| Author | Message | ||
| 1john2v27nlt Registered user Username: 1john2v27nlt Post Number: 169 Registered: 5-2009 |
"Immediately following Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit led Him into the desert to be confronted by Satan. The next forty days became an intense period of testing during which Jesus showed He was the perfect Son of God, able to withstand temptation and overcome the Devil. We can imitate Christ’s perfect example when we feel vulnerable to temptation." Does this sound like SDAism teaching to you? Does this focus on overcoming sins somehow ourselves? Does it smack of Perfectionism? I found this in the nondenominational bible study we are doing by NavPress - a series titled The Life & Ministry of Jesus Christ. The quote is listed in a section about the temptation of Christ by Satan in the wilderness. What do you think of this? Am I overreacting? Should I contact NavPress with my questions & concerns? J9 | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 8599 Registered: 3-2004  |
It sounds like it came right out of egw. I would get my Bible facts together and write to the people that printed the studies. Diana L | ||
| Gcfrankie Registered user Username: Gcfrankie Post Number: 726 Registered: 1-2007 |
I agree with Diana L. It is impossible for us to immitate Jesus as he is perfect where we are born in sin. If we could do what Jesus did in resisting temptation like He did then we would not need HIM. Gail | ||
| Dljc Registered user Username: Dljc Post Number: 116 Registered: 7-2010 |
Amen Gail! | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 6784 Registered: 9-2006  |
I don't think you are over reacting at all. | ||
| 1john2v27nlt Registered user Username: 1john2v27nlt Post Number: 172 Registered: 5-2009 |
OK. So here is what I've written up to send to NavPress: Our Women’s Community Bible Study is doing the series ‘The Life & Ministry of Jesus Christ’ this year. I have found a statement in the first book ‘The Beginning’ which has raised a concern with me. It is found on p 48 in the section SATAN TEMPTS JESUS IN THE DESERT, in the paragraph at the bottom of the page: Immediately following Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit led Him into the desert to be confronted by Satan. The next forty days became an intense period of testing during which Jesus showed He was the perfect Son of God, able to withstand temptation and overcome the Devil. We can imitate Christ’s perfect example when we feel vulnerable to temptation. I have spent the summer investigating the beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination because that is my background. This has been instigated by the fact that we have 3 Mormon ladies attending our bible study. All of the cults have a false understanding of Jesus. SDAs are generally not labeled as a cult, but I now know their beliefs about Jesus are very faulty. They teach PERFECTIONISM, and that Jesus is our EXAMPLE to show us that we too can achieve a perfect character by living our lives the way He lived His life. They divert the FOCUS away from Jesus our Savior who fulfilled all the Law. HIS SINLESS LIFE COVERS US when we accept Him by FAITH alone. . He is NOT our EXAMPLE, He is our SAVIOR. If we could imitate His perfect example we would have NO NEED of a SAVIOR. Obviously I am reading the above statement through the filters of the background I have. I am also sensitive to the fact that Mormon women do not have a true Jesus either. Perhaps I am sensitive to something that is not intended & not leading to a faulty concept of our salvation in Christ. Maybe it’s just the use of the word perfect that is punching my buttons. I am wondering if there is a better way to state the intent of this paragraph? Or if your editorial & theology editors would have any concern about this? I don’t even know if I am articulating clearly what my concern is. I do thank you for considering my questions. FAFers, I welcome your editorial comments & advice here before I send this off. J9 | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 1442 Registered: 7-2007 |
It sounds good to me.  | ||
| Martinc Registered user Username: Martinc Post Number: 172 Registered: 9-2006 |
You are right, J9, this has the familiar odor of pietism, if not perfectionism. Do they even mention Jesus defeating Satan in our place? Do they know the difference between what Christ does for us and what He does in us? Jesus was tempted by the Devil as the new Adam and the new Isreal. The only thing I might say different is that once we are justified by His blood and adopted as His, our imitation of His life is a part of how we born-again sinners will be conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29). We imitate His service for others, for example. Perhaps this is nitpicky, and I agree with you heartily. Martin C | ||
| 1john2v27nlt Registered user Username: 1john2v27nlt Post Number: 173 Registered: 5-2009 |
Martin, The scripture passage focus is Mt 4:1-11. That paragraph is the preface to the questions. Here are the questions to answer: - Why was Jesus especially vulnerable during this time? - What techniques does Satan use to entice us to sin? -How had Jesus prepared Himself to face these temptations? - When do you feel most susceptible to temptation? - What can we learn from Jesus about facing and overcoming temptation? I thought a non-denominational study, an inductive study, would be 'safe'; free from doctrine. I am happy to be in the Word; unhappy to beware of questionable statements. I wonder what I need to know about NAVPRESS? J9 | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 11744 Registered: 12-2003  |
J9--I agree with you. Given the context, I believe the paragraph you quoted is really misleading to people who may not be born again or who are spiritual infants. Martin is right that after we are born again we then have the power and the choice to imitate Jesus when we are tempted, but the way it seems this passage is presented, the reader is left with the impression that Jesus' wilderness temptation was primarily to show us how to resist Satan. In fact, His temptation was, as Martin also said, to demonstrate that He IS the second Adam and the perfect Israel who succeeded, in 40 days of fasting and wandering, to be obedient to God in the ways Israel failed to be obedient during their 40 years in the desert. Jesus' wilderness experience was orchestrated by the Holy Spirit and was for the purpose of showing who Jesus was and of demonstrating His intrinsic righteousness which the first Adam and the nation of Israel failed to have. I agree--you should say something...and don't be too apologetic about your criticism. You have good reasons to be critical, and you know what you're saying and why. Colleen | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 6786 Registered: 9-2006 |
This comes to mind concerning this: Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Am I proof texting here? It just seems to me to go along with what you are talking about. River | ||
| 1john2v27nlt Registered user Username: 1john2v27nlt Post Number: 174 Registered: 5-2009 |
Colleen, THAT'S what was bothering me! You have helped me articulate what my biggest concerns are. That this is not something to tell a person who is not born again. And what the real purpose of Jesus wilderness temptation was - and it was that He was led of the Holy Spirit to be tempted for the purpose of showing who Jesus was. May I kind of copy/paste parts of what you wrote to amend what I send to NavPress? As usual you have the gift of clarity & brevity, & I benefit greatly from that - & I don't naturally have it! Our bible study leader says she had a teacher who had a slogan: our sharing should always be BRIEF - BIBLICAL - & BENEFICIAL J9 | ||
| 1john2v27nlt Registered user Username: 1john2v27nlt Post Number: 175 Registered: 5-2009 |
River, The NLT for that verse reads: "In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross." v13 before that says "You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. THEN God mad you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins." I think that fits with what the issues are here & my concerns, especially with these other ladies whom God has drawn to this bible study. I am grateful for this forum which has helped to hone my understanding. Without it I would be sailing past this without realizing the danger. Perhaps the writers of these studies are 'Old Timers' who can't remember what it's like to NOT be born again. I hope so rather than that they are faulty in their concepts in general. J9 | ||
| Gorancroatia Registered user Username: Gorancroatia Post Number: 83 Registered: 6-2010 |
They must get it from the Clear Word Bible. I have some friend - calvinist pastor, who uses E.W. books in his sermons....there can be others also..who do that. | ||
| 1john2v27nlt Registered user Username: 1john2v27nlt Post Number: 176 Registered: 5-2009 |
Goran, I have a print out from the internet that says the book 'Desire of Ages' is the favorite book about the life of Jesus for ministers (NOT SDA) under the age of 40. All through the OT & NT we are warned about false teachers, & false teachings - which rise AMONG US - AS BELIEVERS. The false teachers & teaching are WITH us. J9 | ||
| Gcfrankie Registered user Username: Gcfrankie Post Number: 727 Registered: 1-2007 |
J9, I like what you wrote. I think the problem is Navpress does not understand what is taught in cultic religions. I hope your letter will be passed on to the department people who write their study books. They are christians and have not come from a works background as we who have left and that is why we are so quick to pick up on something like this statement. Be sure they have your address as they may want you to proof text. You may have found yourself a job. haha Gail | ||
| Christo Registered user Username: Christo Post Number: 238 Registered: 2-2008 |
When scripture tells us that Jesus was tempted in all things just like us, It was not telling us that Jesus was just itching to sin, but just knew it was wrong, and was able to resist through will power; but that satan tried to tempt Jesus, in the same manner that satan tries and tempts us. Its telling us that Jesus as well as us have been taunted by satan to sin. With Jesus, satan has no persuasion. God cannot sin, to say so is an oxymoron, that cannot be normalized. The" tempted" in this verse, refers to the approaches of satan, not the responses of Christ, or ourselves. This one verse, misapplied,leads to false understanding as discussed on the literature opening this thread. Chris | ||
| Martinc Registered user Username: Martinc Post Number: 173 Registered: 9-2006 |
"...the reader is left with the impression that Jesus' wilderness temptation was primarily to show us how to resist Satan." Colleen "They are christians and have not come from a works background as we who have left and that is why we are so quick to pick up on something like this statement." Gail J9, those questions you posted are revealing. There seems to be much of this in the churches: the glittering seductions of victorious living, personal improvement and prosperity gospels. They don't seem to grasp the total spiritual enslavement that sin is, and how learning techniques for overcoming sin will only harden their delusions and self-deceit. Many people using an online study like this will believe they have better techniques to deal with Satan, becoming less "vulnerable" to his attacks. It reminds me of the old Charles Atlas ads, "Don't be a 97 lb weakling! You can be a He-man too!" What a trap. There are no techniques. We kill sin only after we are convicted of our utterly hopeless condition. We see our sin requiring the death of the Son of God, and we repent. We are forgiven, and we stand under God's promises bought by that blood, knowing all those powers are defeated and shamed. Only forgiven sin can be defeated. Martin C | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 11750 Registered: 12-2003 |
Christ and Martin, excellent points. Yes, J9--use whatever you wish. Colleen | ||
| 1john2v27nlt Registered user Username: 1john2v27nlt Post Number: 181 Registered: 5-2009 |
Thank you everyone who has replied. This helps so much to clarify & solidify my understanding. I will be prepared with a solid perspective. What a blessing to have this forum! Thank you Abba. J9 |
