Expert: Sal - 5/10/2010

Question
It shows a decided lack of integrity to pose as an expert about Seventh-day Adventism.  I hope that you will be honest with youself and support only those things you know something about.  Your agenda obviously is not to provide people with information about SDA's.

Answer
Dear Brother Dave:


I believe that it’s my duty as a Christian to expose error. I have found after much study that the SDA Church teaches unbiblical doctrines (soul sleep, Investigative Judgment, Sabbath keeping, and remnant church). If I did not speak out I would be guilty of being unfaithful to my calling as a Christian and as an expert in SDAism. If I were to be silent about SDA errors I would be guilty before God because I would be abetting her errors.  “He who says to the wicked, ‘You are righteous,’ Peoples will curse him, nations will abhor him; But to those who rebuke the wicked will be delight, And a good blessing will come upon them” (Proverbs 24:24-25).

I should perform the duties of my ministry in a loving Christian manner. “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Peter 3:15-16). I earnestly strive to do this. I don’t try to hurt SDAs. My desire is to enlighten and help them to experience greater freedom and assurance in Christ. I must be true to God.

It’s a common reaction for one to be deeply offended when one’s cherished beliefs are challenged. Jesus experienced this same reaction when he preached. “Then the disciples came to him and asked, ‘Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?’" (Matthew 15:12). Paul also experienced this reaction and wondered, “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16). The lesson here is that the faithful Christian is responsible for exposing false doctrine no matter whom it offends. The offending of SDAs is not my desired outcome, but unfortunately it’s a necessary and natural outcome. It’s an unpopular and thankless task that God has given me to do for Him. I would much rather avoid areas that cause hurt feelings and provoke anger. However, to wink at the errors of SDAism would be to be guilty before God. “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work” (2 John 1:10-11). I dare not condone SDA errors. This recalls to mind the words of our Lord to the church at Ephesus. How he loved them because they spoke out against false teachers. “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false” (Revelation 2:2). This is very important because the church did not say, “We can’t say their interpretation of Scripture is wrong and ours right.” They found them to be teaching falsely and said so. “But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate” (Revelation 2:6). False teachers are to be exposed as such not allowed to continue under the belief that we cannot judge them wrong. We have in contrast to Jesus praising the church at Ephesus his forceful rebuke of the church at Pergamum for tolerating the same group. So I fear that if I do not expose SDA error I may fall from God’s grace as they were warned by our Lord. “Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth” (Revelation 2:15-16). I would be a coward if I were to hide behind the saying that “one interpretation is as good as another”.

I realize that many Christians today believe that we should avoid areas of controversy between Christian churches. I believe that such action only serves to enable wolves to enter the church and ravage the flock. I’m speaking here of nice Christian people being the wolves with their false doctrine. Jesus’ admonition should always be before us. “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves” (Matthew 7:15). By allowing all interpretations of Scripture to stand as equal we allow the wolves into the flock. I believe this is just what Satan wants for those of us who have a clear understanding of Scripture to pretend that those with a foggy, false interpretation present a viable alternative interpretation. The preaching of false doctrine confuses the weaker, immature Christian. So I must expose false doctrine and those who teach it if I want to save the faith of my brothers and sisters in the Lord. “And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people” (Romans 16:17-18).

If I do not do the work God has given me I may be responsible for good Christian people turning to false doctrine and once that happens it will be much more difficult to get them back to the truth. “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).


It’s the duty of mature Christians to discern what is true and false doctrine and to pass this information on to our immature brothers and sisters. “For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14). So I use my expertise, developed over many years of study, to inform fellow Christians who do not have the time to study SDA doctrines for themselves the truth that I have discerned.

God Bless You,
Sal