Needed: your opinions about Science-fiction?

[abelisle]

Hi folks,

As Adventists, we have had a long history, mainly supported by the writings of EGW aginst the reading of fiction. I personally feel that her admonitions have to be read in the cultural context when they were written. But with that said. I'm curious on your take on the genre of sci-fi?

I am presently reading lots of "alternative-history" fiction e.g. what if the South won the war or the Nazis or an alien race were to interfere with history etc. The author best known for this sub-genre is Harry Turtledove, a former history professor at UCLA.

Alex

[Outta Here]

I love sci-fi. To me, it is the doorway to limitless ideas and possibilities; a sci-fi author is able to explore the way he/she envisions the human response to "what if" situations.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I don't like the "dragons and robots" type of sci-fi, but I do like time-travel books (mostly going back in time).

[Guest]

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

it's not Seattle Slew, that's for sure!

[Guest]

I have so much catching up to do with spiritual things, reading the Bible, Ellen White, our pioneers, and other good books, I no longer have time to read fiction. But I do have a house full of it though.

[Steve Billiter]

I have so much catching up to do with spiritual things, reading the Bible, Ellen White, our pioneers, and other good books, I no longer have time to read fiction. But I do have a house full of it though.

I have the Holy Spirits counsel upon all fiction and novel reading for those who are interested:

April 12, 1904 Read and Heed

The world is flooded with books that might better be consumed than circulated. Books upon Indian warfare and similar topics, published and circulated as a money-making scheme, might better never be read. The heart-sickening relation of crimes and atrocities has a bewitching power over many youth, exciting in them the desire to bring themselves into notice by the most wicked deeds. There are many works more strictly historical whose influence is little better. The enormities, the cruelties, the licentious practices, portrayed in these writings, have acted as leaven in many minds, leading to the commission of similar acts. Books that delineate the satanic practises of human beings are giving publicity to evil works. The horrible details of crime and misery need not to be lived over again, and none who believe the truth for this time should act a part in perpetuating their memory. {YI, April 12, 1904 par. 1}

Love stories and frivolous, exciting tales constitute another class of books that is a curse to every reader. The author may attach a good moral, and all through his work may weave religious sentiments; yet in most cases Satan is but clothed in angel robes, the more effectually to deceive and allure. The mind is affected in a great degree by that upon which it feeds. The readers of frivolous, exciting tales become unfitted for the duties lying before them. They live an unreal life, and have no desire to search the Scriptures, to feed upon the heavenly manna. The mind is enfeebled, and loses its power to contemplate the great problems of duty and destiny. {YI, April 12, 1904 par. 2}

I have been instructed that the youth are exposed to the greatest peril from improper reading. Satan is constantly leading both the young and those of mature age to be charmed with worthless stories. Could a large share of the books published be consumed, a plague would be stayed that is doing a fearful work in weakening the mind and corrupting the heart. None are so confirmed in right principles as to be secure from temptation. All this trashy reading should be resolutely discarded.

Mrs. E. G. White. {YI, April 12, 1904 par. 3} "Even fiction which contains no suggestion of impurity, and which may be intended to teach excellent principles, is harmful. It encourages the habit of hasty and superficial reading, merely for the story. Thus it tends to destroy the power of connected and vigorous thought; it unfits the soul to contemplate the great problems of duty and destiny." (Ellen G. White, Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 383)

Myths and Fairy Tales.--In the education of children and youth fairy tales, myths, and fictitious stories are now given a large place. Books of this character are used in schools, and they are to be found in many homes. How can Christian parents permit their children to use books so filled with falsehood? When the children ask the meaning of stories so contrary to the teaching of their parents, the answer is that the stories are not true; but this does not do away with the evil results of their use. The ideas presented in these books mislead the children. They impart false views of life and beget and foster a desire for the unreal. . . . {AH 413.3}

Never should books containing a perversion of truth be placed in the hands of children or youth. Let not our children, in the very process of obtaining an education, receive ideas that will prove to be seeds of sin.

414

{AH 413.4}

Although the prophet here is mostly addressing the youth, the purpose is to educate them in truth before the habit of fiction reading can be formed. Common sense also tells us the effect may be greatly magnified by the long-formed habits of adults. Sometimes we think our selves overly wise, that we can do some questionable things and it will not affect us because we "know the truth."

But in reality,many times we do not know why we think and act as we do, as no alarms will go off telling us we are in danger. The effects of novel reading, all theatrics, deviant music styles with drums, will lead the persons one small step at a time in the wrong direction. This is a striking example of why God in His love and desire to save us, gives pointed and plain warnings in the Bible and the SOP.

Satan has had 6000 years to study the human mind to develop deceptive ways to link it with his. There are a few of the ways.

[SivartM]

I don't read a whole lot of science fiction, but I do like making up my own sci-fi stories sometimes.

[Steve Billiter]

I have so much catching up to do with spiritual things, reading the Bible, Ellen White, our pioneers, and other good books, I no longer have time to read fiction. But I do have a house full of it though.

Hey Richard, need some help with a book burning?

I have an Environmental Science 100 Textbook I may introduce to the flames, but it did cost me $92.00. I did get a chance to post comments against the Darwinism and evolution in the book, and some of the other scientific "assumptions," as well as the essays that I have to write.

Last week, I saw a 1909 edition of the Origin of Species in a thrift store probably worth several hundred dollars as an antique collectible.The only thought in my head was to buy the book ($1.00) and then burn it.

But then I realized that truth stands on its own. But I can't help but think what would happen if a lot of "questionable" books would just go away.

Sorceries are anything that medicates the mind in some negative way; books can do that. That's why we should meditate on God's word and nothing else. In with good, out with the bad!

[Outta Here]

Why did you ask for others' opinions if you already had opinions of your own? Just curious. I feel as if I was asked to "confess" something only to turn around and have my hand slapped for such "confession".

Seriously, why did you ask for others' opinions?

[SivartM]

Why did you ask for others' opinions if you already had opinions of your own? Just curious. I feel as if I was asked to "confess" something only to turn around and have my hand slapped for such "confession".

Seriously, why did you ask for others' opinions?

I think the question is, "WHEN did Steve ask for others' opinions?" Unless I'm misunderstanding you... I think you're confusing two different people.

[Outta Here]

You are absolutely correct, SivartM, I did have these two posters confused in my mind. My apologies, Steve Billiter.

[Jodie]

Hi abelisle,

You asked "I'm curious on your take on the genre of sci-fi?"

Personally I think, if it's not the truth it's not from God. If it's not from God it's a waste of precious time!

As a new Adventist I am constanly being told that the signs all point to Jesus returning soon. I don't know about you but when He comes I certainly don't want to be one of the people holding a book that promotes untruth. Do you?

Also, as adventists it's very important to promote proper Christian values according to God's ideals not our own ideas. Talking the talk is not enough...we need to walk the walk too!

Blessings to you,

Jodie

[Steve Billiter]

You are absolutely correct, SivartM, I did have these two posters confused in my mind. My apologies, Steve Billiter.

No problem, Aubrey, I may have done that myself in the past!

[Steve Billiter]

Hi abelisle,

You asked "I'm curious on your take on the genre of sci-fi?"

Personally I think, if it's not the truth it's not from God. If it's not from God it's a waste of precious time!

As a new Adventist I am constanly being told that the signs all point to Jesus returning soon. I don't know about you but when He comes I certainly don't want to be one of the people holding a book that promotes untruth. Do you?

Also, as adventists it's very important to promote proper Christian values according to God's ideals not our own ideas. Talking the talk is not enough...we need to walk the walk too!

Blessings to you,

Jodie

Amen Jodie,reading fiction, or sci fi may be a worse offender because of the high levels of fantasy, at the least will waste precious time for which we are stewards, accountable for our time. It is the most precious gift, as it is life itself.

Sinful ideas and plot lines are always present in such books and we have a clear command from God:

Psalms 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before my eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Abuse of the Mind

842. The mind which is allowed to be absorbed in story reading is being ruined. The practice results in air-castle building and a sickly sentimentalism. The imagination becomes diseased, and there is a vague unrest, a strange appetite for unwholesome mental food. Thousands are today in insane asylums whose minds became unbalanced by novel reading.--S.

of T., 1884, No. 41. {HL 197.2}

Praise God for the SOP, that exposes the snares of Satan!

God Bless! Steve

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Woe be unto those who read Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories.

ntmomitf.

[Guest]

Woe be unto those who read Uncle Arthur's Bedtime Stories.

ntmomitf.

What is ntmomitf?

[Aliensanctuary]

I don't read it anymore, but do watch an occasional sci-fi movie. The Bible makes a good sci-fi read if you're able to picture extraterrestrials, space craft, advanced technology, alien invasions, and beings powerful enough to create stars and terra-form planets, but it's written from a zero-technology viewpoint.

Poor Uncle Arthur. Every time I opened one of his books to read to my children when they were small, stale pop-corn would pop right out of the pages.

[Steve Billiter]

I'm not sure what they are. I have his son's C. Mervyn's two books on Daniel and Revelation. His other son, Graham Maxwell, teaches some perverted doctrines.

Bible stories in themselves may not be so bad, if they are not dramatized. I think Ellen White teaches in Adventist home and Child Guidance, that the parents are to teach the children themselves.

[Outta Here]

What about the parable of the rich man and Lazarus? Wouldn't that be considered "fantasy" or "fiction" by some accounts?

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

What about the parable of the rich man and Lazarus? Wouldn't that be considered "fantasy" or "fiction" by some accounts?

I think it would.

ntmomitf

[Outta Here]

I think so, too, rudywoofs. And...

it matters to me!

[Steve Billiter]

What about the parable of the rich man and Lazarus? Wouldn't that be considered "fantasy" or "fiction" by some accounts?

No it is not; the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is an allegorical parable designed by God to teach truth, just like His other parables. All worldly secular fiction is light-years away from what Jesus taught. The differences are striking: the one evil, the other good. God's methods of teaching truth cannot be compared to satans methods of corrupting the mind and reveling in sinful concepts, while at the same time destroying interest in the Word of God.

[Steve Billiter]

AUBREY

I DONT see the rich man and lazarus as sciene fiction

to my understanding that acutally was a begger named

lazarus that was begging out side a rich mans house

dgrimmm60

Lazarus and the Rich Man

Chap. 21 - "A Great Gulf Fixed"

In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Christ shows that in this life men decide their eternal destiny. During probationary time the grace of God is offered to every soul. But if men waste their opportunities in self-pleasing, they cut themselves off from everlasting life. No afterprobation will be granted them. By their own choice they have fixed an impassable gulf between them and their God. {COL 260.1}

This parable draws a contrast between the rich who have not made God their dependence, and the poor who have made God their dependence. Christ shows that the time is coming when the position of the two classes will be reversed. Those who are poor in this world's goods, yet who trust in God and are patient in suffering, will one day be exalted above those who now hold the highest positions the world can give but who have not surrendered their life to God. {COL 260.2}

"There was a certain rich man," Christ said, "which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus,

261

which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table." {COL 260.3}

The rich man did not belong to the class represented by the unjust judge, who openly declared his disregard for God and man. He claimed to be a son of Abraham. He did not treat the beggar with violence or require him to go away because the sight of him was disagreeable. If the poor, loathsome specimen of humanity could be comforted by beholding him as he entered his gates, the rich man was willing that he should remain. But he was selfishly indifferent to the needs of his suffering brother. {COL 261.1}

There were then no hospitals in which the sick might be cared for. The suffering and needy were brought to the notice of those to whom the Lord had entrusted wealth, that they might receive help and sympathy. Thus it was with the beggar and the rich man. Lazarus was in great need of help; for he was without friends, home, money, or food. Yet he was allowed to remain in this condition day after day, while the wealthy nobleman had every want supplied. The one who was abundantly able to relieve the sufferings of his fellow creature, lived to himself, as many live today. {COL 261.2}

There are today close beside us many who are hungry, naked, and homeless. A neglect to impart of our means to these needy, suffering ones places upon us a burden of guilt which we shall one day fear to meet. All covetousness is condemned as idolatry. All selfish indulgence is an offense in God's sight. {COL 261.3}

God had made the rich man a steward of His means, and it was his duty to attend to just such cases as that of the beggar. The command had been given, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might" (Deuteronomy 6:5); and "thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" (Leviticus 19:18). The

262

rich man was a Jew, and he was acquainted with the command of God. But he forgot that he was accountable for the use of his entrusted means and capabilities. The Lord's blessings rested upon him abundantly, but he employed them selfishly, to honor himself, not his Maker. In proportion to his abundance was his obligation to use his gifts for the uplifting of humanity. This was the Lord's command, but the rich man had no thought of his obligation to God. He lent money, and took interest for what he loaned; but he returned no interest for what God had lent him. He had knowledge and talents, but did not improve them. Forgetful of his accountability to God, he devoted all his powers to pleasure.

Everything with which he was surrounded, his round of amusements, the praise and flattery of his friends, ministered to his selfish enjoyment. So engrossed was he in the society of his friends that he lost all sense of his responsibility to co-operate with God in His ministry of mercy. He had opportunity to understand the word of God, and to practice its teachings; but the pleasure-loving society he chose so occupied his time that he forgot the God of eternity. {COL 261.4}

The time came when a change took place in the condition of the two men. The poor man had suffered day by day, but he had patiently and quietly endured. In the course of time he died and was buried. There was no one to mourn for him; but by his patience in suffering he had witnessed for Christ, he had endured the test of his faith, and at his death he is represented as being carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. {COL 262.1}

Lazarus represents the suffering poor who believe in Christ. When the trumpet sounds and all that are in the graves hear Christ's voice and come forth, they will receive their reward; for their faith in God was not a mere theory, but a reality.

263

{COL 262.2}

"The rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame." {COL 263.1}

In this parable Christ was meeting the people on their own ground. The doctrine of a conscious state of existence between death and the resurrection was held by many of those who were listening to Christ's words. The Saviour knew of their ideas, and He framed His parable so as to inculcate important truths through these preconceived opinions. He held up before His hearers a mirror wherein they might see themselves in their true relation to God. He used the prevailing opinion to convey the idea He wished to make prominent to all--that no man is valued for his possessions; for all he has belongs to him only as lent by the Lord. A misuse of these gifts will place him below the poorest and most afflicted man who loves God and trusts in Him. {COL 263.2}

Christ desires His hearers to understand that it is impossible for men to secure the salvation of the soul after death. "Son," Abraham is represented as answering, "remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed; so that they which would pass from hence to you can not; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence." Thus Christ represented the hopelessness of looking for a second probation. This life is the only time given to man in which to prepare for eternity. {COL 263.3}

The rich man had not abandoned the idea that he was a child of Abraham, and in his distress he is represented as

264

calling upon him for aid. "Father Abraham," he prayed, "have mercy on me." He did not pray to God, but to Abraham. Thus he showed that he placed Abraham above God, and that he relied on his relationship to Abraham for salvation. The thief on the cross offered his prayer to Christ. "Remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom," he said. (Luke 23:42.) And at once the response came, Verily I say unto thee today (as I hang on the cross in humiliation and suffering), thou shalt be with Me in Paradise. But the rich man prayed to Abraham, and his petition was not granted. Christ alone is exalted to be "a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." Acts 5:31. "Neither is there salvation in any other." Acts 4:12. {COL 263.4}

The rich man had spent his life in self-pleasing, and too late he saw that he had made no provision for eternity. He realized his folly, and thought of his brothers, who would go on as he had gone, living to please themselves. Then he made the request, "I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him [Lazarus] to my father's house; for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment." But "Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham; but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead." {COL 264.1

}

When the rich man solicited additional evidence for his brothers, he was plainly told that should this evidence be given, they would not be persuaded. His request cast a reflection on God. It was as if the rich man had said, If you had more thoroughly warned me, I should not now be here. Abraham in his answer to this request is represented

265

as saying, Your brothers have been sufficiently warned. Light has been given them, but they would not see; truth has been presented to them, but they would not hear. {COL 264.2}

"If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." These words were proved true in the history of the Jewish nation. Christ's last and crowning miracle was the raising of Lazarus of Bethany, after he had been dead four days. The Jews were given this wonderful evidence of the Saviour's divinity, but they rejected it. Lazarus rose from the dead and bore his testimony before them, but they hardened their hearts against all evidence, and even sought to take his life. (John 12:9-11.) {COL 265.1}

The law and the prophets are God's appointed agencies for the salvation of men. Christ said, Let them give heed to these evidences. If they do not listen to the voice of God in His word, the testimony of a witness raised from the dead would not be heeded. {COL 265.2}

Those who heed Moses and the prophets will require no greater light than God has given; but if men reject the light, and fail to appreciate the opportunities granted them, they would not hear if one from the dead should come to them with a message. They would not be convinced even by this evidence; for those who reject the law and the prophets so harden their hearts that they will reject all light. {COL 265.3}

The conversation between Abraham and the once-rich man is figurative. The lesson to be gathered from it is that every man is given sufficient light for the discharge of the duties required of him. Man's responsibilities are proportionate to his opportunities and privileges. God gives to every one sufficient light and grace to do the work He has given him to do. If man fails to do that which a little light shows to be his duty, greater light would only reveal unfaithfulness, neglect to improve the blessings given. "He

266

that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." Luke 16:10. Those who refuse to be enlightened by Moses and the prophets and ask for some wonderful miracle to be performed would not be convinced if their wish were granted. {COL 265.4}

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus shows how the two classes represented by these men are estimated in the unseen world. There is no sin in being rich if riches are not acquired by injustice. A rich man is not condemned for having riches, but condemnation rests upon him if the means entrusted to him is spent in selfishness. Far better might he lay up his money beside the throne of God, by using it to do good. Death cannot make any man poor who thus devotes himself to seeking eternal riches. But the man who hoards his treasure for self can not take any of it to heaven. He has proved himself to be an unfaithful steward. During his lifetime he had his good things, but he was forgetful of his obligation to God. He failed of securing the heavenly treasure. {COL 266.1}

The rich man who had so many privileges is represented to us as one who should have cultivated his gifts, so that his works should reach to the great beyond, carrying with them improved spiritual advantages. It is the purpose of redemption, not only to blot out sin, but to give back to man those spiritual gifts lost because of sin's dwarfing power. Money cannot be carried into the next life; it is not needed there; but the good deeds done in winning souls to Christ are carried to the heavenly courts. But those who selfishly spend the Lord's gifts on themselves, leaving their needy fellow creatures without aid and doing nothing to advance God's work in the world, dishonor their Maker. Robbery of God is written opposite their names in the books of heaven.

}

The rich man had all that money could procure, but he did not possess the riches that would have kept his account right with God. He had lived as if all that he possessed were his own. He had neglected the call of God and the claims of the suffering poor. But at length there comes a call which he cannot neglect. By a power which he cannot question or resist he is commanded to quit the premises of which he is no longer steward. The once-rich man is reduced to hopeless poverty. The robe of Christ's righteousness, woven in the loom of heaven, can never cover him. He who once wore the richest purple, the finest linen, is reduced to nakedness. His probation is ended. He brought nothing into the world, and he can take nothing out of it. {COL 267.1

}

Christ lifted the curtain and presented this picture before priests and rulers, scribes and Pharisees. Look at it, you who are rich in this world's goods and are not rich toward God. Will you not contemplate this scene? That which is highly esteemed among men is abhorrent in the sight of God. Christ asks, "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:36, 37. {COL 267.2}

Application to the Jewish Nation

When Christ gave the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, there were many in the Jewish nation in the pitiable condition of the rich man, using the Lord's goods for selfish gratification, preparing themselves to hear the sentence, "Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting." Daniel 5:27. The rich man was favored with every temporal and spiritual blessing, but he refused to cooperate with God in the use of these blessings. Thus it was with the Jewish nation. The Lord had made the Jews the depositaries of sacred truth. He had appointed them

268

stewards of His grace. He had given them every spiritual and temporal advantage, and He called upon them to impart these blessings. Special instruction had been given them in regard to their treatment of their brethren who had fallen into decay, of the stranger within their gates, and of the poor among them. They were not to seek to gain everything for their own advantage, but were to remember those in need and share with them. And God promised to bless them in accordance with their deeds of love and mercy.

But like the rich man, they put forth no helping hand to relieve the temporal or spiritual necessities of suffering humanity. Filled with pride, they regarded themselves as the chosen and favored people of God; yet they did not serve or worship God. They put their dependence in the fact that they were children of Abraham. "We be Abraham's seed," they said proudly. (John 8:33.) When the crisis came, it was revealed that they had divorced themselves from God, and had placed their trust in Abraham, as if he were God. {COL 267.3}

Christ longed to let light shine into the darkened minds of the Jewish people. He said to them, "If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill Me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God. This did not Abraham." John 8:39, 40. {COL 268.1}

Christ recognized no virtue in lineage. He taught that spiritual connection supersedes all natural connection. The Jews claimed to have descended from Abraham; but by failing to do the works of Abraham, they proved that they were not his true children. Only those who prove themselves to be spiritually in harmony with Abraham by obeying the voice of God, are reckoned as of true descent. Although the beggar belonged to the class looked upon by men as inferior, Christ recognized him as one whom Abraham would take into the very closest friendship.

269

{COL 268.2}

The rich man though surrounded with all the luxuries of life was so ignorant that he put Abraham where God should have been. If he had appreciated his exalted privileges and had allowed God's Spirit to mold his mind and heart, he would have had an altogether different position. So with the nation he represented. If they had responded to the divine call, their future would have been wholly different.

They would have shown true spiritual discernment. They had means which God would have increased, making it sufficient to bless and enlighten the whole world. But they had so far separated from the Lord's arrangement that their whole life was perverted. They failed to use their gifts as God's stewards in accordance with truth and righteousness. Eternity was not brought into their reckoning, and the result of their unfaithfulness was ruin to the whole nation. {COL 269.1}

Christ knew that at the destruction of Jerusalem the Jews would remember His warning. And it was so. When calamity came upon Jerusalem, when starvation and suffering of every kind came upon the people, they remembered these words of Christ and understood the parable. They had brought their suffering upon themselves by their neglect to let their God-given light shine forth to the world. {COL 269.2}

In the Last Days

The closing scenes of this earth's history are portrayed in the closing of the rich man's history. The rich man claimed to be a son of Abraham, but he was separated from Abraham by an impassable gulf--a character wrongly developed. Abraham served God, following His word in faith and obedience. But the rich man was unmindful of God and of the needs of suffering humanity. The great gulf fixed between him and Abraham was the gulf of

270

disobedience. There are many today who are following the same course. Though church members, they are unconverted. They may take part in the church service, they may chant the psalm, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God" (Psalm 42:1); but they testify to a falsehood. They are no more righteous in God's sight than is the veriest sinner.

The soul that longs after the excitement of worldly pleasure, the mind that is full of love for display, cannot serve God. Like the rich man in the parable, such a one has no inclination to war against the lust of the flesh. He longs to indulge appetite. He chooses the atmosphere of sin. He is suddenly snatched away by death, and he goes down to the grave with the character formed during his lifetime in copartnership with Satanic agencies. In the grave he has no power to choose anything, be it good or evil; for in the day when a man dies, his thoughts perish. (Psalm 146:4; Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6.) {COL 269.3}

When the voice of God awakes the dead, he will come from the grave with the same appetites and passions, the same likes and dislikes, that he cherished when living. God works no miracle to re-create a man who would not be re-created when he was granted every opportunity and provided with every facility. During his lifetime he took no delight in God, nor found pleasure in His service. His character is not in harmony with God, and he could not be happy in the heavenly family. {COL 270.1}

Today there is a class in our world who are self-righteous. They are not gluttons, they are not drunkards, they are not infidels; but they desire to live for themselves, not for God. He is not in their thoughts; therefore they are classed with unbelievers. Were it possible for them to enter the gates of the city of God, they could have no right to the tree of life, for when God's commandments were laid before them with all their binding claims they

271

said, No. They have not served God here; therefore they would not serve Him hereafter. They could not live in His presence, and they would feel that any place was preferable to heaven. {COL 270.2}

To learn of Christ means to receive His grace, which is His character. But those who do not appreciate and utilize the precious opportunities and sacred influences granted them on earth, are not fitted to take part in the pure devotion of heaven. Their characters are not molded according to the divine similitude. By their own neglect they have formed a chasm which nothing can bridge. Between them and the righteous there is a great gulf fixed. {COL 271.1}

[Stan]

His other son, Graham Maxwell, teaches some perverted doctrines.

Anyone tell you are rude and lack social skills?

I do not agree with some of what he says, but to call them perverted is tacky.