Historical Dictionary of the Seventh-Day Adventists (Historical Dictionaries of Religions, Philosophies, and Movements Series)

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. All entries emphasize historical development but where relevant also describe the contemporary scene. Following the dictionary entries, a bibliographical essay introduces the most important or representative works in both the history of Adventism and the expression of Adventist beliefs and practices. This essay is followed by an extensive categorized bibliography of scholarly and popular works published by the denomination, commercial and academic presses, and individuals and organizations. In addition to books, the bibliography includes listing 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 From 1861-1863, Historical Dictionary Of The Seventh-day Adventists Provides A Comprehensive History Of The Denomination. The First Major Element Of The Book Is A Chronology That Begins With William Miller's Conclusion In 1818 That The Second Advent Of Jesus Would Occur In 1843 And Extends Through The Science And Theology Conferences Of 2002-2004. The Subsequent Interpretive Introduction 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 Adventists' Geographical Expansion From A Small North American Sect To A Global Church. The Dictionary Explores Organizations, Institutions, And Doctrines That Are Important In The History Of The Church, Including Dissident Movements And Individuals Who Have Emerged As Critics Of The Denomination And Its Beliefs. Also Included Are Entries On The Development And Current Situation Of Adventism In Many Countries. Thematic Entries On Such Subjects As Art, Music, Literature, Health Care, And Women Address Other Elements Important To Understanding Church Life. A Bibliographical Essay Introduces Representative Works In Both The History Of Adventism And The Expression Of Adventist Beliefs And Practices. This Essay Is Followed By An Extensive Bibliography Of Scholarly And Popular Works Published By The Denomination, Commercial And Academic Presses, Individuals, And Organizations. The Bibliography Also Includes Listings Of Important Web Sites And Archives Of Adventist Primary Sources.--book Jacket. Acronyms -- Chronology -- Introduction -- Dictionary. Gary Land. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [339]-419). Profiles a large Christian denomination that is only two centuries old, but one that has a rapidly growing member base, including a large presence in the Third World. This title reviews the notable historical events in a chronology; and also explains the development of the Seventh-day Adventist, as a world religion in the introductory essay.