by Robert Folkenberg
Originally appearing in From the G.C. President Jan 22, 1996 through Mar 13, 1997 under the title Off the Back Burner.
In segment 17, we noted that Adventist doctrines are linked together in a "perfect chain of truth." According to Ellen White, this linkage is non-negotiable, not because she says so, but because they are inherently linked in an interacting "complete whole." Beginning with the biblical doctrine of Creation, we learn of a God who made humans beings "in His image," as "a new and distinct order" (R&H,2/11/'02). They were "to be God's counterparts" (Ibid., 6/18/1895).
In other segments we will discuss the responsibilities of what it means to be "God's counterparts," a responsibility that has everything to do with how we view the plan of salvation. The next great fact of human history is the Fall, tragic as it seems to us, and terrible as it must be for God. But God had a plan and a Savior one of the Godhead would risk all to rescue a rebel world. Here begins the big story of the victims and the Mediator. Eventually the sanctuary doctrine began to take form as the teaching device for men and women who needed a Savior and a Hope. Always, even for Adam and Eve and ever since, God has had His front door open, calling His children home. God has always taken the initiative, always with His hand outstretched in unconditional love. And He promises that He will never leave us the way He found us if we really want His salvation.
The sanctuary doctrine has emerged as the overarching truth teaching 1) Christ's substitutionary gift to this rebel world, 2) that the gift could come only from God Himself in order to confront Satan's accusations about His own goodness and fairness, and 3) that Christ's death would be followed by a resurrection, ascension and mediatorial work at the heart of the universe.
The vindication of God's character and humankind's eternal hopelessness (in harmony with the biblical doctrine of the mortality of the soul), painfully evident after and resulting from the Fall, provides the stark environment for understanding Christ's end-time ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. The sanctuary also links God's mercy and authority, His atoning blood and law (His standard in the judgment), as elements basic to the understanding of salvation in Christ. Jesus as Sacrifice and High Priest provides the assurance that God is on our side and is doing everything possible to prepare us for eternity. These truths and many others, prayerfully studied out by early Adventists, led to a beautiful platform of "fundamental principles that are based upon unquestionable authority" (Testimonies, vol. 8: 298).
In segment #18, we noted how Adventist doctrines are linked in a coherent line of truth, each doctrine needing the others to make the gospel story complete. For example, let's look at how The Great Controversy theme helps us to understand more fully the work of Jesus on behalf of the human race. When Paul sang, "God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Gal. 6:14), it was far more than being overwhelmed with our Lord's suffering. For the Christian, the cross became the blazing light that revealed the character of God and how, by our faith, He eternally changes the effects of sin if we call Him Lord.
What do we learn at Calvary? That, in some way beyond words, Jesus and the Father had disproved Satan's suggestion that God was not loving enough to give up any of His prerogatives in order to rescue a rebel world (John 3:16, Phil. 2: 5-11; 1 Cor. 15:28). Further, Calvary calls out to men and women everywhere that, though once enemies, God "has shown us how much He loves us it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! ... We were God's enemies but He made us His friends through the death of His Son" (Rom. 5:10). "Mercy, tenderness and parental love are seen to blend with holiness, justice and power" all wrapped up in the crucified Christ whose "great sacrifice" establishes the ultimate "value of the soul" (GC:652).
The cross will always be the "one great central truth" of the gospel because "every other truth is invested with influence and power" as it corresponds "to its relation to this theme." For example, "It is only in the light of the cross that we can discern the exalted character of the law of God." The cross' "revelation of divine love awakens in them (men and women) a sense of their neglected obligation to be light bearers. ... When Christ in His work of redemption is seen to be the great central truth of the system of truth, a new light is shed upon all the events of the past and the future. They are seen in a new relation, and possess a new and deeper significance" (That I May Know Him, p. 208).
Seventh-day Adventists must be foremost in letting the light of truth radiate from Calvary. Calvary's light opens up a coherent line of truth that is best understood when we unfold The Great Controversy theme.
In segment #19, we noted that the Cross (and the Resurrection) have become the blazing focal point that gives meaning to all Christian doctrine. They are the amazing event that provides the glue of coherency to all Christian teachings. The Cross and the Resurrection, rightly understood, help us understand elements of the atonement of the salvation experience, which we frequently forget.
For example, great harm has been done to Christian thought by those who separate Christ, the Lamb of God sacrificed on the Cross, from Christ our High Priest ministering His blood in the sanctuary. This separation breaks the linkage with many other vital gospel truths. Not infrequently Christian heresies begin by separating Christ's work as Sacrifice from His work as Priest. Two errors in particular have developed by focusing on the Cross without also focusing on what Jesus has been doing since His Resurrection.
1) On one extreme, some have seen Jesus as the exalted, best flowering of the human race, revered for the moral impulse He has injected into human history, and venerated as the paradigm of those who would rather die than concede to evil. But that is the last place they see Him on the Cross, as a moral example, but not as our substitute.
2) On the other extreme, some have seen Jesus as man's substitute but one who had to die to placate a God of wrath, whose justice could be satisfied only with a horrible death. By this they misunderstand and distort the character of God and His atonement. By focusing on Jesus' death, without His ministry in the Sanctuary, they see salvation as only forgiveness without the crucial element of restoration (Seg. 13).
To see Jesus only on the Cross limits the meaning of the Cross. The book of Hebrews rings with the good news that, because "we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession" (Heb. 4:14).
For this reason Ellen White unfolds The Great Controversy theme's integrating, interconnecting truth that "the intercession of Christ in man's behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross. By His death He began that work which after His resurrection He ascended to complete in heaven" (GC:489). These related theological principles provide the two perfectly balanced focal points of a uniquely Adventist, thoroughly biblical, ellipse of truth: the Lamb on the Cross shedding His blood, and; the High Priest, ministering His own blood in the heavenly sanctuary. These two great truths are too often separated. Let's remember: nothing about Jesus is nonessential!
In Segment #20, we noted how Ellen White transcends age-old theological controversies by the ellipse (correlation) of truths. We cited this example: "The intercession of Christ in man's behalf ... is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross" (GC:489). She emphasized that a major consequence of both understanding and experiencing the sublime message of the "everlasting gospel" is bringing together into a coherent whole, truths which have divided Christians for centuries. God does not throw paradoxes and enigmas at us and call it the "plan of salvation." Neither does He expect Christians to find unity by staying in the "middle road," as if truth is a balance between two errors.
Ellipses are not circles. A circle has one focus; an ellipse two. The ellipse is an interesting geometric construct. In order to exist, it must have two foci in proper, unchanging relationship. Moving one foci too far to the right or left, out of a balanced relationship with the twin foci, destroys the ellipse.
The ellipse of truth is equally fragile. Emphasizing one of the foci at the expense of the other, distorts truth. As a consequence, for all practical purposes, two heresies are created. Ignoring the ellipse principle has opened up deep fissures in many areas. Truth becomes a battlefield when over-zealous proponents tear the ellipse into separate circles. Each "side" now considers the "other" side wrong and dangerous. This kind of thinking can lead to an inquisition or to agnosticism, to the abuses of authority or "worshiping" ever-changing doubts, feelings or personal opinion.
Thus, on one hand, the Christian church has those who highlight one foci and will fight to the death for such words as authority, orthodoxy, victory, law, structure and obedience--all good, scriptural words relevant to salvation. Other equally sincere Christians emphasize such concepts as responsibility, reason, flexibility, freedom, meaning, relevance and faith. In our next segment we will discuss how The Great Controversy theme brings together in a salutary whole the great truths that have divided the Christian church for centuries.