1919 The Untold Story of Adventism's Struggle With Fundamentalism: A Review

Michael Campbell, author of this new book teaches history and theology at Southwestern Adventist University in Keene, Texas.

Michael Campbell has done a fantastic job and a great service to the Adventist Church by analyzing the historical background that led to the Bible Conference in 1919, by describing what transpired during the meetings, and by exploring its impact. In general, Adventists have known very little about the 1919 Bible Conference, organized by the Executive Committee of the General Conference to discuss, among other topics, issues related to prophetic interpretation, the Trinity, and the question of the church’s historical transition from having a living prophet among them to having only her writings. Campbell has done the work of a well-trained detective who brings together different pieces of evidence until a picture of what happened is clearly visible. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the way the Lord has been guiding His church and the background of some of the debates that we still observe within the church.

Quote from Angel Manuel Rodriguez, the former director of the Biblical Research Institute of the General Conference

I was especially interested in the comments and discussion on how to interpret Ellen White. A. G. Daniells who was the president of the General Conference told of meeting “a Scandinavian colporteur who tried to make Ellen White’s counsels on health into a “blanket regulation” for his lifestyle. He tried to maintain a vegetarian diet in a place where fresh fruits and vegetables were scarce, if available at all.”

“When Daniells met this colporteur at a workers meeting, he was white as a ghost. ‘I went at him with all the terror I could inspire for such foolishness,’ he remarked. ‘When I got back to this country (the United States) I talked with Sister White about it’ and she said, ‘Why don’t people use common sense?’”

The minutes for this conference were buried in the archives and would eventually be rediscovered in 1974. The church is still grappling with issues raised at this epochal event.

You can read the first chapter of this book on line by clicking here. If you are interested in history and how the leaders have dealt with perplexing issues this is definitely a valuable book to read.