Eutychus and His Kin: April 14, 1958

NOW BOOKING!

My tired blood tingled as I read the prospectus from the Rev. Don Hillis, who claims to be the world-wide director of the All Saints’ Tourist Agency. Hawaii, Europe, Mexico, or around the world!

Sympathetic Mr. Hillis has sensed my spring weariness. He writes: “You need our Caribbean tour with a splendid group of overworked Christians like yourself. The highly privileged three hundred saints whom we accept will relax for fourteen days aboard our luxury liner S.S.S. Pedro for a mere total of $120,000. They will be privileged to spend another $20,000 for sight-seeing and souvenirs.… Our time-payment plan makes this convenient and easy.

“Our exclusive Holy Land tour will fulfill your dreams of being a Crusader. Once you have seen Gordon’s Calvary, the victorious Christian life will become an everyday experience. Why should not you, too, carry a camera through the hills of Judea and fill a bottle from the Sea of Galilee? Think of sharing the missionary task of the Church by covering your shoes with dust from the very roads on which Paul fled forward with the Gospel!

“Please do not worry about the several million dollars spent every year for this kind of thing. The Lord has other people who will give to world evangelism. After all, your $1,000 would hardly support a missionary for a year …”

You have made your point, Mr. Hillis. I will stop regretting that I do not have the funds to join the ecclesia tourans, and make a spring contribution to missionary travel instead. But take heart, brother; there have been missionaries who were once tourists at heart. Perhaps, seeing the need of the world, Christian tourists may yet become missionaries.

SDA AND THE EVANGELICALS

Do the differences between the SDA’s and conservative Christians generally approximate those between Lutherans, Baptists, Presbyterians which, though serious enough, do not make impossible according to each other some degree of recognition as churches of Jesus Christ? Ought we to rejoice when we hear of Adventist successes, and look upon them as indications that the kingdom of Satan is being destroyed and the Kingdom of grace advanced? Or do we have here but one more foe that we must face?

SDA’s teaching and program cannot be understood very well apart from the historical origins. In 1816 one William Miller, a farmer in the northeastern part of New York, having been converted from deism to orthodox Christianity, began to apply himself with earnestness to the study of Scripture. His particular interest was prophecy, especially Daniel 8:14: “Until 2300 days then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” For him, the starting point was 457 B.C.; thus 1843 or thereabouts would see the return of the Lord. Well, 1843 and 1844 came and went, and nothing happened. It would have been the expected thing for the Millerite movement to have died a natural death. But the great day of disappointment had hardly passed before an event occurred which led directly to the founding of the SDA denomination. The report became current that an Adventist leader, Hiram Edson, had seen a vision that the sanctuary to be cleansed according to Daniel 8:14 was not an earthly sanctuary at all, but the original holy of holies in heaven. The prophetic period had indeed ended. But instead of our High Priest coming out of the Most Holy to come to this earth, he entered the second apartment of the sanctuary to perform a work that must precede his coming to earth.

At this time another development contributed a second distinctive feature: the introduction of the seventh day Sabbath largely through the influence of Captain Joseph Bates of New Bedford, Massachusetts. Thus the movement came to be known as Sabbatarian Adventism.

But the foundations were not yet complete. Without the introduction of what is referred to as the “Spirit of prophecy”—by which the Church that was to be born would not only enjoy counsel and direction, but possess an authoritative witness to the correctness of its teachings—SDA would never have flourished to the degree that it has. This was accomplished through a young woman, Ellen Harmon, later Mrs. James White, of Portland, Maine. She had been an ardent Millerite follower and like many others had been grievously disappointed. But in December, 1844, she reportedly experienced a vision, one of over 100 to follow during her lifetime. This vision was to the effect that the Adventist movement, in regarding the seventh month as the end of the 2300 years of Daniel’s prophecy, had been right all the time. After some months the Sabbatarian Adventists with their sanctuary position came to believe that the spirit of prophecy had reappeared in the ministry of Mrs. White. Conferences were held over a period of years to formulate the doctrines of the movement. The record shows that when the discussions became tense or confused, Mrs. White would be shown the truth of the matter and would bid the contenders to yield their errors. Not only at meetings of the Adventist leadership but on many occasions some word from heaven would be forthcoming through her; these revelations consisted not only of decisions on doctrinal issues but of practical counsel for the church’s faith and life—even including a deliverance on the subject of the propriety of the use of salt in the diet.…

Throughout her life, Mrs. White considered herself to be the recipient of special revelations from God. A fair question is, How does this relate to the doctrine of Holy Scripture? The Adventists deny vigorously that they regard Mrs. White’s writings as an addition to Scripture. In their latest doctrinal formulation they write that the Bible is the sole rule of faith and practice. In the same document, however, they confess that the “prophetic gift … was manifested to the SDA Church in the work and writings of Ellen G. White.”

In explanation of this apparent contradiction, the Adventists take the position that Mrs. White’s writings are in the class of the prophetic utterances of such people as Iddo the Seer and Silas and the four daughters of Philip, all of whom prophesied but whose words were either not recorded or not included in the Bible if they were. They add that the “spirit of prophecy counsels” are an aid to a fuller, clearer understanding of the Bible; that Mrs. White’s writings do not give them their doctrines; they simply confirm or broaden the concept or point out erroneous ideas that already existed.

But is not the contradiction a real one after all? If we reflect upon the people in whose ministry the Adventists find a parallel to the work of Mrs. White, we find that although for reasons known only to God their prophetic utterances were never inscripturated, their messages were none the less the word of the Lord, and just as authoritative to those for whom they were intended as the canonical Scriptures are to the Church universal. And when Mrs. White says of her writings, “It is God and not an erring mortal who has spoken,” and the SDA church says that the gift of prophecy was manifested in her life and ministry, is any other conclusion possible than that her writings are in a real sense to be equated with Holy Scripture?

The fact of the matter is that a number of things in Mrs. White’s writings are extra-Biblical, e.g. various details of the boyhood of Jesus. But even if this were not the case, is the statement of the Adventists that these writings simply confirm doctrines and point out erroneous ideas intended to reassure those of different theological persuasion? Is it not evident that this is no mean gift? Indeed, does the church of Rome say much more for the Pope himself than that he confirms doctrines and points out erroneous ideas?

If it is fair, as I believe it is, to charge SDA with admitting additional revelations to the place of authority which the Church is to accord only to the Word of God, this in itself is a sufficient reason for regarding the movement as having departed quite radically from a soundly Christian position.… Are we at liberty to look upon it as something less than deadly error to add to the Word of God?

American Evangelical Mission

Senafe, Eritrea, E. Africa

We certainly have no fears as to the outcome of the current re-evaluation of our evangelical standing, so long as the investigators have the moral and intellectual dignity to reject for documentation the dog-eared philippics of the self-vindicating ex-Adventists.

Reseda, Calif.

“HEAD OF CHRIST”

What a perfect description of Sallman’s “Head” by calling it “A pretty picture of a woman with a curling beard who has just come from the beauty parlor with a halo shampoo” (Roth, Mar. 3 issue). Allow me to add a hearty AMEN!! As a former student of art I agree that it is commercially designed to make money.

It seems strange to me that we wish to “see” a likeness of the man-God that we are to worship in spirit and truth. If Jesus wanted us to know what he looked like he would have left a photograph.…

First Baptist Church

Henrietta, Mo.

I was first attracted to his picture because the manliness of it was in direct contrast to so much of the church bulletin art that, by color and line alike, picture a “milk-sop” Christ. I could say the same thing in relation to much of “classic” art.

Art appreciation can be helpful, even in the field of “religious art.” However, I think it’s particularly true here that the gauge is whether or not the art either speaks to, or speaks for, the beholder. This criterion, in this field, is as applicable to “orthodoxy” in art as it is to Functionalism.

In going back to read Dr. Roth’s article … I must disagree sharply with the basis for part of his criticism.… The “Halo treatment.” … I’m all for realism, but can portrayals of Jesus be adequate only if the pictured Christ is literally lousy? Valuing each individual as a distinctive creation of the Creator, wouldn’t Jesus have been concerned with plain hygiene and cleanliness?

North Congregational Church

New Hartford, Conn.

What a far cry from “Christian” were the criticisms of Sallman’s Head of Christ.

Until Roth, Jayne, Steele and Ortlip can come forth with a better painting that will inspire Protestants and Catholics the world over, let them be silent.

Woodstock, Ill.

Do you not think that … Roth’s statement concerning Mr. Sallman’s painting, Head of Christ, was crude?

Fairbanks, Alaska

I think Sallman’s “Head of Christ” is very evangelical Christian art. I have had visions of our Lord Jesus Christ and his painting is a very close resemblance.

San Francisco, Calif.

While Dr. Roth limits his discussion to painting, the general aesthetic principles implied may be carried over into other fields of art, for example sculpture and music. Accepting the author’s definition of painting (and we may imply sculpture) as “some kind of patterned arrangement of space,” we ask ourselves, are the landscape paintings of the Japanese and Chinese any less beautiful works of art (for they do reflect, do they not, God’s creation) than the landscapes of Corot simply because they fall outside the pale of Christian tradition? Is the Hermes of Praxitiles any less marvellous a sculpture than Michelangelo’s David, or the Athenean Parthenon less marvelous architecturally than St. Peter’s? And what will be the verdict of the symphonies of Mozart and Beethoven, to cite a small example, because they are not “religious” music, per se?

I submit, rather, that sound and line are subject only to the interpretation given them by men. In music, the examples of “secular” music converted into religious usage are too numerous to mention.… I challenge Dr. Roth, or anyone, to label a work of art as “sacred” or “secular” apart from its usage.

El Camino College, Calif.

The question posed relative to authentic, evangelical, biblical art is a good one and I personally welcome such an airing. To me it reacts as a stimulant to clearer and deeper thinking and I hope my future work will manifest benefits gathered from this.

May God richly bless you and your work is my prayer.

Chicago, Ill.

LINCOLN’S BAPTISM

I was disappointed to find … (in) Settle’s article (Feb. 3 issue) … no mention of the fact that Abraham Lincoln was immersed and became a member of a Disciples of Christ Church.

John O’Kane, a minister of the Disciples of Christ in the Springfield, Illinois, area actually baptized Abraham Lincoln. As Mr. O’Kane relates it: “On the night before Lincoln was to be baptized his wife cried all night. The matter was deferred as she thought, but soon after Lincoln and I took a buggy-ride. I baptized him in a creek near Springfield. We changed to dry clothing and returned to the city, and by his request I placed his name on the church book. He lived and died a member of the Church of Christ.”

This record has wide circulation among the Disciples of Christ. It has appeared from time to time in a number of local church publications.

First Christian Church

Lemoyne, Pa.

MORE ON THE REPUBLIC

Just a note to tell you how grateful I am to you for … “Can We Salvage the Republic?” (Mar. 3 issue). This is one of the best pieces of writing on the state of contemporary life I have seen in a long time. It is strong in substance, penetrating in its analysis, and yet it holds out the great hope of the gospel.

The National Presbyterian Church

Washington, D. C.

I believe the title could be said … “How Can We Salvage England?” The condition of our church and state are at a very low ebb spiritually. Crime is on the increase from youth to old age. The welfare state has become a social disease. Greed and grab and the lust for money and power is common knowledge. Material prosperity at the heavy cost of national deterioration.

“When nations perish in their sins, ‘tis in the Church the leprosy begins.” The open Bible is the weapon of the Church’s warfare. A spiritual revival of teaching and doctrines of the Reformation.

Milford-on-Sea, England

DETOUR

As a reader of Christianity Today I should like to say that I am not convinced that Carl McIntire is in the wrong track. He may detour at times, but who doesn’t?!!

Fairmont, Neb.

HELP FOR CLERGY

Regarding the ministers’ replies to the challenge of the sick and dying (Feb. 3 issue) my heart cried out with the poet:

Where is that spirit, Lord, which dwelt

In Abram’s breast, and sealed in Thine?

Which made Paul’s heart with sorrow melt,

And glow with energy divine?

By and large I wondered who needed the most help—the patient or the clergy. I agree that it would be hard to give the exact responses or approach we would make in a hypothetical situation, but what seemed lacking was a basic message.

Seventh-day Adventist Seminary

Washington, D. C.

The “Symposium” is one of the most inspiring articles I have ever read, and will go first to my own doctor, and then to two young friends just starting their medical careers.

Clifford Vicarage

Hereford, England

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