AFCF Statement of Mission

January 20, 2006


“By an evangelical 'life of the mind' I mean more the effort to think like a Christian –to think within a specifically Christian framework—across the whole spectrum of modern learning, including economics and political science, literary criticism and imaginative writing, historical inquiry and philosophical studies, linguistics and the history of science, social theory and the arts.” Mark A. Noll



Striving to be, with integrity, both Adventist believers and intellectuals, and recognizing the need to develop an authentically Christian mind and to engage modern culture on the level of ideas,

the Adventist Faith and Culture Fellowship sees its purpose in

encouraging, developing and nourishing a vigorous intellectual life in the Adventist community with the purpose of working out sound principles that could “sustain penetrating, and penetratingly Christian intellectual endeavor.”

In the words of Henry Blamires the Fellowship strives “to reflect Christianly” on the world and the human person and to respond to the following needs:

1. The need for a “deep” reading of the Scriptures along with the “broad” reading;

2. The need for an open, in-depth intellectual and spiritual fellowship with colleagues;

3. The need to reflect on the ways of overcoming the dangers and consequences of isolationism, exclusivist tendencies, intolerance and closed mindedness;

4. The need to share one’s deepest convictions, dreams and hopes in regards to the church and our Christian responsibility in the world, in an atmosphere of trust, mutual understanding and total openness;

5. The need to enter into an open, genuine dialogue with the surrounding culture and the need to understand and engage its pressing ethical issues;

6. The need to develop deeper understanding and appreciation of the most vibrant streams in other Christian and religious traditions and in both high and popular cultures;

7. The need to use the mind to the glory of God;

The Fellowship strives to accomplish the above goals through intellectually and spiritually stimulating meetings, conferences and seminars.