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Over the past 50 years, Seventh-day Adventists have watched with horror as
the landmarks of the faith, the pillars which we hold very dear, have been
abandoned, one after the other. This abandonment has not occurred by way
of any official binding pronouncement or vote by the Church’s leadership
in a general session, but rather through a pervasive new attitude that is
producing a complete reorientation of the Church. This reorientation would
come about through the stealthy implementation of certain
policies—policies that are designed to make us just like every other
church.
“I was told that men will employ every policy to make less prominent the
difference between the faith of Seventh-day Adventists and those who
observe the first day of the week. In this controversy the whole world
will be engaged, and the time is short.” Manuscript 15, 1896; Selected
Message, Book 2, p. 385.
The aim of these new policies is to modify the church, manipulate its
image, and introduce new characteristics and new features into the
original “blueprint” in order to change the outcome. Ellen White foretold
that this attempt to reorientate the church would result in a
“controversy” in which “the whole world will be engaged.” Did you get
that—the whole world? Is it quite possible that maybe Roman Catholicism or
maybe Evangelical Protestantism is partly responsible for directly or
indirectly accelerating some of these changes that Ellen White predicted?
There is a controversy in Adventism in which men want to genetically
reengineer the movement. How? By combining our DNA, the foundational
pillars of the faith, with other foreign strands of DNA, the New Theology,
Ecumenism, the Social Gospel, and the Celebration Movement, in order to
create a new gene that resembles the Sunday-keeping
Churches—neo-Adventism, a new class of Adventism.
We believe this trouble started several decades ago, and today, we are now
entering the boiling point of this conflict. And the fact that Sister
White calls this plan a “controversy” means that the faithful cannot just
willfully accept this situation:
“When existing evils are not met and checked, because men have too little
courage to reprove wrong, or because they have too little interest or are
too indolent to tax their own powers in putting forth earnest efforts to
purify the family or the church of God, they are accountable for the evil
which may result in consequence of neglect to do their duty.” Testimonies
to the Church, vol. 4, p. 516.
We are living in the climatic period of this struggle. For mainstream
Seventh-day Adventism today is a mixture of Biblical, Historic Adventism
with the following fabricated novelties:
1. Calvinism—Evangelical Theology or New Theology
2. Charismatic Pentecostalism—the Celebration Movement
3. Left-wing political activism—Social Gospel
4. Ecumenism—Roman Catholicism’s Decree on Ecumenism called “Unitatis
Redintegratio” or “Restoration of Unity” proclaimed by Pope Paul VI on
November 21, 1964 during Vatican II..
New Theology - A Change in our Belief
The New Theology has certainly accelerated a change within Adventism. The
doctrines held by the Evangelical Churches on the nature of Christ, the
nature of Sin, the nature of the Atonement, Justification, Grace, and
other related topics have become the prevailing emphasis in the church
today. While the historical pillars of the faith such as the Sanctuary
Message, the Investigative Judgment, the Three Angels’ Messages,
Sanctification, the Mark of the Beast, and others have nearly become
extinct.
The New Theology is seen, by its ardent proponents, as a necessary
progressive development or a theological advancement in the experience of
the Adventist people. These doctrinal adjustments have been welcomed by
the leaders of other faiths as a positive shift from a “cult” status to a
“genuine Christian” status.
On the other hand, the faithful minority view the New Theology as a
serious deviation from the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy. The errors of the
New Theology are seen by the faithful as a fulfillment of prophecy that
some would apostatize from the truth by stepping off the historical
foundation that God has established.
“I saw individuals approach the platform and examine the foundation. Some
with rejoicing immediately stepped upon it. Others commenced to find fault
with the foundation. They wished improvements made, and then the platform
would be more perfect, and the people much happier. Some stepped off the
platform to examine it and declared it to be laid wrong.” Early Writings,
p. 259.
“The work which the church has failed to do in a time of peace and
prosperity she will have to do in a terrible crisis under most
discouraging, forbidding circumstances...And at that time the superficial,
conservative class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of
the work, will renounce the faith...” Testimonies to the Church Vol. 5, p.
463.
The term “The New Theology” is really a misnomer because it isn’t actually
new. All the fables of the New Theology were rejected by our pioneers. It
is the same old teachings held by the Sunday-keeping churches being
reintroduced into Adventism under a new vocabulary and into a new
generation. The New Theology is responsible for all the theological
gobbledygook that plagues the Adventist movement; it is responsible for
all the theories and speculations that prevail among us, and for all the
division, conflicts, and winds of doctrine—How? By starving the church of
the truth. God’s people need to be strengthened and rooted into present
truth. They need to be nourished with the meat of God’s word and
established on the foundation of the faith. But because the New Theology
has cast doubts upon those principles, God’s people have been
truth-starved. And when a people has been starving for over 50 years, even
a piece of moldy bread found in the gutter may look appetizing. As a
result, our brethren are seeking for things that cannot satisfy, theories
that have not been established “line upon line.”
“Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour
for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that
which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.” Isaiah 55:2.
“The leading points of our faith as we hold them today were firmly
established. Point after point was clearly defined, and all the brethren
came into harmony. The whole company of believers were united in the
truth. There were those who came in with strange doctrines, but we were
never afraid to meet them. Our experience was wonderfully established by
the revelation of the Holy Spirit.” Manuscript Releases, vol. 3, pp. 412,
413.
Celebration - A Change in our Worship Style
The Celebration Movement represents one of those “policies” (2 SM p. 385)
intentionally intended to cause us to look just like the Sunday-keeping
Charismatic churches. This is the reason why the Celebration Movement can
accommodate a little something for everyone—rock music, dramas, mime
performers, and an array of other features designed to excite the
emotions. The Celebration Movement is a brew of feel-good theology, cool
music, and an electrifying atmosphere to entertain the people and keep
them coming back to the social/religious club.
“From the sacredness which was attached to the earthly sanctuary,
Christians may learn how they should regard the place where the Lord meets
with His people. There has been a great change, not for the better, but
for the worse, in the habits and customs of the people in reference to
religious worship. The precious, the sacred, things which connect us with
God are fast losing their hold upon our minds and hearts, and are being
brought down to the level of common things. The reverence which the people
had anciently for the sanctuary where they met with God in sacred service
has largely passed away.” Testimonies for the Church Volume Five, p. 491.
The Celebration Movement is a worship service gone wrong, from sacred,
reverent, inspiring hymns, our worship has been quickly co-opted by
neo-Adventists and made into something that now looks an awful lot like
Pentecostalism! The Celebration Movement’s assortment of “cool Adventism”
has transformed the sacred worship of our Creator God into an embarrassing
MTV wannabe, circus-style performance—thinking that we are honoring our
holy God, when in fact we make a mockery of His name. Oh Lord, forgive us
for our sins!
Ecumenism - A Change in our Fellowship
How much longer - how much longer - will the leaders at the highest levels
of the church continue to waste resources and energy on the futile pursuit
of “unity” with other religious organizations that have absolutely no
intention of embracing the truth of the Three Angels’ Messages? Yet, on
and on these ecumenical dialogs continue with no end in sight and no
prospect of any real achievements; except for the concessions and
compromises which Seventh-day Adventists make—becoming more and more like
the other churches.
Vatican Council’s II “Decree on Ecumenism” is a cunning and clever plan by
the devil to forever shut down the preaching of the Second Angel’s Message
and the final Loud Cry/Latter Rain message of Revelation 18. For God
declares to the whole world that “Babylon the Great is Fallen is Fallen”
and “Come out of her My people.” God is trying to separate a people from
all the churches who will take their stand on the eternal platform of
truth and prepare for the Second Advent of Christ.
In direct contrast, the Ecumenical Movement attempts to delay the coming
of Christ, halt the outpouring of the Latter Rain, and unite all the
different religious bodies into one fellowship through religious dialog,
mutual respect, and understanding. And Adventist are falling into this
trap. We are so entangled in the ecumenical mindset that we have become
conflicted. We are struggling with our identity, unsure whether to remain
an isolated people with a unique message and witness, polarized from the
rest of the world.
And instead of going to God, to the Bible, and the Spirit of Prophecy to
find out who we are, what is our mission, and what are we to do—and act in
accordance, it appears that we care more about our image, more about what
people think, or what they might say. “For they loved the praise of men
more than the praise of God.” John 12:43.
It seems that the Ecumenical Movement has taken the role of a
psychotherapist, because Ecumenism seeks to eliminate all the so-called
“negative” and “divisive” characterizations that are hindering the unity
of all the churches. Such characterizations include Babylon, harlot,
apostate church, false religious, cult, ect. Consequently, the churches
who enter into its fellowship are relying upon the Ecumenical Movement to
determine its own identity, how the church should feel, what the church
should say, how to generate positive feelings, how to counteract the
negative ones, and how to build bridges.
We are indeed witnessing the Devil’s final assault against Historic
Adventism through Ecumenism, and he has saved his best tactics for last.
There is a relentless, unyielding battle between the Loud Cry Message of
Revelation 18 and Ecumenism. The Ecumenical Movement is a human
organization destined to destroy the unique witness of all those who enter
it. Why can’t we not recognize that? Oh God, come to our aid and open our
eyes.
Social Gospel - A Change in our Work
The Social Gospel is an attempt to redefine the work of the church by
means of social action rather than through the presentation of the truth.
When the Social Gospel enters the church, the preaching of present truth
begins to decline and a new agenda of attacking the social inequalities of
the world begins to evolve. So what do we do? Should we carry on with the
straight testimony to the world and to the church, and not become
sidetracked through social and political entanglements? Or should we form
strategical alliances with international organizations that fight for
social justice in order to become a much more effective witness? This is
the same mistake made by Dr. John Kellogg that is being repeated today,
for he too became preoccupied with other questions:
“The Lord designs that the proclamation of the third angel’s message shall
be the highest, greatest work carried on in our world at this time...Dr.
Kellogg, you have not in all things been following the Lord’s plan. The
medical missionary work should be as the right arm of the body of truth,
but this work has been made to absorb so much that to all intents and
purposes it has become the body. God did not design that this work [or any
work] should eclipse the work of the third angel’s message. This message
is the gospel message for these last days, and in no case is it to be
overshadowed by other interests, and made to appear an unessential
consideration.” Manuscript Release, vol. 9, p. 82.
“God has not called His people to ignore present truth for these last
days, and take up a work that so absorbs workers and means that the Lord
is not represented as He would otherwise be.” Ibid. p. 84.
“The truths contained in the Revelation are to be taught, and we are all
to learn the lessons of the fearful import of the things to transpire in
these last days of this earth’s history. You have lost sight of these
things. Other things introduced by you have not come in under the
instruction of God.” Ibid. p. 86.
“There are many places where the means should have been appropriated to
make aggressive warfare...Every stroke should tell for God and His holy
Sabbath. That is to stand out in all our work distinctly and pronounced,
to be a witness that the seventh day is the sign, the seal of God. The
Sabbath is to be exalted and made prominent more than is done now.” Ibid
p. 88.
It is hard to imagine anything more basic to the Seventh-day Adventist
faith than to wake up the inhabitants of the earth through the
proclamation of the First, Second, and Third Angels’ messages. And any
other work which we may do would only help to compliment these messages,
and not compete with or silence them.
But strangely, the present attitude seems to be that we have outgrown
those days. Today, Seventh-day Adventists are hard at work, sometimes with
other groups, fighting for comprehensive social, economic, and health
initiatives for all people. Today, Seventh-day Adventists are partnering
with other religious and secular groups who share our same
interests—bringing them together to enact social change, working to help
pass legislation on issues pertaining to civil rights [as we have
documented in the past].
According to the Social Gospel, the great moral issues today are not about
the 10 Commandments, the Second Advent, the Judgment Message, or other
doctrinal truth, but rather poverty, housing, health, economics, the
environment, pollution, family, safety, sex, and civil rights are the
universal issues for our time that are to be embraced by all people across
the political and religious spectrum.
“Political Organizing” and “Social Activism” has trumped the preaching of
the Third Angel’s Message, what Ellen White called the “highest, greatest
work.” We are now engaged in a life-long, never-ending struggle for social
and economic justice which will certainly consume all of our time and
energy in an attempt to create a perfect utopian society in this world.
Our pioneers were a different kind of Adventist than the people we have
become. To them the Third Angel’s Message was their primary burden.
“Our people need to be silent upon questions which have no relation to the
third angel’s message.” Selected Message, Book 2, p. 336.
Conclusion
It is hardly surprising then that the neo-Adventist establishment has beat
a hasty retreat from the Church’s historical mission and message to a
strange, new attitude that has stealthily been created during the last 50
years. Absolutely appalling new novelties have replaced so much of what
God has established through the efforts of our pioneers.
And today, the church serves the “new” attitudes and the “new” policies
first and the historical faith second, if at all! We seem to give priority
to the policies which “make less prominent the difference between the
faith of Seventh-day Adventists and those who observe the first day of the
week.”
The establishment of the New Theology, the Celebration Movement,
Ecumenism, the Social Gospel, and Political Activism have all been major
contributors to the burying of the historic landmarks of the faith. These
reorientation ideas were never part of the rock-solid historic bastion of
the Seventh-day Adventist faith.
“This is no time to haul down our colors. A company was presented before
me under the name of Seventh-day Adventists, who were advising that the
banner or sign which makes us a distinctive people should not be held out
so strikingly; for they claimed it was not the best policy in securing
success to our institutions…” Selected Message, Book 2, p. 385.
Neo-Adventism has succeeded to take Seventh-day Adventists to new levels
which no pioneer has ever gone before. Even though neo-Adventism may
create an ambiance of historical Adventism, with its images of the Three
Angels’ Messages, beautiful churches with stained glass windows depicting
the 10 Commandments, and perhaps “some” devotion to our foundational
truths—this is not Adventism, at least by the standards of our pioneers,
who upheld the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy because its aim is to move
away from the pillars of the faith in actual belief and in practice.
“But the Sabbath of the Lord thy God is to be a sign to show the
difference between the obedient and the disobedient. I saw some reaching
out their hands to remove the banner, and to obscure its
significance...Shall anyone then choose to hide his banner, to relax his
devotion? Shall the people whom God has honored and blessed and prospered,
refuse to bear testimony in behalf of God's memorial at the very time when
such a testimony should be borne? Shall not the commandments of God be
more highly esteemed when men pour contempt upon the law of God?” Selected
Message, Book 2, p. 385.
It is time to incorporate these lessons into the foundation which was laid
long ago, which provides a much sounder basis for the future than anything
else can offer. The right template for the future can only be found in the
Seventh-day Adventist movement's own history.
“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way
the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.” Last Day
Events, p. 72.
“The power which stirred the people so mightily in the 1844 movement will
again be revealed. The third angel’s message will go forth, not in
whispered tones, but with a loud voice.” Testimonies to the Church, vol.
5, p. 252.
—The Editors |
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What is the Christian Evangelical Support
for Israel Based Upon?
Christian Evangelicals have long been fervent backers of
Israel, ever since its creation in 1948. But their political activism on this
issue has been most evident in recent years. Evangelicals, best estimates put
them at 60 million in the U.S., are prominent among the groups that have pressed
administrations since the Reagan presidency to increase U.S. Funding, currently
$3 billion a year, to the State of Israel and to give them almost unconditional
support in weaponry, technology, and intelligence.
Evangelicals generally view the Middle East through a Biblical perspective and
believe that God gave the land of Israel to the Jews. Many believe that the
promise of Genesis still stands and that the God of Abraham will literally bless
the United States if the United States blesses Israel. “And I will bless them
that bless thee, and he that curses you I will curse: and in you shall all the
families of the earth be blessed.” Genesis 12:3.
But there is a more underlying and fundamental view that Evangelicals tend to
hold. Some Evangelical Churches have incorporated different policies by raising
money to lobby, promote, and secure Israeli land settlement. Others raise funds
to purchase airplane tickets for Jewish families to migrate back to Israel. And
more extreme Evangelicals denounce the political policies of the “Roadmap to
Peace” or the “Land for Peace” in Israel because they see this as a compromise
with the Arabs and a forfeiture of the territories that God gave to Israel.
For example, Pat Robertson received national attention after he stated on his
television program that then-Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon was stricken
with a incapacitating stroke in January of 2006, because God was punishing him
for withdrawing from Gaza and giving the land to the Palestinians. Jerry Falwell,
Benny Hinn, John Hagee, Kenneth Copeland, and Jesse Duplantis are a few big-name
Evangelicals who are petitioning the US administration to increase its support
to Israel.
In any case, what should concern us as Seventh-day Adventists is the likelihood
that the real motive for Christian support of the Jewish people in Israel is
based upon the end-time prophetic scenario held by the Evangelicals. According
to their understanding of prophecy, called Dispensationalism, Evangelical
Christians want to see the Jews return to Israel so that the “Secret Rapture” of
the church and the “7 Years of Tribulation” can begin.
This view teaches that during the 7 Years of Tribulation, the Jewish restoration
in Israel is completed; thus fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies concerning
the return of Jews to their ancestral home. This “re-gathering” into Israel
results in a large-scale conversion of Jews to Christianity, which in turn
infuriates Satan to rise up.
Then, there will be a series of catastrophic events as the Anti-Christ becomes
the leader of the world. Next, there will be a major battle known as the Battle
of Armageddon, in which Satan will declare war, through the Anti-Christ, on the
newly reestablished state of Israel. In this scenario, two-thirds of the Jews
are killed, and the remaining Jews convert to Christianity.
Finally, when all appears hopeless for the Jews, the Second Coming of Christ,
along with the raptured Christians, will occur and destroy the Anti-Christ. From
the ruins a “New Jerusalem” will arise, and all the remaining Jews who were not
killed in the Battle of Armageddon would have converted to Christianity. All the
end-time prophetic events, according to Dispensationalism, depend on one thing:
The Jews must be in full control of Jerusalem. Therefore, if the Jews do not
control Jerusalem, the rapture of the church, the Battle of Armageddon, and
thereafter the Second Coming of Christ cannot occur.
Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of Texas, current member of the House of
Representative Dick Armey of Texas, Senator Tim Hutchinson of Arkansas, Senator
Sam Brownback of Kansas, former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft of Missouri,
and Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma have all been outspoken campaigners on
Israel’s behalf, denouncing Palestinian corruption and citing Israel’s right to
territory and self defense. Also, they are all Christian Republicans and have
used their political muscle to lobby for the nation of Israel.
Will the United States follow policies on “Israel” that are based solely on
conflict-ridden interpretations of Bible prophecy? Will legislators surrender to
the doctrinal wishes of the Evangelical leaders in America and give in to their
lobby, who intend to usher in their fulfillment of Revelation? Is it possible
that Israel is a microcosm of America or a “test case” of what is being planned
for our Nation? For we know that the churches in America will use these same
methods to bring about a National Sunday Law, similarly as the Catholic Church
is doing right now in Europe [see article on Sunday Law, page 8 ].
The false theories of Dispensationalism are flooding the world through books,
movies, radio, television, and apparently now via United States Foreign Policy.
Seventh-day Adventists should respond in two ways:
[1] We must continue to give the warning message about the “leading
churches of the United States, uniting upon such points of doctrine [dispensationalism,
Sunday sacredness] as are held by them in common, shall influence the state to
enforce their decrees and to sustain their institutions…” (Great Controversy, p.
445).
[2] We must give the real “present truth”—the true understanding of
Revelation found in the Three Angels’ Messages—to counter the false
representations of prophecy.
— Editors
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French
Boutiques Fight to Stay
Open on
Sundays
By
ANGELA DOLAND
Associated Press Writer
June 25, 2006
PARIS (AP) -- Most places in France, you can't shop on Sunday. The Champs-Elysees
is an exception - sort of. You can buy T-shirts at the Quiksilver on Paris' most
famous avenue, but not at the Gap. You can browse for CDs at Virgin Megastore,
but forget luggage at Louis Vuitton.
French businesses and unions have battled for years over whether Sunday should
remain a day of rest, worship and leisurely family lunches, and the tug-of-war
has left behind a patchwork of baffling regulations on who can sell what and
where.
Now, two high-profile legal battles have raised the question again. Supporters
say Sunday shopping would help cut the 9.3 percent unemployment rate, and point
to a poll suggesting three-quarters of Parisians like the idea.
But the courts have ruled - and the answer is no.
The debate resurfaced after Louis Vuitton opened a new store last fall on the
Champs-Elysees - an airy, 21,500-square-foot temple to handbags and high fashion
- with the intention of opening Sundays. Vuitton says 70 of its 300 employees
were hired for that purpose and were willing to work, and the shop had
permission from the top local official.
But two groups filed a lawsuit - the National Clothing Federation, known by its
French initials FNH, and the French Christian labor union, or CFTC.
Charles Melcer, president of the FNH, argues that France's consumer spending
would not increase by even one euro if stores were open Sunday. At the heart of
his fears is that only big chains have enough staffing to stay open, which would
force France's cherished neighborhood shops out of business.
"We in France don't want that," Melcer said.
Vuitton, meanwhile, argued that it met the complex criteria for opening Sundays,
which include being in a touristy area and having a cultural, recreational or
sports dimension. The company pointed to the store's bookstore and art gallery,
which was open to all, not just shoppers.
But in late May, Paris' administrative court ordered the shop to close Sundays.
Vuitton said it would appeal, and in a statement, called the decision "totally
incomprehensible." Officials declined further comment because of the appeal.
Throughout Europe, laws differ vastly. In Sweden, most shops stay open Sundays.
Poland's stores are open, but the Roman Catholic church has been fighting to
force shopping malls and supermarkets to close. The church is leading a similar
battle in Croatia.
In Germany, during the World Cup, retailers are being allowed to open Sunday,
though the 1949 constitution mandates Sundays as a day of rest from work and
"for the promotion of spiritual purposes." Retailers and politicians are
watching the World Cup experiment to see if it might be expanded down the road.
In France, where most people no longer go to church, exceptions are the rule.
Under the Champs-Elysees' regulations, Quiksilver can sell T-shirts because it
also sells surfboards and other sports gear, but Gap cannot. Virgin Megastore,
which waged its own battle years ago, can open because it has a cultural
dimension. But Vuitton - which opened its first Champs-Elysees store in 1914 -
cannot.
Officials "know the law is old and stupid, and at the same time they don't want
to change it, because of Catholic tradition and social issues," said
Jean-Patrick Grumberg, president of Usines Center's association of shop owners.
© 2006 The Associated Press
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