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Edward Reifsnyder has written a modeately long response on the Spectrum website in reaction the the General Conference attempt to deal with female ordination in the name of denominational unity. The following is a short piece of one aspect that he addressed. To read the entire response, please go to the Spectrum website. You may view the entire comment at: http://spectrummagazine.org/article/2017/01/27/camel-trojan-horse-and-other-shoe

but when I do, the first things I see are: • how evil the SDA church is for allowing any sort of abortion procedures in its hospitals • ridiculing and denigrating the POTUS This hasn't become a very pleasant place to visit... (I've tried starting other topics, but it doesn't appear that anyone is interested in anything except topics where one's anger can be taken out on others. That is just so depressing.)

I like the Bible en français courant. The French language churches I've attended all use the Louis Ségond (which is rather similar to the English KJV and Spanish Reina Valera), but the BFC often offers a different perspective on the text. One interesting difference is the KJV-only's favourite proof-text of Psalm 12:5,6,7 (KJV) For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. The KJVers hold that the pronoun "them" in v.7 refers to "the words of the Lord". This is the ordinary grammatical interpretation of the KJV translation. This is the proof-text that the Bible has been preserved down the ages without error or modification; that the old translations were the continuation and fulfillment of this promise and that therefore the KJV is infallible (and any newer translation that contradicts the KJV is corrupt). However, in other versions, this interpretation of Psalm 12 is not supported. Here's the text in the Louis Ségond version; Parce que les malheureux sont opprimés et que les pauvres gémissent, Maintenant, dit l'Éternel, je me lève, J'apporte le salut à ceux contre qui l'on souffle.Les paroles de l'Éternel sont des paroles pures, Un argent éprouvé sur terre au creuset, Et sept fois épuré.Toi, Éternel! tu les garderas, Tu les préserveras de cette race à jamais. Again, the "les" would refer to "paroles de l'Éternel" The Bible en français courant renders the text differently: Mais maintenant j'interviens, dit le Seigneur, à cause des pauvres qu'on opprime et des malheureux qui gémissent. Je porte secours à celui qu'on écarte d'un revers de main. Les paroles du Seigneur sont franches comme l'or qui est passé au creuset et sept fois purifié. Toi, Seigneur, tu garderas les opprimés, tu nous préserveras toujours de ces individus. Here the reference of what is being preserved is the "oppressed", not the "words". This parallels the English NIV translation of v. 7 You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked. More interesting is the Spanish Reina Valera-Antigua which reads as follows (from v 5) :Por la opresión de los pobres, por el gemido de los menesterosos, Ahora me levantaré, dice Jehová: Pondrélos en salvo del que contra ellos se engríe.Las palabras de Jehová, palabras limpias; Plata refinada en horno de tierra, Purificada siete veces.Tú, Jehová, los guardarás; Guárdalos para siempre de aquesta generación. Unlike English, French or German, the Spanish plural pronoun has gender. "Los" being masculin, has to refer to a masculin plural noun - which would be "los pobres" and "los menesterosos" in verse 5 (the poor and the needy). "Las palabras" (the words) in verse 6 is a feminine noun, so verse 7 in the Spanish text cannot be referring to the words of the Lord being preserved. It is the poor and the needy being preserved. I am citing the Reina-Valera Antigua version since it was the KJV's contemporary and certainly not some "modern" translation like the NIV or the BFC. Curiously the Portuguese Joao Almeida version renders v7 as follows: Tu nos guardarás, Senhor; desta geração nos livrarás para sempre. Here the translators applied the 1st person plural pronoun - God will preserve us. So what does this all mean? I haven't any knowledge of Hebrew so I cannot offer an opinion on whether or not the Psalmist was saying that the words were to be preserved and protected or the poor, needy and destitute were to be preserved and protected. I would suggest that this example ought to warn us to use caution when using "proof-texts". KJV-only types OTOH offer this an even more evidence that any version other than English KJV cannot be trusted.

Proof-texts are used by all denominations and movements - we are not alone. Roman Catholics: Matthew 16:18 for the authority of the bishop;Matthew 19:12 and 1 Corinthians 7:7 for the celibate priesthood; Exodus 15:18-22 to support statues, sculpture and icons in the church Roman Catholics: Romans 2:6; Matthew 16:27; Revelation 22:12; James 2:14-26 for the emphasis on works; Lutherans, Calvinists and other Protestants: Ephesians 2:8 for "grace alone through faith alone" Roman Catholics and Lutherans: James 5:16 and John 20:23 for the practice of confessional and of clergy forgiving sins; Colossians 2:11,12 for infant baptism; Luke 22:19; Matthew 26:26 for the Real Presence Orthodox: John 15:26 for the doctrine of the procession of the Holy Spirit from the Father alone Calvinists: Matthew 15:24; John 6:44 for the limited atonement Arminians: John 3:16; Revelation 22:17 for the doctrine of Free Will KJV only movement: Psalm 12:7 Word-Faith movement: John 14:13 Prosperity Gospel: Malachi 3:10; Psalm 1:3; Deuteronomy 28 Faith Healers: James 5:14,15 Once saved; always saved: John 6:39 Latter-day Saints: Ezechiel 37:15-17 for the prophecy on the Book of Mormon Snake Handlers: Mark 16:18 Charismatics/Pentacostals: Mark 16:17 for speaking in tongues Just about everyone else: 1 Corinthians 13:8 for the cessation of the gift of tongues Just about everyone except SdAs: Mark 7:19 and Acts 15:28 for abolition of the Levitical dietary laws; Romans 14:5 and Colossians 2:14-16 for abolition of the Sabbath; Ephesians 1:13 and 2 Corinthians 1:22 identifying the Holy Spirit as the seal of God. SdAs: Isaiah 66:23 and Matthew 5:18 for eternal validity of the Sabbath; Exodus 20:8-11 - "name, title, jurisdiction" argument for identifying Sabbath as the seal of God The "proof-text" method is what gave rise to the observation that one can prove just about any doctrine from the bible. Find a suitable "proof-text" and then explain away all contrary texts by arguing about their context, or the original Greek/Hebrew meaning something different.

It appears to me in the following verses that Jesus Himself spoke of 3 different divine beings, distinct from each other, in David's time: Mark 12:35-37 35 And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the Son of David? 36 For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool. 37 David therefore himself calleth him Lord; and whence is he then his son?

I like your reply Samie!!