28 Fundamental Beliefs: Difference between revisions
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* In 2005 another belief was inserted, fundamental belief number 11 "Growing in Christ", in response to the requests of Adventists in developing nations for a statement on [[spiritual warfare]]. It was voted in at the 2005 Adventist [[General Conference Session]] held in [[St. Louis, Missouri]], yielding the current total of 28. |
* In 2005 another belief was inserted, fundamental belief number 11 "Growing in Christ", in response to the requests of Adventists in developing nations for a statement on [[spiritual warfare]]. It was voted in at the 2005 Adventist [[General Conference Session]] held in [[St. Louis, Missouri]], yielding the current total of 28. |
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== What Adventists Believe == |
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The following beliefs are listed prior to the 28 Fundamentals on the church's official website with the title "What Adventists Believe". While the 28 Fundamentals are the official beliefs, other belief statements have been provided on the website, for example. |
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* As a Christian church, Seventh-day Adventists are a faith community rooted in the beliefs described by the Holy Scriptures |
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* God's greatest desire is for you to see a clear picture of His character. When you see Him clearly, you will find His love irresistible. |
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* Scripture is a road map. The Bible is God's voice, speaking His love personally to you today. |
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* Jesus is the one who never changes in a universe that always does. Jesus is Creator, Sustainer, Savior, Friend, God's Son, and God Himself! |
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* God's vision for you is life as He lives it! God loves you, and wants to give you the highest quality of life imaginable. |
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* In the heart of God is a place you can experience as home. God loves you, and wants to spend time with you personally, one on one, as two close friends.<ref name="WAB">{{cite web|title=What Adventists Believe|publisher=[[Seventh-day Adventist church]]|url=http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/index.html|accessdate=2006-09-12}}</ref> |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Revision as of 16:24, 28 May 2010
The 28 Fundamentals are a core set of theological beliefs held by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Traditionally, Adventists have been opposed to the formulation of creeds. It is claimed that the 28 Fundamentals are descriptors not prescriptors; that is, that they describe the official position of the church but are not a criterion for membership. The beliefs were known as the 27 Fundamentals until 2005 when another was added. The Adventist baptismal vow complements them.
They may be grouped into the doctrines of God, humankind, salvation, church, Christian life, and last things, and can be read online on the website of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.[1]
Preamble
The preamble to the 28 Fundamentals states that Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed, and that revision of the statements may be expected:
- "Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set forth here, constitute the church's understanding and expression of the teaching of Scripture. Revision of these statements may be expected at a General Conference Session when the church is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or finds better language in which to express the teachings of God's Holy Word." [2]
History
Adventists have historically been reluctant to formalize a creed. J. N. Loughborough made the historic statement in the October 8, 1861 Review and Herald article (now the Adventist Review):
- "The first step of apostasy is to get up a creed, telling us what we shall believe. The second is, to make that creed a test of fellowship. The third is to try members by that creed. The fourth to denounce as heretics those who do not believe that creed. And fifth, to commence persecution against such."[3]
In spite of this reluctance several summaries of Adventist theology have been presented at various times.
- In 1872 a pamphlet was produced presenting twenty-five Fundamental Principles [4] not to "secure uniformity" but "to meet inquiries" and "to correct false statements." [5]
- In 1931 a list of 22 Fundamental Beliefs [6] was produced and published in the Adventist Yearbook, and subsequently in the Adventist Church Manual.
- In 1980, the 27 Fundamentals were instituted by the denomination's General Conference. They are expanded upon in the book Seventh-day Adventists Believe: A Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental Doctrines [7]. Note that this elaboration does not constitute the "official" position of the church.
Wilcox wrote a statement of belief in the 1930s, which was actually ghostwritten by F. D. Nichol (as told to Raymond Cottrell). Fritz Guy was the secretary of the original committee which produced the 27 Fundamentals. They were discussed and adopted at the 1980 General Conference Session. Ron Graybill wrote the preamble.[8]
- In 2005 another belief was inserted, fundamental belief number 11 "Growing in Christ", in response to the requests of Adventists in developing nations for a statement on spiritual warfare. It was voted in at the 2005 Adventist General Conference Session held in St. Louis, Missouri, yielding the current total of 28.
See also
- Adventist baptismal vow
- Seventh-day Adventist Church
- Seventh-day Adventist theology
- History of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
References
- ^ Seventh-day Adventist Church Fundamental Beliefs
- ^ "Fundamental Beliefs". Seventh-day Adventist Church. Retrieved 2006-09-12.
- ^ "Doings of the Battle Creek Conference, Oct. 5 & 6, 1861" (DJVU). Review and Herald. 18 (19): 148. 1861-10-08. Retrieved 2006-11-06.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Fundamental Beliefs
- ^ Schwarz, Richard W. (1979). Light Bearers to the Remnant. Boise, Idaho / Oshawa, Ontario, Canada: Pacific Press.
- ^ Online Research Center: Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists, 1931
- ^ Seventh-day Adventists Believe... FILE: index.htm
- ^ Scofield, Michael (May–June 2000). "How the 27 Fundamental Beliefs Came to Be". Adventist Today. 8 (3). Loma Linda, CA: Adventist Today Foundation: 11. ISSN 1079-5499. Retrieved 2008-09-23.
External links
- Fundamental Beliefs from the church's official website (see also Official Statements)
- "Uncovering the Origins of the Statement of Twenty-seven Fundamental Beliefs" by Fritz Guy. Presentation from the Being Adventist in 21st Century Australia Conference at Avondale College Church, 2002. See also Spectrum v32, Spring (2004), p18–29
- A series of Adventist Review articles around 2008 described each doctrine. (See also Blogging the 28, articles collated by Spectrum)
Each issue of Adventist World comments on a fundamental belief. Following is the list to March 2010 inclusive: 2 3 5 6 6 7 9 9 10 10 11 12 12 15 15 16 16 17 17 17 19 20 20 21 21 22 22 23 23 24 24 25 26 27 27 28
- Spectrum 8:4 (August 1977) Special Section: An Adventist Creed?
- "Why Seventh-day Adventists have no creed" (DjVu) by Arthur L. White. Adventist Review 161:28 (12 July 1984), p6–8
- "General Conference Report" section, by Lawrence Geraty and other authors. Spectrum 11:1 (July 1980) (reprint of Geraty article])
- Letters to the editor in Spectrum 11:3 (February 1981), p61—
- "Creeds and Statements of Belief in Early Adventist Thought" by S. Joseph Kidder. Andrews University Seminary Studies 47:1 (Spring 2009), p101–116
- Search for "Creeds" in the Seventh-day Adventist Periodical Index (SDAPI)