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The '''Seventh-day Adventist Church''' (SDA church) is a Protestant denomination founded in America the mid–19th century during the [[Second Great Awakening]]. The basic tenets of Adventism were based on a version of [[premillennial]] evangelical Protestantism and focused on the prophecy that Christ would return in 1844. They strongly emphasize the [[Sabbath]] as Saturday (the 7th day) and a binding institution, strenuously opposing efforts to legally sanctify Sunday. Seventh-day Adventist theology and teachings are highly conservative in terms of church tradition, placing not only a strong emphasis on ''[[Sola Scriptura]]'' but also adhering to traditional views of authorship, such as defending [[John the Apostle|Johannine]] authorship of the [[Book of Revelation]] and even [[Paul the Apostle|Pauline]] authorship of the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]] against contemporary critics. On eschatology, Seventh-day Adventists proclaim historicism in contrast to the popular adherence to futurism and [[preterism]], which they criticize as Jesuit propaganda conspired to divert criticism of the Papacy during the [[Protestant Reformation]]. Adventist teachings are also most Judaic out of prominent Christian denominations due to its greater emphasis on the Old Testament, whose stated moral law it regards as remaining binding on humanity.

The '''Seventh-day Adventist Church''' (SDA church) is a Protestant denomination founded in America the mid–19th century during the [[Second Great Awakening]]. The basic tenets of Adventism were based on a version of [[premillennial]] evangelical Protestantism and focused on the prophecy that Christ would return in 1844. They strongly emphasize the [[Sabbath]] as Saturday (the 7th day) and a binding institution, strenuously opposing efforts to legally sanctify Sunday. Seventh-day Adventist theology and teachings are highly conservative in terms of church tradition, placing not only a strong emphasis on ''[[Sola Scriptura]]'' but also adhering to traditional views of authorship, such as defending [[John the Apostle|Johannine]] authorship of the [[Book of Revelation]] and even [[Paul the Apostle|Pauline]] authorship of the [[Epistle to the Hebrews]] against contemporary critics. On [[eschatology]], Seventh-day Adventists proclaim historicism in contrast to the popular adherence to futurism and [[preterism]], which they criticize as Jesuit propaganda conspired to divert criticism of the Papacy during the [[Protestant Reformation]]. Adventist teachings are also most Judaic out of prominent Christian denominations due to their greater emphasis on the Old Testament, whose stated moral law they regard as remaining binding on humanity.

The church was organized in 1863 around the belief that Jesus indeed had entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844. Ellen G. White (1827–1915), while holding no official role, was the dominant personality and moved the denomination to a concentration on missionary and medical work. Beginning in the 1890s, the Seventh-day Adventist Church was impacted by the [[Holiness Movement]]. Borrowing from the Holiness Movement, Albion Fox Ballenger and Sarepta M. I. Henry sought to bring together law and gospel themes, and thereby fill a spiritual need not met by Adventist emphasis on moral behavior. Revival focused on being filled with the Holy Spirit and healing. Mission and medical work continues to play a central role in the 21st century.

The church was organized in 1863 around the belief that Jesus indeed had entered the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary in 1844. Ellen G. White (1827–1915), while holding no official role, was the dominant personality and moved the denomination to a concentration on missionary and medical work. Beginning in the 1890s, the Seventh-day Adventist Church was impacted by the [[Holiness Movement]]. Borrowing from the Holiness Movement, Albion Fox Ballenger and Sarepta M. I. Henry sought to bring together law and gospel themes, and thereby fill a spiritual need not met by Adventist emphasis on moral behavior. Revival focused on being filled with the Holy Spirit and healing. Mission and medical work continue to play a central role in the 21st century.

The church professes 28 fundamental beliefs which it sees as being based on the Bible, which it states is the only basis of its faith. The church believes that the writings of Ellen G. White are divinely inspired and useful for guidance, but do not take place of the Bible, which they believe is the only source of doctrine.  Healthy food is part of the religion—most Adventists are vegetarians, in addition to rejecting coffee, tea, and alcohol as harmful due to the stimulant nature of caffeine and impairing effects of ethanol.  Adventists in Battle Creek, Michigan, developed America's [[Breakfast cereals|breakfast cereal industry]].

The church professes 28 fundamental beliefs which it sees as being based on the Bible, which it states is the only basis of its faith. The church believes that the writings of Ellen G. White are divinely inspired and useful for guidance, but do not take the place of the Bible, which they believe is the only source of doctrine.  Healthy food is part of the religion—most Adventists are vegetarians, in addition to rejecting coffee, tea, and alcohol as harmful due to the stimulant nature of caffeine and the impairing effects of ethanol.  Adventists in Battle Creek, Michigan, developed America's [[Breakfast cereals|breakfast cereal industry]].

   

   

Adventist missionary activity has been quite successful, and over 90% of members are outside the U.S., including 34% in Africa, 33% in Latin American, versus 8% in the U.S. and Canada. There is a very active missionary program in 230 countries. There are 15 million members, with the greatest numbers in Brazil (1.3 million); the US (950,000); India (920,000); the Philippines (750,000); Peru (660,000); Mexico (550,000); and Kenya (530,000).  There are 64,000 churches and 16,000 ordained ministers.<ref>See statistics at [http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/rel_sev_adv_mem-religion-seventh-day-adventist-membership online]</ref>   

Adventist missionary activity has been quite successful, and over 90% of members are outside the U.S., including 34% in Africa, 33% in Latin America, versus 8% in the U.S. and Canada. There is a very active missionary program in 230 countries. There are 15 million members, with the greatest numbers in Brazil (1.3 million); the US (950,000); India (920,000); the Philippines (750,000); Peru (660,000); Mexico (550,000); and Kenya (530,000).  There are 64,000 churches and 16,000 ordained ministers.<ref>See statistics at [http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/rel_sev_adv_mem-religion-seventh-day-adventist-membership online]</ref>   

Worldwide, the church operates 107 colleges and medical schools, and 7300 elementary and secondary schools—total enrollment is 1.5 million. It operates over 700 hospitals, sanitaria and clinics. The worldwide budget is $2.7 billion, with $420 million spent on aid and relief efforts.<ref>See [http://www.adventist.org/world_church/facts_and_figures/index.html.en Official statistics online]</ref>

Worldwide, the church operates 107 colleges and medical schools, and 7300 elementary and secondary schools—total enrollment is 1.5 million. It operates over 700 hospitals, sanitariums, and clinics. The worldwide budget is $2.7 billion, with $420 million spent on aid and relief efforts.<ref>See [http://www.adventist.org/world_church/facts_and_figures/index.html.en Official statistics online]</ref>

==History==

==History==

The [[Second Great Awakening]] saw a general revival of evangelical Christianity and was especially strong among [[Yankee]] Protestants in the [[Burned-over district]] of upstate New York.

The [[Second Great Awakening]] saw a general revival of evangelical Christianity and was especially strong among [[Yankee]] Protestants in the [[Burned-over district]] of upstate New York.

[[William Miller]] was a [[Baptist]] Minister who earnestly looked forward to the return of Christ, but who become inordinately consumed with determining the date. In 1831 he announced he had dated the Second Coming to 1843, when the world would end in a fiery purge. He would hedge on many dates for that year, eventually settling on a period between March 23 of 1843 and 1844.  When nothing occurred, he later revised his date to April 18, 1844, then finally to October 22, 1844.

[[William Miller]] was a [[Baptist]] Minister who earnestly looked forward to the return of Christ, but who became inordinately consumed with determining the date. In 1831, he announced he had dated the Second Coming to 1843, when the world would end in a fiery purge. He would hedge on many dates for that year, eventually settling on a period between March 23 of 1843 and 1844.  When nothing occurred, he later revised his date to April 18, 1844, then finally to October 22, 1844.

When the latter date passed with no Second Coming; to his credit Miller recognized his error and repented of his actions, and thereafter no longer sought to predict a date, though until his death he believed the Second Coming would take place in his lifetime.

When the latter date passed with no Second Coming; to his credit Miller recognized his error and repented of his actions, and thereafter no longer sought to predict a date, though until his death he believed the Second Coming would take place in his lifetime.

Those who did not abandon Millerite Adventism concluded that God had indeed purged the heavenly sanctuary but did not appear on earth due to the sinfulness of humankind. The years of the Great Disappointment, 1843 and again in 1844, might have been the end of the Adventism movement. Instead, it was the beginning. True, Miller lost his audience but many believers soon found a new leadership in [[Ellen G. White]] (1827–1915). By 1863, this group had a new headquarters (Battle Creek, Michigan) and an official new name: Seventh-day Adventists.  The national headquarters was later moved to Maryland.

Those who did not abandon Millerite Adventism concluded that God had indeed purged the heavenly sanctuary but did not appear on earth due to the sinfulness of humankind. The years of the Great Disappointment, 1843 and again in 1844, might have been the end of the Adventism movement. Instead, it was the beginning. True, Miller lost his audience but many believers soon found a new leadership in [[Ellen G. White]] (1827–1915). By 1863, this group had a new headquarters (Battle Creek, Michigan) and an official new name: Seventh-day Adventists.  The national headquarters was later moved to Maryland.

Until 1870 the church had a "shut door" policy focused on veterans of the 1844 experience, seeing them as a saving remnant. The membership was only 5,400 and the door was shut to new members. Under White's guidance the denomination in the 1870s turned to missionary work and revivals, tripling its membership to 16,000 by 1880; rapid growth continued, with 75,000 members in 1901. By this time operated two colleges, a medical school, a dozen academies, 27 hospitals, and 13 publishing houses.  

Until 1870, the church had a "shut door" policy focused on veterans of the 1844 experience, seeing them as a saving remnant. The membership was only 5,400 and the door was shut to new members. Under White's guidance, the denomination in the 1870s turned to missionary work and revivals, tripling its membership to 16,000 by 1880; rapid growth continued, with 75,000 members in 1901. By this time operated two colleges, a medical school, a dozen academies, 27 hospitals, and 13 publishing houses.  

The Adventists had closely followed American politics, matching current events to the predictions in the Bible.  They were alienated and hostile, for the government tolerated slavery and seemed to have lost its pure [[republicanism]]. Their magazines showed the U.S. government as an ugly monster.  Under White's guidance the alienation softened. Adventists by the 1890s believed that the government ''might'' become a dangerous beast (as depicted in ''Revelation'' chapter 13), but had not reached that stage yet. The graphic images of government now depicted a friendly looking American buffalo.

The Adventists had closely followed American politics, matching current events to the predictions in the Bible.  They were alienated and hostile, for the government tolerated slavery and seemed to have lost its pure [[republicanism]]. Their magazines showed the U.S. government as an ugly monster.  Under White's guidance, the alienation softened. Adventists by the 1890s believed that the government ''might'' become a dangerous beast (as depicted in ''Revelation'' chapter 13), but had not reached that stage yet. The graphic images of the government now depicted a friendly-looking American buffalo.

===Politics===

===Politics===

==Health==

==Health==

Adventist emphasis on health and healing coincided with broader emphases on proper diet (specifically the [[Kosher]] dietary laws), promoting [[vegetarianism]], nonsmoking, and temperance—which usually means abstaining from alcohol, premarital sexual, and vulgarity. From [[Breakfast cereals|Kellogg's Corn Flakes]] (an Adventist innovation) to sanitaria emphasizing natural cures to first-rate nursing and medical schools, as well as medical missions around the world, Adventists formed many alliances with more innovative forces, both secular and religious.

Adventist emphasis on health and healing coincided with broader emphases on proper diet (specifically the [[Kosher]] dietary laws), promoting [[vegetarianism]], nonsmoking, and temperance, which usually means abstaining from alcohol, premarital sex, and vulgarity. From [[Breakfast cereals|Kellogg's Corn Flakes]] (an Adventist innovation) to sanitaria emphasizing natural cures to first-rate nursing and medical schools, as well as medical missions around the world, Adventists formed many alliances with more innovative forces, both secular and religious.

In the 20th century premillennial fundamentalism and political conservatism are often associated with each other. The premillennialism of Seventh-day Adventists, however, has not shared the outlook of that conservatism. The Adventists' views on race, prohibition, religious pluralism, the observance of the Sabbath (in the context of establishing Sunday as a national day of rest), and other matters exhibit similarities and differences when compared to the views of premillennial fundamentalists. Adventists have wanted to keep America Protestant, but they stressed liberty as the essence of Protestantism and thus helped to expand American religious pluralism.<ref>Morgan (1994)</ref>

In the 20th century, premillennial fundamentalism and political conservatism were often associated with each other. The premillennialism of Seventh-day Adventists, however, has not shared the outlook of that conservatism. The Adventists' views on race, prohibition, religious pluralism, the observance of the Sabbath (in the context of establishing Sunday as a national day of rest), and other matters exhibit similarities and differences when compared to the views of premillennial fundamentalists. Adventists have wanted to keep America Protestant, but they stressed liberty as the essence of Protestantism and thus helped to expand American religious pluralism.<ref>Morgan (1994)</ref>

At the end of World War II, the church reported 226,000 members in the US and Canada, and 380,000 elsewhere; the budget was $29 million and enrollemnt in church schools was 40,000.

At the end of World War II, the church reported 226,000 members in the US and Canada, and 380,000 elsewhere; the budget was $29 million, and enrollment in church schools was 40,000.

==Advent of Christ==

==Advent of Christ==

Just because Christ did not return to earth in the 1840s did not mean that his return was not imminent, the Adventists argue, nor did it mean that preparations for that return should not remain uppermost in the minds and hearts of Seventh-day Adventists. Adventism is still the essential element in the identity of the group.

Just because Christ did not return to earth in the 1840s did not mean that his return was not imminent, the Adventists argue, nor did it mean that preparations for that return should not remain uppermost in the minds and hearts of Seventh-day Adventists. Adventism is still the essential element in the identity of the group.

==Internal disputes==

==Internal disputes==

The major doctrinal conflicts that troubled the movement throughout the last third of the twentieth century include disputes over the nature of Ellen White's inspiration and authority, challenges to orthodox Adventist interpretations of Daniel 8, and debates over the role of good works in salvation. As with many doctrinal crises among evangelical Protestant churches, these conflicts often arose in disputes between the church's academics, increasingly trained in secular academic traditions, and its more theologically conservative, even reactionary, clerical administrators. In each case these controversies revealed an ambivalence by Adventists toward other Christians and secular society. They asked, are we like them or different, and how much does it matter? It was a crisis of identity for the church.<ref>See Vance (1999)</ref>  

The major doctrinal conflicts that troubled the movement throughout the last third of the twentieth century include disputes over the nature of Ellen White's inspiration and authority, challenges to orthodox Adventist interpretations of Daniel 8, and debates over the role of good works in salvation. As with many doctrinal crises among evangelical Protestant churches, these conflicts often arose in disputes between the church's academics, increasingly trained in secular academic traditions, and its more theologically conservative, even reactionary, clerical administrators. In each case, these controversies revealed an ambivalence by Adventists toward other Christians and secular society. They asked, Are we like them or different, and How much does it matter? It was a crisis of identity for the church.<ref>See Vance (1999)</ref>  

===Role of women===

===Role of women===

Although the denomination was formed by a woman at a time women were not generally allowed in pulpits, the Adventists reversed policy at the same time most denominations became more accepting of women leaders. When Adventists wanted to emphasize their separation from the world, they denounced the gender roles of the larger society, and when they de-emphasized separatism and moved toward accommodation, they advocated gender norms, behaviors, and expectations similar to those of Fundamentalists.<ref>See Vance (1999)</ref>

Although the denomination was formed by a woman at a time when women were not generally allowed in pulpits, the Adventists reversed policy at the same time most denominations became more accepting of women leaders. When Adventists wanted to emphasize their separation from the world, they denounced the gender roles of the larger society, and when they de-emphasized separatism and moved toward accommodation, they advocated gender norms, behaviors, and expectations similar to those of Fundamentalists.<ref>See Vance (1999)</ref>

==Creationism==

==Creationism==

In the history of [[creationism]] in the United States, the emphasis on flood geology is largely an outgrowth of Seventh-day Adventism.<ref>Ronald L. Numbers, ''The Creationists: The Evolution of Scientific Creationism'' (1992)</ref>

In the history of [[creationism]] in the United States, the emphasis on flood geology is largely an outgrowth of Seventh-day Adventism.<ref>Ronald L. Numbers, ''The Creationists: The Evolution of Scientific Creationism'' (1992)</ref>

==Opposition==

==Opposition==

Evangelicals and Fundamentalists have denounced Adventism as an illegitimate cult, the same is said of other Protestant Baptist-origin Millerite movements.<ref>[http://www.apologeticsindex.org/s18.html Seventh-day Adventism, Apologetics Index research resource]</ref>  The main bases for their view is the Adventist teaching of the Investigative Judgment (which is not taught by any other Christian denomination, and lacks Scriptural basis in their view) as well as the Adventist emphasis on keeping Old Testament moral laws (such as worship only on Saturday) as mandatory for Christians.<ref>The objection is not Saturday worship ''per se'' (many [[megachurch]]es hold services on Saturday evenings as well as Sunday mornings) but the view that worship must be held only on Saturdays.</ref>

Evangelicals and Fundamentalists have denounced Adventism as an illegitimate cult; the same is said of other Protestant Baptist-origin Millerite movements.<ref>[http://www.apologeticsindex.org/s18.html Seventh-day Adventism, Apologetics Index research resource]</ref>  The main bases for their view is the Adventist teaching of the Investigative Judgment (which is not taught by any other Christian denomination, and lacks Scriptural basis in their view) as well as the Adventist emphasis on keeping Old Testament moral laws (such as worship only on Saturday) as mandatory for Christians.<ref>The objection is not Saturday worship ''per se'' (many [[megachurch]]es hold services on Saturday evenings as well as Sunday mornings) but the view that worship must be held only on Saturdays.</ref>

==Notable people associated with Adventism==

==Notable people associated with Adventism==

* Morgan, Douglas. "Adventism, Apocalyptic, and the Cause of Liberty," ''Church History'', Vol. 63, No. 2 (Jun., 1994), pp.&nbsp;235–249 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/3168590 in JSTOR]

* Morgan, Douglas. "Adventism, Apocalyptic, and the Cause of Liberty," ''Church History'', Vol. 63, No. 2 (Jun., 1994), pp.&nbsp;235–249 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/3168590 in JSTOR]

* Neufield, Don F. ed. ''Seventh-Day Adventist Encyclopedia'' (10 vol 1976), official publication

* Neufield, Don F. ed. ''Seventh-Day Adventist Encyclopedia'' (10 vol 1976), official publication

* Pearson, Michael. ''Millennial Dreams and Moral Dilemmas: Seventh-day Adventism and Contemporary Ethics.'' (1990, 1998) [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521091489 excerpt and text search], looks at issues of marriage, abortion, homosexuality

* Pearson, Michael. ''Millennial Dreams and Moral Dilemmas: Seventh-day Adventism and Contemporary Ethics.'' (1990, 1998) [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521091489 excerpt and text search], looks at issues of marriage, abortion, and homosexuality

* Schwarz, Richard. ''Light Bearers: A History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church'' (3rd ed. 2000), official history

* Schwarz, Richard. ''Light Bearers: A History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church'' (3rd ed. 2000), official history

* Vance, Laura L. ''Seventh-day Adventism Crisis: Gender and Sectarian Change in an Emerging Religion.'' (1999). 261 pp.

* Vance, Laura L. ''Seventh-day Adventism Crisis: Gender and Sectarian Change in an Emerging Religion.'' (1999). 261 pp.