Dr. Felix Cortez-Valles.
As first reported in Pastor Bill Hughes’s February 2022 newsletter, the Book of Hebrews is the focus of the new Adult Sabbath School Lesson for the first quarter of 2022. The author of this quarter’s Sabbath School Lesson is Dr. Felix Cortez-Valles. [1] [2] He is an Associate Professor of New Testament Literature at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan. [3] On page one of the current Sabbath School Lesson, Felix Cortez is identified as the “principal contributor” for the January through March 2022 edition.
What is most concerning is that Felix Cortez is also a graduate of the Universidad Iberoamericana, according to Andrews University. [3] Universidad Iberoamericana is a Jesuit university located in Mexico City, Mexico. It was founded in 1943 by the Jesuit Order to advance “Ignatian spirituality” and “Ignatian discernment.” [4] This is a reference to the identity and mission of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder, Jesuit General, and saint of the Jesuit Order.
According to Andrews University, Felix Cortez “completed a Masters degree in Modern Literature at Universidad Iberoamericana (México, 2001), with an emphasis in Literary Theory and Hermeneutics.” [5] He graduated from this Jesuit institution 5 years after being ordained as a Seventh-day Adventist pastor in 1996 [6] with a masters in hermeneutics? This is the study of the science and principles of biblical interpretation. Felix Cortez learned from the Jesuits how to study and interpret the Bible and is now preparing the Sabbath School lessons for the Seventh-day Adventist world church to study on Sabbath mornings.
It gets even worse. According to Andrews University, not only did Felix Cortez graduate from a Jesuit university, he was also president of the Adventist Theological Society from 2014-2016 while at the same time serving as the “chair” for the “Catholic and Pastoral Epistles Section of the International Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature from 2010–2016.” [7] How can you be the head of an important Adventist society and the head of an important Interfaith society at the same time? The Society of Biblical Literature hosts regional meetings of scholars in collaboration/affiliation with the American Academy of Religion (AAR), the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars, the Catholic Biblical Association (CBA) and the American Society of Overseas Research (ASOR). [8] [9]
Jesuit-trained leaders who work with Catholic organizations are taking on more important roles in the church today. The failure on the part of many of our pastors and leaders to warn the church against the dangers of Rome is leaving us at the mercy of wolves! This Rome-ward trend is harming our evangelistic efforts and mission by neutralizing The Great Controversy message. These new tendencies are diametrically opposed to everything we formerly stood for. Take a look at what Ministry Magazine, an official church journal, said about this theological conflict of interest in 1944:
“How dare a man contemplate, or have the temerity to present, the degree of doctor of divinity, gained in the universities of Babylon, as a credential for teaching or preaching this threefold message, the second stipulation of which is, ‘Babylon is fallen, is fallen…. Come out of her, My people.’ How dare we accept such a Babylonian credential in lieu of mastery of the truth? Shall a man go into Babylon to gain strength and wisdom to call men out of Babylon? To ask the question is but to disclose how far some have compromised with Babylon, as they have gone back to Babylon to drink from her wells of wisdom. Oh, for the living waters of truth fresh from the Word!” [10]
“Someone needs to sound an alarm. We need to grip ourselves and halt a growing trend that, if it becomes entrenched, will bring disaster through neutralizing our message. We need to give ourselves to the study of the Word until we are again known pre-eminently for our mastery and sound exposition of Scripture. Otherwise we shall go the way of all other religious bodies before us, who started out with a heavenly message, but who have bogged down in the morass of worldly scholarship with its erudite haziness, its loss of spiritual vision, and its blurring of truth, until its virility and its power to witness have virtually disappeared. We must not lose the very heart of our message to the world. We who proclaim it to others must not violate its mandate that we may be better prepared to announce the theory to others.” [10]
“Pray tell: Just how can we expect to get actual light on God’s divine message for today from men steeped in the Sunday-Sabbath concept, committed to the natural immortality of the soul theory, ensnared by the evolution hypothesis, antagonistic toward the sanctuary and judgment-hour truths, denying the principle of the historical interpretation of the prophecies, scoffing at the year-day principle, repudiating the Spirit of Prophecy and its inspired guidance for study and research, and scoffing at the supreme truths of the imminent second premillennial advent of Christ?” [10]
Catholic and Jesuit education has produced important and prominent leaders in the church today. To be more direct, we have leaders who have attended Jesuit theological universities to obtain instruction and knowledge about how to interpret the Bible, and who are now utilizing this training to teach all of the members and visitors who come to church to study the Sabbath School Lesson. Why is this happening? Do we not see the great danger we are taking when we place individuals in positions of trust who have been trained by those who oppose present truth? Have we forgotten what God says the Jesuit mission is?
“The order of the Jesuits was created, the most cruel, unscrupulous, and powerful of all the champions of popery … Vowed to perpetual poverty and humility, it was their studied aim to secure wealth and power, to be devoted to the overthrow of Protestantism, and the re-establishment of the papal supremacy” (The Great Controversy, p. 234).
“Under various disguises the Jesuits worked their way into offices of State, climbing up to be the counselors of kings, and shaping the policy of nations. They became servants, to act as spies upon their masters. They established colleges for the sons of princes and nobles, and schools for the common people; and the children of Protestant parents were drawn into an observance of popish rites” (Ibid., p. 234).
“The Jesuits rapidly spread themselves over Europe, and wherever they went, there followed a revival of popery” (Ibid, p. 234).
Perhaps this explains the current crisis in Adventism. Perhaps there are too many Jesuits spreading their views not only to new pastors in the seminary but also to the entire world church. If we don’t recognize this problem and put an end to hiring Jesuit-trained leaders, how can we ever call people out of Babylon if our church leaders are going to Babylon to subject themselves to their Jesuit masters?
Tragically, the well-worn path that leads to Rome will only end in misery and defeat: “And the beast (Rome) was taken, and with him the false prophet (apostate Protestantism) that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” Revelation 19:20.
Sources
[1] https://ssnet.org/lessons/22a/index.html
[3] https://works.bepress.com/felix_cortez/
[4] https://ibero.mx/identidad-y-mision
[5] https://works.bepress.com/felix_cortez/
[6] https://www.adventistlearningcommunity.com/courses/revelation-the-adventist-theological-academy
[7] https://works.bepress.com/felix_cortez/
[8] https://www.sbl-site.org/ExhibitingwithSBL.aspx
[9] https://www.sbl-site.org/aboutus/associations.aspx
[10] https://www.ministrymagazine.org/archive/1944/04/the-subtle-inroad-of-scholasticism
0
0
0
We are in danger.Jesuits has came with a new tactic.If they cannot defeat us,they will walk with us.Thats why alot of peole dont by sabbath school quarterlies because they indocrinate us.Litle by litle our mind is programmed and conditioned.These people who are jesuits,has also infiltrated united bible societies.They are being trained with studies from pontifical biblical commission.We know that the aim of jesuits is to end protestantism by penetration and infiltration.The end justfies the means.Thats their goal.
Así es hno, la iglesia adventista está infiltrada hace añares, el enemigo se ha ido metiendo cada vez más. Por eso no podemos confiar en la teología de estos máster, solo en el escrito está y el Espíritu de Profecía. Hay q investigar a fondo, ser como los bereanos
Everyone should know that there is a choice they can take. International Association of Free SDA. Check it out. I am a Free SDA. Not with the GC corporation. Blessings
We should never rely on what other tell what to believe. The bible reveals all.
God bless you brother Andy, please, keep giving the trumpet the right sound. We must expose the iniquity.
BLOCKED MIND YOU ARE
What nonsense.
SDA IS PART OF BABILON , REMEMBER GET OUT OF BABILON !?
Soon the Dumb Dogs that refuse to bark will perish for their 1,000 year dirt nap. As we see SDA Apostacy increasing daily we must draw strength and immovable faith in the word of God. We were told these and much worse events would split the church so none rock solid in truth should be taken by surprise. God WILL have a people,God WILL have an end time Army to give the Loud Cry, We ALL should pray earnestly to be in that blessed number. God Bless Andy Roman and His Family, and God Bless the TRUE Remnant SDA People.
Why do SDA’s need a Sabbath School Quarterly anyway. Are SDA’s too lazy to study the Bible for themselves? The sabbath school quarterly is nothing more than a Seventh Day Catholic catechism. Each page is filled with man’s opinions and a few scriptures, often taken out of context.
For years I went to 100’s of SDA corporate beast churches as I traveled the US and Canada colporteuring and asked if they had a class that JUST studied the Bible. Could not find one so I stopped going. Such lazy spoon fed believers will follow the lies of the serpent. They are “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.”
2 Timothy 3:7 ESV
When I started reading the Bible for myself and not filtering it through Sister Mary Ellen White and the Sabbath School Quarterly, I not only learned many new foundational teachings, but found over 40 false doctrines and practices that the harlot SDA daughter of Rome follows.
The Sabbath school quarterly is best used for fire starter or toilet paper. Why can’t folks just study the Bible? Who cares if the Jesuits have infiltrated the man made teachings in the quarterly? SDA’s should not be reading or studying for Doctrine ANY writings other than scripture.
The Jesuits have not been able to change the Greek or Hebrew Scriptures and any neophyte with some lexicon’s and concordances and the Spirit of God can come to the knowledge of the truth.
Typical Jesuit comment
Are you saying that you do not believe in the SOP and the writings of EGW? I agree with all you have said EXCEPT that! You are walking on shaky ground if you refuse or denigrate the writings of Gods only true prophet of our time. Be careful what you say against her. Your words may come back to bite you.
However, again, I agree with all the other things you have said. I wrote to Clifford Goldstein many years ago calling his hand on allowing Jesuit or Jesuit trained men having license to contribute to our SS quarterlies. He wrote me back and apologized, and said that he would look into the issue, and not allow it to happen again. Since that time, I guess he changed his mind. I told him that we need no comments other than those from the Bible texts and the SOP.
Couldn’t have said it better Linda
very good, Linda. You’re exactly right. I guess our leadership is as easily influenced by peer pressure, money and power as the lay people they purport to lead and guide on the straight and narrow. Just another reason to follow Christ and His way rather than man.
Linda F Taylor, I absolutely agree with you. It’s one thing to call out error, but quite another to heap the Pen of Inspiration with it.
Is not Great Controversy 234 of the SOP listed in Andy’s article? The occasion of such a lesson quarterly, and accepted by the majority of members world wide is evidenced by the 70+ years of 4 quarters of dislodging truth from their minds, which had conditioned the welcome of a Jesuit styled Quarterly. The People would never know. Has it not been because they have NOT studied the Bible and/or SOP for THEMSELVES? From EW 14, Mrs. White instructed us who read, “They had a bright light set up behind them at the beginning of the path….This light shone all along the path and gave light for their feet so that they might not stumble.”
These lesson quarterlies were not written by Mrs. White, nor the Holy Spirit, but by them who are paid by GC INC., and editors paid by the same. Would not the quarterly exalt the CORPORATION giving the People the assurance that they are certainly in the right CHURCH INC.?
Would that not include the ‘replacement theology’? And the false Trinity doctrine as the PAPACY INC.?
YHVH is separating His kingdom from these STATE CHURCHES (GC 383) all around the world, and the invitation to enter into His kingdom is as sure, and intact as when Yahushua said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” Matthew 4:17. Then this: “1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father….Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son” Col 1: 12, 13.
We may believe the “Word” John 1: 1, or be counted with them that study the quarterlies.
May you be blessed by YHVH forever, if you like,
😮 what are these 40 false doctrines and practices that you found? Please do share so I can know too 🤔💕
Hi, Reah. Agustinian’s original sin is one of the doctrines jesuits are introducing in SDA. It consists in definig sin as anything different from transgression of the law, which is the only definition of sin given in the Bible. You can find Agustinian concepts in SS in the Saturday Jan the 29th and Thursday Feb the 3rd. Another false doctrine jesuits introduce is a pre-fall human nature in Christ. You can find it also in this quarterly SS, for instance in Sunday Jan the 16th and Sunday Jan the 30th. But maybe more important than introducing heresies is supressing the truth of the message of the book of Hebrews. Unfortunately, the present Study Guide does both. I’m not confirming nor denying that the author of this Guide be a jesuit. I simply affirm that he, as many SDA leaders, is teaching jesuit (yes, Babylonian) concepts which are contrary to the message of God and against our mission as SDA.
You sound like a Jesuit! You and Fauchi, who is one also, would get along fine in the dungeons of papal Rome!
You began this article claiming that Cortez was trained by Jesuits but by the end of the article you wrote “there are too many Jesuits spreading their views.” It is one thing to describe the background of his university but it’s entirely another to claim he is a Jesuit or to even suggest that he is a Jesuit. You have produced no actual evidence that Cortez is a Jesuit. The Bible says “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.” You don’t have one witness, let alone two or three. This is inappropriate. Prefacing your statements with “perhaps” is not a justifiable loophole to publish suggestive or outright accusations.
Jesuits and Adventists have had a long relationship for decades. That’s no secret. They preach in our institutions, they hang around our churches promoting their views and they engage our leaders in both interfaith worship and dialog. I have documented this for years. Open your eyes my brother. That is a fact and I stand behind my words, not yours.
Two questions (1) did you make any attempt to contact Dr. Cortez before writing this article? His contact information is publicly available. And (2) Is there anything in the above mentioned Sabbath School lesson that is heretical or error?
Oh my, it’s not that alone. Were it that simple perhaps we’d all already given the time to study and reflect. But that he’s concurrently teaching Catholics as well is the giveaway bro. No need to sip from the same cup you’ve seen another die from. Pro jab? lol, sorry but I couldn’t resist. Look at the simple big picture. If Rome hasn’t a problem with one of her representatives teaching Adventists theology, then their tongues aren’t wagging because they endorse the activity. How would you like for Catholicism to endorse anything you do? How do you feel about Satan not objecting to your actions? Little telling, ain’t it? Simple. Keep up
Prolife Andrew defender of the Jesuits?!?
“THE most evil organization to have ever existed”
Maybe time to rethink your position if you find yourself rushing to defend them..
If I interned under Dr. Edward Allred and then opened my clinic claiming on the fliers that it was a Health Care Center, proudly listing where I received my training, would you believe me? Would you recommend my clinic to your loved ones?
Neither will people believe that while this Mr Cortez was studying at this Jesuit campus, that he was not influenced for the principle is, “As you behold you become changed.” The dedication of a department at LSU to Allred is outrageous. (To set that man as an example of good business practices)
The expectation of SDAs to have Bible study materials drawn up by people who have not had their training from Catholic institutions is a standard we can and would expect. If I wanted someone teaching me how to interpret the Bible from a Catholic standpoint, then that is where I should go…to their church. But this isn’t what happened. I have long ago thrown out my use of our adult bible study guide for this very reason. This palming off of Jesuit trained pastors as “SDA scholars” is outrageous!
If we drink from the world’s cistern, bathe in it’s water, immerse ourselves in it, we will come out with it’s staining influence upon us. Whatever happened to Adventists studying with Adventists? It is like AdventHealth or Adventist Health pretending to be ADVENTIST….
Like I said at the beginning…calling myself a Health Care Center when what I have been trained to do is to rip babies apart arm by arm and leg by leg…is a LIE! No matter how you look at it.
Btw, Andrew, I do appreciate your work of calling the sin of abortion by its right name-murder. Please understand that this site is trying to call out the sin of deception by it’s right name…
Somebody has to say the obvious. If he has the pen and voice to do so, then am glad because too many Adventist leadership are super quiet about this Jesuit take over that many of us can sense and even know. If we can always say with certainty then their method of infiltration wouldn’t be effective.
The hard fact is that Andrew is right. If all the people in the Cortez family were left-handed, would not be proof of him being left-handed. The choices are; you can become a religious hermit, or a Christian with your eyes, ears and mind open to the Holy Spirit and earnest Bible study to see if what is printed in the Quarterly is straight Biblical or not. Be on your guard for the wolves lurk every where, some of them did not even go to a Jesuit school. As far as SOP is concerned, be sure to consult the original source, get eSword free, you can reference the original languages without being a linguist. Check Bible versions, eg. Check JKV on I John 5:7, read SDA commentary on that verse in a hard paper copy, has been deleted from late electronic versions. Our Father in heaven loves you, He loves loyal SDA leaders, and He lovers Jesuits, whether slightly influenced or dyed in the wool confirmed Jesuits. Pray for them, they make the best Adventists.
Let alone Dr. Cortez. Andy Roman does not know what he is talking about. He confuses terminology terribly and constructs tommyrots.
1. The “Catholic and Pastoral Epistles Section of the International Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature” has nothing to do with Catholicism. Catholic are called the epistles of James, I and II Peter, I, II, and III John, and Jude; and Pastoral Epistles are I and II Timothy, and Titus. Now, the Society of Biblical Literature is not a Catholic society but rather an “American-based learned society dedicated to the academic study of the Bible and related ancient literature.” his work in that society should give us pride rather than shame.
2. Dr. Cortez did nothing wrong studying at the Universidad Iberoamericana. As you may know (not Andy Roman), there are scarce opportunities to study formal programs on Literary Theory and Hermeneutics in Mexico. The Ibero is perhaps the single university that offers such academic advancement in the whole country. Dr. Cortez had no other opportunity nor another option to study something meaningful out of that choice. At that moment, he was just a lay pastor desiring to have something better in his hand to help the church. I can explain this a bit longer, but I have no time to deal with that right now.
3. Dr. Cortez has never EVER taught something against Adventism, nor has ever suggested something out of our doctrinal boundaries in the classroom. There is a reason he has never taught something out of our orthodoxy: he is not a Jesuit. He is a Seventh-day Adventist Pastor and Scholar. On the other hand, in the event that one day “he dares” to do it, as with any other professors, he would be in serious problems. He has no fruits that can be pointed out as a Jesuit. Controversies for any given text interpretation will always be as our church has had since its beginning. Furthermore, if he had a wrong approach to any text, he has no power to change any doctrinal belief in our church. There will be tons of Adventist scholars who would point out any misinterpretation before that becomes standard in our church (as it has happened with many other pastors or scholars in our history. E.g., Smith, Kellog, Jones, Canright, and more recent Andreasen, among others).
4. If he were a Jesuit in the field of assumption, what a well-orchestated life he would have. Instead, you need to understand that he did not plan nor ever dream of being a professor at Andrews Seminary. He just decided to prepare himself better, taking the opportunities he had when he used to be a lay pastor in Mexico City. Then, everything in his life came after. I truly believe that God has directed his life and has brought him here.
Andy Roman, you don’t have the right to falsely point the finger at him without even knowing a bit of his ministry and life.
Dr. Cortez needs no defender. I am not trying to be his. It just makes me angry that a person behind a wrong assumption would take time to discredit a pastor I’ve known for a long time.
Andy, please, stop being used by another spiritual force rather than God’s.
Dear Eduardo,
In the article and image it says Pastor Cortez was “Jesuit trained.” Secondly, the Society of Biblical Literature hosts regional meetings of scholars in collaboration/affiliation with the American Academy of Religion (AAR), the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars, the Catholic Biblical Association (CBA) and the American Society of Overseas Research (ASOR). I’ve included that in the article with references. Finally, I will simply quote what our church used to believe from Ministry Magazine (1944) about this very situation:
“How dare a man contemplate, or have the temerity to present, the degree of doctor of divinity, gained in the universities of Babylon, as a credential for teaching or preaching this threefold message, the second stipulation of which is, ‘Babylon is fallen, is fallen…. Come out of her, My people.’ How dare we accept such a Babylonian credential in lieu of mastery of the truth? Shall a man go into Babylon to gain strength and wisdom to call men out of Babylon? To ask the question is but to disclose how far some have compromised with Babylon, as they have gone back to Babylon to drink from her wells of wisdom. Oh, for the living waters of truth fresh from the Word!”
Eduardo,
Point 1. Catholic is named as part of the group so unless the person reading it is blind then Catholic is CATHOLIC. Should we be equally proud of someone getting their degree from an institution founded by mormons? Or how about an Islamic or Hindu college? Though the occult does not have a formally recognized institution would the apprenticeship under one of their highest leaders make us proud?
Point 2. A lack of opportunities for study does not mean that whatever is available will suffice. That is akin to marrying someone outside of your faith, or the town drunk, because they are the only one available. There are churches whose congregations are comprised of mostly females. Does that mean I that I should marry someone of my gender because they are the only one available?
By the way, he did have other choices. It wasn’t the only one. I just looked on the internet and there are sites that list the top 30 online Ministerial degree programs. So point number two isn’t true.
Point 3. To claim this, you must have been present at every sermon, presentation, discourse, meeting- public and private, read every form of communication he has ever sent- emails, letters, texts, memos, graphics, power point presentations, and been privy to every private communication he has had. EVER! I ask the fair question for you to back up your statement please with an intimate knowledge of all that I just listed.
The fig tree in the Bible is a good example…no fruit just pretentious leaves…but eventually the tree will be known…a good tree brings forth good fruit and a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. Matthew 7:17. Out of the same fountain can there come both sweet and bitter water? James 3:11-12. And the tons of Adventist scholars have yet to come forward to “correct” the glaring problem of baptizing active homosexuals into the church or ordaining them as elders, they haven’t decried the murder of babies by our “Adventist ” health institutions, they haven’t protested against the meetings of our department heads with pontiffs and her representatives…so please don’t use that as your criteria for right and wrong.
Point 4. And unless you have lived in a fantasy world, there are organizations that lay plans well in advance. Many business models work on that very principle. The world of intrigue works on that principle. Governments work on that principle. Wake up brother before you are swept away!
I don’t think our people should be earning degrees from Jesuit or Catholic Universities.
However the author of this article makes a big mistake when asking “How can you be the head of an important Adventist society and the head of an important Catholic society at the same time?”
The Pastoral and Catholic Epistles Section of the SBL is not an important Catholic society as the author states. That section of the SBL studies what some call the “catholic epistles” where the word catholic means universal, not a denomination. These are considered to be the Biblical books of James, I and II Peter, Jude and I-III John.
Jim,
The Society of Biblical Literature hosts regional meetings of scholars in collaboration/affiliation with the American Academy of Religion (AAR), the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars, the Catholic Biblical Association (CBA) and the American Society of Overseas Research (ASOR). I’ve included that in the article with references.
You were wrong when you stated that Dr. Cortez was head of an important Catholic society. The Christian thing to do would be to make a correction and apologize for the damage you have done to his reputation!