22 May 2003 Guest Editorial:
How Long Halt Ye Between Two Opinions?

Bill Eichner

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. (1 Kings 18:21)

Certainly we could not be guilty of this!! We can by default neglect God and become no better than the children of Israel. How we spend our time and resources tells volumes about our relationships. Ah, relationships, how fragile they are. Our modern age corrupts everything it touches, it would seem.

When we view God as common (our buddy), we distort the reverence due Him. This phenomena is seen in so many of our churches. Our services, in some instances, have become cheapened by: clapping for the performers, milling around in the sanctuary with common greetings and back slapping, beat music as a background to sing by and repetitive words to songs (as some would consider appropriate for kindergartners). Are we not to grow beyond our childhood relationship with God? Someone once made the analogy of these repetitious songs stating them to be "seven -- eleven" songs. You sing seven verses eleven times each. What does the Bible have to say about vain repetitions and childish behavior?

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (Matthew 6:7)

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (1 Corinthians 13:11)

Are our churches beyond hope or help? No, definitely not. What has happened is that too many of us have been "halting between two opinions." We don't say anything. No one wants to stir up controversy, but are we not as guilty as those who instigate improper change with our silence?

But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. (Ezekiel 33:6)

What is the Sentinel for, but to be the voice of the watchmen on the walls of Zion, to sound the danger signal. We are not to cringe and beg pardon of the world for telling them the truth: we should scorn concealment. Unfurl your colors to meet the case of men and angels. Let it be understood that Seventh-day Adventists can make no compromise. In your opinions and faith there must not be the least appearance of wavering; the world has a right to know what to expect of us, and will look upon us as dishonest, as hiding our real sentiments and principles out of policy, if we carry even the semblance of being uncommitted till the popular voice has pointed out the safe way. The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, which Christ said He would send into the world, was to bear an unwavering testimony." (Ellen G. White, counsels to Writers, p. 95).

We are told, by the Spirit of Prophecy, that some will leave us to join those in opposition to us and that their places will be filled by others coming in uniting with us.

Although these will confess the truth and become workers with Christ at the eleventh hour, they will receive equal wages with those who have wrought through the whole day. There will be an army of steadfast believers who will stands as firm as a rock through the last test. But where in that army are those who have been standard-bearers? Where are those whose voices have sounded in proclaiming the truth to the sinning? Some of them are not there. We look for them, but in the time of shaking they have been unable to stand, and have passed over to the enemy's ranks. (Ellen G. White, RH, December 24, 1889 par. 12)

The Lord will give His message to those who have walked in accordance with the light they have had, and will recognize them as true and faithful, according to the measurement of God. These men will take the place of those who, having light and knowledge, have walked not in the way of the Lord, but in the imagination of their own unsanctified hearts. (Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, vol. 3, p. 422)

Perhaps there will come a time of showdown as there was in the time of Elijah. Now, do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that one should bring undue controversy into the church. There is a right and a wrong way to bring about positive change. Remember it took time to digress, time and patience will also be required to reverse these trends. Some do not even realize the incorrectness of their behavior. Proper education is needed. Some have gained positions whereby they instrumented their specious concepts over time. These positions need be regained by people with solid foundations.

Pastors can have a great effect on a congregation. Work with him to bring about positive changes. If he is part of the problem, then it can be more difficult. Study with your pastor, showing him how God would have His church conduct themselves. Be patient. We need keep in mind that many pastors either did not have proper training or studied in the schools of Babylon. Pastors are human and in need of encouragement and nurturing also. Start simple working to the more complex. If at some point a gridlock is reached, each person in the study must defend their position by the Word of God. If they are unable to do so, (for that can be the only standard) they must reject their erroneous position and succumb to God's Word. At this juncture, it is not human opinion that counts, but God's. Leave no wiggle room for human views, no matter how politically-correct they may seem to be. Elijah didn't compromise with God's people then. We must not, cannot not, now either, for truth is truth. Truth is not a shade of grey.

If you have a female pastor, you are already in big trouble, for she has been given a double portion of error. 1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:6 emphatically state that "A bishop (elder) then must be blameless, the husband of one wife. . ." From Genesis to Revelation the principle of benevolent male headship is taught. It is sad that many unsuspecting kindly women have been fed the lie that this position may be occupied by them. Many do not realize the magnitude of this error and its effect on society in general and Christian society in particular. The women in these positions have gone through much schooling and training. They are talented and caring individuals. This preparatory work need not be in vain for there is much they can be involved in. Sister White makes suggestions as to the work they can and should do in working with families that men cannot and should not be involved with. The bottom line is, they will be required to step away from their position as pastor to be true to the Word of God. If they are unwilling to live by the clear Word of God, then there may be a problem with pride. It was pride that started sin in the first place with Lucifer. As humans, we must set aside all pride that would beset us. See Heb 12:1 & 1 Tim 3:5-6. We must be a people of the word, not of political expedience.

I believe we are on the brink of seeing some astounding phenomena in our church. Perhaps, this will include those leaving because of unbelief. We have already seen entire churches leave over issues of basic SDA beliefs including worship styles, joining the uncertainty of Babylon. They have largely discarded our convictions, particularly those that make us unique unto God's word and compliant to the Spirit of Prophecy. Some of the maliciousness coming from them, leads us to the conviction that they may well be prominent in seeking our lives for the truth's sake in the not so distant future. May we be faithful to the end, never giving ground to the slightest of errors. This should ever be the prayer on our lips. Those willing to fulfill this commission will be able to live with the Lord forever.

Bill Eichner is a member of the Sandy SDA Church in Sandy, Oregon. He has past served in various capacities, such as deacon and elder. Currently he is responsible for leading out in prayer meeting, on a rotation schedule as a Sabbath school teacher and writes an occasional piece for the local church paper. Bill works at the Adventist hospital in Portland, Oregon as a certified nursing assistant and unit secretary. He lives with his wife Peggy of 37 years. They have only one progeny, Jeremy, who is in his third year as an engineering student.