October 24, 1996

AnchorPoints

Clifford Goldstein: The Persecuted?

The Jesus Seminar: How It Measures Up LETTERS

Prophecy's Purpose Head-patting is not acceptable. My Easy on the Specks I agree with Clifford Goldstein's hope is that our church will not only I really enjoyed and appreciated Andy statement that "prophecy isn't so welcome their "collective" voice with Nash's "Heavenly Hosts" (Aug. 22) much to enable us to predict events; perky ears, but give them ample room and Stephen Chavez's "Go, Team!" prophecy rather is given to strengthen to act. I, for one, am ready to follow (Aug. 15). I emphatically agree with our faith after the events have their lead. both of them. We are too inclined to happened" ("The Principle of judge and criticize others. Both Prophecy," Aug. 22). — A. Allan Martin articles had some very good points. Apparently the Lord knows that REDLANDS, CALIFORNIA our faith will continue to need —Velma Neal strengthening even after the Second MEADVILLE, MISSOURI Coming, for we have many prophecies Saying Yes Prayerfully regarding that climactic event. Sandra Doran had some good ideas in Further, I would suggest that our faith "Saying No With Dignity" (Aug. 22). Team Sports (cont.) will continue to grow and strengthen However, having been a member of In Stephen Chavez's "Go, Team!" throughout eternity. our church's nominating committee, I (Aug. 15), he states that "competition would like to say something about is a fact of life." Even for Christians? I —John Bryson "saying yes prayerfully." believe that an attitude of competing MERIDIAN, IDAHO Each session was preceded with with oneself to achieve improved earnest prayer that the Holy Spirit personal performance can harmonize would help us select the right with Christian principles (Phil. 3:14). A Pat on the Head person for a position. So when a But can an attitude of rivalry, aiming I appreciated Laurence Joers's "Student call was made to an individual, I to beat the other fellow, be reconciled Leaders Seek Greater Church felt it was under the direction of with the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5-8; Involvement" (Aug. 22), which told of the Holy Spirit. Rom. 12:10)? the Adventist Intercollegiate We found it especially difficult to Perhaps if active games could be Association officers' desire to become fill leadership positions for the used to encourage exercise and more involved in our church. children's divisions. Lacking teamwork without the extra detail of For nearly a decade I have observed personnel, we had to combine the keeping score, then that undesirable AIA's enthusiasm to be a voice for older primary division with juniors. quality of rivalry would be mitigated. youth in our church. These dedicated This is an area in which parents, who student leaders are touching thousands understand the problems of kids, could — Jean Marsa of lives on their campuses and make a real contribution—even for an LAKE ORION, MICHIGAN initiating wonderful outreach to their occasional Sabbath. communities. Before you say no, even with But more years than not, I have dignity, carefully consider what Doran Competition began in heaven seen these young leaders disappointed has so well stated, and earnestly pray between Lucifer and Christ. The great at the lack of interest church leaders about making an investment in the controversy is now ending. Christ has have shown in tapping them as a lives of your fellow members, especially already won. Satan is the loser. Do we resource. Some AIA leaders have the young ones. need to duplicate their conflict? confided that at times they feel like they simply get "a pat on the head" — Mort Juberg — Jim McNeil and then are sent on their way. VIA E-MAIL PASCO, WASHINGTON

2 (1282) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24, 1996 ADVENTIST Our tendency to preserve our young were positive, and I have nothing but people from "worldly" athletics has not wonderful memories. always had beneficial results. Youth need both "employment and —Mildred Priest-Sandefur R amusement" (Counsels to Parents and LOMA LINDA, CALIFORNIA Teachers, p. 83), and what better COVER STORY environment to offer controlled sport than in our Christian academies and Touched Soul 8 Microbes on Mars? Is it science? Or science fiction? colleges? Greg Rumsey's "Sanctuary of the Soul" BY GEORGE T. JAvoit The lack of these healthful (Aug. 22) brought tears to my eyes and activities at our schools has made the sanctuary of my own soul ARTICLES sometimes resulted in young people long deeply for more solitude with my finding an outlet for their energies in God as I search for Him under His 12 Profiles of a Pioneer drugs and sex. "blue sky" cathedral and the sentinel If she could stand up to the school I am at times amazed that many of starts that set their watch in God's board chairman, she could survive our ministers play golf, tennis, etc.— boundless night sky. the wilderness of Wyoming. BY MIRIAM WOOD and yet we have this idea that our Thank you for touching my youth should be confined to study innermost soul in such a beautiful and 14 Who Do Scholars Say I Am? and work. meaningful manner. Can even the most talented theolo- gians explain Jesus? —Eric C. Webster —Gladys Duran BY KEITH A BURTON CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA SARASOTA, FLORIDA 24 Jesus: Lord of All He didn't look like a king. But royalty was stamped on every- Priceless New Review (cont.) thing He did. Kenya Hall's "The Painting" (Aug. 22) Grateful praise for the new Review. BY ELLEN G. WHITE was an excellent description of how This time you really did it. What is difficult for me to 26 Where Is the Holy Place? our heavenly Father views us. With Are there degrees of holiness? insight, understanding, and comprehend is that you haven't BY STEVE CASE compassion for all of the "black marks" changed staff. The same people seem we have experienced in this world, He to be reaching us in ways they never DEPARTMENTS values us for the individuals that we have before. It's as if someone has are even though we are flawed in the now given them permission to "say it 2 Letters sight of others. like it is"—clearly, passionately, with 7 Give & Take conviction. 18 World News & Perspectives —Roza Parker The best part of this is the welcome 22 Clifford Goldstein GREENWOOD, INDIANA change in my attitude about my church. The past few years I have 23 Children's Corner experienced an almost adolescent 29 Faith Alive! I'm Not the One disenchantment with my church. In 30 Reflections In her continuing series Golden Rule my heart churned many questions Days, Miriam Wood has quoted about why we hold ourselves so aloof EDITORIALS

Mildred Priest several times. To date, I from a world that needs us so much. C 5 The Justified have received several letters and calls Thank you for catching up to where MER from my friends. we live. With the new Review I have 6 Driving Lessons PH RAL I learned from Mrs. Wood that I am new hope for my church and me. / not the teacher quoted, though my NEXT WEEK birth name was the same. I enjoyed —Name Withheld teaching in church schools during the The Other Woman late 1920s and the early 1930s. Each Divorce was always something she year I was provided a room with one of viewed from a distance. Then it invaded her home and threatened to sever her the families; I boarded myself. But relationship with God. there was not one Sabbath that I was not included with church families as a guest for dinner. All my experiences

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4 (1284) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24, 1 9 9 6 EDITORIAL The Justified WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON

dventists and Lutherans met for a second round of personal religious struggle, broke with the Roman Catholic of discussions this summer. A week of thorough system of merit to recover the biblical truth that because of study of each other's belief systems revealed that Jesus Christ, God declares the believing sinner righteous. Sola while the differences are considerable, on the gratia, sola fide—grace alone, faith alone—became the fundamental teaching of justification by grace watchwords of the Protestant Reformation. Aalone through faith alone we are agreed. A key article of the Augsburg Confession of The first consultation took place in 1994, in 1530 defines true Christians as those who preach Darmstadt, Germany. These talks were the gospel with a "pure understanding of it"—that exploratory, to see whether the parties had is, sola gratia, sola fide. Adventist teaching sufficient in common to justify further dialogue. concerning salvation (see Fundamental Belief No. We discovered a shared heritage—we are all 10, "The Experience of Salvation") places us children of Martin Luther (see "Children of under this criterion. Luther," Adventist Review, Jan. 5, 1995). What then of the law and the Sabbath? Do As a result of the Darmstadt meeting, the they in some way add to God's grace, which Lutheran World Federation, based in Geneva, brings salvation? These were issues that involved Switzerland, and the General Conference of close scrutiny during our week together. Seventh-day Adventists, respectively, voted three Adventist representatives argued persuasively further rounds of consultation—in 1996, 1997, and 1998. For from Scripture that while the Ten Commandments continue to the latest meeting the Lutherans served as hosts and convened be God's requirement and the Sabbath remains His gift and the discussions June 16-21 at a retreat center outside Toronto. claim, our obedience is the fruit of salvation, not its means. The quiet, simple setting provided an excellent venue for With regard to law, the two bodies have many ideas in candid, serious deliberations. We gathered for worship each common, but also differences, with the Sabbath the widest area morning, shared all meals together (in deference to Adventist of divergence. habits, the menu was totally vegetarian), and spent many hours Lutherans want to safeguard Christian freedom and to avoid listening to each other. "works of the law"—deeds that may seem to add to grace. The Lutheran delegation consisted of: Faith Rohrbough Though they teach the Ten Commandments, the Decalogue (U.S.A. and Canada), Eugene Brand (Switzerland), Erwin plays a relatively lesser role in their thinking. We Adventists, Buck (Canada), Nelson Kilpp (Brazil), Naohiro Kiyoshige however, see ourselves as called to remind people of the (Japan), Joerg Rothermundt (Germany), Risto Saarinen perpetuity of the Ten Commandments, with particular (Finland and Germany), Irmhild Reichen-Young (Switzerland), reference to the one that we see as neglected or abandoned— and Leon C. Gilbertson (Canada). the Sabbath command. Representing Seventh-day Adventists were: Bert B. Lutherans aren't about to start observing the seventh day Beach (U.S.A.), Angel M. Rodriguez (U.S.A.), Teofilo (although we welcome them to the blessing), Ferreira (Portugal and U.S.A.), Hans LaRondelle (U.S.A.), nor are Adventists going to abandon it. Pardon Mwanza (Zambia), Aulikki Nahkola (Finland and Why then these consultations? England), and me. The answer must be: because only Rohrbough and Beach alternated in chairing the by listening to one another can we discussions, which centered on scholarly papers distributed to understand and be understood. Only by participants ahead of the meeting. hearing each other can we put aside For 1996 the focus of the consultation was "Justification, Law, false stereotypes and learn where and the Sabbath," and the key issue in the dialogue was we stand on common ground justification. For Lutherans this doctrine provides the litmus and where we do not. test, the criterion of whether any group is truly part of the body Honesty and the name of of Christ. History dictates their stand: Martin Luther, after years Christ demand no less.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24, 1 9 9 6 (1285) 5 E D I TOR I AL

STEPHEN CHAVEZ Driving Lessons

t was his pride and joy. When he and his wife retired, Allow me now to shift gears. they decided to buy a car that would "last until the Lord For decades dedicated Adventists have been sacrificing comes." So they paid a little more for a few of the extras their time, money, and energy to build an institution that in they had never been able to afford. many ways is the envy of Christendom. We have schools, Now he carefully looked after his churches, hospitals, office complexes, I"baby." He changed the oil every 3,000 miles, retreat and retirement centers, all worth washed it every other week, paid a little extra multiplied millions of dollars. for midgrade gasoline, kept it in the garage But any administrator will tell you that every night, and made sure the cat never had building an institution is a minor expense the opportunity to walk on it. compared to operating and maintaining it But as time went on, it seemed that long-term. And anecdotal evidence indicates although the car might last until Jesus comes, that many of our younger members are not the same might not be said for the man and his that interested in being viewed merely as a wife. With the help of Trust Service officers source of financial support necessary to fuel all from the conference, they decided how they the church and church-related institutions wanted their estate to be distributed among their heirs. Part that dot the landscape. would go to their children and grandchildren, part to the church This is especially true when younger members are not and other ministries, but what would they do with the car? given the opportunity to get behind the wheel at a local Then it was decided: the oldest grandson would get it. He church, school, or conference and help steer a course toward would no doubt find it quite useful when he started college in a the future. few years. A few months ago my son got his learner's permit. Teaching One day as his grandson was helping to wash the car, the him to drive has been real. (I taught my daughter to drive a few man said, "One of these days this car's going to belong to you." years ago, but that was in the wide-open spaces around Reno, He couldn't help noticing that this announcement didn't Nevada.) Being in the passenger seat in suburban Washington, generate as much enthusiasm as he thought it would. D.C., has done wonders for my prayer life. What is it with this generation? he thought. I didn't have a car By the time you read this, Lord willing, Andre will have his till after I was married. His car was a lot nicer than what most driver's license. His mother and I will keep praying for his young people drove. Those little things with the strange names safety as he navigates the congested streets of our community, looked so flimsy. The car he offered was stable and . .. but we'll trust his judgment (even as we press our feet onto the substantial—yes, that was a good word, substantial. floorboard when he doesn't respond to a red light as fast as we'd The "problem"—in a sentence—is that the two males saw like him to). cars and driving from practically opposite points of view. For a We, as a church, have to trust the good retired gentleman, driving is about making a statement. A car is judgment of the young people in our a symbol, saying that the driver has reached a certain economic congregations. Their commitment to the level. Lord is at least as high as ours, and they To a young man, driving is about freedom, about not having to should be given more and more ask for permission to use the family car. He could go where he responsibility for the direction our wanted, when he wanted. But if he's going to be free to go as he church is going. pleases, the last thing he wants is to be saddled with full-sized After all, we're the ones who've fuel, insurance, and maintenance expenses. taught them "how to drive." And A teenager is as dedicated to driving as his grandfather; he we're still responsible for just doesn't care for the idea of doing it in his grandparents' demonstrating that we're only truly car when there are more exciting, less expensive ways of in control insofar as we all let Jesus getting around (motorcycles, to name one). sit in the driver's seat.

6 (1286) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24, 1996 139 YEARS AGO . . . David Hewitt, "the most honest man" in Battle Creek, wrote on October 4, 1857, about women and "silence in church." Reminding Adventists that proper Bible study demanded that the student "find all the .11114111111_ important texts that bear on any one subject," Hewitt concluded that Scripture fostered a public ministry for women. One hundred thirty-three Octobers later, General Conference president Robert Folkenberg led the Seventh-day Adventist Church to implement Hewitt's conclusion globally. The 1990 Annual Council delegates voted "to authorize the establishment of an Office of Women's Ministries at the General Conference to foster ministry by women and to women in the world church." Some of the programs already implemented empower women throughout the world to: combat illiteracy, rescue homeless children, minister to terminally ill patients, and conduct small group ministries, evangelistic meetings, health-related seminars, sewing schools, and Bible seminars. "First and foremost," says Rose Otis, director of the General Conference Department of Women's Ministries, "it nurtures Adventist women. When fully empowered, these women create ways appropriate to their talents to reach out ADVENTIST LIFE to others." Within its relatively short life span, the office of Women's Ministries has held meetings resulting in more than 34,900 baptisms and 32,100 members rejoining the church. Some 182 scholarships have helped train women to further God's kingdom on earth. —compiled by Bert Haloviak, GC Office of Archives and Statistics

A WHALE OF A TEACHER

PRIMARY INFLUENCE: When David Fairchild, of De Soto, Kansas, recently visited his hometown of Erie, Pennsylvania, he introduced his daughter, Rindy, to Betty Bish, the leader of the primary department. Rindy's eyes shone! She had begged Once when my son, Cleveland, was to be in the class taught by "Daddy's 5 years old, he prayed, "Thank You for first Sabbath school teacher—Aunt the trees. Thank You for the flowers. Betty." Thank You for the grass. Thank You As a new, young Adventist, Mrs. for the rain that makes the grass Bish moved right in to the combined grow." cradle roll/kindergarten department, Then, pausing for a few seconds, he and now-42 years, a lovely new groaned, "But then we'll have to cut church, and hundreds of children the grass again." later—her goal remains the same: to introduce boys and girls to Jesus. —Julie Boney, Maplewood, Minnesota

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ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24, 1996 (1287) 7 COVER STORY

MICROBES ON MARS? And if so, how should a Christian respond?

BY GEORGE T. JAVOR

N EARLY AUGUST THE WORLD WAS Red Planet itself and bringing back some identical rocks.

galvanized by the news that evidence may have been Signs of Life? found for the existence of life on Mars. A team of Still, the findings of McKay and his coworkers are worth examining. nine scientists from five institutions, under the First, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were leadership of David McKay, of the Johnson Space detected on the fracture surfaces, inside the meteorites at one part per million concentration. McKay's team interprets the ICenter, Houston, Texas, came to this conclusion after study- presence of these organic residues as remnants of biomatter. ing the meteorite ALH84001.' However, PAHs are commonplace in both interplanetary dust and numerous organic-rich meteorites that have fallen The four-pound, softball-size rock found in 1984 on top from the asteroid belt. of wind-scoured ice in the Allan Hills region of Antarctica Second, microscopic deposits of carbonate granules were is one of 12 so-called SNC (pronounced "snick") meteorites seen in the fracture surfaces, which contained manganese believed to have originated from Mars. While the rocks' and iron salts. Similar deposits have been seen in freshwater basalt-like composition resembles certain earth rocks, their bacteria. Scientists at the University of New Mexico studied oxygen isotope compositions are very different. Radioactive the isotope ratios of iron disulfides in these deposits, because isotope dating suggests that these meteorites are younger biological activity results in characteristic ratios of sulfur than asteroids. The relative amounts of four noble gases isotopes. They did not find those ratios. trapped within these objects show remarkable similarity to The third clue is the most intriguing: ovoid-shaped those obtained 20 years earlier from Mars. deposits that resemble microfossils, although How these rocks managed to get off Mars, where the considerably smaller in size than most modern-day escape velocity is 3 miles per second, is not well bacteria. McKay's article ends with this statement: understood. Some propose that an asteroid impact could "None of these observations is in itself conclusive for have blasted boulders 10 to 15 yards in diameter off the the existence of past life. Although there are alternative planet into space.' Whatever conclusions were drawn explanations for each of these phenomena taken from the studies will, for now, have to be considered individually, when they are considered collectively . . . only provisional; it is impossible to prove the Martian we conclude that they are evidence for primitive life identity of the SNC meteorites short of traveling to the on early Mars."

8 (1288) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24, 1996 ) n Tu A/ NAS / RS E REUT Y B TOS PHO

The Search for Proof circles it is widely believed that (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, The possible existence of living organisms came into existence phosphorus, and sulfur) were "primitive life" on early Mars fits spontaneously wherever conditions abundantly available. This, it is nicely into current popular for life were favorable, provided the supposed, is how life started here on evolutionary perspectives. In these main elements needed for life earth.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 2 4, 1 9 9 6 (1289) 9 Of earth's neighbors in the solar confident that it seems inevitable that Thus it was reluctantly concluded that system, Mars is considered to be the a similar process has taken place on there is no evidence for life on Mars, most suitable for life as we know it. Its many other planets in the solar system. past or present. surface temperature is not excessively . . . We are sufficiently confident of our The results of the Viking missions hot, never higher than 30°C, and the ideas about the origin of life that in have to be considered authoritative, average surface temperature is only 1976 a spacecraft will be sent to Mars they being the only studies carried out 50°C colder than on earth. Martian to land on the surface with the primary on Mars itself. The conclusions by conditions are less severe than those of purpose of the experiments being a McKay's team, while apparently the boiling hot springs of Yellowstone search for living organisms."' contradictory to those of the Viking National Park and of the water 30,000 The Viking spacecrafts successfully missions, should not alter the current feet below the surface of the Pacific landed on Mars 4,600 miles apart in status of the question of whether life Ocean—yet microorganisms thrive in July and September of 1976, and exists on Mars. In the meantime both locations. shortly thereafter the experiments NASA plans to launch a series of Based on these considerations, began. (Detailed accounts of the space probes toward Mars in the NASA undertook an ambitious and results may be found in a series of coming years, culminating in bringing expensive ($1 billion) project in the articles in Science [194 (1976): 57-105; back Mars rock samples in 2005. 1970s to search for life on Mars. Two 1274-1353].) Among the experiments space probes, Viking I and Viking II, was the analysis of Martian soil for What If . . .1 were sent on a one-year journey to organic chemicals. Several samples of This may be a good time to ask land on the planet's surface, photo- soil were heated, and the gases whether evidence exists for graph the terrain, measure its obtained were analyzed by a gas extraterrestrial life. And would our atmospheric conditions, scoop up and chromatograph coupled to a mass view of the universe be upset if analyze samples of the soil, and spectrometer. The results astonished incontrovertible evidence for perform biological experiments. scientists: No organic substance was microbial life on Mars were presented? Shortly before launch Stanley detected at concentrations as low as 10 Regardless of philosophical Miller, a leading scientist in the field parts per billion. In comparison, preference, almost everyone agrees of chemical evolution, wrote: "We are similar experiments done on terrestrial that there must be life elsewhere in confident that the basic process [of soil from Antarctica yielded 0.01-10 space. Bible believers find many chemical evolution] is correct, so parts per million of organic matter.' references to nonhuman

Ellen White and the "Other Worlds"

"The Lord has given me a view of other worlds. Wings every step that Christ took in the path of humiliation was were given me, and an angel attended me from the City to watched by them with the deepest interest." a place that was bright and glorious. The grass of the place —"Lessons From the Christ-Life," Advent Review and was living green, and the birds there warbled a sweet song. Sabbath Herald, Mar. 12, 1901 The inhabitants of the place were of all sizes, they were noble, majestic and lovely. They bore the express image of "Behold Him, the beginning of the creation of God, who Jesus, and their countenances beamed with holy joy, numbers the stars, who created the worlds—among which expressive of the freedom and happiness of the place. I this earth is but a small speck, and would scarcely be asked one of them why they were so much more lovely than missed from the many worlds more than a tiny leaf from the those on the earth. The reply was—"we have lived in strict forest trees. The nations before Him are but 'as a drop of a obedience to the commandments of God and have not bucket,' and 'as the small dust of the balance' . . . (Isa. fallen by disobedience, like those on the earth." 40:15)." —"Dear Brethren and Sisters," Present Truth, Aug. 1, 1849 —In Heavenly Places, p. 40

"It was because of the issues at stake that the "If men could see for a moment beyond the range of inhabitants of the unfallen worlds watched with such finite vision, if they could catch a glimpse of the Eternal, intense interest the struggle between the Prince of life and every mouth would be stopped in its boasting. Men living in the prince of darkness. Those who had not sinned needed this little atom of a world are finite; God has unnumbered not the application of Christ's blood, but they did need to worlds that are obedient to His laws, and are conducted be made secure from Satan's power. The result of the with reference to His glory." conflict had a bearing on the future of all the worlds, and —The Faith I Live By, p. 61

10 (1290) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 2 4 , 1"0 intelligences. Alternatively, if life references are found to angels, or ut we need to be fair. Our per- arose spontaneously on earth, as "messengers."' These remarkable non- spective on this subject is evolutionists assert, it should have humans appear to have capabilities far Bextremely narrow, as we have happened on other planets as well. superior to those we have. Angels only earth's history to generalize from. Astronomers estimate that as many as seem to reside near the nerve control Moreover, we must admit that we half of all stars are associated with of the universe and are great travelers. don't have a clue what the other planets. If one in 100 of these planets In the New Testament references are planets of the solar system, Mars has an environment suitable for life, also made to "demons," malevolent included, are doing in our cosmic then in our galaxy alone may exist beings generally considered on par neighborhood. Our vast ignorance on billions of planets with life on them. with angels, but with addresses this topic, in fact, should balance any If these billions are evenly distributed, unknown. However, there is no confidence we have that we under- the nearest civilization could be as information in the Bible about planet- stand how the Creator works. Based near as 30 light-years. Should this be dwelling extraterrestrials similar to on these considerations, perhaps we the case, an exchange of messages ourselves. can relax our expectations and not traveling at the speed of light would In contrast, Ellen White extensively subject our faith to arbitrary tests. take a "mere" 60 years. refers to "other worlds," where unfallen Finally, we may take comfort in the The U.S. government also seems to beings live.' In the Seventh-day following wise words: "Since the book believe in the likelihood of the Adventist view of the cosmos these of nature and the book of revelation existence of extraterrestrials, as it has beings are intently watching the battle bear the impress of the same master funded various NASA projects, part of between the forces of the Creator and mind, they cannot but speak in whose purpose was to locate extra- those of Satan. Their means of harmony. ... Rightly understood, both terrestrial life. Next to the Viking surveillance are unknown to us. the revelations of science and the missions, the most deliberate such Adventists and others who accept a experiences of life are in harmony with undertaking was the SETI (Search for literal reading of the Bible believe that the testimony of Scripture to the Extraterrestrial Intelligence) project. throughout history, long before the constant working of God in nature. . . . Operating since 1992 in Arecibo, Puerto dawn of the technological age, Only by the aid of that Spirit who in Rico, at the cost of about $10 million extraterrestrials have communicated the beginning 'was brooding upon the per year, SETI involves a gigantic radio with humans. Records of these face of the waters' . . . can the telescope 1,000 feet in diameter, which communications may be found in the testimony of science be rightly continuously listens for microwave Bible. A common thread running interpreted."' ■ signals from outer space. To date, no through these accounts is that the meaningful signals have been picked up. decision when, where, and how to ' D. S. McKay et al., "Search for Past Life on Mars: Possible Relic Biogenic Activity in We have also tried to communicate communicate has always been decided Martian Meteorite ALH84001," Science 273: with extraterrestrials by placing by the extraterrestrial side. 924-930 (1996). "cosmic postcards" aboard the space From the perspective of such a view 'R. Kerr., in Science 237 (1987): 721-723. S. L. Miller, The Heritage of Copernicus, ed. probes Pioneer 10 and Pioneer 11 and of the universe, it would at first be Jerzy Neyman (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, Voyager I and Voyager 2, which are extremely unsettling to discover the 1974), p. 328. even now traveling through our galaxy existence of a planet covered with K. Biemann., in Science 194 (1976): 72. Many things have been written about at the leisurely rate of 10 miles per mere microorganisms, or even worse, unidentified flying objects and their occupants. second. Needless to say, thus far we with fossils of microorganisms. Such a This genre is a mix of unverifiable, anecdotal have had no replies. In addition, the place would upset our notion of how "evidence," fiction, and misrepresentation. As such, it is outside of the scope of this discussion. moons of Jupiter have been examined the Lord creates a living planet. It Strong's Concordance lists about 300 refer- to see if they were suitable for would also challenge our belief that ences to angels. sustaining life. These results were also only on our planet was there a rapid There are more than 100 entries under "worlds" (planets) in the Comprehensive Index to negative. It can be said, therefore, that mass extinction of organisms. the Writings of Ellen G. White (vol. 3, p. 3060). as of now all of the initiatives by From the biblical account we find (See sidebar for four of these.) governments and/or scientists to locate that the Lord brought into existence Education, pp. 128-134. or communicate with extraterrestrials earth's entire ecological network have been unsuccessful.' essentially all at once. Thus plants, animals, and (most likely) micro- Limited Perspective organisms appeared together. Here on Do the Bible and the writings of earth microorganisms are important George T. favor is a profes- Ellen White offer additional insights participants of biocycles of nitrogen sor of biochemistry in the into the topic of extraterrestrial life? and carbon. What, then, would be the School of Medicine at Loma Definitely yes. As mentioned above, point of a planetful of microbes and Linda University, Lorna throughout the Bible numerous nothing else? Linda, California.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 2 4 , 1996 (1291) 71 GOLDEN RULE DAYS Portrait of a Pioneer A missionary who never even left her country

BY MIRIAM WOOD

HERE WAS A TIME—NOT SO LONG $40 a month, plus room and board two miles from the ago—when it was fashionable to take a lock of school. Her transportation to and from the school would be hair along the forehead, cut it to the desired by horseback, and she was told to bring two heavy bags with length, moisten it, and plaster it down, drawstrings—one for outgoing mail and one for incoming where—if you were lucky—it remained all day. mail from the stagecoach that visited the village once a TThe fact that spit curls originated in the Roaring Twenties week. made them suspect in the minds of some. The secretary-treasurer of the conference in Nebraska "The chairman of the school board didn't like the way I arranged to pay Lucille's train fare to the new school. When did my hair. He made a point of telling me that it was not at he handed her the check for the ticket, he declared firmly, all appropriate for me to have that little curl on my "Now, I don't want to see you back here until spring." forehead," Lucille Brown remembered. "He said his little Wyoming was not even a conference in those days. The daughter was spending time in front of the mirror trying to "mission" headquarters was in Casper, the largest town in the get a curl on her forehead just like mine." state, where Lucille changed trains for Big Trails. "The Lucille was a spirited lass, just 20 years old. "I thought my country looked so wild and desolate that I was glad there hair should belong to me," she declared. were trains and that I wasn't required to go by covered Lucille was one of the Adventist teachers of yesteryear wagon or stagecoach." who wasn't afraid of a challenge, whether it meant standing Lucille had arranged to wear a flower in her lapel, so as to up to an individual who presumed to tell her how to comb distinguish her from the other passengers who would be her hair, or gathering her courage to follow the Spirit's disembarking at the station. She needn't have bothered—she lead—even if she wasn't sure where she was being led. was the only one who got off the train. "I was terribly curious to see the people who would meet A Is for Adventure me," she said. "I noticed an older couple, their faces dark and After her first year of teaching, Lucille was told of an leathery from the wind and sun, but they greeted me with opening for a teacher at a school in Big Trails, Wyoming. friendly smiles." "That was really rough country," she said, "but the idea of The couple transferred Lucille's trunk to their Model T adventure appealed strongly to me. I prayed about it and Ford truck and then went to the grocery store, where they wrote the school board." bought huge sacks of flour and sugar. "We probably won't get The response was enthusiastic. Lucille's salary would be back into town until next spring," they explained.

12 (1292) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 2 4 , 1996 The couple introduced Lucille to despair I told the Lord that I was the saddle." As the horse ambled the people they met on the street, answering His call, and the only along, Lucille wondered how she including the town sheriff, a huge man reason I was here was that I wanted would dismount, open the gate to the with a gun in a holster that he wore on to help children follow Him. But my "home place," then get back on the his hip. "This is our new church school prayers didn't seem to help much." horse to continue her journey. "While teacher," they told him. Finally an idea came: "Dear Lord," I was worrying about it, we neared the "Pleased to meet you, ma'am," he she prayed, "please give me a sign. If gate, and 'old Dan' broke into a run. replied, with a big smile and an even the sun is shining in the morning, I'll Hardly breaking stride, he sailed right bigger handshake. stay. If it's raining, I'll go back over the gate like the most home." Looking back on it, she accomplished hunting horse." F Is for Faith realized that bargaining with the Lucille had to hang on for dear life, "I felt a little like Abraham, who Lord wasn't the most prudent posture for with that expenditure of energy the journeyed into a land he had never to adopt, but being young and saddle—which obviously hadn't been seen," Lucille confessed. "We desperate at the time, she believed cinched tightly enough—slid under old struggled through 24 miles of the that God understood the prayer of a Dan's belly. "I barely managed to most desolate country I had ever seen. pitiful, homesick girl. scramble to the proper place on his And to make matters worse, a back," she recalled with a chuckle. torrential rainstorm drenched us. The P Is for Progress With time Lucille came to truck's canvas top and open sides Providentially, Lucille awoke the appreciate the spartan lifestyle of offered no protection, and soon we next morning to glorious sunshine that those with whom she lived and were soaked to the skin." highlighted the surrounding mountains worked, the majesty of the country The vehicle could travel only about and red hills. that surrounded her, and the Creator 20 miles an hour, and it seemed to After breakfast Lucille's hosts took who brought her to experience life in Lucille that hours went by before they her to see "her school." It was a little such a dramatic setting. "Sometimes entered a village. "I saw a store, a building, standing lonely and forsaken the very silence of the place would hotel, and a few houses," she at the bottom of a red rock hill. "We wake me up at night," she said. "At remembered. "Surely we were nearly pushed open the old wooden door, and other times I would be awakened by `there.' But no, they answered, we still I saw my `desk'—four tree trunks, with the howling of the coyotes that had 20 more miles to go." boards nailed across them." There were stalked the sheep and lambs. I knew "I was feeling so lonely and uneasy also homemade benches for the that shepherds would build big that I wondered if there really was a students to sit on, and one water bonfires that would keep the coyotes place called Big Trails, if there really bench (with one pail and one dipper away and protect the sheep. was a school, and if these people were for everyone's use). "I could hardly "I liked to think of myself in the even who they claimed to be." But wait to get started. With books on my same way: guarding the spiritual lives of eventually they came to a "house," desk, curtains at the windows, and an my little flock of children. Sometimes with a lean-to shed attached. old pump organ in the corner, the before bedtime I would go outdoors by The shed was the bedroom for the schoolroom didn't look too bad." myself, sit on the sandstone rocks, and family (two parents and four children). Lucille's little "pioneer" girls wore look at the stars—so bright that it The family that housed and boarded long dresses and black-ribbed seemed I could almost reach out and the teacher got free tuition, so this was stockings. Their hair hung in braids touch them. That's when I felt to be Lucille's "home" for the next down their backs. The boys wore bib fortunate to be part of God's work— nine months. "My only private place overalls and high-top leather shoes. even in that remote spot. was upstairs in a kind of attic, which I At the end of the first day, "And even though I've been retired shared with traps, hides, and other exhausted but exhilarated, Lucille for many years, my little curl is still things," Lucille recalled. "That first dismissed all the students, as was her there—only it's white now." night I lay on my bed listening to the custom, while she stayed to review the Lucille's indomitable spirit helped sounds of the raindrops beating a day's events and make plans for the pioneer the work of Adventist education tattoo and a wire being blown back next day. "Suddenly it dawned on me in far-off Wyoming. She's one of the and forth across the corrugated metal that I would have to saddle my horse reasons these are known as Golden Rule roof." all by myself," she said. The children Days. ■ Soon the tears came. Why in the had helped saddle her horse that world have I ever come out here to this morning and had even helped her Miriam Wood is a retired desolate, forsaken, impossible place? she climb onto the saddle. Saddling her teacher, author, arid thought. "I resolved that I would go own horse seemed nearly impossible. columnist. home as soon as possible—even if I "After much struggling I saddled had to walk back to town. In my the horse and finally got myself into

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24, 1996 (1293) 13 DE V 0 T ION A L

Who Do Scholars Say I Am? What we should know about the Jesus Seminar

BY KEITH A. BURTON

N RECENT YEARS THEY'VE CAPTURED THE The roots of the skepticism prevalent among modern attention of some of the top media in the United theologians (such as the members of the Jesus Seminar) can States: U.S. News & World Report, Time, Newsweek, be found in the European Enlightenment of the eighteenth and USA Today have all carried stories about them. century that subjected all religious and theological claims to I They're a group of New Testament scholars with their scientific scrutiny. Intellectuals and academicians had noses in the gospel. And they call themselves the "Jesus established that the church was wrong in its insistence on Seminar." placing canon law over scientific law. Science, for example, However, to the despair of many Evangelical Christians had proved that the earth was round—and not flat, as (who ordinarily would endorse movements heralding the prominent voices in the church had claimed. Science had name of Jesus—"Jews for Jesus," the "Jesus movement," and also established that the sun, and not the earth, was the so forth), the aim of the Jesus Seminar is not to evangelize. center of our solar system. If the church had been wrong on Their goal, rather, is to publicize the results of their critical such elementary facts, then surely—as the thinking went—it musings about Jesus. could not be trusted to provide information about humanity's One of their more recent publicity-grabbing events was a origin and destiny. vote in which the seminar's 70 "fellows" unanimously And since the Bible was the perceived symbol of the decided that the resurrection of Jesus did not take place, a church's authority, the intellectuals of the Enlightenment conclusion that blended well with other unorthodox claims took it upon themselves to subject it to the same scrutiny on their part in the past. The group, for example, is on that was placed on any other historical document. record as stating that only 18 percent of the information Consequently, the study of the Bible was subjected to the recorded in the Gospels is trustworthy. (allegedly) objective method of historical criticism, Seminar founder Robert Funk claims, however, that the operating under the assumption that every historical event task of the committee is not to destroy faith, but rather to must have a natural explanation. And given the fact that promote the "truth" about Jesus. Criticizing the larger the Bible is filled with records of supernatural happenings, community of biblical scholars for what he regards as these scholars came to the conclusion that true biblical clandestine scholarly discussions about Jesus, Funk sees history could only be found hidden behind the humanly himself and his group as champions, working in the interest of contrived myths of the supernatural. the masses.' Funk and his cohorts have attracted international attention. But they have also raised many eyebrows and perating, then, under these historical critical assump- awakened the world to the reality of what's really going on tions, a certain group of New Testament scholars among certain circles of biblical scholarship today. Otook upon themselves the task of identifying the

14 (1294) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24, 199 b "historical Jesus," the real person (as eventually executed by the Roman who contrived myths about His divine they saw it) hidden behind the mythi- state for inciting a rebellion against origins, supernatural activities, cally contrived "Christ of faith." the empire. The Christ of faith, on philosophical teachings, and a The historical Jesus was identified the other hand, was defined as a miraculous resurrection, using certain as the real Jewish figure who was superheroic figure, invented by the passages from the Hebrew Bible to born to a peasant family in Palestine, disappointed followers of Jesus construct a prophetic biography of and attested to by the Roman following His execution. their hero. historians Tacitus and Seutonius, and According to historical critical The belief was that such embellish- by the Jewish historian Josephus. scholars, Jesus became a mystical cult ments originated in oral form and were This Jesus, they claimed, was figure to several religious communities, later codified, eventually being

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24, 1996 (1295) 15 assembled into books—the four major presupposition, by which they seek to faith." They see no difference ones belonging to communities that maintain (as they see it) the between the two. identified themselves with Matthew, continued validity of Christianity. While history cannot prove it, Mark, Luke, and John. This flexible approach to they believe that God transformed Christianity allows many modem Himself into an embryo, miraculously any eighteenth- and nine- theologians to maintain the tension transplanted into the womb of Mary. reenth-century theologians between their remaining in the They believe that the prophecies of M rejected the conclusions of church, while disbelieving in the the Hebrew Bible pointed forward to these intellectuals. But by the begin- historicity of Scripture. For them the the life of the "Word made flesh." ning of the twentieth century a vast validity of Christianity is utilitarian, They believe that the One who majority of the scholarly works about in that its stories can be adapted to fit walked the dusty streets of Galilee Jesus had been influenced by these any situation in culture or history. was instrumental in healing the sick assumptions. This fact was made evi- Of course, for most people who are and raising the dead. They believe dent in Albert Schweitzer's magisterial associated with religion, it is not OK that just as God was in Christ work, The Quest of the Historical Jesus,' to believe in a myth. As absurd as the reconciling the world to Himself, a work that reviewed and summarized claims of some religions may seem, fallen humanity was in Christ being the most prevalent historical critical only a believer will lie on beds of reconciled unto God. They believe theories about Jesus. nails, walk through fire, sacrifice that just as surely as the crucified However, the individual who children, live a life of celibacy, or die One was resurrected, He will return perhaps has had the greatest impact from starvation rather than eat the to this earth and establish an eternal on the modem scholarly opinion flesh of a cow. Many Christians attend era of peace. about Jesus was the German their weekly places of worship, Of course, not all of these beliefs theologian Rudolf Bultmann. In his participate in Communion, and can be historically verified. But isn't brief work, Jesus Christ and entrust a sizable percentage of their this the very nature of faith? Hebrews Mythology,' Bultmann attempted to earnings to the church precisely says it best when it defines faith as demonstrate the necessity of because they believe that "the "the evidence of things not seen." "demythologizing the gospels." historical Jesus" is also "the Christ of The truth is that faith is needed According to him, the process of "demythologization" (getting rid of the myths) was to make the biblical The Gospels account of Jesus more relevant to the modern mend. For instance, since BY WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON the moder mind cannot conceive of a physical resurrection, we are to The Gospels are unlike any other literature. They are biography, but more understand the resurrection than biography; history, but more than history; they are a unique literary form. mentioned in the Gospels as taking They are "faith history," written by believers that others "may believe that Jesus place existentially (or experientially) is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" whenever the gospel is preached. For (John 20:31). Bultmann, the resurrection is an Jesus dominates the Gospels. They detail His life, and especially His esoteric awakening that occurs in death—all four Gospels give disproportionate space to the climactic final week. the intellect. The Gospels exerted enormous influence in the Roman world. Alarmed, the The process of relativizing the pagans tried to counter with a rival "gospel" built around Apollonius of Tyana. biblical accounts about Jesus to make But that writing went nowhere—Apollonius wasn't Jesus. them conform to contemporary Attempting to study the Gospels without faith robs them of their most vital thinking has tended to transform ingredient. For 200 years scholars have probed and reasoned and come up Jesus from a person to a concept. Jesus empty. In their efforts they seem blind to two incontrovertible facts: (1) the as "concept" is adaptable to the earliest Gospels circulated while eyewitnesses to the Jesus story were still particular interpreter's circumstances alive to refute them if they were false; and (2) the Christian church arose and and presuppositions. Under this spread because the Jesus of the Gospels had risen from the dead and was construct it is perfectly OK for the alive in the hearts of His followers. liberationist to image Jesus as a political revolutionary, for the liberal William G. Johnsson, editor of the Adventist Review, was previously professor of to picture Him as a pacifist, and for New Testament at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews the feminist to portray Him as an University. androgyne. All of these groups operate from a pluralistic

16 (1296) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 2 4 , 1996

and Jill Jordan Seider, "In Search of Jesus," U.S. for Theology (Grand Rapids: Academie Books, in order to accept any historical News & World Report, Apr. 8, 1996, pp. 47-53. 1990). claim. Jesus Seminar participants A. Schweitzer, The Quest of the Historical 6 Wells of Salvation Songs, No. 44. Marcus Borg and John Dominic Jesus: A Critical Study of Its Prognosis From Reimarus to Wrede, trans. W. Montgomery (New Crosson' require their disciples to York: MacMillian, 1968). exercise just as much faith in their ' New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1958. theories about the "revolutionary ' See J. D. Crossman, Jesus: A Revolutionary Keith A. Burton is a profes- Biography (San Francisco: Harper-Collins, 1994). Jesus" as the Bible requires with See Eta Linnemann, Historical Criticism of sor of religion at Oakwood regard to its record of Jesus as the Bible: Methodology or Ideology? Reflections of a College, Huntsville, Saviour and King. In the end, it is Bultrnanian Turned Evangelical, trans. Robert W. Alabama. Yarbrough (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1990), and up to each individual to determine Thomas Oden, After Modernity, What? Agenda the truth about Jesus for them- selves. And as Jesus indicated to REVIEW AND HERALD PUBLISHING Peter in Matthew 16, the truth is not derived by human consultation, not by the scholarly thesis of "flesh and blood," but by revelation of the Holy Spirit. Theologians Eta Linnemann and CHRISTMAS Thomas Oden are two scholars who once espoused views about Jesus that mirrored those of the Jesus Seminar. But one day, according to their own IN MY HEART testimony, they met Jesus. His true *COLLECTION identity was revealed to them by the THE BEST-SELLING SERIES CONTINUES heavenly Father. And now they decry their former intellectual pursuits as ■ futile and demonic.' HRIST.MAS have no doubt the devil is behind I\ MY HLART the work of the Jesus Seminar, attempting to destroy confidence in the Word of God. Now, more than ever, Adventist Christians need to be demonstrating the reality of Christ to the world. We need to show the world that Christ is not simply an ethereal concept, but that He is a reality who can transform individuals and communities. A reality that can CHRISTMAS IN MY HEART, books 1-5 transform the world. Editor Joe L. Wheeler brings together the most moving Christmas No, Christ is not a disintegrated stories of all time. They'll leave you with a lump in your throat, corpse in an unmarked Palestinian tears in your eyes, and an irresistible urge to share them with grave. He is the resurrected Saviour someone you love. The perfect stocking stuffer! Paperback, US$10.99, Cdn$15.99 each. who now lives in the heavenly courts, and in the hearts of CHRISTMAS IN MY HEART, Audio Books 1-5 regenerated individuals through the A selection of the best stories from the Christmas in My Heart series. power of His Spirit. Each book read by Joe L. Wheeler. Two 90-minute We need to sing, in the words of cassettes per volume. US$12.99, Cdn$18.99 each. the old gospel song: "Yes, Jesus is real to me; These Review and Herald® products are available at Jesus is real to me, your Adventist Book Center. Call 1-800-765-6955. I never will doubt Him, Note: Canadian prices do not Nor journey without Him, include GST and may change Review and Herald® Publishing For He is so real to me!" ■ according to currency fluctuation. Hagerstown, Maryland 21740

' Cited in Jeffrey L. Sheler with Mike Tharp

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24, 1996 (1297) 17 WOR LD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES "New York Para Cristo"—A Witness to New York Hispanics

BY BETTY COONEY, GREATER NEW YORK CONFERENCE COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR

hen the lights dimmed artists conveyed messages of God's love in Madison Square and saving power with moving sincerity Garden's theater in and appeal. New York City, the Sabbath attendance for the two friendly chitchat of sessions totaled nearly 11,000; an W3,500 Hispanic Adventists and their additional 4,000 came Sunday evening. • 1,500 friends, relatives, and Bible study Most important, 592 persons signed up graduates quickly hushed. For the next for studies and baptism during the two two hours the audience watched with days. An estimated one third of the mounting appreciation for the profession- audience were not members of the ally produced program. Adventist Church. The August 10 meeting culminated An advisory team, including seven in a clear biblical message and call for pastors and an artist, devoted a full year commitment by evangelist Alejandro to training and encouraging lay members Bullon, South American Division in conducting Bible studies. As a result, ministerial secretary. By the close of the some 1,500 members promoted the rally COME ONE, COME ALL: Approximately first historic meeting, nearly 200 persons in their neighborhoods, at work, 15,000 people attended the weekend gave their hearts to Christ and through small-group evangelism, and in meetings. acknowledged their desire to study for Bible studies. baptism. Conference president Charles Griffin began several weeks before the meetings The "New York Para Cristo" meetings began promoting the meeting at last in El Diario [high-circulation daily paper] marked the first time Hispanic Adventists year's Hispanic camp meeting. "I have a and on Spanish radio stations, we in the Greater New York Conference had dream," he said, "that one day soon reached a significant part of the Hispanic made such a large-scale public Pastor Bullon will speak to thousands of community here," GNY Hispanic evangelistic statement. Miniconcerts Hispanic members and guests at Madison ministries coordinator Hector Torres says. featuring well-known Hispanic recording Square Garden." Griffin is thankful The third goal was to involve church workers and members members in a major evangelistic effort, a responded quickly with the goal achieved far beyond expectations. planning and grassroots action With a comprehensive plan prepared by necessary to make it happen. Bullon's evangelistic team, conference "It has been invigorating to personnel mobilized the conference's 40 witness the overwhelming Spanish-speaking churches, which response of unity in this prepared the community and supported project. Our members are the meetings with sacrificial giving. In completely consecrated to addition to nearly $20,000 in offerings finishing the Lord's work," he received during the meetings, donations says. and pledges approached $90,000. The advisory had three Area pastors and 1,000 laypersons will objectives: foremost was to be involved in follow-up work. Both draw people to Christ and the pastors and members express appreciation rnvrvc Adventist message. The second for the opportunity to work together on u goal was to make a wider such a major project. "It was like a Itia nr rnc FINAL CALL: Evangelist Alejandro Bullon invites visitors impact in New York City. school," one pastor commented. . to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. "With the advertising that Enthusiasm for the long-term project Ptan

18 (1298) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 2 4 , 1996 WOR LD NEWS • PERSPECTIVES

Manhattan Spanish Delancey the prayer of church, continued witnessing commitment. even when a chronic ailment A Brooklyn necessitated calling an pastor's con- ambulance! While being gregation rushed to the hospital for brought 25 treatment, she seized the persons from opportunity to preach in the the church's ambulance, reportedly giving neighborhood; three Bible studies as they 14 members of

threaded their way through Alejandro Bullon one family busy traffic! responded to Another member decided to the altar call. A Queens pastor MUSIC IN THE AIR: Several musicians gave musical tes- reach her extended family. She conducted a baptism one week after timonies at the weekend series. brought 19 relatives to the the meetings. Among the candidates: a was highly contagious in the churches. A meeting and saw her efforts rewarded former Adventist who, with his wife ▪ Long Island congregation rented two 49- with seven from her family requesting and daughter, had made his decision at passenger school buses, planning to use baptism. the August 10 gathering. For the one to transport visitors and the other for For English-speaking guests, small Hispanic coordinator the countless members. By August 10 both buses were transistor radios were provided, and hours of work and many sacrifices reserved for visitors, so church members security guards who expressed interest in required to host the event were amply took the hour-long trip by train, at a cost what was being said were promptly repaid in a very personal way at that ▪ of $13 apiece round trip. handed headsets. At the end of the particular baptism: the man in the Maria, a member of the downtown meetings the guards went to the front for baptismal tank was his brother.

NEWSBREAK

Atlantic Union College Board has declined for four straight years, and the faculty and staff have been significantly reduced. Elects New President The 1996 enrollment stands at 500 (450 full-time The board of trustees for Atlantic Union College in equivalents), not including the adult evening, continuing South Lancaster, Massachusetts, elected Sylvan Lashley education, and summer programs. college president on September 29. Lashley is the first Black president at the 114-year-old Southwestern Adventist College school, says Donald King, Atlantic Union Takes University Status Conference communication director and administrative assistant to the union Constituents of Southwestern Adventist College in president. Keene, Texas, voted to rename the institution Currently serving as president of Southwestern Adventist University on September 25. Caribbean Union College (CaUC) in The vote comes seven years after the Southern Trinidad, West Indies, Lashley replaces Association of Colleges and Schools accredited SAC as a Sylvan Lashley Clifford Sorensen, who has served as Level III institution, which grants master's degrees. AUC's interim president during the past six months. The university currently offers a master's degree in Sorensen will retire when Lashley assumes office. education and will begin a master's in business Before going to CaUC in 1990, Lashley served as administration in the fall of 1997. president of West Indies College (WIC) in Jamaica. He "We can be proud of our history and the dedication of also has worked as a consultant with Price-Waterhouse administrators and faculty to quality," says Marvin and other major corporations. Holding an M.B.A. degree Anderson, president. "This decision means that we must and an Ed.D. degree in higher educational adminis- rededicate ourselves to academic and institutional tration, Lashley is credited with raising student excellence. For we now have an obligation to respect and enrollment at CaUC and WIC. uphold the tradition embodied in the word 'university." Lashley comes to AUC's presidency as the school Enrollment at the university has increased each of the faces serious financial challenges. Student enrollment past eight years, reaching 1,030 students this fall.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 2 4 , 1 9 9 6 (1299) 19 WORLD NEWS PERSPECTIVES

4. A division-wide men's ministries A New Day for Family advisory group will be organized to bring more support in this area. 5. Greater emphasis on singles Ministries in North America ministries is being made, because a large percentage of Adventists are single. BY WILLIE OLIVER, NORTH AMERICAN DIVISION FAMILY MINISTRIES DIRECTOR 6. New resources like ParentTalk, a magazine for Adventist parents published ccording to a recent establishing a full-fledged Department of by Pacific Press Publishing Association, survey of North Family Ministries. are being encouraged. American Adventist Already several initiatives have been 7. A directory of Christian family families, one of every implemented to enhance family therapists and counselors across North four Adventists, 25 per- ministries in North America: America will soon be published to help Acent, has been divorced. These church 1. Every local congregation has been those who need these services. statistics come all too close to the encouraged to choose a family ministries The North American Division national divorce average of 26 per- coordinator and committee. Department of Family Ministries is cent. They also show how vulnerable 2. Newsletters, curriculum materials, committed to supporting family life Adventist families are. and videos are being developed for professionals, developing resources, and In light of this and other shocking family life coordinators in local churches, encouraging family life programs in trends, the North American Division as well as conferences and unions. local churches. Your prayers, (NAD) has taken a major step to 3. Plans are being made to establish a commitment, and support are greatly strengthen families. In October 1995 the master's degree in family studies for needed. As we strengthen the NAD executive committee strengthened pastors, to prepare them to handle Adventist family, we strengthen the its support of Adventist families by domestic issues in their congregations. Adventist Church.

RE EA K

Adventist Evangelist Arrested Born in 1909 in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, Rabello in Solomon Islands graduated from Brazil College in 1930. After working for eight years in the ministry, Rabello went to Pacific Union A Seventh-day Adventist evangelist was arrested College, where he graduated in 1943. while preaching in an evangelistic meeting in Gizo, the While at PUC Rabello was invited to be speaker of provincial capital of the Western Solomon Islands, on the VOP in Brazil. The program started with 19 stations. August 23. He was held in police custody until 1:30 a.m. In a few years there were 300 stations broadcasting the The arrest of pastor Francis Feratelia, who was program. Today VOP is part of the new charged with holding a public meeting without proper Adventist System of Media authorization, came as a result of community reaction to Communication in Brazil, with the public series he conducted at the Adventist church headquarters in Nova Friburgo, Rio de in Gizo. Janeiro, along with It Is Written. In the meetings Feratelia challenged the beliefs and It is estimated that 33 percent of the teachings of other denominations, says Ray Coombe, South church membership in Brazil first became Pacific Division communication director. A local ministerial Roberto Rabello acquainted with the Adventist message association lodged a complaint against the evangelist. This through the VOP ministry. is the first time that legal action has been taken against an Adventist minister on the island, Coombe says. ACS Extends Aid to Hurricane Fran Victims There are more than 11,000 Adventists in the Solomon Islands' Western Province. As survivors of Hurricane Fran continue to suffer the effects of the massive storm, Adventist Community VOP Pioneer Dies in Brazil Services volunteers are extending their assistance to ravaged areas of North Carolina. Roberto M. Rabello, 78, the pioneer speaker of the While maintaining clothing and food distribution Portuguese Voice of Prophecy broadcast in Brazil, died sites in Adventist churches in Raleigh and in Curitiba on August 16. Wilmington, ACS volunteers established new sites in

20 (1300) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 2 4 , 1 9 9 6

W OR LC NEWS • PERSPECTIVES Like Father, Like Son

▪ BY ALEX BRYAN, PASTOR IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA

t's a sad story with a new chapter. Israelis and Palestinians eyed and hopeful, sitting cross-legged on the ground, playing in are killing each other—again. the sand, wearing miniature sandals and a made-to-fit military I On September 24 Israeli construction crews opened an uniform, holding his father's rifle on his lap at a border crossing ancient tunnel under Jerusalem's Old City to pedestrians. The in Gaza. "Like Father, Like Son," read the caption. v Palestinians argued that opening the tunnel allowed tourists to My answer is the picture's hidden question: What am I come too close to the holiest Muslim shrine in Israel—the Al putting in the laps of children? Aqsa Mosque. Fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles, elders, Bitterness over the tunnel opening NEWS C OMMENTARY deacons, church members-at-large, what triggered Palestinian uprising and Israeli are we putting in the laps of children? retaliation. Less than a week later gunfire between the two sides Do kids in your part of the world witness anger or tenderness, O had claimed 70 lives. Finally Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and war or peace, prejudice or tolerance, us-against-them or all-for- Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to meet in one-and-one-for-all? Do kids learn to hate or to love the people Washington, D.C., with U.S. president Bill Clinton to seek a of other nations, races, religions, political parties, and sexual resolution. The international diplomatic community is frustrated. persuasions? What are they taught about the adults who voted And so am I. against Daddy on the church board last Monday? What can we do about this? Little Taysir should have a toy in his hand—not a gun. He I, My answer came with Monday morning's newspaper (USA probably hasn't even learned to hate the other side yet. But Today, Sept. 30): a photo of 5-year-old Taysir Shaaer, bright- soon he will.

NEWSBREAK

Goldsboro, Jacksonville, Kinston, and elsewhere in Romanian Churches to Recycle NET '96 Wilmington. "Small towns still require assistance, so Adventist During the current NET '96 evangelistic meetings on mobile units actively distribute needed supplies," says satellite, Adventist churches in Romania are downlinking Beth Schaefer, information officer for ACS's parent the meetings to 419 locations within the country, reports organization, the Adventist Development and Relief General Conference president Robert S. Folkenberg. Agency. "In the town of Wallace, some 800 persons were However, after the meetings have ended, the churches served in one weekend." plan to use videotaped programs to conduct nearly 400 Volunteers in Virginia are also distributing supplies, additional meetings in January 1997. A third series is and community groups in Nashville, Miami, and expected in March, which will bring the total meetings Atlanta are still collecting donated goods for North to more than 1,000, Folkenberg says. Carolina. News Notes New Congregation Forms in Burkina Faso ✓ The Lindgren Foundation recently awarded the A new Adventist congregation started by Michael Loma Linda University School of Dentistry a $250,000 Daniel Asdodji, is meeting in Koudougou, Burkina Faso, grant to establish a scholarship endowment. in West Africa. Asdodji, from Togo, another country in West Africa, What's Coming! is a Global Mission volunteer who began working this past January in the unentered area of Koudougou and has Oct. 26 Pathfinder Sabbath already held two outreach meetings, says General Nov. 2-9 Week of Prayer Conference president Robert S. Folkenberg. Nov. 3-7 North American Division Year-end Ten persons worship with Asdodji, including a girl Meetings with a disability who walks two hours each way on Nov. 16 Ingathering begins crutches to attend church meetings. Dec. 7 Stewardship Day

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24 , 1 996 (1301) 21 CLIFFORD GOLDSTEIN The Persecuted?

If you're a Christian in America, you're subjected to vicious America, and some might even face religious harassment from persecution, government hostility, and (in case you haven't family or employers, but bias isn't persecution any more than a noticed) a systematic oppression aimed at eradicating you and Jewish joke is the Holocaust. And for these Christians—most of your religion. them wealthy, powerful, and influential—to portray themselves If you haven't noticed, that's because you haven't as victims of persecution makes a mockery of those Christians in accepted the Christian Right's line other lands who really are. that the American church is the vic- In my work I daily read heart- tim of persecution. Some wrenching accounts of Christians in Jerry Falwell warns that "Bible- Asia, Africa, and the Middle East believing Christianity" has been who—facing torture, jail, exile, even "outlawed" in America. Pat Buchanan anti-Christian death for their faith—don't whine as bemoans the "Christian-bashing" so much as Robertson, Colson, or Falwell 4 prevalent in America today. 'Tim bias does exist. do about "persecution." LaHaye warns about "the government- Why this shameful propaganda? The inspired persecution that is going on answer's simple: what better way to in America today in the name of the First Amendment." shake Christians out of their political complacency than to The Rutherford Institute writes about "religious apartheid" convince them that they're victims? If the faithful can be against Christians. Chuck Colson says that Christians have persuaded that the wall of separation of church and state is become a "persecuted minority." Even James Dobson has persecuting them, that laws forbidding government-sponsored warned: "I believe that Christian oppression is just around the prayer in school are persecuting them, that the arrest of abortion corner. I really believe that the level of anger rising out of the protestors is persecuting them, and that such movies as The Last homosexual community primarily, but the whole humanistic Temptation of Christ are persecuting them, they will respond. movement that's out there . . . as they gain political power— They already do. and they got it now—they're going to continue to oppress us." Years ago a girl involved in the Religious Right told me that New Right lawyer Keith Fournier explains: "Day after day although at one time she was skeptical about getting into the news media brings us horrific reports from the Balkans, politics, she changed her mind after being warned by her Africa, and other foreign countries of ethnic-based attacks all- church that "the American government is planning to take our too reminiscent of the infamous Holocaust. . . . And yet a Bibles from us!" similar insanity is being perpetrated before our eyes in our own Take our Bibles from us? country. But ethnic origin isn't the target. It's religion and I don't blame the girl; I blame the church leaders who, using those who embrace it." their massive media outlets, disseminate bogus stories about And finally, from multimillionaire business executive, media oppression and harassment in order to involve their followers mogul, television personality, Republican Party power broker, in politics, while the hostile, anti-Christian government not and former presidential candidate Pat Robertson: "Just like only protects their right to spread these stories—but lets them what Nazi Germany did to the Jews, so liberal America is now do it tax-free! doing to evangelical Christians." Some persecution. Now, maybe I'm missing something here, but are we, as Christians in the United States, persecuted? Even as Adventists, with beliefs that separate us from the "mainstream," are we being systematically oppressed by gays, persecuted by the government, Clifford Goldstein is editor of Liberty, a magazine of or subjected to a Nazilike genocide, all on account of our faith? religious freedom. Maybe you are, but I'm not (and no one else in my local church is either). Of course, some bias against Christianity does exist, even in

22 (1302) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24, 1996 it—these wonders are made by tiny It certainly doesn't make any drops of water. The drops are small, but difference to God whether someone is Caves they are important. Each drop makes a small or big. The Bible says that "the difference. Lord will bless those who fear him, Some people may think that because from the smallest to the greatest" you are small you can't make a (Psalm 115:13, ICB). ROSY TETZ difference. But you know that's not true. God loves you, and He has big You do make a difference in your family plans for you. Right now. You don't and your school and your church and have to wait until you're big to make a ave you ever been inside a your world. difference. cave? It's a very interest- ing adventure, and you should do it if you ever get the chance. Some caves are easy to visit. People have built pathways and put in electric lights. Tour guides show you all the Give Bible studies with these exciting new videos ▪ cool things and tell you lots of interesting stuff. Other caves are a bit more of an Net '96 Resource adventure. They don't have nice smooth paths with railings. They are pitch-dark. There might even be bats. • One interesting thing about caves is how they are made. There is a certain kind of rock called limestone. It dissolves in rainwater. This erosion doesn't happen quickly. Year after year the rain soaks into the ground. The rain makes cracks in the ▪ limestone, dissolving it little by little. These cracks turn into hollows, which become larger and larger, and after years and years they become caves. Other interesting things happen with water and limestone inside the Evangelist Part 1: End-time Prophecies (6 videos). caves. As water slowly drops from the KENNETH COX Daniel 2 and 7 and Revelation 11, 13, and 17. roof of the cave, it leaves behind a tiny presents Bible Part 2: Who Is Jesus? (6 videos). deposit of limestone. Over years these doctrines and end- Evidence for believing in Christ; the differences deposits add up and start to form a time prophecies in between Christ, Buddha, Muhammad, Confucius; spike hanging down from the top of the this fascinating video how to accept Christ; His priestly ministry; and the Second Coming. cave. These spikes are called series. The series is stalactites, and they look sort of like divided into four Part 3: What Jesus Said (6 videos). Baptism, the icicles made of stone. parts, with six video Sabbath, traditions, death, hell, and health. The same thing happens upside presentations in each Part 4: Last Day Events (6 videos). down when water drips onto the floor part. Day of judgment, time of the end, mark of the of the cave. The deposits that build beast, seal of God, millennium, heaven. up and poke up in spikes from the Ideal for Bible studies, Audiocassettes are also available. • floor are called stalagmites. Stalactites evangelistic meetings, or personal study. These videos are distributed *it and stalagmites grow only a fraction , by Review and Herald®Publishing Now only US$ 299 .9 ) of an inch each year. Sometimes, after k2.4 videos. and are available at your Cdn$43.4.95 set hundreds of years, they get so long Sale 97.95, Adventist Book Center. US $97 videos that they meet in the middle and 25% off per port6 k) Col 1-800-7654955. Cdn$1.41 . Canadian prices do not include GST and may form a pillar. Expires vary according to currency fluctuation. - Some people think that "small" and 12-31-96 "unimportant" mean the same thing. But they don't really. The caves prove

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24, 1996 (1303) 23 Jesus: Lord of All In humility and sacrifice, He provided an eternal model of genuine authority.

BY ELLEN G. WHITE

CC Satan exulted when Jesus laid aside His power and glory and left heaven. He thought that the Son of God was then placed in his power. . . . If he could tempt Jesus to depart from the will of His Father, his object would be gained.), '

CC [Jesus] knew that the time was to come when He would by His own life redeem the kingdom from Satan, and that, after a season, all in heaven and earth would submit to Him. He chose His life of suffering and His dreadful death, as the way appointed by His Father that He might become a lawful heir to the kingdoms of earth and have them given into His hands as an everlasting possession.), 2

CC Jesus commenced His work by breaking the power which Satan held over the suffering. He healed those who had suffered by his evil power. He restored the sick to health, healed the lame, and caused them to leap in the gladness of their hearts, and glorify God. He gave sight to the blind, and restored to health by His power those who had been infirm and bound by Satan's cruel power many years. The weak, the trembling, and the desponding, He comforted with gracious words. He raised the dead to life, and they glorified God for the mighty display of His power. He wrought mightily for all who believed on Him. And the feeble, suffering ones whom Satan held in triumph, Jesus wrenched from his grasp, and brought to them by His divine power, soundness of body, and great joy and happiness.), 3

C C [The people at Capernaum] were astonished at His doctrine; for His lessons of instruction were given with power. . . . Demons were unable to resist the power of Christ. They surrendered to Him, and in the presence of the astonished multitude, acknowledged Him to be the all-powerful son of God.,, 4

24 (1304) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24, 1996 C

As the piercing look of Jesus swept the desecrated court of the temple, all eyes were instinctively turned toward Him. The voices of the people and the noise of the cattle were hushed. Priest, ruler, Pharisee and Gentile all looked with mute astonishment and indefinable awe upon the Son of God, who stood before them with the majesty of Heaven's King, divinity flashing through humanity and investing Him with a dignity and glory He had never before displayed.),

The world hated Christ because His perfect purity was in such contrast to their own vileness. They rejected and crucified the Lord of life. God raised Him from the dead, and hid Him from mortal view; but He is still the Saviour of mankind. . . . Though the Vine itself is unseen, its branches are visible. While Christ is removed from human sight, His life and power are manifested in His followers.),

' Early Writings, p. 157. Ibid., p. 158. These profiles from the life of Christ are 'Redemption, p. 61, 62. compiled by the Ellen G. White Estate. ' Ibid., p. 69. Much more than a one-dimensional individ- 'The Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 3, p. 23. ual, Jesus personified a unique blend of the Review and Herald, Sept. 11, 1893. human and the divine.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 2 4 , 1996 (1305) 25 0 P I NION Where Is the Holy Place? The answer does make a difference.

BY STEVE CASE

ERHAPS IT'S JUST ONE OF MY LIFE creaturely position relative to the Almighty. commandments—those beliefs that I've grown up But God's presence in the Old Testament wasn't limited with and that form the core of what I know to be to buildings. God told Moses to take off his sandals, because true. I'm really not sure where it came from, but the ground near the burning bush was holy.' It wasn't the I've always known that the church sanctuary was bush or the ground that was inherently holy. It was God's pholier than the youth chapel. Of course, the youth chapel presence that made them holy. God promised to place His was more sacred than the fellowship hall, which was more tabernacle among His people and to walk among them venerable than the parking lot. provided His people obeyed Him.6 God's people had no I couldn't find a text of Scripture that said it quite that reason to fear, because He promised even to take His people way, but I hadn't needed to . . . until . . . a church member by the hand.' Although the awesomeness of God was real to suggested that one of our programs be held in the youth the Israelites, God also desired to be with His people. chapel rather than the sanctuary. He felt the program The Old Testament promise of the Messiah included the seemed inappropriate for the sanctuary—which was holy. As sign that a virgin would give birth to a boy called the youth pastor of the church, I wondered, Does this mean Immanuel—God with use Lowly shepherds found themselves the place where the youth meet is unholy? And what makes the terrified by the glory of one angel, who brought news of the place where the adults and others meet holy? These questions Messiah's birth.' Yet excitement rather than fear or glory drove me to the Bible. What I found surprised me. marked their encounter with the baby Jesus.'" The Wise Men In the Old Testament God told His people to make a bowed down and worshiped the baby Jesus, in addition to sanctuary so He could dwell with them.' I remembered the giving Him expensive gifts." At 8 days of age, during the passages that spelled out that only priests could enter the customary Temple presentation of the firstborn male, only sanctuary, with the high priest entering the Most Holy Place Simeon and Anna recognized the glory of God in Jesus." only once a year. It was in the Most Holy Place that God The Old Testament predicted that God's glory and made Himself present in the Shekinah glory over the ark.2 majesty would be veiled." At best, the response to Jesus was Uzzah experienced the seriousness of even touching the ark.' fickle or mixed." At worst, He was considered deluded, When Solomon dedicated the permanent Temple, God demon-possessed, and worthy of torture and death." Without demonstrated His glory with a cloud that left the priests the revealed glory and majesty, people failed to treat God, in unable to perform their service' the form of Jesus, as holy. However, they continued to The majesty and grandeur of God's presence, whether it worship and revere historical events in which God had was the Shekinah glory associated with the ark or even the revealed Himself. Such sacred times were commemorated at building that contained it, reminded humans of their a geographical location called the Temple." These festivals

26 (1306) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24, 1996 had their roots in the command of (NKJV) to the world at large." recommitment to service for God. Yes, God." How ironic and tragic that the In the early church the presence of the place was holy—with God's worshipers failed to identify the object God manifested itself when and where presence. At the sanctuary we call a of the feasts and even killed Him the body of Christ met.26 That is why holy place, God chose to be present during one of the festivals that Paul could call the Corinthian because His people met there in His anticipated His arrival. believers God's temple, because of the name. And He continues to be present When Jesus conversed with the presence of the Holy Spirit in the wherever those people go, thereby woman at Jacob's well, she asked if the believers. He reminds them that God's making many places holy places. For proper place of worship was Mount temple is sacred, and they are that God cannot be bound by one location Gerazim or Jerusalem. In other words, temple." And Paul is in agreement that humans determine. God is God, where is the holy place? Jesus with Peter on this." and wherever He is is holy. ■ p responded that the place wasn't the issue. True worshipers worship in spirit he ramifications for us are ' Ex. 25:8. 2 Lev. 16:2. and in truth.° But a location provides extensive. Rather than treating 2 Sam. 6:6, 7. a tangible and predictable arena for a Tone location, a sanctuary or ' 1 Kings 8:10, 11. place to be holy. Perhaps this mind-set church, as a holy place because God is Ex. 3:5. 'Lev. 26:1-12. motivated Peter to suggest a holy present there, our call is to treat the 1 Isa. 41:10-13. place memorial at the spot where Jesus believers with sacredness, because the Isa. 7:14; cf. Matt. 1:22, 23. p was transfigured.'9 Holy Spirit lives within them. Such 'Luke 2:8-11. 19 Verses 16-20. For Jesus such externals as location treatment is not reserved for the " Matt. 2:11. seemed insignificant compared to the church hour on Sabbath morning, but " Luke 2:21-39. realities of the inner soul. With the throughout the week as well. " Isa. 53:2-5. " See John 6:14, 15, 60, 66; John 7:40-43; promise of the Holy Spirit to be in His Then how will we deal with the Luke 19:37, 38; Luke 23:18, 21, 23. • believers, God could not be contained location of "sacred" events? Perhaps it 15 In the book of John alone, see John 5:17, in one location. The Father and Jesus would be useful to think of two types 18; 8:48; 10:24, 33; 18:22. 16 Luke 2:42; John 7:14, 15; John 10:22; would make Their home with the ones of holiness: essential holiness and Matt. 26:17. who love and obey Him." The holy functional holiness." Essential holiness " Lev. 23. place would now be every believer, belongs to God, for He is holy. " John 4:23, 24. 19 Mark 9:2-7. whatever the location. Such a promise Wherever God is, that place is holy. " John 16:17, 23. ▪ brings to mind the promise of Jesus Functional holiness can denote places 2' Matt. 18:20. that wherever two or three are we set aside as a location for God to 22 Matt. 23:38. " Matt. 27:51. gathered together in His name, He is be. Recognizing that we can't control " Mark 15:39; cf. Matt. 27:54. with them." Such a place, wherever the presence of God, we dedicate 25 Heb. 13:12. the location, is holy because of God's buildings as places where we are 26 Acts 2:1-4; Acts 4:31, 32; 1 Cor. 12:27. 27 1 Cor. 3:16. This passage occasionally has presence. reminded of our holy God. been misused as a temperance text for an indi- It should not surprise us that Jesus But let us not confuse functional vidual's body being the temple of the Holy Spirit warned the religious people of His day holiness with essential holiness. Let us (see 1 Cor. 6:19). The context of 1 Corinthians 3 is the entire church, not the individuals, and that the Temple was empty of God's not treat people with respect in a the grammar of the text provided a plural "you." presence." That became painfully church building, but act differently All of you believers, together, in Corinth, com- obvious when the curtain separating outside of the wood and stones. prise God's sacred temple. That's why there can- not/should not be division among you. the Most Holy Place from the holy According to both Paul and Peter, " 1 Peter 2:5. place was torn by unseen hands at the God's people are His temple, His 29 I'm indebted to Pastor Bill Knott for these time of the death of Jesus, exposing spiritual house.' Nor can we limit our terms, which give me "verbal handles" for my mind to grasp. • the Most Holy Place as an empty room own attitude of holiness to the worship " 1 Cor. 3:16, 17; 1 Peter 2:5. void of the presence of God." The service on Sabbath at the building holy place at that moment was on termed the church. Because God dwells Golgotha, because that is where God with His believers, wherever a believer was present. is, God is, which makes that location a While religious leaders mocked holy place. M Christ and the disciples saw their Was the program slated for the Steve Case, Ph.D., has been hopes die, a pagan perceived that God sanctuary inappropriate? A group of involved in Adventist youth was present in Jesus?' How fitting that the believers, the elders, discussed it ministry for more than a God's initiative to all people, not just and determined that if the program dozen years. Currently he is the religious ones, was typified by the was appropriate for the youth, it was president of Piece of the Pie gift of God (Jesus and His death) being "holy" for the entire church. Those Ministries, a company that seeks to draw ▪ given and perceived "outside the gate" who attended experienced joy and young people into the life of the church.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 2 4 , 1996 (1307) 27 Our "Meats" Are So Real Some Vegetarians Won't Eat Them; "Incredible texture ... hearty... so satisfy- ing and filling!" That's what vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike are saying about New & Improved Headline Meatless Meats! Our su- perior line of substitutes is now more tasty, more meatlike, more mouthwatering than ever before. Made from defatted soy flour, Headline cooks up in 10 minutes (just add water!) and is avail- able in a variety of delicious flavors. Soy: New Findings On Its Relation To Cancer & Heart Disease Most of our customers already know that re- placing animal proteins with soy proteins, such as Headline, means bypassing the high satu- rated fats, sterols, growth hormones, antibiotics, and other residuals of modern factory farming. But what you may not know is that each 1/2 cup serving of Heartline contains 12 mg. of genistein, a strong anti-cancer agent and subject of more than 200 recent studies. To educate the public about genistein, as well as other important micronutrients contained in our products, we will send you our FREE book- let, "Soy Protein: Your Key To Better Health," written by Dr. Suzanne Paxton, P.D., a world-re- nowned phytopharmacologist, which you can obtain simply by calling our toll-free number at the end of this ad. Better yet, for just $19.95, we'll be happy to I can't remember when I haven't taught a weekly Sabbath School ship you our Headline Introductory Package, containing our Beef, Ground, Chicken, Peppe- lesson. Even back when there were only about four of us in the roni, and Canadian Bacon styles—enough to class. But now my church is larger and its membership more make one pound of each. You'll also receive two of our popular Cajun Jerky and two 1.5 oz. diverse. The group has changed, and I guess I've changed, too. samples of Stonewall's Jerquee—both made But one thing hasn't changed: We still come together each week. from soy protein. Lastly, you'll also get our popu- lar Whole Earth Vegetarian Catalogue. We still open our Bibles. We still seek the guidance of the Spirit. So order today! And we are always blessed. Lumen Foods 409 Scott Street, Dept. AR-1096 ADVENTIST Lake Charles, LA 70601 Yes, please rush me your Heartline Introductory , Package, priced at only $19.95 (USD) Revlew Visa/MC/Amex Personal Ck / MO No. Exp. Date NEAd Please ship to, Name Weekly journal of a faith that works. TheAdventist Review. Address 1-800-765-6955 City State Zip Phone Orders: (800) 256-2253 • Inquiries Welcome! • — Shipping: $3.00 Continental U.S.; $6.00, AK, HI, PR, vl, APO & Canadian Orders. Call for our FREE catalog.

28 (1308) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 2 4 , 1 9 9 6

FAITH ALIVE!

CALVIN B. ROCK Gems and Jewels

y husband and I have no children, and we necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings (including engagement would love to adopt an African-American rings), should not be worn. Articles such as watches, brooches, child, even though we are not Black. Most of cuff links, tie clasps, etc., should be chosen in harmony with our friends discour- the Christian principles of simplicity, age us. They think modesty, and economy." Mthere will be identity problems for us North American Division delegates and the child—especially the child. Much of culture at their 1986 year-end meeting voted What are the odds of success in to honor the posture of members who, adoptions like this? is transmitted like Seventh-day Adventists in other parts of the world, feel that the Many sociologists maintain that wearing of "a simple marriage band is carefully planned and conducted subconsciously. a symbol of faithfulness to the transracial adoptions can work well marriage vow." The action also states for parents and children. One group, that "such persons should be fully Simon and Associates, conducted a definitive study in this accepted in the fellowship and service of the church." regard. After 20 years of observation they concluded that when Both actions recognize plain wedding rings ("band" in the White parents aggressively pursue ways to expose the child to North American action) as nonjewelry and as such a matter for Black culture (such as taking him or her often to a Black individual decision. However, neither action "rules favorably" church, and educating the child regarding Black history) these on wedding rings. In fact, the NAD action questions the need children usually grow up well-adjusted and extremely grateful for their use in its territory, since they are not, as in many parts for persons who rescued them from institutional care. of the world, deemed obligatory. But it is true that since much of culture is transmitted Further caution is provided in the NAD statement that subconsciously, there is always the danger that children of such ministers are counseled not to perform ring ceremonies, since adoption will, even with the best of care, become adults with the wearing of the wedding band still "is not regarded as .. . an social expectations that do not fit the perceptions and imperative custom in North America." treatment society provides persons of their color. What is unfortunate is that some individuals have abused the Nevertheless, I believe that in this matter, in these times, option these rulings provide by wearing extravagant wedding the possible good outweighs the risks. While the best scenario rings and other jewelry, including earrings. These individuals go may be that in which the child is reared in the home of ethnic to extremes (some, no doubt, unknowingly) and are in clear sameness, transracial adoptions are worth considering. That is violation of both the General Conference and North American especially so since there are so many Black babies in need, and Division position. evidently not enough Black families requesting. What can be done about the situation? You, your pastor, and the church board should obtain and study the full text of the am a longtime church elder and highly supportive of two statements referenced above and carefully and prayerfully the denomination. But in my opinion the General educate the membership as to their principles. I think you will / Conference erred when it ruled favorably on wedding find them and their Church Manual complement biblical, rings. Now not only do we have sparkling rings of all reasonable, and, with proper attention, fully applicable as kinds in our church, but also, we have other jewelry, requisites for membership. most notably earrings. Are earrings now acceptable? If not, what can be done? Calvin B. Rock is a general vice president of the General Conference. He holds doctoral degrees in At its 1972 Annual Council the General Conference ministry and religious ethics. delegates gave initial clarification to the jewelry question, stating, in part, "that in the area of personal adornment

ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24, 1996 (1309) 29

R E F L E C T IONS

BY MELODY SNOW Tale of the Quilts

rom my great-grandmother I inherited two quilts: a The first servant returned with the five quilts, but four-patch pattern and a Double Wedding Ring. they were no longer new. They had been used by the She made the four-patch. Turquoise and pink solid beggar in the street, the dying, the poor. When the man squares are mixed with assorted prints. The pattern saw this and learned the reasons, he praised the servant. is misaligned in the center, so that the solids meet "Take five more quilts and go out among my people Falong one strip. again," he said. The backing wore off several years The second servant had been given ago, and my grandmother replaced it three quilts. They were worn, too, for before passing the quilt on to me. Now he had taken them to a local prison, the front is getting holes. I repair them bringing comfort to the convicted. as I find them, putting patches over When the man of the house saw this, patches. Such a technique would he praised this servant also. "Criminals probably shock skilled quilters, but are my people too. Take three more this is an old quilt, a used quilt, and as quilts and go again." I repair it, it is evolving into The servant with one quilt brought something else. his forward. It was new and untouched. The Double Wedding Ring quilt is "I knew you would want this back," he an exquisite piece of work made by a said, "so I kept it carefully, wrapping it friend of my great-grandmother's. It was never finished. up in tissue paper and putting it on a shelf. Here it is in Only the top was pieced. I've decided to complete it. A perfect condition." quitter friend has suggested I make it into a wall hanging. But the man was not pleased with this servant. Instead of I know that making art out of a lovely quilt that's going using the quilt to help others, he had hidden it away until on 50 years old is the accepted thing to do. Maybe it is the the day of reckoning. "Throw this servant out," said the only way it can survive. But the idea also disturbs me. Such man, "for he does not understand that gifts are given to be a fate would underscore all the years this quilt was never used, not cherished as sources of pride." used. With the four-patch and its numerous threadbare places, think this says that God gives us each talents and abili- I can curl up without guilt of ruining it and think back ties not to save but to use. In the process we will acquire over my grandmother's and great-grandmother's lives. I can Iscars. We'll get tired. We may feel as though we are wonder what part this quilt played. With the Wedding accomplishing nothing, since we live in a world that values Ring quilt I can't. It doesn't have the wealth of life the pristine and the unworn. But if we let God use us, our entwined within. lives will intertwine with the lives of others. Like the ragged, well-used four-patch, we will bring comfort to those What If? who need it. And, I think, One who Himself bears scars will As people of the twentieth century, I think we forget that look at ours and say, "Well done. Enter in to eternal life value comes from usefulness, not collectability. Christ seems with Me." ■ to speak of this in the parable of the talents (Matt. 25). Let me rework the tale slightly. A well-to-do man decided to go on a long trip. He called three servants in for final instructions and gave each of them the custodianship of part of his wealth. To the first, he Melody Snow writes from Lillian, Texas. gave five quilts; to the second, three; and to the last, one. Many months later he returned and asked for an accounting. i

30 (1310) ADVENTIST REVIEW, OCTOBER 24, 1996 For Your Spiritual Growth

NEVER THIRST AGAIN TOUCHED BY FIRE A woman's guide to creative Pastor Larry Yeagley shares experiences from what Bible study filled with hun- VVEQ he calls the "most rewarding work in the world." [reds of ideas for making Bible Meet the man with the 16-gauge shotgun who asked study more meaningful and for a "dunlcin'," a despairing woman named experiencing a greater sense of TtiaMT Sunshine, a tattooed ex-convict who God's presence. By Dorothy learned to care tenderly Eaton Watts. Paper, 127 pages. for his abusive US$8.99, Cdn$12.99. father, and AGA1\ scores of other real-life people A 1Voman's with real needs. Guide Paper, 128 pages. to Creative US$7.99, Cdn$11.49. )iWtudy.

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in Remembrance of Ale IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME E. Harold Roy explores both the spiritual and practical meanings of the JOHN Communion and foot- Even if you've been washing services, through the Gospel of showing how these John a dozen times, memorials to salvation you're in for a fresh can help us live in assur- experience when you ance and joy until the day open this expanded when we partake of the paraphrase from The Lord's Supper with Jesus Clear Word. Every text in heaven. is worded to let the Paper, 89 pages. JESUS IS MY JUDGE power of the original US$7.99, Cdn$11.49. In this study of Daniel, Leslie thought come through Hardinge offers in-depth, Christ- in today's language. centered scholarship and practical Paper, 80 pages. These Review and Herald® books application of prophecy to daily US$.99, Cdn$1.39. are available at your Adventist Book Center. life. Paper, 285 pages. Call 1-800-765-6955. Distributed by Review and Herald. Canadian prices do not include GST and may change according to currency fluctuation. US$14.99, Cdn$21.49. Visions Toward Home Sharing books from Pacific Press

2000 and Beyond Mark Finley. What do Bible prophecies point to in the year 2000? The Bible is filled with promises and answers of the second coming. 2000 and Beyond takes a look at the questions that are becoming more urgent at the close of the century: What are the challenges of Revelation? Is there a reliable source for the future? What is the truth about near-death experiences? Learn how to plan for life in the twenty-first century, as Mark Finley takes you through the Bible to reveal its predictions and plan for protection. Bible predictions that will lead you to a successful life in 2000. 2000 is coming! Are you ready? Paper, 128 pages. US$1.99, Cdn$2.89. A Pause for Peace Clifford Goldstein. What does God's gift of the Sabbath mean to you? Clifford Goldstein shares God's recovery II .6,1 60a,5 Oft of The .1abbath plan for our spiritual recession. Discover the practical (an Mean in You Recharging lour joys and spiritual blessings of the nearly forgotten Spiritual tie Mee for famili and I riritas practice of taking one day out as a pause for peace. 4 Paper, 128 pages. US$1.95, Cdn$2.89. Weetikereak,f-rtini stressful thing irtirodwilett by