WAA Podcast Episode 84 (46:30): Is Fundamental Belief 29 Fundamental?

"When the mind of man is brought into communion with the mind of God...
the effect on body and mind and soul is beyond estimate.
In such communion is found the highest education."
-Acts of the Apostles Ch. 13

From the beginning the Advent movement was established on the authority and study of Scripture. As the early Adventists gained new Biblical insights they found it important to provide some clarification as to what the Bible says on certain doctrines. Since early Adventists decided against forming an official church creed, they developed a list of fundamental beliefs they believed any Christian could adopt if they believed in the authority of the Bible. These fundamental beliefs were never meant to determine membership or exclusively support denominational efforts but rather provide sound Bible based explanations on certain key doctrines central to the Christian faith. Over time the number of doctrines on this list has changed. Today the Seventh day Adventist Church has identified 28 fundamental biblical doctrines essential to the faith and salvation of any Christian, Adventist or not. 

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Recently there has been discussion about including a 29th fundamental belief in support of Adventist Christian education and the church's mission. Should our fundamental beliefs be used to support the existence of our Adventist institutions and policies or should they be used as a guide to point others back to God and His Word as the ultimate source of knowledge and wisdom? Jesse and Chris throw in their collective 2 cents on the issue. 

Thanks for listening, God bless!

WAA Podcast Episode 83 (30:30): Guess Who?

Guess who joined our WAA team!
Image from Google images

Welcome to another podcast episode of What's an Adventist? 

Well it's finally happened. We somehow managed to persuade yet another poor soul to co-host WAA.  Sure we promised him fortune and fame but sometimes you have to do whatever it takes! His name? Well, you're gonna have to listen to find out. He's a good guy, I hope we don't ruin him. 

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On this podcast Jesse and Eli introduce our new co-host to our WAA audience and ask him about his experiences as a life long Adventist. 

Thanks for listening, God bless!

WAA Podcast Episode 82 (18:14): We're Back! Well, Almost...

Image from Google images

Welcome to a new season of What's an Adventist?

It's been over a year and a half since we last released a WAA podcast. One might say we've been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years! We've been met with several challenges but have learned that God is always faithful if we're willing to grow and listen to Him. We intend on resuming (and continuing) this podcast ministry and hopefully add a new voice to our program. We have no idea what new doors God will open, but like Isaiah all we can say is "here I am, send me."

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On this podcast Jesse and Eli talk about some of the hopes we have as we resume our podcast ministry. We hope you will join us on our journey and continue to grow with us. 

Thanks for listening, God bless! 

WAA Column: Noah's Ark: An Encounter Between Us and God

The Ark Encounter is a Christian theme park
featuring a full scale replica of Noah's Ark
located in Grant County, Kentucky.
image from Google Images

An impressive life size exhibit in Kentucky featuring Noah's Ark is attracting both Christians and Non Christians and stirring up conversation about this famous Bible story.

During his ministry on earth Jesus also made use of the story of Noah (Luke 17:26). But Jesus was not trying to directly defend a creationist perspective nor was he trying to make scientific claims about the story, which seems to be one of the main objectives behind the exhibit. More importantly, he was using history to teach a spiritual lesson. A lesson that we should think about seriously in our day.

Jesus began, "As it was in the days of Noah..." Jesus draws his audience's attention to a specific point in time in history- the time of Noah. This opening statement is like saying, "Remember Noah?" Jesus is talking about this story as though it is a historical fact. This serves the purpose of emphasizing the reality of what had taken place historically and what will take place at the close of earth's history. 

Jesus continues, "So shall it be in the days of the Son of man..." Jesus makes a connection between two specific periods in time, the days of Noah and the days of the Son of man.  The "days of the Son of man" is in reference to the days when Christ will  judge the world and set up his everlasting Kingdom (Daniel 7:13). Jesus is saying that there is an absolute relationship between the way of life during Noah's time and the way of life in the final days of judgement and the establishment of His Kingdom.

Jesus goes on to explain that during the time of Noah people were eating, drinking and marrying. People were doing what they basically needed to do to survive and procreate. Interestingly, worshiping God or remembering their Creator is not mentioned, suggesting faith in God was not considered something that was necessary for living a good life or ensuring a posterity. At a time when judgement was imminent, there was no regard for God, the Author of life. 

Jesus finally describes the end result of a world oblivious to God and living on its uninhibited natural drives and passions. After years of warning people of God's judgement, Noah and his family were the only ones who trusted God, entered the Ark and were saved from the flood.

It's rather coincidental that this modern reminder of the story of Noah is taking place at a time in our country, and around the world, when people are "eating, drinking and marrying" with less regard for their personal relationship with God. Although the dialogue around this modern day Ark exhibit centers around the questions of Religion vs. Science, the real story behind Noah is about a world facing judgement and on the brink of destruction for turning away from God. It's really the story about us. 

The point Jesus was trying to make in recalling the story of Noah is that in the days of His judgement and the second coming, the world would be in the same condition as in the days of Noah. During a time of divine judgement, people would be living unrestrained lives, committing acts of violence and hatred, and dismissing the Creator as a necessary part of life. Too many people would be busy "eating, drinking, and marrying" to really make any changes. As one journalist covering the Ark story put it, "the Ark will change some minds, but not the majority."  According to the Bible we are living in the time of judgement but you would never know it based on how people are living. Just like in the days of Noah.

Even if not many people change, the Ark exhibit might serve the greater purpose of encouraging an encounter with God's Word and create an awareness of the state of the world, a time of judgement and prompt people to think about their relationship with God. Hopefully this time around we can all give some serious thought to taking His Word and warnings seriously before it's too late. 

WAA Podcast Episode 81: Technology and the Dark Side

Welcome to another podcast episode of “What’s an Adventist?”

If there’s one thing we simply can’t hide from, it’s technology. Technology is all around us and the way things are going it may literally be “in” us in the not too distant future. Whatever technological advances the future holds, the truth is technology has already invaded every part of our existence. Never before have we relied on such powerful inventions to guide our everyday lives from the moment we wake to the moment we go to sleep. Can this be a good thing or is there a dark side to all these advancements? Is technology really helping us become better people? What about better Christians?

"Is there a dark side to technology?"
Pic from Google Images

Even early Adventists had to struggle with the trends of inventions in their day. Many people were becoming so consumed with the latest in fashion and other innovative commodities that they were losing focus on the more important things in life. At one point Adventist leaders had to point out the danger of neglecting one’s spirituality and faith in exchange for worldly attractions. Is the same thing happening today?

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This week Jesse and Eli discuss the findings of recent studies regarding technology and the effects on people and what implications these findings might have for Adventists and Christians in general. 

If you would like to reach out to us you can email us at whatsanadventist@hotmail.com. You can also join our WAA community on facebook and get the latest on WAA. Just don’t neglect your spiritual life in the process! 

Thanks for listening and supporting this ministry. God bless!

Articles mentioned in this podcast:

Is Your SatNav Harming Your Brain?

Second Grader Buckles Under White House Pressure

WAA Podcast Episode 80: The Protest Is Over, Is Yours? (43:39)

Welcome to another podcast episode of “What’s an Adventist?”

Have you heard? The great protest is over! The Catholic Church has sorted out its differences with the Lutherans on the subject of righteousness by faith and now everything is settled. There is no need to continue the protest Luther started. Besides, as far the Protestant reformation goes it was all a big misunderstanding and everyone shares the blame for what happened in the past between the Catholic Church and the reformers.

Well, at least that’s what the Catholic Church wants Protestant Christians and the world to believe. 

Anglican Archbishop Tony Palmer urges Pentecostal leaders
to put the past behind and unite under the Catholic Church
image taken from Google Images

This is the message the Catholic Church is sending to Protestants in its recent attempts to persuade them to bury the hatchet and return to the Mother Church. The problem is that its really not that simple and the Church’s message overlooks and downplays her errors and oppressive character. The Church also takes a very nonchalant stance when it comes to the real and tragic history of the reformation period. 

Through the study of Bible prophecy, Adventists believe the Roman Catholic Church will make an all out attempt to unite and subject all churches under its power and authority. The Catholic Church reasons that it is the only power which can bring unity and stability to a fragmented religious world. The problem is that Catholicism at its core opposes Biblical doctrine and truth and Adventists have been given the task to warn the world and other Christians of her oppressive and deceptive character. 

An early Adventist author and church leader, Ellen White wrote in 1888, “Protestants have tampered with and patronized popery; they have made compromises and concessions which papists themselves are surprised to see and fail to understand. Men are closing their eyes to the real character of Romanism and the dangers to be apprehended from her supremacy. The people need to be aroused to resist the advances of this most dangerous for to civil and religious liberty” (The Great Controversy, “Liberty of Conscience Threatened”). 

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This week Jesse, Abraham and Eli talk about the recent message delivered to the Pentecostal denomination by the Catholic Church and how this is evidence of the Church’s efforts to regain supremacy as foretold in Bible prophecy. The warning in 1888 still rings true today.

***Disclaimer: We at WAA understand the sensitivity involved in talking about the Catholic Church but believe being indifferent to this matter is perilous to those who seek salvation and truth. We do not wish to incite hatred between Christian brothers and sisters but wish each person follow their conscience as they receive light. We believe and know that there are many sincere Catholics and Protestant Christians who are searching for truth and will make the decision to follow the commandments of God rather than the traditions of men. Our intent is to point to the current events of our time and to the best of our ability show how these are fulfilling the prophetic Word. 

If you would like to comment on this podcast click on the “comment” link below. You can also join our facebook page and drop us a line. We look forward to having you be a part of our WAA community. Thank you for listening and supporting our ministry. God bless!

Sources used in this podcast:

The Great Controversy "Liberty of Conscience Threatened" by Ellen White

Click here to purchase The Great Controversy by Ellen G. White

Click here to see Tony Palmer's message to the Pentecostal Church (with commentary by Doug Bachelor)

WAA Podcast Episode 79: Would You Like a Side of Redemption With That? (39:16)

Welcome to another podcast episode of “What’s an Adventist?”

Should prayer be something quick
and easy?
image from Google Images

Living in a fast paced society has some benefits. For example, overnight shipping, on-demand movies, instant meals, and drive-thru’s are all supposed to help us save time so we can make room for more important things, but when it comes to our spiritual lives should we rely on expediency to help us grow closer to Jesus? Even though sometimes it seems easier to do things quickly, not spending quality time in prayer and study can have a detrimental effect on our spiritual senses and cause us to ignore or disregard what God is trying to tell us. 

The book Christian Leadership reminds us, “The bustle of business, if continuous, will dry up spirituality and leave the soul Christless. Although they may profess the truth, yet if men pass along day by day with no living connection with God, they will be led to do strange things; decisions will be made not in accordance with the will of God” (Chapter 3)

This week Jesse, Eli, and Abraham express their mixed feelings about an outreach ministry that offers drive thru prayer. They also discuss and explore the Adventist tradition of “present truth” and encourage WAA listeners to alway maintain and inquiring mind that always seeks truth!

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If you would like to comment on this podcast, click on the “comment” link below. You can also drop us a line at whatsanadventist@hotmail.com or join our facebook fan page by clicking on our facebook badge. 

We want to thank all of our listeners for your support and don’t forget to be on the look out for the upcoming WAA T-shirt fundraiser. God bless!

Articles and books mentioned in this podcast:

Drive Thru Prayer Delivers God to Go

A Search For Identity: The Development of Seventh-day Adventist Beliefs, George R. Knight