Problem #1 - You Can’t Even ‘Do’ What the Bible Says…
The majority of those who examine Seventh-day Adventism, regurgitate. Now, I am not saying that what I am about to say is fresh, but I am fairly certain, it hasn’t been discussed as the number one reason why people question Adventism. You cannot have a discussion regarding Adventism, you can’t. Sure, philosophically speaking you can, but according to the church, you actually can’t.
Huh?!
What?!
I encountered early on in my professional pursuits in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church that questions are not encouraged, and are actively discouraged. And it is actually the official position….
Here’s what I mean. We saw in the last article as we built our examination of Seventh-day Adventism that Ellen White is seen officially as a prophetess like an Old Testament prophet. Ellen White is also used to interpret and correct understanding of Scripture. What that means is, you can’t disagree with her, and what that means is, you can’t question her, because it has already been settled.
Also, since she is held in such a place, officially, what she says goes, officially.
“Satan is ... constantly pressing in the spurious—to lead away from the truth. The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God’s remnant people in the true testimony.—Letter 12, 1890. There will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is satanic. The workings of Satan will be to unsettle the faith of the churches in them, for this reason: Satan cannot have so clear a track to bring in his deceptions and bind up souls in his delusions if the warnings and reproofs and counsels of the Spirit of God are heeded.—Letter 40, 1890 (Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 48.).”
Then in an even more detailed outline, Ellen White shuts down the ability to ask questions or demonstrate doubts regarding her writings and her authority…
“It is Satan’s plan to weaken the faith of God’s people in the Testimonies. Next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures, and then the downward march to perdition. When the Testimonies, which were once believed, are doubted and given up, Satan knows the deceived ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts till he launches them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in destruction (Testimonies For The Church, Vol. 4, pg. 211).”
Again, the quagmire of Seventh-day Adventism stating that Ellen White’s writings are not on the same authority as Scripture and yet Ellen White writes, prophetically, that if you doubt her works you will deny and doubt Scripture. Yet this prophecy is proven wrong a million fold when many Christians have analyzed, left, or even avoided Seventh-day Adventism because of Ellen White’s writings and held firm to Scripture and being Christian. Yes, it has and does happen. The above statement is in fact meant to be read in a ‘prophetic’ light, as Ellen White states very pointedly and directly that the Testimonies are given directly by the Holy Spirit. Yet, to get around what she states as not being a false prophecy, one has to do a little side stepping and prophetic gymnastics, by interpreting Ellen White, even though she is meant to be a prophetic voice to clear up interpretation….”then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures,…” this is often meant to mean doubting the Scriptures in how they are meant to be read, via the prophetic voice of Ellen White. Thus, the quagmire. In order for Ellen White to not be wrong, and uphold the position she gives herself, and the church supports, we then take a position that one has to hold to Seventh-Day Adventist beliefs according to Ellen White in order to not be in rebellion and on the way to perdition…thus making the denomination a cult. Yet, the church claims and fought not to be a cult, even publishing, “Questions on Doctrine,” when confronted with being accused of being a Christian cult in the late 1950’s.
As a member, you cannot openly ask, write, or assume a posture opposing, critiquing, or criticizing Ellen White’s writings, visions, or beliefs because you are then demonstrating that you are an agent of Satan. Not my words, but hers…officially.
Is this a biblical position? No. Not even close.
First, the Bible is straight forward.
Second, there is no theological room for an Old Testament prophet type, that Ellen White is officially seen as, or takes the position as passively or directly. There were two covenants in Scripture, the Old Covenant, established at Sinai with Moses and the Israelites, and the New Covenant, prophesied about by Jeremiah, affirmed by Jesus, and confirmed by the day of Pentecost.
“31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.””
“8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.[c] 9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. 10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
“Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses' face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? 9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.
12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
“But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.”
“Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.”
Under the New Covenant promise, it is quite clear, God lives, knows, and guides inside in intimacy, individually. Jesus quite clearly states in Matthew 23:8-10, “But you are not to be called [teacher], for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.” Under the New Covenant, there is no hierarchy, nor is there a separation between God and ourselves. Jesus is affirming that all believers are on equal terms, holding equal status, and the ability to hold Spiritual gifts that collectively discern, interpret, and live out Christ as the church. John even writes, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1, ESV).” The word ‘test’ in the original greek is dokimazete - meaning to test, discern, try, examine. Yet, in the Seventh-Day Adventist denomination, questioning, testing, examining, discerning, and trying (meaning to put on trial) the works of Ellen White is ecclesiastical suicide, condemned, discouraged, and labeled as the work of Satan.
Prophecy and prophets are handled very different under the New Covenant. We see this clearly in Paul, who affirms the New Covenant among believers by stating that we as believers are all equals as believers,
“Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise (Galatians 3:23-29).”
In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul holding the authority as an Apostle, gives clear and direct guidance in the purpose of prophecy, how the church is to implement prophecy.
“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
6 Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. 21 In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” 22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.
26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
36 Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.38 If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But all things should be done decently and in order.”
Paul directly challenges, and invalidates Ellen White’s ministry in one chapter.
“Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:29-33).”
Paul even recognizes that prophesy in the church occurs in the plural and not at all in the singular. If it occurs in the singular, then there is no way to test it, as “the spirit of prophets are subject to prophets.” Ellen White breaks the biblical pattern set with Moses and even held through Christ that prophecy occurs in the plural, multiples.
“26 Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27 And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” 29 But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” 30 And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp (Numbers 11:26-29).”
During Elijah’s time, there are hundreds of prophets, even those prophesying to king Ahab such as Micaiah in 1 Kings 22. Under Jesus, Simeon and Anna confirm Jesus, both being prophets in Luke 2. Then again Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus in Matthew 17. There is not a single occurrence in Scripture where a prophet appears or prophesies to a people in the singular. So why Ellen White?
The early Seventh-day Adventists had a responsibility as does the church even now, that if the denomination holds to Scripture as it’s final authority, then it needs to explain why there are not more people prophesying the same message as Ellen White at the same time as Ellen White. Why is Ellen White’s ministry of being a guide to understanding Scripture spoken directly against by Scripture itself under the New Covenant? Why is the church not promoting spiritual gifts and having Ellen White’s writings scrutinized under the finest microscope by people with demonstrable spiritual gifts of prophecy? The list could go on.
Anytime the church has attempted to follow Scripture and examine, scrutinize, and test Ellen White’s works as they are instructed too do. Heads roll, jobs are lost, politicking takes place. At the 1919 Bible Conference, Glacier View, and even now. That does not demonstrate the Spirit of God, that demonstrates a completely opposing spirit.
The biblical position looks much different than the position practiced by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, officially.
“Come now, let us argue together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
you shall eat the good of the land;
20 but if you refuse and rebel,
you shall be eaten by the sword;
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken (Isaiah 1:18-19).”
Here in Isaiah 1, we have God calling out the empty religion of God’s people. They are going through the motions, offering the sacrifices, and maintaining the temple service, and yet they are not doing what God really wants from them, following them with their hearts. Even as bad as their evils are, God directly asks them to come and argue with Him. The Hebrew term is often translated into English as reason, and yet the word means to argue or dispute with God. Reason is such a light, pleadable word. The Hebrew word means to stand in front of God and to argue back and forth, to defend and attack your positions and actions. This arguing and disputing is put into better light in Isaiah 43.
“Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob;
but you have been weary of me, O Israel!
23 You have not brought me your sheep for burnt offerings,
or honored me with your sacrifices.
I have not burdened you with offerings,
or wearied you with frankincense.
24 You have not bought me sweet cane with money,
or satisfied me with the fat of your sacrifices.
But you have burdened me with your sins;
you have wearied me with your iniquities.
25 “I, I am he
who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
and I will not remember your sins.
26 Put me in remembrance; let us argue together;
set forth your case, that you may be proved right.
27 Your first father sinned,
and your mediators transgressed against me.
28 Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary,
and deliver Jacob to utter destruction
and Israel to reviling (Isaiah 43:22-28).”
The people of God have stopped following God with their hearts, have caused Him to promise destruction to them, to profane them, and yet He still invites them to come and argue with him, in a courtroom setting, to dispute, attack, analyze, and object. This is not God being sarcastic, this is God demonstrating that relationship with him isn’t about obedience to laws and rituals, relationship with him is presence, remembering him, conversing, discussing, arguing, and present with Him.
““Let me have silence, and I will speak,
and let come on me what may.
14 Why should I take my flesh in my teeth
and put my life in my hand?
15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him;
yet I will argue my ways to his face (Job 13:15).”
God’s response to Job is telling. He doesn’t send a prophet, a friend, a messenger. God shows up directly to Job, after listening to Job and his friends discuss God and God’s ways, current events, and theology, God shows up. This is a direct lesson, New Covenant promise of God, through the interaction between Job and God. Seventh-day Adventism should take note. The New Covenant promise, demonstrated by Jesus, promised by Jesus, established at pentecost, and continued through the DIRECT work of the Holy Spirit to believers Individual and Corporately (the church corpus), is that God shows up directly now.
““Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Dress for action[a] like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me (Job 38:2-3).”
Even though Job was wrong in his assumptions about God, God still honors Job by showing up, by not destroying him, and by….confronting him, testing himself before Job, analyzing, scrutinizing, and arguing with Job.
Why do we not follow the biblical model in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church?
