A) INTRODUCTION.

B) EGW RESPONSE.

 

 

A) INTRODUCTION

 

 

Harvey Kellogg, of “Kellogg Corn Flakes” fame, wanted to publish his book, “The Living Temple.”  It contained within its pages, “Pantheism.”  One of the reasons for the burning down of the “Battle Creek Sanitarium,” was because they were the potential printers of this book.  The reason I bring this up is because this book is being reprinted today, by non-SDA’s, and even by non-Christians to promote “Pantheism” and “Hinduism.”  Here is an exert from RH, October 22, 1903:

 

 

B) EGW RESPONSE

 

 

“I have some things to say to our teachers in reference to the new book, ‘The Living Temple.’  Be careful how you sustain the sentiments of this book regarding the personality of God.  As the Lord represents matters to me, these sentiments do not bear the indorsement of God.  They are a snare that the enemy has prepared for these last days.  I thought that this would surely be discerned, and that it would not be necessary for me to say anything about it.  But since the claim has been made that the teachings of this book can be sustained by statements from my writings, I am compelled to speak in denial of this claim.  There may be in this book expressions and sentiments that are in harmony with my writings.  And there may be in my writings many statements which, when taken from their connection, and interpreted according to the mind of the writer of ‘The Living Temple,’ would seem to be in harmony with the teachings of this book.  This may give apparent support to the assertion that the sentiments in ‘The Living Temple’ are in harmony with my writings.  But God forbid that this opinion should prevail. {Paragraph 1}

 

“We need not the mysticism that is in this book.  Those who entertain these sophistries will soon find themselves in a position where the enemy can talk with them, and lead them away from God.  It is represented to me that the writer of this book is on a false track.  He has lost sight of the distinguishing truths for this time.  He knows not whither his steps are tending.  The track of truth lies close beside the track of error, and both tracks may seem to be one to minds which are not worked by the Holy Spirit, and which, therefore, are not quick to discern the difference between truth and error. {Paragraph 2}

 

“In regard to the faith to be cherished and preserved in these last days, very little light is given in ‘The Living Temple,’ and this light is so uncertain that it would not help God’s people at this stage of their work. {Paragraph 3}

 

“In the visions of the night {THIS MEANS GOD IS SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO HER AND GIVING HER INSTRUCTIONS FOR HIS PEOPLE} this matter was clearly presented to me, before a large number.  One of authority was speaking, and he said, ‘If the suppositions and statements found in this book were essential, if these statements were pure provender, thoroughly winnowed from the chaff, there would be some decided mention of them in the revelation given by Christ to John to give to the Churches.  To John the Lord Jesus opened the subjects that He saw would be needed by His people in the last days. The instruction that he gave is found in the Book of Revelation.  Those who would be co-workers with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will show a deep interest in the truths found in the Book of Revelation.  With pen and voice they will strive to make plain the wonderful things that Christ came from Heaven to reveal. . .’ {Paragraph 4}

 

“All through the book, ‘The Living Temple,’ passages of Scripture are used, but in many instances these passages are used in such a way that the right interpretation is not given to them. . . {Paragraph 8}

 

“The Speaker held up ‘The Living Temple,’ saying, ‘In this book there are statements that the writer himself does not comprehend.  Many things are stated in a vague, undefined way.  Statements are made in such a way that nothing is sure.  And this is not the only production of the kind that will be urged upon the people.  Fanciful views will be presented by many minds.  What we need to know at this time is, ‘What is the truth that will enable us to win the salvation of our souls?’ ” {Paragraph 18}

 

“The sophistries regarding God and nature that are flooding the world with skepticism are the inspiration of the fallen foe, who is himself a Bible student, who knows the truths that it is essential for the people to receive, and whose study it is to divert minds from the great truths relating to what is soon coming upon the world.  Let our teachers beware lest they echo the soothsaying of the enemy of God and man. {Paragraph 19}

 

“Pointing to some present, our Instructor said, ‘You are making a mistake.  The Word, the Word revealed by God, -- this is to be the foundation of your faith.  Study the Commandments of God, and the testimony that Jesus has borne to the truth.  He is the faithful and true Witness.’ ”  RH, October 22, 1903, paragraph 20.

 

For those who object to one of the reasons for the burning of the sanitarium, here is the main reason:

 

“[227] The Lord permitted fire to consume the principal buildings of the Review and Herald and the sanitarium, and thus removed the greatest objection urged against moving out of the Battle Creek.  It was His design that instead of rebuilding the one large sanitarium, our people should make plants in several places.  These smaller sanitariums should have been established where land could be secured for agricultural purposes. [228] It is God’s plan that agriculture shall be connected with the work of our sanitariums and schools.  Our youth need the education to be gained from this line of work.”  8T:227-228.

 

Notice that the publishing house is included in this fire, which had no stake in the “moving out of the Battle Creek.” Therefore, it was included because of its refusal to not print unwanted material.  And in a side note, the “Review and Herald” had the plates on the assembly line, ready to print “The Living Temple,” the very night the building burned down.  In other words, God gave them every opportunity.  By contrast, Dr. Kellogg went to a private secular publisher and got it printed.

 

“[202] About the time that Living Temple was published, there passed before me in the night season, representations indicating that some danger was approaching, and that I must prepare for it by writing out the things God had revealed to me regarding the foundation principles of our faith.  A copy of Living Temple was sent me, but it remained in my library, unread.  From the light given me by the Lord, I knew that some of the sentiments advocated in the book did not bear the endorsement of God, and that they were a snare that the enemy had prepared for the last [203] days.  I thought that this would surely be discerned, and that it would not be necessary for me to say anything about it.

 

“In the controversy that arose among our brethren regarding the teachings of this book, those in favor of giving it a wide circulation declared:  ‘It contains the very sentiments that Sister White has been teaching.’  This assertion struck right to my heart.  I felt heartbroken; for I knew that this representation of the matter was not true.

 

“Finally my son said to me, ‘Mother, you ought to read at least some parts of the book, that you may see whether they are in harmony with the light that God has given you.’  He sat down beside me, and together we read the preface, and most of the first chapter, and also paragraphs in other chapters.  As we read, I recognized the very sentiments against which I had been bidden to speak in warning during the early days of my public labors.  When I first left the State of Maine, it was to go through Vermont and Massachusetts, to bear a testimony against these sentiments.  Living Temple contains the alpha of these theories.  I knew that the omega would follow in a little while; and I trembled for our people.  I knew that I must warn our brethren and sisters not to enter into controversy over the presence and personality of God.  The statements made in Living Temple in regard to this point are incorrect.  The Scripture used to substantiate the doctrine there set forth, is Scripture misapplied.”  1SM:202-203.

 

“From the first, I have met this matter firmly, without the slightest hesitancy.  The sentiments advocated in ‘Living Temple’ make this book a dangerous production; for in the book is taught an insinuating, deceptive science of Satanic origin.  The articles from my pen that have been published in the ‘Review’ have, I understand, hurt terribly the feelings of some; but I intend to protest decidedly against the many deceptions that are coming in to lead souls astray. {BCL:103.2}

 

“Some of the Doctor’s [Kellogg] associates look upon these articles as an abuse of him; nevertheless, I am as clear as the day in the conviction that the sentiments expressed in ‘Living Temple’ should not go out to the people. {BCL:103.3}

 

“An effort has just been made to sell over three thousand copies of the original edition still on hand.  Only a few revisions were made, by cutting out leaves and inserting others.  If we should keep silent a little while, things might develop further.  I have done my duty.  Months ago I entrusted Elder A. T. Jones with several communications to read to the physicians and helpers at the Battle Creek Sanitarium; but I fear he is leavened with the spirit that controls the Doctor.”  BCL:103.2-103.4.

 

“So it was with the heresies taught in Living Temple.  The subtle errors in this book were surrounded by many beautiful truths. . . The seductive fallacies of Satan undermined confidence in the true pillars of the faith, which are grounded on Bible evidence.”  TDG:126.4.