Heretics and How to Deal with Them
Koot van Wyk (DLitt et Phil; ThD) Visiting Professor, Department of Liberal Education, Kyungpook National University, Sangju Campus, South Korea, Conjoint lecturer of Avondale College, Australia
Source: A. V. Olson, “Appendix A: Ellen White’s Sermons and Minneapolis”; “Appendix B: What became of A. T. Jones and E. J. Waggoner?”; “Appendix C: The President of the General Conference,” in Through Crisis to Victory 1888-1901: From the Minneapolis Meeting to the Reorganization of the General Conference (Washington DC: Review and Herald, 1966), 242-320.
These are sermons of Ellen White to the Ministers at the Minneapolis Conference in 1888. She dealt with the views of G. Butler and his associates against A. T. Jones and E. J.Waggoner. She spells out how one should deal with a heretic.
Bible Reader and Bible Believer
"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter
in among you, not sparing the flock" (verses 28, 29).
Our actions can prevent God from weaving truth into our lives and character
We are placed in trust with the most solemn truths ever committed
to mortals, but the course of some is of such a character that
God cannot answer their prayers. Their prayers are offensive to His holiness,
and should He hear and answer their prayers they would be confirmed
in a wrong course, and others would be led away from the
straight paths. Why cannot we take the truth God has revealed and
weave it into our very life and character
Vain and Foolish talking with Associates should be avoided thinking and talking about Jesus (Olsen 242)
If Christ is formed within, the hope of glory, you will put away all
vanity and foolish speaking. You will be sanctified through the truth.
You will so labor for God that you can have an approving conscience in
your ministerial work, and you can say with the devoted Saint Paul
that you are clean from the blood of all men. But you cannot say this
unless you are constantly gaining wisdom and knowledge from God as
the branch draws nourishment from the living vine, unless His Holy
Spirit is resting upon you and you are taking Jesus into your heart,
thinking and talking of Jesus, and doing His work wherever you are.
This is the only way that we can work successfully in these last times.
Clear Apprehension of Gospel: not sadness; no cherishing of doubts; study God’s Word constantly; (Olsen 245)
You should have a clear apprehension of the gospel. The religious
life is not one of gloom and of sadness, but of peace and joy coupled
with Christlike dignity and holy solemnity. We are not encouraged by
our Saviour to cherish doubts and fears and distressing forebodings;
these bring no relief to the soul and should be rebuked rather than
praised. We may have joy unspeakable and full of glory. Let us put
away our indolence and study God's Word more constantly. If we ever
needed the Holy Ghost to be with us, if we ever needed to preach in the
demonstration of the Spirit, it is at this very time. If we will not work
without it now, we shall have it in every emergency in the future, and be
prepared for what is coming upon the earth.
Focus on Present Truth so that Sinners may be saved
We need to dwell more
upon present truth and the preparation essential in order that sinners
may be saved
Do not cramp the intellect
Let there be
no more cramping of the intellect. There are greater wonders to be
opened to our senses, consistent with the progress of the work.
Revelation challenges investigation since mines of truth should be opened still
The
mystery of revelation challenges investigation, for there are mines of truth
to be opened to God's people. We must put off self-righteousness, we
must reach loftier heights.
Handling the Word of God deceitfully is not truth resting upon a person (Olsen 245)
If the truth rested with greater weight upon ministers of God, they
would not handle the Word of God deceitfully.
People caring for salvation of others in the pulpit but denial in spirituality of daily life, be afraid of them
They seem to have a
burden for souls while speaking to the people, but when out of the
desk they are destitute of spirituality. Be afraid of such. They preach
but do not practice. They show by their manner that the truth has not
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Truth in the pulpit and lie in the daily life do not go together
God
will not work with the man who preaches the claims of God in the desk
and gives a lie to the truth out of the desk.
Christ came to save us not in our sins but from our sins
After the transgression of Adam in Eden it was Christ whom God gave
to us, not that we might be saved in our sins, but that we might be saved
from our sins, that we should return to our loyalty to God and become
obedient children.
How did Ellen White know that the World is a little atom
The
Father sent His Son here, and right here on this little atom of a world
were enacted the grandest scenes that were ever known to humanity.
All the universe of heaven was looking on with intense interest.
Do not focus on ourselves but behold what manner of love
We must not give up at the defilement that is in the human race
and ever keep that before the mind's eye. We must not look at that.
What then are we to do? What is our work?—To behold "what manner
of love the Father hath bestowed upon us."
Do not let culture be the picture before you mind
Do not let the blighting influences
that are flooding the world be the picture that is before the
mind, but hold up the purity and love of God.
Guard your memory hall of pictures in the mind (Olsen 247)
Do not hang in memory's
hall pictures of all the corruption and iniquity that you can bundle to-
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gether. No, do not do it. It discourages the mind
Environmental filth does not mean that a white lily cannot appear
No matter how much scum and debris
and filth there is around it, yet that does not destroy our desire for the
lily. We wonder how the lily can be so beautiful and white where there
is so much filth. Well, there is a stem that strikes down to the golden
sands beneath and gathers nothing but the purest substance that feeds
the lily until it develops into the pure and spotless flower as we see it.
Should not this teach us a lesson? It ought to. It shows that although
there is iniquity all around us we should not approach it. Do not talk
of the iniquity and wickedness that are in the world, but elevate your
minds and talk of your Saviour. When you see iniquity all around you
it makes you all the more glad that He is your Saviour, and we are His
children. Then, shall we look at the iniquity around us and dwell
upon the dark side? You cannot cure it; then talk of something that is
higher, better, and more noble. Talk of those things that will leave a
good impression on the mind, and will lift every soul up out of this
iniquity into the light beyond.
Living in a dark cellar and talking about it does not make it light
Now, we may go into a cellar and stay there and look around into
its dark corners, and we can talk of the darkness and say
You are what you eat and you are what you dwell upon with the mind (Olsen 248)
You know our bodies are made up of the food assimilated. Now, it
is the same with our minds. If we have a mind to dwell on the
disagreeable things of life, it will not give us any hope, but we want
to dwell on the cheery scenes of heaven
If you go into a rose garden do not focus on the thorns but at the roses
While we were in Switzerland I had many letters from a sister whom
I dearly love and highly esteem. In every one of these letters were the
most gloomy pictures. She seemed to be dwelling on everything objectionable.
Now, said I, God does not want you to gather up everything objectionable;
He wants you to look at His wonderful works and at His
purity.
Do not talk about Satan more than about Jesus
It taught her a lesson. She said, "Ellen, we talk a great deal more of
the power of the devil than we have any right to. It pleases him, and his
satanic majesty is honored; he exults over it, and we give him honor in
doing this; but," she said, "I am going to talk of Jesus, of His love, and
tell of His power." And so she brought her soul right out of darkness
and discouragement into light, and she bore a living testimony for
God and heaven.
No desire for supremacy over faithful
If we have a sense of the goodness of God in sending His Son to die
for sinful man, and if we keep that interwoven into our experience and
riveted in the mind, we shall have such love for those for whom Christ
died that there will be no [desire for] supremacy. It is Satan that brings
in these differences.
Don’t make a time of trouble
Now I want to read another scripture: "Be careful for nothing."
What does that mean? Why, don't cross a bridge before you get to it.
Don't make a time of trouble before it comes. You will get to it soon
enough, brethren.
Train the mind to think on good things
Shall we do it? Shall we turn over a page
in our religious experience and train and educate the mind so that it
will not take these things that are disagreeable and think on them?
Shall we think on these things that give us no power, or shall we let
our minds dwell on those things that will give us a better feeling toward
our brethren and elevate our souls to God?
Do not be content with a superficial knowledge of truth (Olsen 257)
There are many who are content with a superficial knowledge of the
truth. The precious truths for this time are brought out so clearly in our
publications that many are satisfied, and do not search the Scriptures for
themselves.
Many accept the truth minus deep conviction of sin and become leaders
They accept the truth, without
any deep conviction of sin, and present themselves as laborers in the
cause of God when they are unconverted men.
Easy church life with no obligation should be avoided
Instead of going without the
camp, bearing reproach for Christ's sake; instead of seeking the hard
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places, and trying to bring souls into the truth, these beginners settle
themselves in an easy position to visit those who are far advanced in ex,
perience. They labor with those who are more capable of teaching
them than they are of teaching others. They go from church to church,
picking out the easy places, eating and drinking, and suffering others to
wait upon them. When you look to see what they have done, there is
nothing but leaves.
Leaders should not appoint inefficient people
I want to exhort those who are in positions of responsibility to
waken to their duty and not imperil the cause of present truth by engaging
inefficient men to do the work of God. We want men who are
willing to do hard service for the Lord.
Beware of Christless sermons (Olsen 259)
There are too many Christless sermons preached.
Wherefore I
will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things,
though ye know them, and be established in the present truth" (2 Peter
1:1-12).
.
Baptism
Many seem to think that as soon as they go down into the water and
receive baptism, and their names are entered upon the church book, then
the work is all done. They might have tasted of the knowledge of the
world to come; they might have received the evidence that they are children
of God; but they cannot retain it unless they go on making progress.
Doing evil but stay in the church is a problem
Those who live doing the works of the enemy, yet bearing the name
of the Lord, are lying; they profess to believe the Bible, yet they are
working right away from it in their lives and character.
.
Elijah preached to those with little light and living up to it rather than those with much light but not
Now this widow was a heathen woman. God did not send Elijah to
those who were in Samaria. Why? Because they had great light, blessings,
and privileges, and did not live up to them. And because they had had
this great light and had not lived up to it, they were the most hardhearted
people in the world, the hardest to impress with the truth. They were not
susceptible to the influences of the Spirit of God.
Evil angels cause disbelief
But Christ
was accepted by some; the witness was there that He was God. But a
counterinfluence pressed in, and the evil angels were working through
the congregation to raise doubts that would cause disbelief so that it
would shut out every ray of light that God would permit to shine.
If you are not advancing you are retrograding
I wish you could see and feel that if you are not advancing you are
retrograding. Satan understood this; he knew how to take advantage of
the human mind, and he had taken advantage of the human family
ever since they had first stood upon the field of battle against the powers
of darkness.
Saved and transgressing the law is not saved (Olsen 268)
Many will say, I am saved, I am saved, I am saved. Well, have they
been cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit? and can they
cleanse themselves by the righteousness of the law? Jesus Christ came
to this world, and there is His righteousness to impart to the children
of men who are obeying the law of God. The whole world can say, I
am saved, as well as any transgressor today. They can say, I believe on
Christ that He is my Saviour, but why do they disregard His law which
is the transcript of His character? When they disregard the law of Jehovah
they disregard the Lord Jesus Christ.
.—Manuscript 8, 1888.
Remnant a chosen generation (Olsen 269)
"YE ARE a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath
called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. . . . Dearly beloved,
I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which
war against the soul; having your conversation honest among the Gentiles:
that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by
your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of
visitation" (1 Peter 2:9-12).
A Chosen People
Sermon by Ellen G. White at
Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 21, 1888
Law is not bondage just when you break it is it bondage
"But," one says, "I thought the commandments were a yoke of
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bondage." It is those only who break the law that find it a yoke of bondage.
To those who keep the law it is life and joy and peace and happiness.
The law is a mirror, into which we may look and discern the defects
in our characters. Should we not be grateful that God has provided
a means whereby we may discover our shortcomings?
There is no power in the law to save or to pardon the transgressor.
What, then, does it do? It brings the repentant sinner to Christ. Paul declares,
"I . . . have taught you publickly, and from house to house, testifying
to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God and
faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:20, 21). Why did he preach
repentance? Because the law of God had been transgressed. Those who
have broken the law must repent. Why did he preach faith in Christ?
Because Christ is the One who has redeemed sinners from the penalty
of the law. The law points to the remedy for sin—repentance toward
God and faith in Christ.
Satan wants to substitute the law of God with his own rules
Do you wonder that Satan wants to get rid of the law? He and all
his agencies are striving to trample underfoot the commandments of
Jehovah, and to erect a standard of their own.
A Chosen People
Sermon by Ellen G. White at
Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 21, 1888
Instructors should not be bound to teach only what has been taught until now: progressive thinking (Olson 272-273)
Instructors in our schools should never be bound
about by being told that they are to teach only what has been taught
hitherto. Away with these restrictions
Not talking about God’s Messengers
They will not talk of the
faults of others, but will repeat the words of divine wisdom which have
penetrated and illuminated their hearts. They will be men who fear to
talk and make sport of God's messengers, but men who pray much.
No doubt and contention by John (Olsen 274)
When he testified of the Saviour's grace, the simplicity
of his language was eloquent with the love that pervaded his
whole being. He had not a doubt nor a suspicion. He entered into no
controversy, no wearisome contention.
Evil speaking and evil thinking in conferences must be avoided (Olsen 275)
Those who truly love God must manifest loving-kindness of heart,
judgment, and righteousness to all with whom they come in contact;
for these are the works of God.
Abiding in love John does not take hands of sin (Olsen 276)
But although John dwells so particularly on love, he does not clasp
hands with sin. Hear his words regarding the apostate from the faith,
he who has had a knowledge of the truth but has departed from the faith,
giving heed to seducing spirits.
Christlike principles of reproof only (Olsen 276)
But while reproof is to be given, it must be given in accordance with
Christ's direction. The apostle Paul writes, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken
in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit
of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."
Do not speak of other’s errors to others (Olsen 276)
Do not speak of his errors to others.
Paul says we should speak sound doctrine (Olsen 277)
In his epistle
to Titus, Paul charges him to set in order things that are wanting in the
church. "Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine," he says.
The teacher of truth is to educate all, both old and young.
Jokes around the table talks bring pain (Olsen 277)
I have been pained to hear so much jesting and joking among old
and young as they are seated at the dining table. I have inquired, Are
these men aware that there is by their side a Watcher who is disgusted
with their spirit and the influence which they exert, and is making a
record of their words and actions?
Why we do not care about our feeble churches, remove controversial spirit in us
Why are we so listless? Why are we satisfied to remain so poorly fitted
to work for the uplifting of humanity? Why is not every entrusted capability
used for the Master? Why are so many contented with the feeble,
lifeless condition of our churches? The heavenly universe is looking
with amazement upon our Christless work.
Older Elders should stop and give to younger ones (Olsen 279)
Our older
ministering brethren must drop some of their responsibilities or else they
will go down in the silence of the grave. The aged standard-bearers may
act as worthy counselors and living witnesses, but their younger and
stronger brethren should bear the heavy burdens.
Combat spirit of the spiritless (Olsen 279)
Others,
not discerning spiritual things, will keep themselves in a combative frame
of mind, opposing every argument that does not meet their ideas. Shall
this miserable work cease?
Those who have not been sinking the shaft deeper and still deeper
into the mine of truth will see no beauty in the precious things presented
at this conference.
Once opposition is decided upon it is difficult to yield to light (Olsen 279)
When the will is once set in stubborn opposition
to the light given, it is difficult to yield, even under the convincing
evidence which has been in this conference. To controvert, to question,
to criticize, to ridicule, is the education many have received and the fruit
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they bear. They refuse to admit evidence. The natural heart is in warfare
against light, truth, and knowledge. Jesus Christ has been in every
sleeping room where you have been entertained. How many prayers
went up to heaven from these rooms?
Satan design apps to evade truth (Olsen 280)
Satan is fruitful in bringing up devices to evade the truth. But I call
upon you to believe the words I speak today. Truth of heavenly origin
is confronting Satan's falsehoods, and this truth will prevail.
Debater types (Olsen 281)
I saw an angel of God inquiring of these men who have educated
themselves as debaters, "How many prayers have you offered?" Oh, your
levity, your speeches, are all written in the book. If you only knew how
Christ has regarded your religious attitude at this meeting!
You must gain an experience for yourselves.
Do not preach long sermons (Olsen 281)
I beg of you not to think
that long sermons are an unmistakable evidence of your ministerial
ability. Oh, there is something more to the ministry than sermonizing.
Content is sometimes a discourse but Christless (Olsen 281)
Many, many discourses, like the offering of Cain, are profitless because
Christless. Those who give them tire the people and fail to give them
proper spiritual food.
Theatrical singing should be avoided (Olsen 282)
All the sang-froid,
which is so common, the theatrical gestures, all lightness and trifling, all
jesting and joking, must be seen by the one who wears Christ's yoke to
be "not convenient"—an offense to God and a denial of Christ. It
unfits the mind for solid thought and solid labor. It makes men inefficient,
superficial, and spiritually diseased.
To help people at their house is good for a pastor (Olsen 282)
A minister is one who ministers. If you confine your work to sermonizing,
the flock of God will suffer; for they need personal effort. Let your
discourses be short. Long sermons wear out both you and the people. If
ministers would make their sermons only half as long, they would do
more good and would have strength left for personal work. Visit families,
pray with them, converse with them, search the Scriptures with them, and
you will do them good. Give them evidence that you seek their prosperity,
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and want them to be healthy Christians. If you are staying in a family, do
not allow yourself to be waited on. Show that you wish to be helpful.
If possible, use the ax or the hoe. Bring in water and wood. Show that
you regard work as a blessing. Physical exercise will be a blessing to
you, and will increase your influence for good
Do not fix your attention on some favorite minister and his mannerisms (Olsen 283)
Do not fix your attention on some favorite minister,
copying his example and imitating his gestures; in short, becoming his
shadow. Let no man put his mold upon you. Let the hand of God mold
and fashion you after the divine similitude.
Achan’s sin is a wrong thing that the church does not want to remove (Olsen 284)
There was a time when Israel could not prevail against their enemies.
This was because of Achan's sin. God declared, "Neither will I be with
you any more, except ye destroy the accursed thing from among you."
Reproof and Correction is necessary but God’s way (Olsen 284)
He
expects His stewards to be true and faithful in giving reproof and correction.
They are to expel wrong after the rule God has given in His
Word, not according to their own ideas and impulses. No harsh means
must be used, no unfair, hasty, impulsive work done.
Do not fasten yourselves upon the ideas of one man (Olsen 291)
Now I am full of pain as I view these things, and how can I help
it? Do you think that when I see these things transpiring that I can keep
still and say nothing when these things have been shown me? I want to
tell you, my brethren, that it is not right to fasten ourselves upon the
ideas of any one man.
Ellen White changes or not? (Olsen 292)
God did
not raise me up to come across the plains to speak to you and you sit here
to question His message and question whether Sister White is the same
as she used to be in years gone by. I have in many things gone way back
and given you that which was given me in years past, because then you
acknowledged that Sister White was right. But somehow it has changed
now, and Sister White is different. Just like the Jewish nation.
Now, we did not intimate one word that we did not want that subject
taken up. We did want an investigation, but I cannot take my position
on either side until I have studied the question. There is the danger God
has shown me that there would be a deceitful handling of the Word of
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God. I have been shown that when debaters handle these truths, unless
they have the Spirit of God, they handle them with their own efforts.
They will, by making false theories and false statements, build up a structure
that will not stand the test of God. This is what the Lord has
shown me.
Truth rather than combativeness
Here is Elder Smith and Elder Van Horn, who have been handling
the truth for years, and yet we must not touch this subject because Elder
Butler was not here. Elder Kilgore, I was grieved more than I can express
to you when I heard you make that remark, because I have lost confidence
in you. Now, we want to get right at what God says; all this terrible
feeling I don't believe in. Let us go to the Lord for the truth instead of
our showing this spirit of combativeness. God has given me light, and
you have acknowledged it in times past.
Waggoner’s view of Galatians are not the same as EGW (Olsen 294)
Dr. Waggoner has spoken to us in a straightforward manner. There is
precious light in what he has said. Some things presented in reference to
the law in Galatians, if I fully understand his position, do not harmonize
with the understanding I have had of this subject; but truth will lose
nothing by investigation, therefore I plead for Christ's sake that you
come to the living Oracles, and with prayer and humiliation seek God.
If you disagree work with the person himself (Olsen 294)
Of one thing I am certain, as Christians you have no right to entertain
feelings of enmity, unkindness, and prejudice toward Dr. Waggoner,
who has presented his views in a plain, straightforward manner, as a
Christian should. If he is in error, you should, in a calm, rational,
Christlike manner, seek to show him from the Word of God where he is
out of harmony with its teachings. If you cannot do this you have no
right as Christians to pick flaws, to criticize, to work in the dark, to
prejudice minds with your objections. This is Satan's way of working.
Waggoner’s interpretations of some Scriptures are not correct EGW (Olsen 294)
Some interpretations of Scripture given by Dr. Waggoner I do not
regard as correct. But I believe him to be perfectly honest in his views,
and I would respect his feelings and treat him as a Christian gentleman.
I have no reason to think that he is not as much esteemed of God as are
any of my brethren, and I shall regard him as a Christian brother, so long
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as there is no evidence that he is unworthy.
No license for a combative spirit (Olsen 295)
The fact that he honestly
holds some views of Scripture differing from yours or mine is no reason
why we should treat him as an offender, or as a dangerous man, and
make him the subject of unjust criticism. We should not raise a voice of
censure against him or his teachings unless we can present weighty reasons
for so doing and show him that he is in error. No one should feel
at liberty to give loose rein to the combative spirit.
Decision making in committee cannot be made by moving feelings, impulses stirred so as to control the judgment (Olsen 295)
There are some who desire to have a decision made at once as to
what is the correct view on the point under discussion. As this would
please Elder B., it is advised that this question be settled at once. But
are minds prepared for such a decision? I could not sanction this course,
because our brethren are exercised by a spirit which moves their feelings,
and stirs their impulses, so as to control their judgment. While under
so much excitement as now exists, they are not prepared to make safe
decisions.
EGW shown before what Waggoner presented in 1888 (Olsen 295)
I know it would be dangerous to denounce Dr. Waggoner's position
as wholly erroneous. This would please the enemy. I see the beauty
of truth in the presentation of the righteousness of Christ in relation to
the law as the doctor has placed it before us. You say, many of you, it is
light and truth. Yet you have not presented it in this light heretofore.
Is it not possible that through earnest, prayerful searching of the Scriptures
he has seen still greater light on some points? That which has been
presented harmonizes perfectly with the light which God has been
pleased to give me during all the years of my experience.
Butler wanted to decide quickly but that is wrong (Olsen 295)
The messages coming from your
president at Battle Creek are calculated to stir you up to make hasty decisions
and to take decided positions; but I warn you against doing this.
You are not now calm; there are many who do not know what they believe.
It is perilous to make decisions upon any controverted point without
dispassionately considering all sides of the question. Excited feelings
will lead to rash movements
Strife in a meeting is from the evil EGW and James 3:13-18
Says the apostle James: "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge
among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with
meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your
hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth
not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying
and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that
is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated,
full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without
hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that
make peace" (James 3:13-18).
If you question, study EGW (Olsen 296)
The truth must be presented as it is in Jesus; if there are any among
us who become stirred up because ideas contrary from what they have
believed are presented in this meeting, then stop your unsanctified criticisms
and candidly investigate the subject, and it will sanctify the soul.
Apostates shown to EGW (Olsen 297)
Many who claim to believe the truth will change their opinions in
times of peril, and will take the side of the transgressors of God's law in
order to escape. persecution. There will be great humbling of hearts before
God on the part of every one who remains faithful and true to
the end. But Satan will so work upon the unconsecrated elements of the
human mind that many will not accept the light in God's appointed way.
Do not believe because someone tells you (Olsen 297)
They take the ideas
of the men they are associated with, not because by searching the
Scriptures they conscientiously accept the teachings in doctrine as truth.
I entreat you to make God your trust; idolize no man, depend upon no
man.
Old Truths in a new light (Olsen 297)
I have been shown that Jesus will reveal to us precious old truths in a
new light, if we are ready to receive them; but they must be received
in the very way in which the Lord shall choose to send them. With humble,
softened hearts, with respect and love for one another, search your Bibles.
The light may not come in accordance with plans that men may devise.
But all who reverence the Word of God just as it reads, all who do His will
to the best of their ability, will know of the doctrine, whether it be of
God, notwithstanding the efforts of the enemy to confuse minds and
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to make uncertain the Word of God. God calls every man's attention to
His living Oracles. Let no one quench the Spirit of God by wresting the
Scriptures, by putting human interpretations upon His inspired Word;
and let no one pursue an unfair course, keep in the dark, not willing to
open their ears to hear and yet free to comment and quibble and sow
their doubts of that which they will not candidly take time to hear.
Word of Inspiration should be handled with care (Olsen 298)
Let men be careful how they handle the Word of inspiration, which
has been preserved for ages through the power of God. If men were
themselves controlled by the Holy Spirit they would bring heart and
soul to the task, searching and digging in the mines of God for precious
ore. They would be eager to come into harmony with the writings of inspired
men. If they are not controlled by the Spirit of God, they will give
evidence of this by caviling over His Word and by sitting in judgment
upon its teachings just as did the Jews.
Be careful of trained debaters (Olsen 298)
We should guard against the influence of men who have trained
themselves as debaters, for they are in continual danger of handling the
Word of God deceitfully. There are men in our churches all through the
land who will pervert the meaning of the Scripture to make a sharp
point and overcome an opponent. They do not reverence the Sacred
Word.
Putting their own construction upon the biblical text (Olsen 298)
They put their own construction upon its utterances. Christ is not
formed within, the hope of glory. They are educated critics, but spiritual
truths can only be spiritually discerned. These men are ever ready
and equipped to oppose at a moment's notice anything that is contrary
to their own opinions. They handle the Scriptures in an unwise way,
and bring self into everything they do.
"And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all
men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose
themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging
of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of
the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will" (2 Tim.
2:24-26). The servant of the Lord must not strive, but must teach the
Word of God in the manner that God has ordained. Any other way is not
God's way, and will create confusion.
Morrison like Canright has a problem that they make false issues and treat them as reality (Olsen 298)
Brother Morrison is a debater; he is a man who has not had a daily,
living experience in the meekness and lowliness of Christ. He is in danger
of making false issues, and of treating them as realities. He will create
strife, and the result will be dissensions and bickerings. He has many
things to overcome, and if he fails to overcome them, he will make shipwreck
of faith, as did Elder Canright. It is dangerous to cherish feelings
of self-sufficiency.
Debating spirit has come into the ranks of Sabbathkeepers (Olsen 299)
The debating spirit has come into the ranks of Sabbathkeepers to
take the place of the Spirit of God. They have placed finite men where
God should be, but nothing can suffice for us but to have Christ dwell in
our hearts by faith. The truth must become ours. Christ must be our
Saviour by an experimental knowledge.
Greatest fear is to rebel against God’s Word (Olsen 299)
Our greatest fear should be that we may be found rebelling against
God's Word, which is to be our guide amid all the perils of the last days.
Debaters becloud evidence and are dangerous biblically (Olsen 299)
We would discourage the discipline that tends to make persons debaters.
We urge you not to connect young men who are learning to be
teachers of Bible truth with one who has a debating spirit, for they will
surely receive the wrong mold of character. The habitual debater is so
accustomed to beclouding and turning aside evidence, and even the
Scriptures, from the true meaning to win his point, that everything
that does not strike him favorably and is not in harmony with his ideas
he will combat, caviling at God's inspired Word.
Elijah spirit people will make crooked things straight (Olsen 300)
Men will go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way
for the second advent of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is their work to make
crooked things straight. Some things must be torn down, some things must
be built up. The old treasures must be reset in a framework of truth.
They are to preach God's Word; their testimony must not be molded by
the opinions and ideas that have been regarded as sound, but by the
Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.
Do not deal with Scripture in a debating style (Olsen 300)
The Scripture should not be treated in a debating style. Those who
have educated themselves as debaters have so increased their spirit of
combativeness that they are ready to cavil over the Word of God, to resist
and oppose everything that disagrees with their ideas or opinions. They
are in their element when an opportunity is offered for them to question
and criticize, for it is natural for them to be ready for battle at any time.
They will play upon words, misinterpret and misstate, because this has
become a settled habit with them, a second nature. Nothing is safe in
their hands. Now, the Lord desires that those who are in this condition
should be converted, that they become as little children—simple, meek,
teachable, and Christlike.
Say a doctrine is wrong but when evidence presented they refuse to change (Olsen 300)
All the evidence produced
they decide shall not weigh a straw with them, and they tell others that
the doctrine is not true, and afterward, when they see as light evidence
they were so forward to condemn, they have too much pride to say "I was
wrong"; they still cherish doubt and unbelief, and are too proud to
acknowledge their convictions. Because of this, they take steps that lead
to results of which they have never dreamed.
Associate belief is dangerous, personal investigation is called for (Olsen 300)
Those who have not been in the habit of thinking and investigating
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APPENDIX A
for themselves, believe certain doctrines because their associates with
them in the work believe them. They resist the truth without going to
the Scriptures for themselves to learn what is truth. Because those in
whom they have had confidence oppose the light, they oppose it, not
knowing they are rejecting the counsel of God against themselves.
Where opposition rings in the meeting investigation should reign (Olsen 301)
It is not wise for one of these young men to commit himself to a decision
at this meeting, where opposition, rather than investigation, is the order
of the day. The Scriptures must be your study, then you will know that
you have the truth. Open your heart that God might write the truth
upon its tablets.
Doubt about doctrines should not be a pastor or teacher (Olsen 301)
One who would be a teacher of sacred things should not go forth
to work with the people without a full assurance that he has the truth.
He should not go forth feeling that perhaps the doctrines which he advocates
may not all be substantiated by the Bible. Anything short of a
full conviction that what he presents is truth will make his preaching
powerless, unless he has the presumption to put forth mere assertions as
conclusive evidence. This is unfair, and yet this has often been done by
sharp debaters. You should give your authority to the people from
God's Word. You should not believe any doctrine simply because another
says it is truth. You should not believe it because Elder Smith, or Elder
Kilgore, or Elder Van Horn, or Elder Haskell says it is truth, but because
God's voice has declared it in His living Oracles.
Formalism should not deceive us (Olsen 302)
We cannot afford to
be deceived by a semblance, a form. The truth of the Bible may be read,
and we may think that a form of words will accomplish that which only
the Spirit of God can accomplish by its converting, transforming power.
We may hold certain points of truth firmly and yet refuse to let in any
fresh rays of light which God may send to show us the beauty of the
truth. It is dangerous for us to take a step in uncertainty. We should
not reject or oppose the views of our fellow laborers because they do not
agree with our ideas until we have used every means in our power to
find out whether or not they are truth, comparing scripture with scripture.—
Manuscript 15, 1888.