Clear Definitions…

This morning I am sitting here, having reviewed yet another article, and contemplated what the definition of Seventh-day Adventism is exactly. Notes fill the walls, cover my office’s white boards, and the many manilla folders, organizing material.

Frustratingly enough, there is no official definition of what it means to be a Seventh-day Adventist, even from the denominations pioneers and founders. They disagreed and labeled one another as we do today. Too which everyone will disagree that there is ‘no definition,’ and state that their definition is the ultimate definition.

In my ungraduated work at Union, we briefly covered the idea of Seventh-day Adventists being a cult, and that we were in fact not a cult. Most Christian denominations label Seventh-day Adventists among Christian cults. There has even been a rise among social media commentators focusing in on critiquing the Seventh-day Adventist faith and duly labeling the denomination as a cult, non-Christian, and outside the Christian community. However, the authoritative work on Christian Cults, The Kingdom of The Cults, by Walter Martin, in fact does not include Seventh-day Adventists as a cult. In a very indepth and lengthy appendix, Martin addresses concerns regarding the denomination and that Adventists in fact walk a line between cult and church body. Yet, a prominent Adventist outlet, Midnight Cry Media, on Youtube has now flipped the paradigm and stated that Seventh-day Adventists are in fact a cult…..and that is a good thing. The content creator of Midnight Cry states that being a cult simply means being unorthodox, and that unorthodox is not a negative attribute.

The madness never ends. For again, no one in Christendom or inside the denomination with any sort of voice can agree on a definition. In fact, the definition shifts within the administrative circles of the church itself, depending on their personal conviction and definition they apply to their leadership.

With the rise in reformed / Calvinist theology in evangelicalism, and in the Christian church today it is of no surprise that Seventh-day Adventists are labeled as a cult. Reformed theology sees all outside their theological school of thought as condemned, ignorant, and counter to Scripture. Martin in The Kingdom of The Cults, even states that Seventh-day Adventists are in fact an Arminian denomination, and this Arminian foundations are what bring a layer of scrutiny. Arminian denominations are seen as less than among reformed / Calvinist theologians and leaders.

So what is the definition of being a Seventh-day Adventist?

Since there are so many definitions, I will throw my lot in with the best of them. There are two distinct belief systems within the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. They both have individuals that hold prominent leadership positions, they both attend the same churches, and yet they both, in my educated opinion, miss the mark to which Christians and further more Seventh-day Adventists have been called, the pursuit of Truth, the pursuit of living and experiencing Christ, and the living out of the gospel at all times in all places.

Seventh-day Adventists – Although it is a matter of vernacular semantics, there is a difference between between those who are Adventists and those who adhere to Adventism. Seventh-day Adventists are an Arminian group of believers who allow for diversity of thought, centered on the gospel, and place Scripture above all things. Some inside this group hold Ellen White as inspired, yet not to the degree as being Scriptural. Others do not hold Ellen White and hold to the foundational beliefs drawn from Adventist’s roots in Methodism and Seventh Day Baptist.

Seventh-day Adventism – This group is admirably passionate about the foundations of the denomination centering on Ellen White. Yet, this group is a cult by definition. Holding to the belief that salvation is effected by the obedience to the Mosaic law, or portions there of, the observance of Saturday as the Sabbath as laid out by Ellen White, the application of principles for living as laid out by Ellen White, and that only Seventh-day Adventists and those few ignorant of Adventism will be saved in the second coming. Simply put, an individual has to adhere to the tenants of Adventist life as laid out by Ellen White, that Ellen White was given special knowledge outside what could be available to any believer, and one has to adhere and believe in the knowledge given to Ellen White.

Again, semantics, but after years of research, studying, discussion, and observation, I believe both miss the mark immeasurably. Because of this failure to hit the mark, the denomination is being brought into account, which is on display for all to see on social media, denominational media, and mainstream media outlets.

John Wenham, in his amazing book Christ and the Bible, makes a powerful observation. Wenham mentions that in the introduction to philosopher Schopenhauer’s foundational and lengthy literary work, Schopenhauer mentions that the book is simply a way to express one singular thought. As Christians, the entirety of Scripture is given to express one singular thought, Messiah. Scripture points to our need for Messiah, how the Messiah works, what life without a Messiah looks like, what living life with the Messiah looks like, and the promises and instructions of having the Messiah fulfilled individually and corporately.

Any Christian needs to approach any belief or practice with Christ the Messiah in mind. Is this what Christ taught? Does this align with how Christ lived? Is this in agreement with those that Christ has called to build his church? If the belief, person, teaching, or anything does not agree with Christ the Messiah, therefore Scripture, then without hesitation and without concern, we need to remove that thing from us, before it becomes a gateway for the enemy, Satan.

When a person, belief, teaching, or anything is difficult to discern, we must gather as a church and pray. ““Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” When the matter is complex, we need to dig, through prayer and searching, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and pursue the truth.

A Seventh-day Adventist should be defined as the following….

1. Grounded in the application, saturation, and devotion to Christ presented in Scripture.

2. All believers, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, backgrounds, Spiritual Gifts, familial heritage, are equal before God as sons and daughters, brides, of Christ.

3. All biblical prophecy is important and centers on the work and promise of Christ.

4. Non-Cessationist, the gifts of the Holy Spirit are alive and active in the body of Christ. Our leaders are there to seek, disciple, grow, and apply the Spiritual gifts promised the body of Christ.

5. Holy living is not necessary, yet it is a mark of deep devotion and mature discipleship.

6. Sabbath observance through rest and the celebration of Christ’s work and sacrifice are a mark of deep discipleship, devotion, and embracing of all the blessings God has promised.

7. When an individual dies, their soul is at rest, awaiting the second coming of Christ.

8. Hell is very much real, yet it is an event as foreseen in Revelation 21 and 22, not an eternal location of unimaginable torture and torment.

9. Christ is coming soon.

10. We are the sanctuary of Christ and he very much resides inside believers.

11. The local church is the power house and mitochondria of the denomination.

12. Present Truth is to be pursued at all times. Pastors, administrators, and academics should foster a culture centered on the gospel, in pursuit of challenging, holding account, and edifying those who draw believers into the depths of truth found in Christ and the Scripture. A culture of asking questions and challenging held positions should be always pursued and protected.

13. Protestant in faith, in practice, and in identity. Working with other protestant denominations in spreading the gospel and leading Christian denominations to deeper discipleship.

Many will say, “what you listed is exactly what the church is now.” That simply is not the case. The church has a marked history of inquisitions, cover ups, scandals, politics, nepotism, simony, oppressive culture, unbiblical polity and practice, and a failing pursuit of Christ. The identity of church members and their ‘authenticity’ as Seventh-day Adventists has long been centered on adherence to Ellen White. Which in and of itself, aids in denominational critics labeling the church a cult, when our identity is weighted in the balance of acceptance of an individual’s position, authority, and message.

Here is a link to the Midnight Cry Media’s Video regarding the Seventh-Day Adventist Church as a cult.