Where Are We Headed? Quotes

“Adventists aren’t the only children of God. The Lord is a big God, too big to be put in a box and tied with a ribbon. God has many children just as He always has had, as”
― William G. Johnsson, Where Are We Headed?: Adventism after San Antonio

“Jesus was about wholeness, ours and others’, and so must we be. His sayings about maiming and blinding cannot be understood literally; they must be seen in the “kingdom” sense—meaning that any practice or habit that injures another has no place in the life of the citizen of the kingdom of heaven.”
― William G. Johnsson, Where Are We Headed?: Adventism after San Antonio

“beware of the misuse of Ellen White’s writings. Her counsels, which I believe were God-inspired, were addressed to specific situations in the life of the Church and so, as she herself directed us, time and place should always be taken into account in seeking to apply them in different situations. For too many Adventists, then and now, however, the Ellen White writings function like a compendium of statements that can be pulled up online, wrenched out of context, and applied in ways she never intended. Thus,”
― William G. Johnsson, Where Are We Headed?: Adventism after San Antonio

“It’s dangerous to predict what God will do, to go beyond what He has revealed of His will in Scripture.”
― William G. Johnsson, Where Are We Headed?: Adventism after San Antonio

“the main thing for us is the same as it was for the believers in Corinth 2,000 years ago.”
― William G. Johnsson, Where Are We Headed?: Adventism after San Antonio

“We Seventh-day Adventists are great at dreaming up new plans and programs. Too often we’re driven by finding a plan that will, as we like to say, “finish the work.” Jesus hasn’t come back as we think He should have. In one way or another we’re to blame, so we need to hit on the answer—we need one more program, the one program that will wrap it up, and then we’ll see Jesus coming in the clouds.”
― William G. Johnsson, Where Are We Headed?: Adventism after San Antonio

“Thus, even after 1888 and Ellen White’s strong counsel regarding the once-for-all, all-sufficiency of Christ’s death for our sins, one finds from time to time attempts to add to the simple gospel. These efforts sometimes run along the lines of Uriah Smith’s argument quoted above—that Christ’s death justified us, but after that our works are necessary to live the sanctified life. Another position, one that goes back as far as the late M. L. Andreassen, emphasizes the righteousness that must be had by those redeemed from the earth when Jesus returns. This “last generation” theology focuses on perfection of character rather than righteousness by faith. In doing so it falls into the error that Paul addressed in his letter to the Galatians, namely, adding something to the gospel, which declares that Christ has done it all for us.”
― William G. Johnsson, Where Are We Headed?: Adventism after San Antonio

“Playing the imminence game can be exciting—for a while. But it can also lead to burn-out—eschatological burn-out. There”
― William G. Johnsson, Where Are We Headed?: Adventism after San Antonio

“In my judgment the various official conversations into which we entered—with the Reformed, the Salvation Army, the Mennonites, the Presbyterians, and others—accomplished much good. They helped to correct misunderstandings, to break down stereotypes, to remove prejudice. They benefited me personally: by leaving my Adventist comfort zone, my thinking was broadened and enriched. I met men and women who were not only fine scholars but also devout Christians. And seeing my Adventist beliefs against the canvas of other faith traditions brought new clarity and appreciation. I learned that we need not be hesitant or defensive.”
― William G. Johnsson, Where Are We Headed?: Adventism after San Antonio

“For about 100 years Adventist relations with other churches have been officially defined and guided by a policy in the General Conference Working Policy, O 110, “Relationship With Other Christian Churches and Religious Organizations.” In part it states: “We recognize those agencies that lift up Christ before men as a part of the divine plan for evangelization of the world, and we hold in high esteem Christian men and women in other communions who are engaged in winning souls to Christ.” Unfortunately, as in some other areas, our official stand is not matched by our practice. Many Adventists, both lay and leaders, are wary of contact with others who aren’t one of “us.”
― William G. Johnsson, Where Are We Headed?: Adventism after San Antonio

“What sort of Adventist Church will the future reveal? An exclusive body, so sure that it is right and everyone else is wrong that it feels we can “go it alone,” shunning contact and cooperation with others? Or will it take a broader view, realizing that, while God has raised us up and given us a message for the world, He is a BIG God, far bigger than our small sphere, and that He is working out His plan through many different agencies?”
― William G. Johnsson, Where Are We Headed?: Adventism after San Antonio

“That line of reasoning, however, is patently bogus. Discussion of women’s ordination among Adventists predated the “women’s lib” movement by 70 or more years: we already noted that the 1881 General Conference Session considered a resolution favoring ordaining qualified women pastors. Furthermore, the current push among us comes not from women but from men, especially ordained ministers in several different countries who have surrendered their credentials in solidarity with their female counterparts.”
― William G. Johnsson, Where Are We Headed?: Adventism after San Antonio

“The Lord, however, calls us to be people of deep moral sensibility. He is less concerned about our getting every jot and tittle of theology correct than He is about how we relate to moral issues. He tells us that what He expects of us is “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8, NIV). Jesus echoed this passage as He condemned the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. “You have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness,” He said (Matthew 23:23, NIV).”
― William G. Johnsson, Where Are We Headed?: Adventism after San Antonio

“Unfortunately, most Adventists probably are unaware of these developments. The official church press has not made them known; one has to turn to independent Adventist sources. And that itself, I believe, is something that is untrue to our heritage.”
― William G. Johnsson, Where Are We Headed?: Adventism after San Antonio

“For many years, as editor of the Adventist Review and Adventist World, I endeavored to share the truth with the people, even when the truth hurt. We Adventists aren’t good at this. We like to hear “a good report.” We’d rather hear about the large number of people baptized during an evangelistic campaign than learn how many of them were no longer attending church a year later. We are big on appearances, ultra careful to look right and sound right, seemingly more concerned about how others regard us than does the Lord, who reads hearts.”
― William G. Johnsson, Where Are We Headed?: Adventism after San Antonio