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1922: The Rise of Adventist Fundamentalism
1922 understanding the movement.
In 1922 Adventism was under siege. At the ideological crossroads were the fundamentalists, firmly dedicated to a belief in divine inspiration, the inerrancy of the Bible, and the importance of doctrines long-held inviolate. Aligned against them were the modernists, anxious to increase the church’s impact in the world by applying biblical principles to a rapidly changing society. Each side shared a firm conviction that their assumptions about truth were the only ones that made sense in understanding the world around them. Adventists were especially worried that all they loved and believed in was under the Sabbath, Creation, and even the inspiration of Ellen White.
This book traces the battle lines that formed quickly in the aftermath of the 1919 Bible Conference. In the early 1920s, these issues reached a feverish pitch through articles, sermons, and meetings that kept passions aflame. All of this culminated at the 1922 General Conference Session, which marked the end of A. G. Daniells’ presidency, and was one of the most controversial in Adventist history. Even though the lights have gone out on Adventist fundamentalism, and most Adventists don’t think in those terms today, that phase of our Adventist past continues to impact us. Although times have changed, the issues remain as relevant as ever.
In 1922 Adventism was under siege. At the ideological crossroads were the fundamentalists, firmly dedicated to a belief in divine inspiration, the inerrancy of the Bible, and the importance of doctrines long-held inviolate. Aligned against them were the modernists, anxious to increase the church’s impact in the world by applying biblical principles to a rapidly changing society. Each side shared a firm conviction that their assumptions about truth were the only ones that made sense in understanding the world around them. Adventists were especially worried that all they loved and believed in was under the Sabbath, Creation, and even the inspiration of Ellen White.
This book traces the battle lines that formed quickly in the aftermath of the 1919 Bible Conference. In the early 1920s, these issues reached a feverish pitch through articles, sermons, and meetings that kept passions aflame. All of this culminated at the 1922 General Conference Session, which marked the end of A. G. Daniells’ presidency, and was one of the most controversial in Adventist history. Even though the lights have gone out on Adventist fundamentalism, and most Adventists don’t think in those terms today, that phase of our Adventist past continues to impact us. Although times have changed, the issues remain as relevant as ever.
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 8, 2022
Great follow-up to "1919". Looking forward to the third book in the series. Easy to read, easy to understand, and helps make sense of some historical issues that have a profound and long lasting effect on Adventists today.
August 7, 2022
Despite the difficulties the author encountered in accessing archives and special collections due to the covid-19 pandemic (which was noted by the author), he has written a very readable book that builds upon his earlier work and which is worth reading.
I do wish that more time had been spent on the Fundamentalist movement in order to strengthen the book's overall argument that its tenets, attitudes, and concepts were cropping up in Adventism and being transformed into an "Adventist fundamentalism", as evidenced by the 1922 General Conference Session and the lead-up to it. I am not sure I am entirely persuaded by this argument partially due to the brief treatment of the Fundamentalist movement, which treated in additional depth would greatly enhanced the overall historiography. The book is still an important addition to the historiography, but I agree with the author that "much more research remains to be done" (11).
Furthermore, with such slippery terms such as "liberal", "progressive", "conservative", etc., in use throughout the book, it would have been useful for the author to include clear definitions of both how the author understands the terms in the present and what those in the 1920s understood them to mean; the difference might be interesting to tease out in the present.
I do wish that more time had been spent on the Fundamentalist movement in order to strengthen the book's overall argument that its tenets, attitudes, and concepts were cropping up in Adventism and being transformed into an "Adventist fundamentalism", as evidenced by the 1922 General Conference Session and the lead-up to it. I am not sure I am entirely persuaded by this argument partially due to the brief treatment of the Fundamentalist movement, which treated in additional depth would greatly enhanced the overall historiography. The book is still an important addition to the historiography, but I agree with the author that "much more research remains to be done" (11).
Furthermore, with such slippery terms such as "liberal", "progressive", "conservative", etc., in use throughout the book, it would have been useful for the author to include clear definitions of both how the author understands the terms in the present and what those in the 1920s understood them to mean; the difference might be interesting to tease out in the present.
May 18, 2022
Adventist fundamentalists weren’t fundamental enough!
In 1922: The Rise of Adventist Fundamentalism, Professor Campbell chronicles Adventism’s intersection with Modernism and Fundamentalism within Christendom and Secular Culture. This intersection influenced the development of Adventism’s own fundamentalist thoughts and tendencies.
In Campbell’s work, the upside of fundamentalism for Bible believing Christians was its emphasis on a Biblical worldview, while the downside was fundamentalism’s propensity to weaponize truth and take on a siege mentality. This downside led Adventism to drift from important values and convictions held by its founding pioneers; particularly in the areas Biblical inspiration, race relations, and women in ministry.
Campbell demonstrates how Adventists were misfits within the wider movement. Because of the Sabbath and Ellen White, Adventist attempts to fit in with Christians fundamentalists, who were prone to “othering,” left Adventistsim on the wrong side of the movement’s “othering.” As a result, some Adventists would end up viewing themselves under siege from both the culture and their brothers and sisters in the wider body of Christ. In contrast, more moderate Adventist Fundamentalists called the church to lift up Biblical Truth in a less defensive posture. For these reasons and more, 1922 is worthy of the reader’s time and attention.
In 1922: The Rise of Adventist Fundamentalism, Professor Campbell chronicles Adventism’s intersection with Modernism and Fundamentalism within Christendom and Secular Culture. This intersection influenced the development of Adventism’s own fundamentalist thoughts and tendencies.
In Campbell’s work, the upside of fundamentalism for Bible believing Christians was its emphasis on a Biblical worldview, while the downside was fundamentalism’s propensity to weaponize truth and take on a siege mentality. This downside led Adventism to drift from important values and convictions held by its founding pioneers; particularly in the areas Biblical inspiration, race relations, and women in ministry.
Campbell demonstrates how Adventists were misfits within the wider movement. Because of the Sabbath and Ellen White, Adventist attempts to fit in with Christians fundamentalists, who were prone to “othering,” left Adventistsim on the wrong side of the movement’s “othering.” As a result, some Adventists would end up viewing themselves under siege from both the culture and their brothers and sisters in the wider body of Christ. In contrast, more moderate Adventist Fundamentalists called the church to lift up Biblical Truth in a less defensive posture. For these reasons and more, 1922 is worthy of the reader’s time and attention.
June 8, 2022
A good primer on the rise and interaction of the fundamentalist movement with Adventism
This book is a helpful overview of the key challenges faced by the Seventh-day Adventist Church as it sought to engage with modernism and higher criticism in a context where other denominations had already taken stances Adventists began to emulate. It complements his prior book (1919) well, but can certainly be read on its own.
This book is a helpful overview of the key challenges faced by the Seventh-day Adventist Church as it sought to engage with modernism and higher criticism in a context where other denominations had already taken stances Adventists began to emulate. It complements his prior book (1919) well, but can certainly be read on its own.
June 17, 2022
A Clearer Understanding of Adventist Fundamentalism
It’s very helpful to understand that “Fundamentalism” is not necessarily all bad. However, the “Temptation of Fundamentalism” is to be avoided at all costs! Michael does a very good job of showing how this played out, and is still a dynamic, in Adventist history today.
It’s very helpful to understand that “Fundamentalism” is not necessarily all bad. However, the “Temptation of Fundamentalism” is to be avoided at all costs! Michael does a very good job of showing how this played out, and is still a dynamic, in Adventist history today.
May 6, 2022
Good book
Really enjoyed reading this book challenging interesting learned a lot informative Easy to . Want to hear more from this author
Really enjoyed reading this book challenging interesting learned a lot informative Easy to . Want to hear more from this author
December 31, 2022
The further adventures of Adventist fundamentalism has made for engrossing reading and discussion with friends. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews