33 Adventist Issues Presented To The General Conference

I recently received a letter from a friend of mine that he wrote regarding issues that are of concern to him, as well as other faithful believers in the Adventist church. Some of these issues are larger than others, in my opinion. However, the overall letter brings many thought-provoking issues to the forefront and should spark serious conversation in any circle regarding the direction of our denomination. I present the letter as I received it, unedited, with the permission of the author (here is the original scan of pg1 and pg2). Let me know what you think. Down the road I will probably pick up a few of these topics and run with it. In a few days, you’ll get the GC response letter as well.

February 25, 2006

Dear Friends,

I have been S.D.A. for some thirty years. During this time, not once have I contacted the Conference by phone or letter to complain or criticize - nor is this my wish now.

May I say that I believe:

1. The 25 fundamentals as taught by our early pioneers
2. The ministry of Ellen White
3. Health reform
4. Dress Reform
5. Sabbath reform
6. Christian recreation
7. True Christian education, etc.

And it is my desire and determination to teach these principles to others, and practice them by God’s grace, and His indwelling Holy Spirit.

What is my concern?

1. Changes in our fundamental beliefs
2. Pastors and teachers who do not believe in the Spirit of Prophecy or our doctrines
3. Leaders and lay members alike who do not believe in health reform, dress reform, Sabbath reform, Christian recreation, or true Christian education, etc.

Here are some examples:

The Bible and Spirit of Prophecy teach plainly what is to be our position on these points, and yet -

1. Many among God’s professed people are still using coffee, tea, cola drinks, meat, milk, eggs, and cheese (James 4:17).
2. There is a lack of reverence in the sanctuary; with eating, drinking, clapping, gossip (Mathew 18:15), and worldly conversation (like being at a picnic), coming to church dressed for a ballgame, and with some of the girls/women dressed in such a way that could cause their brothers in Christ to stumble morally (Leviticus 19:30).
3. Going to school, or out to eat on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:10).
4. Getting involved in politics, labor unions, or secret societies.
5. Having a church manual.
6. Wearing wedding rings, makeup, and jewelry.
7. Dancing, theater going, card playing, and reading novels.
8. Drama and mime in church.
9. Seeking worldly education, or accreditation for our schools.
10. Earning or conferring Degrees.
11. Use of, or prescribing drugs; Upon request, offering pork in our hospitals.
12. Abortion (6th commandment).
13. Yoking up with non-SDA hospitals (2 Corinthians 6:14).
14. Lawsuits (1 Corinthians 6, and GC 443). And who tricked the church into obtaining 501c3 status? This places the church under government sanction. And trade marking the name SDA? When the church incorporated, it switched from being a church to being a business.
15. Halloween and Christmas parties, participating in Easter sunrise services, and conducting regular Sunday church services.
16. Disfellowshipping faithful pastors and lay members, as well as whole churches and Conferences.
17. Competitive sports.
18. The Celebration Movement, NLP, worldly music, and the use of drama in church.
19. Ecumenism, pulpit swapping, membership in the WCC/NCC.
20. Changing our beliefs and standards through errors in the Sabbath school quarterlies.
21. Divorce and remarriage (Luke 16:18).
22. Tolerating homosexuality and adultery in the church (7th commandment).
23. Military service (violates the 4th and 6th commandments).
24. Improper use of tithe funds (like paying teacher salaries, investing in the stock market - a form of gambling, and buying shopping centers).
25. Women elders, women pastors, and women’s ordination (1 Timothy 3:2).
26. Practicing open communion.
27. Confusion over the 144,000, the nature of Christ, and the trinity (The trinity is a Roman Catholic teaching).
28. Dozens of Roman Catholic references in the church hymnal.
29. Steeples on our churches (From sun worship).
30. Logo change. No one asked for - or got a vote of approval from me. (Our new church logo is on the floor at the Vatican).
31. Church structure and organization founded on a hierarchy like Roman Catholicism. Roman Catholics are sincere and precious (Rev. 18:14). Though having a Christian appearance, Roman Catholicism is largely derived from paganism, and much of the church’s teachings are based on tradition rather than scripture (Matthew 15:9).
32. Trashy books used as required reading or textbooks in our schools.
33. Promoting books of a “new order” such as those written by Morris Venden, and others. And just as washing his hands before the people did not cleanse Pilot from the blood of Jesus, placing a disclaimer in the front of new books does not remove responsibility from our printing establishments of producing sound, truth-filled literature.

What are we if we do something that we do not believe, or believe something that we do not do? According to Revelation 12:17 and Revelation 19:10, the remnant are those who keep the commandments and follow the Spirit of Prophecy counsel. My conclusion? The denomination is no longer Seventh-day Adventist.

(Signed) Jim Keesler

So there you have it in it’s entirety, as originally written with all emphasis supplied by the author. What do you think? Misguided, but sincere? Off the wall? What do you think Ellen White, James White, Uriah Smith, J.N. Andrews, etc. would think if they were to walk onto the scene today? Before you make that conclusion, you might want to check out our latest podcast over at The Historic Adventist, where we are featuring a full-length sermon from Bishop Stephen Lewis of Present Truth Ministries, entitled, “No New Organization“. You might find it a little enlightening. See you there!