The Oxford Handbook of Seventh-day Adventism

Abstract Seventh-day Adventism is the largest religious group to have emerged out of the Millerite revivals of the 1840s. These revivals culminated in the expectation that Jesus would literally return to earth in 1844. After the hoped-for event did not materialize, Adventists searched for biblical explanations. They wove beliefs in the heavenly sanctuary, the seventh-day Sabbath, and Christian mortalism into a cohesive theology. Along with their premillennial eschatology, these beliefs served as the foundation of a new denomination under the leadership of James and Ellen White, pastor and prophet, respectively, and abolitionist reformer Joseph Bates. By the early twentieth century, the Adventist movement had spread around the globe. Cultural contributions include innovations in medical science, health foods, archaeology, and widespread educational initiatives. Adventism in its various forms is an important and emerging field of study. This Handbook provides a comprehensive overview of its most influential manifestation. Part I starts with a section on the roots and religious context in which Adventism arose. Part II examines the Adventist commitment to the central role of the Bible as well as its relationship to Ellen G. White’s writings. Part III offers an overview of Seventh-day Adventist theology. Part IV examines Adventist worship and ritual practices. Part V focuses on the structure, activities, and institutions of the church. Part VI showcases the history and nature of Adventism across the globe. The final part reviews Adventist engagement in cultural, social, and political issues.