If the Lights Go out LETTERS
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February 25, 1999 AnchorPoints If the Lights Go Out LETTERS The Sabbath Trail “The 27 fundamental beliefs are not coming to the house, they saw the child Thank you for Bill Knott’s wonderful an attempt to express opinions . , with his mother Mary, and they bowed article on the Sabbath but facts.” The 27 beliefs are, in truth, down and worshiped him” (NIV). Trail (“A Witness in beliefs; they are not facts. Facts are the Stones,” Dec. 24 objective reality, and they are not by —Donald J. Keeler AnchorPoints nature “polemical,” as Goldstein states. NAPA, CALIFORNIA Edition) and for the People do not debate facts; they debate attention it is bringing the implications they see related to to the Washington what facts are available. The mention of Jesus’ birth in a Web page. While “filthy” stable was annoying to us. Our working on the trail the better part of —Ron Corson dads were farmers all of their lives. six weeks this past summer, we met CLARKSTON, WASHINGTON The barns and stables were always many people walking the trail—the kept clean, with fresh straw, sweet- enthusiastic response was exciting to see. smelling hay in the manger, and a Several visitors indicated that they The Birth of Jesus generous scoop of grist or grain for a would come back and bring their friends. In “At First Glance” (Dec. 24) Myrna treat. The manure pile was outside of One non-Adventist family of four found Tetz follows what many have done in the barn or stable. The barn or stable the trail from surfing the Internet. For placing the Christ Child in the stable at was cleaned every day and was always those who cannot make it to the time of the Wise Men’s visit to warm, comfortable, and clean for the Washington to walk the trail physically, Bethlehem. Matthew 2:11 reads: “On animals in the winter. In the summer we encourage them to take a virtual walk at www.tagnet.org/washington/ Welcome to the Review! —Ed and Joan Fortmiller Chances are you are one of many thousands who have picked up the SABBATH TRAIL WEBMASTER Adventist Review for the first time. You already were welcomed as a member of HUDSON, MASSACHUSETTS the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but I want to give you my personal greeting. The Adventist Review—the “good old Review,” or simply “Review”, to many Adventists—is the general church paper of our movement. It goes back to the What an afternoon! I read the earliest years, right back to 1849. Yes, the Review turns 150 this year. Review, was intrigued by the cover But the Adventist Church is fresh, dynamic, and growing fast. The editors work story, sent three e-mails to my chil- hard to give a sense of the vibrancy of our worldwide fellowship. dren about it, and decided to “walk” This issue and the others that you will receive each week for 12 months come the trail for myself. What a fantastic to you as a love gift. Review readers and conference leaders across North journey! I could almost smell the America donated and made funds available to make it happen. They want you to flowers and the woods! enjoy the Review, to feel the pulse of our remarkable church, and to grow in the joy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. —Rita Kiley Many Adventists read the Review Friday evening or Sabbath afternoon. Some HENDERSONVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA read it together as a family, some individually. Read it any day, whenever seems best for you. And may the Lord bless you as you read. In His love, 27 Fundamental Disbeliefs William G. Johnsson In his “27 Fundamental Disbeliefs” Editor (Dec. 24), Clifford Goldstein states, 2 (226) ADVENTIST REVIEW, FEBRUARY 25, 1999 the windows and doors were open to the subject. If the title had read “Could let the sunshine and fresh air in. Adventists Be Deceived by Spiritism?” Would our God have chosen a the article could stand unchallenged. “filthy” stable for our dear Saviour’s The real problem was weak editing. I birth? We think not. called the editors, and they agreed that they had goofed. COVER STORY —Martin and Joan Smith But isn’t Adams being reckless 8 If the Lights Go Out BELLEVUE, MICHIGAN when he implies that what Adventist Either the Y2K bug will alter life as youth say about the state of the dead is we know it, or it won’t. But what not important? Isn’t he being irrespon- should we do in the meantime? Keeping in Touch sible to assume that the absence of ser- BY HENRY FELDER I get the Review when my parents send mons on the topic indicates that all is their copies in a monthly shipping ser- well in Zion? Many young people do ARTICLES vice. I really love to keep in touch not go to Adventist schools. Where with the world church this way—I feel are they going to hear our doctrines if 12 A Hunger for the Spirit as though it’s my “family.” I really they don’t hear them at church? Headlines come and go. But eter- appreciate the “new” Review—espe- Where are new members going to be nal values are always timely. BY ELLEN G. WHITE cially the content. I’m in my late 20s grounded if not in church? Faithful and many times enjoy reading it from Adventist preachers will regularly 14 In the Laundromat cover to cover. I’ve really appreciated review doctrines in their sermons, for The atmosphere suddenly changed a seemingly recent emphasis on com- they know that Satan is eager to make when they swaggered in. mitting ourselves fully to living our us feel invulnerable to his deceptions. BY TANITA S. DAVIS Christianity—even to the point of 16 A Night in Heartbreak committing ourselves fully to service. —Betsy Mayer Hotel RAPIDAN, VIRGINIA Is the Bible for real when it talks —Esther Farley about having joy at all times—and CENTRAL ASIA in all places? Thanks for Roy Adams’ editorial BY ELAINE HAGELE Note: In the November 12 Bulletin Board regarding the article in a certain unso- Esther Farley was listed as serving with licited magazine. It was alarming that 24 The Other Side of Introversion Adventist Volunteer Services in central the article was published. After quickly We all have different gifts. Asia. Esther’s husband, Ira, also took a glancing at it, I thought to myself: I Surprised? Don’t be. post at the named English language center hadn’t realized the young people were so BY KIM ALLAN JOHNSON and should have been listed. Both Ira and influenced with the New Age, life-after- Esther Farley most recently worked at death theology! And I made a mental DEPARTMENTS Weimar Institute in Weimar, California. note to be more on guard in watching 2 Letters what sort of untruths my 10-year-old is subjected to in his life. It was a shock 7 Give & Take Adventists and Spiritism to realize I had not noticed the 13 On the Home Front After reading Roy Adams’ December unsound journalistic procedures used 19 Clifford Goldstein 10 editorial, “Reckless,” I tracked —and I usually catch such nonsense. down the article “Spiritism Engulfing Especially with that certain magazine. 20 World News & Perspectives the Seventh-day Adventist Church” Thanks for being my eyes and ears. 28 It Seems to Me to see if the authors had actually 29 Children’s Corner been as irresponsible and reckless as —Becki Timon OMPOSED 31 Reflections C Adams charges. LAUREL, MARYLAND Y I agree with Adams that the title was ALL misleading. But the intent of the article EDITORIALS IGIT itself was not irresponsible or reckless. Correction: In our January 14 issue Dr. / D ISC 5 Taught by Love D The bulk was a straightforward Bible William A. Moreno’s letter was incorrectly and Spirit of Prophecy presentation on edited, leaving the impression that Moreno 6 It’s a Family! HOTO the state of the dead and ended with an was sharing his opinion about Viagra. © P appeal not to feel safe from deception in Moreno’s original letter notes: “I am not PHOTO this area. It never charged the church or contesting his [Rock’s] opinion or expressing VER O its leadership with a shift in doctrine on my own about Viagra.” C ADVENTIST REVIEW, FEBRUARY 25, 1999 (227) 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. Publisher General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Executive Publisher William G. Johnsson Associate Publisher Charlotte McClure Publishing Board: Phil Follett, vice-chair; Lowell Cooper; William G. Johnsson; Robert E. Lemon; A. C. McClure; Ardis D. Stenbakken, Donald R. Sahly; Ted N. C. Wilson; Robert Nixon, legal advisor Editor William G. Johnsson Associate Editors Roy Adams, Bill Knott Managing Editor Myrna Tetz News Editor Carlos Medley Assistant Editors Stephen Chavez, Andy Nash Editorial Assistant Ella Rydzewski Administrative Secretary Chitra Barnabas Editorial Secretary Jean Sequeira Art Director Bill Kirstein Designer Bill Tymeson Design Assistant/Production Stephanie Kaping Ad Sales Genia Blumenberg Subscriber Services Steve Hanson Consulting Editors: G. Ralph Thompson, Matthew Bediako, Phil Follett, Robert J. Kloosterhuis, A. C. McClure, Jan Paulsen, Leo Ranzolin, R. L. Rawson, Calvin B. Rock Special Contributors: P. D. Chun, L. T. Daniel, L. J. Evans, Ulrich Frikart, Lee Huff, Israel Leito, Ruy H. Nagel, L. D. Raelly, Ron Watts, Bertil Wiklander To Writers: We welcome unsolicited manuscripts. (Please query before submitting long articles.) Include address, telephone number, and Social Security number, where available.