Sola Scriptura? Sola EGW for many...

Recently I was reading an Adventist document where they were declaring that they base their theology on only the Bible. A personal story came to mind that illustrates how Adventist relate the Bible and Ellen White in practice.

About 4 years ago or so I was leading a Bible study through the book of Luke. We were working chapter by chapter through the book. One of the group had family in town and had brought her mother and father to the study. This family is a prominent Adventist family with a name that would be readily recognized. As we all sat with our Bibles in hand and I started leading the discussion, the mother asked me if I had a Desire of Ages (Ellen White book on the life of Christ. See also here and here on EGW literary sources, however). She used that book for the duration of the study, and even offered input and debate based on what Ellen White had written.

My wife and I have never forgotten that day. It so illustrated how many Adventists view the Bible. Rather than go through the verses a piece at a time and allow them to speak for themselves, and to compare the parallel passages in the other gospels, she had open the words of the Adventist prophet. She listened to everything I said and critiqued every point based on what was written in Desire of Ages rather than examine what the Bible said.

Never believe and Adventist when they say they believe in Sola Scriptura for two reasons. First, most - especially the older members - constantly are reading and referencing Ellen White on every topic. They've read Desire of Ages, Great Controversy and Steps to Christ since they were old enough, and the more conservative have spent a great deal of time in the Testimonies and other writtings. The writings of Ellen White have and continue to mold the theological thought. The second reason is that even if the person has not soaked their mind in her writing, without knowing it much of what they have been taught and heard week after week has been derived directly or indirectly from her writings.

The very categories and questions that the Adventist asks and believes are derived from her writings and from the historical theologies. The fact, for example, that there is a discussion over which apartment Christ went into when he went into the heavenly sanctuary is a question and a category that only the Adventist would ask. They will debate Hebrews 6, 9 and 10 trying to answer this falacy of a question. Yet this is not the point of Hebrews. (See my thoughts.)

Sola Scriptura? Don't believe it. They may read the Bible, and may even study it. But ultimately they will directly or indirectly turn to Ellen White as the inspired interpreter and allow her to dictate what a passage means or what a theological point should be. The official stance is "her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction." My experience growing up and pastoring in Adventism is that in basically every debate Ellen White is quoted; if you have your EGW quotes in better order, you win the debate. If you are armed with only Scripture, you lose, because you're interpretation does not match the inspired prophet's.

Adventist prophecy fulfillment

Growing up I heard a lot about the fulfillment of prophecy: Earthquake, darkened sky, and the falling of stars. These were the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel and of the 6th seal. These were generally associated with validating that we were the last day remnant.

Here are some links that talk about these events:
1. Earthquake. We say this is from Revelation 6. Wikipedia, and List of Earthquakes. Why did not the 1556 Chinese earthquake, which killed over 800,000 people, not qualify? Is it because this and others didn't coincide with SDA prophetic time lines?

2.The darkness of 1780. This phenomenon that occurred during the American Revolution is also ascribed to prophecy. Discussion can be found here.

3. Falling stars. I remember this mostly. The stars fell in obvious fulfillment of prophecy. But see discussion here.

Conclusions? There could be many, but just an observation or two. First, at a glance these events seem all to convenient. One picked out from Europe and the others here in the Eastern U.S. Why is prophecy only fulfilled here in New England, and why do Adventists still insist that 1833 was the fulfillment of prophecy. Why not one of the next Leonid showers, and hmm...were there previous ones? Did God need a natural incident to fulfill prophecy? And was the darkness that only occurred in New England the fulfillment of prophecy when there is indications that it was caused by natural causes?

I'm not a skeptic at all. These little events just don't seem all that dramatic of a fulfillment to match Revelation 6. "The kings of the earth and the great men...hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks...'Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne...'" Could it be that we've set the bar a little low for fulfillment of this prophecy? It seems a little too convenient to me.

Little Shop of Horrors

Blake needs to grow an herb for class, so naturally Dad pulls out the overkill tools and we are growing herbs hydroponically. The picture is yellowish because of the HPS lighting. Stay tuned - let's see this sucker grow, er, or melt under those lights... I'm sure, by the way, the neighbors are wondering if I'm trying to supplement my income by growing...herbs...

Update: Added a picture without the lights on.

A Giant Movie

Wow! What a movie. We went to see Facing the Giants yesterday and I was moved and impressed. The story is tremendous and for being a low budget film it was very well done. We all have giants to face from time to time – some of us have giants that seem to hang around for years. The story is of a coach and a team that finally gets their priorities straight and works for the glory of God rather than for their own selfish reasons, and the not only experience spiritual renewal, but win the state championship. They learn to face up to their giants of fear, self-doubt and a past of average seasons. And, appropriately, they must face the best team in the league in the championships, the undefeated Giants.

This is a must-see movie; it is inspirational and has a message for everyone. Here is the church’s website and here is Yahoo movie page.

Prophecy Discovery Seminary

Oh Goodie! I finally got mine in the mail. Did you get yours? I waited all year for it. No, not this year's Sears catalog, but my prophecy seminar handbill. Hello? The 1950's just called and they want their dramatic Daniel/Revelation pictures back. Sorry BJ, love you dearly, but have you guys not learned anything from visiting Northpoint or Willow Creek? (Sarcasm meter just pegged 120%) I know it makes the saints glow with pride to see this mailed out like the leaves of Autumn, but really now.

There is so much I could say, but it's an issue of perspective. If I say that the brochure is cleverly crafted to attract the naive I'd sound elitist maybe? If I say that when it declares "An Interdenominational Event" that this is just deceptive dribble, then I'd sound accusatory. What they really mean is that they want all denominations to attend so they can tell you your church is part of fallen Babylon and God is calling you out to join the saints in the Adventist church -- God's true church and remnant. Ya ya...

Oh, and when they say "The bible only will be our textbook" they mean that they'll say lots of stuff that you'll never find in the Bible, but we'll fly through a series of proof texts so fast you'll never be able to follow and hope that at least the message overall will stick. No really...that's what happens...really.

My wife and I are here shaking our heads. She says "they haven't learned". I think they have - they've learned that only the sensational will work when their theology is contrary to sound New Testament teaching. But this is a blog...and not a dissertation... Maybe I'll drop by and see if they ask, "Anyone have any questions?" Hmmm...

Update: My wife points out that nowhere on the brochure and on the website FAQ does it mention that the Seventh-day Adventists are the ones holding it. Check out #7, for example in the FAQ. What the heck! At least the Mormon's end their TV commercials identifying themselves.

Book Review

Every once in awhile I stumble into a book that no one has recommended and I've never heard of, but that is incredible. What's funny is in the past I'll read a book, loved it, and started telling people about it only to have them all agree that the book is great. Guess I missed the memo about the book that everyone else was already enjoying.

This one is incredible: Uprising: A Revolution of the Soul. I almost don't want to say anything but, "read it" it's that good. I'm only on the second chapter and it's straight to my heart, and I love his writing style:

Is it possible that Eden had no boundaries? Certainly there was no command to just hang around the tree [of knowledge of good and evil]. Why didn't Adam take some wood, build a raft, sweep Eve off her feed, and say, "Baby, this is the love boat and we're going on a cruise"? Is it possible that Adam and Eve fell into the same trap that we have -- a view that freedom is to go and experience all that which God has forbidden rather than to fully experience all that God created for our pleasure?

See what I mean? And: "While we strive to fill ourselves and remain empty, Jesus emptied Himself and lived fully."

If I revealed the many observations and points that he has made in just the first couple of chapters that went straight to my heart in conviction, you may seriously wonder about me - if a person is convicted by the simpliest of observations we may be tempted to think less and to think that they are not "mature" (whatever that means). But in fact, I feel that all of us are wandering around this world not living one 1,000,000th of what God plans for us or wishes for us, and mostly due to our lack of understanding and discipline, and our desperate avoidance to submit to the One who can create in us and for us a paradise on Earth and to make us actually useful to His cause and those who also desperately desire for more meaning and direction in life.

I'll follow up on this book as I progress through it, but definately I would recommend it.
John Ortberg did which is why I bought it. So if you feel "hey, who the heck are you that I'd buy on your recommendation?", well no one. But Ortberg, John Maxwell, and Sheila Walsh all like it, so go on: give it a read.

Be a good steward - click here to donate

Sometimes I just have to chuckle. Christian pastors and churches are often accused of only wanting your money. "Give God your heart, but give us your money."

I was browsing Hope International's website -- which I must say has a very nice design and layout these days -- and was scrolling down the list of What We Believe points. Item #21 is on Stewardship. Right after the nicely written bla bla bla about being entrusted with God's money is...A Donate button? Oh good grief...

I guess this is why they can afford such a nice website?