Non-SDA elements in our hospitals

koot van wyk (DLitt et Phil; ThD)

Kyungpook National University

Sangju Campus

South Korea

Conjoint lecturer of Avondale College

Australia

16 May 2010

All over the world, the hospitals of Seventh-day Adventists are working with staff that are not Seventh-day Adventists. They are doing this, because they cannot find someone in that field to take care of that specific speciality, which is a Seventh-day Adventist. At least, not locally. What is the biblical view of working with someone not related to our own faith together in one team at a church institution?

Firstly, we must say that most laymen are working at non-ecclesiastical institutions in either the government or private enterprises. They work together with non-SDA's and their business is largely and mostly, non-ecclesiastical. It is nothing to do with the church.

The Bible is very clear. The remnant is a group of people, mostly a minority, who are spreading the Word of God through their efforts, be it preaching, teaching or healing. All three aspects are imperative for a proper Adventist message and its communication to society. The Adventist mission is orientated with this in mind.

Jonah was an example of someone who was not a proper believer but who was asked to do a work for the lord. Not only unwilling, but absolutely not knowing God properly by personal experience. He knew God was loving and slow to anger, but what he wanted desperately was fire and brimstone on all the sinners of Nineveh. When there was a 100% baptismal rate standing in front of Jonah the evangelist, he did not know what to do with them. He was angry and went and sat under a tree feeling sorry for himself.

Dr. Harvey Kellogg was a very brilliant doctor at Battle Creek in Michigan. He built a hospital that is housing today the USA government. That hospital was very famous, almost the same as Loma Linda today. But around 1900-1902, Kellogg developed pantheism as philosophy, believing that God is in everyone. It is almost as if he accepted a buddhist philosophy as his own and suddenly it conflicted with the Adventist message. Years of rift followed with Ellen White and others. He finally left the church and also his factories, Kellogg Cereals were all non-Adventist.

All the disciples were non-believers when they were called. But the three and a half years of working with Christ was the University of Jesus teaching and training the twelve for their ministry after their graduation, after the death of Christ in 31 CE. Judas Iscariot failed with an F. He hanged himself because he refused to change his own character. He failed to accept Christ in his life. None of the disciples working for Christ after 31 CE, accepted any non-SDA on board of their mission activities. In fact, Paul has strong warnings against anyone who is not one of us. The New Testament is full of warnings in this regard.

Canaanitism is not only an ancient problem. It is the spirit of accommodation of outside elements with the remnant message and mission. It is creating a hybrid that works together with non-SDA elements at the same institution. The institution is bound to suffer. Suffer with many problems. Ancient Israel and Judah in the book of Kings and Chronicles created hybrid institutions all over the country, they had highplaces of the Canaanites to help them feel at home etc. But, severe troubles resulted in Israel and Judah. The message of Kings and Chronicles are clear: no hybrids with our church institutions.

It is better to be less equipped with dedicated believing staff than to consider famous specialists who are smoking, drinking, and are non-church going. Staff who harbors sins in their lives, cannot take wholeheartedly part in the mission activities of the church. The Bible is very clear on this issue.

The Adventist church cannot participate in any form of trade unions. Labor Unions have no space in the Adventist church. In fact, Ellen White indicated that the Time of Trouble in future, is going to be created by Labor Unions. It is therefore imperative to weed out non-SDA elements from out institutions and replace them with Adventist only, be it from local or overseas. There are specialists in the same field overseas, that if they are asked to come and render their service at our hospitals, these people will come and they can render the same service now run by smoking, drinking staff, but with faith, prayer and compassion on their lips and not cigarettes and alcohol.

Dear God

We can only work for you with a mind of unity of mission. Help us to live and act for you the way you expect us to do in your Scriptures. Help us to carry your message with the highest motivation and quality of performance expected.

Amen