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Miller is often credited with founding the Adventist movement. However, this seems to be a misjudgment inasmuch as, in earlier times, many preachers and Bible commentators had argued the same or similar points. The basic core of Adventism, especially its pre-millennial outlook, can even be found among the Church Fathers: Polycarp, Ignatius, Justin Martyr, Augustine and many others. In later centuries, other aspects of Miller's views were to be found among the Taborites, the Anabaptists and others. Even Isaac Newton (1642 - 1717), remembered for his formulation of the law of gravity, was one of many who studied the Bible intently and made his own contribution to Adventist ideas. More correctly, it can be said that William Miller's ministry was instrumental in the events that led to the establishment of several new Christian denominations which emphasized the 'end times', such as the Seventh-Day Adventists and other related splinter groups.
(181:4)
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