My story

[Eila]

I've looked over the rules and it looks like I can share here. If not, please remove this post. Anyway, some of you may remember me. I was a regular on these boards a couple of years ago and enjoyed discussions with many Adventists. I have recently written about my spiritual journey here. In short I was raised as a preacher's kid in a well-known SDA family. I left the Adventist church in my 20s. So just follow the link if you are interested.

 

[Joe67]

I've looked over the rules and it looks like I can share here. If not, please remove this post. Anyway, some of you may remember me. I was a regular on these boards a couple of years ago and enjoyed discussions with many Adventists. I have recently written about my spiritual journey here. In short I was raised as a preacher's kid in a well-known SDA family. I left the Adventist church in my 20s. So just follow the link if you are interested.

Eila,

I read your story.

I joined the SdA church at the age of 12 in 1954 and attended PUC and began the masters program for ministers at Andrews in the fall of 1964. After 3 months I withdrew as the light of the righteousness of Christ apart from the written code rested on my heart and mind.

The following 46 years have been a combination of mountains and valleys through Jesus' righteousness and sanctification and the hope of the redemption of the body.

Rom 8:20
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, KJV

Joe

 

[Byfaithalone1]

Hi Elia . . . A number of pieces of your story resonate with me. We're similar ages, baptized at a similar age and it seems as though we may have grown up in similar homes. I've never been to Scotland, though!

I had a similar experience with a middle school teacher. In High School, that experience was magnified when I attended a weekend seminar conducted by Margaret Davis. That's where I began to give up any hope of salvation. I remember having the same desire to squash doubts.

Although I'm not sure I can relate regarding the laying on of hands and speaking in tongues (that has not been part of my experience), some of the same passages that were compelling to you were also compelling to me (Exodus 34 and 1 Corinthians 3 and others). I agree with you that it is the testimony of Jesus that matters (not the testimony of a human source of "truth").

Here's where you and I probably disagree most:

Cult is a strong word, but I used that in my title for a reason. Why? I’ve found that Seventh-Day Adventism is a cult. It isn’t a word I use lightly. Over the years it has become more and more clear. My two main reasons for using that word are the interpretation of the Bible through Ellen White’s writings and the designation of the Seventh-Day Adventist church as the true church.

I submit that the word "cult" has been tossed around in so many ways, it has lost any real meaning. Instead, it has become a divisive word sometimes used to injure people who believe differently. I'd bet that this isn't your intent at all, but I have found that intent in other settings. For that reason, I'm not fond of the word "cult" and I do not leverage it against the SDA denomination. Instead, I note that many SDA doctrines are heterodox and I share the reasons why I disagree. I find that this approach allows for ongoing dialogue and fits within God's command to love. Loving doesn't mean that we never voice our disagreement, but I believe it does mean that we find a way to do it that is productive and healthy.

With that said, I agree with you that the SDA denomination has historically taught that the teachings of SDAism represent the remnant teachings and that there will come a day when there will be a great dividing line. For the SDA denomination, that great dividing line is the sabbath and it will eventually distinguish between those who bear the mark of the beast and those who bear the seal of God. In contrast with this teaching, I agree with you that it has nothing to do with a day or a special group of people.

I also agree with you that the SDA denomination has historically taught a grace plus works = salvation message.

Hopefully your experience has caused you to face the possibility that all of us may believe things that are inaccurate and that all of us -- SDA and non-SDA alike -- are in equal need of a Savior. I suspect from the tone of what you've written that you've reached this conclusion as I have.

God bless,

BFA

 

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