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CANCER STORIES : A N ARGUMENT Dual-Degree FOR NARRATIVE ETHICS Master of Arts in Bioethics Steven B. Hardin, MD Loma Linda University has now approved Associate Director, Center for Christian Bioethics six dual-degree programs that include an MA in Hematology/Oncology, VA Loma Linda Healthcare System bioethics: MD/MA, DDS/MA, PhD Social Policy/MA, PhD Nursing/MA, PharmD/MA, arrative ethics is an approach which extended family and close friends are with and PhD Psychology/MA. Several schools at Nemphasizes the significance of the him and all are clearly very supportive of Loma Linda University are sponsoring at least “story.” The patient is the central narrator, him. Our initial impression is that they six students per year who are enrolled in dual- but the narrative is augmented by others and grasp the seriousness of his condition bet - degree programs that will result in students their actions and a range of contextual fea - ter than Mr. L himself does. His primary receiving degrees in their own school and the tures. I believe narrative ethics has particular team is pushing us a bit: “Couldn’t we at MA in bioethics. value for the care of patients with cancer. least try a little chemo?” On Friday, we While seven students are currently pursu - again review his clinical situation and dis - ing the single-degree MA in bioethics offered by Case 1 cuss a potential chemotherapy option. We the School of Religion—the latest coming from Mr. L is a 77-year-old man admitted rather reluctantly agree to start treatment Yale University with an undergraduate degree in to the medical service with a recent onset of on Monday. Pancreatic cancer is a disease bioethics—others are now enrolled in dual- abdominal swelling and partial bowel against which we’ve frankly not made degree programs. “The advantage of a dual- obstruction. As the evaluation proceeds, it much progress. It can be challenging to degree program is integrated knowledge, is quickly determined that the abdominal diagnose, is often not surgically resectable distinguishing it from the two degrees taken seri - swelling is due to malignant ascites. This (and even when surgically removed, it fre - ally,” says James Walters, PhD, director of the cancerous fluid is most consistent with a quently relapses), and it tends to be poorly program and professor of religion/ethics. pancreatic cancer origin. Over the course of responsive to chemotherapy. Four PharmD/MA students began their the hospitalization, he progressively wors - Over the weekend, Mr. L declines fur - dual degree in the spring of 2011. This ens. He becomes bed-bound with decreas - ther; a therapeutic tap (removal of the December, Eric Mack, PhD, academic dean for ing appetite and increasing abdominal malignant fluid) on his abdomen provides the School of Pharmacy, and Dr. Walters met pain. Despite this dismal diagnosis, he only modest and transient relief. On with interested freshmen. informs the palliative care team that he’s Monday, we again review and discuss our The MD/MA dual degree program now not certain about hospice care as he’s inter - assessment with Mr. L and his family. I accepts up to four new students per year. In ested in “curative” treatment. We (the directly tell them that I don’t think November of the present 2011-2012 school year, oncologists) are asked to see him. The chemotherapy is a reasonable option: it is six freshmen met with Henry Lamberton, MD, nature of his cancer is explained at length more likely to harm him than to help him. School of Medicine associate dean, and Dr. Walters to him and his family. This is an aggressive The patient’s disappointment is palpable, to gain more information about the MD/MA. cancer, it is not curable, and chemotherapy though he acknowledges the rationale for The DDS/MA dual degree program has a very low likelihood of benefit to him our decision. Later that same day, Mr. L accepts one to two new students per year. In given his debilitated state. But, we offer a and his family agree to home hospice care. Please turn to page 8 consideration of chemotherapy. His Please turn to page 2

Update • Volume 23, Issue 1 • Page 1 From the Director Did I do the “right thing?” By not administering chemotherapy (however teven Hardin, MD, reminds us in the story that begins in the radical refor - unlikely it would have been to provide ben - Shis essay that “the ‘right’ care of the mation of the 16th century, with groups efit), did I destroy hope? Should I, rather, patient may, at times, have less to do like the Anabaptists, and forms a con - have gone ahead and administered a with the‘medical’ outcome and more to tinuous thread to contemporary paci - “homeopathic” dose of chemotherapy that do with properly assisting patients in fists. Dr. Carr believes that understanding would have no biologic effect, yet might the‘narrative’ of their life.” Narratives are themselves to be a part of that narrative have some sort of symbolic or emotional essential both to diagnosis in the pre - helps Adventists to know which dramas benefit? I don’t know. sent and prognosis for the future. The and issues ought to be the focus of moral Adapted from a presentation given at story, or “history,” of a patient intersects attention—for example war and the 2010 LLU Contributor’s Conference of with the stories of others —family, peace—as well as shaping their judg - the Center for Christian Bioethics. friends, and communities. Not surpris - ments concerning more specific ques - ingly, Dr. Hardin stresses the relevance tions of right and wrong. Case 2 of the narrative understandings of our Dr. Hardin opens this issue of KM is a 57-year-old man who lives culture by Japanese film director Akira UPDATE as he assumes his role as associ - with and cares for his 90-year-old mother. Kurosawa and the noble prize-winning ate director of the Center for Christian He’s admitted with worsening hip pain. author Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Bioethics. An assistant professor of med - Initial imaging suggests a metastatic malig - As Freeman Dyson, professor of icine at LLU School of Medicine, he is nancy—and biopsy does indeed confirm a physics emeritus at the Institute for also a staff oncologist at the Jerry L. Pettis cancer diagnosis of unknown origin. At the Advanced Study in Princeton, has said Memorial VA Medical Center, where he initial discussion (prior to biopsy results recently,“Literature digs deeper than sci - chaired the ethics advisory committee for being available), we emphasize this was ence into human nature and human des - 11 years. A graduate of LLU School of likely a metastatic cancer and thus incurable. tiny.” ( New York Review of Books , Dec. 22, Medicine, he studied bioethics at However, even prior to the results being 2011, p.A2). Dr. Hardin insists that Dartmouth, and has written and lectured available, he opts for hospice care. In our fol - knowing and understanding all these on bioethics for more than 20 years. low-up discussion with him, he expresses a stories is important for deciding what It is a delight to work with Dr. very traditional mode of respect for the doc - ought to be done, therapeutically and Hardin in planning the center’s activi - tor’s (as “expert”) recommendations. With ethically, in a particular patient's case. ties, particularly the revival of Bioethics malignancies of this nature, therapies are Patients, health care providers, and Grand Rounds at the LLU and VA very limited in their effectiveness; still, there ethicists who are part of religious com - medical centers. We are also arranging are standard chemotherapy regimens that munities are shaped by stories embed - for the Provonsha Lecture and a could offer some modest benefit. However, I ded in the scriptures and traditions of bioethics seminar to be held in conjunc - do not push chemotherapy. the group. Mark Carr, PhD, former tion with the School of Medicine’s Should I have been more directive as director of the Center for Christian Alumni Postgraduate Convention this the “cancer expert?” Was I thus colluding Bioethics and a professor of religion at coming March, 2012. with despair? KM is quite eloquent in LLU, writes in this issue about the nar - expressing his desires for comfort care to rative that he believes has been norma - Roy Branson, PhD enjoy whatever remaining time he has. He tive for a specific religious community. Director also expresses some reluctance to telling his Within , Dr. Carr regards as mother of his situation or having her come normative for Seventh-day Adventists visit him. Being a firm believer in open com - munication, I encourage him to have her visit. Was that appropriate for me to do? in clinical ethics—specifically, the employ - sion, compel re-examination of accepted Certainly principles, rules, and other ment of “narrative ethics.” A.H. Jones cites medical practices and ethical precepts.” theories are essential in the ethical chal - several ways in which stories have signifi - I think considering this approach may lenges that arise in the care of patients— cance for medical ethics including case exam - be particularly germane to cancer for a num - both generally and specifically. However, I ples for teaching principles, moral guides, ber of reasons. First, a diagnosis of cancer think the experiences of these two patients and concluding that “narratives of witness conveys a frightening weight both actually illustrate the value of a more recent method that, with their experiential truth and pas - and symbolically. Second, this leads to a pro -

Page 2 • Update • Volume 23, Issue 1 found impact on not just the patient, but by the final analysis, what it is that really and space the patient has? If so, how should extension to families, friends, and the health “counts.” The film concludes with his suc - the physician orchestrate these goals in con - care team. Third, too often the diagnosis of cessful building of a small children’s park on junction with the patient? cancer results in a compressed arc of life for a bit of wasted land. The final images of the In the cancer narrative, then, among the patient, with dramatic shifts in physical film are of him gently rocking on a swing in the moral challenges for the physician are and emotional well-being. the park as snow begins to fall. The story of the following: The mere disclosure of the cancer his experience, his own “narration” if you diagnosis invariably tosses all else out the Framing window. The diagnosis imposes a dramatic That is, how do I present information re-evaluation by the patient in terms of “Narrative ethics can (verbally and non-verbally) to the patient his/her life, expectations, and desires. The provide a compelling and his/her family? No matter the content, grand moral guides of autonomy, justice, how we phrase (“frame”) information will and beneficence are important—but only method to cope with influence how it is received and interpreted. as seen through the particularities of the some of the moral For example,“Your cancer isn’t curable but it patient’s story. The patient is narrator— is treatable.” What does that mean? but family, and yes, health care providers challenges of cancer.” Palliation or improvement in symptoms? also contribute to the“story”—the nuances, Survival prolongation? How does the the characters, and choices. All become patient hear this (“Maybe I won’t reach 90, morally relevant. Indeed, the verbiage com - will, reflects these deeper moral elements. but at least I’ll make 87”)? Frames are monly used in cancer literature is often that Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s novel inevitable; thus, it is critically important that of a dramatic narrative, a morality tale:“my “Cancer Ward” is ostensibly a fictional cri - we take particular care in how we conduct journey with cancer”, “he valiantly battled tique of Stalinism. It grew, in part, out of the conversations with patients and families. colon cancer for three years”, and“she finally Solzhenitsyn’s personal experience with lost her battle with breast cancer.” cancer. The book displays the narrative Prognostication Literature and film provide insightful drama and ethical complexity of cancer and How much to tell? When to tell? Are we examples. The well-known novella of Leo cancer care. A brief interchange in the very to“force” patients through denial? As I alluded Tolstoy,“The Death of Ivan Ilych,” tells the beginning of the book illustrates this: to earlier, I recognize my words can have a sig - story of a final illness (that sounds like “‘It isn’t, it isn’t cancer, is it, doctor?’ nificant influence on the patient and his/her advanced pancreatic cancer) and death of a Pavel Nikolayevich asked hopefully, lightly family. However, I do think it is important to St. Petersburg judge. The story vividly touching the malevolent tumor on the right disclose the significance of a patient’s illness in recounts his physical and emotional suffer - side of his neck. ‘Good heavens, no. Of the context of“unfinished business.” ing, his isolation, and his self-reflections: course not.’ Dr Dontsova soothed him, for A 63-year-old man with metastatic “To Ivan Ilych only one question was the 10th time, as she filled in the pages of neck cancer takes a cruise to the Caribbean important: was his case serious or not? But his case history in her bold handwriting.” during a break in chemotherapy. Clinically, the doctor ignored that inappropriate Narrative ethics can provide a com - he tolerates treatment well, feels well, and question. From his point of view it was not pelling method to cope with some of the has increased energy (he’s back to bowling the one under consideration, the real ques - moral challenges of cancer and cancer care. every week). He and his wife speak about tion was to decide between a floating kid - While the patient is the primary narrator, their “bucket list” including an extended ney, chronic catarrh, or appendicitis.” others have important roles to play as well. trip next year. Prognostically, I don’t know An early film of the great Japanese The peculiarities and individuality of the what will happen—as he’s already had sev - director Akira Kurosawa, “Ikiru” (to live), particular patient drive what is morally sig - eral lines of chemotherapy. There is a good poignantly illustrates the patient’s narra - nificant. Meaning (existentially) is obtained chance he won’t be able to make the trip tive. The film tells the story of a rather for the patient through the narrative of next year. Do I then tell him to take that bland, government bureaucrat who has just his/her experience. This meaning directly trip now? Or, not say much, since I really been diagnosed with a “mild ulcer.” relates to the patient’s sense of self, connec - don’t know what will happen? However, he inadvertently discovers that the tions to others, enjoyment of life. Sources of In practice, what can be most difficult is real diagnosis is a terminal stomach cancer. meaning can vary from person to person. Is when the cancer is progressing and thus resis - The bulk of the film describes his deepening it part of the oncologist’s duty to enable tant to therapy—yet the patient continues to reflections on his own life, meaning, and in these accomplishments in whatever time Please turn to page 4

Update • Volume 23 Issue 1 • Page 3 feel well. I know, almost certainly, things will tive method for confronting the challenges. cer has progressed and is no longer respon - get bad soon. Facilitating the “shift” in direc - While the patient is the principle“voice” in sive to further treatments. Ultimately, the tion is profoundly difficult, emotionally. his/her story, the physician too, has a sig - ethically right decision may have less to do nificant role to play in that story. The with the particular question, but more to Informed consent oncologist has a profound moral responsi - do with the patient’s individual narrative. This is, of course, fundamental to the bility to weigh his/her words, actions, and relationship between patient and physi - decisions carefully. This is not just to REFERENCES cian. It does take on particular importance ensure a best “physiologic” outcome. The 1. Jones A.H.“Literature and Medicine: Narrative Ethics.” Lancet . 1997;349:1243-1246. for cancer patients, given the gravity of dis - “right” care of the patient may, at times, 2. McCarthy J.“Principalism or Narrative Ethics: ease and the complexity of treatments. have less to do with the “medical” outcome Must We Choose Between Them?” J Med However, consent is not as straightforward and more to do with properly assisting Ethics . 2003;29:65-71. a process as it might seem. patients in the narrative of their life. This 3. Nicholas B, Gillett G.“Doctors’ Stories, Patients’ Stories: A Narrative Approach to I treat a 37-year-old man with will vary depending on the patient and Teaching Medical Ethics.” J Med Ethics . chemotherapy following the surgical his/her circumstances. For some patients, 1997;23:295-299. removal of a cancerous tumor of his left it may be in a more directive manner—that 4. Jones A.H.“Narrative in Medical Ethics.” BMJ . 1999;318:253-256. thigh. The chemotherapy drugs used have is, laying out recommended treatments, a 5. Tolstoy L. The Death of Ivan Ilych . 1886. the potential for a variety of quite signifi - circumspect discussion of prognosis, even 6.“Ikiru.” Dir. Akira Kurosawa. Perf. Takashi cant toxicity. My practice is to discuss side “pushing” them through treatment. For Shimura, Nobuo Kaneko, and Shin’ichi Himori. 1952, film. effects and risks in a detailed and direct others, it is more of a give and take, collab - 7. Solzhenitsyn A. Cancer Ward. Trans. N manner. However, he is (by his own admis - orative, meandering route through a Bethell and D Burg. New York: Bantam sion) a markedly anxious individual and detailed description of treatment options, Books, 1969. tells me directly not to give him specific potential risks, and likely prognostic arcs Steven B. Hardin, details. What should I tell him? and decisions for less aggressive treatments. MD, is the new associ - Profound moral challenges can arise Perhaps, it’s morally appropriate for physi - ate director for LLU’s in the care of patients with cancer. While cians to gently nudge patients in emotional Center for Christian traditional approaches in clinical ethics are terms. It may mean gently confronting the Bioethics. essential, narrative ethics provides an effec - now terminal state of a patient whose can -

ETHICS CENTER KICKS OFF 2012 80 TH ANNUAL POSTGRADUATE CONVENTION Bioethics Symposium Jack Provonsha Lecture and Roundtable Thursday, March 1, 2012 Friday, March 2, 2012 1:30–4:30 P.M. International Medicine and Human Rights: Please join Steve Hardin and a panel of LLUMC clinical The Humanitarian in a Conflicted World ethicists as they discuss a variety of ethical topics. CME is available. GILBERT M. B URNHAM , MD, MS C, P HD Who Cares About Ethics? 8:15–9:15 A.M. PRESENTATION Steve Hardin, MD Dr. Burnham is the co-director of the Center for Refugee and Disaster End-of-Life Decision Making and Use of the POLST Form Response at John Hopkins School of Public Health. He has worked Gina Mohr, MD with numerous humanitarian and health development programs in sub- Medical Ethics: A Brief History of Medicine Saharan Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. A major current activity is the Tae Kim, MD reconstruction of health services in Afghanistan. In 1989, Dr. Burnham Not Dead Yet? Quandaries in the Declaration of Brain Death received the Loma Linda University Alumnus of the Year Award. Grace Oei, MD Older than 18, Not a Child, Not an Adult! 9:20–10:20 A.M. ROUNDTABLE Marquelle Klooster, MD Gilbert M. Burnham, MD, MSc, PhD; Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH; Critical Care Ethics Doug Welebir, JD; and Roy Branson, PhD Katja Ruh, MD

For more information or to register for CME: www.llusmaa.org

Page 4 • Update • Volume 23, Issue 1 FINDING A VOICE FOR SEVENTH -DAY ADVENTIST ETHICS IN THE RADICAL REFORMATION ?

Mark F. Carr, PhD, MDiv Professor, School of Religion Loma Linda University

t its best, Christian ethics is more Sanctuary/Atonement; 4. Remnant/ At the core of the Radical Athan merely an echo of good secular Covenant; 5. Law/Obedience; 6. Justice/ Reformation is the“Anabaptist” faith tradi - ethics,” writes James Walters, Seventh-day Social Justice; 7. Prophetic Vision/Second tion, and though church historians may Adventist ethicist. Fellow Adventist ethi - Coming; 8. Great Controversy/Theodicy; quibble with me as to whether or not cist Roy Branson calls for a particular and 9. Wholeness/Relationship. owes more to Methodism or approach to Christian ethics that is surely While all of these themes appear in Anabaptism, when it comes to ethics, authentic to Adventism. Adventist ethics literature, the pride of Anabaptism is clearly more influential. In Dr. Branson’s approach to ethics place, I believe, must belong to an emphasis addition to“fidelity to Scripture,” of central depends upon what he calls “apocalyptic on Christ and his peacemaking efforts in importance to many early Anabaptist lead - vision.” He writes, “For moral vision to the portrayal of God. ers was the autonomy of the church from reach its furtherest horizons, communities Like Christian ethicist Stanley nurturing the apocalyptic imagination Hauerwas, I “make no pretense of doing must flourish.” One can easily identify the ethics for everyone.” The value of exploring fact that Adventism as a Christian commu - the particular ethos of Adventism as it “I believe a Seventh-day nity of faith has emerged and spread relates to ethics and morality seems impor - throughout the world based upon the ener - tant if for no other reason than to situate Adventist ethic must gizing passion of our interpretation of the Adventist tradition within the greater advance a voice and a apocalyptic books of scripture. But is it the whole. Sometimes a strong sectarian per - case that Adventist ethicists routinely use spective of the sort advocated by Hauerwas vision of peace.“ an apocalyptic perspective when we do our serves, as he himself mentioned, to be work? I think not. “exclusionary.” As it turns out, there are a number of Though I intend to write from the approaches to ethics from authentic perspective of my particular community the state in matters of worship and reli - Adventist perspectives. I am in the midst of of faith I will typically seek to extend the gious practice; the necessity for baptism a researching and writing venture aimed at boundaries of the Adventist story to into the church to be voluntary, based on producing a textbook on Seventh-day include as many as possible. I intend to an adult commitment to follow in the way Adventist ethics. As part of that explo - note points of commonality with others. of Christ; the separation of Christians ration, I’ll advance my own view of how In my view of ethics, Christians and from the ‘worldly’ realm of politics; and, best to avoid simply echoing what other Adventist Christians ought to empha - for most surviving groups of Anabaptists, secular and Christian ethicists have already size points of agreement with whomever rejection of ‘the sword.’ said. My early impressions are that our par - we can. I will not ignore differences on With the vision of our apocalyptic ticular and apocalyptic voice is most the one hand and I will not seek to echo founders in the rearview mirror, an authentically located within the stream of the thoughts of other Christians on the approach to ethics that places us firmly in Christianity referred to as the Radical other hand. I engage the world of the stream of Christianity that speaks out Reformation. Christian ethics with a friendly tone. in the name of Jesus Christ and in favor of As I read Adventist authors working Indeed, in our day and age when strife peace is truly Adventist. In a recent book in ethics, it is clear there are a number of and conflict characterize human rela - titled “The Promise of Peace,” Charles viable, authentic themes within the tradi - tions on almost every level, I believe a Scriven writes about making a difference in tion. I have identified at least the following: Seventh-day Adventist ethic must our day and in our society. Jesus, the person 1. Christ/Peace; 2. Sabbath/Creation; 3. advance a voice and a vision of peace. Please turn to page 6

Update • Volume 23, Issue 1 • Page 5 who “defines Christian existence” and “best would have us recognize, the Radical Alonzo T. Jones, and George W. Amadon. reveals God’s true colors to humanity” Reformation as demonstrated by the Presently, our Church’s official web - advances the Abrahamic “covenant of Anabaptist and Mennonite churches in site lists three “official statements” that peace.” As God among us, Jesus’ love and America is far more influential than focus on peace and peacemaking. They are forgiveness is “so irrepressible that it Adventists have recognized. dated from 1980, 1985, and 2002. The reaches out even to the enemy.” Perhaps One of the specific ways that they most recent,“A Seventh-day Adventist Call more than any other Adventist theological point to the influence of the Radical for Peace,” was primarily written by Jan ethicist, Scriven has worked to connect us Reformation is the historic Adventist per - Paulsen, then president of the Adventist to our Anabaptist roots. The necessary spective on our relationship to a peacemak - Church. In part, it reads: focus on Christ in this tradition serves as ing Jesus. Morgan and colleagues at The “As one of the leading founders of the the first and most important category in Adventist Peace Fellowship have recently Seventh-day Adventist Church pointed my schema of approaches to ethics in published a book highlighting the evidence out a century ago,‘The inhumanity of man Adventism today. for this emphasis on Jesus as peacemaker toward man is our greatest sin.’ Indeed, Adventist thought on Jesus hasn’t and Adventism’s embrace of this view. The human nature is prone to violence. From a always been crystal clear with regard to his description of the book, The Peacemaking Christian perspective, all this inhumanity divinity and place in the Godhead. Early on Remnant: Essays and Historical Documents , is really part of a cosmic war, the great con - in the days of the pioneers of the Adventist is provided on the website of The troversy between good and evil…. Church there was some debate about Adventist Peace Fellowship: Churches should not only be known for Christ’s nature as“co-eternal” with God the spiritual contributions—though these are father. Some the founders of Adventism foundational—but also for their support of were not convicted that Jesus was, indeed, “T he Radical quality of life, and in this connection peace - co-eternal with God. But these debates making is essential. We need to repent were primarily focused on theological Reformation and Jesus as from expressions or deeds of violence that deliberations. While they are important in a peacemaking savior is Christians and churches, throughout his - the approach to ethics and morality, they tory and even more recently, have either may not be determinative. the authentic place from been involved in as actors, have tolerated, Adventist connections to the thought which Adventists should or have tried to justify. We appeal to of the Radical Reformers are examined in Christians and people of good will all more than a few publications of scholars begin their work in ethics.” around the world to take an active role in Douglas Morgan and Charles Scriven. making and sustaining peace, thus being Morgan, a historian of Adventism, recently part of the solution rather than part of the formed with others the Adventist Peace “The biblical remnant is made up of problem.” Fellowship. They covenanted together to, God’s partners in peacemaking,” writes In addition, in a recent edition of among other things, reclaim “Adventism’s Charles Scriven, in the title essay. “Against Adventist World , a publication of the historic vision for personal and social fashion and tyranny alike, they walk in that goes to each member peace, including its commitment to: nonvi - God’s way, beaming light into darkness, of the world Church, Jan Paulsen wrote an olence, economic justice, care for creation, winning minds and hearts to the way of important article advancing the historic and freedom of conscience….” peace.” The Peacemaking Remnant brings Adventist position of non-combatancy. In In finding our place in the stream of together essays by contemporary authors this article,“Clear Thinking about Military Protestant Christianity, many Adventists along with documents from the Adventist Service,” Paulsen writes: have viewed the influence of Martin Luther heritage in support of that thesis…. “The historic position of our Church and Lutheranism, Jean Calvin and Among the historical documents: General regarding service in the armed forces was Reformed theology as paradigmatic. Conference session resolutions on peace clearly expressed some 150 years ago— Others have settled on the influence of and nonviolence from 1865, 1867, 1868, very early on in our history, against the John Wesley and American Methodism as and 1985; a‘Letter on Disarmament’ from background of the American Civil War. being the most important strain, particu - church leaders to President Harding The consensus, expressed in articles and larly given the fact that Ellen White and (1921); ‘A Seventh-day Adventist Call to documents of the time, as well as an 1867 her family emerged from Methodism. But Peace’ (2002); and articles by 19th-century General Conference resolution, was 2 1 as Scriven and Morgan, among others, pioneers Ellen G. White, , Please turn to page 7 . 2 k 2 j r d

Page 6 • Update • Volume 23, Issue 1 University of Notre Dame Press, 1981, unequivocal. ‘…[T]he bearing of arms, or monality. This may be characterized in p. 2. engaging in war, is a direct violation of the more than one way: we have already indi - 4. Miller, Keith Graber. “Anabaptist Ethics,” teachings of our Savior and the spirit and cated that these principles constitute a in Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics , Joel B. Green, editor. Grand Rapids, MI; letter of the law of God.’” reversal of statist politics. Viewed from Baker Academic, 2011, p. 62. There is much within our Adventist another perspective, they are a prioritiza - 5. Scriven, Charles. The Promise of Peace: history that remains either unexamined or tion of relationships over accumulation, of Dare to Live the Advent Hope , Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press Publishing in need of further examination, particularly people over things, of service over domina - Association, 2009, p. 156. See also, as it relates to an Adventist identity as a tion and of love over power. More simply Scriven, Charles. “Radical Discipleship “peace” church. I agree that an Adventist these ethics valorize community above and the Renewal of Adventist Mission,” connection to the Radical Reformation control. They imply that what matters in Spectrum , vol. 14, no. 3, December, 1983, pp. 11-20. and Jesus as a peacemaking savior is the God’s kingdom are not the ways in which 6. See . authentic place from which Adventists members of society are compelled to oper - Downloaded on March 16, 2010 at: should begin their work in ethics. ate, but the ways in which they voluntarily . Please note the reality that I am per - the Adventist Society for Religious Referring back to the section above, sonally listed on this website as an “advi - Studies, Adventist biblical scholar Donn where I briefly identified the characteristics sor” to The Adventist Peace Fellowship. 7. Available at: . Downloaded on April tially political.” Leatherman interprets “The People of God” as a political commu - 5, 2010. “political” here in ways that go beyond sim - nity, a “nation without a state,” places 8. There are three statements listed on the General Conference website as “official ple notions of “state” or “nation” to mean Adventism squarely in the Radical stream statements.” They are titled, “Peace,” “A “the entire web of social relationships of the Reformation. The question that Seventh-day Adventist Call for Peace,” within a community.” Avoiding what he remains for those engaged in the study of and “Peace Message to all People of Good Will.” Available at: calls the “spiritualizing tendency” of many ethics from an Adventist perspective is . assume he thinks includes Adventist inter - and authentic to the Adventist tradition. 9. White, Ellen. The Ministry of Healing , p. 163 preters, Leatherman argues for a “political Over the past several decades or more, 10. Excerpted from “A Seventh-day realism.” “Jesus was not apolitical,” and his theological ethics have become more Adventist Call for Peace.” Available at: teachings “are, as they were intended to be, important for the general Christian and . Downloaded on April 5, 2010. sent world, and profoundly relevant in ing more explicitly to ethics written within 11. Paulsen, Jan. “Clear Thinking about their challenge to this world and its institu - a theological tradition. Adventist scholars Military Service.” Available at: tions.” Yet those followers of Jesus today owe it to themselves, to the community of . Downloaded would not engage in politics in order to faith, and to the Academy to be clear about on April 5, 2010. exert some sort of control in the social theological ethics. Any book-length effort 12. Unpublished paper, “A Nation Without a realm. Rather, this new kingdom, this to examine Seventh-day Adventist ethics State: Constituting the People of God in “community of Jesus’ followers, this nation seems to me a worthy project. the Synoptic Gospels.” November 18, 2011, presented as the Presidential which is not a state, leaves behind not only Address at a joint session of the the violence inherent in Rome and every REFERENCES Adventist Theological Society and the worldly state, but also the hierarchical 1. Walters, James W. “Introduction,” in Adventist Society of Religious Studies. Bioethics Today: A New Ethical Vision , Available upon request. structure and top-down authoritarianism James W. Walters, editor. Loma Linda, 13. Ibid., p. 6. of the kingdoms of the world.” CA: Loma Linda University Press, 1988, Turning explicitly to the ethics of a p. xi. Mark F. Carr, PhD, community of faith that would follow this 2. Branson, Roy. “The Demand for New Ethical Vision,” in Bioethics Today: A MDiv, is a professor of radical reformation path, Leatherman New Ethical Vision , Loma Linda, CA: ethics and religion Loma argues: Loma Linda University Press, 1988, pp. Linda University. He “The ethics of the kingdom are not an 13-27. has previously served as 3. Hauerwas, Stanley. A Community of director of the Center for arbitrary code, a mere list of requirements Character: Toward a Constructive

2 Christian Bioethics. 1 . which one must obey. They share a com - Christian Social Ethic . Notre Dame: 2 k 2 j r d

Update • Volume 23, Issue 1 • Page 7 UPD AT E

FEBRUARY 2012

DIRECTOR Roy Branson ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Steven B. Hardin EDITORIAL ASSOCIATE Dustin R. Jones

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE Jon Paulien— Chair Brian Bull—Vice Chair Becky Bossert Beverly Buckles Roy Branson Ron Carter Garry FitzGerald Steven B. Hardin Richard Hart Dual-Degree programs Billy Hughes (Continued from page 1)… Craig Jackson November 2011, nine freshmen in the edge of bioethics and on integra- Odette Johnson Leroy Leggitt School of Dentistry met with Graham tion of bioethics and content in Tricia Penniecock Stacey, PhD, associate dean, and Dr. several LLU schools’ curricula. Carolyn Thompson Gerald Winslow Walters to explore the dual degree program. • Emphasize the recruitment of Anthony Zuccarelli These degrees are tuition-free. The students at LLU. School of Religion, which organized the MA For additional information go to SCHOLARS Roy Branson—Director in bioethics, gives a 50 percent tuition dis - or contact Jim Walters, Debra Craig programs across LLU, and several schools PhD, bioethics program director, at Andy Lampkin David R. Larson within the university have matched that offer. or (909) 558-7011. Robert Orr Two years ago, Dr. Walters was Richard Rice appointed director of the MA in bioethics. James W. Walters UPDATE ONLINE Gerald R. Winslow After studying leading bioethics MA pro - grams across the country, Dr. Walters, with The Center is going green and saving money at the same time! If we can send the four full-time ethicists in the School of UPDATE to you via e-mail rather than snail Religion, and bioethicists in the Center for mail, we can save trees and fossil fuels in For more information, contact: Christian Bioethics, made four changes in the publication and transportation of the LLU MA in bioethics program: UPDATE , and we will save money from publication and postage. E-mail: [email protected] • Devise new courses with greater Website: bioethics.llu.edu Phone: (909) 558-4956 appeal. Send us an e-mail at FAX: (909) 558-0336 • Include the comprehensive exam and we will add your name to the elec - and publishable paper requirements tronic mailing list. No waiting at the mail Letters to the editor box for your next issue. E-mail your first and comments may be sent to: within the 48-unit program. and last name to . 24760 Stewart St., Loma Linda, California 92350 • Focus on comprehensive knowl -

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