Hi Bob,

The following may give others that are true seekers a different and simpler way to look at things. For years, as an SDA of various shades, I made things difficult. Ellen White and the scripture often were in total contradiction. Such can and will cause a lot of trouble for a true seeker, especially for a young member and their family. Ellen White and her writings errantly called the Spirit of Prophecy and her claim, "that my work entails more than that of a prophet." shows one that Ellen White was contradiction personified.

One can find many passages referring to the two (Moral and Royal Laws) but 1Corinthians 7:19 says it pretty simply and clear, it is not out of context with what Paul is talking about.

I give you an example of how I look at things now. It is very simple, but absolutely clarifies any principle, and the Royal Law. I began this system after I read a reply from Dr. Desmond Ford to Dale Ratzlaff about an anti-Sabbath writing. Desmond, in one part of his reply said something very close to the following, they can believe that there are two passages that give someone a degree of credence for Sunday assembling.

They have respect for each other and I have heard both speak, and both are real gentlemen.

Dr. Ford asked, in his reply,

Bob, since then I have tried to do such regarding all Ten Commandments giving them a balance that REALLY helps me. I will give one moral principle, and more importantly, one Commandment of God's Royal Law – Commandment #1, as an example.

In that hub, I may write for this example, the first commandment:

It doesn't mention two or three. As you Bob, wrote in one of your replies in the a4t.org Letters section, there may be good reason that God listed that commandment as the first one. I like that. Not believing in a trinity God, IS A SALVATIONAL ISSUE.

I then draw several wagon wheel spokes, and on each spoke I will write a Scripture passage. For example, I may put: "I am a jealous God...", I may write on another spoke, "One God, one faith, one baptism." I try and write any and all I can find on the subject that is written on the hub, (using the BIBLE ONLY, using several good versions) I could write: "The word was made flesh and dwelt among us: Immanuel;" "God with us." "I and the Father are one," etc., on different spokes.

I need to say something here, especially about the Trinity belief; PLEASE, if one believes in the Trinity as SDA and 99% of Christendom believes and promote, which is a belief originally from paganism, PLEASE be open enough to listen to Red Flag IS Waving by Bill Stringfellow on a4t.org. This sermon is especially given for Adventist believers who always tend to regard Scripture from what Ellen White, their supposed prophet, writes, before considering what the Bible says FIRST!  You will clearly understand that there is and always has been ONE GOD - the same being the Father, and Jesus is His Begotten, not created, SON. Jesus was issued forth from the Father. The talk by the late Bill Stringfellow is as clear as can be stated. An additional sermon also by Stringfellow is designed for non SDA believers, and I consider it a better version of explaining the Godhead vs. the Trinity beliefs. This one is called: Someone's Been Eating YOUR Porridge BOTH versions have TWO parts.

One will have many spokes explaining very clearly that there is no Trinity, that there may not be enough room on the wagon wheel for all the spokes. The information from Red Flag or Porridge absolutely supports this First Commandment's major artery of Love, and that God is One, and His begotten Son is subordinate, and that the Holy Spirit is in no way the third person of a 3 person God. The Holy Spirit is the Omnipresent/Omniscent Power of Jesus and His Father (again Jesus has 100% of the attributes of His Father, the supreme God of the universe) He is subordinate to the Father. That is clear in the Bible and is made clear regarding His position today. RED FLAG ISWAVING IS A MUST TO LISTEN TO!

This (my wagon wheel recommendation) can be done with all Ten Commandment arteries that lead to the heart - The Royal Law (singular in totality) of a Loving God and your fellow man (not 1/10 as most SDA's do with the Sabbath, making it the priority, nor with most of Christendom using and recognizing 9/10thsof the Commandments. Such is not adhering to the Royal Law of God... Both 1/10 and 9/10 are the picking and choosing of a few of the Commandments, and ignoring or wanting to change the others; this is unbalanced. One has to work hard and put in a lot of effort to convince themselves of this 1/10th or 9/10ths belief. I believe they forget that they are the created, and not the Creator.

"If you LOVE me, keep My commandments." The meaning of his is throughout the Old and New Testament, well before the Exodus and well after. (I believe this, as it was meant for ALL mankind, before being messed with by many since, (Ellen White, as one of the major ones) that make the Royal Law difficult, and a burden - (modern day Pharisees).

Regarding principles, AGAIN, remember, they are things that ought and ought not to be done (Ought is the key word).Some principles are extremely helpful (not eating scavengers, circumcision and such, but are not salavational) some are just good info. Some were just for certain peoples, times, and places, and have nothing to do with us under the New Covenant (two words that Adventism does not appreciate).

Regarding the wagon wheel system; take fermented wine, write it in the hub, then take all Solomon's advice and Paul’s, also in the Psalms, and elsewhere. Write on several spokes where the Bible quotes that strong drink can be used by the downtrodden and despondent. IT was used by the good Samaritan to treat the beaten man, Timothy was advised to use a little for medicinal purposes,and other examples. Don't leave out the several passages of the foolishness and evil of getting drunk. Stand back and look at your drawn wagon wheel, the hub, and all the spokes (passages) While, iit is clear, a little alcohol is not wrong, BUT TO GET drunk and foolish and all that craziness is absolutely Godky advice. SDA's and many others pick and choose. Ellen White with her contradictions never wrote of several of these passages that allow the consumption and use of fermented drink.

She writes near the beginning of Counsels on Diet and Foods something close (I got rid of all my Ellen White books, so I will not use quotes on this statement from this popress) to; 'The breaking of the laws of health are the same as breaking the law of God.'

Regarding the Mosaic Law, I have little to do with, nor need to comment on, other than the 3 million needed 'tuff Love.'

Anyway, I highly recommend using this simple way to see the whole picture, and I can't recommend enough for anyone that hasn't listened to Red Flag IS Waving on a4t.org to PLEASE listen to parts 1 and 2. as soon as possible, especially if anyone reading this still holds onto the Trinitarian belief of 3 Gods in One.

GAH