Adventist History Podcast

In this episode, we discover whether or not Jesus ever came back in March of 1844...dun! dun! dun!...and then we discover that he did not. And then we wonder if he will come back in 1844 at all...and then we discover that...oh, you get the point. The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Lucio. It is a part...

Summary: In this episode, Matthew introduces you to the early life of William Miller -- one of the most controversial figures in American religious history. Versions: 1.0 - Originally released: October 22, 2014 2.0 - Rewrite (May 2025) The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Lucio. Links: Website Become a...

Summary: The 2.0 Episodes are finally here! In this episode, Matthew explores the political, cultural, and religious backgrounds dominated the atmosphere within which the future founders of Seventh-Day Adventism emerged. Matthew also explains why Adventist history is important for both Adventists and non-Adventists alike. Versions: 1.0 - Originally released: October 22, 2014 2.0 - Rewrite (April 2...

Welcome to the Adventist History Podcast! Pardon the mess. Season 1 is being re-recorded and re-uploaded as we speak. Season 2 is available, but if you want to start at the beginning just be a little patient with me and mind where you step. We will be shiny and new in no time!

Summary: In this final episode of season 2, Matthew catches us up on a number of important moments in Adventism over the past 40 years and talks about the future of the Adventist History Podcast. The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Lucio. It is a part of the Adventist History Project, whose mission is...

Summary: In this final episode in our trilogy on Glacier View, we talk about the Thursday and Friday - including the private final meeting between Des and PREXAD. Be sure to listen to part 1 (and, for that matter, "Desmond Ford parts 1-9 too!) before you begin. The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Luci...

Summary: In this episode, we talk about the Tuesday and Wednesday at Glacier View Ranch, including the infamous "scolding" that Desmond Ford received. Be sure to listen to part 1 (and, for that matter, "Desmond Ford parts 1-9 too!) before you begin. The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Lucio. Links: We...

Summary: In this episode, we (FINALLY!) start talking about the meeting of the Sanctuary Review Committee at Glacier View Ranch, which met on August 10-15 (Sunday to Thursday), 1980. Let's gooooooo The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Lucio. Links: Web: h ttp://adventisthistorypodcast.org/ Support: htt...

Summary: In this episode, we talk about the Ford Guiding Committee that met three times between Ford's Forum speech on October 27, 1979, and Glacier View. The members of the Guiding Committee tried to help Ford sharpen his arguments as he wrote his manuscript which he would present to the Sanctuary Review Committee at Glacier View. The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telli...

Summary: In this episode, we hear from Desmond Ford himself. This entire episode is focused on Ford's fateful October 27, 1979, Adventist Forum presentation at Pacific Union College and we get to listen to clips of it! The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Lucio. Links: Web: h ttp://adventisthistorypodc...

Summary: In this episode, we talk about Desmond Ford's time in America teaching at Pacific Union College and the various righteousness by faith meetings that transpired in the late 1970s. And then... plot twist!... all of this righteousness by faith talk ended up leading Des to the subject of the investigative judgment. UPDATE: v.1.1 (August 31, 2024): I removed the "dings" that plagued the origin...

Summary: In this episode, we explore the aftermath of Palmdale, Des' discussion with the Concerned Brethren, Des' letters to Erwin Gane, and how the Ford's ultimately ended up in "exile" to America (a reverse Ellen White situation!).  The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Lucio. Links: Web: h ttp://adve...

Summary: In this episode, we head to the Palmdale conference to see if any progress was made on the righteousness by faith controversy between progressives and traditionalists. Plus, we cover the publication of Conflicting Concepts and the huge event in the Autumn of 1976 that changed the course of Desmond Ford's life. The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of...

Summary: In this episode, we look at the controversy over righteousness by faith in the 1970s and how Des' beliefs put him at odds with the Pierson administration, among others.  The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Lucio. Links: Web: h ttp://adventisthistorypodcast.org/ Support: https://www.patreon.co...

Summary: In this episode, Des goes suffers a personal tragedy, goes back to school for his second doctorate, and realizes that his second stint at Avondale won't go as smoothly as his first. The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Lucio. Links: Web: h ttp://adventisthistorypodcast.org/ Support: https://ww...

Summary: In this episode, we follow Desmond Ford as he gets his bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in the time it takes most people to just get their bachelors. If Des expected his trip to seminary to solve his concerns with the investigative judgment, he would be sorely mistaken. The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church...

Summary: In this episode, we begin our final series of episodes in the Adventist History Podcast by going back in time to meet a young Desmond Ford. The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Lucio. Links: Web: h ttp://adventisthistorypodcast.org/ Support: https://www.patreon.com/AdventistHistoryPodcast Face...

Summary: In this episode, we explore the 1980 General Conference session and the creation (revision?) of the 27 fundamental beliefs. The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Lucio. Links: Web: h ttp://adventisthistorypodcast.org/ Support: https://www.patreon.com/AdventistHistoryPodcast Facebook: https://ww...

Summary: In this episode, we conclude our story about the project to study Ellen White changed the way Ellen White was understood by looking at Walter Rea's book, The White Lie, and Fred Veltman's study of The Desire of Ages. The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Lucio. Links: Web: h ttp://adventisthist...

Summary: In this episode, we continue our story of the project to study Ellen White using modern techniques, especially source criticism. We meet a new player on the scene, this time a pastor named Walter Rea. The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Lucio. Links: Web: h ttp://adventisthistorypodcast.org/...

Summary: In this episode, we focus on one of the people we introduced in the last episode: Ron Numbers. His book, Prophetess of Health, has been cited as one of the most (if not the most) important scholarly studies on Ellen White. We explore how the book was written, what it says, and what happened after it was published. Note: There are clips of Ron Numbers and Jonathan Butler in this episode. I...

Summary: A trio of young Adventist historians (William Peterson, Don McAdams, Ron Numbers) wanted to apply the tools of their trade to a study of Ellen White. What they discovered has changed our understanding of Ellen White. The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Lucio. Links: Web: h ttp://adventisthist...

Summary: The occult was on the rise in the late 1960s, culminating in the "Satanic Panic" of the 1980s. Would-be prophets and saviors emerged claiming to be explain why the world seemed to be going crazy and how the church could be saved. Some Adventists believed them. It didn't work out too well, but it became a part of why the Adventist church is the way that it is today. The What: The Adventist...

Summary: Robert H. Pierson built a wall. Not a literal wall. A wall of social positions and theological interpretations. A wall to keep liberalism out and to preserve the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The wall still stands. The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Lucio. Links: Web: h ttp://adventisthistor...

Summary: It's time to wrap up this mini-series on race relations in the Seventh-day Adventist Church by talking about the quest for Black unions in the 1970s. Did it end in success or failure? It's hard to say. The What: The Adventist History Podcast is a monthly podcast telling a story of the Seventh-day Adventist Church hosted by Matthew J. Lucio. Links: Web: h ttp://adventisthistorypodcast.org/...