March 16, 1997
John Graz, Director
Dept. of Public Affairs & Religious Liberty
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
12051 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Springs, Maryland 20904-6600
Dear Brother John Graz:
I received your reply to my letter and I thank you for responding.
I can understand why the General Conference could be concerned about being
misrepresented by others using the name Seventh-day Adventist that believe differently from the
General Conference, especially those causing problems. And, I can see why the General
Conference would want to take the position they have chosen regarding protecting the name,
Seventh-day Adventist if they neglected some important counsel.
Consider the example given in Acts 19:13-17. There were exorcists using Jesus' name
to cast out demons. Because they really didn't believe (and had not the Spirit of Christ), the
demons did not recognize any authority in their use of His name and the exorcists reaped bad
results. The name of the Lord Jesus was magnified and those who were misusing His name were
brought to shame. It was obvious to the public who were truly Christ's followers and who were
not.
This is an example to show we do not need to fear what will happen as a result of misuse
of names. God will protect the name, "Seventh-day Adventist" to the extent He sees the need
for protection. If God does not do for the church what the church thinks He ought to, who is
the General Conference to object and take it into their own hands?
I believe that the General Conference should follow counsel from the Holy Scriptures and
from Ellen G. White and trust in our Heavenly Father for protection rather than listening to and
trusting in man. "We ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29.
Please read 1 Cor. 6:1-9 and the following comments by Ellen White from Letter 301,
1905 entitled "A Lawsuit Against the Publishing House":
"When church members have this knowledge [1Cor.6:1-9], their practice will be of a character
to recommend their faith. By a well-ordered life, and godly conversation, they will reveal Christ.
There will be no lawsuits between neighbors or brothers."
From Manuscript 64, 1898 in "The Very Thing God Told Them Not to Do" read:
"I have written largely in regard to Christians who believe the truth placing
their cases in courts of law to obtain redress. .... They cast aside the
inspired counsel God has given, and in the face of the message He gives they
do the very thing He has told them not to do."
And in "What Appeals to the Court Reveals" read:
"...Those church members [or churches] who appeal to the courts of the world show that
they have chosen the world as their judge, and their names are registered
in heaven as one with unbelievers.
From Manuscript 128, 1903 in "Lawyers and Laodiceans" read:
"To lean upon the arm of the law is a disgrace to Christians; yet this evil has been brought in and
cherished among the Lord's chosen people."
From these examples, we know that whether we consider others (no matter what they do
to us) to be brothers or not to be brothers, we are admonished not to take them to court!
You mentioned that the Apostle Paul "did the same thing" the General Conference is
doing. What Scripture are you referring to, please? I have been unable to find where Paul took
either his brother or his neighbor to court after he was converted.
Please prayerfully consider heeding these counsels and recommending to the necessary
parties to heed these counsels. Thank you for your consideration and thoughtful response.
Prayerfully yours,
Barbara Isenburg