Present Truth, the concept

[Don777]

Focus

This thread invites discussion on the Biblical concept of "Present Truth" and how Adventists have used it. Here is the passage which has inspired its usage:

“Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth” (2 Peter 1:12; KJV).

[Don777]

James White and Present Truth

This introduction by James White shows how he used the concept of Present Truth:

"TO OUR READERS. — The REVIEW and HERALD is designed to be strictly confined to those important truths that belong to the present time. We hope to be able to send you this enlarged size of the paper quite often, containing a simple and clear exposition of those great and sanctifying truths embraced in the message of the third angel, viz: the 'commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.'

"It is truly lamentable to see Second Advent papers, that once advocated the pure, naked and cutting truth, applicable to the time, now devoted to the discussion of questions foreign from the present truth, which cannot possibly benefit the dear saints that are perishing for spiritual food. Among other charges given to Timothy by the Apostle Paul is the following, — 'But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.' This we intend to do. And with much pleasure do we look forward to the predicted period, when the sheep, that have been scattered on the mountains of Israel since, a cry at midnight, - shall be gathered into the unity of the faith, the rubbish blown away, and the precious 'jewels' all brought into the clear light of the third angel's message, and in this second 'casket' 'shine' forth with 'ten times their former glory.'

"We call the special attention of the brethren to the articles, in this number, from the publications of the Seventh-day Baptists. They are clear, comprehensive, and irrefutable. We intend to enrich the columns of the Review and Herald, with extracts from their excellent works on the Sabbath.

"We also design to get out a large pamphlet, containing the same matter from their publications, that we publish in the paper. Such a work, judiciously circulated, will certainly do a great amount of good."

The Review and Herald, November 1, 1850, Volume 1, Number 1, p. 7.

http://docs.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH18501101-V01-01__B.pdf#view=fit

Notes:

1. Present Truth according to James White was the "Third Angel's Message" which he identified as "The Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus." This is a simple identification of what is "Present Truth."

2. James White obviously considered the Seventh-day Baptists' message regarding the Sabbath to be part of Present Truth. This indicates that no one denomination had sole ownership of "Present Truth."

[BobRyan]

The Sabbath, the Sanctuary (central Pillar - GC409) and the investigative Judgment , the Spirit of Prophecy, State of the Dead, the 3 Angels messages.

No other church has all of these.

But some other churches have some of these.

in Christ,

Bob

[Don777]

Thanks Bob,

Do you know of any statement by one of the Adventist pioneers which identifies the doctrines you have listed as important to Adventism?

Further to James White reprinting Seventh-day Baptist essays on the Sabbath:

1. Can we provide examples of the Adventist Church reprinting other essays in similar support?

2. Recently, some Christian leaders have come onside with conditional immortality and the final destruction of the wicked (no burning for ever and ever in eternal torment.) Can we identify who these leaders are?

[Don777]

Ellen White on Present Truth

I saw the necessity of the messengers, especially, watching and checking all fanaticism wherever they might see it rise. Satan is pressing in on every side, and unless we watch for him, and have our eyes open to his devices and snares, and have on the whole armor of God, the fiery darts of the wicked will hit us. There are many precious truths contained in the Word of God, but it is “present truth” that the flock needs now. I have seen the danger of the messengers running off from the important points of present truth, to dwell upon subjects that are not calculated to unite the flock and sanctify the soul. Satan will here take every possible advantage to injure the cause. {EW 63.1}

But such subjects as the sanctuary, in connection with the 2300 days, the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, are perfectly calculated to

* explain the past Advent movement and

* show what our present position is,

* establish the faith of the doubting, and

* give certainty to the glorious future.

These, I have frequently seen, were the principal subjects on which the messengers should dwell. {EW 63.2}

Ellen G. White. Early Writings p. 63

http://text.egwwritings.org/publication....p;pagenumber=63

(Emphasis has been supplied.)