My take on Harold Bloom's critique of Adventism in his book "The American Religi

[abelisle]

http://www.atoday.org/article/2135/news/...entist-religion

[M. T. Cross]

Awesome article

[CoAspen]

Interesting remarks. I can certainly see some of the issues brought up but, I see them more as groups of individuals or persons, not the church as a whole. It would seem that the more vocal minority is the louder. Some of the issues noted I have a difficult time understanding as I have not read the book.

[ClubV12]

I thought this comment was interesting:

"...the constant reliance on the Spirit of Prophecy to be our working spiritual manual rather than the Bible alone (the position Ellen White herself taught), will always keep the Adventist church a hair breadth's away from cult status."

From this I gather the author himself of this article fails to understand the proper roll of the Spirit of Prophecy within the Church. As I'm sure many Adventists do as well. I hear about once a month, from someone in the Church, "We should use the bible and bible only". Typically in response to a sermon or talk where Ellen White is quoted extensively. Usually followed by the oft misquoted, "Only the bible should be heard from the pulpit". Only BIBLE TRUTH is what she is saying. Not the devisings of men. Not speculation. Not theories. Bible truth and only bible truth should be heard from the pulpit. Taken to it's extreme; This quote would have us throw out the commentaries, the bible dictionary, referrences to any author of any kind, and simply stand up there and read the bible to the congregation! And hope they can figure it out...

I can almost hear the Israelites saying the same about the book of Moses! Moses and Ellen White have this in common, they BOTH understood that if the people COULD understand the bible, the ten commandments, their work wouldn't be needed! In that regard, why would we even need the biblical record at all? If we could understand the significance and depth of the ten commandments, the first five books of the record would be enough.

But the simple fact is, we can't understand. Thats why we have preachers, teachers, bible workers, instructors and prophets to help lead us to a greater understanding. Moses, biblical authors, Ellen White, a concordance, the commentairies are just that, "educators" to help us clairify the word.

[phkrause]

I'm in total agreement Club

[phkrause]

Interesting remarks. I can certainly see some of the issues brought up but, I see them more as groups of individuals or persons, not the church as a whole. It would seem that the more vocal minority is the louder. Some of the issues noted I have a difficult time understanding as I have not read the book.

Great points CoAspen

[abelisle]

Dear Club,

The operative word was "working" spiritual manual. I hear more people say "E.G.White says . . . " than I hear "The Bible says . . . " in the SDA churches I've attended. This might be different for you?

[ClubV12]

Dear abelisle,

I'm OK with that! I love to quote the prophet when it brings clairity to the word. Thats what a lesser light, which is in fact "light" from God, does. It's what your Pastor does in his sermon. It's what Pastor Bohr does when someone quotes him. If you could understand the word in it's depth, you would see Ellen Whites comments are in perfect harmony with the word. Her words are more than a "working spiritual" manual, they point the way to truth. When there is a question of validity, by all means, search the scriptures to see whether these things are so. You will find they are!

What we need is MORE counsel for the messenger specifically sent to this generation to explain in detail what the bible is trying to tell us. In the same way Moses told his people, in detail, what the ten commandments meant.

She is also doing the SAME JOB John the Baptist was sent to do. Preparing the way for the soon arrival of Jesus! The simlitaries between her work and the Bapstists work are quite remarkable. Many people also rejected Johns testimony, so, nothing new there...

[CoAspen]

I think you are reading some validation!

[ClubV12]

I recently gave a copy of "Christs Object Lessons" to my neighbor, a nice Christian Sunday keeping lady. She recently commented how much she was enjoying the book but what really impressed me was her comment, "This book is so truthful."

The prophets are ALWAYS in harmony with each other, building on the foundations that came before them.

[ClubV12]

I can see his point on "getting bogged down", to be fair. Thats one reason the G.C. came up with the "Great Hope", short, easier to read edition of the Great Controversy.

I know, lots of folks complain about that edition, but it has it's place. Inexpensive, easy to hand out and for lots of people something they may actually read, when they may not read the larger 600 plus page edition!

I love the SOP! Have read through the Conflict Series many times over, am doing so again right now with Desire of Ages. Can't never get enough, still learning. How in the world do these books continue to hold my attention? Because I know they are inspired, they are truth, they are especially for us in these last days. The value is off the chart. Reading through the Testimonies, now THAT took some dedication! Volume one is massive, good stuff, but man you need to be extraordinarily motivated to get through it page after page. Best use is for looking up a reference for a principle you need to apply. But some of us need to actually read them through as well.

As to the Conflict Series, way to fascinating to get "bogged down" in actually. I really enjoy them.

Overall, I enjoyed that article and it's insights.

[nuff sed]

What was wrong with the little booklet, "Darkness Before Dawn"?

I like it better than "Great Hope" Nuff Sed

[ClubV12]

The whole controversy reminds of when the apostles were all upset that some "biker gang" was casting out devils in Jesus name and they WEREN'T part of the group. Whats up with that, they wanted to know. Jesus said, "Leave them alone. They have their work, you have yours".

MERCY!! Googled Darkness before Dawn, came up with some triology about vampires!!! Tried a different search and found what appears to be "Great Hope" style shortie. Whew, thats better.