Adventist DNA

[Stan]

it seems like when we become adventist our DNA makes us want to correct all error.

That is not a good trait.... ask any child who was always corrected by his parents, or an employee who is constantly corrected, it tends to work back words on this.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think (and post ) about such things. Philippians 4:8

As EGW said, point out what is right, not what is wrong..

Stan

[Woody]

Calling it "Adventist DNA" doesn't seem to be pointing out the positive. And anyways ... I don't think it is accurate - because I don't have that kind of DNA and I am a lifetime SDA.

[Servant]

Thank you Woody - I agree!!

[LynnDel]

Nevertheless, what Stan has pointed out as a generality is true enough of the time that we wish it weren't.

The positive part about this is when there are those who say, "Huh?" meaning they haven't experienced the blunt approach by some who want to correct every error, minor or not, at the expense of sharing the truth of the love of God, at the expense of a possible friendship. I am so thankful there are those who have positive experiences!

LD

[Stan]

I hope some sees the humour in this..

Someone felt the need to CORRECT me with this error about adventist tend to like to correct folks.

Just sayin'

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

..

[bonnie]

Do adventists in general do much that is right? Sounds like we are better people as non-adventist

[Woody]

Lotta correctin' goin' on.

Just sayin'

[Haldog]

Romans 14 is an excellent chapter to read concerning this, even though I know SDA's don't like to think about what it actually says in that chapter. Believe it or not, you really can read it literally, just as the Holy Spirit wants you to.

Shalom

[Gail]

Romans 14 is an excellent chapter to read concerning this, even though I know SDA's don't like to think about what it actually says in that chapter. Believe it or not, you really can read it literally, just as the Holy Spirit wants you to.

Sweet! Great assignment!

[phkrause]

Romans 14 (Complete Jewish Bible)

1 Now as for a person whose trust is weak, welcome him - but not to get into arguments over opinions. 2 One person has the trust that will allow him to eat anything, while another whose trust is weak eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats anything must not look down on the one who abstains; and the abstainer must not pass judgment on the one who eats anything, because God has accepted him - 4 who are you to pass judgment on someone else's servant? It is before his own master that he will stand or fall; and the fact is that he will stand, because the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person considers some days more holy than others, while someone else regards them as being all alike. What is important is for each to be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes a day as special does so to honor the Lord. Also he who eats anything, eats to honor the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; likewise the abstainer abstains to honor the Lord, and he too gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives only in relation to himself, and none of us dies only in relation to himself; 8 for if we live, we live in relation to the Lord; and if we die, we die in relation to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord - 9 indeed, it was for this very reason that the Messiah died and came back to life, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 You then, why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For all of us will stand before God's judgment seat; 11 since it is written in the Tanakh, "As I live, says ADONAI, every knee will bend before me, and every tongue will publicly acknowledge God." 12 So then, every one of us will have to give an account of himself to God. 13 Therefore, let's stop passing judgment on each other! Instead, make this one judgment - not to put a stumbling block or a snare in a brother's way. 14 I know - that is, I have been persuaded by the Lord Yeshua the Messiah - that nothing is unclean in itself. But if a person considers something unclean, then for him it is unclean; 15 and if your brother is being upset by the food you eat, your life is no longer one of love. Do not, by your eating habits, destroy someone for whom the Messiah died! 16 Do not let what you know to be good, be spoken of as bad; 17 for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, shalom and joy in the Ruach HaKodesh. 18 Anyone who serves the Messiah in this fashion both pleases God and wins the approval of other people. 19 So then, let us pursue the things that make for shalom and mutual upbuilding. 20 Don't tear down God's work for the sake of food. True enough, all things are clean; but it is wrong for anybody by his eating to cause someone to fall away. 21 What is good is not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. 22 The belief you hold about such things, keep between yourself and God. Happy the person who is free of self-condemnation when he approves of something! 23 But the doubter comes under condemnation if he eats, because his action is not based on trust. And anything not based on trust is a sin.

I thought that last line was pretty interesting! Can the word trust be replaced with Faith? And if it can, what does that mean to you as an SDA, let alone a Christian?? Just a thought, if we need to start another thread let me know or maybe someone else would like to start one.

[Flyboy]

SDA claim to have theological truth and as 7th day worshipers SDA continually feel compelled to explain, defend, etc. I think this can easily create a culture of correction, because so much of the doctrine isolates us from other Christians, thus we have many things that we consider unacceptable. Just yesterday I was at a potluck and behind a visitor. He dished out some rice on his plate and then asked if the food was prepared "today" meaning, on the Sabbath. The woman in front of him, thinking he was worried whether or not the food was spoiled, said "I assume so, but I'm not sure". He promptly dumped the rice off of his plate back into the bowl. It took me a moment to realize why, but when I did I was floored. Did a visitor really just inquire whether the food was made on the Sabbath and when he found out that it was he put it back?! He didn't ask about the other food, perhaps he immediately felt the offense which he may have caused. But he did spend the rest of lunch trying to correct the people next to me on their ideas of America's role in Biblical prophecy. He was not American, nor Chinese (where I live). And, it turns out he is a visiting scholar, a graduate student, who will be with us for three months.

To each his own, it is not my right to tell him what to believe, but human DNA (not Adventist DNA) is naturally choleric. And then when you embed the SDA culture within this human nature, sometimes the focus of the message, Christ, gets lost in cultural misunderstandings. On top of that, because Adventist doctrine is significantly different from other Christian beliefs, due to the belief in the Sabbath, some SDA feel as though they are constantly in a 'circle the wagon' mode, not from the outside world but from other Christians. This does not translate well when trying to communicate with people, Christians and non-Christians, not familiar with the identity development of a typical SDA. Often this comes out as a 'can't do this', or 'that's not what the Bible says' approach. But of course, for a church that has a deeply spiritual culture like the SDA, and which has members who are probably deeply committed to their beliefs, and who may have Biblical truth.... what else can you expect? Satan will work hard to break the ranks of God's people. He wants to distract Christians with petty issues.

[Gail]

Well said, Flyboy. Welcome to the board, by the way! I hope to see more of you!

[fccool]

There's a difference between correction and scolding. Much of the correction can be very much needed, I doubt that scolding is a way to go.

I remember we've had a visiting speaker from south. She fired up the scolding of how people should not wear jeans to church, have tattoos, or let children run in the sanctuary.

Many of our members do wear jeans, because they are simple people. Many of our members do have tatoos from their past life. And children do get loose from time to time. Fortunately they've been gracious enough to recognize it as an inconsiderate rave other than some meaningful instruction, and show a measure of grace by thanking and welcoming the speaker.

Much of such "correction" is mostly due to lack of patience and desire for carbon copy approach. Everyone should be like me, and I know I'm right because I believe and understand the Bible and E.G. White writings.

[Stan]

more often than not, it is makes who like to argue (I mean discuss)

More often than not, it is females who like to have and build community.

Everyone believes they are clearly correct in their own eyes, and other than me, no one else is. :)

[Overaged]

Lotta correctin' goin' on.

Just sayin'

LOL, are YOU correcting US with that comment Woody?