Parallel between "The Last Samurai" & SDA Leadership

By Hazel Holland

I believe there's an important parallel between “The Last Samurai” and the reluctance of SDA leadership to let go of historical Adventist doctrines that are contradictory to God’s Word.  This parallel is often repeated throughout history when men in positions of leadership and power are blinded by pride, and so consequently make tragic errors in judgment.  Unfortunately, their actions are often exonerated by their followers who also believe the lie, and perpetuate the deception by passing it on to the next generation…

The “Last Samurai” is a fictional character who rebels against the government because of its immorality as it modernizes.  The movie portrays noble motives for the samurai’s rebellion based on honor, honesty, better ethics and a better way of life.  

However, in the real life historical samurai rebellion, the primary motive was self-preservation of their unique and privileged social class.   The true-life samurai rebellion was a last desperate attempt to hold onto a traditional social caste and position of power that crippled the country by marginalizing and denigrating a great many of its people.   Modernization was resisted because it would put an end to the old system.   The movie ignores the historical truth and adopts the myth of the superiority of the old Bushido system.   It is filmed through rose-tinted glasses, portraying a noble fight to preserve a fictional ideal that never quite was...

 

In a similar way, Adventism has always felt it was more correct and more “moral” because it re-instituted the Old Covenant Law.  It returned to the old written code and pointed the finger of accusation at Christians who did not do the same.   It sang the virtues of the old system and claimed that without the Law, we are deficient and morally lost.   

In truth, however, the Bible states that we are no longer under the old code (the Law), because the purpose of the Law was to reveal sin and death so that we might cling to Jesus instead!  The Law was “the ministry of condemnation” and “the ministry of death”.  In the presence of Life Himself how could the ministry of death hold greater appeal?  How could the Adventist pioneers have been induced to prefer condemnation?

Just as the Bushido code climaxed in the act of suicide, the Law’s purpose was to “administer death”.   It was meant only as a tutor to lead us to faith, but now that faith has come we are no longer under the Law.   If we have come alive with Christ in faith then return to serve the Law, we have chosen spiritual death! In trying to heroically hold onto the Law, Adventism is committing spiritual suicide.   Adventism honors the Law of death as the way to perfection, just as the samurai viewed suicide as the summit of perfection and honor!

In the movie and in history, the “last samurai” rebelled against the established governmental authority of the day.  In a similar way, hasn't Adventism—by returning to the Law—rebelled against God’s authority to govern under the New, rather than the Old, Covenant?  Isn't Adventism’s willful rejection of God’s “new” order as insufficient declaring their superior wisdom that “the old way” is better?

For the vast bulk of Adventism’s history it has isolated itself from mainstream Christianity both socially and theologically.  In more modern times there has been a move to associate with other churches while holding tenaciously to the distinctives that set Adventism apart from the rest of Christianity.  As doctrinal  flaws  have  been more and more difficult  for  the  theologians  to defend,  the  focus has changed from theology  to community.  Members are called to loyalty toward their history and identity.

However, Adventism’s history began with spiritual abuse that has been passed on from generation to generation to the present day...  Furthermore, Adventism’s leadership has chosen cover-up and denial rather than discovery regarding the sad distortion of its false foundational teachings.   

As a result of this culture of secrecy its people are paralyzed in their ability to engage in open dialogue regarding their false foundations.  For the most part they do not appear to be any more prepared than the current leaders to call a halt to the unholy marriage of the Old and New. Until the old is put to rest there can be no freedom from fear!  

(Excerpt from "The Naked Truth..." , Chapter 12: Adventism's Ancient Stronghold).
See: Adventism's Bushido