Name M. Andreasen | Role Author | |
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Born June 4, 1876 Copenhagen, Denmark Occupation Theologian, Administrator, Author and Minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Spouse(s) Annie Nelson (from 1896 to her death in 1948); Gladys Grounds (1950 to ?) Died 1962, Glendale, California, United States Books Letters to the churches, The Sabbath - which da, The Book of Hebrews, Isaiah the gospel prophet, God's Holy Day | ||
M.[ilian] L.[auritz] Andreasen (June 4, 1876 – February 19, 1962), was a Seventh-day Adventist theologian, pastor and author.
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He was one of the church's most prominent and influential theologians during the 1930s and 1940s. Andreasen held to the belief that Christians can overcome sin, 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.
Biography
Andreasen served as president of the Greater New York Conference (1909 - 1910), president of Hutchinson Theological Seminary (1910 - 1918), dean of Atlantic Union College (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 - 1950, 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 Doctrine (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 Andreasen urged that QOD not be published, and argued extensively with church leaders to correct the ideas they eventually placed into print.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. Shortly before his death in February 1962, he reconciled with those whom he had so passionately remonstrated with. His credentials were posthumously restored in 1962.
Many "historic Adventists" point to Andreasen as a significant figure.
His hope in the return of Christ is evidenced in the last lines of the farewell message he wrote: "So, dear ones, be faithful and true, even to the end. I shall rest in hope, looking forward to the day of glad reunion."
Books
Andreasen was also one of the contributors to the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary.