The Jericho Road

I think I need to add a word of explanation for newer readers, especially for my church members in Kentucky. Some of you may have noticed the discussion in my my comments section regarding the teachings of Walter Veith, a pastor and evangelist of the Seventh-day Adventist church.

In 2008 I posted four times on the work of Dr. Veith (he holds a Ph.d in Zoology). Veith is an ordained pastor of the Seventh-day Adventist church. I believe he is still based out of South Africa. For more information you can see his website here. I objected strongly to the conspiracy theories he offers in his “Total Onslaught” DVD series, clips of which you can find on YouTube. As your pastor, for those who are members, I would advise great care with Dr. Veith’s website. Should you choose to explore it in depth, I would do so in a spirit of careful, considered inquiry. Check the “facts” offered. Be sure quotes are in context and represent the writers orginal meaning. Check the sources for accuracy, authority, and bias.

Though it has been almost two years ago, 30 percent of the search traffic on my blog relates to Dr. Veith. These posts continue to generate the largest comment content on this blog. I have chosen not to close those comment sections because it seems obvious to me that the question is very much alive on the internet and within the Adventist church. I try to respond to each comment made, even though this has involved repeating myself from time to time.

Some of those who leave comments appear to be very angry with me, going so far as to accuse me of being a child of Lucifer. At least one man does so with entire web pages.

I’m not posting now to make a personal defense or review my objections to some of Dr. Veith’s teaching. If your interested in that, you can enter search words such as “Walter Veith” in the search box in the upper right side of this blog. You will find more than you probably care to read. You would see how much the intervening two years have generated.

I’ll close this explanation by saying I am not familiar with any changes Dr. Veith may have made in his work to date. Though his website is current and would offer that opportunity, my curent work doen’t allow me the time to keep exploring this single issue. A brief look in that direction does suggest to me that matters remain largly the same.

In 2008 my interest had more to do with the effect of his conspiracy theories on my local churches in Wales and the church in Europe as a whole. I stand by my objections, though on review, I wish I had stated them with less “vigor” from time to time. But you should not consider that caveat a retraction of my objections to the preaching of conspiracy theories or to the distortions of Bible prophecy they create.

My objections to Dr. Veith’s teaching have not been intended as a personal attack on his character, though many seem to construe any objection to the work of a pastor as just that. Separating objections to the work of a man and the man himself is not always easy. I do apologize if I have not made that clear.

I have no doubt this post, because it intentiionally contains Walter Veith’s name and restates my objection, will be a new source of comment. It will more than likely generate more invective and diatribe me personally. I do not plan on repeatedly answering old arguments. I would refer objectors to my previous writing unless they offer something truly new.

NOTE: My Sept. 1, 2008 post, Walter Veith: Is it a sin to argue against him?, also contains a list of other posts I feel are most relevant to the subject.

Update on Saturday, March 13, 2010 by Jan McKenzie

One added thought. As a general rule, a spiritual principle born of love and grace, one revealed in the work of Christ, I believe we should avoid as much as possible bringing personalities into our disagreements. I want those more sympathetic to Dr. Veith’s conspiracy theories to know that it was always with prayer, forethought, and much hesitation that I decided this issue warranted more direct, open comment. There are examples of this in Scripture, when individuals were, in Paul’s and the apostle John’s opinion, were upsetting the faith of believers. They were named to the church to warn it against their teaching. But I feel it should be a rare thing, as it is in Scripture.

You should also know I have never heard from Dr. Veith personally or had the opportunity to discuss these things with him. I do know that others with the same concerns have.

In the total output of my blog since I began writing here in 2006, you will find I avoid naming individuals as much as possible while trying to stay oriented to the issues at hand.

Because I’ve had strong feelings against conspiracy theories and the way they militate against the very heart of the gospel and a faithful interpretation of Bible prophecy, these things may not seem as real to you, the reader, as they have been to me. It still concerns me, keeping me awake some nights, the pain I have obviously caused those who have disagreed with me. Their own frustration has been repeatedly revealed in the comment section. I can only hope they will overlook my occasional rashness and focus on the issues and objections I’ve tried to raise. In all things, we need the mercies of God.

And I would also hope some of the same commentators would reconsider their personal thrust toward me. I’ve been called everything from corrupt, deceitful, dangerous, to a child of Lucifer for taking the position I have. I am content to leave such judgments of my soul with God as I continue to study his Word.