the SDA are they christian or not?

[6glargento]

can the Seventh Day Adventists be considered christians? I know that they have some very far out beliefs such as the denial of eternal hell and immortal souls (they say that the catholic church invented these teachings). They also believe that jesus appeared to their prophet ellen white, similar of how the mormons have a prophet. Do SDA believe in the trinity? I have talked to some who do but i have heard of others who do not. I even have heard some who claim that jesus is michael the archangel (similar to jehovah’s witnesses). Some people consider the SDA to be a cult like the mormons and the Jehovah’s Witness because of their unique doctrines and beliefs, what should we make of them?

 

[Maria1212]

can the Seventh Day Adventists be considered christians? I know that they have some very far out beliefs such as the denial of eternal hell and immortal souls (they say that the catholic church invented these teachings). They also believe that jesus appeared to their prophet ellen white, similar of how the mormons have a prophet. Do SDA believe in the trinity? I have talked to some who do but i have heard of others who do not. I even have heard some who claim that jesus is michael the archangel (similar to jehovah’s witnesses). Some people consider the SDA to be a cult like the mormons and the Jehovah’s Witness because of their unique doctrines and beliefs, what should we make of them?

Adventists are considered Christian. While they originally did not believe in the Trinity, they later changed this doctrine, so that they would be considered a Christian denomination. Groups that do not believe in the Trinity, are not considered Christian by the Catholic Church.

Please read the following link for more info.

catholic.com/library/Seventh_Day_Adventism.asp

Sincerely,

Maria1212

 

[Prayer_Warrior]

I would say yes, after reading this article. In it you’ll see they believe in the Trinity, Christ’s Divinity and they have a valid baptism. I didn’t see anything about them believing Christ is really St. Michael the Archangel. I think that is just the JW’s.

 

[Brian_C]

They are indeed Christian but like many protestants blame the CC for everything wrong in the world, including Sunday worship.

 

[St_Violet]

they do indeed believe that Michael the Arch angel is christ, they believe Michael is one of Christ’s titles. but the sad part is alot of the adventist don’t really know it’s one of the beliefs their church holds, I met a few who thought I was lying.

I do consider Seventh Day adventistism as a christian denomination because the fact they believe in the Trinity and that Christ died for them, but their version of christianity is very backwards, sometimes I don’t even think it’s christianity anymore, more judaism then christianity.

 

[Daniel_Marsh]

their modern belief is that Micheal is an archtype of Jesus. So, they will quote the same texts that the JWs do to prove this.

At one time in their history they believed in Semi-Arianism and as such were outside the church comletely - aka homean arianism.

The main demonination accepts the Trinity. There are “independent ministries” that reject the trinity.

It was Walter Martin who first recognised them as Christian in an article in a protestant magazine.

 

[SDA2RC]

Here is an authoritative explanation of the SDA view of Michael the Arch Angel and Christ.

“We believe that the term “Michael” is but one of the many titles applied to the Son of God, the second person of the Godhead. But such a view does not in any way conflict with our belief in His full deity and eternal pre-existence, nor does it in the least disparage His person and work.”

You can view the rest here:
sdanet.org/atissue/books/qod/q08.htm

 

[6glargento]

Here is an authoritative explanation of the SDA view of Michael the Arch Angel and Christ.

“We believe that the term “Michael” is but one of the many titles applied to the Son of God, the second person of the Godhead. But such a view does not in any way conflict with our belief in His full deity and eternal pre-existence, nor does it in the least disparage His person and work.”

You can view the rest here:
sdanet.org/atissue/books/qod/q08.htm

wouldn’t this mean tho, that they worship michael the archange as the 2nd person of the trinity? Wouldn’t that be considered idolatry

 

[SDA2RC]

wouldn’t this mean tho, that they worship michael the archange as the 2nd person of the trinity? Wouldn’t that be considered idolatry

Not in my opinion…

If they believed that Michael was a created being, then yes, but they basically believe in Christ and worship him very much the same as we do, however, they also feel his name is Michael. Do they ascribe a wrong title to him… yes, but are they still Christian in their understanding of God and Christ… I think they are!

 

[Contarini]

can the Seventh Day Adventists be considered christians?

Certainly.

I know that they have some very far out beliefs such as the denial of eternal hell and immortal souls (they say that the catholic church invented these teachings).

I do not define a Christian as “someone who does not have far-out beliefs.”

They also believe that jesus appeared to their prophet ellen white, similar of how the mormons have a prophet.

But unlike Joseph Smith, Ellen White did not teach things that fundamentally contradict the Christian faith, though she did teach many dubious and even erroneous things.

Do SDA believe in the trinity? I have talked to some who do but i have heard of others who do not. I even have heard some who claim that jesus is michael the archangel (similar to jehovah’s witnesses).

I have never heard of this. Are you sure they were members of the SDA and not of some other Adventist group? My understanding is that the SDA clearly teaches the doctrine of the Trinity.

Some people consider the SDA to be a cult like the mormons and the Jehovah’s Witness because of their unique doctrines and beliefs, what should we make of them?

I think that the word “cult” should be retired–heresy is a much better word. I do not consider the SDAs heretical, though I think they are borderline. I do consider the JWs and Mormons heretical. Also, in my vocabulary a heretic is still a Christian, so I would consider the JWs heretical Christians. Mormons are on the border between being heretical Christians and being a non-Christian religion, but because Jesus is central to their faith and they confess Him as Savior (horribly erroneous though their views of Him are) I would tend to classify them as heretical Christians.

I think that by the standards of the Catholic Church the SDAs would be heretical Christians, and the Mormons and arguably the JWs as well would not be Christians at all. But I’ll let the Catholics speak to that!

Edwin

 

[CCM08]

I think anyone would be wise to be weary of the “prophet cults” that came out of the US in the 19th century. The Millerites were a doomsday cult that, when their original prophecy failed, Ellen White retooled with “prophetic visions” into a church obessed with Saturday worship. Looking at some of the other fruits of that movement, such as David Koresh and the Branch Davidians, it’s clear to see that it can go in dangerous directions.

 

[SDA2RC]

I think anyone would be wise to be weary of the “prophet cults” that came out of the US in the 19th century. The Millerites were a doomsday cult that, when their original prophecy failed, Ellen White retooled with “prophetic visions” into a church obessed with Saturday worship. Looking at some of the other fruits of that movement, such as David Koresh and the Branch Davidians, it’s clear to see that it can go in dangerous directions.

The Branch Davidians were not part of the SDA Church, David Koresh had been expelled by the SDA Church long before the incident at Waco. Trying to make the SDA’s responsible for the Branch Davidians intellectually dishonest and simply a smear. IF one wants to play that game, then the ultimately, the Catholics are responsible for the Branch Davidians, after all, the protestants broke from us, and the Branch Davidians from them, so that would make us the root?

Lets put the blame for the Branch Davidians on the Branch Davidians where it belongs.

BTW, some of the other “fruits” of the SDA movement are some of the most well trained Doctors and hospital system in the world helping people, millions of people have been through their Stop Smoking Program, and the staunch advocacy of religious liberty, something that it is easy to forget now that Catholics are no longer being physically persecuted in America.

 

[amills]

Thanks for a thoughtful response Brandon. You are correct. SDAs are responsible for some very good things in the world and should not be denied credit for such. Neither should they be blamed for persons who break off to do evil any more than someone who breaks off from the Catholic Church.

 

[Maria1212]

Lets put the blame for the Branch Davidians on the Branch Davidians where it belongs.

BTW, some of the other “fruits” of the SDA movement are some of the most well trained Doctors and hospital system in the world helping people, millions of people have been through their Stop Smoking Program, and the staunch advocacy of religious liberty, something that it is easy to forget now that Catholics are no longer being physically persecuted in America.

Excellent response Brandon! I agree whole-heartedly!.

Sincerely,

Maria1212

 

[jack_hawkins]

from what I know Seventh Day Adventists are Christian, as despite their unorthodox beliefs they do believe in Jesus as saviour and Lord

the term cult should be reserved for mind control orgnanisation eg the Moonies and Scientologists

 

[CCM08]

The Branch Davidians were not part of the SDA Church, David Koresh had been expelled by the SDA Church long before the incident at Waco. Trying to make the SDA’s responsible for the Branch Davidians intellectually dishonest and simply a smear. IF one wants to play that game, then the ultimately, the Catholics are responsible for the Branch Davidians, after all, the protestants broke from us, and the Branch Davidians from them, so that would make us the root?

You can get your panties in a wad if you wish, it is simply the truth that the Branch Davidians are rooted in Adventism. Just the way that fundamentalist Mormon groups, regardless of how embrassing their behavior to the mainstream Mormons, are rooted in Mormonism. The truth of the matter is the Branch Davidians were a lot more faithful to their doomsday cult beginnings than modern SDA’s are, but the roots are the same, As in direct roots, not splinters separated by centuries and excommunications vis a vis your Catholic analogy.

Lets put the blame for the Branch Davidians on the Branch Davidians where it belongs.

Adventist theology, that’s pretty easy.

BTW, some of the other “fruits” of the SDA movement are some of the most well trained Doctors and hospital system in the world helping people, millions of people have been through their Stop Smoking Program, and the staunch advocacy of religious liberty, something that it is easy to forget now that Catholics are no longer being physically persecuted in America.

The Mormons these days do lots of good things, that doesn’t mean their theology isn’t dangerous. Nor does it mean the modern Mormon church didn’t evolve out of a libertine polygamy cult.

 

[Contarini]

You can get your panties in a wad if you wish, it is simply the truth that the Branch Davidians are rooted in Adventism. Just the way that fundamentalist Mormon groups, regardless of how embrassing their behavior to the mainstream Mormons, are rooted in Mormonism. The truth of the matter is the Branch Davidians were a lot more faithful to their doomsday cult beginnings than modern SDA’s are, but the roots are the same, As in direct roots, not splinters separated by centuries and excommunications vis a vis your Catholic analogy.

Centuries I’ll grant you. But are you denying that the SDAs had expelled Koresh? So he is separated from them by excommunication just as he is separated from Catholicism. How many excommunications (and/or centuries) does it take? It seems to me that one excommunication is enough!

Edwin

 

[Contarini]

You can get your panties in a wad if you wish, it is simply the truth that the Branch Davidians are rooted in Adventism. Just the way that fundamentalist Mormon groups, regardless of how embrassing their behavior to the mainstream Mormons, are rooted in Mormonism. The truth of the matter is the Branch Davidians were a lot more faithful to their doomsday cult beginnings than modern SDA’s are, but the roots are the same, As in direct roots, not splinters separated by centuries and excommunications vis a vis your Catholic analogy.

Centuries I’ll grant you. But are you denying that the SDAs had expelled Koresh? So he is separated from them by excommunication just as he is separated from Catholicism. How many excommunications (and/or centuries) does it take? It seems to me that one excommunication is enough!

Edwin

 

[Contarini]

You can get your panties in a wad if you wish, it is simply the truth that the Branch Davidians are rooted in Adventism. Just the way that fundamentalist Mormon groups, regardless of how embrassing their behavior to the mainstream Mormons, are rooted in Mormonism. The truth of the matter is the Branch Davidians were a lot more faithful to their doomsday cult beginnings than modern SDA’s are, but the roots are the same, As in direct roots, not splinters separated by centuries and excommunications vis a vis your Catholic analogy.

Centuries I’ll grant you. But are you denying that the SDAs had expelled Koresh? So he is separated from them by excommunication just as he is separated from Catholicism. How many excommunications (and/or centuries) does it take? It seems to me that one excommunication is enough!

Edwin

 

[SDA2RC]

Centuries I’ll grant you. But are you denying that the SDAs had expelled Koresh? So he is separated from them by excommunication just as he is separated from Catholicism. How many excommunications (and/or centuries) does it take? It seems to me that one excommunication is enough!

Edwin

The Branch Davidians began in 1929, and through the list of their successive leaders they were further and further removed from Christianity and Adventism. By the time of David Koresh, and the incident at Waco, the Branch Davidians had VERY VERY LITTLE in common with Adventism.

Like I said, it is as ridiculous to blame Adventism’s doctrines or system for the Branch Davidians as it is to blame Catholicism for the Cathars.

The responsiblity for the sect lies squarely on the shoulders of those who chose to live and advocate that religion, no one else.