It is a well-known story from the Old Testament. King Saul was commanded by the prophet Samuel to gather an army and destroy the Amalekites, whose cup of iniquity had reached its limit (I Sam. 15:2). This was not to be an ordinary war of plunder and conquest, by a divine punishment on account of sin. No spoil of any kind was to be taken. Nothing was to be spared, not even the animals.
Read MoreWorld Church Affirmation Sabbath Holds Third Quarter Session
The World Church Affirmation Sabbath Committee is now holding their Third Quarter session to discuss issues affecting church unity in light of ongoing controversial issues. The session will be livestreamed, and links will be provided below.
Read MoreA Response to AToday's Article on the Unity Symposium
On August 4, 2017, AToday published a review of the Scripture, Church Structure and the Path to Unity symposium. Hosted by the supporting ministry Secrets Unsealed, the symposium dealt with the issue of Church unity in the face of the ongoing crisis regarding Women's Ordination in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Read MoreNo place for emotionalism
I was disturbed to observe that many Adventists use their emotions to make spiritual decisions. Secondly, I observed that many resorted to manipulative means to convince others to view women’s ordination through the same lenses as they.
Read MoreTy Gibson's argument still falls short
As the General Conference session in San Antonio approaches, final arguments in the case for and against women’s ordination grow more earnest and passionate, with their strengths and vulnerabilities increasingly more evident. Such is certainly the case in the new article by Ty Gibson of Light Bearers Ministry titled “A Closer Look at Women’s Ordination.”
Read MoreThe unique headship of Christ
In the end, the fact that Christ is the Head of the church is an ad oculos (obvious on sight), but redundant proclamation, which nearly everyone agrees with.
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 MoreA house divided: why regional ordination is the wrong answer
Good friends of mine, people I love and respect, have suggested that the best way to end the strife is to let the various sectors of the church follow their own convictions on the issue. Based on Scripture and history, I believe this is the wrong approach. But before I tell you why, let me first share two things that are not motivating me.
Read MoreGalatians 3:28 is the magna carta of humanity?
Galatians 3:28 has been styled the “magna carta of humanity” (Paul Jewett, Man as Male, 142) by some egalitarians. They say “this verse shows that the church has, in past generations, maintained unbiblical support of a paternalistic church and family order. This has kept Christian women from rising to their God-ordained place of equality of position and authority alongside men in the leadership of the church and in the family."
Read MoreAnd that's final
In the December edition of Adventist World, an article titled "Question on Women's Ordination Sent to GC Session" by Andrew McChesney reported, "Annual Council delegates agreed to ask the General Conference session next year to decide whether each division may decide for itself whether to ordain women. Many expressed hope that a final decision on the matter will allow the church to focus more fully on its mission of proclaiming Jesus’ soon coming."
Read MoreSymbolism matters
Christ represents the Husband, and the church represents the bride. They are expected to be symbolically intimate one with another. Speaking of Christ and the church Isaiah says, “For thy Maker is thine Husband” (54:5). If the local pastor represents Christ, and the local church represents the bride, then what would it mean if we took the male pastor out of his position to place a female pastor there?
Read MoreKeep silent woman
Two passages in the New Testament have frequently caused misunderstanding regarding the application within Christian circles of the universal Biblical principle of spiritual male headship.
Read MoreWatch Women’s Ordination Symposium Live
Secrets Unsealed invites you to join them for a live streaming of “Women’s Ordination: History, Issues and Implications” NOW!
Read MoreIs God's model of church organization optional?
The final meeting of the Theology of Ordination Study Committee saw the emergence of a “third way” caucus. This group acknowledges that Scripture sets forth a “model,” “pattern” or “ideal” of male leadership in the church, but feels that because male leadership relates to organization, it can be waived or altered by local constituencies of the church. Male leadership in the church, they argue, is among those ideals that...
Read MoreFederal headship
Some scholars have proposed (1) that man and woman were equal before the fall and that there was no “hint of a headship . . . or hierarchical relationship” (2) or that headship is a “new theology ... that permits no compromise or diversity.” (3) In general, those who believe in a pre-fall equivalent role status (4) are referred to as “egalitarians.” (5) One scholar noted “there is nothing in Gen. 2 to indicate a hierarchical view. . . [and] no hint of a headship of one over the other or a hierarchical relationship between husband and wife.” (6) He further proposed that before the fall there was full equality in “resemblance/constitution, in relationship, and in representation/function.” (7) Those who believe in a pre-fall non-equivalent role status are called “complementarians.”
Read More3ABN's ordination survey: bubble or bombshell?
At the recent international ASI convention held in Grand Rapids, Mich., 3ABN broadcast a live program during which hosts Jim Gilley and Danny Shelton moderated an open study regarding women’s ordination. The panel featured Michigan conference president Jay Gallimore; Pastor Doug Batchelor, president of Amazing Facts; and Don Mackintosh, chaplain of Weimar Center of Health & Education. All the panelists on the program supported the historic Adventist view.
Read MoreClean thinking and women's ordination
A small number of influential men will not decide this issue for the entire world church, and that is good. Let us pray for our leaders and delegates to vote to return to apostolic, primitive Bible godliness. The urgency of the times demands this in our decisions leading to, and at, General Conference Session in San Antonio, 2015.
Read MoreThey are for war: ordination and unnecessary conflict
In a nutshell, the moderate position accepts that the Bible reveals an organizational ideal for male leadership in the church. It also recognizes, however, that the Bible indicates that this kind of organizational ideal is one that can be modified and adapted in certain circumstances, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to further the salvational mission and purpose of the Church.
Read MoreAn open letter to Angel Rodriguez
I was blessed by the time I spent with you at the recent TOSC, when we sat together for breakfast. I enjoyed hearing your conversion story, and seeing your commitment to the Sabbath. It was instructive to learn how you and your wife worked through a difference in understanding of proper Sabbath observance without it dividing your home. I recognized we share a common desire to understand and follow truth, wherever it may lead.
Read MoreDenmark suspends ordinations until 2015 General Conference
According to a statement voted yesterday by the Seventh-day Adventist Danish Union, all future ordinations for new pastors will be suspended until the General Conference session in 2015. Also, it will no longer distinguish between genders when appointing pastors because the special priesthood reserved for men, because of sin, was fulfilled in Christ. Read the unions statement:
According to the Seventh Day Adventist Church´s belief in creation, as witnessed in the Bible, God has created mankind – man and woman – in His image and therefore equal.
Because of sin, God instituted a special priesthood reserved for men. This special priesthood with its sacrifices and functions found its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. There is no longer any special priesthood. Jesus Christ is our only true priest, the exalted high priest in the true temple in heaven. Now all have free access to God (Hebrews 4-5).
All of Christ's followers – both men and women – were lifted up to be a "chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, to declare His praises" (1 Peter 2:9).
This royal priesthood has a common purpose, namely to proclaim the gospel.
This ministry is based on the spiritual gifts which the Holy Spirit gives equally to men and women (1 Chor 12). Paul mentions some specific grace based ministries in the Church, including apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds (i.e. pastors), and teachers (Eph 4:7-16).
With background in this biblical understanding, the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Denmark will not distinguish between genders when appointing pastors, and wishes to see equality between genders in all areas of responsibility. As a result, the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Denmark will suspend the ordaining of any new pastors until the General Conference session in 2015.
Voted at the Danish Union session, May 12, 2013