New Prime Minister of Jamaica is an Adventist – Andrew Holness
March 4, 2016: After the general election last week gave the Jamaica Labour Party 33 of the 63 seats in parliament, the Hon. Andrew Holness was sworn in yesterday as prime minister of the Caribbean nation. He grew up in the Spanish Town Seventh-day Adventist Church and on the Sabbath following the vote attended the Andrew’s Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church with his wife Juliet, who was also elected to parliament; the first time that spouses have served together in the national legislature.
Holness is 43 years of age and previously served as prime minister in 2011-2012. Prior to that he served as education minister of Jamaica. When he was first sworn in as prime minister on October 23, 2011, he was the youngest person to ever hold the top government position in the country.
The Labour Party in Jamaica is a misnomer in terms of most political parties with that label among Commonwealth nations, sources told Adventist Today. It is the more market-oriented, while the People’s National Party is more socialist. Holness has a background in business with a bachelor’s degree in management and a master’s degree in development from the University of the West Indies.
Holness was a protege of former prime minister Edward Seaga, serving as his special assistant from 1996 to 2000. He first became a member of parliament at age 25 and represents a new generation of leadership in Jamaica.
Adventists currently hold both of the top leadership positions in Jamaica. The Governor General, Sir Patrick Allen, is also an Adventist and a graduate of Andrews University. He was the union conference president in Jamaica, the national leader of the Adventist denomination, when he was appointed by Queen Elizabeth II. He resigned from denominational employment to take office but continues to be an Adventist minister.
Holness did not attend Adventist schools or work for the denomination. He often refers to his working class background and describes himself as pro-business and pro-people. He has said in public speeches, “I love the poor but I hate poverty.”
According to U.S. State Department information, Adventists constitute the second largest denomination in Jamaica with about 11 percent of the population in the most recent census. A Pentecostal denomination, the Church of God of Prophecy has about a quarter of the population. A number of members of parliament are Adventists.
The political situation in Jamaica, West Indies is very interesting,and should force the SDA denomination in the region to adopt a new attitude toward its members who take part in party politics. Early last month, Pastor Browne castigated Dr Harvey for encouraging Jamaicans to return the then Prime Minister to government. Browne said it was not the policy of the church to endorse political candidates.
Well, now the election is over and Portia Simpson Miller did not win; but Andrew Holness won,and his party has formed the government. As leader, he is sworn in as the new Prime Minister. His wife also won her seat, so that the situation in Jamaica now is that the Governor General and the Prime Minister are both SDAs. Holness and his wife solicited the support of the voters and won. Will there be any sanction for PM Holness and his wife for taking part in the activities of a political party?
Dr Harvey, PM Holness and President Browne are citizens of Jamaica and they all have the right to take an interest in the political life of their country; and if Harvey thought that Simpson Miller was the best of the lot who offered themselves for leadership, why should he not advise his fellow citizens accordingly? He is an employee of the church; but he is also a citizen of Jamaica. When does he speak as an employee of the church; and when does he speak as a private citizen? Was he sent by the church to take part in the political rally, or did he attend as a party member or a…
Nathaniel, although I think you know better but choose to play devil’s advocate I’ll remind you. Hon. Andrew Holness is a government official who to the credit of the church also happens to be an adventist. Therefore, he can attempt to balance his religious beliefs while also governing the country. On the other hand, Pastor Harvey is an ordained representative of the church whose job is to lead God’s children to the church, members in that position should not participate in politics because it’s creates a confusion in the mind of God’s children when he goes on the pulpit to teach the word of God. They questin if his words are from God or his ppolitical persuasion. He is free to vote for whoever he please but to go on a political platform as a man of God. Let Holness render on to Ceasar what is Ceasar’s and let Harvey unto God what is God’s.
Was he invited as a community leader to particpate in the function? When the church employs a person, does it lay claim to every moment of his time? I should think that a person must conduct himself responsibly at all times; but I do not expect that an employee will have to abandon his responsibility to his country at any time.
Does the church allow for the situation in which the majority of citizens of a country is SDA? How do we “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s”?
The failure of Adventism to be a serious participant on the world stage of human enterprises is heralded every time the religious affiliation of a person is noted as SDA. Why bother? Is it pride or amazement or what? Perhaps both, but it is also a suspicious orthodoxy query of “can Adventism possibly survive unsullied in this setting?”
It also appears to a spillover effect from the abject failure of Adventism to achieve its lofty notoriety (or fame) prophesied at its birth as the magnificent Appointed-by-God-Himself as the end time protector of truth and the object of suffering and persecution, triggering the coming of Christ. Sorry, leading role hopefuls, the world stage has passed you by.
Cut it out, Adventist apologists. It’s demeaning. Sabbath keeping is a dogmatic, strategic error, without Supreme Being punishment or reward. It has no benefit for the world and even less for Adventism. It publicly adds a restrictive Sabbath blockade to energetic, dedicated, and talented people, denying them full participation in honorable human affairs.
The religious affiliation of the president of the bitsy island of Jamaica wouldn’t be worth noting if the world was infested with Adventist pilots, Generals, politicians, CEO’s, and all the other occupations and professions requiring Saturday labor and employment.
Larry you have fitted into the category that Peter speaks about in in 2Peter:3 which is evidence of the last days; they were godly political persons in the Bible even though they didn’t run for office but was exalted to the office because of God’s providence; the Sabbath is a God ordained biblical institution no matter what you think of it, fall in lin and be blessed.
“There is a large vineyard to be cultivated; but while Christians are to work among unbelievers, they are not to appear like worldlings. They are not to spend their time talking politics or acting as politicians; for by so doing, they give the enemy opportunity to come in and cause variance and discord. Those in the ministry who desire to stand as politicians should have their credentials taken from them; for this work God has not given to high or low among His people. God calls upon all who minister in doctrine to give the trumpet a certain sound…True Christian influence, exerted for the accomplishment of the work God has appointed, is a precious agency, and it must not be united with politics, or bound up in a confederacy with unbelievers. God is to be the center of attraction. Every mind that is worked by the Holy Spirit will be satisfied with Him.” E.G. White, – FE,482, 483
“The government under which Jesus [the true Vine] lived was corrupt and oppressive; on every hand were crying abuses,–extortion, intolerance, and grinding cruelty. Yet the Savior [as the true Vine] attempted no civil reforms. He attacked no national abuses, nor condemned the national enemies. He did not interfere with the authority or administration of those in power. He who was our example kept aloof from earthly governments. Not because He was indifferent to the woes of men, but because the remedy did not lie in merely human and external measures. To be efficient, the cure must reach men…
Dear Ruth,you assign PM Holness to Caesar and Dr Harvey to God. This I do not understand. My understanding of Jesus’ advice is that each individual has an obligation to both Caesar and God. As SDAs we profess to know what is good and what is not good for our societies. We know (aided by EG White) what is God’s will and what is not His will. Then, are we not the best people to advise our fellow citizens how to behave, and how to choose our leaders? So Ruth, is your gospel based only on the ten commandments, the 2300 days prophecy and the Sabbath? What about the example and teachings of Jesus to help those in need, and to rescue the poor and the down-trodden?
During the period of the kings of Israel, it was God who chose Saul and David and perhaps all the rest; and it was the prophet whom God sent to annoint the king. Today it is the people who choose our leaders. What is wrong if the priest or pastor commend them to the people? If as an SDA you think it is wisdom to see the world rot around you and all you con do about it is to cast a vote for a candidate who has come forward, then how caring are you? Won’t it be more helpful to assist in presenting suitable candidates? I do not know on what grounds you are claiming that Browne should do this and Harvey should do that. I repeat that both Harvey and Browne are citizens of Jamaica.and there is no sensible reason why any of the two cannot give a word of advice to his fellow citizens about their civic duty.
Now, Derrick posted a long quote from sister White. Sister White has some useful advice to give on several matters; but she is not always relevant in terms if the time. More than that, when I read EG White,I am not always sure when she is giving a personal opinion, a view from “vision”,or a borrowing from some other writer; so I prefer to hear the opinion of the commentator. Sister White had her opinion on a topic; and Derrick has his opinion; and I am interested in Derrick’s opinion- not Mrs White’s. It is time that Derrick form an opinion on a topic, and bring forth that opinion. I am interested in helping Derrick develop his thinking powers. You see, I read most of those ideas myself from Sister White.
To you Nathaniel Moore I write:
Your comments on March 11 (7:30 AM) and March 16 (2:00 pm) are rather striking. My dear brother, why bother to be a part of a church for which you don’t believe in what it teaches? It really leaves me speechless to see how people can blatantly contradict what we teach and still remain a member. Your words concerning the Spirit of Prophecy are a direct fulfillment of what she says would be the very last deception of satan in the SDA church.
Inspiration records, “One thing is certain: Those Seventh-day Adventists who take their stand under Satan’s banner will first give up their faith in the warnings and reproofs contained in the Testimonies of God’s Spirit.—Selected Messages 3:84 (1903). { LDE 177.4}
The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. “Where there is no vision, the people perish” ( Proverbs 29:18). Satan will work ingeniously, in different ways and through different agencies, to unsettle the confidence of God’s remnant people in the true testimony.—Selected Messages 1:48 (1890). { LDE 177.5}
The enemy has made his masterly efforts to unsettle the faith of our own people in the Testimonies…. This is just as Satan designed it should be, and those who have been preparing the way for the people to pay no heed to the warnings and reproofs of the Testimonies of the Spirit of God will see that a tide of errors of of all kinds will spring into life. {LDE 177.5}
She goes on to say,
“It is Satan’s plan to weaken the faith of God’s people in the Testimonies. Next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures, and then the downward march to perdition. When the Testimonies, which were once believed, are doubted and given up, Satan knows the deceived ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts till he launches them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in destruction.—Testimonies for the Church 4:211. { LDE 178.2}
My brother, I don’t want to test inspiration for its veracity, to see if it would ultimately be true. Rather, I choose to believe and make sure that when its fulfilled, I am on the right side. You see, those who express doubt concerning the Spirit of Prophecy are, in fact, fulfilling prophecy. It doesn’t matter how emaciated you might be in anti-Spirit of Prophecy sentiments, you are still just simply fulfilling prophecy. I am not suggesting you should leave, but rather that you reexamine your position of having Ellen White writings as merely “opinions”. The words of laymen do not carry the same weight as the words of prophets.
When God introduced His prophet system to His people He said, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. Duet. 18:19
…. speaking of how the prophets words are to be received.
Does the church in Jamaica really considers the prime minister of Jamaica an Adventist. As far as I know it is one, although influenced or raised as one. He is certainly not an active one. His wife might be closer to the church that he is. If the headline said “Jamaican Prime Minister Raised as an Adventists” it might be better. Why do we like to claim everybody?
As far as I see the Prime minister’s wife. She cannot be a true Seventh day Adventist Christian, because she wears Jewelry. We do not wear Jewelry in our Churches. I see a lot of our people dressing up like the World, you can’t tell the difference. I agree with Henderson, that he may have been raised as an Adventist, but he’s not an active one. Yes, he may visit Church occasionally. That doesn’t make one a true Christian. When involved in politics, you will sometimes have to compromise your religious beliefs. God is involved in politics. He sets people up, and He takes them down. Let us see where God leads. These are the last days of Earth’s history. Let us be ready to meet Jesus Christ, our Wonderful Saviour!
Interesting that a Jamaican leader who is SDA is lauded, yet one who ran for president of the United States was quite openly denounced/made to look like an unfaithful SDA for running.
We should aim for the highest positions in the land, and work and vote to uplift the morals of society.
No comments about the PM for he is [not] a Minister in the SDA church, However The Governor General who [still] is an [acting] Minister in the SDA church, [here] is [your counsel] from God’s [pen]
“Those teachers in the church or in the school who distinguish themselves by their zeal in politics, should be relieved of their work and responsibilities without delay; for the Lord will not co-operate with them. The tithe should not be used to pay any one for speechifying on political questions. Every teacher, minister, or leader in our ranks who is stirred with a desire to ventilate his opinions on political questions, should be converted by a belief in the truth, or give up his work. His influence must tell as a laborer together with God in winning souls to Christ, or his credentials must be taken from him. If he does not change, he will do harm, and only harm. {FE 477.1}
In the name of the Lord I would say to the teachers in our schools, Attend to your appointed work. You are not called upon by God to engage in politics. “All ye are brethren,” Christ declares, “and as one you are to stand under the banner of Prince Emmanuel.” “What doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the Lord, and His statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? ” Fundamentals of Christian Education, p…
“There is a large vineyard to be cultivated; but while Christians are to work among unbelievers, they are not to appear like worldlings. They are not to spend their time talking politics or acting as politicians; for by so doing, they give the enemy opportunity to come in and cause variance and discord. Those in the ministry who desire to stand as politicians should have their credentials taken from them; for this work God has not given to high or low among His people. God calls upon all who minister in doctrine to give the trumpet a certain sound. All who have received Christ, ministers and lay members, are to arise and shine; for great peril is right upon us. Satan is stirring the powers of earth. Everything in the world is in confusion. God calls upon His people to hold aloft the banner bearing the message of the third angel. We are not to go to Christ through any human being, but through Christ we are to understand the work He has given us to do for others. {FE 483.1}
God calls to His people, saying, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate.” He asks that the love which He has shown for them may be reciprocated and revealed by willing obedience to His commandments. His children are to separate themselves from politics, from any alliance with unbelievers. They are not to link their interests with the interests of the world. “Give proof of your allegiance to Me” He says, “by standing as My chosen heritage, as a people zealous of good works.”
FE, p 484
I Will simply say that your credibility as a writer loses its cachet when you use statement such as “prime minister of the carribean nation.” The least you can do is gest the facts right. 1. Hé is the prime minister of Jamaica. #2 there is no such thing as a carribean nation. I rest my case
Congratulations to the newly elected of Jamaica, a Caribbean Nation.
I pray that the faithful of God of all denominations will serve the Lord using their gifts , including in faithful government work.
We must know our job and do it. In any service, army or organization there are a variety of jobs filled by individuals. EACH person must do their job for the organization to function well and not do the job of another leaving their own job undone.
In the case of a pastor in general he/she is to minister to members in their congregation of more than one party and should not move their political values ahead of the values of the Kingdom of God and divide themselves from some of their members for the sake of getting their candate elected.
A pastor is SET APART to serve God forsaking all others. The pastor can have interests in many things and use those as connecting points with members of the community to draw them to Jesus. At issue is use of the pulpit to influence church members in any political direction other than to stand firm for Bible truth and practice.
The Sabbath is a sacred day as declared by God—Holy and is a sign between us and God that HE is the one that makes us holy. Exodus 31:13. The Sabbath, rightly understood is a key in the gospel, pointing out that we do not make ourselves holy or saved, that is the work of God. Let God do His work and let us testify to the fact that we are overcomers by the blood of te word of our testimony of His saving work.
I had to smile when MAllen describes the counsel from EG White as coming from “God’s pen’. Perhaps he should read much more of the writings of Mrs White.and at the end tell me if he still believes all that EG White writes comes from God’s pen. I suspect that most of those SDA people who put the writings of Mrs White before the bible, read very little of the bible and much less of Mrs White.
Bro Nash must note that we are not commenting on a sermon preached from the pulpit on a sabbath day. We are commenting on a statement made at some political rally during the general election campaign in Jamaica. He must also note that witnessing for Jesus may not necessarily include any exposition on the sabbath, on the 2300 days or on the pre-advent judgement. What Jesus emphasized was our relationship to our fellow humans:- feed the hungry, visit the prisoners, clothe the naked, raise the fallen, shelter the homeless, etc… The pastor serves God by attending to the needs of his fellow. Sservice to God is not really attending church, paying tithes, praying and fasting. Do what Jesus advises us to do!
Johnny Wallace, in his comment on March 14th, is sure that the wife of the PM of Jamaica is not a “good SDA christian” , because she wears jewelry. There are very many SDAs in the Caribbean who will agree with Johnny; but such an outlook may only serve to demonstrate that we overlook the fact that Some of our beliefs are completely unbiblical. No where in the Bible does it teach that wearing jewels is sinful or wrong. It is unfortunate that Johnny can declare Mrs Holness a “not good SDA christian”, simply on the grounds that Seventh Day Adventists do not wear jewels to church.
If my brother reads the Old Testament prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah carefully. he will find that the imagery of adornment with jewelry is presented in a positive light. No prohibition! In fact, it is God who is decorating His people with jewels. The admonition or advice in 1Peter 3:3 is simply telling us that what matters in our adornment is that of the mind. If the text prohibits the wearing of jewels, it also prohibits the wearing of clothes(apparel),and the plaiting of the hair. In other words, we must go naked and unkept. What Peter is saying, in essence, “Do not judge Sister Holness by her clothes,or by what other things she wears- judge her by her conduct,and by the state of her mind”. You may soon discover that you are not equipped to judge her, or any other person. You will leave the judgement to God who can read minds.
Nathaniel your comment here is an eye opening one to many, I hope the gentle man is paying attention! You exegete the Chapter and verses precisely for what it means! Too long some of us just go by something said, without making sure its in Sripture! We need to get back to being like the Bereans Church folks who make sure what was said, was Bible based… ( Acts 17:10,11)
On March 14, 2016 Johnny Wallace said, “When involved in politics you will sometimes have to compromise your religious beliefs”.
No! No, Bro Wallace. You choose to compromise your beliefs. If God cannot get us to do the things He wants us to do,why do we have to compromise our beliefs in the face of politics? In all spheres of our lives, God is asking us to live a certain way, and to refrain from doing certain other things; but we refuse to comply with His guidance, and we do what we like; why must we succumb to political influences which seek to distract us? Is politics a stronger influence in our lives than God can be?
That is a dumb excuse we put forward for not involving our energies and our interests in the politics of our communities, but it is a lame excuse. Too many of us are living a ritualistic ,religious life and neglecting to see after the needs of our fellowmen. We are envelopped in our cocoon of self righteousness, and hope to float into heaven, untouched by the vicissitudes of the lives of our hapless fellowmen.
On March 24 2016, at 8:05 am, Dwayne V Turner wrote, “Why bother to be a part of a church for which you don’t believe in what it teaches?”
Since this statement is in reply to a comment I offered earlier I should like to reply to it(him).
God’s Church was established long ages before there was a SDA denomination. I believe that the people who started the SDA “church” had very good intentions, and wanted to comply with the mission which Jesus intrusted to the early Apostles and other followers. What they organised was not God’s Church. It was intended to help people prepare to be members of God’s Church. And the fact is that several groups of people through time did the same thing. God’s people, and God’s Church is comprised of godly people from all these groups, and perhaps other groups throughout the ages. If people who refuse to accept Mrs White’s writings as the final guide to their spiritual life are fulfilling prophecy, the same may be said of those who put her writings before the Bible. We SDAs claim that all our doctrines are based on the Bible; but the first authority we run to when confronted by religious issues is Sister White, and as I said in an earlier post, I do not know when she is giving her own opinion, when she is making a God inspired statement, or when she is quoting from a past or a contemporary writer or speaker. I accept any good advice she offers; but I prefer to use my discretion in the process. I invite Dwayne to look for my…
I quote again from Dwayne V Turner. ” I don’t want to test inspiration for its veracity to see if it will ultimately be true. Rather, I choose to believe and make sure that when it’s fulfilled, I am on the right side”.
Brother, I am beginning to feel sorry for your stance here. I hope that you are making a difference between what is inspiration and what claims to be inspiration. if you are a bible reading person, you will, no doubt hear about the Bereans, who were commended for searching the scriptures to see whether the preachers of their time were authentic in what they taught. You do not seem to bother about that, but I’ll advise you to follow their example as good practice in spiritual things.
You quoted Deut 18:19, perhaps indicating that we must obey or follow the prophets; but you perhaps did not see or read the rest of the chapter, which advised that not all prophets must be believed, but that all prophets must be assessed by the truth of what they predict. I advise you, brother, and all our people, that if we claim to believe the Bible, that we study the Bible carefully; and understand the things we read in Mrs White in the light of Bible Scriptures, rather than try to judge people by the writings of Mrs White. If Mrs White is consistent with the Bible, there is nothing to fear; so why try to thrash people with Mrs White when you have the Bible?