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Commentary on "Temperance"

RICHARD PEIFER

 

Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, May 22, 2010 – Overview

 

Overview

“The student will –

 

Observations

This week’s lesson begins with two excellent examples of the physical dangers of excess. The week proceeds along this path, arguing to avoid all things harmful and to be moderate in our use of all things healthful.

I completely support this argument.

As always in Seventh-day Adventist theology, however, the motivation for abstinence, moderation and balance is based on law, not grace. There is no mention of walking by faith in the indwelling Christ. Instead, we are told to consider the scientific evidence, the bad example of Bible characters and to choose wisely. The author(s) come close to grace a few times, but always opt out in favor of measurable behavioral norms.

Here is an example from P. 103 of the Teacher’s Quarterly. It is intended to be used by the teacher as a means of opening up discussion. “Self-discipline is a godly trait, a gift of grace. What areas of your life could benefit from more self-discipline? What steps can you take to avail yourself of God’s gift of self-discipline?”

Self-discipline truly is a gift of grace, a fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5). So far, so good. But note the next sentence. The gift is translated into work. Since Peter tells us in his second letter that we’ve been given everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), then we don’t need more of anything. Rather than taking steps to avail ourselves of more self-discipline, we should understand what Peter described in the second half of that verse: “…through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

No one gets “more” self-discipline. It is part of us, or it is not. If we are saved, we have it. If we are not, we don’t have it. Getting to know Jesus better and better, as he is revealed to us by the Spirit, is the only means available to us of applying this gift (and all the others) to all areas of our lives.

This is a critically important point and comes under the general heading of Identity. The lesson touches on it briefly in the "Learning Cycle" portion of the Teacher’s Quarterly, again for use in class discussion, but it is viewed as a merely psychological exercise instead of the very presence of God defining who we really are.

 

Summary

  1. Temperance is important. I’m glad that Adventists have a reasonably healthy view of it. So many other churches consign their members directly to hell whenever alcohol, tobacco and drugs are used.
  2. Like other denominations, however, Adventists fall into the trap of behavior modification as the means of spiritual growth. This cannot succeed, because it is exactly backwards of the Biblical mandate. Ask anyone who has tried it and is willing to be honest.

 

GO TO DAY 2

 

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The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.

 

Official Adventist Resources

Standard Edition Study Guide Week 9

Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 9

Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Week 9

Search the Complete Published Ellen G. White Writings

Ellen G. White Notes 2nd Quarter 2010
Quarterly 2nd Quarter 2010