Is Seventh-Day Adventism a Cult?

[BobRyan]

I am going to ask you plainly. Are you SDA or you do you agree with their doctrine?

I am
and I do.

 

[BobRyan]

No, I just want to know exactly what they actually believe before I make any judgements. I honestly don't know much about their beliefs. I am going to their official website to find out for myself.

Here then is what is "right" go to the source... compare what is actually said to the Bible.... "read" the Bible ..

Our doctrinal promotion is sola scriptura... I have repeatedly said on this and other threads that I welcome the day when the actual "sola scriptura" Protestant model starts being accepted as more valuable than emotionalism and rant and false accusations.

People may agree with us or differ with us - but they should be able to study the Bible to establish their positions up or down on a given doctrine.

The alternative is "sola emotionalism" and we get a lot of that on threads like this.

 

[BobRyan]

BELIEFSSALVATION

DISRUPTED HARMONYLove. Harmony. Perfection. Once, all creation sang the same glorious song.

Disharmony erupted when a once-perfect being abused his God-given freedom. Satan “the accuser” chose self-centeredness and slander over truth and love. Satan claimed that God is not fair, that He’s harsh and controlling, depriving others of what they deserve.

Satan’s deception convinced a third of heaven’s angels, whom God expelled from heaven. Satan claimed rulership of our planet when he swindled its first couple, Adam and Eve, making them doubt God’s trustworthiness and love. That first sin distorted God’s image in us, twisting the world in on itself and threatening its self-destruction. The universe watched to see God’s response to Satan’s accusations.

The “great controversy” between good and evil over God’s character continues to rage, but Jesus, God’s own Son, settled its central question two thousand years ago when He died for humanity.

How strong is God’s love? Jesus’ self-sacrificing death showed that God is willing to pay the incalculable cost of our sins. His sacrifice unmasked the true horror of sin and made clear that God can be trusted. Why did Jesus’ death make such a difference? Because Jesus lived the perfect life that we’ve each failed to achieve and he died the death we each deserve.

The result: We can live for Him, now and forever. Jesus’ sacrifice reconciles us to a perfect God while transforming our hearts. The Holy Spirit shows us our need for God and assures us that we are saved and forgiven. The Spirit writes a new script in our hearts, empowering us to live in freedom, service and joy. God treats us as if we had never sinned, never doubted, never gone our own way.

The same Jesus who subdued demons during His life declared victory over all evil powers at His death. Jesus’ resurrection guarantees that death itself will die. Our new life in Jesus frees us from the fear of death and the shame of our past.

As we connect with Jesus, the Holy Spirit calms our hearts and transforms our outlook. Our spiritual life grows as we talk with God, ponder His Word, share our faith and worship through music and fellowship.

Salvation :: The Official Site of the Seventh-day Adventist world church

amen

 

[BobRyan]

How about we look at SDA official theological core beliefs and point our specifically what is wrong? I will begin with there position on God.


"WHO IS GOD?God is love, power, and splendor—and God is a mystery. His ways are far beyond us, but He still reaches out to us. God is infinite yet intimate, three yet one, all-knowing yet all-forgiving. We will spend eternity cherishing an ever-deepening relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Despite the distance sin demands, God has revealed Himself in countless ways. The Bible is the story of God striving to reconnect with His children, and is a major method God uses to reach us. A mosaic of authors, styles and perspectives, the Bible reveals a God who is ever-creative, ever-patient and ever-seeking to restore our relationship with Him. Though written by ordinary people, through the Spirit it pierces our hearts, opens our eyes and convicts us to live for Him.

God the Father reached out to us most dramatically through His Son Jesus, who chose not just to visit us, but to become one of us. Born human so we can be reborn in the Spirit, Jesus showed us God’s love and character—and how far God was willing to go to save us from self-destruction. What we could not do for ourselves, He did for us, paying the price for our sins, dying in our place so we can live forever. He conquered death through resurrection, and promised to return to take us home.

Meanwhile, God has not left us alone. The Holy Spirit is here to comfort us, guide us and transform us to live as witnesses for God’s love. The same Spirit who inspired prophets and empowered Jesus, who shaped scripture and created the world, enables and empowers each one of us. The Spirit activates the “body of Christ,” the church, through spiritual gifts and a humble attitude of service and compassion. "

Who is God? : The Official Site of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

Does anybody disagree with the above statement?

Certainly I don't disagree with it...

 

[delizzle]

BELIEFSCHURCH

WE ARE ONE BODYJesus left His followers with an epic mission: to tell the world of His love and His promise to return. They should also love people the way He loved them. Entrusting humans with His message was a bold and risky move. But even though God knew people would often fail Him and even distort His truth, He wanted to work with us.

The risk was worth the reward. As followers of Jesus, the church is called and inspired to act like Him: selflessly serving others, relying on God for strength, absorbing God’s Word and telling the world about God’s love. Male and female, rich and poor, people from all backgrounds or ethnicities are all equal in Jesus.

The church supports and encourages one another through time together in worship and Bible study. Christians celebrate Jesus’ covenant with them through the ceremony of the Lord’s Supper, remembering Jesus’ example of service and sacrifice. The church celebrates each member’s salvation through the ritual of baptism by immersion. The church is the hands and feet of the “body of Christ.”

Jesus promised that everything He had done on Earth would be accomplished through His church as well. Yes, we are a pale reflection of our Savior’s perfection, but Jesus is still the head of His church. Despite our imperfections, in His grace and through the power of His redeeming sacrifice, we will be a dazzling new creation.

In the world’s last days, when much of God’s message has been neglected and discarded, God calls us to remember the hallmarks of His truth. The book of Revelation tells of three angels sent to Earth with a final message of hope and warning. Their story symbolizes God's end-time mission for His people.

The Holy Spirit empowers each of us with our own spiritual gifts and skills to share God’s love and strengthen others. From teaching and preaching to encouraging and prophesying, the Spirit has provided the church with every gift it needs to accomplish its work.


Church :: The Official Site of the Seventh-day Adventist world church

 

[thatbrian]

We seem to have another apologist for the cult of SDA.

 

[delizzle]

So far, from what I have researched, SDA official beliefs are not very far away from most mainstream denominations. However, like the Baptist church, SDA is more congregational and autonomous. So there are some loony toon SDA churches out there, but the official doctrines appear to be alright.

 

[delizzle]

We seem to have another apologist for the cult of SDA.

I am just posting what their official website says. I am posting what they actually profess to believe. Not some third party telling me what they believe with a biased lense.

I am not trying to defend SDA. I merely refuse to attack a denomination I know little to nothing about. The Baptist church has their fair share of "Loony Toon" wackos too. But I am not going to ignorantly assume that those wackos represent the entire Baptist church.

 

[thatbrian]

I am just posting what their official website says. I am posting what they actually profess to believe. Not some third party telling me what they believe with a biased lense.

Do you actually think that cults come right out and announce the fact that they are cults on the "About Us" page of their websites?

 

[BobRyan]

We seem to have another apologist for the cult of SDA.

What you have is someone who prefers to present the actual statements of the group YOU claim to be evaluating - instead of non-substantive video after video filled with emotionalism.

"Sola emotionalism" is not all that you have imagined it to be as your "source" for argument.

 

[BobRyan]

I am just posting what their official website says. I am posting what they actually profess to believe. Not some third party telling me what they believe with a biased lense.

I am not trying to defend SDA. I merely refuse to attack a denomination I know little to nothing about. The Baptist church has their fair share of "Loony Toon" wackos too. But I am not going to ignorantly assume that those wackos represent the entire Baptist church.

Amen.

How "instructive" that you get attacked by the one here who himself started this topic - asks the group to investigate what the SDA position is to justify his slander .. . and then is miffed that you dare to present actual "source material" of the group he claims to be evaluating.

 

[thatbrian]

What you have is someone who prefers to present the actual statements of the group YOU claim to be evaluating - instead of non-substantive video after video filled with emotionalism.

"Sola emotionalism" is not all that you have imagined it to be as your "source" for argument.

I've posted a TON of quotes from your leader and testimony from ex-SDA members. You've avoided it all.

 

[delizzle]

Do you actually think that cults come right out and announce the fact that they are cults on the "About Us" page of their websites?

No, but it will (or at least should) give a very accurate represention of what their core beliefs are. All the other stuff may not be dogmatic at all and may simply be the preference of a single pastor. I know you find the same level of nonsense in some Baptist churches too. But at least I understand that that nonsense doesn't represent all Baptists.

 

[thatbrian]

I merely refuse to attack a denomination I know little to nothing about.

You admit your ignorance on this matter, yet you take a side. Why not remain silent if you know nothing about the subject?

 

[BobRyan]

Do you actually think that cults come right out and announce the fact that they are cults

What utter nonsense!!

Let's examine the Jehovah's Witnesses - they come right out and tell you their doctrine comes from Smith and that you must accept Smith as a prophet or you have no basis to accept their doctrine. It is THEIR own position -- and it is the POSITION that they take that determines if they are a cult or not... simple childish emotional 'name calling' is not how it is determined.

Hence Walter Martin's book "Kingdom of the Cults" where that non-SDA Walter Martin fully confirms that SDAs are not in a cult!!

Which is NOT what he says about JWs or Mormons!!

 

[BobRyan]

You admit your ignorance on this matter

you claim to "not read" the material and then insist that your ability at name-calling and emotionalism is to be our guide???

Please be serious.

Your accusations turned upon delizzle for fair and objective evaluation exposes your position as being at war with objectivity itself!!

 

[thatbrian]

What utter nonsense!!

Let's examine the Jehovah's Witnesses - they come right out and tell you their doctrine comes from Smith and that you must accept Smith as a prophet or you have no basis to accept their doctrine. It is THEIR own position -- and it is the POSITION that they take that determines if they are a cult or not... simple childish emotional 'name calling' is not how it is determined.

Hence Walter Martin's book "Kingdom of the Cults" where that non-SDA Walter Martin fully confirms that SDAs are not in a cult!!

Which is NOT what he says about JWs or Mormons!!

What did you have to vow to when your cult baptized you, Bob? Please be specific.

 

[thatbrian]

you claim to "not read" the material and then insist that your ability at name-calling and emotionalism is to be our guide???

Please be serious.

If read much, Bob, just not your propaganda. I've also had close relatives in your cult.

 

[delizzle]

What you have is someone who prefers to present the actual statements of the group YOU claim to be evaluating - instead of non-substantive video after video filled with emotionalism.

"Sola emotionalism" is not all that you have imagined it to be as your "source" for argument.

Correct, it is called being objective and looking at the facts through an unbiased lense. You know how many people think Baptists are a bunch of hateful bigots who hate the military. (Westboro Baptist Church). If we are to ignorantly categorize SDA members or the Church as a whole, why then is it wrong to say that Westboro Baptist Church represents all Baptists?

 

[BobRyan]

If read much, Bob, just not your propaganda. I've also had close relatives in your cult.

We have waited a long time for one of your emotional argument to hold water... still waiting.

The Bible "matters" -- not only do you claim not to read the material when put on the spot - but you can't be dragged kicking and screaming to get out your Bible to sustain your position.