Stan Posted January 28, 2011 Posted January 28, 2011 "Fanatics, who regard themselves as reformers, are the very hardest cases to reform." James White Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com
Stan Posted January 28, 2011 Author Posted January 28, 2011 have seen that was my very own eyes, and on this forum! Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com
Administrators Gail Posted January 28, 2011 Administrators Posted January 28, 2011 LOL Shall we fight to see who they are/were? But it's interesting that he used the word reform to describe what THEY need. Food for thought! Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
ClubV12 Posted January 28, 2011 Posted January 28, 2011 I'm not sure I would recognize a fanatic yet, but I'm not really looking. I suspect the definition varies from person to person? Some fanatics would be pretty clear, "off shoots" who don't support the "official" church structure with membership or tithe, for whatever reason. That would certainly constitute a fanatic, in my book. Would the definition of fanatic also include those that are very liberal (anything goes) or only those that are super conservative (it's all bad)? John the Baptist was likely thought of as a fanatic at some point, his calling being so dramatically different than for most folks. Jesus never went to sanctioned "church schools", that was an issue for some. ,,,I've been contemplating this very subject lately, what it all means. Quote
Frank Walker Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 Didn't Mrs. White say something like its easier to convert a heathen than a believer who keeps Sunday? (or something like that. I'm too lazy to look it up.) Quote
GreatLakesGramma Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 A fanatic is someone who is obsessed. Quote Catherine God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26. "To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." -- C. S. Lewis
Moderators John317 Posted January 29, 2011 Moderators Posted January 29, 2011 I would be surprised if she said that because it is not all that unsual for Sunday-keepers to become Seventh-day Adventists when they see the Bible evidence for the keeping of the Sabbath. I think it's more likely she was saying it is harder to convert a Sabbath-keeper who has heard the truth all his life without letting it sanctify him. Such people get hardened to the truth. Rev. 3: 14-22. Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
ClubV12 Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 I'm currently reading Desire of Ages (I confess, I'm "obsessed" with it, can't put it down). Chapter 26 (or was it 27?) talks about it is easier to reach those who have a little light and live up to it than those who have a lot of light and are satisfied with their current state. Or words to that effect, that thought impressed me. Perhaps fanaticism is in that realm of "satisfied", they have all they need. As a result, their mind is closed to further reason. Being a relative "newbie", I certainly feel my need. My concern is that at some point I to may become satisfied and not feel that need of Christ's power and help in my life as intensely as I do now. But that's probably a different issue than fanaticism... Quote
SherryLee Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 A fanatic can relate to all walks of life, and not just religion. Please check out the definitions on Google. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:fanaticism&sa=X&ei=SgJETeKUK4OB8gbX1dCVAg&ved=0CBYQkAE When we are truly converted, we may well fall into the catagory of fanatic, and if we are going to be fanatic, we need to make sure it is truly from the heart, and for the right reasons. Without God's love in us, we may be fanatical, no matter what we believe. We all may have some fanatical traits hidden inide each of us. The Bible says we are not to judge others. We may be fruit inspectors, but I believe that is much different than judging others. Just because someone belongs to a self-supporting group, or does not fully adhere to mainstream Adventistism, does not make them fanatics, nor do they need to be objects of redicule. There are many beautiful, sincere Christian people in many of these self-supporting places, and just because they are a little more conservative in their thinking doesn't make them fanatics. We don't know their background, or why they believe as they do! I feel it is so important to be careful how and on whom we project this term. Just my thoughts, SherryLee Quote SherryLee
pindoc Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 "Fanatics, who regard themselves as reformers, are the very hardest cases to reform." James White I have a relative like this. She's more personable than she used to be, but other family relate conversations that reinforce that she really hasn't changed. When push comes to shove, she really believes that only SDA's will be in heaven. At least, she believes that only folks who run into Adventism and choose it will make it to heaven. Wow, if she's in heaven, won't she be surprised. She's also a licensed counselor who believes that "there is no such thing as mental illness, it's all a lack of faith." I don't know if she's ever had an anatomy and physiology class. In fact, I know her educational background enough to be certain she hasn't. She has a master of arts, also, not exactly a science degree. To believe what she does, she has to believe that: 1. mind and brain are one they certainly are not, though they do effect each other. 2. that mind-brain is separate from the body in chemistry and function Not. one example: ever hear of serotonin, one of the major chemicals affecting our minds, both emotionally and cognitively? i.e., it effects our feelings and our math skills! 90% is in the gut, not the brain. 3. that Satan will use our bodies to play tricks on us, but never our minds - we only play faith-deficient tricks on our minds good grief. the day that Satan is proved to be stupid, rather than delusion, this idea may stand a chance. that day, The Great Controversy will be proved to have been a joke. Quote Pindoc
Guest Posted January 29, 2011 Posted January 29, 2011 A fanatic can relate to all walks of life, and not just religion. Please check out the definitions on Google. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:fanaticism&sa=X&ei=SgJETeKUK4OB8gbX1dCVAg&ved=0CBYQkAE When we are truly converted, we may well fall into the catagory of fanatic, and if we are going to be fanatic, we need to make sure it is truly from the heart, and for the right reasons. Without God's love in us, we may be fanatical, no matter what we believe. We all may have some fanatical traits hidden inide each of us. The Bible says we are not to judge others. We may be fruit inspectors, but I believe that is much different than judging others. Just because someone belongs to a self-supporting group, or does not fully adhere to mainstream Adventistism, does not make them fanatics, nor do they need to be objects of redicule. There are many beautiful, sincere Christian people in many of these self-supporting places, and just because they are a little more conservative in their thinking doesn't make them fanatics. We don't know their background, or why they believe as they do! I feel it is so important to be careful how and on whom we project this term. Just my thoughts, SherryLee I think your thoughts are well thought out. Good thoughts. Quote
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