The Apocalyptic Vision and the Neutering of Adventism by George R. Knight

by George R. Knight

Paper Back Review & Herald Publishing Association 107

Genres: Theology, Religion

Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

Reviews

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm giving this book 1 star for content and 1 star for skilful writing. So, two stars overall. Here's why:

George R Knight has authored this book for Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs) -- so it won't make much sense to anyone unfamiliar with the unique doctrinal position of the denomination called "The Investigative Judgment". The doctrine has been criticized by many scholars inside and outside the denomination. None of this criticism, of course, is discussed in the book. Despite Knight being a historian, his exploration of Adventist history around this doctrine is whitewashed.

Knight is worried that the SDA Church is losing its relevance in the modern world. In his view, the reason is that it has moved away from its original message and mission and neutered itself by doing so. But the argument he gives in this book is nothing more than the traditional view wrapped up in some pleasant words and storytelling. Like so many apocalyptic movements, Adventism interprets the biblical book of Revelation as predicting its own existence and experience with a message from God that it needs to spread to the entire world because no one else has discovered it or been given it.

The "updated" message Knight presents he calls "neoapocalypticism". But it's not really anything new -- just the old message in new clothes. The poverty of Knight's view is demonstrated by this paragraph on page 104:

'In the face of what seems to be an ever-delaying Second Advent, many Adventists, especially talented young ones, are searching for a relevant, meaningful message for the new century. The direction more and more of them are taking is toward feeding the poor and social justice. Those things ... are good and necessary, but from the biblical perspective we can in no way view them as the "most relevant" Christian activities to meet the needs of the world. Jesus, even though He cared for the outcasts and fed the poor, repeatedly turned away from the social justice path as the primary focus of His own ministry. His message at its core was that social engineering and Christian benevolence would never solve the world's problems.

'The only sufficient and permanent answer to the vicious difficulties facing a lost world, Christ taught in both the Gospels and in the book of Revelation, would be His victorious return in the clouds of heaven, Therein is real hope. All else is Band-Aids.

'And hope is what people need more than anything. It is the promise of hope for a hopeless world that has made the book of Revelation relevant for every age." (George R Knight, The Apocalyptic Vision and the Neutering of Adventism)'

So, helping the poor and fighting for justice is merely applying Band-Aids and are irrelevant to the "neoapocalyptic" vision of Adventism that the world is coming to an end and Jesus is going to return and rescue everyone?! When I read this section of Knight's book, my jaw dropped in disbelief. Surely anyone reading this would wonder whether all the good work that the SDA Church has been known for is really about getting people to adopt the "truth" of Adventism. There is no doubt that many members of Adventism are genuine in their sacrificial work for the poor and needy and who fight for justice for others. Let's hope they continue that work rather than coming to accept Knight's view that it's not the most relevant work to be done! Let's hope the "intelligent young" Adventists win the day!

I could spend a lot of time critiquing all the details of Knight's "neoapocalypticism", but I don't have the time or space to do that here. And many others have done so. At the end of the day, this is not a book I recommend to anyone.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good review that basic prophetic message of the church still stands, and the worldview matters.

[Craig Mattson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love George Knight! Yea, Adventists are weird, but good to be one! HAYSTACKS RULE!

[Ernest Kincaid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent treatise on the apocalyptic vision for Seventh-day Adventists done here by Prof. Knight. To all of us who grew up with the fear mongering and hellfire Adventism of ages past; this will refresh and settle the soul in its understanding of the true nature, and the true center of the apocalypse. Without Jesus Christ, his Grace and Love, at the center of all apocalyptic preaching, we will miss the mark.

[Stuart Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provocative

George Knight does it again. He really makes you think. Provocative! You have to take time to appreciate and properly digest the contents of the book. The book doesn’t present a new gospel. This book may cause you to evaluate the way you go about presenting the gospel.

[João Marcos · Rating 5 out of 5]

O livro que todo o adventista do sétimo dia deveria ler. Uma poderosa reflexão sobre relevância da crença adventista para o mundo hoje.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "The Apocalyptic Vision and the Neutering of Adventism", George R. Knight expresses the importance of balance in, first, our own individual lives; second, our church; and, ultimately, our message to a hungering world. Knight does not advocate a return to the legalistic-styled teaching methods of yesteryear and what he refers to as "beastly preaching", nor does he accept the watered down "mere evangelical" approach that seeks to undermine what makes the Adventist Church and our message different from other denominations. Knight re-iterates again and again that Christ--represented in the apocalyptic writings of Revelation as both the Lamb slain to redeem humanity from our sins and the Lion of the tribe of Judah who will eradicate sin forever--must always be our focus and the center of our preaching and teaching, for without the genuine love offered through surrendering to the Lord, all our meager efforts are nothingless. This love is, in turn, manifested in our actions, particularly in how we treat others.

Overall, an excellent read that provides food for thought regarding some of the issues that are effecting our church, and it is written in a way that is relatable, in my opinion, to many Adventists.

[Jose Perez]

Such an important book for Adventism. Knight points out currents within Adventist thought that stray too far, either toward an apocalyptic message that is not anchored in Christ, or toward an abandonment of the apocalyptic message for the sake of gaining a sense of relevancy to mainstream Christianity. Knight shows how both extremes are harmful to the Adventist movement and lays out a convincing argument for a balanced eschatology centered on Jesus Christ, who is both the Lamb of God and the Lion of Judah who will soon come to take us home. Any lines of distinction drawn between the Gospel, the judgment and the apocalyptic message are artificial, and Knight lays out concise, biblical arguments to support this idea. He argues that an Adventism without a solid grasp of the biblical foundations of its unique apocalyptic message has lost its reason to exist. I highly recommend it.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

George Knight attempts to create a Biblical rational for the prophetic movement raised up by in the 1800s of which many of us find ourselves very involved.
You might not agree with all of us arguments or lines of scriptural progression. But you certainly ought to read what he has to say! That is if you are a current church attending, member!

[Jonny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very poignant and punchy perspective on Adventism. Knight argues that Adventists should not be too quick to abandon their prophetic heritage (which he highlights in a very concise yet informative way), because this perspective, correctly focused on Jesus, is inherent to the purpose for the church's very existence.

[Lars]

This might be the most interesting, and most honest, book by George Knight that I've come across. I sense that he wrote it to people like me, to warn me. But I find myself quite sympathetic towards his views even if I'm not there yet.

[Terry Sexton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wake up call to Adventism