biblical arguments for when God wishes his laws to be violated. A theology of the Sabbath, if it is to serve God’s desire in Scripture, must focus on the why of Sabbath, not the when. It cannot rely on arguments from authority or the Law as a cheap excuse for not engaging in a…[Read more]

A survey of Adventist church statements regarding church policy in the North American Division and World Church regarding Climate Change. It will be argued that unlike other policies the Adventist church supports, its statements on Climate Change lack the typical biblical support common for other initiatives and indicates a lack of spiritual…[Read more]

The passage of Genesis 22 is reviewed and examined through four interpretive lenses: Narrative Criticism, Canonical Criticism, Historical Criticism, and a Hermeneutic of Confrontation. After reviewing extensively the history of child sacrifice in Ancient Israel, the argument of Omri Boehm’s reconstructed text (lacking the angelic speeches), and…[Read more]

This short-form article explores the various presentations of “the Middle” within Valentinian authored documents (the Gospel of Truth and Gospel of Philip) and sources which report about the Valentinians (Irenaeus and his report about Ptolemy’s theology). It suggests underscores the deep distinctions each view has and suggests that these may be…[Read more]

Discussions about the history of the reception of the Apocrypha within Protestantism are often mired by blanket negative presumptions that differ markedly from the actual beliefs attested to in available historical sources. This chapter seeks to rectify such historical misrepresentations by presenting an initial attempt to summarize the entire…[Read more]

This essay seeks to introduce briefly the background and idea of what can be called a confrontational approach to theology. It will begin by outlining the biblical background of this often-ignored portrait and then will proceed to outline how this theological approach can breathe new life into various approaches toward God.

In this chapter, a biblical overview of the topic of doubt is provided, focused on the Gospel accounts. A theological argument is made for the necessity and contribution of doubt toward the process of faith.

Blurb from back of book:

Although bumper stickers abound that propose otherwise, the Bible itself reveals that just because “God says it,” does not, in fact, mean “that settles it.” On the contrary, a close reading of Scripture reveals that God does not want us to blindly obey him, but rather, invites us to “lock hands” with him and fight. The…[Read more]

The Tribe of Dan has always appeared to biblical scholars and archaeologists as something of an enigma. For decades, certain scholars, beginning with Yigael Yadin, have proposed a connection between the Denyen/Danaoi Sea People and the Danites of Ancient Israel, arguing that the former became the latter and were adopted into Israel at a later date…[Read more]