#1: Did the Pioneers of the S.D.A. Movement Rejected the Trinity?

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"ANSWERING ANTITRINITARIAN ADVENTIST OBJECTIONS"

Objection#1:
"The Pioneers of the S.D.A. Movement Rejected the Trinity"

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[seekertruth]

When people deviate from what the Bible teaches you can come up with the bizarre complexities of trinitarian religious mysteries that contradict logic, common sense and God's Word. - The Trinity is an unintelligible proposition of platonic mysticism that three are one and one is three. - The trinity is a departing from believing in one true God [the Father] ; it is a departing from what the early church taught and it is a departing from the scripture.

Rome’s Challenge to Protestants. Well the Catholic Church also has something to say about the Trinity.

“Our opponents [Protestants] sometimes claim that no belief should be held dogmatically which is not explicitly stated in Scripture (ignoring that it is only on the authority of the Church we recognize certain Gospels and not others as true). But the Protestant churches have themselves accepted such dogmas as the Trinity for which there is no such precise authority in the Gospels... it is our claim that Tradition alone - founded on the Apostles' teaching, analyzed and reflected on through the ages by the Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit promised by Christ - illumines the full and true meaning of the Scriptures.” (The Catholic Church's New Dogma: The Assumption Of Mary By Graham Green, LIFE, Oct.30, 1950, (emphasis in [brackets] supplied).

The Trinity doctrine destroys the emphatic testimony and rejects the record that God gave of His Son. The Trinity teaches that God is made up of three persons who are co-eternal and therefore the Father Son relationship is only a role play or a metaphor. In other words it is not real.

Reasons deception is so rampant in the church, can be attributed to just two underlying facts... Too many Christians are Biblically illiterate, their theology confined to catch phrases, and daily devotionals of familiar passages of Scripture, preferably well sprinkled with inspirational stories and jokes. This shallow understanding of their faith causes them to be more conditioned by culture of the day rather than by the Bible. Take Bible verses out of context and they believe they cannot be fooled.

No matter how hard you try to search for the teaching of the doctrine of the Trinity in the Scriptures, or even by a divine revelation, it would still be a “mystery in theology, ” as it will remain “hidden by the veil of faith and enveloped, so to speak, by a kind of darkness.” So no one can fully know the doctrine, yet Christians are taught to accept it as true because the clergy and the church creed said so.

The question begs to be asked, can we base our faith purely on inference alone? If it is a fundamental doctrine in Christianity, it should surely have enough evidence to have actually become a doctrine.

The Encyclopedia of Religion: “Exegetes and theologians today are in agreement that the Hebrew Bible does not contain a doctrine of the Trinity, even though it was customary in past dogmatic tracts on the Trinity to cite texts like Genesis 1:26, “Let us make humanity in our image, after our likeness”(see also Gn. 3:22, 11:7, Is. 62-3) as proof of plurality in God.” — Encyclopedia of Religion, Art. Trinity, Volume 15, page 54, 1987. (emphasis supplied)

Further on we read; “Further, exegetes and theologians agree that the New Testament also does not contain an explicit doctrine of the trinity.” (Ibid)

In the next paragraph it says regarding ‘trinity language’; “In the New Testament there is no reflective consciousness of the metaphysical nature of God (“imminent trinity”), nor does the New Testament contain the technical language of later doctrine (hupostasis, ousia, substantia, subsistentia, prosopon, persona).”… “While it is incontestable that the doctrine cannot be established on scriptural evidence alone, its origins may legitimately be sought in the Bible, not in the sense of “proof-texting” or of finding metaphysical principles, but because the Bible is the authoritative record of God’s redemptive relationship with humanity.” (Ibid)

The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology: “Primitive Christianity did not have an explicit doctrine of the Trinity such as was subsequently elaborated in the creeds.” — The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology. Art. Trinity.

We should know what we believe and why we believe it, and we should be able to give an intelligent reason for our religious convictions.
“Believers are not to rest in suppositions and ill-defined ideas of what constitutes truth. Their faith must be firmly founded upon the word of God so that when the testing time shall come and they are brought before councils to answer for their faith they may be able to give a reason for the hope that is in them, with meekness and fear.” — Ellen G. White, Vol 5, Testimonies, p.708. (emphasis supplied)

We are to have an intelligent faith, and an intelligent knowledge of our God. We believe that the evidence in scripture fits the non-trinitarian model in a far more consistent way than the Trinitarian model. It is evident that God has not revealed Himself to be a trinity in His Word. No one has found one clear text in Scripture to prove the doctrine. By this we mean one text (at least) that shows that God is composed of three co-equal, co-eternal persons or beings; composed of the same substance. Scholars around the world have acknowledged for years that the trinity doctrine is not found in Scripture but is a later addition.

Note the following statement from occultist Blavatsky: The many-sided facets of the mystery language have led to the adoption of widely varied dogmas and rites in the exotericism of the Church rituals. It is they, again, which are at the origin of most of the dogmas of the Christian Church, e.g., the seven Sacraments, the Trinity, the Resurrection; the seven capital Sins and the seven Virtues. The seven keys to the mystery tongue, however, having always been in the keeping of the highest among the initiated Hierophants of antiquity, it is only the partial use of a few out of the seven which passed, through the treason of some early Church Fathers -- ex-initiates of the Temples -- into the hands of the new sect of the Nazarenes. Some of the early Popes were Initiates, but the last fragments of their knowledge have now fallen into the power of the Jesuits, who have turned them into a system of sorcery”. - The Secret Doctrine by H P Blavatsky Vol. 1, bk 2, ch 2, Page 310, 311

[chrischung]

1913 Review and Herald had a doctrinal statement which included the trinity.

"“For the benefit of those who may desire to know more particularly the cardinal features of the faith held by this denomination, we shall state that Seventh-day Adventists believe, - 1. In the divine Trinity. This Trinity consists of the eternal Father, a personal, spiritual being, omnipotent, omniscient, infinite in power, wisdom, and love; of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the eternal Father, through whom all things were created, and through whom the salvation of the redeemed hosts will be accomplished; the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, the one regenerating agency in the work of redemption.” (F. M. Wilcox, Review and Herald, 9th October 1913, )

[Mofi]

Funny how they are only able to find people who were not one of the pioneers to say anything to support the Trinity.

[francoisplaniol]

#1 search for Examining “The Bible Doctrine of the Trinity” (an article from Bredan Paul Valiant Refuted
#2 search for Another perspective of the 1913 F. M. Wilcox refuted
#3 which is #4 search for rf-cottrell refuted
#5 is rather anti-trinitarian

[seekertruth]

I have not changed my faith one jot or one tittle." (E.White, Lt 150, May 15, 1906)

"I should be an unfaithful watchman, were I to hold my peace, when I see the very foundations of our faith being torn away by those who have departed from the faith, and who are now adrift, without an anchor. In this time, when false doctrines are being taught, we are to teach the same truth that we have taught for the past half century. I have not changed my faith one jot or one tittle." (E. White, Lt 150, May 15, 1906)

"For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, AND our Lord Jesus Christ." (Jude 1:4)

In Revelation 12:17, we read that the 'dragon', which is Satan, was 'wroth with the woman', which is God's church, and 'went to make war with the remnant of her seed.' Now Satan had already tried the persecution route, in a bid to wipe out God's church, during the dark ages. But he found that this only made the church grow! So what was he to try with the remnant church in the end times? What better way than to destroy within, using infiltration, deception and changing the very core beliefs of God's remnant church. If Satan could succeed in 'deceiving God's elect' (Matthew 24:24), in causing them to turn from the truth, then he could triumph!

The Alpha of heresies had already entered our church in the days of Ellen White, through John Harvey Kellogg. But the Omega of heresies was to follow, and Sister White warned that it would be of a most 'startling nature':
"Be not deceived; many will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. We have now before us the alpha of this danger. The omega will be of a most startling nature." (E. White, Testimonies for the Church Containing Letters to Physicians and Ministers Instruction to Seventh-day Adventists, July 24, 1904, pgr. 16)

"Living Temple contains the alpha of these theories. I knew that the omega would follow in a little while; and I trembled for our people." (E. White, Testimonies for the Church Containing Letters to Physicians and Ministers Instruction to Seventh-day Adventists, pgr. 53)

"I tell you now, that when I am laid to rest, great changes will take place ... I want the people to know that I warned them fully before my death." (E. White, Manuscript 1, February 24, 1915)

So this heresy which was to come into our ranks was clearly to be of a most serious nature, which caused Sister White to 'tremble' for the people of our church. She warned of 'changes' that were to take place in our church after she died. Changes that would change the very religion of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.

"The enemy of souls has sought to bring in the supposition that a great reformation was to take place among Seventh-day Adventists, and that this reformation would consist in giving up the doctrines which stand as the pillars of our faith, and engaging in a process of reorganization. Were this reformation to take place, what would result? The principles of truth that God in His wisdom has given to the remnant church, would be discarded. Our religion would be changed. The fundamental principles that have sustained the work for the last fifty years would be accounted as error. A new organization would be established. Books of a new order would be written. A system of intellectual philosophy would be introduced."(E. White, Testimonies for the Church Containing Letters to Physicians and Ministers Instruction to Seventh-day Adventists, pgr. 53)

"We cannot now step off the foundation that God has established. We cannot now enter into any new organization; for this would mean apostasy from the truth." (E. White, Manuscript Releases, Volume 20, p. 151)

This is the 'war' which Satan was to bring to God's end time church. A war that is much greater than using destroying weapons. It would be a war which would seek to remove the very foundation of our faith and cause the Seventh-day Adventist Church to 'clasp hands' with Babylon! And what could be more shocking or 'startling', than to deceive the church into worshipping a false god! Specifically, the false trinity god of Babylon!

The SDA church was built upon the very Biblical, foundational truth of the one true God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, who was literally begotten of the Father sometime in eternity past as a true Son. With the Holy Spirit being the Father's own divine Spirit, which He has given to His Son Jesus. And Ellen White warned our church NOT to enter into controversy over the beliefs about God which our pioneers held;
"I knew that the omega would follow in a little while; and I trembled for our people. I knew that I must warn our brethren and sisters not to enter into controversy over the presence and personality of God ... The spiritualistic theories regarding the personality of God, followed to their logical conclusion, sweep away the whole Christian economy." (E. White, Testimonies for the Church Containing Letters to Physicians and Ministers Instruction to Seventh-day Adventists, pgr. 53-54)


"I entreat everyone to be clear and firm regarding the certain truths that we have heard and received and advocated. The statements of God's Word are plain. Plant your feet firmly on the platform of eternal truth. Reject every phase of error, even though it be covered with a semblance of reality, which denies the personality of God and of Christ." (E. White, Review and Herald, Aug.31, 1905, par.11)

Sadly, the church did not listen to this council and entered into controversy over the personality of God and His Son, seeking to sweep away the foundation of our church and bring the trinity god of Rome into our church.

Enter LeRoy Froom :
There was a movement right after the death of Ellen White and our pioneers to adopt Trinitarianism into our church. And although there were a number of leaders involved in this movement, one of the main characters was the man LeRoy Froom. You see, the Seventh-day Adventist Church was seen as a 'cult' by the rest of the world, and so LeRoy Froom and others, instead of putting forth the straight truth to convince the world that we are not a cult, they changed the very foundational pillar of our church, the God we worship, to bring the Seventh-day Adventist Church more in line with the rest of the world. And what is the foundational teaching which the churches of Babylon unite on? The Trinity god! Just take a look at Froom's confession in his book 'Movement of Destiny'.

[DonjohnsonBG]

Sister White rejected Kellogg’s book the “living temple” which He believed in the trinity, read what she says from Selected Messages Book 1 p. 199 “I am given a message to bear to you and the rest of our physicians who are connected with the Medical Missionary Association. Separate from the influence exerted by the book Living Temple; [A 568-page book issued in 1903 by Dr. J. H. Kellogg in which pantheistic philosophies were promulgated.—Compilers.] for it contains specious sentiments. There are in it sentiments that are entirely true, but these are mingled with error. Scriptures are taken out of their connection, and are used to uphold erroneous theories.
The thought of the errors contained in this book has given me great distress, and the experience that I have passed through in connection with the matter has nearly cost me my life.
It will be said that Living Temple has been revised. But the Lord has shown me that the writer has not changed, and that there can be no unity between him and the ministers of the gospel while he continues to cherish his present sentiments. I am bidden to lift my voice in warning to our people, saying, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked” (Galatians 6:7).