Robert Brinsmead

Robert Daniel "Bob" Brinsmead [http://www.bobbrinsmead.com/rdb.html] [ [http://goodnewsforadventists.com/home/skypage.php?keyid=238&parentkeyid=166] , [http://www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/linkweb/pdfs/issue356.pdf] . Gary Land incorrectly states Brinsmead's middle name is "David"] (born Australia, August 9, 1933) is a formerly controversial figure within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 1960s and 1970s, known for his diverse theological journey. He had a major impact on the church, despite the fact he was never employed by the church in an official capacity, such as a minister. Issues surrounding him were highly emotive at the time. Later he moved on to business, environmental and political interests.

During the 1960s he advocated a form of perfectionism which he described as the " [Sanctuary] Awakening" message, aligning with historic Adventism. During the 1970s he abandoned this position and strongly emphasized the 16th century Protestant principle of justification by faith alone. His representation of justification by grace through faith alone was derived substantially from the writings and thinking of Martin Luther. He founded the magazine "Present Truth", which was later changed to "Verdict".

In the 1980s his theology resembled liberal Christianity, and he rejected the Adventist belief of the Sabbath. Later he rejected many Christian teachings, seeing God's interaction with mankind not limited to just the history of the Bible, but an ongoing continuing interaction with humanity towards a positive future. In the 1990s he was silent theologically, turning his attention to politics and his tropical fruit theme park. Brinsmead rejects the teachings of an apocalyptic world-destroying God, which he believes to be the polar opposite to the very definitions all religions give to the Creator.] It was ironic that Ford, who had himself recently been removed from church employment, would defend the Adventist position. The Worldwide Church of God sent copies of "Sabbatarianism Re-examined" to all its clergy, and later rejected the Sabbath in 1995. A leader cited this document as one of three major contributors to the church's decision.Fact|date=September 2007

In 1980, Brinsmead wrote a plea to the judge in the murder case of Lindy Chamberlain. Chamberlain, an Australian Adventist, lost her baby to a wild dingo in the Australian outback. Because of media bias, and false rumors spread by those ignorant (or intolerant) of Adventist teachings, she was convicted of murdering her baby in 1980. False rumors were spread by media outlets that Adventists sacrificed children. Her murder case and appeal was the most publicized trial ever in Australia.Fact|date=August 2007. Brinsmead argued in support of Lindy and why he believed she was innocent. He argued that her case should not be judged based on misinterpretations and misrepresentations of Adventist belief and lingo but rather on the facts of the case itself.Fact|date=August 2007

Change of interests (1990s)

Around the 1990s Brinsmead did not write any theology for almost ten years. He donated 3,000 books from his personal library to Avondale College, saying he would never read them again. His last major publication before a decade long hiatus, was an article titled "A Christian Atheist Manifesto", in which he said he declared himself an atheist to human created concepts of God that made a monster of the Deity.Fact|date=September 2007 He once said in defense of atheists "people are often atheist not because they take the concept of a God so lightly, but rather because they take it so seriously".Fact|date=August 2007 According to Brinsmead, atheists often ask the questions the pious are afraid to ask.

Brinsmead later wrote, of the late 1980s and early 1990s, "I found myself in the trenches on my long spiritual journey, I had questions for which I had no answers, so I stopped writing until I had answers."Fact|date=August 2007 During this period of reflection on the meaning of the crucifixion and resurrection event, Bob thought it more honest to wait for answers than presume he had them, and returned to horticulture.

During this decade he entered politics and was elected as a Councillor for the Tweed Shire Council.Fact|date=December 2007

He later became well versed in John Dominic Crossan and Robert W. Funk, co-founders of the Jesus Seminar; as well as Karen Armstrong, Bart D. Ehrman, and other modern biblical scholars.Fact|date=December 2007 His search of texts for truth led him to the writings of Michael Morwood, a former Australian Catholic priest whose own spiritual journey mirrors Brinsmead's in Adventism.Fact|date=August 2007 Morwood and Brinsmead remain close friends.Fact|date=December 2007 Robert is also a fan of secular writers Howard Bloom and Michael Crichton, the later of which posits that environmentalism is the new religion - because it is no longer tolerates science.Fact|date=December 2007 Brinsmead is a prolific writer and public speaker.Fact|date=August 2007

He again published "Verdict" in 1998.

Raymond Cottrell wrote in 1999 that Brinsmead "seems to be immune to further rational dialogue", and that he "felt constrained to let him go his own way and do his own thing".cite journal
last = Cottrell
first = Raymond
authorlink = Raymond Cottrell
title = Whither, Robert D. Brinsmead?
journal = Adventist Today
volume = 7
issue = 3
pages =
publisher = Adventist Today Foundation
location = Loma Linda, CA
issn = 1079-5499
date= May 1999
url = http://www.atoday.com/magazine/1999/05/whither-robert-d-brinsmead-0
format =
doi =
id =
accessdate = 2007-11-04]

Brinsmead developed a sort of humanist emphasis. According to Larry Pahl, "Brinsmead's journey has led him back, full circle, to raw perfectionism. The new Brinsmead requires that we become 'forgiving, caring and compassionate, doing the right thing', certainly the marks of a perfect man."

Recent views (2000s)

Brinsmead retains belief in theism.Fact|date=December 2007 He emphasizes the human side in ecology.

In 2006, Brinsmead became a Hall of Fame Winner of the Tweed Business Excellence Award. [ [http://www.bexawards.com.au/st.php?uv=343I0I1I0I0 Photo Chronicles] of the 2006 Tweed Business Excellence Awards] [ [http://www.quango.net/verdict/Brinsmead_business_award.pdf 2006 Tweed Business Excellence Awards] scan]

On August 7 2007, Robert Brinsmead's wife Valorie died at age 68. [" [http://www.quango.net/verdict/index.html Sad News: Valorie Brinsmead 1939–2007] " by Brinsmead, August 8th, 2007]

See also

* "Present Truth Magazine"
* Progressive Adventism
* Historic Adventism
* Seventh-day Adventist theology
* History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
* Desmond Ford
* Avondale College
* Hesba Fay Brinsmead, novelist and sister-in-law

References

* Defense Literature Committee (precursor to the Biblical Research Institute), "The History and Teaching of Robert Brinsmead" (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1961)
* Biblical Research Committee (also a precursor to the Biblical Research Institute), "The Brinsmead Agitation" (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1969)
* Richard Schwarz, "Light Bearers to the Remnant", p. 456–61
* Brinsmead, "Judged by the Gospel: A Review of Adventism". Fallbrook, California: Verdict Publications, 1980. (Review, " [http://spectrummagazine.org/spectrum/archive11-15/13-1reviews.pdf Evangelical Essentials And Adventist Distinctives] " by Richard Rice appeared in "Spectrum" 13:1 (September 1982), 55–57)
* cite book
last = Tarling
first = Lowell R.
authorlink =
title = The Edges of Seventh-day Adventism: A Study of Separatist Groups Emerging from the Seventh-day Adventist Church (1844–1980)
publisher = Galilee Publications
date = 1981
location = Barragga Bay, Bermagui South, NSW
isbn = 0 9593457 0 1
chapter = The Awakening Movement
pages = 186–202 See also p203–21, " [The Controversy over] Righteousness by Faith in Australia 1972–1979"

External links

* [http://www.bobbrinsmead.com/index.html BobBrinsmead.com] "Worldview 21", Brinsmead's personal website. Includes a brief [http://www.bobbrinsmead.com/rdb.html biography]
* " [http://www.presenttruthmag.com/ Present Truth Magazine] ", started by Brinsmead. As of August 2007, Bill Diehl is publishing editor. According to its [http://www.presenttruthmag.com/charter.htm charter] , "This web site and the material contained herein are produced and sponsored by the ' [http://www.presenttruthmag.com/gospelfriends/gospelfriends.htm Gospel Friends Christian Fellowship] ', an association of [http://www.presenttruthmag.com/archive/XLIX/49%20index.htm evangelical Seventh-day Adventists] ... These views do not necessarily reflect the current views of Robert Brinsmead." [ [http://www.presenttruthmag.com/charter.htm "Present Truth Magazine" charter] ]
** " [http://www.presenttruthmag.com/7dayadventist/shaking/index.html The Shaking of Adventism] " by Anglican Geoffrey J. Paxton, in which Brinsmead features prominently in [http://www.presenttruthmag.com/7dayadventist/shaking/5.html 5. Off to an Auspicious Start: The 1950's] , [http://www.presenttruthmag.com/7dayadventist/shaking/6.html 6. Pain and Progress: The 1960's] , [http://www.presenttruthmag.com/7dayadventist/shaking/7.html 7. Advance and Retreat: The 1970's] , and the [http://www.presenttruthmag.com/7dayadventist/shaking/conclusion.html Conclusion: The Shaking of Adventism]
* [http://www.quango.net/ Quango Networks] , which contains [http://www.quango.net/brinsmead/ articles by Brinsmead] , including " [http://www.quango.net/verdict/index.htm Verdict] " articles
* [http://www.worldviewpublications.org/ "Outlook" by Worldview Publications] , publishing editor, Norman Jarnes, a former editor of "Present Truth"/"Verdict."
* [http://www.atoday.com/magazine/1999/05 May/June 1999 issue] of "Adventist Today", containing articles about Brinsmead:
** " [http://www.atoday.com/magazine/1999/05/where-robert-brinsmead-0 Where is Robert Brinsmead?] " by Larry Pahl
** " [http://www.atoday.com/magazine/1999/05/whither-robert-d-brinsmead-0 Whither, Robert D. Brinsmead?] " by Raymond F. Cottrell
* [http://awakeandsing.com/index.html The Awakening] , "materials pertaining to the awakening message of the 1960's" (historic Adventist point-of-view?)
** [http://www.awakeandsing.com/Answer%20to%20Ford&Naden/timerev.pdf The Timing of Revelation 18 & The Perfecting of the Saints: An Answer to Dr. Desmond Ford & Pastor L. C. Naden] by Brinsmead
** [http://awakeandsing.com/Errors%20of%20RDB/errors.pdf Errors of the Brinsmead Teachings] . "This letter is almost a word for word reproduction of R. F. Cottrell's original [1961] report, with the added endorsement of the officers of the General Conference ."
* " [http://www.adventistreview.org/2005-1514/story2.html Return of the Prodigal Pastor] ", a personal testimony by Dennis Sellers in the "Adventist Review", 1995. Sellers followed Brinsmead's teachings for a while and left Adventism, before returning to the Adventist church
* "Recent development of interest to the world church" by Robert H. Pierson. "Advent Review and Sabbath Herald" v148 (23 September 1971), p14
* "Further statement on Brinsmead conversations" by Willis Hackett. "Advent Review and Sabbath Herald" v148 (4 November 1971), p46