A Path to Disengagement

The second message in the series from the Ellen White Summit in Gladstone, Oregon was delivered by Craig Newborn. Craig is the Director of the Oakwood Branch Office of the Ellen G. White Estate and also teaches for Oakwood College’s Religion and Theology Department.

Craig begins very succinctly by giving us the outline of a crisis that is currently ripping through the fabric of the Adventist church. He actually uses the word ‘crisis’ and hits one of the nails directly on the head! It is his view that the main issues between the so-called-liberals and the so-called-conservatives (or historic adventists) within the church is in the use and interpretation of Ellen White and the Spirit of Prophecy.  On this point, I would tend to agree.

He takes time to review information from the 1919 Bible Conference.  This is very interesting, as I have read some information on this meeting, but his excerpts from the transcripts make me want to read the whole thing!  I think this will have to be another study and perhaps I can put together some information for the readers here as well on this topic for a later date.  It is of note, however, that the main thrust of the conference seems to be the debate on verbal inspiration, infallability, and inerrancy.  Of course, these issues are crucial to how we view not only the Bible, but also the Spirit of Prophecy writings.

Newborn’s style of delivery is very rapid-fire.  I’m actually glad I’m listening to this on a recording, so and I stop and review what’s being said!  I think if I had been there in person, his presentation would have been a bit overwhelming.  Overall, I enjoyed his presentation.  He did take a lot of time quoting from various sources of information, representing the different viewpoints of the 1919 conference, and Adventism as a whole.

Are there problems with how Adventists use Ellen White?  Sure.  Are there problems with how Adventists use the Bible?  Absolutely!  Does this make either the Spirit of Prophecy or the Bible any less valid?  Not at all.  I believe that there is a middle ground.  Anything can be torn apart and dissected to the point of saying whatever we want it to say.  Legalism or liberalism can both be derived from the Bible and the SOP using singular texts outisde of thier contextual surroundings.  I believe that each doctrine or concept presented should be viewed in full context with it’s surrounding statements.  Only nestled snugly inside the context of the paragraph / chapter / etc. of the surrounding portions of a document can any statement be rightly understood.

The bottom line is that he nails the problem right on the head.  Our current generation of Adventists have a more stand-offish view of EGW and the Spirit of Prophecy than previous generations.  This is definately a polarizing issue within the Adventist church.  Those who hold to the verbal inspiration of SOP and the Bible are labeled as “conservative” or “fundamentalists” or even “historic” Adventists, while those who believe a plenary or thought inspiration ideal are considered “liberal” or as leading the “apostasy”.

This is well worth listening to, but be prepared to stop and “rewind” frequently to catch the full impact of Newborn’s presentation.