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Since some are asking what distinguishes the traditional view I made a tentative list of some elements. Please feel free to add to this list or make suggestions for correction, etc. I also hope this will help the mods in their decision making, as this has been a source of contention.
NOTE: People don't tend to divide along one line or the other completely. But here are some defining issues. Progressives MAY in fact agree with some or even most of these characteristics of traditionalists. But they tend to diverge in significant ways on individual issues, or even underlying assumptions.
Key traditional tenants:
a. Inspiration. The Bible is the result of God's revelation of Himself, and is correct in its teachings in theological arenas. Some would also say it is correct in all respects, such as historical facts, scientific facts, etc. So called contradictions can usually be explained by further study. God's word is the rule of faith, and is use ful for correction, teaching, training in righteousness, and most of all are able to make one "wise unto salvation."
While traditionalists may see inspiration as either verbal or thought inspiration they reject the idea that parts of the Bible are not inspired, or that the human element was such as to overshadow the divine. They tend to avoid rejecting literal applications of Bible texts based on new cultural or scientific understandings.
This one may be the most important as it determines one's approach to the whole biblical record, and therefore other beliefs.
For instance, Traditionalists generally accept a literal reading of Genesis, including seven 24 hour periods. Many of them also believe this was generally 6,000 years ago, based both on biblical chronology and EGW comments.
Progressives (though not all) tend to make more allowances for slightly longer (in the 10's of thousands of years) to much longer (millions) based on scientific and historical data. To reconcile this with the biblical record they say it is largely allegorical, reflective of a larger truth.
In general Traditionalists reject the idea of taking "larger truths" at the expense of specific biblical data.
Another case study is the account of the Exodus. Traditionalists tend to favor a literal reading of all of the data present in the account, including the number of adult males being over 650,000, the traditional dating according to biblical chronology, etc.
Progressives tend to state the difficulties in the dating of the Exodus, as well as some of the numbers involved.
In more technical terms, Traditionalists tend to reject the historical-critical method of Bible interpretation and prefer the historical-grammatical method, which takes seriously the text, but does not read in naturalistic presuppositions or question the basic inspiration of the Bible. This grammatical-historical method was affirmed, and the historical-critical method rejected in meetings and statements of the Adventist Church in 1974 and 1986.
b. The distinctive role of the Seventh-day Adventistist Church. Traditionalists hold to the view that the Seventh-day Adventist church is the remnant church of God with a distinctive message to be delivered to the world in light of Jesus' soon coming. The Three Angel's Messages of Revelation 14 comprise the content of this last day warning.
c. Various lifestyle, church issues
Traditionals often oppose:
i. Homosexuality as a legitimate christian lifestyle choice
ii. Consumption of alcohol
iii. Eating of unclean foods (and sometimes flesh foods)
iv. Wearing jewelry (sometimes the wedding ring)
v. dancing
vi. Sabbath observance that resembles worldly recreation.
etc.
d. 28 fundamentals. Traditionalists subscribe to the accepted statements of doctrine encompassed in the 28 fundamental beliefs, and tend to be supportive of the General Conference. They are less likely to openly question these beliefs or even actions of the church, desiring unity on the fundamental theological understandings of the church.
They resist efforts to overturn long held pillars, especially the often attacked traditional Adventist eschatology and Sanctuary doctrines.
e. View of Ellen White. Traditionalists view the ministry of Ellen White as inspired, and useful for today. They resist efforts to say that her visions were a result of delusions, or head trauma, etc. and that she was uninspired. They also tend to resist definitions of inspiration that would make it possible to discern what elements of her writings are inspired, and what ones are not. In this respect they see the issue similarly to the question of biblical inspiration.
NOTE: People don't tend to divide along one line or the other completely. But here are some defining issues. Progressives MAY in fact agree with some or even most of these characteristics of traditionalists. But they tend to diverge in significant ways on individual issues, or even underlying assumptions.
Key traditional tenants:
a. Inspiration. The Bible is the result of God's revelation of Himself, and is correct in its teachings in theological arenas. Some would also say it is correct in all respects, such as historical facts, scientific facts, etc. So called contradictions can usually be explained by further study. God's word is the rule of faith, and is use ful for correction, teaching, training in righteousness, and most of all are able to make one "wise unto salvation."
While traditionalists may see inspiration as either verbal or thought inspiration they reject the idea that parts of the Bible are not inspired, or that the human element was such as to overshadow the divine. They tend to avoid rejecting literal applications of Bible texts based on new cultural or scientific understandings.
This one may be the most important as it determines one's approach to the whole biblical record, and therefore other beliefs.
For instance, Traditionalists generally accept a literal reading of Genesis, including seven 24 hour periods. Many of them also believe this was generally 6,000 years ago, based both on biblical chronology and EGW comments.
Progressives (though not all) tend to make more allowances for slightly longer (in the 10's of thousands of years) to much longer (millions) based on scientific and historical data. To reconcile this with the biblical record they say it is largely allegorical, reflective of a larger truth.
In general Traditionalists reject the idea of taking "larger truths" at the expense of specific biblical data.
Another case study is the account of the Exodus. Traditionalists tend to favor a literal reading of all of the data present in the account, including the number of adult males being over 650,000, the traditional dating according to biblical chronology, etc.
Progressives tend to state the difficulties in the dating of the Exodus, as well as some of the numbers involved.
In more technical terms, Traditionalists tend to reject the historical-critical method of Bible interpretation and prefer the historical-grammatical method, which takes seriously the text, but does not read in naturalistic presuppositions or question the basic inspiration of the Bible. This grammatical-historical method was affirmed, and the historical-critical method rejected in meetings and statements of the Adventist Church in 1974 and 1986.
b. The distinctive role of the Seventh-day Adventistist Church. Traditionalists hold to the view that the Seventh-day Adventist church is the remnant church of God with a distinctive message to be delivered to the world in light of Jesus' soon coming. The Three Angel's Messages of Revelation 14 comprise the content of this last day warning.
c. Various lifestyle, church issues
Traditionals often oppose:
i. Homosexuality as a legitimate christian lifestyle choice
ii. Consumption of alcohol
iii. Eating of unclean foods (and sometimes flesh foods)
iv. Wearing jewelry (sometimes the wedding ring)
v. dancing
vi. Sabbath observance that resembles worldly recreation.
etc.
d. 28 fundamentals. Traditionalists subscribe to the accepted statements of doctrine encompassed in the 28 fundamental beliefs, and tend to be supportive of the General Conference. They are less likely to openly question these beliefs or even actions of the church, desiring unity on the fundamental theological understandings of the church.
They resist efforts to overturn long held pillars, especially the often attacked traditional Adventist eschatology and Sanctuary doctrines.
e. View of Ellen White. Traditionalists view the ministry of Ellen White as inspired, and useful for today. They resist efforts to say that her visions were a result of delusions, or head trauma, etc. and that she was uninspired. They also tend to resist definitions of inspiration that would make it possible to discern what elements of her writings are inspired, and what ones are not. In this respect they see the issue similarly to the question of biblical inspiration.
