Comprehensive study on the faith state of the SDA

Deutsch

A comprehensive study of the situation within the Protestant Seventh-day Adventist Church reveals some surprising and worrying findings. The tentacles of the octopus “Babylon” have become visible.

Comprehensive study

The study, published in February 2024, went far beyond random sampling and therefore presents a truly representative picture of the actual situation in the Church. The surveys were conducted in all divisions, i.e., globally, and resulted in a total of 24,581 evaluated cases in the first survey (2012-2013). In the second survey wave, 63,756 evaluated responses were added. During the third survey, regions were also considered, resulting in 150,182 evaluated responses. (Source study).

The division is the second-highest level after the General Conference. The Euro-Africa Division, headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, encompasses 22 countries in Europe, as well as North Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Principe, and Sao Tome. The Americas are divided into three units: the North American Division, the Central American Division, and the South American Division. These divisions are each divided into associations, followed by unions, and finally, the local congregation.

According to the study results, the Seventh-day Adventist Church enjoys a relative balance in the ratio of women to men as members. 52 percent of SDA members are male and 48 percent are female. Another interesting aspect is the age of church members when they joined the church. According to the study, 44 percent of church members have been members since birth (through their parents). Five percent left the church at one point but returned. Seven percent joined as children when their parents joined the church. Without parents, 4 percent joined as children. 15 percent joined as teenagers. A quarter (25%) of church members joined as adults.

Still majority in favor of Ellen G. White

In addition to the numerous other demographic factors depicted in the study, the focus is primarily on the everyday faith practices of its members. The Seventh-day Adventist Church emphasizes its foundation in Scripture. The authoritative source is the Bible. A prominent feature of this church is the acclaimed prophetess Ellen G. White. Her writings are the most translated works of literature worldwide. Criticism of E.G. White (still) comes predominantly from outside the church.

The controversies also involve a considerable amount of polemics. The fact is that Ellen G. White never called herself a prophet and never elevated her writings above the written Word of God. She herself emphasized that her writings were “the little light” that would lead to the “great light” (the gospel). The Bible and Ellen G. White’s foundation are also reflected in the globally standardized 28 points of faith.

The study found, at least, that Ellen G. White is widely accepted as a prophet by 70 percent of respondents.

Faith life

The official teaching of the SDA is established. The central points that differ from the majority of other Protestant or Evangelical Lutheran churches include the observance of the biblical Sabbath (the 4th Commandment – Info), the state of the dead in a kind of soul sleep (there is no immortal soul – Info), the doctrine of the sanctuary and the associated preliminary judgment (Info), the literal return of Jesus Christ, and the recognition of the papacy as the anti-Christian system based on biblical prophecies (Info).

Sabbath

According to the study, 11 percent of SDA members observe the Sabbath (the 7th day of the week, “Saturday”) alone in their household. 17 percent observe the Sabbath in pairs. The statistics go up to 16 percent of members whose households include at least seven people.

Bible Study

The Bible, the Word of God, is the absolute and only foundation upon which one’s faith should rest. Studying the Scriptures is therefore essential. SDA members evidently perceive this requirement very differently. According to the analysis, 5 percent of members read the Bible at most once a month. 8 percent definitely read the Scriptures once a month. 10 percent of members read the Bible once a week. 26 percent study the Scriptures several times a week, and almost half (49%) study the Word of God daily. 2 percent never read the Bible.

Literature by Ellen G. White

The discussions surrounding Ellen G. White’s writings are as controversial as the average use of her literature within the church. 18 percent of SDA members avoid her writings entirely, and 14 percent pick up one of her books no more than once a month. 18 percent of SDA members read her writings at least once a month. 14 percent read her writings once a week, 18 percent several times a week, and 17 percent daily.

Prayer

Anyone who takes Jesus Christ as their role model (or would take him as their role model) also knows that He led an intense prayer life and thus set the appropriate example. However, Jesus Christ’s example has not been universally adopted, as 4 percent of SDA members abstain from prayer at all. 16 percent pray more than once a week. At least the clear majority (64%) still take time to pray daily.

The True Sabbath is the 7th Day

One pillar of the SDA is the 7th day of the week as the Sabbath, and it is also thoroughly biblically based. Yet even on this point, there is no consensus. 83 percent of SDA members absolutely agree that the 7th day is the true Sabbath. 14 percent simply agree. The remaining 3 percent are divided into the categories “not sure,” “disagree,” and “absolutely disagree.”

Holy Spirit

A “hot topic” everywhere, including in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. 81 percent of SDA members generally agree with the threefold constellation of “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” However, when it comes to distinguishing whether the Holy Spirit is “God’s power” or a personality, the situation is quite different. 34 percent “strongly agree” that the Holy Spirit is not a personality, but a power of God. 23 percent simply agree. In contrast, 25 percent explicitly reject this view.

SDA Teachings & the Bible

Actually a very interesting aspect, especially if you are an SDA member yourself. When asked whether SDA teachings are based on Scripture, 69 percent strongly agreed, and 24 percent simply agreed. The remaining 7 percent were divided into “not sure,” “disagree,” and “strongly disagree.”

Hot Topic – Creation

The first book of Moses reports on the entire creation by God. But do all SDA members believe what is written in Genesis? This is especially true of the statement that creation was completed in 6 literal days. This contrasts with the narrative of the theory of evolution, which was introduced into the world in the mid-19th century (Info).

Seventy-nine percent of SDA members believe that God created the entire universe, with explicit agreement. Fifteen percent of respondents simply agree. The remaining 6 percent are divided into the categories “not sure,” “disagree,” and “explicitly disagree.”

When it comes to the question of whether God created the world in literal six days, 65 percent of SDA members explicitly agree. 21 percent support this. 5 percent are unsure, while 4 percent disagree and 5 percent explicitly disagree.

Salvation through Jesus alone

“Actually,” the verse John 14:6 explains it clearly. “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Seventy-nine percent of SDA members explicitly agree with this, and 16 percent simply agree. However, a remaining 5 percent remain who are unsure, disagree, or even explicitly reject it.

When it comes to obedience

Apparently, a significant number of SDA members struggle to obey God. The question of whether “perfect obedience” is necessary for entry into heaven yielded mixed answers. 43 percent strongly agree with “perfect obedience,” 24 percent support it, 8 percent are unsure, 11 percent disagree, and 14 percent strongly reject it.

This automatically raises the question of overcoming sin, especially in the time leading up to the end. 41 percent of respondents explicitly stated that this is possible, while 30 percent simply agreed. 13 percent are unsure, 8 percent disagree, and another 8 percent consider it impossible.

Another question asked that to receive grace, one must live according to God’s rules. 28 percent strongly agreed with this, and 25 percent supported it. 8 percent were unsure, while 14 percent disagreed, and 25 percent strongly disagreed.

The Field of Spiritualism

The state of the dead is a fundamental topic. The official doctrine of the SDA (biblically based), and also the view of the great reformer Martin Luther, is that the deceased are in a kind of spiritual sleep. Therefore, there is no soul that separates from the body and continues its existence “somewhere else.” 72 percent of SDA members explicitly agreed that the deceased is completely unaware of themselves and their environment. 20 percent simply agreed. The remaining 8 percent are unsure, reject this, or explicitly reject it.

Another question asked whether the dead communicate with and influence the living. Seventy percent categorically reject this doctrine, and 12 percent less emphatically. Five percent are unsure, but five percent support it, and seven percent even explicitly support it.

Not “quite surprising”

This small excerpt from the very comprehensive study, along with many other survey results, especially in the area of the important health message, shows that there are already significant deviations from official doctrine and thus also from Scripture, particularly in core areas of faith. On the one hand, this is worrying, but on the other hand, it is not surprising, because anyone who studies prophecy knows that it was foretold.

When push comes to shove, the final and ultimate question of conscience, the wheat will finally be separated from the chaff. A purge of the church, which undoubtedly also contains superficial members, will quickly abandon it and distance themselves if their previously apparently practiced faith becomes a personal disadvantage (keyword: Mark of the Beast).

External influences, especially through infiltration, the pursuit of recognition, and the subsequent participation in the ecumenical movement (individual associations and organizations), are essential factors in adapting to narratives by making (lazy) compromises. These influences of “Babylon” were already foreseen by the prophet Daniel:

Bible verses from King James Version (1611)