In the Apologetic’s Study Bible on page 1,874 there is an article entitled What Are Common Characteristics of the New Religious Movements?
New Religious Movements (NRM) or the more traditional and not so nice sounding Cult (s) are in this case groups that while based on Christianity have significantly deviated from traditional Christianity in any number of ways. The article itself lists 27 different ways in which NRM’s or Cults have deviated from traditional Christianity and a few weeks ago before I went on my trip to Oregon and back I sat down and discussed the article with Richard Tinker founder of the original Former Adventist Fellowship group and design editor of Proclamation Magazine.
What I wanted to do was go over the list and give the Seventh Day Adventist Church a fair and honest review based on this list of statements, and having Richard as a sounding board was very helpful.
I’m writing this page as a heads up to Adventists and a warning to the concerned Christians who visit this site. One further clarification before I enumerate the points below: in my honest and humble opinion ( and the Bible’s also) one bit of leaven ruins the whole dough. If this list was one item long it would still mean that Adventism is a NRM/Cult, unfortunately the list is much longer that one erroneous item.
The List of Points Where Adventism Deviates from Biblical Christianity
- The group is almost always outside of dominant religious forms and culture and displays an op-positional style and substance meaning it is elitist and exclusionary.
- Often there is a “new authority” (Ellen G. White) or a new revelation (all her writings) besides the Bible truth from which adherents of the group must find ultimate truths.
- It is also possible that the group might claim “all we use is the Bible”. After which they reinterpret the Bible to justify, defend and promote false teachings. (Investigative Judgment, Soul Sleep, Remnant Church)
- The group is centered around a central figure (EGW) who is/was a prophet-founder “chosen” by God to deliver a special message to the modern world (See point 3). This message is not found in the Bible nor has it been known to genuine Christians in the history of the Church, they might also “recover” a teaching of the ancient Church that has been lost through the centuries.
- This leader (EGW) was [...] authoritarian.
- Often this group teaches that the Bible foretold the coming of its particular group or leader. (In a sermon by Dwight Nelson he stated that just as John the Baptist came before Christ…that EGW would also come before Christ’s Second Coming) when I find that sermon I will link to it.
- The group thinks of its belief system as the last bastion of God’s work on earth, the adherents are God’s “final and last group” and they play a central role in the last things. They have the exclusive spiritual truth and without them the world is doomed.
- The group believes its adherents are being persecuted (and will be persecuted in the future)- (National Sunday Law).
- The group engages in predatory and destructive recruitment of new members with vigor, zeal and high pressure. Often they are very deceptive and fail to reveal their full theology.
- The group sanctions wayward and rebellious members.
- The group is fixated on eschatology (end times) and is usually apocalyptic in its teaching. (This is especially true in Revelation Seminars and Recruitment).
- The lifestyle of its groups members is highly legalistic.
- Some groups (within Adventism) are strictly controlled by and authoritative power that basically is in charge of controlling multiple aspects of those involved with the group.
- The group emphasizes secondary issues and minor points of theology.
- The group claims that it is in harmony with the Bible and traditional Christianity but in fact it reduces and discounts the Bible or otherwise adds to scripture. (Bible writers like EGW in other words fallible, adds to Scripture or butchers it entirely Steps to Christ/The Great Controversy/The Clear Word (Adventist Paraphrase…big time Paraphrase of the Bible).
- The group has hijacked traditional Christian vocabulary, but has redefined and reinterpreted terms and concepts from the Bible- making the words do double duty to defend abhorrent doctrine. Their language is pliable and has no fixed meaning.
- The group denies at least one central truth of Christianity in this case Adventists have heretical views of The Trinity, Jesus, the eternality of the Spirit, Christ’s finished work on the cross, Christ’s omniscience, The New Covenant, the work of the Holy Spirit and many more traditional Christian beliefs.
- The group teaches a “salvation through works” system whereby members must ultimately save themselves. (EGW taught and Adventists believe they will have to stand perfect without a Mediator).
- The group dabbles in the Occult and Spiritism. (EGW and the Green Cord…and more).
It goes without saying that Adventism is a NRM/Cult and a very dangerous one at that, I hope that you have found this page helpful, I also pray that my Adventist friends will pray to God and read this list with an open heart.
In Christ,
U.A.
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ross. why bash the Sda church if it so evil move on really go on to a different understanding of the gospel and quit living in the past and free yourself from the hate and resentment that is eating you up inside. I knew you from Mentone Sda.
Your brother in Christ,
Brian Condon
Brother Brian,
I am not living in the past nor am I bashing the SDA Church. What I am doing on this blog and especially this post is very important. As believers were told to call out teachers of false doctrine and the things they teach. this is especially true when, as Adventists do, they try and disguise what they teach and are passing off their beliefs as Christian..and in some- scratch that- many cases the Christian community as a whole fails to see the danger.
Can you really look at the above list and tell me that Adventism is not dangerous? Can you really look at that above list and say that I shouldn’t warn Christians about what Adventists are really about?
In Christ,
Ross
Ross,
Move on and let christ decide who the is the wheat and who is a tare After all if the Sda church is so bad it willl be choked out in the end, right?
Yours in Christ,
Brian C
Sorry Brian I’ve been very busy.
You seem to think I haven’t moved on when indeed I have. However the Bible tells us in the book of Jude to “Contend for the Faith once and for all delivered to the Saints”. That is why this blog and my Christian blog exist to contend for the faith, to expound on correct understanding of the scriptures and reveal when there is deception within “so called” Christian denominations.
I can’t not do that it’s what I’m called as a believer to do.
That said not only does Christ decide who is the wheat and the chaff but as believers we know who the wheat is…and because of His Spirit in us we can discern the what from the chaff.
Hope you had a blessed Christmas!
Ross
Ross, isnt it Gods job to decide who will be saved or lost why point out other shortcomings or sins isnt that the job of the holy spirit to convict us if we are sinning. I dont think that trying to show how Adventisim is dangerous is going to change things for many people. Christ called us to show others through our liffestyle hoe we are diffferent from the from the world. This will do more then pointing out how one group is wrong and why rhey are wrong. zaftr all isint that the job of the holy spirit to convict us about what is right and wrong.
Your brother in Christ,
Brian C
Yes the Holy Spirit does convict us of sin.
He’s also living in me right now, as He seals and indwells the new believer unto salvation at the moment of conversion.
That aspect of the Holy Spirit is I’d argue much more complete than the Adventist teaching that He walks alongside us showing us the way and then leaves if we watch a bad movie.
I’m sure God loved Transformers Dark of the Moon as much as I did…which was not very much.;)
As a believer I am called to point out false doctrines and teaching, so I can’t stop doing what all believers are called to do can I?
In Christ,
Ross
It is interesting how Mormons and SDA’s respond to any comments they perceive as critiquing, or comparing and contrasting their beliefs with orthodox Christianity. When both groups preach that everyone else is wrong, and they are the only ones who have the truth, doesn’t that put them in a position of bashing all other Christian groups?
Showing how dangerous Adventism and other unorthodox cults are, is absolutely something Christians should do. I wish I had known more about Adventism when I joined in the 70′s. It is hard to make an informed decision when many facts are hidden, or purposely lied about.
Keep up the good work, Ross!
Carol
Wow! This is a very interesting and well put together list. Clearly you have had a very heartbreaking experience with Seventh-Day Adventists on a whole, for which I truly apologize. However, I have a few questions about the comparative list mentioned above.
Wasn’t Christ “outside of dominant religious forms and culture” in His day, refusing to submit to traditions or the teachings of the scribes and the Pharisees?
Doesn’t being a “Christian” mean following in Christ’s footsteps?
Didn’t Ellen White herself refuse to be called a “prophetess”? “I said that I did not claim to be a prophetess. I have not stood before the people claiming this title, though many called me thus. I have been instructed to say, “I am God’s messenger, sent to bear a message of reproof to the erring and of encouragement to the meek and lowly.” With pen and with voice I am to bear the messages given me. The word given me is, “You are faithfully to reprove those who would mar the faith of the people of God. Write out the things which I shall give you, that they may stand as a witness to the truth till the end of time.” {Review and Herald: January 26, 1905, par. 18}.
Weren’t the children of Israel a “group centered around a central figure (Moses) who was a prophet-founder “chosen” by God to deliver a special message to the modern world”?
Didn’t the “Dark Ages” really happen where a national Sunday law was enforced and “Christians” were slaughtered by the thousands, which led Bible writers and Christ Himself to warn us of history repeating itself? (See Matthew chapter 24 and Revelation chapter 13)
Were you aware that Jehovah’s Witnesses and other religions behave as “groups engaging in predatory and destructive recruitment of new members with vigor, zeal and high pressure. Often being very deceptive and failing to reveal their full theology”?
Doesn’t the Bible promote leadership within large groups of people? (See the book of Numbers)
If the Bible clearly states that the human race had to be “redeemed” because of failure to keep God’s law holy, would it be okay to say that those who have been redeemed should learn to be “true” by putting Him first, not bowing down to graven images, not taking His name in vain, keeping His holy day, honoring their mothers and fathers, not killing, committing adultery, stealing, lying, or coveting what doesn’t belong to them? (“The lifestyle of its groups members is highly legalistic”)
Aren’t there several places in Scripture where the Lord Himself speaks of choosing a “generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people”? (1 Peter 2:9)
Weren’t the Jews chosen of God to be “the light of the world” before their final rejection of Him where these tearful words were forced from His lips, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that kills the prophets, and stones them that are sent to thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” Matthew 23:37, 38
Although Seventh-day Adventists believe themselves to be God’s remnant church don’t they also believe the Scripture where Jesus says “…other sheep I have, which are not of this fold”? John 10:16
As Bible believing Christians shouldn’t the Holy Scriptures be the “source” that we use to determine which religion we should become a part of?
Although I have a few more questions, I’ll stop here. I am only seeking clarity about a few of the statements that you mentioned above.
However, I’ll part with this quote that I found written by Ellen White, ” Seventh-day Adventists have been chosen by God as a peculiar people, separate from the world. By the great cleaver of truth He has cut them out from the quarry of the world and brought them into connection with Himself. He has made them His representatives and has called them to be ambassadors for Him in the last work of salvation. The greatest wealth of truth ever entrusted to mortals, the most solemn and fearful warnings ever sent by God to man, have been committed to them to be given to the world”.–7T 138 (1902). “In a special sense Seventh-day Adventists have been set in the world as watchmen and light bearers. To them has been entrusted the last warning for a perishing world. On them is shining wonderful light from the Word of God. They have been given a work of the most solemn import–the proclamation of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. There is no other work of so great importance. They are to allow nothing else to absorb their attention”.–9T 19 (1909). Be Blessed!
Thank you for the wonderful long response and questions!
I promise to answer them more fully with a real set of answers but currently I don’t have the time right now since I’m getting ready to go to a full days filming on a Christian film I’m acting in.
So consider this response as a acknowledgement that I have seen your post/queries and will respond to them as soon as I get a free moment.
God Bless.
Please forgive my lengthy response. I am just a newbie seeking light.
Be Blessed!
Believe me I understand.
It could take me a while to frame my response because of the film and the fact that I like to get replies right the first time if at all possible…but I will get a response to you.
Thanks again for your questions/comments.
God Bless
Ross