Is Adventism a cult?

[NightEternal]

Seventh-day Adventism

The Spirit Behind the Church

The Seventh-day Adventist Church - cult or evangelical denomination? This hard-hitting DVD explores the history, doctrines and practices of Seventh-day Adventism and finds much to concern those who hold to Biblical Christianity. Featuring interviews with former high-ranking leaders from the church, this DVD will open your eyes to the shocking truth.

And yes, I do have this DVD at home. I have seen it many times.

 

[JonMiller]

I was going to post this same thread, and with the reasons why some would consider the SDA church a cult included.

JM

 

[NightEternal]

Well Jon, you can place your vote reflecting what you believe and then post your list of reasons people would think we are a cult here.

I would be interested in seeing it.

Remember, the vote is what YOU personally think, not what you feel others may think.

Because, personally, I don't want anything whatsoever to do with a cult organization nor do I want to advance ideas that oppose orthodox Christianity, much less be a card-carrying member of said organization.

It will be interesting to see what the general consensus and tenor of the forum is on this subject.

 

[Pythons]

No.

"By virtue of their valid baptism, and their belief in Christ’s divinity and in the doctrine of the Trinity, Seventh-Day Adventists are both ontologically and theologically Christians. But Christians, once separated from the Church our Lord founded, are susceptible to being "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine" (Eph. 4:14).

NIHIL OBSTAT: I have concluded that the materials
presented in this work are free of doctrinal or moral errors.
Bernadeane Carr, STL, Censor Librorum, August 10, 2004

IMPRIMATUR: In accord with 1983 CIC 827
permission to publish this work is hereby granted.
+Robert H. Brom, Bishop of San Diego, August 10, 2004
______________________________________________________________________​

 

[NightEternal]

For the record, Walter Martin, an expert on cults whi is Baptist, came to the conclusion that we are indeed a Christian denomination who fall into orthodoxy on the most important points. He also qualified that with the disclaimer that we have some heterodox beliefs as well.



http://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Cults...bs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205968187&sr=1-1

 

[RC_NewProtestants]

cult is mostly a useless term. through most of history it was a label where the majority of something denigrated those who did not go along with the majority.

Heterodox and orthodox have the same problem. The orthodox were declared orthodox because they had arisen to power.

which is why ever since I was in SDA Academy I an most of my friends called ourselves heretics.

 

[JonMiller]

One thing that defines a cult is having a venerated leader, who is generally followed unquestionally. There is no argument that Christians follow Christ as such, but since it has been 2000 years since He walked the earth it isn't such an issue. It is a bit of an issue whether Adventists follow EGW as such. Some seem to, others definitely do not.

Another thing that defines a cult is that it removes itself from society. Adventism definitely does this to a greater degree then most of Christianity, with it's emphasis on it's own schools/etc. Additionally, adventists tend to congregate together rather then spread out. Some take this insuralism to a great degree, even divorcing so as to be apart. Many also divide themselves from Christianity, considering themselves the only true church.

A third defining characteristic of a cult is strong pressure to stay within it. One tool is indoctrination, which obviously exists due to the emphasis on adventist schools. Another is by considering all those who leave the church to be lost. This creates pressure to stay within the ark of safety.

To answer the question "Is Adventism a cult?" my answer is for many members and communities within Adventism, yes. The church as a whole, and probably (?) the majority of practicianers it isn't.

Some counters to the first paragraph is that EGW is dead, and having a venerated dead leader is quite common and not necessarily cultic (see George Washington, Martin Luther, etc). A counter to the third paragraph is that everyone indoctrinates their young. If you don't indoctrinate your young you are being a bad parent. A counter to the second paragraph is that obviously people who are similar will desire to be around eachother.

Being a cult is really just a matter of degree. Some adventists are unfortunately extreme in their dedication to EGW and identifying the adventist church as the only remnant church (note that the adventist church no longer identifies itself as the only remnant church).

Jon Miller

 

[NightEternal]

While I do appreciate the comments, you guys aren't voting for some reason!

Sorry RC, there is no category for 'cult is a useless term'.

 

[NightEternal]

Okay, I know we have some people from CARM on this forum. And I know for a fact that some 'CARMelites' believe we are a full-blown heretical cult.

So let's see what you think. VOTE PEOPLE.

 

[reddogs]

Closing for Staff Review​