Christians or Cultists

Dear Peter

You asked: "But are Seven Day Adventists Christians? Or are they Cult members?"

Well it depends on on how one defines a Christian. This is a whole nother issue.

Easton's Bible Dictionary Gives us the Following:

Christian - the name given by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch. The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were "brethren," "the faithful," "elect," "saints," "believers." But as distinguishing them from the multitude without, the name "Christian" came into use, and was universally accepted. This name occurs but three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16).

Websters (1913) defines Christian as follows:

1. One who believes, or professes or is assumed to believe, in Jesus Christ, and the truth as taught by Him; especially, one whose inward and outward life is conformed to the doctrines of Christ.

2. One born in a Christian country or of Christian parents, and who has not definitely becomes an adherent of an opposing system.

3. (Eccl.) (a) One of a Christian denomination which rejects human creeds as bases of fellowship, and sectarian names. They are congregational in church government, and baptize by immersion. They are also called Disciples of Christ, and Campbellites. (b) One of a sect (called Christian Connection) of open-communion immersionists. The Bible is their only authoritative rule of faith and practice. &hand; In this sense, often pronounced, but not by the members of the sects,

Ask ten theologians and you will get a multiplicity of answers. The Bible does not "define" the word "Christian."

What do you call a Christian ?

The Adventists affirm belief in the death and ressurection of Christ. They believe the Bible is the inspired word of God. They believe in Salvation by Grace.

What makes a group which claims to be Christian really non-Christian? Would it not be that if it distorts or denied biblical doctrines that concern salvation sufficiently so as to void salvation to it's members.

Based on their affirmations, I would say then, yes they are Christians .

Is it a cult ?

The definition of the word "cult has changed over the years.

Websters (1913)

1. Attentive care; homage; worship.

2. A system of religious belief and worship.

Compare this to:

Websters Collegiate (2001)

1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults>
5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion

However in recent years many Theologians and churches have taken a renewed interest in labeling particular groups as "cults" giving a negative conotation to the term as indicated in 3. of the Collegiate. In this sense there seems to be no absolute standard rule as to what constitutes a cult.

According to one Prodestant Cult watch site, a "cult" is any group that denies the "essential doctrines of the Bible" which includes: The resurrection of Christ, Salvation by Grace, and the Trinity.

Adventists affirm all of the above.

While I may strongly disagree with many of the beliefs and doctrines of the Adventists, I believe we must be extremely careful before we label Groups as "cults" lest we find ourselves persecuting our own Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

Bill

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Christians or Cultists