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HOME | 2011 | SECOND QUARTER | WEEK 10 | DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5 | DAY 6 AND 7

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Commentary on "The Prodigal's New Clothes"

RICHARD PEIFER

 

Day 6: Thursday, June 2, 2011 - The Father's Own Garment
Day 7: Friday, June 3, 2011 - Further Study

 

Overview

“Ellen G. White, in Christ’s Object Lessons, pages 203, 204, adds an interesting detail to the story that’s not found in the texts themselves.”

“What insights does this reference give us into the story as a whole, and what does it tell us about God’s character?” (Teacher’s Quarterly, Page 122)

 

Problems

Is there something missing in Luke that requires Ellen White’s addition of facts not in evidence? Could a child of God, any child of God, not figure this out for himself without her help? Is it not the Holy Spirit’s job to reveal the meaning of scripture?

This effort to prove the point usually is left for Friday’s lesson. Does this mean the author ran out of things to say concerning forgiveness and the robe of righteousness that is ours in Christ? Does it mean that the editors were a bit uncomfortable with the excellent points made by the author, so added two days of EGW proof-texts?

Like I wrote concerning Saturday’s overview section, the author has taken several steps away from Adventist theology in this week’s lesson. He didn’t take enough steps away, but I’m thankful for the good points made.

Thursday’s lesson seems out of context. Prior to this there was no hint of the Great Controversy, but here it is sucking the life out of the rest of the author’s good points. If I was concerned that Wednesday’s lesson was too much an example of carrot-and-stick theology, today’s lesson is a blatant attack on both the finality of the cross and the reality of the resurrection! And all the responsibility for salvation rests on your shoulders, dear Adventist reader. Note the final sentence:

“Certainly something to think about as we make our daily choices, both good and bad, as did the prodigal son.” (Teacher’s Quarterly, Page 122.)

Why not just quote the lyrics from “Santa Claus is Coming to Town?” Look them up and try to deny that SDA theology is an exact match.

Again, I’m not willing to fault this lesson’s author for this travesty. I think this was added by the editors to ensure adherence to proper Adventist theology. Well, the contrast could not be starker.

Here’s the last sentence from Saturday’s lesson:

“What those characters needed was what we all, as sinners, need—a personal experience of the grace and assurance that Jesus revealed in the parable of the prodigal son.” (Teacher’s Quarterly, Page 113)

What do these final sentences have in common? Nothing! You cannot have a personal experience of the grace and assurance found in Jesus (that is, eternal life) and, at the same time, worry that some choice you make will cause you to lose that life. You have eternal life, or you don’t. You can have eternal life today, or there is no eternal life, ever.

 

Copyright 2011 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised May 9, 2011. 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

Standard Edition Study Guide Week 10

Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 10

Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Wk 10

SSNET Study Guide Week 10

Search the Complete Published Ellen G. White Writings

 

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