AResponsetoReinderBruinsmasarticle:Conspiraciessooften

believed,sorarelybasedinfactPublishedintheAdventistReview
(http://www.adventistreview.org/issue.php?issue=20091525&page=27)

ByWalterJ.Veith

Recently,ReinderBruinsmapublishedanarticleintheAdventistReviewwherehecastigatedan
AdventistlecturerwhohadrecentlyvisitedhisnativeHollandwithregardtohisemphasison
conspiracytheories.Hestatesinhisarticle:
MycountrynotlongagohadthemisfortunetohavebeenvisitedbyanAdventistlecturerwho
travelstheworldandgetshimselfinvitedtoallcontinentstopreachabouttheeventsthatlead
totheendoftime.HisapproachresemblesthatofbestsellingauthorDanBrown.Therecipe
seemstobe:Youtakeafewundisputedfacts;youthenaddalargenumberofunknownfacts
thatareextractedfromobscuresourcesnoonecancheck,andwhichareatmostonlypartly
true;andyoumixallthisuntilyouhaveapowerfulconcoctionforthesensationhungry
consumer.Itseemstoenhancetheattractivenessoftheresultingproductwhenthespeaker
assureshisaudiencethattheofficialchurch,withitsecumenicaltendencies,neglectsto
proclaimtheseprecioustruths.Andnowonder,forthechurchhasbeeninfiltratedbythevery
sameforcesofdarknessthathehascometoexpose!

Therecipeisassuccessfulasitisdangerous.Itresultsinfear.Itpolarizeschurches.Itcultivates
suspiciontochurchleadership.Itfuelsthatprejudiceinthemindofmanyaroundusthat
Adventism,afterall,isasubChristiansect.But,mostseriousofall,iteclipsesthegoodnewsof
themessageoftheGospelbyirresponsibleinnuendosandspeculationandbyanunhealthy
sensationalism.ItwasgoodtoseehowtheWeekofPrayerreadingsof2008soundedaclear
warningagainstthisapproachandhighlightedthesignsofChristscomingassignsofhope!The
messageoftheAdventhopeisnottobecorrelatedwiththeoriesaboutsecretreligious
societiesandtheapparentlyomnipresentFreemasons.Thegreatestsignoftheendisnotthe
spreadofNewAgethinkingortheallegeddevelopmentofsomeformofworldgovernmentbut
isinsteadthepowerfulpreachingofthemessageofChristssooncomingtoeverynationand
peoplegroup,andineverylanguagespokenonearth.i
SincethisarticleappearedintheReviewIhavereceivedafloodoflettersfromconcerned
peoplewhoareconvincedthatBruinsmawasapparentlyreferringtomeinthisarticleandasa
consequenceafloodofconspiracytheoriesregardingtheChurch,werespawned.Nowitis
truethatIrecentlyvisitedtheNetherlandsasaninvitedspeaker,butunlessthereissome
unfortunatemisinformationhecouldnotpossiblyhavebeenreferringtome(orcouldhe
have?)forthefollowingreasons.


1.Ineversolicitinvitations,sothespeakerinquestioncannotbemebecausehestatesthat
thespeakerinquestiongetshimselfinvited.

2.Idonotdealinsensationalismbutratherinfactsandhistorywhicharewellgroundedin
theliteratureandmediaofthedayaswellasbeingsubstantiatedbytheBibleandtheSpiritof
Prophecy.

3.Mysourcesarenotobscurebutveryprominentandanyonecancheckthem.

4.IhaveshowninmylecturesthattheecumenicalmovementisnotfromGodandhave
consistentlywarnedagainstinvolvementinthismovementbutIhaveneverspokenaboutSDA
involvementinthismovement.Moreover,IhaveneverturnedmyweaponsagainsttheChurch
militantinanypubliclectureorforumandhaveconsistentlywarnedagainstsuchactions.Nor
haveIeversuggestedaJesuitorsecretsocietymembershiphuntamongsttheChurch
leaders.Hisstatement,thespeakerassureshisaudiencethattheofficialchurch,withits
ecumenicaltendencies,neglectstoproclaimtheseprecioustruths.Andnowonder,forthe
churchhasbeeninfiltratedbytheverysameforcesofdarknessthathehascometoexpose!
canthereforenotrefertome,asIhavenevermadesuchsuggestionsinanyofmyseries.Also,I
certainlydonotneglecttheprecioustruthsofsalvationbutonthecontrarycontrasttruthand
error,thusbringingpeopletoadecisiontofollowtruthratherthanerror.

5.InmyrecentvisittoHollandIspokeonthenecessityofRekindlingtheReformation.There
werenolecturesonsecretsocieties,FreemasonsortheNewAgemovement,sounlesshegot
hislinescrossedhecouldnotpossiblyhavebeenreferringtome.

SomeoftheresponsesIreceivedshowedgenuineconcernforthestateoftheChurchandthe
apparentdividebetweenthosewhowishtosticktothetraditionalvaluesofAdventismand
thosewhowishtointroduceanewGospelofsocialresponsibilityandreligiousdtenterather
thanthepreachingoftheThreeAngelsMessages.Someresponsesandinformationreceived
wereextremelycriticaloftheauthoroftheReviewarticlehimself,eventothepointof
suggestinginfiltrationoftheChurch.

Sadly,itistruethatBruinsmaisknownforhisantitraditionalistviewsandhaspublished
articleswhichareextremelydisturbingtothosewhoholdtothepillarsofAdventism.Some
havespawneddocumentsagainsthimaccusinghimofoutsideaffiliations,butIwouldwishto
warnagainstsuchhastyconclusionsthatcouldstartawitchhuntwithintheChurch.Itisnot
ourtasktolabelanyoneaJesuitoraninfiltratorwithintheChurch.Ourtaskistopreachthe
ThreeAngelsMessagesandwearetoallownothingelsetooccupyourattention.Sometimes
itisnecessarytoaddressissuesplacedinthepublicrealm,asinthisinstance,butweshould
notallowourselvestheluxuryofwallowinginthecontroversyragingwithintheChurch.
ThisChurchbelongstoChristanditisHewhoreadstheheart,notus.ItisHewhowillspewout
thosewhoarenotHis;wearenottodothespewing.TheSeventhdayAdventistChurchisthe

appleofHiseyeandwearenottoequateitwithBabylonnomatterhowmanyapostateor
deceivedmemberstheremaybeinit.Wecannotdiscerntheheart;howarewetojudgewhois
AaronandwhoisCaiaphas?Wecanrebukethedeedsbutwemaynotrebuketheperson,letus
leavethattotheLord.

OftenthosewithphobiaswithregardtotheseparatenatureofAdventismarebornandbred
Adventistswhofeelisolatedinthiscocoonofsafety.InthisregardthereissomethingwhichI
tendtocalltheblessedcurseofbeingbornanAdventist.Whataprivilegetobebornintothe
AdventistChurch,togrowupwithAdventistvaluesanddoctrines,tohaveAdventistfamilies
andfriendstonurtureandsustainyou,andtobeprivilegedfromchildhoodtobenefitfromthe
Adventistlifestyle.Butsometimesitcanbesuchacurseaswell.Youwerebornwithit,itcost
younothing.Nowrenchingoffamilyties,norejectionbylifelongfriends,noalienationfromthe
religiousenvironmentinwhichyouwereraised,nodrasticchangeofmindsetandlifestyle
youweresparedthispain.Thepriceishigh,itcostsallyouhaveanditisprecioustofindChrist
andHistruth.EvenbornAdventistshavetofindthistreasureforthemselves.Itisnotinherited;
onlythenurturingenvironmentisinherited.
Moreover,youwanttoshoutitfromtherooftopandwarnthosestillsteepedinBabylonto
stepoverfromtheotherside.Wearedriven,calledtomakethedifferencesbetweenBabylon
andtheTruthprominentsoastocompelpeopletocomein.Babylonmustbeexposedandthe
doctrinalerrorsoftheBabylonianwinemustbeilluminatedsoastowrenchthepeoplefromits
intoxicatingpower.Indoingthis,however,weshouldnotconfusethepeoplewiththe
structures.TherearebeautifulchildrenofGodineverychurchandreligionbutGodiscalling
themoutandthosethathearHisvoicewillrespond.

ManybornAdventistsfeeluncomfortablewhenthedoctrinalissuesthatseparateBabylonfrom
thetrutharemadeprominent.WhynotjustpreachJesus?Whynotbyexampledrawpeopleto
Jesus?DontallChristianchurchespreachJesus?WhyshouldIchangemydenominationwhen
someonepreachesJesus?Iffollowingexemplaryindividualsisthecriterion,thenwecan
emulateanyphilanthropistanditwouldnotmakeanydifferencewhetherwebecameCatholics
(thefaithintowhichIwasborn)ornot.IbecameaSeventhdayAdventistbecauseofdoctrine.
Doctrinedidnotsaveme,Jesusdidthat,butwithoutdoctrineIwouldnothaveknownwhich
JesusIwasfollowingfortherearemanyfalseChristsoutthere.DearbornAdventists,take
heedtothedoctrineanddontbeashamedofwhoyouare.Dontfeeluncomfortablewhen
doctrineisbeingpreacheditsnotforyou;youalreadyknowit,itsforthem.Theyneedit,not
you,foryoualreadyhaveit.Doctrineisthecleavertocleavethemoutoftheworldandbring
themintoHiswonderfullight.

Whataboutthepooratheistsoutthere(ofwhichIwasone)whopubliclydisownGodand
despiseJesusChristandChristiansasweak,snivellingcrutchseekers?Theseatheistswillsay
theBibleisamyth,afairytalewrittenbyignorantprimitivesofStoneAgeilk.Whatanswerwill
yougivethem;willyoupreachtheloveofJesuswhentheydespiseHim?No,youwillpreach
prophecygoodsolidprophecyfromDanielandRevelationandpulltherugoftheir
confidenceoutfromunderneaththem.MakethemwonderifthereisaGodafterall,then

preachJesus.DearbornAdventist,dontbeashamedofprophecythatsetsyouapartfromthe
world.Itistheonlytoolinyourtoolboxlefttoyoutoreachtheatheistswhooftenbecame
atheists(asinmycase)becauseofbeingfedBabylonianwinewhichdestroyedfaithinGodin
thefirstplace.Therearedifferentmethodsfordifferentpeople.SomeaccepttheGospel
readilyandothersareofascepticalnatureandneedmoreproof.WereadthisintheSpiritof
Prophecy:
Inthecitiesoftoday,wherethereissomuchtoattractandplease,thepeoplecanbe
interestedbynoordinaryefforts.MinistersofGod'sappointmentwillfinditnecessarytoput
forthextraordinaryeffortsinordertoarresttheattentionofthemultitudes.Andwhenthey
succeedinbringingtogetheralargenumberofpeople,theymustbearmessagesofacharacter
sooutoftheusualorderthatthepeoplewillbearousedandwarned.Theymustmakeuseof
everymeansthatcanpossiblybedevisedforcausingthetruthtostandoutclearlyand
distinctly.Testimonies,vol.9,p.109.(1909){Ev122.3}
Asanevangelist,itismydutytocallpeopleoutofBabylonintotheranksofChristsbride.In
thistimeinwhichwearelivingthisquestionisbeingaskedmoreandmore:WhyshouldIcome
outofBabylonandjointheAdventistChurchwhentherearemembersandleaderswithinthe
AdventistChurch(ReinderBruinsmabeingacaseinpoint),whosubscribetotheprinciplesof
theecumenicalmovementandencourageliaisonwithRome?

AmIbeingjudgmentalhereorvindictive?No,Iammerelybasingmyjudgmentonhisactions
andfromwhathasproceededoutofhispen.Iamnotjudginghisheart,hismotivesorhis
affiliationsthatisnotmyprerogativebutIdohavetodefendmyChurchandexplainto
thosethathaveenteredthefold,orareconsideringenteringthefold,whyitisessentialthat
theyenterandstayputandbeseparateinspiteofthosewhowouldseemtopreachthe
opposite.Ifissuessuchastheseareplacedinthepublicdomainthentheymustreceiveapublic
responselestitbeconceivedthatwecondonethem.

ReinderBruinsmawasexecutivesecretaryoftheTransEuropeanDivisionfrom19952001
andsucceededHenkKoningasUnionPresidentoftheNetherlandsUnion.HenkKoningwas
presidentoftheNetherlandsUnionConferencewhenhesignedtheChartaOecumenicaonthe
18thofJanuary2002.Suchsigningcannotbedoneinapersonalcapacity,aschurchesandnot
individualsarepartytotheecumenicalmovement.WhetherBruinsmawaspartytothesigning
ornotisnotknownbyme,butbyhissilencehecondoneditandhecertainlydidnotrescindit
onbecomingUnionpresidenthimself.ReinderBruinsmahasmadehisviewsonrelationswith
theRomanCatholicChurchandthetraditionalviewoftheAdventistChurch,inclusiveofthe
SpiritofProphecy,verycleareveninhisdoctoralthesisAHistoricalAnalysisofSeventhday
AdventistAttitudestowardRomanCatholicism(UniversityofLondon,1993),whichwasalso
publishedbyAndrewsUniversityPressin1995asAdventistAttitudestowardRoman
Catholicism18441865.

HealsoattackedtheSDApositiononthePapacybeingAntichristinhisSpectrumarticleof
summer1999.ThispositionisbynomeansuniqueamongstAdventistleaders,asmanyhave

toldmepersonallythatthatpositionisarchaicandinneedofrevisionirrespectiveoftheclear
SpiritofProphecystatementsinthisregard.Infact,somearguethatitisnotpartofour
fundamentalbeliefsandthereforeshouldnotbepreached.However,theSpiritofProphecyis
partofourfundamentalbeliefsandbecauseitisclearlystatedthere,itipsofactobecomespart
ofourfundamentalbeliefswhetherwelikeitornot.
BruinsmasummarizestheantipapaleschatologicalviewsoftheProtestantworldinthetimeof
theriseofAdventisminhisthesisinthechaptertitledAdventistsandCatholicsProphetic
InsightorPrejudice.HecorrectlyemphasizesthattheProtestantviewincludedthe
eschatologicalviewthatRomewouldsomehowdominatetheworldstageagainandseekto
dominatetheNewWorld.Adventismaroseinthisclimateandthepioneershadthesamebasic
propheticviewasprevalentinthegeneralProtestantdenominationsofthattime.Hethen
proceedstoplacethewritingsofEllenWhiteintothishistorictimeframelamentingthatthis
placedtheseantipapalviewsintothepropheticframeworkoftheSpiritofProphecy.This
wouldmakeitharderforAdventistswhobelieveinthepropheticwritingsofEllenWhitetorid
themselvesofthisbias.

SuchmarginalizationofthewritingsofEllenWhiteistypicalofsomeofourmodern
theologians.ThedilemmaisthatwecannotgetridoftheSpiritProphecyasitisentrenchedin
ourfundamentalbeliefs.So,thenextbestthingistomakeitofnoneffect.Wehearmoreand
morethatherwritingscannotbeplacedonanequalfootingwiththatofthecanonical
prophets,thatherwritingshaveahomileticflavorbutcannotbeusedforexegesis,thather
writingsmustbeinterpretedintheframeworkofhertime,andherpersonalviewsand
propheticutterancesaresointermingledthatherwritingsshouldperhapsbestbeusedas
devotionalsratherthanabasisforpropheticinterpretation.AsoneofourGermantheologians
andleadersstatedit:Wecannotbedictatedtobyawomanwithonlythreeyearsof
education.

Bruinsmaconcludeshischapterwiththefollowingstatements:
AlthoughtherearemanyaspectsinRomanCatholicteachingandpracticewithwhich
Adventistsmuststronglydisagree,honestydemandsthattheyacknowledgethatinrecent
decades,inmostplacesoftheworldRomanCatholicismhaschangedinwaysthattheymust
regardaspositive.CatholicsarenownotonlyallowedtoreadtheirBiblebutareurgedtodoso.
ThereismuchspiritualityintheRomanCatholicChurchofwhichProtestantscanbeenvious.
TheCatholicChurchhasformallyacceptedtheprincipleofreligiousfreedom.Itisnotfairto
suggestthattheseandotherpositivedevelopmentsintheRomanCatholicChurcharejust
windowdressingandmustinfactbewatchedwithsuspicion,andbeseenasclevertacticsto
lullotherChristiansintosleep,whileallthetimetheyarejustwaitingforthefortuitous
momentwhentheywillbeabletowipeoutotherChristians,Adventistsfirstandforemost!In
theircriticismoftheCatholichistory,Adventistsshouldtrytobemorebalancedthantheyhave
oftenbeenandshoulddobetterthansimplyofferinganextensionoftheoftenratherbiased
andinaccuratepicturethatmanyProtestantsinpastcenturieshaveheldofthemedieval
church.MedievalChristianityalsohaditspositiveandbeautifulsides!Moreover,Adventists
mustbewillingtoacknowledgethatmodernCatholicismhaschangedinmanyways.Itbothers

me,inparticular,toseehowAdventistpublicationstodaystillrefermainlytonineteenth
centurysourcesintheirdescriptionofCatholicviewsandintentions.HowwouldAdventistsfeel
ifpeoplearoundthemweretobasetheiropinionsofAdventismexclusivelyonsourcesofmore
thancenturyago?Dealingwiththisissuewill,nodoubt,bedifficultandwilltaketime.Anti
CatholicismissoingrainedintheAdventistworldviewthatchangewillnotcomeeasy,evenif
thechurchsadministratorsandotherthoughtleadersweretoagreethatareorientation
wouldbedesirable.Butinthemeantime,thechurchcouldattheveryleastdecidetobeless
biasedinitsdescriptionsofpresentdayCatholicism.
IwonderwhatthesepositiveandbeautifulsidesofMedieval
ChristianitywerethatevenhistorylabeledTheDarkAges.IfGodhad
notcutthistimeshortforthesakeoftheelect,nothingwouldhave
remainedofthecauseofChristthatcouldhavebeensalvaged.
ShouldAdventistsacknowledgethatmodernCatholicismhas
changed;andwhatarethesenineteenthcenturysourcesthat
contradicthisstatement?NoneotherthantheSpiritofProphecy
whichstandasamonumentalrebuketothesentimentsexpressed.
Thefollowingstatementsfromthepenofinspirationwillillustrate
thispoint:
Poperyisjustwhatprophecydeclaredthatshewouldbe,the
apostasyofthelattertimes.[2THESS.2:3,4.]Itisapartofherpolicytoassumethecharacter
whichwillbestaccomplishherpurpose;butbeneaththevariableappearanceofthe
chameleon,sheconcealstheinvariablevenomoftheserpent."Wearenotboundtokeepfaith
andpromisestoheretics,"Shedeclares.Shallthispower,whoserecordforathousandyearsis
writteninthebloodofthesaints,benowacknowledgedasapartofthechurchofChrist?
(GC88,571.1)
ThechurchthatholdstothewordofGodisirreconcilablyseparated
fromRome.Protestantswereoncethusapartfromthisgreatchurch
ofapostasy,buttheyhaveapproachedmorenearlytoher,andarestill
inthepathofreconciliationtotheChurchofRome.Romenever
changes.Herprincipleshavenotalteredintheleast.Shehasnot
lessenedthebreachbetweenherselfandProtestants;theyhavedone
alltheadvancing.ButwhatdoesthisarguefortheProtestantismof
thisday?ItistherejectionofBibletruthwhichmakesmenapproach
toinfidelity.Itisabackslidingchurchthatlessensthedistance
betweenitselfandthePapacy.{ST,February19,1894par.4}Andthis
isthereligionwhichProtestantsarebeginningtolookuponwithso
muchfavor,andwhichwilleventuallybeunitedwithProtestantism.
Thisunionwillnot,however,beeffectedbyachangeinCatholicism;forRomeneverchanges.
Sheclaimsinfallibility.ItisProtestantismthatwillchange.Theadoptionofliberalideasonits
partwillbringitwhereitcanclaspthehandofCatholicism(RH,June1,1886par.13).

OnWednesday,October21,2009amemberoftheSeventhdayAdventistChurchinthe
NetherlandspublishedanarticleintheDutchnewspapertheNederlandsDagbladinwhichhe
exposedthePopeastheAntichristofRevelation13.Inthisarticlehequotedfromanoldbook
byEdmundDrschlerwhichwaspublishedbySeventhdayAdventistsin1931.

OnThursday,October22,2009,Dr.ReinderBruinsmarespondedtothearticleinthe
NederlandsDagbladofOctober21,2009,apologizingforthatarticleand,afterpointingout
thatthesourcematerialoriginatedfromthepreviouscenturyheassuredthepublicthat
Adventistsnolongerbelievethis.HisexactwordsinDutchwereasfollows:
"Ikvreesdatnogalwatlezersgemakkelijkkunnendenkendatdesfeervanditartikelooknu
nogopdezekerkvantoepassingzalzjin.InNederlandonderhoudtdezeprotestantsekerk
echtergoedecontactenmetanderechristeljkekerken."Dr.ReinderBruinsma.
TheEnglishtranslationreadslikethis:
"Ifearthatalargenumberofreaderscomfortablymaythinkthatthesphereofthearticleis
evennowstillapplicableuponthischurch[modernDutchSDAChurch].IntheNetherlandsthis
ProtestantChurch,however,keepsgoodcontactswithotherChristianchurches"Dr.Reinder
Bruinsma
NowifBruinsmahadapologizedforthewayinwhichthemessagewastransmitted,thatwould
havebeenonething.Buttoapologizefortheveracityofthemessageistantamounttotreason.
ItviolatesnotonlysoundBiblicalexegesisandtheSpiritofProphecy,butalsogoesagainstthe
consistentbeliefsoftheSeventhdayAdventistChurch,letalonethebloodofsaintsand
martyrswhodiedupholdingthistruth.
CalledtoExposeManofSin.IntheverytimeinwhichwelivetheLordhascalledHispeople
andhasgiventhemamessagetobear.Hehascalledthemtoexposethewickednessofthe
manofsinwhohasmadetheSundaylawadistinctivepower,whohasthoughttochangetimes
andlaws,andtooppressthepeopleofGodwhostandfirmlytohonorHimbykeepingtheonly
trueSabbath,theSabbathofcreation,asholyuntotheLord.TestimoniestoMinisters,p.118.
(1903)(Ev233.2).
WearetogivetothepeoplethewarningscontainedinRevelation.Butmanyworkersare
engagedinalineofworkthatisdisqualifyingthemtopreachthewordanddotheverywork
Godhasappointedthemtodo.ThetruthinregardtotheSabbathoftheLordistobe
proclaimed.TheseventhdayistobeshowntobethesealofthelivingGod.Peoplearetobe
shownwhattheymayexpectfromthepapalpower.ThetimehascomewhentheProtestant
churchesarereachingouttograspthehandofthepowerthathasmadevoidthelawof
God...[HerefollowslengthyquotationsfromRevelation18andbriefcomments.]Thisisthe
messageSatanwouldhavesilenced(4MR426.1).
Herwritingsonsecretsocietiesandtheirinvolvementinfinaleventsareequallyclear:

Thisterriblepicture,drawnbyJohntoshowhowcompletelythepowersofearthwillgive
themselvesovertoevil,shouldshowthosewhohavereceivedthetruthhowdangerousitisto
linkupwithsecretsocietiesortojointhemselvesinanywaywiththosewhodonotkeepGod's
commandments(14MR,152.2).
TherearethosewhoquestionwhetheritisrightforChristianstobelongtotheFreeMasons
andothersecretsocieties.Letallsuchconsiderthescripturesjustquoted.IfweareChristians
atall,wemustbeChristianseverywhere,andmustconsiderandheedthecounselgivento
makeusChristiansaccordingtothestandardofGod'sWord(Ev618.1).
ThepicturedrawnbyJohnmustrefertothebookofRevelationandaccordingtothis
statement,secretsocietieswillplayanintegralroleinendtimeevents.Particularlythe
Freemasonsaredeemedworthyofspecialmention.Itseemsdevioustometoputanyonewho
fitsmoderneventsintotheframeworkofAdventisteschatologyintotheconvenientdrawerof
conspiracytheorist,comparingthemwithDanBrownorothersofsimilarsentiment.Thereis
avastdifferencebetweenaconspiracytheoristandtheProtestantheritageofsoundBiblical
interpretationandinthecaseofAdventiststheaddedinspirationoftheSpiritofProphecy.
WhatablatantdisregardfornotonlyBiblicalprophecy,buttheSpiritofProphecyaswell,let
aloneourProtestantheritage.Irememberwellmybaptismalvowswhichincludedthebeliefin
theSpiritofProphecy,whichthesemodernexegeteswillsacrificeforabriefmomentofpapal
recognition.Itishardformetounderstandhowanyonecanbesosteepedinostrichtheology
thattheycanevenassumethatthemodernPapacyhaschanged.Dontherpresentwritings
condemnherevenmorethanherpompousmedievalutterances?

ZenitNewspublishedanarticleonMarch8,2007onPopeBenedictsspeechonpapalprimacy,
entitledTheWorldSeenFromRomeBenedictXVIHighlights1stCenturyPapalPrimacy
BeginsAudienceSeriesonApostolicFathers:
Alreadyinthefirstcentury,popesexercisedtheirprimacyovertheotherChurches,Benedict
XVIsays.TheHolyFatherexplainedthisonWednesdayatthegeneralaudience,whichhe
dedicatedtoPopeSt.ClementofRome,thethirdsuccessorofPeter.St.Clement'sletter
clarifiesthedistinctionbetweenhierarchyandlaity.

Thecleardistinctionbetweenthe'laypeople'andthehierarchydoesnotmean,inanyway,a
contrapositionbutonlytheorganicconnectionofabody,ofanorganismwithdifferent
functions,"BenedictXVIexplained."Infact,theChurchisnotaplaceforconfusionandanarchy,
wheresomeonecandowhateverhewantsatanytime;eachoneinthisorganismwithan
articulatedstructurepracticeshisministryaccordingtothevocationreceived.Aspertainsto
theheadsofthecommunities,Clementspecifiesclearlythedoctrineofapostolicsuccession.

BenedictXVIadded:"ThelawsthatregulatethisderivefromGodhimselfinanultimate
analysis.TheFathersentJesusChrist,whointurnsenttheapostles.Thesethensentoutthe
firstheadsofthecommunities,andestablishedthattheywouldbefollowedbyworthymen."

"TheChurchisaboveallagiftofGodandnotacreatureofours,"thePopecontended,"and
thereforethissacramentalstructurenotonlyguaranteesthecommonorderbutalsothe
precedenceofthegiftofGodthatweallneed."ii

TheacceptanceofpapalprimacyisthusaccordingtothepresentPopeasacramental
structure,whichinCatholicthinkingmakesitasalvationissue.Thisisnotanineteenthcentury
obscurequote,butdemonstratesclearlythatRomehasnotchanged.AcceptingJesusisa
salvationissuenotacceptinganearthlyimposterwhotakesuponhimselftheprerogativesof
Christ.Benedictalsoelevatestheclergyandassignsitamediatorialrolejustasthemedieval
Churchdid.TheVaticanwebpage(Ihopethisisnotconsideredanobscuresource)saysthis:
ADDRESSOFHISHOLINESSBENEDICTXVITOMEMBERSOFTHEEPISCOPALCONFERENCEOF
PORTUGALONTHEIR"ADLIMINA"VISIT.ConsistoryHallSaturday,10November2007

ItisagreatjoyformetoreceiveyoutodayintheHouseofPeter,whobythegraceofGodare
solidpillarsofthatbridgewhichyouarecalledtobeandtocreatebetweenhumanityandits
supremedestiny,theMostHolyTrinity."ItisnolongerIwholive,butChristwholivesinme"
(Gal2:20).AconcretesignofthisincarnationisthepouringoutofChrist'slifewhichflowsforth
frommeintothelivesofothers.Thisisbecause,"IcannotpossessChristjustformyself;Ican
belongtohimonlyinunionwithallthosewhohavebecome,orwhowillbecome,hisown....
Webecome"onebody',completelyjoinedinasingleexistence"(EncyclicalLetterDeusCaritas
Est,n.14).This"body"ofChristthatembracesthehumanityofalltimesandplacesisthe
Church.iii
SuchecclesiasticalsuperiorityassignedtotheclergyandtothePopehimselfiscontrarytothe
plainestBibleutterancesanddeservesthesamerebukethatChristutteredregardingthe
Pharisees.
MalachiMartinalsomaintainsthatthepontiffisthesolelivingrepresentativeofGodamong
men;isendowedwithabsoluteauthoritytoteachGodssalvationasrevealedthroughhisson,
JesusChrist,whowasandisGodhimselfmademanCatholicteachingholdsthatanyRoman
Catholic,anynonCatholicChristian,oranynonChristianofwhateverotherreligionwho
receivesGodssalvationreceivesitthroughthespiritualofficeofthatonemaninRomeandthe
meritsofhisChurchofbelievers.On5September2000,theVaticanrestatedthisdoctrine
underthetitleDominusJesus(MalachiMartin,RichChurch,PoorChurch(NewYork:
Putnams,1984)

...McGuiresCatechismputsit:BishopsandpriestsoftheChurcharecalledotherChrists.
TheyalonehavethepowertorepresentortotaketheplaceofChrist,inpreachingHisGospel
andinofferingHissacrificeforthegloryofGodandthesalvationofmen.iv

Throughhisordination,apriestissupposedtoreceivespecialsupernaturalpowers,
particularlytochangebreadandwineintothebodyandbloodofChristintheHolySacrificeof
theMass,andtoforgivesinsinthesacramentofPenancev
ThepresentPopehasstatedcategoricallythattheecumenicalprocessistoberegardedas
irreversibleandthesigningoftheChartaOecumenicabymostprotestantchurchesisindicative
ofthedecaywhichhassetinamidstProtestantism.TheChartaisanagreemententeredintoby
theCatholicCouncilofEuropeanBishopsConference(CCEE)andtheConferenceofEuropean
Churches(CEC),theProtestantallianceofEurope.Thisdocumentacknowledgesapostolic
succession,guaranteesthattherewillbenoproselytising,andchangestheGospelmessage
fromsalvationinChristtoasocialGospelofsecuringhumanrightsforall.Moreover,it
advocatesacommonEucharistandrecognitionofallbaptismalritesaspracticedinthevarious
churches.JohnRogers,whohadbeenanassociateofTyndaleandCoverdaleinthetranslation
oftheScripturesintoEnglish,wasledtothestakeatSmithfieldonFebruary4th,1555.His
crimewasthedenialoftransubstantiation.ItisunthinkablethatanAdventistcouldhave
signedthisdocument.MoreovertheveryCECthatwentintoagreementwiththePapacyisnow
campaigningforSundaylegislationinEurope;thiscomesdirectlyfromtheirownwebpage,not
someobscuresource.

TheyarecampaigningforSundaylegislationandmotivatingtheirstandwiththeEuropean
parliamentastoWhySundayshouldbeincludedasaweeklyrestdayintherevisedWorking
TimeDirective.Theyarguethis:
1.MorethananyotherdayoftheweekafreeSundayofferstheopportunitytomeetones
family.

2.MorethananyotherdayoftheweekafreeSundayofferstheopportunitytomeetfriends,
toestablishandmaintainsocialties.
3.MorethananyotherdayoftheweekafreeSundayoffersworkerstheopportunitytopursue
theirspiritualneeds.

4.AccordingtoaEUROFOUNDsurvey,thelikelihoodofsicknessandabsenteeismproblemsin
establishmentsthatworkonSaturdaysandSundaysis1.3timesgreatercomparedto
establishmentsthatdonotrequirestafftoworkontheweekend.Moreover,theinclusionof
Sunday,asaweeklyrestday,intherevisedWorkingTimeDirectivewould,finally,strengthen
theideaofaEuropeofcitizens,sincealargemajorityofEuropeansbacktheideaofafree
Sunday.ItwouldthereforebeaconcreteexampleofhowtheEUcanmakeatangible
contributiontothequalityoflifeofcitizens.vi
ThisispreciselywhattheSpiritofProphecypredicted(conspiracyornoconspiracy),and
demonstratespreciselywhyweshouldnotbeinvolvedwiththosethatwaragainstthelawof
God.Ifthatmeansexclusivitythensobeit,becausethedirectiveisnotofhumandevising.
EvenamongtheotherProtestantchurchestherearestillpowerfulvoicesofleaderswhostand
liketheneedletothepole.Thesebrightlightsamongstthesechurcheswillyettaketheirstand

underthebloodstainedbannerofPrinceEmmanuel.In1988,theFreePresbyterianChurchof
ScotlandsClerktotheSynod,ReverendDonaldMacLeanscommentinhislettertoTheTimes
statedthis:
TheEcumenicalmovementwhichyoupraiseisthegreatestdisastertoaffecttheChristian
churchthiscentury.Ithasreducedtheprofessingchurchesofthiscountrytoacollectionof
bloodless,spinelessandbonelessorganizations,whichcanhardlyraiseawhimperontheside
ofChristandHisTruth.Smallwonderthatevilprogressesasitdoes,andspiritualdarkness
becomesmoreintenseastheyearsgoby.Youappeartoregardabodyofprofessing
Christians,ofsoberconduct,anddeepspiritualityofmind,asfanaticalandbigoted.Ifthisbe
sothentheeminentmenofGod,suchasJohnKnoxinScotland,JohnCalvinandMartinLuther
ontheContinent,andArchbishopCranmerinEnglandwerebigotsintheircontestswiththe
errorsofPopery.Wearegladtobeinsuchcompany.vii
WhatanindictmenttoAdventistswhowishtotowtheecumenicalline.Ihaveneverbefore
discussedourChurchsecumenicalrelations,butinviewofthenatureofcurrentcircumstances
andmydutyasevangelisttowardthosewhoarecontemplatingmembershipintheSDAfamily,
thetimehas,itseems,cometoclarifyafewissues.AreweasaChurchinvolvedinecumenical
relations?Theanswerisobviouslyyes.InGermanytheSeventhdayAdventistChurchis
affiliatedwiththeACKandthereisampleevidenceelsewherethatourchurchismoreinvolved
thanwemightwishtothink.LettherebeLightMinistrieshasdistributedabookletentitledThe
WorldCouncilofChurchesandtheSeventhdayAdventistChurch,whichsawitsfirstprintingin
1996.Icertainlydonotsupportorganizationsthathavenothingbettertodothancriticizethe
Church,butsometimestheydohaveapoint,itswhattheydowithitthatsproblematic.The
evidencepresentediscompelling,butsadlytheythenreachtheconclusionthattheSDAChurch
isfallenandhasthusbecomepartofBabylon.TheyquotethefollowingSpiritofProphecy
statementwhereEllenWhitewarnsthatwecouldbecomeasistertoBabylon:
WemustasapeoplearouseandcleansethecampofIsrael.Licentiousness,unlawfulintimacy,
andunholypracticesarecominginamongusinalargedegree;andministerswhoarehandling
sacredthingsareguiltyofsininthisrespect.Theyarecovetingtheirneighbors'wives,andthe
seventhcommandmentisbroken.WeareindangerofbecomingasistertofallenBabylon,of
allowingourchurchestobecomecorrupted,andfilledwitheveryfoulspirit,acageforevery
uncleanandhatefulbird;andwillwebeclearunlesswemakedecidedmovementstocurethe
existingevil(21MR,380.1).
However,EllenWhitealsostatesthis:
Idonotdoubtyoursincerityorhonesty.Ihavewrittenlonglettersatdifferenttimestothose
whowereaccusingthechurchofSeventhdayAdventistsofbeingBabylon,thattheywerenot
handlingthetruth.Youthinkindividualshaveprejudicedmymind.IfIaminthisstate,Iamnot
fittedtobeentrustedwiththeworkofGod.Butthismatterhasbeenbroughtbeforemymind
inothercaseswhereindividualshaveclaimedtohavemessagesfortheSeventhdayAdventist

Church,ofasimilarcharacter,andthewordhasbeengivenme,"Believethemnot.""Ihavenot
sentthem,andyettheyran(2SM,63.3).
OurChurchisuniqueamongstallthechurchesintheworldandGodhasseentoitthatour
structureswouldbethusorganizedthatwewouldnotbecomepartofBabylon,evenifawhole
hostofleadersweretoapostatizeandjointheranksoftheenemyintramplinguponthe
preceptsofGod.OurChurchisnotrunbyasynodoracollegeofcardinals,butwehavea
bottomupstructurewhichmeansthatdoctrinalchangeshavetobevotedbytheworldwide
ChurchdelegatesatGeneralConferencesessions.IfindividualssigntheChartaOecumenica,or
evenwholedivisionsforthatmatter,thatdoesnotmaketheSDAChurchapostate,itmakes
thoseindividualsapostate.ThesameappliestoanyotherChurchdoctrine.Godhasblessed
thisChurchwithwonderfulleadersandtherearestillseventhousandthathavenotbowedthe
kneetoBaal.AmidstthegreatestapostasythelightoftheserepresentativesofGodwillshine
evermorebrightly.Afewillustrationsmightbeinorderhere.

IwasprivilegedtobepartoftheGeneralConferencefaithandsciencemeetingstodiscussthe
relevanceofthesixdayCreationinourmodernworldwithitsevolutionarybias.Iwasshocked
andotherswereliterallymovedtotearstowitnessthelevelofunbeliefthatwasoften
displayedbymanyofourleadinglights.Therepresentativesfromsomeofourdivisions
producedreportsthatwouldhavemadeourpioneersspinintheirgravesiftheywerenot
sleeping.Others,however,morethaneclipsedthesenegativesentimentsandIwassoproudto
readthereportofmydivisiontothefullhouseofdelegatesconfirmingeverypillarofourfaith.
IrealizedthenthatGodisstillultimatelyinchargeofHisChurch.

InanotherinstanceIwasacampmeetingspeakeratamajorEuropeancampmeetingwhere
theyouthmeetingresembledaheavymetalrockconcertmorethanareligiousmeeting.One
dayIwasstandingoutsidethehallwheretheyouthwasgatheringandayoungWestIndian
manwasstandingoutsidethedoor.Iaskedhimwhyhewasstandingthereandheanswered
thathisfriendswereinside.Iaskedhimabovethedinwhyhewasnotalsowithhisfriends,and
heansweredthathisJesuswasnotinthereandsohedidnotfeelfreetojointhem.Iwas
amazedandafloodofprideforthisyoungmanfilledmyheart.Wesatdownandtalkedandas
wetalked,moreandmoreyoungpeoplejoinedus.Whatawonderfulexperience.Thereishope
forourChurchandtheyouthisgoingtoplayagreatpartinfinishingthework.Thepressureto
conformtoworldlystandardsisgreatandevenUnionPresidentshavetotakethebruntwhen
theystandforprinciple.Ihavemetandspokenwithmanyofthemandamproudtobea
SeventhdayAdventistministerevenintheseterribletimesinwhichweareliving.Weneednot
despair,GodisincontrolandHewilltakeHisChurchtothefinishline.Inthemeantimethepen
ofinspirationwillsustainus.
WhenthereligionofChristismostheldincontempt,whenHislawismostdespised,then
shouldourzealbethewarmestandourcourageandfirmnessthemostunflinching.Tostandin
defenseoftruthandrighteousnesswhenthemajorityforsakeus,tofightthebattlesofthe
Lordwhenchampionsarefewthiswillbeourtest.Atthistimewemustgatherwarmthfrom

thecoldnessofothers,couragefromtheircowardice,andloyaltyfromtheirtreason5T136
(1882).(LDE180.4).

i.http://www.adventistreview.org/issue.php?issue=20091525&page=27
ii.ZE0703082620070308Permalink:http://www.zenit.org/article19100?l=english
iii.Vatican.va
iv.MichaelA.McGuire,(FatherMcGuires)TheNewBaltimoreCatechismandMassOfficial
RevisedEdition(NewYork:BenzigerBrothers,1949),159.
v.MichaelA.McGuire,(FatherMcGuires)TheNewBaltimoreCatechismandMassOfficial
RevisedEdition(NewYork:BenzigerBrothers,1949),194.
vi.http://www.ceckek.org/pdf/CSCProtectionofSunday_EN.pdf
vii.TheTimes:9thNovember1988

[EditorsNote]
Bruinsmaimpliedthattheremaybefactsthatareextractedfromobscuresourcesnoonecan
check.

OurwebsitecontainstheentiresetofreferencesforWaltersTotalOnslaughtandRekindling
theReformationseriesinournewresearchlibrary,aswellasebooksalsoavailableformore
research.