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That Jesus is the priest in a spiritual temple, so there is no need for men being priests on earth dispensing forgiveness.
Originally posted by icepack
what is the difference to catholicism ?
The Seventh Day Adventist Church never predicted the second coming. There were people who did, long before the church came into existence. Some of the founders of the SDA Church were people who heard this prediction and decided to look into the second coming. They decided that what is currently going on is a judgement in heaven, where it starts with the earliest people (professed followers of God, the unbelievers to be considered later) and works though them until eventually it gets to people who are still alive. Whenever that happens (or comes to a completion), then it would only be a matter of hours before Jesus appears in the heavens, in full view of the inhabitants of Earth.
Saturday Sabbath. They are also deep into the interpretation of prophecy. This video is a good example. They have predicted the coming of Jesus several times in the churches history. Lately, they have avoided this. Their interpretation of prophecy is interesting to me. Especially this particular video series. Kenneth Cox is a very educated man and well spoken.
Originally posted by Lazarus Short
In recent years, the SDA church has produced and published its own translation of the Bible, which surely is biased to support that church's doctrinal positions. It comes under various titles, but is basically called The Clear Word. That, in my view, elevates (if that is the correct word) the SDA church to cultdom. Further, the writings of the SDA "founding" prophetess, E.G. White, have also been worked over. Hang around long enough, and you begin to hear the rumor, "Don't you know that the old editions of her books are different?" One SDA speaker even stated boldly in a meeting I attended that, "Somewhere in the archives of [the SDA church] is the Spirit of Prophecy!" I say this as a former member - I studied my way into it, and then I studied my way out of it.
You all may find it of interest that the SDA church, at a national meeting many years ago, voted DOWN the doctrine of salvation by Grace through faith. In fairness, I should say that many Adventists probably believe in that doctrine, nevertheless.edit on 18-9-2011 by Lazarus Short because: lah-de-dahedit on 18-9-2011 by Lazarus Short because: dooooooooooedit on 18-9-2011 by Lazarus Short because: dum-de-dum
That was the protestant view back in the day. The Pope is the anti-christ, that is not an SDA invention but just an adoption of what was generally held within Protestantism a hundred and fifty years ago. Officially, the SDA church governing body or whatever, backed away from that probably eighty years ago but you have some of the same sort of things as in Mormonism, where you have some churches that get heavily into Joseph Smith. There are a lot of SDA people who have decided that old is better, and if the SDA believed it back then, it is good enough for them now, or some such philosophy. My point is that the main denominational government of the church does not use a heavy hand on the individual congregations to keep them up on current official positions by the leading SDA scholars.
Originally posted by VeniVidi
I have watched this church for several years. Many of its members have television programs that are shown on a local station in my area. They spend a lot of time convincing their members that the Catholic Church is the "anti-christ". They present some powerful evidence of this. I am not going to include that evidence here, but a simple google search will produce lots of results.
I am aware that there is such a thing. I have heard its existence brought up in church but never have seen a copy of it as in an actual book. I have never heard anyone quote from it. I have never heard anyone claim that they thought it was in any way superior to an otherwise ordinary Bible. Maybe there is something going with it but I would consider it an isolated phenomenon. I am sure if anyone is interested in it, they could probably find something on the internet about it.
. . .It comes under various titles, but is basically called The Clear Word.
Mrs. White did not found the church and never claimed to be a prophet. She did write a lot of books or books were published with her name as the author. Most likely she dictated what she wanted written to a secretary who did the actual writing. She had an extensive library and was well read so a lot of what went into her books were her take on things she read. A lot of books are just compilations of things she wrote in various letters.
Further, the writings of the SDA "founding" prophetess, E.G. White, have also been worked over. Hang around long enough, and you begin to hear the rumor, "Don't you know that the old editions of her books are different?" One SDA speaker even stated boldly in a meeting I attended that, "Somewhere in the archives of [the SDA church] is the Spirit of Prophecy!" I say this as a former member - I studied my way into it, and then I studied my way out of it.
There is no official creed for the church so if they voted down making one, then it does not matter what the creed may or may not have been. People like to get conspiratorial and it is better not to get cught up in foolish speculation.
You all may find it of interest that the SDA church, at a national meeting many years ago, voted DOWN the doctrine of salvation by Grace through faith. In fairness, I should say that many Adventists probably believe in that doctrine, nevertheless.
I'm in my mid to late fifties and I can look back on my own indoctrination and feel it was pretty light, really. There are those elements you mentioned but pretty easy to take compared to what you might get in other churches. I did feel a bit uneasy bringing up my religion in school for the same reason no kid wants to seen different. So there was no real rebellion against what I was told but my brother had a problem with it, being into football which is played on Friday nights. Somehow he got his way, anyway, so there you go, they don't believe in disowning their own children over doctrine.
I didn't like being told what to believe. The indoctrination bored me. But that is not limited to Adventists. That's pretty much standard across the board.
I can remember the people who were old back in the early sixties who were big on E. G. White. Basically all those old timers died out by the seventies, the ones who had grown up back when there was a brief time after her death where people idolized her a bit and equated her writings with scripture. If you actually read her letters it is just really friendly general advise to people who asked her for help. I could give an example. A young woman has a young child who dies. She grieves and then falls ill herself and dies. Her survivors are sad and she writes and says don't feel sad for them because she is with her child and with Jesus. Now here is a load of fuel to make a whole bunch of doctrine on if one was so inclined. Well people are not that stupid and just take it as a nice thing to say to this stricken family.
As time progresses E. G. White is not stressed as much as she was 20-30 years ago. She may be mentioned here and there but she is no longer pushed on anyone. But some of the older members may still romanticize her. What exactly are you saying she founded?
Originally posted by jmdewey60
reply to post by SuperiorEd
The Seventh Day Adventist Church never predicted the second coming. There were people who did, long before the church came into existence. Some of the founders of the SDA Church were people who heard this prediction and decided to look into the second coming. They decided that what is currently going on is a judgement in heaven, where it starts with the earliest people (professed followers of God, the unbelievers to be considered later) and works though them until eventually it gets to people who are still alive. Whenever that happens (or comes to a completion), then it would only be a matter of hours before Jesus appears in the heavens, in full view of the inhabitants of Earth.
Saturday Sabbath. They are also deep into the interpretation of prophecy. This video is a good example. They have predicted the coming of Jesus several times in the churches history. Lately, they have avoided this. Their interpretation of prophecy is interesting to me. Especially this particular video series. Kenneth Cox is a very educated man and well spoken.
The video you linked to is an officially sanctioned sort of publication so there is nothing which would be heretical in the view of the SDA Church.
The church does promote the seventh day Sabbath, and consider Sunday to be a later adaptation promoted by people such as Emperor Constantine.
edit on 18-9-2011 by jmdewey60 because: (no reason given)
It was some people who came through the whole Millerite episode in 1844. They were ones who decided Jesus would return eventually but just when is not to be determined by us.
Right. I think it was the Millerites who originated the SDA church.