I firmly believe that Sister White's writings are abused to the point where it makes me wonder who is following who.
I believe that the Bible is clear on salvation, and if there is a contradiction between what Sister white says and what the Bible says then what can you do.
Naturally the Bible is also abused to the point where I wonder where such interpretations came from, and that goes for anything else.
If I find a contradiction between Sister Whites writings and the Bible well then thats what I see. If there isn't well then there isn't. I think that there is way too much abuse, and discouragement against people who are still on the baby milk formula, and are being fed some tough meat which they cannot digest. Telling somone they wil lgo to hell for eating a tuna sandwich is extreme and fanatical, and not only that it is not in the Bible. I still have yet to see anyone provide Bible verses that condems you to hell for eating drumstick. Please provide Bible verses.
God Bless,
Will

Do you believe a person will burn in hell if they refuse to live in harmony with the will of God? If so, then what, in your mind, constitutes the will of God? And, do you feel Sister White's counsel on diet contradicts the law of God? If so, would you be willing to explain how and why? At this point, most people run and hide, but somehow I don't think you are that type of person, at least I hope not.

Also, if a new believer happens to come across this thread, I hope and pray they are strong enough to see the forest in spite of the trees, that is, not lose sight of the bigger picture on account of the details. Diet is just one part of salvation. It is rather difficult to talk about all 27 fundamental doctrines simultaneously.

By the way, I edited this post to say that I posted this before reading the two posts previous to this post.

I believe that the writings of EGW are inspired, however, I don't believe the way we use her writings or even the Bible itself is what I would call "rightly dividing the word of truth."

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2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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We need to be very careful on how we use these writings. If we are not rightly dividing the word of truth, then we are using it as a club, which isn't in harmony with God.

Christians don't begin as Adam and Eve began before the Fall, fully grown. They were the only ones who were born as babies. Their lives began fully grown. Even though fully grown, they still had much to learn. Eve was deceived. Adam followed in her in her deception.

Christians begin as newborn babes in Christ. They first need to drink the milk of the Word before being fed the meat of the Word. Feeding a new Christian meat first isn't good for the new Christian. The same is true for new Seventh-day Adventist Christians.

By feeding a new Adventist Christian meat, instead of the milk first, you could be responsible for that person's stumbling. That definitely isn't in harmony with God.

I, therefore, say that we need to be very careful in what we quote, be it the Bible or EGW, without rightly explaining it with the bigger picture in mind.

There is a lot more ways than this food discussion to be out of harmony with God.

God accepts us where we are, whether pertaining to flesh eating, or whatever. It's too bad we also do not accept people where they are like God does.

I think we all need to examine ourselves in the way we present things here, taking into consideration where each of us are in the rung of the ladder, Jacob's ladder, in our climb towards heaven.

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2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

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Shelley is a new Adventist Christian, therefore, I challenge you not to be a stumbling block to her and others that may be in the same arena.

Shelley,

You said, "I don't think I want to be an Adventist anymore. It is toooo hard. I don't want to belong to an organisation that seems to focus more on food than on Jesus."

The operative word in what you said is seems.

The SDA Church's focus is on Jesus with the results being different depending on where each person is at in their Christian walk.

You are just as accepted by God in your present understanding of the food issue as Mike Lowe is in his present understanding of the food issue. In fact, you may be even in more harmony with God than he is or than I am in this issue and other issues, therefore, keep on trucking and living up to all the convictions that the Holy Spirit has given you. If you are not convicted on this food issue, then don't worry about it. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin; not Mike Lowe or anybody else.

Daryl, might I suggest that you move this topic to a private forum? Also, how do we determine what is milk and what is meat? In some cases, like Weimar, the first thing people learn about the Bible and the SDA church is diet and health reform, and I know from experience it is like water to a thirsty soul. In the Bible, one of the first things God told the newborn slaves from Egypt (i.e., the children of Israel) to do was to incorporate and to practice diet and health reform. If quoting the Bible and Sister White regarding these basic and simple truths is wrong, then what is right?

I strongly feel that any new Christian would feel that they were stubmling due to the content of this topic. Shelley does not need to feel pressured into giving up turkey dinner eveyr year with family or her favorite poultry\fish\beef dish because of misconceived ideas about losing your salvation over food?! THink about it..Waking up at the SECOND resurrection to find out it was because of eating turkey or something like that. Seriously think about it.. If Jesus can forgive a thief the crime (if one can even overstep and go that far) of eating salmon or turkey is not even an issue. Very strange and I have yet to find any scripture that supports this position. I keep seeing alot of Ellen White quotes, but not 1 verse dealing with the issue of losing your salvation over eating salmon or turkey or chicken.
God Bless,
Will

Will, please don't blow me off, but I'd like to know your answers to the following questions:

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Do you believe a person will burn in hell if they refuse to live in harmony with the will of God? If so, then what, in your mind, constitutes the will of God? And, do you feel Sister White's counsel on diet contradicts the law of God? If so, would you be willing to explain how and why? Where in the Bible does it say it is lawful to eat meat even if it is sickly and causes cancer and heart disease?

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Thank you.

Thank you everyone for your encouragement and support.

Unlike Mark, diet is not a big issue for me. I exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet. I am currently not over weight and rarely eat meat. I look after myself because I want to be healthy, not because of EGWs beliefs.

Mark, I am glad you were helped by the health message and that it initially bought you to God. I can now see why you are so burdened to share your beliefs in the way that you do.

As for me, I am inclined to agree more with Will, the Bible has the answers. And like Will, I would like to see the Bible verse that says a meat eater will go to hell. Will, thanks for continuing to respond to the questions on this thread. I really appreciate your balanced approach to the situation.

Tom, you are right, following God should not be a hard thing to do, and it wasn’t, until I joined the Adventist church. You are also right about not recommending Counsels on Diet and Food to non Adventists. At this point in time, I would only recommend it to the garbage can.

Daryl, I believe you are correct when you say “we need to be very careful on how we use these writings. If we are not rightly dividing the word of truth, then we are using it as a club, which isn't in harmony with God.” One point that I would add regarding the “using it as a club” would be that it is being used as a club to beat one over the head with. The whole idea turns my stomach. It reminds me of the Pharisees Jesus mentioned in the bible, the teachers of the law who “shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces.” [Matt 23:23]. Maybe I am wrong but being beaten over the head with all of these do’s and don’ts seems like legalism to me.

I would like everyone to understand that eating meat is not really an issue for me. I can live without it. The issue is the loss of salvation because of what you put in your mouth, eating ones way into heaven. WORKS!!!!

In order to stay sane in the Adventist church, I have to take a stand, and that stand is: The Bible has the answers. It says: “Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved” [Mark 16:16]. “If I remain in Him He will remain in me” [John 15: 4] and “the Holy Spirit will teach me all things” [John 14:26]. God has spoken these words and I claim them right now.

As of now, I am getting off the roller coaster of religiosity, and resting in Christ. I intend to enjoy my time with Jesus and to keep it simple.

Mike,
We are on page 3 and the last page I have asked for verses and we are about half way through with this page, and still no verses to support eating turkey,salmon,chicken, or beef will send cause a person who is saved by the way to lose their salvation. We all would like to see those verses can you please provide some.
God Bless,
Will

Shelley, I'm glad you have decided not to blow off Jesus just because the SDA church advocates a vegan diet for endtime believers. Are church members hell bound if they reject this message? I guess it depends on why they reject it, which also goes for any other present truth God sends His remnant people. Some people in the church are going to accept the mark of the beast. Why? Because, at least in some cases, they will rationalize choosing to die, rather than break the sabbath, is too legalistic.

What is my point? Deciding against present truth because it seems too legalistic is not a valid reason for rejecting it. Our choices should be based on sound biblical principles. You sound like a sincere and loving person, so I am sure you are doing what you believe is the right thing, not because someone else opposes Sister White's insights on veganism and last day events.

God bless, happy sabbath, and thank you for all the sharing you have posted on MSDAOL. I hope you return again soon (if not on this thread, then at least on one you like better).