Last night, while laying in Bed watching YouTube videos by independent Adventist speakers who were railing against the “New Theology” of salvation, I was struck at how fragmented the church has become since the initial split between law Adventists and gospel Adventists in 1888. I take issue with the gospel of justification being called “New”, … [Read more…]
Over the past few years, I have been engaging on social media with critics of Seventh-day Adventism. I started watching YouTube Videos “Defeating Adventism” which left me with a feeling of being despised and ridiculed as a Seventh-day Adventist by the Host who would put the most extreme and outlandish spin on church teachings. I … [Read more…]
I think James and Paul were talking about a different type of faith. Paul was talking about faith that leads to salvation which is apart from the works of the law, and James was talking about faith that leads to God’s blessing us in our daily life. James was more concerned with the practical matters. … [Read more…]
Gospel Adventists believe in keeping the commandments as a loving response to having been gifted the free gift of salvation that was bought by the blood of Christ. There is a way to preach holiness that avoids legalism while still stressing the importance of living a life that reflects the character of God. We are … [Read more…]
The comforting thing about the state of our world is that God is still on the throne. He warned us about being obedient to His will or we would eventually suffer the natural consequences. God could kill off every strain of this Corona Virus, but that would still leave us with the most deadly strain–SIN. … [Read more…]
I am not a legalist Christian who places conditions on salvation other than simple faith in Christ alone, nor am I a Christian universalist who believes there are no conditions for acceptance into the afterlife. I am a Bible believing Christian who takes Christ at His word when He said, “Whoever believes in me for … [Read more…]
Many of Ellen White’s statements that are seen as legalistic in nature can almost make sense if we work backwards from what is expected of Christians after the second coming of Jesus. During the resurrection of the dead-in-Christ those who are raised will be raised with perfect and sinless bodies. They will be able to … [Read more…]
What is the meaning of 1844 for the year 2023? Has the message lost its relevance to those alive in the 21st Century? While I am extremely open minded when it comes to the subject of prophecy in the Bible, I have come to the conclusion that historicism (the belief that the Bible has something … [Read more…]
I am saddened many people think the gospel message is an excuse people use to avoid being obedient to God. The message of the cross is the strongest motivator on earth to build a solid relationship with Jesus based on the reason we were created: To know and love Him. Obedience to God is not … [Read more…]
I am a Gospel Adventist. You might ask: Aren’t all Adventists Gospel Adventists? Sadly, the answer is “No” Law Adventist: You are a sinner because you sin. Gospel Adventist: You sin because you are a sinner. Law Adventist: Sinlessness is possible prior to second coming of Jesus Christ. Gospel Adventist: Sinlessness is impossible prior to … [Read more…]
“To every sincere prayer an answer will come. It may not come just as you desire, or at the time you look for it; but it will come in the way and at the time that will best meet your need. ” Ellen White, Gospel Workers, p. 258 Did you ever say a prayer that … [Read more…]
“Nothing can drown the soul’s desire. It rises above the din of the street, above the noise of machinery. It is God to whom we are speaking, and our prayer is heard.” — Ellen White, Prayer, p. 7 There is no time when it is inappropriate to pray. We can pray when we are driving, … [Read more…]
To start the New Year 2023, I have been spending one hour in prayer every evening before I go to sleep. One hour can go by slow if one is not prepared to structure the prayer time. One of the things I learned during this time is to ask God to teach me to pray. … [Read more…]
“We may utter words that reach the throne of the Monarch of the universe.” Ellen White, Prayer, p. 7 I have seen plenty of video footage of the late Queen Elizabeth and her royal family. What an honor it would be to be invited to the royal palace and simply be in the presence of such … [Read more…]
Postmodernism has crept into the world. It is a secular worldview that states there are no absolutes–only our own personal perception of reality. Everything is in question especially when it comes to worldview and morality. When one holds to this philosophy he or she will justify any behavior that makes them feel good. On the … [Read more…]
Is Yoga healthy for Christians? First, let me say that stretching exercises are healthy. But stretching is not Yoga. It is okay to bend your body into impossible positions if you are simply doing it for health reasons, but most who are taking advanced Yoga classes are being exposed to an entire philosophy rooted in … [Read more…]
From Genesis to Revelation, Jesus is the main Character of both the Old and New Testament Scriptures. The old covenant was meant to prepare people to receive the promised messiah. The New Covenant, by which ALL people are saved, is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant Promises in Jesus Christ. The significance of the New … [Read more…]
One of the largest stumbling blocks within Christian circles is legalism. Legalism is the first heresy that threatened to divide the apostolic church. What is legalism? It is placing conditions on salvation other than simple faith in Christ alone. In the early church it was making circumcision a requirement for salvation. In other ages it … [Read more…]
There have been debates over what is included in the “good news” from the simple statement that Jesus died and rose again proving that He was God in human form to the more complex ideas involving the holy spirit and the ability to live a Christian life. While there is much to qualify as good … [Read more…]
A gentlemen in Sabbath School keeps asking a question: “If salvation is by faith alone then what do we say to a thief who says they accept salvation but want to continue stealing?” The underlying motive of the question is to make us doubt that salvation is by grace through faith alone. However, the answer … [Read more…]
When dealing with the writings of Ellen White it is wise to give her the benefit of the doubt unless there is clear biblical evidence to suggest otherwise. Calling her a plagiarist, a hypocrite, or con-artist is an ad hominem attack on her character that says little about the truth of what she wrote. By … [Read more…]
The important thing to remember about judgment is that Christians already have the final verdict. We are “Not Condemned” while the wicked are condemned already because of their rejection of the person and work of Christ. This is a core element of the gospel. “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not … [Read more…]
A question I have been pondering over the past few decades is what are the essential teachings of Christianity? What does a Christian have to believe to be a representative of Jesus Christ? What MUST I believe to be saved? There are Five essential teachings: 1. The Bible is the word of God. If a … [Read more…]
The Belt of Truth Yes, truth exists and it is possible to know right from wrong. Being an expert on the Bible doesn’t grant a person infallibility, but a heart full of the Holy Spirit will have a divine interpreter waiting to guide a person into the truth. (John 16:3) Nothing is more disheartening than … [Read more…]
Controversy is nothing new to me. When one takes a stand on the word of God it is inevitable that someone will challenge what you are saying. If we are to follow the Biblical examples of the early Apostles then we must be bold and proclaim the truth in the face of persecution. There will … [Read more…]
The Gospel of Perfectionism Jesus died on the cross to give us all a second chance at eternal life. Once we put our faith in Christ then He gives us the Holy Spirit who then cleanses us from all sin. Real Christians do not sin. If you do something deliberately you know is wrong then … [Read more…]
Much of my life I have been a student of biblical theology. I was given books to read by my teachers and then I had to write essays, do workbooks, and take exams based on the reading. That covers Bible class for most of my early education grades 1-12. Then I attended chapels, church services, … [Read more…]
Jesus was crucified at 9:00 am and suffered for our sins on the cross until 3:00 pm on a Friday in April. During this time in 31 A.D. the sins of mankind were placed upon the messiah who bore the wrath of God in our place. God satisfied His own law by offering up His … [Read more…]
It is times like these we need to be reminded God is the only one who offers us peace and security. All of the guns in the world cannot stop a deadly virus from spreading throughout the world. However, we can sleep in peace knowing that God loves us and is watching over us. He … [Read more…]
One half of the Seventh-day Adventist church believes the other half is in apostasy. This is sad, sad, sad. If there is a diagnosis for the church it is lukewarm on the gospel of Jesus Christ. They put rules before relationships and commands before compassion. It is high time for our leaders to cast aside … [Read more…]
Messianic Fulfillment of Sanctuary Types and Shadows When Christ was crucified the veil that separated the Holy from the Most Holy Place was torn in two. This meant that the entire sanctuary became the Most Holy Place and there was no longer any barrier to the presence of God. This explains how Christ entered the … [Read more…]
Definitions often play a huge role in a discussion involving theology. For example, the term Jesus Only. For some this means that Jesus is the only way to salvation by grace through faith in His atoning blood. It also recognizes Jesus as the fulfillment of all scripture. All doctrines are there to support Jesus and … [Read more…]
Folks, let us be honest. I have been hearing that the Sunday law is right around the corner for 40 years now. Understandably, there are Adventists for whom all this is still new. Do I believe Jesus is coming soon? Absolutely. His coming is much sooner than it was 40 years ago. Do I believe … [Read more…]
Justification: We are forgiven our sins. We are declared righteous. God looks past our imperfections and sees us as the sinless beings we one day will be in heaven. Salvation is 100 percent based on the work Christ did for us on the cross when He shed His blood and died for our sins. Sanctification: … [Read more…]
We are living in unprecedented times full of nuclear weapons, satellites, space ships, and smart phones. We are living in the last paragraph of the last chapter of earth’s history. We may be alive to see Jesus return. The only way to endure to the end is to focus on Jesus and His death on … [Read more…]
What does holiness look like in everyday life? Is it a monk living in a monastery? Is it taking a vow of poverty? Is it living in a foreign land without the comforts of civilization? Is it giving up television, movie theaters, dance clubs, and fiction novels? What is the mental picture that comes to … [Read more…]
“The present message—justification by faith—is a message from God; it bears the divine credentials, for its fruit is unto holiness.” ~ Ellen White It is almost guaranteed when I mention Justification by Faith in a church setting, I will get one of two reactions. First, some act as if the language I use is beyond … [Read more…]
What does it mean to follow Jesus? Being a follower of Jesus means accepting Him as God, believing He died for your sins, and accepting the gift of His righteousness in place of your own in the final judgement. He also calls you to love others in the same way that He has loved you. … [Read more…]
After 35 years of Bible study, prayer, and reflection, I am more convinced than ever that the message of Justification by faith needs to be taken more seriously. Many pastors and teachers give it lip service, but their hearts are geared towards teaching morality and Christian living. They forget the Holy Spirit is only given … [Read more…]
Being obedient to Christ is not legalism. Keeping Commandments is not legalism. Focusing on the rules over relationships is not legalism. PLACING CONDITIONS ON ETERNAL LIFE OTHER THAN SIMPLE FAITH AND TRUST IN CHRIST IS LEGALISM. Legalism is a curse upon professed followers of Christ who are more concerned with their own righteousness than with … [Read more…]
The relationship between the old and new covenants of the Holy Scriptures have perplexed many theologians over the last 2000 years. Some bible scholars believe the old and new covenants represent two separate plans of salvation. Others have a difficult time separating the mosaic laws from the original covenant God made with Adam and Eve. … [Read more…]
QUESTION: Do I have to believe in all of the 28 Fundamental beliefs to become a Seventh-day Adventist Christian? ANSWER: It is important to make the distinction between the official teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist church as recognized by the General Conference and test of fellowship that is required by new believers when they are … [Read more…]
I wish could exclude myself from this conclusion, but being a former post-graduate student qualifies me to partake of the criticism. Having a degree or two in a particular subject does not make one infallible. There are Atheists with doctoral degrees, there are Pantheists with doctoral degrees, and there are Polytheists with doctoral degrees. The … [Read more…]
My position on the 2300 days prophecy is if the baptism and death of Christ was foretold by this view of prophecy then why not allow it to extend to its logical conclusion: 1844. What Happened in 1844? 1. People awakened to an urgency of the second coming of Christ and the message about the … [Read more…]
Gratitude-Relationships-Intercession-Petition 1. Gratitude: Start your prayers by thanking God for all His blessings. List them one by one and praise Him for being a loving friend. 2. Relationships: Ask God to help you to love Him with all your heart, mind, and soul. Once you have spent some time on this topic then shift your … [Read more…]
1. God is the judge and not man. 2. Jesus is our mediator and not a pastor, priest, or pope. 3. Jesus died once for all–no reoccurring mass as atonement for sin. 4. God judges from the mercy seat where mercy triumphs over condemnation for those written in the book of life. 5. Sins are … [Read more…]
1. The Sabbath was instituted at Creation: “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, … [Read more…]
QUESTION: Why do you call yourself a Gospel Adventist? ANSWER: I am a 4th generation Seventh-day Adventist who grew up in the church. As a teenager I thought that the spirit of God would allow us to perfect our characters, if not now, then prior to probation closing. Once probation closed than we would be … [Read more…]
“No man who willfully disregards one principle of the law shall enter the kingdom of heaven.” ~ Ellen White, Desire of Ages pg. 309 This is one of the favorite quotes of Adventists who are mired in a legalistic attitude towards the law and gospel. They use this quotation to justify their attitude towards people … [Read more…]