Suffering and the Search for Meaning

Adventist Forum presents "Suffering and the Search for Meaning" by Dr. Richard Rice from the School of Religion at Loma Linda University in Loma Linda, California, on Sabbath, Nov. 15, at 3:30 p.m. in Garber Auditorium, Chan Shun Hall, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan.

Rice graduated from Andrews University with an MDiv and went on to earn an MA and PhD in Christian theology from the University of Chicago. He served as a church pastor and taught at La Sierra University before moving to Loma Linda University where he is professor of religion in the School of Religion. He teaches graduate courses and seminars dealing with the theology of suffering, science and religion, and other topics.

He has published several books including "The Reign of God: An Introduction to Christian Theology from a Seventh-day Adventist Perspective" published by Andrews University Press. This is a textbook for college religion classes. In 1980 he published what has proved to be a somewhat controversial book in Adventist circles. It was originally published by the Review and Herald Publishing Association under the title "The Openness of God: The Relationship of Divine Foreknowledge and Human Free Will." However, the publisher stopped distributing the book before the production run was exhausted. It was subsequently republished by Bethany House as "God’s Foreknowledge & Man’s Free Will."

Rice is credited with introducing the term “open theism” into theological discourse. He has published a number of other books including: "When Bad Things Happen to God’s People," Reason and the Contours of Faith," "Believing, Behaving, Belonging: Finding New Love for the Church," and "Ministry Healing: Toward a Theology of Wholeness and Witness."

Adventist Forum is open to the public. All are welcome. For information, contact Art Robertson at robertsa2@earthlink.net or call 269-471-7150.