Will Pope's apology lead to SDA's clergy to apologize too?

[mrst53]

Do you think that with the Pope's apology to those that have been molested by priests and promising to stop future pedophilia in the priesthood, will lead to the SDA's clery apoligizing also, or at least being more open to answering to those that have been molested? I know this is a long question. Do you think this will help with the trial coming up in July?

[Artiste]

I don't see SDA clergy apologizing anytime soon.

[Artiste]

I think SDA church leadership will continue to sweep problems like 3ABN, pedophilia, and non-biblical teachings in La Sierra University (with also "progressive" churches of the Pacific Union) under the rug until they are forced by some events to act otherwise.

[Johann]

I just wonder if the trial in July might be just the beginning of the woes for not only Tommy Shelton but also for other people involved. Who knows where this will end? It is interesting to note that the same people are involved as those dealing with the Roman Catholic Church. Will they get at all the people who have tried to cover something up? In which way? Are we able to see warnings in  what happened to the Roman Catholic church in damages paid? To what extend could this involve both the Church of God and the Seventh-day Adventist Church, or will the damages be limited to members of the board of 3ABN? How could this affect families, wives, children, grandchildren, or is there a way to keep this a secret in order to avoid family traumas?

The defending lawyer has just lost a case recently, according to information posted. And some of us recall the Simpson case where he was declared not guilty by the jury, and yet he had to pay considerable amounts in damage to the family.

[Adam]

I don't see SDA clergy apologizing anytime soon.

Or a church of God pedophile, for that matter!

[mrst53]

I'm sorry, I forget that with Tommy's ties to the SDA that he was Church of God. Please forgive me.  In fact, how did Tommy end up as a Church of God Minister and part of 3abn and not a minister of the SDA church?  Pastor JB Wood is married to a former SDA member, whose father was a SDA minister.

[princessdi]

They would have to admit there was a problem first, Mrst53.

Do you think that with the Pope's apology to those that have been molested by priests and promising to stop future pedophilia in the priesthood, will lead to the SDA's clery apoligizing also, or at least being more open to answering to those that have been molested? I know this is a long question. Do you think this will help with the trial coming up in July?

[Bob Pickle]

In fact, how did Tommy end up as a Church of God Minister and part of 3abn and not a minister of the SDA church?

One of the things Danny has been accused of is nepotism, to the point that he included that issue in the lawsuit against us.

When I tell some folks that Tommy is not an Adventist, they express surprise. Many 3ABN viewers never knew.

I think that the easiest explanation is that Tommy the alleged pedophile got a job at 3ABN in 2001 after being kicked out in 1991 because he's Danny's brother.

[mrst53]

Was Tommy raised Adventist?

[Bob Pickle]

Was Tommy raised Adventist?

I have wondered that myself. My understanding is that he was not, but I really don't know. Perhaps Cindy or Tommy/Danny_Defender or Sam or anyman can tell us. Or maybe Sister can tell us.

[Sister]

If I remember correctly, just like his other siblings (after their parents joined the SDA church), he was raised SDA. Having a gift for music, Tommy started playing with a gospel group from another denomination and traveling with them. After a while Tommy joined another denomination. My recollection may not be exact, but I believe that is what happened or something close along those lines. Please correct me if my memory has failed me.

[mrst53]

ok, that explains how he was involved in 3abn and was preaching in the Church of God.

Does the SDA demonination believe that you can lose your salvation?

[tinka]

Absolutely you can lose it!  There are no provisions "once saved, always saved".
a lot of people go into "saved" mode on emotions one day and change the next and right back to old habits and actions.

You can lose it by the "unpardonable sin" --that is rejecting the Holy Spirit when your conscience tells you truth and you ignore it.

A true Adventist progresses day by day their whole life and repent with unintential falls. A firm believer excerises what they believe in levels they understand. Some don't. An Adventist believes in the 10 commandments.

Most others believe that commandments are done away with or just keep 9 of them. But the end of Bible in REv. states to enter the gates will be those who will keep the commandments. It is easy when the mind is willing to trust and obey. and to a true Adventist the Sabbath is a day of rest with Jesus in mind. A day that is looked forward too.

[Johann]

Does the SDA demonination believe that you can lose your salvation?

This is quite a challenging question. I'd say, "No, you cannot lose your salvation unless you decide to do that yourself!"

The greatest decision you make in your life is to let God himself through Jesus Christ, the WORD, and the Holy Spirit be the supreme Guide in your life. This is a challenging life that leads to eternal lilfe in Christ, and without Him there is no eternal life. Scripture makes it clear that only God is immortal. No other being in the universe is immortal, not even the angels, because some of them decided to follow Satan and become the tempting demons around us.

When even an angel can fall (Rev. 12 tells you that one third of the angels followed Satan, but thank God that there are two good angels to our rescue for every evil angel that attacks us) - when it is possible for them to fall, then it is also possible for man to fall.

So if a man gets tempted by a demon to be bad he cannot fall as long as he keeps a living connection with God. If he lets go - that is where the danger lies.

There is a way out: 1 John 1:9

9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Our way back goes through forgiveness. But

8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

So if we hide our sins and act as if we never sinned, then there is no chance to be saved.

Some think that it is often  very difficult for the most conservative Christians to confess their sins. They'd rather hide them in order to make the appearance of being perfect.

[tinka]

Johann,
those words were much better put for understanding but in my very simpleton quick northern country yankee talk and to the point I am understanding exactely as you put it.  ;)