"Reformed" or just "Real"?

Jon0388g said:

You did mention "Ellen White vs. the Bible," but I'm pretty confident most Adventists will agree that the lesser light only points to the Greater Light; the Bible.

Click to expand...

EGW did not call the Bible the greater light in that oft-quoted quotation. The context shows that she was referring to Jesus Christ.

sentipente said:

EGW did not call the Bible the greater light in that oft-quoted quotation. The context shows that she was referring to Jesus Christ.

Click to expand...

Context of the quote:
"The Lord has sent His people much instruction, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light. Oh, how much good would be accomplished if the books containing this light were read with a determination to carry out the principles they contain! There would be a thousandfold greater vigilance, a thousandfold more self-denial and resolute effort. And many more would now be rejoicing in the light of present truth.
My brethren and sisters, work earnestly to circulate these books. Put your hearts into this work, and the blessing of God will be with you. Go forth in faith, praying that God will prepare hearts to receive the light. Be pleasant and courteous. Show by a consistent course that you are true Christians. Walk and work in the light of heaven, and your path will be as the path of the just, shining more and more unto the perfect day.-- Review and Herald, Jan. 20, 1903."

This is actually the common misunderstanding of people. The Bible saves no one, I would hate to be considered a light that draws people to the Bible, rather I would want to be a light that points people to God.

LeRoy Moore wrote a good post on SDAnet about this and did a pretty good job of showing it is not a reference to the Bible. Of course if you pay attention to the Bible you should be drawn to the greater light of God, though of course that is not necessarily where you will be drawn.

RC_NewProtestants said:

This is actually the common misunderstanding of people. The Bible saves no one, I would hate to be considered a light that draws people to the Bible, rather I would want to be a light that points people to God.

LeRoy Moore wrote a good post on SDAnet about this and did a pretty good job of showing it is not a reference to the Bible. Of course if you pay attention to the Bible you should be drawn to the greater light of God, though of course that is not necessarily where you will be drawn.

Click to expand...

The book itself does not save. However, the content of it does, as it is borne of God.

If you look at the Bible as though it were a lifeless novel, you won't fathom the profound nature of it. Nevertheless, if you look at it as though it were the Living Word of God, you will surely know that it has power to give life to the dead.

Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth.
(Joh 17:17)

BondGirl said:

I'm back....bumpin' for the discussion to restart....
Still gotta work on these "spots and wrinkles."

Click to expand...

Welcome back.

"The Lord has sent His people much instruction, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light. Oh, how much good would be accomplished if the books containing this light were read with a determination to carry out the principles they contain! There would be a thousandfold greater vigilance, a thousandfold more self-denial and resolute effort. And many more would now be rejoicing in the light of present truth.
My brethren and sisters, work earnestly to circulate these books. Put your hearts into this work, and the blessing of God will be with you. Go forth in faith, praying that God will prepare hearts to receive the light. Be pleasant and courteous. Show by a consistent course that you are true Christians. Walk and work in the light of heaven, and your path will be as the path of the just, shining more and more unto the perfect day.-- Review and Herald, Jan. 20, 1903."

Click to expand...

It comes across as quite vague as to which light is which.

The Lord has sent His people much instruction, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little.

Click to expand...

This could be only the bible, particularly with the reference to the verse "line upon line etc...". It could be EGW's writtings only. It could also be inclusive of the entirety of revealed instruction (including tradition, experience, reason).

Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light.

Click to expand...

So which light is the Bible, lesser or greater? EGW hasn't mentioned her writings yet.

Oh, how much good would be accomplished if the books containing this light were read with a determination to carry out the principles they contain!

Click to expand...

"The books containing this light..." This is most likely the bible, but again, which light?

My brethren and sisters, work earnestly to circulate these books. Put your hearts into this work, and the blessing of God will be with you. Go forth in faith, praying that God will prepare hearts to receive the light. Be pleasant and courteous. Show by a consistent course that you are true Christians. Walk and work in the light of heaven, and your path will be as the path of the just, shining more and more unto the perfect day.--

Click to expand...

Well this could be taken as the bible, or as her own literature, or as the general Christian literature available to them.

While it seems a bit vague at the start of that quote, I can see how one could come to the conclusion that the lesser light is her own writting, and the greater light is the bible. I could also see how one could read that all the inspired Christian (Adventist only?) literature would be the lesser light to the greater light.

One would have to read the whole article to get the full feeling for the context.

woobadooba said:

The book itself does not save. However, the content of it does, as it is borne of God.

Click to expand...

This seems to be one of those distinctions with no difference.

sentipente said:

This seems to be one of those distinctions with no difference.

Click to expand...

What intrinsic value does a book really have to someone if it is merely held in the hand, or put on a shelf, or regarded as some kind of charm if you will?

It's what's inside of a book that matters most. To discover its treasures one must peruse its pages.

Of course, when we speak of the Bible we aren't just talking about any ordinary book. We are talking about the Living Word of God.

Hence the distinction lies in what we do with it, or perhaps it is best to say that it manifests itself in what we allow it to do for us.

woobadooba said:

Of course, when we speak of the Bible we aren't just talking about any ordinary book. We are talking about the Living Word of God.

Click to expand...

He got jokes. I did not know the church councils had life giving power.