ENDTIME
ISSUES NEWSLETTER No. 201
ÒBACCHIOCCHI
RESPONDS TO FALSE ALLEGATIONS - Part 1Ó
Samuele
Bacchiocchi, Ph. D.,
Retired
Professor of Theology and Church History,
Andrews
University
INDEX OF TOPICS OF THIS NEWSLETTER
* EXCITING NEWS!!! Incredible Demand for
Popular
Beliefs: Are they Biblical?
*
ÒBACCHIOCCHI RESPONDS TO FALSE ALLEGATIONS - Part 1Ó
This
is the essay of this newsletter
* UPCOMING SEMINARS
for the Months of May and June
* CRISTINA PICCARDIÕS NEW DVD RECORDINGS done
at
Loma Linda. Special Package Offer on four albums.
* SPEAKING IN TONGUES by William Richardson, Ph. D.,
is
out!!! We are processing all your
orders.
* NEW DVD REVELATION SEMINAR by Prof. Jon Paulien.
Four
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* SPECIAL OFFER on 12 DVD and CD albums for only $150.00,
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EXCITING NEWS!!!
INCREDIBLE DEMAND FOR
POPULAR BELIEFS: ARE THEY BIBLICAL?
The demand for Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? has surpassed my fondest expectations.
The book came off the press on April 25, 2008 and the first printing of 10,000
copies is almost sold out in less than one month. A new reprint is already in
progress.
This has been an unprecedented experience for me. Never before I
received so many orders for a book not yet published. The secret is that I
posted excerpts of each chapter in our biweekly Endtime Issues Newsletter that
is emailed to over 35,000 subscribers.
Many readers were so impressed the timeliness and quality of this
witnessing book, that they placed their orders long before the book came off
the press. This past week I received an order for 1000 copies from South
Africa, 200 copies from East Indonesia, 100 copies from Singapore, and many orders
from England and Australia.
Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? consists of 384 pages with a very attractive,
laminated colorful cover, with pictures representing seven of the ten popular
beliefs examined in the book. Take a look at the cover by clicking at this
link: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/pbcover.htm
For few more days until May 30, 2008 Popular Beliefs is offered at the special introductory price of $5.00
per copy, for a case of 30 copies. The total cost for a
case of 30 copies now is only $150.00, including the mailing expenses.
Beginning on June 1, 2008 the price goes up to $7.00 per copy. This means that
from June 1, the cost for a case of 30 copies is $210.00, instead of $150.00.
If you or your church has not yet ordered a case of 30 copies Popular
Beliefs: Are They Biblical? at the special price of $150.00, be sure to place your order by
May 30, 2008 to take advantage of the introductory offer. See details at the end.
My Legacy to our Adventist Church
In many ways
Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? represents for me my legacy to our
Seventh-day Adventist Church. This
may be my last and hopefully my most important contribution to the mission of
our Adventist church. All my previous 17 books are making a contribution by
helping truth-seekers to understand and accept fundamental Bible teachings held
by our church. But the impact of
Popular Beliefs
most likely will be greater than any of my previous books, because it examines,
not one, but 10 popular beliefs, which are biblically wrong.
When I was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer on February 2007,
one of my deep regrets was the inability to complete Popular Beliefs during the remaining few months I was
expected to live. I promised to the Lord that if He would extend my life, I
would put forth my best efforts to complete Popular Beliefs, to express my
gratitude for His providential healing.
The Lord answered my prayer in an unexpected way. He led me to
Cancer Research Center in Goshen, Indiana, which is only one hour away from
Andrews University where we live.
The Center is a pioneer in the field of nuclear oncology and treated my
liver cancer with a combined strategy of chemotherapy and microsphere
embolization - a treatment unavailable at other cancer centers. Within two months
my cancer was reduced by 95%. Grateful to God for a new lease on life, I
fulfilled my promise by devoting every spare moment of this past year to
complete Popular Beliefs.
When Popular Beliefs came off the press on April 25, I was overwhelmed by a deep
sense of gratitude to God for restoring my health and for enabling me to
complete this important research project. I felt that an appropriate way to
express my gratitude to God, was to plan for a dedication service for the book
and in a special way for a re-dedication
of my life to His service. About 30 fellow believers, including three
medical doctors and a few teachers, attended the dedication service at our
home.
A Most Effective Witnessing Publication
Fellow-believers often ask me this question: What book would you
recommend for a neighbor or office worker who has questions about our Adventist
beliefs? Until now my answer has
been: ÒUnfortunately we do not have a single book that answers questions about
our fundamental beliefs in the context of what other Christians believe. Most
of our Adventist books, including the ones that I have written, deal with one
particular belief like the Sabbath, the Second Advent, the State of the Dead,
Temperance, the Sanctuary, etc. But these books do not compares and contrasts
our Adventist beliefs with the popular Christian beliefs of other Christians.
The Good News is that this much needed book is finally available. Popular
Beliefs: Are They Biblical? is designed to meet this specific need. Adventists who have been
looking for a book to give their friends with questions about our Adventist
beliefs, will be glad to give to their friends this book, because it exposes
false teachings and affirms biblical truths in a calm, dispassionate, and
objective way.
My Sincere Hope
I have written this book with the earnest desire to help
Christians of all persuasions to re-examine their popular beliefs in the light
of the normative authority of the Bible. At a time when most Christians still
hold to popular beliefs that derive from human traditions rather than from
biblical revelation, it is imperative to recover those biblical truths that God
has revealed for our eternal salvation.
It is my fervent hope that this book, fruit of many months of dedicated
research, will help Christians of all persuasions to Òcome outÓ of the
Babylonian confusion of popular but unbiblical beliefs, and accept GodÕs glorious plan for our present
life and our future destiny.
SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER UNTIL MAY 30 ON
POPULAR BELIEFS: ARE THEY BIBLICAL?
Until May 30, 2008, we
offer Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at the following
introductory prices:
1 copy
of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at $30.00 per copy. Mailing expenses are included for the USA. Add $10.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas
destination. The price will remain the same after May 30, 2008.
10
copies of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at $10.00 per copy, postage paid, instead of the regular
price of $30.00. ($100.00 for 10 copies). Mailing expenses are included for the
USA. Add $40.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination. The price
will remain the same after May 30, 2008.
30
copies (one case) of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at $5.00 per copy
($150.00 for 30 copies). Mailing expenses are included for the
USA. Add $100.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any overseas destination. Beginning
on June 1, 2008, the price will go up to $7.00 per copy, that is, $210.00
for case of 30 copies. The airmailing expenses remain the
same.
100
copies of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at $4.00 per copy, postage paid.
($400.00 for 100 copies). Mailing
expenses are included for the USA. Add $300.00 for AIRMAIL postage to any
overseas destination. Beginning on June 1, 2008, the price will go up
to $5.00 per copy, that is, $500.00 for 100 copies. The airmailing expenses remain the same.
HOW TO ORDER POPULAR BELIEFS: ARE THEY BIBLICAL?
You can order Popular
Beliefs: Are they Biblical? at the introductory prices given above, in four different ways:
(1) ONLINE: By clicking here: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=26_35
(2) PHONE: By calling us at (269) 471-2915 to
give us your credit card number and postal address.
(3) EMAIL: By emailing your order to <sbacchiocchi@biblicalperspectives.com>. Be sure to provide your postal address, credit card number, and expiration date.
(4) REGULAR MAIL: By mailing a check to
BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES, 4990 Appian Way, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103,
USA. We guarantee to process your order as soon as we receive it.
WOULD YOU LIKE US TO PRESENT AT YOUR CHURCH OUR POPULAR SEMINARS WITH WORDS AND SONGS ?
Would you like us to present at your church one of our popular
seminars on the SABBATH or SECOND ADVENT or CHRISTIAN LIFE with Words and
Songs? These seminars
have been greatly enhanced by the participation of Cristina Piccardi, an
outstanding soprano from Brazil who joined my ministry seven months ago. She
sings several times before and after each of my lectures. She also gives a
sacred concert on Sabbath afternoon. Her powerful and passionate singing
touches the hearts of people everywhere. Her singing has almost double the
attendance at the seminars.
Our 2008 calendar is already filled for the next few months, but
we still have a few openings in the latter part of the year. We will be glad to
email you the list of the open weekends so that you can choose the weekend that
best suits your church.
To make it possible for many churches to benefit from our
seminars, we keep the cost of the seminar down by asking only for the refund of
two airline tickets and two nights for two rooms in a reasonable hotel. We do
not ask for any honorarium. Instead, we trust in the Lord to meet our financial
obligations through the sale of our publications and recordings on Saturday
night.
Who is Cristina Piccardi?
Cristina was born in Brazil 26 years ago and came to Andrews
University two years ago to accompany her husband who is studying at the
seminary. She has earned degrees in voice performance both in Brazil and at
Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, where she received full scholarship
during the two years of her studies, graduating in December of 2005 with a Master
in Voice Performance. In the
same year she performed in a leading role with symphonic orchestras in the USA
and overseas. At the annual 2005 International Competition for Opera Singers
she won the first prize as the best soprano singer of the year.
Cristina left the opera world to dedicate her singing talents to
sing sacred music. She is far the best soprano I have ever heard in the Adventist
Church during the past 30 years of itinerant ministry around the world. You
can enjoy a preview of CristinaÕs outstanding singing by clicking at this
link: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cristina/ You can see and hear her singing
the first stanza of The Holy City.
If your church board wishes to preview one of our seminars, we
will gladly mail you free of charge the DVD album with our SABBATH SEMINARS
with Words and Songs, that was recorded in Loma Linda. The album contains 3
DVDs with 6 hours of live recording of my lectures and CristinaÕs singing.
Feel free to contact us by email <sbacchiocchi@biblicalperspectives.com>
or by phone (269) 471-2915. We
will gladly supply you with any additional information and reserve a weekend
for your church.
ÒBACCHIOCCHI
RESPONDS TO FALSE ALLEGATIONS - Part 1Ó
Samuele
Bacchiocchi, Ph. D.,
Retired
Professor of Theology and Church History,
Andrews
University
Criticism is the price of success. Any one who accomplishes
something, can expect to be admired by some and criticized by other. This has
been my experience during the past 30 years.
Countless people from all over the world have expressed their
appreciation for my ministry of research, writing, and lecturing on the
fundamental beliefs of our Adventist faith. But I have also been the target of
several false allegations from both Adventists conservatives on the one hand,
and liberals one the other hand.
The liberals feel that I am too conservative because I have
published such books as Women in the Church, Christina Dress and Adornment, Wine in the Bible, and The Christian and Rock Music. The conservatives, on the other hand, view me as too liberal
because I dared to make a plea for a balanced understanding of Ellen
White, a symbolic interpretation
of the Number of the Beast 666, and a broader understanding of the 1260 years
prophecy.
I should mention that the symbolic interpretation of 666 is not
original with me. It has been communicated
to the Adventist Church at large through the Sabbath School Lesson of June 1-7,
2002. All what I did is to document and popularize the recent findings of
Adventist scholarship. The same is true of the broader
interpretation of the 1260 years prophecy, which can be seen in the Sabbath
School Lesson for July 19, 2006. The lesson dates the 1260 years prophecy from
Òthe late fifth, early sixth century . . . to the late eighteenth, or early
nineteenth, century,Ó avoiding
mentioning the traditional dates of 538 to 1798. My response will show that
what I have written reflects informed Adventist scholarship, not a rejection of
Adventist prophetic interpretation.
The most vicious attacks have come from Òconcerned brethrenÓ with
a conspiracy mentality. They sincerely believe that Jesuits have infiltrated
into our Adventist church. Several of our General Conference leaders have also
been accused of being ÒJesuit spies.Ó But, I am supposed to be the most
influential secret ÒJesuit spyÓ paid by the Vatican to conduct subversive
activities in our Adventist church.
A brother wrote to me: ÒI am convinced you are receiving two pay
checks, one from Andrews University and the other from the Vatican for the
service you render to them.Ó The
truth is that I have NEVER received any pay check from Andrews University since
July 1, 2000, when I took an early retirement in order to devote myself more
fully to Biblical research, writings, and lecturing. And I NEVER RECEIVED AT
ANY TIME any pay check from the Vatican or the Gregorian University, simply
because I never rendered any service to them.
False Allegations Are Damaging My Ministry
The false allegations circulating about me would be hysterically funny
if they were not so damaging to my ministry. Recently five pastors who at first
were eager to invite me to present my seminars at their churches, were later
forced to cancel their invitation, because one or two board members, persuaded
the other members that I am a ÒJesuit spy,Ó who subtly and deceptively is
influencing Adventists to abandon some of our fundamental beliefs. Thank God
that the few cancellations pale in comparison with the new invitations.
One pastor was asked by an elder to call an emergency board
meeting because he wanted to present his case against me. He succeeded to
influence the rest of the board
members to cancel their official invitation two days before the scheduled date
of the seminar. With great sadness the pastor apologized for the irrational
decision of the board, and arranged for a refund of the airline ticket.
Few days ago a young pastor close to Andrews University where we
live, had a similar experience. He is one of my former bright students who
greatly respects my scholarship and my commitment to the message/mission of our
church. He was eager to invite me at his church for a weekend seminar, but
faced opposition from a few misinformed board members who allege that I have
abandoned some of our Adventist fundamental beliefs. Shortly I will show that
this allegation is totally false.
Since this church is close to Andrews University, this young
pastor has arranged for me to respond to the false allegations at their next
church board meeting. I look forward to meet with the board members and I have
no doubt in my mind that the Lord will bless this meeting. By His Spirit all
the false allegations will be put to rest, because they are based on
misinformation, rather than on what I have written or preached. I have been a
deeply committed Adventist all my life and I have paid a price for standing for
our Adventist faith.
This evening I received a cancelation from a church where Cristina
Piccardi and myself were scheduled to present our weekend seminar with Words
and Songs in a few weeks time. This took me by surprise, because I had already
mailed to this church the package of promotional posters and handbills which I
paid for.
The few cancellations just mentioned do not discourage me, because
when one door closes, the Lord providentially opens another one. In fact, ten minuted after receiving
the last cancellation, I received an invitation from another church, asking if
we would be available for the same date to speak at a rally in their church. I
was also informed that their church board had voted to contribute to our
ministry a generous love gift.
This sudden escalation of cancellations, compelled me to
respond to some of the false allegations. I feel that if I remain silent, some
will believe that the allegations are true. Thus, in this newsletter and the
following, I will respond to the five major allegations. Some of them have been addressed in
previous newsletters. To avoid needless repetition, I will summarize what I
wrote, referring the readers to the fuller treatment.
More Pleasure in Fabricating Lies than in Proclaiming the Truth
It is distressing to know that there are a few Adventists who
choose to spend their time listening, recycling, and circulating false
allegations, rather than investing their time in learning and sharing our
timely Adventist message with truth-seekers. They seem to find more pleasure in
fabricating lies than in sharing the truth.
To get an idea of the extent of the problem, go to GOOGLE and
enter ÒBacchiocchi Jesuit.Ó You will be surprised to see there are over 2900
entries, written mostly by Adventists afflicted by a Òconspiracy complex,Ó and
determined to prove that Jesuits have infiltrated the Adventist Church.
Allegedly I am supposed to be one of the most influential Jesuit, who is influencing
our Adventist church to modify or even abandon the anti-Catholic interpretation
of end-time prophecies. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Surprisingly, over 90% of my detractors, have never contacted me
to find out if the allegations they are circulating are true or false. It is
evident they choose to ignore ChristÕs admonition to go directly to your
brother and discuss the problem Òbetween you and him aloneÓ (Matt 18:15). They
do not want to follow ChristÕs method, because they do not want to run the risk
of killing the pleasure of fabricating and circulating false allegations.
Shortly I will show that these allegations are totally false. The
fact is that I have written more books and articles than any other Adventist
author, which expose the influence of the
Papacy in leading Christian churches to accept a host of heresies
popularly accepted today. My latest book, Popular Beliefs: Are They
Biblical? is a case in point. The cover itself
speaks volumes about the role of the Papacy in promoting the popular heresies
of our time.
Most of the ten popular beliefs (heresies) examined in Popular
Beliefs: Are they Biblical?, such as infant baptism, Mariolatry, Sunday Sacredness,
Immortality of the Soul, Life after Death, Purgatory, Hell as eternal torment,
trace their origin to the teachings of ancient Catholic theologians, Councils,
and papal dogmas.
You will find Popular Beliefs to be a powerful witnessing tool,
urgently needed to help truth-seekers to understand why most of their popular
beliefs are biblically wrong and why our Adventist beliefs are biblically
right. If you have not ordered your copy yet, you still have a few more days
until May 30, 2008 to purchase it at a discounted introductory price of only
$5.00, by the case of 30 copies. Beginning on June 1, 2008, the price will go up to $7.00 per
copy. This means that the cost of a case of 30 copies will go up from the
current price of $150.00 to $210.00. The quoted prices include the mailing
expenses.
You can order Popular Beliefs online by clicking here: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/index.php?cPath=26_35 If you prefer to order the book
by phone, calls us at (269) 471-2915. Over 8000 copies have been mailed during
past two weeks. We expect the book to be sold out by the end on May.
Most Adventists Ignore False Allegations
Thank God that most Adventists ignore the false allegations
circulating about me. They draw their conclusions, not from senseless gossip,
but from a careful reading of what I have written. A telling example is the
orders I received for the new book Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? Long before the book came off the press on April 25, 2008, we
received orders for over 6000 copies from people who read the chapters I posted
in the Endtime Issues Newsletter. They found what I wrote to be both biblically correct and urgently
needed to share their Adventist faith with their neighbors and fellow
workers. (While writing this
paragraph I received a call from the Southern Publishing Association of South
Africa, requesting 1000 copies of Popular Beliefs. Next week I will rent a van to deliver
the shipment to a Sea-freight company in Chicago)
Another example is the invitation I received this past week from
Joe Orbe, Jr., the Director of the Adventist University of the Philippines
Religious Affairs and the Senior Pastor of the Philippine International Church.
Pastor Orbe informs me that he has read the controversy about me in the
internet and Òsearched for my response to the false allegations.Ó He concluded:
ÒYour commitment to the truth and its progress is the compelling force for this
invitation that you be our speaker for the university Week of Prayer on August
11-16, 2008, the venue of which is the Philippine International Church. There will be more than 3,000 students,
staff and faculty in attendance, excluding nearby missions and churches.Ó
If you live in the Philippines, you are welcomed to attend the
seminars which I will present with Cristina Piccardi, an outstanding soprano
from Brazil. She will sing several times before and after each presentation.
This is the tentative schedule.
AUGUST 8-9, 2008:
AIIAS WEEKEND SEMINAR.