THE CATHOLIC NATURE OF "CELEBRATION!"

New theology will tell us that it is not clear what the church should do at this very perplexing time in the earth's history. Therefore when strange "new" movements knock on the door to come in, new theology tells us, "Let them in and let's wait and see if they would do us harm! Don't be hasty in judgment now! You never know if it's bad till you first try it!" These are people who do not realize the power contained within the word of God, and who would refuse to know even if it is revealed to them. There are other people who are absolutely dependent on the guidance found within the word of God. Naturally therefore, these people will find all their guidance from the PAST. These people will know most definitely whether a movement is good BEFORE it is given a deadly trial.

Every jot and tittle of divine guidance--every ounce of scripture is in the past, and the same holds true for the Spirit of Prophecy. All our light comes from divine revelation given in God's word none of which was written in the computer age. If someone comes to you and tells you he can forgive your sins if you pay him some money, you should not waste your time telling him that you can dream your way through today's uncertain times. Neither should you sit in a meeting in debate, considering yourself a coward if you rely upon divine guidance all coming from the past, and do not tackle the problems yourself, when the Bible or some incident within our past church history readily has the answer. You should show that person an example from the past where it was declared that all such will perish with their money because they thought that salvation can be purchased with money.

If something is uncertain to you, you should open the pages of those books which were produced before you were born and receive the light of certainty there. You should never be humiliated for being dependent upon the past for all your guidance. If you ever thought that the guidance found in the Spirit of Prophecy was outdated, then you have certainly graduated from the Bible. This is already a full-blown point of disunity among our brethren today. By urging us to "dream," into "uncertain tomorrows," to accept movements which we call "NEW," we are acknowledging that we must submit to divinely "UNDOCUMENTED" movements and ideas: movements which cannot be found in the word of God. You must understand that the most basic fundamental principle of Protestantism cannot accept such a proposition; for if it is not found in the Bible, it is to be left alone. "The Bible and the Bible only" is the religion of Protestants. Not "dreams," not rhetoric from Ph.D's and not the most distinguished halls of meeting. Neither is it to be considered "how early" a doctrine or practice has originated; if it is not found in the Bible, it is not to be considered. If you cannot defend a movement with the word of God, LEAVE IT ALONE! If you cannot defeat someone who opposes you with the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy, LEAVE HIM ALONE! To fight against him would be to fight against God. The Celebration Movement, rapidly gaining ground in this denomination functions exclusively upon CATHOLIC principle!

An example of the clarity contained in the word of Christ would be the questions the Sadducees asked Jesus, one of which was what would happen after a woman, being widowed many times, finally died expecting to keep at least one of her husbands in heaven? (Matt. 22:24-30). Take note that these were very wise scholars who must have put substantial effort into concocting this baffling riddle. Consider also that they had presented it to opposing religious leaders and factions in their day and age and encountered great success, since, obviously, they had not found anyone among them who can answer that riddle. Would it not be considered that they used this riddle on Christ since they knew that it stumped everyone else?

Yet when they got to Jesus, His answer was emphatic as always: "Ye do err, NOT KNOWING THE SCRIPTURES, NOR THE POWER OF GOD. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven." (verses 29 and 30).

Not only did Jesus at different times abundantly prove they were in error on their position that there was no resurrection, He also here showed that marriage will not be in effect in heaven, and placed all authority for this conclusion on the Scriptures. Yet where do we have authority ourselves for believing that marriage would no longer be in heaven? Do we not derive this authority most exclusively from Jesus' statement here in the New Testament? What other place in the bible can you prove that there will be no marriage in heaven except for Jesus' plain words here? Notice how Jesus came to His conclusion by using the Old Testament Scriptures. Notice how He reproved the Sadducees for not knowing this, in fact stating that had they known the scriptures and the power of God, they would have known most definitely not only that there was a resurrection, but that marriage would no longer be in heaven. At the time these words were spoken, there was no New Testament writings in existence.

Can't you see that Jesus is telling us that anyone can acquire the knowledge He demonstrated and show that the scriptures really do have light shown in awesome clarity? Don't you see how Jesus sounds very "dogmatic," according to the examples given by our new theology brethren? Can't you see what He expects of us? You think Jesus figured this out merely because he was God? If that was so, He would not have rebuked the Sadducees for erring. Christ expects all of His children to be skillful with the two-edged sword! If Jesus was here today, would He not have some scathing rebukes for us as a people? Here is the conclusion of the matter:

 Are not Christ's followers also to give His word its due honor by showing its power for clarity and discernment? You show me one New-Theology Seventh-day Adventist theologian or leader today which would fit in with this description given of the Master Who shows His followers the power of His word!

Now consider this example held in high-handed contrast with the example just given of Jesus. This is, according to the North American Division, the stated position of our church today. In the "Issues" tract against "certain" independent ministries, written by New Theology leadership figures within the North American Division, I examined this statement on page 5:

 Isn't it strange that Ellen White should write her statement about the way Christ would teach, and yet produce commentary on the nature of Christ that would "seem to support varying viewpoints?" ARE YOU READING THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY ladies and gentlemen? Is there any instruction given us by the Spirit of Prophecy that is not clear? An essential element for the destructive "new" movements is CONFUSION. That's why these conflicting ideas "MUST be held in tension with each other." If you re-establish the power of God's word and get rid of the confusion, the "new" movements and those who push them would dry up and blow away. Know for sure that confusion is the necessary soil for the "Celebration" Movement.

But even yet now, with the documentation you have already seen on this website, did you not notice that they have become bold in telling us that the new ideas must "take over?" Remember George Knight's statements at the GC session 2,000?

I therefore ask you: do you know Christ? If you believe His instruction is subject to debate, let me not hesitate to pop your bubble: YOU DO NOT KNOW HIM! Why do the New Theology people in our church condemn those who preach and teach the same way Jesus did?

We could see in the example of Jesus, that the Sadducees, whom He reproved, were a separate group within the Jewish Church which had their particular views about the resurrection and about marriage in heaven. We notice that the Jewish Church left that issue open, especially since none of the Jewish leaders could answer the riddle. Yet Jesus reproved them anyway; therefore by new theology's own definition, Jesus was "dogmatic."

Allow me to point out that the methods of worship and revival have been consistently the same for the church of God since the beginning--until now, if we are to consider the behavior of New Theology advocates to be according to the Spirit of God. We never heard the term, "Different forms of worship" until now in any divine documentation to be found anywhere in the world today. Whichever culture, race, province or occupation the inhabitants of the earth were bound in, the word "Reverence" never failed to transcend every barrier until now. Reverence, for the first time in the history of God's church, apparently is not understood in all different languages and cultures--certainly not in the new movements.

 Where therefore, do the electric guitars fit in with revival? Where does the Jazz and the Reggae fit in? Where does the Hollywood nights and Back to the Future fit in with all of this. Where does the very popular phrase, "But times have changed! These are the 1990's" fit in? So our forefathers did not have the contemporary beat, and you complain that their music was "dead." How could they have survived the relentless onslaughts of Satan if they were dead Christians? Does "lively" and "dead" depend on the instruments we bring to church? or upon the Holy Spirit? If the gift of the Holy Spirit depended upon the musical instruments and jumpy music we bring to church, that would mean that the gift of the Holy Spirit depended upon works.

You must understand that though the new theology advocates talk about "uncertain tomorrows" and declare that the future is "uncertain," though they tell us it is time to dream and think without believing there are any clear answers, their objectives, coming to fruition in the church all over North America are producing essentially the same results, showing that the new movements are already well designed and planned. In every church marked as a victim for their wiles, there is discussion and debate within their legislative committees for what the people should have, even though it is already known what is planned for them. Churches are bringing drama into their services, their services are being split into two scheduled assemblies on Sabbaths, popular music long considered sacrilege to play in church are freely used, there is a tremendous emphasis on praise and mirth, while of course, those who press these movements show incredible political skill and do not humble themselves, for their own sakes, to submerge themselves or make themselves drunk with the very mirth they push. They continually tell the multitudes to keep their eyes off the church lest they lose sight of Jesus, yet they themselves, by their political skill, reveal that they have their eyes fastened to the church.

Theatrics is continually being used in these movements. New pastors, intent and commissioned to spread the Celebration movement everywhere will observe and acknowledge that the churches are "changing" and audibly declare that they like these changes. They will frequently voice the supposed fact that changes "must come," and then early proceed to show their intimacy with the legislative and nominating bodies within their particular churches in order to deal with those who might oppose them. When asked if they are bringing in Celebration, they will often say "no." Soon all will have to conclude that they're not setting up Celebration: just churches that look, sound, smell, taste and feel like them. The time will come when they will feel the necessity to debate over some new and different form of worship within the church giving the impression that they don't have any idea what they would come up with despite the fact that changes are occurring like wildfire throughout the church, they have testified that they like those changes, and they know that the changed churches are called "Celebration churches." Debates are always mere theatrics: for they always really know what they would end up with before the debate, and they always manage to overcome the strong opposition which appeals to what has been till now a most formidable and insurmountable force: truth.

Why did they debate about something which the Lord has left sufficient guidance all throughout his word? Why did they endeavor to vote the spiritual lives of the people behind their backs behind the hole in the wall while the people are closing their eyes with their hands outstretched in the air praising Jesus while not realizing the sins which are on account against them?

Since therefore, these new theology entities had to "dream"; since they had to dive into uncertainty when the answers were right there at their fingertips and are determined that everyone else must enter into that uncertainty with them; since they couldn't look back to the past even though they know fully that all divine revelation and examples of true worship and revival are back there, what does inspiration say about such people? What does Ellen White, whose word is foremostly disrespected by new theology people, have to say about them? Observe:

 Why are they deciding what the people should have when inspiration--already clear and available for their guidance is there looking them in their faces? Anyone who has to debate and decide what the people should have are already condemned, since light is readily available. They are operating upon Catholic principle. Why don't the Scriptures have sufficient light for them to recognize which movements are good and which ones are bad? When Celebration started to show its ugly head, why did they make the puzzling admonition, "Let's wait and see"? Yet these are the ones who have big minds, and yet cannot figure out movements till these movements enter in and overcome. Everything must be tested first. Why then also did they see the necessity of staining the characters of those who showed the church they had the answers through their dependence upon inspiration? You don't have the answers? Then step aside and let those who do, officiate!

People have been trying to warn our people about this movement for a long time now. These same people are completely dependent upon inspiration and well know that the "new" movements contained principles within it long condemned by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. A number of these people were expelled from membership and called "detractors" by our New Theology people. Therefore, this sordid prophecy from the Spirit of Prophecy does not apply to our "detractors," for they do not "SIT IN THE GATES." We now know clearly who sits in the gates, having the power to bring things in, and kick things out.

The Spirit of Prophecy has some more very sordid things to say about the New Theology now dominant within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The descriptions of it would lead and point directly to the people who "dream" unquestionably.

Now where is this prophecy pointing? Is it pointing to "small minded" people? Or to those who "dream"? Here is another one:

 Wow! Who decides what stands on our pulpits? Who is implicated here: those with the small minds? How does this prophecy compare to what our article told us concerning the wonderful future we are supposed to have? Understand that inspiration is showing that the church will be greatly attacked from the inside; not from foreign groups from the outside which we already have our guards up against.

Well this is another very alarming prophecy which the prophet of God has left us for this time detailing our future:

 We therefore see that the destroyers among us will cry "Peace!" Do the "critical" ones among us do that? "Do the small minded" do that? Do I do that? Here is a promise that these who cry peace will be extremely successful. Is this an omen of good news for the future of our denomination? Ellen White tells us there will be a terrible scourge which will render this body far fewer in number than it now is. Those who push these changes tell us that through their dreams, the sweetest music will be heard (undoubtedly to a Reggae beat). Since their opinions differ so widely from Ellen White, why would you be surprised that her prophecies of condemnation CONSISTENTLY point only in their direction, and at the problem?

 A religion totally dependent upon the word of God? How insufferable!

Notice what the Spirit of Prophecy says in the same breath about the dreams of our new theology men as it shows where they should have been looking to gain instruction and know what the Lord requires of His people:

 What! There is definitely going to be a "SCOURGE" to our people! Does this sound in any way similar to what that article in Southern Tidings is telling us? What about the wonderful songs they told us are still yet unsung! WHO WILL YOU BELIEVE BRETHREN!

Observe that a terrible future is DEFINITELY coming. Remember that abiding by "what is written" is the watchword for Protestantism. The Celebration Movement ventures to exalt human judgment above the word of God pleading for the necessity of independent judgment, since, according to the impressions they give us, all light from the word of God stops short just before the end of time. Remember that Protestantism thrives through demanding complete and total dependence from inspiration. They make sure that all its members gain skill in the scriptures sufficiently enough to act as checks and balances among them. It is a democratic system, yet it is bound to that one unalterable standard: the word of God. Whatever is not found within inspiration will be found in the devil's ledger, and those who operate independently from the Scriptures operate under Catholic principles, putting their trust in men above the word of God. That is what is secretly being requested of you by the new theology. It puts forth itself as merely a suggestion in all our new theology media and our pulpits. It is hiding its despotism. Soon it will reveal itself to be a compelling force. Those who refuse to submit themselves to the judgments of those who dream in darkness, will be dealt with.

"What is written" is completely found in the past, and renders absolutely nothing "uncertain."

 Why did New Theology therefore tell us that the Celebration Movement was not clear? that we hadn't "seen the fruitage of it yet" and that we must therefore "wait and see?" These were statements made even by our present and former General Conference Presidents. Is this not guessing? "For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Matt. 12:37) THESE ARE CATHOLIC PRINCIPLES LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! No sooner did these men exert efforts to justify this cause than they markedly condemned its legitimacy. Protestantism tells us that we "OUGHT NOT TO GUESS AT ANYTHING." The word of God does not leave us to guess. WE DO NOT ACCEPT ANY MOVEMENT WHICH IS NOT DOCUMENTED THEREIN!

While talking to a board member who was present during the one of many meetings in my church where they were actually legislating a "new" form of worship for the people, I told him regarding those who opposed this proceeding, "When you war with these people, you need to war against them with the Bible." He replied, "But we all have different interpretations from the Bible," and this is the reason used most often to justify the undue assumption of authority by our legislative committees within the church. The answer to this board member's concerns is found in the following quotation (the contrasting philosophies are labeled by me):

 Right here is this board member's concern expressed. The quotation continues:

 Here we see most plainly that IT IS NOT OUR BUSINESS WHETHER OR NOT PROBLEMS WOULD ARISE THROUGH DIVERSE INTERPRETATION. This has always been the Catholic argument. WE SHOULD NOT USE THAT AS A REASON TO GO CONTRARY TO THE VERY METHOD WHICH CHRIST HAS ENDORSED. THROUGH CONSTANT STUDY IN THE SCRIPTURE, THIS PROBLEM OF INTERPRETATION WOULD BE SETTLED AS MEN DISCUSS AND ARGUE AND CHALLENGE EACH OTHER IN A CHRISTIAN MANNER. The truth would come out as they explain their individual positions and those who witness will know what truth is.  

 Let everyone realize that that meeting of the Apostolic Church in Acts 15, where they established directions for the church, WAS NOT A MEETING TO CIRCUMVENT THE BIBLE AS THE MEETINGS WHICH ARE HELD TODAY. The Jewish and Gentile Christians were trying to figure out what the Bible was showing the people of God. This is far different from those who are urging us to dream and to jump out into "uncertainties." This is not Protestantism! and that's exactly what took place during the "Alpha" apostasy in our church at the turn of the century: the apostates were always trying to lead the church out into uncertainties, away from the inspiration of the bible and that which came as more direct communication from Ellen G. White (See the book, Omega, by Lewis R. Walton, Copyright 1981, or obtain a copy from someone who has that book since it has "mysteriously" been put out of print. This book always had the full sanction of the Seventh-day Adventist Church).

Yet the Spirit of Prophecy also adds:

The conceited philosophers Ellen White refers to are those who taught the world ethical relativism: taught them that they can set their own moral norms and values, and that there is no one clear standard of living for all. If the people accept this teaching, confusion will prevail, then leadership figures who are not confused about their mission, will control the people, and guide them to perdition. Whenever one comes to the conclusion that there is no truth because of prevalent conflicting opinions, then deceptive heroes: leadership figures feigning great spiritual judgment, will come and do his thinking for him, leading him out into the strange unknown. Confusion of interpretation is the weapon most frequently used by our enemies to turn our eyes from inspiration on to men. This relativism is now being taught and is spreading like wildfire throughout every media of our church through the famous term, "diversity."

Remember that these big minded people brought to our attention the importance of "diversity" into the church in many ways. This gave them an excuse to introduce moral and doctrinal diversity which the Scriptures clearly forbid. This is biblical confusion. Different opinions now fly everywhere canceling out the warnings. Yet now we have to dream over uncertainties. Those who don't want to do these things through their natural diversity, are labeled "diseased" and "small minded." Will the results of this dreaming be diverse? Will there be many different dreams about the future from the people rendering an organized movement impossible? Or most only a select few dream for everyone? These are just a few of the things you need to consider! Under the current practices, the use of the Bible would gradually diminish until we are almost wholly at the mercy of the commandments of men.

Through the messages given us by New Theology, they have rendered it a fact that the people are not intelligent enough to figure out for themselves what they will have, and they are not asked to. Perish the thought of any fair debate taking place where the people can see both pro and con and decide for themselves through their natural diversity and rights to democracy what they will have. This movement always poses as a passive and democratic movement, when it is in actuality an aggressive and despotic movement, thereby displaying it's comfortable use of deception to further its aims. It does not care whether or not the people asked for it to enter the church. It does not care if you don't want it to come. It is determined to come in whether or not you or anybody else likes it.

 The aims of the Celebration Movement are to:

 That's why we hear all the boisterous music coming in, along with pastors who try desperately to put us on an emotional high. There is also a strong plea which says, "Don't look at the establishment!" In other words, we are to merely trust what they are doing believing that God will lead the church organization through to glory notwithstanding her determination to deal with all those who try to correct her problems. The further plans of this movement are to:

 This is done through a lack of expostulation on the subject, a constant though often subtle warfare against those who preach it, or through misinterpretation, preventing the identification of the Papacy as the Beast of Revelation 13. Such attempts will always take place among theologians pushing Celebration. They will bound on those who speak out against the antichrist and get rid of them. Once they are rid of these, they will not replace the message identifying the Papacy as the Beast of Revelation. Their purpose is to eliminate all identification of the Papacy to Revelation 13. Examine our books on the subject of the end-time today and compare them with those written as little as 20 years ago. Back then they didn't care about the offense contained in the message God asked them to give. Slowly but surely, our books are being rewritten. Today the big reason for leaving the people ignorant of the conspiracy to destroy their freedom is that those same people would be offended.

C. D. Brooks of the General Conference, knowing the "changes" that were taking place, declared in a sermon which took place in around 1991 at Oakwood College Church in Huntsville, Alabama, "Don't try to change the church: START YOUR OWN!" Those pushing the Celebration Movement cannot accept such a proposition in light of their mission. They cannot consider trying out their movement separate from the body so we can even see whether or not it is worthwhile. This movement must take the reins of power in this denomination so that they can seize our positions and I.D. cards, so that when true Seventh-day Adventists preach the Third Angel's Message and identify the Pope as the Antichrist, these new theology people can, through their I.D. cards, "prove" to the world population that they are Seventh-day Adventists, and declare that those who identify the Papacy as Antichrist are rebels, fanatical cult members or apostate sects from the faith. THIS IS ALREADY HAPPENING.

In order for this to be accomplished the established order of the church must be altered. Too many members do not realize that although Celebration sweet-talks its way into our hearts through extolling diversity, it is a despotic movement: once it moves into power, it will always uproot what was there before because it cannot coexist with true religion. Allow it in, and with its great political skill and subtlety, soon those who uphold the old doctrines and format will be kicked out. It is a deceptive movement.

 There is reason for great fear, since many in leadership positions within the faith today, in complete and willful disregard of divine guidance, have not been training new members in the doctrine of the Seventh-day Adventist Church before allowing them membership. They have instead been taught that doctrine is not necessary since we have Jesus. This allows them more sympathizers since it is difficult for new members to understand what people who have long experience in the faith have known, and it is therefore hard for new members to understand what I am portraying here; but if they would obey the will of the Lord by studying and watching, they would escape the snare which is right now spread for their feet.

Get it out of your minds that the Seventh-day Adventist Church will have a glorious future when so many in leadership positions are vaccinated against walking by the book. It never happened in the history of God's people, and it will never happen again!

For a description of the revival our people had in 1844, read Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 1, pg. 51, and also read The Great Controversy, pg. 373. Compare the experiences described there with what is being pushed upon you today.