Cultic Doctrine of Seventh-day Adventists | Dale Ratzlaff
What others say about Cultic Doctrine:
PAUL CARDEN | The Centers for Apologetics Research, San Juan Capistrano, California
“By putting the cultic teachings of Adventism into stark relief, Dale Ratzlaff has done an invaluable service to evangelicals—and his research demands a twofold response. First, to resist the proselytizing-by-stealth practiced so widely by Adventists among professing Christians; and second, to share the biblical gospel with the millions of Adventists whose hopes are shaped by the false doctrines of Ellen G. White.”
PASTOR MARK MARTIN | Calvary Community Church, Phoenix, Arizona
“If you have ever wondered what makes Seventh-day Adventism different from evangelical Christianity, you’re holding in your hand the very best explanation I’ve ever seen. This book will affect and challenge Adventism for decades to come.”
TIMOTHY OLIVER | Editor and Researcher, Watchman Fellowship
“Ratzlaff’s writing clearly possesses a spirit of meekness; it is nevertheless a tour de force. Patiently pursuing his subject, he lays out the evidence supporting an irresistible conclusion—Ellen White was not a true prophet or messenger from God, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church is not what it claims to be, the only true “remnant church.” If Adventist leadership will heed his plea, then perhaps their church is salvageable. If not, then it is time for evangelicals everywhere to say to the Christians within Adventism, with neither malice nor exultation, but with one united and very earnest voice, “Babylon is fallen! Come out of her, my people!”
PASTOR ERNESTO ALERS-MARTIR | Spanish Bethel Christian Missionary Alliance Church, Montreal, Quebec
“Of all the books I have read on Seventh-day Adventism, this is the most in-depth, yet readable examination of Adventism’s 1844 investigative judgment doctrine. The analysis of this doctrine is formidable. From the historical point of view, the book is well documented and unbiased with the facts clearly laid out before the reader to evaluate. The biblical evidence is also convincing. The way Mr. Ratzlaff analyzes the main points of Adventist doctrine and confronts Adventists with Bible truth is superb. I congratulate Mr. Ratzlaff for this wonderful work.”
Sabbath in Christ | Dale Ratzlaff
What others say about Sabbath in Christ:
John MacArthur | Senior Pastor, Grace Community Church
“I’m impressed with the clarity, precision, and thoroughness of Dale Ratzlaff’s work. This book is a much-needed treatment of the Sabbath controversy, written with intelligent passion and full of insight and wisdom. Mr. Ratzlaff shows great care in his handling of the complex biblical, historical, and theological issues. This book will be a great encouragement and help to anyone struggling to understand what Scripture says about the Sabbath.”
Phil Johnson | Executive Director, Grace to You
“Scripture is generally unambiguous and easy to understand. It is perspicuous. Yet the apostle Peter acknowledged that Scripture contains ‘some things hard to be understood’ (2 Peter 3:16). One of those difficult topics is the Sabbath. Colossians 2:16 and Romans 14:5, 6 suggest that confusion on this subject was a problem even in the earliest church. Over the years, much of what has been written about the Sabbath from both the church and the cults has only contributed to the confusion. That’s why I am grateful for the clarity and biblical insight Dale Ratzlaff brings to the issue. Sabbath in Christ is a real treasure—a simple, straightfor- ward, understandable digest of the best insights on a very difficult issue.”
Joseph Tkach | Pastor General, Worldwide Church of God
“We believe the foundational texts, concepts and ideas you discuss are thoroughly supported by the biblical witness. They are also clearly presented. Your explanation that Christ is the basis of New Testament law (‘the law of Christ’) is excellent. Perhaps nothing is as vital to understanding the Sabbath question as the fact that the old covenant and Mosaic law must be interpreted by the new covenant and read in a Christ-centered way. Your consistent explication of this principle is absolutely necessary and correct.…I pray that Sabbath in Christ will be instrumental in opening hearts and minds to the truth of the gospel message that our Sabbath is the eternal spiritual rest we have in our Lord.”
Jerry Gladson | Senior Pastor, First Christian Church, Marietta, Georgia
“Dale Ratzlaff has done us a real service in providing the best all-around treatment of the Sabbath question to date. His discussion is fair, even-handed, and persuasive. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a question about the Sabbath.”
Gospel Transformation | Dale Ratzlaff
What others say about Gospel Transformation:
Gary Inrig, D. Min., Th. M. | Senior Pastor, Redeemer Fellowship, Loma Linda, California
I am deeply grateful for Dale Ratzlaff’s understanding of, and love for, God’s gospel which shines on every page of this little book. By taking us into a consideration of the great words of the gospel and by reminding us of the wonderful truth of our union with Christ, he not only increases our understanding of God’s work on our behalf, he deepens our love for Christ. Christians are good news people. We are created by the gospel, and are called to be centered on and shaped by it. Our calling is to be gospel people, good news people who believe, guard, proclaim, and embody the gospel. God’s Word tells us that as we behold the glory of the Lord we are being transformed by the Spirit into the image of Christ. The gospel is sufficient to save us and powerful to transform us. Dale’s book is a God-given aid to enable us to behold the glory of our Lord Jesus in the gospel and thus to experience Gospel Transformation.
Andre R. Hill, Ph.D. | Education Ministry Literacy Coordinator, Jamaica
Gospel Transformation is a positive and humble explanation of the divine work of God in redemption and sanctification through the power of God. The book illustrates that salvation is the inflow and outflow of the wonderful grace of God who saves us from sin and its wages. This book is needed everywhere the name of Jesus Christ is preached so that the true gospel will shine out and above all false teachings which darken the council of God.
Gilbert J. Muth, Ph.D. | Professor Emeritus of Biology, Pacific Union College, Angwin, California
I grew up as a Seventh-day Adventist and attended Adventist schools through my Master’s degree at PUC, I taught in the Adventist system for 42 years so I am very familiar with salvation by the grace of God with a “but”. “If you want to spend eternity in heaven then believe in Christ, but you have to stop beating your wife, but don’t tell lies, and be sure to keep the 7th day Sabbath holy.” Christ, when on earth did NOT say “believe in me and keep the Sabbath and thou shalt be saved.” He only said “believe in me.” Dale has done a marvelous job of unpacking this concept of “belief,” documenting it from the books of the New Testament and making it understandable. I have not only been blessed by this reading, but my faith in Christ and my assurance of salvation have grown. I strongly recommend Gospel Transformation for those who want to know and understand God’s grace and the full concept of belief.
Larry Wessels | Director, Christian Answers, Christian Debater, Austin, Texas
I highly recommend Gospel Transformation. In a clear, concise and easy to understand manner Dale carefully leads the reader to the proper biblical meaning of what it is to be “in Christ”, thereby breaking the shackles of religious legalism and spiritual bondage. I enjoyed this refreshing book from cover to cover, particularly from the beginning where he dedicates this book to his own sons, their wives, and his four grandchildren, demonstrating the kind of love he has put into this work. The final two chapters of the book are worth the price of the book because here Dale succinctly outlines what it means to have a “gospel transformation” by being “in Christ.” May the Lord use this book for His glory and give spiritual freedom to those who are now suffering under the weight of their own imperfect acts of righteousness, rather than resting in what Christ has already accomplished through His perfect sacrifice for sins at Calvary.
Truth Led Me Out | Dale Ratzlaff
Dale Ratzlaff is the founder of Life Assurance Ministries, Inc., and owns LAM Publications, LLC. He served as an Adventist pastor for 13 years, seven at Monterey Bay Academy where he taught Bible. He and his wife Carolyn left the Adventist church in 1981 when he realized he could no longer teach the investigative judgment in clear conscience. He has authored several books on Adventism that are available through his website, LifeAssuranceMinistries.com. The Ratzlaffs reside in Camp Verde, Arizona. Listen to the first version of this book on YouTube, read by Dale Ratzlaff: From Adventist To Christian—Truth Led Me Out
My Cup Overflows | Carolyn Ratzlaff
Carolyn Ratzlaff grew up in a Seventh-day Adventist Christian home, attended Adventist schools through high school, and was employed by the Adventist church as a Bible instructor. During her work as a Bible instructor she and her husband were shocked to learn that they had been deceived by the church they loved regarding its teachings. They soon left that organization and became evangelical Christians. Carolyn is married to Dale Ratzlaff who was formerly employed as an Adventist pastor and educator. They have two sons and four grandchildren.
White Washed | Sydney Cleveland
Sydney Cleveland was an Adventist Pastor for 11 years. During an extensive study of Ellen G. White’s writings, he discovered that she contradicted the Holy Bible, gave many false prophecies, was mean-spirited, and didn’t even follow her own teaching.
Adventism’s The Clear Word Analyzed | Stephen Pitcher
Stephen Pitcher was raised a non-Christian but met Jesus at the age of 17. Subsequently he studied with Mormon teachers, but Walter Martin’s teaching kept him from converting. Later, it was Walter Martin’s endorsement of Seventh-day Adventists as evangelical brothers that gave him “permission” to become an Adventist before marrying his Adventist fiancée. Fifteen years later Steve began to learn the truth about the origins of Adventism and the doctrinal issues that remain today. Seventeen years ago Steve left Adventism and now stands on Jesus alone. He attends Redeemer Fellowship in Loma Linda, California.
Adventism Examined | Rick Barker
Rick Barker is a native of Southwestern Ohio and led a weekly Bible study for former SDAs in the area for over 10 years. Rick graduated from Andrews University in 1987 and received a Masters degree from the University of Dayton. He previously served on the staff of the Thomas Bilney Institute for Biblical Research and volunteered on the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry website. He is an active member of his local Lutheran church, having served as an elder as well as both an adult and youth Sunday school teacher. Rick was a volunteer for 6 years and remains a participant on the discussion boards. Rick and his wife Sheryl formally left the SDA church in 2004. Prior to this they had been active in the Miamisburg and Wilmington Ohio churches.
A Study of the Covenants | Chris Lee
Chris Lee lives in Lincoln, Nebraska with his wife, Carmen, and they have two adult daughters, Ashlyn and Alyssa. Chris is a self-described “theology junkie” whose mission is to proclaim the unfathomable grace of Christ in a clear, understandable, and Biblical way.
The Lord’s Day From Neither Catholics Nor Pagans | D. M. Canright
Dudley M. Canright worked as a minister and evangelist for the Adventists and was a frequent writer for the official Adventist magazine Review and Herald (now the Adventist Review). He was also often called on to debate Christian ministers, defending the seventh-day Sabbath. Canright grew to disbelieve Ellen White’s visions and realized that according to Scripture, the Ten Commandments were not binding upon the church. He believed the Adventists were putting the law above Christ, and in 1887, Canright and his wife Lucy left the Seventh-day Adventist organization and he became a Baptist pastor in Michigan.
Seventh-day Adventism Renounced | D. M. Canright
Dudley M. Canright worked as a minister and evangelist for the Adventists and was a frequent writer for the official Adventist magazine Review and Herald (now the Adventist Review). He was also often called on to debate Christian ministers, defending the seventh-day Sabbath. Canright grew to disbelieve Ellen White’s visions and realized that according to Scripture, the Ten Commandments were not binding upon the church. He believed the Adventists were putting the law above Christ, and in 1887, Canright and his wife Lucy left the Seventh-day Adventist organization and he became a Baptist pastor in Michigan.
Days of Delusion | Clara Endicott Sears
Notice that Clara Endicott Sears placed in many leading newspapers of her day:
Has any reader of this paper any recollection of having heard parents or grandparents tell of the great religious excitement in 1843, the year that William Miller predicted the end of the world? Any anecdotes of that period, or any information however trivial will be gratefully received by Clara Endicott Sears.
Out of a great number of letters received, the author has quoted only from those giving personal recollections or recollections received directly from near relatives, and has made sure of the sources from which she has drawn. The dating of the letters varies from 1920 to 1923.
The rest of the book needs no explanation—it tells the tale through the testimony of the writings and various outside reminiscences of that day, and through data collected by the author during years of neighborly intercourse with many of the dear people of Worcester and Middlesex Counties. She has tried to write the book in such a way as to give offense to none, and at the same time draw a truthful picture of those hysterical days with the aid of the material acquired by her through her appeal to the public. (From the Preface)
Cast Out for the Cross of Christ | Albion F. Ballenger
Ballenger, Albion Fox (1861-1921) was born on a farm near Winslow, Illinois. He became an effective Adventist preacher and writer. About 1900, he was encouraged by Ellen G. White, Adventism’s prophetess, to do evangelistic work in Great Britain. During this time, he began to re-examine the Seventh-day Adventist denomination’s doctrine of the sanctuary. He came to the conclusion that the Adventist doctrine of the sanctuary needed to be revised to conform to the biblical types and the teaching of the book of Hebrews. When he refused to recant his views even though Ellen White told him he needed to trust her visions on the matter, he was terminated from Adventist denominational employment.
The Sabbath Fulfilled | Jerry Rector
Does the Sabbath continue after the cross? Was the Sabbath changed to Sunday? Did the Sabbath begin at creation? Learn the biblical answers to these questions in this timely book by Jerry Rector.
The Sabbath and the Lord’s Day | H. M. Riggle
H. M. Rigle was born February 18, 1872 in Pennsylvania. He was a pastor in the Church of God, and for 23 years he was president of the religious magazine The Gospel Trumpet. He and his wife Minnie also served as overseas missionaries for several years. Riggle wrote several books, but his book The Sabbath and the Lord’s Day specifically addressed the Seventh-day Adventist teaching on the subject. He died October 7, 1952, at the age of 80.