About 160 theologians, administrators, teachers and students participated in the 12th AIIAS Theological Forum held on the campus of the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies in the Philippines, from October 29-31, 2009. The general topic was “Current Trends in Adventist Theology.” Ángel M. Rodríguez, Ekkehardt Mueller, Clinton Wahlen, and Gerhard Pfandl from the Biblical Research Institute each presented three papers. Also contributing papers were David Tasker, the Dean of AIIAS Seminary, Woodrow Whidden, professor of systematic theology at AIIAS, and Eliezer Gonzalez, a visiting MA student from Australia. The presentations covered such topics as the “Trinity in Adventism,” “The Theology of the Last Generation,” “Laodicea and Adventist Eschatology,” “Homosexuality in Scripture” and “The Deity of Christ.” Each lecture was followed by a question and answer period. In addition, on Sabbath afternoon a whole hour was set aside for questions and answers which proved to be as popular as the lectures themselves. Many participants expressed their appreciation for the candid way the theological pluralism in the church was addressed and several attendees remarked that this was the best Forum they had ever attended.

Following the Forum, Drs. Mueller and Pfandl stayed on for another two weeks to complete their intensive classes on Daniel and Revelation which had begun a few days prior to the Forum. Students were enthusiastic and grateful for the time they could spend on this in-depth study of these books. One student wrote, “From the bottom of my heart I thank God for this beautiful moment in my life in which I could learn so many things.” The administration of AIIAS expressed its appreciation for the contribution BRI made this year to the academic life of this tertiary General Conference institution in the Asia-Pacific region.