* •

International Journal for Clergy October 19L

AO,BITISTS AND LIME: The Dynamic NaIllrE of NSW Nth Letters

Spirit-filled marketing Tragically, for reasons that would pastor has become the "addict" and The article "Spirit-filled Market- be inappropriate to reveal here, there the members his/her addiction facilita- ing," by Kermit Netteburg and George was virtually no follow-up of the tors. Powell (February 1993), contains 3,000 souls who had made decisions In the church, as in families, there some excellent material but misses the for Jesus and His message. It is is church growth (both in quantity and mark entirely concerning the archaeo- incorrect to condemn the archaeologi- quality—and these are equally impor- logical approach, possibly because the cal approach when the real problem tant) only where there is honest authors are relying more on hearsay may be our own spiritual and profes- conflict. Differences of opinion are a than actual evidence. May I, as one sional inabilities as a church to reap sign that people are in real contact one mentioned in the article, be permitted the harvest.—John J. Carter, Newbury with the other. Pastors need to be to make some observations concerning Park, California. taught to let go of control and acquire the archaeological approach, which I a pedagogical role that will enable consider is the finest and most suc- The pastor is a trainer members and make them independent cessful tool available in the church I really appreciated reading Miguel as well as interdependent rather than today? Angel Cerna's editorial "The Pastor Is just "dependent" on a fatherly/ John Coltheart developed the a Trainer" (April 1993). I agree motherly figure.—Lourdes E. Morales archaeological approach in a profes- wholeheartedly with his concept of the Gudmundsson, North Haven, Con- sional way during the 1960s. His real work of the pastor. My only necticut. innovative and creative methods question is What would the conference attracted vast crowds of middle- to administration say if I sent my Lifting the cross, corporate repen- upper-class citizens in Australia and monthly report showing that no tance, etc. New Zealand. Later he drew large sermons were preached, no Bible In your editorial on corporate crowds throughout Europe, and studies were given, and no visits were repentance (February 1993), you state: silenced the skeptics both inside and made during the month? What would "We must be careful that we do not outside the church. Consistent and the congregation say if I announced get bogged down over the details of abundant fruitage was always charac- that as of this week I would no longer the message that Jones and Waggoner teristic of his evangelistic methods. be preaching, giving Bible studies, and preached." I can speak only for The archaeological method was making visits to their homes? Maybe myself and from my own study. further developed by successful one way to know what would happen Despite all the work God still has to evangelists like Pastors Burnside, is to try it.—John Beausoleil, Thunder do in my life, the only gospel that has Ratcliffe, Cherry, and Cook, all from Bay, Ontario. been strong enough and that uplifted the South Pacific Division. While this Christ enough to keep me in the method made a huge impact around ■ I was thrilled to see Cerna's Seventh-day Adventist Church has the world, it has never been accepted editorial. At last, this concept is been the gospel contained in the 1888 by many church leaders in North making some modest inroads into the message. America, who have continued to foster Adventist ministry. Pastor Cerna could Along with many of my friends I more traditional and dated approaches. not be more correct than when he lays was about done with Adventism, in The archaeological method does work, blame for the mathematics of ministe- order to pursue my own agenda in life, however, in North America when it is rial work at the feet of a system that when I began to study the 1888 professionally used. encourages "heroic" pastors rather message of righteousness by faith. The Ministry article says that I than working congregations. The net That opened my eyes to the beauty of attracted "more than 2,000" to my Los effect of these high production Christ's character as nothing else did Angeles crusade, using archaeology. expectations from the pastorate is a in my 20 years in Adventist churches While it is true that "more than 2,000" company of pastors who are and schools. There's a hymn that says attended (23,500, to be exact, for the "codependent." That is, they contrib- "Two wonders I confess: the wonders opening meeting), the follow-up meet- ute to the inactivity of their churches of redeeming love and my unworthi- ings of the campaign were packed because they believe they must control ness." This has been brought home to with interested upper-class Califor- everything that goes on in the church. me more and more as I've studied the nians. More than 3,000 precious souls It is my conviction that pastors do 1888 message and have more clearly made decisions (recorded on cards) for this out of honest motives—they really seen my own spiritual need. As I look Jesus and the three angels' messages. believe that this is what they are to do. at my own life, and also the lives of All this took place at the Shrine Meanwhile, the members become my fellow students and friends, I sense Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles, increasingly unhappy with the pastors a spiritual bankruptcy that saddens in an area infamous for crime and and with themselves and nobody can me. I am sure that you are not un- jammed freeways. Handbills and 30- figure out why the church is dying. aware of the spiritual condition on our second TV commercials resulted in The typical talk of "unity" in such a campuses, and I know that it is a 100,000 telephone reservations in just church is their way of covering up a concern to you as it is to many. While 10 days. dysfunctional situation in which the (Continued on page 29)

2 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 First Glance

Time has a way of adding descriptive labels to once easily understood and accepted concepts and beliefs. Adventism, as a shortened form of expressing the joy and privilege of belonging 2 Letters to the Seventh-day Adventist Church, has gained a wide spec- Rejoicing despite apostasy trum of modifiers during its course of 150 years. So we have 4 Martin Weber historic Adventism, conservative Adventism, liberal Advent- ism, cultural Adventism, structural Adventism, global Advent- 5 Essential Adventism or historic ism, institutional Adventism, and so on. To which one do you Adventism? belong? Woodrow Whidden Adventism is dynamic, argues George Knight as he draws 10 Adventists and change upon the development of early Adventist theology to stress the George R. Knight point that change is not necessarily detrimental to truth. Knight's article "Adventist Beliefs and Change" (p. 10) is not only 16 Reaching secular people intellectually stimulating but also theologically challenging in Mark Finley that it asks Adventists today to reflect only the pioneers' claim that "the Bible is our only creed." No more, no less. 22 No hidden agenda Rex D. Edwards What is historic Adventism? Woodrow Whidden examines 24 Love wins! the issue in the light of some who claim exclusive monopoly in James A. Cress being faithful to historic roots of Adventism. Whidden' s refresh- ing study (p. 5) calls for a spiritual maturity that would distin- 26 Ministry Reports guish between the essential and the peripheral. 28 Biblio File While these two articles deal with the nature of Adventism, Mark Finley's approach to the secular mind (p. 16) keeps the 31 Shop Talk Adventist focus where it belongs: the saving power of the gospel.

In the final analysis, Adventism is belonging to Jesus, who was, who is, and who is to come. Even so, come Lord Jesus.

Cover illustration by Gregory Fox

Ministry is the international journal of the Sev- EDITORIAL SECRETARY: Johannes Mager, Euro-Africa ADVERTISING SALES Melynie Tooley enth-day Adventist Ministerial Association. Dorothea Tone P.O. Box 219, CH 3000 Berne 32, Switzerland SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Larry Burtnett ASSOCIATION SECRETARY: CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Mikhail P. Kulakov, Euro-Asia James A. Cress Carlos Aeschlimann Isakovskogo St. #4, Korpus 1, Stroghino Ministry, (ISSN 0026-5314), the international Galen Bosley 123181 Moscow, Russia journal of the Seventh-day Adventist Ministe- EDITOR: Sharon Cress George Johnson, Far Eastern rial Association © 1993, is published monthly J. David Newman James Zachary 800 Thomson Road by the General Conference of Seventh-day Singapore 1129, Rep. of Singapore Adventists and printed by the Review and ASSOCIATE EDITORS: CONSULTING EDITORS: Jaime Castrejon, Inter-America Herald® Publishing Association, 55 West Oak John M. Fowler, Martin Weber Ellen Bresee P.O. Box 140760 Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740, U.S.A. Floyd Bresee Miami, FL 33114-0760 Subscriptions: US$22.00 for 12 issues world- SPECIAL ASSISTANT EDITORS: Gerard Damsteegt William C. Scales, Jr., North America wide, air mail US$39.85. Single copy US$2.25. Nancy Canwell Raoul Dederen 12501 Old Columbia Pike Member Associated Church Press. Second- Robert Folkenberg Miguel Angel Cerna Silver Spring, MD 20904 class postage paid at Hagerstown, MD. This Roland R. Hegstad Alejandro Bullon, South America publication is available in microfilm from Eric C. Ward Karen Holford Caixa Postal 12-2600 University Microfilms International. Call toll- Herbert Kiesler 70279 Brasilia, DF, Brazil EDITOR EMERITUS: Alfred C. McClure free 1-800-521-3044. Or mail inquiry to: J. Robert Spangler John H. Gate, South Pacific University Microfilms International, 300 North Leo Ranzolin 148 Fox Valley Road George W. Reid Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. SEMINAR DIRECTOR: Wahroonga, N.S.W. 2076, Australia Angel Rodriguez P. V. Jesudas, Southern Asia Rex D. Edwards Ariel Roth Editorial Office: 12501 Old Columbia Pike, SDA Complex, Post Box 2, HCF Silver Spring, MD 20904. Stamped, self- William H. Shea Hosur, Tamil Nadu, India 635110 PASTORAL ADVISORY: Russell L. Staples addressed envelope should accompany A. David C. Currie, Trans-European Charles Ferguson Sally Streib unsolicited manuscripts. Office telephone: Dennis Fortin Richard Tibbits 119 St. Peter's Street 301-680-6510. Desmond Francis St. Albans, Herts, ALI 3EY, U.K. Robert Lloyd INTERNATIONAL EDITORS: Postmaster: Send address changes to Dwight Nelson Walton Whaley, Africa-Indian Ocean Ministry. 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, E. C. Ward 22 Boite Postale 1764 COVER DESIGN: Trent Truman Hagerstown, MD 21740. Walton Williams Abidjan 22, Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa Joel Musvosvi, Eastern Africa LAYOUT: Ann Taylor EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: P.O. Box H.G. 100, Highlands, Harare Ella Rydzewski Zimbabwe, Africa MARKETING: Mark Thomas Volume 66 Number 10

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 3 Editorial Rejoicing despite apostasy

Martin Weber

postasy lurks within the loving unity through which Christ The day of atonement the church. Trusted will someday reveal Himself to the world. I confess that I used to be reluctant to spiritual leadership Meanwhile, though we "sigh and cry" really, truly, praise the Lord. I reasoned, is betraying the (Eze. 9:4) about these abominations, There is a judgment going on in this anti- A faith. Others are must we let them suffocate our joy in the typical day of atonement. How dare we playing political Lord? No, our witness for Christ should delight in the Lord in such a time as this? power games. Some not become primarily an angry testi- I pictured myself among the old cov- want to sleep when they should pray. mony against sin. To my own shame, I enant worshippers as they waited in si- Confronted with that time of trouble confess it has taken me a long time to lence while their high priest ventured such as never was, what was Christ's learn this lesson. Now I rejoice that into the Holy of Holies. I respected reaction en route to Gethsemane? "His where sin abounds, grace much more God's law, as we all must, but I failed to voice was heard, not in the strains of abounds (see Rom. 5:20). rejoice that "grace and truth came through some mournful lament, but in the joyful Our church has its shortcomings, Jesus Christ" (John 1:17). notes of the Passover Hallel: '0 praise being comprised of imperfect people Then the light of the gospel dawned the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all like me and like you. But God still reigns on me. Under the new covenant, God ye people. For his merciful kindness is on His sovereign throne. Christ has won does not keep us waiting outside the great toward us: and the truth of the Lord the victory! So let us rejoice in the Lord. sanctuary. Through Christ He has brought endureth for ever. Praise ye the Lord' When we get together for worship, let us us within the veil, which was torn open (Ps. 117, KINT)."1 glory in the God of our salvation! Not at the cross. Now, with the mystery of I'm wondering whether we can learn just during Sabbath services, but all week the gospel fully revealed, we worship from the example of Jesus about praising long we should be praising Him: "From joyfully at the throne of grace. In former God in joyful worship during times of the rising of the sun to its going down the times, at any moment the Levitical priest trouble. Yes, the Adventist Church has Lord's name is to be praised" (Ps. 113:3). could be struck dead, so the faithful had its problems. Though millions of mem- So we can put down that dismal, critical to listen quietly for the pomegranate bers remain faithful, liberalism and le- gossip sheet. We also can turn off that bells. But our Priest is the living Saviour galism have made inroads. Many live in meaningless sportscast. Instead, let's turn who triumphed over sin, death, and hell! lukewarm Laodicea. Political games are up the stereo with some praise music. And something wonderful is happening played. In such a time as this, what Some songs express quiet admiration, in heaven since the 1844 pre-Advent should be the spirit of our worship? while others have a heartbeat of joyous judgment began. As the enemy raises Notice what Jesus said shortly before exultation. The Bible says: "Oh, clap accusations against us, we triumph over going into the garden of Gethsemane: your hands, all you peoples! Shout to them through the blood of the Lamb and "In the world you will have tribulation God with the voice of triumph!" (Ps. our joyful testimony (see Rev. 12:11). [worldliness, apostasy, heresy, persecu- 47:1). Are your members still listening for tion]; but be of good cheer, I have over- How much of that rejoicing goes on the pomegranate bells? Does your music come the world" (John 16:33).* in your heart, your home, your church? reflect medieval uncertainty masked Let me quickly clarify that we ought Of course, anything good can go to ex- under the guise of reverence? Then lead to be concerned—and we must speak tremes. Fire needed in a furnace can your people out of the shadows to bask in out—about doctrinal compromise and destroy the house unless it's contained. the sunshine of the cross. Boldly take any lowering of lifestyle standards. We So with worship; it must stay within the them into heaven's Most Holy Place so should also confront racism, gossip, in- bounds of order, but let it also be kindled they can rejoice at the celestial mercy tolerance, and any other sin that destroys with praise to God. (Continued on page 23)

4 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 Essential Adventism or historic Adventism?

n recent years, cer- connotations, there are some "histori- Woodrow Whidden tain individuals and cal" reasons why the term historical groups who have re- Adventism is of questionable value in acted strongly to is- Adventist theological discussion. sues facing the Sev- One need not go very far back into I enth-day Adventist Adventist history before discovering Church have used numerous theological wrecks lying on the term historic Adventism to identify the Adventist doctrinal highway. They their particular understanding of those certainly qualify as "historic," but they Not everything issues. They imply that their interpreta- have not stood the test of time and theo- historic is essential. tion is the "orthodox" and "traditional" logical scrutiny.' The semi-Arianism of brand of Adventism.' The issues in ques- many of our prominent pioneers' is one A plea for theological tion include the atonement, the human- good example. I have not met an Arian ity of Christ,' the emphasis on justifica- Adventist in my lifetime! Yet Arianism understanding and tion by faith, 1888 and its meaning, the is part of Adventist history and could Desmond Ford crisis and threats to the qualify historically as "historic Advent- clarity. sanctuary doctrine, Walter Rea and chal- ism"! The same could be said of early lenges to the authority and integrity of understandings of when Sabbath should Ellen White, worship styles, and Advent- begin, "systematic benevolence," the ist lifestyle concerns. personhood of the Holy Spirit, and the The term historic Adventism has be- "shut door." come so loaded and pejorative that we Such issues as the human nature of need new terms and a more inclusive Christ, the interpretation of 1888, and theological framework and atmosphere the meaning of Christian perfection have if we are to find some resolution to the always had differing interpretations in present divisive impasse. I would urge the Adventist doctrinal tradition. It is that such expressions as historic Advent- becoming clearer to this writer, a self- ist, traditional Adventism, and new theol- confessed former "post-Fall perfection- ogy 3 be laid aside as divisive buzzwords ist," that with advancing research the so- and needless red flags that bring neither called historic Adventists have no mo- constructive doctrinal resolution nor nopoly on any orthodox understanding accurate historical insight. I would sug- of these issues. gest instead the following terms: Chris- Take the issue of Christ's human Woodrow Whidden, tian verities, or eternal verities for basic nature. While Ralph Larson has demon- Ph.D., is associate professor of doctrines embraced by Adventists and strated that there was a rather strong religion, Andrews held by most other Christians,' essential consensus on a post-Fall view until the University, Berrien Adventism for that which is distinctively middle 1950s,8 George Knight has shown Springs, Michigan. Adventist, proces sive Adventism for that there was provocative opposition to those issues that are important but still the post-Fall view of A. T. Jones in the unsettled, and nonessential Adventism ' mid-1890s.9 for that which is interesting but not I would also submit that the interpre- central to Adventist self-understanding. tation that holds that the key emphases In addition to divisive and polemical generated by the 1888 crisis were the

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 5 2. Adventism has always lived Before we venture a suggestion as to with a tension between the "pillars" of what those distinctive essentials of Ad- Theological essentials "present truth" and "new light." There ventism might be, we should first ask, is an essential conservatism in Adventist What constitutes the theological essen- consist of doctrines theological formation that has always tials of a given tradition? Theological pulled back when "new light" has been essentials consist of doctrines and prac- and practices that a proposed, but there has also been a clear tices that a tradition just could not do tradition just could understanding that "we have many les- without and still retain its peculiar iden- sons to learn, and many, many to un- tity. Such a tradition might share numer- not do without and learn." 13 ous theological commonalities with other So while we have things to conserve, traditions, but these distinctive essen- still retain its peculiar we also have things to let go of and new tials are what give it its special identity. identity. things to pick up on. If we get too tight This distinctiveness is best illustrated and too specific, we may frustrate the by a brief comparison of Adventism work of the Holy Spirit in bringing forth with confessional Lutheranism. fresh insights from the Word of God. Adventists want to affirm justifica- post-Fall view of Christ's humanity and tion by faith and the "presence" of Jesus the issue of perfection is becoming more The essential framework in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. suspect with advancing researehi° While What should be the Christian and Adventism, however, has not been com- it is true that Jones and Waggoner were essential framework of Adventist theo- fortable with the confessional Lutheran strong proponents of the post-Fall view logical discourse? emphasis on "faith alone" that has tended of Christ's humanity and perfection, one First, the broadly Christian beliefs. to blur an emphasis on sanctification. searches the 1888 comments of Ellen Adventism is primarily Christian in the Neither have we been comfortable with White in vain for statements that empha- sense of affirming the great verities of the liturgical, literalistic understanding size the humanity of Christ and perfec- the faith. We strongly affirm such doc- of "presence" in the Lord's Supper; we tion as major Minneapolis issues." To trines as the full deity of Christ, the have tended to see the elements as more the contrary, 1888 represented a theo- Trinity, the personhood of the Holy Spirit, symbolic, while affirming the spiritual logical crisis and was, in the thinking of the bodily resurrection of Christ, and the efficacy of the ceremony. Yet it is this Ellen White, primarily a crisis brought Lord's Supper. more rigorous understanding of justifi- on by a misunderstanding of justifica- In a more focused way, we are thor- cation and of the literal presence of Jesus tion by faith and a lack of charity in oughly Protestant in that we take biblical in the Supper that gives Lutheranism its theological discourse. authority as the "court of last resort" in distinctiveness.14 matters of faith and practice (as opposed What gives Adventism its special, Why an inclusive approach? to tradition, ecclesiastical authority, and distinctive flavor? What are those essen- As mentioned earlier, I am proposing even postbiblical prophets or "revela- tials that if one took them away would the term essential Adventism''- as a more tions") and emphasize justification by leave Adventism theologically emascu- inclusive, workable term in seeking to faith, not by works, as the basis of salva- lated? What are those doctrines that, resolve what we mean by distinctive tion. taken together, have given us our theo- Adventism. I am suggesting that the term Further, we have appropriated im- logical identity? essential would include doctrines and portant strands from (1) Wesleyanism/ I would suggest the following: the issues that have (1) achieved wide con- Arminianism, especially in our form of second coming of Jesus as literal, vis- sensus and (2) given Adventism its dis- church governance, God's respect for ible, cataclysmic, imminent, post- tinctive theological and practical flavor, the integrity of human choice, and an tribulational, and premillennial; the mil- as opposed to what I would call emphasis on the importance of sanctifi- lennium as a distinct period coming be- proces sive issues. cation; (2) "restorationism" with its tween the Second Coming and the final Why opt for a more inclusive ap- emphasis on seeking the primitive sim- executionary judgment of the wicked proach? Consider two historical prece- plicity of the New Testament church, the and the setting up of the everlasting dents and some of the implications they building of "the old waste places," re- kingdom on earth; the application of suggest: pairing "the breach," and restoring "paths historicist, as opposed to preterist and 1. Adventism has always taken a to dwell in" (Isa. 58:12); and (3) the futurist principles of prophetic interpre- rather dim view of creeds, and it seems Baptist tradition with its emphasis on tation (especially in the study of the that the persons who use such expres- immersion baptism and religious free- books of Daniel and Revelation); the sions as historic Adventism would very dom. eternal and universal authority of the much like to see Adventism go a strongly We are thus broadly in agreement law of God; the seventh-day Sabbath as creedal route—the implication being that with the basic orthodoxy of the Christian a moral requirement for New Testament if you don't see it our way, you are just tradition and we are thoroughly Protes- Christians and the eschatological sign of not a sound Adventist and are opening tant. All of this is certainly essential to trusting and obedient Christians in the up a way to compromise, sin, and apos- our Christian self-understanding. Ad- last days; the sanctuary and pre-Advent tasy. Such an attitude does not seem to fit ventism, however, has a more distinc- judgment teaching, with its emphasis on the anticreedal, broader Adventist theo- tive, essential cast that goes beyond these Christ as our high priestly advocate, logical framework. great Christian and Protestant verities. judge, justifier, and sanctifier; the un-

6 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 derstanding of human nature, especially sues related to righteousness by faith? as this interpretation points to the impor- Within such a framework, we have plenty tance of physical health, the conditional of room to move and develop theologi- If one affirms the nature of immortality, and the utter an- cally without having to engage in greatly essentials, there ought nihilation of the wicked; and the fog na- divisive doctrinal jousts. tive15 theological influence of Ellen to be room enough to White as a messenger of God. These, I Processive issues would suggest, are the distinctive essen- If one affirms the essentials, there discuss processive tials of Adventism. ought to be room enough to discuss, issues. Are we being too reductionistic in even vigorously dialogue about, contro- our enumeration of essential Advent- verted processive issues. ism? I would contend that these are the For starters, let's take two such is- truths that have stood the test of time. I sues—the humanity of Christ and per- would further suggest that Ellen White fection. How should Adventists approach with us, however, has there not been a supported these listed essentials, and these? Before offering some questions tendency to seek simplistic and dog- advocated a rather limited listing of the about, and tentative solutions to, the matic expressions of mysteries that have essentials. issues of Christology and perfection, let challenged Christian thinkers for 2,000 In the crisis-laden atmosphere of us remind ourselves of some simple pro- years? Has there not been a tendency to 1888, facing the charge that the new cedural methods suggested by Ellen neglect the understanding that from birth emphasis on justification by faith would White that should prove helpful in re- Jesus had to be sinless in nature as well do away with the landmarks, Ellen White solving theological disagreements!' as actions if He is to be both a victorious gave a rather terse definition of distinc- First, we need to cultivate a prayer- helper and a fully sinless and effective tive Adventism. Referring to "the cleans- ful, humble, teachable spirit, and be substitute? Can Jesus really be our justi- ing of the sanctuary . . in heaven," its willing to give up a cherished opinion, fying substitute if He is just like us in "decided relation to God's people upon esteeming others better than oneself, nature? Could Jesus, who never sinned the earth," and the three angels' mes- and having a spirit of openness to God's once, be exactly like us when we have sages, she declared: "One of the land- unfolding light. engaged in all sorts of habitual sin? Does marks under this message was the temple Second, we should listen carefully not repetitive sin deepen its hold on us to of God, seen by His truth-loving people and charitably to what our partners in a greater extent than sin does over a in heaven, and the ark containing the law theological dialogue are saying. person who has never once indulged? 18 of God. The light of the Sabbath of the Third, we should state any position Could it be that the view of sin es- fourth commandment flashed its strong clearly but humbly, seeking to give part- poused by the post-Fall advocates is too rays in the pathway of the transgressors ners in dialogue every respect for their superficial? Is not sin more than just bad of God's law. The nonimmortality of the position. actions and poor choices? Isn't it also the wicked is an old landmark. I can call to And last, as partners in theological fruit of a profoundly deranged nature mind nothing more that can come under dialogue we should seek agreement on steeped in a "selfishness [that] is the head of the old landmarks. All this as many points as possible. Seek the inwrought in our very being" and that cry about changing the old landmarks is common ground before moving into has come to us as an inheritance"? '9 If all imaginary." 16 controverted quicksand. Jesus were just like us, are we prepared I find Ellen White's position on land- What I am suggesting in the follow- to declare that He was "naturally de- marks instructive, particularly while she ing paragraphs is a preliminary theo- praved," "born with inherent propensi- was facing charges that the emphasis on logical agenda for earnest dialogue aimed ties of disobedience," expressions Ellen justification by faith was endangering at reconciling some of the divisions White applies to sinners but never to the pillars and the landmarks. We would within Adventism. It is not meant to be Jesus? 20 Again I ask, Could Jesus really do well to remind ourselves that when an exhaustive or final treatment of the be just like us in nature and still be our we get into disagreements about righ- issues addressed. sinless substitute? teousness by faith, we need to be cau- Christology: Essential Adventists of What of the epochal Baker letter? tious about questioning the Adventist every hue should exalt the humanity of Are we really to believe that when Ellen credentials of those who might have a Jesus and His profound identity with White says that we are never to "leave differing perspective. fallen sinners. Those who call them- the slightest impression upon human Taken as a whole, these essentials selves historic Adventists are correct in minds that a taint of, or inclination to, have given Adventism a clearly identifi- giving this aspect of Christology an corruption rested upon Christ,' she able theological cast that is uniquely our emphasis it so richly deserves. Both the means only that He did not give in to own. Some of these essentials we share Bible and Ellen White give this theme temptation? What does she mean when with others, and some of them are quite due attention, attention that has often she admonishes "every human being" to uniquely our own, but taken together been sadly lacking in the Christian tradi- "be warned from the ground of making they make Seventh-day Adventism es- tion. We can heartily affirm that Jesus Christ altogether human, such an one as sentially Adventist! has an identity with His fallen children ourselves; for it cannot be"? 22 Has there Is it asking too much to agree that all and has certainly experienced our infir- not been a tendency to ignore, even who affirm these essentials are Advent- mities. twist, the obvious meaning of contrary ist, despite differing perspectives on is- In the zeal to emphasize His identity evidence on Christ's nature from the

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 7 What about the time of trouble? Do favor—that frees us from guilt and un- we find in Ellen White any hint that the certainty and enables us to walk in the We should not saints will be conscious of a sinless light of His favor and the power of His perfection after the close of probation? Spirit? needlessly take a The saints, of course, will not be con- Is perfection just constant victory course that will scious of any unconfessed sins, but they over known sin? Perfection is at least will still have the burden of a sinful this, but are we not all humbled to know create dissension. nature and have to have further "earthli- that it is often not our known defects that ness" consumed. I would go so far as to are the most shocking, but the ones that acknowledge that it is quite probable we do not, cannot, or will not know in that the saints will be "sinless" in some our Christian immaturity? Does God attitudinal and behavioristic sense dur- reveal all our defects to us at once? I writings of Ellen White? ing this time, but what does that have to think not! If He did, it would destroy us. In the light of contrary evidence, do with us now? Is anyone willing to Does He not, however, cover all our from the Bible and the writings of Ellen claim such a sinless state today? Would defects if we faithfully follow His White, that appears problematic to the it not be better to take the following leadings day by day? post-Fall position, would it be possible stance? What about the following definition for one to hold a post-Fall view as a We will do our best trusting Jesus in for Christian perfection? Perfection is to matter of processive opinion and not the present distress, distrusting self, ex- follow Jesus, trust His merits, and be absolutely essential orthodoxy? God and periencing penitence as our daily meat transformed by His empowering Spirit; heaven alone are infallible. Those who and drink, not excusing sin, constantly to be inspired by His example and do the think that they will never have to give up claiming victory in Jesus, growing in known duties that lie nearest at hand, not a cherished view, never have occasion to grace, and knowing that if we have prac- excusing or cherishing sin; and to be change an opinion, will be disappointed. ticed "stepping off the back porch" in open to God's providence in the convic- As long as we hold to our own ideas and probationary time, we will be able to "go tion of sin, new duties, and joyous ser- opinions with determined persistency, skydiving" when probationary time is vice and witness to others. we cannot have the unity for which no more." Is this a view of perfection that takes Christ prayed." Nobody is coercing Could it be that in sincere zeal to victory over sin seriously enough and anyone to give up any views, but could uphold victory over sin and avoid cheap avoids a cheap-grace attitude? they be held as sincere personal opinion grace, and easy-come-easy-go attitudes Is it possible that the total victory without their being divisive and judg- to sinning, one can unwittingly down- emphasis of the so-called historic mental? grade the priority of forgiveness and the Adventists could be open to the strong Would it be enough to profess the constant acceptance of penitent sinners rebuke that Ellen White gave in 1890 to following? Jesus was sufficiently like us by the continuously applied merits of Elder Edwin R. Jones? "You will take in nature (a deep identity) to really be Jesus' intercession? passages in the Testimonies that speak able to identify with our struggles in Will our nature and performance ever of the close of probation, of the shaking temptation and give us every victory become so sinless this side of glorifica- among God's people, and you will talk needed to make it through to the king- tion (even after the close of probation) of a coming out from this people of a dom, and yet He was also sufficiently that we will cease to need the constant purer, holier people that will arise. Now unlike us (a profound uniqueness) to be justifying merits of Jesus? Do we really all this pleases the enemy. We should able to be sinless in nature and perfor- take Ellen White seriously when she not needlessly take a course that will mance and be our fully satisfactory, says the believers' "unavoidable defi- make differences or create dissension. sinless substitute. ciencies" are made up for them by the We should not give the impression that Perfection: Here also we need to "imputed" righteousness of Christ and if our particular ideas are not followed, commend those Adventists who with that "Jesus loves His children, even if it is because the ministers are lacking in tenacity hold on to the standard of total they err"? And that "He keeps His eye comprehension and in faith, and are victory over sin. Sin is never innocent upon them, and when they do their best, walking in darkness." 26 and must always be taken seriously. calling upon God for His help, be as- Both the Bible and the writings of Ellen sured the service will be accepted, al- Toward a dialogue White say a great deal about victory over though imperfect"? " I have not attempted to be thorough, sin. We can never excuse or tolerate sin. Isn't perfection primarily an attitude or comprehensive, in addressing these However, what does Ellen White rather than a performance? If my atti- issues, but this is the type of dialogue mean by "perfection"? What do we tude to Jesus, sin, fellow Christians, the that could help us out of the present mean by "totally victorious" perfection lost, and Christian duty is right, doesn't impasse. this side of glorification? Just how per- it then seem likely that my performance Could we lay aside our pejorative fect is perfect in realistic terms? will be headed in the right direction and red-flag expressions, seek the common Let's assume for a moment that the that Jesus can then make me perfect by ground of essential Adventism, and pro- faithful can reach some state of sinless making up for my "unavoidable defi- ceed with humility, charity, and honesty perfection this side of glorification. ciencies"? Isn't the key to all victory to a dialogue on processive Adventism? Would they ever have an awareness of over sin the acceptance of Christ's grace One of my deepest longings is that those it? for us? Isn't it that grace—the unmerited who call themselves historic Adventists

8 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 will answer my appeal affirmatively and the way and confirmed biblical truth. Yet her (Basel, Switzerland: Imprimerie Polyglotte, 1886), that believers who do not share their definitions must ultimately be subject to biblical pp. 138, 139. 20 particular burdens will be open, chari- evidence. This use of Ellen White is in marked , in Heavenly Places (Washington, contrast to the Mormon attitude to the writings of D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1967), p. table, accepting, and patient in Christian Joseph Smith or Christian Science's use of Mary 163; Bible Commentary, Ellen G. White Com- respect. In the grace of Jesus this im- Baker Eddy. ments (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald passe can be broken and the Advent " White, Counsels to Writers and Editors, Pub. Assn., 1980), vol. 5, p. 1128. pp. 30, 31. 2' Questions on Doctrine, p. 652. movement can more efficiently and unit- 22 Ibid. edly get on with its mission! ■ 12 See White, Counsels to Writers and Editors, pp. 29-54 for the basic source of the suggestions 23 White, Counsels to Writers and Editors, p. that follow. 37. ' For a recent example of the use of such 18 Questions raised by Eric C. Webster, 24 I am indebted to Morris Venden for this back (New porch/skydiving metaphor. terminology, see Our Firm Foundation Crosscurrents in Adventist Christology 25 Selected Messages, book 3, pp. 195, (Eatonville, WA: Hope International) vol. 7, No. York: Peter Lang Pub., 1984), pp. 419, 420. White, 3, (1992), pp. 4-7. " Ellen G. White, in Historical Sketches of the 196. 2 These persons especially see the treatment Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists 26 ibid., book 1, p. 179. of these issues in the publication Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine (Wash- ington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1957) as taking a tragically sinister and compromising direction. A quick scan of the published writings of Ellen White on compact disc failed to locate a single instance where she employed these terms. 4 Questions on Doctrine, pp. 21-25. Where Ellen G. White, Selected Messages (Wash- ington, D.C.: RevieW and Herald Pub. Assn., 1958), vol. 1, pp. 169-175. This article will not discuss the nonessential category because of space limita- are tion and its relative lack of importance. 6 For more background on Adventist doctri- nal development, see Richard W. Schwarz, Light Bearers to the Remnant (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1979), especially pp. your 166-182. Ibid., pp. 167, 168, 395, and 396. C. Mervyn Maxwell also has an excellent discussion of Ad- ventist Arianism in A. V. Wallenkampf and W. former Richard Lesher, eds., The Sanctuary and the Atone- ment (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1981), pp. 530-533. Ralph Larson, The Word Was Made Flesh: One Hundred Years of Seventh-day Adventist colleagues? Christology, 1852-1952 (Cherry Valley, Calif.: Cherrystone Press, 1986). 9 See George R. Knight, From 1888 to Apos- tasy: The Case of A. T. Jones (Hagerstown, Md.: The General Conference Ministerial Association is Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1987), pp. 132- 150. looking for names and addresses of former Adventist " I would urge a careful reading of Knight, pp. pastors. We plan to send a gracious letter and establish a 36ff., and my own dissertation, "The Soteriology of Ellen G. White: The Persistent Path to Perfec- friendly contact with those who have left the pastorate tion, 1836-1902" (Ph.D. diss., Drew University, for whatever reason—career change, discouragement or 1989), pp. 240-257, 284-312. " See Ellen White's comments on 1888 in The disenfranchisement. Ellen G. White 1888 Materials (Washington, D.C.: Ellen G. White Estate, 1987). '2 1 am indebted to Richard Schwarz for these terms. See his discussion in Light Bearers, pp. If you know a former Adventist pastor, 393-407. please send name and address to: 13 Ellen G. White, Counsels to Writers and Editors (Nashville: Southern Pub. Assn., 1946), p. 37. Also see Schwarz, pp. 393, 394. 14 See Donald W. Dayton and Robert K. James A. Cress, Secretary Johnston, eds., The Variety of American Evan- gelicalism (Knoxville, Tenn.: University of Ten- Ministerial Association nessee Press, 1991), pp. 222-244. General Conference I am using the expression formative quite technically in relationship to the more final and 12501 Old Columbia Pike authoritative expression normative. Adventism has always held to the Bible and the Bible alone as Silver Spring, MD 20904 the ultimate normative standard of faith and prac- tice, but it has also affirmed that Ellen White's counsels and theological insights have pointed

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 9 Adventists and change

ost of the founders pictured the Holy Spirit as "that divine, George R. Knight of Seventh-day Ad- mysterious emanation through which ventism would not They [the Father and the Son] carry be able to join the forward their great and infinite work." M church today if they On another occasion, Smith pictured the had to subscribe to Holy Spirit as a "divine influence" and the denomination's not a "person like the Father and the Fundamental Beliefs.' Son." More specifically, most would not be Such misconceptions during the By saying that the able to agree to belief number 2, which 1890s—a decade in which the work of Bible is our only deals with the doctrine of the Trinity. the Holy Spirit and the indwelling power For Joseph Bates the Trinity was an of Christ were being emphasized by creed, Adventism's unscriptural doctrine, for James White such writers as Ellen White, E. J. it was that "old Trinitarian absurdity," Waggoner, and W. W. Prescott—helped founders revealed and for M. E. Cornell it was a fruit of the pave the way for the pantheism that great apostasy, along with such false Waggoner and J. H. Kellogg taught a profound doctrines as Sundaykeeping and the around the turn of the century. Those understanding of immortality of the soul.' misconceptions also probably helped set In like manner, most of the founders some Adventists up for the holy flesh the dynamic nature of Seventh-day Adventism would have heresy by the end of the 1890s.5 trouble with fundamental belief number of present truth. 4, which holds that Jesus is both eternal Theological change and truly God. For J. N. Andrews "the The decade of the 1890s, fortunately, Son of God . . . had God for His Father, also witnessed a positive shift in Advent- and did, at some point in the eternity of ist theological focus in areas related to the past, have beginning of days." And the Godhead. That shift found its roots in E. J. Waggoner, of Minneapolis 1888 the Minneapolis General Conference fame, penned in 1890 that "there was a session of 1888. The 1888 meetings had time when Christ proceeded forth and reemphasized Jesus and His saving righ- came from God, . . . but that time was so teousness—areas of theological thought George R. Knight is far back in the days of eternity that to that Adventists had tended to downplay professor of church history at the finite comprehension it is practically between the late 1840s and 1888. Theological without beginning." The renewed emphasis on Jesus and Seminary, Andrews Neither could most of the leading His saving righteousness, however, called University, Berrien Adventists have agreed with fundamen- for views of the Godhead, the Holy Springs, Michigan. tal belief number 5, which implies the Spirit, and the divine nature of Christ personhood of the Holy Spirit. Uriah adequate to serve as a theological basis Smith, for example, not only was anti- for the new soteriology. It was Ellen Trinitarian and semi-Arian, like so many White whose writings led the way in the of his colleagues, but also like them theological shift. Unlike her experience

10 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 in the post-1844 period, during which tionary to you, but to us it was. We could she followed the lead of her husband and hardly believe it. . . . I was sure Sister Bates in the formulation of the distinc- White had never written, 'In Christ is Theological change tively Adventist doctrines, in the 1890s life, original, unborrowed, underived.' she was at the forefront of the action, But now I found it in her own handwrit- generally brings pain related to theological reformulation, ing just as it had been published." 9 through her major writings on Christ and Theological change generally brings to those involved, but His teachings. pain to those involved, but various indi- various individuals Whereas before the Minneapolis viduals respond to it in different ways. meetings she had not been explicit in Some, such as Andreasen, were able respond to it in setting forth her views on the Trinity, the eventually to accommodate to the "new personhood of the Holy Spirit, and the theology." different ways. divine nature of Christ, during the next Others, however, found accommo- two decades she would speak with great dation impossible. One such was J. S. clarity on those topics. Thus she would Washburn, a retired minister who in uplift the "three living persons of the 1939 published a pamphlet in which he heavenly trio," stipulate that "the Holy noted that the doctrine of the Trinity was Spirit . . . is as much a person as God [the "a cruel heathen monstrosity," "an im- Father] is a person," and repeatedly in- possible, absurd invention," "a blasphe- truth of that statement seems to be re- dicate that "Christ is the preexistent, mous burlesque," and "a bungling, ab- flected in the increasing complexity and self-existent Son of God." surd, irreverent caricature." Beyond that, sophistication set forth in the various Perhaps her most famous or infa- it was a "Roman doctrine" that was stages of the Conflict of the Ages story mous statement on the divine nature of "seeking to intrude its evil presence as she wrote and rewrote it from the late Christ was published in The Desire of into the teachings of the third angel's 1850s up through the time of her death in Ages in 1898. "In Christ," she penned, message." Washburn also claimed that 1915. "is life, original, unborrowed, W. W. Prescott could not be a Seventh- Beyond her willingness to grow, even underived."' day Adventist because he believed in the in theological truth, Ellen White several That same year also saw the publica- times admits that she made definite mis- tion of Looking Unto Jesus, by Uriah One conference president was so takes in giving counsel at various times. Smith. According to Smith, "God [the impressed with the Washburn pamphlet These generally seem to be on occasions Father] alone is without beginning. At that he ordered 32 copies to distribute to when she, so to speak, "ran ahead of the the earliest epoch when a beginning his ministers. Meanwhile, the Arian angel." could be—a period so remote that to views set forth in Uriah Smith's Daniel One example of such an admission of finite minds it is essentially eternity— and the Revelation were not removed error is found in Testimonies for the appeared the Word." Thus on this topic until the mid-1940s." Church, where she flatly states: "In this Smith was in harmony with one of his I did wrong." That confession was stimu- archrivals, E. J. Waggoner, who had Ellen White and change lated by the fact that she allowed herself published the exact sentiments earlier in By now it should be obvious to our to be pressured, against her better judg- the decade.' readers that Adventism has experienced ment, into publishing Testimony No. 11 Not only was Ellen White out of step major theological change across the in 1867 in spite of the fact that she had with Adventist theology, but her newly course of its history and that Ellen White not had the time to write out all she had crystallized ideas shook up some of the had a role in that change. That brings us seen. The result was less than satisfac- brethren. One of those was young M. L. to this question: Did Ellen White as an tory.' Andreasen, who later recalled "how as- individual experience changes in her Again, in 1903 she noted that at a tonished we were when Desire of Ages teachings and/or beliefs across the seven council held in her house she "spoke was first published, for it contained some decades of her ministry? words which gave liberty for certain things that we considered unbelievable; Claims on both sides of that question things to be done in a certain place." For among others the doctrine of the Trinity, are seemingly aired with increasing fre- that, she added, "I was reproved by the which was not generally accepted by the quency, probably in reaction to the alter- Lord. . . . As soon as possible I wrote a Adventists then." native positions. I would like to suggest letter saying I had been wrong in sanc- Being suspicious that perhaps some- that both sides of the dialogue capture a tioning these plans, that God did not one had been taking undue license in part of the truth, but that neither has all endorse them." A similar situation can "editing" her writings, Andreasen later of it. be found in counsel, relating to the South- read nearly all Ellen White's handwrit- Before looking at the question itself, ern Publishing Association, that she had ten material. "I was particularly inter- we must first acknowledge that Mrs. to retract24 ested." he recalled, "in the statement in White left herself open to the possibility At the very least, this information Desire of Ages which at one time caused of change. For example, in 1906 she indicates not only that Ellen White was great concern to the denomination theo- wrote: "For sixty years I have been in open to change, but that in her day-to- logically: 'In Christ is life, original, communication with heavenly messen- day advice to people she made mistakes unborrowed, underived' (p. 530). That gers, and I have been constantly learning and had to revise her counsel as God statement may not seem very revolu- in reference to divine things." 12 The revealed those mistakes to her.

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 11 Change as progressive development "although one of the most common A second type of change that we find articles of diet, is one of the most injuri- in Ellen White's ideas across time is that ous. God did not prohibit the Hebrews of progressive development. An illus- from eating swine's flesh merely to show God is leading out a tration of that dynamic can be seen in her His authority, but because it was not a people, not a few approach to the topic of unclean foods. proper article of food for man. . . . God From at least as early as 1850, some never designed the swine to be eaten separate individuals of the Sabbatarian Adventists had been under any circumstances." 20 raising the question as to whether it was Thus in a few short years Mrs. White here and there. appropriate to eat swine's flesh. James had moved from tolerance on the use of White hoped to settle the issue once and pork to a position in which she counseled for all in November 1850 by publishing against its use on the basis of health. She a powerful argument based on Acts 10 would hold to that position for the rest of and other passages by which he sought her life. to prove that the use of swine's flesh in Three things happened that help ac- the Christian era was quite appropri- count for the shift in Ellen White's teach- But, you may be asking, did Mrs. ate.17 ing on this subject. First, a "new disease" White change any of her ideas related to In spite of James's forceful argu- (trichinosis) was discovered in hog flesh doctrine and lifestyle? The answer is ment, however, the issue refused to die in the early 1860s and was receiving yes, but that answer needs to reflect the a peaceful death. S. N. Haskell agitated widespread publicity. Second, the long various nuances of the word "change" if the issue among the Sabbatarians in the battle among Adventists over organiza- we are to understand its implications. It late 1850s. Ellen White, in responding to tion was finally concluded with the for- is all too easy to overlook those nuances. Haskell, urged him not to press his views mation of the General Conference of The result of such oversight is less than to the point where they would cause Seventh-day Adventists in May 1863. satisfactory in terms of understanding division in the developing church. "I With the extensive efforts to develop change in Ellen White's writings. Such saw," she wrote, "that your views con- Adventist doctrine out of the way (1844- change needs to be viewed as being of at cerning swine's flesh would prove no 1850) and the rigorous drive for organi- least three distinct types: (1) clarifica- injury if you have them to yourselves; zation accomplished (1850-1863), Ad- tion, (2) progressive development, and but in your judgment and opinion you ventism was ready for its next progres- (3) contradiction or reversal. have made this question a test. . . If it is sive step—lifestyle and institutional the duty of the church to abstain from development (1863-1880s).2' Change as clarification swine's flesh, God will discover it to The time, therefore, was ripe for the Change as clarification may be illus- more than two or three. He will teach His third element in the new equation in the trated by Ellen White's treatment of the church their duty. God is leading out a Adventist approach to the use of swine's divine nature of Christ in her various people, not a few separate individuals flesh—Ellen White's health reform vi- presentations of the Conflict of the Ages here and there, one believing this thing, sion of June 6, 1863, which took place story. For example, there is a vagueness, another that. . . . Some run ahead of the less than three weeks after the organiza- in her explanation of the authority of angels that are leading this people. . . . I tion of the General Conference. That Christ in Spiritual Gifts (1858) and The saw that the angels of God would lead vision set forth a broad-based view of Spirit of Prophecy (1870), that permits a His people no faster than they could health reform that led to new emphases reader to read her position as being ei- receive and act upon the important truths in later Adventism and Mrs. White's ther in harmony with her semi-Arian that are communicated to them." To writings. ministerial colleagues or in terms of preach the swine's flesh issue at that In other words, the changing times Christ's always having had full equality time, she asserted, would be rushing on had led to changing emphases. Present with the Father, '5 even though that equal- "without divine guidance, and thus bring truth, as the early Adventists saw it, was ity had been lost sight of by many of the confusion and discord into the ranks." 's progressive. (We will have more to say heavenly hosts. Unlike other Adventist It should be noted that the Whites, on that topic later in this article.) Ellen writers of the time, however, her state- along with most other Adventists in the White had implied that perspective in ments could not be interpreted as being late 1850s, were still using swine's flesh her counsel to Haskell in 1858. "God," unquestionably semi-Arian. in their diet. As proof of the fact, James she wrote, "is leading out a people, not That vagueness would change in 1890 scribbled a note on the back of a letter a few separate individuals here and there, with the publication of Patriarchs and from Ellen in which she was advising a one believing this thing, another that. Prophets. In that volume she clarifies sister to cook swine's flesh for her hus- . . . The third angel is leading out and what may have been implicit in her band if he desired it. James's note read: purifying a people. . . . I saw that the earlier statements by noting that "there "That you may know how we stand on angels of God would lead His people no had been no change in the position or this question, I would say that we have faster than they could receive and act authority of Christ"; Christ's equality just put down a two-hundred-pound upon the important truths that are com- with the Father "had been the same porker." 19 municated to them." 22 from the beginning."' The change in By 1863, however, Ellen White's By 1863 the time had come for the the above sequence is a change from writings had taken a new position on the forward move in the area of health re- ambiguity to clarity. swine's flesh issue. "Pork," she penned, form, including the use of swine's flesh.

12 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 Ellen White's counsel modified accord- 1844, being the termination date for the ingly. 2300 day/year prophecy of Daniel 8:14. Meanwhile, her husband and others By December 1844 she had given up the Ellen White was would be claiming by 1872 that the view that anything had transpired on eating of swine's flesh was a sin. Ellen, October 22. The significance of her first capable of both on the other hand, never took her vision must be seen in the face of that husband's extreme position. In 1889 she disbelief. What she had concluded be- believing error and wrote that "swine's flesh was prohibited fore the vision to be darkness she came by Jesus Christ enshrouded in the bil- to see as a "bright light set up behind" the growing in her lowy cloud." But, she added, in agree- Advent people as they moved forward understanding. ment with her 1858 counsel to Haskell, toward the kingdom.' "this is not a test question." For her, as Another example of contradictory the 1889 passage goes on to indicate, the change, or reversal, has to do with Ellen issue was one of health.23 White's understanding of the shut door. The difference in the treatment of the William Miller had taught that at the end use of swine's flesh between the Whites of the 2300 days the door of mercy is informative. They both changed their would be shut, human probation would positions, but James took the polar ex- be closed, and the work of warning sin- itself in her mind. tremes from arguing from the New Tes- ners would be over.25 All Adventists A third example of contradictory tament for the use of swine's flesh in (including Ellen White) who held that a change in the belief system of Ellen 1850 to condemning it as a sin in 1872. fulfillment of prophecy had taken place White has to do with the time to begin Ellen, on the other hand, avoided both on October 22 also believed that human the Sabbath. Early Sabbatarian polar positions. Her counsel in 1858 was probation had closed. Only gradually Adventists were quite divided on this not one of advocacy for the use of swine' s could they disentangle error from truth issue, with some holding for sunset, while flesh, but that Haskell should not make in this aspect of their theology. others believed Sabbath should begin at his views prominent because the church Ellen White's changing belief in the 6:00 p.m., sunrise, or midnight. was not ready for that step. Meanwhile, shut door had both progressive/clarify- J. N. Andrews was commissioned to although it appears that she may not ing aspects and contradictory aspects. study the issue. He read his paper to a have recognized the full implications at The first of those aspects has to do with conference at Battle Creek in November the time, her 1858 statement definitely her progressive shift in understanding 1855. His biblical arguments on the sun- implied that God would lead in the direc- from the shut door being the close of set position convinced all but a few. tion of the prohibition of pork from the probation to it being the reality that Then, at the close of Andrews' presenta- diet. The way, therefore, was left open "Jesus had shut the door of the holy tion, Ellen White was given a vision that for progressive change. On the other place, and no man can open it; and that confirmed the Bible truth and brought hand, her counsel that pork eating was He had opened the door into the most unity among the believers. The vision, not a test question remained constant holy, and no man can shut it."26 The penned James White in 1868, "settled across time. progressive aspect, of course, had to do the matter with Brother Bates and oth- Thus we find two different types of with the developing Sabbatarian under- ers, and general harmony has since pre- change in the teachings of the Whites on standing of the heavenly sanctuary. vailed among us upon this point."28 the pork question. James's treatment But the shut door issue cannot be In case some of the enemies of the illustrates contradictory change, while cleared up merely by calling on progres- Seventh-day Adventists were tempted Ellen's illustrates progressive change sive/clarifying change. Here we also to suggest that that experience was just against the background of the ongoing have an example of contradictory change, Ellen White's method of manipulating development of present truth. or reversal. On this point Ellen White the believers through her visions, Uriah Does that mean, we might ask, that admits to having held theological error. Smith was careful to point out that the Ellen White never experienced contra- In 1874 she wrote: "With my brethren vision's sunset conclusion "was con- dictory change in her thinking on reli- and sisters, after the time passed in forty- trary to her own sentiment at the time the gious topics? No, but, as the following four I did believe no more sinners would vision was given." In other words, she illustrations demonstrate, it does mean be converted. But," she hastened to add, changed from the 6:00 p.m. position to that not all changes found in her writings "I never had a vision that no more sin- that of sunset because of the vision.29 were contradictory, or reversals. Some ners would be converted." " Thus she was among the "others," men- were clarifying changes, while others Her later understanding contradicted tioned by her husband in 1868, who were progressive. that of her earliest years in the post-1844 needed to be brought into harmony with period. That new understanding gradu- the body of believers. Change as reversal ally came about through comprehending These examples indicate that Ellen A third type of change in the writings the implications of the Sabbath and White was capable of both believing of Ellen White is that of contradiction, sanctuary doctrines for world mission in error and growing in her understanding. or reversal, of her earlier positions. The the context of Revelation 14:6-12 and She knew whereof she spoke in 1906 number of these in doctrinal areas is not through her early visions. As with when she remarked that for the past 60 numerous, but three come to mind. her fellow believers, the shut door years she had been "constantly learning The first has to do with October 22, misunderstanding took time to resolve in reference to divine things."3°

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 13 years later that "there will be a develop- the conference unanimously voted to ment of the understanding, for the truth adopt a "church covenant" that con- What is present truth is capable of constant expansion.. . . Our tained a short statement of fundamental exploration of truth is yet incomplete. beliefs, on the basis that a church has a for one generation We have gathered up only a few rays of responsibility to say something about light." She had earlier noted that what is what it believes to both its members and might not be present present truth for one generation might outsiders, even though it should avoid an not be present truth, or a "test," for other inflexible creed. truth, or a "test," for generations.34 Since the development of the first other generations. Both Ellen and James White were conference organization in 1861, the open to further developments in the Seventh-day Adventist Church has had search for truth. Thus she was not shocked only three point-by-point declarations by the progressive light on the use of of belief that have achieved any degree swine's flesh or by the revolutionary of official acceptance, and only one has developments in Adventist theology in been voted by a General Conference the late 1880s and 1890s. Of course, she session. The first was Uriah Smith's was quite adamant that new present truth 1872 declaration of belief, the second must not negate the central doctrinal was the 1931 statement of beliefs, and pillars that were developed in the 1840s the third is the statement of fundamental Present truth: a dynamic concept and that give Adventism its unique place beliefs adopted by the General Confer- Joseph Bates and James and Ellen in Christian history. ence in session in 1980." White—the founders of Seventh-day There have been, however, progres- Adventism—each had a dynamic con- The Bible, our only creed sively stronger moves to set Adventist cept of what they called "present truth." The possibility of further develop- beliefs in "creedal cement," but so far Bates used the phrase as early as 1846 in ments in present truth was one reason those initiatives have been successfully relation to the Sabbath. At other times he that James White and the other early resisted. From the early 1930s through expanded the concept to include the Adventist believers were opposed to 1980 the 1931 statement of beliefs ap- entire message of Revelation 14:6-12. creeds. After all, hadn't many of the peared in the denominational yearbooks Present truth was the Sabbath, the sanc- Adventist believers in the mid-1840s and church manuals, thereby giving it tuary, and related truths.3' been cast out of the existing denomina- some official status in spite of the fact James White in 1849, after quoting tions because they had discovered new that it was formulated somewhat casu- 2 Peter 1:12 with its use of "present truth in their Bibles and could not remain ally. In 1946 the General Conference in truth," wrote that "in Peter's time there quiet about it? Because of such experi- session voted "that no revision of this was present truth, or truth applicable to ences, the early Sabbatarian Adventists Statement of Fundamental Beliefs, as it that present time. The Church have [sic] held that their only creed should be the now appears in the Manual, shall be ever had a present truth. The present Bible. made at any time except at a General truth now," he continued, "is that which In 1861 at the meeting at which the Conference session." " That vote set the shows present duty, and the right posi- Sabbatarians organized their first state stage for the need for official action of tion for us who are about to witness the conference, John Loughborough high- the General Conference in accepting the time of trouble." He was in definite lighted the problem that early Adventists new statement in 1980. The 1980 action agreement with Bates as to the content of saw in creeds. According to Lough- made the statement much more official present truth. The first two angels of borough, "the first step of apostasy is to than anything the church had had previ- Revelation 14 had sounded; now it was get up a creed, telling us what we shall ously. time for the third." believe. The second is to make that creed But perhaps the most astounding Arguing in 1857 that some believers a test of fellowship. The third is to try thing about the 1980 statement of fun- were "of a disposition to draw off from members by that creed. The fourth to damental beliefs is its preamble. The the great truths connected with the third denounce as heretics those who do not preamble not only begins with the his- message, to points of no vital impor- believe that creed. And, fifth, to com- toric Adventist statement that "Seventh- tance," White remonstrated that "it has mence persecution against such." " day Adventists accept the Bible as their been impossible to make some see that James White then spoke, noting that only creed and hold certain fundamental present truth is present truth, and not "making a creed is setting the stakes, and beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy future truth, and that the Word as a lamp barring up the way to all future advance- Scriptures," but also leaves the way open shines brightly where we stand, and not ment." He complained of some people for further revision. so plainly on the path in the distance." " who through their creed had "marked In the spirit of the dynamic nature of Thus White left the way open for further out a course for the Almighty. They say the early Adventist concept of present development of Adventist doctrine. virtually that the Lord must not do any- truth, the preamble closes with the fol- Ellen White was in harmony with her thing further than what has been marked lowing sentence: "Revision of these husband's flexible position. Therefore, out in the creed. . . . The Bible," he statements may be expected at a General while she could categorically claim in concluded, "is our creed. We reject ev- Conference session when the church is 1850 that "we have the truth, we know it; erything in the form of a human creed." 36 led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller under- praise the Lord," she could also claim 53 Following an animated discussion, standing of Bible truth or finds better

14 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 language in which to express the teach- Christ and His Righteousness (Oakland, Calif.: vocate Press, 1877), p. 20; see also Ellen G. White ings of God's Holy Word." Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1890), pp. 21, 22; see Estate, A Critique ofthe Book Prophetess of Health also pp. 9, 19, 20. (Washington, D.C.: General Conference of Sev- That is truly a remarkable statement. Uriah Smith, "The Spirit of Prophecy and enth-day Adventists, 1976), pp. 44, 45. As I understand it, however, provision Our Relation to It," General Conference Daily 20 Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 2, for the possibility of revision was re- Bulletin, 1891, p. 146; Uriah Smith, "In the Ques- p. 417; see also Spiritual Gifts, vol. 4a, pp. 124, sisted by some-I suppose in fear of tion Chair," Review and Herald, October 28,1890, 146. Both of these presentations are based on losing the content of "historic" Advent- p. 664. material given during the June 6, 1863, health See George R. Knight, Angry Saints: Ten- reform vision. ism. That fear, however, merely high- sions and Possibilities in the Adventist Struggle 21 For a treatment of the progressive, step-by- lights misconceptions over the nature of Over Righteousness by Faith (Washington, D.C.: step development of Adventism, see George R. historic Adventism. At its core that Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1989), pp. 76, 77; Knight, Anticipating the Advent: A Brief History phrase includes the distinctive landmark Richard W. Schwarz, John Harvey Kellogg, M.D. of Seventh-day Adventists (Boise, Idaho: Pacific doctrines that formed the foundation of (Nashville: Southern Pub. Assn., 1970), pp. 184- Press Pub. Assn., 1993), chaps. 2-4. 186; Richard W. Schwarz, Light Bearers to the 22 Ellen G. White, Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 207 Adventism's uniqueness in the 1840s, Remnant (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press (italics supplied). and the great gospel truths, recovered in Pub. Assn., 1979), pp. 446-448. 23 [James White], "Swine's Flesh," Health Re- the 1888 period, that the denomination 6 See the several references in Ellen G. White, former, January 1872, p. 18; Ellen G. White Manu- shares with other evangelical Christians. Evangelism (Washington, D.C.: Review and Her- script Releases, vol. lb, p. 173. The problem, of course, is that there are ald Pub. Assn., 1946), pp. 615, 616; see also Ellen 24 SeeA Word to the "Little Flock" (Brunswick, G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary Maine: James White, 1847), p. 22; Ellen G. White, always some who want to multiply the (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., Early Writings (Washington, D.C.: Review and number of landmark doctrines. 1980), vol. 6, p. 1075. Herald Pub. Assn., 1945), p. 14. Along that line, some argued at Min- 7 Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Moun- 25 William Miller, Evidence From Scripture neapolis and in the 1890s that Adventists tain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1940), and History of the Second Coming of Christ About needed a creed to protect the "true" p. 530. the Year 1843 (Boston: Joshua V. Himes, 1842), 8 Uriah Smith, Looking Unto Jesus (Battle p. 237; William Miller, "Letter From Brother position on the law in Galatians and the Creek, Mich.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., Miller," Advent Herald, December 11, 1845, p. 10 horns of Daniel. Ellen and W. C. 1898), p. 10; see also note 3 above. 142. White, after much effort, successfully 9 M. L. Andreasen, "The Spirit of Prophecy" 26 Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 42. See blocked the creedal drive at that time." (unpublished chapel talk presented at Loma Linda, pp. 42-45. 27 , book 1, p. 74. Yet there are undoubtedly many today Calif., November 30, 1948). Selected Messages, "I J. S. Washburn, "The Trinity" (unpublished 28 J. N. Andrews, "Time for Commencing the who feel that the denomination should pamphlet 1940); Gilbert M. Valentine, The Shap- Sabbath," Review and Herald, December 4, 1855, have hard-and-fast creedal statements ing of Adventism: The Case of W. W. Prescott pp. 76-78; James White, "Time to Commence the on such varied topics as the human na- (Berrien Springs, Mich.: Andrews University Press, Sabbath," Review and Herald, February 25, 1868, ture of Christ and biblical hermeneutics. 1992), pp. 279, 280. p. 168. " Gilbert M. Valentine, "William Warren 29 Uriah Smith, "Not Satisfactory," Review and Such movements, should they suc- Prescott: Seventh-day Adventist Educator" (Ph.D. Herald, August 30, 1864, p. 109. ceed, might be founded on the best of dissertation, Andrews University, 1982), p. 608; " Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 3, motives as their proponents seek to pro- Gane, "Arian or Anti-Trinitarian Views," pp. 26, p. 71. tect historic Adventism, but one sus- 27. 3! Joseph Bates, The Seventh Day Sabbath a pects that in the process of preserving 12 Ellen G. White, Selected Messages (Wash- Perpetual Sign (New Bedford, Mass.: Press of ington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1958- Benjamin Lindsey, 1846), p. 2; A Seal of the Adventism's historic content they might 1980), book 3, p. 71. Living God (New Bedford, Mass.: Press of Ben- actually kill its living spirit. Adventism's 13 , Testimonies for the Church (Moun- jamin Lindsey, 1849), p. 17. founders expressed a great deal of tain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1948), 32 James White, in The Present Truth, July wisdom in their understanding of the vol. 1, p. 563. 1849, p. 1. dynamic nature of present truth and in 14 Ellen G. White Manuscript Releases (Silver " James White, "A Sketch of the Rise and Spring, Md.: E. G. White Estate, 1990-1993), vol. Progress of the Present Truth," Review and Her- their claim that "the Bible is our only 13, p. 121; Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White: The ald, December 31, 1857, p. 61. creed." ■ Early Elmshaven Years (Washington, D.C.: Re- 34 Ellen G. White Manuscript Releases, vol. 5, view and Herald Pub. Assn., 1981), pp. 187-197. p. 201; vol. 3, pp. 258, 259; see Ellen G. White, IS Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts (Battle Creek, Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 693. ' The fundamental beliefs of Seventh-day Mich.: James White, 1858), vol. 1, p. 18; Spirit of " "Doings of the Battle Creek Conference, Adventists may be found in the annual Seventh- Prophecy (Battle Creek, Mich.: Seventh-day Ad- October 5 and 6, 1861," Review and Herald, day Adventist Yearbook and in the denomination's ventist Pub. Assn., 1870), vol. 1, pp. 17, 18. October 8, 1861, p. 148. Church Manual. 16 , Patriarchs and Prophets (Mountain 36 Ibid. 2 Joseph Bates, The Autobiography of Elder View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1958), p. 37 For helpful statements on this important line Joseph Bates (Battle Creek, Mich.: Seventh-day 38. The position in this paper disagrees with that of development, see Robert W. Olson and Bert Adventist Pub. Assn., 1868), pp. 204, 205; James of Alden Thompson, who reads too much into the Haloviak, compilers, "Who Decides What White, "The Faith of Jesus," Review and Herald, earlier statements and then implies a reversal on Adventists Believe: A Chronological Survey of August 5, 1852, p. 52; M. E. Cornell, Facts for the Ellen White's part in 1890. Reversal is too strong. the Sources," (unpublished paper, rev. ed., March Times (Battle Creek, Mich.: M. E. Cornell, 1858), Clarification is all that can be demonstrated. See 15, 1978); Walter R. L. Scragg, "Doctrinal State- p. 76. See also Erwin Roy Gane, "The Arian or Alden Thompson, "The Theology of Ellen White: ments and the Life and Witness of the Church" Anti-Trinitarian Views Presented in Seventh-day The Great Controversy Story," Adventist Review, (unpublished paper presented to workers' meet- Adventist Literature and the Ellen G. White An- December 31, 1981. ings in Sweden and England in 1981). See also swer" (M.A. thesis, Andrews University, 1963); 17 James White, "Swine's Flesh," The Present note 1 above. Russell Holt, "The Doctrine of the Trinity in the Truth, November 1850, pp. 87, 88. 38 "Revision of Church Manual," Review and Seventh-day Adventist Denomination: Its Rejec- 18 Ellen G. White, Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 206, Herald, June 14, 1946, p. 197. tion and Acceptance" (Term paper, Andrews Uni- 207. 39 George R. Knight, Angry Saints, pp. 26, 34, versity, 1969). 19 James White, quoted in H. E. Carver, Mrs. E. 36, 100-104; From 1888 to Apostasy: The Case of 3 J. N. Andrews, "Melchizedec," Review and G. White's Claim to Divine Inspiration Examined, A. T. Jones (Washington, D.C.: Review and Her- Herald, September 7, 1869, p. 84; E. J. Waggoner, 2nd ed. (Marion, Iowa: Advent and Sabbath Ad- ald Pub. Assn., 1987), pp. 25, 41, 47, 70.

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 15 Evangelism-10 Reaching secular people

he Western world Durante describes New Testament soci- Mark Finley presents a formi- ety as one of moral decay in which dable challenge for prostitution flourished, abortion was evangelism today. commonplace, and homosexuality was Traditional ap- rampant. It was a society stimulated by T proaches have gen- physical pleasures. Seneca, the Roman erally produced philosopher, commented, "They vomit meager results. It's becoming increas- to eat and eat to vomit." Packed Roman The early church also ingly more difficult to draw sizable theaters deified the crowd's favorite crowds. Methods that once worked are actors and actresses. The stars of the faced the challenge of no longer as productive. Advertising stage became the idols of society. Sing- secularism. that once drew respectable audiences is ers and dancers by the thousands enter- less effective. This leads to some serious tained the multitudes. Horse races and questions: Where is the power of the sporting events mesmerized minds. The gospel in this secular age? Is it possible hypnotic enchantment of competitive to see entire cities shaken up for God athletics captivated Roman citizens. The today as they were in New Testament Roman population of approximately 1 times? How can the gospel penetrate million regarded human life with an secular culture? What does it take to astonishing indifference. When Titus influence secular minds for Christ and dedicated a temple in Rome he reen- the kingdom? acted a major battle with thousands killed The problem of secularism, materi- in the sporting entertainment. Roman alism, and lack of interest in spirituality prize fighters, with their 3'.4==>2" thick is not new. The first-century world re- metal knuckles, not only knocked one veals striking parallels with today's god- another out but barbarically murdered less humanistic pleasure-seeking soci- each other. ety. Society was dominated largely by Possessions became the gods of still Greek philosophy, Roman materialism, others. Acquiring things became life's Jewish traditionalism, and pagan super- chief ambition. Philosophical thought stitions. Nevertheless, imbued with the patterns dismissed the idea of the reality Mark Finley is the speaker/director of Spirit's power, consecrated to the task of of God. If secularism pursues material- the It Is Written world evangelism, the disciples moved istic values in life and dismisses God in telecast. an entire society with the power of the the process, Rome was certainly secular. gospel. In spite of this hedonistic, humanis- tic viewpoint, the gospel of Christ pen- The first-century society etrated secular society. Honest hearts Let's briefly review secularism in were won for the kingdom because secu- the first century and note how the power larism didn't meet inner heart needs. of the Spirit penetrated it. In his monu- Secularism was totally powerless to meet mental work Caesar and Christ, Will people's inner love hunger. Secularism

16 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 could not provide meaning and purpose touched the hearts and lives of thou- natural signs, wonders, and miracles. and could not satisfy the inner longing sands. And the disciples "have turned They believed that God had called them for eternity and assurance for life after the world upside down" (verse 6). to proclaim His message everywhere, death. Acts 20:20-23 points out that the and no power on earth could stop it. They disciples were so compelled by the Spirit focused on God' s power to meet human The triumph of the early church that "they taught publicly, and from obstacles. Christ promised His disciples un- house so house." The barriers inhibiting Without the return of the Pentecost usual spiritual power to meet the un- the gospel came tumbling down. The power, there is no way to reach today's usual challenge of Roman secularism: gospel was taken from city to city, from men and women. And yet we need to "Ye shall receive power, after that the country to country, from continent to understand the secular society and its Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye continent. According to Acts 21:20, in a mind in order to approach that society shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusa- few short years thousands of Jews intelligently. To understand the secular lem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, believed. Acts 22:21 testifies that the mind will help us to develop better meth- and unto the uttermost part of the earth" gospel was taken to the entire Gentile ods to reach it and apply those methods (Acts 1:8). And today wherever there are world. Acts ends on this triumphant note: in actual real-life evangelistic settings. unusual challenges, there is unusual "Be it known therefore unto you, that the power promised. Where there are salvation of God is sent unto the Understanding the secular mind obstacles to the gospel, the power of God Gentiles, and that THEY WILL hear it." To understand the secular mind, let's as promised is greater than those ob- In 30 short years the gospel tri- consider briefly the philosophies that stacles. umphed. An entire secular society was have shaped thinking in the past 200 Our focus, it appears, is more on the reached in a relatively short period of years. The basic questions of life are problem of secularism than on the power time. threefold: Where did I come from? Why of the Spirit. I've sat in com- am I here? Where am I go- mittees where some ex- ing? Thesq, are questions of pressed the idea that since origin, purpose, and des- society is becoming increas- Does Adventism have a message tiny. ingly more secular, evange- The molders of the lism just won't work. It's for the millions who have modern mind believe that passé, outmoded. It needs to embraced this secular we sprang from an imper- be retired like the eight-track sonal beginning. Darwin's tape player. What a travesty! worldview? Do we have anything theory of evolution has per- The gospel is just as power- meated all aspects of life ful today as it was 2,000 years relevant to say in an age of today. Jacques Monod, the ago. God's method of reach- French Nobel Prize win- ing the masses is still power- pessimism steeped in a culture of ner, summarized evolu- ful evangelistic preaching. despair? Can we speak with tion's view of origins in Acts 2 describes how these words: "Chance alone Spirit-filled preaching met meaning to those drowning in is at the source of every the needs of secular hearts innovation, of all creation and resulted in the baptism of affluence? in the biosphere. Pure 3,000 people. chance, absolutely free but Acts 4:4 records that blind, [is] at the very root of "many of them which heard the stupendous edifice of the word believed; and the number . . . Reasons for rapid growth evolution."' Jean-Paul Sartre, the French was about five thousand." Acts 6 dis- How should one account for the rapid philosopher, novelist, and playwright, cusses the rapid growth of the church growth of the early church? First, con- adds: "Every existence is born without and a reorganization to facilitate growth: sider the persons behind the proclama- reason, prolongs itself out of weakness, "The word of God increased; and the tion. The disciples themselves were led and dies by chance." number of disciples multiplied in Jerusa- to genuine repentance, a spiritual re- Now think-this through carefully. If lem greatly; and a great company of the vival, and a corresponding reformation. indeed it's true that life is simply the priests were obedient to the faith" (verse They had a unified purpose and a single- product of fortuitous chance, then hu- 7). In Acts 8, there is cross-cultural minded objective to win the lost for man beings are simply enlarged protein growth. Philip, imbued by the Spirit, Christ. They were constantly aware of molecules. This view dismisses the touches the heart of an Ethiopian trav- the necessity of intercessory prayer. thought that we are created by an infi- eler. And God opens the door to the Second, consider how the Holy Spirit nite, personal, caring God. A fuzzy view continent of Africa. In Acts 10 and 11, enlarged the thinking of the disciples, of origins leads to a fuzzy meaning of cross-cultural growth continues when enabling them to be open to cross-cul- life. In a society based on evolutionary Peter reaches out to Cornelius—and tural possibilities for evangelism. As a culture, self-esteem will naturally be another door opens for the gospel. result, they preached the Word in both low. Is it any wonder that suicide is the By the time we come to Acts 17, the private and public settings, and their number one cause of death among col- gospel has penetrated everywhere. It's ministry was accompanied by super- lege students? How can existence have

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 17 any meaning if I am here simply by a And further, with our awe-inspiring certain: you won't win secularists to random accident? The breeding ground hopeful doctrine of the Advent, we con- Christ by trying to out-argue them. for secularism is a failure to understand fidently shout to a hopeless world, "Hope Every human being has felt needs in human origins and life's true purpose. is on the way!" Christ is corning again his life. These felt needs are areas where For the secularist there is no meaning to soon to put an end to sin. Suffering, the individual senses a need for help. life except the here and now. An eternal sickness, and death will surrender to a They might include better health, help to destiny is nonsense. glorious new tomorrow. So Adventism quit smoking, a low-fat diet, stress re- is distinctly relevant to contemporary duction, happier marriage, a more satis- A message to meet the secular culture society. It speaks to the needs of our fying job, friendship, forgiveness, free- Does Adventism have a message for time. It answers those three basic ques- dom from guilt, or inner peace. the millions who have embraced this tions of life. I know this for sure. If church mem- secular worldview? Do we have any- Also, considerhow the Sabbath meets bers are sensitive, loving, caring indi- thing relevant to say in an age of pessi- the basic human need for rest, security, viduals looking for opportunities to help mism steeped in a culture of despair? roots, and a home in the arms of God. Or meet the felt needs of their friends, the Can we speak with meaning to those think of how the biblical concept of walls of prejudice will break down. drowning in affluence? Seventh-day healthful living meets the secular need Closed minds will open. Opportunities Adventists believe that God created the for physical, mental, and spiritual whole- will present themselves for us to share world. We understand that order and ness. the gospel. design indicates a Maker, that random- According to A Summary of Qualita- ness is incapable of explaining the com- From message to action tive Research of the Unchurched,' secu- plexity of the universe. Beyond this, we Yet how can we translate this needs- lar people have four basic negative atti- affirm that the intelligent personal life fulfilling Adventist message into ac- tudes toward the church. First, they feel on Planet Earth could not the church is too materialis- have been produced by the tic. It's become big busi- unintelligent and imper- ness. Money is more impor- sonal. Therefore, we believe tant than love. Churches are that this world was made by If church members are sensitive, too much like corporations. a God who is Himself the loving, caring individuals Second, they believe the ideal of intelligence, the es- church has become too pow- sence of love, and the grand looking for opportunities to help erful—it tries to control designer—a God who is in- thought. There's no free- finite yet personal. What meet the felt needs of their dom of expression; there's does this say to men and mind manipulation. People women filled with despair friends, the walls of prejudice are told how to live. and hopelessness? It says, will break down. Third, the church is "You are worth something hypocritical. The gap be- because you were made by tween what the church this God." teaches and how it lives is Paintings by Leonardo da Vinci and tion? What are some possible approaches too large to span. There's a discrepancy sculptures by Michelangelo are price- to the secular mind? I don't pretend to between words and actions. To many the less because each of them is one of a have all the answers to reach secular church is so much like a social club that kind. Human life is valuable because people, yet there are some principles they don't want to be a part of it. each man and woman is unique. Just as that we've used in western Europe—in And fourth, the secularist believes every snowflake has a unique configura- bastions of secularism such as the church is not relevant—it's not kept tion, so each human life is different from Copenhagen, Stockholm, and London; up with the changing world; it has failed every other. Every human being is pre- in Eastern Europe—where. Communism to become a part of real life. Secular cious, valuable, worthwhile. Adventists and atheism reigned for decades; and in people have a feeling of boredom and say to the secular person today, "You are the great metropolitan cities of America. detachment during religious services. created uniquely in the image of God. The principles are not "surefire" Surprisingly, this same research in- You are a person of value—value be- methods to reach secular audiences. They dicates that many would consider at- cause you are you, and no one else is like are rather approaches that we have tending church if they could discuss you! You are irreplaceable." Adventists wrought out in the crucible of city evan- their religious doubts openly with some- say, "God thought you were so valuable gelism over the past 25 years. body. If they found that the church was that when human beings fell away from Let me begin with the obvious. Per- an institution seriously concerned about Him, He gave His Son, Jesus Christ, to sonal evangelism is still the best way to working for the betterment of society, if die for them." The Christian faith is win secular people. It takes people to they discovered a church where spiritual simply not a system of ethical values and win people. Programs don't win people; preaching met their inner needs, they moral philosophy. It is the belief that loving people who graciously develop would attend. A good solid religious God Himself plunged into the arena of relationships win people. Usually people education program implanting moral human affairs, dying for men and women, respond to kindness. Genuine friendship values for their youth and children is redeeming them. breaks down prejudice. One thing is for extremely important. Secular baby

18 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 boomers are coming back to church by neighbors. Then there will be an explo- the thousands because they're concerned sion of interest in the gospel. Sensitivity about their kids. to the heartaches, longings, and con- His gospel of healing When you look at Christ's strategy cerns of others will produce positive for reaching secular people in His day, results. Demonstrating genuine interest love is disarming. It you will notice that Jesus began where in the needs of another is a God-given they were and He didn't begin where He method of winning hearts. And as church wins hearts. It was! Jesus always began by lovingly members with the unique gifts that God changes lives. The ministering to the needs of those He met. has given them reach out to their friends In fact, the book of John is really a case and neighbors, there will be guaranteed cross is the strongest study in how Jesus met these inner spiri- results. tual needs. Early in His ministry Jesus I have found it particularly helpful argument in favor of noticed two men following Him, and He simply to share the plan of salvation in Christianity. asked them this question, "What seek the context of my own experience. Shar- ye?" (John 1:38). It seems to me that ing His gospel of healing love is disarm- Jesus is always asking us that question— ing. It wins hearts. It changes lives. The What are you seeking? What's deep cross is the strongest argument in favor down within your heart? What are you of Christianity. Even secular hearts long looking for? for the love that the cross reveals. Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus I have seen the Holy Spirit break Sharing some of the great Bible prophe- answers this "What seek ye?" question. hardened humanistic hearts through a cies demonstrating evidence of the truth- He attempts to discover what people simple presentation of the plan of salva- fulness of the Bible will in time touch need and then acts to meet the need. At tion. A debating spirit evokes the spirit hearts. The prophecies of Daniel are the wedding feast in Cana, the host of the of debate. Arguments from the mind especially designed by God to build wedding was about to be embarrassed meet resistance from skeptical minds. confidence in the reliability of Scrip- socially. Jesus met those social needs by But a message of God's grace from a ture. Old Testament prophecies regard- turning water to wine. Nicodemus' needs, loving heart will touch hearts. ing Jesus as the Messiah are especially however, were spiritual. Formal reli- However, no one approach is singu- appealing. His birthplace in Bethlehem gion was not satisfying the needs of his larly designed to reach every individual. (Micah 5:2), the virgin birth (Isa. 7:14), heart, and Jesus met the need by sharing There are some secular people who ini- the origin of Christ's birth and His fam- the necessity of inner spiritual rebirth tially respond better to an alternative ily lineage (Gen. 49:10), as well as events (John 3). strategy. There are many who feel that surrounding the Crucifixion outlined in The woman at the well had emotional the Bible lacks intellectual substance. Zechariah 13, Psalm 22, and others, needs, and Jesus shared that her love They lack confidence in its integrity. bring great confidence to secular people hunger could be met in the Father's love. The man by the pool of Bethesda had a need for physical healing and the hungry multitude had a need for food. And Jesus met those needs. Steps to help your congregation By meeting their needs, Jesus broke down every prejudice. As barriers of reach secular people opposition tumble down, hearts and minds open to the gospel. The oft-quoted 1. Assist members to discover personally their specific spiritual gifts and statement of Ellen White is still true areas of service. today: "Christ's method alone will bring true success in reaching the people. The 2. Train members in materials and methods that would enable them for Saviour mingled with men as one who service. desired their good. He showed His sym- pathy for them, ministered to their needs, 3. Develop a multifaceted outreach approach committed to reaching and won their confidence. Then He bade people with different felt needs. them, 'Follow Me.' "4 The church is God's people equipped 4. Consciously weave spiritual thoughts during each felt need presentation. to serve, lovingly meeting needs every- where in Jesus' name. The church is the 5. Openly invite those attending felt need programs to spiritual seminars. body of Christ, with each member hav- ing Spirit-imparted gifts for service. Each 6. Teach church members how to "make friends for God" by turning casual member of the body is valuable. And conversations into witnessing opportunities. (The Making Friends for God has given each member gifts to be God videos by HART Research provide excellent resource material.) used in service. When church members sense that, they can reach out in love to 7. Freely share appropriate literature with your secular friends. minister to the needs of their friends and

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 19 select individuals from a scientific per- tal law of science that only life produces spective. Evolution is not a proven fact, life. Science also declares that like pro- Only the Bible can but a speculative hypothesis. There are duces like. Evolution says there are links three scientific laws that call the entire in the gaps between kinds and the spe- present meaning to theory of evolution into question. cies of animals. Yet there is no concrete Evolution states that given enough scientific evidence for such assertions of the great question of time and the right conditions, nonliving those links. The evolutionist states that life. The Bible reveals things will produce living things. But when left alone under certain conditions there is no evidence at all in the natural mutations tend to improve. In the natural a loving Christ who world that nonliving things can ever world, mutations are genetic deformi- made us, who person- produce living things. It is a fundamen- ties, not improvements. ally guides our lives.

a landmark series . . . that Jesus is more than a good man, more than an ethical philosopher, but indeed the divine Son of God. Understanding some of the prophe- cies regarding the rise and fall of nations Studies on throughout the Old Testament is con- vincing evidence for many a secular mind. Prophecies like those of the Per- the book of sian king Cyrus, named 150 years before his birth (Isa. 44:28; 45:1, 2), the de- struction of Tyre and Sidon (Eze. 26:1- 4, 19-21), and the desolation of Egypt Zaniel (Eze. 19:1-9) all establish reliability in Scripture as a divinely inspired docu- ment. A sell-study course I have seen secular people come to that provides answers to our evangelistic meetings and after hear- • preterist interpretations ing the prophecies move from skepti- (proposed at Glacier View), cism to belief. A young couple in Chi- • futurist speculations cago, graduates of Illinois State Univer- (promulgated by some sity, were led from secularism to salva- independent ministries). tion as they attended one of my Daniel Addresses— seminars. A radiologist in Niles, Michi- • the year-day principle gan, hearing the prophecies of Daniel • conditionality and archaeological evidence of • multiple fulfillment of Scripture's reliability, was touched with prophecy and other issues. the gospel. An indispensable resource for those conducting, Daniel Seminars. Countering evolutionary myth Many secular people believe that evolution is a proven scientific fact. Includes study guide and three They conclude that a belief in the Scrip- textbooks— Symposium on Daniel, tures negates the so-called facts of sci- 70 Weeks, Leviticus, and Nature ence. It's almost impossible to accept a of Prophecy, Christianity that their minds convince Prophetic Interpretation. them is not true. They reason, "If the (DARCOM vols. 1-3) Genesis account is wrong, how can I $31.95 have confidence in any other portions of plus $5.00 shipping Scripture? If the human race is evolving outside U.S. extra shipping charge may apply to higher states of advancement, why do we need a Saviour? Doesn't religion Ministerial Continuing Education only produce the neurosis of guilt?" I P.O. Box 66, Keene, TX 76059; Orders (800) 982-3344 have found it helpful to approach these

20 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 Secular materialists, when presented reveals a loving Christ who made us, the Holy Spirit, armed with spiritual with the thought that atheistic evolution who personally guides our lives. In Him weapons of prayer, the Word, and a is a theory and not a fact—that it takes we can be secure. Our eternal future is in genuine love for souls, the last-genera- more faith to be an evolutionist than it His hands. When you're dealing with tion remnant will behold Pentecost again, does to be a creationist—will begin think- secular people, show your secular friend yet this time in more abundant measure. ing seriously about evolution's underly- the hopelessness without God and the Thousands will be converted. The light ing assumptions. great joy of being secure in His hands. of the gospel will illuminate the dark God desires to win lost people to corners of this earth. Some of the world's The sure answer Jesus Christ. The power of the Holy hardest hearts will open to the gospel. Only the Bible can present meaning Spirit is far greater than all the hellish Thousands of voices will proclaim the to the great question of life. The Bible forces opposed to the gospel. Filled with everlasting gospel. On the printed page, over radio and television, through mass media and electronic genius, the Word of God will go forth. The work on earth will triumph in a blaze of glory. May that day be soon. •

'Jacques Monod, Chance and Necessity (New York: Vintage Books, 1971), p. 112. Jean-Paul Sartre, Nausea (New York: New Directions, 1959), p. 126. A Summary of Qualitative Research of the Unchurched (New York: Religion in American Life, Inc., n.d.). Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1905, 1942), p. 143.

.A s elf-stuif17 course exp iixi A systems of interpretatio4L , significance of sanctuary typology in Revelation • mark of the beast • an update on the modem Papacy Ministry wants to tepbtt • hermeneuticalapproachtoseven what's happening on the front last plagues lines of ministry—in your local • approaches to the millennium church, conference, union or di- • historicist location of the seals/ vision; in evangelism; in pasto- trumpets in the Christian era and many other issues. ral ministry, in family ministry, An indispensable resource for, those in global mission. conducting Revelation Seminar's. Do you have a story to share? A picture that depicts a story? Includes study guide and two textbooks— Something that affirmed or Symposium on Revelat on— challenged your pastoral role? Book I and Book II (DARCOM vols. 6 & 7). Send it to: $29.95 plus $5.00 shipping Ministry Reports outside U.S. extra shipping charge may apply 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904, U.S.A. Ministerial Continuing Education P.O. Box 66, Keene, TX 76059; Orders (800) 982-3344

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 21 No hidden agenda

Rex D. Edwards

artin Luther sug- need (sin, guilt, lostness) and have the chatty but never disclose what they re- gested that the city gospel knowledge to meet it. Or the need ally think. "Perhaps it [the practice of of Wittenberg ought I see may be disease or ignorance or bad keeping one's thoughts and convictions to be divided into housing, and I may have the medical, private] has its origin in English reli- four or five sections, educational, or social connections to gious dissent, when ordinary people kept M each with a minister relieve it. To see need and to possess the their Bibles and their thoughts well hid- and several deacons. remedy compels love to act, and whether den and met the world with bland and He wanted to charge them with the re- the action will be evangelistic or social noncommittal faces. Perhaps it began in sponsibility of preaching, visiting the depends on what we see and what we the American Colonies; as religious sec- sick, and serving the needy. However, have. tarians settled and mingled, persons sick he concluded that sufficient spiritual While the church need not have a of harassment in Europe found peace in servants were not available and "there- formulated philosophy on the relation- common silence. Avoiding touchy is- fore I do not trust to start it [the ministry ship between word and deed, she will sues, one could do business." 3 program] until our Lord makes Chris- meet human need even as Jesus did in Leighton Ford of the Billy Graham tians."' His ministry. Unfortunately, there is al- Evangelistic Association told a congress Christianity advocates the concomi- ways the temptation for us to emphasize on evangelism in Minneapolis that "evan- tance of words and works. "The religion one thing to the neglect of another. And gelism must be love with flesh on," and of Christ is to be interwoven with all so the criticism goes: "If the church talks pointed to William Wilberforce as an that [we] do and say."' Speech and too much, it also does too little. It has a example of a Christian into whose heart action are partners. As such, the two big mouth, but shrunken hands. Let those God had put a burning passion to abolish belong to each other, and yet are inde- garrulous clergy climb down from their the slave trade. "Wilberforce went on a pendent of each other. Neither is a means pulpits, roll up their sleeves, and do campaign to wipe out the evil, not only to the other, nor even a manifestation of something!" by preaching the gospel but by fierce the other. Each is actually an end in In response, the question must be debate and political action." Ford com- itself. asked: Are deeds above words? mented that "such activity should not be John the apostle wrote: "If anyone confused with evangelism, neither should has material possessions and sees his Deeds and words it be separated from it."' brother in need but has no pity on him, The loudest, clearest language that Christians disagree about the precise how can the love of God be in him? Dear God ever "spoke" was when the Word relationship between social service and children, let us not love with words or became flesh and lived among us. De- evangelistic mission. W. A. Visser tongue but with actions and in truth" (1 creasing words and increasing deeds is 't Hooft says: "Unfortunately, the John 3:17, 18, NIV). Apparently, love in not the answer. Christian churches have given and are action springs from a twofold situation: How does witnessing actually take often given the impression that diakonia first, seeing a brother in need, and sec- place? We must realize that the key is in fact an auxiliary activity and an ond, having resources to meet the need. work in witnessing is not action, but incentive for their evangelistic or mis- Those who do not relate what they have interaction. Therefore, trying to help sionary expansion. A good deal of a to what they see cannot claim to be another person through pantomime is as great misunderstanding between the indwelt by the love of God. Further, this futile as trying to make the Word known church and the modern world has arisen principle applies whatever the nature of without words. precisely at this point. The world finds it the recognized need. I may see spiritual Donald Lloyd divides Americans into hard to believe that Christians can ren- two varieties, the loudmouth and the der truly disinterested service and have Rex D. Edwards, D.Min., is director of ministerial continuing education for the quietmouth, describing the latter as per- a concern about man as man, not merely General Conference Ministerial Association. sons who are friendly, helpful, and even as potential church members."5

22 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 Means or manifestation? evidential value when performed by The relation between word (evange- Jesus, and also do when done by us (see lism) and deed (social action) has been Matt. 5:16). But I cannot accept that this Rejoicing despite defined in two ways. First, some regard is their only or even major justification. social action as a means to evangelism. apostasy In this view, evangelism and the win- Social action a partnership From page 4 ning of converts is the primary goal, but As already noted, my view is that social action is a useful preliminary, an social action is a partner of evangelism. effective means to the end. In its most This does not mean that words and works, seat. Let the word go forth in sermon and blatant form, this makes social work evangelism and social action are so in- in song: Worthy is the Lamb! (whether food, medicine, or education) separable that all of us must engage in Long ago King Jehoshaphat faced a the sugar on the pill, the bait on the hook. both all the time. Situations vary, and so time of trouble. His first reaction was While in its best form social action gives do Christian callings. As for situations, fear. Then, realizing that God was fight- to the gospel a credibility it would oth- there will be times when a person's ing his battle, he inspired the people to erwise lack, the smell of hypocrisy hangs eternal destiny is the most urgent con- celebrate God's salvation: —Praise the around such philanthropy. The result of sideration. We must not forget that people Lord, for His mercy endures forever.' having such a frankly ulterior motive is without Christ are perishing. But there Now when they began to sing and to the breeding of so-called rice Christians. will certainly be other times when mate- praise, the Lord set ambushes against the We should expect this if we ourselves rial needs are so pressing that the victims people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount have been rice evangelists. No wonder will not be able to hear the gospel if we Seir, . . . and they were defeated" Gandhi observed: "I hold that prosely- shared it with them. The man who fell (2 Chron. 20:21, 22). tizing under the cloak of humanitarian among robbers needed above all else, at The lesson is clear: Get that praise work is, to say the least, unhealthy. . . . that moment, oil and bandages for his choir going! Dispense with melancholy Why should I change my religion be- wounds, not evangelistic tracts in his purgatory music and burst forth with joy cause a doctor, who professes Christian- "pockets"! Similarly, in the words of a in the Lord. It's high time we quit fret- ity as his religion, has cured me of some retired missionary, "a hungry man has ting about the time of trouble and started disease?" no ears." If our enemy is hungry, our trusting God's salvation. No more Second, others regard social action biblical mandate is, not to evangelize Waconian images of doomsday—the not as a means but as a manifestation of him, but to feed him (Rom. 12:20)! most glorious days of the church are evangelism, or at least of the gospel that Then, too, there is a diversity of Chris- ahead. We can lift up our heads and our is being proclaimed. In this case, philan- tian callings, and every Christian hearts—our redemption is drawing near! thropy is not attached to evangelism should be faithful to his own calling. A "Blessed are those who dwell in Your from the outside but grows out of it as its doctor must not neglect the practice of house; they will still be praising You" natural expression. One might also say medicine for evangelism, nor should the (Ps. 84:4). An economic boycott? Yes, that social action becomes the sacra- evangelist be distracted from the minis- but we will still be praising Him. A death ment of evangelism, for it makes the try of the Word by the ministry of tables, decree? Yes, and we will still be praising message significantly visible. as the apostles quickly discovered (see Him. Next comes a small black cloud in It is argued that medicine and educa- Acts 6:1-7). the eastern sky. We will still be praising tion are a legitimate and necessary means Christians, who live in a dying world Him. The cloud will get brighter and of creating an opportunity for preaching. with a hope that points forward in confi- brighter until the loving face of Jesus But when these services are motivated dent expectancy, should serve without a appears! We will still be praising Him. by Christian compassion, they cease to hidden agenda. Moreover, evangelism The trumpet will sound and the dead in be simply preparation for evangelism is not primarily a matter of words or Christ will rise. We will still be praising and actually become preaching. I concur deeds but a matter of presence—the Him. We who are alive will be changed with this concept so far as it goes; there presence of the people of God in the and caught up in the clouds to meet the is a strong precedent for it in the ministry midst of humanity and the presence of Lord in the air. We will still be praising of Jesus. His words and deeds belonged God in the midst of His people. ■ Him. Evermore we will be with the Lord, to each other—the words interpreting evermore still praising Him! the deeds and the deeds embodying the My friend, since we will be praising words. Not only did He announce the ' "Darum traue ich' s nicht anzufangen, God throughout the ages of eternity, solange, bis unser Herr Gott Christen macht" (Re- good news of the kingdom but He per- why not enjoy some praise music here ligion in Geschichte and Gegenwart[1906], i). ■ formed visible signs of the kingdom. 2 Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church and now?' And because people would not believe (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., His words, He said, then let them believe 1948), vol. 9, p. 21. (Italics supplied.) *Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations Donald Lloyd, "The Quietmouth American," in this editorial are from the New King James Him for the sake of the works them- The Peace Corp Reader (Washington, D.C., 1968), Version. selves (see John 14:11, NKJV). p. 121. I am left with some unease with this Leighton Ford, "The Church and Evange- ' Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Moun- argument, however, for it makes service lism in a Day of Revolution," Gospel Herald, vol. tain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1940), a subdivision of evangelism, only an LXII (Dec. 23, 1969), p. 1091. p. 672. 5 W. A. Visser 't Hooft, The Pressure of Our 2 If you want an example of praise in worship, aspect of the preaching. Now, I do not Common Calling (New York: Doubleday, 1959), you might enjoy a cassette tape of the Brooklyn deny that good works of love did have an p. 55. Tabernacle Choir.

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 23 Pastor's Pastor

Love wins!

James A. Cress

ove deserves better found spiritual insights. Its analysis of the Never excite prejudice than the gutter. But apostasy of the church during the dark Carefully reasoned and historically there it was right in ages is accurate. Adventists have always accurate presentations will be far more the filth of the streets. stood with the great reformers who saw persuasive than stirring up ill will or fos- L Last January, Sha- the medieval church's falling away from tering prejudice. Bigotry is not only out ron and I received truth as a historical fulfillment of Daniel of place, it is destructive to the very ob- invitations to attend 7, Revelation 13, and 2 Thessalonians 2. jectives of those who employ it. Notice the inauguration of the President of the But this is not the primary message of the the counsel of this very book: "The French United States. It was exciting to join the book. The primary theme of The Great Reformers . . . determined to strike a bold thousands who crowded the streets of the Controversy is that despite all attacks blow against the superstitions of Rome capital in order to get a glimpse of the upon God's truth and His character, love that should arouse the whole nation. Ac- country's new leader. The day was fes- will ultimately triumph! Of course, the cordingly, placards attacking the mass tive and the mood of the throng was historical perspective demonstrates the were in one night posted all over France. upbeat. folly of exalting traditions above Scrip- Instead of advancing the reform, this zeal- Thousands attended the festivities for ture or attempting to substitute ecclesi- ous but ill-judged movement brought ruin, the sole purpose of pushing their own ological mandates for the commands of not only upon its propagators, but upon agendas, distributing their propaganda. God. But note the closing paragraph of the friends of the reformed faith through- However, most of this "free" material the book: "The great controversy is ended. out France."' ended up in the gutter. Unfortunately, Sin and sinners are no more. The entire truth suffered the same fate. universe is clean. One pulse of harmony Seize the initiative Some discarded books caught my at- and gladness beats through the vast cre- Those who wish to see better methods tention because the cover was colorful, ation. . . . From the minutest atom to the must be at the forefront of utilizing ac- attractive, and somewhat familiar. I looked greatest world, all things, animate and ceptable alternatives. For example, my closer in the gutter and discovered copies inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty former congregation recently sent out of The Great Controversy. Hundreds of and perfect joy, declare that God is love."' invitations to friends in the community to copies of this deeply spiritual book had How do we appropriately present this request a complimentary copy of The been tossed into the streets and trash bins. message of love? I suggest the following. Great Controversy. Adventists in Caro- As I contemplated this sad end to some lina sponsored radio and newspaper cou- group's well-intentioned initiative, I con- Methods matter pons for a free book. As a result 25,000 cluded that friends sometimes cause more Jesus is as interested in God's charac- copies were hand-delivered along with damage to the gospel than enemies. I was ter being properly represented as He is in an invitation to a seminar on last-day dismayed to see this Christian classic end- facts being proclaimed. When His own events. ing up as trash. Truth deserves better! disciples were ready to call fire down More recently, various billboard ad- upon an unrepentant city, Jesus showed Read it for yourself vertisements have appeared offering The them the alternative of love. Yet in pro- If you've never read this classic ac- Great Controversy to prove the pope's nouncing the curse upon the fig tree, He count of God moving through history for intentions to change America's constitu- also showed the ultimate result of a nation the benefit of humanity, you may also tion. This sensational promotion has rejecting God's love. request a complimentary copy by writing caused among thousands of people Ministry. The book's theme of God's and deeply divided Adventist churches Truth demands dignity love triumphing over all challengers is a between those who applaud such meth- No promotional efforts should stoop message you deserve to know and I would ods and those who are appalled. To me, to cheap commercialism. The medium enjoy sending you a complimentary copy. however, the tragedy is greater than con- should match the message. It is unfortu- ■ fusion among our members. The procla- nate to see the triumph of God's love being mation of God's love deserves better than hawked as if it were a tabloid. Advertising ' Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy this kind of sensationalized commercial- that misleads potential readers about the (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn. ization. central theme of a book is deceptive to 1911), p. 678. The Great Controversy provides pro- the public and unfair to the author. 2 Ibid., pp. 224, 225.

24 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 Preacher, do you write good sermons?

Enter the Ministry 1994 Talent Search

develop a life-situation sermon by taking a bib- What we're looking for: lical story—biography, miracle, parable, or 1. How to prepare a biblical sermon in which a event—from outset to conclusion, binding the scriptural passage controls and dominates entire sermon to a single plot or theme. both the topic and its development. 2. A step-by-step demonstration of building a sermon, from introduction to conclusion. Specifications: 3. A sample sermon outline as a sidebar ex- Manuscripts should be typed double-spaced or hibit. legibly written in English on 81.(=>2" by 11" or A4 paper. Maximum length is 16 pages. Manuscripts longer than 16 pages will not be read. Manuscripts Who may write: must not have been published elsewhere. In- Any active Adventist pastor. clude full documentation (footnotes and bibliog- raphy) if applicable, as well as a biographical sketch of yourself. Write TALENT SEARCH on Categories: the title page and indicate which category the Category 1: Biblical Preaching article is being entered in. Put your name on the Take a scriptural passage and show how to title page only. Limit one article per author per draw from it the unitary idea and structural category. Send wp disc, if possible. elements. Our Writer's Guidelines in- Category 2: Doctrinal clude more complete manu- Payments: script specifications. You may Preaching request a copy before writing. A doctrinal sermon is con- Three best articles in textually rooted in sound ex- each category will be egesis. Give a methodology accepted. for developing a sermon that Maximum payment: Deadline demonstrates both applica- $500. To qualify for these special tion and relevance. In addition, other payments, your article must articles accepted for be in our hands by Category 3: Narrative publication will receive January 31, 1994. Preaching payment according to Mail to: Talent Search, Min- One tenth of the gospels is Ministry's regular pro- istry, 12501 Old Columbia exposition and nine-tenths cedure. Pike, Silver Spring, Mary- narrative. Show how you land 20904, U.S.A.

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 25 Ministry Reports

Sabbatical institute Church ministries in California convention

Last July Pacific Union Col- Enabling members to employ their spiritual gifts was the lege hosted the first-ever sabbati- goal of the recent church ministries convention in the Upper cal institute for Adventist pastors Columbia Conference. More than 1,500 attended one of 30 and their families. Directed by practical seminars addressing various aspects of local church Louis Venden, the month-long leadership. Pictured is Pastor Bob Mix of Yakima, Washing- institute offered rest, recreation, ton, leading and fellowship, along with the adiscussion opportunity for pastors to pursue group in a a study project of their choice. plenary ses- Ample time, resources, and feed- sion that re- back opportunities enabled the affirmed completion of these projects. A lay mem- major benefit of the sabbatical bers as the was the strengthening of pastoral ministering marriages. force of the "Pastors need this kind of rejuvenation," Venden Adventist observed. Church.

How to Love Your Pastorai ramify "A loved Pastor is a productive Pastor"

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* How to show you love your Pastor * How to show you love your Pastor's spouse * How to show you love your Pastor's kids * How to show you love your new Pastor MSI 206.1 $14.95 + ($4 S&H) (VHS or PAL - 61 minutes)

Seminars Unlimited - Ministerial Supply Center P.O. Box 66, Keene, TX 76059 Information (817) 641-3643 Orders (800) 982-3344 Canada and Overseas additional charges may apply please call for exact charges

26 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 In Give the Holy Spirit a Chance, the sequel to his best-selling How to Be Filled With the Holy Spirit and Know It, Garrie Wiliams invites Give the you to give the Holy Spirit a chance to speak we to you, to show He is your friend, to work through you to bring the final revival. The oly Spirit Holy Spirit can also give you a healing ministry and a "family of faith". Pick up this book and give the Spirit a chance to renew your life! Includes a study guide. a Chance Paperback, 192 pages. US$8.95, Cdn$12.10

The AnchorPoints Collection Take a fresh look at the beliefs that make us what we are. In this popular series of articles from the Adventist Review, Charles Bradford, Hyveth Williams, Martin Weber, Clifford A REMNANT Goldstein, William Johnsson, and others tell why they hold tightly to our fundamental beliefs. Each chapter is a personal testimony filled with warmth and sincerity. Hardcover, 203 pages. US$14.95, Cdn$20.20 Final EGW Manuscript POI Releases ADVENTISTS TELI WHY TIM. HOLD FAST To OUR FUNDAMENTAL BUM. Complete your set of Ellen G. White Manuscript Releases with volumes 11-21. They give you instant access to thousands of pages, of previously unpublished material drawn from Ellen I White's personal letters, diary JACK W. PR OVONSHA material, sermons, and artides US$8.95, Cdn$12.10 per volume Provonsha on .a Church The Sanctuary C I I Roy Adams calls the sanctuary doctrine "the heart of Adventist Jack W. Provonsha says Adventists face theology," and his new book on their greatest crisis since 1844. We're the subject has won the praise of losing our sense of mission. We wonder scholars for being "intellectually if we're still on the cutting edge of honest" and "a long-overdue eye- Christianity. Provonsha proves that the opener." Adams addresses the unique synthesis of truth in the three theology of the sanctuary service, angels' message is keenly relevant to the role of 1844 in understanding today's society. His probing analysis of the Jesus' heavenly priesthood, the doctrines of Creation, the Sabbath, health, metaphors of redemption, and the even the investigative judgment, gives meaning of the atonement. every Adventist a sense of our message's Paperback, 160 pages. crucial importance in the nineties. US$9.95, Cdn$13.45 A Remnant in Crisis. ■ Hardcover, 173 pages. US$14.95, Cdn$20.20 IL" To order, call your local Adventist Book Center toll-free at 1-800-765-6955. Note: Canadian prices do not include 7 percent GST in Canada and may vary according to currency fluctuation. Biblio File

Christianity in Crisis sin." "There will be no sickness for the including the use of deadly force by the Hank Hanegraaff, Harvest House Pub- saint of God." The speakers danger- law (police and military). On capital lishers, Eugene, Oregon, 1993, $16.99, ously have "faith in faith"—the concept punishment he separates the principles hardcover. Reviewed by David B. Smith, of faith as its own independent power, of civil justice from the gospel. On abor- director of public relations and develop- reducing God to an impotent servant, or tion he feels that life should be fully ment, It Is Written television broadcast, gofer, in the service of demanding hu- protected, asserting that in most cases Newbury Park, California. mans whose haughty words create their women have already exercised choice Even as an insider in religious televi- own reality. by participating in the sexual act. He sion, I am stunned by this powerful book Second, I found in reading this book does not defend the recent General Con- coming from the president of Christian a powerful affirmation of the relevance ference of Seventh-day Adventists state- Research Institute (an organization of Adventist teaching. In each of the ment about making decisions about abor- founded by Dr. Walter Martin). cardinal tenets defended so compel- tion in the context of a fallen world. Hanegraaff outlines the clear and present lingly, readers will discover Adventism. Weber skillfully points out the extremes danger of the "faith movement" blanket- Obviously Hanegraaff and CRI would to which that might lead. Can we legis- ing America's airwaves. not agree with the Adventist position on late morality? Weber says yes, to a de- American televangelism has long been every issue. But I found it invigorating gree. He sees pornography and abortion a source of amazement and amusement to to say "Amen!" to each of the "primary as legitimate concerns of the state. An secular viewers with its shallow theology, doctrines that separate Christianity from exposition on Martin Luther's doctrine Robert Tilton' s $1,000 harangues, and the kingdom of the cults." of the two kingdoms of church and state emphasis on the prosperity gospel— Hanegraaff, host of the Bible Answer could have solidified his case. "Name it and claim it." Hanegraaff color- Man radiobroadcast, is also a memory The chapter on racism, "Our Unsus- fully calls it "Blab it and grab it." Chris- expert and lecturer; he shares a good pected Sin," points out how Adventists tianity in Crisis exposes how a handful number of acronyms that give the reader have struggled with this immorality. of widely viewed ministers—Kenneth a handle on key biblical points and doc- Weber forcefully attacks the evils of Copeland, Benny Hinn, Frederick Price, trines. There are almost too many of the racial hatred. and others—undermine the pillars of acronyms. The author supports women in lead- Christianity, especially the atonement, The book is impeccably researched ership positions, including the ministry, the Trinity, and the nature of God and and written in a hard-hitting but gracious but he weakens his case by not explain- Christ, with their own brand of "faith." style. His philosophy regarding the need ing biblical texts used by opponents. Adventist pastors will gain at least for this critical book: "When it comes to While supporting some feminist causes, two benefits from this well-written book. such matters as the fabric of faith, the the author opposes a radical feminist First, Christianity in Crisis (CRI) is an nature of God, and the atonement of agenda. He contends that many femi- eye-opener about New Age theologies Christ, there must be unity. As Saint nists have abandoned women's concerns encountered by many of our own mem- Augustine so aptly put it: 'In essentials, in the real world. bers as they idly flip the dial on Sunday unity; in nonessentials, liberty; and in all Weber speaks on other social issues morning after a half hour with Finley, things, charity.' " such as the problem of homelessness. He Brooks, or Matthews. As Hanegraaff observes an obsession with self-esteem says, "Not everything these [faith] teach- Wrestling With Reality as a cure-all, and how this fixation has ers espouse is wrong. If these men and Martin Weber, Pacific Press Publishing frequently undermined responsibility. women promoted nothing but error, their Association, Boise, Idaho, 1993, 142 The chapter on ecology affirms that audiences would quickly shrink to insig- pages, $8.95, paper. Reviewed by Ron Christians need to be good stewards of nificance. It is sometimes possible to Thomsen, Houston, Texas. God's resources, but warns against the watch 15 minutes of a faith broadcast Martin Weber has written extensively pantheistic agenda permeating certain and wonder what all the fuss is about, about doctrinal issues in the Seventh- aspects of the environmental movement. since we may see and hear nothing wor- day Adventist Church since 1985. This He also describes some confusion on thy of censure. But it is what occurs on latest book ventures into contemporary exactly what practices actually do help minute 16 that ought to rock us on our social issues. the environment. heels, for it is the fatal error mixed in Weber introduces the book with his Weber expresses many good ideas on with the truth that makes the faith move- thoughts on politics. Some of his com- how to tie social issues into truths about ment so dangerous." ments in this area are on target, but salvation. Occasionally he misses im- Some sample quotes from these others seem like excessive generaliza- portant elements on some topics, pre- televangelists expose the foundation of tion. He highlights a narrow focus on the venting this book from having a defini- this new gospel: "You don't have a god Right (linked to a Sunday law scenario), tive word on these subjects. Nonethe- in you, you are one." "God cannot do while missing the restrictions from the less, it is a good first step toward moving anything in this earth unless we give Left (such as gospel-free zones in Hous- out of a narrow Adventist subculture and Him permission." "Satan conquered ton). paying attention to social concerns in the Jesus on the cross." "Being poor is a Several chapters discuss state issues, real world.

28 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 the mission to full completion. last, we have something from our own Otherwise, we shall only linger longer publications to give us a firm hold in Letters in this sin-sick world with a gigantic defending our stand. We praise God From page 2 task uncompleted. and are fully confident that now is the Your articles serve as an "official" time to act in faith. May there be more opening wedge to get the discussions pastors and workers who dare to be I agree that we should never argue started. Without anything "official" like Daniel, Jeremiah, and the other over the details of righteousness by from church organization all our faithful servants of God! Christ's faith in order to prove our position attempts at reformation will lead only honor and Heaven's glory are our right and another's wrong, I would to a dead end. You have been im- jealousy! May God be pleased with hate for others to miss out on that pressed by God's Spirit. Your articles what has transpired and will ere long "most precious message" of Christ- are very timely. We laypeople hail transpire.—Gitosiswojo Kadarman, centered details that God gave to Jones them as God-sent because now, at Java, Indonesia. and Waggoner. One quote that frequently comes to mind is from Testimonies to Ministers, pages 91, 92: "The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to Proven His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones. This message was to bring more prominently before the world the Evangelistic uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. It presented Tools justification through faith in the Surety; it invited the people to receive the righteousness of Christ, which is made manifest in obedience to all the "I have found Mark Finley to be one of the finest, commandments of God. . . . It is the most dedicated Christian evangelists this church third angel's message, which is to be bas ever bad." J.R. Spangler proclaimed with a loud voice, and Evangelism Consultant for Euro-Asia Division attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure" (italics Mark Finley supplied). I thank you again for this encourag- Sermon Slides & Scripts ing series of editorials. I look forward to more.—Robert P. Hunsaker, Loma First Used in Mark Finley's Moscow Crusade Linda, California. 800 Sets Already Sold!

■ During a combined meeting on Full Set Contains: Sabbath, February 13, 1993, in our church in Semarang, Central Java, I •24 Evangelistic Topics discussed the October 1992, April •1,920 Slides - 24 Scripts 1993, and January 1993 articles in MSI 800.0 US $235.00 +($15 S&H) Ministry with God's people there. As a result of that meeting, one of the elders of the Semarang church felt compelled to talk to the West Indonesia Union And ministerial secretary to get his ap- proval to hold an all-Java church Studying Together Bible Handbook elders' meeting to discuss openly your •Written by Mark Finley letter to the General Conference president (October 1992). We feel that •Bible Studies You Can Give the Global Mission of the church, •Understanding Churches & Other Groups although perfectly proper as it stands, •English or Spanish must be backed up by the church's SALE US $5.95 +($2 S&H) wholehearted reconciliation with God first. The gospel must be better understood by God's people before Ministerial Supply Center - Seminars Unlimited they can intelligently share the P.O. Box 66 Keene, TX 76059 message with the world and receive Information (817) 641-3643 Orders (800) 982-3344 Canada and Overseas additional shipping charges power from the Holy Spirit to carry out may apply, please call for exact charges

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 29 ■ I would like to encourage you to Raising or lowering standards? which are the "basic" Adventist continue this mission of emphasizing Just a line to express my apprecia- emphases.—D. Augsburger, Berrien the cross of Jesus. Two and a half tion for your article "Raising or Springs, Michigan. years ago the Lord opened my eyes to Lowering Standards?" (December the poverty of my prayer life, and 1992). It is true that our definition of Keeping up with Ministry since then, what victories, what joy, standards is narrow, negative, and Recently I retired after more than what peace, what salvation, and what external. We condemn a $10 necklace 40 years of ministerial service, most a transformation in my sermons. but drive to church in expensive cars of which was spent in the college May Jesus bless our church. May from our luxurious homes. I pray that classroom. One of my great fears was God help me keep my eyes fixed on your article will open eyes and hearts that I would lose contact with the Him and Him alone.—Jean Luc to the heavier things of the law— "growing edge" of Adventist ministry Rolland, Toxmac, France. justice, mercy, and faithfulness— in my retirement. Thanks to Ministry that is no longer one of my worries. When I can read and reflect on the practical theological implications of the Resurrection in the challenging article by Robert Zamora ("The Absence of Easter," April 1993), and then find myself cheering and mum- bling to myself "Right on" as Sharon Cress so delightfully makes the point that 1993 is the "Year of the Pastor's Wife, Too" (May 1993), I feel confident that I can still stay "with it" in these "golden years." And who knows, maybe my years of ministry are not over yet. Keep up the good work.—Fred Veltman, Angwin, California.

The absence of Easter The point Robert Zamora was making ("The Absence of Easter," April 1993) is not clear to me. I have been a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church all my life—some 70 years—and I can't remember a year Portraying the emo- when our church did not pay special tions of Jesus, Darrel attention to the resurrection of Christ, Tank's sensitive drawings Expressions o especially about the time of the year it bring us face-to-face with occurred. a modern-day Saviour However, it is only recently that who longs to share the I've heard our pastors speak of "Easter joys and sorrows of our weekend," and even urge our members lives. to take part in the pagan Sunday Ideal for showing sunrise services. How can our Lord be young people the reality honored with such a statement as of a friendship with "Last Easter, after our Resurrection Jesus, they are perfect for Sabbath service . . ."? Why should the use in church youth name of a heathen goddess even make rooms, a child's bedroom, an entrance into our vocabulary? Christian schools, and I think we are much too concerned doctors' and pastors' of- about whether others pat us on the fices. Six 15"x20" prints back and call us brethren, instead of for US$12.95, Cdn$16.20. holding on to our Saviour's words (Add 7% GST in Canada.) "Fear not, little flock." Paul didn't mind saying he was a member of the I "sect" called Christians, and I would To order, call your ABC at 1-800-765-6955 much rather have the Lord's approval than the world's.—Mary Jane Eaklor, Penrose, Colorado.

30 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 Shop Talk

School of evangelism page catalog compiled by a Titles include "The World's Not all sermons can be During November 30 to librarian at Andrews Most Evil Man," "Near- easily illustrated, but many December 9 of this year, the University, fills this need. Death Delusions," "Star innovative ministers are Adventist Media Center in Cost is $2.50 postpaid in the Man," and "Heaven's finding ways to present Newbury Park, California, United States. Order from Tender Touch." US$3 for their sermon first to the will host an evangelism Wolfhard Touchard, pack of seven, quantity children as a story or training school for pastors. James White Library, discounts available. To illustration before they Presenters include media Andrews University, order, call (619) 723-8082 preach it.—George speakers and some of our Berrien Springs, MI 49103. or send check/money order Hoffaker, Muscatine, Iowa. best evangelists. There is no to P.O. Box 2377, charge for this intensive Media invitations Fallbrook, CA 92088. Friendship booklet program, but only 50 pastors North American pastors About the Seventh-day can attend. Enrollment is on planning public evangelism Illustrating sermons Adventists, a booklet of 16 a first-come, first-served can arrange for Adventist A simple idea has pages, provides inquirers basis. Call (805) 373-7612. Media Ministries to send transformed the children's with a brief yet comprehen- letters of invitation to local story in our worship service. sive introduction to our Welcome Baby evangelism interests. Six weeks' We first used it when a church. Illustrated through- Would you like the advance notice is required. visiting minister punctuated out with line art, it offers an babies of your community Call Karen Hoffman (805) his story by asking ques- interesting and accurate to receive a warm Adventist 373-7612. tions about the wind. From description of Adventist welcome into the world? where does it come? What history and beliefs, even Kay Kuzma's "Welcome Pastoral postcard are its effects? All the while explaining church structure Baby" program is a new As pastor of a relatively he talked with the children and SDA global humanitar- witnessing tool for caring small church, I searched for he was making something ian outreach. Money-back members to establish bonds creative ways to communi- out of paper. Soon he had a guarantee; personalized with parents of newborns. cate with members during bird. He described how the covers possible. Available Step one is sending a the week to offer encour- bird could fly because of air in quantity for as little as 33 Welcome Baby greeting agement, reminders, or for the wings to beat cents. Phone (800) 628- card. Step two is delivering whatever. Since I find against. He then gave the 7733, or write: Channing L. a gift and the first Welcome writing letters to be time- colorful bird to an eager Bete Co., 200 State Road, Baby newsletter. Step three consuming and telephone child. Then he reached into South Deerfield, MA is continuing contact with calls not always convenient, his paper sack and found a 01373. the family every month I began sending prestamped paper bird for each child. when delivering additional postcards. (This was, of The sermon that followed $25 for your ideas newsletters. Friendships course, not in lieu of letters used many ideas proposed Please send us a sugges- developed with the family and telephone calls in some in the children's story. The tion about how pastors can can form a bridge to your cases.) After weekend speaker read John 3 and the make their ministry more church. worship services, possibly story of Nicodemus. "The effective or less stressful. If For a free preview of the during lunch, I take a stack Holy Spirit is like the we publish it, we will send program, request the of postcards and jot down wind," he remarked. "You you $25. If your idea Welcome Baby video. personal notes for members. can't see Him, but certainly promotes a product or You'll also receive informa- Monday they are mailed. you can see and feel the service you are selling, tion about the entire set of Members really appreciate results of His work." we'll be glad to consider it materials, including a this personal pastoral This concept worked so for publication but won't resource manual. Phone touch.—Joseph B. Modica, effectively that even the pay you $25! Send ideas to (615) 339-1144, or write: Madison, New Jersey. children recalled sermon Ministry, Shop Talk Editor, Family Matters, P.O. Box points. Adults benefitted 12502 Old Columbia Pike, 7000, Cleveland, TN 37320. Cosmic Conflict tracts too, having watched and Silver Spring, MD 20904. The Hart Research listened to the children's U.S. citizens, please include Witnessing resource manual Center has just released story before the sermon. Social Security number. Many members would seven tracts of the new eagerly get involved in Cosmic Conflict Series, outreach if they had the addressing basic principles proper tools. Hundreds of of Christianity and Bible Bible credits: Texts credited to NEB are from The New English Bible. CO The Delegates of the Oxford University Press and the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press 1961, 1970. Reprinted by permission. books and other training doctrine. Designed for Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, resources are available, but personal witnessing, the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. Texts credited to NKJV are from The New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers. selecting among them isn't well-written, attractively Verses marked TLB are taken from The Living Bible, copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Ill. Used by permission. Bible texts credited to RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of easy. Witnessing Projects illustrated color tracts fit the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council and Their Resources, a 64- into coat pocket or purse. of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission.

MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993 31 These people are waiting for

Don't let their smiles fool you. Behind these happy faces lie people who have never known Jesus as their personal Saviour. Millions of people, like them, are waiting for someone to reveal God's love to them. The Holy Spirit is preparing their hearts. Some live in your city or district, and God holds YOU accountable for their salvation. How can Amazing Facts can help you reach them? you! Our new Mission End- Time program is an effective plan for reaching truth seekers in your city. Our specialists can help you: •Establish an ongoing soul-winning center in your church by providing training and motivation. •Set up and operate an effective program to prepare for a reaping series. *Involve over half of your active members in some type of outreach. •By conducting a strong reaping series with your church members serving as part of the visitation team. •Firmly anchor the new in'Thbers to Jesus Christ algiestablish them in His enaktime church.

AMAZING FACTS MISSION END-TIME Reaching America with God's Final Message of Hope

For more information on how Amazing Facts can assist you, contact Evangelism Coordinator Louis Torres. Call 301-694-6200 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.ri:(EST) Mondays through Thursdays, or write to Amazing Facts, P.O. Box 680, Frederick, MD 21705-0680.

32 MINISTRY/OCTOBER/1993