Author |
Message |
Dinolf Registered user Username: Dinolf
Post Number: 52 Registered: 8-2005
| Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 12:46 pm: | |
Hello friends Found this site with an objective description of adventism from an outside/baptist/evangelical perspective. http://www.4truth.net/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=hiKXLbPNLrF&b=784565&ct=1235077 I think the question no 6 asking to tell about the experience of Jesus is a good one. Maybe this link has been on the forum before, but anyhow - any comments? /Dinolf |
Mwh Registered user Username: Mwh
Post Number: 534 Registered: 4-2006
| Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 2:53 pm: | |
I have seen that section on this site once before. I find it good. Also I just stumbled on their link to Eastern Orthodox, quite interesting. http://www.4truth.net/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=hiKXLbPNLrF&b=784565&ct=971675 In His joy, Martin |
Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis
Post Number: 1003 Registered: 4-2000
| Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 4:59 pm: | |
Dinolf, The link you gave affirms what some outsiders think of Seventh-day Adventism without really knowing the details theologically. Although inadvertently, the author conveys alot of misformation about Adventism. It appears that this website largely describes Adventism in accordance with the General Conference PR machine. Dennis Fischer |
Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker
Post Number: 5481 Registered: 12-2003
| Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 6:57 pm: | |
I agree, Dennis. It represents the official presentation of the church, not the reality of its theology. Some might wonder whether it really matters whether or not people understand the nitty gritty of Adventist theologyóif the church states something, why isn't that good enough? The problem, of course, is that the official statement does not reflect how Adventists are taught to think from childhood on. It's an illustration of the old saying, "It's not what you SAY that counts; it's what you DO." What Adventists actually believe and the things on which they build their view of reality is, in fact, fairly consistent within the church, even though there are very conservative and also very liberal Adventists. Their reality is that they really do believe Sabbath plays some role in a person's qualifications for eternal life. They really do believe that at death, nothing but breath goes to Jesus. They really do perceive Jesus to be "less" than the Father. They may not know how to explain this perception, but it is true. Jesus is "little god", the loving , forgiving god. The Father is much sterner, more demanding, more judgmental. I agree with your assesment, Dennis. Colleen |
Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy
Post Number: 1719 Registered: 10-2004
| Posted on Saturday, March 03, 2007 - 7:05 pm: | |
You are absolutely right, Dennis. On that site's "Cult/Sect Overview" page (written by the same author), it lists the following characteristic:
quote:2. All cults deny or redefine any or all essential Christian doctrines. Jehovah's Witnesses, for instance, absolutely deny the deity of Jesus Christ. The LDS redefines the Trinity to mean the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate personages or gods. --http://www.4truth.net/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=hiKXLbPNLrF&b=784531&ct=971325
Well, the SDA church redefines the Trinity in the exact same way that the LDS church does! But for some reason, people are unaware of this fact and/or want to ignore/deny it. That same link also says:
quote:3. Sects may adhere officially to essential Christian teachings while exhibiting other characteristics of cults or sects. The International Church of Christ, for example, adheres to traditional views about God and Christ, but members regard their movement as the only one proclaiming the true message of salvation today.
And yet the SDA church does not make their list, but the ICOC does. Also, the "Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS)/Community of Christ" makes their list, despite their (outward at least) belief in the Trinity. Jeremy |
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