|
Let's Talk Reform
|
It is no secret that the Adventist movement has been caught up, for decades, in a grave theological crisis. This long-running situation has confused the Church’s purpose, stolen their identity, and turned Adventism into a generic denomination of very unhappy people. No wonder SDAs are so angry and hopelessly divided over fundamental issues. No wonder SDAs are no longer defined as either Protestant or prophetic. No wonder the Church is in need of reform.
But what is Reform? The term "reform," when used as a verb has a well-known meaning, i.e., to "change and improve something by correcting faults, removing inconsistencies and putting a halt to abuses and mismanagement." For our purposes, the term represents a major attempt to correct the many theological errors and historical myths that have crept into the Adventist Apocalyptic during the last century. Adventist Reform will focus on rehabilitating the fundamental theology of the Three Angels’ Messages, while attempting to expose the many myths, diversions, and false doctrines that exist today.
"Reform," as a noun, is defined as the "reorganization and improvement of a political or religious institution that is perceived to be faulty, ineffective, or unjust." The Protestant Reformation quickly comes to mind because this great movement changed both the civil and religious landscape while simultaneously freeing the Church from the hierarchical tyranny of Rome. The Reformers boldly declared that ONLY the Scriptures were authoritative. Therefore, they chose to follow the Word and repudiated any hierarchical system of Church management. Thus the Reformers empowered the local congregation.
So here is a good Protestant model for Adventist Reform--one that requires a democratic, congregational-style organization. Without this critical reform, the Gospel will remain hidden and the Adventist movement will cease to exist.
Another use of the word Reform is "re-form." Re-form means, "to cause something to return to a previous form." In this case, Adventist Reform is promoting a return to Historic Adventism, and a return to the original version of the Three Angels’ Messages that were incorrectly revised at Glacier View and then removed entirely by the General Conference in the Spring of 2001. Without this critical reform, the Adventist movement can no longer be defined as prophetic.
Today, the SDA community is bewildered, disappointed, angry, and embarrassed. This is a repeat of Battle Creek at the turn of the Twentieth century. The Adventist Movement is self-destructing once again. It is a slow, humiliating, and unnecessary death.
Why is Adventism in this crisis? One major reason may be because the leaders have deliberately misused Ellen White and purposefully embraced a Roman Catholic Gospel. This combination of errors has led directly to the abandonment of the Three Angels’ Messages and to the repudiation of the fundamental Adventist doctrines.
No wonder the entire Adventist community is so confused and angry about how badly things have turned out. Who can be pleased that the Health Message has been destroyed, or that the last GC President was removed for fraud? What Adventist can be proud of their outdated eschatology that ignores events in the Middle East while stubbornly clinging to Nineteenth century uncertainties and myths?
No Adventist today should be proud of this lukewarm Church--a Church that has forgotten its Protestant past and, could care less about the future. In short, Adventism is locked into a long-running crisis that will be fatal if not fully and honestly resolved.
Therefore, Adventist Reform is urging the Adventist community to return to the Protestant path of the Reformers and the pioneers. It is a call to run from a perfectionist doctrine and to embrace the genuine Gospel, as well as the Protestant hermeneutic upon which it is based. It is also a call to adopt a correct organizational model that will free this Movement from 100+ years of corruption, fraud, and gross mismanagement.
Adventist Reform urges the Adventist community to embrace their Protestant pedigree and to accept their mission to complete the Reformation. It is an eschatological call to prepare the Church for the great time of trouble and to proclaim the Second Coming as the only Judgment that the New Testament Church was assigned to preach.
Adventist Reform will promote a comprehensive, clear, and credible platform that is designed to bring the Adventist Church back from the brink of theological chaos and self-destruction caused by years of gross mismanagement and censorship by the General Conference. Certainly, it is time for people to openly and honestly deal with the many problems that are destroying our unique Church.
All SDAs who want to see the Adventist Movement return to the Protestant path and embrace their eschatological mission should welcome this opportunity to understand the issues and take action. I expect it will be interesting.
Tom Norris
|
|
|
