Prophetic
INSPIRATION
The Holy Spirit at Work
Fanaticism – Its Cause, Effects
And How To Meet It
As declared by the Spirit of Prophecy
BOOKLETS
Fanaticism – Its Cause, Effects
And How To Meet It
As declared by the Spirit of Prophecy
KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS
AA Acts of the Apostles (1911)
FW Faith and Works (1979)
GW Gospel Workers (1915)
20 MR Manuscript Releases, Volume 20
21 MR Manuscript Releases, Volume 21
Lt 12 Letter 12
Lt 130 Letter 130
2SG Spiritual Gifts ,Volume 2 (1860)
4bSG Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4b (1864)
1T Testimonies for the Church, Volume 1 (2T for Volume 2 etc.)
Printed June 2009
Fanaticism – Its Cause, Effects
And How To Meet It
WHAT IS FANATICISM?
Religious extremism
“As the end draws near, the enemy will work with all his power to
bring in fanaticism among us. He would rejoice to see Seventh-day
Adventists going to such extremes that they would be branded by the
world as a body of fanatics …
“Those who are close students of the Word, following Christ in
humility of soul, will not go to extremes. The Saviour never went to
extremes, never lost self-control, never violated the laws of good
taste. He knew when to speak and when to keep silent. He was
always self-possessed. He never erred in His judgment of men or of
truth. He was never deceived by appearances. He never raised a
question that was not clearly appropriate, never gave an answer that
was not right to the point. He silenced the voice of the caviling priests
by penetrating beneath the surface and reaching the heart, flashing
light into the mind and awakening the conscience.”
“Those who follow the example of Christ will not be extremists. They
will cultivate calmness and self-possession. The peace that was seen
in the life of Christ will be seen in their lives” - GW, p. 316-317.
Fables and erroneous theories being taught
“Like the serpent gliding stealthily along, fanaticism has been stealing
in to cause variance and strife, to take the attention of the people of
God from elevating, eternal truth. I charge my brethren and sisters
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not to give heed to fables. Do not put into the minds of others the
erroneous theories which should never be entertained. Teach what
Christ taught. He said, “Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in
heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matt. 11:29). His lessons
contain just what is needed in these last days. There is no need to
bring in a mass of rubbish which in the end will be consumed. Let us
not give to the world the impression that we are a body of fanatics.”
- 20MR, p. 339.
HOW DO PEOPLE FALL INTO FANATICISM?
Taking heed to the teachings of false theories and false messages
“This is a time when we need to be very watchful and to guard carefully
the character of the work done. Some will seek to bring in false theories
and will come with false messages. Satan will stir human minds to
create fanaticism in our ranks. We have seen something of this in the
year 1908. The Lord desires His people to move carefully, guarding
the expressions and even the attitude. Satan will use peculiarities of
attitude and voice to cause excitement and to work on human minds
to deceive.” - Lt 12, 1909.
Men fall into when they allow feelings to take the lead rather
than reason and sound judgment
“In Iowa they carried things to quite a length, and ran into fanaticism.
They mistook zeal and fanaticism for conscientiousness. Instead of
being guided by reason and sound judgment, they allowed their
feelings to take the lead.” - 1T, p. 356.
“In every age Satan has sought to impair the efforts of God’s servants
by introducing into the church a spirit of fanaticism … the enemy seeks
to lead into fanaticism overzealous, unbalanced, and unsanctified
minds.”- AA, p. 349.
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By following one’s own course, stubbornly refusing to be led by
the truth of God
“Before you were a partaker in, and lent your influence to, the late
fanaticism in Wisconsin, you were not right in the sight of God … if
you had honestly followed the light, you would never have pursued
the course you have taken. You have willfully, stubbornly followed
your own course, and relied on your own judgment, refusing to be
led. The Lord sent you help, but you refused to accept it ...”
“This strange fanaticism in Wisconsin grew out of the false theory of
holiness … a holiness not dependent upon the third angel’s message,
but outside of present truth. Sister G … carried it out herself, and
zealously taught it to others. This nearly destroyed her love for the
sacred, important truths for this time, which, if she had loved and
obeyed, would have proved an anchor to hold her upon the right
foundation. But she, with many others, made this theory of holiness
or consecration the one great thing, and the important truths of God’s
word were of but little consequence, “if the heart was only right.”
And poor souls were left without an anchor, to be carried about by
feeling … Satan came in and controlled minds and gave impressions
and feelings to suit himself. Reason and judgment were despised, and
the cause of God was cruelly reproached.” - 1T, p. 311, 322.
Men can fall into when looking to self in the place of looking
to Jesus
“Solid faith will not lead anyone away into fanaticism or into acting the
slothful servant. It is the bewitching power of Satan that leads men to
look to themselves in the place of looking to Jesus.” - FW, p. 27.
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SATAN’S PURPOSE FOR FANATICISM
To ruin souls
“Some who were in the 1854 movement have brought along with
them erroneous views, such as the nonresurrection of the wicked,
and the future age, and they are seeking to unite these views and their
past experience with the message of the third angel. They cannot do
this; there is no concord between Christ and Belial. The
nonresurrection of the wicked and their peculiar views of the age to
come are gross errors which Satan has worked in among the last-day
heresies to serve his own purpose to ruin souls.” - 1T, p. 411-412.
“Satan is now working with all his insinuating, deceiving power, to
lead men away from the work of the third angel’s message, which is
to be proclaimed with mighty power. When the enemy sees that the
Lord is blessing His people, and preparing them to discern his
delusions, he will work with his masterly power to bring in fanaticism
on one hand and cold formalism on the other, that he may gather in a
harvest of souls. Now is the time to watch unceasingly. Watch for the
first step of advance that Satan may make among us.” - Review and
Herald, Jan. 24, 1893.
To corrupt and destroy the influence of the Laodicean message
“The design of the message to the Laodiceans was to rid the church
of . . . fanatical influences; but the effort of Satan has been to corrupt
the message, and destroy its influence. He would be better pleased to
have fanatical persons embrace the testimony, and use it in his cause,
than to have them remain in a lukewarm state. I have seen that it was
not the design of the message to lead brother to sit in judgment over
his brother, to tell him what to do, and just how far to go, but for each
individual to search his own heart, and attend to his own individual
work.” - 2SG, p. 223.
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WHY IT IS DANGEROUS TO TEACH TRUTH
MIXED WITH ERROR
Many will be injured by this, and will not be convinced of the
clear truth
“Considerable excitement was created by the 1854 time, and many
have settled it that that movement was in the order of God because it
was quite extensive and some were apparently converted by it. But
such conclusions are not necessary. There was much preached in
connection with the time in 1854 that was reasonable and right. Some
who were honest took truth and error together, and sacrificed much
of what they possessed to carry out the error, and after their
disappointment they gave up both truth and error, and are now where
it is very difficult for the truth to reach them. Some who endured the
disappointment have seen the evidences of present truth, and have
embraced the third angel’s message, and are striving to carry it out in
their lives. But where there is one who has been benefited by believing
the 1854 time, there are ten who have been injured by it; and many of
these are placed where they will not be convinced of the truth, though
it be presented before them ever so clearly.” - 1T, p. 409.
Conversion to Christianity is not lasting when truth is mingled
with error
“Many who were converted through the influence of the 1854
movement need to be converted anew. And now tenfold more labour
is required to correct the wrong, distracting views which they have
received from their teachers, and to lead them to receive the truth
unmixed with error, than would have been necessary to bring them
out in the first place upon the third angel’s message. This class must
unlearn before they can learn aright, else the poisonous weeds of error
would grow rank and root out the precious seeds of truth. Error must
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first be rooted up, then the soil is prepared for the good seed to
spring up and bear fruit to the glory of God.” - 1T, p. 411.
THE SPIRIT OF FANATICISM
Rough, noisy, careless, excitable, and overbearing
“The proclamation of the 1854 time was attended with a spirit which
was not of God. It was a noisy, rough, careless, excitable spirit. Noise
was considered by many the essential of true religion, and there was
a tendency to bring all down upon a low level. Many regarded this as
humility; but when opposed in their peculiar views, they would become
excited in a moment, manifest an overbearing spirit, and accuse those
who did not agree with them of being proud and of resisting the truth
and the power of God.”- 1T, p. 411.
Rash and impetuous (excitably emotional)
“Those who labour for Christ should be men and women of great
discretion, so that those who do not understand their doctrines may
be led to respect them, and regard them as persons void of fanaticism,
void of rashness and impetuosity.” - Review and Herald, April 26,
1892.
No sense of God’s exalted character
“Holy angels have been displeased and disgusted with the irreverent
manner in which many have used the name of God, the great Jehovah.
Angels mention that sacred name with the greatest awe, ever veiling
their faces when they speak the name of God; and the name of Christ
is so sacred to them that they speak it with the greatest reverence …
Some who are still under the same influence speak of God as they
would of a horse or of any other commonplace thing. In their prayers
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they use the words God Almighty in a very common and irreverent
manner. Those who do this have no sense of the exalted character of
God, of Christ, or of heavenly things.” - 1T, p. 410.
Not the spirit of the third angel
“A spirit of fanaticism has ruled a certain class of Sabbathkeepers
there; they have sipped but lightly at the fountain of truth and are
unacquainted with the spirit of the message of the third angel.” - 1T,
p. 412.
People caught up in not willing to confess the wrongs they
have done
“Brother G, you have run to great lengths in this sad fanaticism; your
body has been affected as well as your mind, and you now seek to
charge it all upon others. You have not a true sense of your position
and course in the past. You are free to confess that which others have
done, and that which you did not do; but you have failed to confess
that which you did do.”- 1T, p. 317.
A fanatical spirit is reckless and unwilling to submit to
Gospel order
“Your influence in —— has been injurious. You were opposed to
organization, and preached against it in an indefinite manner, not so
boldly as some might have done, but you went just as far as you
dared to go. In this way you have many times gratified your envious
feelings, and created distrust and uncertainty in the minds of many,
when if you had come out openly, you would have been plainly
understood and could have done but little mischief.” - Ibid.
“There are many restless spirits who will not submit to discipline,
system, and order. They think that their liberties would be abridged
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were they to lay aside their own judgment and submit to the judgment
of those of experience. The work of God will not progress unless
there is a disposition to submit to order, and expel the reckless,
disorderly spirit of fanaticism from their meetings.” - 4bSG, p. 154.
People caught up in esteem themselves better than others
“Some years ago I saw that we would yet have to meet the same
spirit which rose at Paris, Maine, and which has never been thoroughly
cured … This same determined spirit which held … others in Maine
in a fanatical delusion so long, against every influence to lead them to
the truth, has had a powerful, deceptive influence ... I saw that, should
apparent prosperity attend the labours of Brother A, unless he was a
thoroughly converted man he would be in danger of losing his soul.
He does not have becoming respect for the position and labours of
others; he considers himself second to none.” - 3T, p. 313-4.
Disrelish the society of those whom God is truly with, leads
and is teaching
“This class have a disrelish for the society of those whom God is truly
with. Their religious experience is of so low an order that they have
no part nor lot in a rational, intelligent religious experience; therefore
they have despised the society of those whom God leads and is
teaching.” - 2T, p. 554-555.
Engage in trifling conversation & levity, and lose sense of when
to be serious
“It is the favorite occupation of some of this class to engage in trifling
conversation and levity. This habit they contracted, and indulged upon
occasions which should have been characterized by solemn meditation
and devotion. In doing this, they manifested a lack of true dignity and
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refinement, and forfeited the esteem of sensible persons who had no
knowledge of the truth.” - Ibid., p. 554.
“They manifest a proud, rebellious, defiant spirit against those
who differ from their opinions …” - Ibid, p. 555.
Mind control a form of fanaticism
“I have spoken distinctly regarding the dangerous science which says
that one person shall give up his mind to the control of another. This
science is the devil’s own.”
“This is the character of the fanaticism we had to meet in 1845. I did
not then know what it meant, but I was called upon to bear a most
decided testimony against anything of the kind.” - Lt 130 1/2, 1901.
In extreme form can lead people to hold religious meetings in a
state of nudity
“The Lord gave me a message for this fanaticism, for the beautiful
principles of Bible truth were being eclipsed. Men and women,
supposed to be guided by the Holy Spirit, held meetings in a state of
nudity. They talked about holy flesh. They said they were beyond the
power of temptation, and they sang, and shouted, and made all manner
of noisy demonstrations. These men and women were not bad, but
they were deceived and deluded. In the past they had been blessed
with a consciousness that they had a knowledge of the truth, and they
had accomplished much good; but Satan was molding the work, and
sensuality was the result. The cause of God was dishonored. Truth,
sacred truth, was leveled in the dust by human agencies.” - 21MR,
p. 129.
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HOW TO REMEDY FANATICISM
Error and fanatical views must be unlearned before truth can
be taught
“This class must unlearn before they can learn aright, else the
poisonous weeds of error would grow rank and root out the
precious seeds of truth. Error must first be rooted up, then the soil is
prepared for the good seed to spring up and bear fruit to the glory
of God.” - 1T, p. 411.
“A spirit of fanaticism has ruled a certain class of Sabbathkeepers …
they have sipped but lightly at the fountain of truth and are unacquainted
with the spirit of the message of the third angel. Nothing can be done
for this class until their fanatical views are corrected.” - Ibid.
Conduct the most profitable religious meetings for
spiritual advancement
“The most profitable meetings for spiritual advancement are those
which are characterized with solemnity and deep searching of heart;
each seeking to know himself, and earnestly, and in deep humility,
seeking to learn of Christ.” - 1T, p. 412.
Individuals must submit to Gospel Order
“The work of God will not progress unless there is a disposition to
submit to order and expel the reckless, disorderly spirit of fanaticism
from their meetings.” - 1T, p. 413.
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Teach that impressions and feeling are not to guide but the
evidences of our faith
“Impressions and feelings are no sure evidence that a person is led by
the Lord. Satan will, if he is unsuspected, give feelings and impressions.
These are not safe guides. All should thoroughly acquaint themselves
with the evidences of our faith, and the great study should be how
they can adorn their profession and bear fruit to the glory of God.”
- Ibid.
Leaders who have allowed fanaticism to control both mind and
body are to take a most humble place in the church of God
“I saw that persons who had been so enshrouded in darkness and
deception that Satan had controlled not only the mind but the body,
would have to take a most humble place in the church of God. He will
not commit the care of His flock to unwise shepherds, who would
mistake and feed them poison instead of wholesome food. God will
have men care for the flock who can feed them with clean provender,
thoroughly winnowed. Oh, what a blot, what a reproach, have these
fanatical movements brought upon the cause of God! And those who
held so fast to this spirit of dark fanaticism, notwithstanding the plain
evidences that it was from Satan, are not to be relied upon; their
judgment is not to be considered of any weight.” - 1T, p. 230.
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Printed by
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P.O. Box 2015
London W12 9ZJ
England
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