I woke this Sabbath morning, gearing up for church, i quickly checked my Facebook to see if a friend replied to a certain message. I was thrown back into my seat when i saw my fellow SDA members quickly proving to the world their cultic characteristics that brands the SDA church. We are saved (right or correct religion), everyone else who isn't with us, sorry. THIS INCLUDES ANY ONE WHO PLAYS A BASS GUITAR, DRUM, AND WHO BOXES!Being a logical person, to condemn anyone, item, or activity, legalistically I would generally condemn everything else associated with that person, thing, or event. Ex. Gas, don't buy gas for your car, you may commit sin! I can not allow my "neighbor" to work on the Sabbath. The oil rigs collecting gas work 24/7 all year round. So if you buy gas your actually making someone sin!
I may sound a little over exaggerating but I am currently unhappy with what I see happening in the degrading of the SDA religion in my local community which does have an impact on the world view of the SDA Church. And to make myself clear, I stand for the Seventh-day Adventist as for religion in my life, but i Live for Jesus Christ. Religion is a mission ( A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion) and according to the bible true religion is helping the poor (Jame 1:27). EGW doesn't make SDA a religion, what makes the SDA a religion can be found here:
http://www.adventist.org/world_church/name_mission/index.html.en
To enlighten our passion of being a Christian (Christ follower), and to define our SDA life style (religion), I'd like to publicly voice out my opinion to why i primarily find the Bible as my source of spiritual guidance and execution map to what God wants me to do for him with my life, and EGW as an adviser to life style as professed SDA member. I'd like to share some thoughts from the Bible and EGW on sports and in light of the upcoming game of Pac Man! Go Philippines! I do pray and hope that believers and and non Christian believers may see the Christian characteristics and good sportsmanship that Manny P. always shows before and right after each match (for me that shows more than many of us who can't even have the guts to pray publicly over a simple meal at Yellowcab). May we not judge his (Manny) actions based on one's (your) belief in preferred denominational, but may we look at public act of proclaiming that he relies on his belief in a God that gives him life and strength, either if he wins or loses, and he does it without hesitation!
What I really wanted to say:
When I read Paul's letters, it's obvious to me that he was a sports fan. In the letters he wrote to the churches in Greek and Roman societies, he used sports terms to explain Christian principles. He urged them to "run the race" and he also spoke of wrestling and boxing. But why?? My studies led me to research the culture of this part of the world during the time he was writing. What I found made sense, these cultures were a lot like present day America, all wrapped up in sports. And much like today, the best Athletes were given god-like status. Paul got down onto the same level with these cultures that understood exactly what he meant when he said "Run the race". Then I wondered, why didn't he mention sports when he wrote to the Jews/Hebrews. My research revealed that the Jews viewed sports as pagan. Had he mentioned sports to the Jews, it would have only turned them off. Paul sure new his audience as God guided his hands to craft some of the greatest books ever written. If he were alive and writing today, do you think he would change anything in his writing style?
EGW via contextualism:
http://www.ellenwhiteanswers.org/dyn/media/pdf/Ellen+WhiteandAmusementsofHerDay.pdf
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