Out of Adventism

From its humble beginnings in the nineteenth century, Seventh-day Adventism has remarkably grown to become one of America’s largest, home-grown faiths, numbering nearly nineteen million members worldwide. Yet Adventism harbors dark secrets within its history. This is the true story of how one Adventist pastor, and university and seminary professor discovered these dark secrets and learned through painful, personal experience that neither the denomination nor its doctrine could be trusted. As his odyssey takes him from pastoral assignments in rural and urban congregations and finally into teaching religion at an Adventist university, he suddenly finds himself caught up in the maelstrom of a church’s greatest theological crisis. For him, the denomination’s theology and practice agonizingly unravel, forcing him to choose between loyalty to his church, his vocation, and his personal integrity. Rich in anecdotes and personal experiences, Out of Adventism guides readers interested in religious history, cults, and sects through the ins and outs of a religious community in crisis. Along the way, the reader not only gets an insider’s view of Adventism, but also discovers a careful critique of the peculiar teachings of Seventh-day Adventism.''Anyone who experiences doubts about their religious faith journey, whether they are Seventh-day Adventists or members of any other conservative religious organization, should read this book. Jerry Gladson carefully and lucidly chronicles his journey from a dogmatic fundamentalism to a liberating freedom found in Christ. . . . Although maligned and disappointed by leaders of the Adventist Church, he writes without bitterness. Dramatically, he finds light at the end of his journey. This is a must-read for anyone who has been hurt by a religious tradition or faith community.'' --Melvin D. Campbell, Adjunct Professor at La Sierra University, Riverside, California''Gladson was a loyal Adventist Old Testament scholar who made the mistake of arguing for the use of good scholarly tools in the study of the Bible. From then on, he was suspected of thought crimes and subjected to years of harassment that destroyed his family and career. His riveting account of those dark days is followed by a story of redemption that will lighten your heart. To every tormented believer trapped in fundamentalism Gladson brings hope of a better life in Christian communities that live up to their ideals.''--Aage Rendalen, Freelance Writer and Editor''Reading this religious exit memoir makes me realize this book will help anyone who is skeptical about their faith community and who hopes to find fulfillment beyond its narrow reach.'' --Warren Taylor, Certified Addictions Counselor, Smyrna, Georgia''An inspired yet circumspect Adventist, Jerry Gladson resolved to devote his vocation to the Disciples of Christ--or was it to separate from Adventists? The reader, encountering a mosaic of challenges and barriers, opportunities and liberations, witnesses his covenant as a theologian. This bond, at a justly cellular level, is both mental and spiritual, sovereignly administered, renewing him in his newfound, mainline milieu. But the imprint of Adventism remained his matrix.''--By Robert L. Harris, President at Christian College of GeorgiaJerry Gladson is Senior Minister Emeritus of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Marietta, Georgia; Senior Adjunct Professor of Religion at Richmont Graduate University, Atlanta; and Adjunct Professor of Old Testament Language, Literature, and Exegesis at Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia. He holds an MA and PhD in Hebrew Scripture from Vanderbilt University, and is the author of thirteen previous books, including A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Ecclesiastes (2016).