It seems to me that the picture the General Conference would have us believe is that Adventist the world over have a standard set of beliefs. What I can see in my little world where I have visited from time to time three different churches is that there are very different "Adventist" audiences.

Does anyone else get that feeling from where you are that there are some very different audiences within "Adventism"? Or am I just not understanding how we are all the same?

Explain what you see as the basic "varieties".

There are certainly at least two different sides or groups, yes. That has been the case since the 1880s, but it is becoming more and more obvious. It is much more the case than it was, say, in the 1950s to about 1974. In some ways I think the Net exacerbates it or at least brings it out into the open more than before.

One church that I have visited seems to be very old school in their worship services -- the three hymns, two prayers and 40 minutes of sermon. They also have a set of beliefs that seems to me as non-inclusive of anyone who begs to differ. They made me feel like an outsider because I asked a question innocently and was rebuffed from a quotation from Ellen White. I Don't know how they had the quotation on hand but this Sabbath School teacher had it right there and read the quotation.

The other church I go to normally, seems not to place any emphasis on Ellen White. In fact, quoting from Ellen White falls on deaf ears in this church. The Sabbath service is dominated by many songs, drums, guitars, and a strong sense that everyone is invited to participate in worship.

Just in two churches I see there is a huge difference in outward appearance but also in a sense that there are quite a different set of beliefs.

OK, yes, those are the two main divisions that I see as well.

Did you think that your question was answered by the Ellen White quote? Did you find her quote off the topic or did you feel that you wanted more discussion?

On a scale of 1 to 10, the 10 signifying very important, how do you rate a quote from Ellen White that answers a particular question you have?

Why do you think there is such low interest in some of those churches in what Ellen White wrote or said? Do you see this low interest as good or bad or indifferent?

About me:

Personally, except for AdventistForum, I spend almost no time with other SDAs. Virtually all of my friends are non-SDA and in fact non-Christian. My closest friend of 30+ years smokes weed and is an agnostic/atheist. I study with Jehovah's Witnesses just to learn what they believe and because I enjoy being around them. I also correspond very often with a Mormon man who is trying to persuade me to be a Mormon. I have been studying Mormonism for years and have read most of their books. My favorite book is the Bible, but I also love reading literature, philosophy, and practically everything.

One reason I don't go to the local church where my bi-lingual children and Spanish-speaking wife go is that I cannot hear very well, and I simply find it frustrating not to hear much. (My wife was Catholic when we married and most of her family are Catholic.)

But I definitely believe and love the Adventist doctrines, particularly the Sabbath and the Third Angels Message. I was out of the church completely and absolutely for a long time and came back to Christ and to the church about 3 years ago. I graduated with a degree in theology but didn't go into the ministry because I was unable during those years to give up the gay lifestyle. The Lord has given me the victory over that after many years of terrible, terrible struggle.

My question was answered with the quote, it was quite un-nerving the way the teacher had the quote to answer my question. However, there could have been more discussion around the issue to clarify. However, what happened was the teacher just read teh quote and moved on.


I suppose I would say about 8 on that scale. I have not been as strong a believer in Ellen White simply because a lot of what she said is rather outdated. On straight spiritual topics I would tend to believe what she says, but on other topics that are what I would term cultural I tend to not be swayed by matters like that.


I would say that judging from the church I go to at the present time, this church is possibly a more fundamental Christian body of believers. I am not sure what to think at this time whether believing in Ellen White is good or bad. I just see this church I go to as an Adventist Christian Church, rather than the other one that is Adventist-Adventist!

Sounds like you probably asked a common question, one that the teacher was certain someone would ask.

May I ask what your question was?

Probably as many as there are individual members of the body of Christ. Even the Lord recognizes this from the Word.

"....until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ." Ephesians 4:13 NASB

Why would it be necessary to wait until we all attain to the unity of the faith if we were already there? In the meantime we have the glue that allows us to function as a body of believers despite the fact that some of our beliefs do not perfectly coincide with our brother and sisters.

"Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity." Colossians 3:14 NASB

And, of course, there are other biblically accepted attitudes that help us each one to find that livable unity of faith.

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;" Philippians 2:3 NASB

In the meantime we can recognize there is only one true Way, though we often cannot see it very clearly for one reason or another.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6 KJV

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." Hebrews 13:8 NASB

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV
Regards!

If you mean, are there conservative, moderate, and liberal Adventists? Yes, of course.

If you mean, are there Adventists that eat out on Sabbath and those that don't? Yes, again.

If you mean, are there SDAs who accept EGW as a prophet and those that do not? Right again.

If you mean, are Adventists who believe in the Sanctuary doctrine and the Investigative Judgment and those who don't? Correct again.

No, the church is not as united as one would like to believe or have you believe.

Will the church ever be united in doctrine and practice before Christ comes? I rather doubt it. But we can become one in purpose of spreading the good news of His coming kingdom, and one in loving the Lord and loving our fellow man.

Gerry

I like your post very much, Life. You always come up with good insights and very appropriate Bible verses, I think.

My question was "Surely the idea of "perfection of character" is not to be realised in this life?"

The Answer I was given: "In His teachings, Christ showed how far-reaching are the principles of the law spoken from Sinai. He made a living application of that law whose principles remain forever the great standard of righteousness--the standard by which all shall be judged in that great day when the judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened. He came to fulfill all righteousness, and, as the head of humanity, to show man that he can do the same work, meeting every specification of the requirements of God. Through the measure of His grace furnished to the human agent, not one need miss heaven. Perfection of character is attainable by every one who strives for it. This is made the very foundation of the new covenant of the gospel. The law of Jehovah is the tree; the gospel is the fragrant blossoms and fruit which it bears." [1SM 211.2]