Theological divisions are threatening the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s unity and focus
on mission. Some Adventist theologians suggest that the cause of these divisions is a departure by
other Adventist theologians from adhering to and applying the sola Scriptura principle. This study
analyzes this problem.
Chapter one presents reasons for a call during the 16th century, to reform the church to its
apostolic purity. Martin Luther and other Protestant Reformers argued against the medieval church,
popes, and church councils’ claim for authority to properly interpret and teach Scripture and
Tradition. Differing views of reforming the church sparked divisions among the Protestant
Reformers, creating two main streams, the magisterial and the radical Reformers. The Roman
Catholic Church responded to the Protestant Reformations with a Counter-Reformation.
Chapter two discusses Seventh-day Adventism’s application of the sola Scriptura principle.
Although Adventism claims to descend from the radical wing of the Protestant Reformations, its
acceptance of Ellen G. White’s prophetic ministry and her non-canonical inspired writings departs
from a radical application of the sola Scriptura principle.
Chapter three presents Biblical evidences for God’s use of multiple media of communication
beside the Bible. Therefore Adventism needs to clearly define its understanding and application of
the sola Scriptura principle to accommodate other theological sources in addition to the Bible.
Chapter four presents Scripture in Zambian Adventist context, tracing Adventism’s use of
the Bible in evangelization. Adventism’s responses to changing socio-political and religiopluralistic
trends which threatened to marginalize Bible Instructions, and the development of, but
failed attempt to implement an Adventist Bible-based Religious Education syllabus at Rusangu
Secondary School are presented.
Chapter five gives the general summary, conclusion and recommendations. / Systematic Theology and Theological Ethics / D.Th. (Systematic Theology)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/3704 |
| Date | 06 1900 |
| Creators | Hachalinga, Passmore |
| Contributors | Tshaka, R.S. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (224 leaves) |
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