We got mail…

Podcasts helping untangle my brain

I am so very excited that you are talking about the subject of the Fundamental Beliefs. Already, in your first podcast, I am hearing some outrageous information that I had never heard of before that is a part of the Adventist history.  

In my search for a non-Adventist church a few years ago, I found it very difficult here in the Mecca of Adventism (Berrien Springs) to find a church that taught strictly from the bible and did not derive from a specific religious background; I did not want anything to do with any religion. Thankfully, the Berrien Center Bible church (BCBC) had on their website that they were studying the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of Adventism. Naturally, that piqued my interest. And in reading what this church’s beliefs are, I realized they are sola scriptura. 

I had already had my doubts about EGW since my parents forced us into the church in my early teens, but I never said anything; I just accepted it. After all, why would parents steer us in the wrong direction, right? 

When I was in my late 30’s, my husband left me after 15 years of marriage, claiming that God was pointing him in a different direction while he was attending the seminary at Andrews University —with a different woman, of course. So it was during this time that I clung to my Adventist beliefs, wanting to know more about our prophetess, in the hopes that I would be drawn closer to God’s word and His embrace during this period of new adjustment as a single woman.

However, it was during this search that I realized more and more that these negative feelings from my early teens about EGW were being confirmed as I was studying the Bible, and ONLY the Bible without EGW’s influence, that Adventism does NOT teach the Truth. And so when BCBC was studying the 28 fundamental beliefs, that’s when I took the opportunity to dive in, head first, into what I truly believed, vs. what was instilled in my brain for so many years. 

I am in my late 40’s now, and have chosen to stick around here in the Mecca of Adventism since my divorce. During this time of Covid, your podcasts have helped a great deal in disentangling that web of deceits that still are in my brain from my Adventist upbringing. Like you ladies, I do not hate or dislike anything or anyone Adventist. But I sometimes get upset at the fact that they teach unbiblical truth. Yet, I am thankful every day for my spiritual walk with Christ because it brings me to tears of happiness to know I am learning the Real Truth. And to know, especially, that my relationship with Him is growing more intimately.

I do not mind if you share any part of my story or future correspondences. I know there are others who have similar stories, so if my story helps, then PLEASE share! I have a feeling these next podcasts about the fundamental beliefs are going to open up A LOT of memories that I never knew were Adventist beliefs. 

—VIA EMAIL

 

Tears and worship

I have to tell you—today I was listening to podcast #79 in which you and Nikki are talking about the tears and weeping that happen when formers attend your in-person services. I have to tell you that it happens over Zoom, too.

—VIA EMAIL

 

Correct interpretation of Daniel

I am so amazed to continue to discover the truth by your podcasts. I did not know Jesus was so incredible. As I discover these surprising truths, I experience anger towards the deceptions while I experience the deepest sadness for my parents as the leaders. Sometimes I feel exhausted going through PTSD post cult recovery. 

I am having Bible study with a friend who quit the Adventist church. She wants to know about  God without SDA/EGW contaminations.  

Would you guide me to the correct interpretations of the “times and laws” Daniel 7? 

—VIA EMAIL

Response: I know what you mean. Jesus is SO incredible! I also love how the Lord is using you to help others know His word and His gospel without EGW hermeneutics.

As far as Daniel 7 goes, there is no specific interpretation that we can make. What we can know is that this beast (who will be the antichrist) will presume to establish himself in a god-like role and perhaps even pretend to be Christ. He will apparently try to change established moral and natural laws, and those deceived by him will apparently buy into his deceptions. There is absolutely nothing to suggest he is changing the Sabbath to Sunday here. Furthermore, the antichrist has not yet arisen; we cannot stay for sure that this is describing the pope; we have no idea who the antichrist will actually be. 

We have to hold this prophecy loosely and know that the Lord will let us know what He meant as it happens. I believe biblical prophecy is not so much about telling us a timeline or a specific set of events to look for as that it tells us the general shape of things to come and the general shape of how the world’s beliefs and behaviors become increasingly worse. When things happen, we will know what they mean because we recognize that God foretold it. His giving of prophecy is a gracious way of helping us not be frightened or surprised; when things happen we know it is His will. The details become clear in “real time”. 

Meanwhile, the Daniel talks Gary Inrig gave at the 2016 FAF conference were absolutely amazing. I recommend them and think you may find them helpful as you walk though this book with your friend. Gary’s talks are numbers 2, 3 6, and 10.