As a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, I have had the privilege of giving Bible Studies to individuals over the years. In all my studies, I can attest that pretty much everyone fell into one of three tribes (persuasions). This essay looks at these three tribes, and gives an answer to the question, “Why three tribes and one God?”
The Tribe of Tradition
In my studies with a Roman Catholic, the subject of the Seventh-day Sabbath proved to be real stumbling block for him. Having grown up in the Roman Catholic faith, the thought of worshipping on another day seemed not only foreign, but almost sacrilegious. His grandparents, parents, and his siblings all held to the tradition of Sunday worship; therefore, he didn’t see the need to change his day of worshipping God on the Seventh-day Sabbath (Saturday). For him, tradition, trumped the Bible.
“You nicely set aside the commandment of God in order to keep the tradition of men… thus invalidating the Word of God by your tradition.” Mark 7:9,13
The Tribe of Prophecy
In my studies with a very stubborn-minded Mormon missionary, the subject of the spirit of prophecy equally proved to be a stumbling block. From our Bible study on the subject, we both agreed that the spirit of prophecy was an identifying mark of the end-time Church (Revelation 12:17, 19:10), but for her, it had an added connotative meaning. The spirit of prophecy was not only an identifying mark, but in having a ‘living’ prophet, proofed in her mind that the spiritual gift remained with her Church.
For this sister missionary, the inspired words of her Church’s prophet were not only on par with the Bible but had “prophetic” authority over the Bible. In other words, If her prophet said it, then she believed it, no matter what either the Bible or history had to say.
“Do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully [What does the Scripture say? Romans 4:3]; hold fast to that which is good.” 2 Thessalonians 5:20-21
The Tribe of Scripture
In my studies with individuals who had a desire and hunger for God, the subject of the Scriptures often proved to be a foundational strength in their further understanding of the Bible. In coming to belief that the Bible was the Word of God, and that it could be fully trusted, not only set their faith on solid ground, but opened the way for them to learn more truths from God’s Word. For them, like the early Adventists who came out of the Great Disappointment, the Bible and the Bible only, was and is the measuring stick for truth.
Let us not forget, the religious journey of the early Adventists, was often met and led by the Spirit of God in studying the Word of God. As for Ellen White’s visions, they were not used as an authoritative source when studying their Bibles, but an affirmation (explanation mark) to their collective understanding of the infallible Word of God—the Bible!
“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16
Whether we are willing to admit it or not, I would dare to say that we as Seventh-day Adventist Christians today, all fall into one of these three tribes. Like the Roman Catholic, our Adventist traditions can stunt us from growing in the truth of God’s Word. Like the Mormon missionary, the Spirit of Prophecy writings can cause us to stumble and fall back upon Ellen White’s words as being on par with the Bible. Did Ellen White claim to be the final word of authority? No! Therefore, we should not put her writings in the way of growing in the truth of God’s Word. Last but not least, like the early Adventists who put the Word of God above all else, we too can continue to grow in the sum of God’s Word—the richest and greatest source of truth! Why three tribes and one God? The answer for me is that we as Adventists all believe in the same God of the Bible, yet our held traditions and formed understanding and use of Ellen White’s writings in relation to the Bible unfortunately separate us into three tribes—thus preventing us from collectively growing together in the advancement of God’s Word.
Written by: Gregory John