Seventh-day Adventism was born as a radical millenarian sect in nineteenth-century America. It has since spread across the world, achieving far more success in Latin America, Africa, and Asia than in its native land. In what seems a paradox, Adventist expectation of Christ’s imminent return has led the denomination to develop extensive educational, publishing, and health systems. Increasingly established within a variety of societies, Adventism over time has modified its views on many issues and accommodated itself to the “delay” of the Second Advent. In the process, it has become a multicultural religion that nonetheless reflects the dominant influence of its American origins. This second edition of Historical Dictionary of the Seventh-Day Adventists covers its history through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 600 cross-referenced entries on key people, cinema, politics and government, sports, and critics of Ellen White. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Seventh-day Adventism.

Covering the Millerite movement of the 1830s and 1840s, sabbatarian Adventism prior to organization of the denomination, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church since its organization in 1861-63, this volume provides a comprehensive history of the denomination. The first major element of the book is a chronology of Adventist history that begins with William Miller's conclusion in 1818 that the Second Advent of Jesus would occur about 1843 and extends through the Science and Theology Conferences of 2002-04. The interpretive introduction that follows places the emergence of Adventism within the context of the Second Great Awakening, describes the development of sabbatarian Adventism from its early opposition to church organization to its highly institutionalized and bureaucratically structured contemporary form, and examines the denomination's geographical expansion from a small North American sect to a global church. The dictionary entries that constitute the bulk of the volume address individuals, organizations, institutions, and doctrines that have been important in the history of the church, including dissident movements and individuals who have emerged as critics of the denomination and its beliefs. Second, there are entries on the development and current situation of Adventism in many individual countries. Finally, thematic entries on such subjects as art, music, literature, health care, and women address other elements important to understanding church life. The dictionary entries are followed by a bibliography of scholarly and popular works published by the denomination, commercial and academic presses, and individuals and organizations.

If you are a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, you have no doubt heard of The Shepherd’s Rod, a message of present truth and reform first presented to leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the years 1929 and 1930. It has created much controversy. In What Every Seventh-day Adventist Should Know about The Shepherd’s Rod, author Garrick D. Augustus brings to light the historic and the theological reasons behind the rejection of The Shepherd’s Rod message. It exposes the systematic misinformation, as well as the willful manipulations of the facts surrounding Victor Houteff and the movement he began more than eight decades ago. It provides clear and accurate answers to the questions raised against the Rod’s message. And, it answers the objections church leaders have historically offered as “proof” against its bearing the credentials of inspiration. Augustus fused the forensic methods of evidence analytics, as well as the investigative method of internal evidence analysis, to the claims brought against the message by the leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. His research took him from the Heritage Library in Loma Linda, California, to The Biblical Research Committee in Silver Spring Maryland, and beyond. What Every Seventh-day Adventist Should Know about The Shepherd’s Rod journeys through the pages of history and helps to separate truth from propaganda. It takes a fresh look at an old controversy that began in eternity past and has played itself out in the rank and file of Seventh-day Adventism.

This Oxford Handbook contains 39 original essays on Seventh-day Adventism. Each chapter addresses the history, theology, and various other social and cultural aspects of Adventism from its inception up to the present as a major religious group spanning the globe.