Free Documents

1. "What is a Seventh-day Adventist?"
(This study, along with "How Inspired Was Ellen White?" is available as a printed bound booklet. It is available from Orion Publishing, P.O. Box 449, Ukiah, CA 95482. Telephone: (707) 462-7844. Suggested donation -- $6.00)

Is Adventism a set of beliefs to which we ascribe, or is it much more than that? What is the reason for the existence of the Seventh-day Adventist church? What must happen among Adventists before there will be a second coming? How does this church fit into the great controversy between Christ and Satan?

2. "Current Issues in Justification"

Is justification forgiveness only, or is it more than that? This paper states the Biblical teaching on justification by faith, and analyzes recent developments in the Adventist Church concerning this doctrine.

3. "Current Issues in Sanctification"

Can sanctification be filly experienced in one's lifetime? This paper studies the Biblical teaching on sanctification by faith and analyzes recent developments in the Adventist Church concerning this doctrine

4. "Evangelicals and Adventists Together?"

Recently Catholics and Evangelicals have begun to work more closely together. Are Adventists and Evangelicals beginning to link together? What is the Evangelical gospel? How is it different from the Adventist gospel? Why is all of this important?

5. "What Might Have Been"

1888 was a significant year in the Adventist Church. How has our history been different because of events following the 1888 period? What can we learn from the past 100 years so that we can make better decisions than they did?

6. "How Inspired Was Ellen White?"
(This study, along with "What IS a Seventh-day Adventist?" is available as a printed bound booklet. It is available from Orion Publishing, P.O. Box 449, Ukiah, CA 95482. Telephone: (707) 462-7844. Suggested donation -- $6.00. [From a recent letter -- "For the first time since my conversion I am not skeptical about Ellen White and what a prophet of God is all about. It had at first been a stumbling block to me that our church had a recent prophet. But now I am ready to look at everything she has to say as that from our God."])

Ellen White said that she was the "lesser light" to lead us to the greater light of Scripture. What did she mean? What authority does Ellen White have, particularly in doctrine? How does inspiration work through a prophet? Was Ellen White inspired in the same way that Isaiah was?

7. "Victory Over Sin – How?"
(This study is available as a printed bound booklet with the title "The Will: His Power, Your Choice". It is available from www.greatcontroversy.org.)

Is victory over sin really possible for us? This is a practical study showing how God provides victory. The role of the will is the decisive factor in changing us from failing Christians to successful Christians.

8. "To Sin or Not to Sin"
"In Every Way But One"

In 1990 a six-part series was printed in the Adventist Review. The subject was the nature of sin and the nature of Christ. The articles were intended to prove that all human beings are born sinners, and that Christ was exempted from some aspects of fallen nature. These two articles are a response to that series, attempting to show that we are not born sinners and that Christ took all aspects of fallen nature.

9. "Are All Men Condemned at Birth?"

There are several statements in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy which seem to say that we are sinners from birth, lost and condemned because of Adam's sin. This article examines those statements and offers another explanation of them, one more in harmony with the Biblical definition of sin - the willful transgression of a known law of God,

10. "What Is the Final Atonement?"

The phrase "final atonement" is unique to Adventism. What does it mean? Does it discredit the atonement Jesus made at the cross? This study shows why an understanding of the final atonement is absolutely essential if there is to be a "finished work" in Adventism. It also examines why Adventist lifestyle standards are "higher" than those allowed in Bible times.

11. "Is It Essential or Non-essential?"

The nature of Christ is one of the most controversial subjects in Adventism. Some have declared that we should cease discussion of the subject because it is not essential to our salvation. This study examines why the nature of Christ deserves our continued study. What difference does it really make to our salvation and to the mission of the church?

12. "Is Jesus Really Coming Soon?"

Most Adventists believe that the Adventist Church is guaranteed to lead the way into Christ's coming kingdom. Is this really true? This study compares God's messages to Israel with His messages to Adventism. What is the only message which will allow Adventism to realize its potential and fulfill its mission?

13. "Protestant or Catholic?"

There are different views today of what is the Protestant or Biblical gospel and what is the Catholic gospel. In response to recent challenges raised that the traditional Adventist gospel is really more Catholic than Protestant, this paper attempts to show that the Adventist gospel is really Biblical and Protestant. It also shows the difference between the Catholic gospel and the Protestant gospel.

14. "How Should We Treat the Animals?" by Matthew Priebe

Our world is full of animals. Does it make any difference what we do to them? Do we have a duty to protect them or can we use them as we please? What does the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy say on this subject? If we have dominion, are we doing a good job?
(This paper is available in book form from www.animalsethicschristianity.com. The title is Animals, Ethics, and Christianity. The suggested donation is $3 + $1 shipping. For bulk orders, discount rates are available.)

15. "Confusing the Gospel"

Another major challenge has been brought against the gospel as understood by Seventh-day Adventists. The evangelical understanding of salvation has become very popular among some Adventists. This article responds to this challenge to Adventism.

16. "When Error Surrounds Us"

Serious errors on righteousness by Faith (how we are saved) have been creeping into Adventist beliefs over the past twenty years. Some of them are now accepted as mainstream beliefs by many Adventists. What should our response be as we are confronted by these errors?

17. "Prophet or Priest?"

How should we respond to the dangerous theories of salvation which are circulating throughout Adventist churches and schools? Should we exercise "toleration" when strange teachings and practices spread more and more widely?

18. "The Human Nature of Christ -- Revisited"

During the last few years, a number of articles on the nature of Christ have been appearing in our journals. This paper focuses on the four major issues underlying the debate. The importance of these issues for the identity and mission of the Adventist Church reveals why this debate will not go away any time soon.

19. "Questions on Doctrine -- Deja Vu"

Andrew University has reprinted the controversial book Questions of Doctrine, with extensive footnotes and explanations. this paper examines the reasons for the often bitter controversy, and its relation to Adventist eschatology.

20. "New Light For Adventists"

This article examines four subjects that have been gaining prominence in conservative Seventh-day Adventist thinking--The Sacred Name, The Trinity, Dual application of prophecy, and Feast days.

21. "God on Trial" 

A study of the great controversy, beginning with Lucifer's challenge and God's response, and focusing on the crucial role of the final generation in refuting Satan's accusations against the law and character of God.

For information on these and other topics, you can order tapes, books and video tapes, see Resources.