DIG DEEPER

HOT TAKE

Adventism and Activism. Can Adventists Be Political? Adventists have traditionally maintained a distance from political involvement. Engagement has often leaned toward philanthropic or missionary work, such as overseas trips, building churches and schools, and providing medical and financial support. Many Adventists are strongly opposed to political involvement and often cite Ellen White to argue that Adventists should remain separate from politics. The quote most frequently used is:

“The government under which Jesus lived was corrupt and oppressive; on every hand were crying abuses—extortion, intolerance, and grinding cruelty. Yet the Saviour attempted no civil reforms. He attacked no national abuses, nor condemned the national enemies. He did not interfere with the authority or administration of those in power. He who was our example kept aloof from earthly governments. Not because He was indifferent to the woes of men, but because the remedy did not lie in merely human and external measures. To be efficient, the cure must reach men individually, and must regenerate the heart” Desire of Ages, page 509.

However, this quote is often taken out of context. When we look at the paragraphs immediately before it, the meaning becomes clearer. Not only does it fail to discourage political engagement or activism, it actually warns against conflating Christian leadership with political power, which is a relevant concern today in conversations about Christian nationalism. The paragraphs that precede it state:

“The kingdom of God comes not with outward show. The gospel of the grace of God, with its spirit of self-abnegation, can never be in harmony with the spirit of the world. The two principles are antagonistic. ‘The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned’ 1 Corinthians 2:14. But today in the religious world there are multitudes who, as they believe, are working for the establishment of the kingdom of Christ as an earthly and temporal dominion. They desire to make Jesus the ruler of the kingdoms of this world, the ruler in its courts and camps, its legislative halls, its palaces and market places. They expect Him to rule through legal enactments, enforced by human authority. Since Christ is not now here in person, they themselves will undertake to act in His stead, to execute the laws of His kingdom. The establishment of such a kingdom is what the Jews desired in the days of Christ. They would have received Jesus, had He been willing to establish a temporal dominion, to enforce what they regarded as the laws of God, and to make them the expositors of His will and the agents of His authority. But He said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world’ John 18:36. He would not accept the earthly throne.”

When read in full, this teaching does not prohibit involvement in society or advocacy against injustice. It warns against using political systems to enforce religious dominance.

To deepen the conversation, here are two additional statements made by Ellen White that provide further clarity. The first highlights conscientious resistance to unjust systems, even when costly:

“We have men placed over us for rulers, and laws to govern the people. Were it not for these laws, the condition of the world would be worse than it is now. Some of these laws are good, others are bad. The bad have been increasing, and we are yet to be brought into strait places. But God will sustain His people in being firm and living up to the principles of His word. When the laws of men conflict with the word and law of God, we are to obey the latter, whatever the consequences may be. The law of our land requiring us to deliver a slave to his master, we are not to obey; and we must abide the consequences of violating this law. The slave is not the property of any man. God is his rightful master, and man has no right to take God’s workmanship into his hands, and claim him as his own.” Counsels for the Church, page 564.

This statement directly affirms resistance to oppressive systems, not passive withdrawal.

The second quote from Messages to Young People not only encourages academic excellence, but explicitly includes political engagement as a worthy aspiration:

“Are you ambitious for education that you may have a name and position in the world? Have you thoughts that you dare not express, that you may one day stand upon the summit of intellectual greatness; that you may sit in deliberative and legislative councils, and help to enact laws for the nation? There is nothing wrong in these aspirations. You may every one of you make your mark. You should be content with no mean attainments. Aim high, and spare no pains to reach the standard.” Review and Herald, August 19, 1884

This statement affirms political participation as a legitimate calling for some Adventists, rather than something inherently opposed to faithfulness.

Ellen White’s writings are sometimes used to argue for disengagement from activism or politics. Yet her broader counsel does not support withdrawal from concern for justice or human dignity. Scripture and Adventist history point toward a faith that cares deeply about how systems affect people, especially the vulnerable, and that seeks ways to respond with integrity and compassion.