Nine Months Pregnant--The Seventh-day Adventist Church: A Women's Ordination Allegory

Homeward Publishing

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Julianne Jenkins

Proofing by

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Diana Booker

Michael Mace

Ray Puen

Nercy Wong

Appendix A Type Setting by

Theresa Salalima

Cover Design and Layout by

Rick Shorter

Front Cover Type Setting by

Art Humphrey

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ISBN #978-0-938805-22-9

Printed in the United States of America

About the Author and Comments About the Book

The book in your hand deals with issues that are viewed, not through the eyes of a scholar or theologian, but rather, through the eyes of a layman, in the pew of the Seventh-day Adventist church. A layman who for years was on the side of the Deceiver; doing his bidding in New York’s Show Business World of the Fifties and Sixties. In 1970, by God’s Amazing Grace, he was delivered, forgiven, baptized in the Manhattan SDA church, transformed, revived and reformed. As the author of this book, he draws his conclusions by using the Word of God (which interprets its self), a sprinkling of the Spirit of Prophesy admonitions, and his various, explosive, personal encounters and experiences in the world and in the church.

This work is a common sense approach to the issue of women being ordained as pastors and elders and strongly defends the validity of God’s Word, which is now being attacked, with a vengeance.

Nine Months Pregnant offers an urgent and direct appeal to the leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist church, the delegates to the sixtieth General Conference of SDAs in 2015, in San Antonio, and to all eighteen million, or so, members of God’s Remnant SDA Church. The appeal is for Bible-based unity.

The officer in charge of defending the Alamo, when it was besieged, drew a line in the sand, giving his men the choice of staying to fight or defecting. Delegates and all members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church the battle rages against God’s Word--our mighty fortress. God appeals to each of us to draw a line in the sand.

Note:   Should you find yourself reading this book before the week of July 5, 2015, you may consider some of the information contained as self-fulfilling prophecy. If after July 11, 2015, you may look back on the information contained as history.

RICK SHORTER, Appendix A: by Gwen Shorter

Comments

RICHARD GATES—SDA Pastor, Mission Aviator of Gospel Ministries International,  David Gates’ Dad David, this is the finest treatise I’ve ever encountered on the subject of women’s ordination. It is wonderful, convincing, very Biblical, and extremely well written. It is my privilege to recommend it highly to be circulated in every language you can afford.

ISAAC OLATUNJI JR. PhD—Oakwood University, SDA PastorAn important book for this time written in a firm, balanced, Christlike way with nothing but love for God’s remnant church as we come to San Antonio in July 2015 to deal with a pivotal issue that has broad ramifications if women’s ordination is approved regionally. This is a must read for leaders and laity.

GERZON GOMEZ—SDA Pastor, Bible Teacher at Bakersfield Adventist Academy, Central CA Conference.

Rick Shorter has made a valuable contribution in the discussion of the current issue of Women’s Ordination, especially in the light of the upcoming General Conference Session. This is a heartfelt appeal to all the delegates of the world church to take a firm stand upon the Written Word of God. In a time such as this, when the church is facing great challenges, it is refreshing and encouraging to read a straight forward and direct call to Biblical fidelity. This book is a must read for all who are concerned about God’s End Time Remnant Seventh-day Adventist Church. 

To the Reader

Dear Reader: Perhaps you are familiar with the advice given to a Mr. Robert Shank by William W. Adams who wrote the introduction to Mr. Shank’s book, Life in the Son.

The book went directly against the existing popular position of once saved always saved. And so Mr. Adams warned Mr. Shank to expect nothing less than having his book receive the silent treatment by some who were too learned to admit that they could possibly be wrong regarding the subject presented. Their first concern would be protecting their personal, professional and academic interest. And so many dignified scholars would feel safer by merely ignoring the book.

Some would denounce his book because he dared to question their interpretations and doctrinal positions. He would no doubt be called a heretic or a mere novice. Mr. Adams went on to advise Mr. Shank to ignore all criticisms of himself and his book. Negative criticism that failed to demonstrate objectively that his interpretations were incorrect would not deserve serious consideration or serve the cause of [Bible] truth. [emphasis supplied]

Mr. Adams went on to say that there are always those who consider unity to be more important than truth, and that conforming to popular opinion is the only wise course. Because of vested interest and the status quo, many will refuse to venture the risk of honestly searching for the truth at the possible expense of comfort.

Mr. Adams closed his introduction by assuring Mr. Shank that there would be some who would read his book with growing provocation and a hunger and determination to see the study through to a conclusion that would be unquestionably Biblical. They would be the ones who would profit from the reading of his book and from an honest effort to refute it; and he assured him that there would be many responses to his book and that all genuine searchers after truth would be compelled to consider his book.

As the author of this book, I by no means consider myself remotely, theologically on par with Mr. Shank. I am merely a layman speaking from the pew. But I fully expect a similar response to my efforts to defend the truth of God’s Word in this book. Therefore I am applying to myself the counsel given to Mr. Shank by Mr. Adams.

I am not a theologian in the Seventh-day Adventist Church but I am a very concerned member of the church, who sees the dangerous direction which some are taking. By the grace of God I pray that many who may read the following pages will, by the Spirit of God, respond to this feeble attempt to invite them to stand alone on the Word of God whatever the cost.

CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction

Chapter 1 Occurrence at Pot Luck

Chapter 2 Nine Months Pregnant—It’s Twins Again

Chapter 3 Nine Months Pregnant—A Brief Overview

Chapter 4 I Stand Alone on the Word of God—the B-I-B-L-E

Chapter 5 Accentuate the Positive—No Need For the Negative

Chapter 6 Paul Made This All Up on His Own?

Chapter 7 United We Fall

Chapter 8 Divided We Stand

Chapter 9 Truth or Consequences

Chapter 10 Where Have All the Pages Gone?

Chapter 11 Wake Up—The Building’s on Fire!

Reference Material: Women’s Ordination

ADDED APPENDICES

Appendix A: Feminism, Androgyny and Spiritualism: Precursors to Women’s Ordination, By Gwen Shorter

Appendix B: Laodicea—An Unholy Mixture, By Joe Crews, Reaping the Whirlwind, pp. 7-15

Appendix C: Christian Unity, By E.G. White, Testimonies Vol. 5, pp. 236-248

Preface

It’s a hot summer day and you’re sitting under a huge canvas tent at a camp meeting somewhere, with a couple of thousand others, with all seats filled, leaving standing room only on the outside of the huge tent. We’ll say that you are more than likely surrounded by black brothers and sisters because the picture being painted here is better explained in that setting. The preacher is preaching with all his heart and soul trying to get his point across. As he labors with his audience, he keeps wiping the never-ending flow of perspiration from his face. With Bible open in hand, the preacher walking back and forth across the platform, puts forth with power, the truth contained in that book.

The tent is filled with the sounds of amen, amen and amen. It reaches a resounding crescendo as the Spirit of God fills the tent to such an extent that one dear sister, overflowing with joy for what she is hearing, rises to her feet, with one hand in the air, and with a loud and sincere voice exclaims, "Make it plain preacher, make it plain and then returns to her seat. In other words, the dear soul is merely saying, Preacher, keep preaching the truth as it is written in the word of God, tell it as it is, make it plain to everyone in this tent."

This book has been written in hopes that God’s Word will make plain to every man, woman and youth, God’s will for the gospel order of leadership in His Remnant Church. It is our sincere desire that His will be made even more understandable in this matter of leadership as it is presented in an allegorical form—childbirth.

In some theological circles, there is the idea that intellectualism and modern day reasoning is more reasonable, rational, comfortable and in some cases, more financially rewarding than what God’s Spirit has revealed to human beings in His Word. This concept has made its way into the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Here is a statement that may well describe the mindset of perhaps many of those who persist in challenging God and the Apostle Paul regarding leadership and order in the Christian Church. It speaks of just where they will stand in the last solemn work.

The days are fast approaching when there will be great perplexity and confusion. Satan, clothed in angel robes, will deceive, if possible, the very elect. There will be gods many and lords many. Every wind of doctrine will be blowing. Those who have rendered supreme homage to science falsely so called will not be the leaders then. Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light. Those who have proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-sufficient, independent of God, and He cannot use them. The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view. 5T p. 80.

To challenge the word of God by endeavoring to change its meaning about leadership and ordination is deception and nothing less than sin. The Bible was written by Holy men of God as they were moved and taught by the Spirit of God. Most Christians believe just that. There are others who allude to this belief when it aligns with their own comfort zone, and when it does not, they try to adjust the word of God by adding to it, taking away from it or just stating, I have a problem with that.

In this book we, by no means, will attempt to prove the verity of the word of God, the Bible, by using man-made tactics. We would never take the time or space to try and match our wits against those of the so-called intellectuals and theologians who disagree with the writers of the Bible. The Bible writers were given thoughts from God to give to the human race and, above all, to professed Christians. The Bible explains itself.

Regarding the case in point, believing or not believing the Bible as it is written, we will use only one--but a most important example-- of the present problem and the result of pursuing the path that has led to the problem. The Ordination Study Committees or the Apostle Paul’s Holy Spirit given direction for God’s church is the issue this book will be addressing. Are the words of Paul in 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9 regarding the ordination of pastors and elders of the church Enough said, or did God forget to tell Paul something more that should be added by the learned theologians and intellectuals of these modern times? Did Paul make this up himself?

Some of the issues addressed in this book, have already physically divided some Christian churches and promises to separate still others. Many have become Congregational churches rather than adhere to the non-Biblical theology being promoted in their former fellowship.

We stand alone on the word of God as we offer you, in the reading of this book, the opportunity to judge for yourself, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as to who and what it would be better to adhere to and follow. What’s more, after reading or perhaps re-reading some of the life and works of the man, Paul--revived and reformed by Jesus, Who Himself personally instructed this man--you may find it very easy to choose his direct instruction in the Bible rather than the white papers of a thousand, would-be intellectual, theologian researchers, spending thousands of hours