“Daniel and Esther Head for the City”

Christians living in a modern secular, urban culture constantly face the challenge of knowing how to relate to cultural issues:  Shall we adapt or resist?  And can we adapt without risking dangerous compromise?  From Scripture we can better understand the biblical alternatives by reflecting on the lives of Daniel and his friends, on the one hand, and Esther, on the other.  What we learn is that sometimes we must stand firm and sometimes we must adapt.  When and how we make which choice is something that the church and each member of the church must seek through prayer and Bible study.

Alden Thompson:  BA (1965), Walla Walla College; MA (1966) and BDiv (1967 = MDiv), Andrews University; PhD (1975), University of Edinburgh

Alden Thompson is currently professor of biblical studies at Walla Walla University. He has been a faculty member at WWC since 1970. From 1972 to 1974, he was on college-sponsored doctoral study leave at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. In 1980-81 he was an exchange teacher at Marienhöhe Seminary in Darmstadt, Germany. After serving as WWC academic vice president for four years (1986-90), he returned to full-time teaching in the School of Theology.

An ordained minister in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Thompson is a graduate of Walla Walla College (BA 1965) and Andrews University (MA 1966; BDiv 1967). Before joining the faculty at WWC, he pastored in Southeastern California (1967-1970). He received his doctorate in Old Testament and Judaic Studies from the University of Edinburgh in 1975. His dissertation, Responsibility for Evil in the Theodicy of IV Ezra was published by Scholars Press in 1977.

He is in frequent demand as a speaker and seminar presenter. His primary interests are the Bible, especially the Old Testament, Ellen White studies, “Inspiration,” and Adventist History. He has written extensively for Adventist publications.