Is Seventh-day Adventism Christian or a Cult?
Seventh-day Adventism appears to be one of
the fastest growing religious groups in the world. Is Seventh-day Adventism
a Christian denomination or a pseudo-Christian cult?
Seventh-day Adventism has remained a controversial
and misunderstood group throughout its history. Evangelicals have often
been divided as to how Adventism should be classified. Adventism has
long born the stigma of being called a cult. Since Seventh-day Adventism
does officially accept the foundational doctrines of historic Christianity
(the inspiration and authority of the Bible, the Trinity, Christ's true
deity, His bodily resurrection, and salvation by grace through faith)
we do not believe that it should be classified as a cult. It is our
conviction that one cannot be a true Jehovah's Witness, Mormon, Christian
Scientist, etc., and be a practicing Christian in the biblical sense
of the word; but it is possible to be a Seventh-day Adventist and a
true follower of Jesus, despite certain distinctive Adventist doctrines
which we consider to be unbiblical.
This does not mean that we endorse the entire
theological system of Adventism, since a portion of it is definitely
out of the mainstream of historic Christian theology. This is seen in
their acceptance of Sabbatarianism, extinction of the soul upon death,
and their belief that the destiny of the wicked is annihilation. Though
we adamantly disagree with Adventists regarding these above mentioned
doctrines, it should be added that one could hold these views and remain
a believing Christian. In other words, these doctrines do not secure
nor necessarily inhibit salvation.
Seventh-day Adventism is far from being completely
unified in their beliefs. In fact, those who follow Adventism closely
know that the last two decades have been characterized by a deep internal
conflict which has divided the denomination and left many Adventists
disillusioned. Today, there are various divisions or factions within
Adventism. There are Adventists who could be described as being theologically
liberal (denying key foundational Christian doctrines), others who are
ultra-traditional (emphasizing almost exclusively Adventists distinctive
doctrines), and still others who are strongly evangelical (or gospel
centered).
Our research indicates, however, that mainstream
Adventism is primarily evangelical. While Adventism has not always been
crystal clear in making proper distinctions between what saves us (faith
or works), the great majority of Adventist scholars, teachers and pastors
that I have spoken with believe firmly in salvation by grace through
faith alone. Over the past four years, I have personally interviewed
over one hundred Adventist pastors and over twenty of their best scholars.
It is our sincere hope that this almost six-million-member
church body, which has historically been a mixture of orthodox and aberrational
doctrine, will move toward an even more sound evangelical position and
away from some of the doctrinal errors of its past. It is our hope that
the leadership of Seventh-day Adventism will lead its people out of
all forms of legalism and into the liberty that results from being justified
by God's grace through faith alone (Eph. 2:8-9).
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