ADVENTIST CARNIVALS !

TO support its validity, promoters of the Celebration movement point to its popularity, its increasing numbers, and to the many backsliders who appear to be reclaimed for the church through Celebration-style worship. It is being hailed by administrators as the greatest modern "evangelistic tool" (see Adventist Review, November 1, 1990) in Adventism!

Scores of testimonials are printed in the various church papers such as the Recorder, the Gleaner, the Adventist Review, et cetera, enthusiastically telling of the wonderful experiences individuals are having in the Celebration-type worship services. Some are claiming that the carnival-types of worship have saved their spiritual lives! Others relate glowing reports that Celebration has been the means of bringing them back into Seventy-day Adventist church fellowship. Many claim that along with their enjoyment of the new type services, their lives have been entirely changed, et cetera. Are all of these testimonials proof that this system of worship is right and good? God-inspired? Not necessarily!

Nonetheless, these testimonials exert a great influence upon some people. Some who have investigated the methods being used, have rejected the system as not being God-inspired. Yet, when they encounter such glowing testimonials, they begin to waffle, 'Well, if it is accomplishing such things as these for souls, perhaps it is all right after all!" But is this sound reasoning?

Satan is able to inspire a change in lifestyle, and to generate religious enthusiasm when it best suits his purposes. But the true fruits of the Spirit issue only when the Holy Spirit is in control of the life. Only Christ can enable men to die to self and sin, and experience conversion. And it is only true conversions that will result in true testimonials!

We will yet see the astounding day when "Satan himself is converted, after the modern order of things. He will appear in the character of an angel of light" (see The Great Controversy, 588), as Jesus himself! In the end-time, the devil will do so much good that "if it were possible he would deceive the very elect." He will heal the people of their physical maladies, and make it appear that he can, or has, healed them of their spiritual infirmities as well. He will do all this so effectively that the whole world will cry: "Christ has come! Christ has come!" But are their testimonials dependable? No! For the christ they so glowingly testify about is the false christ!

Concerning the 1900 episode, just as today, the participants could undoubtedly give glowing reports of the wonderful things they were experiencing in their carnival-like meetings. They may have testified of the boring church worship they had previously attended; and how they now enjoy and prefer lively music! They might have even added, "We do not prefer the songs in Hymns and Tunes; we prefer the new songs from the book, Garden of Spices!"

In addition to this, they praised and promoted their (false) doctrines! They now had "holy flesh," they said, and boasted that because of this, they could live without sinning! They would «speak freely of perfection in the flesh." Selected Messages, book 2, 32. What glowing and positive testimonials they were giving!

But Ellen White testified that:

Instruction has been given me in regard to the late experiences of brethren in Indiana, and the teaching they have given to the churches. Through this experience and teaching the enemy has been working to lead souls astray. Selected Messages, book 2, 31-32

When this same carnival-like experience would be repeated in our camp meetings "just before the close of probation," just so they do not teach the truth, it makes no difference to the devil whether men teach holy flesh, or go to the other extreme, and testify that they need not stop sinning, for Jesus, they say, loves and accepts them just as they are!

In the carnival-like apostasies in various localities, shortly after 1844, there occurred similar false testimonials and teachings. "They declared [or testified] that they were perfected; that body, soul, and spirit were holy" (Selected Messages, book 2, 34). Listen to their glorious testimonials: Our "flesh [is] purified, [we are] ready for translation" (Ibid.). This testimony "they repeated again and again" (Ibid.), related Ellen White. Also, "They said they were beyond the power of temptation." Maranatha, 234

"I bore my testimony," says Ellen White, "in the name of the Lord, placing His rebuke upon these manifestations" (Selected Messages, book 2, 34). These deceived ones even said that they were so far above the power of temptation that they held meetings with men and women together in a state of nudity! But let us allow Ellen White to present this:

Men and women, supposed to be guided by the Holy Spirit, held meetings in a state of nudity. They talked about holy flesh. They said they were beyond the power of temptation, and they sang, and shouted, and made all manner of noisy demonstrations.... Satan was moulding the work, and sensuality was the result. The cause of God was dishonored. Truth, sacred truth, was leveled in the dust by human agencies. Maranatha, 234

(Let us recall that at Horeb the celebrants also danced in the nude about the golden calf.) In post-1844, "they sang, they shouted, and made all manner of noisy demonstrations;" and "they talked about holy flesh." So again false "experiences" and false "teachings" were combined. And once again Ellen White wrote: "I bore my testimony declaring that these fanatical movements, this din and noise, were inspired by the spirit of Satan." She also said, "The Lord gave me a message for this fanaticism, for the beautiful principles of Bible truth were being eclipsed.... These demonstrations did not change the unerring character of truth, but Satan was working to deceive and delude honest souls." Manuscript Release 1525, 4-5

The testimonials given by these people, whether written or spoken, must have had a very powerful influence for evil as they invited others to receive their supposed certainty of salvation, and join them in their fun and frolic!

But what resulted from this fanaticism? We read that "sensuality was the result. The cause of God was dishonored. Truth, sacred truth, was leveled to the dust." Maranatha, 234.

What about testimonials? We would ask, Should we allow the glowing testimonials even of those claiming to have changed lives, to blind our spiritual perceptions?

We freely admit that God has not appointed us as judges to judge the validity of the apparent conversion of any individuals. This is not our work. But the Lord Himself has bidden all of us to judge fruits. "By their fruits ye shall know them," Christ said. Fruits, however, are to be judged, not by man's standard, but by the standards outlined in God's Word.

All claims, all testimonials, all experiences and teachings, must be tested by the unerring Word of God by inspired guidelines-lest we be led astray and lose eternal life!

His Word, the Bible, is the foundation of our faith. Unless we plant our feet upon this foundation, unless we substantiate our faith "By every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God," we shall be deceived by Satan when he comes in glory, claiming to be Christ. Manuscript Release 1366, 17

WE All know that Jesus is coming soon. But as we wait, the Celebration movement creates an excitement, and exuberance, a diversion, a carnival spirit! Let us contrast this carnival spirit with that of the faithful who in 1844 waited for Jesus to come. All fanaticism disappeared from among them. They were free from all excitement. They evidenced no spirit of elation or celebration. Rather, theirs was a spirit of solemnity, of heart preparation-a humble searching of their hearts to see if there were any sins they should put away. Filled with hope and courage and holy joy, before retiring each night they made certain that every known sin was confessed.

As we read what is said about the pre-1844 group, we will note that the current spirit of Celebration and the spirit of the expectant saints in 1844 are completely opposite!

Like a tidal wave the movement swept over the land. From city to city, from village to village, and into remote country places it went, until the waiting people of God were fully aroused. Before this proclamation fanaticism disappeared, like early frost before the rising sun. Believers once more found their position, and hope and courage animated their hearts.

The work was free from those extremes which are ever manifested when there is human excitement without the controlling influence of the word and Spirit of God. It was similar in character to those seasons of humiliation and returning unto the Lord which among ancient Israel followed messages of reproof from His servants. It bore the characteristics which mark the work of God in every age. There was little ecstatic joy, but rather deep searching of heart, confession of sin, and forsaking of the world. A preparation to meet the Lord was the burden of agonizing spirits. There was persevering prayer, and unreserved consecration to God. The Story of Redemption, 370

The somber, through courageous attitudes of that group should be "the characteristics which mark the work of God in every age." While the true worshipers may have "little ecstatic joy," they will be filled with "hope and courage" as they worship God in the beauty of holiness!

Let us contrast the 1844 experience which is to be a pattern for us who are expecting Jesus to come soon, with the "hi-jinks" Celebration hilarity brought to view in the chapter which follows. Which pattern shall we choose?

SIX thousand people greet Palau at Celebration. The night began with the place rocking for the Lord with the beat of loud and joyous music and ended with the people walking down the aisles to make decisions for Jesus Christ."

This "Celebration" in Des Moines, Iowa began on September 26, 1990, and was announced in the Des Moines Register as a "Say, Yes, Des Moines" five-day crusade. The evangelist was Luis Paulau, a Baptist-type minister.

This celebration-type crusade was an ecumenical endeavor with "180 churches listed as participating in the crusade." There was, it was stated, "A new spirit of co-operation among Des Moines area churches, both mainline and evangelical... .There was a willingness of churches to work together that we didn't have before.... This is not the end; it is the beginning of wider co-operation among churches."

"Two big screens provided larger-than-life video close-ups of the goings-on and words for the spirited choruses that the crowd sang." " `This isn't a church service. It's a celebration of fun and joy,' said the master of ceremonies Dan Owens at the outset.... `Relax, this is a house of joy. Wear anything you want as long as it's legal.' "

On Sunday Dan Owens and song-leader Dave Wacker were inspired "to lead the crowd in a sports-stadium `wave' as a part of the fun and hi finks [noisy revelry; wild behavior"-Webster] that start the programs. It is a part of Palau's theory that to reach people, mass evangelism should not be too `churchy.' "

The above quotations were taken from The Des Moines Register between the dates of September 26 and October 1, 1990. These extracts from the newspaper not only describe the carnival-like behavior and atmosphere of a typical "Celebration," but also reveal that a large number of Sunday churches are sponsoring Celebration type services. The Des Moines Celebration is not singular; the spirit of ecumenical Celebration is widespread.

Surely any knowledgeable Adventist will recognize in the news account from Iowa an almost exact description of some things one can find in an "Adventist" Celebration service. Almost a duplicate!

Seventh-day Adventist churches were certainly not the first to sponsor the celebration-type of worship. In very fact the Pentecostals have been "celebrating" in a carnival-style worship for decades. Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, et cetera preceded Seventh-day Adventists. We might ask the logical question: Did we go to the Sunday-observing churches of Babylon-to the fallen churches of the world-to learn their methods of how to partake of their ecumenical worldly spirit, at such a time as this: "Just before the close of probation?" The answer is "Yes!" We surely have! In fact Adventist leaders of this worship format freely admit that they went to the Sunday churches, including Pentecostals, to learn their methods, and they continue to go there to learn.

When speaking of the fallen churches of Babylon in this book we refer, not to the individual members of these churches who 'nay be honest but deceived, and who will, during the loud cry respond to the voice of God calling to them: "Come out of her my people! " We refer here to the systems of erroneous doctrines and the satanic spirit of worship conducted or sponsored by these fallen churches which are fast becoming "the habitation of devils, the hold of every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Revelation 18:2

Are such churches as these the ones we desire to emulate, to be like, to follow, and to copy? In the name of church growth or for any other reason, do we wish to join with them in their carnival-like, fallen state of celebrating? What kind of members would be added to our church through such worldly methods?

To what lengths are some of us willing to go to be popular? To fit in with the daughters of Babylon who worship on the venerable day of the sun? May we never forget that "in comparison with the millions or the world, God's people will be, as they have ever been `a little flock' " (The Acts of the Apostles, 590); having never been genuinely popular in the eyes of the world or worldly churches. According to prophecy God's true people will become the offscouring of the earth: "Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the people" Lamentations 4:45, see also 1 Corinthians 4:13. God's people will finally be esteemed as worthy only of death!

Many years ago a boy of twelve or thirteen years of age was taken from a small country public school of about six children to a large city church school. As he walked into his room on the first day of school, the kids began to snicker and to look at his feet!

He was wearing flashy red cowboy boots with white inlays and black toes and his usual levi jeans. These city kids acted as if they had never even seen boots or levis before! As they stared at him, it seemed as if his feet were growing getting bigger and bigger! He couldn't hide them!

At recess, which came all too soon, most of the kids poked fun at him, saying, "Oh, there's ol’ ‘Tex.' " And they played games. Games that were new to him. Games that he didn't know how to play! Once again he was at a disadvantage. He couldn't fit in. He was different!

One of the teachers who had a nifty 1936 Ford panel hauled the children back and forth to their various homes. As the days went by he and the teacher "talked car" together. At least he had something in common with the teacher- his love of cars.

One day, after telling the children to sit and wait quietly for him, the teacher went into a house for a brief visit. Soon, Tex, having driven an old truck on the farm began to brag: "I can drive," he said. Now they were all interested, "You can?" they asked. Finally there was something he could do that they couldn't do! But soon they challenged: "If you can drive, why don't you drive this car, Tex?"

He observed that the teacher had left the keys in the car, so he slipped into the driver's seat. Finally, he was the center of attraction! Just as he had seen the teacher do to start the car, he did. But this Ford panel didn't react like the sluggish old truck on the ranch. When he released the clutch it took off with a lunge and a squeal! In seconds he was halfway down the block. But alas! Crash! Bang! He had run into the back end of another car! The teacher's beautiful panel car was wrecked, the fog lights broken, fenders bent.

Why did Tex do what he did? Simply for the reason that he wanted to be popular. He wanted to be like the other boys, to fit in with the crowd. At that time, he did not realize that it was more important to cling to truth-to cling to what one knows to be right, than it is to be popular by compromising true principles. Tex has told us, as he related his story, that at that time he was willing to do anything- to compromise anything- in order to be regarded as one of the crowd. He would have gone barefoot, naked, or anything else, in order to fit in.

Is there a lesson for our church people in the experience of this farm lad? Are we not equally willing to compromise principle for the sake of popularity? It is certainly true that a people holding to the truth and practicing the pure truth will be ridiculed by the world and by worldly churches. They may be snickered at, or possibly referred to as a cult. They will certainly not fit in; they will be different! And worse yet, they will even stiffer persecution!

On the other hand, by choosing a worldly course, would this not enable a congregation to become so popular that their membership growth would rapidly accelerate, even as the Ford panel rapidly accelerated and took off with a squeal? But then, just as Tex and his friends were terribly shaken when the Ford was wrecked, so will some congregations be terribly shaken as the churches undergo their final cleansing; when God sends His angels to separate the tares from the wheat. A sudden disaster will strike as the tares are blown away from God's remnant. At that time it will not appear to be so desirable to have had so much in common with the fallen churches of Babylon!

Some Seventh-day Adventists are today making a conscious choice whether or not to accept the Celebration-type excesses. They should first ask themselves, Should we join with a system of worship that will some day be classed among those churches which Scripture refers to as "the habitation of devils; and the hold of every foul spirit"?

The voice of our prophet must be allowed to speak again as she comments on this carnival-type of worship: "Satanic agencies blend with the din and noise to have a carnival." "Demons in the form of men are present, working with all the ingenuity that Satan can employ." "Satan will make music a snare in the way in which it is conducted." "Satan works amid the din and confusion of such music.... He makes its effect like the poison sting of the serpent" Selected Messages, book 2, 36-38. What type of church growth are we asking for if we introduce the satanic methods of worship described above?

The Lord's servant clearly tells us that the passage in Revelation 18 applies to the fallen churches:

I saw that since Jesus left the holy place of the heavenly sanctuary and entered within the second veil, the churches have been filling up with every unclean and hateful bird. I saw great iniquity and vileness in the churches; yet their members profess to be Christians. Their profession, their prayers, and their exhortations are an abomination in the sight of God. Early Writings, 274

If any of God's professed people or congregations adopt the same satanic methods, sentiments and practices used by the fallen churches, will not the condemnation of Revelation 18 fall upon them also? Read this:

The world must not be introduced into the church, and married to the church, forming a bond of unity. Through this means the church will become indeed corrupt, and as stated in Revelation, "a cage of every unclean and hateful bird." Testimonies to Ministers, 265; see also Review and Herald, vol. 3, 233

Speaking to us as "individual church members" Ellen White writes:

It is now the duty of God's commandment-keeping people to watch and pray, to search the Scriptures diligently, to hide the Word of God in the heart, lest they sin against him in idolatrous thoughts and debasing practices, and thus the church of God become demoralized like the fallen churches whom prophecy represents as being filled with every unclean and hateful bird. Ibid., vol. 2, 138

We would ask, Shall we adults be as willing as was Tex to compromise principles in order to receive the approval of the popular churches? Is it not much more desirable to seek the approval of God? Never should we, in the name of church growth or for any other reason, be willing to sell our souls into the hands of Satan!

Thus far we have considered "erroneous methods" of worship. We now turn to a discussion of deceptive theories and teachings which Ellen White foretold would be a part of the apostasy to come "just before the close of probation." Prominent among these teachings is a spurious or sentimental love, a most deceptive doctrine.

THE subtle deceptions of the Celebration-type worship are not only in its form or music, but its sponsorship and exercise of a false or sentimental love! Satan's end-time strategy is the invention of an imitation of true love, a sweet-sounding concept of "love, love," which he has chosen to use as the very foundation or basis of his false revival. Thereby he will endeavor to entrap souls, to mislead the very elect, together with the entire world!

What is sentimental love? At the beginning of a study such as this, it is necessary that we first clearly differentiate between true and false love. All need to clearly understand the difference between them.

God's character of love consists of two attributes: mercy and justice. See The Great Controversy, 465-466. If in our lives or in our presentation of the gospel, we separate these two qualities one from the other we destroy the true concept of divine love, and thereby fail to teach the gospel in its entirety. In other words when we dwell upon God's mercy to the exclusion of His justice (His law) the result is not true love, but merely a sentimental love that results in the preaching of a spurious gospel!

We'll read about this principle of sentimental love from the inspired writings. First from The Great Controversy, 558:

But the Bible is interpreted in a manner that is pleasing to the unrenewed heart, while its solemn and vital truths are made of no effect. Love is dwelt upon as the chief attribute of God, but it is degraded to a weak sentimentalism, making little distinction between good and evil. God's justice, His denunciations of sin, the requirements of His holy law, are all kept out of sight. The Great Controversy); 558

Affiliated to the dangers already named is the danger of underestimating the justice of God. The tendency of the modern pulpit is to strain out the divine justice from the divine benevolence, to sink benevolence into a sentiment rather than exalt it into a principle. The new theological prism puts asunder what God has joined together. Ibid., 465-466.

In very fact, if in our teachings we "put asunder what God has joined together"-His mercy and His justice-the gospel we preach is not only spurious, but it is rendered "inefficient and powerless. " Again we turn to inspiration:

The law and the gospel go hand in hand. The one is the complement of the other. The law without faith in the gospel of Christ cannot save the transgressor of law. The gospel without the law is inefficient and powerless. The law and the gospel are a perfect whole.... The two blended-the gospel of Christ and the law of God-produce the love and faith unfeigned. Our High Calling, 141

What a responsibility! Should we cause men to believe that they are eternally saved when they are not? All for the reason that in the gospel we offered them we had "strained out the divine justice-the law of God-from His love and mercy? While emphasizing His mercy and His love, we had failed to tell people what they must do, through Christ's love and power, in order to be saved. These "converts" may be happy-go-lucky now, believing that they are saved, but when probation closes, and they finally realize they are lost, they may turn upon the deceiver who taught them the sentimental love and accuse: "It is your fault that I am lost! Too late, I now realize that the gospel you taught me was ‘inefficient and powerless' to save me! I needed the two facets of God's character blended- the love of Christ and His justice as revealed in His law."

Yet despite the plain truths of the inspired Word, some Seventh-day Adventists continue to teach a false gospel of "love, love" borrowed from the churches of Babylon! Years ago even Ellen White was urged by some of her brethren that in her public meetings she should speak less about the law and dwell more on the subject of love. This attitude is so widespread that Ellen White even encountered it overseas in old Scandinavia:

Brother E suggests that it would please the people if I speak less about duty [the law] and more in regard to the love of Jesus. But I wish to speak as the Spirit of the Lord shall impress me. The Lord knows best what this people needs. Selected Messages, book 3, 64.

We are told that the people of these countries will be pleased with our discourses if we dwell on the love of Jesus. Of this they never tire, but we are in danger of losing our congregations if we dwell on the sterner questions of duty and the law of God. There is a spurious experience prevailing everywhere....

The love of Jesus in the heart will lead to obedience to all his commandments. But the love that goes no farther than the lips, is a delusion; it will not save any soul. Many reject the truths of the Bible, while they profess great love for Jesus; but the apostle John declares, "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.". .. "If ye love me," said our Saviour, "keep my commandments." Historical Sketches, 188-189

How true are her inspired words, "A delusion will not save any soul." Yet, delusions are sometimes served up as salvation even in some professed Seventh-day Adventist churches!

We present herewith Ellen White's evaluation of the "love-love" dogma:

This goody-goody religion that makes light of sin and that is forever dwelling upon the love of God to the sinner, encourages the sinner to believe that God will save him while he continues in sin and he knows it to be sin. This is the way that many are doing who profess to believe present truth. The truth is kept apart from their life, and that is the reason it has no more power to convict and convert the soul. There must be a straining of every nerve and spirit and muscle to leave the world, its customs, its practices, and its fashions. Selected Messages, book 3,155

Without doubt all have been exposed to this "goody-goody religion." But we would hope that not one of us has accepted it into our own lives! Many make light of sin, the law of God and obedience, not overtly, but by ignoring the law and the exceeding sinfulness of sin, while constantly dwelling upon the love of God to the sinner! Through this method, sinners become convinced that they can be saved in their sins which, of course, is impossible.

He [Satan] has claimed that the death of Christ made obedience to the law unnecessary and permitted the sinner to come into favor with a holy God without forsaking his sin. He has declared that the Old Testament standard was lowered in the gospel and that men can come to Christ, not to be saved from their sins but in their sins. Faith and Works, 90

We should indeed exalt Christ and His love, but we must at the same time tell the sinner, that "there must be a straining of every nerve and spirit and muscle to leave the world, its customs, its practices and its fashions" (Selected Messages, book 3, 155) for no provision has been made to save men in their sins. Therefore,

The commandments of God and the faith of Jesus [the gospel] are both important, immensely important, and must be given with equal force and power. Selected Messages, book 3, 184

The law sends men to Christ, and Christ points them back to the law. Our High Calling, 138

The law points to the gospel, while the gospel reflects its glory on the law. Manuscript Release, 1321, 1

There is a necessity of dwelling upon the love of Jesus Christ; this is essential. But it is not all that must be spoken. The great standard of character- God's holy law, with all its solemn injunctions should be distinctly set forth. The Ellen G. White 1888 Matenals, 781

Every discourse given should be of that practical character which will show sinners the sinfulness of sin in the light of the law of God. Ibid., 782

Can the sermons, teachings and the music lyrics in the Celebration churches meet this test? How true it is that so many to day, lay inordinate stress on Christ's work "for" us on the cross, and His love for sinners, while neglecting to lay equal stress on what He proposes to do "in" the hearts of sinners with their consent and co-operation to fit them for a heavenly home.

It has been our observation for many years that any message of love designed for church growth, for revival and reformation, for reclaiming backslidders, that is devoid of a simultaneous message of "death to self" is not a true message of love at all. Can there be any true love in the human heart before self and selfishness is dead? Self-love is not true love. Multitudes are willing to accept Jesus as their Saviour, but they do not wish to die to self or give up their sins!

How sad the day when the preachers, teachers, and promoters of a truncated gospel will knock on the closed door of the wedding feast, crying: "Lord, Lord, we have loved Thee, and taught Thy love in Thy churches and in the streets, open unto us!" But instead, they will hear those saddest words ever to be spoken to man, "I never knew you; depart from Me." For "He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me" John 14:21

What is sentimental love? By way of emphasis we repeat once more: false love is the giving of almost exclusive emphasis to the love and mercy of God, while little or no mention or emphasis is devoted to the law and its part in sending men to Christ, in order that they might be saved in God's appointed way: from their sins! With this definition clearly in mind, we are ready to note how the principle of "love, love" applies to the Celebration churches.

CONTENTS