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. drltfr EDITOR I A L

THE FLIGHT OF

LOVE INEXHAUSTIBLE Only a few weeks ago I stood beside For the pitch, when placed in contain- the famous Pitch Lake in Trinidad. All ers, is shipped to many countries to help my life, ever since I was a very little pave their roads and their runways. boy, I had wanted to see this remarkable Thousands of motorists, indeed passen- sight; and now my dream had come true. gers in vehicles of any kind, owe a debt It wasn't much to see. Just an expanse to the great Pitch Lake. of gray asphalt, about 100 acres in ex- It is very much like the love of God, tent, with patches of green here and which also is inexhaustible. Millions there where wind or rain had brought may draw upon it daily without fear soil onto the surface. And, of course, it that it will ever diminish throughout wasn't nearly as large as I had imagined eternity. some sixty-odd years ago it would be. Long centuries ago the prophet Isaiah Yet its unique, almost magical char- expressed this sublime thought in these acteristic remained; and because of this beautiful words: "My righteousness I would gladly have gone from the ends shall be forever, and My salvation from of the earth to see it. generation to generation." Isaiah 51:8. The lake is apparently inexhaustible. Again : "The mountains shall depart, Despite the fact that people have been and the hills be removed; but My kind- taking pitch out of it for the past hun- ness shall not depart from thee." Isaiah dred years, the level remains the same. 54:10. Factories have been built beside it and The apostle Paul had a similar con- are removing hundreds of tons a day cept when he wrote : "0 the depth of without making any perceptible differ- the riches both of the wisdom and ence. There is always more next morn- knowledge of God! how unsearchable ing. are His judgments, and His ways past I saw tread marks where a giant trac- finding out!" Romans 11:33. tor had been the day before gobbling up Most of the world's troubles today— the asphalt in its monstrous maw; but all its conflicts and hatreds and misun- the marks were already almost obliter- derstandings—result from lack of under- ated. From the mysterious depths of the standing of this wonderful God, whose lake the pitch had oozed back almost to love, power, and wisdom are as inex- the previous day's level. By nightfall haustible as they are limitless. Too many there would be no sign that a tractor had people are like the person who stands ever been there. beside the great Pitch Lake seeing noth- Under the watchful eye of an experi- ing but the dull gray surface, unmoved enced guide—for it can be dangerous—I by, the mighty power that moves silently walked out on the lake and prodded it and mysteriously beneath it. with a long stick. With the liquid pitch It is this divine love—unfailing and dripping from the end of it I wrote my everlasting—that hippies seek, that wild name on the surface; but it soon faded students need, and for which the dis- away. And the little I took from it made traught leaders of the nations yearn. not the slightest difference to its con- Indeed we all need it. You and I. And tent. it is only a prayer away. Day by day the lake blesses mankind. A. S. M.

In This Issue OF THE Anyone who has been to the Grand Can- yon in Arizona will remember the story told TIMES to all visitors that it took the Colorado River millions of years to cut its way down through the solid rock. It sounds reasonable enough, especially when recounted by an official in uniform. But is it true? Harold W. The World's Prophetic Monthly Clark dares to question it. He even suggests A Magazine of Christian Living, Presenting the canyon may not be very old after all. the Bible as the Word of God and Jesus Be sure to read his arguments on page 5 Christ as Man's Redeemer and Coming King under "Is the Grand Canyon Really Old?" Over three years ago we published an article by A. J. Campbell entitled "My Volume 96 Number 7 July, 1969 Catholic Friends," in which he told of all the kind, helpful Catholics he has met dur- ARTHUR S. MAXWELL — EDITOR ing a lifetime in overseas mission fields. T. R. Torkelson Associate Editor Now he has written again on the same subject, so we have called his latest contribu- Howard C. Larkin Art Director tion, "My Catholic Friends ( Continued )." You will find it on page 8. Be sure to note Paul B. Ricchiuti Layout Artist his concluding sentence: "Though individ- A. R. Mazat Circulation Manager uals may differ in doctrine and interpreta- tion, Christian charity should rule in the INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENTS : W. L. Emmerson, En- gland; Karl Abrahamsen, Norway; Robert H. Parr, Australia; hearts of all who love their Creator and Daniel R. Guild, Singapore. Redeemer." Some time ago we learned about a young CONTENTS man who gave away a nightclub to become a minister. So we asked Max Phillips to in- terview him and bring the story to the EDITORIAL readers of the Signs. See page 11. Love Inexhaustible 2 "Lest We Forget" is another welcome contribution from Mary J. Vine, who shows ARTICLES why life's golden memories should be pre- served. See page 20. Is the Grand Canyon Really Old? 5 Harold W. Clark All too many people today are living on My Catholic Friends their nerves. Chronic restlessness is one of (Continued) 8 A. J. Campbell the outstanding symptoms of our sick so- He Gave Away a Nightclub 11 Max Phillips ciety. See "Those Terrible Tensions" by Can Science Formulate Peace? 14 Thomas A. Davis T. R. Torkelson on page 29. Who Will Enjoy Heaven? 16 J. R. Spangler You Can Understand the Bible 18 A. Graham Maxwell Looking forward to our August issue, we Lest We Forget 20 Mary J. Vine are happy to announce the following choice Conscience in Conflict 22 Roy C. Naden articles: "The Security of Guidelines" by The Price of Free Love 26 Harold Shryock, M.D. California Treasurer Ivy Baker Priest, "Will Those Terrible Tensions 29 T. R. Torkelson Christ Come Again?" by Edward Heppen- Your Choice Today 34 Sanford T. Whitman stall, "Pernicious Inertia" by T. R. Torkel- son, "Modern Man and the Bible" by B. B. REGULAR FEATURES Beach, "Was the Flood Universal?" by Har- What's Going On? 4 Lorna Tobler old W. Clark, "The Paradox of VD" by Test Your Bible Knowledge 17 Harold Shryock, M.D., "Christians in Asia" Can You Answer This? 24 C. Mervyn Maxwell by Don Jacobsen, and "True Greatness" by Your Health Questions Thomas LaMance. Answered 28 Harold Shryock, M.D. Your Bible Questions Answered 32 Charles D. Utt

Rates in U.S.A., its possessions, and Canada: A publication of the Seventh-day Adventists, the SIGNS OF THE TIMES One-year subscription $5 50 is printed and published monthly (twelve issues a year) by the Pacific Press Publishing Association at 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, California 94040, Single copy 50 U.S.A. Second-class mail privileges authorized at Mountain View, California. Form 3579 requested. Allow thirty days in requesting change of address; give To other countries requiring extra postage: both old and new addresses and zip numbers. In placing orders for your personal and gift subscriptions, please include zip code numbers. The post One-year subscription $5 90 office requires this on all second-class mail. Only paid-in-advance subscriptions entered. Member of Associated Church Press and Religious News Service. Copyright, 1969, by the Pacific Press Publishing Association.

Signs of the Times, July, 1969 3

COVER: ED GUERRIERE

Litho in U.S.A. Cancer Survival Limited but definite progress has been made in re- cent years in the detection and treatment of some forms of cancer, even though the causes of most can- cers continue to elude scientists. The American Can- cer Society reports that twenty years ago about one in four cancer patients survived five years after first being treated; ten years later the ratio improved to one in three, and remains currently at about that level.

WHAT'S GOING I "Operation Literacy" ON? Total illiterates still form about 41 percent of the world's population. Bible societies, in translating the by Lorna Tobler Scriptures and equipping the churches for distribution programs, often work in advance of literacy campaigns sponsored by governments, missions, and other agen- Public Relations cies. Six American Protestant leaders recently met with members of the Vatican Secretariat for Promoting Courage of Conviction Christian Unity, the Secretariat of State, and other The Boston Globe has announced it will cease pub- Roman church officials, to discuss current ecumenical lication of cigarette advertising when its present con- relations in the United States. Dr. R. H. Edwin Espy, tracts expire. The action was taken because "accumu- general secretary of the National Council of Churches, lated medical evidence has indicated that cigarette said that the trip was to emphasize the widest possible smoking is hazardous to health," the paper said. A Protestant-Catholic relations, especially collaboration Globe spokesman said he believed this was the first of the National Council of Churches and American time a metropolitan newspaper has put such a policy Catholicism. The delegation later had an audience into effect. with Pope Paul VI. Freshwater Supply Buried Treasure A University of California pilot plant to make sea- Two important archaeological finds have recently water drinkable has passed its first field tests at the been reported in Jerusalem. One is believed to be the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, Cali- first inscription in the Philistine language dating from fornia. The experimental plant produces 300 gallons the twelfth century B.C. Many scholars had doubted of drinkable water a day. But more important than the the existence of a written language among the Philis- total output, which could easily be increased by add- tines. ing more components, is the fact that seawater is being The second find was made near the Dead Sea. In purified by the reverse osmosis method in a single the center of a village—tentatively identified as Ir operation, a great improvement over distillation and Hammelah, the Salt City of Joshua 15:62—a building other desalination methods. was uncovered which apparently served as a kitchen and dining room for the Essenes, a quasi-monastic Man on the Moon group at the time of Christ. Coins found there date from the reigns of Herod the Great, Archelaus, and Agrippa I. The Apollo 11 space- ship, scheduled to fly Americans to a land- Paul VI to Africa ing on the moon in Pope Paul VI has announced that he will make a July, is hoisted to "rapid" visit to Kampala, Uganda, during the latter the top of its Sat- half of July. It will not be his first visit to Africa, but urn 5 rocket in the it will be the first by any reigning pope. Uganda has Saturn's assembly a larger Christian population than most other African building. The ship's nations, approximately half of its 8 million inhabitants four lunar landing being Christians, one third of them Catholic. In re- legs extend from the cent years Catholicism and Anglicanism, the two major base of the space- Christian denominations in the country, have shown craft's protective a growing spirit of cooperation which has often been shell. It is planned noted by spokesmen for both churches. The African for Neil Armstrong, trip will be Pope Paul's seventh journey outside Italy. Michael Collins, and He will then have visited every inhabited continent Edwin Aldrin to except Australia since assuming the papacy. make the flight.

4 Signs of the Times, July, 1969 IS THE GRAND CANYON REALLY OLD? Were Millions of Years Required to size of the flash that would be nec- deep. Fifty-six miles of the course Cut the Mighty Gorge? essary to light up that awful gorge! of the river lie within the Grand But then I began to think: Was she Canyon National Park. The South The Evidence Restudied much worse than others who have Rim is at 7,000 feet elevation, and tried to illuminate the past, pres- the North Rim lies from 8,000 to The setting sun cast its golden ent, and future of this gigantic 8,800 feet. The plateau through beams over the Grand Canyon, canyon? which the river has cut this great lighting up the pinnacles and caus- Much has been written, and ela- gorge is a great dome about 3,000 ing the temples to glow, while shad- borate theories have been proposed, feet high. The river is not in the ows from the chasm below crept to show how the slow action of center, but has cut its channel along slowly up and gradually obliterated natural forces has worked through the south slope; thus the difference the details of the sculpture spread long ages to form it. Is it not time between the two rims. All the evi- out before us. My wife and I were to reevaluate the evidence and see dence points to the fact that the about to leave the enchanting scene if it is really valid? Perhaps a much river cut its way down through the when I heard the click of a camera greater "flash" is necessary. flat-lying strata as they were being and saw a flash. Looking around, I Let us take a look at the scene elevated above the surrounding saw a young woman putting her the canyon sets before us and note country. How it could do that is camera back into its case. She had what scientists have to say about its amazing. just taken a flash-bulb picture of formation and history; then let us However, upward movements of the canyon! see if geologists really have the the rocks in that region are not I could imagine her disappoint- solution to the problems it presents. unusual, for many have occurred, ment when her pictures came back The Grand Canyon of the Colo- as may be seen in the Rocky Moun- from the photo finishers. How in- rado River is from four to eighteen tains, the Uintas, and others. The adequate was her concept of the miles wide and more than a mile question we face is not how much

Professor Emeritus of Biology Pacific Union College

UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD distortion of the crust of the earth ized plants. The undoubted occur- has occurred, but when and how. rence of pollen of flowering plants Some of these questions demand is even more difficult to explain in rather extensive study. usually accepted evolutionary con- Taking a look at the walls of the cepts."—Ibid., p. 50. canyon, we find that the Kaibab Flowering plants are not sup- limestone on the North Rim is posed to have appeared until the classed as Permian, while the low- Jurassic "period," at least 450,000,- est stratified rock is Cambrian. Be- 000 years later than the rocks in low this is the inner gorge, about which Burdick reports them! 1,500 feet deep, cut down into the The great Colorado Plateau Precambrian. The Cambrian, which stretches away hundreds of miles to we discussed in the last study, is the the north of the Grand Canyon. lowest system in which any signifi- Let us move to a vantage point far cant numbers of fossils occur and to the northeast and see what we is dated by geologists at about can learn of its history. 600,000,000 years old. The Permian, Standing on the cliffs of the Col- FREDERIC LEWIS at the top, is dated at about 250,- orado National Monument west of 000,000 years; thus the canyon ex- Grand Junction, we can see below very much in evidence. This forma- poses about 350,000,000 years of us 2,000 feet of red sandstone, tion consists of up to 500 feet of history, according to the popular which across the valley to the north red and brown mudstones, sand- theory of geological time. dips beneath another 2,000 to 3,000 stones, and shales. It is found all But is this "guesstimate" valid? feet of gray limestone. Beyond that over the Colorado Plateau. It un- In 1966 it was reported that in the tops of another 3,000 feet or so derwent structural deformation be- the Hakatai shale, below the Cam- of deposits show up. Wells bored fore the next strata were laid down brian, and thus in the Precambrian, in the plain below us go down upon it, yet no deep canyons ap- were found a considerable number around 4,000 feet. So we have in pear anywhere in it. The next of spores of plants, largely conifers. this region from 8,000 to 10,000 formation, the Shinarump, was Approximately 50 percent of the feet of sediments which have been dropped into shallow hollows in the vegetation thus indicated was simi- laid down—over many thousands Moenkopi. These holes are gen- lar to that of the Permian Supai of square miles, as we know. erally not over forty feet deep, and formation near the top of the can- One question that arises is: in many places much less. How was yon. Whence came all this mass of sedi- it possible, we ask, if these rocks "This study of the microflora of ment? No one can answer this were produced over long periods the Grand Canyon is the first indi- question. There is no highland in by normal action, that the Shina- cating that conifers and angio- sight from which it could have rump could have been laid down sperms extended . . . into what is come. The Rockies, the Uintas, and continuously over the Moenkopi, usually called Cambrian and Pre- the Wasatch all came up after the when we find no evidence that the cambrian time. . . . bulk of the Colorado Plateau sedi- latter had been uplifted to form "In general the same . . . wind- ments were deposited. The only hills or mountains to be eroded to blown pollen was found in all for- suggestion worth considering is that produce the Shinarump materials? mations from the Permian down given by the rocks themselves. The But that is not the only problem. through the Precambrian."—Clif- nature of their deposit indicates The Shinarump is made of pebbles ford Burdick, "Microflora of the that they were brought in from imbedded in a soft matrix. These Grand Canyon," Creation Research some distance to the west and pebbles are well rounded, showing Society Annual, Vol. 3, No. 1, p. 47. southwest, probably from some that they have been washed for Conifers are not supposed to have land mass that no longer exists. long distances, and they are of en- lived before the Pennsylvanian, This is one of the mysteries of the tirely different composition from dated at about 300,000,000 years region, which we cannot now in- the strata below them. Nearly all ago. Therefore these spores in the vestigate as fully as we would like. of them come from rock material lower strata of the canyon are, by But whatever that problem, there is not represented in the region. This the usual theory, 300,000,000 years one thing very clear, and that is Shinarump formation is thin, sel- too early. What is the matter with that these rocks were laid down by dom running over 150 feet thick the dating? Again we quote from forces quite different from any- and often less. It and the Chinle Burdick: thing in operation today. One or formation above it intergrade and "Finding of spores of plants at two examples will show this. show evidence of strong streams least clearly related to the pines in One of the most prominent for- and whirling waters. This "delta" the Precambrian makes it extremely mations is the Moenkopi, named bedding is also true of the Moen- difficult to visualize any evolution- from a village in the Navajo Reser- kopi. Fossil wood occurs in "log ary development of these special- vation where these red rocks are jams," which is another indication

6 Signs of the Times, July, 1969 of flood-plain or delta conditions culiar nature of this great region, time untenable, but they fit per- with rapidly running water. let us see if we can organize the fectly into the Flood theory of Perhaps the most puzzling phe- data and draw conclusions from it. geology. nomenon of the whole region is the 1. As we showed in last month's The question may be raised: lack of extensive erosion for mil- study, the animal life in the Cam- Where could all the water have lions of years ( in the popular time brian, the lowest fossiliferous rocks, come from to do such a tremen- scale) while the strata are sup- is highly complex and not at all dous amount of carving of canyons posed to have been laid down. Al- primitive. and cliffs in a few hundred years? most no canyon cutting can be 2. Discovery of pine pollen in the But when we realize that the Colo- observed. The deepest valleys cut lowest rocks effectually does away rado River has a drainage basin of into any of the cliffs are perhaps with the idea of long ages of time, nearly 250,000 square miles, and not more than 150 feet deep and for it shows clearly that while the that for many years following the half a mile wide. From a careful Cambrian and some Precambrian Flood this region would have had study of the situation, we are ready sediments were being laid down, several times the amount of precip- to make a statement that will star- even though their animal life was itation it now has, it is not hard tle some. It is this: There has been distinctly marine, pines were grow- to understand how all these fea- only one period of deep channel ing not so far away but what their tures could have been produced in cutting, and that is the one just pollen sifted down into the muds. a comparatively short time. The preceding the present. 3. The whole Colorado Plateau, Colorado River at present flows It is in this period, which we con- which includes the Grand Canyon 200,000 cubic feet a second, at flood fidently assert to have been not region, shows evidence of rapid stage. If it were ten to a hundred many thousand years ago, that the transport of sediment from some times that, and laden with sand great erosion of cliffs in the plateau distant area, and some of the for- brought down from the wearing took place, the canyons of the San mations are of such a nature that away of the cliffs in Utah and parts Juan and the Colorado Rivers were they could not possibly have been of Colorado and Wyoming, we can cut, and such peculiarities as the produced by any natural means see how an enormous amount of Goosenecks of the San Juan were from their underlying rocks. cutting could be done in a short produced. Most of these features 4. There is evidence of only one time, especially when we realize are due to the peculiar nature of period of extensive erosion, and that the sediments would still be the rocks—alternation of hard and that is the one after nearly all the comparatively soft, having only re- soft strata—a comparatively flat con- deposits were made, and after the cently been laid down. It is not tour, and great volumes of water. uplifts of the great mountain necessary to invoke millions of If they had been produced during ranges, such as the Uintas and the years for the formation of the long periods of time with normal Rockies, had been produced. Grand Canyon and the great cliffs climatic conditions, they would 5. Many of the sediments in the of the plateau to the north of it. have worn much farther back and upper portions of the basins be- The Flood theory affords a much produced broad valleys. All these tween the uplifts show clearly that more satisfactory explanation than canyons are characteristically they were derived from the wash- does the theory of long ages of time, "young" valleys, as the geologists off of the great mountains. inasmuch as it is much more nearly classify valleys. When we put all these facts to- in harmony with the actual facts Now that we have reviewed, al- gether, not only do they make the that can be observed in the field though extremely briefly, the pe- theory of long ages of evolutionary today. [END]

Signs of the Times, July, 1969 7 MY CATHOLIC FRIENDS (Continued)

Sequel to the Article Which Appeared in the "Signs" of December, 1965.

by A. J. Campbell "Though individuals may differ in doctrine and interpretation," says this veteran missionary, "Christian charity should rule in the hearts of all who love their Creator and Redeemer."

Two young people, the Dunns, two little rescue planes and flew weekly air flights from the coast both graduate nurses of the Sydney nearly 100 people to safety while into central New Guinea. He had Sanitarium and Hospital, Australia, besieged by the invading forces. been a World War II pilot engaged and recently married, had spent Our aim was to set up a memorial in the heavy bombings of Europe. only one week at their medical as- to this brave and selfless man. I had flown with him many times signment in the new Adventist hos- Speedy cooperation was given in in various kinds of planes. He was pital, Malaita, British Solomon Is- clearing the project through the a Catholic and a very sincere and lands, when tragedy struck. administrator of the territory of helpful man. One day I was due to One evening Brian Dunn re- Papua and New Guinea, and the board his plane on the airfield at ceived a mortal wound from an Department of the Army, Canberra, the Seventh-day Adventist leper assassin's spear. His only hope was Australia. We were then invited to hospital south of Mount Hagan to in getting to a hospital at the Ad- join with the Returned Soldiers join three more Adventist mission- ventist mission on the other side of League of New Guinea to raise aries, all bound for a convention the island. But the Dunns had no funds for this purpose. As yet, be- being held at Wabag to the west. boat at their new little station; so cause of lack of funds, we have not I had plowed my way in a wartime they asked for help from the Cath- been able to care for the memorial jeep over boggy mountain roads olic mission nearby. The priest bed in the Goroka Base Hospital, from Goroka to a friend's place in charge came with his boat, bring- nor place a cairn or plaque where where I stayed overnight. That ing with him some much needed Father Glover was killed in 1946. night I felt impressed not to go on morphine. He did everything in his Several more incidents involving to the Hansenide Colony near power to help. He took the dan- genuine friendliness should be told. Mount Hagen but to return to the gerously wounded missionary and Recently the Adventist mission Coral Sea Union Missionary Col- his young wife out to sea to meet plane VH-SDA, piloted by Pastor lege, where I was principal at that the Adventist mission boat. When Colin Winch and accompanied by time. I was quite unable to explain a few days later he learned that one of the writer's sons, took off for to the pilot my change of plans. Brian had died from his wound, a flight along the north coast of On my return journey I called at many gathered in his church for a New Guinea to the Indonesian bor- the mountainous Chuavi police post memorial service. The kindness of der. Engine trouble developed, and on a friendship call. There I was this priest must never be forgotten. the pilot landed at a Catholic mis- advised of the crash of the plane I Since the article, "My Catholic sion airstrip, where he found the was to have boarded and was Friends," appeared in the Signs of priest-pilot and his plane at home. shocked at the news that Bill, the the Times in December, 1965, tell- This father was also a good me- pilot, was dead, and three of my ing the story of the late Father chanic and spared no effort to put fellow missionaries critically in- Glover, a memorial cairn has been the Adventist plane in good shape jured. built to his memory near the Sev- again. Some time ago my son and I vis- enth-day Adventist mission at Kai- Then there was Bill, a very fine ited Father Hoff in a hospital in nantu in central New Guinea. It friend of ours, whom we came to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. was here, in 1942, that he hid his know very well on his regular He had flown 20,000 hours without

Father Glover's Spartan hidden at the Adventist mission. Pioneer mountain pilot Barnard with Cessna in New Guinea. an accident until he too crashed, smile, she added, "Not yet." It was day came to a close. So they completely wrecking the Catholic an inspiration to meet with such stopped at a Catholic mission. The mission Cessna he was flying and dedication in that vast wilderness sister in charge urged him not to in which he was critically injured. of nature and human need. We press on or attempt to cross the two He has made a remarkable recov- wished them God's blessing in their more rivers in the dark. After a ery. medical ministry. shower and a good meal he was Then a little later my other twin A number of Adventist mission- taken to a room. The sister told him son, now a doctor in New Guinea, aries were gathered for a council that the priest would be away from and I had arrived at Mount Hagan on an island near Rabaul, New his station for the weekend. "So you in a DC-3, knowing that it would Guinea, but it did not take place. can sleep in Father's bed," said the not be flying through to where we On that very Saturday afternoon, sister. This weary traveler told me, lived sixty miles west in the wild and the following Sunday after- "It was the sweetest sleep I had Wabag country. As we were stop- noon, two volcanoes erupted vio- enjoyed for many nights. After a ping, we noticed a Cessna aircraft lently, taking some 400 lives near hearty breakfast, I was on my way, about to move out on a flight. We us, while the 2,000-acre island we refreshed and strengthened for the also saw a friend of ours wave the were on sank several feet before day's activities because of my new- pilot to wait. We soon ascertained we escaped from it. Our two mis- found Catholic friends." the reason. It was a Catholic mis- sion vessels, after an amazing es- At another time the same mis- sion Cessna preparing to make a cape, took part in rescue opera- sionary was attending a govern- detour emergency flight on its way tions. We found ourselves among ment and mission educational con- to Wewak on the north coast, its thousands of nationals, Europeans, ference convened for the benefit of base. It would be landing at Wa- and Chinese in a refugee camp at the people of Bougainville. Catho- bag, near my home, to leave a Vuna Popi, headquarters of the Ro- lics, Methodists, and Adventists supply of insulin for the hospital to man Catholic mission. were represented. Our missionary meet an urgent need. One day an Adventist missionary learned that a Catholic sister would Yes, there was room for me, and was flying from New Guinea to have to wait four days for transpor- I quickly transferred from the DC-3 Australia in an airliner when he tation to her station ten miles fur- to the little Cessna. And who should found his seatmate to be an island ther south than the Adventist be the pilot but Father Hoff! The lad named Augustine, a polio vic- center. So he offered transporta- bishop was also a passenger, and tim being sent to the Catholic tion to her and her girls, and all another priest and I sat on gal- Mater Hospital in Newcastle for gladly accepted. At nightfall they vanized trunks immediately behind specialized treatment. When the reached the Adventist mission sta- the pilot. This was a kind deed I plane reached Australia, the mis- tion. The missionary's wife cared shall not forget. sionary called to ask me if I could for the sister, and the Adventist Several years ago I visited the visit the boy. It so happened that girls cared for the Catholic girls. great Ituri Forest of the Belgian I had been to Augustine's village The Adventists later remarked, Congo, where live the Pygmies, at Moge, in the Chimbu area of "What a pleasant and friendly eve- averaging about four feet in height. the interior of New Guinea. I had ning we spent with our Catholic There our Plymouth station wagon, with me a little "wonder machine," friends, listening to music and ex- with its medical group, visited a a small plastic gramophone with changing experiences! That friend- small Roman Catholic mission hos- fourteen gospel messages. Fortu- ship continues." The priests made pital within the forest, staffed by a nately the records were in his own a special trip to the Adventist mis- sister and two nurses, all young. language. He was astonished as he sion to offer their thanks. The sister, a French lady, could heard the words of life coming Two missionaries were visiting speak English. The two nurses were from the little machine and ex- in the Buin district of Bougainville Belgians. We were invited into a claimed, "That is my very own when they heard that the local large round house with vertical bars language! That is my very own lan- priest was ill. They called at his in the small windows. While we guage!" Eventually he improved a mission for a most amiable visit sat down to refreshments and great deal and returned to central with him. They had prayer with talked, Pygmies could be seen in- New Guinea, taking his little ma- and for him. Some months later quisitively looking through the chine with him to play to others. they were again down that way metal bars. The matron informed us The ward sister had taken care of and were waiting for a small boat that the hospital would soon be the patient's precious machine till bound for Kieta. On learning they completely empty, as every year he left. were there the priest, now hale and the little people go on long hunt- One of our missionaries was vis- hearty again, traveled in his jeep ing trips deep into the Ituri Forest, iting on the west coast of Bougain- to greet them. taking all their sick and dying with ville, where my wife and I began Individuals may differ in doctrine them. We were told the hospital our missionary service. His route, and interpretation, but Christian had been in operation for two years. as usual, took in areas of rugged charity should rule in the minds "What have you accomplished in mountains and river crossings. He and hearts of all who profess to that time?" I asked. "Nothing!" was and his party were nowhere near love their Creator and Redeemer. the reply. Then, with a determined their planned destination when the [END]

10 Signs of the Times, July, 1969 Alan serenades wife Carol and son Peter John, who seems unable to choose between guitar and camera.

HE GAVE AWAY A

NIGHTCLUB—To Become a Minister

Interview With Alan Pierce by Max Phillips

After hearing about a young- man who literally gave Alan: That's right, Max. away a nightclub to become a Seventh-day Adventist Max: Where was this nightclub and what was its minister, I was intrigued. I wanted to find out his name? reasons, his motivation. Certainly here was someone Alan: In Modesto. It was called The Rendezvous who had found something more satisfying than what and would hold about 300 people. the world was giving him. Max: How much was it worth? So I drove to Angwin, California, and met Alan Alan: When I got rid of it, probably $20,000. Pierce, his wife Carol, and their infant son Peter John. Max: How long ago was that? They were living in a trailer on the campus of Pacific Alan: In '65. I was twenty-three at the time. Union College, where Alan is studying theology. I Max: Were you married then? found them a genuinely happy and refreshing family. Alan: Yes, we'd been married about three years. Although they were, as Paul says ( 1 Corinthians 3:1, Max: But now you are a ministerial student at Pa- RSV ), but "babes in Christ," it was plain that they cific Union College. How did this happen? had found something which money could not buy. Alan: Well, before I got into the nightclub I was Here is what followed: a professional musician and entertainer. I met Carol Max: Is it true, Alan, that you once owned a night- while I was playing at Lake Tahoe. After we were club? married we set up our home in Modesto where my

Signs of the Times, July, 1969 11 With Dan Appel and Dennis Nutter. With campus pastor and friend Ted Wick.

Alan accompanies the singing Fellowmen with guitar.

father lived, and I went into the nightclub business. him; and when I came back I saw him quickly put it Max: Was your wife a Christian at the time you down on the seat. bought the club? Max: How did you react to this, Alan? Alan: No. Not when we met or when we married. Alan: It didn't set too well. They used to have Bible She became one while I owned the club. studies every Friday night. Elder Hayward Shafer, Max: How did this happen, Carol? who is now the associate pastor here at PUC, was the Carol: Alan and I had lost two children. Out of pastor in Modesto then; and it seemed like he came grief over losing the children I needed comfort from over to our house all the time. something that nothing I had could give. When I was Max: Did you respect your wife's new life? a child, maybe nine years old, I had attended Sabbath Alan: I respected it, yes. But I didn't want it for School in a Seventh-day Adventist church. I knew that myself. Saturday is the Sabbath; so, when I came up against Carol: A young couple started coming to visit us, this grief, I sought my old church again. Roy and Princess Brasher. We played games together, Max: Did you find it hard to accept Christianity, and Alan would relax and laugh a bit. We viewed a with your husband owning a nightclub? film once on the millennium. He saw Satan in it, and Carol: Well, not really. Alan was so busy with the it scared him. He wouldn't look at it. Finally he de- nighclub that I really didn't see a great deal of him. cided to study with this young couple and me. Then When he was home he was sleeping, and when he Fred Costa, his co-owner, told Alan he could have the woke up he usually plopped in front of the TV set. whole club. So Alan took the club and became so busy Then it was time to go back to the club. I didn't see that he could no longer study. But I saw Alan grow much of him, and he wasn't the type of husband to steadily more unhappy and miserable. demand anything of me. I mean, he didn't force me Max: Alan, were you scared by this picture of to go to the club or anything like that. Satan? Max: Did this experience with Christ give you Alan: When I first saw that, it really did shake me. what you felt you needed? But I got over it fast. Carol: Yes, definitely. Max: Did this young couple influence you in a pos- Max: And since that time have you been happy? itive way? Carol: Yes. Before I accepted Christ I had come to Alan: I think so. He was a Christian book sales- the place where, if I had had the nerve, I would have man. They were dedicated people, and their witness taken my life. But when I became a Christian it sud- for Christianity did a lot for me. denly occurred to me one night that I was no longer Carol: I was afraid to ask Alan to go to church. But afraid to go to bed. I didn't mind the dark. And I was when Pastor Mostert visited us in Modesto, he asked happy. But my husband and I were just drifting apart. Alan to come to church in such a straightforward way Max: Did you want Alan to become a Christian and that it put him on the spot, and Alan said Yes. Since join you in this experience? Alan is a man of his word, he came. I don't think he Carol: Yes, but at first I was afraid to ask him. So really wanted to, but he did. I placed Christian literature around the house. I put Max: How did you feel with him in church? it in the bathroom. I put it in the car. Once, when we Carol: I prayed that the Lord would convert him went to the grocery store, I left some in the car with right then, because I didn't know if he would ever

12 Signs of the Times, July, 1969 said if I wanted out he would take the club over until he could sell it. So I just walked out. Max: Did you make any money on it? Alan: No, none at all. I just walked out and let him have it. At the time he took it over it wasn't in the best of shape financially. All the time I was under conviction I didn't care about it at all. I just half went there. Max: Were you at a loss to know what to do after giving up the club? Alan: I didn't know how to do anything but play a guitar. I had never done much before that. So I started looking for a job. We were desperate. We had expenses but no income. I even picked cherries for a while and made just enough to eat on. Finally I got The Pierces say they are happier now than ever before. a job with a construction company in Modesto, driving a concrete transit-mix truck for three or four months. Then this family, the Brashers, interested me in litera- ture evangelism. So I sold books for almost a year. I sold Arthur S. Maxwell's Bible Story and the "Con- flict of the Ages" set. The Lord really blessed me. I felt I did very well. But I came to the point where come back. I knew the life Alan was used to, and for I felt I wasn't being used to the extent I wanted. I him this was really different. When they asked the used to eat my lunch in the park and just lie there and congregation to kneel and Alan wouldn't, I thought, listen to the ball game. I kept thinking of going to "Well, you oaf, you'd be less conspicuous if you would school. Selling Christian books was helping us finan- kneel too," but he wouldn't. cially, spiritually, and every other way, but there was Max: Alan, why wouldn't you kneel? something missing. Alan: I didn't want to participate. I felt that if I Max: So you decided to go to college? participated it would mean I had actually accepted, Alan: Every time I mentioned going to school Carol and at the time I didn't want to. put up a squabble. Max: Did you begin to take Bible studies? Max: Why, Carol? Alan: I didn't take any formal Bible studies. It was Carol: I loved the fellowship of the literature evan- a gradual, relaxed, subtle way that I actually came in gelists. I loved to have Alan come home and tell me contact with doctrines like the Sabbath. his experiences. Max: Was the Sabbath easy or hard to accept? Alan: But a funny thing happened. I woke up one Alan: At first it was very hard. When I first went morning with a big boil in the middle of my stomach. to church with Carol I would go to the club in the I could hardly move. I didn't go to work, and later on afternoon. I thought they were a bunch of weird peo- in the morning I thought this would be a good time ple for going to church on Saturday. I really didn't to go up and look at PUC. So we drove up. We saw know much about the Sabbath until after I had ac- Miss Elenor Spoor, associate dean of students. After cepted Christ. talking with her, we saw Mr. Strickland at the business Max: What made you accept Christ? office about finances and housing. Then they gave me Alan: It was a gradual thing. I was miserable and a battery of five tests and told me that if I did well unhappy and sad. Nothing seemed to have any mean- on those I could enter college even though I didn't ing to me at all. So one evening I asked Carol if she have a high school diploma. could have her pastor come by. It had come to the Max: How did you do? point where I just had to have something different Alan: I did very well. They let me in on the basis from what I had. True, I had a new car, a house, and of those tests. things like that; but I really didn't have anything. Carol: And he also got a job that day. Max: Have you been happy since accepting Christ? Alan: At the college store. We had a job and a Alan: I don't see how I ever lived as long as I did place to live before we left that day. That was in without Him. August. We came up and registered in September, Max: How did you get out of the club? 1965. We had the trailer we had used in the literature Alan: I really started praying in earnest. I wanted evangelism work. We set it up, and here we are. We've to get out. I didn't know what I was going to do, but been here three years. I'm a Junior theology major I wanted to be a Christian. Many times I went back this year. into the club storeroom where we kept the empty beer Max: What made you take theology? bottles and knelt down and prayed that the Lord Alan: I didn't want to do anything else. I just want would help me get out of there. Then one day my to tell other people how the power of God changed father, who owned a business in town, came by and my life. [END]

Signs of the Times, July, 1969 13 CAN SCIENCE FORMULATE PEACE? "The true problem lies in the hearts and thoughts of men."—Albert Einstein by Thomas A. Davis

Can science put together a for- survival. Nobody, except a few the wickedness of the human heart mula to end war as systematically power-minded demagogues such as —its explosive power for evil." And and successfully as a medical re- a Napoleon or a Hitler, wants war when that evil bursts forth, ration- search team may draw up one to with its frightful destructiveness of ality becomes impotent. That is the cure scarlet fever or tuberculosis? security, happiness, life, and prop- time "when our passions speak and Can the factors that cause war be erty. "The people of the world want decide for us, and we seem to stand analyzed, charted, and graphed so peace," said President Nixon during by and wonder." that when war threatens between his inaugural address. If you have Thus there is in man a tension nations all that need be done to pre- any doubts, stop any man on the between his desire for peace and serve peace is to consult the book street and ask him if he wants war. security, and his passion, covetous- and apply the formula? Ask a hundred, ask a thousand, and ness, egotism, desire for aggran- Eighty peace institutes through- the chances are that not one will dizement, and lust for power. And, out the world, including one in cast his vote for war. as history shows, in almost every Russia, are searching for some such Nevertheless, in the words of the case when this tension reaches the "scientific basis for permanent late General George C. Marshall, breaking point, the latter win out. peace." The research—which has "If man does find the solution for Someone has observed that man been called "the science of human peace, it will be the most revo- is dominated by one of four propen- survival"—carried on in these insti- lutionary reversal we have ever sities, depending upon his predis- tutes is a new discipline born since known." positions. He is passion-controlled, World War II. It is envisioned as These words have a greater im- lust-controlled, pride-controlled, or something of a counterbalance to pact when we recall how persistent ambition-controlled. In war, more the grim fact that 18 percent of all is war in man's long history. Ac- than in any other activity man pur- scientists who have ever lived are cording to historians we have had sues, these four evil propensities today at work on arms research. only 300 warless years in the last are combined. The October, 1968, UNESCO 3,500 years. We are told that dur- On the basis of our knowledge of Chronicle, reporting on the subject, ing that period some 8,000 peace the war-prone nature of man, the states that the science has grown by treaties have been signed, many of consistent witness of history, and leaps and bounds as a response to which were supposed to bring of Bible prophecy, which predicts the threat of nuclear war. about permanent peace. But each war to the very end of time, we Involved in the research are so- time peace lasted on an average maintain that science will never ciologists, economists, biologists, only two years. Estimates indicate succeed in solving the problems of physicists, and mathematicians. A that between 100 and 150 million war because it can never succeed few of the many areas being lives were taken by war in the first in solving the problem of man. examined include stress within half of this present century. There is yet another reason why national societies, the complex re- What is the reason for the puz- man will not resolve his combative- lationship of the international zling contradiction between man's ness, one that the scientists work- situation, the influence of military- deep desire for peace and his al- ing in the eighty peace research industrial complexes, and the basic most constant embroilment in war? institutes will not, and cannot, nature of man. The great physicist Albert Ein- evaluate. If the men working on these stein gave an answer to this Some years ago Bertrand Russell, problems can take each apart, see question in 1948 when, with the commenting on the ruin toward how it contributes to war and how frightful shadow of the atom bomb which mankind seems to be march- to control it for peace, they will darkening the countries of the ing, observed that many people have accomplished a stupendous world, he said: "The true problem "see mankind driven on by angry task. lies in the hearts and thoughts of gods, no longer master of his fate." The earnest good wishes of prac- men. It is not a physical problem, He wrote better than he knew. For tically all humanity attend them as but an ethical one. . . . What ter- mankind is indeed being urged on they work. For in our rational mo- rifies is not the explosive force of to destruction by Satan, the "prince" ments the desire of all of us is for the atomic bomb, but the power of of this evil world.

14 Signs of the Times, July, 1969 .111 Peace institutes have proliferated since the UN was chartered in 1945.

thousand years are over, Satan will be let loose frc.n his dungeon; and he will come out to seduce the na- tions in the hur quarters of the earth and to 7: luster them for bat- tle, yes, the hosts of Gog and Ma- gog, countless as the sands of the sea. So they marched over the breadth of the land and laid siege to the camp of God's people and the city that He loves." Verse 7-9, NEB. This battle, the final one of earth's long and bloody history, ends with the total eradication of the armies of the wicked and of Satan himself. For, our text con- tinues, "fire came down on them from heaven and consumed them." UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL In prophetic anticipation of this It is his demonic power that the for the great day of battle of God event the psalmist wrote, centuries apostle Paul referred to when he the sovereign Lord." "So they as- ago: "Come, behold the works of wrote: "For our fight is not against sembled the kings at the place the Lord, what desolations He hath human foes, but against cosmic called in Hebrew Armageddon." made in the earth. He maketh wars powers, against the authorities and Revelation 16:13, 14, 16, NEB. to cease unto the end of the earth; potentates of this dark world, Consequently, as a result of the He breaketh the bow, and cutteth against the superhuman forces of warlike tendencies of man and the the spear in sunder; He burneth the evil in the heavens." Ephesians unperceived incitings of those un- chariot in the fire. Be still, and 6:12, NEB. seen powers, the world is yet to know that I am God: I will be ex- To the mind of secular, prag- experience fearsome battles. alted among the heathen, I will be matic, scientific, antisupernatural Christ stated that wars would exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:8-10. men of the twentieth century, such ravage humanity until His return. Not until that final cleansing an idea is fantastic, and the one Asked for signs by which men holocaust will peace reign upon who believes it is naive or worse. might know that His return was the earth. Not until then will the Nevertheless, the Bible clearly imminent, He referred to "wars and plea of Pope Paul VI, "War no teaches the existence of evil beings rumors of wars." "For nation shall more, war never again!" be an- antagonistic to man. rise against nation, and kingdom swered. For not until then will the That strange but instructive last against kingdom," He predicted. earth be inhabited by men divinely book of the Bible, Revelation, un- Matthew 24:6, 7. cleansed of hatred and covetous- folds in vivid symbolism something The Bible tells us that unrepent- ness and strife and every evil of the role that evil beings will ant humanity is to come to its final passion—men in whom the righ- play in last-day events. "Then I end massed for one last, decisive teousness of God reigns. "And the saw coming from the mouth of the battle against God and righteous- work of righteousness shall be dragon, the mouth of the beast, and ness. The event is unfolded in Rev- peace; and the effect of righteous- the mouth of the false prophet, elation 20, and begins with the res- ness quietness and assurance for- three foul spirits like frogs. These urrection of the multitudes of the ever. And My people shall dwell spirits were devils, with power to wicked from an earth that had in a peaceable habitation, and in work miracles. They were sent out been desolate and without human sure dwellings, and in quiet rest- to muster all the kings of the world life for a millennium. "When the ing places." Isaiah 32:17, 18. [END]

Signs of the Times, July, 1969 15 Bible Dialogue WHO WILL ENJOY HEAVEN? First Requirement for Citizenship by J. R. Spangler

Panel Members: Jesus, Paul, James, Solomon, David, Job, John the Baptist, Matthew, Luke, Peter

We discovered last month that James, do you believe a man's sin of the world." John 1:29, NEB. our future home, heaven, will be a nature needs to be changed? How wonderful! literal place inhabited with real "Can the fig tree . . . bear olive Tax-collector Matthew, can you people who will live happy, useful berries? either a vine, figs? so can lives. The big question is, what add to John's statement? What did no fountain both yield salt water the angel say about Him? must a man do, or be, in order to and fresh." James 3:12. gain admittance to this eternal par- "Thou shalt call His name Jesus: adise? King Solomon, how many in the for He shall save His people from Since Jesus is the One who is in human race are in this fallen, sinful their sins." Matthew 1:21. charge of purifying and remaking condition? "There is not a just man upon Apostle Paul, do you think that this world of ours into a lovely new a new-birth or conversion experi- earth, the future dwelling place of earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." Ecclesiastes 7:20. ence through the power of Christ the saved, I would like to direct our means a complete change in atti- first question to Him. King David, just when does a tudes and actions? In one of your prayers, Jesus, man get this evil nature, before or "Sin must no longer reign in your You uttered a statement which in- after birth? mortal body, exacting obedience to dicated that heaven can really be- "I was shapen in iniquity; and in the body's desires. You must no gin right now in this life. What was sin did my mother conceive me." longer put its several parts at sin's that statement? Psalm 51:5. disposal, as implements for doing "And this is life eternal, that they From what our last three panel wrong. No: put yourselves at the might know Thee the only true members have said, it is evident disposal of God, as dead men raised God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou that man possesses a sinful nature, to life; yield your bodies to Him hast sent." John 17:3. and has had this evil nature from as implements for doing right; for birth. God certainly couldn't give sin shall no longer be your master." Do you mean that eternal life immortality to a man in this condi- Romans 6:12-14, NEB. begins with a knowledge of Your- tion, or sin and sinners would be self and Your Father? Now I understand it better. A forever perpetuated. No wonder man who is in sin is in a dead con- "He who believes in the Son has man needs to be born again! dition spiritually. All have sinned, eternal life." John 3:36, RSV. Patriarch Job is with us and I see so all are dead spiritually even from Master, could you state this point he wants to ask a question. birth. But through Jesus Christ, in different terms? "Who can bring a clean thing out Lamb of God and Saviour, a man "Except a man be born again, he of an unclean?" Job 14:4. can be changed, converted, born cannot see the kingdom of God." again! The new-birth experience Paul, did you wish to speak? John 3:3. causes a person to act contrary to "Miserable creature that I am, his sinful nature and tendencies. Paul, why can't a man have eter- who is there to rescue me out of This changed attitude spells life, nal life without being born again? this body doomed to death?" Ro- the beginning of eternal life here "I am carnal, sold under sin." Ro- mans 7:24, NEB. and now. What a marvelous mans 7:14. You men are getting at the heart thought! Shall we make this con- of the problem. Who has an an- Just what do you mean by "car- version experience more distinct swer to these questions? nal"? and clearcut? "For ye are yet carnal: for John the Baptist, why are you Apostle Peter, on the Day of whereas there is among you en- pointing at one of our panel mem- Pentecost, the huge evangelistic au- vying, and strife, and divisions, are bers? dience you were preaching to came ye not carnal, and walk as men?" "Look, . . . there is the Lamb of under tremendous conviction. What 1 Corinthians 3:3. God; it is He who takes away the did they cry out?

16 Signs of the Times, July, 1969 "What are we to do?" Acts 2:37, "I, if I be lifted up from the earth, NEB. will draw all men unto Me." John TEST 12:32. What was your immediate reply? YOUR "Repent." Acts 2:38. Paul, is it possible to have a form BIBLE of repentance which is not from KNOWLEDGE What is the connection between God? repentance and conversion? "For godly sorrow worketh re- Bible Dialogue Quiz "Repent ye therefore, and be con- pentance to salvation not to be verted, that your sins may be blot- repented of: but the sorrow of the ted out." Acts 3:19. world worketh death." 2 Corinthi- The quiz below is based on the Bible Dia- Dr. Luke, just before Jesus re- ans 7:10. logue on these two pages. If you have not turned to heaven, what did He tell King David, have you ever had already read this unique presentation of the His disciples? this experience of godly sorrow for Holy Scriptures, we suggest you read it be- "That repentance and remission sin? fore beginning to answer the quiz. You will of sins should be preached in His "I will declare mine iniquity; I also find it helpful to study the texts accom- name among all nations." Luke will be sorry for my sin." "For I panying each question. Check the phrase 24:47. acknowledge my transgressions: which accurately completes each sentence. It is unmistakably clear that be- and my sin is ever before me." fore conversion and before his sins "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall are forgiven, a person must re- 1. Eternal life begins be clean: wash me, and I shall be pent. But just what does it mean to whiter than snow." Psalms 38:18; ( ) with death (John 3:36; 17:3) repent? 51:3, 7. ( ) with belief in Jesus ( ) with the return of Jesus We know repentance means a Back to you, Paul; can you am- turning away from evil, to be sorry plify on this point of godly sorrow 2. To be "born again" means to for, to be regretful, but can a man as to how it affects a person? choose to repent any time he ( ) be baptized "Ye sorrowed after a godly sort, ) feel elated (John 3:3; Romans 6:12-14) wishes? What about that, Peter? ( what carefulness it wrought in you, ( ) be transformed at heart "Him [Jesus] bath God exalted yea, what clearing of yourselves, with His right hand to be a Prince yea, what indignation, yea, what 3. Before a man is converted to the new and a Saviour, for to give repent- fear, yea, what vehement desire, life he will ance to Israel, and forgiveness of yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge!" ) repent of his sinfulness sins." Acts 5:31. 2 Corinthians 7:11. ) determine to do better Master, if You are the One who In other words, there is no true ) perform acts of penance causes a person to repent, and since repentance without a change in at- (Acts 2:37, 38; 3:19) You are not now on earth, just how titudes and habits. do You accomplish this? 4. True repentance comes from When conversing with King ( ) feeling guilty "When He [Advocate, Comforter, Agrippa, Paul, didn't you make the ( ) being afraid (John 12:32; Acts 5:31) Holy Spirit] comes, He will confute same point that true repentance ( ) looking to Jesus the world, and show where wrong causes a change in man? lie. He will and right and judgment "I . . . sounded the call to repent convict them of wrong." John 16:8, and turn to God, and to prove their 9, NEB. repentance by deeds." Acts 26:20, WHAT TO DO NEXT NEB. Perhaps we should have asked When you have answered the quiz, cut it another question first. Paul, will In closing our discussion, would out, fill in your name and address below, and you tell us how a man can know you, Paul, emphasize again that mail it to "Signs of the Times," 1350 Villa what is right and wrong? love for Christ, not fear, is the Street, Mountain View, California 94040. We "By the law is the knowledge of motivation which leads to true re- will return it to you duly marked, together sin." Romans 3:20. pentance? with additional material on the same subject That makes sense. In other words, "Are you, perhaps, misinterpret- —all free, of course. This offer limited to the a man can know what is right and ing God's generosity and patient U.S.A. and Canada. wrong by studying the law or the mercy toward you as weakness on Ten Commandments. But it takes His part? Don't you realize that Name the power of the Holy Spirit to God's kindness is meant to lead you convince a man that he ought to to repentance?" Romans 2:4, Phil- Street change, to turn around, to repent, lips. to stop breaking the law. Next month our panel will discuss City State Master, how does Your death on another requirement for heavenly the cross aid a man in repentance? citizenship. [END] Zip YOU

HAYS FROM MOHKME1

Not long ago a respected teacher friend was rushed Did Jesus tell them, "Yes, indeed I am. And I expect to a nearby hospital with symptoms of a heart attack. John to believe"? Her mother's life had ended at the same age and from Anyone could make this claim—even the devil him- the same affliction, and now she wondered what the self. Only on the basis of sufficient and trustworthy future held. evidence could John's serious question be given a satis- More than this, just a year before, the lovely home factory reply. she had constructed with so much care had been So Jesus answered John's disciples, "Go and tell destroyed by fire. John what you see and hear—that blind men are recov- As she lay there, still awaiting the medical verdict ering their sight, cripples are walking, lepers being as to the amount of damage done, I asked her how healed, the deaf hearing, the dead being brought to she could face these two disasters with such apparent life and the good news is being given to those in need. calm. And happy is the man who never loses his faith in "Well," she smiled, "two years ago I don't think I Me." Matthew 11:4-6, Phillips. could have taken it like this. But in the light of what The Bible is a record of the things that God has we've learned about our God, I somehow don't feel said and done. But most of the Bible is made up of worried in the least." the historical details that describe the situations within You see, for the past two years a faculty group which God so acted and so spoke. Without these de- representing many different departments in the school tails we would not be in a position to understand the had met every other Saturday afternoon to read to- reasons why God chose to speak and act in such a gether through the Bible book by book. Of each of variety of ways. the sixty-six we asked the same basic question, What Even the lengthy genealogies have their value have you learned about God from the study of this in helping us to reconstruct the total historical scene book? within which God was seeking to reveal Himself to No other experience with the Bible do I ever find His people. so rewarding. And for twenty years I have had the Sometimes the difficulty in understanding the mean- pleasure of repeating this experience with three differ- ing of the Bible is simply a matter of words, especially ent groups a year. for those who prefer to use the older versions. No two trips through the Bible are ever the same. In the King James Bible, for example, what does it But these two basic questions inevitably arise. mean that "thou shalt be for booties unto them" ( Hab- Why do the Scriptures seem to contain so much bakuk 2:7 )? Or, "By his neesings a light doth shine" apparently unimportant historical detail? ( Job 41:18 )? What are "ouches of gold" ( Exodus 28: If the purpose of the Bible is to give us the truth 11), or the meaning of "I trow not" (Luke 17:9 )? about God, why are there so few specific statements Help for such problems is readily available in such about Him? excellent publications as The Bible Word Book, by In answer, I sometimes ask, What if the Bible Luther A. Weigle, in which obscure terms in the King should consist mainly of God's claims about Himself? James Version are explained. On what basis would you believe them? Another simple solution, of course, is to make use When John the Baptist was languishing in prison, of some of the more up-to-date translations of the he began to wonder if Jesus really was the Christ. He Bible. sent some friends, you will remember, to ask Him for On each trip through the Bible it soon becomes the truth. apparent that the same principle of interpretation that

18 Signs of the Times, July, 1969 Vital Secret to Remember Another Selection From "You Can Trust the Bible"

by A. Graham Maxwell Chairman, Department of Religion Loma Linda University

PAUL RICCHIUTI

is applied to any ancient document must also be It would be presumptuous to attempt an answer applied to the Scriptures. in so brief a space as this article. But as the student It was the context that determined the meaning of reads on from book to book, there begins to appear a passage when it was originally written. To the extent a pattern of consistency behind all the problems. that we can recover the original context we shall be There gradually emerges a picture of an all-wise and able to recover the original meaning. infinitely gracious Person who seems willing to go The context is customarily divided into two aspects, to any length to keep in touch with His people, to the grammatical and the historical. reach them where they are, to speak a language they The grammatical context has to do with the word- can understand. ing itself. A word, a certain expression—what did they As story follows story, the reader is overwhelmed mean at the time they were written? with love and admiration for One who would be will- John 20:17, as translated in the older versions, has ing to run such risk, to pay such a price, in order to Jesus saying to Mary after the resurrection, "Touch keep open the lines of communication between Him- Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father." self and His wayward people. What would have happened if Mary had failed to We are not so concerned about what happened to restrain herself? Would Jesus have been so defiled by Samson and Delilah, to David and Bathsheba, to her touch that He could not have gone back to His Gideon and his fleece. The overriding question is, Father? What do these stories tell us about God? The solution lies in another look at the original When the Jews returned from Babylonian captiv- language. In Greek there are two ways of saying, ity, they were resolved that never again would they Don't do something. One is, "Don't begin to do it." fall into the sin of idolatry. Instead, they would read The other is, "Don't go on doing it." the Bible as never before. Nehemiah describes the Of course it would have made no difference whether enthusiastic response of the people that followed Mary touched Jesus or not. What our gracious Lord Ezra's public reading of the book of the law. See Nehe- actually said was, "Mary, don't go on holding Me," miah 8:1-8. or, "Please don't detain me. I must go now to see But as time passed, many began to rely more on My Father." Again the modern versions accurately the mechanical reading of the Scriptures, as if there represent the meaning of the Greek. were some special virtue in the mere repetition of The historical context has to do with the total set- the sacred text. ting within which a certain event occurred or a piece Jesus exposed this error when He said, "You study of advice was given. the Scriptures diligently, supposing that in having Paul's comments about the proper dress and be- them you have eternal life; yet, although their testi- havior of women are very puzzling when taken out mony points to Me, you refuse to come to Me for of their setting in the city of Corinth. A good Bible that life." John 5:39, 40, NEB. commentary will help the student to picture the first- There is no life in the mere reading and memoriz- century scene in that metropolitan center of the an- ing of the Bible—be it ever so faithful and regular. cient mystery religions. Only God can give life. Then there are the much larger problems posed by The man who desires to understand the meaning of all the fighting and killing in the Old Testament, the the Scriptures must learn to view the Bible as a whole apparently cruel punishments, the representations of and relate all its parts to this one central theme—the an angry God. revelation of the truth about God. [END]

Signs of the Times, July, 1969 19 LEST WE FORGET Why Life's Golden Memories Should Be Preserved by Mary J. Vine

So we had come to it. The mo- From hidden fountains, musically ment had arrived. She would go sweet, through that door, and we couldn't. The waters of remembrance "Passengers Only," the notice said, spring to meet and she alone was the passenger My outstretched cup this hour, this time. We must remain outside. and brim it full We had, of course, gone through With memories of the past." similar moments before, fateful mo- ments when we knew that life could What a comforting thing it is to never be quite the same again. have a store of golden memories, Each departing child left his own and who does not who has had a peculiar blank behind, and it was stick-together family? What a more, much more, than his vacant blessed, steadying thing! place at table, or another spare bed. I have just resurrected a tiny But she who was now disappear- scrap of paper. It is fragile now, ing with the rest of the passengers and at some time I must have let on Flight 554 was the last, and it get damp. The ink has run a bit. when we came home this time there On it is a little girl's first "poetic" would be just ourselves, just us two, effort, and it came to me with a and none besides. Life would cer- carefully chosen birthday present. the promise that "all things work tainly never be the same again. In fact, as I now recall, all her life together for good." Thirty-five years is no mean that young woman has chosen her Tutor to Crispus, son of the period to have uninterruptedly en- gifts carefully. Emperor Constantine, chiefly re- joyed youthful, invigorating com- "Good morning, Mummy dear, membered for his conversion to panionship, and as we now think You are thirty-nine I fear. Christianity, was a Christian apol- back over them, we are inexpres- You are much too old for me, ogist, Lucius Caecilius Firmianus sibly grateful. You will soon be ninety-three." Lactantius ( who could resist spell- Inexpressibly—yes, that is the ing out such a name as that?). Lac- word. Well, I am a long way off ninety- tantius was known as the Christian I believe it was Grace Adele three yet; and, as is their wont, the Cicero, and he wrote many learned Pierce who wrote: passing years have considerably works which still survive. We don't lessened the difference between us. have to be learned, however, to "Thoughts of the past that rally In fact, there are now ways in understand some of his statements. Faster and faster which that same daughter is years "Memory," he wrote, "mitigates ad- like a flock of sheep ahead of me. versity, and delights old age," and Down-driven through a valley... I am, however, a long, long way living as he did at the beginning of Like cool, delicious waters bub- also from thirty-nine, and all those the Christian era, he undoubtedly bling up lovely years fairly sparkle with evi- wrote from his own experience. From unseen springs to the way- dences of the guiding hand of God Well may we thank the Lord if farer's cup; and the continuing confirmation of we can bring back such remem-

20 Signs of the Times, July, 1969 should have been enough to keep them steadfast. But they forgot. He had brought them out of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand. But they forgot. "He clave the rocks in the wilder- ness," the psalmist says, "and gave them drink as out of the great depths." But they forgot. "He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers." Psalm 78:15, 16. But they forgot. They forgot how the Lord had put a difference between them and the Egyptians. They forgot how their cattle had been preserved. brances as will fortify us when we people repent when they see war, They forgot how they had light have to meet adverse conditions or and they return to Egypt." in their dwellings while Egypt was even, as with us today, we can only What tender, loving care is here elsewhere plunged into terrifying look wistfully after the disappear- manifest! Accustomed heretofore darkness. ing figures of those who have hith- only to bondage, Israel had been Above all, they forgot how the erto been such an integral part of too short a time under Moses' lead- blood upon their lintels had been our experience and who have con- ership to become a unified instru- their safeguard when death's angel tributed so much to our happiness. ment; and, cumbered as they were had "passed over," to Egypt's fear- Indeed it is vital that we remem- with women and children and ful loss. ber; so much so that it is one of the flocks and herds, they would have To think that those same Isra- adversary's chief objects to make us been easy prey to the warlike Phil- elite firstborn should in the end die forget. istines. And so, for their own peace in the wilderness! Exodus 14:29. What a revealing text that is in of mind and their preservation, they And all because they forgot! the thirteenth chapter of Exodus, were led gently by the long route, They "forge His works, and His verse seventeen! The Israelites had the phenomenon of the pillar of wonders that He had showed just left Egypt, "and it came to pass, cloud giving them grateful shade them." Oh, the folly of it! when Pharaoh had let the people during the heat of the day, and the Let us not fall into the same go, that God led them not through pillar of fire the continual assurance catastrophic error. the way of the land of the Philis- of Jehovah's presence in the quiet For what we have received, may tines, although that was near; for loneliness of the desert night. the Lord make us ever truly thank- God said, Lest peradventure the The remembrance of even that ful. [END]

Signs of the Times, July, 1969 21 CONSCIENCE IN

CONFLICTWhen It "Good" or "Bad"? by Roy C. Naden

The conscience is a most misun- secondly, that they do not, in fact, ing received authority from the derstood part of man. I have no behave in that way."—Mere Chris- chief priests; and when they were doubt that Livingstone went to Af- tianity, page 7. put to death, I gave my voice against rica, and Judson to Burma, because Every person, it is true, has a them. And I punished them oft in conscience bade them do so. I am conscience of some description. It every synagogue, and compelled sure that Martin Luther, the great acts like a schoolmaster. Sometimes them to blaspheme; and being ex- Reformer, attacked the medieval it applauds, sometimes warns, some- ceedingly mad against them, I per- church through the call of con- times chastises. Yet is such a school- secuted them even unto strange science. But I am equally sure that master of any use if it has been cities." Acts 26:9-11. both the Spanish Inquisition and poorly trained? We should be grate- Shortly after, however, all this Hitler's attempted annihilation of ful that there is a capacity within dramatically changed. Actions he the Jews were undertaken for the the human mind that can be trained formerly thought were right he con- very same reason. Can we safely and that in turn can guide us. But demned as being wrong. The peo- accept the adage, "Let conscience remember, it is only when the con- ple he once cursed, he blessed. The be your guide"? science is rightly instructed and en- words he once called heresy, he Wherever you go, you meet peo- lightened that it can guide a person called truth. The Man of the Ages ple of axed points of view. You may aright through life. —Jesus Christ—whom he once re- agree or disagree with them, but The Bible speaks repeatedly viled and rejected, he now blessed who is to say that they are right about conscience, and its comments and confessed. Naturally thousands and you are wrong—or vice versa? are very illuminating. Paul in the of Christians looked on the con- One man "claims" a tax deduction book of Acts speaks of a good con- verted Saul with either deep sus- —you do not. He says it is legal— science, and a conscience void of picion or outright disbelief. When you say it is not. His conscience offense. In Corinthians he speaks he returned to Jerusalem, many re- says it is right—yours says it is of a weak conscience. In Titus he fused to associate with him, believ- wrong. But who is right, and who mentions a defiled conscience. And ing no man could change as much is wrong? Will you ever know? the book of Hebrews mentions an as he said he had changed. Yet a Half a nation—guided by con- evil conscience, and speaks of purg- conscience regulated by truth and science—said slavery was morally ing the conscience. So it is abun- used by the Holy Spirit can pro- right; the other half decided—on dantly clear that conscience by it- duce just such a total, radical change the basis of conscience—that it was self is not the ultimate answer to in a person's way of life. Thus Saul, morally wrong. To settle this ques- all questions regarding action, faith, persecutor of the faith, became tion along with other weighty dif- and duty. In fact, even this cursory Paul, prosecutor of the faith. The ferences the Americans fought a glance at God's Word reveals a fact change that was wrought in his life long and bitter war. But can guns many are unwilling to accept—that through an awakened conscience is decide the issue when there is con- unless conscience is trained and ed- the great need of Christians around flict of conscience? ucated, it will be an evil conscience. the world today. Conscience is like a watch. Ob- Let us take a classic example God has given the human race viously a timepiece is a safe guide where Satan used a "seared con- several well-defined moral precepts, only when it is in good running science," a "misguided conscience," a divinely approved standard of order and is regulated to standard to serve his ends. Saul the Pharisee living. We call this code the Ten time. Conscience also is only a safe was a man steeped in the traditions Commandments. It is timeless. It guide when regulated by absolute of his fathers, a man whose reli- is perfectly adapted to all men, in truth. And there's the rub. Our gen- gious education was equaled by all ages, in all countries. In brief eration has decreed the death of few, and whose conformity to what it says: 1. Thou shalt have no other absolutes. The only thing about he had been taught was flawless. gods before Me. 2. Thou shalt not which people seem to be absolutely His conscience had been trained make unto thee any graven image. sure is that nothing is absolutely with great strictness. He says, "I 3. Thou shalt not take the name of sure. . . . thought . . . I ought to do many the Lord thy God in vain. 4. Re- C. S. Lewis once stated that "hu- things contrary to the name of Jesus member the Sabbath day to keep man beings, all over the earth, have of Nazareth. Which thing I also did it holy. 5. Honor thy father and thy this common idea, that they ought in Jerusalem: and many of the mother. 6. Thou shalt not kill. 7. to behave in a certain way, and . . . saints did I shut up in prison, hav- Thou shalt not commit adultery.

22 Signs of the Times, July, 1969 RISCHGITZ; CLYDE PROVONSHA, ARTIST; P.P.P.A.

8. Thou shalt not steal. 9. Thou fled from the room. Yet this ex- finding his master. Blondel traveled shalt not bear false witness. 10. perience changed Peter. It proved from country to country, and out- Thou shalt not covet. Exodus 20: the turning point of his entire side every castle he paused to sing 3-17. life. From that moment divine a song the King had composed. One If we allow conscience to be strength replaced human weakness, day the song from without was an- guided by these eternal verities, the and an insignificant fisherman be- swered by an echo from within—an Holy Spirit will keep us on the path came a powerful, world-renowned echo from Richard himself! Thus of right. Nothing will be able to preacher. the way was paved for the King's sidetrack us against our will. We Conversion is the turning point. return to England. shall have a good conscience, a pure The Word of God educates the con- A conscience lies buried deep conscience, an undefiled conscience, science; then conscience becomes within the heart of every man. It an educated conscience, a con- the watchdog of the soul and shows may be unschooled, with little light science that will help us face any the path in which one should walk. and little truth. It comes to life only experience of life. It is left to the will, however, to when touched by the music of Twenty centuries ago a rugged decide whether or not to walk the heaven. But the man whose con- fisherman made a solemn promise path. science is thus transformed may be to his Lord. He said that no matter Never trust the conscience unless brought from the dungeon of guilt what experiences should come, he it is rightly educated. A seared con- and uncertainty and offered a place would never desert nor deny Him. science can lead one to believe he at the throne of God. The Master looked at this man in is doing the work of God when in An encounter with Christ is the pity and replied, "Before the cock reality he is a servant of the devil. beginning of it all; a commitment crows, you will deny Me three But rightly trained, governed by to Christ is the miracle we call con- times." The hours of night ticked truth, controlled by Christ, con- version. A confession of sin, an ac- by, and Peter found himself caught science can keep us on the narrow ceptance of Christ, is the turning in the heat of vicious temptation. road that leads to the eternal City point. Why not allow the miracle He denied that He knew the Lord, of God. to transform your life? Through a once . . . then twice . . . and yes, When, on his return from the simple act of faith call Christ to even a third time! At that moment, Third Crusade, Richard I of Eng- your side. Then with both con- he heard the crow of the cock out- land was incarcerated in a castle in science and will under His control side! Immediately a dart of re- the Tyrol, his minstrel, Blondel, took you are assured of a radiant Chris- morse pierced his heart and he upon himself the responsibility of tian life. [END]

Signs of the Times, July, 1969 23 Can You Answer This?

Questions Youth Are Asking Today

by C. Mervyn Maxwell Chairman, Department of Church History Andrews University

CALLED OR CONFUSED? in a row, and soon this good habit will help to keep O. I'm a senior preministerial student, expecting to you going. be in the seminary next year. The church and its mis- DOES HEAVEN SEND HUSBAND? sion used to grab me, but lately even the name "Jesus Christ" is just so many words. I'm really discouraged. Q. I've prayed so long for God to send me the right Do you think I have a call to the ministry? young man. At last it seemed it was going to happen. He was handsome. His hobbies were the same as A. College is too tense these days to make sense. mine. He even liked me. Our first date was great. And Time and again I have counseled students, "Go to bed then he pushed the abort button and it was all over. and stay there for thirty-six hours." It works wonders. He's in orbit now with somebody else. Does God really During my senior year in college I "dried up" too. answer prayer? But when I got into a pastorate and began working with people, praying with them, and helping them, A. God has not promised to make any particular I got more help than anybody else. person marry us; He is a God of freedom who leaves Don't give up. With God's blessing, I believe sleep such choices to the people involved. But God has and service will do a lot for you. promised to direct our paths ( Proverbs 3:6) and to withhold no good thing from those who love Him HOW START GOING TO CHURCH? ( Psalm 84 : 11 ) . Q. At the end of a Billy Graham meeting I signed Your recent experience is an answer to your prayers a card to say that I'd go to church every Sunday. That for help and guidance. I believe God will use it, if was some months ago, I'm ashamed to say. It seems you will let Him, to teach you important things you as though something always comes up, like one of need to know about yourself and about the opposite the kids is sick, or we oversleep, or the car isn't work- sex, either to make you a more suitable partner for a ing right. Sounds pretty trite, I know, but what is a future suitor or to prepare you to live singly with man to do? I know a person ought to go to church equanimity and peace. every week regularly. "SO WHAT" ABOUT SEX? A. Your reasons sound trite to you because on the Q. Other girls can sing and play, or get good other days of the week you don't let anything keep grades, or other stuff like that. I can't. You might say you from getting to work. my talent is different. Don't get me wrong! I go to Your heart is in the right place; the truth is (though church. It just happens that my little bag is sex. It you may be quick to deny it) you're unconsciously makes a lot of nice guys happy. So—what's wrong afraid to go to church. I don't blame you; it will be with it? a new experience. Lay your plans together right away. ( 1 ) Choose a A. It makes the boys happy, but does it make them church and plan to attend it next weekend. (2) Decide good? Will it help them become better husbands later that if a child is sick, father will go to church by him- on? self, just to get started. (3) Remember that most Will it help you someday to get a husband you can churches have nurseries where babies can be taken trust? when they cry; and ( 4) Reassure yourself that Actually, you're kidding yourself. Your "nice guys" churches are usually happy to welcome newcomers. are laughing at you and telling a lot of not-so-nice If bad habits are hard to break, so are good ones! jokes about you behind your back. Get yourself to church at all costs for several weeks It will be very hard for you to make the break, but

24 Signs of the Times, July, 1969 two Bible verses will help you a great deal: ( 1 ) "Be BEGINNING TO PRAY not deceived: neither fornicators, . . . nor adulterers, Q. I read the prayer you suggested for a child to . . . shall inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians pray at bedtime. It was real neat. I'd like to pray, but 6:9, 10. ( 2 ) Christ "ever liveth" "to save them to the I'm too old to offer that one and I don't know any uttermost that come unto God by Him." Hebrews 7:25. others. When I try to pray, nothing comes out. Have you got a suggestion for a person like me? WHERE HAVE MY FRIENDS GONE? A. A minister friend of mine gave me this sugges- Q. Why is it that when church members go out tion once. It proves most helpful. Just think about God looking for souls and want you to join their church, and say these four simple words: "0 God, help me." they love you so; but as soon as you join, they neglect You can say these words in any posture you happen you so completely that you don't even want to be a to be in—such as when you're sitting in a chair read- part of the church anymore? ing this answer. But if you can kneel down, it will A. Your question is hard to answer, but I'll try to help. Shut your eyes, or look up toward heaven, and say a couple of things that may help. say the words, "0 God, help me." As for the church members, it may be that to them Say them out loud. Then say them again two or you were just a "case," a "statistic," or a "star in their three times. This will be a genuine prayer, and it will crown," and now that they've got you, they aren't in- also help to break the ice. terested in you anymore. If this is so, there is no Soon you will have specific requests about partic- excuse for it. Or it may be that they really like you ular things that concern you, and praying will become and were happy to take you to meetings and teach easier all the time. God will help you in many ways, you the Bible and introduce you to church life, but including knowing how to )ray. though they did this for you gladly, it cost them much time they ought to have been spending with their own HOW DID GOD START? children. Now they may be trying to balance things Q. My chief problem thinking about God is how up a bit by attending to the "little church members" He can have existed forever, how there can have in their own home. I don't know. never been a time before He came to be. How did God As for yourself, it was the friendliness of Christian "start"? I don't know how to relate to a being like that. people that made you want to accept Christ. There A. I don't understand it either. But then, I don't are other people among your associates who would understand how my wife came to be either. Oh, accept Christ if you showed them similar friendliness. I've read books on embryonic development and all Why don't you take the initiative now? You would not that. They've described what happened, but they only bring others to Christ but also make some fine haven't explained it. Who knows how the first cell Christian friends of your own with whom you could divided? I mean, who knows how the DNA and RNA attend church. masterminded the needed proteins and polypeptides, and so on and on and on? HOW CAN I FEEL FORGIVEN? I can't explain how my wife came to be—but I don't Q. For my sixteenth birthday my great-aunt gave let this keep me from "relating" to her. I love her just me her copy of "Pilgrim's Progress." Well, to please the same. her I've tried to read it. It's pretty old-fashioned, but It can be the same between you and God. I think I get most of it. My trouble is, it doesn't happen with me like it did with Christian. When he got to the CAN A GOOD GOD CREATE EVIL? cross his "burden of sin" fell off. Mine doesn't. It seems Q. If God is really a good God, what does the Bi- like it does while I'm praying, but when I get through, ble mean when it has Him say, "I make peace, and I don't feel any better than before. create evil"? Isaiah 45:7. A person who makes evil A. The Bible says, "If we confess our sins, He is must be bad, it seems to me. At least when I do bad faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse things people say I'm bad. I'd like to hear an an- us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9. swer to this. The Bible doesn't say, "If we feel the burden fall A. My Oxford Universal Dictionary shows that off," God will forgive us, or "If we feel as though we've when the King James Version was being translated, been forgiven," then we have. It says, "If we confess around 1611, "evil" had many meanings other than our sins," God forgives us. If you have sincerely con- "morally bad." For instance, from the year 1551 it fessed your sins, you have been forgiven. gives as an example "an evil savour," meaning, "a Once I asked a girl your age to open a Bible and bad taste." put her finger on this text ( 1 John 1:9) while we The King James Version calls overripe figs "evil prayed together. Then I asked her to say, "I believe figs" in Jeremiah 24:8. I have been forgiven" two or three times until she The "evil" that God creates is not sinfulness but could say it as though she really believed it. Next day difficulties that hopefully will lead sinners to repent- she was sure she had been forgiven. And because she ance. was sure, a feeling of happiness came at last. You'll be interested to know that the Revised Stan- She would have been forgiven even if the feeling dard Version translates Isaiah 45:7 as "I make weal had never come. The same is true for you. and create woe."

Signs of the Times, July, 1969 25 life with the thought that I have deceived him." In advising this young woman, I gave first consideration to her dis- tress because of a troubled con- science. Her prime need was to make sure that she had obtained God's forgiveness. Once she has prayed for forgiveness, then she must exercise Christian faith by believing that God no longer holds her sin against her. I advised that at the appropriate time she should make a covering statement to the young man by sim- ply admitting that there was a time in her life when her conduct was not exemplary in the matter of Christian purity. I advised, how- ever, that she avoid reciting names, places, dates, and any other details that would otherwise raise his curi- osity or provoke resentment. Thank God there are still young people who believe in morality and whose consciences are tender! But in the general population there has been a most alarming shift of atti- tude during the last few years so that it has become popular to con- done personal indiscretions and to use one's inclinations rather than OF his conscience as a guide to con- duct. The communications media of FREE our generation have unfortunately taken the side of those who have abandoned self-restraint. They make it appear to the casual reader LOVE and observer that "the arrange- ment" is the norm on university "I need help on how much to tell blemish on my personal record that campuses, that sexual favors among the boy who wants me to marry he knows nothing about. Not even unmarried young people are free him." The twenty-two-year-old sit- my parents know about it. Stating for the asking, and that all hus- ting across the desk from me said it bluntly, the problem is simply bands and wives would prove un- she had finished college, was an that I am not a virgin, and I feel faithful to their partners should op- active church member, and was sure that my present boyfriend sup- portunity permit. presently employed as a secretary. poses that I have always been Admittedly there is a serious "The boy is two years older than chaste. I am afraid to tell him about trend in the direction of an aban- I," she continued, "has a good edu- my past for fear he will lose inter- donment of moral principles. The cation, and is a member of my est in me. I am afraid not to tell foundation on which all morality church. I like him very much, and him for fear I will be haunted for rests is the law of God. With the my parents approve of him too. But growing attitude of disbelief in God I have a problem. and with the increasing disregard "This boy with whom I am now for His law, a general decline in in love is a good boy. He has high Costly Consequences of morality is the natural consequence. ideals and seems to have a stable Moral Laxity But not everyone has abandoned character. We have good times God. Civilization has not entirely when we are together, and they are by Harold Shryock, M.D. sold out to the devil. There will always the 'wholesome' type of always be those who honor God good times. and who place His law at a much "The problem centers around a higher priority level than they do

26 Signs of the Times, July, 1969 the popular pattern of conduct. ican Medical Association for May this husband and wife were de- Furthermore there are many young 22, 1967. The article was written by prived of the spontaneous desire to people in the rising generation who Dr. Seymour L. Halleck, a psy- be loyal which follows naturally in are not fundamentally godless and chiatrist associated with the Uni- the wake of the opportunity to who are groping amid the confu- versity of Wisconsin Medical Cen- marry the one most desired as a life sion of modern trends in their effort ter. partner. It is not surprising, then, to find an honorable way of life in "Permissive sexual activity seems that the circumstance that brought harmony with the law of God. to be highly correlated with mental this couple for counsel was that the These need to be guided; for, with illness," Dr. Halleck writes. "The wife had become infatuated with their lives yet to be lived, they may stresses associated with choosing or another man. not realize altogether what are the sustaining sexual relationships be- In another case it was not preg- unhappy consequences of moral fore marriage have had an espe- nancy but a sense of guilt that laxity. We will therefore focus the cially intense effect upon female prompted the girl to insist that her remainder of this article on the per- students. For some students such boyfriend marry her right away. "I sonal consequences of free love, stresses have been critical factors had hoped that this would cause this with the motive of upholding in precipitating severe emotional the guilt feeling to disappear," she the advantages of morality. disorders. In this sense a significant explained. "I have tried to show 1. Free love adversely affects the number of students are casualties of him love, but it has been a pretense, personality. The circumstances un- the sexual revolution." and I guess he has realized it." der which free love takes place are The boy who persuades his date The husband in this case com- always less than ideal. These rob to indulge with him in sexual in- mented on the circumstance that the participants of the peace of timacy is weighing his own cravings tempted him to become unfaithful mind, the thoughts of confidence, against her self-respect, her per- to his wife by saying, "She became and the self-respect which are nec- sonal reputation, and her peace of very caustic in her criticisms of me. essary for the development of stable mind. His motives are inexcusably It seemed that I was never able to personalities. selfish. He is asking her to pay a do anything that pleased her." In the April, 1968, issue of the terribly high price in order to bring Shining through these remarks we journal Medical Aspects of Human him momentary pleasure. see the personal resentment that Sexuality, there appeared a sym- 2. Free love handicaps subse- had its origin seventeen years ear- posium on "What are the Psycho- quent courtship. The case story at lier when as young people this cou- logical Effects of Premarital Inter- the beginning of this article illus- ple had engaged in the intimate course?" One of the participants trates how sex experience puts a love to which they were not yet was Father John L. Thomas, S.J., young person at a disadvantage in entitled. who is research associate at the subsequent courtships. One who This relationship between sexual Cambridge Center for Social Stud- carries a troubled conscience on intimacy before marriage and sub- ies. Pertinent to the present discus- this account develops a feeling of sequent unhappiness in marriage sion is a part of Father Thomas's unworthiness, and his self-image has been borne out by the findings observation: deteriorates. This complication af- of many specialists in marriage "Since sexual values are learned, fects boys almost as readily as girls. counseling. Dr. David R. Mace, and premarital intercourse still runs One young man who came for professor of family sociology in the counter to youth's early training counsel confided that he did not Department of Preventive Medi- and most parental standards, I be- want the kind of girl for a wife who cine at the Bowman-Gray School of lieve that normally reflective cou- had indulged in sex with him or Medicine, participated in a round- ples engaging in such activity are with any other boy. "I find myself table discussion of "How Does Pre- bound to experience guilt, anxiety, in a plight, however," he acknowl- marital Sex Affect Marriage?" as and insecurity. . . . edged, "because girls who have reported in the journal, Medical "Are there qualities in the very kept themselves 'pure' have a right Aspects of Human Sexuality, for nature of intercourse that must in- to have a husband who has simi- November, 1968. He commented: duce stress under premarital con- larly abstained. I am afraid now "It has been established in all the ditions? Yes, because human inter- that I may not be able to win the major studies of marital adjustment course, to be a truly interpersonal hand of the kind of girl I want on that girls and boys who have been relationship, must be associated account of my own experiences of virgins before marriage make better with love, and such love as cur- the past." adjustments in marriage and are rently defined implies assurance of 3. Free love limits the prospects less likely to divorce than those exclusive commitment, which is pre- of success in marriage. One wife who have had premarital sex rela- cluded under the circumstances." admitted, "My husband's reason for tions. This is a consistent finding. For an insight into the ultimate marrying me was not that he pre- Virgins are better marriage mate- effects on the human personality of ferred me above other girls he had rial." the unfavorable factors just men- known, but he felt obligated to me 4. Parents' previous experience in tioned, I turn to an article titled because he was the father of my free love imposes a disadvantage on "Sex and Mental Health" which ap- unborn child." the children. Parents do not usually peared in The Journal of the Amer- With such a reason for marriage tell their children about the mis-

Signs of the Times, July, 1969 27 takes they made before they were or four years, and this was to be a person loses the incentive for married. For one reason, they fear their first child. At first it was hard chastity and morality. Notice how that this would give the children to understand her attitude. the apostle Paul makes this clear an excuse to do likewise. Later it came out in the conver- in his letter to the church in Thes- Even so, the evidence is clear sation that following marriage she salonica: that the children of parents who had been unfaithful to her husband. "We beg and pray you by the have been indiscreet before mar- In connection with her affair with Lord Jesus, that you continue to riage are at a disadvantage. Take another man she had developed learn more and more of the life the case of a husband and wife we a haunting fear of pregnancy. This that pleases God, the sort of life we will call John and Mary. Mary had antagonism to pregnancy had car- told you about before. . . . God's previously had a child out of wed- ried over to rob her of the joy she plan is to make you holy, and that lock. John knew about this before should be experiencing in the pros- entails first of all a clean cut with he and Mary were married but said pect of parenthood. It required very sexual immorality. Every one of that he would hold nothing against little imagination to predict that you should learn to control his her on this account. He was sincere the child would eventually be han- body, keeping it pure and treating in this assurance, for he loved her dicapped by difficult relationships it with respect, and never regard- dearly and was perfectly willing to with its mother. ing it as an instrument for self- forgive the past. The husband and wife who have gratification, as do pagans with no But after marriage, when their not been prudent in their personal knowledge of God. . . . The calling first child was in prospect, John's relationships, either before or since of God is not to impurity but to the attitude took a new turn. He was marriage, do not manifest the mu- most thorough purity, and anyone still cordial toward Mary but defi- tual respect and sanctified defer- who makes light of the matter is nitely resentful of the child. Sub- ence for each other that ideally not making light of a man's ruling consciously he was now reminded should exist in a home. Children but of God's command." 1 Thessa- of that chapter in Mary's life that in such a home are deprived of lonians 4:1-8, Phillips. he had tried to banish from his the warmth of unselfish love that And now a final word for those memory. Even after the child's would otherwise help them to ad- who desire to rise above a past birth, the resentment continued and just well in life. For lack of the record of indiscretion. First, make interfered permanently with the de- example, they are handicapped in sure of the Lord's forgiveness. Then velopment of a good father-child developing wholesome attitudes turn to the positive side and pray relationship. Through no fault of toward the sacred relationships of for the ability to live successfully its own, the child was unwelcome. family life. Thus the stage is set both in your home and in your so- More commonly than not the re- for the children to repeat the mis- cial relationships. Keep your mind sentment on this account is by the takes of their parents. so occupied with the awareness of mother rather than the father. A You have noticed throughout the God's goodness and with your de- prospective mother came for coun- article that we have equated purity termination to manifest the Chris- sel because of her extreme unhap- of personal living with religious tian virtues in your dealings with piness. "I don't want to have a ideals. And this is the way it must people that there is no time or op- child," she insisted. She and her be, for purity is a part of godliness portunity to brood over the mis- husband had been married for three and without a religious perspective takes of the past. [END]

There are now more than 120,000 new cases of syphilis and more than 1,000,000 new cases of gonor- rhea in the United States each year. Most alarming is that the greatest increase is among teen-agers. An esti- mated half million persons in the United States who have a venereal disease are not being treated. You speak of the antibiotic drugs as providing a "cure." In most cases the proper administration of antibiotic drugs cures the immediate infection. But it does not confer immunity, the person treated being just as susceptible to infection as before. by Harold Shryock, M.D. Now let us look at the fundamental cause of the current increase in the venereal diseases. In earlier VENEREAL DISEASE decades venereal disease was spread largely through Q. I keep reading about an increase in venereal prostitution. In the present decade, however, there disease. Why don't antibiotics cure these diseases? has been such a general, decline in the world's moral A. Following the close of World War II there was standards that promiscuity, and the related venereal a sharp decline in the incidence of venereal disease, disease, is rampant in all classes of society. As stated and this decline continued throughout the 1950's. This by Doctor G. Edward Maxwell in the AMA's publica- was due largely to treatment by antibiotic drugs. But tion, Today's Health, "If there were no 'free love' there with the coming of the 1960's the trend reversed. would be no syphilis and no gonorrhea."

28 Signs of the Times, July, 1969 Too Many People "Living on Nerves" Chronic Restlessness Another Symptom of Our Sick Society

LAMBERT

For many, trying to keep up with cials in this case—alcoholism and life's proverbial rat race means worry. Dr. William C. Keating, of ulcers and high blood pressure. Re- California's Mental Hygiene De- THOSE TERRIBLE cently clinicians dealing with the partment, attributed much of the problem of stress have come up increase to tensions in modern so- with a new diagnostic term for a ciety. "We are in stressful times," wide spectrum of symptoms related he said. lepisiONs to it—nutcracker syndrome. "It's the dominant mood of the You get the idea. As the jaws of people," said Dr. Roger L. Shinn, competition and care clamp shut, dean of graduate studies, Union by T. R. Torkelson the patient caught in between Theological Seminary, "a general cracks up unless pressurized against spirit of frustration and insecurity." the crunch. Many, finding no other surcease That just such a problem con- from prolonged stress, commit sui- tributes materially to the sickness cide, so many in fact that World of today's society shows up in fre- Health Organization lists suicide quent headlines and surveys of as the third biggest killer of people public opinion. "Load Rises for between fifteen and forty-five in Mental Hospitals," declared one. highly industrialized nations. Only Why? What boosted admissions? heart disease and cancer claim Two things mainly, said state offi- more lives. "A sentence sermon on a church bulletin board read: 'Seven prayerless days make one weak."

Others doggedly carry on, chew- tional disturbances occur—all the Life on the physical plane, as on ing their fingernails and playing end results of stress. the spiritual, we receive as a gift, life by fear. About one third of the Might not the practitioner of spir- no effort on our part contributing nation's adults worry about not itual medicine profitably explore to its reception. But having received being able to sleep at night—an this area for causes of soul illness it, we bear inescapable responsibil- actual finding of a national poll also? Could the Master Physician ity in helping to maintain it strong conducted for Blue Cross toward have had this danger in mind when and healthy. For one thing we must the end of 1968. He warned against being "weighed do our own breathing, seventeen The distraught often end up down with dissipation and drunk- times a minute. throwing things at one another. enness and cares of this life"? Luke This we do, of course, automat- One poor man, named Cardoza, 21:34, RSV. Might not research re- ically, and thus provide the system went berserk over a constantly ring- veal that violence, rioting, suicide, with enough oxygen to keep it alive ing telephone. A neighbor girl, and mental illness stem to consid- —just barely, much of the time. But Carol, wanting to speak to his four- erable degree from a breakdown of what about those deep breaths doc- teen-year-old daughter, not home built-in capacities in man's higher tors advise for optimum health? yet from school, had interrupted nature to withstand stress? And How many besides athletes and a him six times while he was trying would not some introspective think- few jogging enthusiasts ever fill the to listen to some favorite music on ing, with guidance from our Doctor lungs to capacity? Failing to do so, his phonograph. On her seventh upstairs, help us to establish a few experience maximum exhilara- call Cardoza's mind snapped. His workable system of health mainte- tion of mind and body, or even near tirade, according to Carol, was vile. nance to prevent such nervous maximum; and respiratory ailments And by the time police arrived he breakdowns in the future? frequently occur as a result. had finished off the phonograph and Here again, as with the problem Likewise with spiritual life, the the records, and was looking for a of malnutrition, we proceed in this life of the soul, received at conver- hatchet to put an end to the tele- clinical study on the premise that sion. The born-again person re- phone. the patient has already received ceives it as a gift upon surrender In physical medicine, some au- new life from God, the basic rem- of his will to God in faith. But hav- thorities suspect stress to be the edy for all disease of the soul. He ing received it, he must cooperate culprit in nearly all disease. Dr. has been born again. Without this, with heavenly agencies in main- Hans Selye, an endocrinologist and of course, no system based merely taining it strong and healthy. For author of the widely read book The on human effort would work. No one thing, he must do his own pray- Stress of Life, considers stress a treatment could assure calm, steady ing. Here many fail, except for say- killer, perhaps the greatest of all nerves. Peace belongs to the life of ing grocery-list prayers now and killers. "The apparent cause of ill- God, and comes to the Christian as then, or pressing the panic button ness," he says, "is often an infec- one of the attributes of that life when in danger. tion, an intoxication, nervous ex- when received through the opening A sentence sermon on a church haustion, or merely old age. But of the Holy Spirit. See Galatians bulletin board read: "Seven prayer- actually a breakdown of the hor- 5:22. less days make one weak." Consid- monal-adaptation mechanism ap- But here also, as with spiritual ering the close parallel between pears to be the most ultimate cause scurvy, considered in last month's praying and breathing, and the ef- of death." discussion, a rundown condition fects of each on soul life and physi- What does he mean? He spells can result simply because man fails cal life respectively, it might better it out in what he calls a general to avail himself of Heaven's provi- have read "seven prayerless min- adaptation theory. The body's sion for buoyant soul health. In this utes," ignoring for the moment the glands attempt to adjust the body case, what provision has been ne- play on words. It takes a pause of to constant demands of stress, pour- glected? only six minutes, in fact, in breath- ing out hormones to keep the body In a word, prayer. But prayer in ing to starve brain cells of essential going. For a while they succeed, the sense we use it here is more oxygen and cause irreparable dam- but in the end the defense mecha- than a word; it's a way of life. A nism breaks down. Arteries harden, relationship develops between man blood pressure rises, heart disease and his God so close and constant "A program of all work and develops, arthritis strikes, and emo- that the thoughts turn heavenward no pray not only makes as naturally as one breathes. With Christians dull and lifeless, this analogy in mind someone has but quickly sends them into aptly called prayer the breath of spiritual coma. No wonder the soul. Holy Scripture admonishes, 'Pray without ceasing.' 1 Thessalonians 5:17." "The man who knows his sets in, leading people around the God . . . prays not for es- patient to refer to him as a "worry- cape from tension but for wart." This symptom is generally strength to adjust to every accompanied by morbid pessimism. during a violent storm, the Chris- emergency. He has found a Hysteria will be noted in many tian prays not for the abating of the stabilizing force which, like cases of nerves. Insecurity and fear storm, but for glimpses of the stars the gyropilot on a plane, keep people on edge. At one point by which he may steer his course. holds him on course inde- during the requiem mass for Sen- Thus does the man live who pendent of disturbances ator Robert Kennedy in St. Patrick's knows his God. Serenely he passes which may buffet him." cathedral, a photographer atop a on his way enduring the stress steel platform dropped his light which forms an unavoidable part meter. It fell with a thud to the of every normal day. He prays not age. How much longer do you sup- cathedral floor, a distance of maybe for escape from tension but for pose the breath of the soul can twenty feet. Instantly people near- strength to adjust to every emer- safely be cut off? A program of all by jumped. A security man, visibly gency. He has found a stabilizing work and no pray not only makes shaken, regained composure when force which, like the gyropilot on Christians dull and lifeless, but he saw what had happened. "Thank a plane, holds him on course in- quickly sends them into spiritual God!" he said, half gasping. dependent of disturbances which coma. No wonder Holy Scripture What can be done for people who may buffet him. admonishes, "Pray without ceas- live on their nerves? Does modern The astronomer who wants to ing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17. medicine have anything to offer? catch radio waves from space de- What happens when this admoni- "Sure," cry a chorus of voices; mands a quiet place for his radio tion is ignored? Oxygen starvation "tranquilizers!" A single issue of the telescope. In most localities, noise on the spiritual level with symp- American Journal of Psychiatry con- from all kinds of electrical appli- toms associated with the nutcracker tained advertisements for thirty ances interferes with or drowns out syndrome showing up in behavior tranquilizing and antidepressant spatial "voices." Thus when the Na- and attitudes. We have already drugs. They took up fifty-eight of tional Science Foundation a few listed low tolerance threshold. The the seventy-six total advertising years ago scoured the country for patient exhibits increasing vulner- pages. "I will lift up mine eyes unto a place to erect the nation's largest ability to annoyances and irrita- the pills," intone an ever-increasing radio telescope, it constructed it in tions. He flies off the handle easily, number of addicts. what proved to be the quietest town even going berserk in some acute Duly recognizing that physical in the eastern United States—little cases, like that of Mr. Cardoza ailment may lie at the basis of Green Bank, West Virginia. mentioned earlier. psychological problems and there- Man, too, in his search for peace In this connection a skin prob- fore must be treated by a doctor, of heart and a cure for edgy nerves, lem frequently develops—"thin skin" we would urge patients suffering must find a quiet spot where he can it is called in layman's language. from nervous disorders to go for erect his altar and keep the radio Things easily get under such skin a thorough medical checkup. And receiver of his soul tuned to pick up and cause eruptions and disposi- we would not discount the value of the voice of God. tional rashes. "Neurodermatitis," soothing medications when pre- One of the first questions the doctors call it in physical medicine scribed by a doctor and used under Doctor upstairs will ask you as you —a disease Dr. John A. Schindler, his supervision. But we would join come to Him all nerves will be, formerly chief physician of the competent medical authorities in "How long has it been since you Monroe, Wisconsin, clinic, says ac- warning against self-medication last said your prayers?" counts for a third of all skin ail- leading to possible dependence on And He will be speaking not ments treated by skin specialists. pill therapy, a course sure to create merely of "saying prayers" but of And interestingly enough, it is more problems than it solves. meaningful communication with caused, Dr. Schindler says, by anx- "Thou wilt keep him in perfect God—regular, habitual, heart-to- iety, worry, disgust, and so on. peace, whose mind is stayed on heart. Often a chronic restlessness re- Thee," an Old Testament promise "Come unto Me," He says in sults, this in fact being the most ( Isaiah 26:3) reassures the Chris- time's most tested prescription for common symptom in many cases of tian who has learned to pray with tension, "and I will give you rest. long standing. Someone, noting the life's punches. . . . Learn of Me; , . . and ye shall prevalence of living on nerves in Like the legendary Maori war- find rest unto your souls." Matthew today's pushing, shoving world, rior caught at sea in a small boat 11:28, 29. [END] quipped that the current genera- tion reveres St. Vitus as its patron saint. An abnormal tendency to worry "Man, . . . in his search for peace of heart and a cure for edgy nerves, must find a quiet spot where he can erect his altar and keep the radio receiver of his soul tuned to pick up the voice of God." the hours," the equivalent of the ing the invention of printing in the YOUR Biblical observing of times, a prac- fifteenth century. tice that was condemned. Leviticus 19:26; Deuteronomy 18:10-14. PENALTY FOR SIN Some common expressions such How do you harmonize Genesis as "disaster," "lucky stars," and "ill- 2:17, "In the day that thou eatest starred" reflect the ancient belief thereof thou shalt surely die," with in the influence of the heavenly the fact that Adam lived 930 years? bodies on men's lives, either for Genesis 5:5. D. A. L. good or for ill, a belief held by many people today. It was an emphatic way of saying that death would be the certain re- BIBLE CHAPTERS AND VERSES sult of disobedience. "Surely die" is the translation of the Hebrew How and when was the division idiom, "dying thou shalt die," but of the Bible into chapters and the death penalty was not imme- verses made? S. N. diately inflicted. God gave Adam For centuries the Hebrew and and Eve time to see the evil effects BIBLE Greek manuscripts of the Bible had of their disobedience and to repent no divisions of any kind, not even of it; but from the day when they QUESTIONS space between words. A first step sinned, death began to take its toll was taken in some medieval He- in their minds and bodies. God ANSWERED brew manuscripts, which were writ- separated them from the tree of ten with spaces between words. In life, whose fruit would have per- by Charles D. Utt some early Greek manuscripts par- petuated their lives. Genesis 3:22, agraphs were indicated. 23. Still, their original endowment Chapter divisions approximately of vitality enabled them to live a ASTROLOGY as we have them today are credited very long time. Astrology seems to be the "in" by some writers to Stephen Lang- God did not leave Adam and Eve thing right now. Does the Bible say ton, archbishop of Canterbury to their fate. His words to the ser- anything about it? J. B. A. ( died 1228 ), by others to the Span- pent, "And I will put enmity be- In the Bible, astrology is asso- ish cardinal Hugo a Santo Caro tween thee and the woman, and ciated with the occult arts practiced about 1250. The familiar chapter between thy seed and her seed; it among the pagan nations whose and verse numbering in our Bibles [Hebrew, "He"] shall bruise thy customs the Israelites were forbid- was made about 1551 by Robert head, and thou shalt bruise his Estienne ( latinized to Stephanus ), den to follow. These included sor- heel" ( Genesis 3:15 ), spoken im- cery, soothsaying, divination, en- a French scholar and printer, in a mediately in the hearing of Adam chantments, necromancy, and Greek-Latin edition of the Bible. and Eve, were the first intimation charms, which, when practiced, The first printed English Bible with of the gospel. The Seed of the brought God's judgments. See Deu- Estienne's divisions was the Geneva woman is Christ, who would con- teronomy 18:9-14; 2 Kings 17:16, Bible ( 1557-1560 ). quer Satan and win back what man 17; 21:6; Isaiah 2:6; 47:9. The The division of the Psalms seems had lost through transgression. astrologers, stargazers, and monthly to have been recognized from ear- liest times. There is a reference to prognosticators were to be de- HOLY SPIRIT BEFORE PENTECOST stroyed. Isaiah 47:13, 14. Astrology "the second psalm" in Acts 13:33, "Thou art My Son, this day have I Was the Holy Spirit here before flourished in ancient Babylon, but Christ's ascension? If so, why did those who pretended to have spe- begotten Thee." See Psalm 2:7. Acts 13:35 quotes from "another psalm." Christ promise to send it? cial knowledge from that source L. W. H. were shown to be frauds. See Dan- See Psalm 16:10. Punctuation was a later develop- In the Old Testament are many iel 2:2, 8, 11, 27; 4:7; 5:7, 8, 15. ment also, the first attempts follow- references that show that God's The horoscope is a device by which astrologers claim to foretell future events by observing the sun, the moon, and the planets in their FAREWELL positions relative to the twelve With profound regret we announce the death of Charles signs of the zodiac. These are said D. Utt, longtime contributor to the Signs of the Times, who to indicate the favorable or unfa- served also as assistant editor for eight years until his retire- vorable outcome of events, accord- ment in 1959. Mr. Utt answered our readers' Bible questions ing as projects are undertaken at from 1951 to 1969. He will be greatly missed by many in every lucky "hours" or "times." The word land. Our deepest sympathy is extended to all who mourn. "horoscope" is derived from two Greek words which mean "to watch

32 Signs of the Times, July, 1969 Where , do you TRADITION INTERNATIONAL SERVICE.41 In Matthew 15:3, 9 we find that To meet the needs of the mil- Christ does not accept tradition. But point lions in the United States and then in 2 Thessalonians 2:15 we Canada who speak languages read, "Therefore, brethren, stand other than English and prefer to fast, and hold the traditions which read magazines in their own the rocket to mother tongue, the publishers of ye have been taught, whether by the "Signs of the Times" issue word, or our epistle." There seems similar journals in the following to be a contradiction here, and we breakthrough languages: would appreciate an explanation. French: "Mieux Vivre" T. H. McC. German: "Zeichen der Zeit" The basic meaning of the Eng- to he if en• Spanish: "El Centinela" lish word tradition, and of the origi- Ukrainian: "Oznake" nal New Testament Greek word In what direction would you point Should you wish a free copy of from which it is translated, is some- your rocket to find the Creator of this one of these journals, either for thing "handed down" or "handed vast universe?-. .4 yourself or for a friend, address over," that is, handed down from To the sun? your request to Frank L. Baer, person to person or from genera- Along the Milky Way? Manager, Foreign Language Di- To the constellation Orion? vision, "Signs of the Times," tion to generation. The tradition Mountain View, California 94040. which Christ disapproved in Mat- Or to the cross? thew 15:1-9 was the accumulated If you would choose the cross, then oral interpretation of the Old Testa- we invite you to enroll in our free Bible ment, particularly of the books of study plan. These easy outlines will people of that time knew the Holy the law, that was current at that help you break through the morass of Spirit. "Cast me not away from Thy time. The Pharisees referred to this tradition, mythology, and skepticism to presence; and take not Thy Holy body of teaching as "the tradition the pure, simple reality of salvation Spirit from me." Psalm 51:11. The of the elders." Verse 2. Christ called through Christ. Holy Spirit is revealed as partici- it "your tradition" ( verses 3 and 6 ), The Bible teaches that worship is pating in the work of creation, and "the commandments of men" ( verse not to be born of fear and ignorance, therefore as omnipotent. Genesis 9 ), and the "tradition of men" but of love, trust, and admiration 1:2, 26; Psalm 104:30. The Spirit ( Mark 7:8 ), meaning that it was because we know God so well. is omnipresent. Psalm 139:7. human in origin and lacked divine With this easy-to-follow Bible stu The Spirit strove with men to sanction. The emphasis was on out- guide you can learn to know God bet- convict of sin. Genesis 6:3. Men's ward forms and observances. ter through the clear revelation of His rebellion vexed the Spirit. Isaiah In his epistles Paul uses the word Son. Just fill in this coupon and mail 63:10. Compare Ephesians 4:30. "tradition" in the sense here noted. to Dept. B.C., "Signs of the Times," The Spirit spoke through men to He refers to his zeal for "the tradi- ountain View, California 94040. The reveal God's will and instruct in tions of my fathers," that is, before essons will then be mailed to you. His ways. Numbers 11:25; 2 Sam- his conversion. Galatians 1:14. He uel 23:2; Nehemiah 9:20; Micah also speaks of "the tradition of men, 3:8. The Spirit empowered men after the rudiments of the world, to walk in God's statutes and keep and not after Christ." Colossians His judgments. Ezekiel 36:27. An 2:8. Old Testament prophecy predicted a greater manifestation of the Holy In 2 Thessalonians 2:15 Paul uses the same word "traditions" refer- Free Bible Study Course " Spirit at a later time. Joel 2:28; see Acts 2:17. ring to what he himself had taught Check Course Desired (English) the believers, both orally and by AO, The Comforter, or Spirit of El Junior ❑ Youth ❑ Senior Truth, was not therefore something letter. He uses the word in the same new after Christ's ascension. Be- sense in chapter 3:6. We find the . cause Christ had been with His same usage in 1 Corinthians 11:2, The senior course is available in the follow disciples and they had come to de- where he says, "and keep the ordi- languages. Check which desired: pend on His visible presence, He nances, as I delivered them unto '4A wished them to understand that you." "Ordinances" is translated Chinese ❑ Hungarian CI Portuguese when He left them the Spirit would from the same Greek word as "tra- 16 0 Finnish O Italian CI Russian continue to instruct them as he had ditions" in the other texts we have EI French O Japanese 0 Spanish done, and would lead them "into noted. From these examples we see Fr*El German 0 Yugoslav Swedish all truth." John 14:16, 17, 26; 16: that tradition is not something to 0 Greek O Polis, ❑ Ukrainian 7-13. The special manifestation of be unqualifiedly rejected, but the the Spirit came ten days after source must be examined to see Name Christ's ascension, on the Day of whether the tradition is worthy of Please print Pentecost. acceptance.

City `State

Zip Code rise. Now, in early afternoon, the "Another bogs down in a deep sky was leaden, and a cold rain was and narrow rut, gives up before falling. Grudgingly the frost was difficulties, accepts the pleasures of yielding its grip. Water was begin- sin for the moment, and ends in ning to trickle along the wheel hopeless defeat." tracks. Just as there is no excuse for sin, Eager to be afield again, the el- so there is no excuse for being lost. derly farmer, dressed in rubber All we have for an explanation is boats and rain clothes, sloshed his the inner response of the individual way to the back pasture and on to the working and wooing of the to the far corner of his holdings. Holy Spirit. Some will listen; some There, by a stanch yew post, he will not. Some will accept; some paused to enjoy his world of flat- will not. Thus the life is fashioned, lands and the beautiful hill coun- the destiny sealed. try beyond. If only we could see ourselves He had spent half a century on as God sees us! If only we could see these acres, and to him they were what we do against the perspective home in a special sense. Slowly, of eternity! If only the heart of man with possessive fondness, his eyes could be more aware of the long roamed from farm to farm, field to haul! field, house to house. He knew this When the page has been turned, land and its people intimately. In- the folly of carelessness and indif- evitably his thoughts turned to the ference is heartbreaking. In the past—to friends and neighbors who presence of death, the pleasures of now were at rest in the little field sin are sickeningly trashy. As it above the church. Not only did he sulks beside the lifeless form of its recall their names and faces. Be- former host, disobedience is a vile cause he was the kind of man he and reprehensible thing. Lingering was, he remembered that some had at the grave that has been opened believed, some had not. Some had to receive its victim, doubt is a YOUR made careful preparation for the monstrous creature. days to come. Some had been to- From cover to cover the Bible tally unresponsive. Why? abounds with counsel on this mat- CHOICE "The same mountain world," he ter. said aloud. "The same years. The "Don't be under any illusion: you TODAY same weather. The same sky. cannot make a fool of God!" Gala- by Sanford T. Whitman The same soil. The same crops. The tians 6:7, Phillips. same markets. The same prices. "Turn ye, turn ye from your evil The same sermons. The same temp- ways." Ezekiel 33:11. tations. The same political climate. "Seek ye the Lord while He may The same social standards. The be found." Isaiah 55:6. same schools. The same pleasures. "Choose you this day whom ye The weather signs that morning The same problems. Everything will serve." Joshua 24:15. were easy to read. Winter was on the same. "And the Spirit and the bride say, the way out. The wind had shifted "Yet one man finds his way over Come. . . . And whosoever will, to the south and was freshening. the obstacles, past the doubts, let Him take the water of life There was a quickening drip from gives thanks to God for bounties freely." Revelation 22:17. the icicles along the woodshed. granted, and goes on to claim the The choice is yours. What will There had been a spectacular sun- eternal prize. be your response? [END]

34 Signs of the Times, July, 1969