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During this search, he came upon Dan. 8:14, the 2300-day prophecy. The cleansing of the sanctuary he understood to mean, as did most of contemporary Christendom, the purification of the world by fire, or the second Advent of Christ 3 . After elaborate study of this prophecy in its Biblical context, he concluded that this period would end between 1843 and 1844.
For five years, Miller looked for discrepancies in his logic, but became all the more convinced. Feeling a great need to share his discoveries, he began with friends and family but found them uninterested. None of his minister friends shared his sense of urgency or responsibility. Frustrated he made a silent pact with God: if someone asked him, a farmer, to preach, he would share his discoveries. Within half an hour, a messenger came to his door with an invitation to preach at the Baptist Church in Dresden the next day. After much "struggling... in prayer," William Miller gave his first lecture on the imminent return of Christ in 1831 4.
The Advent Movement spread from that point on, as Miller tried to keep up with innumerable requests from Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregational churches in New England 5. His messages focused primarily on deep heart searching, and revivals quickly followed wherever he went 6. By October 22, 1844, the last of several major dates proposed for Christ to return, the interfaith Millerite movement boasted membership of some 100,000 7. To their bitter disillusionment, that day set into history and many thousands left the movement's ranks.
A few tenaciously clung to the "Millerite" movement after the Great Disappointment of October 1844, refusing to believe that it had been a hoax. The revivals, deep and sincere, left them not knowing where to turn next. They searched their Bibles for where they had been misled 8. Not able to dispute the accuracy of the time prophecy, they turned to other ideas regarding the event that took place in 1844. Of the divergent ideas that emerged, Seventh-Day Adventists came to believe that the sanctuary being cleansed in Dan. 8:14 referred to the sanctuary in Heaven, and not the earth 9.
Shrotly after the Great Disappointment of 1844, the seventh-day doctrine was espoused by Joseph Bates 10. Bates, a retired sea captain who had spent his entire savings in promoting the Millerite movement soon published a pamphlet that led James and Ellen White to accept this belief 11. These three were to become prominent leaders during the formation of the Seventh-Day Adventist church 12.
By 1850, many of the basic beliefs of the Seventh-Day Adventists had begun to form. This was facilitated by Bible conferences, held several times a year, where attendees would study Scripture regarding doctrines such as the Sabbath and the sanctuary. Although there remained differences in opinion, they came to accept the Bible and the Bible alone as their rule of faith and duty 13. Consequently, justification for their doctrines such as the unchangeable law of God (especially their Sabbatarian beliefs), the imminent return of Christ, and the work of Christ in the Heavenly Sanctuary to blot out sins after 1844, are claimed to be Biblically based.
The Seventh-Day Adventist church is a sectarian Protestant movement, whose existence began with members of Baptist, Methodist, Congregational, and Presbyterian affiliations 14. When William Miller began to preach about his "discoveries," he did not intend to start a new religious movement. He hoped that his beliefs would be espoused by the Christian community, igniting revival and preparing them for what he believed was Christ's soon return. However, his teachings were ridiculed by the main Protestant body, leading "Millerites" to leave their former religious groups and join like believers.
The core of the Adventist tradition is basically conservative Protestantism. They profess "the Bible and the Bible alone" as the basis for all their doctrines. The most distinctive features setting SDAs apart from other conservative Protestants includes their belief in Christ's soon return, sabbatarianism and a strong emphasis in a healthful lifestyle. Listed below are a few distinctive SDA teachings that deviate from mainstream protestantism and their biblical justification. Much of this information was taken from the beliefs page off the Official SDA Church Homepage. For a more complete description of SDA beliefs, see Seventh-Day Adventists Believe, published by the General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists.
With the church at large baptizing some 2,000 people each day, the Seventh-Day Adventist church is one of the fastest-growing today 54. In addition to the traditional missionaries sent to foreign lands, they have an extensive centralized educational system with over 5,000 schools, colleges and universit ies 55. Adventist World Radio, one of several SDA radio programs alone broadcasts in over 50 languages about 1,000 hours weekly 56. Similarly, Adventist Communication Network, one of several within the church, projects four regular programs via satellite to more than 2000 churches across the globe 57.
The Adventist church is actively involved in world development and disaster relief. Adventist Development and Relief Agency is an international organization that works in over 140 countries to promote economic development, food security, primary health care, disaster response and preparation, and basic education for underdeveloped countries 58.
Seventh-Day Adventists have been pioneers in promoting medical research. Loma Linda University & Medical Center is especially known for its proton radiation therapy and for being the pioneers of infant heart transplants.
John Harvey Kellogg, M.D. , who originated the breakfast cereals, was an influential figure in the early Adventist church. His research supported much of what Ellen White had counseled on health, especially vegetarianism. A noted speaker, author, researcher, surgeon and inventor, he made significant contributions to Adventism and society at large 61.
Supreme Court cases have also centered around Sabbath-employment issues, such as in Hobbie v. Unemployment Appeals Commission and Sherbert v. Verner. In both Sherbert v. Verner and Hobbie v. Unemployment Appeals Commision, Sherbert and Hobbie were dismissed from work due to conflicts with Sabbath hours. Unable to find employment that allowed Saturdays off, they applied for unemployment benefits, but were denied them. The Supreme Court upheld that the state could not "impose a burden on the free exercise of her religion," in the case of Sherbert v. Verner and that denying "receipt of a benefit because of conduct mandated by religious belief... must be subjected to strictscrutiny," in Hobbie v. Unemployment Appeals Commision. 62
District cases involving Adventists have included:
Adventists ardently support religious liberty and actively work toward maintenance of the constitutional separation of church and state. A separate department is designated to promote such activities at an interdenominational and international level and is responsible for Liberty Magazine 64.
When the siege of the Davidian compound near Waco commenced in February, 1993, the General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists wasted little time in disavowing any affiliation with the Davidians. In a press release after the tragedy, they asserted "Although the Seventh-Day Adventist Church has no affiliation with the Branch Davidians or any other cult, our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones in the Waco, Texas tragedy. As compassionate, peace-loving people, our prayers are with these families" 66. The implication of this quick disavowal is that the SDAs associate themselves with the mainstream and not the fringe of American religion.
The initial position of the SDA church was that they were "compelled to decline all participation in acts of war and bloodshed" 68. However, they accomodated to society by creating noncombatant roles whereby they could fulfill their military duties 69. In the ensuing years, situations arose where this precedent could not be followed, especially with foreign governments. The church then determined that the bearing of arms should be "a matter of individual conscience," 70 backing away from their initial official church position. They have instead encouraged obedience to civil authorities and focused on offering spiritual support to members in service.
Jehovah's Witnesses have believed in political neutrality since their inception. This precludes them from voting, saluting the flag and as expected, bearing arms 71. During times of war, they have firmly maintained their stand, leading to severe persecution 72. Situations of increased tensions (i.e. war), have only embedded them more deeply in their ideology. Persecution only caused them to view secular powers as "instruments of the Devil" 73. Thus their high tension status with society has prevailed despite the passing of time and JWs have become established as a strongly sectarian movement.
Generally speaking however, SDAs have reduced their initial tension with society in many ways, most notably by their extensive educational and health-care systems worldwide 74. These have increased the church's participation with society and has allowed substantial upward mobility for its members.
In Defense of Adventism
This site is an index of articles available online written by a professor at Andrews University (SDA)
defending Adventist beliefs. It offers explanations for many of the criticisms that anti-cultists
and former adventists have raised against the SDAs.
http://www2.andrews.edu/~damsteeg/art.html
SDANet Network Center
A web server established by Andrews University to promote interaction between SDA
students on public campuses and Adventist campuses, discuss issues of relevance to Adventist
subculture, post announcements of gatherings and conferences of interest to the
college/university community, and discuss issues in human relations.
http://www.sdanet.org
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance.
Profile of SDA by the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, who avoid taking a stand for
or against any religious body. The site features a concise history, fast facts, beliefs, practices,
and controversies.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/sda.htm
Seventh-Day Adventist Beliefs.
Summary of SDA beliefs taken from the book "Seventh-Day Adventists Believe."
http://www.sdanet.org/funb.html
Ellen White Estate
This page is the homepage of the Ellen G. White Estate. Features a brief biography about Ellen
White and has links to browse all her writings on-line.
http://www.egwestate.andrews.edu
Adventist Pioneer Library
This site mainly advertises resources that are available such as CD-ROMs of pioneer SDA writings and
a periodical that Adventist Pioneer Library publishes quarterly. However, the site features a biographical
gallery of early Adventist pioneers, complete with pictures.
http://www.tagnet.org/apl
From Mormon to SDA
This site is written and maintained by an SDA who married an LDS, who has become an SDA. The site
has links to articles on the Sabbath, the history of Sunday observance, and Rome's challenge regarding
Sabbath observance.
http://www.konnections.com/brandon/sabbath.htm
SDA forum at Brown University
A newspaper article from The Brown Daily Herald. A written summary of an interfaith dinner featuring SDAs
at Brown University.
http://www.netspace.org/herald/issues/092995/interfaith.f.html
Adventist Outreach.
A countercult page exposing the errors of Seventh-Day Adventist beliefs as percieved by
J. Mark Martin, a former Adventist minister. Several beliefs are addressed, specifically
the Sabbath, state of the dead, and Ellen White. Includes a suggested list of additional
reading.
http://www.sdaoutreach.org
Ellen G White Website
A countercult page attacking Ellen White and the Advent movement.
http://www.ellenwhite.org
Baptist vs. Adventist
This article, "Why I am a Baptist and not a Seventh-Day Adventist," was written by a Baptist.
It offers five reasons with Biblical support against Adventist teachings.
http://www.llano.net/baptist/baptistvsadventist.htm
1 Land, Gary. Adventism in America: A History, p62
2 Maxwell, C. Mervyn. Tell It To The World, p13
3 Land, p4
4 Land, p5
5 Maxwell, p15
6 Maxwell, p16
7 Land, p34
8 Gaustad, Edwin S. The Rise of Adventism, p178
9 Damsteegt, P. Gerard. Foundations of the Seventh-Day Adventist Message and Mission,- p122
10 Maxwell, p76
11 Maxwell, p81
12 Land, p38
13 Land, p40
14 Gaustad, p154
15 Mark 13:32 See text
16 Matt 24 See text; Mark 13 See text; Luke 21:5-36 See text
17 Acts 1:9-11 See text; Rev 1:7 See text
18 Gen 2:2-3 See text
19 Exo 20:8-11 See text
20 Deut 5:15 See text
21 Ezek 20:12 See text
22 Ezek 20:20 See text
23 Isa 56:6-7 See text; Isa 66:22-23 See text
24 Isa 58:13-14 See text
25 Heb 8:1-2, 5 See text
26 1 Cor 6:19-20 See text
27 2 Cor 7:1 See text
28 Lev 11 See text
29 Joel 2:28 See text
30 Isa 8:20 See text
31 Joshua 10:13 See text
32 2 Sam 1:18 See text
33 Romans 6:1-6 See text
34 Acts 16:30-33 See text
35 Col 2:12-13 See text; Acts 22:16 See text
36 Acts 2:38 See text
37 Matt 3:13-17 See text
38 Acts 8:36-39 See text
39 Rev 12:17 See text
40 Rev 14:6-12 See text
41 Heb 9:11-12 See text; Heb 10:19-22 See text
42 Dan 7:9-27 See text; Dan 8:13-14 See text; Dan 9:24-27 See text; Num 14:34 See text;- Ezek 4:6 See text
43 Rev 14:6-7 See text
44 Lev 16 See text
45 Rev 20:12, 4-5 See text
46 1 Thess 4:16-17 See text
47 Rev 22:10-12 See text
48 Eccl 9:5 See text
49 John 11:11-14 See text
50 Rev 20:4,5 See text; 1 Thess 4:13-17 See text
51 Rev 20:5, 13-14 See text
52 1 Thess 5:19-21 See text
53 Office of Archives and Statistics, General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists,- August 1998. "Facts and Figures." http://www.adventist.org/pages/factsfigures.html
54 Ibid.
55 Ibid.
56 Jacobsen, Don. "A Message from the President of Adventist World Radio."- http://www.awr.org/president.html
57 Office of Archives and Statistics, "Facts and Figures."
58 Adventist Development and Relief Agency. "Changing the World, One Life at a Time."- http://www.adra.org
59 McCay, Clive, Rational Therapeutics p7-8 as cited at- http://www.llu.edu/info/legacy/Legacy12.html#anchor93572
60 Schaefer, Richard A. Legacy: Daring to Care "Adventist Health Study" as cited at- http://www.llu.edu/info/legacy/LegacyC.html#anchor1292276
61 Schaefer, Richard A. Legacy: Daring to Care "Battle Creek and Health Reform" as cited- at http://www.llu.edu/info/legacy/Legacy16.html#anchor106162
62 Lawson, Ronald. "Seventh-Day Adventists and the U.S. Courts" Journal of Church and- State
, pp553-588
63 Ibid.
64 Lawson, Ronald. "Seventh-Day Adventist Responses to Branch Davidian Notoriety",- Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, p330
65 Ibid, p324
66 Ibid., p329
67 Lawson, Ronald. "Sect-State Relations: Accounting for the Differing Trajectories of- Seventh-Day Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses." Sociology of Religion, p351
68 Ibid., p355
69 Ibid., p356
70 Ibid., p359
71 Ibid., p362
72 Ibid., p365
73 Ibid., p363
74 Ibid., p326