THE BEGINNING OF THE
END:
The Martin-Barnhouse
"Evangelical Conferences" and their aftermath
SECTION TWELVE - - c. 1961 -
"SATAN'S LAST DECEPTION"
[The following manuscript is of anonymous origin, although I believe I
know the one who authored it. As a result of the "Questions on
Doctrine" furor, not only Andreasen but others arose and strongly
objected to this flagrant setting aside of our historic teachings. Among
those that objected in print was a group of over two-dozen medical doctors
who funded the publication and wide distribution of a number of small
booklets and tracts that were issues in the early 60's (primarily from
1960 to 1962). They titled themselves the "True Medical Missionary
Association" and mailed these publications from a Loma Linda address.
One who was a principal in this project personally told me in a letter
recently that it was because of his acquaintance with Andreasen that he
urged the organizing of the TMMA and the writing and publishing of its
little booklets. The TMMA ceased operations about the year 1962.
The following is a reprint of most of a twelve-page booklet entitled
"Satan's Last Deception.] "
"The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect
the testimony of the Spirit of God. "-S.M., 1, p. 48.
Many members of the Seventh-day Adventist church are prone to interpret
this testimony by the Servant of the Lord to mean that the final Great
Apostasy in these closing days of this earth's history, will be the open
denunciation, by leading members of our church of the teachings and truths
contained in the Spirit of Prophecy. However, closer analysis of this
statement by Sister White, reveals that what she actually says is
something entirely different. The phrase 'to make of none effect' does not
imply an attitude of open and avowed defiance to the Lord's instructions,
but rather the adoption of an outward appearance of compliance to them,
while actually adhering and engaging in beliefs and practices directly
contrary to the plain, unmistakable meaning of the Lord's word as given by
His Servant.
If the teachings of the Spirit of Prophecy were openly discredited and
denounced by our leading church officials, it would be a simple matter for
any of our church members to detect the falsity of such and not be
deceived. But Sister White, referring to the final, Great Apostasy that
will be experienced by our church before the end, explains how subtly it
will take place-how she fears that many of God's people will be deceived
thereby:
"I knew that the Omega would follow in a little while, and l
trembled for our people."-Special Testimonies, Series B; Mimeographed
Edition, p. 49.
After denouncing the Alpha of Apostasy which shook the very foundations
of our church, Sister White predicted:
"The Omega will follow, and it will be received by those who are
not willing to heed the warning God has given. "-ldem, p. 47.
"The Omega will be of a most startling nature.'=Idem, p. 29. cf 1 SM
48, 19Z
In writing to a leading church member whom Satan influenced to bring on
the Alpha of Apostasy, and which statement seems particularly applicable
today in regard to the Omega, the Servant of the Lord delivered the
following scathing comment:
"You were professedly believing the Testimonies, and yet walking
and working contrary to them, following your own impulses, turning from
the plain 'Thus saith the Lord,' to carry out your own plans and devisings."
-Letters and Manuscripts Relating to Medical Missionary Work and Going to
Battle Creek, p. 119.
The late Elder M. L. Andreasen, who for many years was considered the
dean of Seventh-day Adventist theologians, in his forceful series of
booklets entitled "Letters to the Churches" pinpoints the areas
in which Satan has succeeded in his efforts to make the Omega of Apostasy
a reality. As we read through Elder Andreasen's letters, we realize anew
how the hellish technique that Satan used with Dr. Kellogg, has succeeded
in bringing on this last great Apostasy within our church. Brother
Andreasen makes a summation of the crisis we are facing today, as follows:
"We have reached a crisis in this denomination when leaders are
attempting to enforce false doctrine and threaten those who object. The
whole program is unbelievable. Men are now attempting to remove the
foundations of many generations, and think they can succeed. If we did not
have the Spirit of Prophecy we would not know of the departure from sound
doctrine which is now threatening us, and the coming of the Omega which
will decimate our ranks and cause grievous wounds."-Letters to the
Churches, No. 3, p. 9.
As Elder Andreasen so ably brings out, the Omega of Apostasy consists
of an open downgrading of the teachings of the Spirit of Prophecy, along
with an attempt to alter our doctrinal beliefs concerning the Nature of
Christ, and the Atonement, so that these will be in line with worldly
doctrines. In his "Letters to the Churches," Elder Andreasen
gives a number of examples of how some of our leaders have downgraded the
teachings of the Spirit of Prophecy.
In 1957, the General Conference released a book entitled,
"Questions on Doctrine." It was published as the outcome of a
series of conferences between certain of our leaders with evangelical
representatives Martin, Barnhouse and Cannon. The book was supposed to
answer some pertinent questions raised by Mr. Martin, as spokesman for the
evangelicals, but it seriously compromised and apostasized on some of the
fundamental doctrines of our church.
The late Elder Andreasen, whom we mentioned earlier in this study, was
the first prominent Adventist theologian that 'made himself a man of no
reputation' by calling attention to this apostasy which he identified as
the Omega.
Now, let us consider briefly, some of the points of apostasy which crop
up in the book "Questions on Doctrine." One of the most
important and far-reaching of these is the position taken by our G. C.
representatives that negates our church's fundamental belief that Christ
inherited fallen human nature. "Questions on Doctrine" states
flatly that Christ possessed the same sinless nature that Adam had before
he succumbed to temptation in Eden. (See Q. D., pp. 50-66; 647-660) It is
disconcerting and disturbing in the extreme to note that this position is
in complete agreement with the views of Catholic and apostate Protestant
sects. In fact, the book takes the identical position on this important
subject that our leading theologians and leaders of the past
unhesitatingly branded as being the teachings of the anti-Christ. (A new
book, released in September 1962, entitled, "Another
Look At Seventh-day Adventism" by Norman F. Douty, calls attention
to the historic Adventist position on the Nature of Christ and other
Foundations of our Faith. A host of Adventist writers are quoted to show
that our position in the past is not what we are teaching today. While he
attacks all our distinctive doctrines in a brotherly way, he conclusively
makes the point that "Questions on Doctrine" distorts our true
and historic Adventism. Mr. Douty is a Baptist minister, former president
of Hephzibah House, New York City, and of the Grand Rapids Theological
Seminary and Bible College.)
It should be noted also that the book "Questions on Doctrine"
rarely uses texts of Scripture to support its untenable new view on the
Nature of Christ. Instead, it bases its stand on an erroneous and
misleading use of quotations from the Spirit of Prophecy, many taken out
of context.
For instance, on page 650 of the book, the section headed "Took
Sinless Human Nature" is not only misleading, but also lends a false
aura to all the subsequent statements made in it. The initial statement
under this false heading is taken out of context and utterly fails in its
attempt to prove that Christ took sinless human nature. Three paragraphs
prior to the appearance of this statement, Sister White declares
unequivocally that Christ "took our nature in its deteriorated
condition." 1 S.M., p. 253. This last statement has been disconnected
from the first part and placed under another section heading entitled
"Bore the Imputed Sin and Guilt of the World" (See Q.D., pp.
655, 657). One of our basic Adventists doctrines is, as most S.D.A.'s
should know, THAT WHEN CHRIST TOOK OUR NATURE IN ITS SINFUL DETERIORATED
CONDITION, HE TOOK IT THROUGH INHERITANCE AND NOT BY IMPUTATION AS
"QUESTIONS ON DOCTRINE" MISREPRESENTS.
On page 652, at the top of the page, we find another garbled and
distorted instance which purports to prove that "Christ took sinless
human nature." If we consider this statement in its entirety it
serves to prove just the opposite, i.e. that He actually partook of our
fallen nature. (See 1 S.M., pp. 267, 268).
Statements made by Sister White in which she refers to Christ's sinless
life, have been distorted to prove that He actually took sinless human
nature. Thus there is created in the reader's mind unnecessary confusion
between the human nature He took by His inheritance and birth into the
human family, and the sinless life He led on earth. Jesus was conceived by
the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35), and thus was able, through the Grace of His
Father, to tread the weaknesses of His human flesh under foot. AND THUS IF
WE ARE BORN AGAIN OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE TOO CAN OVERCOME THE EVIL OF OUR
HUMAN NATURE AND TREAD IT UNDER FOOT.
"Questions on Doctrine" also quotes statements which show
that Christ did not have evil propensities and passions, but uses these as
evidence that He did not take fallen human nature. This is an extremely
fallacious line of reasoning because we all share in a fallen human
nature, yet need not retain one sinful propensity, and through Grace need
not have any sinful passions. (See "The Faith I Live By," p.
23).
Under the section heading "Bore the Imputed Sin and Guilt of the
World," (p. 655 of Q.D.), we find several statements which would more
appropriately be found under some heading such as "Took Fallen Human
Nature," but as the authors profess not to believe this doctrine, the
statements referring to Christ's taking our fallen nature are speciously
explained away by saying that His fallen nature is merely imputed and not
inherited.
The Spirit of God, through His Servant, has told us what the damaging
effect of this type of reasoning does to our concept of the completness of
Christ's humanity.
"When we give to His human nature a power that it is not possible
for man to have in his conflicts with Satan, we destroy the completeness
of His humanity.'=7 B. C., p. 929.
Elder Andreasen, in his "Letter to the Churches," states this
same truth very plainly: "A Savior who has never been tempted, never
has had to battle with passions, who has never 'offered up prayers and
supplications with strong crying and tears unto him who was able to save
him from death,' who 'though he were a son' never learned obedience by the
things He suffered, but was 'exempt' from the very things that a true
Savior must experience: such a savior is what this new theology (as given
in 'Questions on Doctrine') offers us. It is not the kind of Savior I
need, nor the world. One who has never struggled with passions can have no
understanding of. their power, nor has he ever had the joy of overcoming
them. If God extended special favors and exemptions to Christ, in that
very act He disqualified Him for His work. There can be no heresy more
harmful than that here discussed. It takes away the Savior I have known
and substitutes for Him a weak personality, not considered by God capable
of resisting and conquering the passions which He asks men to
overcome."-Letters to the Churches, No. 1, p. 7.
"That God exempted Christ from the passions that corrupt men, is
the acme of all heresy. It is destruction of all true religion and
completely nullifies the plan of redemption, and makes God a deceiver and
Christ His accomplice. Great responsibility rests upon those who teach
such false doctrine to the destruction of souls. The truth, of course, is
that God 'spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us' (Romans
8:32); rather, -because His nature was sensitive to the least slight or
disrespect or contempt, His tests were harder and His temptations stronger
than any we have to endure."-Idem, p. 8.
"It is, of course, patent to all, that no one can claim to believe
the Testimonies and also believe in the new theology (as expounded in Q.D.)
that Christ was exempt from human passions. It is one thing or the other.
The denomination is now called upon to decide. To accept the teaching of
'Questions on Doctrine' necessitates giving up faith in the Gift God has
given this people."-Idem, p. 7. "The question of the nature of
Christ while in the flesh is one of the foundation pillars of
Christianity. On this doctrine hangs the salvation of man."-Idem, p.
8.
Just before Elder Andreasen went to sleep to await the call of the Life
Giver, he expressed a desire to see Elder Figuhr to express his regret
that during the heat of their controversy over doctrinal matters, words
were passed that might better have been left unsaid. However, it should be
made plain that at no time did Elder Andreasen depart from the theological
position he takes in his "Letters to the Churches."
Elders Wieland and Short quote the same thought as Elder Andreasen in
these words: "This is just what the religious world generally does
deny. For while admitting in words that Christ took upon Himself our
flesh, they assert that He had a sinless nature; that, unlike the
Christian, in whose flesh 'dwells no good thing,' His flesh was without
sinful desires and infirmities, and therefore not the same flesh as that
of other men. Thus they deny the explicit statements of the apostolic
writers that He really and truly took our flesh upon Him. . It is to make
His conflict an unmeaning abstraction, a conflict and yet no conflict,
tempted and yet not being tempted, a being wholly without relation to man,
and incapable of attracting his sympathy.'-1888 Re-Examined, p. 189.
A.L. Hudson, well-known true Sabbath-keeper, has this to say on the
subject at hand:
"The officers of the General Conference give evidence that either
they have largely lost the spiritual eyesight to distinguish clearly the
difference between Christ and Satan, or having the requisite eyesight are
unwilling to shoulder the cross of Christ and bear the shame.
"This basic spiritual malady (incidentally charged by Christ
Himself in the message to Laodicea) has resulted in an inordinate love of
the world, compromise with sin and illicit relationship with Babylon .. We
wish to make our position clear that we hold the book (Questions on
Doctrine) to be the illegitimate child of gross spiritual
adultery."-Preliminary Memorandum, pp. 13, 29.
It is made abundantly clear that Christ, while He was on earth, was not
given any divine advantage that is not freely offered to man, if he will
but seek it as Christ sought it.
"He withstood the temptation through the power that man may
command. He laid hold upon the throne of God, and there is not a man or
woman who may not have access to the same help through faith in God."
-5 B.C., p. 1082. "And he exercised in His own behalf no power that
is not freely offered to us. As man, He met temptation, and overcame in
the strength given Him from God . . His life testifies that it is possible
for us also to obey the law of God. "-D. A., p. 24.
"..He met man as man, and testified by His connection with God
that divine power- was not given to Him in a different way to what it will
be given to us. . "-7 B.C., p. 925. "He was wholly dependent
upon God, and in the secret place of prayer He sought divine strength,
that He might go forth braced for duty and trial. As a man He supplicated
the throne of God till His humanity was charged with a heavenly current
that should connect humanity with divinity .. His experience is to be
ours. "-D.A, p. 363.
We are told clearly and specifically that angels do not need Grace, and
that Adam did not need Grace to keep the law before his fall. (T.M., p.
519; 1 S.M., pp 331-332; S.C., p. 62). But now, let us give you more
evidence to show that Christ, because of His human heredity through Mary,
His mother, required God's Grace to live a sinless life.
"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with
wisdom; and the Grace of God was upon Him." Luke 2:40. "And the
Grace He received is for us "-D.A., p. 73. ".. His soul and His
lips were anointed with Grace that He might impart to others"- C.O.L,
p. 139. "To the consecrated worker there is wonderful consolation in
the knowledge that even Christ during His life on earth sought His Father
daily for Fresh Supplies Of Needed Grace,. . His own example is an
assurance that earnest, persevering supplication to God in faith-faith
that leads to entire dependence upon God, and unreserved consecration to
His work-will avail to bring to men the Holy Spirit's aid in the battle
against sin. "-A.A., p. 56.
The Inspired writers give us the reason why the Lord received the Holy
Spirit without measure:
"He emptied Himself." Phil. 2:6, R. V. Because (He) `hast
loved righteousness and hated iniquity . "Heb. 1:9. 'To Jesus, who
emptied Himself for the salvation of lost humanity, the Holy Spirit was
given without measure."-M. B. p. 19, "But the Son of God was
surrendered to the Father's will, and dependent upon His power. So utterly
was Christ emptied of self that He made no plans for Himself. He accepted
God's plans for Him, and day by day the Father unfolded His plans. So
should we depend upon God, that our lives may be the simple outworking of
His will. "-D.A., p. 208.
As true followers of Christ, we too are called upon to empty ourselves
completely of self before we will be able to receive a full measure of
Heaven's light. In Christ, we are told 'dwelleth all the fullness of the
Godhead bodily, and in Him ye are made full.' Col. 2:9, 10, R.V. But we
must remember that of our own selves it is impossible to empty ourselves
of self. This can only be done by us in the same way in which Jesus did
it.
"When we place our will in unison with the will of God, the holy
obedience that was exemplified in the life of Christ will be seen in our
lives."-O.H.C., p. 107.
Christ while He was on earth, received the Holy Spirit by daily
supplication and prayer:
"Daily He received a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit. In the
early hours of the new day the Lord awakened Him from His slumber and His
soul and His lips were anointed with grace, that He might impart to
others."-C.O.L., p. 139. "It was by faith and prayer that He
wrought His miracles "D. A., p. 536. "He came not to our world
to give the obedience o f a lesser God to a greater, but as a man to obey
God's Holy Law, and in this way He is our example. The Lord Jesus came to
our world, not to reveal what a God could do, but what a man could do.
"-7 B. C., p. 929.
Because many quotations from the Spirit of Prophecy have been taken out
of context to support the new theology on the Nature of Christ, we would
like at this point in our study, to give some quotations from the Bible
and the Spirit of Prophecy which will give the reader a true concept of
what the Inspired Writers actually teach on this subject: Galatians 4:4
tells us that Christ was made of a woman. Romans 1:3 says He was made of
the seed of David according to the flesh. Romans 8:3 says He was made 'in
the likeness of sinful flesh.' (Likeness here is 'homoioma' which
signifies not just 'resemblance,' but likeness in actuality. See Rom.
9:29; 1 John 3:2; Rev. 1:13; Phil. 2:7). We are also told in Hebrews 2:14,
R.S.V. that He partook of the 'same nature' as the children He came to
redeem. All this being true, Hebrews 2:17, 4:15, and 2:18, agree that
'Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to made like unto His brethren,'
'was in all points tempted like as we are,' and He 'suffered being
tempted.'
We are told that He took our heredity: [D.A., p. 49 quoted]
No make-believe: [Q.D., p. 653 quoted]
Took weakened physical mental and moral powers: [D.A. p. 117 quoted]
Took degenerate nature: (1 S.M., p. 268 quoted] Took fallen human
nature: E.W., p. 152 quoted]
Took sinful nature: [M.M. p. 181 quoted]
Christ's humanity reached lowest depths: 11 S.M., p. 272, 273 quoted]
Took nature of Adam the transgressor. [7 B.C., p. 926 quoted] Bore
humanity we bear: [7 B.C., p. 925 quoted]
He knew what was in man: (D.A., p. 329 quoted) No evil propensity: [F.C.E.,
p. 385 quoted]
No sinful passions: "He was a mighty petitioner, not possessing
the passions of our human, fallen nature . . "-2 T., p.202. "..
He. . suffered in proportion to the perfection of His Holiness.. "-5
T., p. 422. ("We are to have our tastes, inclinations, ambitions, and
passions all subdued, and brought into harmony with the mind and spirit of
Christ. ")-M. L, p. 252.
Coming to dwell in humanity, received no pollution: [D.A., p. 266
quoted]
There are several other areas in which the book "Questions on
Doctrine" compromises and distorts our church's true position, such
as to what is meant by the terms 'The Remnant Church,' and 'Babylon,' as
these are defined and applied by the Servant of the Lord.
We would like to conclude this study by considering for a few moments
the shameful apostasy by some of our leaders on the subject of the
Atonement. (See Q.D., pp. 341-402, 661-692). We have mentioned earlier in
this study, the series of meetings between General Conference
representatives of the Evangelicals. As a result of these conferences, the
book
"Questions on Doctrine" bent over backward in its efforts to
modify the Adventist concept of the Atonement to bring it more nearly into
harmony with the beliefs of Protestantism in general. We have no serious
objection to "Questions on Doctrine" emphasizing that there was
a perfect, final, and complete Atonement on Calvary, provided it is
clearly understood that this applies only to the sacrificial phase of the
Atonement. But when we examine the book's position on the mediatorial
phase of the Atonement, we find a glaring evasion of our church's historic
position. This consists of an absolute silence on the subject of the
special phase of the Atonement, which we have always believed, commenced
in 1844. In the earthly sanctuary service there were two divisions: the
daily and the yearly (Heb. 9:6, 7). The priest went every day into the
first apartment to make Atonement (Lev. 6:30), but the special yearly
Atonement was made in the second apartment, or the most holy place. (See
Lev. 16:17 & 1 S.M., p. 344).
At Christ's Ascension, He 'shed upon His disciples the benefits of His
Atonement.'-E.W., p. 260. This mediatorial work of Atonement by the Lord
began at His Ascension to the first apartment of the sanctuary in heaven,
and will continue daily until the close of human probation. This
mediatorial Atonement has been carried on since 1844 in the second
apartment or most holy place. In "Questions on Doctrine," the
authors have found it expedient to discuss only the mediatorial
ministrations of Christ in the first apartment and made it clear to the
Evangelical representatives already mentioned that they do not believe in
any distinct, special, and final work of Atonement that is taking place in
the most holy place.
The Evangelicals summarized what the General Conference representatives
had told them about the Atonement in the following statement which
appeared in the magazine "Eternity" for September, 1956:
"Further, they (the Adventists), do not believe, as some of their
earlier teachers taught, that Jesus' atoning work was not completed on
Calvary but instead that He was still carrying on a second ministering
work since 1844. This idea is also totally repudiated. They believe that
since His ascension Christ has been ministering the benefits of the
atonement which He completed on Calvary. Since the sanctuary doctrine is
based on the type of the Jewish high priest going into the Holy of Holies
to complete his atoning work, it can be seen that what remains is most
certainly exegetically untenable and theological speculation of a highly
imaginative order. What Christ is now doing, since 1844 'according to this
version,' is going over the records of all human beings and deciding what
rewards are going to be given to individual Christians."
The above statement was never denied by any of our church leaders while
Dr. Barnhouse was alive, but since his recent death there seems to be a
tendency to infer that he was mistaken in some of the statements he made
in "Eternity" magazine. It is significant that no one had the
temerity to make these insinuations while Dr. Barnhouse was alive. But now
they are coming forward with the flimsy excuse that the reason they didn't
contradict Dr. Barnhouse's statement was that they had already effectively
answered it in the book "Questions on Doctrine." The only
weakness in this argument that causes it to fall apart at the seams is
that these answers closely parallel the "Eternity" magazine
report. This will become increasingly apparent to all as this study is
concluded.
The General Conference representatives who met with Dr. Barnhouse and
his associates told the latter the only work that began in 1844 was a talk
of 'going over the records of all human beings.' In this manner the
special Atonement is completely glossed over and left out, although it is
a fundamental, historic Adventist belief. By way of contrast, note what
the Spirit of Prophecy has to say regarding the two-fold nature of the
special work of Atonement which began in 1844:
"Attended by heavenly angels, our great High Priest enters the
Holy of Holies and there appears in the presence of God to engage in the
last acts of His ministration in behalf of man-to perform the work of
investigative judgment and to make an atonement for all who are shown to
be entitled to its benefits. "-G. C., p. 480.
In examining the appendix in "Questions on Doctrine," the
reader will find a flagrant example of 'intellectual dishonesty' which we
have little choice but to feel is a deliberate attempt to evade the facts.
Here is an excerpt from the Appendix of "Questions on Doctrine":
"Because the writings of Ellen G. White have often been garbled
when allegedly 'quoted' by critics or detractors, we here give a
comprehensive assemblage of her teachings on the deity and eternal
pre-existence of Christ, and His place in the Godhead, or Trinity; His
nature during the incarnation; and His atoning sacrifice and priestly
ministry."-Q.D. p. 641.
Now, when the authors state that the appendix contains a 'comprehensive
assemblage' of Sister White's statements about Christ's 'priestly
ministry,' this is just plain untruth. Every statement from the Spirit of
Prophecy which refers to the final, special, closing atonement in the most
holy place, has been completely omitted. By no stretching of the
imagination could this have been done inadvertently or by oversight,
because Sister White has written voluminously on this topic and has made
many statements in which she has systematically outlined the basic
Adventist doctrine of the heavenly sanctuary.
It is significant to note that the Servant of the Lord foresaw that
this very situation would arise which Elder Andreasen terms the Omega of
Apostasy.
"I was told that men will employ every policy to make less
prominent the difference between the faith of Seventh-day Adventists and
those who observe the first day of the week.. This is no time to haul down
our colors. A company was presented before me under the name of
Seventh-day Adventists, who were advising that the banner or sign which
makes us a distinct people should not be held out so strikingly,- for they
claimed it was not the best policy in securing success to our
institutions. This distinctive banner is to be borne through the world to
the close of probation . . The world and the churches are uniting in
transgressing the law of God, in tearing away God's memorial, and in
exalting a sabbath that bears the signature of the man of sin.
Satan realized only too well, because of his profound knowledge of sign
to show the difference between the obedient and the disobedient. l saw
some reaching out their hands to remove the banner, and to obscure its
significance . . Shall anyone then choose to hide this banner, to relax
his devotion? Shall the people whom God has honored, blessed and
prospered, refuse to bear testimony in behalf of God's memorial at the
very time when such a testimony should be borne? Shall not the
commandments of God be more highly esteemed when men pour contempt upon
the law of God?"-2 S.M., p. 385.
Satan realizes only too well, because of his profound knowledge of
Inspired Writings, that it is the general study and acceptance of the
great Sanctuary Message that will bring about the final revival,
reformation and shaking in the church of God. He also realizes that this
Sanctuary truth is to prepare it to stand in the time of trouble without a
mediator. Thus the Enemy of Souls is frantically engaged in seeking to
create confusion and division in our church by the introduction of false
doctrines and fallacious theories that will cause the unwary to stumble.
We must earnestly pray for these souls through whom Satan has succeeded in
introducing the Omega of Apostasy and for those who are now being deceived
by it.
"One thing is certain: those Seventh-day Adventists who take their
stand under Satan's banner will first give up their faith in the warnings
and reproofs contained in the Testimonies of God's spirit."-
Spalding-Magan Collection, p. 305.
- SECTION THIRTEEN - - May, 1958 -
HUDSON'S CONVERSATION WITH BARNHOUSE
(The first individual to reprint Andreasen's mimeographed collection of
papers was Al Hudson in Baker, Oregon. A concerned Seventh-day Adventist,
be was another who dared to stand up and speak. And it cost him dearly
also. He was stripped of his church offices and later his church
membership. A small town printer, be was in an admirable position to speak
up, and speak up he did.
The following is a reprint of most of a telephone conversation that
Brother Hudson had with Donald Grey Barnhouse on May 16, 1958. This a year
and a half after the conclusion of the "bombshell" articles in
"Eternity" and a little less than a year after QD was released
and created its own bombshell among our people.
-The information given in this telephone conversation is devastating.
Barnhouse repeatedly tells his caller that the Seventh-day Adventist
leaders who took part in these Evangelical Conferences were totally
repudiating certain earlier teachings of their Church. He knew it and they
knew it. But whereas our people had been told by Froom and Anderson, both
in articles and in the pages of QD, that these changed teachings had
always been the belief of the majority of sane Adventists, -Barnhouse bad
been told that although this was indeed an outright repudiation of earlier
Adventist "errors," yet the membership of the Church fully went
along with the repudiation. The very idea that some of the members might
now be in disagreement with the repudiation seemed to come as a shock to
Barnhouse.
In addition, we also here see a hint of the fury of Barnhouse's
feelings about the utter stupidity of the crazy Adventist doctrines.
In the following conversation, "(H) " indicates that Hudson
is speaking and "(B)" that Barnhouse is speaking.
A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION
(H) Good morning. (B) Good morning. (H) This is Al Hudson, Baker,
Oregon. (B) Bob Hudson? (H) Al Hudson. (B) Al Hudson. (H) Yes. (B) Yes?
(H) On the 28th of last month I wrote to you and Mr. Martin and Mr. Bryant
a letter relative to some of the articles which have appeared in your
magazine on Seventh day Adventists, etc.
(B) [to secretary] Have we a letter from a Mr. Al Hudson, Baker,
Oregon, concerning articles on subject Adventists? All right, go ahead.
(H) The reason I mentioned that was to try to identify myself. (B) Yes.
(H) Now, I'm, in this letter-. (B) What church are you connected with? (H)
I'm a Seventh-day Adventist. (B) Yes.
(H) In my letter I stated what I'm calling you about. That's the reason
I mentioned the letter. I thought if you might have caught it, why then
you would know what--. (B) Well, we get so many thousands of letters that
it takes generally a long time to filter up to me.
(H) Sure, I appreciate that. Well, then I can give you just a brief
resume of the situation. I'm writing a paper dealing with certain phases
of developments in the Adventist church, particularly in the last decade.
Of course this matter of our relationship to the Evangelicals has come
along as part of the picture. And I've read your articles in
"Eternity", also Mr. Martin's articles, and other articles that
other Evangelicals have written. Now, some time ago, I talked to Mr.
Martin, oh, I guess it's been about a month ago. I was interested in when
his book was coming out, and so on. I had talked to Mr. Bryant of
Zondervan publishing, and Mr. Martin. Then I wrote up the result of our
conversation as I understood it, and sent it to Mr. Martin, asking him to
confirm it, or correct it as fee might see fit, and I haven't heard from
him. In fact, he seems unwilling to either confirm or deny the facts that
we discussed in our conversation.
(B) Well, I tell you, I know this, that I know that his book has been
cleared by our office, and it is on the way. (H) I see. (B) That's the
situation. The book proposition. They don't want to, (H) I see. It's a
matter of financial--. (B) I don't know. It's a matter of, (H) I see. (B)
But what can I do for you?
(H) Well, now the question: there's quite a bit of controversy over
this matter in the Evangelical press, and of course it is also appearing
in our press. Now, there seems to be one angle of the thing that I would
like to get cleared up. Have, to your knowledge, either you or Mr. Martin,
or anyone else, have Seventh-day Adventist leaders indicated formally or
informally that they desire fellowship in the National Association of
Evangelicals?
(B) I don't know anything about these things. My staff keeps me
protected from all controversy so that I can sit here at my desk and
write, etc. (H) I see.
(B) Now, I don't know, I don't think there is any doubt of the fact
that Seventh-day Adventists, that is the top leaders, understand that it
is a very important thing for Seventh-day Adventists to be recognized as
evangelical. But you see, the difficulty lies in the fact, that--the one
thing that I stated about Seventh-day Adventists, namely that they are
believers, has been totally overlooked by Talbot, and "King's
Business", and these people. The fact that I have said, and I've said
to thousands of people, I said, "All I'm saying is that the
Adventists are Christians." I still think their doctrines are about
the screwiest of any group of Christians in the world. I believe this
beyond any question. In fact, the doctrine of the investigative judgment
is the most blatant, face-saving proposition that ever existed to cover up
the debacle of the failure of Christ to come in 1844 as they said. When
the two men walked through the cornfield, and suddenly one of them struck
his head and said, "Why, Christ did come." Why, this is
ridiculous, asinine nonsense. The whole of the investigative judgment is a
face-saving thing, and now that a hundred years have gone by, if the
Adventists had the courage--because now the Adventists are becoming
educated. A hundred years ago, the Adventists were practically illiterate.
And now they are becoming educated, and they know that their doctrines
will not hold the light of exegesis. Just simply cannot stand. There is no
Greek, no Greek scholar in the world, that will fail to accept the fact
that Christ died once and for all. And that He didn't go in and out, and
that He wasn't wandering around in the tabernacle. He was seated, and that
He has never gotten up to walk anywhere in 1844, or anyplace else. Now,
failure to understand this is intellectual, ah, laziness or fear. Now, you
see, [the] Seventh-day Adventist group was formed by three groups that
came together, each one holding a pet doctrine that was false. One group
held Sabbatarianism, the others didn't at all. The second group held the
investigative judgment, the other groups didn't at all. And the third
group held the doctrine of conditional immortality, and the other groups
didn't hold it at all. They were all united on the great truth of the
second coming of Christ. And so, in order to come together in one union,
they effected what is a compromise. Each accepted the folly of the other
in order to get their own folly accepted. Because--. Now, if you'll drop a
post card to my office, they'll send you my booklet, "The Christian
and the Sabbath", which has just been published about a week ago. You
can get it free.
(H) "The Christian and the Sabbath"? (B) Yes, Box 2000,
Philadelphia. I have just made an exhaustive study of the folly of
Sabbatarianism preaching on "one man esteemeth one day above another,
and another man esteems every day alike." And I have just published
this, and it's on--in fact if you listen next Sunday morning on National
Broadcasting system, I'm on this subject, the Christian and the Sabbath,
right now. I'm preaching six sermons on the Sabbath coast to coast on NBC,
pointing out that the Adventists are wrong in keeping Saturday, the
Protestants are wrong in keeping Sunday, and that that the only thing to
keep is, to have the attitude that every day is alike and that God not
only is not entering into this day, but He hates the Sabbath today. You
see. (H) Well, now, in your contact with Adventist leaders, which you
mention in your magazine, and also Mr. Martin, do you feel that our top
ranking leaders, who have as you say, become educated, are tending away
from this concept of the investigative judgment as you have mentioned it?
(B) You see, what we know is this. I cannot speak for any of these men,
Roy Anderson and Froom, etc. these are intelligent men. They'll speak for
themselves. They'll tell you what they're believing and what they are
doing. You wouldn't want anybody to call you up, or call somebody else up,
and ask what the inside of your thinking was.
(H) No, except that you have had association with them, have talked
with them. (B) We have had great association; in fact I have a letter on
my desk this minute. When I asked my secretary she just handed me a letter
from L.E. Froom, and we are in correspondence right along, with the
leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist movement
(H) Well, then, that was the basis of my question. Now, you have
mentioned in your articles in "Eternity" that it seems to you
that there is a sort of a transition period, or a--. (B) There has to be.
(H) Or a metamorphosis as it were out of the--.
(B) I mean there has to be . . Now, I recognize clearly that Mrs. White
very frequently wrote some very spiritual things, but God Almighty never
spoke through a woman. Let's face it. You can't justify a woman preaching
and usurping authority over a man. It can't be done. Now, this is the
position, psychologically we can understand the Seventh-day Adventists
very well, and the fact that I took the lead in clearing them, in fact, I
picked the Seventh-day Adventists out of the association of Christian
Scientists and Jehovah's Witnesses, and have said, "These people are
Christians." Seventh-day Adventists are immature Christians. I don't
think there is any doubt of the fact that Seventh-day Adventists have a
tremendous immaturity. And this immaturity rises from the psychological
complex of their background. Because, I mean, have you read Froom's
history? (H) I have it here. I use it as a reference book. I haven't read
it through, no.
(B) All right, well, if you go to the last volume of it and let him
describe for you the whole Millerite proposition, he puts in capital
letters, THE GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT, capital G, capital R, capital E, all
capitals, THE GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT! Well, the great disappointment was
that Jesus didn't come back on that day. Well, all of the people that were
in that movement, were Presbyterians, Methodists, Episcopalians, -it was
an evangelical movement in all the great churches, looking for the second
coming of Christ. Miller was a Baptist, Miller wasn't a Seventh-day
Adventist. He didn't believe in Saturday the Sabbath; he didn't believe in
the investigative judgment; he didn't believe in conditional immortality.
Now, you see, those men, as I say, I forgot the name of the man who went
by the back way through the cornfield, you know who I mean. Well, let's
face it. What happened to him that day was a great and terrible sin for
what he was doing instead of getting down on his knees and saying,
"Lord God, I've been a fool, and the Bible says that if any man make
a prophecy and it does not come to pass, you will know that I have not
sent him." And there, I don't believe the Seventh-day Adventists are
ever going to be any real witness unless the Seventh-day Adventist gets
down on his knees and says, "Lord God, in the beginning we were
founded on a lie", because you were founded on a lie.
(H) Well, of course those are moot points that, (B) Why, they're not
even moot. I mean, if you take anybody that is not a Seventh-day
Adventist, the five most honest men in the world, in fact if you take a
Jew who is not a Christian, even, or a Roman Catholic, and put the thing
up to them and say, "Now, historically, judge!" why, they're all
going to say, "This is a face-saving proposition, at most; certainly
it has nothing to do with the Bible." (H) Well, I can see your line
of reasoning.
(B) Now, I love all Christians. I love, and I have found-why, when
these men came to my home-I happen to have a nice place in the country-and
these men came to my home for days. And we were down on our knees
together; we prayed together; we walked in the garden together. And let me
tell you, Roy Anderson is one of the finest men I have ever met in my life
and Unruh. We've prayed together. I know these men are brothers in Christ,
you see, all that Talbot and the rest of them say-- I mean, you take this
last copy of the magazine "Evangelical Action," the organ of the
National Association of Evangelicals. Brother, they came out in a big
blast of Talbot and DeHaan against me and against the Seventh-day
Adventists, on the basis of the SDA book, but anybody who reads, have you
read the big SDA book? (H) Yes, I have a copy here.
(B) Well, let's face It, in a very nice way, the leaders who have
written this book, have moved from the traditional position of the SDA
movement. They've come back toward the Bible. (H) But they insist that
they haven't. Now, that's the controversy, you see.
(B) What you fellows ought to do, now I don't know what your position
is, but if you want to strike a blow for the truth, write an article and
come right out and say something like this, "Let's face the fact that
we have error in our fundamental position. Let's abandon them and go
forward with truth."
(H) Now, you feel that Anderson and Froom are more or less of that
disposition? (B) No, I don't say that at all. (H) You don't think so? (B)
No, I don't say that at all. They should be, but I think there are a lot
of fellows that are holding sticks over them, and they don't dare advance
as much as they should. (H) You think they would advance more if they
weren't being held back.
(B) Look, I think you would advance more if you weren't being held
back. If you follow the Holy Spirit, you would abandon the investigative
judgment in one minute. (H) Well, on the, of course, there is a lot of
doctrinal controversy there, but on the practical end, as I said before,
it seems to me this matter of fellowship--. Now, if Adventist leaders made
overtures to the Association for recognition-. (B) I don't think they
have. (H) You don't think they have. Well, then the controversy in the
Evangelical press to the effect that we are asking for fellowship has no
foundation.
(B) I don't think it has any foundation. You see, in a large measure,
let's face it, Mr. Hudson, in a large measure--. You see, I was a
University professor, and have had a great education, and they know that
if I say something that I have background for it. And they know what I've
done in coming out and saying that Seventh-day Adventists are Christians.
You see, one guy has earned half his living giving lectures against the
cults, Christian Science, etc. Now, this is the reason why he's attacking,
and he's attacking me as much as he's attacking Seventh-day Adventists.
You see this we know.
(H) Well, now what is the basis of Mr. Martin's statement that there is
no question, I think I have it here. "There is no doubt that
Seventh-day Adventists desire to receive and extend the hand of
fellowships to all truly within the body of Christ," meaning, at
least in part, the members of the National Association of Evangelicals.
(B) Well, I would put it this way: There is no doubt of the fact that
any man who is a truly born-again man wants to extend the hand to
everybody else who is born again. If he doesn't, he is out of the will of
God. Now, I know that some of the men at Takoma Park are not only saved,
but they want to be led by the Holy Spirit. Now, any man who wants to be
led by the Holy Spirit-. Now, this year, the year 1958, I have already
spoken in a Seventh-day Adventist meeting; I held a week of meetings in
the Pentecost Assembly in Missouri; last week I was in the Episcopal
cathedral in Cleveland under the great Cleveland Federation of Churches,
and I have already preached this year in Northern and Southern Baptist,
Northern and Southern Presbyterian, (?) Methodist church in Kansas City,
and I want to work with the whole body of Christ. If you were born again,
and you are going to be in heaven, then you are my brother. But if you are
a sectarian-I don't know what your attitude is. You called me up on the
telephone and I'm speaking to you plainly although I don't know who you
are at all. But if you are a person trying to stir up trouble, if you are
a person trying to find out if you can sharpen your knife using me as a
whetstone in order that you may try to sink it in some of the leaders who
are trying to be godly men, then I tell you that you are being led by the
antichrist, and not led by the Holy Spirit.
(H) No, I'm not. Now what I had, I don't mean No to that last question.
I'm not trying to fly under any false colors. That's the reason I
mentioned my letter which if it had reached you, you would have known
exactly what my position is. Now, you and Mr. Martin have made certain
representations as to Adventist beliefs, etc. in your magazine. I have
been in correspondence with our men in Washington. I have on my desk now a
letter I received from the secretary of the general conference just
yesterday. There is quite a wide discrepancy between your interpretation
of our belief and what has been and is still current in our midst. I'm
just trying to iron out the facts.
(B) Look, we have written and signed by the leaders of the Seventh-day
Adventist movement that we have not misrepresented Seventh-day Adventist
positions.
(H) Now, that's what Mr. Martin told me as we talked this matter
informally more than a month ago. Now, I have asked our men in Washington
about this purported, not recommendation, but I think it is called a
forward, which was to be signed by an officer of the General Conference
stating that you had not misrepresented doctrine. I can't get any
satisfaction out of our men in Washington as to just what they agreed to
and didn't agree to do, but it doesn't agree with what you wrote in
"Eternity." Now, I'm just trying to get at the facts, that's all
I'm trying to do, because I'm writing a paper myself, and I think later
on, will be incorporated into a book.
(B) Now, what is your position? Are you trying to keep Seventh-day
Adventism as it has been for the last 100 years or so? (H) Frankly, my
personal position, I am not convinced of the necessity of a change, no.
(B) I mean, you know that Christ didn't come back in 1844; you know if
you know anything at all, that Jesus hasn't been wandering around in
heaven since 1844. He did not get up off the throne to go into any inner
sanctuary. You know that this was a face-saving device of men who were so
scaredy cat that they were walking through a cornfield in order to keep
off the main road. You know this wasn't the Holy Spirit. You know it in
your heart, and if you ever take the position, God is going to nullify
your ministry, and at the judgement seat of Christ, you are going to
answer for it.
(H) Now, I appreciate your franknesss. I wish our men would be just as
frank as to their relationship to you and Mr. Martin, and also the
doctrinal positions they are taking. Frankly, there is a considerable
difference between what you have published and what our men are telling
us. I'm just trying to find out if we have changed, if we should change,
just what the status of the thing is.
(B) Everything I have published was read by Seventh-day Adventist
leaders before we published. Not one line have I ever printed that was not
previously read by Froom, for instance.
(H) Well, I'm not trying to stir up any trouble. I'm a Seventh-day
Adventist, and I'm not convinced even from what you say, that I should
change, but I'm willing to consider it provided it is brought out in the
open and handled in a business-like way. Now, if our leaders in Washington
feel that we should modify our position, my position is that they should
come out to us as Seventh-day Adventists in the field, and say,
"Brethren, we have been in error on this. We'd better change to so
and so and so and so." Now, they're not doing that. They're telling
us that we have not changed, and yet apparently they are giving you and
Mr. Martin the idea that we are at least in the process of changing or are
willing to change. Now, I'm just trying to get the facts.
(B) I think they're doing, as I say, I think these men are educated
men, and some of them know Greek. We sat here with their Greek professor,
some of these men know Greek, and Walter Martin pointed out, "By one
offering he had perfected forever them that are sanctified." That is
the aorist tense. And one man of the top leaders said, "Now, I don't
know Greek," he said, "myself, but three of us have had a lot of
Greek." And all of the wonderful part of fellowship with Anderson and
Froom and Unruh, and I forget the other men that came up from Washington,
the top men, and we spent two days one time and two and a half another,
here in my home. We entertained these men, and fed them vegetarian meals,
and had a nice time together. We had a wonderful time together.
(B) I spoke for Richards in a Seventh-day Adventist group to all his
people, etc. and I'm going to preach in the Seventh-day Adventist church
in Takoma Park, Washington. And we had Dr. Roy Anderson come to my pulpit
in the Presbyterian church and my people heard him with great profit. He
is a godly man. Now this is a whole lot better than having everybody
taking Talbot's position and saying that you are all antichrist. (H) Well,
that is a complicated proposition.
(B) Let me tell you this, if you don't want, I mean if you try to write
a book or anything that there has been no change in Adventism, then we're
going to have to go back and say, "You are anti-Christ." I will
have to make a public retraction, and send it to "Time"
magazine, and say, "Your article,"-did you read it when it came
out in "Time?" (H) No.
(B) Well, you see "Time" magazine wrote a big article about
my article on Seventh-day Adventism and called it "Peace with the
Adventists." Well, I'll have to write "Time" magazine and
publish in "Eternity" and write an apology to Talbot for
"King's Business," "Moody Monthly," and say, "I
was wrong. These people are still anti-Christ. Put them back with
Jehovah's Witnesses where they belong," if you start writing the way
you're contemplating. (H) You actually believe, then, that our book,
"Questions on Doctrine," supports the attitude that you have put
forth in your magazine "Eternity", and which you have just set
forth here to me. You actually believe that that book supports that?
(B) I say this, I have a copy of it within three feet of me at the
present moment. and what you have done beyond any question in that book,
is taking the position, for example, that everybody that ever said that it
was necessary to keep Saturday in order to be saved, was wrong. Your book
states this. Now, for instance, you don't hold that Sunday is the mark of
the beast, do you?
(H) Yes. (B) You do? (H) Yes. (B) Well, then we might as well hang up.
You belong to the anti-Christ party. I'll tell you this, brother, and you,
I doubt if you're saved. (H) Well. (B) You don't know what salvation is.
Hudson, you don't know what salvation is. (H) Well, perhaps that's right,
Mr. Barnhouse, but the Adventists believe that, too.
(B) They, now, that's the point, the Adventists do not believe this.
This is the point I'm making. And everywhere we said, for instance, a man
in the Presbyterian Church, wrote an article and he said they believe that
there is no hell, and that they don't believe. That's what a screwball on
the fringe believes. Now, in the believe. That's what a scewball on the
fringe believes. Now, in the Seventh-day Adventist movement you've got
screwballs and people on the fringe. (H) Yeah, that's apparently where I
am.
(B) Well, if you believe that keeping any day but Saturday is the mark
of the beast then you are of the party of anti-Christ because you deny
salvation by grace alone. You do not believe that salvation is by grace
alone, do you?
(H) Not in the same sense that you use it, no. (B) Yeah, in other words
you believe that a man has to add something to the work of Christ in order
to be saved. (H) Yes, that's right. (B) Then, I say that is of the devil,
beyond any question, and you see, you're the one that's making the
difficulty, and I will print this in our magazine. Are you the pastor of a
church there in Oregon? (H) No, I'm a layman. (B) You're a layman? (H) I'm
an officer of the church, but I'm not an ordained minister. I studied for
the ministry, however, in the Adventists Church, and I think I know what
Adventists believe.
(B) You really believe then, that everybody who is not a Seventh-day
Adventist is lost? (H) Oh, no. I didn't say that. (B) Well, this is what
you say, because the people who are not Adventists don't keep Saturday,
and won't, I hate Saturday as a Sabbath religious day. I hate it because
Christ hates it! - .
(B) Do you feel that you are the remnant church? (H) That is Adventist
teaching. (B) Well, if you believe that, then you are a megalomaniac. Now,
let's face it. I'm not going to pull words. You just are not following the
Bible. (H) I appreciate your position. Now, of course, over the telephone
here I couldn't defend that position, but, friend, that is Adventist
teaching. (B) Well, it isn't Adventist teaching. Excuse me, but it is not.
(H) Well, that's the point. What makes you think it isn't? (B) Well, their
book, their statement, and even Ellen G. White. I can show you in Ellen G.
White that she doesn't believe this. (H) She doesn't believe that the
Adventist church is the remnant church?
(B) She does not believe, she believes that God gave some vital truth,
some latter day truth, but she does not take the position that anybody
that is not a Seventh-day Adventist is not a believer in Christ (H) No,
She doesn't. Neither do we. (B) Oh, yes you do. (H) No. (B) That's it. You
just said that not keeping Saturday, keeping Sunday, was the mark of the
beast. Your trouble is that you don't realize what you say. (H) Yes, I do
realize what I say. (B) Well, if you say for instance, let me ask you
this. Do you think I'm a lost soul? (H) Friend, that is up to God.
(B) No, No, No. But you wait a minute. Let's ask a question; that's up
to God but do you think that I cursing Saturday as the Sabbath, cursing
everything that is of the law, and wanting grace alone, and wanting to
live in holiness, believing that all sin is removed by the blood of Jesus
Christ alone, do you believe that therefore I am a lost soul? (H) I
believe that you are a disobedient follower of Christ, and that
disobedience, if continued in, will ultimately cause the loss of your
soul, yes. (B) Yeah, well, you see there's no use in your talking. You
don't even believe that I'm saved. (H) Now, I think that you will find if
you will investigate the matter a little more closely that --
(B) Thank God the leaders of Seventh-day Adventism do not hold your
position. (H) You don't think they do. (B) I know they don't. I know they
don't. We've gone on our knees together, and have gotten up from our knees
together, and they say, "Brother, this is wonderful. We are redeemed
and fellows in Christ." (H) And you don't think that Seventh-day
Adventist leaders believe that you are a disobedient follower of Jesus.
(B) I didn't say that. They believe that I am a born again person. That
I am saved and have eternal life. They know that I hold the Calvinistic
position that I am saved forever and can never be lost. They say to me,
they hold the Armenian position, but nevertheless, they definitely believe
that I am a born-again believer and a brother in Christ.
(H) Well, now here, I had one of these very men who have been foremost
in this relationship tell me when I was in Washington D.C. last November;
I went back for some conferences and study. He told me--. (B) Which man?
(H) I'd rather not give his name. (B) Oh, come on now. If you're not
honest enough to talk, what did you call me for? (H) Well, you accuse me,
didn't accuse me, but wondered if I was trying to stir up personal
trouble. I'm not. But I am trying to arrive at some facts. Now, if I tell
you this man's name personally, that is a personal thing. If I tell you
the position he took, then it becomes--. (B) You said one of the men who
came to my house. (H) Well, let's put it this way. One of the men that has
been--. (B) You said one of the men that came to my house. (H) You've got
me on the spot. (B) Sure I do. It's either Froom or Anderson or Richards.
(H) Unruh? (B) No, Unruh is from Pennsylvania. You said Washington. That's
Froom and Anderson and the fourth man, what's his name? (H) I don't know.
(B) You don't know. Well, that leaves it, it's Froom or Anderson who told
you this.
(H) All right, I'll tell you, it was Froom. He told me that he had you
men right where you were going to have to admit the seventh day is the
Sabbath. (B) Oh, he never said anything of the kind. (H) Well, that's what
he told me. (B) We know that the seventh day is not the Sabbath. (H)
That's what he told me, and he told me in the offices of the General
Conference in Washington.
(B) Well, you listen to the National Broadcasting System coast to coast
next Sunday morning at 8:30. I'm preaching against the Sabbath right now.
(H) My point is this. As near as I can get the information together, here,
our men have been representing one thing to you and they are representing
another thing to us. (B) Well, put that down in so many words. (H) Well,
now, I'll put it in writing, and will you prove to the contrary? In other
words, you say you have in your files stuff that will support everything
that you have written in "Eternity" magazine. Well, now, will
you come out with that? (B) Well, uh--
(H) Our men are denying that. Now let's get the thing straight. I have
a stack of correspondence here from our officials in Washington I'm trying
to get at the basis of this thing, and I don't know what is in your files.
I know what Martin told me, and I know that he will not answer my letters
in confirming what he told me, but our men are representing --. (B)
Possibly he believes that you are just a trouble maker. (H) I think that's
entirely possible. I appreciate his position. I'm not trying to cause
trouble to anybody, but I want to know what our men are teaching and if we
should change, I want to change with them, provided that they can convince
me that I should change, but to try to give the idea to you and Mr. Martin
that we have changed, and to give the idea to us that we haven't changed,
I don't go for that. Now, I think our men ought to come out and be honest
on the proposition.
(B) Well, look, the important thing is this, where the great change has
come, they have absolutely denied, and in the book, 700-page book which
you have, they have denied beyond question that they hold any position
which makes Christ anything other than the eternal second Person of the
Godhead. (H) I grant that. (B) Do you believe that Jesus is the Lord
Jehovah? (H) Yes, if I understand what you mean by the Lord Jehovah. I
believe that He is the second Person of the Godhead, eternally existent,
He became incarnate and became a man. Now, on that point, however, there
is a great controversy.
(B) Exactly. Now, you see there were Seventh-day Adventists who held
that He was sinful, that He did not have a sinless nature, and they took
the Docetism principle from back in the early church history. Now your
leaders have come out in the strongest possible repudiation of that phase
of Seventh-day Adventist teaching.
(H) They are taking the position, are they not, that Christ has the
nature of Adam before he sinned, isn't that true? (B) I hope not! (H) What
is their position as you understand it? (B) That Christ had, that He was
the God-man. Adam was created a being subject to fall. Jesus Christ was
the God-man, not subject to fall.
(H) And that's your understanding of the position of our leaders? (B)
Of course! They have taken it so strongly and it is in their book. We
hold, they say, with the church of all the centuries that Jesus Christ was
the eternal sinless Son of God, etc. etc.
(H) Well, I don't want to take longer of your time. I was trying to
clear up specifically the item of whether our leaders had made overtures
to the National Association of Evangelicals for fellowship. (B) I don't
think they have. (H) Now, that is what I am trying to get at. That puts it
in a different category. (B) This would precipitate a fight that might
break the National Association in pieces. (H) In other words, it still is
a matter of a theological discussion in comparative religions. It's not a
practical matter of determining whether or not Adventists should be
admitted to the National Association of Evangelicals. (B) Why, that has
never been under our discussion. I never heard about it until you told me,
this morning.
(H) It has come out in the Evangelical press. We have been represented
as standing before the door of the National Association of Evangelicals
asking for entrance. Now, I'm just trying to run that down and see if it
is nothing but rumor. (B) I'll tell you what was said was this. The
Seventh-day Baptists are already in. You see the Seventh-day Baptists have
been a member of the National Association of Evangelicals for years. And
someone stated, I believe, I wasn't at the convention, that Seventh-day
Adventists had as much right in it as the Seventh-day Baptists. But I do
not believe that anybody in the Seventh-day Adventist group applied or
made overtures. If it had been done it would have been done through us
because, brother, I came out and said that Seventhday Adventists were
Christians. But I'm going to have to say that a man called me up from
Oregon and spent half an hour on the telephone telling me that he was not
a Christian. For that's what you've told me this morning. (H) Well, of
course, that is a matter of opinion.
(B) No, it isn't. Excuse me, but this is the matter. It says, if
anybody come and bring not the gospel of Christ, this is the spirit of
anti-Christ. Now you see, if you do not believe that Jesus Christ is the
eternal, sinless Son of God, that He could not have sinned, and goodness,
we have 18 quotations from Mrs. White saying the same thing, 18 quotations
from Ellen G. White stating exactly this position, and denying what you
are telling me.
(H) On the other hand I have quotations that state just the opposite.
(B) One quotation. (H) We have more than that. (B) No. (H) You don't have
them all.
(B) Oh yes we do. Look, Froom and the rest of them say that Walter
Martin knows more about Seventh-day Adventists than any professor in
Takoma Park, Washington,-. (H) Well, that again is a matter of opinion.
(H) You know she wrote about 25 million words. That's quite a lot for a
man to read. (B) That's too much, you know. She was running off at the
mouth, and the Holy Spirit certainly was not doing it. (H) Do you think
that Anderson and Froom agree with you on that position?
(B) Look, I know that these men are intelligent enough to know that she
was a fallible human being, and that she said so herself. You don't
believe that she was infallible, do you? Do you? (H) You get into the
matter of the various concepts of inspiration. You asked me a question.
I'll answer it. I believe she was a prophet. (B) Do you believe she was
infallible? (H) Well, I say that she was a prophet the same as any other
true prophet. (B) Do you believe that she was in error ever? (H) As a
human being? (B) In her writing. Do you believe that in some of her
writing that you have to point to certain sentences and say, "Boy,
she sure pulled a blooper! That's for the birds! It is not true!" (H)
I haven't encountered any of those quotations, no. (B) You haven't? (H)
No. (B) Oh, brother, are you a dupe. You are not as honest as the people
at Takoma Park.
(H) They feel that she has written error? (B) Of course they do. Every
one of these men have said this to me. Every man. Every man. They believe
that she was raised up of God to be a great blessing, and that the Spirit
of Prophecy was upon her, but they all agree that she wrote error in some
places. (H) You gather from your association with those men that they
believe that she was a prophet though. (B) They believe that God came upon
her in a special way, and for a message to His people at a special time.
(H) Would you gather the impression in your talking with them that they
feel that she was a prophet in the same sense that Isaiah and Jeremiah
were?
(B) Of course not. Certainly not. They're intelligent men, and they are
Christians. I mean, anybody who would say that Ellen G. White was a
prophet in the same sense as Isaiah-- in the first place, they are denying
the Bible's word about prophecy concerning a woman. You see you simply
have to put all that out of your mind before you ever accept such a thing,
and you see, I mean, if you take this position, Seventh-day Adventism will
have to go back into the same position as Mormonism with their Book of
Mormon. A guest has just arrived for lunch, and I've got to go.
(H) I appreciate your time. Now, I'll tell you my position on Mrs.
White, just for the record. I don't know what you're going to publish that
I have said. I hope that you have it accurately. My position is this-- the
Bible mentions two kinds of prophets, a true prophet and a false prophet I
believe Mrs. White was a true prophet. Now that is my position.
(B) Yeah, I know that's your position. She was just a good woman who
was greatly blessed and greatly mistaken, frequently. (H) And you don't
think Elder Froom and Richards and the others take my position? That she
was a true prophet?
(B) Of course they don't. (H) I see. (B) None of them do. (H) Well, I
appreciate your time.
- SECTION FOURTEEN - January and April 1956 -
TWO ANDERSON LETTERS TO GREIVE
[As you will recall, we have chosen in this lengthy documentary to lump
certain items together instead of keeping everything strictly
chronological. We shall now provide you with three letters. The first two
were written by Roy Allan Anderson, Secretary of the Ministerial
Association of the General Conference, to R.A. Greive, at that tine
President of the North New Zealand Conference.
Greive was an original thinker who liked to come up with new ideas. He
bad already developed a peculiar concept of "instantaneous
sanctification" while be was president of the Queensland Conference
in Australia. We are told that as soon as be presented it, nearly all of
the ministers in the conference immediately began preaching t, even though
inherent in it was the idea that at the moment of conversion one is
"instantaneously sanctified and therefore need not concern oneself
with obedience to the Law of God, for he is already fully prepared for
heaven. (Ford's heresy is but a variant of this. Greive taught a
sanctification that is a momentary act that is in reality a denial of its
existence; Ford and the "new theology " teach that
sanctification (obedience by faith in Christ) may exist but has no
significance in the plan of salvation; justification (forgiveness by God
of one's past record) is all that is needed.) When Grieve went from
Queensland to the presidency of the North New Zealand Conference, be took
the teaching with him and upon presenting it to the pastors and church
workers in workers' meetings, they accepted it as wonderful new light and
began teaching it to their church members. It doesn't take long to ruin a
church: All that is required is one man who likes to dream up new
theologies-and a majority of hirelings beneath him.
Then, a year before the publication of "Questions on Doctrine,
" Greive learned about Anderson and Froom's attempt back in
Washington D.C. to change still other doctrines. Greive was a forceful
man, so be twice wrote to find out what was taking place. Anderson's two
replies are low-key but of interest. Here they are.
Within a few years, Greive left Adventism entirely, joined a Protestant
church and became one of their ministers. His reason or leaving: He no
longer believed that Moses and Paul were right when they said there is a
literal Sanctuary in heaven. This is the identical point that Ford now
rejects. But Ford continues on as a member of the Pacific Union College
Church. It is our understanding that this is because a majority of its
members agree with his thinking and therefore refuse to disfelowship him.
Ministerial Assoc. Gen. Conf. of S.D.A.
Washington 12, D.C.
January 19, 1956
Pastor R. A. Greive
North N. Z. Conference
Box 8541, Upper Symonds St., P.O.
Auckland, N. Z.
My dear Brother Greive:
This letter is long, long overdue and it carries sincerest apologies
for what is an unpardonable neglect. At the time of your accident in New
Guinea I was under a terrific pressure with appointments away from the
office, and as you know when you get back things pile high, and somehow
this was overlooked. I wrote to Stan Gander and it somehow was in the back
of my mind that I had written you as well. How thankful we are that the
Lord spared your lives, although it was a terrible experience.
Well now, brother, we are in the midst of a most interesting study. For
your sake I wish you could be here in Washington right now. You remember
the things we discussed in both Australia and Auckland, especially
concerning the nature of Christ. Well, at that time some things that
Sister White wrote more than half a century ago were kind of in the
background. Practically nobody knew of their existence although they were
published in the Review and also in personal letters and counsels, etc.
The pity of it is that these statements which throw a great deal of light
on the subject had not been made available to our workers generally long
before now.
As soon as I returned from Australia I was plunged into the thick of a
very important series of counsels with some outstanding theologians
belonging to several different groups, but remarkable Christians, each of
them. They had been given the task of writing against us, and when they
came down here to get first handed material they discovered that instead
of our being a cult we were sound evangelical Christians. This discovery
was a shock to them and after some days of study they openly and joyfully
received us as brethren in Christ, gripping our hands in the spirit of
fellowship. Their eyes filled with tears as they told of their remarkable
change of concept and of how thrilled they were to discover that on the
great fundamentals of Christianity we rang absolutely true.
Now this is just a wee note to tell you that while we have not yet
finished our research and our work with these men, yet the present
situation is very encouraging. What I am saying is not for publication
right now, although doubtless within a few months we will be able to
share. these things with all our workers; and they should be shared.
Brethren L. Froom and W. E. Read and I have been a trio working very
closely with these men and it has demanded much of our time, for we have
been studying to state our beliefs in terms that could not be
misunderstood by the theologians.
You may remember drawing my attention to a book you were reading just
as we were going into a meeting on the Sabbath morning there in Auckland.
You read a fine paragraph from it; but I failed to take the name of the
book or even the name of the author. We discussed Campbell Morgan and
others, but this man I think was an English theologian and his statements
seemed so clear. I would appreciate it if you could let me know the title
of the book and the author for I would like a copy.
You are absolutely right in the contention that Jesus did not partake
of our sinful nature. If I could put it simply it would be in these words:
He partook of human nature but not carnal nature. He was made in the
likeness of sinful flesh, not just sinful flesh, so that He could say to
His apostles, "The Prince of this world cometh and hath nothing (findeth
no response) in Ale."
Well, this opens up a very big question and in a very little while I
will send you some things that I know will delight your heart. This is
just a friendly letter to tell you how much I appreciated the many
kindnesses you showed us and to express the hope that the Lord is giving
you success in the leader of that important field.
If I could drop one little sentence of friendly counsel it would be:
Don't stress theology among your workers for the time being. Your best
intentions can be and often are misunderstood. But be assured that some of
these very points of discussion will be brought into the open, and then
maybe you can give them the emphasis they will need.
Well God bless you. Give my greetings to all the workers there.
Sincerely your brother, (Signed)
R. Allan Anderson
Ministerial Assoc. Gen Conf. of S.D.A.
Washington 12, D.C.
April 23, 1956
Pastor R. A. Greive
Box 8541, Auckland Dear Brother Greive:
It would seem from your letter that there are some out there in the
Australasian field who have the impression that these questions and
answers have been prepared by just a small group and because the General
Conf. Committee has not passed action upon them that they are not
authoritative. Actually, the General Conf. Committee does not rule on
matters of faith and doctrine or church policy. All such matters must be
dealt with at a General Conf. in session. Between such sessions, however,
the General Conf. officers who represent the administration of the cause
of God serve as a body of counsel on all such matters, but of course these
brethren have no authority to change any teaching. It was to this group
that these questions and answers were presented. A number of the leading
officers with certain selected individuals have given much time to the
study of these answers. In fact very careful attention has been given to
every particular word. These answers therefore represent responsible
leaders of the denomination, the General Conf. President being the
chairman at every such meeting. .
One thing should be made clear; we are not trying to harmonize our
beliefs with those of other Christian groups. In fact the ministers with
whom we have been working represent different denominations, and are
therefore in disagreement among themselves on minor points of faith, such
as the mode of baptism, church organization, etc. But on the essentials of
the gospel, as they relate to the person and work of Jesus Christ, they
stand together. And when they have discovered that we stand with them on
these vital issues, it has brought them a great joy and satisfaction. Some
of these men have been among the most able opponents of Adventism but that
was because they did not know what we actually believe, having received
their concepts from some of our older books. And of course, believing that
Sister White had also taught these things, they regarded her as a false
prophet and branded the whole denomination as a cult, eaten through and
through with heresy. Their discovery of our understanding of real New
Testament truth has made them our friends and has led them to a very deep
and thorough study of our other points of faith which, as they point out,
are not at the heart of the gospel but rather on the periphery; they are
works of righteousness which grow out of our relationship to Christ and
not the basis of that relationship. Such doctrines are the Sabbath,
tithing, health reform, etc.
You have asked concerning the nature of Christ during the incarnation.
This is a point on which many of our writers and preachers have not been
clear. . It is a point of faith in which our preachers and writers have
expressed themselves very emphatically at times but usually on the wrong
side of the truth. .
If you would suffer me this little word of counsel as a friend, I would
suggest that you hold these thoughts in your heart and not make an issue
of them until we as a people have come to the place where we understand
this doctrine as clearly as we should, and as clearly as we do other
points of faith. The fellowship of the brethren and the communion of
saints is too precious an experience to have destroyed by the spirit of
controversy. I am confident that the time is near when this great mystery
of godliness will be understood better by us as a people. But until then
it would seem wise if we could confine ourselves to a prayerful discussion
of it between us as workers. While it is truth, we should be very careful
not to set it before the laity until we are prepared to speak with a
united voice. I think you will recall a suggestion I made to you on this
point before and will not misunderstand my mentioning it again. .
In closing let me declare as my personal conviction that we have come
to the time in our history and the history of the evangelical Christian
church in general that we are moving into the experience of the
Pentecostal outpouring of power. . (signed)
R. Allan Anderson
- SECTION FIFTEEN - - February 1958 -
COTTRELL'S LETTER TO ANDERSON
(Roy F. Cottrell was an editor at the Review and Herald Publishing
Association from 1952 till 1980. Back in the late 50s be wrote a personal
letter of protest to Roy Allen Anderson. As a Review editor, just across
the alley from the General Conference in Washington D.C:, he bad witnessed
the storm of protest that bad arisen in the Review over the galleys of
"Questions on Doctrine" as they were gradually sent over from
the General Conference to check over. Then, following complaints from the
world field and a limited amount of redoing,-the entire manuscript was
sent over to the Review for publication! Upon arrival it was met by men
who were shocked that the errors were still in the thing-even after having
been "checked over" by enough men around the globe so that the
title page of the book could give as the "author" of the book:
`Prepared by a Representative Group of Seventh-day Adventist Leaders,
Bible Teachers, and Editors. "And they were still more shocked that
Anderson on behalf of the General Conference now wanted them to go ahead
and print it!
We have already mentioned the fact that at this point the Review
editorial staff took the liberty to tone down some of the errors and to
substitute "atoning sacrifice" for "atonement" as that
which was completed at the cross, in a number of passages in the book
manuscript.
But then in 1957 this mingling of good and evil came off the presses
and went out to Adventism at large. And a surge of protest poured in to
the Review offices from laity and workers out in the field. Half a year of
this passes, and then Raymond F. Cottrell wrote a letter to Roy Allen
Anderson. I believe that you will be impressed with the clarity of the
letter: 1
February 23, 1958
Elder R. A. Anderson
Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial Association
Takoma Park, Washington 12, D.C.
My dear Brother Anderson:
Along the years I have held you in highest esteem, and recalling the
past, I have considered your series of evening sermons at Lynwood some
years ago to be the most uplifting and outstanding series of campmeeting
messages, I have ever been privileged to hear.
A few days ago, an outline of your address presented to the
Southeastern Conference workers, was placed in my hands, and I have been
surprised and pained as I read its contents. I am writing to you as a
beloved brother in the Lord, and trust you will receive it in the same
spirit as it is written.
Now I am persuaded that all who wholeheartedly accept the Spirit of
Prophecy, will stand solidly on the platform of truth that has stood
unshaken for over a century; and no one should attempt to change our
fundamental beliefs concerning the atonement. The Bible and the Spirit of
Prophecy teach that there are two important phases to the atonement; that
Christ's work of atonement was begun, rather than completed, on Calvary;
and that the final phase of the atonement is now being carried forward in
the heavenly sanctuary.
In the ancient sanctuary service, the atonement was not made by the
victim that was slain, but by the priest who carried the blood into the
tabernacle, sprinkling it before the veil, and in this way making the
atonement. See Leviticus 4, and "Patriarchs and Prophets," p.
354.
Concerning the latter phase of Christ's atoning work, we read: "As
in the typical service there was a work of atonement at the close of the
year, so before Christ's work for the redemption of men is completed,
there is a work of atonement for the removal of sin from the
sanctuary." G.C., p. 421.
"At the termination of the 2300 days in 1844, Christ then entered
the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary to perform the closing work
of atonement."-id., p. 422.
"it is those who by faith follow Jesus in the great work of
atonement who receive the benefits of His mediation in their
behalf."-id., p. 430.
"So in the great day of final atonement and investigative
judgment, the only cases considered are those of the professed people of
God."-id., p. 480.
"The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ's work in
behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon the earth. .
"The intercession of Christ in man's behalf in the sanctuary above
is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross.
By His death He began that work which after His resurrection He ascended
to complete in heaven. . We are now living in the great day of
atonement."-id. pp. 488, 489.
"The blood of Christ, while it was to release the repentant sinner
from the condemnation of the law, was not to cancel the sin; it would
stand on record in the sanctuary until the final atonement . . Then by
virtue of the atoning blood of Christ the sins of all the truly penitent
will be blotted from the books of heaven." -P.P., pp. 357, 358."
Many similar quotations could be given, but this will suffice to
present the undeviating testimony of the Spirit of Prophecy on this
question. We also note the quotations that you present stating that
Christ's sacrifice was "a perfect atonement;" that the atoning
sacrifice was all-sufficient; and that it need never be repeated. This is
in perfect harmony with Hebrews 9:24-26.
Your presentation, however, carries the thought that the cross is
central in the work of atonement. The same thought is emphasized again and
again in the new book, "Questions on Doctrine;" but I am
confident, dear Brother Anderson, that the emphasis is in the wrong place.
Paul stated that the central feature in the work of atonement and the plan
of salvation is seen in our High Priest ministering in the sanctuary
above. Hebrews 8:1-5. Again note the words from Great Controversy:
"The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ's work in
behalf of men." It appears most unfortunate that in the portions of
the book, "Questions on Doctrine." dealing with Christ's
ministry in the sanctuary, the word "atonement" appears to be
scrupulously avoided. A crucified and risen Saviour was present truth in
New Testament times, but in this the time of the end, Christ's ministry in
the final phase of the atonement, is present truth today for this remnant
people.
We therefore must utterly deplore any attempt at downgrading and
belittling the atoning work of our great High Priest in the heavenly
sanctuary. And at this late date to attempt to change the terminology
regarding this great pillar of our faith, can only result in bringing in
confusion and disruption.
Long years ago, the servant of the Lord declared: "Satan h
striving continually to bring in fanciful suppositions regarding
sanctuary, degrading the wonderful representation of God and the ministry
of Christ for our salvation into something that suits the carnal mind. He
removes its presiding theories invented to make void the truths of the
atonement, and destroy our confidence in the doctrines which we have held
sacred since the Third Angel's Message was first given"'-Series B,
No. 7, p. 17.
It would appear that in your numerous conversations with Dr. Walter
Martin, you have been insidiously led to compromise the truth, so as to
state it in terms acceptable to the popular evangelical churches. You have
evidently endeavored to give the doctrine of the atonement "a new
look;" but it appears as a doubtful, dubious look, and one of which
our heavenly Father cannot approve.
During my more than a half century in the ministry, I havoc seen quite
a number of good men, and some of them General Conference men, slip off on
a tangent. Some of them returned to the full acceptance of the message,
but others did not. And now, deal brother, I appeal to you to study again
the great fundamental truth of the atonement. Study the counsel given on
page 63 of Early Writings; and with the rest of us present those themes
that will "establish the faith of the doubting, and give certainty to
the glorious future."
The Lord has mightily blessed your ministry in the past and I pray He
will grant to you clear vision, and the unction of the Holy Spirit to
proclaim the three-fold message with soul winning vigor and effectiveness
in the days to come.
Cordially your brother,
Roy F. Cottrell
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