Adventist's Mind

T

he question on many Adventist’s minds may be: Who is Joe Crews? Joe Crews was a Seventh-day Adventist pastor, talented in his lecturing and oration. He founded what many Adventist acknowledge as the source of their coming into the faith, Amazing Facts: the radio ministry that has branched into a worldwide publishing, internet, and television ministry. Among his years as a pastor, Joe Crews has helped thousands by providing detailed bible studies, has trained many pastors who still today proclaim the truth that God has revealed, and has written many books on the establishment of Christian standards within the Seventh-day Adventist generation. A true worker for God.

Not all Adventist share a positive view on Joe Crews and the work he has contributed to the growth of the Seventh-day Adventist church. Many have labeled his writings among those that promote a legalistic mindset. The idea that legalism is stressing strict obedience to the law comes from an old Chinese philosophy. Legalism was birthed at the hands of Shi Huangdi, the first Chinese emperor. His philosophy of legalism held no interest in moral principles, goodness, correctness or appropriateness, and was not concerned with human life; instead it put the emphasis on rule of law, or the requirement for laws to dictate. According to legalism, chastisement for offenders of the law should be unsympathetic and immediate. Truly, being a legalist is someone who tries to do right on their own without God's help. The following Ellen White quotes help define legalism in its true light:

“A legal religion can never lead souls to Christ; for it is a loveless, Christless religion. Fasting or prayer that is actuated by a self-justifying spirit is an abomination in the sight of God. The solemn assembly for worship, the round of religious ceremonies, the external humiliation, the imposing sacrifice, proclaim that the doer of these things regards himself