What Is A "Progressive" Adventist?

[AlbertaBoy]

I would be curious to know from those who are committed Progressive Seventh-day Adventists just what they are all about? What makes you different from the rest of the Church? How do our beliefs compare? How did you start, and where are you going?

 

[Bourbaki]

The term Progressive Adventist is a very modern invention. I don't think it's a useful label. It simply means considering oneself to be theologically progressive relative to the denomination's mainstream. From my reading of what's on the internet, it seems that most Adventists that say they belong in the Progressive category of Adventists don't believe that Ellen White was progressive at all and distance themselves from her. I believe that Ellen White was remarkably progressive.

 

[sentipente]

I believe that Ellen White was remarkably progressive.

Absolutely true, but those who use her most tend to ignore most of what she wrote that brings this out. They ignore her statement that the fact that something has been believed for a long time does not mean it is true, for example.

 

[Bourbaki]

Absolutely true, but those who use her most tend to ignore most of what she wrote that brings this out.

But that faction in the church that call themselves the Progressives also dismiss EGW's testimonies that they don't want to hear.

They ignore her statement that the fact that something has been believed for a long time does not mean it is true, for example.

And those quotes are often cited by the "Progressives" because they want to dismiss Ellen White's prophetic authority. The important bottom line is that the "Progressives" want to distance themselves from that authority because they don't believe it.

 

[AlbertaBoy]

The term Progressive Adventist is a very modern invention. I don't think it's a useful label. It simply means considering oneself to be theologically progressive relative to the denomination's mainstream. From my reading of what's on the internet, it seems that most Adventists that say they belong in the Progressive category of Adventists don't believe that Ellen White was progressive at all and distance themselves from her. I believe that Ellen White was remarkably progressive.

I believe too that she was remarkably progressive; and I have learned, and continue to learn, much about the Bible from her writings.

I do not yet understand just what "Progressive Adventists" really mean by the word "Progressive." I wonder why they cannot/will not tell us? Do they have an official web site?

 

[AlbertaBoy]

Well; they say on their web site that they are

"Dedicated to helping SDAs change the church for the better."

I have to say in all honesty that this site appears quite like the many Anti-Adventist Sites that have invaded the internet. I can name several sites or individuals where they appear to get their information from.

I am not sure, at this point, why they call themselves "Seventh-day Adventist;" given the nature of the materials on their site.

What does that word "Progressive" really mean to them?

 

[Bourbaki]

I do not yet understand just what "Progressive Adventists" really mean by the word "Progressive." I wonder why they cannot/will not tell us? Do they have an official web site?

I don't believe that there is any organized group that call themselves "the Progressives." I think that the term was invented by the blog progressive adventism dot com. Progressive Adventist is a fairly recent entry on Wikipedia. On this forum, a progressive has been defined as an Adventist not agreeing with all 28 fundamental beliefs. But on the Internet elsewhere, I've seen Spectrum and Atoday often labeled or referred to as Progressive Adventist magazines.

 

[sentipente]

Maybe you should read the archives to understand the use of the term Progressive Adventists on foru.ms. I don't care for labels but I am progressive in my thinking on all subjects. I doubt there is anyone here who belongs to an organization called Progressive Adventists.

 

[sentipente]

The important bottom line is that the "Progressives" want to distance themselves from that authority because they don't believe it.

Or that they hold to a higher authority.

 

[StormyOne]

But that faction in the church that call themselves the Progressives also dismiss EGW's testimonies that they don't want to hear.



And those quotes are often cited by the "Progressives" because they want to dismiss Ellen White's prophetic authority. The important bottom line is that the "Progressives" want to distance themselves from that authority because they don't believe it.

well good to see you here too Bourbaki.... your statements about those who consider themselves progressives might be your opinion, but that opinion is suspect.... looking forward to your continued sharing.... should be interesting....

 

[Bourbaki]

What does that word "Progressive" really mean to them?

I think they mean that they are superior to traditional Seventh-day Adventists.

 

[sentipente]

I think they mean that they are superior to traditional Seventh-day Adventists.

Why do you think that?

 

[Bourbaki]

Or that they hold to a higher authority.

The purpose of this thread was to define the meaning of a Progressive Adventist. As I said before, the phrase is ambiguous. There is no such group unless you want to define such a body with an arbitrary definition. Google for the phrase Progressive Adventists and see that the term is virtually unheard of in the general public. I think the term was invented by one Adventist blogger and is used repeatedly by only a handful of Adventist dissidents on the internet. The term Progressive Adventists is well outside of general use.

 

[sentipente]

The term has already been defined in the context of this forum. If you do not fit the description then you are not one. There is nothing more to it.

 

[Bourbaki]

Why do you think that?

I think it's arrogant for a faction within the Seventh-day Adventist church to call themselves The Progressives. Don't you think that?

 

[StormyOne]

I think it's arrogant for a faction within the Seventh-day Adventist church to call themselves The Progressives. Don't you think that?

nope.... no more arrogant for people to say that they are car lovers, or pet owners, or computer geeks... it is a descriptor, don't over think this one....

 

[Bourbaki]

The term has already been defined in the context of this forum. If you do not fit the description then you are not one. There is nothing more to it.

There are many Adventists that reject the Trinity doctrine and therefore some of the 28 fundamental beliefs because they believe strongly in what the anti-Trinitarian Adventist pioneers had to say. Isn't it silly to call Regressives progressive?

 

[StormyOne]

There are many Adventists that reject the Trinity doctrine and therefore some of the 28 fundamental beliefs because they believe strongly in what the anti-Trinitarian Adventist pioneers had to say. Isn't it silly to call Regressives progressive?

you have a point? or will you spend the day debating the merits of a name? Just asking....

 

[mva1985]

you have a point? or will you spend the day debating the merits of a name? Just asking....

Stormy you have a point.

Bourbaki - I don't see this thread making much of a difference do you?

 

[Bourbaki]

nope.... no more arrogant for people to say that they are car lovers, or pet owners, or computer geeks... it is a descriptor

I don't question the loyalty of pet owners for their animals if they say they have great love for them. I simply think it's silly to label Korah, Dathan and Abiram in Numbers 16 progressive just because they said they were at the beginning of their rebellion.