Beware of Advent Books

Thanks for letting us know Daren. That's very interesting - this page is a blog post from 7 years ago, but in the past few days it's hard a load of hits. I think the 7DA have been having a fresh push in some parts of the country - can't see how else to explain it.

There's so much that could be said to those who are looking for the true way / the way out of 7DA / struggling to find the truth generally.

My overall #1 thought would be the importance of finding a good local church. One where the Bible is opened up each week from the front. One where people are committed to building deep relationships with one another, joining smaller groups midweek and so on. One where the church is outward looking, seeking to share the good news and serve its community - not in a cultish way but in a servant-hearted way.

Many people report that it's very hard to leave the 7DA once in. Emotionally, deep ties have been built which they are reluctant to let go of. The 7DA are also reluctant to let go of them, following people up potentially quite aggressively. This is why deep relationships with a local group of Christian people are so important. There is also a lot to be learnt from the Bible, carefully learning to distinguish truth from error, and working out what they've been previously taught is fine and what needs to be unlearnt. This is best done in the context of a church commuity where the Bible is the authority as to what is believed.

If you (or anyone reading this) wants to drop me an e-mail from the contact form, I'd happily see if I can't make a few more personally appropriate pointers.

Thanks for taking the time to reply and clarify that point. It's not my wish to mislead anyone, so I'm always grateful for people in the know who can clarify things.

Could I ask for a couple of points by way of further clarification?

First, where in the official teaching of the Adventists would I go to find this inclusive concept? I want to file this up, and always prefer primary sources where possible.

Second, when you say that there are true believers in all the main denominations, what exactly do you mean? Are those other believers people who, while being in other denominations, happen to believe some or all of the distinctive teachings of the Adventists? Or are you saying that the distinctive teachings of the Adventists have no bearing on whether someone is saved, and all who follow Christ taught commonly by all denominations are saved even if they subscribe to none of the distinctive teachings of the 7DA?

Thanks Jonathan

I've deleted some comments from this post in the past, because they've been spammy or flaming. Yours seems sincere, so it stays. Thanks for contributing.

I'd certainly agree that we must test everything, and not believe anything without the Bible teaching it. We must, of course, remember in this that the Bible is its own interpreter, and pay heed to the consensus reached by the worldwide church over the centuries - especially during its catholic period (the great ecumenical councils).

Now, you say that you are not saved by being an SVA, but saved by your Saviour through grace alone. I'm really glad to hear that. However it reminds me of the clarifications I asked of Gracie (see above your post), that never came. Are you therefore saying that it's not necessary to be an SDA to be saved - provided someone trusts the risen Jesus, that alone is what's required? And if you are saying that, then what status do the distinctive teachings of the SDA have? Do they have no impact at all on salvation?

If you could clarify (and answer the questions I asked Gracie), we'd be grateful.

Hi Truman

Thanks for getting in touch.

I’ve no wish to pick a fight with you over that. Clearly, you found my 2006 post to be helpful, and just felt that one line spoilt it slightly, so it would seem we broadly agree anyway.

Just to clarify however, I think you misunderstood what I was saying. I hope there’s no misogyny in me – I’d certainly be grateful for friends who can identify it and help me root it out if it does creep in. I was actually making the reverse point. I was quoting 2 Timothy 3. Paul warns of false teachers, who will sign up the undecided and the vulnerable for study courses, in the hope of slowly wearing them down and winning them around to their point of view. As Paul warns Timothy of this, he specifically says that such people will pick predominantly on women. It’s clear from Paul’s letters that he was no misogynist; he says some beautiful and very positive things about women. Indeed, this verse shows his concern that the women who are preyed upon in this way should not be taken advantage of; he’s protecting them, not endorsing their exploitation. So it is, in fact, the false teachers who have a low view of women and regard them as easy prey. Sadly, my experience would confirm this. It does indeed seem that those who would lead Christ’s church into error by winning individuals around to their cause do more often focus their energies on women than men. What a sad state of affairs that is.