Robert D. Brinsmead

Who is Robert D. Brinsmead?

Robert Daniel "Bob" Brinsmead is a formerly controversial figure within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 1960s and 1970s who is known for his diverse theological journey.

During the 1960s he advocated a form of perfectionism which he described as the "[Sanctuary] Awakening" message, which was similar to the conservative wing known as "historic Adventism". During the 1970s he abandoned this position and strongly emphasized the 16th century Protestant principle of justification by faith alone. His representation of justification by grace through faith alone was derived substantially from the writings and thinking of Martin Luther. He founded the magazine Present Truth, whose name was later changed to Verdict.

In the 1980s his theology resembled liberal Christianity, and he rejected the Adventist belief in the Sabbath. Later he rejected many orthodox Christian teachings, seeing God's interaction with mankind as not being limited to just the history of the Bible, but as an ongoing and continuous interaction with humanity towards a positive future. In the 1990s he was silent theologically, turning his attention to politics and his tropical fruit theme park.