Significant Semi-Arian within Traditional Adventism

[PeacefulSDA]

Merlin Burt provided me with the following link to a good article on this trinitarian subject by Tim Poirier.

http://www.whiteestate.org/issues/The-Trinity.pdf

Peaceful

 

[GuardianShua]

Merlin Burt provided me with the following link to a good article on this trinitarian subject by Tim Poirier.

http://www.whiteestate.org/issues/The-Trinity.pdf

Peaceful

Yes, it is a good aticle, but who is the Holy Spirit? Our bibles inform us that God is Holy and that He is a Spirit. Is the Holy Spirit another being, or is it one of Gods many name titles. And where in the bible does it talk about a Godhead? I see God with Christ and all of the ruleing elders as a head, but I dont see the Holy Spirit mentioned as being with God as another party.

 

[Jon0388g]

Michael, are you an Adventist? I ask because if so, I'd like to invite you to discuss this issue in my thread "The Trinity" in the Traditional Adventist subforum. I'd like to see some of your opinions.

Jon

 

[PeacefulSDA]

Yes, it is a good aticle, but who is the Holy Spirit? Our bibles inform us that God is Holy and that He is a Spirit. Is the Holy Spirit another being, or is it one of Gods many name titles. And where in the bible does it talk about a Godhead? I see God with Christ and all of the ruleing elders as a head, but I dont see the Holy Spirit mentioned as being with God as another party.

Michael,

I haven't read the complete article as yet, only about 1/3, but I believe that Tim does use scripture. Sadly, I don't have any scriptures that show the Holy Spirit as part of God yet, but there are plenty of clear statements in EGW's writings that refer to the Holy Spirit as the third part of God. In his study, Tim has a 1896 letter, typed from her handwritten letter in 1897, from Australia from EGW that if you read carefully, says just that.

Here is part of that letter from Special Testimonies A 10

"Sunnyside," Cooranbong, Feb. 6, 1896.

(Copied Jan. 28, 1897)

To My Brethren in America:--
The great office work of the Holy Spirit is thus distinctly specified by our Saviour, "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin." Christ knew that this announcement was a wonderful trust. He was nearing the close of his ministry upon this earth, and was standing in view of the cross, with a full realization of the load of guilt that must be placed upon him as the sin-bearer. Yet his greatest anxiety was for his disciples. He was seeking to find solace for them, and he told them, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." {SpTA10 25.1}

Evil had been accumulating for centuries, and could only be restrained and resisted by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fulness of divine power. Another spirit must be met; for the essence of evil was working in all ways, and the submission of man to this satanic captivity was amazing.


Peaceful

I just finished reading Tim Poirier's article and it does not use any Scrpture. It is, instead, just studying the EGW references to The Holy Spirit.

 

[GuardianShua]

Michael,

I haven't read the complete article as yet, only about 1/3, but I believe that Tim does use scripture. Sadly, I don't have any scriptures that show the Holy Spirit as part of God yet, but there are plenty of clear statements in EGW's writings that refer to the Holy Spirit as the third part of God. In his study, Tim has a 1896 letter, typed from her handwritten letter in 1897, from Australia from EGW that if you read carefully, says just that.

Here is part of that letter from Special Testimonies A 10

[F New Roman]"Sunnyside," Cooranbong, Feb. 6, 1896. [/FONT]

[F New Roman](Copied Jan. 28, 1897) [/FONT]

[F New Roman]To My Brethren in America:-- [/FONT]
[F New Roman]The great office work of the Holy Spirit is thus distinctly specified by our Saviour, "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin." Christ knew that this announcement was a wonderful trust. He was nearing the close of his ministry upon this earth, and was standing in view of the cross, with a full realization of the load of guilt that must be placed upon him as the sin-bearer. Yet his greatest anxiety was for his disciples. He was seeking to find solace for them, and he told them, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." {SpTA10 25.1}[/FONT]

[F New Roman]Evil had been accumulating for centuries, and could only be restrained and resisted by the mighty power of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fulness of divine power. Another spirit must be met; for the essence of evil was working in all ways, and the submission of man to this satanic captivity was amazing.[/FONT]

Peaceful

I would feel better if the letter was in her own hand writing. It may very well be that Ellen believed that trinitarism was a biblical truth. I also have seen a letter of hers saying that she was not a prophetess, but because some of the things that she said came to pass, many people insist that she was a prophetess. I also know that the trinity doctrine was not taught until after her passing. And so the subject is very controversial.

 

[sentipente]

I haven't read the complete article as yet, only about 1/3, but I believe that Tim does use scripture.

That was funny, given the topic.

 

[TrustAndObey]

It sounds like my beliefs fall right in line with what EGW says about the Godhead. How traditional of me.

BTW, where is Maco these days?

Yes, it is a good aticle, but who is the Holy Spirit? Our bibles inform us that God is Holy and that He is a Spirit. Is the Holy Spirit another being, or is it one of Gods many name titles.

Michael, have you ever studied the scriptural definitions of the human spirit? I studied it a lot when I first read the bible, because my mother-in-law (Adventist) and myself (fallen Christian, ex-Baptist) did not see eye-to-eye on what happens to us when you die.

Have you ever studied the word "ruwach" translated to spirit in the bible?

(I'm just curious, I am not debating)

I only remember ONE verse in scripture that referred to God as a spirit.

Jesus also said spirits do not have flesh and bones.

God has a hand, a finger, etc and we're made in His (their) image.

And where in the bible does it talk about a Godhead? I see God with Christ and all of the ruleing elders as a head, but I dont see the Holy Spirit mentioned as being with God as another party.

There are three verses that talk about the Godhead:

Acts 17:29, Romans 1:20, Col 2:9

I don't think the Holy Spirit is another "party". I think it's part of God the Father. His breath. With Him forever, yet separate at the same time.

 

[PeacefulSDA]

That was funny, given the topic.

It was? Because of the "1/3"? Well, unfortunately, it was unintentional.

I'm still shaking the dirt out of my sandals from my years in the wilderness but am trying to catch up now.

 

[GuardianShua]

It sounds like my beliefs fall right in line with what EGW says about the Godhead. How traditional of me.

BTW, where is Maco these days?



Michael, have you ever studied the scriptural definitions of the human spirit? I studied it a lot when I first read the bible, because my mother-in-law (Adventist) and myself (fallen Christian, ex-Baptist) did not see eye-to-eye on what happens to us when you die.

Have you ever studied the word "ruwach" translated to spirit in the bible?

(I'm just curious, I am not debating)

I only remember ONE verse in scripture that referred to God as a spirit.

Jesus also said spirits do not have flesh and bones.

God has a hand, a finger, etc and we're made in His (their) image.



There are three verses that talk about the Godhead:

Acts 17:29, Romans 1:20, Col 2:9

I don't think the Holy Spirit is another "party". I think it's part of God the Father. His breath. With Him forever, yet separate at the same time.

In regards to: Acts 17:29, Romans 1:20, Col 2:9. Only the King James shows "Godhead", other bibles show "Divine" or "Deity." Also, Yes I have studied the word spirit. Although it is not translated in our bibles, "Gods Spirit" is often translated as just: "God." It is "not" translated "Gods Spirit" about 58 times. You need to understand that lots of words are not translated into english, but instead interpretations are given.