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Commentary on "The Widow of Zarephath: The Leap of Faith"
Day 2: Sunday, December 5, 2010 - To Zarephath
Overview
“As Christians, we still suffer, we still hurt, we still need at times the solace and help of others who, in fact, might not be of our faith or of any faith at all.
What’s wrong with the attitude that says we show a lack of faith when we seek help from others? What are ways that we might, through our needs, reveal to others the goodness and character of God?” (Adult Teachers Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, Oct. Nov. Dec. 2010, page 126)
Problems
Sunday’s lesson does a nice job of setting up the situation and explaining the religious contrast. However, the end of the lesson again exposes Adventism instead of pointing people to Jesus.
The last paragraph quoted in the Overview above contains two excellent questions. Claiming that seeking help shows a lack of faith is the height of arrogance. In fact, it shows a fundamental problem with disbelief, the lack of faith, which is the root of all sin. I hope the second question would lead to a conversation regarding God’s faithfulness, mercy and grace. Again, both questions are excellent.
But look at the first paragraph. (Note: These two paragraphs are quoted in the exact order in which they occur in the lesson.) It is clear that the author’s definition of faith is wholly tied to Adventism (“our faith”) vs. other denominations and non-believers. Hidden in the statement are several issues.
Are Adventists the only Christians? Can an Adventist be a Christian? The answer to the second question is yes, but it has nothing to do with Adventism.
What is the purpose of asking for help from a non-Adventist? If the answer involves that person’s expertise, experience, friendship, etc. then real relationship has been formed, and that’s always a good thing. If the answer involves any kind of manipulation – Bill would make such a great Adventist, so I’ll ask him to help me change the serpentine belt on my engine – then stop. This isn’t an Adventist problem, per se. It occurs in every denomination with which I’m familiar. Truly getting to know someone and then inviting them to your home Bible study or local church in an up front, honest manner is good witnessing. Anything else is a lie, and the person will resent you for it.
Why should there be any question at all regarding seeking someone’s help? Adventists tend to live in Adventist ghettos. Everyone they know is an Adventist. When possible, they shop at Adventist stores and go to Adventist doctors and dentists for medical care. They read only Adventist books. Some watch only Adventist television and listen only to Adventist radio. This is not the way to be salt and light in the world.
The realization is that Adventists tend to view non-Adventists similarly to how Jews viewed Gentiles – as people who are lost and should be avoided, but more on that in tomorrow’s lesson.
Summary
- The author does a good job of explaining the real issue with Israel – idolatry – and how God dealt so directly with it. I also liked the contrast between Jezebel’s paganism and the widow’s tentative steps of faith. We are never to assume that an entire people group is lost. Thanks for the reminder.
- The assumption that faith (“of our faith”) is tied to a denomination, any denomination, is not Biblical.
Copyright 2010 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. November 15, 2010. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
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
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Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 11
Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Wk 11
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