The Nurture of Faith in the Teaching of Denominational History

Teaching a course in Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) history at the college level presents challenges not always experienced by the teacher of the other Bible subjects that constitute the compulsory requirements in religion for the different courses of study. Adventist students entering college in 1990 at the age of eighteen have spent all their adolescence in the post-Glacier View years. During this time many have been exposed to serious questions about the teachings of the church raised by Ford,[1] Rea, [2] and others. Authority figures have cast doubt on SDA principles of prophetic interpretation, on fundamental teachings concerning the sanctuary and the investigative or pre-advent judgment and on the integrity and authority of Ellen White and her writings. Rapid technological changes, increasing materialism, a growing manifestation of secularism and humanism and the demoralizing effects of the media have added to the spiritual confusion experienced by many youth