God’s Original Plan for Loma Linda: Part 4 of the Dunamis Series
Welcome back to Part 4 of our Dunamis Series, where we delve into the prophetic potential of the Seventh-day Adventist integrated health and gospel work. In this segment, we will explore God’s original plan for Loma Linda and address the overarching question we have been investigating throughout this six-part series: Why do Seventh-day Adventists not have a prominent, worldwide presence in effective drugless healing today?
Recap of Previous Parts
Before we dive into the specifics of Loma Linda, let’s recap what we’ve learned so far:
- Part 1: Identified hindrances preventing God from fully utilizing our work.
- Part 2: Discussed the health message and the history of the Western Health Reform Institute, which eventually became the Battle Creek Sanitarium.
- Part 3: Explored the conflicts at the Battle Creek Sanitarium, particularly with Dr. Kellogg and the ministry, and the Seventh-day Adventist educational blueprint.
God’s Original Plan for Loma Linda
Prophetic Insights
In the spirit of our discussions, let’s reflect on some significant quotes that highlight the prophetic potential of our work:
- Counsels on Health, page 215: “God has qualified His people to enlighten the world…” This emphasizes our mission to establish sanitariums, schools, and publishing houses globally for the proclamation of the three angels’ messages.
- Pamphlet 49, page 10: “A time will come when medical missionaries of other denominations will become jealous…” This suggests that our influence in medical missionary work will be noteworthy.
- Councils on Health, page 393: “It is the Lord’s purpose that His method of healing without drugs shall be brought into prominence in every large city…” This reinforces the importance of drugless healing in our mission and God’s commitment to bringing this work into global prominence.
The Call for Decentralization
In previous discussions, we noted Ellen White’s counsel to decentralize our work, especially after the destruction of the Review and Herald building and the sanitarium in 1902. She recognized the dangers of concentrating our efforts in one location, advocating for multiple smaller sanitariums outside major cities. This was a crucial step toward fulfilling God’s vision for our health work.
Establishing Loma Linda
Ellen White’s visions regarding Loma Linda were clear. She indicated that:
- Sanitariums should be established in Southern California where the climate is conducive to healing.
- Medical institutions would serve as a platform for proclaiming the Three Angels’ Messages and sharing the truth of the Sabbath.
In her letters, she described Loma Linda as a beautiful location, ideal for healing, with ample outdoor space for meetings and therapeutic activities. This focus on the environment underscores the importance of nature in the healing process.
The Educational Mission of Loma Linda
From its inception, Loma Linda was designed to be an educational center for training gospel medical missionary evangelists. Here are some key aspects of its educational mission:
- Holistic Education: Students were to be trained in physical, mental, and spiritual care, aligning with the teachings of the Word of God.
- Drugless Healing: The curriculum emphasized understanding how to treat diseases without relying on pharmaceuticals, focusing instead on natural healing methods.
- Scientific Foundation: Courses were to cover essential medical sciences while promoting physiologic therapeutics as the primary approach to treatment.
The Denominational Dilemma
As Loma Linda was being established, a significant dilemma arose regarding how to implement the counsel received from Ellen White. Key points of contention included:
- Should we start a complete medical school?
- Should students be sent to secular institutions for further training?
- How do we balance the need for recognition with our commitment to God’s methods?
Ellen White provided clarity, asserting that Loma Linda should not rely on secular institutions for training. Instead, it was essential to develop a comprehensive program that aligned with God’s principles.
The Path Forward: Insights from Ellen White
Ellen White’s counsel emphasized a distinct and separate educational approach for Loma Linda. She expressed her distress over the idea of sending students to worldly institutions for their education, stating, “God forbid that such a plan should be followed.” This highlights the importance of maintaining a unique identity as a commandment-keeping people.
Avoiding Competition with Worldly Medical Schools
Ellen White also cautioned against competing with secular medical schools, noting that at that time, our chances of success would be small. Some denominational leaders advocated for a system that would enable students to be recognized practitioners of a new system of healing, distinct from allopathic medicine. This approach would align with the mission of integrating health and the gospel, allowing graduates to serve as medical missionary evangelists.
The Influence of the Flexner Report
As Loma Linda was being established, the Flexner Report of 1910 significantly impacted medical education in the United States. This report led to the closure or merging of many medical schools, pushing institutions to conform to new standards. Unfortunately, as Loma Linda opted to establish a conventional medical school, it gradually drifted away from its foundational mission of drugless healing and spiritual integration.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
In summary, God’s original plan for Loma Linda was multifaceted, emphasizing the integration of health and gospel work. As we reflect on the insights from this part of our series, it is evident that:
- Decentralization is crucial for expanding our influence and spreading the three angels’ messages throughout the world.
- Education must align with biblical principles and focus on drugless healing.
- Trusting God rather than worldly systems will lead to greater impact and recognition.
As we continue to explore the remaining parts of this series, let us remain committed to understanding and fulfilling God’s vision for our health work. Stay tuned for Part 5, where we will delve deeper into the implications of the Flexner Report and more on the way forward.
By focusing on these key aspects, we hope to inspire a renewed commitment to the original mission of Loma Linda and the Seventh-day Adventist health movement.
