Reframing the Sanctuary Doctrine: A Case Study in Theological Development

Abstract

Edward Heppenstall (1901-1995) has been recognized in a survey of Adventist religion teachers as the most influential Seventh-day Adventist theologian of the twentieth century. He made significant contributions to the church’s developing soteriology and key aspects of its distinctive teaching on the sanctuary teaching using the concept of cosmic conflict as a way of reframing and restating the doctrine. This paper proposes to briefly explore the context and background of Heppenstall’s emerging awareness of the need for reframing sanctuary teaching and seek to understand when, how and why this occurred? What were the roots and sources of his motivation? The study will also explore whether he encountered resistance to his initiatives and what strategies he may have adopted to successfully achieve a receptive audience for his reframing ideas.