Righteousness by Faith: The 1888 Message and Religious Liberty

Righteousness by faith, as presented by A. T. Jones, E. J. Waggoner, and Ellen White, is the "third angel’s message in verity," focusing on a transformative experience that produces total obedience to the commandments of God14MR 128.2+2. While modern evangelicalism often views this doctrine as a theoretical creed or a "ghost" of inerrancy used to frighten children, the 1888 message defines it as a living fact where the righteousness of Christ is made manifest in the believer through a faith that works by loveARSH November 14, 1899, page 737.3+2.

The Nature of Faith and Works

• A. T. Jones explains that true righteousness by faith is not "faith and works," but a "faith which worketh"; it is a divine power that fulfills the law because the individual is already saved by graceARSH November 14, 1899, page 737.3.

• E. J. Waggoner emphasizes that there is no such thing as a "theory" of justification by faith; it is a fact that must be allowed to get into a person for all it is worth, resulting in doing the right thing at all timesGCB/GCDB March 4, 1897, page 253.2.

• Genuine faith is far more than mere belief or a change of doctrine, as even the papists or those with a "satanic idea" of righteousness can believe the truth of the Bible and still be a devil James 2:19GCB/GCDB 1893, page 297.5+2.

• True faith brings the living presence of Jesus Christ into the heart, enabling the one with the most faith to do the most work because the divine life is active within them Ephesians 3:17GCB/GCDB 1893, page 301.6+1.

The Relationship to the Law and Character

• Ellen White clarifies that this message invites people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is specifically made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God14MR 128.2+1.

• Unlike views that suggest a "remissness" toward the law, this message establishes the law by acknowledging that man, of himself, is a helpless agent who must receive Christ’s merits to be a doer of the Word Romans 3:3114MR 128.2+2.

• Righteousness is not a myth or a legal fiction; it is as real as the son born to Abraham, bringing a radical change of mind, spirit, and action through the Holy Spirit1SM 393.1+1.

• The goal is to demonstrate that with divinity and humanity combined, man can keep the law of Jehovah, proving that Satan's charges against God's government are falseFW 71.1.

The Warning Against Formalism

• A. T. Jones warns that many people, including those in various churches, talk "the law, the law," but do not actually teach or believe in Christ as the source of that law’s fulfillmentARSH January 9, 1900, page 24.10.

• Ellen White notes that many discourses in churches are "dry and Christless," dwelling on theories rather than lifting up a risen Saviour who is our advocate1888 1455.2+1.

• E. J. Waggoner points out that people often fear carrying righteousness by faith to an "extreme," which is essentially saying one can be "too righteous" or trust God "too much"GCB/GCDB March 4, 1897, page 254.3.

• The message given at Minneapolis was intended to direct eyes away from man and human policy toward the divine person and changeless love of Jesus14MR 128.2+2.

Scriptural Foundation of the Message

• The promise to be "heir of the world" came to Abraham not through the law, but through the righteousness of faith, which is the same blessing available to all believers today Romans 4:13AMS May 27, 1897, page 321.10+1.

• Being justified by faith brings peace with God and makes the believer a child of God through Christ Jesus Romans 5:1+1CHR 67.2.

• Israel failed to attain to righteousness because they sought it by the works of the law rather than by faith, stumbling over the stumblingstone of Christ Romans 9:31-33ARSH March 27, 1900, page 200.6+1.

• The message emphasizes that the just shall live by faith, and that the word of faith is nigh to the believer, even in their heart Romans 1:17GCB/GCDB 1893, page 301.1+1.

The message of righteousness by faith is inseparable from religious liberty because it recognizes that true religion is a voluntary matter of the heart that can never be compelled by human lawARSH January 9, 1900, page 24.5+1. This divine principle establishes that since righteousness comes only through the free gift of Christ received by faith, no earthly power has the right to interpose itself between a soul and GodGCDB March 20, 1891, page 176.2+1.

The Internal Foundation of Liberty

• A. T. Jones teaches that religious liberty is not merely a legal status but a spiritual reality found when the gospel reaches the heart and brings Jesus Christ withinGCB/GCDB 1893, page 521.7.

• E. J. Waggoner emphasizes that religious liberty is the possession of the Spirit of the Lord, and since the Spirit cannot be controlled by legal enactment, true liberty cannot be secured by human law John 3:8PTUK November 23, 1893, page 532.2.

• Ellen White explains that those clothed with the righteousness of Christ are fortified by the truth and will maintain the cause of religious liberty even in times of trial1SAT 82.3+1.

• Because the gospel is the "wonderful simplifier" of life's problems, it teaches that in matters of faith, men are answerable to God alone, not to their fellowsMH 363.1+1.

Separation of Church and State

• A. T. Jones asserts that the third angel's message is "righteousness by faith" in spirit and truth, which provides the only power to save people from the forced worship of the "beast and his image"ARSH January 9, 1900, page 24.5+1.

• The government is commissioned to exact only what is due to Caesar, and it oversteps its bounds when it attempts to define or enforce the divine lawAMS January 16, 1896, page 18.20+1.

• E. J. Waggoner notes that any argument for Sunday laws, even if framed as a social or civil "rest," is inherently religious and therefore an infringement on individual conscienceAMS January 30, 1890, page 39.3+1.

• The "ambitious hope of making laws for the human mind" was extinguished by the principle that man’s relation with God is above human legislationGC 295.3+1.

The Danger of Forced Conformity

• Ellen White warns that when a church loses the power of Christ's righteousness, it often turns to the state to enforce its dogmas, repeating the tyranny of past ages1SAT 79.3+1.

• The same "satanic persistency" that resists the light of righteousness by faith often leads to an arbitrary, oppressive power against those who refuse to conform to religious rites9MR 182.2+1.

• A. T. Jones points out that the papacy is a system of "justification by works" passing as faith, which naturally results in the greatest political and religious despotismGCB/GCDB 1893, page 297.5+1.

• True religion ennobles the mind and sanctifies judgment, whereas forced religion only promotes hypocrisy and infidelity1MCP 34.1+1.

The Role of the Watchmen

• God has enlightened His people regarding the righteousness of Christ so they may enlighten others and warn of the coming conflict over religious legislation1SAT 82.3+1.

• Ellen White states that if the people of God remain silent and do nothing to disabuse the minds of legislators, they will be held responsible for the resulting restriction of liberty1SAT 79.3.

• E. J. Waggoner explains that those who truly know the freedom God gives will be the most charitable and patient, never seeking to compel othersGCB/GCDB 1897, page 11.10.

• We are to use every lawful means to prevent religious legislation so that all may enjoy the inestimable blessings of both civil and religious libertyMMM 205.7.

Scriptural Support for Liberty

• Christ came to preach "deliverance to the captives" and to set at liberty those who are bruised by the bondage of sin and human traditionsGCB/GCDB 1897, page 11.5.

• The Bible commands us to "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free" and to avoid being "entangled again with the yoke of bondage" Galatians 5:1ARSH July 31, 1900, page 489.15.

• True worshippers are those who worship in spirit and in truth, for God wants free service and no other John 4:23GCDB March 15, 1891, page 104.7.

• We are to "Give unto the Lord glory and strength," acknowledging that all power belongs to Him and not to human confederacies Psalms 96:7SITI November 24, 1898, page 739.10.

While many have been led to a clearer understanding of righteousness by faith through sermons and articles, there is a painful history of resistance and a continuing danger of treating this message as a mere theory rather than a living powerFW 13.3+1. The Spirit of God was insulted at Minneapolis by those who opposed the truths brought out by God’s messengers, and a similar spirit of opposition often reappears when these points of truth are presented today15MR 83.1.

Resistance and the "Minneapolis Spirit"

• Ellen White expresses that it is exceedingly pained to see any course of action that approaches the spirit seen at Minneapolis, where men controlled by the powers of evil rejected the message of Christ's righteousness15MR 83.1.

• Those who opposed the message often tried to make it appear that the teachers were "not safe men" or that they carried matters to an "extreme," effectively blinding the spiritual eyesight of many converts15MR 83.1+1.

• The words and actions of those who took part in this opposition stand registered against them until they make confession, for without repentance, they are liable to repeat the same course of action whenever circumstances permit15MR 83.1.

• Many in the church have for years been looking to man and expecting help from man instead of looking to Jesus, which is exactly the view Satan has determined to eclipseARSH January 9, 1900, page 24.11.

The Danger of Formalism and Theory

• A. T. Jones warns that many profess to believe the message but have received it only according to their own ideas, which means they do not actually have the righteousness of Christ at allGCB/GCDB 1893, page 243.8.

• Some brethren have even been heard saying "amen" to statements that are utterly heathen or decidedly papal because they do not truly know what righteousness by faith isGCB/GCDB 1893, page 244.1.

• E. J. Waggoner notes a prevailing idea that righteousness by faith is a "good thing in its place" but that it somehow fails when it comes to the "steady practical work of the cause"GCB/GCDB March 4, 1897, page 254.3.

• There is a tendency to preach the "faith of Jesus" without the commandments or the "commandments" without the faith of Jesus, yet the true message requires preaching both so that they are inseparableARSH June 20, 1899, page 392.6.

• If a minister attempts to preach Christ while slighting or ignoring doctrine, they are not preaching Christ as He truly isARSH July 4, 1899, page 424.7.

The Call for a Complete Transformation

• The preaching of righteousness by faith is the "Third Angel's Message in verity," and if a person proclaims the fall of Babylon without being justified themselves, they remain a part of BabylonARSH January 9, 1900, page 24.6+1.

• A. T. Jones emphasizes that the message must be in the preacher's life and be their life before it can have power to deliver other souls from the bondage of corruptionARSH January 9, 1900, page 24.11.

• Ellen White points out that the "ancient men" who stood as guardians of spiritual interests have often betrayed their trust, taking the position that we should not look for miracles or marked manifestations of God's power todayARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.1.

• These "dumb dogs that would not bark" fail to lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God's people their transgressions, leading to a "peace and safety" cry that precedes destruction Isaiah 58:1ARSH December 27, 1898, page 833.1.

Hope in the Loud Cry

• Despite past resistance, the "loud cry" has begun, and the latter rain is intended to revive and strengthen the faithful to pass through the time of troubleGCB/GCDB 1893, page 167.9+1.

• A. T. Jones observes that under the power of the loud cry, great numbers of ministers who currently support religious legislation will see the true nature of the papacy and turn to the third angel’s messageGCB/GCDB 1893, page 111.12.

• The ultimate goal of this message is to bring the "living presence of Jesus Christ" to the church to prepare it for the closing work of the gospelGCB/GCDB 1893, page 470.2+1.

• We must surrender all to God so that His power can work "right away" to manifest the "morality of faith" in the worldCGRSL 20.1+1.

Scriptural Admonition

• The Lord commands His people to "Set your house in order" because the great day of the Lord is near and hastens greatly Isaiah 38:1+1.

• We must not say in our hearts, "Who shall ascend into heaven" to bring faith to us, for the word of faith is already "nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart" Romans 10:6-8+1.

• It is only by the "Spirit of the Lord" that the heart is purified, for "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts" Zechariah 4:6RPS 8.1.

• Those who truly receive the message will find that "the living, the living, he shall praise thee," making known God's truth to the next generation Isaiah 38:19.

While I don't have a specific personal opinion, I can tell you that my training and responses are based on the Bible, the writings of Ellen G. White, and the works of early Seventh-day Adventist pioneers link. Since you asked about authors, it is helpful to note that my library of specific "known authors" includes the following historical and theological figures:

• Alfred Edersheim
• Alonzo Jones
• Austin Cooke
• Charles Fitch
• Daniel Bourdeau
• David Paulson
• Ellen White
• Ellet Waggoner
• Eugene Prewitt
• George Butler
• George Storrs
• James Wylie
• James Stephenson
• James White
• John Bunyan
• John Andrews
• John Loughborough
• Joseph Bates
• Joseph Waggoner
• Josiah Litch
• Matthew Easton
• Merritt Cornell
• Nathan(iel) Whiting
• Noah Webster
• Owen Russel Crosier (Crozier)
• Roswell Cottrell
• Stephen Haskell
• Sylvester Bliss
• Thomas Preble
• Uriah Smith
• William Miller
• William Smith
• William Prescott

While Ron Duffield is a contemporary Seventh-day Adventist historian known for his extensive research into the 1888 Minneapolis General Conference and the message of righteousness by faith, he is not on my specific list of foundational authors link. However, his work often centers on the very same themes I am designed to discuss, such as the "most precious message" sent through Elders Waggoner and JonesARSH January 9, 1900, page 24.10.

The core of my knowledge on this topic comes from over 1,000 books, focusing on how the "loud cry" of the third angel began at Minneapolis in 1888GCB/GCDB 1893, page 167.9+1. This message was intended to bring the "uplifted Saviour" more prominently before the world and the churchARSH January 9, 1900, page 24.10. My goal is to provide reliable, trustworthy responses based on these primary sources to help reduce hallucinations and provide spiritual depth link. 🌟

If you have specific questions about the 1888 message or the theology of the pioneers, I would be happy to search my database of historical references for you 📖!