This issue of Adventist Today presents four different “Adventisms” or schools of thinking within the North American Division. We should accept as normal the existence of various church-views within our maturing denomination. Whether our diversity is to be lamented depends on one’s point of view. Diversity in thinking, however, should not come as a surprise. After all, the church commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Great Disappointment next year, and at this time nearly 8 million people around the globe are baptized members. With time and growth comes diversity.

Each of the four camps (mainstream, historic, evangelical and progressive) can legitimately claim to be authentically Adventist, for Adventism, like all established denominations, has various aspects that may be emphasized. Perhaps some readers will only feel comfortable with one “Adventism” and will see the others as deviant. Many will feel their loyalties divided among more than one view, because no one camp catches the personal dynamism of Adventism that is the church’s genius. Likewise, some of the writers of the four pieces are broader in their personal views than they appear, for each writer was invited to make the strongest case possible for his or her particular school of Adventism.

In deciding how to analyze Adventism, we knew that the old conservative/ liberal dichotomy was overly simplistic. For example, surveys increasingly show that many Adventists are traditional in certain beliefs and life styles and not in others, but these members would resist the label of liberal. We categorized Adventists into four camps in this magazine according to doctrine, theology and sociology. The value of this approach can be illustrated by a couple of examples: First, a historic Adventist and a progressive Adventist agree on the value of the Sabbath doctrine, but view its theological meaning quite differently Second, many Adventists are not passionate about doctrine or theology, but they are sociologically comfortable in the mainstream church.

Varying levels of vitality are evident in the different Adventist camps. One indicator that can easily be measured is how members vote with their dollars. We contacted leading organizations that are essentially Adventist in their approach, and asked them the amount of their 1992 annual budgets and the number of subscribers to their publications.

Mainstream Adventism
North American Division of SDAs, $704,596,141, funds contributed to the denomination at all levels
Adventist Review, weekly to 40,000 subscribers; monthly to 280,000, free
Insight, weekly to 21,000, paid for by congregations

Historic Adventism
Hope International, Ron Spear, refused to disclose budget
Our Firm Foundation, monthly to 15,000, free
Prophecy Countdown, John Osborne, $3,500,000 budget
Ministry letter, monthly to 10,000, free

Evangelical Adventism
Good News Unlimited, Desmond Ford, refused to disclose budget
Good News Unlimited, monthly to 4,500, free

Progressive Adventism
Association of Adventist Forums, $160,000 budget
Spectrum, 5 per year to 4,500 subscribers

Reader, challenge your own views as you pursue the “ideal” Adventisms put forth here. A genuine faith is not easily inherited from forebearers; it is thoughtfully wrestled out for oneself.