| Author | Message | ||
| maggieb |
Since this is a forum for former Adventists, that vast, invisible throng, I would like to pose the question: We're throwing out the bath water: what's left to keep?1. The "health message"? 2. A die-hard sense of family? 3. Lots of good memories? 4. A rock-solid sense of what doesn't work? 5. ? What has Adventism distilled in us that is valuable? Maggie | ||
| morgan |
I'd have to say that Adventism didn't give me a die-hard sense of family as much as it gave me an awareness of how many Adventist families didn't function well. As for the health message--I consider it valuable but not unique to Adventism. The interesting thing is that it's not Christians so much as it is cultic groups (new age, eastern religions, some satanic groups) who promote vegetarianism. Not that vegetarianism isn't healthy, but its extreme observance is touted by fringe groups mostly. The best thing I got from Adventism is an understanding of the law. I don't think Christians who grow up believing in grace have the same understanding of freedom that we do who grew up under the law. Another angle of the same issue is that my law-keeping background has made it so clear to me that if we live by the law, we are not living under grace and in submission to the Holy Spirit. You can't both live by the law and live by grace. The law was the hallmark of the Old Covenant. The Holy Spirit is our law now. Having been Adventist has made this understanding so clear to me now that I've left. You can't have a foot in both camps. | ||
| Susan (Susan) |
Maggie, I'm 4th generation SDA. There is so much dysfunction in my family I could write a book! So much hurt and devestation it's unbelievable. It's literally a miracle that God reached down and saved me, from the destructive path I was headed down. The list about what is wrong with growing up SDA is so long. I'm sure you know it all to well. The only good thing I can remember, is that I had a love for all the Bible stories (however acurate they were!)when I was a kid. When I was an adult and had left adventism, I really went wild. It's amazing I'm alive. Anyway, I prayed to God one night to just save me and take over. In my mind I clung to the God of the Bible. I figured if God could do so many mighty and wonderful things, perhaps he could help me. Well, He eventually lead me to a healthy church. And my life was transformed. Not overnight. I've been a Christian now for about 7 years. I'm still growing and learning. I hope I never stop. God can use the bad, to bring about His plan for good. Don't we serve a mighty God? | ||
| maggieb |
Susan, regarding,there is so much dysfunction in my family I could write a book!", I can't tell you how much it means to me to hear that from someone else! It's like my family has been in its own private, isolated little hell. I went berserk too, and am also amazed to be alive! I even had a therapist express amazement that I was alive. (There is a JW site which talks about people developing personality disorders after leaving cults.) I, too, loved the Bible stories--but it was reading them to my children that I found comforting. (I'm first generation SDA, but I did an amazing job of brainwashing myself.) I loved camp meeting, and the smell of potlucks, and feeling cosseted in a snug system. I miss a lot of things about Adventism. I miss loving Ellen White. In the end, everything crashed down, and the things I loved just mocked me. I was so angry, I drove me car in the woods, stood on the roof, shook my fist at the sky and cussed God out. Then I ripped my Bible to shreds and burned it. That was the beginning of my feeling secure with God. I did the ultimate bad thing, and He just wouldn't go away and leave me alone. You're so right, God can use the bad, to bring about His plan for good. I sure have a long way to go on this, though. At first I felt like a hopeless victim. Gradually I began to feel like a survivor. Now, I feel messed up still, but, somehow "experientially enriched"! Don't know what the next stage is. :-) Maggie | ||
| maggieb |
Morgan, I couldn't agree more that "you can't have a foot in both camps". If you take Adventism seriously enough, you will certainly learn what won't work! Maggie | ||
| Joni (Joni) |
There is a wonderful little book called "LORD HEAL MY HURTS" BY Kay Arthur. It takes about 30 minutes a day to do. I still use it to teach those who are hurting (therefore I continue to be healed). It goes through Jerimiah (and other texts)and points you to the Balm of Gilead, Jesus Christ, for your healing. The Word of God is so healing. You can order it from CBD. I would highly recommend it to you all. | ||
| BRUCE H |
When you mix Law and Grace like the SDA's do you take away the fear of the Law and the freedom of grace. I am deeply thankful for my Adventist PAST for this difference has been made crystal clear. Remember, God took the most leagalistic person he could find, Paul, to preach his gospel of Grace. |
