Mormons, Adventists, and Witnesses have all felt called to take their teachings to the world and have experienced growth. However, they have varied considerably in both their geographic spread—where they have developed a presence over time — and also in where they have been more successful numerically. The result is sharply differing profiles: Adventists are…… Continue reading COMPARING THE GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTIONS AND GROWTH OF MORMONS, ADVENTISTS AND WITNESSES
The Secular Transition: The Worldwide Growth of Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Seventh-day Adventists
Ryan T. Cragun – University of Tampa and Ronald Lawson – Queens College, CUNY A question that continues to draw research in the sociology of religion is what factors spur the growth of religions (Kelley 1972; Iannaccone 1994; Bruce 2002; Hoge and Roozen 1979; Stark and Finke 2000). In line with with these previous studies,…… Continue reading The Secular Transition: The Worldwide Growth of Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Seventh-day Adventists
‘Seventh-day Adventism’ in the Encyclopedia of Politics and Religion
Seventh-day Adventists trace their roots to the Millerite Movement during the early 1840s, which attracted upwards of 50,000 followers in the American Northeast. When the prediction of Baptist lay-preacher, William Miller [1782-1849], that Christ would return on October 22, 1844 proved false, his movement shattered. One fragment, whose leaders included a young visionary, Ellen White…… Continue reading ‘Seventh-day Adventism’ in the Encyclopedia of Politics and Religion
THE FUTURE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISM
Early in 1984 I was asked to speak at the annual conference of the Association of Adventist Forums, the umbrella organization for all the Adventist Forum chapters both in the USA and beyond and the publisher of Spectrum Magazine. Since Adventism in the USA had been passing through a series of crises that had resulted…… Continue reading THE FUTURE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISM
Ghettoization and the Erosion of a Distinct Way of Life: The Seventh-day Adventist Experience
Seventh-day Adventists developed a distinct way of life and then reinforced it by forming geographically segregated communities, or “Adventist ghettos,” around institutions such as colleges, hospitals, and publishing houses established by the church. However, as the external environment became less hostile, and Adventist institutions became themselves less distinctive while at the same time they provided…… Continue reading Ghettoization and the Erosion of a Distinct Way of Life: The Seventh-day Adventist Experience
Seventh-day Adventists in Conflict: A Nineteenth-century Religious Movement Meets the Twentieth Century
Introduction – 2018 During the first half of the 1980s, conflict within Seventh-day Adventism received a great deal of attention in the press. The titles of some of the articles included “The Shaking up of Adventism?” [Christianity Today, 1980a]; “Theologian Told to Defend his Views” [Los Angeles Times, 1980a]; “Seventh-day Adventist Controversy: Plagiarism Found in…… Continue reading Seventh-day Adventists in Conflict: A Nineteenth-century Religious Movement Meets the Twentieth Century
Urgent Apocalypticism in Adventism
October 22 this year (2018)1 was the 174th anniversary of what Adventists know as “The Great Disappointment.” It also means that Adventists have been proclaiming urgently that Jesus is returning “soon” for 174 years. After that many years, what does “soon” mean? How soon is “soon”? If the delay is the result of the need…… Continue reading Urgent Apocalypticism in Adventism
