Defacing the Image of God in the Human Race
All Clues Point to Rome ‑ Part 1
All Clues Point to Rome ‑ Part 2
Page 2: An Enigma Among the Remnant
Page 3: To the Law and to the Testimony
Principle 1: The Ten Commandments
Principle 2: The Firm Foundation Of Our Faith
Principle 4: The Origin Of A Doctrine
Page 9: Words Of The Adventist Pioneers
Page 10: Pinpointing the Omega: Part 1
Page 11: Pinpointing the Omega: Part 2
Page 12: Epilogue
Page 8
Another key factor in determining if a doctrine is true or not is its origin. We know everything that originates from the Bible can be trusted. Conversely, everything that originates from the world, (even if it is true), can never become Scripture. Satan never promotes anything that will advance the kingdom of Jesus. Accordingly, Jesus never works in league with his adversary—never. Therefore, if we can determine the origin of a doctrine, we can know whether it is safe to accept or not.
As we read on the previous page... I am instructed to say to our people, Let us follow Christ. WE MAY SAFELY DISCARD ALL IDEAS THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN HIS TEACHING. (Review and Herald, January 21, 1904 par. 16, Ellen G. White)
There are several Bible passages that teach the origin of a doctrine does reveal if it should be accepted or not. Matthew 15:13, 14, 9 is one of the best. "But he [Jesus] answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." (Matthew 15:13) In this verse Jesus is making reference to the commandments of men, (Pharisees), or the origin of false doctrine.
Jesus goes on to say... "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch." "BUT IN VAIN THEY DO WORSHIP ME, TEACHING FOR DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN." (Matthew 15:14, 9)
But "every plant, which My heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up." In place of the authority of the so-called fathers of the church, God bids us accept the word of the eternal Father, the Lord of heaven and earth. HERE ALONE IS TRUTH UNMIXED WITH ERROR. David said, "I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Thy precepts." (Psalms 119:99, 100)
Let all who accept human authority, the customs of the church, or the traditions of the fathers, take heed to the warning conveyed in the words of Christ, "In vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Desire of Ages; pg. 398.4, Ellen G. White)
The "so-called fathers of the church" are the ones who little by little compromised the Christian faith in the early centuries of the Christian Church. Today's equivalent call themselves theologians.
There are many Seventh-day Adventists who believe God can use the Catholic Church to introduce new light into his church, but in light of the following four verses, I don't know how one can come to that conclusion.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, NEITHER CAN A CORRUPT TREE BRING FORTH GOOD FRUIT. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Matthew 7:18-19)
WHO CAN BRING A CLEAN THING OUT OF AN UNCLEAN? NOT ONE. (Job 14:4)
DOTH A FOUNTAIN SEND FORTH AT THE SAME PLACE SWEET WATER AND BITTER? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? SO CAN NO FOUNTAIN BOTH YIELD SALT WATER AND FRESH. (James 3:11, 12)
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? THEN MAY YE ALSO DO GOOD, THAT ARE ACCUSTOMED TO DO EVIL. (Jeremiah 13:23)
I do not know how any Seventh-day Adventist can read the four preceding verses and still believe that our Creator will ever use the Antichrist to introduce anything into His remnant church. The people probably believe this because they have been listening to misguided leaders that are now promoting this very philosophy. Have the Adventist people forgotten that the Catholic Church is Anti-Christ?
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, BECAUSE THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)
Those who claim to be identified with the message that God has given us should have keen, clear spiritual perceptions, that they may distinguish truth from error. The word spoken by the messenger of God is "Wake up the watchmen." IF MEN WILL DISCERN THE SPIRIT OF THE MESSAGES GIVEN AND STRIVE TO FIND OUT FROM WHAT SOURCE THEY COME, the Lord God of Israel will guard them from being led astray. But God is not to be trifled with. (Manuscript Release; pg. 760 9.6, Ellen G. White)
In the above statement there is a promise that if we would search for the source, or the origin of a message or doctrine, God will protect us from being deceived. This promise should motivate each of us to search diligently for the source of every doctrine that comes across our path.
The light of truth which God designs shall come to the people of the world at this time is not that which the world's men of learning are seeking to impart; for these men in their research often arrive at erroneous conclusions, and in their study of many authors become enthused with theories that are of satanic origin. Satan, clothed in the garb of an angel of light, presents for the study of the human mind subjects which seem very interesting, and which are full of scientific mystery. In the investigation of these subjects, men are led to accept erroneous conclusions, and to unite with seducing spirits in the work of propounding new theories which lead away from the truth. (Testimonies for the Church; Vol. 9, pg. 67.3, Ellen G. White)
There are now numerous authors and preachers in the Seventh-day Adventist Church that are teaching theories of satanic origin, especially in the mainstream Adventist media and universities. Therefore, we need to be extremely careful what we hear, read and accept. We need to be especially discerning of the young pastors who have graduated from our universities. And if they will allow, we need to gently and tactfully steer them back onto the straight and narrow.
It is guaranteed, Seventh-day Adventists who have earned PhDs outside the Seventh-day Adventist educational system, have theories of satanic origin dwelling in their minds. And what are the majority of God's people doing? They are doing the same thing God's people have always done; they are blindly trusting the educated rather than proving all things from the Scriptures and holding fast to that which is good.
If you are one who doesn't think origin makes any difference, pay real close attention to the next two statements.
Books from the pens of infidels should have no place in the libraries of those who would serve God. They will make better kindling material for your stove than food for the mind. Infidel books have been a cause of ruin to many souls. Men have studied these books of Satan's inspiration, and they have become confused in regard to what was truth. SATAN STANDS AT THE SIDE OF HIM WHO OPENS AN INFIDEL BOOK, AND HE WILL EDUCATE THE MIND THAT PERUSES SUCH LITERATURE, AND SO BEWITCH THE SOUL THAT IT WILL BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO BREAK THE INFATUATION. Let no believer flatter himself that his mountain standeth sure, and that he will never be moved away from his position of faith. (Our High Calling, pg. 276.3, Ellen G. White)
God cannot protect anyone from accepting error when they knowingly and deliberately venture into infidel territory, including Protestant and Catholic universities.
We are surrounded by unbelief. The very atmosphere seems charged with it; and only by constant effort can we resist its power. THOSE WHO VALUE THEIR SOUL'S SALVATION SHOULD SHUN INFIDEL WRITINGS AS THEY WOULD SHUN THE LEPROSY. (Our High Calling, pg. 276.4, Ellen G. White)
Anyone who has received a doctor's degree or PhD has been exposed to at least some infidel authors, even within the Seventh-day Adventist educational system. For a school to be accredited, and for the ministerial students and teachers to receive a degree, they had to have curriculum that taught such subjects as philosophy and psychology, both of worldly origin.
COLD, PHILOSOPHICAL SPECULATIONS AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN WHICH GOD IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED ARE A POSITIVE INJURY. And the evil is aggravated when, as is often the case, books placed in the hands of the young, accepted as authority and depended upon in their education, are from authors avowedly infidel. Through all the thoughts presented by these men their poisonous sentiments are interwoven. The study of such books is like handling black coals; a student cannot be undefiled in mind who thinks along the line of scepticism. (Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, pg. 423.4, Ellen G. White)
This entering in of Satan through the sciences is well devised. Through the channel of phrenology, PSYCHOLOGY, and mesmerism, he comes more directly to the people of this generation, and works with that power WHICH IS TO CHARACTERIZE HIS EFFORTS NEAR THE CLOSE OF PROBATION. THE MINDS OF THOUSANDS HAVE THUS BEEN POISONED, AND LED INTO INFIDELITY... (Selected Messages, Book 2, pg. 351.4, Ellen G. White)
Did you notice that thousands of minds have been poisoned through the science of psychology? This statement was made when psychology was in its infancy, before it made inroads into the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Our people have been regarded as too insignificant to be worthy of notice, but a change will come. The Christian world is now making movements which will necessarily bring commandment-keeping people into prominence. There is a constant supplanting of God's truth by the theories and false doctrines OF HUMAN ORIGIN. Movements are being set on foot to enslave the consciences of those who would be loyal to God. The lawmaking powers will be against God's people. Every soul will be tested. Oh, that we would, as a people, be wise for ourselves, and by precept and example impart that wisdom to our children! EVERY POSITION OF OUR FAITH WILL BE SEARCHED INTO; AND IF WE ARE NOT THOROUGH BIBLE STUDENTS, ESTABLISHED, STRENGTHENED, AND SETTLED, THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD'S GREAT MEN WILL LEAD US ASTRAY. (Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, pg. 546.2, Ellen G. White)
There is danger that the false sentiments expressed in the books that they have been reading will sometimes be interwoven by our ministers, teachers, and editors with their arguments, discourses, and publications, under the belief that they are the same in principle as the teachings of the Spirit of truth. The book, Living Temple, is an illustration of this work, the writer of which declared in its support that its teachings were the same as those found in the writings of Mrs. White. AGAIN AND AGAIN WE SHALL BE CALLED TO MEET THE INFLUENCE OF MEN WHO ARE STUDYING SCIENCES OF SATANIC ORIGIN, through which Satan is working to make a nonentity of God and of Christ. (Testimonies for the Church, Volume 9, pg. 67-68, Ellen G. White) (1909.)
False theories will be mingled with every phase of experience, and advocated with satanic earnestness in order to captivate the mind of every soul who is not rooted and grounded in a full knowledge of the sacred principles of the Word. In the very midst of us will arise false teachers, giving heed to seducing spirits WHOSE DOCTRINES ARE OF SATANIC ORIGIN. These teachers will draw away disciples after themselves. Creeping in unawares, they will use flattering words, and make skilful misrepresentations with seductive tact. (Review and Herald; January 7, 1904 par. 4, Ellen G. White)
Notice, the false teachers will be in the very midst of the Seventh-day Adventist Church commingling their false theories with the three angel's message and will seduce many. How will these false teachers gain a foothold? Through doctrines of SATANIC ORIGIN.
Many think that in order to obtain an education it is necessary to study the productions of writers who teach infidelity, because their works contain some bright gems of thought. But who was the originator of these gems of thought? It was God, and God alone. He is the source of all light. WHY SHOULD WE WADE THROUGH THE MASS OF ERROR CONTAINED IN THE WORKS OF PAGANS AND INFIDELS, FOR THE SAKE OF A FEW INTELLECTUAL TRUTHS, WHEN ALL TRUTH IS AT OUR COMMAND?
There is a reason why these men sometimes display remarkable wisdom. Satan himself was educated in the heavenly courts, and he has a knowledge of good as well as of evil. He mingles the precious with the vile, and this is what gives him power to deceive. But because Satan has robed himself in garments of heavenly brightness, shall we receive him as an angel of light? The tempter has his agents, educated according to his methods, inspired by his spirit, and adapted to his work. Shall we co-operate with them? Shall we receive the works of his agents as essential to the acquirement of an education?
If the time and effort spent in seeking to grasp the bright ideas of infidels were given to studying the precious things in the word of God, thousands who now sit in darkness and in the shadow of death would be rejoicing in the glory of the Light of life. (Testimonies for the Church; Vol. 8, pg. 306.1-4, Ellen G. White)
The danger in searching for a few gems of truth advocated by infidels is that Satan has mingled error with them. Satan is the originator of infidel productions and he commingles his errors with God's truth. "Satan stands at the side of him who opens an infidel book, and he will educate the mind that peruses such literature, and so bewitch the soul that it will be almost impossible to break the infatuation."
It is guaranteed, deception and danger lurk in infidel productions. This being the case, why would any true follower of Christ deliberately venture into such a minefield? Why are infidel productions being taught at all our universities today? If the origin of a doctrine can be traced to an infidel, the whore of Babylon, or one of her daughters, (Revelation 17 and 18), whatever they have to say, we don't need it—any of it. Stay away! The terms whore and harlot, when used symbolical in the Bible, are symbols of someone who is chasing false teachers and false doctrine.
Revelation 17 and 18 depict Babylon as a harlot, and along with her daughters, they seduce the whole would into accepting soul destroying philosophies. Those who believe that God can, and will use the Catholic and Protestant churches to introduce new light into His church, need to seriously contemplation the ramifications of such thinking.
The Adventist Church now employees high level leaders such as Samuele Bacchiocchi (Head of theology at Andrews University from 1974 to 2000). Dr. Bacchiocchi studied from 1969 to 1974 at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. (A Jesuit university that was established during the 16th century reformation for the purpose of training men to overthrow Protestantism and take control of governments through infiltration and espionage).
What seems strange is that a Seventh-day Adventist would even want to study at the Pontifical Gregorian University University, considering the Seventh-day Adventist Church is on top of their hit/infiltration list.
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Jan Paulsen, President of the General Conference from 1999 to 2010 studied at Tubingen University in Germany. Tubingen University specializes in ecumenism, and Pope Benedict XVI taught there.
In a message given to church leaders at the 2007 Silver Spring, Maryland, 95th Annual Council, Paulsen made this statement.
I have to tell you I just cannot imagine a post-modern person in Europe, a business man in Asia or Latin America, any more than a farmer in Africa will care one iota whether Christ had the nature of man before the fall or after the fall. The realities of the world in which we live have other concerns which occupy us. Jan Paulsen's Keynote Message at the 2007 General Conference Annual Council
When we have General Conference Presidents that are so confused they make statements such as the one above, and people so confused they accept such statements, is it any wonder the Seventh-day Adventist Church is in such a state of confused? But what can we expect when General Conference Presidents attend universities where future Catholic Popes are on the teaching faculty?
In John and Paul's writings they emphasized Jesus' human nature to try and counter similar teachings that were prevalent in their day. The fallen, sinful human nature of Christ is one of the bedrock foundational doctrines of Christianity. Change the human nature of Christ into anything other than what the Scriptures testify and you have just destroyed Christianity.
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About 80% of the 2018 theological faculty of Andrews University received at least part of their education at worldly, ecumenical and Catholic universities—schools such as The Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, (which specializes in the Trinity). At least seven of the 2018 theological faculty have attended Fuller Theological University (which is a so-called non-denominational school specializing in spiritual formation and contemplative prayer). Notre Dame University (owned and operated by the Catholic Church). One has attended Universidad Iberoamericana, (a Jesuit university in Mexico) and one has a PhD in theology from Universite Laval (a Catholic university in Quebec). See Andrews University Theology Facility. Click on each name to see where they received their education.
The Catholic trained theologian with the PhD is the one who wrote the 2018 Oct. Nov. Dec. Sabbath School Quarterly. His opening primes was "Love Is a Foundation of Unity." But love is not a foundation of unity. The Seventh-day Adventist people are united because of what we teach and believe, not because of love. Love is the glue that holds us together in that teachings we believe, but love is not a foundation of unity.
It is the different doctrines of the different Christian denominations that unites them, not love, or a lack of love. Even the heathen love their own.
All true Christians love everyone, no matter what denomination or religion others may belong to, or the color of their skin or nationality. People are united in what they believe to be true, and divided because of what they believe to be false. All Christian denominations are divided because their belief system, (the things they consider to be Bible truth). Their division comes from a difference in ideology, not because they don't love.
The foundational philosophy of the Ecumenical Movement (conceived by the Catholic Church) is "Love, Love, Love." If we will all just love one another and forget about doctrine we will all get along. And this is exactly what we received, from cover to cover, in the 2018 Oct, Nov, Dec, Sabbath School Quarterly, written by Denis Fortin, a Catholic trained theologian. Check it out for yourself Denis Fortin. Here is a Wikipedia article on Université Laval, Quebec.
Just as soon as you begin to think you are big men, and that you are so large that you can comprehend and pick out all that is precious in infidel authors, and leave out all that is vile, THEN YOU ARE WISE ABOVE THAT WHICH IS WRITTEN. . . . The devil is right by your side, and the evil angels are there. The devil is a great deal smarter than you are, and you cannot see what he is driving at. He will so cunningly interweave his sentiments with the thoughts of these writers, THAT IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO DISTINGUISH THE ERROR WHICH THEY CONTAIN. (This Day with God, pg. 217.5 Ellen G. White)
And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. (2) And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. (3) For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. (4) And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE, THAT YE BE NOT PARTAKERS OF HER SINS, AND THAT YE RECEIVE NOT OF HER PLAGUES. (Revelation 18:1-4
God is bidding His people to come out of Babylon, but instead, our educators have gone whoring after her forbidden doctrines. With so many of our professors and preachers attending Babylonian institutions is it any wonder the Seventh-day Adventist Church is honeycombed through and through with damnable heresy? And when the laity blindly trust the men and women that have been whoring around in Babylon, along with the thousands of preachers they have trained, it is inevitable that confusion has engulf the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The great sin charged against Babylon is that she "made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." This cup of intoxication which she presents to the world represents the false doctrines that she has accepted as the result of her unlawful connection with the great ones of the earth. Friendship with the world corrupts her faith, and in her turn she exerts a corrupting influence upon the world by teaching doctrines which are opposed to the plainest statements of Holy Writ. (The Great Controversy pg. 388.2 Ellen G. White)
...Error is never harmless. It never sanctifies, but always brings confusion and dissension. (5T 291, 292) (1885). (Last Day Events pg. 91.2 Ellen White)
If error always brings confusion; conversely, it can only be the truth (not love) that brings unity.
Here are a few more Bible verses that teach the origin of a doctrine is a key to knowing if it should be accepted or not. For those who don't think the origin of a doctrine makes any difference, or for those who think they can build truth upon false doctrine, pay real close attention to the following verses.
Anna's visions have no higher source than the ideas you accepted from the blind man Jones. Can an impure foundation send forth pure water? NEVER. The imagination of the man was wholly defiled, and yet he presented his error as solemn, sacred truth. Think you the Lord would pass by His people, who are striving to do His work, and impart light to one corrupt in heart, whose theories would lead to moral pollution and defilement of soul and body? NO, INDEED NO. (Manuscript Release; Vol. 15, pg. 12.4, Ellen G. White)
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7)
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: (Matthew 15:18-19)
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:6)
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. (Matthew 12:34, 35)
The majority of Seventh-day Adventists have gravitating toward the new theology, when the Bible instructs us to... "THUS SAITH THE LORD, STAND YE IN THE WAYS, AND SEE, AND ASK FOR THE OLD PATHS, WHERE IS THE GOOD WAY, AND WALK THEREIN, AND YE SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. BUT THEY SAID, WE WILL NOT WALK THEREIN." (Jeremiah 6:16)
Those who fail to study their Bibles are condemned to repeat the mistakes of the past.
The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy clearly teach that the origin of a doctrine is an major factor in determining if a doctrine is true or false.
If you can find no other information about a teaching/doctrine, except that it originated from a source other than the Bible, you can safely reject it.