Rejection of Divine light by the SDA Church: A recurring phenomenon that sealed its destiny. (Part 3 of 3)

How the SDA Church dealt with Dr. Desmond Ford clearly shows its abhorrence for any teaching that undermines its cherished theories and man-made traditions. Their love of tradition outweighs their love of truth.

Who is Dr. Desmond Ford?

He was an influential theologian and former minister of the SDA Church who became a central figure in one of the most significant theological controversies in Adventist history. The way the SDA Church treated him, especially surrounding the 1980 Glacier View meeting and its aftermath, has been described by scholars and some within the Church itself as totally unjust or harsh.

Dr. Ford challenged the Adventist doctrine of the Investigative Judgment, the belief that Christ began a special judgment phase in the heavenly sanctuary in 1844. He argued that the biblical foundation for this teaching (primarily based on Daniel 8:14 and the "2300 days" prophecy) was exegetically weak and theologically unsound. In addition to rejecting the Investigative Judgment, he upheld righteousness by faith and the finality of Christ's atonement on the cross, thus questioning the need for an additional investigative phase starting in 1844.

The infamous Glacier View Meeting/Inquisition of 1980

The SDA Church convened 120 theologians and administrators at Glacier View Ranch in Colorado to review Ford’s 991-page document, "Daniel 8:14, the Day of Atonement, and the Investigative Judgment. " Many attendees agreed that Ford raised legitimate scholarly issues; some even conceded that the doctrine needed revision. However, the leadership, notably General Conference President Neal C. Wilson, was determined to uphold the traditional doctrine. Once again, the church and its leadership chose tradition over sound doctrinal teachings that Father Yahuwah shed on their path, through the ministry of Dr. Ford.

The Abject Mishandling of Dr. Ford at Glacier View

Several participants later indicated that the Church leadership had already decided to discipline Ford before the meeting began, thus denying him the opportunity to defend his positions in the key discussions.

Worse still, just two months after Glacier View, Dr. Ford’s ministerial credentials were revoked, and he was dismissed from teaching at Pacific Union College, where he had been a highly respected theology professor. The SDA Church leadership did not attempt to conduct any reconciliatory process with Dr. Ford.

The consequences of this fallout

The controversy surrounding Dr. Ford led to the departure of thousands of Adventists, including pastors and teachers. Some estimates suggest that around 180 pastors resigned due to the rejection of Dr. Ford’s teachings and the church’s un-Christian mishandling of the entire affair. Many Adventist historians and theologians, even those who disagree with Ford's theology, acknowledge that the process lacked fairness, academic integrity, and pastoral care.

Dr. Ford’s wife, Gillian Ford, published a book titled "Desmond Ford: Reformist Theologian, Gospel Revivalist" that detailed the emotional and professional toll this treatment had on their family. How does such treatment align with a church that claims to be Yahushua’s remnant church?

The Church leadership opted to treat Dr. Ford as a threat to its existence rather than engage in scholarly dialogue, lest they be found rejecting a divine light. By such action, they mirrored the infamous declaration of Caiaphas, the High Priest, when he uttered,’ it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.’ John 11:50. For the leadership, maintaining the façade of the church’s structure and its substantial institutions was far more important than engaging in a theological dialogue that, if accepted, could shake the reason for its existence. After all, the church came into existence based on their faulty understanding of Daniel 8:14. Thus, accepting Ford’s teaching would have nullified all that the church stands for and posed a deadly challenge to the teachings and claims of Ellen White.

As a result, the leadership decided not only to deny Dr. Ford due process but also to engage in character assassination by labeling him as an existential ‘threat’ that needed to be suppressed. Imagine a scholar who dedicates his life to the core gospel message of righteousness by faith being labeled as a ‘threat.’ The leadership of the SDA Church resolved to make an example of Dr. Ford to suppress, once and for all, other potential future dissenters.

Sadly, while still employed by the SDA Church, no leader came to Dr. Ford's defense. Only after securing his retirement did Pastor William Johnsson, former editor of the Adventist Review, pen the following confession: “Des Ford was right about many things. The church owes him an apology.”

WLC and Dr. Desmond Ford

We are greatly indebted to Dr. Ford's unwavering commitment to his firmly held beliefs. He paid the ultimate price for these convictions: job security, character assassinations, and immense pressure that took a toll on him and his family as they faced the heavy hand of powerful leadership from an exceedingly wealthy organization alone. He could have easily compromised with the leadership to protect his job security as a much-sought-after theology professor and secure his pension. However, his loyalty to the truth outweighed any monetary considerations. Thus, he has set a worthy example for all of us.

Dr. Ford refused to accept the view that Ellen White’s interpretation of Scripture holds divine authority. While he respected Ellen White greatly, he limited her role in the church to a pastoral position.

He was an unabashed Trinitarian. We believe he was so engrossed in the theological battles he engaged in that time and space were not available for him to examine the subject of the Godhead. Again, we firmly believe that on this side of eternity, we will never find a platform [WLC included] that is 100% error-free. The critical test of all of us is not to reject any opportunity to examine our beliefs when new rays of divine light are shed on our path.

We discarded the ‘sacrosanct’ SDA teaching of the Investigative Judgment with vengeance, thanks mainly to Dr. Ford's work. No one has helped us appreciate the Gospel Message of Righteousness by Faith as much as Dr. Ford has. We will be eternally thankful to him.

At WLC, we will continue to publish many of his articles that align with our understanding of truth, particularly on the beautiful and most important subject of Righteousness by Faith. Click here to listen to one of our favorite sermons on this subject by Dr. Desmond Ford, delivered late in his life. He was barred from preaching in SDA pulpits, but the powerful Loma Linda University Church invited him, and he delivered this classic sermon.