He's Back

For some time now the anti-Trinitarian movement has been trying to gain a foothold on Adventism.

While some have fallen for this doctrine, it is evident that this teaching—along with many others that want to fracture our church—ought to invoke compassion in us instead of amusement. People who once professed the biblical teaching of a triune God have left it for an ‘enlightened’ philosophy.  

The Heavenly Trio is a teaching which has biblical and Spirit of Prophecy evidence and is one of our Seventh-Day Adventist fundamental teachings. Well, it seems that Scripture and EGW is not enough because even if the teaching is found in Scripture or EGW, their hangup is, “Trinity is not found in the Bible.” 

To some people, biblical principles don’t matter, but what matters is whether or not the word Trinity is in there. Well we all know that the word Trinity is not in the Bible. Neither  is the term millennium, but it’s still a correct teaching.  

Like flat earthers, anti-Trinitarians take many Scripture and EGW quotes out of context to prove their points. Here is an example, 

This brother in this picture is a Seventh-day Adventist and belongs to the NY conference. For some years now, he has taken on the mission of informing his brethren that the Holy Spirit is not God but Jesus. I guess Jesus has a multi-personality problem.  But why would Jesus talk about the Holy Spirit as another person, when Jesus said in John 14:26?,

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Why not say, “In a short time I’ll be back and remind you of everything I told you?” But Jesus didn’t. He was speaking about another person, and not Himself.  

Now we’ve all heard the arguments for and against. And while God’s people share the word of God in defense to any objections these groups (flat earthers and anti-Trinitarians) often take Scripture out of context. 

October 19, 2019 at the William Miller farm in up state New York. A reminder of what happened on October 22, 1844 was celebrated, because it’s been 175 years since the Great  disappointment. On this day many came to remember this event. Even Ted Wilson and Dan Jackson were in attendance. Also in attendance is this famous anti-Trinitarian man who has continued for several years  to show up at the entry way to the farm. He stands at the side of the road in rebuke to his brethren—who will never make it to heaven if they continue believing in a Triune God. 

While his actions seem to be singular, he is not alone. Others are  mingled amongst those at the farm, trying to convince others and save their souls.  It’s really sad to see people fall for these types of distractions, especially when they tell people their very salvation depends on it.

I mean what’s next? Adventists claiming the earth is flat and you can only be saved by believing it’s flat? God forbid.

My counsel? Let’s keep praying for these brethren and hope that this distraction doesn’t disqualify them or any others from heaven. 

 

Ray Chavez is an AFCOE graduate and elder of his church in Albuquerque, NM.  He is happily married to Jessica and they currently have two awesome children.