March 1998

Dr. Hope Linda Hyder Ferry, M.D. M.P.H.— New medication to help smokers quit

Our Ministry to Ministers Adventists and the Media Robert Folkenberg: In One Accord LETTERS

Cry of the Cities moved 1,200 miles to return to my Seven Candles for the New Year In his “The Cry of the Cities” (Jan. homeland for the purpose of lifting up What a great start to 1998! William NAD Edition), Elder our message. In a time when both G. Johnsson’s “Seven Candles for the Alfred C. McClure adults and Xers seem “ready to grum- New Year” (Jan. NAD Edition) not says, “The largest ble,” let us move forward in the lifting only sets the tone for the new year, unreached people up of Christ. but sheds light from the heavenly group in North Young people, if your church doesn’t sanctuary to lighten our path. He not America consists of utilize you, start reaching souls for only captured the wonderful way the the Anglo residents in Christ. Bring an extra 20 people to Lord has led us in the past, but has our largest cities.” This statement is stu- church every week—believe me, the provided counsel to abide in Him pendous when you consider the church adults will notice you. If they don’t through the time and space called has invested hundreds of thousands of make you part of the team, run them 1998. Thank you! dollars to reach this group. Programs like over with an evangelistic explosion. It Is Written, Voice of Prophecy, Amazing Lift up Jesus, and let’s go home. —Jerry White Facts, and Lifestyle Magazine have been ST. CHARLES, ILLINOIS broadcast in all the major cities for many —Joe Cirigliano, Jr. years. We need . . . to give attention to NEW YORK, NEW YORK other neglected methods such as med- Back to Gadsden ical missionary work. The premiere of Mystery Visitor Coming to a Screen (“Gadsden, Alabama, Seventh-day —Albert Dittes Near You . . . Adventist Church,” Jan. NAD PORTLAND, TENNESSEE Edition) moved me to write. This The Adventist Review is more than a min- article brought back many memories istry on a printed page. It also comes . . . of attending, as a 16-year-old, a tent Elder McClure states that “offering . . . through your computer. Download evangelistic meeting and learning watered-down theology, non- the magazine each week on CompuServe’s the Adventist message. My parents Adventist sermons, and anti-organi- Adventists Online Forum B. To subscribe to and I were baptized, and it was the zational rhetoric” is not only a poor this forum, call 1-800-260-7171 or E-mail beginning of a wonderful journey. substitute for our God-given mission Ralph Blodgett at 74431.1566@com- I am so glad to learn that the peo- as Adventists, but that it leads peo- puserve.com. ple in that little Gadsden church still ple into a “false sense of security.” It’s . . . through your television. Tune in to have the caring, friendly, and loving good to hear such a statement com- “Adventist Review Presents,” a 90-minute people who minister to the new ones ing from one of our church leaders. concert uplinked on the Adventist who show up. Those dear people Communication Network on Sabbath, March nurtured and encouraged me as a —James Dwyer, PRINCIPAL 21, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time on young girl in such a way that it HARRISBURG ADVENTIST SCHOOL Galaxy 4, channel 11. Then on Sabbath, changed my life wonderfully. I am May 23 . . . The Review editors host a spe- forever indebted to them. Mystery cial 90-minute mission program uplinked Visitor A: Thank you for writing As a 25-year-old native of New live from Florida camp meeting, beginning at about my beloved home church in York, my great burden is for two of 2:30 p.m. Gadsden, Alabama. Review’s most popular topics: Then this fall, get ready for an Adventist Generation X and New York City. I Review motion picture! (Just kidding.) —Jean Dickerson have left a profitable business and LANSING, MICHIGAN

2 (322) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 Same Old Fight only 37,500? I wonder how many of I used to go to the Adventist Church our people subscribe to a daily newspa- and occasionally I get to read the per or cable television. Review. The articles are usually full of What a tragedy! And a double a good degree of hope and encourage- tragedy to those who failed to read ment, but the Letters section is still Clifford Goldstein’s article (“The Quiet COVER STORY the same old fight: “It’s not how we Revolution,” Dec. 25 AnchorPoints worship but who we worship . . .” Edition) on how science is beginning 8 Doctor Hope Nicotine may be one of the world’s I’ve tried going back to church, but to catch up with theology and Bryan most addicting substances, but a the response is always the same: What is Ball’s guest editorial, “Stampeding young Adventist is helping to limit she doing here? She’s the one who . . . Towards Gomorrah” (Dec. 25). its insidious influence. God forgives me; why can’t His “Unity” is emphasized as a necessity BY JONATHAN GALLAGHER “remnant” people do the same? Why for Jesus to return; 37,500 doesn’t can’t the Adventist people practice sound like much “togetherness.” ARTICLES what they preach? If you’ve ever gone away, it’s nearly impossible to —P. Knox Hagan 13 Adventists and the Media Everyone knows that media affects get back “in.” HENDERSONVILLE, NORTH society (why else do advertisers CAROLINA advertise?). So how do we guard —Name Withheld the avenues of our souls? However, as the note with the figures indi- BY WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON cated, the figures related only to issues Diagnosis Needed mailed through the United States Postal 22 Nightwatch Pros and cons about Promise Keepers. Service. Total subscriptions to the English What you think about when there’s nothing to distract you. Willow Creek and churches doing their edition Review are about 45,000. The BY KENT A. HANSEN own thing. Groups splitting off. Ad- Review also appears in some 12 editions ventists’ divorce approaching the overseas, usually monthly. Worldwide 24 A Suitable Promise national figures. Family units in disarray. about 750,000 copies of the Review in Doesn’t God have more important The patient needs a diagnosis. A various languages are printed every month. things to worry about? laboratory test might help. Suggest sur- Subscriptions have grown by 25 percent BY MAX TORKELSON II vey. Send questionnaire to all ministers since our April 1996 launch of the “new” 28 Our Ministry to Ministers and church leaders in the North Review. To join the “weekly conversa- One man’s vision to break down American Division. How many have tion,” call 1-800-456-3991. Ask for the prejudice covers half a continent read, as a minimum, the Conflict of editors’ discount.—Editors. for Christ. the Ages Series and the nine volumes BY NIKOLAUS SATELMAJER of Testimonies for the Church? The results might be surprising. Worst Lie in the World DEPARTMENTS We might find that most are just Chris Blake’s “The Worst Lie in the 2 Letters “licking the lollipop” when they World” (Nov. 17 AnchorPoints 7 Give & Take should be digesting the whole thing. Edition) prompted the following idea ISC D If the findings confirm the problem, for discussion with those believing the 12 Global Mission suggested therapy: bitter pill. No lie: If sinners are to burn forever in HOTO 18 World News & Perspectives © P more ordinations or filling of leader- hell, they have eternal life. This is 21 On the Home Front ship positions without at least those contrary to Jesus’ own declaration in PHOTO minimum reading requirements. John 3:16. It’s that simple. How can 27 From the Heart any Christian argue with that? 30 Mystery Visitor —Roderick L. Yip, M.D. ACKGROUND 31 Reflections /B HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA —Caesar Nawalkowski LACOMBE, ALBERTA ALENZUELA EDITORIALS V Only 37,500? TO

5 Rahab Revisited LBER

I was appalled when I scanned the A statement of ownership in the BY 6 What a Committee Meeting December 18 Cutting Edge Edition of Taught Me About God PHOTO the Review. Nine million Adventists in VER O the world and paid subscriptions of C

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 (323) 3 “Behold, I come quickly . . .”

Our mission is to uplift Jesus Christ through stories of His matchless love, news of His present workings, help for knowing Him better, and hope in His soon return. The Adventist Review (ISSN 0161-1119), published since 1849, is the general paper of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is published by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and is printed by the Review and Herald® Publishing Association, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740. Standard postage paid at Hagerstown. The North American Edition of the Adventist Review is published 12 times a year on the first Thursday of each month. Copyright © 1998, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Publishing Board: Robert S. Folkenberg, chair; Phil Follett, vice- chair; William G. Johnsson; Lowell Cooper; A. C. McClure; Dorothy Watts; Ted N. C. Wilson; Martin Ytreberg; Robert Nixon, legal advisor

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4 (324) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 EDITORIAL Rahab Revisited ROY ADAMS

y article in the December NAD issue of the to Samuel, “Where is your faith? Don’t you know that I can Review (“In Defense of Rahab”) brought sev- protect you even if Saul gets wind of your mission?” Some of us eral vigorous responses from readers. Some, would have said that, but God didn’t. like that from Roger Dudley of Andrews A few who wrote envisioned dire eschatological conse- University, expressed strong quences from what I said. “If we accept such a Mconcurrence with the position I took. The premise,” asked John Kelly of Loma Linda idea “that there are no such things as ‘moral University, “will not the death decree quickly dilemmas,’” said Dudley, “goes against bring us to accept the mark?” Scripture, reason, and human experience.” Such incredible leaps of logic always take me No one should interpret this as an effort to by surprise. What I would say, however, is that minimize the seriousness of lying. Liars, says those brave men and women who during the ISC

Jesus, will take their place among “dogs” and Nazi atrocities of the 1940s protected the inno- D murderers outside the Holy City (Rev. 22:15). cent, refusing to go along with the crowd in sim- HOTO

But let’s use a little sanctified common ply “obeying orders,” are probably the best mod- © P sense here. We know that Achan (Joshua 7) els of those who will stand for principle amid the HOTO deserves to be out there; and Judas (Matt. 26). terror of the final conflict, when a power more P But do the Hebrew midwives deserve a similar fate for their ruthless than the Gestapo will lift its murderous head. imaginative strategy to save the lives of innocent infants (Ex. Let’s do a little thinking, for a change. Mine was not a 1)? Are we to lump all situations in the same pot, regardless of defense of David, who feigned madness to save his own life circumstance or motive? (1 Sam. 21). Nor of Jeremiah, who, when hostile officials inquired Lie is not the only English word to describe the situation about the details of his visit with Zedekiah, mouthed the false- before us. We also have the term prevaricate. According to hood the king had instructed him to speak (Jer. 38). Instead, I Webster, prevaricate “softens the bluntness of lie by implying defended Rahab. For while these enlightened Israelites acted to quibbling or confusing the issue.” Rahab (not unlike the protect their own skin, Rahab preserved the Israelite messengers Hebrew midwives) confused the situation just enough to frus- “at the peril of her own life” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 483). trate the evil intentions of the Jericho police. If anyone thinks I’m playing fast and loose with the high stan- Was it because she was a heathen and knew no better? How dards of the Bible, they should think again. If my definition of a then do we account for the incident we find in 1 Samuel 16? lie* is taken seriously, a lot of what goes on among us would stand Here, in the wake of Saul’s rejection, God commanded Samuel to indicted—the padded report, presented to enhance the reporter’s go to Bethlehem and anoint David king. Sensing the danger, standing or career; the wicked innuendos that impugn a colleague’s however, Samuel protested. “‘How can I go? Saul will hear about character or standing; the doctoring of the numbers, meant to it and kill me.’ The Lord said, ‘Take a heifer with you and say, “I enhance our status with “the brethren”; our silence in the face of have come to sacrifice to the Lord”’” (verse 2, NIV). blatant character assassination. All these are lies. And Samuel proceeded to do just that. “‘Do you come in Sometimes it takes only a nod, a shrug of the peace?’” the trembling elders of Bethlehem asked him when he shoulder, a twitch of the eyebrow, a deep breath arrived. “Samuel replied, ‘Yes, in peace: I have come to sacri- before the microphone at a strategic moment. fice to the Lord’” (verses 4, 5, NIV). Such lies discourage. They maim—and even Don’t jump around this story—face it. Don’t charge “situation kill. God hates them. Rahab was not there! ethics”—this is Bible. Don’t suggest heathenism—this is God talk- So that’s my point. If after a second ing. Don’t cry “Old Testament”—the Jehovah of the Old Testa- explanation some still misunderstand, ment is the Jesus of the New. Would we have the temerity to then that’s it. I’m done. accuse God Himself of lying? What are we to make of this story? * A false statement, with wicked or mali- I’ll tell you what I make of it. God is much more practical cious or selfish intent to [impress], deceive, or and down-to-earth than some of us seem to be. He did not say mislead.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 (325) 5 GUEST EDITORIAL What a Committee ALFRED C. MC CLURE Meeting Taught Me About God

his past month has been full of committee had been sold, and we needed to rebuild. For two years we meetings. We met as the division officers and moved ahead by faith. We weren’t certain exactly where to union presidents. We met as the evangelism build. We weren’t certain exactly what to build. We weren’t and media board. As certain exactly how to build. At com- the Loma Linda and mittee meeting after committee TAndrews University boards. As the The way meeting we prayed and struggled to Adventist Healthcare Association know God’s will. Only in the past cabinet. And more. two months have we understood I enjoy these committees. Yes, they became clear only God’s plan for us to rebuild in Simi are sometimes tedious, and sometimes Valley, California. they’re nitpicky. But for every minute as we followed Now it’s clear that God wants us we wrangle over minutia, there are to have a new facility for the media hours in which we hear reports about God’s plan. center, one more in keeping with the how God is blessing His church. times. Office spaces will be more effi- These committee meetings also cient. Heating and cooling will be have taught me important lessons about trust in God. Often we newer. We’ll have two television studios instead of just one. have decisions to make even though God hasn’t made our We’ll have increased radio production capabilities. choices completely clear. Often we kneel and ask God for wis- The way became clear only as we followed God’s plan. dom, and then we move forward as God seems to be leading us. This message applies to Adventist members as well as Advent- Luke 17 has a story that teaches us an important lesson, for ist committees. Sometimes we have to follow God’s leading when our personal lives as well as for committee meetings. It’s the story every “i” hasn’t been dotted and every “t” hasn’t been crossed. in which 10 lepers call out to Jesus, “Master, have mercy on us.” I heard about a family that had this experience. They had Jesus tells them, “Go shew yourselves unto the priests.” But four boys and wanted them to have an education in Adventist only one of them returns to thank Jesus for the healing. We schools. They didn’t know how they were going to pay the often use this passage to illustrate the unthankfulness of Jesus’ tuition, but they felt sure God was leading them to enroll their generation and ours. And rightly so. We’re often unmindful of children in an Adventist school. the gifts Jesus gives us. So they did. Grade school. Academy. College. Every boy But there’s more. The second half of verse 14 in this story through every grade. How did they afford it? The mother says fascinates me. The Bible says, “And . . . as they went, they she still isn’t sure. “We just decided to put the boys in were cleansed.” Adventist schools and keep them there until we ran out of Do you know what that means? It means that these 10 lep- money. We never ran out of money.” ers left Jesus’ presence without any sign that the disease had Do you need courage to follow God’s leading? Maybe the story been healed—except that Jesus told them they should go show isn’t about Adventist education for you. Maybe the story is about themselves to the priests. They went off to see the priests while a Sabbath job. Maybe it’s about tithing. Maybe it’s about they were still lepers. “As they went, they were cleansed.” They an abusive relationship. I don’t know your life, so I moved out in faith! don’t have any specific advice to give you. The 10 lepers did not understand exactly how Jesus would The one thing I do know is that God always heal them, but they knew what He commanded. They obeyed leads us. Listen for His leading, His pleading, His command, and the blessing followed. His urging. And then, like the 10 lepers, There’s a message here for Adventist committees. Some- move forward. times we have to move forward when every detail hasn’t been nailed down. Alfred C. McClure is president of the We had this experience at the Adventist Media Center. 850,000-member Seventh-day Adventist The media center’s property in Thousand Oaks, California, Church in North America.

6 (326) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 ADVENTIST LIFE My grandson and I had returned from a morning in the woods, where we studied wildlife, trees, plants, and especially ants. Back at home we had his favorite lunch— REWS peanut butter sandwiches, milk, and home- C Y

made applesauce. ERR T

As he ate he kept staring at me and BY finally asked, “Nana, are you getting old? TION Will you die soon?”

“Yes,” I said, “but not too soon. You’ll LLUSTRA I GI&VE probably be out of college, and when Jesus comes again I’ll have eternal life and be young forever!” “Nana,” he said, “if Jesus will make you younger, do you think He’ll make me 5 again? ’Cuz I’m having an awfully good time now.” —Helen Dorothy Charleroy, Browns Mills, New Jersey

Each week while teaching first through fourth grades at Brakeworth Junior Academy in Birmingham, Alabama, I required my students to memorize a Bible verse. When we got to the Ten Commandments, one of my first-grade students announced, “Thou shalt not admit adultery.” TAKE —Angela Emde, Mohawk, Tennessee S-S-S-SMILE ADVENTIST QUOTES “Not to decide is to decide not to.” —Don Corcoran, Veneta, Oregon

“Another advantage of “For much of Adventist history, the practice of vegetarianism has been considered wacky. As scientific paying tithe on one’s research validates the benefits of going meatless, the diet has become gross income is that easier as businesses have sought to capitalize on it.” all tax refunds are —from the Press-Enterprise, in a story about Loma Linda, California, Nov. 30, 1997

tithe-free.” “Thank You, Jesus, for the candy soup.” IN COSTUME: At last year’s Sonrise —Philip Law, Union City, California —Kathy Wickliff, then 3 years old, after tasting hot Resurrection Pageant at the Collegedale, chocolate for the first time Tennessee, church, Southern Adventist University student Kevin Lucas brought an additional prop—his boa constrictor, J.S. HOW DO YOU TEACH ADVENTIST HERITAGE? Visitors were able to pet J.S. as they made their way through the streets of “Jerusalem.” Passing on the stories is beneficial to Photo by Sherrie Platt. any family. For the Adventist family, it’s no different. The Review would like to know: How WE NEED YOU do you pass on the stories of God’s lead- Send Give & Take submissions to . . . ing in this church? What approaches Give & Take, Adventist Review, 12501 Old work best for children? students? new Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904; members? Fax: 301-680-6638; E-mail: Adventist Send ideas to Teaching Adventist [email protected]. Please Heritage at the Give & Take address include phone number. Submissions will not below. We’ll print many of them in a be returned. HERITAGE future issue.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 (327) 7 COVER STORY

DoctorDoctor HopeHope Linda Hyder Ferry, M.D., M.P.H., has a message for people who smoke: you can quit.

BY JONATHAN GALLAGHER

INALLY, AFTER YEARS OF Her discovery? In brief, that a very safe medication, known as bupropion, a stimulant antidepressant, has the abil- research, battles with bureaucracy, and ity to “mimic” the effects of nicotine on the brain, and so ease the problems of nicotine dependency and withdrawal. uphill struggles to gain interest, her In her own words: “Using bupropion as a means to stop smoking is the first FDA-approved, nonaddicting, nonnico- work in smoking cessation is being rec- tine medication that allows one to use a medicine that changes the neurochemistry in their brain to help them deal ognized as a real breakthrough. Most with the addiction pattern that has gone on for years and F years by using cigarettes that create the nicotine addiction”. Fimportant, this discovery has the potential to save the lives “This medication seems to decrease craving while you’re still smoking,” she says. “For some smokers it seems to make of many of the 420,000 people who die from smoking- cigarettes not taste as good, so that they do not enjoy smok- ing as much as they did before. After someone quits smok- related diseases in the United States each year. ing, it decreases the nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Bupropion stabilizes the chemicals in the brain. It works on Dr. Linda Ferry is chief of the Section of Preventive the same parts of the brain that nicotine affects and reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms.” Medicine at the Jerry L. Pettis Veteran Affairs Medical Bupropion is a real breakthrough that former surgeon general C. Everett Koop says will prove extremely useful in Center in Loma Linda, California, as well as associate pro- helping smokers quit, even those who have been addicted long-term. “Linda Ferry’s studies on bupropion as an aid to fessor in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Family smoking cessation provide the 45 million smoking nicotine HOTODISC addicts with the best assurance they have ever had that they © P Practice in the School of Medicine, and in the Department can quit smoking,” says Koop.

Koop Foundation director George Anderson, M.D., PHOTO of Health Promotion and Education in the School of Public M.P.H., emphasizes the potential benefits for society as a whole. “Linda Ferry’s medical research and clinical practice ACKGROUND

Health, at Loma Linda University. offer another whole realm of approach to solving the B

8(328) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 ALENZUELA V TO LBER A BY HOTO P problem of tobacco dependence for has is smoking. What are you going to leading me to a solution that was individuals and collectively as a social do about it?’” changing people’s lives—and that’s service,” said Anderson. “Her work “I felt God wanted someone to look what stopping smoking is all about.” will have a great social impact for the openly and critically at the problem of A fifth-generation Adventist work- foreseeable future.” smoking, searching for new answers. I ing in drug-dependency clinics, Linda had that sense of every door opening at was puzzled that some of her former The Right Time, the Right Place the right time and every door shutting patients left “clean” but still had packs But how did Ferry get involved in at the right time so that everything of cigarettes in their pockets. such a program in the first place? worked out for me to be able to do it— Investigating further, she discovered She explains that her dream had even though it was difficult. that nicotine is more addictive than any been to become a surgeon, but that “At every step of the way I prayed other known substance—more addictive God had directed her to preventive and said, ‘God, if You don’t want me even than heroin, amphetamines, or medicine, and smoking addiction in to do this, don’t let the proposal be cocaine—a fact confirmed by the expe- particular. “The Lord kept bringing approved; don’t let me get this grant.’ I rience of the addicts she was treating. me to this focus in public health prac- dedicated the whole project to Him, Working in the Veterans’ Affairs tice and saying to me, ‘Linda, the and once I saw patients succeeding, antismoking program, Linda was disap- most serious health problem America you couldn’t stop me. I knew God was pointed with the low success rate of

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 (329) 9 only about 5 per- “You also cent. She read the need to teach research of a psy- to people who chiatrist, who are addicted wrote that nico- behavior modi- tine dependency fication and may have links psychological with a tendency preparation for toward depression. what it’s going Recognizing that to be like to nicotine is an anti- live without depressant, Linda this substance used a drug that in their brain. would have the “But can same effect as you ignore the nicotine and so fact that we are help with the biological depression factor, beings, that yet not be addict- God created ing. the chemistry ALENZUELA “What we as in our brains to V TO nonsmokers don’t create moods LBER realize is that ciga- and emotions, A rette smoking for and that when BY HOTO some people is it’s damaged P helping them re- and destroyed arrange their BREAKING NEW GROUND: Dr. Ferry explains to the author how treating depression can help by other chemi- moods, their liberate smokers from their addiction to nicotine. cals it doesn’t neurochemistry, to work properly? make them feel normal,” says Linda. Studies show that using bupropion Why should you not give someone the “We may see smoking as a bad, smelly makes quitting twice as likely than if the help they need to get out of that habit habit that kills you and wonder why medication is not used. easily and quickly when it’s not a sub- people want to do that. We don’t Linda is quick to stress that the med- stance that’s going to create a new understand that for some people using ication is not a “magic purple pill,” but problem? If it’s a substance that is nicotine has become the only way that it must be used in conjunction with going to help someone get rid of a life- they feel they can be normal and live behavior modification and the recogni- threatening problem, why would you their lives.” tion of psychological dependence. withhold it from them?” When one uses bupropion before, “Curing addiction is not achieved For the real problem is not just the during, and after quitting smoking, the just through treating the chemistry, nicotine addiction, but the health risks brain chemistry is normalized more though that is important,” she says. posed by the 4,000 chemicals produced quickly, and the problems of nicotine “Addiction is like a triangle, and by the burning cigarette. As Linda withdrawal are much less severe. chemical dependency is just one of the says, it’s just the nicotine that keeps a Bupropion, sold under the brand name three sides. The other two sides—help- person hooked. Zyban, was approved by the Food and ing people change their behavior and “So when someone says to me, ‘Why Drug Administration in May and has tackling the reasons for psychological give these drugs—it’s all in the head’ I been available since July. Since coming dependence—are also essential if agree—it is all in the head, and it’s on the market as an antismoking aid, a someone is going to quit permanently.” about chemistry. Thought works total of 175,000 prescriptions for So why not just tell people to pray through our brain chemistry. Even bupropion have been issued, and it is about it? prayer involves God communicating expected that 3 million persons will “Yes, you should pray!” says Linda through our brains and their chemistry.” have been helped to quit smoking over quickly and firmly. “Milligram for mil- the next year using this particular form ligram, nicotine is the most addictive Saving Money, Saving Lives of treatment. The latest independent substance known. So you’d better pray Her convictions shine through as research that confirms Linda’s work has for someone, because there’s nothing she gives a presentation to some 40 just been published in the prestigious more powerful than this on the physicians in the Washington, D.C., New England Journal of Medicine. human brain. area. No soft sell here.

10 (330) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 come in and ask him what he was Life Lines reading to this little baby! “When I got old enough to under- BY LINDA FERRY, M.D. stand what he was reading me, my favorite story was Queen Esther. By the One of my patients was a young Adventist woman. She was a closet smoker— time I could read it for myself, my not even the people she worked with knew. Only her husband knew, because he father had memorized it! could smell it on her clothes. She smoked just three to five cigarettes a day. “I was deeply molded by her story— She had tried several times to quit but without success—she was addicted to that little girl who had nothing to those cigarettes. She attended one of my clinics and was able to stop by using hope for in the future. God put her in bupropion. After quitting, she became pregnant, and now that she’s had her a place where she was instrumental in baby she’s just thrilled! saving the lives of hundreds of thou- At the other end of the scale was a retired veteran who smoked four to five sands of her people. packs a day. Every 20 minutes he was gone—outside the house to smoke. His “That story has fascinated me all my daughter believed he was so addicted he would never be able to quit. She was life, especially the question Mordecai convinced he was going to die from his smoking addiction. asks Esther, ‘How do you know but that He refused to attend stop-smoking classes even when undergoing treatment you came to the kingdom for such a for pancreatitis. But when his daughter took back his first granddaughter from time as this?’ And if you turn your back lying in his arms and said the baby smelled like an ash tray, he decided that and don’t do the hard thing, God will though he may have destroyed his children’s lives by smoking, he wasn’t going find someone else.” to do the same to his grandchildren. He came back and saw me, and enrolled for antismoking classes. He used For Such a Time bupropion and the nicotine patch because he was so addicted. Finally he was able Linda Ferry is convinced that for to quit after smoking for 40 years. And he’s still not smoking one year later. her, this is such a time. She has little time for herself, with newspaper reports, television interviews, scientific She picks up a pack of a well- they be helped? Linda makes a solid presentations, and the many speaking known brand of cigarettes and tells case for the new treatment. engagements. But she is delighted to her audience that this is the most One physician nods in agreement. show her faith in action and to speak widely recognized product in the “Makes sense to me,” she says. well of the God she loves. world. Then she asks them what the Another is impressed by the power Most of all, she wants to share the number one preventable cause of of Linda’s presentation and her obvious hope of a better quality of life—a new death is in the United States. Answer: drive and commitment. “She’s a real life—without addiction. cigarette smoking. By the year 2030, if dynamo, isn’t she?” he comments. “One of my patients who quit smok- current trends continue, smoking will So why is she so involved, so com- ing comes to speak to a class of medical be the number one cause of death for mitted? What is it about her faith and students. He dresses just like he did the whole world. how she puts it into action? when he was a smoker, and describes “The 420,000 who died from smok- “I ask my patients if they have a spir- exactly what it was like. Then he tells ing-related diseases in this country itual basis for their lives—do they talk them, ‘Dr. Ferry gave me hope that alone are people who did not need to to God, do they ask for help? In my something would help me break die,” Linda tells the group. “They died stop-smoking class I emphasize that. At through my addiction. She not only 10, 20, or 30 years before their time. the end of my lectures I tell them, ‘God changed my life; she saved my life.’ You Why? Because they smoked and did bless you, and I’ll be praying for you.’” can have that same impact on the peo- not know how to quit.” Why? Because Linda recognizes the ple you deal with. You can give them The cost too is horrendous. Fifty importance of divine intervention in hope that they don’t need to stay billion dollars a year in direct medical her own life as well as in the lives of addicted for the rest of their lives.” bills. Fifty billion dollars more in lost others. A positive picture of a deeply earnings. Twenty-seven billion dollars “I grew up as an only child,” she says rooted faith in action. Someone who spent in hospital costs. Fifteen and a reflectively. “Both of my parents were trusts God to lead in her life and who half billion dollars spent in physicians’ teachers, and my mother was a nurse. is ready for such a time as this. ■ fees. And so on. My father read to me every night from Twenty-five percent of Americans the time I was one week old. He would Jonathan Gallagher is news are still smoking. That number is no read me the Review and Herald articles; director of the General longer falling, but is remaining con- he’d read me Uncle Arthur’s Bible Conference Communication stant. Many are hard-core smokers Stories; he’d read me his homework! Department. addicted to nicotine—and how can “My mother told me she would

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 (331) 11 GLOBAL MISSION: REACHING THE UNREACHED WITH HOPE

A New Cuban Revolution

GRASPING THE OPPORTUNITY In 1994 Maranatha Volunteers International started a new revolution in Cuba: a gospel revolution. Grasping the opportunity of lessened gov- ernment restrictions, Maranatha went to Cuba to assess the need. They discovered a church that had been unable to witness openly for more than 30 years. They found a church with no resources, no mate- rials, and crumbling build- ings. Maranatha’s work in Cuba the past few years is a story of hope. It’s a story of FUNDED hundreds of evan- renewal and growth. It’s a gelistic meetings and dis- miracle story. tributed millions of leaflets. Because of Maranatha’s Global Mission vision, the number of Seventh-day Adventists in Cuba has almost doubled in the past four years, and the church is now Cuba’s largest Protestant denomination. Praise be to God. —Mike Ryan, director, Global Mission

MARANATHA’S GLOBAL MISSION BUILT hundreds of Sabbath school rooms and BROUGHT HOPE to provided more than 200 felt sets for children. VISION HAS . . . thousands of Cubans.

A PERFECT EXAMPLE “The positive relationship that exists between Global Mission and Maranatha Volunteers International is a perfect exam- ple of what can happen when a church orga- nization and a lay organization, working

USE together, focus on the goal of taking the RA K

Y gospel to the world. We build on each AR

G other’s strengths, and the result is souls for BY the kingdom of God.” HOTOS

P —Don Noble, president, REFURBISHED every Adventist church in Cuba and built 70 new churches since 1994. Maranatha Volunteers International

12 (332) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 CURRENT ISSUES

Adventists and the Media Why we need a higher standard

BY WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON

IVE BRONZE The key word is choose: our life in the bodies bow in a world inevitably exposes us to a variety public park in of experiences that come to us unbidden, Seoul, Korea. but what about the hours when we have the Gaunt, naked, freedom to see or not to F see, to hear or not to life-size, they are identical, each cast from the same hear? It’s high time we wake up to our nakedness, stand up, and walk away from the mold. They prostrate themselves before a huge TV— bowing herd.

which is empty where the screen should be. s followers of Jesus Christ, we look on the world through the lens of the cross. That cross turned Amusing as it is, the sculpture, made last year by Kim Athe ancient world upside down and still confronts society. Not fashion, popularity, or polls determine our Young Won, delivers a stinging critique of the media. It lam- choices and life in the world; only Jesus and Him cruci- fied. “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross poons the vacuousness of most TV programming, the impov- of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world” (Gal. 6:14, KJV).* erishment of spirit it brings to the viewer, and its persuasive Christ lived in the world, thoroughly a part of it, but not of it. So must we. Like His, our lives are to be a sweet power to shape society. fragrance of grace, transforming evil, rolling back the dark, salting society. Where do Adventists fit in this sculpture? How The biggest danger facing Seventh-day Adventists many of us, naked and gaunt, bow before the televi- comes from the culture. I write from Silver Spring, ISC

sion set? Only God knows. Maryland, but for all its trappings of Christianity, D I am convinced that we need a higher standard. Not American culture is not Christian. Christianity here is tied HOTO just for TV, but for all the images and sounds that we to public events and ceremonies—the chaplain for the U.S. © P choose to spend time with—movies, videos, radio, Senate prays publicly before its deliberations, politicians go to HOTOS

the Internet, as well as magazines and books. church seeking photo opportunities, the White House inaugu- P

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 (333) 13 rates the annual Christmas tree—but them, face suffering and even death. But And thereby the message is: the aber- the culture is driven by values that are rarely does God have a part: the unspo- rant is to be accepted as “normal.” non-Christian or anti-Christian. ken assumption is that God is unneces- ■ Degraders of the culture. The media The same danger confronts Ad- sary. does more than hold a mirror to life— ventists—indeed, all Christians—in ■ Messages hostile to God and by playing up the aberrant and gutter every land. Everywhere culture exerts a Christianity. You are likely to see and morality, it gives the culture a push deadly pull that would cause us to veer hear more about the devil than God. downhill, ever farther away from off the Jesus way. Instead of our trans- Currently the media seems obsessed with Christian values. forming the culture, it squeezes us into angels and reincarnation stories. The the- As a Christian I face a question of its mold. ology set forth in the media stands in conscience: To what extent, if any, can I This isn’t something new; it’s as old ongoing tension with the Bible. give my support to this powerful force as our faith. Read through the New whose overall effect is to degrade the Testament, and you find writer after culture? writer telling the early Christians this very thing. he society in which Christianity “Do not conform any longer to the took root was surprisingly like ours. pattern of this world,” writes Paul, “but Let’s T It was a world of gluttony, sodomy, be transformed by the renewing of your and fish fed on the flesh of learned mind. Then you will be able to test slaves; of orgies and drinking bouts; of and approve what God’s will is—his transform the titillation and ever more gross displays of good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom. violence; of brothels visited by emperors 12:2). And John the Beloved counsels, culture, not and emperors’ wives; of the Colosseum “Do not love the world or anything in and gladiators, with exotic beasts and the world. If anyone loves the world, bow down human lives poured out before the roar- the love of the Father is not in him. ing crowd (see, for instance, 1 Corin- For everything in the world—the crav- thians 6:9-11; Ephesians 2:1-3; 5:3-12; ings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes to it. 1 Peter 4:3, 4). and the boasting of what he has and How did Christians understand them- does—comes not from the Father but selves in such a society? As a creative from the world” (1 John 2:15, 16). counterculture that rejected the values The King James Version translates of society even as society rejected theirs. the values of the world as “the lust of As citizens of two kingdoms: one on the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and I find two areas especially offen- earth, the other in heaven. As a new the pride of life.” This unholy trilogy sive—the bad language and the lack race, with Christ the head, who would expresses well the overall impact of the of morality. soon return in glory (see Phil. 2:15, 16; media today. Let’s not kid ourselves: the How many times can we hear the Col. 3:1-3). media is in business for bucks, not names of God and Christ spoken in jest The New Testament never recom- Christian values. Violence, adultery, or as oaths and not be affected? In the mends a monastic withdrawal from the sex, glitz, and glamour sell; the media marketplace we may have to endure bad world, nor should we as we consider gives the people what they want. When language from colleagues, but why our relation to the media. Adventists, will Adventists wise up? The media would we choose to put up with it in our however, have tried to take an “all-or- isn’t interested in building up the king- free time? nothing” approach—ban TV, movies dom of God. Second, the media gravitates toward verboten. That served us fine for a Let’s be quite clear: the media per se the lowest level of public morals. Does while, but now has broken down com- isn’t evil. The media is neutral, to be everyone lie at the drop of a hat today? pletely. Television can and does pro- put to good or evil use by the people Is everybody jumping into bed with duce some valuable programming manipulating it. When sounds and someone else’s spouse? The media would (CNN, the Arts and Entertainment images, words and music, come together suggest so, but I’m not persuaded. channel, the History channel, etc.). in the right pacing, they can inspire and ■ Playing up the aberrant. The Some Adventists, like news anchor uplift us, and give us a glimpse of media moguls seem hell-bent on push- Brenda Wood (see December 1997 Paradise. Or they can move us to base ing the limits. They walk the edge, NAD Edition), live out their faith in passions, fantasies of evil. testing the point where the bizarre the world of television. And of course, Here is my complaint with the vast ceases to attract and instead offends. Adventists have used television from majority of stuff that the media turns out: Nudity, prostitution, incest, sodomy, the time of Bill Fagal to Mark Finley, ■ God is irrelevant. Characters get bestiality, rape, sadism, masochism— Dan Matthews, and Walter Pearson into scrapes, work their way through they play up the aberrant. today.

14 (334) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 Likewise with the movies—the old higher standard must begin with me and ting ourselves to programming that arguments no longer stand. Forget about my home. I invite discussion of this befits our profession as disciples of Jesus going to movies—the movies come into topic—isn’t anyone else out there Christ, our Saviour, Lord, and soon- Adventist living rooms via TV and appalled? Or are my ideas all wet? But coming King. videos. And too often we are found much more, I challenge everyone to When Jesus comes, God’s people will naked: we haven’t learned to discrimi- take seriously and apply the tests that be looking up, not bowed down. They nate, to critique, to set up prior standards Scripture indicates: will be clothed in His righteousness, not of personal and family viewing. Because 1. “So whether you eat or drink or naked. They will be whole, hearty men movies were officially verboten, we whatever you do [or view or listen and women in Him, not gaunt and haven’t had the benefit of informed dis- to], do it all for the glory of God” bony. They will be strong individuals cussion and critique enjoyed by many (1 Cor. 10:31). who think for themselves, not clones. evangelical Christians. The result? Too 2. “Whatever is true, whatever is And their eyes will be fixed on Him, many Adventists view movies that suck noble, whatever is right, whatever is not on this world. out their spiritual life. pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is Even so, come, Lord Jesus. I find the situation appalling. It’s time admirable—if anything is excellent or we planted our standard in the sand. It’s praiseworthy—think about such things” * Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations in this article are from the New time we wised up as to who we are in this (Phil. 4:8). International Version. world, and where we are in the stream of Adventists won’t come up to a high- history. It’s time to tell our young peo- er standard just because the church leg- ple—and older ones—that God calls us islates it. No set of rules or external William G. Johnsson is editor to counter the culture, to transform the restraints can lift us up—the Internet, of the Adventist Review. culture, not to try to ride as close to the for instance, comes to us individually edge of the culture as we can. and privately and has to be personally It’s easier to tell others what to do monitored. No; we need change at the than to do it yourself, so this call to a personal level, by individually commit-

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 (335) 15 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES Message Celebrates a Century of Service and Journalistic Coverage

BY DELBERT W. BAKER, A FORMER MESSAGE EDITOR AND NOW PRESIDENT OF OAKWOOD COLLEGE

illions have been link of the Southern Missionary missionary inspired by Message Society, an independent volunteer work, magazine in the past organization also founded by White, Christian 100 years; however, the Gospel Herald sold hundreds of help activi- few people know its thousands of copies and became a pop- ties, indus- Mfascinating history and how God has ular religious journal in the South. trial training, used the journal to advance the devel- The catch line in the first issue of the and farm and opment and progress of Black people. Gospel Herald best sums up its appeal: business Founded in 1898 by James Edson “The magazine with a message is the activities. White, son of Ellen G. White, co- magazine we want to hear.” In its early founder of the Seventh-day Adventist With the January 1901 issue, the years the Church, the first nine issues of the magazine was printed in Nashville, paper fluctu- Steve Ruff, current editor Gospel Herald (Message’s original name) Tennessee, where Edson White moved ated in the were printed on board the Morning Star, the Gospel Herald Publishing Company. number of pages, ranging from 8 to 16. a steamboat that shuttled up and down The ministry also published books, mag- It proved an excellent means of com- the Yazoo River in Mississippi. azines, and educational materials for munication concerning the work In the 1800s educating Blacks was a ministry to Blacks in the South. among Black people in the South. In dangerous enterprise, so White housed The targeted audience of the Gospel fact, its pages comprise one of the most the printing venture on board the Herald was Southern Blacks, and the complete and reliable records of the Morning Star for protection and mobil- purpose of the magazine was to teach Black Seventh-day Adventist work. ity. If the climate became too danger- and galvanize them to reach for a bet- In the first issue of the Herald, May ous in one place, the Morning Star ter way of life educationally, economi- 1898, Edson White’s first editorial would move to a different location. cally, and spiritually. The mission to explained that the magazine’s purpose The plan was innovative and effective; educate Blacks came in part from Dr. was to “awaken an interest in the however, White and his team were John H. Kellogg, superintendent of the South.” He identified his two editorial ridiculed, chased, shot at, and resisted Battle Creek Sanitarium, who sug- objectives as (1) the securing of mis- by disgruntled Caucasian Southerners. gested that Edson White publish a paper sionary effort and support for “both Nevertheless, as the communication carrying an account of the work educational and evangelistic work” and among Blacks. (2) the encouragement of Adventist Initially the paper families to move to the South to take was not to make advantage of the “unparalleled oppor- direct appeals for tunities” to start ventures in the busi- finances, but simply ness and farming lines. to represent the Edson believed that the strength character and needs and progress of Blacks were dependent of the work. on securing committed church mem- The Gospel bers to live in the South, witness to Herald continued Adventist teachings, and either directly regular reports on or indirectly build the work and rela- Adventist work tions between Blacks and Whites. among Blacks, Therefore, he initially targeted the including the devel- Black population living in the THEN AND NOW: Message magazine’s forerunner was the opment of mission Mississippi and Yazoo valleys. Gospel Herald. schools, medical In 1910 the magazine became the

16 (338) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES official magazine of the new Negro editors interested in reforming race With its tasteful and balanced Department of the General relations and building unity. In 1945 articles, editorials, reports, and special Conference, and the printing was Louis B. Reynolds was appointed the features, Message is distinguished as taken over by Oakwood College in fourth editor, the first Black to hold one of the oldest religious journals in Huntsville, Alabama. From then on it that position. The 25-year history of America. From humble beginnings became a news journal for the Black the Gospel Herald provided insightful the magazine now has a circulation Adventist churches in North America. information on the actions, personali- of more than 75,000. Faithful readers The magazine ceased publication for ties, and policies of Adventist leaders are found across the U.S. and around 11 years when Oakwood College began toward the Black work in the South. the world. producing the Oakwood Bulletin in In its pages were recorded the ori- One hundred years after the small 1923. Publication resumed in 1934 gin of churches, educational beginning of the Gospel Herald in the under the new name—Message. This advances, racial issues, and the gen- heart of the South, Message continues. name change was suggested 28 years eral pulse of the work for Black peo- Among its numerous distinctions are earlier in a Gospel Herald editorial, ple. Virtually every major develop- its role as a Christian magazine of con- which said the magazine should be ment in the Adventist Church’s out- temporary issues and its status as the called The Message. The revised journal reach among Blacks was either report- only Black religious and international was published at the Southern ed on, referred to, or intimated about journal focusing on role models, posi- Publishing Association in Nashville, in the Gospel Herald. tive Christian lifestyle, and social- Tennessee, until 1981, when it moved Throughout its colorful history and moral issues. Historically, Message has to the Review and Herald Publishing 12 editors Message has responded targeted and always will target people Association. faithfully to the social, domestic, and who are deeply concerned with minor- Until 1945 the Gospel Herald/ spiritual needs of Black people in ity and diversity issues from a Message was coordinated by White North America and around the globe. Christian perspective.

NEWSBREAK

UN Official Urges Adventists Religious Liberty Association’s World Congress to Support Human Rights held in Rio de Janeiro in June of 1997.” —Adventist News Network.

nited Nations special rapporteur Abdelfattah Amor Ingathering Support Reverses 20-Year Trend Uurged members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church to continue giving strong support to human In 1997, for the first time in 20 years, the total rights and religious freedom. amount raised through the Adventist churches’ Speaking at a religious liberty rally at the Spencerville Ingathering activities in North America was greater than Seventh-day Adventist Church in Maryland on January it was in the previous year. The total of all funds raised 24, Amor, who is responsible for monitoring intolerance was $4,458,728, as compared to $4,397,328 in 1996. and religious and human rights abuses around the world, The 1997 annual campaigns were conducted under said that basic freedoms continue to be threatened. new guidelines that allow two optional programs to “Each day at the UN we are working to advance reli- replace the traditional Ingathering format in those con- gious liberty and to eliminate intolerance and injustice,” ferences that choose a change of focus. said Amor. He called for wider commitment for this World Service Appeal is the traditional program, and essential human right, noting that the process would $3,463,452 was raised by the 44 conferences still using it “take a long time.” in 1997. Only 16 of these 44 conferences raised more He also expressed his pleasure at being “among money than in 1996. friends,” and said that he appreciated the contribution The Adventist Development and Relief Agency made by Adventists to the cause of religious liberty. Annual Appeal is a new program that has been field- Amor was welcomed by Bert Beach, director of tested in Canada for several years. In 1997 a total of 14 interchurch relations for the General Conference, who conferences switched to this program, and they raised identified him as “a strong defender of religious liberty $699,276. Six of these 14 conferences raised more money [and someone] who has joined Adventists and others in than they did in 1996. a number of congresses, most recently the International Campaign for Community is a new program that has

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 (339) 17 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES Serious Bible Study, Anyone? Anyone?

BY ANDY NASH, ADVENTIST REVIEW ASSISTANT EDITOR

he irony is less than flattering. Meanwhile, production of Pacific Press’s excellent Bible In a year themed “Experiencing the Power of God’s Amplifier series has been put on hold. Authors for three TWord,” two of our best Bible study aids are dying on volumes awaiting publication—Joshua, Job, and the shelves. Philippians—have been paid a kill fee. The 14 volumes Lee Gugliotto’s Handbook for Bible Study (Review and already published have sold poorly, averaging just 2,000 Herald), the first Adventist-authored book to win an sales in their first year. Evangelical Church Press Association Gold “They’ve lost big money,” says acquisi- Medallion, continues to struggle. In 1997, tions editor Jerry Thomas. “People seem to 527 copies were sold, down from 2,118 in NEWS COMMENTARY be a lot more interested in speculation 1995 (its first year), when it placed thirty- about the end-time than in deep Bible second among 35 new Review and Herald releases. study. It’s just more work than most people want to put into it.” “Our suspicion is that Adventists aren’t the readers they “Our pioneers were people of the Book,” says church his- used to be,” says Jeannette Johnson, Review and Herald acqui- torian George Knight, who edits the Amplifier series. “I sitions editor. “We’ve gotten so mentally flabby, and it’s so easy rather doubt that we could be called people of the Book to gather information that someone has already chewed up. It’s today. Many Sabbath school classes barely open their Bibles.” almost as if we’re afraid to go to our Bibles. We’re always read- Handbook for Bible Study and the Bible Amplifier series ing about it, but we’re not reading in it. We’re just circling.” continue to be available at Adventist Book Centers.

NEWSBREAK

been field-tested in the United States for two years. Only Mar. 21 The Acts Files—Adventist Review concert, 120 local churches participated in nine pilot projects in 4:30-6:00 p.m., Galaxy 9, channel 11 seven conferences. They raised $296,000 in 1997, and Mar. 28 Cross Training—Youth Ministries, only one project raised less money than last year. 4:00-6:00 p.m., Galaxy 9, channel 1 Mar. 31 PREACH seminar, 1:00-5:30 p.m., Adventist Review Concert on March 21 Galaxy 9, channel 2 Apr. 1 First Wednesday—church news, 7:30- The Adventist Review magazine presents “The Acts 9:00 p.m., Galaxy 9, channel 22 Files,” a satellite concert from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. March Apr. 4 Voice of Prophecy—interactive Bible study, 21, on Galaxy 4, channel 11. 4:00-6:00 p.m., Galaxy 4, channel 11 Hosted by Review editor William G. Johnsson, “The Apr. 11 Cross Training—Church elders and Acts Files” will feature profiles of Adventist Christians visitation coordinators, 4:00-6:00 p.m., who have made their commitment to Christ a part of Galaxy 9, channel 22 their everyday life, turning their lives into ministry. Apr. 11 Cross Training—women’s ministries, The program features outstanding music, video 6:00-8:00 p.m., Galaxy 9, channel 2 reports, live interviews, and stories from Cuba, Peru, Russia, and North America. What’s Upcoming?

Adventist Communication Mar. 1 Monthly Focus—Women in the Church Network Broadcasts Mar. 7 Women’s Day of Prayer Mar. 14-21 Adventist Youth Week of Prayer Here are a few of the programs planned Mar. 28 Disability Awareness Sabbath ACN by the Adventist Communication Network Mar. 28 Thirteenth Sabbath Offering for the for March and April, 1998. Call 1-800- Southern Asia Division ACN-1119 for complete program listings, time, and chan- Apr. 4 Stewardship Sabbath nel information. All times shown are Eastern time.

18 (340) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 ON THE HOME FRONT Is There a Veterinarian LESLIE KAY in the House?

hen my husband and I married, we were rather than the rule, previously incapacitating allergies more toler- your garden-variety vegetarians. We ate our able, and episodes of colds and flu less frequent. Our energy and vegetables swathed in cheese and on pizza stamina have increased. And best of all, our children seem to have whenever possible—and finished off with escaped the asthma that plagued my childhood and adolescence. the daily adult requirement We are learning that trust in divine power is Wof vitamins and minerals found only in ice not just a predictable bit of religious advice cream. Entombed as they were in saturated fat, tacked on to the end of the list. It provides the our broccoli and zucchini barely recognized foundation for the other seven elements. To rec- each other as they sped through our digestive ognize the spiritual dimension of health at its systems. most fundamental level is to appreciate the real- ) Then we decided to go for the nutritional ity that, in the words of Ellen White, “to the OMPOSITE gusto. No more detours to Baskin-Robbins; nix death of Christ we owe even this earthly life. C the visits to Twinkieville. We had become seri- The bread we eat is the purchase of His broken AL IGIT

ous vegetarians. Snob vegetarians. The kind of body. The water we drink is bought by His (D obnoxious, elitist vegetarians who caused even spilled blood. Never one, saint or sinner, eats his ISC D Adventists to tremble when they invited us for daily food, but he is nourished by the body and Sabbath lunch. What to feed people who actu- the blood of Christ. The cross of Calvary is HOTO © P ally like scrambled tofu, and rank sugar as a stamped on every loaf. It is reflected in every toxic substance? And who feel it their solemn water spring” (The Desire of Ages, p. 660). HOTOS P duty to say so? To think that the very food we consume There is justice. We have received our recompense. Witness comes to us at the expense of the life of Christ. Our breath, our the herd of expensive gastronomical misfits that roam our yard. thoughts, and every physical and mental capacity we enjoy are Jake, part rottweiler and part sumo wrestler, gives new meaning predicated on Christ’s willingness to give up His breath, His to the phrase “galloping gourmet.” His appetite is unquenchable; his thoughts, His very being, for us. The realization has a subduing palate undiscriminating. He has never met a disgusting smell he did effect on the soul. Healthful living ceases to be an egotistical not embrace. Dog chow and cow pies he consumes with equal relish, exercise and becomes our tribute of gratitude to our incredible with a shrubbery side salad and disposable diapers for dessert. Lord. Sam, our sleek black cat, is restricted to a pricey prescription The Lord has strange ways of reminding me of this truth. diet for male cats with a history of urinary tract infections. But Sometimes He allows my ego to get a good tweaking, as it did this does not prevent him from supplementing it with the heads when I met up with my young friend, Marie. She introduced of lizards and kangaroo rats whose misfortune it is to stray into me to the girl who accompanied her. “This is Leslie. She don’t his path. eat meat. All she eats is vegetables.” And then there is Thelma, our resident guinea hen, who “Uh-huh,” said the girl, who recognized a preposterous state- thinks vinyl is a food group. The instant her coop is opened in the ment when she heard one. morning, she gallops across the yard to unravel our patio carpet. “I’m not lyin’! She don’t eat hamburgers or anything! She She swallows each slippery green strand with rapt abandon, like only eats lettuce.” Marie smiled sagely. “She’s a veterinarian.” Julia Child savoring a delectable new pasta. This was food for thought. Maybe I should consider a new Oh, well, what do animals know about nutrition? All they care career. With our menagerie, it might help to pay the food bill. about is taste. Besides, real healthful living is so much more than food and drink. It has eight dimensions that encompass every Leslie Kay feeds her family and her menagerie on a aspect of life: pure air, sunlight, moderation, rest, exercise, proper mining claim near Chloride, Arizona. diet, the use of water, and trust in divine power. These eight natural remedies have made our lives more abun- dant on every level. Aches and pains have become the exception

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 (341) 19 DEVOTIONAL

NigPortraitsh oft Godwa in the wee hourstch

BY KENT A. HANSEN

ATTY’S ASLEEP. ANDREW IS CRYING. I’M In this very moment I know that I am loved even as I awake. This is natural selection. love. “Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have So I take a bottle from the refrigerator door compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, and put it in the warmer. Andrew expects more yet I will not forget you” (Isa. 49:15, NKJV). than me when I pick him up. He screams when Thank You, dear Father, for the very idea of communion. he doesn’t get it right away. From Your heart to mine, from mine to his—a living love. P“It’s OK. I’ve got him,” I call in to a stirring Patty. Amen. ■ The details are hazy—grab the bottle with one hand and test its warmth by dribbling some milk on the other wrist; Kent A. Hansen is an attorney in Corona, too hot; fumble to turn the faucet on; run cool water over California. He is a member of the Loma Linda the bottle. Another wrist splash. I don’t feel anything. On University Seventh-day Adventist Church. into his mouth. Andrew’s face at these moments is screwed up to make a fitted coupling for the nipple. The connec- tion is everything, and his sucking noises say, About God’s Tender Care “It’s a go!” Back in his room, I turn off the light and “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compas- sit in the rocker. Three in the morning. I’ll be sion on those who fear him” (Ps. 103:13, NIV). in court in five and a half hours. What about the contract due tomorrow afternoon? I have a “The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child million racing thoughts in the dark. I’m con- put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on fused and disoriented. I cannot serve both all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the God and mammon. I can’t be in two places at Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:8, 9, NIV). one time. I can’t be both father and lawyer at 3:00 a.m. on Monday morning. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Andrew turns in toward my chest and wrig- Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but gles down in my arms. He is a round bundle to those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on my dark-adjusted eyes. He is my boy. He wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not depends on me. be faint” (Isa. 40:29-31, NIV). My consciousness focuses on him. His little PRINGER ear and cheek are pressed against my naked “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take D. S OEL chest. It is very dark. Life here and now great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you J BY amounts to three things—supporting arms, with singing” (Zeph. 3:17, NIV). HOTO warm milk, and a steady heartbeat. P

22 (342) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 (343) 23 FEATURE A Suitable Promise

BY MAX TORKELSEN II

ur family was just starting to feel the financial had stayed in Hawaii, wearing suits only once a week, and if stress of church school bills. As a young pastor, I had not gained some weight myself, I would have had suits I had always been faithful with my tithe and enough to last until the Lord comes. support of other church offerings, but with a “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in “stay-at-home” mom and the high cost of liv- mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I Oing in Hawaii, we were starting to feel the pinch. I was begin- will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a bless- ning to wonder when the promised blessing, so large “there ing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Mal. 3:10). shall not be room enough to receive it” was going to come. The heat and humidity of Hawaii was not easy on the Max Torkelsen II is president of the Upper wardrobe—especially my suits. Fortunately, Hawaiians are Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in sensible and informal, so I didn’t have to wear a suit much Spokane, Washington. This story will appear in except on Sabbath. Over and Over Again, a new book of 150 personal Every week as we got ready for Sabbath School and church, testimonies about stewardship, to be published this my wife, Linnea, would take my suit pants off the hanger and spring by the North American Division. hold the seat up to the light to see how thin the fabric had become. She had long ago predicted that if I did not get a new suit soon, there was going to be an embarrassing accident. It happened on Communion Sabbath as I knelt to wash my brother’s feet—the seat of my pants split wide open. Fortunately I was able to sneak into my office and Linnea did some emergency repair that, with my coat on, enabled me to finish the service. A new suit was no longer a luxury, but a necessity. We were scheduled for a trip home to visit family on the main- land. The first thing I did in Modesto was to go to the local men’s clothing store to look at suits. I was delighted to dis- cover they just happened to be having a two-for-one sale and I thought, Yes, the Lord’s promise is true! I purchased a sharp-looking dark suit, got a second free, and knew that I would be taken care of for several years. But, the promise says, “blessing beyond what you can receive.” That Sabbath at church I was talking with my friend, Clair, and told him about the Lord blessing me with two new suits for the price of one. He asked my size. “Forty-two long,” I said. “Perfect,” Clair replied. He told me about his morti- cian friend who always wears dark suits in his line of work. Several months before, the mortician had gone on a very restricted diet and had lost 75 pounds. This necessitated the purchase of four new suits to fit his slimmer size. After going off the diet, he soon gained back his weight and now he had four nearly new dark suits to give away—size 42 long. Would I be interested in a couple Pierre Cardin’s and a couple of Hart, Schaffner, and Marx? Six new dark suits! Who but a mortician or a preacher could ever use that many? Blessings too great to receive! If I

24 (344) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT Loma Linda University Medical Center “Educational center of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist health-care system” THE March 1998

T O E M A K E M A N W H O L LOMA LINDA REPORT

A few of the members of the transplantation team that helped care for Joe and Jack White include the following (from left) Pat Byrnes, RN, operating room nurse; Zeny Cucio, RN, operating room nurse; H. Roger Hadley, MD, professor of surgery; Julia Nofrada, RN, operating room nurse; Okechukwu Ojogho, MD, transplant surgeon; Paul Hammond, MBBS, associate professor of medicine; Waldo Concepcion, MD, associate professor of surgery; and Carol Maas, RN, coordinator, Transplantation Institute. Kidney donor thanks Loma Linda University Medical Center for care, support received The following article was written as an plant surgery was performed at Loma past month while I was donating a kid- open letter by Joe White, an employee at Linda University Medical Center. Beckwith ney to my brother, Jack, who lives in Beckwith Machinery Company, located in Machinery Company is a major supplier of California. Without your support it the city of Indiana, Pennsylvania. Mr. engines, transmissions, and torque convert- would have been much more difficult. White donated a kidney to his brother, Jack ers for high-drive tractors. Although there have been a few com- White, who lives in California. The trans- * * * plications with the transplant, I am told I just wanted to take this oppor- that the doctors are very pleased with Information for this section is supplied tunity to thank everyone at Beckwith the results and feel my brother is doing by the Loma Linda University Medical Machinery Company for the support, well. Center office of public affairs. concern, and prayers received over the Please turn to next page “FULFILLING THE VISION” “FULFILLING THE VISION”

I am also doing very well, and returned to work on June 23, 1997. I am sure our good fortune is the result of About the Transplantation Institute excellent care and focused prayer. Praise be to God. Organ transplantation began at Loma Linda University Medical Center in I think you will be interested in the April, 1967, with a kidney transplant, just eleven weeks before the institution similarities between Loma Linda moved from the old hospital on the hill to its present location. Kidney trans- University Medical Center and plantation has developed over the years to the point where approximately 70 Beckwith Machinery Company. Both patients receive a transplant each year at the Medical Center institutions are leaders in their fields The Transplantation Institute began performing pancreas and combined and are staffed with dedicated people kidney/pancreas transplants on diabetic patients in 1993. After transplanta- who are the best in their industry— tion, patients no longer need hemodialysis or insulin injections. teams that are dedicated to specific Approximately 800 kidneys have been transplanted since the program goals, training, and excellence. They began 30 years ago. Patient survival is 97 percent; several patients have are organizations willing to do what it maintained kidney function for more than 22 years. takes to get the job done right. Highlights of the transplantation program include the following: I am fortunate to be part of a team • Kidney transplant program that achieves these high standards. My • First renal transplant performed in October, 1997 brother and I are grateful to have experi- • Offers adult and pediatric transplant services enced this standard of excellence at • Approximately 200 patients on waiting list Loma Linda University Medical Center. • Kidney/pancreas program The doctors tell me donating a kid- • First pancreas transplant performed in January, 1993 ney is like donating two kidneys. First • Transplants available at present only to adults they get a much healthier kidney from • Approximately 20 patients on waiting list a live donor. Second, they can use the • Liver transplant program cadaver kidney on someone else. • First liver transplant performed at LLUMC in August, 1993 My brother and I were operated on • Available at present to adults only Tuesday, June 3, 1997. What impressed • More than 50 patients on waiting list me was the make-up of the operating • Function team. My surgeon was Dr. Roger • Diversified, multicultural, and multidisciplinary team Hadley, an American and head of the • Pre/post operative care of adult and pediatric kidney patients urology section. My brother’s surgeon • Pre/post operative care of adult kidney/pancreas patients was Dr. Okechukwu Ojogho from • Pre/post operative care of adult liver transplant patients Nigeria. The team leader was Dr. • Accreditations Waldo Concepcion from Argentina. • United Network for Organ Sharing The physicians who restructured • American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics and repaired the kidney (they had to • Clinical transplant coordinators are certified through the remove a large cyst and connect American Board of Transplant Coordinators or hold certification several arteries and veins together) in area of clinical specialty were from Iran. The nurses were from Russia, Asia, Mexico, and the United States. race, religion, language, and cultural who transplanted the kidney and over- What amazed me was the coopera- barriers by focusing on the mission and came some major obstacles on the tion and dedication of this multi- goals and dreams for the betterment of operating table. national team. I think there are several mankind. I used to be nervous around reasons why. I learned an important lesson about Hispanic people. Now I think of the Loma Linda University is a myself at Loma Linda. I never realized laughter and smiles of the nurses who Seventh-day Adventist institution. how prejudiced I had become over the worked around the clock to get us up Their dedication to God and Jesus years. Before donating this kidney, and moving. Christ is very evident the moment you when I thought of Iran, I thought of the I could go on and on, but I think you walk through the doors. Second, the Ayatollah Khomeini. Now I think of get the point. I went to California to energy and momentum one generates the surgeons that rebuilt the kidney to donate a kidney, but I came back with by being part of a well-focused team of make it usable. much more than I gave away. Perhaps world-class players is very powerful When I thought of Nigeria, I that is the age-old lesson we learn by medicine. These factors have allowed thought of the Ebola virus and desti- giving. Thank you for the opportunity the folks at Loma Linda to overcome tute poverty; now I think of Dr. Ojogho to share this with you. FROM THE HEART In One Accord ROBERT S. FOLKENBERG

rom our earliest days as a harried group of leftover upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor Millerites up through today as a growing church of we were able to bear?” (verse 10). In short, there were heated more than 10 million members in 180 countries— debates. Luke calls it “much disputing” (verse 7). Seventh-day Adventists as a What the Bible presents in this corporate entity have strug- chapter is an account of sincere, Fgled from divisions and tensions. committed believers arguing over Whether disagreements over the It’s hard to what was, no doubt, an essential meaning of the “daily,” the hour when issue, for it touched on the whole Sabbath begins, women’s ordination, imagine that concept of salvation itself. the law in Galatians, whatever—the How long the debate was, Acts Adventist Church has not been with- everyone was doesn’t say. However, it does say out internal conflict. that they reached a consensus. The While disagreement, given human participants decided to send some nature, might be inevitable, it’s convinced. messengers out who would convey unfortunate that we haven’t always the conclusion of the council to dealt with these problems in the most Christlike manner. other churches. “It seemed good unto us,” the letter said, Conflicts within the body of Christ are nothing new. The “being . . . with one accord, to send chosen men unto you book of Acts reports dissension even in the early days of the with our beloved Barnabas and Paul” (verse 25). nascent church, when some Greeks complained that their Notice that they were of “one accord.” It’s hard to widows were being neglected in the “daily ministration” imagine that everyone at the meeting was convinced (Acts 6:1). Later on, another problem arose that could have that this was the right decision, even with the Holy threatened the unity of the whole church and its mission: Spirit present (verse 28). However, the text never inti- “And certain men which came down from Judea taught the mates that any of those at the council refused to abide by brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the man- the decision. After all, nothing in the decision itself ner of Moses, ye cannot be saved” (Acts 15:1). went against Scripture. Considering that the early church was composed of many Actually, the verses quoted by James (which seem to devout Jews who viewed their acceptance of Christ not as a have ended the debate) talked only of the Gentiles coming repudiation of their religion, but rather as its culmination, to know the Lord. They said nothing, either way, about it’s not surprising that something as fundamental and basic whether they should be circumcised or not. Thus there were to Jewish thought as circumcision would be deemed salvific, no scriptural reasons to defy a policy that they might not especially among a people who did not yet fully understand have agreed with. the gospel as taught by Paul. Acts is a model for the universal church as it deals with As a result, there was “no small dissension and disputa- universal problems. Under the power of the Holy Spirit, tion” (verse 2) over this topic. Consequently, “they deter- with the Scriptures as a guide, these believers assembled in mined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, order to decide—for the church as a whole—a crucial issue, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about making a decision that perhaps not everyone agreed with, this question.” Thus the early church decided that the best but that they didn’t allow to hamper their unity. way to deal with the problem was to call a gathering of There are lessons here for all believers. believers to resolve the issue. Acts records that at the Jerusalem Council (as it has been Robert S. Folkenberg is president of the General called) some of the Pharisees who had accepted Christ said that Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. it was “needful to circumcise them [the Gentiles] and to com- mand them to keep the law of Moses” (verse 5). Others, mean- while, like Peter, urged against it, saying, “Why . . . put a yoke

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 (347) 27 FEATURE

Our Ministry to Ministers For nearly 20 years Adventists have been serving ministry professionals of other denominations. Later this month an innovative approach to clergy professional development will cover North America.

BY NIKOLAUS SATELMAJER

HICH ADVENTIST PERIODICAL, This innovative program did not stop with the sending of sent to thousands of individuals, influ- the magazine. Ministry Professional Growth seminars were ences hundreds of thousands more— also launched, bringing together both Adventist pastors and many of them not Adventists? pastors of other denominations for the purpose of participat- It’s Ministry, an international ing in one-day seminars on various topics. Nearly 1,000 such Wjournal for pastors. seminars have been held, with some clergy from other For 70 years Ministry has served the needs of Seventh-day denominations becoming regular attendees. Adventist ministers and members. About 20 years ago the In order to reach an even larger number of ministry pro- late editor J. Robert Spangler decided that ministers of other fessionals, the General Conference Ministerial Association, denominations would also benefit from the magazine’s min- in cooperation with the Adventist Communication istry. Spangler initiated the bold program of sending Ministry Network, is offering on March 31, 1998, the first-ever to clergy members of other denominations every other Professional Growth Seminar live via satellite (see sidebar). month. This outreach, known as PREACH (Program Ministry magazine and the PREACH seminars have intro- Reaching Every Active Clergy Home), has introduced duced many clergy to the Seventh-day Adventist message. Adventists to thousands of Many have developed an appreciation for Adventist teach- clergy around the globe. ings. Others have created a positive attitude toward Says James Cress, secretary of Adventists in their communities. the General Conference Ministerial Association, “When Nikolaus Satelmajer is director of professional growth for the God gave Bob Spangler a vision General Conference Ministerial Association. to reach out to clergy of other denominations nearly 20 years ago, few could have imagined Fast Facts the impact it would have on What: Resurrecting the Resurrection Professional the lives and ministries of thou- Growth Seminar J. Robert Spangler sands of pastors in every For: Pastors, chaplains, ministry specialists, and reli- denomination who have gious educators. become regular readers of Ministry.” When: Tuesday, March 31, 1998, 1:00-5:30 p.m. Some of those who have received the magazine since the Eastern Standard Time start of the program have made it part of their ministry. A Where: Satellite downlink sites throughout North America, Roman Catholic priest writes to say that he uses it regularly including participating churches, hospitals, col- in his sermon preparation. Every time a pastor uses the mag- leges/universities, and seminaries. azine, hundreds, even thousands, of those to whom he or she ministers are influenced. Mail also arrives from pastoral For more information, call 301-680-6509. spouses, telling that they too read the magazine.

28 (348) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 message of the Resurrection an experience of joy for the Preaching the Resurrection: congregation. An interview with Nikolaus Who are the presenters? They are C. E. Bradford, retired president of the North Satelmajer American Division; Frank Harrington, senior minister of the Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta; Dwight Nelson, senior pastor at Pioneer Memorial church, on the campus BY WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON of Andrews University, and the NET ’98 speaker; and Gardner C. Taylor, from Concord Baptist church in Brooklyn. From its inception the PREACH program has been one of Each of these individuals is outstanding. the most innovative ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist What is your plan for the downlinking? Church. On March 31, 1998, the program will take another We will downlink to Adventist churches, Adventist hospi- giant step by presenting an America-wide seminar via satel- tals, other hospitals, other churches, and other seminaries. lite. We talked with program coordinator Nikolaus We sent letters of invitation to the presidents of every theo- Satelmajer about plans. logical seminary in North America, to sever- al hundred Bible colleges in the United Nik, give us the project in a nutshell. States and Canada, and to 700 Christian On March 31 we will broadcast a live hospitals of all denominations. We placed 1 4 ⁄2-hour professional seminar for clergy to ads in Christianity Today, Christian Century, all the time zones in North America—from Leadership, and Preaching. The West Indies Hawaii in the west all the way to Newfound- is also participating. land in the east. The program will be car- Do you see this taking the place of the ried by satellite through the Adventist PREACH seminars of the past? Communication Network. I see this as another option. Some confer- Where will the program originate? ences still conduct the PREACH seminars. Andrews University. We’re going to use Most conferences cannot afford to do four the new youth chapel; the live audience will or five seminars, but they can afford to do Nikolaus Satelmajer be seated there. We will have pastors there this because the expenses are incidental. from the Indiana, Lake Region, and Michigan conferences; How can a local church or hospital get involved? seminary and college students and faculty; and also area If they express interest, we send them all the promo- clergy. We expect 150-200 Adventist and non-Adventist tional material they need—a flyer that lists the program, clergy on-site. who the speakers are, and a place to put their local What day and time will this be? address. Interested persons can preregister by calling an March 31 is a Tuesday. The broadcast will run from 1:00 800 number, so we’re not putting a lot of busywork on the p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. That will mean local pastor. But the local pastor will have to take the initia- an 8:00 a.m. start in Hawaii, and 2:30 p.m. in Newfoundland. tive to distribute the material at a ministerial meeting, mail Do you have a particular theme for the seminar? it, or give it to a neighbor. Yes, preaching the Resurrection. Remember, this is for What about hospitality, introductions, etc.? preachers. Each site will have a host or coordinator who will wel- This will come close to Easter? come the participants and see that they don’t remain About 10 days before. We want to get the message out strangers. We’re asking each site to have some light that we Seventh-day Adventists are believers in the refreshments—not a formal meal, although some places Resurrection. And we figure a lot of preachers will come will serve a meal. because they will get wonderful material for their sermons. Any breaks? Tell us about the format. That’s quite a big block of No formal breaks. We are encouraging all the downlink 1 time—4 ⁄2 hours. sites to be informal. If anyone wants to get up and get We will have four speakers. Each will present a sermon themselves a drink, they can do so. of 30 minutes, then give 15 minutes of reflection—how he I like the vision behind this. Do you see this extending developed the message, how he was challenged by the beyond North America and becoming international? text. After that we will have 10 minutes of response—from Definitely. In North America there are 300,000- the live audience as well as by Internet and phone. One 400,000 clergy. Worldwide, the number is close to 4 mil- speaker will present the Resurrection in the secular world. lion clergy of various denominations. So our goal is to go Another, the Resurrection theme to young people and to the different divisions and help them set up the pro- young adults. Another, biblical witnesses to the gram in their languages. Resurrection. And the fourth will speak on how to make the

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 (349) 29 MYSTERY VISITOR Time to Myself: A Church in Indiana

entally donning my sunglasses and trench his witnessing activities, usually ending with “They just don’t coat, I sallied forth on the first Sabbath of want to hear the truth” and later throwing in “What are we 1998 to a small church in the Hoosier state. going to do when the Sunday laws come?” When the teacher The building, on the eastern edge of expressed gratitude for living in a community committed to town, is neat and attractive, with adequate religion, this brother added, “The worst persecution will Mparking space. A young man greeted me at the door with a come from the most religious people.” I was glad I was not a warm handshake and smile. No one asked me to sign the non-Adventist neighbor visiting for the first time. guestbook nearby. (This isn’t necessarily a negative. Some The bulletin listed the 10:30-10:40 slot as “intermission— visitors prefer not to sign—just as some please use these 10 minutes to share with visitors prefer not to be overwhelmed Y V old friends and new!” Old friends shared with hugs and kisses. Observing visitors’ R I S happily; nobody approached me. body language is important.) E I While we received a brief history of T T Seeing a lengthy coatrack along the S O Investment and an offer of $5 “seed foyer wall, I helped myself to a hanger, Y R money,” children and young adults began not for my mental trench coat but for M coming in from downstairs. One man my very real wool one—15 inches of + + walked down the center aisle, turned, snow this week. Hanging up this beast and came back to extend a hand, smile, was eased by removable hangers, unlike and say, “Welcome.” hotel ones. They must trust people here. Church began on time, with 60 attend- Just then a woman passing through the ees, including children. The conference foyer greeted me graciously and directed directory lists a membership of more than me toward the sanctuary. In current twice that; perhaps many were away for Adventist fashion, older folks were gath- the holidays. I was glad also to notice ering in the back pews. I assumed younger people of varied ethnic backgrounds, and members were all involved in children’s divisions downstairs. all seemed a welcome part of the church family. Until the song service began at 9:30, a recorded flute rendition The sermon compared life and the church to storms and of “Simple Gifts” created a worshipful atmosphere. ships, emphasizing, “God is at the head of the ship, and the I sat alone, across the aisle from where the others seemed to ship is going to make it.” We need to stay with the boat, the be congregating. Noticing others with printed bulletins, I went speaker told us, remembering that trials can even be a sign to the foyer and found them at the guestbook lectern, where a of God’s love (see Rev. 3:19). woman graciously handed me one. The order of Sabbath Two young men dismissed us in orderly fashion. I overheard school and church services was nicely outlined therein, but I a woman on her way out say to someone behind me, “We’re missed any indication of who the pastor or other leaders were. having dinner downstairs. Why don’t you join us?” With no For lesson study, both the superintendent and the bul- potluck announcement in the bulletin or from the front, I letin announced that one class met in the sanctuary and two assumed this was some private group. As I donned my coat in downstairs, but without indicating who taught them, what the foyer, alone in a crowd except for one former acquaintance format they used, or how to find the downstairs ones. I who responded to my greeting, I was glad for Friday prepara- remained in my pew until I realized that the 12 people tions that would ensure a warm dinner back home by 2:00. remaining upstairs were all across the aisle. I slipped into a back seat there and was greeted by the woman next to me. Mystery Visitor C is a sixtysomething female. The anonymous teacher asked questions and introduced background information on 1 Corinthians. He tactfully deflected irrelevant statements without putdowns, particu- larly from one older saint who kept interjecting accounts of

30 (350) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 REFLECTIONS “Up, and to Your Posts” BY DAN JENSEN

tanding in front of a wooded area just south of youths, and several others quickly come to mind. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, I looked across about a But none of their examples, as sterling as they may be, mile of open field—the very place where General can match the courage and obedience of Jesus Christ. He George E. Pickett ordered a desperate charge of was willing to leave the safety of heaven and face the many his Confederate divi- dangers of a battle zone called Ssion against an entrenched Union earth. The Scriptures record force in the decisive battle of the many stories of courage and obe- American Civil War. dience—instant obedience—on

My guide had explained that a the part of Jesus. RICAL

few dips and rises in the shallow Can any match the challenge ISTO H

valley had occasionally shielded He faced in the Garden of CK TO

the troops from view as they Gethsemane? Here the greatest of S

advanced on that July day in all battles—the great controversy AL 1863. But there in 1997 I saw only between good and evil—hung in IGIT a stark, open field and a beckoning the balance. “Up, and to your © D HOTO

valley of death for anyone who posts!” was Pickett’s command to P would attempt an advance against his troops at Gettysburg. Jesus was the enemy’s unobstructed fields of fire from the ridge. told by God to do the same thing at Gethsemane—to go to What were the thoughts of Pickett’s men as they huddled His post on Calvary and offer His life so that humanity, oth- nervously in those protective woods? Did they want to turn erwise doomed to eternal death, could be saved. and run? Did they really think they could take that ridge? Perhaps the challenge of Gethsemane was greater than Did they wonder if it was worth dying for? I don’t know. I even the challenge of the cross, because it was there that Jesus only know they did move forward in what is now known as wrestled with the decision to go to Calvary. In His humanity, “Pickett’s Charge.” He wanted to turn and run. “Let this cup pass from me” 2 was “Up, men, and to your posts!” shouted Pickett as he gave His prayer. But He was content to place His destiny in the what for many was a fatal command. Cannon fire blasted huge hands of a loving heavenly Father in whom He had complete, holes in their precisely formed lines, and then withering rifle fire perfect trust, He was willing to go wherever and to do what- further decimated the Confederate ranks of some 12,000 sol- ever His Commander desired. The only way the greatest bat- diers. But still they came: resolute, proud, brave, and obedient. tle of the ages could be won was for Jesus to accept death Only a handful breached Union lines at just one point before rather than life. This Jesus was willing to do, and in so doing being quickly repulsed. Brave men obeyed and brave men died. He gave us the perfect example of courage and obedience. Commanding general Robert E. Lee, humbled and We would choose neither a Gettysburg nor a Gethsemane accepting responsibility for the disaster, was forced to order a experience. But our courage and our obedience are tested in retreat across the Potomac River and back into Virginia. other ways. May we all be willing to accept any challenge as Thus ended three days of bloodshed that produced about our Lord commands “Up, and to your posts!” ■ 50,000 casualties—the highest of the Civil War—and ended any realistic chance of the South winning the conflict 1 Shelby Foote, Stars in Their Courses (New York: Random House, 1994). 2 Matt. 26:39. between the states. Lee said, “I never saw troops behave more magnificently than Pickett’s division of Virginians did 1 today in that grand charge upon the enemy.” Dan Jensen pastors the Claremore and Owasso However, there are many examples in the Bible of even churches in the Oklahoma Conference. greater courage and obedience for causes far more impor- tant than a battle for supremacy between men. The responses of such as Abraham, Daniel, the three Hebrew

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MARCH 1998 (351) 31 Adventist Health Ministry

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