D—The Glacier View Questionnaire

42. Where Adventist Theologians and Administrators Stand

According to the South Bend Tribune of December 1, 1980, “Ford said in an interview last week that his argument is not so much with Adventist theologians, but with church administrators. Ford said he knew of no New Testament theologians and only one Old Testament theologian who disagrees with his views.” What do Adventist theologians believe about the topics which were discussed at the Glacier View meeting?QSEW 32.1

Of the 115 delegates who were present at the Glacier View (Colorado) Sanctuary Review Committee in August, 1980, at least 59 had served the church at one time, or were still serving, as college, university, or seminary professors in religion or theology. Obviously these individuals had attained some degree of competence in Biblical studies. On August 11 a questionnaire was filled out anonymously by the delegates. Four days later, on August 15, the same questionnaire was repeated, to see what shifts in opinions might have occurred. The 21 questions with delegates’ responses are given below. The reader can decide as to whether Ford’s claim to almost total support from Adventist theologians is justified.QSEW 32.2

It should be understood, of course, that even the best Biblical scholars can sometimes draw erroneous conclusions. Luther and Calvin were brilliant, dedicated, and highly educated, but this did not guarantee the correctness of all their theological positions. It would not be wise to assume that the Scriptures can be understood only by professional theologians.QSEW 32.3