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Which of the comments set out in my post were inaccurate? If I've misrepresented something about the SDA denomination, I'm more than willing to discuss it further.
BFA
Well to get this back on subject instead of the continuing "it's all about me BFA story"
The Adventist church is not a monolith it has members who hold various views on the subjects. Even the introduction to the 27 (now 28) fundamental beliefs book states that the church can change it views.
1. EGW is thought to be a prophet to a 19th century reformer to a deluded but still a Christian woman.
2. I could explain my understanding of the IJ but since I don't believe it I won't try. The average Adventist I think has a hard time with it and could only give a general description. And there are actually a few different views as it has changed through time. It originated as Christ plotting out the record of sins during the second apartment ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. Today most Adventists view it as Christ showing the rest of the Universe (alleged unfallen worlds) that the people He saves are safe to save ( a horrible term in my view but becoming more popular).
3. Various views traditionally no combative but we have more and more members in the military including very high ranking chaplains.
4. I would tell them to go with their conscience.
5 I think in the US it is about half of Adventists are vegetarians (lacto-ovo). Most still think there are clean and unclean meats though certainly not all.
6. The church has no particular Bible translation. The more fundamentalist the Adventist the more likely they are to go with the KJV. The most popular I would guess is probably the NIV.
7. Most Adventists don't drink due to the health reform history. Some pretend it is Biblically instructed but I think most just see it as a health issue due to the numerous problems related to drinking more then moderately.
8. No views on cremation or embalming that I know of.
9. Don't know that the church has said anything about organ donations. Most Adventists I know of would encourage the donation.
on the Adventist.org site they have position statements on things like abortion etc.
For one calling EGW a false prophet.
I can certainly respect the fact that you view this issue differently. However, I explained the reasons why I've reached this conclusion and I clearly articulated that my position on Mrs. White is merely my personal opinion.
I cannot pretend to accept Ellen G. White as a true prophet of God in order to avoid the term "back-handed." It is possible for us to disagree amicably, is it not?
BFA
Certainly, we can disagree, but I believe the intent of the OP was to seek out answers from SDA's not former SDA's. But I could be wrong.
Thank you, BFA. That is such a concise and lucid answer to the man's question. If I could add a couple of points. In The Great Controversy, p409, Ellen White states that "The scripture which above all others had been both the foundation and the central pillar of the advent faith was the declaration: 'Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.' Daniel 8:14." Friend, that statement in itself should give you pause to think. Danel 8:14?
I beg you to find a church that builds itself around John 3:16 instead. Adventism spends all it's time on the books of Daniel and Revelation when what really counts are all those great books in between. God has seen fit to give us the gospel in pretty simple terms so that it is easy to understand. It is so much safer to base your theology on that simple gospel than apocalyptic literature that is written in code and so wide open to multiple (and potentially wrong) interpretations.
I was born, raised, and educated as an Adventist. I was a good kid, but I knew that I just couldn't measure up, no matter how sincerely or hard I tried. I finally just quit going to church and told myself that I'd try and be as good a man as I could and, hopefully, that would shorten the amount of time I would burn before I was consumed (and the doctrines of annihilationism and soul-sleep are direct results of the IJ). I always felt a hole in my heart, though. Something was missing. It was years and years before I decided to give the Lord another crack at me. My first impulse was to go back to the Adventist faith. I began reading the Bible and when I hit Romans, I realized that this was nothing like I'd been taught. I'd been brought up to read my Bible jumping from one proof-text to the next in order to show that SDA doctrines were correct. And there are so many verses that plainly read one way and yet the church has to tell you that "That may be what it says, but it's not what it means." What a difference now that I take my Bible at face value. I can't put the book down. All I can tell you is that if you ask God to help you read that book, He's not going to steer you wrong. Sorry for prattling on so.
I am considering joining an SDA church, but I have some questions.
1) How do you guys feel about Ellen G. White?
Not really any of our business I feel. The only thing that makes any sense is that it is for the other intelligences, it definitely isn't for us as God knows us and could judge all of humanity in an instant. So if the Investigative Judgement is real, then it isn't important for us humans.2) Can explain Investigative Judgement to me?
We use to be very pacifistic. In fact, there was even a split that started due to WW1 and not wanting to be involved. However, currently in my church (and in the denomination as a whole) there are many people involved with the US armed forces. I can personally see both points.3) What stance does the church typically take on war?
I have had to occasionally work on Saturdays. I don't like it, and I will try to make sure in the future that I don't have to. I think the most important thing is if working on Saturdays comes between you and God. If it does, stop.4) What would you tell someone who has a job which requires them to sometimes work on Saturdays?
In the north american church the vegeterian possition is the conservative position. And it is a standard liberal standpoint to eat meat. Which is different than the greater US community as a whole which is silly. In the greater world church, I think most foreign countries people eat meat just not unclean meat.5) What exactly is the SDA view on how we should eat? Are some vegetarians whereas other just abstain from unclean foods?
I have seem some prefer KJV, and others prefer NIV.6) Is there a certain Bible translation that the church supports?
Generally it feels that drinking is a sin. I think that drinking just sometimes causes people to sin, and that some people shouldn't drink at all but others can (no one should drink to excess). However, I do understand the point that "I choose not to drink to not provide a stumbling block to my brother". I personally do drink, but rarely (now).7) How does the church feel about christians and drinking?
My dad was cremated. And it was his dad, who is very conservative, who put that through. I don't think the general church has any problems with cremation/etc. It is a bit of an issue because my dad didn't want to be cremated. However, he had decomposed a bit before they found him so that is why my grandfather preferred cremation.8) What is the philosophical and Spiritual implication of Cremation and embalming?
Why would it be wrong?9) How do you feel about organ doning?
Note that there are many different groups within the SDA church.
What you find in your area might be different than what is here, or what is in the Traditional area.
Also, if you happen to move there is no guaruntee that you will find similar.
She was a prophet, but I don't think that she was special.
There are some in the church, less now maybe, who seem to hold her up as more special than the authors of the Bible.
Not really any of our business I feel.
The only thing that makes any sense is that it is for the other intelligences, it definitely isn't for us as God knows us and could judge all of humanity in an instant. So if the Investigative Judgement is real, then it isn't important for us humans.
I think that the majority of adventists under the age of 50 are not traditional adventists. I think that traditional adventism is dying, and might already be a minority
Do you think I hold to that view of the IJ based upon my reply?
The traditional view of the IJ is very important to us. I saying it is unimportant means that I don't hold to the traditional view (which is included in my reply).
Also, on the comment of prophets being special. There is a big difference between 1 prophet in 2000+ years whose every word is treated as special and 10000s of prophets in 2000+ years...
I believe it is relevant because the emphasis of the investigative judgment is that of man becoming holy, man becoming like God. The close of probation indicates that man must reach a state of perfection in order to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. That's a position that might warrant some additional thought.
That really has nothing to do with the IJ teaching, either version. You are conflating last generation perfection theology with the IJ.
I guess I don't understand that distinction. Perhaps I would better understand if I were to ask a follow-up question. Do you believe that some of the writings of Ellen G. White were inspired by God? If so, which writings were inspired?
BFA
Sure, and I have just a bit of clue, but I have the feeling that Steps to Christ was.
By regarding some of what EGW wrote as authoritative, we are considering her as scripture. Which is wrong I feel.
Right now, I am cynical about the long term specialiness even if the work is inspired. I also think that Mere Christianity is inspired for example, and think that I would consider it more inspired than a lot of what EGW wrote.
you assume that the thought whatever it might be will be accurately written down and understood by those who read it.... that is a big assumption...I view "inspired" as representing a writing in which God directly presents a concept to the author and has some hand in guiding the written presentation of that concept. I distinguish this concept from "inspirational" which could refer to a larger number of works. However, perhaps you view "inspired" differently than I do. I would view Mere Christianity as "inspirational," but not "inspired." It could be that we're using words a bit differently. Not sure.
BFA
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