Seventh-day Adventist church leaders say recent informal conversations between Adventist and Roman Catholic theologians have allowed Adventists to speak out on key beliefs, such as the church’s teaching of Sabbath, or Saturday, as the biblical day of worship.

Adventists have welcomed the opportunity to share their faith, says a short description of the meetings released by the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty department of the world church, and the church’s Biblical Research Institute. The conversations, requested by Catholic scholars, offered a “unique opportunity to make a clear presentation of [Adventist] beliefs to leading Catholic theologians, hear their response, and engage in discussion.”

Presentations dealt with topics such as the 27 fundamental beliefs of the Adventist Church, and included an intensive biblical and theological study of the Adventist teaching on the Sabbath. Over a series of three meetings, starting in 2000, theologians have also spoken about the structural organization of the Adventist Church, and issues such as evangelism, proselytism, and religious freedom.

Calling the tone of the meetings “frank and respectful,” Adventist participants say the conversations have identified “areas of common interest while also recognizing major differences.” In the most recent meeting, in May this year, several other topics for possible future conversations were identified.

Copies of the papers presented by the Adventist theologians at these conversations will be available after August 5 from the Biblical Research Institute.