AugustAugust 28,28, 19971997

AnchorPointsAnchorPoints

A Potpourri of Praise The link between nature and nature’s God Dwight Nelson: Return of the Remnant

Clifford Goldstein: Pretty Scary Folk

Leslie Kay: Dedicated to the One I Love LETTERS

Living in Crazy Times Adventists also fall in this category. I tion for me is that the Second Thank you for Roy Adams’ “Living in hope I’m wrong. Coming can be any time now.” He Crazy Times” (June Adventists have no business falling mentions such signs as the great earth- 26). The descriptive for such twisted thinking when we quake, the Dark Day, etc., but doesn’t subheadings—“An have been given The Great Controversy mention those distinctly Adventist Infantile Gullibility,” as an inspired commentary on the signs that we believe must happen “A Lunatic Mentality,” Bible prophecies that point the way to before Jesus returns: Sunday laws, a and “A Twisted the coming of Christ. time of trouble with plagues, and an Eschatology”—are right antichrist impersonating Jesus. on target. It is a sober- —Carroll Brauer This kind of omission is one reason ing thought that falsehood can so easily VIA E-MAIL certain people suspect that the leader- be disguised as truth. ship is fudging on historic Adventism.

—Natalie Dodd Reading this article reminded me that —Craig Johnson CENTERVILLE, OHIO society as a whole is expecting—if not VIA E-MAIL wanting—something big to occur in the year 2000. There has been, and Look for more letters on this topic from Roy Adams’ articles are some of my continues to be, an increased interest readers outside North America in the favorites in the Review. I find them in UFOs, extraterrestrial beings, near- September 11 World Edition.—Editors. timely and most inspiring. death experiences, angels, the New “Living in Crazy Times” surpassed Age movement, spiritualism, commu- my expectations. Adams’ explanation nication from deep space, etc. Added Adventists and Roman for the “why” behind crazy behavior of to that list is the increase in militia Catholics so-called successful and apparently groups and cults. Thank you, William Johnsson, for normal people was precise, clear, and If I were Satan, I would consider the “Adventists and Roman Catholics” extremely well done. Truly, the only year 2000 as the most opportune time (June 26). It was right on the money. way we can be spared from similar to give society what it wants—some- It was timely. It was concise. It was evils in the world is to keep our eyes thing big. While I’m in no way predict- needed. It was . . . focused on Jesus and His Word. ing that Satan will impersonate Jesus Let’s just say, “You done real good.” Thank you, Roy, for feeding us spir- Christ in 2000, I suggest that it might itually and for giving us hope for the be a good time for Satan to act. We —Rod Leiske world tomorrow. should be studying our Bibles and the VIA E-MAIL Testimonies to refresh our minds. This is —Laurice Durrant certainly no time for us to be asleep KEENE, TEXAS and thereby open to deception. My thanks to Johnsson for this edito- rial. When I first heard that members —John M. Kentlein of our church were spending their I compliment Roy Adams for this arti- TAKOMA PARK, MARYLAND time and money bashing the beliefs of cle. According to U.S. News and others, I was appalled and saddened. World Report, surveys indicate that 75 If these pharisaical groups would percent of the American people I enjoyed this piece, but found one utilize their time in studying the believe in the conspiracy theory of his- comment at the end somewhat objec- Scriptures (such as Gal. 5:22, 23), they tory. I would guess that a majority of tionable. Adams writes, “The implica- would realize that persecuting others

2 (1138) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 only closes doors. Our mission is to and doctrines, my heart is inclined to open doors with truth and kindness, close. Let’s bear with one another. We not to close doors with rude actions. are neighbors in this world, and maybe in the end the “gulf” between us can —Susanne Covington be bridged. What a happy day that ARLINGTON, TEXAS would be in my house! COVER STORY

—Name Withheld 14 A Potpourri of Praise If you’re fascinated by creation, I am a Roman Catholic married to an meet the Creator behind it all.

Adventist. I read the Review regularly BY LYNDON MCDOWELL to see what’s in the heart and mind of Child Sexual Abuse the Adventist Church. I do this look- Praise the Lord! You have the courage ARTICLES ing and hoping for signs of reconcilia- to admit that there can be and is a tion—that the gulf dividing us will be problem of incest and child abuse in 8 Return of the Remnant overcome. our Adventist community (see Qualifications for membership? I love my faith and church and “Statement on Child Sexual Abuse,” Our great need and God’s great love. find it very hard to accept some June 12). It is good to know where one BY DWIGHT K. NELSON Adventist doctrines, especially the can go for help! prophecy about the pope. When I got The experience to which I can 12 You Do Have a Choice married I was hoping that my wife relate involves the abuse of a child by How to make the best of a bad would convert, but as time went on, I a much-loved and -respected elder in situation saw this was not going to happen. At our local church. I, the wife of the BY DAVID N. MARSHALL first I was angry at the Adventist elder, was so ashamed, frustrated, and 24 A Friend to the Friendless Church and inclined to dismiss the heartbroken when his actions came to Good news for those of us who doctrines and the people. light. The parents of the child asked have ever felt alone. However, as God drew me more for my permission to tell the authori- BY ELLEN G. WHITE into a relationship with Him, the pain ties, who took the necessary steps to of separation in our family (our kids incarcerate him. We learned that if DEPARTMENTS are being raised Adventist) also grew. I anyone knows of a child molester and 2 Letters decided I would try to go to an does not turn him or her in, the person Adventist church with my wife just to could be fined $10,000 and be thrown 7 Give & Take win her over. I secretly felt my faith into prison. 19 Leaving the Comfort Zone was superior. Now I look back and see that I 20 World News & Perspectives One day, still angry at my family’s should have confronted my husband separation and hurt from Adventist years ago instead of tolerating his ques- 26 On the Home Front teachings about the pope, I went to tionable behavior with little girls in 27 Children’s Corner Mass and, with difficulty, prayed. the neighborhood. Protecting one’s 28 Bulletin Board There I felt the love of God take over good Adventist name and church then and help me to pray. I found myself seemed the best route to go. We 29 Clifford Goldstein praying wholeheartedly for the moved to another state. 31 Reflections Adventist Church, thinking only But a pedophile’s actions are deep- blessings for it. My heart was free from seated and will surface again. My hus- EDITORIALS the former criticism and bitterness. band needed help, which he finally 5 Why I Fight The message for me was that God is received in prison. Did it change him? bigger than my prejudices and resent- I don’t know. I divorced him, and he 6 Campground Reflections ments. He gives us freedom to love. I has since died. understood that Jesus Christ had broken It’s my hope that our churches will NEXT WEEK down the walls that separated Catholics take action to help all concerned, that

and Adventists. Just as Jews and Greeks it will discipline and help instead of Preserved for a Purpose ISC could be Christians together, so could looking the other way. It’s called He belonged to a gang in East D Catholics and Adventists be at peace “tough love.” Los Angeles. He wanted to deal drugs. HOTO But God had other plans. © P and love each other.

When someone loves me, I can lis- —Name Withheld PHOTO

ten to him and take on board what he VER O says. But if I’m talked at about dogmas C

ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 (1139) 3 “Behold, I come quickly . . .”

Our mission is to uplift Jesus Christ through stories of His matchless love, news of His present workings, help for knowing Him better, and hope in His soon return. The Adventist Review (ISSN 0161-1119), published since 1849, is the general paper of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is published by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and is printed 40 times a year each Thursday except the first Thursday of each month by the Review and Herald® Publishing Association. Periodicals postage paid at Hagerstown, MD 21740. Copyright © 1997.

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4 (1140) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 EDITORIAL

ROY ADAMS Why I Fight

hile I was in England last May, two health ing the industry’s sponsorship of sports events.3 issues of continuing interest to Seventh-day “We are absolutely delighted,” said Christine Hancock, gen- Adventists occupied center stage in the eral secretary of the Royal College of Nursing. “Tobacco is the British press. The first had to do with a rise single worst cause of preventable death, [and] it is a disgrace in vegetarianism that no government until now has taken among the British public, something of measures on this issue.” 4 Wwhich I saw no sign when I visited the But the struggle against tobacco is far country in the wake of the mad cow dis- from over. Not in the United States (even REWS

ease phenomenon one year earlier. with the spectacular developments against C Now things are beginning to change. the industry in recent months),5 and cer- Y ERR According to a March 1997 Gallup poll, tainly not in the rest of the world. In T cited by the London Times, “a record 3 mil- response to my last editorial on this topic BY lion Britons [5.4 percent of the adult popu- (“Going for the Jugular” 6), one of my col- TION lation] are now vegetarians, an increase of leagues here at the General Conference LLUSTRA 20 percent over the past two years.” sent me the following note: I According to the Times report, that’s “more than five thousand “It hurts deeply to travel to struggling areas of the world and people . . . each week over the [past] two years,” a figure that find [that] the most prominent evidence of America is MTV and scotches hopes “that the meat industry is recovering from the Marlboro cigarettes. I’ll never forget driving in Bucharest, public concern over . . . [mad cow disease].” 1 Romania, and watching trolley buses pass, painted to look like Equally as significant, “another 8 million people—a record major American cigarette brands and little boys waiting at inter- 14.3 percent of the population—are avoiding ‘red’ meat, such sections to wash car windshields in exchange for a cigarette. The as beef and lamb,” an increase of 21 percent since the last sur- Marlboro man may be dying in North America, but he’s alive and vey in 1995. And in what may suggest a possible entering well and bigger than life elsewhere. Just last month I saw him wedge for Adventists into a group we’ve traditionally been standing 20 stories tall and in living color on the side of a new slow to reach, the poll indicates that “[the ones] leading the apartment complex in Moscow. In fact, it is difficult to find a shop- anti-meat trend” are “the most affluent socioeconomic groups” ping bag in Moscow that does not advertise some brand of ciga- in the country.2 rette. How sad! . . . We may have gone for the jugular and found I see all of this as a backhanded vindication of one of the that all we’ve hit is a capillary!” 7 historic Adventist positions on diet, a position once ridiculed Indeed. This is no time to rest on our laurels. We’re deal- as queer, misguided, even dangerous, by people both inside ing with a foe of great resiliency and one with powerful peo- and outside the church. But no one’s laughing now. Of course, ple in its pockets. We must join forces with others in society given the fickleness of human nature, all this may change who are struggling to save the lives of people everywhere, pre- tomorrow. But it’s a good trend while it lasts, and Adventists cious beings for whom Jesus died. in Britain should capitalize on it. No, to quit smoking is not salvation. But it may just keep some people alive long he other issue to share center stage in the British press enough to hear about it. That’s why I fight. had to do with impending legislation against tobacco. Following the lead of countries like Canada, France, and 1 London Times, May 20, 1997, p. 9. 2 Ibid. Tthe United States, the new British government seems poised to 3 Ibid., p. 1. move against the deadly product, beginning with advertising. 4 Ibid., p. 2. Addressing the annual meeting of the Royal College of 5 Reports of these developments have been Nursing, British health secretary Frank Dobson announced the all over the U.S. media this spring and summer. 6 See Adventist Review, May 8, 1997, p. 5. government’s intention to bring in legislation this summer that 7 Charlotte Ishkanian, in a personal E-mail will clamp a ban on tobacco advertising in the country, includ- to me, June 10, 1997.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 (1141) 5 EDITORIAL Campground CARLOS MEDLEY Reflections

t was a picture-perfect day when I drove my family to the Through the years many conferences have moved their meet- Allegheny East Conference camp meeting last month. I ings out of canvas tents lined with sawdust and into large, per- traveled a new route, snaking through small towns and manent pavilions. Campers, who once stayed in tents, now reside sprawling homesteads in in cabins, lodges, dormitories, hotels, Pennsylvania Dutch country until and recreational vehicles. Another I reached the Pine Forge encampment. shift has been to shorter and shorter IThis year’s meeting was particu- Opportunities to meetings often held over long week- larly special—it was the first time ends, or regional meetings in multiple since 1994 that I could attend my renew friendships locations within a conference territory. home conference’s encampment. From the time we stepped onto the Campground Blessings campground I knew the day would be bring boundless joy. It doesn’t really matter what size, for- exciting. Whether it was the praise mat, or location of the camp meeting, band at the youth tent, the children’s God has particular blessings Christians Sabbath school program, or the afternoon baptism, each seg- receive only at large spiritual convocations. Consider the following: ment provided a blessing. ■ Camp meeting provides an incredible opportunity for fel- Perhaps one reason that camp meeting is special for me is lowship with other believers and a rare chance to renew friend- that aside from my local church, this was the singular event ships. Each time I step onto the campground I’ll invariably meet that defined Adventism in my childhood. It gave me a chance a childhood friend or someone who played a significant role in to see the church family en masse. my spiritual life as a child. These opportunities to renew acquaintances and friendships bring a boundless joy that sustains Distinctive Tradition us through the Christian journey. The joy that I feel for camp meeting is nothing new for Ad- ■ Like the children of Israel, who looked forward to the ventist members. For nearly 130 years church members have Passover feast, camp meetings provide a unique opportunity for relished these spiritual celebrations. Originating with Kentucky God to bring a timely message to His children today. These Presbyterians in the early 1800s, camp meetings today are special celebrations afford Christians a chance to review the “peculiar to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and a few gospel message and church teachings. other denominations.” 1 It’s here that we can train willing workers for Christian service, Our church’s tradition was derived from Millerite encamp- teach families the principles for healthful living, invite unbelievers ments between 1842 and 1844 and some Methodist gatherings. to accept the saving message of Christ, and encourage longtime It wasn’t until 1868 that the first Adventist camp meetings church members to reconsecrate their lives to God. Camp meeting convened, five years after the General Conference was incor- gives the entire family of God a unique opportunity to praise porated in 1863.2 Christ’s name with one heart, one mind, and one voice. At the 1868 General Conference session held May 12-18 in “There would be much more power in our camp Battle Creek, Michigan, the GC Committee voted a resolution meetings if we had a true sense of the goodness and to include a spiritual convocation at the business session for the mercy and long-suffering of God, and if more praise church’s association. In July then Review and Herald editor went forth from our lips to the honor and James White argued that such meetings should be disassociated glory of His name.” 4 from the business meetings and established as exclusively spiri- 1 Seventh-day Adventist 3 “Camp Meeting,” tual gatherings instead. Encyclopedia (1996), vol. 10, p. 281. At the beginning the encampments were structured as out- 2 Ibid. 3 reach meetings, held in changing locations. Later the meetings James White, in Review and Herald, July 14, 1868. moved into permanent locations and acquired a revival focus 4 Ellen White, Loma Linda Messages, that nurtured church members. p. 537.

6 (1142) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 ADVENTIST LIFE Early one Friday evening my almost- 4-year-old great-granddaughter and I were walking to a friend’s house to gather flowers for Sabbath. Coming to a small hill, I said, “Debbie, I’m so tired. Will you pull me up this little hill?” Assuming I was REWS serious, Debbie reached for my hand and led me up. C Y

On the way home, when we came to the same lit- ERR T

tle hill, Debbie looked up and asked, “Grandma, BY shall I pull you down the hill?” GIVE TION —Lillian Wood-Praeger, Livingston, New York LLUSTRA I & “Remember to put your bell on your knee until we’re ready to start,” said the cradle roll teacher as she passed out bells. I had to smile. Three-year-old James had pulled up his pant leg, where his bell quietly rested on his bare knee. The next week I watched as all the other little boys followed suit. —Sherian Atkins Wills, Bedford, Virginia TAKE ELLEN WHITE . . . UNDERSTOOD Ellen White’s writings include both words not common today and words that she created. This quiz might help you better understand what she wrote. 1. Enchains “HATS OFF” TO (a) covers completely, encloses; (b) charms greatly, bewitches; (c) holds fast, ADVENTIST YOUTH captivates; (d) recites with artificial eloquence 2. Massah Do you know a young Adventist (a) accumulated tradition concerning Hebrew scripture; (b) Hebrew for “temp- (age 18 and under) who goes the extra tation”; (c) seaport on the Red Sea; (d) separate peaks forming a mountain range mile for God? 3. Ague Review The would like to honor them. (a) chills, shivering; (b) used in making soap; (c) anticipation or excitement; Send us a para- (d) great mental or physical pain graph telling 4. Schismatic why a young (a) orderly plan or diagram; (b) pertaining to a secret or underhanded plot; (c) person (not a done without conscious thought; (d) causing a split or division in a church relative) 5. Interposition deserves spe- (a) located far within; (b) placed or put between; (c) scattered; (d) alter by cial recognition. putting in new words Please also send Key: 1. (c) Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 35). 2. (b) (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 298). 3. (a) (Testimonies, the address, the vol. 4, p. 502). 4. (d) (The Great Controversy, p. 459). 5. (b) (The Desire of Ages, p. 125). phone number, and a photograph (preferably “in action”) of that person. Soon we’ll begin featuring Adventist THINK HEAVY youth on this page. We’ll also send them an Adventist Review cap. SCRAA-AAPE: When Clear Lake, The Adventist Review—taking our Wisconsin, members installed new hats off to Adventist youth. carpeting in their church sanctuary and Sabbath school rooms two WE NEED YOU years ago, volunteers aged 3 to 80 Give & Take is your page. Send your showed up to help. Here Justin “Adventist Quotes,” top-quality photos, “Adventist Life” vignettes, “Readers’ Rosen provides weight for the “car-

Exchange” items, and other short contributions pet remover” pushed by Gene ELSON N to: Give & Take, Adventist Review, 12501 McClintock. Both amateurs and ETH

Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD B professionals donated their services 20904; Fax: 301-680-6638; CompuServe: BY 74532,2564. to recarpet the entire building HOTO

within a week. P

ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 (1143) 7 Return of the

RemnantWho are the chosen? And for what purpose?

BY DWIGHT K. NELSON

HAVE STOOD IN THE HAUNTED SILENCE OF alty to the Creator and the community of abandonment of Auschwitz on the day after Easter. And I have pon- the Creator. The die is cast: “And the dragon was wroth dered the muted message its cold and dusty crematori- with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of ums yet speak to a world that still survives that retch- her seed” (Rev. 12:17, KJV). What he does to Abel he will ing of human history we remember as the Holocaust, attempt to do with every remnant seed that will issue from in which 6 million Jews were exterminated. the woman—the woman at the beginning and the woman at IWhen the brief history of time is written one day, I the end. believe it will show that like two matching bookends upon And the woman in between: Noah and the remnant after the shelf of sacred history, there were and are two communi- the Flood, Abraham and the remnant after Babel, Joseph ties of truth that have occupied the beginning and the end- and the remnant after the famine, Moses and the remnant ing of salvation history’s story. Two communities of truth after the Exodus. and faith that are inextricably bound together by a shared And the rest is history—some of the greatest history in fate—their divine calling to become the chosen ones. These the annals of humankind, as this liberated horde of slaves two communities, more than any other two in the history of flees under the cover of darkness in the mighty exodus of time and religion, will bear the epitaph “The Remnant,” and Israel. Thus is born one of the two lone communities of both will know the meaning of holocaust. truth that, as will one day be shown, have been raised up by One community of truth we have already surmised. And God to occupy the beginning and ending of salvation’s who is it that will share fate’s honor with the Jews? Come Judeo-Christian story. Because of that sharedness in destiny, seek the answer. would it not follow that of all spiritual communities on It is a curious calling—that name, “the remnant”—and earth, these two in the end will find a special and sacred you can trace its history to the pristine affinity? beginnings of time. “Adam knew his wife And what is the great raison d’être, the again, and she bore a son and named him mighty reason and meaning for the exis- Seth, for she said, ‘God has appointed for tence of the remnant community that has me another child instead of Abel, because occupied the beginning of the story? Read Cain killed him.’ To Seth also a son was again what has to be the glorious apex and born, and he named him Enosh. At that summation of their divine calling. “For you time people began to invoke the name of are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord” (Gen. 4:25, 26).* the Lord your God has chosen you out of Thus are born two separate streams of all the peoples on earth to be his people, time and strands of history: the community his treasured possession” (Deut. 7:6). Did of Seth and the community of Cain, the you catch that? The Lord your God has community of the remnant and the com- chosen you! They were the chosen ones! munity of rebellion, the community of loy-

8 (1144) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 And why was this people of God And so it was for the remnant com- the salvation story preserved and prop- chosen? Was it for their prowess? their munity of Israel. Their “chosenness” agated:2 power? their prominence? their pres- did not herald the exclusion of the rest tige? their perfection? No, Moses thun- of the world. Rather it was simply Monotheism. Clifford ders from the mountainside: “It was because of God’s passionate longing to Goldstein describes the preser- not because you were more numerous include the rest of the world that God vation of this divine truth in than any other people that the Lord chose a people to be the repositories of an ancient world cluttered set his heart on you and chose you— His eternal truth and the reflection of with gods and goddesses: for you were the fewest of all people” His eternal love for all humankind. To 1“Then, amid this parade of (verse 7). In fact, if you want to know be the remnant was not a divine call polytheism, a small nation of ex-slaves, the truth, Moses went on, you must to be exclusive; it was a divine sum- refugees without their own land, wan- “know, then, that the Lord your God mons to become inclusive. It was the derers without a country, proclaimed is not giving you this good land to heart of God’s loving strategy to save one of the most radical ideas in antiq- occupy because of your righteousness; the entire planet. uity: Shema Yisrael, Adonai Elohanu, for you are a stubborn people” (Deut. How can we know? Listen to the Adonai Echad, which means, ‘Hear O 9:6). It isn’t very flattering to be called provocative claim Jesus made to the Israel, the Lord is God, the Lord is one’ a bunch of stubborn nobodies. Samaritan woman beside Jacob’s well. (Deut. 6:4).” 3 Was monotheism some Then why on earth did God ever She’s just tried to dodge a moral arrow newfangled proposition? Hardly. It was choose that ragtag band of Israelite aimed straight into the soul of her as old as the earth. Polytheism was slaves in the first place? “It was guilty conscience. She wants to know what was new. And so God raised up a because the Lord loved you and kept who’s right: we Samaritans or you remnant community to restore the old, the oath that he swore to your ances- Jews? And in answer, Jesus makes an old truth. tors, that the Lord has brought you out unequivocal claim, “Salvation is from The seventh-day Sabbath. with a mighty hand, and redeemed you the Jews” (John 4:22). Period. He Hardly a new truth, this one from the house of slavery” (Deut. 7:8). could have flimflammed around as so also stretched all the way And here Moses chooses the same much religion does today by declaring, back to Creation. But the word he used in his once-upon-a-time “All that matters is that God loves you Creator needed a people to love story between Jacob and Rachel, and you love God—so don’t worry 2champion that forgotten truth “he loved Rachel more than Leah” yourself about such inconsequential of that forgotten day. And so He raised (Gen. 29:30). You were chosen, particulars as truth and doctrine and up a remnant. because you were loved by God. For revelation.” But instead, looking her in The Ten Commandments. you are the beloved of God! the eye, He answered, “If you’re asking Oh yes, the surrounding There is a profound truth here that whether Samaritans or Jews have the nations had their civil and compels notice. Because when many truth, then you must know that the religious codes and laws. But of us think of being “chosen,” long- truth of salvation resides in the rem- nothing compared with the forgotten but still painfully vivid nant community of the Jews.” 3profound simplicity and all- memories of school days and recesses Christ wasn’t being arrogant, but inclusiveness of the Decalogue, God’s come flooding back, when the teacher He was being honest. Buddhism is 10 precepts for human happiness. God asked the two biggest boys in the dead wrong, and so is ecumenism. All needed a remnant to champion His classroom to choose up teams for some paths do not lead to the top of the law. sport in which winning mattered. mountain. There is only one path, and Creation. Against the most And everybody lined up and awaited the Jews have been entrusted with the absurd and silly myths abound- fate’s choices. And the longer you truth about the pathway. So says Jesus ing in the pagan nations sur- waited, the more painful the thought to the Samaritan woman. rounding Israel, Judaism taught I’m not good enough, because I’m never That being the case, the question that a loving Creator-God chosen first. I’m always chosen last. Do must be asked: What then did Israel, hand-shaped a perfect planet you remember? God’s remnant community of truth, 4into existence in a single week of But not so with God, author-pastor believe, embrace, and witness to the human time, culminating in the sev- Henri Nouwen counters. “To be cho- world? Whatever truth God entrusted enth-day Sabbath. It was not a new sen as the Beloved of God is some- to them at the beginning of the salva- truth. Israel was raised up to champion thing radically different. Instead of tion story, would it not follow that the the oldest truth of all. excluding others, it includes others. matching bookend at the end of the The sanctuary. Oh sure, the Instead of rejecting others as less valu- story would embrace and espouse the pagans had their sanctuaries able, it accepts others in their own same divine truth? and temples. But they also uniqueness. It is not a competitive, but Consider now 11 tenets that the had prostitution and human a compassionate choice.” 1 remnant bookend at the beginning of 5sacrifices. God raised up Israel ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 (1145) 9 so that the ancient truth of a divine that eventually formed the very basis here they are, 11 ancient truths sacrifice, the Lamb of God that takes of all Judeo-Christian faith today. False God has always needed a rem- away the sin of the world—that truth prophets abounded in the world nant community to champion. taught at the gates of Eden—might be around them. But God raised up a TLet me ask you: If there were a rem- firmly established and proclaimed remnant with the true Spirit of nant community to preserve and prop- throughout the earth. No other reli- prophecy, to be a shining light in a agate those truths at the beginning of gion so profoundly confronted the sin dark, dark night. the salvation story, would it not follow problem of humanity and the salvation The Day of that the same God would also raise up gift of God. God needed a remnant to Atonement. Buried a last remnant community to preserve champion in advance the glorious deep within Israel’s and propagate those very same truths truth of Calvary to the whole world. sanctuary service lay at the end of the story? Truth about death. The the truth about the “And the dragon was wroth with Hebrews were unique among great Day of the woman, and went to make war all peoples in teaching that 10Atonement, a type of the final judg- with the remnant of her seed, which death was an unconscious ment and cleansing in the heavenly keep the commandments of God, and sleep. The pagan pharaohs sanctuary above. No other religion have the testimony of Jesus Christ” 6 and priests of Egypt had con- even faintly captured this truth. But it (Rev. 12:17, KJV). cocted an elaborate system of death was truth nonetheless, and God raised The Apocalypse is clear: There is a based on the false premise that the up a people who would proclaim it to remnant community today that has human soul is immortal. But God the world. Judgment is coming, it said; been raised up by God, just as surely as raised up a remnant community to turn to the Saviour God. He raised up Israel of old. They too are champion the truth that only the The coming His chosen people. Not because they Creator-God can restore and resurrect Redeemer Messiah. are greater than the rest. Israel wasn’t, human life, and that He will do so at Israel had the truth nor will they be. But because of the the end of time. about both advents of sovereign grace and love of God, they A health message. The the Messiah, but par- have been raised up, as inheritors of great principles of a proper 11 ticularly the first. The ancient Israel’s legacy, to share the glad diet, originating in Eden Jews were given special privilege in and urgent tidings of these eternal itself, were continued and announcing the Messiah’s arrival, and truths with an end-time world. Their propagated by the Jewish peo- they themselves were to prepare for it. twofold reason for existence is the ple. In a world that knew Israel alone possessed the great same as Israel’s: to preserve in the 7nothing about fat and cholesterol and Messianic prophecies of Isaiah 53, world and proclaim to the world the heart disease and cancer, God instilled Daniel 9, and Psalm 22. Was this a truth of the Creator-Saviour God. in His remnant the teaching of clean new truth? Certainly not. All the way Revelation 12:17 is not an apocalyptic and unclean foods, principles of back to the cherubim-guarded gates of call to arrogance; it is a prophetic call dietary health, founded on the ideal Eden was Genesis 3:15’s promise to to faithfulness. and natural diet of Eden. humanity that through the woman And who is that remnant commu- The great controversy God would provide the deliverer from nity today? All you need to do is take between God and Satan. sin and death. God simply needed a that list of 11 truths, center them all in Job, the oldest book of the remnant community who would share Jesus Christ, the great summation of all Old Testament, graphically the shining truth with the rest of His truth, and then search the face of this introduced the great cosmic world. end-time earth. Surely the Spirit of all 8 theme of a battle between And if only Israel had embraced the truth will lead every honest seeker to God and Satan for the loyalty of Messiah when He came to them! find that remnant of God today. humanity. Israel’s pagan neighbors But the record is bitterly sad: “He There can be only one remnant offered a pantheon of philosophies and came unto his own, and his own community of truth on earth, one myths about this cosmic battle. Only received him not” (John 1:11, KJV). divinely raised repository of what the the Hebrews championed the truth Had they accepted Christ, there would Scriptures have taught from the begin- about it. have been no need for any further ning. Portions of these great tenets can The Spirit of prophecy. It is remnant. Israel would have carried be found in communities of faith the to the Hebrews that we still God’s truth to the end. They would world over. But one community turn for the rich legacy of not have been a bookend; they would embraces all 11. Find the community their prophets, both canonical have become the entire shelf of God’s that teaches and embraces and wit- and noncanonical, male and salvation story. But alas, having it all, nesses to all 11 as they are in Christ 9 female. It was divinely they missed it all in their rejection of Jesus, and you will have found God’s inspired messages of these prophets Jesus Christ. remnant at the end of the salvation

10 (1146) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 story. Because the bookends match! hero, and boos and catcalls descended The Remnant from the stands. The Babe dropped his hat then shall we say in and Its Mission head and kept on walking. conclusion? The truth about The universal church is Just then a young boy leaped over the bookends is in itself a composed of all who truly the railing and onto the playing field. Wpassionate appeal, is it not? First, it is believe in Christ, but in the Racing toward the Babe with tears an appeal to cultural Adventists. Very last days, a time of wide- trickling down his little cheeks, the much like the cultural Jews today, do spread apostasy, a remnant boy threw his chubby arms around the we remain with our own kind out of has been called out to keep stocky legs of his big hero: “Never social convenience, or historical nos- the commandments of God mind the crowd. I love you, Babe!” talgia, or professional requirement? and the faith of Jesus. This Ruth didn’t miss a beat. He The time has come for us all to reex- remnant announces the reached down and scooped the little amine and reevaluate our membership arrival of the judgment hour, tyke into his arms, threw him in the in the remnant community. Why am I proclaims salvation through air, gave him a giant bear hug, placed a Seventh-day Adventist today? If it is Christ, and heralds the him back on his feet, and with a for reasons of convenience or employ- approach of His second playful pat on his head the two of ment that I go with the flow and ride advent. This proclamation is them walked hand in hand to the with the tide, then would I ever take a symbolized by the three dugout. radical stand for the Lord of the rem- angels of Revelation 14; it Suddenly the booing stopped and a nant truth when the second holocaust coincides with the work of hush fell over that entire park. Why? comes? judgment in heaven and Because in those brief moments the The truth about the bookends is results in a work of repen- crowd saw a different kind of hero—a also a passionate appeal to the men tance and reform on earth. man who, in spite of a dismal day on and women and young adults of earth Every believer is called to the field, could still care about a little who have yet to join God’s remnant have a personal part in this boy. And now he was no longer being community of faith. Please do not look worldwide witness. (Rev. judged by his accomplishments—nei- to that community for holiness or per- 12:17; 14:6-12; 18:1-4; 2 ther his past successes nor his present fection, for neither Israel of old nor Cor. 5:10; Jude 3, 14; 1 failures mattered. For in the end a rela- the remnant today have always lived Peter 1:16-19; 2 Peter 3:10- tionship made all the difference in the up to the truths they espoused. But, 14; Rev. 21:1-14.) world. my friend, you must take seriously the Fundamental Belief No. 12. And that is the truth the remnant message God has entrusted to His rem- must return to. Because in the end nant, chosen people. Because He has that all the theological orthodoxy in what will matter most, what will mat- chosen you, too. It is high time you the world can never save a community ter last, will be a personal relationship stand up for what you have found to or a soul. with God. “To all who received him.” be truth—eternal truth. Now is the The verse that follows John 1:11 Can you think of anything better for hour, because God needs your remnant tells the truth for Adventism in the the remnant to receive than Jesus? ■ witness, too. Not everyone will under- twilight of the twentieth century: “But stand your decision, but you must to all who received him, who believed * Unless otherwise noted, all scriptural refer- ences are from the New Revised Standard leave the consequences to God. He in his name, he gave power to become Version. simply calls you to follow your con- children of God.” Because in the end 1 science and His Holy Scriptures. what will matter most, what will mat- Henri J. M. Nouwen, Life of the Beloved (New York: Crossroads Pub. Co., 1992), The bookends offer a third and final ter last, will be a passionate and per- pp. 46, 47. appeal to my fellow travelers in the sonal relationship with God. 2 I am indebted to Clifford Goldstein, an remnant community of faith. The sad The great Babe Ruth, who hit 714 American Jew who became a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, for identifying 10 of the and somber story of John 1:11 has home runs during his baseball career, following 11 in his insightful book The Remnant every potential and possibility of was playing one of his last major (Boise, Idaho: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1994). 3 repeating itself in the remnant book- league games—for the Boston Braves Ibid., p. 29. end on this side of the shelf. “He came against the Cincinnati Reds. But he unto his own, and his own received was no longer as agile as he once had him not.” Woe be to the Seventh-day been. He fumbled the ball and threw Dwight K. Nelson is senior Adventist heart lifted up in pride over badly, and in one inning alone his pastor at Pioneer Memorial its theological pedigree, its doctrinal errors were responsible for five Seventh-day Adventist orthodoxy, its ecclesiastical legacy. Cincinnati runs! As the Babe walked Church, on the campus of The story of the remnant bookend off the field after the third out, the Andrews University, in 2,000 years ago is tragic proof enough fickle crowd turned on their aging Berrien Springs, Michigan.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 (1147) 11 LIFESTYLE You Do Havea ChoiceWhat counts is how we respond to the knocks. BY DAVID N. MARSHALL

IFE IS A UNIVERSITY OF HARD He abandoned a top-flight career to become a Christian. But that was the beginning, not the end, of his knocks. troubles. The decades of life that remained to him were filled with persecution and tough times—hard knocks. Few You’ve noticed! men have been so misunderstood, their motives so miscon- strued. On top of that, he had to put up with a constant Me too. ailment that just wouldn’t quit. But he never complained, never once wished he had not What counts is how we respond to the met Jesus. Once, however, for his own reasons, he listed a few of the problems he had encountered. Read what he knocks when they come—and what we learn from them. wrote: “Five different times the Jews gave me their terrible thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once LHard knocks are inevitable. Misery as a result of hard I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I was in the open sea all night and the whole next day. I have trav- Lknocks is optional. You can respond with joy! eled many weary miles and have been often in great danger from flooded rivers, and from robbers, and from my own peo- Take this man that I knew of . . . ple, the Jews, as well as from the hands of the Gentiles. I

12 (1148) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 have faced grave danger . . . in the after another, one word after another. cities and . . . in the deserts and in the Yard by yard, life is hard; but inch by But we’re not ever stormy seas and from men who claim inch, it’s a cinch.” rTequirrust?ed to cope with today’s troubles to be brothers in Christ but are not. I When troubles strike—major or alone. Either we do or do not believe have lived with weariness and pain minor—you’ve got a choice. in the sovereignty of God. We do? and sleepless nights. Often I have been Basically, the choice is between the Then let’s live as if we do. hungry and thirsty and have gone Jacob way or the Joseph way. Jacob Trust God. Ask Him to give you the without food; often I have shivered said, “All these things are against me!” peace you often forfeit and take the with cold, without enough clothing to Joseph said, “Man started this train of needless pain you bear, all because in keep me warm” (2 Cor. 11:24-27, events for evil, but God made good prayer you’ve handed your burdens to TLB). the Lord. God is big enough! Trust Quite a catalog, you’ll admit. is the key. Was he on a “poor me” kick? Not on your life! He displayed real elf-pity is “private enemy num- embarrassment at having to write in Yard by yard, ber one.” When things happen this way (see 2 Cor. 11:16-24). that we don’t deserve and Paul’s enemies, who walked in his life is hard; but Shaven’t asked for, our natural ten- wake to undo his work, made much dency is to curl into the fetal posi- of their credentials. They spoke of tion. It’s natural, but it helps nobody, being a “chosen people” with an inch by inch, least of all ourselves. Turn it over to impeccable pedigree. “So have I,” God, the specialist who has never said Paul, “but it doesn’t mean a it’s a cinch. yet been handed an impossibility He thing!” Then he set out his CV, couldn’t handle. Grab that problem strung out his credentials—his scars! by the throat and thrust it skyward! Is Paul encouraging us to parade Remember when Paul was our scars? Certainly not. When whipped at Philippi, chained by we’ve read about his, we realize that come out of it.” wrists and ankles to a prison wall, his we don’t have any worth mentioning. It all comes down to choice, perspec- back ribboned? If there was ever a time Though from time to time even the tive, and trust. for self-pity and bitterness, that was it. most balanced among us get caught up Paul was there in response to the “Come in what computer buffs call a “feed- to Macedonia” vision, and Philippi was forward loop situation,” get “stuck in a My choice of atti- his first stab at European evangelism. loop.” When we face difficulties, major Choice?tude. Attitude is more important than And look where God had landed him! or minor, we start compiling a list of my past, my education, the contents But that was not how Paul saw it. them. Then we mull over the list, item of my bank account, my successes or He exercised choice—and his choice by item, find a common theme, and all failures, fame or pain, what other peo- was joy! He exercised perspective—and of a sudden we’re at the end of our ple think of me or say of me, my cir- saw this was a time of opportunity. He tether! Item 1 might have been an cumstances, or my job. Attitude fuels exercised trust—and decided to praise annoying encounter; but to that we my fire or assaults my hope. When my God in song (Acts 16:25). add all the crises in the family over attitudes are right, there’s no barrier Exactly what happened in heaven the past 12 months, half a hundred too high, no valley too deep, no chal- just then I have no way of knowing. other irritating encounters, plus the lenge too great. Probably God just said, “Right! I’m odd full-blown verbal punch up—and going in!” The earth shook as He said suddenly it’s time for that long-sched- it. Paul’s chains fell off, but he was free uled breakdown. already—because even in the face of Don’t do it. It will ruin your Perspective?When you add up your problems, mistreatment, thrashed and dumped in health—and destroy the happiness of they become too big. When you ana- a dungeon, he had chosen joy. those around you. lyze them, they become too complex. “And now, my friends, I wish you At the beginning of the year I had Dwell on 3:00 a.m., out-of-proportion, joy in the Lord” (Phil. 3:1, REB). ■ a letter from a man I hardly knew, but worst-case scenarios—and they’ll crush Choose joy! it contained some wonderful advice: you. All you are ever required to do is “Anyone can carry his burden, how- to live one day at a time. God never David N. Marshall is editor ever heavy, for one day. And that’s all gives you more than that with which of the Stanborough Press, the Lord asks. Life consists of little you can cope in the compass of a sin- Grantham, Lincolnshire, things—one step after another, one gle day. You’re designed to cope with England. breath after another, one heartbeat only a dayful of troubles.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 (1149) 13 COVER STORY

ourri o p f P t r o a P i s e A The existence of intelligent life demands an intelligent Creator.

14 (1150) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 BY LYNDON MC DOWELL Tessier-Lavigne identified two chemotropic proteins and called them, very appropriately, netrin-1 and netrin-2. Netrin comes from the Sanskrit word netr, meaning “one who guides.” 1 These proteins lure the growth cones to the right destination. The It took 25,000 chicken brains to purify target enough netrin for his experiments. tissues Netrin is found in many species, and are demonstrates the Creator’s economy of chemotrop- design as He formed the marvelously ic. It’s like intricate machinery of embryonic growth. when I trained David was right when he wrote: “You ANY two white doves. knit me together in my mother’s womb. I years ago the I put down a line praise you because I am fearfully and Ford Motor Company of sunflower seeds wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:13, 14). had a catchy sales slo- that led to my open gan: “The closer you hand. The doves pecked What Evolution Didn’t Do and look, the better we look.” their way down the line of Shark Cartilage Can’t Do MSo it is with God’s creation. In fact, seeds and were soon eating out of my In his Origin of Species Charles Darwin it’s better. Even a car fresh off the show- hand. The embryonic target tissues wrote: “If it could be demonstrated that room floor has slight cosmetic flaws. send out chemical signals that any complex organ existed, which could But the closer we look at God’s attract the growth not possibly have been formed by numer- handiwork, the more marvels we cones. ous, successive, slight modifications, my see. From the tiny flowered theory would absolutely break down.” 2 Is grasses to the breathtaking there such an example? beauty of an orchid, the closer If you have arthritis or have had a we look, the more amazed we brush with cancer, the chances are that become. some well-meaning person has True, the glory of God’s cre- advised you to visit a health store ation is sometimes marred by and buy some shark cartilage. the tragic consequences of sin. Don’t waste your money. Except But there is still a grandeur—a for a questionable Cuban study majesty, a dignity, a splendor— touted by 60 Minutes, there is about the basic components of God’s no scientific evidence that creation that cause us to say with David, ingesting shark cartilage will “O Lord,” yes, “our Lord, how majestic is do you any good. your name in all the earth!” (Ps. 8:1).* The story has been hard on sharks. From Asia to What 25,000 Chicken Brains America there has been Taught Us almost a frenzy of shark Dr. Santiago Ramon y Cajal was puz- eating. Why the zled. A neurobiologist, he had discov- excitement? Well, ered the growth cone at the end of a have you ever developing nerve cell in an embryo. seen a sick

He called it a living “battering ram” shark? ISC D because it seemed to push its way Probably toward specific tissues. not. HOTO But how, he asked, do growth cones © P

know where to go? How do they make HOTOS P the right connections? About 100 years and 25,000 chicken brains later, Marc Tessier-Lavigne of the University of California at San Francisco found the answer.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 (1151) 15 For they have a well-developed immune enemy close, and then fires lethal shells beyond number—living things both large system, much like our own. that make gaping holes in the enemy. and small. . . . I will sing to the Lord all Immune systems are terribly compli- The shells are armed with perforin—so my life” (Ps. 104:24-33). cated. There are B cells that are manu- named, presumably, because it perforates factured in the fetal liver and then later the sides of the enemy ship—and within What the Rocks Won’t Say and What in the bone marrow. There are T cells a few minutes it sinks. Then off the T Flies Won’t Do manufactured from stem cells in the thy- cell sails to find another target. Stasis is a word that is current in the mus gland. There are T helper cells that Perforin itself is very toxic stuff. So study of paleontology. It kept sounding rush to help B cells. There are TD cells special rules are laid down for its use. For in my mind the last time I visited the and TC cells and TS cells, and memory example, it’s lethal only in the presence Royal Tyrrell Museum in Alberta, cells that “remember” a previous of calcium ions. If there is accidental Canada. What anchored the word in my immune response. Then there are the spillage, it’s harmless. mind were several exhibits that had not phagocytes: blood monocytes, Sharks appear on the scene with fully been on display my previous visit. macrophages, and neutrophils. Their developed disease-fighting systems. One was a large slab of rock with bird function is to take up pathogens and for- Before them there is not a trace of anti- footprints on it. The sign noted that the eign material and recycle cell debris. bodies or any important immune pro- footprints were 130 million years old and The list goes on and on. All these cell teins.3 After them everything is in place. were indistinguishable from those of types react in a coordinated way to pro- There is no evidence that their immune modern birds. Another was an insect duce an effective immune system. system evolved. Sharks arrive fully trapped in amber, and the museum had T cells are the Marine Corps of the equipped. noted it as being 40 million years old. It immune system. Like galleons of old, “How many are your works, O Lord! too was indistinguishable from its modern they sail the vascular seas. When head- In wisdom you made them all; the earth relatives. Then there were fossils: a soft- quarters (the major histocompatability is full of your creatures. There is the sea, shelled turtle 100 million years old, a gar complex [MHC]) signals the approach of vast and spacious, teeming with creatures 77 million years old, and a sturgeon 100 an enemy, the T cell closes in. It swings million years old. Displayed with each its 10-nanometer guns around (stor- picture were the modern relatives, identi- age granules in the T cell’s cyto- cal and very much alive, swimming plasm move to face the around in a fish tank. The testimony of the invader), it throws out rocks is stasis—stability—not change. its grappling Niles Eldredge was confronted by this hooks, pulls when working on his doctoral thesis a the number of years ago. He set out to demonstrate Darwinian evolution by documenting the progressive change over millions of years in one kind of brachiopod. As he collected his specimens, he became aware of a troubling problem: there was no evidence of change.

16 (1152) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 Perhaps, he reasoned, when he exam- isolation, but flies will be flies. ined his specimens in the laboratory, the No new critters have appeared. microscope would reveal the changes he It’s not as though scientists was looking for. But no such luck. The have not looked for them; they microscope spoke clearly: no change. have. Research on fruit flies in Darwin blamed paucity of samples for the Hawaiian archipelago, where lack of evidence for change, but modern a third of all known Drosophila research has demonstrated that where species occur, fossil evidence is most common, evolu- has shown tion is most obviously absent. In places that new where new species are evident, it’s species have because they have migrated into the formed— area, not because they have evolved.4 probably Because of this dilemma, Eldredge and spreading Stephen Jay Gould came up with a radical to other new hypothesis: “punctuated equilibria.” islands by The isolation of species, they theorized, one wind- triggers change, but the isolation and the blown shortness of time, geologically speaking, preg- make the discovery of transitional forms very unlikely. Changes taking place in iso- lation lead to an explosion of new species. It’s a brilliant theory, providing a rationale nant for what is not there.5 female.6 But does punctuated equilibrium The work? Ask the fruit fly, Drosophila poor little melanogaster. A favorite of geneticists, it flies have even has its own genome project (a been sepa- study of the total genetic makeup). rated by wind The little critter is only two fifths of a and weather in millimeter long and weighs in at l.5 the Hawaiian Four milligrams. It has a life span of 7-10 Islands for—according or five baby days, and it breeds, well, like flies. The to scientific researchers—a minimum of quail walking in line flies are ideal for research work because 6 million years. In laboratories they have behind their mother with their they are anatomically complex, easily been blasted with X-rays and shot with heads bravely held up. They look confi- handled, cheap to keep, and not fussy noxious chemicals for almost 100 years, dent and cute—and they are all the same about food. Every university lab worth and during this time they have produced size! Although the eggs were laid over a the name has bottles of them thousands upon thousands of genera- period of a week or 10 days, they still all busily eating, breeding, tions—but they are still flies. By manipu- hatch together. and dying. lating a fly’s genes, scientists can make Before we say more about the chicks, Genetic study eyes grow on wings and legs grow on let’s take a look at eggs in general. They of the flies began heads, but it is still a fly. Researchers can seem to be such ordinary, familiar things. at Columbia produce a fly with arthritic, weak, pig- But a fertilized egg is a living, intricate, University by mented joints; they can make a breathing marvel. T. H. Morgan, “doomed” fly that appears normal but Make yourself into a molecule for a who discov- starts dying immediately; they can pro- moment and journey with me into an ered the first duce a “parched fly” that has a high rate egg. We begin on the cuticle, or shell mutation in of water loss. Yet they are all still flies. proper. The cuticle is made of columns 1910. Study of They breed according to their kind. or pores of calcite crystals. We slide X-ray mutagen- “Did you not know? Have you not down one of the some 10,000 pores and esis started in heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, land on what are called the outer and ISC

1927, and chem- the Creator” (Isa. 40:28). inner shell membranes. D

ical mutations in The permeability of the shell and HOTO

1946. Thousands What Quails and Pendulum Clocks membranes is delicately balanced to meet © P upon thousands of gen- Have in Common the needs of the developing embryo. HOTOS erations have been bred in I have seen them often in my hikes. There is a very thin film between the P

ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 (1153) 17 outer and inner membranes, and then we “The amount of a given gas diffusing The Soon-coming Harmony arrive at the chorioallantoic membrane, through the pores of an eggshell will be Sin has spoiled much of what God which provides the respiratory system. in proportion to the area of the pores in made, but we can still see His hand in Every second some 20 trillion oxygen the eggshell and to the difference nature. The biological synchronizations molecules pass into the egg and 14 tril- between the concentration of the diffus- around us remind one of the last para- lion carbon dioxide molecules pass out ing gas at one end of the pores and the graph in Ellen White’s book The Great with some 20 trillion water vapor mole- concentration at the other end.” So Controversy. When the discordancies of cules. If too much oxygen comes in, the what? evil have been rooted out, then “one pulse embryo will be desiccated; if too little, Just this: Whether it is a humming- of harmony and gladness beats through the embryo will drown. As water evapo- bird egg weighing a gram or an ostrich the vast creation. From Him who created rates out, oxygen enters a special holding egg weighing 1.3 kilograms, the propor- all flow life and light and gladness, area at the blunt end of the egg. tions will be the same, and the needs of throughout the realms of illimitable space. On the nineteenth day the chick the growing chick will be met. From the minutest atom to the greatest pokes a hole in that sack and begins to Now back to the quails. Nesting, world, all things, animate and inanimate, breathe. It’s called “internal pipping,” even at its best, is a dangerous time. in their unshadowed beauty and perfect and it prepares the lungs for the first And when the eggs are about to hatch, joy, declare that God is love.”

ISC rush of fresh air six hours later, when the mother quail has quite a problem. She That will be the ultimate, triumphant D chick is ready to push its egg tooth has no baby-sitter she can call on to sit synchronization, “when the times will HOTO through the outer shell and on unhatched eggs while she forages have reached their fulfillment—to bring © P breathe the atmosphere for food for the early birds. The eggs all things in heaven and on earth together HOTO

P for the first time. must hatch together. How does nature under one head, even Christ” (Eph. 1:10). provide? Maranatha! ■ Think of Christiaan Huygens, who invented pendulum clocks. He had two * Scripture references are from the New International Version. hanging on the wall in his bedroom. Confined to his bed one day, he 1 See Scientific American, January 1995, p. 17. 2 noticed that the pendulums were Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species (Chicago: Great Books Foundation, 1957), Vol. swinging in perfect synchrony. VII, p. 204. He got out of bed, put them out of 3 Invertebrates do, of course, have immune sync, and watched. Within a half hour mechanisms, but only on a molecular level. These are not fully understood, but they seem to perform they were back in sync again. Christiaan some of the functions of protein-based systems. For Huygens had discovered a secret of nature example, lectins bond to sugar molecules on cells called “biological synchronization.” and form a sticky mass. They possibly tag invading organisms. Take fireflies, for example. They each 4 See Gould’s statement regarding this in “Ten have their own rhythm, but let them Thousand Acts of Kindness,” Natural History, congregate in a tree, and soon they will December 1988, p. 14. 5 Although Gould is an outspoken critic of the be flashing in concert. Listen to the creation hypothesis, he deserves admiration. His crickets on a warm evening; they chirp intellect, his wide reading, and above all his will- together in unison. And frogs croak ingness to deal honestly with evidence within the boundary of his tradition is admirable. together in a pond. 6 For the full account, see J. S. Jones, “Models Our heart does the same. It has a nat- of Speciation—The Evidence of Drosophila,” ural pacemaker. There is a group of some Nature 289:743. 7 The mother hen does seek to delay the incu- 10,000 cells called the sinoatrial node, bation of the early eggs, but this can be done only which keeps our heart beating as it partially and is insufficient to account for the syn- should. chronization of hatching. The same thing happens in the quail eggs. The hatching chicks are brought into sync. They hatch together, and the mother quail’s problem is solved.7 Next time you see the little quail in line behind their mother, think of Lyndon McDowell is a retired Gas exchange in the egg works Christiaan Huygens’ pendulum clocks pastor and teacher who writes by diffusion, and the diffusion works and offer a prayer of praise to the from Scottsdale, Arizona. His according to a physical law discovered Creator, who made laws of harmony most recent article for the by Adolph Fick in 1855. The law, as that enable things to work so beautifully Adventist Review was “The expressed in eggs, could be paraphrased: together. Physiology of an Affair,” May 15, 1997.

18 (1154) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 LEAVING THE COMFORT ZONE Whose Family Values CHRIS BLAKE Are We Talking About?

ot long ago in the United States, talk of traits. At the end of the week we put our lists together, “family values” became the rage. (I recall it combining where possible, and produced the Blake was during a time of fervent political fin- Family Values. ger-pointing.) People from all sidewalks of Despite some outlandish complaints (“You can quit life joined in the discourse, each desiring editing, Dad”), the process was relatively painless. We to tell what was wrong with our tried—some of us—to fit the societyN, our government, our values into five, or seven, or schools, our homes, and our 10, but nine worked best. Our children. list differs from the Nelsons’ After all the talk, things pretty Our Family Values list, a distinction that is fine well went back to normal. Few and natural. We like differ- minds were changed; fewer lives 1. Maintain loving friendship with ences. were changed. We looked for a The accompanying list is new banner to raise, a new media God first. what we came up with. Please hot topic to debate. 2. Be honest and trustworthy. view it merely as a sample. So it came as some surprise for We posted this list on the me to wander into the kitchen of 3. Work at holding a patient, kitchen bulletin board and in our our friends Greg and Cindy cheerful, teachable outlook. bedrooms. I’d like to add some Nelson—well after the “family fancy-colored border and frame values furor”—and find tacked 4. Deeply respect life and environment. the document in the family room. next to the dog food coupons on I’d also like to add some values their bulletin board a list of five 5. Maximize and risk God-given talents. (for example, “Appreciate the specifics under the heading “Our 6. Live healthy lives. differences in others,” or maybe Family Values.” “Place our shoes neatly inside our This was more than I could 7. Pray with all our mind, heart, closets”), but we haven’t cau- bear. Bristling to full height, I soul, and strength. cused to discuss possible changes. began my harangue. (Some- We’re waiting for the next politi- times I have to set my friends 8. Use time responsibly. cal season. straight. I see it more as a cour- Decide your own values, tesy, actually.) 9. Practice courtesy, generosity, and Christian families, even families “Hey!” I said to Greg. “You service toward all people. of one. can’t do that. You’re getting way Post them. Read them. Live too practical here. We’re sup- them. posed to talk about them, not actually do something.” Greg laughed, shook his head, and said, “I know. It’s quite a concept.” It was a concept, I had to admit. Could my children benefit from more specifics than the classic “Love God and keep your room clean”? Chris Blake lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he I carried that concept home with me to Yolanda, teaches at Union College and values his family. Nathan, and Geoffrey, and at my next family worship I proposed that we develop our own values. Over the next week each of us created a personalized list of vital

ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 (1155) 19 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES Avondale College Celebrates 100 Years of Educational Ministry

BY PHILIP KNIGHT, AVONDALE COLLEGE PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR

t was April 28, 1897, when nated with a two-hour worship pro- Avondale College’s first two stu- gram reflecting on a century of wor- dents began classes in Bethel ship at Avondale College. Hall. Exactly 100 years later A musical and dramatic journey hundreds of students, alumni, through time, starting in 1897 and vis- faculty, and staff gathered at the same iting several significant eras along the Ilocation in Cooranbong, Australia, to way, provided an interesting insight commemorate the college’s century of into various aspects of worship over Christian education. the years. Although some styles of The ceremonies commenced with worship may have changed, the under- uniformed nursing and aviation stu- lying reason for worship has not. As dents participating in a flag-raising one participant observed, “While it is ceremony. A drama group consisting of nice to reflect on 100 years, ultimately present staff and students re-created VISIONARY MESSAGE: College principal we are here to worship Jesus Christ Geoffrey Madigan presents his “A Time of the initial period of college life, and to lift Him up in our worship and Vision” sermon at the community service. depicting an early worship and class praise.” Nearly 1,000 students, staff setting. A horse-drawn buggy trans- pal Geoffrey Madigan said, “Education members, and visitors attended the ported a person portraying Ellen G. is not ultimately about how much we program. White, one of the college’s founders, know, but about what sort of people to the site, after which she delivered a we are. Our founders saw the purpose High Point statement on the basic fundamentals of education in the context of ser- Steve Thompson, director of of education and the commencement vice—and this is what makes this Avondale’s Theology Department, led of classes at Avondale. place unique.” out in a rousing song service featuring In reflecting on 100 years of Don Hansen, history lecturer, early Advent hymns. A high point of Christian education, Avondale princi- reflected on the development of the program came when a letter writ- Avondale up until 1965, while Bryan ten by Ellen White was read. Ball, president of the South Pacific Division and a former principal, spoke about Avondale from 1965 to the present and into the future. The ceremony also includ- ed the presentation of a time capsule, a huge birthday cake, and an aerobatics trib- ute to 100 years of education by pilot Phil Unicomb in his Pitts Special aircraft. The commemoration cer- emony was part of the col- lege’s Heritage Week, which BIRTHPLACE: Bethel Hall, Avondale College’s celebrated Avondale’s stu- DRAMATIC MESSAGE: In a dramatic skit, students and original classroom building, was the site of a dents. The week of spiritual faculty members re-create events in the college’s early special commemoration ceremony. and cultural activities culmi- years.

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Biblical preaching has College is not what it used always been a feature of to be, but in many ways it worship at Avondale would be archaic if it was. College, and the period There have been and will 1915-1945 was represented continue to be changes, but by N. C. “Nubby” Burns the essential vision of a (played by theology student world in need will not Darren Slade) preaching change until the Lord very enthusiastically from comes.” an extract of an original 1939 sermon “Why Hitler Spiritual Vision Cannot Win,” based on the The whole week was an prophecies of Daniel and enjoyable and uplifting time Revelation. of reflection, not only bring- Burns’ evangelistic meet- ing back memories of 100 COMMUNITY STATEMENT: Avondale’s heritage celebration ended ings at the time were sup- with a special community worship service. years of education and wor- ported by the King’s Heralds, ship but also catching a spir- and in recognition of this, a fitting to put one’s faith and trust in God, not itual vision of the challenges and rendition of “In Dat Great Gittin’ Up just historically, but now and in the opportunities that lie before the col- Mornin’” was presented by a local future. While principles stay the same, lege and the worshiping community. quartet. methods may change. Avondale may be 100 years old, but it Principal Madigan preached on the In the message Madigan quoted a still has the vision of youth. The centenary theme “A Time of Vision” former principal, Edward Rosendahl, vision of its original founders is as and reflected on what it really means who once wrote, “True, Avondale strong as ever.

NEWSBREAK

Adventists Applaud Yeltsin Veto sure that other churches would not be discriminated against. “If this law had [gone into effect], it would have been a eventh-day Adventist communication leaders at a July major setback for the continuing process of greater democ- S24 summit meeting in Bracknell, Berkshire, England, racy and an open society. Adventists have always been applauded the decision of Russian president Boris Yeltsin committed to the principle that everyone should be able to not to sign into law a controversial bill that would have seri- choose their own religious beliefs.” ously damaged religious freedom. Maria Loukina, associate professor of journalism and vice The Duma (Russia’s legislature) had passed the bill by an dean of Moscow State University, endorsed this view. An overwhelming majority on June 8. A key provision in the Orthodox Christian and a member of the World Association measure would have changed all religious groups whose legal of Christian Communicators, she objected to the deliberate status has not been recognized for more than 15 years into targeting of minority churches. second-class associations, depriving the groups of government “The rights of religious minorities would have been recognition and restricting their activities. annulled under this law, especially those that are new in “Intense pressure against the proposed legislation from Russia,” Loukina comments. “This applies particularly to many national governments, church organizations, and reli- new Protestant groups. One of the most basic human rights gious liberty associations significantly influenced the presi- is the right to choose your religion, which would have been dent,” said Ray Dabrowski, director of the General compromised by the proposed law. It is deliberately targeted Conference Communication Department. against foreign evangelism.” “One can only applaud the president’s decision not to John Graz, secretary-general of the International sign a restrictive law that excluded certain recent minority Religious Liberty Association and director of the General religions in Russia,” said Dabrowski. Conference Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Depart- “Although the proposed law would not have affected the ment, sent a letter to Yeltsin to thank him for his veto. Seventh-day Adventist Church, since it has a 110-year history “I thanked President Yeltsin for his courageous decision in Russia, I am pleased to see that President Yeltsin supports to veto the bill and for his strong line in favor of religious religious liberty in our country,” said Bogdan Kachmar, commu- freedom and democracy. Our letters and the message voted nication director for Adventists in Russia, expressing his plea- in June by the participants of the world congress in Rio de

ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 (1157) 21 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES Mars: Are We Alone?

BY JONATHAN GALLAGHER, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT

he stunning pictures the Mars Pathfinder spacecraft angelic creatures from Venus, the planet of love. fired across 120 million miles of deep space sent a mes- Indeed, all the evidence, from SETI (the Search for Tsage: We are alone. Extra-terrestrial Intelligence) to the messages from the For thousands of years humanity has dreamed of finding Pioneer spacecraft, from Venus probes to Voyager spacecraft intelligent life on another planet, of con- circling the outer planets, from the Mars tacting another race of creatures, of dis- Viking landers to the radio-controlled covering we are not the only thinking NEWS COMMENTARY lander buzzing around the Martian land- beings adrift in the vastness of interstel- scape—it all says, “We are alone.” lar space. We want to believe that we are not alone. But instead of making us feel insecure, lost, and lonely, But as the rover probed the Martian surface, we were that fact should point us back to the heavens, which declare reminded that apparently, at least in the solar system we call the glory God. home, we are alone. Instead of discovering little green men The God of the universe, the God of our galaxy, the God or advanced civilizations of superbeings, we merely of our solar system, is our God too. Even as we, like David, scratched at the surface of a cold, cold land, hoping for the look to the stars and are humbled, God is mindful of us. He odd trace of some microbe that might once have been there. does care—so much that He came, not in a spacecraft, but as A far cry from even the recent past, when many looked one of us—to save us from ourselves. for the creators of the “canals” on Mars and dreamed of God tells us: We are not alone.

NEWSBREAK

Janeiro on religious freedom were useful. We hope that the Expansion Completed on AU Campus Church Duma will understand that religious freedom does not threaten either the cultural identity of Russia or the reli- Some 225 volunteers donated 16,000 hours to complete a gious feelings of the people,” said Graz. massive expansion project for one of North America’s largest Adventists had joined other faith communities in Adventist churches. The $3.9 million expansion of the praying that this restrictive law would not be enacted and Pioneer Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church in in publicizing the danger to religious liberty, not just in Berrien Springs, Michigan, doubled the interior size of the Russia, but as a concern for everyone who recognizes the Andrews University campus church. importance of human rights and freedom of conscience The expansion created two new church wings that on a global scale.—By Jonathan Gallagher, under appoint- extend north and south from the existing building. The ment as assistant director of the General Conference Communication Department.

LLUMC to Help Initiate Philippine Charity Clinic

Officials of Loma Linda University and the LLU Medical Center have signed a resolution to assist Philippine representatives in the development of the pro- posed Seventh-day Adventist Charity Clinic, in the capi- tal city of Manila. Under the terms of the agreement the medical center will provide advice, guidance, and consulting services to the project in the areas of planning, budgeting, construc- tion, procurement of equipment and supplies, clinical ser- vices, laboratory support, staff training, and continuing NEW WINGS: The Pioneer Memorial Church expansion added education. two wings extending from the church’s original structure.

22 (1158) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES

Religion in America 116 Years Ago: James White Dies

Louisiana Initiates “Covenant Marriage” Law If you had asked a late-nineteenth-century Adventist to A new law passed by the Louisiana state legislature makes name the greatest disaster to befall the church, the most likely it more difficult for some couples to marry and break up. response would be the premature death of James White in The covenant marriage legislation requires those who August of 1881. receive a the marriage license to undergo counseling before James lived only 60 years, yet was largely an exchange of vows, and stipulates more counseling before responsible for developing the Adventist orga- divorce. A breakup would become more expensive. Couples nizational framework and practically every can still obtain traditional marriage licenses that permit no- institution within the church of his day. His fault divorces. Already Catholic and Episcopal leaders say death seemed to occur at just the wrong time they will consider offering church weddings only to couples in terms of theological development within with the new license.—Religion News Service. Adventism. James and his wife, Ellen, had resolved in Churches, Labor Unions Renew Ties 1881 to minimize their speaking assignments Not since Cesar Chavez and the 1960’s farmworkers and together prepare studies on “the glorious subject of redemp- movement have so many religious leaders embraced the tion that should long ago have been more fully presented to the rights of North America’s poorest workers. Protestant, people” (Ellen White, in In Memoriam: A Sketch of the Last Catholic, and Jewish leaders have joined a United Sickness and Death of Elder James White, p. 54). Farmers of America movement to help California’s straw- Informing the church of his intention to refocus his theolog- berry pickers and other workers. Other leaders are help- ical perspective, James stated, “We feel that we have a testi- ing to eliminate sweatshops, child labor, and poultry mony for our people at this time, relative to the exalted charac- industry abuses.—Religion News Service. ter of Christ, and His willingness and power to save” (“Eastern Tour,” Review and Herald, Feb. 8, 1881).

NEWSBREAK church members volunteered on the project as construction News Notes helpers, carpet layers, and painters, as well as performing many other tasks. The donated hours shaved $220,000 off ✔ It Is Written again ranks in the top 10 of the 500 the project’s labor costs. most prominent religious television programs in the United “The whole process was an incredible faith journey for States, says Robert S. Folkenberg, who cited a recent us,” says senior pastor Dwight Nelson. “Now this facility Nielsen rating report. The survey shows that 192,000 fami- stands as a testament to the sacrificial giving of our mem- lies watch It Is Written in just 35 cities alone. bers and to God, who led the project all along.” The new ✔ Come one, come all to the Review and Herald facility houses a kitchen, youth chapel, meeting rooms, and Publishing Association’s first Open House and warehouse additional Sabbath school rooms. sale, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, September 7, at the publishing house facilities in Hagerstown, Maryland. Walla Walla College Receives Business Accreditation The program includes plant tours, a five-kilometer fun run, refreshments, children’s activities, seminars, and book Walla Walla College, in College Place, Washington, signings. For more information, call 301-745-3898. recently became the first Adventist college or university in ✔ HOPE BEYOND 2000, a five-week Bible prophecy North America to receive accreditation from the Association seminar by satellite, will be aired November 1- December 6, of Collegiate Business Schools. 1997. The 26-night satellite outreach meeting will feature The association’s evaluation included curriculum, faculty Kenneth Cox, associate Voice of Prophecy speaker. For more qualifications, scholarly and professional activities, and com- information, call 909-359-0967. puter and library resources. “Accreditation will give WWC business graduates an What’s Upcoming advantage when applying for work positions and graduate school,” says Norman Anderson, Business Department chair. Sept. 6 Global Mission Evangelism Day The certification was awarded after a 10-year planning Sept. 13-20 Adventist Review emphasis process that included several self-studies. Sept. 20 Family Togetherness Day

ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 (1159) 23 Friend to AtheFriendless The more we know God, the more intense will be our happiness.

BY ELLEN G. WHITE

ou who are tempted and tried and discouraged, cannot utter it; pen cannot portray it. You may study that look up. A divine Hand is reached toward you. love for ages; yet you can never fully comprehend the length The hand of the Infinite is stretched over the and the breadth, the depth and the height, of the love of battlements of heaven to grasp your hand in its God in giving His Son to die for the world. Eternity itself embrace. The mighty Helper is nigh to help the can never fully reveal it. most erring, the most sinful and despairing. His great heart of Ylove is yearning with deep and tender compassion over those Fellowship in Suffering who are careless and neglectful of their eternal interests. Christ is affected as His weakest follower is affected. The sympathy of Christ is such that He cannot be an indifferent Individual Care, Love, and Sympathy spectator of His children’s sufferings. Not a sigh is breathed, Let us remember that Jesus knows us individually, and not a pain felt, not a grief pierces the soul, but the throb He cares for each one as though there were not another vibrates to the Father’s heart. soul on the face of the earth. He is touched with the feeling As a faithful Physician, the world’s Redeemer has His fin- of our infirmities. He knows the wants of each of His crea- ger upon the pulse of the soul. He marks every beat; He tures, and reads the hidden, unspoken grief of every heart. If takes note of every throb. Not an emotion thrills it, not a one of the little ones for whom He died is injured, He sees sorrow shades it; not a sin stains it, not a thought or purpose it; for He is acquainted with all that is misunderstood and passes through it, with which He is not acquainted. misrepresented by man. Christ feels the woes of every sufferer. When evil spirits Christ has weighed every human affliction, every human rend a human frame, Christ feels the curse. When fever is sorrow. He bears the weight of the yoke for every soul that burning up the life current, He feels the agony. yokes up with Him. He knows the sorrows which we feel to the depth of our being, and which we cannot express. If no Talking With God human heart is aroused in sympathy for us, we need not feel God is bending from His throne to hear the cry of the that we are without sympathy. Christ knows; and He says, oppressed. To every sincere prayer He answers, “Here am I.” “Look unto Me and live.” The prayer that ascends from a broken and contrite heart is All the paternal love which has come down from genera- never disregarded; it is as sweet music in the ears of our tion to generation through the channel of human hearts, all heavenly Father: for He waits to bestow upon us the fullness the springs of tenderness which have opened in the souls of of His blessing. men, are but as a tiny rill to the boundless ocean, when The prayer of the sincere heart offered in faith will be compared with the infinite, exhaustless love of God. Tongue heard in heaven. It may not be grammatical; but if the heart

24 (1160) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 TION CIA SSO A UBLISHING P ® ERALD H AND EVIEW / © R NDERSON A Y ARR H BY TION LLUSTRA I is in it, it will ascend to the sanctuary where Jesus ministers, Our Best Interests in View and He will present it to the Father without one awkward, God does not require us to give up anything that it is for stammering word, graceful and perfect through His merit; our best interest to retain. In all that He does, He has the well- for His righteousness refines and ennobles it, and makes it being of His children in view. Would that all who have not acceptable before the Father. chosen Christ might realize that He has something vastly bet- ter to offer them than they are seeking for themselves! For the Our Best Motives and Efforts more we know God, the more intense will be our happiness, When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put and the lips that are willing to speak, though unclean, will be forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as touched with the living coals and purified. They will be man’s best service and He makes up for the deficiency with enabled to speak words that will burn their way to the soul. ■ His own divine merit; for He is the source of every right impulse. This article by Ellen G. White appeared in The Oriental Watchman, (Lucknow India), December 1909, p. 2. Through the merits of the Redeemer, the Father looks upon us with tender compassion, and speaks to us hopefully the language of forgiveness and love, for Christ was treated Ellen G. White was one of the pioneers of the as we deserve that we might be treated as He deserves. He Seventh-day Adventist Church. Her work continues was condemned for our sins in which he had no share, that to be a prophetic voice within it. we might be justified by His righteousness in which we had no share.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 (1161) 25 ON THE HOME FRONT Dedicated to the LESLIE KAY One I Love

n the occasion of our twelfth wedding anniver- When I began to see this, I pleaded with God to give me sary, I dedicate this month’s column to the only His love, to love Don through me with His forgiving, long-suf- man I’ve ever loved—my handsome, gentle, fering, “everlasting love” (Jer. 31:3). But even earnest, hardworking husband, Don. anguished prayer did not fill my heart with such love. Ours was a classic Adventist romance. We I asked the Lord to show me why, and it seemed as though He met in December during a prophecy seminar. asked me, “How can you be filled with something OSix months later we became the target of a you have not yet known—and how can you know camp meeting conspiracy. We were “coinciden- what you have not yet truly seen?” tally” invited to the same potlucks and strategi- And He directed “the eyes of [my] understand- * cally seated side by side. Sent out to hike ing” to my crucified Saviour, because “the revela- REWS C

Thumb Butte, we became lost and wandered tion of God’s love to [humanity] centers in the Y ERR in a circle for hours. (We didn’t mind.) cross” (The Ministry of Healing, p. 423). He urged T One year later we returned to Arizona camp me not merely to glance, as was my habit, but to BY meeting for our wonderful honeymoon. And in intently “look upon [Him], the one [I] have TION August it was off to college, where Don planned pierced, and . . . mourn for him as one mourns for LLUSTRA to study for the ministry. an only child, and grieve bitterly for him” (Zech. I But trouble was already brewing in paradise. 12:10, NIV). For instance, I’d always thought Don was a fairly chatty per- I found that when I take the time to look earnestly at my son, until one day, a few years into our marriage, I stopped crucified Saviour, comprehending something of what it cost “sharing” long enough to take a breath and realized how quiet he Him to die in my place, “a fountain [is] opened . . . to cleanse was. It was eerie. And then, the more I urged him to talk, the [me] from sin and impurity” (Zech. 13:1, NIV). A fountain that less he ventured to say. Talk about frustration. (Mine, I mean.) purifies the very springs of motivation with a cleansing stream And how could I have known that I had sworn “till death do of repentance and gratitude. us part” to an incorrigible sleepwalker? Who could have prepared Such is the power of the cross—the only antidote to the me for the grueling, sleepless nights—the countless hours spent otherwise irresistible power of self. I’m convinced that by no staring at the ceiling, silently clenching my teeth while my sweet- other means can I be motivated and enabled to love my hus- heart ricocheted from midnight bear sightings to engine repairs to band with that divine devotion that can endure whatever the heroic rescues? Not to mention the unforgettable night I awoke, cost, whoever he turns out to be. breathless, to find him furiously flapping at my head with a sheet. And by the way, the former ministerial student has, for now, When I asked him what he thought he was doing, he peered turned out to be northwestern Arizona’s newest scrap metal dreamily through the dark and replied, “Putting out the fire.” recycler, a turn of events that was also not anticipated in my It worked. Mine was extinguished for the night. original matrimonial vision. But because of the power of God’s Anyway, you get the idea. This marriage thing just wasn’t love, as revealed through the cross, I am honestly content to working out the way I’d anticipated. So I had to ask myself— live among discarded pistons and water meters, sharing the lot more than once—why did I marry this man? of my soft-spoken, sleepwalking “scrap man.” Because I loved him. I was drawn to his warmth and Happy anniversary, honey! strength, I admired his principles, and I sincerely looked for- ward to spending the rest of my life with him. * Thank you, Blanche and Colleen! But with the passage of years came a mounting frustration—and, did I dare I admit it to myself, a festering bitterness—that revealed Leslie Kay and her husband, Don, live in Chloride, the fatal flaw of my love. It was hopelessly dependent upon the lov- Arizona, with their two daughters, Rebecca and ability of its object. It was not able to surmount even the common Jennifer, and their dog, Bo. disappointments, misunderstandings, and inconveniences of married life. It could not endure when called upon to deny itself.

26 (1162) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 That’s what the word “gentle” means in the Bible—being exactly Bubbles strong enough for the situation. Jesus was always gentle. When He blessed the children, He was careful as He ROSY TETZ “took the children in his arms” (Mark 10:16, ICB). But a few min- utes before that, when He had seen o you like to blow bub- Until you touch it. Then it pops. the disciples shooing the children bles? It’s fun to dip the Bubbles are delicate. away, He had been stronger. “He was little plastic wand into Earlier I said that the soap film is displeased,” and He told the disci- the bubble bottle and strong—and it is. And just now I said ples, “Don’t stop them” (Mark 10:14, then gently blow into the that bubbles are delicate—and they ICB). And a few days later when He circle until the bubble floats away. are. Bubbles are both strong and deli- went to the Temple, He was even DDo you know how the bubbles are cate at the same time. stronger as “he threw out all the peo- made? The bottle is full of a soap and So when you blow the air to make ple who were buying and selling water mixture. When you dip the the bubble, you must blow exactly there” (Matthew 21:12, ICB). wand into it, the soap stretches across strong enough. If you blow too softly, But always Jesus was gentle. He was the circle at the bottom of the wand, nothing will happen—except maybe always exactly as strong as He needed forming a film that is very thin but also the bubble mixture will drip onto your to be. strong. When you blow into the circle, toes. If you blow too hard, nothing will That’s what the Bible means when the film fills with air, getting bigger happen—except maybe the bubble it says that you should “always be hum- and bigger and thinner and thinner. mixture will splatter all over your face. ble and gentle” (Ephesians 4:2, ICB). The film is sticky, so when the bubble To get a bubble you must blow gen- Jesus will help you to be exactly as blows away from the wand, it seals tly—not too hard, not too soft, just strong as you need to be in every situa- itself into a ball, holding the air inside. exactly strong enough. tion. Jesus will help you to be gentle.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 (1163) 27 vived by his wife, Laura; one brother, Carl; two sons, John E. and Gerald; one daughter, Carolyn Teller; and four grandchildren. ROGERS, Herbert L., Sr.—b. June 19, 1923, Lovedale, Fla.; d. Jan. 25, 1997, Altamonte Springs, Fla. He was one of the first licensed nurs- ing home administrators in Florida. A health-care administrator, he served on the executive com- Subscriber Services mittee of the Florida Conference. He was also a ❏ World War II veteran. He is survived by his wife Please send me one year, 40 issues, of the Adventist Review for US$38.97. of 50 years, Rowena; two daughters, Teresa Knight ❏ Please renew my subscription. and Patricia Gullett; one son, Herbert; five grand- ❏ Please update my address. Enter new address at children; and two great-grandchildren. top of form. Copy previous address at bottom SMITH, Clark—b. Feb. 4, 1918, Dallas, of form or enclose old mailing label. ❏ Please send a gift subscription to the address At Rest Tex.; d. May 17, 1997, Loma Linda, Calif. He at the bottom of this form. served as pastor, local and union conference Note: These notices have been sent to youth leader, and member of the Youth My Name ______Department staff of the General Conference. He the Adventist Review from various Current Address ______directed the Medical Cadet Corps and was com- sources, and some do not have complete City ______information. In submitting the names of mander of Camp Desmond Doss, Grand Rapids, Mich. He was also involved in Operation State, Zip ______denominational workers, please include Whitecoat in Frederick, Maryland. His wife, Phone ______date and place of birth and death; places Francis, died just three months before his death. and years of service; and survivors. He is survived by two daughters, Bonnie and Please enter previous address or gift address here. Colleen. WATTS, Vera—b. Jan. 14, 1901, Battle Name ______CORNWELL, Julia Marjorie—b. Nov. 14, Creek, Mich.; d. Feb. 7, 1997, Carmichael, Calif. 1916, Los Angeles, Calif.; d. Apr. 9, 1997, Address ______She taught music at Glendale Academy (1929- Fortuna, Calif. She served as a teacher at City ______1942) and at Lodi Academy until 1981. Oakwood College, Washington Union WILLIAMS, Erma I. Clough—b. Oct. 29, State, Zip ______Academy, and Los Angeles Union Academy. 1913, Joliet, Ill.; d. Dec. 4, 1996, Grand Rapids, GARNER, Raleigh A.—b. Aug. 3, 1901, Please enclose payment for orders. Mail to: Subscriber Mich. She taught church school for 15 years in Services, P.O. Box 1119, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Weiser, Idaho; d. June 4, 1997, Willits, Calif. He Illinois and Michigan. She is survived by one served the church 40 years as an educator, trea- brother, Earl M. Clough; and one daughter, Credit card orders: 1-800-765-6955. surer, and pastor in India (18 years), Idaho, and 663-01-0 Martha-Jane Williams. at Gem State Adventist Academy. WING, Ruby E.—b. May 5, 1915; d. Sept. HANSEN, Myrtle Dorland—b. Aug. 26, 16, 1996, Canon City, Colo. She served with her garten teaching aids and books on cradle roll 1920, London, England; d. May 11, 1997, Fakse, pastor-husband, Ray B. Wing, in Missouri, Sabbath school evangelism. She is survived by Denmark. She served as a teacher at Colorado, Kentucky, Wyoming, California, and her husband, Ray; one son, Jerold; one daughter, Stanborough Park and Newbold College, the Texico Conference. She held workshops and Janet Graham; seven grandchildren; and six England. She served with her pastor-husband in cooking schools as well as authoring kinder- great-grandchildren. Greenland, where she became known for her work with poor children. She also authored sev- eral hymns, including No. 390 in The Seventh- day Adventist Hymnal. She is survived by her hus- band, Jens Arne Hansen; one brother, John; two sisters, Myrna and Ruth; one son, David; two daughters, Carol Dorland and Kristine Holm; and eight grandchildren. HARTWELL, Iva Hamel—b. Aug. 6, 1902, Marshfield, Wis.; d. Jan. 5, 1997, Loma Linda, Calif. She served with her husband in China, Tibet, the Philippines, Lebanon, and the United States. She was secretary to church leaders in these various countries and was chair of the Music Department at Middle East College, Lebanon. JOHANSON, Alf J.—b. Dec. 26, 1909, Jarnboas, Sweden; d. May 24, 1997, Arcata, Calif. He served in Sweden as a publishing sec- retary, spent 43 years in the Southern Asia Division as an administrator, and was a dean of men at Walla Walla College. MC GHEE, John Lee—b. May 5, 1926, Arboles, Colo.; d. June 15, 1997, Portland, Oreg. He taught for 27 years in various confer- ences in the United States and Canada and pas- tored in North Dakota and Oregon. He is sur-

28 (1164) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 CLIFFORD GOLDSTEIN Pretty Scary Folk

hose who feel called of God can sometimes be pretty Promised land. Though he did allow some religious liberty, his scary folk. After all, when the Lord beckons, mundane fervent belief that God had called him to bring political and things like tradition, moral norms, social stigma, moral reform led Cromwell to rule as a dictator. He impris- friendship, loyalty, and oned people without trial. He taxed even laws are often dis- by decree. He would trample on the carded, because, answering to a higher— Why should most basic rights, the whole time jus- Tindeed, the highest—authority, these tified in his actions, he believed, by people can let nothing interfere. God’s approval. Yet even scarier than those who anyone feel guilty “By executing Charles, Cromwell cut sense the call of God are those who himself off from justifications of politi- sense it to effect political change. It’s about doing cal authority rooted in the past,” one thing to believe the Lord has explains The Oxford History of Britain. beckoned you to feed the poor or to God’s will? “His self-justification lay in the future, keep the Sabbath; it’s another to hear in the belief that he was fulfilling God’s the Lord’s call to liberate the poor will. But because he believed that he through armed revolution or to force others to keep a day holy. had such a task to perform, he had a fatal disregard for civil and Why? Because by their very natures, methodologies, and political liberties. To achieve the future promised by God, premises, politics and religion make a volatile and dangerous mix. Cromwell governed arbitrarily.” First, politics as a human institution almost always involves But who could blame him? As a Puritan, Cromwell was no compromise; in fact, it couldn’t function without it. Religion, doubt closer to the truth than either the Anglicans or the on the other hand, is based on the assumption that it comes Catholics. Therefore, how could he let subjective things like from God, and thus it doesn’t lend itself well to the give-and- civil and political liberties stand in the way of his divine man- take that permeates politics. To do so would mean a weakening date? The answer, of course, was that he couldn’t—which is of God-given absolutes. why he didn’t. Second, most reasonable politicians realize that neither Though mingled with each other of necessity, at least to a they nor their leaders nor even the system they espouse are degree (after all, religious people do function in political soci- perfect, that they don’t have all the answers, and that they eties), religion and politics are best kept as separate as possible. aren’t the panacea for every human ill. In contrast, religious The leader, utterly sure he or she is answering the call of God, is zealots usually believe that even if they themselves don’t have not likely to allow the prodding of conscience or common civil- all the answers, the God who guides them and the religious ity to dissuade his or her actions. No wonder religious people, system their God initiated does—an assumption that doesn’t especially in the area of politics, have committed everything allow for the kind of eclecticism crucial to political discourse. from murder, torture, rape, and brigandage to bombing clinics Therefore, to mix the fervor and absolutism of religion with and shooting abortion providers—with nary a twinge of guilt. the subjectivism and uncertainties of politics is like having a Why should anyone feel guilty about doing God’s will? Hezballah suicide bomber as mayor. Though religious fervor itself can create some pretty scary A perfect example comes from seventeenth-century England folk (David Koresh, Jim Jones, Marshall Herff Applewhite), and the reign of Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell, who led the history shows that religious zeal—when mixed with politics— parliamentary forces against King Charles I in the English civil has a habit of creating the scariest folk of all. war. After routing the king’s forces (and signing his death war- rant), Cromwell took the reins of power in 1653 and ruled Clifford Goldstein is editor of a magazine of until his death in 1658. Liberty, religious freedom. From the beginning Cromwell believed he was God’s cho- sen instrument to save England and Protestantism, a modern- day Moses called of the Lord to bring His people to the

ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 (1165) 29 Philippines [coloring books, Guides, magazines, refugees, pastor requests books, magazines, and cards, Signs, Picture Rolls]. pamphlets that teach the gospel and doctrine].

Pastor Tersilito and Mrs. Ruth Flaga Almocera, Southern Mindanao Mission, P.O. Box 152, SWAZILAND General Santos City 9500, Philippines [pastor’s Urban D. Negre, Jr., O.D., M.P.H., Swaziland wife assists children’s Sabbath schools in 10 Eye Services, P.O. Box 2346, Manzini, churches and is in need of visual aids, cards, and Swaziland, West Africa [tracts, Signs, health Primary Treasures]. books, health magazines].

Roseny Castillo, Dr. 7, Blucor Building, Insular Village 1, Lanang, Davao City 8000, Philippines TRINIDAD [Bibles, Spirit of Prophecy books, children’s Cecil Parris, Ramdass Street, Sangre Grande, books, Picture Rolls, hymnals]. Trinidad, West Indies [evangelistic materials, Literature Requests tracts]. Mrs. Guadalupe Serviano, Alfredo’s Marketing, The following persons have requested 16-1 Huernana Street, La Paz, Iloilo City 5000, UGANDA denominational literature and would be Philippines [retired government worker involved Mrs. Leila Rocero, Ishaka Adventist Hospital, grateful for your help. This list is for liter- in evangelism needs Signs, Reviews, The Desire of P.O. Box 111, Bushenyi, Uganda, East Africa Ages, Steps to Christ, [Signs ature only, and solicitations for funds by tracts]. , magazines, health magazines, Bibles, hymnals, children’s books, Spirit of Prophecy the recipients should be discouraged. books (Counsels on Health and Counsels on Diet SEYCHELLES and Foods)]. PHILIPPINES Pastor R. D. Francis, Seychelles SDA Mission, Mariano M. Acquino or Precy Nettie H. P.O. Box 28, Victoria-Mahe, Seychelles [litera- Pastor Twumasi, Bugema University, P.O. Box Acquino, Kasilak SDA Church, Purok 12, St. ture in English or French, Steps to Christ, mis- 6529, Kampala, Uganda, East Africa [slides, reli- John, Bucana, Davao City 8000, Philippines sionary books, Signs, La Sentinelle]. gious books, commentaries, sermon tapes, maga- [Bibles, Reviews, Signs, books, Picture Rolls, zines, Picture Rolls, Sabbath school teaching songbooks, Christmas cards]. aids, pens, and other evangelistic tools]. SUDAN Deborah H. Acquino, Kapatungan SDA Pastor Tim Scott, South Sudan Section, P.O. Church, Trento, 8505 Agusan del Sur, Box 14756, Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa [for

30 (1166) ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 REFLECTIONS Times Teens Treasure BY COLLEEN L. REECE

ost families have an ever-growing album in a rushing mountain stream. I remember the feeling that with pictures and mementos of special came over me when I forgot how cold the water was and occasions. It is a record of memories when thought about what I was doing—following Jesus’ example.” months and years have passed. But the “I lived with foster parents,” Gary shares. “When we went most important memory book isn’t the one to church, I cuddled up next to my foster mom and felt noth- with the carefully pasted pictures. Teens tell how special ing could ever hurt me.” Mtimes are etched into their Susan has a story similar to hearts to be kept and treasured Karen’s. “I had to have four wis- forever. dom teeth out just a few months Karen* shares one of the trea- ago.” She shudders at the mem- sures from her golden store. ory. “A favorite aunt picked me “When I was a little girl and had up and took me to her home so I the flu, my fever soared. I wouldn’t be alone. The next day remember the nightmares and when she called and discovered I hallucinations until medication was still sick, she took me back brought my temperature down. to the doctor and stayed with Most of all, I remember how Dad me when they gave me oxygen. I and Mom came in and bathed am so glad I didn’t have to be ISC me in cool water, got me into home alone. I may be almost D fresh pajamas, and changed my grown up, but I needed some- HOTO bed again and again. one, and she was there for me.” © P

“Later I had dental surgery, “I got in the habit of never HOTO and the medication made me so wanting to miss prayer meeting, P sick . . . I just had to tough out the pain and fever. By the because my parents took me even when I was small,” Nancy second day I had to go back to the doctor. Mom came home says. “Now that I’m a young adult, I’m the only one of my from teaching during recess and helped me bathe when I age who goes, but I wouldn’t miss it for anything.” was too weak to do it. I’ll never forget it.” It’s interesting that of those teens interviewed, not one Jack’s memory is different. “I’ll never smell a cinna- talked about nice clothes, the kind of house they lived in, or mon roll without remembering how Mom used to have how much allowance they received. them baked and ready on winter days. I could smell them Many mentioned family traditions such as picnics, special from the moment I got off the bus out in the country breakfasts, family reunions, etc. Most cherished memories of where we lived. Her hug, smile, and a warm cinnamon the time their parents or other family members spent with bun all said love.” them. Janet recalls, “Our family went to Grandma’s about 150 Luke 12:34 reminds us: “For where your treasure is, there miles away. On Easter Sunday Grandma and I both had blue will your heart be also.” These kinds of special times will dresses, and she told me we were going to God’s house, and stay in your teens’ hearts and glow like pure gold. ■ if my dolly could be quiet and listen, she could go too.” “I’ll always remember when I played ball,” Todd says. * All names have been changed. “Mom and Dad split up so one of them would be there to watch me while the other went to see my sister play in con- Colleen L. Reece is an author, teacher, and lec- certs. I just knew that one of my parents would be right turer living in Auburn, Washington. there cheering for me.” Connie adds softly, “I got baptized when I was about 12. My older brother and mother got baptized at the same time

ADVENTIST REVIEW, AUGUST 28, 1997 (1167) 31 Adventist Health Ministry

he Adventist Review on-line is made Tavailable free through the sponsor- ship of the North American Division Adventist Health Ministry Department—coordinators for “The Year of Health and Healing.” During this year, Adventist Health Ministry invites each Adventist congregation to reaffirm the church’s health principles and share them throughout their communities. For more information and materials on the Year of Health and Healing, call the Adventist PlusLine at (800) SDA-PLUS or Adventist Health Ministry Department at 301-680-6733.