| Author | Message | ||
| Jan Registered user Username: Jan Post Number: 9 Registered: 1-2005 |
I believe that we have many "lurkers" on this site, and it might be interesting for some of us to briefly share how we became "formers." Frankly, there was a time (not that long ago!) when leaving ADventism was the farthest thing from my mind. In fact, I was quite upset at those who did! (I'm a former SDA Bible teacher.) But for me it all began when we attended a neighborhood Bible study group and did an inductive (verse-by-verse) study of Galatians. That rocked the boat! I remember thinking: "This just can't be true." Then someone suggested I log on to FormerAdventist.com and there I read story after story. I literally spent one summer studying Greg Taylor's Scripture-based testimony. And I've been studying ever since. I feel very humbled that the Holy Spirit led me on this journey. Leaving Adventism was the hardest thing I've ever done--and also the easiest thing I've ever done. By God's grace I've lost many of the fears I used to have. And also, for the first time, I feel saved! | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 1437 Registered: 12-2003  |
Oh, yes, Jan--I completely relate to that statement: "Leaving Adventism was the hardest thing I've ever done--and also the easiest thing I've ever done." For me it was beginning to pray that God would help me read the Bible and know what it REALLY said without Ellen's interpretations clouding my mind. AFter about two or three years of teaching a Sabbath school class while praying for God's insight (and finding that He was teaching me through the word some things I couldn't reconcile with ADventism), my husband and I began a weekly Bible study with our Christian neighbors. We studied one chapter a week, systematically, and did most of the books in the New Testament (including Revelation) and also Daniel. That was when we realized the Bible didn't say what we had been taught it said. Our story is on the "Stories" page of this website. Knowing Jesus is astonishing. It's not just becoming convinced of a new interpretation or set of beliefs. I finally actually have a relationship with Jesus, and I feel love for Him and am aware of His presence with me as I move through the day. The core anxiety and restlessness that used to drive me is gone. I also feel humbled that Jesus chose me and brought my spirit to life and filled my heart with Himself. I could not have "decided" to experience this. It required Jesus teaching me through His word--and it required my choosing to say "yes" as He convicted me of truth and of my need to surrender my identity and the life I loved. I just praise Him. He is enough. Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1066 Registered: 3-2004  |
What I needed was to learn how much God loves me. That He taught me through my 12 step program and that started 20 years ago. But all those years I thought the SDA church was "the church". Even when my name was taken off the books. What brought it to the fore front was when I found out EGW plagiarized. That was just about a year ago. Because EGW had such an influence on the doctrine of the SDA church I bought a Strong's Bible concordance and studied the Sabbath, tithing, the covenants. I also discovered other web sites on the internet that I read from. At times I had my Bible beside me to see if what was said was Biblical. Also at Christmas of 2003 the SDA pastor challenged us in our SS class to read the NT starting with Matthew. So I was reading Matthew and discovering how much the Father loves us. Everything I was discovering on my own was lining up with what I was reading on the internet sites written my M. Martin and others. I remember the reply I received from either Dennis or Dale when I asked the question about EGW. I was told that if I believed her I was an SDA. If I did not I did not have to worry about her. I felt a burden, I did not know I had, roll off my shoulders when I made the decision to follow the Christ I was learning about in the Bible without my EGW filters. What a relief!! What a blessing!!! What a freedom to no longer have that burden on my shoulders. I continue to study the Bible, as I need to keep up my relationship with Jesus. He and His and our Father are awesome. Diana | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 131 Registered: 7-2004 |
I think I've mentioned this before, but I was one of those who wanted to share the "special light" of the SDA church with a work friend, so I was trying to explain investigative judgment. I went to Daniel and was trying to reveal how it was spoken of in Daniel 8:14, and expanded on in Daniel 9:24-27. I was convinced in my heart that if something was true it should come from scripture, because after all that's what I'd been told all of my life. In the course of making my point, using my friend's own bible, I realized that I would have to back up scripture by jumping into Adventist folklore about Hiram Edson and Ellen White, and something deep inside me said, this can't be proven by scripture alone--something is fishy here. I had to leave the discussion with the whole thing unfinished. Fortunately for me I came across several books written by honest former SDA ministers who had been kicked out of the ministry because they, too, had expressed doubts about the SDA interpretations that support IJ. What followed for me was two years of earnest study and reading, and many tears when I realized how completely I'd allowed myself to be duped. What followed that was a realization of the depth and breadth of the love of Jesus, how truly great a God he really is, and how much he loves even me. After that, there is no turning back. It would be like preferring to eat cardboard instead of bread. There is nothing nourishing in the SDA doctrines for me any more. Belva | ||
| Bob Registered user Username: Bob Post Number: 66 Registered: 7-2000  |
A. F. Ballenger was one of those former SDA ministers who was kicked out of the church because he abandoned the doctrine of the Investigative Judgment. His book, Cast Out For the Cross of Christ, published in 1909, is worth reading. In his last chapter, he addresses Mrs. White directly. His letter to her is most interesting. You can read his book on-line at the following link: http://www.ex-sda.com/cast-out.htm |
