| Author | Message | ||
| Jackob Registered user Username: Jackob Post Number: 442 Registered: 7-2005 |
To all who had read "A Theologian's Journey" by Jerry Gladson. Because I live in Romania, I think twice before buying a book, especially when it's from USA, because I rarely can afford one. But I would like to buy "A Theologian's Journey" by Jerry Gladson since Dale has a special offer of two books at the price of one. But before buying it, I would like to see some reviews from those who had read it. I'm interested how the book is instrumental in opening the eyes of adventists to 1. the false gospel of Investigative Judgment, or other theological errors (mention the specific doctrines which are touched by the book) 2. the cultic nature of the SDA church 3. the spiritual battle encoutnered in transitioning from the SDA church to a christian church. I had read some time ago on the internet, not remember where, that Jerry Gladson is promoting the historical-critical view of inspiration. Is this true? And if it is, how his view affects the message of his book? The second problematic issue which bothers me is a comment made by Raymond F. Cottrell here
With this comment, Raymond reiterates the old adventist idea that former adventists leave the church because they received bad treatment. And the idea is that Gladson's case is peculiar to a specific place, and his journey has no relevance for the adventist mainstream life. I consider this something which needs to be adressed, providing the context for Jerry's life will be helpful. Thanks to all who will provide informations. Jackob | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 1562 Registered: 7-2003 |
Jackob, it has been years since I read the book, and there IS clearly a wrong done to him, but the wrong stemmed from his discomfort with the theologies. I do not remember for sure the details, but I believe he taught the prophets and struggled with the Daniel issues. It was this struggle that caused him to be noticed by his colleagues. Because of his discomfort with the doctrine of the IJ, he was put under considerable stress. He and his wife divorced and eventually remarried as I recall. It was cruel what they did to him, but what they did, they did because of his inability to support SDA beliefs. He does hold on to soul sleep, but he went on to become a minister in another church, non-sda. No doubt what the organization did to him was cruel, but it was secondary to his misgivings about the doctrines. Someone else will chime in with any corrections if I've missed anything too grossly. It was a good book...and B, my ex, actually knew of some of the events Gladson talked about in the book but insisted the student body did not understand what was happening. I wouldn't really let him speak for the entire student body, however. Hope that helps a little | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 1011 Registered: 4-2000  |
Jackob, I sent a complimentary copy to an interested Southern Adventist University student a few years ago. Since this student lived on the same campus where Dr. Gladson once taught, I felt that he should be aware of the cultic climate that thrives there. It is an excellent book, and I highly recommend it. The spiritual and psychological abuse that Dr. and Mrs. Gladson experienced from college and administrative leaders was most horrifying. Dr. Gladson earned a doctorate degree in Old Testament from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. Furthermore, Dr. Gladson has served on important study committees in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. I personally know some of the people mentioned in his book so that is an added interest to me. Dennis Fischer | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 377 Registered: 12-2004 |
Jackob, I read Jerry Gladson's book and found it very interesting. If you would like, I would be happy to send you my copy free of charge. If you are interested in this, send your mailing address to Colleen and she can send it on to me. Randy | ||
| Jackob Registered user Username: Jackob Post Number: 443 Registered: 7-2005 |
Randy, Thank you very much for your offer, I already sent my mailing adress to Colleen. I'm still interesting if this abuse still goes on in many places. Here in Romania, the pioneers antitrinitarian position is resurrected by some pastors and laymen, and there is a similar "cleansing", but unfortunately, people know nothing about New Covenant theology, on the official SDA forum I was alone in posting on this subject. What's itneresting is that here the leaders lie you in the face, negating even the existence of the problem. For example, Ellen White's plagiarism is almost unknown in Romania, the SDA theological institute which educates the romanian pastors have not the book of Walter Rea in it's library. Here it's more easy to keep people uninformed. Jackob | ||
| Cselby Registered user Username: Cselby Post Number: 5 Registered: 3-2007 |
I'm currently reading this book and thus far am finding it to be quite a compelling presentation of his movement from Adventism. I've only completed the first five chapters. He begins with the story of his conversion to Adventism, and subsequent decision to become a minister. Even though he was very committed to the doctrine of the church, he had a desire to study non-adventist theology in order to demonstrate the rightness of the Adventist doctrine. Because he had on open mind and heart, glaring questions and inconsistencies became apparent and it is his process of earnestly seeking answers that has held my interest. Thus far I see no flaws or missteps in his logic and manner of interpreting various theological issues. Keep in mind, I am no theologian, which admittedly makes me more vulnerable in determining objectively what is correct or not. But my instincts tell me, based upon my own personal experiences of cruel behavior on the part of "good Adventists," that his treatment by others rings true. What a kind gesture Randy...I hope you find the book useful Jackob. Cindy | ||
| Ardyj Registered user Username: Ardyj Post Number: 26 Registered: 8-2006  |
This sounds like a "must read" for me. I have to admit, I was so naive about the "goings on" of the sda hierarchy for a long time. I'm very interested in the time frame of this book by Gladson. My cousin and his wife, whom I have mentioned in another area of this Forum; were both employed by Southern; and as he had expressed his disbelief in EGW, the two of them were terribly mistreated by that institution. Coming to their home and threatening action if they did not "repent". She left her teaching position and taught for many years in the "private sector" while he remained at the institution with the understanding that he would not have to attend church services unless his students were performing the music that day. Kind of stand-off situation I think. He pretty much became agnostic after that. Their anger has somewhat abated, but it is still there, which I can certainly understand. I would certainly think that the perpetrators of their situation will have to answer for their actions. God is in control and I praise Him for that!! Ardyj | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 367 Registered: 6-2005 |
Jakob, Dr. Gladson was a professor of mine at Southern Missionary College when I was there as a student in the late 70's early 80's. I remember him as a very knowledgeable, systematic teacher, very gentle, a "high scholor", but also interested in his students. He was and is a very kind, soft-spoken person. He was well liked and respected by the sutdents I knew. (Melissa, I think if B was there during that same time, that most of us students were unaware of the Extent of the harrassment brewing, and the spiritual warfare against Jerry and his family, and others who were asking for answers to the "Ford Controversy".) One of the cracks in my SDA blinders was running into Jerry Gladson around 1999. I was at a Domestic violence Task Force meeting, and there he was. I spoke to him after the meeting and was shocked and disappointed to learn he had left the SDA church. I had heard rumors, but guess I hoped he had changed his mind. I mentioned that he had never spoken "heresy" when I was in his class. "But the Saaaaaaabath, Jerry" I asked in this wistful sort of voice, "how could you leave the Saaaaabath.?" Sort of the tone you would use when you would ask someone how they could give away their only child. I was hoping I could shake him into reality.  . He mentioned he was writing a book to explain all that, and sent me an email draft of the book, a Theologian's Journey. I read one chapter, put it aside, and promptly lost it!!. I was terrified even reading it, I remember that. The meeting shook me, however, because I remembered him as being sincere in his faith, knew he loved the Lord. Last year, six or seven years after running into him, I visited his church as I was transitioning out of SDA. His church is in Marietta, GA, and I love how his church is active in serving the sick, poor, and oppressed. I stopped in one day during his food pantry ministry, and was amazed at the rough crowd, the truly needy, that his church serves. Anyway, recently, as I read the book, I was truly shocked. Jerry Gladson to me is a person who would shun controvery and discord. He would not seem a likely target, as he was always above board in his dealings. I guess his fatal flaw was to question the mother church when the mother church's doctrines were contrary to scripture! I would recommend the book, and as you originally asked, the false doctrines, cultic nature, and spiritual battle are evident in the book. And no, I can't imagine he would be an SDA as that quote suggested, if he had not been harrassed. Jesus does not deliver us, call us to give up our whole identity and lifestyle and livlihood, and set us free, only to enslave us again. Jerry Gladson has a great bibliography about toxic religion in the back of his book! Lori 4excape@bellsouth.net (Message edited by JavaGirl on March 11, 2007) | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 378 Registered: 12-2004 |
Lori, Thank-you for the first hand report on your knowledge of Dr. Gladson's journey. It adds insight to hear from someone who was actually there at the time. I have a sister-in-law that was at PUC serving as one of Dr Desmond Ford's graders during that tumultuous time in the early eighties. Her and her husband left Adventist partially because of the treatment they saw given to Dr. Ford, and the fact that he was never given a fair hearing. It is only now, as I have transitioned out, and reviewed the whole debacle that I more fully understand the reasons they just faded away from Adventism. They never mentioned it to us, as we never really followed the story, and they did not want to cause family problems. Randy | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 1564 Registered: 7-2003 |
Lori, B probably would have been almost 10 years after you. He would have been there mid to late 80s. He had remembered some of the fliers being posted around campus and some other things mentioned in the book for the later events. B didn't graduate from high school until 85 or 86. |
