Originally posted by Carson Weber:
Hi 3AngelsMom,
You asked, "Yes, do you know what the fundamental doctrines of the SDA are?
Somewhat.
From what I've read, it has its roots in the American preacher, William Miller (early 19th c.), of whom Ellen Gould White was a follower, and she combined the thought of Edson (heavenly sanctuary) and Bates (sabbath worship) to officially start the demonination in 1860 (a strange 1830 years after Christ's ascension.. hmmm).
Why is that strange? Is there something significant about that time frame?
I do know that several important concepts are:
1. Sabbath worship
2. Immanent Eschatology; the return of Jesus Christ could happen tomorrow, don't get me wrong.. it's just that the focus is more there in SDA congregations
Those are the 2 things that give us our name: The 7th day Sabbath and our hope of the soon 2nd Advent of Christ. Hence- 7th day Adventist.
3. A strong Anti-Catholicism; I've found SDA adherents to be the most extremely opposed to the Catholic Church in ways that are frightening
I am actually quite suprised to hear you say that. SHAME ON THEM! I can honestly say that the root of their bias is not the leadership but their own hate. It is not taught that we are to be anti-catholic. That is really sad to me that you have encountered that. When I posted my beliefs, notice that I said 'God's people are in every denomination'. That INCLUDES the Catholic faith! There may be problems within the Catholic Church (ever since it's beginnings, there have been scandals of one kind or another), but that does not mean that the PEOPLE that are faithful to God within the church are evil, or any less a Christian than people outside of it. I am truly sorry that you have encountered that kind of attitude. I hope that you can see through these people to the root of their hate, and that it is NOT the Seventh Day Adventist Movement that propigates hate!
(a) the Catholic Church is the Whore of Babylon
Now that is a mix of a lie, along with a truth. We believe that Papal Rome, and the false doctrines that are in it represent the Great Whore. Again this is not a label on the actual people who are in this church, even all the way to the Pope. It is referring to the system of worship that is contrary to the Bible (which I know you don't agree with, and I understand, but it is just opinion, so don't take it too personally). The idea stems from the language in the Bible about the whore. First, a woman in prophecy, is always a church. The symbolic language of Revelation shows us that this church will have a relationship with all the Kings of the earth, and that not only will they be friends, but the religion of this church will permiate into the government of the nations. (i.e. Rome's affects on the whole world, through Papal counsel, and previous rule from Rome).
(b) the pope is the Antichrist
The last time I heard that, was when I was going to a Calvary Chapel! I don't ever recall anyone placing ANY prophecy on the Pope. We don't believe that the antichrist could be just one man. Evident by the presence of antichrist during Johns writing of Revelation. We don't think the Pope is anything other than a leader. I personally think the Pope you have now is a good man, with a good heart, and alot of love for the people.
That doesn't sound like antichrist!
(c) in the last days, Sunday worship will be "the mark of the beast"
That is something that is pure speculation on our part. It's origins are pretty deep. Rome is responsible for changing, legally, the day of worship from Sabbath (Saturday) to Sunday. Since we have identified Rome as the 10 horned beast of Revelation, this 'mark' is not only an identifying point, but it is the antitype of God's true and Holy Sabbath day. We don't know for sure, as I said it is speculation. We THINK it will be either manditory Sunday observance or a law passed to prohibit Sabbath observance (both of those HAVE been laws before). But in the end, no one knows, and we are just throwing the idea around. I think every Christian does that from time to time, don't you think?
(d) there is a future millennium in which the devil will roam the earth while Christians are with Christ in heaven
That is a pretty generalized statement, but it is pretty accurate. We believe that the 'chains of darkness' in the 'abyss' are here on earth after God has destroyed all the wicked with the brightness of His coming. We get this idea from Malachi 4. The Earth is again without form and void. 'An abyss'. Like it was before God separated the land from the water in Creation. This earth, with no one on it but the devil and his angels, will roam, trapped here, for 1000 years without anyone to tempt. While they are here, the saved are in Heaven with God, going through the books, and judging the lost and the fallen angels. I'm sure you have heard of this before, only you have probably always thought it was on earth. (the judgement seat of Christ)
(e) the soul sleeps between death and resurrection
This is a basic concept understood best from Scripture. I posted a list of the verses that show this doctrine in this thread already. Many people have a problem with this idea for a few reasons. 1. They think they are immortal already. 2. They think that they go straight to heaven when they die in spirit form. 3. They think that the 'soul' or 'spirit' (different people think differently on this one) is a separate, conscious being that can be taken out of the body. None of these doctrines are backed 100% by scripture. They may be proven from scripture with one passage, but these doctrines do not agree with the whole of scripture. After weighing the evidence for ALL of these doctrines, we have come to the conclusion that a person dies and sleeps in the grave until the ressurrection. Although, the weightier matters are that a person accepts Jesus as Saviour, and what they think happens after death is really irrelevant in light of the Gospel.
(f)on the last day, after a limited period of punishment in hell, the wicked will be annihilated and cease to exist rather than be eternally damned.
That isn't quite accurate either. We believe that 'hell' is actually the grave, and that all the 'souls' that were sleeping awake in the judgement. The wicked one's that is. They awake to the Great White Throne Judgement. I'm not really sure of the timing but at some point after they are awakened and before they are cast into the lake of fire, they will revolt along with Satan and all his angels, and try to attack the New Jerusalem. Which at that point is ON EARTH now. Then fire will come down out of heaven and devour them. So I am thinking that God will judge them AS SOON as He wakes them, and then in light of God's judgement they will show their true colors and ultimate wickedness and attack the city of God. The fire that devours them is the Lake of Fire. Then it says He will cast the devil and all the demons in there as well. At that point it says 'where the beast and false prophet ARE' meaning that they were part of the people who were attacking. Then the fires will burn until all is consumed. For an 'eon' the Bible says. And that IS a limited amount of time. NOT all of eternity. The old earth will be totally destroyed. 'passed away'. Then God will create a New Heaven and Earth and be TRULY able to wipe away every tear, and proclaim that there will be NO pain, NO sorrow, NO tears. It really is a very happy, just, hopeful thought. But either way, what we believe about the Lake of Fire, and what you believe about the Lake of Fire is really irrelivant to our Salvation.
4. As a matter of discipline, one should endorse vegetarianism and avoid worldly entertainment.
Actually there are quite a few people at my church alone that are not veggies. I myself and my family are vegan, but only because my kids and I are really lactose intolerant, and we were already vegetarian before that. My parents were hippies. I never have liked meat. The SDA message of health, is based on two things, the levitical laws of clean/unclean, and the writings of Ellen White in regards to diet. Again, this doctrine is not a 'you need this for salvation' doctrine. It is to help you have a happier, healthier, LONGER life. The way I see it, is this, God made my body. He knows what it needs. He told Adam and Eve that He made every plant and tree that bore fruit for their 'meat'. He then later authorized the eating of flesh (most likely after the flood, because they took 7 of the clean animals in with them, as opposed to the 2 of each unclean ones). But at no point did God every say that the unclean animal was ok to eat. The reason I said it that way was intentional. Is it a sin to eat pig? I think so. But for you, and anyone else here who doesn't think so, according to Paul, you should respect my choice and I should respect yours.
Some people don't eat fish on friday.
I don't begrudge them their preference. I only care that they have Jesus as their Saviour. As far as the worldly entertainments are concerned. We make it a habit to abstain from all appearance of evil. What you look at and what you hear has an effect on your mind and your conscience. Most people wear their consciences pretty thin with the garbage that they read, listen to and watch. They become so familiar with sin that they fail to see it's enormity. Because by beholding we become changed. There are specific references in some of Ellen's writings referring to theaters and such, but that is not referring to the modern cinemaplex's we have. The theaters back then were live shows, usually with scantily clad women dancing around. I think there is also mention of dancing, and just think of what the dancing was like then..... if it was wrong then, what do you think God would think of it now? It is pretty bad now a days. Looks like people are having sex with their clothes on. I don't think God would like that very much.
The whole idea with living a Spirit led life, involves our submission to God and His Holy Law. Like I said before, if you are breaking the letter of the Law you cannot be keeping the Spirit of the Law. This is not contingent upon Salvation. But if someone is sinning willfully over and over and over, with no remorse or intention of repentance, they take the chance of grieving the Holy Spirit. The Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, is the refusal to obey the Holy Spirit. The faithful can't 'lose' their salvation because they had a bad day and said a cuss word to one of their kids. It would take a consistent willful expression of rebellion to God to blaspheme the Holy Spirit.
We live in such a way, that it could never come to that. If you allow the Holy Spirit to control your life, it will lead you into paths of righteousness.
Now on the flip side, living righteously doesn't mean you are Spirit led. Anyone can keep some rules, and be nice. But a truly Spirit led person, finds it a joy to live in obedience to Christ, and His commandments are not burdensom.
Hope that helped.
God bless