M. L. Andreasen
Encyclopedia
M.[ilian] L.[auritz] Andreasen (1876–1962), was a Seventh-day Adventist
theologian, pastor
and author
.
He was one of the church's most prominent and influential theologians during the 1930s and 1940s. Andreasen promoted the teaching known popularly as Last Generation Theology
, controversial for its views on atonement and salvation
. Andreasen became well known for his protests against Adventist church leaders during the last years of his life.
(1918 - 1922), dean of Washington Missionary College (now Washington Adventist University) (1922 - 1924), president of the Minnesota Conference (1924 - 1931), president of Union College
, Nebraska (1931 - 1938), and field secretary of the General Conference
(1941 - 1950). He taught at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
(now located at Andrews University
) from 1937 - 1949, and was recognized as a leading denominational scholar on the atonement and related topics.
(QOD). Andreasen argued that the book established a sinister change in Seventh-day Adventist theology. In his book, The Sanctuary Service, Andreasen had pulled this all together in the closing chapter, The Final Generation. Andreasen urged that QOD not be published, and argued extensively with church leaders to correct the ideas they eventually placed into print. Eventually QOD was published and Andreasen went public in identifying what he saw as problematic aspects of the book.
The church revoked his ministerial credentials in 1961, but reinstated him posthumously in 1962.
Many "historic Adventists" and advocates of Last Generation Theology
regard Andreasen as a significant figure in their theological heritage.
Andreasen was also one of the contributors to the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary.
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...
theologian, pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
and author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
.
He was one of the church's most prominent and influential theologians during the 1930s and 1940s. Andreasen promoted the teaching known popularly as Last Generation Theology
Last Generation Theology
Last Generation Theology or "final generation" theology is a belief system of overcoming sin held by some conservative members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which claims that perfection will be achieved by some people in the last generation before the Second Coming of Jesus much like the...
, controversial for its views on atonement and salvation
Salvation
Within religion salvation is the phenomenon of being saved from the undesirable condition of bondage or suffering experienced by the psyche or soul that has arisen as a result of unskillful or immoral actions generically referred to as sins. Salvation may also be called "deliverance" or...
. Andreasen became well known for his protests against Adventist church leaders during the last years of his life.
Biography
Andreasen served as president of the Greater New York Conference (1909 - 1910), president of Hutchinson Theological Seminary (1910 - 1918), dean of Atlantic Union CollegeAtlantic Union College
Atlantic Union College was a Seventh-day Adventist college in South Lancaster, Massachusetts. Its final year operating as an independent institution was the 2010-2011 school year following loss of accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges...
(1918 - 1922), dean of Washington Missionary College (now Washington Adventist University) (1922 - 1924), president of the Minnesota Conference (1924 - 1931), president of Union College
Union College (Nebraska)
Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska is a four-year coeducational college owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Midwest. It opened in 1891.T.R.M...
, Nebraska (1931 - 1938), and field secretary of the General Conference
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is the governing organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, where it moved in 1989...
(1941 - 1950). He taught at 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...
(now located 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...
) from 1937 - 1949, and was recognized as a leading denominational scholar on the atonement and related topics.
Theology
As far back as 1937 Andreasen presented the package that took the implications of the Adventist faith to what he perceived to be their logical conclusion. His dispute with the church was over the theology of the atonement and humanity of Christ that was expressed in the 1957 book Questions on DoctrineQuestions on Doctrine
Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine is a book published by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1957 to help explain Adventism to conservative Protestants and Evangelicals...
(QOD). Andreasen argued that the book established a sinister change in Seventh-day Adventist theology. In his book, The Sanctuary Service, Andreasen had pulled this all together in the closing chapter, The Final Generation. Andreasen urged that QOD not be published, and argued extensively with church leaders to correct the ideas they eventually placed into print. Eventually QOD was published and Andreasen went public in identifying what he saw as problematic aspects of the book.
The church revoked his ministerial credentials in 1961, but reinstated him posthumously in 1962.
Many "historic Adventists" and advocates of Last Generation Theology
Last Generation Theology
Last Generation Theology or "final generation" theology is a belief system of overcoming sin held by some conservative members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which claims that perfection will be achieved by some people in the last generation before the Second Coming of Jesus much like the...
regard Andreasen as a significant figure in their theological heritage.
Books
- Isaiah, the Gospel Prophet (Review & HeraldReview and Herald Publishing AssociationThe Review and Herald Publishing Association is one of two major Seventh-day Adventist publishing houses in North America and is the oldest institution of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The organization publishes books, magazines, study guides, CDs, videos and games for Adventist churches,...
, 1928) - Man, Here and Hereafter (Pacific Press, 1937)
- The Sanctuary Service (Review & Herald, 1937)
- The Faith of Jesus and the Commandments of God (Review & Herald, 1939)
- The Sabbath, Which Day and Why? (Review & Herald, 1942)
- A Faith to Live By (Review & Herald, 1943)
- Following the Master (Southern Publishing AssociationReview and Herald Publishing AssociationThe Review and Herald Publishing Association is one of two major Seventh-day Adventist publishing houses in North America and is the oldest institution of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The organization publishes books, magazines, study guides, CDs, videos and games for Adventist churches,...
, 1947) - The Book of Hebrews (Review & Herald, 1948)
- The Faith of Jesus (Review & Herald, 1949)
- God's Holy Day (Review & Herald, 1949)
- A Day from Eden (Review & Herald, 1951)
- Saints and Sinners (Review & Herald, 1951)
- What Can a Man Believe? (Review & Herald, 1951)
- Prayer (Pacific Press, 1957)
- Letters to the Churches (Hudson Printing Company, 1959)
Andreasen was also one of the contributors to the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary.
See also
- Seventh-day Adventist ChurchSeventh-day Adventist ChurchThe 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...
- Seventh-day Adventist theology
- Seventh-day Adventist eschatology
External links
- Without fear or favor by Virginia Steinweg, a biography of Andreasen
- M. L. Andreasen Papers, an index from the Center for Adventist Research