Last week’s Sabbath School lesson posed the question
of Unity, and in our class discussion an issue of ecumenism came up. The question was posed regarding how we
should relate to those outside of the Seventh-day Adventist fellowship. It is common in today’s conservative circles
to flung accusations of ecumenism toward pastors who encourage working together
with other churches.
On my trip to Oshkosh I picked up two new books from Remnant Publications, going as far as
suggesting that anyone who reads non-Adventist authors is a heretic, and
attending a non-Adventist institution of higher learning, especially for
leadership or theological experience makes one a suspect of peddling a “Jesuit
agenda.” There are fears of ecumenism on
the basis of compromising doctrines.
Others say outright that other churches are Babylon and we should not
fellowship with them at all. Some allude
that it is the “omega apostasy” to teach spiritual disciplines, to call for
cooperation with other churches in the work of social justice. Major attacks are made on the One Project
movement as the “emergent infiltration” into Adventism. On my way to Oshkosh I got an email from a
concerned leader about the main speaker for Pathfinders Camporee, Sam Leonor,
being a member of One Project.
As I reflect on current trends, there is strong
tendency to promote points on which we differ, to emphasize our uniqueness, to
push for greater separation from the main-stream Christianity. A question I would like to pose to all my
readers is this: what makes our Adventist identity, what makes you or your
family Adventist? There are some who do
not attend the church, do not support its mission, do not live the lifestyle
advocated for in our 28 statements of beliefs, yet who claim to be Adventist,
the right ones, with correct views.
Let me make clear where I stand – hating Catholics
does not make one Adventist, being suspicious of other Christian denominations
and name-calling does not validate our church identity. Living in a panic mode, buying into every
latest conspiracy theorist preaching on setting the next schedule for Christ
coming does not make us Adventist Christians.
Biblically there is only one proof and identity maker
that we are Christians, that we are Adventist, expecting Jesus to come - the
way we love one-another. Not even how busy
we are trying to do community service, but how we treat each other, within the
family. (John 13:35) In fact a family
that is at odds with one another, even if it tries to make a community a better
place, would eventually cause pain and embarrassment. Before we consider how we relate to those
without, to those outside we must examine our attitudes toward one another, how
we love those within, the members of church family.
And once we are loving, habitually tenderhearted
toward each other, our purpose is to connect with other Christians! In the words of inspired writings from Ellen
White “we should not build up unnecessary barriers
between us and other denominations” (Evangelism, 573); and “Our ministers should seek to come near
to the ministers of other denominations. Pray for and with these men, for whom
Christ is interceding” (Testimonies 6:78). On June 13, 1912 in the Review she wrote "let the ministers. . . call the
attention of the people to the truths of God’s Word. There are many of these
which are dear to all Christians. Here is common ground, upon which we can meet
people of other denominations; and in becoming acquainted with them we should
dwell mostly upon topics in which all feel an interest, and which will not lead
directly and pointedly to the subjects of disagreement”
The goal and
mission of our church is loving people into relationship with God.
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