THE REFORMERS’ ATTEMPT TO REFORM, Chapter 6 of Holy Priesthood Volume 5

THE REFORMERS’ ATTEMPT TO REFORM, Chapter 6 of Holy Priesthood Volume 5

Pages 58 to 74

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No faithful man ought to follow either the pope himself or any of the holy men, but in such points as he hath followed the Lord Jesus Christ…. (John Wycliffe, The Great Controversy, E. G. White, p. 102)

Ecclesiastical history is checkered with accounts of scholastic theologians and ministers who, without the aid of revelation, use their own learning and reasoning to make changes in the ordinances and principles of the Gospel. When unable to get a genuine revelation from God, they supposed their own ideas were inspired.

One of the greatest catastrophes to come upon the Christians was not when they were fed to lions, burned at the stake, driven from their homes, or perished from famine. True Christianity died when men of learning and pride led the church by assuming divine guidance, but scholars can never replace prophets!

After the last inspired prophet died, new, uninspired, learned, and proud imitators took his place. From then on, truth and error were intermingled, and both sheep and wolves were “dressed” alike. Paul had warned the Saints:

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Col. 2:8)