Much Adventist historiography paints the picture of a "glorious group of saints seeking desperately to be more Christlike while reading their Bibles to stay pure from the encroachment of culture in movies, music, and dress."
Culture As Enemy
There is a strong "us against the culture" orientation latent in much Adventist discourse. Even today when one goes to YouTube one can find various attacks on demonic culture from those with an Adventist background. Certainly we must recognize that the God against culture theme is embedded in even the New Testament. From Paul's call to "Be not conformed to this world..." Romans 12:2. To his description of "Spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12. They all point to God's people facing a culture that is hostile to Christian values.
After accepting that culture must always be battled we often take the next step which is that in the past, we were much more effective at battling culture. We were more "peculiar" in the past. We were "more Adventist" in the past. We were more "recognizable" in the past. Some would quote Ellen White who speaks about a return to "primitive godliness."
But today, in contrast, this mindset argues that we are unrecognizable to the world, according to the argument. We are less Adventist. We have chosen the demonic culture over against the spiritual values of our past. This mindset privileges the past with a godliness that is not here now.
Is There Any Truth to The Argumentation?
Now I understand where this argument comes from. To be fair, it seems to me that the church seems to look more like the general public than it did when I grew up. The music is more like the general public as well as dress and the like.
I mean I remember arguments over whether to attend theater in my early years. I doubt that the theater is even a discussion today as most if not all go. To be honest, most of us have the theater coming into our homes through cables and even wirelessly into our computers. All piping movies that most Christians of all denominations would be ducking and hiding to see. But that ain't my point. My point is that the mindset of "Spiritual us against the demonic culture" seems to have broken down.
What About A Call to The Past?
It is a comforting call to go back to a time when we were allegedly more "Adventist." I always wonder about calls to go back to the past though. Was the past really so great? Am I seeing only part of the past? Even my suggestion that Adventists look more like their non-Adventist neighbors might be conditioned by an orientation that privileges the past.
Look at race relations today and then look at the 50s, 60s, and lord help us the 1800s. Certainly we can't say that the church of today is not better on this issue than in the past. I just give this as an example to say that we often ignore very important pieces when we glorify the past.
I don't want to condemn those who long for the past. I really think it is a longing for "home" that is in all of us. In addition Adventists who were born in the Great Disappointment was supposed to usher in "home" have a very deep desire placed in our psyche for home. I want home. I want a place where all will be treated equally. I want a place where humanity seeks to become more and more like God rather than taking on attributes of the evil one. The more I define what I want...the more I realize that it is not in the past that we will find that, for it never existed. It is in the future of God's coming Baselia.
Happy Sabbath to all,
ReplyDeleteThe article suggests pastors are handicapped in delivering new approaches to ministry & that is sometimes true but it didn't point out that some(not all) new approaches are worldly in foundation, against traditional Adventist principles and/or are not supported by scripture. Allowing 1st day pastors to speak on Sabbath, getting more on board with the Easter celebration tradition etc. The extreme celebratory phenomena is growing," All you have to do is confess Jesus as Lord and Saviour and know that you will be prosperous" is the message. Some pastors don't even want to be referred to as pastor anymore, they want to be called "doctor" and it seems that some are jockeying to be the next Advenist version of TD Jakes. It's sadly true some of the congregation is only looking to be entertained rather than learning how to take the necessary steps to let go of things that seperate us from Christ but some of the congregation is also taking note of the hustle coming from some of the spiritual leadership.
Culture consists of inputs such as music, religion, clothing, foods, arts, social tendencies etc. The article suggests a decline in confronting demonic culture contrary to Christian values. We therefore need to define the term "Christian values". I'd bet the house if asked for a definition we'd be surprised by the variation of responses. Even in the Adventist church there is a divide over how to respond to a basic sin subject such as Proposition 8.
As the article stated through technology ie: smart phones, cable services , the internet we've embraced all the delicacies the world (Satan)has to offer. For some it's difficult to navigate to sites such as this,remain content, and not be tempted to detour in other directions at some point in time. We've bought into the concept that our children need to keep pace as to not be disadvantaged as they prepare to enter the workforce and then we chastise them for becoming absorbed in worldly pursuits.
One of my older brothers shared an article posted in USA Today last month discussing how the Adventist church is growing in comparison to other denominations and the basic formula is people are becoming tired of the fluff with no substance and longing for a simple,time tested, scripture supported method of enriching their spiritual experience. So there is a bright side that more people are embracing the simple truths GOD has instructed us to articulate.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2011-03-18-Adventists_17_ST_N.htm
Short of taking a page from the Amish and cutting ourselves off from the rest of humanity I don't see how we can be in the world and not be greatly affected. I try to take comfort that GOD knows that we live in a period where Satanic distractions and influence are at its highest peak.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I think that you are reading this article incorrectly. I did not mean to either address tangentially or directly approaches to ministry.
But since you brought it up....Personally, I think that the whole "ministers are handicapped from doing modern ministry" idea is overblown. whether you agree with the power or not, pastors, in many cases, have great power in the churches to implement whatever they wish, whether modern or ancient or whatever.
I am addressing a different question...namely whether our greatest days are in the past or in the future. In addition, was the church as pure and great as we "remember?"
God bless....
Greetings,
ReplyDeleteOK. Speaking to your question, which is geared to older members who can recall "the good old days." In my opinion prior generations had a narrower focus and greater cultural support. They did not have to deal with as much the hot topic issues such as homosexuality in the church, women serving as elders and pastors, single parent households, rampant divorces, style of music, dress codes, "don't judge me, try to change me attitudes", cell phones ringing during service etc. I'm 48 and have only been in the church for 12 years; the input I receive from seniors and what I read tell me that back then it was clear that the Roman Catholic church was the great mother of harlots spoken of in Revelation 17, Ellen White was the undisputed prophet, the Advent message stood out in regard to the Sabbath, state of the dead, 2300 days etc. and now we have more of a mixed bag of opinion in interpretation of scripture and what our "does and don'ts" are....despite the 28 Fundamental Beliefs. There was more emphasis on the church being the remnant. There was also a glaring, clear racial divide(and it still exists). Today the church has to manage a much larger membership across the world and that logically leads to greater differing opinions on what the church's direction should be. Style of music and the format and length of the sanctuary service are divisive issues but the church appears structured and poised enough to continue to grow & influence on a global level. The future appears bright in that the church is perceived to be less of a cult and more of a viable option.