- “The Kingdom of God is at Hand”
Adventist Interpretations of Biblical Apocalypticism
4th International Symposium 26 – 29 April 2021
WHAT IS THIS SYMPOSIUM ALL ABOUT?
According to Ernst Käsemann’s famous dictum, apocalyptic is “the mother of all Christian theology.” Clearly, Seventh-day Adventism exists because apocalyptic passages are part of the biblical canon. Interpretations of these texts have evolved in conjunction with the general development of SDA theology. Ever since Millerites focused on proclaiming Christ’s soon coming, the meaning of apocalyptic Bible passages has been a matter of debate in the Advent movement.
The 4th International Symposium of the Institute of Adventist Studies aims at deliberating the variety, continuities, and distinct emphases in Adventist interpretations of biblical apocalyptic. How should the denominational spectrum of hermeneutical and interpretative traditions with regard to apocalyptic materials be assessed? How have Adventists handled key themes such as theodicy and judgment, the nearness and “delay” of the parousia, and consequences of apocalyptic eschatology for mission and ministry? What impact has the apocalyptic orientation had for members’ anticipation and angst regarding future events, and for their life “in but not of the world”?
22 contributors from four continents will discuss religious-historical, biblical, theological, ethical, and homiletical aspects of Adventist theology. By observing and pondering Adventist discourses in the various realms touched by apocalyptic beliefs and thought, symposium participants will aim both at critically analyzing and at gaining a fresh appreciation for a contested, but crucial element of Christian theology and salvation history – the expectation that “the Kingdom of God is at hand!”
Here is the COMPLETE PROGRAM of the Symposium as well as the LIST OF TOPICS
To enable attendees from different world regions to share in the live sessions, the time schedule has been adjusted to reduce inconveniences as much as possible.
Programm
CEST (GMT +1 hr) Berlin | EST (-6 hrs) New York | PST (-9 hrs) Los Angeles | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | PHST (+6 hrs) Manila | AEDT (+8 hrs) Sydney |
15:00 | 9:00 | 6:00 (am) | Opening | Opening | Opening | Opening | 21:00 | 23:00 |
15:15 | 9:15 | 6:15 (am) | R. J. Pöhler Keynote Address Future, Past, and Present | K. B. de Waal “The Hour of His Judgment Has Come!” | C. Rogers Fictionalized Adventist Eschatology | J. Rosario Apocalypticism and Political Engagement | 21:15 | 23:15 |
16:00 | 10:00 | 7:00 (am) | Adventist Apocalypticism Facing the Times | R. E. Winkle The Number of the Beast | D. Kaiser Conflict re. the Great Controversy | R. E. Fischer Prophetic Preaching | 22:00 | 0:00 |
16:45 | 10:45 | 7:45 (am) | Break | Break | Break | Break | 22:45 | 0:45 |
17:00 | 11:00 | 8:00 (am) | K. Maiwald Mesopotamian | J. Hartlapp The Arithmetic of Prophecy | R. Bruinsma Last Generation Theology | D. Meier Where Do We Go from Here? | 23:00 | 1:00 (am) |
17:45 | 11:45 | 8:45 (am) | Break | Break | Break | Break | 23:45 | 1:45 (am) |
19:00 | 13:00 | 10:00 (am) | J. Sigvartsen The Messianic Kingdom | G. Valentine The Relentless Delay | M. Pearson The Ethics of the End | Müller/Wogu Postcolonial Adventist | 1:00 (am) | 3:00 (am) |
19:45 | 13:45 | 10:45 (am) | B. Oestreich Rituals and Christ’s Return | J. Stefánsson Ellen G. White’s View of Prophecy | S. Höschele Eschatology | Apocalyptic Political Theology | 1:45 (am) | 3:45 (am) |
20:30 | 14:30 | 11:30 (am) | Break | Break | Break | Break | 2:30 (am) | 4:30 (am) |
20:45 | 14:45 | 11:45 (am) | I. Lorencin Coming and Communion | J. Butler The End of Ellen White’s World | Th. U. Dickson Suffering and Hope in Nigeria | General Plenum Discussion | 2:45 (am) | 4:45 (am) |
21:30 | 15:30 | 12:30 | Zoom-Meeting all participants | Zoom-Meeting all participants | Zoom-Meeting all participants | Zoom-Meeting all participants | 3:30 (am) | 5:30 (am) |