Intelleticual integrity

[Gregory Matthews]

Intellectual integrity in Adventist scholarship is examined in the following article by a Seminary scholar:

https://spectrummagazine.org/views/columns/what-of-intellectual-integrity/

 

 

[Hanseng]

Real problem with the denominational set up is that church administrators hold the purse strings. Scholars are not free to do what they are paid to do, i.e., search/teach the Scriptures. Graham Maxwell was at LLU at the same time as Elder Heppenstall. According to an oral history recited by Dr. Maxwell at an AAF meeting, both he and Dr. Heppenstall were frequently called into administration to  answer criticisms of what they were teaching. This was largely because of students complaints. They had no appetite for something new or different from what they already believed.  True scholars do more than simply affirm what their students already believe. The parameters of their teaching were defined by the administration, i.e.,don't rock the boat. Both Maxwell and Heppenstall learned who  their "masters" were  at Loma Linda; consequently, they had to craft their teaching to fit boundaries marked by the administration.

Recently, a young pastor left the work over the seal of God. This is not even a fundamental belief. From what I learned of the problem, he was correct. His emphasis differed from SDA tradition, which identifies the Sabbath as the seal of God. The evidence for this is extremely thin. The testimony regarding the Holy Spirit as the seal is quite clear. Scholars know this, if they deserve to be called scholars.

Dr. Fortin stated the matter clearly "The preamble to the Adventist Fundamental Beliefs document states that these beliefs may be revised as the Holy Spirit guides the church, but in reality, professors sense that honest discussions about revising any belief are perceived as contrary to the faith" i.e., their salary, benefits, career will be jeopardized.