July 26, 2006
THE 1844 INVESTIGATIVE JUDGMENT DOCTRINE: COMMENTS AND COMMENTARIES—PART 5
Ervin Taylor, Series Editor
“The Gospel, 1844, and Judgment” is the topic of the Seventh-day Adventist Church Third Quarter Adult Bible Study Guide, published by the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The study guide states that one purpose of this series of lessons is to “establish the biblical basis for the 1844 judgment [doctrine].” This doctrine teaches that a pre-Advent judgment—the investigative judgment—was begun by God in 1844.
The Adventist Today web site,www.atoday.org is hosting a series of varied and contrasting commentaries and discussions designed to illuminate the nature of the arguments supporting and opposing the only unique doctrinal position taught by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Some Adventist scholars and pastors understand and teach that this doctrine constitutes the central core of Adventism. Other Adventist scholars and pastors believe that this doctrine, as traditionally taught, has no unambiguous biblical support. And still others view this doctrine as fundamentally flawed.
To clarify questions raised by some readers, Adventist Today wishes to state that the opinions and points of view expressed in the posted materials in the Adventist Today web site are those of the individual authors and may or may not be shared by any member of the Adventist Today board or editorial staff. The purpose of posting these materials is to advance one of the goals of Adventist Today which is to promote a sense of connection among people who treasure both their Adventist heritage and the continuing quest for “present truth” by fostering creative conversations about how to preserve and promote the best of Adventism.
Week 5 Comments and Commentaries
Title: Daniel 8
Comments on Lesson Five: Daniel 8 Desmond Ford
The chief issue in the exegesis of Daniel 8 is the identity of the little horn. Does it represent Rome or primarily Antiochus Epiphanes? [Abbeviated here as “AE”] Even those evangelical scholars emphatic that Rome is the fourth kingdom in chapters two and seven usually find AE in chapter 8. Leupold’s famous commentary, for example, says of the little horn: “… almost all commentators regard it as a reference to that one of the Seleucidae, a king of Syria, who in history has the name Antiochus Epiphanes…” (p. 345).
The Sanctuary Doctrine — Asset or Liability? Part 5 Raymond F. Cottrell
5. Non-Adventist Reaction to the Sanctuary Doctrine
It was the sanctuary doctrine based on Daniel 8:14 that made us Seventh-day Adventists and that remains, today, the keystone of our distinctive belief system and our mission to the world. Of it, Ellen White wrote: "The Scripture which above all others had been both the foundation and central pillar of our faith was the declaration, 'Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed'"[30] and "The correct understanding of the ministration in the heavenly sanctuary is the foundation of our faith."
Daniel 8: The Temple Cleansed Dorothee Cole
Daniel’s prophecy provides a panorama of the world empires which dominate this earth from the time of the prophet Daniel to the “time of the end” (Dan 8:19). The vision proceeds with the description of a conflict of epic proportions between the “little horn” power and the “greatest King of all” – God himself. But there is reassurance that after “a long time”, “the Temple will be restored”. (v. 14, 26)
Cleansing the Sanctuaries: The Vital Connection between the Heavenly Sanctuary and the Sanctuary of the Human Soul? Part 1 Tim Jennings
As you review the historic perspective of the SDA sanctuary doctrine do any questions come to your mind? As I was studying this topic several questions came to my mind: Why does the Heavenly Sanctuary need cleansing, and from what? By what means is it cleansed, and who cleanses it? Is this cleansing related to judgment? If so, who is being judged? Why does it take so long? Who needs the investigation?
The Judgment Was Set: Part 1 William H. Grotheer
Adventist Today Comment: Eric Jones, the webmaster of adventistlayman.com has provided Adventist Today with the following selection from the extensive works of William H. Grotheer on the subject of Investigative Judgment. In the interest of providing a forum for varied and contrasting viewpoints on this topic, Adventist Today will post this selection of the views of Elder Grotheer in two parts.
Third Quarter’s Sabbath School Lessons Robert Wieland
At one time these lessons would have bored me. I had been through numerous “evangelistic campaigns” where we heard Daniel’s prophecies over and over. The “sanctuary message” was a dim shadow of something important, but what did it have to do with life here and now? Something was happening millions of light years away, but what, nobody made clear to me.
Comments from Readers
Adventist Today Comment: We have received a number of comments, both supporting and disagreeing with earlier postings. Adventist Today will attempt to post at various times throughout the quarter as many of these comments as possible, subject to editing for length and appropriate language. The date of receipt of a reader comment and the posting may be from one to five weeks apart.
Difficult Quarter
Dear Editor:
Thank you for taking this initiative!
It's saddening that our administration insists in maintaining this position on "Doctrine #23" in spite of the linguistic-historical-contextual evidence pointing out the mistakes -- especially if you read Hebrew and claim to be faithful to the sola scriptura principle!
Scholarly Consensus
Dear Editor
It seems to me that Dr. Ford has one line of reasoning in his comments regarding the lesson on the Investigative judgment. He asserts repeatedly that he has read the scholarly literature and no other scholar supports the view of the SDA church.
Both Sides Cannot be Right
Dear Editor:
It is sad that the very reason God created this church (He already had hundreds of denominations preaching the gospel, He didn't need another) that is, to give this investigative judgment message is being lost sight of.
Exhibit of Erroneous Exegesis
Dear Editor:
In my Sabbath School class we share the teaching.
I had thought that when my turn came up I would do a Jeremiah or Ezekiel by acting out a parable. I would throw a heap of fiddlesticks on the carpet. Then I would rip the pamphlet into little pieces and place the bits on top of the fiddlesticks and ask the class if they could interpret the parable.
Best Book on the 1844 Message
Dear Editor:
I have found that the BEST book that I have ever read on the 1844 message was written by Clifford Goldstein called 1844 Made Simple. Even a child can understand it.
Quit Talking About It
Dear Editor:
It is interesting that our lesson picks a topic which, according to preachers who comment on the topic say, "The ultimate argument in defense . . . has been Ellen White" and they give quotes, or "If 1844 is not sound, then we might as well disband our church."
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Receipt and Web Site Posting Schedule
The dates for the receipt of comments and commentaries and posting target dates on the Adventist Today web site for the Adult Sabbath School Bible Study for July-August-September 2006, “The Gospel, 1844, and Judgment”
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