According to some Seventh Day Adventists here, they have the upper hand biblically and substantiate their doctrines better than evangelicals.
Make no mistake. There are a lot of groups seeking to discredit Christianity and claim that they are the true faith. I was a part of a similar group. Their mantra is usually "truth over tradition" with the inference that non-members are following tradition and are less biblical. Such claims ahould not be ignored. And, frankly, I don't care what some think about my efforts to address them.
I'd like to ask them to substantiate these teachings biblically:
Notice the obsession with diet. It seems like days and foods are constant sources of obsession with legalistic groups that are trying to discredit the rest of Christianity.
Ellen G White believed that eating animals caused the base desires of the animal to be transferred to the human resulting in nymphomania, masturbation, and other sexual immorality. I think some SDAs are told the prohibition related to slaughterhouse practices but that cannot be true because the prohibition is against eating all meat no matter how it is slaughtered.
Here's one quote to substantiate the amalgamation comment:
Every species of animal which God had created were preserved in the ark. The confused species which God did not create, which were the result of amalgamation (man-animal sex) were destroyed by the flood. Since the flood there has been amalgamation of man and beast, as may be seen in the almost endless varieties of species of animals, and in certain races of men (Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, v.3, p.75)
If you bring up these issues, most SDAs will no deny Ellen White's prophetess status but will insinuate the quote is out of context and undependable without substantiating this claim.
This is because one of their doctrinal beliefs says:
As the Lords messenger, her (Ellen White) writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction and correction. It is my understanding that affirmation of this statement is required for baptism. And, one Seventh Day Adventist acquaintance has told me he is uncomfortable with some congregations he had been involved with as about a third of the remarks were preceded with "Sister White said". While I don't agree with his theology which is pretty much undiluted Seventh Day Adventist theology he has sense enough to realize that her teachings are being viewed by some as on level with Scripture, or perhaps as an inspired commentator through which Scripture is interpreted.
At any rate consider these points when confronted by Seventh Day Adventist propaganda. And I do have references for most of the points above. I will also acknowledge that SOME Adventists don't attempt to proselytize Evangelicals but remarks made by SDAs in the forums lead me to thin the ones on the forums are trying to proselytize Evangelicals.
Make no mistake. There are a lot of groups seeking to discredit Christianity and claim that they are the true faith. I was a part of a similar group. Their mantra is usually "truth over tradition" with the inference that non-members are following tradition and are less biblical. Such claims ahould not be ignored. And, frankly, I don't care what some think about my efforts to address them.
I'd like to ask them to substantiate these teachings biblically:
- It is acceptable to practice abortion (their health care facilities even perform elective abortions)
- Do not use mustard, pepper, spices or pickles
- Do not eat between meals
- Feeding eggs to your children will excite their "animal" (sexual) passions
- Displaying family photographs is a form of idolatry
- It is a sin to forget
- Do not question the truth shown to Ellen White
- Forgotten, unconfessed sin will be held against one in the judgment
- Never say that you are saved
- There are unseen worlds whose Adams never sinned that are watching the drama played out on earth
- Christ didn't enter the Holy of Holies after the crucifixion (this occurred in 1844 according to Adventists but Hebrews teaches otherwise)
- It is acceptable to hide your identity during public lectures because you know your organization is viewed as cultic
- Ellen White's teaching of amalgamation which means that men had sex with animals prior to the flood and that some races of men today have animal-like characteristics due to this and some animals have manlike characteristics due to this.
- Babies who nurse from a wet nurse inherit the woman's morality
- Tresspass offerings still need to be paid, to the church if you can't make amends with the other person (a trespass offering is a sin offering)
- You must always pray on your knees and never in any other position even publicly
- Vegetarianism is required of Gods people
- Ministers and their families cannot eat meat
- Eating butter, eggs, meat hinder your prayers
- Cheese is wholly unfit for food
- Consuming liquor, tea and coffee must be overcome
- Two meals a day are better than 3
- The General Conference is Gods highest authority on earth
Notice the obsession with diet. It seems like days and foods are constant sources of obsession with legalistic groups that are trying to discredit the rest of Christianity.
Ellen G White believed that eating animals caused the base desires of the animal to be transferred to the human resulting in nymphomania, masturbation, and other sexual immorality. I think some SDAs are told the prohibition related to slaughterhouse practices but that cannot be true because the prohibition is against eating all meat no matter how it is slaughtered.
Here's one quote to substantiate the amalgamation comment:
Every species of animal which God had created were preserved in the ark. The confused species which God did not create, which were the result of amalgamation (man-animal sex) were destroyed by the flood. Since the flood there has been amalgamation of man and beast, as may be seen in the almost endless varieties of species of animals, and in certain races of men (Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, v.3, p.75)
If you bring up these issues, most SDAs will no deny Ellen White's prophetess status but will insinuate the quote is out of context and undependable without substantiating this claim.
This is because one of their doctrinal beliefs says:
As the Lords messenger, her (Ellen White) writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction and correction. It is my understanding that affirmation of this statement is required for baptism. And, one Seventh Day Adventist acquaintance has told me he is uncomfortable with some congregations he had been involved with as about a third of the remarks were preceded with "Sister White said". While I don't agree with his theology which is pretty much undiluted Seventh Day Adventist theology he has sense enough to realize that her teachings are being viewed by some as on level with Scripture, or perhaps as an inspired commentator through which Scripture is interpreted.
At any rate consider these points when confronted by Seventh Day Adventist propaganda. And I do have references for most of the points above. I will also acknowledge that SOME Adventists don't attempt to proselytize Evangelicals but remarks made by SDAs in the forums lead me to thin the ones on the forums are trying to proselytize Evangelicals.
