Christ's Righteousness.

Excerpt-

Christ And His Righteousness. 

E.J. Waggoner

In the first verse of the third chapter of Hebrews we have an exhortation which comprehends all the injunctions given to the Christian. It is this: "Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus." To do this as the Bible enjoins, to consider Christ continually and intelligently, just as He is, will transform one into a perfect Christian, for "by beholding we become changed."1

2Co 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 

Ministers of the Gospel have an inspired warrant for keeping the theme, Christ, continually before the people, and directing the attention of the people to Him alone. Paul said to the Corinthians, "I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2); and there is no reason to suppose that his preaching to the Corinthians was different in any respect from his preaching elsewhere. Indeed, he tells us that when God revealed His Son in him, it was that he  [6]  might preach Him among the heathen (Gal. 1:15, 16); and his joy was that to him grace had been given to "preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ." Eph. 3:8.

But the fact that the apostles made Christ the burden of all their preaching, is not our sole warrant for magnifying Him. His Name is the only name under heaven given among men whereby we can be saved. Acts 4:12. Christ Himself declared that no man can come unto the Father but by Him. John 14:6. To Nicodemus He said: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son

of Man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:14, 15. This "lifting up" of Jesus, while it has primary reference to His crucifixion, embraces more than the mere historical fact; it means that Christ must be "lifted up" by all who believe in Him, as the crucified Redeemer, whose grace and glory are sufficient to supply the world's greatest need; it means that He should be "lifted up" in all His exceeding loveliness and power as "God with us," that His Divine attractiveness may thus draw all unto Him. See John 12:32.

Joh 12:32  And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. 

The exhortation to consider Jesus, and also the reason therefore,2 are given in Heb. 12:1-3: "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set be-  [7]  fore us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." It is only by constantly and prayerfully considering Jesus as He is revealed in the Bible, that we can keep from becoming weary in well-doing, and from fainting by the way.

Again, we should consider Jesus because in Him "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Col. 2:3. Whoever lacks wisdom is directed to ask of God, who gives to all men liberally and upbraids not, and the promise is that it shall be given him;3 but the desired wisdom can be obtained only in Christ. The wisdom which does not proceed from Christ, and which does not as a consequence lead to Him, is only foolishness; for God, as the Source of all things, is the Author of wisdom; ignorance of God is the worst sort of foolishness (see Rom. 1:21, 22);

Rom 1:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 

Rom 1:22  Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools

 and all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid in Christ; so that he who has only the wisdom of this world knows, in reality, nothing. And since all power in heaven and in earth is given to Christ, the apostle Paul declares Christ to be "the power of God and the wisdom of God." 1 Cor. 1:24. There is one text, however, which briefly sums up all that Christ is to man, and gives the most  [8]  comprehensive reason for considering Him. It is this: "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." 1 Cor. 1:30. We are ignorant, wicked, lost; Christ is to us wisdom, righteousness, redemption. What a range! From ignorance and sin to righteousness and redemption. Man's highest aspiration or need cannot reach outside the bounds of what Christ is to us, and what He alone is to us. Sufficient reason this why the eyes of all should be fixed upon Him.

(To be continued)

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(Excerpt)

Special Report -- OBSERVATION -- Part 1

A tape recording of a presentation by Geoffrey J. Paxton on "The Reformation and Adventism" came to my attention this past week - July 15, 1976 - and I listened to it with a great deal of interest. Not only in the naming of names, but also in the analysis of the theological atmosphere within the Church, the presentation was very acute. Mr. Paxton divided what he called the theological "mentality" of the church into three categories; namely, the "Liberals," centered at Loma Linda, the "Traditionalists" as represented by the Review and General Conference leadership; (Do not confuse the term used by Paxton as synonymous with "historic" Adventism) and the "Reformationists" as represented at Andrews University and Avondale College in Australia, as well as Brinsmeadism itself.

One professor at Andrews University - Dr. Raoul Dederen - recommended a book by Bernard Ramm entitled - The Evangelical Heritage - commenting as quoted by Paxton - "It could have been written by an Adventist" - and that except for a minor point here and there in the book, he "subscribed unequivocally" to the theology of the book. Paxton read the book, and couldn't figure out in the last analysis "why Dederen wasn't an Evangelical in the technical sense of the term", or why he himself wasn't an Adventist if that was what Adventists believed. (Paxton is an Anglican clergyman, and a traveling partner with Robert D. Brinsmead.) I cite this from the taped message only to show how we are selling out our Adventist heritage for a bowl of Evangelical porridge served up by the theologians we have imported from the seminaries of Europe. Remember these are the men who are teaching our young ministers, who in turn are feeding you, the Laity, with adulterated concepts which are passed off for the truth!

The Main thrust of the message of Paxton lies in what he is holding out to the leadership of the Church. He stated that the Adventist Church -if they are willing to accept the theology of Dederen and LaRondelle at Andrews, and Ford at Avondale College in Australia -was standing on the threshold of a spiritual breakthrough which could enable the Church to make a real contribution to the Christian church at large. He pointed out that "P. T." (Present Truth, publication by Brinsmead) whose theology was synonymous to the "Reformationist mentality" within the Church, was widely accepted on the seminary campuses here in America, including Andrews University, and was making a great impact on the thinking of the leading lights of Evangelicalism. Even the editor of Christianity Today is reading "P. T." from a theological point of view. Furthermore, Paxton indicated that "P. T." had such a wide circulation, and reading clientele that it could no longer be ignored by the Church. This latter evaluation is true.

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The closest parallel that I could think of between what Paxton was saying and the Bible itself was the experience of Christ in the Wilderness of Temptation. You will recall that the devil took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and suggested that He cast Himself down. To assure the Son of man that it would be all right, he quoted Psalm 91:11-12. But by comparing the actual words of the Inspired Psalmist and what the devil said he wrote, one finds that the words, "at any time", were added. (See Matt. 4:6) Now Paxton would have us believe that the messenger of the Lord endorses his theory of "justification by faith" by quoting her statement as found in the Review & Herald, April 1, 1890. But he, too, adds a word! The statement reads, and I place in brackets the word Paxton supplied:       

Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith [alone] is the third angel's message, and I have answered, "It is the third angel's message in verity."

But while quoting Ellen G. White to give his position respectability, he also quotes Elder E. J. Waggoner and infers that he is teaching a false gospel in his presentation of righteousness by faith.

The second parallel between the Wilderness of Temptation and Paxton's appeal is that Christ was taken to a high mountain and shown the kingdoms of this world with the promise that if He would bow down to the devil, all could be His without the Cross. So Paxton suggests that if the leadership of the Church will bow down to Dederen, LaRondelle, Ford, Brinsmead, and Paxton, all the denominations and the glory of them could be the Church's. Tragically, this is what the leadership of the Church has envisioned the "loud cry" to be - the Adventist Church accepted by the religious world and exalted before the eyes of the men of this world. This was the basis of the Barnhouse-Martin sellout in the early fifties. We did not want to be considered a "sect" or a "cult". Paxton infers that this is still how we are viewed, by telling of a man he had interviewed who had written a book of the Cults which included Adventists. So now if we really want to get free from the stigma, join the cutting edge of the theology of Brinsmead, Ford, LaRondelle, Dederen, and all the churches will be ours. And because the Cross is too much of an offense to the administrative pride of men, we shall bow. Tragically, in the wrath of an offended God, "men, maidens, and little children all perish together." (5T:211).

OBSERVATION -#2

All comments made in this section, unless otherwise documented will be from a Preliminary Prospectus dated June 3, 1976, and issued by Morgan, Omstead, Kennedy & Gardner, Inc., members of the New York Stock Exchange. The page quoted from this Prospectus will be placed in parentheses following the quotes. For example, [(p. 3)]

In harmony with a Declaration of Trust dated March 18,1976, an Adventist Properties & Mortgage Trust was organized in California. This Trust was formed upon authorization by the General Conference Corporation of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. (p.5) While it was stated by the General Conference that this Trust "be operated independently of the Church", nevertheless, they advised "the Trust that the Trust will have first right of refusal ... with respect to real estate financing transactions of entities owned or controlled by the Church." (p.5)

"The Trust has been formed to invest in properties or entities owned or controlled by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the United States. Such properties include

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office buildings, industrial properties, shopping centers, hospitals and other medical facilities, multifamily dwellings and educational institutions." (p. 3) "The affairs of the Trust will be managed by seven Trustees of whom four are affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church", however, the non-Church members have veto power over all actions taken in regard to Church owned or controlled properties as such decisions must receive the majority vote of the "non-Church affiliated Trustees" (p. 3).

The Adventist Trust Management Company, which is a general partnership "will advise the Trust with respect to investments and investment policy and will administer the day-to-day operations of the Trust, subject to the supervision of the Trustees." In this partnership, only one of the partners is a member of the Church. (p. 5) The Adventist member of this partnership, Mr. DeVere W. McGuffin II, will serve on the board of Trustees itself, and be Secretary-Treasurer of the Trust. (p. 20) For these services, the Management Company will receive annually between $52,200 to $181, 800 depending on the amount of stock sold. (p. 5)

Other members of the Board of Trustees of the Trust include Elder Walter R. Beach, former Secretary of the General Conference and General Vice President. He will serve as Chairman of the Board. President of the Trust will be Elder Alvin G. Munson who is serving as President and Treasurer of the Adventist Radio-Te1evision-Film Center. His choice to serve as a Trustee is most interesting. To finance the organization of this Trust, and to cover the costs of offering the stock, the Seventh-day Adventist Radio-Te1evision-Film Center authorized a loan up to $150,000 at 8.5% interest. Then as its initial investment, the Trust will loan back to the Adventist Radio-Television-Film Center under a first deed of trust up to $3,000,000 for 19 acres of partially developed land located in Newbury Park California. This will be secured by a 30 year note bearing an interest rate of 9.5%, plus a loan fee of 2%. (p. 15) Now it is stated that Elder Munson "will abstain from voting as a Trustee with respect to such transactions and any subsequent modification thereof" as has been noted above. (p. 6) But he doesn't need to vote as a Trustee of the Trust, as he has used his influence as President and Treasurer of the Center itself!

For background, one needs to keep in mind that the Adventist-Radio-Film Center is a California Nonprofit Corporation which through its Television Operations Board controls Faith for Today, and It Is Written Telecast. Further through its interlocking Board Chairmen, it controls also the Voice of Prophecy operations. The Chairman, Elder F. W. Wernick, and three Vice Chairmen, Elders Neal C. Wilson, Cree Sandefer, and Alvin G. Munson are the same on all controlling Boards, and where there are any variations in subcorporations, Elder Munson is both chairman and president of the Board of Directors. (See Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook, 1976, pp. 24-6)

In setting up this Trust, a minimum of $5,000,000 and a maximum of $17,000,000 in shares are being offered at $10.00 per share, with a minimum purchase being $1,000. These shares are being offered through the Underwriter, Morgan, Olmstead, Kennedy & Gardner, Inc., who "will receive a commission of 10% of the Offering Price upon the sale of the Shares." (pp. 32-33) This means simply that if the maximum offering is realized this company will receive $1,700,000. Besides this, Parker Dale who is Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing of this stock broker company is also one of the non-Church members of the Trust.

There is another interesting aspect to what this Trust plans to do. The Prospectus states -"Entities of the Church [Conferences, etc.] have interests in a wide range

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of real estate located throughout the United States. Such interests range from fee simple title to leasehold interests." (p. 13) This latter investment of trust funds and other funds given by the Laity to the Conferences lacks liquidity, and thus those Conferences who have these monies in leasehold investments cannot convert readily in case of emergency. Now this new Trust which has set 80% of the appraised value of the property as the basis of' mortgage loans, will give 100% in purchasing "lease back financing or other equity investments." (p. 3) As an example of' "leasehold interests", some Conferences have invested in the building of Federal Post Offices and then leased them to the government. "Equity Investments" are defined as "medical offices, shopping centers, office buildings, industrial buildings and multifamily dwelling units located on or near college and university campuses owned by entities of the Church." (p. 13)

The questions that could be asked in regard to what was the objective of' the General Conference Corporation in authorizing this Trust could only be answered by an impartial probe of all the financial maneuvering of the hierarchy of the Church. Perhaps another article in the Review by the President of the General Conference would be timely, if this time instead of dwelling on the mimeograph press, he would be specific, honest and forthright. Otherwise, those who are interested might wish to write to Adventist Properties & Mortgage Trust, Lemmon Bldg., 1500 East Chevy Chase Dr., Glendale, California, 91206. The response and material you might receive, we would appreciate copies of the same for further evaluations to share with our readers.

WHAT SAITH THE LORD?

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and "what communion hath light with darkness?" II Cor. 6:14

"This means in a special sense, marriage with unbelievers, but it covers more ground than this: it means in our instrumentalities ordained of God, in our institutions for health, in our colleges, in our publishing houses …

"You are not in any case to become contaminated with the spirit or influence of unbelievers. Be afraid of uniting or binding up in bundles with them. Be afraid of communicating the works connected with the Lord's cause, to those who have no part with God, or sympathy with those who love the truth of God." Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 271-2.

"The most solemn truths ever entrusted to mortals have been given to us to proclaim to the world. The proclamation of these truths is our work. The world is to be warned, and God's people are to be true to the trust committed to them. They are not to engage in speculations, neither are they to enter into business enterprises with unbelievers ; for this would hinder them in doing the work given them." Counsels on Stewardship, p. 38.

A Definition: "The word fellowship means participation, partnership. God employs the strongest figures to show that there should be no union between worldly parties and those who are seeking the righteousness of Christ." Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 476.

Special Report Sept.1976  -  "Watchman, What of the Night? " Thought Paper.  Adventist Laymen's Foundation.  (Excerpt)