The Canright Syndrome:

A Response to,
Seventh-day Adventism:
The Spirit behind the Church

Karl S. Wagner

May 16, 2000

Updated and Revised; August 18, 2003

Prepared for the President's Office of the

Arizona Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Scottsdale, AZ
(2003)
 Prepared by:

Karl S Wagner
4826 W. Julie Dr.
Glendale, AZ 85308
623-582-3190
KSWagner2@aol.com

May 16, 2000

Updated and Revised, August 18, 2003

Seventh-day Adventism: The Spirit Behind the Church-1998

Video Produced by:
Grace Upon Grace Productions,
P.O. Box 39607, Phoenix, AZ 85069.
(602) 973-4768

Video produced by:

Jeremiah Films
PO Box 1710
Hemet, CA 92546
1-800-828-2290
www.jeremiahfilms.com
E-mail: orders@jeremiahfilms.com

2 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
A Response to
Seventh-day Adventism: "The Spirit behind the Church"
INTRODUCTION
Sometime in 1997 while at work, I learned that my co-worker’s pastor was an ex-Adventist minister
whose sentiments towards Adventism was anything but kind. I had been reading various religious books,
both Adventist and Evangelical at the time. Though still far from returning to any church, my foray into a
secular life was largely due to my own neglect and unbelief then to anything within the church. It certainly
was not doctrinal. After all my reading and my coming to know Christ as my personal savior, I was left with
one question, “Why Adventism?” I do not plan to give my rendition of why I’m a Seventh-day Adventist
today; but it was in the context of this question along with the discovery of J. Mark Martin’s ministry that
catapulted me into an intense study that would bring me back into the Seventh-day Adventist fold. I guess I
should send Mark the bouquet of flowers he talks about as a thank you for helping me find God’s Church for
these last days.
Works such as this which attempt to answer criticism become apologetic in nature. This work,
though technically so, makes no apologies for Seventh-day Adventism. To make this whole critical issue of
Adventism easy for my Evangelical friends to understand, let me put this into perspective. As Adventists, we
are Arminian 1 in our beliefs which are held in common with other Christian believers. To classify such
beliefs as cultic would of necessity have to be applied to other Christian churches as well and I am sure this is
not what is intended. To be perfectly clear, let me make this statement:

Calvinistic beliefs are not compatible with Seventh-day Adventism and her foundational
doctrines. If you hold to this popular belief, then understand that we are not going to agree on many
issues.

This does not mean that you cannot gain an honest understanding of Adventism, minus the extreme
hatred and fear that seems to prevail; especially by those who once walked with us. However, understood
within context, will help you understand that we are indeed brothers in Christ with an end-time message.
In my studies, I have found virtually all of the Adventist nay-Sayers lacking in their methodology. I
have found that their off-handed comments and tirades often stem from assumptions, and presuppositions.
They are thin at best, and down right hateful at worst. Usually there is a hidden agenda that we are not privy
to which motivates their hatred. This is why the late Walter Martin, known nationally as “The Bible Answer
Man”, author of The Kingdom of the Cults, and founder and director of the Christian Research Institute, did
not like to interview ex-Adventists. 2 They usually had an ax to grind, and I believe that this video has a lot of
that going on.
Dr. Martin, after examining a particular complaint from one ex-Adventist man wrote, “There are
not a few instances of similar carelessness on the part of the writer of this article. The result is that his work
is largely discredited and discounted by those who know the proper methods of research.” 3 [Emphasis added]
Therefore, this video falls under the same analysis.

1
Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609). Dutch theologian who was asked to prepare a response to Koornheert's
attack on Calvinism. While doing his research, he came to change his views concerning the predestination of
Dutch Calvinism, which he found more rigid and scholastic than either Calvin or Scripture warranted.
2
) Adventist Currents, Vol 1, No. 1, July 1983. Walter Martin Interview. “...I met E. B. Jones, and he told me
the Adventists would deceive me and I shouldn’t listen to them-that they were experts at manipulation. Then,
anybody I talked to who was an ex-Adventist of the Jones type– you see, they were very sincere-was
apparently badly burned by some experiences in Adventism. It wasn’t all their faults, but they were really
hostile.”
In addition, "So I ran into his hostility and I decided what I had to do was evaluate the primary sources
I couldn’t become involved in what ex-Adventists thought about Adventism. I had to get into what the
primary sources said…”
3
Walter Martin, Kingdom of the Cults. Revised and Updated. (Bethany House Pub. Minneapolis, MN –
1997) page 607.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 3
 My recommendation to both Adventists and Non-Adventists alike are to study both sides of the issue.
Read the books, and do not just rely on what someone else says. Research their references and you might
find some surprises. I did. No, I do not have all the answers; though I have found a good deal of them. I feel
that the weight of the evidence compelled me to return to Seventh-day Adventism. Most people do not "study
" their way out of Adventism, they listen their way out and call it study. Don't be one of them.
I hope this paper is presented in the spirit of Christian love and fellowship for that is my desire. Let
us lay our axes aside.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I
now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” [Gal
2:20]. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not
grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh
the world, [even] our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the
Son of God? “ [1 John 5:3-5]. “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life
is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” [1 John
5:11,12]. (KJV)

Format
The following pages address certain points or issues found in the video tape in chronological order.
Each point is numbered, but not according to the document package that is available for the video. When
reference is made to the document package, we will be sure to be clear so the items may be crossed
referenced.
There are times I make general statements of what was said in the video, and at other times I attempt
to quote directly. Any incorrectly quoted statements are entirely my responsibility and unintentional. Please
accept my apologies.
This work is as scholarly as I can make it. I have put forth my best efforts to ensure that I use source
material correctly and honestly. My hope is that you benefit from this work.
About ten days after viewing this video for the first time and making my general outline, I found the
response which the White Estate prepared. It is available online at http://www.egwestate.andrews.edu. In
addition, I have included it in the appendix. 4 Reference to this document was made in several areas while
preparing this manuscript. I encourage you to examine it.

Blessings,
Karl S. Wagner

Acknowledgments
I wish to acknowledge a whole array of writers who have gone ahead of me, of which it would be too
numerous to mention. I must not fail however to mention William Branson, past General Conference
president and author of Reply to Canright: The Truth About Seventh-day Adventists. Its seems that what has
followed in the work being examined here has been a rehash of Canright's critical spirit, as so aptly stated by
Cult researcher Walter Martin and acknowledged by Bob Pickle in his book on the same critical video. I
wish to give proper credit to Pickle's book, for it has proved very useful. I do not wish to duplicate his work,
but rather join with him and Branson in echoing the truth of Adventism. As William Branson said in his
foreword, "…it appears that since Mr. Canright's death certain religious organizations have become
especially active in the circulation of his writings, thus causing confusion in some minds as to the character
and work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church." 5

4
See appendix A-33
5
William H. Branson, Reply to Canright: The Truth about Seventh-day Adventists, Takoma Park, MD: Review
andHerald-1933, page 7.
4 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 Seventh-day Adventism
"The Spirit Behind the Church"
Response to the Video
I-Introduction to Adventism
• Narrator gives basic 1995 statistics on the Adventist church

Adventism Based on Ellen G. White:

1) Adventism is "…based around the teachings and philosophies of its
nineteenth century founder, prophetess Ellen G. White. "

To say that the Seventh-day Adventist church’s teaching are based on Ellen
White is rather simplistic and negates the efforts and prayers of our pioneers. We
can already see the video is skewing the facts in order put Adventism in its worse
light.
Here is a sample of the teaching and philosophy of Ellen White to one man
relying on her words to prove his point and to use her as final authority. She said,
“Lay Sister White right to one side: lay her to one side. Don't you never quote my
words again as long as you live, until you can obey the Bible. When you take the
Bible and make that your food, and your meat, and your drink, and make that the
elements of your character, when you can do that you will know better how to
receive some counsel from God. However, here is the Word, the precious Word,
exalted before you today. And don't you give a rap any more what "Sister White
said"-- "Sister White said this," and "Sister White said that," and "Sister White
said the other thing." But say, "Thus saith the Lord God of Israel," and then you
do just what the Lord God of Israel does, and what he says,” 6 (emphasis supplied)

Deceptive Evangelism Practices

2) "Many new converts are initially contacted through their well publicized
Prophecy Seminars. These seminars are used as advertisements without
the Seventh-day Adventist name attached. People are often unaware of the
Adventist sponsorship. In addition, they use their highly touted five-day
stop smoking classes and vegetarian cooking courses to proselytize as
well."

Adventism is now being accused of deception in the promotion of their

Revelation Seminars and Evangelistic meetings. Today, most of our meetings are
held at a Seventh-day Adventist Church. Also, our cooking classes and stop
smoking clinics are held at our churches. But then again, with all this bad press
maybe we should be careful about telling people who we are at the beginning in
order to get a chance to tell our story before they go screaming from the meetings in
fear that we may ask them to drink cyanide laced Kool-Aid. Have our critics seen that
6
Ellen G. White, Spaulding Magen Collection, page 167
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 5
 maybe this prejudice lies at the heart of the problem? Would we be denied any
chance to present our message? One recent Evangelistic meeting from New York
presents the Pastor telling the people early in the series that he was a Seventh-day
Adventist Christian. Just think of the converts we could have gained had he kept
his mouth shut longer… or such as our critics would charge us.

Adventism Not "Mainstream"

3) "All though considered by many to be a mainstream Christian
denomination, Seventh-day Adventism differs from Evangelical Christians
in a number of pivotal theological areas. To determine the significance of
these differences one must examine the teachings of the late Seventh-day
Adventist founder, Ellen G. White."

The video states that even though we are considered mainline by many, our
differences should be examined in the teachings of our 19th century founder, Ellen
G. White. The heart of the whole video now turns to a treatise on Ellen White more
then one concerning Adventist doctrines. We get a glimpse of the heart of their
attack. We are often criticized when we try to teach our beliefs without using Ellen
White, in that the critics say we are trying to “hide” Ellen White from the student.
Nevertheless, when we refer to her, we are criticized for putting her above the Bible.
Catch 22?
She says instead, concerning how we should relate to her work in light of the Bible, 7
“ We must study to find out the best way in which to take up the review of our
experiences from the beginning of our work, when we separated from the churches,
and went forward step by step in the light that God gave us. We then took the
position that the Bible, and the Bible only, was to be our guide; and we are never to
depart from this position. We were given wonderful manifestations of the power of
God. Miracles were wrought. Again and again, when we were brought into strait
places, the power of God was displayed in our behalf. --Letter 105, 1903.” 8
There are many more statements showing her support of Bible alone 9 , so
lets just stick to our Bibles when discussing Adventist doctrines, and we can avoid
creating confusion. Let me just say at this time to any Adventist who may be
reading this, that to put her writings on the same level as Scripture or worse...above
it was not her intention. She may have had a message from God, but she was not
canonical. In fact, she said that if we had studied our Bibles, we would not have
needed the Testimonies (her writings). Here is what she said. “If you had made
God's Word your study, with a desire to reach the Bible standard and attain to
Christian perfection, you would not have needed the Testimonies . . ..” 10

7
See also appendix A-30, "Should Ellen White Be Made A Test of Church Membership?"
8
Ellen G. White, Councils to Writers and Editors, page 145.
9
See 1) Spalding Magan Collection, page167
2) Counsels to Writers and Editors, page 145
3) The Faith I Live By, page 295 , & Testimonies for the Church, Volume 2, page 605.
10
Ellen G. White, The Faith I Live By, page 295.
6 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 A) Short biography is given
1-date of birth
2 -Description of the rock incident when she was nine which resulted
in her life of poor health.

II-David Snyder Segment

• Spent 22 years as an Adventist pastor
• Discovered a number of historical inconsistencies in her writings
• Because of his research, Snyder was discharged six months before retirement
without a pension

October 22, 1844 Date is Wrong

4) David gives a short biography on Ellen White. He then tells us that she
was raised as a Methodist, and that the family came under the influence of
William Millers end-time prophecies. His point is to suggest that the
October 22nd date is wrong. David says the this date was, "…flawed,
incorrect from the very beginning."
A) David gives a reference from The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia
in Ten Volumes, edited by Isaac Landman (published Brooklyn, New York).
He tells us that Yom Kippur began at sundown, September 23, 1844 and not
on October 22, 1844. That is, that the Karaite Jews observed this date
along with the Rabbinical Jews.

I checked this out a couple of years ago. I discovered a letter from a Karaite
Jew named Nehemia Gordon of Jerusalem, Israel. 11 He heads up an email
notification forum that lets other Karaites and interested parties know when New
Moon has been determined and other significant events that determine the timing of
the Karaite calendar. His letter was to an ex-Adventist who promptly published it
on his website informing the world that the Karaites indeed observed September
23rd as Yom Kippur in 1844, and not October 22nd as Adventism states. The only
problem is Mr. Gordon informs us that Karaites of 1844 did not use the Karaite
method to determine Yom Kippur. They used instead, the rabbinical method. My
question to Mr. Gordon concerned Leap-year, to which he replied to me, "The only
way to know this would be to examine the barley in 1844 which no one did because
no one followed it (the Karaite method) any more. I was not there and can not
speculate as to when the barley became Abib that year." 12

Millerism Marked with Emotionalism

5) "William Miller's meetings were marked by much emotionalism and a
great deal of hysteria over Christ's imminent return."

11
See Appendix A-1 for letter along with other items
12
ibid
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 7
 (A picture depicting the Israel Dammon incident is shown on the screen at
this time with Ellen Lying on the floor to demonstrate the Charismatic
nature of Millerism, 13 )

Figure 1: Depiction of the Israel Dammon Affair of February 15, 1845

The Picture used to show the fanaticism is a depiction of the Israel Dammon
14
affair after the 1844 date, having nothing to do with Millersim. It was based on the
court proceedings of the trial of Israel Dammon. As to whether or not all the
witnesses were telling the whole truth can still be questioned. Aside from the
picture, the truth of the matter is that the Millerite movement was noted for its lack
of fanaticism. This was brought out admirably by F. D. Nichol in his book, "The
Midnight Cry," published in 1942 in time for the centennial of the Great
Disappointment. Read chapter 22, "Was Fanaticism Rampant in October, 1844?"
A favorite of critics is to use Sears' book, "Days of Delusion 15 " to
demonstrate Adventism's fanatical side. The problem with this is that the research
was done in the early twentieth century where she tried to document accounts of the
1844 disappointment. This "documentation" comes from second and third hand
sources. The book was published eighty years after the disappointment, making it
impossible for her to have interviewed anyone alive at the time who would have
been old enough to give a credible account. David Snyder's report of emotionalism

13
Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, Volume 2, page 29
14
picture by Donald Muth found on the Ellen White website at www.ellenwhite.org/
15
Sears, Clara Endicott. Days of Delusion: A Strange Bit of History. Boston: Houghton
Mifflin, 1924. See F. D. Nichol, Midnight Cry, page 498 under "Appendix I-"Further Comments on the Book
Days of Delusion"
8 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 is entirely without support. In fact, he makes no attempt to give any documentation
for it, and neither does the documentation package available on the video. 16

Ellen White in Hopeless Condition for Months

6) "Ellen Harmon was a willing participant. Though, when Christ did not
return when Miller predicted, she dissolved into tears and prayers and
remained as she said, "…in this hopeless condition for months."

I have been unable to find this partial quote from David Snyder using the latest
Ellen G. White CD-ROM of her Complete Published Writings. She did write that
she and her family had given up the 1844 experience before her first vision in
December of 1844. 17 The fact is, James White wrote this and it was about someone
entirely different then Ellen. It was written concerning a Sister Pierce. See the
video's documentation package under point 6. The reference in context reads:
"Again at Panton, Vt., the Lord met with his people. Brother and Sister
Pierce were present. The Spirit of the Lord affected hearts in that meeting.
Brother E. Churchill was much broken in spirit, and decided fully to take his
stand with the remnant people of God. At this meeting the Lord revealed
himself to me and I was taken off in vision. A comforting message was given
me for Sister Pierce. The following is their statement:-
"`My wife has for many years been subject to occasional, and sometimes
protracted, seasons of the most hopeless despair. They began with her when
quite young, and have from time to time afflicted her till since we embraced
the present, the last message of truth. Some time after having embraced the
Sabbath, and some other truths pertaining to the present message, the climax
of darkness settled down upon her laboring mind, insomuch that the most
encouraging conversation, elicited from the most cheering promises of the
Bible, appeared to have no good effect upon her mind whatever. And
although naturally possessed of a social disposition,…" 18 (emphasis supplied)

Ellen Could not Accept Her Mistake

7) Ellen could not accept her mistake, but "interestingly enough," William
Miller did. "Instead, she claims to have had a vision from God. The first of
many."

This was not the first of her visions. She had already given up the 1844
experience as past when it was confirmed to her in December of 1844, her first
vision. This was not a vision to justify her desired position, but one that went
contrary to her then held position. This accusation is not well founded.

16
Documentation package available from J. Mark Martin's organization. Write to "Grace Upon Grace, PO
Box 39607, Phoenix, AZ 85069."
17
Ellen G. White, Manuscript Release, Vol. 5; page 95. Letter to Joseph Bates, July 13, 1847.
18
James White, Life Sketches of James White and Ellen G. White (1880 edition); page 293.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 9
 She wrote, "At the time I had the vision of the Midnight Cry I had given it
up in the past and thought it future, as also most of the band had." 19
Therefore, Ellen admits to the mistake and is moving forward in her experience
when she is presented with a message from God suggesting that the experience of
1844 was a valid one and not to look for another. This hardly looks like someone
trying to justify a position they cannot give up.
The quote below explains how God kept the Millerites from seeing "their"
mistake. The mistake was not God's mistake, but man's. God permitted it to be so
as a test. When the critics only quote the portion they do, they make it appear that
Ellen was saying God made the mistake. This is just another example of poor
methodology in order to make Adventism look bad.
"September 23, the Lord showed me that He had stretched out His hand the
second time to recover the remnant of His people, [SEE PAGE 86.] and that efforts
must be redoubled in this gathering time. In the scattering, Israel was smitten and
torn, but now in the gathering time God will heal and bind up His people. In the
scattering, efforts made to spread the truth had but little effect, accomplished but
little or nothing; but in the gathering, when God has set His hand to gather His
people, efforts to spread the truth will have their designed effect. All should be
united and zealous in the work. I saw that it was wrong for any to refer to the
scattering for examples to govern us now in the gathering; for if God should do no
more for us now than He did then, Israel would never be gathered. I have seen that
the 1843 chart was directed by the hand of the Lord, and that it should not be altered;
that the figures were as He wanted them; that His hand was over and hid a mistake in
some of the figures, so that none could see it, until His hand was removed."
(Emphasized quote used in video along with greater context of her statement.)
[THIS APPLIES TO THE CHART USED DURING THE 1843
MOVEMENT, AND HAS SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE
CALCULATION OF THE PROPHETIC PERIODS AS IT APPEARED ON
THAT CHART. THE NEXT SENTENCE EXPLAINS THAT THERE WAS
AN INACCURACY WHICH IN THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD WAS
SUFFERED TO EXIST. BUT THIS DOES NOT PRECLUDE THE
PUBLICATION OF A CHART SUBSEQUENTLY WHICH WOULD
CORRECT THE MISTAKE, AFTER THE 1843 MOVEMENT WAS PAST,
AND THE CALCULATION AS THEN MADE HAD SERVED ITS
PURPOSE.]” 20

Narrator continues with comments:

Ellen Claims that God Made the Mistake
8) "Rather then admit that she was in error, Ellen Harmon claimed that God
was the one who made the mistake and had covered it up himself. Ellen's
controversial vision forced the readjustment of many Adventists dates and
doctrines. Even though the 1843 date had now been adjusted to 1844, it
was still in error. Never-the-less, the 1844 date became the foundation for

19
Ellen G. White, 5MR, page 95.
20
Ellen G. White, Early Writings, page 74.
10 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 many Seventh-day Adventists doctrines and beliefs which continue to be
held to this day."

I show under number 7 that Ellen did not claim God was in error concerning the
date. She just never said it. We also need to understand that her vision in
December of 1844 did nothing to correct the timing from 1843 to 1844. This was
done more then a year before her vision and during the Millerite Movement. I am
also at a loss to explain all the "main Adventist dates" that had to be readjusted. I
do not know to what "dates" Mr. Snyder refers. Again, David Snyder is over
stating the issue, all without proper chronology and references. I will concur that
the 1844 date is foundational to Adventism (if not to it's doctrines and beliefs) for it
is from the conclusion of time that we believe God called a people to give an end-
time message.

• Snyder continues, "…marries James White in 1846…"

Ellen White Became Visible Absolute Authority Figure

9) "Because she claimed to have the spirit of prophecy, she came to be the
visible absolute authority figure for the initially small group of Adventist
believers."

This Ellen White reference below was used in the presentation. Only the
italicized portion was quoted in the video. I included a little more context for the
reader.
"You might say that this communication was only a letter. Yes, it was a
letter, but prompted by the Spirit of God, to bring before your minds things
that had been shown me. In these letters which I write, in the testimonies I
bear, I am presenting to you that which the Lord has presented to me. I do not
write one article in the paper, expressing merely my own ideas. They are what
God has opened before me in vision--the precious rays of light shining from the
throne.... (Emphasis on the portion quoted in the video) 21

The "ideas" she is not expressing are those concerning the personal testimonies that
she writes…context, place and time. This statement also does not establish her as an
"absolute authority." She has too many other statements referring to the Bible as
the standard.

Her Writings are 17 Times the Bible

10) "Her writings grew to be 17 times as large as the entire Bible."
( We are seeing a picture of the Ellen White books as displayed at the
Conference owned Adventist Book Center in Scottsdale, Arizona)

21
Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, Book 1, page 27.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 11
 Regardless of how much she wrote or did not write has no bearing on weather she
was called of God or not. This is just another ploy to belittle Adventism. Maybe the
Bible writers did not write as much, but then again, I am sure many wrote things we
do not have today. What we do not have of them is not canonical, and what we do
have, is. Ellen was not canonical, regardless of how large her body of work was.
I do not know to which biblical passage our critics refer to suggesting how large a
body of work a prophet is allowed to have.

Ellen As Inspired as the Bible

11) Snyder gives us some statistics on her writings and says Adventists,
"…regard them as being as inspired as the Bible through Ellen Whites pen
of inspiration."

Another attempt to cloud the issue. Notice he did not say that Adventist view her
writings as equal with the Bible. He assumes that if one is inspired like the Bible
prophets, then their writings must of necessity be also canonical, that is, equal. This
is simply not true.
We need to understand that God inspires or He doesn't. That is, one is either
inspired of God, or they are not. There is neither middle ground nor degree of
inspiration. This alone doesn't make a person canonical. There are however degrees
of "canonicity." She was used of God, but she was not canonical. She was His
messenger to His people to lead them to the source of all truth, the Holy Scriptures,
not the replacement of Scripture. She related her work to Joel 2:28, of which
various commentators also show as relating to God's remnant at the end of time. 22

In a paper from the Biblical Research Institute on the basis for a modern prophet,
Frank Holbrook writes, "The Holy Scriptures, composed of the Old and New
Testaments, are themselves the product of the operation of the prophetic gift.
Indirectly the Scriptures themselves indicate a closed canon of sacred writings. The
limits and sections of the Old Testament were already known and understood in
Jesus' time." 23 "Since Christ's life on earth and the apostolic interpretation of it
provide the ultimate revelation of God, no function of the prophetic gift (as one of
the spiritual gifts) subsequent to the New Testament can equal, supersede, or be an
addition to its unique witness. But rather, all claims to the prophetic gift must be
tested by the Scriptures (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21; 1 John 4:1-3; Matthew 7:15-
20.)" 24

Ellen White is Last Word on Doctrine

12) "To this day, official publications of the church have used her writings
as the last word on doctrine."
22
Frank E. Gaebelein, General Editior, The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan-1985. Refer to the commentary on Joel by Richard D. Patterson. Though presented with the
Dispensational form of Futurism, he relates the passages very well as compared to Seventh-day Adventists.
23
Frank B. Holbrook, The Biblical Basis for A Modern Prophet, Biblical Research institute, Washington, D.C.,
April, 1982; page 6
24
ibid, page 7
12 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 I can hardly know what to say. No references or proofs are offered of any kind. I
have a library full of Adventist books, articles, sermons and periodicals and have
not found this to be the "official" case.
If we shall give Ellen the "last word" on this accusation, let it be this. "The Bible
teaching of God is the only teaching that it is safe for human beings to follow. We
are to regulate our faith by a plain "Thus saith the Lord." " 25

Adventists Confusing Statement of Authority?

13) "In the 27 Points (sic) of Fundamental Beliefs, they state the Bible is a
source of authority, but they also say, 'Her writings are a continuing and
authoritative source of truth.'" (No page number was referenced to the
book, Seventh-day Adventists Believe…A Biblical Exposition of 27
Fundamental Doctrines.) 26

Brother Snyder misquotes the reference. He says,"…the Bible is a source…", while

the real quote is, "…the Bible is the source of authority,…" However, let me add,
that even Adventists should learn a lesson from Ellen regarding the use of her
writings. She wrote in her last book, Prophets and Kings, "The words of the Bible,
and the Bible alone, should be heard from the pulpit." 27

Ellen's Writings Are Locked Away in a Vault

14) "They have however made her more embarrassing writings unavailable,
locking them securely away in the White Estate vault."

Having been inside the vaults myself, one can see that the main reason is to preserve
them from fire and atmospheric conditions by regulating temperature and
humidity. My background in photography taught me much of the archival method
of which I could plainly see utilized in the vault.
There is also a viewing area for scholars to view the material. It is true they do not
have random access to her manuscripts and letters. After the attempt to place a
forged document purporting to be from Ellen White into the files in the early 1900s,
those in charge of it's care learned an important lesson in maintaining the
collection's integrity. 28 You will find most collections of individuals which have
been archived and considered very important are treated similarly.
The "more embarrassing" writings are already being commented on by the critics.
In this case, the proverbial horse is out of the barn. Other unpublished writings
could simply be removed, which would save the expense of "locking" them away. It
is amazing to find such illogical statements coming from the critics.

25
Ellen G. White, Ministry of Healing, page 93.
26
27 Fundamentals, page 4
27
Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, page 626.
28
See appendix, A-29 on "Reformed Seventh-day Adventist-Rowenite"
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 13
Ellen's Diversified Writings
15) Snyder tells us that she wrote on nearly every area of Christian life,
including doctrine, diet, health, recreation and marriage.

We are glad he acknowledges the extent of her writings. For this was the very
reason for her calling, to minister to a wider need of the people. As one outsider put
it, even though he didn't believe she was a prophet, none-the-less saw that she could
very well have been used of God. In his interview with Currents in 1983, Walter
Martin tells us of Ellen as he related to the men from the General Conference
during the Evangelical meetings in the mid 1950's. He said,
" But you have to be extremely careful when you talk about these things that
you do not place them in the area of canonicity; and secondly, you have to be
careful that you don't end up with a female pope who is going to tell you
what the text says, when that's the work of the Holy Spirit.
"You are right," they said.
And I said, "Well, what we have to do is try to get to the real Ellen and what
she thought of herself. then, even if she made mistakes in judgment about
herself, let's assume it's on the side of the angels. That she wasn't a ravenous
wolf or false prophet who set out to deceive the church and that she was not
manipulating the people around her and that she did not have phony visions.
Let's assume that she had a genuine manifestation of spiritual gifts. With
that also goes fallibility. With that goes the fact that one can misinterpret,
that one can make mistakes." Well, that was the first major breakthrough we
got." 29

Ellen's Claim of an Angel Standing Beside Her

16) Snyder informs us that she wrote many of her writings from her
Elmshaven Estate in California where she, "…claimed an angel stood by
her bed near this chair in her bedroom." (A photo is shown of Ellen's
writing table/chair in her bedroom at Elmshaven.)

An angel standing near someone is common enough. I would hope angels are
standing near us all. Ellen wrote, "Angels of heaven were by his (Martin Luther)
side, and rays of light from the throne of God revealed the treasures of truth to his
understanding." 30 I am unclear as to the negative point Mr. Snyder is attempting to
make here. Why wouldn't an angel be standing by Mrs. White? Why wouldn't an
angel be near any of God's children? This in itself doesn't make a person a prophet.

Adventism's Three Angels

17) They believe the three angels…"mentioned in the Bible book of
Revelation" carry three unique messages.
* The Investigative Judgment

29
Walter Martin, "Walter Martin Interview", Adventist Currents, Vol. 1, No. 1, July, 1983
30
Ellen G. White, Great Controversy, page 122.
14 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 * Saturday Sabbath
* Sunday Worship: The Mark of the Beast

Aside from being overly simplistic, I would concur that the messages include these
elements; however they are not specifically found in an exegesis from the text in
Revelation 14. At least Mr. Snyder did not attempt to say the three angels were not
biblical as one former Adventist pastor said. I would be happy to learn from
anyone their interpretation of the messages of these three angels. Yes, Adventism
believes the three angels of Revelation are biblical, don't you? We also believe they
are a message the church is to give in these last days.

III-Sydney Cleveland
• Was an ordained Seventh-day Adventist minister
• Pastor 13 churches from 1979 to 1990
• While doing research for a book validating the divine inspiration of Ellen White, he
discovered so many false prophecies.
• This resulted in his publishing the book, White-Washed: Uncovering the Myths of
Ellen G. White.

• We are told that the church was formed on prophecies concerning the second
coming of Jesus Christ and that it's no coincidence that the Bible contains many
warnings about false prophets. We are told to look in Deut., chapters 13 to 18. He
says that it is simply based on weather or not the prophecy comes true.
• "It's a matter of historical record that the following prophecies of Ellen White did
not come true."

Old Jerusalem Would Never Be Built Up

18) That Old Jerusalem would never be built up. He demonstrates that
Jerusalem indeed has been built up and become a large metropolitan city.
Referenced: EW, 75
In the reference quoted by our critic, he fails to read, " I saw that such a mission
would accomplish no real good, that it would take a long while to make a very few of
the Jews believe even in the first advent of Christ, much more to believe in His
second advent." 31 What is built-up is not a matter of stone and steel, but Christ's
church. There would never be a significant work in building the church in
Jerusalem by converting Jews to Christ. What we have is another poor case of
scholarship.

Ellen Claimed She Would be Alive When Jesus Returned

19) Ellen claimed that she would be among the living when Christ comes
back. She is of course dead now and will be among the resurrected which
means she was wrong and hence, …a false prophet.
Referenced: The Day-Star, January 24, 1846
31
Ellen G. White, Early Writings, page 75.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 15
 Praise God, Ellen is in fine company here. Paul even believed he was in the last
days 32 and Peter applied Joel, chapter 2 to his time when it is clearly an end-time
prophecy that takes place just before Jesus returns. 33 Even the Lord Jesus says,
"…Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall
not taste death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power." 34
To assume that the transfiguration in verse 2 and following is the event spoken of
here is not tenable. D. A. Carson in his Matthew Commentary says, "…as
magnificent as the Transfiguration was, it is not entirely clear how the Son of Man
comes in his kingdom (Matt) or the kingdom comes in power (Mark) through this
event." 35
Let's face it. All the New Testament writers believed they would be alive to meet the
end of the age. Only one is still alive, Jesus. Moreover, that's the one that counts!

Ellen Taught the End Was Soon

20) Ellen taught that there was only a few months left before the end of the
world. It of course has been many years and decades since she first wrote
this.
Referenced: EW, 55

Unable to find the reference on page 55 we find that again she didn't say any such
thing. It seems that the critics poor methodology is running true to course. I did
find something on page 64 that might be useful. We read, " In a view given June 27,
1850, my accompanying angel said, "Time is almost finished. Do you reflect the
lovely image of Jesus as you should?" Then I was pointed to the earth and saw that
there would have to be a getting ready among those who have of late embraced the
third angel's message. Said the angel, "Get ready, get ready, get ready. Ye will have
to die a greater death to the world than ye have ever yet died." I saw that there was
a great work to do for them and but little time in which to do it." 36 And also, "The
Lord is coming. Time is short. Get ready, get ready, get ready. For Christ's sake
call a halt; you have not a moment to lose." 37
As I've already shown, she was in good company. In fact, we would doubt her
calling if she didn't present the coming of Christ as soon. I hear the echo of the
Apostle Paul when he wrote, "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us
therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."
(Romans 13:12)

32
" The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on
the armour of light. " Romans 13:12
33
Acts 2:16ff
34
Mark 9:1, see also Matthew 16:28.
35
Frank E. Gaebelein, General Editor; The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Vol. 8; Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan-1984. Matthew commentary by D. A. Carson, refer to commentary on Matthew 16:28, page 380.
36
Ellen White, Early Writings, page 64.
37
Review and Herald, October 31, 1893.
16 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
Ellen Said That Some Would Not See Death
21) At a meeting she tells some they will be food for worms while others
will suffer through the tribulation and still some would be saved. A list of
names of those present was taken down, and have since passed on. This
is another proof that she is a false prophet.
Referenced: 2SG, 208

The normal response to this from fellow Adventists is to present this as a conditional
prophesy. I prefer to view this in light of the belief of the soon return of Jesus which
was held by the saints across time. Ellen was no different, and to isolate her
statements from the rest of our Christian lineage is bigoted. When we examine Paul
in 1 Thes. 4:7 and 2 Thes. 2:1-7 we see the same mindset concerning the nearness of
the coming of Christ. It appears that Ellen was in good company.

• Cleveland tells us, "In biblical times, she would have been
stoned to death for being a false prophet."
Cleveland is quick to tell us that she would have been stoned for her beliefs. This is
undoubtedly the same attitude which resulted in the killing of the prophets of Israel
of long ago.

Ellen Predicted the Downfall of America

22) She predicted the downfall of America, saying that England will attack
the United States and that she will yet be humbled in the dust. This was
during the Civil War in 1862 and of course, this did not happen.

"A portion of the queen's subjects are waiting a favorable opportunity

to break their yoke; but if England thinks it will pay, she will not hesitate a moment
to improve her opportunities to exercise her power and humble our nation. When
England does declare war, all nations will have an interest of their own to serve, and
there will be general war, general confusion." 38
Sydney Cleveland ends his quotation with a sentence that is six sentences before the
portion cited above. This mishandling of a reference gives a different meaning to
what Ellen White intended to say.
In context of her writing, the "when" England declares war is not an emphatic
statement declaring that England will in fact do so. She has already stated that a
portion of the Queen's subjects in England are "waiting a favorable opportunity."
She says, when this happens, all nations will have an interest. The "when" is used in
context of "if." Such as, "When our nation observes the fast which God has chosen,
then will he accept their prayers as far as the war is concerned." 39 As Nichol says,
"No one, least of all the critic, will argue that the word "when" in this connection
introduces a simple statement concerning a future fact that will undoubtedly
happen." 40

38
Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, page 259.
39
ibid, page 258.
40
Francis D. Nichol, Ellen G. White and Her Critics; Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald-1951, page 122.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 17
"Preposterous" Vision Elements
23) The Narrator presents a list of preposterous things Ellen says she saw
in vision:
1-She was taken off in vision and given her very own wings to visit
other planets
2-She says she saw and talked to Enoch on a distant planet
3-She saw Angels using "golden gate passes" to go in and out of
heaven

To view oneself with wings in a dream or vision, to see translated saints or items
held by angels as "golden passes" is only preposterous to those seeking to belittle the
work and calling of Ellen White. They certainly are not items that would teach
some new strange doctrine, or go contrary to known teaching…Evangelical or
otherwise. It seems that these things are only mentioned to add more criticism. One
more attempt to make a stab at Adventism and to put it in a bad light. Poor
methodology, poor scholarship, more ax grinding!

Ellen A Racist
24) Ellen reflects her own racist views in her infamous "Amalgamation"
statement.
"Since the flood there has been amalgamation of man and beast, as may be seen in
the almost endless varieties of species of animals, and in certain races of men." 41

I am thankful she didn't say, "…amalgamation "with" man and beast." Though a
creature of her own time as we are ours, she has never-the-less shown herself to be a
friend to all races and not the begot as she is painted to be. Papers available from
the White Estate dealing with questions on Race Relations can be read to give you a
better understanding of her views and concerns over slavery and the dignity of the
black man. 42 She has never stated that the races were a result of combining animals
with humans. But the pre-flood race and those alive shortly after could very well
have had knowledge of genetics like we have today, or even far superior. In one
online article we read:
"But what about human transgenic research? Are any biotech companies or
researchers putting animal DNA into human embryos? Nobody knows. But,
unbelievable as it may sound, some bioethicists and philosophers explicitly endorse
engineering animal DNA into human embryos as one method of producing the
"post-human" race. 43 " It seems my friends that the Amalgamation story is far
from over.
41
Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 3, page 75.
42
White Estate: 1) Slavery, Will It Be Revived?, 20 pages; 2) Ellen G. White's Use of the Term "Race War", and
Related Insights, by Delbert W. Baker, 49 pages; 3) Guiding Principles in Race Relations, By Arthur White,
Review and Herald Article, March 24 to April, 1965, 12 pages.
43
http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/comment-smith092002.asp; The
Transhumanists The next great threat to human dignity, By Wesley J. Smith

18 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
Ellen's Writings as Inspired as the Bible
25) The narrator goes on to say, "Despite the unbiblical nature of her
visions, her followers continue to accept her as God's messenger and her
writings as inspired as the Bible."

In addition to what is already stated under points 9 thru 13, that "inspired as"
doesn't mean canonical, let me add a comment by Uriah Smith from the Review and
Herald, January 13, 1863 in the article, "Do We Discard the Bible by Endorsing the
Visions?" We read, "When we claim to stand on the Bible and the Bible alone, we
bind ourselves to receive, unequivocally and fully, all that the Bible teaches."

IV-Dale Ratzlaff Segment

• He is a fourth generation Adventist
• He was an Adventist Pastor and Bible Teacher
• Educated thru the Adventist school system from first grade to seminary
• Has an in-depth understanding of Ellen White's writings, which lead him to write
two books, Sabbath in Crisis and Cultic Doctrine of Seventh-day Adventist.

• While telling us that the Investigative Judgment doctrine came from a re-
interpretation of William Miller's failed prophecies that Christ would come to the
earth in 1844, he says,…

Shut-Door To Salvation Believed

26) "At first, Adventists believed the door of mercy was shut on that date.
Ellen G. White, with prophetic authority supported both the date and the
shut-door belief."

"Seventh-day Adventist pioneers and E.G. White freely and firmly declare that
immediately following the disappointment of October 22, 1844, Advent believers
generally held that their work for the world was finished and that probation had
closed. Ellen White and Adventist pioneers also declare that while this was
generally believed, that neither the first vision, or any other vision given to Ellen
Harmon-White taught that probation had closed for the world generally, but that it
had, for those who had rejected the light of the first angel's message, or having been
in the Advent Movement had abandoned their confidence in the fulfillment of
prophecy." 44
This statement from Arthur White captures very well the Adventist understanding
of the Shut-door with all it's tensions in one short essay. As many Adventists re-
examined the "arguments" for the 1844 date, "they could not see a single flaw in
them, yet the Lord had not come. They felt that the time could not be long, yet they
had no evidence upon which their souls could anchor. They were in doubt. Many of
their brethren faltered, and some went back to the churches which they had left

44
Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White and the Shut Door Question: A Review of the Experience of Early Seventh-
day Adventist Believers in its Historical Context; revised May 9, 1982; White Estate, Washington, D.C.-page 1.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 19
 when the cry of Babylon's fall rang out a few months before. But there were many
who could never do this. They felt that God had led them, and to give up their
Advent experience was to them like giving up everything in their Christian
experience. Had they not followed the Word of God to the very best of their
ability?…No! They could not do this. They must hold on where they were till God
gave them light to go farther." 45
The early church was also surprised to see the Gentiles coming in. (Acts 11:18).
Peter even had a special dream in order to let him know that the door was not shut
to Gentiles. (Acts 10:9-28), for as he says in verse 28, "… Ye know how that it is an
unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of
another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or
unclean." This door was just beginning to open a crack, and soon with Paul, it
would swing wide open!

Ellen Omits "Shut-door" Statement From Future Publications

27)"Her first vision had contained a fierce judgment on Adventists who had
given up the 1844 message called 'the midnight cry.' She said, 'They have
fallen off the path to heaven…'" The statement in question is quoted from
The Day-Star, January 24, 1846. Then, in her reprinted version even though
it was prefaced that no change to idea or sentament, "the portion of her
vision that taught the shut-door to salvation was just left out."

This is another statement that she never made. In fact, she said that she would leave
out a portion. She said, " Here I will give the view that was first published in 1846.
In this view I saw only a very few of the events of the future. More recent views have
been more full. I shall therefore leave out a portion and prevent repetition." 46
This is the statement in question, "It was just as impossible for them to get on the
path again & go to the City, as all the wicked world which God had rejected." 47
This statement is also found in these current Ellen G. White publications as found
on the complete writings of the Ellen G. White CD-ROM:
The Day-Star Jan. 24, 1846
Broadside1-To the Little Remnant Scattered Abroad April 6, 1846
A Word to the Little Flock 1847 page 14
Selected Messages, Book 1 1958 page 61

Ellen White herself emphasis' that those who fell off the road are those who rejected
the 1844 experience 48 , and because of this, they (not all mankind) were lost and
could not get back on the path again. This "shut-door" motif as expressed in this
vision is not universal but is applied only to those who went through the '44
movement.

45
George I. Butler, Advent Experience-No. 1; Review and Herald, February 10, 1885. Also available from
White Estate, Advent Experience, reformatted November 4, 1993; Silver Spring, MD, page 6.
46
Ellen G. White, Early Writings, (1851); page 9.
47
The Day-Star, January 24, 1846
48
Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, Book 1; page 61.
20 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 There would be no need to be ashamed of this statement in later years. The shut
door of mercy as applied to all was not taught here and is simply an invention in the
minds of those who wish to hurt Adventism. In fact, Arthur White in his biography
of his grandmother wrote, " It is claimed that these expressions prove the shut-door
doctrine, and that this is the reason of their omission in later editions. But in fact
they teach only that which has been and is still held by us as a people." 49

New Sanctuary Doctrine Introduced to Save Face

28) "After 1851, the other shut-door passages were either dropped or re-
interpreted. An explanation for the 1844 disappointment had to be found.
Two Millerites, Hiram Edson and Mr. Crosier introduced a new sanctuary
theology, which taught that instead of Christ's coning visibly to the earth in
1844, he entered for the first time the most holy place in heaven. This new
teaching gave them a way out of the their dilemma without actually
admitting their error. Ellen G. White immediately put God's endorsement
for the date October 22nd, 1844."

"The Lord shew me in vision, more than one year ago, that Brother Crosier had the
true light, on the cleansing of the Sanctuary, &c; and that it was his will, that
Brother C. should write out the view which he gave us in the Day-Star, Extra,
February 7, 1846. I feel fully authorized by the Lord, to recommend that Extra, to
every saint." (Word to the Little Flock, page 12)

"All doctrines were soon adjusted to fit 1844 as the cleansing of the
sanctuary and the beginning of the Investigative Judgment. The shut-door
had to be opened to allow salvation for their own children and to
evangelize others into Adventism."

These statements are erroneous and filled with contradictions. Ratzlaff makes it
appear that Hiram Edson and Crosier (and Hahn) came up with this new doctrine
after 1851 in order to do away with the shut-door. It is common knowledge that
their paper was published in early 1846 in The Day-Star and had nothing to do with
1851.
In addition, how soon does Ratzlaff mean for the adjustment of 1844 to fit the
Investigative Judgment? That term wasn't used in Adventism until 1857 and has
nothing to do with opening the door of salvation in order to "allow salvation for
their own children."
I think a better understanding of the chronology of the events and their meaning
would be expected from a man who used to be a Bible teacher in the Adventist
Movement.

Erroneous View of Soul Sleep Doctrine

29) "Salvation for everyone, even those who lived in Bible times had to be
conditional on this judgment and so Soul Sleep was introduced."

49
Arthur White, Ellen G. White: The Early Years, Volume 1; 1985, page 268.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 21
 This is simply not true. Soul Sleep or the doctrine of Conditional Immortality had
no origin whatsoever in the Sanctuary Doctrine; however it may have harmonized
with it. This was a belief carried over by many from the Millerite Movement
including Ellen Harmon (White). It was largely taught by Storrs. 50 It was believed
early before the doctrine of a pre-advent judgment was established.
Ellen White was already a proponent of Conditional Immortality from before the
disappointment. In fact, under point 33 of the document package of the video, is
found a reference from Life Sketches, page 49 which validates our position here that
Ellen's understanding of death came before October 22nd and before her first
vision. She is simply recalling an experience where she accepted conditional
immortality during the Millerite years when she was still very young.

Reinterpretation of Doctrines to fit Investigative Judgment

30) "The prophecies of Daniel and Revelation had to be re-interpreted to fit
the Investigative Judgment." … "…but the Investigative Judgment
survived with Ellen White's stamp of approval."

"As with Miller, the Sabbatarian Adventists continued to see prophecy as a

sequence of historical fulfillments beginning at the time of the biblical prophets but
extending throughout history to the end of the world." 51 As we can see, our
understanding of Daniel and Revelation was a carry-over from Millerism and is still
held by us today. In fact, the Investigative Judgment fit nicely into then present
understanding. There was no major pyridine shift. Our prophetic understanding
provided a natural spring board for further understanding of the October 1844
event. Dale's statement simply makes no sense and is untrue.
The Investigative Judgment doctrine evolved over a number of years. It did not
come to us fully formed, even with the early publishing of the Crosier, Edson &
Hahn article in 1846. James in fact rejected the concept of pre-advent judgment
early on and only later, in 1857 did he see any light in it. It appears that we have
another case of over simplification and trivializing of Adventist doctrine.

Sanctuary Doctrine teaches a Recording Angel

31) "The terms of the new Investigative Judgment doctrine or Sanctuary
doctrine as it came to be known were harsh. It taught that a recording
Angel now kept track of every move, even to the extent of recording wasted
moments where one might want some leisure time."

The video quotes Ellen saying, "Every man's work passes in review before God
and is registered for faithfulness or unfaithfulness. Opposite each name in the books
of heaven is entered with terrible exactness every wrong word, every selfish act, every

50
see footnote 174, P. Gerard Damsteegt, Foundations of the Seventh-day Adventsit Message and Mission;
Eerdmans-1977; page 132. Also see, George R. Knight, Search for Identity, Review and Herald-2000; page72-
74.
51
George R. Knight, Search for Identity, Review and Herald-2000m page 60-61.
22 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 unfulfilled duty, and every secret sin, with every artful dissembling. Heaven-sent
warnings or reproofs neglected, wasted moments, unimproved opportunities, the
influence exerted for good or for evil, with its far-reaching results, all are chronicled
by the recording angel. The law of God is the standard by which the characters and
the lives of men will be tested in the judgment. Says the wise man: "Fear God, and
keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring
every work into judgment." Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14. The apostle James admonishes
his brethren: "So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of
liberty." James 2:12"

As you can see, the law is the standard in the judgment which test men's
"characters." The robe of Christ's righteousness is His character accounted to us.
We pass the judgment and are "worthy" to enter in because of Christ and not what
"we" do. See the wedding feast in Matthew 22 and Joshua the High Priest in
Zechariah 3 for additional biblical parallels.
All of Christendom teaches that God knows all. The fact that angels are His
messenger and watch over the saints brings no surprise that they record or
document human activity. Jesus says, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that
men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy
words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." 52
Ratzlaff's statement, "…to the extent of recording wasted moments where one
might want some leisure time" seems to suggest he doesn't like the idea that God
knows every act, every word, and every thought of his life. That to get out from
under this from time to time for some "leisure time" is desirable. I am unsure of his
absolute conclusion, but we would all do well to know that nothing is hidden from
our Lord, He doesn't look on the outward appearance, but He looks at the heart.
"For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it
be] good, or whether [it be] evil." [Ecclesiastes 12:14].

Doctrine has colored Every Other Doctrine in the Movement

32) This doctrine has colored every other doctrine in the movement. "There
has been much controversy and debate since it cannot be supported from
the Scriptures."

To which doctrines Ratzlaff refers to we don't know. Our landmark doctrines were
established during the 1848 Sabbath Conferences by intense Bible Study. The
doctrine of the Investigative Judgment came in 1857 causing not "one pin" of our
landmark doctrines to be moved.
I do not intend to make this into a study of the Sanctuary Doctrine. In fact, my
home Bible Study group has been working on this very topic for the last six months.
We have only started dealing with chapter 8. We have found much of the Sanctuary
Doctrine and the Investigative Judgment from Scripture alone. We plan to make
our study available when it is completed for interested parties. These blanket
statements concerning no support from scripture only serve to ease the critics mind.
52
Matthew 12:36,37 (KJV); see also Revelation 20:12
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 23
 They have yet to offer anything to replace the Adventist interpretation. Only
recently have any critics of the doctrine sought to provide any substitute to the
Adventist position or to provide "any" commentary concerning its interpretation. 53
Even then, it is so thin and transparent that's its useless.

The Sanctuary Doctrine is foundational to Adventism

Narrator:
33) The Narrator makes reference to Leroy Froom's book, The Movement of
Destiny from 1971. He quotes a section where the Sanctuary Doctrine is
expressed as being a central pillar in Adventism and without it;
Adventism's reason for existence is diminished.

I would agree with Froom's statement as presented in the video. Adventism is a

movement called to give the end-time remnant message. We were called in place
and time in 1844. The Sanctuary Doctrine, 1844, the 2300 days all show this. Yes,
Froom is right. Without it, we lose our reason to exist as a separate people. I
believe we can support our understanding from Scripture concerning the Sanctuary
Doctrine.

Works Determine if one wins in the Investigative Judgment

34) "This central Adventist doctrine which states that the judgment of
believers, works will determine their salvation is blatantly unbiblical and is
not taught by any legitimate Christian denomination."

This is simply not true. This isn't taught by any Adventist. The best the critics offer
are statements from Ellen White out of context to try to support their foregone
conclusions, when in reality such passages as found in one of her devotionals, The
Faith I Live By 54 shows that it is not based on the sinners good deeds, but the
removal of all sin by confession, and that no sin can be held onto believing God will
overlook or excuse it.
Dale in one of his books writes concerning the 1843 Millerite date adjustment to
1844, "Again, I have found no original source for this, but this is what I was taught
in Adventist schools." 55 He gives evidence of his shallow teaching concerning the
Sanctuary Doctrine which undoubtedly indicates that he was taught the
Investigative Judgment erroneously. Instead of turning to good Bible study, he
instead tosses out the proverbial baby with the bath water.
I'm glad Dale realizes that our own good works do not determine our salvation.
This indeed is not compatible with the Gospel.

53
See Raymond Cottrell, The Sanctuary Doctrine--Asset or Liability?, Audio tapes, San Diego Adventist
Forum, February 9, 2002. (write to: PO Box 3148, La Mesa, CA 91944-3148). Also see Cottrell, Exegetical
Anomalies in the Interpretation of Daniel 8:14, Audio tapes, San Diego Adventist Forum, October 13, 1997.
54
See Appnedix A-5
55
Dale Ratzlaff, The Cultic Doctrine of Seventh-day Adventists, Glendale, AZ: Life Assurance Ministries-1996,
page 88. (Formerly of Sedona, AZ when the book was published. He has since moved to Glendale, Arizona.)
24 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
The Investigative Judgment is Diametrically Opposed to Grace
Raztlaff continues:
35) "This doctrine teaches at some point in time between 1844 and the
second coming of Christ, every believer's name will come up in judgment.
At that point in time, if one has any un-confessed sins, even forgotten sins
or if one does not demonstrate perfect obedience to the Ten
Commandments, especially the fourth, he will be lost. This teaching is
diametrically opposed to the New Testament gospel of grace."

Holy Scripture reads, "And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a
man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how
camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then
said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast
[him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 56 This is
the judgment Adventism speaks of. The mans character is not commented on. He
could well be a good man, as far as good men go. He reason for being cast out was
simply because he was not wearing the right clothes. That was the only reason. The
saints win in the judgment by having the right clothes on, the robe of Christ's
righteousness. That is NOT diametrically opposed to the New Testament gospel of
Grace.
However, Dale is correct if the judgment is based on works were works merit
salvation. Instead, he might think in terms of James which evidence works to
identify the true saints. By their works you shall know them. The question in the
judgment of Daniel 7 which is called by the boasting of the little horn is more like,
"Will the real saints please stand up?" The judgment verifies who the saints are, it
is not determinative.

Adventists have their own version of the Bible

Narrator:
36) "In all manmade religions, the authority of God's Scripture, an
unchanging word, is challenged. The Seventh-day Adventist are no
exception. They have their own version of the Bible, known as The Clear
Word Bible, which inserts the words and ideas of Ellen G. White directly
into the biblical text.
For example. In the ninth chapter of the book of Daniel, three hundred
words have been added to the Holy Scriptures. A blatant example of this
type of alteration can be seen."

56
Matthew 22:11-13, (KJV)
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 25
 King James Version The Clear Word
And he said unto me, Unto two After two thousand, three hundred
thousand and three hundred days; prophetic days (or two thousand,
then shall the sanctuary be three hundred years), God will step
cleansed. in, proclaiming the truth about
Himself and restore the ministry of
the Sanctuary in heaven to its
rightful place. This is when the
judgment will begin, of which the
cleansing of the earthly sanctuary
was a type.

I can hardly bring myself to comment on such a lame accusation as this. As the
scholarly level of Adventism's critics continue to prove they know no depth to which
they will sink, I guess I find myself stooping to their level. Jesus, after all, says we
should approach people where they are.
The accusation that Seventh-day Adventism has its own version of the Bible would
suggest to the viewer not acquainted with Adventism to think that this work is:
1) a Bible,
2) published by the Church and
3) recommended for in-depth study.
This is simply not true in all three cases. The copyright is owned by Jack Blanco, a
traditional Adventist who wrote this for his own personal use. He was encouraged
to publish it so it could be shared with others for private devotional reading. He did
so. This book is not published by a denominational publishing house, nor does it
own the copyright. In fact, technically it's not a Bible, for it is an expanded
paraphrase. Secondly, from the preface which was not published in the
documentation package, it has never been presented as official or suggested its use
be for in-depth study.
The writer works for one of the book centers, and without exception has always
cautioned the buyer from using this work as a study Bible. In fact, we sell many
times more King James, New International Versions and other real translations
then the Clear Word.
Again, we are seeing here an over exaggeration of the truth, of which our critics
have shown they are devoid of.

This version supports their prophetess

Ratzlaff continues:
37) "One can see the extent to which Seventh-day Adventists are prepared
to go to support their prophetess. Even to the manipulation of Scripture.
The Clear Word Bible, published in 1994 as an expanded paraphrase to
nurture faith and growth is nothing more then added distortions the Word
of God to Support Adventist theology."

26 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 As we can see, Dale clearly refers to the Clear Word here as an expanded
paraphrase. It also is not true that Ellen White's writings are inserted into the text.
In fact, it’s the ideas and thoughts of theologians and Blanco himself who is a
professor.
Paraphrases themselves are not bad. There are several on the market now. But to
say that we need this in order to support our theology leaves me asking the same
question Bob Pickle did in his book, "If Adventists need a 'manipulated' and
'distorted' Bible to support their beliefs, why did they wait 150 years before
publishing one?" 57 Interesting point Bob.

They Also Have a Study Bible with Ellen G. White Quotes

38) "They have also published their Study Bible with Ellen G. White quotes
included as an inspired commentary."

If the Clear Word was supposed to be the Adventist Bible, what's the problem with
this one? In fact, "they" is again not true. This is again not published by a
denominational publisher who also does not own the copyright.
No Ellen White quote is included in the text. This is a King James Version using
Ellen G. White comments in the margin. This is somehow a problem? The
Scoefield Bible has been used for years, with multitudes accepting the footnotes over
Scripture while falling prey to the non-biblical doctrine of Despensationalism. I also
have a Max Lucado Study Bible in my Library, along with several others. Is that
okay to have? Of course it is, as long as it's not an Ellen G. White Study Bible, so
we are told by the critics.

Dual Atonement, Jesus is Michael and there is no Hell

Narrator:
39) "Other heretical Adventist doctrines includes the teachings that on the
cross
1-Christ's atonement for sins was incomplete
2- that Jesus Christ is Michael the Archangel
3- and that there is no Hell.

Another "shot gun" attack on Adventist beliefs, with no documentation to support

them, except a half-hearted proof-texting of Ellen White to bolster their position.
Under number one above, the documentation package point 43 gives us a quote
from Vol. 7 of the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, page 993 in which
Ellen refers to the entering of Christ into the Holy of Hollis as "the great day of
atonement." Their intention here is that if "this" is the day of "atonement" then the
cross must not have been. Ellen White in numerous places refers to the Calvary
event as an "atonement." 58 The fact that we are now in the anti-typical day of

57
Bob Pickle, A Response to the Video: Seventh-day Adventism,: The Spirit Behind the Church, Halstad, MN:
Pickle Publishing-2002, page 61.
58
EllenG. White, Conflict and Courage, (1970); page 24. "Through the shed blood he looked to the future
sacrifice, Christ dying on the cross of Calvary; and trusting in the atonement that was there to be made,…"
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 27
 atonement does not negate the atonement of blood. It is part of the same. When
Christ said it is finished, he said it in context of his life and death for our sins here
on earth. The whole purpose of the plan of redemption is to expunge sin from the
cosmos, and when that is complete, Jesus will come again. If there was nothing
more to be done on behalf of expunging sin from the universe, then my question is,
"Why are we still here?"
The idea of Jesus being the angel Michael should not be surprising. The word angel
is used in Scripture to mean messenger. It is not always a species. Even God has
been referred to as an angel. The fact that Christ is referred to as Michael the
Archangel does not infer that he is created. Christ is after all, refered to as the
Angel of the Lord. See also the appendix for a complete outline presentation on
Michael. 59
Concerning the idea that we don't believe in Hell is absurd. Ellen comments, " You
have a crown to win, a heaven to gain, and a hell to shun." 60 We do not teach of an
eternal existing burning hell, but we have a significant doctrine concerning Hell and
what it is. See appendix for more details. 61

Adventism along with others began presenting heresy at the same time as others
40) "During the 1800s, within a few years of each other, Mormons, Jehovah
Witnesses, Christian Science and Seventh-day Adventists were all
presenting doctrines contrary to those held by traditional Bible believers."

The reformers were presenting doctrines contrary to those held by traditional

believers. What's the point here? The point is that something new from Scripture is
something to be feared so its associated with other false movements to diminish the
new movement's effect. This kind of statement is not scholarly as the video would
like the viewer to believe. Instead, it's a cheap shot at associating Adventism with a
larger number of "unorthodox" movements of the time.

V- Leslie Martin Segment

• Third generation Adventist
• Devoted Ellen White follower
• Raised in the Adventist educational system
• Her school instruction began to unravel when she started to study the Bible
Many Jehovah Witness Doctrines are the Same as Adventists
41) "Many of the doctrines of Jehovah Witnesses and Seventh-day
Adventists are similar. This is because they had common roots. The
founder of Jehovah Witnesses, Charles Taze Russell, even co-authored a
book (The Three Worlds) with N. H. Barbour, an early Adventist."

59
See appendix A-10
60
Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, January 7, 1902.
61
See appendix A-13
28 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 N. H. Barbour was an Advent Christian. A denomination fully formed when
Charles first met Jonas Wendell in 1969/70, who was also an Advent Christian.
Charles Taze Russell had no connection to Seventh-day Adventists. See appendix
for more information. 62
J. Gordon Melton in his book on American Religions says of Russell's connection:
"Speculations on the winter of 1853-54 lay behind the formation of the Advent
Christian Church. A small group led by Jonas Wendell projected an 1874 date.
Disappointed followers spiritualized the 1874 date and projected a new date,
1914. In 1876, Charles Taze Russell came across an issue of The Herald of the
Morning, Nelson H. Barbour's magazine, which extolled the views of Jonas
Wendell, and a whole new era in Adventist thought began." 63
Spalding writes about the attempt at unity of the Adventists after the time of
October 22, 1844. Though it appeared to be such, it was in reality a myth. The
group that did give the appearance of unity gave way to several Adventist groups to
which no existing Adventist group today can claim William Miller as a member.
Spalding wrote,
"After the Disappointment of October 22, 1844, when there was a scattering of
believers and a confusion of beliefs, Joshua V. Himes, with Miller, Josiah
Litch, Sylvester Bliss, and some other leaders, sought to hold all Adventist
factions together; and for this purpose called a meeting at Albany, New York,
on April 29, 1845. This Albany Conference had a very considerable
representation, but notable among the absentees were Joseph Marsh, editor of
the Voice of Truth, in Rochester, New York; George Storrs, who had introduced
to Adventists the doctrine of conditional immortality, or the sleep of the dead,
and who had a paper of his own, The Bible Examiner, of New York City; and
Enoch Jacobs, editor of The Day Star, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Neither was Joseph
Bates there, nor James White, but the latter was young and only locally
influential then. These two had not yet joined together or formed a party.
Indeed, Bates had only this very month accepted the seventh-day Sabbath, and
White was yet a year and a half away from that. There was no body known as
Seventh-day Adventists." 64
Spalding also tells us of the origins of the Advent Christian Church in 1852 by the
followers of Jonathan Cummings due to two dates set for the return of Christ. Most
of Cummings followers held to the doctrine of conditional immortality at this time.
They started "their own paper, The World's Crisis." 65

Witnesses are only one of the many split-offs.

42) "The Jehovah Witnesses are only one of the many split off sects of the
Adventist movement."

62
See appendix, A-18
63
J. Gordon Melton, Ed; The Encyclopedia of American Religions, Vol. II; Tarrytown, New York;
Triumphant Books-1991, page 23.
64
Arthur W. Spalding, Footprints of the Pioneers, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald-1947, page 25.
65
ibid, page 26.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 29
 Again, the Jehovah Witnesses did not split off of the Seventh-day Adventist
movement. The former leaders and teachers which put forth such information are
again showing their lack of methodology. But, then again, it could be that they want
to hear only what they want to hear. For example, read Dr. Verle Streifling's
comments to me in his email of July 31, 2003. He responded to my email with these
comments, " As the info you gave shows, EGW was a founder of the SECOND
Adventists, who were disappointed followers of Millar. (sic)" 66 Read my email to
him and then ask yourselves, "where did he get the idea that I indicated Ellen
White, a 17 year old shy girl, was the founder of the Second Adventists?" All
Adventists after the time in 1844 who remained looking for answers were Second
Adventists. The leaders, if there were any true leaders after that time were all
present at the Albany, New York, April 29, 1845 Conference. James White and
Ellen Harmon were not there and were too insignificant and too young to be
counted as "leaders" anyways.

Witnesses and Adventists hold to the same heresy.

43) "Both Adventist and Jehovah Witnesses still cling to the heresy of soul
sleep and Michael the Archangel being Jesus."

Refer back to point 39 for information concerning Michael. Soul sleep, though an
acceptable title for this Adventist belief is a title I personally don't like. The soul is
not asleep, it is dead. Adventism teaches that we don't "have" a soul, we "are" a
soul. A soul is a living creature (human or otherwise). "…God created great whales,
and every living creature that moveth,…" (Gen 1:21), the words, "living creature"
is the same word nephesh used for soul as pertaining to humans. God made man
from the dust of the ground and breathed into him the breath of life and man
became (not received) a living soul. 67
Also, there are other non-Adventist sources for the correct biblical view of
Conditional immortality. See Edward Fudge's 1982 book, The Fire that Consumes:
A Biblical and Historical Study of the Doctrine of Final Punishment. 68
F. F. Bruce, in his foreword to the book says, "It gives me pleasure to commend Mr.
Fudge's exposition of this subject. All that he has to say is worthy of careful
consideration,…" If this is so, then let me encourage all to read Fudge and consider
a different view.
Melton's words also lend more weight to consider this subject. He said, "The
Adventist also raised the issue of man's innate immortality by denying it and have,
in the twentieth century, been in the forefront of groups proposing a view that has
been accepted by many scholars." 69

66
See appendix, A-20
67
See Gen. 2:7
68
Providential Press, P.O. Box 218026, Houston, TX 77218. Printed by MMI Press, Harrisville, NH 03450.
69
Encycolpedia of American Religions, Vol. II; page 23.
30 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
Early Pioneers didn't believe in the deity of Jesus
44) "Early prominent Adventists, including James White and Uriah Smith
denied the deity of Jesus Christ as do the Jehovah Witness."

This again is simply not true. Though the early pioneers had some problem with the
Trinity doctrine as we know it today, they did believe in the divinity of Jesus. James
White and Uriah Smith both believed that Jesus was divine, but not in the context of
the Trinity doctrine. Smith says in his Daniel and Revelation, "The Scripture
nowhere speak of Christ as a created being, but on the contrary plainly state that he
was begotten of the Father." 70 James White said, "Oh! why should the divine Son
of God do all this to save man, …" 71 and, "And we can hardly conceive of anything
more insulting to Heaven, than the profession of the pure religion of the divine Son
of God by men whose reason and conscience are ruled by appetite and passion." 72
He also wrote, "The divine Son of God was so far a partaker of our nature as to feel
our woes and suffer for our sins, yet in him was no sin, and his overcoming was not
for himself." 73
Today, Adventism officially holds to the Trinity doctrine of the Godhead, unlike our
earlier pioneers. They did believe in Jesus' deity aside from whatever beliefs they
may have held concerning Arian principles.

Both have produced their own altered Bibles

45) "Both Jehovah Witness and Seventh-day Adventist have produced their
own altered versions of the Bible to reflect their aberrant doctrines."

There is absolutely no comparison between the Witnesses translation which is the

only Bible allowed to be read by their members and the paraphrased Clear Word
which is not copyrighted by any of the church's publishing houses, nor was it issued
as an "official" Bible. This comparison is absurd.

Both have set false Dates

46) "Both have set false dates for the return of Jesus Christ, and failed
miserably to prophecy correctly."

Seventh-day Adventists never have set a date for the return of Jesus. Since the great
disappointment of October 22nd in 1844, the little flock which was to become
Seventh-day Adventists continued to look at the their past experience as the
fulfillment of the time prophecy of Daniel 8:14. Even Ellen White confirmed this
when she wrote, "Again and again have I been warned in regard to time setting.
There will never again be a message for the people of God that will be based on

70
Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation, Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press-1912edition, page 430.
71
James White, Life Incidents, Battle Creek, MI: Seventh-day Adventist Steam Press-1868, page 357.
72
James White, Bible Hygiene, Battle Creek, MI: Good Health Publ. Co.-1890; page 192.
73
ibid, page 203.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 31
 time. We are not to know the definite time either for the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit or for the coming of Christ." 74

Adventism has covered its errors and claimed to be the only remnant church
47) "Both have covered up their errors and claimed to be the only remnant
church in the world."

As already mentioned under point 46, there is no "error" in time setting for
Adventists to cover up, nor have our claims to be the remnant church been
exclusive. We do see our mission and messages associated with the people at the end
of Chapter 12 in Revelation. In this sense, we are a people with a remnant message
of which we believe we comprise such a group as to be referred to as the remnant;
but also, the church of Christ is composed of many more who are not associated
with us. This is hardly the exclusivity Leslie seeks to label us. In fact, the very
conservative Uriah Smith says concerning the remnant, "We say the last generation;
for the war of the dragon is directed against the remnant of the woman's seed; that
is, the remnant of the seed, or individuals, that constitute the true church; and no
generation but the last can truthfully be represented by the remnant." 75 We may be
living in the last days, but it seems that it's only those who are alive at the time of
Jesus' coming who constitute remnant.

Both are guilty of plagiarism

48) "Both have been guilty of plagiarism of earlier works without giving
credit to the previous authors."

We seem to find literary dependence by most people in the nineteenth century.

Even Adventism's first apostate to attack the movement was also guilty of the same.
Dudley M. Canright (1840-1919) resigned from office and membership in February
of 1887. Two years later, in his book Seventh-day Adventism Renounced, he charges
Ellen White with plagiarism. He himself some years earlier published a book in
which he simply changed the title page to show himself as the author. His criticisms
of the church he once loved have for the most part simply been restated by others.
That is why the name of this work is titled, "The Canright Syndrome." It is a
syndrome which continues to repeat itself, with very little new criticisms, but often
interestingly reshaped and sometimes humorous arguments. Even Walter Rae in
his book, The White Lie 76 , knew Ellen depended on others years before, but he just
didn't know that it was "so much!" It seems that while he believed she copied a
little, that was okay. What constitutes too much? Who is to be the one who sets that
standard? Is it Walter Rae? This topic is far from settled.

74
Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, Vol. 1, (1958), page 188. See also, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1 for
the 1854 time setting in the Appendix, page A-8
75
Opt cited, page 557.
76
Walter Rae, The White Lie; Turlock, CA: M & R Publicaitons-1982 (respond to M & R Publications, Box
2056, Turlock, CA 95381).
32 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
VI-Wallace Slattery Segment
• Presents him as a former Seventh-day Adventist member

Rae Releases book on Ellen's Plagiarism

49) "In 1982, an Adventist pastor, Walter T. Rae, released this book
(showing cover of book on screen) called The White Lie. He loved Mrs.
White's writings and thought he should read what she read. He began to
see huge amounts of plagiarism in her writings."

Wallace Slattery over simplifies the work of Rae. He is right. Rae loved Mrs.
White's writings. Maybe to the point of holding her up too high, in which case, the
fall was too great. Walter Rae succumbed to his own worship of the "prophet."
When Ellen is put in proper balance she no longer becomes the Icon, or an
"Adventist Pope."

Ellen did not give proper credit

Narrator continues on from here to next segment:
50) "Through diligent research, it was discovered that her supposed
inspiration from God had been borrowed from other authors without proper
credit being given to the original sources. Her many books…(the narrator
goes through a long list of titles)…and others contained plagiarized
material from earlier writers."

The impression seems to be that her complete body of work is copied word for word.
Very little is actually so. What changes she made to the text shows her true intent
was not to take their thoughts as her own, for she reformed and reworked them to
fit her own. If it was just a matter of copying, she would have done so and been
done with it. Actually, trying to re-write someone else's thoughts to conform to
yours can be more difficult. To put quotation marks on these reworked passages
would have credited these authors with conclusions and thoughts which were not
theirs any longer and at best caused confusion. They now have been expressed in
Ellen's words, which now makes them Ellen's thoughts. See Robert Olson's paper
on Ellen's use of uninspired sources for additional information. 77

One book was pulled due to threat of law suit

51) "One book, Sketches From the Life of Paul, was plagiarized in its
entirety by Ellen White. It resulted in a law suit and the book was quickly
taken out of print."

I have two editions of Conybeare and Howson's book, The life of St. Paul along with
the facsimile of Ellen's book. The statement above is simply not true. Sketches
From the Life of Paul was not copied in its entirety. In fact, whatever she borrowed,
she rewrote and changed. Very little was taken "word for word." As regarding the

77
Robert W. Olson, Ellen G. White's Use of Uninspired Sources, Ellen G. White Estate, 1980.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 33
 law suit. There never was a law suit. The law suit is a myth. To continue
propagating it is an outright lie in which our critics are well informed about and
know for a fact did not happen. There never was a law suit or any threat of one. 78
Olson reports her recommendation of Conybeare and Howson's book. He says, "In
support of an advertisement for the book in the Signs of the Times of February 22,
1883, she wrote, 'The Life of St. Paul by Conybear and Howson I regard as a book
of great merit, and one of rare usefulness to the earnest student of the New
Testament history' " 79
Also, the book was never "pulled" from the public. It was just not reprinted. It was
put together for a Sabbath School quarterly as a companion book. The main
material was used to make Acts of the Apostles, which is still in print. Arthur White
in his biography on his grandmother wrote, "The Review and Herald of January 16,
1883, carried a note that the Sabbath school lessons beginning with the second
quarter would be on the book of Acts of the Apostles. For collateral reading the two
publishing houses offered copies of the popular standard work Life and Epistles of
St. Paul, by the British clergymen W. J. Conybeare and J. S. Howson, as premiums
with their respective journals (RH, Jan. 2, 1883; ST, Jan. 11, 1883)." 80 and "As she
hoped before too long to fill in the gap between The Desire of Ages and The Great
Controversy, she did not give approval for continued printings. It took her much
longer than was anticipated to get to the task of filling in this gap. Not till the year
1911 was her 630-page book The Acts of the Apostles published." 81

The Adventist Church Fought Back

52) "Despite the irrefutable evidence, the Seventh-day Adventist Church
choose to fight back against these charges with a book titled, The White
Truth. In it, their mainline of defense was that since there was no copyright
laws at the time, Ellen G. White hadn't actually broken the law, which of
course, sidestepped the issue."
"Their book further attempted to firmly re-enforce Mrs. White's standing as
a divinely inspired prophetess by stating on page 61 that, "What we are as
a church is a reflection of our faith in the divine authority evident in the
writings of Ellen G. White."

This was not the "mainline defense" against the charge as presented in the book.
The book covered a number of areas. The "firmly re-enforced" standing of Ellen
White by Robertson in the White Truth 82 is not an argument against or for her
calling from God. Why this may seem important to the critics is only that they
intend to paint the picture that her position was forced upon the church (firmly re-
enforced) in lieu of pain of "separation." This is of course, very Roman of our critics
to do this.
78
F. D. Nichol, Ellen G. White and Her Critics, Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald-1951, page 423ff., see
also the appendix, A-23 for reproduction of the chapter.
79
Olson, page 15.
80
Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White, Vol. 3, The Lonely Years, Review and Herald-1984, page 215.
81
ibid, 217.
82
John J. Robertson, The White Truth; Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press-1981.
34 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 The book gives more details even refereeing to her own admittance of using
sources. 83

Adventism Hierarchy unable to prove that even 20% of Ellen's Writings are Original
53) "Yet the Seventh-day Adventist hierarchy has been unable to respond
to the challenge to prove that even twenty percent of her writings were
original."

Under point 57 in the documentation package, they give Walter Rae's challenge to
the Adventists. Rae expects the church to prove that even 20% percent of her
writings are original. No matter. Rae was a preacher, not a mathematician. He
must not have known that you can't prove a negative. As they say, you can speak to
him at 209-892-6282 and ask him about this. Can you imagine the number of books
that one would have to read in order to substantiate this, and then it could hardly
give a subjective conclusion. Ask anyone if he or she can "prove" that at least 20
percent of his or her book is original. I think Walter Rae needs to restate this
"challenge."

Ellen's Visions equally as shaky

54) "Equally as shaky, were the visions she claims to have had from God.
Some of these visions turned out to be nothing more then verbal
descriptions of paintings and drawings that she had seen in previously
published books by other authors."

We certainly don't want her to be shaky. Her verbal descriptions of paintings and
drawings perpetuated as scenes presented from heaven is quite a simple
explanation of her experience. This is the second time we record the trivial
expounded by our critics. What a waste of time and it takes away credibility
regarding points worth discussing.

VII-Dan Snyder
• Followed in his father's footsteps by becoming an Adventist minister. (Son of David
Snyder, interviewed earlier in video).
• His examination of Ellen White's teachings eventually lead him to leave Adventism
and "enter the Christian Ministry."

Ellen's early Health Advice

55) "Researchers examining the early documents containing Ellen G.
White's advice on diet and health are usually in for a rude awakening. We
must concede that she was after all, (showing the cover of Ron Number's
book, Prophet of Health) a Victorian lady with very reserved ideas on the
opposite sex."

83
See introduction to the 1911 Great Controversy.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 35
 A general statement like this requires a general statement in return. This is simply
the set up for the forthcoming accusations. It is true that Ellen was a product of her
time just as we are of ours. She was very Victorian in her ways, what we might
refer to today as prudish. Would one who receives messages from God step out of
their time and frame of experience when performing their mission? No, not even
the canonical writers of Scripture did such a thing.

Most of Ellen's Health Advice had to do with the Male Sex Drive
56) "Most of her health advice had to do with bringing into submission the
male sexual appetites, which she considered excessive. Her advice on the
subject is lengthy, but her belief was that these sexual appetites could be
controlled by diet. First she gave a list of foods to avoid."

"Our food should be prepared free from spices. Mince pies, cakes, preserves,
and highly-seasoned meats, with gravies, create a feverish condition in the system, and
inflame the animal passions. We should teach our children to practice habits of self-
denial; that the great battle of life is with self, to restrain the passions, and bring
them into subjection to the mental and moral faculties.
My sisters, be entreated to spend less time over the cook-stove, preparing
food to tempt the appetite, and thus wearing out the strength given you of God to be
used for a better purpose. A plain, nourishing diet will not require so great an
amount of labor. We should devote more time to humble, earnest prayer to God,
for wisdom to bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
The health of the mind is dependent upon the health of the body. As Christian
parents we are bound to train our children in reference to the laws of life. We
should instruct them, by precept and example, that we do not live to eat, but that we
eat to live. We should encourage in our children a love for nobleness of mind, and a
pure, virtuous character. In order to strengthen in them the moral perceptions, the
love of spiritual things, we must regulate the manner of our living, dispense with
animal food, and use grains, vegetables, and fruits, as articles of food." 84 (The quoted
portion from the video is italicized, showing in context the statements made)

Ellen's writings on health dealt with sex less then Dan Snyder suggests. In fact, Bob
Pickle did an excellent job in his book dealing with this very accusation by Dan
Snyder. In his search in her early writings on health he finds that her statements on
"morality appeared on 11 to 14 pages out of 69 pages from her Health or How to
Live articles. 85

Ellen says to drink no Coffee or Tea

Narrator quotes from A Solemn Appeal, "The adherents are exhorted" he says to:
57) "Sip no more the beverage of china, no more the drinks of java." and
then the video gives us the page number 257.
also, another quote is read:

84
Ellen G. White, A Solemn Appeal (1870), page 65-66
85
Bob Pickle, A Response to the Video, (Halstad, MN: Decisions-2002) page 80.
36 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 "… our heavenly Father sent the light of health reform to guard against the evils
that result from unrestrained indulgence of appetite" 86

The first quote is not an Ellen White quote. It is a republished article by O. S.

Fowler called, "Amativeness." The second statement is from Child Guidance and
remains relevant. Even today, we know that improper diets reek havoc on an
individual. It seems that this is good advice proven to be true over time. I can think
of no Christian who would think that unrestrained indulgence of appetite is a noble
feature or not destructive to person or spirit.
As regarding the first quote, it is interesting that she recommended coffee for the
treatment of seasickness as late as 1882; or tea (regular) (1888). 87

Vegetarianism Believed to be healthy lifestyle

Leslie Martin:
58) "Many people believed that the vegetarian lifestyle of Seventh-day
Adventism is a healthy alternative, and many people are drawn to
Adventism because of their health message. We were taught as Adventists
that we had a special message for the world with our health message and
that our prophetess, Ellen White, was years ahead of her time."

Ellen did present things ahead of her time. A most recent book dealing in areas of
her health counsel is by Mervyn G. Hardinge. A Physician Explains Ellen White's
Counsel on Drugs, Herbs, & Natural Remedies, Hagerstown, MD: Review and
Herald-2001.
The other area, Leslie is right. The health message is used to help Adventist get
near the people. It is the means by which we can approach them on common
grounds without bias or other barriers in our way. Ellen wrote, " Medical
missionary work is the right hand of the gospel. It is necessary to the advancement
of the cause of God. As through it men and women are led to see the importance of
right habits of living, the saving power of the truth will be made known." 88 Yes, we
do have a special message for the world. It isn't our health message that's the
special message to the world, but it is helped "by" our health message.

Ellen Advised not to eat evening meal

Dan Snyder continues:
59) " To bring under control the male sexual appetites, besides being
vegetarian. It was advised by Ellen White not to eat an evening meal at all."

A one size fits all is presented here. Ellen made no blanket statements saying we
should not eat an evening meal. There are always exceptions. She wrote, " The
practice of eating but two meals a day is generally found a benefit to health; yet
under some circumstances, persons may require a third meal. This should,

86
Ellen G. White, Child Guidance, page 460.
87
Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, Vol. 2, page 302,303.
88
Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 7, page 59.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 37
 however, if taken at all, be very light, and of food most easily digested. Crackers--
the English biscuit--or zwieback, and fruit, or cereal coffee, are the foods best suited
for the evening meal." 89 And this reference, though repeated several times through
out Ellen's writings, is the main reference to two meals a day. She said concerning
two meals a day that," Most people enjoy better health while eating two meals a day
than three; others, under their existing circumstances, may require something to eat
at supper-time; but this meal should be very light. Let no one think himself a
criterion for all, -- that every one must do exactly as he does. " 90 (Emphasis
supplied).

Ellen on Wigs
60) "Women were not immune from Ellen White's health advice either. And
she further controlled her female followers by issuing directions an their
hair styles and manner of dress. Speaking of wigs and other hair pieces,
she said:"

"Fashion loads the heads of women with artificial braids and pads, which do
not add to their beauty, but give an unnatural shape to the head. The hair is
strained and forced into unnatural positions, and it is not possible for the heads of
these fashionable ladies to be comfortable. The artificial hair and pads covering the
base of the brain, heat and excite the spinal nerves centering in the brain. The head
should ever be kept cool. The heat caused by these artificials induces the blood to
the brain. The action of the blood upon the lower or animal organs of the brain,
causes unnatural activity, tends to recklessness in morals, and the mind and heart is
in danger of being corrupted. As the animal organs are excited and strengthened,
the moral are enfeebled. The moral and intellectual powers of the mind become
servants to the animal.
In consequence of the brain being congested its nerves lose their healthy action,
and take on morbid conditions, making it almost impossible to arouse the moral
sensibilities. Such lose their power to discern sacred things. The unnatural heat
caused by these artificial deformities about the head, induces the blood to the brain,
producing congestion, and causing the natural hair to fall off, producing baldness.
Thus the natural is sacrificed to the artificial.
Many have lost their reason, and become hopelessly insane, by following this
deforming fashion. Yet the slaves to fashion will continue to thus dress their heads,
and suffer horrible disease and premature death, rather than be out of fashion. " 91
(Italicized portion is what the video quoted)

As you can see, the italicized portion is what was presented in the video. Read just
that and then the fuller context and you can see the manipulation of the text. We
must be careful in comparing these statements to today's advanced technology and
products. They were nothing like them. The jute used in many wigs might contain

89
Ellen G. White, Counsels on Diet and Foods, (1938), page 176.
90
Ellen G. White, Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, (1890), page 58.
91
EllenG. White, Health Reformer, October 1, 1871.
38 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 small bugs known to infest the scalp. The terminology "hopelessly insane" is used
in the nineteenth century context. Like saying someone is "nuts" today, the
expression isn't always a declaration of clinical madness. 92

Dress Reform
61) "Once the deadly period of wearing wigs was dealt with, Ellen G. White
tried to force a hot uncomfortable, strange style of dress on her female
followers. She claimed it was designed by God. It was in reality a pare of
pants with a bulky long dress over them."

" God would now have His people adopt the reform dress, not only to
distinguish them from the world as His "peculiar people," but because a reform in
dress is essential to physical and mental health. God's people have, to a great extent,
lost their peculiarity, and have been gradually patterning after the world, and
mingling with them, until they have in many respects become like them." 93

While the dress reform had meaning when it was first introduced, it lost it's
meaning due to resistance and changing fashions. Notice Ellen's words.
"There were some things which made the reform dress, which was once advocated,
a decided blessing. With it the ridiculous hoops, which were then the fashion, could
not be worn. The long dress skirts trailing on the ground and sweeping up the filth
of the streets could not be patronized. But a more sensible style of dress has been
adopted, which does not embrace these objectionable features." 94
While Dan speaks of a long bulky dress, "Mrs. White spoke against the American
Costume because of its modesty, its resemblance to male attire, as being contrary to
the scripture injunction, …She deplored the ultralong dress, and recommended one
short enough, so that it would always clear the ground." 95 as well as her comments
as such, "We shall never imitate Miss Dr. Austin or Mrs. Dr. York. They dress very
much like men. We shall imitate or follow no fashion we have ever yet seen. We
shall institute a fashion which will be both economical and healthful." 96
According to the prevailing styles of her day, the dress was more comfortable and
less constraining then other similar dress advocated. Dan's statement is placed
within context of today's light and airy dress like his wig statements. They are out
of time and out of context.

Dress Reform Rebuke by Ellen

62) "Faithful sisters struggled with the cumbersome dress, until Ellen White
quietly stopped wearing hers some years later with no explanation given.
With some zealous Adventist women trying to restore the wearing of the
garment, believing it was God's will, Ellen G. White rebuked them."
92
See the documents at the White Estate online. Go to http://www.whiteestate.org/
93
Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, page 524.
94
Ellen G. White, Healthful Living, (1897, 1898) page 119.
95
White Estate, Seventh-day Adventists and the Reform Dress, (from D. E. Robinson, Story of Our Health
Message,) page 9.
96
Ellen G. White, Letter 1a, 1864.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 39
 "There were some things which made the reform dress, which was once advocated,
a decided blessing. With it the ridiculous hoops, which were then the fashion, could
not be worn. The long dress skirts trailing on the ground and sweeping up the filth
of the streets could not be patronized. But a more sensible style of dress has been
adopted, which does not embrace these objectionable features. The fashionable part
may be discarded, and should be by all who read the word of God. The dress of our
people should be made most simple. The skirt and sack I have mentioned may be
used, not that just that pattern and nothing else should be established, but a simple
style as was represented in that dress. Some have supposed that the very pattern
given was the pattern that all should adopt; this is not so, but something as simple as
this would be the best we could adopt under the circumstances . . .. Simple dress
should be the word; try your talent, my sisters, in this essential reform." 97
" Your letter has been received and read . . .. The subject that you place
before me for counsel [the proposal to return to the reform dress advocated and
worn in the late 1860's] is one that needs to be carefully considered." 98
" God's tests are now to stand out plain and unmistakable. There are storms
before us, conflicts of which few dream. There is no need now for any special
alteration in our dress. The plain simple style of dress now worn, made in the most
healthful way, demands no hoops, and no long trails and is presentable anywhere,
and these things should not come in to divert our minds from the grand test which is
to decide the eternal destiny of a world--the commandments of God and the faith of
Jesus." 99 (Emphasis mine)
" The burden of advocating the reform dress was removed because that
which was given as a blessing was turned into a curse." 100

Left Behind at Second Coming for not Accepting Ellen's Diet

Narrator:
63) "During this period, the control of Ellen G. White over her followers
continued to grow tremendously. Particularly, when she announced that
those who are not following her dietary orders would be left behind at the
second coming of Jesus Christ."

She talks of a state of being, not an ultimatum. Those who are seeking Jesus "will
be" she says, not "will be in order that." For instance, " Grains and fruits prepared
free from grease and in as natural a condition as possible should be the food for the
tables of all who claim to be preparing for translation to heaven." 101 See
appendix 102 for more statements.

Left Behind at Second Coming for not being Vegetarian

97
Ellen G. White, Healthful Living (1897, 1898), page 119.
98
Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, Book 3, page 252
99
ibid
100
ibid, page 253.
101
Ellen G. White, Mind, Character, and Personality, Vol. 1; (1977), page 236. (see also, 2T, 352)
102
appendix A-28
40 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
Leslie Martin comments:
64) "Our prophetess, Ellen G. White, taught that we should be vegetarians,
especially in consideration of the soon return of Jesus Christ. Because, if
we're not vegetarian when Jesus comes, we would not go to be with Him
when He came to gather His people."

Again, like under point 63, she never made such a statement. She never states it as
an "either/or", but as an emphatic. Such as, one would be safe to assume the saints
will not be stealing and coveting when Jesus comes. Jesus made such a statement
when he said that the gospel of he kingdom will be preached though out the world
and then the end will come. 103 His coming is not based on how well we get the
gospel out. It's simply a declaration that the gospel will have gone out before the
end. Ellen also states that those waiting to be translated will not be eating meat.

VIII-J. Mark Martin Segment

• Currently pastor of Calvary Community Church in Phoenix, Arizona.
• A former Adventist pastor
• Forced to resign when he had to choose between Ellen White and the Bible

Ellen Stressed the letter of the Law

65) Ellen G. White stressed the keeping of the letter of the law along with
many added rules to put one on the road to salvation. She had no patience
with Christians who dared to say, 'I am saved.'"

" We are never to rest in a satisfied condition, and cease to make

advancement, saying, "I am saved." " [Review and Herald, June 17, 1890]
"Those who are teaching this doctrine today have much to say in regard to faith and
the righteousness of Christ; but they pervert the truth, and make it serve the cause of
error. They declare that we have only to believe on Jesus Christ, and that faith is all-
sufficient; that the righteousness of Christ is to be the sinner's credentials; that this
imputed righteousness fulfils the law for us, and that we are under no obligation to
obey the law of God. This class claim that Christ came to save sinners, and that he
has saved them. "I am saved," they will repeat over and over again. But are they
saved while transgressing the law of Jehovah? --No; for the garments of Christ's
righteousness are not a cloak for iniquity." [Signs of the Times, February 25, 1897]

The video gives us the reference of "Signs of the Times, February 8, 1897.” There is
no edition of the Signs for that date. I can find February 4th and the 11th of that
year, which means that there simply was no issue for the 8th. I assume that this was
just a typographic error.
I could not find any single article giving all the quoted material from the video.
What I found surprising is that they quoted from two articles of Mrs. White and

103
Matthew 24:12
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 41
 tied them together as one statement. The viewer would not know this and would
assume that this was one continuous statement, which I am sure the critics intended.
Why could I assume this? Because, being former Adventist pastors, they are very
familiar with Mrs. White's writings. To present two entirely separate references as
one statement could only have been done as a conscious deed.
I have shown the portions they quoted along with some context and referenced the
actual articles from which these statements were gleaned.
"A closer look at Ellen G. White's cautions regarding this subject reveals that, in
context, she is not speaking against the certainty of a believer's present standing
with God. She is warning against the presumptuous 'once saved, always saved'
teaching of eternal security…" 104

Adventist View of Salvation

66) "The Adventist view of salvation is Jesus made the down payment for
our salvation at the cross, but once you've accepted His offer of salvation,
you've got to keep making the monthly installments. So, really relying
upon the grace of God alone to save them, Adventist are striving to be
rigidly obedient and this makes for an inflexible, guilt ridden legalistic
lifestyle."

What Mark calls the "Adventist view" is of course incorrect. This is not the norm.
Our literature is filled with Gospel centered teachings. One good example is Hans
K. LaRondelle's book, Christ Our Salvation. Published in 1981, this book is a clear
presentation of the Gospel of Grace…alone. The Adventist who falls to a "Legalistic
lifestyle" has in essence departed from the Gospel. To be "rigidly obedient" is to
fall prey to formalism. The outside may look good, but inside, one is filled with dead
men's bones.
The covenant statement of Adventism is Revelation 14:12. It reads, "Here is the
patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the
faith of Jesus." It is this very description of the last day saints who will hold to a
proper tension between law and grace. There is an ongoing debate over the gospel
issues within Adventism as described in Revelation 3 concerning the last day
church, Laodicea. It will have its effect.

Ellen Taught law keeping regardless of What the Church teaches

67) "Despite modern Adventists attempts to soften law keeping, Ellen
White's teachings are unmistakable"
"No one is saved who is a transgressor of the law of God…" 105

This same source says, "The love of God as manifested in Jesus, will lead us to the
true conception of the character of God. As we behold Christ, pierced for our sins,

104
White Estate, Comments Regarding Unusual Statements Found in Ellen G. White's Writings,
www.whiteestate.org. Adapted from Herbert E. Douglass, Messenger of the Lord; Nampa, ID: Pacific Press-
1998, pages 489-90.
105
Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, June 17, 1890.
42 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 we shall see that we cannot break the law of God and remain in his favor; we shall
feel that as sinners we must lay hold of the merits of Christ and cease to sin. Then
we are drawing nigh to God. As soon as we have a correct view of the love of God,
we shall have no disposition to abuse it." Just as Mark Martin asserts, we obey out
of love not in order to "get" saved. 106

Martin shows the Bibles position on the law

68) "Yet the Bible teaches that we are under a new covenant and the old
covenant is obsolete. Christ is the end of the law. (He emphasizes, "end")
The New Testament teaches that the law was given by God to be our tutor,
or teacher leading us to Christ." Mark Martin then quotes Gal. 3:25: " But
after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster."
(Published here in the King James Version).

Again, this is a large topic in which we don't have space to treat fully, but we need to
understand a few things about covenant. First, God has only one way of saving
people, the cross. Second, God has one people, the saints, the true Israel of God. 107
Third, the Old covenant was presented in types and symbols which represented the
promise to come while the second covenant is the promise realized. They are in
essence the same, for one point forward to the cross and the other points back to it.

Shows law and grace as Contrast

69) "Christians are to grow in grace and keep God's commandments out of
a love for Him, not under compulsion. In fact, being under the law leads to
sin. 1 Corinthians 15:56 says, "…the strength of sin is the law. " In
contrast, being under grace leads to holiness. I love what Titus 2:11-12
says, " For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all
men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should
live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;"

My whole intentions are to find ways to bridge differences, even if we don't come to
the same understanding, we can learn to live as brothers. Mark's statement here is
the one statement I can concur with and will leave it just as he said it without
commentary. If nowhere in this paper can we be found in agreement, let it be here
that unity exists.

Investigative Judgment is contrary to Grace

70) "Salvation by grace thru faith alone is the heart of the Gospel. But the
Adventist doctrine of 1844, the Investigative Judgment, colors all their
major doctrines. It's because of this false teaching, also known as the pre-
advent judgment, which amounts to nothing more then a judgment of
works which determine salvation, that the unbiblical doctrine of Soul Sleep
jaws introduced. (The video shows the cover of Wallace Slattery's book,

106
see point 69.
107
Read Romans 9-11
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 43
 Are Seventh-day Adventists False Prophets?: A Former Insider Speaks
Out.)

"But we must day by day humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. We are
to work out our own salvation with fear and with trembling. While it is God that
works in us to will and to do of His own good pleasure, we are to co-operate with
Him while He works through us." 108 This is an echo of Paul from his Epistle to the
Philippians. 109 This "work" is our work of faith. See Jesus' response to the
question posed by the Jews in John 6:28 and 29. They ask him, " What shall we do,
that we might work the works of God? " His answer is, " This is the work of God,
that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." His words, "ye believe" denote a
continuing habit. This is our work, to exercise an ongoing faith in the one whom
God had sent…Jesus!
George E. Ladd wrote concerning the final judgment, "The issue of the final
judgment will be either a declaration of righteousness that will mean acquittal from
all guilt, or conviction of unrighteousness and subsequent condemnation. The
essential meaning of justification, therefore, is forensic and involves acquittal by the
righteous judge." 110
Concerning this eschatological understanding of Justification, he equates with the
cross. Of course, the cross incorporates the Yom Kippur types as well and it is here
that we see the "already" and the "not yet" aspects of salvation, justification and
judgment. Ladd says, "Justification, which primarily means acquittal at the final
judgment, has already taken place in the present. The eschatological judgment is no
longer alone future; it has become a verdict in history." 111 Compare this same
concept of the "already" and "not yet" in Ivan T. Blazen's article, "Justificaiton
and Judgment." 112 "The author's resolution of these two truths may be termed 'the
dynamic, salvation-historical view.' It stresses the 'already' of salvation begun in
the here and now and the 'not yet' of salvation completed. The essence of this view
is that there is only one justification. It accompanies the believer from the time of
faith's inception (the 'already') all the way into the final judgment where its reality
and vitality are tested and attested by it fruits (the 'not yet'). At the end--the
judgment-God asks for justification with its fruit. He does not ask this in the sense
of the formula--'faith plus works saves' --but in the sense that justification is the
source of sanctified fruit." 113

Investigative Judgment is contrary to the doctrine of the Immortal Soul

108
Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, July 12, 1887.
109
Philippians 2:12
110
George E. Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament, (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans-1974) page 441-442.
See also the whole chapter, "The Work of Chist: Justification and Reconciliation", pages 437 - 456.
111
ibid, 442
112
Ivan T. Blazen, "Justification and Judgment", Frank B. Holbrook, The Seventy Weeks, Leviticus, and the
Nature of Prophecy, Daniel and Revelation Committee Series, Vol. 3; (Washington, D.C.: Biblical Research
Institute, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists-1986), pages 339-388.
113
ibid, page 339-340.
44 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 71) "Obviously, you couldn't have believers going to heaven when they died
before they lives were supposedly judged. What if they hadn't been good
enough? They'd have to leave Heaven, right?
"So the Adventist teach that when a person dies, he or she goes into the
grave, into non-existence. But this teaching flies in the face of the
Scriptures which clearly state that "to be absent from the body, is to be at
home with the Lord." (2 Cor. 5:8). And when a believer dies, he departs
and is with Christ. (Phil. 1:23).

As we have shown before, the teaching of conditional immortality is not cultic, nor
anti-Christian. We believe it to be biblical. It was not brought into the church as an
after thought to substantiate the Investigative Judgment. This doctrine was held
long before that.
We again call the readers attention to the work of Edward Fugde, The Fire that
Consumes, which we have already referenced.

Adventists Don't teach the Bible Doctrine of Hell

72) Adventists "don't teach the biblical doctrine of hell."

We believe and teach the doctrine of Hell. We alos believe that the doctrine of Hell
taught by Adventism is biblical. Refer back to point 39 for a fuller explanation.

Sabbath is a Distinctive Doctrine

73) "One of the primary distinctive doctrines of Seventh-day Adventism is
the keeping of the Saturday Sabbath. To keep the seventh-day day is seen
as a mark of true loyalty. The idea of the seventh day Sabbath was not
original to Ellen White though. It was in fact, initiated by a Seventh Day
Baptist contact and Joseph Bates subsequently talked James and Ellen
White into the idea in 1846."

This is essentially true, the Sabbath is one of our primary doctrines, however,
Joseph Bates didn't "talk" James and Ellen into it. His work on the Sabbath,
published in August of 1846 around the time James and Ellen married helped
convince them of its truth. He didn't "talk them into it", for they at first thought it
not necessary to observe.

Ellen's vision introduces the doctrine of the Sabbath

74) "Ellen obliged by conveniently having a vision, and this introduced the
teaching to her followers.

" The first day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. But I saw that it read the
same as when written on the tables of stone by the finger of God, and delivered to
Moses in Sinai, "But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God." I saw that
the holy Sabbath is, and will be, the separating wall between the true Israel of God and
unbelievers; and that the Sabbath is the great question, to unite the hearts of God's
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 45
 dear waiting saints. And if one believed, and kept the Sabbath, and received the
blessing attending it, and then gave it up, and broke the holy commandment, they
would shut the gates of the Holy City against themselves, as sure as there was a God
that rules in heaven above." 114 (The italicized portion is what the video quotes)

A number of followers already were observing the Sabbath along with Bates before
James and Ellen began to observe it. The vision didn't introduce it to the followers,
it was "already" introduced in the publication of Bates' pamphlet on the Sabbath.
She did verify Bates' understanding of the Sabbath six months later when she
concurred with him that the Sabbath was a last day testing truth.

Observance of Sabbath changes from 6 pm to "sunset to sunset"

75) "In the early years when the Sabbath observance was kept, it always
begun at 6 pm on Fridays. It was before sunset in the summer and after
sunset in the winter. This went on for over nine years. Since the Bible
says the Sabbath was to be kept form sunset to sunset, a division arose.
The matter was studied and presented to the Adventist Conference in 1855.
Finally they voted to keep the Sabbath from sun down Friday to sun down
Saturday."

This serves to prove once again that changes and adoption of doctrine within the
church is based on Bible study. As light came and was understood, the little flock
walked in it. See point 77 below.

Ellen's faked Vision confirms the matter of Sabbath

Narrator:
76) "There was still descent however among Adventist followers. Mrs.
White decided to have another vision to settle the matter. A delegate to the
conference reported, 'After the conference, November 20th, the vision was
given, establishing those undecided in the sunset time.' " (No reference
offered on the video, nor any reference found). 115

This statement is made in an inflammatory way, "…Mrs. White decided to have

another vision…" which takes away from it any serious response one might want to
make to Mark's attack. Ellen's vision did confirm the conference vote, but it only
confirmed what was already voted on. It became "official" before her vision, not
because of it.

Have They Not Been Sabbath Breakers?

Mark Martin continues:
77) "Far from the convenient vision establishing the matter, the Adventist
continued to ask questions. Why could not they believe Mrs. White's
original vision concerning the 6 pm Sabbath? Why the change now, nine
114
Ellen G. White, Broadside 3-A Vision, April 7, 1847
115
Refer to Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 1, page 116.
46 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 years later? Had they in fact not been Sabbath breakers and not Sabbath
Keepers for the first nine years of the practice?"

"Said the angel: "If light come, and that light is set aside or rejected, then comes
condemnation and the frown of God; but before the light comes, there is no sin, for
there is no light for them to reject." I saw that it was in the minds of some that the
Lord had shown that the Sabbath commenced at six o'clock, when I had only seen
that it commenced at "even," and it was inferred that even was at six. I saw that the
servants of God must draw together, press together." 116
While walking according to understanding, God does not imput sin. But when
knowledge comes and is not held, then responsibility is called for. No, they had not
been Sabbath breakers.

The Required vision to answer the question which was never answered by God.
78) "It required another vision by Ellen White in which she promised to
question the angel and get an explanation and cause the controversy to die
down. Mrs. White died without ever getting the promised explanation from
God."

"I inquired why it had been thus, that at this late day we must change the
time of commencing the Sabbath. Said the angel: "Ye shall understand, but not yet,
not yet." 117
Read the above reference in context for answer. See point 77 above. Its from
this same passage that we find the question, and the answer.

Sabbath keeping determines salvation.

79) "However, the keeping of the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown
Saturday came to be of prime importance in determining who would
receive the seal of God and be saved and who wouldn't."

" The Sabbath will be the great test of loyalty, for it is the point of truth
especially controverted. When the final test shall be brought to bear upon men,
then the line of distinction will be drawn between those who serve God and those
who serve Him not. While the observance of the false Sabbath in compliance with
the law of the state, contrary to the fourth commandment, will be an avowal of
allegiance to a power that is in opposition to God, the keeping of the true Sabbath,
in obedience to God's law, is an evidence of loyalty to the Creator. While one class,
by accepting the sign of submission to earthly powers, receive the mark of the beast,
the other choosing the token of allegiance to divine authority, receive the seal of
God." 118
Mark makes the same point under number 69 concerning obedience. We keep the
Sabbath not to get saved, but because we are saved and we recognize it as an

116
ibid
117
ibid
118
Ellen G. White, Great Controversy, (1911), page 605.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 47
 integral part of intimacy with Christ. We understand the Sabbath to be a test in the
last days just before Jesus comes. Those who are H is will in fact be found
observing it.

Sunday worshipers receive the Mark of the Beast

80) "So, failing to keep the Sabbath resulted in one receiving the mark of
the beast, and losing one's eternal life."

If it were only a matter of which day you keep, this might make sense. After all,
may could make a mental assent to Sabbath observance in order to be on the
winning side when in fact, the hold no such view in their heart. This Sabbath seal is
a an internal commitment to follow God and is not based on winning the right to
heaven. The emphatic point to make is simply that those who are His saints at the
end will be observing the Sabbath. Those who are not, will receive the seal or mark
of the beast because they have no relationship with the master Jesus.

The View is Equally Severe Today

Narrator:
81) "Today, the view is equally severe. On page 167 of the Adventist
publication, 27 Fundamental Doctrines, it says:"
"When this issue is clearly brought before the world, those who reject God's
memorial of creatorship--the Bible Sabbath--choosing to worship and honor Sunday
in the full knowledge that it is not God's appointed day of worship, will receive the
'mark of the beast.' This mark is a mark of rebellion; the beast claims its change of
the day of worship shows its authority even over God's law." 119

Notice that is reads, "in full knowledge." If you are not under conviction
concerning the Sabbath right now, you would not have the seal of the beast. It is
based on knowledge that the Holy Spirit gives you and how you act on that
knowledge. I cannot be your judge concerning that, for I cannot read your heart. I
see only on the outside. It is God who sees inside and He has already provided the
solution to our condition.

Salvation dependant of Sabbath Worship

Mark Martin continues:
82) "So, even today, Seventh-day Adventists have made salvation untimely
dependant on which day of the week one worships."

As we have said before, one observes the Sabbath because one is already saved, not
in order to "get" saved. Salvation is not based on the Sabbath, nor any of the other
nine commandments.

119
Ministerial Association, Seventh-day Adventists Believe…A Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental
Doctrines; Silver Spring, MD: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists-1988, page 167.
48 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
The Seal of God is not the Sabbath
83) "Several New Testament Scriptures clearly identify the seal of God as a
work of the Holy Spirit, not the keeping of the Sabbath day. For example,
Ephesians 4:30 plainly says, "…grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby
ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Mrs. White has no support at
all for linking the seal of God with Sabbath keeping."

This same question was addressed in 1887 in an article in the Review and Herald by
O. A. Johnson. He showed several reasons why the seal in Revelation seven was not
the Holy Spirit. The sealing we are talking about is a seal applied to those already
sealed by the Holy Spirit. 120
It is interesting that in the face of Scripture, the critics would still try to restate its
truth. For Scripture reads, " Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the
trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. " [Rev. 7:3].
Why would the servants of God need the seal of the Holy Spirit if they are already
the servants of God? This seal is clearly not the seal of the Holy Spirit, but
something else.

Christ's Followers meet on the "Lord's Day"

84) Christ's followers meet on the Lord's Day, resurrection day for their
worship and breaking of bread. Not on the Jewish Sabbath!"

In Acts 20:7, we find a meeting that began at sundown on Sabbath and last till
midnight, for Paul was traveling the next day. Sunday was a travel day, not a
meeting day. Also, in Acts 16:13 we find a meeting on the Sabbath by the river out
of town with Gentiles, for there were no Jews or synagogue to meet in. Why not the
"Lord's Day"? Because the Lords Day was and remains the Sabbath. This
argument which Mark intimates to is one the weakest to be made to justify Sunday
as a replacement of the Sabbath.

Satan Becomes the sin bearer

85) "Adventists further deviate in their Salvation doctrine teaching that
Satan ultimately becomes a sin bearer. They teach he bears away the sins
of the world."
"As the priest, in removing the sins from the sanctuary, confessed them upon
the head of the scapegoat, so Christ will place all these sins upon Satan, the
originator and instigator of sin." 121

The scapegoat is never the sin bearer. The responsibility of sin falls back upon his
head, for he (Satan) is the instigator of sin. Even Walter Martin, whom these critics
feel was soft concerning Seventh-day Adventists, understood that this doctrine of the
scapegoat was not associated with Satan bearing our sins in place of Christ. He
wrote, "Perhaps no doctrine of Seventh-day Adventism has been more
120
O. A. Johnson, Review and Herald, March 1, 1887, page 130/
121
Ellen G. White, Great Controversy, (1911), page 485.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 49
 misunderstood than the teaching concerning the scapegoat (Lev. 16). Because of
certain unfortunate choices of words by a few Adventist writers, the impression has
been given that Adventists regard Satan as a partial sin-bearer for the people of
God." 122 "…in light of their clearly worded explanation, no critic could any longer
with honesty indict them for heresy where the atonement of our Lord is
concerned." 123 For instance, "Satan makes no atonement for our sins. But Satan
will ultimately have to bear the retributive punishment for his responsibility in the
sins of all men, both righteous and wicked." 124

Jesus is the sin bearer

86) "How different this is from the clear message of Scripture which says of
Jesus; that 'He himself bore our sins in His body on the cross.' The apostle
John exclaimed, '… Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of
the world.' [John 1:29], truly, salvation must be centered on Christ alone."

We have no problem with this statement, only as it puts in contrast the doctrine of
the scapegoat. The assumption here is that Adventism does not teach this while in
fact we do, and our books and literature are filled with such statements.

IX-Steven Cannon Segment on Cults

• Southwest Director of Personal Freedom Outreach
• a highly respected cult research ministry
• Examined the question of whether the Seventh-day Adventist Church should be
classified as a cult

Adventist Object to be called a Cult

87) "Today, Seventh-day Adventists strive to be included as mainline
evangelical protestant Christians, and therefore object very strongly that
they may be teaching cultic doctrines."

Adventism compared to an Adventist Pastor's list of what makes a Cult

Narrator:
"An Adventist pastor supplied the following five marks of a cult. You be
the judge of whether or not his denomination fits his own definition of a
cult."

Brother Cannon begins with viewing Adventists as outsiders to which he has

already withdrawn the right hand of fellowship. His conclusion is registered across
his forehead.

122
Walter R. Martin, Truth About Seventh-day Adventism, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan-1960), page 184.
123
ibid, page 186. As quoted from Questions on Doctrine, pages 396, 398-400.
124
ibid 185 as quoted from Questions on Doctrine.
50 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
Adventism relies on Ellen G. White
88) Point 1: "Cults or false religions usually have a single powerful leader
who becomes the cult's 'messiah'."

Cannon states:
"Who can deny the total reliance of the group on the teachings of Ellen G.
White? She may not be called their 'messiah', but is certainly their
messenger of God, revered by all."

Adventists have always based their beliefs on sola scriptura, and we maintain that
position today. To try to equate Ellen White with a Joseph Smith or a Jim Jones is
absurd and with out base. His phraseology in saying "…total reliance" on Ellen
White is overstated and only serves to emphasis his foregone conclusion and not a
correct representation of the facts.

Ellen White's teachings become absolute truth "overshadowing" the Bible

89) Point 2: "The cult leader's word, or teachings of the cult become
absolute truth, overshadowing the teachings of the Bible."

Cannon states:
"No Seventh-day Adventist would dare deny that Ellen G. White's
comments on a certain portion of Scripture determines the groups
acceptance or rejection of historical views held on those Scriptures. Her
interpretations prevail and become Adventist doctrine, (Showing a picture
of The Clear Word).
"Even today her writings are considered to be of equal inspiration with
Scripture."

Again, we base our beliefs on Scripture, alone. If any question is posed that
polarizes Ellen White and the Bible, the Bible is your only safe course. She also
supports this concept. "But I do not ask you to take my words. Lay Sister White to
one side. Do not quote my words again as long as you live until you can obey the
Bible. When you make the Bible your food, your meat, and your drink, when you
make its principles the elements of your character, you will know better how to
receive counsel from God. I exalt the precious Word before you today. Do not repeat
what I have said, saying, "Sister White said this," and "Sister White said that."
Find out what the Lord God of Israel says, and then do what He commands." 125

Pressure tactics used to control members

90) Point 3: "Each cult uses pressure tactics to coerce members into
submission."

125
Manuscript 43, 1901. Ellen G. White. Selected Messages, Vol. 3, page 33.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 51
 Cannon states:
"Ellen G. White knew how to pressure people into submission. First, she
would claim to receive a reproof from God for the person, which she would
air publicly through her testimony. Usually the person conformed under
the pressure."

" These reproofs I am not ignorant of. I have given warnings because the
Spirit of the Lord has constrained me to do so, and have uttered reproofs because the
Lord has given me words of reproof. I have not shunned to declare the whole counsel
of God, which has been given me for the church." 126

"The tactics may not be as blatant today, but believers are subject to
pressure tactics today as well to conform to the group. Love, acceptance
and fellowship are very often withheld from anyone who questions the
official teachings of the church."

This is one of the weakest points made. Most, if not all of her personal counsel has
been acknowledged as true by those who received them, even if years later. That
which wasn't was by those who left the movement and never returned. This was not
the great manipulating tool Cannon would have you believe.

Adventist Pioneers denied the deity of Jesus

91) Point 4: "Each cult denies the central truth of the Gospel that Jesus is
the divine Son of God without beginning or ending. They deny that His
death has provided salvation for the entire human race. As a result,
salvation is earned by adherence to the teachings of the cult rather than
accepting Christ and following Him."

Cannon states:
"We would point out that the group originally denied the deity of Jesus
Christ. Today, they believe Jesus Christ is eternal, but they are stuck with
the old doctrine that Jesus is the Archangel Michael. They need to firmly
establish one doctrine and discontinue the other. However, they cannot
give up this doctrine which contradicts Heb. 1:13 () without having to
acknowledge that Mrs. White made a mistake. Instead, they try to
accommodate both conflicting doctrines. This is an impossible situation."

As noted, Seventh-day Adventists today believe in the full deity of Christ. Even our
pioneers believed Jesus was divine, though they did not hold to the trinity doctrine.
The fact that Jesus is described as an angel does not in itself mean that he was a
created being, or should in any way cause confusion in this area. An angel is more
then a species. Recorded in the Old Testament are several stories of the
manifestation of God to people on earth. Later, we have understood these

126
Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases 311; ":The Remnant Church; Its Organization, Authority, Unity, and
Triumph (1934), Section I The Church and Its Foundation", page 6.
52 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 Theophonies to be the appearances of Christ, or Chritophonies. We find some of
them in Gen. 16:9ff, 22:11ff, 24:40ff, and Ex. 3:2, which is Yahwah Himself, which is
Christ as per His words in John 8:58 when He said, "before Abraham was, I Am."
No brother Cannon, this is not an impossible situation. I surprised you don't know
about it. See also Judge 2, 5 , 6 and 13 where Samson's parents are told of his birth.
Also, in Numbers when the ass upon which Balaam was riding refused to pass the
Angel of the Lord in chapter 22. 127

Adventists have added heretical doctrines

Narrator:
92) "As to salvation by grace thru faith and Christ alone, Adventists have
added
1) The Investigative Judgment
2) The keeping of the Sabbath, and
3) Obedience to the Ten Commandments and other Old
Testament laws as requirements for salvation."

These items have already been addressed in this paper. Refer to sections under
Mark Martin's segment concerning all three points to get a good overall view.

Additional Heretical doctrines Adventists have added

93) "In addition, they believe:
1) The world's sins have been placed upon Satan rather than Christ,
and
2) Christians must stand before God without a mediator
"Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ
shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy
God without a mediator." 128

We have addressed the scapegoat under point number 85. This second point has not
been presented elsewhere in the video. The idea that our critics want to get across is
that Adventism teaches that a saint is to stand alone on his own during some period
of time while still in the flesh. This is of course not what is being taught by
Adventists. We always stand by the power of the Holy Spirit and never on our own.
What is here described is the time Christ has finished his work in the Holiest Place
of the heavenly sanctuary and prepares to come to earth to claim his bride…the
church. It is during this time that we stand in the flesh without a mediator in the
sanctuary.
It's surprising that our critics who love to put forth the point that Christ has sat
down at the right hand of God, that is, He has finished His work is now somehow a
High Priest (see on Hebrews 7:25) who makes intercession without end. It is true
that He always lives to make intercession, which is what we teach he is doing now
for which our critics say he is just sitting around because His work is finished. They

127
See also appendix A-10 for a discription of Michael the archangel.
128
Ellen G. White, Great Controversy, (1911), page 425.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 53
 can't seem to make up their mind on what Christ is doing in the heavenly sanctuary.
J. Mark Martin has cleaverly put the two together when he said in his book, "The
clear teaching of the New Testament is that when Jesus ascended into Heaven, He
immediately sat down at the right hand of God. He entered God's presence (the
Holy of Holies), and there lives to make intercession for us." 129 We Adventists have
no problem with this, but our critics have had a field day in attacking us for
believing that Christ was ministering before the throne when they stipulated the fact
that he has sat down at the right hand of the Father. These texts rather, (Heb 1:3,
9:12, 10:12; Col 3:1, Rom. 8:34; Acts 7:55 and others) show Jesus' position, or His
seat. His seat is at the right hand of God, but that doesn't mean Jesus is just sitting
there. No, He instead is continually making intercession for us (Heb. 7:25) as our
High Priest. And when He is done, He will come and get us to bring us home with
Him.
M. R. Vincent in his Word Studies in the New Testament says, "The verb denotes a
solemn, formal act; the assumption of a position of dignity and authority. The
reference is to Christ's ascension. In his exalted state he will still be bearing on all
things toward their consummation, still dealing with sin as the great high priest in
the heavenly sanctuary." 130

Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us

Cannon adds:
94) "Contrast this with the plain statement from the Bible. In Heb. 7:25,
concerning Jesus Christ, '… seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for
them.' Truly the salvation for the Seventh-day Adventist, placing sin upon
Satan is not the salvation taught in the Bible."

Clearly, brother Cannon doesn't understand our doctrine of the scapegoat. The
Bible does not teach that Satan bears our sins instead of Christ who already bore
them 2000 years ago and effected the salvation for every human being who is willing
to reach out with the right hand of faith to lay hold of the promise and make it a
subjective experience.

Adventists don't urge members to leave families, but still too cult-like
95) Point 5: "Cults often urge their converts to leave their families."

Cannon states:
"At last we can find a point on which we can agree. Adventists don't urge
their converts to leave their families. That means, that out of the five points
marking a group as a Cult, four of them apply to the Seventh-day
Adventists. Many find this is too cult-like for them."

129
J. Mark Martin, Seventh-day Adventism & the Writings of Ellen G. White, (Phoenix, AZ: Grace Upon
Grace-2001) page 65.
130
M. R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, (Mac Dill AFB, FL: Mac Donald Publ. Co.-nd), page
1094. Based on Hebrews 1:3, "…sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high."
54 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 We thank brother Cannon for his gracious acknowledgment that we do not urge our
members to break family ties. We will take any proper acknowledgment in the spirit of
bridging our differences to forge brotherly ties. My hope is that many of the things
presented in this video can be corrected by our critics to allow for the making of more
bridges; but alas, I am too much of a realist for that. My main purpose for doing this
paper was to help provide another view for our members who fall prey to such poor quality
material as this video and to provide them with information on other sources and resources
to which they can turn to find answers.

X-The Evangelical Conferences of the 1950s

The Evangelical Conferences of the 1950s
Narrator:
96) "During the 1950's, certain well known evangelical Christian ministers
approached the Seventh-day Adventist hierarchy in the effort to find out
the true nature of their doctrinal beliefs.
(The video has been showing pictures of Walter Martin and Donald
Barnhouse and the cover of the resulting book published by Adventists,
Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine-1957)
"In a gesture similar to the Mormons, the Adventist leaders desiring the
approval of the Christian Community at large, deceptively espoused the
evangelical views of salvation by grace alone. While this temporarily
pacified many Christian denominations, it reeked havoc with Seventh-day
Adventism. Many followers felt betrayed and began searching the
teachings of Ellen White for themselves in an effort to discover the truth.
Those who did were shocked at what they found. What began for many as
a quest to validate Adventism, turned instead into a lurid discovery of the
plagiarisms, false prophecies and heretical teachings of Ellen G. White."

We have been accused of deception concerning the Evangelical conferences with

Walter Martin and Donald Barnhouse in the 1950s. The book Questions on
Doctrines was allowed to go out of print after many thousands were made is true. It
was made largely as a book for those outside of Adventism and was indeed
distributed to many pastors and libraries outside our walls. The core of the book
which caused problems within Adventism and still does so to this day has to do with
only two points. They are the nature of Christ and the Atonement. These two
topics, rather then being swiped under the rug, are in constant publication. Since
1970, they have become part of Volume 7-A to the Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary which also contains all the Ellen White quotes and references used in
the commentary. If these were something to be hid, why publish them in a reference
book that will line many of Adventists shelves?
Also, a new annotated edition of Questions on Doctrines is being printed and will be
out soon. Though not published by the Review and Herald, they will distribute the
book when it comes available.
The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church 55
 There is no correlation to those who studied the issues which Q & D posed to with
those who left the church or Advent movement. This conclusion is entirely a
figment of the critics imaginations.

XI-Personal Testimonies
Kim Marshall
• Born and raised a fourth generation Adventist
• Has roots to the Kellogg family
• Educated in the Adventist School System
• Baptized at a young age
• Truly committed to "what I believed was the only true church."

Her turning point was when she was invited by several people to come visit a church
that had a former Adventist pastor as their pastor. Kim agreed to meet with this
pastor, but didn't think he had anything to show her. However, he did and she
realized that the Seventh-day Adventist Church had deceived her.

Don and Vista Muth

• Both are born third generation Adventists
• Both educated in Adventist School system
• Both were faculty staff at Pacific Union College
• The were loyal Adventists, believing Ellen G. White was inspired of God and equal
with the Bible.

Don Snyder Comments:

He gave personal testimony of how dedicated he was to Adventism and to Ellen
White

Sydney Cleveland Comments:

"…would have laid down my life for the Seventh-day Adventist Church."

Kim Marshall Comments:

She never heard anything about the Ellen G. White plagiarism while in school.
When she did, it hurt her…felt like she had been lied to.

Don Snyder Comments:

"Several years ago I knew without a doubt, with special gratitude to pastor Mark
Martin's ministry to Adventists, that God was calling me to leave the Adventist faith
and ministry."

Sydney Cleveland Comments:

"I began to see the church was inconsistent theologically and politically. When
expedient, they contradicted the Bible, contradicted Ellen G. White and
56 The Canright Syndrome: A Response to: Seventh-day Adventism: Spirit behind the Church
 contradicted their own church manual. I have never regretted my decision to leave
the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Spiritually, it was the best thing I ever did."

Don Snyder Comments:

"One month later, I received a call to pastor an evangelical church. The last three
years have been the most spiritually rewarding of my 31 years as a Christian. I am
part of the family of God that truly upholds the Bible as the soul authority of both
faith and practice."

Leslie Martin Comments:

"Jesus saves us, not by our deeds, even if they appear to be a really good deed.
We're not saved by what we do. Not by lifestyle, not by diet but by what Jesus has
done for us."

Kim Marshall Comments:

"The rules are there, and they just keep them under bondage, and I don't want to
be in bondage, I want to have the freedom in Christ."

Don and Vesta Muth Comment:

"For Don and me, to have had a part in this on-going search for salvation for
ourselves and for others has been an eternal blessing."
Don says he knows of his assurance in the Gospel, and it "…means a great deal."

Sydney Cleveland Comments:

"I now pastor a wonderful non-denominational Christian church. It is so good to be
free of the quagmire of Seventh-day Adventism, and be able to rejoice in the
consistent love of Jesus Christ and His unchanging Word."

Kim Marshall Comments:

Advise anyone in the Adventist church to look at what the Bible says. Put Ellen G.
White aside and look only at the Bible. Ask questions of those she says who left, because
you are not going to get any of this information from your church. "You have to search for
yourself." The Bible says, "If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free
indeed." [John 8:36].

The video closes off with an offer to purchase tapes on Adventism from J. Mark Martin's
ministry and an offer to send for the Documentation package on this video.
My hope is that you have benefited from this work. If you would like to talk or discuss
these things, please feel free to contact me.
I have no large ministry to save, or reputation to defend. I am just a servant of the most
High God who feels that this church, thou defective as she may be, was called of God to give
a message for these last days. That message is wrapped up in the three angels of Revelation
14 and put in place and time due to the events of 1844. God's people may have been
scattered by the evil one over the centuries, but at the end, God has called those who are
remnant (Rev. 12)
The to carry
Canri foreward.
ght Syndrome: "Hereto:
A Response is Seventh-day
the patience of the saints,
Adventism: here are
Spirit behind they who
the Church 57
keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." [Rev. 14:12].