Adventists have long been accused of many things.
How do you answer false accusations about Adventist beliefs?
First of all, be ready. If you have not already, you will be questioned. And probably in a hostile way. Be prepared to not get hostile in return.
Three major issues for Adventists
Ellen G. White. Many members of other denominations think that whatever this woman said, did, published, or otherwise construed, is the basis of our salvation. It is not. And it never has been. We can blame this big one on ourselves. We have done a poor job of promoting our message and truths. If the first thing out of your mouth when evangelizing is Ellen White, you won't win many friends.
You must first be firm that our salvation is based on Jesus and The Bible. After that, you can begin to attempt to turn the conversation around. Ask them what authors they like. Have they read books by Rick Warren, like The Purpose Driven Life? Do they know and read Max Lucado? Does their pastor quote other authors? Do they like books such as The Prayer of Jabez? They now must fully admit that there are "modern day" prophets. There are authors, books, and literature that Christians can feel is inspired, and a way to expand and learn Biblical principles. (Yes, we know that Ellen White is not the same comparison here. That's not the point.) The point is to get them to think of good Christian books that they have read...love, and follow. Hand them a copy of Steps to Christ. Ask them to read it. Get them to actually read something she wrote as a Christian author. A logical, reasoning Christian cannot help but get the idea that perhaps, just perhaps, Ellen G. White has written some good things. They might even be inspired to read The Great Controversy.
The Sabbath. You will be accused of being a legalist because you preach The Sabbath. Again, if The Sabbath is the first thing out of your mouth, where was Jesus? Some other denominations just get the idea that we say you cannot be saved without The Sabbath. When answering such accusations, don't start with the 10 Commandments. You are doomed to lose. You must do this via the backdoor.
Offer up tithing. Is tithing Biblical and encouraged by God? Well,....yes. How about if you saw a twenty dollar bill that dropped out of a stranger's pocket. Would you pick it up and put it in yours? Well,....no. Would God want you to steal? Um...no. How about getting kids to obey their parents. Do you think it is Biblical that children should honor their parents? Yeah....sure. Politely tell them that you look at The Bible as a whole, and know that God said something special about The Sabbath. If we try and do other things that won't save us, but because it is pleasing to God, why would we not do all things pleasing? End it with getting them to rethink it. Pray about it. Don't tell them they are sinners for going to church on Sunday. You will lose every time. You don't even need a long, Biblical, seminary student-type study on this to turn minds. Remember, you are talking on their level in regard to the accusations. You should not be shoving The Sabbath down their throats with a jackhammer.
Vegetarian? Yup! Somehow they have the idea that you must be a vegetarian to be saved. We have muddled this up big time. Again, it is really the same dialogue you had with The Sabbath above. What does God want for us? The best? The worst? Is your body a temple? Can we smoke, get drunk, do drugs? (Even they will admit that smoking, drinking, is not great for your body, nor pleasing to God.) So then, why wouldn't you want to do good things with your body? Is it Biblical to take care of your body? Of course it is! What diet concerns should we have? The health message is one that many will actually take to. Many churches are promoting healthy lives. Many health organizations are promoting eating less and less red meat. Again, it is all about The Bible and God wanting us to live well...and be good stewards with our bodies. They cannot argue with that. Adventists sadly have been ever maligned with Veggie Links. Is that what defines you as an Adventist?
We cannot, and should not, tell people they are sinners that will burn in Hell for not believing Ellen White, not keeping The Sabbath, and eating meat. That is between them and God. We are doers of The Word, not condemners with The Word. It is a journey. If you are bent on arguing these issues for the sake of arguing, forget it. Your ministry will probably fail.
Once you take these issues off the table, their ammunition against you has ran out. You are saved by Jesus and Jesus alone. The Bible is the end all to end all on all issues.
Why would a true Christian NOT want to live the life that pleases God as much as humanly possible? And that is reason Seventh Day Adventists believe and worship as they do.
We here at the Undercover Adventist believe that the more you get people to attend an Adventist church, the more they will realize that there is nothing scary or cultish about being an Adventist. Adventist churches are an amazing place to learn Biblical truth. Let's all promote it!
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