Denomination Relations: Seventh Day Adventists

In our ongoing series, “Denomination Relations”, Jason Scott explores the history, shared beliefs, and differences between Catholics and other Christian denominations. This week, he turns his attention to the Seventh Day Adventists.

Where Do Seventh Day Adventists Come From?

The Seventh Day Adventist Church emerged in the mid-19th century, rooted in the Millerite movement, which anticipated the Second Coming of Christ in 1844. After the predicted date passed without event, a group of believers, led by Ellen G. White, James White and Joseph Bates, reorganised their beliefs and formed what would become the Seventh Day Adventist Church. They are known for their observance of the Sabbath on Saturday and their emphasis on health and wellness.

Seventh Day Adventists place a strong emphasis on the authority of Scripture and the ministry of White, whose writings they consider inspired. They also advocate for a holistic approach to life, promoting vegetarianism and a healthy lifestyle as part of their religious practice.

What We Agree On

As Catholics, we share fundamental beliefs with Seventh Day Adventists: the Trinity, Christ’s divinity and humanity, and the resurrection. We both affirm the importance of the Bible as the word of God, though our interpretations and applications differ. Both traditions emphasise the importance of living a life of faith and obedience to God’s commandments.

Where We Disagree

From a Catholic perspective, the key disagreements with Seventh Day Adventists are clear. Seventh Day Adventists observe the Sabbath on Saturday, which contrasts with the Catholic tradition of observing the Lord’s Day on Sunday. This difference in Sabbath observance reflects a broader disagreement on the role of the Old Testament law in the life of the Christian, with Seventh Day Adventists still following many of the old Jewish laws

Seventh Day Adventists do not recognise the authority of the Pope or the hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church, favouring a more congregational form of governance. They also reject the Catholic doctrine of the immortality of the soul, believing instead in the concept of “soul sleep”, where the dead remain unconscious until the resurrection.

Furthermore, Seventh Day Adventists do not uphold the Catholic sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, and do not believe in the real presence of Christ in the sacrament. Their practice of baptism by immersion for those who have reached an age of accountability differs from the Catholic tradition of infant baptism.

Recent Steps Towards Unity

Despite these differences, progress has been made. The Second Vatican Council’s Decree on Ecumenism, Unitatis Redintegratio, opened doors for dialogue with other denominations, including Seventh Day Adventists. More recently, joint statements and collaborative projects have highlighted areas of agreement and mutual respect. For instance, both groups have worked together on humanitarian efforts, such as disaster relief and health initiatives, reflecting a shared commitment to serving others.

While formal theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Seventh Day Adventist Church has been limited, there have been informal discussions and cooperative efforts in areas of common concern, such as religious freedom and social justice. These efforts reflect our shared commitment to unity and the healing of centuries-old divisions. As Catholics, we are committed to reuniting Christians and restoring full communion within the one true Church, guided by the Holy Spirit, to heal the wounds of centuries-old divisions.

Join us next week as we delve into our relationship with the Pentecostals. And as always, trust the plan.