GoToBookAbbreviationKey GoToTOC References Harvest Inspiration Discoveries Lecture Series www.prodiscoveries.com For your convenience some of the conclusions and summaries are presented first. There are also my responses after certain sections. You can see which ones in the table of contents. I may not have a response after every item but that item will be covered in one of the other responses. An in-depths analysis of what Morris Venden believes, teaches in his books and articles. Here are some examples of what you will find here. We are not sinful because we sin / Sin is not doing bad things / Both right and wrong can be sin / Jesus had Adam's sinless nature / We have original sin / The will has nothing to do with salvation-before or after conversion / Sanctification is the same as justification/ Do not try to please God / You were saved at the cross / Resisting Satan makes us like him / Resisting sin cheapens grace/ Do not claim Bible promises / Prayer does not work / We often live worse when we pray / Danger of teaching children good habits / Forget rules, regulations, and laws / It is wrong to teach moral standards to children and youth/ Don't try to give up smoking and drinking / The third angel's message is rest from trying to obey / The beast of Revelation is self worship / The image of the beast is righteousness by resolution / We will be sinning till Jesus comes - and lots more! In October 1997, Lonnie Melashenko brought Morris Venden on the Voice of Prophecy staff as an "Associate Speaker." This is astounding! Page 1 of the VOP announcement said this: Morris Venden, Associate Speaker bringing Jesus and the Adventist gospel of righteousness by faith to the airwaves, at the Voice of Prophecy speaking appointments, through books and his global cassette ministry. "- Voice of Prophecy announcement sheet, October 1997. Venden's "gospel of righteousness by faith" is remarkably full of error. "Many possess talents which would accomplish much good if sanctified and used In the cause of Christ, or much harm if employed In the service of unbelief and Satan. The gratification of self and its various lusts will pervert the talents and make them a curse Instead of a blessing. Satan, the arch-deceiver, possesses wonderful talents. He was once an exalted angel, next to Christ. He fell through self-exaltation, and created a rebellion in heaven, and caused many to fall with him. Then his talents and skill were employed against the Page 1 of 150 The Teachings of Morris Venden GoToBookAbbreviationKey GoToTOC References GoToBookAbbreviationKey GoToTOC References government of God, to cause all whom he could control to despise the authority of heaven. Those who are charmed with his satanic majesty may choose to imitate this fallen general and share with him his fate at last. Purity of life imparts refinement, which will lead those possessing it to shrink more and more from coarseness and indulgence in sin. Such will not be led away from the truth or be given up to doubt the inspiration of the Word of God. On the contrary, they well engage in the study of the sacred Word with ever increasing interest, and the evidences of Christianity and inspiration will stamp their impress on the mind and life. Those who love sin will turn away from the Bible, and will love to doubt, and will become reckless in principle. They will receive and advocate false theories. Such will ascribe man's sins to his circumstances, and when he commits some great sin they make him a subject of pity Instead of looking upon him as a criminal to be punished. This will always suit a depraved heart, which In course of time will develop the principles of fallen nature. By some general process, men abolish sin at once to avoid the unpleasant necessity of individual reformation and exertion. In order to free themselves from the obligation of present effort, many are ready to declare of no account all the labor and effort of their lives while following the sacred principles of God's Word. Elder Hull's philosophical necessity has its stronghold in the corruptions of the heart. God is raising up men to go forth to labor in the harvest field, and if they are humble, devoted, and godly, they will take the crowns which those ministers lose who concerning the faith are reprobate." 1 Testimonies, 440-441 Page 2 of 150 The Teachings of Morris Venden GoToBookAbbreviationKey GoToTOC References GoToBookAbbreviationKey GoToTOC References TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION – A SUMMARY OF THE ISSUES ...................................................................................................................... 11 I-A TIME FOR TRUTH ....................................................................................................................................................................... 11 II-ONE WHO HAS PLED WITH VENDEN ...................................................................................................................................... 13 III-ELDER VENDEN ON "SIN" ......................................................................................................................................................... 15 HERE ARE REPLIES TO THESE ERRORS: ................................................................................................................................................. 15 HERE ARE SEVERAL ERRONEOUS STATEMENTS WHICH ELDER VENDEN BELIEVES TO BE TRUE: ........................................................... 16 HERE ARE A NUMBER OF SPIRIT OF PROPHECY REFERENCES THAT REFUTE VENDEN’S TEACHINGS: ........... 18 WE MUST COOPERATE WITH CHRIST IN THE WORK OF SALVATION................................................................................. 18 GOOD WORKS ARE NECESSARY THROUGHOUT OUR SANCTIFICATION .......................................................................... 19 GOOD WORKS ARE NECESSARY IN SANCTIFICATION ........................................................................................................... 20 RIGHT-DOING BY FAITH RETAINS OUR JUSTIFICATION AND SANCTIFICATION ............................................................ 21 IV-THE BOTTOM LINE ...................................................................................................................................................................... 23 V-A QUESTION TO PARENTS .......................................................................................................................................................... 24 LISTING OF VENDEN’S BOOKS-MAGAZINES-CAMPMEETING TRANSCRIPTS ............................................................... 27 BOOKS INCLUDED IN THIS TOPICAL STUDY ............................................................................................................................ 27 MAGAZINE ARTICLES INCLUDED IN THIS TOPICAL STUDY ................................................................................................ 27 CAMPMEETING SERIES TRANSCRIPTS INCLUDED IN THIS TOPICAL STUDY ................................................................... 27 CHAPTER ONE- THE TEACHINGS OF MORRIS VENDEN ....................................................................................................... 28 HERE ARE SOME OF HIS BASIC BELIEFS IN REGARD TO SIN AND THE CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE:.............................................................. 28 The underlying reasoning behind this theological view is based on a belief in .............................................................................. 29 If we wanted to summarize Morris Venden's theology of sin and obedience into one statement, it would be this: ....................... 30 HOW THIS NEW CONCEPT CAME TO VENDEN ......................................................................................................................... 30 IN A PUBLISHED INTERVIEW BY "INSIGHT" MAGAZINE, MORRIS VENDEN EXPLAINED HIS THEOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS. HERE IS HIS STATEMENT .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 31 TWO PACKAGES AND I BUY THE SECOND ................................................................................................................................ 31 THEOLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................................................................................. 33 I AGREE WITH FORD, BRINSMEAD, AND PAXTON(ANGLICAN MINISTER) ................................................................. 33 WE MUST COME BACK TO THE FOUNDATION ................................................................................................................... 33 WHY THE "NEW THEOLOGY" IS EXCITED ........................................................................................................................... 33 EITHER THE "NEW THEOLOGY" OR BY FAITH ALONE ..................................................................................................... 34 ANYTHING IN ADDITION TO FAITH IS WRONG? ................................................................................................................ 34 VENDEN'S BASIC CONCERN IS FAITH ALONE .................................................................................................................... 34 THE NATURE OF SIN ................................................................................................................................................................. 34