Leaderboard

God's Judgment: In the following article, an attorney comments on a common SDA teaching on God's judgment of people. It is a long article, but worth reading. https://religiousliberty.tv/heavens-courtroom-the-sanctuary-and-the-question-of-heavenly-due-process/ NOTE: The above attorney has also written a second article on this subject, which I would have preferred to post. I am unable to do so at this time. If I am able to post it at a later time, I will do so. NOTE: Stan has posted on this subject, in the Religious Liberty section.

Medical Aid In dying (MAID): is an issue that troubles some people. The Seventh-day Adventist Research Institute has published the following article that addresses this issue. https://www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/Reflections-89-January-March-2025.pdf#page=2 NOTE: I have not formulated an opinion on every aspect of the above article. I list it because I suggest it is helpful in understanding and considering this current issue.

The above quote is taken from the March 27k 2025 edition of Northern Lights, which is a publication of the Northern California Conference of Seventklhllllllllll-day Adventists. For more information on this competition, see: https://tangytuesday.com/tournament

SDA Clerical Collar: The following is an interesting article on SDA clergy who wear a clerilcal collar. https://spectrummagazine.org/news/reports/the-clerical-collar-among-ukrainian-adventists-a-challenge-or-a-missionary-tool/ While it is probably little known, a minority of SDA clergy wore the clerical collar into the early 1940s. Luther Warren wore the clerical collar forever, and I do not believe that any photograph of him exists in which he is not wearing such. On a personal basis, I wore a clerical collar in the 1980s, including wearing it to SDA Conference meetings. I was never questioned about doing so, not even once.

Gustave: Yep. Such happens.

I think a bunch of it has to do with popular fashions, it became progressive and hip for clergy to dump their clerical garb in favor of more casual or secular clothing. The other obvious reason is that clergy (like everyone else) likes to go about their free time without everyone knowing what it is that they do for work. Perhaps sometimes clergy would want to do something or go somewhere that would be frowned upon by their employer [insert name of Church here] - or participate in an activity that goes against the Christian Faith - therefore it would be of advantage for those folks to dress like a typical used car salesman or attorney - both of which cause no stir or scandal when they patronize a bar or strip club!

The following article cites SDA clergy wearing a clerical collar. https://h0bbes.wordpress.com/2007/05/10/clothing-the-sda-clergy/

O. K. Now I understand you.

In a theological context those who depart more from apostolic / historic Christianity are liberal whereas those who are less departed are considered more conservative. This is not to be confused with liberal / conservative in a political context. Lutherans (Wisconsin & Missouri synods) are considered conservative compared to Jehovah's Witnesses - because Lutherans "conserved" or kept more of apostolic Christianity than did Jehovah's Witnesses. Based off what I've seen of Mr. Veith he appears to be radically liberal.

One of the main attractions to him is his testimony. He went from an atheist university professor to a creationist. They finally fired him. He has many interesting creation videos. But probably the main thing that attracted so many was his videos on Masons. His father-in-law was a high mason, and when he died, his books went to Dr. Vieth. They were supposed to be destroyed, but he revealed many secrets about that group.

Generally the clerical collars were shunned by theologically liberal Churches. By liberal I mean those faith traditions that didn't retain the beliefs of where they came from. Lutherans (at least the Ms and Wis synods) are very conservative and still wear collars, as do many other faith traditions. Jehovah's witnesses are extremely liberal and so they do not. Years ago I remember looking at the history of Lutheran's in the US and other groups and was surprised to see many pictures of SDA Clergy wearing clerical garb - couldn't really tell the difference at all. It used to be common and I'm not sure why they moved away from this. Probably started getting more money and thus could afford more expensive suits.

Luther Warren is an interesting early SDA leader. He was born in 1864 and died in 1940. The following article is taken from the SDA Encyclopedia, and the photograph in that article shows him wearing a clerical collar. https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/article?id=7AD1

Liberal? Did you mean, appeals to the more conservative members?

Do you understand why they are being ordained? They are being ordained because the Constitution of the Union Conferences gives the Unions the right to determine who should be ordained. IOW, in those Conferences the General Conference does not have the right to tell them that they cannot ordain women. From that perspective, they are not in rebellion. Rather it is the General Conference that is in rebellion.

* For a number of years, Ellen White carried the SDA credentials of an Ordained Minister. People today argue as to whether or not she was ordained, but she had the credentials and was so listed in official SDA records. Is that a problem in SE Asia? Where was God in this? * Presently, SDA Women are being ordained in some areas of the world. Is that a problem in SE Asia? * Some believe that the real Biblical issue is spiritual leadership and not ordination. IOW, should women pastor SDA congregations. Well, they do. Is that a problem in SE Asia? * In some places female pastors are Commissioned, rather than Ordained. Does that minor word change make a difference to the issue of female leadership. * During WW II, in one country, all male SDA pastors were removed from their congregation, with one exception of an elderly pastor, and placed in government service. Two females led out in evangelism in that nation, and brought many hundreds of people into SDA membership. Was their spiritual leadership a violation of the Word of God? * OK, so some SDAs feel that what we may want to do is offensive to the Word of God, are they willing to forgo practices that we may find to be offensive?

Women in Adventist History is discussed in the following article: https://www.nadadventist.org/news/they-also-served-podcast-uncovers-lost-stories-women-adventist-history

The early leaders of what became the SDA Church were clearly not Biblical scholars. They were not trained in the Biblical languages. They came from differing religious backgrounds. Ellen White came from a Methodist background. James White came, as did several others, from what is commonly called the Christian Connection (CC). That group is not well known today and has ceased to exist as an organized group. The CC held to non-orthodox positions on the Trinity and is largely the reason why a number of early leaders in what became the SDA Church also held non=orthodox positions on the Trinity. The earliest of the leaders did not intend to form a new denomination. They were united in the belief that the Second Advent was near. The differing doctrinal differences were considered to be of little importance. It was only with the failure of Christ to com as expected and fact that many of them had been expelled from their previous denominations that they began a series of so-called Bible-Conferences in an attempt to determine the extent of the doctrines on which they could agree. That resulted in the formal organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1863. That event laid the foundation for future agreements on doctrinal and administrative issues which continue to today. In addition that background laid the foundation for the diversity in Biblical understandings that exist in the SDA Church today. Some SDAs wish for increased unity of spiritual issues, while others, such as me, favor the present status of diversity.. While agreeing that God leads and we may still benefit from increased understandings of Biblical doctrines.

Some of the differences in the Seventh-day Adventist Chruch: Deaconesses: Historically these have been women who were not ordained and provided services related to the Church that were generally not of a spiritual nature. But, they have a place in preparing to celebrate the Lor's Supper. Presently, some SDA congregations ordain them. However, their services have generally not changed. They are not considered to be clergy. Deacons: Historically these have been males who were ordained and provided services related to the Church that were generally not of a spiritual nature. But, they have had a place in conducting the Lord's Supper. Presently, some SDA congregations allow women to become a Deacon. Seventh-day Adventists do not consider Deacons to be clergy. Local Elder: Major differences exist between how Local Elders are used in the United States and in other nations in the World. They are always ordained, but in general are not considered to be SDA Clergy. As an exception to this, SDA pastors spend several years in pastoral relationships prior to being fully ordained as a SDA pastor. In that situation they are ordained as a Local Elder. Most Local Elders will never become a fully ordained SDA pastor. However, they may be in charge of the local congregation in the absence of the SDA pastor. In that role, the Conference President may allow them to perform certain functions related to the function of an SDA pastor. Again, this is more common in places where A SDA pastor may serve 13 congregations, which in not true for the United States. SDA Pastor: In the United States, the SDA pastor, with occasional exceptions, will have a degree in theology/religion beyond the college level, will have spent 3-5 years in pastoral ministry prior to being fully ordained as a SDA pastor. The SDA Church in the United States is divided on the role of women as pastors. In some places in the United States, women are fully ordained as clergy. In other places they are not so ordained and are Commissioned. This is considered to be a lower level that is Ordination. In any case, women who are Commissioned serve as SDA Congregational pastors. However, in some places Commissioned women are not allowed/recognized to service in higher positions of leadership. However, in some places, ordained women are so elected to positions of leadership, but not recognized by others in high positions of leadership. The SDA congregation that I attend, has a woman who has been ordained. That ordination is not recognized in some parts of the United States. NOTE: The above comments were focused on the United States and may not be accurate in other places in the world.

SDAs & a Hindu: In the following article, James Coffin reports in his interaction over the years as a SDA pastor with a cultural Hindu who was a spiritual agnostic. https://spectrummagazine.org/culture/spirituality/what-a-hindu-missionary-did-for-one-adventist-congregation/

Getting Along & Building a Relationship: Two people, one an arch conservative and the other often seen as a liberal, who disagreed on just about everything in Adventism. Agreement never came. But, they communicated over the years. Slowly they built a relationship of mutual respect and understanding. Out of this they came to care for each other. In this time when it might seem that Adventism is divided there may be valuable lessons in the following article. These may even relate to how we respond to people who come from other sections of the Christian faith. The purpose of Club Adventist is to provide a place where people who differ can engage in civil discussions of their faith. https://atoday.org/your-friend-jan-the-value-of-friends-you-dont-agree-with/

Ash Wednesday Poem: The following poem, was authored by a Church of Christ pastor and provides subjects for reflection. https://atoday.org/ash-wednesday-a-poem/ You can read more of his writings at: https://tcpc.blogs.com/musings/