Is the Seventh Day Adventist Church a cult?

Is the Seventh Day Adventist Church a cult?
Hello, All, Let me say first that I'm a Christian, and looking for answers from knowledgeable Christians on this one. Here's the situation. I'm in a Christian Home Schooling group, and one of the members is a Seventh Day Adventist. Before meeting her, I thought the Seventh Day Adventist Church was a Christian Church that was just outside of the mainstream. There are things that as Christians we are able to disagree about. I "friended" her on my Facebook page, and as I read her posts, I began to rethink my previous position. Things that concern me are: 1) Over-emphasis on the Sabbath. I understand that they believe that it is appropriate to worship on Saturday, the Sabbath, in accordance with the 10 Commandments. And I respect that, as I understand that they do so out of a desire to honor God. I don't think that they are Biblically correct in that assertion, but I respect the conviction and the desire to be faithful behind it. However, she has been posting statements like "no worship not offered on Saturday will ever be acceptable to God," etc. This is very concerning to me, because she seems to be saying that Christians who are fully committed to Jesus as Lord and Savior really aren't Christians, and are really not saved, because they worship on the wrong day. Without going into details, she uses to support this position tons of scripture quotes taken wholly out of context, which is tough to refute, because it takes a paragraph to explain the error of each citation, and she tends to cite about a dozen passages in a paragraph. Her position on the Sabbath seems to take salvation away from the grace of God offered through Jesus Christ, and move it to the works of worshiping on the correct day. I've asked her directly if worshiping on the incorrect day will bar an otherwise committed and otherwise devout Christian from salvation, and have never received a straight answer from her. I don't know if this is representative of SDA doctrine, or if she just happens to listen to people on the fringe. Anyone knowledgeable about SDA doctrine able to clarify? Or suggest a resource? 2) Paranoia (seems to me to be to the point of delusion). This concerned me the first time I met her, when she stated that "every war the USA ever fought was for the purpose of importing opium and building Catholic cathedrals." She seems to have a schema in which the Catholic Church (which she claims is apostate) really rules the world, and will be responsible for persecuting Christians in the last days. Just to give you an idea of the depth of this conviction in her, I was discussing Obama-Care with her, and she posted that it should really be called "Vatican-care," as the real reason it was pushed so hard was because the Pope demanded it (and the Pope has been so effective in pushing his pro-life convictions in the USA). She believes that the tribulation will be based around the day of worship, with true Christians worshiping on Saturday, and the rest of the world, inspired by the evil Pope/Antichrist, will pass a global "Sunday worship" law, and persecute those who break it. A favorite quote from her, "the mark of the beast will be about worship." Strange doctrine, and I'm wondering again if this sort of paranoia is a part of mainstream SDA Doctrine, or if she's on the fringe. 3) Dietary Restrictions: I'll keep this short. She, like many in the SDA Church is a vegan. I think that may be a good choice food-wise, but she believes that it is a Biblical Mandate, I respect her dietary choices, and they may be great choices from a health perspective, but she is totally off-base in insisting that it is Biblically mandated. Wow, this has gone on much longer than I meant it to. Thank you to the brave souls who have read this far. So my questions are actually multiple: 1) Are my impressions of her accurate representations of mainstream SDA theology? 2) Are these departures from mainstream Christian doctrine serious enough to state that the SDA Church is in fact a non-Christian religion, or a cult? Or are they just Christians who are on the fringes in some of their doctrines? 3) Can you recommend some resources that may shed some light on the SDA Church, and the question of their status regarding Christian v. Cult? Thank you for your responses. Peace, Tom
Religion & Spirituality - 12 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
every cult is cult for others. Let me give my comments, I am impartial as I am Muslim. 1. SDA seems to be right. I am still wandering who changed sabbath and on what authority. In fact mainstream Christianity adopted Sunday just because they wanted to keep their pagan holiday unchanged. 2. Almost every christian groups suffers from this disorder. 3. Yes, SDA has no basis on this issue. It is completely made up.
2 :
Was her name Susanna by any chance? From my understanding, the SDAs are not unified in belief. For example, the Branch Davidians (David Koresh) came from SDA doctrine, but were not 'unified' with other SDA churches. So this person could be a member of one of the more extreme branches of SDA.
3 :
Why yes they are . Seventh Day Adventists are a pack of lying Devils http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vysUYVHR5sk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXJ_GroOin8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uSwU4_MQrY
4 :
I don't think ive met at SDA vegan or who believes every war is to import opium or building catholic churches As for the Catholic Church being the beast there is in fact biblical evidence in both Daniel 2 and 7 as well as in Revelation 13 Also they don't keep the Biblical Sabbath technically either but SDA is far closer than any other denomination in that regard if you read the Bible the apostles even continued to keep the sabbath. That said I do not think the SDA is as obsessive over it as you make her sound and even if they were that would not make SDA a cult. Oh and the reason for the Sabbath change was in 321 Constantine I changed it in the Edict of Constantine because that was the day of worship for the sun god.
5 :
Actually, both you and your SDA aquaintance are members of a cult founded by the apostate church of Rome. The only real difference between you and they is that they keep the correct Sabbath day. The SDA's are correct in some of the other beliefs that you mention, the strongest thing they are correct about is the Sabbath. there is no Biblical evidence or justification for not keeping the Sabbath that God created the way He intended. While I do not agree with the SDA vegetarian lifestyle, I do believe that the dietary law of Leviticus is still necessary, as are the Festivals (which the SDA's reject). Here are some links where you can study this for youself, and maybe come to the real truth from the Bible and not man's tradition as you currently follow. http://www.coghomeschool.org/site/cog_archives/booklets/which_day_is_the_christian_sabba.htm http://www.coghomeschool.org/site/cog_archives/booklets/Pagan%20Holidays%20Or%20Gods%20Holy%20Days%20Which.htm http://www.ucg.org/booklets/AD/ http://www.ucg.org/booklets/HL/ http://www.gnmagazine.org/booklets/CU/ http://www.lcg.org/cgi-bin/lcg/studytopics/lcg-st.cgi?category=Christianity1&item=1116549049 Edit: You will not find a single Sabbathkeeper, SDA or otherwise, that does not agree that we can worship God every day of the week. But, who would not want to worship God on the day He has set aside every week as an appointment with His children? That one day is the Sabbath. It is so interesting that so many "Christians" believe that 9 of the 10 Commandments are necessary, especially since the 4th is repeated along with a warning not to disobey: Hebrews 4:4-11 ESV For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works." (5) And again in this passage he said, "They shall not enter my rest." (6) Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, (7) again he appoints a certain day, "Today," saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." (8) For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. (9) So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, (10) for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. (11) Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. Romans 11 makes it plain that we are grafted into the Covenant people and that ancient Israel and the Jews were set aside for the time being due to that little word at the end of verse 11: disobedience. Hebrews 3&4 make this very plain. Any Sabbath keeper who believes in a works based salvation is not in the Truth. However: James 2:17-21 ESV So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (18) But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (19) You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder! (20) Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? (21) Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? What other works did Abraham do? Genesis 26:3-6 ESV Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. (4) I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, (5) because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." (6) So Isaac settled in Gerar. Long before Torah was codified, God revealed it to Abraham. It is plain from the Exodus account that the Israelites had forgotten God's Torah during their slavery in Egypt, the first thing He had to teach them was the Sabbath. Those who claim that following Torah makes one a legalist following a works based religion do err greatly. It is plain from the New Testament that following the Commandments of God is expected of those who truly follow Him. The Commandments even define the two great commandments of Christ, love God and love neighbor: 1 John 5:2-3 ESV By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. (3) For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. We strive to keep God's commandments because we love God.
6 :
I don't think they're a cult but read KINGDOM OF THE CULTS for details. oh and the 'paranoir' you talk about is their normal anti-catholic spin. Also SDAs believe they're right, everyone else is wrong and that God is really angry with other Christians. They may get wound up talking about soul sleep and the 'lies' of mainstream.
7 :
Let's put it this way......remember the Branch Davidians? Yep, the whackos in Waco. They were all SDAs. The Branch Davidians are a branch of the SDA church in the same way that the Jesuits are a branch of the Catholic church. It's not very well known, but absolutely true. Look it up.
8 :
i didn't know much about the SDA, so i did a little research. i'd stay away from them. they do have some false teachings based on visions and prophecy from one of their founders, Ellen White. quite interesting, but quite wrong, in my opinion.
9 :
1) Over-emphasis on the Sabbath. I understand that they believe that it is appropriate to worship on Saturday, the Sabbath, in accordance with the 10 Commandments. FYI: The sabbath was a day of "rest" and not "worship" as they claim. But in order to make their argument against Sunday work, they have to redefine the sabbath as a day of worship. What she and they fail to understand (refuse would be a better word) is that Christians are free to worship God whenever and wherever they so choose. Under the old covenant, worship was only allowed in Jerusalem at the temple. I've asked her directly if worshiping on the incorrect day will bar an otherwise committed and otherwise devout Christian from salvation, and have never received a straight answer from her. This is part of the conditioning extant within the group. The name of the game is to recruit, and if asked a question where it is perceived a prospective might just "bug out" things are left obscured. Yes, they are a cult, and employ all the cult tactics. She is conditioned to ignore any and all evidence to the contrary you might confront her with. She is "selling" and not "buying" religion. They teach and believe a false gospel of works, and this puts them in the unorthodox category. But it is not beliefs that make a group a cult, but rather the conditioning and control applied to the members, and the resultant fear and phobia when it comes to being exposed to mainstream Christian theology and thought. And like cults, there are two views: The public view that is presented to those who are not members, and the internal view that is often the exact opposite. For example: They will declare publicly salvation through faith in Christ. What is declared inside the organization is salvation through the old covenant law, specifically the ten commandments. They will cite quite frequently Mt. 19:17 out of context as a proof text it is those who keep the commandments that receive salvation. If you try to confront her beliefs where she feels threatened, she will respond with conditioned responses as well as statements of belief that contradict other stated beliefs (cognitive dissonance). She will not see the disparity. I can coach you on specific topics if you want to engage her further. However, it is nearly impossible to make any headway with them unless you are able to sit down with them and go over topics one at a time, while keeping notes and reminding them where they were in error, and agreed they were in error. For more information on the SDA, try www.truthorfables.com There are other links to other sites run by ex SDA's. .
10 :
Seventh-day Adventism is a non-Protestant cult. Thus, based on the Three S's that define a cult (aberrations about sin, salvation, and the Savior), this makes Adventism greatly differ with biblical Christianity. Consequently, Christ-followers have no choice but to label them as a cult. They don't merely observe the Jewish Sabbath, but they further insist that Sabbath observance is ultimately the "seal of God" and the "final test" as well (according to their revered prophetess and messenger, Ellen G. White). According to SDA dogma, the time will soon come when those who worship on Sunday will receive the mark of the beast. Yes, they actually teach that Sunday keepers will very soon kill the Sabbath keepers when a National Sunday Law is enacted. Adventism is a gospel of fear and paranoia. Moreover, since Seventh-day Adventists believe in the extra-biblical revelations of Ellen White as being "a continuing and authoritative SOURCE of truth," they cannot be considered as Protestants who strictly adhere to "soli scriptura." Unlike the basic tenets of the Christian faith, Seventh-day Adventism is incredibly complex. As a former SDA, I considered it meritorious and even salvific to become "settled in the truth." I felt sorry for the ignorance of those poor " non-Adventists" or "Sunday keepers" who were described in-house as heathen, outsiders, apostate Protestants, whores of Babylon, and their clergy as false shepherds. Sadly, I used to make fun of people who believed in biblical Christianity. Adventism was founded upon deception. (check out: www.cultorchristian.com and www.truthorfables.com). Truly, the greatest fortress against any heresy is to be thoroughly grounded in Scripture. A former SDA minister, Dennis Fischer Lincoln, Nebraska USA "Worldwide Chaplaincy Services" E-mail: dfministries@gmail.com
11 :
1. She is not in the mainstream of the SDA Church. Although she shares most of the doctrine with the mainstream SDA's, she belongs to the fundamentalist wing of the church or to an SDA offshoot group. Could be a part of a group called Hope International, quite hardcore. They have had fights with the General Conference over a variety of issues mostly relating to doctrine, use of tithe money, etc. I've met one of the founders before, they teach a vegan lifestyle. Most SDA's are not vegan though. 2. Their status has been debated for decades, some say cult, some say sect. I'll let you decide. 3. Take a look at : http://www.apologeticsindex.org/s18.html and their entry on the SDA's first. It will be a quick read, I don't know how deep you want to delve into this. I am a former SDA. Contact me if you have further ?'s. Brian
12 :
1). Over-emphasis on the Sabbath? /answer; This would be a good thing to do for all people, after all isn't it a commandment of God? 1.( posting statements like "no worship not offered on Saturday will ever be acceptable to God," etc.) /answer; Very extreme and Very wrong! For it would be best for people to worship God every day. 1. ( Her position on the Sabbath seems to take salvation away from the grace of God offered through Jesus Christ, and move it to the works of worshiping on the correct day. ) /answer; It does seem that way for all who don't know the sabbath day. Law keeping will never save anyone, but law breaking will surely kill us (Romans 6:23). 1. ( I've asked her directly if worshiping on the incorrect day will bar an otherwise committed and otherwise devout Christian from salvation, and have never received a straight answer from her. ) / answer; Staight answer is-- afraid so my friend..Sin can never by saved. after all What is sin?-- 1Jn 3:4 for sin is the transgression of the law. The fourth commandment is the law. (2). 2) Paranoia ? / answer; As for the Catholic Church being the beast there is in fact biblical evidence in both Daniel 2 and 7 as well as in Revelation 13 and many other places as to this fact,, but one cannot possibly see this with out the Spirit of God within them. (3) Dietary Restrictions: /answer; nothing wrong with being a vegan,,, but I feel that God changed the human body to eat meat after Adam and Eve sinned, and meat has been a very big part of Gods people ever since. If the SDA's and others understood Gods Feast days, they would see plainly that all of Gods people were involved in eating sheep, goats, and cattle, especially the priest of God, Christ also keept Gods Holy days, and did eat meat. 1ti 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 1ti 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. Every creature of God---that is, creatures set apart by Scripture, (or, as verse 5 puts it, "sanctified by the Word of God") is good for food. (The "creatures of God" that are good for food and of which we are to thankfully receive obviously do not include slugs, maggots, kittens, or pigs, among other things.) Where, in the Word of God, are such meats sanctified? You'll find them in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. 4..-Wow, this has gone on much longer than I meant it to. Thank you to the brave souls who have read this far. So my questions are actually multiple:))))) Yes, thankyou,, 5. ( 1) Are my impressions of her accurate representations of mainstream SDA theology?) /answer; No. 6. ( 2) Are these departures from mainstream Christian doctrine serious enough to state that the SDA Church is in fact a non-Christian religion, or a cult? Or are they just Christians who are on the fringes in some of their doctrines? ) / answer; Aren't all that believe in Jesus the Christ, called christian. 7. ( 3) Can you recommend some resources that may shed some light on the SDA Church, and the question of their status regarding Christian v. Cult? } / answer; I would rather steer you away from the sda's, And have you read your own bible for God's truth. smile this site my help you with that goal, cgi.org I am not a sda, but I am a commandment keeper. smile Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that Do Gods Commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

What’s wrong with him?

What’s wrong with him?
This random guy added me to his Facebook account about 6 months ago and started flirting with me on Facebook like he would comment on my pictures, status etc. So, we became friends and exchanged numbers. In our conversation, we discussed about our past and whatnot. We came to realized we both been through same stuff etc. To make it long story short; he confessed to me his feelings and asked me to visit him; which I denied. ( he’s in Mexico and I am in USA ) He was pretty honest about everything about his past like he told me he was into drugs and have tried to commit a suicide etc and also he helped me with my resume. Since, I told him that I would not visit him he has stopped talking to me and I tried to talk to him through emails and text message. He would reply back text message but that’s about it and would not continue conversation. I asked him what’s bugging him he would say “nothing” and that’s it. I emailed him three times to break the ice and get him talking but still there’s no response from his side. My question is: His birthday is coming up- Do you think I should write him an another email and call him or just ask him again about his behaviour ? Please be positive and sensitive while providing advice. Thank you in advance for reading.
Singles & Dating - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
He lives in Mexico, forget about him. I will be sensitive, but I'm going to be truthful. The guy probably wants to be able to come here. Just forget it. Half the stuff he told you are probably lies. Don't talk to people over the internet like that.
2 :
i think you should call him and make up.all the best :)
3 :
Well it seems like he is a little heart broken. :O If he liked you more then you thought, you might have led him on. I applaud you on your choice on not meeting him. You cannot trust people over the internet so easily.. He seems like a nice guy though, you should call him on his birthday and tell him you care as a friend, but nothing more.. be nice about it, and dont let him give you mixed feelings either. Hope i helped!! :D

Whats wrong and whats going on with him?

Whats wrong and whats going on with him?
This random guy added me to his Facebook account about 6 months ago and started flirting with me on Facebook like he would comment on my pictures, status etc. So, we became friends and exchanged numbers. In our conversation, we discussed about our past and whatnot. We came to realized we both been through same stuff etc. To make it long story short; he confessed to me his feelings and asked me to visit him; which I denied. ( he’s in Mexico and I am in USA ) He was pretty honest about everything about his past like he told me he was into drugs and have tried to commit a suicide etc and also he helped me with my resume. Since, I told him that I would not visit him he has stopped talking to me and I tried to talk to him through emails and text message. He would reply back text message but that’s about it and would not continue conversation. I asked him what’s bugging him he would say “nothing” and that’s it. I emailed him three times to break the ice and get him talking but still there’s no response from his side. My question is: His birthday is coming up- Do you think I should write him an another email and call him or just ask him again about his behaviour ? Please be positive and sensitive while providing advice. Thank you in advance for reading.
Friends - 1 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
First you need to answer some questions to yourself, starting with do you think you are in love with him? Or is it just one of friendship? Answering that to yourself will make it easier. He might be acting this way because: 1) He really liked you in a romantic way and he got hurt when you refused to see him 2) He was into you but when you refused to see him he thought meh...and moved on. 3) He was looking to get into United States...and since he no longer thinks you're the key that will get him in, he is not bothering with it. You know him better, so it will be easier for you to determine which option is more possible. However if you feel you're in love with him then give him a call, and talk to him and express your feelings for him as well. And maybe invite him over or something. If what you feel for him is just a good friend...then message him and let him know how much you miss talking to him as he was a very good friend and wish him all the best in life. However if he does have feelings for you and you think of him as just a friend then it's best to just let things be, that way no one's feelings will get hurt in the long run. All the best!

Facebook Love . . . .?

Facebook Love . . . .?
This random guy added me to his Facebook account about 6 months ago and started flirting with me on Facebook like he would comment on my pictures, status etc. So, we became friends and then exchanged numbers. In our conversations, we discussed about our past experience in relationship. We came to realized that we both been through same stuff . To make it long story short; he confessed to me his feelings and asked me to visit him; which I denied. (he’s in Mexico and I am in USA ) He was pretty honest about everything about his past like he told me he was into drugs and has tried to commit a suicide etc and also he helped me with my resume. Since, I told him that I would not visit him he has stopped talking to me and I tried to talk to him through emails and text message. He would reply back text message right away but that’s about it and would not continue conversation. I asked him what’s bugging him he would say “nothing” and that’s it. I emailed him three times to break the ice and get him talking but still there’s no response from his side. My question is: His birthday is coming up- Do you think I should write him an another email and call him or just ask him again about his behavior ? or totally ignore him and wait for him to come and talk to me?
Singles & Dating - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Break it off, didn't you go to all those cyber-safety lectures in school? for all you know he could be a 50 year old creeper using like his nephew's photos or something. Plus think about why he was so pissed you wouldn't visit. Sorry I'm lecturing but I don't think it's safe. I don't care if your an adult adults still can make dumb decisions.
2 :
Here's some Irish advice for ya :) If this guy went cold on ya just because you said no to visiting him, then he's just not that interested in you. Or at least not enough to fight for you to come or for him to bother himself to see you! If he truly cared he'd fight for you or make the effort to visit you instead and in all honesty you met over facebook he can't expect you to be so blind in all of this. I'd say take it as a blessing in disguise because I have the feeling with all the drugs and stuff that he wasn't exactly a full bag of marbles..... if its the right guy there will be no doubt or hesitation. Move on and upwards! Best of luck though...whatever you choose xxx
3 :
he will come back to you i promise