The John Ankerberg Show

Sep 20

The John Ankerberg Show, as it was once, was a great example of theological education. The show used to be more confrontational than it is today, which means that people with sometimes contradictory theological views came together in the show and addressed these contradictions. I think the confrontational format of the old show was excellent, especially as it makes the different positions extremely clear and you can hear each other's justifications for each position in a timely manner and you can compare them so well. The viewer can form his own opinion of the subject very well. The guests usually have expert knowledge and some are former members of a community of faith, so they have knowledge and experience inside and outside the community of faith. The current episodes of the John Ankerberg Show are also worth seeing, but I would like the confrontational format to return, or to see a comparable show with discussions on a high theological level to be created.

Unfortunately, in my experience, the theological education in Germany is very poor, which also stands in the way of accepting the salutary message of the gospel, since many either have incorrect information, such as untrue prejudices, and these exist and solidify without theological education, or they simply have no information and so do not know what they are deciding against. For a good and informed decision, the basic theological knowledge is usually missing. Such a show would make an important contribution to theological education and informed decision-making.

The John Ankerberg Show was particularly important to me several years ago when I turned my back on several teachings of the so-called Adventist identity, i.e. the special teachings of the Seventh-day Adventists, which characterise and distinguish the Adventists in a special way. Among these special teachings were Ellen G. White as a prophetess, which corresponds to the 18th fundamental belief, additional commandments of Ellen G. White that go beyond the Bible, parts of the sanctuary teaching, such as the investigative judgment (see 24th fundamental belief), the continuance of the rules of purity from Leviticus 11, the claim of exclusivity of the Adventists, etc. The fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-Day Adventists can be compared to a creed. The John Ankerberg Show, especially Dr. Walter Martin, encouraged me in my rejection of what I considered to be false teachings, so I am very thankful to God for the John Ankerberg Show. You might find some interesting thoughts in the videos below. In any case, it is interesting how up-to-date some of the discussions are that date back several years.