That voted "statement" (as opposed to voted doctrine) does not say "we got a doctrine from Ellen White" NOR does it say "we PROVE a doctrine using Ellen White".
Though you may think that we SHOULD go that direction - so far the "Bible ALONE" statement ALSO included there remains the position for the Church.
Attend the meetings - vote maybe you can persuade the group!:wavey:
As far as I know Ed has never claimed to be SDA nor to accept Ellen White as a prophet - I believe he has stated that he views SDAs as being Christian and that he accepts Ellen White as a Christian but does not agree with some of her doctrinal views (probably does not agree with her eschatology either).
I think that is pretty close to what he has posted so far.
Agreed. It says her writings are equal to God's Word.
The statement is the same found in 2Ti 3:16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
We consider the biblical canon closed. However, we also believe, as did Ellen G White's contemporaries, that her writings carry divine authority, both for godly livingand for doctrine.
Divine authority = inspiration of God
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness = godly living and for doctrine
Note -- there is NO statement of the form "her writings are equal to God's Word" used in any official statements of the SDA church. What we DO find is that there is only ONE kind of 1Cor 12 "gift of prophecy" -- not 2 or 3 or 10 as you may be supposing.
Already answered -- post 200.
But here we go "again":wavey:
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The quote shows that SDAs think there is only ONE GIFT of prophecy listed in 1Cor 12 -- and that it always works the same way.
Those who see 2 or 3 different gifts of prophecy listed in 1Cor 12 need to show where they get it.
So as already stated - the only reason Ellen White's writings have value is the source. If it is God then it stands as having authority and His accuracy. If testing them against scripture shows that the source is not of God - then it has little or no value.
But if testing shows them to be doctrinally in harmony with scripture - then the reader is under obligation to the authority that represents. The quotes above show SDAs viewing themselves as being obligated to listen to inspired messages that are tested against the Bible and found to have God as the source.
I believe scripture alone is the standard by which all faith and doctrine must be judged.
I ALSO believe that the term "infallible" means "incapable" of error as defined by accepted dictionaries.
God ALONE is infallible.
incapable of failure or error; "an infallible antidote"; "an infallible memory"; "the Catholic Church considers the Pope infallible"; "no doctor ... wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
Have I defined what the SDAs have styled their leader by? Not at all. But it was the SDAs that put Whtie in par with OT prophets. Perhaps you have missed that information in your involved wtih this group.
It's pretty simple Bob. If the so-called prophet-ess is wrong, then she spoke presumptously. No need to heed or be afraid of that prophet-ess.
Of course, since the SDA says she was like an OT prophet, I can reject it out-of-hand. There are no more such prophets after Christ.
HP: As I recall he foretold that Nineveh would be destroyed, and it was not in the end. My point was simply to ask,
was he a false prophet because something he prophesied would happen did not come to pass? If you say it was conditional, show us from the text that it was. Remember, Sola Biblica! :)
HP: No way. I am just trying to keep the blood from clotting in your cranial region. :laugh:
By the way, what about that lying prophet? Was he sent from God? Was he a true prophet or should have he been stoned as well? :confused:
Even I figured out where these things happen -- but there is no tie to 1844 at all!
No tie to 2300 days at all!
And that they happen in heaven, while true, it is still unproven that they have happened yet.
Plus, the 4th kingdom is being postponed.
It is NOT finished.
EVEN the NIV study notes admit that the fourth kingdom in Daniel 7 is pagan Rome that follows the Greek Empire.
This is just too simple.
The only challenge is that instead of slicing and dicing the 4th empire -- all you need is to KEEP the Roman empire and observe that it goes from PAGAN Rome to PAPAL Rome which creates the DARK Ages - and Century after Century of "persecution of the saints".
Now for some that is just not acceptable - but a lot of people looking at world history "will get it".
Have no fear. It is all right there in the chapter.
Jonah 3 1Now the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying, 2"Arise, go to Nineveh the great city and proclaim to it the proclamation which I am going to tell you." 3So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, a three days' walk. 4Then Jonah began to go through the city one day's walk; and he cried out and said, "Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown."
Jonah 4 1But it greatly displeased Jonah and he became angry.
2He prayed to the LORD and said, "Please LORD, was not this what I said while I was still in my own country? Therefore in order to forestall this I fled to Tarshish, for I knew that You are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, and one who relents concerning calamity.[/b]
3"Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for death is better to me than life."
This is a good point. It illustrates the message given to Jeremiah (Jer 18) that prophecy is conditional when it comes to blessings or curses.
Though you seem to be bouncing around on this one -- the point we seem to agree on is that non-SDAs who think the bible endorses purgatory, prayers to the dead, OSAS or Calvinism, ignoring the 4th commandment etc etc could not -- in fact should not accept Ellen White as a prophet because she spoke to all of those issues in the form of messages claimed to have come from God and opposed them.
You have not seen me arguing for the ACCEPTANCE of Ellen White as an inspired prophet by ANY non-SDA. Rather I have been arguing for the exact opposite.
I don't think I am bouncing around, perhaps staggered. The SDA movement is a new one to me. Actually, I would be glad to find that my intial impression on the movement are entirely wrong, and that I just have a disagreement with them on some key doctrine.
Is the SDA just another orthodox Christian demoniation? Right now, that is not the impression I get. I truly hope I am wrong. As I seek to understand SDAs I will seek to accurately represent what they beleive. Regarding what kind of prophet-ess White should be regarded as I have found conflicting statements. Some that have come from this board, and others that have come from official publications of the SDAs.
Whom am I to believe? But that aside, this I would like to learn from you:
1. Do you think people are true Christians who worship on Sunday?
2. Can an unbaptized person enter into heaven?
3. Can a person who has genuinely been born again, sought to obey God in all things from a pure conscience, finally lose their salvation?
Consider the seperation of the many denominations.
Of God?
Of evil?
just human stuff?
I think
denominations are just human.
Here is an illustration I use when I talk to
agnostics or athiests:
There is a corner near where I live where two
five-lane roads meet (one lane is a turn lane).
within walking distance of that corner is
2 Chicken eateries, 3 Chineese/Oriental eateries,
3 Pizza places, 2 Mexican/Texican resturants,
a seafood place, 2 snack places (one frozen, one
just cold), 2 sandwich shops, a seafood place
-- you get the idea.
It would be a shame, if you had a $20 bill to
go hungry there -- especially if you cannot make
up your mind.
I believe that God gives different denominations
different ministries. The Holy Spirit enables His ministries
different.
If God tells some denominations "You are the
only RIGHT denomination" -- doesn't that divide
more than tell each they have a unique and special
call to ministry/missions?
Your church (or denomination) complements
my church (or denomination:
SBC) in service
to our Lord.
Amen?
If it's ok, I'll also attempt to answer these questions.
I believe one can be saved while being SDA AND believing in Ellen White, amongst their other beliefs and doctrines. I believe in much of their doctrine.
Good luck. You have seen their statements which cotradict one another already.
Most SDA's consider her a Messenger of God. Clearly some, consider her a Prophet. The Official words of SDA's (I read this yesterday on the official website) that she considers herself MORE than just a prophet. There wasn't further explanation given for this, but SDA's endorsed it.
Some that have come from this board, and others that have come from official publications of the SDA's.
Well I think Bob has done a good job of explaining the SDA position on matters, or when he is finally straightforward about it. I still don't understand with all of the warnings in the Bible about False Prophets why anyone would believe in ANY prophet they have only read about.
1. Yes, but SDA's are unique due to their will and ability to keep the 10 commandments, especially the 4th commandment. This is key, keeping the 4th commandment in the 6 days prior to judgment. I am unsure what it does, elevates your status in heaven is my guess, but only a guess.
This is another reason why the 4th commandment is so emphasized over the other 9 commandments, though all commandments are to be obeyed.
2. Well like they say Salvation is by grace alone, the fruitage of salvation is obeying the 10 commandments. So, ultimately you must obey the 10 commandments in order to be saved.
This is another example of double talk. Baptism is a prerequisite for salvation yet they ask why wouldn't anyone not want to be baptized? So leaving the door open for other possibilities.
I apologize for that post RB, it was still a rough draft yet got saved somehow. When I noticed, it's was too late to edit.
I need to explain something clearer.
Within six days of judgment, SDA's believe that it expected we obey the tn commandments even more, but I won't elaborate.Since
most churches honor the sabbath on Sunday, not Saturday, that would be breaking the 4th commandment. This is what I mean by emphasis on the 4th commandment. Other groups also will be included with SDA's of course if they obey all commandments. The reason I include the Official SDA website is to offer proof. Since I was SDA, and have a hardcopy of this info, it's easier to navigate their website.