Comment on Defining Adventism: A poll by Barry.
If we hold to the 28 Fundamentals as a rule of faith then in spite of what we would want to call it, IT IS A CREED. This was the first step of apostasy with the Catholic church and ultimately led to the persecution of everyone who disagreed with her fundamental beliefs and she declared them to be outside of the church and outside of salvation.
Then you also run into the problem of changing creeds. As the church changes its beliefs then one day you could be an Adventist in good standing and the next day you are no longer considered an Adventist or worthy of being employed in our institutions because of holding to the original beliefs. We need to reread Great Controversy and remember the answer Martin Luther gave
“I cannot submit my faith either to the pope or to the councils, because it is clear as the day that they have frequently erred and contradicted each other. Unless therefore I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture or by the clearest reasoning, unless I am persuaded by means of the passages I have quoted, and unless they thus render my conscience bound by the word of God, I cannot and I will not retract, for it is unsafe for a Christian to speak against his conscience. Here I stand, I can do no other; may God help me. Amen” GC 160
The real question should not be whether or not our teachers support or uphold our fundamental beliefs that have already changed twice since the pioneers of our faith have died. The question should be whether or not our teachers uphold the teachings of the Bible and use the Bible as their rule of faith or not. If they don’t agree with certain positions held by the church and do not want to teach them then they can hold their opinions to their selves or be placed in an employment position where that issue will not be mandatory for them to teach.
If you at least get to this point, someone who is saying “the Bible is false and science proves it,” just doesn’t know their science enough to be teaching science. Not to mention, if they are against teaching the Bible, then why are they teaching in a Christian school anyway. Christian educators should be Christians first and foremost. And if it is a protestant school, they should believe the scriptures to be a correct and proper rule of faith and guide for life.
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?Amos 3:3 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 2 Corinthians 6:14,15
