What is An Adventist?

32 Pages·2009·4.77 MB·English

Adventist
Today
spring 2009 • www.A todAy.com
What Is An
?
Adventist
F o u r V i e w s
Adventist
Today
di ne sp iArd te m e n t Executive Publisher
Ervin Taylor
Vol. 17 no. 2 Editor
J. David Newman
Copy Editor
Debra J. Hicks
Contributing Editors
Chris Blake, John McLarty,
Andy Nash, James Walters
Art Director
Chris Komisar
Online Editor
cover story 8 Marcel Schwantes
Webmaster
Linda Greer
What Is An Director of Development
? Edwin A. Schwisow
FOunDAtiOn BOArD
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Gordon Short, Dan Smith, James Stirling, Eldon Stratton,
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F o u r V i e w s
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7 Questions for Elizabeth Talbot Halsell, Jackie and Thomas Hamilton, Sheridan and
21 Responses to What
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Is An Adventist? Adventist Man: Days of Creation, X and Robert Hasse, Jackie and Jim Henneberg, Jolene
and Dennis Hilliard, Sally and Russell Hoenes, Virginia
Commandments, Sipping Carnage and Donald Jeffries, Erika and Brian Johnson, Ruth and
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and Daniel Paulien, Steve Pawluk, David T. Person II,
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e d i t o r iAl
What is An Adventist?
J. David Newman
Fifteen years ago Adventist Today published four The 1976 Annual Council voted a document
articles on four “wings” of Adventism (January/ called “Evangelism and Finishing the Work.” It
February 1994). In the words of the various authors, defined “finishing the work” as “both an inward and
those articles described “Mainstream Adventism,” outward work—a people saved by grace, working
“Evangelical Adventism,” “Progressive Adventism,” and to save others. It is the reaching of every person on
“Historic Adventism.” In this issue, Adventist Today earth with the claim and promise of God’s message
again publishes four views on Adventism but with of love and salvation, so that this generation may
a twist. Each of the authors gets to critique what the have opportunity to be restored in His image, now
others have written. and forever. Thus, the ‘finishing of the work’ means
The assignment was uncomplicated and the one thing: communicating God’s message through
same for each one. They were to write the answer the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit to all the
to a simple question: What is an Adventist? Larry world’s population so that God can proclaim His work
Christoffel and Larry Kirkpatrick are pastors. Charles finished. When this happens Jesus will come. ‘And
Scriven is a college president, and Sari Fordam is a this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the
college professor. world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the
Read their articles and their responses and then end come,’ Matthew 24:14.”
it would seem
send in your definition of what is an Adventist. There The document then listed 10 implementation steps,
is even room in future issues for a short article on the among which were “Clarify the role of the pastor” and that only
subject, if you feel so inspired. “Limit building projects.”
Adventists
George R. Knight has just published his latest book:
The Apocalpytic Vision and the Neutering of Adventism a Finished Work have been given
(reviews to follow in next issue). Knight, who has More than 30 years have passed since the Annual
the task of
written 19 books, considers this book to be the most Council voted that document, and it seems that we
important of his career. The first sentence in his book are no nearer to finishing the work than we were back converting the
says, “Why be Adventist?” His book and this special then. Oh, yes, we do have quite a few more church
issue of Adventist Today explore the same theme. members than we did then, but is that “finishing the world for Christ.
work?”
adventist dilemma
The question of “What is an Adventist?” is
The Adventist Church labors under an enormous particularly relevant to this plea of the Annual
dilemma. It sprang into being to proclaim the Second Council. It would seem that only Adventists have
Coming of Jesus. Just as John the Baptist lived to see been given the task of converting the world for Christ
what he proclaimed—the first coming of Jesus—so too and bringing in his coming. There is no mention in
were those who proclaimed the imminent return of the document that God will use anyone else other
Jesus supposed to see him come. than Adventists.
Ellen White says: “Had Adventists, after the great Then there is the question of Laodicea. The
disappointment in 1844, held fast their faith, and document gives one line to this subject. “Most
followed on unitedly in the opening providence of members and ministers recognize that we are
God, receiving the message of the third angel and weakened by a Laodicean condition in the church.”
in the power of the Holy Spirit proclaiming it to the There is no discussion amidst the 10
world, … the Lord would have wrought mightily with implementation plans about the three remedies that
their efforts, the work would have been completed, God gives in his plea to the Laodicean church of
and Christ would have come ere this to receive His Revelation—none whatsoever. Could it be that we will
people to their reward” (Maranatha, p. 61). be here a lot longer? So, what is an Adventist?
www.A todAy.com 3
l e t t e r s
particular point of view, a stated opinion. references to the teachings of Desmond
It is an opinion about what Jesus knew Ford fail to consider the direct cause-and-
about the world as a human. For almost effect relationship between the evangelical
the entire period of its existence, there gospel Ford advocates and the reduced
has been a highly contentious debate respect for Scripture we see rampant
carried on within corporate Christianity, among us.
usually with great fervor, about the Like the dispensationalist he learned
nature of Jesus. Pious and, I suppose, to be at the feet of F.F. Bruce, Ford
not-so-pious Christians have been deliberately devalues the greater
excommunicated—and worse—by portion of Scripture in seeking to
other Christians based on differences of extract his justification-alone gospel
treading on Holy ground opinion about the precise nature of the from apparently friendly verses. At the
I get very nervous when a talented principal founder of Christianity. Palmdale Conference in 1976, he stated
individual who usually exhibits positive Was Jesus 50 percent human and 50 unequivocally that only in Romans
and progressive insights about issues percent divine? Or was it 20 percent and 3-5 can we find the basic nature of
confronting the contemporary Adventist 80 percent? Perhaps 80/20? My own righteousness by faith, and that “if what
Church expresses concern about personal favorite is encompassed in the we believe is not here, we need to think
colleagues and fellow believers who following three faith statements: (1) Jesus again” (The Palmdale Documents, p. 4).
“question” Scripture, as in “Treading on was 100 percent human and 100 percent In simple words, when salvation is
Holy Ground” (Winter 2009). divine, (2) I do not have the slightest idea reduced to forgiveness only, not only is
Specifically, Andy Nash suggests that, of what such percentages really mean practical holiness marginalized; so is any
in considering the Creation narratives and, (3) In the final analysis, I don’t think necessity of faithfulness to the truths of
in Genesis, the questioner “understands anyone else knows what such percentages God’s Word. “Doctrine is nice, obedience
more about Adam and Eve than Jesus really mean. is nice, but Jesus is better,” runs the
did … [and in positioning himself] as As far as knowing more in A.D. 2008 mantra of so much of contemporary First
knowing more in A.D. 2008 than Jesus (now A.D. 2009) than Jesus did in A.D. World Adventism. The logic is nothing
did in A.D. 28 is, in my view, [on]very 28, I am approaching an understanding short of compelling. Why not open the
dangerous territory—holy ground that’s of this on the basis that Jesus was church’s doors to practicing homosexuals,
being treaded, sandals on, by people in 100 percent human. If this is correct, evolutionists, or other deniers of Biblical
positions of influence.” Jesus in A.D. 28 knew nothing about authority when neither correct behavior
What precisely is the “holy ground” antibiotics, space travel, or the nature of nor correct doctrine is essential to
that is being stepped upon? It is a the geological column. He accepted and salvation?
assumed the common understandings And with all due respect to Andy
about the world of everyone else who Nash, Daniel 8:14 is not a “difficult
Investigative lived in his time and place. Whether Biblical passage” once we permit the
reporters needed Adam and Eve were literal individuals, Bible to be its own interpreter, devoid
symbols, or metaphors is hardly worth of the premises of higher criticism and
Adventist Today needs writers to spending much time worrying or arguing the unscriptural doctrine of a finished
investigate and report on trends, issues, about. atonement on Calvary. For Desmond
challenges within the Adventist Church. Ervin tAylOr is the executive publisher Ford to bemoan the decline of Biblical
There is some pay, but it is very small. of Adventist Today. and moral rectitude in the Seventh-day
Adventist Church is to bemoan the direct
Contact the editor, J. David Newman, at Andy Nash rightly laments the departure consequences of his own understanding
[email protected] for
of certain contemporary Adventists from of the gospel.
more details.
Biblical teachings regarding creation, KEvin D. P AulSOn
Berrien Springs, Michigan
homosexuality, etc. But his sympathetic
4 Ad Ventist tod Ay • spring 2009
I, too, am “deeply grieved to see, within the remnant,” have had revealed to us, but no Really, I am just trying to see how these
Adventist Church, an increasing boldness otAhDeBrO s8ig0n6i9fiWcOanSth CalhfrVisetiratn: gArDoBuOp8 “0g6et9sW iOt”S hal“fliVbeerratls ” fi1t1 t/h9e/ S0D8A p2a:tt2e3rn PinM an yP awgaey , 1
among thought leaders to publicly or recognizes it. or the Scriptural one. Whatever happened
raise doubts about significant points of COrinnE PES tES to preaching the gospel? To “judging
Sierra Vista, Arizona
Scripture” but from a different perspective with right judgment”? Sola scriptura? All
than yours. We have had a long history of
placing Scripture on a somewhat shaky Ordinary
podium in comparison to some other
denominations. Just a few examples follow
Women
that illustrate how we have done that.
1. By and large we have rejected the
idea of Biblical inerrancy. This was done
Extraordinary
even before we adopted, in writing,
another source of “continuing authority.”
Stories
We have also dropped the term “the only
unerring rule of faith and practice” that
existed in item No. 1 of “Fundamental
Beliefs” (See Church Manual 1976).
2. Having a belief system that heavily
emphasizes the inadequacy of Scripture
for us to understand for ourselves and
especially for salvation in the “end-
time,” which requires a new set of many,
many restrictions and additions that the
apostles did not emphasize.
3. Continued use of the word
“remnant” in such a way that it is applied
primarily to a people that adhere to
our particular dogma, excluding other
Christians, except if they join us.
4. Using the term “Spirit of Prophecy”
used by John in the first century A.D.
Daughters of Grace
to primarily designate one cultic 19th
TrudyMorgan-Coledrawsbackthedustycurtainsoftimeandtakesan
century set of writings and/or their intimatelookintothesoulsofwomenintheBible—womenwhomthe
author. Obviously John is referring to the worldhasneverforgottenbutneverreallyknew.Whatmadethemso
means God uses to communicate with unique…sospecial?Theywerelikeyou.128pages.HB$17.99
people through the Holy Spirit and/or his
Mary Call Me Blessed
people to speak (or testify) of him over
Mary’sblasphemoustaledidn’tfoolanyoneinNazareth.Shewas,after
the ages.
all,anunwedmother.PattyFroeseNithemukabreathesnewlifeintothe
5. Making the simple “Good News”
age-oldstoryoftheteenagegirlwhoseunbornchildchangedeverything.
of salvation so complicated that no one 256pages.PB$17.99
else, except ourselves, understands it.
Apparently God has seen fit to share 33WAYS•VisityourlocalAdventistBookCenter®
with us a most significant and unique TO •Calltoll-free1-800-765-6955
SHOP •OrderonlineatAdventistBookCenter.com
requirement to understand certain
Priceandavailabilitysubjecttochange.AllpricesshowninU.S.funds.
modern dates that only we, as “the
www.A todAy.com 5
l e t t e r s
Scripture is inspired of God? “I resolved for themselves teachers to suit their pastoring everything from college to five
to know nothing but Christ and Him own passions, and will turn away from church districts, I’m convinced there is
crucified” [2 Cor. 2:2]? No diversity listening to the truth and wander off into both a financial AND a cultural crisis for
allowed for here, at least as far as the myths (2 Tim. 4:1-4, ESV). Adventism.
authority of God’s Word and the gospel lOrrAinE ClArKE The financial crisis was well stated by
Devonport
are concerned. Naturally, we all have our Bryan. Too much tithe disappears from
Tasmania, Australia
individual diversities, but I thought one the local church to fuel an obsolete,
thing we all agree on is this. bloated administrative structure. Prior
Adventism’s meltdown
“I charge you in the presence of God to being fired in 2003, I too wrote a
and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge Alex Bryan is dead on target in “The document, The Local Church: The Most
the living and the dead, and by his End of American Adventism” (Winter Important Institution on Earth, wherein I
appearing and his kingdom: preach 2009), but it will take more than “hope” defanged the guilt factor administrators
the word; be ready in season and out to redeem Adventism. I think Adventism use to scare members into believing
of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, will be radically reprogrammed only that the conference rather than the local
with complete patience and teaching. after a meltdown. After serving 34 church is the biblical “storehouse.” I also
For the time is coming when people years in the denomination, sitting on suggested that the next union president
will not endure sound teaching, but numerous conference committees, union should be given the following challenge:
having itching ears they will accumulate committees, GC study committees, and Your job priority is to return in five years
to this session with the report that you
MORE TO BE HEARD
have creatively eliminated the need for
this union conference.
This change can only be effected by
Recent and Upcoming Events from the San Diego Forum humble, honest administrators willing to
vote themselves out of a job. Pastors who
put their hand on that Holy Grail get axed.
John Cobb, Ph.D. September/08 I had a GC officer tell me that all I needed
The Bible and Euthanasia: Is Suicide Always to do was “recant” my tithe paper and I’d
Wrong? be “fine.” A recently retired administrator
Edward Reifsnyder October/08 told me he saw no interest among
Trends in SDA Education: Interesting or Alarming? administrators toward embracing honesty
Jon Paulien, Ph.D. November/08 that would jeopardize their job. Sad.
The second crisis is cultural and linked
The Open Remnant: A Biblical and Historical Vision
to the “remnant” mentality, which has
Ivan Blazen January/09
created attitudes where obedience is
Biblical Texts and Homosexual Practices You are invited to order recordings of prized over grace, having the “truth”
these events at only $9.50 ($10.50 inter-
Gerry Chudleigh February/09 more valued than fruit of the Spirit,
Proposition #8: Why the Division among SDAs? national) per set. When ordering, please where members think “we’re remnant
indicate CD or cassette tape preference. and they’re apostates,” and where
Douglas R. Clark March/09
worship celebration is often considered
The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Church To order, contact us at:
a subversive form of Pentecostalism.
Beatriz Krumbein April/09 San Diego Adventist Forum Thus Adventism’s crisis is both in the
Art, Spirituality, and Social Activism PO Box 3148 administrative offices and in the pews.
La Mesa, CA 91944-3148 Dr. tErry POOlEr, PAS tOr
SABBAtH gr ACE FEll OWSHiP
619-561-2360 or [email protected] Orlando, Florida
6 Ad Ventist tod Ay • spring 2009
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N E W More Than Words N E W
E. Marcella Anderson King and Kevin L. Morgan answer questions that
the Life of Christ Research Project of the 1980s missed concerning
inspiration, charges of plagiarism, and the infl uence of literary
assistants when Ellen White wrote The Desire of Ages. 978-0-6152-
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C O V E R S T O R Y
What Is An
?
Adventist
F o u r V i e w s
8 Ad Ventist tod Ay • spring 2009
Two WHa t I s a n ad v e n tIs t ?
S U
tories define s
By cHarles s crIven
Ideally, two stories define us when we consider ourselves to be faithfulness, these
Adventist. pioneers came
One is the story that began with William Miller and his to believe, was
compelling (though misguided) reading of Daniel and honoring the
Revelation. That story continues now, Sabbath by Sabbath, when Sabbath as God
Seventh-day Adventists who have suspended ordinary busyness gave it. Part of it
gather to consider the Bible and celebrate the wonder of divine was allowing the
grace. It continues, too, on the weekdays when these same people, whole life, teaching,
rested and attuned to a different but still radical hope, attempt to and character of
live their lives in the light of Christ. Christ to illuminate
The other story is the one that must be the compass and true faith.2
inspiration for every Christian and every Christian people. It Organized
is the master story told in Scripture. Its defining moment is the Adventism began
resurrection of Jesus, the crucified man now “declared to be the in 1861 when a
Son of God” and now embraced as “Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. group of Seventh-
1:4, NRSV). The story comes to its final crescendo when this day Adventist
same Jesus ushers in, at his second coming, a day of unshadowed congregations
beauty and perfect joy. in Michigan
When you consider these two stories together, you end up with banded together as a legal association. By now the still-fledgling
a vision of Adventism shaped to its core by grace and faithfulness. movement had been shaping its vision for nearly 20 years.
Not one of these, but both. Delegates to this meeting had no interest, however, in a creed-
F o u r V i e w s Let’s consider each story and draw out the radical conclusions. like statement of belief. As James White said, a creed would
block “new light” and stand in “direct opposition” to the “gifts”
reaching for radical Hope of the Holy Spirit. But the delegates did embrace a simple pledge:
When in 1844 the followers of William Miller stopped everything “We, the undersigned,” they said, “hereby associate ourselves
to look into the skies for Jesus’ Second Coming, they might as well together as a church, taking the name, Seventh-day Adventists,
have peered into the belly of the sea. The skies did not light up, and covenanting together to keep the commandments of God and the
the Advent failed to materialize. faith of Jesus Christ.”3
Some of thes'e Adventists passed through the Great The pledge expressed the core convictions that united
Disappointment without losing faith. And some, following the these early believers. They had been through harrowing
lead of sea captain and anti-slavery activist Joseph Bates, emerged disappointment, but they were still determined to honor God
as Sabbath keepers. In the making was a community that would and follow Jesus. They began to pay more and more attention to
embrace the hope of the Second Coming while celebrating, every the earth, praying, as Jesus had, that God’s will be done here as in
week, the goodness of creation, the value of human work, the heaven.
story of ancient Israel. These Adventists, James and Ellen White They stood firm against slavery. They built hospitals and
among them, would begin to distance themselves from prejudice colleges—life-enhancing institutions to match the life-enhancing
against the heritage of Judaism. And the second coming would habits their health message was helping them embrace. They
find, through the Sabbath, a link to earthly yearnings and earthly sent missionaries to other lands and soon afterward to former
possibilities. slaves in the American South. In time, they began to resist the
“These” few Adventists were at the same time beginning to culture of drinking that was taking an alarming toll on families,
interpret their lives in terms of God’s call for a “remnant,” a job performance, public safety, and even the integrity of politics.
faithful minority who would commit themselves to keeping the They fought hard to fend off Sunday laws and even imagined
commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The picture of themselves, as Ellen would say to Battle Creek College students in
the remnant was prominent in the Old Testament and enshrined the 1880s, sitting in “deliberative and legislative councils,” helping
anew in the visionary writings of John the Revelator. Part of to enact the nation’s laws.4
www.A todAy.com 9
C O V E R S T O R Y
The focus on faithfulness would engender, of course, both anxiety question of “righteousness by faith.” Discussion ranged over
and self-satisfaction. You could easily lapse into alarm about not subjects like Ellen White’s prophetic leadership, the significance
being good enough for God; you could also make Adventism’s of Daniel and Revelation, and the place of women in a truly
pledge of full loyalty to Christ a matter of conceit. Or you could fall biblical community. The conversations were vigorous. Often
into both of these snares and have a weirdly conflicted inner life, a they were contentious and disheartening. Sometimes they were
mishmash of self-loathing and self-adulation. energizing and gave rise to new, or better, institutions, as with
In 1888, at a meeting in Minneapolis, church leaders heard a the growth and advancement of the Adventist Development and
contentious debate that grew out of these unhappy possibilities. Relief Agency.
In the end they agreed that you don’t, after all, earn God’s In 1980, in the midst of all this, church leaders skittish about
approval, as religious “legalists” try to do. You simply benefit turmoil voted a lengthy statement of official Adventist belief. The
from God’s grace—God’s forgiveness and empowering presence. statement harked back, in some ways, to the period after Ellen
And at every step you remain profoundly thankful for the ability White, when the church’s energy went into shoring up what had
this gives you to live your life with confidence. been achieved in the past. Still, the “preamble,” though all too
That message of 1888—the message of “righteousness by often honored in the breach, said that under the guidance of the
faith”—would all too often be resisted but never lose its relevance. Holy Spirit new understanding could be “expected.”6
It was underscored a decade later when Ellen White, herself The 1980 document was not the final word. Even if only fitfully,
invigorated by the 1888 meeting, shared her own grace-centered the journey of becoming—of searching always for new vision and
experience in The Desire of Ages, a moving and widely circulated deeper authenticity—would go on.
account of Jesus’ life and ministry.
When Ellen White died in 1915, Adventism became less the master story
daring. Evangelism flourished, spurred on by the three angels’ Two stories define us, and the story behind the Adventist story is
messages of Revelation 14 and the call to saintly “endurance” in the one true compass for the journey that goes on. It is the Bible
a time of pervasive homage to evil power. But over the several story, and it begins, as it must end, with grace and faithfulness.
decades leading up to the 1960s, the search for new vision and Abraham was the father of the movement Jesus loved and
deeper authenticity gave way to preoccupation with shoring up wanted to advance. God offered him a blessing he had not
institutional strength and beliefs. Looking backward, Adventists earned and said that through his offspring this blessing would
could hardly see what was in front of them. For the most part, the touch “all the families of the earth” (Gen. 12:3, NRSV). Inside
church’s leaders in Germany gave their support to Hitler. When the a culture bereft of hope and consumed with dark thoughts,
Civil Rights Movement in America brought this nation’s injustice Abraham believed, thanks to the grace of God, that human
and pent-up anger to the foreground, the Review and Herald possibilities could be transformed.
said Adventist efforts to influence public policy concerning race Later, after many family wanderings and an unexpected
were “strictly out of bounds” and would waste the church’s moral descent into Egyptian slavery, Abraham’s children (now called
authority on matters irrelevant to “the gospel commission.” the Children of Israel) again felt the imprint of divine generosity.
But the diversity that had come into the church with the Through Moses, God delivered them from slavery and renewed
mission to black America in the 1880s now paid dividends. The the pledge, or “covenant,” that he had made with Abraham. God
church’s magazine, Message, for black evangelism gave careful had borne them “on eagles’ wings” out of Egypt. They would be
support to cooperative Christian action on the matter of race their Maker’s representatives on earth, knowing and sharing the
relations, and the influential African-American evangelist blessings of intimacy with God. They would be, in other words, a
E.E. Cleveland declared in 1969 that “passivism” concerning “priestly kingdom and a holy nation,” bringing God to others by
sociopolitical problems is an evil. Those, he said, who call for being faithful themselves (Ex. 19:4, 6, NRSV).
disengagement from social concerns are “purveyors of misery” The covenant agreement said that as God had come to Israel’s
and “are not the servants of God.”5 aid, so, henceforth, would Israel come to the aid of others.
Now the journey of becoming came into prominence again. Although the details would later need amendment, most
Those uncomfortable with the journey would repeatedly contest famously by Jesus himself, the basic vision of fair play and special
it, but it never rolled to a halt. Through the rest of the 20th regard for the poor came clearly into view. 7
century, Adventists searching for deeper authenticity engaged Israel came to the Promised Land but again and again veered
one another on numerous issues, including, once again, the off the road God had in mind. The kings who emerged tilted
10 Ad Ventist tod Ay • spring 2009