| Author | Message | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 634 Registered: 3-2004 |
As a former SDA and finally finding out the cultish doctrines, and the deceit and sneaky ways SDAs go about trying to win converts, I want to warn everyone about SDAs. I just wrote on another thread about a young lady from my church who visited with me last night and I showed her the websites on the internet about the SDAs. I showed her about EGW and she wanted to read something written by EGW, so I lent her a booklet that I have. I threw everything else away. I told her to pray a lot before reading the book, so she would not be influenced. So what I want to know is what do you do when you want to warn others about Adventism?? I do pray a lot and do not just blurt all this out to anyone I meet. Diana | ||
| Hrobinsonw Registered user Username: Hrobinsonw Post Number: 60 Registered: 7-2004 |
I can't wait to see the answer to your great question. I would also like to know how many of EGW's prophecies actually came true. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 786 Registered: 12-2003 |
Diana, you ask a very good question. What I do depends a lot on whom I'm talking to. I usually tell non-SDAs who want to know about it a few of the more obvious problems such as an extra-biblical prophet, not believing salvation was truly completed at the cross, salvation for SDAs being contingent upon never abandoning the seventh-day, salvation for non-SDAs at the end of time being contingent upon Sabbath-keeping, and humans not having any soul/spirit except one's breath--i.e. they die like animals; nothing vital goes back to God or anywhere else. From there, the conversation "just depends". If the person actually knows an (some) Adventist(s), sometimes it gets more complicated. Often they tell me that the SDA they know really knows the Lord and it truly a Christian, so what's the problem? Usually, at that point, I explain the hold of the Sabbath and talk about asking the person if he/she believes he would still be saved if he abandoned the day. I also talk about the fact that Adventists' words don't mean the same things those words usually mean to non-SDA Christians. I also explain that they don't see a difference between the old and the new covenants--they are just "different ways of saying the same thing"--a phrase I used to hear in the church. If possible, I give them reading material--Greg Taylor's book, especially, or Cultic Doctrine. I also refer them to this website and tell them it's linked to many more helpful ones. The whole question of what to say to a Christian who doesn't understand is an especially sensitive topic to me because so many of those I've talked to in this area have no idea what Adventism really is. Many, I have to say, really do begin to see what I'm talking about and develop some strong senses of caution. Others, though, seem to believe they have a more "objective" view than I do (being a pretty passionate former and all!), and they continue to see Adventism as part of the body of Christ with some odd beliefs. Prayer continues to be our most powerful tool for witnessing! Colleen | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 529 Registered: 7-2003 |
Speaking of witnessing...I had approached our church librarian about adding some books to our library. I was specifically thinking about Cultic Doctrine, but also perhaps Sabbath in Christ and Greg Taylor's new book. Because our library is small, I know they're having problems with space, so I wasn't sure if they would be interested in them. Fortunately, she said people come in from time to time asking about books like that so she was interested in meeting with me to talk about them. I'm very excited about the opportunity to stock these books in our library. | ||
| U2bsda Registered user Username: U2bsda Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2004 |
I mention it when the situation arises. Mostly my opportunities are with pastors of various denominations who know SDAs. I just mention what the beliefs really are, not how they appear to others and that usually opens their eyes. Usually the people I talk to are well versed in scripture though. One pastor had a person in their congregation that was dating a strict SDA. I believe letting them know more about SDAs from my perspective will help them keep others from joining the SDA church. I'm sure we have all heard stories about how a prophecy seminar attendee goes to the Sunday worshiping Pastor asking questions and the Pastor didn't know what to say. | ||
| Praisegod Registered user Username: Praisegod Post Number: 146 Registered: 3-2004 |
Welcome U2bsda. I just want to affirm what youíre saying here. Itís a blessing to know that you are doing all you can to help the clear voice of the Gospel continue. I, too, have done the same thing and have found the knowledge base about Adventism among many other Christians, even pastors, to be very patchy. Often I hear things that just let me know that the person will be easy pickings for SDAs. For instance, I was recently at a conference where somehow the topic came up about ìSabbath rest.î From the questions being asked, I could see where a Revelation seminar would have had devastating results for some. The presenter handled it well, for the most part. Since then I have been able to give her more material in case it happens again. Praise GodÖ |
