Myles, a former third-generation Seventh-day Adventist and creator of the Answering Adventism channel, dives deep into the intricacies of his upbringing in the SDA church. He explores what led him to leave the faith and navigates the nuanced conversation around labeling Adventism as a cult. The discussion touches on the church's distinctive eschatological beliefs, the impact of personal revelation, and the challenges of reconciling traditional beliefs with newfound faith. Myles sheds light on the emotional responses of former and current members, urging a deeper understanding of Adventist theology.
The podcast explores the Great Controversy theme central to Seventh-day Adventist theology, framing biblical interpretation as a cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan.
Myles shares his experience growing up in the SDA church, highlighting the internal struggles of reconciling his upbringing with broader theological questions.
The conversation reveals challenges faced by outsiders engaging with Adventist beliefs, as doctrines are perceived as unique discoveries rather than alternative interpretations of scripture.
Deep dives
Fundraising for Future Content
The episode begins with a call for support as the ministry relies entirely on crowdfunding, operating at only 35-40% of its financial needs for monthly operations. The host emphasizes the importance of community involvement in sustaining the mission to create impactful content that addresses cult-related issues. They explain that contributions can be made through a donation tab on their website, highlighting the benefits of continued support for both the ministry and its host, who is also a pastor. The message encourages listeners to consider partnering with the mission for a more substantial impact in 2025.
The Great Controversy Theme Explained
A significant focus of the episode is the Great Controversy theme, which is foundational to Seventh-day Adventist theology. This concept posits that there is an ongoing cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan that informs the understanding of biblical events and God's character. The theme serves as a lens through which Adventists interpret various doctrines, such as salvation, law, and prophecy. The host notes that this worldview not only shapes their beliefs but also leads to unique theological distinctions compared to mainstream Christianity.
Personal Experiences with Adventism
One of the guests shares his background growing up as a third-generation Seventh-day Adventist, which included strong engagement in church activities and schooling within the Adventist system. He describes a paradoxical upbringing, where while the church was relatively standard on the surface, it entrenched specific theological beliefs that he would later come to question. Throughout his youth, the pressures of maintaining the faith led to periods of nominality and doubt as he navigated essential theological questions. His personal experience illustrates the internal conflict many individuals face when reconciling their upbringing with broader doctrinal understandings.
The Role of Theology in Adventism
The conversation brings to light how Adventists often perceive their theology as a unique discovery rather than an interpretation of scripture. The host explains that this creates a challenge for outsiders seeking to engage with Adventist beliefs, as their doctrine is deeply rooted in an alternate historical narrative. This framework makes it difficult for many Seventh-day Adventists to see their beliefs as divergent from traditional Christian orthodoxy. The implications of this distinctive approach also complicate discussions about key theological concepts like justification and the nature of God.
Responding to Criticisms of Adventism
The guest highlights the polarization surrounding criticisms of Seventh-day Adventism, where dissenters often face backlash portraying them as bitter or misinformed. This defensiveness can stem from the way individuals intertwine their identities with their beliefs, making any critique feel like a personal attack. The episode underscores the difficulty in discussing Adventist theology critically while also seeking to maintain respectful dialogue. It reflects on the need for both sides to engage honestly while being open to examination of the differing beliefs and teachings.
Join us for this much-needed follow-up on Seventh-day Adventism.
While our initial series focused on the history of Ellen G. White and the late Dr. Walter Martin’s interactions with SDA leadership when he wrote Kingdom of the Cults, this will be a theological examination of Seventh-day Adventism and its claims.
Is Seventh-day Adventism a non-Christian cult or just a misunderstood denomination?
Our guest, Myles, is a former third-generation Adventist who runs the popular channel Answering Adventism and will be examining its theological claims by way of its primary sources to see if it passes the sniff test of orthodoxy.
In Part 1, we chat with Myles about what it was like growing up in the SDA church, what caused him to eventually leave, and the complexities of navigating the language barrier when it comes to Adventism.
