Desmond Ford
Encyclopedia
Desmond "Des" Ford is an evangelical
Christian
and an Australian theologian. He is the father of pornography
gossip columnist
Luke Ford
.
Within the Seventh-day Adventist Church
he was a controversial figure. He was dismissed
from ministry in the Adventist church in 1980 following his critique of the church's investigative judgment
teaching. He has since worked through the non-denominational evangelical
ministry Good News Unlimited.
Ford disagrees with some aspects of traditional Adventist end-time beliefs. However he still defends a conservative view of Scripture, the seventh-day Sabbath, a healthy and vegetarian lifestyle, and the inspiration
of Ellen G. White
's writings.
and Australian descent. The Simpson lineage derived from England, Ireland
and China
. Desmond's parents were nominal Anglican
Christians, with his father almost an atheist in practice, and his mother presenting "a religious façade." Wilfred encouraged his son to read, beginning a life-long obsession for the "unusually gifted" boy.
When Lillian was pregnant with Desmond, an Adventist book salesman
shared insights on nutrition
with the family, sparking a chain of events impacting Desmond's life. At an Adventist camp meeting
in 1939 Desmond was given a Bible
, which he would complete 3 years later, around the time he finished primary school. However his parents divorced when he was nine; Wilfred moved to Canberra
, and Lillian and the boys later moved to Sydney
, New South Wales
(NSW). He passed his Intermediate Certificate
in 1943. However due to the family's poverty and Australia's involvement
in World War II
, Desmond had drop out of school. He became employed with Associated Newspapers at the age of 14, and was promoted from copy boy
to an editorial position because of his published work. He also wrote some low-quality paperbacks, and took night classes for high school. All along, Ford was being influenced by encounters with Adventists and other Christians, and steadily collected books on Christian theology
, and the creation-evolution controversy
.
Ford was challenged by the strict lifestyle standards presented in Ellen G. White
's Messages to Young People, and gave up the cinema and reading fiction. Reading novels had been his main childhood hobby, and became replaced with reading theology. White's book The Great Controversy
was a key influence on his conversion. In winter 1946 he publicly responded to a call for commitment to God's service. Ford was impressed by the Christian character of many of the Adventists who had nurtured him. In September he was officially baptised
into the church. This was despite strong opposition from his brother; and his mother was also originally resistant to his conversion, having become disenchanted with the Adventist church herself. Ford resigned from his job, and returned briefly to Townsville with his family. He then left in 1947 for the Australasian Missionary College (nicknamed "Avondale", and later known as Avondale College
) in the Lake Macquarie region of NSW, to train for the ministry.
He graduated from the Ministerial Course in Avondale in 1950, with high marks.
, NSW. He lived in a caravan (trailer
) with his mother, who insisted on accompanying him. In 1951, still in his first year of service, he was sent to Newcastle
, NSW, then an industrial city, to assist evangelist George Burnside. While Burnside was a dynamic presenter, Ford's biographer Milton Hook
describes him as a fundamentalist (see: historic Adventism
), and draws an analogy with a rugged, gung-ho cowboy like a John Wayne
character. Ford questioned him on some end-times interpretations, resulting in conflict between the pair – a sign of further things to come. Later he sold books in the Lake Macquarie and nearby Upper Hunter
regions, which he found challenging work.
He worked as a pastor in various churches and as an evangelist programs for about 7 years in NSW, Australia rural towns
In 1952 Ford pastor
ed the Coffs Harbour area, under a supervisor. His mother returned to Queensland. In December he married Gwen Booth, with whom he had shared a budding friendship and romance since their meeting at Avondale, where she studied teaching. Gwen had been raised in humble circumstances in Yass
, and was a quiet achiever who cared about others, and had a deep faith in Jesus. The following year they moved to the country town of Quirindi
, where Ford pastored the church. From 1954 to mid-1955, Ford pastored in the Gunnedah
area, then moved north to Inverell
. There a public debate with Burgin, a Church of Christ
minister and a "formidable opponent" of Adventists, brought Ford respect. The topic was the Sabbath, with the specific topic "Is the Seventh Day or the First Day Binding on Christians?" Arguably Ford won the debate; and he later baptised some of Burgin's church members. He was ordained. The couple stayed till the end of 1957, living on a meagre income throughout this whole period.
called him back to Avondale to complete his ministry course. He completed a BA
in 1958, and went on to complete a Master's degree
in systematic theology
at Andrews University
in 1959. Ford subsequently received a PhD
in the rhetorical analysis
of Paul's letters
from Michigan State University
in 1961. In the same year he became head of the Religion Department at Avondale College
, where he would remain until 1977. He was a member of the Biblical Research Committee in Australia and the United States.
He completed his second PhD in 1972 from the University of Manchester
, while still teaching at Avondale. His supervisor was the renowned Protestant
theologian F. F. Bruce
, and his field of study was New Testament
studies, specifically eschatology
(end times
). Ford entitled his thesis, The Abomination of Desolation in Biblical Eschatology. His main expertise has been biblical apocalyptic literature
(such as Daniel
, Revelation
and Ezekiel
) and eschatology.
taught by fellow Australian Robert Brinsmead
.
Ford believes that victory over the guilt of sin (justification) was provided at the cross, victory over the power of sin (sanctification) is the work of a lifetime and victory over the presence of sin (glorification) occurs at the return of Christ Jesus. Ford disagree's with the belief of sinless perfection, and acknowledges the final removal of sin occurs when mortality changes to immortality at the return of Jesus Christ. Ford believes that victory over the presence of sin does not occur during this lifetime,but at the return of Jesus Christ.
Ford teaches that justification precedes sanctification, because victory over the guilt of sin, precedes victory over the power of sin. Ford teaches while justification is distinct from sanctification, they are always found together, in the same manner two railway lines are distinct but never separate. Adventist belief places a emphasis on sanctification compared to justification, while still believing both are necessary for salvation. The relationship between justification and sanctification is often described as "righteousness by faith". A few texts used by Adventists are...
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.
Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. ~ 1 John 3:4-9
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~ 1 John 1:9
Now to Him (Jesus) who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, ~ Jude 1:24
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?"
She said, "No one, Lord."
And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." ~ John 8:10-11
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. ~ Matthew 5:48
For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. ~ Leviticus 11:45
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. ~ Revelation 14:12
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. ~ John 8:34-36
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. ~ Exodus 20:6
"Eschatological perfectionism" is the teaching that a final generation of believers must achieve a state of complete sinlessness (or Christlikeness) in the final period just before the second coming
of Jesus (see Last Generation Theology
). Non-progressive Adventists consider the life and character of Christ as a perfect example that all must imitate. Accordingly, the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, or investigative judgment
, is thought to also involve the cleansing of the lives of believers on earth. This belief in sinlessness arose particularly from M. L. Andreasen
's interpretation of the investigative judgment doctrine, itself based on concepts found in The Great Controversy
by Ellen G. White
.
, during the 1960s scholars such as Ford and Edward Heppenstall
brought the concept of original sin
into Adventist theology.
Early Adventists (such as George Storrs, Ellen White and Uriah Smith
) tended to de-emphasise the corrupt nature inherited from Adam, while stressing the importance of actual, personal sins committed by the individual. They thought of the "sinful nature" in terms of physical mortality rather than moral depravity. Adventist Joe Crews states...
Adventists traditionally understand sins of commission, stating sin is willful transgression of God's law. They believe sins of commission involve our choice. They base their belief on texts such as "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4) This is not the belief of some Progressive Adventists who believe in some form of original sin.
and sanctification
. This had been sparked by Brinsmead, and Ford became caught up in it. Tensions over Ford and the theology teaching at Avondale more generally led to a meeting of Australian church leaders on 3–4 February 1976 to hear accusations by a group of "Concerned Brethren". Ford's understanding of righteousness by faith was the main issue, while the report mentions "the Sanctuary
, the Age of the Earth
and Inspiration." In April a group of church leaders and theologians including Ford met in Palmdale
, California
to discuss the meaning of righteousness by faith. Ford was the "center of attention", and the resulting document known as the "Palmdale statement".
Ford disagreed with Brinsmead and like-minded Adventists who place a greater emphasis on sanctification with less emphasis on justification, proclaiming justification and sanctification are like the horse and the cart respectively, and that success is favored by placing the horse first. Both Ford and perfectionist Adventists believe both justification and sanctification are necessary for salvation; and included in the study of "righteousness by faith". A few texts that perfectionist Adventists use to support their beliefs are...
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ~ Romans 8:12-14
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ~ Galatians 5:19-24
, where he taught Religion at Pacific Union College
for three years. The classes he taught included public speaking
, homiletics
, evangelism
, life and teachings of Christ
, the Pauline epistles, Christian apologetics
, Daniel and Revelation, the major
and minor prophet
s of the Old Testament
, introduction to theology
, and biblical theology
.
In October 1979 Ford was invited to address a chapter meeting of the Association of Adventist Forums (now Adventist Forums
) held at the College, on the topic of Hebrews
and its implications for the Adventist investigative judgment
teaching. The talk was titled, "The Investigative Judgment: Theological Milestone or Historical Necessity?" The talk criticized some aspects of the traditional understanding, Ford was summoned to the General Conference
headquarters in Washington, D.C.
He was given six months to write up his views. Late in 1979, he stopped lecturing and moved to Takoma Park
, Maryland
. Ford produced the 991-page manuscript, Daniel 8:14, the Day of Atonement, and the Investigative Judgment . (Another source says he produced a 900-page manuscript called Daniel 8:14, the Investigative Judgment, and the Kingdom of God).
Ford together with the majority of Christendom believes the atonement was completed on the cross when Jesus cried out “It is finished.”
Some Adventists disagree with Ford and define the atonement in terms of God’s work to cleanse our character from sin added to the payment of the penalty for sin Christ completed on the cross. They state the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary is a continuation of the work of atonement begun on the cross, rather than the application of the benefits of the already completed atonement. They believe the following verse supports their position...
Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. ~ Romans 8:33-34
in Colorado
to examine Ford's views. According to TIME
magazine, he "made the case that White's 'sanctuary
' explication of 1844 no longer stood up in the light of the Bible, and that 'investigative judgment' undercut the whole basis of Protestantism: belief in salvation by God's grace apart from good works." The culmination of this event was Ford losing his employment with the denomination as a minister and theology professor. After counsel from the General Conference, the Australasian Division
withdrew "Ford's ministerial credentials"
Ford disagrees with Adventists, both historic and current who state that Jesus Christ was born with the fallen nature that has been passed on to all of humanity. Adventists base their beliefs on the following texts
Adventists traditionally believe that Jesus took on human nature with all of the post fall moral weaknesses and frailties that post fall humans experience. Despite this, they say because he managed to resist temptation both from within and without, and lived a perfectly obedient life, Jesus is therefore our supreme Example in whose footsteps, all Christians must follow, and also achieve a perfectly obedient life. The fact that Jesus overcame sin completely, despite having no advantage over other post fall human beings, demonstrates that we too must live a life of complete obedience, as we trust in him. Adventist believe Ellen White supports their position when she states "The Lord Jesus came to our world, not to reveal what a God could do, but what a man could do, through faith in God’s power to help in every emergency. Man is, through faith, to be a partaker in the divine nature, and to overcome every temptation wherewith he is beset."
."
and...
Ford does not agree with any of the above statements that claim Jesus has a post fall human nature but proclaims Christ came with Adam's pre-fallen nature.
To commemorate the 30 year anniversary of Glacier View, the Sydney Adventist Forum held a pretend courtroom trial to assess the accuracy of Ford's claim that the Consensus Document has been largely in agreement with him. They concluded, "Ford was found to be substantially correct in claiming that the 114-member SRC Consensus Document was in agreement with his twelve propositions—while Ministry was judged to have considerably over-stated its case." It concluded, "In retrospect, it is clear that the SRC made—in five days—more progress in understanding this biblical doctrine than the church has typically made in any fifty years of its history."
(born 1966). Gwen died of breast cancer in April 1970. Ford remarried to Gillian Wastell ("Gill"), in November of that year. Elènne works as a barrister. She also owns the "Mango Hill Farm" organic farm attraction Queensland's Sunshine Coast
which includes farmstays, a small function centre, cooking school, etc. It is located in Peachester
, and is the location of Ford's twice-a-month church services. Luke converted to Judaism
and is a controversial internet blogger.
Ford made some reconciliation with his father in the 1970s. His parents both passed away in 1987, at 87 years of age.
"His mother complained that he ate too fast, talked too fast, walked too fast, and drove too fast." This was also due to the pressure on him.
Also:
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
and an Australian theologian. He is the father of pornography
Pornography
Pornography or porn is the explicit portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purposes of sexual arousal and erotic satisfaction.Pornography may use any of a variety of media, ranging from books, magazines, postcards, photos, sculpture, drawing, painting, animation, sound recording, film, video,...
gossip columnist
Gossip columnist
A gossip columnist is someone who writes a gossip column in a newspaper or magazine, especially a gossip magazine. Gossip columns are material written in a light, informal style, which relates the gossip columnist's opinions about the personal lives or conduct of celebrities from show business ,...
Luke Ford
Luke Ford
Luke Ford is an American writer, blogger, and former pornography gossip columnist known for his disclosures and traditionalist Jewish religious views.-Personal:Ford moved to California in 1977...
.
Within the Seventh-day Adventist Church
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...
he was a controversial figure. He was dismissed
Glacier View controversy
In the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Sanctuary Review Committee was a group of biblical scholars and administrators which met to decide the church's response to theologian Desmond Ford, who had challenged details of the church's "investigative judgment" teaching...
from ministry in the Adventist church in 1980 following his critique of the church's investigative judgment
Investigative judgment
The investigative judgment is a unique Seventh-day Adventist doctrine, which asserts that a divine judgment of professed Christians has been in progress since 1844. It is intimately related to the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and was described by the church's prophet and pioneer...
teaching. He has since worked through the non-denominational evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
ministry Good News Unlimited.
Ford disagrees with some aspects of traditional Adventist end-time beliefs. However he still defends a conservative view of Scripture, the seventh-day Sabbath, a healthy and vegetarian lifestyle, and the inspiration
Inspiration of Ellen White
Seventh-day Adventists believe church co-founder Ellen G. White was inspired by God as a prophet, today understood as a manifestation of the New Testament "gift of prophecy", as described in the official beliefs of the church...
of Ellen G. White
Ellen G. White
Ellen Gould White was a prolific author and an American Christian pioneer. She, along with other Sabbatarian Adventist leaders, such as Joseph Bates and her husband James White, would form what is now known as the Seventh-day Adventist Church.Ellen White reported to her fellow believers her...
's writings.
Early life and conversion
Desmond Ford was born in Townsville, Queensland, Australia on 2 February 1929, to Wilfred Ford and Lillian Simpson. He had one brother, Val, who was four years older. The Ford lineage consisted of farmers and cattlemen of EnglishEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Australian descent. The Simpson lineage derived from England, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. Desmond's parents were nominal Anglican
Anglicanism
Anglicanism is a tradition within Christianity comprising churches with historical connections to the Church of England or similar beliefs, worship and church structures. The word Anglican originates in ecclesia anglicana, a medieval Latin phrase dating to at least 1246 that means the English...
Christians, with his father almost an atheist in practice, and his mother presenting "a religious façade." Wilfred encouraged his son to read, beginning a life-long obsession for the "unusually gifted" boy.
When Lillian was pregnant with Desmond, an Adventist book salesman
Colportage
Colportage is the distribution of publications, books, religious tracts, etc., by carriers called "colporteurs".The term is an alteration of French comporter, "to peddle" as a portmanteau or pun with the word col , with the resulting meaning "to carry on one's neck". Porter, is from Latin portare,...
shared insights on nutrition
Nutrition
Nutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet....
with the family, sparking a chain of events impacting Desmond's life. At an Adventist camp meeting
Seventh-day Adventist camps
The Seventh-day Adventist Church operates youth summer camps, and camp meetings for all ages, internationally. Each local-area "Conference" in the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists is in charge of running and operating their own camp. The ages of campers range anywhere between 7–17...
in 1939 Desmond was given a Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
, which he would complete 3 years later, around the time he finished primary school. However his parents divorced when he was nine; Wilfred moved to Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, and Lillian and the boys later moved to Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
(NSW). He passed his Intermediate Certificate
Intermediate Certificate
The Intermediate Certificate was a certificate awarded in Australia for the successful completion of three years of high school. This was at around age 14 — what is called Year 9 today. Currently students in New South Wales can leave school at age 15. Apparently this has been the case since...
in 1943. However due to the family's poverty and Australia's involvement
Military history of Australia during World War II
Australia entered World War II shortly after the invasion of Poland, declaring war on Germany on 3 September 1939. By the end of the war, almost a million Australians had served in the armed forces, whose military units fought primarily in the European theatre, North African campaign, and...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Desmond had drop out of school. He became employed with Associated Newspapers at the age of 14, and was promoted from copy boy
Copy boy
A copy boy is a typically young and junior worker on a newspaper.The job involves taking typed stories from one section of a newspaper to another....
to an editorial position because of his published work. He also wrote some low-quality paperbacks, and took night classes for high school. All along, Ford was being influenced by encounters with Adventists and other Christians, and steadily collected books on Christian theology
Christian theology
- Divisions of Christian theology :There are many methods of categorizing different approaches to Christian theology. For a historical analysis, see the main article on the History of Christian theology.- Sub-disciplines :...
, and the creation-evolution controversy
Creation-evolution controversy
The creation–evolution controversy is a recurring cultural, political, and theological dispute about the origins of the Earth, humanity, life, and the universe....
.
Ford was challenged by the strict lifestyle standards presented in Ellen G. White
Ellen G. White
Ellen Gould White was a prolific author and an American Christian pioneer. She, along with other Sabbatarian Adventist leaders, such as Joseph Bates and her husband James White, would form what is now known as the Seventh-day Adventist Church.Ellen White reported to her fellow believers her...
's Messages to Young People, and gave up the cinema and reading fiction. Reading novels had been his main childhood hobby, and became replaced with reading theology. White's book The Great Controversy
The Great Controversy (book)
The Great Controversy is a book written by Ellen G. White, one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and held in esteem as a prophet of God among SDA members. It describes the "Great Controversy theme" between Jesus and Satan, as played out over the millennia from its start in heaven,...
was a key influence on his conversion. In winter 1946 he publicly responded to a call for commitment to God's service. Ford was impressed by the Christian character of many of the Adventists who had nurtured him. In September he was officially baptised
Believer's baptism
Believer's baptism is the Christian practice of baptism as this is understood by many Protestant churches, particularly those that descend from the Anabaptist tradition...
into the church. This was despite strong opposition from his brother; and his mother was also originally resistant to his conversion, having become disenchanted with the Adventist church herself. Ford resigned from his job, and returned briefly to Townsville with his family. He then left in 1947 for the Australasian Missionary College (nicknamed "Avondale", and later known as Avondale College
Avondale College
Avondale College of Higher Education is an Australian tertiary education provider affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Avondale College has two campuses, Lake Macquarie being the primary campus situated in Cooranbong, New South Wales...
) in the Lake Macquarie region of NSW, to train for the ministry.
Seminary
Ford found Avondale an exciting time for mental and spiritual growth. He was an active participant in class discussions, and occasionally taught classes to fill in for the lecturers. He was particularly inspired by Dr. William Murdoch, and carried out research for him. Ford gave talks in nearby churches, and published around a dozen articles for church magazines during this time. He also led students in Bible study. He struggled financially, and worked on Avondale's farm and elsewhere, and also selling Adventist books.He graduated from the Ministerial Course in Avondale in 1950, with high marks.
Early ministry
Ford was sent to help build a new church in the coastal town of Coffs HarbourCoffs Harbour, New South Wales
-History:By the early 1900s, the Coffs Harbour area had become an important timber production centre. Before the opening of the North Coast Railway Line, the only way to transport large items of heavy but low value, such as timber, was by coastal shipping. This meant sawmillers on the North Coast...
, NSW. He lived in a caravan (trailer
Travel trailer
A travel trailer or caravan is towed behind a road vehicle to provide a place to sleep which is more comfortable and protected than a tent . It provides the means for people to have their own home on a journey or a vacation, without relying on a motel or hotel, and enables them to stay in places...
) with his mother, who insisted on accompanying him. In 1951, still in his first year of service, he was sent to Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
, NSW, then an industrial city, to assist evangelist George Burnside. While Burnside was a dynamic presenter, Ford's biographer Milton Hook
Milton Hook
Milton Raymond Hook is a Seventh-day Adventist religion educator, author and church historian. He is an honorary research fellow at Avondale College, New South Wales, Australia.- Biography :...
describes him as a fundamentalist (see: historic Adventism
Historic Adventism
Historic Adventism is an informal designation for conservative individuals and organizations affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church who seek to preserve certain traditional beliefs and practices of the church. As a general rule, Historic Adventists feel that the church leadership has...
), and draws an analogy with a rugged, gung-ho cowboy like a John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
character. Ford questioned him on some end-times interpretations, resulting in conflict between the pair – a sign of further things to come. Later he sold books in the Lake Macquarie and nearby Upper Hunter
Upper Hunter
The Upper Hunter Shire is a Local Government Area in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. It was formed in May 2004 from Scone Shire and parts of Murrurundi and Merriwa shires. The shire council's vision is "A Quality Rural Lifestyle - in a caring and thriving community"...
regions, which he found challenging work.
He worked as a pastor in various churches and as an evangelist programs for about 7 years in NSW, Australia rural towns
In 1952 Ford pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
ed the Coffs Harbour area, under a supervisor. His mother returned to Queensland. In December he married Gwen Booth, with whom he had shared a budding friendship and romance since their meeting at Avondale, where she studied teaching. Gwen had been raised in humble circumstances in Yass
Yass, New South Wales
Yass is a town in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia in Yass Valley Shire. The name appears to have been derived from an Aboriginal word, "Yarrh" , said to mean 'running water'....
, and was a quiet achiever who cared about others, and had a deep faith in Jesus. The following year they moved to the country town of Quirindi
Quirindi, New South Wales
Quirindi is a small town on the North West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia, in Liverpool Plains Shire Local Government Area ....
, where Ford pastored the church. From 1954 to mid-1955, Ford pastored in the Gunnedah
Gunnedah, New South Wales
Gunnedah is a town and Local government area in north-eastern New South Wales, Australia. 7,542 people lived in the town of Gunnedah in 2006, including 931 indigenous people ....
area, then moved north to Inverell
Inverell, New South Wales
Inverell is a town in northern New South Wales, Australia, situated on the Macintyre River. It is also the centre of Inverell Shire. Inverell is located on the Gwydir Highway on the western slopes of the Northern Tablelands. It has a temperate climate...
. There a public debate with Burgin, a Church of Christ
Churches of Christ in Australia
The Churches of Christ in Australia is a Christian movement in Australia. It is part of the Restoration Movement with historical influences from the United States of America and the United Kingdom....
minister and a "formidable opponent" of Adventists, brought Ford respect. The topic was the Sabbath, with the specific topic "Is the Seventh Day or the First Day Binding on Christians?" Arguably Ford won the debate; and he later baptised some of Burgin's church members. He was ordained. The couple stayed till the end of 1957, living on a meagre income throughout this whole period.
Return to Avondale
The South Pacific DivisionSouth Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific, , is formally organised as the South Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists , also abbreviated as the South Pacific Division or simply "the Division". It is one of 13 world divisions of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in...
called him back to Avondale to complete his ministry course. He completed a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1958, and went on to complete a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in systematic theology
Systematic theology
In the context of Christianity, systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that attempts to formulate an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs...
at Andrews University
Andrews University
Andrews University is a Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1874 as Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan, it was the first higher education facility started by Seventh-day Adventists, and is the flagship university of the Seventh-day...
in 1959. Ford subsequently received a PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in the rhetorical analysis
Rhetorical criticism
Rhetorical criticism is an approach to criticism that is at least as old as Plato. In the Phaedrus, Plato has Socrates examine a speech by Lysias to determine whether or not it is praiseworthy...
of Paul's letters
Pauline epistles
The Pauline epistles, Epistles of Paul, or Letters of Paul, are the thirteen New Testament books which have the name Paul as the first word, hence claiming authorship by Paul the Apostle. Among these letters are some of the earliest extant Christian documents...
from Michigan State University
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
in 1961. In the same year he became head of the Religion Department at Avondale College
Avondale College
Avondale College of Higher Education is an Australian tertiary education provider affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Avondale College has two campuses, Lake Macquarie being the primary campus situated in Cooranbong, New South Wales...
, where he would remain until 1977. He was a member of the Biblical Research Committee in Australia and the United States.
He completed his second PhD in 1972 from the University of Manchester
University of Manchester
The University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
, while still teaching at Avondale. His supervisor was the renowned Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
theologian F. F. Bruce
F. F. Bruce
Frederick Fyvie Bruce was a Biblical scholar and one of the founders of the modern evangelical understanding of the Bible...
, and his field of study was New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....
studies, specifically eschatology
Eschatology
Eschatology is a part of theology, philosophy, and futurology concerned with what are believed to be the final events in history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity, commonly referred to as the end of the world or the World to Come...
(end times
End times
The end time, end times, or end of days is a time period described in the eschatological writings in the three Abrahamic religions and in doomsday scenarios in various other non-Abrahamic religions...
). Ford entitled his thesis, The Abomination of Desolation in Biblical Eschatology. His main expertise has been biblical apocalyptic literature
Apocalyptic literature
Apocalyptic literature is a genre of prophetical writing that developed in post-Exilic Jewish culture and was popular among millennialist early Christians....
(such as Daniel
Book of Daniel
The Book of Daniel is a book in the Hebrew Bible. The book tells of how Daniel, and his Judean companions, were inducted into Babylon during Jewish exile, and how their positions elevated in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. The court tales span events that occur during the reigns of Nebuchadnezzar,...
, Revelation
Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation"...
and Ezekiel
Book of Ezekiel
The Book of Ezekiel is the third of the Latter Prophets in the Hebrew Bible, following the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah and preceding the Book of the Twelve....
) and eschatology.
Tension over theology
Ford was a primary opponent (along with Hans K. LaRondelle) and corrective influence on the perfectionismChristian perfection
Christian perfection, also known as perfect love; heart purity; the baptism of the Holy Spirit; the fullness of the blessing; Christian holiness; the second blessing; and entire sanctification, is a Christian doctrine which holds that the heart of the regenerant Christian may attain a state of...
taught by fellow Australian Robert Brinsmead
Robert Brinsmead
Robert Daniel "Bob" Brinsmead is a formerly controversial figure within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 1960s and 1970s, known for his diverse theological journey....
.
Ford believes that victory over the guilt of sin (justification) was provided at the cross, victory over the power of sin (sanctification) is the work of a lifetime and victory over the presence of sin (glorification) occurs at the return of Christ Jesus. Ford disagree's with the belief of sinless perfection, and acknowledges the final removal of sin occurs when mortality changes to immortality at the return of Jesus Christ. Ford believes that victory over the presence of sin does not occur during this lifetime,but at the return of Jesus Christ.
Ford teaches that justification precedes sanctification, because victory over the guilt of sin, precedes victory over the power of sin. Ford teaches while justification is distinct from sanctification, they are always found together, in the same manner two railway lines are distinct but never separate. Adventist belief places a emphasis on sanctification compared to justification, while still believing both are necessary for salvation. The relationship between justification and sanctification is often described as "righteousness by faith". A few texts used by Adventists are...
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.
Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. ~ 1 John 3:4-9
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ~ 1 John 1:9
Now to Him (Jesus) who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, ~ Jude 1:24
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:12-13
When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?"
She said, "No one, Lord."
And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." ~ John 8:10-11
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. ~ Matthew 5:48
For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. ~ Leviticus 11:45
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. ~ Revelation 14:12
Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. ~ John 8:34-36
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. ~ Exodus 20:6
"Eschatological perfectionism" is the teaching that a final generation of believers must achieve a state of complete sinlessness (or Christlikeness) in the final period just before the second coming
Second Coming
In Christian doctrine, the Second Coming of Christ, the Second Advent, or the Parousia, is the anticipated return of Jesus Christ from Heaven, where he sits at the Right Hand of God, to Earth. This prophecy is found in the canonical gospels and in most Christian and Islamic eschatologies...
of Jesus (see Last Generation Theology
Last Generation Theology
Last Generation Theology or "final generation" theology is a belief system of overcoming sin held by some conservative members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which claims that perfection will be achieved by some people in the last generation before the Second Coming of Jesus much like the...
). Non-progressive Adventists consider the life and character of Christ as a perfect example that all must imitate. Accordingly, the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, or investigative judgment
Investigative judgment
The investigative judgment is a unique Seventh-day Adventist doctrine, which asserts that a divine judgment of professed Christians has been in progress since 1844. It is intimately related to the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and was described by the church's prophet and pioneer...
, is thought to also involve the cleansing of the lives of believers on earth. This belief in sinlessness arose particularly from M. L. Andreasen
M. L. Andreasen
M.[ilian] L.[auritz] Andreasen , was a Seventh-day Adventist theologian, pastor and author.He was one of the church's most prominent and influential theologians during the 1930s and 1940s. Andreasen promoted the teaching known popularly as Last Generation Theology, controversial for its views on...
's interpretation of the investigative judgment doctrine, itself based on concepts found in The Great Controversy
The Great Controversy (book)
The Great Controversy is a book written by Ellen G. White, one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and held in esteem as a prophet of God among SDA members. It describes the "Great Controversy theme" between Jesus and Satan, as played out over the millennia from its start in heaven,...
by Ellen G. White
Ellen G. White
Ellen Gould White was a prolific author and an American Christian pioneer. She, along with other Sabbatarian Adventist leaders, such as Joseph Bates and her husband James White, would form what is now known as the Seventh-day Adventist Church.Ellen White reported to her fellow believers her...
.
Original Sin
According to Anglican Geoffrey PaxtonGeoffrey Paxton
Geoffrey J. Paxton has been an ordained minister in the Anglican Church of Australia. He is a graduate of Australian College of Theology and the University of Queensland. He tutored in the history of Christian thought at the University of Queensland, and in Greek and New Testament studies in the...
, during the 1960s scholars such as Ford and Edward Heppenstall
Edward Heppenstall
Edward E. Heppenstall was a leading Bible scholar and theologian of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. A 1985 questionnaire of North American Adventist lecturers revealed Heppenstall was the Adventist writer who had most influenced them.- Biography :Heppenstall was born in 1901 at Rotherham,...
brought the concept of original sin
Original sin
Original sin is, according to a Christian theological doctrine, humanity's state of sin resulting from the Fall of Man. This condition has been characterized in many ways, ranging from something as insignificant as a slight deficiency, or a tendency toward sin yet without collective guilt, referred...
into Adventist theology.
Early Adventists (such as George Storrs, Ellen White and Uriah Smith
Uriah Smith
Uriah Smith was a Seventh-day Adventist author and editor who worked for the Review and Herald for 50 years....
) tended to de-emphasise the corrupt nature inherited from Adam, while stressing the importance of actual, personal sins committed by the individual. They thought of the "sinful nature" in terms of physical mortality rather than moral depravity. Adventist Joe Crews states...
Adventists traditionally understand sins of commission, stating sin is willful transgression of God's law. They believe sins of commission involve our choice. They base their belief on texts such as "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4) This is not the belief of some Progressive Adventists who believe in some form of original sin.
Robert Brinsmead & Debate
Under Ford's influence, Brinsmead ultimately rejected perfectionism. Around 1970, there was a major controversy amongst Australian Adventists over whether "righteousness by faith" included both justificationJustification (theology)
Rising out of the Protestant Reformation, Justification is the chief article of faith describing God's act of declaring or making a sinner righteous through Christ's atoning sacrifice....
and sanctification
Sanctification
Sanctity is an ancient concept widespread among religions, a property of a thing or person sacred or set apart within the religion, from totem poles through temple vessels to days of the week, to a human believer who achieves this state. Sanctification is the act or process of acquiring sanctity,...
. This had been sparked by Brinsmead, and Ford became caught up in it. Tensions over Ford and the theology teaching at Avondale more generally led to a meeting of Australian church leaders on 3–4 February 1976 to hear accusations by a group of "Concerned Brethren". Ford's understanding of righteousness by faith was the main issue, while the report mentions "the Sanctuary
Heavenly sanctuary
In Seventh-day Adventist theology, the heavenly sanctuary teaching asserts that many aspects of the Hebrew tabernacle or sanctuary are representative of heavenly realities. In particular, Jesus is regarded as a High Priest who provides cleansing for human sins by the sacrificial shedding of his...
, the Age of the Earth
Age of the Earth
The age of the Earth is 4.54 billion years This age is based on evidence from radiometric age dating of meteorite material and is consistent with the ages of the oldest-known terrestrial and lunar samples...
and Inspiration." In April a group of church leaders and theologians including Ford met in Palmdale
Palmdale, California
Palmdale is a city located in the center of northern Los Angeles County, California, United States.Palmdale was the first community within the Antelope Valley to incorporate as a city on August 24, 1962; 47 years later, voters approved creating a charter city in November, 2009. Palmdale is...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to discuss the meaning of righteousness by faith. Ford was the "center of attention", and the resulting document known as the "Palmdale statement".
Ford disagreed with Brinsmead and like-minded Adventists who place a greater emphasis on sanctification with less emphasis on justification, proclaiming justification and sanctification are like the horse and the cart respectively, and that success is favored by placing the horse first. Both Ford and perfectionist Adventists believe both justification and sanctification are necessary for salvation; and included in the study of "righteousness by faith". A few texts that perfectionist Adventists use to support their beliefs are...
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. ~ Romans 8:12-14
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ~ Galatians 5:19-24
United States, and increasing tensions with church leadership
In response to criticisms of his theology, in 1977 the church moved him to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where he taught Religion at Pacific Union College
Pacific Union College
Pacific Union College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Angwin, California, United States. It is the only four-year college in Napa County, California....
for three years. The classes he taught included public speaking
Public speaking
Public speaking is the process of speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners...
, homiletics
Homiletics
Homiletics , in theology the application of the general principles of rhetoric to the specific department of public preaching. The one who practices or studies homiletics is called a homilist....
, evangelism
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
, life and teachings of Christ
Ministry of Jesus
In the Christian gospels, the Ministry of Jesus begins with his Baptism in the countryside of Judea, near the River Jordan and ends in Jerusalem, following the Last Supper with his disciples. The Gospel of Luke states that Jesus was "about 30 years of age" at the start of his ministry...
, the Pauline epistles, Christian apologetics
Christian apologetics
Christian apologetics is a field of Christian theology that aims to present a rational basis for the Christian faith, defend the faith against objections, and expose the perceived flaws of other world views...
, Daniel and Revelation, the major
Major prophet
A major prophet is a book in the Major Prophets section of the Christian Old Testament in the Bible. The term "major prophet" is typically a Christian term as the Jewish Hebrew Bible does not group these books together and does not include the deuterocanonical/apocryphal Book of Baruch. The...
and minor prophet
Minor prophet
Minor prophets is a book of the Hebrew Bible, so named because it contains twelve shorter prophetic works. In Christian Bibles the twelve are presented as individual books...
s of the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
, introduction to theology
Christian theology
- Divisions of Christian theology :There are many methods of categorizing different approaches to Christian theology. For a historical analysis, see the main article on the History of Christian theology.- Sub-disciplines :...
, and biblical theology
Biblical Theology
Biblical theology is a discipline within Christian theology which studies the Bible from the perspective of understanding the progressive history of God revealing Himself to humanity following the Fall and throughout the Old Testament and New Testament...
.
In October 1979 Ford was invited to address a chapter meeting of the Association of Adventist Forums (now Adventist Forums
Adventist Forums
Adventist 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...
) held at the College, on the topic of Hebrews
Epistle to the Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews is one of the books in the New Testament. Its author is not known.The primary purpose of the Letter to the Hebrews is to exhort Christians to persevere in the face of persecution. The central thought of the entire Epistle is the doctrine of the Person of Christ and his...
and its implications for the Adventist investigative judgment
Investigative judgment
The investigative judgment is a unique Seventh-day Adventist doctrine, which asserts that a divine judgment of professed Christians has been in progress since 1844. It is intimately related to the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and was described by the church's prophet and pioneer...
teaching. The talk was titled, "The Investigative Judgment: Theological Milestone or Historical Necessity?" The talk criticized some aspects of the traditional understanding, Ford was summoned to the General Conference
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is the governing organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, where it moved in 1989...
headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
He was given six months to write up his views. Late in 1979, he stopped lecturing and moved to Takoma Park
Takoma Park, Maryland
Takoma Park is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It is a suburb of Washington, D.C., and part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Founded in 1883 and incorporated in 1890, Takoma Park, informally called "Azalea City," is a Tree City USA and a nuclear-free zone...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. Ford produced the 991-page manuscript, Daniel 8:14, the Day of Atonement, and the Investigative Judgment . (Another source says he produced a 900-page manuscript called Daniel 8:14, the Investigative Judgment, and the Kingdom of God).
Ford together with the majority of Christendom believes the atonement was completed on the cross when Jesus cried out “It is finished.”
Some Adventists disagree with Ford and define the atonement in terms of God’s work to cleanse our character from sin added to the payment of the penalty for sin Christ completed on the cross. They state the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary is a continuation of the work of atonement begun on the cross, rather than the application of the benefits of the already completed atonement. They believe the following verse supports their position...
Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. ~ Romans 8:33-34
Expulsion from teaching and ministry
In August 1980, a group of Adventist theologians and administrators convened at Glacier View RanchGlacier View Ranch
Glacier View Ranch is an alpine Christian retreat and conference centre located near Boulder, Colorado in the United States. During the summer holidays, it runs summer camps for children and teenagers in the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists...
in Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
to examine Ford's views. According to TIME
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine, he "made the case that White's 'sanctuary
Heavenly sanctuary
In Seventh-day Adventist theology, the heavenly sanctuary teaching asserts that many aspects of the Hebrew tabernacle or sanctuary are representative of heavenly realities. In particular, Jesus is regarded as a High Priest who provides cleansing for human sins by the sacrificial shedding of his...
' explication of 1844 no longer stood up in the light of the Bible, and that 'investigative judgment' undercut the whole basis of Protestantism: belief in salvation by God's grace apart from good works." The culmination of this event was Ford losing his employment with the denomination as a minister and theology professor. After counsel from the General Conference, the Australasian Division
South Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific, , is formally organised as the South Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists , also abbreviated as the South Pacific Division or simply "the Division". It is one of 13 world divisions of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in...
withdrew "Ford's ministerial credentials"
Ford disagrees with Adventists, both historic and current who state that Jesus Christ was born with the fallen nature that has been passed on to all of humanity. Adventists base their beliefs on the following texts
- "For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh." Romans 8:3 (NKJV)
- "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin." Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)
- "...concerning his Son (Jesus), who was descended from David according to the flesh..." Romans 1:3 (ESV)
- "Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people." Hebrews 2:17 NKJV
Adventists traditionally believe that Jesus took on human nature with all of the post fall moral weaknesses and frailties that post fall humans experience. Despite this, they say because he managed to resist temptation both from within and without, and lived a perfectly obedient life, Jesus is therefore our supreme Example in whose footsteps, all Christians must follow, and also achieve a perfectly obedient life. The fact that Jesus overcame sin completely, despite having no advantage over other post fall human beings, demonstrates that we too must live a life of complete obedience, as we trust in him. Adventist believe Ellen White supports their position when she states "The Lord Jesus came to our world, not to reveal what a God could do, but what a man could do, through faith in God’s power to help in every emergency. Man is, through faith, to be a partaker in the divine nature, and to overcome every temptation wherewith he is beset."
."
and...
Ford does not agree with any of the above statements that claim Jesus has a post fall human nature but proclaims Christ came with Adam's pre-fallen nature.
To commemorate the 30 year anniversary of Glacier View, the Sydney Adventist Forum held a pretend courtroom trial to assess the accuracy of Ford's claim that the Consensus Document has been largely in agreement with him. They concluded, "Ford was found to be substantially correct in claiming that the 114-member SRC Consensus Document was in agreement with his twelve propositions—while Ministry was judged to have considerably over-stated its case." It concluded, "In retrospect, it is clear that the SRC made—in five days—more progress in understanding this biblical doctrine than the church has typically made in any fifty years of its history."
Personal life
Ford married Gwen Booth with whom he had three children – Elènne Gwen Ford (born 29 October 1955) Paul Wesley Ford (born 20 December 1957), and Luke FordLuke Ford
Luke Ford is an American writer, blogger, and former pornography gossip columnist known for his disclosures and traditionalist Jewish religious views.-Personal:Ford moved to California in 1977...
(born 1966). Gwen died of breast cancer in April 1970. Ford remarried to Gillian Wastell ("Gill"), in November of that year. Elènne works as a barrister. She also owns the "Mango Hill Farm" organic farm attraction Queensland's Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast, Queensland
The Sunshine Coast is an urban area in South East Queensland, north of the state capital of Brisbane on the Pacific Ocean coastline. Although it does not have a central business district, by population it ranks as the 10th largest metropolis in Australia and the third largest in...
which includes farmstays, a small function centre, cooking school, etc. It is located in Peachester
Peachester, Queensland
Peachester is a small town in the Sunshine Coast hinterland of Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, Peachester had a population of 452.-External links:*...
, and is the location of Ford's twice-a-month church services. Luke converted to Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
and is a controversial internet blogger.
Ford made some reconciliation with his father in the 1970s. His parents both passed away in 1987, at 87 years of age.
"His mother complained that he ate too fast, talked too fast, walked too fast, and drove too fast." This was also due to the pressure on him.
Publications
Ford has written over twenty books and numerous articles.- Unlocking God's Treasury, 1964
- Answers on the Way, 1977
- Daniel, 1978 (does not fully reflect his current views)
- The Abomination of Desolation in Biblical Eschatology, 1979
- Physicians of the Soul, God's Prophets Through the Ages, (Nashville, TN: Southern Publishing Association, 1980) ISBN 0-8127-0262-X. Includes Ford's views on Ellen G. White as a prophetess. It also traces Ford's childhood encounters with Adventists and the influence of Ellen G. White's books on helping him find Christ and becoming an Adventist.
- The Forgotten Day, 1981, about the Sabbath
- For the Sake of the Gospel: Throw out the bathwater, but keep the Baby, 2008. See reviews.
Also:
- Inside Story
- Why Believe? Source Book