Is this for me?

[Satt]

I have been a general Christian for 20 years now. When I first became a Christian, I was going to a non-denominational service. My family is ALL Church of God in Cleveland, TN. As a teen, I just took in whatever I was told and didn't do any research. As I have gotten older, I have been studying the word in depth and the more I learned, the more I started to disagree with the teachings of mainstream Christianity. For one, I no longer believe in eternal torment, but annihilationism. I believe we are unconscious in death. Those two alone are enough to make my family think I am crazy. Anyway, I have been away from "church" for a long time now and I have started looking for somewhere to get involved and fed again. I chanced upon the SDA 28 Fundamental Beliefs and the whole time I was thinking YEAH, THIS IS IT, until I got to a couple parts. I will list them in the next section. The question is, after looking at the next section, is this still the "church" for me?

 

[Satt]

My list of issues / questions...

Number 6 (Creation): I believe there was a pre-Adamic age. Do SDAs believe this?

Number 13 (Remnant): I don't really understand the idea enough to know if I agree or not.

Number 18 (Ellen G. White): This was almost a killer for me. I can't bring myself to believe this person is an inspired writer equal to the bible. How much is this person pushed in a service?

Number 19 (Law of God): Are Christ's two commands taught more or are the 10 commandments pushed more? I thought the two summed up everything.

Number 20 (Sabbath): This seems a little overboard to me. I thought the Sabbath was made for man, not the other way around. This seems to stressed, like the Jews used to do.

Number 22 (Christian Behavior): My wife goes to Southern Adventist University. They don't like her to wear her diamond wedding ring. What's up with that?!?!

Number 24 (Christ's Ministry): I don't understand the whole 1844 at the end of the 2300 days thing. I kind of get the investigative judgement thing, but anyway, it is all new to me.

Thanks for your time.

 

[Satt]

I guess my actual question is...if I go to a local SDA church, will they try to drill the points I brought up in my head, or will they be flexible? Thanks.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

It's great that you have come to so many truths of your own accord, you are obviously listening to the Spirit speaking to you as you have studied these things out. As far as what will happen when you attend a SDA church goes, I guess it all depends on the church. Unfortunately, not all Adventists are on the same page, doctrinally, as we are supposed to be, so your experience will vary. If/when you do try attending, I would speak with the pastor and be upfront about your questions and concerns. Based on how he/they respond to you after that would determine, I suppose, whether or not you would give Adventism a chance.

Myself, I wasn't satisfied with what my local SDA conference/church was teaching so my wife and I went online and found like minded, seekers to fellowship with and it has allowed us to grow in the truth of traditional Adventism without being subject to what we perceived as error from the conference. Adventism has swayed quite a ways away from it's foundation. I would encourage you to seek for the old paths of Adventism and not so much the new age philospohy that is being taught now.

I will leave you with that for now, but I, or maybe some other Adventists on here, will come back and try and address your questions. Some of what we will tell you, can only be accepted through faith, even if you don't understand it fully at the time. I can tell you however, that if you accept Adventism as a whole and not treat it like a buffet, the Holy Spirit will bring you into all understanding... a good example of this would be Ellen White, alot of people that join the church don't understand or accept her role but, don't discount who and what she is until you have had a chance to read some of her writings and to allow the Spirit to speak to you regarding her ministry.

God bless and welcome to the Adventist forum!

 

[SoldierOfTheKing]

Number 19 (Law of God): Are Christ's two commands taught more or are the 10 commandments pushed more? I thought the two summed up everything.

The Ten Commandments with special emphasis on the fourth, which leads to...

Number 20 (Sabbath): This seems a little overboard to me. I thought the Sabbath was made for man, not the other way around. This seems to stressed, like the Jews used to do.

If you are not firmly convicted about the importance of keeping the Sabbath, the SDA is not the church for you. I don't say this to discourage you from attending to find out more, but I'm giving you a heads up.

As for the other fundamentals, they might not be much of an issue at the more liberal congregations. 19 and 20 though, that's the lodestone of Adventism.

 

[PROPHECYKID]

Number 6 (Creation): I believe there was a pre-Adamic age. Do SDAs believe this?

We believe that history of earth began with Genesis 1 and the first man and woman on this earth was Adam and Eve. This is what the bible tells us. I guess you would have to explain exactly what you mean by pre-Adamic age.

Number 13 (Remnant): I don't really understand the idea enough to know if I agree or not.

The idea of the Remnant comes from Revelation 12:17 where it says that the dragon was angry with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus. In the bible the church is symbolized in many places as a woman and the woman who the devil makes war with is the church (not any particular church). However, in the last days, there would be a remnant (last remaining) of the true church who will keep the commandments of God as the original church did, while the world will go away from God's commandments.

Number 18 (Ellen G. White): This was almost a killer for me. I can't bring myself to believe this person is an inspired writer equal to the bible. How much is this person pushed in a service?

This is something you have to investigate for yourself. Here is some proof of her ministry. Concerning how much she is used, it depends on who conducts the service.
Ellen G. White - Messenger for a Movement - YouTube

Number 19 (Law of God): Are Christ's two commands taught more or are the 10 commandments pushed more? I thought the two summed up everything.

There are the same. Love for God and love for your fellow men. On these 2 hang the law and the prophets. The first 4 of the 10 commandments demonstrates love to God while the last 6 demonstrates love to fellow men. If we love God we will keep his commandments. Love is the fulfilling of the law.

Number 20 (Sabbath): This seems a little overboard to me. I thought the Sabbath was made for man, not the other way around. This seems to stressed, like the Jews used to do.

The Jews actually didn't stress the Sabbath more than the other laws. They were very strict on all laws. The reason SDA's place emphasis on the Sabbath is because it is the only commandment which the Christian world is neglecting.
If you have a broken finger, the doctor wont place so much attention to the healthy fingers as opposed to the one which is broken. However, all of the laws are important.

Number 22 (Christian Behavior): My wife goes to Southern Adventist University. They don't like her to wear her diamond wedding ring. What's up with that?!?!

I don't know. The church itself doesn't have a problem with functional jewellery. A wedding ring is functional jewellery so that should be no problem. I guess those guys have a problem with it but that is not church doctrine.

Number 24 (Christ's Ministry): I don't understand the whole 1844 at the end of the 2300 days thing. I kind of get the investigative judgement thing, but anyway, it is all new to me.

Take it bit by bit. One you get the concept then you get the main idea. Also, this is not the ideal place for these questions. Ask these question in the traditional Adventist forum because this forum is for folks who have problems with the fundamental beliefs of Adventists.

 

[Satt]

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I am still a little nervous about attending an SDA church, but I will do some more research. Thanks again. I will answer your questions later today. I have to go.

 

[Princessdi]

Hi Satt and Welcome!

I agree with ECR that it definitely depends of the church you attend and to speak with the Pastor regarding your questions. I would stop there and not recommend you not listen to anything, but to continue to listen to the Spirit which has obviously been guiding you so far. There are many dangers within Adventism, just like any other denomination, from both extreme right and left. That is why it is so important to follow the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit. No matter how well intended, men will lead you astray everytime.

The belief in the importance of EGW also varies, and that can be from person to person. Know that a belief in her is not of salvific value, but her writings can be helpful in understanding some biblical principles. I repeat........stay with the the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit. You have the best teacher ever working with you right now.

 

[Princessdi]

My list of issues / questions...

Number 6 (Creation): I believe there was a pre-Adamic age. Do SDAs believe this?

This is intresting. Can you unpack that a bit for us?

Number 13 (Remnant): I don't really understand the idea enough to know if I agree or not.

This is the belief that the SDA church, and it only, it the remnant church for which Christ is returning. We used to be more vocal about this, but over the years it has become "politically incorrect"(for lack of a better phrase) to do so, however it is still inferred in our teachings.

Number 18 (Ellen G. White): This was almost a killer for me. I can't bring myself to believe this person is an inspired writer equal to the bible. How much is this person pushed in a service?

This definitely depends on the church you attend, and also the person to whom youa re speaking. In fact, in this forum there is a thread addressing this precise issue.

Number 19 (Law of God): Are Christ's two commands taught more or are the 10 commandments pushed more? I thought the two summed up everything.

They do....the first four in service to God, and last six in service to man.
Adventist do, in all honesty, put an enormous amount of emphasis on the fourth command, however.

Number 20 (Sabbath): This seems a little overboard to me. I thought the Sabbath was made for man, not the other way around. This seems to stressed, like the Jews used to do.

Number 22 (Christian Behavior): My wife goes to Southern Adventist University. They don't like her to wear her diamond wedding ring. What's up with that?!?!

It is a corporate policy that they attempt to enforce as a biblical principle where they can. It is one of the inconsistencies that we have yet to address. S, once again, it just depends on to whom you are speaking as to the gauge of importance.

Number 24 (Christ's Ministry): I don't understand the whole 1844 at the end of the 2300 days thing. I kind of get the investigative judgement thing, but anyway, it is all new to me.

This part has always been a concern for me. you defintiely need some form of higher education to "get it", and I dont' believe that any part of the gospel is that complicated. I had Grandparents and Godparents who were SDA,a nd I can promise you that none of them understood those doctrines of prophecy either. Their lack of education simply would not allow it.

The SDA church is not perfect, but I believe that the very basic doctrines are biblical. However, like any other denomination, we have many areas where we "put too much on it"(as the popular saying goes), and end up requriing more than God for salvation.

IOW Satt, your own personal relationship with God is what is most important, all else will flow from that. With the leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit, prayer, the Bible, and the manifest Word of God in your life presently, you will be lead into all truth.

 

[ricker]

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions. I am still a little nervous about attending an SDA church, but I will do some more research. Thanks again. I will answer your questions later today. I have to go.

I was raised an Adventist but now go to a different church, but I thought I would encourage you to go an SDA church and check it out if you are interested. That's the only way to know if the belief system is for you. They won't abduct you or anything. I still visit an SDA church or two occasionally, even though I don't agree with some of their doctrines.

 

[E.T.Elijah]

I was raised an Adventist but now go to a different church, but I thought I would encourage you to go an SDA church and check it out if you are interested. That's the only way to know if the belief system is for you. They won't abduct you or anything. I still visit an SDA church or two occasionally, even though I don't agree with some of their doctrines.

This is good advice. And this applies to any denomination. If you find agreement in certain doctrines of a denomination, go and check out the local churches. Churches are as individual as people are. Not every church in a denomination is the exact same as any other. I have 4 Adventist churches within a 30 mile radius of my house. I have attended 3 of them. Two of them, the people were friendly enough, but the services didn't suit my taste. I have been a member of the 3rd church for 10 years. It is my church home and the people there are my extended family. You will only know if you try it out.