The recent unanimous vote of the Amazing Facts Constituency to operate autonomously from the Northern California Conference beginning in 2019 as reported by Fulcrum7 elicited the following comments by two of Fulcrum7's readers:


I haven't checked the accuracy of Reader Two's claim that several former GC Presidents have denounced perfectionism. He could be right because Ellen White also condemns the brand of perfectionism that is linked to spiritualism, perfection of the flesh. But, perfectionism aside, I have studied the issue of character perfection in the inspired sources for several years. One reason for my interest is that this has been a current issue within Adventism from the time I was a child. As I write this I'm 59 and some of my earliest memories are of discussions I sat in on or overheard among adults on whether it is possible to live a sinless life. My father, Victor Shipowick, an Adventist pastor always answered that question in the affirmative and although he sometimes failed to live that ideal, he never wavered in his belief that is was not only possible but essential. One of his favorite texts was “Sin shall not have dominion over you” Romans 6:14. Central to the gospel is the message that Christ has broken the power of sin and it will not dominate in our lives - not in the new-born baby in Christ, not in the mature soldier of the cross who fully reflects His image, and not at any point in between.

So, was my father right or had he, in the words of Reader Two imbibed a “very dangerous heresy”? You've already seen where I stand on this but I'm not going to discuss the topic at length because the word of God explains it with such force and appeal that there is no need for me to write another book or article on this wonderful truth. But what I will do is briefly make the case that this doctrine is so central to the third angel's message and to the everlasting gospel, that it should not only be added to our statement of beliefs, it should be given prominence because the liberating power of Christ, His ability to present us faultless before the throne of God not in theory but in fact, is not just central to the everlasting gospel, it is the everlasting gospel.

The Apostles in the New Testament Church warned the members about the coming of the Anti-Christ. John the Beloved admonished us to test the spirits of those who claimed to be followers of Christ. He says any who deny that the Son of God has come in the flesh are anti-Christ in spirit. The most effective way to deny that Christ came in the flesh is not to deny that He lived here as a man 2000 years ago but is to deny His power to present us faultless before the throne of God. One who denies the power of Christ to save from sin effectively denies that Christ has come in the flesh and has overcome sin in the flesh and is anti-Christ in spirit.

In 1905, seventeen years after the 1888 Conference, Alonzo Jones published a book entitled “The Consecrated Way to Christian Perfection.” By this time there were some signs that Jones was loosing his bearings but the book is still significant in that it was one of Jones' last pleas to the church to enter into the experience of righteousness by faith and press on to perfection in the strength of Christ. In hind sight we see Jones as a tragic case of one who failed to live out his own ideal but we can still admire him for his confession.

The cases of Jones and Waggoner may have put a damper on some Adventists who are convinced that character perfection is possible but are reluctant to confess their faith because their lives don't measure up. But the very acknowledgment of the possibility is the first essential step of faith. And the Lord assures us that we need not worry; it's not our righteousness that counts, it's His. Whether imputed or imparted, every bit of it is His. So on the one hand there is no need to fear, and on the other there is no room to boast. We work out what God works in but all our efficiency originates outside of ourselves. The power and glory belong to God alone.

We're exhorted in the word of God to stand fast, uphold and contend for that faith which was once delivered to the saints. If the purpose of our statement of beliefs is to define the essence of our religion then it should plainly state the essentials. And beloved, what could be more essential than our belief in the power of Christ to save to the uttermost? The reason Adventism continues to wander in the wilderness of unbelief is that like ancient Israel, those who have believed have been few in number and their testimony ignored and/or denounced.

There are few doctrines that trouble the nominal Christian and the worldling alike more than the twin doctrines of moral purity and character perfection. Dr. Colin Standish, in his book Perfection writes:


Today the same tension is palpable between conservative and liberal Adventists. Given that the church is no longer able to bridge the widening gap between both parties what are we to do? Conservatives have been trying to close the doors on unbiblical practices such as women's ordination. This hasn't worked. Why? Because we conservatives have never laid the ax to the root of the tree ourselves. There is a love and condoning of sin among us. As a result, a stiff-necked unbelief in the power of Christ to break the bonds of our captivity permeates the body and threatens our existence.

Our Statements of Belief from the beginning, in the name of a false idea of unity have opened the door for the current apostasy. But, belief in the power of Christ to save is the starting point and the finishing point of our faith and the essence of the gospel. If we don't get this right, all our striving will be in vain. So in the name of Christ I say both our Statement of Beliefs and our personal confession has to be grounded solidly here.

Below I've attached an appendix that includes SDA Fundamental Beliefs 11 and 24 containing suggested amendments which are underlined.

The lines of battle between truth and error have already been divinely, not humanly, drawn; the victory has already been divinely won. The only question left is on which side will you and I stand: Will we be among those who overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony and share in the victory of Christ. God's people are at a spiritual Jordan and now is our opportunity to cross over and claim our inheritance, the righteousness of Christ. Will we allow ourselves to be intimidated by the giants in the land of our inheritance? Or will we positively affirm our faith in the power of God to grant us victory and offer ourselves willingly in the day of battle. Ps. 110:3.

Most of us will not. And I'm afraid many of even conservative Adventists, whether regular Adventists or independents will go down with the ship because they are on the wrong ship. The ship that goes through are those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus, a living faith that believes His Word. It's these who have the patience of the saints and are perfected in the love of Christ. Those who are sanctified in the truth in fulfillment of the prayer of Christ for the church will be perfected in His love and the result will be perfect unity.

The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev 22:17.


Appendix A – Proposed Changes to Belief 11 and 24
of the 28 Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists*
*The underlined words contain the suggested amendments.

Belief 11
Growing in Christ: The gospel is the power of God through Christ to completely break the bonds of sin and to liberate and fully restore humanity to the image of God. Individual perfection of character is the purpose of God in the plan of salvation, the essence of the gospel and the New Covenant. By His death on the cross Jesus triumphed over the forces of evil. He who subjugated the demonic spirits during His earthly ministry has broken their power and made certain their ultimate doom. Jesus’ victory gives us victory over the evil forces that still seek to control us, as we walk with Him in peace, joy, and assurance of His love. Now the Holy Spirit dwells within us and empowers us. Continually committed to Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, we are set free from the burden of our past deeds. No longer do we live in the darkness, fear of evil powers, ignorance, and meaninglessness of our former way of life. In this new freedom in Jesus, we are called to grow into the likeness of His character, communing with Him daily in prayer, feeding on His Word, meditating on it and on His providence, singing His praises, gathering together for worship, and participating in the mission of the Church. We are also called to follow Christ’s example by compassionately ministering to the physical, mental, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of humanity. As we give ourselves in loving service to those around us and in witnessing to His salvation, His constant presence with us through the Spirit transforms every moment and every task into a spiritual experience.

Belief 24
Christ’s Ministry in the Heavenly Sanctuary: There is a sanctuary in heaven, the true tabernacle that the Lord set up and not humans. In it Christ ministers on our behalf, making available to believers the benefits of His atoning sacrifice offered once for all on the cross. At His ascension, He was inaugurated as our great High Priest and, began His intercessory ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest in the holy place of the earthly sanctuary. In 1844, at the end of the prophetic period of 2300 days, He entered the second and last phase of His atoning ministry, which was typified by the work of the high priest in the most holy place of the earthly sanctuary. It is a work of investigative judgment which is part of the ultimate disposition of all sin, typified by the cleansing of the ancient Hebrew sanctuary on the Day of Atonement. In that typical service the sanctuary was cleansed with the blood of animal sacrifices, but the heavenly things are purified with the perfect sacrifice of the blood of Jesus. The investigative judgment reveals to heavenly intelligences who among the dead are asleep in Christ and therefore, in Him, are deemed worthy to have part in the first resurrection. It also makes manifest who among the living are abiding in Christ, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and in Him, therefore, are ready for translation into His everlasting kingdom. As in the typical Day of Atonement when both the tabernacle and people were cleansed, so in this Day, Christ as our High Priest cleanses and purifies His Church, establishing the New Covenant, writing His law upon the heart, perfecting His image in the character of His people. The Father does this by Christ through whom He imparts His Spirit in the form of spiritual gifts for the perfecting of the saint. This judgment vindicates the justice of God in saving those who believe in Jesus. It declares that those who have remained loyal to God shall receive the kingdom. The completion of this ministry of Christ will mark the close of human probation before the Second Advent.

Regarding our statement of beliefs, I don't see LGT theology as necessary to include among them. They are not supposed to be a creed. They are only to be a guide for those outside our faith to understand what makes us distinct from other denominations. In this case, LGT theology might confuse or alienate some who are not prepared for this truth.

To the extent that we make of our "fundamental beliefs" a creed, I say we should abolish them altogether. Mrs. White was clear.



So, if you can find your LGT theology in the Bible, that is enough. I have studied the issue very much as well, and am in agreement with you that the last generation before Christ's coming will perfectly reflect His character to the world.

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.

I completely agree with you about not having a creed. The preamble to the Statement of Beliefs makes it clear as well:

Some of us who hold to Last Generation Theology (LGT) think that perfection of character is a last generation privilege. Not so. It is the everlasting gospel, the essence of the plan of God for humanity, demonstrated to be true in the lives of saints since the fall of Adam. If that is so, then the document that expresses the essence of our faith should reflect what the Bible sets forth as the everlasting covenant: Christ our Righteousness who is ours to claim by a living faith.

Very interesting statement you made there.
Hmmm....

Kland the paradox in character perfection is that those who claim to have it don't. And those who deny the possibility can't possibly have it either because that is unbelief. But those who believe it is possible have taken the first step in the right direction and we need to cheer them on and give them all the encouragement we can give them.

Last Generation Theology adherents usually claim that character perfection has only been possible since 1844. I used to think that myself. But more recently I've concluded that the final atonement of Christ in the Most Holy Place is like the cross, that both are gifts from the foundation of the world and both are fully effective throughout human history. Those before the cross were saved by Christ in the same way that we are. They looked forward to the cross while we look back but it is the same faith in the same sacrifice. And those before 1844 like Enoch, Moses and Elijah were by faith perfected by Christ's Most Holy Place atonement like we are. The same Holy Spirit that interpreted to them the meaning of the Passover also impressed them with the truth of the final atonement.

Being able to demonstrate that what we have to share is identical to the faith of the fathers from earliest times, that it is indeed the everlasting gospel ought to give a strong impetus to our message.

Never heard that before.

Several points on this thread are of concern to me:

1. I disagree with perfectionist theology in any form. In my understanding it is a works-based religion that focuses on self rather than Christ.

2. This is SO WRONG. The everlasting Gospel is "BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved." Acts 16:31.
As Paul said in Gal.1:6 "I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 which is really no gospel at all."

3. If then we are in no danger of him returning any time soon.

Re the issue of whether character perfection has only been possible since 1844.

If we consider the Old Testament, then Enoch and Elijah are counterexamples. Both were translated, and the SOP says that both are a type of the end-time 144,000.

We could argue that special truths have been unveiled since 1844, but it's always possible that divine revelation was used to communicate these same truths to people who lived a long time ago.

The SOP specifically says that before Moses died, he was given a vision of what would happen in the future.

JAK Joseph Bates believed the 144,000 were from every generation since the fall. I don't have a firm opinion. If he's right though, then the Lord could come before we think. It's possible that there will be a resurrection of the 144K at the start of the judgment of the living, that they will still be mortal but after they have finished their testimony they'll be translated.

Personally I've only met one man in my life that I thought was probably one of the 144,000. That low number doesn't influence my hope in the Lord's soon return or belief that we can abide in Christ every moment of our walk. John the Beloved tells us those who do cannot sin.