Engaging the World of Secular Ideas

Seventh-day Adventists walk what appears to be a delicate line when it comes to engaging in secular conversations with those who are not of our faith.  Some feel that there is a dialogue among scholars that Adventists can never hope to join if they do not understand the language and historical background of the conversation.  Can Seventh-day Adventists engage in this dialogue without violating God’s ideal for His people outlined in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy?  I believe Seventh-day Adventists should not only participate in this debate, but should wholeheartedly embrace it within the confines of God’s word.

Exploring this thesis requires an examination of some statements made in the writings of Ellen White with regard to reading and exposure to “worldly” ideas.  There is a belief among many church members that familiarity with material published by non-Adventist authors will subvert and contaminate the conscience.  This mindset is not hard to understand when reading comments from Ellen White such as this one:

"Those who would not fall a prey to Satan’s devices, must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind must not be left to dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls may suggest. The heart must be faithfully sentineled, or evils without will awaken evils within, and the soul will wander in darkness" (Acts of the Apostles 518).

Does this statement mean that church members must never read anything written by non-Seventh-day Adventists that is not focused on spiritual matters?  Perhaps through a superficial reading of the above quote a reader might walk away with that understanding.  However, if read within the context it was written, that does not appear to be the message Ellen White intended to convey.  To fairly represent the meaning of such comments, the intent of the writer must be determined from the meaning of the entire passage from which the comment was selected.

The above quote was intentionally brought into question to demonstrate how easy it is to selectively present information to support a personal view or bias.  Many people use the same method of research to support unbiblical doctrines.  Rather than reading a statement or passage within the context the writer intended, some people carefully select a helpful sentence or two that appears to support a predetermined idea.  The comment is then presented, with the presenter’s carefully selected framing, as evidence of support for the proliferation of the presenter’s viewpoint.

Revisiting the statement above, in the context it was written, the reader will find that Ellen White’s intention was to dissuade Christians from exposing themselves to anything that would “suggest impure thoughts.”  A review of many of Ellen White’s statements regarding appropriate reading material reveals that that is generally her main thrust.  She admonished readers earlier in the same passage “to keep the mind from wandering to forbidden themes or from spending its energies on trifling subjects” (Acts of the Apostles 518).

Additionally, Mrs. White warned Christians “the mind must not be left to dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls may suggest” (Acts of the Apostles 518).  With this quote in mind a question arises.  Is the study of secular material with the specific purpose of using the knowledge gained to present the gospel to a particular class of people something that has been randomly suggested by Satan?  It would seem that on the face of it this endeavor is not “random,” but has the specific purpose of joining with non-Adventist scholars, or others, in a dialogue of ideas with the goal of glorifying God in creation or history or whatever the topic is that is under consideration.

Having gleaned some important guidance from Mrs. White, it is important to determine whether or not interaction with non-Seventh-day Adventist scholars falls into the category of “forbidden themes” or trifling subjects.”  Examining related passages from her writings should establish whether or not we are walking on solid ground in this arena.

A helpful example is found in Acts of the Apostles on the life of Paul.  While visiting the City of Athens, Paul presented the gospel to a gathering of “poets, artists, and philosophers—the scholars and sages of Athens” on Mars’ Hill (Acts of the Apostles 273).  As Paul spoke, “the wisest of his hearers were astonished as they listened to his reasoning. He showed himself familiar with their works of art, their literature, and their religion” (Acts of the Apostles 273).

As stated, Paul was familiar with the culture of his time.  He was able to reason with the Greeks in language they understood, and this demonstrated for his hearers that Paul respected their heritage and history.  This gave him an advantage in connecting with the people of Athens that someone who was unfamiliar with their society would not have enjoyed.  Armed with this knowledge, Paul was able to direct the minds of the people on Mars’ Hill to the living God.

Moses and Daniel are also examples of educated men who were able, because of their knowledge of the cultures they lived in, to reach the educated classes with the word of God.  Because of their fidelity to the truth, while being trained in worldly customs and ideas, they both commanded kingdoms and won souls for the kingdom of Christ.  These men are models of what those who are faithful to God, while seeking a broader education, maybe become if they are willing to hide themselves in Christ and allow Him to use them to reach educated men the average church member would have no hope of winning.

Ellen White makes it clear that there is a place in our church for these kinds of leaders.  She wrote in Christian Education, page 213:

"We would that there were strong young men, rooted and grounded in the faith, who had such a living connection with God that they could, if so counseled by our leading brethren, enter the higher colleges in our land, where they would have a wider field for study and observation. Association with different classes of minds, an acquaintance with the workings and results of popular methods of education, and a knowledge of theology as taught in the leading institutions of learning, would be of great value to such workers, preparing them to labor for the educated classes, and to meet the prevailing errors of our time. Such was the method pursued by the ancient Waldenses; and, if true to God, our youth, like theirs, might do a good work, even while gaining their education, in sowing the seeds of truth in other minds…."

Such an education as described above would not just benefit the cause of God at its completion, but students would have an opportunity to share the gospel with other scholars sharing their courses of study.  Winning souls for Christ under these circumstances, even if just one soul was won through each effort, would at least double the number of Seventh-day Adventist Christians engaged in the work of Christ to win the educated classes of society.  “With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world!” (A Call to Stand Apart 66).

Later, after the completion of a degree, these students would begin filling vacancies in the professional world as soul winners for Christ.  Again, Ellen White mentions the effect these soldiers of the cross will have on society:

"Many of the greatest scholars and statesmen, the world’s most eminent men, will in these last days turn from the light, because the world by wisdom knows not God. Yet God’s servants are to improve every opportunity to communicate the truth to these men. Some will acknowledge their ignorance of the things of God, and will take their place as humble learners at the feet of Jesus, the Master Teacher" (The Acts of the Apostles, 241-242).

The Case of Moses Hull

As a lesson study in what can happen to an unconsecrated worker is the case of Moses Hull.  Moses Hull was a prominent evangelist in the budding Advent movement before the formation of the official Seventh-day Adventist Church.  Hull was a quick and excellent orator and took delight in engaging others in debate.  “This called for counsel from heaven … Hull, engaged in debates with spiritualists, at first at their challenge, later at his. As a result of this daring move he was swept into the mazes of spiritualism” (Testimonies For the Church, Vol. 1 7).

Although Hull was an excellent speaker and could best his opponents, Mrs. White recognized Hull’s reliance on self rather than Christ.  “I saw that you have felt strong in yourself, felt that you had arguments which could not be gainsaid, and you have not relied upon the strength of the Lord. You have too often rushed upon Satan’s ground to meet an opponent” (Testimonies For the Church, Vol. 1 428).  Hull, carried away with what appeared to be success of his own making, was eventually lost to the enemy of souls.

The method used by Seventh-day Adventist while engaging in the work of soul winning is vitally important.  Workers for Christ must allow the Spirit of Christ to lead them and avoid entering into deliberations for the sake of debate or self-aggrandizement.  “The spirit of debate, of controversy, is a device of Satan to stir up combativeness, and thus eclipse the truth as it is in Jesus.  Many have thus been repulsed instead of being won to Christ” (Evangelism 163).  “Moses Hull went in this direction … His hold of the truth was not strong enough to overcome his selfishness” (Testimonies For the Church, Vol. 2 624).

Hull was not left to blindly stumble onto Satan’s ground.  He was given strict counsel by Ellen White.

Never should one man be sent forth alone to combat with a spiritualist. If the cause of God really demands that we confront Satan and his host as represented by a spiritual medium, if enough is at stake to call for such a discussion, then several should go forth together that with prayer and faith the host of darkness may be driven back and the speaker shielded by angels that excel in strength (Testimonies For the Church, Vol. 1 428).

After rebuking Hull, Mrs. White offered him words of hope.  “God will help and strengthen you if you seek Him earnestly. But study yourself. Try every motive; let it not be your aim to preach brilliant discourses to exhibit Moses Hull, but seek to exhibit Christ” (Testimonies For the Church, Vol. 1 437).  Sadly, Hull refused the counsel of God’s prophet and he was lost to the enemy.

Herein is a warning.  Engaging in an informed discussion requires education and familiarity with the field under consideration.  But as we have seen, unless an individual is hid in Christ his mastery of language, education and personal charisma will be to no avail.  Christ’s soldiers are assailing the kingdom of Satan, and he will not sit idly by while his prey is snatched from his hand.  Without Christ in command, human effort is doomed to failure.

Conclusion

As presented, Seventh-day Adventists have a responsibility to obtain the best education they can to reach all classes of society.  Church members who feel specially called to reach the educated classes can only be successful as the prompting of the Holy Spirit is followed in this important work.  If the counsel in God’s word is followed, it is reasonable to conclude that Seventh-day Adventists must strive for a seat at the table of academic and professional ideas so the word of God may flourish.

Works Cited

White, Ellen Gould Harmon. "Careers." A Call to Stand Apart. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Pub. Association, 2002. 66. Print.

---. "Berea and Athens." The Acts of the Apostles. Vol. 4. 1911. Nampa, ID: Pacific Pub. Association, 2005. 236, 241-242. Print.

---. "A Faithful Undershepherd." The Acts of the Apostles. Vol. 4. 1911. Nampa, ID: Pacific Pub. Association, 2005. 518. Print.

---. "The Public Effort." Evangelism. 1923. Nampa, ID: Pacific Pub. Association, 2002. 123. Print.

---. "Berea and Athens." Fundamentals of Christian Education. 1923. Nampa, ID: Pacific Pub. Association, 2005. 213. Print.

---. "The Background of Volume One." Testimonies for the Church. Vol. 1. 1885. Coldwater, Michigan: Remnant Publications, 2006. 7. Print.

---. "Communications to Elder Hull." Testimonies for the Church. Vol. 1. 1885. Coldwater, Michigan: Remnant Publications, 2006. 428, 437. Print.

---. "Love of Gain." Testimonies for the Church. Vol. 2. 1885. Coldwater, Michigan: Remnant Publications, 2006. 624. Print.