On March 8, 1971, a seminar on eschatology was conducted for non-Adventist clergymen of Knox County, Ohio. Twenty-five pastors sent in reservations in response to the invitations extended by Pastor Leroy L. Albers and Mount Vernon Seventh-day Adventist church to all clergymen of the county. Another seven sent their regrets. Because of unforeseen circumstances such as funerals, only twenty-one ministers were actually present at the Ohio Conference office assembly room where the Monday seminar was held.
The speaker for the occasion was Dr. Hans K. La Rondelle, instructor in systematic theology at Andrews University. The churches represented were Baptist, Christian, Congregational, Church of Christ, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Nazarene, Wesleyan, and independent groups.
The messages were based on the Elijah message of Malachi 4:5,6 and were given in three one-hour lectures, two in the morning and one in the afternoon. Dinner was provided without charge. The response to the seminar was very favorable.
In correspondence with Dr. La Rondelle about the seminar he writes in part: "We should not focus our presentation on some doctrine or combination of doctrines in which we differ from the other churches. This gives them the impression that we are just another peculiar sect or cult within Christianity. We give a better and more correct impression of our church if we dwell on our unique prophetic mission with reference to the second advent of Jesus Christ. This is the fulfillment of the great prophecy concerning the coming of Elijah in Malachi 4:5,6.
"This gives us the opportunity to vindicate the intrinsic unity of the Old and New Testaments, and to disclose the basic harmony between the old and new covenant. In the light of this historical perspective, the three angels' messages of Revelation 14 receive their unlocking key from the Old Testament. This approach contains its credentials in itself. The danger is to become specific in its applications while the foundation of Biblical typology has not been made sufficiently clear. We try sometimes to convince by our convictions instead of by the proper reasons for our convictions.
"The Biblical concept also implies that we stress the right gospel order of redemption first and only then the ethics of obedience. Also, it is vital to bring a personal testimony of redemption, of love for the Lord Jesus. No one can argue with a man who witnesses that he is seized by his Lord and Saviour, Jesus. Only what comes from the heart speaks to the heart."
The principles outlined above were ably demonstrated in the lectures presented at Mount Vernon. And you will be interested to know that these lectures are provided as the March release for the Tape of the Month Club. Those not yet enjoying the benefits of the Tape of the Month Club would do well to subscribe at once. These messages alone are worth the cost for the year.
