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| Headquarters (Photo by Wercvbnmghkjb) |
embarrassment to be celebrating 150 years."
Thus spake Lisa Beardsley-Hardy, the church's director of education.
Daniel Burke of Religion News Service explains
this sentiment: "Back in the 1860s, the founders of Seventh-day Adventism preached that Jesus would return – and soon… By Second-Coming standards, the church's long life
could be considered a dismal sign of failure."
However, Beardsley-Hardy also pointed out that keeping the church vibrant for all this time has served as "an affirmation of faith in Christ's return." After all, Jesus did tell Christians to engage in worthwhile activities until He returned. This is advice that Seventh-day Adventists have taken quite seriously.
Although the Great Disappointment of 1844 (when Jesus didn't return yet) shattered the hopes of many, it did not shatter the movement itself. Some of the
earlier beliefs were instead adjusted. People concluded
that "something of divine import happened in 1844, even if it wasn't the Second Coming…"
They nevertheless kept on waiting, while occupying themselves with virtuous activities such as "feeding the hungry" and "preaching the value of healthy living." Burke
describes this dual existence as follows: …the faith's
blend of ethereal optimism (Jesus is coming soon!)
and earthly education (Eat your vegetables
until he does.)…
Vegetables are one thing, birthday cake is quite another. Burke
cautions that there will be none of the latter for the 150th. A few days beforehand, there will be "a day of prayer, remembrance and recommitment to mission." On the day itself (May 21st), there will be "a small ceremony
at church headquarters."
Michael Ryan, a vice president at the church's "top governing body" had this to say: In one kind of way it really is
a sad event.
Resources
http://www.religionnews.com/2013/04/10/as-they-turn-150-adventists-still-pray-for-the-apocalypse/
Copyright April 22, 2013 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
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