A thought gem that has been repeated and adapted in many publications from 1866 until the present has interest for Seventh-day Adventists in that the Adventist prophet, Ellen G. White, made her own adaptation of it.
Read MoreFive Popular Myths about Last Generation Theology
In certain circles of contemporary Adventism, what has come to be known in recent years as Last Generation Theology has become an epithet. Punctuated with quotation marks, dismissive scorn, and the taint of implied extremism, this belief is noted by certain ones as an example of a thought system which Biblically informed, theologically mature, and spiritually balanced Adventists should rightfully shun.
Read MoreThe Brinsmead Heresy and Last Generation Theology, Part 2
In the first installment of this series, we reviewed the unique twist given to the classic Adventist understanding of Last Generation Theology by the teachings of one Robert Brinsmead, during the so-called Awakening movement he led during the 1960s. We noted that this twist was based on Brinsmead’s attempt to unite this classic Adventist teaching with what is known in Christian theology as the doctrine of original sin. This doctrine, as we also noted, teaches that the sinful nature human beings inherit at birth is the same as sin itself—that human beings, in other words, are born sinners.
Read MoreThe Futile Quest for Neutrality
The book The Reformation and the Remnant: The Reformers Speak to Today’s Church, penned by a lawyer-turned-theologian currently serving as a professor of church history at the SDA Theological Seminary at Andrews University, seeks to address a cluster of contemporary Adventist issues both from the perspective of Protestant Reformation history and a focus on ideological positioning so far as various convictions in the contemporary church are concerned. References to “liberals,” “fundamentalists,” and “centrists” abound throughout the book with regard to different ideas and their alleged place on contemporary Adventism’s spectrum of thought.
Read MoreAlleged Ellen White Contradictions: Exploding the Urban Legends, Part 4
In this article, the fourth in our series on alleged contradictions in the writings of Ellen White, we will consider three additional issues in Ellen White’s ministry where critics and revisionists have accused her of contradicting herself—the “daily” in the book of Daniel, the scope of the law as described in Paul’s epistle to the Galatians, as well as some of her statements where a surface reading might lead some to think she wrote inconsistently regarding God’s love for sinners.
Read MoreAlleged Ellen White Contradictions: Exploding the Urban Legends
In this third installment of our series on alleged contradictions in the writings of Ellen White, we will examine the popular claim of recent decades that Ellen White’s salvation theology evolved from a predominantly law-focused, even legalistic emphasis in her early years, to a more Christ-centered, grace-oriented message in her later ministry, particularly in the aftermath of the Minneapolis General Conference in 1888 and its emphasis on righteousness by faith.
Read MoreEllen White and the Shut Door Question
In the present article we will consider perhaps the most significant allegation of doctrinal contradiction relative to Ellen White’s prophetic ministry—the so-called “shut door” doctrine as taught and debated in the early history of the Advent movement.
Read MoreAlleged Ellen White contradictions: exploding the urban legends
This is the first in a series of articles on alleged contradictions in the writings of Ellen White. "Part 1: Basic Principles" seeks to establish basic principles in the discussion.
Read MoreDoes the life of Ellen White authorize female ordination?
Among many Adventists who have a high regard for the prophetic authority of Ellen White, there is an inchoate but strong feeling that the example of her life somehow did away with the pattern of male spiritual leadership found throughout Scripture.
Read MoreWhat might have been, what can be, and what definitely cannot be
In the past few days, a short video titled “What Might Have Been,” which contains an enactment of one of Ellen White’s dreams from the early 1900s, has surfaced. At the close of the acted segment, at least four appeals are made by church leaders calling for the church to fulfill its mission by submitting to God and experiencing the revival that God wanted to bring at the 1901 General Conference Session.
Read MoreEveryone knows Ellen White condemned bicycles
Everyone knows that Ellen White condemned bicycles. This most useful fact finds its way into the discussions of students in our schools who otherwise never seem to have a very keen interest in what the prophet has to say.
Read MoreThe god of Ekron and a prosthetic right arm
The right arm of the gospel—a phrase commonly heard in Adventist circles—is a work that has been too long neglected and underestimated. In a talk given by Mrs. White in the sanitarium at St. Helena’s chapel, she plainly stated, “There is to be no division between the medical missionary work and the gospel ministry. Medical missionary work is to be to the third angel's message as the right arm to the body. Both are to work in harmony. Then the salvation of the Lord will be revealed” (Sermons and Talks, Volume Two, 141-2). Therefore, it is of the utmost importance that we, as Seventh-day Adventists, understand what “medical missionary” work refers to, and what it does not.
Read MoreDramatic questions
We live at a time when Adventists are unashamedly producing their own films and when youth programs regularly feature drama. Now, for example, talk is adrift regarding the second proposed movie in as many years on the great controversy between Christ and Satan called "Heaven." That is ironic. But the irony will be more apparent toward the end of the article.
Read MoreNothing to see here
Chances are, if you pick up the histories of 1888 that are published by official Adventist publications, about 99% of them will say – when you cut through everything else – something to this effect: nothing of lasting significance really happened at the 1888 General Conference that has any relevance for us today. Indeed, there is “nothing to see here,” so we may as well move on to more pressing and relevant topics.
Read MoreSanctification by faith
Many times, when I hear people talk about “1888,” there seems to be a preoccupation with a narrow explanation of the event and message. This emphasis usually comes from the more “conservative” end of the spectrum and it essentially goes thusly: the main point, and grand theme, that Jones and Waggoner brought to our attention is that we can, by faith, live completely victorious lives. We can overcome sin, attain perfection, live righteously by faith.
Read MoreToo much Jesus?
I think one would be hard-pressed to find a Seventh-day Adventist – at least one who is at all familiar with our history – who would deny this basic premise: that in the years leading up to the 1888 General Conference meetings in Minneapolis, Adventism was largely characterized by legalism and an unbalanced emphasis on the law.
Read MoreProphets without honor
Jesus declared in the synagogue at Nazareth, “Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country” (Luke 4:24). The Gospel of John records this statement with a slight variation: “A prophet hath no honor in his own country” (John 4:44).
Read MoreThe insertion of gender-inclusive language in recent Ellen White compilations
Many in the church are not aware that the language of certain recent compilations from the writings of Ellen White has been altered so as to make it “gender-inclusive.” This lack of awareness—and lack of resulting controversy, thus far—might be ascribed to the fact that perhaps few who read these writings take the time to read the forewords, introductions, or other comments made in these books by the compilers. Whatever the reason, due to the use of a particular statement from one of these compilations by a leading Adventist scholar promoting the ordination of women to the gospel ministry, the church in general and the Ellen White Estate in particular will likely be forced to confront the problematic nature of this recent doctoring of inspired language.
Read MoreDrumming for the Lord?
The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit.
Read MoreAre Adventists coalescing into opposing parties? (Part I)
Sociologist and political scientists have long understood that when people take positions on issues, they tend to do so not randomly but in predictable clusters or groups, corresponding to an intellectual system, ideology, or way of seeing and evaluating the world (“worldview,” Ger. = Weltanschauung). In the realm of secular politics and government, this phenomenon has often caused political parties to be organized based upon shared ideology.
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