Adventists & Ecumenism: Preliminary Questions
8 December 2021 |
In this class I wish to step back a little and look at the big picture before we focus on more specific questions. That is, we will address three or four preliminary points/questions that should be addressed before deciding anything about ecumenism for Adventists. These include:
- The meaning of salvation in Jesus.
- Who is the Church?
- What is Babylon?
This will involve understanding some possible unfounded prejudices, unbiblical conclusions, and ad hominem comments and accusations. Once these questions are understood, then we can have a conversation about the good or the bad of ecumenical relationships.
These two essays (part 1 and part 2) also address the issue of ecumenism, and can be read as additions to the discussion today.
Teacher:
Denis Fortin (Ph.D.) is professor of historical theology at Andrews University and has taught courses on the ecumenical movement for 25 years. He has been involved in many interchurch dialogues for the Seventh-day Adventist Church and has served on the Commission on Faith and Order of the National Council of Churches in the U.S.A. (1999-2013).
Moderator:
Gina Jett is an attorney who lives in Woodland, California.
How to join:
This class is over. You can watch it here.
When:
ATSS starting time depends on where you are. If you’re on the west coast of the United States, it’ll be 10:30 AM. On the east coast, 1:30 PM.
Times around the world:
-
- Reykjavík: 5:30 PM
- College Place: 10:30 AM
- Lincoln: 12:30 PM
- Denver: 11:30 AM
- Bracknell: 6:30 PM
- Loma Linda: 10:30 AM
- Nairobi: 8:30 PM
- Gackle: 12:30 PM
- Hosur: 11:00 PM
- Waco: 12:30 PM
- Tulsa: 12:30 PM
- Helsinki: 8:30 PM
- Stockholm: 7:30 PM
- Hamburg: 7:30 PM
- Cape Town: 7:30 PM
- Madrid: 7:30 PM
- Paris: 7:30 PM
- Honolulu: 7:30 AM
- Cooranbong: 5:30 AM (Sunday)
- Perth: 2:30 AM (Sunday)
The class is intended to last about 2 hours, though the conversation often continues to 4 PM.
About our class:
- The AT Sabbath Seminar is intended to be a courteous forum. We discuss and ask questions politely. We don’t accuse, get angry, or put people down.
- Stick to the topic in both comments and chat discussion.
- Make your comments and questions short—don’t dominate.
- Keep your microphones muted unless you are called upon to make your comment or ask your question.
- Indicate your interest in speaking by raising your electronic hand—under the “reactions” button.
- Please use your name when you sign in! Not your phone number, not your initials. This will help us differentiate you from unwelcome guests who want to disrupt us. You can set your name after signing on by clicking on the 3 dots next to your picture, which drops down a menu.
- If it should happen that we are attacked so that we have to stop the meeting, we’ll quickly post a new meeting link on our AT Facebook page.
We look forward to getting acquainted with you!
Coming up:
- December 18: Maury Jackson
- December 25: Kris Widmer on Christmas
- January 1: David Geelan on endings and beginnings
- January 8: Christie Chow
