Eric Barger On Spiritual Warfare,The Cults And Biblical Apologetics.

NOTE: There are many fine folks in the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church. It is our belief that many of them are indeed Christians and are honestly and truly redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. However, there has been considerable official SDA teaching which is centered in works-based, Law-keeping, Old Testament beliefs, such as mandatory Sabbath worship as a prerequisite to be saved.

Just as troubling is the much discussed position of SDA founder, Ellen G. White concerning the identity and full deity of Jesus Christ. Mrs. White apparently held to a position related to that of Arius, the fourth century heretic who did not believe that Jesus Christ was a part of the Godhead. Today, most Adventist leaders, and probably a larger percentage of laypeople, hold to an orthodox view of the Trinity and reject the speculation that Jesus was Michael the Arch Angel, a position help by the Millerites and their now estranged cousins, the Jehovah's Witnesses.

I (Eric Barger) have had many detailed discussions on these issues with Adventists. Many who have contacted me to challenge me do so because they have been taught that Sabbath worship is mandatory for salvation. I believe that anyone believing this is trusting in "Jesus plus their own works" and is in spiritual jeopardy. However, though not central to one's salvation, I find the most egregious official SDA Church position (i.e., the one farthest from orthodoxy that today's Adventists hold to) is their beliefs about eschatology and the end times. The two article listed here below by my friend and colleague, Dr. David Reagan, should be read by anyone wishing to understand the errors in SDA prophecy teaching which is a staple of SDA outreach.

Are they a Cult? I can't say that everyone who embraces the SDA is cultic. It does appear that the higher one seems to hold Mrs. White in esteem, the further away from orthodox Christianity one moves. But just as with each person in every church today, we need to individually examine what we believe against the backdrop of the Bible - not whether its Baptist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, or Adventist, etc - to see if we have either added to or subtracted from the central or essential doctrines that comprise the Christian faith.

Seventh Day Adventists: Christian or Cultic? - Dr. David Reagan

SDA Errors in Eschatology - Dr. David Reagan (see page 12 and following of this file)

Cults - general

Jesus Paid the Cost So We Could Reach the Lost! - Ed Decker & Eric Barger

What is a Cult? - Jim Spencer

More on "What is a Cult?"

The MOST Dangerous Cult

Jesus and the Cults - Ed Decker

Witnessing to the Cults - Ed Decker

Watchman Fellowship Cult Index

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