Remnant (Adventist)
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In Seventh-day Adventist theology, there will be an end time remnant of believers faithful to God. Traditionally the Seventh-day Adventist Church has been understood to be a catalyst for the formation of this group, or as roughly equivalent to the group. This is not a claim that Adventists are the only one who will be saved, but that they have been specially entrusted by God with a message for the end times. This assertion is implied in the 13th fundamental teaching of the church, "Remnant and Its Mission". The interpretation is based primarily upon Revelation 12:17, which states:
- "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." (King James Version, emphasis added)
The New International Version and other modern Bible translations often use "rest" in place of "remnant", yielding "...rest of her offspring..." or similar.
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[edit] Fundamental Beliefs
- "13. Remnant and Its Mission:
- The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal part in this worldwide witness. (Rev. 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 Cor. 5:10; Jude 3, 14; 1 Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10-14; Rev. 21:1-14.)" [1]
Another fundamental teaching mentions the remnant church:
- "18. The Gift of Prophecy:
- One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen. G. White . As the Lord's messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)" [1]
[edit] Baptismal Vow
The Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual[2] outlines two alternative baptismal vows for candidates who are entering into church membership. The final question of the traditional longer vow (question 13) asks the candidate:
- "Do you accept and believe that the Seventh-day Adventist Church is the remnant church of Bible prophecy and that people of every nation, race and language are invited and accepted into its fellowship? Do you desire to be a member of this local congregation of the world church?"[2]
Following baptism, the new member is presented with a "certificate of baptism and commitment" which contains a similarly worded statement, but expressed as an affirmation rather than a question.
In 2005, an alternative baptismal vow was approved at the General Conference Session. This alternative vow contains three statements of belief, and does not mention the remnant. Which version to use is up to the discretion of the parties involved.
[edit] Interpretations of the "Remnant"
The Seventh-day Adventist church has traditionally identified itself as the end-time "remnant" on the basis of Revelation 12:17. Two of the identifying marks of the remnant listed in this verse are that they "keep the commandments of God" and have the "testimony of Jesus". It is suggested that the "commandments of God" refer to the Ten Commandments, which includes the fourth commandment regarding the seventh-day Sabbath. Also, Revelation 19:10 equates "the testimony of Jesus" to the "Spirit of prophecy", which Adventists believe is a reference to the ministry and writings of Ellen G. White.
Adventist scholar Ángel Manuel Rodríguez, who himself supports the traditional Adventist interpretation, has observed that its acceptance may be diminishing in the present day church:
- "it is with great concern that some observe a tendency to de-emphasize or ignore this fundamental self-definition [of Adventists being the remnant]".[3]
Rodríguez identifies a number of different interpretations of the "remnant" that have gained popularity within contemporary Adventism[3]:
In rough order from most conservative to most liberal:
- A remnant within the remnant — Only a select group within the Adventist church constitute the true remnant. The church as a whole is in fact headed into apostasy. (This view tends to be held by ultra-conservatives such as Historic Adventists.)
- The traditional position — The remnant is equivalent to the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.
- Remnant message — Although the Adventist church bears the unique "remnant message", all faithful and sincere Christians (regardless of denomination) can be counted as being among the remnant. Focus is on the message, not an institution.
- The Remnant is not yet a Reality — The prophecy of Revelation 12:17 is as yet unfulfilled, and as such the existence of the remnant is still future. This position has been suggested by Jack W. Provonsha.
- The remnant is an invisible entity — This view regards the remnant as an invisible body which transcends the Adventist denomination. The traditional position which defines the remnant as an institutional/ecclesiastical entity is rejected. The view is promoted by progressive Adventists such as Steve Daily.
Another interpretation has a sociological focus:
- Sociological Understanding of the Remnant — The mission of the remnant is to work for social and political reform. The remnant should not be defined in exclusively religious terms.
For a detailed defense of the doctrine, and for a survey of Adventist positions, see "The Remnant and the Adventist Church"[3] by Ángel Manuel Rodríguez of the Biblical Research Institute of Seventh-day Adventists.
[edit] Criticism of the doctrine
[edit] Adventist criticism
The progressive Adventist journals Spectrum and Adventist Today commonly publish articles and letters which deny this doctrine, instead claiming that the remnant is much wider than the Adventist church. For example, Progressive and Traditional Adventists Examined by Ron Olson.
Adventist Steve Daily has criticized the doctrine in his book Adventism for a New Generation:
- "...It is the mandate to stop thinking just of ourselves as "God's chosen people" and start recognizing the existence and ministry of "God's chosen peoples." It is a call to move from an ethnocentric remnant theology to a spirit of religious affirmation which acknowledges that the "kingdom of God on earth" transcends every religious movement of mankind, and rejoices that the future kingdom will include "many mansions." " [4] (p.314)
He clarifies that
- "This book is not a critique of Adventism, but one author's interpretation of how SDA beliefs and practices can best be applied and redefined in our rapidly changing world." [4] (p.2)
[edit] External criticism
Naturally non-Adventists disagree with the identification.
Walter Martin has criticised the teaching.
[edit] See also
- Seventh-day Adventist Church
- 28 Fundamentals
- Adventist baptismal vow
- Criticism of the Seventh-day Adventist Church#Remnant church status
[edit] References
- ^ a b Fundamental Beliefs. Seventh-day Adventist church. Retrieved on 2006-09-12.
- ^ a b Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, 17th edition (revised 2005).
- ^ a b c Rodríguez, Ángel Manuel. The Remnant and the Adventist Church. Biblical Research Institute. Retrieved on 2006-09-12.
- ^ a b Daily, Steve (1993). Adventism for a New Generation. Portland / Clackamas, Oregon: Better Living Publishers.
