Greetings, one and all.

I am in the process of updating earlier written material on Religious Cultism, to be presented as a 13-week Bible School class here in Indiana, PA.

In putting the material together, I have a question I would like some input to.

"Is the Seventh Day Adventist Church" of today a cult?

Let me extend this thought: Certainly the start of 7th Day-ism by Ellen G White from among the Millerites was a cult. Today though, the 7th Day church comes very close to disavowing White. As well, they are doing all they can to associate themselves with "mainstream Christianity" outside of their Sabbath Day worship.

Most Christian book writers on the cults do NOT call 7th Day-ism a cult, or if they associate them as "cultic" at all, they list the 7th Day church in the back of their books, almost as an afterthought.

I personally believe there is enough connection to White to continue to look on the 7th Day church as a cult. What about you? And why do you hold to your position?

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

Answers

Darrell.....

Before I answer your question, let me ask you...."What do you consider a cult??"

Thanks!

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

My answer would be "yes and no."

The SDA is not monolithic. Much of it is denominational/sectarian (although wierd), but there are factions at the extreme edges that have certainly crossed the line and could be considered cultic. (Hmmm, kinda reminds me of our CoC brothers ...)

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

Danny -- not trying to dodge your question, but I don't want to "skew" the responses, and would rather have responses based on THEIR definition of a cut.

But ... you raise a great point. And once this thread runs out, I will start another on defining cults and cultic activity. Maybe it's a bit backwards, but let's do it that way.

So, based on YOUR definition, would you list SDA as a cult? And please feel free to share your definition of a cult if you like.

Thanks!

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

ABSOLUTELY....NO DOUBT ABOUT IT....NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.....I TEACH IT......7TH DAY ADVENTISM IS A CULT!!!!

I received a book back in 1987 that was sent out by the SDA church free of charge to all evanglical preachers in an attempt to say..."See....we're just like you." The book was entitled...."What We Believe"...and they listed 27 of the major beliefs of the SDA church.

They did in fact....do their best...politely....to escape their association with Ellen G. White. My guess is....based upon the way Walter Martin has cowtowed to them...they have been successful in convincing much of evangelical Christianity that they were in fact...."just like them." (I wouldn't put too much stock in that....because much of evanglical Christianity considers homosexuality an "acceptable alternate lifestye.") Ecclesiastical handcounts mean nada to me.

However....the one little dirty secret that seems to escape most people's notice. In that book....while they try to distance themselves from E. G. White.....95% OF THE FOOTNOTES INDICATE QUOTATIONS FROM HER WRITINGS!!!! In other words....they cannot escape they owe much of their thinking....and doctrines....to her....thus the need to quote her incessantly.

This, by the way, constitutes one of the two ways in which I define a cult...i.e., any group that claims "extra biblical revelation as a source of authority in the church."

And make no mistake about....E. G. White equated her writings...with Scripture.

Let me give you an example of how in this book they try to get off the hook with her statements about her own inspiration. They state...and I quote..."Ellen G. White was only inspired in the sense that other non-writing prophets were inspired."

Really?? Then Ellen puts herself on par with Jesus....for which book did Jesus author?? Hmmmmmmm.

No other way to slice it. Without E.G. White....there is no SDA Church. They are a cult!!!

Oh....I continue to teach "Religious Cultism" on the college level....so I'm just a tad informed on the goings on there.

If you want a really interesting discussion.....let's talk about..."Is the Worldwide Church of God/Armstrongism A Cult?" Are you aware that two years ago they FULLY RENOUNCED THE TENETS OF ARMSTRONGISM....INCLUDING HERBERT HIMSELF....FULLY REPENTED.....AND FULLY EMBRACED MAINLINE EVANGELICALISM??

I've had to drop them from my curriculum......although I do teach some of the old stuff in order for students to be familiar with British Israelism.

Quite a story. Baker Book House has a new book out from one of the insiders that discusses the details of how it came to be. I'm looking forward to reading it.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2002

Danny,

You stated: much of evanglical Christianity considers homosexuality an "acceptable alternate lifestye".

I spend the majority of my time with evangelicals, and consider myself an evangelical. I can't name one that would agree with your statement. Perhaps you meant "Mainline Denominations"?

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2002