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Josiah Litch: His Life, Work, and Use of His Writings, on Selected Topics, by Seventh-Day Adventist Writers

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Josiah Litch: His Life, Work, and Use of His Writings, on Selected Topics, by Seventh-Day Adventist Writers Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Master's Theses Graduate Research 2009 Josiah Litch: His Life, Work, and Use of His Writings, on Selected Topics, by Seventh-day Adventist Writers Daniel David Royo Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/theses Recommended Citation Royo, Daniel David, "Josiah Litch: His Life, Work, and Use of His Writings, on Selected Topics, by Seventh- day Adventist Writers" (2009). Master's Theses. 51. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/theses/51 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT JOSIAH LITCH: HIS LIFE, WORK, AND USE OF HIS WRITINGS, ON SELECTED TOPICS, BY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST WRITERS by Daniel David Royo Adviser: Jerry Moon ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Thesis Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: JOSIAH LITCH: HIS LIFE, WORK, AND USE OF HIS WRITINGS, ON SELECTED TOPICS, BY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST WRITERS Name of researcher: Daniel David Royo Name and degree of faculty adviser: Jerry Moon, Ph.D. Date completed: July 2009 Problem Josiah Litch was a leading figure in the Millerite movement from 1838-1844. During this time he developed ideas that would appear again as part of the Seventh-day Adventist understanding of prophecy and end-time events. This present study sought to determine how Litch‟s ideas developed throughout his life, and how his understanding of the Bible, specifically during the Millerite time period, affected Seventh-day Adventist doctrines. Method This thesis is divided into five chapters. The first chapter is an introduction. The second is a biographical overview of Litch‟s life. The third deals with Litch‟s historical and theological research, and how three Seventh-day Adventist writers used his works. The fourth examines the events surrounding Litch‟s interpretation of the time periods of Rev 9, and how it affected the year-day principle. The fifth chapter examines Litch‟s understanding of the pre-advent judgment, and the anticipated fulfillment of elements of prophecy he considered to be yet future. Results Litch‟s work influenced the Millerite movement through his research and extensive prophetic writing. His interpretation of the time periods of Rev 9 provided an example of the validity of the year-day principle of prophetic interpretation, and his understanding of the pre-advent judgment developed independently of the Seventh-day Adventist understanding of the pre-advent judgment. Conclusions Josiah Litch helped the Millerite movement to have the extensive impact that it did through his writing, preaching, and pioneering towards the South. In the years following 1844, he abandoned his commitment to Scripture alone, followed tradition with the Albany Adventists, and eventually lost all distinctiveness in his understanding of the Bible, from the emerging dispensationalists. His interpretations generally did not directly affect the development of Seventh-day Adventist doctrine, apart from the teachings that had been accepted by the Millerite movement, but subsequent Seventh-day Adventist writers considered his earlier writings authoritative on prophecy. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary JOSIAH LITCH: HIS LIFE, WORK, AND USE OF HIS WRITINGS, ON SELECTED TOPICS, BY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST WRITERS A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Divinity by Daniel David Royo 2009 © Copyright by Daniel David Royo 2009 All Rights Reserved JOSIAH LITCH: HIS LIFE, WORK, AND USE OF HIS WRITINGS, ON SELECTED TOPICS, BY SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST WRITERS A thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Divinity by Daniel David Royo APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: _______________________________ Jerry Moon, Ph.D., Advisor _______________________________ Merlin D. Burt, Ph.D. _______________________________ _________________________ Russell Staples, Ph.D. Date approved TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................ v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ..................................................................................... vi Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................ 1 Statement of Problem .............................................................................. 1 Purpose of the Study ............................................................................... 3 Relevant Literature and Research ............................................................ 3 Methodology ........................................................................................... 4 2. BIOGRAPHICAL SYNOPSIS ..................................................................... 6 Early Life and Pre-Millerite Ministry ...................................................... 7 Millerite Movement ................................................................................ 11 Full Time Commitment to Millerite Movement ...................................... 16 Post-Millerite Movement ........................................................................ 36 Albany Conference and Aftermath ................................................... 38 Ministry with Evangelical Adventists ............................................... 41 3. HISTORICAL AND THEOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTIONS ......................... 49 Scholarly Contributions........................................................................... 50 Millerite Apologetics .............................................................................. 53 Use of Work by Seventh-day Adventist Writers ...................................... 55 James White ...................................................................................... 56 Uriah Smith ....................................................................................... 58 John N. Andrews ............................................................................... 59 Summary ................................................................................................ 61 4. THE YEAR-DAY PRINCIPLE AND THE FALL OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE ON AUGUST 11, 1840.................................................................. 63 Litch‟s Study of Revelation 9 .................................................................. 64 Prelude to August 11, 1840 ..................................................................... 69 iii The Aftermath of the “Fulfillment” ......................................................... 71 Litch‟s Views After 1844 ........................................................................ 75 The Influence on Seventh-day Adventist Doctrine ................................... 79 Summary ................................................................................................ 85 5. THE “TRIAL”: THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE PRE- ADVENT JUDGMENT AND THE CLOSE OF PROBATION .................... 87 Litch‟s Understanding of the “Trial” Judgment ....................................... 87 The Influence on the Millerite Movement and Seventh-day Adventist Doctrine ............................................................................................ 92 Summary ................................................................................................ 95 6. CONCLUSION ............................................................................................ 97 BIBLIOGRAPHY ................................................................................................. 100 iv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AH Advent Herald Lectures Evidences From Scripture and History of the Second Coming of Christ About 1843, Exhibited in a Course of Lectures MC The Midnight Cry RH Second Advent Review, and Sabbath Herald, and Advent Review, and Sabbath Herald RPA “Rise and Progress of Adventism” SCC The Probability of the Second Coming of Christ: About A.D. 1843. ST-M Signs of the Times (Millerite) ST-SDA Signs of the Times (Seventh-day Adventist) v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This thesis would not have been possible without the support of my wife, Danielle, and the inspiration and suggestions of my mother, Adrienne. I am also grateful for the financial support of the Potomac Conference; the administration has given me the opportunity to study at the seminary. Those on my committee have been very helpful; Jerry Moon has provided valuable feedback and encouragement. Merlin Burt challenged me to take the second look, and encouraged me in the writing process. Carol Williams and Violeta Paraschuk helped with finding materials. Bonnie Proctor assisted with editing. I would also like to express my gratitude to Sarah Barnes-Vallandingham, archivist at Wilbraham and Monson Academy, Winston Hall, Kara Jackman, and Andrea Libertini. Most of all, I thank God for giving me life and the ability to engage in research, and to participate in the life-long process of coming to know Him, through the lives of those who have sought to walk with Him in the past. vi CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Statement of Problem The history of the Millerite movement is one that involves intriguing events and individuals that led to a movement that gained national prominence. The driving force behind the movement is
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