Who is Adrian Ebens, and is it safe to read his materials?

In Christian circles, independent preachers or authors sometimes arise whose materials spread rapidly across the internet. One such author is Adrian Ebens. Some consider him an Adventist teacher and read his books and articles. Therefore, a natural question arises: who is he really, and is it safe to engage with his teachings?

Who is Adrian Ebens?

Adrian Ebens is an independent religious author and preacher who was formerly associated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He is originally from Australia, though his materials are translated into many languages and circulated in various countries.

Over time, his views began to diverge significantly from the Church's official biblical teachings. He established his own ministry and actively began publishing books, articles, and videos presenting alternative understandings of certain doctrines.

The issue is not that a person asks questions or studies the Bible. On the contrary, Scripture encourages us to test everything. The Book of Acts says of the believers in Berea: “They received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11). Yet, at the same time, Scripture warns against teachings that lead away from gospel truth.

How his teachings differ from the Church's position

The most significant theological difference pertains to the nature of God. Adrian Ebens rejects the biblical doctrine of the Trinity. He teaches that the Holy Spirit is not a distinct divine Person and that the traditional Adventist understanding of God was shaped by later theological developments.

However, the Seventh-day Adventist Church professes that the Bible reveals one God in three Persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is evident in many passages of Scripture. For example: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

The Apostle Paul also writes: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14).

Furthermore, the Gospel of John emphasizes the divinity of Christ: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

Because of a different understanding of God's nature, the explanation of many other biblical themes also shifts: the character of God, salvation, and the roles of Christ and the Holy Spirit.

How the Church views independent teachers

In Christianity, there has always been a danger of private interpretations that gradually draw people away from collective biblical teaching. The Apostle Paul emphasized that the gospel message must not change, even if an angel from heaven were to preach another gospel (Galatians 1:8).

For this reason, the Adventist Church places great value on studying the Bible together in community, theological accountability, and the unity of faith. Scripture tells us that God gave the Church ministers, “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:11–14).

This means that believers should exercise caution regarding the materials of independent preachers, especially if their ideas contradict the core biblical doctrines accepted by the Church.

What Ellen White wrote about similar situations

Ellen White repeatedly warned that in the last days, various new theories and private interpretations of Scripture would arise. She emphasized that it is far safer to hold fast to the clear teachings of the Bible rather than being drawn into speculative ideas.

She warned that Satan seeks to introduce appealing yet deceptive theories that may seem very logical, but ultimately lead away from the simplicity of the Gospel.

Therefore, she urged believers to build their faith upon the Bible, prayer, and established truths, rather than upon novel and sensational interpretations.

Is it safe to read his materials?

Technically, a person has the freedom to read any book or listen to various authors. However, spiritual wisdom lies in recognizing the source of a teaching and testing its conformity to the Bible.

If someone is not yet deeply rooted in biblical doctrine, reading materials by authors who deny foundational Christian truths can easily cause confusion.

For this reason, many pastors recommend first gaining a thorough grounding in the Bible, the foundational beliefs of the Church, and the writings of trusted Christian authors. Only then is it easier to discern between truth and error.

It is vital to remember the biblical principle: “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

In daily life, this involves a few simple practices: reading the Bible regularly, praying for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, comparing new ideas with Scripture, and seeking counsel from spiritually mature believers. Such an approach helps keep your faith steadfast and guards against teachings that could lead away from biblical truth.