Hello! Question Time!

[Zoness]

So I have not really explored Adventists much past a few readings on the traditional ones...and that was a bit out there for me. But I am curious about you guys! Some questions:

> What are key differences that separate you from other churches doctrinally?

> Describe your services: liturgical? contemporary? what goes on during them?

> Do your churches subscribe to a specific set of political values, if so, which?

> Are you technically SDA's or what? I don't want to mix up my terms here.

> Separate from the first question, what are your views on end times, salvation theology etc? Is there a church consensus or is it up to the individual?

Thanks for taking your time. God bless

 

[JonMiller]

We are SDAs and actually generally worship together/etc with those found in the traditional forum here.

Some of the traditional group here at CF just did not make us welcome a couple of years ago.

Generally the main differences between Progressive Adventists and Traditional Adventists are:

Cultural (We are more likely to be OK with jewelry/etc)
Doctrinal (We don't have the same interpretation of IJ and the remnant and don't agree that the last generation on earth must have character perfection independent of Christ)

Generally we fall under two types, either liberal Christians (a lot of the ones here) or more evangelical Christians (there are a few of us here, but this is actually what I have mostly seen in the churches I have been at).

JM

 

[JonMiller]

Specific answers:

> What are key differences that separate you from other churches doctrinally?
We are adventists and in general hold adventist doctrines. There are some that we interpret differently than many of the traditionals here at CF.

> Describe your services: liturgical? contemporary? what goes on during them?
One of the usual differences is that progressive adventists do have contemprory services. I have however been to churches where there were drums/etc for praise service and a 'traditional' sermon. This is because we are actually one church/movement, with different subcultures/etc. In a general church there are members of all persuasions. Generally a church leans one way or another depending on the views of the elders/pastor of that particular church.

> Do your churches subscribe to a specific set of political values, if so, which?
Generally conservative, although there are some that are very democrat but still conservative.

> Are you technically SDA's or what? I don't want to mix up my terms here.
Definitely technically SDAs.

> Separate from the first question, what are your views on end times, salvation theology etc? Is there a church consensus or is it up to the individual?
There is a bit of difference between most 'progressives' and some 'traditionals'. We all (pretty much) think that Christ is returning soon. This is one of the key views of adventism. But we don't think things like that the last generation before Christ's return will have to have perfect characters and maintain these without Christ's help. Note also that progressives are more open to individuals being different. There are many progressives in this forum who are liberal Christians and so have a very different theology than the church officially holds.

My observation is that while there are some liberal Christians in many churches, that overal the SDA denomination is not a liberal Christian denomination.

JM

 

[AzA]

Hey Zoness --
A few members were talking about this earlier this week. Did you catch their responses?

Sophia7 also pointed to a sticky thread explaining a little more about progressives and other kinds of Adventists.

People are not always comfortable with these labels, mind you.

 

[Joe67]

We are SDAs and actually generally worship together/etc with those found in the traditional forum here.

Some of the traditional group here at CF just did not make us welcome a couple of years ago.

Generally the main differences between Progressive Adventists and Traditional Adventists are:

Cultural (We are more likely to be OK with jewelry/etc)
Doctrinal (We don't have the same interpretation of IJ and the remnant and don't agree that the last generation on earth must have character perfection independent of Christ)

Generally we fall under two types, either liberal Christians (a lot of the ones here) or more evangelical Christians (there are a few of us here, but this is actually what I have mostly seen in the churches I have been at).

JM

JM,

Since joining CF about a year ago I have thought upon several of your posts. This post and the next one you made seem to sum up the posts of yours that I have read. I am speaking of the posts where you are declaring what you believe. This is in contrast to your posts where you are in conflict of thought with other posters.

Your statement concerning perfection of character and its relation to a union with Christ reveals much concerning your faith in God and his Christ. I am glad to see this presentation. I hope you continue in this faith.

Joe

 

[Byfaithalone1]

So I have not really explored Adventists much past a few readings on the traditional ones...and that was a bit out there for me. But I am curious about you guys!

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by. In the interest of full disclosure, I am a former SDA. I was SDA for 30+ years, attended it schools and worked for its conferences. Mine is only one individual perspective. I am glad that others have also responded in this thread.

Some questions:

> What are key differences that separate you from other churches doctrinally?

In responding to your post, I must first point out that my comments are limited solely to the teachings of the SDA denomination. Individual SDAs may either agree or disagree with the SDA denomination on these points.

The SDA denomination believes that it has the only true remnant message; that man must reach a state of sinless perfection prior to Christ's second coming; that the sabbath--and not the Holy Spirit--is the seal of God; that non-sabbatarians will one day receive the mark of the beast and that believers will come into judgment.

Further, the SDA denomination feels that it has the authority to influence the behavior of its membership on a number of topics, including: moderate alcohol consumption, wearing jewelry, wearing make-up, wearing a wedding band, eating pork, tithing, dancing, music, sabbath behavior, marrying a non-SDA, etc.

> Describe your services: liturgical? contemporary? what goes on during them?

As with many denominations, the service varies somewhat from place to place. However, the majority of SDA churches adopt a more traditional approach to worship and a minority of SDA churches have adopted the use of praise choruses and a worship style that is "soft contemporary."

> Do your churches subscribe to a specific set of political values, if so, which?

The SDA denomination historically took a stand against bearing arms during war. It has softened its approach on this subject.

The SDA denomination supports religious liberty and does not take a firm stand on anything it views as "legislated morality" (such as a pro-life position). Several SDA hospitals perform abortions.

> Are you technically SDA's or what? I don't want to mix up my terms here.

Like many other denominations, SDAism encompasses a number of viewpoints. Progressive SDAs are members of the SDA denomination. Historic SDAs are also members of the SDA denomination. The two groups have different views on the denomination's fundamental beliefs.

> Separate from the first question, what are your views on end times, salvation theology etc? Is there a church consensus or is it up to the individual?

It depends on who you are talking to. A historic SDA might tell you that there is denominational consensus on end times. A progressive SDA might tell you that you are free to reach your own conclusion.

BFA

 

[AzA]

The SDA denomination supports religious liberty and does not take a firm stand on anything it views as "legislated morality" (such as a pro-life position).

This was the classic position. It remains to be seen whether the church plans to change course: Public Affairs and Religious Liberties resources were spent in California advancing a vigorous pro-Proposition 8 platform.

In my view -- unfortunate.
It remains to be seen whether the California activity marks a shift in the denomination's PARL work.

 

[SoldierOfTheKing]

The SDA denomination supports religious liberty and does not take a firm stand on anything it views as "legislated morality" (such as a pro-life position). Several SDA hospitals perform abortions.

Really? Didn't the SDA church staunchly support Prohibition?

 

[AzA]

Really? Didn't the SDA church staunchly support Prohibition?

Yes, it did. It also was very active in abolition movements.

These were two of the justifications given for its recent work in California.

 

[Zoness]

Thank you for all of your posts to this point I have learned a lot.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Really? Didn't the SDA church staunchly support Prohibition?

The SDA denomination does not support prohibition today (which is in line with its official stance on pro-life). Perhaps the denomination is moving toward change. If so, it's official statements (and the practice in its hospitals) have not yet fallen in line with such a move.

BFA