In July, 2006, almost 250 biblical scholars and theologians, including a good number of church administrators, gathered in Izmir/ Turkey for the Second International Bible Conference. This was a historic meeting, because it was only the second time in the history of the Adventist Church that such a group met. The First International Bible Conference had taken place in 1998 in Jerusalem. This time the positive response to the invitation to come, share, listen, and lecture was even more overwhelming. Scholars and theologians from all around the world were present. On the first Sabbath, the president of the General Conference, Jan Paulsen, addressed the group. Also attending the conference were the majority of the GC vice presidents, the GC undersecretary, GC departmental staff, the entire Geoscience Research Institute staff, division presidents and secretaries, as well as other leaders of the church. They were able to engage in dialogue with Adventists theologians and biblical scholars.

The conference was organized by the Biblical Research Institute and sponsored by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, The Adventist Theological Society, and The Institute of Archaeology/Siegfried H. Horn Museum. Long before the conference took place, and while plans were being laid to have such a meeting, it was felt that ecclesiology is one of the most important and pressing topics for the Adventist Church. Therefore, it was decided to choose as the general topic for this conference, to which all lectures, plenary sessions, and sermons would contribute the theme “The Adventist Theologian and the Nature, Mission, and Unity of the Church.”

From July 7 through July 17, the group listened to inspiring devotionals and sermons by M. Finley, C. Steger, L. Cooper, R. Clouzet, D. Schneider, J. Paulsen, and T. Wilson, challenging the audience to undivided commitment to Jesus, His remnant people, and the mission of the church. About seventy-five seminars were presented from which participants could choose to attend fifteen. The ten plenary sessions were dealing with the following topics:

• “An Adventist Ecclesiology in the Making” (Á. Rodríguez)

• “The Message and Mission of God’s People in the Old Testament” (J. Moskala)

• “The Message and Mission of God’s People in the New Testament” (R. Badenas)

• “The End Time Remnant and the Christian World” (E. Mueller)

• “The End Time Remnant and the Non-Christian World” (G. Christo)

• “The Role of Fundamental Beliefs in the Theology and Life of the Church” (K. Donkor)

• “The Role of the Church in the Interpretation of Scripture” (R. Davidson)

• “Ellen White and the Role of the Bible in the Remnant Church” (E. Zinke)

• “Unity and Diversity in the Seventh-day Adventist Church” (G. Pfandl)

• “The Duties and Responsibilities of the Adventist Theologian” (L. Lichtenwalter)

Apart from the opportunity to interact with each other and share research results, concerns, and successes the group had the opportunity to visit the seven churches of Asia Minor mentioned in the Book of Revelation, the island of Patmos, as well as some other places. Each participant received a copy of the latest BRI Publication “Understanding Scripture” and other material. A pleasant atmosphere and a spirit of companionship were present. Some colleagues were very much engaged in helping to prepare the conference, while a great number of participants helped with various tasks such as coordinating the buses, the seminars, the worship services, the devotionals, and the music, welcoming the delegates at the airport, registering them in the hotel, caring for their health needs, and serving in the steering committee. Thanks to all presenters and all those involved in one way or the other! The conference was a great success, and this spirit of the Advent movement attracted also the attention of hotel guests and employees in very positive ways.

The Second International Bible Conference was not only an opportunity to exchange ideas and share biblical and theological insights, but it was also intended to contribute to the theological unity among Adventist theologians and scholars. Therefore, toward the end of the meeting a statement was drafted which was discussed in three committees before it was brought to the floor, where it was again discussed for about two hours. Finally, a vote showed that this statement, which is printed in the next column, was almost unanimously accepted by the participants of this conference.

Consensus Statement

Preamble

The Second International Bible Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Theologians brought together Bible scholars and administrators from around the world to Izmir, Turkey. The purpose of this gathering was to explore the biblical doctrine of the church, to inspire commitment to its mission and unity, and to foster fellowship. The program included visits to archeological sites related to the seven churches of the book of Revelation. Theologians and administrators prayed and studied together, seeking a deeper understanding of the truth about the church that we hold dear.

Affirmations

At the conclusion of the Conference we, the attendees, make the following affirmations:

1. We affirm, first and foremost, our commitment to Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to the final authority of God’s Word, the Holy Scriptures, and to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

2. We affirm the unique contribution of the writings of Ellen G. White to the study of the nature and mission of the church.

3. We affirm our commitment to the Seventh-day Adventist Church as God’s end-time people recognizing that it is the responsibility of the world church to establish biblically based doctrines and standards.

4. We affirm, in continuity with our understanding of Bible prophecy and our theological heritage, the unique identity and role of our church as God’s end-time remnant, entrusted by Him with the message that prepares the world for the soon return of our Lord.

5. We affirm that the fulfillment of our mission as a church depends on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. To a large extent it also depends on a clear understanding of the nature and function of the remnant church and the degree of theological unity in the church.

6. We affirm the vital role of theologians in the fulfillment of the mission of the church—a task to which all theological activity should aim, and without which our endeavors are incomplete.

A Call

In view of the above affirmations, we extend:

1. A call to all theologians, teachers, pastors, administrators, and local elders around the world to join us in our commitment to take positive steps that will bring these affirmations to fruition.

2. A call to all institutions and organizations worldwide to support and promote the affirmations set forth in this document.

3. A call to all local churches and church members to study the Scriptures and, together with us, affirm the unique role of the Seventh-day Adventist Church as God’s end-time remnant.

Thanksgiving

We praise God, for in His abundant grace He has called us to the pastoral, teaching, and administrative ministry of His church. We thank Him for this Conference, and for the care and protection He has extended to us during our travels and meetings. In a response of love and gratitude for His goodness we re-consecrate ourselves to that divine call and ask God to grant us wisdom and power to effectively continue to serve Him and His church.

A recommendation followed which reads the following way:

Since international Bible conferences contribute to theological unity and to a better understanding among Bible scholars and administrators, we recommend that the leadership of the church allocate the financial and human resources needed to convene these conferences at least once every quinquennium. We also encourage church leaders to make provision for division-wide Bible conferences that will include the participation of a limited number of theologians from other divisions and from the Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference. Such conferences will contribute to further research on issues of theological significance, enhance trust and collegiality among theologians, Bible teachers, and administrators, and strengthen the unity of the church.