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LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES

Part 1

by M.L. Andreason, an emeritus professor at Andrews University in those years...

THE WHITE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Early in the summer of 1957 I had placed in my hands, providentially, I believe, a copy of the minutes of the White Board of Trustees for May of that year. For those who are not familiar with this Board, I may state that it is a small committee appointed to have in trust the large volume of letters, manuscrïpts, and books left by the late Mrs. E.G. White. In counsel with the officers of the denomination, the board decides who is to have access to the material, and to what extent and for what purpose, what is to be published and what is not; and what material is not to be made available at all.

Much of the work of the committee consists in examining and editing those writings and recommending for publication such matter as appears to be of permanent value. This work is of great importance to the church, for only that which is released by the board sees the light of day. During her lifetime Mrs. White herself did much of the work of selecting and editing, and in all cases she had the oversight of what was done. All knew that whatever was published was under her supervision and that it had her approval. The board now has taken over this work.

A CHRISTIAN CHURCH, NOT A SECT!

According to the White minutes, it was on the first day of May, 1957, that two men, members of the committee which had been appointed to write the book that came to be known as Questions on Doctrine, were invited by the board to meet with them to discuss a question that had received some consideration at a meeting the previous January. It concerned statements made by Mrs. White in regard to the atonement now in progress in the sanctuary above. This conception did not agree with the evangelicals. To understand this fully, and its importance, it is necessary to review some history.

The Adventist leaders had for some time been in contact with two ministers of another faith, evangelicals, Dr. Barnhouse and Mr. Martin, respectively editor and an assistant editor of the religious journal Eternity, published in Philadelphia, and had discussed with them various of our doctrines. In these conversations, as in the numerous letters that passed between them, the evangelicals had raised serious objections to some of our beliefs.

The question of greatest importance was whether Adventists could be considered Christians while holding such views as the doctrine of the sanctuary, the 2,300 days, the date 1844, the investigative judgment and Christ's atoning work in the sanctuary in Heaven since 1844. Our men expressed the desire that the Adventist church be reckoned as one of the regular Protestant churches, a Christian church, not a sect.

The two groups spent "hundreds of hours" studying and wrote many hundreds of pages. The evangelicals visited our headquarters in Takoma Park, and our men visited Philadelphia and were guests at Dr. Barnhouse in his comfortable home. From time to time other men were called into consultation on such matters as the Voice of Prophecy and our periodicals, all with a view of ascertaining what stood in the way of our being recognized as a Christian denomination.

to be continued

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Letters to the Churches

Part 2

ARRANGEMENTS WORKED OUT!

After long and protracted discussions, the two parties came at last to a working agreement, and though the evangelicals still objected to a number of our doctrines, they were willing to recognize us as Christians. We would need to make some changes in some of our books in regard to the "mark of the beast" and also "regarding the nature of Christ while in the flesh." Eternity Magazine, September 1956.

This was brought to the "attention of the General Conference officers, that the situation might be remedied and such publications might be corrected." The corrections were made, and "this action of the Seventh-day Adventists was indicative of similar steps that were taken subsequently." Ibid.

The evangelicals published a report of their conferences with the Adventists in Eternity from which the above quotations are taken. The Adventists published no report. Even at the General Conference session last year (1958), the matter was not discussed. Only a few knew that there had been any conferences with the evangelicals. There were rumors that the Adventists leaders had been in conference with the evangelicals, but that was considered by some only as hearsay. The few who did know kept their counsel. There seemed to be a conspiracy of secrecy.

Till this day (1958) we do not know, and are not supposed to know, who carried on the conferences with the evangelicals. We do not know, and are not supposed to know, who wrote Questions on Doctrine. Diligent inquiry produced no result. We do not know, and are not supposed to know, just what changes were made, and in what books, concerning the mark of the beast and the nature of Christ while in the flesh. We do not know who authorized the omission of the thirteenth chapter of Revelation in our Sabbath school lessons of the second quarter of 1958, which deals with the mark of the beast.

Dr. Barhnouse reports that to "avoid charges brought against them by the evangelicals", the Adventists "worked out arrangements' that concerned the Voice of Prophecy and the Signs of the Times. What was "worked out" we do not know and are not told. Should we not have a detailed report? We, of course, also wonder how it came to pass that ministers of another denomination had any voice or any say whatsoever in how we conduct our work. Have our leaders abdicated? How is it that they consult the evangelicals and keep our own people in the dark?

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Letters to the Churches

Part 3

WHAT WAS DONE AT THE CONFERENCES?

For a report of this we are confined almost entirely to the published account in Eternity. The subject that took up much of the time at the conferences was that of the sanctuary. Dr. Barnhouse was frank in his estimate of this doctrine. In particular did he object to our teaching on the investigative judgment which he characterized as "the most colossal, psychological, face-saving phenomenon in religious history." Later he called it "the unimportant and almost naive doctrine of the investigative judgment." Eternity, September, 1956.

Dr. Barnhouse, in discussing Hiram Edson's explanation of the disappointment in 1844, says that the assumption that Christ "has a work to perform in the most holy place before coming to this earth... is a human, face-saving idea (which) some uninformed adventists... carried to fantastic, literalistic extremes. Mr. Martin and I heard the Adventists leaders say, flatly, that they repudiated all such extremes. This they said in no uncertain terms. Further, they do not believe, as some of their earlier teachers taught that Jesus' atoning work was not completed on Calvary, but instead that He was still carrying on a second ministerial work since 1844. This idea is also totally repudiated." Ibid.

Note these statements: The idea that Christ "had a work to perform in the most holy place before coming to this earth... is a human, face-saving idea." Mr. Martin and I heard the Adventist leaders say flatly that they repudiated such extremes. This they said in no uncertain terms."

I think it is due the denomination to have a clear-cut statement from our leaders if Dr. Barnhouse and Mr. Martin told the truth when they heard our leaders say that they repudiated the idea that Christ had a work to do in the second apartment before coming to this earth. This question demands a clear-cut answer.


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Letters to the Churches

Part 4

THE ATONEMENT

Before reporting further what was done at the conferences, let us come back to the two men who on that first day of May 1957, met with the White Board of Trustees to seek their counsel and, also, to make a suggestion.

The men were well acquainted with the statements made by Dr. Barnhouse and Mr. Martin, that the idea of Christ's ministry in the second apartment in the sanctuary above had been totally repudiated. This had been in print several months at that time, and had not been protested. The men, however, did not need the printed statement, for both of them had had a part in the discussions with the evangelicals.

One of them in particular had taken a prominent part in the conferences, had visited Dr. Barnhouse in his home, had spoken in Dr. Barnhouse's churches at his invitation. He was one of the four men who really carried the load, and the one chosen to accompany Mr. Martin on his tour of the west coast to speak in our churches. He was held in high esteem by Dr. Barnhouse. This feeling was mutual.

About the time when the two men first visited the vault, a series of articles appeared in the Ministry which claimed to be "the Adventist understanding of the atonement, confirmed and illuminated and clarified by the Spirit of Prophecy." In the February issue, 1957, the statement occurs that the "sacrificial act on the cross (is) a complete, perfect, and final atonement for man's sin."

This pronouncement is in harmony with the belief of our leaders, as Dr. Barnhouse quoted them. It is also in harmony with a statement signed by a chief officer in a personal letter:

"You cannot, brother Andreason, take away from us this precious teaching that Jesus made a complete and all-sufficient atoning sacrifice on the cross... This we shall ever hold fast, and continue to proclaim it, even as our dear venerated forefathers in the faith."

It would be interesting if the writer would produce proof of his assertion. The truth is our forefathers believed and proclaimed no such thing. They did not believe that the work on the cross was complete and all-sufficient. They did believe that a ransom was there paid and that this was all-sufficient; but the final atonement awaited Christ's entrance into the most holy in 1844. This the Adventists have always taught and believed, and this is the old and established doctrine which our venerated forefathers believed and proclaimed.

They could not teach that the atonement on the cross was final, complete and all-sufficient, and yet believe that another atonement also final, occurred in 1844. Such would be absurd and meaningless. Paying the penalty for our sin was, indeed, a vital and necessary part of God's plan for our salvation, but it was by no means all. It was, as it were, placing in the bank of Heaven a sum sufficient and in every way adequate for any contingency, and which could be drawn on by and for each individual as needed. This payment was "the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb, without blemish and without spot." 1 Peter 1;19.

In His death on the cross Jesus "paid it all"; but the precious treasure becomes efficacious for us only as Christ draws upon it for us, and this must await the coming into the world of each individual; hence, the atonement must continue as long as people are born.

Christ's death upon the cross was the "condition" for the atonement:

"Christ's sacrifice in behalf of man was full and complete. The condition for the atonement had been fulfilled. The work for which He had come to this world had been accomplished.. He had won the Kingdom. He had wrested it from Satan and had become heir of all things." E.G.White, Acts of the Apostles, p.29.

After His resurrection, He ascended up on High to make atonement for our transgressions:

"The intercession of Christ in our behalf is that of presenting His divine merits in the offering of Himself to the Father as our Substitute and Surety, for He ascended up on High to make atonement for our transgressions." E.G. White, Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892.

On the 22nd of October 1844, He moved from the holy to the most holy apartment to begin the final atonement! This we shall see later.

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Letters to the Churches

Part 5

THE MERITS OF CHRIST: INEXHAUSTIBLE FUND

Hear this:

"There is an inexhaustible fund of perfect obedience accruing from His obedience. How is it, that such an infinite treasure is not appropriated? In Heaven, the merits of Christ, His self-denial, and self-sacrifice, are treasured up as incense, to be offered up with the prayers of His people." General Conference Bulletin, Vol.3:101,102, Fourth Quarter, 1899.

Note the phrases: "inexhaustible fund", "merits of Christ". This fund was deposited at the cross, but not "used up" there. It is "treasured up" and offered up with the prayers of God's people. And especially since 1844 is this fund drawn on heavily as God's people advance to holiness; but it is not exhausted, there is sufficient and to spare.

When we pray, in this year of 1959, Christ intercedes for us and mingles with our prayers "the merits of His own life of obedience. Our prayers are made fragrant by this incense. Christ has pledged Himself to intercede in our behalf and the Father hears His Son." Ibid. *"Jesus has turned the merits of His sacrifice into prayer. Jesus prays, and by prayer succeeds." E.G. White, Bible Commentary, Vol.7, p.914. *supplied

Contrast this with the statement in Questions on Doctrine, page 381:

"Jesus appeared in the presence of God for us... But it was not with the hope of obtaining something for us at that time or at some future time. No! He had already obtained it for us on the cross."

Note the picture: Christ appears in the presence of God for us. He pleads, but He gets nothing. For 1800 years He pleads, and gets nothing. Does He not know that He already has it? Will no one inform Him that it is useless to plead? He Himself has "no hope" of getting anything now or at any future time. And yet He pleads, and keeps on pleading. What a sight for the angels! And this is represented to be Adventist teaching! This is the book that has the approval of Adventist leaders and is sent out to the world to show what we believe. May God forgive us. How can we stand before the world and convince any one that we believe in a Savior who is mighty to save, when we present Him as pleading in vain before the Father?

But thank God, this is not Adventist doctrine. Hear this from Mrs. White, as quoted above:

"Christ has pledged Himself to intercede in our behalf, and the Father always hears His Son."

*"The intercession of Christ in our behalf is that of presenting His divine merits in the offering of Himself to the Father as our Substitute and Surety, for He ascended up on High to make atonement for our transgressions." Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892. *supplied

This is Christianity, and the other is not.

Shall we remain silent under such conditions?

to be continued

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Letters to the Churches

PART 6

THE HUMAN NATURE OF CHRIST

It may interest the reader to know how the new theology regarding the human nature of Christ came to be accepted by the leaders, and how it came to be included in QUESTIONS ON DOCTRINE, and thus receive official standing.

The question of the nature of Christ while in the flesh is one of the foundation pillars of Christianity. On this doctrine hangs the destiny of man. The apostle John makes it a deciding factor by saying, "Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God." "And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God." 1 John 4:2,3.

In what kind of flesh did Jesus come to this earth? "Christ took upon Him the infirmities of degenerate humanity. Only thus could He rescue man from the lowest depths of his degradation." Desire of Ages, p.117. "Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh." Rom.1:3.

Only as Christ placed Himself on the level of the humanity He had come to save, could He demonstrate to men how to overcome their infirmities and passions. If the men with whom He associated had understood that He was exempt from the passions with which they had to battle, His influence would immediately have been destroyed and He would be reckoned a deceiver. His pronouncement, "I have overcome the world," (John 16:33), would be accepted as a dishonest boast; for without passions He had nothing to overcome. His promise that "to him that overcomes will I grant to sit down with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father on His throne," (Revelation 3:21), would be met by the claim that if God would exempt men from passions, they also could do what Christ had done.

That God exempted Christ from the passions that corrupt men, is the acme of all heresy. It is destruction of all true religion and completely nullifies the plan of redemption, and makes God a deceiver and Christ His accomplice. Great responsibility rests upon those who teach such false doctrine to the destruction of souls.

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[tinka]

I have all unpublished manuscript testimonies of Ellen G White in a wire bound manuscript that was copied in 1915-1916. Untouched

Then I have Daniel and the Revelation the same. In the front of this one Letter 12, 1890

Satan is.. constantly pressing in the spurious-- to lead away from the truth.  The very last deception of Satan will be tao make of none effect the testiomony of the Spirit of God. "Where there is no vision, the people perish".  Satan will work ingeniously, in different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God's remnant people in the true testimony.

Letter 40, 1890

There will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is satanic.  The workings of Satan will be to unsettle the faith of the churches in them, for this reason:  Satan cannot have so clear a track to bring in his deceptions and bind up souls in his delusions if the warnings and reproofs and counsels of the Spirit of God are heeded.

I believe all this was copied long ago for the above reasons that were foretold this very thing to happen.

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"I believe all this was copied long ago for the above reasons that were foretold this very thing to happen."

Very true tinka. The following statements confirm this:

"For the last fifty years every phase of heresy has been brought to bear upon us... especially concerning the ministration of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary... Do you wonder that when I see the beginning of a work that would remove some of the pillars of our faith, I have something to say? I must obey the command, 'Meet it!'" Series B, No.2, page 58.

Again: "The enemy has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced... Nothing would be allowed to stand in the way of the new movement." Ibid, 54,55; Selected Messages, Vol.1, pp.204,205.

"Shall we keep silent for fear of hurting their feelings?... Shall we keep silent for fear of injuring their influence, while souls are being beguiled... My message to you is: No longer consent to listen without protest to the perversion of truth." Ibid, 9,15.

"I am bidden to warn that deceptive sentiments are entertained, a false modesty and caution, a disposition to withhold the profession of our faith. In the night season, matters have been presented before me that have greatly troubled my mind. I have seemed to be in meetings for counsel where these subjects were presented, advocating concessions. Brethren, shall we permit the world to shape the message that God has given us to bear to the world? Shall we for the sake of policy, betray a sacred trust... Let it be understood that Seventh-day Adventists can make no compromise." Counsels to Writers and Editors, pp.94,95.

"In a representation which passed before me, I saw a certain work being done. The foundation of our faith, which was established by so much prayer, such earnest searching of the scrïptures, was being taken down, pillar by pillar. Our faith was to have nothing to rest upon--the sanctuary was gone, the atonement was gone." The Upward Look, p.152.8.

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Letters to the Churches

Part 7

A GOD-DISHONORING DOCTRINE

The truth of course, is that God "spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us," (Romans 8:32); rather because His nature was sensitive to the least slight or disrespect or contempt, His tests were harder and His temptations stronger than any we have to endure. He resisted "even unto blood". No, God did not spare or exempt Him. In His agony He "offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared." Hebrews 5:7. "Though He were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which He suffered." Verse 8.

In view of all this, we repeat the question, How did this God-dishonoring doctrine find its way into our denomination? Was it the result of close and prayerful study by competent men over a series of years, and were the final conclusions submitted to the denomination in public representative meetings, advertised beforehand in the Review giving the details of what changes were contemplated, as the denomination has voted as the proper procedure? None of these things were done. An anonymous book appeared and men were judged and the brakes tightened on any one who objected.

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Letters to the Churches

Part 8

THE STORY

Here is the story of how this new doctrine found its way into the denomination as reported by Dr.Donald Grey Barnhouse, editor of the religious journal, Eternity, in the September, 1956, issue of his magazine, later issued as a copyrighted article entitled, "Are Seventh-day Adventists Christians?"

With permission we quote from this article. We may inject that Dr. Barnhouse advises us that the entire content of the article was submitted to the Adventist brethren for approval before publication. The fact that this report has been in print for nearly three years (1959) and no correction or protest has been forthcoming from our leaders would strongly argue that they accept the truthfulness of the account.

Dr. Barnhouse reports that "a little less than two years ago it was decided that Mr. Martin should undertake research in connection with Seventh-day Adventism." Mr. Walter R. Martin was at that time a candidate for degree of Doctor of Philosophy in New York University and also connected with the editorial staff of Eternity. Wishing to get firsthand and reliable information, Mr. Martin went to Washington to the Adventist headquarters where he got in touch with some of the leaders. "The response was immediate and enthusiastic."

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Letters to the Churches

Part 9

TANTAMOUNT TO AN ABDICATION

Mr. Martin "immediately perceived that the Adventists were strenuously denying certain doctrinal positions which had been previously attributed to them." Chief among these were the question of the mark of the beast, and the nature of Christ in the flesh.

Mr. Martin "pointed out to them that in their bookstore adjoining the building in which these meetings were taking place, a certain volume published by them and written by one of their ministers categorically stated the contrary to what they were now asserting. The leaders sent for the book, discovered that Mr. Martin was correct, and immediately brought this fact to the attention of the General Conference officers, that the situation might be remedied and such publications be corrected.

This concerned particularly the doctrine of the mark of the beast and the fundamental doctrines of the Adventist church held from near its beginning. When the leaders discovered that Mr. Martin was correct, they suggested to the officers that the situation be remedied and such publications be corrected."

This was done. We are not informed which publications were so "remedied and corrected", nor if the authors were notified before the changes were made; nor if the duly appointed house committee was consulted; nor if the book editors or the publishing house were agreeable to the changes.

We do know, however, that in the Sabbath school lessons for the second quarter of 1958, which dealt with the book of Revelation, chapter by chapter, the thirteenth chapter which discusses the mark of the beast was entirely omitted. Chapter 12 was there, so was chapter 14, but there was no chapter 13. The Sabbath school lessons had evidently been "remedied and corrected."

It is certainly anomalous when a minister of another denomination has enough influence with our leaders to have them correct our theology, effect a change in the teaching of the denomination on a most vital doctrine of the church, and even invade the Sabbath schools of the world and withhold from them the important lessons of Revelation 13. For our leaders to accept this is tantamount to an abdication of their leadership.

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Letters to the Churches

Part 10

THE GREATEST UNTRUTH EVER

But this is not all. Dr. Barnhouse reports that the same procedure was repeated regarding the nature of Christ in the flesh, the subject with which we have been here dealing. Our leaders assured Mr. Martin that "the majority of the denomination has always held (the nature of Christ while in the flesh) to be sinless, holy, and perfect, despite the fact that certain of their writers have occasionally gotten into print with contrary views completely repugnant to the church at large."

If our leaders told Mr. Martin this, they told the greatest untruth ever. For the denomination has never held any other view than that expressed by Mrs. White in the quotations used in this article. We challenge our leaders or anybody, to produce proof of their assertion. How grossly untrue is the statement that certain writers got into print with views "completely repugnant to the church at large."

Mrs. White was one of those writers who "got into print." Hear also what our standard book, Bible Readings for the Home Circle, sold to the public by the millions, has to say on the subject. I have before me two copies, one printed by the Pacific Press in 1916, the other by the Southern Publishing house in 1944. They both read alike. Here is the accepted teaching by the denomination:

"In His humanity Christ partook of our sinful, fallen nature. If not, then He was not 'made like unto His brethren', was not 'in all points tempted like as we are', did not overcome as we have to overcome, and is not, therefore, the complete and perfect Savior man needs and must have to be saved. The idea that Christ was born of an immaculate or sinless mother, inherited no tendencies to sin, and for this reason did not sin, removes Him from the realm of a fallen world, and from the very place where help is needed.

On His human side, Christ inherited just what every child of Adam inherits--a sinful nature. On the divine side, from His very conception He was begotten and born of the Spirit. And all this was done to place mankind on vantage ground, and to demonstrate that in the same way every one who is born of the Spirit may gain the victories over sin in his own sinful flesh. Thus each one is to overcome as Christ overcame. (Revelation 3:21). Without this birth there can be no victory over temptation, and no salvation from sin. John 3:3-7." page 21.

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Letters to the Churches

Part 11

THE LUNATIC FRINGE

In explanation of how these writers "got into print" with their views, our leaders told Mr. Martin that "they had among their number certain members of their 'lunatic fringe', even as there are similar 'wild-eyed irresponsibles' in every field of fundamental Christianity."

I think this is going too far. Mrs. White did not belong to the "lunatic fringe" who got into print, nor did the authors of Bible Readings. Our leaders should make a most humble apology to the denomination for such a slur upon their members. It is almost unbelievable that they should have made such statements. But the accusation has been in print nearly three years, and there has been no protest of any kind. I am humiliated that such accusations should have been made, and even more so that our leaders are completely callous in their attitude toward them.

That the reader may see for himself the original report of Dr. Barnhouse, I herewith reproduce portions of the reprint, "Are Seventh-day Adventists Christians?" This is not the report in full, but only that part which relates to the question here discussed. Later I shall present other extracts.

"A little less than two years ago it was decided that Mr. Martin should undertake research in connection with Seventh-day Adventism. We got into touch with the Adventists saying that we wished to treat them fairly and would appreciate the opportunity of interviewing some of their leaders. The response was immediate and enthusiastic....

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Letters to the Churches

Part 12

THE MAJORITY GROUP OF SANE LEADERSHIP

"Mr. Martin went to Takoma Park, Washington, D.C., the headquarters of the Seventh-day Adventist movement. At first the two groups looked upon each other with great suspicion. Mr. Martin had read a vast quantity of Adventist literature and presented them with a series of approximately forty questions concerning their theological position. On a second visit he was presented with scores of pages of detailed theological answers to his questions. Immediately it was perceived that the Adventists were strenuously denying certain doctrinal positions which have been attributed to them."

"Mr. Martin's book on Seventh-day Adventism will appear in print within a few months. It will carry a foreword by responsible leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist church to the effect that they have not been misquoted in the volume and that the areas of agreement and disagreement as set forth by Mr. Martin are accurate from their point of references as well as from our evangelical point of view. All of Mr. Martin's references to a new Adventist volume on their doctrines will be from the page proof of their book, which will appear in print simultaneously with his work. Henceforth any fair criticism of the Adventist movement must refer to these simultaneous publications.

"The position of the Adventists seem to some of us in certain cases to be a new position; to them it may be merely the position of the majority group of sane leadership which is determined to put the brakes on any members who seek to hold views divergent from that of the responsible leadership of the denomination.

"To avoid charges that have been brought against them by evangelicals, Adventists have already worked out arrangements that the Voice of Prophecy radio program and the Signs of the Times, their largest paper, be identified as representations of the Seventh-day Adventist church."

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*Tinka, the questions you raised about the trinity should be the topic of a different thread, if you dont mind. This thread is only one third done. Hope you get a blessing.

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[tinka]

It seems impossible for me to take off my posts. If the moderator can do it please do as it will not let me modify. I should have understood the continued at the end.