What are the significant theological differences between the different branches of Seventh-day Adventism? The following is a list of the Church's major theological and cultural divisions.
1. Traditionalist.
a. Traditional Seventh-day Adventism. also called Historics.
b. This group focuses on all the Writing of EGW. This is the Pre- 1950's version of Adventism. Whole sermons are preached exclusively from Ellen White's writings.
c. Major Advocates. Stephen Bohr. Our Firm Foundation, Steps to Life, John Oborn,.
Major Institutions: Independent Ministries. Heartland Hope International. Weimar, Independent Academy. Light bearers. in the 1980s and '90s, went through change now considered mainline
d. Major Publication & Media: Review and Herald. Pacific Press, Advent Source,
e. Major Theological issue. Last Generation Theology, Sinless perfection, Standing before God without an intercessor. Health message Salvation. In addition to Mainline Seventh Day Adventist Church Doctrines.
en.wikipedia.org
2. Mainline (Conservative) Seventh-Day Adventist.
a. This is the main body, run by the General Conference of SDA and the Local Union & Conference.
b. focuses on 28 fundamentals & the church as the Remenant Church of Bible Prophecy, EGW used moderately, promotes EGW "Evangelistic" works. Steps to Christ, 5-volume Conflict of the Ages series, Ministry of Healing, Education, Christ object lessons, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing. The Clearword Bible and Andrews University Study Bible.
c. Major Advocates: Ted Wilson, Doug Batchelor, Mark Finley, David Asherick Every Conference President, and Most Evangelist, Most pastors, Most Teachers.
en.wikipedia.org
3. Evangelical Seventh Day Adventist (SEA)
- This is the branch of the Church that traces its roots back to the Seventh-day Baptist Church and the Convocation of Nov 1, 1843. When the SDB church fasted and prayed for the resurrection of the Sabbath in Christianity. Rachel Oaks, Fredrick Wheeler, Thomas Prebble, the Farnsworth Brothers, J.N. Andrews, & Joseph Bates, J.H. Waggoner. founded the Sabbatarian Adventist Movement.
- Evangelicals believe the SDA church was hijacked by James & Ellen White and advocate for the removal of Ellen White as any kind of Authority in the SDA church and the Free study of the bible without consulting EGW. The Messenger Party, The Marion Party. 1888 conflict & the King of the North & King of the South confusion, were all divisions because of Ellen G. White.
- Major advocates: Most of the Theology professors in the SDA colleges & universities are in some way Evangelical. Desmond Ford and Robert Brimsmead, openly Challenged the traditional views. They would be welcome in this branch.
- Major Publication & Media - Adventist Theological Society, Perspectives magazine.
- Major Theological Issues:
I. The Removal of EGW as a prophet and theological Authority.
II. Sabbath as a sign of the 1000 years of Christ's reign on earth in Jerusalem.
III. Return of Isreal as a sign of the End time and Christ's Return.
IV.the Lord’s Day is an additional festival, established by the Apostles to define the difference between Jew & Christian. We advocate for this as the major day of evangelism for the church. As Sunday day evangelism day.
V. Solomon as a type of Christ & Anti-Christ. 666. Roman Catholic Church and Church/State Alliance with Rome fulfillment.
VI. Satan in the pit, chamber of Darkness for 1000 years
VII. Soul Sleep - You have a soul that will die and be asleep until Jesus comes unless you accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, then It will go to heaven upon Death.
VIII. Holy Health Care - We Advocate for Holy Health Care, the blessing of a healthy lifestyle, and a health care plan that focuses on healthy living.
3 John 1:2
IX. Prosparity - God has always wanted us to be “fruitful and multiply” which is the biblical expression for prosperity.
X. Evangelical View of the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is a model of God’s original plan for humanity. The Holy Place is a model of the Garden of Eden on Earth. The Most Holy Place is a model of the Throne of God in Heaven. When Christ went to heaven, he instituted a new sanctuary, with the church being the New Holy Place, which makes the Church the New Garden of Eden on Earth. This shows that Christ, as the New Adam, is restoring What was lost at the fall of the First Adam.
Tarling, Lowell R. (1981). "Evangelical Adventists". The Edges of Seventh-day Adventism: A Study of Separatist Groups Emerging from the Seventh-day Adventist Church (1844–1980).
Are Adventists Evangelical?
Free Christian Devotionals & Courses By Good News Unlimited
Evangelica Magazine
Evangelica - Wikipedia
4. Feast-keeping Seventh-day Adventist (FSDA)
- This is the messianic branch of the Church, they advocate for the keeping of the Jewish Festivals.
- Major Supporter - John Vandenberg.
- Major Publication & Media - Bible Exploration, Amazing Discoveries, Bible Exploration
Bible Explorations - Spreading the good news that we are the last generation and that Christ is coming very soon!
Feasts that Typify Christ's Second Coming: Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles
5. Liberal Seventh-day Adventist - Liberal
- This group is considered liberal over 2 basic issues
- Lifestyle/Cultural issues & Academic issues - Jewelry, drinking, dancing, Meat Eating, Movies going.
- Academic issue -
a liberal view of the bible, the bible a human origin.
b. scientific view, over biblical view,
B. Major Theological Issues - the bible as a product of the human mind. They adopt the atheist/liberal assumptions of examination of the Evidence & timelines.
Ellen White is a non-prophet. They do not hold to the Social Code of the SDA church called “Standards”, such as no jewelry, vegetarian/vegan, movie-going, secular concerts, dancing, and clubbing.
C. Major Advocates: John McLarty, Andy Nash, & J. David Newman.
D. Major Publication: Adventist Forums, Spectrum Magazine, Adventist Today (AT):
Adventist Today
Spectrum Magazine
Note: AT is a News Magazine. It appears liberal because of its broad reporting on events inside the SDA church from a neutral standpoint. That is not an indication of its theological viewpoint.
Note: A liberal may not exhibit all of these characteristics at the same time. To be considered Liberal, you need at least one or more.
Note: Liberal/Progressive: Liberal/Progressive SDA labels have undergone a revolution and swapped places. What was once considered liberal is now progressive and what is considered progressive is now considered liberal. This is primarily due to the lgbtq+ movement in Advent
6. Progressive Seventh-day Adventist - Progressive
- This branch is the newest. It follows the LGBTQ+ issues and the Social Justice issues of mainstream society.
- Major Issues are the Affirmation and inclusion of Gay people in the SDA church. Income equality, Living wage, homelessness, BLM, Defund the police.
- Major supporters. Chris Blake, Alicia Johnston, Brian Ness, Steven Chavez, Floyd Poenitz
- Major Publication & media - Connections, SDA Kinship International,
SDA Kinship is a safe social and spiritual community for LGBTQIA+ current and former Seventh-day Adventists, their families, and those who support them.
sdakinship.org
Note: Progressive was a larger umbrella term for anything not mainline or traditional coined in the 1950’s. Many of the issues that were considered Progressive are Evangelical, Such as the use of Contemporary Christian Music, Leading with the Gospel, the use of the bible only in worship, and Systematic Preaching.
Note: Liberal/Progressive: Liberal/Progressive SDA labels have undergone a revolution and swapped places. What was once considered liberal is now progressive and what is considered progressive is now considered liberal. This is primarily due to the lgbtq+ movement in Adventism