Towards an Authentic Adventist Theology: Updating "Present Truth" - Paperback

by Reinder Bruinsma (Author), Jean-Claude Verrecchia (Foreword by)

This book provides a survey of Seventh-day Adventist theology. It underlines the solid Protestant Christian basis of Adventist teachings and deals with the denominational doctrinal specifics. It does not, however, in all respects follow traditional Adventist views but deviates in a number of instances from official Adventist doctrine. In most of these cases the author does not stand alone but gives a voice to what many other fellow Adventists--professional theologians and lay members--think. He intends to affirm the faith of his coreligionists but also deals in all honesty with questions many in his church are struggling with. But despite his recurring doubts and reconsidering some of his beliefs, he remains a committed Adventist believer. With this "authentic" approach to Adventist theology he hopes to be of service to many Adventists who, with him, want to rethink and restate the content of the Adventist teachings as "present truth"--not as a relic of nineteenth-century thinking but as relevant for Christians in this present time. He believes Adventism can continue to add to the richness of the Christian message, provided it is willing to attune its specifics to today's spiritual challenges.

Author Biography

Reinder Bruinsma was born in the Netherlands, where he currently lives, after a career in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Netherlands, West Africa, the United States, and Great Britain. His work included assignments in education, publishing, and church administration. He has a PhD from the University of London. He has authored more than thirty books in Dutch and English, and hundreds of articles, and remains active as a lecturer and author.