More on DEsmond Ford, Part 1

[Gregory Matthews]

See:

https://atoday.org/how-des-ford-changed-us-why-des-had-to-go/

 

 

[Gregory Matthews]

I have mixed feelings about Dr.Ford.  I am not consistent in my overall view of him. For whatever it is worth, the following includes some of my thoughts about him.

*  I have some doctrinal difference with the positions that he has taken on some doctrines.

*  I have some agreement with some of the doctrinal positions that he has taken.

*  By the standards by which I believe we should conduct the investigation of charges made against SDA Clergy and members, I wouled have to say the Dr. Ford did not get a fair trial.

*  I am most concerned that many of those who judged him had not read his statement of almost 1,000 pages as to what he actually believed.  But, in reality, the time-line under which people operated probably did not give most the time needed to read it.

*  In consideration of the time and circumstances under which charges against SDA Clergy and members were typically conducted, it is clear that Dr. Ford was treated in a manner that was light years better than what had typically happened in the past.

*  To the end of his life I have considered Dr.Ford to have been a gracious person who  never attempted to tear down the SDA denomination.  In actual fact, to the end of his life, he supported the SDA Church.

*  Dr. Ford fought very hard to continue to be a SDA Member.  I agree that he should have maintained his membership and celebrate that he was able to maintain his membership in the SDA Church.

*  As to whether or not Dr. Ford should have been  removed fro his clergy status:  At the time it happened, I had some agreement with him being removed, but may not have been totally committed to that position.  From the perspective of today, I am conflicted.

*  Regardless of whether we like it or not,  Dr. Ford has had an impact on the SDA Church that exists today.

 

 

 

 

 

[B/W Photodude]

I have not read D Ford's 1000 page tome and I will probably not as I am reasonably convinced on 1844, the IJ, and the significance of the Sanctuary message.

However, Ford was not as convinced and he must answer for himself. While Ford is frequently presented as a humble and gentle man who may very well have been Christlike in character, nevertheless I worry because of the effect on the church and the membership. How many wandered over the cliff to perdition we cannot in this life know. However, in all likelihood, those going over the edge may have done so anyway. There are multiple references in Scripture to people's hearts being hardened into rejecting the message that God wants people to see.

I cannot say that Ford would not be in heaven for his beliefs. I am not sure that incompletely accepting the prophetic messages of the SDA church will cause you to lose eternal life. The concern I would have is that the doctrines of the SDA church were arrived at thru careful Bible study by many in the early church. Ford's interpretations were a private interpretation by one person. Private interpretations were proscribed in Scripture. I believe that Ford did cause a lack of trust in many of the Sanctuary message which is an amazing message, at least to me.

I have found a number of things in Scripture that do not line up exactly as I have learned from church beliefs. But I also believe they are best kept to myself. Some I even feel convicted to never tell anyone else. One thing I found when I discussed it with another member seemed to have seriously disturbed that person. So, I zipped my mouth and say no more. Carefully looking it over, I concluded that we can understand it in heaven, but it is not salvational. No one will lose their life if I keep it to myself. I tend to believe that anyone who studies intensively their Bibles will also find things that makes them wonder. God even shows people things sometimes and they are not allowed to share them. I get curious how much of life today did Ellen White see and how much she had to keep to herself. Did she know that for one hundred years after her going to sleep that we would be still be here arguing over the Scriptures.

Daniel guessed something that made him sick for days and he was told to seal it up. And it remained sealed for over two thousand years. To some it is apparently still sealed.

[JoeMo]

2 hours ago, B/W Photodude said:

How many wandered over the cliff to perdition we cannot in this life know.

Indeed.  And there is a cliff on either side of the road.  There have been - like Dr. Ford - those who have questioned/challenged the traditional church doctrines laid down by the pioneers (e.g., Raymond Cotrell)  who paid dearly for their challenges.  There have also been those in the other ditch who claim the church is Babylon because we have not consistently followed the counsel laid down by EGW and the pioneers.

 

2 hours ago, B/W Photodude said:

I have found a number of things in Scripture that do not line up exactly as I have learned from church beliefs. But I also believe they are best kept to myself. Some I even feel convicted to never tell anyone else.

While I agree that discretion is sometimes the best strategy, if I see something in scripture or some other writings that conflicts with my core beliefs, isn't it beneficial to study these things in the company of other believers?  Of course, you want to choose that group carefully.

I find the anonymity of this forum a healthy place to discuss some of my thoughts that may run contrary to the official church position.  I don't discuss some of these thoughts with many of the SDA's that I personally know here because they might feel a need to tar and feather me.  I find I can freely post these things here because of how sound, studied, and passionate people like you, Wanderer, Lone Ranger, Gregory Matthews, and others are.  Even though I don't see eye-to-eye on everything we discuss (and vice-versa, I'm sure), I feel a unity with you guys because of our faith and love for our God regardless if some of our personal views differ.

[Bravus]

I think it's important to distinguish between the two separate questions:

1. Was Desmond Ford doctrinally, scripturally correct?

2. Was Desmond Ford a good human being, Christian and Seventh-day Adventist?

I encountered him myself, growing up around Avondale College, and have many, many friends who know him well, including people who taught with him and studied under him. Every single person I know would say a fervent 'Yes!' on the second question, no matter what their position on the first.