Response to the article, Signs of the Times, October 2, 1956
Following is an excerpt entitled, “Adventist Vindicated” (from the October 2, 1956 issue of the Signs of the Times, pages 3 and 4, authored by Arthur S. Maxwell, who was then the publishing editor of the magazine) followed by a few responses to the article.
[quote]
Adventists Vindicated
One of the most epoch-making events in recent church history is the publication of an article on Seventh-day Adventists in the September issue of Eternity. It exploded in religious circles like a hydrogen bomb, and its “fall out” is being carried on the winds of theological argument clear around the world.
“Are Seventh-day Adventists Christians ?” was the title of the article, and it was written by none other than Dr. Donald G. Barnhouse, editor of Eternity and one of the most highly respected of all evangelical leaders.
To those who are unfamiliar with the controversy upon which this article touches, the question in the title may seem absurd, like asking, “Are Baptists Christians ?” or, “Are Presbyterians Christians ?” or, “Are Methodists Christians ?” Those personally acquainted with Seventh-day Adventists will say, “Of course they are Christians! What’s all the fuss about ?”
The fact is that for the past hundred years, because of their insistence that the Ten Commandments should be observed by twentieth-century Christians, and that the seventh day, not the first, is the true Bible Sabbath, Seventh-day Adventists have been classified by certain evangelical groups as non-Christians. All sorts of untrue stories have been circulated about them. They have been charged with being “legalists,” denying the atonement of Christ, making Satan their Saviour, preaching salvation by works, and so forth. They have, in fact, endured a century of slander.
Now at last vindication has come. Dr. Barnhouse reveals that for the past two years he has probed into every Seventhday Adventist teaching with painstaking care. Together with Mr. Walter R. Martin, an authority on cults, and Professor George Cannon of Nyack Missionary College, he has met with Seventh-day Adventist leaders for days on end, discussing every point that has ever been brought up concerning their doctrines. After all this study and debate he now declares: “Several evangelical leaders have come to a new attitude toward the Seventh-day Adventist church. The change is a remarkable one since it consists in moving the Seventh-day Adventists, in our opinion, out of the list of anti-Christian and non-Christian cults into the group of those who are brethren in Christ.”
As the discussions proceeded—and they represented “hundreds of hours of labor”—Dr. Barnhouse was led to make a vital personal decision. To the group of Seventh-day Adventist leaders whom he had graciously invited to his home, he confessed: “I had come to see that, beyond question, there were sober, sane, truly regenerated men among the leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist church. While they still held positions which were totally alien to my thinking and which I had to repudiate, I was ready to admit that some of these positions had been held in the past by noted Christians (Mar- tin Luther held one of these positions which with the modern Lutheran church I repudiate), and that I was ready to extend a hand to these men as Christian brethren though I still reserve the right strenuously to refute the two or three positions which evangelicals hold to be in error.”
Dr. Barnhouse’s course of action in examining Seventhday Adventist teachings so diligently, and courageously declaring his new position concerning them, are hallmarks of a truly great man, and we honor him for what he has said and done in this matter.
We hold nothing against him because he found “two or three positions” with which he could not agree. That was to be expected. The best of Christians have differed on minor matters of theology all down the centuries, and will continue to do so till the end of time.
But it is a source of gratification that at long last the truth about Seventh-day Adventist teachings about Christ has been brought so boldly into the open by so famous a man as Dr. Barnhouse. It is refreshing indeed to have the slanders torn away by a Bible scholar of international repute and to hear him say: “They hold that Jesus Christ is the eternal Word of God, second member of the Godhead, eternally existing with God as God, and they repudiate absolutely any concept that Jesus was a created being. . . . The Adventists take their place in the very center of traditional Christianity’s Trinitarian doctrine as accepting the Christology of the New Testament, of the Fathers, the Reformers, and all true evangelicals.”
The attitude of any denomination toward Christ is fundamental, and we rejoice that there is no longer any question in the minds of our evangelical friends that Seventh-day Adventists do indeed exalt Him “far above all” as the divine Saviour, King of kings, and Lord of lords. All else is secondary, including the three theological concepts held by Seventh-day Adventists which are denied by Dr. Barnhouse; namely, the Sabbath, conditional immortality, and the “investigative” judgment. Further study of these matters in the same open-minded and prayerful spirit will, we trust, lead the good doctor and his fellow evangelicals to agree that Seventh-day Adventists have strong Biblical as well as historical evidence for the positions which they take.
As to the effect of Dr. Barnhouse’s courageous reappraisal of Seventh-day Adventists, we are convinced that it will not only create a sensation in evangelical circles, but will lead thousands of the best people in all denominations to restudy the “message” which Seventh-day Adventists feel called to give to the world in these last days.
This means that the spotlight of world attention—with all its awesome challenges—is going to be focused more and more upon this denomination. And if Seventh-day Adventists truly understand the times as they claim to do, they will pray without ceasing that their exaltation of Christ shall be recognized not only in their preaching and teaching, but in the beauty and graciousness of their daily lives. For them indeed there is now no alternative. Theory and practice must be in perfect harmony to the glory of their Lord.
A. s. M. [Arthur S. Maxwell]
[end quote]
Response by Jason Smith
SDAs take their place in the very center of traditional Christianity’s trinitarian doctrine in accepting the Christology of the New Testament, of the Fathers, the Reformers, and all true evangelicals? Really? Did no one inform these men that the Adventist landmark pillars regarding the personality of God and the personality of Christ are incompatible with traditional trinitarianism? Did the SDA leaders themselves not know this? Or was there an effort, on the part of certain leading SDA men at this time, to remove that particular pillar so as to fit in with spiritual Babylon? Ellen White had prophesied that this would occur.
And all else is secondary? Including the three theological concepts, – the Sabbath, conditional immortality, and the investigative judgment? Really? And after “hundreds of hours of labor” was it likely that “further study of these matters” would cause Barnhouse, Martin, and their fellow evangelicals “to agree that Seventh-day Adventists have strong Biblical as well as historical evidence” for those positions? What has time revealed about this? Did they ever change their view? Did they ever inform their audiences about this? Or did they actually continue to publicly oppose these things? Surely, we know the answer right?
Call me judgmental if you wish but the reality here is that Martin and Barnhouse were not as “open-minded” as these naive SDA leaders purported. Think of it. How could Martin read so much of the Testimony of Jesus and not join in to proclaim the 3 angels’ messages? He ever remained an antagonist against Adventism in this sense, even while proclaiming them as true Christians. The prophetic light and end time test were made a matter of insignificant preference by these men. It astonishes me that so many do not see this. I’m sorry friends but Martin had opportunity to see the very clear light that was shining out of the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuary but he did not accept it. He actually opposed it in several ways and his influence, even if you look at it casually, was calculated to draw men and women away from it. Again, both the Bible and the servant of the Lord tells us about the spirit that it within Babylon.
“And He cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Rev 18:2-4)
The passage above can only be possible through satan and the fallen angels masquerading as if they were the holy Spirit. The false doctrines of Babylon are sustained by the unholy influence of satan purporting to be the Spirit of God. This is how he seeks to draw people away from the most holy place
“I turned to look at the company who were still bowed before the throne; they did not know that Jesus had left it. Satan appeared to be by the throne, trying to carry on the work of God. I saw them look up to the throne, and pray, “Father, give us Thy Spirit.” Satan would then breathe upon them an unholy influence; in it there was light and much power, but no sweet love, joy, and peace. Satan’s object was to keep them deceived and to draw back and deceive God’s children {EW 56.1}
Looking back, with the advantage of hindsight, we can see that Martin and Barnhouse accomplished an satanic agenda in Adventism – that agenda was the denigration of the Testimony of Jesus, via Ellen White, and the repudiation of the landmark pillars of the personality of God and the personality of Christ in order for SDAs to be considered as true trinitarians. Now, I grant the point that the process regarding the latter had started before 1955 but this period was when the doctrine of unbegottenism truly started to become cemented within Adventism as the new orthodoxy. While they may have thought they were doing God a service, the reality is that they were used by the enemy to remove the prophetic warning and further undermine the foundation of Adventism. And while God has used this things to His advantage (as He is wont to do) the people of God must not be naive as to what really occurred.
Response by Terry Hill
Arthur Stanley Maxwell (1896-1970) is still probably one of the best known ministers of the SDA Church. Known affectionately as “Uncle Arthur”, he was the author of ‘Bedtime Stories’, also the famous 10 volume set ‘The Bible Story’ (1953-1957). He is said to have written 112 books. Born in England, he became the Assistant Editor of the Present Truth (UK) and then its editor (a post he held for 16 years). He later moved to the USA and became editor of the Signs.
In 1919 he wrote in the UK Present Truth (speaking of Lucifer)
“In the heart of this beautiful creature sin began its terrible career. Here the first selfish thought of pride was cherished, the evil seed that has borne such a frightful harvest. That sinful thought led Lucifer on from one wickedness to another. He even became jealous of the power given by the Eternal Father to His only-begotten Son, and he said: “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: . . . I will be like the Most High.” Isa. xiv, 13, 14. He forgot that he was the creature and Christ the Creator.” (A. S. Maxwell, Present Truth (UK), February 6th 1919, ‘Christ the Creator’)
Here it is said that Lucifer was jealous of the power that God had GIVEN to Christ. This was the ‘old time religion’ believed by SDAs.
It can be seen from what Maxwell wrote in 1956 (see OP) how he changed his views of Christ – unless it was just for the sake of ‘going along’ with the ‘promotional job’ concerning the SDA Church. Consider the following.
Six years later in 1924 he wrote (he was then editor of the UK ‘Present Truth))
“Christianity has been built upon the fundamental belief that Jesus Christ was indeed the only begotten Son of God. On this foundation stone has been erected the beautiful structure of the Christian plan of salvation.” (A. S. Maxwell, The Present Truth, July 17th 1924, ‘Certainties of the Gospel’, see also Australian Signs of the times, September 15th 1924 and The Canadian Watchman, April 1925,)
Note the emphasis on Christ being God’s only begotten Son.
In 1943 when he was editor of the Signs, he allowed this to be published (which was obviously still acceptable then to SDAs)
“Did Christ exist before He was born of the Virgin Mary? (Dallas Youngs, Signs of the Times, 2nd February 1943, ‘Signs Bible School’, ‘Christ’s pre-existence and Deity’)
Note the title of the article.
After giving the answer as being found in Colossians 1:17, Youngs added this note
“NOTE.—”Before the world was.” That is, from eternity, before this world was created. Jesus, praying the Father in John 17: 24, said, “for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world.” Before the creation of this world, or the starry heavens, even before an angel was brought into existence by the creative hand of God, God begot His Son, Jesus Christ, of His own substance.” (Ibid)
We see here that the belief that Christ is truly the Son of God (begotten of God in eternity) was still, in 1943, being taught in our main denominational periodicals.
Six years later in 1949, Maxwell allowed Youngs to say
“According to the Bible the Father is the First Cause, the source of all power; the Son is the active agent in all creation and is the Redeemer; while the Holy Spirit is the representative of both the Father and the Son.” (Dallas Youngs, Signs of the Times, 15th February 1949, ‘Seekers after truth’, No. 7, Heaven first family’)
Again this is the old time faith of SDAs. In fact 3 years later in 1952, Maxwell himself wrote (still as editor of the Signs of the Times)
“Coveting the honor which the Father had bestowed upon His Son, Lucifer aspired to power which it was the prerogative of Christ alone to wield.” (Arthur S. Maxwell, Signs of the Times, August 5th 1952, ‘Christ Warns of Trouble Ahead’)
So was his 1956 remark (see OP) just a promotional job and not his own belief? One is left to wonder.
One last point (thank you for being patient). Regarding the so called ‘acceptance’ by the evangelicals, George Knight wrote in 1991 in the Ministry magazine (his opening remarks were that Churches, like people, progress from adolescence to adulthood)
“If a specific date can be given for Adventism’s arrival at “adulthood,” it may best be seen as 1956, when the denomination had the “right hand of fellowship” extended to it by Donald Grey Barnhouse, editor of Eternity and a highly influential fundamentalist leader. The acceptance of that fellowship unfortunately (but predictably) split the Adventist ranks between those who viewed it as a step forward and those who saw it as a “sell-out” to the enemy.” (George Knight, Ministry, June 1991, ‘Adventism, institutionalism, and the challenge of secularization’)
He then added
“Like it or not, the denomination did reach its adulthood.” (Ibid)
His later thought was
“The important question now became whether the denomination would use its adulthood responsibly.” (Ibid)
So was it “adulthood” or a “sell-out”? To my way of thinking (agreeing with Jason Smith), this “adulthood” seems to be the height of apostasy from the truth that God gave this church, also from its mission here on this earth. Those are my thoughts anyway.
Response by Paul Chung
It is truly a sad reality that the Adventist church, in its history, has been so willing to repudiate its own unique position in seeking validation from their apostate evangelical protestant brethrens. It seems evident that, of the more notable theological stance which Adventists have held that distinguished our denomination from others, including the perpetuity of the 7th day Sabbath, conditional immortality, and the investigative judgment, the church’s Christology was at the center of this Barnhouse investigation. The main issue that Barnhouse helped to validate was to acknowledge that the Adventists are no longer the denomination that deserved the cult stigma for their former non-trinitarian position, and consequently allowed the acceptance of Adventists as orthodox Christians- to “take their place in the very center of traditional Christianity’s Trinitarian doctrine as accepting the Christology of the New Testament, of the Fathers, the Reformers, and all true evangelicals.”
“It is refreshing indeed to have the slanders torn away by a Bible scholar of international repute”??? to adopt an erroneous doctrine and be accepted by the man who represents the daughters of Babylon? Lord have mercy.
