Comment on Video show LSU undermining church doctrine by Sean Pitman.
“While a personal search for truth is important, Mrs. White clearly understood the role of the Church as an organized body as superior to the personal desires of the individual.†– Sean Pitman
This is false, Sean. Never does any organization stand over and above the individual. This has been the downfall of every movement God has ordained. When any organization claims to be the highest authority over any individual, that organization has historically ended up commiting the unpardonable sin. Witness as an example the Jews, the early church, much of present Protestantism and even many in Adventism hold this false idea.
You misunderstand Bill. I’m talking about the ability of an individual to act independently of the Church and yet still be recognized as a representative of the body of believers. I’m basically talking about Church discipline and order…
The matter of private judgment and union with the body is plainly stated in “Testimony for the Church,” Vol. III, page 492, published in the year 1875: “I have been shown that no man’s judgment should be surrendered to the judgment of any one man, but when the judgment of the General Conference, which is the highest authority God has upon earth, is exercised, private independence and private judgment must not be maintained, but be surrendered.” – Ellen White
These words are not be understood that a conference of men who were led by human wisdom and had the “mold of men,” was the “highest authority of God on earth.” Nay, verily; for such assemblies have been declared “not the voice of God.” It is rather an assembly of representatives of the work, “gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ” with them ( 1Cor.5:4, 5), whose decisions are ratified by the Lord.
– J.N. Loughborough
So, you see, the individual perspective is not to act independent of the will of the body of believers as expressed in the decisions of the governing body of the Church. However, there is still room for the individual to separate from the Church body if that body moves away from what the individual considers to be “the truth”. It is just that in such a case, the individual should not think to continue to be recognized as part of the Church body much less think to remain as a paid representative of that body…
Q. – In whom , or in what body, is the discipline for a church vested? Can one church make tests as they choose on tobacco using, liquor drinking, profanity, etc., and still be in harmony with the conference, or the body of Adventists?
A. – It has never been recognized by the Seventh-day Adventists that it was the province of an individual church to make tests of fellowship, independent of the conference, and the body of Seventh-day Adventists. The following Testimony, already printed in a previous chapter, has a direct bearing on this question: “God is leading out a people, not a few separate individuals here and there, one believing this thing, another that. Angels of God are doing the work committed to their trust. The third angel is leading out and purifying a people, and they should move with him unitedly. Some run ahead of the angels that are leading this people; but they have to retrace every step, and meekly follow no faster than the angels lead.” – “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. I, page 207.
– J.N. Loughbourogh
Sean Pitman
www.DetectingDesign.com
Sean Pitman Also Commented
Video show LSU undermining church doctrine
@Geanna Dane:
I wrote a very nice, very sincere reply to Sean, thanking him for the many positive things he does for the church. There was no anger or sarcasm in the message.
You really don’t see how anyone who has read many of your posts would reasonably interpret much of your reply here (@Geanna Dane) as being the least bit sarcastic?
Anyway, all the best to you. Again, my father remembers you and your family fondly from your time at BMA and wishes you well. I think he even baptized you if I am remembering correctly?
I just want to say before you go that, if nothing else, you certainly got people thinking and talking on this forum. ; )
Sean
Video show LSU undermining church doctrine
@Geanna Dane:
I didn’t say either, Sean.
If you agree that this issue is important and something needs to be done to correct what is being promoted at LSU, promoted as a direct attack on the clearly stated Pillars of SDA Faith, what is your recommendation to solve the problem? I’m very curious to hear what you would recommend…
Sean Pitman
www.DetectingDesign.com
Video show LSU undermining church doctrine
@Inge Anderson:
I think Geanna considers Shane and I to be the divisive ones. She doesn’t seem to consider that perhaps the actions of LSU are divisive. Several LSU professors in both science and religion departments have been in direct long-standing and open rebellion against the stated goals and ideals of the SDA Church. Despite the concerted efforts of many to privately address and turn the course of LSU, there has been strong resistence and even outright denials of the obvious truth of the situation. Yet, Geanna pins the blame for division, not on LSU, but on those who are striving for increased transparency from our schools and to correct the fundamental division that is already there and has been tearing the Church apart for decades…
I’m sorry Geanna, but if you really value the experience you have had in SDA schools, as compared to your public school education, you should be supporting us on this issue – not attacking us for producing increased transparency here. After all, without some sort of resistance to what is taking place in schools of ours like LSU, there would be no school for you to attend that would be significantly better than the secular schools you attended where professors were obviously scornful of your “ludicrous” beliefs in the literal Genesis narrative – to include a literal creation week.
This very same thing has long been taking place at LSU, especially in the upper division science classes. For decades now LSU science professors have openly scoffed at the literal SDA interpretation of the Genesis account – publicly discounting such a nonsense position as equivalent to believing in something like a “flat Earth”…
And you’re attacking us for our efforts to maintain what you admittedly value so much?!
I believe your focus and passion are misplaced…
Sean Pitman
www.DetectingDesign.com
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