Adventist Today

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Adventist Today
Discipline Christian theology
Language English
Publication details
Publisher Adventist Today Foundation (United States)
Publication history started 1993
Indexing
ISSN 1079-5499
Links

Adventist Today is a bimonthly popular level Christian periodical representing a progressive Seventh-day Adventist perspective. First published in 1993, it is currently edited by John Thomas McLarty, pastor of North Hill Christian [or Adventist] Fellowship church in Edgewood, Washington.[1] Its office is located on the campus of La Sierra University. It has OCLC 28194459.

Contents

[edit] History

The idea of the magazine was conceived in 1992 by Raymond Cottrell, Keith Colburn, Richard Hammill (tribute), Ervin Taylor and Jim Walters all of Loma Linda, California. They sought for "objective news and open discussion of issues in order to achieve the representative type of church governance that it claims".[2]

The first issue was May/June, 1993. By the following year there were 2500 subscribers.[3] In late 1998 the number of paid subscribers was also around 2500.[2]

The creation of their website was announced in 1998.[4] A camp was first held in that same year.[5] Leadership changes occurred in 1999, in particular 3 women were elected to the board.[6]

[edit] Past editors

  • 1993–? Raymond Cottrell, co-founding editor
  • 1993–? James Walters, co-founding editor/publisher
  • 1998–2007 John McLarty
  • 2008— Andy Nash[7]

The following people have also served in editorial roles:

  • Duane Covrig
  • Steve Daily
  • Delwin Finch
  • Cheri Lynn Gregory
  • Gayle Saxby
  • James Stirling
  • Colleen Moore Tinker
  • Susan Walters

See the Staff page on the magazine's website.

[edit] Perspective

According to its mission statement: "Adventist Today offers...

  1. Reliable, unfettered news reporting on events, people, institutions and theological movements associated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
  2. Literary reflection on Adventist culture through essays, narratives, interviews, poetry, sermons and book reviews.
  3. A sense of connection among people who treasure their Adventist heritage while rejecting some fundamentalist elements of historic Adventism.
  4. Creative conversation about how to preserve and promote the best of Adventism."[8]

The content of the magazine is predominantly a progressive Adventist perspective, although it features a broad spectrum of authors, also including, for example, articles by Herbert Douglass and interviews with Clifford Goldstein, William Johnsson and others. It covers a wide range of topics, claiming it

"advances the best in Adventist culture, thought, and ministry and serves the needs of the 21st Century Adventist church by offering inspiration, analysis, reviews, commentary, and narratives rooted in and relevant to the contemporary Adventist community."[9]

Adventist Today has been considered the "Newsweek" or "Time" of Adventism, whereas Spectrum has been considered to play the role of The Atlantic Monthly,[10] in that Adventist Today focuses on news reporting and Spectrum is more focused on analysis and commentary of issues.

According to a survey in 2000 by Adventist Today of its subscribers, 8% felt they related best to "Conservative" Adventists, 56% to "Middle of the Road", and 36% to "Liberal".[11]

According to Alden Thompson,

"AT is critically loyal, representing the Adventist left. It is similar to Spectrum in perspective, but quicker to publish the 'news' and often more careless. In the past it has too easily succumbed to the temptation to publish ad hominem attacks."[12]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ North Hill Adventist Fellowship. North Hill Christian Fellowship. Retrieved on 2006-10-18.
  2. ^ a b History of Adventist Today. Adventist Today. Retrieved on 2006-10-18.
  3. ^ Walters, Jim (May/June 1994). "1st Year of Publication". Adventist Today 2 (3). 
  4. ^ Adventist Today Goes Online | Adventist Today
  5. ^ Adventist Today Holds Campmeeting | Adventist Today
  6. ^ "Changes at Adventist Today"
  7. ^ New Editor for Adventist Today: Andy Nash. Adventist Today. Retrieved on 2007-6-1.
  8. ^ Adventist Today - About. Adventist Today. Retrieved on 2006-10-18.
  9. ^ Adventist Today: Home. Adventist Today. Retrieved on 2006-10-18.
  10. ^ Interview of Ervin Taylor, executive editor of Adventist Today as of 2007, by Julius Nam, assistant professor of religion at Loma Linda University
  11. ^ Adventist Today readers respond to survey
  12. ^ Thompson, Alden. The Future of Adventism: Where's The Church Headed?. AldenThompson.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-31.

[edit] External links