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The Truth About Seventh-day Adventist "Truth"

By Dale Ratzlaff

Questions to ask your Adventist friends

The Truth About Seventh-day Adventist "Truth"

Copyright ? 2000 by Dale Ratzlaff

All Scripture quotations--except where otherwise noted--are from the New American Standard Bible, ? 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1979, 1994 by the Lockman Foundation, used by permission.

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Life Assurance Ministries PO Box 11587 Glendale, Arizona 85318

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The Truth About Seventh-day Adventist "Truth"

By Dale Ratzlaff

Introduction

There appears to be a growing move of God in the earth today that is bringing a functional unity into the Christian church as never before!1 What the Spirit is speaking to this generation is that there is one church with many congregations. This unity will not be an organizational, structural unity, nor will it be a unity where every church jettisons its unique emphases. Rather, it will be a unity that agrees, on the clear fundamentals of Christian faith2 yet affirms other churches which may have a different emphasis and different interpretations or understandings on the less essential elements of Christianity. Central to this unity is pastors coming together for prayer, relationship building, affirming one another, and repenting of their sectarian attitudes and "sheep stealing." This, then, can grow into cooperative evangelistic enterprise and then we can expect to experience the fulfillment of the prayer of Jesus: "That they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You

sent me."3 Evidence that God is blessing this type of unity is seen in many cities of the world today.4

Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs) hold teachings that mitigate against functional, inter-church cooperation that is essential at this critical time in church history.

While this booklet may appear to be against the SDA church, in reality it is the author's deepest desire that it may in some small way bring positive change to this organization. It should also be noted that there are many good things within Adventism. Their emphasis on education, medical work, health, mission and giving is to be commended.

Within Adventism there is a growing group of people who no longer believe or teach all of the 27 Fundamental Beliefs of the SDA church.5 Most of these--especially those who are denominationally employed--are not at liberty to openly express this fact for fear of losing their influence, ministries or livelihood. The author has spoken with a number of SDA pastors and a few church leaders who have privately encouraged him to continue his effort to bring these unscriptural doctrines into sharp focus, before both the Adventist church and the Evangelical community. It is hoped that this exposure will cause the leadership of the SDA church to honestly come to grips with well-known errors and thus move SDAs toward mainstream Evangelical Christianity. However, having always claimed SDAs to be the "true church," it will not be easy for Adventist leadership to admit doctrinal error.

It is hoped that this little work will also help Evangelicals to better understand Seventh-day Adventists. Much SDA evangelism does not accurately, or perhaps adequately, represent the real teachings of Seventh-day Adventism. Therefore, many do not

1 See Ted Haggard, Primary Purpose, Creation House, Lake Mary, Florida, 1995, pp. 55?103 and consider the movements of Lighthouses of Prayer, Harvest Evangelism, Campus Crusade for Christ, etc. 2 The authority of Scripture, the deity of Christ, the Trinity, salvation by faith, the new birth through the presence and gifting of the Holy Spirit, the second coming of Christ, the coming judgment to eternal life or eternal damnation.

3 John 17:21. 4 See the Transformation video, The Sentinel Group, Global Net Productions,

800-668-5657. 5 I use "historic" SDAs to refer to the loyal, orthodox Adventists who accept all

27 Fundamental Beliefs of SDAs. See Dale Ratzlaff, The Cultic Doctrine of

Seventh-day Adventists: An Evangelical Resource, and Appeal to SDA

Leadership, Life Assurance Ministries, 1996, pp. 23?27 for a more comprehen-

sive description of the four groups within Adventism.

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realize that SDA teachings make it almost impossible for historic6 SDAs and informed7 Evangelicals to work together as Christian brothers and sisters.

When Evangelicals build relationships with SDAs with the intent of working together in joint Christian service, they need to know with what type of Adventist they are dealing. Otherwise, they may find they are in a relationship with someone more interested in converting people to Adventism than in building up the larger body of Christ.

This booklet is a concise summary of what may be considered as the eight main problems with Seventh-day Adventist doctrine and practice. Those wanting more information, documentation and illustration are encouraged to see the "Suggested Resources" listed at the end.

Evangelicals might consider Adventists to hold other questionable teachings or practices in addition to these eight.8 However, those other teachings and practices are of such a nature that they do not seriously hinder functional church unity.

Excerpts from a number of letters received by Life Assurance Ministries have been included to allow the reader to better understand the mindset of Adventism.

Excerpt from a letter to Life Assurance Ministries: Dale,...I disagree with the stance of many SDAs in regard to many of

the "27 Fundamentals" but I feel my time is better spent promoting Christ than in detracting anyone else...Please keep my on the mailing list...I am still open-minded.--from a Seventh-day Adventist

6 Who hold all 27 Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists. 7 Those who know the historic teachings of SDAs. 8 Clean and unclean meats, vegetarianism, etc.

Seventh-Day Adventists believe the writings of Ellen G. White are "an authoritative source of truth"

This is perhaps the underlying error of the SDA church. The Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists, No. 17, includes the following statement:

...As the Lord's messenger, her [Ellen G. White's] writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested9 (Emphasis added).

SDAs10 believe the writings of Ellen G. White (EGW) are inspired on the same level as the Bible.11 Because she is the later inspired writer, many SDAs hold that her interpretation of the Bible is to be preferred.12 While it is true that the writings of EGW contain much very good material,13 it is equally true that they

9 For a complete listing of the 27 Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventists, see Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook, Review and Herald Publishing Association, Hagerstown, MD, 1996, pp. 5?27. 10 Historic SDAs. 11 In recent years much new evidence has surfaced which demonstrates the many problems associated with the writings of Ellen White. In order to keep these as "inspired writings," SDAs have had to liberalize their concept of inspiration to allow for such things as massive plagiarism which was denied, historical errors, suppressed visions, inaccurate statements, and contradictions to the Bible. 12 "Adventists who deny this historic equation (Bible study + EGW confirmation = Adventist distinctives), for whatever reason, are forced to go back into the confusion....To ignore history would put us back to the same uncertain playing field where all other churches are each contending that it alone believes in `the Bible and the Bible alone.' The deep doctrinal struggles within Evangelicalism today are fought by strongly convinced men and women who believe their positions rest on the Bible only. Without Ellen White, that same impasse would continue to fragment the Adventist denomination." Quoted from Robert S. Folkenburg, From the G.C. President, "Off the Back Burner," January, 22?April 22, 1996. 13 Much of the best material is copied from others. See Walter Rae, White Lie for many illustrations of plagiarism.

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contain gross error.14 Her early writings15 are legalistic and very condemning of nearly all other churches. She, with others of her time, saw the Catholic Church as "Babylon" and the "Harlot" of Revelation, but she did not stop with the condemnation of the Catholic church. She called the Protestant churches which did not accept SDAs unique teaching on the three angels messages of Revelation 14 "fallen churches" and the "daughters of Babylon."16

Ellen White did not invent SDA erroneous theology, but she cemented it into the foundation of Adventism. The writings of Ellen White support, and are often the chief support, for all of the unbiblical doctrines to be discussed later in this pamphlet. And here is the Adventist dilemma: many within Adventism would like to jettison EGW as "a continuing and authoritative source of truth" and the unbiblical doctrines supported by her writings. To do so, however, would cause a serious crisis in Adventism. To avoid this crisis, Adventist leadership has used over a dozen different tactics of dealing with known error without ever admitting to the error.17

Excerpt from a letter to Life Assurance Ministries:

Hello, I just wanted to thank God that He chose you to help expose the Seventh-day Adventist church as "wolves in sheep's clothing." Let me share how Jesus removed the blinders from my eyes...It all started with a college textbook published by the Adventists on Ellen G. White. I read the chapter which talked about her contradictory statements and false prophetic statements. I was a little surprised but shrugged it off. After all she was the last day prophet, raised up to heavenly places and beholding the face of Jesus. Who was I to worry about it? After all, Satan hated the last day church, and was trying to lead me to doubt the testimonies! This would lead me to reject the special "truths" of Adventism, until I turned my back on all of them....Anyway, while I was innocently on my computer I looked up your board [web site] out of curiosity. I was shocked and amazed at all this! Shortly after this, I called C.R.I., who referred me to Watchman Fellowship. I talked with T. O. and He referred me to you. The books you sent me pointed out

how deceived I had been. I was still going through that cloudy thinking and fear, but, praise God, He used your books and my Worldwide Church of God church family's prayers. I now realized that the fears I had of rejecting the Holy Spirit's voice and causing Him to depart from me were unfounded...Thank you, Mr. Ratzlaff, for standing up for Jesus and the truth regardless of the consequences. God bless you, and may He use you to bless Adventists who are still buying "the White lie." J. B.

14 See Ratzlaff, Cultic Doctrine; Cleveland, White Washed for many examples. 15 Early Writings is a title of one of EGW's books. However, I use the term here

to include all of her early writings, many of which contain much error. 16 Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1, pp. 135, 140, 155, 156, 169, 172. 17 See Dale Ratzlaff, Cultic Doctrine, chapter, "Lumps Under the Rug".

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The Seventh-day Adventist church claims to be the remnant church

of Bible prophecy

Historic SDAs hold that they are the true, remnant church depicted in Revelation 12. The Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists, No. 12, entitled, "The Remnant" reads as follows:

The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal part in this worldwide witness (emphasis added).

Note well that it is "this remnant." No other church holds the 1844 investigative judgment hour message of SDAs. This is their unique "contribution" to Christian theology.18 Also, note that "every believer" is called to have a personal part in "this [SDA's] worldwide witness."

All Sunday-keeping churches are a part of the great "apostasy," or "Babylon." So even as SDAs acknowledge that, "God has His children in all churches," they add, "but through the remnant church He proclaims a message that is to restore His true worship by calling His people out of the apostasy and preparing them for Christ's return."19 A Christian, then, is not prepared for Christ's return unless he has joined the remnant, the Seventh-day Adventist church.

18 See Ratzlaff, Cultic Doctrine for a thorough evaluation of this unbiblical, antigospel doctrine and/or Desmond Ford, Daniel 8:14, The Day of Atonement and the Investigative Judgment, Euangelion Press, Casselberry, Florida, 1980, 19 P.G. Damsteegt, et al., Seventh-day Adventists Believe...A Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental Doctrines, [Washington D.C.: Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1988] p. 168; emphasis added.

This one doctrine mandates the raiding of other churches. They feel called, not only to reach non-Christians, but to convert Christians to the "truths" of Adventism. Thus, their Revelation Seminars, and other evangelistic programs, are structured to get people to make a decision to join the remnant church--meaning the SDA church. Those who do are said to have finally "come into the truth."20

It may immediately be seen how difficult it is for informed Evangelicals to work with historic Adventists who hold such teaching. It is also difficult for Adventists to honestly work with Evangelicals.

Traditionally, Adventists have supported their claim to be the remnant church of Bible prophecy by linking their two "proof texts" of Revelation 12:17 and 19:10.

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. Rev. 12:17

From this text they seek to "prove" that the rest (remnant, KJV) have two identification marks: (1) they keep "the commandments of God" and (2) they have the "testimony of Jesus." The commandments are interpreted to be the Ten Commandments, including the fourth commandment of the seventh-day Sabbath.

The second identification of the remnant, Adventists say, is "the testimony of Jesus." To explain what this means, they immediately jump to Rev. 19:10 where they read,

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, "Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

From this verse they define the testimony of Jesus as the spirit of prophecy. So, they say, the remnant church will keep the Sabbath and have the spirit of prophecy. According to the Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists, No. 17,

One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the

20 "Come into the truth" is a term frequently used by SDAs when speaking of other "Christians" who have accepted the teachings of Adventism.

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