Champion of Christian Unity

The Seventh-day Adventist Church is an international body with various components that interact constantly with other churches and national governments. The Adventist Church is not a member of the World Council of Churches, ^{21For many years, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has sent reporters and, later, observers who have participated in various study committees sponsored by the World Council. As individuals, a few Adventists also have served as members of committees.} yet, it is very concerned about the unity of Christians. Perhaps Ellen White has been foremost in emphasizing this towering Biblical concern. She removed all questions regarding whether the only genuine Christians in the world are Seventh-Adventists when she wrote: “Notwithstanding the spiritual darkness and alienation from God that exist in the churches which constitute Babylon, the great body of Christ’s true followers are still to be found in their communion.” ^{22The Great Controversy, 390.}MOL 222.6

The attitude of the Adventist Church toward religious ecumenism is based not on a sense of superiority but on a self-understanding of the church’s history and its teachings. The early beginning of the Adventist Church, emerging out of the Millerite movement in the early 1840s, had much to do with the church’s attitude toward other denominations. For years, early Adventists understood themselves as a prophetic movement with a specific message regarding the return of Jesus and the preparation of a people to be translated at His coming. In contrast to post-millennialism which prevailed in the nineteenth century, Seventh-day Adventists emphasized an Advent that was near.MOL 223.1

In contrast to social progress and natural selection to explain the process of evolution, Adventists reasserted the Creation story as the basis for human worth and responsibility. The Sabbath became the core focus in emphasizing the seven-day Creation week of Genesis 1 and 2. Because these distinctive doctrines defined the Seventh-day Adventist Church, harmony with the stated positions of the World Council of Churches is virtually impossible. ^{23For an overview of Ellen White’s influence on the Adventist church’s approaches to ecumenism, see Graham, Ellen G. White, Co-founder, pp. 297-354.}MOL 223.2

Yet, Ellen White emphasized unity in the Christian body probably as much as any other theme. Her ecclesiology (understanding of the church) traces God’s “church” through the Old and New Testaments, extending through the centuries until the return of Jesus. The church is “God’s fortress” that has existed “from the beginning” with “faithful souls ... in every age.” ^{24The Acts of the Apostles, 11; “All of God’s people upon the earth are one body, from the beginning to the end of time. They have one Head that directs and governs the body.” Testimonies for the Church 1:283.} For her, church membership on earth is not automatically equated with being enrolled in the “Lamb’s book of life. They may be joined to the church [a denomination], but they are not united to the Lord.” ^{25The Review and Herald, January 17, 1893, p. 33.}MOL 223.3

Mrs. White’s frequent appeals for unity among Christians are primarily addressed to fellow church members whom she believes were called into existence “to restore the principles that are the foundation of the kingdom of God.” ^{26Prophets and Kings, 677, 678.} In the context of the nineteenth century she appealed to fellow Adventists: “If there was ever a time when the people of God should press together, it is now. God has committed to us the special truths for this time, to make known to the world.... We cannot afford now to give place to Satan by cherishing disunion, discord, and strife.... Divisions in the church dishonor the religion of Christ before the world, and give occasion to the enemies of truth to justify their course.... What are we doing to preserve unity in the bonds of peace?” ^{27Testimonies for the Church 5:236-239; see also Prophets and Kings, 179-183; Selected Messages 2:158-161.}MOL 223.4

What does she mean when she pleads for unity within the church? First, she saw the unity of love in an international church as a magnificent witness to Christ’s prayer for unity in John 17. ^{28Testimonies for the Church 9:188.} This same sentiment governs her solemn concern for unity among “different nationalities” ^{29Testimonies for the Church 9:181.} and among different races. ^{30The Review and Herald, December 17, 1895; The Review and Herald, October 24, 1899; Testimonies for the Church 9:209.}MOL 223.5

Further, she urged that Seventh-day Adventist ministers should “come near to the ministers of other denominations. Pray for and with these men, for whom Christ is interceding.... As Christ’s messengers, we should manifest a deep, earnest interest in these shepherds of the flock.” ^{31Testimonies for the Church 6:78; Evangelism, 143, 144, 562.}MOL 223.6

But underlying her unrelenting emphasis on unity as it fulfills Christ’s prayer in John 17 is this simple concept: Truth must not be sacrificed to achieve unity. After quoting Christ’s prayer that through the unity of His people the world may be drawn to Him, she wrote: “While we are not to sacrifice one principle of truth, it should be our constant aim to reach this state of unity.” ^{32Patriarchs and Prophets, 520. Compromise of truth for the sake of unity must be avoided: “One object must be kept in view constantly; that is, harmony and cooperation must be maintained without compromising one principle of truth.” Letter 37, 1887, cited in Counsels to Writers and Editors, 79; see also The Great Controversy, 45.}MOL 223.7