Stephen N. Haskell

Stephen. N. Haskell on the Godhead

From 1902-1919, Haskell was the editor of the Bible Training School. There was a brief period from 1905-1907 where he also took on a role as Assistant Editor of Southern Watchman periodical to help Butler. But he continued to remain as editor of BTS.

“This was an acknowledgment on their part of the prospering hand of God in providing for their temporal wants, and a token of an appreciation of the fact that Heaven had given them its choicest and best gift, even God’s first-born, God’s only begotten Son, to die for them.” —S. N. Haskell, Review and Herald – March 18, 1873; “Malachi 3: 7”

“Let us ‘consider some of the leading thoughts: in the preceding chapters. The first chapter presents Christ — His character and position. He is the brightness of the Father’s glory and the “express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word Of His power.” He is better and much more exalted than the angels, “as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” He is the Son of God, and therefore has inherited every name which is applied to God, the Creator of ‘the heavens and the earth. He also is the Creator, and is called God. “Thy throne, 0 God, is forever and ever,” Again, “Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid; the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands.” Here Christ is presented on an equality with the Father, NOT CREATED AS WERE THE ANGELS BUT AS THE CREATOR OF ANGELS — the great “I AM,” He who inhabiteth eternity. It is thus the apostle introduces us to the subject of the sanctuary. It is not to such and such dimensions, to the material of which the earthly sanctuary was made, but to Christ its minister, and to the Father, to whom the sanctuary belongs. The High Priest is ours, but the sanctuary is God’s. We are the worshipers in the sanctuary.” —S. N. Haskell, The Sanctuary Question, Review and Herald August 20, 190

“…He and the Father, four thousand years before, had finished the work of creation at the close of the sixth day. The Saviour rested from His work of redemption on the seventh day, Luke 23:54-56, as He and the Father had rested from the work of creation.”  — S. N. Haskell, “The Book of Revelation”, Bible Training School – May 1903

God's Spirit is a full representation of himself-1899

“So God’s Spirit is a full representation of himself. To reason out what God’s Spirit is, is the same as reasoning out what God is, or the same as reasoning out what Christ is in his divinity. The fact may be grasped, but the explanation can not be given. It is a great mystery; and a mystery is that which can not be comprehended…We can comprehend the fact that the Holy Spirit exists, by his operation on the earth. He reveals to us wonderful things. We know his effect; BUT TO UNDERTAKE TO DEFINE WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS, IS SIMPLY ENTERING UPON FORBIDDEN GROUND- FORBIDDEN BECAUSE THE MIND CAN NOT COMPREHEND IT….So the operations of the Holy Spirit proves his existence; but to undertake to explain this divine relation of God and Christ and the Holy Spirit, is wrong; for they are mysteries which overpower the mind in its research and land us into the great unknown” (S.N. Haskell, Review and Herald Nov 28, 1899)

Melchisedec-1903

In the article below , which was originally published in Bible Training School, November 1, 1903, pg. 90, under the title “Melchisedec”; Haskell wrote,

“In the Review and Herald of February 18,1890, page 97, last paragraph, we read from Mrs. E. G. White: ‘It was Christ that spake through Melchisedec, the priest of the most high God. Melchisedec was not Christ, but he was the voice of God in this world, the representative of the Father.’

“There is but one being in the universe that fills all these specifications. That is the Spirit of God. He ever lives to intercede. He has no beginning of days or end of life. He represents the Father and the Son. He speaks peace to the troubled soul. He is not an angel of any kind, for angels are amenable to law, and were created. This being is equal to the Father and the Son. It is the voice of God in the world. A careful study of the above and a belief of the same will forever settle the question as to who Melchisedec is.”

Original source: Bible Training School, November 1, 1903, pg. 90

Who Is Mechisedec? -1904

In the article. below, which was published in Bible Training School, November 1, 1904; Haskell refers to the Holy Spirit as the “third person of the Godhead” and he again identifies Melchisedec as the Holy Spirit. Haskell wrote,

The Holy Spirit, “the third person of the Godhead ” the soul-of Christ’s life, and the light and life of the world is the only one to whom all of the above specifications will apply. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead, and therefore is “King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is King of peace.”

The ” Spirit itself•maketh intercession for us with groanings which can not be uttered, and He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Rom. 8 : 26, 27. Therefore the Spirit ” abideth a priest continually,” and is a,”° priest of the most high God.”

The Spirit is the ” third person of the Godhead,” and therefore has no more beginning of days nor end of life ” than God Himself. There is no record of father, mother, or pedigree given of the Holy Spirit. As the third person of the Godhead, it is greater than Abraham and could bless him.

The Spirit comes to the world as a representative of Christ and thus is made like unto Christ. The Holy Spirit has visibly appeared to man under different forms. The Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Christ. Luke 3:22. It cadre as cloven tongues of fire upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost. To Abraham it appeared as a King, Priest. To-day It comes as a blessed Comforter to every one who will open his heart to receive it.

Original Source: Bible Training School November 1, 1904, pg 85, 86

Here are 2 other statements showing where Haskell viewed the Holy Spirit as Melchisedec; there may be others:

Bible Training School, 1914 April 1, pg. 221

Bible Training School, 1917 September 1, pg. 90

The Story of the Seer of Patmos-1905

“The rainbow in the clouds is but a symbol of the rainbow which has encircled the throne from eternity. Back in the ages, which finite mind cannot fathom, the Father and Son were alone in the universe. Christ was the first begotten of the Father, and to Him Jehovah made known the divine plan of Creation. The plan of the creation of worlds was unfolded, together with the order of beings which should people them. Angels, as representatives of one order, would be ministers of the God of the universe. The creation of our own little world, was included in the deep-laid plans. The fall of Lucifer was foreseen; likewise the possibility of the introduction of sin, which would mar the perfection of the divine handiwork. It was then, in those early councils, that Christ’s heart of love was touched; and the only begotten Son pledged His life to redeem man, should he yield and fall. Father and Son, surrounded by impenetrable glory, clasped hands. It was in appreciation of this offer, that upon Christ was bestowed creative power, and the everlasting covenant was made; and henceforth Father and Son, with one mind, worked together to complete the work of creation. Sacrifice of self for the good of others was the foundation of it all.” (Stephen N. Haskell, The Story of the Seer of Patmos, pages 93, 94, 1905)

“Before the creation of our world, “there was war in heaven.” Christ and the Father covenanted together; and Lucifer, the covering cherub, grew jealous because he was not admitted into the eternal councils of the Two who sat upon the throne.” (Stephen N. Haskell, The Story of the Seer of Patmos, pages 217, 1905)

“Christ was the firstborn in heaven; He was likewise the firstborn of God upon earth, and heir to the Father’s throne. Christ, the firstborn, though the Son of God, was clothed in humanity, and was made perfect through suffering. He took the form of man, and through eternity, He will remain a man.” (Stephen N. Haskell, The Story of the Seer of Patmos, pages 98, 99, 1905)

Click HERE to view or download the book, The Story of the Seer of Patmos

“Adam and Eve together with the Father and Son, rested upon this first Sabbath day of time.” — unsigned (Haskell as the editor) “The Sabbath Bridge” Bible Training School – June 1905

“The most valuable of all friendships is friendship with God the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ, and with angels. — S. N. Haskell, “Friendship” Bible Training School” – October 1905

“To us who have had light, there is but one God the Father. There is one truth. There is but one Lord Jesus Christ by whom were all things, and we by Him.” S. N. Haskell , “A Good Conscience“ Bible Training School – August 1906

”There were two associated together in the work of creation for the record reads: “Let us make man in our image after our likeness.” Gen. 1:26. The Father and the Son united in the work of creation and also rested together upon that first seventh day of time.” Gen. 2:1-3. —The Saviour’s Rest Day, Bible Training School – August 1906

“Name the three Beings”

In the “Questions for Study” section of the book, The Story of the Seer of Patmos, we find these words in question number 17: “17. Name the three Beings that unite in sending a blessing to the church”

The question 17 falls under the heading, “CHAPTER II” of the same page so we can surmise that the question should pertain to the contents within the chapter 2 of the book.

We know that Haskell referred to the Holy Spirit as a “being” in his previous statement wherein he identifies the Holy Spirit as Melchisedec:

“There is but one BEING in the universe that fills all these specifications. That is the Spirit of God. He ever lives to intercede. He has no beginning of days or end of life. He represents the Father and the Son. He speaks peace to the troubled soul. He is not an angel of any kind, for angels are amenable to law, and were created. This BEING is equal to the Father and the Son. It is the voice of God in the world. A careful study of the above and a belief of the same will forever settle the question as to who Melchisedec is.” (Stephen Haskell, Bible Training School, November 1, 1903, pg. 90)

It is quite noteworthy to point out that in the above statement, while Haskell refers to the Holy Spirit as a “Being” and used masculine pronoun, “He” and yet he follows that with an “it is the voice of God…”. No one speaks about God or Christ as an “it” (we know that Ellen White, while referring to the Holy Spirit as a “person” also referred to the Holy Spirit as an “it”). Perhaps this is a clue as to how Haskell or even Ellen White viewed the “person” or a “being” of the Holy Spirit differently than the personhood of God or Christ.

In another statement published in Bible Training School November 1, 1904, pg 85, 86, under the heading “Who is Melchisedec?”, Haskell again identifies the Holy Spirit as Melchisedec and also describes the Holy Spirit as “the third person of the Godhead”. He wrote:

The Holy Spirit, “the third person of the Godhead” the soul-of Christ’s life, and the light and life of the world is the only one to whom all of the above specifications will apply. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead, and therefore is “King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is King of peace.”

Also, we find in his later statement (Bible Training School, February 1, 1914) written approximately 9 year later wherein he identifies the “seven Spirits” mentioned in Revelation 1:4 as the Holy Spirit and describes the benediction of Revelation 1:4-6 as coming “from the Trinity separately”. Haskell wrote:

“The benediction pronounced upon those who do hear, and read, and keep the things written in this book, is very striking. ‘Grace be unto you, and peace from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come ( i.e., God the Father), and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne (i.e., the Holy Spirit), and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God, and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion forever, and ever. Amen.’ Rev. 1 : 4-6. There are many inspired benedictions pronounced upon God’s people in the Bible ; but none like this one. It comes from the Trinity, separately.

That said, having observed the questions listed on page 374, the answers appears to correlate to the questions chronological within the chapter 2. Thus based on this reasoning, we find the following paragraph on page 32 of the book showing where we might find the answer to the question 17:

“Jehovah, the Great I AM, who appeared to Moses in the burning bush, the Father of us all, who meets us where we are,-He, the Ever Present, breathed His blessing on the church called by the name of His Son. And from “the seven spirits which are before His throne,” and from Jesus Christ, the visible manifestation of that Spirit, came the greeting of grace and peace to the companies who should be known by the name of the Anointed. {1905 SNH, SSP 32.1}

Assuming Haskell understood the “seven spirits” as the Holy Spirit, and assuming Haskell understood the Holy Spirit as either a “being” or the “third person of the Godhead” as aforementioned statements suggests, then one would reasonably conclude that the answer to the question 17 (“Name the three Beings that unite in sending a blessing to the church”), based on chapter 2, to be the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.

But I would remind the reader, that within the same book, Haskell wrote,

“Back in the ages, which finite mind cannot fathom, the Father and Son were ALONE in the universe. Christ was the first begotten of the Father, and to Him Jehovah made known the divine plan of Creation.” (Stephen N. Haskell, The Story of the Seer of Patmos 1905, pages 93)

If Haskell understood the Holy Spirit to be an entirely independent, self-originated “being” not unlike God the Father and Christ, who existed from all eternity (not dissimilar to the modern day SDAs’ belief), then why did he say, “Back in the ages, which finite mind cannot fathom, the Father and Son were ALONE in the universe.”? Where was the Holy Spirit? Thus, it is somewhat ambiguous and difficult to ascertain as to how exactly Haskell viewed the personhood of the Holy Spirit.

Click HERE to view or download the book, The Story of the Seer of Patmos

The Story of Daniel the Prophet (1905, 1908):

“The Saviour ascended to heaven, leaving His disciples alone, but not alone, for ” behold, two men stood by them in white apparel.” While heaven rang with songs of welcome to the returning Son of God, two angels stood on earth to comfort the lonely ones. One of these was Gabriel, Christ’s attendant angel. Of all the angels of heaven none have been more closely connected with man than has Gabriel. Yet to John, who fell before him to worship, he said, ” See thou do it not ; for I am thy fellow-servant.” Gabriel was only an angel, upheld by the same Power that sustained John, and he would not for one moment allow John to be deceived by THINKING HE WAS A PART OF THE GREAT TRINITY OF HEAVEN AND WORTHY OF THE WORSHIP OF MANKIND He assured John that he was only one of the hosts of “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for them who should be heirs of salvation,” by saying, “I am thy fellow-servant.” So bound up in the affairs of man is this mighty angel that he counts himself one with us. This is the one whom Christ has used to convey the light of future events to men upon earth. To every prophet, from Moses to John, the same angel came, and to the remnant church it is still Gabriel who reveals truth through the person of the prophet.” (S. N. Haskell, The Story of Daniel the Prophet, 1905 edition, pg. 132) http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Books/DP1908.pdf

"Immortality" Mrs. S. N. Haskell BTS September 1905 Vol. 4 - No. 4 ST January 15, 1906 Vol. 21 - No. 2

“Are we immortal ? is a question often asked. The Bible says that only one being naturally possesses immortality. ‘In His times He shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who ONLY HATH IMMORTALITY, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see.’ 1 Tim 6:15,16. The only one possessing immortality is the Father, the one whose person no man hath seen. THE FATHER HATH GIVEN THIS SAME LIFE TO THE SON. ‘As THE FATHER HATH LIFE in Himself; SO HATH HE GIVEN TO THE SON TO HAVE LIFE IN HIMSELF.’” John 5:26.

“From this last text we find there are TWO BEINGS THAT HAVE LIFE IN THEMSELVES. The same life the Father hath, and that is immortality,—eternal life. God calls man mortal, not immortal. Job 4:17. Man does not of himself possess immortality; but ‘thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ,’ there is a way by which ‘mortal man’ may finally be clad in the glorious robes of immortality, and even in this life have within him eternal life. ‘This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and THIS LIFE IS IN HIS SON. He that hath the Son hath life; and HE THAT HATH NOT THE SON OF GOD HATH NOT LIFE.’” 1 John 5:11,12.

“None but the righteous have the promise of eternal life, and they possess it just as long as they have Christ within them the hope of glory. Col. 1:27. If they reject Christ and turn from Him they have no eternal life; for no one that cherishes sin has eternal life. “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:15.”

“The doctrine of the trinity is true when rightly understood. They are one in nature, one in purpose, and so perfect is that union, that Christ said, ” I and My Father are one.” “All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine and show it unto you.” “At that day ye shall know that I am in the Father, and ye in Me, and I in you.” “That they all may be one, as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us : that the world may believe that Thou bast sent Me.” ” I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one ; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.” No human reasoning can explain this oneness. Certain it is, here is a union that is as much holier, higher, and perfect, as the heavens are higher than the earth. And it is possible for man to attain unto it through Christ.” (S. N. Haskell, The Bible Training School, February, 1906; pg 156)

Haskell says, “The doctrine of the trinity is true when rightly understood.” What if, Haskell, because of some wrong ideas he held about the Godhead, wasn’t in a position to make the above statement? Case in point, Haskell was publishing that Melchisedec was the Holy Spirit as early as 1903 until as late as 1917. This strikes at the heart of a sound understanding of the Godhead. In fact, if he were right on that point, as far as we can tell, the implications would dictate that what is “rightly understood” on the Godhead is in fact a wrong understanding. Thus the statement, “the trinity doctrine is true when rightly understood” coming from Haskell is of none effect and can’t be weighed in as evidence in favor of the terms use. Nevertheless, when it comes to the term “trinity”, one should not automatically assume that it conveys a particular doctrine (namely the modern SDAs unbegotten Christology and its pneumatology-Holy Spirit as an entirely separate individual) .

Twice John was forbidden to worship this angel. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are one and receive worship. Each one represents all the other members of the Trinity 1 John 6 :7 ; John 10 :30; John 5 : 23 ; Psa. 139: 7-13; Luke 1 : 36. Gabriel was only an angel bearing a message from the great *Trinity of heaven, and could not receive worship” (S.N. Haskell, The Bible Training School, November 1907, No. 6, pg. 93)

Bible Training School December 1, 1910

Question Box Bible Training School – December 1910 “IS THE HOLY SPIRIT A PERSON?” 

The Holy Spirit is represented in the Bible as one of the Trinity. Of the Holy Spirit, Christ said that it “proceedeth from the Father” ; and, “He shall testify of Me.” John 15:26. In many instances in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is spoken of by the use of the personal pronoun “He” and “His.” From this we would conclude that the Holy Spirit has a personality. WHILE THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS A PERSONALITY, AND IS REPRESENTED AS A PERSONALITY, YET IT IS SPOKEN OF IN A WAY THAT WE CANNOT COMPREHEND ITS PERSONALITY. The definite form of its personality is not revealed in the Bible. In Acts 2:3, 4, it is represented as “cloven tongues”; and in verses 17 and 18, it is represented as an INFLUENCE. In the Bible it is spoken of as DIVESTED OF ALL PERSONALITY; in other places it is represented AS A PERSON; in another place, as “cloven tongues of fire”; and still again, it is represented in a “bodily shape like a dove.” Luke 3:22. IT IS NOT CONFINED TO A PERSONALITY, as a man, as cloven tongues, as a dove, OR AS BEING ONLY AN INFLUENCE. It is evident that the HOLY SPIRIT IS ONE OF THE TRINITY, and FULLY REPRESENTS GOD, AND CHRIST, AND THE TRINITY; and appears in ‘any form or shape, or without form or shape, as best answers the purpose of God. (Stephen Haskell, Bible Training School, 1910, Vol. 9, No. 7; p.13) http://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/BTS/BTS19101201-V09-07.pdf

Note: First of all, some of the statement found in the original copies of the Bible Training School statements are unsigned. But it is generally accepted that since Haskell was the editor and therefore any unsigned statements are attributed to Haskell.

Some trinitarians prematurely jump to the conclusion that just because these statements used the term “trinity” that Haskell’s views have changed from non-trinitarian to trinitarian. By adopting the term, “trinity”, did Haskell believed as modern SDA trinitarians that pre-incarnate Christ was “unbegotten” and that the Holy Spirit is an entirely separate individual and that three gods make one God as it is espoused by modern SDA trinitarians? The evidence do not support this claim.

While Haskell did used the term “trinity”, it is clear that during this time period he did not hold to the same Christology nor pneumatology as what you would typically find in modern Adventism, which deny Christ’s pre-incarnate sonship and make the Holy Spirit an entirely separate being. One has merely to read his book, “The Story of the Seer of Patmos” (published the very same year as The Story of Daniel the Prophet”) to see that it contains expressions that are completely antithetical to the modern Adventist’s doctrine of trinity:

“Back in the ages, which finite mind cannot fathom, the Father and Son were alone in the universe. Christ was the first begotten of the Father, and to Him Jehovah made known the divine plan of Creation.” (The Story of the Seer of Patmos, pages 93, 94, 1905)

If the “Father and Son were alone” where was the Holy Spirit?

“Christ was the firstborn in heaven; He was likewise the firstborn of God upon earth, and heir to the Father’s throne. (ibid pg. 98, 1905)

This sounds like Haskell believed in pre-incarnate begotten Son.

As for Haskell’s 1910 statement, in describing the Holy Spirit, he says, “WHILE THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS A PERSONALITY, AND IS REPRESENTED AS A PERSONALITY,” but adds, “YET IT IS SPOKEN OF IN A WAY THAT WE CANNOT COMPREHEND ITS PERSONALITY.” Again, it would be a remiss to take the phrase, “Holy Spirit is one of the trinity” and erroneously insert the modern SDAs trinitarian doctrine into it. The 1910 statements does not give as evidence to how his views have changed with respect to Christ’s pre-incarnate sonship or the personality of the Holy Spirit being an entirely separate god being, etc. One should recognize that when Haskell and other early church pioneers (including Uriah Smith) used the term “trinity”, it was merely used as a collective term for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and did not necessarily have in mind either the orthodox Catholic Trinity or the current Trinitarian teachings of the modern Seventh-day Adventist church. Learn more HERE

Personality of God taught by Object Lessons by S. N. Haskell
Bible Training School Aug 1919, pp. 52, 53

Source link: https://documents.adventistarchives.org/Periodicals/BTS/BTS19190801-V18-03.pdf

“FROM the fall of man, by every possible means, God has sought to impress the human mind with the fact that there is a personal holy God in heaven and a real place where He dwells. In believing this there was a power to transform character and make men holy…

“And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me, I have put my name there.” 2 Chron. 7: 4-16. It represented God Himself in the heavens. It fixed the mind of the individual upon a definite object and place. It gave a realizing sense of the fact that there is a God, and He is to be worshiped. One of the most remarkable victories recorded in the Bible was when this promise was plead before the Lord. 2 Chron. 20: 5-25. For seventy-five -years in Babylon, Daniel knelt three times a day with his face toward Jerusalem. Dan. 6: to. The Saviour also lifted up His eyes toward heaven where He is now our High Priest at the right hand of the Majesty in the sanctuary above. John 17: 1; Heb. 8: 1-5. So the personality of God was taught in all the services connected with the earthly sanctuary.