Ask George Washington Whether the Adventist Health Message Is Relevant Today Denis Fortin The...

Ask George Washington Whether the Adventist

Health Message Is Relevant Today

Denis FortinThe Writings of Ellen G. White

Obituaries in the Review and Herald (1857-63)

Age of Seventh-day Adventists at death: (1) Slightly more that ¼ died before age 7. (2) Another ¼ died between the ages of 10 and 29. (3) Thus, virtually ½ of all SDA recorded death in this

period came before the individual attained his or her 30th year of life.

Death frequently came with unexpected suddenness.


Causes of death: Overwhelmingly from communicable diseases(1) Nearly ½ perished from pulmonary

diseases (tuberculosis then generally known as "consumption")

(2) Typhoid(3) Diphtheria

"Domino” effect


Death was no respecter of persons.

Frequently the funeral services were conducted without the presence of a minister.

Death was a common, frequent, and most unwelcome intruder in every Adventist family.

Death of George Washington

The practice of medicine 200 year ago.

One reason why God needed to send Adventiststhe health message

(Mervyn G. Hardinge, A Physican Explains Ellen White’s Counsels on Drugs, Herbs, and Natural Remedies [RHPA, 2001], pp. 37-38.)

The Need Today

While mortality rates have been materially lowered in the past 150 years, the health condition of the average

American is still seriously at risk.

United States ranks low in the World Health Organization's roster of wellness among the nations of the world.‣Cancer: breast, colon, and prostate cancers‣Diabetes‣Heart disease-related deaths

Typical American diet is the major culprit in the nation's deteriorating health.‣Sugar consumption has risen by 250% in the last century.

‣A century ago, 75% of all protein intake came from plant foods; but today 75% is derived from animal sources.

The Need Today

The Need Today

In his or her lifetime, the average American today will consume (1995 estimates):- (1) 15 cows (4) 900 chickens- (2) 24 hogs (5) 1,000 lbs. of fish and game- (3) 12 sheep (6) 26,250 lbs. of dairy products

This type of diet if high in protein and fat, low in fiber and carbohydrates, and deficient in minerals and vitamins is a sure prescription for early disease and untimely death.

Seven Reasons for the Health Message

1. That we might live longer

2. That we might enjoy the years we have.

3. That we might be enabled to render service to God longer, more efficiently.

4. That Seventh-day Adventists might be a good witness for the Remnant Church.

5. That we might help non-Adventists find the benefits and blessings of good health.

6. That our mental perception might be sharpened to better understand secular and spiritual truth.

7. That we might attain greater spiritual growth and development.

Seven Reasons for the Health Message

Uniqueness of the Health Message

Ellen White’s health message was not always unique. Adventists

were not always the first to teach certain aspects of healthful living

What was unique about Ellen White’s health message is its philosophical and theological

approach to health.

She linked the Christian’s physical condition and the spiritual

experience in a cause-effect relationship.

Uniqueness of the Health Message

Origin of the Health Message

Ellen White received instructions from God regarding the health message.

“I have had great light from the Lord upon the subject of health reform. I did not seek this light; I did not study to obtain it; it was given to me by the Lord to give to others.”

(Ms 29, 1897; cited in CD 493)

Health Reform Visions

1. Vision of Autumn 1848 (CT)

Injurious effects of tobacco[tea and coffee]


2. Vision of February 12, 1854(Brookfield, NY)

Lack of hygiene among Sabbath-keepersControl of appetite needed.


3. Vision of June 6, 1863 (Otsego, MI)

a. Care for health is a religious duty.

b. Most diseases caused by a violation of the laws of health.

c. Condemnation of various forms of intemperance: stimulating drinks (alcohol), tobacco, highly-spiced foods, overwork


d. Vegetarianism is advocated for the first time.

e. Proper dietary habits necessary to control appetite.

f. Control of the mind is essential.

g. Natural remedies offered over drug medication: pure air, water, sunshine, physical exercise, adequate rest, fasting, proper nutrition. (Trust in God was added in 1885).


h. Personal hygiene.

i. Environmental concerns.

j. Health education urged.

k. Although these prescriptions are for all people, the vision was given specially for the White family.

4. Vision of December 25, 1865 (Rochester, NY)

Seventh-day Adventists should establish health-care institutions to provide spiritual and medical care to cure those already ill,

and to instruct people in methods of preventive medicine.


But what is the health message Seventh-day Adventists received

from Ellen White?

What is the health message?

1. There is a significant link between the Christian's physical condition and spiritual

experience.

Health and Spirituality

"The health of the body is to be regarded as essential for growth in grace and the acquirement of an even temper. If the stomach is not properly cared for, the formation of an upright, moral character will be hindered. The brain and nerves are in sympathy with the stomach. Erroneous eating and drinking result in erroneous thinking and acting" (9T 160).

Health and Spirituality

“Our physical health is maintained by that which we eat; if our appetites are not under the control of a sanctified mind, if we are not temperate in all our eating and drinking, we shall not be in a state of mental and physical soundness to study the word with a purpose to learn what saith the Scripture --what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Any unhealthful habit will produce an unhealthful condition in the system, and the delicate, living machinery of the stomach will be injured, and will not be able to do its work properly. The diet has much to do with the disposition to enter into temptation and commit sin.” (Ms 129, 1901 in CD 52)


2. The body, in general, and the mind (with its central nervous system), in particular, are the only medium through which God can communicate with human beings.

This point is likely the most important concept in the entire Adventist health

message.

God communicates to us through our mind

“The body is the only medium through which the mind and the soul are developed for the upbuilding of character. Hence it is that the adversary of souls directs his temptations to the enfeebling and degrading of the physical powers. His success here means the surrender to evil of the whole being. The tendencies of our physical nature, unless under the dominion of a higher power, will surely work ruin and death” (MH 130).


3. Although he/she follows correct health practices as a "sacred duty," yet in the act of obeying

nature's health laws and basic health principles, the Christian "earns" nothing toward his

salvation and eternal life.

Salvation is not a matter of eating and drinking (Rom 14:17).

The health message is intended to help the process of sanctification“We are not our own. We have been purchased with a dear price, even the sufferings and death of the Son of God. If we could understand this and fully realize it, we would feel a great responsibility resting upon us to keep ourselves in the very best condition of health, that we might render to God perfect service. But when we take any course which expends our vitality, decreases our strength, or beclouds the intellect, we sin against God. (continued)

The health message is intended to help the process of sanctification“In pursuing this course we are not glorifying Him in our bodies and spirits which are His, but are committing a great wrong in His sight. Has Jesus given Himself for us? Has a dear price been paid to redeem us? And is it so, that we are not our own? Is it true that all the powers of our being, our bodies, our spirits, all that we have, and all we are, belong to God? It certainly is. And when we realize this, what obligation does it lay us under to God to preserve ourselves in that condition that we may honor Him upon the earth in our bodies and in our spirits which are His?” (CH 43)


4. The Christian, in every act of life, seeks to be guided by two great principles:

(a) Actively seek to promote and maintain life and good health (CD 395)

(b) Do the very best possible in every circumstances in life in which we find ourselves

(HP 60).


5. Christians will strive to follow the principles of "true temperance"–which is defined as:

(a) "judicious" moderation in the use of all that is good and health-producing, and

(b) "total abstinence" from all that harms and hurts.

True temperance

“True temperance teaches us to dispense entirely with everything hurtful and to use judiciously that which is healthful.” (PP 562)


6. The body can be polluted, defiled, and ultimately destroyed, through various bad health-habits:

(a) Ingestion of all deleterious food/drink and harmful substances

(b) Insufficient (or a lack of the right kind of) physical exercise (ML 138)

(c) Overwork–often coupled with insufficient rest/relaxation (1T 618)


(d) Feeding the mind upon impure thoughts (2T 408)

(e) Improper posture (Ed 198)

(f) Abuse of bodily organs(Over-eating or eating too rapidly; dinking too much liquid

at mealtime; irregularity in meal times; snacking between meals; physical over-exertion; straining)

(g) Failure to employ natural remedies – or in sufficient amount


7. God's church has an obligation to establish health care and educational centers to provide

for two great needs:

(a) To provide healing for those affected with illness and disease,

(b) To propagate preventive methods in a program of health education

Health care and education

“I was shown that we should provide a home for the afflicted and those who wish to learn how to take care of their bodies that they may prevent sickness.” (1T 489)


8. Wherever possible, healing should be accomplished through natural remedies: Nutrition Exercise Water (pure) Sunlight Temperance (abstemiousness) Air (pure, fresh) Rest Trust in divine power

Natural remedies

“Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power – these are the true remedies. Every person should have a knowledge of nature’s remedial agencies and how to apply them.” (MH 127)


9. The original Edenic vegetarian diet of fruits, nuts, grains, and vegetables is still the ideal diet today.

(a) Flesh foods (meat, fish, poultry) and certain dairy products are increasingly undesirable and

unsafe for human consumption.

(b) When flesh articles are removed from the diet, adequate nutritional substitutes must be provided.

The Edenic diet is best

“Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator. These foods, prepared in as simple and natural a manner as possible, are the most healthful and nourishing. They impart a strength, a power of endurance, and a vigor of intellect, that are not afforded by a more complex and stimulating diet.” (MH 296)


10. In seeking the reform of others, attitude may be even more important than precept.

The greatest patience, kindness, courtesy, tact, and discretion must be exercised by

the health-reformer at all times, if he/she is to be truly effective in exercising a positive

influence for good.

Attitude Matters

“Of all people in the world, [health] reformers should be the most unselfish, the most kind, the most courteous. In their lives should be seen the true goodness of unselfish deeds. The worker who manifests a lack of courtesy, who shows impatience at the ignorance or waywardness of others, who speaks hastily or acts thoughtlessly, may close the door to hearts so that he can never reach them.” (MH 157)

Attitude Matters

“Those who understand the laws of health and who are governed by principle, will shun the extremes, both of indulgence and of restriction. Their diet is chosen, not for the mere gratification of appetite, but for the upbuilding of the body. They seek to preserve every power in the best condition for highest service to God and man. . . . There is real common sense in dietetic reform. The subject should be studied broadly and deeply, and no one should criticize others because their practice is not, in all things, in harmony with his own. It is impossible to make an unvarying rule to regulate everyone's habits, and no one should think himself a criterion for all.” (MH 319-320)

The health message is more than vegetarianism (though it includes it).

It is more, even, than the more broad question of diet and nutrition (though it

includes these, too).

Breadth and Scope of the Health Message

It embraces a total concept of wellness and lifestyle, including (among other things) physical exercise and mental hygiene.

It is concerned with the prevention of disease, not merely its cure.

It embraces the maintenance of good health, as well as its recovery.

Breadth and Scope of the Health Message

Dr. J. H. Kellogg (1895):

“When a new thing is brought out in the medical work, I know from my knowledge of the Spirit of Prophecy whether it

belongs in our system or not. If it does, I instantly adopt it, and advertise it, while the rest of the doctors are slowly

feeling their way; and when they finally adopt it, I have five years' start of them. On the other hand, when the medical profession is swept off their feet by some new fad, if it does not fit the light we have received, I simply do not touch it.

When the doctors finally discover their mistake, they wonder

how it came that I did not get caught” (A Critique of the Book ‘Prophetess of Health’ (1976), pp. 16-17).

Practicality of the Health Message

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