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Adventist university of France (Collonges) hosts a symposium on the gift of prophecy

World-class guests made their contributions with wisdom and enthusiasm.

Adventist university of France (Collonges) hosts a symposium on the gift of prophecy

Collonges-sous-Salève, France.EUD News.

From June 22 to 24, 2018, the Adventist University of France in Collonges had the privilege and honour of receiving and co-organizing a Symposium on “The Gift of Prophecy in Scripture and History”. The General Conference White Estate, the Inter-European Division, the Franco-Belgian Union, the Adventist Faculty of Theology of Collonges and its Ellen White Research Centre have joined forces to propose a historical, theological, hermeneutical and practical reflection on a theme that remains relevant today. 

World-class guests made their contributions with wisdom and enthusiasm punctuated by spiritual moments and by some debates, and also marked by the launch of the French book on the subject of the gift of prophecy.  The symposium consisted of various presentations: James R. Nix, director of the White Estate (Silver Spring, USA) opened the conference on Friday evening with a beautifully crafted account of Ellen White’s life through the narrative prism of the Adventist key-pioneer’s hands. 

On Saturday morning, Reinaldo Siqueira, Professor of Old Testament and Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the Centro Universitário Adventista (São Paulo, Brazil) and Ekkehardt Mueller, Associate Director of the Biblical Research Institute (Silver Spring, USA) respectively presented prophecy in the Old and New Testaments.

The president of the Inter-European Division (Berne, Switzerland), Mario Brito, had the worship service and preached on “the testimony of Jesus and the Spirit of Prophecy” (Revelation 12:17; 19:10). 

In the afternoon, Richard Davidson, professor of Old Testament hermeneutics at Andrews University (Berrien-Springs, USA) considered Ellen White as an interpreter of the Bible in the light of the original biblical languages and showed how Ellen White’s writings are in accordance with the latest exegetical research.

Alberto R. Timm, Associate Director of the White Estate (Silver Spring, USA) addressed the issue of inspiration, showing the important nuances between revelation, inspiration, and illumination and encouraging a symphonic and holistic approach. 

Finally, before a lively roundtable with many questions from listeners, Sergio Becerra, Director of the Ellen White Centre at the Adventist University of Plata (La Plata, Argentina) presented useful and balanced milestones for a good interpretation of Ellen White. In the evening, during a visit to the Ellen White Centre and the Adventist Museum, visitors discovered the wealth of Adventist heritage presented and valued at Collonges, such as the personal library and harmonium of John N. Andrews, but also some original Ellen White documents. 

On Sunday morning, Richard Lehmann, retired Professor of the Adventist Faculty of Theology (Collonges, France), discussed the gift of prophecy in the letters of Paul; then Anna Galeniece, Director of the Ellen White Centre at the Adventist University of Africa (Nairobi, Kenya), showed how Adventist pioneers accepted Ellen White and how her writings can still be a source of enrichment. After a final question-and-answer session, a consensus statement was adopted by the participants.  

As one participant put it: “This symposium enhanced my knowledge and made me want to read Ellen White more and more”. These meetings benefited listeners from Collonges, but also many Church members and pastors from all over France, it was broadcasted live on YouTube, even followed internationally. Moreover, an administrator of a partially French-speaking Division reacted at the end of the symposium by writing: “I was able to be online and view the presentations. I have been richly blessed and I thank you for this excellent program”. It is now possible to replay the entire conference on www.youtube.com/c/Facultéadventistedethéologie.  

Statement of Consensus 

THE GIFT OF PROPHECY IN SCRIPTURE AND HISTORY 

On June 22-24, 2018, a Spirit of Prophecy Symposium was held on the campus of the Adventist University of France – Collonges, with special emphasis on the modern manifestation of the gift of prophecy in the life and ministry of Ellen White (1827-1915). We, the attendees of this event, adopt the following Statement of Consensus: 

1. We reaffirm our full commitment to the Bible as the only rule of faith and practice. 

2. We recognize that the Bible promised that the Holy Spirit would grant special gifts to the Christian church, throughout the ages, leading her toward “the unity of the faith” and “the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:11-14). 

3. We reaffirm that one of the spiritual gifts is the gift of prophecy, and we express our confidence that God has blessed His end-time remnant church with this gift (Rev 12:17; 19:10). 

4. We reaffirm that the power of the Holy Spirit was manifested in the life and ministry of Ellen White. Being a true prophet, her writings are inspired and help God’s children to be faithful to the Bible and its teachings. 

5. We reaffirm that Ellen White’s writings have the same prophetic authority today as they had during the period of her prophetic ministry. When interpreting Ellen White’s writings, we should consider all her writings related to a given topic, studying the meaning of her language within their historical and literary contexts. We also recognize that in this whole process we need to be guided by the Holy Spirit. 

6. We reaffirm that the principles found in Ellen White’s writings dealing with Adventist lifestyle and behaviour, including health reform and holistic education, are relevant and necessary for us today. 

7. We reaffirm that sermons should be based on Scripture, taking into consideration the contribution of the writings of Ellen White. 

8. We reaffirm that the mission of the Church and its outreach methods should be based on sound biblical principles and informed by the writings of Ellen White. It is our responsibility to reach and engage new generations, whose questions and challenges require innovative approaches, in making Ellen White’s prophetic ministry relevant. 

9. We reaffirm our commitment to daily  read and study the Bible, being enriched by Ellen White’s writings, and to encourage others to do so. 

10. As Seventh-day Adventists, we reaffirm our unconditional commitment to the Bible as the Word of God and our acceptance of Ellen White’s writings as divinely inspired, which help us to understand the Bible and apply its principles to all dimensions of the Christian life.