Needed A New Adventism?

[Gregory Matthews]

See:

https://atoday.org/do-we-need-new-adventist-distinctives/

 

[Ron Amnsn]

I haven't read the article, but I have wondered why a denomination would need "distinctives".

[B/W Photodude]

I missed it when this article came around on Aug 2, and looked it over this time and was saddened to see such an article but that has become the way things are in this day and age. In fact, it was also one of the prophesies of that "historical" church mentioned. As long as I can remember, it was told that there would come a day when members of the Seventh-day Adventist would depart from the truth that we held for so long. 

"In some ways, we are a bit gnostic. It is part of our culture to believe we have unique insight, glimpses of hidden information. Knowledge is paramount. Have you noted the names of some ministries? Secrets Unsealed. Amazing Facts. Amazing Discoveries. Brochures for evangelistic meetings reek of mysterious beasts, coming doom, hidden knowledge revealed, and the promise of disclosure of insider information to help listeners get on the inside with us." Edward Reifsnyder

A unique view of Bible prophecy has been one of the pillars of the Seventh-day Adventist church since it's very beginning. No other church holds many of the doctrinal beliefs that we do. Is that reason to throw them out? And why was it is important for this author to make everything look so cultish by ragging on the names of the different ministries?

Jesus once said to his disciples, "For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them." Matthew 13:17 I have for sometime been convicted that in this day and age we have been blessed by many of our beliefs when we now understand that many of the righteous men and prophets of old did not. They were sealed prophecies that we have had opened up to us.

The sobering truth is that one can be the world’s foremost expert in the doctrines, prophecies, SDA “distinctives,” healthful living, and theologies of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and still be disconnected from Jesus and salvation, still be an unloving and unlovable human being. On the other hand, a person can be solidly connected with Jesus, relying on Jesus, trusting in Jesus, saved by Jesus while also being an ignoramus on our “distinctives.” What does that tell you about priorities? We should never, never, ever let our knowledge-laden cart get ahead of the Jesus horse. Edward Reifsnyder

The fact that one could be well versed in doctrines, prophecies, and other SDA theologies and still not be saved is no reason to discard them. That one could know all these things and still be lost is a no brainer. Satan understands them better than any of us and is still destined to be brought to ashes. Jesus did  say "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:19-20 Given that most of our prophecies came from the Bible especially from that book called by some "The Revealing of Jesus Christ", I believe that we were commissioned to teach these prophecies.

I could probably go on and on with this, but nuff said. I personally think it is time to discontinue using AdventistToday as any source of information and/or inspiration regarding current events as this age comes to a close.

[Gustave]

Dragons, beasts, whores, and black magic prophets will always outsell anything else - this is most likely why the model for the Church hasn't really changed that much. Still, it was a thought provoking article and IMHO every Church should place it's laser focus on Jesus.