The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree (Leaving the Watchtower Book 2) by Johnson Bishop Raymond

Author:Johnson, Bishop Raymond [Johnson, Bishop Raymond]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Unknown
Published: 2015-06-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Four: Adventist History

The Great Disappointment left a certain amount of discord and disorder in its wake. Many of the Millerites returned to their home churches and abandoned the Adventist Movement, altogether. Others questioned the correctness of the time calculations but looked for other explanations for the failure. From the core group of those who did not abandon the Adventist idea there emerged as many as six groups: Evangelical Adventists, Advent Christians, Seventh Day Adventists, The Church of God (Seventh Day), Life and Advent Union, and the Age-to-come Adventists. [141] Not all of these groups have persisted until now – although the demise of some appears to have occurred as a result of mergers at different points in time.

Melton [142] identifies only three groups emerging from the American Adventist Movement. LeRoy Froom, [143] and Godfrey Anderson [144] also identify three main groups, but their reckoning differs slightly from Melton's. The information that follows compiles information on the basis of Anderson's summary, with a few refinements, along the way.

The elements that led to the divergent opposing viewpoints among Adventists probably started during the years immediately preceding October 22, 1844. William Miller's message excited the attention of many influential and charismatic individuals. At the same time, the movement was so open to divergent viewpoints – early on – that it was inevitable that there would be some confusion, in the aftermath of the Great Disappointment.

Within a few short months, Miller observed that there were at least sixteen Adventist journals with opposing views, each purporting to be the truth. [145] In an effort to bring the adherents back into one accord, the Mutual Conference of Adventists was convened in Albany, NY, in April 1845. Miller had intended that this conference would be a unifying force that would keep the movement from disintegrating. Adventist historian Everett Dick describes the events leading up to his conference as follows :

So great was the diversity of ideas that Miller, Himes, and some other longtime leaders felt that a general meeting should be called to harmonize the differences and bring unity among the followers. Accordingly, the Mutual Conference of Adventists met in Albany, New York, on April 29, 1845. Unlike the "extremists," they condemned, this body admitted a mistake in the time but reaffirmed belief in the nearness of the Advent. Instead of forming a central ecclesiastical organization, they adopted a congregational form of church government. "We regard any congregation of believers … as a church of Christ. This was the first studied attempt to form a new sect – the very thing Miller had tried to avoid during his entire ministry. [146]

By the time the conference ended, the momentum was underway that would give rise to at least three distinct Adventist sects: Evangelical Adventists, Advent Christians, and "Age-to-Come" Adventists. [147]

Evangelical Adventists

The Evangelical Adventists – known formally as the "Evangelical Advent Conference" – were the group who held most closely to the "middle-of-the-road" views of their founder. Led in large measure by Joshua V. Himes – and supported

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