Andrews University Theological Seminary MDiv Program. My Blind Child

Transcription

1 Andrews University Theological Seminary MDiv Program My Blind Child A paper Present in partial fulfillment Of the requirements of the course GSEM The Writings of Ellen G. White Professor: Dr. Jerry Moon By Sandra Renee Johnson Spring, 2003

2 PREFACE I never intended to write this paper. I intended to write a couple of articles (and I still intend to do this if permitted). I have been working on the topic of Radiant Living all semester. I personally think the life and religion of a Christian becomes radiant due to very specific factors. If I could write in magazine or newspaper article style, I might have been finished. I can t quite understand how to say what I want to say in encyclopedia style. I believe radiant religion has a great deal to do with your lifestyle, hence the 8 natural laws of health and your faith factor. How do you share the facts of faith in an encyclopedia? Anyways my research (5 hours of reading in EGW Estate turned into because I lost my research) brought out 2 very important issues. One, I accidentally read several times that the definition of a true minister was one who preached the gospel and healed the sick. That a minister cannot consider himself completely trained until he had both arms of the gospel, the health message being the right arm. I was really looking up references for Radiant Living and was unsuccessfully finding my subject when I read these references. I saw it three times, typed it into my computer, it crashed, I lost all my work, had to start my reading and research all over and this time I could not find it again. In the meantime, I was so impacted by these statement, that I requested at the February Dean s Dialogue to Dean McVay if there were something that could be done for the conscientious seminarians that would like to feel they are properly trained after completing our course here, in the gospel and health messages. I mentioned that it would probably be too much to ask to resurrect the MDiv/Public Health degree the Seminary once had about 15 years ago, but perhaps a field school or a course or two could be

3 developed for us. I mentioned the AHS, Adventist Health Study currently being conducted by Loma Linda and suggested we use them as a model. To my surprise, twothree professors also responded on my behalf. Dean McVay asked me to look into it, and make a presentation at the next Dean s Dialogue. The two professors offered to help me. (Drs. Burrill and O Reggio/Damsteegt after request). This slide presentation was also what I intended to offer as my second extra credit project. However, I could not find a ticket cheap enough to visit LLU for spring break. I am here now, and I have interviewed the head of AHS. Yesterday, he gave me a tour of his facilities for my presentation. I guess what I m saying is that the presentation is on the way, but it is not yet complete. I can show you enough to complete my requirement for your class, but I will need to add to it for my presentation to the student/faculty body. Having two computers, hence, freeze on me, finals, and planning for this trip are reasons I am late, but they are not excuses. The second influence my research has had on me, sort of got me in trouble in another class. Because I am late writing what I want to write, what I d planned to write (2 articles), I had no intention of writing the 10 page research report. However, something happened in one of my classes that has really become a burden for me. It is my heartfelt prayer that I have not sacrificed my grade because I am late, but I truly feel I need to write this paper in answer to some objections I found in the Seminary. I don t know how clear I can make this presentation, but I d like to try for those who are blind! INTRODUCTION My Blind Child Mama, I can t see why we can t go outside and play. Mama I can t see why I can t go out with my friends. Mama, I can t see why I can t wear this skirt Mama, I

4 can t see, Mama I can t see. My mother used to introduce my older sister as her blind child. I used to ask her why she did that. She replied, this child can t see anything. We would laugh and laugh. THE NEED The question was raised in one of my Seminary classes: Should we present the gospel sola sciptura or the scriptures with the spirit of prophecy (EGW)? There were several questions of this nature presented and one student directly asked about presenting EGW to fellow non-sda Christians. General Consensus: Sola Scriptura. The answers were surprising. It was as if they could not see the difference between what we as SDA s are nor what we represent. Somehow we are classed as if we think we are better than other denominations because we have the truth. To prevent the pomp and pride, nearly everyone seemed to believe the remedy to be, present our message from the Bible and the Bible alone and leave EGW out of it. Further, If we present EGW as our prophet then how can we tell other denominations they cannot present the Bible with their prophets, they reasoned. A class setting of nearly 50 students. Not normal students, but a special breed, Seminarians. They are today s leaders of tomorrow s world church. I observed that they, also, cannot see they also are blind. Who or what is blinding the eyes of our leaders? How is it that we have become ashamed of the very key ingredient that has made this denomination great. I don t want to restate all their comments lest I misquote. I simply would like to present an insight that could help us see the role of EGW as a prophet of the remnant church that cannot and should not be like a light hidden under a bushel.

5 First, I d like to present my research using the structure of a mini-bible study. The Holy Spirit has blessed me to be able to see the perspectives I d like to present, and in order for others to see it as well, I d like to begin with guidelines for effective Bible study and Spiritual growth. Somehow as we increase our skills in studying the word, we do not grow spiritually. This guideline will break away from the exegetical approach which richly rewards those who apply its principles. I want to go back to the basics, simple lay/profound Bible study. We discussed a lot of complicated theology in class which I could present and support, but this approach does not effectively yield to the wisdom needed to see with the spiritual eye. The Basics will help to make simple a topic that has been made to look very complicated. Secondly, I will present the concern of this paper and then conclude with suggestions for my fellow students to reconsider this great controversy. Many years of experience in Bible study by a Medical Doctor, burdened to give Bible studies helped me focus on the proper perspectives. In addition, many EGW references and a few additional SDA authors. SUGGESTED ANSWER GUIDELINES FOR EFFECTIVE BIBLE STUDY AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH Use the Bible and The Spirit of Prophecy (which eliminates the need for a modern Bible versions as it explains clearly the KJV.) Study early in the morning before the sun can melt the manna (Ex. 16:21). Study your Sabbath School lesson daily. Allow the Bible to explain itself. Use its references and indexes and gain a contextual and historical understanding. Context is gained by a daily study of SOP, even if its just two pages per day. In time, increase the references to the text in question with more scriptures and more SOP references. For your study to be truly beneficial, you must enter it with a spirit of humility; that is submit to whatever it says on the pages. Walk with your new

6 understanding each day. Be consistent in your reading, and live it, meditate on it, and share it. The most important element is Prayer. The altar of incense is closest to the Ark of the Covenant where God the Father dwells. Understand that the words of the Bible and SOP are to be considered as the audible voice of God. Learn to pray while your e reading. Learn to pray back to God the words of God. Pray the promises and the psalms. And this is the confidence that we have in him that, if we ask anything according to his will he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petition that we desired of him (1 Jn. 5:14, 15). Incorporate scripture memorization into your worship. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. Ps 37:31. The people of God are directed to the Scriptures as their safeguard against the influence of false teachers and the delusive power of spirits of darkness. Satan employs every possible device to prevent men from obtaining a knowledge of the Bible; for its plain utterances reveal his deceptions None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict. GC593 THE ROLE OF SOP/EGW There is another and more important question that should engage the attention of the churches of today. The apostle Paul declares that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12) Why is it, then, that persecution seems in a great degree to slumber? The only reason is, that the church has conformed to the world s standard, and therefore awakens no opposition. The religion which is current in our day is not of the pure and holy character that marked the Christian faith in the days of Christ and his apostles. It is only because of the spirit of compromise with sin, because

7 the great truths of the Word of God are so indifferently regarded, because there is so little vital godliness n the church, that Christianity is apparently so popular with the world. Let there be a revival of the faith and power of the early church, and the spirit of persecution will be revived, and the fires of persecution will be rekindled. (GC ) We don t have to go far to kindle persecution. I don t claim to have been persecuted, but I can say that our class discussion awakened severe opposition. If we do not give the world the practical spiritual medicine it needs, how will it heal. Every Christian denomination has the Word of God, but few know how to apply it properly and fewer still obey it. There is a fear of the Lord that aids us in obeying God, that the world just does not have. They market God without respecting Him. I am not casting stones. I am converted from a major denomination that did not know how to rightly apply the Word of God. If we hide the counsels of EGW, not only will SDA s end up in darkness, but it will be our responsibility that the world also remain bound to abject darkness. What I suggest is clearly not a cure all. A great deal more could be done with these passages than I am doing, (especially exegetically). However, I would like to keep it simple and ask that you please consider the following. MINI-BIBLE STUDY Malachi 4:2 states: But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. Who is this Sun? I suggest that this is a reference to the righteousness of Christ.

8 Revelation 12:1 states: And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. What is this describing? I suggest, the church. Revelation 12:17 states: And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. I suggest that this too, is referencing God s church, His remnant people. Are Revelation 12:1 and 12:17 refering to the same church? I suggest, yes. What is the Sun? In Genesis it is referred to as the Greater Light. What is the Moon? It is the lesser light. Does the Moon produce light? No, it simply reflects the light it receives from the sun. What is the purpose of this lesser light? It shines only in darkness. It is the only light there is in the night. You cannot see unless you use the light given by the stars and the moon. Joseph s dream saw the sun, moon, and the 12 stars. Revelation 19:10 states: And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See (thou do it) not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God ; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy..

9 This text says the Jesus Christ is the spirit of prophecy. It also states that Jesus Christ is our brother. Testimony, refers to witness. Revelation 22:18,19 states: For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and (from) the things which are written in this book. These texts say that no one can add to the word of God without receiving the plagues, and no one can take away from the word of God without having their part (name) removed from the book of life. If EGW were not a prophet, then her words would be in addition to the inspired word and she would incur upon her the plagues. On the other hand, if we do not acknowledge her role as a true prophet, do we not incur upon ourselves the risk of having our names removed from the book of life? Revelation 22:8, 9 states, And I John saw these things, and heard (them). And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See (thou do it) not for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. These texts show that we can test the prophets by the prophets. Prophets keep the sayings of this book (Bible). Prophets do/keep/acknowledge what other prophets do/keep/acknowledge. If we do not keep/acknowledge/do the counsels of EGW, do we not cut ourselves off from being a fellowservant, a brother to Christ? Now, can we take away the sun or the moon?

10 Neither, both are necessary. I suggest that it is not too strong a statement to make by saying that SDA s will not be saved without the spirit of prophecy (leaning on Revelation 22:18-19) The moon represents the spirit of prophecy. The moon does not generate light, it only reflects light. So all light comes from the sun. We understand references to the sun refer to the righteousness of Christ. If we say Sis. White is wrong, then who are we REALLYsaying is wrong? Are we really sure we want to say Sis. White is no better/worse than the prophets of other religions? We must be keenly aware that God is taking responsibility for his work, for His creation. God could say to us, Yes, Jeremiah wrote this book, but its My Word. Yes, John wrote this book, but it s My Word every word that comes out of their mouth, that s My word. Moses is the foundation so if you don t listen to Moses, we can forget about our own salvation. Isaiah, Daniel, John the Baptist they are all spirit of prophecy. Revelation 1:1, 2 states: The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified (it) by his angel unto his servant John. Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. What is it to bare record? The writings of John. This makes Revelation the Spirit of Prophecy. In the parable of the ten virgins, when did Christ come? This parable of Christ s return states that it was at midnight. He came at the time of blackest night. He came at a time when you can only see by the light of the stars and the moon (and the virgins still needed candles)

11 What is one of the main functions of the Sun? The sun tells us the time in 24 hour daily cycles. (*I ve completed the requirements for Environmental Technician. The depth of research available for the sun, moon, and the stars is extensive. I am so tempted to write you an impressive research paper, but please allow me to resist for the sake of my blind brethren). Of what does the moon denote? The moon denotes the seasons. Matthew and Mark 13:28 state: Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near. Jesus is saying that when you see the fig trees, you will know the seasons. Certain natural phenomena keeps one aware of the lateness of the day and hour and of the (signs of the) times and seasons. If Moses preached come into the ark would it have been significant? No, this was a message out of season. If Noah had preached judgement, and the placing of blood upon the lintels and the doorposts, would this had been the right message for Noah; No! There is a present truth for every time. In Noah s day, Noah s message was get into the ark before you die, In Moses day Moses message was get into your house with herbs and blood before you die; In his day, John the Baptist s message was repent, behold the lamb of God, accept Jesus, or you will die. If we don t listent to the prophet for our time, we, too, will die!

12 One of the students so eloquently shared that in historic Israel, there were many mouthpieces of God who were never canonized. Yet, the nation of Israel were judged by whether or not they were obedient to these prophets. Elijah, et al, for example, never wrote a book in the Bible. Are we to ignore the powerful life and witness of this man, this prophet because he was not canonized? The fact that Sis White mentions that she is not to be used inappropriately and had no desire to be placed over the Bible does not mean don t lead lives or our institutions without her counsels. Her comment simply shows her right-mindedness and her humility. No prophet, in their day, preached I m all that, and a cup of tea so it all about me. This simply is not a characteristic of a prophet or of any child of God. Therefore we cannot use Mrs. Whites words against her own writings and a reason for not presenting them to the Christian world. As a matter of fact, she told us how to present her writings. Always send out the Great Controversy first, because if you give DA first, the public will never finish GC. Also, certain books were to be used for fund raising (COL) and other books had specific designations. In other words she knew and desired to have her books read, understood and lived, not hidden away. CONCLUSION As Literature Evangelists we are trained to not tell people our denomination. Now we are in the Seminary trained to not tell people about EGW. Everywhere we go we find a people curiously in support of this strange identity crisis. Do you know what s so amazing? We drop our identifying techniques so we can consider ourselves one with the world, losing their respect while we think to gain it. There is nothing worse you can do in the world than not standing up for what you believe, even if its wrong. Why can t

13 we take a stand? Why are we ashamed of the gifts given this church that none other has? Every denomination has the Bible. If we cannot believe the importance of the SOP, why are we here. Why do we not go study at a Methodist Theological Seminary or a Lutheran The SDA Remnant church has been given a gift no other church has. A small gift, a lesser light, but it makes all the difference. And we are not confused. There is no way, NO WAY, the moon can take the place of the sun. Who in this life would be content with that. The highest suicidal rate in the world is found in Alaska. A country that lives by the light of the moon for months on end. It s just tooo dark for tooo long and it depresses the people. Yes, EGW is light because she reflects Jesus. The truth of this statement doesn t increase her wattage from 400 watt to 400 billion watts. Without undue liberalism or fanaticism, the use of EGW writings are key to the success of this church in this world at this season in history. And we, like the children of Israel will be judged by what we know and could have known, taught, and could have taught, lived and could have lived of her Words. The general message that God loves all as the sun shines upon all is true and necessary to be preached. But the message of God s love must be more specific, more detailed. Hence, light is transmitted to the moon and stars for a light by night (detailed light). Let it not be said of us as it was spoken in Luke 24:25: Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

14 A Few References 1. A Prophet Among Us 2. Light Bearers 3. E. G. White Writings 4. Living Fountains and Broken Cisterns 5. References in my report (of hours and articles read) 6. Class Lectures and Handouts 7. Internet 8. Personal interviews/bible study 9. Several EGW writings 10. The rest of my references I left at home, so these are not cited properly (I m typing this paper from LLU. As mentioned, I came here to get information about the above mentioned presentation on how to re-combine the health message to gospel preaching. I d like to present this slide show to you for extra credit next week when I return, please.)