EGW and Creeds

[Gerr]

1. Was EGW against creeds?

2. What did she mean when she said, "The Bible and the Bible alone is to be our creed?"

First, the definitions:

creed \ˈkrēd\ noun

[Middle English crede, from Old English crēda, from Latin credo (first word of the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds), from credere to believe, trust, entrust; akin to Old Irish cretid he believes, Sanskrit śrad-dadhāti] before 12th century

1 : a brief authoritative formula of religious belief

2 : a set of fundamental beliefs also : a guiding principle

Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.

1. So was she against a statement of a set of fundamental beliefs by SDAs?

a. There are the main pillars of our faith, subjects which are of vital interest, the Sabbath, the keeping of the commandments of God. Speculative ideas should not be agitated; for there are peculiar minds that love to get some point that others do not accept, and argue and attract everything to that one point, urging that point, magnifying that point, when it is really a matter which is not of vital importance, and will be understood differently. Twice I have been shown that everything of a character to cause our brethren to be diverted from the very points now essential for this time, should be kept in the background. {CW 77.1}

White, E. G. (1946). Counsels to Writers and Editors (p. 77). Southern Publishing Association.

b. Many have come to deny doctrines which are the very pillars of the Christian faith. The great facts of creation as presented by the inspired writers, the fall of man, the atonement, and the perpetuity of the law of God, are practically rejected, either wholly or in part, by a large share of the professedly Christian world.

White, E. G. (1911). The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan; Conflict of the Ages; Great Controversy (Vol. 5, p. 583). Pacific Press Publishing Association.

c. The correct understanding of the ministration in the heavenly sanctuary is the foundation of our faith. 619 {CCh 347.1}

As the great pillars of our faith have been presented, the Holy Spirit has borne witness to them, and especially is this so regarding the truths of the sanctuary question. Over and over again the Holy Spirit has in a marked manner endorsed the preaching of this doctrine. White, E. G. (1946). Evangelism (p. 224). Review and Herald Publishing Association.

1pil•lar \ˈpi-lər\ noun

[Middle English piler, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin pilare, from Latin pila] 13th century

1 a : a firm upright support for a superstructure : POST

b : a usually ornamental column or shaft especially : one standing alone for a monument

2 a : a supporting, integral, or upstanding member or part 〈a pillar of society〉

b : a fundamental precept 〈the five pillars of Islam〉

Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.

d. In the future, deception of every kind is to arise, and we want solid ground for our feet. We want solid pillars for the building. Not one pin is to be removed from that which the Lord has established. The enemy will bring in false theories, such as the doctrine that there is no sanctuary. This is one of the points on which there will be a departing from the faith. Where shall we find safety unless it be in the truths that the Lord has been giving for the last fifty years?--Review and Herald, May 25, 1905. {Ev 224.3}

It seems clear to me from the above statements that there were pillar/foundational/fundamental/landmark SDA beliefs, YES, CREED, in her day that were "established by God," and that "Not one pin is to be removed"!!!

So what did she mean the statement that is being bandied about that we are to have no creed except the Bible alone?

Let us not be surface readers.

2b continued.

[Gerr]

Continued part 2.

What were the creeds that EGW was talking about that she was adamantly against?

1. In the professedly Christian world many turn away from the plain teachings of the Bible and build up a creed from human speculations and pleasing fables, and they point to their tower as a way to climb up to heaven. People hang with admiration upon the lips of eloquence while it teaches that the transgressor shall not die, that salvation may be secured without obedience to the law of God. If the professed followers of Christ would accept God’s standard, it would bring them into unity; but so long as human wisdom is exalted above His Holy Word, there will be divisions and dissension. {CTr 70.4}

2. There are tower builders in our time. Infidels construct their theories from the supposed deductions of science, and reject the revealed word of God. . . . In the professedly Christian world many turn away from the plain teachings of the Bible and build up a creed from human speculations and pleasing fables, and they point to their tower as a way to climb up to heaven. CC ch 36.

3. The question is, "What is truth?" It is not how many years have I believed that makes it the truth. You must bring your creed to the Bible and let the light of the Bible define your creed and show where it comes short and where the difficulty is. The Bible is to be your standard, the living oracles of Jehovah are to be your guide. FW 78.

4. Has not the same process been repeated in nearly every church calling itself Protestant? As its founders, those who possessed the true spirit of reform, pass away, their descendants come forward and “new model the cause.” While blindly clinging to the creed of their fathers and refusing to accept any truth in advance of what they saw, the children of the reformers depart widely from their example of humility, self-denial, and renunciation of the world. Thus “the first simplicity disappears.” A worldly flood, flowing into the church, “carries with it its customs, practices, and idols.” {GC88 385.1}

5. Rome withheld the Bible from the people, and required all men to accept her teachings in its place. It was the work of the Reformation to restore to men the Word of God; but is it not too true that in the churches of our time men are taught to rest their faith upon their creed and the teachings of their church rather than on the Scriptures? GC 389

6. The Romish Church reserves to the clergy the right to interpret the Scriptures. On the ground that ecclesiastics alone are competent to explain God's Word, it is withheld from the common people. Though the Reformation gave the Scriptures to all, yet the self-same principle which was maintained by Rome prevents multitudes in Protestant churches from searching the Bible for themselves. They are taught to accept its teachings as interpreted by the church; and there are thousands who dare receive nothing, however plainly revealed in Scripture, that is contrary to their creed, or the established teaching of their church. {GC88 596.2}

It seems very clear to me that the creeds she was against were the products of human speculation and not creeds tested by the Bible, beliefs that people would cling to regardless of what the Bible says.

2b continued.

[Gerr]

Continued Part 3.

So what did she mean when she said, "The Bible, and the Bible alone, is to be our creed, the sole bond of union; all who bow to this Holy Word will be in harmony. Our own views and ideas must not control our efforts. Man is fallible, but God's Word is infallible." RH !2/15/1885

Did she mean we could not and should not make any statements what SDAs believe? I have already shown her statements about some pillar/landmark beliefs in her day that God established and from which "not one pin is to be removed."

Here are statement that makes it clear for me.

"Do not carry your creed to the Bible, and read the Scriptures in the light of that creed. If you find that your opinions are opposed to a plain "Thus saith the Lord," or to any command or prohibition He has given, give heed to the Word of God rather than to the sayings of men. Let every controversy or dispute be settled by "It is written." OHC ch 201

The Bible is the only rule of faith and doctrine. CE 119

"... the Word of God is the all-sufficient rule of faith and practice...." GC88 187

"...there is need of a return to the great Protestant principle,—the Bible, and the Bible only, as the rule of faith and duty." GC88 205

So then, what these statements are telling me that the Bible is to be our ultimate source of authority and not the creed or fundamental beliefs. The belief is only as good as it is affirmed by Scripture and not the other way around.