"AND SAMPSON SAID TO THE YOUNG MAN WHO HELD HIM BY THE HAND, 'LET ME FEEL THE PILLARS ON WHICH THE HOUSE RESTS, THAT I MAY LEAN AGAINST THEM'" (Judges 16:26, ESV)

Mark Finely has rightly said that there are "seven basic teachings" on which God has built His church. "Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn out her seven pillars." These seven pillars are essential, and "the non-negotiables:"

Scripture (John 17:17)

Salvation (John 3:16)

Second Coming (John 14:1-3)

Sabbath (John 14:15)

State of the Dead (John 11:11-26)

Sanctuary (John 17:4, 11, 24)

Holy Spirit and Spirit of Prophecy (John 14:15-17)

(Prov. 9:1; Mark Finely, Solid Ground, p. 374)

"The house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" is built on these seven pillars, 1 Tim. 3:15. Because of this, Dr. Norman identifies the church as an eight pillar. This eight pillar rests on the other seven "non-negotiables." These "non-negotiables" are in turn rooted and grounded in Christ, and they define who we are as a biblical community of faith.

Tragically though, great uncertainty concerning the pillars abound. The "non-negotiables" are under assault. And this assault will intensify as a mighty sifting sieve. "Those who seek to remove the old landmarks . . . bring in theories that would remove the pillars of our faith concerning the sanctuary . . . [they are] working as blind men . . . [they are] seeking to bring in uncertainties and to set the people of God adrift without an anchor," (E. G. White, Manuscript Release No. 760. P. 9, 1905).

If there ever was a time, we needed the resolve of Sampson, it is now! The author hopes that this book will inspire this resolve-a resolve that will lead us back to the pillars; back to the "non-negotiables." Like Sampson, may we feel the pillars once again, and lean on "the non-negotiables" centered in Christ.