Ferrier y la relación sujeto-objeto

When we examine the 28 fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church their similarities with other Protestant groups are evident. As we have seen, Adventists stemmed from various Protestant churches; consequently, most of their beliefs derived from those denominations. However, there were certain differences which sometimes constituted doctrinal controversies between them.

The Adventists accepted the Bible as their only creed; they confessed that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament were given by the inspiration of God and that they contained an all sufficient revelation of His will to humanity. Thus any teaching that was contrary to them was to be rejected. The SDA encouraged the reading and study of the Bible, both among members and nonmembers (Neufeld 1976:156).

However, one opinion holds that Adventists have considered Ellen White’s writings to be above those of the Bible. This was mainly owing to the large

number of books and articles that she wrote and to the fact that since her death the church has continued to compile and publish her unpublished manuscripts. This literature was appreciated by Adventist believers but could not replace the Bible. White (1980:29, 30) wrote to Adventists and others about this opinion: “The Lord desires you to study your Bibles. He has not given any additional light to take the place of His word. In public labor do not make prominent, and quote that which Sister White has written, as authority to sustain your positions. To do this will not increase faith in the testimonies. Bring your evidences, clear and plain, from the Word of God. A ‘Thus saith the Lord’ is the strongest testimony you can possibly present to the people. Let none be educated to look to Sister White, but to the mighty God, who gives instruction to Sister White”. With regards to the relationship of her writings to the Bible she further wrote: “Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light” (White 1980:30).

Adventists believed in the Trinity. There was one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal persons. Naturally they believed in Jesus who also became truly man, because he was conceived and born of the Virgin Mary. He lived and experienced temptation as a human being. He was raised from the dead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary on behalf of his people. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of his people and the restoration of all things. His coming will be literal, personal, visible, audible, and worldwide. This return was the hope of the church and the climax of the gospel (SDA Church Manual 2002:18).

In Adventism, two principal sacraments were distinguished. The first one was the baptism by immersion in water, which was a symbol of union with Christ, the forgiveness of sins and the reception of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:1-6). The second was the Holy Communion, which was a participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of faith in him. Preparation for the supper included self examination (1Cor 10:16, 17).

The fundamental difference between Adventists and other Christians is in the observance of the Lord’s Day, the Sabbath. The fourth commandment of the Ten Commandments which requires the observation of the Seventh-day is valued. This holy institution is at the same time a memorial of creation and a sign of sanctification, a sign of the believer’s rest from his own works of sin, and his entrance into the rest of soul that Jesus promised to those who came to him (Gen.2: 1-3; Exodus 20:8-11; Heb 4:1-10).

Death is considered as a sleep. When a human dies he does not go to live in another world. He remains in an unconscious state until the resurrection. There shall be a resurrection both of the just and the unjust. The resurrection of the just will take place at the second coming of Christ; the resurrection of the unjust will take place a thousand years later, at the close of the millennium (John 5: 28,29; Rev. 20:5-10). God will make all things new. The earth, restored to its beauty, will forever become the dwelling of the saints of the Lord (Rev. 21:1-7) (Damsteegt 1981:306,307)

From those principles, Adventists derive a certain ethic which leads their behavior, based on the Bible. Their attitude vis à vis life is characterized by simplicity. For them, life is good health. Accordingly, they cannot drink alcohol or smoke. They are temperate in everything, prefer a vegetarian diet to flesh, and are not involved in politics. They consider themselves citizens of this world who must obey the authorities according to 1 Peter 2:13(KJV): “submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme”. The reality is that certain Adventists are like some other Christians who profess such things and do the opposite.

Adventists also believe that “Nothing will open the doors for the truth like evangelistic medical missionary work. This will find access to the hearts and minds, and will be a means of converting many to the truth” (White 1974:513).

CONCLUSION

The basic constituents of their message and beliefs have been imprinted on us by studying the origin and organization of the SDA. The Millerite movement was a result of an earlier widespread awakening which arose from an error of interpretation of the Scripture with regards to the Second Advent. After setting certain dates for the Second Coming of Jesus, Adventists were disappointed on two earlier occasions. As a result, most of them abandoned the movement but a small group remained and continued to study the Scriptures. Finally they discovered the error. It is from this group that the SDA church derived. The present study will help to understand how this church became a truly worldwide church geographically, though it has always been challenged in regions not yet entered. The next Chapter will deal with the expansion of this church around the world.

CHAPTER 2