News from the School of Theology

Walla Walla University School of Theology issues statement on General Conference unity 

The faculty in the Walla Walla University School of Theology issued the following statement on Monday, Oct. 10, addressing their concerns about issues currently being discussed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

“We the faculty of the School of Theology at Walla Walla University strongly affirm the biblical concept of the unity of the church grounded in our worship of God, in our common faith, our shared community life, and in our shared sense of mission. At the same time, we have very serious concerns about the recent document titled ‘A Study of Church Governance and Unity’ recently released by the General Conference and its portrayal of the nature and authority of the church. We share the concern voiced by other theologians and scholars that there needs to be a significant amount of further discussion on this very important ecclesiological issue before it is adopted in a general and binding way. We further register our concerns over the concept of ordination that is laid out in the document, a concept that seems to borrow a lot more from tradition than from biblical evidence. It is our sincere hope that more discussion and deliberation will take place before the elements of this document become church policy.”