In the book The Andreasen File Compiled by LMN Publishing, M. L. Andreasen talks about a Sabbath School Quarter that promised to be one that presented "Christ-centered doctrines." This is found on pages 100-103. Andreasen was surprised to find that the sanctuary doctrine, the mark of the beast, the 3 angels message, health reform, and other related doctrines were not discussed that quarter. Andreasen wonders if this was done because these are the very doctrines that cause our evangelical brothers and sisters to question our orthodoxy as Christians. Christ or Adventism?
Over the last few years I have heard some clergy and laypeople calling for a movement away from an emphasis on such things as the Sanctuary or Prophecy to a more "Christ-centered emphasis." While I certainly would have no problem with a Christ-centered approach, in that what else can we as Christians have at our center, I would strongly state that this idea places a false dichotomy. Is there necessarily a distinction between "Christ-centered" and "Adventist fundamental?" The reason why I am writing this is because I had another conversation with a preacher who is finding the present day relevance of the Sanctuary message. He is surprised to find that it is not irrelevant or boring, but a very relevant object lesson of how Salvation and the Great Controversy works. This is in stark contrast to the multiple preachers who think that their goal of preaching the gospel requires minimizing the teachings that make us who we are. Sanctuary is Christ-Centered
For certainly it is difficult to argue that the sanctuary is not Christ centered. With Chirst being representing as at least the sacrifice, common and high priest, and even the various pieces of the tabernacle. Certainly with Salvation being illustrated in the services of the Sanctuary, it is difficult to make the argument that it is not Christ centered. One could argue that over time some have turned it into a mathematical calculation only, but as sister white reminds us "the sanctuary having a decided relation to the people of God." is one of the landmarks of the movement.
The Real Problem
I think that it is not that these doctrines are less "christ-centered" but that they are more "precise and end-time focused." The Sanctuary reminds us that Christ is doing a work to take care of sin. The Sanctuary reminds us what Christ is doing now. The Sanctuary reminds us that there is a judgment going on. The Sanctuary fits into our "Great Controversy" idea. And all of this is Christ-centered, but what Christ is it?
And here is the issue, you may not agree with the picture it paints of Christ, you may not believe that this picture of Christ is true, but please stop arguing that this doctrine does no have Christ at its center. Take Christ away from the Sanctuary and you have nothing but a shell. However, put Christ back into that heavenly sanctuary and you begin to catch a glimpse of the message that God has ordained that we preach in these final days.
I believe that Christ is the center of all there is in the Bible. All is worth studying and hearing about. I would like to know more about the Sanctuary service. It's my opinion that when the church begins changing points of focus (especially the sanctuary service), that we are just aligning ourselves with the world to gain more souls. Jesus has always been the focus of the church, and we don't need to change.
ReplyDeleteThere needs to be a Christ-centered revival in the SDA church. Our church is very generational and many have no idea what it means to be a born again Christian, but have an excellent idea what it means to be Adventist. As a result many have a warped idea that salvation has more to do with getting your memberhip in the right denomination and intellectually believing all the right things. If we don't get back to Calvary soon our usefulness to the Lord will be nil.
ReplyDeleteYes, the sanctuary message is Christ centered. I have studied and taught it several times and by going over it and over one cannot help it but see Christ being portrayed in every symbol. I do agree with the other two contributors too, and this is what makes the SDA church perculiar. I personally do appreciate this message and I am convinced that doing without it is going no where.
ReplyDeleteThe subject of the sanctuary when prayfully studied unites every truth in the Bible revealing to us the plan of salvation with Christ being the glorious centre.
ReplyDelete"From it radiates light from the beginning to the end of both dispensations. Nor does it stop here. It penetrates the great beyond, and gives the child of faith a glimpse of the glories of the furure eternal estate. Yea, more than this, is accomplished by the Cross. The love of God is manifest to the universe. The prince of this world is cast out. The accusations which satan have brought against God are refuted, and the reproach which he has cast upon Heaven is forever removed. The justice and immutability of God's law are sustained, and angels, as well as men, are drawn to the Redeemer." (The Cross and It's Shadow )
Yes I do without any doubt believe that the sanctuary message is Christ centered. And it shall be throughout eternity our science and our song. Glory to God in the highest for He is indeed worthy that was slain and now liveth to make intercession for us.
I agree with you that the sanctuary message is Chrisat centered. Having studied this beautiful Sanctuary message for many, many years now, I believe it to be very Christ centered, while at the same time- not all who do seminars on the sanctuary series do it perfectly, yet, I truly believe that it's very plain that Christ is the central focus. It's sad to hear that there are those who don't want all of our doctrines, (which are only Bible anyway) to be revealed through the beautiful message of the sanctuary... but God will work His work & God's church will come through gloriously in the end. God is still at the helm of His church & we can thank God for this. Keep it up brother...
ReplyDeleteThe sanctuary is only intelligent within the Adventist denomination but the rest of the human race do not see any relevance in it. Non Adventist Christians cannot relate to it. Our theology is way above the average person's thinking. Most of the misunderstanding people have about Adventists are based on misinformation within our denominational materials. We need to learn how to relate to non Adventists with our message. We know so much about Jesus, but we don't know him personally. Adventism is not about the end time people, but about the endless hope we have in Jesus for a hopeless end. Its news not views. The good news not good advice. Evangelical Christians delight to preach the cross, but they omit the present ministry of Jesus in the courts of heaven. Why settle for half truth when we have nothing but the truth?
ReplyDeleteThe sanctuary is not only intelligent within the Adventist denomination. The cross is sanctuary imagery. Is that way above the average Christian's thinking? Every Christian preaches that. The lamb of God is sanctuary imagery. Every Christian Denomination preaches that. Even Christ as a high priest is taught by many. Non Adventist Christians relate just fine to those aspects of sanctuary imagery. It is not that other Christians cannot relate to the sanctuary, they already are relating just fine to aspects of it (most notably the cross), it is that for some reason we have bought into the idea that the sanctuary as we teach it is not relevant and/or true and/or understandable.
ReplyDeleteAS far as the common refrain that "we know about Jesus, but don't know Jesus." I know that this is said so often that it is now assumed true, but what is the basis for this statement? How did we come to believe it? What study has proven this? How can it even be proven? What does it even mean?
Finally, you state "Adventism is not about the end time people, but about the endless hope we have in Jesus for a hopeless end." Why can't it be both? Or perhaps neither as some who embrace the Great Controversy Theme would argue that ultimately it is about God's vindication...
thanks alot for this ministry,
ReplyDeletecan i get some more of the sanctuary message through my mail
thanks
david
When it comes to the Sanctuary message it goes with repetition and timeliness. It used to be something that was preached about at least quarterly in Adventist circles. It was preached and taught so much you got used to hearing it but rarely was it tied to everyday practical living. It definitely was not discussed during times of discipline or during times of crisis. I would like to see the Adventist Church use the sanctuary as a tool for healing broken families and rectifying chaotic finances. It would be nice to see the sanctuary message applied to random acts of evil and violence that plagues these end times today. The cross of Christ and his resurrection give us hope that God is a God of love. My thinking is that same passion needs to be articulated when we discuss the heavenly sanctuary.
ReplyDeleteJames,
ReplyDeleteI would agree that the Sanctuary message has a ebbing and flowing relationship with the church. We sometimes preach it and sometimes we don't.
during times when you finally hear the sancutary, oftentimes we only hear about celestial bookeeping or heavenly geography rather than things of importance to our daily living as you noted. I would also argue that we don't even hear things of eternal importance either. The "cleansing" aspect has been all but ignored in much presentations.
I agree with you, as long as we also add to it the cleansing aspect and the heavenly hope and let us not overemphasize the mathmatical calculations and the heavenly georgraphy...
God bless and keep at it!!
The Sanctuary message is one of our landmarks as a church and infact an identity. Take it away and we do not have a future. It is indeed a Christ centered message for the simple reason that every article in it represents CHRIST!
ReplyDeleteWe first of all need to show people how accurate God is by expounding the mathematical aspect of it and then tell the people why God bothered to give us the longest time prophecy in the Bible
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