Seventh-day Adventist Development of the Trinity Doctrine

98 Pages·2015·1.02 MB·English

by  John Stanton

By John Stanton
No Fixed Creed

“Now what is our position as a people? The Bible is our
creed. We reject everything in the form of a human
creed. We take the Bible and the gifts of the Spirit;
embracing the faith that thus the Lord will teach us
from time to time. And in this we take a position
against the formation of a creed.”
James White, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,
October 8, 1861, vol. 18, 149
No Fixed Creed

“Thus early in the experience of the emerging church,
light new to herself and others, yet in full harmony
with the Scriptures, was given by the Lord through His
chosen messenger. The pioneers were conscious of this;
a decade and a half later, when organizing the church,
they refrained from the adoption of a creed, which
could stand in the way of God giving new light through
the visions.”
Arthur White, Ellen G. White, Vol. 1
- The Early Years: 1827-1862, 100
Time-Tested Truths

“The Word of the Lord has guided our steps since the
passing of the time in 1844. We have searched the
Scriptures; we have built solidly; and we have not had
to tear up our foundations and put in new timbers.”
Letter 24, to Elder A. G. Daniells, February 4, 1907
Is it a Catholic Doctrine?

One of the objections to the Trinity is that it is a Catholic
doctrine. This is one of the reasons why we often use the
term Godhead (Acts 17:29; Colossians 2:9) to describe the
teaching rather than Trinity. That being said, history
shows that the Council of Nicaea was summoned by
Emperor Constantine to deal with the Arian controversy.
Of the 318 bishops that attended, only eight came from
the West. The others were from the East where the …
Is it a Catholic Doctrine?

bishop of Rome had very little influence over churches.
One must ignore these facts to conclude that the first
official dogma on the Trinity that came out of that
council was Catholic. There are also significant
differences between the Catholic version of the Trinity
and the Seventh-day Adventist understanding. Two
such examples are the Eternal Generation (implying a
subordinate unequal relationship whereby the Father
continually generates the substance of the Godhead to
the Son) …
Is it a Catholic Doctrine?

and Divine Impassibility (God is ever above humanity,
not with us; He is incapable of emotional change and
remains unaffected by the fall of human creation), both
influences from Greek dualism. It is important to
recognize that our view of the Trinity developed over
many years of diligent Bible study and forthright
discussion amongst leading church scholars. What we
find in every objection raised today is a recapitulation
of old arguments that have long since been answered.
Multitude of Counselors

“There are a thousand temptations in disguise prepared
for those who have the light of truth; and the only
safety for any of us is in receiving no new doctrine, no
new interpretation of the Scriptures, without first
submitting it to brethren of experience. Lay it before
them in a humble, teachable spirit, with earnest prayer;
and if they see no light in it, yield to their judgment; for
‘in the multitude of counselors there is safety.’”
Ellen G. White, Testimonies to the Church, vol. 5, 293
Unity of Belief

“God is leading a people out from the world upon the
exalted platform of eternal truth, the commandments of
God and the faith of Jesus. He will discipline and fit up
His people. They will not be at variance, one believing
one thing and another having faith and views entirely
opposite, each moving independently of the body. …
Unity of Belief

Through the diversity of the gifts and governments that
He has placed in the church, they will all come to the
unity of the faith. If one man takes his views of Bible
truth without regard to the opinion of his brethren, and
justifies his course, alleging that he has a right to his
own peculiar views, and then presses them upon
others, how can he be fulfilling the prayer of Christ?”
Ellen G. White, Testimonies to the Church, vol. 5, 293