A GENEROUS ADVENTIST ORTHODOXY

Editor's Note: Revision of these statements will happen periodically to better express Adventism in the postmodern culture and context we live in. Last update: March 6, 2008.


The list below may embrace, among others, the beliefs of emerging, incarnational and Anglican Christianity. It may also appear to some Adventists as "not pure enough." These statements, we feel, are a natural byproduct of spiritual development and practice that has evolved away from denominational bias.

We invite our Adventist readers to ask yourselves the question, "do I identify with any of these statements??"

Regarding the Sabbath

- My "Sabbath keeping" is not the center of my Adventist beliefs, Christ is. It is symbolic of God's love, His creation and redemption. It is a day to value Christian community, time instead of space, giving instead of requiring, our calling, wholeness, and our world.

- My deepest understanding of a true Sabbath rest is found in Matt 11:28 and Hebrews 4. This is the grace of Sabbath rest, not as a condition or salvation issue, but as a gift of the eternal rest we have in Christ everyday.

- I believe that to fundamentally keep the Sabbath, it must involve ceasing: ceasing worry and anxiety, ceasing productivity and accomplishment, including church productivity whereby members are used up to exhaustion. To disengage from culture-produced expectations for frantic leisure, frantic consumptions, or frantic exercise.


Regarding Worship

- I believe worship should be deep and meaningful expressions of faith within our own cultural settings and context.

- I believe worship should be authentic and representative of the people who make and take part in it.

- I believe we should reconsider the worship forms we have inherited from our upbringing, and rediscover ancient and alternative Christian worship traditions.

- I believe we should put less focus on consumer driven worship that appears cool or fashionable just to reach particular social groups; instead, give people sacred space for their own personal encounter with God.

- I believe that, in addition to Sabbath worship, I am free to worship my Creator any other day of the week and will gladly partake in Sunday worship with other vibrant, loving congregations who preach grace . (Rom 14:5-6; Col 2:16-17; Mark 2:27; Acts 20:7)


Regarding Spiritual Disciplines (Discipleship)

- My Adventism means to be intrinsically called to be a follower of Jesus, and not of a "denomination," and to follow and obey The Great Commission as a command, not a suggestion, and to lead others to the cross (salvation) by way of His grace alone. (Mark 16:15, 16; Luke 24:48, 49; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; Matt 28:18-23; Ephesians 2:4-9)

- My Adventism means to always strive to grow in the character of Christ; to be His imitator and a light of the world. (2 Cor 5:16-23; Matt 5:14-16; Ephesians 5:1-2

- My Adventism urges me to be an ambassador for mercy and compassion toward others, regardless of backgrounds, race, gender or creed. (Matt 9:36, 1 Tim 1:12-16, Luke 10:29-37, Matt 9:12-13)

- My Adventism urges me to be an ambassador for inclusivity and acceptance toward others, regardless of backgrounds, race, gender or creed. (Luke 15:1-2)

- My Adventism urges me to follow Christ by serving others in love. (Matt 8:14-17, Gal 5:13-15, Galatians 5:22-25)

- My Adventism urges me to follow the Prince of Peace by being an ambassador for peace. (Col 3:15, Ephesians 4:3, Matt 5:9)

- My Adventism urges me to follow Christ by being an ambassador for forgiveness and reconciliation. (2 Cor 5:17-19, Luke 24:45-48)

- My Aventistm urges me to follow Christ by being an ambassador for social justice. (Luke 4:16-19, Heb 13:1-3, Luke 11: 37-46)

- My Adventism means to follow Christ by putting into daily practice His two greatest commands - to love God and to love others. (Matt 22:36-39; John 13:35, 1 John 3:14, 1 John 4:11, John 15:12)


Regarding Customs, Behavior and Lifestyle

- My Adventism is defined by Christian living according to Romans 12.

- My lifestyle is perceived as "liberal" by Adventist cultural standards for reasons such as music and worship style, dress, habits related to food and/or drink or lifestyle choices related to entertainment. However, I prefer to label myself as a "Jesus follower" because I am a disciple.

- My faith is an accepting and open faith, facilitated by God, rather than controlled by the corporate church. I do not impose Pharasaical restrictions on others for not practicing the same customs as I do.

- My Adventism has no place for legalism or "perfection theology." Sabbath is not a guilt-ridden, clock-watching ritual full of "do's and don'ts." (Romans 7)

- My Adventism doesn't draw boundaries that determine who or what is in or out of God's kingdom. It allows for God's presence in any area of life or culture as I see it.


Regarding Doctrines and Fundamental Messages

- I believe the future of a vibrant Adventist Christianity lies in employing our beliefs as cultural translators so that Sabbath (fundamental #20) means more than merely "observance" but spiritual and experiential fulfillment to live and "break bread" together in apostolic community.

- I believe that instead of employing strict Christian Behavior (fundamental #22) on ourselves and others, we inspect our own behavior toward the poor and the marginalized (including homosexuals) and learn to love well (Micah 6:8) as the substantive Christian behavioral requirement.

- I believe that to honor the Creation account (fundamental #6) is to address a "creation-care" ethic and our biblical responsibility to environmental protection for God's beautiful earth.

- I believe we are a "part of" a larger Remnant (fundamental #13) along with other "true churches" preaching the Gospel. Stressing "a part of" to the official statement would unravel decades of denominational exclusivity and arrogance.

- I believe that a doctrine of perfection found in the historical Sanctuary message of the Investigative Judgement (fundamental #24) is not consistent with the finished work of Jesus' death on the cross. In updating the meaning, "Judgment" should instead emphasize working to model divine justice on earth.

- I believe that to have true unity in the body of Christ (fundamental #14), women and all who have suffered discrimination should be included as true equals in church theology, leadership, and praxis.

- I believe we should let the Bible interpret its own symbols in Revelation and Daniel, and not let men put their own interpretation on them, because the conclusions may not be the right ones.

Regarding Evangelism

- I believe that the Great Commission was not meant to strictly bring people to an Adventist church function (such as a prophecy seminar) to be baptized, but to bring them to the Body of Christ and "baptize" them into the faith, because without the church, we still have salvation in Christ.

- I believe evangelism should be done through missional living and meaningful relationships, participatory worship, small groups, community service and emerging cultures that exemplify inclusivity, Christ-likeness and discipleship.

- I do not believe evangelism should be done strictly through large organized events that only further institutional cause to promote Adventism.

- I regard Adventism as one option among many other options for witnessing to unbelievers about the Gospel.

Regarding Church Structure

- I believe we should create paradigm shifts from centralized institutional structures into networked forms of church.

- I tend to think and act locally in my approach to community service, outreach and tithe-giving.


Regarding Ellen White

- I see Ellen White less as a prophet by bible standards and more as a gifted servant inspired by God to organize a radical and prophetic church movement in the context of her era.

- I see Ellen White as a prolific author of many great books on Christian living (accusations of plagiarism notwithstanding), yet I do not witness on her behalf or the Spirit of Prophecy to seekers or "baby Christians" as there are many other prolific authors, past and present, to invite others into God's kingdom.

- I see Ellen White as very human and quite fallible and would agree with her own counsel to consider only what measures up to the Bible and leave out the rest.

- I do not believe new church members should be coerced into agreeing with the Spirit of Prophecy testimonies when accepting their baptismal vows.