海角视频

Theology department Chair, Professor, and published author Jim Wibberding is adding to his literary collection a new book, Walking with the Pioneers: The Captivating Story of West Coast Adventism. The book explores traditional Adventist beliefs as they enmeshed and clashed with the landscape and culture of 1800s California.

Wibberding shares the story of 鈥渢he second founding of Adventism鈥濃�攁 term coined by his wife, PUC History Professor Laura Wibberding鈥攊n the 鈥渞estless land of the Gold Rush;鈥� a lesser-known story than Adventism鈥檚 first institutional center at Battle Creek, Michigan.

鈥淭he book tells stories of how something Ellen White dubbed 鈥楥alifornia liberality鈥� and what one critic called 鈥榃estern informality鈥� stirred changes that were huge gifts to Adventism,鈥� Wibberding shared. 鈥淭hese include innovating worship music in 1877, the 1888 message of righteousness by faith, the first missionary ship, a cadre of women in ministry, the first Black person ordained to Adventist ministry, the first Hispanic Adventist pastor in the U.S., a medical empire, and plenty more.鈥�

Wibberding鈥檚 inspiration to document the perspective on this region鈥檚 Adventist legacy began because he lives and serves on the West Coast, but shifted into a deeper pursuit as he sifted through dusty archives.

鈥淲est Coast Adventism is unique,鈥� he explained. 鈥淎s I grappled with this difference during my research, I realized this is what the Apostle Paul addressed in 1 Corinthians 12. Each part of this 鈥榖ody of Christ鈥� is unique for a purpose, and our picture of Jesus is clearest when we value each distinct contribution to the mosaic.鈥�

Wibberding hopes other scholars across the country will follow suit and write perspectives on Adventism in different regions of the United States and across the globe.

While the book discusses West Coast Adventism in previous centuries, Wibberding believes that modern Adventism in this region 鈥渞emains a center of creativity, dreaming up changes that can change the world for God.鈥�

鈥淚 hope readers will feel reinvigorated in their own service to God鈥檚 cause through the Adventist faith, and I hope this book will foster a deeper value for the beautiful variety in the Adventist family,鈥� Wibberding said.

For upcoming literary endeavors, Wibberding plans to bring to life the stories of women in Adventist history throughout the U.S. and worldwide.

His book, Walking with the Pioneers: The Captivating Story of West Coast Adventism, is available at Adventist Book Center locations and online retailers: AdventistBookCenter.com and Amazon.com. You can also pick up a copy at your upcoming local Camp Meetings.