Yet another statement was voted by the North American Division Executive (NAD) Committee on April 29, 2021, in Columbia, Maryland. It was published yesterday on the NAD News Articles website.
“The North American Division stands in support of the principles outlined in the General Conference statement, “One Humanity: A Human Relations Statement Addressing Racism, Casteism, Tribalism, and Ethnocentrism.” This document offers a biblical response to the issues specific to the NAD, contextualizes the “One Humanity” document into the North American setting, and faithfully reflects the biblical understanding of social justice and Christian responsibility.” Here’s the statement.
NAD Statement
“God is the Creator of all humanity, and we are all God’s children. All of us have equal value, and we celebrate each other’s inherited and acquired differences. God compels us to love and respect others, regard them as equals and uphold justice. Our God is both loving and just and calls every person to live a life of love and justice. "He has shown you, O man what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, NKJV).
As Seventh-day Adventists, we recognize that historical events and decisions in the North American Division territory, influenced by colonial principles and practices, have allowed for structural, societal, and institutional oppression toward marginalized populations, including women and people of color. These injustices continue to plague our society and our denomination today, and run contrary to our biblical faith. They mar the psychological, social, physical, and spiritual health of any community and are unacceptable for a growing journey of Christlikeness. In failing to advocate on behalf of those who are overlooked, ignored, or excluded (Ps. 82:3), we acknowledge that as a church we have been reticent to address these discriminatory practices. We take accountability for the church’s silence during the struggles against these practices and apologize for our past actions and inactions and will continue to work to change the future.
Jesus is our example, and our response to injustice must adhere to His principles. He rebukes those who oppress, devalue, and undervalue others (Luke 11:42-44). There is no place for these behaviors—individually or collectively—among His followers. Therefore, as Jesus did, we must stand with and for those who are marginalized. When we fail to treat people with dignity and respect, or refuse to acknowledge the wrongs committed against them, we are guilty of mistreating God (Jer. 22:16). If we don’t do what we know is right, we have sinned (James 4:17). We must speak and act against racial injustices, historic inequities, and abuses of power. Love will govern our actions as we stand in the gap for those who have been mistreated (John 13:34).
In the tradition of our pioneers who worked with different organizations in the public square (Review and Herald, June 5, 1900; The Southern Work, pp. 9-15), we will thoughtfully engage with those who seek to reverse and confront the results of oppression (Matt. 25:45; James 2:26). Ellen White said that the Savior mingled with people as one who desired their good (The Ministry of Healing, p. 143). We therefore fully support this conscientious witness of our members, especially our young adults, who advocate for and participate in the non-violent dismantling of such dehumanizing policies and practices that deny our one humanity. Such advocacy fulfills the biblical calls of Micah 6:6-8 and Isaiah 58.
As a North American Division community, we invite our members to uphold our Creator’s commitment to humanity and affirm our commitment in seeking opportunities to understand our shared values, interests, cultural commonalities and differences (Col. 3:11). We will strive for a changed culture that embraces, celebrates, and values diversity[2] (1 Cor 12:12-14), and works to close the spaces between us. Thus, we appeal to our members and leaders to actively promote inclusion[3] and oppose intolerance in our church and institutions and toward all God's children—for we are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26-29; Eph. 4:1-6). We also appeal to our church entities to develop proactive strategies, implement policies, and support local initiatives that combat and seek to eliminate all social inequities.
In committing to live in healing and harmony, individually and collectively, we will experience a foretaste of the kingdom to come—“a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues” (Rev. 7:9, NKJV)—and realize God’s greatest commandment to love each other as He has loved us.”
[1] See Leslie N. Pollard’s article “The Church’s Needed Witness” in the October 2021 issue of Adventist Journey.
[2] Diversity here represents the Adventist understanding of humanity in the Bible (“A great multitude … from every nation, tribe, and people and language”) with various backgrounds, characteristics, and perspectives as it converges in our Christian community (see 1 Cor 12:12-14).
[3] Inclusion here denotes that intentionality within the Adventist context to welcome and genuinely embrace all members of the body of Christ, recognize that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God, and encourage each to contribute value for the glory of God.
Our Commentary
Many of you have wondered, “Why does the North American Division feel obligated to issue a statement on almost every cultural issue that comes along?” They have been doing this for the last five years. The answer is twofold.
1) They decided this would make them relevant, and relevance is more desirable to them then almost anything else, including righteousness.
2) This is a way for the NAD to be political without admitting that they are being political. It allows them to jump into the political (left) pool under the pretense of trying to save people.Social Justice. This is the new religion of the North American Division, taking precedence over preaching the Three Angels’ Messages. This statement is a syncretic blend of social justice and critical race theory, garnished with a few Bible verses to make it appear faithy. While there are some elements that we can agree with, the way that the statement is interwoven with Critical Race Theory makes the whole thing tilted dangerously to the political agenda of the left (we have seen this over the last 8-10 years among North American leadership). I miss those days when most of us were neutral on politics, but they are long gone today, especially with the NAD. The preamble of the statement asserts that social justice is a Christian responsibility. More dangerous, they claim that they are contending for biblical justice, while mixing the reality with political social justice. We will explore why this is deceptive in a new article titled Relevance is The New Righteousness. Look for it.
“As Seventh-day Adventists, we recognize that historical events and decisions in the North American Division territory, influenced by colonial principles and practices, have allowed for structural, societal, and institutional oppression toward marginalized populations, including women and people of color. These injustices continue to plague our society and our denomination today, and run contrary to our biblical faith.”
This is Social Justice and Critical Race Theory (CRT), friends. That’s where this comes from, and Social Justice and CRT are anti-God and anti-creation, in spite of who promotes it.
Critical Race Theory says that human beings are the only creatures on the planet that come into the world as a blank slate—with no innate characteristics (even gender). This is an attack on the image of God in humans. Critical Race Theory further says that you are simply defined by culture. And culture is captive to white systemic privilege, therefore it produces the results that it wants.Ultimately systemic racism theory and critical theory and social justice activism share this common foundational reality. They are anti-God and anti-creation. We believe that God created humanity in His own image. That means that God gave to man innate immutable characteristics. For instance, He created them male and female, white or black etc. Beyond the physical, there are also mental distinctives between men and women. And God in his goodness created these complementary distinctions. It is a very godless notion which says “Instead of anything that needs resolved in my life, who can I blame and who can I hate for who I am?” More about that in the aforementioned upcoming article, where we will have more time to objectively address these spiritual issues and promote God’s true justice.
“We will strive for a changed culture that embraces, celebrates, and values diversity[2] (1 Cor 12:12-14), and works to close the spaces between us. Thus, we appeal to our members and leaders to actively promote inclusion[3] and oppose intolerance in our church and institutions and toward all God's children..” Make no mistake, this sentence is paving the way for LGBTQ inclusion, soon. It’s coming to the NAD and nothing (save for the hand of God) can stop it. Watch and see. Or better yet, watch and pray.
Healing and harmony are God’s goals for us. We are in full agreement with that ideal. However, the NAD’s version of modern (political) social justice will not/can not heal your heart. It can only fan the flames of division, like its cultural counterpart. Instead of brokenness over my own sin, the NAD social justice gospel replaces repentance over my own sin with anger over the sins of others. True Christian harmony comes from each of us choosing not to go through life as victims, and experiencing the salvation of the gospel and the joy and forgiveness that God brings.
Look for an upcoming article titled Relevance is The New Righteousness. And stay faithful to the Lord and His Word, rightly dividing it instead of using it for political cultural agendas.
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“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).