More than 100 delegates, pastors, elders and theology staff gathered at Sonoma Adventist College, Papua New Guinea, for the Adventist Theological Society (ATS) conference from June 17 to 21.
ATS is an international professional organisation that provides pastors, lay leaders and academics with the opportunity to engage directly with leading Adventist scholars. The event, themed “Adventist Identity”, was Sonoma’s first time hosting ATS speakers.
Pastor Julius Divi, head of theology at Sonoma and one of the event organisers, said the College was honoured to hold the event. “ This is a historical conference where we can address theological misunderstandings. It’s eye-opening for the ministerial students as well as the delegates, and they were really appreciative of the discussion around these issues, especially in regard to Adventist identity and salvation.”
The conference opening included a formal welcome from the college community. Young people at Sonoma received the visiting scholars and delegates with a guard of honour.
Presenters and guests included ATS president and Andrews University Seminary (USA) professor Dr John Reeve, Andrews University dean of Seminary Dr Jiří Moskala, Pacific Adventist University professors Dr Ronell Mamarimbing and Dr Unia Api, South Pacific Division ministerial and field secretary Dr Darius Jankiewicz and Papua New Guinea Union Mission ministerial secretary Pastor Daniel Ricky.
Dr Jankiewicz, who also assisted in organising the event, said that conferences like this were an “excellent opportunity” to discuss important theological issues that “touch our lives as Adventists and profoundly impact mission.”
“It is crucially important that we, as Adventists, understand the relationship between grace and obedience,” he said. “If we are not careful, we may either end up believing that our obedience contributes to our salvation or that obedience plays no role in the process of salvation. If we are to proclaim the everlasting gospel of Revelation 14, we must understand what the gospel is.”
Dr Moskala pointed to Adventist identity being God-centred and rooted in the biblical prophetic interpretation. “All the presentations uplifted Christ and helped bring a deeper understanding of the assurance and joy of salvation in Jesus.”
Attendees highlighted the conference’s importance in addressing theological misunderstandings and using the Bible as the source.
“This conference has pointed us back to the Bible,” said Minister Maryberth Gera. “Many Church members think that obedience saves us, but something I found out here is that our obedience is to please God because we love Him and as a witness to others, for their salvation.”
Aside from theological discussions, a highlight during the event was when General Conference president Pastor Erton Köhler defended his doctoral thesis via Zoom. The doctoral committee—chaired by Dr Moskala—subsequently awarded Pastor Köhler his doctoral degree.
