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Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 11341
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 11:21 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The 2010 G.C. session commenced yesterday in Atlanta. This year the sessions are not being live-streamed, as they were in 2005. They are available only via Hope channel satellite feed.

News bulletins are available online, however. The following link is an Adventist News Network piece introducing a new DVD series being released at this session that explores the tenets of the main world religions (including Christianity), and tells how Adventists can find points of commonality that will enable them to build bridges and create friendships with those of other world religions.

Of course, the underlying premise is that understanding the other religions will make it easier to share Adventism...yet at the same time, there's something really significant about their efforts to seek commonalities and build bridges.

You can read the article here: http://news.adventist.org/2010/06/seventh-day-adventis-3.html

Colleen
Flyinglady
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Username: Flyinglady

Post Number: 8262
Registered: 3-2004


Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 2:50 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

All I can say is anything to deceive others and make them think the sdas are evangelical Christians. I do not trust the organization in any way!!!
Diana L
Dennis
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Username: Dennis

Post Number: 2019
Registered: 4-2000


Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 3:37 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Since Seventh-day Adventists are very media-savvy, they have already conducted a press conference today with Atlanta's community leaders. Their travelling Bible (in multiple languages) is arriving in Atlanta, with great fanfare after circling the globe, as a public relations stunt to cover-up the extra-biblical authority of Ellen White, their infallible interpreter. When Adventists pointedly tell you that Ellen White is not their infallible interpreter, simply respond by asking them what part of Ellen White's biblical interpretation they don't believe in. (smile) Moreover, the GC leaders decided to subtly use the word "grace" in their session theme: "Proclaiming God's grace." This makes them look good in the eyes of the world.

On another note, I called an Adventist friend in North Carolina this morning. I asked about two specific churches that were near to our home in North Carolina in the 1970s. In both cases, the churches are doing poorly in regard to any growth and one has lost alot of members since I was there. My SDA friend further stated that the current pastor had sent out hundreds of brochures in the Goldsboro area and only received two replies. The SDA pastor thinks it's just a bad area for evangelism. Let us continue to expose the captors and set the captives free!

Dennis Fischer

(Message edited by Dennis on June 24, 2010)
Joyfulheart
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Username: Joyfulheart

Post Number: 691
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 4:41 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

About a year into my experience in the SDA church, I was given a leatherbound copy of Mark Finley's Studying Together. In it - as probably most of you already know are the unique points (at least officially) of the belief system of each denomination. I was told to always start what the things I had in common with each person before exploring the unique doctrines of Adventism.

I was also told to leave most Adventist distinctives alone until the prophecy seminar where they would be properly explained and taught. I was told it was a little bit precarius to do it myself unless I lined up my texts for every doctrine (ah! the Bible marking class!) and had practiced with friends and elders.

During the seminar, I might add - nothing was to be discussed about any Adventist distinctive unless and until after it was presented publicly.

They truly wanted people coming to the seminar and hearing about Adventism to be convinced the SDA church was Christian and that they just had "greater information about prophecy the rest of the church was missing." I heard that line sooo much!

The elders at the church I came into ruled with rods of iron in this area.

Anyone know of efforts to expose the SDA church during GC?

Patty
Flyinglady
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Username: Flyinglady

Post Number: 8263
Registered: 3-2004


Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 4:47 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

A friend from church is helping his daughter in Atlanta with her business. I told his wife to tell him the sdas will be there and to watch out for them. He knows all about them and it was not through me. I am glad for that. Like I said earlier, I do not trust the organization.
Thank you awesome God for Your grace.
Diana L
Hec
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Username: Hec

Post Number: 1091
Registered: 3-2009
Posted on Thursday, June 24, 2010 - 8:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Congratulations to those of you who made it as a delegate to the GC Congress.

Hec
Dennis
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Username: Dennis

Post Number: 2020
Registered: 4-2000


Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 8:55 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

The traveling sanctuary exhibit is set up next to the Georgia Dome as yet another PR maneuver. The GC public relations experts admit that they will utilize an expanded media during this Session as never before witnessed. Desperation often brings forth new propaganda. Supposedly, the current GC Session will pump eighty million dollars into the Atlanta economy. Apparently, a twelve-million-dollar party can achieve this result.

Dennis Fischer
Flyinglady
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Username: Flyinglady

Post Number: 8267
Registered: 3-2004


Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 9:01 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Do you know, Dennis or Colleen, if there will be any former sdas there to hand out literature?
I hope so.
Diana L
Dennis
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Username: Dennis

Post Number: 2021
Registered: 4-2000


Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 9:14 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Former Adventists should rent a temporary office near the Georgia Dome in lieu of being forbidden to have an exhibit at the Session. Free literature plus books for sale could be offered to inquiring Adventists and concerned Evangelicals.

Dennis Fischer
Dennis
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Username: Dennis

Post Number: 2022
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Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 9:42 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

As many predicted (including myself), Ted N. C. Wilson is the new GC president. His father is Neal C. Wilson, former GC president. Ted has been groomed for this position for many years.

Dennis Fischer
Dennis
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Username: Dennis

Post Number: 2023
Registered: 4-2000


Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 9:56 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ted N. C. Wilson, age 60, stated unashamedly in his introductory remarks that "This is not just an organization, this is not just another denomination. This is God's remnant church." Not surprisingly, after this opening statement, he gave immediate recognition to Ellen White. A press conference will be held this afternoon.

Dennis Fischer
Skeeter
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Username: Skeeter

Post Number: 809
Registered: 12-2007
Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 10:50 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

SIGH..........:-(
It just makes my heart break for all the people who really BELIEVE they have God's "truth"...
I was once one of them..... I don't know why God choose to bring me out of that false system, but I will be forever thankful that He did.
Cloudwatcher
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Username: Cloudwatcher

Post Number: 92
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 12:46 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I want to get my hands on that DVD series. Y'all check out the comments on the link that Colleen provided.

From what I understand, Ted Wilson is very conservative and will be leading SDAs in that direction. I think that's awesome. The louder he can shout the heresy, the more obvious it will be what adventism is all about. The more the organization goes toward historical adventism the harder it will be for the liberal and cultural sdas to feel comfortable lurking in the shadows.
Hec
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Username: Hec

Post Number: 1092
Registered: 3-2009
Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 1:30 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

It's all in the family!

Hec
Jeremy
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Username: Jeremy

Post Number: 3254
Registered: 10-2004


Posted on Friday, June 25, 2010 - 8:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I agree, Cloudwatcher!

Jeremy
Indy4now
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Username: Indy4now

Post Number: 841
Registered: 2-2008


Posted on Saturday, June 26, 2010 - 6:22 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)


quote:

While he noted that outreach is the church's "ultimate" goal, Weber said rather than evangelism, the focus of the series is on encouraging inter-faith relationships defined by mutual respect that surmounts judgmental or combative tendencies.

"The purpose of this isn't to think, 'Oh, there's a Hindu, I need to go convert them,'" Weber said. "If all you do is build a friendship, the world is a better place."




... whatever happened to the whole "separating wall"? I especially liked... "encouraging inter-faith relationships defined by mutual respect that surmounts judgmental or combative tendencies." Just being an Adventist, subscribing to EGW's writings and the IJ can be defined as "judgmental". In order to combact "judgmental" and to encourage "inter-faith" relationships, they should encourage their members to deny EGW and the Investigative Judgment and start reading God's word and learning about Christ's life. Knowing about other religions cannot help them build "inter-faith" relationships when their foundation is built on EGW.

I thought it was interesting that Christianity was on the list. They were separating themselves even from Christianity... which is really the reality. However, I think that most Adventists believe that they are main stream and the only difference between them and Christians is that they go to church on Saturday.

I agree with Cloudwatcher also.

vivian
Bb
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Username: Bb

Post Number: 704
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Saturday, June 26, 2010 - 7:52 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"At his first news conference since being elected General Conference president, Ted Wilson shares his priorities for the coming five years. He stated that these are early days and he still has to flesh out these priorities, but he said his first emphasis will be on revival and reformation.

Another priority will be to lift up the Spirit of Prophecy to be more than devotional-level reading, and to employ them for instruction and counsel. Another issue he addressed was the use of Scripture. In interpreting Scripture, we must make sure we are not following the historical critical approach, he warned."

http://www.atoday.com/content/report-ted-n-c-wilson-shares-his-priorities-coming-five-years

What does he mean "historical critical approach"?
Joyfulheart
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Username: Joyfulheart

Post Number: 693
Registered: 10-2006
Posted on Saturday, June 26, 2010 - 7:53 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Converting a Hindu is much different and far more difficult than converting an unsuspecting Christian who doesn't know the Bible well and is convinced using their carefully lined up proof texts.

That statement really just gets me. It sounds to me like they're just putting their effort where the can get the easiest and least labor intensive results. Evangelism is clearly targeted at Christians - at least in my area.

I agree with Cloudwatcher, too.
Cloudwatcher
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Username: Cloudwatcher

Post Number: 94
Registered: 5-2009
Posted on Saturday, June 26, 2010 - 8:05 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Bb, this is what wikipedia says:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higher_criticism

historical-critical method is a branch of literary analysis that investigates the origins of a text. As applied in biblical studies it investigates the books of the Bible and compares them to other texts written at the same time, before, or recently after the text in question.

The historical-critical method to studying the Bible is taught nearly universally in Western nations, including in most seminaries.[3] Conservative, evangelical schools, however, often reject this approach, teaching instead that the Bible is inerrant and that it reflects explicit divine inspiration.

***
I'm intrigued by his goal to elevate EGW even further.
Cindy
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Username: Cindy

Post Number: 863
Registered: 7-2000
Posted on Saturday, June 26, 2010 - 8:52 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Vivian, interesting that "Christianity" is on the list. I know I've heard many Adventists refer to themselves as "Seventh-day Adventist Christians".
I'd be interested in seeing how this DVD advises them to communicate with real Christians!
grace,
cindy

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