Spirituality: Biblical and Nonbiblical– Part 2 of 2
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JON L. DYBDAHL Jon L. Dybdahl, PhD, retired, is president of Gospel Outreach, College Place, Washington, United States. Spirituality: Biblical and nonbiblical– Part 2 of 2 Prelude that, at first glance, makes it appear this two-part article can be a blessing In 2008, Review and Herald as if I believe in Karma. Obviously, and further promote a closer walk with Publishing Association published my I do not. I would attempt to clarify Jesus. book Hunger: Satisfying the Longing of that the term spiritual formation, as Your Soul. In the volume I tried to do I understand it, is a term very similar Adventist spirituality two things. First, I wanted to testify to to sanctification or spiritual growth. I Is there anything unique about the journey God had taken me on to would also not include a bibliography Seventh-day Adventist spiritual life? find closeness to Him and true, biblical of books for additional reading, since Do Adventists have anything special heart religion. Second, I wanted to help some critics apparently understood to contribute to Christian spirituality? others who also long to grow closer to this to be my blanket endorsement I propose that Adventists have four God. At the time I first wrote, there was of all that the various authors wrote key convictions that, taken together, little or no controversy about what or believed. This is certainly not my form a distinctive package heavily came to be called spiritual formation. position. Furthermore, I would be more shaping Adventist devotional/spiritual Soon after the book was published, careful to clarify, define, or omit terms life. While each individual conviction is however, some in the Christian world that have become the center of so not necessarily unique, the complete (eventually including some Seventh- much misunderstanding and suspicion. package is one that is unparalleled. This day Adventists) began to use the term Finally, I would explain that while I kind of spiritual/devotional life should spiritual formation to describe danger- support biblical repetition within the be not only practiced by Adventists but ous, counterfeit spiritual practices. appropriate context (see Ps. 136), I also shared with all who seek God. Given the current climate, I would oppose, as the Bible does (Matt. 6:7), like to clarify several things. I am a meaningless, mind-emptying repeating A valid question lifelong Seventh-day Adventist who and/or mantra-like meditation and The many varieties and practices cares deeply about my church. I am prayer. I hope that such changes would of spirituality, both Christian and opposed to all forms of spirituality have allowed all my readers to more non-Christian, make the question of that are contrary to the principles of easily understand my position. uniqueness pertinent. Not only the the Bible and the writings of Ellen In a certain sense, this two-part proliferation of spiritualities makes White. I would also be the first to admit article (part 1 published in the October the question important, but a biblical that my book is far from perfect. If I 2015 issue and part 2 published in precedent exists for asking this type could turn back the clock, I can think this issue) is meant in part to answer of question about uniqueness. In Luke of a number of changes that I would two larger questions that have arisen 11:1 Jesus’ disciples ask Him, “Lord, make in the original manuscript. For in connection with the book. In part teach us to pray, as John taught his example, I would quote passages from 1, I explored how biblical Christian disciples” (RSV). The Jews of Jesus’ Ellen White that speak to the subject, spirituality contrasts with that of the time evidently believed that follow- even though Review and Herald sug- so-called Eastern religions of Hinduism, ers of important rabbis could receive gested that I not do this because of their Buddhism, and the New Age. Part 2 is from their teacher specific prayers that plans to market the book to the non- a response to the question of whether illustrated their distinctive beliefs. John Adventist public. I would correct a chart Adventist spirituality is unique. I hope the Baptist and Jesus were both part of Ministry® DECEMBER 2015 a larger circle called Judaism. Within and salvation rests on and works with in relationship to God. This leads to that larger circle, John had given a the literal to create real spiritual impact. major differences in both doctrinal and specific “prayer” (spirituality) to his To a certain extent the same is experiential issues. disciples that embodied his unique true of the second coming of Jesus. For Adventists, the body is part of teaching. Jesus’ disciples are realizing Although many Christians now accept a our person, or soul. Nourishing and the importance of their Rabbi. They literal second coming of Jesus, a signifi- caring for the body is caring for the want Jesus to do for them what John cant number still hold to a belief often soul. Properly cared for, the body is an did for his disciples. The time had come called realized eschatology. This view ally supporting the spiritual life, not for them to receive from Him a prayer sees the second coming of Jesus taking an enemy. Care for the body is part of illustrating and reinforcing His unique place or being accomplished (“real- spiritual life. Adventists cannot sup- teaching. ized”) already in the presence of Jesus port ascetic practices that cause pain Within the larger circle of Christianity, through the Holy Spirit. In this way, the or torture to the body in an effort to Adventists see themselves as a people Second Coming is spiritualized, and benefit the soul. Punishing the body to with a special mission. It is only right, hope for a literal Second Coming is benefit the soul does not make sense, then, that a believer ask, “What kind of lost. Adventists, of course, believe in a for punishing the body means harming spiritual life (prayer) should we practice literal, imminent return of Jesus. Early our soul. that illustrates our teaching and key beliefs?” Four key convictions I believe that the following four As believers engage in both mission and convictions powerfully influence and epitomize Adventist spirituality. 1. Adventists believe and prac- compassion for human need, spiritual tice a symbolic and literal Sabbath. Many other Christians now talk of the life is nourished and enlivened and Sabbath as a key part of their spiritual life; however, most use the Sabbath only symbolically. For them it symbol- others are helped and healed. izes spiritual rest and salvation and may provide time for spiritual reflec- tion. As to the necessity of actually observing the literal seventh day, they are often silent or negative.1 Adventist Adventists saw their devotional time as Not only is the body part of the spirituality believes in a symbolic and a meeting with Jesus through His Spirit, soul but so are the mind and emotions. literal Sabbath. Keeping a literal weekly which was a foretaste of their experi- Properly understood, mind and emo- Sabbath gives structure to life and time. ence of actually seeing Jesus soon. tions are not only part of the soul but This makes us regularly set aside a time This literal expectation gave reality and are assets to communion with God, not for God to be present. urgency to their everyday spiritual life barriers. When we worship, we should Adventists not only believe in the and can do the same for us today. worship with all of these various facets literal Sabbath day but also believe it 2. Seventh-day Adventists hold joining together in complete harmony. needs to be observed in the way the a wholistic view of human beings. Mind, heart, soul, and strength (Mark fourth commandment states. No work Adventists believe that people are 12:30) are all components of who we should be done. Thus, the day itself souls—not that they have some are, not separate, self-existent entities. and how it is observed combine to separate entity called a soul. Other All can work together in synergistic create space for worship, rest, and com- Christians use the word soul in a dif- unity in our spiritual life. munion with God. Instead of confining ferent way that divides a person into Another implication of this wholis- us, the Sabbath frees us. It releases us separate components. When those who tic view for our spiritual life has to do from work and our regular activities and believe in the soul as a separate, spiri- with care for social justice and the poor. encourages us to seek God. This seven- tual part of a person think of spiritual Evangelism and social justice are not day cycle and structure of actual rest life, they picture in their mind only that separate issues. Both have to do with symbolizes not only God’s creative and part. For them this piece of a human the life of the soul (person) and are saving power but also a foretaste of the being, called soul, is what relates to the work of God. As believers engage heavenly rest. The symbolic meaning of God. When Adventists hear the word in both mission and compassion for the Sabbath as a memorial for creation soul, we think of the whole person human need, spiritual life is nourished DECEMBER 2015 Ministry® JON L. DYBDAHL and enlivened and others are helped Jesus. Believers can, with confidence, but recommended. This is not the only and healed. pray for continuing victory over evil place Ellen White calls for this kind of 3.