In the Big Inning, God...

Having spent the better part of the last 18 months in the Philippines, I have had the blessed relief of not being in the middle of the latest church controversies. Sadly, not even the Pacific ocean can shield me from the current battle waging in the United States. Before I continue, I want to make a few things abundantly clear:

• I do NOT know the intricate details of the debate between La Sierra University and the General Conference.
• I DO believe in six literal creation days (check out my book, "From Light to Darkness")
• I am NOT a theologian
• I do NOT believe that this debate is a salvation issue.

Now that we're clear on all that, let me explain. Contrary to what most Christians believe, salvation is not based on what we believe or what we do, but rather how that belief changes our lives. When it comes right down to it, which is worse? Believing that the six days were/are symbolic (like many mentions of "days") or the controversy that is raging through the church?

Like I said earlier, I'm not a theologian, but for all those Ellen White supporters out there, I'd like to take a look at chapter two of "Patriarchs and Prophets":

"God created man in His image....There is no ground for the supposition that man was evolved by slow degrees of development from the lower forms of animal or vegetable life. Such teaching lowers the great work of the Creator to the level of man's narrow, earthly conceptions (pg. 45). ...He had created all the wonders of the land and of the sea. In six days the great work of creation had been accomplished. And God 'rested on the seventh day...'" (pg. 47).

Before either side goes and twists what I just quoted, I want to make an observation (or two): In a chapter dedicated to the creation, Mrs. White writes several pages before mentioning the "six days" of creation and then only as a lead in to a discussion on the Sabbath (which we'll discuss in detail next time). So here's my point: yes, she mentions the six days, but she neither specifies six literal days nor emphasizes its importance. In fact, her emphasis lies with the importance of humanity's creation and humans taking one day out of seven - specifically the seventh - to remember their Creator. So why has this become an issue? Why are we wasting precious time and energy fighting over something that shouldn't be an issue?

I do want to point out one last thing: as a Bible teacher myself - and one who has had to counteract the slightly off teachings of a predecessor - it is not the job of the teacher to use the classroom as their own personal platform. If you believe something, support it. It is our job as academics to be trustworthy in what we give to our students, and spouting off opinion as anything more is far from trustworthy.

Some might criticize me for not choosing a side in this debate, but I believe it is the choosing of sides that is fueling the debate and could lead to disastrous results for our church.

One final thought: we are all entitled to our own nuances in faith and belief - faith is as unique as our characters - but to pastors and teachers is given a greater burden of proof. "Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly." (James 3:1, NLT)