E n g l i s h • F r e n c h • P o r t u g u e s e • S p a n i s h

Religion faces atheist fundamentalism Minding your moral conscience Ellen G. White and mental health Can faith and science be divorced?

Vo1 l u m e 2 1 REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES EAST-CENTRAL AFRICA DIVISION P.O. Box 00503, Nairobi, KENYA CONTENTS Hudson E. Kibuuka [email protected] Mulumba Tshimanga [email protected] EURO-AFRICA DIVISION ESSAYS Schosshaldenstrasse 17, 3006 Bern, SWITZERLAND 5 Religion faces atheist fundamentalism Roberto Badenas [email protected] Faith in the Creator God does not interfere in a person’s serious Corrado Cozzi [email protected] engagement in scientific enterprise EURO-ASIA DIVISION by Roy Adams Krasnoyarskaya Street 3, 107589 Moscow, RUSSIAN FEDERATION Minding your moral conscience: Branislav Mirilov [email protected] 9 Peter Sirotkin [email protected] Lessons from Huss and Jerome INTER-AMERICAN DIVISION An examination of the conflicts experienced by Huss and Jerome invite P.O. Box 830518, Miami, FL 33283-0518, U.S.A. us to better understand our own conflicts, our world, and the purposes Moisés Velázquez [email protected] Bernardo Rodríguez [email protected] of God NORTH AMERICAN DIVISION by Duane Covrig 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600, U.S.A. 12 Ellen G. White and mental health Larry Blackmer [email protected] by Merlin D. Burt James Black [email protected] Gary Councell [email protected] 16 Can faith and science be divorced? NORTHERN ASIA-PACIFIC DIVISION A layman argues that science got its roots and flourished in the soil of P.O. Box 43, Goyang Ilsan 411-600, KOREA Chek Yat Phoon [email protected] Christian thought, and that there’s much in common between the two Joshua Hee Shin [email protected] by Gary B. Swanson SOUTH AMERICAN DIVISION Caixa Postal 02600, 70279-970 Brasilia DF, BRAZIL Carlos Mesa [email protected] DEPARTMENTS Otimar Gonçalves [email protected] SOUTH PACIFIC DIVISION EDITORIAL LOGOS Locked Bag 2014, Wahroonga, N.S.W. 2076, 3 Stealing past watchful dragons 29 Our lives, our work: What kind of AUSTRALIA by Lisa M. Beardsley influence do we exert? Barry Hill [email protected] by Halvard B. Thomsen Gilbert Cangy [email protected] PROFILE Francisco Badilla Briones SOUTHERN AFRICA-INDIAN 19 ACTION REPORT OCEAN DIVISION by Ruben Sanchez-Sabaté 31 Adventist students gather in P.O. Box 4583 Rietvalleirand 0174, SOUTH Argentina AFRICA Cynthia Prime 22 by Heide Ford by Rocío Mendoza and Iván Ellah Kamwendo [email protected] Escobar Eugene Fransch [email protected] BOOKS OPEN FORUM SOUTHERN ASIA DIVISION Armageddon at the Door Post Box 2, HCF, Hosur 653 110, Tamil Nadu, 24 by Jon Paulien 32 Work out your salvation? INDIA by John M. Fowler Nageshwar Rao [email protected] Reviewed by Ikechukwu Oluikpe SPECIAL SECTION Lionel Lyngdoh [email protected] 25 The Life You’ve Always Wanted by John Ortberg 33 Faith and Acceptance SOUTHERN ASIA-PACIFIC DIVISION by Ellen G. White P.O. Box 040, 4118 Silang Cavite, PHILIPPINES Reviewed by Adelina Alexe Mike Lekic [email protected] INSERT Jobbie Yabut [email protected] 25 Amerika: Mit Gewalt in den Gottesstaat The art of TRANS-EUROPEAN DIVISION Francisco Badilla Briones 119 St. Peter’s St., St. Albans, Herts, AL13EY, (America: Theocracy by Force) ENGLAND by Gerhard Padderatz Daniel Duda [email protected] Reviewed by Ekkehardt Mueller Paul Tompkins [email protected] FIRST PERSON WESTERN AFRICA DIVISION 22 Boite Postale 1764, Abidjan 22, IVORY COAST 27 My Brook Cherith: Chiemela Ikonne [email protected] When life dries up on you Emanuel Nlo Nlo [email protected] by Sally Lam-Phoon

2 DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 EDITORIAL This international journal of faith, Stealing past watchful dragons: thought, and action is published three times a year in four parallel editions (English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish) by the Communicating with Committee on Adventist Ministry to College and University Students (AMiCUS) of the postmodern mind the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Volume 21, Number 1 Copyright © 2009 by the AMiCUS C.S. Lewis is perhaps one of the most Committee. All rights reserved. successful Christian apologists of our time. Although he was not a theologian Dialogue affirms the fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and or a clergyman, his works contain pro- supports its mission. The views published in found arguments for the truthfulness this journal, however, are the independent of Christian claims and the meaning thoughts of the authors. of Christian life. Yet he abandoned the Editorial Board apologetic approach of theological argu- Editor-in-Chief Lisa M. Beardsley ment after losing a public debate with Editor John M. Fowler Associate Editor Gary R. Councell the philosopher Elizabeth Anscombe at Managing Editor Susana Schulz a meeting of Oxford’s Socratic Club. It Copy Editor Beverly Rumble was not that he “lost the argument,” but International Editions Susana Schulz rather, that he saw the limits of debate International Copy Editors Monique Lemay (French) and propositional arguments to com- Guilherme Silva (Portuguese) municate the really big ideas of spiritual Susana Schulz (Spanish) truth. He recognized that debate is Editorial Correspondence reductionistic, that disputation awakens Dialogue the “watchful dragons” of defensiveness, and that meaning is sacrificed in the fray 12501 Old Columbia Pike between assertion and counter-argument. Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600 U.S.A. Telephone 301-680-5073 So the eminent author turned to story telling as an instrument to convey great Fax 301-622-9627 spiritual truths. He saw storytelling as helpful in “stealing past watchful dragons” E-mail [email protected] such as skepticism, defensiveness aroused by debate, and the familiarity with things AMiCUS Committee religious that leads one not to take them seriously. Chair Ella S. Simmons In order to arouse the imagination of readers to eternal realities, Lewis employed Vice Chairs Gary R. Councell, C. Garland fantasy in the Chronicles of Narnia. Likewise, his colleague and friend J.R.R. Tolkien, Dulan, Baraka G. Muganda Secretary Lisa M. Beardsley experimented with mythic story in Lord of the Rings. Recognizing the limits of logi- Members Lyndelle Chiomenti, Gary cal arguments as an apologetic device for making a case for faith, they tested whether Councell, John M. Fowler, Clifford they might slip past the “watchful dragons” by the use of stories. Said Lewis, “I Goldstein, Linda Koh, Kathleen Kuntaraf, wrote fairy tales because the Fairy Tale seemed the ideal Form for the stuff I had to Dionne Parker, Gerhard Pfandl, Roy Ryan say.”1 What Lewis calls fairy tales and children’s stories belong to the general genre of Circulation Inquiries should be “romance” and include literary forms like myth, fantasy, quest, and adventure that addressed to the regional representative call for the reader to engage his or her imagination. located in the area where the reader resides. See names and addresses on page 2. Lewis’s own “baptized imagination” played a key role in the creation of Narnia. He says that all seven of the Narnian books “began with seeing pictures in my head” and Subscriptions US $13 per year (three issues, airmail). See order form on page 6 he wrote: “At first they were not a story, just pictures. The Lion all began with a pic- for details. ture of a Faun carrying an umbrella and parcels in a snowy wood. This picture had Web site http://dialogue.adventist.org been in my mind since I was about sixteen. Then one day, when I was about forty, I said to myself: ‘Let’s try to make a story about it.’’’ 2 Dialogue has received correspondence from readers Our culture is awash in pictures from the media. Some of those pictures tell a in 118 countries around the world. story, and others clutter or pollute our minds and society. Blockbuster films, MTV,

Continued on page 4

DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 3 LETTERS

Appreciation Editorial Greetings in the name of our Lord Continued from page 3 and Savior Jesus Christ. I am very happy and grateful to you and your College and University Magazine digital media, and the iPod have replaced books and debate as vehicles to communi- staff for producing such a high- cate and persuade. The satellite dish or the corner video shop is the library that forms quality thought-containing articles. and expresses the ideas of today. We can hardly escape the onslaught of stories, songs, Thank you, and pictures, whether from our cell phones or the seatback monitor of an airplane at Yours sincerely 30,000 feet. Robinson R. Kujur The postmodern mind readily devours these images, with few filters. It accepts Ranchi – INDIA cultural relativity and the power of story and personal truth(s) and rejects the notion of absolute truth. As a result, the time-honored Adventist approach to proof-text an Pleasant surprise unbeliever into conversion has limited power to influence the postmodern mind. I write from Villarrica, Paraguay. But by means of storytelling, Adventist theology can be hidden in a Trojan horse left As I was surfing the Internet, I was behind enemy lines. Commenting on one of his science fiction stories, C.S. Lewis pleasantly surprised by this magazine wrote in a letter to a friend, “Any amount of theology can now be smuggled into website. I thoroughly enjoyed it. You people’s minds under the cover of romance without their knowing it.”3 cannot imagine how beneficial these Jesus Himself used storytelling to communicate truths of ultimate reality and materials are for us. May God bless meaning. Consider, for example, the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). you. Keep up the good work; we will Through this simple story, Jesus taught for generations to come what it means to be praying for you from this faraway seek after eternal life and what it means to love God and love others. Jesus could place. have used great theological arguments from Creation to incarnation, from exodus to Alfredo J. Peralta Villarrica – PARAGUAY restoration, from Moses to the prophets to prove that all humans are equal, that eter- nal life is God’s gift, and that love knows no frontier. But Jesus chose to disarm His challenger by telling a simple story that taught these great truths and captured the hearts and imagination of people throughout history. This does not mean we put aside the need for biblical literacy. We must seek the competency to correctly interpret the different forms of biblical writing – poetic psalms, historical records, eyewitness accounts, allegory, theological exposition, etc. For some people, the proof-text method might yet work to persuade them of eternal truths. When it doesn’t, you might explore “stealing past the watchful dragons” by means of storytelling. But to tell a story engagingly, you must know the Story your- self and know it well. In the last editorial, I challenged readers to be cultural critics. This was not a call to retreat into monastic separation from the world. My challenge this time is to cou- rageously and creatively redeem culture and influence it for good using the commu- Write to us! nication tools and media of today. We welcome your comments, reactions and questions, but please limit your letters to 200 words. Write to:

Dialogue Letters 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600 U.S.A. – Lisa M. Beardsley, Editor-in-Chief

1. C.S. Lewis: Essay Collection and Other Short Pieces, Lesley Walmsley, ed. (London: Harper Collins, Fax 301-622-9627 2000), p. 527. E-mail [email protected] 2. ______, Of Other Worlds: Essays and Stories (New York: Harvest Books, 2002). For a fuller discussion, see http://www.bestyears.com/thesis_3.html. Letters selected for publication may be edited 3. ______, Letters 167. for clarity and/or space.

4 DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 Religion faces atheist fundamentalism by Roy Adams Faith in the Creator God does not interfere in a person’s serious engagement in scientific enterprise

While preaching in Alberta, Canada, der just a little. What faith-shattering tists! “Great scientists who profess last July, I made a passing reference stuff am I in for? But then, as if bracing religion,” Dawkins says, “stand out to British atheist Richard Dawkins, himself for a less than total knockout, for their rarity and are a subject of taking all of 10 seconds to do it. Dawkins throws a (derisive) caveat into amused bafflement to their peers in Never expecting the name to regis- the mix: “Of course,” he says, “dyed- the academic community” (Dawkins, ter with anyone in the audience, I in-the-wool faith-heads are immune p. 125). Dawkins says he once asked was surprised when a young woman to argument, their resistance built up Jim Watson, “founding genius of the approached me about my remarks fol- over years of childhood indoctrination” Human Genome Project,” “whether he lowing the service. (Dawkins, p. 28). knew many religious scientists today.” “There’s a guy down in my office,” Getting down to business in chapter Watson replied: “Virtually none” she said, “a friend of mine. He’s read- 2, this Oxford science professor moves (Dawkins, pp. 125, 126). ing Dawkins, and is very impressed. quickly to his major target: “The God In response to this claim, however, Do you know of anyone who has of the Old Testament is arguably the McGrath has noted that in the very answered him – any book I might rec- most unpleasant character in all fiction year The God Delusion was published ommend?” [the words are loaded]: jealous and (2006), “Owen Gingerich, a noted “Alister McGrath,” I said as she proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiv- Harvard astronomer, produced [a wrote it down. “The name of his book ing control-freak; a vindictive, blood- book titled] God’s Universe, declaring is The Dawkins Delusion?” The book’s thirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, that ‘the universe has been created subtitle is: “Atheist Fundamentalism homophobic, racist, infanticidal, geno- with intention and purpose, and that and the Denial of the Divine.”1 cidal, filicidal, pestilential, megaloma- this belief does not interfere with the McGrath, an atheist-turned-Christian, niacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously scientific enterprise.’ Francis Collins received a doctorate in molecular bio- malevolent bully” (Dawkins, p. 51). published his Language of God, which physics at Oxford, and his book pres- As Dawkins sees it, much of the argues that the wonder and ordering ents a masterful response to Dawkins. world’s problems come from the blind of nature points to a Creator God, This article focuses on McGrath’s following we give to this and other very much along the lines of tradi- response to Dawkins, with my own capricious gods – figments of the tional Christian conception …. [And] (lay) critique mixed in. The initial human mind. As with John Lennon cosmologist Paul Davies published idea for the piece came when I heard of Beatles fame, he dares to dream of his Goldilocks Enigma, arguing for the McGrath deliver a powerful rejoinder “a world with no religion.” It would existence of ‘fine-tuning’ in the uni- to Dawkins during a conference in be a place with “no suicide bombers, verse” (McGrath, p. 42). Cambridge, England, in April, 2007. no 9/11 … no Crusades, no witch- “Underlying the agenda of The So what is Dawkins about? hunts, … no Israeli/Palestinian wars, God Delusion,” says McGrath, is that no Serb/Croat/Muslim massacres, no “atheism is the only option for the Spewing venom persecution of Jews as ‘Christ-killers,’ serious, progressive, thinking person.” The title of Dawkins’ book: The God … no shiny-suited bouffant-haired Religious experience is “associated with Delusion 2 says it all – no subtitle need- televangelists fleecing gullible people of pathological brain activity” (McGrath, ed. And right from the start – in the their money” (Dawkins, pp. 23, 24). pp. 33, 66). The gospel, Dawkins says, preface – he puts his cards out on the (Conveniently, Dawkins ignores the is fiction (Dawkins, p. 123). And as table for all to see: “If this book works massacres of untold millions by athe- if appealing to the coming generation as I intend,” he says, “religious readers ists such as Adolf Hitler and Joseph still making up its mind, Dawkins who open it will be atheists when they Stalin.) proffers something akin to spiritual put it down” (Dawkins, p. 28). Intelligent people don’t dabble with assurance: “You can be an atheist who That cocky forecast makes one shud- religion – and especially not scien- is happy, balanced, moral, and intellec-

DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 5 tually fulfilled” (Dawkins, p. 23). captures perhaps the central issue of ing, says Dawkins, such arguments are It’s a conscious, calculated effort the book: “One of the greatest challenges made only by those who know noth- on Dawkins’ part – an “epic struggle to the human intellect, over the centuries ing about the process of natural selec- against religion,” McGrath calls it has been to explain how the complex, tion (Dawkins, p. 138). (McGrath, p. 51). According to improbable appearance of design in the Citing Daniel Dennett (whom he McGrath, Dawkins sees science and universe arises.” 4 describes as the “scientifically savvy religion as “locked in a battle to the How would Dawkins deal with this philosopher”), Dawkins argues that it death. Only one can emerge victorious basic challenge? That’s the issue here. does not take “a big fancy smart thing – and it must be science” (McGrath, p. Two creationist arguments con- to make a lesser thing.” The uniniti- 46). Dawkins’ goal, says McGrath, is cerned him in this connection: (1) the ated would attempt to make their case “the intellectual and cultural destruc- argument from improbability; and (2) for intelligent design by suggesting tion of religion” (McGrath, p. 24). He the argument from irreducible complex- that “you’ll never see a horseshoe mak- thrusts to kill, to finish Christianity off ity. ing a blacksmith” or “a pot making a once and for all. 1. Improbability. Simply put, the potter.” But, says Dawkins confidently, argument from improbability suggests “Darwin’s discovery of a workable pro- Dawkins’ Achilles heel that the complexity we see within and cess that does that very counter-intuitive The God Delusion is not a small around us demands that there be a thing is what makes his contribution book. Its 420 pages contain a multi- superior intelligence behind it all. Or to human thought so revolutionary”5 tude of claims and charges, making to paraphrase the way Dawkins himself Incredible! a detailed response impossible. With characterized it (quoting Fred Hoyle): What’s being advocated here by that in mind, I want to zero in on The probability of life originating on Darwin, Dennett, and Dawkins is what I consider the Achilles heel of earth by itself is tantamount to “the that, however counter-intuitive, horse- Dawkins’ entire framework. chance that a hurricane, sweeping shoes do, indeed, make blacksmiths! In a six-point summary of the chap- through a scrapyard [sic], would have An extraordinary thought, indeed! ter “Why There Almost Certainly Is the luck to assemble a Boeing 747” And how does it happen? Not by No God”3 (the pivotal chapter of the (Dawkins, pp. 137, 138). chance (Dawkins hates that word), book, I think), Dawkins’ first point But however apparently convinc- but by natural selection (see Dawkins, p. 145). “Natural selection,” Dawkins says, “is the champion crane of all time. It has lifted life from primeval Subscribe simplicity to the dizzy heights of com- to Dialogue plexity, beauty and apparent design that dazzle us today” (Dawkins, p. 99). So you want to be a thinker, not merely a reflector of other people’s thought? Dialogue The upshot of his argument is that will continue to challenge you to think critically, as a Christian. Stay in touch with the best since natural selection is responsible of Adventist thought and action around the world. Get into Dialogue. for all we see around us, “God … is a One-year subscription (3 issues, air mail): US $13.00 Back issues: US $4.00 each delusion” (Dawkins, p. 52). Such logic boggles the mind and calls on people I’d like to subscribe to Dialogue in ❏ English ❏ French ❏ Portuguese ❏ Spanish to abandon common sense. Issues Begin my subscription with the next issue. 2. Irreducible complexity. I’d like to receive these back issues: Vol. ___, No. ___. Popularized by Michael J. Behe in Payment I’m enclosing an international check or money order. Darwin’s Black Box,6 irreducible com- My MasterCard or VISA # is______plexity suggests that the life forms we Expiration Date______know today – even the simplest ones – Please Print are comprised of interlocking, interde- Name ______pendent components, too complex to Address ______have evolved piecemeal through chance ______or natural selection. In this connec- tion, Darwin himself pointed to the Mail to Dialogue Subscriptions, Linda Torske eye as posing a particularly challenging 12501 Old Columbia Pike; Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600; U.S.A. problem – and Dawkins repeats the Fax 301-622-9627 master’s words in his book. Darwin E-mail [email protected] said: “To suppose that the eye with all

6 DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 its inimitable contrivances for adjust- it all, Dawkins says that “if genu- with the impression that religion is the ing the focus to different distances, for inely irreducible complexity could be root of all evil – “one senior atheist sci- admitting different amounts of light, properly demonstrated, it would wreck entific colleague at Oxford said to me and for the correction of spherical and Darwin’s theory” (Dawkins, p. 151, … : ‘Don’t judge the rest of us by this chromatic aberration, could have been italics supplied). pseudointellectual drivel’” (McGrath, formed by natural selection, seems, I But irreducible complexity needs p. 51). freely confess, absurd in the highest no demonstration; it’s reality. And it’s Two points to finish: degree” (Dawkins, pp. 148, 149). difficult to see why anyone would sub- 1. Like McGrath, I’m not impressed It’s an extremely cogent observation. stitute Dawkins’ irrational speculation by Dawkins’ selective use of religious But Darwin (with Dawkins following) for the simple gravity of the biblical institutions and people to make his would find a way around it. Darwin’s affirmation: “In the beginning God point. “There is … a lunatic fringe to statement, according to Dawkins, was created …” (Gen. 1:1, KJV). every movement,” McGrath suggests. merely a “rhetorical device” to lure his “[And] one of the most characteris- opponents closer to him so he could Where I come down tic features of Dawkins’ antireligious administer a more powerful punch. The contemporary period has seen polemic is to present the pathological And that punch, says Dawkins, “was a spate of attacks on God, the Bible, as if it were normal, the fringe as if it Darwin’s effortless explanation of and all things religious – in works were the center, crackpots as if they exactly how the eye evolved by gradual such as D. C. Bennett’s Breaking the were mainstream” (McGrath, p. 22). degrees” (Dawkins, p. 149). Spell (2006)9; D. Mills’ Atheist Universe Still, I find it beyond unfortunate Dawkins’ own explanation of such (2006)10 and Christopher Hitchens’ that Christians, of all religious people, a feat is to fall back on a parable he’d God Is Not Great (2007).11 As I rode should have provided Dawkins and used in an earlier book, Climbing a bus in Chicago in early November, other atheists so much fodder for their Mount Improbable.7 He imagines a I fell into conversation with a fellow attack. When Dawkins maligns the mountain with a sheer cliff on one conference attendee who, before we religious education of children, for side, “impossible to climb.” But “on parted, handed me a flyer for a book example, he is able to point convinc- the other side is a gentle slope to the by a certain Bob Avakian, titled Away ingly to flagrant abuses of children summit.” “On the summit,” he fur- With All Gods! 12 committed within Christian religious ther imagines, “sits a complex device It’s a veritable anti-God epidemic, education settings. Shame on us! such as an eye.” Intelligent design much of it related to pseudo-scientific To cite another example, British proponents would suggest that such philosophy. And it would be easy for atheists are raising funds to plaster complexity “could spontaneously us to vacate the field, curling our tails London buses with posters flaunting self-assemble,”8 but that’s an “absurd between our legs like frightened dogs. their agenda. The banners say: “There notion,” he argues; for that would be After all, many of us (myself first) are is probably no God. Now stop wor- like “leaping from the foot of the cliff not scientists and, if you’re like me, are rying and enjoy your life.” Richard to the top in one bound” (Dawkins, hesitant to enter the gated scientific Dawkins has pledged to match dona- p. 147). community without permission. Yet as tions up to more than US $9,000. However, Dawkins suggests that free-thinking human beings, we have a There’s been an enthusiastic response evolution, rather than taking the steep right, I think, not to bow to an atheist from certain sectors of the British pub- side of the mountain, does it the prop- fundamentalism, every bit as intolerant lic. “Spread the word,” one contribu- er way. It “goes around the back of the as its religious opposite. tor said gleefully, “and consign this mountain and creeps up the gentle Dawkins represents that kind of superstitious nonsense to the dustbin slope to the summit: easy!” intolerance. McGrath, himself a sci- of history!”13 So the picture Dawkins draws is entist, describes Dawkins as offering What I found most grating about it that of a vast quantity of primordial “the atheistic equivalent of slick hellfire all was that the campaign came about materials (as if we know where such preaching, substituting turbocharged in reaction to Christian advertisements things might come from!) slowly rhetoric and highly selective manipu- on those same buses, with a Web ascending “Mount Improbable,” each lation of facts for careful, evidence- address for a site that condemned the particular unit at some point arriving based thinking.” It’s an “abuse of the unconverted to an “eternity in ‘tor- at the maximum state of complexity, natural sciences in the interest of athe- ment in hell.’”14 What if those who and then somehow linking up with ist fundamentalism,” says McGrath placed those Christian ads had both- other complexities to form discrete, (McGrath, p. 11). Following a series ered to stay faithful to Scripture on living, functioning entities! Perhaps by Dawkins on the BBC, McGrath that sensitive point? impressed himself by the fantasy of says – a series designed to leave viewers 2. Nobel Prize-winning Oxford

DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 7 immunologist Peter Medawar makes What a bleak picture! Bleaker still REFERENCES the point that there are “transcendent” if we put it in the words of Bertrand 1. Alister E. and Joanna Collicutt McGrath, The Dawkins Delusion? (Downers Grove, Illinois: questions “science cannot answer, and Russell, one of Dawkins’ philosophical IVP Books, 2007). Notwithstanding the book’s that no conceivable advance of sci- mentors. Russell envisioned that “all co-authorship, all references in this article will ence would empower it to answer.” the labours of the ages, all the devo- be to Alister McGrath, as if he were the single author, a procedure they themselves follow in Questions such as: “How did everything tion, all the inspiration, all the noon- the book. begin? What are we all here for? What is day brightness of human genius, are 2. New York and Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., the point of living?” 15 destined to extinction in the vast death 2006. 16 3. See Dawkins, pp. 188, 189. Such questions have to do with of the solar system.” 4. Dawkins, p. 188. Italics supplied. protology and eschatology. Protology, Why would one accept that dismal 5. Cited in Dawkins, p. 142. Italics supplied. the study of origins (how we got here, prospect in place of what the Bible 6. New York: The Free Press, 1996. 7. New York: W. W. Norton & Co., 1996. etc.), occupied us briefly under the offers? Here it is, in all its elegance, 8. Incidentally, proponents of intelligent design previous section: “Dawkins’ Achilles from the seer of Patmos: do not suggest that complexity “could spon- taneously self-assemble,” as Dawkins suggests, Heel.” And we saw a little of Dawkins’ “I saw Heaven and earth new- but rather that an intelligence is responsible for tortured attempt to grapple with it. created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the assembling. Here we note the bleakness of his the first earth, gone the sea. I saw 9. New York: Penguin, 2006. 10. Berkeley, CA: Ulysses Press, 2006. eschatology – what he himself calls Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descend- 11. New York: Twelve Hachette Book Group, “the ultimate fate of our universe.” ing resplendent out of heaven, as ready 2007. “Depending upon the values … [of for God as a bride for her husband. 12. Chicago: Insight Press, 2008. 13. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jJJPnbeI certain numbers],” he says, “our I heard a voice thunder from the qCvhvmnSPVvqOdUGbSAA. universe may be destined to expand Throne: ‘Look! Look! God has moved 14. Ibid. indefinitely, or it may stabilize at an into the neighborhood, making his 15. Quoted in McGrath, p. 39. Italics supplied. 16. http://www.users.drew.edu/~jlenz/fmw.html equilibrium, or the expansion may home with men and women! … He’ll * The Message, was written in a contemporary reverse itself and go into contrac- wipe every tear from their eyes. Death language, current and fresh and understand- tion, culminating in the so-called ‘big is gone for good – tears gone, crying able. crunch’” (Dawkins, p. 174). gone, pain gone.’ … The Enthroned continued, ‘Look! I’m making every- thing new. Write it all down – each word dependable and accurate’” (Rev. 21:1-4; 22:4, The Message* ). Dialogue That’s where I come down. for you, free! Roy Adams (Ph.D., Andrews If you are a Seventh-day Adventist stu- University) is an associate editor of Free subscription dent attending a non-Adventist college or Adventist Review. This article was for your college university, the church has a plan that will first published in a slightly different allow you to receive Dialogue free while form in Adventist Review. Used by or university you remain a student. (Those who are no permission. longer students can subscribe to Dialogue, library! using the order form on page 6.) Contact the director of the Education Department Do you wish to see Dialogue available or the Youth Department in your union in the library of your public college or and request that you be placed in their university so that your non-Adventist distribution network for the journal. Include friends may also have access to the your full name, address, college or univer- journal? Contact the librarian, show him sity you are attending, the degree you are or her a copy of the journal, and sug- pursuing, and the name of the local church gest that they request a free subscrip- of which you are a member. You may also tion to Dialogue, writing on official let- write to our regional representatives at terhead. We will take care of the rest! the addresses provided on page 2. If these The letter should be addressed to: communications fail to produce results, Dialogue Editor-in-Chief; 12501 Old contact us via e-mail: [email protected]. Columbia Pike; Silver Spring, Maryland org. 20904-6600; U.S.A.

8 DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 Minding your moral conscience: Lessons from Huss and Jerome by Duane Covrig An examination of the conflicts experienced by Huss and Jerome invite us to better understand our own conflicts, our world, and the purposes of God

Doug Marlette draws the cartoon that I knew I couldn’t just run away authority of the church and his grow- of Doris the Parakeet. Doris is about from my conscience. I knew it wasn’t ing understanding of Scripture, a deep to eat a chocolate. Then she hears: safe to do so. I grew up in California, conflict developed. This angst brought “Doris, this is your conscience speak- where I saw many Doris the Parakeets a deep torment. Ellen White, quoting ing! Put down the chocolate.” Doris talk down their consciences. They had Wylie, noted: looks to her right. She says, “How do I all kinds of “good offenses” to quail “‘The mind of Huss, at this stage of know you’re my conscience? Show me their conscience. Sensuality and self- his career, would seem to have been your badge.” “I don’t have a badge,” ishness dulled their senses. But I also the scene of painful conflict. … The comes back the response. “Well, no knew this picky conscience was not Roman church was still to him the dice, Mister! Do you know what always good. spouse of Christ, and the pope was you can get for impersonating a con- In this article, I review the experi- the representative and vicar of God. science?” “Well, no …uh, I never …” ence of John Huss as recorded in The What Huss was warring against was In the last frame, Doris smiles, “With Great Controversy 2 to help show the the abuse of authority, not the prin- a conscience, your best defense is a limits of conscience and how to bal- ciple itself. This brought on a terrible good offense!” ance it with God’s Word. conflict between the convictions of This cartoon speaks deeply to my his understanding and the claim of his own struggle to understand moral con- John Huss conscience …. This was the doubt that science. For most of my life, I didn’t John Huss had grown up a faith- tortured him hour by hour.’”3 have the guts and bravado of Doris to ful and ardent student of the Roman The conflict seemed to rage stand up to my conscience. I shared Catholic Church. Most of his think- between “‘convictions of … under- more with Martin Weber’s struggle in ing was influenced by his religious standing’” and the “claims of … his My Tortured Conscience.1 I experi- community’s traditions and the com- conscience.” And what a war that enced a demanding sense of right and mon writings used in his priesthood. must have been for a pious priest. wrong. And this wasn’t because my He grew in character and rose in When I first read this, I wanted to parents were strict. They were quite influence in both the church and the shout “Huss, go with your claims open and reasonable. It was because Bohemian nation. His pious living of conscience. You have to live with I became fanatical in my late teens also made him disgusted with the evil your conscience. Let that trump your and early twenties, partly due to my practices of some of the contemporary understanding and end your pain- own mental imbalances and partly a church leaders. ful conflict.” But as I read more, and response to a schism raging through In the process of wanting to better came to understand the liberty that our Northern California Adventist understand how to improve his influ- The Great Controversy was trying to community in the late 1970s and early ence, he began to learn more directly promote, I saw something different. 1980s. I wanted to get my spiritual from Scripture and found new under- (Yes, the very book most often used duties right and got fanatical in the standing of the principles of God’s to scare some Adventists with end- process. I became miserable to live kingdom. His reading of Scripture time fanaticism had become for me a with. I didn’t even like living with challenged his own fundamental profound reminder of the liberating myself. thinking and convictions about his effects of the gospel through true ref- What made this battle difficult was church. As he wrestled with the ormations.) Plus, my own experience

DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 9 in life was teaching me the limits of completely, or fully, and only with first great sacrifice in the long struggle conscience. approximations. This takes pain- by which liberty of conscience was to Huss’ conscience had been partly ful learning, and learning is about be secured.”7 White put her finger on trained by God and partly by the approximations. this as the first great sacrifice. Why? authority of the papal system. He Understanding is not something Because it was the first real recogni- struggled to distinguish between what God destroys in order to get our tion in modern times that even within his reading of the Bible was telling moral compliance. It is something He us, in our minds, we are captive to him and the feelings of conscience increases to win our moral obedience deep forces that resist God’s rule, that were developed from childhood. and faithfulness. Wylie does not say even to the point of using conscience Years of conformity to the Roman a solution was found but an “approxi- against understanding. Catholic Church had formed convic- mation.” Meaning gets constructed, tions that were being challenged by abolished, and temporarily rebuilt. Jerome’s lesson what he was reading and understand- Approximations suggest that later, The story of Huss has helped ing from Scripture. This torment was “better” solutions might be found. We me fortify myself against the false like his brain was pitted against itself. can trust that each day dawns clearer claims of an overanxious conscience. He felt compelled to obey the church and brighter, and God will con- However, having cautioned against – it had been an authority in his life, tinue to reveal more and more to us the abuse of claims of conscience, I but at the same time he began seeing a (Proverbs 4:18; 2 Peter 1:19-21). Thus, need to remind the reader of the other new authority, that of the Bible. the Reformation never ended, and it extreme. Wylie tells us that Huss resolved should never end for us. This caution comes from the life this painful conflict with “‘nearest The pains of Huss’ conflict “‘led of Jerome just after Huss died. While the approximation to a solution.’” He him to adopt for his own guidance, Jerome was imprisoned awaiting his saw “‘that it had happened again.’” and to preach to others for theirs, the own death, his “fortitude gave way, What had happened again? Huss was maxim that the precepts of Scripture, and he consented to submit to the reflecting on the past to understand conveyed through the understanding, are council” even to the point of “con- his present. What had happened again to rule the conscience; in other words, demning the doctrines of Wycliffe was the same persecution against that God speaking in the Bible, and and Huss.” “By this expedient, Jerome Jesus. Wylie continued: “‘As once not the church speaking through endeavored to silence the voice of con- before in the days of the Saviour, the priesthood, is the one infallible science and escape his doom.”8 that the priests of the church had guide’”6 His safeguard can become There it is again, the conscience. become wicked persons and were ours. This time it should have been heeded. using their lawful authority for unlaw- God turned the penetrating light of Now the role of understanding again ful ends.’”4 Huss was not ready to liberty on Huss. Light broke through comes to the aid. “But in the solitude propose transferring authority away the darkness. God loved Huss and of his dungeon he saw more clearly from the church, but he had enough wanted His servant to experience what he had done. He thought of sense to conclude that authority and deep liberation. Huss responded to the courage and fidelity of Huss, and power were being misused. This led this liberation. But the results were in contrast pondered upon his own Huss to a general principle or guide costly. The response from the papal denial of the truth. He thought of the that he used and encouraged others to authorities was horrible. Soon they divine Master whom he had pledged use. That rule was that “the precepts got the political authorities also to himself to serve, and who for his sake of Scripture, conveyed through the work against Huss. Both groups used endued the death of the cross.”9 understanding, are to rule the con- “evil imagination” and control of con- God individually and corporately science.’”5 This was the solution that science to scorn Huss’ newfound ideas. works to bring understanding that alleviated his conflict. It was also the If one reads the abusive statements alone can sustain moral conscience. solution that set in motion the engine made against Huss (available on the The mercy of the Teacher allowed of the Reformation. I saw it as my Internet), one can see how they used another test for His student Jerome, solution also. religious reasons against him. Satan and this time Jerome went all the White’s use of Wylie’s emphasis on gave them religious words and moral way to the stake because of the right an approximation of a solution is fit- phrases designed to torment Huss. blending of understanding and con- ting. We always think the Reformers’ Ellen White describes the final stag- science. Yes, Jerome was later haunted minds had 100 per cent clarity about es of Huss’ life. As religious and politi- by his missteps, but grace and truth what they were doing. No. They were cal leaders saw Huss resist their false shone brighter and in union of under- coming out of false ideas, but never claims, they were “witnesses of this standing and conscience, Jerome

10 DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 became a martyr for the grace we have the challenges to religious liberty that by itself. It has to be mixed with other in Christ. we face today and will face in a world ingredients, or it will become toxic trying to make us conform (Romans and destructive. Liberty is one of Liberty, conscience, and 12:2). those other ingredients that morality morality Ultimately, religious liberty can only needs. Morality in the absence of lib- An examination of the conflicts be formed in homes, churches, and erty degenerates into uncreative deci- experienced by Huss and Jerome nations after it has first been forged in sion-making, forced obedience, and informs our own. They invite us to our minds. And that process is rarely unthinking conformity. Liberty gives better understand our own conflict, easy. Morality and the conscience that conscience and morality space for our world, and the purpose of God speaks its message is often formed choices. That space creates deep psy- in bringing us better understanding. with both good and bad material. One chological as well as social opportu- Ellen White observes that the purpose can’t just throw it all out. Nor can one nity for ethical growth. Without that, of her pointing out these struggles in automatically follow all its dictates. a person or group or whole nation the lives of God’s people is “not so Morality is not God. Conscience is not can pursue morality in a way that can much … to present new truths con- always the voice of God. Morality and feed a deeper rebellion, or a mindless cerning the struggles of former times, conscience both need to be trained. conscience that acts out a moral script as to bring out facts and principles God is the trainer. Morality, and the that is blind to human need. which have a bearing on coming conscience that carries it, may be Herein lies the deep tension: moral- events.”10 Understanding the basis of likened to salt. Salt is essential in our ity and conscience purify and motivate moral conscience can prepare us for food, but salt doesn’t make for food humans to do right, but morality and conscience in and of themselves can only stay helpful when informed by understanding and by the Bible. So, this is my simple advice. First, Some exercises and questions to train you need your conscience. Don’t your conscience with God’s Word throw it away. Second, your con- science needs to be trained. God is constantly at work teaching us, helping us learn new understanding that can liberate us from evil – which can even masquerade as good. Here are some exercises and questions to help you think about that process. Duane Covrig (Ph.D., University Talk with a close friend about difficult changes in Scripture that would have been of California, Riverside) is a pro- hard for pious peoples’ consciences to accept. Here are some examples: • The Bronze serpent – Moses lifted up the bronze serpent in the desert. Those fessor in the School of Education who looked to it were saved (Numbers 21). The Jewish people kept that bronze ser- at Andrews University, Berrien pent for hundreds of years. Eventually that good thing became a bad thing, so Hezekiah Springs, Michigan, U.S.A. E-mail: had to destroy it (2 Kings 18:4). How hard might it have been for some Jewish leaders [email protected]. to accept Hezekiah’s act? • Circumcision – God told Abraham (Genesis 17) and Moses to circumcise males. It was God’s command. But after Christ rose from the dead, Paul believed this practice REFERENCES was no longer needed (Romans 2). How did Paul come to that understanding? What 1. Martin Weber, My Tortured Conscience tradition was he working against? What Scriptures did he appear to violate? What (Hagerstown, Maryland: Review and Herald scripture did he actually uphold in his reform? Publ. Assn., 1991). 2. Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy When Christ was most hated, He was able to predict a time when His name would (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press be very popular and people would be saying “Lord, Lord,” and claim to worship Publ. Assn., 1911). Him but not be loyal to His teachings. How can even worship of Jesus and the Cross 3. Ibid., p. 101, 102. Italics supplied. become equally distorted like circumcision and the brazen serpent eventually were in 4. Ibid., p. 102. 5. Ibid. the Bible? How does this teach us to keep learning with God? 6. Ibid. Italics supplied. Ellen White wrote, “God permitted great light to shine upon the minds of these 7. Ibid., p. 108. chosen men … but they did not receive all the light that was to be given to the 8. I bid., p. 111. world.”11 What light is God sharing today that is creating reform? How are we receiv- 9. Ibid. 10. Ibid., p. xii. ing or rejecting that liberating light? How do we test our conscience? Might there be a 11. Ibid., p. 103. torture of our own souls as we give up cherished views to accept “a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawn and the morning star arises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19, NASB)?

DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 11 Ellen White and mental health therapeutics by Merlin D. Burt

Ellen G. White was no stranger White was against the modern appli- most of Ellen White’s lifetime, she to mental health issues. She person- cation of these modalities in dealing had little or nothing to say about the ally wrestled with depression in her with mental illness. Such a stand is medicinal treatment of mental illness. conversion process as a young person, far from accurate. In order to cor- Her philosophical basis for healing and her family faced some challenges rectly understand Ellen White’s views and mental health therapy was more as well. Her husband experienced about a therapeutic approach to men- wholistic, emphasizing spiritual, strokes during midlife that seemed to tal healing, one must understand the hydrotherapeutic, and natural rem- have altered his personality. A few of 19th century context of her writings. edies. She wrote: her siblings’ children suffered from Before we go into that, we must “Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, mental illness, and even her own son note two vital points. First, Ellen rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of Edson may have had an attention White frequently underscored the water, trust in divine power – these deficient disorder. In her spiritual vital importance of mental health. are the true remedies. Every person counseling work, Ellen White often “The mind controls the whole man. should have a knowledge of nature’s addressed matters of the mind. As All our actions, good or bad, have remedial agencies and how to apply seen in the last issue of Dialogue, she their source in the mind. It is the them. It is essential both to under- frequently wrote and spoke to indi- mind that worships God and allies us stand the principles involved in the viduals who were affected by emo- to heavenly beings.”1 Second, she rec- treatment of the sick and to have a tional and mental difficulties. She ognized the effect of physical health practical training that will enable one always extended hope and pointed to on the mind. “All the physical organs rightly to use this knowledge.”3 a loving heavenly Father and a tender are the servants of the mind, and The 19th century was a time of Savior who can heal and deliver those the nerves are the messengers that confused and fallacious philosophies who are wounded and broken by sin transmit its orders to every part of of healing. The default treatment and life’s adversities. the body, guiding the motions of the modality was the “traditional” heroic In dealing with mental illness and living machinery.”2 therapy advocated by Benjamin health issues, however, Ellen White Rush. He advocated bloodletting, wrote strongly against the use of Use of drugs in therapy blistering, and the use of emetics to drugs and against “psychology.” From Because of the confused and prob- relieve “fevers” or “vascular tension” this, some have concluded that Ellen lematic state of drug therapy during that he believed caused illness. This included the internal use of drugs such as calomel and the topical use of caustic chemicals. Calomel was a mercury compound used as a purga- This is the second of a two-part series on Ellen G. White and mental tive. The poor person’s alternative health. The first part, in the last issue, discussed how she understood mental to “traditional” physicians was the Thompsonian approach. Samuel health. This understanding came from her biblical view of humans, as God’s Thompson said that all disease was created beings, and her understanding of sin and its effects upon human caused by cold. He therefore sought beings. Her views rose from her close relation with God, personal experi- to increase the body’s natural heat. ence, mental health challenges within close circles, and her role as a spiritual He used lobelia, an American plant counselor. In this second part, the author deals with why Ellen G. White that had sedative and emetic char- acteristics. Other philosophies of opposed certain therapeutic methods used in her time to cure mental ill- healing included homeopathy, which ness. purported that small doses of drugs – Lisa Beardsley that produced the symptoms of a disease in a healthy person could cure

12 DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 the same disease. By the time of the efforts near the close of probation.”6 specifically on this topic: “It is not American Civil War, homeopathy was Mesmerism. During her early God’s purpose that any human being the preferred method of treatment by ministry, Ellen White was forced to should yield his mind and will to the physicians who had rejected “heroic repeatedly confront mesmerism and control of another, becoming a pas- therapy.” Beyond these therapies, its mind-manipulating methods. In sive instrument in his hands.… He there were many other treatments the United States during the mid- is not to look to any human being that had questionable philosophical 19th century, animal magnetism was as the source of healing. His depen- bases and used drugs such as opiates, a popular philosophy of healing. dence must be in God.”10 arsenic, and quinine, together with Originated by Viennese physician In a series of letters during 1901 various plant and root products of Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815), and 1902 to A. J. Sanderson and his often-unknown origin. These were it taught that an invisible magnetic wife, who were the medical direc- usually suspended in alcohol. fluid permeated the universe. Mesmer tors at St. Helena Sanitarium, Ellen Little wonder that Ellen White theorized that disease produced an White warned of the dangers of hyp- wrote against the use of drugs dur- imbalance of this fluid within the notism. “Cut away from yourselves ing her lifetime. In one of her classic human body, which could be cured everything that savors of hypnotism, statements, she said: “There are more through the use of magnets and the science by which satanic agencies who die from the use of drugs, than electrical current. He eventually work.”11 She identified the feature of all who could have died of disease abandoned the use of magnets and hypnotism that most concerned her had nature been left to do her own proposed that the “healer’s body” and revealed one of her core values work.”4 She was not opposed to the “permeated with animal magnetism, in mental healing: “The theory of use of drugs when they had lifesaving could redirect the patient’s magnetic mind controlling mind is originated results, even when the drug was dan- fluid without the use of magnets.” by Satan to introduce himself as the gerous. For a time in the treatment of The goal was to induce a “crisis” by chief worker to put human philoso- malaria, quinine was the only known altering the subject’s mental state phy where divine philosophy should drug. Ellen White indicated, “We through fever, delirium, convulsions, be. … The physician must educate are expected to do the best we can,” uncontrolled weeping, and nervous the people to look from the human to and “if quinine will save a life, use twitches. Mesmer saw these manifes- the divine.”12 quinine.”5 tations as healthy symptoms of heal- Phrenology. Phrenology was a The modern use of drugs in psy- ing. Suggestibility and dominance theory popularized in America dur- chiatric treatment has a more physi- were used to produce a trance and ing the mid-19th century. Popularized ological basis and would follow Ellen thus realign the body.7 James Braid by Orson S. Fowler and his brother White’s position that doctors under- later redefined the term “mesmerism” Lorenzo N. Fowler, phrenology held stand the “principles involved in the as hypnotism, and Mesmer became that the shape of a person’s head treatment of the sick.” Were she pres- known as the father of modern hyp- determined his or her character ent today, she would probably still nosis.8 and personality. Though based on argue that natural methods are best During 1845, Ellen White was a fallacious premise, it was widely where possible but that physiologi- forced to confront Joseph Turner, a accepted as authentic during the 19th cally-based drug therapy has its place. prominent Millerite Adventist minis- century. Ellen White became settled ter in Maine. Turner was using mes- in her opposition to this modality. Ellen White’s statement against merism. He even tried to mesmerize In 1893 she wrote of phrenology as psychology or hypnotize White. On one occasion “vain philosophy, glorying in things Three schools of healing prevalent in Poland, Maine, she was at a meet- they do not understand, assuming a in Ellen White’s time – mesmerism, ing where he sought to manipulate knowledge of human nature which is phrenology, and rest cure – influ- her. She recollected: “He had his false.”13 enced her comments on psychologi- eyes looking right out of his fingers, Rest cure. The “rest cure” modal- cal and mental health issues. White and his eyes looked like snakes eyes, ity was championed by Silas Weir was strongly opposed to all three. evil.”9 Her experiences in confronting Mitchell as the answer to nervous In 1862, she wrote: “The sciences of this man, together with her vision- disorders. Mitchell advocated com- phrenology, psychology, and mesmer- ary guidance, placed her in opposi- plete rest and an absence of any sen- ism are the channel through which tion to hypnotic mind-controlling sory stimuli. This method demanded he [Satan] comes more directly to modalities that removed a person’s that the subject have no visitors, this generation and works with that God-given mental independence and letters, reading, writing, washing, power which is to characterize his freedom. She wrote very directly and exercise, or even the presence of light

DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 13 or sound. Rest was to be enforced, never before seen.”17 She even gave an of human counselors show that Ellen uninterrupted, and prolonged. Ellen imperative for counseling. “When a White remained confident that Jesus White contradicted this view: “[T]he crisis comes in the life of any soul. … was the ultimate helper and healer. sick should be taught that it is wrong It is the consistent life, the revelation Yet human counselors, whether to suspend all physical labor in order of a sincere, Christlike interest for the friend, parent, pastor, physician, or to regain health.”14 soul in peril, that will make counsel psychologist, are to help the person to The philosophical basis of these effectual to persuade and win into Jesus as the “never-failing Friend in three 19th-century modalities, though safe paths.” Those who neglect this whom we can confide all the secrets popular at the time, have been shown work “will have to give an account of the soul.”21 to be fallacious. When Ellen White for their neglect of those whom they Mental and emotional healing, used the terms “psychology” and “sci- might have blessed, strengthened, like physical healing, is a process ence,” she was speaking of these spu- upheld, and healed.”18 that takes time. A reading of Ellen rious and erroneous movements and Ellen White’s own experience as White’s writings reveals a remarkable not the modern definitions of these a counselor is an application of this degree of sensitivity to the some- terms. On one occasion, she even statement. Though not trained in times-lengthy process psychological wrote positively when using the term psychology, she helped many to bet- help requires. “psychology” in a more general sense: ter emotional and mental health “The true principles of psychology during her lifetime. To this day, her Conclusion are found in the Holy Scriptures. writings provide a helpful philosophi- Ellen White’s approach to thera- Man knows not his own value. He cal and theological framework that peutic treatment of the mentally ill acts according to his unconverted supports “medical missionary” activ- focused on an application of prin- temperament of character because he ity, as she called it, in the fields of ciples. She supported counseling and does not look unto Jesus, the Author psychiatry and psychology. natural healing methods. Her sweep- and Finisher of his faith.”15 For Ellen Some well-meaning Christians ing rejection of drugs is based on the White, correct “psychology” had have been unwilling to speak to erroneous philosophies of healing a high view of the value of human mental health professionals out of that were current in her day and the beings as understood in the light of fear that God does not want them to dangerous chemicals and drugs that the gift of Jesus and the love of God. tell another human of their sins or were used. Her statements against For her the goal of psychological weaknesses. They think that by seek- “psychology” and “science” are relat- study was how to reconnect the per- ing psychological help they betray ed to her opposition to mesmerism, son with God as the great healer of their faith because they are looking phrenology, and the “rest cure.” the mind and soul. to humans for help rather than to As a counselor, Ellen White had God. But Ellen White is clear that extensive interactions with people Receiving psychological there are places where it is correct throughout her lifetime and dealt guidance and proper to confide in others.19 She with various types of psychological While it has been shown that was a frequent listener and counselor dysfunction. She remained sympa- Ellen White centered her philoso- to those with sorrows and perplexi- thetic and redemptive even when phy of mental health and healing on ties. She wrote the following words the condition was particularly objec- God, she did not exclude the role of of comfort to a man in Australia: tionable. She had no formal mental humans in cooperating with God. “If the human agents from whom health training and lived at a time She is clear that God can use coun- we might be led to expect help fail when mental health science was still selors to assist in bringing those with to do their part, let us be comforted rudimentary. Nevertheless she was mental and emotional illness to heal- in the thought that the heavenly able to be remarkably effective in ing: “Christ’s servants are His repre- intelligences will not fail to do their helping many people. She understood sentatives, the channels for His work- part. They will pass by those whose that emotional and mental broken- ing. He desires through them to exer- hearts are not tender and pitiful, kind ness was not cured instantly and that cise His healing powers.”16 In another and thoughtful, and ready to relieve a person could be walking with God similar statement, she wrote: “God the woes of others, and will use any but still need support and guidance. designs that the sick, the unfortunate, human agent that will be touched She believed in the necessity of direct those possessed of evil spirits, shall with the infirmities, the necessities, intervention by others who were hear His voice through us. Through the troubles, the perplexities, of peo- able to counsel and guide. Though His human agents He desires to be ple for whom Christ died.”20 A review she did not write about the role of a comforter, such as the world has of her many statements on the role psychiatrists and psychologists, she

14 DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 did write positively of the type of 8. Henry Alan Skinner, The Origin of Medical 16. The Desire of Ages (Mountain View, Terms (Baltimore, Maryland: Williams & California: Pacific Press, 1940), pp. 823, help that can be provided by these Wilkins, 1949), p. 186. 824. disciplines. We cannot precisely say 9. Ellen G. White, Manuscript 131, 1906. 17. Welfare Ministry (Washington, D.C.: Review what her reaction would be to the 10. The Ministry of Healing, p. 242. and Herald, 1952), p. 22. 11. E. White to Artur and Emma Sanderson, 18. E. White to “Brethren in responsible posi- modern practice of these disciplines, February 16, 1902 (typed), Letter 20, 1902, tions in the Review and Herald office,” but a study of her life, writings, and EGWE. January 13, 1894, Letter 70, 1894, EGWE. activities suggests that she would be 12. E. White to A. Sanderson, September 12, 19. See Mind, Character, and Personality 1901 (typed), Letter 121, 1901, EGWE. (Nashville, Southern Publ. Assn., 1977), vol. supportive of Christian psychological 13. E. White to E. J. Waggoner, January 22, 2, pp. 763-788. practice that was in harmony with a 1893, Letter 78, 1893, EGWE. 20. E. White to J. R. Buster, August 3, 1894, biblical philosophy of healing. 14. Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 555. Letter 4, 1894, EGWE. 15. “Following Christ,” Manuscript 56, 1899, 21. Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 502. EGWE.

Merlin D. Burt (Ph.D., Andrews University) is director of the Center for Adventist Research and Ellen G. White Estate Branch Office, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, U.S.A. His email is [email protected]. A portion of this paper was origi- nally presented at the Symposium on Christian Worldview and Mental Health: Seventh-Day Adventist Perspectives, August 28-September 2, 2008, Rancho Palos Verdes, California.

REFERENCES 1. Fundamentals of Christian Education (Nashville, Tenn.: Southern Pub. Assn., 1923), p. 426. Unless otherwise stated, all references are from the writings of Ellen G. White. EGWE refers to Ellen G. White Estate, located at the General Conference Headquarters, Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. Ibid. 3. The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1942), p. 127. 4. Spiritual Gifts (Battle Creek, Michigan: Seventh-day Adventist, 1864), 4:135. 5. Selected Messages, (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1958), 2: 282 (footnote); S.P.S. Edwards to F.D. Nichol, November 24, 1957, Question and Answer File 34-B-2, EGWE. 6. Testimonies for the Church ((Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1948), 1:290. 7. Irving Kirsch, Steven Jay Lynn, and Judith W. Rhue, “Introduction to Clinical Hypnosis,” in Handbook of Clinical Hypnosis (Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association, 1993), 5; John C. Burnham, “Franz Anton Mesmer,” International Encyclopedia of Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychoanalysis, and Neurology, ed. Benjamin B. Wolman (New York: Aesculapius Publishers, 1977), 7:213.

DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 15 Can faith and science be divorced? by Gary B. Swanson A layman argues that science got its roots and flourished in the soil of Christian thought, and that there’s much in common between the two

In the first segment of The expose the religions of this world as was with God, and the Word was Triangle, a three-part made-for- the fakes they are and their found- God. He was in the beginning with TV miniseries about the so-called ers as the liars and opportunists they God. All things were made through Bermuda Triangle, a character asks were.”2 Him, and without Him nothing was an engineer with four post-graduate But science, however it is represent- made that was made” (John 1:1-3, degrees, “Why does it always seem ed today, has not always been at odds NKJV). the more education a person has, the with religion. In fact, in the Western An artist must exist before she more unwilling they are to accept tradition, science got its start from touches her brush to the canvas. A new ideas?” the Christian search for a greater musician must exist before he creates Notwithstanding the poor gram- understanding of God. a cantata. To create the world, God mar – and at the risk of sounding “Science took root and flourished had to exist before its creation. anti-intellectual – he has a point. in the soil of Christian thought,” says And humankind can learn more In a later exchange, after a discus- Alvin Plantinga. “It was nourished by about God through His creation. The sion has ensued about the causes of the Christian idea that both we and psalmist sang, “The heavens declare unexplained phenomena, the same our world were created by the same the glory of God; the skies proclaim character observes, “Everyone uses personal God, the same living God, the work of his hands. Day after day supernatural like it’s a dirty word!” the same conscious being with intel- they pour forth speech; night after What he is talking about is the lect, understanding, and reason. And night they display knowledge. There conflict that has arisen between those not only were we created by God, is no speech or language where their of faith and those who have elected we were created in His image. And voice is not heard. Their voice goes themselves as spokespersons for sci- a most important part of the divine out into all the earth, their words to ence. image in us is our ability to resemble the ends of the world” (Psalm 19:1-4, In recent times, some outspoken God in having knowledge, knowledge NIV). proponents of evolution, for example, of our world around us, knowledge of To which the Apostle Paul added: have become increasingly aggressive ourselves, knowledge, even, of God “Since the creation of the world God’s in their denunciation of religion. Himself.”3 invisible qualities – his eternal power The in-your-face arguments of many Out of this kind of thinking and divine nature – have been clearly thinkers and writers who seek to rep- arose the beginnings of what we in seen, being understood from what has resent science have at times taken on the West today call science. It was been made, so that men are without all the characteristics of intellectual originally a tool that was intended excuse” (Romans 1:20, NIV). trash-talk. to bring us closer to our Creator by God created humankind with the Richard Dawkins contemptu- focusing on and learning more about capacity to learn ever more about ously – and publicly – describes the ourselves and the world we live in. Him through the ways in which He religious as “dyed-in-the-wool faith- Scripture, of course, presupposes reveals Himself, one of the most heads [who are] immune to argu- God’s existence. Without a belief remarkable of which is His creation, ment.”1 Christopher Hitchens titles in God, the study of the Bible is no the natural world. one of his books God Is Not Great: more than an intellectual exercise in Ellen White asserts that “nature How Religion Poisons Everything. Sam literary scholarship. is full of lessons of the love of God. Harris levels criticism at all faiths But the Bible even asserts God’s Rightly understood, these lessons – Christian, Muslim, Jewish, even temporal pre-existence: “In the begin- lead to the Creator. They point Mormon – and asserts: “It’s time we ning was the Word, and the Word from nature to nature’s God, teach-

16 DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 ing those simple, holy truths which tion to which our culture is being Interestingly, however, the search cleanse the mind, bringing it into subjected today. And with every bit for extraterrestrial intelligence is at close touch with God. These lessons as much enmity and intolerance as the center of the plot of Carl Sagan’s emphasize the truth that science the Inquisition of old, those who rep- science fiction book Contact, which and religion cannot be divorced.”4 resent science are seeking to root out was made into a film in 1997. Among Elsewhere, she writes of what she what they consider to be heresy. other provocative themes, the film calls “the harmony of science and Proponents of evolution even version explores the relationship Bible religion.”5 become militant in their attempts to between faith and science. Yet, most of those who claim to prevent any alternative explanations Central character Dr. Ellie represent science today have indeed of origins from being represented in Arrington, a lead researcher in a sued for separation from faith. They school curricula. “Atheist fundamen- SETI-like project and ardent believer have, in fact, even sought to prevent talism,” as Alister McGrath describes in the religion that science has those of faith from expressing them- it,7 has declared all-out war on the become, is transported in a scien- selves in the open discourse of learn- transcendent. tific research experiment somewhere ing. This is much like demanding a Yet, on close examination, science far distant in the cosmos. There divorce … and a gag order. is not truly antagonistic to faith. she communicates extensively with The Public Employees for Neither are scientists as unanimous other beings in a world that has been Environmental Responsibility, a in their disavowal of the supernatu- constructed to simulate Earth so she consortium of scientists and envi- ral as some would have the public will be made to feel comfortable. ronmentalists, for example, have believe. To be sure, the majority, When she returns to Earth, however, protested the U.S. National Park those to whom the media seem to according to the scientific instru- Service’s persistence in offering for be featuring most intently, may have mentation that has recorded the data sale a Creationist account of the denied belief in the existence of God, from the experiment, she has been Grand Canyon’s formation in the but this position is by no means gone only a matter of seconds. The visitors’ center there. This consortium undisputed. data show clearly that she has not had bills itself as “assisting federal and Research by Rice University soci- nearly enough time to account for state public employees … to work as ologist of religion Elaine Howard her experience as she describes it. So, ‘anonymous activists’ so that agencies Ecklund reported in 2005 that only ironically, Dr. Arrington, a fervent must confront the message, rather 41 percent of biologists and 27 per- believer in science, now finds herself than the messenger.”6 This group cent of political scientists declare testifying before a kind of inquisi- demands that the public must be disbelief in God.8 Though, of course, tion, in which she is trying to defend protected from the message that there the remaining majority would include her personal experience, even though is an alternative to science’s explana- agnostics and an array of beliefs in it flies in the face of what appears in tion for the formation of the Grand the transcendent, atheism is clearly the instrumentation. Canyon. not universal in science. The panel before which Dr. Curiously, in the historical battle In October 1992, the National Arrington is interrogated ultimately between faith and science, the two Aeronautics and Space Administration rejects her “Damascus road” experi- have reversed roles. The Inquisition embarked upon a 10-year search for ence because there is no empirical of the Dark Ages is a matter of extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). evidence for it other than her word, sound, well-documented historical Before that, there had been 50 but the film leaves wide open the idea fact, and those who questioned the such attempts by various scientific of the transcendent. orthodoxies of faith were dealt with groups since 1960. When NASA in cruel and inhuman ways. became involved, however, utilizing The gulf that isn’t But without in any way affirm- a worldwide array of massive radio- At the end of the day, the gulf ing the atrocious methods of the telescopes, it provided 10,000 more between faith and reason isn’t Inquisition of the church that lasted frequencies at 300 times the sensitiv- between religion and science. True for six appalling centuries, at least it ity of previous such attempts. scientists will admit that their basis was being operated “ideally” from a Essentially, the SETI project sent for belief can no more be proven than concern for the eternal salvation of the out to the cosmos the message: “Is that of believers in the transcendent. heretics and of the wider society who there anybody out there?” And then it It is just that the majority of the most could be negatively affected by them. listened for documented answers. It all influential self-appointed spokesper- There is, however, no concern over sounds very much like science fiction. sons for science in today’s culture the eternal in the scientific inquisi- Science it is; fiction it isn’t. believe in naturalism: the idea that

DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 17 all phenomena can be explained by chance and necessity. But, increas- REFERENCES natural (as opposed to supernatural) ingly, scholars are admitting that 1. Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion (New York: Houghton Mifflin Co., 2006), p. 28. causes. The word believe is used here there is so much evidence of intelli- 2. http://www.youtube.com/user/AntiChrist67, because they cannot prove naturalism gent design that this can be ignored accessed December 6, 2008. scientifically. They have faith that it only by those who stubbornly close 3. Alvin Plantinga, http://www.calvin.edu/ 10 january/2000/plant.htm, accessed December is true. their eyes to it.” 3, 2008. Alvin Plantinga reminds us that More and more, world-renowned 4. Ellen G. White, Manuscript 67, 1901. “naturalism and evolution together scientists and philosophers are open- 5. Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press really undermine science … because ing their minds to the possibility, at Publ. Assn., 1948), vol. 4, p. 274. their combination makes it impossible least, that science and philosophy 6. http://www.peer.org, accessed February 5, to see how there could arise human need not be mutually exclusive of 2007. 7. Alister E. and Joanna Collicutt McGrath, beings like us who have a real capacity religion. In 2004, an Associated The Dawkins Delusion? (Downers Grove, Ill.: to understand the world around us in Press article reported: “A British IVP Books, 2007), p. 11. 8. http://media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot. a deep and profound way. Naturalism philosophy professor who has been asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=7583&SnID=895 and evolution together make that a leading champion of atheism for 062746, accessed January 12, 2007. impossible to understand.”9 more than a half century has changed 9. Plantinga, op cit., italics supplied. 11 10. Reinder Bruinsma, Walking the Walk: The Those who believe in the inspira- his mind.” The story goes on to Christian Life, Adult Bible Study Guide, tion and validity of Scripture as a account Anthony Flew’s newly-stated April 26, 2009. revelation of God’s character will belief that scientific evidence has to 11. Anthony Flew, There Is a God: How the World’s Most Notorious Atheist Changed His see their belief confirmed in their allow for more than mere materialist Mind (New York: HarperCollins, 2007), p. observations of nature. In the shim- answers. vii. mering glow of the northern lights, True science isn’t God’s enemy. the delicate fragrance of a gardenia, He initiated it as a valid, affirming the cheering trill of a meadowlark, means of revealing Himself to us. To the astonishing workings of the the true scientist, supernatural isn’t human body, they can perceive the a dirty word. Nor has the divorce of Dialogue online unmistakable intent of a loving faith and science ever been consum- Now you can read online some of the God. mated. best articles and interviews that you may “But the Bible passages take have missed in earlier issues of Dialogue. us a step further. They also sug- Check our new, user-friendly Web site: gest that the nonbeliever, by look- Gary B. Swanson (M.A., Loma ing at nature, will somehow catch Linda University), is the associ- http://dialogue.adventist.org a glimpse of a divine Power that ate director of the Department designed and made all that is. In of Sabbath School and Personal today’s world many close their eyes Ministries at the General to this aspect. They have imbibed Conference of Seventh-day evolutionary thinking and want to Adventists in Silver Spring, explain all that exists in terms of Maryland, U.S.A.

18 DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 PROFILE Francisco Badilla Briones Dialogue with a Chilean Seventh-day Adventist artist and aesthetic philosopher Interview by Ruben Sanchez-Sabaté

He speaks without words. He ing in the Armando Dufey Blanc Art caresses without hands. He inquires School in Temuco, works on com- without questions. He is a painter: missioned paintings, and is involved his paintings are able to trigger in in illustrating a poetry book. He is the viewer a combination of ideas, also preparing to paint a 40-feet- feelings, and emotions. In short, he long mural for the main Seventh-day touches our spirit. He is Francisco Adventist church in his hometown Badilla Briones, a Chilean painter and has just established a Web site whose art concretizes the gospel (http://www.franciscobadilla.com) message in an aesthetically contem- where anyone can get to know more porary language. about his work. Born in 1974 in the southern region of Chile, Sanchez began using ■ Why did you choose painting when the brush when he was just a boy. both the Protestant tradition and the Later as a college student, he com- Seventh-day Adventist culture gener- pleted a two-year basic course in ally prefer music and hardly ever pro- arts in the Catholic University in mote painting as an aesthetic language Temuco, Chile, and then obtained a through which one can relate to God? teaching degree in visual arts. Later I started drawing when I was a he completed a licentiate degree in kid – as early as 4. I went through fine arts with concentration in paint- various topics that I liked as a child, ing. His thesis was on the symbol of from soldiers and armies to animals, the Cross in art throughout history. musicians, sports, etc. I used to Badilla’s efforts to capture spiritu- spend most of my day drawing and ality in his work has given him ample painting. At that time I was not a recognition and many awards. He has Seventh-day Adventist, but when I also been able to paint two murals got to know Adventism as a teenager, in educational institutions in Chile I developed an artistic taste for draw- and got extensive media coverage ing and painting. It is true that the of his exhibitions. One of his exhibi- Adventist tradition thinks music is tions, called Permanence, motivated a really important in worship, but I long article in the cultural magazine think God can use our different tal- Kimelchen, which depicted Badilla as ents when we offer them to Him and an artist able to create both figu- decide to place them under His guid- rative and abstract paintings, and ance. As I see it, painting can be a whose work, inspired by Jesus Christ, channel through which I can express expresses his spiritual musings. my questions and my visions regard- Currently, Badilla teaches paint- ing God.

DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 19 As far as the Adventist bias that somehow relate us to that event. On times, images were considered “the looks at music as being close to God the other hand, I must say the social letters of the illiterate,” but now it and painting as distant from Him, state of affairs in South and Central has to be symbolic, contemporary, may I say that God Himself is the America have been also a source of poetic, and able to enhance the sens- great painter – just look at the beau- inspiration for me. I have been able es towards the knowledge of God. ty, richness, and variety in creation. to transform events of simple life in We need to develop art that may metaphors of biblical ideas as they be a channel to share Christ’s mes- ■ You wrote a thesis for the licenti- are reflected in my paintings The sage. I think our church lacks educa- ate degree on the connection between Sower and Sorting. These paintings tion in visual arts and, consequently, Puritanism and painting. What did are figurative and show my transition in aesthetic appreciation. That is you find? from the abstract to realism. why, if churches had contemporary Puritans generally considered works of art, these would be a means images sinful. Puritan art is defined ■ Who has influenced you as an art- of visual education. What is more as aniconic purism, since for them ist? How would you define yourself? important, they could become an images were of an impure nature. In contemporary religious art, I aesthetic experience reinforcing the Luther’s Reformation also labeled as like the work of George Rouault; joy of worshipping God. heresy all those images representing who is a French expressionist, and the death of Jesus. So the countries of William Congdon, who is an ■ Tell us about your creative process. that accepted the Reformation had American abstract expressionist. How do you feel you are inspired to do an art form without any representa- Both of them developed a Christian a painting? tion of either saints or virgins, or art of strong codes and violent traces Inspiration is not something that even Jesus. Art focused on land- and environments. In these artists, comes along, but something that scapes, traditional scenery, objects, the Christian message is pictured must be sought for. I feel inspired still life, etc. The artists had to paint clearly, honestly, and beautifully. I by God when I look for it and man- just what their eyes were able to see; love abstraction but I also like figu- age to reflect on ideas about Jesus. they were not to fantasize with imag- rative art and texture. My work is a Sometimes, I draw some sketches es that might corrupt their souls and combination of abstraction, texture, and write some ideas and reflections minds. Later on, in those countries, and shapes. I cannot place myself in regarding the Word of God. Thus I new modern artistic styles appeared a single contemporary artistic trend. give start to a creative process, which that were linked to the mind and the often ends in a new painting. Being spirit rather than to feelings and sen- ■ Where would you like to have your an artist is being humble; it means suality, as it is the case with abstract, paintings exhibited? to let God use us as an instrument in minimalist, or concept art. That In any place where they can con- His work. I like to think of myself as is one reason why I suggest in my vey a message about God, where they a channel in the aesthetic expression thesis using a combination of several may be able to reach an inquiring of His message. elements in order to create visual audience. I would also like to reach metonymies which may symbolize the art gallery or museum audiences, ■ Let us talk about some of your the death of Christ. of course, and in recognizable places works. In your work Space and Time where I may be able to show my I can see the incarnation (see http:// ■ But in your paintings we can also paintings in a way that their exhibi- www.franciscobadilla.com/imagenes/ witness open representations of Jesus. tion enhances the dimension of those espacioytiempo.jpg). That is correct. Within the places, such as schools, universities, That is correct; it is a symbol Adventist culture, to deal with and churches. of Christ. It represents Christ in sensuality is rather complicated. His bodily form and in His role of As an “Adventist artist,” I question ■ Do you think it appropriate for our mediator between God and humans. the Protestant iconography , but I churches to display works of art? Hegel said that art is an intermedi- wish to explore its limits and find Why not? But we must be selec- ary between matter and idea, and a contemporary pictorial language. tive. Not every work of art leads to in my willingness to explore that This goal has made me picture the worship of God. Also we must strive definition, I have created a painting passion of Jesus in paintings where to find arts that reflects technical, of much “carnality,” but at the same I just make use of paint, and then I expressive, and symbolic quality. Art time abstract and symbolic. add objects such as beams, nails, and must be a language that communi- thorns, among others, which may cates Christian content. In ancient ■ How can art help us to transcend

20 DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 space and time limitations so as to them, even though society actually what our reality is. We must come have a glimpse of concepts that solely needs Him. to a place where we can decode the belong to God, such as the eternal, the symbol of the Cross in our everyday all-knowing, all-powerful, and omni- ■ Don’t you think that Jesus is too lives, so as to enlarge our perception present? Catholic and too Western? Are you of reality as God’s children in need By appreciating art and by medi- influenced by the fact that you studied of Him. tating and entering into a dialogue in a Catholic school? with a work of art. In order for this The point is we do not have to happen, an aesthetic experience is Protestant iconography. Therefore, Ruben Sanchez-Sabaté has com- needed – visual in this case – which it is natural that an image of Jesus’ pleted two degrees at in Pompeu may allow us to rejoice in God. In crucifixion refers us to Catholic Fabra University in Barcelona, symbolic and polysemic languages, paintings. Spain (humanities and journalism). art opens up our perception toward a At the present he is a freelance better knowledge of God. When we ■ What I see is that your Jesus, unlike journalist and is planning to pursue listen to a piece of church music we others, transmits a lot of peace. In postgraduate studies. His e-mail is enjoy the perception that its message order to paint that peace, is it essential [email protected]. was composed to praise and worship to feel it in the first place? God. The same thing should happen Well, as a painter, I have to be at Francisco Badilla Briones’ e-mail: with visual arts. peace, but at the same time I need [email protected]. to be restless, feeling the need for ■ Why have you divided the painting God. In order to paint Christ, it is in two spheres? important to feel that peace which The painting prepared as a dip- allows for making decisions in paint- tic represents two different events ing, trusting God to guide my work in the life, death, and resurrection so that it can reach and touch the of Christ. The small format in the hearts of viewers. right side of the painting is death, with colors symbolizing carnality ■ In your work Symbol and Reality, and blood. The one on the left sym- where is the symbol and where is the bolizes Christ’s resurrection, where reality? (http://www.franciscobadilla. the white space is heaven, which com/imagenes/simboloyrealidad.jpg) opens to receive its victorious king In this poliptic, symbol and real- – thanks to Christ’s sacrifice – so ity are intertwined. The Cross is a that we can have access to God. The symbol that is not represented in a use of tactile textures reinforces the conventional way but as the image syntax toward a meaning of Christ’s of a man carrying a beam; that is to bodily nature, something contended say, the Cross is a symbol, but it is by iconoclasts. This time, however, also a reality in the here and now for these two theophanies are expressed each one of us. When we think of without images. Calvary, we must see our reality. The formats at the right symbolize ■ In reference to your painting Jesus, the Trinity: God the Father above, what meaning does the crucified Jesus in the center, and the Holy Jesus have in our postmodern society? Spirit below. For the reality to sink (http://www.franciscobadilla.com/ima- in to us, it depends on how we relate genes/jesus.jpg) to the power and grace of Trinity. For our postmodern society, Jesus is just history: a historical and ■ How does symbolism contribute to relevant event that gave origin to our perception of reality? Christian thought. I think that our A symbol gives us identity. It refers society does not want to see Jesus on us to what we are; it points to the the cross, or in any other way. To a Christ who died for our sins, and certain extent, it is uncomfortable for that should be enough to show us

DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 21 PROFILE Cynthia Prime An Adventist businesswoman with a heart for HIV/AIDS orphans in Swaziland Interview by Heide Ford

En erg eti c a n d fu n-l ov i n g, Cyn th ia New Yo rk’s Bergdo rf Go o dma n a n d P ri m e i s a v i s i o na ry with a r ea ch f o r L o n do n’s Ha rro ds. th e n ew a n d th e cha l l en g i n g. Sh e i s as Mo r e r ec en tly, Cyn th ia’s pass i o n m u ch a t eas e with th e ri ch a n d g la m o r- f o r th e l ess f o rtu na te has ta ken h er o us as s h e i s h u gg i n g AIDS o rpha ns. to Af ri ca to wo rk a m o n g HIV/AIDS Bo rn i n Tri n i dad, Cyn th ia d r ea m ed o f o rpha ns. To g eth er with Li n da Sch u ltz, bec om i n g a phy s i c ia n, ca ri n g f o r th e h er m i n i stry pa rtn er, Cyn th ia i s d i r ect- s i ck i n s om e r em o te, f o rg o tten pa rt i n g Seeds o f Hop e Outr ea ch, a n o n- o f th e wo rl d. After g rad ua ti n g f rom p ro fit o rga n i za ti o n d e d i ca ted to s owi n g h i gh s ch o o l, s h e m oved to New Yo rk h op e, g rowi n g d r ea ms a n d cha n g i n g to beg i n a n u rs i n g p ro g ra m o n a tra ck th e futu r e o f o rpha ns a n d vu l n era bl e towa rd bec om i n g a do cto r. But h er ch i l d r en a n d wom en. d r ea m en d e d qu i ckly wh en s h e c o u l dn’t stoma ch th e s i gh t o f bl o o d a n d i d en ti- ■ Did y ou ev er wonder why y our child - fi ed to o i n tens ely with pa ti en ts’ pa i n. hood dream was so different fr om y our Instead, Cyn th ia c omp l eted a n pr ofessional journey? u n d erg rad ua te d eg r ee i n En g l i s h a n d a I believ e G od created us dreamers. g rad ua te d eg r ee i n rad i o a n d TV. Over He prepares us as He leads us along a th e yea rs, s h e wo rked f o r a c omm u n ity dream path step, b y step until one day n ew spa p er, as a r ep o rter, i n p u bl i c the bigger purpose for our existence r ela ti o ns, a n d as a n exec utive ca r eer - unfolds and w e recogniz e not only why ma nag em en t c o ns u lta n t. w e are here but also why w e trav eled After s h e ma rri ed Ph i l ip P ri m e, the path w e did to get there. He has a ch em i st, th e c o up l e m oved to a place for ev ery gift and ability, and, In d ia na p o l i s a n d ra i s ed th r ee ch i l d r en giv en the opportunity, He will point – o n e da u gh ter a n d two adopted h i gh- us to it. ri s k teen s o ns. A ctive i n h er h om e ch u rch, Cyn th ia f o u n d h er j oy i n yo uth ■ What did y ou learn in the fragrance o utr ea ch a n d i n wom en’s m i n i stry business, and how did y ou minister to a n d l en t h er vo i c e f o r th e vo i c el ess. people there? Fo r n ea rly 10 yea rs, s h e p r es en ted I ’ve a l w a y s l ove d f r a g r a n c e . T h e s em i na rs emp oweri n g ba tter ed wom en o l f a c t o ry s e n s e i s a s i m p o rt a n t a s t h e a n d teen g i rls a n d h o ste d c o n f er en c es o t h e r s , b u t g re a t l y u n d e re s t i m a t e d . ad d r es s i n g dom esti c v i o l en c e. Sh e W h i l e i n t h a t b u s i n e s s , t h e re we re f o u n d ed o n e o f th e fi rst s h elters f o r o p p o rt u n i t i e s t o m e e t p e o p l e we o rd i- ba tter ed A dven ti st wom en i n th e La ke n a r i l y d o n’t m e e t a n d l e t t h e m s e e Un i o n C o n f er en c e. C h r i s t i n o u r l i ve s . I h a ve a d re a m o f After s evera l yea rs o f a s u c c ess fu l s e e i n g t h a t i n d u s t ry u s e d t o i n s p i re a n d ca r eer as a ma nag em en t c o ns u lta n t, e m p owe r. I ’d l i k e t o s e e i t c re a t e j o b s i n Cyn th ia, with h er h us ba n d, f o u n d ed a p l a c e s l i k e s u b - Sa h a r a n A f r i c a , w h e re f rag ra n c e c ompa ny wh o s e p ro d u cts a r e s e x h a s b e c o m e t r a n s a c t i o n a l b e c a u s e f ea tu r e d by r en own ed r eta i l ers s u ch as p e o p l e h a ve ru n o u t o f o p t i o n s .

22 DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 ■ How did you go from prestigious fra- a stigma associated with their condi- ■ If readers are interested in helping, grance to poverty-stricken AIDS orphans? tion that makes pain and rejection a how can they get involved with SOHO? My ah-ha moment came three years daily reality. They suffer a lack of basic Volunteering is a good start. We ago. I was invited to be a camp meet- necessities like food, safe shelter, and need musicians, teachers, medical ing speaker in Swaziland, in southern clothing, and are easy prey to abuse. personnel, sports and fitness pros, etc. Africa, with one of the highest HIV/ SOHO Welcome Places are multi- Students can be advocates on their AIDS infection rates in the world. Out purpose centers where children are fed, campuses by raising awareness and of a population of one million, there spiritually nurtured, and schooled, and generating support. We don’t want just are 120,000 orphans and vulnerable where life skills necessary to their sur- donations, as badly as they are needed children (OVC). vival in society are taught. We foster to keep SOHO programs going. We Even before my visit, what I learned entrepreneurship through various voca- need people to become a voice for touched a sensitive chord in me, and it tional skills training programs, such as those who have none. Get on our Web seemed that my childhood dream was sewing, woodwork, welding, weaving, site or give us a call at www.seedsof- about to be realized but in a different and farming. hopeoutreach.org. way. I felt called to heal hearts rather than bodies. The first time a wave of ■ In spite of the limitations of a small ■ What are your next steps? 1,000 orphans stood before me, I knew NGO, you have formed a strong network. We have begun a special program for that my life would never be the same Tell us about some of your partners. households headed by children, pre- again. I gave up the security of my job The Agriculture and Engineering teen to 17. PBS (Public Broadcasting and dived in head first. I learned the Departments at Purdue University Service) has indicated an interest in meaning of walking by faith, and God in Indiana have partnered, as well as doing a documentary. This is a long has shown up repeatedly to demon- the Psychology Department at Nova way, but at the end of it, God will ask strate His power. The work moves for- Southeastern University in Florida. us all for the lambs who are without ward on the wings of prayer alone. You Recently, eight doctoral students and protection and provision because of don’t do what you do to be thanked or their professor went to Swaziland and AIDS. I pray that there will be many appreciated. You do it because there are did Train-the-Trainer in crisis and sui- to present to Jesus. no other options. cide prevention. Some public schools I’m also planning to publish a book are also involved. to encourage people (women espe- ■ Seeds of Hope Outreach (SOHO) was Andrews University in Michigan has cially) to push the limits and venture born out of a speaking invitation? just become a partner in a 27-hectare for God. Changing the world is not Yes, as I planned to go to Swaziland, farm that will generate food for OVCs the job of celebrities but of ordinary the ADRA (Adventist Development and provide support for God’s work people through whom God wants to and Relief Agency) office there asked in Swaziland, where the income levels do extraordinary work. me to help with clothing for several have dropped, as so many employees thousand children. And food for one have died because of AIDS. SOHO thousand, since I told them that if the is also collaborating with Swaziland’s Heide Ford (M.A. Andrews orphans did not eat, neither would AMICAALL (the Alliance of Mayors’ Univeristy, Michigan, U.S.A.) is I. Wow! I was overwhelmed. Danny Initiatives for Community Action on director of the Women’s Resource Shelton at 3ABN (Three Angels AIDS at the Local Level) to develop a Center at La Sierra University in Broadcasting Network) saw me stag- prevention program for HIV/AIDS. Riverside, California. WRC’s mis- gering under the immensity of the sion is professional and leadership need and asked a question that I never ■ We hear so much about AIDS victims. development of women and advoca- forgot: “Whose work is this, Cynthia?” How can we avoid becoming callous to cy for gender justice in the Seventh- Danny was one of the first donors to their needs? day Adventist Church (http://www. help start this ministry, and the dona- To begin with, we need to recognize AdventistWomensCenter.org). Her tions from those first broadcast inter- that AIDS sufferers are not just statis- e-mail: [email protected]. views are what kept the work growing tics; they are people. Children, young the first year. people, who otherwise would be full Cynthia Prime’s e-mail address: of promise. Each child is the face of [email protected]. ■ You feel called to heal hearts. How are Christ before us. We each must use you doing that? what He has given us to do the best SOHO Web site: One thing orphans learn early in life we can. Once that commitment takes www.seedsofhopeoutreach.org. is that they are not welcome. There is over, how can we become callous?

DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 23 BOOKS

Armageddon at the Door The sixth chapter analyzes the end-time role and con- by Jon Paulien (Hagerstown, Maryland: text of the seven last plagues of Revelation 16 and creates Autumn House, 2008. 223 pages; the background for interpreting Armageddon (which is paperback). related to the sixth plague). Chapter seven deals with the exegetical challenge of interpreting certain prophetic spe- Reviewed by Ikechukwu Oluikpe cifics of Armageddon in Revelation 17. Chapters eight and nine deal with major confederacies involved in the war of Armageddon and are identified on the basis of the author’s exegesis of Revelation 12-17. The final two chapters of the book enumerate the major events of Armageddon, while chapter twelve contains reflections on the implications of the study’s view of Armageddon for the present time, beginning with the war on terror and Armageddon has been a subject of much discussion concluding with basic spiritual principles that are perti- in recent times, especially in light of the international nent to the reader’s preparedness for what is coming. military conflicts of major world powers. Such discus- Even though the book deals with Armageddon against sions, and the aroused interest in the biblical mention of the background of current discussions on historic wars, Armageddon in the context of end-time events, demand a the spiritual and pastoral nature of the book must not be clear understanding of what Armageddon is all about. missed. For example, the author states that the purpose Jon Paulien, dean of the School of Religion at Loma of prophecy is not to satisfy curiosity but to teach us how Linda University, a former professor of New Testament to live today (pp. 166, 172, 193). The author continues to interpretation at Andrews University, and a pro- stress the point that Armageddon is a struggle/battle for lific author, provides a study on the biblical view of the mind (pp. 113-115,118, 120, 141, 170, 193) and that Armageddon, investigating the significance of the term God is in control of end-time events even when they seem within the context of the book of Revelation and the rest to be getting out of hand (pp. 94, 132, 150, 167, 194- of the New Testament. He does this in 12 chapters and 196). He also reminds us that the hard texts of Scripture an appendix. make us return to study God’s Word more, even though In the first two chapters, the author presents an over- all texts are not clear and easy to understand (pp. 97, 98, view of wars in history and how preachers have related 121-123, 200-202). When things are not clear, that pro- them to the biblical Armageddon. Many evangelists, vides opportunity for deception to play its role: hence the including Adventists, have seen the implication of major need for more prayer, Bible study, and watchful trust that wars for the Armageddon moment. The two world wars, God will take us through the final crisis. the Cold War, and presently the war on terror (possibly The book simplifies the exegetical process for interpret- leading to another world war) have been viewed by many ing the Book of Revelation by providing hermeneutical as the beginning of Armageddon. Paulien discusses the principles that are easy to understand, even for lay per- current war on terror by presenting the defining issues sons. The author’s use of diagrams to summarize signifi- that led to its beginning. He traces the origin of Al- cant points, and repetition of important links are useful Qaeda, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and explains the tools to explain a complex topic. At the same time, the power tussle and negotiations between the United States author cautions and warns against the tendency to be and the Islamic jihadists and their implications. simplistic and to make specific predictions, speculations, Chapter two takes up both sides of the war on terror: and date-setting about events to come. the American side and the Jihadist (Al-Qaeda) side. One criticism needs to be mentioned. While I appreci- Chapters three and four describe the author’s personal ate the author’s opinion and evaluation of the “Mount search for the meaning of Armageddon. Though the Megiddo (or Mount Carmel) view of Armageddon,” he author presents major views of Armageddon (pp. 53, 54), fails to mention the “Mount of Assembly” view, which he holds to the view that Armageddon is the symbolic has its merits. All said, however, Paulein’s work is a valu- name for the antitypical events of Mount Carmel and able contribution to the study of Armageddon. The book that this fits best with the context of Revelation 13-17 is logically organized and exegetically sound, and will (pp. 57-60). Chapter five traces the Mount Carmel theme appeal to serious New Testament students as well as oth- in Revelation 12-14 and identifies the key players involved ers who seek a biblical understanding of this important in the conflict: the unholy trinity (pp. 62-68). topic.

24 DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 Ikechukwu Oluikpe (working on a Ph.D. in theol- ers that they are not alone in battling personal problems: ogy at Adventist International Institute of Advanced God is there, and He is the ultimate solution to all our Studies in the Philippines) is from Nigeria. problems. God is the greatest psychologist in the universe. His e-mail address is: [email protected]. Therefore, the use of proper psychological methods can add significantly to the growth process, and enrich our spiritual experience. This is what John Ortberg wants us to discover though his book, and he does it through lots of humor, fun, and deep practical applications. The Life You’ve Always Wanted is an invaluable aid to The Life You’ve Always Wanted spiritual growth. It ends with a study guide for further by John Ortberg (Grand Rapids, exploration of the topics discussed. I recommend the Michigan: Zondervan, 1997; 279 pp.; book to all who seek fulfillment in life within the context hardcover). of plans that God has in store.

Reviewed by Adelina Alexe Adelina Alexe is a graduate student at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, Michigan, U.S.A. E-mail: adelina. [email protected].

John Ortberg is a well-known author of bestsellers such as If You Want to Walk on Water, You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat; Everybody’s Normal Till You Get to Know Them; Amerika: Mit Gewalt and God Is Closer Than You Think. Having read these in den Gottesstaat books in my native language – Romanian – I have come (America: Theocracy by Force) by to appreciate Ortberg’s books for what they are: smart, Gerhard Padderatz (Mitteldeutscher deep, woven with information of all kinds, yet easy to Verlag, 2007; 335 pp., hardcover). comprehend and very practical for one’s daily life. Ortberg is currently the senior pastor of the Presbyterian Reviewed by Ekkehardt Mueller church in Menlo Park, California. Trained as a pastor and as a psychologist, he has the gift of combining the call of theology and the practical principles of psychology to offer the reader great principles of joyful living. The author is indeed a spiritual mentor. John Ortberg is not afraid of anything. As a good psy- chologist and a faithful believer, he cuts to the midst of a Dr. Padderatz has studied theology, history, and com- problem and finds a cure. Often the problems he address- munication. He has worked as a pastor, professor of his- es are everyday “little things” that can make a big differ- tory and social sciences, and editor in various countries, ence to our spiritual wellness. His sense of practicality is and presently is the president of a management consult- outstanding. He gives himself as an example to illustrate ing firm with offices in Frankfurt, Zurich, and Detroit, his ideas. By looking at his own experience, readers are where he lives. encouraged to give him credit for empathizing with them. His present book about America – that with determina- You are comfortable because you feel like “he knows what tion moves toward a theocracy – is to some extent coau- he is talking about; he has been there.” By being open thored by Christian Wannemaker, who works in the field with his audience, Ortberg gives us the chance to real- of philosophical ethics. Before 1980, Padderatz spent two ize that he really can identify with us. We compare his years in the U.S., which he describes as a marvelous coun- growth areas with our growth areas, his challenges with try, being especially intrigued with its freedom, open- our challenges, and eventually his solution with our solu- ness, and tolerance. His dream to live there permanently tion, increasing thus the possibility that people can follow became true in 2002. through on his advice. However, he noticed that after September 11, 2001, a The author’s spiritual focus raises the trust level of read- marked change took place in America, leading to a mix-

DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 25 ture of traditional patriotism, remainders of old ideolo- sumers. Their positive characteristics of openness, sponta- gies, and paranoid angst causing a tremendous desire for neity, and optimism are coupled with naivety, superficial- security. In addition, evangelical fundamentalism had ity, and mere pragmatism. been able to get George W. Bush into the White House. In the second chapter, the author asks these questions: The process of change, he suggests, is not yet completed. Is the American public longing for a political savior and, Therefore, he felt compelled to start in-depth research in such a context, may dangers lurk for democracy? He of the roots and background for this change, moving discusses the stratification of society, the triumph of lob- beyond patriotic propaganda. Although this is a critical byists, how a president gets his vote, and that, in the U.S., assessment, he makes it clear that it is not directed against the idea of divine election undergirds much of what hap- Christianity or America. He appreciates both but is deep- pens in society and politics, leading to what other nations ly concerned about current developments. regard as a kind of imperialism. The book, written in German, has 336 pages and is In the next chapters, Padderatz discusses the danger- divided into an introduction, six chapters, a conclusion, ous influence of religious groups and their theology on and an appendix containing 50 pages of endnotes, a bibli- politics. Beliefs such as the view that the modern state ography, and two indices. The chapters deal with of Israel is a fulfillment of biblical prophecy determine (1) trends in American society, (2) a description of American relations with Israel and the Arab world. the political system, (3) the development and state of These beliefs influence, for instance, environmental con- Christian religions in the U.S., (4) the belief system of cerns, the treatment of the underprivileged, and the war fundamentalists, (5) the realization of a theocracy, and against terrorism. Padderatz shows how evangelicals and (6) the Christianization of the rest of the world. Catholics work together in various foundations to exert In his first chapter, Padderatz points to the frequently a tremendous influence on the government; lists charac- extreme form of patriotism in the U.S., which has reli- teristics of fundamentalists; talks about a glorification gious traits and leads to an indifference regarding the rest of violence, the justification of immoral behavior among of the world, a hero cult, and militarism. While secret Christians, and the attempt to do away with the separa- services boom, justice and personal liberty suffer. Critical tion of church and state; and addresses the issue of a thinking is underdeveloped. People are degraded to con- new world order – the goal of the religious right to bring under “the rule of Christ” not only America but the entire world. However, he also points to voices speaking against these trends, such as the theologian Gregory A. Boyd. The author concludes that it may be just a matter of Guidelines for contributors time until the religious right dominates politics and the College and University Dialogue, published three times a year economy and forces its perceived Christian values and in four parallel language editions, is addressed to Seventh-day theological understanding on others, which may lead to Adventists involved in post-secondary education, either as stu- persecution and oppression. He states that America has dents or teachers, and also to Adventist professionals and cam- changed, betrayed its own values, and is marching back pus chaplains around the world. into the Medieval Ages. The danger consists in introduc- The editors are interested in well-written articles, interviews, ing religion into politics. and reports consistent with Dialogue’s objectives: Due to the lack of information available to the general 1. To nurture an intelligent, living faith. public, the book may at times sound like a horror story. 2. To deepen commitment to Christ, the Bible, and Adventist However, the author allows respected and well-known global mission. Americans to speak out about America, and the work 3. To articulate a biblical approach to contemporary issues. 4. To offer ideas and models of Christian service and out- seems to be well-researched. It deserves a serious reading. reach. Dialogue usually assigns articles, interviews, and reports to spe- cific authors for publication. Prospective authors are urged: (a) to Ekkehardt Mueller, (Th.D. and D.Min., Andrews examine previous issues of our journal, (b) to carefully consider University), is associate director of the Biblical these guidelines, and (c) to submit an abstract and personal Research Institute of the General Conference of background before developing a proposed article. Unsolicited Seventh-day Adventists in Silver Spring, Maryland, submissions will not be returned. U.S.A. E-mail: [email protected]. Check our Web site: http://dialogue.adventist.org.

26 DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 FIRST PERSON of times, but we had a mission to fulfill. We saw how the Lord brought the students to us. Miracles along the My Brook Cherith: way assured us of His providence and constant care. As a faculty, we worked hard and enjoyed the fruit of our labor When life dries up on you – every year, graduation was a high by Sally Lam-Phoon point as we charged our graduates who had been with us for four or five years to go out and make a difference wherever they are. When your brook appears nity to serve as teachers at our alma Yes, God supplied abundantly: mater. “the ravens” showed up at the oppor- to have dried up, when you But first came an intensive one- tune time; our water from the brook think you’re abandoned, and-one-half years in the Philippines, seemed sure. It was not a gushing river stop asking why. Stay where we received our Master’s but a trickling brook that sustained us degrees. When we returned to SAUC from year to year. tuned to God. in 1980, the college was struggling with issues of recognition so that our The brook may dry up … graduates could hold a degree that Then, very abruptly, the brook would open doors to employment dried up. The date will remain etched “And it came to pass after a while, opportunities outside the church. in our memories, never to be forgot- that the brook dried up” (1 Kings 7:7, A new journey opened before us ten because it happened so dramati- KJV). as we pooled our efforts in working cally right on my husband’s birthday Like Elijah, I had my Brook Cherith toward an affiliation arrangement – March 4, 1996. For some time, we – all mine. with Walla Walla College in the had known about the government’s I had spent a significant portion United States. After heaps of paper- acquisition of land along the stretch of my life at Southeast Asia Union work and exchange visits, the affili- of road where the college was located, College (SAUC) in Singapore. ation was signed and sealed in 1984, and a friend had gone down to the Although a small school, it had a deep leading to better quality assurance for Land Office to secure more details. As impact on my life when, as a young all. This relationship with Walla Walla he looked at the map, he realized that adult, I came to its portals as a stu- College increased enrollement gradu- the college land was set for acquisi- dent in 1968. For the very first time, ally as recruitment efforts intensified. tion. What a birthday “gift” for my I savoured and drank deep from the In the mid 1990s, enrollement peaked husband (who was the president of fountains of Adventist education. Like at 201, an increase of 43 per cent over the college at the time), as this news the Brook Cherith, it nourished my the 1980 figure. was conveyed to him over the phone. soul, nurtured my thinking and trans- However, as the educational envi- It was like a bolt of lightning cours- formed my very being, defining for ronment in Singapore evolved and ing through our nerves. Frantically, me the call the Lord had given while provided keen competition, SAUC’s we consulted and consulted, but the I was a youth member of our home student numbers soon plateaued. bottom line was clear as day. We had church in Penang, Malaysia. The college’s location in a country to close or relocate; it was too expen- With great joy I graduated at with a high cost of living meant that sive to move and rebuild the college the end of 1971 together with my the neighboring countries of Laos, in Singapore, based on the options boyfriend. We went home to a pre- Vietnam, and Cambodia could not be offered us by the government. arranged wedding ceremony. As part served. Besides, the political situation Yes, we had to admit that the brook of our honeymoon, we flew over to made it almost impossible for students had dried up; it was time to move Kuching on the island of Borneo from these three countries to obtain on. Establishing a Transitional Plans – and there we had our first taste of visas for studying in Singapore. Committee to study the relocation of mission service at Sunny Hill School. A small college has its many threats the college took first priority, since SAUC had prepared us well, and we and challenges, but we had the assur- the union felt the need to maintain an did our very best. Seven years later, we ance like Elijah by the Brook Cherith. institution of higher education for its received a call to return to Singapore, It wasn’t the most comfortable of territory. Plans kicked in to take care and we were thrilled at the opportu- situations, nor the most prosperous of every student, clean up the files,

DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 27 and prepare to archive them while cre- and too happy that my Cherith meant tion to serve every country in the ating a system whereby students could more to me than what God wanted union territory. Students from Laos, still access their transcripts despite the to do with my life. In retrospect, Vietnam, and Cambodia could afford fact that SAUC was no longer in exis- the Lord was alerting me to the fact to pursue their studies in Thailand. tence in Singapore. that He had a new mission for me to The merged college grew by leaps and At first it was hard to rejoice in a accomplish. bounds. Today, some 10 years later, it situation like this. Tears flowed freely; is about to receive university status by we mourned, we grieved as it became But God has a plan the country and has an enrollment of crystal clear that there was no way to When your brook appears to have about a thousand students from more continue as we used to. Our comfort dried up, when you think that you’re than 30 countries around the world zone lay shattered – the future looked abandoned, stop asking why, stop who are taught by an international uncertain. No one could predict blaming God, stop looking for an easy faculty. the outcomes, yet we had to bravely way out. Cry if you must, but cry out So when your Cherith dries up on carry on. But with each step taken to God, and cling to His promises you, when all seems lost, take heart during those two trying years, the that all things will work together for because in the spiritual realm, the end future became clearer. By the end of good. Thank God for the memories of one story is simply the beginning of 1998, we graduated our last group of and the beautiful times you have had another – an experience that will bring graduates, and SAUC officially moved by your Cherith. Then let go of your you closer to God. If we put God first to Thailand to merge with another “brook.” and last, we will be able to say with small Thai institution, called Mission Pray earnestly for the mind of assurance, “The best is yet to come.” College. Christ to envision fresh perspectives Just trust that God always has our best We had to face the fact that ahead so you can see where He wants interests at heart and His guidance is Cheriths don’t last forever – whether to lead you next. Keep your hand always the safest. Ellen White states so it is a job, an institution, a special firmly in the hand of God as you beautifully: “Our heavenly Father has friend, or even a bank account. As move forward in trust and faith. He a thousand ways to provide for us, of with Elijah, all of his security vanished has promised that His Word will be which we know nothing. Those who in a day’s time. When that happened, a lamp to show the way in the deep- accept the one principle of making the Elijah did not cry or pout. God told est darkness. Read that Word every service and honor of God supreme will Elijah to go to Zarephath of Sidon day, delight in its promises, and He find perplexities vanish, and a plain and stay there with a widow who will lead you one step at a time, not path before their feet.”* would supply him with food (I Kings more, not less, in newly forged paths 17:8, 9), and Elijah went. Simple obe- that He has gone ahead to prepare for dience; no questions asked. Perhaps you. These paths will take you to still Sally Lam-Phoon (Ph.D., Andrews he was anticipating something better waters, and safer pastures where your University), is the Children’s, around the corner. He was no longer soul will be restored and where you Family and Women’s Ministries alone; a widow would be there to care will eventually agree that He has given director and Shepherdess coor- for him – someone to talk to rather you “far more than you could ever dinator of the Northern Asia- than talking to the birds! imagine or guess or request in your Pacific Division of Seventh-day Consider what might have happened wildest dreams!” (Ephesians 3:20, The Adventists with headquarters if Elijah had stubbornly stayed in the Message). in Ilsan, South Korea. E-mail: same spot and refused to move from Yes, my experience by the Brook [email protected]. the brook. He would have died. For Cherith was part of a God-ordained sure, the widow of Zarepthah and plan. In retrospect, I can see how her son would have starved to death. the pieces have fallen in place like a * Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Publ. Assn., 1940), Baal worship would have flourished jigsaw puzzle. A beautiful picture has p. 330. even more without the Mount Carmel emerged. He has brought me to places experience. But because Elijah was I never dreamed I would go, and willing to move on, I Kings 18 records enabled me to carry responsibilities the triumph of God over Baal on I never thought possible. The Lord Mount Carmel. worked it all out according to His In my case, I had grown so attached purpose. to my Cherith that I was comfortable After the move in 1998, Mission and happy; perhaps too comfortable College was in a much better posi-

28 DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 LOGOS Our lives, our work: What kind of influence do we exert? by Halvard B. Thomsen

“David left there [Gath] and pick up the story in this passage. Try the armies of the Philistines?’ Then escaped to the cave of Adullam; when to imagine the people who gathered David inquired of the Lord again. his brothers and all his father’s house around David: everyone who was in The Lord answered him, ‘Yes, go heard of it, they went down there to distress; everyone in debt; everyone down to Keilah; for I will give the him. Everyone who was in distress, discontented. Or in the words of Philistines into your hand.’ So David and everyone who was in debt, and David himself: “I lie down among and his men went to Keilah, fought everyone who was discontented gath- lions that greedily devour human with the Philistines, brought away ered to him; and he became captain prey; their teeth are spears and their livestock, and dealt them a over them. arrows, their tongues sharp swords” heavy defeat. Thus David rescued “Those who were with him num- (Psalm 57:4). the inhabitants of Keilah” (1 Samuel bered about four hundred” (1 Samuel What was David to do with these 23:1-5). 22:1, 2).1 people? Are these the kind of people The strength and valor of those My earliest memory of any discus- who were to resist King Saul? who followed David to Adullam’s sion of this passage is in the context Was this the group with whom cave continued. They kept conquer- of church planting. I was a young David was to launch a revolution? ing the nations of Canaan, annihilat- theology student when a group of What kind of leaders – or warriors ing the Geshurites, Gezrites and the members from a church my father – would the discontented and dis- Amalekites. had recently pastored formed a new tressed make? They were also successful in elud- church in a town a few miles away. David tells how he related to his ing King Saul. “David remained in My father referred to the new con- circumstances: “My heart is stead- the strongholds in the wilderness, in gregation as an “Adullam’s cave.” He fast, O God, … I will give thanks the hill country of the Wilderness of explained this appellation by describ- to you, O Lord, among the peoples; Ziph. Saul sought him every day, but ing the attitudes and circumstances I will sing praises to you among the the Lord did not give him into his of many of the founding members. nations. For your steadfast love is as hand” (1 Samuel 23:14). In the past, it was more common high as the heavens; your faithfulness As the story unfolds, David’s group for new churches to start from a con- extends to the clouds” (Psalm 57:7- increases from 400 to 600 people gregational split. Every time I heard 10). (1 Samuel 23:13). about such a church plant, I would When David escaped to the cave, be reminded of my father’s words and What happens to the he attracted the distressed and dis- Adullam’s cave. Early this year I read discontented? contented. But by modeling depen- comments on this verse by leadership As we live in David’s sandals, dence on God, he transformed his expert John Maxwell. He stimulated note what became of his distressed men into effective warriors – and my thinking. and discontented followers. “David leaders. When David ascended the After slaying Goliath, David was inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I go throne they were prepared to take on invited into Saul’s palace, where he and attack these Philistines?’ The leadership for the nation. learned a great deal about ruling Lord said to David, ‘Go and attack the kingdom of Israel, including the the Philistines and save Keilah.’ But Two questions art of warfare. Unfortunately, Saul’s David’s men said to him, ‘Look, we David’s experience confronts us jealousy forced David into exile. It is are afraid here in Judah; how much with two questions: what kind of at this point in David’s life that we more then if we go to Keilah against people do we attract? What happens

DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 29 to those people because of their asso- to the influence of association. If, as your influence from day to day, but ciation with us? is suggested by the apostle Paul (2 be sure that it is exerted for good or Look over your life. Think about Corinthians 3:18), we become like evil. …Throw a pebble into the lake the people who gravitate to you as the things we admire, then certainly and a wave is formed, and another friends, associates, or followers. What we will influence those who look up and another; and as they increase, kind of people are they? Are they to us! the circle widens until they reach visionaries and achievers? Or are they “If we gather not with Christ we the very shore. Thus our influence, grumblers and complainers? Have scatter abroad. We all have an influ- though apparently insignificant, may you noticed that people tend to judge ence, and that influence is telling continue to extend far beyond our us not only by the friends we choose, upon the destiny of others for their knowledge or control.”4 but also by the people we attract as present and future good or for their What kind of people do we attract? colleagues, or choose for employees? eternal loss.”2 What happens to those people Implicit in this first question is “Every act of our lives affects oth- because of their association with us? another: What kind of people are we? ers for good or evil. Our influence is We will never attract the optimistic tending upward or downward; it is if we are gloomy and pessimistic; we felt, acted upon, and to a greater or Halvard B. Thomsen (D.Min., will never attract the visionary if we less degree reproduced by others. If Andrews University), is see no hope; we will never capture by our example we aid others in the Assistant to the President the imagination and enthusiasm of development of good principles, we for Administration, North people around us if we ignore oppor- give them power to do good. In their American Division of the tunities and focus on problems. turn they exert the same beneficial General Conference of Seventh- Then there’s the second question: influence upon others, and thus hun- day Adventists, Silver Spring, what happens to people who associ- dreds and thousands are affected by Maryland, U.S.A. E-mail: halvard. ate with us? Our parents always told our unconscious influence.”3 [email protected]. us to be careful when picking our Are our optimism, vision, imagina- friends because of the influence they tion and faith contagious? Do people can have on us, but this story also who associate with us become more REFERENCES challenges us to think about how dependent on the Lord Jesus, or more 1. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture pas- sages are from The New Revised Standard we influence people. As we see from forgetful of His claims on us? Are Version. David’s example, even the distressed they more at rest in His goodness and 2. Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church and discontented need not remain in grace? Are they more determined to (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publ. Assn, 1948), vol. 3, p. 528. their discontent! It is in our power do His bidding? Are they more eager 3. Ibid., vol. 2, p. 133. to influence them. Sometimes I to build His kingdom? 4. Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, wonder if we give too little regard “You may never know the result of (January 24, 1882).

59th General Conference Session: “Grace is a powerful, living force; Proclaiming God’s Grace it changes and animates us,” says General Conference president Dr. Jan June 23-July 3, 2010 • Atlanta, Georgia, USA • www.gcsession.org Paulsen. “When God’s grace reaches into our lives – and into the life of our church – it’s impossible to go on with Mark your calendar to pray for (and and celebrate together. The 59th ses- business as usual. It opens our eyes to attend if you can) the 59th Session of sion will be representative of the more needs around us; it compels us to go the General Conference of Seventh- than 25 million-strong Adventists into our communities. By focusing on day Adventists in Atlanta, Georgia, from around the globe, and will meet this theme, we’re acknowledging that USA, from June 23-July 3, 2010. under a theme of “Proclaiming God’s the experience of grace is absolutely Every five years the Seventh-day Grace.” Daily attendance at the event central in the life of each believer, and Adventist Church meets to strengthen is expected to average more than we’re asking: ‘How can we as Seventh- itself for mission, conduct Church 35,000 people; on the two weekends, day Adventists reflect more clearly business and enact policy, elect its more than 70,000 are expected to its depth, breadth, and transforming president and other leaders, worship, attend. power?’”

30 DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 ACTION REPORT

Send us your group’s report

Leaders of Adventist university student associations are invited to send a brief report of their group’s activities and one or two digital photos for publication in Dialogue. Include all relevant information about the student group; describe its main activities, challenges, and plans; and list the name, position, and e-mail address of the report’s author. Send them to Susana Schulz at [email protected]. Thank you!

Adventist students gather in Argentina by Rocío Mendoza and Iván Escobar

“Searching for His Will” was the problems that young people are strug- out in their study environments. theme that brought approximately gling with in contemporary culture, Not only was the congress a suc- 100 university students and friends such as excessive care of the body, the cess because it served as a testimony to the seventh University Congress empty state of being, and other aspects of our faith to the university officials of the Asociación Argentina del that question the meaning of existence in charge of the meeting place, but Norte, September 19-21, 2008, in and faith. A second seminar featured also because it was a blessing for the the city of Jardín América. Packed Professor Carlos Steger, who provided students as they shared the company with spiritual retreat, intellectual Adventist students with significant of good friends, their expertise from reflection, and social networking, the tools to deal with the continuous chal- different milieus, and above all their event was organized by the Adventist lenge of “creation vs. evolution.” He personal experience of living in peace University Center of Posadas and was not only shared his knowledge and with God. supported by the Northern Argentine expertise, but also provided significant Conference. examples that prove the existence of The theme, under the scriptural God, the Creator. The final seminar Rocío Mendoza is the vice president exposition of Pastor Darío Caviglione, dealt with the very reason for being of Centro Universitario Adventista challenged the students to experi- Adventist on a university campus: de Posadas (CUAP). She is studying ence personally the power of constant “Evangelism in the Universities.” English translation and interpreta- prayer and daily study of the Word of Pastor Oscar Tapia motivated, out- tion. E-mail: rociomendoza_1@hot- God. “There’s no other way,” we all lined, and challenged the students to mail.com. learned. be witnesses for Christ not only with The Sabbath as usual was a high their peers, but also with their profes- Iván Escobar is part of this CUAP; day, providing us with three wonder- sors and staff members. Students were he is studying chemical engineering. ful seminars. Edgar Beskow, a licensed given the opportunity to create their E-mail: [email protected] psychologist, spoke about several of the own evangelistic frameworks to carry

DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 31 OPEN FORUM Work out your salvation? by John M. Fowler

What does it mean when Paul says, salvation could not come by any other grace has ‘worked in’.”2 “Work out your own salvation with fear way except through grace, and that This human responsibility is to be and trembling” (Philippians 2:12 )? 1 a sinner’s acceptance before God is pursued “with fear and trembling.” How is it possible to be saved by works, not something merited, but always Paul here is not referring to any “slav- even though Paul says in many places something gifted. The apostle even ish terror”3 of a vengeful master; nor that salvation is by faith alone? bequeathed to the Christian com- is he concerned about any frustration munity two whole epistles – Romans in the fulfillment of God’s redemptive One of the essentials of biblical and Galatians – devoted entirely to purpose. But he is wary of self’s innate interpretation is to read a passage in this good news of God’s saving grace. capacity for overconfidence or compla- its context. The immediate context And to the Ephesians he wrote: “For cency in the journey toward the king- of this passage is Paul’s desire that the by grace you have been saved through dom. Ellen White warns: “God does Philippian Christians should lead a faith, and this is not your own doing; not bid you fear that He will fail to life “worthy of the gospel of Christ” it is the gift of God – not the result fulfill His promises, that His patience (1:27). Such a saved life should put of works, so that no one may boast.” will weary, or His compassion be away self-centeredness (2:2) and reflect (Ephesians 2:8, 9). found wanting. Fear lest your will shall the mind of Jesus (2:5) in everything What, then, did the apostle mean not be held in subjection to Christ’s that is done, even to the point of by saying “work out your own salva- will, lest your hereditary and culti- death. Paul’s admonition is couched in tion”? Paul is appealing for a life and a vated traits of character shall control strong words: don’t take your salvation lifestyle consistent with the demands your life…. Fear lest self shall inter- for granted. Take its demand on your of faith. In effect, the apostle is say- pose between your soul and the great life seriously: “Work out your own sal- ing: “Yes, you are saved by faith. You Master Worker. Fear lest self-will shall vation with fear and trembling” (2:12). are saved by the free grace of God. mar the high purpose that through We must not stop reading here. But you are saved to live. Your faith you God desires to accomplish. Fear Paul’s admonition to show our salva- experience must move from believing to trust your own strength, fear to tion by our works is immediately to living. You must live your salvation. withdraw your hand from the hand of followed by the apostle’s assurance of That involves a lifestyle of obedience, Christ and attempt to walk life’s path- divine enabling: “For it is God who is just like our great model – Christ Jesus way without His abiding presence.”4 at work in you, enabling you both to – who obeyed even to the point of In that sense, fear and trembling will and to work for his good pleasure” humiliation and death (Phil. 2:5-13). must accompany the Christian walk, (2:13). And furthermore, your Christian walk but in no way is there any implication Is there a contradiction between the is your personal responsibility; no one that the journey is to be performed two statements – the promise and the else can do it for you.” by self alone. “For it is God who is at demand, the enabling and the sum- “Work out your salvation,” there- work in you.” The word for “at work” moning? Is there a legalistic stance in fore, does not mean “work for your is energeo. God is energizing you. God the phrase “work out your own salva- salvation,” but “live a life consistent is empowering you. He who has begun tion”? Or is there an attempt to walk a with the new status of being children a “good work in you” (Philippians theological tightrope, trying to balance of God.” As Muller points out: “The 1:6) is now enabling you to finish that the divine and the human in the pro- believer is called to self-activity, to work. cess of salvation? the active pursuit of the will of God, This emphasis on God’s work in the Perish the thought. If there was one to the promotion of the spiritual life life of a Christian (1 Corinthians 12:6, truth that was precious to the apostle, in himself, to the realization of the 11; Galatians 2:8; Ephesians 1:11, 20) it was the good news of salvation by virtues of the Christian life, and to gives us the assurance that the con- grace through faith alone. Paul spent a personal application of salvation. his entire ministry proclaiming that He must ‘work out’ what God in His Continued on page 34

32 DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 Faith and Acceptance desire, when ye pray, believe that ye From Steps to Christ, chapter 6 receive them, and ye shall have them.” by Ellen G. White Mark 11:24. There is a condition to this promise – that we pray according to the will of God. But it is the will of God As your conscience has been quick- sick with palsy: “That ye may know that to cleanse us from sin, to make us His ened by the Holy Spirit, you have seen the Son of man hath power on earth to children, and to enable us to live a holy something of the evil of sin, of its power, forgive sins, (then saith He to the sick of life. So we may ask for these blessings, its guilt, its woe; and you look upon it the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and and believe that we receive them, and with abhorrence. You feel that sin has go unto thine house.” Matthew 9:6. So thank God that we have received them. separated you from God, that you are in also John the evangelist says, speaking It is our privilege to go to Jesus and be bondage to the power of evil. The more of the miracles of Christ, “These are cleansed, and to stand before the law you struggle to escape, the more you written, that ye might believe that Jesus without shame or remorse. “There is realize your helplessness. Your motives is the Christ, the Son of God; and that therefore now no condemnation to them are impure; your heart is unclean. You believing ye might have life through His which are in Christ Jesus, who walk see that your life has been filled with name.” John 20:31. not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” selfishness and sin. You long to be From the simple Bible account of Romans 8:1. forgiven, to be cleansed, to be set free. how Jesus healed the sick, we may learn Henceforth you are not your own; Harmony with God, likeness to Him something about how to believe in Him you are bought with a price. “Ye were – what can you do to obtain it? for the forgiveness of sins. Let us turn not redeemed with corruptible things, as It is peace that you need – Heaven’s to the story of the paralytic at Bethesda. silver and gold;... but with the precious forgiveness and peace and love in the The poor sufferer was helpless; he had blood of Christ, as of a lamb without soul. Money cannot buy it, intellect can- not used his limbs for thirty-eight years. blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18, not procure it, wisdom cannot attain Yet Jesus bade him, “Rise, take up thy 19. Through this simple act of believing to it; you can never hope, by your own bed, and walk.” The sick man might God, the Holy Spirit has begotten a new efforts, to secure it. But God offers it to have said, “Lord, if Thou wilt make me life in your heart. You are as a child born you as a gift, “without money and with- whole, I will obey Thy word.” But, no, into the family of God, and He loves you out price.” Isaiah 55:1. It is yours if you he believed Christ’s word, believed that as He loves His Son. will but reach out your hand and grasp he was made whole, and he made the Now that you have given yourself to it. The Lord says, “Though your sins be effort at once; he willed to walk, and Jesus, do not draw back, do not take as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; he did walk. He acted on the word of yourself away from Him, but day by day though they be red like crimson, they Christ, and God gave the power. He was say, “I am Christ’s; I have given myself shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18. “A new made whole. to Him;” and ask Him to give you His heart also will I give you, and a new spir- In like manner you are a sinner. You Spirit and keep you by His grace. As it is it will I put within you.” Ezekiel 36:26. cannot atone for your past sins; you can- by giving yourself to God, and believing You have confessed your sins, and in not change your heart and make yourself Him, that you become His child, so you heart put them away. You have resolved holy. But God promises to do all this are to live in Him. The apostle says, “As to give yourself to God. Now go to Him, for you through Christ. You believe that ye have therefore received Christ Jesus and ask that He will wash away your promise. You confess your sins and give the Lord, so walk ye in Him.” Colossians sins and give you a new heart. Then yourself to God. You will to serve Him. 2:6. believe that He does this because He has Just as surely as you do this, God will Some seem to feel that they must be promised. This is the lesson which Jesus fulfill His word to you. If you believe the on probation, and must prove to the taught while He was on earth, that the promise – believe that you are forgiven Lord that they are reformed, before they gift which God promises us, we must and cleansed, – God supplies the fact; can claim His blessing. But they may believe we do receive, and it is ours. Jesus you are made whole, just as Christ gave claim the blessing of God even now. healed the people of their diseases when the paralytic power to walk when the They must have His grace, the Spirit of they had faith in His power; He helped man believed that he was healed. It is so Christ, to help their infirmities, or they them in the things which they could if you believe it. cannot resist evil. Jesus loves to have us see, thus inspiring them with confidence Do not wait to feel that you are made come to Him just as we are, sinful, help- in Him concerning things which they whole, but say, “I believe it; it is so, not less, dependent. We may come with all could not see – leading them to believe because I feel it, but because God has our weakness, our folly, our sinfulness, in His power to forgive sins. This He promised.” and fall at His feet in penitence. It is plainly stated in the healing of the man Jesus says, “What things soever ye His glory to encircle us in the arms of

DIALOGUE 21•1 2009 33 His love and to bind up our wounds, to “When he was yet a great way off, his Work out... cleanse us from all impurity. father saw him, and had compassion, Continued from page 32 Here is where thousands fail; they and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed do not believe that Jesus pardons them him.” Luke 15:18-20. personally, individually. They do not But even this parable, tender and tours of salvation – the beginning, the take God at His word. It is the privilege touching as it is, comes short of express- continuation, and the culmination – of all who comply with the conditions ing the infinite compassion of the are guaranteed by God’s grace to every- to know for themselves that pardon is heavenly Father. The Lord declares by one who believes in Him, and walks freely extended for every sin. Put away His prophet, “I have loved thee with an with Him. As Karl Barth has noted: “It the suspicion that God’s promises are everlasting love: therefore with loving- is God who gives each one whatever not meant for you. They are for every kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah he accomplishes in ‘working out his repentant transgressor. Strength and 31:3. While the sinner is yet far from salvation.’… As such we put ourselves grace have been provided through Christ the Father’s house, wasting his substance entirely into the power of God, that to be brought by ministering angels to in a strange country, the Father’s heart as such we recognize that all grace, every believing soul. None are so sinful is yearning over him; and every longing that everything – the willing and the that they cannot find strength, purity, awakened in the soul to return to God accomplishing, the beginning and the and righteousness in Jesus, who died is but the tender pleading of His Spirit, end, the faith and the revelation, the for them. He is waiting to strip them of wooing, entreating, drawing the wan- questions and the answers, the seeking their garments stained and polluted with derer to his Father’s heart of love. and the finding – comes from God sin, and to put upon them the white With the rich promises of the Bible and is reality only in God.… Man robes of righteousness; He bids them live before you, can you give place to doubt? cannot put his salvation into practice and not die. Can you believe that when the poor except as he recognizes: it is God …!”5 God does not deal with us as finite sinner longs to return, longs to forsake That is the beauty of the gospel. men deal with one another. His thoughts his sins, the Lord sternly withholds him God is paramount in the salvation are thoughts of mercy, love, and tender- from coming to His feet in repentance? of humans. His grace initiates and est compassion. He says, “Let the wicked Away with such thoughts! Nothing can His grace completes the redemptive forsake his way, and the unrighteous hurt your own soul more than to enter- process. “Whatever is to be done at man his thoughts: and let him return tain such a conception of our heavenly His command may be accomplished unto the Lord, and He will have mercy Father. He hates sin, but He loves the in His strength. All His biddings are upon him; and to our God, for He will sinner, and He gave Himself in the per- enablings.”6 For God is at work in us. abundantly pardon.” “I have blotted out, son of Christ, that all who would might as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, be saved and have eternal blessedness as a cloud, thy sins.” Isaiah 55:7; 44:22. in the kingdom of glory. What stronger John M. Fowler (Ed.D., Andrews “I have no pleasure in the death of him or more tender language could have University), is an associate direc- that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore been employed than He has chosen in tor of the Education Department turn yourselves, and live ye.” Ezekiel which to express His love toward us? at the General Conference and is 18:32. Satan is ready to steal away the He declares, “Can a woman forget her the editor of Dialogue. His e-mail: blessed assurances of God. He desires to sucking child, that she should not have [email protected]. take every glimmer of hope and every ray compassion on the son of her womb? of light from the soul; but you must not yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget permit him to do this. Do not give ear to thee.” Isaiah 49:15. (…) REFERENCES the tempter, but say, “Jesus has died that As you read the promises, remember 1. All Scriptures, unless otherwise noted, are quoted from the New Revised Standard I might live. He loves me, and wills not they are the expression of unutter- Version. that I should perish. I have a compassion- able love and pity. The great heart of 2. Jac J. Muller, The Epistles of Paul to the ate heavenly Father; and although I have Infinite Love is drawn toward the sinner Philippians and to Philemon (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1955), p. 91. abused His love, though the blessings with boundless compassion. “We have 3. Marvin R. Vincent, Word Studies in the He has given me have been squandered, redemption through His blood, the New Testament, 4 vols. (New York: Charles Scribners’ Sons, 1905), 3:437. I will arise, and go to my Father, and forgiveness of sins.” Ephesians 1:7. Yes, 4. Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons say, ‘I have sinned against heaven, and only believe that God is your helper. (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publ. before Thee, and am no more worthy to He wants to restore His moral image Assn., 1900), p. 161. 5. Karl Barth, The Epistle to the Philippians, James be called Thy son: make me as one of in man. As you draw near to Him with W. Leitch trans. (Richmond: John Knox Press, Thy hired servants.’” The parable tells confession and repentance, He will draw 1962), pp. 73, 74. you how the wanderer will be received: near to you with mercy and forgiveness. 6. Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 333.

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