©2019 Victor R. Claveau, MJ
A few years ago, I was asked by Marcus, a Catholic friend to speak to a group of Seventh-day Adventists during their Sabbath School. The pastor of St. Joseph the Worker Church in Loma Linda, CA. (The heart of Seventh-day Adventism) had invited an SDA medical doctor to address the congregation at the conclusion of Holy Mass on Sunday.
The doctor related a story about his missionary trip to Africa. He and his party set up a medical station far from civilization. A couple of Catholic Sisters brought in people for treatment. He was astonished to find that they had come almost 50 miles from an even more remote location. He was so impressed by the Sisters that he collected $6,000 for their work.
Marcus approached the doctor after his presentation and asked if he would reciprocate the courtesy and allow a Catholic to speak at the Sabbath School, conducted at the doctor’s home. To his surprise, the doctor agreed.
Marcus telephoned me and explained the situation. He did not feel qualified to address the group and asked if I would take over. I must admit, that I was a bit leery about the proposition. However, I could not pass up the chance to share the truths of Catholicism.
The two-hour Sabbath School was held every Saturday morning, with brunch following. There were about 30 people in attendance. As I was being introduced as a Catholic evangelist, six people noisily left the room and did not return.
Upon entering the room, I noticed a bookshelf filled with SDA materials. One of the books was entitled, “Seventh-day Adventists Believe…, A Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental Doctrines.” I was quite familiar with the contents of this book so as I began my presentation, I walked over to the bookshelf and selected it as a tool to illustrate certain points of my presentation.
While I spoke to the group for almost two hours, space precludes my explaining every topic that I discussed, so I will provide only a couple of examples.
The first chapter of the book is entitled “The Word of God.” While most dyed-in-the-wool SDAs are very familiar with the King James Version of the Bible I have yet to find one who knows anything substantial about the origins of the Bible canon, or why there is a difference between the Catholic versions and Protestant versions. In relating this history, I was able to explain the meaning and role of Sacred Tradition in the selection of the Bible’s content. This, logically, led into the topic of the Protestant doctrine of Sola Scripture (The Bible alone as the sole rule of faith).
On page 18, of “Seventh-day Adventists Believe…”,
“Since the Bible is its own interpreter, we must subject ourselves to the principles and methods it provides. Without these Biblical guidelines we cannot know God. Why did so many of the people of Jesus’ time fail to see God’s self-revelation in Jesus? Because they refused to subject themselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures”
I rhetorically asked, “If Jesus wanted us to rely on the Holy Spirit for our correct understanding of the Scriptures, how come the Holy Spirit does not provide the same understanding to everyone? Jesus provided a road map of salvation, which included the Sacred Scriptures and Sacred Tradition. He set up a visible Church, with the apostles, and Peter as the “Keeper of the Keys” in authority. The bishops, in turn ordained priests and deacons as helpers. The Magisterial authority of the Church can be likened the legend found on the bottom of maps to help us understand the symbolisms. Jesus set the Catholic Church as His one and only interpreter.
Obviously, one of the most divisive issues between Catholics and SDAs is the question on which day we should worship God. On page 259, we find,
“Why did those who were turning from worship on the seventh day choose Sunday and not another day of the week? A major reason was that Christ was resurrected on Sunday; in fact, it was alleged that He had authorized worship on that day. ‘But strange as it may seem, not one writer of the second and third centuries ever cited a single Bible verse as authority for the observance of Sunday in the place of the Sabbath. Neither Barnabas, nor Ignatius, nor Justin, nor Irenaeus, nor Tertullian, nor Clement of Rome, nor Clement of Alexandria, nor origin, nor Cyprian, nor Victorinus, nor any other author who lived near to the time when Jesus lived knew of any such instruction from Jesus or from any part of the Bible.’”
Now, what is wrong with that statement? First, the Bible did not exist in the form we now have it. The canon was not set until many years after these Fathers lived, so how could they be quoting from the Bible? Second, every person cited worshiped on Sunday. Third, there would not have been any reason to cite justification for Sunday worship because it was the accepted practice. I then went on to explain the origin and justification for Sunday worship.
I wish I could say that I changed the minds of these people, and they all entered the true Church. I didn’t expect to make converts; just to plant a seed or two. My purpose was to show that there is a solid foundation for Catholic teaching. I had to be satisfied that some of them, perhaps, will look at the Church in a more favorable light.
During the brunch, I found an empty table and waited to see if anyone would join me. It was not long before three men sat down and began peppering me with questions. One of the men related that his son was attending a Catholic College in the East, and he was concerned that his son was on the road to becoming a Catholic. I said, “Well, that is the danger of studying Catholicism with an open heart and open mind; most will become Catholic.”
All-in-all, it was an enjoyable and productive day.