Out of Adventism

[Gregory Matthews]

Dr. Jerry Gladson  was a SDA Old Testament scholar and a college professor who in his spiritual journey has left the SDA denomination to become a Disciples of Christ member.  In his recent book, Out of Adventism, he discusses the spiritual journey that took him out of the SDA Church.  The following URL takes you to a discussion of that book.

 

https://adventistbiblicalresearch.org/sites/default/files/(%2362)BN1.pdf?utm_source=All+Subscribers&utm_campaign=f89562f1fa-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_04_12&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_efe1c280cb-f89562f1fa-150218681

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Quote

"Gladson describes the lack of assurance of salvation that he felt as an Adventist..."

I think a lot of Adventists feel that way.... that's how legalism has worked its way so insidiously into the Adventist faith, as well as other denominations...

 

[Gerr]

I’m so saddened by this story.  We graduated together from Southern, but had little interaction because we had different majors.  It seems he has followed the steps that comes to mind outlined by the same inspired.person he has disavowed - doubts about the SOP and end up doubting Scripture itself.  If absolute assurance is what he craved for, I’m surprised he didn’t join the Baptists.  I also wonder how he could have assurance knowing he is breaking one of the 10, assuming he has embraced the full the teachings of the Disciples of Christ.

[Gustave]

Most folks who leave a church & join another do so for "Doctrinal" reasons.

[JoeMo]

On 4/21/2018 at 5:43 PM, The Wanderer said:

"Doctrinal" sort of gets blended with other reasons when it comes to quitting a church.

Yup.  It sometimes means "you're too strict/liberal for my tastes".  I find it sad that so many people equate giving up on their denomination with giving up on God.  If they only knew that God wants us to have a relationship with Him - not a denomination!  He loves us because we are His kids - not because we have 100% correct doctrine.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

the vast majority of my friends who are no longer SDA didn't leave because of "doctrine"....they left either because of "people issues," or because it was simply "boring"...

[JoeMo]

1 hour ago, The Wanderer said:

But I also don't want to out & out argue either, with people I am trying to make friends with so I am not sure how far I will go here on this subject.

I'm bullet-proof as long as we stick to issues and don't get degrade to trading personal insults.  I am not ashamed to say that some of my ideas and evolving beliefs are "out there".  I'm okay with that; and okay with being challenged by people smarter than (or just as smart as) me. I want the challenge because I don't want to get too far off track in my "creative" thinking.

[Ron Amnsn]

I took a class from Jerry Gladson at Southern around 1977.  It was the required course on the Spirit of Prophecy, and I detected nothing in the course that hinted at any unorthodox beliefs or any doubts about Ellen White.  I was an avid fan of EGW at the time and would have had my radar tuned to detect anything critical of EGW or of standard SDA theology.  So his doubts weren't showing in the classroom at that time.  I liked him as a teacher and was rather disappointed years later when I read a piece where he explained why he had abandoned the Sabbath.