SDA survey: "majority of global church members did not have a clear understanding of the Trinity as consisting of three distinct Persons"

[tall73]

This data is from the 2022-2023 Global Church Member Survey Concerning the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

The meta-analysis discussion regarding views of the Trinity in the Seventh-day Adventist Church:

https://www.adventistresearch.info/...FINAL-February-2024-Cover-Page-Adjustment.pdf

1. A large majority (81%) of the weighted global sample wholeheartedly embraced belief in the Trinity (one God, a unity of three eternal equal persons; item B6.1). Another 13% accepted this belief because the church teaches it (total of 94%). Only 1% had major doubts or rejected this belief and only 3% reported having questions. The suggests that Seventh-day Adventists hold Trinitarian beliefs. Acceptance of this belief was essentially the same in Wave II (95%).​

2. More than 85% of respondents in each of the regions accept the belief in the Trinity wholeheartedly or because the Adventist Church teaches it. Only three Divisions; (South Pacific (73%), Southern Asia-Pacific, (73%) and Southern Asia (60%), had fewer than three-quarters of respondents wholeheartedly accept this belief.​

3. However, several clusters of Divisions had a substantial proportion of respondents report that they did not believe that the Holy Spirit was a Person (but is instead God’s power in the world)—a view that contradicts acceptance of belief in the Trinity (item B1.31). Most respondents agreed that the Holy Spirit is God’s power, not a Person in the West-Central Africa (76%), East-Central Africa (71%), Southern Africa-Indian Ocean and South Pacific (65% each) Divisions. The majority of respondents also agreed with this statement in the Southern Asia (63%), and Southern Asia-Pacific (59%) Divisions. Over 40% of respondents agreed with this statement in the North American (41%), Inter-American (43%), and South American (46%) Divisions. In the remaining regions, fewer than one-third of the respondents agreed with the statement, with fewer than 10% agreeing in the Euro-Asia Division (7%) and Ukrainian Union Conference (8%).​

4. As a result of these regional patterns, a majority (57%) of the weighted global sample agreed (23%) or strongly agreed (34%) that the Holy Spirit is not a Person but represents God’s power in the world (item B1. 1). This item was not included in Wave II.​

5. These data suggest that the majority of global church members did not have a clear understanding of the Trinity as consisting of three distinct Persons​

​

​

​

The total study looked at a data set containing 149,556 cases.

Some quotes about the data:

​

When comparing the percentages in this report, it will be useful to have a sense of the margin of error in most of these analyses. Even when setting the confidence level at a very conservative 99% (most opinion polling sets the confidence level at 95%), the large sample sizes in this report yield relatively small margins of error. For overall sample numbers, a sample size of 125,000 (most variables have a larger sample size than this for the global percentages) will lead to margins of error between about ±0.1% and ±0.4%.​

And

Thus, a very conservative heuristic for the 99% confidence margin of error on any percentage in the report is ±0.4% on global percentages, ±3% on percentages for most regions, and ±2% on differences in percentages. Most percentages and percentage differences reported in the meta-analysis will have margins of error that are less than these conservative heuristics.​

 

[tall73]

In North America there have been discussions of a growing anti-Trinitiarian movement:

2006, Merlin Bert, Adventist historian,taught church history at the seminary, Director of the Center for Adventist Research and the Ellen G. White Estate Branch Office, Andrews University.

"The last decade has seen an increased anti-Trinitarian agitation​

within the Seventh-day Adventist Church." History of Seventh-day Adventist Views on the Trinity
​

2017 The Trinity Project, Produced by: Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, In association with: Seminary Online Learning Center

"In the last two decades, there has been a resurgence of Arianism and anti-Trinitarianism, not only in the Seventh-day Adventist Church but also in the wider Christian and Evangelical world." The Trinity Project :: Andrews University
​

2022, Denis Kaiser, Assistant Professor of Church History at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and Research and Publication Editor at the Center for Adventist Research, in a Book review for "The Heavenly Trio"

"Since the mid-2010s the Seventh-day Adventist Church has experienced a dramatic increase in antitrinitarian sentiments. The partial or complete rejection of the church’s Fundamental Beliefs numbers 2–5 (Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is making inroads into many local congregations." https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5471&context=pubs​

2022 (in December), Eric Brown, Upper Columbia Conference ministerial director

Throughout the years, we've seen a number of various anti-trinitarian ideas move through the church. Another wave seems to be cresting again in the Upper Columbia Conference with materials published by Jean Handwerk and videos by Michael McCaffrey. Facing Trinitarian Challenges With Love
​

 

[AlexB23]

This data is from the 2022-2023 Global Church Member Survey Concerning the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

The meta-analysis discussion regarding views of the Trinity in the Seventh-day Adventist Church:

https://www.adventistresearch.info/...FINAL-February-2024-Cover-Page-Adjustment.pdf

1. A large majority (81%) of the weighted global sample wholeheartedly embraced belief in the Trinity (one God, a unity of three eternal equal persons; item B6.1). Another 13% accepted this belief because the church teaches it (total of 94%). Only 1% had major doubts or rejected this belief and only 3% reported having questions. The suggests that Seventh-day Adventists hold Trinitarian beliefs. Acceptance of this belief was essentially the same in Wave II (95%).​

2. More than 85% of respondents in each of the regions accept the belief in the Trinity wholeheartedly or because the Adventist Church teaches it. Only three Divisions; (South Pacific (73%), Southern Asia-Pacific, (73%) and Southern Asia (60%), had fewer than three-quarters of respondents wholeheartedly accept this belief.​

3. However, several clusters of Divisions had a substantial proportion of respondents report that they did not believe that the Holy Spirit was a Person (but is instead God’s power in the world)—a view that contradicts acceptance of belief in the Trinity (item B1.31). Most respondents agreed that the Holy Spirit is God’s power, not a Person in the West-Central Africa (76%), East-Central Africa (71%), Southern Africa-Indian Ocean and South Pacific (65% each) Divisions. The majority of respondents also agreed with this statement in the Southern Asia (63%), and Southern Asia-Pacific (59%) Divisions. Over 40% of respondents agreed with this statement in the North American (41%), Inter-American (43%), and South American (46%) Divisions. In the remaining regions, fewer than one-third of the respondents agreed with the statement, with fewer than 10% agreeing in the Euro-Asia Division (7%) and Ukrainian Union Conference (8%).​

4. As a result of these regional patterns, a majority (57%) of the weighted global sample agreed (23%) or strongly agreed (34%) that the Holy Spirit is not a Person but represents God’s power in the world (item B1. 1). This item was not included in Wave II.​

5. These data suggest that the majority of global church members did not have a clear understanding of the Trinity as consisting of three distinct Persons​

​

​

View attachment 347114​

​

The total study looked at a data set containing 149,556 cases.

Some quotes about the data:

​

When comparing the percentages in this report, it will be useful to have a sense of the margin of error in most of these analyses. Even when setting the confidence level at a very conservative 99% (most opinion polling sets the confidence level at 95%), the large sample sizes in this report yield relatively small margins of error. For overall sample numbers, a sample size of 125,000 (most variables have a larger sample size than this for the global percentages) will lead to margins of error between about ±0.1% and ±0.4%.​

And

Thus, a very conservative heuristic for the 99% confidence margin of error on any percentage in the report is ±0.4% on global percentages, ±3% on percentages for most regions, and ±2% on differences in percentages. Most percentages and percentage differences reported in the meta-analysis will have margins of error that are less than these conservative heuristics.​

Well, I am not a 7DA, but I believe in the Trinity as well. It is part of the Nicene Creed. So, can I find data related to other denominations belief in the Trinity, such as Dominican Catholics, Christian Missionary Alliance churches and others? Data fascinates me.

When I was a kid, we learned about the Trinity as a clover (simplistic terms), but in the Catholic faith, the trinity is a divine mystery (became Catholic in April 2022).

 

[JSRG]

Is there evidence on how much of this is people holding these beliefs in ignorance of what the formal position of the denomination is and how much of it is people holding it in defiance of the position?

 

[trophy33]

1. A large majority (81%) of the weighted global sample wholeheartedly embraced belief in the Trinity (one God, a unity of three eternal equal persons; item B6.1).

4. As a result of these regional patterns, a majority (57%) of the weighted global sample agreed (23%) or strongly agreed (34%) that the Holy Spirit is not a Person but represents God’s power in the world

I am a bit confused how both points can be true. If a large majority of Adventists believes in three eternal equal persons, how can a majority not believe that the Holy Spirit is a person?

The definition of the trinity in the parenthesis was not provided in the questionnaires?

 

[FireDragon76]

That's not that surprising, considering it is a difficult concept and American culture tends to be pragmatic rather than metaphysical. In surveys, over 40 percent of American Evangelicals deny that Jesus is divine, too.

 

[FireDragon76]

I am a bit confused how both points can be true. If a large majority of Adventists believes in three eternal equal persons, how can a majority not believe that the Holy Spirit is a person?

The definition of the trinity in the parenthesis was not provided in the questionnaires?

Some people might interpret "person" as "having a body and being humanoid". Which can lead to confusion. English and Latin have no easy equivalent to the actual term the Church Fathers used, hypostasis. Person actually comes from a term used to refer to an actor wearing a mask.

 

[trophy33]

Some people might interpret "person" as "having a body and being humanoid". Which can lead to confusion. English and Latin have no easy equivalent to the actual term the Church Fathers used, hypostasis. Person actually comes from a term used to refer to an actor wearing a mask.

How can a majority both believe in three equal persons and not believe one of them is a person, in the same time? Its more a logical problem than a an etymological one, IMO.

 

[tall73]

How can a majority both believe in three equal persons and not believe one of them is a person, in the same time? Its more a logical problem than a an etymological one, IMO.

I think that is part of why they indicate that it is not a "clear understanding".

 

[tall73]

Is there evidence on how much of this is people holding these beliefs in ignorance of what the formal position of the denomination is and how much of it is people holding it in defiance of the position?

That would be helpful. There is definitely a movement of people who hold the view in defiance. That is what the second post relates to. But I am not sure what the numbers are there. There are anti-Trinitarian Adventist web sites. And we see anti-Trinitarian Adventists even here on CF at times.

 

[chevyontheriver]

In North America there have been discussions of a growing anti-Trinitiarian movement:

2006, Merlin Bert, Adventist historian,taught church history at the seminary, Director of the Center for Adventist Research and the Ellen G. White Estate Branch Office, Andrews University.

"The last decade has seen an increased anti-Trinitarian agitation​

within the Seventh-day Adventist Church." History of Seventh-day Adventist Views on the Trinity​

​

2017 The Trinity Project, Produced by: Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, In association with: Seminary Online Learning Center

"In the last two decades, there has been a resurgence of Arianism and anti-Trinitarianism, not only in the Seventh-day Adventist Church but also in the wider Christian and Evangelical world." The Trinity Project :: Andrews University​

​

2022, Denis Kaiser, Assistant Professor of Church History at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary and Research and Publication Editor at the Center for Adventist Research, in a Book review for "The Heavenly Trio"

"Since the mid-2010s the Seventh-day Adventist Church has experienced a dramatic increase in antitrinitarian sentiments. The partial or complete rejection of the church’s Fundamental Beliefs numbers 2–5 (Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is making inroads into many local congregations." https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5471&context=pubs​

2022 (in December), Eric Brown, Upper Columbia Conference ministerial director

Throughout the years, we've seen a number of various anti-trinitarian ideas move through the church. Another wave seems to be cresting again in the Upper Columbia Conference with materials published by Jean Handwerk and videos by Michael McCaffrey. Facing Trinitarian Challenges With Love​

​

It makes sense to me. They are taught that God is a Trinity but they are also taught how wrong Catholics and other Christians are. They want to figure out exactly how Catholics are wrong. And the central Catholic teaching IS the Trinity. So they want to believe something different, as far as their own official teaching might allow, or even beyond what their official teaching might allow. Catholics can't be right.

 

[tall73]

It makes sense to me. They are taught that God is a Trinity but they are also taught how wrong Catholics and other Christians are. They want to figure out exactly how Catholics are wrong. And the central Catholic teaching IS the Trinity. So they want to believe something different, as far as their own official teaching might allow, or even beyond what their official teaching might allow. Catholics can't be right.

Yes, this article in Ministry magazine (published by Seventh-day Adventists for SDA, and other, clergy) chronicles the findings of specific pastors regarding modern SDA anti-Trinitiarian views in their contegations. A quote:

Help! One of my church members is doubting the Trinity!

In one of my (Timmy’s) previous churches, some members questioned the doctrine of the Trinity. The more videos they watched, the more convinced they became that Seventh-day Adventists’ understanding of the Trinity was severely flawed.

www.ministrymagazine.org

An additional jolt comes when they hear claims that the doctrine came from the Catholic Church rather than Scripture. Extremely bothered, they watch more and more videos to determine whether this is the truth, and the more they watch, the more convinced they will become.​

 

[BobRyan]

This data is from the 2022-2023 Global Church Member Survey Concerning the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

The meta-analysis discussion regarding views of the Trinity in the Seventh-day Adventist Church:

https://www.adventistresearch.info/...FINAL-February-2024-Cover-Page-Adjustment.pdf

1. A large majority (81%) of the weighted global sample wholeheartedly embraced belief in the Trinity (one God, a unity of three eternal equal persons; item B6.1). Another 13% accepted this belief because the church teaches it (total of 94%). Only 1% had major doubts or rejected this belief and only 3% reported having questions. The suggests that Seventh-day Adventists hold Trinitarian beliefs. Acceptance of this belief was essentially the same in Wave II (95%).​

What do Seventh-day Adventists Believe?

The official description of Seventh-day Adventists’ interpretation and practice of the major themes in Scripture, organized into 28 Fundamental Beliefs.

www.adventist.org

Indeed strongly Trinitarian.

What Adventists Believe About the Trinity - Adventist.org

What is the Trinity? Why do Adventists believe in it, and how will understanding this concept change your relationship with God? Let's find out.

www.adventist.org

Belief #2
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. God, who is love, is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4; Isa. 6:8; Matt. 28:19; John 3:16 2 Cor. 1:21, 22; 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2.)

Belief 5: The Holy Spirit​

God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He is as much a person as are the Father and the Son. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; 2 Sam. 23:2; Ps. 51:11; Isa. 61:1; Luke 1:35; 4:18; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 5:3; 10:38; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21.)

==================

Of course Ellen White agrees with our position -


Personality of the Holy Spirit—We need to realize that the Holy Spirit, who is as much a person as God is a person, is walking through these grounds.—Manuscript 66, 1899 (From a talk to the students at the Avondale School.). {Ev 616.5}

The Holy Spirit is a person, for He beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God. When this witness is borne, it carries with it its own evidence. At such times we believe and are sure that we are the children of God.... {Ev 616.6}

The Holy Spirit has a personality, else He could not bear witness to our spirits and with our spirits that we are the children of God. He must also be a divine person, else He could not search out the secrets which lie hidden in the mind of God. “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”—Manuscript 20, 1906. {Ev 617.1}

The Power of God in the Third Person—The prince of the power of evil can only be held in check by the power of God in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.—Special Testimonies, Series A, 10:37. (1897). {Ev 617.2}

In Co-operation With the Three Highest Powers—We are to co-operate with the three highest powers in heaven,—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,—and these powers will work through us, making us workers together with God.—Special Testimonies, Series B, 7:51. (1905). {Ev 617.3}

Evil had been accumulating for centuries, and could only be restrained and resisted by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fulness of divine power. Another spirit must be met; for the essence of evil was working in all ways, and the submission of man to this satanic captivity was amazing. 11LtMs, Lt 8, 1896, par. 2

===

Is there evidence on how much of this is people holding these beliefs in ignorance of what the formal position of the denomination is and how much of it is people holding it in defiance of the position?

I would say that the public nature of the denomination's position is such that - those portions unaware of it - are simply not reading the material and noticing the details.

 

[BobRyan]

In North America there have been discussions of a growing anti-Trinitiarian movement:

In some cases we do find evidence that a few members have not been keeping up on their reading, noting details etc sort of like some x-pastors one can find here or there at times. No doubt - that does happen on occasion

Yes, this article in Ministry magazine (published by Seventh-day Adventists for SDA, and other, clergy) chronicles the findings of specific pastors regarding modern SDA anti-Trinitiarian views in their contegations.

good example

 

[chevyontheriver]

Indeed strongly Trinitarian.

I would say that the public nature of the denomination's position is such that - those portions unaware of it - are simply not reading the material and noticing the details.

Good to see that the SDA is, at least officially, Trinitarian. The internet has been a mixed blessing for all sorts of Christians, with considerable heterodoxy introduced sideways.

 

[tall73]

In some cases we do find evidence that a few members have not been keeping up on their reading, noting details etc

Quote from the study:

5. These data suggest that the majority of global church members did not have a clear understanding of the Trinity as consisting of three distinct Persons​

They did not indicate it was "a few".

 

[BobRyan]

Quote from the study:

5. These data suggest that the majority of global church members did not have a clear understanding of the Trinity as consisting of three distinct Persons​

One could say then that a number of those "they surveyed" -- "did not read this"- public domain - available to all

What do Seventh-day Adventists Believe?

The official description of Seventh-day Adventists’ interpretation and practice of the major themes in Scripture, organized into 28 Fundamental Beliefs.

www.adventist.org

Indeed strongly Trinitarian.

What Adventists Believe About the Trinity - Adventist.org

What is the Trinity? Why do Adventists believe in it, and how will understanding this concept change your relationship with God? Let's find out.

www.adventist.org

Belief #2
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. God, who is love, is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4; Isa. 6:8; Matt. 28:19; John 3:16 2 Cor. 1:21, 22; 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2.)

Belief 5: The Holy Spirit​

God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He is as much a person as are the Father and the Son. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; 2 Sam. 23:2; Ps. 51:11; Isa. 61:1; Luke 1:35; 4:18; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 5:3; 10:38; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21.)

==================

Of course Ellen White agrees with our position -


Personality of the Holy Spirit—We need to realize that the Holy Spirit, who is as much a person as God is a person, is walking through these grounds.—Manuscript 66, 1899 (From a talk to the students at the Avondale School.). {Ev 616.5}

The Holy Spirit is a person, for He beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God. When this witness is borne, it carries with it its own evidence. At such times we believe and are sure that we are the children of God.... {Ev 616.6}

The Holy Spirit has a personality, else He could not bear witness to our spirits and with our spirits that we are the children of God. He must also be a divine person, else He could not search out the secrets which lie hidden in the mind of God. “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”—Manuscript 20, 1906. {Ev 617.1}

The Power of God in the Third Person—The prince of the power of evil can only be held in check by the power of God in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.—Special Testimonies, Series A, 10:37. (1897). {Ev 617.2}

In Co-operation With the Three Highest Powers—We are to co-operate with the three highest powers in heaven,—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,—and these powers will work through us, making us workers together with God.—Special Testimonies, Series B, 7:51. (1905). {Ev 617.3}

Evil had been accumulating for centuries, and could only be restrained and resisted by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fulness of divine power. Another spirit must be met; for the essence of evil was working in all ways, and the submission of man to this satanic captivity was amazing. 11LtMs, Lt 8, 1896, par. 2

===


I would say that the public nature of the denomination's position is such that - those portions unaware of it - are simply not reading the material and noticing the details.

 

[BobRyan]

Good to see that the SDA is, at least officially, Trinitarian.

indeed.

Now if we can just figure out how they did that "sample" for the survey -- or else make sure more people get out and read what their own denomination teaches in the case of this survey.

 

[tall73]

indeed.

Now if we can just figure out how they did that "sample" for the survey --

They discuss the sample Bob.

or else make sure more people get out and read what their own denomination teaches in the case of this survey.

The church can make global initiatives when they desire to. Perhaps they will. Are you aware of any such effort?

It certainly seems warranted when these data "suggest that the majority of global church members did not have a clear understanding of the Trinity as consisting of three distinct Persons".

 

[The Liturgist]

What do Seventh-day Adventists Believe?

The official description of Seventh-day Adventists’ interpretation and practice of the major themes in Scripture, organized into 28 Fundamental Beliefs.

www.adventist.org

Indeed strongly Trinitarian.

What Adventists Believe About the Trinity - Adventist.org

What is the Trinity? Why do Adventists believe in it, and how will understanding this concept change your relationship with God? Let's find out.

www.adventist.org

Belief #2
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. God, who is love, is forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Gen. 1:26; Deut. 6:4; Isa. 6:8; Matt. 28:19; John 3:16 2 Cor. 1:21, 22; 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2.)

Belief 5: The Holy Spirit​

God the eternal Spirit was active with the Father and the Son in Creation, incarnation, and redemption. He is as much a person as are the Father and the Son. He inspired the writers of Scripture. He filled Christ’s life with power. He draws and convicts human beings; and those who respond He renews and transforms into the image of God. Sent by the Father and the Son to be always with His children, He extends spiritual gifts to the church, empowers it to bear witness to Christ, and in harmony with the Scriptures leads it into all truth. (Gen. 1:1, 2; 2 Sam. 23:2; Ps. 51:11; Isa. 61:1; Luke 1:35; 4:18; John 14:16-18, 26; 15:26; 16:7-13; Acts 1:8; 5:3; 10:38; Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 12:7-11; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Peter 1:21.)

==================

Of course Ellen White agrees with our position -


Personality of the Holy Spirit—We need to realize that the Holy Spirit, who is as much a person as God is a person, is walking through these grounds.—Manuscript 66, 1899 (From a talk to the students at the Avondale School.). {Ev 616.5}

The Holy Spirit is a person, for He beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God. When this witness is borne, it carries with it its own evidence. At such times we believe and are sure that we are the children of God.... {Ev 616.6}

The Holy Spirit has a personality, else He could not bear witness to our spirits and with our spirits that we are the children of God. He must also be a divine person, else He could not search out the secrets which lie hidden in the mind of God. “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”—Manuscript 20, 1906. {Ev 617.1}

The Power of God in the Third Person—The prince of the power of evil can only be held in check by the power of God in the third person of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit.—Special Testimonies, Series A, 10:37. (1897). {Ev 617.2}

In Co-operation With the Three Highest Powers—We are to co-operate with the three highest powers in heaven,—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost,—and these powers will work through us, making us workers together with God.—Special Testimonies, Series B, 7:51. (1905). {Ev 617.3}

Evil had been accumulating for centuries, and could only be restrained and resisted by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fulness of divine power. Another spirit must be met; for the essence of evil was working in all ways, and the submission of man to this satanic captivity was amazing. 11LtMs, Lt 8, 1896, par. 2

===


I would say that the public nature of the denomination's position is such that - those portions unaware of it - are simply not reading the material and noticing the details.

No one is denying that the SDA is officially Trinitarian. Now, before I proceed any further, I want to make it clear that I am, from start to finish, in this post, not singling out your church for criticism, even though as you know I do disagree vehemently with several other doctrinal issues within the SDA. However the issues @tall73 raised in this thread are not specific to the SDA but seem to be affecting Western churches as a whole. With that in mind, please read the following:

The problem that our friend @tall73 is alluding to in this thread is rather a problem of laity who have apparently decided to defy the official SDA doctrine and reject belief in the Trinity. The SDA needs to take action against this clear trend towards neo-Arianism and Pneumatomacchianism among some of its members by excluding people who reject a belief in the trinity from communion.

This is specifically what the Orthodox Church does, by the way. Additionally, we make a point of addressing the Son in prayers, and addressing some prayers to the Holy Spirit, and referring to all three persons as God, which helps to promulgate the doctrines of the Trinity and the Incarnation. This is something the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and indeed the Assyrian and Eastern Catholic churches do, which unfortunately is not as widespread in most Western liturgies, because in the Roman Catholic liturgy in particular a trend occurred to address prayers to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, “in the unity of the Holy Spirit” sometimes being added, and an even greater problem in all Western denominations, not just the SDA, is the tendency to refer to Jesus Christ as the Son of God, without referring to Him as God, and likewise with the Holy Spirit, which I believe contributes directly to confusion over what the doctrine of the Trinity means. In my youth I was confused, so this problem isn’t even specific to your denomination. We know from recent surveys there is a huge problem among Evangelical churches and even the Roman Catholic Church of non-belief in the Trinity.

Indeed, it might interest you to note that I have seen some numbers among Roman Catholics which looked even worse than the statistics Tall73 presented in this thread relative to the SDA. So clearly some Adventist churches are doing a very good job teaching the Trinity, but on the whole, like most Western churches, the SDA could do more, by emulating the Eastern churches:

In contrast to the Western churches, the number of Orthodox Christians who do not belief in the Trinity is vanishingly small, despite the fact that the quality of our homiletics is not, with the exception of the Coptic Orthodox Church, what it should be, and catechesis likewise has suffered due to it being prohibited in Communist countries, and being inconsistent in the diaspora. But because our prayers make a point of referencing the three divine persons, and because we recite the Creed at all services, I believe this really helps, and it gives us an edge, and part of my vocation is trying to spread these common sense practices into Western Christianity.

And I would note in this case it poses absolutely no threat to the distinctive doctrines of the SDA concerning the Sabbath, et cetera, since what I am talking about, and suggesting the SDA actively do, is something that relates to a doctrine where the SDA and the Orthodox are in agreement.

Also I would be interested if someone could pull up the data on Trinitarian belief in the SDA churches in Ukraine, which from my understanding, and from the excellent choir music they recorded (indeed its the only recording I have of the less well known sixth setting of the Cherubic Hymn by Dmitri Bortnianski, as opposed to his famous Seventh setting of the Cherubic hymn). Since the SDA in Ukraine are apparently either using Orthodox-derived liturgics, or at least singing our hymns, I would expect to see lower numbers of non-Trinitarians among the Ukrainian adventists. @tall73 do you have any data on this?

By the way, I do hope this post of mine is regarded as helpful and not confrontational; I am not singling out the SDA for criticism. Rather all Western churches seem to have a problem with this issue, as I said earlier. I care about the spread of the teachings of the Incarnation and the Trinity as essential for salvation in Christ, and thus my goal is to help denominations, even those I have great disagreements with, such as the SDA, the United Methodists and the Roman Catholics, to improve the adherence among their laity to Trinitarian beliefs.