modern day interpretation of EGW

[JohnMarsten]

Inspired by another thread I was thinking about a couple of things EGW mentioned in her writings that the true christian should discard, here are some quotes from another webpage

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Can I read Robinson Crusoe? Shakespeare? Absolutely not!

"Dear Brother E: I have just read the Review and Herald and have seen your article giving a list of good books for our youth. I was much surprised to read your recommendation of Uncle Tom's Cabin, Robinson Crusoe, and such books. You are in danger of becoming somewhat careless in your writing. It would be well to give thought and careful study to whatever is to be immortalized in print. I am really alarmed to see that your spiritual eyesight is not more clear in the matter of selecting and recommending reading for our youth. I know that the recommendation in our papers of such infatuating books as Uncle Tom's Cabin will in many minds justify the reading of other books which are nothing but fiction. . . . This recommendation will make taxing work for those who are laboring to persuade the youth to discard fictitious reading. I have repeatedly seen the evil of reading such books as you recommend, and have an article all prepared, cautioning our youth in this very matter." (Testimonies Vol. 5, p. 516) "In turning from God's Word to feed on the writings of uninspired men, the mind becomes dwarfed and cheapened." (My Life Today, p. 107)
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NOTE: Interestingly enough, Ellen White owned fictional books and used fictional stories as sources for Desire of Ages and other books.
Theaters? Don't even think about it!

"Among the most dangerous resorts for pleasure is the theater." (Messages to Young People, p. 380)​

Billiard halls and bowling alleys are off limits

"The true Christian will not desire to enter any place of amusement or engage in any diversion upon which he cannot ask the blessing of God. He will not be found at the theater, the billiard hall, or the bowling saloon." (Messages to Young People, p. 398)​

Stay away from the Circus!

"The love for these scenes increases with every indulgence, as the desire for intoxicating drink strengthens with its use. The only safe course is to shun the theater, the circus, and every other questionable place of amusement." (Messages to Young People, p. 380)​

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Of course EGW was writing in her times and critisizing things that were available in her times..

I guess theater and fictional books have been more or less updated by the cinema and finally television.

Now wouldnt it be safe to assume that having a television at home was the greatest evil then? Not only does it promote a lot of violence, sex and other bad things but it certainly displays the traits EGW was talking about FICTION.

How do you deal with it? I guess that would also include all kind of computer and videogames...

Just out of curiousity, is there any kind of entertainment left for a true follower of EGW? SDA are often called sadventists. The bible never said we shouldnt have any fun, wine was ok, a time for dance was also there...

Now as an SDA, one cannot drink and generally shouldnt be in a place where drinks are served (I guess so), one cannot perform competitive sports, one cannot go to the theater (which logically would also include the above mentioned TV a probably video and computer games as well) chess and checkers are forbidden as well, that would (I guess) extend to playing monopoly and other boardgames... dancing, (yep, drinks are served in such places) would also be forbidden.

Now what kind of entertainment is OK then in our present times? Or is any kind of entertainment forbidden? What do people do who are lonely?

 

[Kira Light]

This is a really good point! Todays' SDAs are very lucky that their modern pleasures like tv and computers weren't around in EGW's day for her to ban. They can live without bowling or those lousy old fiction books and pretend that EGW would have been okay with the PC and the TV (as long as you don't use them on Saturday!!).

The fact is, if these things were around in EGW's time, she would absolutely 100% banned the use of them by her followers.

 

[Stryder06]

This is a really good point! Todays' SDAs are very lucky that their modern pleasures like tv and computers weren't around in EGW's day for her to ban. They can live without bowling or those lousy old fiction books and pretend that EGW would have been okay with the PC and the TV (as long as you don't use them on Saturday!!).

The fact is, if these things were around in EGW's time, she would absolutely 100% banned the use of them by her followers.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And BTW, E.G White didn't have followers.

 

[JohnMarsten]

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And BTW, E.G White didn't have followers.

you are one of her followers

 

[Stryder06]

you are one of her followers

Nope. I'm a follower of Christ. Nice try though

 

[JohnMarsten]

Nope. I'm a follower of Christ. Nice try though

of course nobody would admit to be a follower of ellen, in effect no such thing exists, so I was messing with you in a way...

however, the thing is, once you follow her word rather than that of the bible and try to defend her word above the bible, what do you call that?

 

[phoenixdem]

What would she say about me going to a Casino yesterday to have lunch with a few family members,including one who works there. He isn't a Christian though.

Would it do any good for me to talk about the religious tracts I left in the Casino restrooms and on a few cars in the parking lot?

 

[JohnMarsten]

What would she say about me going to a Casino yesterday to have lunch with a few family members,including one who works there. He isn't a Christian though.

Would it do any good for me to talk about the religious tracts I left in the Casino restrooms and on a few cars in the parking lot?

I dont know what your point is? Those religious tracts certainly wont do any harm to nobody....

 

[Stryder06]

of course nobody would admit to be a follower of ellen, in effect no such thing exists, so I was messing with you in a way...

however, the thing is, once you follow her word rather than that of the bible and try to defend her word above the bible, what do you call that?

Couldn't say since I don't do that

 

[ricker]

Couldn't say since I don't do that

I'm interested. So do you think Mrs. White was inspired when saying we should shun the theaters and bowing alleys?

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

I'm interested. So do you think Mrs. White was inspired when saying we should shun the theaters and bowing alleys?

Bowling promotes competition which is not a Godly trait... theaters have been one of the enemies biggest avenue of degrading morals and promoting sin. Seems inspired to me...

 

[JohnMarsten]

Bowling promotes competition which is not a Godly trait... theaters have been one of the enemies biggest avenue of degrading morals and promoting sin. Seems inspired to me...

Well, competition isnt necessarily a bad thing. Competition is everywhere to be found and besides it helps to bring quality to a higher level... imagine you are running a business, there is competition if you dont opt to become the best producer of a certain product you might end up vanishing from the market...

IMHO there should be no competition in regard to faith and stuff, no competition in churches (which also does exist) sports and entertainment like bowling are meant to be fun and competition is necessary...





theaters degrading morals and promoting sin, definitely to a degree as morals decrease slowly (I guess) and the acceptance of sinful behavior doesnt come over night (gay marriage would be the perfect example). but then television should be absolutely forbidden...

 

[Stryder06]

I'm interested. So do you think Mrs. White was inspired when saying we should shun the theaters and bowing alleys?

Guess you can label me a rebel when it comes to that

I don't have any more of a problem going to the theater than I do subscribing to netflix. The environment is different now then it was during her time. Also, I'm not particularly found of bowling, but I don't mind going. My problem with bowling alleys is the allowance of smoking inside, which discourages me.

I believe everything she says ought to be taken in context, and applied correctly. I think some things were specific for her times, but have principles that apply to ours. In other words, don't put yourself in a bad environment where the enemy can work.

I remember going into this bar down the street from where I live because they have a special on wings on monday. I felt so uncomfortable in there. I promise you it felt like the Spirit was talking to me like "You don't belong in here." So I left lol. Never got my wings but I felt better once I stepped outside.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

I remember going into this bar down the street from where I live because they have a special on wings on monday. I felt so uncomfortable in there. I promise you it felt like the Spirit was talking to me like "You don't belong in here." So I left lol. Never got my wings but I felt better once I stepped outside.

I can relate to this in a way... my wife and I used to go to pubs for lunch and dinners. Then I read The Ministry of Healing... there is a chapter in there titled Liquor Habit and Prohibition, that speaks about the financial support to these establishments by even eating there... businesses that are responsible for so much sin and heartache in the world. As soon as I read that, my heart was convicted and we haven't been to one since.

I do respectfully disagree withe the statement that times are different now... I think that is a form of delusion we fall into to justify an action or habit. I like to use the general yardstick, would I be doing this if Jesus was sitting here with me.

 

[ricker]

Bowling promotes competition which is not a Godly trait... theaters have been one of the enemies biggest avenue of degrading morals and promoting sin. Seems inspired to me...

I've been to bowling alleys that neither allowed drinking or smoking.

Adventist schools have sports programs.

How about her condemnation of novels?

 

[ricker]

Guess you can label me a rebel when it comes to that

I don't have any more of a problem going to the theater than I do subscribing to netflix. The environment is different now then it was during her time. Also, I'm not particularly found of bowling, but I don't mind going. My problem with bowling alleys is the allowance of smoking inside, which discourages me.

I believe everything she says ought to be taken in context, and applied correctly. I think some things were specific for her times, but have principles that apply to ours. In other words, don't put yourself in a bad environment where the enemy can work.

I remember going into this bar down the street from where I live because they have a special on wings on monday. I felt so uncomfortable in there. I promise you it felt like the Spirit was talking to me like "You don't belong in here." So I left lol. Never got my wings but I felt better once I stepped outside.

I appreciate your answer. I know of Baptists who will not eat at any restaurant that serves alcohol. Far as I'm concerned there's nothing wrong with that, perhaps a good thing, as long as a person doesn't judge others.

 

[ricker]

I can relate to this in a way... my wife and I used to go to pubs for lunch and dinners. Then I read The Ministry of Healing... there is a chapter in there titled Liquor Habit and Prohibition, that speaks about the financial support to these establishments by even eating there... businesses that are responsible for so much sin and heartache in the world. As soon as I read that, my heart was convicted and we haven't been to one since.

I do respectfully disagree withe the statement that times are different now... I think that is a form of delusion we fall into to justify an action or habit. I like to use the general yardstick, would I be doing this if Jesus was sitting here with me.

Do you condemn bicycles and their riders like I've heard Mrs.White did?

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

I've been to bowling alleys that neither allowed drinking or smoking.

Adventist schools have sports programs.

How about her condemnation of novels?

Just because the conference allows sports doesn't make it right...

To me it comes down to one basic premise, does it glorify God... and if not, what need do I have of it.

There's one aspect of sister Whites writings that is becoming increasingly more relevent for the times in which we live... and that is, what we are spending our time and energy on? Wordly things or Heavenly things.

 

[ricker]

What do you think of watching TV? Is viewing a good movie on TV somehow OK, and watching a good movie in a theater bad?

 

[ricker]

Just because the conference allows sports doesn't make it right...

To me it comes down to one basic premise, does it glorify God... and if not, what need do I have of it.

There's one aspect of sister Whites writings that is becoming increasingly more relevent for the times in which we live... and that is, what we are spending our time and energy on? Wordly things or Heavenly things.

Admirable thoughts. Would you discourage reading novels or other books? Would it make a difference if they were written by an Adventist? (Josephine C. Edwards comes to mind).