Historic Adventism
Encyclopedia
Historic Adventism is an informal designation for conservative individuals and organizations affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church
who seek to preserve certain traditional beliefs and practices of the church. As a general rule, Historic Adventists feel that the church leadership has shifted or departed from key doctrinal "pillars" ever since the middle of the 20th century. Specifically, they point to the publication in 1957 of a book entitled Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine; which they feel undermines historic Adventist theology in favour of theology more compatible with evangelicalism
.
Historic Adventists have tended to promote their message through independent ministries
, some of which have had a strained relationship with the official church."Last Generation Theology
" shares some elements with Historic Adventism, yet considers itself to have "expanded" the beliefs of Historic Adventism to their logical conclusion.Prominent figures in historic Adventism include M. L. Andreasen
, Herbert Douglass, and Colin and Russell Standish
. Historic Adventists are seen as at the opposite end of the Adventist theological spectrum from Progressive Adventists.
Historic Adventism has been erroneously applied by some to any Adventists that adhere to the teachings of the church as reflected in the church's fundamental beliefs such as the Sabbath or the Spirit of Prophecy. They misapply those who hold to mainstream traditional Adventist beliefs as synonymous with Historic Adventist.
in America and were evident in early Adventist movements such as the "Holy Flesh movement
" in Indiana
around the turn of the 19th century which Ellen White quickly rebuked." They were also evident in some teachings on holiness by medical doctor John Harvey Kellogg
, and Jones
and Waggoner
of 1888
fame.
Joseph Bates
was one of the three primary founders of Seventh-day Adventism (along with James and Ellen White). Like many in the early church he focused more on following the requirements of Gods law over salvation by grace.
Following the 1919 Bible Conference
, in which Ellen White's inspiration was discussed during 2 days, some defended against what they felt were attacks on her such as Holmes and Washburn, who wrote open letters decrying the alleged "new theology" and the "omega" apostasy of the Adventist church.
Keith Lockhart has described the "Golden Age
" of Adventism (from a sociological point of view) as the fundamentalist
era of the 1920s–1950s. It is to this time period the expression "historic Adventism" most accurately applies, not to 19th century Adventism. Along with Malcolm Bull, he claims "Adventist fundamentalism" emerged in the 1880s, became dominant in the 1920s, and survives to the present day amongst conservative groups." They also claim "elements of fundamentalism were re-invoked", becoming discernible in the 1990s.
; man's sinful nature taken by Christ in His incarnation; an incomplete atonement at the time of Christ's death on the cross; salvation by obedience to the law; and extreme sectarianism. At least one author considers the various streams existed earlier, as some Millerites came from churches holding Arian views, but this event polarized them.
The Adventist leaders who met with Walter Martin presented a fuller description of mainstream Adventist theology, and described the more fundamentalist views as merely the beliefs of a few. (Le Roy Edwin Froom described them as the "lunatic fringe".) In particular, the Adventists asserted that the belief that Christ took Adam's sinful nature after the fall and an incomplete atonement were not part of mainstream Adventist doctrine. Adventist historian George Knight felt it was not a complete picture, because a majority of Adventists prior to 1950 had held to these teachings concerning the nature of Christ and the atonement.
Martin and Barnhouse were satisfied with the responses given by the Adventist delegation, and concluded that the Adventist church was a legitimate Christian body. Meanwhile, Adventist theologian M. L. Andreasen
, who was aware of these proceedings, opposed them openly. Andreasen represented the many Adventists at the time who believed that Christ had taken upon Himself Adam's fallen nature and that some aspects of the atonement were not completed at the cross. (Those Adventists who believed Christ had taken a fallen nature still believed that Jesus was sinless and committed no actual sins). Some of these Adventists continue to oppose the theological direction taken by the church leadership on these issues and the more fundamentalist elements are known today as "Historic Adventists."
Herbert Douglass has stated,
According to historian George Knight
,
convinced Robert Brinsmead
his perfectionism was incorrect in about 1970. During the 1970s, what is now the Adventist Review carried articles by editor Kenneth Wood
and associate editor Herbert Douglass
rejecting Questions on Doctrine and arguing for a final perfect generation.
The General Conference addressed this controversy over "righteousness by faith" by holding a conference in Palmdale
, California
in 1976. Ford was the "center of attention", and the resulting document known as the "Palmdale statement". However the controversy increased, and critics of the "new theology" of Ford and others formed their own institutions.
Julius Nam
has written,
The 1975 book Perfection: The Impossible Possibility (Nashville
: Southern Publishing Association, 1975) edited by Douglass, contained essays by Douglass and C. Mervyn Maxwell supporting historic views, and Edward Heppenstall
and Hans LaRondelle
supporting the mainstream view.
, hamartiology
(sin), soteriology
(salvation) and eschatology
(end times). They often use the term "new theology" as a pejorative term for perceived doctrinal shifts in the church.
With regards to Christology, Historic Adventists believe that Jesus Christ possessed a fallen nature in common with all the children of Adam
but with a propensity to sin. This view of Jesus' nature was prevalent in Adventism prior to the 1950s, but is now a minority position among theologians and mainstream Adventism.
Sin
is defined in terms of personal trangressions of the commandments, over against an inborn corruption of the human nature inherited from Adam.
Historic Adventists tend to place more emphasis on sanctification
than justification
. Following Andreasen, they define the atonement in terms of God’s work to cleanse our character from sin as well as payment of the penalty for sin. The work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary is regarded as a continuation of the work of atonement begun on the cross, rather than the application of the benefits of an already completed atonement.
"Eschatological perfectionism" is the teaching that a final generation of believers must achieve a state of complete sinlessness (or Christlikeness) in the final period just before the second coming
of Jesus (see Last Generation Theology
)and most Historic Adventists hold to that teaching. This belief in sinlessness arose particularly from M. L. Andreasen
's interpretation of the investigative judgment doctrine, which is one of the pillars of adventism and found in The Great Controversy
by Ellen G. White
.
Historic Adventists generally place more emphasis on the writings of Ellen G. White
as a doctrinal authority compared to mainstream Adventists, some considering her writings as infallible
and having near-equivalent status to the Bible
.
Historic Adventists have a differing perspective on the 1888 Minneapolis General Conference
arguing that Ellen White supported the perfectionistic theology of Jones and Waggoner.
Some historic Adventists are advocates of the King James Only movement, which promotes sole use of the King James Version of the Bible. (A classic book in this movement, Our Authorized Bible Vindicated
(1930), was written by an Adventist, Benjamin G. Wilkinson
. One critique is by Alden Thompson
.)
, which claims that perfection
will be achieved by some people in the last generation before the Second Coming
of Jesus
. It is closely related to "historic Adventism", but as one supporter claims, it differs in that it forms an extension or development of "historic" Adventist beliefs, or takes them to their logical conclusion.
Like mainstream Adventist theology, it teaches that Jesus Christ was not only the Substitute for man but the Example for man, but insists that Christians
will have to cease from sin after the close of probation just before the Second Coming
, and confesses that the close of the age has been delayed by unconsecration in Christians but can be accelerated through their living of holy lives.
, which time of day the Sabbath should begin, certain understandings of Systematic Benevolence, the "shut door", and the personhood of the Holy Spirit. It is argued that the over-valuing of "historic" beliefs leads to an unhelpful neglect of "new light" and "present truth", which Adventists have always held as defining beliefs.
Walter Martin labeled most of the historic Adventists he encountered as "legalists," "worshippers of Ellen White" and the "lunatic fringe." The term was earlier used by LeRoy Edwin Froom when Adventist leaders met with Martin.
Adventist historian Milton Hook
describes it as "Adventist fundamentalism". He cites the aggressive preaching style of George Burnside who attacked Roman Catholics and "apostate" Protestants. Hook claims this turned many away, and some of the remaining merely "loved a religious dogfight", and converts "often generated dust storms of intolerance and became clones of militant dogmatism among their peers." He states this style of evangelism was once the norm amongst Adventist preachers, and had roots in 19th century Methodism in the United States.
Andy Nash wrote that while working at the Adventist Review, he was "often perplexed about how our ability to function at the magazine was disrupted by some folk on the conservative extreme". In response to articles on worship, they would get many critical letters which were based more on tradition than on the Bible. They would airbrush jewelry out of photos to placate some readers.
Historic Adventists look favourably on a past era of the church. Phil Dunham, a fairly conservative author himself, critiqued "nostalgia about the good old days of 'historic Adventism.' In some people's minds it seems to be a time of the most unblemished and unassailable doctrinal positions, the highest possible moral standards, the deepest spiritual maturity, the best snowlike purity, the utmost in readiness to be translated.[…] But the way we often use the expression 'historic Seventh-day Adventism' is built on an idealized and unrealistic notion of what our early church was really like."
Methodist scholar Donald Dayton expressed some sympathies for historic Adventists in his paper presented at the Questions on Doctrine 50th anniversary conference.
has officially reacted to two organisations which espouse "historic Adventist" theology. In 1998, the General Conference
established a committee to evaluate the beliefs and activities of Hope International, the Hartland Institute (USA) and Remnant Ministries (Australia). The committee produced a report expressing "serious concerns with respect to the nature and purpose of Hope International and associates."
The conclusion of the report stated that "by rejecting the authority of the world church in session
when their interpretation of Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy differs from that of the church, [Hope International and associates] have set their authority above that of the world church and operate in a manner that is consistent with offshoot movements." The report also contained a significant threat: "If Hope International and associates cannot bring themselves into harmony with the body of the world church, clearly evidenced within 12 months, the Seventh-day Adventist Church may need to consider whether there exists a “persistent refusal to recognize properly constituted church authority or to submit to the order and discipline of the church” (Church Manual, p. 169)."
According to one article, the policy of the Adventist church in North America
is that members of Hartland or Hope International may not hold any church office.
and parachurch organizations which assist in the articulation and defense of their views. Two primary historic Adventist organizations located in the United States are Hope International
and the Hartland Institute
.
Hope International, currently led by Ron Spear, runs a publishing ministry and a health center..
Hartland Institute comprises an educational college and school associated with Colin Standish
(who founded the organization) and his brother Russell. It publishes their books http://hartlandpublications.com/STANDISH.html and others, as well as Last Generation magazine. Russell edits The Remnant Herald.
Remnant Ministries was founded by Russell Standish and is based in Australia.
(not to be confused with the Brethren
churches, a Christian movement entirely separate from Adventism). The description was used of a group of retired ministers opposed to Desmond Ford
's teachings, particularly during his time as head of theology at Avondale College
, and who urged for his dismissal. The name derived from their signature or self-designation on a letter in the 1970s, although the stream of thought had been discernible earlier. According to E. Bruce Price, "'Concerned Brethren' was abbreviated to 'CB' as a term of derision for those opposing Dr. Ford’s new theology." According to the Standishes, "Hope International is to the United States
what the Gazeley meetings are to Britain
, and the Concerned Brethren are to Australia
and New Zealand
."
The group was led by James William Kent (1890 – May 5, 1983, Australia, aged 93), a "veteran Australian evangelist and administrator" who chaired a meeting of "concerned" individuals in Sydney
in 1974. On 3–4 February 1976 a group of 16 men (11 "senior ministers", all retired, and 5 laymen) including Kent and George Burnside (1908–1994), a New Zealand evangelist (described as the "foremost anti-Ford pamphleteer") was given a hearing by 20 men from the Biblical Research Institute
in the Australasian Division (now the South Pacific Division
). According to one author, Ford's understanding of righteousness by faith was the main issue, while the report describes "concern about the teaching of theology at Avondale College, particularly in the area of the Sanctuary
, the Age of the Earth
, and Inspiration". In response, the Institute affirmed its support for Avondale in its report.
In March 1977, Kent and others met with Ford and church administrators. They were informed this would be the last time they could meet with church leaders as a group. Kent and Burnside were banned from preaching in the churches on December 18, 1978 because of their continued opposition to Ford. A. C. Needham replaced Kent as unofficial leader around this time, as the latter approached his 90th birthday.
According to Arthur Patrick, "Looking back on the painful saga of the 'Concerned Brethren' from 1974 to the present, it is apparent that a better application of essentials for effective pastoral care may have alleviated some of the controversy." Also, "Following the conflicts that gained intensity in the 1950s, during the 1970s the Adventist Church in Australasia made significant progress in better understanding and presenting 'the everlasting gospel;' but it failed to win the support of certain older members. In addition, viewpoints similar to those of the Concerned Brethren were promulgated by a variety of independent groups." He has described them as "loyalists".
Neutral or critical:
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
who seek to preserve certain traditional beliefs and practices of the church. As a general rule, Historic Adventists feel that the church leadership has shifted or departed from key doctrinal "pillars" ever since the middle of the 20th century. Specifically, they point to the publication in 1957 of a book entitled Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine; which they feel undermines historic Adventist theology in favour of theology more compatible with evangelicalism
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
.
Historic Adventists have tended to promote their message through independent ministries
Independent ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has a number of supporting, parachurch, independent, self-supporting and other such organisations that work adjunct to the official church....
, some of which have had a strained relationship with the official church."Last Generation Theology
Last Generation Theology
Last Generation Theology or "final generation" theology is a belief system of overcoming sin held by some conservative members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which claims that perfection will be achieved by some people in the last generation before the Second Coming of Jesus much like the...
" shares some elements with Historic Adventism, yet considers itself to have "expanded" the beliefs of Historic Adventism to their logical conclusion.Prominent figures in historic Adventism include M. L. Andreasen
M. L. Andreasen
M.[ilian] L.[auritz] Andreasen , was a Seventh-day Adventist theologian, pastor and author.He was one of the church's most prominent and influential theologians during the 1930s and 1940s. Andreasen promoted the teaching known popularly as Last Generation Theology, controversial for its views on...
, Herbert Douglass, and Colin and Russell Standish
Standish brothers
Colin D. Standish and Russell Roland Standish are identical twin brothers and "historic" Seventh-day Adventists. They are often referred to collectively as the Standish brothers...
. Historic Adventists are seen as at the opposite end of the Adventist theological spectrum from Progressive Adventists.
Historic Adventism has been erroneously applied by some to any Adventists that adhere to the teachings of the church as reflected in the church's fundamental beliefs such as the Sabbath or the Spirit of Prophecy. They misapply those who hold to mainstream traditional Adventist beliefs as synonymous with Historic Adventist.
History
Teachings on Christian perfection and personal holiness were present in the religious revival of the Great AwakeningGreat Awakening
The term Great Awakening is used to refer to a period of religious revival in American religious history. Historians and theologians identify three or four waves of increased religious enthusiasm occurring between the early 18th century and the late 19th century...
in America and were evident in early Adventist movements such as the "Holy Flesh movement
Holy Flesh movement
The Holy Flesh movement was a controversy within the Seventh-day Adventist Church over worship from the 1890s till 1901. It was a counterfeit revival which contained an outbreak of Pentecostal-like phenomena in the U.S. state of Indiana. The movement died out in 1901.- Beginnings :A. F. Ballenger ,...
" in Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
around the turn of the 19th century which Ellen White quickly rebuked." They were also evident in some teachings on holiness by medical doctor John Harvey Kellogg
John Harvey Kellogg
John Harvey Kellogg was an American medical doctor in Battle Creek, Michigan, who ran a sanitarium using holistic methods, with a particular focus on nutrition, enemas and exercise. Kellogg was an advocate of vegetarianism and is best known for the invention of the corn flakes breakfast cereal...
, and Jones
Alonzo T. Jones
A.[lonzo] T.[révier] Jones was a Seventh-day Adventist known for his impact on the theology of the church, along with friend and associate Ellet J. Waggoner.- Biography :...
and Waggoner
Ellet J. Waggoner
E.[llet] J.[oseph] Waggoner was a Seventh-day Adventist particularly known for his impact on the theology of the church, along with friend and associate Alonzo T. Jones.- Biography :...
of 1888
1888 Minneapolis General Conference
The 1888 Minneapolis General Conference Session was a meeting of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists held in Minneapolis, Minnesota in October of 1888. It is regarded as a landmark event in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Key participants were Alonzo T. Jones, Ellet J....
fame.
Joseph Bates
Joseph Bates (Adventist)
Joseph Bates was an American seaman and revivalist minister. He was the founder and developer of Sabbatarian Adventism, a strain of religious thinking that evolved into the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Bates is also credited with convincing James White and Ellen G...
was one of the three primary founders of Seventh-day Adventism (along with James and Ellen White). Like many in the early church he focused more on following the requirements of Gods law over salvation by grace.
Following the 1919 Bible Conference
1919 Bible Conference
The 1919 Bible Conference was a Seventh-day Adventist Church conference or council held from July 1 to August 9, 1919, for denominational leaders, educators, and editors to discuss theological and pedagogical issues. The council was convened by the General Conference Executive Committee led by A. G...
, in which Ellen White's inspiration was discussed during 2 days, some defended against what they felt were attacks on her such as Holmes and Washburn, who wrote open letters decrying the alleged "new theology" and the "omega" apostasy of the Adventist church.
Keith Lockhart has described the "Golden Age
Golden Age (metaphor)
A golden age is a period in a field of endeavour when great tasks were accomplished. The term originated from early Greek and Roman poets who used to refer to a time when mankind lived in a better time and was pure .-Golden Age in society:...
" of Adventism (from a sociological point of view) as the fundamentalist
Fundamentalist Christianity
Christian fundamentalism, also known as Fundamentalist Christianity, or Fundamentalism, arose out of British and American Protestantism in the late 19th century and early 20th century among evangelical Christians...
era of the 1920s–1950s. It is to this time period the expression "historic Adventism" most accurately applies, not to 19th century Adventism. Along with Malcolm Bull, he claims "Adventist fundamentalism" emerged in the 1880s, became dominant in the 1920s, and survives to the present day amongst conservative groups." They also claim "elements of fundamentalism were re-invoked", becoming discernible in the 1990s.
- "But what many authors take to be historic Adventism is in fact a creation of the twentieth century — a synthesis that took place in the 1920s and remained dominant until the 1960s. It was, moreover, a synthesis that in itself represented an accommodation to the newly formed fundamentalist movement".
Adventist-Evangelical dialogues
It is widely accepted that present historic Adventism emerged in response to the Adventist-Evangelical discussions which occurred in the spring of 1955 to the fall of 1957. These dialogues were initiated by evangelicals Donald Barnhouse and Walter Martin, who sought clarification on what Adventists believed and took issue with a number of teachings which at the time were generally thought to characterize Adventist theology. The most significant of these being: ArianismArianism
Arianism is the theological teaching attributed to Arius , a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, concerning the relationship of the entities of the Trinity and the precise nature of the Son of God as being a subordinate entity to God the Father...
; man's sinful nature taken by Christ in His incarnation; an incomplete atonement at the time of Christ's death on the cross; salvation by obedience to the law; and extreme sectarianism. At least one author considers the various streams existed earlier, as some Millerites came from churches holding Arian views, but this event polarized them.
The Adventist leaders who met with Walter Martin presented a fuller description of mainstream Adventist theology, and described the more fundamentalist views as merely the beliefs of a few. (Le Roy Edwin Froom described them as the "lunatic fringe".) In particular, the Adventists asserted that the belief that Christ took Adam's sinful nature after the fall and an incomplete atonement were not part of mainstream Adventist doctrine. Adventist historian George Knight felt it was not a complete picture, because a majority of Adventists prior to 1950 had held to these teachings concerning the nature of Christ and the atonement.
Martin and Barnhouse were satisfied with the responses given by the Adventist delegation, and concluded that the Adventist church was a legitimate Christian body. Meanwhile, Adventist theologian M. L. Andreasen
M. L. Andreasen
M.[ilian] L.[auritz] Andreasen , was a Seventh-day Adventist theologian, pastor and author.He was one of the church's most prominent and influential theologians during the 1930s and 1940s. Andreasen promoted the teaching known popularly as Last Generation Theology, controversial for its views on...
, who was aware of these proceedings, opposed them openly. Andreasen represented the many Adventists at the time who believed that Christ had taken upon Himself Adam's fallen nature and that some aspects of the atonement were not completed at the cross. (Those Adventists who believed Christ had taken a fallen nature still believed that Jesus was sinless and committed no actual sins). Some of these Adventists continue to oppose the theological direction taken by the church leadership on these issues and the more fundamentalist elements are known today as "Historic Adventists."
Herbert Douglass has stated,
- "most, if not all, of the so-called 'dissident' or 'independent' groups of the last 45 years are direct results of the explicit and implicit positions espoused by [Questions on Doctrine] on the atonement and the Incarnation."
According to historian George Knight
George R. Knight
George Raymond Knight is a Seventh-day Adventist historian and educator. He is emeritus professor of church history at Andrews University.- Biography :Knight joined the Adventist church through the ministry of Ralph Larson...
,
- "Official Adventism may have gained recognition as being Christian from the evangelicalEvangelicalismEvangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
world, but in the process a breach had been opened which has not healed in the last 50 years and may never heal."
1970s
Desmond FordDesmond Ford
Desmond "Des" Ford is an evangelical Christian and an Australian theologian. He is the father of pornography gossip columnist Luke Ford....
convinced Robert Brinsmead
Robert Brinsmead
Robert Daniel "Bob" Brinsmead is a formerly controversial figure within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 1960s and 1970s, known for his diverse theological journey....
his perfectionism was incorrect in about 1970. During the 1970s, what is now the Adventist Review carried articles by editor Kenneth Wood
Kenneth H. Wood
Kenneth H. Wood, Jr. was a Seventh-day Adventist minister, author, editor, and administrator. Since 1980 he served as chairman of the Ellen G. White Estate board of trustees. By virtue of this position he also served as an ex officio member of the General Conference Executive Committee.- Life and...
and associate editor Herbert Douglass
Herbert E. Douglass
Herbert Edgar Douglass, Jr. is a Seventh-day Adventist theologian. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts as the oldest of five children to Herbert Edgar Douglass Sr and Mildred Jennie Munson...
rejecting Questions on Doctrine and arguing for a final perfect generation.
The General Conference addressed this controversy over "righteousness by faith" by holding a conference in Palmdale
Palmdale, California
Palmdale is a city located in the center of northern Los Angeles County, California, United States.Palmdale was the first community within the Antelope Valley to incorporate as a city on August 24, 1962; 47 years later, voters approved creating a charter city in November, 2009. Palmdale is...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1976. Ford was the "center of attention", and the resulting document known as the "Palmdale statement". However the controversy increased, and critics of the "new theology" of Ford and others formed their own institutions.
Julius Nam
Julius Nam
Julius Juhyeok Nam is an associate professor of religion at Loma Linda University School of Religion in California, and a commissioned minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He teaches Adventist history and theology. He is active in the American Academy of Religion, Adventist Society for...
has written,
- "However, the theological heirs of Andreasen have found such developments deeply troubling. Since 1971, several independent ministry groups have arisen within the Adventist church that have self-consciously embraced Andreasen’s postlapsarian views and the accompanying theology of the final generation, which they believe is supported by the writings of Ellen White. Since their inception, these groups have warned against the evangelicalization of Adventism and have issued calls to the church at large to return to the Adventism of the pre-Questions on Doctrine era. Like Andreasen, they have seen the Adventist-evangelical conferences and the publication of Questions on Doctrine as the beginning of the end-time apostasy. From the perspective of these groups, the prelapsarian view advocated by Questions on Doctrine and embraced by many Adventists is another sign of the apostasy that continues in the church. They view Adventism as a movement that is to be deliberately separate from other groups such as evangelicals. Their vision of Adventism is a movement that is preparing the final generation of Christians who will ultimately overcome sin."
The 1975 book Perfection: The Impossible Possibility (Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
: Southern Publishing Association, 1975) edited by Douglass, contained essays by Douglass and C. Mervyn Maxwell supporting historic views, and Edward Heppenstall
Edward Heppenstall
Edward E. Heppenstall was a leading Bible scholar and theologian of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. A 1985 questionnaire of North American Adventist lecturers revealed Heppenstall was the Adventist writer who had most influenced them.- Biography :Heppenstall was born in 1901 at Rotherham,...
and Hans LaRondelle
Hans LaRondelle
Hans Karl LaRondelle was a respected Seventh-day Adventist theologian; a strong proponent of the gospel and salvation by faith alone. In a 1985 questionnaire of North American Adventist Theology lecturers, LaRondelle tied for fourth place among the Adventist authors who had most influenced them,...
supporting the mainstream view.
Theology
Historic Adventist theology differs from mainstream Adventist theology in the areas of ChristologyChristology
Christology is the field of study within Christian theology which is primarily concerned with the nature and person of Jesus Christ as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament. Primary considerations include the relationship of Jesus' nature and person with the nature...
, hamartiology
Hamartiology
Hamartiology is the branch of Christian theology, which aims to develop and articulate a doctrine of the biblical concept of sin....
(sin), soteriology
Soteriology
The branch of Christian theology that deals with salvation and redemption is called Soteriology. It is derived from the Greek sōtērion + English -logy....
(salvation) and eschatology
Eschatology
Eschatology is a part of theology, philosophy, and futurology concerned with what are believed to be the final events in history, or the ultimate destiny of humanity, commonly referred to as the end of the world or the World to Come...
(end times). They often use the term "new theology" as a pejorative term for perceived doctrinal shifts in the church.
With regards to Christology, Historic Adventists believe that Jesus Christ possessed a fallen nature in common with all the children of Adam
Adam and Eve
Adam and Eve were, according to the Genesis creation narratives, the first human couple to inhabit Earth, created by YHWH, the God of the ancient Hebrews...
but with a propensity to sin. This view of Jesus' nature was prevalent in Adventism prior to the 1950s, but is now a minority position among theologians and mainstream Adventism.
Sin
Sin
In religion, sin is the violation or deviation of an eternal divine law or standard. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Christians believe the moral code of conduct is decreed by God In religion, sin (also called peccancy) is the violation or deviation...
is defined in terms of personal trangressions of the commandments, over against an inborn corruption of the human nature inherited from Adam.
Historic Adventists tend to place more emphasis on sanctification
Sanctification
Sanctity is an ancient concept widespread among religions, a property of a thing or person sacred or set apart within the religion, from totem poles through temple vessels to days of the week, to a human believer who achieves this state. Sanctification is the act or process of acquiring sanctity,...
than justification
Justification (theology)
Rising out of the Protestant Reformation, Justification is the chief article of faith describing God's act of declaring or making a sinner righteous through Christ's atoning sacrifice....
. Following Andreasen, they define the atonement in terms of God’s work to cleanse our character from sin as well as payment of the penalty for sin. The work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary is regarded as a continuation of the work of atonement begun on the cross, rather than the application of the benefits of an already completed atonement.
"Eschatological perfectionism" is the teaching that a final generation of believers must achieve a state of complete sinlessness (or Christlikeness) in the final period just before the second coming
Second Coming
In Christian doctrine, the Second Coming of Christ, the Second Advent, or the Parousia, is the anticipated return of Jesus Christ from Heaven, where he sits at the Right Hand of God, to Earth. This prophecy is found in the canonical gospels and in most Christian and Islamic eschatologies...
of Jesus (see Last Generation Theology
Last Generation Theology
Last Generation Theology or "final generation" theology is a belief system of overcoming sin held by some conservative members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which claims that perfection will be achieved by some people in the last generation before the Second Coming of Jesus much like the...
)and most Historic Adventists hold to that teaching. This belief in sinlessness arose particularly from M. L. Andreasen
M. L. Andreasen
M.[ilian] L.[auritz] Andreasen , was a Seventh-day Adventist theologian, pastor and author.He was one of the church's most prominent and influential theologians during the 1930s and 1940s. Andreasen promoted the teaching known popularly as Last Generation Theology, controversial for its views on...
's interpretation of the investigative judgment doctrine, which is one of the pillars of adventism and found in The Great Controversy
The Great Controversy (book)
The Great Controversy is a book written by Ellen G. White, one of the founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and held in esteem as a prophet of God among SDA members. It describes the "Great Controversy theme" between Jesus and Satan, as played out over the millennia from its start in heaven,...
by Ellen G. White
Ellen G. White
Ellen Gould White was a prolific author and an American Christian pioneer. She, along with other Sabbatarian Adventist leaders, such as Joseph Bates and her husband James White, would form what is now known as the Seventh-day Adventist Church.Ellen White reported to her fellow believers her...
.
Historic Adventists generally place more emphasis on the writings of Ellen G. White
Ellen G. White
Ellen Gould White was a prolific author and an American Christian pioneer. She, along with other Sabbatarian Adventist leaders, such as Joseph Bates and her husband James White, would form what is now known as the Seventh-day Adventist Church.Ellen White reported to her fellow believers her...
as a doctrinal authority compared to mainstream Adventists, some considering her writings as infallible
Biblical infallibility
Biblical infallibility is the belief that what the Bible says regarding matters of faith and Christian practice is wholly useful and true. It is the "belief that the Bible is completely trustworthy as a guide to salvation and the life of faith and will not fail to accomplish its purpose...
and having near-equivalent status to the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
.
Historic Adventists have a differing perspective on the 1888 Minneapolis General Conference
1888 Minneapolis General Conference
The 1888 Minneapolis General Conference Session was a meeting of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists held in Minneapolis, Minnesota in October of 1888. It is regarded as a landmark event in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Key participants were Alonzo T. Jones, Ellet J....
arguing that Ellen White supported the perfectionistic theology of Jones and Waggoner.
Some historic Adventists are advocates of the King James Only movement, which promotes sole use of the King James Version of the Bible. (A classic book in this movement, Our Authorized Bible Vindicated
Our Authorized Bible Vindicated
Our Authorized Bible Vindicated is a book written by Seventh-day Adventist scholar Dr. Benjamin G. Wilkinson advocating the King James Only position, published in 1930...
(1930), was written by an Adventist, Benjamin G. Wilkinson
Benjamin G. Wilkinson
Dr. Benjamin George Wilkinson was a Seventh-day Adventist missionary, educator, theologian and the Dean of Theology at the Seventh-day Adventist Washington Missionary College which is located in Takoma Park, Maryland, near Washington, D.C.-Biography:Wilkinson is an obscure figure today, and is...
. One critique is by Alden Thompson
Alden Thompson
Alden Lloyd Thompson is a Seventh-day Adventist Christian theologian, author and popular speaker and seminar presenter. He is the professor of biblical studies at Walla Walla University in Washington, United States...
.)
Last Generation Theology
Last Generation Theology (LGT) or "final generation" theology is a belief system held by some conservative members of the Seventh-day Adventist ChurchSeventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
, which claims that perfection
Christian perfection
Christian perfection, also known as perfect love; heart purity; the baptism of the Holy Spirit; the fullness of the blessing; Christian holiness; the second blessing; and entire sanctification, is a Christian doctrine which holds that the heart of the regenerant Christian may attain a state of...
will be achieved by some people in the last generation before the Second Coming
Second Coming
In Christian doctrine, the Second Coming of Christ, the Second Advent, or the Parousia, is the anticipated return of Jesus Christ from Heaven, where he sits at the Right Hand of God, to Earth. This prophecy is found in the canonical gospels and in most Christian and Islamic eschatologies...
of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
. It is closely related to "historic Adventism", but as one supporter claims, it differs in that it forms an extension or development of "historic" Adventist beliefs, or takes them to their logical conclusion.
Like mainstream Adventist theology, it teaches that Jesus Christ was not only the Substitute for man but the Example for man, but insists that Christians
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
will have to cease from sin after the close of probation just before the Second Coming
Second Coming
In Christian doctrine, the Second Coming of Christ, the Second Advent, or the Parousia, is the anticipated return of Jesus Christ from Heaven, where he sits at the Right Hand of God, to Earth. This prophecy is found in the canonical gospels and in most Christian and Islamic eschatologies...
, and confesses that the close of the age has been delayed by unconsecration in Christians but can be accelerated through their living of holy lives.
Criticism
Mainstream and progressive Adventists have criticised the use of the term "historic". It is observed that numerous doctrinal positions that were common among the Adventist pioneers are generally not held by those who profess to be "historic Adventists", such as semi-ArianismArianism
Arianism is the theological teaching attributed to Arius , a Christian presbyter from Alexandria, Egypt, concerning the relationship of the entities of the Trinity and the precise nature of the Son of God as being a subordinate entity to God the Father...
, which time of day the Sabbath should begin, certain understandings of Systematic Benevolence, the "shut door", and the personhood of the Holy Spirit. It is argued that the over-valuing of "historic" beliefs leads to an unhelpful neglect of "new light" and "present truth", which Adventists have always held as defining beliefs.
Walter Martin labeled most of the historic Adventists he encountered as "legalists," "worshippers of Ellen White" and the "lunatic fringe." The term was earlier used by LeRoy Edwin Froom when Adventist leaders met with Martin.
Adventist historian Milton Hook
Milton Hook
Milton Raymond Hook is a Seventh-day Adventist religion educator, author and church historian. He is an honorary research fellow at Avondale College, New South Wales, Australia.- Biography :...
describes it as "Adventist fundamentalism". He cites the aggressive preaching style of George Burnside who attacked Roman Catholics and "apostate" Protestants. Hook claims this turned many away, and some of the remaining merely "loved a religious dogfight", and converts "often generated dust storms of intolerance and became clones of militant dogmatism among their peers." He states this style of evangelism was once the norm amongst Adventist preachers, and had roots in 19th century Methodism in the United States.
Andy Nash wrote that while working at the Adventist Review, he was "often perplexed about how our ability to function at the magazine was disrupted by some folk on the conservative extreme". In response to articles on worship, they would get many critical letters which were based more on tradition than on the Bible. They would airbrush jewelry out of photos to placate some readers.
Historic Adventists look favourably on a past era of the church. Phil Dunham, a fairly conservative author himself, critiqued "nostalgia about the good old days of 'historic Adventism.' In some people's minds it seems to be a time of the most unblemished and unassailable doctrinal positions, the highest possible moral standards, the deepest spiritual maturity, the best snowlike purity, the utmost in readiness to be translated.[…] But the way we often use the expression 'historic Seventh-day Adventism' is built on an idealized and unrealistic notion of what our early church was really like."
- "These days a lot of well-meaning people yearn for the supposedly purer days of the past. They feel that if they could just retrieve historic Seventh-day Adventism and bathe in its supposedly clearer waters, they'd be better able to resist last-day influences.
- 'Back then,' they assert, 'people had a higher level of spirituality—and a lower rate of problems. Back then apostasy was somehow banned, or at least kept at bay.'
- Not true. Not true for historic Seventh-day Adventism. Not true for the historic church of Christ—the New Testament church. Not true for the seventh-day church in the wilderness—historic JudaismJudaismJudaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
. Not true even for the First Church of Eden, because its entire two-member congregation ran and hid in naked apostasy. - No, you can't just change your group's name, or meet in a Grange Hall someplace, to escape apostasy. The seeds of apostasy grow not in a name or a place or a time—but in the hearts of every person on this planet since Adam and Eve.[…]"
Responses to criticism
In response, some historic Adventists have claimed that they are loving in their evangelism and deny that the charge of fanaticism applies to them. They quote statements by Ellen White to support their view. For instance:- "Men will misrepresent the doctrines we believe and teach as Bible truth, and it is necessary that wise plans should be laid to secure the privilege of inserting articles into the secular papers; for this will be a means of awakening souls to see the truth. God will raise up men who will be qualified to sow beside all waters. God has given great light upon important truths, and it must come to the world."
- "We must take every justifiable means of bringing the light before the people. Let the press be utilized, and let every advertising agency be employed that will call attention to the work. This should not be regarded as nonessential. On every street corner you may see placards and notices calling attention to various things that are going on, some of them of the most objectionable character; and shall those who have the light of life be satisfied with feeble efforts to call the attention of the masses to the truth?"
Methodist scholar Donald Dayton expressed some sympathies for historic Adventists in his paper presented at the Questions on Doctrine 50th anniversary conference.
Official church reaction
The Seventh-day Adventist ChurchSeventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
has officially reacted to two organisations which espouse "historic Adventist" theology. In 1998, the General Conference
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is the governing organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, where it moved in 1989...
established a committee to evaluate the beliefs and activities of Hope International, the Hartland Institute (USA) and Remnant Ministries (Australia). The committee produced a report expressing "serious concerns with respect to the nature and purpose of Hope International and associates."
The conclusion of the report stated that "by rejecting the authority of the world church in session
General Conference Session
The General Conference Session is the official world meeting of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The first session was held on May 20, 1863 with 20 delegates in attendance, and it is now held quinquennially ....
when their interpretation of Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy differs from that of the church, [Hope International and associates] have set their authority above that of the world church and operate in a manner that is consistent with offshoot movements." The report also contained a significant threat: "If Hope International and associates cannot bring themselves into harmony with the body of the world church, clearly evidenced within 12 months, the Seventh-day Adventist Church may need to consider whether there exists a “persistent refusal to recognize properly constituted church authority or to submit to the order and discipline of the church” (Church Manual, p. 169)."
According to one article, the policy of the Adventist church in North America
North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda is officially organized as the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists...
is that members of Hartland or Hope International may not hold any church office.
Para-church ministries
Historic Adventists have established a number of independent ministriesIndependent ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has a number of supporting, parachurch, independent, self-supporting and other such organisations that work adjunct to the official church....
and parachurch organizations which assist in the articulation and defense of their views. Two primary historic Adventist organizations located in the United States are Hope International
Hope International (Seventh-day Adventist)
Hope International is an independent organization, operated by members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church who hold very conservative beliefs. It is based in Knoxville, Illinois. The official Adventist church has criticized it for being disruptive.- History :...
and the Hartland Institute
Hartland Institute
Hartland Institute, officially Hartland Institute of Health and Education, is an independent educational organization operated by members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is located in Rapidan, Virginia in the United States...
.
Hope International, currently led by Ron Spear, runs a publishing ministry and a health center..
Hartland Institute comprises an educational college and school associated with Colin Standish
Standish brothers
Colin D. Standish and Russell Roland Standish are identical twin brothers and "historic" Seventh-day Adventists. They are often referred to collectively as the Standish brothers...
(who founded the organization) and his brother Russell. It publishes their books http://hartlandpublications.com/STANDISH.html and others, as well as Last Generation magazine. Russell edits The Remnant Herald.
Remnant Ministries was founded by Russell Standish and is based in Australia.
Concerned Brethren
The term "Concerned Brethren" describes a Adventist movement in AustralasiaAustralasia
Australasia is a region of Oceania comprising Australia, New Zealand, the island of New Guinea, and neighbouring islands in the Pacific Ocean. The term was coined by Charles de Brosses in Histoire des navigations aux terres australes...
(not to be confused with the Brethren
Plymouth Brethren
The Plymouth Brethren is a conservative, Evangelical Christian movement, whose history can be traced to Dublin, Ireland, in the late 1820s. Although the group is notable for not taking any official "church name" to itself, and not having an official clergy or liturgy, the title "The Brethren," is...
churches, a Christian movement entirely separate from Adventism). The description was used of a group of retired ministers opposed to Desmond Ford
Desmond Ford
Desmond "Des" Ford is an evangelical Christian and an Australian theologian. He is the father of pornography gossip columnist Luke Ford....
's teachings, particularly during his time as head of theology at Avondale College
Avondale College
Avondale College of Higher Education is an Australian tertiary education provider affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Avondale College has two campuses, Lake Macquarie being the primary campus situated in Cooranbong, New South Wales...
, and who urged for his dismissal. The name derived from their signature or self-designation on a letter in the 1970s, although the stream of thought had been discernible earlier. According to E. Bruce Price, "'Concerned Brethren' was abbreviated to 'CB' as a term of derision for those opposing Dr. Ford’s new theology." According to the Standishes, "Hope International is to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
what the Gazeley meetings are to Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and the Concerned Brethren are to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
."
The group was led by James William Kent (1890 – May 5, 1983, Australia, aged 93), a "veteran Australian evangelist and administrator" who chaired a meeting of "concerned" individuals in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
in 1974. On 3–4 February 1976 a group of 16 men (11 "senior ministers", all retired, and 5 laymen) including Kent and George Burnside (1908–1994), a New Zealand evangelist (described as the "foremost anti-Ford pamphleteer") was given a hearing by 20 men from the Biblical Research Institute
Biblical Research Institute
The Biblical Research Institute is a service department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with the three stated functions of research, apologetics , and service to the church. It serves as a theological consultant to the General Conference...
in the Australasian Division (now the South Pacific Division
South Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific, , is formally organised as the South Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists , also abbreviated as the South Pacific Division or simply "the Division". It is one of 13 world divisions of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in...
). According to one author, Ford's understanding of righteousness by faith was the main issue, while the report describes "concern about the teaching of theology at Avondale College, particularly in the area of the Sanctuary
Heavenly sanctuary
In Seventh-day Adventist theology, the heavenly sanctuary teaching asserts that many aspects of the Hebrew tabernacle or sanctuary are representative of heavenly realities. In particular, Jesus is regarded as a High Priest who provides cleansing for human sins by the sacrificial shedding of his...
, the Age of the Earth
Age of the Earth
The age of the Earth is 4.54 billion years This age is based on evidence from radiometric age dating of meteorite material and is consistent with the ages of the oldest-known terrestrial and lunar samples...
, and Inspiration". In response, the Institute affirmed its support for Avondale in its report.
In March 1977, Kent and others met with Ford and church administrators. They were informed this would be the last time they could meet with church leaders as a group. Kent and Burnside were banned from preaching in the churches on December 18, 1978 because of their continued opposition to Ford. A. C. Needham replaced Kent as unofficial leader around this time, as the latter approached his 90th birthday.
According to Arthur Patrick, "Looking back on the painful saga of the 'Concerned Brethren' from 1974 to the present, it is apparent that a better application of essentials for effective pastoral care may have alleviated some of the controversy." Also, "Following the conflicts that gained intensity in the 1950s, during the 1970s the Adventist Church in Australasia made significant progress in better understanding and presenting 'the everlasting gospel;' but it failed to win the support of certain older members. In addition, viewpoints similar to those of the Concerned Brethren were promulgated by a variety of independent groups." He has described them as "loyalists".
Adventist Laymen's Fellowship
The Adventist Laymen's Fellowship (ALF) was founded in 1979 to counter the growing Desmond Ford movement in Australia. They held a series of weekend meetings at Vision Valley, outside Sydney, to which local and overseas conservative Adventist speakers were invited and to which several thousand Adventists attended over several years. Early speakers included Colin Standish, Ralph Larson, George Burnside, Austin Cooke, Mervyn Maxwell, Leroy Moore, Dennis Priebe and others. They also published a magazine for several years named Landmarks. The ALF succumbed to theological unorthodoxy and disbanded about 1986.Publishing
Historic Adventists have a particularly strong commitment to publishing, and often disseminate free literature to promote their views to the mainstream church and wider public. Historic Adventist publishers have been criticized for using misleading titles and concealing their links with Seventh-day Adventism.- Our Firm Foundation is a monthly magazine published by Hope International. Alden ThompsonAlden ThompsonAlden Lloyd Thompson is a Seventh-day Adventist Christian theologian, author and popular speaker and seminar presenter. He is the professor of biblical studies at Walla Walla University in Washington, United States...
has described it as "the theological heir to the perfectionism of the 'old' Adventist Review (era of Kenneth WoodKenneth H. WoodKenneth H. Wood, Jr. was a Seventh-day Adventist minister, author, editor, and administrator. Since 1980 he served as chairman of the Ellen G. White Estate board of trustees. By virtue of this position he also served as an ex officio member of the General Conference Executive Committee.- Life and...
), though its strident criticism of mainstream Adventism has alienated many who would share its theological perspective." The Standishes consider it "the finest English language message paper in the entire denomination." - Anchor is a historic Adventist magazine which was first published in April 1985. It was first edited by H. H. Meyers, and later by Ron and Ula Cable; published from QueenslandQueenslandQueensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia. - Pilgrim's Rest or Waymarks are self-publishedSelf-publishingSelf-publishing is the publication of any book or other media by the author of the work, without the involvement of an established third-party publisher. The author is responsible and in control of entire process including design , formats, price, distribution, marketing & PR...
by Vance Ferrell. Alden Thompson describes the publication as "A strident 'Adventist' voice (Vance Ferrell), literally from the wilderness (of Tennessee). Pilgrim's Rest has been active in stirring up traditional elements in Adventist against the 'compromising' mainstream Adventist institutions, especially the General Conference and Adventist colleges." Ferrell also set up SDADefend.com and EllenWhiteDefend.com. - Quo Vadis (archives) is a magazine edited by Kevin Paulson. The title is taken from the Latin expressionQuo vadisQuo vadis? is a Latin phrase meaning "Where are you going?" or "Whither goest thou?" The modern usage of the phrase refers to Christian tradition, related in the apocryphal Acts of Peter , in which Saint Peter meets Jesus as Peter is fleeing from likely crucifixion in Rome...
.
Other notable historic Adventist people
- M. L. AndreasenM. L. AndreasenM.[ilian] L.[auritz] Andreasen , was a Seventh-day Adventist theologian, pastor and author.He was one of the church's most prominent and influential theologians during the 1930s and 1940s. Andreasen promoted the teaching known popularly as Last Generation Theology, controversial for its views on...
— author of The Sanctuary Service (Review and HeraldReview and Herald Publishing AssociationThe Review and Herald Publishing Association is one of two major Seventh-day Adventist publishing houses in North America and is the oldest institution of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The organization publishes books, magazines, study guides, CDs, videos and games for Adventist churches,...
, 1947), and credited with developing Last Generation TheologyLast Generation TheologyLast Generation Theology or "final generation" theology is a belief system of overcoming sin held by some conservative members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which claims that perfection will be achieved by some people in the last generation before the Second Coming of Jesus much like the...
. - Herbert E. DouglassHerbert E. DouglassHerbert Edgar Douglass, Jr. is a Seventh-day Adventist theologian. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts as the oldest of five children to Herbert Edgar Douglass Sr and Mildred Jennie Munson...
- Ralph Larson
- Mervyn Maxwell (d. 21 July 1999), son of "Uncle Arthur" MaxwellArthur S. MaxwellArthur Stanley Maxwell , otherwise known as Uncle Arthur, was a well-known author, editor, and administrator of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.-Biography:...
- Larry Kirkpatrick is a pastor who runs the "anti-liberal" historic website GreatControversy.org
- Doug BatchelorDoug BatchelorDoug Batchelor is an evangelist of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and author of several books including The Richest Caveman. His primary ministry is Amazing Facts - a worldwide television and radio broadcast ministry based in Sacramento, California. He also pastors the Sacramento Central...
- Speaker/Director of Amazing FactsAmazing FactsAmazing Facts is an American Christian ministry. Beginning as a single radio program in 1966 it has expanded into television programming, training, health, prophecy seminars and online Bible study ministries. Its theology is largely that of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.-History:Amazing Facts... - A. Jan Marcussen, author of National Sunday Law
- Dennis Priebe (website) - Amazing FactsAmazing FactsAmazing Facts is an American Christian ministry. Beginning as a single radio program in 1966 it has expanded into television programming, training, health, prophecy seminars and online Bible study ministries. Its theology is largely that of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.-History:Amazing Facts...
revivalist - Joe Crews, who founded Amazing FactsAmazing FactsAmazing Facts is an American Christian ministry. Beginning as a single radio program in 1966 it has expanded into television programming, training, health, prophecy seminars and online Bible study ministries. Its theology is largely that of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.-History:Amazing Facts...
in the United States - Col Martens, of Steps to Life (website) in Australia
Transition to non-Adventist
- Australian Robert BrinsmeadRobert BrinsmeadRobert Daniel "Bob" Brinsmead is a formerly controversial figure within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 1960s and 1970s, known for his diverse theological journey....
promoted the "Awakening Movement" in the 1960s before transitioning to a strong evangelical Adventist focus, and then later rejecting many Adventist and orthodox Christian beliefs.
Transition to progressive Adventism
- Woodrow W. Whidden II, who has described himself as "a self-confessed former post-Fall perfectionist". See his interview by Julius NamJulius NamJulius Juhyeok Nam is an associate professor of religion at Loma Linda University School of Religion in California, and a commissioned minister of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He teaches Adventist history and theology. He is active in the American Academy of Religion, Adventist Society for...
, in which he describes historic Adventists and his relationship with them. - Martin Weber
External links
Supportive:- Historic Adventism: Remembering to Trust and Obey by Ralph Larson in Jan/Feb 1994 edition of Adventist Today
- Colin Standish. "Historic Adventism: Part 1". Our Firm Foundation v18 May 2003, p. 21-23, 30; "Historic Adventism: Part 2". Our Firm Foundation v18 June 2003, p. 16-19, 27
- Is Historic Adventism Doomed to Fail by the Eternal Gospel ChurchEternal Gospel ChurchThe Eternal Gospel Church is a ministry that was founded in 1992 by Seventh-day Adventist believers. Previously known as the Eternal Gospel Seventh-day Adventist Church, they are best known for a 2-page ad in USA today entitled "Earth's Final Warning" in 1999...
. - Hope International and Associates — Another Perspective by C. Mervyn Maxwell, previously published on the site as the "Four Legitimate Hungers" Letter. A response to the report below
- Why We See the Nature of Christ as a Life-or-Death Issue by Robert Wieland
- With Cloak and Dagger: History of the 'Washington Curia' by H. H. Meyers
Neutral or critical:
- "Report on Hope International and Associated Groups", a statement of concern by the General ConferenceGeneral Conference of Seventh-day AdventistsThe General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is the governing organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is located in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, where it moved in 1989...
about Hope International, the Hartland Institute, and Remnant Ministries. Published in the Adventist Review in August 31, 2000, MinistryMinistry (magazine)Ministry: International Journal for Pastors is an international monthly magazine for Christian ministers, with a circulation of approximately 100,000. It is published by the Ministerial Association , an official body of the worldwide Adventist church. It is aimed at pastors and ministers of the...
in August 2000, and by the Biblical Research InstituteBiblical Research InstituteThe Biblical Research Institute is a service department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with the three stated functions of research, apologetics , and service to the church. It serves as a theological consultant to the General Conference...
on their website - Ellen White on the Humanity of Christ, a chronological study by Woodrow W. Whidden II. Chapter 10, To "Historic Adventism": A Proposal for Dialogue and Reconciliation.
- Primacy of the Gospel Committee - Report from the Biblical Research InstituteBiblical Research InstituteThe Biblical Research Institute is a service department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with the three stated functions of research, apologetics , and service to the church. It serves as a theological consultant to the General Conference...
, regarding the 1888 Message Study Committee - "Essential Adventism or historic Adventism?" by Woodrow Whidden in MinistryMinistry (magazine)Ministry: International Journal for Pastors is an international monthly magazine for Christian ministers, with a circulation of approximately 100,000. It is published by the Ministerial Association , an official body of the worldwide Adventist church. It is aimed at pastors and ministers of the...
October 1993 - Progressive and Traditional Adventists Examined by Ron Corson in Adventist TodayAdventist TodayAdventist Today is a bimonthly Christian magazine representing a progressive Seventh-day Adventist perspective. First published in 1993, it is currently edited by J. David Newman, the former editor of Ministry...
. - The Shaking of Adventism book by Australian Anglican Geoffrey J. Paxton
- "A Review of the Awakening Message" (Part I first published May 1972, Part II first published April 1973), Robert Brinsmead's assessment of his earlier historic views
- "From Controversy to Crisis: An Updated Assessment of Seventh-day Adventism" by Kenneth R. Samples. Christian Research Journal 11:1 (Summer 1988), p. 9
- Crosscurrents in Adventist Christology by Claude Webster (Peter Lang Publishing, 1984; Andrews University PressAndrews University PressAndrews University Press is an academic publishing authority operated under the auspices of Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Established with minimal funding in 1969, a permanent director was appointed in 1979...
, 1992) ISBN 0820401579 - "Voices in the Wilderness" by MaryAn Stirling
- To be categorized: Robert J. Wieland, Donald K. Short, authors of 1888 Re-examined. See Dennis Hokama, "Out of Africa: 1888 Re-examined Turns 50". Adventist Today 8:2 (March–April 2000), p12–13