What Are Wilson II and His Allies Trying to Do? Hypothesis 1
by Ervin Taylor and Ron Spencer, November 25, 2014: Over the past six months, as more and more statements and reports about the current GC President, Ted Wilson (aka Wilson II), have been disseminated in the pages of the Adventist Review and elsewhere, additional questions are being posed as we near the 2015 General Conference Session in San Antonio.
These queries have come up recently: “What exactly are Wilson II and his allies trying to do?”” Do he and his supporters have a plan or are these astonishing statements and actions just trial balloons and random talk?” “Are his pronouncements actually his own or are they being composed by others in his immediate entourage, for whom he serves as a front man?” “Does he really believe the statements that are being published under his name?” “Can anyone really be that clueless about the contemporary world?”
The one question that we feel we can address at this time without wandering into some rather nasty territory would be the question of what Wilson II is seeking to accomplish.
There are a number of possible answers. We here wish to begin with our first hypothesis and consider some basis for offering this particular hypothesis. We will consider other hypotheses in later blogs.
Hypothesis 1: Wilson II is attempting to encourage a division in the Adventist Church.
Before providing the basis for offering this hypothesis, it is necessary to clarify the term “division.” First, we do not mean an organizational division as occurred in the Worldwide Church of God or Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. There are a number of political and sociological reasons why this is highly improbable. Second, we do not mean a division involving large segments of the Church. This would involve a relatively small segment numerically, and it would be limited to small enclaves mostly associated with large educational and medical centers. Third, much of this division has already occurred. Thus, we are talking about a more public and visible division. Finally, we are not suggesting that this represents anything new about the agenda of Wilson II. His views have not changed over the last three decades. The only difference is that he and those who agree with him are in a position to operationally carry out this agenda.
The basis for this hypothesis is as follows: Wilson II has stated that he believes we are really “in the last days.” He believes that the institutional Adventist Church is indeed “The Remnant Church,” and that the Adventist Church is going to be the key element in bringing about “The End.” He also believes that before “The End” comes, “The Shaking Time” will take place in the Adventist Church. This is the real purpose of his “Reform and Reformation” ideas. He believes that “The Shaking Time” will cause all of the divisive elements in the Church, i.e., the individuals and ideas that he and his allies do not like, either to leave or somehow be caused to exit the Adventist Church. He believes that only a purified and reformed Adventist Church will be able to deliver “The Loud Cry.” “The Loud Cry” will cause persecution of the Adventist Church, as the things Ellen White says will happen will start to come to pass. The only way all of these things can take place “quickly” is to force the split now, as soon as possible.
If even half of these statements are accurate representations of what is going on in the mind of Wilson II, the Adventist Church is in big trouble. One solution would be to stop Wilson II and his allies as quickly as possible, but not later than the next GC Session, before he can carry out his plans. The most straightforward way of doing that is for the Nominating Committee to replace him as GC President. If they will not do it, then let a motion come from the floor to that effect. Do we have any confidence that such actions will actually come to pass at the next GC? Not really, given the lack of political will on the part of those who have covertly previously expressed their true opinions.
We invite comments as to whether our Hypothesis 1 is or is not credible, as well as other opinions of what Wilson II is trying to do. Any and all other thoughtful ideas about what’s really going on are also encouraged, as well as what might be done by the ordinary church member.
If anyone wishes to send a confidential message to Ervin Taylor and Ron Spencer with his or her reactions, email erv.taylor@atoday.org. All communications will be held in strict confidence.
Well, much as I find your title intriguing, I read through your article to the end and I did not find any substantiation of the title in the article itself. The ‘hypothesis’ you propose is weighty, but the evidence you present is dust-weight (as opposed to featherweight). Are you sure you two are not emotionally biased towards Pr Wilson (i.e., do you believe you are objective)?
On the other hand. If the end time persecution is as severe and as generalized as Mrs. White describes, then how can the organized church persist in the face of the death penalty for any believer? That would suggest to me that it is the organized church which has joined with the Beast. That would further suggest that in order to escape the collusion between the state and the organized church, the true believers will have all the church and gone underground.
Second, I can’t imagine the state wanting to persecute a religion that had a ministry as inclusive to all people as the ministry of Christ was, as opposed to a church which, like fanatical Islam, has a goal of religious purity.
Third, to me the essence of the SDA church is the freedom to study out new truth, and even question established doctrines, as did our first forefathers when they were hammering out the “fundamental” doctrines in the first place. In rejecting this most fundamental of doctrines, it seems that Elder Wilson, and the conservative wing has taken the position of the Pharisees and has already corrupted the purity of the church.
I am just an ordinary layman, but Ido study my bible and the writingws of Ellen White. Ib\lieve that all evaluations of Elder Wilson and any other person must be
My aprevious comment got posted before it was completed. I believe that all opinions must be studied in the light of the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy. And I do believe that God is in charge of the church including its leaders, and when a president is elected by due process under God’s direction, he becomes God’anointed. I am saddened by the political nature that has krept into the discussions regarding or church leadership and operation. God is in charge and He will honor those who are willing to adhere to the bible and the bible only for their basis for faith and practice. There is no reason to believe that God is not able to do exactly what He has said He did in His word, exactly as He expressed it. He in His word is my authority
“when a president is elected by due process under God’s direction”
Do you really believe that a 90-second vote qualifies for “under God’s direction?”
Seriously?
Donald DDeamp is right in my mind. For the truth, we must search the scriptures, and then the writings of Ellen White. We must disregard what is politically correct, and operate only from an informed knowledge of the truth. Surely, this will offend some, but is it better to offend our God or our misunderstanding friends? In the end, God will hold us accountable for our choices.
In the meantime, for myself, I believe that elder Wilson is the God appointed leader of the sDA church, and that he is doing a good job, trying to work thru the myriad of problems, and the potential problems facing the church.if there is a better leader for these times, let God sort it out in San Antonio. For now, let’s pray the Holy Spirit guides all decisions and activities of our leaders at every level…
I doubt Wilson has a political agenda to deliberately split the church. It seems obvious that he holds to what he considers the traditional SDA positions on end time events, and he holds the doctrines that he believes will bring about these events. Basic Adventism is devisive on many levels. For Wilson, certain liberal concepts have come into the church and he feels he must state and oppose them.
As some have suggested, the church is already split spiritually. In which case a literal and physical split seems inevitable. We have liberal and conservative views of the bible. Some conservative views are legalism and some liberal views are antinomianism. To understand and embrace the true parallel and contrast between law and gospel by way of the bible is not always an easy task. But no one will be deceived by either false side if they stick to the bible. Both radical positions will eventually join together on a common ground and the faithful will be a small minority who hold to law and gospel in its biblical context. Until then we can only wait and work to understand for ourselves individually the “truth as it is in Jesus.”