I just keep looking in.

[PerrySB]

I don’t know why I keep coming back to follow Adventist threads. I have the utmost respect for anyone who loves our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I don’t come to debate beliefs or look for flaws but just to observe. I was raised SDA and was sent so SDA schools, (Monterey Bay Academy) in the sixties.

A few things drew me away from the Adventist church mainly Ellen White and her prophesies and the Saturday Sabbath issue. I don’t care to debate those issues because I’m very comfortable with my beliefs as those of you are with yours. Many believers could learn much from the Adventist dietary teachings especially when you look at the obesity in our society today.

What I always felt is that Adventist seemed to feel they were the chosen few, maybe that is my misconception or misunderstanding. I believe us Christians need to look at one another based on our faith in Christ and nothing more. We are all part of the body and that is why I became non denominational. It didn’t matter if it was Adventist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, or Catholic they all seemed to associate themselves more with their denomination than with Christ, that's maybe a stretch but just a feeling.

I have had to learn to think outside the box and that is something so many believers refuse to do. However that can be a dangerous place if we are not totally aligned with our Saviors will for our lives, something I seek earnestly. I recently studied the Nag Hammabi writings and they are amazing, I’m not endorsing them because I’m not qualified to but they will sure make you think. Some of the testimonies of people that have had what is known as near death experiences are quite incredible.

So what is my point or question? I just do not understand why I’m drawn to peeking back into the SDA faith. I have issues with much of the teachings but still tremendous respect for the followers.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

So what is my point or question? I just do not understand why I’m drawn to peeking back into the SDA faith. I have issues with much of the teachings but still tremendous respect for the followers.

If you are anything like me, SDAism is a part of your story. It will always be a part of who you are. That isn't entirely a bad thing. There are many aspects of SDAism that are quite positive.

I have the utmost respect for anyone who loves our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I don’t come to debate beliefs or look for flaws but just to observe.

I agree. I have deep respect for people of all faiths, including SDAs. When I began waking up to some problems within SDAism, I hadn't gone looking for flaws. Perhaps I'll have an opportunity to share more about my story at some point. In short, my brother-in-law was questioning SDAism and I began studying in earnest to answer his objections. I didn't go looking for inconsistencies, but they weren't hard to find.

A few things drew me away from the Adventist church mainly Ellen White and her prophesies and the Saturday Sabbath issue. I don’t care to debate those issues because I’m very comfortable with my beliefs as those of you are with yours.

My initial concerns related to SDA eschatology. This, of course, led to questions about Ellen G. White. The sabbath was the most challenging issue for me to face and it was the last of the SDA doctrines that I evaluated.

Many believers could learn much from the Adventist dietary teachings especially when you look at the obesity in our society today.

Perhaps. However, I would hope that a person could take the good, reject the strange and unscientific and maintain a wise balance between eating a healthy diet and allowing yourself to live a life without being afraid of food.

What I always felt is that Adventist seemed to feel they were the chosen few, maybe that is my misconception or misunderstanding.

This isn't just a feeling. SDAism asserts that it has the one and only remnant theology. They call it "present truth." The current General Conference President recently re-affirmed his commitment to this teaching.

Although SDAs often state that there isn't anything "salvational" about being a Seventh-day Adventist, some of us who have left the denomination have a unique perspective on this claim. Many of us have been told that -- by leaving -- we have put not only our own salvation in jeopardy, but also the salvation of our wives and children. There is much more to this topic than what meets the eye.

I believe us Christians need to look at one another based on our faith in Christ and nothing more. We are all part of the body and that is why I became non denominational. It didn’t matter if it was Adventist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, or Catholic they all seemed to associate themselves more with their denomination than with Christ, that's maybe a stretch but just a feeling.

There is some truth in that. Perhaps certain denominations are more suseptible to this type of thinking than others.

I have had to learn to think outside the box and that is something so many believers refuse to do.

Me too. However, thinking outside the box can put you at odds not only with SDAism but with other denominations as well. Modern Christianity seems to value the herd mentality. For example, try going into an evangelical church and openly proclaiming that you're a Democrat. [Hint: If you do, make sure you wear body armor.]

Welcome to this forum. I look forward to getting to know you better!

BFA

 

[PerrySB]

Perhaps. However, I would hope that a person could take the good, reject the strange and unscientific and maintain a wise balance between eating a healthy diet and allowing yourself to live a life without being afraid of food.

Very true, I’m not a vegetarian but do eat very little meat, prefer fresh veggies and fruit. My point was that many people are killing themselves with what they eat and the quantity of food. I even have a glass of wine occasionally, I figure if Jesus turned the water into wine it must be ok to drink (in extreme moderation)

This isn't just a feeling. SDAism asserts that it has the one and only remnant theology. They call it "present truth." The current General Conference President recently re-affirmed his commitment to this teaching.

I do understand that, however I know some SDA friends that don't buy into it. I spent four years in SDA boarding school and through that developed some life long friends.

Me too. However, thinking outside the box can put you at odds not only with SDAism but with other denominations as well.

You are so right, bring up the subject of the Gnostic Christians that the Catholics basically destroyed. Funny thing is there is strong indication Paul leaned more towards the Gnostic thinking than what we consider orthodox today. Thank goodness for Luther, Calvin, and the reformation.

Welcome to this forum. I look forward to getting to know you better!

Thank You

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Very true, I’m not a vegetarian but do eat very little meat, prefer fresh veggies and fruit. My point was that many people are killing themselves with what they eat and the quantity of food. I even have a glass of wine occasionally, I figure if Jesus turned the water into wine it must be ok to drink (in extreme moderation)

It sounds as though you and I make very similar dietary choices.

I do understand that, however I know some SDA friends that don't buy into it.

You're absolutely right. There's a difference between the party line and the beliefs privately held by individual SDAs. In certain places, discenters are free to voice their concerns. In other places, they would be censured if they did so. Like all denominations, SDAism has many flavors.

BFA

 

[Joe67]

I don’t know why I keep coming back to follow Adventist threads. I have the utmost respect for anyone who loves our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I don’t come to debate beliefs or look for flaws but just to observe. I was raised SDA and was sent so SDA schools, (Monterey Bay Academy) in the sixties.

Perry,

My wife and I are "former" SdAs. We both graduated from SdA academies.

We are both thankful for the past leading of the Lord in many basic experiences through the "old covenant" that has prepared our hearts and minds for the free gift of justification (40 years ago) and then the arena of grace (15 years ago).

When we first heard the report of justification without the works of the law; we thought that all of the NT witnesses that spoke of "works", were talking concerning "works of the law."

Then about 15 years past, the Lord began to reveal grace and the Lord's work in his grace. At first this revealing of new thoughts, from Scriptures with which we were previously acquainted, was startling to us as my wife and I would share with each other the new thoughts from the Scriptures.

As we tried to share these thoughts with our professed christian friends and acquaintances who attend the various churches in our rural area, many drew back in consternation. But as we have stayed in close contact with these same souls, and see them often in our daily activities, they are more open to little seeds of thoughts concerning the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

These same people often want us to be partakers in their 200-400 year old doctrines that are bound up with their own sublime attitudes, like the woman at the well, that their worship of the Lord is superior to the other groups. This opens a direct door to the grace of God.

Joe

 

[PerrySB]

Then about 15 years past, the Lord began to reveal grace and the Lord's work in his grace. At first this revealing of new thoughts, from Scriptures with which we were previously acquainted, was startling to us as my wife and I would share with each other the new thoughts from the Scriptures.

Thank you so much for your insights. One of my favorite books is “Grace Awakening” I have been involved with several denominations until a retired Nazarene pastor friend made a comment to me after a lengthy discussion about sanctification. He said “the reality is if we love God with all our hearts and our neighbor as ourselves all the rest is just commentary”. That made so much sense to me and that is why I have dropped the denominational patch if you will. I consider the people of all Christian denominations brothers and sisters in Christ.

Lets face it we don’t even use the original cannon, unless we are Catholic. I have kind of come away believing that we all seem to fit in different boxes, that doesn’t mean your box is any better than mine, it just means we are different and look at things from a different viewpoint. I’m a native Californian and so liberalism and abstract thought is somewhat of a norm, and that is where I have learned to look outside of my little box and into others.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

He said “the reality is if we love God with all our hearts and our neighbor as ourselves all the rest is just commentary”. That made so much sense to me

It does to me too.

If He pre-ordained that we would do good works, then we can truly trust that He has prepared us for whatever it is He wants us to do. This type of resting in Jesus Christ is the easiest and most rewarding thing, but it eludes many (it eluded me for decades). This type of faith really removes any need to worry about how many works you display, because you realize that anything good that comes out of you has a divine origin anyway.

BFA

 

[Joe67]

It does to me too.

If He pre-ordained that we would do good works, then we can truly trust that He has prepared us for whatever it is He wants us to do. This type of resting in Jesus Christ is the easiest and most rewarding thing, but it eludes many (it eluded me for decades). This type of faith really removes any need to worry about how many works you display, because you realize that anything good that comes out of you has a divine origin anyway.

BFA

BFA,

The everlasting Father ordained the Lord Jesus to be our shepherd and for us to lie down in green pastures and to be led beside the still waters.

The Father of all spirits also ordained the valley of the shadow of death and the evil that is in all our good.

Joe

 

[Laodicean]

PerrySB, welcome! Glad to have you here.

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Perry SB, are you still around?

BFA