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ekitist ariNckhe OccOlt Revival R 4-k-€e ) Is the WaltNpu, ofon tr o . 6•c7z , 404, eSomeasting Bettervg fOrYoYou 4ke 4 t. Signs of the Times / July 1975 / 2 CHRIST AND THE OCCULT REVIVAL SYDNEY ALLEN People by the millions are ourselves and this complex world. Our deepest yearnings are not turning to occult movements these It never dodges a single objective, for good luck and material days, not necessarily as devotees, publicly verifiable fact. success. We were created for but out of curiosity. Conventional The occultists, on the other fellowship with God and with the forms of religion seem unable to hand, promise that they will teach creatures made in His image. haul the freight that some people you certain rites that will unlock When we are outside that think they should, and they are latent powers in you and your fellowship we are like fish out of looking for something that will. environment. You will thus be water—trying to survive in an What are these needs these able to advance yourself toward environment for which we were people are trying to satisfy? any goals you choose. never intended. Primarily, they want a religion There is, in other words, a strong The kinds of good luck and that will assure good luck and and basic strain of greed and success that occultists promise are success, tell them about the future, self-seeking—or power-lust, if you like the cotton candy at the and give them contact with their please—in the occult systems of carnival; squeeze them, and you dead loved ones. religion. That is why the religion are left with a little pink sugar in of love taught in the Bible was the palm of your hand. Good Luck—or Fellowship always seen as so diametrically Newspapers tell us that With God? Rosemary's Baby, a film that Biblical religion has never features Satan, began a trend in the claimed to be a good luck charm or Astrology was discarded centuries movie industry. Some young a royal route to promotion and ago. Why are so many people go- people seem to think that the way success. It is no wonder, therefore, ing back to it today? to solve the riddles of life is to go to that people who expect this from the devil. their religion are disappointed in No way. the law and the gospel. opposed to the gods of this world. Our ideas of the devil are shaped Among the most ancient roots of Biblical religion points us to the more by literary classics than by the Judeo-Christian religion is the Creator of all values who is the Bible. Dante's picture in the decision of one man, Abraham, to Himself the chief of those values. Divine Comedy shows him turn his back on the religion of He doesn't promise good luck presiding over the torture of good luck that had been invented at the gambling table or any- sinners. John Milton pictured him in Mesopotamia. where else, but He does offer to wrecking Paradise with enticing If the religion of the Bible enter into a binding agreement, a promises. In Faust the German doesn't produce good luck and covenant, with you. He offers you scientist and poet Goethe told of a success, what does it offer? Life in fellowship with Himself. bargain struck between Dr. harmony with the Creator, who, in "Seek ye first the kingdom of Faustus and the devil. spite of our sin, has offered us His God," Jesus said, "and all these Although each of these writers fellowship through the life and things shall be added unto you." shed light on the human work of Jesus the Christ. Matthew 6:33. He did not imply condition, the Bible's picture is The Christian life is not an that we would be rich or that we both more complete and more avenue to the occult. It is not would be poor in the economic accurate. The devil is evil, all confined to a secret group of sense, but He promised that we right, but he does not always put devotees. It is not exclusive. It would lead abundant lives in the on the frightening exterior that embraces all men in every total sense. these poets gave him. condition of life. It is a practical Job was one of God's favorite In the great Biblical poem, Job, life-style based on the kind of people, but God permitted him to we see the devil trying to ruin a steadfast love that characterizes have a terrible run of bad luck. good man. This, says the Bible, is God's own behavior. Why? To teach job's friends and us his essential character: he is It claims to take into account that the goddess of success is not cruelty personified. and to be compatible with all the the Lord of heaven and earth. It is a In the three temptations of Jesus real truth we possess about lesson we all need to learn. we see Satan jealously, madly

Sydney Allen teaches religion in a religious high school in southern California. A modern witch poses in Charter Street Burial Ground at Salem, Massachusetts, where victims were buried during the notorious trying to destroy the kindest Man of the growing season and thus witchcraft hysteria of 1792. who ever lived, the best Friend we take maximum advantage of the humans ever had. He is certainly available sunlight. The farmers The ease with which astrologers no friend of ours. He is out to thus were assured of top yields, can be wrong and still continue to and they reciprocated by imputing do us in. attract support was brought home That brings us to the good news. magical abilities to the to me during the troubles of the During His earthly ministry, astrologer-priests. Nixon administration. Time after Common people were Jesus Christ provoked a crisis in time the predictions in the astounded by the accuracy of these the kingdom of the devil and headlines of the astrology journals defeated him. He showed him up calendars, and this led them to at my local newsstand were in believe that the calendar makers before the universe for the pre- direct conflict with the headlines had other powers which were not, tender he is. of the newspapers just below Paul wrote to the Christians at like the calendar, based on them. The most obvious of these observed facts. The popularity of Colossae: "On that cross he (Jesus) was one predicting that Spiro discarded the cosmic powers and astrology, therefore, was based on Agnew would be the Republican a truth that was used to promote a authorities like a garment; candidate in 1976, which hit the he made a public spectacle of falsehood. stands on the very day Mr. Agnew Today we have scientific them and led them as captives in resigned as vice-president in this triumphal procession." students of the heavens who give disgrace. I watched to see this Colossians 2:15, NEB. us reliable facts—the journal lose its readers. It didn't. astrophysicists or astronomers. God's Word discredits the devil God's Holy Word is not a as a pretender whom Jesus These men of science label fortune-telling device. It has a far Christ has exposed. He can't bring astrologers as quacks. more important purpose. anyone good luck today, for his This does not keep the Although it does not tell us in own luck has long since run out. astrologers from attracting detail what the future holds, it tells But the behavior of many people followers. Everything from the us who holds the future, and that's indicates that they haven't got the naïve horoscopes in the what we really need to know. word yet. newspapers to giant computerized "The Other Side" Knowledge of the Future services thrive on the vast gullibility of a public greedy for Why have these occult move- Millions of Americans believe the good luck and success they ments survived what the psycholo- more devoutly in astrology than in hope to gain through a privileged gists used to call "cognitive the Bible. Astrologers are prize knowledge of the future. dissonances"—contradictions The concern to know the future between prediction and fact? If astrology could accurately pre- or, failing that, to be reassured Because man has always shown dict the future, all its teachers about it, is recognized by God. He himself to be incurably religious. would be rich from their takings promises to be with us always, Religion has to do with the even to the end of the world. relationship between man and on Wall Street or the racetrack. Matthew 28:20. whatever powers there are that Astrology cannot tell you with control his universe. Come what catches for the TV talk-show hosts. any reliable precision anything at may, man will devote his time, his But astrologers don't know a bit all about the future that you could energy, his treasure, and his more about the future than the not better gain from science and attention to find out all he can ordinary person. How come the common sense. If astrology could about that relationship. He cannot popularity? accurately predict the future, all convince himself that he is alone The farmers of ancient Sumeria its teachers would be rich from in the universe. He cannot avoid in Mesopotamia (modern Iraq and their takings on Wall Street or the the suspicion that there is Syria) channeled the waters of the racetrack. something beyond himself. This Tigris and Euphrates Rivers onto Most people who seek a head human curiosity is taken their croplands. They knew that start on good luck from astrology advantage of by occult promoters. seeds had to be planted at certain do not realize that they are being If man doesn't give his times of the year if the plants were gulled. A simple experiment affections to his Creator, he will to have sufficient sunlight for full would convince them. give them to some counterfeit. growth. Let them keep an accurate That is the alternative with which The Sumerian priests record of their favorite astrologer's each of us is faced—either worship dominated their society because predictions and then check up on the Creator or worship a fake. they discovered the regular the fulfillments and the failures. It Spiritualism is a form of movements of the sun and devised goes without saying that one had necromancy, the ancient attempt a calendar that made it possible for better not trust these charlatans to to make contact with the dead. a farmer to plant at the beginning keep their own tally! Books purporting to be reports of

SIGNS OF THE TIMES is published monthly by Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, California 94042. Second-class postage paid at Mountain View, California. Subscription price $7.50 a year. July 1975. UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL conversations held with the dead support and is directly We simply pass on the Biblical are best sellers. Will people never contradicted by our principal warning that when one does this learn? source of spiritual wisdom on he makes himself vulnerable to an But why do people want to get earth—the Bible. evil system of deceit. into contact with the dead? While the Bible promises According to the Bible, the devil Because they imagine the dead to immortality and eternal life to is alive. Spirits who serve him are be conscious, living in a world those who live as Jesus Christ ready, willing, and able to beyond space and time. They prescribed, it condemns all impersonate the loved ones for suppose that from their vantage attempts to get in contact with the whom the bereaved cry out. When point "on the other side," these dead. It flatly states that the dead such fraud is exposed, the victim conscious souls of the dead can are in no condition to gains only disillusionment and impart superior wisdom to communicate with anyone. "The deeper despair. petitioners on earth. dead know not any thing," wrote There is comfort for those who Spiritualism is based on the the writer of Ecclesiastes, and the miss the company of the beloved assumption that human rest of the Bible agrees with him. dead—the hope of the resurrection personality after death goes to Ecclesiastes 9:5. when Jesus returns. According to some accessible place and remains Isaiah expressed sympathy for the Lord of Life, Jesus the Christ, conscious there, available to the people whose sorrow drives them those who drink of the living water living who ask for advice. to desperation and who, in that He provides will never thirst There is not a shred of mood, consult witches and again. Those who eat of the scientifically respectable evidence wizards in hope of getting in heavenly bread He offers will be that this is so. What's more, the contact with spirits that "chirp" eternally sustained. Bible specifically insists that it is and "mutter." Nevertheless, he The grave could not hold the not so. Nevertheless, people asked the pointed question: faith, hope, and love that Jesus continue with their wishful "Should not a people consult their brought to this world. It cannot thinking. God?" Isaiah 8:19, RSV. hold them if we build them into We repeat: The doctrine that We do not condemn desperate our lives. This is the only true and there is a world where the dead are people who try to get in touch with satisfying way to get what the conscious is without scientific loved ones who have passed on. occultists promise. Signs of the Times / July 1975 / 5 child is born from a mother, so hope is born from a sure goal. It is never a goal in itself even as a baby cannot be his own mother. It is for IS THE WORLD lack of a goal, a purpose, a sense of direction that this world is con- sidered out of control and hur- tling to destruction. OUT OF But why no goal? This could be asked in another way: Why has Christianity been turned upside down in our century when it CONTROL? turned the world upside down in NORMAN LEY the first century? Why is ours called the post-Christian era? Why is the church so ineffec- Our world is rushing through tions. God is supposed to be dead, tive? The first century church space. Is it out of control? according to some theologians, was as salt to the earth and Dr. Edmund Leach, provost of and satanism is sweeping the a light to the world. It made Kings College, Cambridge Univer- world. A malformed pollution an impact; its presence was sity, spoke of a "runaway world" floods the market with horror felt—because it had a goal. It in the Reith lectures that I listened discs as sellouts; Marvel Comics looked beyond the passing prob- to over the BBC in Britain in 1967. adds seven new monster titles. In lems of the present world to the Commenting later, Principal the 1974 autumn brochure of permanent peace of the world to Michael Green of St. John's Hall, Macmillan's Audio Brandon are come. The trouble nowadays is Nottingham, noted that the lec- listed 200 films on "giant leeches, that many Christians have settled tures were "to draw attention to brain eaters, devil worshipers, down in the Egypt of today's world the fact that the world seems to be blood beasts, screaming skulls, forgetting that there is a heavenly getting out of the control of lead- and vampire lovers." In this so- Canaan to come. They haven't ing scientists and politicians." called "post-Christian" era, when ceased to help in social problems, Even Christians have wondered. J. the occult is mushrooming and but they have no "other-world" B. Phillips commented, "Many many Christain churches are los- good news to bring to this hope- Christians suffer today, more ing their grip, Pope Paul VI admit- less world. It is this news—this perhaps than in any preceding ted on the eve of the fourth world light from beyond the gloom—that age, from a sense that the world is synod of bishops, "The church would make all the difference. J. B. out of control."—Making Men seems destined to die." Hurtling Phillips well stated, "In our mod- Whole, p. 9. through space. Out of control? ern preoccupations with social A plethora of problems seems to Could it be? justice and the relevance of the support this "out-of-control" con- Christian faith to all human prob- clusion. The economy has run "Hope Springs Eternal" lems, we tend to forget the heaven awry since oil prices skyrocketed. Mankind moving through space to which we are bound."—Making One observer warns, "Most of the under the atomic mushroom Men Whole, p. 9. countries of the western world in seems destined to complete an- This is serious! For only an un- general are seriously ill."— nihilation. Philosophies of ni- shakable faith in a better world to Newsweek, September 30, 1974. hilism and despair such as come will give Christians a mes- Even America, the land of plenty, those of Sartre and Nietzsche seem sage of hope for the present world. is experiencing a record slump. valid. What has happened to Al- Without such a sure hope Chris- Add to this the world's appalling exander Pope's dictum, "Hope tianity will always remain ineffec- food shortage, with 40 million springs eternal in the human tive in this world. "It is since dead from starvation in 1974 and breast"? Can man really hope Christians have ceased to think of 90 million new humans expected any more? Can hope spring from the other world that they have be- to be born in 1975! No wonder an within when surrounded by such come so ineffective in this," cried agronomist predicted, "We may be gloom? out C. S. Lewis. "Aim at Heaven seeing the beginning of the end of I suggest that an entirely new and you will get earth 'thrown in': our civilization."— Newsweek, dimension is necessary, a looking aim at earth and you will get November 11, 1974. beyond the gloom to another and neither."—Mere Christianity, p. Mental ecology bespeaks a better world. It is not sufficient to 116. world run amok. Crime statistics say, as Artis Whitman did in the One Hope leap higher, international ter- Reader's Digest of December 1974, Many today feel like Job—time rorism reaches epidemic propor- "Hope is a goal in itself." For, as a trudges on "day after hopeless

Dr. Gulley is dean of the Far Eastern Theological Seminary of Philippine Union College. day." Job 7:6, Living Bible. But the finished," forever settled the sin Bible says that the world . . . has problem. The price of sin has been been given hope—the hope of- paid. Man will be rescued out of fered in the gospel. this world. Though the world is "On thee, 0 Lord, I fix my surely rushing on through space to hope," declared David. "I will doom, a rescue from the skies is hope in him," said Solomon. coming soon. The-second return of "Thou art my hope," affirmed Christ is certain, for it is the inevi- Jeremiah. Paul pointed to "Christ table conclusion of Calvary's tri- Jesus our hope," and Peter as- umph. He died here in this world sured, "Your faith and hope might for us that we might live there in be in God." Hope is here related to that better world with Him. a person and not merely to a place. "For the Lord himself shall de- "Happy is he . . . whose hope is in scend from heaven with a shout, the Lord his God." Psalm 38:15, with the voice of the archangel, NEB; Lamentations 3:24, RSV; and with the trump of God: and Jeremiah 17:17, KJV; 1 Timothy the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1:1, RSV; 1 Peter 1:21, KJV; Psalm then we which are alive and re- 146:5, RSV. main shall be caught up to- The supreme goal of hope, the gether with them in the clouds, source from which it really springs to meet the Lord in the air; and eternal, is not man's breast but the so shall we ever be with the "God of hope," who is eternal. It is Lord. Wherefore comfort one not by working it up from within, another with these words." but "by the power of the Holy 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. Spirit you may abound in hope." The life and death of Jesus Christ Romans 15:13, RSV. The problem were not for nothing. Their goal is in this humanistic age is this. Even His imminent return, called "the though man's efforts have brought blessed hope." In the interim He is him into the mess in which he not surprised by current crises. He finds himself, he still thinks that predicted them! Famines through his own efforts he can (Matthew 24:7), social unrest produce some hope. But "those (Matthew 24:6), and lack of faith in who forget God have no hope." Job Him (Luke 18:8)—to name a few— 8:13, Living Bible. Christians must would be marks of this final age. tell the world, as Dr. John Bailee Knowledge that God foresaw these did, that "the transference of atten- conditions inspires confidence tion from self to God is the secret of that He really is in control. Too self-conquest and hope."—And many people don't consider this. Life Everlasting, p. 124. They see the surrounding prob- Modern man desperately needs lems closing in on them till, cut off to look away from this world to the from the only One who can in- one to come. Even more important, spire hope, they have no one to he needs to look away from self to turn to. They feel utterly alone. Christ. Hope is rooted and They have forgotten that faith grounded in Him alone. As E. in God would make all the dif- Stanley Jones put it, Jesus Christ is ference, for such "faith gives "God's total answer to man's total substance to our hopes." He- need.'—The Word Became Flesh, brews 11:1, NEB. p. 382. Philip Brooks was right Look up and beyond to the com- when of Bethlehem he wrote, "The ing world which is as real as Cal- hopes and fears of all the years are vary! Look up to the coming King met in thee tonight." Hope has a who is as really in control of cir- history. It was born into the world cumstances now as He was on the from outside of it that first Christ- cross, in spite of appearances to mas. the contrary then and now. Hope has appeared in the form If you keep your focus on this of Jesus Christ, God's Son. He shat- victorious, living, coming King, tered the kingdom of Satan. His you will have "a living hope" in- victorious cry on the cross, "It is deed. 1 Peter 1:3, RSV.

UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL Signs of the Times / July 1975 / 7 JOHN STEEL, ARTIST, © PPPA

A LITTLE-KNOWN INCIDENT IN ANCIENT HISTORY CAN GIVE US ALL A LOT OF COURAGE TODAY.

♦It was tragic enough on the face of it. Men, women, and children—all the inhabitants of the city—were eating garbage. And paying for it at the rate of an ounce of silver for an ounce of refuse. But what made the tragedy truly poignant was that it was unnecessary! Within a stone's throw of the city walls was royal fare, the delicacies of conquerors, the staples in abundance. All free for the taking! The population of this capital city shivered in fear both day and night, frightened by besiegers who were not there! The account is history, not fantasy. And yet it's more than history, for on another level of fulfillment the same sad tragedy is being enacted today in every part of the world. Let's look first at the history as it is recorded in chapters six and seven of 2 Kings. "Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria. And there was a great famine in Samaria: and, behold, they besieged it, until an ass's head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver." "Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two The enemy camped outside Jerusalem had the city shut measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. up in fear—till they heard an army coming! "Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered . . . , Behold, if the Lord would make win- dows in heaven, might this thing be? . . . Read the whole story for yourself. Read about the "And there were four leprous men at the entering in terrible acts of cannibalism, the unbelief when the of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we good news was announced to the freed city, the reluc- here until we die? If we say, We will enter into the tant investigation, and the final frenzied outpouring city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die of citizenry which, en route to the deserted camp, there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now there- trampled the city's chief doubter. Read, and re- fore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: member that in the it is written that if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, "all these things happened unto them for ensamples: we shall but die. and they are written for our admonition, upon whom "And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the the ends of the world are come." 1 Corinthians 10:11. camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was written for our learning, that we through patience and no man there. For the Lord had made the host of the comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Romans Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of 15:4. horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said Of course the main thing that sticks out is that of a one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired deliverance sorely needed, accomplished—and ig- against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of nored through unbelief. Thousands dying of hunger the Egyptians, to come upon us. Wherefore they arose and fear unnecessarily. Had they known and believed and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their the facts of the case, there would have been cheers horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and instead of fears, hallelujahs rather than laments, and fled for their life. health and vitality for disease and languor. We re- "And when these lepers came to the uttermost part member that something similar happened in the days of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and of Lincoln's proclamation of emancipation for slaves. drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and rai- There were plantations where masters kept the good ment, and went and hid it; and came again, and en- news from their ignorant servants for months. tered into another tent, and carried thence also, and Thousands submitted to whip and cursing who might went and hid it. have asserted their freedom had they known. Their "Then they said one to another, We do not well: this sorrow and dejection and oppressive toil were un- day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: necessary. . . . now therefore come, that we may go and tell." Back to Samaria. The city's redemption had been 2 Kings 6:24, 25; 7:1-9. accomplished without any effort by the residents. It

Dr. Ford teaches religion in Avondale College, in Australia. Something Better for You DESMOND FORD had been promised by the prophet (2 Kings 7:1, 2), but through conquest. We were helpless before his at- had met with jeers and scorn. Those who first came to tacks, and death and misery have been the badges of believe were the dropouts, the deadbeats, those who human impotence these many centuries. But there knew their need better than others. The lepers knew was One strong enough to drive him off. He who was they had all to gain by venturing and nothing to lose. the Captain of the armies of heaven entered into con- And now we can hardly help seeing the higher test with Satan, but not in the form of the God of the level of application for this account. The clue is in heavenly hosts. He fought as the second Adam, hav- verse 9 where we read of "good tidings" and the ing become man like us. And He conquered where the necessity to "go and tell" these tidings to those who first Adam failed. knew them not. The Greek version of the Old Testa- By a life of perfect obedience to the sacred law of ment uses the same Greek word in this verse that is God He wrought out a perfect righteousness for the used in the New Testament for "gospel." The news human race He represented. His death set us free. It that God has sent His Son to earth and conquered our atoned for all the transgressions of the human family. besiegers—Satan, sin, and death—is good tidings in- Because of it God can be "just, and the justifier" of all deed. But, as in the days of Samaria, how many do not who accept Christ's work, for such a victory has been know, how many refuse to believe! The multitudes won as honors His law more than if the whole of filled with fears of innumerable evils try to stave off humanity had kept it from eternity. Thus were the death the invincible by stuffing themselves with gar- principalities and powers of hell disarmed and forced bage. The privilege is dearly bought at its beginning to flee. And now every one of us is free if we will but and its end. And all so tragically unnecessary! choose to believe the good news. Once the height and Here is the good news which can set a man to depth of God's marvelous grace are perceived, the dancing rather than to sighing. siege of sin is broken, and obedience to our Rescuer "God so loved the world, that he gave his only becomes a delight. begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him But today, as in ancient times, it is often the "lep- should not perish, but have everlasting life." John ers" who are the first to believe. "Blessed are the poor 3:16. in spirit: for their's is the kingdom of heaven." "They "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, that are whole have no need of the physician, but they while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Ro- that are sick." Those who feel good enough, who mans 5:8. declare themselves to be "rich, and increased with "As by one man's disobedience many were made goods, and have need of nothing" unaware that actu- sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be ally they are "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and made righteous." Romans 5:19. blind, and naked"—these will not believe, these will "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new not venture like Samaria's lepers to the place of de- creature: old things are passed away; behold, all liverance.Matthew 5:3; Luke 2:17; Revelation 3:17. things are become new. And all things are of God, No wonder C. S. Lewis wrote that God whispers to who bath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ . . . ; us in our pleasures but shouts to us in our pains. Our God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto him- sorrows are meant to awaken in us that sense of need self, not imputing their trespasses unto them. . .. Now which alone can lead to our acceptance of "so great then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God salvation." The whole world is experiencing trauma did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, today. This is permitted, we believe, because "when be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made world will learn righteousness." Isaiah 26:9. the righteousness of God in him." 2 Corinthians As we consider approaching death and the judg- 5:17-21. ment, it is evident that, like the lepers of old, we have "And you, being dead in your sins . . . , hath he everything to gain by the venture of faith and nothing quickened together with him, having forgiven you all to lose. We have nothing to contribute to our deliver- trespasses; . . . and having spoiled principalities and ance. All we can do is to accept it, with heartfelt powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing gratitude to our Deliverer. Any beggar can accept. over them." Colossians 2:13-15. Neither a high IQ nor special talents nor great wealth Good news indeed! Solemnly promised since the are necessary in order to receive a gift. foundation of the world and now accomplished. Yet If we will but believe the record of Holy Writ, our so few know and believe. No wonder the prophet Maker will lead us through the gates of soul hunger Isaiah—who most clearly foretold this and discouragement to the abundant pastures of ever- redemption—also asked the question, "Who bath be- lasting life. Thus shall we discover wealth un- lieved our report?" Isaiah 53:1. dreamed of and become ambassadors with such good Our world, compared to the universe, is but a little news as is able to banish sadness, sighing, and tears, city. Nevertheless it drew the attention of Lucifer, the and replace them with joy, laughter, and everlasting first great apostate, and he determined to make it his song. Signs of the Times / July 1975 / 9

D. TANK

"GOOD PEOPLE" HAVE GOOD HEALTH

HAROLD SHRYOCK, MD Good health is one of the faulty diet. Neglect of physical of their known effects. Then there bonuses of Christian living. exercise allows one's store of vital are "foreign substances" which There are people who would energy to decline. The human are used day by day by millions of challenge this statement because body was designed for activity. people, not because the body some "good Christians" are in- The muscles play as important a needs them but because they affect valids. Some Christians even die role in maintaining the vital the body in ways some people prematurely. But the question capacities of the heart, lungs, and have learned to crave. Here we in- clamors for an answer, Is there a other organs as they do in moving clude such things as coffee, which relationship between a way of life the parts of the body. contains the stimulating drug caf- that is based on Christian princi- When a person permits his gen- feine. Caffeine quickens a person's ples and a person's degree of eral fitness to wane, he becomes mental responses. It is used by health? more susceptible to infections and physicians as a stimulant in All diseases have causes. Germs to those contagious diseases emergencies. Even so, caffeine has and viruses, faulty heredity, de- caused by germs and viruses. In other, long-range effects on the terioration of the tissues with spite of modern methods of treat- human tissues which are detri- aging, exposure to noxious agents, ment, influenza and pneumonia mental. Scientific evidence now accidents—these are the items still appear as number five on the indicates that established coffee- usually listed as the causes of ill- list of causes of death. Scientific drinkers have a higher than usual ness. evidence increasingly indicates susceptibility to heart disease. For our present discussion, that at least some forms of cancer Tobacco contains the very pow- however, we will regroup the are caused by viruses, and cancer erful drug, nicotine, which is causes of illness under four other is number two on the same list. known to be harmful to human tis- headings. These are worded so as 2. Use of Harmful Substances. sues. It is a potent poison. The to point up the ways by which The human body has marvelous cigarette smoker develops such a health is usually sacrificed. After capacities for adaptation. For tolerance to it that he can absorb we have considered these, we will example, the digestive organs de- enough within 24 hours of smok- go through the list a second time rive from food the necessary chem- ing to constitute a fatal dose if it and notice whether a person who ical substances to supply the were administered all at one time lives by the ideals of Christianity body's needs for energy and to a nonsmoker. has any advantage. tissue-building. These needs are Cigarette smoke also includes 1. Neglect of Personal Fitness. quite specific, but the digestive other harmful substances. Pre- Every individual inherits a certain organs can obtain just the sumably it is the "tars" that cause degree of vitality, of personal fit- molecules they need from the food damage to the tissues of the lung ness. When he lives carelessly, his a person eats. They can even re- and are thus accountable for lung quota of personal fitness is squan- build the molecules that are pro- cancer which now kills more men dered. When he lives conserva- vided so as to supply what, other- each year than any other form of tively, this precious supply of in- wise, is not available. cancer. Also, cigarette smokers are herent vitality enables him to live There are many substances, much more susceptible to heart buoyantly and to ward off many such as drugs, whose molecules disease than are non-smokers. infections and other illnesses. have an influence on the body's And heart disease, let us notice, is Keeping late or irregular hours vital functions. Physicians pre- number one on the list of fatal dis- reduces personal fitness. So does scribe certain medicines because eases, killing more people in the

Dr. Shryock is a member of the faculty of Loma Linda University and a Signs of the Times / July 1975 / 11 frequent contributor to the "Signs." ,Ij11.431

DE WYS, INC.

United States, each year, than even die of cancer. Alcohol is another substance which the body does not need. A person who uses alcoholic drinks does so because of the benumbing effect which the alcohol has on his higher intellectual centers. This gives him a false sense of well- being. But alcohol has incidental effects on the liver and heart which may seriously damage these organs. Much of alcohol's harmful effect comes as a result of the things a person does while "under the in- fluence." Accidents occur. An in- toxicated person may feel warm when actually he is cold. Thus many cases of pneumonia start "zrb7vsigr*,. when a person fails to protect him- self against severe weather. '..... While speaking of harmful in- dulgences, we must include men- tion of drug abuse. The , . . thalidomide tragedy of the early 1960s awakened the world to the hidden dangers of taking drugs. More than 5000 babies were born in Europe with deformed arms and legs because their mothers had used a newly developed, sup- posedly harmless drug during their pregnancies. In the years since then, medical scientists have discovered that many other drugs, previously supposed to be harm- less, can have unfavorable effects on unborn children or on the per- sons taking them. Unintentional There is scientific evidence that right living combinations of drugs (especially leads to healthier lives. those in which barbiturates are in- cluded) have been the cause of the value of the dollar—it isn't phenomenal increase that public many unexpected deaths. considered to be worth as much as health authorities admit it is out of 3. Disrespect for the Human formerly. Deaths by accident are control. Body. We look with horror on the now in fourth place on the list of 4. Presence of Psychological customs of nations of the past, or greatest killers. Stresses. It is conservatively esti- even of "undeveloped nations" of Violent crimes, both in America mated that at least half of the the present, in which human life and throughout the world, are in- illnesses which bring patients to was or is sacrificed for a trifle. But creasing at an alarming rate. The doctors' offices are "functional" in what about the increasing number basic cause is a lack of respect for nature. Functional illnesses are of accidental deaths in our own human life and a willingness to not caused by germs and viruses or land? exchange it for a few dollars or to by primary damage to the body's What about our increasing devo- sacrifice it in the hope of escaping tissues. Instead, they are as- tion to hazardous sports? In some some difficulty. sociated with changes in the ways instances, sportsmen seem to ac- Disrespect for the human body the organs function. And these cept a challenge to suicide. Even also accounts for many of the so- changes are the result of unfavor- in the civilized world it seems that cial evils that exist today. Year by able conditions which affect the the value of human life is follow- year over the last few years, ve- person's thoughts and emotions. ing the same inflationary course as nereal disease has shown such a Persons with functional illnesses 12 / Signs of the Times / July 1975 are those who have made a poor 1. Personal Fitness. The Bible 3. Respect for the Body. The adjustment to the environment, teaches that God is our Creator. sixth commandment specifies who are unhappy with their lot in "All things were made by him; and "Thou shalt not kill." The seventh life, or who are not at peace with without him was not anything requires a consistent respect for themselves or their associates. made that was made. In him was the human body. "Thou shalt not The organs of the body are nor- life; and the life was the light of commit adultery." In the broad mally and properly very respon- men." John 1:3, 4. Furthermore, it sense, these commandments not sive to changes in one's emotional is by the continuous manifestation only forbid murder and fornica- states. Notice how the heart beats of the power of God that all the tion but they admonish against faster when one is alarmed and works of creation are maintained any practice that is detrimental to how the skin of the hands and feet and that our bodies continue to one's self or to other individuals. It become cold when a person is anx- function. "All things were created is just as much a violation of the ious. Such responses, as well as by him, and for him: and he is be- prohibition against killing for a changes in the blood pressure, al- fore all things, and by him all person to shorten his own life by terations in the depth of breathing, things consist." Colossians 1:16, unhealthful practices as to endan- and the function of the digestive 17. The psalmist recognized this ger the life of another. organs, are controlled by the ner- intimate relationship between the 4. Peace of Mind. Here again, the vous system. individual and his Creator when person who chooses to follow the Even one's mental attitudes he wrote, "I will praise thee; for I principles of true religion, as out- exert an influence. Being am fearfully and wonderfully lined in the Scriptures, has a great thwarted, being resentful of made: marvellous are thy works advantage, healthwise. The Scrip- others, harboring feelings of guilt, and that my soul knoweth right tures provide the formula for liv- feelings of insecurity, attitudes of well. My substance was not hid ing at peace with one's self, with self-distrust, and the compelling from thee, when I was made in se- his associates, and with his con- desire to reach some personal cret." Psalm 139:14, 15. science: "Finally, brethren, what- goal— all of these have their influ- soever things are true, whatsoever ence on the way the organs oper- The gospel of Christ can save your things are honest, whatsoever ate. soul and improve your body too. things are just, whatsoever things Psychological stresses place are pure, whatsoever things are undue burdens on the organs. A lovely, whatsoever things are of healthy individual can tolerate Thus it is part of the Christian's good report; if there be any virtue, such stresses for a while. But even- philosophy that his body is some- and if there be any praise, think on tually, if intense stresses persist, thing special, God's masterpiece these things." Philippians 4:8. even the organs of a healthy per- of creation. He owes it to God, as a We have considered the four son become less efficient and may matter of appreciation, to take the basic indiscretions which deprive finally be handicapped by actual best possible care of his body and persons of their proper degree of changes in the tissues themselves. to conserve his vital energy as a health. We have noticed how Thus, indigestion may lead to means of maintaining the best de- people who adhere to the Bible stomach ulcer and this, in turn, to gree of health. principles of true religion find it hemorrhage or to perforation of 2. Healthful Living. The Chris- natural and consistent to preserve the stomach wall. There is even a tian considers his body to be the their personal fitness as a means of relationship between certain ul- "temple of the Holy Ghost" as resisting disease; to abstain from cers of the stomach and the de- mentioned by the apostle Paul in 1 harmful indulgences which dam- velopment of cancer of the Corinthians 6:19, 20: "What? age the body's tissues and lay the stomach. know ye not that your body is the foundation for premature death; to Many cases (perhaps most) of temple of the Holy Ghost which is respect the human body and thus high blood pressure have their in you, which ye have of God, and escape many accidental causes of origin in unsolved psychological ye are not your own? For ye are injury and death as well as avoid- and emotional problems. Often bought with a price: therefore ing those body- and soul- high blood pressure and harden- glorify God in your body, and in destroying practices which follow ing of the arteries go together. your spirit, which are God's." Just in the wake of sexual deviations; as it would be inconsistent and and to put their trust in God rather How Christianity Helps disrespectful to bring into a tem- than become victims of thwart- Now that we have considered ple of worship things which ings, resentments, selfish compul- the four ways in which health is would desecrate that temple, so sions, and feelings of guilt and usually sacrificed, we will notice the Christian considers it an af- self-distrust which lead to many how a person who patterns his life front to his Creator to introduce forms of functional illness. We in harmony with Christian princi- into his body substances which find it is true, then, as stated in the ples has an advantage over other harm the body's tissues and first sentence: Good health is one people in avoiding illness. squander its vital energies. of the bonuses of Christian living.

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• When Dr. was time the see of Canterbury has elected to succeed Dr. Michael been occupied by high Ramsey as the one hundred-first churchmen—with all that this has , he spe- meant for Anglo-Roman rela- cifically requested that his en- NEW tions—Dr. Coggan belongs to the thronement on the Chair of Augus- evangelical wing of the Anglican tine in Canterbury Cathedral Church. He will be the first should be at the end of the Annual PUSH evangelical archbishop of Canter- Week of Prayer for Christian bury since Archbishop John Bird Unity. And when the enthrone- Sumner in 1848. And with the ap- ment took place on Friday, January pointment of evangelical Dr. 24, it was in the presence of an ecu- TOWARD , bishop of Liver- menical gathering representing pool, to the vacant see of York, we almost all the major churches of have the situation, unprecedented Christendom. UNITY in recent times, of evangelical Besides a full representation of archbishops in the sees of both the worldwide Anglican commu- Canterbury and York. nion, there were—for the first time What then, in these significant at an Anglican enthronement— W.L.EMMERS ON circumstances, may Archbishop three Roman Catholic cardinals, Coggan have to contribute to the Cardinal Marty, archbishop of ecumenical scene? Paris, Cardinal Suenens, arch- bishop of Malines-Brussels, and this generation to the people of the Archbishop Ramsey on Cardinal Willebrands, president of north," he said, "and I want us to Ecumenical Trends the Roman Catholic Secretariat for do it together." And when the An indication of what this part Christian Unity. In addition there Anglican-Methodist reunion could be may be found in an ad- were 12 representatives of Or- scheme broke down in 1972, it was dress which Archbishop Michael thodox Patriarchates, 12 Protes- he who urged the newly formed Ramsey gave several months ago tant church leaders from Europe, United Reformed Church to revive when, to a distinguished Catholic as well as representatives of the the flagging reunion discussions audience in London, he talked Free Churches of Great Britain. Dr. by inviting representatives of all about the trends in Billy Graham was there from the British churches to multilat- during the 13 years of his ar- America. eral talks which have resulted in chiepiscopacy. It was therefore of the greatest the setting up of a new and widely When he ascended the throne of significance that in the course of based commission. In this setting Augustine in June 1961, he said he his enthronement sermon Arch- Anglican, Roman Catholic, Con- had confidently expected to make bishop Coggan pointedly asked gregational, Methodist, Baptist, rapid progress in the relations of this truly ecumenical gathering, Churches of Christ, and Moravian the Anglican and the Free "How can we preach reconcilia- leaders have already begun new Churches in Britain by first bring- tion if we are not ourselves wholly conversations to find a real basis ing to a successful conclusion the reconciled?" "Our divisions," he on which to achieve the "visible Anglican-Methodist Union declared, "will have to go." unity" of the churches in Britain. Scheme. On the other hand, he had Truly as Roman Catholic Cardi- thought that relations with Rome A Dedicated Ecumenist nal Hennan has said, the new would move with a "certain slow- The deliberate linking of the archbishop of Canterbury has ness." new archbishop's enthronement "proved himself a real force for In actual fact, however, Dr. with Christian Unity Week and his Christian unity." No wonder, Ramsey had seen the ecumenical outspoken words about the urgent therefore, that all who are in- currents running in an entirely dif- need of unity were a fitting climax terested in ecumenism are asking ferent direction. In spite of his to his work for unity during his in what direction Archbishop dedicated advocacy of Angli- archiepiscopate at York since Donald Coggan will now move in can-Methodist Union, negotia- 1961. For Dr. Coggan was the ini- order to further the cause to which tions finally broke down when tiator of the "Call to the North" in he has devoted so much time and the Anglican General Synod which he drew together Angli- attention. rejected the union scheme in cans, Roman Catholics, and Free 1972, bringing Anglican-Free Churchmen in an evangelistic An "Evangelical" Archbishop Church relations to a com- crusade throughout his archdio-' As soon as one begins to think plete deadlock. cese. (The archdiocese of York is about this, a most significant fact On the other hand, the arch- the northern part of England.) "I immediately comes to mind; bishop had been "astonished and want to bring the Word of God for namely, that while for a very long delighted" by what had happened

Few observers of the ecumenical movement have watched it so closely for so long as Signs of the Times I July 1975 / 15 W. L. Emmerson, who first wrote about it for the "Signs" in the 1930's. in the sphere of Anglican-Roman Ramsey ventured to forecast that dicate what is now very much on relations, which, he said, had been intercommunion between the two his heart in the reunion discus- "utterly changed" as a result of the churches was "something that sions. "I greatly long," he said, work of "Good Pope John." might happen at the end of this "for unity with the Methodists, but The change began at Vatican II century." the form that that will take I when, in the Catholic document No wonder this spectacular wouldn't like to be rash enough to Decree on Ecumenism, the Angli- progress led Cardinal Heenan to prophesy. We have got to pursue it can Church was singled out as oc- declare Dr. Ramsey to be "one of relentlessly on two levels. One, on cupying a "special place" among the great archbishops of Canter- the level of high-up discussion, by the churches separated from the bury," and Canon William Purdy, theological debate and under- Roman See. This was followed up an official of the Rome Secretariat standing, but also, to use the over- in March, 1966, by an invitation for Promoting Christian Unity to strained phrase, at grass-roots from Pope Paul VI to Archbishop express the hope that the next level." Ramsey to visit him in Rome, archbishop would "follow in the This is clearly the contribution where, in the church of St. Paul's same line of ecumenical dia- that Archbishop Coggan hopes to Without-the-Walls, they partici- logue." be able to make through the new pated in a joint act of worship, unity commission which he in- culminating in the pope's taking a Which Way Now? spired as . He ring from his finger and putting it is going to bend every endeavor to on the archbishop's. But now, at this critical juncture revitalize discussions with the As a consequence of this historic in Anglican-Roman relations, in- Free Churches brought to a halt by meeting, a joint international stead of another Anglo-Catholic the failure of the Anglican- commission was inaugurated to archbishop being appointed to en- Methodist scheme, and perhaps begin "a serious dialogue which, courage Anglo-Roman progress to bring to ecumenical fruition what founded on the Gospels and the unity, Dr. Ramsey has been suc- a succession of Anglo-Catholic ancient common traditions," ceeded by an evangelical arch- Archbishops have been unable to might "lead to that unity in truth bishop, the first in a century. do. for which Christ prayed." When the appointment was an- That Dr. Ramsey, the retiring nounced, some Anglo-Catholics archbishop of Canterbury, has Three years ago it looked as if the no doubt feared at first that an been thinking along the same lines ecumenical movement was gasp- evangelical archbishop might halt is indicated by an interview which ing for breath. Now it seems the the growing convergence of the he gave to Brian Rice of the Church new archbishop of Canterbury is Anglican and Roman Churches. Times. "Ecumenically," Ramsey breathing new life into the move- But this is not likely to happen, said,"there is a big task in the next ment. because Dr. Coggan has already period. The church will need to expressed himself as eager to in- know what can be brought out of Already, Dr. Ramsey told his crease understanding between the the new discussions with the Free audience as the firstfruits of the two churches. In an interview a Churches. . . . I would love to see a joint commission, there had been few days before his enthronement breakthrough toward a united produced agreed statements on Dr. Coggan told a Times inter- church in this country with the the eucharist (1971) and on the viewer, "I see wonderful progress Methodists and others along lines ministry (1973), two of the thorn- (in the movement toward Chris- which would be entirely consist- iest problems which have sepa- tian unity), not least, of course, in ent with our growing relations rated the Roman and Anglican our relationships as between An- with Rome. Then I should love to Churches since the . glicans and Roman Catholics, be- see real success in Anglican- And now the joint commission is ginning with two great men, Geof- Roman Catholic discussions that tackling its third task, the problem frey Fisher and Pope John . . . fol- had the promise of a state of inter- of authority in the church, which lowed up by . I see communion." on the Roman side included the encouragement in the two agreed The same idea was clearly in the primacy of the pope and on the statements on the ministry and the minds of Dr. Kenneth Greet, Sec- Anglican side the validity of An- eucharist. Now the same interna- retary of the Methodist Confer- glican orders. These questions, the tional Anglican-Roman Catholic ence, when, in welcoming the ap- archbishop admitted, were going commission is working on the pointment of Dr. Coggan to Can- to be "mighty difficult," but he even more thorny and difficult terbury, he expressed the hope was not discouraged. "We can get question of authority. The whole that "under Dr. Coggan's leader- these things done," he asserted, atmosphere has changed, suspi- ship the may "by going behind the sixteenth- cion is giving way to warmth, and move toward union with century controversies and those silence into talk, friendship, and Methodists and others who see a battles in the dark." During a re- love." vital connection between unity cent visit to the United States, Dr. Dr. Coggan then went on to in- and mission."

16 / Signs of the Times / July 1975 UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL But how do these church leaders order to effect a union with the think that Dr. Coggan can achieve episcopal Anglican Church, and a breakthrough in Anglican-Free eventually with Rome, and the Church relations? Doubtless many evangelical Protestant forces in believe that, as a moderate the churches which continue to re- evangelical, he may be able to ject any "Catholic" compromise as bring together the extremes of the price of unity. view in the Church of England which wrecked the earlier scheme. Worldwide Reverberations They hope he can produce a basis of union which would be accepted The outcome of these new dis- by both Evangelicals and Anglo- cussions will certainly have re- Catholics in his own church and verberations in other parts of the by a majority in the Methodist and world where reunion between perhaps other Free Churches. episcopal and nonepiscopal Such must undoubtedly have been churches have been halted at this encouraged by Dr. Coggan, in his barrier. The Anglican Synod in Times interview, when he said, "I New Zealand recently deferred for have worked long enough within another two years a proposal the Church of England to ap- to unite Anglicans with Presby- preciate that their party labels terians, Congregationalists, Meth- mean less and less. We must hold odists, and Churches of both wings together and get some- Christ. The Methodist Episcopal thing from each to enrich its con- New archbishop Dr. Donald Coggan Church in Southern Asia has again tribution to the whole ecumenical stands beside Canterbury Cathedral. registered its vote against joining church." the Church of North India for the In this endeavor, Dr. Coggan has present. And in America also, the the support of the new Arch- India and Pakistan were received church consultation (COCU) is bishop Blanch of York, who be- into full communion with the still in deadlock over the same is- lieves that the division between Church of England immediately sue. high, middle, and low church are after their inauguration in 1972. It What the archbishop of Canter- "beginning to die down," and could be, therefore, that Dr. Cog- bury may be able to do by his in- "colleges of diverse traditions are gan might seek to "renegotiate" fluence in the new unity commis- beginning to work together." the terms of Anglican-Free Church sion in Britain will thus affect one union on some such basis as this. way or another continuing negoti- Guidance From India Interestingly, Dr. and Mrs. Coggan ations between episcopal and Many evangelicals in the have a daughter who is serving as a nonepiscopal churches all around Church of England would like a missionary doctor in Pakistan and the world. new scheme after the pattern of the who came home briefly to attend All the signs are that sooner or South India Church, in which all her father's enthronement. later the majority of the nonepis- ministries would be accepted ini- What precise basis may eventu- copal Free Churches will come tially into the united church, and ally be proposed, and whether Dr. round to the idea of integration in which, by episcopal , Coggan will succeed in initiating with the Anglican Church on a a fully episcopal church would be it, remains to be seen; but what the fully episcopal basis, and the achieved in about 30 years. But new archiepiscopate will certainly ecumenical movement will pick this seems unlikely, because the do will be to highlight the work of up speed again in its progress Anglo-Catholics prevented the the new unity commission in Bri- toward the "great church" of the South India Church coming into tain which he inspired. It will future. communion with the Church of stimulate efforts to find a basis of But at the same time we may be England on its formation in 1947, union between the Church of En- sure of this also, that outside this nor has it yet been accepted. On gland and the Free Churches great church, if it comes, will be the other hand, the North India which, as Archbishop Ramsey believers from all the churches of plan (in which, in the service of points out, must "be entirely con- Christendom who will never com- reconciliation, prayer was offered sistent with our growing relations promise merely for the sake of big- that each of the uniting ministries with Rome." And by reason of this ness or unity. They will continue receive "such grace" as it may be "directive," it is likely to bring to a to affirm their belief in Christ as God's "will to bestow" to serve in head the confrontation between the only Head of the church and in the united church), was acceptable the pro-ecumenical forces who are the unadulterated teachings of the to all parties in the Anglican prepared to modify their doctrinal Word of God as the only faith they Church, and the churches of North and ecclesiological positions in can embrace. Signs of the Times / July 1975 / 17 DON'T GO ALONE! ANDY RUNNING

The Arches National Monument a few miles north of Moab, Utah, is a fascinating collection of red rocks in many shapes and positions. In some places the echoes really talk back. In other areas the rocks seem to be held up by invisible sky hooks. On a beautifully bright November day with the clean blue sky reaching from horizon to horizon, I found myself in Moab with an extra three hours on my hands. Having had a little taste of the intoxicating atmosphere of the Arches, I couldn't wait to get under its influence again. My 35 mm camera in one hand and a walking stick in the other, I took off into a section new to me. Before the three hours could pass, I knew the sun would set and the bitter cold of the desert night begin. I must hurry to see as much as possible, use up my roll of film, and get back to the car before darkness and cold cut me off. The trail was paved and marked for the first mile.

After I had taken several pictures, the improved trail ANDY RUNNING ended and a sign announced, "Primitive Trail— Proceed With Care." Two hikers coming off the abruptly around and walked back to the top, walking primitive trail unintentionally enticed me on with faster than before. "It's beautiful up there." I took the next sandy way that seemed to lead As I went higher, the human footprints in the sand downward between the rows of rocks. This ended at a diminished and animal tracks increased. In places beautiful arch with a 120-foot drop that framed the rocks pushed close in on both sides. But soon I came southeastern mountains. I took one more picture, out on top where I could see snowcapped mountains then hurried back to try the third row between the in the distant north and southeast. rocks. It took me to an impossible dead end. The rock ridges near me pushed north and south. This time I went back up to the top much faster, They were easy to climb because the main trail here even sprinting where the ground was firm and was high in the sky and most of the ground was firm smooth. I knew I must be careful; a sprained ankle sand. The few rugged trees that dared to challenge the could spell disaster. But time was running out. I inclement weather were especially photogenic when thought, "If I can't find the way before dark, I'll build arranged with rocks, the sky, and now—a few white a big fire near a rock and spend the night between the clouds. fire and the rock." Going through my pockets Soon my film was almost gone and the sun was changed that idea. My matches were in the car along much closer to the western peaks. "It's time to head with the hiking instructions from the park headquar- out," I thought. I started back toward the car. At least, ters. I thought I started back toward the car. In a spot like this a person reviews many thoughts. Down between rocks I walked. On the way up I had At least, I did! I had read of experiences like this. In not paid much attention to landmarks; I was too busy the middle of the night, after much frantic prayer by finding the best pictures. After a quarter mile I the lost and much hard work by the rangers, the story realized that I was not on the primitive trail. I turned has a happy ending. Andy Running is associate manager of the book department at the Pacific Press, publishers of the "Signs." One of his hobbies is photography. Another is hiking—with a companion! "But," I asked myself, "why should I wait till the the long flat arch that according to basic engineering middle of the night before I pray? God can hear me in cannot stay suspended. the daylight." I stopped in my tracks and bowed my Relief flooded my whole body. I stopped again, and head. "Father in heaven, lead me out of this place this time offered a prayer of thanks. On my way into without making problems for anyone. Thank You for the rocks I had known I could go it alone. I didn't need hearing me in Jesus' name. Amen." help. This walk would be no problem for me. I had I opened my eyes and started walking in what I was been alone in the mountains and the desert many sure was the wrong direction. Yet I had an uncanny times. I could take care of myself. Reading and heed- confidence that it was the right direction. Sure ing the ranger's printed suggestions was not neces- enough, soon I recognized some size-13 footprints sary for me. pointed the way I was coming from, and then a spot I've talked with many people who look at life with where I had stopped for a picture. In a few minutes I the same confidence. "I want no help from anyone." noticed familiar rock formations and trees. Next came "I can go it alone." "The Bible and the church are OK for others, not for me." "I don't have time for religion. I don't need it." As a much humbler wilderness walker I find an "It was a perfect hike," says interesting parallel between life and the high rocks of the arches. For mountain and desert hiking I recom- Andy, "till I took the wrong mend reading and heeding the ranger's instruc- tions. In life I recommend the path that Jesus walked and Heaven's instructions printed in the Bible. turn!" When I got to the car, I read the rules for hiking. Rule number 1: "DO NOT GO HIKING ALONE." 0.

Signs of the Times / July 1975 / 19 Ready to Meet Jesus At first I knew him only as a degrading experience for him spiritual," he replied falteringly. name, Mr. Carson, the patient in when I had to care for his "You know," I said, "you can rid room 200. Admitted during the colostomy. With all the yourself of that uncertainty. The night, he was a patient of Dr. forethought and ingenuity that my Scriptures, in the first book of Brockton, the "cancer specialist." instructors had taught me, I tried Thessalonians 4:14-16 tell us that Almost everyone groaned when to divert his mind from the if we believe that Jesus died for us Dr. Brockton's patients were procedure at hand. My first and rose again, God will bring admitted, because they usually assurance to him was that when he those that sleep in Jesus unto required a great deal of physical gained strength, he could resume Himself. When Jesus comes, all the care and a great deal of exhausting his own care. Then I proceeded to righteous dead and living will be emotional care as well. Dr. divert him from the actual gathered together and will be with Brockton's patients, when procedure. Him throughout eternity. There admitted to the unit, were often During much of my care of him will be no more death, sorrow, terminal cancer cases; and we often discussed his work, of misunderstandings, or crying. whether mankind wants to admit which he was immensely proud. (Revelation 21:4.) Isn't that a it or not, we still cling to the He had held an important position beautiful thought for you?" illusion that though others die we in a very prominent branch of the Again the moment of silence. will not. U.S. government. Then "Well, you know I haven't I asked myself, How does one Inevitably he would lead the always lived the way I believed I meet the emotional needs of a course of our conversation to should. By that I don't mean I patient who knows he is going to death. never attended church. That I have die? How can I relate to the needs "I know that this time I am not always done faithfully. But of his family who need emotional going to leave the hospital alive," somehow something is missing." and spiritual support? he stated bluntly on one occasion. "You know, Mr. Carson, I'm not I was first assigned to another "Does this disturb you?" I sure whether you lean on the part of the unit for several weeks asked. promises of Scripture as much as I before I had the privilege of caring "Well, I have tried to take care of do, but I'm sure that as a Catholic for Mr. Carson. I want to say now all the necessary things for my you know the promise of John that whatever physical and wife and family to make it easier 3:16. 'God so loved the world, that emotional turmoil I went through for them when I go." he gave his only begotten Son, that in the many weeks during which I whosoever believeth in him cared for this man and his family, I Mr. Carson was ill, but he wasn't should not perish, but have consider it a privilege. God gave prepared to die—till his nurse everlasting life.' Isn't that a him to me, using me as an talked to him about Jesus. beautiful promise?" instrument—however imperfect "Yes, it certainly is." and stumbling I may have "Then perhaps what would be "You do believe in Him, don't been—to minister to him and his of most benefit to you would be to you? You know the promise is family in their time of need. think how to prepare yourself for yours?" I walked into his room and what you have expressed to me as "I'm sure God intended it for immediately recognized him as a the inevitable thing in your me." former patient of mine, a man I had life—death." "Then lie here day by day in bed cared for two years before. He was a devout Roman and think about that promise. And "Why, Mr. Carson, I remember Catholic, and sometimes when I remember this too, that to the when you had your first surgery would make this statement or believer death is but a small and I cared for you then on the similar ones, he would remain matter. To the Christian, death is surgical unit." silent for a period of time as I but a moment of silence and His mind, dulled by both proceeded with my care. darkness. Then leave your fears, disease and medication, was slow After careful thought he said your family, your plans with to recall. But soon he remembered this time, "Yes, I suppose you're Jesus." me, and to my pleasure and right." After caring for his colostomy satisfaction he would introduce "Does death frighten you, Mr. and dressing his many wounds, I me to his family and friends as Carson?" would freshen his bed and room they came to visit during the "Well, I'm not really sure of all and make him as comfortable as course of his illness. that is involved in the death possible. I do not always pray with It always seemed to be a process, either physical or every one of my patients, but I

Bea Jones has given the greater part of her life to caring for the sick and dying, a mission of love and devotion. BEATRICE JONES

When I entered the room, the brother arose from his chair and Mr. Carson introduced us. His words were, "This is the nurse I have been telling you about, who always prays such beautiful prayers for me whenever she cares for me." "Oh, yes," his brother acknowledged. "Bill has been telling me how much courage you have given him. I have been hoping to meet you." With the rotation system of our units, I did not always have Mr. Carson under my care, but many times I would go in to talk with him and pray with him, and he always seemed to appreciate my visits. One evening after I had been transferred away from his end of the unit, I learned that he had become extremely ill, so I hurried to his room, fearing this might be the end. Disregarding the age-old rule about not sitting on a patient's bed, I sat on the edge and laid my hand on his. Gasping for breath, he looked into my face and said, "You're worried about me, aren't you, Bea? I think tonight is my time to go."

DAVID TOGAMI "Do you remember our talks about accepting Christ and being think I always did with him. When him and us to so commit our lives ready to meet Him when the time I was ready to leave, I would say, to You that whatever is Your will comes? Are you confident that if "Mr. Carson, I would like to say a we can accept it and abide in Your this is your time to go you are goodnight prayer with you." eternal kingdom forever. I ask all ready?" His response was always, "I this in Jesus' name. Amen." He paused, looked at me a would appreciate it if you would." I never prayed for him but that, moment, and said, "Yes, I am." I My prayers were often like this: feeble as at the end he became, he squeezed his hand and said, "Our Lord and Father, we commit always made the sign of the cross. I "Then I am not worried about to You tonight the keeping of Mr. felt a mutual benediction. you." Carson. Give him a good night's Days became weeks and weeks He lingered only a few more rest, free from pain and stretched into months. He had his days. At his wife's request, I went discomfort, and awaken him "ups and downs." I detected, to the funeral home. refreshed to a new day of less pain. however, that as we would discuss I felt I had made an eternal Help him to know that You love the brighter side of death, he friend whom I would meet in him and his family and are seemed more relaxed and less heaven, he a devout Roman concerned for them. If it be Your restless. Catholic, I a Seventh-day will, restore him to health and One day during the final week of Adventist nurse, eventually to be strength and return him to his his illness, a brother of his who part of that great family together family and loved ones, but help was a priest was visiting him. before the throne of God.

Signs of the Times / July 1975 / 21 Genesis Is Unique ~2 GERHARD F. HASEL, PhD

The term "deep" (tehom) in Genesis is not conditioned by the various cos- 1:2 figures prominently in supporting mologies of surrounding cultures. The the view that the Genesis cosmology is Biblical cosmology has a loftiness, three-storied. There is heaven above completeness, and beauty unequaled and earth below (vs. 1), and under- in the ancient world. neath is the "deep," interpreted as the It is hazardous to suppose that the "primeval ocean." It has been claimed Hebrews believed in a subterranean that the term tehom is directly derived ocean. What shall we say of "the foun- from the name Tiamat, the mythical tains of the great deep" mentioned Babylonian monster and goddess of twice in the Genesis Flood story? the primeval world ocean in the na- Genesis 7:11; 8:2034 The "great deep" tional epic Enuma elish. Tehom is (tehom rabbah) refers undoubtedly to JOE MANISCALCO, ARTIST, PPPA said to contain an "echo of the old subterranean water. But to make of it cosmogonic myth"29 in which the an entirely underground ocean upon strued to refer to literal "pillars." Even creator god Marduk engages Tiamat in which the world floats is to go far today we speak metaphorically of "pil- combat and slays her.3° beyond what these two texts actually lars of the church" in referring to The interpretation that the Biblical claim. There is no suggestion any- staunch supporters of the community term tehom is philologically and mor- where in the text that this under- of believers. So the "pillars" of the phologically dependent on Tiamat is ground water is connected with the earth are metaphors describing that today known to be wrong on the basis mythology of an underworld sea on God can support or move the inner of an advanced understanding of which the earth floats.35 At the Flood foundations which hold the earth in comparative Semitic philology." The the springs of the subterranean waters place and together because He is 35 usages of tehom and its derivative which have fed the springs and rivers Creator. forms in the reveal that split open with such might and force Let us move now from what is "be- it is generally "a poetic term for a large that together with the torrential low" the earth to what is "above." The body of water" which is completely downpour of waters stored in the at- act of fiat creation on the second day "nonmythical."33 mospheric heavens the worldwide calls into existence the "firmament" To suggest that there is in Genesis Flood comes about. raqia' Genesis 1:7. The "firmament" is 1:2 the remnant of a conflict of the The subterranean features such as frequently associated with "firmness" sheol, "the waters under the earth,"36 and "solidity,"40 ideas derived from and the famous "pillars" fail on close the Vulgate firmamentum and the Overwhelming evidence that investigation to uphold the supposed Septuagint stereOina but not from the three-storied or triple-decked view of original term in the Hebrew. The "fir- Moses did not borrow any the world. Sheol is invariably the mament" is widely thought to be a place where dead people go.37 It is a "vaulted solid body."41 The term part of the history of figurative expression of the grave" raqi a, which is traditionally translated creation as he recorded it and may be equated with the regular "firmament" is better rendered with Hebrew term for "grave" (qeber).39 In "expanse."42 Some have tried to in Genesis. the Bible, sheol never refers to an un- document on the basis of non-Biblical derworld of gloomy darkness or wat- texts that raqia is solid,43 perhaps a ers as the abode of the dead as was strip of metal.44 But these attempts at pagan battle myth is to read into the conceived in pagan mythology among explaining the Hebrew term raqia or Genesis cosmology from ancient Babylonians and Greeks. As a designa- "expanse" fail to convince. Such in- mythology what the text actually tion of the grave, sheol, of course, is terpretations are based on unsup- combats. The description of the pas- subterranean, because it is in the ported philological guesses and pagan sive and powerless, undifferentiated ground. mythical notions but not on what the and unorganized state of the "deep" in The three usages of the phrase, "the Biblical texts actually demand.45 Genesis 1:2 reveals that this term is waters under the earth" (Exodus 21:4; In passages like Genesis 1:7; Psalm nonmythical in content and an- Deuteronomy 4:18; 5:8) easily refer to 19:1; Daniel 12:3, raqia has the mean- timythical in purpose. The marvelous waters below the shore line, because in ing of the curved expanse of the picture of the Genesis cosmology is one of the texts (Deuteronomy 4:18) it heavens, which to an observer on the that God is the Creator and that in con- is indeed the place where fish dwell! ground appears like a vast inverted trast to the common mythical picture Some poetic passages describe the vault; and in Ezekiel (1:22, 23, 25, 26; of the ancient Near East there is no "foundations" of the earth as resting 10:1) it has the sense of an "extended" force, neither deity nor element, op- on "pillars" (camud in Job 9:6; Psalm platform or level surface." No text of posing the sovereign activity of the 75:4; mazuq in 1 Samuel 2:8). We may Scripture teaches that the "firma- Supreme Creator. Indeed, the Biblical note that these words are only used in ment" or, better, "expanse" of heaven conception of the world and its under- poetry and are best understood is firm and solid and holds anything standing of reality does not reflect and metaphorically. They cannot be con- up.

Gerhard F. Hasel is a professor of theology and a profound scholar who can read the ancient texts as if they were written in his native tongue.

THREE LIONS, INC.

Rain does not come through "win- whatever. Babylonian and Egyptian dows of heaven" in a solid firmament. mythology link this act of separation Of the five texts in the Bible which Others may have borrowed always to combat and struggle with refer to the "windows of heaven," only from Moses; Moses bor- force. The contemporary world view the Flood story (Genesis 7:11; 8:2) re- and cosmology is not absorbed or re- lates them to water. We need not be rowed from no one—but flected in Genesis but overcome.55 reminded that the torrential The creation of light on the first day downpour of the Flood was not just God! by word of mouth (Genesis 1:3-5) is ordinary rain! The remaining three without parallel in Mesopotamian and texts clearly indicate that the expres- Egyptian mythology." sion "windows of heaven" is to be un- In the Biblical creation story a most derstood in a nonliteral sense; it is pic- primeval view turns out to be an "as- striking feature is creation by the spo- torial language in the same way as we signed interpretation and not one ken word. In sharp contrast to creation can speak today of the "windows of which was derived from the texts by mantic-magic utterances in the the mind" or the "vault of heaven" themselves. "50 In any case, even when Memphite theology of Egypt,57 the re- without implying that the mind has there is a proximity in time and place curring expression "God said, . . . and windows of sashes and glass or that between terms in the Bible and non- there was" (Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, etc.) heaven is a literal vault of solid bricks Biblical texts, it does not necessarily in the Genesis creation story speaks of or concrete. In 2 Kings 7:2, barley imply that there is a similarity in the effortless, omnipotent, and un- comes through the "windows in meaning for every ancient writer challengeable divine word of creation. heaven" in Isaiah 24:18 it seems to be whether inspired or not. God's mighty creation by just speaking trouble and anguish that use this en- a word brings to view the vast un- Other Relevant Points trance; while in Malachi 3:10 bles- bridgeable gulf between the Biblical sings come through "the windows of We have occupied a lengthy part of picture of the Creation and pagan heaven."47 Such figurative language this paper with the subject of an al- mythology. The Genesis cosmology does not lend itself to the reconstruc- leged Biblical cosmology, the sup- stresses the essential difference be- tion of Biblical cosmology. This is un- posed three-storied picture of the tween divine Being, creation, and derlined by the fact that the Bible world, because this is the point with created being in order to exclude any makes abundantly clear that rain which all modern discussions of the idea of emanationism, pantheism, and comes from clouds (Judges 5:4; 1 Biblical cosmology and mythology dualism. Kings 18:45; etc.)48 which are under begin and on which so much else de- The Genesis cosmology exhibits in and not above the firmament or ex- pends. In this portion we wish to note various crucial instances a sharply an- panse of heaven. job 22:13, 14. some other relevant points relating to timythical polemic. This we have seen The recognition of the nonliteral, the issue of mythology. evidenced in the description of the metaphorical use of words—pictorial As part of the divine creative act on "deep" teh6m, Genesis 1:2), the crea- language—in the Bible is important. If the fifth day (Genesis 1:20-23) God tion of the large aquatic creatures, the the Bible is read and interpreted on its created the "great whales" (verse 21, tanninim (1:21), the creative separa- own terms, it is usually not difficult to KJV) or "great sea monsters" as more tion of heaven and earth (1:6-8), the recognize such language. We agree recent translations ( RSV, NEB, NAB) purpose of the creation of man as the with the illustration on the basis of render the Hebrew term tanninim." In pinnacle of created beings on earth language used today in psycho- Ugaritic mythology the cognate term (1:26-28), and creation by divine word analysis and analytical psychology tnn appears as a personified monster, a (1:3ff.). To this impressive list should that the usage of such metaphorical dragon, who was overcome by the be added that the description of the language is perfectly natural. We goddess Anath, the creator god. Is it creation and function of the speak, for example, of the subcon- justified to link the Biblical term luminaries (1:14-18), whose names scious, the superego as distinguished to mythology as an expression of "sun" and "moon" were surely from the ego or id, the depths of the mythological influence? The term avoided because these terms are in the psyche, and the threshold of con- tam-drum in Genesis 1:21 appears in a ancient Near East at the same time ciousness. clearly "nonmythological context."52 names for astral deities, "breathes a One writer effectively expressed the On the basis of other creation passages strongly antimythical pathos"58 or idea as follows: "A critical reader a in the Bible it appears to be a generic polemic. These strong links in this thousand years hence might well designation for large water creatures" chain stress that the Genesis cosmol- think that the twentieth century held in contrast to small water creatures ogy contains a most impressive, direct, the idea of a three-story solid mind, created next. Verse 22. See Psalm and conscious antimythical polemic with doors and gates. We know how 104:25, 26. God's totally effortless cre- undermining pagan religions and wrong he would be; but we would still ation of these large aquatic creatures, mythology at fundamental points. maintain that these phrases are legiti- as expressed through the verb "create" These considerations lead to the in- mate metaphors, and indeed almost (bara') which always stresses effort- evitable conclusion that the writer of essential metaphors, to translate less creation, exhibits a deliberate the Genesis cosmology and the Bibli- nonspatial ideas into spatial and com- polemic against the mythical idea of cal account of Creation presented a to- prehensible language."4 9 creation by battle and combat.54 tally different cosmology from any of On the basis of evidence within the The red thread of opposition to those available in the ancient Near Bible the widespread assumption that pagan mythological notions is also East. His description of Creation not the Biblical cosmology is that of a visible in the fiat creation of raising only presents the true account but in three-storied universe cannot be main- the "firmament" or "expanse" so depicting it he chose a great many tained. The so-called primitive or (Genesis 1:6, 7) without any struggle safeguards against mythology. He

24 / Signs of the Times / July 1975 used certain terms and motifs, partly His will in the drama of ongoing time Gen 1, 2," Zeitschrift fur Theologie und Kirche 47 (1950), 151. related to cosmologically, ideologi- through mighty acts and powerful 34. See G. F. Hasel, "The Fountains of the Great Deep," cally, and theologically incompatible deeds in nature and history. Orignis 1:2 (1974), 67-72. pagan concepts and partly in deliber- 35. Harris, Evangelical Theological Society Bulletin 5 This knowledge of God as Creator (1962), 14. ate contrast to ancient Near Eastern brought great comfort and courage to 36. Ex. 20:4; Deut. 4:18; 5:8: cf. Job 26:5; Ps. 136:6. myths, and employed them with a the enslaved Israelites in Egyptian 37. The term te'ol is translated as "grave" (31 times), "hell" (31 times), and "pit" (6 times) in the KJV. The meaning and emphasis expressive of bondage. The Creator showed Himself rendering "hell" is unfortunate, because this term has the world view, understanding of real- as the mighty Redeemer, setting all His nothing to do with torture, torment, or consciousness. 38. See Gen. 37:35; 1 Sam. 2:6; Job 7:9; 14:13; Ps. 49:14, ity, and cosmology of divine revela- followers free in the great events of the 15. tion. Accordingly the Genesis cosmol- Exodus. Today men and women pre- 39. R. L. Harris, "The Meaning of the Word Sheol," ogy represents a "complete break"59 pare for the greater Exodus, and the Evangelical Theological Society Bulletin 4 (1961), 129- 135. Cf. N. J. Tromp, Primitive Conceptions of Death and with the pagan mythologies of the an- Creator can be expected again to direct the Netherworld in the Old Testament (Rome, 1969). cient Near East by undermining pre- nature and history to bring about His 40. J. Skinner, Genesis (Edinburgh, 1956), p. 21. 41. So recently C. Westermann, Genesis (Neukirchen- vailing mythical cosmologies and the will in the final act of a greater Vluyn, 1974). p. 160. basic essentials of pagan religions. redemption. The knowledge and 42. So The Torah (Jewish Publication Society of America, 1967) and the New American Standard Bible acknowledgment of Creation and (1971). This was already adopted by E. A. Speiser, Genesis Conclusion Creator make man enter into the divine Anchor Bible Vol. I (1962), p. 6. purpose leading to a victorious final 43. So S. R. Driver as referred to by W. C. Kaiser, "The In conclusion it may be pointed Literary Form of Genesis 1:11," New Perspectives on the out that the exalted and sublime con- consummation. As such the Genesis Old Testament, ed. J. B. Payne (Waco, Texas, 1970), p. 57: ception of the Genesis account of Crea- creation story with its cosmology W. H. Schmidt, Die Schopfungsgechichte der Pries- terschrift (2nd ed.; Neukirchen-Vluyn, 1967), p. 102 n. 6. tion presents at its center a transcen- throws out its own challenge, de- This is done by reference to Phoenician, see Z. S. Harris, A dent God who as supreme and unique manding our response of faith and Grammar of the Phoenician Language (New Haven, 1936), p. 147; C. F. Hean and G. Hoftijzer, Dictionnaire des in- Creator speaks the world into exis- worship, confession and proclama- scriptions semitiques de l'ouest (Leiden, 1967). p. 168. tence. The center of all creation is man tion. With the saints mentioned by 44. Caster, Cosmogony, p. 704. 45. There are three major attempts to explain the root as male and female. The Genesis cos- John the Revelator we should confess, meaning of this difficult term: (1) Some seek a parallel in mology which unveils most com- " 'Worthy art thou, our Lord and the Babylonian notion of the lowest register of heaven prehensively the main pillars upon God, called the "celestial bulwark" (gupuk game). So H. Winckler followed by Th. C. Caster. "Cosmogony" p. 704. which the Biblical world reality and to receive glory and honor and (2) Some use the Phoenician term mrqc which refers to world view rest knows of no three- power, "tin dish" (Blechschale) as the key for the meaning of the Hebrew term. So most commentators. (3) N. H. Torczyner, storied or triple-decked universe. It for thou didst create all things, "The Firmament and the Clouds, Raqia and Shehaqum," provides inspiration's answer to the and by thy will they existed and Studio Theologica 1 (1947) 188-196, suggests the mean- ing of the verb to be "to patch up" and of the noun "the intellectual question of the identity, were created." great patch" (p. 191). the "who," of the Designer and Plan- Revelation 4:11, RSV 46. John B. Taylor, Ezekiel (London, 1969), pp. 57, 58. ner to which the book of nature points: 47. Note that in these passages the word 'arubbah is We should proclaim the eternal used for "window." Its etymology is still uncertain (L. God the Creator. It also provides gospel, Koehler and W. Baumgartner, Lexicon in Veteris Tes- answers to the related questions of tamenti Libros (Leiden, 1955], p. 82). Recent translations " 'Fear God and give him glory, such as The Torah NAB, NASH render it in Gen. 7:11: 8:2 "how" the world was made and for the hour of his judgment has as "floodgates of the sky." It is best to render 'arubbah as "what" was made. Through action come; "openings." 48. On the cloud motif, see A. Ohler, Mythologische verbs such as "separated" (Genesis and worship him who made heaven Elemente im Alten Testament (Dusseldorf, 1969), p. 56. 1:4, 7, [9]), "made" (1:7, 16, 25, 31), and earth, 'the sea and the foun- 49. J. Stafford Wright, "The Place of Myth in the In- "placed" (1:17), "created" (1:1, 21, 27; terpretation of the Bible," Journal of the Transactions of tains of water." the Victoria Institute 88 (1956), 23. 2:4), "formed" (2:7, 8, 19) "fashioned" Revelation 14:7, RSV. 50. Kaiser in New Perspectives on the OT, p. 57. (2:22), and "said; (1:3, 6, 9, 14, 20, 51. On this issue, see Hasel, Evangelical Quarterly 46 We should rest assured with Peter (1974), 85, 86, 97-99. 24, 26) an indication of the "how" of that 'we did not follow cleverly de- 52. So rightly T. C. Caster, "Dragon," Interpreter's Dic- divine creative activity is revealed. tionary of the Bible (Nashville, 1962), I, 868. vised myths." 2 Peter 1:16, RSV. 53. In most of the OT texts tanninim refers to an animal The third intellectual question asks such as a serpent or snake (Ex. 7:9, 10, 12; cf. 4:3; 7:15; "what" the transcendent Creator Deut. 32:33; Ps. 91:13; cf. 58:5: Prov. 23:32), crocodile or brought forth. The Biblical writer him- another mighty river creature (Ezek. 29:3; 32:2; Jer. 51:34; cf. Ps. 148:7). self sums it up in the words, "The FOOTNOTES and REFERENCES 54. For the Canaanite myth, see Ancient Near Eastern heavens and the earth . . . , and all the Texts, p. 137; for the Marduk-Tiamat myth of Babylonia, 29. Anderson, Creation versus Chaos, p. 39; Childs, see Ancient Near Eastern Texts, pp. 66, 67. host of them." Genesis 2:1. Myth and Reality, p. 37; S. H. Hooke, "Genesis," Peake's 55. So rightly Westermann, Genesis, p. 160, and P. The Biblical creation account with Commentary on the Bible, ed. H. H. Rowley and M. Black Humbert, Etudes sur le recit du Paradis et la chute dans la (London, 1962), p. 179; R. Kilian, "Genesis 1, 2 und die Genese (Neuchatel, 1940), pp. 166, 167. the Genesis cosmology goes far Urgotter von Hermopolis," Vet us Testamentum 16 (1966), 56. In the Egyptian creation myth of Hermopolis light beyond these intellectual questions by 420. arises first. (Cf. S. Herrmann, "Die Naturlehre des Schop- addressing itself also to the essential 30. On this battle myth, see M. Wakeman, "God's Battle fungsberichtes. Erwagungen zur Vorgeschichte von Gen With the Monster: A Study in Biblical Imagry," (Unpubl. 1," Theologische Literaturzeitung 6 [1961], 416.) But existential question, because it is also PhD dissertation, Brandeis University, 1969), pp. 20-31, Ohler (Mythologische Elements im AT, p. 135) is correct the report of the inauguration of the 234-255. in emphasizing that light in this Egyptian myth is not a 31. For a detailed discussion, see Hasel, Evangelical part of the world and creation but the sun god Ra who is natural and historical processes. It Quarterly 46 (1974), 82-85. 92-96. It is now widely as- the first-born of the gods. answers what the divine Creator is sumed that teh6m derives from a common Semitic root 57. S. G. F. Brandon, Creation Legends of the Ancient from which also cognate Ugaritic, Akkadian, and Arabic Near East (London, 1963), p. 51. A rather distorted picture able to do. Since the Creator, who is terms derive. Recently G. Gerleman has suggested that is painted by D. J. Frame, "Creation by the Word" (unpubl. none other than Christ, the Father's tehdm is "morphologically a t-prefix intensive noun of the PhD Diss., Drew University, 1969) and L. I. J. Stadelman, creating Agent (Hebrews 1:1-3), made root hmm or hwm, or more exactly a tiqtal-form with a The Hebrew Conception of the World (Rome, 1970). Both long vowel in the last syllable" in "Die 1iirmende Menge. Frame and Stadelman are under the spell of reading the the cosmos and all that belongs to it, Der Sinn des hebriiischen Wortes ha mon," Wort und Ges- Biblical texts through extra-Israelite cosmological no- since He is the Maker of the forces of chichte. Festschrift fur K. Elliger zum 70. Geburtstag, ed. tions. H. Gese and H. P. Roger (Neukirchen-Vluyn, 1973), p. 74. 58. Samna, Understanding Genesis, p. 9. nature and the Sustainer of creation, 32. So rightly Wakeman, "God's Battle," p. 143. 59. Von Red, Genesis, p. 53; similarly Schmidt, Schap- He can use these forces to bring about 33. K. Galling, "Der Charakter der Chaosschilderung in fungsgeschichte, p. 119.

Signs of the Times / July 1975 125 A story for children by Auntie Becky this before. Daddy never punished her. But of one thing she was sure. If Daddy paddled her, it would really hurt! She waited in her room, and THE SPANKING waited, and wished time and again "It is so hot and sticky. And soon her feet were pounding over that she had never heard of that there is nothing to do," thought the crunching weeds as she ran silly old creek. It was so hot, and ten-year-old Marianne. "Nothing back up the path toward home. the afternoon seemed like the at all. None of my friends are home She didn't even look back till she longest she had ever lived, waiting to play with. And Mother was safe under the scrub pines at for Daddy to come home and wouldn't let me go over the hill to the edge of the garden. punish her. the creek by myself." "Whew! They didn't follow After what seemed like eternity Already she had tried to put up a me!" She sighed in relief and then she heard Daddy come through the blanket tent using Mother's settled back to watch the lazy front door. She heard him kiss lit- clothesline. She had picked a clouds make interesting shapes in tle brother and sister. She heard bunch of wild flowers for the din- the sky. This was her favorite place Mother talking to him in low tones ner table. Now she sat in the cool when she wanted to daydream. that she couldn't quite make out, shade of the huge fuel tank behind Soon she heard voices in the except she knew Mother was talk- the house and wondered, "What backyard. Brother and Sister had ing about her and how bad she had can I do next?" awakened from their naps, and been. And then she heard Daddy Lazily she walked into the house Mother was playing with them in walking toward her bedroom door. for a glass of water. "Hey! the sun. Marianne thought it was Daddy opened the door. Everyone is asleep! Baby Brother about time to join them. Picking And came in. and Sister and Mom! Nobody pine needles out of her hair she There was no smile on his face, would ever know if I went to the walked through the garden and no twinkle in his eyes as there creek. I won't stay long." into the yard, where she caught the usually was when he came home. The weeds crunched underfoot ball and rolled it to Sister, who was "Go to the kitchen, Marianne." His as Marianne walked through the just learning to walk. voice was so stern; he had never meadow behind the garden and on "Where have you been?" talked to her like this before. "Get down the path to the creek. What Mother asked. the paddle from the drawer where was so bad about going to the creek Marianne felt blood rush to her Mother keeps it and bring it to by yourself anyway? face and hoped Mother didn't see. me." Soon she was sitting on a nice "Under the pines," she said, and Without a word Marianne went cool rock watching frogs and tur- climbed the steps onto the porch. to the kitchen and got the paddle tles move about in their creek Mother and the little ones and came back and closed the door home. "Think I'll try to catch a tur- played ball for a few more mo- and handed the paddle to Daddy. tle," she said to herself, and into ments, then Mother climbed up And stood there—waiting. For the creek she waded, tennis shoes onto the porch too. "It's really Daddy didn't do anything with the and all. been hot today," she sighed. Then paddle for the longest time. He Mother had punished her sev- she noticed Marianne's legs. looked at it, and he looked at her, eral times already for wading in "What's this? Mud in the middle and his face was cross, but his eyes the creek with her tennis shoes on. of the summer?" She eyed were sad, as if he hurt way down But today, well, they would dry Marianne suspiciously. "Your inside. before she got home. There were tennis shoes, Marianne. Where did Marianne thought to herself, "I crawdads and snapping turtles in they find mud at this time of wish he'd hurry up and paddle me. the creek, and Marianne knew year?" It will hurt, but so do a lot of other how hard they could bite! Marianne couldn't hide it now. things, and when he's done, I can In next to no time she caught a The words blurted out. All about get over it and have fun again." pretty mud turtle. She washed it how hot it was, and how she had But Daddy just looked at her, off and looked at it intently, then cooled off in the creek. with that terrible hurting in his plopped it back into the water. She Mother's voice grew stern. "I eyes. Finally he said, "Tell you was about to catch a frog when have punished you again and what, Marianne. I've never pad- suddenly the shadow of a person again for going to the creek alone, dled you yet, and I'm not going to appeared in the trees on the other and still you disobey me. This time paddle you today. Instead, I'm side of the creek. I'm going to let Daddy punish you. going to paddle the pillow. When I Marianne's mind raced back Take off your shoes and go to your hit the pillow, you scream as if over conversations about the room and wait there till he comes you're really hurt." strange people who lived in the home." Whew! Marianne relaxed in one trailer homes in the woods, and Now, Mother had never done big blow of pent-up air. This could

26 I Signs of the Times / July 1975

ELIAS PAPAZIAN be fun. Dear old Daddy. He sure understood little girls. Daddy hit the pillow, and she screamed. Daddy hit it again, and she screamed her very best cry of pain. Three times. She giggled. Then Daddy put the paddle down. But he didn't tell Marianne she could go. He said, "Sit down, Marianne. I want to talk to you." In his most solemn, earnest voice—Marianne had never heard him talk so solemnly before—he told her how much he loved her and how disappointed he was that she had disobeyed Mother. He went on and on. About how he trusted her, but she had deceived Mother and had even lied to her. "Jesus wants you to work for Him when you grow up, but how can He trust you with any great re- sponsibility, if you can't even stay away from the creek when your mother asks you to?" Marianne listened. She loved her daddy so much. She wanted him always to trust her. She wanted most of all to grow up and work for Jesus. She had never thought disobeying Mother could be so serious. Tears began welling up in her eyes. She put her face down on Daddy's lap, and the tears rolled off her cheeks and made Daddy's trousers wet. "Oh, Daddy," she sobbed. "Paddle me or spank me, but please don't talk anymore like this. I want you to trust me, and I prom- ise you can always trust me after this." Daddy stroked her hair. Finally he lifted her face and wiped away the tears and kissed her. "I believe you, honey," he said. "You can go now." Marianne put the paddle away where it belonged. But she never forgot that lecture. And I can tell you this, for I know it's true. She has lived so her daddy could al- ways trust her, from then on, right to this very day. Your friend, hotie Se*

Signs of the Times / July 1975 / 27 Your Bible Questions Answered

BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD 6:2). What good then would it do WHO IS RECONCILED TO WHOM? In 1 Corinthians 15:29 is a text to baptize for the dead, seeing that In the work of salvation, is man that puzzles me greatly. It seems they "know not any thing" (Eccle- reconciled to God, or is God recon- that some early Christians practiced siastes 9:5), their "thoughts perish" ciled to man? I understand plainly vicarious baptism in behalf of their at death (see Psalm 146:4), and "the that it is God who does the recon- departed loved ones. Do the Ad- dead praise not the Lord" (see ciling. But whom does He reconcile ventists or any other organized re- Psalm 115:17)? The Scripture is —Himself, or the sinner? 2 Corin- ligions practice it today? clear that Moses and Elijah were thians 5:20 seems to indicate that seen by the disciples at the time man is to be reconciled to God. B. J. of the transfiguration (see Luke H. I. It is interesting that Paul's com- 9:30), but these men were taken ment concerning baptism "for the bodily to heaven. David is not there We migh begin our answer with dead" is found in one of his epistles (see Acts 2:29, 34), and Lazarus the wonderful thought expressed in to the Corinthians, the Corinthian bore no testimony that he had been 2 Corinthians 5:18: "All things are church being anything but exem- to heaven during the four days he of God." This means that we are of plary in their practice of true Chris- was dead (see John 11). God, Christ's sacrifice is of God, tianity. Even today many seaports We therefore conclude that Paul's righteousness is of God, our recon- are centers of wickedness, and the mention of the practice among ciliation is of God—the whole thing Corinthian church center, being Corinthians of baptism "for the is God's program. both cosmopolitan and commercial, dead" did not constitute his sanc- Nothing that man can originate seems to have had more than its tion. will make him either more or less share of heresy and wickedness. acceptable to God. We cannot un- Immorality was practiced there "ALL THE CATTLE OF EGYPT" aided work our thoughts up to the (see 1 Corinthians 5:1), and Paul re- point where we can say, "Now, God Please explain Exodus 9:6 and buked the members for permitting and I are friends. I have bridged 19. How could "all the cattle of it. Disorder was also common in the the gap and have come over to Egypt" die (verse 6), and then only services (chapter 14), and Paul took God." Indeed not. The gap between a little later (verse 19) there were them to task for that. Heresies were sin and sinlessness is far too wide more cattle to gather in? held (chapter 11:19), and it is doubt- for man to cross. It is God who Mrs. P. G. ful that Paul in his two letters treated all of these. In a third epis- This seeming paradox need not BIBLE ANSWERS tle, now lost (see 2 Corinthians 2:3), cause us great concern. Obviously If you have a Bible question you'd like help Paul may have treated as heresy the translators of the ancient He- with, send your question to the baptism for the dead, but this brew failed to convey the precise Ivan Crawford is speculation. meaning in verse 6. Modern schol- Signs of the Times 1350 Villa Street It may have been that the main ars suggest at least three possibili- Mountain View, California 94042 thrust of Paul's message (concern- ties to clear up the difficulty. Please be sure to include your name and ing the resurrection) was so great 1. Verse 3 specifies that "cattle address as not all questions can be answered (in 1 Corinthians 15) that he did which is in the field" would be af- in the limited space of these columns. not want to digress at that time to flicted—as in verse 19. So perhaps reprimand the members for some- the plague affected only those ani- reconciles, and He built the only thing that he himself did not sanc- mals left out in the open despite bridge that can unite man with tion. Some have taken Paul's lack the warning. God. It is God who gives the gar- of reprimand to mean that he 2. Some believe that the Hebrew ment of salvation. See Isaiah 61:10. thereby sanctioned the act as Chris- construction indicates all `kinds" of Man can only deplore his tattered tian doctrine. The conclusion is un- cattle. See verse 3 again. garments and reach out to God for warranted. 3. Others think that the verb the remedy. I believe that some religions do form in verse 6 should be trans- To say that at one time God is baptize "for the dead." Our partic- lated "began to die" rather than not reconciled to man, and that at ular denomination takes the stand "died." another time God is reconciled to that the dead are dead and are not In any case the two plagues cer- man, might imply that some out- alive. We believe that in this life tainly left the herds of livestock in side force has worked upon God to each man writes his record and that Egypt sadly depleted because of persuade Him to change His mind. no second chance is given in some the Egyptians' stubborn refusal to But God is constant. We are the other sphere ( see 2 Corinthians believe and obey the God of Israel. capricious ones. God was always 28 / Signs of the Times / July 1975 Ivan Crawford reconciled to man—otherwise the Samuel to Eli, she said that he was plan of salvation would never have to "there abide for ever." 1 Samuel been conceived. Here is the eter- 1:22. But look at verse 28 of the nal, unchangeable good news—that same chapter which says, "As long God is unalterably reconciled to as he liveth he shall be lent to the man and that this word of recon- Lord." So "for ever" here meant ciliation is ours for the reception. "as long as he liveth." Samuel could "We pray you in Christ's stead, be not serve in the tabernacle after he ye reconciled to God." 2 Corin- was dead. So it is with Revelation thians 5:20. 20:10. The wicked will be tor- mented day and night forever; that HOW LONG IS FOREVER? is, for as long as they live. Once Revelation 20:14 says, "Death they are dead they cannot be tor- and hell were cast into the lake of mented any longer. fire." Are death and hell not one and the same? "CORN" IN THE BIBLE Also, verse 10 says, They "shall Why does the Bible say that Send SIGNS be tormented day and night for Christ's disciples ate ears of corn ever and ever." Please explain. (Matthew 12:1), when everyone N. R. knows that corn was unknown in to Your Friends Europe and the Orient before 1492? You like the Signs. Your friends and Death and hell are not the same. P. N. neighbors will like it too. Send them a Death is a cessation of life; hell, or gift subscription today. It's just $7.50 for hades, is the grave, or the tomb, If you will check modern trans- a full year. where dead people lie until their lations like RSV, TEV, or even the resurrection. Both are destroyed ul- older American Revised Version, Yes, please send "Signs" to my friends. timately, for when death is no more you will find "grain" instead of I enclose $7.50 for each subscription. ( see 1 Corinthians 15:26 ), there "corn" in all of the more than 75 will be no need for graves. references. At least four Hebrew The experience of the wicked words and three Greek words are Friend's name who are cast into "the lake which used in these places. burneth with fire and brimstone" Interestingly, however, the NEB Address is called "the second death." Reve- and the older English Revised Ver- lation 21:8. This means that the sion, as well as some other British Zip wicked will die. They will be dead. translations, retain "corn." They will not have an eternal pun- Why is this? Your name ishing. The punishment will be Simply because the word "corn" eternal, but the punishing will last still means any kind of grain in Address only till they die. British countries. Even the thor- In Jude 7, Sodom and Gomorrah oughly American Webster's diction- are said to have suffered "the ven- ary gives the following as one defi- Zip geance of eternal fire," but they are nition of "corn": "the seeds of any not still burning. They were burned of the cereal grasses used for food." The "Signs" is also available in other up. The fire lasted only long enough John 12:24 gives an interesting languages. Check the language you wish sent to your friends, if other than Eng- to burn them up. But the destruc- twist to the British usage. Here the lish. tion has lasted from then till now. translators have Jesus speaking of The fire that consumed Jerusalem "a corn of wheat." Obviously an was not to "be quenched." Jeremiah American would say "a grain of ❑ French Les Signes des Temps ($2.55) 17:27. Read also 2 Chronicles 36: wheat." ❑ Japanese ($5.55) 17-19 in this connection. The rec- So there is no problem with ❑ Ukrainian Oznake ($2.50) ords show that Jerusalem was "corn" in the Bible. Christ's disci- ❑ burned by the Chaldees, and no ples walked along rubbing out the Spanish El Centinela ($5.50) one put the fire out, till there was ears in their hands as any Montana nothing more to burn. farmer would do to get a handful Clip the coupon and mail with your check or money order to "Signs of the Times," When Hannah brought her son of grain to chew. O 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, CA 94042.

(For additional names attach separate sheet of paper.) I Have a Problem Dick Winn RELIGION, FAMILY-STYLE which said that I should make res- a chance that I never really did ac- I am engaged to a man who grew titution for past sins. Should I tell cept Jesus into my heart? up in a Christian home but who the school what I did? I feel that God loves you and accepts you, does not now attend church regu- Christ won't accept me if I don't. not because you feel loved and larly. What things can I do from the From every evidence, God's accepted, but because He has first day of our marriage to instill Spirit is prompting you to restore promised it, and that's the kind of in him a sense of religious orga- what you have taken. But this one Person He is. Your growth in Chris- nization—such as prayer before thing needs to be clarified: You tianity will continue as you put meals, and the like. I want him to need to return what you have your faith in the facts of the Bible, get used to it now, so that when stolen, not so that God will accept rather than in the feelings of your we have children, religion will be you, but because He has already heart. Even though this may ap- an ingrained part of our life. What accepted you. Making right the pear to be saying that the Christian can I do to encourage this, without wrongs you have done can never life is empty of all good feelings, it appearing to be nagging him? earn your acceptance with God. is actually just turning the sequence You may be successful in gently However, when you learn that God around. Don't wait to believe the persuading your man to say a has already accepted you because promises until you have good feel- prayer before meals, but I fear that you have chosen Jesus Christ, then ings. Believe the promises in spite this may miss the real issue. The His great love for you gives you of your feelings; then watch what religious behaviors that happen in love for the persons whom you have happens to your feelings. the home should not be the product wronged. And you do not want to But there is another principle of a checklist approach. The beauty misrepresent Jesus Christ who is involved here too. The feelings of of Christianity is wrapped up in now the Master of your life. usefulness, personal value, and self- Jesus. If your husband has not By all means, return the candy. worth will come to you as you work fallen in love with the Saviour, re- But do not do it under the haunt- with Christ in passing on His great ligious organization will be a yoke ing fear that it must be accom- love to others. Mature Christians around his neck. plished in order to earn God's have always found that God's love His religious background may love. Do it gladly as a way of show- for them becomes all the more real have taught him many things about ing this great love to other people. when they are most eager to share the church and its basic life-style. Do it because Jesus has given you that love with others. Jesus will Yet without a personal relationship love for the people you have give you the power to be more con- with Christ, his religion and that wronged. Do it because the Spirit cerned about being a friend than of your children will be meaning- has convicted you that it is a nat- about getting friends. less. ural part of your new life in Christ. Here is our prescription for the May I suggest that you approach And do it soon. spiritual "blahs." For the next your fiance with a request that he month spend some time every join you on a mutual quest to know morning reading from the book of Jesus. He could hardly interpret Do you have a problem? Let Dick 1 John. Underline everything that Winn help you. Write: this as a nagging desire to change John tells you to do. Then pray for him. And it would continue to sat- Dick Winn the power to do it, and act upon isfy your own thirst as well. Signs of the Times it! It's a proven remedy. 1350 Villa Street When the Lord builds a home, Mountain View, Calif. 94042 He begins with the hearts of the THE BACKSLIDDEN BOYFRIEND Please include your name, age, husband and the wife, and then and address. When a person is saved and then moves out to their specific behav- backslides, is that person lost for- iors. In this way He builds homes ever? I have a boyfriend who has that are a "sneak preview" of FEELING FOR THE FRUIT turned his back on the Lord. I heaven! I accepted Christ into my life cannot talk to him about the Lord two months ago, yet I don't feel because he does not want me to RESTORING THE CANDY that I have any of the fruits of the preach to him. Does this mean that I stole a box of candy from our Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22, 23. he is lost forever? school a few months ago, then for- Instead, I feel lonely, hurt, and de- It is possible for a person to turn got all about it. Now I have ac- pressed. I feel like I don't want to his back on God and to shut off cepted Jesus Christ, and my whole live. How can I feel love? How can every plea from the Holy Spirit. life has changed. I read a book I be certain of these fruits? Is there Hebrews 6:4-6. While God is in- 30 / Signs of the Times / July 1975 JIM PAPPAS finitely wise and creative, He will life as an available channel of make Himself known to the person not force His creatures. He will Christ's gentle love. Then watch who loves Him. stand at the door and knock (Reve- what happens! Don't just stand still waiting for lation 3:20), but if we refuse to Jesus to burst into your life. Spend answer, He won't kick the door WHERE IS GOD time getting acquainted with Him open. WHEN I NEED HIM? by reading about Him and talking The Bible makes room for the I was brought up as a church with Him every day. When you first possibility that a person may be- member, but I'm not sure there is get up in the morning, tell Jesus come so completely attached to sin a Christ. Sometimes I have talked that you want Him to live in you that our prayers for him will not be to Him, asking that if there really for that day. Tell Him that you effective. See 1 John 5:16, 17. But is a God, would He please help me choose His values, His attitudes, the Bible never gives us humans go in the right direction. But He His desires. As you do this, you will the instructions to decide when an- has never answered me. I am too find Him becoming real to you. other is in that condition. Our easily persuaded by my older broth- If at first it doesn't seem to work, privilege is to keep on praying for ers to do wrong things, and I just keep at it until you crave for His them, keep on loving them. In find it hard to believe in Christ. presence more than for any other countless cases persons who have thing. If it seems that you don't been thought to be hopeless have God does not ask you to wait for have the faith to keep on trying, surprised everyone by turning their full proof that He's really there be- then lean on the faith of those who lives over to Christ. fore you give your life to Him. have experienced His reality. Hang By the way, even the best of Rather He invites you to give your on to this promise: "You will seek saints don't enjoy being "preached life to Him, and then He will show me and find me; when you seek me at" by others. Perhaps some of your you how real He is. Strange as it with all your heart, I will be found prayer time for your friend could may sound, that's how it works. In by you, says the Lord." Jeremiah be spent in surrendering your own John 14:21, Jesus says that He will 29:13, 14, RSV. Signs of the Times / July 1975 / 31 Your Health Questions Answered Harold Shryock, MD IS ASTHMA INHERITED? of health. Should he become ill see quite well. It troubles him most Our daughter, who is 17, has an from some other cause or should when he moves away from a street- attack of asthma every three or his general state of vigor decline, light into a dark area. He has used four months. I, her father, had he may then suffer from the symp- liquor all his adult life. Could this something similar when I was her toms of his allergy. be the cause of his problem? age, but I seem to have outgrown It is not probable that your Scientific studies indicate that it. Is asthma hereditary? Is it prob- daughter will outgrow her ten- the eyes of a chronic alcoholic re- able that she will also outgrow the dency to asthma. But by improv- quire about three times as long to problem? If not, what can we do ing her state of general health, she adapt to reduced light as do those for her? may not be troubled as much by of an average, nonalcoholic person. the asthma as she is now. It would In most cases of asthma the un- be a good thing for her to see a LOSS OF SENSE OF SMELL derlying cause is a sensitivity to physician who specializes in allergy About four months ago our certain protein substances. That is, or in internal medicine. He may be daughter fell from a horse and asthma is usually a manifestation able to discover the thing or things struck her head on a cement sur- of allergy—a sensitivity to pollens, she is sensitive to and then arrange face. She was unconscious for molds, animal danders, lint, insec- for treatments to help her over- about an hour and was in a hospital ticides, or even certain foods or come this sensitivity. drugs. Asthma, as such, is not in- for three weeks. The doctor said herited, but the "allergic constitu- DARK IS DARKER FOR ALCOHOLICS she had a skull fracture. She had tion" (the characteristic of being I have a relative who complains headaches and dizziness for a while sensitive to certain substances) is of difficulty finding his way in the after coming home. By now she is typically inherited. dark. I know he has a problem, for quite normal again except for a A person with a tendency to al- I often accompany him on walks loss of the senses of smell and lergy may be quite free from symp- in the evening, and I've noticed taste. She cannot detect the fra- toms when he is in a vigorous state that he fails to see things that I grance of flowers or of perfume and her food tastes strange. Will time take care of this matter? The olfactory nerves, which carry nervous impulses from the nose to the brain, are quite com- My Response monly injured in skull fractures. They are easily sheared off when Would you like to respond to Christ 3. Believe He comes in. Remember He by inviting Him into your life, but are said, "I will come in." Believe it. "As the head is badly injured. Once you wondering how? Just follow these many as receive him, to them gave he lost this way there is no possibility simple steps: power to become the sons of God, even for the sense of smell to be re- 1. Tell Him you are sorry for your sins. to them that believe." John 1:12. stored. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful The next thing to do is to read the With respect to the taste of food, and just to forgive us our sins, and to Bible regularly. Start by reading a cleanse us from all unrighteousness." what we call "taste" depends chapter in the gospel of John every largely on the sense of smell. As 1 John 1:9. day. 2. Invite Him in. Jesus said, "I stand at food is chewed, the aroma finds its the door and knock; if any one hears We would love to know about your way into the nose. Ordinarily a per- my voice and opens the door, I will decision. If you'd like, please fill in the come in to him." Revelation 3:20, blank and send it to us so we can pray son does not distinguish between RSV. for you by name. the taste and the smell of the food he eats. He simply groups it all Dear "Signs" friends: I gave my heart to Christ today. together as "taste." In your daugh- ter's case, it is probable that only Please pray for me. My name is: the true sense of smell has been lost. If this is correct, she should still be able to distinguish sweet, sour, bitter, and salt when sub- Address: stances with these elementary 7 tastes are placed on her tongue. mins Vol. 102, No. 7 July, 1975 IN THE NEWS LAWRENCE MAXWELL Jan Bristol EDITOR

T. R. Torkelson COMIC-BOOK BIBLE U.S. CRIME RATE—SHARPEST Associate Editor RISE EVER Lorna Tobler Carmine Infantino, the father of Editorial Secretary Batman comics and now head of Na- Serious crime in the U.S. jumped Howard C. Larkin tional Periodicals, has ventured upon a 17 percent last year—the sharpest Art Director more serious project—the Bible in annual increase since the FBI began Eric Kreye comics. According to Infantino, his Design and Layout charting national lawlessness in 1930. A. R. Mazat newest project "is important to us Attorney General Edward H. Levi Circulation Manager because it brings legitimacy to our commented: "The figures represent a products, and it gets us into the dismal and tragic failure on the part of EDITORIAL schools." A prominent distributor of our present system of criminal jus- Tornadoes Ahead / 34 religious books, has given this comic- tice." He further stated that he ex- ARTICLES book Bible its approval and placed an pected a continued increase of the Christ and the Occult Revival / 3 initial order for 25,000. crime rate due to rising unemploy- Sydney Allen ment. Is the World out of Control? / 6 OBSCENITY SENTENCE—DONATE Norman R. Gulley CLEAN BOOKS GROWING ISOLATIONISM IN U.S. Something Better for You / 8 Desmond Ford A Chicago adult bookstore operator A majority of Americans favor re- "Good People" Have Good Health / 10 has been fined $1200 and ordered to duced U.S. involvement in world Harold Shryock, MD affairs according to a report issued by New Push Toward Unity / 14 donate 3000 "clean" books to the W. L. Emmerson Cook County Jail after pleading guilty the Chicago Council on Foreign Rela- Don't Go Alone! / 18 to an obscenity charge. tions. The survey shows that two Andy Running thirds of the American public believe Ready to Meet Jesus / 20 SEXUAL MODERATION— that the U.S. government should give Beatrice Jones Genesis Is Unique-2 / 22 'THE NEW MOOD more attention to strengthening its Gerhard F. Hasel, PhD According to psychologist Dr. own defenses and less time trying to The Spanking / 26 keep peace in the world. Rebecca Singer Maxwell Joyce Brothers, far-out sex—such as

communal living and group sex—has UPI REGULAR FEATURES come into disfavor. The pendulum has GENSTEIN Your Bible Questions Answered / 28 swung from the anything-goes attitude CLINICAL CENTE Ivan Crawford of the 60s and early 70s to sexual I Have a Problem / 30 Dick Winn moderation—especially among younger Your Health Questions Answered / 32 people starting college today. Harold Shryock, MD Young people tend toward the In the News / 33 morality of their parents. "Young Jan Bristol people have learned from their older SUBSCRIPTION RATES brothers and sisters who went through Rates in U.S.A. and Canada, and Mexico: the communal living thing and all that. One-year subscription $7.50 They learned that this was not the way Single copy 65 cents To countries requiring extra postage: to satisfaction," says Dr. Brothers. One-year subscription $7.75 RECORD SUM SPENT A publication of the Seventh-day Ad- FOR MOVIES ventists, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES is printed and published monthly (twelve American moviegoers spent a rec- issues a year) by the Pacific Press Publishing Association at 1350 Villa ord $1.9 billion at the box office in Street, Mountain View, California 94042, 1974 according to the Motion Picture U.S.A. Second-class postage paid at Association of America. Mountain View, California. Form 3579 requested. Allow thirty days in request- ing change of address; give both old and VODKA REPLACES BOURBON new addresses; and zip numbers. Member Vodka—a Russian drink without an Resident and intern physicians picketed of Associated Church Press and Religious News Service. Copyright, 1975, by the aroma, taste, or color—has replaced New York hospitals for a reduction of Pacific Press Publishing Association. bourbon as America's favorite liquor. working hours—the first major strike ever of U.S. physicians. The hospitals and physi- Cover, D. Tank Vodka sales have surged by more than cians soon reached a compromise agreement Page 2, David Togami 320 percent in the last 15 years. to end the walkout. EDITORIAL TORNADOES AHEAD

My flight to Washington, DC, might well say we are no concern more than moisture on the scales; was held on the ground in Chicago of His. Our sicknesses and poverty, coasts and islands weigh as light one night because of bad weather. our worries and wars, our as specks of dust." Isaiah 40:12,14, For half an hour we sat in our frustrations and guilt—why NEB. assigned seats while the plane should they concern Him? But does this mean some shuddered in the strong gusts that But, mysteriously, they do. He problems are too small for Him to swept the landing strip. might have set this earth in motion notice? None! Jesus said, "Are not After a very long time the flight and gone off and left us to our own sparrows two a penny? Yet crew came aboard and the captain devices. But He didn't. He might without your Father's leave not announced, "They tell us there are say to us now, "Go and do the best one of them can fall to the ground. tornadoes ahead. We don't know you can," but He doesn't. As for you, even the hairs of your how bad they are, so we are going Does He cast us off? Never! He head have all been counted. So up to take a look." He disappeared says, "Lo, I am with you always." have no fear; you are worth more into the cockpit, and the engines Matthew 28:20, RSV. than any number of sparrows." began warming up. Does He hold us near His heart? Matthew 10:29-31, NEB. I sat back aghast. Tornadoes Constantly! "He shall feed his Isaiah summed up God's ahead. And we were going up to flock like a shepherd: he shall concern many years ago. "Why do look at them. gather the lambs with his arm, and you say, 'My plight is hidden from Then I did a second take and carry them in his bosom, and shall the Lord and my cause has passed relaxed. The captain had said, "We gently lead those that are with out of God's notice'? Do you not are going up." He hadn't said, young." Isaiah 40:11. know, have you not heard? The "You are going." He wasn't Can we turn over our worries to Lord, the everlasting God, creator sending us into the storm, he was Him? Certainly! "Cast your burden of the wide world, grows neither taking us, leading the way. on the Lord, and he will sustain weary nor faint; no man can Then I knew that our safety you." Psalm 55:22, RSV. fathom his understanding. He would be his first concern. He But when the whole world is in a gives vigour to the weary, new would permit us to be exposed to mess—Cambodia, Vietnam, the strength to the exhausted. Young no danger he wasn't willing to Near East, our own men may grow weary and faint, risk. And if we ran into an country—everything in turmoil, even in their prime they may emergency, he would be right will He take care of those problems stumble and fall; but those who there to apply the full resources of too? Nothing's too hard for Him! look to the Lord will win new his skill and knowledge to solve "The Most High rules the kingdom strength, they will grow wings like the problem. I didn't need to worry of men and gives it to whom he eagles; they will run and not be after all. I'd reach my destination will." Daniel 4:32, RSV. weary, they will march on and safely—and I did. Are our problems ever too big? never grow faint." Isaiah 40:27-31, Of all who might be No! He holds the world in the NEB. unconcerned with the problems of hollow of His hand and sustains Are there tornadoes ahead? Yes, this world we live in, certainly the entire universe. He "has held many of them, and more as the end God would be first on the list. all the soil of earth in a bushel" and of all things approaches. But God Well-provided for in His own "weighed the mountains on a is traveling with His people and home and utterly remote in balance." "Why, to him nations will take them safely through to distance from this little planet, He are but drops from a bucket, no the kingdom. L M A personal energy crisis? If you are, do yourself a favor and pause a few mo- Send a subscription for year(s) to: ments to ask, "Why?" Has your supply been overdrawn—through fatigue, dissipation, Name dashed hopes, fears, whatever? Address Here's good news! There is plenty of City State (Province) Zip energy. You can obtain any amount any Please send SIGNS as a gift to the following: time. SIGNS OF THE TIMES is a carrier Name of energy that will fill your cup to over- flowing. So why not have SIGNS visit your Address home each month during the next twelve City State (Province) Zip months and obtain the energy you need for fulfillment, joy, and satisfaction? Should Check here if you wish a gift card mailed announcing your you already be receiving SIGNS, why not name as the donor. There 18 no charge for this service. send a gift sub- Mail your remittance and order to: SIGNS OF THE TIMES, scription to a Dept. E, 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, CA 94042. friend, neigh- bor, or relative? OF 77-E7MES DON'T GAMBLE WITH YOUR 1164LTH

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