Proclamation! | Spring | 2018 | Ask the Pastor
By Dale Ratzlaff
Even though Ellen White was wrong in some places, don’t you think her insights into the gospel are still relevant today?
Most of you know that last year the weekly Proclamation! included a short study of the first eight chapters of Romans. Now in the weekly Proclamation! I am going through the Gospel of John verse by verse. These two studies have probably been more meaningful to me than to our readers. There is real joy in studying the Bible contextually and looking for applications to life. Both of these books present the gospel, but they are very dissimilar. Romans provides a thorough, logical basis of justification by faith and how that faith is worked out in the life of a Christian. John’s gospel is very different. He seeks to give evidence, overwhelming evidence, that Jesus is the Son of God and belief in His name (His whole divine person and work) brings eternal life. Both of these books make the gospel clear and certain, each in their distinctive ways.
Paul in Romans states:
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 6:23).
John puts it like this:
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life (Jn. 5:24).
One cannot contextually study these books without his/her faith in Christ and assurance of salvation being strengthened. They bring peace and joy to the heart and soul!
Why do I mention this? I often observe theological discussions on the internet, especially if they concern the gospel. Recently there have been some forty people (judging by the number of email addresses listed) that have been listing their opinions as to the nature and full understanding of “righteousness by faith”. The nature and acceptance of the gospel is central to the Christian faith. Many of the entries deal with understanding or the misunderstanding of the message of Jones and Waggoner at the 1888 Minneapolis conference. Did their view of “righteousness by faith” refer to “imputed” or “imparted” righteousness? Many of the responders refer to quotations from Ellen G. White to settle the argument.
Occasionally I jump into the discussion. I asked them, “Why do you focus on what was taught by Jones and Waggoner at the ’88 Conference? Why not go straight to the books of Romans and John where Christ’s chosen apostles make the gospel clear?
One person responded, saying that one cannot dismiss the deep insight of Ellen White. Even though it was admitted that she was wrong in some places, nevertheless her insight, they said, is still needed today.
Let us never forget what Hebrews 1:1-3 states:
God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:1-3).
There is real peace and joy in contextually studying the Word of God as written by the apostles. They make the gospel crystal clear. Christ is God’s final word; there is no need for the new revelations of modern-day prophets. To know that Christ has already taken care of the sin problem and He is now seated at the right had of the Majesty on high lets us bask in the assurance, peace, and joy of a finished atonement. †
Dale Ratzlaff has authored six books: Sabbath in Christ—a volume that explains new covenant Sabbath rest, Cultic Doctrine of Seventh-day Adventism—explores the false Adventist doctrine of a pre-advent judgment that decides eternal destinies, Truth About Adventist “Truth”—a little book that’s perfect to give to Christians that need to understand Adventism, Truth Led Me Out—in which Dale Ratzlaff tells his own story of following Jesus, no matter the cost, Gospel Transformation —which teaches what the Gospel is and accomplishes, and Romans Alive—Dale’s study on the first eight chapters of Romans. Each of these books is available at www.Ratzlaf.com or by phoning (928) 554-1001.
- This Man Receives Sinners - May 2, 2024
- Is Sunday Sacred? - April 25, 2024
- Jesus is the Firstborn - April 4, 2024