Authority, Unity, and Freedom of Conscience

The chapters of this book focus on Authority, Unity and Freedom of Conscience, and use the issue of whether or not women may be ordained to Gospel ministry as a case study. They are based on presentations made at the Unity 2017 Conference held in London, and include: Unity1. Roy Adams, "What is Jesus Saying in John 17?"2. John C. Brunt, "Towards a Theology of Unity"Freedom3. Olive J. Hemmings, "Liberty in the Messiah: The Steep and Narrow Path to Unity"4. Reinder Bruinsma, "Religious Freedom: Some Historical Perspectives and Present Applications"5. Ray C. W. Roennfeldt, "Justice and Equality: Is God Interested?"Ellen White's Perspectives6. Wendy A. Jackson, "Striving for Unity: the Prophet Deals with Crises"7. Rolf J. Pöhler, "Circumstances Change the Relation of Things"Organizational Issues8. Barry Oliver, "Reorganisation of Church Structure, 1901-03: Some Observations"9. Lowell C. Cooper, "General Conference Working Policy: The Challenge of Enforcement and the Opportunity for Development"10. George Knight, "Catholic or Adventist: The On-going Struggle over Authority + 9.5 Theses"PRAISE FOR THIS BOOK: Timely, vital, provocative...sound research from accomplished scholars... " must" reading for anyone who seeks to sort through the conflicting arguments.....clear-headed and courageous ... . I commend these essays highly-- William Johnsson, Loma Linda University... the papers presented at the Unity Conference in London ... address an issue of urgent importance in the church, and they do so from various perspectives-biblical, historical, and theological. They are uniformly thoughtful and informed. And most important, they reflect throughout the authors' profound commitment to the Adventist community--to finding, affirming, and strengthening the factors that have kept us together throughout our history. I hope they receive careful and widespread attention. -- Richard Rice, Loma Linda UniversityThis book calls the world church to recognize the biblical nature of its unity. It warns the church not to lose its true identity and integrity by disobedience against the Bible. It also demonstrates that an intentional discrimination of women as ministers and taking measures to control the individual conscience is alien to the spirit of Adventism. The book constructively applies the principle that "we must obey God more than any human authority". Speaking with a clear and inspiring voice to all who are engaged in God's mission to the world, especially leaders, it should be read now!"--Bertil Wiklander, President, Trans-European Division (1995-2014)" Quite aside from the rigorous determination by authors to be very clear about their focus and then to argue their cases in compelling ways, and with credible sources, I valued the following: 1. The breadth of international scholarship ...2. The breadth of experience represented by the authors."--Lyell Heise, Avondale Seminary