Publication: The doctrine of last generation theology for seventh-day adventists: a defense
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2022
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The doctrine of last generation theology for seventh-day adventists: a defense
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Abstract
This research has as its overall objective and purpose the goal of defending Last Generation Theology as a Bible-based doctrine for Seventh-day Adventists. Since Last Generation Theology is a doctrine that is accepted by some Seventh-day Adventists and rejected by other Seventh-day Adventists, this research attempts to make new contributions in refuting arguments against Last Generation Theology. In accordance with this plan, the research starts with a historical overview of understanding Last Generation Theology in the context of the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church denomination. This historical overview covers the time from the co-founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church up to the present time. It is shown in this research that many prominent Seventhday Adventists throughout the history of the denomination believed that the last generation of Christians who will be alive when Christ returns will be perfectly obedient to all God’s commandments. This means that they will be free from any sin and will reflect Christ’s character fully to the world. Significant deviations from this theological thought inside the Seventh-day Adventist Church only started occurring in the 1950s and are more prominent in the 2010s. The research then continues by looking at the major objections by Seventh-day Adventists to Last Generation Theology. Critics of Last Generation Theology, especially since 2018, are united in arguing (1) that Last Generation Theology is not Bible-based but instead relies on a nonbiblical source, (2) that Last Generation Theology teaches a form of legalism contrary to Seventhday Adventist soteriology, (3) that humans are not necessary to vindicate God before the universe, and (4) that living a life completely free from sin is not possible before the second coming of Jesus. This research relies on the historical-grammatical hermeneutical method to refute the objections of Last Generation Theology critics by using the Bible as a primary source and the writings of the Seventh-day Adventist co-founder, Ellen G. White, as a secondary source. It is shown through a historical-grammatical hermeneutical study of the Bible that the main concepts of Last Generation Theology is Bible-based and that other sources, such as the writings of Ellen G. White which have prophetic authority in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, serve as secondary sources. A study of Last Generation Theology’s soteriology shows salvation by grace through faith in line with the official teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The example of Job in the Bible and the writings of Ellen G. White point to God working through willing humans that will ultimately vindicate Him before the universe. Lastly, a historical-grammatical hermeneutical study of the Bible reveals that a life completely free from sin has always been possible to God’s people. This will be their experience before Christ returns. In the conclusion of this research a brief overview of the study is presented with special emphasis on the unique contributions of this thesis to the debate surrounding Last Generation Theology and how the thesis statement has been defended. Suggestions are made for further study and how the doctrine of Last Generation Theology should be dealt with in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
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ปรัชญาดุษฎีบัณฑิต
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ปริญญาเอก
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บัณฑิตวิทยาลัย
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มหาวิทยาลัยอัสสัมชัญ