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reasoning behind so many prohibitions

Pythons

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If it were sinful God would never use illustrations such as the following.


Eze 16,11
Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil. I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk. I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.


Luke 15,22 ( Jesus saying this in Parable )
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:


Some people "twist the Scriptures" to further an agenda - no doubt money saved from rings and earrings...
...Would be all the more shekels to put toward the prophetic ministry of Ellen White.

I would say the Bible certainly frowns upon overloading on Jewls as much as it frowns on overloading on wine or food....
....A Christian should be moderate to be sure but claiming God does not want a woman to have a necklace, ring or earrings.
...Is simply a fable created out of a fleshy mind.
 
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SoldierOfTheKing

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You would have to get into EGW mind to understand the real reasons. It's unfortunate, really. If the church that appeals to the Bible regarding the Sabbath would have stuck to the Bible regarding other matters or personal conduct, I might never have left.
 
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OntheDL

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If it were sinful God would never use illustrations such as the following.

Eze 16,11
Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil. I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk. I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck. And I put a jewel on thy forehead, and earrings in thine ears, and a beautiful crown upon thine head.

Luke 15,22 ( Jesus saying this in Parable )
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

Some people "twist the Scriptures" to further an agenda - no doubt money saved from rings and earrings...
...Would be all the more shekels to put toward the prophetic ministry of Ellen White.

I would say the Bible certainly frowns upon overloading on Jewls as much as it frowns on overloading on wine or food....
....A Christian should be moderate to be sure but claiming God does not want a woman to have a necklace, ring or earrings.
...Is simply a fable created out of a fleshy mind.

The Lord through Ezekiel rebuked the nation of Israel in Eze 16. They are symbolic of the material and spiritual wealth He blessed Israel with.

In the parable of the prodigal son, the son was given a ring. That was a symbol of approval or authority.

In neither incidents, the bible supports the believers wearing jewelries.

Before Jacob and his children crossing into the promised land, God told to be clean and put away the strange gods that were in their Jewelries.

Genesis 35
1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother. 2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.

The problem with jewelry is that they have pagan roots. The ring symbolizes an eternal serpent with the tail in its mouth. The precious stones are connected to astrology.

In the following passage, Paul did not tell the NT Christians to be modest with Jewelry. He told me not to wear gold, peals or costly array.

1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
 
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OntheDL

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I used to be an SDA in my teenage years but I left after a few years -- I felt like I was being suffocated -- suffocated by so many prohibitions like no dancing, no drinking coffee, eating chocolate, no drinking Coke, no jewelry, no make-up, no pants, no going to the movies, no wine. What is the reasoning behind all these prohibitions? Personally for me it isolated me from my family and friends. I also feel that these prohibitions foster a spirit of hyprocricy among your members -- since I know of many SDA that do all these things behind the purview of the church. Anyway I think these things should not be prohibited but need guidelines. Ellen G. White preached temperance not total prohibition. Also some of these things are permitted in the Bible by God. Don't get offended, I am saying all these things out of love.

Hi,

You see of all the things you mentioned they are the things of this world. If we are to prepare ourselves to enter into heaven, we have to detach ourselves with the worldly pleasures. A person who is truly born-again will acquire a new taste for heavenly pleasures.

These are not requirements of being a Christian. But they (not conformed to the worldly pleasures) are what a last days' Christian does if he or she is preparing for eternity.

Hope this helps.
 
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Stryder06

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I used to be an SDA in my teenage years but I left after a few years -- I felt like I was being suffocated -- suffocated by so many prohibitions like no dancing, no drinking coffee, eating chocolate, no drinking Coke, no jewelry, no make-up, no pants, no going to the movies, no wine. What is the reasoning behind all these prohibitions? Personally for me it isolated me from my family and friends. I also feel that these prohibitions foster a spirit of hyprocricy among your members -- since I know of many SDA that do all these things behind the purview of the church. Anyway I think these things should not be prohibited but need guidelines. Ellen G. White preached temperance not total prohibition. Also some of these things are permitted in the Bible by God. Don't get offended, I am saying all these things out of love.

I didn't always like the prohibitions that the Adventist church taught. I however didn't see that as a reason to leave the church, but to seek an understanding from within. Sr White spoke against certain things because of how they were during her time. Going to the movies was like going to a bar during her day. Make-up and jewelery deals with the external. As christians we need to be focused on the internal. Consider also that during judgment the people were commanded by God to take off their jewelry. As far as food goes, it's about a healthy lifestyle. Dancing in and of itself isn't bad. But the way people dance however isn't proper. And we're not talking things like tap, or ballet, or something like that.

There are some within the church who do not teach these things properly, but they are there for a reason. We are to be a separate people, but most christians are more content with fitting in with the world than standing apart from it. That's the biggest problem and the reason for these prohibitions.
 
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Pythons

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The Lord through Ezekiel rebuked the nation of Israel in Eze 16. They are symbolic of the material and spiritual wealth He blessed Israel with.

In the parable of the prodigal son, the son was given a ring. That was a symbol of approval or authority.

In neither incidents, the bible supports the believers wearing jewelries.

Before Jacob and his children crossing into the promised land, God told to be clean and put away the strange gods that were in their Jewelries.

Genesis 35
1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother. 2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.



In the following passage, Paul did not tell the NT Christians to be modest with Jewelry. He told me not to wear gold, peals or costly array.

1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;


I'm thinking you need to read that again.


Gen 24,47
And I asked her, and said, whose daughter art thou? And she said, the daughter of Bethuel, Nahor's son, whom Milcah bare unto him: and I put the earring upon her face, and the bracelets upon her hands. And I bowed down my head, and worshipped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, which had led me in the right way to take my master's brother's daughter unto his son

OntheDL said:
The problem with jewelry is that they have pagan roots. The ring symbolizes an eternal serpent with the tail in its mouth. The precious stones are connected to astrology.


Yes, and Saturday symbolizes Saturn or Kronos ( the god who eats his children )....
...Today a "ring" symbolizes someone who is married HOWEVER for those who like to FLIRT.
...I'm sure not wearing a ring because God doesn't like it - is as good as any excuse to solicit flirtation.

The point of the New Testament teaching is to worry MORE about what is on the inside of a person....
...Instead of obsessing over what is on the outside.
...And speaking of New Testament teachings where do you find it valid that a woman religiously intruct men in Church?

 
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Princessdi

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No fun? LOL!! JK. I was a teen in the church also Lynna, and know that feeling. Churches are very well meaning, but somehow got into conformity instead of relationship, that is with Christ and fellowship with each. Both are key, and help define a whole lot, and give us reason and purpose to live according to God's purposes for us. A list of don't is rather stifiling without the true "why".




I used to be an SDA in my teenage years but I left after a few years -- I felt like I was being suffocated -- suffocated by so many prohibitions like no dancing, no drinking coffee, eating chocolate, no drinking Coke, no jewelry, no make-up, no pants, no going to the movies, no wine. What is the reasoning behind all these prohibitions? Personally for me it isolated me from my family and friends. I also feel that these prohibitions foster a spirit of hyprocricy among your members -- since I know of many SDA that do all these things behind the purview of the church. Anyway I think these things should not be prohibited but need guidelines. Ellen G. White preached temperance not total prohibition. Also some of these things are permitted in the Bible by God. Don't get offended, I am saying all these things out of love.
 
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Pythons

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A religious system which obsesses over what a person eats or if a person wears a ring, necklace, etc....
...Is simply a system which imposes those restrictions in an effort to separate the members of that system with members of another.
...It's a given if you can't eat with someone the chances of fellowship are not very good.

It's simply a tactic employed by all cults who's purpose it is to curtail associations it's members have...
...With other denominations who affirm a faith in Christ.
...It simply lessens the chance the individual will be educated.
 
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lynna

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Thanks for all your replies. I really don't want to be super critical of the SDA church but it wasn't a nice experience for me. Not only because I felt isolated from family and friends but also because the church itself really didn't take the place of my family. I agree that God is more concerned with your heart than with external things like jewelry, make-up etc. God impressed in my heart that if I make Him the center, origin, and source of my life than I am free indeed and everything else will fall in their proper place. Now I listen to preachers like Joyce Meyers, Joel Olsteen, and others but I don't know if I'll ever go back to the SDA church. I hope God will help me make the right decision someday.
 
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k4c

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Thanks for all your replies. I really don't want to be super critical of the SDA church but it wasn't a nice experience for me. Not only because I felt isolated from family and friends but also because the church itself really didn't take the place of my family. I agree that God is more concerned with your heart than with external things like jewelry, make-up etc. God impressed in my heart that if I make Him the center, origin, and source of my life than I am free indeed and everything else will fall in their proper place. Now I listen to preachers like Joyce Meyers, Joel Olsteen, and others but I don't know if I'll ever go back to the SDA church. I hope God will help me make the right decision someday.

God is not saving denominations, He's saving people. There are people within the SDA that are just as lost as people in the world, only they have a religious appearance. Wearing jewelry, dancing, drinking wine, going to movies, wearing pants are all nutral as far as sin goes. How one partakes of these things is what makes them sinful. The SDA has alot more growing to do in this area.

Partaking of something that one believes is sinful, even if God says it's not sinful, will still harden the heart and bring death.
 
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EastCoastRemnant

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Thanks for all your replies. I really don't want to be super critical of the SDA church but it wasn't a nice experience for me. Not only because I felt isolated from family and friends but also because the church itself really didn't take the place of my family. I agree that God is more concerned with your heart than with external things like jewelry, make-up etc. God impressed in my heart that if I make Him the center, origin, and source of my life than I am free indeed and everything else will fall in their proper place. Now I listen to preachers like Joyce Meyers, Joel Olsteen, and others but I don't know if I'll ever go back to the SDA church. I hope God will help me make the right decision someday.


Lynna, don't discount the truth that is in the docrines of Adventism. I agree that there are over zealous, albeit well meaning people in the church and that can have a negative impact on ones faith (I'm speaking from personal experience).

I would urge you to continue to read early Adventist writings that focus on the pillars of our faith. Any of the EG White's 'conflict of the ages' series eg: Desire of Ages, Great Controversy, Prophets and Kings, Patriarchs and Prophets and Acts of the Apostles. Also Waggoner's Christ and His Righteousness and Haskell's The Seer of Patmos are wonderful, Spirit filled works that will give a correct understanding of Jesus and His Word.

I will pray for you sister that you do not completely turn away from Adventist understanding because of a few judgemental brethren. Also, be careful with authors/speakers such as Joyce Meyers as she infuses the New Age philosophy of self into her topics.

Whether or not you ever set foot inside a SDA church again, don't throw the baby (truth) out with the bath water. You can be an Adventist in your heart without being one corporately, imo.
 
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Stryder06

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A religious system which obsesses over what a person eats or if a person wears a ring, necklace, etc....
...Is simply a system which imposes those restrictions in an effort to separate the members of that system with members of another.
...It's a given if you can't eat with someone the chances of fellowship are not very good.

It's simply a tactic employed by all cults who's purpose it is to curtail associations it's members have...
...With other denominations who affirm a faith in Christ.
...It simply lessens the chance the individual will be educated.

So we're a cult now? Really? Shame on you Pythons.

And don't get it twisted, it's not the system which obsesses about these things, but the people. I'm sure you can concur about that in your own organization right? I doubt any examples are needed.
 
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Stryder06

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Thanks for all your replies. I really don't want to be super critical of the SDA church but it wasn't a nice experience for me. Not only because I felt isolated from family and friends but also because the church itself really didn't take the place of my family. I agree that God is more concerned with your heart than with external things like jewelry, make-up etc. God impressed in my heart that if I make Him the center, origin, and source of my life than I am free indeed and everything else will fall in their proper place. Now I listen to preachers like Joyce Meyers, Joel Olsteen, and others but I don't know if I'll ever go back to the SDA church. I hope God will help me make the right decision someday.

My only suggestion would be for you to continue to pray that God will lead you towards the truth. You may have had a bad experience with the church, which alot of people have, but that doesn't detract from the message which we have been trusted with. Wheat and tares are going to grow together until God comes to do the separating. You have to trust Him to see you through, and rebuke the devil when he tries to discourage you.
 
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Pythons

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So we're a cult now? Really? Shame on you Pythons.

And don't get it twisted, it's not the system which obsesses about these things, but the people. I'm sure you can concur about that in your own organization right? I doubt any examples are needed.

Every religion is a 'cult' - some prefer that their members not associate with the members of another.....
...Adventism absolutely fits into that category.

Yes, we, like any other grouping, have our share of nut cases runing around.....
...It seems that most of ours are Sedevacantist & semi- sedevacantist however.
...Also I've noticed a few "DR ONLY" folks running around all hyped up.
 
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Princessdi

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The premise if not new, neither did Pythons make that up, Stryder. SDA books/materials are often found in the "cult" section of many bookstores.

@Lynna - You are exactly right. Please do allow God to guide you in your relationship with Him and make Him center of your life. Do this especially in guidance of what you read and study. All SDA material is not good SDA, or even christian, material. God continue to richly bless you!

So we're a cult now? Really? Shame on you Pythons.

And don't get it twisted, it's not the system which obsesses about these things, but the people. I'm sure you can concur about that in your own organization right? I doubt any examples are needed.
 
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Stryder06

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Every religion is a 'cult' - some prefer that their members not associate with the members of another.....
...Adventism absolutely fits into that category.
Please, spare me. Do you tell people you are a member of the Catholic Cult, or Catholic Church?
 
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Stryder06

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The premise if not new, neither did Pythons make that up, Stryder. SDA books/materials are often found in the "cult" section of many bookstores.

What people think and what we are, are two different matters altogether. Pythons insinuated that we were a cult, not a Christian denomination. People aren't ignorant. They don't go looking for the nearest "Cult" when they think about finding a church. Calling us a cult is against the rules, and it undermines our validity in the minds of the casual reader.

And I've seen my fair share of books about saints right in the occult section of many book stores, but if I went into a Catholic thread and called their church a cult, my post would be deleted with all expediency, and a warning would be issued my way.
 
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k4c

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What people think and what we are, are two different matters altogether. Pythons insinuated that we were a cult, not a Christian denomination. People aren't ignorant. They don't go looking for the nearest "Cult" when they think about finding a church. Calling us a cult is against the rules, and it undermines our validity in the minds of the casual reader.

And I've seen my fair share of books about saints right in the occult section of many book stores, but if I went into a Catholic thread and called their church a cult, my post would be deleted with all expediency, and a warning would be issued my way.

Amen...

Many denominations such as Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals and other religious groups teach against wine, jewelry and dancing but no one sees a problem with them. One goes even further and no one calls them a cult such as this.

Official Statement of the Catholic Church
"We confess that whatever new thing the Pope ordains, whether it be in Scriptures or not in Scripture, and whatever he commands is true, divine and salvific; and therefore ought to be held by Lay People in greater esteem than the living God." Roman Catholic Confessions for Protestants Oath.

Official Statement of the Catholic Church
"We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty” Pope Leo XIII Encyclical Letter of June 20, 1894

Official Statement of the Catholic Church
“The pope is of so great dignity and so exalted that he is not a mere man… he is as it were God on earth, sole sovereign of the faithful of Christ, chief of kings, having plenitude of power." Lucius Ferraris, «Prompta Bibliotheca», 1763.

Official Statement of the Catholic Church
“The Pope and God are the same, so he has all power in Heaven and earth.” Pope Pius V, quoted in Barclay, Chapter XXVII, p. 218, "Cities Petrus Bertanous".

Official statements of the Roman Catholic Church regarding the divine wafer.
God Himself descends on the altar whenever they call Him; and as often as they call Him, and places Himself in their hands, even though they should be His enemies. And after having come, he remains entirely at their disposal; they move Him as they please, from one place to another; they may, if they wish, shut Him up in the tabernacle, expose Him on the altar, or carry Him outside the church; they may, if they choose, eat His flesh, and give Him for the food of others. ;Oh how great is their power!' -The Dignity of the priesthood by Liguori p. 26,27

"...the power of the priest is the power of the divine person; for the transubstantiation of the bread requires as much power as the creation of the world....thus the priest may be called the creator of the Creator..." St. Alphonsus De Liguori, in The Dignity of the Priesthood, p33

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Official Statement of the Catholic Church [/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]“Sunday is founded, not of scripture, but on tradition, and is distinctly a Catholic institution. As there is no scripture for the transfer of the day of rest from the last to the first day of the week Protestants ought to keep their Sabbath on Saturday and thus leave Catholics in full possession of Sunday.” Catholic Record, September 17, 1893.

Official Statement of the Catholic Church
“Sunday is our mark of authority, the church is above the Bible, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact." Catholic Record of London, Ontario, September 1, 1923”.

[/FONT]

 
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