May 13, 1999

World Edition

A Very Young Church Trials and Triumphs of Adventism in Mongolia That Outfit Called the Church Taking the Plunge Mahem at Midday LETTERS

President Paulsen and the decline of personal Bible study. Testaments. I can heartily recommend Thank you for your comprehensive this method of obtaining a reading coverage of the tran- —Steve Riehle knowledge of a new language because sition we have expe- S ANTA M ARIA, CALIFORNIA the pace at which one progresses allows rienced in world the message to sink in. church leadership. You have been quick As a member of the Trans-European —Eleanor S. Johnson to report the facts Division, where Jan Paulsen was presi- C OLLEGE P LACE, WASHINGTON and evenhanded in dent before 1995, I am very proud of reporting the situa- his election. tion that the church and Elder Just a question: In communication I enjoyed reading about Matthew Folkenberg had to confront. We partic- from the General Conference and in Mark-Luke Johnson very much. Please ularly enjoyed William G. Johnsson’s the Review, it is stated that Paulsen is keep the Give & Take page going. It’s interview with Elder Paulsen (see “‘An the first European president. But during my favorite page, next to Letters to Open Person’—Pastor Jan Paulsen,” the 1888 General Conference session the Editor. March 11 World Edition) and the sam- we elected Ole Andres Olsen, who was pling of “World Voices.” born in Skogen, Norway, and served —Ted R. Chadwick Ed had the pleasure of briefly meet- nine years (1888-1897). When he was G ASTON, OREGON ing Elder Paulsen during the summer elected president, he was in Scandinavia of 1994 at Cambridge University in supervising the work there. England. We were attending meetings Practical Faith of the C. S. Lewis Foundation called —Richard Elofer, PRESIDENT Regarding Calvin Rock’s comment “Cambridge ’94—Creation and I SRAEL F IELD that, during the time of trouble, “per- Cosmos: Chance or Dance.” It means haps there are some hideouts so remote a great deal to have as leader of our O. A. Olsen came to America at age 5. and so secure that they will provide church a person of such broad inter- He grew up, spent most of his life, and safety for those who plan ahead” (see ests—spiritually and intellectually. We died in America.—Editors. Faith Alive! March 11). Probably no are praying for him in his new such safety will be available. appointment. Ellen White agrees more closely with Transcribing the Gospel the latter part of Rock’s response when —Edwin and Marilyn Karlow I wish we had had the insight to name she says: “It is contrary to the Bible to R IVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA our fourth child Matthew Mark-Luke make any provision for our temporal Johnson, as did David and Gail (see wants in the time of trouble” (Last Day Give & Take, March 11). Events, p. 264). She then describes the President Jan Paulsen may have been The most rewarding summer I ever sad end of any food or real estate owned thinking as an administrator when he spent was in Miami, Florida, where I by God’s people at that time, and it’s identified the greatest issue facing the copied the four Gospels (longhand) in safe to assume that generators and simi- church as “its internationality.” Far Spanish, looking up each word I did not lar paraphernalia will meet the same greater issues facing our church, I suggest, understand. I had already copied the Old fate. A remote location for these items are the instability of the Seventh-day Testament in an effort to learn the lan- doesn’t seem to make any difference. Adventist nuclear family and an atten- guage. I spent an hour a day transcribing dant high divorce rate, high percentages La Santa Biblia, and it took two and a —Bill Ludwig of young people abandoning the church, half years to do both the Old and New A UBURN, WASHINGTON

2 (618) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 Jesus Not European Clarifying the Language The Adventist Review has, in sketch “Learning the Language” (Feb. 18) is a after sketch and portrait after portrait, good idea—and a good start in helping depicted Jesus as European. The Bible new Adventists know the “lingo” and record indicates that He was born in cautioning old Adventists about the Palestine, reared partly in Palestine terms we use. Two suggestions to con- COVER STORY (Asia) and partly in Egypt (Africa). A sider in future lists: search of His family tree, as recorded in 1. Please put the explanations in simple 8 A Very Young Church Progress has been slow, but it’s Matthew and Luke, does not reveal language. I have pastored several dis- still progress. anyone from Europe. Furthermore, His tricts. Yes, they have been close to or BY D ALE T UNNELL AND B ILL K NOTT ancestry is very interesting in that it in the boondocks. But words such as includes incest, harlotry, and foreigners. “quinquennial” and “administrative ARTICLES Recently you printed an apology for subsection of the denomination” and depicting Ruth, an ancestor of Jesus, as “triennial” can be simplified. With 14 That Outfit Called the European. When is the same going to greater simplicity people will have a Church be done for Jesus? greater understanding, and your words Sure, it’s often ineffective, but it’s will have more punch. still the best thing going. BY L ESLIE N. POLLARD —Linbrook Barker 2. Clarify “celebration churches.” R IVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA This may be my “own thing,” but in 22 “I Yam What I Yam” my understanding a “celebration” The question is What do we do now? Jesus was a Jew. We try to find art- church is one in which modern music BY T HELMA H OEHN work that portrays Him as a Middle from our culture is used in worship and Easterner.—Editors. their foundational theology is contrary 24 Ellen White’s Disturbing to the basic Adventist message. Their Disclaimer of 1904 What she really said—and what theology includes the following Satellite Program it means. unmentioned tenets: BY R OGER W. C OON Congratulations! Your Battle Creek a. The Sabbath is downplayed. weekend program (“Faith Stories That b. Ellen White is questioned. 28 Taking the Plunge Connect,” uplinked March 27) was c. The pastors teach that victory Years of preparation are about to tremendous! Even though I could not over sin is impossible. yield their results. BY J UDY L. SHULL be there in person, I was blessed by d. The only judgment for Christians being able to see the downlink “live” is that at the cross. DEPARTMENTS on 3ABN. I was overjoyed to be e. They do away with the investiga- “transported” to Battle Creek and to tive judgment—it supposedly nullifies 2 Letters be able to enjoy the entire program grace. 7 Give & Take from my home. It was very well done, f. Their message is the message of

13 Bible Questions Answered TANFIELD and I did enjoy the segment with salvation and celebrating. The three Mark Finley immensely. angels’ messages are an embarrassing 17 Faith Alive! L. S

And thank you for mentioning denominational heritage. AMES

18 World News & Perspectives / J Adventist Heritage Ministry. g. The pastors teach and model a 29 Adventist World Radio Heritage evangelism is a viable purely congregational understanding of

30 Reflections OLLECTION

means of nurture and outreach min- the “church.” C istry. This is true at each of our his- On the other hand, a local church MAGE toric Adventist sites, but especially that modifies worship to include more EDITORIALS I so at Battle Creek because of the members, includes a wider range of OCIETY potential for hundreds of thousands music, worships God, praises Jesus, 5 Mayhem at Midday S of visitors. The preservation and pro- upholds the Scriptures, and preaches 6 Who Said It? motion of our unique Adventist her- the three angels’ messages wouldn’t, in EOGRAPHIC itage uplifts God to volunteers and to my opinion, be a “celebration” church. NEXT WEEK G tourists alike and has already resulted These stay in the Seventh-day in changed lives. Adventist Church. Don’t Adventists Use the Bible ATIONAL

Anymore? © N —Alice R. Voorheis —Dave Miller, pastor We used to be known as “people of the Book.” Are we still? A DVENTIST H ERITAGE M INISTRY N EW W INDSOR, MARYLAND OVER PHOTO

S ILVER S PRING, MARYLAND C

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 (619) 3 “Behold, I come quickly . . .”

Our mission is to uplift Jesus Christ through stories of His matchless love, news of His present workings, help for knowing Him better, and hope in His soon return.

Publisher General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Executive Publisher William G. Johnsson Associate Publisher Charlotte McClure Publishing Board: Phil Follett, vice-chair; Lowell Cooper; William G. Johnsson; Robert E. Lemon; A. C. McClure; Ardis D. Stenbakken, Donald R. Sahly; Ted N. C. Wilson; Robert Nixon, legal advisor

Editor William G. Johnsson Associate Editors Roy Adams, Bill Knott Managing Editor Myrna Tetz News Editor Carlos Medley Assistant Editors Stephen Chavez, Andy Nash Editorial Assistant Ella Rydzewski Administrative Secretary Chitra Barnabas Editorial Secretary Jean Sequeira Art Director Bill Kirstein Designer Bill Tymeson Design Assistant/Production Stephanie Kaping Ad Sales Genia Blumenberg Subscriber Services Steve Hanson

Consulting Editors: G. Ralph Thompson, Matthew Bediako, Phil Follett, Robert J. Kloosterhuis, A. C. McClure, Jan Paulsen, Leo Ranzolin, R. L. Rawson, Calvin B. Rock Special Contributors: P. D. Chun, L. T. Daniel, L. J. Evans, Ulrich Frikart, Lee Huff, Israel Leito, Ruy H. Nagel, L. D. Raelly, Ron Watts, Bertil Wiklander

To Writers: We welcome unsolicited manuscripts. (Please query before submitting long articles.) Include address, telephone number, and Social Security number, where available. Address all editorial correspondence to 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600. Editorial office fax number: (301) 680-6638.

E-mail: Internet: [email protected] CompuServe network: 74617,15

Subscriptions: US$38.97 for 40 issues, US$50.97 for 52 issues. Add $10.20 postage for addresses outside North America. To order, send your name, address, and payment to your local Adventist Book Center or Adventist Review Subscription Desk, Box 1119, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Single copy, US$2.50. Prices subject to change without notice. Subscription queries and changes of address: Call l-800-456-3991, 301-393-3257. or e-mail [email protected].

Postmaster: Send address changes to Adventist Review, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740.

Scriptures credited to ICB are quoted from the International Children’s Bible, New Century Version, copy- right © 1983, 1986, 1988 by Word Publishing, Dallas, Texas 75039. Used by permission. Texts credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. Bible texts credited to NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission.

The Adventist Review (ISSN 0161-1119), published since 1849, is the general paper of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is published by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and is printed 40 times a year each Thursday except the first Thursday of each month by the Review and Herald® Publishing Association. Periodicals postage paid at Hagerstown, MD 21740. Copyright © 1999, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. Vol. 176, No. 19

4 (620) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 EDITORIAL Mayhem at Midday WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON

he day started bright and clear as some 2,000 songs that fill the airwaves and sell on CDs, are sick. Violence, teenagers and their teachers got up, dressed, and mayhem, killing, racism, satanism, preoccupation with set out for another day at school. How many in death—these are the sights and sounds of life in these times. that suburb of Denver, What do we expect—that adults Colorado, bothered to and children and high school stu- Trecall that this day, April 20, was ALKER dents won’t be affected if they Adolf Hitler’s birthday? F. W expose themselves to this garbage?

Two did. RAIG Don’t we believe the biblical princi- While the rest of Columbine High / C ple that by beholding we become

School settled in for classes, two stu- HOTO changed, either into the image of

dents had other things on their AP P Christ or the likeness of the devil? minds. They assembled an arsenal of (2 Cor. 3:18; Christ’s Object Lessons, homebuilt pipe bombs, guns, and ammunition, put on black p. 355). Why be surprised when some kids who see and hear trenchcoats and masks, and drove to the school’s parking lot. this stuff go over the edge? Shortly after 11:00 a.m. they stalked into the school fir- The mayhem at Columbine could be a wake-up call for ing guns and detonating explosives. Laughing and giggling, the United States. It must be a wake-up call for Seventh- they pointed, fired, and killed at point-blank range. day Adventists. School, which should be a place of safety, turned into a The next school could be the one where your kids study killing field. When the carnage stopped, 12 students and a or where you teach. beloved teacher lay dead. At last the killers apparently The next kids with loaded guns could be yours. turned their weapons on themselves, making a toll of 15, I say it’s time to get real. Fellow believers, let’s quit playing with another 24 injured, some critically. games of religion and realize that we’re in a war. Time is run- The tragedy sent shock waves across the United States ning out; the forces of evil are intensifying. Society, for all its and around the world. Over and over people voiced the fear: religious veneer, is being taken over by a new paganism. If it can happen in Littleton, it can happen anywhere. This is just what Jesus said would happen before He A terrible disease has broken out among us. It respects not returns. “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars,” He social status, intelligence, or geography. Young people and said. “On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplex- kids—from average middle-class homes attending average ity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from schools—are getting weapons and turning them on their peers. terror, apprehensive for what is coming on the world, for the Up to now, the current school year had seemed relatively heavenly bodies will be shaken” (Luke 21:25, 26, NIV). quiet. The previous one had been horrible, with 42 people And this word from Ellen White: “We are living in the murdered in the nation’s schoolyards, including: time of the end. The fast-fulfilling signs of the times ■ Five killed and 10 wounded by two children in Arkansas; declare that the coming of Christ is near at ■ Three killed and five wounded by a teen in Kentucky; hand. The days in which we live are ■ Two killed and 20 wounded by a student in Oregon. solemn and important. The Spirit of All these ghastly incidents pale in comparison with the God is gradually but surely being with- mayhem at Littleton. Two seniors carefully planned a mis- drawn from the earth (Testimonies, vol. sion of madness and murder, cutting down their fellows at 9, p. 11). the high noon of life. In this time of the end, Jesus alone is How could this tragedy possibly have happened? our security. Let’s focus on Him, and encourage our dear ones to ow could it not have happened? give Him first place in their hearts Society is sick. The images that invade us all and their time. He is our salva- Hthrough television, movies, and the Internet, and the tion, now and forevermore.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 (621) 5 EDITORIAL Who Said It? ROY ADAMS

rayer is the answer to every problem in life. It puts us Later that day Coon graciously shared with me a copy of in tune with divine wisdom, which knows how to the letter he’d sent to the worship leader for that morning. adjust everything perfectly. So often we do not pray in In it he’d written the following: “The little handout ‘Prayer certain situations, because, Is the Answer’” had an incorrect from our standpoint, the publication date. “The preparer Poutlook is hopeless. But nothing is missed it by exactly 100 years—it impossible with God. Nothing is so I did feel was [published] Oct. 7, 1965. I rec- entangled that it cannot be made right ognized it immediately, since many by the loving Spirit of God. No mis- people think Ellen White was the take is so serious that it cannot be just a author—and an 1865 date lends cre- remedied. No human relation is too dence to this misconception.” Coon strained for God to bring about recon- tad nervous. went on to point out that “in 1865 ciliation and understanding. No habit . . . [the Review] was published Oct. 3 is so deep rooted that it cannot be over- and 10” (not October 7). come. No one is so weak that he cannot be made strong. No So where did the statement come from? It would seem one is so ill that he cannot be healed. No mind is so dull that it that it entered the Adventist repertoire through the Review cannot be made brilliant. Whatever we need or desire, if we and Herald of October 7, 1965, quoted in an article by R. A. trust God, He will supply it. If anything is causing worry and Rentfro, entitled “My Last Day on Earth.” Unfortunately, anxiety, let us stop rehearsing the difficulty and trust God for Rentfro did not give his source, saying only that “someone healing, love, and power.” has said . . .” I can’t remember now when I first got hold of the above Since receiving Coon’s letter that day back in 1991, I’ve statement. I only know I’ve used it zillions of times in talks been meaning to write this editorial to help set the record and sermons over the years, giving the credit to Ellen G. straight for a larger audience. Though the importance of White, and citing the reference neatly printed at the bottom doing this would be more readily apparent if the statement of my copy: Review and Herald, October 7, 1865. were problematic, there’s always wisdom in accuracy. It’s But one day, curious about the context, I went searching much better to correct the record now than in the midst of for the original quote in the reference indicated. It was not some unexpected embarrassment later. Who knows what there. In fact, there wasn’t even an issue of the Review with problems might surface down the road? I have to admit, for that date. And when I contacted the Ellen G. White Estate example, that each time I used the statement, I did feel just in Washington, they blew even more wind out of my sail. a tad nervous about the claim that “no mind is so dull that Mrs. White never said it, they told me. But the statement it cannot be made brilliant.” And it wasn’t that I ever was too good to set aside. I continued using it, only now doubted the power of God. Rather it was that I tried to making sure to emphasize its uncertain origin. imagine what would happen if people got the Over the years since then, I’ve found myself sitting at the idea that every person born with congeni- feet of numerous speakers using the same quotation and cit- tal brain damage could be prayed into ing the same reference. One such instance was the General brilliance in a world in which even those Conference morning worship, March 18, 1991. As we with normal faculties often have to set- walked away together—quite by accident—following the tle for the ordinary. service, Ellen G. White Estate associate secretary Roger Do I still use the statement? You Coon and I shared our appreciation for the worship just bet! But how I would love to give ended, but chuckled together at the almost universal misun- the correct credit! Does anyone out derstanding of the source of the quotation in question. “But there know who first said it? Might if Mrs. White didn’t write it,” I said to him as we parted, it lose some of its punch if we “she should have. It is so good!” knew? What do you think?

6 (622) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 ADVENTIST LIFE When my daughter Pam was 3, we were taking a walk when we came upon a stack of beekeeper’s boxes. “Mommy,” said Pam, “what’s in these boxes?” REWS I explained how the bees collect C

honey and bring it to the hives or ERRY T boxes to store it. “Oh,” she said with amazement, “I bet that looks so cute with all those

tiny little jars of honey on the shelf.” LLUSTRATION BY GIVE& I —Irene Nagy, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

One evening my husband was reluctantly helping me cut out felts for my cradle roll Sabbath school when our bachelor friend dropped by. He told us about his recent date and his criteria for the perfect wife. My husband glanced up from trimming the felts and quipped, “Just make sure she has all her felts already cut out!” —Cheryl Elmendorf, Loma Linda, California TAKE ADVENTIST QUOTES “People used the cross to try to do “We can’t bring away with the Lord of the Sabbath. WHAT MY MOM MEANS TO ME Now people use the cross to try to do You want to know what my mom everyone to Jesus, away with the Sabbath of the Lord.” —Harry White, at the Chilliwack, British means to me? Well, she is very special. Columbia, church I’m sur- but we can bring prised she “John [the Baptist] didn’t care isn’t Mrs. about his head because Jesus had America— Jesus to everyone.” his heart.” she’s so —Sunday Villarica, Adventist Frontier Missions —Dennis Clark, at the Perth, New Brunswick, pretty! teacher for the Palawano project school church My mom cooks the best LEGALLY SPEAKING food. She cooks a whole bunch of rice and other good foods. I’m surprised she doesn’t have a Spanish restaurant— she’s so good! And when I’m sick, she takes care of me so well—I get better in a second. And I love her hugs. As you see, my beautiful mother means a lot to me. NEED A LAWYER? The first meeting of the Adventist Lawyers Association was held the weekend of February 6 in Lusaka, Zambia. The topic? Integrating the practice of law and —Justin DeMutiis, Spring Hill, Florida the practice of Adventism.

CONTRIBUTE TO GIVE & TAKE We can especially use submissions to these categories: Adventist Quotes, Readers’ Exchange, Jots & Tittles, and Dream Center. And we can always use top- quality photos/captions, tasteful drawings and cartoons, brief poems, and other fast-paced items. Send submissions (which won’t be acknowledged or returned) to Give & Take, Adventist Review, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904; fax: 301-680-6638; e-mail: [email protected].

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 (623) 7 COVER STORY

A Very Young Church Updating Adventist mission work in Mongolia

BY BILL KNOTT AND DALE TUNNELL

In May 1998 the Adventist Review reported on the pioneer- ing mission work of Brad and Cathie Jolly in Mongolia. Adventist presence in Mongolia was restarted in 1991 by Adventist Frontier Missions and this brave young couple after an interval of more than 60 years. At great personal cost Brad and Cathie began teaching and preaching, gathering a small group of believers in this mostly Buddhist nation. In 1992 they were joined by Joanne Park, a student missionary, who returned to work with them in Mongolia after completing her education in the United States. In October 1993 the first Mongolian convert was baptized by then General Conference president Robert Folkenberg. Four months after the May 1998 article appeared in print, Brad Jolly succumbed to cancer after more than two years of struggle. In April 1998, the Tunnell family—Dale, Cheryl, Jessica, and Ashley—moved to Mongolia to coordinate the church’s efforts in the country. Dale, an experienced youth pastor most recently serving at Georgia-Cumberland Academy, frequently updates colleagues and friends in North America through e-mail ([email protected]) on the trials and triumphs of the young church in Mongolia. Here he answers e-mail questions from Adventist Review associate editor Bill Knott, an old friend.

Knott: Dale, as you and your family were getting ready HRISTIANSEN C to leave for Mongolia, I remember that you predicted you

would have to be very flexible in order to make it there. ELORES Have the contrasts with life in the United States been as D Dale and Cheryl Tunnell in Mongolian costume dramatic as you expected? HOTOS BY

for “Tsagaan Sar” (Mongolian New Year). Tunnell: This is a country of change and extreme differ- P

8 (624) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 ences. The weather is just one example dren earned you the distinction of very apprehensive to have older peo- of that: we go from severe cold in the being a “gold medalist” mom. I’m not ple in their classes. Those who have winter (–40˚F) to 90˚F in the summer sure having eight children is worth traveled abroad aren’t afraid of this, (maybe only a day or two of that). The such recognition, but that wasn’t the and we are working on showing the land itself transitions from the awe- only incentive supplied for having others that they truly have something some Gobi Desert in the south to children. If a working woman became to share. beautiful lush mountains in the north- pregnant and had a child, her employer west. We have those same differences and the state gave her a two-year med- I’m guessing that life in a country in people, too. The economic disparity ical leave—with pay. This approach is trying to transition from socialism to is amazing: some people are very still in place today, except that the capitalism can be a bit nerve-racking. wealthy, owning cars, houses, etc. employer now covers all costs. This The economy here is changing Others dig through trash to find food usually leads to a lump sum “buyout” daily. The value of the U.S. dollar to and live on the streets. instead of a continual salary drain. the Mongolian tugrik changes Quite naturally, this policy has pro- quickly, and prices for goods change You were told to expect that most vided Mongolia with a very young rapidly as well. Salaries, however, of your ministry would be with population. More than 50 percent of remain the same. Most employees young people. Has that proved to be the population is under age 22, and make less than a U.S. equivalent of the case? more than 75 percent of our church is $100 a month, and yet many goods While Mongolia was still a younger than 22. cost more than in North America. Communist nation and in the orbit of We’re challenged by the fact that Oranges are about $1.50 a pound; the Soviet Union, the Soviets noticed these youth and young adults find it tomatoes, about the same. Whole- that the population in Mongolia was hard to share the gospel with older wheat flour is nearly $6.00 for a five- actually declining. They tried to people. The culture almost forbids pound bag. Broccoli is about $1.75 reverse this trend by giving awards. If such sharing because of the respect per pound. This doesn’t make for a a woman had six children, she could given to seniors. Our young adults are very healthy nation. The main foods be a “bronze medalist” mom; with eaten here are meat, dairy prod- seven, a “silver medalist.” Eight chil- ucts, bread, and ice cream (I’ve discovered that this is a whole new food group!).

How do people cope with that kind of eco- nomic stress? I learned something new a couple of months ago. Mongolia is second only to France when it comes to producing alcohol, but Mongolia doesn’t export any of its product. There’s a whole lot of

Above: The new church building in Ulaan Bataar.

Above right: Church office workers (left to right, back row) Surma, typist; Enkhbayar, health worker; Byra, Bible worker. (Front row) Namjah, translator; Tamira, secretary; Dale Tunnell, senior pastor

Below, right: Sabbath morning congregation in the new church building

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 (625) 9 to go. This has taken some getting used to, and I’m not sure I’m there yet.

Ministering in Mongolia must be very different than pastoring in the United States. What are the most strik- ing differences? I really miss the fel- lowship of other pas- tors. When the Georgia-Cumberland Conference held their Young adults share special music on a Sabbath morning. ministers’ meeting in January, I really felt homesick. I even drinking going on in this country. It’s variety of called to check on sad to see people lying on the side- items. It’s like them. Pastors of the walk, even in freezing weather, sleep- going to a flea other denominations ing off the alcohol. If you’re a man market all the here are pretty exclu- and don’t drink, people wonder about time. Bold, the church’s junior pastor, translates sive. We’ve had some you. There’s a lot of pressure on our Weather was a the Sabbath sermon for Dale Tunnell. missionary families young men to participate in drinking MAJOR concern from other denomina- activities. when we arrived tions over for supper here. Cheryl hates to be cold, and we’ve once in a while, and it would be easy When I saw you last a year ago, never lived anywhere this cold. (I guess to do so more often. But two things you and your family were just finish- we got used to Georgia!) Fortunately, have made me hesitate: 1) They relate ing 10 weeks of language study. Your our fifth-floor apartment is very heated— to things from a totally different language teacher laughingly told you, central heating that’s gov- “Make sure you don’t go anywhere ernment-controlled. It without Cheryl,” since she seemed to comes on in September be learning Mongolian more rapidly. and off in May. You can How has it gone? change the setting—just We understand enough to exchange open the windows or greetings, get around in taxis, buy undress! So we have things, and simple conversation, but “inside” clothes and “out- deep, meaningful conversation must side” clothes. We wear our take place through a translator, and Georgia summer clothes then something is lost. (If you want a inside and “Siberian” win- something specific to pray for, pray that ter wear when we’re out. we learn the language—faster. This has It’s really not bad. God been very challenging at times.) answered our prayers in this regard. ADRA coordinators Scott and Delores Christiansen, with Have you and your family had to I guess I miss driving the sons Beniah, Christopher and Nathan, and newly adopted make a lot of adjustments? most. Ever since going to daughter Ariona. Getting necessary items can be college, I’ve had my own quite a trick. One day you may see car, and I just like to drive. Here I perspective (which isn’t all bad); 2) things you want; next week they don’t have no car. We mostly take buses and More importantly, I could get comfort- have it any longer. There’s no such trolleys. These are pretty good, but able serving these people and lose thing as a Wal-Mart (we keep praying have no real schedule. They just come focus on the Mongolian mission. someone will catch the vision and every five to 15 minutes. Riding the open one here in Ulaan Bataar). There bus takes extra time because of all the Your family arrived in Mongolia are little markets all over the place, stops, and often you have to take two just a few months before Brad Jolly and what they call “toots” that have a or three buses to get where you need died of cancer back in the U.S.

10 (626) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 What impact did that news have on to serving God, under very harsh con- people, and even preached a sermon his friends there? ditions, could be allowed to die. on it. They still have questions, but The Mongolian members took the We’ve lost some church attenders there comes a time when they must news of Brad’s death very hard. Many over this issue. I’ve given more than a walk by faith and hope in the of them have a hard time understand- half dozen Bible studies on the topic promises of God’s word. ing how a person who devoted his life of why bad things happen to good Brad’s death wasn’t the only chal-

Mongolia We Felt: ■ the gigantic lurch of a rising camel, as our fingers As seen through the eyes and ears of 10 clutched deep into the soft thick wool of her hump Canadian University College students* on assign- ■ the sting of wind-driven sand ment with the Adventist Development and Relief ■ Agency International in the Gobi Desert. the emptiness of an abandoned Buddhist monastery ■ excitement of the chase as our jeep pursued herds of By Joyce Van Scheik wild horses across the trackless desert ■ the jolts and jerks, humps and bumps, of the old bus as it We Saw: followed the desert track for long hours, bringing us to the ■ the delicate purple of wild isolated villages where we helped ADRA build medical clinics. iris blooming in a barren ■ the searing low-back pain from shoveling one too many extinct streambed loads of cement ■ a spring of clear water bub- ■ deep humility and honor when receiving from old gnarled bling from the desert floor hands a gift of gratitude—a blue silk, traditionally given only ■ an ovoo, a large pile of rocks to respected elders that the traveler circles three ■ profound sadness at our times and adds three stones inability to share God’s ■ the bright eyes of children, love with ragged, hungry excited to learn English games street children and songs ■ the deeply lined, weathered And We Learned: faces of men and women, testa- ■ that camels spit ment to the desperately harsh life of Mongolian nomads ■ that one can bathe with ■ a drunk man chained to a fence like a dog only a basin of water ■ a child with a clubfoot, with no hope of corrective surgery ■ that two changes of ■ homeless children, not more than 5 or 6 years old, fight- clothing is enough ing viciously over a scrap of food ■ that a desert can be ■ devotees prostrating themselves before an 82-foot (25- very cold meter) copper-and-gold Buddha ■ that the nomadic ■ a stack of straw bales, a pile of gravel and several bags lifestyle—looking after ani- of cement turn into a medical clinic for an isolated village mals, preparing food, and finding water—is very hard work ■ that hundreds of homeless children survive bitter cold We Heard: nights by crawling into sewers ■ the ceaseless wind—rustling, howling, whining its way ■ that straw bale construction is a low-tech, low-cost over a desolate, barren land method of building sturdy, energy-efficient buildings ■ the night chorus of village dogs answering the grating of ■ that in a rented room in the capital city about 30 young the outhouse door people meet each Sabbath to worship—the only Seventh-day ■ the pounding hoofs of wild horses bounding across the desert Adventists in the entire country ■ the gurgling of life-sustaining water as it filled a bucket ■ that communication and friendship transcend language somewhere way down at the end of the rope and culture ■ the herder sing a song—deep-throated, melodious, haunt- ■ that true happiness comes through service ing—to his horse about the beauty and isolation of the land ■ the monotonous monotone of chanting monks ■ the compliments of the rest of the group when it was our * The 10 students were Brian Bell, Cherie Dale, Tim Lekic, Debbie Patt, Walter Rogers, Tanisha Rothenberger, Mike Sanz, Carol Tardif, turn to prepare a meal from the “same old stuff” Darren Wasyliuk, and Sophia Will. Bill and Joyce Van Scheik were their ■ fellow students confront their futures and ask for God’s sponsors. guidance

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 (627) 11 lenge to the church here. When Joanne there are more than 70 people attending because we have a permanent location. (Park) Kim returned to the U.S., there services. There are 35 baptized mem- The building is a three-story build- was a real leadership vacuum and a bers, and another class is preparing for ing with a full basement. In the struggle over what was going to happen baptism. Church services are planned immediate future it will be used for next. These are young Christians strug- and prepared by the Mongolians, and church meetings, church offices, gling with some difficult issues. We des- usually conducted by a young man ADRA offices, and some missionary perately need your prayers. named Bold. Bold has been a pastor in housing. We hope to begin a language training for three years. Just now, he’s in school and hold various seminars in We’ve read news stories here in the United States, attending health the near future. North America about attempts to get training classes at Pacific Health Having our own building also means the Adventist Church in Mongolia Education Center. While he’s gone, pas- many headaches. Now we’re responsi- officially registered with the govern- toral duties have fallen on two ble when the plumbing doesn’t work or ment. How is the government relat- Mongolians who have had pastoral new electric lines have to be run. ing to your work? training in the Philippines. We’re also responsible for getting new The government basically sees phone lines put in (keep praying about Christianity as an intrusion into the You were hoping to start home- this one!) and for security and mainte- Mongolian lifestyle and culture, but based Bible study groups in Ulaan nance problems. I’m praying that the officials are eager for money to help Bataar. Have you been able to accom- blessings will outweigh the problems! with various government programs. plish that goal? They want our help (translated We have 13 home groups function- How can Adventists around the money) to hold various seminars for ing now, with an average attendance of world support this mission in anti-drinking/smoking campaigns, 130. These home groups range in size Mongolia? even while government officials them- from 20 persons to as few as five, and The short answer is—pray, pray, selves are drinking and smoking. the ages of those attending extend from pray. It’s fascinating to see what the Each year, every church must regis- 7 year olds (our home group for chil- Holy Spirit can do and is doing here. ter. This usually turns into having dren) to 60+. Currently our congrega- Sometimes I feel like all I do is just churches “contribute” to various activ- tion has no members older than 29, and stand back and watch while the Holy ities. It can be very frustrating working most of them are 18 to 22 year olds. Spirit does the work. with a government that looks down on This is a young church in every As I mentioned before, we’re also Christianity. Some officials see us sense. We are young people and our in desperate need of money to help Christians as foolish because we’re so church has been organized just over with translation projects for the Bible easily separated from our resources. one year. Most members don’t have and the Spirit of Prophecy. The head- jobs (because of their age) and many way we can make in having a positive What kind of resources do you aren’t able to attend school (because impact on this culture will be limited have to go about your ministry? of a lack of money). But they’re excited until we can provide spiritual materi- The basic challenges here are much about sharing Jesus Christ. Some of als in Mongolian. the same as in North America—too them are even wanting sponsorship to For those whom the Lord is little money, too little time, too much go to other cities this summer to share impressing, spending a year as mission- stress. The additional challenges the gospel! aries with us would be GREAT. Other include the language barrier and not Adventist laypersons could investigate having adequate translated resources I heard that the congregation was starting businesses here and amplify on hand. We don’t even have the able to purchase a building in January. the church’s presence as tentmaker whole Bible translated into What will that mean to your work? missionaries. It was the call of God Mongolian, or any of Ellen White’s Having our own place to meet for that caused our family to leave a fairly books translated. This makes it very worship and fellowship will be a comfortable life in the U.S. to come difficult at times. We have a few story- tremendous blessing. It will mean that here. I’m sure there are other believers books talking about people that found we don’t have to fear being evicted or whom God is impressing with the Christianity and the Sabbath. There is asked to move, that we don’t have to needs and the opportunities of a great need to get things translated. carry the keyboard, guitar, songbooks, Mongolia. ■ That requires money, a resource that offering plates, or children’s Sabbath Mongolia has very little of. school materials every week. It will also mean that there will be a sign on the Bill Knott is associate editor of the From the little bits of news I’ve building declaring that this is a church, Adventist Review. Dale Tunnell is the heard, it sounds like the church is which is a big witness to the commu- senior pastor of the Ulaan Bataar congre- growing rapidly. nity. When visitors miss a week or two, gation and director of Adventist missions Currently on any given Sabbath they’ll still know where to find us, in Mongolia.

12 (628) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 BIBLE QUESTIONS ANSWERED Punishing the ANGEL MANUEL RODRÍGUEZ Rebellious Child

found the law concerning the rebellious son (Deut. do as they pleased with a child who had no respect for 21:18-21) to be too severe. Could you comment on it? them. This was an extremely important legal protection in a The interpretation of legal materials requires careful world where children were considered to be only a piece of analysis of the specific law itself property. A child’s life was in the and its true intent. Laws serve hands of the courts of law and not Ito protect the rights and privileges of in that of their parents who, out of individuals as they interact with each The theocratic frustration and rage, could be tempted other. So it’s important not only to to kill them. try to ascertain the particular purpose form of The rights of the mother were pro- of legislation but also to determine tected. The decision to prosecute a the social background that made it government is no child was not exclusively in the relevant for Israelite society. hands of the father. It appears that, We also need to mention a cou- at least in some cases, the father ple principles that will guide us in longer operative. thought he had authority over the understanding God’s actions. First, life of his children (cf. Gen. 42:37). we must recognize that in God’s dia- But this law eliminates that power logue with humans He condescends to our level in order to by requiring the mother to participate in the decision to take us to His own level at a pace we can follow. prosecute any of her children and by placing the final deci- Second, we must keep in mind that the theocratic form sion in the court of law. The legislation seems to have been of government of the Old Testament is no longer operative a significant improvement over existing practices. among God’s people. He, as king of the universe, will deal Justice is sought. The parents were expected to present with the violators of His law in His own time. evidence showing that the behavior of the child was not Now, back to the specific law of the rebellious son. An an isolated incident but a true pattern of criminal behav- analysis of this legislation reveals its purpose, background, ior. The legislation is dealing not with an immature child, and function. but with a person who is able to distinguish between good 1. It builds on the fifth commandment. The command to and evil, who has become a juvenile delinquent, a threat honor one’s parents does not specify the penalty to be to society. The elders of the city, functioning as judges, inflicted on its violators. It is phrased in a positive way and would analyze the evidence and make a decision. If the promises a long life to those who obey it (Ex. 20:12). The decision was to apply capital punishment, the men of the command and the legislation under consideration have the town would execute the sentence. The parents were not purpose of preserving social order by promoting and requir- involved in the punishment. ing respect for authority. It legislates what ought to take Since the consequences of this law were so serious, it place at home, where such respect was instilled in young served as a deterrent for juvenile delinquency and for par- members of society. ents taking their children to court on superficial charges 2. It recognizes the rights of those affected by it. The law of motivated by anger or any other emotional reaction. The the rebellious son recognizes the privileges and responsibili- law illustrates how important family life is in God’s eyes, ties of the members of the family as they confront a serious and underlines the serious responsibility of parents and the legal crisis. community of believers in rearing children. The rights of the parents are protected. They are responsible for the upbringing and disciplining of their children, as they Angel Manuel Rodríguez is an associate director of teach and train them. But parents also have the right to the Biblical Research Institute of the General seek the assistance of the community if a child develops a Conference. pattern of rebellion and disrespect. The rights of the children are protected. Parents were not to

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 (629) 13 DEVOTIONAL

That Outfit Called Why I believe it will never go down. the

BY LESLIE N. POLLARD

The following is the condensation of a morning devotional pre- Mount Zion with the Lamb (Rev. 14:1). sented at the Annual Council in Foz do Iguacu, Brazil, in When I was a child back in my hometown of New October 1998. We leave intact some of the elements of oral Orleans, we used to play King of the Mountain. In this game delivery.—Editors. we would find a hill and climb it. Then we would wrestle and tug and pull and grab each other until there was only TESTIFY TO MY BRETHREN AND SISTERS one person left standing on the mountain. The one left that the church of Christ, enfeebled and defective as it standing was then proclaimed king of the mountain. may be, is the only object on earth on which He In the wrestling match of the church’s history, skeptics bestows His supreme regard.” 1 have tugged at the church, unbelievers have pulled at the I rise this morning to stand for the church. Though church, and false members have grabbed at the church Ithe church of Christ has felt the white-hot criticisms of the through their insidious and artful betrayals. But guess who agnostic, the unbeliever, and the infidel, the Bible assures us will stand at the end of time? The church. The gates of hell that God’s church will fulfill its mission in spectacular fashion. will not prevail against God’s true church. This conviction In its march through history, the church will not suffer defeat. ignites the church’s mission. The gates of hell will not pre- It will not be destroyed. It will not be dissuaded. It will not be vail, because the One who called us can never fail. detoured. When we as administrators and leaders in God’s ser- vice are tempted to wonder if the church will come apart at But Let’s Beware of Overconfidence the seams, the timeless word of the Lord roars with deafening We must not allow Christ’s strong word, however, to give finality: “Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates us an unconditional confidence. The church does not stand of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). The tri- today because of any inherent strength in its lower extremi- umph of the church is guaranteed by its Founder. ties. It does not stand because of its publishing houses, edu- Will the church of God face challenges? Definitely. Will we cational institutions, hospitals, or media ministries. The meet hurdles as we take our last laps around history’s decaying church stands today because its Founder stood strong at stadium? Positively. Will there be Red Seas and swelling Calvary and stands today in the heavenly sanctuary. Our Jordans of difficulty to cross? Absolutely! But at the end of strength is not a bottom-up strength. It is a top-down time, when history has gasped its last breath, when the last syl- strength. Our strength comes from the Lord Jesus. lable is uttered, and when the weary calendars of time collapse Notice in Revelation 5:6 that the Lamb appears as if it exhausted at the feet of eternity, God’s church—that group of had been slain. Many exegetes have done wonderful work faithful followers of the Lamb from every nation, kindred, on this apocalyptic passage. They have pointed out how the tongue, and people—will stand. John saw them standing on Lamb had seven eyes and seven horns, signifying wisdom

14 (630) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 and power. The most important part of never finished it. That has been lenged the Lordship of Christ. Very the image is rarely noted, however. entrusted to His final remnant who early in the adolescence of our history, Despite the horrific events experienced today are going everywhere saying, certain leaders of the remnant church at Calvary—where the Son of God was “Fear God, and give glory to him; for struggled with Christ’s Lordship. In insulted, ridiculed, and crucified—the the hour of his judgment is come” Battle Creek in 1895, leaders assumed bloodied, bruised, and beaten Lamb is (Rev. 14:7). In this final gathering call, “kingly power.” Not committing to the still standing! Lordship of Christ, they set themselves up to control every- thing and everyone in the church. Ellen G. White wrote, “The high-handed power that has been developed, as though position has made men gods, makes me afraid.” 2 The church God’s answer to Churchstands only because the centralization of the Lamb is still power and lordly standing. It was exercise of leadership this Lamb who was the reorganiza- planted and tion of the church in founded the 1901, which effec- church. He gath- tively decentralized ered a motley the authority of the band of 12 disci- church. ples, authorized IGITAL COMPOSITE These documented / D

them to continue ISC weaknesses do not His mission in His D derail God’s inten- absence, and drew HOTO tion for the church. them together in © P The church is cen-

a rented upper HOTOS tral to God’s final room. He rained P plan. In the 1960s a down the living fires of the Holy Spirit God forms and organizes a remnant of young radical marched on the sidewalk upon them, implanted gifts of grace in believers around Jesus’ last-day mes- in front of a church building with a them, and sent them out into the world sage. When we take this positive view placard that read “Jesus? Yes! The to convert it. He founded the church, of the church, we are not burying our church? No!” He was wrong; he did baptized it with the gasoline of grace, heads in the sand. We are not over- not understand. It is not Jesus or the and, at Pentecost, He put a match to it. looking the failings of the church. church. It is Jesus and the church. To It was Christ who founded the church separate Christ from the church is to and gifted it for success. Not Infallible separate the Head from the body. The church is not a synthetic insti- Does the church have weaknesses? Listen: “For by him all things were tution, cut out with human hands and Yes. As early as 1856 we recognized created: things in heaven and on woven in the loom of human opinion. that the message to the church at earth, visible and invisible, whether The church is the divine dream of a Laodicea applied to us. During the thrones or powers or rulers or authori- covenant community that began in years of 1856 and 1857, 348 items ties; all things were created by him and Eden, continued with the call of appeared in the Review on the for him. He is before all things, and in Abraham, and was amplified with the Laodicean message. Without exception him all things hold together. And he is establishment of Israel. It continued in the Laodicean message was applied to the head of the body, the church; he is the life and ministry of Jesus, exploded Sabbathkeeping Adventists. We claim the beginning and the firstborn from in the work of the apostolic church, no institutional infallibility. We have among the dead, so that in everything and continued as a faithful witness in not always listened to the voice of he might have the supremacy. For God the Middle Ages. God. We ridiculed and banished the was pleased to have all his fullness Jesus founded the church, but He prophet to Australia in 1891. We chal- dwell in him, and through him to rec-

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 (631) 15 oncile to himself all things, whether Jesus” (Eph. 3:6, NIV). “For he himself street-corner preaching band. Mother things on earth or things in heaven, by is our peace, who has made the two one was one of the faithful old-time making peace through his blood, shed and has destroyed the barrier, the divid- Adventist members. She and about on the cross” (Col. 1:16-20, NIV). ing wall of hostility” (Eph. 2:14, NIV). seven or eight of her friends would go Unity comes first from reconciliation. down to Canal Street in New Orleans, At the Head A couple years ago I attended a plop down a wooden crate, and preach When one speaks of Jesus Christ, number of very helpful diversity confer- about the Second Coming. She made one must also speak of the church. It ences. As the world prepares for the sure I accompanied the group. Those was God’s plan that “through the twenty-first century, diversity has older adults and this one child gave out church, the manifold wisdom of God become a critical concern in North what was back then called “truth-filled should be made known to the rulers literature.” They were not ashamed. and authorities in the heavenly We should not be ashamed. realms” (Eph. 3:10, NIV). God’s I am not ashamed of a health plan in the New Testament era “God dwells message that could add six to seven began with the exaltation of Christ. years to my life. Let there be no confusion. Christ where we I am not ashamed of a Saviour is Lord of the church. Peter reminds who now intercedes in the heavenly us, “God made him Lord.” An sanctuary for His people. analysis of the word “Lord,” or invite Him I am not ashamed of a church Kurios, is fascinating. It is used of an that teaches we ought to keep God’s owner in Luke 19:33. The Greek to dwell.” Sabbath and reverence God’s law. kuriake means “belonging to the I am not ashamed of a church Lord.” It implies that the one called that advocates that Christian educa- lord has full use of the thing owned. America—in industry, education, and tion is a part of the rehabilitative arm Christ is called the Kurios of the business. It means that we intentionally of the gospel of salvation. Sabbath in Mark 2:27, 28. In other include difference in our circle of asso- I am not ashamed of a church that words, Christ could use the Sabbath to ciation and decision-making. Diversity teaches that character counts. minister to human need because He is concerned with how people groups I am not ashamed of a church that created and owned it in the first place. relate to each other. It is interesting tells us that death is not some disem- And when Thomas, stricken with fear that at the big secular conferences, the bodied state of ephemeral bliss. and doubt, probes his finger into the goal of their diversity training is toler- I am not ashamed of a church that wounds of the risen Christ, he cries ance for difference. By stretching we teaches us to be faithful to our wives out, “My Lord [Kurios] and my God” get to acceptance. After that the highly and husbands, to love our children, (John 20:28). In other words, “I sur- paid diversity gurus do not know where and to lead them in the Lord. render. I’m ready to be used now, Lord. to go. But we in the remnant church I am not ashamed of a church that I’m available. Use me as an instrument know we need to go beyond tolerance says “Christ is coming again.” of Your peace.” And when the body of and beyond acceptance. A rabbi, teaching his students, God’s leaders gathers in a little place Next year Prudence and I will cele- asked: “Where does God dwell?” called Foz do Iguacu and begins its brate our twenty-first anniversary. The students thought for a moment deliberations with the proclamation Suppose I take her out to a candlelight and said, “God dwells everywhere.” that “Christ is Lord,” we are saying dinner and with soft romantic music The rabbi paused and said, “Not so. “We are available, Lord. Use us to playing, I look at her and say, “Dear, God dwells where we invite Him to bless Your people—Your people who sit with each passing year I am tolerating dwell.” in our pews and donate their time, tal- you more and more.” Let us invite Him to dwell in our ent, and treasure to the church.” Our word for managing diversity in conferences, in our schools, in our the remnant church is not tolerance. It churches, and in our hospitals. ■ Beyond Tolerance, Beyond is love. “Be ye all of one mind, having 1 Ellen G. White, in General Conference Acceptance compassion one of another, love as Daily Bulletin, Feb. 27, 1893. To say Christ is Lord is to also say brethren” (1 Peter 3:8). Love is the 2 ———, Testimonies to Ministers, p. 361. that God has a plan for the church. foundation for unity, and we will never That plan includes the reconciling of be united as a church if we do not love people everywhere in Jesus. “This mys- each other. Leslie N. Pollard is special tery is that through the gospel the I don’t know about you, but I enjoy assistant to the president of Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, being a part of God’s great church, His Loma Linda University. members together of one body, and shar- worldwide family. As a 14-year-old, I ers together in the promise of Christ remember belonging to my mother’s

16 (632) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 FAITH ALIVE! Abiding Principles CALVIN B. ROCK

as it become acceptable for Adventists to (Mal. 3:6). Why don’t we hold to the tried-and-true paths? attend training seminars during the Sabbath There is much in Scripture that warns us against depart- if they are working in the field of nursing, ing from the “Thus saith the Lord,” i.e., the word of our ambulance work, or “unchanging God.” The reasons we volunteer emergency sometimes do are numerous: yielding Hgroups that work during life-threat- to peer pressure, loss of faith, pre- ening natural disasters? I have Delicate issues sumption, etc., all of which are con- always believed it unacceptable. nected to the failure of maintaining Some individuals employed in need to be a strong devotional life. But “creep- such occupations and professions ing compromise” is not a reality for attend these sessions on the considered. individuals whose roots are sincerely Sabbath because: (a) Jesus did say planted in the fertile soil of that “it is lawful to do good on the Scripture. Sabbath” (Matt. 12:12, NIV) and (b) the range of accepted On the other hand, some among us tragically misapply Sabbath employment has in many places so widened that this text to mean that rules, rituals, and traditions connected almost any function that has humanitarian overtones is with church life and operations should never be altered. tolerated. The first factor is, of course, legitimate; the sec- That is not the case. ond is not. What is it about God that does not change? His just per- How do we know the difference? By discerning, first of sonality and His pure and holy character. However, His all, whether or not the wage-earning activity is absolutely methodologies, i.e., His answers to problems and people, do essential to the survival of the sick or helpless. And, given change. Hebrews 1:1-3 tells us how He changed media in a positive response to that inquiry, whether or not it is communicating with the human race. And very practically, conducted in an atmosphere impacted by Sabbathkeeping as Scripture delineates, He changed over time toward Israel principles. regarding issues of marriage and divorce, residence, diet, and The growing tendency in our churches to sanction any governance. There are also Abraham’s classic conversations and all humanitarian-related wage earning on the Sabbath, (Gen. 18:22-33) in which God “changed” several times rela- i.e., ambulance drivers, hospital dietitians, police officers, tive to His decision to destroy Sodom. firefighters—even physicians and nurses who labor under The verse you quote does not introduce a God who rigidly common, everyday secular circumstances—is, I believe, a far does the same thing the same way all the time, but rather a too liberal interpretation of Jesus’ words and example. God whose unalterable goodness is appropriately applied in And, as attending regular classes on the Sabbath to earn all circumstances in every generation. a degree that qualifies one for such a job is not appropriate, That is what Augustine had in mind when he wrote, “For neither is attending classes on the Sabbath to enhance one’s any thing, whatever in short be its excellence, if it is ability to perform the job. changeable, does not truly exist; for there is no true exis- There are delicate differences to be considered when tence wherever nonexistence has also a place. . . . Sift the addressing this issue, and I recommend that you consult mutations of things, thou wilt find WAS and WILL BE: your pastor, church board, and when necessary, local confer- think on God, thou wilt find the IS, where WAS and WILL ence officials for advice regarding the particularly troubling BE cannot exist.” aspects of this question. Calvin B. Rock is a general vice president of the hat disturbs me about our church is all the new General Conference. He holds doctoral degrees in ways of doing things—music, dress, diet, church ministry and Christian ethics. Wservices, institutional practices, and so many other things. The Bible says, “I am the Lord, I change not”

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 (633) 17 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES Adventist Students Provide Campus Witness in the Philippines

BY GEBRE WORANCHA, WHO IS PURSUING A DOCTORATE IN EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT C ENTRAL L UZON S TATE U NIVERSITY.

hey come from Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Myanmar. In all, TAdventist students from nine African and Asian countries come to the Philippines to attend Central Luzon State University (CLSU). Noted for its research-focused stud- ies and its wide variety of doctoral pro- grams, this government-sponsored institution attracts students from 25 countries. According to a study con- ducted last year, of all foreign graduate students attending CLSU Seventh-day GOD’S ARMY: These Adventist students and their families overtly and covertly share the Adventist students ranked second in gospel on the multiethnic campus. number, while Buddhists ranked first. These Adventist scholars are happy Adventist students maintain their dents are grateful to God for allowing with their school activities in CLSU. faith in God and their personal and them religious freedom within the uni- They are happy because every area of group commitment to their Christian versity environment. They are also study is designed to meet the needs of call by putting first things first. The thankful to the university administra- the developing countries through qual- beautiful songs of godly brothers and tion for recognizing the Adventist ity research and development projects. sisters ring out during morning and body of believers on campus and for evening worship. not scheduling classes on their worship First Things First Those who reside on the campuses day—Saturday. Despite the absence of a central of different colleges get together and The Adventist witness is often place of worship on the campus, the enjoy their house worship. These stu- noticed by campus officials and staff members. The university administration and the teaching faculty respect the Adventist students. Does that make other students jealous? One day a non- Adventist African said, “It is unfortunate that the CLSU administration seems to think that any student from the continent of Africa is a Seventh-day Adventist.” We prayed for the opportu- nity to open an Adventist NEW BEGINNINGS: Graduations are a time of new beginnings for students. Some of these students will student center. Then one day go on to serve the Adventist Church, while others will witness in the marketplace. a dormitory manager at the

18 (634) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES housing unit where most of the African activities, including preaching, educational growth. Unless the Lord Adventist students reside announced Sabbath school, children’s programs, endorses and places His unseen signa- that a study room would be made avail- singing, and community services. ture on that “great diploma,” no able for vesper services. The manager degree holds true value. A godly edu- also announced that all single under- Grand Celebration cation is attained when the student is graduate students should attend the A regular prayer of these Adventist motivated by the commitment to mag- Adventist worship program on Friday CLSU students has been for the success nify the name of the Lord and to fulfill evenings. She promised to attend the of their academic efforts. As the result God’s mission. meetings to hear the Word of God. of their petitions, God rewarded many While some of these students will CLSU students in the past with high eventually work for the Adventist Happiest Day academic achievements. Recently three Church, others will undoubtedly work Each week the students go to a doctoral students graduated with Ph.D. as committed church members in secu- town called Muñoz, where a small degrees. The event provided a joyous lar professions. Through their witness- church is located. In 1994 “the local day for their fellow students and mem- ing experiences at Central Luzon State Adventist church had an attendance bers of the Muñoz church. University many of these students of three to four elderly persons,” an As they witness to others and have learned that education becomes observer said. Today this small church pursue their educational goals, most powerful when it’s used as a tool has more people than the building can Adventist students at CLSU realize to advance God’s cause. accommodate. Some of the believers that “unless the Lord builds the “For whosoever shall be ashamed of sit outside in a small shed. The major- house, its builders labor in vain. me and of my words, of him shall the ity of the attendees are non-Filipinos. Unless the Lord watches over the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall Most of them transferred their church city, the watchmen stand guard in come in his own glory, and in his membership to this small church, and vain” (Ps. 127:1, NIV). Father’s, and of the holy angels” (Luke they actively participate in many This is true of those who desire 9:26), declared Jesus.

NEWSBREAK

Church Rejects Use of Violence endeavors not to be involved in political issues. in Balkan Region The church has consistently refused to do so and intends to maintain this position in the current crisis cen- tering on Kosovo. Nevertheless, it rejects the use of vio- In response to the ongoing crisis in the Balkans, the lence as a method for conflict resolution, be it ethnic Adventist Church released a statement rejecting the use of vio- cleansing or bombing. With the church’s long tradition of lence for conflict resolution, reaffirming its nonpolitical stance, working actively and quietly for human rights, including in committing itself to its ongoing mission of humanitarian aid, particular religious freedom and the rights of minorities, the urging a negotiated settlement, and calling for prayers for Seventh-day Adventist Church is ready to do its part. peace. The full text of the statement follows, released by the The church will endeavor to do so through its world Office of Public Affairs at the Seventh-day Adventist Church organizational structure, in cooperation with the leaders world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland: and members of the church in the Balkan region, to fos- ter a deeper understanding of and greater respect for Seventh-day Adventist Church Statement human rights and nondiscrimination, to meet crying on Crisis in Kosovo human needs, and to work for reconciliation between national, ethnic, and religious communities. The Seventh-day Adventist Church expresses its grave In the current crisis, the Seventh-day Adventist Church concern regarding the situation in Yugoslavia, in particu- is committed to doing what it can, through the Adventist lar in the Kosovo province. While being concerned about Development and Relief Agency (ADRA, the humanitar- the well-being of its many members and operation of its ian agency established by the church), to bring relief to the church organization in this part of the world, the church is many thousands of refugees, irrespective of religion, ethnic- even more concerned about the worsening humanitarian ity, or social status, that have fled from the Kosovo province situation in Kosovo and elsewhere in the region, with into neighboring states, while also closely monitoring the hundreds of thousands of displaced and homeless people. situation and needs of the civilian population in Yugoslavia, The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a worldwide in and outside of Kosovo. The church will utilize its infra- religious community and, as a matter of principle, structure in the region in its relief efforts.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 (635) 19 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES Faith in Foxholes

BY BRUCE MANNERS, CHIEF EDITOR, SIGNS P UBLISHING C OMPANY, AUSTRALIA

nother series of tear-stained faces appeared on the A saying came out of World War II: “There are no atheists television news last night. A cute, sad-faced girl in foxholes.” Perhaps true, but how many in foxholes cursed Alooks at me through barbed wire in today’s news- God for allowing them to be caught in their situation? paper. I’ve heard angry voices on the radio. “God is with us” is a statement of dramatic faith from War in Europe. Again. the foxholes. Television shows people being displaced, losing touch And it can be said only as we understand the bigger with families, dying. battle—the battle between God and Satan. This behind- “It’s one of those regrettable things the-scenes conflict does break out in our that happen in a campaign like this,” NEWS COMMENTARY minds, our homes, in the streets of our NATO commander General Wesley cities and the nations of our world. Clark explained a NATO warplane’s hit on a train. Just because we don’t see His tear-stained face on the His comment brought no comfort to survivors or the nightly news doesn’t mean God isn’t there. Just ask families of those killed. Or to Ivan, who has family in the Djordje Popov (aged 77) and his wife, Amalkom (aged region. I sat behind him in church last Sabbath. 69). They’re from Novi Sad, a city that has experienced For those of us a half world away, the war is a televi- heavy bombing. sion event. Slipped in between our favorite television “With no basement shelter, we remained in our home, shows we may fail to recognize the reality. Look at trusting to God,” they told Adventist News Network. That’s those tear-stained faces again. faith in foxholes.

NEWSBREAK

The Seventh-day Adventist Church urges the interna- Adventist Review Magazine Celebrates tional community and government authorities involved 150 Years of Adventist Publishing to push for an early end to the crisis, on the basis of Christian, moral, and ethical principles, of human rights, In November 1848 Ellen G. White had a vision in which and of good faith negotiations that are fair to all con- God told her that the church must print a little paper, and cerned and that may lead to better relationships. that it would grow into a great worldwide program. The church further asks all its members and the faith From that small periodical, Present Truth, first printed in community in general to pray for divine assistance in 1849, the first Adventist publishing association, now restoring peace and goodwill to this suffering region. known as the Review and Herald Publishing Association, was established in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1861. Today Washington Adventist Hospital Among the church has 56 publishing houses around the world. Top 100 for Angioplasty To kick off the commemoration of 150 years of publica- tion, the editors of the Adventist Review went to Battle Washington Adventist Hospital in Takoma Park, Creek on the weekend of March 26, 27. Review editor Maryland, has been rated as one of the top 100 cardiology William G. Johnsson, commenting on why Battle Creek programs in the United States for angioplasty services. had been picked as the site for the commemorative cele- The rating came as part of a study by HCIA, Inc., a bration, said, “Of all the towns that you might go back to, nationally recognized firm that collects, manages, and Battle Creek has to be the town. We are looking back over distributes comparative health-care information. The 150 years of Adventist publishing. This is the place where study, based on an analysis of more than 12 million cases, the publishing house was organized, where we organized as used clinical and financial measurers. a church, where the Christian Record was started, and of “We’re honored to receive this recognition,” says Cory course where we took the Seventh-day Adventist name. Chambers, president of Adventist HealthCare, which So if you go anywhere, it has to be Battle Creek.” operates the hospital. “We have worked very hard to As a part of the celebration the Adventist Communi- develop a center of excellence that enables us to provide cation Network televised the Adventist Worship Hour live innovative cardiology services.” by satellite Sabbath morning from the Battle Creek

20 (636) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES

Test Your Global What is your guess as to their “Adventist density”? Mission IQ A. 51-150 Adventists per million B. 251-350 Adventists per million C. 1,150-1,250 Adventists per million 1. Maranatha Volunteers D. 3,050-3,150 Adventists per million International recently com- pleted 200 churches in Answers: Punjab, Haryana, and Bihar. 1. D. India. In Orissa state only about 2,300 members are More than 400 attended a church opening ceremony in sharing the Adventist message with more than 36 million the village of Malluval. A multicolored shamiana pro- people. But many new companies have formed, and church tected an overflow crowd from the hot sun. As the peo- buildings are being constructed. At the end of 1997 there ple arrived one could hear the greeting Jesu Masihki! were 130 companies. (“Alleluiah! Praise the Lord!”). In an atmosphere of 2. B. The listed countries are home to between 251 and joy and singing, many came forward bringing their 350 Adventist church members for each million persons in thank offerings. In what country did this inaugural cer- the population. The world average is 1,611; the United emony take place? States proportion is 3,085 (1997). The lowest density coun- A. Bhutan C. Turkmenistan tries in the world are found in the Arab nations of North B. Cambodia D. India Africa and the Middle East. The highest density countries are in the Caribbean Sea, where in some cases about one 2. From the point of view of Global Mission initia- person in every 12 is an Adventist. tives, the following countries have something in com- mon—similar “Adventist density” (the same number of Adventists in proportion to the overall population): —Compiled by F. Donald Yost, Office of Global Mission, General Conference of India, the Netherlands, Russia, Sweden, and Taiwan. Seventh-day Adventists.

NEWSBREAK

Tabernacle. The reach journal to featured speaker African-Americans. was Jan Paulsen, Smith replaces Steve newly elected Ruff, who became president of the South Central General Con- Conference steward- ference of ship director. ✔ Seventh-day Lincoln Steed Ronald Smilth Lynn Martell, Adventists. Hawaii Conference Later in the president, was recently appointed vice afternoon ACN president for development at Loma Publishing director Ron Appenzeller (left) also uplinked Linda University and Loma Linda cranks up an old press works for Review editor William Johnsson. the annual University Medical Center in California. Adventist Review Martell replaces emeritus vice president television special to many sites around the globe. for advancement Donald G. Prior, who retired. Since 1990 LLU’s advancement News Notes Lynn Martell team has raised approximately $135 mil- lion in current and planned gifts. ✔ Lincoln Steed, Listen magazine editor, was recently appointed editor of Liberty magazine, the Adventist What’s Upcoming Church’s journal of religious liberty. Steed replaces Clifford Goldstein, who became editor of the Adult May 22 Global Baptism Sabbath School Bible Study Guides. June 5 Bible Correspondence School Emphasis ✔ Ronald Smith, pastor of the Ephesus Seventh-day June 12 Women’s Ministry emphasis Adventist Church in New York City, was recently June 26 Thirteenth Sabbath Offering for the appointed editor of Message magazine, the church’s out- Southern Asia Division

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 (637) 21 LIFESTYLE

“I Yam What I Yam” Our attitude affects every situation.

BY THELMA HOEHN

HEN I FACED DISAPPOINTMENT have happened if not for that previous disappointment.” as a child, my mother said, “All things Life is about crises. Some are able to cope with them, while work together for good.” Mother was others make crises worse. I decided not to make the problem right. She understood one of the great more troublesome. I turned this obstacle over to Jesus, and He principles of living; our attitude affects gave me a challenge. Yes, my son, Kevin, does have Down’s Wevery situation, good or bad. Tough-minded optimists syndrome, but I saw to it that he received the love and nurtur- emerge stronger from tragedies when they approach prob- ing that my mother-heart told me every child needs. lems with a can-do philosophy. Recent studies suggest that Life has options. If one approach failed, I tried another. upbeat people do better in school, are healthier, and perhaps Life was difficult. I admitted that. Truly successful people even live longer than pessimists. don’t engage in Pollyanna speeches about how wonderful There is more to being an optimist than having a bright things are when they are not. It was wrong to think that outlook. They must be tough-minded, practical, realistic, merely lifting my chin and having the right attitude would determined, and know that God is still ruler. Bad things make everything fine. In my pain, I cried out to Jesus, “I have happen. When setbacks occur, they must acknowledge them a handicapped child. I feel disappointed. I hurt inside.” It was and pray for strength and guidance. important that I accepted and expressed those feelings. Eighteen years ago this September I faced one of the I found myself spending more time with positive greatest challenges of my life. My pediatrician came to my Christian friends than negative people. I sought out friends hospital bed and said, “We believe your newborn son has who encouraged me, prayed with me, and gave me strength. Down’s syndrome. We want to do further testing.” I felt as I found it refreshing to spend time with those who could though an enemy had first thrust and then twisted a sword breathe hope into me. in my chest. The pain was unspeakable. My initial reaction With Kevin, my goal was to rehearse success. I pictured was to crawl in a hole to escape reality. him accomplishing his goals and encouraged him to do just Some well-meaning friends advised me to find an institu- that. I didn’t talk about failure, and he developed good men- tion to care for my son. They said maybe I should forget all tal skills in certain areas. At age 8 Kevin would spend a about him and go on with my life. Another friend suggested whole day studying a page of a book so he could surprise me that perhaps I should counsel with an adoption agency. These with a near-perfect reading that night. Today he reads entire so-called friends reminded me of Job and his friends in the books. And whenever a family member’s birthday nears, Bible. They advised him to curse God and die. It was then Kevin unerringly reminds me to send presents and cards. that I remembered my mother’s advice: “If you carry on, one As Kevin grows older, I continue to encourage and pray day something good will happen—something that wouldn’t with him. Whatever he lacks in reasoning ability he makes

22 (638) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 up in temperament. I continue to suggested the high school swim team. its approval. This was a pizza feed, after appreciate his special qualities. He is a There was no record of a person with all, not an interview. Everyone was particularly good-natured child whose Down’s syndrome ever having partici- hungry. Once again Kevin pointed out grin meets me at every turn. Despite pated on the swim team. Kevin’s the obvious. his intellectual limitations, he remains response was “I love swimming.” His Other times Kevin’s insight turns determined when it comes to mastering determination astonished me. He more serious. Kevin voluntarily tasks within his capabilities. In school arrived at swim practice four mornings assumes the critical role of family Kevin made steady peacemaker. After progress in reading. the recent funeral of But math gave him his grandmother, trouble. I tried fruit- Kevin sat quietly and lessly to teach him listened to my sister the intricacies of and me divide family money and making heirlooms. Both she change. When he and I wanted the met with defeat grandfather clock. A Kevin would sigh few minutes later, and, taking a line Kevin arose from his from Popeye, say, “I inconspicuous spot in yam what I yam, the corner and said, Mom.” He is a family “It’s only things, peacemaker, a varsi- Mom. It’s only ty-letter swimmer, things. It’s not worth and a Boy Scout. arguing about.” He And he is proud of helped us place our what he is. priorities where they Kevin’s Boy Scout belonged. director, Tom, re- In quiet times I cently took a group reflect upon my of Scouts on a bicycle mother’s words: “If hike. “OK, this is you carry on, one going to be tough,” day something good began Tom as he will happen—some- launched into a lec- thing that wouldn’t ture on hard work. have happened if “But it will be worth not for that previous it.” He looked down disappointment.” I at Kevin and noted often wonder what an appealing child- direction our lives like openness. He might have taken if I wondered if Kevin had placed Kevin for was going to be able to complete the a week at 5:30 a.m. He swam for adoption . . . or put him into an insti- hike. another hour and a half in the after- tution. Life would be empty without “I’m sorry,” Kevin interrupted. “But noon. His dedication and determina- him. It is as Mother said: “All things when do we start?” Tom instantly liked tion paid off. work together for good to them that him. The group set out on the bicycle Kevin received the high school ath- love God” (Rom. 8:28). ■ trek. The ride was difficult, but Kevin letic varsity letter in swimming. At a never held the “pack” back. Kevin had pizza party for the school swim team, P. S. Kevin will graduate from high been taking swimming classes since coach Chris said, “Kevin, we under- school this June. infancy in order to strengthen his mus- stand you are the only Down’s syn- cles. They had made him stronger both drome swimmer to have competed on mentally and physically and had given our swim team. How does that make Thelma Hoehn is a single him the stamina to keep up. you feel?” parent and a nursing supervi- I began looking for other ways “I don’t know if I should say this,” sor who writes from Valley to celebrate Kevin’s growing self- Kevin answered, “but when are we View, Texas. confidence. One of Kevin’s teachers going to eat?” The swim team roared

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 (639) 23 HERITAGE

Ellen White’s Disturbing Disclaimer of 1904 Did she really deny her prophetic gift?

BY ROGER W. COON

UMOR FLIES,” THE ANCIENT ROMAN and the other thing—I claim to be no such thing. I will tell poet Virgil lamented in his epic, the Aeneid.1 you what I want you all to know, that I am a messenger that Winston Churchill amplified the metaphor in his God has taken from a feeble, very feeble child, and in my characteristically robust style: “A lie gets halfway girlhood gave me a message. . . . Now I want to tell you this, around the world before Truth has a chance to that Mrs., White does not call herself a prophetess or [even] Rget its pants on.” 2 And Mark Twain would impishly seek the a leader of this people. She calls herself simply messenger.” 5 last word: “One of the most striking differences between a cat On Sunday afternoon stenographer W. E. Cornell reported and a lie is that the cat has only nine lives.” 3 that she said: “I am not, as I said yesterday, a prophet. I do Thus would all three characterize the surprising speed and not claim to be a leader; I claim to be simply a messenger of agility, as well as the remarkable staying power and longev- God, and that is all I have ever claimed.” 6 ity, of falsehood parading as truth. Nearly a century after the In the fifth volume of his definitive six-volume biography, event, the rumor still circulates among professional critics of Arthur L. White aptly characterized these extemporaneous Ellen White (and even within some circles in the Seventh- remarks by his grandmother as “an unguarded statement.” 7 day Adventist Church itself) that some 60 years after her They came to be widely misunderstood, both within and divine call to the prophetic office in December 1844, Ellen without Adventism. Some viewed the statements as an White finally and publicly disclaimed her prophetic role admission that Ellen White did not, after all, consider her- within this denomination. self to be an inspired prophet of the Lord—a role officially What are the facts? and publicly accorded her by her church as early as 1867.8 On Sabbath morning, October 1, 1904, Ellen White, by On Monday, October 3, Battle Creek’s newspapers trum- her own estimate, addressed between 2,500 and 3,000 wor- peted the news, “under flaming headlines,” according to a shipers in the Battle Creek Tabernacle. The next afternoon, Review report, that Mrs. White had now personally and pub- Sunday, October 2, she spoke again in the Tabernacle before licly disclaimed the prophetic office and “much emphasis an additional 2,000, which this time included many non- was laid upon the great deception that it was claimed she SDA citizens of that city.4 had practiced upon this people.” 9 On both occasions Mrs. White made personal reference Transcontinental wire services of news agencies spread to herself, vis-à-vis her formal work for the church. And the story still further.10 upon both she spoke extemporaneously, without notes. But in fact she had done no such thing! According to Maggie Hare’s stenographic notes of the A brief statement of clarification from Ellen White’s own Sabbath morning sermon, Mrs. White offhandedly remarked: pen appeared four months later in the January 26, 1905, edi- “They say she is a prophetess, they say she is this and that tion of the Review, but misinterpretation and misuse of this

24 (640) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 “unguarded statement” continued. On May 26, 1906, in a further effort at clarification, Mrs. White wrote that even within the church, “some have stumbled over the fact that I said that I did not claim to be a prophet, and they have asked, Why is this?” 11 Notable among the “some” that had “stumbled” was Alonzo T. Jones (1850- 1923), a prominent Adventist religious liberty leader, former Review editor, and conference administrator. In 1903, already at odds with the Adventist prophet, Jones had left denominational employment, contrary to her express counsel, to join forces with Battle Creek Sanitarium’s formidable medical superintendent, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg. Jones thus began warring pub- licly against Mrs. White and elected denominational leadership.12 On May 22, 1907, Jones was finally defrocked as an Adventist clergyman by General Conference Executive Ellen G. White speaking at the Battle Creek Tabernacle in 1901. Committee action. Six months later, on November 10, he was disfellow- Facts), originally read aloud in the gated to herself the title of prophet, she shipped as a member of the Battle Battle Creek Sanitarium Chapel on nevertheless never disclaimed the role Creek Tabernacle congregation.13 His March 4, 1906, and subsequently pub- of a prophet—nor, for that matter, did 72-page anti-Ellen White tirade—an lished—created no small stir among she ever correct anyone else who “open letter” to the church (Some Adventists.14 accorded her that title.16 History, Some Experiences, and Some Four months later an extended Let’s examine her two reasons for effort at clarifica- this seemingly strange policy. tion resulted in a longer article (“A The Popular Definition Messenger”) from While Ellen White had no trouble Ellen White that with the biblical definition of the cate- appeared in the gory of prophet, she had a considerable July 26, 1906, problem with the popular definition of Review.15 the term. Basically, the distinction is But before we that between the dictionary denotation examine the two and the popular connotation of the particular reasons word itself. Mrs. White herself Much of the public in her day (as in offered for her our own) tended to limit the role of a rather oblique prophet to that of a fortuneteller—a (and widely mis- predictor of the future. understood) refer- While Ellen White most assuredly ence in the did make predictions of the future— October 1904 some of which came to pass in her own Battle Creek pre- time, others being realized in our time, sentations, it will and a few yet to find final fulfillment— be helpful, first, to the prediction of the future wasn’t a note a significant major function of her prophethood. point: Former executive secretary of the Ellen Though Ellen G. White Estate Robert W. Olson pub- White never arro- licly estimated that “probably not more

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 (641) 25 than 2 percent” of the estimated 25 of the people regarding a prophet as Moroni then instructed him to trans- million words that she penned during one whose chief office was to predict late this work by means of a Urim and her literary career “deal with future events, and she wanted them to under- Thummim and publish it in English. events”; for “her writings deal largely stand that that was not her place in In 1843, at age 38, Smith intro- with Christian experience.” 17 the world. I am fully persuaded that duced the doctrine of polygamy into Even among biblically recognized John the Baptist cherished the same the 20,000-member Mormon colony prophets there were some whose major idea when he denied being ‘that at Nauvoo, then the largest city in the function lay elsewhere than in predict- prophet’ [John 1:21, 25].” 19 state of Illinois. Most non-Mormons, ing the future. Moses, that towering Old and many even within Smith’s own Testament figure, uttered a few The Current Association church, violently disagreed with this Messianic prophecies, but his role was Ellen White’s second reason for not practice.21 largely that of a leader, an administrator. claiming the title of prophet (though Joseph Smith not only styled him- In the New Testament, Jesus charac- self “prophet” but also added the terized His first cousin, John the terms of “revelator” and “seer” to his ERVICE Baptist, as the “greatest” of all the S self-proclaimed official title. prophets (Matt. 11:11)—yet (1) In February 1844, as the first “John did no miracle” (John 10:41); political salvos of the election of NFORMATION (2) John wrote none of the Bible; I 1844 were being fired, Smith

and (3) there is no biblical evidence AINTS announced his candidacy for the that John made any prediction of S office of president of the United DAY the future, save perhaps his offhand - States. The thought of a polygamist remark that One was coming after ATTER occupying the White House so scan- L him whose shoelaces he felt himself dalized public opinion and inflamed unworthy to untie (Mark 1:7). a wave of hostility that a newspaper HRIST OF Prophets in Bible times had C editor in Nauvoo dared publish a ESUS wide-ranging responsibilities, far J fiery editorial denouncing Smith. transcending that of prediction Frontier vengeance was often alone. Many were God’s spokesper- swift, and Smith promptly ordered HURCH OF

sons to address moral wrongs in the : C Mormon night-riding vigilantes to society, and they frequently burn the dissenter’s editorial office HOTO assumed pastoral and even coun- P and press to the ground.22 selor roles. Ellen White did not wish Joseph Smith Joseph Smith and his brother either her church or the public at Hyrum were subsequently arrested large to limit the scope of her activity not disclaiming its role), also given in for “rioting and treason,” and were to the narrow category of mere predic- her 1906 defense, was simple, straight- temporarily incarcerated at Carthage, tor of future events. forward, and very practical: the term in Illinois, pending trial. On June 27, To heighten the emphasis involved her day was often held in disrepute: 1844, a mob took matters into their in this crucial semantical distinction “Because in these days many who own hands, illegally storming the jail, between title and role, Ellen White boldly claim that they are prophets are killing Smith and his brother in a wrote in the July 26, 1906, Review this a reproach to the cause of God.” 20 pitched battle.” 23 explanation: Mention the word “prophet” even The distasteful and immoral char- “My work includes much more than today, and for many the immediate acter of the practice of polygamy the word ‘prophet’ signifies. . . . To connotation is negative and pejora- became inextricably associated with claim to be a prophetess is something tive. In Ellen White’s day this was the word “prophet” in the public mind that I have never done. If others call especially true. for decades to follow. me by that name, I have no contro- Joseph Smith (1805-1844), founder Indeed, Ellen White herself gave as versy with them. But my work has cov- of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- one prime reason for writing her first ered so many lines that I cannot call Day Saints (better known today as the autobiographical account (book 2 of myself other than a messenger, sent to Mormons), claimed that in 1827—the the four-volume series Spiritual Gifts, bear a message from the Lord to His very year of Ellen White s birth—an published in 1860) her distinct desire people, and to take up work in any line angel named Moroni appeared to him. to disassociate herself and the Advent that He points out.” 18 This angel, said Smith, delivered to movement from that of the followers Thus Ellen White’s son William him some golden plates upon which of Joseph Smith: would write by way of further explana- was inscribed, in a language known as “As the cry of Mormonism is often tion in a 1933 letter: “When she spoke “reformed Egyptian,” the Book of raised, especially in the West, at the these words she had in mind the ideas Mormon. Smith further said that introduction of the Bible argument of

26 (642) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 11 Manuscript 63, May 26, 1906; cited in the perpetuity of spiritual gifts [and Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1 especially that of the gift of prophecy, Though (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. which she herself never unblushingly Assn., 1958), pp. 31, 32. (Cited hereinafter as 1SM.) claimed], I have felt anxious that my 12 Ellen White “Alonzo T. Jones,” Seventh-day Adventist brethren should know what my experi- Encyclopedia (1996), vol. 10, pp. 832, 833. ence has been, and where it has been. 13 George R. Knight, From 1888 to Apostasy: never arrogated The Case of A. T. Jones (Hagerstown, Md.: Review “When at Knoxville, Iowa, March and Herald Pub. Assn., 1987), pp. 243, 244. 1860, we learned that a man had been 14 Ibid., p. 223. reporting that he knew me and my to herself the 15 This 23-paragraph statement, originally penned June 29, 1906, and published in the husband twenty years ago, when we Review and Herald of July 26, 1906, is today avail- [allegedly] were leaders among the title of prophet, able in final published form in 1SM, pp. 31-35. Mormons at Nauvoo. At that time I 16 1SM, p. 34. 17 24 “Ellen White’s Predictions,” nine-page was only twelve years old!” unpublished monograph, Ellen G. White Estate, Ellen White wanted no one to link she nevertheless Nov. 6, 1989, p. 1. her gift of prophetic utterance with 18 “A Messenger,” p. 8, pars., 7, 18; cited in 1SM, pp. 32, 34. that of the polygamous “prophet” never 19 Cited in 5Bio, p. 355. Joseph Smith. 20 1SM, p. 36. In conclusion, it is true that Ellen 21 “Joseph Smith,” World Book Encyclopedia disclaimed the (1995), vol. 17, pp. 517, 518. White never claimed for herself the 22 “Joseph Smith,” Encyclopedia Britannica title of prophet, for the two coercive (1990), vol. 10, p. 896. reasons offered above. But it is equally role of 23 “Joseph Smith,” Encyclopedia Americana (1994), vol. 25, pp. 60, 61. true that she never, ever, disclaimed 24 “Preface,” p. iv. the role of prophet—nor corrected a prophet. anyone else who accredited her with this “spiritual gift” of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:1-31; Eph. 4:8-16). 1882, and Nov. 30, 1886—all cited in Witness of Roger W. Coon, Ph.D., is a the Pioneers Concerning the Spirit of Prophecy The evidence of her prophetic gift- (Washington, D.C.: Ellen G. White Estate, retired associate director of ing must ultimately persuade, not by 1981), pp. 80-92. the Ellen G. White Estate. title or office, but when earnest seekers 9 ”The Work of Mrs. E. G. White,” Review He continues to serve as and Herald, Jan. 26, 1905, pp. 5, 6. find in her counsels and encourage- 10 A critical editorial, for example, appeared adjunct professor of prophetic ment the same Voice that speaks to in The Bible Advocate of Stanbury, Missouri, of guidance at the Seventh-day Adventist them in Scripture. ■ Jan. 10, 1905, quoting from a dispatch in the Theological Seminary at Andrews Washington, D.C., Sunday Record of Oct. 2,1904; White Estate Document File 108a. University, Berrien Springs, Michigan. 1 Book 3, line 121; cited in John Bartlett, Familiar Quotations, 16th ed., 93: 38; see “Aeneid,” World Book Encyclopedia (1995), vol. 1, p. 84. 2 Cited by Gabriel Robins (compiler) in Good Quotations by Famous People, in Yahoo! Internet website http://dir.yahoo.com/ Reference/Quotations. 3 Cited in Bartlett, 527: 9. 4 Ellen G. White, “Notes of Travel—No. 2: Moline and Battle Creek,” Review and Herald, Jan. 26, 1905, pp. 8, 9. See also Roger W. Coon, “Ellen G. White’s Distressing Disclaimer of 1904: Did She Really Deny Her Prophetic Gift?” a three-page “Summary Statement” distributed at the 1990 White Estate Research Center Directors Workshop, Silver Spring, Maryland, May 30, 1990, p. 1. 5 Stenographic notes of Maggie Hare, White Estate Document File 108a; cited in Arthur L. White, The Early Elmshaven Years (1900-1904) (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1981), p. 354; cited hereinafter as 5Bio. 6 Stenographic notes of W. E. Cornell, White Estate Document File 108a, cited in A. L. White. 7 Cited in A. L. White. 8 See “Spiritual Gifts,” Review and Herald, May 28, 1867, p. 284, and subsequent statements of reaffirmation in editions of May 25, 1869, Mar. 22, 1870, Feb. 14, 1871, Mar. 25 and Nov. 25, 1873, Oct. 5, 1876, Oct. 4, 1877, Oct. 24, 1878, Dec. 4, 1879, Dec. 20, 1881, Dec. 26,

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 (643) 27 PARABLES OF THE KINGDOM Taking the Plunge Years of preparation are about to yield their results.

BY JUDY L. SHULL

HE GATHERING OF SPECTATORS WAS T.C. experienced the sensation. Air rushed past her as she larger than anyone could have imagined. This noticed the water below. With a joyous movement T.C. was the event. Nothing like it had ever been raised her hands over her head and sliced neatly through witnessed before. its refreshing coolness. They watched, As she felt the water envelop Tstep by step, as T.C. climbed her, thrilled by her flight, T.C. toward the top of the plat- wondered why she’d hesitated. form. At the top she stood, She wondered why she had wor- gazed into the distance, took ried about those final steps. a quick breath, and proceeded Moments later her head slowly out to the end of the cleared the surface, and the board. air exploded with deafening The crowd waited with cheers. T.C. finally felt at hushed expectation. The sun home. Leaning back, she blazed bright in the clear blue floated on the water as the sky. Slowly the diver’s toes sun shone warmly on her face. curled over the edge. Nervous perspiration glis- he church is likewise tened on her hot skin. Those poised at the very brink assembled waited with an Tof history. The Son is unconscious tension—unwill- watching, as are the inhabitants ing to breathe, afraid that of the universe; the anticipation any distraction would cause is high. Will she or won’t she T.C. to lose her concentra- take the final steps toward glori- tion. With one thought the ous flight? Even after a lifetime spectators willed the diver to of preparation, the church some- proceed. They shuddered times hesitates, not quite ready inwardly at the thought that to commit to that final plunge. T.C. might lose her focus and step back. But that leap of faith, that commitment, is the beginning Even though she had been told she could do this, still of an incredible trip. The flight that takes us to the refresh- she wondered. She had planned for this moment for as long ing air of heaven and the loving arms of our heavenly as she could remember. She had imagined her movements Father is only the beginning of an eternity with our Creator. over and over in her waking and sleeping thoughts. The final steps need to be taken. We have prepared for Arms hung relaxed at her side while muscles rippled just the end, the gospel of the kingdom is going to all people, under her skin. Her preparation was apparent. Toe and leg our muscles are flexed. It’s time to let the Lord complete muscles tightened in anticipation. The diver drew back her that for which we’ve long been preparing. Let’s not relax, arms, extending them straight behind her. She bent into a but burst upward with strength and courage to finish what semicrouch. She tucked her head briefly, almost in an atti- God has begun in us so long ago. ■ tude of prayer. It was time for total commitment: to take the

ISC dive, or to relax and wait until . . . until? D Judy L. Shull teaches fifth and sixth grades at Suddenly, almost unexpectedly, T.C. bounced up, then

HOTO Grand Rapids Junior Academy in Grand Rapids, down, hitting the board with amazing power as she catapulted © P Michigan. into the air, rays of sparkling sunshine all around her. HOTO

P The flight was breathtaking. The world disappeared as

28 (644) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 ADVENTIST WORLD RADIO Mr. Wu’s Multilingual ANDREA STEELE Radio

he worship service was over at the Koganei evangelism and the establishment of the Korean Adventist church in Tokyo. The last to leave the sanctuary, Church’s Sam Yook University Foreign Language Institute Pastor Wu paused for a moment and glanced in China—and got married. around this familiar place. His eye fell on the lit- On August 20, 1993, Wu was baptized with 30 other new tle model of the new church building, and in the believers, and then ordained a few months later as a local Tquietness his thoughts went elder. By then, Wu says, he back more than 10 years to was feeling the need of some when he had first heard the formal instruction. Adventist message, on Ad- He was still corresponding ventist World Radio . . . with Mrs. Ohmuro, and she rallied friends and church God’s Universal Language members so that Wu could Born of Korean and attend Japan Missionary Chinese parents in northeast- College (Saniku Gakuin ern China, in the area known College). Graduating in as Manchuria, Wu became fas- 1997, Wu began a graduate cinated with languages. While degree in Asian studies at the studying Japanese at university prestigious Waseda University one day, he took a break and and became an intern at tuned the dial of his shortwave Koganei church. radio. He heard a Japanese program and, combining study Looking Ahead, Looking with pleasure, settled in to lis- Back ten. The program was appeal- His reverie ended, Wu ing, and he was delighted to thought with excitement of hear a Korean program begin the years of service that lay when the Japanese program ahead: they would build the ended. So he kept listening, FAMILY MINISTRY: Fluent in three languages, Pastor Wu stands Koganei church, then he and was delighted again when with his family in front of the Koganei church, Tokyo. They’ll soon would return to China, ready the next language he heard go to China to share their faith. to use his extraordinary lan- was Mandarin. guage gifts in the service of The broadcasts became a daily pleasure, and Wu soon his church and the people of China. wrote for Bible lessons—eventually completing lessons in Smiling, he touched the church model lightly, then three languages. His letters to the Japanese Voice of Hope went quickly out into the sunlight to join his family. His (VOH) were reported in their newsletter, and a church wife was talking to Mrs. Ohmuro (with whom he had cor- member, Tomiko Ohmuro, wrote the VOH to say she would responded for so many years), a member of his own be glad to correspond with the young man. Koganei church. Wu thought about the people who had Wu graduated in 1989 and, returning to his home shown him Christ and all the ways God had led him province, began teaching Japanese in a university. The next through those years—from broadcasts on Adventist World few years were busy ones as his faith grew. In 1990 he met Radio to a future of sharing his faith in three languages— American missionaries setting up a NEWSTART health and he was very, very glad. program, helped establish a small house church in which he was in charge of Sabbath school and young people’s meet- Andrea Steele is director of public relations and listener services ings, purchased a church building for the group, helped with for Adventist World Radio.

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999 (645) 29 REFLECTIONS A Horn Player’s BY BERT WILLIAMS Dilemma

ll of my brass-playing life I have played the confidence to continue trying. Under different circum- trombone. As a school band director I have stances I would have despaired. dabbled at other instruments, but never seri- Recently I came upon a Scripture passage that can be for a ously. A few months struggling Christian what a sympa- ago, however, thetic conductor is for a struggling Abecause of the needs of the orches- What French horn player: “This then is tra I play in, I decided to take up how we know that we belong to the the French horn. As it turns out, truth, and how we set our hearts at this selfless act is more easily con- self-respecting rest in his presence whenever our ceived than accomplished. hearts condemn us. For God is I knew the physical demands musician wants greater than our hearts, and he would be different than with the knows everything” (1 John 3:19, 20). trombone, and I expected to be wrong notes? Too often Christians are over- challenged. What I did not fully whelmed by lack of confidence. understand was how the French Their attempts to live a Christlike horn would play with my mind. The orchestra’s visiting life are flawed. But the more they focus on their miscues, the guest conductor recently told me that the orchestral musi- more their confidence wanes. Their hearts are not at rest. cians who most commonly have emotional breakdowns are The attitude encouraged by my conductor friend is needed players of the oboe and French horn. I have no difficulty by Christians as well as horn players: we ought to care very whatever understanding that. much about living well; but we ought not to care too much. Horn players routinely live at the edge of calamity. They “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free,” exclaims perform demanding music on an instrument that affords a Paul. “Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be bur- very small margin of error. According to my sympathetic dened again by a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1). The paradox of conductor friend, most conductors have “a fairly phlegmatic horn playing is also the paradox of the Christian life. One attitude toward missed notes coming from the French horn can try too hard. Confidence can be so damaged that contin- section.” (The reader is left to ponder why he was telling me ued failure is almost assured, but not for lack of trying. this.) Good conductors know that if they bear down too Our need is for a serious, sustained striving for excellence in hard on horn players they will probably play worse—not for Christian living, combined with a healthy lack of worry about lack of trying but for lack of confidence. the occasional miscue. It’s not that the miscues don’t matter. Here is the horn player’s dilemma: the instrument is (What self-respecting musician wants wrong notes?) It’s just responsive only to one who approaches it with freedom and that to focus on them will only make them worse and bring confidence. Timidity simply will not do. But the physical more in their train. This may be why Paul penned the seem- difference between a fine French horn performance and an ingly incongruous words of Romans 6:14: “Sin shall not be your awful one can be very small. Catastrophe seems always to master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” lurk nearby, and when it occurs it is a public event. One is God’s grace expressed in Christ brings wonderful freedom to do this with confidence? The instrument seems designed to our lives. And if freedom and confidence are essential for to destroy the very confidence that it demands. French horn players, they must certainly be necessary for The challenge for French horn players, says the conduc- Christians too. tor, is to care very much about playing well, but not to care too much. One must strive diligently for flawless execution, Bert Williams writes from Nairobi, Kenya, where but not be devastated when the execution is not flawless. he teaches at Maxwell Adventist Academy. A sympathetic and encouraging conductor is a great boon to a French horn player who is straining at Brahms and Schubert for the first time. So far I have enough

30 (646) ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 13, 1999