Question About Seventh Day Adventist

[LoveandPeace25]

Hello all!

I am new to the forum.

I just started dating a SDA a little over a month ago. I really like him and things are begining to get pretty serious. I am not SDA but I am Christian. He is somewhat lax in regards to following SDA regulations. However, he does go to church every Saturday, does not eat beef or selfish, does not drink or party and comes from a family that is pretty traditional. His father is a vegan and his mother only eats fish, not self fish.

Well anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows how SDAs treat non SDAs as far as their children, siblings, relatives and friends dating outside of the denomination? I have done a lot of research on the the denomination's beleifs and traditions. they are not that much different for how I currently conduct myself. I am interested in maybe attending church with him and seeing if I like it. I would not be completely opposed to possibly converting.

Btw, I am 27 and he is 30. We both deeply want to start a family and get married in the near future.

Thanks for your input!

 

[AzA]

Hello all!

I am new to the forum.

I just started dating a SDA a little over a month ago. I really like him and things are begining to get pretty serious. I am not SDA but I am Christian. He is somewhat lax in regards to following SDA regulations. However, he does go to church every Saturday, does not eat beef or selfish, does not drink or party and comes from a family that is pretty traditional. His father is a vegan and his mother only eats fish, not self fish.

Well anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows how SDAs treat non SDAs as far as their children, siblings, relatives and friends dating outside of the denomination? I have done a lot of research on the the denomination's beleifs and traditions. they are not that much different for how I currently conduct myself. I am interested in maybe attending church with him and seeing if I like it. I would not be completely opposed to possibly converting.

Btw, I am 27 and he is 30. We both deeply want to start a family and get married in the near future.

Thanks for your input!

Hey, L&P!
You guys sound both happy and stable; congrats.

SDAs, like all other groups and churches, have members who vary widely in how they treat people who are different. Some embrace all people without concern; others veer to the suspicious-paranoid-conspiricist end of the spectrum. I see you posted this question in both Adventist forums; I expect the responses will range from open ("No problem!") to exclusive ("Oh, you should convert asap. It's the time of the end.").

The ideal situation would be that you went to church with your friend and no one gave either of you any grief about anything. (One would also hope this would be the case if he went to another church with you.)

That said, it's just as possible that some people will have more strident opinions about your relationship and what you should or should not do, eat, or believe.

It's nice when other people are prepared to make spiritual community inviting; at minimum, though, you guys may be better off ensuring that neither of you views the other as "foreign" or as "apostate" with regard to the Church or God. There's enough of that kind of attitude in the outside world; it completely sucks to have it at home as well.

Once a couple has decided to bond, they're in a better position to find communities that also respect that bond.

All the best!

 

[dragNdrop]

- Sda Believe That All Other Christians Are A Babylon.

- Sda Believe That Their Prophet , E G White Is An 'authoratative Source
Of Truth'. She Is Often Received As An Inspired Bible Interpreter. [you
May Want To Do Your Own Research On Ellen White Before Joining].

- Sda Believe The '1844 Investigative Judgment'. Research This As Well.

- Whilst The Sda Appear Normal To The Newcomer, It's A Different
Environment Once You Are To Deep Inside.

God Bless You On Your Search. Ps Ex-sda

 

[Cribstyl]

- Sda Believe That All Other Christians Are A Babylon.

- Sda Believe That Their Prophet , E G White Is An 'authoratative Source
Of Truth'. She Is Often Received As An Inspired Bible Interpreter. [you
May Want To Do Your Own Research On Ellen White Before Joining].

- Sda Believe The '1844 Investigative Judgment'. Research This As Well.

- Whilst The Sda Appear Normal To The Newcomer, It's A Different
Environment Once You Are To Deep Inside.

God Bless You On Your Search. Ps Ex-sda

DND, I am shocked at your response. I thought you were a sabbatarian.

(I dont think anything is wrong in keeping the sabbath. I think it's wrong to condemn those who dont. I think it's suicide to think that you keep God's laws and others do not.)

CRIB

 

[AzA]

- Sda Believe That All Other Christians Are A Babylon.

- Sda Believe That Their Prophet , E G White Is An 'authoratative Source
Of Truth'. She Is Often Received As An Inspired Bible Interpreter. [you
May Want To Do Your Own Research On Ellen White Before Joining].

- Sda Believe The '1844 Investigative Judgment'. Research This As Well.

I don't believe any of these things.
It's always interesting to hear people speak for other people though.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

I don't believe any of these things.
It's always interesting to hear people speak for other people though.

As is true in all denominations, you will find SDAs who believe any number of things. Hopefully, the author of the original post will receive feedback from a number of different sources.

Although there are a number of SDAs who would not agree with the following concepts, they are in fact teachings of the SDA denomination:

(1) Non-SDA protestants are the daughters of the harlot as described in Revelation;

(2) The writings of Ellen G. White are an "authoritative source of truth."

(3) Jesus' atonement was not completed on the cross; rather, in 1844, Jesus entered the second phase of His work of atonement.
​

In addition, the SDA denomination teaches the following:

(1) Jesus does not change man's character at His second coming; He only fixes man's character so that it cannot be changed.

(2) Man must stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator prior to Jesus' second coming.

(3) It is left with us to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement.

(4) The seal of God is a future event and relates to sabbath keeping (therefore, salvation is not by grace through faith alone).

(5) There will come a day when non-sabbatarians will receive the mark of the beast.

(6) The SDA denomination has the unique teachings of God's remnant people.

(7) The Roman Catholic Church is the beast of Revelation.

(8) Denominations have the right to be the conscience of their members on issues not mandated by the Bible (such as make-up, jewelry, music, dancing, alcohol, caffeine, entertainment, diet and media).
​

It is quite likely that there are individual SDAs who take issue with one or more of these teachings of the SDA denomination. However, if a person is interested in better understanding a denomination, it is beneficial to evaluate (as one source among many) the teachings of the denomination.

BFA

 

[LoveandPeace25]

This is all very confussing to me. The church that the man who I am dating attends is mostly composed of very young people. Mainly teenagers and young adults. I have met a few of his SDA friends in informal non church settings and they appear to be very non judgemental. However, I have not yet visited the church nor have I met his parents. I think these are the major missing links. But I am not going to lie. I am nervous and apprehensive about this.

 

[Cribstyl]

This is all very confussing to me. The church that the man who I am dating attends is mostly composed of very young people. Mainly teenagers and young adults. I have met a few of his SDA friends in informal non church settings and they appear to be very non judgemental. However, I have not yet visited the church nor have I met his parents. I think these are the major missing links. But I am not going to lie. I am nervous and apprehensive about this.

Love_N_Peace, welcome to Christian Forum.......

It's my prayer that you gain some wisdom from some people here.

You're in love ......I wish you all the best.

It appears as if you're willing to join his church. How strong are you in your own beliefs?

SDA are people with good hearts, they're normally dicipline and trustworthy. They strive to be Holy unto God. They love to fellowship with vegetarian foods and fun. Their doctrines and education system appears as one way street base on books written by Ellen G White.

Truth is, "Sunday worship" is considered the mark of the beast by many SDA members, so dont expect what you believe to be honored.

My advice to you is to bring him to your church and see how flexible he is with your beliefs.

Get ready to hear a lot of sermons from the Old Testament or from prophecies rather than the doctrines taught by the Apostles.

Get ready to be convinced or condemn about keeping the 4th commandment.


God bless

CRIB

 

[Cribstyl]

Hello all!

I am new to the forum.

I just started dating a SDA a little over a month ago. I really like him and things are begining to get pretty serious. I am not SDA but I am Christian. He is somewhat lax in regards to following SDA regulations. However, he does go to church every Saturday, does not eat beef or selfish, does not drink or party and comes from a family that is pretty traditional. His father is a vegan and his mother only eats fish, not self fish.

Well anyway, I was wondering if anyone knows how SDAs treat non SDAs as far as their children, siblings, relatives and friends dating outside of the denomination? I have done a lot of research on the the denomination's beleifs and traditions. they are not that much different for how I currently conduct myself. I am interested in maybe attending church with him and seeing if I like it. I would not be completely opposed to possibly converting.

Btw, I am 27 and he is 30. We both deeply want to start a family and get married in the near future.

Thanks for your input!

Any church would welcome a member with open arms. They'll treat you and every family member with love and the highest respect.

I think you're mixing some issues that you should take one step at a time. Your spiritual life should come first, but it seem to me as if you're ready to marry and then adjust later........That could be a very bad idea.

Slow down little sister.....,,talk to God about your desires, then you'll know what you should do next.

CRIB

 

[LoveandPeace25]

Thank you all for your input. I truly do appreciate it.

Crib you are very right! I need to ttake this one step at a time.

However, there are certian things that I do not understand. For example, I was reading about SDA and read that women are not allowed to wear jewelry. Not that I wear a lot of jewelry any way, but this puzzles me a bit. I was under the impression that God is concerened with a person's heart, how they treat others and if they honor God's word. No where in the Bilbe does it say that women should not wear jewelry. Furthermore, does God really care about if a woman wear a pair of earrings, or, does he care about if a women walk with him throughout life? I was undedr the impressure that he is concerned with the later.

 

[AzA]

Thank you all for your input. I truly do appreciate it.

Crib you are very right! I need to ttake this one step at a time.

However, there are certian things that I do not understand. For example, I was reading about SDA and read that women are not allowed to wear jewelry. Not that I wear a lot of jewelry any way, but this puzzles me a bit. I was under the impression that God is concerened with a person's heart, how they treat others and if they honor God's word. No where in the Bilbe does it say that women should not wear jewelry. Furthermore, does God really care about if a woman wear a pair of earrings, or, does he care about if a women walk with him throughout life? I was undedr the impressure that he is concerned with the later.

You're welcome.
My parents' generation grew up very concerned about jewelry, and tattoos... just like their peers in the Church of God, COGIC, and Baptist traditions. (In fact, one of the Baptist churches I attended last year still had a problem with women wearing trousers...)

Yet we were all at a wedding recently and no attitude at all. Bless their hearts; folk grow.

Mileage varies.

 

[JonMiller]

There are a lot of very different SDA churches and people. There are some churchs I would choose not to attend.

For beleifs, you can go from Arian to Trinitarrian, and some groups can be quite harsh and not demostrate God's love much at all.

However, you can find this sort of behavior in any denomination. Yeah, some denominations tend towards certain types of problems more than others (and the history of the SDA church does tend it towards certain types of issues), but that you will have to face with whatever denomination that you worship with.

I would look into your perspective mate, and if he is good then it is probably good to go. It is true at times that people have placed denomination above people, this is clearly wrong (only God goes above people), and I think is less common now.

So yeah, look into what goes on. Likely if you go to his church, and find that you are happy to keep going there for a few months, than it is fine. Even if you don't agree with everything that is preached... I definitely don't! But then that is true for every church (which includes other denominations) I go to.

And in many of the churches I go to people wear jewelry and I don't hear any comments (of course, most people don't really talk to me anyway, so maybe there is). There were issues in some churches in my youth, and I am sure there would still be some issues in some churches now. In fact, I think that my brother and his wife quit attending one of the churches near them due to people talking about her earrings. Which I agree is stupid (they actually might have quit attending church period ).

Anyways, I will try to look in on this thread again.

JM

 

[dragNdrop]

I'd recommend as I've stated that you must DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH. You may find that you subscribe to the SDA theology.

I normally find that the people are virtually powerless to defend themselves against a very well put and orderly matrix of arguments of the SDA.

It takes an open mind and a daring heart to stand up and begin to question what is put forth as an 'absolute truth'. The chances are the SDA will easily convince you with 1844 and E G White since you are a novice on these issues.

Aza: "I don't believe any of these things."

No hard feelings Sis. If you do not believe SDA message then you are not SDA.

Crib: "DND, I am shocked at your response. I thought you were a sabbatarian."

Well. BFA knows that I've always maintained that the 1844 and E G White are what I do not subscribe to. However I still see a Sabbath mandate in scripture. You as well as I remember that you are struggling to disprove that the Sabbath was instituted in Creation (Gen 2:1-3).

 

[Cribstyl]

Crib: "DND, I am shocked at your response. I thought you were a sabbatarian."

Well. BFA knows that I've always maintained that the 1844 and E G White are what I do not subscribe to. However I still see a Sabbath mandate in scripture. You as well as I remember that you are struggling to disprove that the Sabbath was instituted in Creation (Gen 2:1-3).

There's no struggle for me, I dont suscribe to commentary. Gen 2:1-3 says it all. "God rested on the seventh day" because He was finish with creation. That day was not called sabbath until God gave it to a chosen people. Saying that sabbath was instituted in creation is unfounded in scripture, it's not my burden to prove. I stand firm on what is written............... Let's talk about all that in another thread..

CRIB

 

[AzA]

Aza: "I don't believe any of these things."

No hard feelings Sis. If you do not believe SDA message then you are not SDA.

I don't know how more clearly I can state this.

What I am or am not is not your call.

I'm an active SDA in good and regular standing, I'm aware of the range of interpretations of the FBs within the denomination, and I have no problem with that range.

Let's not have this conversation again.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

You're welcome.
My parents' generation grew up very concerned about jewelry, and tattoos....

It is interesting to note that this concern did not die with the last generation of SDAs. In fact, the SDA denomination's position on make-up, jewelry, dress, diet, caffeine, alcohol, dancing, music and entertainment has not changed (although there are individual SDAs whose views may have changed). Many (if not most) modern SDAs claim to follow the SDA denomination's position on these matters.

What I am or am not is not your call.

I agree completely. Although I've been discussing what the denomination teaches, that does not impact your status as an individual SDA who takes issue with some of the official positions of your denomination. I am glad that you are aware that your denomination has issues. I am similarly aware that there are issues in the church I currently attend.

BFA

 

[LoveandPeace25]

"I'd recommend as I've stated that you must DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH."
I have been doing my own research. I also like to discuss and ask for feedback from this forum because there are people here who are hwere to respond to my questions. Haha.

 

[Cribstyl]

Thank you all for your input. I truly do appreciate it.

Crib you are very right! I need to take this one step at a time.

However, there are certian things that I do not understand. For example, I was reading about SDA and read that women are not allowed to wear jewelry. Not that I wear a lot of jewelry any way, but this puzzles me a bit. I was under the impression that God is concerened with a person's heart, how they treat others and if they honor God's word. No where in the Bilbe does it say that women should not wear jewelry. Furthermore, does God really care about if a woman wear a pair of earrings, or, does he care about if a women walk with him throughout life? I was undedr the impressure that he is concerned with the later.

Boy, these are trivial issues in almost every denomination. Personally I feel the doctrines being taught will be your real challenge.

One major issue between SDA and other protestant denominations are what is called "the New Covenant".



Whatever you feed your soul will bare fruit in it's season.
God's people are not confined to denominations, they're the ones that trust in His word and live by it.

CRIB

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Well. BFA knows that I've always maintained that the 1844 and E G White are what I do not subscribe to. However I still see a Sabbath mandate in scripture. You as well as I remember that you are struggling to disprove that the Sabbath was instituted in Creation (Gen 2:1-3).

What's to disprove? Genesis 2 does not confirm that the sabbath was instituted at creation. This is merely a man-made claim.

There are a number of other threads devoted to this divisive topic. I've said all I have to say on the subject in this thread.

BFA

 

[Byfaithalone1]

I have been doing my own research. I also like to discuss and ask for feedback from this forum because there are people here who are hwere to respond to my questions. Haha.

You do well. I am sure this discussion forum is not the only means by which you are questioning what you are seeing and hearing. The Bible is a great source of information, but I'd also encourage you to talk to folks who have had experience with the SDA denomination (both current and former SDAs). Read the official positions of the denomination. The Spirit will guide you.

BFA