April 22, 1999 AnchorPoints How early Adventists struggled with the truth about the Trinity Women’s Ministries Enters Its Second Century LETTERS Y2K However, being subject to the problem nature of Divinity is like saying Regarding Henry Felder’s “If the Lights doesn’t mean that the software will President Clinton could accurately Go Out” (Feb. 25 AnchorPoints fail. Take credit card expiration dates. describe the daily life of an infantry- Edition). In Many, if not most, credit cards now man like me—or vice versa. reality, every have expiration dates of (20)00 or The Bible clearly states that God one of the pre- later, which means that under the Y2K knows our hearts. This is easily dicted Y2K scenario, these cards would be expired understood, for He created them and consequences and worthless. Yet the problems are so gave them a spark of His own divine has already small as to be a minor inconvenience breath to make them alive. Our happened. But at worst. experiences, in this sense, belong to because they Recently I have been involved with Him because He gives us the life to have happened my county’s Department of Emergency experience. Job asked of God, “For for reasons Management. This organization is very He is not a man, as I am, that I may other than Y2K, only passing media concerned about Y2K. They under- answer Him, and that we should go attention has been given. Computers stand that there may be some com- to court together. Nor is there any crash all the time, power systems fail, puter-related issues, but they are far mediator between us, who may lay and airplanes fall out of the sky. But more concerned about the fear this his hand on us both. Do You regardless of how sad it may be for issue has created. Their preparation is have eyes of flesh? Or do You see as those affected, the reality is that these far more related to dealing with fear a man sees?” (Job 9:32-10:4, NKJV). events are not the literal or spiritual driving irrational behavior than with The answer to Job’s question is “end of the world.” any direct consequences of computer an emphatic yes. Jesus Christ came I have worked in computer systems problems. While we are familiar with in order to fully experience us in as for 30-plus years. The most difficult the prophecies of last-day events, we us. Paul spends the majority of his problems to correct are those that pro- need to be very careful that we do not Epistles describing us as being “in duce only tiny errors, such as a book- get so caught up in this that we, along Christ.” To me, this means that God keeping system that is off by one cent with the Y2K fear mongers, suffer through Christ is the only one who in $1 billion. Large errors, when they another “Great Disappointment.” We can truly say to us, “I feel your occur, are so obvious that no one takes need to be part of the solution, not pain.” the results seriously. We’ve all heard part of the problem. Incidentally, the only Nietzsche about the $100,000 water bill received quote I can appreciate is “If you by a retired widow. That type of mis- —Wilmer Radke Christians want me to believe in your take is so obvious that it quickly gets B REMERTON, WASHINGTON Redeemer, you’d better act a little corrected, and the only real penalty is more redeemed!” embarrassment to the company issuing the bill. Might that happen with Y2K? Why the Suffering? —Brian A. Heitman Of course, but the results would be the I found Clifford Goldstein’s “The F AYETTEVILLE, NORTH C AROLINA same—embarrassment to the issuer. Rough Edges” (Feb. 25) very touching Another reality is that Y2K prob- and caring. However, I must take issue lems won’t begin on January 1, 2000; with the apparent insinuation that Those Adventist Teachers they have already begun. Any com- God does not feel our pain. To assume Bill Knott’s “Taught by Love” (Feb. 25) puter application (and only those that Friedrich Nietzsche, a neopagan, brought up hundreds of memories of my applications) that does date calcula- atheistic philosopher, would make a own education in Adventist schools. I tions is already subject to the problem. correct statement concerning the remember the teachers—some very 2 (490) ADVENTIST REVIEW, APRIL 22, 1999 good, some, well, not as good. But all contact me at 508-898-1901 (phone) or were dedicated and loving. [email protected]. Some have thought that our schools can’t compete with public —Mark LaVertue schools in preparing people for life. I S HIRLEY, MASSACHUSETTS believe that much of my “success” and COVER STORY my desire for spiritual things have come because of the good training I Internet—The Upside 8 Heresy or Hopeful Sign? Early Adventists and their struggle received in our schools. Regarding Stephen Chavez’s Feb. 18 to understand the teachings of My hat is off to our dedicated news commentary, “Get Connected,” the Bible. teachers. They have been among the I’d like to offer a different viewpoint BY J ERRY M OON instruments God has used to save my about our cyberspace interconnectivity life . for eternity. and outreach. ARTICLES While Chavez contends that surf- —Thurman C. Petty, Jr. ing the Internet can’t substitute for 14 One Dog Telling B URLESON, TEXAS being there in person, the number Another Dog one reason for the Internet has been, Good news travels fast. BY G ERRY K ARST and still is, e-mail. This one feature Anti-Tobacco Campaigner alone dramatically reconnects people 23 The Red Suspenders I was delighted with Dr. Linda Ferry’s at all levels, especially those who He made a statement when he didn’t call for action to stop the proliferation can’t be there in person. wear them, but what was it? of tobacco use (see “Anti-Tobacco E-mail and the Internet have BY E RVIN K. THOMSEN Campaigner Speaks Out,” Feb. 25 allowed a level of personal connec- Newsbreak). tivity that was previously unattain- 24 A World to Win When you’re doing a big job, Aside from the state of California, able for many. For example, I know everyone is important. Massachusetts has one of the most one Adventist freelance writer who, BY B ILL K NOTT effective and comprehensive state- because of her physical limitations, is wide antismoking programs in the unable to do the “typical” outreach 28 Anything Is Possible United States. The Massachusetts and witnessing activities, much less Telling the gospel to those who Tobacco Control Program (MTCP) go to church. Instead of languishing can’t hear. BY J OYCE R IGSBY has been extremely effective in help- at home in self-pity, she uses the ing to reduce the number of smokers Internet to stay connected with DEPARTMENTS in Massachusetts to well below the friends in similar situations, even national average. Just about every city hosting an online church on 2 Letters and town in the commonwealth has a Sabbath! 7 Give & Take vendor working to provide free smok- This is just one example of how the 16 On the Home Front ing-cessation programs in the commu- Internet, when used for God, has nities. Sometimes these vendors work expanded the possibilities for “fishing” 17 Tuesday’s Child with local Adventist churches to for me. And let’s not forget our other 18 World News & Perspectives assist in providing funding, materials, technological means of fishing: radio, 22 Clifford Goldstein and guest speakers for local smoking- TV, and telephone. While we try to cessation programs. follow up each lead with a personal 26 It Seems to Me Unfortunately, just providing smok- visit, many are led to Christ without 27 Bulletin Board ing-cessation services is not enough to an actual warm-body contact. Are 31 Reflections stop the growth of tobacco use; com- they any less “saveable”? OMPOSITE C munities must adopt local laws to I believe that God rejoices over restrict or ban tobacco use in public every soul “caught” for Him, no matter EDITORIALS IGITAL places. We must pray for those work- what the means. Some may fish from / D 5 Time to Go for Broke TOCK ing in tobacco control—and for those the yacht, rowboat, dinghy, or raft. S trying to stop using tobacco. Others are able to fish only from shore 6 Sweet Fragrances To get involved in preventing the or pier (technology). At least we’re all Cannot Be Hidden IGITAL number one cause of preventable death, fishing for Jesus. © D or for information on collaborating with your local vendor to provide smoking- —Ernie Medina, Jr. OVER PHOTO cessation services (Massachusetts only), L OMA L INDA, CALIFORNIA C ADVENTIST REVIEW, APRIL 22, 1999 (491) 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.