The Protestant Reformation is at the foundation - the very heart and soul of Adventism. And it is not just idle feel good semantics. The doctrine, the teaching, the theology that fuelled the PR was righteousness by faith - that is, we are saved by faith alone! There are many in Adventism who understand what that means - basically that it was Jesus blood that paid the ransom for ALL sin, and on accepting that sacrifice the penitent sinner is welcomed into a saving relationship with God and ultimately heaven. Over 50 million martyrs paid the price with their lives to believe and practice that truth. Rome burned them, drowned them, hung them, beheaded them - murdered them by any and all means. But their blood was the fuel that ignited the PR all over the world. As Roman clerics and military extinguished lives the truth exploded all around them. It was uncontrolled and beautiful, and it could not be silenced. There is no more Protestant Church in all the world than Seventh-day Adventism. We are Protestant of Protestant. And yet the Roman dogma of righteousness by faith plus works continually presents us with serious and pressing challenges. Here are a couple of things I believe we need to be aware of: 1. As Protestantism moves toward Rome we must never forget the underlying doctrines that make up her foundations. Many of them do not have Biblical support or even the faintest of evidence. At the heart of the movement is faith and works that brings salvation. Although the overtures from Rome to Protestantism are soft, enticing, and can seem to be Biblical - we must remember that ultimately she will not negotiate or compromise this beloved and foundational tenet. 2. When Adventists drift away from the Bible and start demanding a final sinless perfect generation before Jesus comes, what they are in fact doing is practicing Catholicism. This subtle and enticing doctrine - espoused and advanced by Uriah Smith and later on by M. L. Andreasen - established righteousness by faith and works - deep into the heart of Adventism. It is totally bereft of any Biblical support, and relies almost solely on the narrow interpretation of some key Ellen. G. White quotes. We live in serious and defining days. Prophecy we have preached for over 150 years is unfolding before our eyes. These are Biblical and apocalyptic times. Again it has come for us to open our Bibles, study the prophecies, and clearly understand the science of our own salvation. To live in such a time - how blessed and fortunate we are. I look forward to seeing God continue to unleash His power on our planet.
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 02:28:28 +0000
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