Ben Carson puts spotlight on Seventh-day Adventist Church

By Rachel Zoll, Associated Press

October 29, 2015 at 6:05 PM EST

New York City mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio (second from left) prays during a church service at Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Bronx, in 2013. GOP candidate Ben Carson, who is a practicing member of the Protestant sect, is bringing more attention to the denomination. Photo by Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

BROOMFIELD, Colo. — The Seventh-day Adventist Church is having a moment.

As Ben Carson seeks the Republican nomination for president, he’s also drawing notice to the church that has counted him as a member since he was a child.

The denomination is not well-known and neither are its teachings. Church officials are hoping to change that, unveiling on Thursday a new website — whoareadventists.org — to provide some answers.

Here’s some information about Seventh-day Adventists and their beliefs.

HOW THE CHURCH STARTED

The Seventh-day Adventist Church traces its roots to the preaching of William Miller of New Hampton, New York, who said his study of the Book of Daniel showed the world would end in the mid-1840s.

When Jesus did not return as expected, the “Great Disappointment” occurred, and the Millerites split into smaller groups. One, influenced by the visions of Ellen White, led to Seventh-day Adventist practice today.

The denomination was established in 1863 in Battle Creek, Michigan, and now claims 18.7 million members worldwide, including 1.2 million in North America.

The term Adventist refers to the belief that Christ’s second coming is near. Seventh-day refers to the belief that the Bible requires observing the Sabbath on Saturday, the seventh day of the week.

WHAT THE CHURCH TEACHES AND PRACTICES

The church views the Bible as the literal word of God and the primary authority for Adventists.

Ellen White is considered a prophet, but her extensive religious writings, while deeply influential in shaping the church, are not given the same weight as Scripture. The denomination teaches that God made the Earth in six literal days.

Adventists also have a heavy emphasis on education and many go into the medical field, due in part to the spiritual discipline within the church of staying healthy. Many church members are vegetarians, and abstain from alcohol and smoking. Adventists also run a large network of hospitals and health clinics around the world.

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