The Fourth Dilemma by Dr. Peter Erens Barkhuizen
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I was asked to read this little book regarding the importance of the Sabbath. It is printed so as to be distributed freely as an evangelistic tool, and inside the book itself it is written: “Distribution goal: 20 million copies”. Well that certainly is a large goal, but is this book worthy of that large goal?
It is largely a story of the personal journey of the author to come out of a Sunday-keeping church, into the truth of keeping the seventh-day sabbath of the Lord. As such, it is commendable, and higly readable. Somehow tho, it seems that the latter half of the book was written much later, and is of the sensationalist style ala “National Sunday Law” with many words in all caps, and ramblings about many non-essential things (like the episode regarding the National Enquirer) etc.
The only cause for doctrinal pause is given on page 56 of this 58 page book. “I am NOT lost every time I sin.” hmmmmm. While being true in the sense that we don’t have our names immediately erased from the Book of Life as soon as we sin, it is absolutely true that if we do not repent from any known sin, our names definitely WILL be blotted out, and we will die the eternal death. Then in the same paragraph he says: “When you keep God’s Sabbath, motivated by unconditional love, the deeper implication is that your judgment is OVER!” Those who know me well know that i cringe deeply whenever confronted with “unconditional love”, but actually in this context of our love/submission towards God, it just might be true. But is our judgment actually “over” when we keep the sabbath? hmmmmm.
I understand that Peter Barkhuizen has since gone out of the Seventh-day Adventist church, and some members went right out with him, so i would not recommend this book to anyone now.
I have not passed out those books since you made this comment to me last year. I have many other books to hand out now that are better… I did not know that he left the church. I still have 200 left. What should I do with them?
Is there anyone that does not have error somewhere in their beliefs…??
Ouch! I don’t know, really. I do know that in the South (US) there are some people who came into the church thru the books/preaching of Peter Barkhuizen, and they also followed him right out of the church.
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My cousin says to start a nice bonfire with them come October or thereabouts. Maybe a marshmallow roast?
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Small differences, especially like in the area of prophetic interpretation, seems to have always been the norm for us pitiful humans, but big differences are becoming the norm now in the church it seems…. Almost everyone is following what is right in their own eyes, are we are not having that “oneness” with each other that Jesus prayed for. May he bring it about soon, even if it is persecution that brings it.
Ouch? Well, I value your opinion really and I just decided to get other books but it cost me more than the free ones.
“Ouch!” means that it is too bad you’ve got 200 of these books…… What to do???
Peter Erens Barkhuizen recently left the Church. I got an update from him in October 2010 regarding this. Evidently my name and address was given to him. In his booklet he sent me he said quote -I would like to maintain a good relationship with all Adventist and hope to die a loyal Sabbath-keeper when my time comes. – unquote. Unfortunately this has not been true with some of his followers. I know of several who have left the church and the Sabbath and now attending Sunday keeping churches.
Although i do not know Dr. Peter B., I always observed, that when someone obtains doctorate in religion, or just about anything else, some way or the other, that person ends up thinking so highly of himself or herself and in such advantageous way comparing to the flock, that sooner or later he/she leaves the flock! I hope this brother who wrote such interesting booklet, do realize his arrogance, and humbles himself before God! Yes, there are among the flock porcupines, but those are there just to be loved with tolerance! God knows about them!
I know Dr Barkhuizen personally. WHY did the GC never answer his questions? Download ADVENTIST ALTERNATIVE and see the REASONS for his ultimate resignation.
He followed protocol to a T, but was ignored! MANY pastors are in agreement with one or all of his positions. Have YOU checked out what he wrote?
Heppenstall, Thank you for the link to Barkhuizen’s writings. I can see now that he is far off the platform of truth.
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http://www.letthetruthsetusfree.com/page6.html
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He writes that we shouldn’t “feel” that we have lost our salvation….:
“You should never “feel” that you have lost your salvation because you have committed any sin out of weakness.”
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He writes that a prayer (works!) automatically puts your name in the Book of Life:
“If you have prayed this prayer, CONGRATULATIONS! A new name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life!”
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He writes dissing Ellen White:
“Here is a quotation from Mrs. E.G. White, R&H, June 18, 1904 – “Christ became one with us in order that we might become one with Him in DIVINITY!”
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He tries to equate Seventh-day Adventist belief in the Investigative Judgment with Catholic doctrine:
“Mankind accordingly achieves the supernatural through the interior working of the Triune Godhead, whereby mankind is adopted and drawn INTO the Divine, Eternal Life of the Trinity!”
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He shows more contempt for the Investigative Judgment doctrine:
“Many Adventists live in terror of the secret tribunal of the “Investigative Judgment” when at any time their case may come up for eternal life or eternal death!”
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Here he displays his big beef with Ellen White, the fact that he himself is not perfect yet:
“Ellen White further writes: “Those only who through faith in Christ obey all of God’s commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression.” MS 122, 1901 – also quoted in SDA BC Vol. 6, p. 111 (see 1 John 1:8,10) Have YOU achieved this? Neither have I! My hope is built on nothing less – than Jesus Christ and HIS righteousness. Imputed and freely given to you and me!”
….”I don’t know about you, but I cannot make it!”
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He shows more contempt for Ellen White:
“These statements by Sister White, with a strong bias toward Perfectonism, are all built on the foundation of Trinitarianism. Trinitarianism and Perfectionism are inseparable, like co-joined twins.”
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He expresses an old error of Satan:
“It dawned on me that God does not really hold us responsible for ANY of our sins.”
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Just as i feared in my review of this book where he gave the following quote, this is the end result of where Dr. Barkhuizen is going – basically – once saved always saved:
“I am not lost every time I sin.”
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More dissing of the Investigative Judgment:
“According to this belief (IJ), lifetime-records of all confessing Christians (including Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, Pentecostals, Dutch Reformers, Anglicans, etc.) will be examined to determine if their good works match their Christian confession. Some Christians will be accepted, others rejected. Grace plus works! No one can ever be sure of salvation.”
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He tries to destroy the main pillar of the Great Advent Movement:
“This verse (Daniel 8:14) is used as “proof text” for the Investigative Judgment of Christians – that presumably began on October 22, 1844.”
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“Most Adventists believe that the judgment of “the Ancient of Days” refers to an Investigative Judgment that commenced in 1844. That notion is totally unfounded and out of context.”
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I quit reading his lengthy article at this point, as it is abundantly clear that he is trying to tear down the pillars of Seventh-day Adventism. Our foundation is sure, no matter what one man or 1,000,000,000 men have to say to discredit it. There are abundant Biblical quotes showing the reasons for our faith, and as Barkhuizen has been in the church for 47 years, and an evangelist and leader many of those years, he knows them well too. At least he had the integrity in Sep. 2010 to remove his name from the SDA church books:
“After a struggle of almost 3 years, with no invitation to dialogue or discuss my differences with the church I held membership in for over 47 years, and which I served as Pastor, Conference Evangelist, and Adjunct Professor, the Battle was finally over.
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“At 5 a.m. on September 20 (2010), the Holy Spirit impressed me to take action. A few hours later I rescinded my membership in the SDA Church and mailed off my Emeritus Ministerial Credentials to the Southern Union, with copies to the North American Division and newly elected General conference President, Dr. Ted Wilson.”
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Dr. Barkhuizen, please repent, and come back to the foot of the cross, to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!
Do YOU believe you’re lost every time you sin?
Do YOU believe you will actually become PART of the Deity?
Did you read Dr Pieter’s take on the Millennium? ONLY SDA’s believe the heavenly audit nonsense!
How about John 10:22,23 where JESUS demolishes the IJ heresy?
After I read the Manuscript 4 times, it dawned on me, I was totally brainwashed in believing EGW was “just like the Bible”!
You stopped reading at the wrong place..try again, slowly..
And did you ask the GC WHY no one ever contacted him? Try ask them, like I did…NO ANSWER!
As I understand it, Dr Barkhuizen is back in the “fold” and still holds SDA ministerial credentials. The GC apologized and are especially studying his presentation on the coming Earthly Millennium.MANY of our members are in agreement with his take in the IJ and Dan 8:14 and so are many preachers such as I.
Dr Barkhuizen is a member of Loma Linda University Church. Back after few years of trying to get through to GC. I have read his document, Adventist Alternative and AGREE with it ALL the way, like many of my fellow pastors. I believe Dr Barky is now retired and gave up the fight! Think he respects his wife and kids and that could be why he re-joined…You can view interviews on 3abn at letthetruthsetusfree.com click on videos.
So sad to hear that many of our SDA pastors have imbibed the errors of Mr. Barkhuizen.
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When will the false shepherds quit fouling the waters so the sheep can get fresh, clean water?
The “false shepherds” will quit fouling the waters as soon as YOU can disprove ANYTHING in Adventist Alternative! Why do you think more than 20,000 Adventists are LEAVING the church PER MONTH? The false teaching of the Investigative Judgment and “prophetess White” are on top of the list. Dr Barkhuizen did the honorable thing when he tested the SDA beliefs by Scripture ALONE! Did YOU ever do that?
Thank you Ben Sass for showing us your true colors as a disbeliever in the Testimonies. It is sad, but prophesied of.
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Please repent, and come back to the firm platform of truth!