If you have ever beheld the majesty of the Golden Gate Bridge, witnessed the scale of the Great Wall of China, or perceived the strength of the Hoover Dam you have undoubtedly been appreciative of the work of an oft-forgotten field of study: Civil Engineering.
While civil engineers do work on large scale projects, they are also essential for the day to day operations of projects across this country.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Civil Engineers “conceive, design, build, supervise, operate, construct and maintain infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sector, including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, dams, bridges, and systems for water supply and sewage treatment.”[1]
As noted by the BLS, civil engineering is a specialized field that takes a specific course of study[2] for the practitioners of the field, and many of them have advanced degrees to exhibit their proficiency in the line of study. Without a doubt we are all extremely appreciative of the focused coursework that civil engineers have undergone which allows them to produce the generally superior public works projects that we see across the country. Without this focused coursework it would be nearly impossible for civil engineers of today to build our roads, construct our buildings, or maintain a clean water supply in the cities and towns across the nation.
Inherent in the need for civil engineers to have a focused coursework is the understanding that not all engineers are civil engineers. For example, would you trust an electrical engineer to design and construct the dam upriver from your home or the bridge that you and your family cross on a daily basis? Probably not.
The lack of trust in an electrical engineer to build a bridge is not because they are any less intelligent, passionate, or willing, it’s simply due to the fact that they have a different course of study throughout their educational years.
While civil engineers are studying topics such as thermodynamics and structural analysis, electrical engineers are studying electrical circuits and microelectronics. While both courses of study certainly have their place in modern society, we would all prefer the person who designs our bridges understand how weight and vibration affects supporting structures versus how a circuit board operates. Accordingly, it’s imperative for the safety of our nation that engineers stick to the fields of their specialization to ensure that we don’t have civil engineers designing the electrical system of our cars or electrical engineers designing wastewater treatment facilities.
In the age of COVID-19 it’s equally important that we receive our information from individuals who specialize in specific courses of study. Given the infectious nature of this virus it’s logical for us to receive our information from non-political doctors who focus on the study of infectious diseases, epidemiology, virology, etc.
As much as we may appreciate our orthopedist or psychiatrist, their course of study is not directly suited to understand how viruses replicate or are transmitted from person to person, even though they are also medical doctors. It is unlikely that any of us would ask a dermatologist to remove a brain tumor, we would instead seek a neurosurgeon given their extremely specialized course of study to extricate our tumor. The same is true with treating a deadly virus.
The Spiritual Realm
In the previous paragraphs there is a universal principle at play that applies to both the physical and spiritual realm of our lives. This principle is that we should give more credence to those who have gone through a specialized course of study for topics that have a heavy impact on our lives. Please notice the phrase “more credence.” I’m not advocating a total blind trust, but a general benefit of the doubt for those who operate in extremely specialized fields.
How does this principle apply to the spiritual realm? I would venture to guess that some that read this article will jump to the conclusion that the crux of this article is to give more allegiance/trust/faith, etc. to the pastors of the churches across the land. Pastors have obviously gone through the specialized studies mentioned above and, in many cases, have dedicated their lives to the study of the scriptures. As much as I hate to disappoint those who have jumped to this conclusion you would be incorrect to believe that this article is about pastors. The topic of this article is about a something much more important. As established by General Conference President Ted Wilson[3]
As Seventh-day Adventists, we recognize that there are many Christians in other denominations who love the Lord and seek to serve Him. Nevertheless, when it comes to preaching, teaching, instructing, and sharing the Word in our pulpits, or giving presentations at church gatherings such as ministerial conventions, departmental training seminars, evangelism rallies, church planning sessions, youth events, and many other general church meetings, it is very important that those who “feed the flock” embrace our biblical world view—including the authority of Scripture, the reality of the great controversy, and the vital last-day message to the world as given by the three angels of Revelation 14.
Ellen White also adds in Counsels to Writers and Editors[4]:
we are not to receive the words of those who come with a message that contradicts the special points of our faith. They gather together a mass of Scripture, and pile it as proof around their asserted theories. This has been done over and over again during the past fifty years. And while the Scriptures are God's word, and are to be respected, the application of them, if such application moves one pillar from the foundation that God has sustained these fifty years, is a great mistake. He who makes such an application knows not the wonderful demonstration of the Holy Spirit that gave power and force to the past messages that have come to the people of God.
Just as we wouldn’t expect electrical engineers to design the bridges that preserve our lives, we also should be vigilant about the people that we allow to instruct and lead our worship services and give Bible studies that are our bridge to the Life-Giver.
As noted above it’s not because people of other denominations are less intelligent, passionate, or willing to lead worship services, we must take this position because they do not have the appropriate coursework.
The SDA church is founded upon the pillars of the power of the 3 Angels’ Messages. The uniqueness of the heavenly sanctuary message, and proper understanding of the Sabbath among other doctrines are an important part of this Message.
If a person hasn’t taken the time to prayerfully study these subjects, then how can they preach at our churches who are founded on these truths?
It’s important to understand that other denominations have a different course of study even though they are also followers of Christ, much like that various doctors have different fields in which they specialize.
While the advent people are reestablishing the Sabbath truth, other groups are teaching that Sunday is the day. While the Advent people are spreading the truth of Christ ministering in the heavenly sanctuary today, other groups say it’s a false doctrine. So I ask again, how can they lead out in our services and studies? It would be a disservice to the recipients of the message as they are seeking more light about the truths of Adventism, just the same as if the bridge they were driving across collapsed because it was designed by an electrical engineer.
Equally, it’s unfair to expect an electrical engineer to design a bridge, as it’s simply outside the scope of their knowledge. An electrical engineer could give it their best shot—to design a proper bridge, but through no fault of their own they simply don’t have the proper understanding of the structural, metallurgy, or soil sciences needed to design a proper bridge. Accordingly, if a person hasn’t studied the Sabbath truth, or Christ’s work in the heavenly sanctuary how can they be expected to give light to the people on these subjects?
I approach this position extremely humbly, and I would dread to give the impression that this is written from an elitist attitude, as I can ensure that it’s not (at least I hope not). I’m quick to recognize that Adventist sin and unfaithfulness is equal, and likely exceeds that of most other Christian groups. I’m under no belief or impression that Adventists are somehow better or smarter than other groups, I would be foolish to ever entertain such a thought. I also do not doubt the extreme commitment that many other Christian groups have towards their faith in Christ. What I do however firmly believe is that the Adventist Church has a much different course of study that is so unique and specialized that it’s impossible for groups with a different course of study to lead in our services.
Ellen White makes the statement in Selected Messages Book 3, p.319
Praise the Lord that we have clear light, and a plain, distinct message to bear.
Webster’s Dictionary defines the word distinct as[5]: presenting a clear unmistakable impression
The very crux of the Advent Message is that it is different and leaves an unmistakable impression to the world, it should not and cannot be mistaken with the messages of other churches. It’s too different!
If the Message is indeed different and distinct, then our messengers must have an appreciation and course of study that is specific to our biblical line of understanding. While all religious groups should be welcome to attend our services and Bible studies, they should not be allowed to lead unless their course of study aligns with the Three Angels Messages that we proclaim. Our Message is a bridge to the Everlasting Gospel of Jesus, and His soon return.
I pray that we all rededicate ourselves to studying the truth as it is in Jesus.
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Keyon is a husband and father of a young family in the Dallas metroplex. Keyon has also served in various church roles such as Youth Leader, Sabbath School teacher, and Elder. Currently Keyon is working to plant a lay led church in the Dallas area.
[1] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineers.htm#tab-2
[2] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/civil-engineers.htm#tab-4
[3] https://www.pastortedwilson.org/uncategorized/can-non-adventists-preach-in-adventist-churches-and-at-other-adventist-events/
