SDA ECUMENISM TAKE GIGANTIC, UNBELIEVABLE LEAP

By Vance Ferrell

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2003

THE INCREDIBLE BOOKLET!

SDA ECUMENISM TAKE GIGANTIC, UNBELIEVABLE LEAP

The SDA church is now definitely, without any doubt, in the avant garde of ecumenicalism. After the 9-11 tragedy, SDA leaders conceived an unbelievable idea—to print a little booklet that would teach thousands of "Christian" ministers to help dying people of all religions get to their heaven. Such heights of ecumenicalism even the most savy of WCC leaders would never have dreamed of reaching. The General Conference is proving that Adventists are serious, deadly serious, about ecumenism.

And so the 14-page "Emergency Ministry: Information and Resource for Clergy" was born. The packet consists, first, of an opening cover letter by James A Cress (GC Ministerial Association Secretary), on his General Conference letterhead. The next 12 pages contain nearly 20 prayers, readings, or incantations, acceptable to one or the other of seven large world religions. The material is to be used in the last hours before death, not to bring them to Christ, but to confirm them in their hope that their pagan god will save them after they expire. The packet concludes with a page explaining its source as the Seventh-day Adventist Church and offering additional free copies.

In former decades, SDA ministers tried to lead a dying person to Christ. Today the General Conference leaders have exchanged Bible Adventism for universalism (universal salvation).

Tragically, this material was approved for distribution by our church headquarters for widest circulation. Not only was it sent to SDA ministers, but also to thousands of non-Adventist clergy. Distribution was paid for from the tithe (the only source of income from the Yearly Budget for the General Conference.)

Ecumenicalism denies the first, second, and third Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14:6-12—what the SDA church was raised up to preach. This booklet violates the first, second, third, and eighth commandments. We call for a quick and public repentance.

Seventh-day Adventist church members are partakers of this corporate sin. When will they stop supporting leaders that are so anti-Adventist, so anti-Protestant, so anti-Christian.

The Adventist Review announcement of this Emergency Ministry pamphlet was overlooked by most Adventists. It can be seen in the June 19, 2003 Adventist Review at http://www.adventistreview.org/2003-1525/news.html, and reads seemingly so innocently as follows:

Pocket-sized Pamphlet Allows Emergency
Ministry Across Denominations

Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries (ACM) has compiled an effective communication tool for clergy of any denomination. Simply called Emergency Ministry, the pocket-sized pamphlet is a collection of services and prayers from distinct faith groups.

"The information contained in this resource does not constitute a theological endorsement of any kind," said Dick Stenbakken, ACM director. "The aim of this tool is to enable people to minister from their own religious perspective to people of various faiths." Emergency Ministry was originally distributed to military chaplains to provide ministry in extreme emergency cases.

"In many cases, chaplains find themselves for the first time ministering to those of different faiths in extreme situations such as death. This booklet can help lead them through these difficult situations," said Stenbakken. Copies have been sent to chaplains and troops in the United States military who are stationed in Iraq.

Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries endorses and works with the professional chaplains of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Currently, the Church has 45 chaplains serving on active duty with another 50 in the various reserve forces in North America.

The actual pamphlet is given below:

EMERGENCY MINISTRY

INFORMATION AND RESOURCE FOR CLERGY

A Collection of Services and Prayers

From Distinctive Faith Groups

INTRODUCTION

This information is provided as an aid to clergy of various denominations because they may be called upon to do emergency ministry. It does not constitute a theological endorsement of any kind. We hope it will enable you to minister more effectively from your religious perspective to individuals of various faiths.

[Note: This non-theological endorsement is like offering a chocolate ice cream cone to someone, and saying, "Eat this, but this doesn’t mean that we recommend that you eat it." The whole message of this pamphlet is to lead people to feel good about error, and think that what they believe is the truth. That is a terrible dis-service.]

PROTESTANT EMERGENCY MINISTRATION

If a dying person desires religious ministrations, any baptized person may repeat with him/her (1) the Lord’s Prayer, (2) the Apostle’s Creed, and (3) the Twenty-third Psalm. It is recommended that this prayer and affirmation of faith be used regardless of the denomination.

1. The Lord’s Prayer. "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

2. The Apostles’ Creed. "I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father almighty. From there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen."

[Note: "He descended to hell"? "I believe in the holy catholic church"? Adventists teaching people to lead people to the beast.]

3. The Twenty-third Psalm. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

In the event of death, the following prayer may be said: "Depart, brother/sister, out of this world in the name of the Father who created you, in the name of the Son who redeemed you, and in the name of the Spirit who made you whole. Amen."

[Note: "Depart brother/sister"—this teaches the doctrine of the immortal soul—the soul is leaving the body.]

Baptism: If a dying person desires baptism and no clergy is within reach, any baptized person may administer a baptism, according to the religious background of the individual (such as pouring water three times on the brow, immersion, etc.) and by stating: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

[Note: Here Adventist leaders are teaching Christian clergy and lay people that sprinkling is meritorious for baptism, that if the person thinks its OK, it is OK. This tract is written for lay members as well as for clergy.]

Report the facts to an appropriate clergy-person as soon as possible.

CATHOLIC EMERGENCY MINISTRATION

If a dying person desires ministry, repeat with him/her the following:

1. The Hail Mary. "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen."

[Note: Mary is dead and resting in the grave. Prayer to her would be to an evil angel. The worse thing you could do for a person is to ask an evil angel, disguised as Mary, to pray for a person who is at the point of death. You would be sealing his soul, and your own, to damnation.]

2. The Act of Contrition. "O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offended Thee, my God, who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more, and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen."

3. The Sign of the Cross. "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

[Note: Picture the Adventist clergy performing the genuflection on the person in dire need.]

In the even of death the following prayer may be said: "Eternal rest grant unto him/her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him/her. May his/her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen."

[Note: The dying person is taught that if this prayer is said, then he is safe.]

Baptism: If a dying person desires baptism, pour water three times on the brow, saying his/her first name and this: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

JEWISH EMERGENCY MINISTRATION

If a dying person desires ministry, repeat with him/her:

1. The Shema. "Hear O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one."

2. The Confession for the Critically Ill. "Lord my God, God of my fathers, before Thee I confess that in Thy hand alone rests my healing or my death. If it be Thy will, grant me a perfect healing. Yet if my death be fully determined by Thee, I will in love accept it at Thy hand. Then may my death be an atonement for all sins, transgressions, and for all the wrong which I have committed before Thee. Amen."

[Note: Could a Christian minister teach that someone’s death could atone for his own sins?]

[Note: Did he choose the Lord as his Shepherd?]

In the event of death the following prayer may be said: "Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Amen."

[Note: How could any person say this prayer for someone else, and not put himself in the place of God. This is the spirit of anti-christ.]

ISLAMIC EMERGENCY MINISTRATION

If a dying person desires religious ministry, repeat with him/her the following:

1. The Allah Ekber. "There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is God’s apostle."

2. The Al-Fatihah. "In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds; Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment; Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek. Show us the straight way, the way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy grace, those whose portion is not wrath, and who go not astray."

3. The At-Tauhid. In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Say: He is God, the One! God, the eternally besought of all! He begetteth not nor was begotten. And there is none comparable unto Him.

4. The An-Nas. "In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind, the God of mankind, from the evil of the sneaking whisperer, who whispereth in the hearts of mankind, of the jinn, and of mankind."

Following the above passages from the Koran, the person’s mouth is to be moistened with water.

In the event of death an imam (a Muslim worship leader) must be summoned to perform the ritual washings and wrappings to prepare the body for burial.

BUDDHIST EMERGENCY MINISTRATION

If a dying person desires religious ministrations, anyone may repeat with him the Ti-Sarana:

Buddham saranam gacchami

I take refuge in the Buddha.

Dhammam saranam gacchami

I take refuge in the Dhamma.

Sangham saranam gacchami

I take refuge in the Sangha.

And now I betake myself, Lord, to the Blessed One as my refuge, to the Truth, and to the Order. May the Blessed One accept me as a disciple, as one who, from this day forth, as long as life endures, has taken refuge in them.

[Note: This leading someone to a false refuge.]

In the event of death the following prayer may be said: "Studying the same doctrine, under one master, You and I are friends. See yonder white mists floating in the air on the way back to the peaks. This parting may be our last meeting in this life. Not just in a dream, but in our deep thought, let us met often hereafter."

[Note: This is raw spiritualism.]

HINDU EMERGENCY MINISTRATION

If a dying person desires religious ministrations, anyone may encourage him/her to recite "Narayana" (the name of the Lord Vishnu). If he/she is not able to do so, then anyone may whisper the name of the Lord in his/her ear. A spoonful of pure water is then placed in his/her mouth.

The following passage from the Bhagavad Gita may be read to comfort the person: (Saith Lord Vishnu) "Arjuna, of this be sure: None who pays Me worship of loyalty and love is ever lost. For whosoever makes Me his haven, base-born though he may be, yes, women too, and artisans, even serfs, theirs is to tread the highest Way. On Me thy mind, for Me thy loving service, for Me thy sacrifice, and to Me thy prostrations: Let thine own self be integrated, and then shalt thou come to Me, thy striving bent on Me."

After death, the body is to be cleansed and dressed, and the mark of Vishnu placed on his/her forehead. Then the body is to be cremated and three days later the ashes are to be immersed in a river. It is believed that the soul will rest with the ancestors of the person’s family at the feet of God in peace.

ORTHODOX EMERGENCY MINISTRATION

If a dying person desires religious ministry, repeat with him:

1. The Trisagion. "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name’s sake. Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy; Lord, have mercy. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."

2. Psalm 51. (From Scripture.)

3. The Nicene Creed. "I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light; true God of true God, begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And he was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried, and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. In one holy, catholic, and apostolic church, I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen."

4. The Lord’s Prayer. "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

In the event of death, the following prayer may be said: "O God of spirits and of all flesh, who has trampled down death and destroyed the devil, and granted life to Thy world: Do Thou, O Lord, give rest to the soul of Thy servant. (Name), who is fallen asleep, in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment, a place of repose, where all sickness, sorrow, and sighing have fled away. Pardon every sin which he/she has committed, whether by word, deed, or thought, for Thou art a good God and lovest mankind: because there is no person who lives and does not sin. Thou alone art without sin. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is truth. For Thou art the resurrection, and the Lord, and the repose of Thy servant, (Name), who is fallen asleep, O Christ our God, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, who is from everlasting, and Thine all-holy, and good and life-creating Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."

Baptism: If a dying person has not been baptized and desires to be, pour water three times on the brow, saying his or her first name and this: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

GRIEF MINISTRY

CARING FOR THE DYING

Dying is a process of predictable or random dynamics. Denial protests, "No, it isn’t me!" Anger asks bitterly, "Why me?" Bargaining post-pones with "Yes, it’s me, but…" Depression in discouragement concludes, "Yes, it is me." Acceptance finally acknowledges "Yes, it is me, and I can cope."

Needs of dying persons include: a supportive environment; meeting spiritual concerns; knowing life made a difference; finding meaning; feeling needed; maintaining control as possible; completing developmental tasks; overcoming loneliness; a "letting go" of life; dying with dignity and hope.

Ministry to the dying includes: treat the dying with dignity; provide presence to the end; encourage storytelling; listen with sensitivity; help with death planning as invited; minister to felt needs; assist with family needs; model appropriate behavior; employ religious ritual; use spiritual resources to bring comfort and support.

CARING FOR THE BEREAVED

Grief is a process of tasks, including: shock and numbness, with disbelief and painful acceptance of reality; searching and yearning, and intense longing for the deceased; disorganization, with great distress as full reality hits home; reorganization, as later life again seems worth living and hope is restored.

Ministry to the bereaved helps create a healing environment as we: listen and encourage telling of experiences and feelings; use word of faith and comfort; use religious ritual; care for felt needs; interpret normal grief reactions; never abandon during hard times; honor memory of deceased; assist with new activities and relationships later on; help discover meaning and hope; use prayer and scriptural resources, such as Psalm 23; 27;42;46:1-3; Isaiah 41:10; 61:3; John 14:1-3, 27; Romans 8:31-39; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Peter 1:6-9; Revelation 21:1-5.

(BACK PAGE)

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[Note: 1—The Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries compiled this booklet. ACM includes Adventist chaplains in the armed forces. How can an Adventist minister be part of the Armed Forces of any country? They have to minister to soldiers of all faiths. They cannot preach the Three Angel’s Messages. They cannot teach the soldiers to keep the fourth and sixth commandments. They have to be ecumenical. It is an abomination.

2—Who printed this ecumenical booklet? Was it Review and Herald? Ellen White has counsel for all those in the printing facility:

"In these matters a responsibility rests not only upon the managers, but upon the employees. I have a word to say to the workers in every publishing house established among us: As you love and fear God, refuse to have anything to do with the knowledge against which God warned Adam. Let typesetters refuse to set a sentence of such matter. Let proofreaders refuse to read, pressmen to print, and binders to bind it. If asked to handle such matter, call for a meeting of the workers in the institution, that there may be an understanding as to what such things mean. Those in charge of the institution may urge that you are not responsible, that the managers must arrange these matters. But you are responsible—responsible for the use of your eyes, your hands, your mind. These are entrusted to you by God to be used for Him, not for the service of Satan.

"When matters containing errors that counteract the work of God are printed in our houses of publication, God holds accountable not only those who allow Satan to lay a trap for souls, but those who in any way co-operate in the work of temptation." Testimonies, Vol. 7, p. 167,168.