Blog
Exegetical Fallacies Create Theological Errors
YES, YES, YES! Thank you, D.A. Carson, for the reminder! This is just another reason I push so hard to seek sound exegesis with Scripture! Let the text be what it is—an Ancient Text. I struggle to honor the text for what it is. I get it. The struggle is real. But...
Episode 16: Was Sunday Worship an Apostolic Mandate?
It is essential to recognize that the New Testament never refers to Sunday as the Sabbath. Instead, it is always called the first day of the week. Likewise, the term the Lord’s Day, though used by early church fathers for Sunday, does not appear in the New Testament...
Episode 15: Sunday, It’s Role in Christian Worship
Many Covenant Theologians insist that Sunday has replaced the Sabbath and that the Old Testament Sabbath laws now apply to it. This claim has led to widespread beliefs about the origin and significance of Sunday worship in Christian practice. While Seventh-day...
Episode 14: The Sabbath in the Book of Hebrews
The Book of Hebrews presents the Sabbath not as a literal day of worship but as a typological representation of spiritual rest. This approach is consistent with the broader biblical theme of rest, which extends beyond a weekly observance and points to deeper...
Episode 13 – Sabbath in the Epistles of Paul
Throughout Paul’s writings, the Sabbath is explicitly mentioned only once. Let that reality settle in for a second. Paul, the most prolific Apostolic writer in the New Testament, only mentions Sabbath once. Here is the text: “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you...
Episode 12 – The Sabbath in the Book of Acts
The Book of Acts mentions the Sabbath a total of nine times. However, an examination of these references reveals that none of them provide a basis for mandatory Sabbath observance among either Jewish or Gentile believers. The first mention of the Sabbath occurs in...
Episode 11 – Sabbath in the Gospels
The Gospels highlight three major areas of conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees: His claim to be the Messiah His rejection of the Mishnah and rabbinic traditions (such as ritual handwashing and fasting) The correct way to observe the Sabbath. Among these, the...
Episode 10 – Summarizing What We Learned So Far
Summary of Episodes 1-8 There is no scriptural basis for mandatory Sabbath observance, whether from the claim that it is a creation ordinance or from an appeal to the Law of Moses. The attempt to establish Sabbath-keeping as a binding obligation fails both...
Ep. 9 – Is the Sabbath Law Moral or Ceremonial
The debate over Sabbath observance hinges on whether the Sabbath law should be classified as moral or ceremonial. While some maintain the common distinction between moral, ceremonial, and civil laws, Scripture itself does not make such a division. Even if one were to...
The Chicago Buildings Vision Fiasco
Letter Written by Ellen White from the Grave:Throughout my life and ministry, I've often been asked about the nature and purpose of my testimonies—the writings given to guide, instruct, and correct the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Let me clearly express that these...
Ep. 8 – The Ceremonial, Civil, and Moral Distinctions
"The Law of Moses Has Really Truly Been Rendered Inoperative!" The New Testament unequivocally teaches that the Law of Moses has been rendered inoperative through the death of Christ. This means that the Mosaic Law, in its entirety, no longer holds authority over any...
Ep. 7 – The Perpetuity of the Sabbath
One of the primary arguments Seventh-day Adventists use to advocate for mandatory Sabbath observance is based on passages in Exodus that describe the Sabbath as a perpetual and everlasting commandment. Exodus 31:13 (NASB2020) states that the Sabbath is to be observed...
Ep. 6 – The Sabbath: Is it a Creation Ordinance?
One of the primary arguments for mandatory Sabbath observance is the claim that the Sabbath is a creation ordinance established at the beginning of human history and, therefore, binding on all people, both Jews and Gentiles. The key passage used to support this...
Ep. 5 – The Sabbath
The Sabbath functioned as the sign, seal, and token of the Mosaic Covenant. As long as that covenant remained in effect, the Sabbath law was obligatory for Israel. However, since the Law of Moses has been rendered inoperative through the work of Christ, the Sabbath...
Ep. 4 – Principle of Freedom
Believers in the Messiah are no longer bound by the Law of Moses. This means that they are not obligated to observe any of its commandments as a requirement for righteousness, salvation, and being made right with God. However, this freedom extends in both...
Ep. 3 – The Law of Christ
With the Law of Moses set aside, believers now live under a new law—the Law of Christ. This law, mentioned explicitly in Galatians 6:2 as “the law of Christ” and in Romans 8:2 as “the law of the Spirit of life,” represents an entirely distinct system from the Mosaic...
Ep. 2 – The Law of Moses Has Been Rendered Inoperative
The New Testament clearly teaches that the Law of Moses has been rendered inoperative following the death of Christ. This means that the law, in its entirety, no longer holds authority over any individual. Paul explains this in Romans 7:1–6, using the analogy of...
Ep. 1 – The Mosaic Covenant and the Law of Moses
The relationship between the Mosaic Covenant and the Law of Moses has been a point of theological debate. Many who adhere to Covenant Theology argue that the Law of Moses continues to serve as a rule of life for believers today and use this assertion to support their...
The Adventist Three Angels’ Messages
Decoding Adventist Interpretation vs. Historical Context In the realm of Christian eschatology, few passages have sparked as much debate and divergent interpretation as the Three Angels' Messages found in Revelation 14:6-12. This cryptic series of proclamations has...
How My Bible Study Method Changed: Moving Beyond William Miller’s Concordance Approach
I used to believe that all I needed to understand the Bible was the Bible itself and Strong’s Concordance. I remember being given a Strong’s Concordance from my dad when I was in my teens. And through the years, I’ve seen many newly baptized Adventists receive...
The Great Controversy: A Biblical Evaluation of Adventist Theology
The Great Controversy is a central doctrine in Seventh-day Adventist theology, depicting an ongoing cosmic conflict between God and Satan over the authority of divine law and the allegiance of creation. [1] According to Adventism, this struggle revolves around whether...
Sunday Worship CANNOT EQUAL the ‘Mark of the Beast!’ – Reason #6
Reason #6 - Theological Bias Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) interpretation of the Mark of the Beast and related eschatological themes reflect the denomination’s theological emphasis on Sabbath observance, projecting this belief onto the text of Revelation rather than...
Sunday Worship CANNOT EQUAL the ‘Mark of the Beast!’ – Reason #5
Reason #5 - Broader Symbolism of the Beast’s Mark The Mark of the Beast in Revelation is best understood as a symbolic representation of loyalty to the Beast’s anti-God agenda, starkly contrasting the “seal of God” described in Revelation 7:2-3, Revelation 9:4, and...
Sunday Worship CANNOT EQUAL the ‘Mark of the Beast!’ – Reason #4
Reason #4 - Economic and Political Dimensions of the Mark Revelation 13 associates the Mark of the Beast with economic control and political power, exemplified by the inability to buy or sell without the mark. “Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and...
Sunday Worship CANNOT EQUAL the ‘Mark of the Beast!’ – Reason #3
Reason # 3 - Misinterpretation of Sabbath and Sunday The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) position upholds Sunday observance as a human tradition and the Sabbath as a divine institution, consistent with their theological framework. However, no biblical evidence suggests...
Sunday Worship CANNOT EQUAL the ‘Mark of the Beast!’ – Reason #2
Reason #2 - Historical Context and Audience Revelation was written to Christians living under Roman rule in the first century, addressing their immediate concerns about loyalty to God versus participation in Roman imperial worship. Remember, if we are following the...
Sunday Worship CANNOT EQUAL the ‘Mark of the Beast!’ – Reason #1
Reason #1 – The Biblical Context of Revelation 13 Let’s look closely at Revelation 13:15-17, “And it (the second beast) was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship...
The Enigma 666: Why Can’t the Mark of the Beast be Sunday? (Part 3)
The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) interpretation that the Mark of the Beast in Revelation 13 symbolizes the enforced observance of Sunday instead of the biblical Sabbath (Saturday) has been challenged for several reasons. I argue that this view lacks solid grounding in...
The Enigma of 666: Adventism’s Mark Of The Beast (Part 2)
The Number 666 as a Symbol of Apostate Power For the SDA Church, the number 666 is understood as a symbol of human authority in rebellion against God, particularly relating to a system of religious and political power that usurps divine prerogatives. This...
The Enigma of 666: Decoding the Number of the Beast (Part 1)
Among the most intriguing and widely recognized biblical symbols is the number 666, referred to as the “number of the Beast” in Revelation 13:18. Despite its fame, its exact meaning remains a source of extensive debate. The passage states, “Let the one who has...
John’s Apocalypse: Through the Lens of the Old Testament
Have you ever wondered how the Book of Revelation connects with the profound stories, prophecies, and imagery of the Old Testament? These connections are not only fascinating but deeply transformative, offering fresh insights into God’s divine plan and His eternal...
The Origins of Evil – The Great Controversy?
"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe." ~ St. Augustine Is Satan a real being? How does our belief around this thing shape our view in Scripture? The notion that a singular "personified evil...
Who Plays A Role In Atonement?
In Seventh-Day Adventist theology, sins were not forgiven at the cross itself; instead, the cross served as the place where the atoning sacrifice was made. According to their teachings, sins would only be erased during a process known as the Investigative Judgment,...
To Meat or Not to Meat, That is the Question!
The legacy of Ellen G. White is one of profound influence and enduring controversy within the Adventist Church. Her writings and teachings, particularly on health reform, have shaped Adventist practices for generations. Yet, beneath the surface of her widely...
Drooping Flowers and Dead Leaves
Ellen White often made claims she attributed to ‘Divine’ revelation, but what happens when we critically examine these statements? Should such claims be accepted as truth simply because of their source? Many, including well-educated Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs), seem...
Is it Christian to Hold Others Accountable In or Out of the Pulpit?
What does a person do when they hear a sermon, whether it is from a pastor, elder, guest speaker, etc., where statements are made during this sermon that are clearly out of step with Scripture? What really is our responsibility? Well, it depends on the relationship...
A Record Keeping God?
Last week at the dinner table, a 'wait a minute' moment popped up as our family read, talked, and contemplated day two of our family Advent book. I’m not sure if you have experienced this or not. These are moments when you realize something you have been taught or...
Ellen White, Astronomy, and ‘Divine’ Manipulation
In 1846, Ellen G. White, a prominent figure in the early Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) movement, reportedly experienced a "vision" in which she saw the solar system and its inhabitants. Several others, including Mrs. Truesdail, a committed member of the SDA church,...
Steps to Christ? Or Steps to Something Else?
The book Steps to Christ, supposedly authored by Ellen White, is THE book that an Adventist would hand someone if they wanted to evangelize another Christian or non-Christian. In fact, many have come to know Christ by reading this exact book. Ty Gibson's personal...
Sabbath Is An Eternal Sign, So You Must Keep It… FOREVER!
Should we understand the Sabbath as an ‘eternal sign’ described in Exodus 31:12-17? Exodus 31:12-17 serves as a foundational text for Adventists to argue that Sabbath-keeping is mandatory for salvation, universally binding, and eternal. However, this passage is often...
Adventism Is The Truth; Therefore, It Is Biblical, Right?
Adventism has a gnostic feel to its 'truth.' Let me explain what I mean. Gnosticism is a collection of ancient religious ideas and spiritual beliefs that emerged around the first and second centuries AD. It emphasizes personal spiritual knowledge, or gnosis, over...
How Would We Identify Sin Without the Ten Commandments?
It's been longer than I've wanted since I last posted an article. I'm learning the importance of understanding how people arrive at their interpretations of Scripture. Words matter, and a person's hermeneutics matters! When a faulty understanding of a word is applied...
Sin = Breaking the Ten Commandments???
There are numerous misconceptions, faulty assumptions, and flawed interpretations of Scripture within Adventism's Theological Framework. One of these faulty assumptions can be seen in the following statement: 1 John 3:4 (KJV) indicates that sin is defined as breaking...
A Study in Galatians: Paul’s Gospel VS Adventist Gospel
Imagine yourself in southern Turkey during the reign of Emperor Claudius, a time when the Roman Empire was at the height of its power and influence. The air is thick with the smell of incense burning in the many temples that fill the town. The streets are lined with...
A Prediction Affirmed: End Times and the Ottoman Empire
In 1838, Josiah Litch, a prominent figure in the Millerite movement, boldly declared a prophecy that sent shockwaves through the religious world. His prediction, based on a striking interpretation of Revelation 9:15, was nothing short of astonishing: the mighty...
In Light of the Law
The Seventh-day Adventist Church uses many faulty hermeneutical methods to reach some of its doctrinal conclusions. In this article, we will examine one of these conclusions. We can infer that when the terms 'law' or 'commandments' are mentioned positively in...
Christianity VS Seventh-day Adventism
Key Person or Founder, Date, Location(C) Jesus Christ. It was founded around AD 30-33 in the Judean province of Palestine (Israel today) under the Roman Empire. Followers of Jesus became known as Christians.(A) Primary organizers: James (1821-1881) and Ellen...
1° Matters
Words matter when it comes to theological statements! The Seventh-day Adventist Fundamental Beliefs book, Seventh-day Adventists Believe: An Exposition of the Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, makes a de facto claim: "As a reflection of God's...
Why I Speak Out
Many of my Adventist friends have questioned my focus on Ellen G. White in my writings. It's a valid concern, especially considering the wealth of fascinating Biblical topics one could explore. But it's important to remember that I was a devout Seventh-day Adventist...
Interpretations Taken Out of Context (Part 1)
I want to provide a few examples to unearth the best evidence for how Scripture is taken out of context, especially when using the Adventist Framework. Remember, while each of you might be coming from a different background, my goal is to show how interpreting the...