Controversies and disagreements over theological issues are inevitable and can be helpful. These help us to sharpen our understanding of who God is and enable us to better articulate what we believe. However, sometimes disagreements can lead to conflict, hard feelings, disunity, and division in the church, which hinders the work of God in the community! Many of these controversies come from mishandling Scripture, as well as the writings of Ellen G. White. In this article we will cover some practical ways to study to ensure that we remain true to the Scripture.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR WORKING WITH THEOLOGICAL CONFLICTS
The entire Scripture must be taken into consideration. Many people build a theological idea on just a few texts, often removed from their context. But this is not how the Bible was meant to be used—or else all sixty-six books would read like Proverbs, with each verse talking about something entirely different. Instead, the Bible is full of stories, poems, letters, and instructions, and each verse must be read in its context.
The main intent of Scripture is to reveal God to us, and to help us have a saving relationship with Him. Jesus emphasized that all Scripture comes from God’s mouth and is therefore important to us when He quoted Deuteronomy, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4; see also Deut 8:3).1 Paul affirmed the importance of taking the whole Bible into consideration when he wrote to Timothy, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16–17). These passages show us that the proper way to use Scripture is to take all, not just part, into consideration.
As we read the Bible as a whole, rather than limiting our study to small portions, we will find that there is a harmonious system of truth that is supported by all Scripture. Paul also told Timothy that the whole point of Scripture is “to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim 3:15). While theological controversies often take one passage of Scripture and magnify it above all else, the point of Scripture is to show us how we can be saved through faith in Jesus. If we keep this truth at the forefront of our minds as we study and preach Scripture, we will be guarded from overemphasizing one passage, one prophecy, or one theme against the main theme of Scripture: God made a way for us to be saved, through faith in Jesus. Recognizing that we are saved by faith in Jesus gives us matchless hope and enables us to do what Peter exhorted: “Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Pet 3:15).
The Bible is the best source for answers. When we, or others in the church, have questions about Scripture, we often immediately search for sources that can answer our questions. While these sources may be valid, the best place to go when we have questions about the Bible or the truth is the Bible itself. Read the passage(s) slowly and carefully, read the context to see if it is helpful, and search for similar words, phrases, ideas, or stories that can make connections between the Old and New Testaments. Ellen White’s writings, as well as commentaries and sermons from others, are valuable resources for validating our study of the Scripture, and they should lead us to other Bible passages that will guide us to a better understanding of the truth. We must look at everything Scripture says about a topic with earnest prayer, and then draw conclusions.
One’s personal interpretation is not enough. Sometimes our members, in their search for answers, come across pastors or authors who claim that their interpretation of Scripture is uniquely true. Others may decide that they have discovered a unique truth that needs to be fully embraced by the whole church. Peter warns against this when he writes, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation” (2 Pet 1:20). This means that if God reveals a truth to someone, He has revealed it to others as well. Ellen White confirms this: There are the main pillars of our faith, subjects which are of vital interest, the Sabbath, the keeping of the commandments of God. Speculative ideas should not be agitated; for there are peculiar minds that love to get some point that others do not accept, and argue and attract everything to that one point, urging that point, magnifying that point, when it is really a matter which is not of vital importance, and will be understood differently. Twice I have been shown that everything of a character to cause our brethren to be diverted from the very points now essential for this time, should be kept in the background.2
Teaching the truth can prevent members from being deceived. If church members are grounded in biblical truth, they are less likely to fall into controversies. Church elders and leaders, in their sermons, prayer meetings, Sabbath School lessons, small groups, and Bible studies should do their best to focus on the essential truths of the Gospel. Our church has summarized these in its 28 Fundamental Beliefs. Anything beyond these beliefs is not essential to the mission of the church. By focusing on the essentials, you will ground people in the truth and help them to avoid controversies.
Sometimes, controversy might arise over the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We should remember that these beliefs have been developed (and are still being developed) over many years by the careful study of Scripture by many people, including scholars, pastors, administrators, and lay people; are prayed about extensively, and are voted on by representatives from the worldwide church at the General Conference Sessions. Each belief takes the totality of Scripture into consideration and is articulated in words that are meaningful across all languages, cultures, and generations. For this reason, these beliefs are continually studied, and when revisions or updates are made, they are brought to the General Conference Session.
It is true that some of these beliefs have changed slightly over the years, but this is because from the beginning our pioneers believed in “progressive revelation”—that God reveals truth to His church over time. The pioneers also wanted others to know what we believed, and so in that spirit we revise the language of these beliefs periodically to properly articulate these beliefs to a changing world. Because these doctrines are put together by many people, who have collectively and carefully studied these concepts from Scripture for many years, if we have any doubts or questions about one of these beliefs, we should have the same spirit and attitude as they did, and carefully study Scripture to ensure that we are on the right track. Before we come to a firm conclusion, we should talk to other wise and learned people to get their input. “In the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Prov 11:14).
Ellen White quotations should be used properly. As a church, we have been blessed to have an inspired writer who addressed many theological and practical issues during the early years of the Adventist Church. Although she lived over one hundred years ago, her writings still speak to our time. It is important, however, to use her writings properly, especially when using them to combat controversies.
This short column is too small to detail a proper method to use Ellen White’s writings. The Ellen G. White Estate has a helpful article that lists several principles for interpreting her writings. These include focusing on the central issues, studying all available information on the topic, avoiding extreme interpretations, taking time and place into consideration, studying each statement in its context, using common sense, and discovering the underlying principles.3
CONCLUSION
The best way for us to help others understand God’s Word is to spend time in the Word ourselves. Paul tells us to “be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:15). This phrase “rightly dividing” can also be translated “properly handling.” In order to do this, we must study Scripture as a whole, looking to the Bible first before going to other sources, not being satisfied in accepting just one person’s interpretation as the truth. Then, we must teach the truth to our church members, studying with them so we may learn more ourselves.
Ultimately, we must move beyond merely studying the Bible to living and obeying God’s Word. As Joshua made this commitment, we need to do the same: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then, you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Josh 1:8).
1 All Scripture references are from the New King James Version (NKJV).
2 Ellen G. White to E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones, Letter 37, 1887, in Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 5, 1887–1888 (Silver Spring, MD: Ellen G. White Estate), para. 9.
3 Read the entire article at “Some Principles for Correctly Interpreting the Writings of Ellen G. White,” Ellen G. White Estate, https://whiteestate.org/legacy/issuesherm-pri-html/.
Timothy Baze is the pastor of Chow- chilla and Madera Seventh-day Adven- tist Churches, Central California Con- ference, CA, USA.
Joseph Kidder, DMin, is professor of Christian ministry and discipleship at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, MI, USA.
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