| Author | Message | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 608 Registered: 7-2004 |
I'm posting this message that I just received from Dinolf, who is a recent poster on the Spectrum website, because I want you to know that our committment to pray for the Adventist church is appreciated, and will be counted upon. I responded to one of his posts by telling him about our prayer plan, and this is what he had to say: ---------- Belva Thanks for your comments. God is answering prayers step by step. Your respons and invitation was one of these steps. This summer I listened to John Ortberg at a christian meeting in Sweden. He encuraged us to set up a prayer project and pray for it 6 months. I felt that the Spirit asked me to pray about the Swedish Union and the development of at churchplant in my area. In this churchplant I felt that we should be able to discuss a joint venture with other evangelical churches. This is NOT of course the official agenda of SDA, but maybe the leaders of Sweden have the guts to be open to this question. The prayerquest is twofold, a positive reponse from the SDA-union, and an invitation/request/respons from the other evangelical part. None of these parts has even been introduced - yet... Only the Spirit knows when and how - and if... Please add this to your prayerlist, as I will join your prayerschedule. I still feel a little uncomfortable to be a "jesuit" within the SDA, so I sign with my alias. But in the Spirit and prayer we all are personal and in the same body of Christ. Bless /D PS. John signed a copy of one of his books for me. I asked him to write the message "Adventists - 100% for Jesus" Smile DS --------- Now comes the really amazing part of this exchange with Dinolf. John Ortberg is the pastor of the Presbyterian Church that I attend. I say that just to let you know how connected the Spirit of God truly is. We are not speaking to the wind when we pray, but to the very Heart of God. Dinolf will be joining us in prayer based on our schedule. I hope there are others who read Spectrum and have noted the schedule that I shared there, and that they, too, will join their voices to ours. Belva | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 645 Registered: 3-2005 |
Hi Belva, Yes, I just saw your post over there. What an amazing connection. I believe there is a fine opportunity over there on Spectrum forum. Thanks again for sharing that. Stan | ||
| Jwd Registered user Username: Jwd Post Number: 71 Registered: 4-2005 |
Belva, that is most interesting indeed. for some reason I have been blocked from entering the Spectrum forum, which I registered in some time ago. I thought the glitch was their web site, evidently not. My wife and I have recently attended a Covenant Presbyterian Church group, which interestingly rents out a chapel-like section connected to the downtown, called Central Adventist Church. The pastor is a teacher and has been proclaiming clearly the real meat of the Word. I call it, 24 ounce steak each week. He's been in Rom 8 for four weeks now. It's a very small group containing people attending, some of whom are actually members of other churches, but come here because they are receiving the true Word of God. We have felt the Spirit of God each week and since we have been studying Reformation Theology and Reformed theology as well, we have sensed no conflict with the Word of God. The pastor has promised to send me his own indepth study of the history of the Presbyterian Church, the split off some years back of 41,000 who protested against the liberalism found in the main body, and evidently formed what I think is now called the Presbyterian Church of America. At this writing, I am not sure if the name Covenant embodies this. I think it does. But it is conservative 100% Bible based. The worship services, while quite humble, given there are only about 30 or so in attendance, are centered upon true Worship. Lots of prayer, but no trappings of "high church." I have thought that this must have been like some of the early apostolic home churches. It's quite relaxing, enjoyable and a blessing so far. Stan, you, no doubt will find this interesting as well. Soli Deo Gloria, Jess | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 924 Registered: 10-2004  |
Jess, I registered at Spectrum a few days ago but when I tried to change the "Board Style" under Profile, it started giving me an error every time I tried to login or visit while logged in. If I wasn't logged in, I could still read the forum, though. I emailed them and they deleted my account so that I could re-register. The error I was getting looked like this:
Jeremy (Message edited by jeremy on August 15, 2005) | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 646 Registered: 3-2005 |
Hi Jess, sounds like you have found a great church. I got an email from one of the spectrum moderators. They seem to be interested in having us formers contribute. He made it clear that they are not interested in protecting EGW, and she is definitely not off limits as she was on revival/sermons. The EGW thread was closed because the original author of that thread thought the conversation had run its course, and those two posts by postmodern and John 8 certainly didn't help the cause. They are going to start a thread on soteriology or "how Christ saves us" soon. That should be interesting. Stan | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 925 Registered: 10-2004 |
I can understand them locking that one thread, but they also locked the entire "Ellen White and Adventism" forum. That means that we can't really have any discussions about EGW...unless we were to do it in the "wrong" forum... Jeremy | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 518 Registered: 7-2004 |
Stan and those who post on SDA sites, Congratulations on the invitation to join Spectrum discussions. It is clear to me that they see your love for Jesus in your posts. I am very proud of all of you that can articulate your joy in the freedom of His unfailing love and grace. You can be sure that I lift you all up in prayer as you share His joy in your lives in a way that will encourage all who read your words to desire that same joy in their lives. | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 649 Registered: 3-2005 |
Here is the link again for the Spectrum forum www.spectrummagazine.org/phpbb Jeremy, I agree with you. Apparently they wanted to put a lid on some of the runaway posts. There will be plent of opportunities to show that EGW believed in salvation by works when they start the "Salvation" thread. Thanks Dd for your encouragement. Stan | ||
| Jwd Registered user Username: Jwd Post Number: 72 Registered: 4-2005 |
Jeremy, That's EXACTLY the messages I receive. Hmm? I'll see if I can contact them. Not sure if they provide an e-mail contact address or not, but it sounds like you found one. Thanks, Jess | ||
| Dinolf Registered user Username: Dinolf Post Number: 1 Registered: 8-2005 |
Dear FAF readers One can just be amazed how the Spirit i leading. During the summer I have followed some of the postings here on FAF and other forums about SDA issues. This led me to post a message about why I remain an Adventist. I also asked for a login here on FAF. Just loggin in here I found the connection made thru Belva! A lot could be said, but hopefully I can bring it in gradually by taking part in your forum. It seems very clear that Adventism is so different around the world. Sweden is rather open and have taken a direction since many years to move closer to the evangelical mainstream. The thesis by Dr Ingemar LindÈn in the 70:ies did put Adventism in Sweden as one of the accepted churches in Sweden. Good and humble leadership has made this happen. Just going to Norway, there is a more conservative and narrowmind attitude. My personal experiences from the US, latest NY City, shows me the problem of identity among SDA. I think there is little hope to find changing attitudes in the top GC leadership. The last CG sessions made that clear i.e. the EGW statement. But on local level, and especially on church-level there is hope. The churchplant work that is growing in Nothern Europe shows that. Peter Roenfeldt has been a great inspiror, but sadly he was not give a new office and is exchanged by a presumely more conservative ledership. My prayer-request mentioned abowe was given to me during a meeting this summer where John O was talking. I now see it clearer than ever, either Adventism takes the standalone, the-one-only-church position, or go 100% for Jesus. That means to stop protecting the institution of adventism but instead just standing up for Jesus - as Paul did. There is a need for a new "Jerusalem-meeting" to make it clear what is the basic gospel to be shared among postmoderns. It¥s quite easy to identify a number of tasks that could be put on the no-need list equal with the Paul-issue of circumcission (excuse my spelling...). On one side is censervative/modern top-SDA leadership and tendencies like 3ABN flooding all over the world. On the other side is a local leadership brave to go against conserving attitudes and to accept postmoderns quest, to be honest and admitting fault among the road of Adventism. Personally I can joyfully take part in other churches work for the Kingdom, without any hidden agenda. Can that be the official attitude of my local church and the local Swedich SDA-union as well - even to discuss local churchplants as joint ventures with other evancelical churces? My dream is that this could be more openly disussed in Sweden, and that people would stand forward in the issue. As today I feel quite alone, and is therefore hiding behind an alias. You out there on this forum is a great help and has enquagement me that the Spirit really is taking people to new positions that is not in the SDA mainstream. The only way is to protect Jesus, not to protect a man (woman)-made church. This may lead us where we did not expect to be, even a more uncomfortable position. It is not a easy way to chose a 100% Jesus decipleship. I understand that many of you have been thru hard experiences, and there is a need for an honest conversation, but still there is a love in your discussions that shows the true Spirit. Let the work be done thru prayer and the Spirit , and we¥ll see the result after 6 months... Bless /D PS. The book John O signed for me was "If You Want to Walk on Water, You Have To Get Out Of The Boat" DS. | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 978 Registered: 7-2003  |
Welcome to FAF Dinolf. We hope to hear much more from you in coming days. In Christ, Chris Lee Lincoln, Nebraska, USA | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 610 Registered: 7-2004 |
Dear Dinolf, How wonderful to see your name on our site. Welcome, Welcome, Welcome! I truly look forward to your posts as they will come in. It helps us to get a wider reference about how the truth is infiltrating the SDA church, and that is why I support anyone who can walk the razors edge between real truth as expressed solely through scripture regarding the singular importance of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and the church's expressed belief in the "continuing" usefulness of the writings of EGW. I, too, have John's book about walking on water. I've located it and am now determined to read it so we can discuss it. God bless you in your walk with him. Belva | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 652 Registered: 3-2005 |
Welcome Dinolf to FAF. I also saw your posts on Spectrum. Thanks for your insights into Swedish Adventism. But as you said, the official GC session is where policy is made. It may well be that certain local churches are evangelical to a point, but unless the GC itself changes, it is difficult to see any future for evangelicalism in the SDA church as evidenced by your statement about Peter Roenfeldt getting replaced by more conservative leadership. We are glad you are here, and amazed at the way the Lord has answered prayers. Stan | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2413 Registered: 12-2003  |
Welcome, Dinolf! I have also read some of your posts on the Spectrum site--I'm so glad you're here! I agree with Stan above; I believe the church is polarizing. I'm actually glad it's officially tightening up and returning to its roots; it's a more honest position, because it has never changed and is not likely to change. In order for the church to become more "evangelical" it would have to renounce EGW and the IJ--it would have to repent and restate it's doctrinal positions. As the church itself admits, without the IJ there is no reason for the church to exist. As the church retrenches into its heritage, people will be brought to crisis and will have to decide between Jesus or the church. If a miracle occurs and the church officially repents, God will be honored. If it doesn't, God will still be honored by those who see the issues and choose Jesus. We're looking forward to hearing more from you, Dinolf! Colleen | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1782 Registered: 3-2004  |
Hi Dinolf, Welcome to FAF. I have read your post on Spectrum also and am glad you are posting here also. I am glad that the SDA church is tightening up on EGW. People will have to make a decision for her or Jesus. They will not be comfortable sitting on the fence. Personally, I chose Jesus a year and 1/2 ago and it has been an exciting journey with God. God, you are awesome. Diana | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 926 Registered: 10-2004 |
Jess, I sent my email to the email address that Spectrum used to send me my registration confirmation. If you don't have that, it's the "Webmaster" (also Associate Editor, Leigh Johnsen) email address found at this link: http://spectrummagazine.org/contactus.html Dinolf, Welcome to the forum! I think you might be interested in the following booklet about Adventism written in 1876 by Charles Lee, who was from Sweden: http://www.ex-sda.com/newpage23.htm Jeremy | ||
| Dennis Registered user Username: Dennis Post Number: 446 Registered: 4-2000  |
Dinolf, A hearty FAF welcome! Dennis J. Fischer | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 657 Registered: 3-2005 |
The Spectrum site has posted their new topic on "Why Did Jesus Have to Die? They put three different theories on the table for discussion. This should be interesting. Stan | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 42 Registered: 6-2005 |
Welcome Dinolf  . Question for posters on the forum, What is meant by the term "evangelical" as used in these discussions?. Praying for you all! Java | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 991 Registered: 7-2003 |
Javagirl, the term "evangelical" has had different conotations over time, but currently it refers to a conservative, Bible believing Christian. It is essentially the opposite of liberal (so-called) "christianity". However, it also has overtones of orthodoxy. So groups like SDAs that are not orthodox would not be evangelical even though they could be said to be conservative in a certain sense. Does that help or were you looking for more specific doctrines that define evangelicals? If so, there is no better statement of evangelical belief then The Gospel of Jesus Christ: An Evangelical Celebration. Hope this is helpful, Chris |
