In this research, I have attempted to show how the Seventh-day Adventist Church originated in America during the 19th century, following a spiritual revival centered on the eschatology propounded by the Millerite Movement, which proclaimed the return of Christ in 1844. After the disappointment and the defection of its members, the remainder formed the nucleus of Adventists. They believed in the mission to proclaim the Second Coming of Jesus to the world, without fixing the dates. The Adventists reached Europe and from there Rwanda in the persons of two missionaries during 1919. In spite of various difficulties, they founded three mission stations to be used as a base for their growth. They integrated faith in education and medical work while, in particular, involving laity in evangelism, which was the key to their success. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M. Th. (Church History)

One of the concerns of the modern Christian church and dissident groups is to ensure that the Church's fundamental doctrines, leadership, women's ministries and religious practices conform with the early apostolic church teachings. In this study the writer offers a comprehensive and detailed evaluation of the modern church in the light of the early church. The case of the modern Seventhday Adventist (SDA) Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and worldwide is examined and compared, basing its survey on numerous published and unpublished documents from a combined use of primary, secondary materials and individual statements. Setting the early history of the SDA Church within the religious context of nineteenth-century America, the writer describes how SDA doctrines, leadership, women's ministries and religious practices link with those beliefs and practices in the early apostolic church, showing whether the SDA Church has departed from the early apostolic church’s Biblical, timeless principles or not. Several pertinent issues however have stirred up as much controversy in recent years within the Adventist dissident groups as that of the women’s ministries in the church, the righteousness by faith doctrine, the monarchical leadership, and various religious practices. Nevertheless, in the light of the early apostolic teaching, some enlightenment has been achieved, and several critical accusations from dissident groups were illuminated and confirmed.The accusation regarding the deterioration of Biblical doctrines appears not to have been confirmed by the Biblical evaluation and the lifestyle of the SDA believers. Rather, concerning this issue, it is confirmed that in the DRC and worldwide, the SDA Church has not departed from the fundamental doctrines of the early Apostolic church. / Thesis (D. TH. (Church History))

The tension between the all-sufficient atonement of the cross and a socalled "final" atonement during the pre-Advent judgment, prophecied in Daniel and Revelation., are resolved when the nature of these two moments of atonement are seen in their biblical settings. The death of Messiah is clearly portrayed as the primary fulfilment of the Day of Atonement typology in not only the gospels and in Hebrews, but also in Daniel and Revelation. However, this once-for-all atonement is an infinite act of God that eclipses all time and space. As such it asserts itself dynamically in all the spheres of human experience and history. The pre-Advent judgment is therefore not another, complementary act of atonement, but the cosmic ·manifestation of the atonement of the cross that finally demonstrates and irrevocably confirms the Lordship of Christ over all who retained the faith by which they were justified. / Philosophy, Practical & Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Systematic Theology)

Thesis (DTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This dissertation is a critical analysis and evaluation of the teaching of the priesthood of believers and the development of ecclesiology in the Seventh-day Adventist church. The study analyses this development in Seventh-day Adventist ecclesiology by evaluating how the doctrine of the priesthood of believers has been viewed in biblical, historical, and theological contexts. The comparative analysis of (mainly, though not exclusively) the Free church ecclesiology with the aim of contributing towards the understanding of the development of the Seventh-day Adventist ecclesiology is key. The importance of the development of ecclesiology in general and more specifically within the Seventh-day Adventist church is reflected in the discussions on the priesthood of believers by Free Churches and Seventh-day Adventist church historians and theologians. This research demonstrates that the development of ecclesiology cannot be studied in isolation. Therefore the development of ecclesiology in the Seventh-day Adventist church should be viewed with the history of the Christian church in view. For the purposes of this study this implies that the reflection of the Christian church on the priesthood of believers should have an impact on the development of the history of ecclesiology within the Seventh-day Adventist church. The critical analysis and assessment of the development of Seventh-day Adventist ecclesiology highlights the importance of biblical, historical, theological and ecclesiological contexts combined, on the priesthood of believers. Therefore this highlights the importance of the doctrine of priesthood of believers in the development of ecclesiology. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie werkstuk is ‘n kritieke analisering en evaluering van die leer van die priesterskap van gelowiges en die ontwikkeling van ekklesiologie in die Seventh-day Adventist Kerk. Die studie analiseer die ontwikkeling in die Seventh-day Adventist ekklesiologie deur te evalueer hoe die doktriene van die priesterskap van gelowiges gesien word in bybelse, historiese, en teologiese konteks. Die vergelykende analisering van (hoofsaaklik, tog nie alleenlik nie) die Vrye kerkse ekklesiologie met die doel om by te dra tot die begrip van die ontwikkeling van die Sewendedagse Adventiste ekklesiologie is opperste. Die belangrikheid van die ontwikkeling van ekklesiologie in die algemeen, meer spesifiek in die Seventh-day Adventist Kerk, word gereflekteer in die gesprek oor die priesterdom van gelowiges deur die Vrye Kerke en die Sewendedagse Adventiste geskiedkundiges en teoloë. Hierdie navorsing demonstreer dat die ontwikkeling van ekklesiologie nie in isolasie bestudeer kan word nie. Daarom moet die ontwikkeling van ekklesiologie in die Sewendedagse Adventiste kerk gesien word met die geskiedenis van die Christen kerk in sig. Vir die doel van hierdie studie impliseer dit dat die refleksie van die Christen Kerk op die priesterskap van gelowiges, ‘n impak moet hê op die ontwikkeling van die geskeidenis van ekklesiologie in die Seventh-day Adventist kerk. Die kritieke analisering en assesering van die ontwikkeling van die Seventh-day Adventist ekklesiologie beklemtoon die belangrikheid van die bybelse, geskiedkundige, teologiese en ekklesiologiese konteks saamgebind om die priesterskap van gelowiges. Daarom word die belangrikheid van die doktriene van priesterskap van gelowiges in die ontwikkeling van ekklesiologie beklemtoon.

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Introdução Hábitos e estilos de vida inadequados podem contribuir para a hipertensão arterial. Para os Adventistas, a religião preconiza hábitos de vida saudáveis. O objetivo principal desse estudo foi avaliar a prevalência da hipertensão nos Adventistas, comparando a cidade de São Paulo com o interior paulista. Casuística e Métodos Foram estudados 264 Adventistas com avaliação de dados biopsicosocioeconômicos, religiosidade e antropométricos. A pressão foi medida com aparelho automático validado. A religiosidade foi avaliada pelo questionário DUKE DUREL; apoio social pela Escala de Apoio Social e a presença de transtornos mentais comuns pelo Self-Report Questionnaire. Foi adotado nível de significância de p<0,05. Resultados A maioria dos participantes era do sexo feminino, com sobrepeso/obesidade, elevado apoio social e religiosidade, ausência de transtornos mentais comuns e idade 41,17±15,27 anos. Não houve referência de tabagismo e etilismo. Os Adventistas da capital foram diferentes (p<0,05) aos do interior, respectivamente, quanto a: escolaridade superior (62% vs 36,6%); ocupação, ter vínculo empregatício (44%) vs autônomos (40,9%); renda familiar (8,39±6,20 vs 4,59±4,75 salários mínimos) e individual (4,54±5,34 vs 6,35±48 salários mínimos); casal responsável pela renda familiar (35% vs 39,6%); ser vegetariano (11% vs 3%); pressão arterial (115,38±16,52/68,74±8,94 vs 123,66±19,62/74,88±11,85 mmHg); etnia branca (65% vs 81,1%); casados (53% vs 68,9%); menor apoio social no domínio material (15,7±5,41 vs 16,9±4,32) e lembrar da última vez que mediu a pressão (65% vs 48,8%). A prevalência total de hipertensão foi 22,7%, sendo maior no interior do que na capital (27,4% vs 15%) e os hipertensos da capital estavam mais controlados (53,3% vs 35,6%). A análise multivariada indicou associação da presença de hipertensão arterial (OR Odds ratio) com: a) ser vegetariano (OR 0,051), b) escolaridade lê/escreve (OR 3,938) e 1º grau (OR 5,317) vs ensino superior, c) lembrar da última vez que mediu a pressão (OR 2,725), d) ser aposentado (OR 8,846) vs ter vínculo empregatício, e) casal responsável pela renda familiar (OR 0,422) vs participante único responsável. Os hipertensos da capital foram diferentes (p<0,05) em relação ao interior, respectivamente, quanto a: renda individual (8,90±9,76 vs 1,85±2,06 salários mínimos) e familiar (9,60±9,93 vs 3,37±2,27 salários mínimos); participante responsável pela renda familiar (60% vs 33,3%); faltar à consulta médica por esquecimento (100% vs 20%); pressão diastólica (79,26±10,73 vs 86,07±10,66 mmHg); ocupação (46,6% com vínculo empregatício vs 33,3% do lar); saber que tratar pressão alta evita problemas renais (60% vs 55,6%), derrame (80% vs 97,8%) e impotência sexual (26,7% vs 55,6%); referir diabetes (33,3% vs 11,1%) e colesterol elevado (46,7% vs 48,9%) e saber que tratamento da pressão alta inclui parar de fumar (69,2% vs 93,9%) e reduzir o sal da alimentação (84,6% vs 100%). O controle da pressão se associou com: idade (OR 1,063) e ser totalmente verdade a afirmativa as minhas crenças religiosas estão por trás de toda a minha maneira de viver (OR 5,763) quando comparado aos que afirmaram em geral é verdade. Conclusão: A prevalência de hipertensão nos Adventistas foi abaixo que a média dos estudos nacionais, sendo menor na capital do que no interior paulista, possivelmente em decorrência de melhor condição socioeconômica e hábitos de vida saudáveis. / Introduction Inadequate habits and lifestyles can contribute to arterial hypertension. For Adventists, religion recommends healthy life habits. The main goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of hypertension in Adventists, comparing São Paulo City with the state interior. Sample and Methods 264 Adventists were studied, considering bio-psychosocioeconomic, religious and anthropometric data. Pressure was measured using a validated automatic device. Religiousness was assessed using the DUKE DUREL questionnaire; social support through the Social Support Scale and the presence of common mental disorders through the Self-Report Questionnaire. Significance was set at p<0.05. Results Most participants were women, suffering from overweight/obesity, with high social support and religiosity levels, absence of common mental disorders and age 41.17±15.27 years. No reference was made to smoking and drinking habits. Adventists from the capital differed (p<0.05) from the interior, respectively, regarding: higher education (62% vs 36,6%); occupation, employment contract (44%) vs autonomous (40,9%); family income (8.39±6.20 vs 4.59±4.75 minimum wages) and individual (4.54±5.34 vs 6.35±48 minimum wages); couple responsible for family income (35% vs 39.6%); being a vegetarian (11% vs 3%); arterial pressure (115.38±16.52/68.74±8.94 vs 123.66±19.62/74.88±11.85 mmHg); white ethnic origin (65% vs 81.1%); married (53% vs 68.9%); less material social support (15.7±5.41 vs 16.9±4.32) and remembering the last pressure measurement (65% vs 48.8%). Total hypertension prevalence was 22.7%, with higher levels in the interior than in the capital (27.4% vs 15%) and hypertensive patients from the capital were more controlled (53.3% vs 35.6%). Multivariate analysis indicated that hypertension was associated (OR Odds ratio) with: a) being a vegetarian (OR 0.051), b) education level reads/writes (OR 3.938) and first year of secondary education (OR 5.317) vs higher education, c) remembering the last pressure measurement (OR 2.725), d) being retired (OR 8.846) vs having a job contract, e) couple responsible for family income (OR 0.422) vs participant sole responsible. The later differed (p<0.05) from interior patients, respectively, regarding: individual (8.90±9.76 vs 1.85±2.06 minimum wages) and family income (9.60±9.93 vs 3.37±2.27 minimum wages); participant responsible for family income (60% vs 33.3%); forgetting to attend a medical appointment (100% vs 20%); diastolic pressure (79.26±10.73 vs 86.07±10.66 mmHg); occupation (46.6% with an employment contract vs 33.3% housewives); knowing that treating high blood pressure avoids kidney problems (60% vs 55.6%), stroke (80% vs 97.8%) and sexual impotence (26.7% vs 55.6%); referred diabetes (33.3% vs 11.1%) and high cholesterol (46.7% vs 48.9%), and know that treating high blood pressure include smoke cessation (69,2% vs 93,9%) and reduce salt (84,6% vs 100%). Pressure control was associated with: age (OR 1.063) and when the assertion my religious beliefs underlie my entire way of living is considered completely true (OR 5.763) in comparison with those who asserted generally true. Conclusion: The prevalence of arterial hypertension among Adventists remained below mean levels in Brazilian studies, and was lower in the state capital than in the interior of São Paulo State, possibly due to a better socioeconomic condition and healthier life habits.

Introdução A hipertensão arterial é influenciada por hábitos e estilos de vida e populações específicas como os Adventistas o Sétimo Dia são orientados a incorporar em suas práticas religiosas, hábitos e estilos de vida saudáveis. O objetivo principal desse estudo foi comparar a prevalência da hipertensão arterial em comunidades Adventistas do Sétimo Dia com comunidade não Adventista. Casuística e Métodos O estudo foi realizado na região sudoeste do estado de São Paulo com 547 pessoas (304 Adventistas e 243 não Adventistas). A pressão arterial foi medida com aparelho automático validado e de acordo com as VI Diretrizes Brasileiras de Hipertensão. A religiosidade foi avaliada pela Escala de Duke-DUREL; hábitos alimentares identificados pelo Questionário de Frequência Alimentar; apoio social pela escala de apoio social; consumo de bebida alcoólica pelo Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test AUDIT e transtornos mentais comuns pelo Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ 20). Foi adotado nível de significância de p<0,05. Resultados A maioria era do sexo feminino, idade de 41,5 anos, etnia branca. A prevalência de hipertensão foi menor nos Adventistas (p<0,05, 25,6% vs 35,4%). Os Adventistas foram diferentes (p<0,05) dos não Adventistas, respectivamente, em relação a: escolaridade média (39,8% vs 36,9%), ocupação autônoma (33,6% vs 14,8%), com companheiro(a) (72,4% vs 64,2%), casa própria (66,1% vs 65%), renda individual entre um e três salários mínimos (97% vs 90,9%), homens com menor índice de massa corporal (25,03±3,09 Kg/m2 vs 26,97±4,8 kg/m2) e menor circunferência abdominal (90,53±11,63 cm vs 97,19±12,69 cm), mais indivíduos ovolactovegetarianos e vegetarianos (20% vs 0,8%), não fumantes (85,5% vs 67,4%), maior tempo de abandono do tabagismo (14 anos vs 7 anos), praticantes de atividades físicas regulares (47,2% vs 25,8%), abstêmios de bebida alcoólica (100% vs 52,4%). No conhecimento sobre hipertensão os Adventistas se diferiram (p<0,05) dos não Adventistas, respectivamente, por: saberem menos que o tratamento da pressão alta pode evitar infarto (15,4% vs 12%) e problemas renais (58,2% vs 50,9%), reconhecerem que o exercício físico é importante para o controle da pressão (96,1% vs 89,3%), que jovens podem ter pressão alta (84,5% vs 77,8%), que é possível fazer alguma coisa para evitar a pressão alta (90,1% vs 83,1%), entretanto, reconhecem menos o papel da hereditariedade na hipertensão (59,9% vs 71,6%) e os valores de hipertensão (76,3% vs 86,4%). Pelo SRQ20 as mulheres Adventistas referiram mais sintomas que os homens Adventistas (p<0,05, 25% vs 15,3%). Os Adventistas mostraram níveis mais elevados em todas as dimensões da religiosidade e do apoio social (87 pontos vs 83 pontos). Na alimentação os Adventistas foram diferentes (p<0,05) dos não Adventistas, respectivamente, por: consumirem mais frutas e hortaliças (56,3% vs 39%); menos refrigerante e suco artificial (33,2% vs 19,9%) e menos carne com gordura visível (72,7% vs 39,8%). Os hipertensos Adventistas foram estatisticamente diferentes dos hipertensos não Adventistas, respectivamente, em relação a: escolaridade média (36,8% vs 15,5%); autônomos e do lar (30,8% e 30,8% vs 15,1% e 19,8%); alimentação vegetariana/ovolactovegetariana (19,2% vs 0%); prática de atividade física (49,4% vs 18,8%); tabagismo (0% vs 15,1%); etilismo (0% vs 39,2%), hipertensão referida (74,4% vs 84,3%); uso de medicamento anti-hipertensivo (58,3% vs 66,2%); acredita que a pressão alta tem cura (57,7% vs 32,6%), não acarreta problema renal (71,4% vs 51,3%) e não tem influência da hereditariedade (84,9% vs 66,7%); ausência de diabetes (91% vs 77,9%); usa outros tratamentos para hipertensão (51,8% vs 27,3%); e deixa de tomar remédio por conta própria (50% vs 29%). Em relação à presença de transtornos mentais comuns os hipertensos Adventistas referiram menos (p<0,05): ideia de acabar com a vida, sentir-se sem préstimo ou inútil, sentir-se incapaz de desempenhar um papel útil na vida, ter dificuldade no serviço e sentir-se cansado o tempo todo. Na avaliação da religiosidade e de apoio social os hipertensos Adventistas apresentaram níveis mais elevados. Não houve diferença no controle da pressão arterial entre os hipertensos Adventistas (44,8%) e hipertensos não adventista (58,9%), porém, os hipertensos não Adventistas controlados sabiam há mais tempo ser hipertensos (p<0,05, 5 anos vs 3 anos). Os Adventistas apresentaram maior controle pela MRPA quando comparado à medida casual (77,1% vs 44,8%). O efeito do avental branco esteve presente em 12% dos Adventistas, a hipertensão do avental branco em 24,2% e a hipertensão mascarada em 12%. Conclusão: A hipertensão foi menos prevalente entre os Adventistas, o que pode estar relacionado a hábitos e estilos de vida um pouco mais saudáveis apregoados pela religião, embora os índices encontrados estejam bem próximos aos dados de muitos estudos de base populacional. O fenômeno do avental branco encontrou-se bem próximo do estimado na população geral. / Introduction Habits and lifestyles influence arterial hypertension and specific populations like the Seventh Day Adventists receive orientations to incorporate healthy habits and lifestyles into their religious practices. The main aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of arterial hypertension in Seventh Day Adventist communities with a non-Adventist community. Sample and Methods The study was developed in the Southwest of São Paulo State, Brazil, and involved 547 people (304 Adventists and 243 non-Adventists). An automatic validated device was used for blood pressure measurements, in accordance with the VI Brazilian Hypertension Guidelines. The Duke-DUREL Scale was used to assess religiosity; food habits were identified through the Food Frequency Questionnaire; social support through the social support scale; alcoholic beverage consumption through the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test AUDIT and common mental disorders through the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ 20). Significance was set at p<0.05. Results Most participants were female, age 41.5 years, white ethnic origin. Hypertension prevalence levels were lower among Adventists (p<0.05, 25.6% vs. 35.4%). Differences between Adventists and non-Adventists were found (p<0.05), respectively, with regard to: mean education level (39.8% vs. 36.9%), self-employed occupation (33.6% vs. 14.8%), with a partner (72.4% vs. 64.2%), own house (66.1% vs. 65%), individual income between one and three minimum wages (97% vs. 90.9%), men with a lower body mass index (25.03±3.09 Kg/m2 vs. 26.97±4.8 kg/m2) and lower waist circumference (90.53±11.63 cm vs. 97.19±12.69 cm), more ovo-lacto vegetarian and vegetarian individuals (20% vs. 0.8%), non-smokers (85.5% vs. 67.4%), longer time since giving up smoking (14 years vs. 7 years), physical exercise (47.2% vs. 25.8%), teetotal (100% vs. 52.4%). Concerning knowledge about hypertension, differences between Adventists and non-Adventists were found (p<0.05), respectively, with regard to: know less that high blood pressure treatment can avoid stroke (15.4% vs. 12%) and renal problems (58.2% vs. 50.9%), acknowledge that physical exercise is important for pressure control (96.1% vs. 89.3%), that young people can have high blood pressure (84.5% vs. 77.8%), that something can be done to avoid high pressure (90.1% vs. 83.1%), but acknowledge less the role of hereditariness in hypertension (59.9% vs. 71.6%) and hypertension levels (76.3% vs. 86.4%). According to the SRQ20, Adventist women referred more symptoms than Adventist men (p<0.05, 25% vs. 15.3%). The Adventists showed higher scores in all religiosity and social support dimensions (87 points vs. 83 points). Regarding diet, the Adventists differed (p<0.05) from non-Adventists, respectively, with regard to: higher consumption of fruit and vegetables (56.3% vs. 39%); less soda and industrial juice (33.2% vs. 19.9%) and less meat with visible fat (72.7% vs. 39.8%). Statistically significant differences between Adventist hypertensive and non-Adventist hypertensive patients were found, respectively, with regard to: mean education level (36.8% vs. 15.5%); self-employed and housewives (30.8% and 30.8% vs. 15.1% and 19.8%); vegetarian/ovo-lacto vegetarian diet (19.2% vs. 0%); physical exercise (49.4% vs. 18.8%); smoking (0% vs. 15.1%); alcohol consumption (0% vs. 39.2%), referred hypertension (74.4% vs. 84.3%); anti-hypertensive medication use (58.3% vs. 66.2%); believes that high pressure is curable (57.7% vs. 32.6%), does not cause renal problems (71.4% vs. 51.3%) and that there is no hereditary influence (84.9% vs. 66.7%); absence of diabetes (91% vs. 77.9%); uses other hypertension treatments (51.8% vs. 27.3%); and stops taking medication on his/her own account (50% vs. 29%). As for the presence of common mental disorders, less references (p<0.05) were found among Adventist hypertensive patients for: idea to end ones life, feeling helpless or useless, feeling incapable of playing a useful role in life, having difficulty at work and feeling tired the whole time. In the assessment of religiosity and social support, Adventist hypertensive patients showed higher scores. No differences were found in blood pressure control between Adventist hypertensive (44.8%) and non-Adventist hypertensive patients (58.9%), but controlled non-Adventists hypertensive had been aware of the diagnosis longer (p<0.05, 5 years vs. 3 years). Adventists showed higher levels of control according to HBPM in comparison with casual measures (77.1% vs. 44.8%). The white-coat effect was present in 12% of Adventist patients, white-coat hypertension in 24.2% and masked hypertension in 12%. Conclusion: Hypertension prevalence levels were lower among Adventists, which can be related to the somewhat healthier habits and lifestyles this religion defends, although the rates found are quite close to data in many population-based studies. Rates for the white-coat phenomenon were very close to general population estimates.

This thesis is an inquiry into how a 'consulting approach' can be used by a church helping organisation in the Seventh-day Adventist Church system to assist local church congregations. This inquiry will focus specially on the service providers known as Conference Departments and how a consulting approach can improve the service they provide. The exploration of the methodology and relationship between department personnel and churches will inform this inquiry. Consultancy within the Australian Seventh-day Adventist church is in its infancy. For the majority of churches the concept of using an external consultant to assist them on an ongoing basis would be a radical thought. The Seventh-day Adventist church system has traditionally provided resources and training to church parishes via their Conference departments youths, Bible school, outreach, health, welfare etc. However, few of these departments have offered a true constructive service where diagnostic assessment and long term problem-solving occurs. This thesis aims to develop a methodology by which consultants can gain entrance into churches and offer ongoing assistance to them. The study attempts to establish a model and identifies the issues that relate to using such an approach. / Master of Science (Hon) (Social Ecology)

This thesis studies the benefits that a religious organization acquires from its identification of, and reaction to, deviants within it. If an organization is to continue growing while still maintaining a unique identity, periodically it must have deviant movements within it. Theoretically, I apply insights from sociologists of deviance (particularly Durkheim and Erikson) about the functional benefits of deviance labeling for several aspects of group functioning, such as beliefs and the means of disseminating them, structure and hierarchy, internal policies, and leadership styles. I studied the Seventh-day Adventist organization, applying Festingers cognitive dissonance theory to it, in order to better illuminate its history and reaction to dissenters. I focused on three Adventist dissenters; Dudley Canright, John Harvey Kellogg, and the threat posed by Ellet J. Waggoner and Alonzo T. Jones, showing how the organization reinforced its boundaries and maintained control of its members by identifying and punishing these supposed deviants.