ATTENTION MEMBERS need your assistance :)

[tall73]

Purpose: A place for Adventists who do not insist on acceptance of all 28 fundamental beliefs

 

[tall73]

I think the above purpose statement is succinct and captures the essence of the forum. There may be many variations on progressive Adventism. But the upshot is that they reject the idea that the church must dictate the conscience of every member by spelling out various doctrines in great detail and insisting on adherence They see value in Adventism, but reject its sometimes narrow focus on questionable historical distinctives.

 

[Laodicean]

I don't think it prudent to finish the sentence you suggested, as you're coming from a mindset that doesn't understand the practice of this particular forum in the form it presently exists in. Several have mentioned that it exists because it doesn't comply with the "traditional" SDA forum's SoF mandating acceptance of the SDA Fundamental Beliefs. It exists as a place where we can openly compare those Fundamental Beliefs with Scripture, and in many cases a choice needs to be made between Scripture and the Fundamental Beliefs where one can't be reconciled with the other.

Here's the reason I don't think you should be making a SoF for this group, based on what you wrote in this thread:

Victor, there is no need for your abrasive approach in response to a polite and concerned discussion by Tishri and Edial. Please back off. You are an embarrassment to yourself.

And if the sheep who follow you and your "soteriology" cannot see how you appear to the unbiased onlooker, then maybe one purpose for this forum would be to expose the kind of spirit you display for what it is -- a sadly unChristlike attitude.

 

[Edial]

Purpose: A place for Adventists who do not insist on acceptance of all 28 fundamental beliefs

Sounds interesting ...

Folks? Comments?

 

[VictorC]

Victor, there is no need for your abrasive approach in response to a polite and concerned discussion by Tishri and Edial. Please back off. You are an embarrassment to yourself.

And if the sheep who follow you and your "soteriology" cannot see how you appear to the unbiased onlooker, then maybe one purpose for this forum would be to expose the kind of spirit you display for what it is -- a sadly unChristlike attitude.

Abrasive?
This isn't a place for you to lob personal insults at those interested in productive conversation.

 

[tall73]

I suppose a common sense edit would be to spell out Seventh-day Adventist, as they are not the only Adventists.

Purpose: A place for Seventh-day Adventists who do not insist on acceptance of all 28 fundamental beliefs

 

[VictorC]

Sounds interesting ...

Folks? Comments?

I thought that pulling up a chair and watching the type of conversations that take place here was a good idea. The purpose would become intuitive once observation fills in the blanks for you. There are also other members who post here only on weekday mornings (BFA comes to mind), and their input would be good to see.

 

[tall73]

The point I was making is not whether Ellen White is "bashed" or her "teachings examined", but the fact that if Lutherans and Baptists would lead discussions concerning Ellen White then this might as well be called General Theology.

However, these folks here have definite roots in SDA while challenging SDA's teachings.

This needs to be captured in defining the identity of this place.

Thanks,
Ed

I don't know about that. The people coming in to discuss generally do have roots in Adventism as well, even if they are now Lutherans, Baptists, etc.


The difference between GT and here is that the issues center around Adventism or Adventism's take on other subjects, rather than a variety of topics.

Progressives do not mind discussion from MANY viewpoints. So they are not threatened by the type of conversation you speak of. They may at times be bored of it, but that is why you can ignore the topics you don't want to read.

Progressives do not seem to be yearning for relief from outsiders discussing.

 

[Edial]

I thought that pulling up a chair and watching the type of conversations that take place here was a good idea. The purpose would become intuitive once observation fills in the blanks for you. There are also other members who post here only on weekday mornings (BFA comes to mind), and their input would be good to see.

No problem.
We'll wait few days. Let folks contribute.

Concerning pulling up a chair and observing ... I am.

What Tall said is what I observed to be a common sense solution that reflects the dynamics, spirit and drive of this fora.

In Christ,
Ed

 

[tall73]

I suppose a common sense edit would be to spell out Seventh-day Adventist, as they are not the only Adventists.

Purpose: A place for Seventh-day Adventists who do not insist on acceptance of all 28 fundamental beliefs

I am going to throw out some alternatives that could be used. Some may be more or less agreeable to actual progressives:


-A place for Seventh-day Adventists who do not insist on acceptance of all 28 fundamental beliefs


-A place to discuss Seventh-day Adventist issues--all voices welcome.


-A place for Adventists and those with ties to Adventism to discuss.



The second two options include those who may not be Adventist but who have ties or wish to discuss Adventism. The first one is more precise, but could be used by the administration to limit conversation. I am not stating that is the current goal of the administration. But given enough time original goals sometimes slip and what is left is just the words to be enforced.

 

[Laodicean]

Originally Posted by Laodicean

Victor, there is no need for your abrasive approach in response to a polite and concerned discussion by Tishri and Edial. Please back off. You are an embarrassment to yourself.

And if the sheep who follow you and your "soteriology" cannot see how you appear to the unbiased onlooker, then maybe one purpose for this forum would be to expose the kind of spirit you display for what it is -- a sadly unChristlike attitude.
​

Abrasive?
This isn't a place for you to lob personal insults at those interested in productive conversation.

Exactly. Glad you got the point. This is not the place for YOU to lob personal insults at those interested in productive conversation. You do not see yourself. If you could, you would see that the way you express yourself can be very insulting. Do I need to elaborate?

 

[Edial]

I am going to throw out some alternatives that could be used. Some may be more or less agreeable to actual progressives:


-A place for Seventh-day Adventists who do not insist on acceptance of all 28 fundamental beliefs


-A place to discuss Seventh-day Adventist issues--all voices welcome.


-A place for Adventists and those with ties to Adventism to discuss.



The second two options include those who may not be Adventist but who have ties or wish to discuss Adventism. The first one is more precise, but could be used by the administration to limit conversation. I am not stating that is the current goal of the administration. But given enough time original goals sometimes slip and what is left is just the words to be enforced.

Good point.
I understand and agree ... when spirit leaves words could kill.
Then add "ties to Adventism" to the first point.

 

[VictorC]

Exactly. Glad you got the point. This is not the place for YOU to lob personal insults at those interested in productive conversation. You do not see yourself. If you could, you would see that the way you express yourself can be very insulting. Do I need to elaborate?

Go and start a new thread in the forum designed for personal insults, and have a wonderful time.

 

[tall73]

I would like to suggest everyone read Edial's brief testimony of how he came to Christ in his profile.

Thank you for sharing it.

 

[Edial]

Originally Posted by Laodicean

Victor, there is no need for your abrasive approach in response to a polite and concerned discussion by Tishri and Edial. Please back off. You are an embarrassment to yourself.

And if the sheep who follow you and your "soteriology" cannot see how you appear to the unbiased onlooker, then maybe one purpose for this forum would be to expose the kind of spirit you display for what it is -- a sadly unChristlike attitude.
​

Exactly. Glad you got the point. This is not the place for YOU to lob personal insults at those interested in productive conversation. You do not see yourself. If you could, you would see that the way you express yourself can be very insulting. Do I need to elaborate?

Please, please ... this is not needed at all.

Tishri is an Advisor and I am an Admin.
We are naturally "trained" to search for valid points from what was said.

Victor had a concern and was not certain about some things.

This was addressed.

In Christ,
Ed

 

[tall73]

Good point.
I understand and agree ... when spirit leaves words could kill.
Then add "ties to Adventism" to the first point.

A synthesis of one and three? Hm....I was thinking about that but it is hard to pull off. The best I could get was a slightly different combination of two sentences. Not as pithy though.


A place for Seventh-day Adventists who do not insist on acceptance of all 28 fundamental beliefs. Others who wish to discuss Adventist issues are also welcome.


This option accomplishes a couple of things.

a. It gives emphasis to the fact that the forum is designed for those who are still in the church but do not insist on all 28 fundamentals.

b. Others are still welcome, but the focus is on progressive Adventist thought.

 

[VictorC]

Good point.
I understand and agree ... when spirit leaves words could kill.
Then add "ties to Adventism" to the first point.

We're trying to avoid undue restrictions. Tall73 even noted this:

Progressives do not seem to be yearning for relief from outsiders discussing.

 

[Laodicean]

Originally Posted by Laodicean

Exactly. Glad you got the point. This is not the place for YOU to lob personal insults at those interested in productive conversation. You do not see yourself. If you could, you would see that the way you express yourself can be very insulting. Do I need to elaborate?
​

Please, please ... this is not needed at all.

okay, I hear you. I will desist. Actually, I don't say anything when Victor expresses himself the way he does to members of this forum, but there can be a limit. There is no reason for him to be rude to visitors.

Tishri is an Advisor and I am an Admin.
We are naturally "trained" to search for valid points from what was said.

Victor had a concern and was not certain about some things.

Victor not certain about some things? Really? ...... Okay, okay, I did say I would desist.

 

[Edial]

A synthesis of one and three? Hm....I was thinking about that but it is hard to pull off. The best I could get was a slightly different combination of two sentences. Not as pithy though.


A place for Seventh-day Adventists who do not insist on acceptance of all 28 fundamental beliefs. Others who wish to discuss Adventist issues are also welcome.


This option accomplishes a couple of things.

a. it gives emphasis to the fact that the forum is designed for those who are still in the church but do not insist on all 28 fundamentals.

b. others are still welcome, but the focus is on progressive Adventist thought.

How about this for 1 and 3 and ending with 2?

A place for Seventh-day Adventists and those with ties to Adventism who do not insist on acceptance of all 28 fundamental beliefs.

Other voices are also welcome to participate in discussing these beliefs.

 

[Edial]

We're trying to avoid undue restrictions. Tall73 even noted this:

No problem ... this could also be defined ...