Adventist Society for Religious Studies
Encyclopedia
The Adventist Society for Religious Studies (ASRS) is a Seventh-day Adventist
scholarly community whose purpose is "to provide intellectual and social fellowship among its members and encourage scholarly pursuits in all religious studies
disciplines, particularly with reference to the Seventh-day Adventist tradition." It was formally organized in New York City
in 1979. It is more liberal than the other main Adventist theological organization, the Adventist Theological Society
, which is more conservative.
(AAR) and Society of Biblical Literature
(SBL). The official Adventist Biblical Research Institute
(BRI) agreed to sponsor and plan these meetings.
After BRI ceased their sponsorship in 1978, Adventist scholars met informally at New Orleans
. AAR/SBL informed the Adventist group that it could not provide meeting rooms nor announce the meetings in its printed program unless the group officially organized and adopted a distinctive name that did not have a denominational identifier. The group officially organized in 1979, selecting the name Andrews Society for Religious Studies, and elected officers; at the New York meeting. The name Andrews referred to J. N. Andrews, who is considered to have been the first Adventist religion scholar.
In 1993 the society unanimously voted to change its name to the Adventist Society for Religious Studies. This became possible when AAR/SBL lifted the restrictions on denominational names.
In 1996 the society had a membership of 135 scholars.
The 2008 conference theme was "Re-Envisioning Adventism".
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
scholarly community whose purpose is "to provide intellectual and social fellowship among its members and encourage scholarly pursuits in all religious studies
Religious studies
Religious studies is the academic field of multi-disciplinary, secular study of religious beliefs, behaviors, and institutions. It describes, compares, interprets, and explains religion, emphasizing systematic, historically based, and cross-cultural perspectives.While theology attempts to...
disciplines, particularly with reference to the Seventh-day Adventist tradition." It was formally organized in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1979. It is more liberal than the other main Adventist theological organization, the Adventist Theological Society
Adventist Theological Society
The Adventist Theological Society is an international nonprofit organization of Seventh-day Adventist scholars and lay-people. The society holds its annual meeting in connection with the Evangelical Theological Society. It describes its theology as "balanced and conservative Adventist theology"...
, which is more conservative.
History
In 1972 Adventist religion scholars agreed to meet in conjunction with the annual meetings of the American Academy of ReligionAmerican Academy of Religion
The American Academy of Religion is the world's largest association of scholars in the field of religious studies and related topics. It is a nonprofit member association,...
(AAR) and Society of Biblical Literature
Society of Biblical Literature
The Society of Biblical Literature, founded 1880, is a constituent society of the American Council of Learned Societies , with the stated mission to "Foster Biblical Scholarship"...
(SBL). The official Adventist Biblical Research Institute
Biblical Research Institute
The Biblical Research Institute is a service department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with the three stated functions of research, apologetics , and service to the church. It serves as a theological consultant to the General Conference...
(BRI) agreed to sponsor and plan these meetings.
After BRI ceased their sponsorship in 1978, Adventist scholars met informally at New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. AAR/SBL informed the Adventist group that it could not provide meeting rooms nor announce the meetings in its printed program unless the group officially organized and adopted a distinctive name that did not have a denominational identifier. The group officially organized in 1979, selecting the name Andrews Society for Religious Studies, and elected officers; at the New York meeting. The name Andrews referred to J. N. Andrews, who is considered to have been the first Adventist religion scholar.
In 1993 the society unanimously voted to change its name to the Adventist Society for Religious Studies. This became possible when AAR/SBL lifted the restrictions on denominational names.
In 1996 the society had a membership of 135 scholars.
The 2008 conference theme was "Re-Envisioning Adventism".
List of presidents
The president of ASRS is elected three years in advance and future presidents serve as vice-president and president elect prior to serving as president.- 1979 William G. JohnssonWilliam G. JohnssonWilliam G. "Bill" Johnsson is a Seventh-day Adventist editor and church leader.- Biography :Born in Australia, he earned a degree in chemical technology before attending Avondale College, where he met his wife Nolene Johnsson. Johnsson earned his Th.D. in theology from Vanderbilt University...
- 1980 Fritz GuyFritz GuyFritz Guy is a Seventh-day Adventist theologian and Research Professor of Philosophical Theology at La Sierra University in Riverside, California. He has worked as a college and university professor, an academic administrator, and a church pastor...
- 1981 Robert M. Johnston
- 1982 George Reid
- 1983 Walter Douglas
- 1984 Richard Coffen
- 1985 Doug Clark
- 1986 Sakae Kubo
- 1987 Alden ThompsonAlden ThompsonAlden Lloyd Thompson is a Seventh-day Adventist Christian theologian, author and popular speaker and seminar presenter. He is the professor of biblical studies at Walla Walla University in Washington, United States...
- 1988 James Londis
- 1989 Richard RiceRichard RiceT. Richard Rice is a Seventh-day Adventist theologian and author. He is a leading proponent of "open theism", a term he invented, which describes a controversial understanding of God...
- 1990 Russell Staples
- 1991 Pedrito U. Maynard-Reid
- 1992 Gerald R. Winslow
- 1993 Warren Trenchard
- 1994 Madelynn Haldeman
- 1995 Roy Branson
- 1996 Jon DybdahlJon DybdahlJon L. Dybdahl is a professor of theology and a college administrator. Inaugurated in 2002, he is the immediate past president of Walla Walla University in College Place, Washington...
- 1997 John Brunt
- 1998 Larry Geraty
- 1999 Roy Adams
- 2000 Ernie Bursey
- 2001 Keith Burton
- 2002 Kendra Haloviak
- 2003 Ivan Blazen
- 2004 Jon PaulienJon PaulienJonathan K. Paulien is a Seventh-day Adventist theologian specializing in the study of books by John in the New Testament . He was the professor of New Testament Interpretation at Andrews University...
- 2005 Jean Sheldon
- 2006 P. Richard Choi
- 2007 David Taylor
- 2008 John Webster
- 2009 Zdravko Plantak
- 2010 Bonnie Dwyer
- 2011 John Reeve
See also
- Adventist Theological SocietyAdventist Theological SocietyThe Adventist Theological Society is an international nonprofit organization of Seventh-day Adventist scholars and lay-people. The society holds its annual meeting in connection with the Evangelical Theological Society. It describes its theology as "balanced and conservative Adventist theology"...
- Adventist ForumsAdventist ForumsAdventist Forums is an international non-profit organization of Seventh-day Adventists. It publishes Spectrum magazine. Its stated aim is to create community through open conversation. Local groups of the association are known as local forum chapters...
- Seventh-day Adventist theology
- List of Seventh-day Adventist hospitals
- List of Seventh-day Adventist medical schools
- List of Seventh-day Adventist secondary schools
- List of Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities
External links
- Adventist Society for Religious Studies official website
- "Too many theological societies?" by J. Robert Spangler in MinistryMinistry (magazine)Ministry: International Journal for Pastors is an international monthly magazine for Christian ministers, with a circulation of approximately 100,000. It is published by the Ministerial Association , an official body of the worldwide Adventist church. It is aimed at pastors and ministers of the...
62:6 (June 1990), p22–23