Dr. Ben Carson, why is he running for President.

Dr. Ben Carson is seeking a office which carries more problems that no one except a true self centered politician would want to gain, and yet there he is, but why?

Who many times in Biblical history did God's people hold positions of leadership of a secular/pagan government can you think of?

Joseph, Mordacai, Esther and Daniel - none of them sought their position. None of them campaigned. In a country that has slidden into the trap of pleasing a largely degraded electorate it's hard to see how he can successfully campaign without compromising his principles. We're at a time now where the righteous make themselves a pray if they speak their minds. We can't always stay silent but we need wisdom to know when and what to say. He'll give us that if we ask in faith.

Didn't he say God led him to make that decision? I could be mistaken on that.

Excellent post Mark,

I agree that this campaigning is not how God works. I have a lot of respect for Brother Carson, I just hope he finds better avenues in which to serve.

The poll shown at CNN has him in 3rd place.

One CNN poll also showed him in 2nd place, but far behind the one in 1st place.

With Trump so far ahead in the polls, it's obvious what the voters are attracted to.
They desire personality, not character. Dr. Carson's chances might improve if he got himself a Jerry Springer style speech writer and a really, world class, awful hairpiece!


"Those in the ministry who desire to stand as politicians, should have their credentials taken from them; for this work God has not given to high or low among His people." – {GW 395.1}

Dr. Carson is now showing as catching Trump and soon may pass him.......hmmm

Who knows? I long ago abandoned any attempt at understanding the American political system.

What do you think about Ellen White's words on running for political office above?
Didn't she say that unfaithful Seventh Day Adventists would turn against their former brothers and sisters? If Dr. Carson were to win, he would be in a unique position to harm the Remnant...

From Sermon #6, 1895 - The Three Angel's Message
by AT Jones

If I were taken captive, as Daniel was, and was appointed by the king, as some of Daniel's people were, to brickmaking or building the walls of Babylon round about, I suppose I should work in the brickyard. Then, if the king should take me out of there and send me to school, as he did Daniel and some of his brethren, I think it is altogether likely I should go on in school and study to the best of my ability. And after I had done that, if he should take me out and put me in his palace as a doorkeeper, I should perform the office of doorkeeper; if he should finally even bring me into his court to stand before the king, as the record is of Daniel and his three brethren, I should stand before the king. And if I should be honest and faithful enough and God should give me wisdom to interpret deep things to the king, as God gave to Daniel, and the king should appreciate God's blessing in that enough to honor God for it and should at last put a chain of gold around my neck and put me in position next to the king, I should stand there. {February 11, 1895 ATJ, GCB 98.6}

But I am satisfied that until that time does come and such circumstances as that do arise, I would not be justified in running for political or any other kind of office, nor in taking any political steps to get somebody else elected, nor in taking any part in city government or State government nor in national government nor in politics of any kind. Jesus Christ did not, and he says, ye "are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." "As My Father sent me, even so send I you," and "as He is, so are we in this world." {February 11, 1895 ATJ, GCB 98.7}

Joseph was sold by his brethren, was bought and made a slave, was carried into Egypt as a slave, sold there as a slave and served as a slave. His integrity to God and faithfulness to His law got him into prison and there he remained quite a while. His faithfulness there, his quiet demeanor, and the atmosphere of the Spirit of God that was with him gave him favor in the sight of the jailer, who put him in charge of the doors and the other prisoners round about--what now would be called a "trusty" in the penitentiary. And God was with him still. The time came when God would prepare for the salvation of Israel--that is, Jacob and his family and all Israel to come--and He gave to Pharaoh remarkable dreams, as He did to Nebuchadnezzar in the days of Daniel. The king sent for Joseph, and he interpreted the dream for Pharaoh. Pharaoh wanted somebody to take charge of the matters that had to be arranged to prepare Egypt against the famine that was to come. Said Pharaoh, "Who knows as much about this as the man who knows all about it?" Therefore, the one that knows about this, the one that has explained it and told us what is going to come is the one to take charge of it and carry it out. I put everything in Egypt into his hands, only in the throne will I be above him. Everything in all Egypt Pharaoh gave to Joseph's care. {February 11, 1895 ATJ, GCB 98.8}

And if you ever get into such a position as that through such experiences as that, I do not think that even I would raise any objection to your performing the duties of the place to which you are thus called. {February 11, 1895 ATJ, GCB 99.1}

But I do deny that these experiences, as my Bible gives them, have any bearing whatever upon the course of Seventh-day Adventists now anywhere on the earth, who are out of jail, free to choose where they will go and what they will do. {February 11, 1895 ATJ, GCB 99.2}

Thank-you for the excellent quotes,
Brother Jones had some remarkable insights.

It is true that Alonzo T. Jones was a deeply spiritual man at one point. But, in the end he did apostatize. At a competing in 1904 Sister White talks about AT Jones doing the work of a man in his repentance toward people present. Then, in 1908 Sister White says we should cut AT Jones loose.

We must hold on to Jesus and His truth! We must die to self to be saved.

Quite true, I have read of his sad history, and of Sister White's prayerful efforts on his behalf. It should be a warning to all that it is always possible to be deceived, no matter how spiritual we may consider ourselves to be.

APL's quotes appear to be from 1895. I don't recall, had Mr. Jones fallen away at this time?

I'm not sure myself, but, if what we read is Biblical, then it is safe.

Very true.

I think it was later that 1895. It was around 1903 when The Living Temple crisis was going on and he voted in favor of publishing the book. The publishing committee voted it down at that time.

I think as late as 1906, Ellen White was telling him he was putting truth in his books but he was not living it. I'm sure his fall was a progression over time. I'm not 100% sure about these dates but I think they're pretty accurate.

I believe the early 1895s would be ok and probably a little later too.

Government in Christ's day was completely different to our North American system. Back then, Rome APPOINTED a governor over its client state. And those who wanted to rule, sat at Caesar's table, or knew someone who sat there. No one ran for office. Even after Christ ascended, those who sang on behalf of the saints rejoiced saying, "Thou ... hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: AND WE SHALL REIGN ON THE EARTH." (Rev. 5:9-10)

Back then, and afterwards, Christian Kings and faithful Bishops were God-given. Today, Christian Heads of State and faithful Pastors ought to be a desirable thing. It becomes imperative therefore in our modern generation and in due accordance with our modern system of government that we should SURELY vote according to our good conscience for candidates who reflect our values. And should there be any among us called by God to serve, then let not those who speak on Christ's behalf throw a wet blanket over him ... or her. Solomon would never have been king if his mother had not spoken up for him, and had David lingered in judgment. THEY ACTED. AND NOW THE TORCH IS IN YOUR HAND.

///

And you may be right daylily. I used to be fairly active in Religious Liberty issues back around 2008 - 2010. And I attended one of their banquets in Washington D.C. in the summer of 2009. And the award given at the banquet was called the A.T. Jones award.

But, my concern mostly centers over certain people who feel sorry for A.T. Jones and even hold to the position that Ellen White's statements concerning Brother Jones disfellowship were fraudulent. That we can't believe these statements as truly coming from Sister White. They claim that after her death in 1915 these statements were devised and added to her writings.

So, I am just keeping my eyes and ears open just in case.

Blessings everyone,

I would say this much, that I do agree with the statements as quoted from the writings of A.T. Jones on holding public office.