Many restorationist-oriented associations like the Advent Christian Church often embrace two conflicting principles. First, they understand the Bibles inspiration and authority in a way that minimizes the importance and value of church tradition. Second, they give high value to individual autonomy both in biblical interpretation and in church governance. Adventism Confronts Modernity describes what can happen when these principles conflict and make it difficult to resolve theological conflict.

This work begins by exploring the nineteenth-century historical and theological roots of early...