More on the investigative judgment and a thought on SDA theodicy

Another text that made me uncomfortable while I held onto the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) doctrine of the 1844-initiated investigative judgment is John 5:24--as referred to in my first post.

John 5:24 reads, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." (NKJV)

The judgment of 1844, according to SDAs, is where people with unknown salvational status will pass before the judgment seat of heaven for a decision of guilty or innocent. In the above text, Jesus tells us that the default state for all humans is 'death' and then explains that all those who believe on Him pass from this default state of death into life. ACCORDING TO JESUS, THE SAME JUDGMENT THAT SDAs BELIEVE HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 1844, HAPPENS INSTANTANEOUSLY THE MOMENT SOMEONE ACCEPTS CHRIST OR, BY DEFAULT, DIES WITHOUT ACCEPTING HIM. Thus, by the words of Jesus Himself, there is no need for an investigative judgment—especially an investigative judgment of works!


After considerable contemplation of the Biblical evidence against the IJ, the following thought also hit me regarding the SDA take on theodicy:

Now that we live in the era after Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension, to suggest that the character of God remains to be vindicated before the universe, is to slap Jesus in the face as He hangs dying on the cross. Did not God demonstrate his infinite love, perfect justice, and everlasting mercy to every living creature as His own Son was sacrificed for the sake of sinners? (“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom. 5:8 NASB) Must we suggest that in order for God to really be vindicated before the universe, He must display the works of all those who claim salvation in Christ? SDA theology says that the existing universe can already see our works—even our secret works. What more of this can they be shown? And what can better vindicate God than the Cross? The Bible tells us that Christ (God) was vindicated by the Spirit and seen by angels (By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory. 1 Tim. 3:16 NASB) Is evidence that vindicates God in the minds of the Spirit and of angels not strong evidence enough for we who are lesser beings than they?

More texts on different topics to come...