Samuele Bacchiocchi
Encyclopedia
Samuele R. Bacchiocchi (29 January 1938, Rome
, Italy
– 20 December 2008) was a Seventh-day Adventist
author and theologian
, best known for his work on the Sabbath in Christianity, particularly in the historical work From Sabbath to Sunday, based on his doctoral thesis from the Pontifical Gregorian University
. He was also known for his opposition to rock music, certain dress standards, alcohol and the ordination of women
. He was one of the best known Adventist scholars outside of the Adventist church.
, Italy
.
He later earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree in theology from Newbold College
in England
, which was followed by a Master of Arts
and Bachelor of Divinity
at Andrews University
in Michigan, United States; finishing in 1964. Bacchiocchi moved with his wife Anna to Kuyera, Shashamane district
, Ethiopia
, where he lectured in Bible and history.
In 1969 they returned to Rome where Bacchiocchi studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University. He was the first non-Catholic to be admitted since its beginning in the 16th century. He completed a Doctoratus in Church History in 1974 on the subject of the decline of Sabbath observance in the Early Christian church, based on his research in the Vatican libraries. He was awarded a gold medal by Pope Paul VI
for the distinction of summa cum laude (Latin
for "with highest praise").
Bacchiocchi taught in the religion department of Andrews University from 1974 till his retirement in 2000. He served as professor of theology and church history. He regularly presented seminars worldwide, and has written many books and articles on biblical topics, although he has been criticized by some Adventists for straying beyond his area of expertise - the Sabbath.
He was married to Anna Gandin Bacchiocchi. They had three children—Loretta, Daniele and Gianluca—and five grand-children: Christiano, Lauren, Isabella, Gianna, and Enzo.
In May 2007, Bacchiocchi announced that he had developed liver and colon cancer. He ultimately succumbed to 4th stage liver cancer, shortly after midnight, Saturday December 20, 2008, the day before what would have been his 47th wedding anniversary. He was surrounded by his three children and his wife Anna.
, or by Roman Emperor Constantine I
in the transition from Sabbath to Sunday, with Constantine's law declaring Sunday as a day of rest for those not involved in farming work. Subsequent to Bacchiocchi's work, Adventists have emphasized that the shift from Sabbath to Sunday was a more gradual process.
Bacchiocchi has also been influential in the Worldwide Church of God
(and its offshoots), which supported Sabbath-keeping until 1995, and also other Sabbath keeping groups.
In one newsletter he submitted an hypothesis, expanding the traditional Adventist belief that the antichrist
is the papacy, to also include Islam
, which he reported "generated a lot of hate mail".
for "with highest honors"), the Pope's Gold Medal, and an official Roman Catholic imprimatur
(Latin for "let it be printed") for his doctorate at the Pontifical Gregorian University. An official letter claimed Bacchiocchi did not receive these awards. By 2007, both parties agreed he had received a summa cum laude and the Pope's Gold Medal, but for the Licentia [a phase of the doctoral program]; and only a magna cum laude for the Doctoratus itself. Bacchiocchi defended his actions by claiming the difference between the Licentia and the Doctoratus is small and would not be understood by most English speakers.
spy for the Vatican. Also, Alberto Rivera
claimed approval of From Sabbath to Sunday was given as a ploy to win over Adventists, as for similar ploys with other churches. Rivera was a fundamentalist Christian
who claimed to be a former Jesuit priest, however this point and many of his other claims are discredited by most authors.
Bacchiocchi has listed a number of favourable scholarly scholarly reviews on his website. List of books:
Sabbath:
Other:
Other authors:
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
– 20 December 2008) was a Seventh-day Adventist
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
author and theologian
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, best known for his work on the Sabbath in Christianity, particularly in the historical work From Sabbath to Sunday, based on his doctoral thesis from the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
. He was also known for his opposition to rock music, certain dress standards, alcohol and the ordination of women
Ordination of women
Ordination in general religious usage is the process by which a person is consecrated . The ordination of women is a regular practice among some major religious groups, as it was of several religions of antiquity...
. He was one of the best known Adventist scholars outside of the Adventist church.
Biography
Bacchiocchi was born in RomeRome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
He later earned a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
degree in theology from Newbold College
Newbold College
Newbold College is a Seventh-day Adventist higher education provider located in Binfield, Berkshire, England; 40 miles west of London. It offers courses in Theology, Business Management, Arts & Social Studies as well as English Language and is accredited by the University of Wales Lampeter...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, which was followed by a Master of Arts
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
and Bachelor of Divinity
Bachelor of Divinity
In Western universities, a Bachelor of Divinity is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course taken in the study of divinity or related disciplines, such as theology or, rarely, religious studies....
at Andrews University
Andrews University
Andrews University is a Seventh-day Adventist university in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1874 as Battle Creek College in Battle Creek, Michigan, it was the first higher education facility started by Seventh-day Adventists, and is the flagship university of the Seventh-day...
in Michigan, United States; finishing in 1964. Bacchiocchi moved with his wife Anna to Kuyera, Shashamane district
Shashamene (woreda)
Shashamene is one of the 180 woredas in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. It is named after the administrative center of the woreda, Shashamene. Part of the Misraq Shewa Zone located in the Great Rift Valley, Shashamene is bordered on the south by the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples...
, Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
, where he lectured in Bible and history.
In 1969 they returned to Rome where Bacchiocchi studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University. He was the first non-Catholic to be admitted since its beginning in the 16th century. He completed a Doctoratus in Church History in 1974 on the subject of the decline of Sabbath observance in the Early Christian church, based on his research in the Vatican libraries. He was awarded a gold medal by Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
for the distinction of summa cum laude (Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for "with highest praise").
Bacchiocchi taught in the religion department of Andrews University from 1974 till his retirement in 2000. He served as professor of theology and church history. He regularly presented seminars worldwide, and has written many books and articles on biblical topics, although he has been criticized by some Adventists for straying beyond his area of expertise - the Sabbath.
He was married to Anna Gandin Bacchiocchi. They had three children—Loretta, Daniele and Gianluca—and five grand-children: Christiano, Lauren, Isabella, Gianna, and Enzo.
In May 2007, Bacchiocchi announced that he had developed liver and colon cancer. He ultimately succumbed to 4th stage liver cancer, shortly after midnight, Saturday December 20, 2008, the day before what would have been his 47th wedding anniversary. He was surrounded by his three children and his wife Anna.
Impact
In 1977 Bacchiocchi published From Sabbath to Sunday, documenting the historical transition from the Saturday Sabbath to Sunday in the early Christian church due to social, pagan and political factors, and also the decline of standards for the day. The book made an impact on the wider academic community outside of Adventism, as well as within Adventism. Prior to his work, Seventh-day Adventists had focused on the role played by either the PopePope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
, or by Roman Emperor Constantine I
Constantine I and Christianity
During the reign of the Emperor Constantine the Great, Christianity became the dominant religion of the Roman Empire. Constantine, also known as Constantine I, had a significant religious experience following his victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312...
in the transition from Sabbath to Sunday, with Constantine's law declaring Sunday as a day of rest for those not involved in farming work. Subsequent to Bacchiocchi's work, Adventists have emphasized that the shift from Sabbath to Sunday was a more gradual process.
Bacchiocchi has also been influential in the Worldwide Church of God
Worldwide Church of God
Grace Communion International , formerly the Worldwide Church of God , is an evangelical Christian denomination based in Glendora, California, United States. Since April 3, 2009, it has used the new name Grace Communion International in the US...
(and its offshoots), which supported Sabbath-keeping until 1995, and also other Sabbath keeping groups.
Beliefs
Bacchiocchi supported conservative lifestyle habits, such as avoidance of alcohol and rock music. He was a recognized authority on the Sabbath, a practice he supported keeping.In one newsletter he submitted an hypothesis, expanding the traditional Adventist belief that the antichrist
Antichrist
The term or title antichrist, in Christian theology, refers to a leader who fulfills Biblical prophecies concerning an adversary of Christ, while resembling him in a deceptive manner...
is the papacy, to also include Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, which he reported "generated a lot of hate mail".
Controversy
There was some controversy in the 2000s over Bacchiocchi's claim to have received the awards summa cum laude (LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
for "with highest honors"), the Pope's Gold Medal, and an official Roman Catholic imprimatur
Imprimatur
An imprimatur is, in the proper sense, a declaration authorizing publication of a book. The term is also applied loosely to any mark of approval or endorsement.-Catholic Church:...
(Latin for "let it be printed") for his doctorate at the Pontifical Gregorian University. An official letter claimed Bacchiocchi did not receive these awards. By 2007, both parties agreed he had received a summa cum laude and the Pope's Gold Medal, but for the Licentia [a phase of the doctoral program]; and only a magna cum laude for the Doctoratus itself. Bacchiocchi defended his actions by claiming the difference between the Licentia and the Doctoratus is small and would not be understood by most English speakers.
Jesuit conspiracy theory
A small minority of Adventists are suspicious of Bacchiocchi because he studied at the Gregorian University, claiming he is a JesuitSociety of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
spy for the Vatican. Also, Alberto Rivera
Alberto Rivera
Alberto Magno Romero Rivera was an anti-Catholic religious activist who was the source of many of fundamentalist Christian author Jack Chick's conspiracy theories about the Vatican....
claimed approval of From Sabbath to Sunday was given as a ploy to win over Adventists, as for similar ploys with other churches. Rivera was a fundamentalist Christian
Fundamentalist Christianity
Christian fundamentalism, also known as Fundamentalist Christianity, or Fundamentalism, arose out of British and American Protestantism in the late 19th century and early 20th century among evangelical Christians...
who claimed to be a former Jesuit priest, however this point and many of his other claims are discredited by most authors.
Publications
Bacchiocchi had a publishing arm called Biblical Perspectives, through which he has published 16 books of his own, and also a book by Graeme Bradford. He was the primary author of the Endtime Issues email newsletter. Typically four or five chapters of each of his books are freely available online.Bacchiocchi has listed a number of favourable scholarly scholarly reviews on his website. List of books:
Sabbath:
- From Sabbath to Sunday: A Historical Investigation of the Rise of Sunday Observance in Early Christianity (4 of 11 chapters online)
- Divine Rest for Human Restlessness: A Theological Study of the Good News of the Sabbath for Today (4 of 8 chapters online)
- The Sabbath in the New Testament: Answers to Questions (4 of 13 chapters online)
- The Sabbath Under Crossfire: A Biblical analysis of Recent Sabbath/Sunday Developments (4 chapters, plus chapter 7; of 7)
Other:
- Immortality or Resurrection? A Biblical Study on Human Nature and Destiny
- The Advent Hope for Human Hopelessness. A Theological Study of the Meaning of the Second Advent for Today
- Wine in the Bible: A Biblical Study on the Use of Alcoholic Beverages
- The Christian & Rock Music: A Study on Biblical Principles of Music
- Women in the Church: A Biblical Study on the Role of Women in the Church
- Christian Dress and Adornment
- The Passion of Christ: In Scripture and History
- The Marriage Covenant: A Biblical Study on Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage
- Hal Lindsey’s Prophetic Jigsaw Puzzle: Five Predictions that Failed!
- God’s Festivals in Scripture and History. Volume I: The Spring Festivals
- God’s Festivals in Scripture and History. Volume 2: The Fall Festivals
- The Time of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection
Other authors:
- Biblical Perspectives has also published More Than A Prophet by Graeme Bradford, which is fully and freely available online at SDAnet
External links
- Biblical Perspectives, Bacchiocchi's personal website
- "Expert on Bible, Sabbath dies at 70". WorldNetDailyWorldNetDailyWorldNetDaily is an American web site that publishes news and associated content from a U.S. conservative perspective. It was founded in May 1997 by Joseph Farah with the stated intent of "exposing wrongdoing, corruption and abuse of power" and is headquartered in Washington, D.C.-History:In...
, December 21, 2008 - Articles by Bacchiocchi cataloged in the Seventh-day Adventist Periodical Index (SDAPI)