Final Research Paper A

Faculty of theology
The Official Health Message:

Understanding and Application
Presented in partial fulfillment of the

requirements for the course:
BHS 428 BHS 429 Research Paper I and II
Lecturer: Prof. C.W. Plaatjes
Student: JF Du Toit 03703

Date: 2018-10-01
Declaration of Academic Integrity

I hereby declare that this assignment/project is my own work. All material used from books or journals or internet
sources have been correctly quoted and referenced. I fully understand the policy on plagiarism as found in the
prospectus of the College. If I am found guilty of plagiarism even due to negligence or ignorance, I will receive a
failure grade for the paper or for the whole course; and may face additional academic penalties that could include
dismissal from the College.
Signature:
Page | A
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Background to the Problem .................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem..................................................................................................... 1
1.3 Statement of Purpose ........................................................................................................... 2
1.4 Hypothesis ............................................................................................................................. 2
1.5 Delimitation of the Study ...................................................................................................... 2
1.6 Justification of the Research ................................................................................................. 2
1.7 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................................ 3
1.8 Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 3
CHAPTER 2: LITERARY STUDY ......................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Introduction........................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 Purpose.................................................................................................................................. 4
2.3 Justification............................................................................................................................ 4
2.4 Methodology ......................................................................................................................... 4
2.5 Literary Study on the Official Health Message ...................................................................... 6
2.5.1 Part 1: Fundamental belief 22 (Christian Behavior) ....................................................... 6
2.5.1.1 An Analysis of the Fundamental belief .................................................................... 6
2.5.1.2 Summary on Part 1 .................................................................................................. 9
2.5.2 Part 2: Brief Exegetical study on texts provided by the Fundamental belief ............... 10
2.5.2.1 1st Component ....................................................................................................... 10
2.5.2.2 6th Component ....................................................................................................... 11
2.5.2.3 Summary on Part 2 ................................................................................................ 17
2.5.3 Part 3: A study on the Material of Ellen White used within the Fundamental belief .. 18
2.5.3.1 2nd Component ....................................................................................................... 18
2.5.3.2 3rd Component ....................................................................................................... 19
2.5.3.3 4th Component ....................................................................................................... 20
2.5.3.4 5th Component ....................................................................................................... 20
2.5.3.5 7th and 8th Components .......................................................................................... 23
2.5.3.6 9th Component ....................................................................................................... 24
2.5.3.7 Summary on Part 3 ................................................................................................ 24
2.6 Summary on Literary Study ................................................................................................. 24
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CHAPTER 3: EMPIRICAL STUDY ..................................................................................................... 26
3.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................... 26
3.2 Purpose................................................................................................................................ 26
3.3 Justification.......................................................................................................................... 26
3.4 Methodology ....................................................................................................................... 26
3.5 Ethical considerations ......................................................................................................... 29
3.6 Interview outline ................................................................................................................. 30
3.7 An Empirical study on the Official Health Message ............................................................ 32
3.7.1. Helderberg Congregation ............................................................................................ 33
3.7.1.1 Question 1: Are the Fundamental beliefs solely based upon Scripture? ............ 33
3.7.1.2 Question 2: Helderberg’s Understanding on the Official Health Message ......... 34
3.7.1.3 Question 3: Helderberg’s Application of the Official Health Message ................ 36
3.7.1.4 Relation between Helderberg’s understanding and application........................... 37
3.7.1.5 Summary on Empirical findings of Helderberg Congregation ............................... 38
3.7.2 Silverleaf Congregation................................................................................................. 39
3.7.2.2 Question 2: Silverleaf’s Understanding on the Official Health Message ............. 40
3.7.2.3 Question 3: Silverleaf’s Application of the Official Health Message ................... 42
3.7.2.4 Relation between Silverleaf’s understanding and application .............................. 44
3.7.2.5 Summary on Empirical findings of Silverleaf Congregation................................... 45
3.7.3. Comparison between Helderberg and Silverleaf ........................................................ 46
3.7.3.2 Question 2: Compared Understanding on the Official Health Message ............. 47
3.7.3.3 Question 3: Compared Application of the Official Health Message .................... 49
3.7.3.4 Relation between their understanding and application Compared ...................... 51
3.7.3.5 Summary on Empirical findings of the comparison ............................................... 52
3.8 Summary on the Empirical study ........................................................................................ 52
CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................. 53
4.1 Literary study ................................................................................................................... 53
4.2 Empirical study ................................................................................................................ 54
4.3 Findings ............................................................................................................................ 55
BIBLIOGRAPHY .............................................................................................................................. 56
APPENDIX ...................................................................................................................................... 58
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TABLE OF TABLES
Table 1: Helderberg’s belief on the Fundamental beliefs being based solely upon Scripture...... 33
Table 2: Helderberg’s understanding ............................................................................................ 34
Table 3: Helderberg’s application ................................................................................................. 36
Table 4: Silverleaf’s belief on the Fundamental beliefs being based solely upon Scripture ........ 39
Table 5: Silverleaf’s understanding .............................................................................................. 40
Table 6: Silverleaf’s application ................................................................................................... 42
Table 7: Understanding compared ................................................................................................ 48
Table 8: Application compared ..................................................................................................... 50
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TABLE OF CHARTS
Chart 1: Helderberg’s belief on the Fundamental beliefs being based solely upon Scripture ............. 33
Chart 2: Helderberg’s understanding ................................................................................................... 35
Chart 3: Helderberg’s application ........................................................................................................ 37
Chart 4: Relation between Helderberg’s understanding and application ............................................. 38
Chart 5: Silverleaf’s belief on the Fundamental beliefs being based solely upon Scripture................ 39
Chart 6: Silverleaf’s understanding...................................................................................................... 41
Chart 7: Silverleaf’s application .......................................................................................................... 43
Chart 8: Relation between Silverleaf’s understanding and application ............................................... 44
Chart 9: Comparison on the belief of the Fundamental beliefs being based solely upon Scripture .... 46
Chart 10: Understanding compared ..................................................................................................... 47
Chart 11: Application compared .......................................................................................................... 49
Chart 12: Relation between understanding and application compared ................................................ 51
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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE PROBLEM
The Seventh-day Adventist Church1 state a unique health message which, like all other
beliefs, is based on Scripture only2. But this particular belief received enormous input from the
inspired writings and guidance of Ellen G. White which was revealed to her through visions from
God. Were it not for these writings and guidance, the health message would not have been as
unique and effective as it was in the days of Ellen White, and neither today.
This health message is officially stated in the twenty-second Fundamental belief,
Christian behaviour3. But this official health message is different from the health message which
is proclaimed4 by the Church.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Objective observation 5 , in a natural field setting, indicates6 that 1) many members of
Helderberg College Church do not conform to health reform, and 2) many members of Silverleaf
are very much health reform conscious. Thus the problem statement is encapsulated in the
question: How do the members7 of Helderberg and Silverleaf Seventh-day Adventist churches8,
in close proximity to each other, so differently, understand and apply the official health message
of the Church?
1
Hereafter referred to as ‘the Church’.
2
The Secretariat General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, The Seventh-Day Adventist Church Manual, 19th
ed. (U.S.A.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2016), 16.
3
Hereafter referred to as ‘the official health message’; Ibid., 163–164.
4
I do make a distinction between what is officially ‘stated’ and what is ‘proclaimed’ by the church. I have already
defined what is ‘stated’ as the official health message above, but ‘what is proclaimed’ referrers to any other
proclamations and statements made by the Church health department and other health ministries, dependent as
well as independent.
5
“the researcher remains an outside observer” in Earl Babbie and Johann Mouton, The Practice of Social Research,
South African. (Cape Town: Oxford University Press, 2001), 293.
6
Johann Mouton, How to Succeed in Your Master’s and Doctoral Studies: A South African Guide and Resource Book
(Pretoria: Van Schaik, 2001), 99.
7
This research will focus on adults only.
8
Hereafter referred to as ‘congregations’; The “target population group” in Johann Mouton, Understanding Social
Research, 1st ed. (Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers, 1996), 135.
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1.3 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purpose of this research is to determine how the members of these congregations
understand and apply the official health message. Thereafter, the researcher will compare and
contrast these findings with the official health message as it is stated by the Church.
The researcher is a firm believer in the authenticity of the Church denomination as a
whole. The researcher appreciates all the hard work that the workers and member have
contributed in developing the health message as we have it today (including the writings of Ellen
White). However, the researcher is committed to the “epistemic imperative”9 of science and will
allow the facts to speak for themselves.
1.4 HYPOTHESIS
Therefore the hypothesis that undergirds this study is as follows:
One of many reasons why members of these congregations do not conform to the official
health message could be their understanding or lack of understanding of the Church’s official
health message.
1.5 DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY
Although that there may be many reasons why members do not conform to the health
message, the researcher will only focus on the reason as stated in the hypothesis.
Literary study will be based upon what the Church officially state regarding the official
health message within the Fundamental beliefs.
The exegetical studies in the literary study will be solely based upon the foundational
texts provided by the fundamental belief.
Empirical research will be conducted on Helderberg and Silverleaf SDA churches, but
within the geographical area of the Helderberg basin only.
1.6 JUSTIFICATION OF THE RESEARCH
This research paper will help members of these congregations to understand and
appreciate the official health message as it derives from scripture and how it was proclaimed by
Ellen White.
9
“the moral commitment that scientists are required to make to the search for truth and knowledge” in Mouton,
How to Succeed in Your Master’s and Doctoral Studies: A South African Guide and Resource Book, 239.
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The second group who would benefit from this study would be those members who ask
my opinion regarding the official health message. The researcher would be able to provide them
with an in-depth study and the conclusion of the study.
1.7 DEFINITION OF TERMS
Official health message means the Health message of the Seventh-day Adventist church
as stated within the fundamental beliefs in the Church Manual10.
Foundational texts refer to the Scriptural references provided within the Fundamental
belief.
1.8 METHODOLOGY
This paper consists of four chapters. This first chapter serves as the Introduction to the
paper as a whole.
Chapter 2 is the literary study which addresses the epistemological dimension11 of the
official health message divided into three parts. Part 1 is a discourse analysis on how the official
health message is stated by the Church; Part 2 consists of two exegetical studies on the key
passages that the Church uses as the foundation of the official health message; Part 3 will be an
evaluation of precedent research on the literature of Ellen White on health reform.
Chapter 3 will be address itself to the qualitative and quantitative empirical research at
the congregations in order to determine how these congregations, within the same community,
understand and apply the official health message.
Chapter 4 will be the concluding chapter where the researcher will compare and contrast
the analysis of the findings of the empirical study of Chapter 3 with the literary study as stated in
Chapter 2.
10
The Secretariat General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, The Seventh-Day Adventist Church Manual, 163–
164.
11
“What constitutes knowledge” in Mouton, Understanding Social Research, 35.
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CHAPTER 2: LITERARY STUDY
2.1 INTRODUCTION
This study is not about God or reference to God and His actions. This study will discuss
Scripture and the writings of Ellen White to undergird this study.
2.2 PURPOSE
The purpose of this chapter is primarily to understand the official health message. This
means that the researcher will determine how the official health message derived from scripture,
and how much did the literature of Ellen White contribute to this fundamental belief.
2.3 JUSTIFICATION
This literary study functions as the basic understanding of the official health message and
will serve as the benchmark of the empirical study of Chapter 3.
It is also essential for the justification of my hypothesis since the researcher claim that
‘One of the reasons why members of these congregations do not conform to the official health
message could be their understanding or lack of understanding of the Church’s official health
message’. The researcher will, therefore, have to substantiate that the researcher do understand
the health message himself by the findings of this chapter.
This chapter sets out to answer questions such as:
• How is the health message incorporated within the Fundamental beliefs of the Church?
• How does the health message derive from scripture?
• Are there any portions of this fundamental belief based upon the writings of Ellen White?
2.4 METHODOLOGY
This chapter is divided into three parts. Each part will conclude with a brief summary
which is essential to the concluding summary of this chapter.
Part 1 is an analysis of the official health message as stated by the Church where the
researcher will investigate Fundamental belief 22, Christian Behavior.
Part 2 consists of two exegetical studies on the foundational texts of the official health
message. The researcher will follow this approach in order to understand how the Church
derived the official health message from scripture. In this section, the researcher has identified
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and studied four texts from scripture12 which are stated in Fundamental belief 22 to substantiate
the official health message from scripture.
Since this section deals with scripture only, the researcher has decided not to use any
Ellen White writings in this section for three reasons. The first is because the researcher will
devote an entire section (Part 3) to Ellen White’s writings on health reform, the second reason is
to avoid any bias views the researcher may have from the writings of Ellen White on health
reform, and thirdly since it could be argued that Ellen White was a prophet, but not a
theologian13.
Part 3 will be a study of the literature by Ellen White on the parts of the fundamental
belief that is based upon her writings.
12
All text quoted are from the New International Version unless otherwise stated.
13
Herbert E. Douglass, Messenger of the Lord: Prophetic Ministry of Ellen G. White, 3rd ed. (Nampa, ID: Pacific
Press Publishing Association, 1998), 259–260.
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2.5 LITERARY STUDY ON THE OFFICIAL HEALTH MESSAGE
2.5.1 PART 1: FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF 22 (CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR)

The researcher will now analyze the fundamental belief which relates to the official
health message.
2.5.1.1 AN ANALYSIS OF THE FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF
The health message is incorporated within the Fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church. Christian behavior, the twenty-second fundamental belief, focuses on the
conduct of Christian living along with the fundamental beliefs of The Law of God, The Sabbath,
Stewardship, and Marriage and the Family. This fundamental belief, Christian behaviour, reads
as follows:
We are called to be a godly people who think, feel, and act in harmony with biblical principles
in all aspects of personal and social life. For the Spirit to recreate in us the character of our
Lord we involve ourselves only in those things that will produce Christlike purity, health, and
joy in our lives. This means that our amusement and entertainment should meet the highest
standards of Christian taste and beauty. While recognizing cultural differences, our dress is to
be simple, modest, and neat, befitting those whose true beauty does not consist of outward
adornment but in the imperishable ornament of a gentle and quiet spirit. It also means that
because our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently.
Along with adequate exercise and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful diet possible and
abstain from the unclean foods identified in the Scriptures. Since alcoholic beverages, tobacco,
and the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain
from them as well. Instead, we are to engage in whatever brings our thoughts and bodies into
the discipline of Christ, who desires our wholesomeness, joy, and goodness. (Gen. 7:2; Exod.
20:15; Lev. 11:1-47; Ps. 106:3; Rom. 12:1, 2; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 10:31; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1; 10:5;
Eph. 5:1-21; Phil. 2:4; 4:8; 1 Tim. 2:9, 10; Titus 2:11, 12; 1 Peter 3:1-4; 1 John 2:6; 3 John
2.)14(Emphasis added)
The following analysis of the Fundamental belief will focus on the three statements of
added emphasis since this is the part which is dealing with the official health message. These
three statements could further be subdivided into nine components as follows:
14
The Secretariat General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, The Seventh-Day Adventist Church Manual, 170.
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First Statement
1. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit
2. Care for your body intelligently
Second Statement
3. Adequate exercise
4. Adequate rest
5. Maintain the healthful diet
6. Abstain from unclean foods identified in the Scriptures
Third Statement
7. Abstain from alcoholic beverages
8. Abstain from tobacco
9. Abstain from the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics
It is quite evident that development occurs within these three statements. The first
statement comprises of the first 2 components and states that ‘It also means that because our
bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently’. This statement is
the point of departure which summarizes the motive behind the official health message. The 1st
component (Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit) is the spiritual motivation and ultimately
answers the rhetorical question asked in 1 Cor. 6:19-20. The researcher will discuss this text in
depth in Part 2. But it is important to understand, at this stage, that this 1st component is derived
directly from scripture.
The 2nd component (Care for your body intelligently) speaks to the cognitive motivation
and call the believer to make deliberate, cognitive decisions in taking care of their bodies. There
are no Biblical references stated in this fundamental belief that can substantiate this 2nd
component from Scripture. The researcher has however found a near direct quotation from the
writings of Ellen White which supports this 2nd component of the official health message. This
will be discussed in Part 3.
The second and third statements are developing this first statement discussed above. The
second statement ‘Along with adequate exercise and rest, we are to adopt the most healthful diet
possible and abstain from the unclean foods identified in the Scriptures’ is a development of the
first statement as a pragmatic approach in the application the official health message. This
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statement shows how we are to view your bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit, but also, how
to care for it ‘intelligently’.
This second statement comprises of the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th components of the official
health message. The 3rd, 4th and 5th components read ‘Along with adequate exercise and rest, we
are to adopt the most healthful diet possible’ and cannot be found in scripture references
provided by the texts stated in the fundamental belief. However, these components can be found
in the writings of Ellen White on health reform. The researcher will discuss these components in
Part 3.
The 5th component uses the term ‘healthful diet’ which could be a vague term and needs
to be clearly defined and articulated. According to the Official statements15 of the church, “we
promote a simple vegetarian diet”16. In our Health-Care institutions, the church promotes “an
ovo-lactovegetarian diet free of stimulants” 17. Thus the assumption can be made (from these two
official statements) that the term ‘healthful diet’ can be defined as a vegetarian diet which
includes dairy products.
The 6th component in this second statement says that we are to ‘abstain from the unclean
foods identified in the Scriptures’. This is a summary of Lev 11 which would also be discussed
in Part 2. This 6th component (abstain from the unclean foods) cannot be viewed as a definition
of the 5th component (healthful diet), but should rather be understood as another component of
the official health message. If the abstinence from unclean foods were meant to be the definition
of the healthful diet, then the preposition ‘by’ would’ve been used instead of the conjunction
‘and’ that is used. For now, it is important to note that this second statement is partly based upon
scripture and partly based upon the writings of Ellen White.
The final statement under discussion comprises of the 7th, 8th, and 9th components of the
official health message. This third statement states that ‘Since alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and
15
Communication Department of the General Conference, “Statements, Guidelines and Other Documents”
(General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, June 2010), accessed February 18, 2015,
www.adventist.org/en/information/official-statements/.
16
Ibid., 12–13.
17
Ibid., 53.; General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Health Ministries Department, CELEBRATIONS, ed.
Sandra Blackmer (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2012), 205.
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the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain from
them as well’ and the researcher could not find any scripture references provided by the texts
stated in the fundamental belief to substantiate these components from scripture. There is,
however, a text on the misuse or abuse of alcohol (Eph. 5:18) which states that we are not to “get
drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery”. But this text cannot be used to substantiate the 7th
component since this component requires the abstinence of alcohol where the text does not
require abstinence. Perhaps linguistics also plays a role due to the fact that references to tobacco
and drugs are nowhere found in scripture since these concepts only came to the European
civilization in the last 500 years 18. But the researcher has found ample information from the
writings of Ellen White on health reform which substantiates these 3 components which will be
discussed in Part 3.
2.5.1.2 SUMMARY ON PART 1
We have seen that there is a development within the three statements on the official
health message where the second and third statements expand the first statement in their
explanation on how the child of God is to care for their bodies intelligently as the temple of the
Holy Spirit. These three statements are subdivided into 9 components which are 1) your body is
the temple of the Holy Spirit, 2) care for your body intelligently, 3) adequate exercise, 4)
adequate rest, 5) maintain the healthful diet, 6) abstain from unclean foods identified in the
Scriptures, 7) abstain from alcoholic beverages, 8) abstain from tobacco, and 9) abstain from the
irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics.
It was stated that 2 out of the 9 components of the official health message are
substantiated in scripture, and the other 7 components are derived from the writings of Ellen
White. The researcher will now discuss the 2 components, the 1st and 6th, which are substantiated
in scripture by only using the scriptural references stated in the Fundamental belief on Christian
behaviour in order to show how these 2 components are derived from scripture.
18
Vernellia R. Randall, “The History of Tobacco,” Boston University Medical Center, last modified 1999, accessed
June 27, 2018, http://academic.udayton.edu/health/syllabi/tobacco/history.htm.
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2.5.2 PART 2: BRIEF EXEGETICAL STUDY ON TEXTS PROVIDED BY THE FUNDAMENTAL
BELIEF
The first text the researcher will exegete is found in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians
which are dealing with the 1st component of the official health message.
2.5.2.1 1 S T COMPONENT
1 Cor. 6:19-20 provides us with the foundation of the Christian Behavior fundamental
belief rather than the official health message only. ‘It also means that because our bodies are the
temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to care for them intelligently’19. 1 Cor. 6:19 asks the crucial
question: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom
you have received from God?”. This section speaks to the inexcusable sin and shame of
fornication20 . Paul appeals to the Corinthian church to reject this pagan practice of religious
prostitution21.
At the time Paul dealt with this issue of prostitution, Corinth was known to be today’s
‘De Wallen red-light district’ in Amsterdam. As part of their culture, prostitution was the blind
spot in the church of Corinth since they believed that this immoral practice held benefits to their
spiritual life. Believers did not let go of these views and practices thus Paul had to respond to
open their eyes to their immoral errors22.
The apostle broadens the theme of holiness from verse 9. This holiness refers to the
holiness of the body, as in your whole being or nature in terms of sexual relations23. Now we find
that verse 19 is inseparably linked to verse 18 which commands us to “Flee from sexual
19
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, “Our Beliefs: Christian Behavior,” Official Website of the Seventh-
Day Adventist Church, last modified 2018, accessed April 3, 2018,
https://www.adventist.org/en/beliefs/living/christian-behavior/.
20
H. D. M. Spence, ed., The Pulpit Commentary: 1 Corinthians (London & New York, NY.: Funk and Wagnalls
Company, 2004), 193.
21
Richard L Pratt, Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Corinthians, ed. Max Anders, vol. 7 (Nashville, TN.:
Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 96.
22
Ibid., 7:97–98.
23
Paul Ellingworth and Howard A Hatton, A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians (New York, NY.:
American Bible Society, 1993), 132–133.
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immorality” since it is a sin against the body24. For this reason, verse 19b and 20 states that our
bodies do not belong to us since we were paid for at Calvary25.
“Sexual sin is unlike other sins in that a Christian sins against his or her own body,
violating the truth that the body belongs to and is united to Christ” 26. This is why the apostle
appealed to the Corinthians not to defile their holy bodies with the practices of pagan worship.
The only reason the body is holy because the Holy Spirit dwells within the body of the Christian
believer27. The presence of the Holy Spirit does not go hand in hand with sexual immorality. For
this reason, Paul concludes in verse 20 that the Christian is to “honour God with your body” and
live a holy life since “Sexual immorality involving our bodies violates Christ”28.
There is thus no direct connection between 1 Cor. 6:19, 20 and the notion of health
reform. However, his text has a direct link to Christian behaviour as a whole which may then be
viewed as an indirect connection to the official health message.
2.5.2.2 6 TH COMPONENT
Leviticus 11 provides clear guidance for God’s people to “abstain from the unclean foods
identified in the Scriptures”. This passage parallel Deut. 14:3-21 and was given to the children of
Israel shortly after the Exodus at Mt. Sinai29.
The book of Leviticus is also called the “book of the priests” 30 which could suggest that
this book was to be observed exclusively by the priests. But is this the case? No. Throughout this
book, it is seen that instructions are given to the people of Israel as a nation where God instructed
Moses to “Speak to the Israelites”31 and give them instructions. These instructions were given to
the Holy people of God and were to be observed by them as His people.
24
Pratt, Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Corinthians, 7:101–103.
25
Ellingworth and Hatton, A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 138–139.
26
Pratt, Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Corinthians, 7:98.
27
Ibid., 7:101–103.
28
Ibid., 7:103.
29
“These are the commands the LORD gave Moses on Mount Sinai for the Israelites” quoted from Lev. 27:34
30
René Péter-Contesse and John Ellington, A Handbook on Leviticus (New York, NY.: United Bible Societies, 1990),
6.
31
These words occur more than 16 times throughout the book of Leviticus.
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Regards to the theme of the book of Leviticus it is clear that the book concerns itself with
the theme of holiness32. The Hebrew root qdsh appears more than 150 times in this book which
could also be translated “to sanctify” and includes the idea to be clean as opposed to being
unclean. Spence33, commented that within this principle the Hebrew theory of uncleanness is
seen which alludes that uncleanness is symbolic of sin; even uncleanness as a result of touch.
“Some insist that God is more interested in the soul of man than in his body, that spiritual values
are superior to the physical” 34.
This is where Leviticus 11 is of utmost importance. This chapter is found immediately
after the instructions to the priests were given regards sacrifices and ritual purity35. Chapter 11
concerns itself with which meat is clean and which meat is unclean. Thus this chapter speaks to
holiness regards diet. Thus a connection could be seen between uncleanness in diet and
spirituality.
The first creatures which are discussed are the land animals (v. 2-8). “You may eat any
animal that has a split hoof completely divided and that chews the cud”36. Here it is important to
note that although 5:2 makes a distinction between wild and domestic animals, chapter 11 refers
to both categories 37 . Secondly, two clear characteristics are given: “a split hoof completely
divided” (or having feet that are separated) and also “chews the cud” (animals with more than
one stomach)38. Both these characteristics need to be present in one given animal.
The second group of creatures discussed is sea creatures (v.9-12). Verse 9 says “Of all
the creatures living in the water of the seas and the streams, you may eat any that have fins and
scales”. Again two clear characteristics are found, fins and scales; and again both these
characteristics need to be present in one given creature.
32
Francis David Nichol, ed., The Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary: Genesis to Deuteronomy, Electronic.,
vol. I (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1978), sec. Lev. 11.
33
H. D. M. Spence, ed., The Pulpit Commentary: Leviticus (London & New York, NY.: Funk and Wagnalls Company,
2004), 169.
34
Nichol, The Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary: Genesis to Deuteronomy, I:756.
35
Péter-Contesse and Ellington, A Handbook on Leviticus, 155.
36
Lev 11:3.
37
38
Ibid., 157.
12 | P a g e
The third group of creatures which is discussed are the birds of the air (v. 13-19) which
says “These are the birds you are to detest and not eat because they are detestable: the eagle, the
vulture, the black vulture, the red kite, any kind of black kite, any kind of raven, the horned owl,
the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the white
owl, the desert owl, the osprey, the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat”. No
characteristics are provided like in the first two discussions, but from the Hebrew text, these
birds seemed to fall in the category of scavenges birds and birds of prey39 such as eagles, hawks,
vultures and owls40 as well as water birds such as the gull, cormorant, stork41, and possibly the
white owl42. The Seventh-day Adventist Bible commentary state the following regards the owl: it
is “probably the ostrich, as in the margin of Job 30:29; Isa. 34:13; 43:20. It should be noted that
differences of opinion exist as to the identity of some of the birds listed” 43.
One needs to understand the geographical and time gap which exists between us today
and the Israelites in the time of Moses. These birds listed are birds which were commonly known
to the Israelites44, and if they were to find themselves in Australia, North America, South Africa,
or any other part of the world, this list would have been adapted to incorporate the creatures
which exist in that part of the world.
The final group of creatures is Insects (v. 20-23) which are also identified by two
characteristics, by having four legs and most importantly having joint legs for hopping. Verses
20-23 say “All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be detestable to you. There are,
however, some winged creatures that walk on all fours that you may eat: those that have jointed
legs for hopping on the ground. Of these, you may eat any kind of locust, katydid, cricket or
grasshopper. But all other winged creatures that have four legs you are to detest”. Yet again both
characteristics should apply which alludes to the unity of this section since the land and sea
creatures (vv. 3, 9) have to adhere to both their classifications.
39
Flying mammals like the bat is also included in this category.
40
41
42
This may also refer to the swan according to the KJV.
43
44
Ibid.
13 | P a g e
An important point to consider is if clean and unclean creatures, as discussed above, were
a new regulation that God gave the Israelites shortly after the Exodus, or if it was an already
established practice. The practice of clean and unclean meat is discussed earlier in scripture. In
Gen. 7:2 God gave instruction to Noah as to what kind of animals were to be taken on the ark as
well as how many pairs of clean and unclean animals45. This clearly shows that God made a
distinction between clean and unclean creatures even before the flood, but after the fall of man.
Likewise is it important to note that God does not provide Noah with any guidelines regards
clean and unclean animals, which suggest that Noah was already familiar with this concept.
Another important point to consider would be the New Testament idea of meat which is
permissible to eat or not to eat; this is the same concept of clean and unclean meat. 1 Corinthians
10:31 speaks of the believer’s diet which should glorify God. This section starts in verse 23 and
addresses the issue of when to eat and when not to eat food which does not form a part of your
healthful diet in certain situations. Three things are of extreme importance in this section: the
unbeliever, meat sacrificed to idols, and the Glory of God. Paul’s instructions about how a
believer should deal with a situation regard rightful diet when eating with unbelievers is self-
evident that believers should not avoid mealtimes with unbelievers and thus make use of this
opportunity to reach out to unbelievers46.
Secondly, is to understand that this section hinges on the idea of eating meat which is
sacrificed to idols according to v. 28 “This has been offered in sacrifice”. First of all, it must be
understood that it is permissible to eat meat according to the biblical origin for Shehitah47 in
Deut. 12:21 48 . “The rabbis placed many restrictions on Jews who lived in pagan cities like
Corinth. Jews had to be sure they bought meat only from shops that were kosher”49. This kosher
45
“Take with you seven of every kind of clean animal, a male and its mate, and two of every kind of unclean
animal, a male and its mate”.
46
47
‘Shehitah’ refers to the Jewish rituals for slaughter.
48
Ronit Gurtman, “Shehitah: Jewish Ritual Slaughter,” Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard, 4, last modified
2005, accessed April 19, 2018, https://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/8852091.
49
Pratt, Holman New Testament Commentary: I & II Corinthians, 7:169.
14 | P a g e
50
meat was meat that did not come into contact with milk and the animal was also to be
slaughtered in a very specific way. Shehitah is a humane method of slaughtering which is “meant
to prevent harm to the animals while they are alive” 51. Shehitah is strictly regulated by the rabbis
since it is a complex procedure which involves special knowledge in examining the lungs and
removes the blood and fatty tissues52. “From the command against the consumption of blood
comes the prohibition against eating any non-veinal blood in meat [based upon Gen 9:453]. The
koshering process achieves fitness by drawing out blood through soaking and salting meat, or
roasting it over an open flame” 54. Gurtman summarizes the five basic principles for Shehitah as
follows:
(1) Shehiya: The incision must be continuous until all the vital parts are severed without any pause. (2)
Derasa: There must be no pressing upward or downward, nor any hacking. (3) Halada: There must be no
burrowing. The incision must be open and exposed so as to drain the brain quickly and render the animal
unconscious immediately. (4) Hagrama: The incision must be in the correct part of the neck, through the
trachea, preferably below the cricoids—the complete cartilaginous ring immediately below the larynx—
but not through the larynx nor through the part of the neck which is close to the chest, where the muscles
are very thick and the trachea is deep-seated. This is in order to avoid blunting or nicking the knife on
hard surfaces which may cause delay in the slaughter and unnecessarily inflict pain on the animal. (5)
Ikkur: There must be an incision—a clean cut—and not a laceration or tear. The knife is examined both
55
before and after the slaughter to ensure that it is perfectly smooth, enabling a clean incision.
Meat which is sacrificed to idols is what we today know as Halal meat. The slaughtering
process and requirements of Halal is nearly identical to the requirements and process of
Shehitah, except for one crucial difference. “The name of Allah must be invoked (mentioned) at
the time of slaughtering by saying: Bismillah Allahu Akbar. (In the Name of Allah; Allah is the
Greatest.)” 56 . A prayer is said to the animal in the name of the Islamic god, Allah, who is
50
Gerald F. Masoudi, “Kosher Food Regulation and the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment,” The University of
Chicago: Chicago Unbound Collections, 669, last modified 1993, accessed April 19, 2018,
https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.co.za/&httpsredir=1&arti
cle=4830&context=uclrev.
51
Gurtman, “Shehitah: Jewish Ritual Slaughter,” 5.
52
Ibid., 6.
53
“But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it”.
54
Masoudi, “Kosher Food Regulation and the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment,” 670.
55
Gurtman, “Shehitah: Jewish Ritual Slaughter,” 7–8.
56
Department of Halal Certification EU, “Islamic Method of Slaughtering,” Department of Halal Certification EU,
last modified 2018, accessed April 19, 2018, http://halalcertification.ie/islamic-method-of-slaughtering/.
15 | P a g e
believed to be the greatest. This dedication of the meat to Allah is what is referred to as meat
sacrificed to an idol from a Christian perspective.
In regards to the glorification of God, Paul instructs his readers to consider the host of the
meal. In the case that the host is an unbeliever who is ignorant about your health practices
regards diet it is ‘permissible’ to eat the meat presented to you, even though it is sacrificed to an
idol 57 according to v.27 “If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat
whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience”. The issue at hand is not
about the meat, but about the ‘good of others’. Paul shares the idea that we should not offend the
host of the meal by our dietary practices since the greater thought being shared here is when
believers offend unbelievers through their dietary practice, the gospel is rejected in the process
and the unbeliever may not be reached for the kingdom of God.
But on the other hand, Paul also speaks about the informed unbeliever in v.28 “But if
anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it”. If such a host is
aware of your dietary practices and informs you about the content of the meal, it is best not to eat
the meat 58 . The principle here is that we should prevent practices which may mislead the
unbeliever into a controversy regards diet. If you should eat the meat and the unbeliever chooses
to convert to Christ, the new believer may be confused as to what is permissible due to your
double standard. When we are informed that the food is not kosher, we should refrain from
eating in order not to encourage the other person to participate in this incorrect diet 59 . “We
should not share in any activity with an unconverted person from which he or she will need to
turn away when converted to our Lord Jesus Christ” 60 .Their salvation should always be our
concern. The believer should not cause them ‘to stumble’61. The Seventh-day Adventist Bible
commentary summarizes this idea as “Christian behaviour should be governed by the principle
57
Derek Prime, Opening up 1 Corinthians (Leonminister, MA.: Day One Publications, 2005), 91–93.
58
Ibid.
59
60
Prime, Opening up 1 Corinthians, 92.
61
16 | P a g e
here laid down; namely, that all things be done with the glory of God and the blessing of one’s
fellow men in mind”62.
The 1st component of the official health message is derived from 1 Cor. 6:19-20 which
speaks to the foundation of Christian behaviour as our bodies being the temple of the Holy Spirit.
This text calls to the moral or spiritual life of the believer, to withhold them from an immoral
lifestyle. There is, however, no direct connection between this text and the official health
message, but it rather speaks to Christian behaviour as a whole.
Leviticus 11 deals with the 6th component and speaks to the issue of not eating unclean
meat. This principle was meant for the whole people of God and holds a direct connection
between diet and spirituality. There are criteria’s for land animals, sea creatures, and insects, but
as for birds of the air, there is only a list of unclean creatures provided; a list which is
geographically bound.
It is clear that the concept of clean and unclean meat was much earlier established than
the time of the Exodus. Gen. 7:2 backdates this concept to, at the latest, the time of Noah.
As for the New Testament writings of Paul, it is evident in 1 Cor. 10:31 that the criteria
of Lev 11 are extended to the spiritual realm; that even clean animals are unclean and are not to
be eaten in case of meat sacrificed to idols. We see this concept, of meat sacrificed to idols,
today as Halal meat. In contrast, we find that kosher meat follows the method of slaughter as
prescribed in the Old Testament and therefore it could be concluded that any meat other than
kosher are considered as unclean.
The researcher has established how the 1st and 6th components of the official health
message are established from scripture by only using the textual references (Gen. 7:2, Lev. 11; 1
Cor. 6:19, 20; 1 Cor. 10:31) provided by the fundamental belief. The researcher will now discuss
the other 7 components which derive from the writings of Ellen White.
62
Francis David Nichol, ed., The Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary: Acts to Ephesians, Electronic., vol. VI
(Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1978), 748.
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2.5.3 PART 3: A STUDY ON THE MATERIAL OF ELLEN WHITE USED WITHIN THE
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF
Health reform was something that developed over time. From the beginning of Ellen
White’s comprehensive health message vision in Oswego, NY on Feb. 185463 unto her death in
1915, the health message developed and became highly comprehensive towards the end of her
life. This is evident in the voluminous work on health reform during the second half of her
ministry (1880 – 1915). As a result, the materials published during this time are the most
comprehensive form of health reform and would portray a more complete form of Ellen White’s
thoughts on the developed comprehensive health message. For this reason, the researcher will
focus my research on material published during this time, but not be limited to these later
publications only.
The researcher will also explain any quotations from Ellen White within its context since
the health message could be easily quoted out of context. This was also a great concern for Ellen
White and can be seen in her 1886 statement in Letter 57 where she said that:
There will be some who will not leave the best and most correct impression upon minds. They will be
inclined to narrow ideas and plans, and have not the least idea of what constitutes health reform. They
will take the testimonies which have been given for special individuals under peculiar circumstances, and
make these testimonies general and to apply in all cases, and in this way they bring discredit upon my
work and the influence of the testimonies upon health reform64.
2.5.3.1 2 ND COMPONENT
In the first statement, the 2nd component states that you are to ‘care for your body
intelligently’. Addressing people who are chosen for responsible positions, Ellen White’s point
of departure is that the believer needs to be true to God65. She stated that “he desires that mind
and body be preserved in the best condition of health, every power and endowment under the
divine control… All our energies and capabilities are to be constantly strengthened and improved
during this probationary period. Only those who appreciate these principles, and have been
trained to care for their bodies intelligently and in the fear of God, should be chosen to take
63
Douglass, Messenger of the Lord: Prophetic Ministry of Ellen G. White, 547.
64
Ellen Gould White, Selected Messages, vol. 3 (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association,
1980), 288.
65
Ellen Gould White, “Signs of the Times,” October 2, 1907.
18 | P a g e
responsibilities in this work” (emphasis added) 66. For Ellen White, taking care of one’s body is
viewed as the preservation of health.
2.5.3.2 3 RD COMPONENT
The second statement of the official health message comprises of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th
components and states that ‘along with adequate exercise and rest, we are to adopt the most
healthful diet possible’. The researcher has found that this statement is nearly a direct quotation
from The Ministry of Healing67 which reads as follows:
Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power--
these are the true remedies. Every person should have a knowledge of nature's remedial agencies and
how to apply them. It is essential both to understand the principles involved in the treatment of the sick
and to have a practical training that will enable one rightly to use this knowledge68. (emphasis added)
These eight principles listed in The Ministry of Healing are more commonly known as the
NEWSTART program which is also very similar to the CELEBRATIONS program69. Nutrition,
Exercise, Water, Sunshine, Temperance, fresh Air, Rest, and Trust in God is what defines this
acronym. But from these eight principles, only three are incorporated within the twenty-second
Fundamental belief; Exercise (3rd component), Rest (4th component), and Nutrition (5th
component).
The church defines the 3rd component, adequate Exercise, on four levels70. No activity is
stated as inactivity, low activity is when there are less than 150 minutes (11/2 hrs.) per week,
medium activity at 150-300 minutes (11/2-5 hrs.) per week, and high activity where more than
300 minutes (5+ hrs.) per week is maintained. But Ellen White states that supervised “gymnastic
exercises fill a useful place in many schools” 71 , but more importantly she stated that the
gymnasium “cannot supply the place of recreation in the open air” 72. The primacy of exercise
was to be attained through physical labour73.
66
Ibid.
67
Ellen Gould White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1905).
68
Ibid., 127.
69
The Secretariat General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, The Seventh-Day Adventist Church Manual, 175.
70
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Health Ministries Department, CELEBRATIONS, 43.
71
Ellen Gould White, Education (Mountain View, CA.: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1903), 210.
72
Ibid.
73
White, The Ministry of Healing, 238–239.
19 | P a g e
But when physical labour was not possible to perform, she suggested a brisk walk74. This
was stated in the context when she was travelling for long distances. Ellen White would then
seize the opportunity to take a brisk walk in open air whenever the train would stop.
The 4th component of the official health message, adequate Rest, is also defined in four
levels75 by the Church. Sleep deprivation is when there are less than 5 hours of sleep per night,
inadequate when a person sleeps 5-7 hours per night, enough to ‘get by’ when there are 7 hours
of sleep per night, but adequate rest is 8 or more hours sleep per night. However, Ellen White
defines adequate rest from the viewpoint of the preservation of health. She states that “proper
periods of sleep and rest and an abundance of physical exercise are essential to health of body
and mind”76.
But inadequate rest could also be the result of incorrect mealtimes. She stated that there
exists an error in thought for the person who believes that it is impossible to sleep without food
in the stomach. “As a result of eating late suppers, the digestive process is continued through the
sleeping hours. But though the stomach works constantly, its work is not properly accomplished.
The sleep is often disturbed with unpleasant dreams, and in the morning the person awakes
unrefreshed and with little relish for breakfast. When we lie down to rest, the stomach should
have its work all done” 77. For Ellen White, a good night rests begins with a light but early
supper, if taken a supper at all.
The church defines the 5th component, the Healthful Diet, as a “simple vegetarian diet”78,
or more specifically, an “ovo-lactovegetarian diet free of stimulants”79 which is promoted in our
healthcare institutions. The researcher has found a tremendous amount of information on Ellen
74
Ellen Gould White, “Review and Herald,” June 17, 1880, sec. 19.
75
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Health Ministries Department, CELEBRATIONS, 111–112.
76
Ellen Gould White, Testimonies for the Church 7, vol. VII (Omaha, NE: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1902),
247.
77
White, The Ministry of Healing, 303.
78
Communication Department of the General Conference, “Statements, Guidelines and Other Documents,” 12.
79
Ibid., 53.
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White’s definition of a healthful diet, and thus the researcher has consulted secondary sources
which summarize all of these statements.
The clearest indication of Ellen White’s definition of a healthful diet is clearly evident in
her dietary practices after 1900. Douglass80 provides the following list on six common practices:
1. Breakfast at 7:30 A.M. and dinner at 1:00 P.M.
2. No meat, no butter, no cheese, no “greasy mixtures of food”: “all are satisfied” with the
cream from their two cows
3. Ellen White preferred vermicelli and canned tomatoes cooked together, which she ate
with zwieback; stewed fruit of various kinds augmented her main meal. Other items
used occasionally included dried corn cooked with milk, and lemon pie
4. All members of the extended family ate items that best served their needs. (Ellen White
said that she did not hold herself up as a criterion for them)
5. Anyone desiring to eat in the evening was free to do so
81
6. A variety of food—simple, wholesome, and palatable—was always provided
The sixth practice could very well be summarized as the original diet of Eden stated in
the Ministry of Healing. “Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by
our Creator. These foods, prepared in as simple and natural a manner as possible, are the most
healthful and nourishing”82.
But the important aspects of a healthful diet need to be understood in order to interpret
Ellen White’s view on a healthful diet correctly. The first important aspect of health reform is
that, For Ellen White, intemperance was at the heart of most human problems83. She saw a direct
connection between self-control and character development84
Intemperance includes “excessive indulgence in eating, drinking, sleeping, or seeing” she
states that this is a sin85.
Some of the main points 86 of her public talks – such as the one in Christiana, Oslo
(Norway) on Sunday 8 November 1886 – on temperance87 included statements such as:
80
Douglass, Messenger of the Lord: Prophetic Ministry of Ellen G. White.
81
Ibid., 313–314.
82
83
Douglass, Messenger of the Lord: Prophetic Ministry of Ellen G. White, 364.
84
Ibid., 366.
85
Ellen Gould White, Testimonies for the Church 4, vol. IV (Omaha, NE: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1885),
417.
21 | P a g e
• Adam and Eve sinned by “the indulgence of appetite”,
• In the wilderness of temptation, Christ overcame the “indulgence of appetite” by
“showing that in His strength it is possible for us to overcome.”
• “Children often lack physical strength and mental and moral power” because of
parental intemperance, since parents “transmit their own characteristics, mental
and physical, their dispositions and appetites”,
• The principles and habits of “self-denial and selfcontrol.” should be taught by
the parents “From babyhood”
• The example of Daniel 1 where Daniel and his friends illustrated of true temperance
in the court of Babylon.
The second important aspect of health reform was the difference between principles and
policies. Douglass explains these differences as follows:
Whenever prophets speak they are either conveying truth as a principle or as a policy.
Principles are universal, in the sense that they apply to men and women everywhere; they are
eternal, in the sense that they are always relevant, always applicable…Policies, however, are
the timely applications of eternal, universal principles. Principles never change but policies do,
depending on circumstances. Thus policies may apply a principle in a way that the prophet
never envisioned…Ellen White was well aware of the difference between universal principles
and policies that are determined by changing circumstances… What were the basic principles
of health reform that Ellen White believed she had faithfully followed?
(1) Do the best one can under circumstances that may be beyond one’s control;
(2) Avoid everything hurtful, such as alcohol, tobacco, and drugs;
(3) Use judiciously that which is healthful—use self-control;
(4) Do not mark out any precise line in diet that everyone must follow, because not everyone
has the same physical needs or opportunities to find the best food;
(5) Follow health practices to improve one’s mind for spiritual purposes, not to earn God’s
acceptance (legalism); and
(6) Reason from cause to effect.
Health reform policies are choices that flow from those principles. If vegetarianism were a
principle, then we would have a problem with God’s command for the Israelites to eat the
Passover lamb. We also would wonder why He distinguished between clean and unclean meats.
And what would we do with our Lord’s practice of eating the Passover lamb, as well as fresh
fish, with His disciples? Vegetarianism is a policy, a wise policy, that is being reaffirmed
constantly in the scientific laboratories of the world… The Christian’s duty is to ‘eat that food
which is most nourishing,’ leaving each person to apply this principle by making choices on the
basis of ‘known duty.’ Sometimes emergency situations arise and one is forced to choose the
86
Douglass, Messenger of the Lord: Prophetic Ministry of Ellen G. White, 364–365.
87
Ellen Gould White, Temperance (Mountain View, CA.: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1949), 267–273.
22 | P a g e
good rather than the best, or even a lesser evil to avoid a greater evil. Although the principle
remains, the policy or application may change with circumstances.88
2.5.3.5 7 TH AND 8 TH COMPONENTS

The last statement on the official health message comprises of the last 3 components (7th,
8th, and 9th) and states that ‘since alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and the irresponsible use of drugs
and narcotics are harmful to our bodies, we are to abstain from them as well’.
The researcher again found a near direct quotation from the writings of Ellen White. In
Manuscript 5 published in 1881, she states that “tea, coffee, tobacco, and alcohol we must
present as sinful indulgences”89.
Very little is known about the immediate context around this statement but we know from
history that it was written (23 March)90 shortly before the death of James White at Battle Creek,
MI91. The White Trustees said that this 1881 statement “on the proper use of the testimonies on
health reform shows a careful balance in her work in teaching health principles”92. In the chapter
titled ‘Proper Use of the Testimonies on Health Reform’ Ellen White speaks to the temperate
approach to health reform. She makes the clear distinction between these four “poisonous
narcotics”93 (which should be taken under no circumstances), and the use of eggs, butter and
cheese, which along with meat were not originally the intended diet of mankind, but is neither a
test for the children of God which they need to pass.
Thus it is seen that Ellen White place coffee and tea in the exact same category as alcohol
and tobacco, but only the abstinence from alcohol and tobacco is stated within the fundamental
belief.
88
Douglass, Messenger of the Lord: Prophetic Ministry of Ellen G. White, 391–401.; also see 310-312.
89
White, Selected Messages, 3:287.
90
Ibid., 3:283.
91
White, Ellen Gould, Life Sketches of Ellen G. White (Mountain View, CA.: Pacific Press Publishing Association,
1915), 252.
92
White, Selected Messages, 3:272.
93
Ibid., 3:287.
23 | P a g e
It is important to understand these principles within the context that it was stated. In the
chapter called “The Physician, the Educator” 94 , Ellen White speaks about the physician’s
responsibilities of teaching basic health principles to both their community and the patients under
their care. It is of utmost importance to “search out the cause of their illness” 95 instead than
treating the symptoms. For this reason, Ellen White stated that “people need to be taught that
drugs do not cure disease” 96. This previous statement also needs to be understood within context.
Ellen White spoke against medicinal drugs of her time. These common health practices can be
seen in Science and the practice of medicine97.
These principles would assist patients with a prompt recovery, but most importantly,
assist them in the prevention of illness. This is exactly where Ellen White promotes natural
remedies instead of the “free use of poisonous drugs” 98. These principle needs to be seen in the
light of prevention of illness and Ellen White rightly states that “too little attention is generally
given to the preservation of health” 99.
The health message is not a cure, it is a preventative measure!
The 2nd component of the official health message is a statement that calls the believer to
make deliberate actions for the preservation of their health.
For Ellen White, the abstinence of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs is more than a
preventative measure to a healthy lifestyle.
2.6 SUMMARY ON LITERARY STUDY

The official health message as stated by the Church can be identified by three distinct
statements in Fundamental belief 22, Christian behavior. These three statements can be
subdivided into nine distinct components. Of these nine components, two (1st – our bodies are
94
95
Ibid., 126.
96
Ibid.
97
Science and the Practice of Medicine, 1868.
98
99
Ibid., 128.
24 | P a g e
the temples of the Holy Spirit, and 6th – abstain from the unclean foods) derives from scripture
and seven (2nd – care for your body intelligently, 3rd – adequate exercise, 4th – adequate rest, 5th –
adopt the most healthful diet possible, 7th – alcoholic beverages 8th – tobacco, and 9th – the
irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics) comes from the writings of Ellen White.
25 | P a g e
CHAPTER 3: EMPIRICAL STUDY
3.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter will investigate the understanding and application of the official health
message in Helderberg and Silverleaf churches. This empirical study involves the discussion on
the interviews conducted followed by the data analysis of the findings.
3.2 PURPOSE
The purpose of chapter 3 is to provide a data analysis on the interviews conducted. The
results of the interviews would be needed in chapter 3 where this data is compared and
contrasted with the literary study of chapter 2.
3.3 JUSTIFICATION
This chapter would show what the members believe regards the official health message,
as well as how they apply the health message in their everyday lives.
This chapter is essential for the justification of my hypothesis since the researcher claim
that “One among many reasons why members of these congregations do not conform to the
official health message could be their understanding or lack of understanding of the Church’s
official health message”. This chapter will determine how the members understand and apply the
health message in their lives.
Thus this chapter will attempt to answer questions such as:
• Do the members believe that the fundamental beliefs are solely based upon scripture?
• How do the members understand the official health message?
• How do they apply the official health message in their everyday lives?
3.4 METHODOLOGY
This chapter will be an empirical research conducted with members of Helderberg and
Silverleaf congregations 100 . The methodological dimension 101 will be data collection done
100
The “sampling units” in Babbie and Mouton, The Practice of Social Research, 174.
101
“How do we attain knowledge?” in Mouton, Understanding Social Research, 35.
26 | P a g e
through indirect observation or self-reporting as face-to-face interviews 102 in Afrikaans or
English103.
These structured interviews will focus on qualitative 104 and quantitative 105 approaches
where the understanding of the members on the official health message will be measured
followed by their application of the official health message.
In the pilot study (pre-testing the instrument 106 ) the researcher primarily focused on
clarifying the codes identified in the nine components as well as the establishment of codes
which is not found within the official health message, but also to simplify the definitions107 on
the codes as stated by the Church. These six pilot studies were conducted with members of both
congregations. At the outset these six persons were disqualified since the researcher already
knew their views and practices on the official health message.
The qualitative aspect will be a focus on the certain components or ‘codes’ 108 of the
official health message which the participants would describe or explain during the interview.
The quantitative aspect will determine how many participants describe or explain the
specific codes extracted from the official health message.
109
The researcher was unable to randomly sample twelve members from each
congregation110 since the list of church members111 are considered as a confidential item112. Thus
102
Mouton, How to Succeed in Your Master’s and Doctoral Studies: A South African Guide and Resource Book, 99.;
also see Babbie and Mouton, The Practice of Social Research, 249–256, 291.
103
Babbie and Mouton, The Practice of Social Research, 251.
104
Where the aim is “describing and understanding rather than explaining human behavior” in Ibid., 270.
105
Ibid., 409–419.
106
Ibid., 244–249.
107
The “codebook” according to Ibid., 414–415.
108
Mouton, How to Succeed in Your Master’s and Doctoral Studies: A South African Guide and Resource Book, 109.;
also see Babbie and Mouton, The Practice of Social Research, 412–414.
109
“a procedure in which every member of the population as an equal chance of being selected” in Mouton,
Understanding Social Research, 138.; For example: to “draw names from a hat” or select every x number of names
from the church list
110
The population as “a collection or set of elements” in Ibid., 134.
111
The sampling frame which is “the list of quasi list of elements from which a probability sample is selected” in
Babbie and Mouton, The Practice of Social Research, 183–187.
112
“access to data is controlled because of proprietary, secret of competitive considerations” in Mouton, How to
Succeed in Your Master’s and Doctoral Studies: A South African Guide and Resource Book, 101.
27 | P a g e
the researcher complied to the purposive of judgmental non-probability sampling method 113 ,
since the researcher also had to consider that the researcher needed to ensure that this population
114
group consists of all variables – firstly, cultures worshipping at each congregation
respectively, secondly, consists of both male and females equally, and thirdly, consists from
different age groups, in order to have a balanced outcome which is not dominated by a single
demographical group. Thus the researcher randomly selected members from each congregation,
but specific members which the researcher knew nothing about their position towards the official
health message and neither how they applied the official health message in their daily lives.
In order to find more participants, the researcher had to follow the snowball sampling
approach115 instead of quota sampling116 (since there are no demographical statistics available on
either congregation). Thus the researcher asked current participants to provide me with
prospective participants’ names and contact detail of a certain culture or sex, which would
demographically represent the congregation, but it had to be someone whom they knew nothing
about their position towards the official health message and neither how they applied the official
health message in their daily lives.
Thus the researcher interviewed five male and five female members from each
congregation. All participants are members who attend church regularly but do not necessarily
hold an office in the congregation.
The researcher used an own developed instrument 117 for gathering data which (for
question 1) had a simple ‘yes/no’ tick box application along with a field for available ‘remarks.
The purpose of question 1 was to determine whether the interviewee believed that the
113
According to my “own knowledge of the population, its elements, and the nature” of my research, from Babbie
and Mouton, The Practice of Social Research, 166–167.
114
“a set of mutually exclusive attributes: gender, age, employment status, and so forth” in Ibid., 175.
115
“collecting data on the few members of the target population you can locate, and then asking those individuals
to provide the information needed to locate other members of that population whom they happen to know” in
Ibid., 167.
116
Quota sampling “begins with a matrix. Or table, describing the characteristics of the target population” in Ibid.
117
Mouton, How to Succeed in Your Master’s and Doctoral Studies: A South African Guide and Resource Book, 102–
104.
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fundamental beliefs of the church are Bible-based. The researcher needed these results for
chapter 4 where the researcher would compare the Empirical findings with the literary study.
A basic outline of all nine components of the official health message was used for
question 2 and 3. The researcher also provided the opportunity for additional data which are not
stated within the fundamental belief in order to measure their complete understanding of any
ideas on health reform. As a result, the researcher gathered numerical data 118 where the
researcher only needed to tick the applicable code119 (of the identified 9 components) that the
interviewee explained or noted any ideas which were not stated within the fundamental belief.
3.5 ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
The preliminary method of communication to a prospective participant was via
WhatsApp. This message reads as follows:
Good day “insert name here”.
My name is Jan du Toit and I am a final year Theology student at Helderberg College. I
am working on my final year research project which deals with the health message and
I need to interview some church members in order to determine how they understand
the health message. This interview will only take 15 minutes of your time and I was
hoping that you are willing to be a participant in this study. May I visit you at your
convenience to conduct this interview?
The researcher then made an appointment with the participant after the participant
responded to this message.
At the beginning of the interview, the researcher would thank the interviewee for their
willingness to assist me in my research project. The researcher would then share with the
participant that they participated in this structured interview voluntarily and have the right to
withdraw at any given time. They also understood that all information shared with the researcher
is confidential and that their names would not be mentioned anywhere. Thus the researcher
would need their most honest answers in order to collect accurate data which would be analyzed
together with all the other participants.
118
Ibid., 108.
119
“how many concepts to code for” in Babbie and Mouton, The Practice of Social Research, 489–516.
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3.6 INTERVIEW OUTLINE
The researcher initiated the interview with the ethical considerations as stated above.
Thereafter the researcher explained the nature of the study where the researcher would
specifically emphasize that this interview seeks to measure their understanding and application
of the official health message (limited to the fundamental beliefs). This was extremely important
since the participants could share their own philosophy on health reform or how they understand
the health message as it is proclaimed by Ellen White. This would result in an inaccurate
measurement of their understanding of the official health message.
The researcher also decided to ask only three short, simplified questions120, in order to
keep the interview as short as possible and therefore the researcher also kept his own developed
instrument short as well.
After the ethical considerations, background, and definition of the study was discussed,
the researcher would then gather some general information on the variables, such as which
congregation the participant belonged to, does the participant hold any office in that
congregation, the gender, language, age group, and how many years have the participant been a
baptized member of the Church.
The first interview question would be a closed question121 to determine if the participant
believes that the fundamental beliefs of the Church are solely based upon scripture. The
researcher would also provide an opportunity for stating any remarks if applicable.
The second question would be an open question122: ‘How would you describe/explain the
official health message of the Seventh-day Adventist church as stated in Fundamental beliefs?’.
The researcher articulated this question in a simplified form to avoid double-barreled
questions123, and although their understanding of the official health message is measured, the
question requested their explanation or description since one can only explain that which one
120
Mouton, How to Succeed in Your Master’s and Doctoral Studies: A South African Guide and Resource Book, 104.
121
In order to “provide a greater uniformity of responses” in Babbie and Mouton, The Practice of Social Research,
233–234.
122
Where the participant is asked to “provide his or her own answer to the question” in Ibid.
123
Combining more than one question in Mouton, How to Succeed in Your Master’s and Doctoral Studies: A South
African Guide and Resource Book, 103.; also see Babbie and Mouton, The Practice of Social Research, 234–236.
30 | P a g e
understands. The researcher also asked this question before revealing the fundamental belief to
the participant in order to measure their current understanding of the official health message; this
would be their understanding of the official health message at any given moment in the week
when anyone could be asking them what the official health message is of the Seventh-day
Adventist church. The researcher does not view this method as fictitious constructs124 since all
the interviewees are baptized members of the Church; although the researcher does recognize
that not all members are up to date with what is precisely stated in the fundamental beliefs of the
Church. The researcher also avoided leading the participant with a leading question or negative
(or double negative) questions125. The researcher would also ask clarification questions after the
interviewee indicated that they are done answering question 2. These questions were to define
what the interviewees’ understandings were on certain components they have mentioned. The
codebook (definitions) came from the findings in the literary study of chapter 2; writings of Ellen
White, Official statements126, and CELEBRATIONS127 acronym, and were only ticked down,
but any other definition was also accepted in their answer.
The final question was stated to determine how the participant applied the official health
message in their everyday life. The researcher started by reading the official health message to
them followed by a repetition of the ethical considerations – that anything said within this
interview is confidential – in order not to bring the question across in a sensitive or threatening
manner128. Here the researcher only had to tick the yes/no column on each component applicable.
The researcher led this part of the interview by explaining each component before asking how
they applied that component of the official health message in their everyday life. The application
of the official health message was only determined by the definitions from CELEBRATIONS129
124
“asking people about matters of which they have no knowledge” in Mouton, How to Succeed in Your Master’s
and Doctoral Studies: A South African Guide and Resource Book, 103.
125
Ibid., 104.; also see Babbie and Mouton, The Practice of Social Research, 237.
126
Communication Department of the General Conference, “Statements, Guidelines and Other Documents,” 12–
13, 53.
127
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Health Ministries Department, CELEBRATIONS, 43, 111–112.
128
Mouton, How to Succeed in Your Master’s and Doctoral Studies: A South African Guide and Resource Book, 104.
129
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Health Ministries Department, CELEBRATIONS.
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and the official statements 130 . Data was gathered by ticking yes/no after each component,
according to the applicable definition.
3.7 AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON THE OFFICIAL HEALTH MESSAGE
In the following section, the researcher will summarize, interpret and explain the results
of the data collected during the structured interview. The researcher will first deal with
Helderberg, then with Silverleaf, and lastly a comparison of the two congregations. The
researcher will deal with all three questions individually in their respective order.
130
Communication Department of the General Conference, “Statements, Guidelines and Other Documents.”
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3.7.1. HELDERBERG CONGREGATION
3.7.1.1 QUESTION 1: ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS SOLELY BASED UPON

SCRIPTURE?
Question 1 Yes No
Do you believe that the fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist church
7 3
are solely based upon scripture?
Remarks (No):
• Interpretation for reasons of practical implications. Extra info such as EGW
• Scripture and writings of Ellen White
Table 1: Helderberg’s belief on the Fundamental beliefs being based solely upon Scripture
Question 1
Do you believe that the fundamental beliefs of the
Seventh-day Adventist church are solely based upon
scripture?
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
No (Silverleaf) Yes (Silverleaf) No (Helderberg) Yes (Helderberg)
Chart 1: Helderberg’s belief on the Fundamental beliefs being based solely upon Scripture
The raw data131collected shows that 70% of the interviewees of Helderberg believe that
the fundamental beliefs of the Church are solely based upon Scripture, while 30% of the
participants believe that the fundamental beliefs are not solely based upon scripture. But it is
significant to note that the remarks of two of the latter who stated that they believe that the
writings of Ellen White are included within the fundamental beliefs. This implies that 20% of the
participants of Helderberg believe that the writings of Ellen White are incorporated within our
fundamental beliefs.
131
“the summary description of a given variable in a population” in Babbie and Mouton, The Practice of Social
Research, 175.
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3.7.1.2 QUESTION 2: HELDERBERG’S UNDERSTANDING ON THE OFFICIAL HEALTH
MESSAGE
How would you describe/explain the official health message of the Seventh-day
Adventist church as stated in Fundamental beliefs?
UNDERSTANDING PERSONAL DEFINITIONS
Components stated within Fundamental belief 22
5 My body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit Spiritual motivation
3 Care for your body intelligently Cognitive decision making
6 Adequate exercise: Inactive
1
(Define by one of the following) Low, less than 150 minutes (1 /2 hrs.) per week
1
6 Medium, 150-300 minutes (1 /2-5 hrs.) per week
High, more than 300 minutes (5+ hrs.) per week
5 Adequate rest: Less than 5 hours per night

(Define by one of the following) 2 5-7 hours per night
3 8 or more hours per night
7 Healthful diet: 3 Ovo-lactovegetarian diet
(Define by any of the following) 1 Vegetarian (Plant-based; no dairy)
1 Abstain from coffee & tea
Abstain from sugar
3 Whole and natural (no refined foods)
3 Balanced diet
3 Eden diet
1 Correct mealtimes
1 Abstain from all unsafe foods (hormones)
7 Abstain from unclean foods
6 Abstain from alcoholic beverages
7 Abstain from tobacco
4 Abstain from the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics
Ideas NOT stated within Fundamental belief 22
3 NEWSTART*
Temperance
3 Integration between mind, body, spirit
Not against medical science
1 Ellen White’s visions and writings
Sexual behaviour
2 Not prerequisite of salvation
1 Pornography
3 Angels message
1 Enhancing spiritual life
Table 2: Helderberg’s understanding
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Understanding
My body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit
Care for your body intelligently
Adequate exercise
Adequate rest
Healthful diet
Abstain from unclean foods
Abstain from alcoholic beverages
Abstain from tobacco
Abstain from irresponsible use of drugs
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Yes (Helderberg) No (Helderberg) Yes (Silverleaf) No (Silverleaf)
Chart 2: Helderberg’s understanding
The statistical finding shows that, when describing the official health message, the 9 codes had
been mentioned 50 times. Of this 50 hits, 30% of the interviewees of Helderberg mentioned that
they are to care for their bodies intelligently; 40% said that you are to abstain from drugs; 50%
mentioned that their bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and that adequate rest is important;
60% mentioned that adequate exercise and the abstinence from alcohol is important; and 70%
spoke about the healthful diet, and the abstinence from unclean foods and tobacco.
By analyzing their definitions on components the researcher found that medium exercise
is defined as adequate exercise by all 60% of the interviewees who mentioned adequate exercise;
more than half (3/5) of the 50% defined adequate rest correctly (8 or more hours per night); but
more than half (4/7) of the 70% defined a healthful diet incorrectly (the correct definition is an
ovo-lactovegetarian diet).
By analyzing the ideas not stated within the fundamental belief 22, the researcher found
that 6 different ideas were mentioned 11 times. 30% of the participants mentioned the
NEWSTART acronym and stated that the official health message was the integration between
mind, body and spirit; 20% said that the official health message is not a prerequisite of salvation.
35 | P a g e
This shows that the majority of interviewees from Helderberg mentioned that exercise,
the healthful diet, and the abstinence from unclean foods, alcohol, and tobacco forms a part of
the official health message, although most of them have an incorrect understanding of the
healthful diet. But this means that 50% and less of the interviewees did not mention that the
official health message includes that their bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, that they are
to care for their bodies intelligently, that adequate rest is important, or that it promotes the
abstinence of drugs. It is clear that the cognitive motivation (2nd component) behind the official
health message lack in their explanation.
3.7.1.3 QUESTION 3: HELDERBERG’S APPLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL HEALTH MESSAGE

How do you currently apply this official health message in your life?
COMPONENTS STATED WITHIN OFFICIAL DEFINITIONS APPLICATION
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF 22 Yes No
My body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit Spiritual motivation 9 1
Care for your body intelligently Cognitive decision making 8 2
Adequate exercise: Inactive 3
1
Low, less than 150 minutes (1 /2 hrs.) per 132
1
week
1
Medium, 150-300 minutes (1 /2-5 hrs.)
2
per week
High, more than 300 minutes (5+ hrs.)
4
per week
Adequate rest: Less than 5 hours per night 1

5-7 hours per night 6
8 or more hours per night 3
Healthful diet: Ovo-lacto vegetarian diet 5 5
Abstain from unclean foods 10
Abstain from alcoholic beverages 10
Abstain from tobacco 9 1
Abstain from the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics 10
Table 3: Helderberg’s application
132
This person is wheelchair bound but do the maximum exercise possible under the circumstances.
36 | P a g e
Application
Adequate exercise
Adequate rest
Healthful diet
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Chart 3: Helderberg’s application

The statistical finding shows that, when applying the official health message, 10% do not
abstain from the use of tobacco; 50% follow the healthful diet; 70% obtain adequate exercise, but
do not obtain adequate rest; 80% believes that they care for their body intelligently; 90% felt that
they do care about their bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit; and 100% abstained from
unclean foods, alcohol, and drugs.
This show that the majority of participants from Helderberg do not obtain adequate rest
and the half does not follow the diet as officially promoted. It is most certainly important to note
that a great percentage of interviewees obtain adequate exercise. But it is also important to note
that one interviewee is wheelchair bound, but obtain a low amount of exercise; since this amount
of exercise is the maximum that this participant can obtain, the researcher felt that it should
count as adequate exercise under the circumstances.
3.7.1.4 RELATION BETWEEN HELDERBERG’S UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATION

It is evident that Helderberg applies in a far greater degree 6 out of the 9 components.
These 6 components are that your body being the temple of the Holy Spirit, caring for your body
intelligently, and abstaining from unclean foods, alcohol, tobacco and drugs. The researcher does
not find any suggestion that the interviewees of Helderberg understand these 6 components as a
part of the official health message any better than they described it in question 2 since question 2
37 | P a g e
measured exactly what their understanding on the official health message is, irrespective of how
they apply it in their everyday lives.
Helderberg understands the 3rd component (adequate exercise) nearly as good as how
they apply it.
It is found that only the 4th and 5th components (adequate rest and the healthful diet) are
understood but not applied in their lives.
Understanding vs. Application

Adequate exercise
Adequate rest
Healthful diet
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Application (Silverleaf) Understanding (Silverleaf)

Application (Helderberg) Understanding (Helderberg)
Chart 4: Relation between Helderberg’s understanding and application

Adequate rest and the healthful diet are the only 2 components of the official health
message that the participants applied less than how they understood it being a part of the official
health message. This means that although they knew that the healthful diet and adequate rest
forms a part of the official health message, they still do not apply it in their everyday life.
3.7.1.5 SUMMARY ON EMPIRICAL FINDINGS OF HELDERBERG CONGREGATION
Helderberg understands most of the components of the official health message but does
not conform to it. The cognitive motivation behind the official health message lack in their
explanation of the official health message.
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3.7.2 SILVERLEAF CONGREGATION

SCRIPTURE?
Question 1 Yes No
Do you believe that the fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist church
are solely based upon scripture?
10
Remarks (No):
•
Table 4: Silverleaf’s belief on the Fundamental beliefs being based solely upon Scripture
Question 1
Do you believe that the fundamental beliefs of the
Seventh-day Adventist church are solely based upon
scripture?
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Chart 5: Silverleaf’s belief on the Fundamental beliefs being based solely upon Scripture
The statistical finding is that all the participants of Silverleaf believe that the fundamental
beliefs of the Church are solely based upon Scripture. Thus there are no remarks.
39 | P a g e
3.7.2.2 QUESTION 2: SILVERLEAF’S UNDERSTANDING ON THE OFFICIAL HEALTH
MESSAGE
UNDERSTANDING PERSONAL DEFINITIONS
Components stated within Fundamental belief 22
4 My body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit Spiritual motivation
3 Care for your body intelligently Cognitive decision making
4 Adequate exercise: Inactive
1
(Define by one of the following) Low, less than 150 minutes (1 /2 hrs.) per week
1
3 Medium, 150-300 minutes (1 /2-5 hrs.) per week
1 High, more than 300 minutes (5+ hrs.) per week
4 Adequate rest: Less than 5 hours per night

(Define by one of the following) 5-7 hours per night
4 8 or more hours per night
8 Healthful diet: 1 Ovo-lacto vegetarian diet
(Define by any of the following) 1 Vegetarian (Plant-based; no dairy)
1 Abstain from coffee & tea
2 Abstain from sugar
Whole and natural (no refined foods)
Balanced diet
4 Eden diet
Correct mealtimes
1 Abstain from all unsafe foods (hormones)
6 Abstain from unclean foods
3 Abstain from alcoholic beverages
4 Abstain from tobacco
3 Abstain from the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics
3 NEWSTART*
1 Temperance
3 Integration between mind, body, spirit
1 Not against medical science
Ellen White’s visions and writings
1 Sexual behaviour
2 Not prerequisite of salvation
Pornography
1 3 Angels message
1 Enhancing spiritual life
Table 5: Silverleaf’s understanding
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Understanding
Adequate exercise
Adequate rest
Healthful diet
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Chart 6: Silverleaf’s understanding
The statistical finding shows that, when describing the official health message, the 9
codes had been mentioned 39 times. Of this 39 hits, 30% of the interviewees of Silverleaf
mentioned that they are to care for their bodies intelligently and that we are to abstain from
alcohol and drugs; 40% said that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, that we are to obtain
adequate exercise and rest, and to abstain from tobacco; 60% mentioned abstinence from unclean
foods; and 80% spoke about the healthful diet.
By analyzing their definitions on components the researcher found that of all 40% of the
participants who mentioned adequate exercise the majority (¾) define medium exercise as
adequate exercise; every one of the 40% defined adequate rest correctly (8 or more hours per
night); but only one (1/8) of the 80% defined the healthful diet correctly (the correct definition is
an ovo-lactovegetarian diet) as half overstated the healthful diet to be the diet of Eden.
By analyzing the ideas not stated within the fundamental belief 22, the researcher found
that 8 different ideas were mentioned 13 times. 30% of the participants mentioned the
NEWSTART acronym and stated that the official health message was the integration between
mind, body and spirit; 20% said that the official health message is not a prerequisite of salvation.
41 | P a g e
This shows that the majority of participants from Silverleaf mentioned that the healthful
diet and the abstinence from unclean foods form a part of the official health message, although
nearly everyone has an incorrect understanding of the healthful diet. But this means that more
than 50% of the interviewees did not mention that the official health message includes that their
bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, that they are to care for their bodies intelligently, that
adequate rest is important, or that it promotes the abstinence of alcohol and drugs. It is clear that
the official health message is predominantly understood as diet or anything that one eats such as
unclean food. This means that adequate exercise, rest, the abstinence of alcohol, tobacco and
drugs, and the spiritual (1st component) and cognitive (2nd component) motivations behind the
official health message lack in their explanation.
3.7.2.3 QUESTION 3: SILVERLEAF’S APPLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL HEALTH MESSAGE
COMPONENTS STATED WITHIN OFFICIAL DEFINITIONS APPLICATION

FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF 22 Yes No
My body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit Spiritual motivation 9 1
Care for your body intelligently Cognitive decision making 9 1
Adequate exercise: Inactive 3
1
Low, less than 150 minutes (1 /2 hrs.) per
2
week
1
Medium, 150-300 minutes (1 /2-5 hrs.)
3
per week
High, more than 300 minutes (5+ hrs.)
2
per week
133
Adequate rest: Less than 5 hours per night 3
5-7 hours per night 4
8 or more hours per night 3
Healthful diet: Ovo-lacto vegetarian diet 9 1
Abstain from unclean foods 10
Abstain from alcoholic beverages 10
Abstain from tobacco 10
Abstain from the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics 10
Table 6: Silverleaf’s application
133
Note that two of the participants have new-born babies.
42 | P a g e
Application
Adequate exercise
Adequate rest
Healthful diet
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Chart 7: Silverleaf’s application
The statistical finding shows that, when applying the official health message,; 50% obtain
adequate exercise; 70% do not obtain adequate rest; 90% felt that they do care about their bodies
as the temple of the Holy Spirit, care for their body intelligently, and follow the healthful diet;
and 100% abstained from unclean foods, alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
This show that the majority of participants from Silverleaf do not obtain adequate rest
and the half does not obtain adequate exercise either. But it is also important to note that two
interviewees have newborn babies which greatly affect their adequate rest statistic. It is most
certainly important to note that a great percentage of participants who view their body as the
temple of the Holy Spirit and care for their bodies intelligently, also follow the healthful diet of
the official health message.
43 | P a g e
3.7.2.4 RELATION BETWEEN SILVERLEAF’S UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATION
Adequate exercise
Adequate rest
Healthful diet
0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Chart 8: Relation between Silverleaf’s understanding and application
44 | P a g e
It is evident that Silverleaf applies in a far greater degree 6 out of the 9 components.
These 6 components are that your body being the temple of the Holy Spirit, caring for your body
intelligently, and abstaining from unclean foods, alcohol, tobacco and drugs. The researcher does
not find any suggestion that the participants of Silverleaf understand these 6 components as a
part of the official health message any better than they described it in question 2 since question 2
measured exactly what their understanding on the official health message is, irrespective of how
they apply it in their everyday lives.
Silverleaf understands the 3rd and 5th components (adequate exercise and the healthful
diet) nearly as good as how they apply it.
It is found that only the 4th component (adequate rest) is not completely applied how it is
understood in their lives.
3.7.2.5 SUMMARY ON EMPIRICAL FINDINGS OF SILVERLEAF CONGREGATION

Silverleaf conform to the official health message but it is remarkably overstated in their
understanding thereof. It is quite evident that a healthful diet is recognized other than the
healthful diet promoted by the official health message. It is also apparent that the spiritual and
cognitive motivations behind the official health message lack in their explanation, but in
application, these two motivations goes hand in hand with the healthful diet.
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3.7.3. COMPARISON BETWEEN HELDERBERG AND SILVERLEAF

SCRIPTURE?
Question 1
Helderberg
Silverleaf
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Chart 9: Comparison on the belief of the Fundamental beliefs being based solely upon Scripture
The statistical finding is that 70% of the participants of Helderberg are compared to all
the participants of Silverleaf believe that the fundamental beliefs of the Church are solely based
upon Scripture.
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3.7.3.2 QUESTION 2: COMPARED UNDERSTANDING ON THE OFFICIAL HEALTH MESSAGE
Understanding
Adequate exercise
Adequate rest
Healthful diet
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Chart 10: Understanding compared

The following table will provide a parallel comparison between Helderberg and
Silverleaf. The researcher will thereafter provide summarized statements outlining the most
significant areas.
47 | P a g e
Helderberg Silverleaf
Components defined and stated within Fundamental belief 22
the 9 codes had been mentioned 50 times 9 codes had been mentioned 39 times
50% of the participants of Helderberg said that their 40% of the participants of Silverleaf said that your
body is the temple of the Holy Spirit body is the temple of the Holy Spirit
30% mentioned that they are to care for their 30% mentioned that they are to care for their
bodies intelligently bodies intelligently
60% mentioned that adequate exercise is important 40% said that we are to obtain adequate exercise
50% mentioned that adequate rest is important 40% said that we are to obtain adequate rest and
every one defined it correctly
70% mentioned healthful diet but under defined it 80% spoke about the healthful diet but nearly
everyone over defined it as half overstated the
healthful diet to be the diet of Eden
70% mentioned abstinence from unclean foods 60% mentioned abstinence from unclean foods
60% mentioned the abstinence from alcohol 30% mentioned abstaining from alcohol
70% spoke about the abstinence from tobacco 40% said that we are to abstain from tobacco
40% said that you are to abstain from drugs 30% mentioned that they abstain from drugs
6 different ideas not part of the official health 8 different ideas not part of the official health
message were mentioned 11 times message were mentioned 13 times
Table 7: Understanding compared
nd
Both congregations lack in the cognitive motivation (2 component) behind the official
health message, but Silverleaf lacks the spiritual motivation (1st component) more than
Helderberg.
In regards to the ideas mentioned which is not stated in the official health message, the
researcher found that Silverleaf mentioned more ideas, but also more times than Helderberg. But
both congregations stated the NEWSTART acronym, the integration between mind, body and
spirit, and that the official health message is not a prerequisite of salvation, the same numerical
times.
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3.7.3.3 QUESTION 3: COMPARED APPLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL HEALTH MESSAGE
Application
Adequate exercise
Adequate rest
Healthful diet
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Chart 11: Application compared
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Helderberg Silverleaf
90% felt that they do care about their bodies as 90% felt that they do care about their bodies as
the temple of the Holy Spirit the temple of the Holy Spirit
80% believes that they care for their body 90% care for their body intelligently
intelligently
70% obtain adequate exercise 50% obtain adequate exercise
70 % do not obtain adequate rest 70% do not obtain adequate rest, but two
participants have newborn babies
50% does not follow the diet as officially 90% follow the healthful diet
promoted
10% do not abstain from the use of tobacco 100% abstained from tobacco
100% abstained from unclean foods, alcohol, 100% abstained from unclean foods, alcohol,
and drugs and drugs
Table 8: Application compared
It can be noted that Helderberg is more active in their exercise but that Silverleaf follow
the healthful diet to a much greater degree.
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3.7.3.4 RELATION BETWEEN THEIR UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATION COMPARED
Adequate exercise
Adequate rest
Healthful diet
0 2 4 6 8 10 12

Chart 12: Relation between understanding and application compared
51 | P a g e
It is evident that both congregations apply in a far greater degree 6 out of the 9
components. These 6 components are that your body being the temple of the Holy Spirit, caring
for your body intelligently, and abstaining from unclean foods, alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
Silverleaf understands the 3rd and 5th components (adequate exercise and the healthful
diet) nearly as good as how they apply it, where only the 3rd component is of the issue with
Helderberg.
It is found that only the 4th component (adequate rest) is not completely applied how it is
understood in their lives at Silverleaf where with Helderberg, the 4th and 5th components
(adequate rest and the healthful diet) are better understood but not applied in their lives.
3.7.3.5 SUMMARY ON EMPIRICAL FINDINGS OF THE COMPARISON
All participants from Silverleaf belief that the fundamental beliefs are based solely upon
Scripture, where only 70% of Helderberg shared the same view. Both congregations lack the
cognitive motivation, but Helderberg have a better understanding where Silverleaf incorporate
additional ideas far more than Helderberg. Helderberg’s focus on health is on exercise where
Silverleaf focus on following a healthful diet.
3.8 SUMMARY ON THE EMPIRICAL STUDY
The empirical study answered our three fundamental questions as follows:
Do the members believe that the fundamental beliefs are solely based upon scripture?
Helderberg are more critical about the fundamental beliefs being based solely upon
scripture. 30% of the participants disagreed, and some said that the writings of Ellen White are
included within the fundamental beliefs.
How do the members understand the official health message?
Helderberg’s understanding of the official health message is more accurate and there
exists a great spiritual motivation connected to their understanding of the official health message.
Silverleaf greatly overstate the official health message, but there lack a spiritual motivation in
their understanding of the official health message.
How do they apply the official health message in their everyday lives?
Helderberg focus more on adequate exercise, but greatly lack adequate rest. Silverleaf
focus on a healthful diet and also greatly lack adequate rest.
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CHAPTER 4: CONCLUSION
4.1 LITERARY STUDY
The literary study as discussed in Chapter 2 addressed the epistemological dimension of
the official health message. This chapter was divided into three parts and answered the intended
questions as followed:
The first part was a discourse analysis on how the official health message as stated by the
Church and asked the question: How is the health message incorporated within the Fundamental
beliefs of the Church? It was found that the official health message is incorporated within the
twenty-second fundamental belief, Christian Behavior. There are three distinct health statements
in this fundamental belief, which could further be subdivided into nine components. The nine
components are (1) your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, (2) care for your body
intelligently, (3) adequate exercise, (4) adequate rest, (5) maintain the healthful diet, (6) abstain
from unclean foods identified in the Scriptures, (7) abstain from alcoholic beverages, (8) abstain
from tobacco, and (9) abstain from the irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics.
The Church further defines some of these components within the CELEBRATIONS
material as follows: component 3 (adequate exercise) as high activity where more than 300
minutes (5+ hrs.) per week is maintained; component 4 (adequate rest) is defined as adequate
when 8 or more hours of sleep per night are acquired on average. The 5th component (healthful
diet) is defined within the Official Statements and Guidelines of the Church as an ovo-
lactovegetarian diet.
Part 2 consisted of two exegetical studies on the key passages that the Church uses as the
foundation of the official health message and this section asked the question: How does the
health message derive from scripture? It was found that only two components derive from
Scripture. The first component (your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit) is found in 1 Cor.
6:19-20. But it was found that this component serves as the foundation to the twenty-second
fundamental belief as a whole, rather than the official health message only. Component 6
(abstain from unclean foods identified in the Scriptures) finds its origin in Leviticus 11, but it
was found that this principle was an ancient or already established principle according to Gen.
7:2 where God gave instruction to Noah as to what kind of animals were to be taken on the ark.
53 | P a g e
Finally, it was seen that there is also a spiritual element connect this component in 1 Cor. 10:31
where the believer’s diet is connected to the glorification of God. It was found that the modern-
day concept of meat being offered to idols is seen in the halal slaughtering process as opposed to
the much healthier Jewish kosher process known as Shehitah.
The final part of Chapter 2 evaluated precedent research on the literature of Ellen White
on health reform and focused to answer the question: Are there any portions of this fundamental
belief based upon the writings of Ellen White? It was established that the remaining seven
components found their origin from the writings of Ellen White. Components 2 (care for your
body intelligently), 3 (adequate exercise), 4 (adequate rest), 5 (maintain the healthful diet), 7
(abstain from alcoholic beverages), 8 (abstain from tobacco), and 9 (abstain from the
irresponsible use of drugs and narcotics) derives from an article in Signs of the Times, the book
The Ministry of Healing, and Manuscript 5 in Selected Messages.
4.2 EMPIRICAL STUDY

The empirical study in Chapter 3 addressed the qualitative and quantitative research at
Helderberg and Silverleaf Seventh-day Adventist churches and was determined to find out how
these congregations understand and apply the official health message in their everyday lives.
This chapter answered three specific questions that were posed to five male and five female
members from each congregation during individual structured interviews.
The first part of the interview collected data on the first question: Do the members
believe that the fundamental beliefs are solely based upon scripture? It was found that all
participants of Silverleaf believed that the fundamental beliefs are solely based upon Scripture,
but 30% of the Helderberg participants did not agree, and said that the writings of Ellen White
are also incorporated within the fundamental beliefs.
Part 2 of the interview collected data on their understanding of the official health message
and answered the question: How do the members understand the official health message? The
data analysis found that Helderberg understood the official health message well, however
understate their definition in regards to the 5th component (healthful diet). Silverleaf did not
understand the official health message well and greatly overstated component 5 to be the diet of
Eden. Silverleaf also lacked the spiritual motivation (1st component) of conforming to the official
54 | P a g e
health message which was in contrast to Helderberg who found this motivation of greater
importance.
The final part of the interview answered the question: How do they apply the official
health message in their everyday lives? The data collected revealed that Silverleaf’s focus was
on diet where Helderberg are more exercise oriented. Both congregations acquire adequate rest
equally poor and both congregations apply the official health message better than how they
understand it.
4.3 FINDINGS
It was found that the Seventh-day Adventist Church truly states a unique health message,
but it is not based on Scripture only. This particular belief most definitely received enormous
input from the inspired writings and guidance of Ellen White. Were it not for these writings and
guidance, the health message would not have been as unique and effective as it was in the days
of Ellen White, and neither today.
The data analysis also revealed that the members of Helderberg and Silverleaf Seventh-
day Adventist churches understand and apply the official health message of the church in
different ways. Thus it was found that a different health message, one which is more
comprehensive, is understood and applied by both congregations since both congregations
applies the official health message better than how they understand it.
These findings proved the hypothesis which claims that one of many reasons why
members of these congregations do not conform to the official health message could be their
understanding or lack of understanding of the Church’s official health message. It is clear that
there exist a lack of understanding in both congregations since it is not the official health
message which is proclaimed in either of these congregations.
Thus this research paper should assist the members of these congregations to understand
and appreciate the official health message as it derives from scripture and how it was proclaimed
by Ellen White.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Babbie, Earl, and Johann Mouton. The Practice of Social Research. South African. Cape Town:
Oxford University Press, 2001.
Communication Department of the General Conference. “Statements, Guidelines and Other
Documents.” General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, June 2010.
Accessed February 18, 2015. www.adventist.org/en/information/official-statements/.
Department of Halal Certification EU. “Islamic Method of Slaughtering.” Department of Halal
Certification EU. Last modified 2018. Accessed April 19, 2018.
http://halalcertification.ie/islamic-method-of-slaughtering/.
Douglass, Herbert E. Messenger of the Lord: Prophetic Ministry of Ellen G. White. 3rd ed.
Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1998.
Ellingworth, Paul, and Howard A Hatton. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.
New York, NY.: American Bible Society, 1993.
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. “Our Beliefs: Christian Behavior.” Official
Website of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Last modified 2018. Accessed April 3,
2018. https://www.adventist.org/en/beliefs/living/christian-behavior/.
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Health Ministries Department. CELEBRATIONS.
Edited by Sandra Blackmer. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 2012.
Gurtman, Ronit. “Shehitah: Jewish Ritual Slaughter.” Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard.
Last modified 2005. Accessed April 19, 2018.
https://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/8852091.
Masoudi, Gerald F. “Kosher Food Regulation and the Religion Clauses of the First
Amendment.” The University of Chicago: Chicago Unbound Collections. Last modified
1993. Accessed April 19, 2018.
https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.co
.za/&httpsredir=1&article=4830&context=uclrev.
Mouton, Johann. How to Succeed in Your Master’s and Doctoral Studies: A South African Guide
and Resource Book. Pretoria: Van Schaik, 2001.
———. Understanding Social Research. 1st ed. Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers, 1996.
Nichol, Francis David, ed. The Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary: Acts to Ephesians.
Electronic. Vol. VI. VII vols. Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 1978.
———, ed. The Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary: Genesis to Deuteronomy. Electronic.
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Péter-Contesse, René, and John Ellington. A Handbook on Leviticus. New York, NY.: United
Bible Societies, 1990.
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Anders. Vol. 7. Nashville, TN.: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.
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Randall, Vernellia R. “The History of Tobacco.” Boston University Medical Center. Last
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http://academic.udayton.edu/health/syllabi/tobacco/history.htm.
Spence, H. D. M., ed. The Pulpit Commentary: 1 Corinthians. London & New York, NY.: Funk
and Wagnalls Company, 2004.
———, ed. The Pulpit Commentary: Leviticus. London & New York, NY.: Funk and Wagnalls
Company, 2004.
The Secretariat General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The Seventh-Day Adventist
Church Manual. 19th ed. U.S.A.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2016.
White, Ellen Gould. Education. Mountain View, CA.: Pacific Press Publishing Association,
1903.
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Publishing Association, 1915.
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Association, 1980.
———. “Signs of the Times,” October 2, 1907.
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Science and the Practice of Medicine, 1868.
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APPENDIX
58 | P a g e

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Faculty of theology

The Official Health Message:

Presented in partial fulfillment of the

Lecturer: Prof. C.W. Plaatjes

Student: JF Du Toit 03703

Declaration of Academic Integrity

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1

2.5.1 PART 1: FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF 22 (CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR)

2.5.3.5 7 TH AND 8 TH COMPONENTS

2.6 SUMMARY ON LITERARY STUDY

3.7.1.1 QUESTION 1: ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS SOLELY BASED UPON

No (Silverleaf) Yes (Silverleaf) No (Helderberg) Yes (Helderberg)

5 Adequate rest: Less than 5 hours per night

Yes (Helderberg) No (Helderberg) Yes (Silverleaf) No (Silverleaf)

Chart 2: Helderberg’s understanding

3.7.1.3 QUESTION 3: HELDERBERG’S APPLICATION OF THE OFFICIAL HEALTH MESSAGE

Adequate rest: Less than 5 hours per night 1

Yes (Helderberg) No (Helderberg) Yes (Silverleaf) No (Silverleaf)

Chart 3: Helderberg’s application

3.7.1.4 RELATION BETWEEN HELDERBERG’S UNDERSTANDING AND APPLICATION

Understanding vs. Application

Care for your body intelligently

Abstain from unclean foods

Abstain from alcoholic beverages

Abstain from tobacco

Abstain from irresponsible use of drugs

Application (Silverleaf) Understanding (Silverleaf)

Chart 4: Relation between Helderberg’s understanding and application

3.7.2.1 QUESTION 1: ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS SOLELY BASED UPON

No (Silverleaf) Yes (Silverleaf) No (Helderberg) Yes (Helderberg)

4 Adequate rest: Less than 5 hours per night

Care for your body intelligently

Abstain from unclean foods

Abstain from alcoholic beverages

Abstain from tobacco

Abstain from irresponsible use of drugs

Yes (Helderberg) No (Helderberg) Yes (Silverleaf) No (Silverleaf)

Chart 6: Silverleaf’s understanding

COMPONENTS STATED WITHIN OFFICIAL DEFINITIONS APPLICATION

Care for your body intelligently

Abstain from unclean foods

Abstain from alcoholic beverages

Abstain from tobacco

Abstain from irresponsible use of drugs

Yes (Helderberg) No (Helderberg) Yes (Silverleaf) No (Silverleaf)

Chart 7: Silverleaf’s application

Understanding vs. Application

My body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit

Care for your body intelligently

Abstain from unclean foods

Abstain from alcoholic beverages

Abstain from tobacco

Abstain from irresponsible use of drugs

Application (Silverleaf) Understanding (Silverleaf)

Chart 8: Relation between Silverleaf’s understanding and application

3.7.2.5 SUMMARY ON EMPIRICAL FINDINGS OF SILVERLEAF CONGREGATION

3.7.3.1 QUESTION 1: ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS SOLELY BASED UPON

No (Silverleaf) Yes (Silverleaf) No (Helderberg) Yes (Helderberg)