We got mail…

Coming to terms with my Adventism

I recently watched your discussion with Nikki at the 2020 Conference, and I found it to be very interesting and helpful. There was a lot that I could relate to. As I mentioned on the phone when we talked the other day, I have recently realized how much I need to come to terms with and heal from my Adventist past, and that there is much to be gained from listening to those who have had the experience of leaving, with all the pain and difficulty leaving entails. There are simply some of these experiences that others who have not been through it will not understand as well. 

I used to think, even after I left (which was less than a year ago) that formers were all angry and bitter, in an unhealthy way. But I’m seeing now that your fellowship seems rather to be designed to facilitate healing. If so, this is really important, as I am now coming to understand. 

—VIA EMAIL

 

I need to find freedom in Christ

I just discovered your podcast today… For a few years now I’ve struggled with what my next steps should be. I haven’t been to church since January of 2019. …I got no spiritual food from sermons anymore. I felt like they weren’t speaking into my life. I still read my Bible. I still believe in God, but I’m also trying to learn how to “chill” about a lot of things. 

I listened to your episode about BITE and when Colleen shared how she never felt good enough growing up—never  felt worthy of love, it struck a chord with me. That is how I’ve always felt. I was vegan for a time, vegetarian, and ate bacon at different times. I was a strict Sabbath keeper, and a lax one at different times. I’d like to learn more about how to be “free in Christ” and what is required of me as a Christian. I have been hurt by the church and I am skeptical of organized religion right now because of past and (sadly) current  experiences with the Adventist church, education system, and affiliated “ministries”. 

I haven’t gotten to your episodes published after Covid yet, so I heard you mention that you have a Bible study group. Do you have a virtual one right now? Would it be possible to join? I’ve been feeling a need for Christian fellowship recently, but I don’t really know where to start. Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

—VIA EMAIL

Response: Thank you for writing! I so resonate with your experience!

Yes, we do have a fellowship in Loma Linda; at this point it meets via Zoom. We would love to have you join us! Email RichardTinker@gmail.com and ask for a link; he sends it out Friday afternoons. Our study begins at 7:00 PM PST. 

Meanwhile, while we are not currently publishing a printed version of Proclamation! magazine, all our back issues are online here: http://www.lifeassuranceministries.org. 

We have also added your name to our weekly Proclamation! email magazine which comes out every Friday morning with new materials. You may need to add the email address LifeAssuranceMinistries@gmail.com to your contacts in order for the email not to be directed toward your Spam folder.

You might also enjoy our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/FormerAdventist/featured

You have already discovered the podcast; many say these help them unpack the Adventism hidden in the recesses of their minds: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/former-adventist/id1482887969

All of us who have been Adventists have to come to terms with the Lord Jesus and the new covenant He inaugurated in His blood. Adventism taught us an unbiblical view of our nature as humans, an unbiblical understanding of the Lord Jesus, and these skews changed the nature of sin and salvation. As Adventists we knew all the right words but none of the accurate definitions. When we realize that we are born dead in sin (Eph. 2:1-3) and must be made alive through faith in the Lord Jesus’ finished work of death, burial, and resurrection, we repent before Him and acknowledge that we need Him to save us. When we trust Him, He makes us alive and seals us with His Holy Spirit of promise (Eh. 1:13-14). 

Again thank you for writing! You have come to the right place. The Lord is faithful!

 

I want the truth

I am so sorry for Richard’s diagnosis of prostate cancer in January. Indeed, the COVID made it even harder for both to be together in moment.

I can relate so many things that you both are doing. I too I am trying to reach my previous Adventist friends at the university where I am completing my civil engineering degree. As you said, this rarefied ministry can be peppered with cruel attacks, sarcastic put-downs, condescending defenses, and misunderstanding.

Indeed, I am having a loss of friends who don’t want to see the truth. There are many wolves masquerading as sheep.

Like D.M. Canright, I was ignorant about the Bible, other churches, books on Adventism, and so forth when I joined Adventism in the university at 17 years of age. The group led me to whole Bible readings, and I liked that. But I was so ignorant of the organization’s true nature, and I didn’t hear of the true Jesus of the Bible. 

For many years now, I have been studying and reading resources and books, doing research, and asking God for His leading—for like Richard, I want the truth about Ellen White and Adventism and the reality of the gospel of Jesus’ finished work. I am a senior software developer and a head pastor (with no salary from the congregation). I just want the truth and sound Bible doctrines. I preach every Sunday.

I am so grateful for your Ministry—Proclamation! magazine. I cannot wait for early Saturday mornings to check my emails to start my reading and studying of all that is written.

God bless you, Richard and Colleen, with perfect health. Lord, please bless the family. Amen.

—VIA EMAIL