Adventism and Catholicism: A 2 Part Series:
Should Adventism’s 19th-century
anti-Catholic view be revisited?
Part 2: March 21
“Politics of American Catholic Bishops Since Vatican II” with Richard Gelm
Moderator: Bill Shull
10:30: Opening Prayer, Announcements Opening Liturgy
11:30 - Discussion
12:30 - Closing Liturgy
We will continue the fellowship at a restaurant of our choice
Class website: www.sabbathseminars.org
Sabbath Morning 10:30-12:30
ZOOM CLASS CLICK HERE
(no password is required)
Past presentations: click on “archive” at our class website: www.sabbathseminars.org
Location: Room 3208, Centennial Complex
Loma Linda University
24760 Stewart St., Loma Linda, CA 92354
Parking is accessed from Campus Ave, north of Stewart St
In Part 1, Bruinsma’s “Adventism and Catholicism” was the first of two presentations on Catholicism selected to better inform Adventists on modern Catholicism. Adventism is rooted in a bias against Catholicism from its 19th-century apocalyptic roots which is long overdue for review. Indeed, the experience of Catholicism in the 20th century as it remade itself in Vatican II is not only ignored by Adventism, but could be instructive as Adventism faces its own crisis of pre-modern identity rooted in anti-Catholicism.
In Part 2, Richard Gelm of La Verne University presents on the subject of his 1990s doctoral thesis, the impact of Vatican II on the political and social views of American bishops.
About our presenters
A native of the Netherlands, Reinder Bruinsma, PhD, retired in 2007 after a long career in pastoral, editorial, teaching, and church leadership assignments in Europe, the U.S., and West Africa. After receiving a BA from Newbold College and an MA from Andrews University, he earned a BDiv with honors and his doctorate in church history from the University of London. Bruinsma was president of the Belgian-Luxembourg Conference and executive secretary of the Trans-European Division. Before he retired, as a union president Bruinsma led the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Netherlands. He is the author of 30 books including the most recent Adventists and Catholics: The History of a Turbulent Relationship (2024). In 2021, Bruinsma received the Dutch royal title "Knight of the Order of Orange Naussau," for his work spreading the gospel, "not only for churchgoers but also for those who have little connection with the church." (Spectrum Magazine)
Richard Gelm, PhD., is Professor of Political Science at the University of La Verne. He received his Ph.D. and M.A. in political science from the University of California, Davis and B.A. in political science from the University of California, San Diego. Professor Gelm teaches courses in American politics including Congress and the Presidency, Parties and Interest Groups and Political Behavior. He is the author of Politics and Religious Authority: American Catholics Since the Second Vatican Council (Greenwood, 1994) and How American Politics Work: Philosophy, Pragmatism, Personality and Profit (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2010) and chapters in three editions of The Roads To Congress(Lexington Books, 2010, 2012, 2014). He continues to research the effects of emotions on political behavior and is currently working on a new book entitled, Making Politics Work: Coping with Fear and Anger. Professor Gelm served as department chair from 1997 to 2013.
Review of Gelm’s book by the La Verne Campus Times - a helpful and pupularly written introduction
The following articles might be helpful to read to provide context for the above:
Text of Reinder Bruinsma’sNovember 2024 Riverside Presentation
“Adventism and Catholicism in a Changing World: given in Riverside California 2024, as transcribed and published by Adventist Today:
https://atoday.org/adventism-catholicism-in-a-changing-world-what-can-we-learn-from-each-other/
Mark Carr’s excellent reflection of Reinder Bruinsma’s book in Spectrum, November 12, 2024:
https://spectrummagazine.org/culture/books-film/how-reinder-bruinsma-challenges-adventisms-fundamental-premise-on-catholicism/
Article by Bruinsma in Spectrum, 1999 on Adventism and Catholicism
https://atoday.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Bruin (Although at the AT website, This is the correct URL)
Finally, Dr. Bruinsma’s mentor Dr. Bert B. Beach is eulogized by Reinder in this extraordinary reminiscence in Adventist Today, well worth reading for its broad description of Beach’s work in this area:
https://atoday.org/bert-beverly-beach-personal-reminiscences-of-a-great-leader-and-a-true-friend/
Sabbath Seminars
Room 3208
Centennial Complex of Loma Linda University Sabbath Morning 10:30-12:30
