George R. Knight
Encyclopedia
George Raymond Knight is a Seventh-day Adventist
historian and educator. He is emeritus
professor of church history at Andrews University
.
at Pacific Union College
, an MA
and MDiv
from Andrews University
, and in 1976 an EdD
from the University of Houston
.
Knight originally taught in the School of Education. He had a number of doctoral students who did biographical studies of early Adventist educators. He gradually developed an interest in Adventist history that led to his transition to the Church History department in the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
. His 1985 book, Myths in Adventism, put him on the map in Adventist circles and he began to rise to prominence in the church. During the 1990s Knight became particularly well-known for his fresh insight and popularization of Seventh-day Adventist history
. By the year 2000 he was the best-selling Adventist author in the denomination with a steady stream of doctoral students and graduate assistants who helped him do research for his books. He was also featured as one of the keynote speakers at the 2000 Seventh-day Adventist General Conference Session
held in Toronto
, Canada
. In 2005 he announced his plans for retirement that occurred during the summer of 2006. He has already begun work on the first volumes of a devotional commentary of the entire Bible.
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
historian and educator. He is emeritus
Emeritus
Emeritus is a post-positive adjective that is used to designate a retired professor, bishop, or other professional or as a title. The female equivalent emerita is also sometimes used.-History:...
professor of church history at Andrews University
Andrews University
Andrews University is a Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1874 as Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan, it was the first higher education facility started by Seventh-day Adventists, and is the flagship university of the Seventh-day...
.
Biography
Knight joined the Adventist church through the ministry of Ralph Larson. He completed a BABachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
at Pacific Union College
Pacific Union College
Pacific Union College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Angwin, California, United States. It is the only four-year college in Napa County, California....
, an MA
Master of Arts (Scotland)
A Master of Arts in Scotland can refer to an undergraduate academic degree in humanities and social sciences awarded by the ancient universities of Scotland – the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, while the University of...
and MDiv
Master of Divinity
In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...
from Andrews University
Andrews University
Andrews University is a Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1874 as Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan, it was the first higher education facility started by Seventh-day Adventists, and is the flagship university of the Seventh-day...
, and in 1976 an EdD
Doctor of Education
The Doctor of Education or Doctor in Education degree , in Latin, Doctor Educationis, is a research-oriented professional doctorate that prepares the student for academic, administrative, clinical, or research positions in educational, civil, and private organizations.-Differences between an Ed.D...
from the University of Houston
University of Houston
The University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
.
Knight originally taught in the School of Education. He had a number of doctoral students who did biographical studies of early Adventist educators. He gradually developed an interest in Adventist history that led to his transition to the Church History department in the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
The Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary is the seminary located at Andrews University in Michigan, the Seventh-day Adventist Church's flagship university...
. His 1985 book, Myths in Adventism, put him on the map in Adventist circles and he began to rise to prominence in the church. During the 1990s Knight became particularly well-known for his fresh insight and popularization of Seventh-day Adventist history
History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church had its roots in the Millerite movement of the 1830s and 1840s, during the period of the Second Great Awakening, and was officially founded in 1863. Prominent figures in the early church included Hiram Edson, James Springer White and his wife Ellen G. White, Joseph...
. By the year 2000 he was the best-selling Adventist author in the denomination with a steady stream of doctoral students and graduate assistants who helped him do research for his books. He was also featured as one of the keynote speakers at the 2000 Seventh-day Adventist General Conference Session
General Conference Session
The General Conference Session is the official world meeting of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The first session was held on May 20, 1863 with 20 delegates in attendance, and it is now held quinquennially ....
held in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. In 2005 he announced his plans for retirement that occurred during the summer of 2006. He has already begun work on the first volumes of a devotional commentary of the entire Bible.
Books published
- 2009. Sin and Salvation: God's Work for Us and In Us.
- 2009. Exploring the Letters of John and Jude.
- 2008. Lest We Forget.
- 2008. The Apocalyptic Vision and the Neutering of Adventism.
- 2007. If I Were the Devil: Seeing Through the Enemy's Smoke Screen
- 2006. Philosophy and Education: An Introduction in Christian Perspective.
- 2004. Exploring Galatians and Ephesians: A Devotional Commentary
- 2004. Exploring Mark: A Devotional Commentary
- 2004. Joseph Bates: The Real Founder of the Seventh-day Adventism
- 2003. Exploring Hebrews: A Devotional Commentary
- 2003. Anticipating the Advent.
- 2002. Walking with Paul through the Book of Romans.
- 2001. Organizing to beat the devil: The development of Adventist Church structure
- 2000. A search for identity: The development of Seventh-day Adventist beliefs; excerpt "What is Adventist in Adventism? Adventist Review online exclusive, 14 June 2001
- 1999. A Brief History of Seventh-day Adventists
- 1999. Walking With Ellen White: Her everyday life as a wife, mother, and friend
- 1998. Philosophy and Education: An Introduction in Christian Perspective.
- 1998. A User-Friendly Guide to the 1888 Message.
- 1998. Ellen White's World: A fascinating look at the times in which she lived
- 1997. Reading Ellen White: How to understand and apply her writings
- 1996. Meeting Ellen White: A fresh look at her life, writings and major themes
- 1995. Hebrews: Full of Assurance for Christians Today.
- 1995. The Fat Lady and the Kingdom.
- 1994. I Used to be Perfect: A Study of Sin and Salvation.
- 1993. Millennial Fever and the End of the World: A Study of Millerite Adventism
- 1990. My Gripe with God: A Study in Divine Justice and the Problem of the Cross.
- 1989. Angry Saints: Tensions And Possibilities In The Adventist Struggle Over Righteousness By Faith
- 1987. From 1888 to Apostasy: The Case of A. T. Jones
- 1985. Myths in Adventism.
- 1983. Early Adventist Educators
- 1982. Issues and Alternatives in Educational Philosophy.
External links
- Andrews University profile
- Amazon.com book search for George R. Knight
- "If I Were the Devil" by George Knight, speech at the 2000 General Conference Session in Toronto. Same-titled articles by Knight appear in numerous publications, including Adventist Review 178 (January 2001), p8–15
- Seventh-day Adventist Periodical Index (SDAPI) search for articles by Knight
Offline resources
- "George Knight: Former Pharisee Finds Freedom" in Who's Got the Truth: Making sense out of five different Adventist gospels by Martin Weber