From May 1-4 more than 65 theologians and biblical scholars, administrators, teachers, and pastors from all over the South Pacific Division, met in Wahroonga/ Sydney to study and discuss the doctrine of the Trinity. The meetings were graced with the presence of guests like Brian Edgar, professor of systematic theology at Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky, Ekkehardt Mueller from the Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference, and Kai Arasola from Mission College in Thailand. The delegates had prepared for the congress by reading significant recent articles on the issue.

Australia has been severely challenged over the last couple of years by well organized anti-Trinitarian groups who continue to spread their propaganda and strategically target churches and ministers. Yet, as expressed in the opening address by Paul Petersen, Field Secretary of the Division and organizer of the congress, though discussing issues in light of these threats, we study the Trinity not just for polemical or apologetic reasons. As Adventists we pursue a deeper understanding of who God is, and that quest for a deeper knowledge of the God we worship motivates us to reflect on His nature as the triune God who has revealed Himself to us as a person in Jesus Christ and through the workings of the Holy Spirit.

The congress was framed by presentations looking at the Trinity from a Seventh-day Adventist perspective. Paul Petersen broadly presented the challenges, and Kai Arasola in the final paper of the congress discussed how we as Adventists are to view the Trinitarian development in the early Church in light of our prophetic identity and beliefs. Throughout the congress the presentations and the discussions progressed from the practical reflection on the significance of the doctrine by Ray Roennfeldt, professor of systematic theology at Avondale, to issues in systematic theology by Brian Edgar. Other studies included lectures on “Father and Son in John” by Robert McIver, also from Avondale, “The Firstborn (prōtotokos) in Colossians” by Ekkehardt Mueller, and a fresh study of the views of Kellogg by John Skrzypaszek, Director of Ellen G. White Research Center at Avondale, who showed that Kellogg, in contrast to anti-Trinitarian claims, in no way shared views compatible with the traditional concept of the Trinity.

The South Pacific Division had invited Adventist scholars from around the world to contribute, and though not being able to be present in Australia during the congress, a number of scholars have sent in proposals for papers and worked on articles. The editing process of the presentations and articles is now under way, and hopefully the congress volume on the Trinity will be published by Avondale Academic Press this year.

The congress was for invitees only and limited to a certain academic level. Yet, the intention of the South Pacific Division is to reach out to church members as well. Sabbath afternoon was set aside for a public meeting with a presentation and subsequent panel discussion where Ekkehardt Mueller from the Biblical Research Institute and lecturers from Avondale provided answers to tough questions. During the last day of the congress delegates worked on and finalized a statement intended for the wider church community, unanimously voted by the delegates. The South Pacific Division has also recently produced a DVD with six popular presentations on the Trinity, three by Merlin Burt, Director of the Ellen G. White Research Center at Andrews University, and three by Paul Petersen, Field Secretary of the South Pacific Division. This DVD covers topics in Bible, Church history, Ellen G. White, and Adventist history.

Consensus Statement

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has expressed its position on the Godhead in its fundamental beliefs. Paragraph 2 speaks about the Godhead, and paragraphs 3-5 describe each of the three persons of the Trinity.

We, a group of Seventh-day Adventist Christians, theologians, pastors, and administrators, convening in Wahroonga, have been invited by the South Pacific Division to study biblical, theological, and historical aspects of this doctrine.

• On the basis of our study of Scripture we affirm our belief in “one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal persons” (Fundamental Belief # 2).

• We understand the eternal pre-existence and full divinity of Jesus and the distinct divine personality of the Holy Spirit to be essential to our belief in the full redemption and atonement in Jesus Christ.

• We approach this subject with awe, and we acknowledge that human words cannot fully describe and human minds not fully grasp the mystery of the nature of God. These limitations in understanding and language arise out of God’s greatness and majesty and the depth of the divine plan of salvation, particularly of the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

• As we seek to grow in our understanding of God, we recognize the need continually to base our theology on His self revelation in Jesus Christ, as conveyed to us by the Holy Spirit through the Bible.

• We are grateful that the Holy Spirit has led us in our past history, as the Adventist community has developed a deeper understanding of God through the study of Holy Scripture.

• We pray that God’s people will reflect the love and unity of the Godhead as they seek to understand Scripture better and share the good news that God has reconciled the world to himself in Christ.

• May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all (2 Corinthians 13:14).