| Author | Message | ||
| 8thday Registered user Username: 8thday Post Number: 681 Registered: 11-2007  |
This morning I was reminded of an Adventist institute I'd heard of a long time ago, and went to their website. It was refreshing to see an organization stand up for what Adventism truly is. They were founded in the 80's to defend and preserve the church's authentic, original teaching and mission - and to overcome the last day Laodicean compromises. I find this really refreshing and honest, and in addition, some very clear statements about what Adventism believes that most pastors will never openly admit. From the home page with my comments in parentheses:
I wonder how different many discussions would be if all Adventists were this straightforward! http://hartland.edu/cms/hi/index.php?Itemid=32&id=12&option=com_content&task=view | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 4158 Registered: 9-2006  |
Quote:We have never used speculation in our understanding of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy in order to soften its testimony (translation) we use straight proof texting. Quote  ur great joy has been to see souls saved for the kingdom (trasnlation) Baptized into the Adventist church. Quote: appreciating and applying God's principles and standards in their lives, even in difficult circumstances. (translation)Sabbath keeping (dangling) Quote ur vision and message goes far beyond the pivotal issues such as the nature of Christ and Christian perfection.... (translation) EGW's Tofurky message. Translation of complete message (We are idiots)  River | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 1809 Registered: 8-2004  |
River writes: "(We are idiots)" Well thanks! I resemble that remark! I actually spent a lot of my life in Hartland/Uchee Pines/Wildwood circles before the SDARM. Yes, I was an idiot, but I didn't know that! I reckon I'm still an idiot. Thankfully I know enough now to trust God Himself to complete the work He's begun in me and do not think I can do it myself. | ||
| Peperpat Registered user Username: Peperpat Post Number: 143 Registered: 7-2006 |
Helovesme2, I live very close to Hartland and wow! what am I to say? To my SDA relatives I mean...... I do not think idiots is the correct adjective but here we are. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 6486 Registered: 3-2004  |
Would EGW FANATICS be a better word? Diana L | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 1814 Registered: 8-2004 |
Basically we may or may not be idiots, but every one of us (every human, not just every SDA) are enemies of God, dead in trespasses, and sold under sin until God rescues us. Thank God He is merciful and long suffering! | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 4160 Registered: 9-2006 |
Strike idiots Insert (smart SDA Bible students), Come on stick up your dukes Mary, just as long as there is make-up after the fight. I do believe that is the first time you ever got your dander up. Your pretty when you are mad. River | ||
| Jeremiah Registered user Username: Jeremiah Post Number: 422 Registered: 1-2004  |
Yes, the Hartland folks are more honest than most. I lived on the Hartland campus for parts of about 6 years. I think that they find my current religious affiliation a bit amusing and perhaps difficult to believe. I stay in touch with some SDA's from the Hartland area. When Hartland people finally see through the errors of SDAism, if they successfully remain Christian, they make really good Christians. It would be difficult to find more committed people than some of those I know from Hartland. They're zealous like Saul, just waiting for a Damascus road experience. The SDA rationalist mindset goes a long way towards keeping them from seeing the light, unfortunately. I still remember driving away from the Hartland campus for the last time. There was just a little feeling of newfound freedom since at that point I had already left SDAism mentally though I kept it mostly undercover. I think if I ever get back to that part of the USA I'll have to stop in at Hartland and say hi, just to see people's reaction. Jeremiah | ||
| Asurprise Registered user Username: Asurprise Post Number: 642 Registered: 7-2007 |
Hmmm... let's see... I used to believe that way too... I was careful not to read anything too closely, that might contradict Ellen White - not even the Bible! There were passages in the Bible that only Ellen White could explain, but since I didn't know where her quotes were, when I got to those passages, I'd either read quickly through them or skip entirely over them! (Passages like: Philippians 1:21-25; 2nd Corinthians 5:4-8; Colossians 2:16,17; Romans 14:5,6 and 1st John 2:12) And then there were passages that made more sense, but still didn't entirely agree with Ellen White, so I took them with a grain of salt. (Passages like: Ephesians 2:8,9; John 5:24 and Romans 5:15) I never used speculation in my understanding of religion. I was SURE that Ellen White explained it all! My great joy was to see souls "brought into greater light", when I would pass out Ellen White books door to door. (I didn't know any other Adventist willing to do that!) I didn't figure it would hurt to use a little dishonesty either as long as I didn't come right out and tell a lie and as long as it resulted in someone coming into greater "truth!" Once when I was passing out books, a lady asked which church the books came from. I said "Seventh-day Adventist," but she misunderstood. She thought I'd said "Southern Baptist" and eagerly took some. And the fourth one that you mentioned, about the nature of Christ and Christian perfection? Well, I never really "learned" that very well; but I sure didn't miss anything! I thank the Lord that He rescued me out of there! I had NO idea that I was in a cult. I really believed it and was so totally shocked when I found out that it wasn't true. It's been 2 and three fourths years now, and I still have a tiny bit of astonishment left that the "ONE TRUE CHURCH" is false! Dianne | ||
| Borninchrist Registered user Username: Borninchrist Post Number: 91 Registered: 1-2009  |
My experience doesn't even come close to what you folks went through to get out of this church (cult). Your exodus is work of God, a true miracle. I was converted in my adult years and even though I was very active in the church, took office, became a member of the church board, I was still just a baby in this religion... From the time I was baptized to the time I left it was less than 5 years. I have a couple of close friends, but no relatives who are SDA. It was fairly easy for me to leave. My wife told me the other day she never considered herself to be an Adventist and I was the reason she became a member in the first place. I admire you all for the courage. George | ||
| 8thday Registered user Username: 8thday Post Number: 684 Registered: 11-2007 |
George, I think every time someone leaves a cult it's a miracle! Being raised in it may complicate it more with family and sentimental connections to your childhood, but brainwashing is brainwashing - and many people that join as you do, never leave. It may not seem that way to you, but I'm sure yours is a work of God as well. It should just be easier for you to transition out since you didn't receive the initial imprint at birth. Sondra | ||
| Benevento Registered user Username: Benevento Post Number: 273 Registered: 4-2005 |
Where is Heartland? My nephew's daughter teaches at one of those Self Supporting Schools and I was wondering if this might be it,, but I gather it is on the West coast someplace. I think they would be wonderful, joyful Christians if they only were not deceived and understood the simple Gospel--I must pray for them more regularly!! Peggy | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 6494 Registered: 3-2004 |
I had a relatively easy time leaving adventism as my close family members are not practicing adventists. I have said before that my son knew a pastor before he left adventism, as he left adventism and after he left. My son told me what he learned in 1993. At that time I was sick with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and all I said was let us pray about it. In 2004 when I started reading the NT I wrote to my son and told him what I was learning. He wrote back that he had told me those things back in 1993. So my son was all for my leaving. My family did not say anything. My youngest brother had studied himself out of adventism, but never joined any Christian church of any kind. One other younger brother goes to a Messianic Jewish congregation. My half sister will have nothing to do with religion, God or church. That leaves 3 sisters and one brother who still hang onto adventism in some way. None of them have ever criticized me as they are not practicing adventism. I pray for all of them. Diana L | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 1816 Registered: 8-2004 |
Hartland is in Virginia, on the east coast. Wiemar is in California. But there are others scattered all over the US. Uchee Pines is in Alabama, Wildwood is in Georgia (USA). |
