Doctrine or Dogma?

So we once were asked by our pastor if we still considered ourselves Seventh-day Adventists.  We told him we did not and that he should consider removing our names from the Conference books.  Instead of accepting that request (which we were sure he wouldn't), we were asked to write a letter to the church board explaining which fundamentals of the church we did not agree with and why.  This Blog is in response to that request, and although the pastor is now retired, perhaps this will serve to help others understand where the SDA church falls a little short of the goal.

Contention #1:  Hidden Agenda
First off, take a close look at this symbol and tell me exactly where it came from.

That is the official logo (used here without permission because it is not a commercial use) of the SDA church, is it not?  But, can you tell me exactly when this was adopted, where it came from, and what it means?  You see, symbols and logos (icons, or idols) mean things.  There is the exoteric meaning and almost always an esoteric meaning.
According to the religions website:
The choice of the Church's logo reflects the core values that Seventh-day Adventists are committed to. The foundation is the Bible, the Word of God, shown open since its message must necessarily be read and put into practice. Central to that Biblical message is the Cross, and is also central in the logo. Above the Cross and the open Bible is the burning flame of the Holy Spirit, the messenger of Truth. 
 That is the exoteric explanation of the official logo.  That is what can be freely published and explained to the layman without causing any alarm.

But the question remains, WHO chose the logo, when, and why?  To know this, you must know the esoteric, or hidden secrets behind the symbols used.  God clearly did not want his people (Israel) to make images for themselves, and the same word translated as "Idols" also translates as "Icons" or "Logos".  Why no logos?  Because in ancient Babylon, logos meant something.  To the masters of magik, they still have meaning today.  So look again at that logo and I'll tell you what I think it means, where it came from, and ultimately who chose it for the church.

The logo first surfaced in 1995 to replace the three-angels logo previously used.  There are a lot of theories on the esoteric meaning of the symbols parts but I would like to point out just a couple of obvious ones.
1)  The flame represents the "illuminated one" (sometimes called Lucifer).
2)  The cross has (since Babylon) represented the Sun God and was brought into the "universal" church by the Pagan's who were already worshiping it!
3)  The book represents knowledge (or Scripture).
4)  The symbols outline clearly defines a triangle (or pyramid) which is the counterfeit view of God

So what I see in this symbol (and perhaps I have studied too much Freemasonry to see otherwise) is that Lucifer, the Sun God, stands over and above all knowledge as a counterfeit God for the church...

Others have put forward that the logo dates back to Vatican II (1965), given to the Adventists as their piece of the universal church, from the Pope himself.  If this is the case, then it is actually a symbol of the church joining the ecumenical movement - essentially joining herself with "Mystery, Babylon."

Contention #2:  Non-Profit Corporation 501(c)3

Most if not all of the major churches today operate under the IRS 501(c)3 tax code - that is to say they are non-profit organizations.  Whether or not the churches were tricked into this status is a point of debate.  The fact remains, the SDA church organization is in fact a 501(c)3 corporation operating UNDER the authority of the Internal Revenue Code.  As such, the church itself must abide by the Code it is under.  The General Conference could have opted to remain a 508 Foundation.

What this means is that the church body (pastors and leaders) cannot condone or condemn politics or candidates.  How much of a stretch is it to pull true ethical biblical principles into this realm?  Is it coincidence that homosexuality is now considered a political issue?  Did you realize that the church cannot speak from the pulpit against a homosexual candidate who advocates abortion and gun control?  These are political issues and they are banned from speaking about them from the pulpit.  The bible speaks very clearly to these issues, but the church can no longer teach the bible with a clear conscience.

This also means that about 40% of your tax deductible charitable contribution goes to government funded programs including "the arts" (pornography) and abortion.  501(c)3's must show no net profit so all your tithes and offerings must be used for expenses, including salaries.  Originally, ministerial salaries were not taxed but such is not the case now.  Ministers are taxed just like everyone else - so your tithes that go to pay your pastors salary are taxed with probably 30% or more going back to the IRS.  You get to deduct it from your income, but the pastor must then declare it on his.  The IRS gets their money either way.  Render unto Caesar what is Caesars and unto Caesar what is Gods?

Contention #3:  Fundamental Flaws
Now the above contentions are relatively shallow and annoying but truly not any reason to seek removal from the tax-rolls (or books) of the SDA church.  Now I want to touch on the real problems that I see within the church structure - the 28 Fundamentals.  Here they are straight from the church website, subject to change of course.  Every baptized SDA member must ascribe to these beliefs to be considered a member and here is where my beliefs conflict with the church dogma (I mean doctrine).

1. Holy Scriptures:
 I agree with the scriptures alone - so I have no problem with Fundamental Number 1 at this time.

2. Trinity: 
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons. 
STOP RIGHT THERE.  This is Catholic doctrine brought into the church by the mystery religions.  It is true that you will find the Ruach (Spirit) throughout scripture, but Revelation shows seven spirits going throughout the earth.  Why would an infinite God limit himself to three manifestations when he can have infinite manifestations?   Yashua (Jesus) said "I and the Father are One".  What I find in the Scriptures is that God is One God - yet omnipotent and omnipresent.  He came as Yashua.  He comes as the Spirit to all his children and in fact it is His spirit that gives life to all, evil and righteous.

My contention with Number 2 follows through to Numbers 3, 4, and 5.  I was taught this Trinity doctrine, but God is so much greater than three persons that I find it ludicrous to put Him into these three persona's that look so much like the pagan forms of diety.

3. Father:

4. Son:

5. Holy Spirit:

6. Creation:
I concur with Creation.

7. Nature of Man:
I concur with the nature of man at this time.

8. Great Controversy:
I agree with most of this doctrine but have an understanding that through the act of distrusting God, mankind gave up control of this world.  Satan had legal authority until the Messiah took it from him.

9. Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ:
No argument here.

10. Experience of Salvation: Not arguing this point either.

11. Growing in Christ:
... and participating in the mission of the Church. 
I would remove this part of the statement as a requirement for spiritual growth.  The body of the Messiah will increase if the members do their parts as Priest and Kings according the order of Melchizedek. 

12. Church:
The church is the community of believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Where's the rest of this statement, the part that said "and who keep my commandments"?  It seems to have been conveniently forgotten - perhaps because although the church gives lip service to the commands of God by keeping the Sabbath, they don't condone keeping the covenant given to Moses on Mount Sinai.  

... for the celebration of the Lord's Supper...Does the church even remember what the so-called "Lord's supper" really was?  It was the Passover Seder given a day early - now ritualized to be very-nearly the Catholic Mass.  The remaining idea that the Messiah will return for this "Church" denomination is also unbiblical.  The SDA church of today is far from the home-churches of the early Apostles and the rituals practiced today would have been considered utmost blasphemy. 

13. Remnant and Its Mission:
... a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. I agree with this entire statement but want to point out this line in particular.  The SDA church of today is NOT keeping the commandments or covenant of God and I'm certain the leadership knows this.  Anyone who reads the bible knows this!  See number 20 below for more information on this.

14. Unity in the Body of Christ:
I don't even know why this point is made as a Fundamental Belief.  It seems rather redundant.

 15. Baptism:
... and are received as members by His church. Now didn't Fundamental 12 just say this a little differently?  Why are we baptizing people into a membership instead of into the body of Christ as stated above?  I don't want to be subject to the church authority nor the authority of the IRS.  I want the Messiah alone to be my King.

16. Lord's Supper:
Now it used to be that the "communion" was open only to baptized SDA members and/or Christians.  Now it seems to be open to all "believers".  Yet the entire point of the Last Supper (here called the Lord's Supper after the Jesuit tradition) is missed completely!  Yashua was fulfilling the Passover and the church herein refuses to recognize the Feast entirely, instead substituting this quarterly "Lord's Supper" and the ancient Easter traditions in its place.

 17. Spiritual Gifts and Ministries:
Whoops!  Forgot the Gift of Tongues in this one!

 18. The Gift of Prophecy:
Here is where I most differ from Adventist dogma.  This alone should cause me to be cast from the church, where it not for that fact that probably 50% of Adventists no longer agree with this Fundamental either.

Mrs. White proved herself to be a false prophet.  Walter Rae (say what you will) did an good job of exposing the plagiarism of her writings.  At one point, this alone was enough to convince us of the SDA error but we were drawn back in by the original and "ahead of its time" Health Message....until now.  Some of the supposed original and "forward" ideas that Mrs. White put in writing that amuse me:
1)  Masturbation causes various diseases (from Testimonies and Child Guidance), including backache, brain impairment, brain paralysis, cancer, death, disease of ever kind, kidney disease, liver trouble, lung trouble, mind seriously injured, neuralgia, numerous pains, puny and dwarfed children, sieve-like memory, small eyes, and spin trouble.
 If this is true, we are all in serious trouble (except my wife, of course)!
2)  There is no antidote for strychnine poisoning (Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4, p. 138 - 1864)
sodium amytal and its derivatives are used to counter strychnine poisoning...
3)  Wigs overheat the brain (The Health Reformer, Oct., 1871 "Words to Christian Mothers")
Must I point out how silly this is?
4)  Drinking coffee, tea and/or alcohol is a sin (Evangelism, p. 266 - 1899); Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 425 - 1896).

I've read the Bible many times now and I consistently find that alcohol was consumed.  How could the guests at the wedding feast in Cana get drunk on the "good" wine if it were just grape juice?  Arguments that this was fresh juice are goofy - I've drank a LOT of grape juice and have NEVER been able to get drunk on it...  Also true - the Bible never condemns coffee or tea consumption and surely there was tea coming from Asia during the time of the Messiah.  How did Noah get drunk and pass out in his tent on grape juice?  What was Lot's excuse in the cave if he was drinking grape juice?
5)  Do not drink water with meal (Cousels on Diet and Foods, p. 420 - 1884)
How this one still plagues my house!  My kids still drink their water 20 minutes before meals, yet I have never noticed any difference in my digestion nor found any scientific or Biblical support for this theory.
6)  Meat-eaters won't be translated to heaven (Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 187 - 1859; Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 380, 381)
The Bible clearly states that clean meat could be eaten, and although it is recognized that vegetarianism is a healthier lifestyle than meat consumption, the idea is not new.  Consider Yashua's first meal after his resurrection, when he appeared in the closed room with the disciples....FISH.  Then again he appeared on the sea shore and prepared breakfast for his friends...of FISH.  Part of his Passover meal (the Last Supper) had to have been Lamb or Goat meat, by tradition.  There are many many other examples of meat eaters whom God clearly intends to be translated (Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, etc...)
7)  It is a sin to be sick (Counsels on Health, p. 37 - 1866)
Consider Gods servant Job who was made to be very ill:  Job 2: 7-10 "In all this, Job did not sin."
Consider the man born blind that Yashua healed.  Who sinned?:  John 9:1-3  "Neither this man nor his parents sinned."
8)  Can your prayers rise to heaven if you place butter,eggs, and meat on your table? (Counsels on Diet and Foods, P. 366 - 1870)
Just read Matthew 15:11
9)  Small bonnets are contrary to both health reform and modesty, and are a mark of Satan's control (Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 188-189 - 1859)
Watch out ladies!  You're not even wearing bonnets today, so what does this mean?
Funny that Mrs. White was often photographed without her large bonnet on...in fact I don't think I've ever seen her in such a photograph!

If you really want to read a book that was ahead of its time - and ahead of Mrs. White herself, get yourself a copy of "Water-Cure for Ladies:  a Popular Work on the Health, Diet, and Regimen of Females and Children, and the Prevention and Cure of Diseases; With a Full Account of the Processes of Water-Cure; Illustrated With Various Cases." by Mrs. M.L. Shew - 1844 (3rd edition).  This means that her previous works were prior to 1844 - long before Mrs. White plagiarized this work.

There are numerous written prophecies of Mrs. White that never came true.  Apologetics will say that these were "conditional prophecies" but I challenge anyone to show me the "conditions" that she placed upon some of these prophecies.  The most damning one in my opinion is found in Testimonies, vol. 1, p 131-132 - 1856.  In this prophecy, she stated that some of those present a the Conference at Battle Creek, May 27, 1856, would still be alive at Christ's second coming.  Someone took the time to list all attendees and their ages - just to make sure this was not a false prophecy!  To date, I'm 100% sure that this unconditional prophecy has failed everyone in attendance at that conference on that day....

Not only did she prophecy falsely, she often contradicted the Word of God by following some of the common misconceptions and teachings present in her day (and library).  I could and would love to go on and on, but I will desist.

 19. Law of God:
Here we profess to follow the Law of God and the Covenant of God but we fall short of keeping the covenant.

 20. Sabbath:
So here we keep the 4th commandment zealously, but what about the first commandment?  "Thou shalt have no other Gods before me" where "before" means something like "in my face" not "don't talk to them before you talk to me."  Why is it okay now to place a wreath in the "sanctuary" and a Christmas tree on the platform?  Everyone knows (or could find out) the origin of these pagan-god symbols.  A time-traveling Celtic Druid would feel right at home at an SDA Christmas service.  We're celebrating festivals that are biblically condemned (Christmas, Easter, Halloween/Harvest) using ancient idols that are biblically condemned (trees, wreaths, eggs, rabbits, etc).  We blatantly violate the 1st and 2nd commandments while upholding the 4th.

21. Stewardship:
... by returning tithes and giving offerings for the proclamation of His gospel and the support and growth of His church. This is convenient for the Corporation, isn't it?  Here we have a Fundamental that is not in the 10 commandments nor in the Covenant - but comes from the Levitical Laws that were "nailed to the cross" as some say.  I just love how organizations pick and choose which "principles" will be required of their members - they always seem to favor and prosper the corporation.

22. Christian Behavior:
... Since alcoholic beverages ... are harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain from them as well. Just what part of the Bible did this come from?  We are to abstain from drunkenness, especially when serving in the Temple, but I can give you plenty of references to fermented wine - some where it was encouraged (the Feast of Tabernacles for instance).  This idea that alcohol is harmful is an old myth just now being laid to rest.  If it is so very harmful, why have clinical studies shown that moderate drinkers live longer than abstainers?

23. Marriage and the Family:
No complaints about this one except for maybe striking the "nurture of the church" bit.

 24. Christ's Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary:
This "investigative judgment" doctrine contradicts much of what Paul really says in Hebrews and other letters. This is the one doctrine of the church that is most bizarre.  What if I died a second after I sinned and was not yet able to repent of that sin?  This belief assumes that I must be lost since Christ did not have a heavenly chance of intercession on my living-behalf for my momentary transgression.  I wholeheartedly reject this Fundamental.

 25. Second Coming of Christ:
... taken to heaven, but the unrighteous will die. I don't agree with this dogma either - finding that Scripture paints a different picture.  Ignored in this Fundamental flaw is "the leaves of the Tree were for the healing of the nations" (Rev. 22:2).  Also, Daniel 2 shows that the Messiah's kingdom will grow to fill the earth - not take the dust away to heaven.  We may very well be taken elsewhere for a time - but it is clear that this earth was created for us and it is our home.

26. Death and Resurrection:
I have no problem with this one at this time.

 27. Millennium and the End of Sin:If the millennium is to be in Heaven, then why the texts indicate that there will be people left to celebrate Tabernacles (Zech. 14:16).  Other verses that suggest an earth-bound millennium; "The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations" (Rev. 22:2) and "And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD" (Isa. 66:23).

28. New Earth:
We look forward to the New Earth - in a little over 1000 years we hope.