In Seventh-day Adventist theology the Great Controversy theme refers to the cosmic battle between Jesus Christ and Satan, and also played out on earth. The concept is derived from many visions the author claimed to have received, scriptural references, and is delineated in the book The Great Controversy, first published in 1858, by Ellen G. White, a co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The concept is important in Adventist theology because it provides an understanding of the origin of evil, and of the eventual destruction of evil and the restoration of God's original purpose for this world. It constitutes belief number 8 of the church's 28 Fundamentals.
This theme is seen as incompatible with a historic Christian view of theology, but is considered by some as being more in line with Arminianism. Hence, Calvinistic leaning Christians view this theme and the Adventist movement that produced it as cultic or heterodox. [1] [2]
[edit] Official position
One of the 28 fundamental beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists states:
- 8. Great Controversy:
- All humanity is now involved in a great controversy between Christ and Satan regarding the character of God, His law, and His sovereignty over the universe. This conflict originated in heaven when a created being, endowed with freedom of choice, in self-exaltation became Satan, God's adversary. He led into rebellion a portion of the angels. He introduced the spirit of rebellion into this world when he led Adam and Eve into sin. This human sin resulted in the distortion of the image of God in humanity, the disordering of the created world, and its eventual devastation at the time of the worldwide flood. Observed by the whole creation, this world became the arena of the universal conflict, out of which the God of love will ultimately be vindicated. To assist His people in this controversy, Christ sends the Holy Spirit and the loyal angels to guide, protect, and sustain them in the way of salvation. (Rev. 12:4-9; Isa. 14:12-14; Eze. 28:12-18; Gen. 3; Rom. 1:19-32; 5:12-21; 8:19-22; Gen. 6-8; 2 Peter 3:6; 1 Cor. 4:9; Heb. 1:14.)[3]
Clifford Goldstein describes hearing "the Great Controversy from an unlikely source". In a lecture from The Teaching Company by philosopher and "agnostic Episcopalian" James Hall, Goldstein perceived him teaching "basically, the great controversy scenario, pretty much how any traditional Adventist would."[4]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ See Herbert E. Douglass, Th.D, A Fork in The Road: The Historic Adventist Divide of 1957, Remnant Publishing 2008.
- ^ Herbert E. Douglass, Th.D, The Heartbeat of Adventism: The Great Controversy Theme in the Writings of Ellen G. White, Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2010
- ^ "Fundamental Beliefs". Seventh-day Adventist Church. http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/fundamental/index.html. Retrieved 2006-09-15.
- ^ "The Great Controversy from an Unlikely Source" by Clifford Goldstein, Adventist Today blog, 11 May 2008.
[edit] External links
