The Role of the Church Fathers’ Legacy in Eastern Orthodox and Adventist Hermeneutics

Abstract

This article explores the place and role of the Church Fathers’ legacy in the hermeneutical frameworks of Eastern Orthodox and Adventist theology through claims of both denominations to be the true heirs of the Early Christian faith. The Eastern Orthodox Church has always declared a deep reverence for the Church Fathers, considering their writings integral to the church tradition. According to Orthodox opinion, the Fathers are not merely historical figures but living witnesses to the apostolic doctrine, whose interpretations and teachings should be regarded as authoritative in the process of biblical exegesis and theological reflection. In contrast, the Adventist movement, with its emphasis on Sola Scriptura and the primacy of the Bible, has traditionally viewed the writings of the Church Fathers with a degree of skepticism, often perceiving them as potential sources of doctrinal deviation from biblical teaching. Indeed, the valuable insights and historical perspectives that the Fathers can offer should be thoroughly studied, particularly for understanding the development of Christian theology and practice in the formative centuries of the church. This presentation aims to investigate the nuanced and evolving perspectives of both Eastern Orthodox and Adventist communities towards Patristic studies, highlighting the potential for dialogue on the issue and mutual understanding between these two traditions. Such a study contributes to the ongoing discussion on the role of tradition, authority, and interpretation in Christian theology and biblical hermeneutics.