This is not intended to be a scholarly paper and therefore may not be accurate in every detail. It is written in generalities, recalling as best I can what I have observed over the past 30 years.
I pray that the referenced issue will be resolved in a redemptive way. I realize this has become a divisive and emotional issue which can only be satisfactorily resolved by the putting away of self and pride and submitting to the working of the Holy spirit. With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Rather than causing resistance or anger I hope that what I write will reveal some new thoughts to ponder and maybe have some redemptive and unifying qualities.
At the present time there is a state of disunity in the Seventh-day Adventist church relating to the question of Church authority and compliance. This situation has come up because of the ongoing question of women’s ordination to the gospel ministry.
On the one side there are those who wish to abide by the duly voted decisions of delegates of the world Church, and on the other hand are those who wish to be exempted from that decision—citing liberty of conscience.
On the liberty of conscience issue, no one is being forced to violate their conscience.
If someone cannot conscientiously abide by their Church policy they are free to resign their position or perhaps find a Church where they can exercise their conscience freely rather than staying and creating division within the Church. We should not forget that Christ prayed for unity in the Church. Unity requires submission to authority (John 17:20-21).
If the Church does have authority to establish uniform policy by a democratic process then I will label these two groups as; Those who are in compliance with Church policy, and those who are in rebellion against Church policy. I don't mean this in a partisan way, but simply stating the facts as they stand. These facts can't be ignored or denied.
Where did it all begin? I will begin with my earliest recollection which was of a meeting which took place at Camp Mohaven in Ohio in 1988 where a group met to discuss the ordination issue. At the 1985 Annual Council I believe it was voted to allow the ordination of woman elders. In the early 1990’s I noticed that William Johnsson, editor of the Adventist Review had a very definite agenda and used his powerful position to promote the woman's issue tirelessly in editorials, content, and books, and continues to do so.
Even though later GC session delegates voted consistently and rather decisively, several times, to not allow women’s ordination, which it seems should have settled the matter, numerous Church leaders, in books and publications continued, and even intensified the promotion of their agenda in defiance of Church policy and encourage others to do the same.
Meanwhile the other side, along with many supporting ministries, through their various media avenues continued to stand strong in requiring compliance to voted policy.
It is interesting to note that supporting ministries, though independent from the Church are nevertheless calling for compliance to Church policy.
To be fair, I'm sure both sides are sincere in their respective positions and both can present a very compelling argument for their position, especially from an emotional perspective. Appeals are made to Scripture, fairness, emotion, sexism, and equality.
Scripture
Scripture, of course should be the ultimate arbiter, but both sides use Scripture to support opposing viewpoints based of course on their interpretation.
It is pointless to try and use Scripture at this time as each side will simply accuse the other of mis-interpretation.
Fairness
A woman can cry “unfair” because she was not born a man. A man can cry “unfair” because he was not born a woman. A debate on fairness will get us nowhere because carried to it's logical, or illogical extreme it results in grotesque conclusions.
Anyone or anything, can claim unfairness simply because they don't like their circumstances. Indeed life is not fair, witness the extreme disparity between poverty and prosperity, sickness and health, every situation in this sinful world will never be “fair.”
Emotion
As we all know, emotion has always been a poor indicator of right or wrong. No matter how strongly I “feel” about something that simply cannot establish what is true.
Sexism
It's interesting, unavoidable, and sad to observe how the WO issue has imitated the secular women’s liberation movement in the world. I know any connection has been strongly denied but the parallel development cannot be missed. This might be a place to mention the possible unintended consequence of the present trend. I believe there is credible evidence to suggest that many Churches that have gone down this road the ordination of women is followed closely by the push for ordination of homosexuals and trans-genders, appealing of course to fairness and equality. This is already happening in our Church, just check their websites.
Equality
Probably the most often used argument by the pro-ordination side is equality.
Galatians 3:28 is sometimes cited to mean that men and women are the same in all particulars and therefore role distinctions are non-existent. Maybe I'm naive, but this has always struck me as being ludicrous at any level. Men and women are not identical by any stretch of the imagination and their roles in many cases are not interchangeable.
Yes, all are equal in the sight of God, but.......
Women can bear children, men cannot.
Women can nurse children, men cannot.
Women can nurture a child as only a woman can do.
Men can be a father to a child, a woman cannot.
Men can lift heavy objects, most women cannot.
A child needs a mother with attributes found only in a woman.
A child needs a father with attributes found only in a man.
A woman can minister to other women and certain segments of society in ways that a man cannot. And she is free to do so.
Neither a man or a woman needs any particular credentials (such as ordination) to take the gospel to the world in their God given sphere.
According to the Genesis account men and women were created differently, even in the manner of their creation. In continuity with the creation account Paul teaches the headship of the man over the woman. This in no way devalues a woman.
For thousands of years, the role of man as father / provider / protector, and the role of woman as mother / helper / homemaker has functioned very well. In recent years, restless Eves have sought to overturn God's perfect plan. Much to their initial delight they have succeeded, but in too many cases this has led to the tragedy of motherless children, broken homes, and a trail of tears. The women’s liberation movement led women to believe that somehow being a homemaker, or stay-at-home-mom was beneath their dignity and that to realize their full potential they should aspire to something more, not realizing that being a good parent and managing a well-organized home may be the most challenging, noble, and most satisfying profession of all.
My observation is that many who are dissatisfied with their circumstances are clamoring for a higher position, more prestige, perhaps higher pay............this seems so diametrically opposed to what Jesus practiced and taught.
I don't recall Jesus ever complaining about His pay or desiring a higher position, in fact He did exactly the opposite and was pleased to make of himself of no reputation. As we know from the Bible, Satan is the one who demanded a higher position.
I don't recall the women who followed Jesus ever asking for special recognition or a higher position. When the Disciples argued among themselves about who would be the greatest, Jesus rebuked them sharply. I can't imagine that Jesus would approve of the rebellion that is currently fracturing the Church. What is the solution you think Jesus would recommend? Think how much time, talent, energy, and expense has been wasted in the last thirty years over this issue that should never have been an issue at all. Think how much good could have been done, lives improved, souls saved, if all those resources had been directed in a productive way. How long will we continue this insanity? While the battle continues, Satan is jumping up and down and shouting with glee as we play right into his hand. Divide and conquer—it works every time.
Divisions will come in the Church. Two parties will be developed. The wheat and the tares will grow up together for the harvest (LDE 172).
God has ordained that the representatives of His church from all parts of the earth, when assembled in a general conference shall have authority. The error that some are in danger of committing is in giving to the mind and judgement of one man, or of a small group of men, the full measure of authority and influence that God has vested in His church in the judgement and voice of the general conference assembled to plan for the prosperity and advancement of His work (9T 260).
The greater the responsibilities placed upon the human agent, and the larger his opportunities to dictate and control, the more harm he is sure to do if he does not carefully follow the way of the lord and labor in harmony with the decisions arrived at by the general body of believers in united council (AA 199).
When men choose to have their own way.... without seeking counsel from God, or in opposition to His revealed will, He often grants their desires, in order that, through the bitter experience that follows, they may be led to realize their folly and to repent of their sin.” “Human pride and wisdom will prove a dangerous guide. That which the heart desires contrary to the will of God will in the end be found a curse rather than a blessing” (PP 605, 606, 607).
Conclusion
Thousands of delegates have spoken, decisively, three times. That surely qualifies as a multitude of counselors (Proverbs 15:22; 11:14; 24:6). Do we really believe the Holy Spirit has been leading, but only if we get our way? Some elected leaders are doing what they were elected to do by trying to uphold the voted policy of the Church in a uniform way. Can you imagine the confusion that would result if every entity of the Church around the world were permitted to establish their own policies. There is a reason for Church organization.
The North American division and other entities are—by their stated objective and overt actions—in open rebellion against the Church. Those who support them join with them in that rebellion....... and are rebelling, not just against the elected leaders, but against all the men and women, worldwide, and against the Holy Spirit who led them as they voted for the current policy. I plead with those in rebellion to reconsider your position and support the Church you love however feeble and defective it might be.
The Church is not perfect and surely both sides have made mistakes in handling this issue. It is sad to observe how closely Church politics have come to resemble secular politics. We have been told there will come a time when the Church will appear as about to fall, this could be a fulfillment of that prophecy. But it will not fall (Selected Messages (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1958, 1980), book 2, p. 380).
In the meantime, it’s time for some common sense.
Fred lives in Leesburg Florida with his wife, Becky. They were converts to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1990. Fred has been a proponent of common sense for over 60-years.