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Patti
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2000 - 7:01 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I am posting this with the permission of David, the person who posted the article and commented on it on another forum:

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The Adventist Church is unbowed in its support of Ellen White and has been making renewed efforts to spread her deceptions thoughout the world. I copied the actual text below for any who are in doubt about this.
What is even more telling is the length of this affirmation juxtaposed to NO AFFIRMATION AT ALL CONCERNING THE BIBLE! Only as an AFTERTHOUGHT did the church add in (see below) a statement that they should probably come up with a similar affirmation for the Bible (obviously to avoid criticism from the "outside").

We can all see (below) the emphasis the Adventist Church places upon Ellen Write's writings vs. the Bible. For the former a detailed, enthusiastic affirmation, for the latter a mere one-sentence PROPOSAL for a similar affirmation to be produced at some unspecified future time ("Voted, To refer to the Plans Committee the request that a resolution be prepared supporting the Bible which is similar to the Resolution on the Gift of Prophecy Through the Ministry of Ellen G White.").

Where are the proposals to publish and circulate the Word of God? Nowhere to be found, that's where.

With Adventists it can truly be said that the more they change the more they stay the same. Their church started out by disregarding Christ's final words telling us "It is not for you to know the times and dates the Father has set by his own authority" (Acts 1:7, NIV), and they have been ignoring His words ever since.

David

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RESOLUTION ON THE GIFT OF PROPHECY THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF ELLEN G WHITE

Voted, To adopt the Resolution on the Gift of Prophecy Through the Ministry of Ellen G White, as follows:

Resolution on the Gift of Prophecy

Through the Ministry of Ellen G White

For more than six thousand years the cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan has raged throughout the universe. By both human and supernatural means Satan has continued the conflict that began in heaven millenniums ago. Consumed by hatred toward Christ, he has confused the vast majority of earthís population concerning the nature of God. Instead of showing Him to be a God of love whose law is a transcript of His character, Satan has caricatured Him in a variety of ways, including as a tyrant who demands an impossible level of obedience and an indulgent Deity who cares little whether His law is obeyed.

Throughout past centuries God has endeavored to set forth the truth about Himself. Through patriarchs and prophets, through nature and written revelation, through human experience and divine providences He has countered Satanís deceptions and distortions. Ultimately, He sent His only begotten Son into the world that through His life, ministry, and death the world could see that God is love and would be drawn to Him.

Almost two millenniums have passed since Jesus returned to heaven. All the great time prophecies of the Bible have been fulfilled. The final conflict in the controversy between righteousness and sin is rapidly approaching. ìIntensity is taking possession of every earthly elementî (The Desire of Ages, p. 257).

In light of these considerations,

We express thanks to God for the instruction, counsel, warnings, and reproofs that, in His mercy, He has given us through the writings of Ellen G White and we desire to show our appreciation for these messages by humbling our hearts before Him and letting these messages bear full fruit in our lives.

We urge that efforts be intensified to inform all church members, especially the youth and those new to our faith, concerning the role and value of this gift in the experience of Seventh-day Adventists. We also encourage increased circulation of the Ellen G White books as well as concerted study programs throughout the world utilizing those Ellen G White books available to our members.
We urge church administrators, pastors, educators, and lay leaders, by precept and example, to encourage all our people to study and follow the practical instruction and principles for daily living contained in these inspired counsels.

We urge all church administrators, including those of educational and health care institutions, to give careful heed to the inspired counsels given to Seventh-day Adventists through the writings of Ellen G White.
We encourage every church to conduct an annual Spirit of Prophecy Day, and we urge schools to conduct a yearly Adventist Heritage Week.

In order to make Ellen G Whiteís published writings more available to the church,

We recommend the continuation and promotion of special purchase incentives for denominational employees to acquire Ellen G Whiteís published writings, as well as the continuation of offering to members the lowest possible prices for these ìmessage-filledî books at campmeetings and other special times.

We encourage the churchís publishing houses and Adventist Book Centers to feature Ellen G Whiteís books prominently in their advertisements and displays.
We express appreciation to the world divisions and their publishing houses for the 237 translations of Ellen G White books authorized during the past quinquennium, and call upon the divisions of the church to continue availing themselves of the subsidies available from the General Conference for translating the Ellen G White books into local languages. Further, we encourage making use of approved, innovative, and inexpensive methods, including electronic format, to reach that objective.

We encourage our publishing houses, where feasible, to translate the landmark volume, Messenger of the Lord, and we urge church members and employees to read the volume and take particular note ìof the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past historyî (Life Sketches, p. 196).
In recognition of recent activities of the Ellen G White Estate,

We express appreciation to the Ellen G White Estate for its CD-ROM products, including the recently released interactive CD-ROM, Legacy of Light. We also express appreciation for its efforts to provide Ellen G Whiteís published writings, plus pertinent and accurate information regarding those writings and her ministry, through its official Web site. We urge that the Web siteís information be provided in languages other than English, and that it be kept current regarding issues of interest and concern to church members.

RESOLUTION ON THE BIBLE

Voted, To refer to the Plans Committee the request that a resolution be prepared supporting the Bible which is similar to the Resolution on the Gift of Prophecy Through the Ministry of Ellen G White.

[Found at http://www.adventistreview.org/2000-bulletin4/actions-proceedings.html]

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Where are the proposals to publish and circulate the Word of God? Nowhere to be found.

With Adventists it can truly be said that the more they change the more they stay the same. Their church start out by disregarding Christ's final words telling us "It is not for you to know the times and dates the Father has set by his own authority" (Acts 1:7, NIV), and they have been ignoring His words ever since.
Allenette
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2000 - 7:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Re: >>>"We urge all church administrators, including those of educational and health care institutions, to give careful heed to the inspired counsels given to Seventh-day Adventists through the writings of Ellen G White.
We encourage every church to conduct an annual Spirit of Prophecy Day"

(To their credit, some of the delegates have put into the record, that, until the GC encourages an official "Jesus" day or a "Bible" day, they will not support it!!)

When I mentioned that to a still-SDA friend yesterday, (she hadnt heard about it) she said, what would you DO all day???

Oh, the possibilities....
women could wear the reform dress, the potluck could consist of oysters, people could lash themselves to their beds, wigs and corsets could be burned...
anyone got some more suggestions??? George? Max?
GGGGG

Now when the GC suggests an "Uncle Arthur Day", the circle will be unbroken ;-)

Might I suggest the SDA trinity: Ellen White, Uncle Arthur, and the Bible, in that order.
Patti
Posted on Thursday, July 06, 2000 - 7:44 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Allenette,
You are a riot!

Thanks for the comic relief!
Colleentinker
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2000 - 12:51 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Allenette,

I especially like the image of eating oysters while wearing reform dress! There's something so totally and wonderfully disjunct about that!

Kind of sounds/feels familiar, doesn't it?!

Colleen
Lydell
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2000 - 6:15 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Okay, Allenette, but we musn't forget to put a broach on our dress!

I was thinking about another of the discrepencies of the denomination just this week. You continually find them spouting words concerning "the cosmic conflict between Christ and Satan", yet they are always seeming to refer to something very separated from themselves. They really don't seem able to see themselves as being a part of the kingdom. When you look in the scriptures you find that the Lord has always been using his people as the foot soldiers in the battle. He works through us very often.

Yet here are the SDA's talking about this conflict going on.....well, it's out there somewhere...."armor of God? why?!"
Instead you find that it is those dastardly folks who happen to be worshipping on Sunday are the ones who grasp the concept of putting on the armor of God so that they can take their stand against the devil's schemes, against the rulers, authorities, the powers of this dark world, spiritual forces of evil, and extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.

In other words, the folks worshipping on Sunday are equipped to stand, while all the SDA's talk about is getting ready to run and hide. Curious isn't it?

Thanks for the post Patti, obviously things have not changed. By the way, did they again pass their resolution, "when the GC sits in session it is recognized to be God's highest authority on earth"? That one sent a cold chill through my bones the first time I read it!
Cindy
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2000 - 7:45 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Allenette,
The annual SOP day is sometime in October... Every S.D.A. pastor is sent the annual Spirit of Prophecy Sermon to be preached on Spirit of Prophecy Day! I don't know how many actually faithfully do this, but the pastors are urged to use this special sermon-- by the conference officials and of course the EGW Estate.

Grace to you,
Cindy
Breezy
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2000 - 10:44 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lydell,
Could you show me where to find that resolution about the GC being God's highest authority on earth? Very excited to see it! The GC is one of the biggest objections I have to the church. Even Ellen condemned what she saw the upper echelons of the church becoming. Also, I want some stuff to show my mom. I am staying in the Adventist church because I feel I can do the most good there, but I definitely have my eyes open. Thanks!
Wendy
Bmorgan
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2000 - 3:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Wendy,
Here is the resolution from the GC. It is on the REview and Herald web site.
Hope this helps. Lydell, sorry about the cold chills down your bones.
BMorgan


GENERAL CONFERENCE THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY, CHURCH MANUAL AUTHORITYóCHURCH MANUAL ADDITION

Voted, To add a new section, Church Manual Authority, to the Church Manual, Chapter 4, The Form of Organization in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, General Conference the Highest Authority, at the bottom of page 26, to read as follows:

General Conference the Highest Authority,

The General Conference in session, and the Executive Committee between sessions, is the highest organization in the administration of the churchís worldwide work, and is authorized by its constitution to create subordinate organizations to promote specific interests in various sections of the world. It is therefore understood that all subordinate organizations and institutions throughout the world will recognize the General Conference as the highest authority, under God, among Seventh-day Adventists. When differences arise in or between organizations and institutions, appeal to the next higher organization is proper until it reaches the General Conference in session, or the Executive Committee at the Annual Council. During the interim between these sessions the Executive Committee shall constitute the body of final authority on all questions where a difference of viewpoint may develop. The committeeís decision may be reviewed at a session of the General Conference or at an Annual Council of the Executive Committee.

ìI have often been instructed by the Lord that no manís judgment should be surrendered to the judgment of any other one man. Never should the mind of one man or the minds of a few men be regarded as sufficient in wisdom and power to control the work and to say what plans shall be followed. But when, in a General Conference, the judgment of the brethren assembled from all parts of the field is exercised, private independence and private judgment must not be stubbornly maintained, but surrendered. Never should a laborer regard as a virtue the persistent maintenance of his position of independence, contrary to the decision of the general body.

ìAt times, when a small group of men entrusted with the general management of the work hat which we are prone to give to one man or a small group of men.îóTestimonies, vol. 9, pp. 260, 261.

Church Manual Authorityó(See Chapter 1.)

MEMBERSHIP ON A SPIRITUAL BASISó

CHURCH MANUAL AMENDMENT

Voted, To amend the Church Manual, Chapter 5, Church Membership, page 27, Membership on a Spiritual Basis, to read as follows:

Membership on a Spiritual Basis

The serious, solemn obligations of church membership should be impressed on everyone who applies for admittance to the church. All should be faithfully taught what it means to become a member of the body of Christ. Only those giving evidence of having experienced the new birth, and who are enjoying a spiritual experience in the Lord Jesus, are prepared for acceptance into church membership. Thorough instruction in the fundamental teachings and related practices of the church should be given to every candidate for church membership before being baptized and received into church fellowship. Each person seeking admittance to the church should be informed of the principles for which the church stands.

This is a spiritual relationship. It can be entered into only by those who are converted. Only in this way can the purity and spiritual caliber of the church be maintained. ...
Lydell
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2000 - 4:23 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

While all that is very interesting, and applicable, it's not the one I was referring to. It would have been sometime around 1987-90 timeframe (can't remember when the GC sessions are, so I can't give a date, just know it wasn't long after we had already left the denomination. A friend had given me a copy of the Review that contained the report on the latest GC session. Guess she thought it would convince me that we needed to "come back to the ark of safety". Instead I would have to say that it was THE final thing that told me to forget about the denomination reforming!)

The resolution I am talking about was way in the back, maybe last 4 pages somewhere. The entire report on the action merely said something to the effect of "Resolved, when the GC sits in session we recognize it to be God's highest authority on earth." It was just a one sentence deal. What really hit me at the time, other than the obvious arrogance in the statement, was that it appeared to have passed with very little dispute. Maybe this that you gave above is what grew out of that? Haven't I seen someone here post a quote from EGW that said about the same thing?
Sherry2
Posted on Friday, July 07, 2000 - 7:46 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Testimonies, Vol. 3, pg 492 is where that quote is found, Lydell. It was in Dale Hand's story too...one of the new stories on FAF.
Lydell
Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2000 - 6:02 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks Sherry. Could you print it here so Wendy can see it? I'd like to stick it in my notes too.
Timo
Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2000 - 8:44 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi all,

It is a sad resolution at Toronto about promoting EGW. It is really a step backward. I have been in discussing in a Finnish sda-forum about shut door and things related to it. At the moment I am trying to find a statement of EGW, where she says that in 1844 the door was shut for salvation to the world.

A pastor told in the forum that EGW did never express that statement. He said that even though she believed in shut door, she never made a "authorative statement" about shut door.

Is the pastor right?

Also does someone have access to May 1850 Present Truth and September 1850 Advent Review Extra and 48 page Advent Review Special issue. I tried to found these magazines from the White Estate web site, but could not find specially these numbers.

The following issues below of "Present Truth" was found, and as you can see the issue I was searching was missing from the list. According to Dr. Ford in May 1850 issue there is an article about shut door written by James White.


Ellen G. White Periodicals

The search returned 20 items relevant to "Present Truth":

The Advance, June 1, 1899, paragraph 1
East Michigan Banner, September 29, 1909, paragraph 12
Pacific Union Recorder, November 24, 1904, paragraph 2
The Present Truth, November 19, 1885, paragraph 5
The Present Truth, January 12, 1893, paragraph 8
The Present Truth, August 1, 1849, paragraph 1
The Present Truth, August 1, 1849, paragraph 6
The Present Truth, August 1, 1849, paragraph 10
The Present Truth, August 1, 1849, paragraph 11
The Present Truth, August 1, 1849, paragraph 13
The Present Truth, September 1, 1849, paragraph 2
The Present Truth, September 1, 1849, paragraph 8
The Present Truth, September 1, 1849, paragraph 11
The Present Truth, March 1, 1850, paragraph 3
The Present Truth, April 1, 1850, paragraph 6
The Present Truth, April 1, 1850, paragraph 9
The Present Truth, April 1, 1850, paragraph 14
The Present Truth, November 1, 1850, paragraph 12
Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, May 30, 1871, paragraph 2
The Watchman, November 5, 1907, paragraph 5


Timo:
James White wrote according to Ford in that missing May 1850 issue the following:


"Let us take a brief view of our past history, as marked out by the parable of the ten virgins (Matt.25:1-13) and I think we shall clearly see that there can be no place for the shut door but at the Autumn of 1844"

Again when I tried to get hold of 1850 issues of Advent Review the search got this answer below:


Ellen G. White Periodicals
The search returned 2 items relevant to "Advent Review 1850":

Second Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, November 20, 1883, paragraph 2
The Youth's Instructor

Timo:
I would like to know if White Estate is playing games or is my search technique bad? Is White Estate hiding those papers or am I not looking on right places? I would be happy if someone would help me to find the statement and give an answer where to gain access to the missing papers. Thanks.

timo
Steve
Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2000 - 1:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hi Timo,

A number of years ago I read a book that talked much about the shut door and EGW's position in that.

It was Seventh-day Adventist Mission and Message, by . . . I don't remember and don't have my library with me at this time.

If anyone knows the author, perhaps that book may provide Timo with some needed information.

Steve
Patti
Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2000 - 2:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Timo,
Just go to www.ellenwhite.org. Dirk Anderson has done a wonderful and thorough job of researching and posting those statements.

Did you know that he set out to prove wrong those who he thought falsely accusing Ellen? But by the time he had done the research, he realized how wrong Ellen was about many, many things.
Timo
Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2000 - 2:28 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thank you Steve and Patti for the information, I will check out both the book and the web site.

timo
Steve
Posted on Saturday, July 08, 2000 - 9:14 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Timo,

The author was P. Gerard Damsteegt (spelling?). It was quite a scholarly work, and well worth the read.
Darrell
Posted on Saturday, July 15, 2000 - 7:45 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Timo, another document that relates to the "shut door" is the "Bate's Letter", a letter from Ellen White to Joseph Bates written during the time that Ellen believed in the shut door. You can find it at Dirk Anderson's site:

http://www.ellenwhite.org/egw55.htm

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