Towards an Authentic Adventist Theology
Updating “Present Truth”
- Theology
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2026
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Publisher's Description
This book provides a survey of Seventh-day Adventist theology. It underlines the solid Protestant Christian basis of Adventist teachings and deals with the denominational doctrinal specifics. It does not, however, in all respects follow traditional Adventist views but deviates in a number of instances from official Adventist doctrine. In most of these cases the author does not stand alone but gives a voice to what many other fellow Adventists—professional theologians and lay members—think. He intends to affirm the faith of his coreligionists but also deals in all honesty with questions many in his church are struggling with. But despite his recurring doubts and reconsidering some of his beliefs, he remains a committed Adventist believer. With this “authentic” approach to Adventist theology he hopes to be of service to many Adventists who, with him, want to rethink and restate the content of the Adventist teachings as “present truth”—not as a relic of nineteenth-century thinking but as relevant for Christians in this present time. He believes Adventism can continue to add to the richness of the Christian message, provided it is willing to attune its specifics to today’s spiritual challenges.
Endorsements (3)
“The Seventh-day Adventist Church is changing and faces multiple challenges to its organization and belief system. Reinder Bruinsma’s book invites a genuine reflection on the contributions of Adventist experience and theology in the twenty-first-century world. He argues that, to preserve its relevance and authenticity, Adventism must be a healthy faith community that does not fear change and values embracing diversity. In this book, Bruinsma shares his personal journey and theological reflection and offers a perspective worth considering and discussing.”
“‘Authentic Adventist theology’ for whom? asks Bruinsma in this courageous and wise text, suggesting that Adventist theology must be authentic for today’s Adventists. The authenticity of our pioneers, their ‘present truth,’ certainly challenges us, but it must not overwhelm us. For this reason, Adventism today should attempt to wisely construct a new version of itself which is both provisional and always ready to dialogue with the current context we live in.”
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