Desmond Ford

Desmond "Des" Ford (born Townsville, Queensland, Australia, 2 February 1929) is an evangelical Christian and an Australian theologian.

Within the Seventh-day Adventist Church he was a controversial figure.^[1] He was dismissed from ministry in the Adventist church in 1980 following his critique of the church's investigative judgment teaching. He has since worked through the non-denominational evangelical ministry Good News Unlimited. Ford disagrees with some aspects of traditional Adventist end-time beliefs. However he still defends a conservative view of Scripture, the seventh-day Sabbath, and a vegetarian lifestyle. He views the writings of Ellen G. White as useful devotionally but as she made clear,^[2] not at the level of Canon.

Ford shares the sermon time at the Good News Unlimited congregation which meets on Saturdays in the Brisbane suburb of Milton^[3] and in periodic seminars on the eastern seaboard of Australia.

Biography

Early life and conversion

Desmond Ford was born in Townsville, Queensland, Australia on 2 February 1929, to Wilfred Ford and Lillian Simpson. He had one brother, Val, who was three and a half years older. The Ford lineage consisted of farmers and cattlemen of English and Australian descent. The Simpson lineage derived from England, Ireland and China. Desmond's parents were nominal Anglican Christians, with his father almost an atheist in practice, and his mother presenting "a religious façade." Wilfred encouraged his son to read, beginning a lifelong obsession for the "unusually gifted" boy.^[4]

When Lillian was pregnant with Desmond, an Adventist book salesman shared insights on nutrition with the family, sparking a chain of events impacting Desmond's life. At an Adventist camp meeting in 1939 Desmond was given a Bible, which he would complete 3 years later, around the time he finished primary school. However his parents divorced when he was nine; Wilfred moved to Canberra, and Lillian and the boys later moved to Sydney, New South Wales (NSW). He passed his Intermediate Certificate in 1943. However due to the family's poverty and Australia's involvement in World War II, Desmond had to drop out of school. He became officially employed with Associated Newspapers at the age of 15, although he had started working there months earlier, and was promoted from copy boy to an editorial position because of his published work. Meanwhile, Desmond took night classes for high school. All along, Desmond was being influenced by encounters with Adventists and other Christians, and steadily collected books on Christian theology, and the creation-evolution controversy.^[5][6]

Ford was challenged by the strict lifestyle standards presented in Ellen G. White's Messages to Young People, and gave up the cinema and reading fiction. Reading novels had been his main childhood hobby, and became replaced with reading theology.^[7] White's book The Great Controversy was a key influence on his conversion. In winter 1946 he publicly responded to a call for commitment to God's service. Ford was impressed by the Christian character of many of the Adventists who had nurtured him. In September he was officially baptised into the church. This was despite strong opposition from his brother; and his mother was also originally resistant to his conversion, having become disenchanted with the Adventist church herself. Ford resigned from his job, and returned briefly to Townsville with his family. He then left in 1947 for the Australasian Missionary College (nicknamed "Avondale", and later known as Avondale College) in the Lake Macquarie region of NSW, to train for the ministry.^[8]

Seminary

Ford found Avondale an exciting time for mental and spiritual growth. He was an active participant in class discussions, and occasionally taught classes to fill in for the lecturers. He was particularly inspired by Dr. William Murdoch, and carried out research for him. Ford gave talks in nearby churches, and published around a dozen articles for church magazines during this time. He also led students in Bible study. He struggled financially, and worked on Avondale's farm and elsewhere, and also selling Adventist books.^[9]

He graduated from the Ministerial Course in Avondale in 1950, with high marks.^[10]

Early ministry

Ford lived in a caravan (trailer) with his mother, who insisted on accompanying him, while canvassing (selling Christian books). Ford was sent to help build a new church in the coastal town of Coffs Harbour, NSW. In 1951, still in his first year of service as a pastor, he was sent to Newcastle, NSW, then an industrial city, to assist evangelist George Burnside. While Burnside was a dynamic presenter, Ford's biographer Milton Hook describes him as a fundamentalist (see: historic Adventism), and draws an analogy with a rugged, gung-ho cowboy like a John Wayne character. Ford questioned him on some end-times interpretations, resulting in conflict between the pair – a sign of further things to come.^[11][12] Later he sold books in the Lake Macquarie and nearby Upper Hunter regions, which he found challenging work.^[13]

He worked as a pastor in various churches and as an evangelist for about 7 years in NSW, in Australian^[6][14] rural towns.

In 1952 Ford pastored the Coffs Harbour area, under a supervisor. His mother returned to Queensland. In December he married Gwen Booth, with whom he had shared a budding friendship and romance since their meeting at Avondale, where she studied teaching. Gwen had been raised in humble circumstances in Yass, and was a quiet achiever who cared about others, and had a deep faith in Jesus.^[15] The following year they moved to the country town of Quirindi, where Ford pastored the church. From 1954 to mid-1955, Ford pastored in the Gunnedah area, then moved north to Inverell.^[16] There a public debate with Burgin, a Church of Christ minister and a "formidable opponent" of Adventists, brought Ford respect. The topic was the Sabbath, with the specific title "Is the Seventh Day or the First Day Binding on Christians?" Arguably Ford won the debate. He later baptised some of Burgin's church members.^[17] He was ordained. The couple stayed till the end of 1957, living on a meagre income throughout this whole period.^{[citation needed]}

Return to Avondale

The South Pacific Division called him back to Avondale to complete his ministry course.^[12][14] He completed a BA in 1958,^[18] and went on to complete a Master's degree in systematic theology at the SDA Washington Seminary in 1959.^[6] Ford subsequently received a PhD in the rhetorical analysis of Paul's letters from Michigan State University in 1961.^[6] In the same year he returned to Australia and became head of the Religion Department at Avondale College, where he would remain until 1977.^[19] At Avondale, Ford taught many classes, including public speaking, homiletics, and evangelism. He was a member of the Biblical Research Committee in Australia and the United States.^[6]

He completed his second PhD in 1972 from the University of Manchester, while on leave from teaching at Avondale.^[18] His supervisor was the renowned Protestant theologian F. F. Bruce. His field was New Testament studies, specifically eschatology (end times).^[6][19] Ford entitled his thesis, The Abomination of Desolation in Biblical Eschatology.^[20] His main expertise has been biblical apocalyptic literature, such as Daniel and Revelation, and eschatology.^[6]

Tension over theology

Ford was a primary opponent of, along with Hans K. LaRondelle, and corrective influence, on the perfectionism within the SDA church, especially its form as taught by fellow Australian Robert Brinsmead.^[21]

Ford believes that victory over the guilt of sin (justification) was provided at the cross, victory over the power of sin (sanctification) is the work of a lifetime and victory over the presence of sin (glorification) occurs at the return of Christ Jesus. Ford disagrees with the belief of sinless perfection, and acknowledges the final removal of sin occurs when mortality changes to immortality at the return of Jesus Christ. Ford believes that victory over the presence of sin does not occur during this lifetime,but at the return of Jesus Christ.^[22]

Ford teaches that justification precedes sanctification, because victory over the guilt of sin, precedes victory over the power of sin. Ford teaches that while justification is distinct from sanctification, the two concepts are always found together, in the same manner as two railway lines are distinct but never separate. Adventist belief places an emphasis on sanctification compared to justification, while still believing both are necessary for salvation.

Ford disagrees strongly with the SDA tradition of "eschatological perfectionism," which is the teaching that a final generation of believers must achieve a state of complete sinlessness (or Christlikeness) in the final period just before the second coming of Jesus (see Last Generation Theology). Non-progressive Adventists consider the life and character of Christ as a perfect example that all must imitate. Accordingly, the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, or investigative judgment, is thought to also involve the cleansing of the lives of believers on earth. This belief in sinlessness arose particularly from M. L. Andreasen's interpretation of the investigative judgment doctrine, itself based on concepts found in The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White.

Original Sin

According to Anglican Geoffrey Paxton, during the 1960s scholars such as Ford and Edward Heppenstall highlighted the concept of original sin within the SDA church.^[23]

Early Adventists (such as George Storrs, Ellen White and Uriah Smith) tended to de-emphasise the corrupt nature inherited from Adam, instead stressing the importance of actual, personal sins committed by the individual. Adventists traditionally understand sins of commission as the transgression of God's law, either wilfully or in ignorance. They base their belief on texts such as "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." (1 John 3:4) ^[24] Progressive Adventists add to this with some form of original sin.^[25][26]

Robert Brinsmead & Debate

Ford urged Brinsmead to study the Reformers. As a result, Brinsmead ultimately rejected perfectionism.^[18] Around 1970, there was a major controversy amongst Australian Adventists over whether "righteousness by faith" included both justification and sanctification.^[18] This had been sparked by Brinsmead, and Ford became caught up in it.^[18] Tensions over Ford and the theology teaching at Avondale more generally, led to a meeting of Australian church leaders on 3–4 February 1976 to hear accusations by a group of "Concerned Brethren". Ford's understanding of righteousness by faith was the main issue,^[27] while the report mentions "the Sanctuary, the Age of the Earth and Inspiration."^[28] In April a group of church leaders and theologians, including Ford met in Palmdale, California, to discuss the meaning of righteousness by faith.^[29] Ford was the "center of attention." The resulting document was titled the "Palmdale Statement".^[30][31]

United States, and increasing tensions with church leadership

In response to criticisms of his theology, in 1977 the church moved him to the United States, where he taught Religion at Pacific Union College for three years.^[6][19][32] The classes he taught included the life and teachings of Christ, the Pauline epistles, Christian apologetics, Daniel and Revelation, the major and minor prophets of the Old Testament, introduction to theology, and biblical theology.^[6]

In October 1979 Ford was invited to address a chapter meeting of the Association of Adventist Forums (now Adventist Forums) held at the College, on the topic of Hebrews 9 and its implications for the Adventist investigative judgment teaching.^[6] The talk was titled, "The Investigative Judgment: Theological Milestone or Historical Necessity?" The talk criticized some aspects of the traditional understanding, Ford was summoned to the General Conference headquarters in Washington, D.C.^[6] He was given six months to write up his views. Late in 1979, he stopped lecturing and moved to Takoma Park, Maryland.^[19] Ford produced the 991-page manuscript, Daniel 8:14, the Day of Atonement, and the Investigative Judgment .^[33]

Ford together with the majority of Christendom believes the atonement was completed on the cross when Jesus cried out "It is finished." Some Adventists disagree with Ford and define the atonement in terms of God's work to cleanse our character from sin added to the payment of the penalty for sin Christ completed on the cross. They state that the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary is a continuation of the work of atonement begun on the cross, rather than the application of the benefits of the already completed atonement.

Expulsion from teaching and ministry

In August 1980, a group of Adventist theologians and administrators convened at Glacier View Ranch in Colorado to examine Ford's views. According to TIME magazine, he "made the case that White's 'sanctuary' explication of 1844 no longer stood up in the light of the Bible, and that 'investigative judgment' undercut the whole basis of Protestantism: belief in salvation by God's grace apart from good works."^[34] The culmination of this event was Ford losing his employment with the denomination ^[34] as a minister and theology professor.^[19] After counsel from the General Conference, the Australasian Division withdrew "Ford's ministerial credentials"^[35] Ford disagrees with Adventists, both historic or current,^[36] who state that Jesus Christ was born with and had a fallen nature that was passed on to all of humanity.^[37]

Adventists believe that Jesus took on human nature with all of the post-fall moral weaknesses and frailties that post-fall humans experience but without propensity to sin. Despite this, they say because he managed to resist temptation both from within and without, and lived a perfectly obedient life, Jesus is therefore our supreme Example in whose footsteps, all Christians must follow, and also achieve a perfectly obedient life. The fact that Jesus overcame sin completely, despite having no advantage over other post-fall human beings, demonstrates that we too must live a life of complete obedience, as we trust in him. Adventist believe Ellen White supports their position when she states "The Lord Jesus came to our world, not to reveal what a God could do, but what a man could do, through faith in God's power to help in every emergency. Man is, through faith, to be a partaker in the divine nature, and to overcome every temptation wherewith he is beset." ."^[38]

And,

"Notwithstanding that the sins of a guilty world were laid upon Christ, notwithstanding the humiliation of taking upon Himself our fallen nature, the voice from heaven declared Him to be the Son of the Eternal"

— Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, p. 112.

Ford does not agree with the above statements that claim Jesus has a post-fall human nature. Instead, he proclaims Christ came with Adam's pre-fallen nature.^[39][40] Ford believes that Ellen White, by "fallen nature," meant a nature with the physical degeneration of the Fall, in line with other contemporary theologians who believed in Christian perfection yet used the term "fallen nature" but without meaning spiritual degeneration. In Ellen White's later years she was very clear about the unstained spiritual nature of Jesus.

To commemorate the 30-year anniversary of Glacier View, the Sydney Adventist Forum held a pretend courtroom trial to assess the accuracy of Ford's claim that the Consensus Document has been largely in agreement with him. They concluded, "Ford was found to be substantially correct in claiming that the 114-member Sanctuary Review Committee (SRC) Consensus Document was in agreement with his twelve propositions—while Ministry was judged to have considerably over-stated its case." It concluded, "In retrospect, it is clear that the SRC made—in five days—more progress in understanding this biblical doctrine than the church has typically made in any fifty years of its history."^[41]

Personal life

Ford married Gwen Booth with whom he had three children – Elènne Gwen Ford (born 29 October 1955)^[42][43] Paul Wesley Ford (born 20 December 1957),^[44] and Luke Ford (born 1966).^[45] Gwen died of breast cancer in April 1970.^[46] Ford married Gillian Wastell ("Gill") in November of that year.^[47] Elènne works as a barrister. She also owns the "Mango Hill Farm" organic farm attraction on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, which includes farmstays, a small function centre, cooking school, etc.^[48][49] It is located in Peachester, and for some years was the location of Ford's twice-a-month Gospel fellowships. Luke converted to Judaism and is a controversial internet blogger.^[50]

Ford's biography, written by Milton Hook, was published in 2008.^[51]

Publications

Ford has written around 30 books and numerous articles.

• Unlocking God's Treasury, 1964
• Discovering God's Treasures, 1972. Same book as Unlocking God's Treasury.
• Answers on the Way, 1976
• Daniel, 1978
• The Abomination of Desolation in Biblical Eschatology, 1979
• Daniel 8:14, The Day of Atonement, and the Investigative Judgment, 1980
• Physicians of the Soul, God's Prophets Through the Ages, (Nashville, TN: Southern Publishing Association, 1980) ISBN 0-8127-0262-X. Includes Ford's views on Ellen G. White as a prophetess. It also traces Ford's childhood encounters with Adventists and the influence of Ellen G. White's books on helping him find Christ and becoming an Adventist.
• The Forgotten Day, 1981, about the Sabbath
• Crisis, 2 vols., 1982
• The Adventist Crisis of Spiritual Identity, 1982
• Coping Successfully with Stress, 1984
• Will there be a Nuclear World Holocaust? 1984
• How to Survive Personal Tragedy, 1984
• A Kaleidoscope of Diamonds: The Jewelled Glories of the Cross Revealed, 2 vols, 1986
• Worth More Than a Million, 1987
• Daniel and the Coming King, 1996
• Right With God Right Now: How God Saves People as Shown in the Bible's Book of Romans, 1998
• The End of Terrorism, 2004
• Eating Right for Type 2 Diabetes, 2004
• God's Odds, 2006
• For the Sake of the Gospel: Throw out the bathwater, but keep the Baby, 2008
• Jesus Only, 2008
• The Time is at Hand, 2009
• The Coming Worldwide Calvary, 2009
• The Final Roller-Coaster, 2010
• How Long, O Lord, 2010
• Jesus Only (abridged), 2013. Abridged by Ritchie Way.
• For more publications see Hook, p. 394, 395

Also:

• Inside Story (written by Gillian Ford)
• Why Believe? Source Book

References

External links

• http://www.goodnewsunlimited.org.au/ This is the website for Ford's ministry, Good News Unlimited.

  Authority control VIAF: 84091188 ISNI: 0000 0000 7902 1947