Any ex-sda's?

[dreamfleur]

I’m just wondering if there are any ex-SDA’s out there?
Would you mind sharing what brought you to the CC?
Were there any major hurdles in your conversion?
Thanks

 

[Annie39]

I’m just wondering if there are any ex-SDA’s out there?
Would you mind sharing what brought you to the CC?
Were there any major hurdles in your conversion?
Thanks

• have never been an Adventist but I can tell you that many SDA folks came into the Church by first being led out of the SDA when they discovered that the official teaching of the SDA Church is that they are pro abortion. I did research on this because several members of my family are members of that church.

Annie*

 

[khuldar]

• have never been an Adventist but I can tell you that many SDA folks came into the Church by first being led out of the SDA when they discovered that the official teaching of the SDA Church is that they are pro abortion. I did research on this because several members of my family are members of that church.

Annie*

I never knew that! WOW!

 

[SecretaryMonday]

I don’t really count because I was never officially a Seventh Day Adventist, though I did gravitate toward that denomination and attended a local SDA church for 2 years. They were the ones that lead me to the Catholic Church; I had always attended mainstream Christian denominations before, and while I knew that they disagreed with Catholicism, they never attacked it, barely even mentioned it (thus effectively concealing it from my attention). But then I went to an SDA church where Catholicism was attacked almost every week, and even though I wasn’t an expert in Christian history, I could sense that these attacks - although certainly not deliberately false - were not truthful. So I began to take a closer look at where Christianity started, beginning with Sunday worship vs. the Jewish Sabbath, and found Ignatius of Antioch’s early 2nd century mention of the subject, and then some interesting beliefs witnessed in the Christian Fathers (first few centuries of the Church) that didn’t fit comfortably with any Protestant denomination I knew of, certainly not with Adventism. I thought that the best place to look for the “true Church” was in its earliest documents, and then to try to find a Church that might look like the early one. Catholicism was a winner because the issue of ongoing authority was also essential to me (vs. the private authority of someone’s interpretation of the bible/the Fathers.)

I’ve since learned that Seventh Day Adventists have a huge distrust and even contempt for the Christian Fathers (correct me if I’m wrong, I’ve brought this up to other SDAs). To me, if I can’t trace a denomination back to the source, how should I believe that its truly a remnant and not a modern invention?

 

[SecretaryMonday]

I never knew that! WOW!

Here is an official statement from the denomination:

adventist.org/beliefs/guidelines/main-guide1.html

As I read it, abortion is discouraged, and social changes should be made if necessary to make it safe and healthy for a woman to keep her child…BUT it is still a private decision that a woman has the right to make for herself, and isn’t necessarily wrong.

 

[paulrxp]

Of all the Christian groups I know. I have more run ins with SDA members. These run ins are by no means hostile. They’re actually pretty awesome people. The only time they bug me is when they take pot shots at what Catholics believe and don’t believe. Many of them were never Catholics, if they were I could probably let it slide.

The past few weeks, I just couldn’t let it stand and went on the offensive. I went through as much of Ellen G Whites doctrines as I could. It turns out I didn’t even need to address Ellen directly, I just kept the discussion about the Sabbath and Scriptures. 1 of the SDA’s doesn’t want to talk about it anymore after I asked him to explain this:

[BIBLEDRB]Colossians 2:16 [/BIBLEDRB]

I could keep hammering away at this, but I decided to back off out of respect. I did make it a point to let them know that if they really have a misunderstanding about the Catholic faith, I’d be more than happy to discuss it, even if they’re tough questions. At the same time, be prepared to answer my questions about SDA, and take no offense if I plant seeds of doubt in your faith, conscience and mind.

 

[SecretaryMonday]

Of all the Christian groups I know. I have more run ins with SDA members. These run ins are by no means hostile. They’re actually pretty awesome people. The only time they bug me is when they take pot shots at what Catholics believe and don’t believe. Many of them were never Catholics, if they were I could probably let it slide.

The past few weeks, I just couldn’t let it stand and went on the offensive. I went through as much of Ellen G Whites doctrines as I could. It turns out I didn’t even need to address Ellen directly, I just kept the discussion about the Sabbath and Scriptures. 1 of the SDA’s doesn’t want to talk about it anymore after I asked him to explain this:

[BIBLEDRB]Colossians 2:16 [/BIBLEDRB]

I could keep hammering away at this, but I decided to back off out of respect. I did make it a point to let them know that if they really have a misunderstanding about the Catholic faith, I’d be more than happy to discuss it, even if they’re tough questions. At the same time, be prepared to answer my questions about SDA, and take no offense if I plant seeds of doubt in your faith, conscience and mind.

Actually SDAs have an answer for that. Here’s a crack at it:

By ‘sabbaths’ Paul was refering, not to THE Sabbath (which was instituted as God’s first holiday and immortalized in the 10 Commandments), but rather certain solemn Jewish celebrations refered to as ‘sabbaths’.

 

[paulrxp]

Actually SDAs have an answer for that. Here’s a crack at it:

By ‘sabbaths’ Paul was refering, not to THE Sabbath (which was instituted as God’s first holiday and immortalized in the 10 Commandments), but rather certain solemn Jewish celebrations refered to as ‘sabbaths’.

Hey, thanks for that answer. Can you tell me specifically which Sabbaths? Being gentiles, the names of these Sabbaths aren’t obvious. You’re saying that Paul was not specifically referring to the 7th Day Sabbath correct? Again, which ‘certain solemn Jewish celebrations’ and where does Paul refer to them specifically in the scriptures?

 

[brb3]

Here is an official statement from the denomination:

adventist.org/beliefs/guidelines/main-guide1.html

As I read it, abortion is discouraged, and social changes should be made if necessary to make it safe and healthy for a woman to keep her child…BUT it is still a private decision that a woman has the right to make for herself, and isn’t necessarily wrong.

f. Offering support and assistance to those women who choose to end crisis pregnancies…

That, is the telling item in their abortion stance.

 

[SecretaryMonday]

Hey, thanks for that answer. Can you tell me specifically which Sabbaths? Being gentiles, the names of these Sabbaths aren’t obvious. You’re saying that Paul was not specifically referring to the 7th Day Sabbath correct? Again, which ‘certain solemn Jewish celebrations’ and where does Paul refer to them specifically in the scriptures?

Keep in mind that I’m very thrilled to be Catholic, and I’m not trying to disagree with your conclusions, just presenting the SDA reply to this subject as it was presented to me:

When Christianity spread to include the Gentiles, there was conflict over how ‘Jewish’ these converts would have to be. Paul taught a New Covenant that retained the 10 Commandments (including some kind of observance of the Sabbath as a day of rest, as well as the distinguishing between clean and unclean meat, since this existed in the time of Noah, before God’s special covenant with Israel) but dispensed with religious obligations that were more strictly Jewish (circumcision, for example.). The ‘sabbaths’ referred to in Col. may have been solemn days of fasting that, along with ‘new moons and festivals’, were being enjoined upon gentile Christians by ‘Judaizers’, and Paul was teaching that they were not bound by such things. [A long time ago I read an essay that suggested more specific information about these ‘sabbaths’, but I can’t find it now.]

To me this is somewhat compelling, because, if Paul was refering to THE weekly Sabbath day, why didn’t he mention worshipping on the Lord’s Day instead? In early Christian documents (from what I’ve read - which isn’t much ), such as Ignatius of Antioch’s letter to the Magnesians, when the subject of concern over Sabbath observance came up, it was linked with the Christian celebration of the Lord’s Day as a replacement observance.

f. Offering support and assistance to those women who choose to end crisis pregnancies…

That, is the telling item in their abortion stance.

:sad_yes:

 

[paulrxp]

Keep in mind that I’m very thrilled to be Catholic, and I’m not trying to disagree with your conclusions, just presenting the SDA reply to this subject as it was presented to me:

To me this is somewhat compelling, because, if Paul was refering to THE weekly Sabbath day, why didn’t he mention worshipping on the Lord’s Day instead? In early Christian documents (from what I’ve read - which isn’t much ), such as Ignatius of Antioch’s letter to the Magnesians, when the subject of concern over Sabbath observance came up, it was linked with the Christian celebration of the Lord’s Day as a replacement observance.
:sad_yes:

First of all, welcome to the Church, we’re thrilled to have you. I respect very much the SDA friends I associate with on weekends. They’re really devoted to their church, I would love to see more of this with us Catholics. So the enthusiasm you’re bringing is a blessing to us all. Actually I don’t know too many that have gone from SDA->Catholic I’m very interested in just how it happened, was it one particular thing, many things?

To me this is somewhat compelling, because, if Paul was refering to THE weekly Sabbath day, why didn’t he mention worshipping on the Lord’s Day instead? In early Christian documents (from what I’ve read - which isn’t much ), such as Ignatius of Antioch’s letter to the Magnesians, when the subject of concern over Sabbath observance came up, it was linked with the Christian celebration of the Lord’s Day as a replacement observance.

To my understanding from the Coll passage. The (Festival, New Moon, Sabbaths) followed a convention found in other parts of scripture, the convention being:

Festival - yearly observed holy day like passover
New Moon - monthly observed(Jewish month starts on New Moons I believe)
Sabbaths - weekly ??

So the implication of Sabbaths being referenced as weekly by this convention could only be 1 holy day of the week observed by the Jews(Saturday)
Then of course the question of why Jesus was accused of breaking the Sabbath when he tried to heal a man in John 5:10-13 [BIBLEDRB]John 5:10-13[/BIBLEDRB]

It’s somewhat problematic to reason that Jesus broke the Sabbath, to remind those to keep it. Kind of like saying I’ll break a law like the speed limit, be a accused of it like Jesus was, so that it reminds you to keep the law, and not speed, or in this case not to break the Sabbath. I know my SDA friends had trouble grappling with this one, aside from requirement of circumcision in the old testament, then Galatians 5:2 saying the opposite. Christ of course, like always is the key, certainly in how the New Covenant applied to the Jews who converted, and what does, or doesn’t apply to us gentiles.

That’s my next endevour. Reading more about the early Christians(Church Fathers). I haven’t read the early Christians account on this in depth. Just short snippets from here: catholic.com/tracts/sabbath-or-sunday . Jimmy Akins explanation about this(The Lords Day) is quite good as well, having trouble finding it. What’s great though is the Catholic faiths richness in history. Of course history doesn’t trump the Scriptures, but eyewitness accounts of early Christians that were there and even knew the apostles can’t be totally ignored. I think many other faiths just write off the early Christians, which is unfortunate.
I have to credit the SDA church and discussions with my SDA buddies for making me want to learn more about our Catholic faith. It’s all good, all about truth and love, nothing more. Congrats to you again, and of course all the blessings.

 

[SecretaryMonday]

First of all, welcome to the Church, we’re thrilled to have you. I respect very much the SDA friends I associate with on weekends. They’re really devoted to their church, I would love to see more of this with us Catholics. So the enthusiasm you’re bringing is a blessing to us all. Actually I don’t know too many that have gone from SDA->Catholic I’m very interested in just how it happened, was it one particular thing, many things?

To my understanding from the Coll passage. The (Festival, New Moon, Sabbaths) followed a convention found in other parts of scripture, the convention being:

Festival - yearly observed holy day like passover
New Moon - monthly observed(Jewish month starts on New Moons I believe)
Sabbaths - weekly ??

So the implication of Sabbaths being referenced as weekly by this convention could only be 1 holy day of the week observed by the Jews(Saturday)
Then of course the question of why Jesus was accused of breaking the Sabbath when he tried to heal a man in John 5:10-13 [BIBLEDRB]John 5:10-13[/BIBLEDRB]

It’s somewhat problematic to reason that Jesus broke the Sabbath, to remind those to keep it. Kind of like saying I’ll break a law like the speed limit, be a accused of it like Jesus was, so that it reminds you to keep the law, and not speed, or in this case not to break the Sabbath. I know my SDA friends had trouble grappling with this one, aside from requirement of circumcision in the old testament, then Galatians 5:2 saying the opposite. Christ of course, like always is the key, certainly in how the New Covenant applied to the Jews who converted, and what does, or doesn’t apply to us gentiles.

That’s my next endevour. Reading more about the early Christians(Church Fathers). I haven’t read the early Christians account on this in depth. Just short snippets from here: catholic.com/tracts/sabbath-or-sunday . Jimmy Akins explanation about this(The Lords Day) is quite good as well, having trouble finding it. What’s great though is the Catholic faiths richness in history. Of course history doesn’t trump the Scriptures, but eyewitness accounts of early Christians that were there and even knew the apostles can’t be totally ignored. I think many other faiths just write off the early Christians, which is unfortunate.
I have to credit the SDA church and discussions with my SDA buddies for making me want to learn more about our Catholic faith. It’s all good, all about truth and love, nothing more. Congrats to you again, and of course all the blessings.

Thanks for all the well-wishes! I left a note of my SDA->Catholic ‘conversion’ above in post #4, but it wasn’t much of a conversion because I wasn’t actually SDA. I was just there temporarily, and when I realized that I was never going to be able to join the denomination in good conscience, I quit.
I have read (please read “I skimmed quickly online”) that SDA students of scripture do not all agree on what the term ‘Sabbath’ means in Colossians, and that some have actually admitted that it does mean the weekly Sabbath.

 

[paulrxp]

Thanks for all the well-wishes! I left a note of my SDA->Catholic ‘conversion’ above in post #4, but it wasn’t much of a conversion because I wasn’t actually SDA. I was just there temporarily, and when I realized that I was never going to be able to join the denomination in good conscience, I quit.
I have read (please read “I skimmed quickly online”) that SDA students of scripture do not all agree on what the term ‘Sabbath’ means in Colossians, and that some have actually admitted that it does mean the weekly Sabbath.

We’ll give you 1/2 credit for being a part time SDA member, but still the full credit for following the Holy Spirit and your conscience. Also that you’re the only one with a running Catholic convert meter in your signature with atomic precision. By the way, does your counter include Saturdays? lol

I have to admit I’ve been a wishy-washy Catholic, I never really lost my way, but I’ve got much repenting to do. Still, I have to give credit to my SDA friends for pushing my buttons enough to wake me up. The other event that sparked the Catholic revival in my life was at McDonalds of all places. A former Catholic who joined the Church of Christ spent an hour defining what a Catholic believes. I felt like a complete idiot and buffoon with my answers. It was like someone insulting your mother, in this case the Mother Church, and all I could do was stuff my face with a big mac and fries. That was enough shame.

Have to thank the OP(orig poster) for starting this thread. SDA’s can be very anti-Catholic, but if I didn’t see for myself how wonderful these people could be, I’d be guilty of the hate and bigotry, or perhaps it was good they found out I was Catholic after they became friends with me ,anyways by the grace of God it worked out fine, it always does.

ps: Still wonder how those who believe in the Bible alone as sole authority could ignore the history of the Bible, that always perplexed me.

 

[Church_Militant]

Would staff apologist Michelle Arnold do?

There’s a lot of good info at that link.

 

[SecretaryMonday]

We’ll give you 1/2 credit for being a part time SDA member, but still the full credit for following the Holy Spirit and your conscience. Also that you’re the only one with a running Catholic convert meter in your signature with atomic precision. By the way, does your counter include Saturdays? lol

I have to admit I’ve been a wishy-washy Catholic, I never really lost my way, but I’ve got much repenting to do. Still, I have to give credit to my SDA friends for pushing my buttons enough to wake me up. The other event that sparked the Catholic revival in my life was at McDonalds of all places. A former Catholic who joined the Church of Christ spent an hour defining what a Catholic believes. I felt like a complete idiot and buffoon with my answers. It was like someone insulting your mother, in this case the Mother Church, and all I could do was stuff my face with a big mac and fries. That was enough shame.

The convert meter includes Saturdays (it better because I was Confirmed on a Saturday). Unfortunately it doesn’t record in increments smaller than full days.

Funny McDonald’s story! If all you can do is eat a Big Mac…you’re doing pretty good, in my estimation.

 

[dreamfleur]

Would staff apologist Michelle Arnold do?

There’s a lot of good info at that link.

Thank you. I had looked at her story but was wondering if there was anyone or multiple people that I could communicate with. As an SDA I have different issues than other Christians. But thank you I will look into each of those links.

 

[dreamfleur]

I’ve since learned that Seventh Day Adventists have a huge distrust and even contempt for the Christian Fathers (correct me if I’m wrong, I’ve brought this up to other SDAs). To me, if I can’t trace a denomination back to the source, how should I believe that its truly a remnant and not a modern invention?

I was not aware of this. I took a couple of upper lever religion classes in their universities and we read a lot of the Christian fathers. They were classes on the history of Christendom though, so maybe they couldn’t do it any other way. But I was taught that Constantine changed the Sabbath to Sunday and that early Christians kept the Sabbath ( as a somber day) and also Sunday (as a day of rejoicing because Jesus had risen) and soon tired of the sadness associated with the Sabbath so kept worshipping on Sunday. Another example that most SDA’s will give is that Jesus kept the Sabbath EVEN IN THE GRAVE, because he rested.

 

[brb3]

I was not aware of this. I took a couple of upper lever religion classes in their universities and we read a lot of the Christian fathers. They were classes on the history of Christendom though, so maybe they couldn’t do it any other way. But I was taught that Constantine changed the Sabbath to Sunday and that early Christians kept the Sabbath ( as a somber day) and also Sunday (as a day of rejoicing because Jesus had risen) and soon tired of the sadness associated with the Sabbath so kept worshipping on Sunday. Another example that most SDA’s will give is that Jesus kept the Sabbath EVEN IN THE GRAVE, because he rested.

His body rested, but he was holding Mass for the OT deceased in the underworld. His spirit did not sleep or suffer death. That he offered up/ committed to the Father as he took his last breath.

 

[chero23]

I’m just wondering if there are any ex-SDA’s out there?
Would you mind sharing what brought you to the CC?
Were there any major hurdles in your conversion?
Thanks

Its funny and ironic that you put up this post, my gf is a SDA, and were having this discussion of who is right. Were reading the bible and last night we just got through Genesis. I have found them to be very closed minded. I have been to their church several times and I don’t know, its just not my area. I have been a Catholic all my life. But going with her to her service or programs ( i have been around 5 times in 3 years) i have never felt that truthfulness there.

I have asked my girlfriend, hun, read the early Churh Fathers, those guys will tell you the truth of Christianity. She responds by saying, its not the bible. So i tell her you wont read what these guys had to say and a lot of them were taught by the apostles, but you will read or here a sermon from your pastor, who uses Ellen G. Whites stuff.

It has not been a healthy topic, when it comes to her and my belief.

 

[brb3]

Its funny and ironic that you put up this post, my gf is a SDA, and were having this discussion of who is right. Were reading the bible and last night we just got through Genesis. I have found them to be very closed minded. I have been to their church several times and I don’t know, its just not my area. I have been a Catholic all my life. But going with her to her service or programs ( i have been around 5 times in 3 years) i have never felt that truthfulness there.

I have asked my girlfriend, hun, read the early Churh Fathers, those guys will tell you the truth of Christianity. She responds by saying, its not the bible. So i tell her you wont read what these guys had to say and a lot of them were taught by the apostles, but you will read or here a sermon from your pastor, who uses Ellen G. Whites stuff.

It has not been a healthy topic, when it comes to her and my belief.

Indoctrination…is very strong. Especially when the subject matter ( questions & answers) are limited, tightly controlled, and open questioning discouraged.