(Pt. 2: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SEDUCTION OF ADVENTISM)

TIME OF EMERGENCY -I am writing these words immediately after receiving a long distance telephone call from a faithful Seventh-day Adventist, who fears harassment from church officials if the location Is Identified. Our church is in a state of emergency, and men in positions of power are determined to eradicate historic Adventism from our midst. The following information was given from outside North America. That intensifies the meaning of what I have to tell you:

In a certain First World nation, our church leaders are pushing John Savage's lab courses as hard as they can. They seem determined to get as many church members as possible to take them. Why this strange enthusiasm for a non-Adventist training seminar? Especially when it involves initiation into neuro-linguistic programming, and the first step into Ericksonian hypnosis?

A number of faithful Adventist church members in that nation have been concentrating their efforts on trying to warn fellow church members about those courses. In response, church leadership has verbally attacked those sounding the warning.

Learning that it was the Methodists who first brought Savage and his seminars to that nation, deeply concerned, one of the faithful members decided to contact the Methodists. After several preliminaries, this person was able to speak with one of the highest Methodist officials.

This is the heart of the conversation:

"I have heard about Dr. Savage's lab courses, and I understand that the Methodist Church brought them here."

"Yes, we are the ones who brought Dr. John Savage and his lab courses to ___"

"And how is it being received?"

"Oh, the people love it! Not only in our own church, but in the other churches as well."

"What churches?"

"The Baptists! And -- well, you've heard of the Adventists, haven't you?"

"Yes, I'm acquainted with them."

"Well, because of their leaders, the Adventists are really attending!"

"What do you mean, 'Because of their leaders?' "

"Well, you wouldn't know anything about this, but the Adventist leaders are having trouble with a certain segment in their church. "

"A certain group?"

"Yes, we would call them 'fundamentalists.' They are giving trouble to the leaders; trying to keep the Adventist prophet, White her name is, and keep some old, outmoded teachings that, quite frankly, are separating the Adventists from the rest of us."

"Well, how does the Savage course help?"

"They are getting as many of their people as possible through this course. The goal is to get several people from each local church trained, and then sent back. They have found that those people help stabilize the local churches and help them pull out of those old, outmoded Ideas that are holding that denomination back."

Are we in a crisis? What will we do about it? In a time of crisis, the important decisions are always the individual decisions. And the crucial decision will be this: On which side will you ultimately stand?

By your present words and actions, you are-even now-determining what you will think, believe, and do later on. Do not imagine that you can wait till a more convenient time later. The fateful decisions are being made now.

'The Lab courses, the celebration churches, the wedding ring ruling, the Ecumenical gatherings, the trademark lawsuits against dissidents, the Easter sunrise services, the speeches by Roman Catholic officials to our people, the youth magazine articles encouraging freedom to experiment and enjoy life, the theatrical skits instead of church services, the doctrinal book to appease Walter Martin and perpetuate the errors of Questions on Doctrine, the General Conference "academic freedom" decision that no teachers in our colleges and universities can be penalized or ousted for their views, the expensive parades so we can be seen on television, the copies of a New Age painting to our ministers, the vanity fair-type programming prepared for many of our special church gatherings, the humorous mid-week cell groups, the Review articles in support of Protestant new theology positions, the suppression of papers calling for a return to historic Adventism, the ousting from office of faithful members who stand in defense of those historic positions; it is all working together toward a common purpose. Yet it is so uncannily unified in its overall approach, that it causes a thinking person to tremble.

No single human, or group of people could be that smart in orchestrating such an operation as we are today witnessing. Our church is being taken down as fast as it can be taken down.

And, with every passing year, the rate of acceleration increases breathtakingly.

OREGON IN 1980-Some of you will recall the conversation I wrote about years ago. A friend telephoned me from Oregon in 1980, after recently speaking at length with a local pastor. He asked the pastor about what he was teaching. We were soon to begin calling it "new theology." The pastor, carefully trained at Andrews after completing college, told him with some pride that this was the new teaching that was to spread throughout the church. "We are going to take over the church, and there is nothing that you will be able to do about it.

DESMOND FORD WRITES-On the next page you will find a facsimile page from a letter written by Desmond Ford to friends in Australia in the latter 1970s.

Looking back at the end of the 1980s we ask, has there been a plan of action? Yes, it has all been just too coordinated; too unopposed. Have key men in our church been working in accordance with the plan throughout the 1980s? Yes, they have.

But that brings us to an even more provocative question: who are those men working for? During the 1980s, we have had abundant evidence that men in our church are working in close harmony with selected leaders from a variety of other denominations. Yes, they are working WITH men in other churches, but who are they working FOR?

For more information on that point, read our earlier-printed tracts on instances in which Jesuit agents working in our church have been uncovered.

Young men in their early 20s (as Desmond Ford did in the mid-1950s), attend meetings and are baptized into the church. They then attend college, have funds made available to them to go on to universities and obtain doctorates, then return and, through the intervention of men earlier placed on key committees, are called to important positions where they can penetrate, indoctrinate, and bring in still more agents who are being sent through the universities. Young men in our colleges who are willing to wholeheartedly accept the new teachings are sent out to pastor churches. Books, sermons, and worship services of a new order are prepared by the agents. Top-ranking leadership on all levels, institutional, conference, union, division, and General Conference have consistently received fawning adulation from them, and, when opposition arises, are loathe to oppose such loyal followers.

Yes, men are working according to a plan. And the results seem to be on schedule. But where are those men trying to take us? Read Great Controversy if you would understand the future.

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SEDUCTION OF ADVENTISM

PREFACE:

Nothing in this document discourages seeking Christian counsel. The writings of Ellen White state that in a severe personal crisis it is wise to seek guidance. (MCP 765) This is what she defines as Christian Psychology. Such guidance should come from those of maturity, experience, and a deep personal commitment to Christ. Independent, immature, hasty, and emotional decisions can leave behind a lifetime of damage. Wise counsel sought and accepted before making important choices would have kept many people from a lifetime of tragedy.

HOWEVER, THE FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHRISTIAN COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGY IS ONE OF DIRECTION. PSYCHOLOGY LOOKS WITHIN FOR SOLUTIONS: CHRISTIANITY LOOKS TO HIM FOR SOLUTIONS. THIS DIFFERENCE IN DIRECTION IS THE ALL-IMPORTANT DETERMINANT BETWEEN TRUTH AND ERROR--BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL.

Ellen White predicted that near the close of time personal counseling would go beyond constructive advice. A corrupt form of Psychology would come into popular acceptance. On the surface it would appear harmless and good. Underneath the veneer of healing, an incredible harm would be done. She said that psychology would become satanic in character. It would invade and corrupt the very work of God. There are Seventh-day Adventists Psychiatrists who believe that religion should not be brought into their practice. (See Spectrum, Vol. 17. Number 3)

LAST DAY WARNINGS ABOUT THE MIND-SCIENCES

1. "If Satan should make an open, bold attack upon Christianity, it would bring the Christian in distress and agony at the feet of his Redeemer, and the strong and mighty Deliverer would affright the bold adversary away. But Satan, transformed into an angel of light, works upon the mind to allure from the only safe and right path. The sciences of phrenology, psychology, and mesmerism (hypnosis) have been the channel through which Satan has come more directly to this generation, and wrought with that power which was to characterize his work near the close of probation," IT 290 (Circa 1862)

2. I have been shown that we should be guarded on every side and perseveringly resist the Insinuations and devices of Satan. He has transformed himself into an angel of light and is deceiving thousands and taking them captive. The advantage he takes of the science of the human mind is tremendous. Here, serpent-like, he Imperceptivity creeps in to corrupt the work of God. " IT 290 (Circa 1862)

3. "Satan has come unperceived through these sciences and has poisoned the minds of thousands and led them to Infidelity. He is well pleased to have the knowledge of these sciences widespread. It is a plan that he himself has laid, that he may gain access to minds and influence them as he pleases. . , And while those devoted to these sciences laud them to the heavens because of the great and good works, they are cherishing and glorifying Satan.. Through the channel of phrenology, psychology, and mesmerism (hypnosis), he (Satan) comes more directly to the people of this generation, and works with that power which is to characterize his efforts near the close of probation." 2 SM 351 (Circa 1907)

4. "Satan often finds a powerful agency for evil in the power that one human mind is capable of exerting on another human mind. This influence is so seductive that the person who is being molded by it is often unconscious of its power. God has bidden me to speak warning against this evil,. . . by his subtle workings In these last days he is linking the human mind with his own, and IMBUING IT WITH HIS THOUGHTS; and he is doing this work in so deceptive a manner that those who accept his guidance know not that they are being led by him at his will. . .does not bear the approval of God. 25M 352-353 (Circa 1907)

5. "If Satan can so befog and deceive the human mind as to lead mortals to think that there is an Inherent power In themselves to accomplish great and good works, they cease to relay upon God to do for them that which they think there is power In themselves to do. They acknowledge not a superior power. They give not God the glory, which He claims, and which is due to His great and excellent Majesty. Satan's object is thus accomplished, and He exults that fallen men presumptuously exalt themselves. . IT 294 (1892) MCP 722

5. "It is dangerous for anyone, no matter how good a man he is, to endeavor to influence another human mind to come under the control of his mind. Let mo tell you that the mind cure is a satanic science.. Unless you can see that Satan is the mastermind who has devised this science, it will not be so easy a matter, as you suppose, to separate from it, root and branch. The whole philosophy of this science is a masterpiece of satanic deception. For your souls' sake, cut loose from everything of this order. Every time you put into the mind of another person ideas concerning this science, that you may gain control of his mind, you are on Satan's ground, decidedly cooperating with him. For your souls' sake, break loose from this snare of the enemy." Letter 20, 1902; 2SM 349,350

WHEN DO THESE WARNINGS APPLY?

Ellen White is not specifically pointing at the Psychology of her time. Her warnings point to the Psychology, which would be practiced at the close of probation. This is obviously a prediction-an end-time prophecy.

THE ESSENCE OF THE WARNING

In unmistakable words God has forbidden one human mind to fossick around in the mind of another. This opens the door to demonic deception. The Adventist church is in grave danger. The beliefs and practices of the secular world are making inroads into our ministry. It is standard practice today that our ministers, either become psychologists or refer people to Psychologists for solution to serious problems. The warnings God gave through Ellen White indicate that mind-sciences would corrupt the gospel of Christ as the source of peace of mind. Many Adventist ministers now seek degrees in psychology to enhance the influence of their personal ministry. It is in this area that we must stand guard.

STRONG WARNING: THE IMBUING OF THOUGHTS

The most subtle of Satan nefarious works today Is done through the Implanting of thoughts directly into the mind. In counseling sessions to the amazement of the counselor powerful memories flood the mind. Long buried sorrows, fears and angers come to the surface. But the therapy, unknown to the counselor, goes far beyond true memory into the visualization of events that never occurred. It is in the area of implanted Satanic pseudo-memories that the church Is in grave danger. Our membership needs to be warned and stand guard. Incredible damage has already been done.

There are thoughts and feelings suggested and aroused by Satan that annoy even the best of men; but if they are not cherished, if they are repulsed as hateful, the soul Is not contaminated with guilt, and no other is defiled by their influence: MCP 432 . Either the evil angels or the angels of God are controlling the minds of men. Our minds are given to the control of God or to the control of the powers of darkness; and it would be well for us to inquire where we are standing today. . : 6BC 1120

We must never doubt for a moment the ability of the Devil to implant his own thoughts and feeling into the human mind. Human memory is not the precise vehicle we have thought it to be. Acceptance of this fact is fundamental to understanding how Satan will work to corrupt the work of the gospel In these last days.

THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM: SIGMUND FREUD

It is impossible to investigate mental health procedures without encountering the name and beliefs of Sigmund Freud. This Viennese Jewish Medical doctor was the father of Psychoanalysis.

He taught that memories stored in the subconscious mind influenced a persons mental life. He believed that mental Illness resulting from such memories could be cured by psychoanalysis, which brought the memories into consciousness.

World Book. Volume F. Page 456.1972 Edition

In other words, Freud taught that buried memories had to be exhumed in order to heal the emotionally disturbed. To him suppressed memories were a primary source of mental and emotional distress. His views are widely accepted by mental health professionals. His thoughts have often unconsciously invaded the ministry of many churches Including the Adventist church.

FREUD REVISITED: The current method being taught to minister by ministers, consists of how to guide the troubled person back into their past, especially childhood memories. This is done through visualization and imagery. When the offending memory is touched, there Is frequently an emotional explosion: fears are articulated; sorrows are frequently expressed in tears and sobbing: angers are ventilated. These memories revisited are taught to be the source of a great healing experience.

THE CHURCH INVADED: As long as the beliefs of Freud remained outside the practice of the church they might be ignored. We can do this no longer. The church is slowly being invaded. There is evidence that Freud's beliefs have become part of ministerial training in some of our colleges. Worker's meetings have introduced Freud into pastoral practice. (See Document A) Prominent Adventist ministers are using regressive therapy. In these there are overtones of Spiritism. (Cassette #1) New Age methods of treatment of emotional damage are promoted In Adventist hospitals, and publicized in Adventist periodicals. In these the name of Freud is praised. Christ is never mentioned. The great physician is absent (See Document B) It would seem that the Inspired warnings of Ellen White were specifically given to prevent our acceptance of Freud's doctrine.

PSEUDO MEMORIES: Regressive therapy has long been trusted to bring about the recall of true and actual memories. This establishes credibility. The big danger lies beyond this--the appearance of "PSEUDO MEMORIES" Memories of events that never occurred. (John 8:44) These "memories" are powerful. The patient has all the sensory input of reality. The "recall" Is so dramatic that the patient has no doubt whatsoever that the supposed experience really happened. The therapist shares the conviction. At this writing, we have no knowledge of any patient or therapist ever rejecting the deception once it has been established.

From this, it is becoming clear that the implanting of "pseudo-memories." is one of the devil's new and most deceptive tools. With every good intention this mind-science is destroying people and alienating families. We must not ignore the truth of Satan's ability to implant thoughts directly into the mind. Ellen White has confirmed this. The five attached Adventist case histories may be only the tip of the iceberg. Each case speaks of the tragic results of regressive psychological therapy. .

SEXUAL ABUSE AND PSEUDO MEMORIES: There is no question that sexual abuse of children is epidemic. The file-folders of social workers are filled with it. Lurid stories appear on TV. Magazine and newspapers describe It. Dozens of actual cases even among Adventists are documented. Society at large is outraged.

But the situation goes far beyond the abuse that actually occurs. The most damaging and frequent of "pseudo-memories" is that of sexual abuse. Mature women in regressive therapy "recall" being sexually molested by fathers, mother, and siblings. This "recall" works a havoc, which is beyond description. The hatred for the molester is intense. Outrage possesses the person who suddenly, but falsely, believes that they were sexually used or abused by a member of their family. The effect is devastating. The devil has chosen his pseudo memory well. There is no doubt as to its effectiveness.

NON-ADVENTIST CONFIRMATION: The truth of the Ellen White statements about mind-implants has been discovered and exposed by non-Adventist Christians. They are speaking and writing with conviction. They are documenting the damage of Pseudo memories. (See attached Psycho-heresy Update. ) Others are clearly sounding out God's warning. We have had this same information since 1862. We have thus far remained silent. Have we fallen into this trap? Is this the reason for our silence? Will our voice soon be heard? We must take care lest we bless and defend what God has condemned.

SUMMARY

The warnings of God must be heeded. We must stand guard lest the Advent message be corrupted by doctrines about a false healing of the mind. Freudian psychology is the source of evil. It is satanic in character. Be assured that if we take a stand to root it up, it will be painful and costly. It must be exposed and uprooted before countless more Adventist lives are added to the list of casualties. There are few events foreseen by Ellen White, which are tied more closely to the close of probation than this Invasion of church ministry by the "mind-sciences." Time is running out.

No one doubts that the home climate of childhood has a powerful effect on a person's entire mental and emotional life. Does the evil of the past have to be dredged up for the healing of current mental distress? Freud said, "Yes." Christianity says, "No." The Gospel says. "Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before." (Phil 3:13) What is past is past and should be left under the blood. Look forward! "Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith." Heb 12:2

RETURN