- Nov 14, 2018
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I grew up SDA and was thoroughly indocrinated in SDA beliefs/culture from a baby through college. As an adult I have struggled with what I was taught, that "spirit of prophecy" means EGW and nothing else. I struggle with the concept that truth can start out as error. It started when I learned of her original interpretation of "the Great Disappointment" in 1844 as the "Closed Door" doctrine (that the door had been closed and no one could claim Christ's atonement for any sins after 1844). Later, it was denied by church leaders that she ever believed or taught "Closed Door" but evidence strong that she indeed did proffer "Closed Door" doctrine. Later her interruption was revised to "Investigative Judgment." If she was teaching error about 1844 as her first inspired doctrine, can I be comfortable with anything else she wrote/taught?
Maybe my seeds of doubt started much earlier when my 3rd grade teacher taught us that dinosaurs never existed on earth (whether this was SDA belief at the time or my teacher was misinformed, I do not know). Imagine my shock when my academy biology teacher had an actual dinosaur bone on display which he dug up himself in a summer Wyoming dig. This was my first experience with the reality that some of what I had been taught was false or untrue.
Later I struggled with the doctrine that at the end of time, the saints must be perfect through sanctification because they could no longer receive forgivenesss (end of Intestigative Judgment). The whole concept of Sanctification, that we could become perfect here on earth, seemed tenuous at best. No human has ever been transformed from sinful nature to sinless perfection. Until we are transformed at the "twinkling of an eye" will our sinful propensity become perfection as our Savior is.
More and more doubts crept in when I learned that "health message" was nothing new or unique for her time. In fact, Josph Smith had given "The Word of Wisdom" to the Mormons 30 years before EGW received "the health message".
Then the reality of "The White Lie" and plagiarism involved in her "inspired writings." Many things she taught (especially scientific) have proven to be wrong. So how can I believe she is a true prophet when she has had falsehood in fact and error in doctrinal teachings?
Without EGW, the three angels messages have no meaning. Without EGW, the "mark of the beast" remains a mystery. Without EGW, the SDA Church has no basis for many SDA doctrines/teaching. Without belief in EGW, I cannot be a member of SDA Church.
Maybe my seeds of doubt started much earlier when my 3rd grade teacher taught us that dinosaurs never existed on earth (whether this was SDA belief at the time or my teacher was misinformed, I do not know). Imagine my shock when my academy biology teacher had an actual dinosaur bone on display which he dug up himself in a summer Wyoming dig. This was my first experience with the reality that some of what I had been taught was false or untrue.
Later I struggled with the doctrine that at the end of time, the saints must be perfect through sanctification because they could no longer receive forgivenesss (end of Intestigative Judgment). The whole concept of Sanctification, that we could become perfect here on earth, seemed tenuous at best. No human has ever been transformed from sinful nature to sinless perfection. Until we are transformed at the "twinkling of an eye" will our sinful propensity become perfection as our Savior is.
More and more doubts crept in when I learned that "health message" was nothing new or unique for her time. In fact, Josph Smith had given "The Word of Wisdom" to the Mormons 30 years before EGW received "the health message".
Then the reality of "The White Lie" and plagiarism involved in her "inspired writings." Many things she taught (especially scientific) have proven to be wrong. So how can I believe she is a true prophet when she has had falsehood in fact and error in doctrinal teachings?
Without EGW, the three angels messages have no meaning. Without EGW, the "mark of the beast" remains a mystery. Without EGW, the SDA Church has no basis for many SDA doctrines/teaching. Without belief in EGW, I cannot be a member of SDA Church.