Some 1992 Observations on this Book
A. Key Contributions:
Background and insights are given on the following points:-
1. Sequence of development of doctrines
2. Parallels drawn to the New Testament apostles: (pp. 184; 524; 528; 530; 547; 553-555; 557)
3. Shut Door contrasted to errors on both extremes: (pp. 512, 513, 536, 537)
Error
Universalism,
"age to come"
"open door"
Error
"To Most Holy"
in A.D. 31 =
"open door"
Truth
True "shut door,"
day of atonement,
"shut door" to Holy Place:
Error
"shut door" =
"no more mercy" for sinners --
"open door" to Most Holy in A.D. 1844.
4. Rebellion < Godly Church Organization > Creed -(p. 331, 560) (pp.343 - 346) (p. 178; Chap.11; pp 521; 557)
5. False revivals: (pp. 227, 228, 538-540)
B. Other Helpful Points [particularly pertinent still]:
1. French revolution, rights, hoarded resentment: (pp. 271, 273)
2. Religious liberty in early years: (pp. 284, 456)
3. Corporate repentance: (p. 528)
4. Spiritualism, breakdown of authority and order, even inspiration: (p. 510, 511)
C. Points Not Addressed or Developed [with questions from a 1992 perspective]:
In general, Brother Loughborough portrays a "positive"-only picture of our church. There is much positive to recount. The Lord wants this done, and has explicitly called for it. But the Lord also is very pointed in recording the failings of His people. We must confess our failings in a full telling of His leading. Our position in 1992 constrains us to consider the following:-
1. The Minneapolis Experience: Brother Loughborough makes no reference to it at all. Note what the messenger of the Lord wrote about 1888 (see The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials) in comparison and contrast to what is in the following references:-
-p. 93: have come to the generation which shall not pass off the stage of action until Christ Himself shall have come [What happened to that generation?]
-pp. 274, 279, 280: sealing begun, winds held, war soon [Why are the winds still being held?]
-p. 441: almost every part of the world, a very short time [Why has the time been extended?]
-p. 530: preparing a people for Christ, Oh the joy of those who obtained that light [Why didn't those in the Minneapolis experience have that same joy when the Lord brought more light?]
-pp. 518, 555: I wished many times they would tell me how to be good [Have we yet learned how to be good, how to gain the victory over sin?]
2. Evidences for the accuracy of Revelation 3 diagnosis of poor, miserable, blind, naked:
-Contrast that assessment with the following:- pp. 278, 285: prosperity; p. 331: gaining; p. 376: advancement; p. 391: large; p. 463: seventy-four years, rise and progress, advanced and accelerated, force and power (similar sentiments pp. 465; 466; 473; 566)
3. Full reasons for the need to reorganize [more than extension of work]: -p. 356: (1897) reorganize and (1901-05) rearrange [Were there reasons other than the extension of the work that necessitated reorganization? (see Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 347-363)]
4. Violations of the counsel regarding rebuilding in Battle Creek after the Sanitarium fire:
-p. 374: another building, larger and more substantial, "it is solid" [Why did the sanitarium burn?]
-p. 374: light that the Lord would have many sanitariums rather than a few mammoth
5. Reasons for the move of the college to Berrien Springs: -p. 396: Battle Creek College: sold, new college, a farm [Why was the educational program moved and changed?]
-p. 402: schools conducted in harmony with the plan the Lord has outlined [only allusion to contrast]
6. Reasons for the General Conference move to DC: -p. 458: out of Battle Creek [Why had the Lord for years instructed His people to leave Battle Creek?]