A quote in its context
Many SDA lay members and pastors in different countries have noticed that some Ellen White quotes and style for Thursday and Friday sections of the Sabbath School lesson nr. 5, year 2020 opened the way for doubtful interpretations. Many are confused because of that, though the quarterly studies are exceptionally good. I was confused, so if you are too confused, you are not alone!
Below I give the 2 quotes from Sabbath school lesson in their original context. That sets things in order (as usual when we take context as we should).
First, here is the quote as it is given in the Sabbath School (without the fuller context, which in this case has unfortunately lead to distortion of its original meaning):
“When you make the Bible your food, your meat, and your drink, when you make its principles the elements of your character, you will know better how to receive counsel from God. I exalt the precious word before you today. Do not repeat what I have said, saying, ‘Sister White said this,’ and ‘Sister White said that.’ Find out what the Lord God of Israel says, and then do what He commands.”—Ellen… Les hele artikkelen
It pains me to think that greater facilities are not provided for the work throughout Europe. I have sore heartache as I think of the work in Switzerland, Germany, Norway, and Sweden. Where there are one or two men struggling to carry forward the different branches of the cause, there should be hundreds at work.—Testimonies for the Church 6:24-26 (1900). {Ev 408.1}
The time has come for much to be accomplished in Europe. A large work, such as has been done in America, can be done in Europe. Let sanitariums be established, let hygienic restaurants be started. Let the light of present truth shine forth from the press. Let the work of translating our books go forward. I have been shown that in the European countries lights will be kindled in many places. {Ev 409.1}
There is a work to be done in Scandinavia. God is just as willing to work through Scandinavian believers as through American believers. {Ev 409.3}
The Silent Messenger— … Even if they shut the door in your face, do not hasten away in indignation, and make no further effort to save them. Ask God in faith to give you access to those very souls.… Les hele artikkelen
Every Christian denomination declares its own views that differ from others. The Bible is however the same. So is there an objective truth in the Bible? Can it be, that God has made it unreachable for unambiguous understanding? What then the following statement would mean: “one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4: 5)? Were these words just empty ambitions of the writer or not?
The Bible or the Christians?
Some years ago I decided for the first time in my life to attentively read my Bible and pray. One of the preliminary conclusions I then made for myself was the following: all Christian denominations are mistaken. Why? Well, the differences between the Holy Scriptures and what I had seen in real life, were just too great! The world of the Bible seemed to me bright and perfect, and the teachings and styles of all known to me existing denominations were gray and unpromising. Have you also experienced something like that? I was asking myself: “Is it possible to resolve all those discrepancies in different Christian beliefs?”. Have you ever asked yourself such a question?… Les hele artikkelen
One against three?
This preacher was the only one of the four who preached at the GC Session in 1995, in support of the “Biblical teaching about gender roles” and against the NAD request to allow ordination of women only in the specific world divisions. The result of the speech: of the 2,154 votes cast, 1,481 voted against the request, 673 voted for.
So which strong arguments were given? This 22 minutes video is the recording of the speech and gives the answer.
The Bible was given to live by it, not for doubts
Dr. Gerard Darmsteegt’s speech gave the main arguments for and against. The answers were extremely short. The Bible was the grounds for all of the conclusions. He showed how our fundamental beliefs were connected with the issue. Gerard predicted what would happen in future, if the controversy was to be continued. Now we who are living 22 years after this presentation, can see if the things he had predicted, are coming true.
We would like to hear form you! What would you answer to the following question: (all answers are anonymous):
More info? … Les hele artikkelen