Don Hawley's Testimony

2003

INTRODUCTION

After devoting my entire life to the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, in 1991 I chose to drop my membership.

I spent a large part of my life in spiritual bondage to the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. I was set free when I finally learned the true meaning of Calvary, that salvation flows from the blood of Christ--plus nothing. Only a pure Gospel can break the shackles of tradition and error. I cannot ignore loved ones or friends still without the Gospel or the freedom it brings.

While Jesus came to set us free, the devil is in the business of forging chains of bondage. By their own admission about 85 percent of Seventh-day Adventists still believe that salvation comes at least partly through their own efforts; the blood of Calvary is not sufficient. This figure was derived from an extensive study reported in a January, 1991, issue of the Adventist Review. According to 2 Cor. 3:13-18 (best expressed in TLB), the veil of legalism doesn't drop until the Gospel becomes clear. In the meantime, such individuals are necessarily blind to clear Gospel truth, they simply cannot comprehend.

So legalism is one of the major links in the chain that binds the majority of Adventists. Another such binding link is that of perfectionism. Still another is a doctrine that steals one's assurance of salvation, the unbiblical teaching of the "Investigative Judgment." Other confining links could be mentioned, but I want to deal now with what I call "the master link."

THE MASTER LINK

Why is it that SDA's find it almost impossible to break away from their denomination? It's because of one particularly strong link forged at the time of entering the organization.

The average Adventist doesn't even allow himself to contemplate taking his name off the church rolls. Early on, members are taught not to question church doctrine or traditions; children learn this in the denominational school system. Members are also taught that while it is legal to roundly criticize other denominations, it is not acceptable to notice flaws in one's own. Thus while thinking SDA's may engage in questioning and criticizing the system, they seldom entertain the idea of walking away. Even lay journals dedicated to earnest inspection of denominational policies, still urge readers to maintain their membership in the organization.

What is this master link that keeps everyone paralyzed? I heard it well expressed by the world president of Adventism at a Portland, Oregon, camp meeting. In fact, it was the last sermon I heard before asking that my name be taken off church rolls. The final sentence in that sermon was, "Don't ever let anything come between you and the message; it would be very lonely without you in heaven." Any honest SDA will admit that "the message" is denominational code for the peculiar beliefs of Adventism. So what the president stated was eminently clear: "Even if you fall into the sin of questioning or criticizing, don't ever let anything take you out of denominational membership, or you will burn."

Although not willing to admit it, most Adventists believe in salvation by denomination. Even if enlightened about monumental problems, in the inner recesses of their soul they experience numbing fear. Maybe this really is the Remnant! Maybe everything else is Babylon! Maybe everyone else eventually will have to join this denomination or be lost! Such gnawing fear is enough to keep the master link intact.

I spent a lifetime in spiritual bondage. Now I have been free in Christ for six years. I want to encourage others to accept the freedom Jesus purchased at such great cost. Then we become free indeed.

Pastor Don Hawley